GENERAL LOUDSPEAKER BOX

Description

[0001] The invention relates to the field of acoustic speakers, and, in particular, to speakers comprising several loudspeakers and integrated into electronic equipment of the decoder box type. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] There are a multitude of loudspeakers on the market, each of which incorporates a plurality of loudspeakers. The plurality of loudspeakers includes, for example, a tweeter (or tweeter ), a bass speaker also called a low-frequency speaker (or woofer ), a mid-frequency speaker (or medium), etc. The reproduction can be active, when the speaker is equipped with a motor, or passive. Some acoustic speakers are called full range, because they cover all (or almost all) audible frequencies thanks to these loudspeakers. Loudspeakers comprising a box incorporating a plurality of distinct acoustic chambers, each housing at least one loudspeaker, are presented in documents US 8,175,304 B1, US 2012 / 014544 A1, CN 206,024,070 U and US 2018 / 091897 A1.

[0003] Today, we are seeing the marketing of set-top boxes that integrate an electronic module that performs the function of a digital television decoder, as well as a plurality of speakers. The decoder uses the speakers to reproduce an audio stream. Other functions can be implemented in the set-top box, for example, voice recognition and voice assistant functions.

[0004] This integration raises many challenges that are not addressed in the products currently on the market. Set-top boxes are generally bulky. Some set-top boxes with integrated speakers are too large to fit near a television. The sound reproduction performance is generally disappointing. The price of the set-top box is often very high. SUBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The invention aims to reduce the volume and cost, and to improve the acoustic performance of equipment in which an acoustic enclosure and at least one additional electronic module are integrated, such as a digital television decoder. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] In order to achieve this goal, a generic acoustic enclosure is proposed which is suitable for integration into modular equipment comprising, in addition to the acoustic enclosure, at least one additional electronic module comprising at least one electronic card, the generic acoustic enclosure comprising: a box comprising on the one hand a main portion comprising a plurality of lateral faces of the box and a first non-lateral face which is an upper face or a lower face of the box, and on the other hand a cover which closes the box and forms a second non-lateral face of the box, the second non-lateral face being opposite the first non-lateral face, the box comprising internal partitions which extend vertically from an internal wall of the first non-lateral face of the box and which define a plurality of sealed acoustic chambers, distinct and separated from each other by said internal partitions, each acoustic chamber comprising an orifice opening towards the outside of the box in a different direction;a plurality of loudspeakers each comprising a membrane, each loudspeaker being integrated into one of the acoustic chambers so that a membrane of said loudspeaker extends at the orifice, the plurality of loudspeakers comprising a plurality of first loudspeakers each integrated into a first acoustic chamber comprising a first orifice which opens outwards at a separate lateral face of the box, and at least one second loudspeaker integrated into a second acoustic chamber comprising a second orifice which opens outwards at the first non-lateral face of the box;at least one first connector mounted in a sealed manner on the box, the first connector comprising contacts electrically connected to the speakers, the first connector thus being arranged to electrically connect the speakers to the electronic card of the additional electronic module, via a second connector mounted on the additional electronic module and complementary to the first connector; the box being made by plastic injection.

[0007] Several distinct and sealed acoustic chambers are therefore defined in the enclosure of the acoustic speaker according to the invention. These different chambers make it possible to avoid interference between the audio channels and to obtain excellent acoustic reproduction.

[0008] The cabinet space requirement and the performance of the acoustic enclosure can be optimized by integrating tweeter and / or mid-frequency drivers in laterally positioned reduced volume chambers, and a bass driver in a larger central volume chamber.

[0009] Thanks to the first connector mounted on the loudspeaker, it can be easily connected to different types of additional electronic modules to form different types of modular equipment. The loudspeaker can therefore be used without modification in different types of equipment, in which it integrates very easily, thus reducing the cost of said equipment.

[0010] A generic acoustic enclosure as previously described is further provided, in which the second orifice is positioned in a central portion of the box.

[0011] We further propose a generic acoustic enclosure as previously described, in which the second acoustic chamber has as its second volume an entire internal volume of the box with the exception of the first volumes of the first acoustic chambers.

[0012] A generic acoustic enclosure is further provided as previously described, in which the first loudspeakers comprise a first front loudspeaker integrated into a first front acoustic chamber comprising a first front orifice opening outwards at a front face of the box, a first left loudspeaker integrated into a first left acoustic chamber comprising a first left orifice opening outwards at a left face of the box, and a first right loudspeaker integrated into a first right acoustic chamber comprising a first right orifice opening outwards at a right face of the box.

[0013] We further propose a generic acoustic enclosure as previously described, in which the first loudspeakers are identical.

[0014] Further provided is a generic loudspeaker as previously described, in which the second loudspeaker is a bass loudspeaker.

[0015] Further provided is a generic acoustic enclosure as previously described, wherein the second orifice extends at the bottom of a first recess formed in an outer wall of the non-lateral face.

[0016] A generic acoustic enclosure as previously described is further provided, further comprising a third loudspeaker integrated into the second acoustic chamber of the box, the second acoustic chamber comprising a third orifice which opens outwards at a face opposite the non-lateral face, the third loudspeaker being a passive radiator.

[0017] Further provided is a generic acoustic enclosure as previously described, wherein the second port and the third port of the second acoustic chamber are offset from each other along a length or a width of the acoustic enclosure.

