Audio-System

Abstract

Audio system (10) with a processor (10.2) which is connected on the data side to a coupling module (10.1), an amplifier module (10.3) and at least one membraneless loudspeaker (10.4'), wherein the audio system (10) is designed as a retrofit kit for seats or child seats (K), for which the processor (10.2) and the amplifier module (10.3) are detachably connectable to the seat or the child seat (K), wherein a Velcro connection, a belt connection or a screw connection is provided for the detachable connection of the processor (10.2) and / or the amplifier module (10.3), and for which the membraneless loudspeaker (10.4') can be connected to the seat or child seat (K) in a vibration-resistant manner, wherein a structural part (K.22) close to the hearing organ, as part of a headrest, is set into vibration during operation, thereby causing a corresponding sound radiation to the hearing organ of the person sitting on it.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an audio system.

[0002] Child car seats with built-in speakers are known to exist; these can be connected directly to the headphone jack of a tablet, smartphone, or similar playback device. The applicant identified several disadvantages. The audio function of the child car seat represents an isolated solution within the vehicle. Other occupants, especially the parents, cannot control the audio functions. When the child uses the speakers, the problem arises that they are cut off from other acoustic influences and, if desired, from communication with their parents or other occupants.Furthermore, the lack of adjustment to the frequency response of the built-in speakers for optimized intelligibility, i.e., to improve the sound quality, results in a level increase that can be harmful to the child's health and further reinforces the child's isolation from other external acoustic influences.

[0003] German patent DE 10 2016 200 531 A1 discloses a headrest cushion with integrated loudspeakers for retrofitting into a child car seat intended for use in a motor vehicle. The loudspeakers are embedded within a foam-filled cavity.

[0004] Furthermore, US patent 2019 / 0052952 A1 discloses a vehicle with a loudspeaker arrangement that can either be attached to the seat or worn by the passengers. The sound reproduction depends on how the loudspeakers are arranged and used.

[0005] DE 10 2018 222 153 A1 concerns a seat, in particular a child seat with an audio system for optimized playback of audio content.

[0006] The invention is based on the objective of improving the playback of audio content in vehicles.

[0007] An analysis of the state of the art reveals essentially the following initial conditions.

[0008] Conventional loudspeakers are known as electroacoustic transducers that convert a mostly electrical input signal into mechanical vibrations that are perceptible to the human ear as audible sound.

[0009] Also known are so-called exciters, which are membrane-less vibration exciters. Exciters represent a special type of loudspeaker. Like normal hi-fi transducers, they are driven by suitable amplifiers, but they require a solid medium as a "diaphragm"—that is, they must first be fixed to an object that they set into vibration. In practice, for example, exciters mounted behind wall panels are known to act as "invisible loudspeakers" by vibrating parts of the wall.

[0010] Publication JP 2016-19064A discloses such an electroacoustic device comprising a diaphragm attached to a headrest bracket connecting a seat's headrest to a backrest section, an exciter attached to the diaphragm, and a pair of right and left magnets positioned overlapping the headrest brackets at the left and right end sections of the diaphragm's front surface. When the exciter is driven by an amplifier or the like, the vibration plate and the headrest vibrate due to the exciter's vibration, which acts as a loudspeaker, emitting a wide range of sound. This vibration is transmitted to the backrest frame via the headrest bracket. The backrest section vibrates as a whole due to the exciter's vibration. The exciter is essentially a vibrator with a housing, a voice coil, a magnet, a pole piece, etc.(not shown), which are housed in the casing, vibrate due to the Lorentz force caused by a current flowing through the voice coil. The exciter sets the casing in motion through contact with it and acts as a loudspeaker for sound output.

[0011] The starting point of the invention is a vehicle which includes an infotainment system.

[0012] Preferably, the audio system of a seat is provided with a coupling module containing an interface for exchanging data between the vehicle's infotainment system and the seat's audio system. The advantage of this preferred solution is that the seat's audio system is now integrated into the vehicle's infotainment system.

