Loudspeaker basket with splash guard

Abstract

A speaker assembly comprising: a polycarbonate speaker basket having a plurality of slots positioned on a perimeter of a back surface in a circumferential direction about an opening; and a polypropylene splash baffle attached to the back surface of the speaker basket. The splash baffle has a perimeter wall comprising a predetermined height. A plurality of lugs on a first surface of the perimeter wall are aligned with and inserted into the plurality of slots, and a plurality of guards extend across the opening of the splash baffle.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a speaker assembly for use in automobiles, and more specifically to a speaker basket and splash guard for a speaker assembly. Background Technology

[0002] Audio systems in vehicles typically include speakers mounted in the doors. Generally, in automotive applications, speakers are expected to be lightweight, compact, and durable. However, vibrations from the vehicle become a concern when speakers are mounted in the doors. Another concern is that speakers are often assembled in the door below the window, which can expose them to water from weather or car washes, potentially damaging the speaker components and negatively impacting their performance.

[0003] For speakers assembled in car doors, plastic speaker baskets are typically used, with the amplifier glued in place within the basket. However, the glue often fails. This can occur, for example, during assembly or due to vibrations from a vehicle traveling on the road, where the weight of the motor causes the amplifier to detach from the glue holding it in the speaker basket. Consequently, the speaker may rattle or vibrate, negatively impacting its performance.

[0004] Protecting loudspeakers from water is typically achieved by enclosing them with waterproof seals or sleeves. However, enclosing loudspeakers can negatively impact their performance because the covering reduces the sound pressure level (SPL) at the loudspeaker's output. Summary of the Invention

[0005] A speaker assembly includes: a speaker; a speaker basket having a plurality of slots positioned circumferentially around an opening on a perimeter of the basket. A splash guard has a perimeter wall including a predetermined height, a plurality of lugs on a first surface of the perimeter wall aligning with and inserting into the plurality of slots, and a plurality of protective members extending across the opening of the splash guard.

[0006] In one or more embodiments, the speaker basket is molded from polycarbonate, and the splash guard is molded from thermoplastic.

[0007] In one or more embodiments, one of the plurality of slots is a locking slot and a lug on the splash guard that is aligned with the locking slot has an extension that locks the lug into the locking slot.

[0008] In one or more embodiments, the splash guard has a movable hinge molded into the perimeter wall. The movable hinge folds over the wiring harness connector to protect the connector. Attached Figure Description

[0009] Figure 1 It is an exploded view of a speaker assembly with a basket and a splash guard according to one or more embodiments;

[0010] Figure 2 This is a rear view of a speaker assembly according to one or more embodiments;

[0011] Figure 3 It is a perspective view of a splash guard according to one or more implementation schemes;

[0012] Figure 4 This is a front view of the splash guard;

[0013] Figure 5 This is a rear view of the splash guard;

[0014] Figure 6 This is a close-up rear view of the speaker assembly without the splash guard installed;

[0015] Figure 7 This is a close-up rear view of the speaker assembly; and

[0016] Figure 8 It is a perspective view of a splash guard in one or more embodiments.

[0017] The components and steps in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and are not necessarily presented in any particular order. For example, the figures may illustrate steps that can be performed simultaneously or in different orders to help improve understanding of embodiments of this disclosure. Detailed Implementation

[0018] Although all aspects of this disclosure are for reference only Figures 1 to 8 The speaker basket and splash guard shown are described, but this disclosure is not limited to the described embodiments, and additional modifications, applications, and embodiments may be implemented without departing from this disclosure. In the figures, similar reference numerals will be used to illustrate the same components. Those skilled in the art will recognize that various components set forth herein may be modified without departing from the scope of this disclosure.

[0019] Figure 1 This is an exploded view of a speaker assembly 100 installed in a door frame (not shown) of a motor vehicle. Basket 102 houses all components of the speaker driver, including but not limited to the frame, cone, terminals, voice coil, and connector 116 for wiring harnesses (not shown). Basket 102 is molded as a single piece with an opening 122 for receiving a housing 118. Housing 118 is made of a rigid material such as metal and houses a speaker motor, which includes (but...) Figure 1(Not shown) Back plate or center column, permanent magnet, and front plate or top plate. Splash guard 300 is attached to the rear surface 124 of basket 102, as shown. Figure 2 As shown in the image.