[0018] Further provided is a generic acoustic enclosure as previously described, in which the third orifice is positioned at the bottom of a second recess formed in an external wall of the face opposite the non-lateral face.

[0019] Further provided is a generic acoustic enclosure as previously described, wherein the first recess or the second recess is defined between feet of equipment incorporating the acoustic enclosure.

[0020] Further provided is a generic acoustic enclosure as previously described, wherein stiffening ribs are formed in an inner wall of an upper face and / or a lower face of the enclosure.

[0021] Further provided is a generic loudspeaker enclosure as previously described, wherein the first connector, or the second connector to which the first connector is complementary, comprises Pogo pins.

[0022] Further provided is a modular equipment comprising a generic acoustic enclosure as previously described, as well as an additional electronic module, the first connector of the generic acoustic enclosure and the second connector of the additional electronic module being connected to each other.

[0023] Further provided is a modular equipment as previously described, further comprising an outer casing at least partially surrounding lateral faces of the box and comprising at least one set of at least one hole, the modular equipment further comprising at least one acoustic horn mounted between the box and the outer casing, the acoustic horn having a shape and / or dimensions which depend on the shape and / or dimensions of the outer casing, the acoustic horn being arranged so as to surround a membrane of a loudspeaker and to be in contact with both the box and the outer casing so that the acoustic horn guides outwards via the set of at least one hole of the outer casing sounds produced by said loudspeaker.

[0024] Further provided is modular equipment as previously described, the modular equipment being a decoder box and the additional electronic module being a digital television decoder.

[0025] Further provided is a modular equipment as previously described, the generic acoustic enclosure being consistent with the previously described enclosure, the first recess or the second recess being defined between feet of the modular equipment.

[0026] The invention will be better understood in light of the following description of a particular, non-limiting embodiment of the invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] Reference will be made to the attached drawings, including: [ Fig. 1 ] there figure 1 represents a perspective and rear view of a decoder box integrating the acoustic enclosure; [ Fig. 2 ] there figure 2 is an exploded view of the decoder box; [ Fig. 3 ] there figure 3 is a perspective and top view of a digital television decoder and the acoustic enclosure; [ Fig. 4 ] there figure 4 is a perspective and top view of the acoustic enclosure; [ Fig. 5 ] there figure 5 is a view similar to the figure 4 , the enclosure being seen from the front and slightly from above; [ Fig. 6 ] there figure 6 is a bottom view of a main portion of the box; [ Fig. 7 ] there figure 7 represents the first connector and the second connector; [ Fig. 8 ] there figure 8 is a perspective view of the decoder box, without the decorative outline; [ Fig. 9 ] there figure 9 is a top view of the acoustic enclosure and the external envelope; [ Fig. 10 ] there figure 10 represents different designs equipment; [ Fig. 11 ] there figure 11 is a sectional view in a horizontal plane of a first acoustic chamber and the external envelope; [ Fig. 12 ] there figure 12 is a detailed perspective and top view of the acoustic enclosure, an acoustic horn and the external envelope; [ Fig. 13 ] there figure 13 is a perspective view of an acoustic horn; [ Fig. 14 ] there figure 14 includes a top view of the acoustic pavilion as well as sectional views according to a plane P1 and a plane P2; [ Fig. 15 ] there figure 15 represents a speaker membrane and screws on the box; [ Fig. 16 ] there figure 16 is a view similar to the figure 15 , on which the flag is represented; [ Fig. 17 ] there figure 17 is a view similar to the figure 13 , the pavilion comprising a rubber lip; [ Fig. 18 ] there figure 18 is a view similar to the figure 14 , with the pavilion of the figure 17 . DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0028] In reference to the figures 1 à 3 , the invention is implemented in a modular equipment 1 which comprises a generic acoustic enclosure 2.

[0029] By "modular" is meant that the equipment 1 comprises, in addition to the acoustic enclosure 2, one or more other separate additional modules, comprising at least one electronic module, which are integrated with the acoustic enclosure 2 to form the equipment 1. It is therefore possible, by using different additional modules, to obtain different types of equipment whose functionalities and / or design external are different, and which all integrate the same acoustic enclosure 2.

[0030] By "generic" is meant that the acoustic enclosure 2 can be associated with this or these additional modules without it being necessary to make modifications to the acoustic enclosure 2, to obtain the different types of equipment.

[0031] The equipment 1 comprises, in this case, in addition to the acoustic enclosure 2, a first additional module 3 and a second additional module 4.

[0032] The first additional module 3 corresponds to the upper part of the equipment 1, the second additional module 4 corresponds to the lower part of the equipment 1, and the acoustic enclosure 2 is positioned between the first additional module 3 and the second additional module 4.

[0033] The general shape of the equipment 1 is a parallelepiped with rounded corners and which has an upper face 5, a lower face 6 and four side faces: a front face 7, a rear face 8, a left face 9 and a right face 10.

[0034] The first additional module 3 comprises an upper cover 12 and an additional electronic module which is a digital television decoder 14.

[0035] The upper cover 12 forms the upper face 5 of the equipment 1. Threaded studs 15 are formed near the corners of the upper cover 12 and extend vertically from an inner wall of the upper cover 12.

[0036] The first additional module 3 further comprises electronic cards and electronic components which are mounted on the electronic cards and which implement a plurality of functions, and in particular the classic functions of a digital television decoder: acquisition of audio / video streams, processing of the stream, etc.

