Portable speaker system

Abstract

A loudspeaker system is disclosed that includes a subwoofer. The subwoofer includes a housing having a plurality of walls that together define an acoustic cavity. The plurality of walls includes a front wall, a back wall, a top wall, a bottom wall, and a plurality of side walls extending between the top wall and the bottom wall and between the front wall and the back wall. A first transducer is mounted to the front wall of the housing. The first transducer includes a diaphragm having a long axis and a short axis. The long axis has a first end proximate the bottom wall and an opposite second end proximate the top wall such that when the subwoofer is resting on its bottom wall, the long axis is arranged perpendicularly with respect to the ground. The top wall has a handle such that the loudspeaker can be carried with the long axis arranged perpendicular to the ground.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims priority to U.S. Application No. 63 / 039,183, filed June 15, 2020, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. BACKGROUND

[0003] The present disclosure relates to portable speaker systems. SUMMARY

[0004] All examples and features mentioned below can be combined in any technically possible manner.

[0005] In one aspect, a speaker system includes a subwoofer. The subwoofer includes a housing having a plurality of walls that together define an acoustic cavity. The plurality of walls includes a front wall, a back wall opposite the front wall, a top wall, a bottom wall opposite the top wall, and a plurality of side walls extending between the top wall and the bottom wall and between the front wall and the back wall. A first electro-acoustic transducer is mounted to the front wall of the housing. The first electro-acoustic transducer includes a diaphragm having a long axis and a short axis. The long axis is longer than the short axis. The long axis has a first end proximate the bottom wall and an opposite second end proximate the top wall such that the long axis is arranged substantially perpendicularly to the ground when the subwoofer is resting on its bottom wall. The top wall has a handle such that the speaker can be carried with the long axis arranged perpendicular to the ground.

[0006] Implementations can include one, or a combination of, the following features.

[0007] In some implementations, the side walls are substantially parallel to the long axis of the first electro-acoustic transducer.

[0008] In certain implementations, the speaker system includes an amplifier disposed within the acoustic cavity and one or more bass reflex ports extending through one or more of the plurality of walls. The one or more bass reflex ports can be arranged to facilitate a flow of cooling air through the amplifier.

[0009] In some cases, the back wall includes an i / o panel, and the subwoofer includes an amplifier disposed within the acoustic cavity. The amplifier can be mounted to the i / o panel such that heat dissipated from the amplifier can be transferred through the i / o panel via conduction.

[0010] In certain cases, the amplifier has a power output of 400 watts to 1000 watts.

[0011] In some examples, the subwoofer includes a mixing console disposed within the acoustic cavity and mounted to the i / o panel.

[0012] In certain examples, the length of the long axis is about 1.30 times to about 1.50 times the length of the short axis, for example, the long axis can be 1.38 times to 1.42 times the short axis.

[0013] In some implementations, the subwoofer provides a sound pressure level (SPL) output of about 110 dB to about 130 dB with 1000 Watts or less.

[0014] In certain implementations, the subwoofer has a total package volume of 120 liters or less, for example, the subwoofer can have a total package volume of about 80 liters to about 120 liters.

[0015] In some cases, the acoustic cavity has an acoustic volume of 60 liters or less, for example, the acoustic cavity can have an acoustic volume of about 30 liters to about 60 liters.

[0016] In certain cases, the speaker system can include a line array assembly including a plurality of second electro-acoustic transducers. The subwoofer can include a receiver for receiving the line array assembly. The receiver can include a first electrical connector, and wherein the line array assembly includes a second electrical connector configured to mate with the first electrical connector for powering the line array assembly via the subwoofer.

[0017] In some examples, the second electro-acoustic transducers are mid / high frequency transducers having an operating frequency range of about 200 Hz to about 18 kHz.

[0018] In certain examples, the diaphragm has an elliptical, oval, or racetrack shape.

[0019] In some implementations, the first electro-acoustic transducers are low frequency transducers having an operating frequency range of about 20 Hz to about 300 Hz.

