COMPACT HOUSING WITH MODULAR EXTERIOR DESIGN

Description

[0001] The invention relates to the field of acoustic enclosures. BACKGROUND

[0002] A loudspeaker, and especially a connected and / or portable one, typically includes a "technical section," also called an "acoustic enclosure," inside which one or more loudspeakers are integrated. The acoustic enclosure is sealed and defines the technical volume necessary for the implementation of the speaker's audio functions, such as the acoustic volume, the connections for delivering electrical audio signals to the loudspeakers, etc.

[0003] The acoustic enclosure can also serve as an external shell, which therefore protects the various components of the speaker from external aggressions, but also gives the speaker a certain aesthetic appearance.

[0004] The aesthetic appearance of the speaker cannot therefore be changed without changing the enclosure, which requires designing a new enclosure for each new speaker model.

[0005] To be able to easily change the appearance of the speaker ( customisation It is common practice to cover the speaker enclosure with a casing (for example, a lid or fabric). Generally, the casing primarily serves to conceal electronic boards integrated into or on the enclosure, specific to that particular enclosure. The shape of the casing is therefore unique to each enclosure. The casing thus allows only minor customization of the speaker's appearance through changes in color and / or texture, but does not alter the speaker's shape.

[0006] It is also known to design different loudspeakers from the same acoustic enclosure (and its electronic circuit board(s)) by integrating it into different types of enclosures. This solution introduces additional technical constraints (for example, related to attaching the enclosure to the cabinet or adding extra parts to allow adaptation to a new shape) and involves increasing the external dimensions of the loudspeaker. For example, the original loudspeaker is concealed within a "shell" larger than the speaker itself to change the appearance, and in particular the shape, of the final product. Document CN219875976U discloses a loudspeaker composed of two half-shells. OBJECT

[0007] The invention relates to an acoustic enclosure: allowing easy modification of the appearance of the enclosure incorporating said acoustic box; having maximum compactness; presenting optimal acoustic performance. SUMMARY

[0008] To achieve this goal, an acoustic enclosure is proposed, intended to form a soundproof enclosure that can also include two loudspeakers. The acoustic enclosure comprises two half-boxes assembled together. Each half-box has a first end and a second end opposite each other along a first dimension. The first end has a first height, along a second dimension perpendicular to the first dimension, which is less than a second height of the second end along said second dimension. Each half-box further comprises an internal half-partition. The acoustic enclosure is arranged so that, when assembled, the two half-boxes are positioned end-to-end so that the first end of each half-box is positioned at the level of the second end of the other half-box.and the internal half-partitions extend from one another to form an internal partition of the acoustic enclosure, which defines two acoustic chambers inside the acoustic enclosure, each intended to house one of the two loudspeakers.

[0009] The acoustic enclosure, obtained by assembling the two half-enclosures, offers many advantages.

[0010] It features an external shape that is easily integrated into external shells of different shapes, without the need for additional parts to allow adaptation to these different shells.

[0011] Furthermore, the internal half-partitions of the half-boxes, forming the internal partition of the box, allow for the definition of acoustic chambers inside the box, each with an optimized volume, thus achieving maximum compactness and acoustic performance.

[0012] The head-to-tail assembly makes the box more rigid and therefore more resistant to vibrations.

[0013] We also propose an acoustic box as previously described, in which each half-box comprises two lateral faces extending opposite each other and parallel to the first and second dimensions, each lateral face of each half-box having a triangular shape, the acoustic box thus comprising two lateral faces of rectangular shape and each formed by two lateral faces of the two half-boxes.

[0014] We also propose an acoustic enclosure as previously described, in which each half-enclosure is manufactured by molding, said half-enclosure being arranged so that its demolding is carried out in a demolding direction perpendicular to a main face of the half-enclosure from which the two lateral faces of the half-enclosure extend.

[0015] We also propose an acoustic box as previously described, in which, for each half-box, the outer wall of each side face is inclined towards the inside of the half-box to form a draft angle between said outer wall and an axis perpendicular to said main face.

[0016] We further propose an acoustic enclosure as previously described, in which, when the acoustic enclosure is in a nominal position, the internal wall extends in a horizontal plane and thus defines an upper acoustic chamber and a lower acoustic chamber, an upper face of the acoustic enclosure being arranged so that a speaker diaphragm of the upper acoustic chamber can extend at the level of said upper face, and a front face of the acoustic enclosure being arranged so that a speaker diaphragm of the lower acoustic chamber can extend at the level of said front face.

