WO2013020843A1

WO2013020843A1 - Speaker device for freestanding installation or for installation in cushions, mattresses, sitting furniture, or lying furniture

Info

Publication number: WO2013020843A1
Application number: PCT/EP2012/064818
Authority: WO
Inventors: Christian ZIMMERLI
Original assignee: infrasonics GmbH
Priority date: 2011-08-05
Filing date: 2012-07-27
Publication date: 2013-02-14
Also published as: DE102011052428A1; DE102011052428B4

Abstract

The present invention relates to a speaker device, comprising a resonance body and a speaker unit, the resonance body being cylindrical and being closable at a first end by means of a closing element. The speaker device is characterized in that the resonance body has a bevel on the side opposite the first side, which bevel accommodates the speaker unit and closes the resonance body on the side opposite the first side.

Description

Speaker device for free installation, for installation in cushions, mattresses, seating or

reclining furniture

The present invention relates to a speaker device for free installation, for installation in cushions, mattresses, sitting or lying furniture.

Speaker devices are used to convert electrical signals into sound signals that are output to an environment. For this purpose, a loudspeaker device usually has a housing in which a loudspeaker unit is arranged. The loudspeaker unit has a resonator body with an opening over which a membrane is arranged. The membrane is coupled to a drive unit arranged in the resonator body, which may comprise, for example, magnets with coils movably arranged in each magnet and attached to the membrane. During operation of the loudspeaker device, the drive unit generates a movement of the membrane based on the electrical signals, so that the sound signals are generated by the movement of the membrane, amplified by the resonant body and output to the environment. The housing can also form the resonance body.

US 5,179,747 describes a cushion with a speaker integrated therein. The cushion is filled with a suitable fiber material and can accommodate a radio alarm clock unit next to the speaker. Also, Japanese Patent Application JP2004057281 discloses a cushion having a speaker integrated therein. Here, the speakers are mounted on a plate-shaped carrier within the pad.

US 382,269 discloses a housing for a pillow speaker.

Both in the field of consumer electronics, as well as for therapeutic use, for example, in the care of the elderly and nursing, special demands are placed on the playback quality of speaker devices. In particular, here must have a compact design and ease of manufacture on the one hand and safe operation in situations where sound reproduction in high quality and / or low volume on the other hand must be guaranteed.

The known speaker devices do not satisfy these simultaneous requirements satisfactorily.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a loudspeaker device which is small, compact and versatile in use, particularly in cushions, mattresses and sitting or reclining furniture. In particular, it is an object of the invention to provide a loudspeaker device with an optimized reproduction quality, in particular at low volumes.

The term "small loudspeaker" may in particular designate a loudspeaker unit which may have a flat design, so that the loudspeaker unit can be integrated in a headphone, in particular a mounting depth of the headphone loudspeaker unit (in particular a distance between a undeflected diaphragm of the headphone loudspeaker unit and a rear wall of a headphone Resonant body or a point at maximum distance from the membrane in the absence of resonant body) less than about 25 millimeters, especially less than about 20 millimeters, more particularly less than about 15 millimeters. In particular, a small speaker may have a magnetically driven by magnets and coils membrane. In particular, a miniature loudspeaker may have a broadband frequency range of about 20 hertz to about 20 kilohertz. The term "high-density material" may in particular denote a material which may have a high rigidity, so that a member having this material may be designed to be resistant to bending and / or vibration damping.

The object of the invention is achieved by a loudspeaker device having a resonator body and a loudspeaker unit, wherein the resonator body is cylindrical and can be closed at a first end with a closure means, wherein the loudspeaker device is characterized in that the sound box is opposite to the first side Side has a bevel, which receives the speaker unit and closes the resonator on this side. The inventive design of a loudspeaker device with a closed housing a controlled reproduction of particular low frequencies is improved by the thus-defined volume

Cylindrical shaped according to the invention means that the resonance body has a longitudinal extent which is greater than its cross-section. The cross section itself can be round as well as ellipsoidal. Likewise, it may be provided that the cross-section is angular, such as in the form of a regular polygon. In one embodiment of the invention, the chamfer at an angle between 20 ° and 40 °, preferably between 25 ° and 35 °, in particular 30 ° to the longitudinal axis of the resonator. By chamfering in this form is advantageously avoided that the speaker unit is covered directly in a cushion, a mattress or upholstered furniture by the padding when installing the speaker device, whereby the vibration behavior of the speaker diaphragm could be influenced. In addition, with an appropriate installation, an improved alignment of the loudspeaker unit towards the user is achieved so that the loudspeaker unit, for example in a pillow, tends to be aligned with the user's ear.