[0020] In certain implementations, the first electro-acoustic transducers have a suspension compliance of about 0.06 mm / N to about 0.12 mm / N, a maximum linear excursion of about 6.00 mm to about 9.50 mm, an effective cone diameter of about 22.00 cm to about 32.00 cm, an effective piston area of about 410.00 cm^2 to about 762.00 cm^2, and a maximum SPL of about 110 dB to about 130 dB.

[0021] In some cases, the diaphragm includes integral ribs for increasing stiffness.

[0022] In certain cases, the housing has an aspect ratio of about 1.7 to about 2.2. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0023] FIG. 1Ais a perspective view of the loudspeaker system from the front, top, and left sides.

[0024] FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the loudspeaker system from the back, top, and left sides. FIG. 1A

[0025] FIG. 2A is a perspective view of the subwoofer from the front, top, and right sides of the loudspeaker system from FIG. 1A

[0026] FIG. 2B is a perspective view of the subwoofer from the back, top, and left sides of the loudspeaker system from FIG. 2A

[0027] FIG. 2C is a front view of the subwoofer of the loudspeaker system from FIG. 2A

[0028] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional side view of the subwoofer of the loudspeaker system from FIG. 2A

[0029] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the subwoofer from the front, top, and right sides of the loudspeaker system from FIG. 2A

[0030] FIG. 5A is a perspective view of the line array assembly from the front, top, and right sides of the loudspeaker system from FIG. 1A

[0031] FIG. 5B is a perspective view of the line array assembly from the back, top, and right sides of the loudspeaker system from FIG. 5A

[0032] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional side view of the line array assembly of the loudspeaker system from FIG. 5A

[0033] FIG. 7A is a perspective view of the loudspeaker system from the front, top, and left sides of the loudspeaker system from FIG. 1A

[0034] FIG. 7B is a cross-sectional side view of the loudspeaker system from FIG. 7A

[0035] FIG. 8A is a front view of an alternative loudspeaker system having independent subwoofers and line arrays.

[0036] FIG. 8B is a front view of an alternative loudspeaker system having independent subwoofers and line arrays. FIG. 8A ​​​​​​​​​​​Rear view of the speaker system. Detailed Implementation

[0037] This disclosure is based on the understanding that it may be desirable to incorporate a rectangular transducer into a portable subwoofer to achieve a narrower subwoofer design that allows the subwoofer's center of mass to be placed closer to the user's body during transport.

[0038] Figure 1 illustrates an exemplary loudspeaker system 100. The loudspeaker system 100 includes a subwoofer 102 and a line array assembly 104. (Refer to...) FIGS. 2A-3 The subwoofer 102 includes a housing 200 (also referred to as a "subwoofer housing") supporting an electroacoustic transducer 202 and a bass reflex port 204. The housing 200 includes a defining acoustic cavity 208. FIG. 3 The system comprises multiple walls (collectively referred to as "206"). These multiple walls 206 include: a top wall 206a, a bottom wall 206b, a left side wall 206c, and a right side wall 206d; a front wall 206e; and a rear wall 206f. The electro-acoustic transducer 202 and the bass reflex port 204 are supported by the front wall. The top wall 206a supports a shank 210 for carrying the subwoofer 102. The rear wall 206f includes an integrated mixer user interface (UI) 214. FIG. 2B The input / output (i / o) panel 212. In some cases, the subwoofer 102 operates in a frequency range of about 20 Hz to about 300 Hz, for example about 35 Hz to about 200 Hz, for example about 40 Hz to about 200 Hz.

