Acoustic amplification device

Abstract

The present application provides a kind of modular acoustic amplification device (100), comprising: first module (1), it includes first shell (11) and the acoustic amplifier (12) in first shell (11), wherein first shell (11) has the parallelepiped shape including first base and first height (H1), wherein first base has first long side (L1) and first short side (C1);Second module (2), it includes second shell (21) and power supply or energy accumulator in second shell (21), wherein second shell (21) has the parallelepiped shape including second base and second height (H2), wherein second base has second long side (L2) and second short side (C2).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a modular sound amplification device. Background Technology

[0002] This invention relates to the field of acoustic amplification; more specifically, the field of this invention is wave field synthesis for reproducing audio signals. A wave field synthesis system comprising multiple units, each unit comprising multiple acoustic transducers, is known from patent document US9716961B2.

[0003] GB2229876 and US5209356 also disclose a wave field synthesis system.

[0004] In this field, there is a need for sound amplification devices that can be quickly and flexibly configured according to sound reproduction requirements (such as power requirements and the required channels). Summary of the Invention

[0005] The object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and a method for forming an acoustic amplification device to overcome at least one of the aforementioned disadvantages of the prior art.

[0006] This objective is fully achieved by the apparatus and method of this disclosure as characterized in the appended claims.

[0007] According to one aspect, this disclosure relates to an acoustic amplification device. It should be noted that the device of the present invention is modular, meaning it comprises multiple modules that can be assembled into a variety of different configurations.

[0008] More specifically, the device (at least) includes a first module and a second module. The first module includes a first housing. The first housing has a parallelepiped shape including a first base and a first height. The first base has a first long side and a first short side. The length of the first short side is less than that of the first long side. Preferably, the first base is rectangular. The first module also includes an acoustic amplifier located within the first housing (i.e., within the space of the first housing).

[0009] The second module includes a second housing. The second housing has a parallelepiped shape including a second base and a second height. The second base has a second long side and a second short side. The length of the second short side is less than that of the second long side. Preferably, the second base is rectangular. The second module also includes a power source or energy storage device located within the second housing (i.e., within the space inside the second housing). More generally, the second module includes a power unit positioned within the second housing.

[0010] The first and second housings include corresponding fastening portions that can be positioned in alignment with each other to allow connection of the first module to the second module. The device also includes fastening elements that can be associated with the fastening portions of the first and second modules to allow connection of the first module to the second module.

[0011] Preferably, the length of the second long side of the second housing is equal to the length of the first short side of the first housing. In this way, the modules can be positioned such that the second long side of the second housing overlaps with or is adjacent to the second long side of the first housing.

[0012] Furthermore, preferably, the length of the second short side is half the length of the first long side. In this way, two second modules can be placed on top of the first module to obtain a device with a parallelepiped shape. In another embodiment, the length of the second short side is one-third (or one-quarter or one-fifth) of the length of the first long side; in this way, three (or four or five) second modules can be placed on top of the first module. More generally, the length of the second short side is an approximation of the length of the first long side.

[0013] Preferably, the first height is half the second height. This feature facilitates transportation because it means that these modules can be transported in standard-sized packaging.

[0014] It should be noted that when these modules are installed in the support unit, they are provided with a fastening housing in addition to the main housing. The fastening housing itself may be part of the device according to this specification. The fastening housing includes a panel (which is provided, for example, along the long side, on the vertical wall of the module) and tail members (which are provided on the vertical wall opposite to the vertical wall where the panel is provided).

[0015] The dimensions of these modules were chosen to allow them to be mounted in standard-sized brackets (e.g., 19-inch or 23-inch) in different implementations. More specifically, the dimensions of the first and second modules are directly correlated with the dimensions of the standard bracket (e.g., 19-inch or 23-inch) when assembled with the fastening housing.