[0017] We also propose an acoustic enclosure as previously described, in which one of the half-enclosures comprises two faces arranged each so that a diaphragm of one of the loudspeakers can extend at the level of said face.

[0018] We also propose an acoustic enclosure as previously described, comprising, for each loudspeaker, a face arranged so that a diaphragm of said loudspeaker can extend at the level of said face, said face comprising an opening through which the diaphragm can be in acoustic communication with the outside of the enclosure, an external wall of said face further comprising a rib which extends around the opening so as to achieve acoustic guidance of acoustic waves produced by said diaphragm.

[0019] We also propose an acoustic enclosure as previously described, comprising a compressible material sealing gasket, positioned at the joint of the half-enclosures when they are assembled, the sealing gasket comprising a contour portion positioned between free edges of faces of the half-enclosures, and an internal portion positioned between free edges of the internal half-partitions, so that the sealing gasket ensures a seal of the enclosure at the joint of the two half-enclosures, and at the level of the two acoustic chambers.

[0020] We also propose an acoustic enclosure as previously described, comprising a front face having an external wall including a reception surface arranged to accommodate an electronic board, and initial means of fixing arranged to fix the electronic board to said external wall.

[0021] We also propose an acoustic box as previously described, further comprising second means of fixing arranged to cooperate with third means of fixing an external shell to fix said external shell to the acoustic box.

[0022] We also propose an acoustic box as previously described, comprising a front face having lateral edges on which the second means of fixing are formed, external walls of the lateral faces of the acoustic box further comprising grooves which extend from the second means of fixing and which are arranged to prevent the third means of fixing the external shell from coming into contact with the lateral faces of the acoustic box, and to stiffen said acoustic box.

[0023] We also offer an enclosure comprising the acoustic box as previously described, as well as the two speakers.

[0024] We also propose an enclosure as previously described, which includes the acoustic box as previously described, the enclosure further including the outer shell.

[0025] We also propose an enclosure as previously described, the external shell comprising a chassis forming a rear face, a bottom face and side faces of the enclosure, and a cover forming a top face and a front face of the enclosure.

[0026] We also propose an enclosure as previously described, the enclosure including an acoustic box as previously described, the enclosure also including the electronic board, the electronic board including user interface components.

[0027] We further propose an enclosure as previously described, in which the interface components include an actuable component, and in which the enclosure includes a button arranged to actuate the actuable component, the button comprising a deformable surface formed on the outer shell and comprising a support area arranged so that when the user presses on the support area, it depresses and enables the actuable component to be activated to implement a predefined function.

[0028] We further propose an enclosure as previously described, in which the interface components further include a light indicator signaling a position of the button on the outer shell, and in which the support area includes a central portion and two extremal portions along a first dimension, the two extremal portions having a height along a second dimension perpendicular to the first dimension greater than that of the central portion, the enclosure being arranged so that an orthogonal projection of the light indicator on the outer shell is positioned between the two extremal portions.

[0029] We also propose an enclosure such as previously described, in which the deformable surface is obtained by a cut made in the outer shell, the deformable surface comprising a tab having one end connected to the rest of the outer shell and a free end from which the support area extends.

[0030] 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

[0031] Reference will be made to the attached drawings, among which: [ Fig. 1 ] there figure 1 represents an exploded and perspective view of the acoustic enclosure; Fig. 2 ] there figure 2 represents a perspective view of the unassembled outer casing, lid, and chassis; Fig. 3 ] there figure 3 is a perspective view of the two unassembled half-boxes and the flat joint; [ Fig. 4 ] there figure 4 represents an exploded perspective view of the rear half-casing, and a cross-sectional view of said half-casing along a plane parallel to its lateral faces; Fig. 5 ] there figure 5 represents a perspective view of the front half of the box section; Fig. 6 ] there figure 6 represents a perspective and cross-sectional view of a loudspeaker, along a plane parallel to a longitudinal axis of the loudspeaker; Fig. 7 ] there figure 7 illustrates the direction of demolding the front half of the mold; [ Fig. 8 ] there figure 8 represents the draft angle formed on the front half of the box section; [ Fig. 9 ] there figure 9 represents a cross-sectional view of the casing, the shell, and the main electronic board, along a plane perpendicular to the board; Fig. 10 ] there figure 10 is a view of the front of the enclosure; [ Fig. 11 ] there figure 11 represents perspective views of the lid and chassis of the hull. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] With reference to figures 1 And 2 The acoustic speaker 1 is a "satellite" speaker, which is intended to be connected via a radio frequency link to an audio source such as a set-top box (or STB for Set- Top Box ). The set-top box can be an "enhanced" version with a built-in speaker. The audio source can also be, for example, a connected speaker.