[0013] In other words, the seat's audio system previously represented an isolated solution, which is overcome by the features of the invention. The seat's audio system and the vehicle's infotainment system can advantageously communicate via the coupling module and exchange information, signals, and control commands.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment, the audio system is arranged in the structure of the seat or in the structure of a child seat.

[0015] It is also preferably provided that the audio system is arranged in the structure of a headrest of the seat or in the structure of a headrest of a child seat.

[0016] The audio system comprises a processor which is connected to the coupling module on the data side (information, signals, control commands, hereinafter referred to as "data"), wherein the audio system further comprises an amplifier module and, in one embodiment, a loudspeaker having a diaphragm, as will be explained in detail below.

[0017] In a preferred embodiment, a special alternative design variant uses a diaphragmless loudspeaker, a so-called exciter, as will be explained in more detail below.

[0018] Preferably, the audio system in both versions can include a microphone, as will be explained further below.

[0019] In a preferred embodiment, it is provided that the audio system exchanges data for controlling the audio system via the interface with the infotainment system and is integrated into the audio system via the data of an ICC [InCarCommunication] system and / or an ANC [ActiveNoise Gancellation] system and / or an RNC [RoadNoise Gancellation] system of the infotainment system.

[0020] Furthermore, it is advantageously provided to design one or more interfaces for data exchange as needed, such as an A2B interface and / or bus interface and / or Bluetooth interface and / or WLAN interface and / or G5 interface and / or Ethernet interface.

[0021] In short, the control of the membrane-driven or membrane-less loudspeakers (depending on the design variant, which are also generally referred to as electro-acoustic transducers) is carried out by the amplifier module integrated in the respective seat, and the processor, which is intended in particular as a digital signal processor, via at least one interface that transmits data in various standards - as explained above - to the infotainment system via at least one of interfaces that can be configured in various ways.

[0022] As explained, at least one interface with at least one data transmission standard is provided, whereby the digital signal processor serves to optimize the acoustic output of the loudspeaker / exciter of the seat's audio system, and the maximum output level of the audio signal within the seat's audio system can also be set, monitored and controlled using the digital signal processor.

[0023] The communication capability between the infotainment system and the audio system allows calculations and adjustments of the microphone and / or audio signals, if present, to be performed entirely in the digital signal processor within the seat or child seat, or partially in the vehicle's infotainment system, or both fully and partially in the vehicle's infotainment system, which is seen as one of the key advantages.

[0024] Furthermore, by connecting the audio system of the seat or child seat to the infotainment system, it is possible for an operator of the infotainment system to interfere with the functions of the audio system.

[0025] An operator of the infotainment system can thus, for example, control or influence the output level of the speaker / exciter in terms of volume and the content played via the audio system of the seat or child seat.

[0026] The InCarCommunication system (ICC) allows another occupant of the vehicle to initiate acoustic communication with the user of the audio system even if the user of the seat-side or child seat-side audio system is already acoustically within the output range of the speaker / exciter, as the other occupant can interact with the acoustic content of the audio system via the infotainment system.

[0027] In a further preferred embodiment, the power supply for the audio system of the seat or child seat, in particular of a seat or child seat that can be removed from and reattached to the vehicle seat, is provided either via an electrical or electromechanical connection device that is formed in the seat and a vehicle-side powered base station, or via an energy storage device arranged in the seat or child seat.

[0028] Furthermore, a seat or child seat is preferably provided which includes an audio system comprising a processor connected to a coupling module on the data side, an amplifier module and at least one membraneless loudspeaker of the type of exciter.

[0029] The audio system with the membraneless loudspeaker (exciter) includes at least one microphone.

[0030] The seat or child seat with the audio system, which includes the membraneless loudspeaker (exciter), preferably has an electrical or electromechanical connection device to a vehicle-side base station or an energy storage device arranged in the seat.

[0031] The interface of the seat's or child seat's audio system allows communication with the infotainment system, enabling the exchange of data, particularly for controlling the audio system.

