Audio system for integration into a solid body and seating with integrated audio system

Abstract

Audio system (10) for integration in a solid state device (11, 31, 38, 43) with - at least one membraneless loudspeaker, - at least one processor, - a circuit board with at least one amplifier module, - an interface for data transmission, characterized in that - the at least one membrane-less loudspeaker is an exciter (13), and - the exciter (13) is arranged on a transmission plate (15).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an audio system for integration in a solid state device with at least one membrane-less loudspeaker, at least one processor, a circuit board with at least one amplifier module, an interface for data transmission and a piece of seating furniture with an integrated audio system.

[0002] The prior art, such as DE 10 2016 200 531 A1 or DE 10 2019 212 603 A1, discloses audio systems of this type. These audio systems are designed to provide passengers with the infotainment they individually require in their familiar environment, such as in the vehicle. For this purpose, the audio system can be integrated into a child seat, allowing the child to hear only the music they want, while other passengers can enjoy the music or infotainment information.

[0003] For this purpose, a state-of-the-art audio system is retrofitted in the child seat near the hearing organ. The audio system features a membrane-less speaker. This speaker is connected to a processor, a circuit board, and an amplifier module. The audio system also features an interface that exchanges data with the vehicle's infotainment system.

[0004] A disadvantage of the current state of the art is that the standard system consists of broadband speakers. Installation is highly mechanical and time-consuming. The system is susceptible to mechanical influences; for example, denting or damaging the membrane is very easy and, in the worst case, leads to speaker failure. Small speakers also produce a poor acoustic sound. Larger systems require a considerable amount of space to ensure optimal and defined sound propagation. Furthermore, multiple speakers are required. The financial outlay is therefore not negligible.

[0005] The object of the invention is therefore to provide an audio system that guarantees an optimal listening and sound experience.

[0006] The object is achieved by the features of claim 1, in particular its characterizing features, according to which the at least one membrane-less loudspeaker is an exciter and the exciter is arranged on a transmission plate.

[0007] The advantage of using at least one exciter is that they are compact, allowing them to be used even in very small enclosures. This does not reduce the sound quality, and the sound reproduction is equal to or even better than that of conventional loudspeakers. Furthermore, the power consumption of an exciter is significantly lower than that of a conventional loudspeaker.

[0008] In addition, exciters are resistant to environmental influences. Once installed, the exciter is insensitive to mechanical influences.

[0009] Depending on the application of the exciter, it can be used as a resonator, so that a broad sound and, above all, a targeted sound distribution can be ensured.

[0010] Another advantage is that the exciter can be mounted on various materials, allowing it to be attached to the transmission plate. The exciter is attached to the transmission plate using adhesive. The transmission plate ensures that the exciter's sound can be transmitted with the highest possible quality.

[0011] The audio system is controlled by the infotainment center or any information source that can exchange data, such as toy figures playing music or audio books, radio, smartphones, telephones, tablets, computers, smartwatches, smart rings, smart bracelets, for example, via Bluetooth or WLAN interface.

[0012] The processor used is preferably a digital signal processor (DSP). This is used to process the sound. The advantage of using a DSP is that it can be individually configured and adapted to the needs of the specific installation environment. Furthermore, the DSP ensures a natural and immersive sound experience. The DSP's self-configuration removes interfering frequencies and beneficially alters the sound.

[0013] It is also planned for the audio system to have an open housing that surrounds the exciter. The housing is manufactured using an injection molding process. The housing serves to securely house the audio system components. The open housing is also necessary to ensure the exciter has a dipole directional characteristic. The front and back of the housing radiate sound largely evenly, while the sound is significantly attenuated at the sides.

[0014] Another advantage is that the housing includes the transmission plate. The transmission plate can be an integrated part of the housing, but can also function separately. The transmission plate serves as the exciter's resonance partner, allowing the sound to be directed precisely via the transmission plate.

[0015] It is also planned that the case will have a case bottom.

[0016] It is also advantageous that the housing base is arranged on the transmission plate.

