Vehicle and automobile seat including low frequency speakers

Abstract

A vehicle includes a vehicle seat including a seating area and a backrest, where the seating area is arranged at a lower end of the backrest; and a low frequency speaker configured to emit sound at a frequency between 20 Hz and 200 Hz, where the backrest includes a rigid frame, a flexible suspension system and a facing, where the suspension system is suspended in the frame and covered by the facing such that when an occupant of the vehicle is seated on the vehicle seat, the suspension system is suspended in the frame and covered by the facing, and when the occupant is seated on the vehicle seat, the low frequency speaker is configured to emit sound at a frequency between 20 Hz and 200 Hz. At least a portion of the facing is disposed between the suspension system and the occupant. A low-frequency speaker is arranged in the backrest and attached to the suspension system, wherein the low-frequency speaker is arranged on a rear side of the suspension system facing away from the seating area.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a vehicle and a car seat including a low frequency speaker. Background Art

[0002] Integrating a speaker into a vehicle can be challenging. When integrating a speaker into a vehicle, many different aspects and constraints must be considered. During use of the speaker, the speaker may cause other component elements of the vehicle to generate unnecessary noise that adversely affects the occupant's listening experience. In addition, vibrations may be transmitted from the speaker to the user's occupant via other elements of the vehicle. Such tactile vibrations may be perceived as unpleasant by the occupant. However, vibrations can also be used to advantage to provide structure-borne sound to the occupant, which can enhance the overall listening experience. However, in order for the occupant to perceive it as pleasant, structure-borne sound generally needs to be well tuned. Furthermore, if the speaker is located in an unfavorable position, the acoustic performance of the speaker may be affected. Speakers arranged to provide enhanced acoustic performance as well as structure-borne sound require a certain amount of space, which is generally a critical aspect of the vehicle.

[0003] There is a need for a vehicle that includes a low frequency speaker that is easy to integrate, requires little additional space, and provides a satisfying listening experience for vehicle occupants. Summary of the invention

[0004] A vehicle includes a car seat, the car seat including a seating area and a backrest, wherein the seating area is arranged at a lower end of the backrest. The vehicle also includes a low-frequency speaker, the low-frequency speaker being configured to emit sound at a frequency between 20 Hz and 200 Hz. The backrest includes a rigid frame, a flexible suspension system, and a facing, wherein the suspension system is suspended in the frame and covered by the facing, so that when an occupant of the vehicle sits on the car seat, at least a portion of the facing is arranged between the suspension system and the occupant. The low-frequency speaker is arranged in the backrest and attached to the suspension system, wherein the low-frequency speaker is arranged on a back side of the suspension system facing away from the seating area.

[0005] A car seat comprises a seating area and a backrest, wherein the seating area is arranged at a lower end of the backrest. The car seat further comprises a low-frequency speaker, wherein the low-frequency speaker is configured to emit sound at a frequency between 20 Hz and 200 Hz. The backrest comprises a rigid frame, a flexible suspension system, and a facing, wherein the suspension system is suspended in the frame and covered by the facing, such that when an occupant sits on the car seat, at least a portion of the facing is arranged between the suspension system and the occupant. The low-frequency speaker is arranged in the backrest and attached to the suspension system, wherein the low-frequency speaker is arranged on a back side of the suspension system facing away from the seating area.

[0006] Other systems, features and advantages of the present disclosure will be or will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon studying the following detailed description and accompanying drawings. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features and advantages are included in this description, are within the scope of the present invention, and are protected by the appended claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] The method can be better understood with reference to the following description and accompanying drawings. The components in the accompanying drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, but rather emphasize illustrating the principles of the present invention. In addition, in the accompanying drawings, the same reference numerals indicate corresponding parts in all different views.

[0008] Figure 1 A top view of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is schematically shown.

[0009] Figure 2 A three-dimensional view of a car seat and a low-frequency loudspeaker is schematically shown.

[0010] Figure 3 A three-dimensional view of a car seat according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is schematically shown.

[0011] Figure 4 A cross-sectional view of a vehicle seat according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is schematically shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0012] Figure 1 A top view of a vehicle 10 is schematically shown. The vehicle includes a car seat 220 (e.g., a driver's seat). The car seat 220 generally includes a seating area and a backrest. A low-frequency speaker 30 is arranged in the backrest of the car seat 220. The low-frequency speaker 30 is configured to emit sound with a frequency between 20 Hz and 200 Hz. The low-frequency speaker 30 is arranged on the back of the car seat 220. That is, the sound radiation surface of the low-frequency speaker 30 can be directed toward the back of the vehicle 10. In other words, the main direction of sound propagation can be directed toward the rear of the vehicle 10 ( Figure 1However, low-frequency sound waves usually propagate in all directions (spherical waves).