[0037] The electronic components also perform the voice recognition function and the voice assistant function with decoding functionality. The voice assistant function uses the acoustic speaker 2.

[0038] Of course, some of these electronic components (microcontrollers, processors, programmable logic circuits, etc.) are capable of executing programs to carry out the functions just mentioned.

[0039] The electronic components include in particular connectors 16 making it possible in particular to connect the decoder 14 of the first additional module 3 to a television, to the network, to the mains, etc. The electronic components also include microphones to implement voice recognition, a user interface comprising illuminated displays and buttons, an infrared module which makes it possible to control the equipment 1 using a remote control, etc.

[0040] The electronic cards comprise a main card 17, mounted under the upper cover 12 parallel to the latter and close to the internal wall of the upper cover 12, as well as a secondary card 18 positioned at an upper portion of the front face 7 of the equipment 1. The secondary card 18 comprises in particular electronic components for implementing the user interface.

[0041] The second additional module 4 comprises a support plate 20 forming the lower face 6 of the equipment 1 and comprising feet on which the equipment 1 rests when it is placed.

[0042] In reference to the figures 4 à 6 , the acoustic enclosure 2, for its part, firstly comprises a box 23 which also has the general shape of a parallelepiped or a trapezoid, and whose corners are rounded, and which has an upper face 24, a lower face 25 and four lateral faces: a front face 26, a rear face 27, a left face 28 and a right face 29 (these faces correspond to the equivalent faces of the equipment 1).

[0043] A front recess 30 is formed on the upper part of the front face 26 of the box 23, to integrate the secondary card 18. A rear recess 31 is formed on the rear part of the upper face 24 of the box 23, to integrate the connectors 16.

[0044] Tabs 33, each comprising a hole, extend horizontally from the side faces of the box 23 near the corners of the box 23. When the first additional module 3 and the acoustic enclosure 2 are assembled, the threaded studs 15 of the upper cover 12 of the first additional module 3 are placed on the tabs 33, and screws are screwed from below the tabs 33 into the threaded studs 15 to fix the first additional module 3 to the acoustic enclosure 2.

[0045] The box 23 comprises a main portion 34 comprising the upper face 24 and the side faces of the box 23, and a lower cover 35 which closes the box 23 and which forms the lower face 25 of the box 23. The box 23 is therefore open at its lower face 25 when the lower cover 35 is not positioned on the main portion 34 of the box 23.

[0046] The box 23 has a groove 36 which extends along the lower surface of its lateral faces, against which the lower cover 35 is placed to close the box 23. The groove 36 also extends along the lower surface of the internal walls which will be described below. The seal between the main portion 34 of the box 23 and the lower cover 35 of the box 23 is ensured by a seal 37 deposited in the groove 36.

[0047] The main portion 34 of the box 23 comprises a plurality of threaded studs 38 which extend vertically from a bottom of the main portion 35, that is to say from an internal wall of the upper face 24 of the box 23. Screws 39 extend through the lower cover 35 and are screwed into the threaded studs 38, which makes it possible to fix the lower cover 35 to the box 23 to close the box 23, and to compress the seal 37 to ensure the seal between the main portion 34 of the box 23 and the lower cover 35. It is noted that the seal between the main portion 34 of the box 23 and the lower cover 35 could have been ensured by other means, for example by assembling the main portion 34 of the box 23 and the lower cover 35 by welding or by gluing.

[0048] The box 23 further comprises internal partitions 40 which extend vertically from the bottom of the main portion 34, that is to say from the internal wall of the upper face 24 of the box 23. The internal partitions 40 define a plurality of sealed acoustic chambers, distinct and separated from each other by said internal partitions 40, each acoustic chamber comprising an orifice opening towards the outside of the box in a different direction. The sealing between the chambers is ensured by the internal partitions 40 and by the seal 37 deposited in the groove 36 which has just been mentioned.

[0049] Four acoustic chambers are defined here in box 23.

[0050] The four acoustic chambers comprise three first acoustic chambers 41 and a second acoustic chamber 42. Each first acoustic chamber 41 occupies a first volume. The second acoustic chamber 42 occupies a second volume greater than each of the first volumes. The second acoustic chamber is a central chamber, that is to say that it includes a central portion of the box. The second volume of the second acoustic chamber 42 corresponds to the entire internal volume of the box 23 with the exception of the first volumes of the first acoustic chambers 41.

[0051] Each first acoustic chamber 41 comprises a first orifice 43 which opens outwards at a separate lateral face of the box 23. The three first acoustic chambers 41 comprise a first front acoustic chamber 41a comprising a first front orifice 43a opening outwards at the front face 26 of the box 23, a first left acoustic chamber 41b comprising a first left orifice 43b opening outwards at the left face 28 of the box 23, and a first right acoustic chamber 41c comprising a first right orifice 43c opening outwards at the right face 29 of the box 23.

[0052] The second acoustic chamber 42 comprises a second orifice 44, positioned in the central portion of the box 23, which opens outwards at a non-lateral face, which is the upper face 24 or the lower face 25 of the box 23. The non-lateral face is in this case the upper face 24 of the box 23.

[0053] The second acoustic chamber 42 comprises a third orifice 45 which opens outwards at a face opposite the non-lateral face, that is to say here at the lower face 25 of the box 23. The third orifice 45 is made in the lower cover 35 of the box 23.

