Loudspeaker, loudspeaker device and loudspeaker box with rotatable radiation characteristics

Abstract

A loudspeaker horn with rotatable radiation characteristics comprises a base body in the form of an open funnel with a rotationally symmetrical inner wall in the radiation region, and an insert mounted thereon that is rotatable relative to the base body. The insert acoustically covers a portion of the rotationally symmetrical inner wall and enables the rotatable radiation characteristics of the loudspeaker horn.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a loudspeaker horn, a loudspeaker device and a loudspeaker box with rotatable radiation characteristics. Background Art

[0002] Loudspeaker systems typically have different radiation characteristics in the horizontal and vertical planes and are often designed to provide uniform coverage for audience areas of varying geometries.

[0003] A common method of achieving a specified radiation characteristic is to use a horn for sound guidance. So-called "constant directivity" horns are often used, which provide a radiation angle that is as constant as possible across the frequency in the horizontal and vertical planes, for example 90° horizontally and 50° vertically.

[0004] Loudspeaker systems are usually designed as multi-driver systems. In the high-frequency range, such speakers are often combined with corresponding high-frequency speakers (tweeters). At lower frequencies, such speakers are often not used for space reasons, and direct-radiating diaphragm speakers are used as drivers.

[0005] It is known that the radiation characteristics can be adapted to the operational purpose, for example by rotating the loudspeaker cabinet by 90° without rotating the loudspeaker cabinet. For example, German patent application DE 102 30 409 A1 describes a coaxial loudspeaker device with a rotatable horn. Also common are horns with square mounting flanges, which allow for different mounting orientations. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The problem underlying the present invention is to create a loudspeaker horn which provides a radiation characteristic which can be varied in a simple manner in the horizontal and vertical planes.Furthermore, the present invention aims at providing a loudspeaker device comprising a driver and a horn, and a loudspeaker enclosure comprising such a loudspeaker device.

[0007] This problem is solved by the features of the independent claim. Embodiments and further developments are the subject matter of the dependent claims.

[0008] Accordingly, a loudspeaker horn with a rotatable radiation characteristic may include a base body in the form of an open funnel, the base body having a rotationally symmetrical inner wall in a radiation region. The loudspeaker horn may also include an insert rotatably mounted relative to the base body and acoustically covering a portion of the rotationally symmetrical inner wall, thereby enabling the loudspeaker horn to produce a rotatable radiation characteristic.

[0009] Since the radiation characteristics (radiation pattern) can be changed by rotating the insert, the speaker base can be accommodated in the speaker device or speaker box in a rotationally fixed manner, and the sound guide in the speaker horn can be rotated by the rotatably mounted insert (i.e. by the sound guiding surface of the rotatably mounted insert).

[0010] In other words, the variability of the insert's rotational angle makes it possible to alter the vertical and horizontal radiation angles of the speaker horn without having to disassemble, rotate, or otherwise structurally modify the speaker horn's base. In particular, this allows the speaker horn's base to be securely attached to a speaker and / or speaker enclosure housing or housing component while still providing directionally variable radiation characteristics. For example, the housing component may be a sound barrier inserted into a speaker enclosure housing.

[0011] The insert may define the contour of the sound guide in the loudspeaker horn in a first radiation plane, and the base may define the contour of the sound guide in a second radiation plane perpendicular to the first radiation plane. A rotatable radiation characteristic (or pattern) is obtained by rotating the rotatably mounted insert.

[0012] The insert can be made of several parts, for example two parts, whereby the parts of the insert can be connected to one another in a rotationally fixed manner.

[0013] The insert may include two opposing tongue-shaped sound guiding surfaces. These tongue-shaped sound guiding surfaces cover the inner wall of the base in a radiation area, for example, in two opposing inner wall areas, so that improved radiation characteristics (radiation pattern) can be achieved in the plane defined by the tongue-shaped sound guiding surfaces compared to the inner wall of the base. In the free area between the tongue-shaped sound guiding surfaces, the inner wall of the base is not covered in the radiation area, so that the radiation characteristics of the plane defined by the free area are determined by the base.

