Mounting arrangement of a loudspeaker in an engine compartment of a motor vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a mounting arrangement of a loudspeaker (8) in an engine compartment (1) of a motor vehicle (K), wherein the loudspeaker (8) is held by a holding device (9) such that a sound-emitting front side (8a) of the loudspeaker (8) is connected to an air space (L2) of a passenger compartment (2) of the motor vehicle (K). According to the invention, it is proposed that a rear side (8b) of the loudspeaker (8) opposite the sound-emitting front side (8a) is connected to an air space (L1) which is closed with respect to the surroundings of the motor vehicle (K), wherein the closed air space (L1) is formed by a container (6) arranged in the engine compartment (1) of the motor vehicle (K) and designed for depositing or removing objects.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a mounting arrangement of a loudspeaker in an engine compartment of a motor vehicle having the features of the preamble of patent claim 1. The invention also relates to the use of a container arranged in the engine compartment of a motor vehicle and designed for storing or removing objects.

[0002] In the automotive sector, it is common practice to equip vehicles with audio components to enhance the listening experience for vehicle occupants. These include suitable audio sources and amplifiers, as well as speakers that can emit sound waves in the high, mid, and low frequency ranges based on the generated and amplified audio signals.

[0003] In particular, loudspeakers designed as woofers, which exclusively emit a low sound spectrum in a range from about 40 Hz to about 400 Hz, and woofers with an even lower sound spectrum from about 20 Hz to about 200 Hz (so-called subwoofers), require a closed housing with a large, preferably empty volume as a sound body.

[0004] Finding sufficient space for this in a motor vehicle is extremely difficult due to the generally very limited available space. Among other solutions, volumes located outside the vehicle, i.e., those formed by the vehicle's surroundings, are also used. However, the disadvantages of this approach are the increased noise emissions to the outside environment, as well as the environmental influences that affect the loudspeaker, such as splash water, dirt, and snow.

[0005] As is well known, a woofer consists of a permanent magnet with an iron core, in which a movable voice coil is located. The voice coil is connected to a funnel-shaped diaphragm. Depending on electrical input signals, the voice coil and thus the diaphragm are set into vibration, generating and emitting sound. The sound-emitting front of a loudspeaker is the side of the loudspeaker toward which the funnel-shaped diaphragm expands.

[0006] From US 10 531 194 B2, which has the features of the preamble of patent claim 1, an audio system for a motor vehicle is known which has a loudspeaker designed as a subwoofer. In addition, several loudspeakers are provided which, in addition to a portion of a producible bass spectrum, can also generate sound at higher frequencies outside the bass spectrum. A holding device for the subwoofer is proposed for various locations in the motor vehicle, including in the area of ​​a bulkhead of the passenger compartment. The subwoofer is held in the bulkhead such that its sound-emitting front side protrudes into the airspace of the passenger compartment. A rear side of the subwoofer protrudes into the engine compartment and has a connection to an airspace in the surroundings of the vehicle.

[0007] US 9 025 790 B2, also of the generic type, discloses the installation of a loudspeaker system in a motor vehicle, which is arranged in the engine compartment in the front area of ​​the motor vehicle. In the loudspeaker system, an air space of a first channel is connected to a sound membrane on the sound-emitting front side. An air space of a second channel is connected to the sound membrane on the rear side of the sound membrane. The first channel passes through a bulkhead of the motor vehicle and is connected to an air space of a passenger compartment. The second channel passes through a wall of a water tank of the motor vehicle and is connected to the air space of the vehicle's surroundings.

[0008] Furthermore, it is known that in motor vehicles, especially electric vehicles, unused space in the engine compartment is additionally filled with a container designed for storing or removing objects. Such a container can be present as standard or can be retrofitted. It usually has an internal volume of 20 liters or more and is attached to the engine above the drive motor. This allows for efficient utilization of unused space in the engine compartment. The container can be closed and opened with a suitable cover. When opened, objects such as a charging cable or on-board tools can be placed in the container. When the vehicle is in operation, the container is closed by the cover. Such a container is also known as a "frunk" (English: front + trunk = frunk). It thus creates existing storage space in the front end of the vehicle in addition to the rear trunk.

[0009] Against this background, the present invention is based on the object of proposing a mounting arrangement for a loudspeaker, in particular a woofer, in the engine compartment of a motor vehicle that contributes to the loudspeaker's good sound. Furthermore, the mounting arrangement should make optimal use of the available installation space in the engine compartment of the motor vehicle.

[0010] This object is achieved by a mounting arrangement having the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments or further developments of the invention can be found in the dependent claims.

[0011] A further object of the invention is to propose a novel use for a container arranged in the engine compartment and designed for storing or removing objects, in particular for a so-called frunk. This object is achieved by a use having the features of claim 9.

[0012] The invention is based on a mounting arrangement for a loudspeaker in the engine compartment of a motor vehicle. The loudspeaker is held by a holding device such that a sound-emitting front side of the loudspeaker communicates with an air space in the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle.

