Single-sided directional sound system with multiple glass loudspeakers

Abstract

A directional sound system includes a base member and at least one pane element secured to the base member. The base member includes a base surface. An exciter is secured to the at least one pane element and includes an exciter surface. An adhesive isolation ring is applied between the at least one pane element and the base member. A predetermined thickness of the adhesive isolation ring creates a gap between the base surface of the base member and the exciter surface. The at least one pane element is positioned on the base surface of the base member. The exciter generates a directional signal when energized.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a sound generation system. Background Technology

[0002] While the vehicle is in motion, the audio system is typically operated for the operator's entertainment. An in-vehicle audio system may include speakers installed in components including the dashboard, door panels, and seat headrests. Speaker installations may include the ability to direct sound based on the location of one or more speakers in the dashboard, door panels, and seat headrests.

[0003] While current systems and methods for providing entertainment sound during vehicle operation have achieved their intended purpose, there is still a need for new and improved systems and methods to generate directional sound from audio systems. Summary of the Invention

[0004] According to several aspects, a directional sound system includes a base member having at least one pane element fixed to the base member. The base member includes a base surface. An actuator fixed to the at least one pane element includes an actuator surface. An adhesive isolation ring is applied between the at least one pane element and the base member. A predetermined thickness of the adhesive isolation ring creates a gap between the base surface of the base member and the actuator surface. The at least one pane element is positioned on the base surface of the base member. The actuator generates a directional signal when energized.

[0005] In another aspect of this disclosure, the actuator defines a piezoelectric member that is energized to actuate the base member.

[0006] In another aspect of this disclosure, the base member defines a glass base.

[0007] In another aspect of this disclosure, an adhesive secures the actuator to at least one pane element.

[0008] In another aspect of this disclosure, the adhesive defines double-sided tape.

[0009] In another aspect of this disclosure, the adhesive isolation ring defines the polyurethane adhesive.

[0010] In another aspect of this disclosure, an adhesive isolation ring defines an isolator for separating actuator actuation from the base surface.

[0011] In another aspect of this disclosure, multiple wires are used to supply power to the exciter from an external power source.

[0012] In another aspect of this disclosure, the wires are positioned below at least one pane element and above the base surface.

[0013] In another aspect of this disclosure, an actuator is embedded in at least one pane element, the actuator being positioned coplanar with an inwardly facing surface toward the base surface, and an adhesive release ring being positioned immediately adjacent to the outwardly facing edge of the pane element.

[0014] According to several aspects, a vehicle directional sound system includes a base member for a vehicle window. The base member includes a base surface. A plurality of window pane elements are adhesively bonded to the base surface of the base member. A plurality of actuators are respectively fixed to each of the plurality of window pane elements and each includes an actuator surface. A plurality of adhesive release rings are respectively applied between each of the plurality of window pane elements and the base member. A predetermined thickness of the plurality of adhesive release rings creates a gap between the base surface of the base member and the actuator surfaces of the plurality of actuators. The plurality of window pane elements are selectively positioned on the base surface of the base member. The actuators generate directional signals when energized.

[0015] In another aspect of this disclosure, the window pane element has an outwardly curved shape that defines a convex surface.

[0016] In another aspect of this disclosure, a plurality of adhesive isolation rings respectively define a continuous boundary around each of the plurality of actuators, thereby forming a seal around each of the plurality of actuators.

[0017] In another aspect of this disclosure, a plurality of adhesive isolation rings respectively define discontinuous boundaries around each of the plurality of actuators.

[0018] In another aspect of this disclosure, the adhesive isolation ring acts as an isolator to separate the actuator actuation from the base surface.

[0019] In another aspect of this disclosure, the window pane element has a reduced thickness and is directly adjacent to the adhesive isolation ring to reduce window pane element vibration.

[0020] In another aspect of this disclosure, multiple actuators are respectively embedded in each of the multiple pane elements, and wires are positioned between the base surface and the multiple pane elements.

[0021] According to several aspects, a method for generating directional sound includes: setting a base member; selecting a predefined shape of a plurality of pane elements; individually attaching one of a plurality of exciters to a single pane element among the plurality of pane elements; individually applying one of a plurality of adhesive isolation rings between the single pane element of the plurality of pane elements and the base member to adhesively bond the plurality of pane elements to a base surface of the base member; when applying the plurality of adhesive isolation rings, creating a gap between the base surface of the base member and the exciter surfaces of the respective exciters among the plurality of exciters by maintaining the plurality of adhesive isolation rings at a predetermined thickness; and energizing the plurality of exciters from a power source to generate directional signals from the plurality of pane elements.

