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 disposed at a lower end of the backrest; and a low-frequency speaker configured to emit sound at a frequency of between 20 Hz and 200 Hz, where the low-frequency speaker is arranged in the backrest at a first position, where the first position is arranged in a lower half toward a lower end of the backrest, and the low-frequency speaker is arranged on a back face of the backrest 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 speakers into a vehicle can be challenging. Many different aspects and constraints must be considered when integrating a speaker into a vehicle. During use, the speaker may cause other components of the vehicle to vibrate, generating unwanted noise that negatively impacts the occupants' auditory experience. Furthermore, if the speaker is located in an unfavorable position, the speaker's acoustic performance may be compromised. Speakers can also be used to provide structure-borne sound to the user, however, if the speaker is not adequately tuned, this structure-borne sound can be unpleasant to the user.

[0003] There is a need for a vehicle that includes a low frequency speaker that is easy to integrate and provides a satisfying listening experience as well as balanced and controlled structure-borne sound (haptic feedback) to the vehicle's 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; and a woofer configured to emit sound at a frequency between 20 Hz and 200 Hz, wherein the woofer is arranged in the backrest at a first position, wherein the first position is arranged in a lower half toward the lower end of the backrest, and the woofer is arranged on a back side of the backrest facing away from the seating area.

[0005] A car seat comprises: a seating area, a backrest and a woofer, wherein the seating area is arranged at a lower end of the backrest, the woofer is arranged in the backrest at a first position, wherein the first position is arranged in a lower half toward the lower end of the backrest, and the woofer is arranged on a back side of the backrest 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 reviewing the following detailed description and accompanying drawings. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features, and advantages be included within this description, be within the scope of the invention, and be protected by the following claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] The arrangement may 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 are intended to illustrate the principles of the invention. In addition, in the accompanying drawings, like reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the different views.

[0008] Figure 1A 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 woofer is schematically shown.

[0010] Figure 3 Schematically depicts a three-dimensional view of a low-frequency speaker coupled to a car seat.

[0011] Figure 4 Schematically shown is a front view of a low frequency speaker coupled to a car seat.

[0012] Figure 5 (including Figures 5A to 5C ) schematically shows a side view of a low frequency speaker connected to a car seat.

[0013] Figure 6 A low frequency loudspeaker mounted to the frame of a car seat is shown schematically. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0014] Figure 1 A top view of a vehicle 10 is schematically shown. The vehicle 10 includes a car seat 220 (e.g., a driver's seat). The car seat 220 generally includes a seating area and a backrest. A woofer 30 is arranged in the backrest of the car seat 220. The woofer 30 is configured to emit sound at a frequency between 20 Hz and 200 Hz. The woofer 30 is arranged on the back of the car seat 220. That is, the sound radiation surface of the woofer 30 may be directed toward the rear of the vehicle 10. In other words, the main direction of sound propagation may be directed toward the rear of the vehicle 10 ( Figure 1 Indicated by arrows in the figure). However, low-frequency sound waves generally propagate in all directions (spherical waves).

[0015] Refer to the following Figure 2 The position of the woofer 30 is described in more detail. Figure 2 A car seat 220 is schematically shown, comprising a seating area 2204 and a backrest 2202. The seating area 2204 is arranged at the lower end of the backrest 2202. The lower end of the backrest 2202 in a vehicle is typically the end facing the ground, i.e. facing the road on which the vehicle 10 is traveling. The backrest 2202 typically has a height h2202 in a vertical direction y, wherein the vertical direction y is perpendicular to the ground. The woofer 30 is arranged in the backrest 2202 at a first position, wherein the first position is arranged in the lower half h2202 / 2 towards the lower end of the backrest 2202. According to further embodiments, the woofer 30 may be arranged in the lower third h2202 / 3 of the backrest, or even in the lower quarter of the backrest ( Figure 2The low-frequency speaker 30 (first position) can be arranged adjacent to the lower end of the backrest 2202, for example.

[0016] The woofer 30 is positioned on the back of the backrest 2202, facing away from the seating area 2204, and is therefore configured to emit sound primarily in a direction away from the seating area 2204 (the primary direction of sound propagation). That is, the woofer 30 (e.g., the sound-radiating surface of the woofer 30) faces one or more rear seats positioned behind the corresponding vehicle seat 220. For example, positioning the woofer 30 in the backrest 2202 of the vehicle seat 220 so that it faces the rear of the vehicle 10 (away from the seating area 2204 of the vehicle seat 220 in which it is mounted) results in optimized low-frequency output (SPL), bandwidth, and positioning. The vibrations (haptic feedback) of the woofer 30 in this position can be further optimized, for example, with the aid of (customized) damping mounting or a balanced woofer configuration. For example, when the woofer 30 is positioned in this position, any vibrations caused by the woofer 30 can be more effectively damped compared to, for example, a woofer 30 positioned in a door of the vehicle 10. As described above, when the low frequency speaker 30 is arranged at the lower end of the backrest 2202, any unnecessary vibration can be easily minimized.