[0039] The electro-acoustic transducer 202 can be any known type of electro-acoustic transducer. For example, such as... FIG. 3 As shown, the electro-acoustic transducer 202 may include an electric motor 216 and a diaphragm 218. FIG. 2C ) and suspension 220. It is worth noting that, as FIG. 2C As shown, the diaphragm 218 has a rectangular shape, such as an ellipse, an egg, or a racetrack shape (having parallel sides and circular ends extending between the parallel sides, also referred to as a "sports field"). The diaphragm 218 has a major axis 222 and a minor axis 224. The major axis 222 has a first end 226 near the bottom wall 206b and an opposing second end 228 near the top wall 206a, such that during normal use (i.e., when the subwoofer 102 rests on its bottom wall 206b), the major axis 222 is arranged substantially perpendicular to the ground. The minor axis 224 is arranged perpendicular to the major axis 222 and has a first end 230 near the left side wall 206c and an opposing second end 232 near the right side wall 206d. The electroacoustic transducer 202 includes a motion shaft 234 perpendicular to the major axis 222 and the minor axis 224. The motion shaft 234 passes through the intersection of the major axis 222 and the minor axis 224.

[0040] Diaphragm 218 is also arranged such that when subwoofer 102 is transported (e.g., by its stem 210), FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B When bearing and lifting, its major axis is 222 ( FIG. 2C The vertical arrangement allows the center of mass of the subwoofer 102 to be closer to the user's body (compared to a design with a circular diaphragm of equal surface area). An advantage of this configuration is that it allows for easier mounting of the narrower subwoofer 102, as its center of mass can be closer to the user / carrier's body when carried by its stem. The rectangular diaphragm 218 provides the same output but has a denser front panel density compared to a circular diaphragm with equal radiating surface area. The rectangular diaphragm 218 also provides more efficient front panel space utilization compared to an arrangement with multiple small transducers sharing an equal radiating surface area.

[0041] The diaphragm 218 has a width of about 7 inches to about 10 inches and a height of about 13 inches to about 18 inches. The diaphragm has an aspect ratio of about 1.38 to about 1.42. In this respect, the length of the major axis is about 1.38 to about 1.42 times the length of the minor axis. The diaphragm 218 can be formed from pulp, preferably from pulp. FIG. 2A and 2C As shown, the diaphragm 218 may be formed with ribs 236 to increase rigidity.

[0042] The suspension 220 includes a surround 238 and a spider-like structure (not shown). The surround 238 connects the outer peripheral edge of the diaphragm 218 to a structural member (basket 240) that supports the electric motor 216 (e.g., a Y35 ferrite motor). FIG. 3 (e.g., a steel basket). The surrounding element 238 is formed of a tear-resistant compliant material such as polyurethane foam.

[0043] The electro-acoustic transducer 202 has: suspension compliance of about 0.06 mm / N to about 0.12 mm / N; maximum linear offset of about 6.00 mm to about 9.50 mm, for example, 6.90 mm to 9.25 mm; effective cone diameter of about 22.00 cm to about 32.00 cm, for example, 22.90 cm to 31.13 cm; effective piston area of ​​about 410.00 cm^2 to about 762.00 cm^2, for example, 411.87 cm^2 to 761.10 cm^2; and maximum SPL of about 110 dB to about 130 dB, for example, 115 dB to 125 dB.

[0044] The subwoofer 102 includes connectors 242a and 242b for processing data via connectors 242a and 242b. FIG. 2B The received audio signal is used to drive the electronic components of the electro-acoustic transducer 202. (See reference...) FIG. 3The electronics include a mixing console 244 and an amplifier 246 (also referred to as an “audio amplifier”), both of which are disposed within the acoustic cavity 208 and supported on the i / o panel 212 on the rear wall 206f of the housing 200. The mixing console 244 receives audio input via connectors 242a, 242b and user input via a mixer UI 214 FIG. 2B

[0045] The amplifier 246 has a power output of 400 watts to 1000 watts. The amplifier 246 is mounted to the i / o panel 212 such that heat dissipated from the amplifier 246 can be transferred via conduction through the i / o panel 212. The heat can then be transferred from the outer surface of the i / o panel 212 to the ambient environment via natural convection. To help facilitate conductive heat transfer, the i / o panel can be made of a material having a high thermal conductivity, e.g., a material having a thermal conductivity greater than 100 W / m-K, such as a metal, e.g., aluminum or steel. The bass reflex port 204 can be configured to facilitate convective airflow past the amplifier 246 within the acoustic cavity 208 for additional cooling of the amplifier 246.