[0016] It should also be noted that the first housing includes a first upper base parallel to the first base (or lower base); preferably, the first upper base defines a plurality of fins. The fins have a heat dissipation function. More preferably, the fins of the first upper base are oriented parallel to the first short side. In this way, they define a heat circulation groove oriented parallel to the first short side; therefore, air circulating between the fins can flow in from the front side of the device and flow out from the rear side.

[0017] The first (lower) base may also be provided with fins preferably oriented parallel to the first short side.

[0018] According to one aspect of this disclosure, the device includes a third module. The third module includes a third housing. The third housing has a parallelepiped shape including a third base and a third height. The third base has a third long side and a third short side. The length of the third short side is less than that of the third long side. Preferably, the third base is rectangular. The third module also includes a power source or energy storage device located within the third housing (i.e., within the space of the third housing). The energy storage device includes a plurality of capacitors. More generally, the third module includes a power unit positioned within the third housing.

[0019] It should be noted that in one embodiment, the device includes a second module and a third module, but no first module. In this embodiment, the second module and the third module may be placed side by side or stacked on top of each other.

[0020] The third housing includes corresponding fastening portions that can be positioned to align with the first and / or second modules to allow connection of the third module to the first and / or second modules. The device also includes fastening elements that can be associated with the fastening portions of the third module to allow connection of the third module to the first and / or second modules.

[0021] Preferably, the length of the third short side is equal to the length of the second short side and / or the length of the third long side is equal to the length of the second short side. Furthermore, the third height is equal to the second height. More preferably, the dimensions of the third housing are the same as those of the second housing.

[0022] Preferably, the second module includes a power source located inside the second housing. In this case, the second module includes a connector configured to connect the power source to an external network. The third module also includes an energy storage device located inside the third housing.

[0023] Furthermore, the second housing has a second upper base parallel to the second base (or second lower base); the second upper base may define a plurality of fins oriented parallel to the second long side. In this way, they define air circulation slots parallel to the second long side; thus, air circulating between the fins can flow in from the front side and out from the rear side of the device.

[0024] Preferably, the fins of the first shell are oriented parallel to the fins of the second shell.

[0025] The second (lower) base may also be provided with fins preferably oriented parallel to the first short side.

[0026] In general, the device may include multiple additional modules in addition to the first and second modules; each of the additional modules includes a corresponding housing of the same size as the first or second housing. Furthermore, each additional module includes an additional amplifier if its corresponding housing is the same size as the first housing; conversely, if its corresponding housing is the same size as the second housing, it includes an energy storage device or a power source. The device is composed of multiple modules, each including an amplifier, power source, or energy storage device depending on the required specifications of the device. More specifically, if the device requires high power, it will be configured with multiple modules having the size of the second housing and including multiple corresponding power sources. If the device requires multiple channels, it will be configured with multiple modules having the size of the first housing and including multiple corresponding amplifiers. If the device requires very high energy frequencies that limit network absorption, it will be configured with one or more modules having the size of a third housing (or a second housing) and including one or more energy storage devices.

[0027] In one embodiment, the first upper base of the first housing includes a plurality of first holes. Preferably, the plurality of first holes are positioned along the outer edge of the first upper base. A first group of holes (specifically four holes) is positioned at corresponding corners of the first upper base. In this way, the holes do not occupy space within the housing.

[0028] The second base of the second housing may be stacked on the first upper base of the first housing; the second (lower) base includes a plurality of second holes aligned with a plurality of first holes to allow connection between the first module and the second module. Preferably, the plurality of second holes are positioned along the outer edge of the second lower base. A first group of holes (specifically four holes) of the plurality of holes is positioned at corresponding corners of the second lower base.

[0029] The holes in the first upper base and the second (lower) base form a fastening portion. The device also includes a plurality of screws or pins, each inserted into (or insertable into) the holes in the second (lower) base and the first upper base, to connect the first module to the second module. Pins or screws are examples of fastening elements.

[0030] The hole at the first upper base extends transversely through the first upper base to reach the first (lower) base through the first housing. Therefore, the first housing includes a plurality of through holes extending between the first (lower) base and the first upper base.