[0054] It can be seen that the second orifice 44 and the third orifice 45 of the second acoustic chamber 42 are offset relative to each other along a length or a width of the box 23, here along a length of the box 23 (by "length" we mean the dimension of the box 23 between its front face 26 and its rear face 27).

[0055] The embodiment of the box 23 according to the invention is plastic injection which makes it possible to obtain complex shapes economically.

[0056] The acoustic enclosure 2 comprises a plurality of loudspeakers each comprising a membrane, each loudspeaker being integrated into one of the acoustic chambers so that the membrane of said loudspeaker extends at an orifice of said acoustic chamber.

[0057] The enclosure therefore comprises a plurality of first loudspeakers 47 each integrated into a first acoustic chamber 41 of the box 23, as well as a second loudspeaker 48 integrated into the second acoustic chamber 42, and a third loudspeaker 49 also integrated into the second acoustic chamber 42.

[0058] The first loudspeakers 47 include a first front loudspeaker 47a integrated in the first front acoustic chamber 41a, a first left loudspeaker 47b integrated in the first left acoustic chamber 41b, and a first right loudspeaker 47c integrated in the first right acoustic chamber 41c. The membrane 48 of each first loudspeaker 47 extends at the first orifice 43 of the associated first acoustic chamber 41.

[0059] The first three 47 speakers are identical.

[0060] The second loudspeaker 49, the membrane 50 of which extends at the level of the second orifice 44 of the second acoustic chamber 42, is a bass loudspeaker 49 also called a low-frequency loudspeaker, that is to say a woofer. The third speaker 51 (visible on the figure 1 ) is a passive radiator 51, the membrane 52 of which extends at the level of the third orifice 45 of the second acoustic chamber 42.

[0061] It is noted that the circumference of the membrane of each loudspeaker coincides with, or at least extends in close proximity to, the edge of the orifice of the associated acoustic chamber. The interface between the membrane and the orifice is sealed, so that the acoustic chamber is perfectly sealed when the associated loudspeaker is mounted.

[0062] Here, the audio sources requiring a smaller audio volume to operate, i.e. the first loudspeakers 47, are therefore integrated into the first acoustic chambers 41 and are thus separated from the main volume, i.e. the second acoustic chamber 42, by the internal partitions 40, in order to create separate acoustic chambers. This configuration makes it possible to avoid interference between the different channels, which would be likely to occur if the different channels shared a common volume of air in the same acoustic chamber. Indeed, the first three loudspeakers 47 (front, left and right) are identical, and therefore reproduce the same frequency ranges (unlike a configuration with several loudspeakers in a “conventional” enclosure which only reproduce a single channel), which makes them particularly sensitive to cross interference.

[0063] It is noted that the positioning and orientation of the acoustic chambers correspond to an optimization of the acoustics for the customer. Thus, the left orifice and the right orifice are slightly oriented forward (towards the user), so that these orifices are as close as possible to the outside of the equipment 1, regardless of the design of equipment 1. The first acoustic chamber before 41a corresponds to the central channel.

[0064] The bass occupies the rest of the volume, that is to say the second acoustic chamber 42.

[0065] The second acoustic chamber 42 therefore includes the bass speaker ( woofer ) 49 and the passive radiator 51. The passive radiator 51 makes it possible to reinforce the bass even more. The bass speaker 49 opens onto the upper face 24 of the box 23 and the passive radiator onto the lower face 25 of the box 23. The reverse configuration, with the bass speaker 49 opening onto the lower face 25 of the box 23 and the passive radiator 51 opening onto the upper face 24 of the box 23, is of course also possible. The bass speaker 49 and the passive radiator 51 are therefore in opposition, one upwards and the other downwards. This configuration makes it possible to limit the mechanical pumping effect which could result from the combined presence of the bass speaker 49 and the passive radiator 51, and therefore to limit the vibrations of the equipment 1.

[0066] It has been seen that the second orifice 44 and the third orifice 45 of the second acoustic chamber 42 are offset relative to each other along the length of the box 23. The position of the passive radiator 51 is therefore not exactly aligned with that of the bass loudspeaker 49, that is to say that one is not exactly above the other in the box 23. This offset makes it possible to limit the height of the box 23 and therefore of the equipment 1. Indeed, as the passive radiator 51 has a clearance both inwards and outwards, if the passive radiator 51 and the bass loudspeaker 49 were aligned, an additional thickness would be necessary to allow the clearance of the passive radiator 51.

[0067] The use of the passive radiator 51 is optional. When it is decided not to integrate the passive radiator 51 into the equipment 1, the third orifice 45 made in the lower cover 35 of the box 23 is plugged. Two versions of the injection tool for the plastic part constituting the lower cover 35 are thus used: a first tool for the version without passive radiator 51 and a second tool for the version with passive radiator 51.

[0068] Here, the second orifice 44 extends at the bottom of a first recess 54 formed in an external wall of the upper face 24 of the box 23. Similarly, the third orifice 45 is positioned at the bottom of a second recess 55 formed in an external wall of the lower face 25. This allows the external movement of the membrane 50 of the bass speaker 49 and of the membrane 52 of the passive radiator 51 without them coming into contact with the parts located above and below.

[0069] It is noted that the first excavation 54 or the second excavation 55, here the second excavation 55, can be defined between feet of the equipment 1. Such a configuration makes it possible to obtain a design wherein at least one of the membranes of the bass speaker 49 and the passive radiator 51 is visible from the outside.

