Portable music playback device and arrangement with a portable music playback device

Abstract

An arrangement comprising a portable music playback device and a motor vehicle with a receptacle for the portable music playback device, the receptacle being configured with a further resonance volume which is added to a first resonance volume of the portable music playback device when the latter is in the receptacle, wherein the portable music playback device comprises a housing with the first resonance volume, an interface, a power source, a loudspeaker, and an amplifier, wherein the loudspeaker is supplied with music signals amplified by the amplifier via the interface, and the power source provides current for this purpose, and the loudspeaker communicates with the first resonance volume, and wherein the housing has an expansion possibility for the first resonance volume.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a portable music playback device comprising a housing with a first resonance volume, an interface, a power source, a loudspeaker, and an amplifier, wherein the loudspeaker is supplied with music signals amplified by the amplifier via the interface, the power source provides current for this purpose, and the loudspeaker communicates with the first resonance volume.

[0002] Portable speakers are widely known and common. These can be wirelessly connected (e.g., via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth) to mobile music sources such as smartphones, thus providing music enjoyment on the go.

[0003] However, these devices always involve a compromise between size and music playback quality. Music playback quality depends heavily on the speaker's resonance volume. But this volume cannot be arbitrarily large in a portable speaker.

[0004] It is known from DE 102 29 205 A1 to insert a portable entertainment device including a loudspeaker into a socket in a motor vehicle and to use it there or to couple it with the vehicle.

[0005] EP 1 207 717 A1 discloses an electronic device with a loudspeaker housing whose volume can be changed by a movable component. This allows the user to adjust the sound characteristics or reduce the device size for transport.

[0006] US patent 2005 / 0031 148 A1 describes a portable loudspeaker system with a telescopic enclosure consisting of telescoping sections, each containing at least one loudspeaker driver. Extending the enclosure increases both the channel separation and the effective internal volume for sound reproduction.

[0007] US Patent 2008 / 0279406A1 discloses a portable loudspeaker device with two collapsible housing bodies, each consisting of a plurality of axially movable, ring-shaped elements. The housing bodies are moved from a compact transport position to an operating position by the relative movement of two mounting plates.

[0008] US Patent 6,078,497 A describes a portable electronic device whose speaker arrays can be moved from a flush-mounted, normal position to an extended position. In the extended position, the volume of the respective speaker chambers increases, resulting in improved sound quality.

[0009] German patent DE 299 08 607 U1 relates to a retractable loudspeaker unit for a portable computer, comprising a rear-opening loudspeaker housing that can be extended from a mounting cavity in the computer case. Extending the housing increases the effective sound chamber and moves the loudspeaker outwards to improve sound quality.

[0010] US patent 5,883,966A discloses a portable telephone in which a loudspeaker is housed in a separate enclosure that extends from the main casing. When extended, this enclosure forms a rear air chamber as a resonating volume to improve acoustics.

[0011] US Patent 2009 / 0010479A1 describes a portable electronic device with a speaker assembly that extends from the main body and has a locking mechanism. In the extended position, a resonance chamber of the speaker assembly communicates with a cavity in the main body.

[0012] US Patent 2013 / 0260823A1 discloses a portable electronic device in which the volume of a loudspeaker is acoustically coupled to the internal volume of another internal functional module, such as a camera module. This coupling is achieved via an opening and increases the effective volume of the loudspeaker without requiring additional dedicated installation space.

[0013] However, there is still a desire for a portable speaker that offers good music playback quality when used in a vehicle.

[0014] The object of the invention is therefore to provide a portable loudspeaker that offers good music playback quality when used in a vehicle.

[0015] This problem is solved by the arrangement shown in claim 1 or by the portable music playback device shown in claim 4.

[0016] According to the invention, it has been found that if the housing has an expansion option for the first resonance volume, it is possible to increase the resonance volume of the loudspeaker when the portable music playback device is plugged into a dock, i.e., a receiver. This can then provide a second or further resonance volume, which is coupled with the first resonance volume to create or provide an overall larger resonance volume. Thus, the sound can be improved.

[0017] The housing includes a closable opening for the first resonance volume.

[0018] To ensure the opening remains closed during mobile use, the closable opening features a flap. When closed, the flap seals the closable opening in the housing.

