Patent Publication Number: US-11032638-B2

Title: Speaker with an integrated air pressure and vibration mitigation system

Description:
The current application claims a priority to the U.S. Provisional Patent application Ser. No. 62/874,801 filed on Jul. 16, 2018. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to speaker systems. More specifically, the present invention relates to a ventilated speaker system that uses a vibration unit to produce haptic feedback while reducing audio distortion by exhausting excess air pressure force into the ambient environment. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Throughout history, humans have always found methods of entertaining themselves. These methods are as varied as the stars in the sky, and range from storytelling to full-on virtual reality environments. What has remained consistent, however, is that humans employ contemporary technology to further enhance entertaining experiences. In the case of virtual reality, for example, a user dons a headset that blocks out the external environment and immerses the user into a computer-generated reality. Unfortunately, this reality is only as immersive as the technology used to support it and relies upon effective audio and visual output systems. One means of further immersing the user, is to provide haptic feedback that corresponds to events within the virtual environment. Traditional systems use vibrating devices that are advantageously placed to achieve this effect. Some systems integrate vibrating devices into speaker systems. This is a good way to save space but often introduces distortions into the audio output of the speaker. Operating an acoustic driver and a vibration unit within a closed housing causes the air pressure force generated by oscillations of the vibrating device and the diaphragm of the acoustic driver to create a high-pressure environment. This high-pressure environment hinders the ability of the diaphragm to oscillate freely. Thus, introducing audio distortions which detract from the immersive experience, and thus reduce overall entertainment value. 
     The present invention addresses the issue of audio distortions for speakers with integrated haptic feedback systems. To achieve this functionality, the present invention is designed to provide a speaker system that uses a ventilated cabinet to transport unwanted air pressure force away from the diaphragm of the audio driver. The transport vents enable the diaphragm to oscillate freely. Thereby minimizing audio distortions. The present inventio further employs a multicompartment enclosure. This configuration enables a partition plate to be placed in between the compartment housing the acoustic drive and the compartment housing the vibrating device. By separating the two components, the present invention further reduces audio distortion caused by interactions between the acoustic driver and the vibrating device. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a top perspective view of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a bottom isometric perspective view of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a front view of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  is an exploded top perspective view of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  is an exploded bottom perspective view of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  is an exploded front view of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  is an exploded front view of the present invention. In this view, the bold arrows indicate the direction of air pressure force transmission though the present invention. 
         FIG. 8  an exploded front view of the present invention with ventilation holes laterally traversing through the main cabinet and the secondary cabinet. In this view, the bold arrows indicate the direction of air pressure force transmission though the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAIL DESCRIPTIONS OF THE INVENTION 
     All illustrations of the drawings are for the purpose of describing selected versions of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. 
     In reference to  FIG. 1  through  FIG. 8 , the present invention is a speaker with an integrated air pressure force and vibration mitigation system that makes use of airflow channels that act as exhaust vents for any air pressure force generated by acoustic drivers and vibration units. Specifically, the present invention is a speaker device that makes use of a vented cabinet system to retain an acoustic driver and a vibration unit in separate compartments, thereby reducing audio distortion for the acoustic driver. Further, the present invention makes use of the vented cabinet to exhaust the air pressure force generated by the acoustic driver and the vibration unit. Thereby, preventing excess air pressure force from hindering the motion of the acoustic driver&#39;s diaphragm and reducing audio distortion. Preferably, the acoustic driver operates at a frequency range from 20 Hz to 20 KHz and the vibration unit operates at a frequency range of 20 Hz to 6 KHz. To achieve this functionality, the present invention comprises a main cabinet  1 , a plurality of main ventilation holes  2 , at least one acoustic driver  3 , at least one vibration unit  4 , and at least one primary dampening unit  5 . The main cabinet  1  is a housing that retains the components of the present invention is a desired orientation. The vibration unit  4  is preferably a vibrator disk that enables the present invention to produce haptic feedback. The plurality of main ventilation holes  2  traverses through the main cabinet  1 . Thus, forming a plurality of vents that enable the air pressure force and vibrations generated by the vibration unit  4  and the acoustic driver  3  to be advantageously transported through the main cabinet  1 . Preferably, desirable air pressure force and vibrations are directed toward a desired position while unwanted air pressure force and vibrations are expelled into the surrounding environment through the plurality of main ventilation holes  2 . Specifically, the plurality of main ventilation holes  2  functions as a filter that winnows out unwanted air pressure force, thereby minimizing audio distortions. The acoustic driver  3  is mounted adjacent to the main cabinet  1  and the vibration unit  4  is mounted adjacent to the main cabinet  1 , opposite to the acoustic driver  3 . Accordingly, the main cabinet  1  maintains the acoustic driver  3  and the vibration unit  4  in a configuration that facilitate directing the audio and vibratory output of the present invention toward a desired position. Preferably, the vibration unit  4  and the acoustic driver  3  are concentrically aligned and mated to an external cabinet with an adhesive. Consequently, the maximum amount of acoustic and vibratory output is transferred to a user. 