[0046] The amplifier 246 is configured to power the electro-acoustic transducers 202 in the subwoofer 102 as well as the line array assembly 104. In this regard, the housing 200 includes a receiver 248 for receiving a bottom end of the line array assembly 104. An electrical connector 250 is disposed within the receiver 248. The electrical connector 250 is configured to engage a mating connector 500 on the line array assembly 104 for delivering power from the amplifier 246 to the line array assembly 104. In some implementations, the amplifier 246 provides about 250 watts to about 1000 watts, e.g., 300 watts to 1000 watts, of power to the subwoofer 102 and about 50 watts to about 300 watts, e.g., 60 watts to 250 watts, of power to the line array assembly 104. FIG. 2A FIG. 5A FIG. 5B The housing 200 has a height (h) of about 550 mm to about 695 mm, e.g., 552.8 mm to 693.8 mm; a width (w) of about 310 mm to about 320 mm, e.g., 315.9 mm to 316.8 mm; and a depth (d) of about 450 mm to about 550 mm, e.g., 454.8 mm to 545.9 mm. The subwoofer 102 has a total external volume of about 80 liters to about 120 liters, e.g., 79.65 liters to 119.65 liters; and the acoustic cavity 208 has an acoustic volume of about 30 liters to about 60 liters, e.g., 39.4 liters to 53.4 liters.

[0047] The housing 200 has a height (h) of about 550 mm to about 695 mm, e.g., 552.8 mm to 693.8 mm; a width (w) of about 310 mm to about 320 mm, e.g., 315.9 mm to 316.8 mm; and a depth (d) of about 450 mm to about 550 mm, e.g., 454.8 mm to 545.9 mm. The subwoofer 102 has a total external volume of about 80 liters to about 120 liters, e.g., 79.65 liters to 119.65 liters; and the acoustic cavity 208 has an acoustic volume of about 30 liters to about 60 liters, e.g., 39.4 liters to 53.4 liters. FIG. 2C FIG. 2C FIG. 3

[0048] ​​​​​​like FIG. 4 As shown, an acoustically permeable grille 400 (also referred to as a "subwoofer grille") covers the electro-acoustic transducer 202 along the front surface of the subwoofer 102. The grille 400 may be formed of a rigid material such as metal and may include multiple holes to provide acoustic permeability. In some embodiments, the grille 400 may be formed (e.g., embossed) with features or images corresponding to an elliptical shape of the diaphragm 218.

[0049] Reference FIGS. 5A-6 The linear array assembly 104 includes a linear array 502 and an extension member 504 for supporting the linear array 502. The linear array 502 includes a first housing 506 (also referred to as a "linear array housing"), and the extension member 504 includes a second housing 508 (also referred to as an "extension member housing"). The first housing 506 and the second housing 508 may be formed from ABS (e.g., molded). The first housing 506 defines a acoustic cavity 600. FIG. 6 It also supports multiple electro-acoustic transducers 510 (also referred to as “mid / high frequency transducers”) (eight are shown). These multiple electro-acoustic transducers 510 are mid / high frequency transducers with an operating frequency range of about 200 Hz to about 18 kHz.

[0050] An electro-acoustic transducer 510 is mounted to a first housing 506 such that a corresponding first radiating surface of the electro-acoustic transducer 510 radiates acoustic energy outward from a first surface of the first housing 506, and a corresponding second radiating surface of the electro-acoustic transducer 510 radiates acoustic energy within the acoustic cavity 600. An acoustic port 512 is provided along the rear surface of the first housing 506. FIG. 5B The acoustic cavity 600 is acoustically coupled to the region surrounding the linear array 502. Adding ports tuned within the operating range to the housing can be used to reduce the useful frequency range of the transducer 510.