[0017] However, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the woofer 30 can be mechanically coupled to the car seat 220 so that the occupant 24 of the vehicle 10 perceives the vibrations generated by the woofer 30. This effect is also used in, for example, movie theaters to enhance the perception of sound (the so-called vibration effect). The occupant 24 sitting on the car seat 220 can be completely immersed in the sound (bass) generated by the woofer 30, so that the sound experience can be enhanced. Since some people do not like this experience, the mechanical coupling of the woofer 30 to the car seat 220 is generally optional. Mechanical decoupling generally results in a more natural sound. According to other embodiments of the present disclosure, it is even possible that the woofer 30 can be mechanically coupled or decoupled from the car seat 220 individually. That is, the occupant 24 of the vehicle 10 sitting on the car seat 220 can enable or disable this function (vibration effect) according to their preferences.

[0018] The woofer 30 may include a speaker housing. The speaker housing can be easily integrated into the backrest 2202 of the car seat 220. The speaker housing may include an opening, wherein the speaker is mounted in the opening such that a first side of the sound radiating surface faces the interior of the housing, and a second side of the sound radiating surface faces the exterior of the housing and toward the rear of the vehicle 10. The woofer 30 may be centrally located in the backrest 2202 in the horizontal direction x, where the horizontal direction x is a direction parallel to the top surface of the seating area 2204, the surface on which the occupant 24 of the vehicle 10 may be seated. In other words, the distance between the woofer 30 and the right side of the backrest 2202 may be equal to the distance between the woofer 30 and the left side of the backrest 2202. In this manner, vibrations can be transmitted symmetrically from the woofer 30 to the frame 2210, which is generally very pleasant for the occupant seated in the car seat 220.

[0019] For example, the car seat 220 can be a driver's seat of the vehicle 10. Similar to what is described above, the second woofer 32 can be arranged in the backrest of the front passenger seat 222, which includes a seating area and a backrest, wherein the seating area is arranged at the lower end of the backrest. The second woofer 32 can also be configured to emit sound at a frequency between 20 Hz and 200 Hz. The second woofer 32 can be arranged in the backrest of the front passenger seat 222 at a second position, wherein the second position is arranged in the lower half toward the lower end of the backrest. The second woofer 32 is arranged on the back side of the backrest, which faces away from the seating area of ​​the car seat 222 to which the second woofer is mounted.

[0020] When the woofers 30, 32 are arranged in the described positions, it is generally impossible for an occupant of the vehicle 10 to find them. That is, the acoustic performance of the system can be optimized. The vehicle 10 may also include a mid-high frequency speaker disposed at the front of the vehicle 10 (e.g., in the dashboard of the vehicle 10). One or more woofers 30, 32 as described above can be easily integrated into such an existing sound stage disposed in front of the front occupants of the vehicle 10. For the front occupants 24 of the vehicle 10, the arrangement of the speakers as described above can create a feeling that the front occupants are surrounded by the bass produced by the woofers 30, 32.

[0021] In order to provide balanced structure-borne sound in a controlled manner, the low frequency speaker 30 can be coupled to the vehicle seat 220. Figure 3 and Figure 4. The car seat 220 typically includes a frame 2210, typically a metal frame, which is covered by foam, cushions or upholstery. The frame 2210 and the upholstery typically define a seating area 2204 and a backrest 2202 of the car seat 220. For example, the upholstery may also be covered by a layer of fabric. For example, different components (such as, for example, seat belt receivers, reclining mechanisms, etc.) may be mounted to the frame 2210 of the car seat 220. As shown in the figure, the speaker 30 can be mounted to the frame 2210 of the car seat 220 via bearings 2212. The frame 2210 may include, for example, backrest side members arranged along the sides (left and right) of the backrest 2202. The speaker 30 can be mounted to such backrest side members, for example, by means of bearings 2212. Figure 6 , the speaker 30 is further schematically shown mounted to a frame 2210 of a car seat by means of bearings 2212 . Figure 6 The "bare" frame of a car seat is shown schematically with a loudspeaker 30 mounted thereon. For greater clarity, Figure 6 Any cushions or upholstery are omitted.