[0017] The housing base is designed to form at least one strut, which connects the housing base to a housing roof. The strut separates the housing base from the housing roof, allowing frequencies to be transmitted freely through the housing. It is possible to arrange a plurality of struts between the housing roof and the housing base.

[0018] What is particularly advantageous is that the housing roof consists of interconnected grid structures.

[0019] Even more advantageous is that the lattice structure consists of at least one hexagon. A hexagonal structure enables the housing to be particularly stable. Hexagonal structures are stable because acting forces can be distributed across the entire structure, and the hexagon is the most efficient shape for covering surfaces seamlessly. Hexagons have no sharp corners, which means that the force acting on the structure is not concentrated in specific areas but distributed across the entire shape.

[0020] Hexagons are efficient in terms of material use. For the same area, they require less wall length than other shapes such as triangles, squares, or other rectangular shapes.

[0021] It cannot be ruled out that the lattice structure is shaped differently than hexagonal.

[0022] It is also planned that the transmission plate would have transmission plate sides, with each side being a different length from the other. Thus, there would be no symmetry. The asymmetry leads to a uniform frequency excitation of the transmission plate and prevents a tonal sound, meaning there are no particularly loud tones or others that are barely perceptible. Asymmetry, on the other hand, leads to a balanced sound.

[0023] It is also provided that the case back has case back sides, each case back side being different in length from each of the other case back sides.

[0024] It is also conceivable that the housing roof has housing roof sides, with each of the housing roof sides differing in length from each of the other housing roof sides.

[0025] It is also advantageous that an arrangement plate is formed on the housing base pointing in the direction of the housing roof.

[0026] Furthermore, the mounting plate forms at least one receptacle in which the exciter is seated. The mounting plate serves to position the exciter in the housing. The exciter is mounted in the mounting plate.

[0027] It is also planned that at least two exciters are each arranged in a recess on the housing's mounting plate. This keeps the exciters spatially separated from each other. Slipping of the exciters relative to or from each other within the housing is thus impossible.

[0028] It is advantageous that the exciters are arranged in the receptacles of the arrangement plate in the housing in such a way that they are spaced apart from one another in order to prevent an overlap of the oscillation ranges of the frequencies when put into use.

[0029] It is also possible to include more than two exciters, but this is frequency-dependent, as the exciters are positioned in such a way that each exciter covers a specific frequency range. The second exciter then covers a different frequency range. The number of exciters can be selected depending on how many frequency ranges or frequency bands each exciter should reproduce. However, it is important that the exciters' oscillation ranges do not overlap, so that no frequency ranges are overlapped.

[0030] It is preferred that the at least two exciters are freely oscillating and spaced apart from each other. These exciters have two different excitation locations, thus preventing the oscillation regions from overlapping or combining.

[0031] The idea is to arrange the exciters asymmetrically within the enclosure. As described above, this asymmetry results in a uniform frequency excitation of the transmission plate. No tonal sound is produced.

[0032] Advantageously, the enclosure has a triangular geometry overall. The triangular design of the enclosure is also intended to accommodate the asymmetrical arrangement of the exciters within the enclosure, ensuring no symmetries in the frequencies and thus avoiding a tonal sound. The distance between the enclosure struts and the edge of the transmission plate and the enclosure base is intentionally not identical at any point to create asymmetry.

[0033] The housing is planned to be made of hard plastic and / or a high-density material. Hard plastic is characterized by its high hardness and rigidity, which leads to stability and durability. Furthermore, the manufacturing process for the hard plastic housing is simple and cost-effective.

[0034] The main advantage is that the audio system can be integrated into a solid body, namely seating furniture, in particular seats, sofa sets, cinema furniture, armchairs, loungers, vehicle headrests, child seats, aircraft seats, and train seats.

[0035] The solid body can also be other bodies. Solid body seating is preferred. The audio system can be easily integrated into the seating. Integration can be done either directly during the production of the seating or retrofitted after the seating has been manufactured. The size of the recording area in the seating determines which audio system should be used.