[0051] First acoustic grille 106 ( FIG. 1A Multiple electro-acoustic transducers 510 cover the front surface of the first housing 506. A second acoustic grille 108 ( FIG. 1B Acoustic port 502 is covered along the rear surface of the first housing 506.

[0052] The second housing 508 is configured to be releasably coupled to the first housing 506. (Refer to...) FIG. 6 The second housing 508 carries the first electrical connector 602 along its top end. The first housing 506 carries a mating second electrical connector 604 along its bottom end. The second electrical connector 604 is electrically connected to a corresponding electromagnetic motor of the electro-acoustic transducer 510 carried by the first housing 506. The first electrical connector 602 and the second electrical connector 604 provide a mechanical connection between the two housings and enable electrical energy to be delivered to the electro-acoustic transducer 510 carried in the first housing 506.

[0053] The third electrical connector 606 is arranged at the bottom end of the second housing 508 to enable electrical connection between the line array assembly 104 and the subwoofer 102 via the electrical connector 250 in the receiver 248 of the subwoofer 102. FIG. 6 FIG. 2A The third electrical connector 606 is electrically connected to the first electrical connector 602 for passing electrical signals to the first housing 506 (i.e., via the second electrical connector 604).

[0054] The second electrical connector 604 and the third electrical connector 606 can be identical and can allow the line array 502 to be coupled to the subwoofer 102 with or without the extension member 504. For example, with reference to FIG. 7A and 7B The bottom end of the first housing 506 can be directly housed within the receiver 248 of the subwoofer 102 with an electrical connection established via the second electrical connector 604 and the electrical connector 250 in the receiver 248 of the subwoofer 102. FIG. 7B

[0055] Other Specific Embodiments

[0056] While a speaker system has been described in which a line array assembly is supported by a subwoofer, in other implementations, a speaker system can include a subwoofer operating with a standalone line array speaker. For example, FIG. 8A and 8B An example of a speaker system 800 having a standalone subwoofer 802 and a line array speaker 804 electrically coupled to each other via a cable connection 806 is shown. The subwoofer 802 can include one or more features of the subwoofer 102 described above, e.g., with respect to FIG. 1- FIG. 4 including, for example, a transducer having a rectangular shape arranged so that its principal axis is substantially vertical with respect to the ground during normal use (i.e., the subwoofer 802 rests on its bottom wall), and a handle arranged along the top wall of the subwoofer 802 and arranged so that the principal axis of the rectangular transducer is arranged vertically when the subwoofer 802 is lifted and carried by the handle, so that the center of mass of the subwoofer 802 is closer to the user’s body (compared to a design with a circular diaphragm of equal surface area).

[0057] ​​Additional details regarding the standalone subwoofer 802 can be found in U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 16 / 790,356, filed February 13, 2020, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein. Additional details regarding the standalone line array speaker 804 can be found in U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 16 / 669,682, filed October 31, 2019, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein. Additional details regarding the cable connection 806 between the subwoofer 802 and the line array speaker 804 can be found in U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 16 / 456,348, filed June 28, 2019, now U.S. Patent No. 10,652,664, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein.

[0058] While several inventive embodiments have been described and illustrated, it is understood that the specific embodiments herein described and illustrated are merely exemplary and not restrictive, and that many variations and modifications of the specific embodiments described herein can be made by those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope of the inventive concepts described herein. More generally, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that all parameters, dimensions, materials, and configurations described herein are meant to be exemplary and that the actual parameters, dimensions, materials, and / or configurations will depend upon the specific application or applications for which the inventive teachings is / are used. Those skilled in the art will recognize, or be able to ascertain using no more than routine experimentation, many equivalents to the specific embodiments described herein. It is, therefore, to be understood that the foregoing embodiments are presented by way of example only and that other embodiments may be developed without departing from the scope of the inventive concepts disclosed herein and that the scope of the inventive concepts disclosed herein includes each and every combination of features described herein. Accordingly, all such equivalent variations are intended to be included within the scope of the present inventive concepts. Other embodiments can be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art from this disclosure and from the claims.