[0022] Bearing 2212 provides a first acoustic path between woofer 30 and vehicle seat 220. Via this first acoustic path, vibrations from woofer 30 are transmitted to frame 2210. An occupant of vehicle 10 seated in vehicle seat 220 perceives these vibrations as structure-borne sound (haptic feedback). Structure-borne sound coupled to the seat via the substantially rigid (metal) frame 2210 achieves relatively high bass frequencies (e.g., >50 Hz or >100 Hz) and increases control over the bass perceived by the occupant.

[0023] However, structure-borne sound transmitted to the car seat 220 solely via the bearings 2212 and frame 2210 may be perceived as unpleasant by an occupant seated in the car seat 220. For this reason, a second acoustic path may be provided for structure-borne sound. Specifically, at least the back surface of the woofer 30 may directly or indirectly abut the interior trim of the car seat 220. The back surface of the woofer 30 is the side facing the interior of the car seat 220. That is, when the woofer 30 vibrates during use, the vibrations may be transmitted not only to the frame 2210 of the car seat 220 via the bearings 2212, but also directly to the interior trim. While the frame 2210 is typically a rigid component, the interior trim may be composed of or include foam or other relatively soft materials. Therefore, very noticeable low-end (e.g., <50 Hz) structure-borne sound may be provided via the second acoustic path. To an occupant seated in the car seat 220, structure-borne sound provided solely via the second acoustic path may feel uncontrolled, weak, or "tuned down." Combining the first coupling impedance of the first acoustic path with the second coupling impedance of the second acoustic path can create a very pleasant experience for the user seated in car seat 220. By properly balancing the first coupling impedance of the first acoustic path and the second coupling impedance of the second acoustic path, tactile feedback (structure-borne sound) can be adjusted in a very pleasant manner. The low end (e.g., <50 Hz) and the upper bass range (e.g., >50 Hz or >100 Hz) are well balanced, and bass control is optimized, which is very pleasant for the occupant seated in car seat 220.

[0024] The low frequency speaker 30 may include a speaker housing. The speaker housing may be easily integrated into the backrest 2202 of the car seat 220 and mounted to the frame 2210 of the car seat 220 via bearings 2212. The bearings 2212 may allow the speaker 30 to move in a horizontal direction z, which is a direction parallel to the top surface of the seating area 2204. According to one example and as shown Figure 4As schematically shown in FIG, bearing 2212 may include a first bearing member including a first bolt 2216 and a first guide rail 2214, and a second bearing member including a second bolt 2216 and a second guide rail 2214. The first guide rail may include a counterpart to first bolt 2216, and first bolt 2216 may be inserted into the counterpart. By inserting first bolt 2216 into its counterpart and rigidly connecting it to the counterpart, first guide rail 2214 may be rigidly attached to frame 2210, or may be slightly pivotable about first bolt 2216. Specifically, first bolt 2216 may have a circular shape, for example, having a first diameter, and the first counterpart may be a sleeve or recess also having a circular shape. The diameter of the sleeve or recess may be equal to or slightly larger than the first diameter of first bolt 2216. For example, "slightly larger" in this context means a difference between 0 and 0.5 mm (millimeter). The second guide rail may include a counterpart to the second bolt 2216, and the second bolt 2216 may be inserted into the counterpart. By inserting the second bolt 2216 into the corresponding counterpart, the second guide rail 2214 may be rigidly attached to the frame 2210, or the second guide rail 2214 may be slightly pivoted around the second bolt 2216. That is, the second bolt 2216 may have a circular shape, for example, having a second diameter, and the second counterpart may be a sleeve or recess also having a circular shape. The diameter of the sleeve or recess may be equal to or slightly larger than the second diameter of the second bolt 2216. For example, "slightly larger" in this context means a difference between 0 and 0.5 mm (millimeters). The second diameter of the second bolt 2216 may be equal to the first diameter of the first bolt 2216.

[0025] A first rail 2214 may be attached to the speaker housing and extend from the speaker housing toward a first side (e.g., the right side), and a second rail 2214 may be attached to the speaker housing and extend from the speaker housing toward a second side (e.g., the left side) opposite the first side. The first and second rails 2214 may be attached to the upper side of the speaker housing, where the upper side is the side facing the upper end of the backrest 2202 (opposite the lower end of the backrest 2202) and faces the headrest of the car seat 220. In other words, when the speaker 30 is mounted to the car seat 220 and the car seat 220 is positioned in the vehicle 10, the speaker 30 is positioned between the first and second rails 2214 and the roadway on which the vehicle 10 is traveling.