[0070] Stiffening ribs 57 are formed in an inner wall of an upper face and / or a lower face of the box, in this case in the inner wall of the upper face 24 of the box 23. Indeed, the low-frequency vibrations, produced mainly by the bass speaker 49 and the passive radiator 51, can create distortions of the plastic parts forming the box 23, which could result in the loss of the sealing of the acoustic enclosure 2. The stiffening ribs 57 make it possible to overcome this problem by stiffening the assembly. The stiffening ribs 57 are positioned according to the results of numerical simulations of deformation of the parts using a software for the resistance of materials calculated by finite elements.

[0071] The arrangement of the loudspeakers and their integration into the acoustic enclosure 2 allows for spatialization of the sound, which, coupled with algorithms, allows for an acoustic rendering comparable to that of a more complex and expensive system. The acoustic enclosure 2 is thus compatible with the DOLBY ATMOS specification.

[0072] The loudspeakers of the acoustic enclosure 2 are electrically connected to the main board 17 of the first additional module 3 (i.e. of the digital television decoder 14).

[0073] This electrical connection is made as follows.

[0074] In reference to the figure 7 , a first connector 60 is mounted on the housing 23, here on the upper face 24 of the housing 23. The first connector 60 is a female connector whose contacts are reception pads 61 intended to cooperate with Pogo pins. By “Pogo pin” is meant a pin comprising a spring piston.

[0075] 62 electric wires (visible on the figure 6 ), running through the box 23, connect the loudspeakers to the first connector 60. Each of these electrical wires 62 has one end connected to a loudspeaker and another end soldered to a receiving area 61 of the first connector 60.

[0076] A second connector 63 is mounted on a lower face of the main board 17 of the decoder 14. The second connector 63 is a male connector having Pogo pins 64.

[0077] When the equipment 1 is assembled, the main board 17 of the decoder 14 is mounted on the upper face 24 of the box 23, and the first connector 60 is connected to the second connector 63. The Pogo pins 64 of the second connector 63 are thus in contact with the reception pads 61 of the first connector 60, which makes it possible to establish an electrical connection between the main board 17 of the decoder 14 and the loudspeakers.

[0078] A seal 66 is applied around the entire circumference of the first connector 60, so that the first connector 60 is tightly mounted on the box 23.

[0079] This solution is very advantageous. In particular, this solution eliminates the need for cables to connect the speaker 2 to the decoder. Using cables has several disadvantages. Cables require complicated assembly for assembly. Cables present an increased risk of acoustic leakage at the speaker cable exit.

[0080] It should be noted that it would of course be possible to equip the acoustic enclosure with several first connectors, possibly positioned on different sides of the box, and in particular in the case where the equipment includes not one but several additional electronic modules.

[0081] In reference to the figures 8 And 9, the equipment 1 comprises an outer casing 70 which at least partially covers the box 23. Here, the outer casing 70 surrounds and covers the side faces of the box 23. The outer casing 70 is made of a rigid plastic but could be made of any type of material, rigid or not. The outer casing 70 is covered with an acoustic fabric. The outer casing 70 is itself covered with a decorative contour 73 (visible on the figure 1 ).

[0082] The outer casing 70 comprises sets of at least one hole 71, each set of at least one hole 71 comprising one or more holes, here several holes. Each set of holes 71 is intended to be positioned opposite the membrane of a first loudspeaker 47 when the outer casing 70 is mounted around the lateral faces of the box 23. The sets of holes 71 make it possible to cause the sounds generated by the first loudspeakers to exit to the outside.

[0083] Here, opposite each first loudspeaker 47 there is a set of holes 71. The holes of a set of holes 71 are arranged in a honeycomb network, which makes it possible to maximize the number of holes of a set of holes 71 while stiffening the external casing 70 at the level of the set of holes 71.

[0084] There is therefore a set of holes 71 positioned opposite the first front speaker 47a, a set of holes 71 positioned opposite the first left speaker 47b, and a set of holes 71 positioned opposite the first right speaker 47c. The external casing 70 also comprises a set of holes 71 positioned opposite the rear face 27 of the box 23.

[0085] The sounds produced by the bass speaker 49 are guided between the first additional module 3 and the box 23 towards the rear face 27 of the box 23 and towards the set of holes 71 positioned opposite the rear face 27 of the box 23. Similarly, the sounds produced by the passive radiator 51 are guided between the second additional module 4 and the box 23 towards the rear face 27 of the box 23 and towards the set of holes 71 positioned opposite the rear face 27 of the box 23.

[0086] This guidance is not uniform over the entire surface of the box because of the front recess 30 and the rear recess 31.

[0087] Unlike the acoustic enclosure 2 and the subwoofer 23 which are generic, and which can be integrated into different equipment having different design, the outer casing 70 may have a different shape and / or dimensions to give a particular piece of equipment its own design. We see thus on the figure 10 a plurality of pieces of equipment 1a, 1b, 1c which each incorporate an identical acoustic enclosure 2, and whose external shape is conferred, at least at the level of the lateral faces of the equipment, by the external envelope 70.

[0088] The acoustic enclosure 2, and in particular the box 23, is therefore sized to be compatible with different shapes and dimensions of the equipment 1. The contours of the box 23 have therefore been designed to fit into the smallest design, or the one with the largest radii of curvature.

[0089] It is thus possible to obtain a particularly compact piece of equipment 1, which integrates the acoustic enclosure 2 comprising the five loudspeakers as well as the decoder 14 in a total volume less than 200mmx200mmx70mm (whereas a decoder alone has a thickness typically close to 25mm).