[0020] Figure 2 This is a rear view of the speaker assembly 100. The rear surface 124 of the basket 102 has a plurality of slots 126 spaced circumferentially from each other around the opening 122 of the basket 102. The rear surface 124 of the basket 102 has an opening 130 adjacent to at least one of the slots 128 of the plurality of slots 126. The opening 130 at at least one slot 128 receives a lug portion of a splash guard 300 (described later herein) and locks the splash guard in position relative to the rear surface 124 of the basket 102. The basket 102 is formed of a rigid plastic material, such as polycarbonate.

[0021] Figure 3 This is a perspective view of a splash guard 300, which is molded as a single piece from a relatively non-rigid thermoplastic material (e.g., polypropylene). The splash guard 300 has a perimeter wall 302 and an opening 304 that substantially coincides with the opening 122 of the basket 102. The splash guard 300 has a first surface 306 that faces and is attached to the rear surface 124 of the basket 102. The first surface 306 of the splash guard has a plurality of lugs 308. Slots 126, 128 corresponding to each lug 308 of the splash guard 300 are present in the speaker basket.

[0022] Each lug has a first portion 310 that extends perpendicularly from the perimeter wall 302 into the opening 304 by a predetermined distance. Each of the plurality of lugs 308 has a second portion 312 that extends perpendicularly to the first portion 310 by a predetermined distance. Each of the plurality of lugs 308 has a third portion 316 that extends a predetermined distance in a direction horizontal to the second direction and in the circumferential direction of the opening 304. It should be noted that the splash guard 300 is molded as a single piece, and the first portions 310, 312, and 316 of the lugs are continuous.

[0023] Figure 4 This is a view of the first surface 306 of the splash guard 300. Lugs 308 are strategically positioned around the opening 304 to provide sufficient attachment points between the basket 102 and the splash guard 300. Figure 4 In the example shown, the lugs 308 are spaced approximately equidistant from each other. However, the number, configuration, size, and arrangement of the lugs 308 depend on the speaker assembly and its arrangement or installation in the vehicle.

[0024] One of the lugs 308 has a fourth portion 318 that extends perpendicularly from the second portion 312 by a predetermined distance, thereby defining a locking lug 308. The locking lug aligns with a locking slot 128 in the basket 102. The locking slot 128 is one of the plurality of slots 126 having adjacent openings 130. When the splash guard 300 is assembled to the speaker basket 102 and rotated, the fourth portion 318 of the lug 308 cooperates with the opening 130 to lock the splash guard 300 in place within the slot 128. The fourth portion 318 of the locking lug 308 engages with the opening 130 of the locking slot 128 and prevents the splash guard from rotating.

[0025] Figure 5 This is a rear view of the splash guard 300. One or more protective elements 320 extend continuously across the opening 304 within the diameter of the opening 304. The number, size, position, and arrangement of the protective elements 320 may vary depending on the speaker assembly and its installation configuration in the vehicle. Figure 4 In the example shown, two protective members 320 are illustrated. Each protective member 320 has a predetermined width. The protective members 320 serve to deflect water away from the speaker assembly 100.

[0026] Refer again Figure 2 The rear view of the speaker assembly 100 shows the protective element 320 and its arrangement relative to the housing 118. One or more protective elements 320 extend continuously across the opening 304 within the diameter of the opening 304. The number, size, position, and arrangement of the protective elements 320 can vary depending on the speaker assembly and its installation configuration in the vehicle. Figure 2 In the example shown, the protective element 320 has a predetermined width. The protective element 320 serves to deflect water away from the speaker assembly 100. The protective element 320 also reinforces the positioning of the housing 118 by providing support that helps hold the housing 118 in place. Typically, adhesives or glues are used to hold the housing 118 in place. An advantage of the splash guard 300 of the subject matter of this invention is that because the protective element 320 helps hold the housing 118 in place, the amount of glue can be reduced or completely avoided.