[0019] The flap sensibly features a closing spring that ensures a forced closure.

[0020] When docked or inserted into the mount, it is preferable for the flap to protrude into the housing when open. This prevents it from being obstructive and allows for a simpler design of the mount.

[0021] In order to easily expand the first resonance volume, it makes sense for the resonance volume to be adjacent to one side of the housing.

[0022] The invention also relates to an arrangement comprising a portable music playback device and a motor vehicle with a receptacle for the portable music playback device, which is designed with a further resonance volume that is added to the first resonance volume of the portable music playback device when the latter is in the receptacle.

[0023] The receiver can therefore be located in the dashboard, etc. Any type of console or interior trim is suitable. The only requirement is a cavity that can serve as an additional resonance chamber.

[0024] The installation may also include electrical and electronic connections to connect the portable music playback device to the vehicle system in a known manner, e.g. for charging, music data transfer or output, etc.

[0025] Preferably, the opening of the flap is designed to add the additional resonance volume to the first resonance volume.

[0026] The receptacle may have a forced opening mechanism to open the flap when the housing is inserted into the receptacle. In the simplest case, this could be a protruding pin, etc., which, for example, presses the flap inwards against the spring force of the closing spring when the portable music player is inserted into the receptacle.

[0027] Further details of the invention will become apparent from the following description of the single drawing, which shows a schematic cross-section through a portable music playback device according to the invention in a mounting in the dashboard of a passenger car.

[0028] The portable music playback device is designated as a whole by 1 and has a cylindrical housing 2, which is provided with a first resonance volume 4, with an interface 6, with a power source 5 and with a loudspeaker 3 and with an amplifier 5, wherein the loudspeaker 3 is supplied with music signals amplified by the amplifier 5 via the interface 6 and the power source 5 provides power for this purpose.

[0029] The loudspeaker 3 is located at one end of the cylindrical housing 2 and communicates with the first resonance volume 4.

[0030] The housing has a closable opening 13 for opening the first resonance volume 4, which is located on the opposite end face (bottom) of the cylindrical housing 2. The closable opening 13 has a flap 7 which has a closing spring 8.

[0031] When open, flap 7 protrudes into housing 2, and when closed, flap 7 closes the lockable opening in the housing.

[0032] The resonance volume 4 is designed and arranged so that it adjoins one side of the housing 2.

[0033] The portable music playback device 1 is inserted into a recess 9 in a dashboard 10 of a passenger car, which is designed with a further resonance volume 11 that is added to the first resonance volume 4 of the portable music playback device when it is in the recess 9.

[0034] When inserted into the receptacle 9, the flap 7 is pressed into the housing 2 by the protruding pin 12, thus opening the opening 13 to add the further resonance volume 11 to the first resonance volume 4.

Claims

[1] An arrangement comprising a portable music playback device and a motor vehicle with a receptacle for the portable music playback device, the receptacle being configured with a further resonance volume which is added to a first resonance volume of the portable music playback device when the latter is in the receptacle, wherein the portable music playback device comprises a housing with the first resonance volume, an interface, a power source and a loudspeaker and an amplifier, wherein the loudspeaker is supplied with music signals amplified by the amplifier via the interface and the power source provides current for this purpose and the loudspeaker communicates with the first resonance volume, and wherein the housing has an expansion possibility for the first resonance volume. [2] Arrangement according to claim 1, characterized by, that the intake is designed to open a flap in order to add the additional resonance volume to the first resonance volume. [3] Arrangement according to claim 2, characterized by that the receptacle has a forced opening mechanism to open the flap when the housing is inserted into the receptacle. [4] Portable music playback device of the arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the housing has a closable opening for opening the first resonance volume and the closable opening has a flap. [5] Portable music playback device according to claim 4, characterized by that the flap has a closing spring. [6] Portable music playback device according to claim 4 or 5, characterized by , that the flap protrudes into the housing when open. [7] Portable music playback device according to any one of claims 4 to 6, characterized bythat the flap, when closed, seals the lockable opening in the housing. [8] Portable music playback device according to any one of claims 4 to 7, characterized by that the resonance volume borders one side of the housing.

Images