[0032] Preferably, the audio system with the diaphragmless loudspeaker (exciter) is arranged in a housing which is located on / in a structural part of the seat or child seat near a person's auditory organ.

[0033] In a preferred embodiment, the housing of the audio system with the diaphragmless loudspeaker is arranged in the structural part in such a vibration-resistant manner that at least the structural part closest to the hearing organ is set into vibration, wherein the structural part closest to the hearing organ is arranged between the housing and the hearing organ.

[0034] In a further preferred embodiment, the housing of the audio system is arranged in a recess of the structural part closest to the auditory organ on the side facing away from the auditory organ. The design of the recess has the advantage that the thickness of the structural part between the auditory organ and the housing of the audio system is small, thus achieving improved vibration transmission and, consequently, improved vibration excitation between the housing of the audio system and the structural part.

[0035] In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the structural part near the hearing organ is made of plastic, since it has been found that such plastic structural parts ensure good sound radiation of the vibration actuator of the membraneless exciter in a comfortable manner.

[0036] The plan is to use a plastic, specifically polystyrene foam, which, in addition to its excellent vibration excitability, offers very good sound radiation and allows for easy shaping of the structural component. Furthermore, it possesses damping properties with respect to external crash forces, which are important in crash scenarios. Therefore, the aforementioned combination achieves advantageous effects in various ways (regarding crash performance and the aforementioned audio characteristics). Moreover, polystyrene foam is readily available at a low cost, making this an overall advantageous solution.

[0037] By using vibration actuators as loudspeakers (exciters) that do not have a diaphragm, no opening within the structure is required to transmit the audio signal to the listener, compared to loudspeakers with diaphragms, so that advantageously, surfaces without openings are not necessary in the structural components.

[0038] In other words, the design creates a loudspeaker that is invisibly arranged in the seat or child seat or their headrests.

[0039] An additional advantage is that the sound radiation from the structural components excited by the exciter is only audible within a so-called audio zone, which is essentially the area between the exciter, the structural component, and the individual's hearing. This means that a distinct audio zone is created for other occupants in the vehicle, specifically within the area of ​​the person in their seat or child seat. A further benefit is that if the person leans their head against the structural component, particularly the headrest, within this limited audio zone, the audio transmission is improved because the person comes into contact with the vibrating component.

[0040] The limited audio zone advantageously reduces crosstalk to other adjacent vehicle seats or child seats. Crosstalk refers to an audio zone where the speaker signals are always audible beyond the audio zone of the respective seat or child seat in a disturbing manner.

[0041] The respective audio system with its own crosstalk-free audio zone can advantageously be actively connected or integrated with other audio systems, in particular with other audio systems with a crosstalk-free audio zone, using CTC [CrossTalkCancellation].

[0042] It is possible to specify a separate crosstalk compensation for each audio system within the respective audio or sound zone.

[0043] Advantageously, the output level within the audio zone can thus be reduced overall, ensuring a quieter atmosphere within the vehicle seat while maintaining high sound quality for the occupants and promoting optimal posture. Wearing headphones is no longer necessary with this type of generated audio signal. Optimal posture is not even possible when children wear headphones in a child car seat, as the typically narrow headrest wings, designed to fit the width of the head, do not allow for headphones. Children in child car seats involuntarily assume a less than optimal posture when wearing headphones, a posture that is no longer necessary with the solution according to the invention.

[0044] The preferred placement of a microphone within the audio system allows people, especially children in child seats, to communicate advantageously with other occupants in the vehicle; see the explanations for CTC [CrossTalkCancellation].