[0090] In reference to the figure 11 , it is possible however, and in particular when the external dimensions of the external envelope 70 are large or when the radius of curvature of the external envelope 70 is small, that the distances between the first orifices 43 of the first acoustic chambers 41 (and therefore the membranes 48 of the first loudspeakers 47) and the sets of holes 71 of the external envelope 70 are relatively large. These distances create cavities 74 which are detrimental to the acoustic performance perceived by the user, the sounds being able to propagate between the box 23 and the external envelope 70.

[0091] In reference to the figure 12 , this difference is compensated by adding an additional, optional part between the membrane 48 of each first loudspeaker 47 and the external casing 70. These parts are acoustic horns 75, the role of which is to avoid the cavity previously mentioned and to guide the sound towards the outside of the product.

[0092] In reference to the figures 13 And 14 , each acoustic horn 75 has a shape and / or dimensions which depend on the shape and / or dimensions of the external envelope 70. It is for example the thickness e of the acoustic horn which depends on the shape and / or dimensions of the external envelope.

[0093] An acoustic horn 75 is described for mounting between the first left loudspeaker 47b or the first right loudspeaker 47c and the outer casing 70.

[0094] The acoustic horn 75 comprises an upper face 76, a lower face 77, and an internal lateral surface 78 defining a through cavity 79 formed in the thickness e of the horn 75 and having an upper edge 80 defined on the upper face 76 and a lower edge 81 defined on the lower face 77. The upper edge 80 has the shape of an ellipse and the lower edge 81 has a circular shape.

[0095] When the acoustic horn 75 and the outer casing 70 are attached to the box 23, the lower face 77 of the acoustic horn 75 is in contact with the box 23 so that the lower edge 81 of the through cavity 79 surrounds the membrane 48 of the first loudspeaker 47. The upper face 76 of the acoustic horn 75 is in contact with the outer casing 70 so that the set of holes 71 of the outer casing 70, positioned opposite the membrane 48 of the first loudspeaker 47, is located inside a surface delimited by the upper edge 80 of the through cavity 79. It is possible that the set of holes 71, which is located inside the surface delimited by the upper edge 80, has only one hole.

[0096] The lower edge 81 of the through cavity 79 is tangent to a circumference of the membrane 48 of the first loudspeaker 47 at any point thereof.

[0097] Thus, the internal lateral surface 78 of the acoustic horn 75 guides outwards via the set of holes 71 of the external casing 70 the sounds produced by the first loudspeaker 47.

[0098] The through cavity 79 flares, in a first direction D1, from the lower edge 81 towards the upper edge 80. The flaring of the through cavity 79 is greater at the front part than at the rear part of the roof 75.

[0099] The through cavity 79 is therefore arranged to guide the sounds in at least one direction, in this case in the first direction D1. Here, the through cavity 79 is also arranged to guide the sounds towards one of the directions of the first direction D1.

[0100] This first direction D1 corresponds to the horizontal direction when the acoustic horn 75 is fixed to the box 23; the direction is forward. The sound is therefore guided in a preferential manner in the horizontal direction and forward when the acoustic horn 75 is fixed to the box 23.

[0101] Note that the cavity could be flared so as to guide sounds in both directions of the same direction, and even in several directions.

[0102] At least a first portion of the internal lateral surface 78, through which the first direction D1 passes, has a hyperbolic shape when seen in section in a first plane P1 parallel to the thickness e of the acoustic horn 75 and including the first direction D1. Here, in this case, there are two first portions 82 of the internal lateral surface which have this hyperbolic shape: a first portion 82 oriented in the horizontal direction and towards the front, and a first portion 82 oriented in the horizontal direction and towards the rear. The shape of the first portions 82 makes it possible to diffuse the sound signals at 180°.

[0103] Likewise, at least a second portion 83 of the internal lateral surface 78, through which passes a second direction D2 perpendicular to the first direction D1, has a straight shape inclined towards the upper edge when seen in section in a second plane P2 parallel to the thickness e of the acoustic horn 75 and including the second direction D2. Here, in this case, there are two second portions 83 of the internal lateral surface 78 which have this straight and inclined shape: a second portion 83 oriented in the vertical direction and upwards, and a second portion 83 oriented in the vertical direction and downwards. The shape of the second portions 83 makes it possible to guide the sounds to the set of holes 71 of the external casing 70 which is located opposite the first loudspeaker 47. Each second portion 83 is inclined at an angle α of between 1° and 10°, here equal to 5°.

[0104] It can be seen that the thickness e of the acoustic horn 75 is greater in its front part than in its rear part. The acoustic horn 75 is therefore not symmetrical along the second plane P2. The acoustic horn 75 is however symmetrical with respect to the first plane P1, with the exception of the means for fixing the acoustic horn 75 which here are not symmetrical with respect to said first plane (but which could be).

[0105] It is thus possible to use the same acoustic horn 75 on the left and right of the box 23, which makes it possible to use a single mold to manufacture the acoustic horn 75 mounted on the left and the acoustic horn 75 mounted on the right (the two identical horns 75 then guide the sounds in the horizontal direction and towards the front). This reduces the manufacturing cost of the equipment 1.

[0106] In reference to the figures 15 et 16 , keying means are used to avoid assembling the left and right acoustic horns 75 in the wrong direction, which would make it impossible to assemble the acoustic enclosure 2 and the external casing 70.