[0031] Similarly, the hole in the second upper base extends transversely to the second upper base, passing through the second housing to reach the second (lower) base. Therefore, the second housing includes a plurality of through holes extending between the second (lower) base and the second upper base. These holes form a fastening portion.

[0032] The first housing includes a first side portion parallel to a first height and a first short side; the second housing includes a second side portion parallel to a second height and a second long side. Fastening portions of the first and second housings are configured to allow connection of a first module to a second module in an operational configuration, wherein the first side portion of the first housing is juxtaposed with the second side portion of the second housing. Similarly, the third housing includes a third side portion parallel to a third height and a third long side; fastening portions of the third housing are configured to allow connection of a third module to the first module and / or the second module in an operational configuration, wherein the third side portion of the third housing is juxtaposed with the second side portion of the second housing (and / or the first side portion of the first housing).

[0033] The first module, the second module, and the third module include corresponding electrical connectors configured to allow electrical connection between the first module and the second module (and the third module). The electrical connector of the first module is positioned along a first short side. This is not a necessary feature, as in some embodiments the electrical connector of the first module may also be positioned along a first long side. The electrical connector of the second module is positioned along a second long side. The electrical connector of the third module is positioned along a third long side.

[0034] Similarly, these features are not necessary, since the electrical connectors of the second module and the third module can be placed in the second short side and the third short side, respectively.

[0035] In fact, more generally, this disclosure provides a solution in which the electrical connector of the first module is positioned on a side that coincides (aligns) with the side of the second module and the side of the third module where the corresponding electrical connectors are positioned after the device is assembled.

[0036] Preferably, the electrical connectors of the first and second modules (and the third module) are threaded connectors. Threaded connectors are symmetrical, allowing each connector to be connected to the other at at least two different relative positions (specifically, at two different positions 180° apart) without twisting the connector (which in one embodiment comprises a flat, rigid cable). This increases the possibility of interconnecting the modules.

[0037] The apparatus disclosed herein can be applied to wave field synthesis.

[0038] It should be noted that this disclosure also provides a wavefield synthesis system comprising a plurality of means according to one or more aspects of this disclosure. The wavefield synthesis system operates according to the methods described in the document "Holographic Approach for Acoustic Control" by Berkhout, AJ, published in the December 1988 issue of the Journal of the Audio Engineering Society, Vol. 36, No. 12, pp. 977-998.

[0039] This disclosure also provides a method for forming (i.e., assembling) an acoustic amplification device. Therefore, this disclosure also provides a method for acoustic amplification. The method includes the step of preparing a first module, which is as described in one or more aspects of this disclosure. The method includes the step of preparing a second module, which is as described in one or more aspects of this disclosure. The method includes the step of connecting the first module to the second module by respective fastening portions for fastening the first housing and the second housing; more specifically, the fastening portions are positioned so that they are aligned with each other to allow for fastening.

[0040] The method may further include the step of preparing a third module, which is described according to one or more aspects of this disclosure. The method may include the step of connecting the third module to the first module and / or the second module.

[0041] More generally, the method may include the steps of preparing multiple modules (wherein these modules are as described in one or more aspects of this disclosure) and interconnecting these modules.

[0042] The method may further include the step of assembling multiple acoustic amplification devices, wherein each acoustic amplification device includes a corresponding first module and a corresponding second module to form a wave field synthesis system. Attached Figure Description

[0043] The described and other features will become more apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiments, shown by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0044] - Figure 1 A perspective view of the first module of the acoustic amplification device according to the present disclosure is shown;

[0045] - Figure 2 It shows Figure 1 The interior of the first module;

[0046] - Figure 3 It shows Figure 1 Another perspective view of the first module;

[0047] - Figure 4 and Figure 5 A corresponding perspective view of the second module of the sound amplification device is shown;

[0048] - Figure 6 and Figure 7 A corresponding three-dimensional view of the third module of the sound amplification device is shown;

[0049] - Figure 8 One embodiment of the sound amplification device is shown;

[0050] - Figure 9 Another embodiment of the sound amplification device is shown;

[0051] - Figure 10 The first and third modules are shown as viewed from above;

[0052] - Figure 11a , Figure 11b , Figure 11c and Figure 11d A corresponding view of an acoustic amplification device according to another embodiment is shown;

[0053] - Figure 12 and Figure 13 A secure housing that can accommodate the sound amplification device is shown.