[0027] Figure 6 This is a close-up rear view of the speaker assembly 100 without a splash guard. Figure 6 The example shown has five slots 126a, 126b, 126c, 126d and a locking slot 128 with an opening 130. See again... Figure 5The number of lugs 308 is equal to the number of slots 126 in the rear surface 124 of the speaker basket. The lugs 308 are molded such that they can be inserted into the plurality of annular slots. The splash guard 300 is attached to the basket 102 by aligning each of the lugs 308 with each of the plurality of slots 126 and inserting the lug 308 into the slot 126. Twisting the splash guard in one direction secures the lug 308 to the slot 128 by causing a third portion of the lug 308 to extend through the slot in the rear surface 124 of the speaker basket 102.

[0028] The number of lugs 308 is equal to the number of slots 126 in the rear surface 124 of the speaker basket. The lugs 308 are molded so that they can be inserted into the slots. The splash guard 300 is attached to the basket 102 by aligning each lug 308 with each of the slots 126, 128 and inserting the lug 308 into the slot 128. Twisting the splash guard 300 in one direction secures the lugs 308 into the slots 128 and attaches the splash guard 300 to the basket 102. Figure 7 This is a close-up rear view of the speaker assembly 100, showing the splash guard 300 locked in place. The fourth portion 318 of the lug 308 locks into the opening 130 of the adjacent slot 128.

[0029] Refer again Figure 3 The height h of the perimeter wall 302 is shown. The advantage of the height of wall 302 is that it allows the guard 320 to prevent water from entering the conical region of the speaker assembly 100, thereby enclosing the speaker without reducing SPL. The wall height h provides a larger opening at the speaker basket 102, thus allowing the speaker assembly 100 to produce better sound performance.

[0030] The wall height h of the perimeter wall 302 also provides coverage of the connection area 116. The perimeter wall 302 has a recessed section 314 on its surface. This section 314 is a connection recessed in the perimeter wall 302 to accommodate a wiring harness (not shown). Figure 4 (not shown in the image). In Figure 8 In one or more embodiments shown, the recessed section 314 of the splash guard 800 may be molded together with a movable hinge 802. The movable hinge 802 has a surface area molded as part of the splash guard 800 and is operable to enclose over a wiring harness connector (not shown), thereby covering the wiring harness connector and providing protection from contaminants such as water and debris.

[0031] The basket and splash guards are each molded as separate pieces, which are assembled to each other before the speaker assembly is installed in the door. The basket is a single piece molded from polycarbonate. The splash guards 300, 800, also molded as single pieces, are made of polypropylene. The combination of materials in the subject matter of this invention (polycarbonate for the basket 102 and polypropylene for the splash guards 300, 800) introduces several advantages. First, the subject matter of this invention reduces costs because polypropylene is not as expensive as polycarbonate. Another advantage achieved is reduced rattling noise. Polypropylene is a softer and less rigid material than polycarbonate. Therefore, the polypropylene splash guards 300, 800 reduce the noise and rattling that would typically occur when using a more rigid polycarbonate structure. Furthermore, the protective element 320 of the splash guard helps to hold the housing 118 in place, which also reduces rattling noise. Separating the splash guards from the basket into a two-piece assembly allows for an increase in the height of the splash guard perimeter wall. The higher perimeter wall still prevents water from entering, and it also increases the size of the opening in the speaker assembly 100, thereby increasing the SPL.

[0032] In the foregoing description, this disclosure has been described with reference to specific exemplary embodiments. The description and figures are illustrative and not restrictive, and are intended to include modifications within the scope of this disclosure. Therefore, the scope of this disclosure should be determined by the claims and their equivalents, and not merely by the examples described.

[0033] For example, the steps listed in any method or process claim may be performed in any order and repeatably, and are not limited to the specific order presented in the claims. Furthermore, the components and / or elements listed in any device claim may be assembled or operatively configured in various arrangements and are therefore not limited to the specific configurations listed in the claims. Any method or process may be performed by executing instructions using one or more means (such as a processor or controller, memory (including non-transitory memory), a sensor, a network interface, an antenna, a switch, an actuator, to name a few).

