3D printed acoustic lens for dispersing sound

Abstract

The conventional approach to achieving relatively uniform directional dispersion of sound from an audio monitor is to use drivers substantially smaller than the wavelengths of sound they are reproducing. However, it is desirable to use larger drivers to counteract difficulties in producing sufficient amplitude and linearity. Larger drivers emit nearly planar wave fronts that produce substantially larger amplitudes on axis, known as "beaming." With the advent of 3D printing technologies, it is possible to print acoustic lenses that have negative focal length, better dispersing the sound. The approach uses an array of physical channels to delay portions of the planar wave front shaping it into a spherical wave front having an apparent point source.