[0107] The keying means here comprise keying ribs 85 formed in the box 23, and keying recesses 86 formed on the acoustic horn 75 at the front and rear thereof, at two corners of the same length of the horn 75.

[0108] On the left face 28 of the box 23, the keying ribs 85, each having the shape of a rounded right angle and oriented opposite each other, are located under the first left orifice 43b of the first left acoustic chamber 41b, on either side of said first left orifice 43b.

[0109] On the right face 29 of the box 23, the keying ribs 85, having the same shape, are located above the first right orifice 43c of the first right acoustic chamber 41c, on either side of said first right orifice 43c.

[0110] The keying means could have a different configuration. However, it is advantageous if the configuration of the keying means formed on the right face 29 is similar to the configuration of the keying means formed on the left face 28 after the latter has undergone a rotation of 180°.

[0111] We now describe the means of fixing the acoustic horn to the box.

[0112] The roof 75 comprises at least one fixing recess 88, in this case two fixing recesses 88, which are each made in the internal lateral surface 78 to open at the level of the upper face 76 of the roof 75. When the roof 75 is seen from above, as is the case in the figure 14 , the two fixing recesses 88 are diametrically opposed with respect to the circular lower edge 81 of the through cavity 79.

[0113] The roof 75 further comprises at least one cover recess 89, in this case two cover recesses 89 opening out at the lower face 77. When the roof 75 is seen from below, the two cover recesses 89 are diametrically opposite relative to the lower edge 81 of the through cavity 79. The two fixing recesses 88 and the two cover recesses 89 are each positioned on the corners of a virtual rectangle (which may be a square) inside which the lower edge 81 extends.

[0114] The cover recesses 89 are each intended to cover a head of a first screw 91 used to fix (only) the loudspeaker to the box.

[0115] The fixing recesses 88 are each intended to accommodate a head of a second screw 90 used to fix the acoustic horn and the loudspeaker to the box.

[0116] The attachment of the first loudspeaker 47 and the horn 75 is carried out in the following manner. The first loudspeaker 47 is positioned on the box 23. Two first screws 91 are first used to attach the first loudspeaker 47 to the box 23. The horn 75 is then placed against the box 23. The two cover recesses 89 cover the two first screws 91. Two second screws 90 are then used to attach both the acoustic horn 75 and the first loudspeaker 47 to the box 23. The two second screws 90 each extend into one of the attachment recesses 88, which each receives the screw head of one of the second screws 90 when the first loudspeaker 47 and the acoustic horn 75 are attached to the box 23.

[0117] The fastening solution just described has the following advantages. If the acoustic horn 75 were fixed by the four screws with which the first loudspeaker 47 is fixed, it would have been difficult to dismantle the acoustic horn 75 after the complete assembly of the equipment 1 without dropping the first loudspeaker 47 inside the box 23. Each first loudspeaker 47 is therefore fixed only by the first two screws 91 initially, to then allow the acoustic horn 75 to be screwed using the two remaining second screws 90. The first two screws 91 which initially hold the first loudspeaker 47 are sunk under the acoustic horn 75 (being positioned in the cover recesses 89).There are therefore only two visible recesses on the acoustic horn 75 when it is fixed (the fixing recesses 88), instead of four if all the screws with which the first loudspeaker 47 is fixed were used, which makes it possible to obtain better acoustic performance.

[0118] A visual indicator 94, present on the box 23, shows the location of the first two screws 91 to be screwed in first.

[0119] To maintain a maximum guide surface at the internal lateral surface 78, additional plugging pieces can optionally be inserted into the fixing recesses 88 allowing screwing.

[0120] In this case, it is advantageous to provide in each of the fixing recesses 88 of the acoustic horn 75 at least one guide notch which will help with proper alignment with the plugging piece. The plugging piece then comprises a guide (or conversely, the notch being able to be on the plugging piece and the guide on the horn 75). The surface of the horn 75 having a different shape at the two fixing recesses 88, two different shapes of plugging pieces are provided to adapt to the shape of the horn 75. It will therefore be advantageous to provide two notches / guides for each plugging piece, the notches / guides not being placed at 180° but at different angles for the two fixing recesses, which prevents the insertion of a plugging piece into the fixing recess 88 for which it is not intended.

[0121] The 75 acoustic horn can be made of more or less rigid plastic.

[0122] The acoustic horn 75 can also be made of rubber to optimize the acoustic and vibration behavior. The horn 75 then comprises a deformable lip 93 which ensures on the one hand the acoustic seal between the output of the first loudspeaker 47 and the ambient environment, and which on the other hand dampens any vibrations of the external casing 70.

[0123] This configuration requires the creation of specific pavilions for each design equipment with a different outline, in order to fit optimally onto the external envelope.

[0124] The use of a rigid material is recommended to contribute to the robustness of the equipment structure. It is therefore advantageous for the horn 75 to include both a rigid portion, made for example of rigid plastic, and a flexible portion at the interface with the outer casing, made for example of rubber.

[0125] It is possible to use a rubber part which is an additional piece which is attached to the existing rigid pavilions, which allows the generic nature of said rigid pavilions to be maintained.

[0126] It is also possible to use a horn in two separate pieces superimposed in the thickness of the horn: a first, thinner piece, which is made of rigid plastic, and a second, thicker piece, which is made of rubber. The first piece is a generic piece while the second piece depends on the shape and / or dimensions of the external envelope. The first piece and the second piece can optionally be fixed by the same screws, the first piece being sandwiched between the acoustic box and the second piece.