[0013] According to the invention, a rear side of the loudspeaker, opposite the sound-emitting front side, is connected to an air space that is closed to the surroundings of the motor vehicle. The closed air space is formed by a container arranged in the engine compartment of the motor vehicle and designed for storing or removing objects. This makes it possible to make effective use of the available space in the engine compartment. The available space thus serves a dual function. The available space in the engine compartment serves both as a storage space and as a sound body or sound volume for the loudspeaker.

[0014] A further development of the invention proposes that the container be arranged above a drive motor of the motor vehicle. This position allows for particularly easy access to the container when it is used to store objects or when objects are to be removed from the container.

[0015] According to another embodiment of the inventive concept, the container has a volume of at least 20 liters. Such a volume is particularly suitable for providing a speaker designed as a woofer or subwoofer with a sound body with sufficient sound volume.

[0016] According to a further development, the mounting device is designed as a channel, and the loudspeaker is housed within the mounting device. These features not only achieve greater flexibility in the sound guidance of the loudspeaker, but also provide the loudspeaker with excellent protection in the engine compartment from environmental influences such as splash water, dirt, and the like.

[0017] The channel-like mounting device can be a single-piece or multi-piece design. A multi-piece, preferably two-piece design simplifies the installation of the loudspeaker, including the associated power cables, in the mounting device.

[0018] According to a practical embodiment, the retaining device connects an air passage of the container to an air passage in a bulkhead of the passenger compartment. This allows a simple and effective connection of the loudspeaker to an air space of the container and to an air space of the passenger compartment.

[0019] To prevent objects in the container from entering the channel-like holding device, it is proposed that the container's air passage be designed in the shape of a grid or sieve. In other words, the air passage is formed by a plurality of openings distributed over the surface of the air passage. The air passage can also be provided with a grid or sieve-shaped insert for this purpose.

[0020] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the air passage of the container faces the bulkhead of the motor vehicle. This minimizes the distance that the retaining device must bridge between the container and the bulkhead to connect the air spaces.

[0021] Another refinement proposes that the retaining device be detachably attached to the container and to a bulkhead of the passenger compartment. This contributes to more flexible design and manufacturability of the container on the one hand and the retaining device on the other. These can be manufactured independently of each other and replaced during maintenance.

[0022] Finally, the present invention also aims to protect the use of a container arranged in the engine compartment of a motor vehicle and designed for storing or removing objects as a rear sound box for a loudspeaker. This use thus provides an elegant way of providing a sound box for a loudspeaker, while also allowing for effective utilization of available space in the engine compartment.

[0023] In particular, a frunk, which is used as a rear sound body for a loudspeaker and usually has a particularly large, free internal volume, offers a sound body that is particularly suitable for a woofer of a motor vehicle.

[0024] A preferred embodiment of the invention is explained in more detail in the following description with reference to the single figure. This also makes further features and advantages of the invention clear.

[0025] It shows schematically the figure shows a mounting arrangement of a loudspeaker in a motor vehicle

[0026] The figure shows the front of a motor vehicle K. In this exemplary embodiment, this is an electric vehicle. The motor vehicle K has an engine compartment 1, which can be covered by a front hood 1a. Adjacent to the engine compartment 1 is a passenger compartment 2. The passenger compartment 2 is separated from the engine compartment 1 by a bulkhead 3. Of the usual components in the passenger compartment 2, only an instrument panel 4 is shown.

[0027] In the engine compartment 1, only the components relevant to understanding the invention are shown. A drive motor 5, designed as an electric motor, is indicated. A container 6 is arranged above the drive motor 5. The container 6 is preferably attached to the drive motor 5 by means of suitable fastening means such as screws, bolts, or the like.

[0028] The container 6 is designed for storing or removing unspecified items such as charging cables, on-board tools, and warning triangles. A flap 7 serves to open and close the container 6 after opening a front hood 1a. During operation of the motor vehicle K, the container 6 is closed by the flap 7 and encloses an air space L1. The container 6 is preferably designed as a so-called frunk, in which the enclosed air space L1 has a volume of at least 20 liters.

[0029] The container 6 serves as a rear housing, thus, with its volume, as a sound body for a loudspeaker 8. The loudspeaker 8 is preferably a woofer capable of emitting sound at low frequencies in the range of approximately 40 Hz to approximately 400 Hz. Particularly preferably, the loudspeaker 8 is a subwoofer capable of emitting sound at frequencies in a range of approximately 20 Hz to 200 Hz.

[0030] Furthermore, the loudspeaker 8 is connected in terms of signal technology to an audio system of the motor vehicle K (not shown in detail), through which other loudspeakers of the motor vehicle can also be controlled (not shown).