[0014] A simple realization of the rotatable mounting of the insert is that the insert - e.g. several parts of the insert - is connected to the base of the loudspeaker horn via a pivot bearing, but also conceivable is, for example, a rotatable mounting on a loudspeaker driver providing the input sound to the loudspeaker horn.

[0015] The rotatable insert is interchangeably connected to the base body, so that rotatable inserts with different geometries can be used. In addition, the insert can be replaced by the user.

[0016] In an alternative embodiment, the insert is not interchangeably connected to the base body. In this case, the rotationally variable radiation characteristic is fixedly determined by the shape of the base body and the shape of the insert.

[0017] In order to make it easier to adjust the swivel angle, the insert can be equipped with an operating lever, via which the swivel angle can be adjusted manually.

[0018] The speaker device includes a speaker driver and a speaker horn arranged in the sound path behind the speaker driver. The speaker horn may be of the type described above. As described above, the insert may be connected to the base of the speaker horn or to the speaker driver via a pivot bearing. Specifically, the base of the speaker horn may also be mechanically fixed to the housing of the speaker driver, for example, by forming the base of the speaker horn and the housing of the speaker driver into a single unit.

[0019] The loudspeaker box comprises the loudspeaker box housing and the loudspeaker device as described above. The base of the loudspeaker horn can be mechanically fixedly connected to the loudspeaker box housing or a housing component thereof, specifically, can be formed into a whole with the loudspeaker box housing or the housing component. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] The present invention will be explained below by way of examples with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein the same reference numerals denote the same or corresponding parts.

[0021] Figure 1A is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of a loudspeaker horn base in the sound path behind the loudspeaker driver.

[0022] Figure 1B yes Figure 1A Schematic perspective view of a loudspeaker horn base, with the sound outlet area visible.

[0023] Figure 2A is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of an example of a loudspeaker horn having a base and an integrated rotatable insert.

[0024] Figure 2B is a schematic perspective view of an example of a loudspeaker horn having a base and a rotatably mounted insert, with the sound outlet area visible.

[0025] Figure 2C yes Figure 2B , where the insert is rotated 90°.

[0026] Figure 3 is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of an example of a loudspeaker horn having a base and a rotatably mounted insert, which realizes a different Figure 2A Radiation angles and detailed illustration of an example of an insert pivot bearing on a base.

[0027] Figure 4 is an example of a two-axis loudspeaker enclosure comprising a loudspeaker arrangement including a loudspeaker horn according to the disclosure herein.

[0028] Figure 5 is an example of a coaxial loudspeaker enclosure comprising a loudspeaker arrangement comprising a loudspeaker horn according to the disclosure herein. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] Figure 1A A schematic cross-sectional view of a base body 110 of a loudspeaker horn 100 is shown. Figure 1A Also shown is a speaker driver 150 that may be connected to the sound input 112 of the base 110 .

[0030] The base 110 of the loudspeaker 100 is designed in the form of an open funnel, having a rotationally symmetrical inner wall in the radiation region. For example, the base 110 can have a substantially circular cross-sectional profile in a portion of the sound outlet side or in its entire axial extent, whereby the radius of the circle steadily increases in the direction of the sound outlet.

[0031] The rotational symmetry may be, for example, cylindrical symmetry, that is, when rotating around the symmetry axis A by any angle, the rotationally symmetric inner wall in the radiation region of the substrate 110 is reflected on itself.

[0032] When the rotational symmetry is, for example, cylindrical symmetry, the radiation characteristics of the base of the loudspeaker horn specified by the inner wall shape in the radiation area are basically the same in all radiation planes, that is, the horizontal radiation and the vertical radiation can cover basically the same angular range.