     In reference to  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 5 , as described above, the vibration unit  4  produces vibratory haptic feedback to augment the audio output of the acoustic driver  3 . The primary dampening unit  5  is a device designed to attenuate any unwanted vibrations and air pressure force generated by the vibration unit  4 . The primary dampening unit  5  is mounted in between the main cabinet  1  and the vibration unit  4 . As a result, the primary dampening unit  5  prevents unwanted vibrations produced by the vibration unit  4  from distorting the audio output of the acoustic driver  3 . Preferably, the primary dampening unit  5  acts as a one-way filter that enables desired vibrations and air pressure force output from the vibration unit  4  to travel through the main cabinet  1  toward the acoustic driver  3  while preventing the transmission of undesired vibrations and air pressure force. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the main cabinet  1  is mounted within each of a pair of headphones. Accordingly, the vibratory and acoustic output of the present invention is transferred directly into the user&#39;s ears. Thus, enhancing an immersive experience for the user wearing a pair of headphones that is equipped with the present invention. 
     In reference to  FIG. 4  through  FIG. 8 , the present invention is designed to employ the plurality of main ventilation holes  2  to exhaust excess air pressure force generated by the acoustic driver  3  and the vibration unit  4 . To facilitate this, the main cabinet  1  comprises a main body  11  and a speaker-receiving receptacle  12 . The main body  11  is a structural component that retains the acoustic driver  3  and the vibration unit  4  in orientations that facilitate directing acoustic and vibratory output toward a desired position. The speaker-receiving receptacle  12  normally traverses into the main body  11  and the acoustic driver  3  is mounted within the speaker-receiving receptacle  12 . As a result, the acoustic driver  3  is retained in an orientation that facilitates directing audio output toward a desired position. As described above, the plurality of main ventilation holes  2  acts as a filter that directs unwanted air pressure force and vibrations into the external environment. To facilitate this functionality, the present invention makes use of a plurality of main ventilation holes  2  that are oriented in a plurality of directions. In some embodiments, the plurality of main ventilation holes  2  laterally traverses through the main body  11  into the speaker-receiving receptacle  12 . While in other embodiments, the plurality of main ventilation holes  2  normally traverses through the main body  11  into the speaker-receiving receptacle  12 . Consequently, unwanted air pressure force can be exhausted from the main cabinet  1  at a plurality of advantageous locations, through the plurality of main ventilation holes  2 . Further, the release of excess air pressure force enables a diaphragm of the acoustic driver  3  to oscillate freely without distortion caused by an excess of ambient air pressure force. Thereby, maximizing output fidelity and acoustic performance. The size and distribution the plurality of main ventilation holes  2  is determined by the intended use of the device and can be changed without departing from the scope or spirit of the present invention. 
     In reference to  FIG. 4  through  FIG. 8 , as described above, the present invention is designed to improve user experience by augmenting the audio output of the acoustic driver  3  with haptic feedback from the vibration unit  4 . To facilitate this, the present invention further comprises a vibration compartment  14  and a partition plate  13 . The vibration compartment  14  is a vibration-enhancing chamber that facilitates vibrating the main cabinet  1  to produce the desired haptic feedback. Additionally, the vibration compartment  14  normally traverses into the main body  11 , opposite to the speaker-receiving receptacle  12 . The partition plate  13  is mounted in between the speaker-receiving receptacle  12  and the vibration compartment  14 . Preferably, the plurality of main ventilation holes  2  traverses from the speaker-receiving receptacle  12 , through the partition plate  13 , and into the vibration compartment  14 . Accordingly, the partition plate  13  acts as a partial barrier that prevents unwanted air pressure force from traveling between the speaker-receiving receptacle  12  and the vibration compartment  14 . The vibration unit  4  is mounted within the vibration compartment  14  and is positioned offset from the partition plate  13 , across the vibration compartment  14 . Thus positioned, the vibration unit  4  directs vibrations into the vibration compartment  14 , which acts as an amplifier of the vibratory output of the vibration unit  4 . The primary dampening unit  5  is positioned in between the partition plate  13  and the vibration unit  4 . As a result, the primary dampening unit  5  prevents unwanted vibrations from decreasing the audio fidelity of the present invention. Preferably, the primary dampening unit  5  is a disk of felt paper that is mounted adjacent to the partition plate  13  and acts as a one way filter that enables air pressure force to pass from the speaker-receiving receptacle  12  into the vibration compartment  14  without enabling air pressure force to travel in the opposite direction. In some embodiments, the primary dampening unit  5  includes a harness that is mounted in between the vibration unit  4  and the main cabinet  1 , thereby minimizing the transmission of unwanted vibrations from the vibration unit  4  into the main cabinet  1 . 