[0054] - Figure 14 The image shows a device housing an acoustic amplification unit. Figure 12 and Figure 13 A cross-sectional view of the fastening housing. Detailed Implementation

[0055] Referring to this disclosure, reference numeral 100 indicates a modular acoustic amplification device.

[0056] The device 100 includes one or more of the following modules: a first module 1, a second module 2, and a third module 3.

[0057] The first module 1 includes a first housing 11. The second module 2 includes a second housing 21. The third module 3 includes a third housing 31.

[0058] The first module 1 includes an acoustic amplifier 12 located within a first housing 11. The second module 2 includes a power supply located within a second housing 21; the power supply is configured to supply power to the acoustic amplifier 12. The power supply includes a power connector 27 for connecting to a power network to obtain power therefrom.

[0059] The third module 3 includes an energy storage device (for electrical energy) located within the third housing 31: the energy storage device is configured to accumulate electrical energy and supply it to the acoustic amplifier 12 (i.e., to the power source).

[0060] The first housing 11, the second housing 21, and the third housing 31 (approximately) are parallelepiped in shape. It should be noted that the attached drawings do not show any mounting housings that can be installed.

[0061] The first housing 11 includes a first base having a first long side and a first short side, and a first height H1. The first long side has a length L1; the first short side has a length C1, which is less than the length L1 of the first long side.

[0062] The second housing 21 includes a second base having a second long side and a second short side, and a second height H2. The second long side has a length L2; the second short side has a length C2, which is less than the length L2 of the second long side.

[0063] The third housing 31 includes a third base having a third long side and a third short side, and a third height H3. The third long side has a length L3; the third short side has a length C3, which is less than the length L3 of the third long side.

[0064] The length L2 of the second long side of the second shell 21 is equal to the length C1 of the first short side of the first shell 11. The length C2 of the second short side is half the length L1 of the first long side. The first height H1 is half the second height H2.

[0065] The length C3 of the third short side of the third housing 31 is equal to the length C2 of the second short side of the second housing 21. The length L3 of the third long side of the third housing 31 is equal to the length C2 of the second short side of the second housing. The third height H3 is equal to the second height H2. Therefore, the dimensions of the third module 3 are the same as those of the second module 2 and are interchangeable.

[0066] Therefore, the length L3 of the third long side of the third shell 31 is equal to the length C1 of the first short side of the first shell 11. The length C3 of the third short side is half the length L1 of the first long side. The first height H1 is half the third height H3.

[0067] The first housing 11 has a finned upper base. More specifically, the first housing 11 includes a plurality of fins 16 extending parallel to a first short side C1 of the first housing 11.

[0068] The second housing 21 has a second upper base that is parallel to the second base and defines a plurality of (additional) fins 26 that are oriented parallel to the second long side of the second housing 21.

[0069] The first housing 11, the second housing 21, and the third housing 31 each include a corresponding fastening portion to allow connection with other housings (preferably detachable).

[0070] The fastening portion of the first housing 11 includes a plurality of first holes 13. The holes 13 extend along corresponding axes perpendicular to the first base of the first housing 11. In the illustrated embodiment, the holes 13 include four holes positioned at corners of the first base; the holes 13 also include four holes positioned in pairs at the midpoints of the corners along the long side.

[0071] The fastening portion of the second housing 21 includes a plurality of second holes 23. The holes 23 extend along corresponding axes perpendicular to the second base of the second housing 21. In the illustrated embodiment, the holes 23 include four holes positioned at the corners of the second base.