[0036] When installing the audio system, for example, in the headrests of child seats or in the Styrofoam of the child seat, a dispersion adhesive is used that does not attack the Styrofoam and ensures the child seat continues to have the necessary stability, safety, and thus roadworthiness. The audio system is used with individual exciters on individual transmission plates. The headrest area is so small that it is sufficient to simply use one or more transmission plates, each with individual exciters. Although it is conceivable to install the audio system with a housing there.

[0037] For example, it's conceivable that the audio system in cinema seats could control the different languages ​​of the film, allowing a non-native speaker to experience the cinema experience. The same is also conceivable for seating in travel, such as airplane or train seats. This solution could also be used at home while watching films, series, or shorts.

[0038] It's conceivable that the seating furniture only has one exciter in its audio system. However, it's more convenient to use at least two exciters, allowing for stereo sound.

[0039] A particularly advantageous feature is that the audio system is designed to be retrofitted for integration into the seating furniture.

[0040] The audio system is also planned to create defined listening zones using scalable noise suppression. This will enable focused sound distribution to the listening zones in the seating.

[0041] The bass range of the frequency band resonates throughout the entire seating unit and cancels out due to the low wavelengths. The treble range, however, does not cancel out and can only be heard by the person sitting in the seating unit with the audio system close to their hearing organ. The bass range is also slightly perceptible from outside via the seating unit or its vibrations.

[0042] The problem is also solved by a piece of seating furniture according to claim 21.

[0043] Further advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following embodiments: Fig. 1 Exploded view of the audio system according to the invention of a first embodiment; Fig. 2 side view of the audio system in assembled state; Fig. 3 Top view of the audio system according to Fig. 2; Fig. 4 Bottom view of the audio system according to Fig. 2; Fig. 5 Sectional view according to section lines AA from Fig. 3 Fig. 6 perspective view of a second embodiment of the audio system integrated into the headrests of a child seat; Fig. 7 perspective view of the first embodiment of the audio system integrated in a head area of ​​an armchair; Fig. 7a Detailed view of the audio system according to Fig. 7 in district area VIIa; Fig. 8 Perspective view of the first embodiment of the audio system integrated in the head areas of three train seats. Fig. 9 Flowchart / Circuit

[0044] The Fig. 1 shows a first embodiment of the audio system in an exploded view, wherein the audio system as a whole is provided with the reference numeral 10.

[0045] The audio system 10 is designed for integration into a solid body 11 (see for example Fig. 7 or Fig. 8), which is in the Fig. 1 is not shown.

[0046] The audio system 10 consists of two membrane-less loudspeakers 12, which are designed as exciters 13. The audio system 10 also includes a triangular housing 14. This housing 14 has a triangular transmission plate 15, which is arranged underneath the housing 14.

[0047] The housing 14 is open and closed only facing the transmission plate 15 and forms a housing base 16 facing the transmission plate 15.

[0048] The housing base 16 forms a total of ten struts 17, which connect the housing base 16 to a housing roof 18, pointing away from the transmission plate 15. The housing roof 18 forms a lattice structure 19 having hexagonal honeycombs 20.

[0049] In addition, the housing base 16 has three housing base sides 21, which differ in their length L1, L2 and L3 and are each connected to each other via rounded corners 22

[0050] The housing roof 18 has housing roof sides 23, each of which has three different lengths K1, K2, K3, and none of the lengths K1, K2, K3 is identical. The three housing roof sides 23 are connected to each other via rounded corners 24.

[0051] The transfer plate 15 has transfer plate sides 25, each transfer plate side 25 differing in length M1, M2, M3 from each of the other transfer plate sides 25. The respective transfer plate sides 25 are connected by rounded corners 26.

[0052] Furthermore, a foam 27 with a triangular geometry is formed on the housing base 16, pointing in the direction of the housing roof 18. The foam 27 serves to decouple an arrangement plate 29 from the rest of the system. This ensures the separation of the individual paths ( Fig. 9) in an audio system. The foam 27 forms two receptacles 28, each of which houses an exciter 13 in the assembled mode of the audio system 10.