[0013] Refer to the following Figure 2 The position of the low frequency speaker 30 is described in more detail. Figure 2 A car seat 220, such as a driver's seat, is schematically shown, which includes a seat area 2204 and a backrest 2202. The seat area 2204 is arranged at the lower end of the backrest 2202. The lower end of the backrest 2202 in the vehicle is generally an end facing the ground (i.e., facing the road on which the vehicle 10 travels). The low-frequency speaker 30 is arranged in the backrest 2202, specifically arranged on the back of the backrest 2202 away from the seat area 2204, and is therefore configured to emit sound mainly in a direction away from the seat area 2204 (the main direction of sound propagation). That is, the low-frequency speaker 30 (e.g., the sound radiation surface of the low-frequency speaker 30) is oriented toward one or more rear seats arranged behind the corresponding car seat 220. For example, placing the low-frequency speaker 30 in the backrest 2202 of the car seat 220 so that it faces the rear of the vehicle 10 (away from the seat area 2204 of the car seat 220 where it is installed) results in optimized low-frequency output (SPL), bandwidth, and positioning. The vibration (tactile feedback) of the low frequency speaker 30 at this location may also be further optimized, as will be described in more detail below.

[0014] The low frequency speaker 30 can be mechanically coupled to the car seat 220 so that the occupant 24 of the vehicle 10 perceives the vibrations produced by the low frequency speaker 30. This effect is also used, for example, in movie theaters to enhance the perception of sound (the so-called vibration effect) and may also be referred to as structure-borne sound. The occupant 24 sitting on the car seat 220 can be fully immersed in the sound (bass) produced by the low frequency speaker 30, which can enhance the sound experience.

[0015] refer to Figure 3 , schematically illustrating a three-dimensional view of a car seat according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 4 Schematically illustrates a cross-sectional view of a car seat according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The car seat 220 generally includes a rigid frame 2210, typically a metal frame, which is covered by foam, cushions or a veneer. The frame 2210 and the veneer 2216 generally define a seating area 2204 and a backrest 2202 of the car seat 220. For example, as Figure 4As schematically shown in the figure, the facing 2216 can also be covered by a layer of fabric 2214. For example, different components (such as, for example, seat belt buckles, reclining mechanisms, etc.) can be mounted to the frame 2210. The car seat 220 (i.e., the backrest 2202 of the car seat 220) also includes a flexible suspension system 2212. The flexible suspension system 2212 may include at least one spring element, such as a metal spring element, or may include a woven fabric or be composed of a woven fabric. In general, the flexible suspension system can be implemented in a variety of different ways. The suspension system 2212 is suspended in the frame 2210 and is covered by the facing 2216, so that when an occupant of the vehicle 10 sits on the car seat 220, at least a portion of the facing 2216 is arranged between the suspension system 2212 and the occupant (see Figure 4 ).exist Figure 4 In the figure, only a portion of the facing 2216 arranged between the suspension system 2212 and the vehicle occupant (not specifically shown) is particularly emphasized. The frame 2210 may include, for example, backrest side members arranged along the sides (left and right) of the backrest 2202. For example, the suspension system 2212 can be mechanically coupled between the backrest side members. As shown, the speaker 30 is attached to the suspension system 2212.

[0016] When no occupant is sitting on the car seat 220, the flexible suspension system 2212 is in a static position. When an occupant sits on the car seat 220 and leans on the backrest 2202, the facing 2216 is pushed toward the suspension system 2212 due to the weight of the occupant. The suspension system 2212 yields under the weight of the occupant and moves out of its static position. The suspension system 2212 can have a defined spring stiffness so that it provides a certain mechanical stability while still having a certain degree of flexibility. In order to allow the suspension system 2212 to move out of its static position, the backrest 2202 can include a cavity adjacent to the suspension system 2212 toward the back 2218 of the car seat 220 (the back 2218 of the car seat is toward the rear of the vehicle 10). That is, the suspension system 2212 can freely move toward the back 2218 of the car seat 220.