[0022] In another aspect of this disclosure, the method further includes: supplying power from an external power source to a plurality of actuators using a plurality of wires; and positioning the wires between the base surface and a plurality of pane elements.

[0023] In another aspect of this disclosure, the method further includes selecting individual piezoelectric components as a plurality of actuators that actuate base components when energized.

[0024] Further areas of application will become apparent from the description provided herein. It should be understood that these descriptions and specific examples are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure. Attached Figure Description

[0025] The accompanying drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure in any way.

[0026] Figure 1 This is a top view of a directional sound system based on an exemplary aspect;

[0027] Figure 2 It is along Figure 1 Side view of the section taken from section 2;

[0028] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 A top view of area 3; and

[0029] Figure 4 It is another aspect of directional sound systems, similar to Figure 2 A side view of the cross section. Detailed Implementation

[0030] The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit this disclosure, application, or use.

[0031] refer to Figure 1The directional sound system 10 includes a base member 12, such as a glass base, a metal base, or a rigid surface base. The base member 12 may, for example, define a window of a vehicle 13, having at least one, or according to several aspects, multiple window pane elements 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, and 24 coupled to the base member 12. According to several aspects, the vehicle 13 may be defined as any type of vehicle, including but not limited to automobiles, such as sedans, sports utility vehicles, vans, trucks, battery electric vehicles, and hybrid vehicles. According to several aspects, the window pane elements 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, and 24 may be formed of a glass material or a similar material including polycarbonate. Each of the window pane elements 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, and 24 includes an actuator 26, which, according to several aspects, may define a piezoelectric member that, when energized, actuates the base member 12. Multiple pane elements 14, 16, 18, 20, 22 and 24 can be positioned on the base surface 28 of the base member 12 to enable the directional sound system 10 to function as a zoned audio system to provide directional signals defining multiple individual zones.

[0032] refer to Figure 2 And refer again Figure 1 An adhesive 30, such as double-sided tape, attaches the actuator 26 to each of the plurality of pane elements 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, and 24, including the exemplary pane element 22 shown. An adhesive release ring 32, such as polyurethane adhesive, is then applied between each pane element of the plurality of pane elements 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, and 24 (including the exemplary pane element 22 shown) and the base member 12 to attach the plurality of pane elements 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, and 24 to the base member 12, which helps to generate directional sound. A predetermined thickness 34 of the adhesive release ring 32 creates a gap or void 36 between the actuator surface 40 of the actuator 26 on each pane element (e.g., pane element 22) and the base surface 38. According to several aspects, the predetermined thickness 34, and therefore the gap 36, is at least approximately 0.8 mm. The adhesive release ring 32 also acts as an isolator to separate the actuation of the actuator 26 from the base surface 38.

[0033] refer to Figure 3 And refer again Figures 1 to 2 Multiple wires 42 are used to supply power to each actuator 26. Power is supplied to the wires 42 from an external power source 44. The wires 42 may be positioned between multiple pane elements 14, 16, 18, 20, 22 and 24 (e.g., the exemplary pane element 22 shown) and the base surface 38.

[0034] refer to Figure 4 And refer again Figures 1 to 3According to several aspects, instead of attaching the actuator 26 to the surface of the pane element, the actuator 26 may be embedded in a plurality of pane elements 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, and 24, such as the exemplary pane element 22 shown. According to several aspects, the pane element (e.g., the exemplary pane element 22) may have an outwardly curved shape (e.g., a convex surface 46). The actuator 26 may be positioned coplanar with the inwardly facing surface 48 of the base surface 38 facing the exemplary pane element 22. In the embedded position of the actuator 26, with reference to... Figure 2 Similar to the gap 36 shown and described, a secondary gap 50 is formed between the entire inward-facing surface 48 and the base surface 38, wherein the adhesive release ring 32 is positioned directly adjacent to the outward-facing edge 52 of the pane element (e.g., pane element 22).

[0035] The directional sound system 10 includes an exciter, such as a piezoelectric exciter attached to a window pane element using adhesive. An adhesive isolation ring is used to attach the window pane element to a surface of a base member, with the exciter facing the surface of the base member. The adhesive isolation ring has a predetermined thickness and spacees the exciter from the surface of the base member, thereby creating an air gap between the exciter and the surface of the base member to separate the exciter from the base member. When energized, the exciter actuates the glass and generates directional sound. The adhesive isolation ring also acts as a sound insulator to separate the actuation of the exciter from the base surface. An exciter power cord is located below the adhesive isolation ring and is connected by a ribbon cable to an external power source to power the exciter.