[0053] The transmission plate 15 forms holes 30 near the rounded corners 26, which serve to arrange the audio system 10 in the solid body F.

[0054] The triangular mounting plate 29 is located between the housing roof 18 and the foam 27. The mounting plate 29 serves to protect the systems. Direct mechanical pressure on the systems would render them unusable or significantly impair their function.

[0055] The Fig. Figure 2 shows a side view of the audio system 10 in the assembled state. It is clearly visible that the housing 14 is open. The exciter 13 is surrounded exclusively by the foam 27. Otherwise, all three sides of the housing 14 are open. Only the housing base 16 and the transmission plate 15 are closed. The transmission plate 15 is made of hard plastic.

[0056] The housing 14 itself is also made of hard plastic. The respective components can be manufactured as injection-molded parts or, for example, using a 3D printer.

[0057] The housing roof 18 also shows the hexagonal honeycombs 20 in the side view.

[0058] In the Fig. Figure 3 shows a top view of the audio system, showing the housing roof 18 in detail. This view demonstrates the precise arrangement and design of the grid structure 19 in the form of the hexagonal honeycomb 20. It is also clearly visible that the housing roof 18 completely covers the foam 27 and the exciters 13.

[0059] The Fig. 4 shows the transmission plate 15 according to the invention with the transmission plate sides 25 / M1 / ​​M2 / M3 and the holes 30, which serve for the arrangement of the audio system 10 in the solid body 11 (not shown).

[0060] Furthermore, the Fig. 5 the sectional view AA from the Fig. 3. It is clearly visible how the exciters 13 are inserted into the foam 27.

[0061] The Fig. Figure 6 shows the exciters 13 installed in a solid body 11, which is designed as a child seat 31. The child seat comprises a child seat headrest 32, a child seat backrest 33, two belts 34 for securing the child, as well as a fastening device 35 for the belts 34 and the seat surface 36 of the child seat 31, on which the child sits. The child headrests 31 are located close to the hearing organ. The two exciters 13 have lines 37, which serve to electronically process sounds.

[0062] In the Fig. In Figure 7, the solid body 11 is designed as an armchair 38. This armchair 38 includes a backrest 39 and two armchair ears 40, into which the audio system 10 is integrated. For the sake of simplicity, no cover or fabric is shown over the audio system 10, so that the audio system 10 is clearly visible. The audio system 10 is installed in the armchair ears 40. There is one audio system 10 per armchair ear 40. The armchair 38 also includes armrests 42.

[0063] The Fig. 7a shows the detailed circle representation according to circle VIIa from Fig. 7. There you can see how the audio system 10 sits in the armchair ear 40.

[0064] The Fig. Figure 8 shows another solid body 11, which is designed as a train seat 43. Three train seats 43 are shown. The train seats 43 each include headrests 44, into which the audio systems 10 are installed. The train seat 43 also includes a backrest 45 and a seat surface 46. The train seats each have a seat support 47, which are connected to each other by a bracket 48. The installed audio systems 10 are located close to the passenger's hearing organ.

[0065] The Fig. Figure 9 shows a flowchart of the exciter 13 signal processing. Several paths or possibilities are shown. Signal processing starts with signal input 49. This can begin via cable or wirelessly. From there, the signal flows according to arrow P1 to the digital signal processor / digital-to-analog converter 50. A digital-to-analog converter is an electronic device that converts digital signals into analog signals. This conversion is necessary to reproduce digital audio data for analog devices such as speakers, headphones, or amplifiers. This can be music from a CD, streaming service, toy figure, or computer, for example.