[0045] The invention relates to an audio system comprising a processor connected to a coupling module on the data side, an amplifier module, and at least one diaphragmless loudspeaker. According to the invention, the audio system is designed as a retrofit kit for seats or child car seats, wherein the processor and the amplifier module can be detachably connected to the seat or child car seat, wherein a hook-and-loop fastener, a strap connection, or a screw connection is provided for the detachable connection of the processor and / or the amplifier module, and wherein the diaphragmless loudspeaker can be connected to the seat or child car seat in a vibration-resistant manner, wherein a structural component located near the ear, as part of a headrest, is set into vibration during operation, thereby emitting corresponding sound to the ear of the person sitting in the seat.In contrast, the diaphragmless loudspeaker is bonded to the seat or child seat for vibration-resistant attachment, preferably using double-sided adhesive tape. In its delivered state, the double-sided adhesive tape has a protective film that can be removed by the consumer, allowing the diaphragmless loudspeaker to be mounted vibration-resistant at any desired position on the seat or child seat. According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the diaphragmless loudspeaker is attached to the plastic shell of a child seat, for which the fabric cover surrounding the child seat can be temporarily removed. After mounting the diaphragmless loudspeaker, which typically has a diameter of approximately...Having a diameter of 2.5 cm and a thickness of 1 cm to 1.5 cm, the fabric cover can easily be put back on, after which the membraneless loudspeaker is securely and vibration-resistantly connected to the structure of the child seat.

[0046] For power supply, the audio system is preferably connected to the vehicle's electrical system via a cable. The connection to the vehicle's infotainment system is also designed analogously to the previously described vehicle and the previously described seat or child seat.

[0047] It is pointed out once again that another significant advantage is that, thanks to the invention, playback devices such as tablets or smartphones no longer need to be connected via cable to a headphone output of headphones in order to experience a corresponding audio experience within the limited audio zone of the seat or child seat.

[0048] The invention is explained below using exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. These show: Fig. 1 a schematic representation of a seat with an audio system, in particular in the exemplary embodiment with an audio system of a child seat, which is set up for optimized playback of audio content; Fig. 2 a schematic representation of a vehicle infotainment system connected to a seat audio system; Fig. 3. A representation of the audio system located in a headrest of a seat, in particular a child seat, in accordance with the Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 is integrated.

[0049] The Fig. Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a seat with an audio system. In particular, the following embodiment presents an audio system 10 of a child seat K, which is designed for optimized playback of audio content. The audio system can be directly connected to the seat, or it can be connected to the seat, especially the child seat, as a retrofit kit.

[0050] The following description regarding the child seat K can be applied analogously to a normal seat.

[0051] The child seat K has a child seat structure K.1. In the exemplary embodiment, an exciter 10.4' is arranged in the child seat structure K.1, which (when the audio system 10 is in operation) can cause the structural parts of the child seat structure K.1 in the back area of ​​a child seat seated in it to vibrate, so that, for example, a massage function can be performed in the area of ​​the child seat structure K.1.

[0052] This allows the operator of the infotainment system, which is coupled to the audio system 10 via an interface S, to advantageously activate the Exciter 10.4' during a journey in order to provide a massage function for the child sitting in the child seat.

[0053] The child seat K comprises, in addition to the child seat seat structure K.1, a child seat headrest structure K.2.

[0054] According to the schematic representation in Fig. 1 either a conventional loudspeaker 10.4 or a membraneless loudspeaker (exciter) 10.4' is arranged there, which is preferably glued to the seat using double-sided adhesive tape.

[0055] Preferably, two loudspeakers 10.4 or two exciters 10.4' are arranged opposite each other with respect to an imaginary vertical axis of symmetry of the seat or child seat K.

[0056] The audio system 10 of the seat or child seat K is preferably located in a housing which is integrated into the structure of the seat or child seat K or as shown in Fig. 1 is shown arranged in a headrest.

[0057] The respective housing is preferably integrated into the head section of the seat or child seat K, in particular in the headrest, on both sides, with the audio system 10 preferably being arranged in the side headrest wings, which can preferably also be adjusted towards or away from the head of the respective person.

[0058] The Fig. Figure 2 schematically shows the audio system, which includes a coupling module 10.1, a digital signal processor 10.2 and an amplifier module 10.3 as well as the respective loudspeakers 10.4 and 10.4'.

[0059] The digital signal processor 10.2 communicates on the one hand with the microphone (if applicable) and additionally with the amplifier module 10.3, whereby the amplifier module 10.3 in turn communicates with the respective loudspeaker 10.4 or 10.4'.