[0017] The speaker 30 can be at least partially arranged in this cavity between the suspension system 2212 and the back 2218 of the backrest 2202 when attached to the suspension system 2212. In this way, the speaker 30 does not require or requires very little additional space in the vehicle 10. That is, the speaker 30 does not or only slightly protrudes from the back of the backrest 2202. In this way, the back of the backrest 2202 can be substantially flat, so that the foot space of the passenger sitting behind the car seat 220 is as large as possible. The speaker extending (protruding) from the back of the backrest 2202 takes up space in the foot space, which may be annoying and uncomfortable for the passenger sitting behind the car seat 220, because when the passenger moves, for example, the passenger's knees or calves may hit the speaker 30. This is not the case when the speaker is completely or almost completely arranged in the cavity in the backrest 2202. Since the speaker 30 is attached to the suspension system 2212, when the occupant sits on the car seat 220, the speaker moves with the suspension system 2212. On the other hand, when the speaker 30 vibrates during its use, such vibration is transmitted to the suspension system 2212, and from there to the facing 2216, and can be felt by the occupant sitting on the car seat 220. That is, by attaching the speaker 30 to the suspension system 2212, tactile feedback can also be provided to the occupant sitting on the corresponding car seat 220, generally while requiring little or no additional space in the vehicle 10. The speaker 30 can be attached to the suspension system 2212 in any suitable manner, for example, by any suitable mounting mechanism. The speaker 30 can include a speaker housing, and the speaker housing can be attached to the suspension mechanism 2212. That is, the mounting mechanism can be connected to the speaker housing and the suspension system 2212, thereby attaching the speaker 30 to the suspension system 2212.

[0018] The vehicle 10 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure includes a car seat 220, which includes a seat area 2204 and a backrest 2202, wherein the seat area 2204 is arranged at the lower end of the backrest 2202. The vehicle 10 also includes a low-frequency speaker 30, which is configured to emit sounds with a frequency between 20 Hz and 200 Hz. The backrest 2202 includes a rigid frame 2210, a flexible suspension system 2212, and a facing 2216, wherein the suspension system 2212 is suspended in the frame 2210 and covered by the facing 2216, so that when an occupant of the vehicle 10 sits on the car seat 220, at least a portion of the facing 2216 is arranged between the suspension system 2212 and the occupant. The low-frequency speaker 30 is arranged in the backrest 2202 and attached to the suspension system 2212, and the low-frequency speaker 30 is arranged on the back of the suspension system 2212 away from the seat area 2204.

[0019] The suspension system 2212 may include at least one spring element. Alternatively or additionally, the low frequency speaker 30 may include a speaker housing, wherein the speaker housing is attached to the suspension system 2212. Additionally or alternatively, the backrest 2202 may include a cavity adjacent to the suspension system 2212 toward a back side 2218 of the car seat 220, wherein the low frequency speaker 30 is at least partially disposed in the cavity between the suspension system 2212 and the back side 2218 of the backrest 2202.

[0020] The car seat 220 may be a driver's seat. The vehicle may also include a front passenger seat 222, the front passenger seat including a seat area 2204 and a backrest 2202, wherein the seat area 2204 is arranged at the lower end of the backrest 2202. The vehicle 10 may also include a second low-frequency speaker 32, the second low-frequency speaker being configured to emit sounds with a frequency between 20 Hz and 200 Hz. Similar to the driver's seat 220, the backrest 2202 of the front passenger seat 222 may include a rigid frame 2210, a flexible suspension system 2212, and a facing 2216, wherein the suspension system 2212 is suspended in the frame 2210 and covered by the facing 2216, so that when an occupant of the vehicle 10 sits on the front passenger seat 222, at least a portion of the facing 2216 is arranged between the suspension system 2212 and the occupant. The second low frequency speaker 32 is arranged in the backrest 2202 and attached to the suspension system 2212 , and the second low frequency speaker 32 is arranged on the back side of the suspension system 2212 facing away from the seating area 2204 .

[0021] The car seat 220 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure includes a seat area 2204 and a backrest 2202, wherein the seat area 2204 is arranged at the lower end of the backrest 2202. The car seat 220 also includes a low-frequency speaker 30, which is configured to emit sounds with a frequency between 20 Hz and 200 Hz. The backrest 2202 includes a rigid frame 2210, a flexible suspension system 2212, and a facing 2216, wherein the suspension system 2212 is suspended in the frame 2210 and covered by the facing 2216, so that when the occupant sits on the car seat 220, at least a portion of the facing 2216 is arranged between the suspension system 2212 and the occupant. The low-frequency speaker 30 is arranged in the backrest 2202 and attached to the suspension system 2212, and the low-frequency speaker 30 is arranged on the back of the suspension system 2212 away from the seat area 2204.