[0066] From there, the signal can be processed in various ways. The signal is routed to amplifier 51, pointing from arrow P2 to arrow P3. An amplifier 51 amplifies an electrical signal, such as a digital audio signal, to make it more powerful or louder. This amplification is particularly important for amplifying the signal for exciter 13. From amplifier 1 51, the signal is routed to acoustic transducer 1 52, pointing from arrow P4. The acoustic transducer is a device that converts an electrical or, more generally, an acoustic input signal into an acoustic or electrical output signal, with certain desired properties of the input signal being reflected in the output signal.

[0067] From the direction arrow P2, the signal can also be routed according to the direction arrow P5 to the amplifier n+1 53 and from there to the acoustic n+1 transducer.

[0068] Finally, the signal can be routed from direction arrow 2 to direction arrow P7 and reaches the amplifier n + x 55, where it is amplified and routed via direction arrow P8 to the acoustic transducer n + x 56.

[0069] By definition, n means either n = 1. Therefore, only one path or only one exciter per side, n + 1 = 2, meaning two paths are possible. N + x then corresponds to three or more paths, schematically clarifying that theoretically there can be an infinite number of possible paths.

[0070] The so-called sound processing can be carried out by coupling the various individual paths between the amplifier and the digital signal processor 50 and can be individually designed.

[0071] The function of the invention is then exemplified by the Fig. 2 in conjunction with the Fig. 7 and the Fig. 9 explained.

[0072] The audio system 10 is fully integrated into the earpieces 40 of the chair 38. The audio system 10 is located at the user's head height and thus close to the hearing organ. The user then selects the medium to be listened to, which plays an audio file. For example, the user selects a piece of music on their smartphone, which is connected to the audio system 10 via Bluetooth. This involves a wireless transmission of the signal to the audio system 10, which receives the signal via the receiver or signal inputs 49.

[0073] The signal is then played back via exciter 13, the membraneless loudspeaker, and directed to the user's hearing organ. A particularly advantageous feature is that there are two exciters 13. These are arranged in the housing 14 in such a way that the frequencies of the piece of music to be played do not overlap, and there is no vibration overlap between the two exciters 13. Each of the exciters 13 transmits specific, predefined frequencies or frequency bands, which differ between the exciters 13. A frequency band overlap is also conceivable.

[0074] The enclosure 14 is also asymmetrically designed, and none of the sides of the entire enclosure 14 is symmetrical. This creates two separate excitation points for the sound. Furthermore, the distance between the edge of the enclosure roof 18 and the edge of the transmission plate 15 is deliberately asymmetrical. Asymmetry creates more movement, dynamics, and unpredictable patterns for the perception of music. Asymmetry can also draw attention to certain elements or emphasize contrasts, which can enhance the emotional impact. Symmetries can lead to a lack of detail, inaccuracy, and limited dynamic range in this audio system.

[0075] The open enclosure 14 also ensures that dipole oscillations occur within the enclosure 14. These dipole oscillations allow the sound to be radiated both backward and forward. The preferred dipole characteristic is thus realized.

[0076] In addition, it is also possible to define specific listening zones by controlling the 13 exciters, thus creating scalable noise suppression. The sound reinforcement of the listening zones is then focused. List of reference symbols 10 Audio system 11 Solids 12 speakers 13 Exciters 14 housings 15 Transfer plate 16 Case back 17 struts 18 Housing roof 19 Lattice structure 20 hexagonal honeycombs 21 Case bottom side 22 rounded corners of the case bottom 23 housing roof sides 24 rounded corners of the housing roof side 25 transfer plate pages 26 rounded corners of the transfer plate side 27 foam 28 Exciter mount 29 Arrangement plate 30 holes 31 child seat 32 Child seat headrest 33 Child seat back support 34 straps 35 Fastening device straps 36 Child seat seat 37 exciter lines 38 armchairs 39 Backrest 40 armchair ears 41 Armchair seat 42 Armrest 43 train seats 44 Headrest of train seats 45 Backrest of the train seats 46 Seating area of ​​the train seats 47 Seat support 48 Seat support bracket 49 Signal Input 50 Digital Signal Processor / Digital-to-Analog Converter 51 Amplifier 1 52 Acoustic Transducer 1 53 amplifiers n + 1 54 Acoustic transducer n+1 55 amplifiers n + x 56 Acoustic transducer n+x L1 first length of the case bottom side L2 second length of the case bottom side L3 third length of the case bottom side K1 first length of the housing roof side K2 second length of the housing roof side K3 third length of the housing roof side M1 first length of the transfer plate side M2 second length of the transfer plate side M3 third length of the transfer plate side P1 Direction arrow P2 Direction arrow P3 Direction arrow P4 Direction arrow P5 Direction arrow 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] DE 10 2016 200 531 A1