[0034] The benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems have been described above through embodiments; however, any benefit, advantage, solution to a problem, or any element that makes any particular benefit, advantage, or solution apparent or more apparent should not be considered a key, necessary, or essential feature or component of any or all of the claims.

[0035] The terms “comprise,” “comprises,” “comprising,” “having,” “including,” or any variations thereof are intended to refer to non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, composition, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements listed but also other elements not expressly listed or inherent to the process, method, article, composition, or apparatus. Other combinations and / or modifications of the above-described structures, arrangements, applications, proportions, elements, materials, or components used in the practice of this disclosure may vary or be specifically adapted for particular environments, manufacturing specifications, design parameters, or other operational requirements without departing from the general principles of this disclosure.

Claims

1. A loudspeaker assembly, the loudspeaker assembly comprising: speaker; A speaker basket having an opening for receiving the speaker, the speaker basket having a rear surface having a plurality of slots positioned circumferentially on the periphery of the rear surface around the opening; as well as A splash guard having an opening that coincides with the opening of the speaker basket and attached to the rear surface of the speaker basket, the splash guard having a perimeter wall including a predetermined height, a plurality of lugs on a first surface of the perimeter wall being aligned with and inserted into the plurality of slots, and a plurality of protective members extending across the opening of the splash guard, each of the plurality of protective members having a predetermined width and space existing between the plurality of protective members.

2. The speaker assembly of claim 1, wherein the speaker basket is polycarbonate and the splash guard is polypropylene.

3. The loudspeaker assembly of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of lugs on the peripheral wall further comprises: The first part extends vertically from the perimeter wall by a predetermined distance; The second part extends vertically from the first part by a predetermined distance; as well as The third portion extends horizontally from the second portion and extends beyond each of the corresponding slots when the splash guard is twisted relative to the speaker basket.

4. The loudspeaker assembly of claim 3, further comprising: At least one lug has a fourth portion that extends perpendicularly from the third portion to the second portion, thereby defining a locking lug; One of the slots on the rear surface of the speaker basket has an opening adjacent to the slot, thereby defining a locking slot; and The fourth portion of the locking lug is received by the opening of the locking slot, which locks the splash guard in place relative to the speaker basket.

5. The loudspeaker assembly of claim 1, wherein the peripheral wall further includes a recessed section for receiving a connector of the loudspeaker.

6. The speaker assembly of claim 5, wherein the recessed section further includes a movable hinge having a surface extending over the recessed section to cover the connector.

7. A loudspeaker assembly, the loudspeaker assembly comprising: speaker; A polycarbonate speaker basket having an opening for receiving the speaker, the speaker basket having a rear surface having a plurality of slots positioned circumferentially on the periphery of the rear surface around the opening; as well as A polypropylene splash guard having an opening that coincides with the opening of the speaker basket and is attached to the rear surface of the speaker basket, the splash guard having a perimeter wall including a predetermined height, a plurality of lugs on a first surface of the perimeter wall being aligned with and inserted into the plurality of slots, and a plurality of protective members extending across the opening of the splash guard, each of the plurality of protective members having a predetermined width and space existing between the plurality of protective members.

8. The loudspeaker assembly of claim 7, wherein each of the plurality of lugs on the peripheral wall further comprises: The first part extends vertically from the perimeter wall by a predetermined distance; The second part extends vertically from the first part by a predetermined distance; The third portion extends horizontally from the second portion and extends beyond each of the corresponding slots when the splash guard is twisted relative to the speaker basket; At least one lug has a fourth portion that extends perpendicularly from the third portion to the second portion to define a locking lug; One of the slots on the rear surface of the speaker basket has an opening adjacent to the slot, thereby defining a locking slot; and The fourth portion of the locking lug is received by the opening of the locking slot, which locks the splash guard in place relative to the speaker basket.

9. The loudspeaker assembly of claim 7, wherein the peripheral wall further includes a recessed section for receiving a connector of the loudspeaker.

10. The speaker assembly of claim 9, wherein the recessed section further includes a movable hinge having a surface extending over the recessed section to cover the connector.

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