[0026] As described above, at least the back surface of the woofer 30 may directly or indirectly abut the interior of the car seat 220. According to one example, a contact layer 2220 is disposed between the back surface of the woofer and the interior. The contact layer 2220 directly abuts the woofer 30 and the interior, so that when the woofer 30 vibrates, the contact layer 2220 transmits the vibration from the woofer 30 to the interior. For example, Figure 3 and FIG5 schematically illustrate a contact layer 2220. For example, the contact layer 2220 may consist of a material that is different from the material of the interior. In this way, the second acoustic path can be adjusted and the structure-borne sound can be transmitted to the interior in a balanced and controlled manner. For example, such a contact layer 2220 may be bonded to the surface of the interior facing the woofer 30. In some cases, the contact layer 2220 may simply serve to bridge the gap between the woofer 30 and the interior. The contact layer 2220 and the interior may be soft, so that the woofer 30, when vibrating, may be pressed into the contact layer 2220 (the woofer is indirectly adjacent to the interior) or to a certain extent into the interior (the woofer is directly adjacent to the interior). This is for example Figure 5A 、 Figure 5B and Figure 5C It is schematically shown in Figure 5A The woofer 30 is shown in a rest position (no vibration), and Figure 5B and Figure 5C The woofer 30 is shown schematically vibrating back and forth (pivoting slightly about bolt 2216). Figure 5A 、 Figure 5B and Figure 5C In FIG, the interior trim is indicated by hatching (right side of the figure). The slight pivoting movement of the guide rail 2214 about the bolt 2216 is indicated by means of arrows. Similarly, the movement (vibration) of the low frequency loudspeaker 30 is indicated by means of arrows.

[0027] For example, the car seat 220 may be the driver's seat of the vehicle 10. Similar to the description above, the second woofer 32 may be positioned in the backrest of a front passenger seat 222 comprising a frame covered by an interior trim, wherein the frame and the interior trim define a seating area and the backrest, wherein the seating area is positioned at the lower end of the backrest. The second woofer 32 may also be configured to emit sound at a frequency between 20 Hz and 200 Hz. The second woofer 32 may be mounted to the front passenger seat, similar to the description above regarding the speaker 30 and the car seat 220. That is, the second woofer 32 is mounted to the frame of the front passenger seat 222 via a bearing, and at least the back surface of the second woofer 32 is directly or indirectly adjacent to the interior trim of the front passenger seat 222. The second woofer 32 is positioned on the back surface of the backrest, facing away from the seating area of ​​the car seat 222 to which the second woofer is mounted.

[0028] One or more low frequency speakers 30, 32 as described above can be easily integrated into an existing sound stage arranged in front of the driver and / or front passenger of the vehicle 10. For the driver / front passenger 24 of the vehicle 10, the arrangement of the speakers as described above can create a feeling that the driver / front passenger is surrounded by the bass sound produced by the low frequency speakers 30, 32.

[0029] A vehicle 10 according to an 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; and a low-frequency speaker 30, which is configured to emit sound at a frequency between 20 Hz and 200 Hz, wherein the low-frequency speaker 30 is arranged in the backrest 2202 at a first position, wherein the first position is arranged in the lower half h2202 / 2 toward the lower end of the backrest 2202, and the low-frequency speaker 30 is arranged on the back of the backrest 2202 facing away from the seat area 2204.

[0030] The car seat 220 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes: a seating area 2204, a backrest 2202 and a low-frequency speaker 30, wherein the seating area 2204 is arranged at the lower end of the backrest 2202, the low-frequency speaker 30 is arranged in the backrest 2202 at a first position, wherein the first position is arranged in the lower half h2202 / 2 of the backrest 2202, and the low-frequency speaker 30 is arranged on the back side of the backrest 2202 facing away from the seating area 2204.

[0031] It will be understood that the systems shown are merely examples. Although various embodiments of the present invention have been described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many more embodiments and implementations are possible within the scope of the present invention. Specifically, those skilled in the art 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 understood that these techniques and systems can be extended 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.