[0060] The interface S to the infotainment system 100 is thus formed in the coupling module 10.1, via which the information, signals and control commands are exchanged between the audio systems 10 and 100, as illustrated by the double arrows between the infotainment system 100 and the coupling module 10.1 and the coupling module 10.1 and the signal processor 10.2.

[0061] The Fig. Figure 3 shows a representation of the audio system 10, which is integrated into the headrest of a child car seat. Reference numeral 10.4' indicates a housing in which an electro-acoustic transducer in the form of an exciter 10.4' is arranged.

[0062] The housing also contains, for example, the coupling module 10.1, the signal processor 10.2 and the amplifier module 10.3, so that, advantageously, a single component has to be arranged in the structure of the headrest, in particular in the side headrest wings.

[0063] The figure illustrates that the headrest has a first structural part K.21 as a base part and a second structural part K.22 as the component that gives shape to the headrest and at the same time dampens the crash force in the event of a crash through the material of the second structural part K.22.

[0064] The housing of the Audio System 10 is located between the front of the base part K.21 and the rear of the second structural part K.22.

[0065] In particular, it is provided that the audio system 10 is arranged in the area of ​​the side headrest wings, which are preferably adjustable relative to the head of the person sitting on it.

[0066] In other words, the audio system 10 of a child car seat K is adjustable and positioned close to the ear of the child sitting in the car seat.

[0067] During operation, the structural component K.22 connected to the audio system is set into vibration, thereby emitting sound to the hearing organ of the person seated. In a preferred embodiment, polystyrene is used as the material for the plastic component, which also exhibits the excellent crash-active damping properties and simultaneously the shape-retaining properties of a headrest of a seat or child seat K. No opening is required on the side opposite the housing of the audio system 10 to generate the corresponding audio signals, as is necessary, for example, with conventional loudspeakers 10.4.

[0068] In a preferred embodiment, the housing of the audio system 10 is attached by bonding with an adhesive, so that essentially no components are required to prevent or reduce the vibration excitation of the second structural part K.22. In a retrofittable audio system 10, the diaphragmless loudspeaker 10.4' has a double-sided adhesive tape that allows a vibration-resistant connection to the child seat K, in particular to the child seat seat structure K.1 or the child seat headrest structure K.2. The signal processor 10.2 and the amplifier module 10.3 are detachably connected to the child seat K by other means. Reference symbol list K child seat K.1 Child car seat seat structure K.2 Child seat headrest structure K.21 first structural part of a headrest K.22 second structural part of a headrest 10 Audio system of a car seat or child seat 100 Infotainment systems of a vehicle S interface V In-depth study 10.1 Coupling module 10.2 Signal processor 10.3 Amplifier module 10.4 speakers 10.4' Exciter 10.5 microphone

Claims

[1] Audio system (10) comprising a processor (10.2) connected on the data side to a coupling module (10.1), an amplifier module (10.3) and at least one membraneless loudspeaker (10.4'), wherein the audio system (10) is designed as a retrofit kit for seats or child seats (K), for which the processor (10.2) and the amplifier module (10.3) are detachably connectable to the seat or the child seat (K), wherein a Velcro connection, a belt connection or a screw connection is provided for the detachable connection of the processor (10.2) and / or the amplifier module (10.3), and for which the membraneless loudspeaker (10.4') can be connected to the seat or child seat (K) in a vibration-resistant manner, wherein a structural part (K.22) close to the hearing organ, as part of a headrest, is set into vibration during operation, thereby causing a corresponding sound radiation to the hearing organ of the person sitting on it. [2] Audio system (10) according to claim 1, characterized by, that the diaphragmless loudspeaker (10.4') is bonded to the seat or child seat (K) for vibration-resistant connection, for which purpose the diaphragmless loudspeaker (10.4') preferably has a double-sided adhesive tape. [3] Audio system (10) according to one of claims 1 to 2, characterized by , that the audio system (10) can be connected to the vehicle's electrical system via a wired power supply.

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