[0036] The directional sound system 10 defines a glass loudspeaker consisting of three (3) components: (1) a pane element or diaphragm, (2) an exciter and wiring, and (3) an adhesive isolation ring. The pane element may be concave at the center of the element to allow the adhesive isolation ring and the exciter to be embedded in the element, thereby reducing the overall component thickness. The pane element may also be circular, elliptical, square, rectangular, or have other shapes. The pane element may be curved and may have a reduced thickness immediately adjacent to the adhesive isolation ring to reduce element vibration. The exciter may have a variety of shapes, including square, circular, or annular, or other shapes. The pane element is attached to the base surface via the adhesive isolation ring. The adhesive isolation ring may be continuous, discontinuous, or have other shapes. The adhesive isolation ring may also be structural adhesive or a sandwich structure. The adhesive isolation ring isolates the vibration of the pane element generated when the exciter is energized from the base surface. Any or all of the three (3) components of the loudspeaker may be made of transparent material or may be made of translucent material to enhance the aesthetics of the design.

[0037] The directional sound system 10 disclosed herein offers several advantages. These include: window pane elements are actuated to generate sound and attached to a base surface via an adhesive isolation ring that isolates the vibration of the window pane elements, thereby generating directional sound. The window pane elements with exciters are attached via an adhesive isolation ring of predetermined thickness, and the geometry of the window pane elements enhances the directional sound and reduces packaging space. Individual window pane elements act as speaker cones that can be placed at multiple locations on the base surface, allowing multiple window pane elements to collectively generate a directional signal. The window pane elements provide sound localization at each window pane element location to provide a separate audio experience for each area.

[0038] Each pane element has a bonding actuator attached to it using adhesive. The pane elements are individually secured to the base member by adhesive release rings and produce directional sound when the actuators are energized. The adhesive release rings for attaching the pane elements create a gap between the base surface and the individual actuators on the pane elements. The adhesive release rings also act as isolators to separate the actuator actuation from the base surface. The actuator wires are located below the adhesive release rings and are attached to an external power source, for example, using a ribbon wire. One or more wires can also be taped into an adhesive path similar to that typically used for fixing glass electronics. The wires can be soldered to the actuators of the individual pane elements, thus defining multiple actuators.

[0039] In a controlled environment, sealing individual actuators is not necessary; however, circumferentially applied adhesive isolation rings can serve as seals. According to several aspects, the adhesive isolation rings define continuous boundaries around each actuator of the plurality of actuators, thereby forming a seal around each actuator in the plurality of actuators. According to several aspects, the adhesive isolation rings define discontinuous boundaries around each actuator in the plurality of actuators. Multiple pane elements can be placed on the base surface to create a zoned audio system providing directional signals to the listener. The directional signals are generated by the orientation and number of the multiple pane elements.

Claims

1. A directional sound system, comprising: A base member having at least one window pane element fixed to the base member, the base member having a base surface; An actuator, fixed to the at least one pane element and having an actuator surface; An adhesive isolation ring is applied between the at least one pane element and the base member, the predetermined thickness of the adhesive isolation ring forming a gap between the base surface of the base member and the actuator surface; as well as The at least one pane element is located on the base surface of the base component, and the actuator generates a directional signal when energized.

2. The directional sound system according to claim 1, wherein, The actuator defines a piezoelectric member that is energized to actuate the base member.

3. The directional sound system according to claim 2, wherein, The base component defines the glass component.

4. The directional sound system of claim 1, further comprising an adhesive for securing the exciter to the at least one pane element.

5. The directional sound system according to claim 4, wherein, The adhesive defines a double-sided tape.

6. The directional sound system according to claim 1, wherein, The adhesive isolation ring defines the polyurethane adhesive.

7. The directional sound system according to claim 1, wherein, The adhesive isolation ring defines an isolator for separating the actuator actuation from the base surface.

8. The directional sound system of claim 1, comprising multiple wires supplying power to the exciter from an external power source.

9. The directional sound system according to claim 8, wherein, The wire is positioned below the at least one pane element and above the base surface.

10. The directional sound system according to claim 1, wherein, The actuator is embedded in the at least one pane element, and the actuator is positioned coplanar with the inward-facing surface facing the base surface, wherein the adhesive release ring is positioned adjacent to the outward-facing edge of the at least one pane element.

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