In a further embodiment of the invention, it may be provided that the speaker device on the angled side has a sound-permeable cover to increase the distance between a padding and the speaker unit. As a result, the freely stimulable by the speaker unit volume of air is increased, which further improves the sound reproduction. A suitable sound-permeable cover can be formed for example by a correspondingly shaped mesh basket. According to a further embodiment of the invention, the loudspeaker is installed asymmetrically in the bevelled surface or attached thereto. Asymmetrical in this context means that the center of the speaker device does not coincide with the center of the surface of the bevelled and the resonator closing surface. This results in a balanced sound reproduction.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the resonance body is made of a high-density material. In particular, the density of the material of the resonator body may be greater than about 1.58 grams per cubic centimeter (g / cm ^3), particularly greater than about 1.64 grams per cubic centimeter, more preferably greater than about 1.68 grams per cubic centimeter be. These density values of the resonator body material of the speaker apparatus may become larger as compared with plastics conventionally used for speaker apparatuses be. As the material density increases, sound reproduction of the speaker device can be improved. Further, a wall thickness of the resonance body of the speaker device can be reduced without decreasing a mechanical stability of the resonance body of the speaker device, so that a width dimension of the speaker device can be reduced. For example, the material of the resonator can be at least one of the materials known under the trade names Corian®, Marian® and HI-MACS®. These commercially available materials can be processed particularly easily and formed high-density, so that these materials can meet the requirements regarding the stability of the resonator and with respect to a vibration suppression of the resonator. Further, a sound reproduction of the speaker device can be improved because vibrations of the resonance body of the speaker device can be reduced or suppressed due to the high-density material of the resonance body of the speaker device, which leads to noise and affect an efficiency in the conversion of the electrical signals into sound signals and a quality of the sound signal can.

The wall thickness of the housing wall of the resonance body can be between about 1.5 millimeters and about 10.0 mm, in particular between about 2 millimeters and about 7 mm, more particularly between about 2.5 millimeters and about 6.5 millimeters. These wall thicknesses of the housing wall can be easily realized due to the high-density material of the housing without loss of mechanical stability. With decreasing wall thickness of the housing wall, the speaker device can be manufactured more cheaply.

The wall thickness of the housing wall of the housing can be made variable, so that depending on the required mechanical stability and required vibration suppression of the housing, the wall thickness can be adjusted and the manufacturing cost of the speaker device can be minimized. In particular, it may be provided in that the chamfered surface in which the loudspeaker unit is arranged is made thinner than the remaining casing wall of the sound box. For example, the wall thickness of the beveled surface can be between about 2.5 millimeters and about 8.5 mm, in particular between about 3.5 millimeters and about 6.5 mm. Consequently, the wall thickness of the housing wall of the resonator can be sufficiently thick to safely carry the loads occurring in a pillow, a mattress, a sitting or reclining furniture while the wall thickness of the tapered surface may be thinner and still vibration damp due to the high density material , In particular, it can be provided that the wall thickness of the resonator of the speaker device used is adapted, so that it can be installed plan.

The closure means for closing the first end of the resonance body may be formed for example by a screw cap, a clamping cover or a cap. In particular, it may be provided that the closure means is formed of the same material as the resonance body. Furthermore, it can be provided that the resonance body and / or the closure means comprise securing means for secure attachment of the closure means to the resonance body. Examples of suitable securing means are a threaded connection, a clamping seat or locking elements. In a further embodiment of the loudspeaker device according to the invention, the resonator body is formed from at least two half-shells, which together form a cylinder closed on one side and whose side opposite the closed side has a chamfer. The closure means is thus part of the cylinder forming half-shells in such an embodiment. In a further embodiment of the invention, the speaker unit is formed by a small speaker. By using small speakers, such as headphone speakers, an additional electrical power gain in the speaker device can be avoided because the speaker device directly via a conventional headphone connection, for example via headphone outputs, with an electrical signal generating device, such as a computer, a radio , a CD player, can be connected.

Furthermore, the loudspeaker device can reproduce a wide variety of signals, in particular music of various styles, since the playback frequency range of the small loudspeakers is typically broadband, in particular between 20 hertz and 20 kilohertz.

Furthermore, the loudspeaker device can be designed without an internal power source, for example a battery, since a power supply of the loudspeaker device can likewise be effected via the above-mentioned headphone connection or via a further electrical connection to a power source. Consequently, the Lausprechervorrichtung can be operated particularly simple and with little maintenance. Consequently, the speaker device can be used in a confined space because of their small, compact design, so that they can be used in many ways. In particular, the speaker device can be used for free installation, for installation in cushions, mattresses, sitting or lying furniture.

The loudspeaker device can furthermore, in one embodiment of the invention, have a connection socket for a signal source via which the device is connected to a source emitting a corresponding audio signal, such as a CD player, an MP-3 player, a computer, or a radio can be. According to a further embodiment of the loudspeaker device according to the invention, the loudspeaker device is installed flush in the chamfered surface or attached thereto. Under flush installation or cultivation is to be understood that the upper edge of the speaker device is substantially flush with the tapered surface. Attachment may mean that the speaker device is inserted from the side of the resonator body in the tapered surface such that the upper edge of the speaker device with the surface substantially closes.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the loudspeaker device has at least two resonance bodies which are arranged at a fixable distance from one another, wherein the resonance bodies are arranged with their bevels relative to each other. In this case, provision may in particular be made for a respective loudspeaker device to reproduce a channel of a stereo signal. In this way, for example, when installing the loudspeaker device in a pillow or in a mattress, it can be achieved that the user perceives a defined stereo field.