[0033] The open funnel shape may steadily increase in size from the sound inlet end 112 to the sound outlet end 114 of the speaker horn. However, it is also possible that, for example, at the sound inlet end 112, there is initially a section with a constant diameter or even a gradually tapering diameter in the direction of sound propagation, and the open funnel shape only appears on the base 110, further on the sound outlet side. Similarly, the rotationally symmetrical inner wall does not need to extend over the entire length of the base 110. For example, the sound inlet end 112 can be implemented as a gap or a sound inlet channel of any shape, while the rotational symmetry of the inner wall is only formed in the base 110 of the speaker horn 100 further on the sound outlet side, that is, where the spatial radiation characteristics of the speaker horn are affected. Since the base 110 of the speaker horn 100 has an open funnel shape, the radiation angle of the speaker horn 100 is predetermined in the area on the inner wall of the base 110 that is not acoustically covered by an insert, which will be described later.

[0034] Figure 1B Shows the Figure 1A A perspective view of the inner wall of the base 110 of the loudspeaker horn 100 as viewed from point B. The inner wall of the base 110 can be seen along concentric cross-sectional circles (although these circles do not appear concentric due to the tilted perspective).

[0035] Figure 2A Shows Figure 1A and Figure 1B The speaker horn 100, wherein the base 110 and the insert 120 are rotatably mounted relative to the base 110. Figure 2B and Figure 2C As can be seen from the perspective view, the insert 120 is rotatable relative to the base 110 and acoustically covers a portion of the rotationally symmetrical inner wall of the base 110. The area of ​​the inner wall of the base 110 acoustically covered by the insert 120 can be changed by rotating the insert 120.

[0036] For example, in Figure 2A and Figure 2B In the rotational position shown, the sound guide surfaces 120_1, 120_2 of the insert 120 cover the inner wall area of ​​the base 110 along the vertical plane of the loudspeaker horn 100, while in Figure 2C In the 90° rotated position of the insert 120 shown, the base body 110 is acoustically covered by the sound guide surfaces 120_1 , 120_2 along the horizontally extending inner wall area of ​​the loudspeaker horn 100 .

[0037] The insert 120 or more precisely its sound guiding surfaces 120_1, 120_2 has a sound guiding profile that is different from the profile of the inner wall of the base 110 in the radiation area. Figure 2A and Figure 2B The radiation characteristics on the horizontal plane in the middle are predetermined by the substrate profile, while the radiation characteristics on the second radiation plane (such as Figure 2A and Figure 2B The radiation characteristics in the vertical plane (in the vertical plane) are predetermined by the profile of the insert (or more precisely, the profiles of the sound guiding surfaces 120_1, 120_2 of the insert 120). In this case, the profile of the insert 120 (or more precisely, the profiles of its sound guiding surfaces 120_1, 120_2) can be rotationally symmetric, i.e., a 180° rotation causes the insert 120 to be imaged onto itself, but not at other rotation angles (i.e., the insert 120 does not exhibit cylindrical symmetry).

[0038] In this way, a "constant directivity (CD)" loudspeaker horn 100 with a "built-in" rotatable radiation characteristic can be provided. The (optional) constant directivity characteristic of the loudspeaker horn 100 is thus produced by the shaping of the base body 110 in the conical radiation area and by the shaping of the sound guide surfaces 120_1, 120_2 of the insert 120.

[0039] Sound guide surfaces 120_1 and 120_2 of insert 120 can be mechanically fixed to each other, for example, forming a single unit. In this case, sound guide surfaces 120_1 and 120_2 always rotate together. However, in other cases, sound guide surfaces 120_1 and 120_2 of insert 120 can be mounted separately so that they can rotate relative to base 110, thereby affecting the radiation characteristics in off-axis directions.

[0040] For example, the insert 120 can be continuously rotated by at least 90°. Figure 2B and Figure 2C Each position shown provides a lock to prevent accidental rotation.

[0041] exist Figures 1A to 2B In the example shown, the base body 110 has a radiation angle of 50°, while the insert 120 determines a radiation angle of 90° due to the corresponding shaping of the sound guide surfaces 120_1, 120_2. Figures 2A-2B ) or horizontal radiation angle ( Figure 2C ) can extend from a radiating angle specified by the shape of the base 110, such as 50°, to a radiating angle specified by the shape of the insert 120, such as 90°.