[0072] The fastening portion of the third housing 31 includes a plurality of third holes 33. The holes 33 extend along corresponding axes perpendicular to the third base of the third housing 31. In the illustrated embodiment, the holes 33 include four holes positioned at the corners of the third base.

[0073] Holes 13, 23 and / or 33 are positioned along the outer edge of the first base, the outer edge of the second base and / or the outer edge of the third base, respectively.

[0074] Holes 13, 23, and / or 33 may be positioned in alignment to allow connection of the first module 1 to the second module 2 and / or the third module 3. More specifically, the device 100 may include fastening elements 4, such as pins or screws inserted into the aligned holes 13, 23, and / or 33 to allow connection. More specifically, holes 13, 23, and / or 33 and fastening elements 4 are configured to allow connection of the first module 1 to the second module 2 and / or the third module 3 in an operational configuration in which they are stacked on top of each other. In fact, the first housing 11, the second housing 12, and the third housing 13 may be stacked.

[0075] More specifically, in one embodiment, the device includes a first module 1, a second module 2, and a third module 3; the second module 2 and the third module 3 are mounted on top of the first module 1 such that the upper base 11 faces the second lower base of the second housing 21 and the third lower base of the third housing 31; the second housing 21 and the third housing 31 are placed side by side with each other and preferably have a gap between them.

[0076] The first module 1 includes a plurality of electrical connectors 14a, 14b, 14c, and 14d, which are preferably positioned along the outer edge of the first upper base of the first housing 11. More specifically, electrical connectors 14a and 14b are bus connectors and are positioned along the respective short sides of the first upper base; connectors 14c and 14d are service connectors and are positioned along one of the two long sides of the first upper base.

[0077] The second module 2 includes a corresponding electrical connector 24a, which is preferably positioned along the outer edge of the second upper base of the second housing 21. More specifically, the electrical connector 24a is a bus connector; the electrical connector 24a is positioned along one long side of the second upper base.

[0078] The third module 3 includes a corresponding electrical connector 34a, which is preferably positioned along the outer edge of the third upper base of the third housing 31. More specifically, the electrical connector 34a is a bus connector; the electrical connector 34a is positioned along one long side of the third upper base.

[0079] Preferably, the first housing 11, the second housing 21, and the third housing 31 each include an upper portion and a lower portion, which are openable and closable for corresponding insertion of an amplifier, a power supply, and an energy storage device. The first housing 11, the second housing 21, and the third housing 31 each also include corresponding connectors 15, 25, and 35 for corresponding closure of the first housing 11, the second housing 21, and the third housing 31. In the illustrated embodiment, connectors 15, 25, and 35 are screws that can be inserted into holes formed in the lower portions (i.e., the lower bases) of the first housing 11, the second housing 21, and the third housing 31. The holes for inserting connectors 15, 25, and 35 into the closed housings are different from the holes 13, 23, and 33 for interconnecting modules.

[0080] Device 100 can be positioned within fastening housing 5. Fastening housing 5 itself can be part of device 100. Fastening housing includes a panel 51 and a tail member 52. The module is sized to allow the module to be inserted into a standard-sized bracket.

[0081] The following examples illustrate the possible dimensions of the modules disclosed herein. These examples take into account that these modules can be mounted via corresponding fastening housings 5 ​​(specifically, panel 51 and tail member 52) and that the dimensions of the device are preferably related to the dimensions of the support unit.

[0082] The bracket unit has a standard height of 1.75 inches or 44.5 mm (specifically, 44.45 mm). When placing the module within the fastening housing 5, the second height H2 is, for example, between 42 mm and 44 (or 45) mm; in fact, the fastening module 5 is preferably a few millimeters high. Therefore, the combined height of the module and the fastening housing is approximately 1.75 inches.