[0002] DE 10 2019 212 603 A1

[0002]

Claims

[1] Audio system (10) for integration in a solid state device (11, 31, 38, 43) with - at least one membraneless loudspeaker, - at least one processor, - a circuit board with at least one amplifier module, - an interface for data transmission, characterized by , that - the at least one membrane-less loudspeaker is an exciter (13), and - the exciter (13) is arranged on a transmission plate (15). [2] Audio system (10) according to claim 1, characterized by that the audio system (10) has a housing (14) which is open and surrounds the exciter (13). [3] Audio system (10) according to claim 2, characterized by that the housing (14) comprises the transmission plate (15). [4] Audio system (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the housing (14) has a housing base (16). [5] Audio system (10) according to claim 4, characterized bythat the housing base (16) is arranged on the transmission plate (15). [6] Audio system (10) according to one of claims 3 to 5, characterized by that the housing base (16) forms at least one strut (17) which connects the housing base (16) to a housing roof (18). [7] Audio system (10) according to claim 6, characterized by that the housing roof (18) consists of interconnected lattice structures (19). [8] Audio system (10) according to claim 7, characterized by that the lattice structure (19) consists of at least one hexagon. [9] Audio system (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the transfer plate (15) has transfer plate sides (25), wherein each transfer plate side (25) differs in length (M1, M2, M3) from each of the other transfer plate sides (25). [10] Audio system (10) according to claim 2 to 3, characterized bythat the housing base (16) has housing base sides (21), wherein each housing base side (21) differs in length (L1, L2, L3) from each of the other housing base sides (21). [11] Audio system (10) according to claim 2 to 4, characterized by that the housing roof (18) has housing roof sides (23), wherein each of the housing roof sides (23) differs in length (K1, K2, K3) from each of the other housing roof sides (23). [12] Audio system (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that an arrangement plate (29) is formed on the housing base (16) pointing in the direction of the housing roof (18). [13] Audio system (10) according to claim 12, characterized by that the arrangement plate (29) forms at least one receptacle (28) in which the exciter (13) is seated. [14] Audio system (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least two exciters (13) are arranged in a respective receptacle (28) of the arrangement plate (29) of the housing (14). [15] Audio system (10) according to one of claims 12 and 13, characterized by that the exciters (13) are arranged in the receptacles (28) of the arrangement plate (29) in the housing (24) such that they are spaced apart from one another in order to prevent an overlap of the oscillation ranges of the frequencies when put into use. [16] Audio system (10) according to claims 14 and 15, characterized by that the at least two exciters (13) are freely spaced from each other. [17] Audio system (10) according to one of the preceding claims characterized by that the exciters (13) are arranged asymmetrically in the housing (14). [18] Audio system (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the housing (14) has an overall triangular geometry. [19] Audio system (10) according to one of the preceding claims characterized by that the housing (14) is made of hard plastic and / or high-density material. [20] Audio system (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the audio system (10) can be integrated into a solid body (11), namely a piece of seating furniture (11), in particular seats, sofa sets, cinema furniture, armchairs (38), loungers, headrests of vehicles, child seats (31), aircraft seats, train seats (43). [21] Audio system (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the audio system (10) is designed to be retrofittable for integration into the seating furniture. [22] Audio system (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the audio system (10) forms defined listening zones by means of scalable noise suppression. [23] Seating furniture (11, 31, 38, 43) with integrated audio system (10) according to one of claims 1 to 22.

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