[0022] It will be appreciated that the systems shown are merely examples. Although various embodiments of the present invention have been described, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that there may be more embodiments and implementations within the scope of the present invention. Specifically, the skilled person will recognize the interchangeability of various features from different embodiments. Although these techniques and systems have been disclosed in the context of certain embodiments and examples, it will be appreciated that these techniques and systems may extend beyond the specifically disclosed embodiments to other embodiments and / or their uses and obvious modifications. Therefore, the present invention is not limited except in accordance with the appended claims and their equivalents.

[0023] The description of the embodiment has been presented for the purpose of illustration and description. Suitable modifications and variations of the embodiment may be performed according to the above description or may be obtained by the practice method. The arrangement is exemplary in nature and may include additional elements and / or omit elements. As used in this application, elements listed in singular form and preceded by the wording "one" or "a kind of" should be understood as not excluding multiple elements, unless such exclusion is indicated. In addition, reference to "one embodiment" or "an example" of the present disclosure is not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional embodiments that also contain the listed features. The terms "first", "second" and "third" etc. are used only as labels, without the intention of imposing numerical requirements or specific positional order on their objects. The system is exemplary in nature and may include additional elements and / or omit elements. The subject matter of the present disclosure includes all novel and non-obvious combinations and sub-combinations of the various systems and configurations disclosed and other features, functions and / or properties. The attached claims specifically point out the subject matter that is considered to be novel and non-obvious from the above disclosure.

Claims

1. A vehicle (10), comprising: A vehicle seat (220) comprising a seat area (2204) and a backrest (2202), wherein the seat area (2204) is arranged at a lower end of the backrest (2202); and A low frequency speaker (30) is configured to emit sound with a frequency between 20 Hz and 200 Hz, wherein The backrest (2202) includes a rigid frame (2210), a flexible suspension system (2212), and a facing (2216), wherein the suspension system (2212) is suspended in the frame (2210) and covered by the facing (2216), so that when an occupant of the vehicle (10) sits on the car seat (220), at least a portion of the facing (2216) is arranged between the suspension system (2212) and the occupant, The low frequency speaker (30) is arranged in the backrest (2202) and attached to the suspension system (2212), and The low frequency speaker (30) is arranged on the back side of the suspension system (2212) facing away from the seating area (2204).

2. The vehicle (10) of claim 1, wherein the suspension system (2212) comprises at least one spring element.

3. The vehicle (10) of claim 1 or 2, wherein the low frequency speaker (30) comprises a speaker housing, and wherein the speaker housing is attached to the suspension system (2212).

4. A vehicle (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the backrest (2202) includes a cavity adjacent to the suspension system (2212) toward the back side (2218) of the car seat 220, and wherein the low-frequency speaker (30) is at least partially arranged in the cavity between the suspension system (2212) and the back side (2218) of the backrest (2202).

5. The vehicle (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the vehicle seat (220) is a driver's seat.

6. The vehicle (10) of claim 5, further comprising: a front passenger seat (222) comprising a seat area (2204) and a backrest (2202), wherein the seat area (2204) is arranged at a lower end of the backrest (2202); and A second low frequency speaker (32) is configured to emit sound with a frequency between 20 Hz and 200 Hz, wherein The backrest (2202) includes a rigid frame (2210), a flexible suspension system (2212), and a facing (2216), wherein the suspension system (2212) is suspended in the frame (2210) and covered by the facing (2216), so that when an occupant of the vehicle (10) sits on the car seat (220), at least a portion of the facing (2216) is arranged between the suspension system (2212) and the occupant, The second low frequency speaker (30) is arranged in the backrest (2202) and attached to the suspension system (2212), and The second low frequency speaker (30) is arranged on the back side of the suspension system (2212) facing away from the seating area (2204).

7. A vehicle seat (220), comprising: a seating area (2204) and a backrest (2202), wherein the seating area (2204) is arranged at a lower end of the backrest (2202); and A low frequency speaker (30) is configured to emit sound with a frequency between 20 Hz and 200 Hz, wherein The backrest (2202) includes a rigid frame (2210), a flexible suspension system (2212), and a facing (2216), wherein the suspension system (2212) is suspended in the frame (2210) and covered by the facing (2216), so that when an occupant sits on the car seat (220), at least a portion of the facing (2216) is arranged between the suspension system (2212) and the occupant, The low frequency speaker (30) is arranged in the backrest (2202) and attached to the suspension system (2212), and The low frequency speaker (30) is arranged on the back side of the suspension system (2212) facing away from the seating area (2204).

Images