[0059] A number of embodiments have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that additional modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the inventive concepts described herein, and, accordingly, other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. A loudspeaker system, the loudspeaker system comprising: Subwoofer, the subwoofer comprising: A housing, the housing including a plurality of walls that together define a acoustic cavity, the plurality of walls including a front wall, a rear wall opposite to the front wall, a top wall, a bottom wall opposite to the top wall, and a plurality of side walls extending between the top wall and the bottom wall and between the front wall and the rear wall; A first electroacoustic transducer is mounted to the front wall of the housing; Amplifier, the amplifier being disposed within the acoustic cavity, and One or more bass reflex ports extending through one or more of the plurality of walls, wherein the one or more bass reflex ports are arranged to facilitate the flow of cooling air through the amplifier; The first electroacoustic transducer includes a diaphragm having a long axis and a short axis, wherein the long axis is longer than the short axis, the long axis having a first end near the bottom wall and an opposing second end near the top wall, such that when the subwoofer is placed on its bottom wall, the long axis is arranged perpendicular to the ground. The top wall has a handle, which allows the speaker to be carried with the long axis arranged perpendicular to the ground.

2. The loudspeaker system of claim 1, wherein the sidewall is parallel to the long axis of the first electroacoustic transducer.

3. The loudspeaker system of claim 1, wherein the rear wall includes an I / O panel, and wherein the amplifier is mounted to the I / O panel such that heat dissipated from the amplifier can be transferred through the I / O panel via conduction.

4. The loudspeaker system of claim 3, wherein the amplifier has a power output of 400 watts to 1000 watts.

5. The loudspeaker system of claim 3, wherein the subwoofer includes a mixing console disposed within the acoustic cavity and mounted to the I / O panel.

6. The loudspeaker system of claim 1, wherein the length of the major axis is 1.30 to 1.50 times the length of the minor axis.

7. The loudspeaker system of claim 6, wherein the length of the major axis is 1.38 to 1.42 times the length of the minor axis.

8. The loudspeaker system of claim 1, wherein the subwoofer provides a sound pressure level (SPL) output having a SPL of 110 dB to 130 dB with a power of 1000 watts or less.

9. The loudspeaker system of claim 8, wherein the subwoofer has an overall package volume of 120 liters or less.

10. The loudspeaker system of claim 9, wherein the subwoofer has a total package volume of 80 to 120 liters.

11. The loudspeaker system of claim 8, wherein the acoustic cavity has an acoustic volume of 60 liters or less.

12. The loudspeaker system of claim 11, wherein the acoustic cavity has an acoustic volume of 30 to 60 liters.

13. The loudspeaker system of claim 1, further comprising a line array assembly including a plurality of second electroacoustic transducers, wherein the subwoofer includes a receiver for receiving the line array assembly, wherein the receiver includes a first electrical connector, and wherein the line array assembly includes a second electrical connector configured to cooperate with the first electrical connector for supplying power to the line array assembly via the subwoofer.

14. The loudspeaker system of claim 13, wherein the second electroacoustic transducer is a mid / high frequency transducer having an operating frequency range of 200 Hz to 18 kHz.

15. The loudspeaker system of claim 1, wherein the diaphragm has an elliptical, oval, or racetrack-shaped shape.

16. The loudspeaker system of claim 1, wherein the first electroacoustic transducer is a low-frequency transducer having an operating frequency range of 20 Hz to 300 Hz.

17. The loudspeaker system of claim 1, wherein the first electroacoustic transducer has: suspension compliance of 0.06 mm / N to 0.12 mm / N; maximum linear offset of 6.00 mm to 9.50 mm; effective cone diameter of 22.00 cm to 32.00 cm; effective piston area of ​​410.00 cm² to 762.00 cm²; and maximum SPL of 110 dB to 130 dB.

18. The loudspeaker system of claim 1, wherein the diaphragm includes integral ribs for increasing stiffness.

19. The loudspeaker system of claim 1, wherein the housing has an aspect ratio of 1.7 to 2.2.

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