[0032] The description of the embodiments has been presented for the purpose of illustration and description. Suitable modifications and variations of the embodiments may be performed according to the above description or may be obtained through practical methods. The arrangements are exemplary in nature and may include additional elements and / or omit elements. As used in this application, elements listed in the singular and preceded by the wording "one" or "an" should be understood as not excluding a plurality of said 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 include the listed features. The terms "first," "second," and "third," etc. are used merely as labels and are not intended to impose numerical requirements or specific positional order on their objects. The systems are 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 appended 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 car 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) configured to emit sound at a frequency between 20 Hz and 200 Hz, wherein The low frequency speaker (30) is arranged in the backrest (2202) at a first position, wherein the first position is arranged in a lower half (h2202 / 2) toward the lower end of the backrest (2202), and The low-frequency speaker (30) is arranged on the back side of the backrest (2202) facing away from the seating area (2204).

2. The vehicle (10) according to claim 1, wherein the first position is arranged in a lower third (h2202 / 3) towards the lower end of the backrest (2202).

3. The vehicle (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first position is arranged adjacent to the lower end of the backrest (2202).

4. The vehicle (10) of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the low frequency speaker (30) comprises a speaker housing.

5. The vehicle (10) of claim 4, wherein the speaker housing is integrated into the backrest (2202).

6. A vehicle (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the low-frequency speaker (30) is arranged centrally in the backrest (2202) in a horizontal direction (x), wherein the horizontal direction (x) is a direction parallel to the top surface of the seating area (2204), wherein the top surface of the seating area (2204) is a surface on which an occupant (24) of the vehicle (10) can sit.

7. A vehicle (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The car seat (220) includes a frame covered by an upholstery, wherein the frame and the upholstery define the seating area (2204) and the backrest (2202); The low frequency speaker (30) is mounted to the frame via bearings (2212), and At least a back surface of the low-frequency speaker (30) is directly or indirectly adjacent to the interior trim, wherein the back surface of the low-frequency speaker (30) is a side facing the interior of the car seat (220).

8. The vehicle (10) of claim 7, wherein the bearing (2212) comprises a first bearing member comprising a first bolt (2216) and a first track (2214), the first track comprising a counterpart, and the first bolt (2216) being inserted into the counterpart such that the first track (2214) is rigidly attached to the first bolt (2216) or is pivotable about the first bolt, and A second bearing member, the second bearing member includes a second bolt (2216) and a second track (2214), the second track includes a counterpart, and the second bolt (2216) is inserted into the counterpart, so that the second track (2214) is rigidly attached to the second bolt (2216) or can pivot around the second bolt.

9. The vehicle (10) of claim 8, wherein The low frequency speaker (30) includes a speaker housing, and The first guide rail (2214) is attached to the speaker housing and extends from the speaker housing toward a first side, and the second guide rail (2214) is attached to the speaker housing and extends from the speaker housing toward a second side opposite the first side.

10. The vehicle (10) of claim 9, wherein the first guide rail and the second guide rail (2214) are attached to an upper side of the speaker housing, wherein the upper side is a side facing an upper end of the backrest (2202), the upper end being opposite to the lower end of the backrest (2202).

11. The vehicle (10) according to any one of claims 7 to 10, further comprising a contact layer (2220) arranged between the back surface of the woofer (30) and the interior, wherein the contact layer (2220) is directly adjacent to the woofer (30) and the interior such that the contact layer transfers vibrations from the woofer (30) to the interior.

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

13. The vehicle (10) of claim 12, further comprising: a front passenger seat (222) comprising a seating area and a backrest, wherein the seating area is arranged at a lower end of the backrest; as well as a second low frequency speaker (32) configured to emit sound at a frequency between 20 Hz and 200 Hz, wherein The second low frequency speaker (32) is arranged in the backrest at a second position, wherein the second position is arranged in a lower half toward the lower end of the backrest, and The second low-frequency loudspeaker (32) is arranged on the back side of the backrest facing away from the seating area.

14. A car seat (220), comprising Seating area (2204); Backrest (2202); and A low frequency speaker (30), wherein The seating area (2204) is arranged at the lower end of the backrest (2202), The low frequency speaker (30) is arranged in the backrest (2202) at a first position, wherein the first position is arranged in a lower half (h2202 / 2) toward the lower end of the backrest (2202), and The low-frequency speaker (30) is arranged on the back side of the backrest (2202) facing away from the seating area (2204).

15. The vehicle seat (220) according to claim 14, wherein The car seat (220) includes a frame covered by an upholstery, wherein the frame and the upholstery define the seating area (2204) and the backrest (2202); The low frequency speaker (30) is mounted to the frame via bearings (2212), and At least a back surface of the low-frequency speaker (30) is directly or indirectly adjacent to the interior trim, wherein the back surface of the low-frequency speaker (30) is a side facing the interior of the car seat (220).

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