     In reference to  FIG. 4  and  FIG. 6 , the acoustic unit is designed to isolate an acoustic element from external vibrations. To that end, the acoustic driver  3  comprises a speaker housing  31 , a speaker-receiving hole  32 , a speaker unit  33 , and a speaker dampening unit  34 . The speaker-receiving hole  32  normally traverses through the speaker housing  31 . Additionally, the speaker unit  33  is mounted within the speaker-receiving receptacle  12 , and the speaker housing  31  is mounted in between the speaker unit  33  and the main housing. Thus, the speaker housing  31  retains the speaker unit  33  in an orientation that facilitates directing acoustic output toward a desired position. Preferably, the speaker dampening unit  34  is a piece of felt that is mounted in between the speaker housing  31  and the main cabinet  1 . Thus, the speaker dampening unit  34  is able to attenuate any unwanted vibrations and air pressure force generated by the speaker unit  33 . In some embodiments, the speaker dampening unit  34  includes a harness that is mounted in between the speaker housing  31  and the main cabinet  1 , thereby minimizing the transmission of unwanted vibrations between the acoustic driver  3  and the main cabinet  1 . 
     In reference to  FIG. 4  and  FIG. 5 , the acoustic driver  3  further comprises a plurality of speaker ventilation holes  35  that normally traverse through the speaker housing  31 . Preferably the plurality of speaker ventilation holes  35  is radially distributed around the speaker hole. Consequently, the plurality of speaker ventilation holes  35  enables evenly relieving the excess air pressure force generated by the speaker unit  33 . 
     In reference to  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 5 , as described above, the vibration unit  4  enables the present invention to output vibration-based haptic feedback. To facilitate this, the vibration unit  4  comprises a vibration sheet  41 , a vibrating component  42 , and a plurality of vibrator ventilation holes  43 . The vibration sheet  41  is a semi rigid sheet of material designed to amplify and distribute vibrations. The vibrating component  42  is preferably an electric motor or buzzer. The vibration sheet  41  is mounted adjacent to the main cabinet  1 . Additionally, the vibrating component  42  is mounted adjacent to the vibration sheet  41 , opposite to the main cabinet  1 . Further, the vibration sheet  41  is mounted within the vibration compartment  14 . Thus positioned, vibrations that are generated by the vibrating component  42  are amplified by the vibration sheet  41  and then transferred to the main cabinet  1 . The plurality of vibrator ventilation holes  43  normally traverses through the vibration sheet  41 . Thus, minimizing the excess air pressure force generated by oscillating the vibration sheet  41 . 
     In reference to  FIG. 4  through  FIG. 6 , the preferred embodiment of the present invention is designed as a self-contained device that isolates the internal components from hazards in the external environment. To facilitate this functionality, the present invention further comprises a secondary cabinet  6 , a vibrator-receiving receptacle  61 , and a plurality of secondary ventilation holes  43 . The secondary cabinet  6  is a structural enclosure for the vibration unit  4 . Additionally, the vibrator-receiving receptacle  61  normally traverses into the secondary cabinet  6  and the vibration unit  4  is mounted within the vibrator-receiving receptacle  61 . Further, the secondary cabinet  6  is mounted adjacent to the main cabinet  1 . Thus, the secondary cabinet  6  and the main cabinet  1  work in concert to create an enclosure for the acoustic driver  3  and the vibration unit  4 . The plurality of secondary ventilation holes  43  traverses through the secondary cabinet  6  into the vibrator-receiving receptacle  61 . Thus, forming exhaust vents for excess air pressure force within the main cabinet  1  and secondary cabinet  6 . In some embodiments the plurality of secondary ventilation holes  43  laterally traverses through the secondary cabinet  6  into the vibrator-receiving receptacle  61 . While in other embodiments, the plurality of secondary ventilation holes  43  normally traverses through the secondary cabinet  6  into the vibrator-receiving receptacle  61 . Consequently, unwanted air pressure force can be exhausted from the secondary cabinet  6  at a plurality of advantageous locations, through the plurality of secondary ventilation holes  43 . In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of speaker ventilation holes  35 , the plurality of main ventilation holes  2 , the plurality of vibrator ventilation holes  43 , and the plurality of secondary ventilation holes are aligned to form a pathway for excess vibrations and air pressure force to be exhausted from within the main cabinet  1  and the secondary cabinet  6  into the external environment. 
     In reference to  FIG. 4  and  FIG. 5 , the present invention further comprises a secondary dampening unit  8  that functions similarly to the primary dampening unit  5 . The secondary dampening unit  8 , however, is mounted within the vibrator-receiving receptacle  61  and is positioned in between the vibration unit  4  and the secondary cabinet  6 . Thus positioned, the secondary dampening unit  8  is able to further minimize unwanted vibrations and prevent air pressure force in the external environments from distorting the audio or vibratory output of the present invention. In some embodiments, the secondary dampening unit  8  includes a harness that is mounted in between the vibration unit  4  and the secondary cabinet  6 , thereby minimizing the transmission of unwanted vibrations from the vibration unit  4  into the secondary cabinet  6 . 
     Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.