[0042] The insert 120 may, for example, be in the form of opposing tongue-shaped sound guide surfaces 120_1, 120_2. The tongue-shaped sound guide surfaces 120_1, 120_2 may then extend substantially over the entire length of the base body, e.g. Figure 2A 、 2B 2C , that is, it basically extends from the sound inlet end 112 of the base body 110 to the sound outlet end 114 of the base body 110 .

[0043] For example, the parts 120_1a, 120_2a of the sound guide surfaces 120_1, 120_2 on the sound inlet side can form the boundary surface of the upstream sound channel, which guides the sound to the bend 121 of the sound guide surfaces 120_1, 120_2, and the bend 121 then determines the further radiation characteristics of the insert 120 through the corresponding opening angle. In this example, the upstream sound channel is therefore formed by the sound inlet side parts 120_1a, 120_2a of the sound guide surfaces 120_1, 120_2 and the inner wall of the base 110 of the speaker 100. The larger the radiation angle, the farther the bend 121 of the insert 120 is located on the sound outlet side (that is, the longer the upstream sound channel of the insert 120 is, the longer the radiation characteristics of the insert 120 are). Figure 2A and Figure 3 ).

[0044] Bend 121 and insert 120 together form the diffraction gap of the loudspeaker 100. The diffraction gap of the loudspeaker 100 is thus determined by the shape of insert 120. In other words, insert 120 rotates the diffraction gap of the loudspeaker 100 and Figure 1A Compared to the speaker horn 100 without the insert 120, there is a forward shift. In the sound propagation direction behind the diffraction gap, the radiation characteristics (radiation pattern) are determined by the opposing tongue-shaped sound guide surfaces 120_1 and 120_2, and in the free area between the tongue-shaped sound guide surfaces 120_1 and 120_2, the uncovered inner wall of the base 110 is determined.

[0045] Figure 3 An example of a loudspeaker horn 100 is shown, which is Figures 2A to 2C The illustrated loudspeaker horn 100 differs only in that the insert 120 provides a wider coverage angle, for example 110°.

[0046] It may be advantageous for the insert 120 to be replaceably connected to the base body 110 . However, it is also possible for a rotational connection between the base body 110 and the insert 120 to be mechanically non-detachable or to not be used for replacing the insert 120 .

[0047] Figure 3 Detail D shows an exemplary pivot bearing 310, by means of which the insert 120 can be connected in a rotationally adjustable manner to the base body 110. In this example, the pivot bearing 310 can include, for example, an annular groove 312 present on the base body 110, into which an annular flange of the insert 120 protrudes, for example in the region of the sound inlet-side portion 120_2a of the sound guide surface 120_2.

[0048] The design of the pivot bearing 310 allows the insert 120 to be rotated relative to the base 110 by hand alone, without the need for tools, but requiring the overcoming of a detent or considerable friction. The relatively high friction between the components prevents the insert 120 from automatically changing its rotational position in an undesirable manner, such as due to vibration. In addition, an operating lever (not shown) can be provided on the insert 120 to allow manual rotation of the insert 120. For example, the operating lever can be located on the front side of one or both sound guide surfaces 120_1, 120_2, allowing the user to easily rotate the insert 120.

[0049] In all examples, the base 110 of the loudspeaker horn 100 and / or the insert 120 of the loudspeaker horn 100 may be made of a plastic material or a metal material (such as die-cast aluminum).

[0050] Figures 2A to 3 An example of a loudspeaker arrangement 200 is further shown, comprising a loudspeaker driver 150 and a loudspeaker horn 100 with an insert 120 mounted in the sound path behind the loudspeaker driver 150. In particular, the loudspeaker driver 150 may be a high frequency or mid-high frequency driver, although drivers for lower frequencies are generally also possible, but this would require a correspondingly larger horn size.

[0051] The speaker horn 100 can be directly connected to the speaker driver 150, or, in a manner not shown, a sound channel can be provided between the speaker driver 150 and the speaker horn 100, through which the output sound from the speaker driver 150 is guided to the sound input end 112 of the base 110 of the speaker horn 100.