[0031] The loudspeaker 8 is held by a holding device 9 in the engine compartment 1 such that a sound-emitting front side 8a of the loudspeaker 8 communicates with an air space L2 of the passenger compartment 2, and an opposite rear side 8b of the loudspeaker 8 communicates with the air space L1 of the container 6. In this way, the air space L1 of the container 6 can be used as a sound volume, or the container 6 as a sound body, for the loudspeaker 8. This allows a good, rich sound with low frequencies to be transmitted into the passenger compartment 2.

[0032] Furthermore, it can be seen that the holding device 9 is designed like a channel, wherein the loudspeaker 8 is completely received by the holding device 9 and thus well protected from environmental influences. The holding device 9 is connected to the container 6 with one end (left in the figure) and to the front wall 3 with one end (right in the figure). The connection of the holding device 9 is made on one side in the region of an air outlet 6a of the container 6 and on the other side in the region of an air outlet 3a of the front wall 3. The air outlets 3a, 6a are each framed by the holding device 9. In the exemplary embodiment, the air outlet 3a is located at the level of a lower region of the instrument panel 4, as seen in a vehicle vertical direction Y, but can also be positioned at other locations on the front wall 3.The air passage 6a of the container 6 or a corresponding insert therein can preferably be designed in the form of a grid or sieve and thus prevent objects placed in the container 6 from slipping into the holding device 9.

[0033] In order to keep the channel-like holding device 9 short, the air passage 6a of the container 6 faces the front wall 3. It is also conceivable that the air passage 6a of the container 6 and the air passage 3a in the front wall 3 are arranged in the same position or approximately in the same position, viewed in a vehicle transverse direction Y and in a vehicle vertical direction Z.

[0034] Preferably, the holding device 9 is designed as a separate component and is detachably connected both to the container 6 and to the end wall 3. The connection can preferably be made via end flanges 9a of the holding device 9 by means of suitable fastening openings (not shown).

[0035] Deviating from the exemplary embodiment, a multi-part, preferably two-part, design of the channel-like holding device 9 is also conceivable. This can contribute to simplified mounting of the loudspeaker 8 on the holding device 9.

[0036] The channel-like holding device 9 can preferably have a circular cross-section. This simplifies the insertion of the loudspeaker 8 into the holding device 9. If the cross-section of the holding device 9 deviates from a circular shape, the use of an adapter with a circular opening is also conceivable. This adapter is fastened in the holding device 9 and accommodates the loudspeaker 8.

[0037] To contribute to a good sound from the loudspeaker 8 and to prevent the occurrence of disturbing vibrations, vibration-damping means 9b may also be provided, by which the loudspeaker 8 is vibrationally decoupled from the support device 9. The vibration-damping means 9b may, for example, be designed as a circumferential ring. List of reference symbols 1 engine compartment 1a front hood 2 passenger compartment 3 front wall 3a Air passage 4 Instrument panel 5 Drive motor 6 containers, frunk 6a Air passage 7 flap 8 speakers, subwoofer 8a Front of the speaker 8b Back of the speaker 9 Holding device 9a Flanges 9b vibration damping agents K Motor vehicle L1, L2 airspace X Vehicle longitudinal direction Y vehicle transverse direction Z Vehicle vertical direction QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] US 10 531 194 B2

[0006] US 9 025 790 B2

[0007]

Claims

[1] Mounting arrangement of a loudspeaker (8) in an engine compartment (1) of a motor vehicle (K), wherein the loudspeaker (8) is held by a holding device (9) such that a sound-emitting front side (8a) of the loudspeaker (8) is connected to an air space (L2) of a passenger compartment (2) of the motor vehicle (K), characterized by that a rear side (8b) of the loudspeaker (8) opposite the sound-emitting front side (8a) is connected to an air space (L1) which is closed to the surroundings of the motor vehicle (K), wherein the closed air space (L1) is formed by a container (6) arranged in the engine compartment (1) of the motor vehicle (K) and designed for depositing or removing objects. [2] Mounting arrangement according to claim 1, characterized by that the container (6) is arranged above a drive motor (5) of the motor vehicle (K). [3] Mounting arrangement according to claim 1 or 2, characterized bythat the container (6) has a volume of at least 20 liters. [4] Mounting arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the holding device (9) is channel-shaped and the loudspeaker (8) is accommodated within the holding device (9). [5] Mounting arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the holding device (9) connects an air passage (6a) of the container (6) with an air passage (3a) in an end wall (3) of the passenger compartment (2). [6] Mounting arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the air passage of the container (6) is designed in the shape of a grid or sieve or is provided with a grid or sieve-shaped insert. [7] Mounting arrangement according to claim 5 or 6, characterized by that the air passage (6a) of the container faces the front wall (3) of the motor vehicle (K). [8] Mounting arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the holding device (9) is detachably attached to the container (6) and to the end wall (3). [9] Use of a container (6), in particular a frunk, arranged in the engine compartment of a motor vehicle (K) and designed for storing or removing objects, as a rear sound body for a loudspeaker (8).

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