In one embodiment of the invention, it can be provided that the distance between the resonance bodies is between 20cm and 45cm, preferably 25cm and 40cm, more preferably between 30cm and 38cm. The distance is determined between the centers of the respective speaker devices. In particular, the distance can be adjustable in the stated range.

In a further embodiment of the invention it can be provided that the resonant body and / or that closure means comprises a guide rail and / or guide groove, by means of which the speaker device when installed in a pillow, a mattress, a seat or reclining furniture set in its mounting position can be. Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the following figures.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a speaker device according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention; FIG.

Fig. 2 is a side view of the speaker apparatus in Fig. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front view of the speaker apparatus in FIG. 1. FIG.

FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of a loudspeaker device in FIG. 1 with two opposing resonance bodies.

1 shows a perspective view of a loudspeaker device 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. The speaker apparatus 100 includes a sound box 200 and a speaker unit 300. The resonator 200 is cylindrical and closable at a first end 210 with a closure means 400. Cylindrically shaped in the sense of the invention means that the resonator 200 has a longitudinal extent which is greater than its cross-section. The cross section itself can be round as well as ellipsoidal. Likewise, it may be provided that the cross-section is angular, such as in the form of a regular polygon. The closure means 400 may be formed by a screw cap, a clamp cover or a cap. On the side 220 opposite the first side 210, the resonator body 200 has a bevel 230, which receives the loudspeaker unit 300 and closes the resonator body 200 on the side. The bevel 230 may have an angle between 20 ° and 40 °, preferably between 25 ° and 35 °, in particular 30 ° to the longitudinal axis of the resonator. As a speaker unit 300 may be provided in particular a small speaker. Of the Resonance body 200 and that closure means 300 have in the embodiment shown a guide groove 260, by means of which the speaker device when installed in a pillow, a mattress, a sitting or lying furniture can be set in its mounting position.

2 shows a side view of the loudspeaker device 100 in FIG. 1. As can be seen in FIG. 2, the bevel 230 has an angle 240 to the longitudinal axis 250 of the resonator, which may be between 20 ° and 40 °. The angle 240 shown is 30 °. The chamfer 230 receives the loudspeaker device 300 flush and closes the resonator 200 on the side 220. On the side 210, the sound box is closed by the shutter 300.

FIG. 3 shows a front view of the loudspeaker device 100 on FIG. 1. The profile of the guide groove 260 with which the loudspeaker device can be fixed in its mounting position when installed in a seating furniture, reclining furniture, cushions or a mattress can be seen in particular when using the article in which the speaker device 100 is installed, this is fixed substantially stationary within the article.

FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of the loudspeaker device 100 according to the invention with two opposing resonator bodies 200. The resonator bodies 200 are arranged at a distance 500 from one another. The distance 500 may be between 20cm and 45cm, preferably 25cm and 40cm, more preferably between 30cm and 38cm. The distance is determined between the centers of the respective speaker devices 300. The two resonator 200 may be connected together by means of a suitable connecting element such as a steel or plastic tape. In particular, it may be provided that the distance of the two resonance body 200 is adjustable to each other, so that the speaker device 100th for example, can be adapted to the head of a user. This ensures that an optimized sound pattern can be perceived.

Claims

claims

A speaker apparatus (100) comprising a sound box (200) and a speaker unit (300), wherein the sound box (200) is cylindrically shaped and closable at a first end (210) with a shutter means (400), characterized in that the resonance body (200) on the first side (210) opposite side (220) has a bevel (230) which receives the speaker unit (300) and the resonant body (200) on the side closes.

2. Loudspeaker device according to claim 1, wherein the bevel (230) has an angle (240) between 20 ° and 40 °, preferably between 25 ° and 35 °,

in particular 30 ° to the longitudinal axis (250) of the resonance body.

3. Loudspeaker device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the loudspeaker unit (300) is asymmetrically received in the bevel (230).

4. Loudspeaker device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the loudspeaker unit (300) is a small loudspeaker.

5. Loudspeaker device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the resonator body is made of a high-density material, preferably with a density of> 1, 58 g / cm ³ .

6. Loudspeaker device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein it has a connection socket for connection of a signal source.

7. Loudspeaker device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the loudspeaker unit (300) in the bevel (230) flush mounted or grown is.

8. Loudspeaker device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein these at least two arranged at a fixable distance (500) to each other

Resonant body (200), wherein the resonance body (200) with their

Bevels (230) are arranged to each other.

9. Loudspeaker device according to claim 8, wherein the distance (500) between the resonance bodies (200) between 20cm and 45cm, preferably 25cm and 40cm, more preferably between 30cm and 38cm.

10. Use of a speaker device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 9 in a pillow, a mattress, a chair or a reclining furniture.

11. Loudspeaker device according to one of claims 1 to 10, wherein this on the side (220) of the chamfer (230) has a sound-permeable cover.