[0052] Figure 4 An example of a speaker box 400 is shown in which the speaker device 200 is installed. The speaker box 400 has a speaker box housing 410 in which a sound outlet opening for the speaker device 200 is formed.

[0053] For example, the base 110 of the loudspeaker horn 100 can be mechanically fixed to the loudspeaker housing 410. This is possible because the rotation of the radiation characteristics of the loudspeaker device 200 is achieved by rotating the insert 120 rather than by rotating the base 110. In particular, the base 110 and the loudspeaker enclosure housing 410 or a housing component of the loudspeaker enclosure housing 410, similar to the loudspeaker horn 100, can also be formed integrally, for example, by the base 110 being integrally molded with the loudspeaker enclosure housing 410 (e.g., made of plastic), or by being an integral part of a sound barrier (not shown, e.g., made of plastic) inserted into the loudspeaker enclosure housing 410, which can in turn be made of other materials such as plastic or wood.

[0054] For example, Figure 4 The loudspeaker box 400 shown can be designed as a multi-driver system, i.e. additionally equipped with a low-frequency loudspeaker 420. Figure 4 In the example shown, the system is a biaxial multi-driver system in which a tweeter or mid-tweeter arrangement 200 is positioned laterally adjacent to a woofer 420 .

[0055] Or as Figure 5 As shown, for example, a coaxial multi-driver system can be equipped with the speaker device 200 described above. In such a speaker box 500, the speaker driver 150 and the low-frequency speaker driver 420 are coaxially arranged in series, and the low-frequency speaker driver 420 can drive the diaphragm 430 arranged radially outside the base 110 of the speaker horn 100. The speaker horn 100 can be manufactured as described above.

[0056] Likewise in Figure 5 In the coaxial multi-driver system shown in FIG, the base 110 of the loudspeaker horn 100 can be firmly connected to the loudspeaker box housing 410, and in particular, for example, can be formed integrally therewith.

Claims

1. A loudspeaker with rotatable radiation characteristics, comprising: a base body in the form of an open funnel with a rotationally symmetrical inner wall in the radiation region, and An insert is rotatably installed relative to the base body around the rotational symmetry axis of the rotational symmetric inner wall. The insert acoustically covers a portion of the rotational symmetric inner wall and enables the speaker to produce rotatable radiation characteristics.

2. The loudspeaker horn of claim 1 , wherein the insert specifies a sound guiding contour in the loudspeaker horn on a first radiating plane, and the base specifies a sound guiding contour on a second radiating plane perpendicular to the first radiating plane.

3. A loudspeaker horn according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the insert is made of multiple parts.

4. The loudspeaker horn of claim 1 , wherein the insert comprises two opposing tongue-shaped sound guiding surfaces.

5. A loudspeaker horn according to claim 4, wherein the tongue-shaped sound guiding surface extends substantially the entire length of the base.

6. The loudspeaker horn according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the insert is connected to the base via a pivot bearing.

7. The loudspeaker horn according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the insert is replaceably connected to the base.

8. The loudspeaker horn according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the insert is non-interchangeably connected to the base.

9. The loudspeaker horn according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the insert is provided with an operating lever, through which the rotational position of the insert can be changed.

10. A speaker device comprising a speaker driver and the speaker horn of claim 1, wherein the speaker horn is mounted in a sound path behind the speaker driver.

11. The loudspeaker device of claim 10, wherein the base of the loudspeaker horn is mechanically fixed to the housing of the loudspeaker driver.

12. The speaker device according to claim 11, wherein the base of the speaker horn and the housing of the speaker driver are formed integrally.

13. The speaker device according to claim 10, wherein the speaker driver is a high frequency or mid-high frequency driver.

14. A speaker box comprising a speaker box housing and the speaker device according to claim 10.

15. A loudspeaker enclosure according to claim 14, wherein the base of the loudspeaker horn is mechanically fixedly connected to the loudspeaker enclosure housing or a part of a loudspeaker enclosure housing.

16. The loudspeaker enclosure according to claim 14, wherein the base of the loudspeaker horn and the loudspeaker enclosure housing or a component of the loudspeaker enclosure housing are formed integrally.

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