Immersive smart trims design using linear inertial transducers for a better audio sound quality and easier vehicle integration

With the increasing number of loudspeakers in a vehicle passenger compartment for sound quality and immersivity purposes: surround and 3D effects for example, the integration begins to be a tough issue. Smart interior trims made of semi-structural materials naturally decoupled in soft trims excited by linear inertial transducers allow this integration easiness with weight and space reduction on top.

A high audio quality level is ensured by ideally damped smart trims as well as relatively large radiating surfaces delivering a wide omnidirectional directivity and thus a high level of immersivity whatever the audio source format may be. Typical radiation directivity patterns will be shown for classical radiation surface sizes as encountered in a passenger compartment.

A hybrid integration in a Tesla Model Y, mixing standard loudspeakers and exciters, will be illustrated with door woofers and trunk side trim subwoofer replacements through a central console woofer and under seat carpet smart trim subwoofer integration, tailgate surround loudspeakers replacement through a smart trim parcel shelf with exciters, headrest surround with embedded invisible radiating plates excited by small inertial transducers etc… Slightly improved overall frequency response, better transients and much better immersivity have been observed while extending the door trims and tailgate storage space as well as reducing weight globally.