[0127] Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiment described but encompasses any variant falling within the scope of the invention as defined by the claims.

Claims

1. A generic loudspeaker enclosure (2) adapted to be incorporated in modular equipment (1) that, in addition to the loudspeaker enclosure, comprises at least one electronic additional module (14) comprising at least one electronic card (17), the generic loudspeaker enclosure comprising: - a cabinet (23) comprising: o a main portion (34) comprising a plurality of lateral faces (26, 27, 28, 29) of the cabinet (23) and a first non-lateral face (24) which is an upper face or a lower face of the cabinet (23), and ∘ a cover (35) which closes the cabinet (23) and forms a second non-lateral face (25) of the cabinet (23), the second non-lateral face (25) being opposite the first non-lateral face (24); the cabinet (23) comprising internal partitions (40) which extend vertically from an inside wall of the first non-lateral face (24) of the cabinet (23) and defining a plurality of acoustic chambers (41, 42) that are sealed, distinct, and separated from one another by said internal partitions, each acoustic chamber comprising an orifice (43, 44, 45) opening to the outside of the cabinet in a respective different direction; · a plurality of loudspeakers (47, 49; 51), each comprising a respective diaphragm, each loudspeaker being incorporated in a respective one of the acoustic chambers in such a manner that the diaphragm of said loudspeaker extends over the orifice, the plurality of loudspeakers comprising a plurality of first loudspeakers (47) each integrated in a first acoustic chamber (41) comprising a first orifice (43) which opens to the outside at a separate lateral face of the cabinet, and at least one second loudspeaker integrated in a second acoustic chamber comprising a second orifice (44) which opens to the outside at the first non-lateral face (24) of the cabinet ; · at least one first connector (60) mounted in sealed manner on the cabinet, the first connector having contacts that are electrically connected to the loudspeakers, the first connector thus being arranged to connect the loudspeakers electrically to the electronic card of the electronic additional module via a second connector (63) mounted on the electronic additional module (14) and complementary to the first connector, the cabinet being made by plastic injection.

2. A generic loudspeaker enclosure according to claim 1, wherein the second orifice (44) is positioned in a central portion of the cabinet.

3. A generic loudspeaker enclosure according to any preceding claim, wherein the second acoustic chamber has a second volume comprising all of the inside volume of the cabinet with the exception of first volumes of the first acoustic chambers (41).

4. A generic loudspeaker enclosure according to any preceding claim, wherein the first loudspeakers comprise a front first loudspeaker (47a) incorporated in a front first acoustic chamber (41a) having a front first orifice (43a) opening to the outside through a front face of the cabinet, a left first loudspeaker (47b) incorporated in a left first acoustic chamber (41b) comprising a left first orifice (43b) opening to the outside through a left face of the cabinet, and a right first loudspeaker (47c) incorporated in a right first acoustic chamber (41c) comprising a right first orifice (43c) opening to the outside through a right face of the cabinet.

5. A generic loudspeaker enclosure according to any preceding claim, wherein the first loudspeakers are identical.

6. A generic loudspeaker enclosure according to any preceding claim, wherein the second loudspeaker is a bass loudspeaker.

7. A generic loudspeaker enclosure according to any preceding claim, wherein the second orifice lies a first setback (54) formed in an outside wall of the first nonside face (24).

8. A generic loudspeaker enclosure according to any preceding claim, further comprising a third loudspeaker (51) incorporated in the second acoustic chamber of the cabinet, the second acoustic chamber comprising a third orifice (45) that opens to the outside through the second non-lateral face (25), the third loudspeaker being a passive radiator.

9. A generic loudspeaker enclosure according to claim 8, wherein the second and third orifices (44 and 45) of the second acoustic chamber are offset relative to each other relative to a length or to a width of the cabinet.

10. A generic loudspeaker enclosure according to claim 8 or claim 9, wherein the third orifice is positioned in a second setback (55) formed in an outside wall of the second non-lateral face.

11. A generic loudspeaker enclosure according to any preceding claim, wherein the first connector (60), or the second connector (63) that is complementary to the first connector, comprises pogo pins (64).

12. Modular equipment comprising a generic loudspeaker enclosure (2) according to any preceding claim, together with an electronic additional module (14), the first connector (60) of the generic loudspeaker enclosure and the second connector (63) of the electronic additional module being connected to each other.

13. Modular equipment according to claim 12, further comprising an outer casing (70) surrounding the side faces of the cabinet, at least in part, and comprising at least one hole set having at least one hole (71), the modular equipment further comprising at least one acoustic horn (75) mounted between the cabinet and the outer casing, the acoustic horn presenting a shape and / or dimensions that depend on the shape and / or the dimensions of the outer casing, the acoustic horn being arranged in such a manner as to surround a diaphragm of a loudspeaker (47) and to be in contact both with the cabinet and with the outer casing so that the acoustic horn guides sound produced by said loudspeaker (47) to the outside via the hole set having at least one hole (71).

14. Modular equipment according to claim 12 or claim 13, the modular equipment being a decoder box and the electronic additional module being a digital TV decoder.

15. Modular equipment according to any one of claims 12 to 14, the generic loudspeaker enclosure being according to any one of claims 7 to 10, and the first setback or the second setback being defined between feet of the modular equipment.