[0083] The bracket unit has a standard width of 19 inches (482.6 mm) or 23 inches (584.2 mm). When placing the module within the fastening housing 5, the sum of the lengths of the first long side and the second short side can be between 410 mm and 460 mm (in the case of the 19-inch bracket unit) or between 510 mm and 560 mm (in the case of the 23-inch bracket unit). In fact, the width of the fastening housing, taking into account the panel 51 (in fact, the width refers to the horizontal dimension of the side where the panel 51 is mounted), is preferably between 1 inch and 3 inches (approximately 2 inches).

Claims

1. A modular acoustic amplification device, comprising: - A first module, comprising a first housing and an acoustic amplifier located within the first housing, wherein the first housing has a parallelepiped shape including a first base and a first height, wherein the first base has a first long side and a first short side; - A second module, comprising a second housing and a power source or energy storage device located within the second housing, wherein the second housing has a parallelepiped shape including a second base and a second height, wherein the second base has a second long side and a second short side. The first and second housings include corresponding fastening portions that can be positioned to align with each other, allowing the first module to be connected to the second module. The length of the second long side of the second housing is equal to the length of the first short side of the first housing. The first housing includes a first side portion parallel to the first height and the first short side, and the second housing includes a second side portion parallel to the second height and the second long side, wherein the fastening portion is configured to allow the first module and the second module to be connected to each other in an operational configuration in which the first side portion of the first housing and the second side portion of the second housing are juxtaposed.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, The length of the second shorter side is half the length of the first longer side.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein, The first height is half of the second height.

4. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein, The second height is between 42mm and 45mm.

5. The apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The sum of the length of the first long side and the length of the second short side is between 410mm and 460mm or between 510mm and 560mm.

6. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1-4, wherein, The first housing includes a first upper base portion, which is parallel to the first base portion and defines a plurality of fins oriented parallel to the first short side.

7. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1-4, comprising a third module, the third module comprising a third housing having a parallelepiped shape including a third base and a third height, wherein the third base has a third long side and a third short side, wherein the length of the third short side of the third housing is equal to the length of the second short side of the second housing, and the length of the third long side of the third housing is equal to the length of the second long side of the second housing.

8. The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein, The second module includes a power source located within the second housing, and the third module includes an energy storage device located within the third housing.

9. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein, The second housing has a second upper base, which is parallel to the second base and defines a plurality of fins oriented parallel to the second long side.

10. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1-4, wherein, The first housing includes a first upper base portion, which is parallel to the first base portion and includes a plurality of first holes. The second base of the second housing can be stacked on the first upper base of the first housing and includes a plurality of second holes, which are aligned with the plurality of first holes to allow the first module and the second module to be connected to each other.

11. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1-4, wherein, The first module and the second module include corresponding electrical connectors configured to allow the first module and the second module to be electrically connected to each other, wherein at least one of the electrical connectors of the first module is positioned along the first short side.

12. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein, The electrical connector of the second module is positioned along the second long side.

13. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein, The electrical connectors of the first module and the second module are spiral-type connectors.

14. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, The dimensions of the first module and the second module are selected to allow them to be installed in a standard-sized bracket.

15. A wave field synthesis system comprising a plurality of devices, each of which is an apparatus according to any one of claims 1-4.

16. A method for forming an acoustic amplification device, comprising the following steps: - Prepare a first module, the first module including a first housing and an acoustic amplifier located within the first housing, wherein the first housing has a parallelepiped shape including a first base and a first height, wherein the first base has a first long side and a first short side; - Prepare a second module, the second module including a second housing and a power supply or energy storage device located within the second housing, wherein the second housing has a parallelepiped shape including a second base and a second height, wherein the second base has a second long side and a second short side; The first module is connected to the second module via corresponding fastening portions of the first and second housings, the fastening portions being positioned where they are aligned with each other. The length of the second long side of the second shell is equal to the length of the first short side of the first shell. The first housing includes a first side portion parallel to the first height and the first short side, and the second housing includes a second side portion parallel to the second height and the second long side, wherein the fastening portion is configured to allow the first module and the second module to be connected to each other in an operational configuration in which the first side portion of the first housing and the second side portion of the second housing are juxtaposed.

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