[0033] Enclosure 1 is designed so that its appearance can be easily modified, while preserving the technical characteristics necessary for its proper functioning.

[0034] The enclosure 1 includes an acoustic box 2, two speakers 3 integrated into the acoustic box 2, and an external shell 4.

[0035] The outer shell 4 comprises a chassis 5 and a cover 6. The chassis 5 forms a rear face 7, a lower face 8 and side faces 9 of the shell 4 and the enclosure 1. The cover 6 forms a top face 10 and a front face 11 of the shell 4 and the enclosure 1. The enclosure 2 is positioned inside the volume defined by the shell 4.

[0036] Shell 4 therefore forms an external casing and box 2 forms an internal casing of speaker 1.

[0037] Speaker 1 is powered by an electrical power cable 12 which is connected to speaker 1 at a corner defined by the intersection of the rear face 7 and the lower face 8 of the shell 4 and therefore of speaker 1.

[0038] The speaker 1 is intended to operate nominally, without damaging the cable 12, either by being positioned so that its lower face 8 (or feet of its lower face) rests on a horizontal flat surface (a piece of furniture for example), or by being positioned so that its rear face 7 extends against a vertical flat surface (a wall for example).

[0039] Here, when a term relating to positioning is used and applied to speaker 1 or subwoofer 2 (for example front, rear, top, bottom, internal, external, horizontal, etc.), this term must be interpreted by considering that speaker 1 is positioned according to one of these two positions, and therefore that speaker 1 and subwoofer 2 are each in a nominal position.

[0040] We will first examine acoustic box 2, with reference to the figures 3 à 5 .

[0041] The acoustic box 2 comprises two half-boxes 15: a front half-box 15a and a rear half-box 15b.

[0042] Each half-box 15 comprises a first end 16 and a second end 17 opposite along a first dimension d1 of the half-box 15, the first end 16 having a first height, along a second dimension d2 of the half-box 15 perpendicular to the first dimension d1, which is less than a second height of the second end 17 along said second dimension d2.

[0043] When the box 2 is assembled, the two half-boxes 15a, 15b are positioned head to tail so that the first end 16 of each half-box 15 is positioned at the level of the second end 17 of the other half-box 15 (and vice versa).

[0044] Each half-box 15 comprises two lateral faces 18 extending opposite each other and parallel to the first dimension d1 and the second dimension d2. Each lateral face 18 of each half-box 15 has a triangular shape. The acoustic box 2 thus comprises two lateral faces 19 (visible on the figure 2 ) of rectangular shape and each formed by two lateral faces 18 of the two half-boxes 15a, 15b.

[0045] From these two triangular section half-boxes 15, we obtain a box 2 of general parallelepiped shape.

[0046] Each half-box 15 further includes an internal half-partition 20.

[0047] When the box 2 is assembled, the internal half-partitions 20 extend in line with each other to form an internal partition 21 (shown in dotted lines on the figure 2 ) of the acoustic box 2 which defines within the acoustic box 2 two acoustic chambers 22 each intended to accommodate one of the two loudspeakers 3.

[0048] Here, when the acoustic box 2 is in a nominal position, the internal wall 21 extends in a horizontal plane and thus defines an upper chamber 22a and a lower chamber 22b.

[0049] We therefore have a common volume defined in the box 2 and separated by an internal partition 21. We thus obtain a box 2 comprising two acoustic chambers 22 defined in the box, from only two parts (the two half-boxes 15a, 15b).

[0050] This limits both the number of parts and the volume lost inside box 2.

[0051] This solution is similar in principle to one with a half-shell and a lid. However, in this case, there is a difference in rigidity between these two parts. The half-shell can be reinforced, but the lid has a generally flat shape and therefore deforms easily when subjected to vibrations during the speaker's operation.

[0052] Here, on the contrary, box 2, with a diagonal joint plane, does not present this weakness.

[0053] The particular configuration in two triangular half-boxes 15 head-to-tail allows a balancing of the mechanical stresses suffered by the two half-boxes 15, due to acoustic vibrations during the operation of the enclosure 1.

[0054] Indeed, the areas of one half-box 15 with "short" or "narrow" walls (typically at its tip: first end 16) constrain the areas with "longer" or "wider" walls of the other half-box (typically at its base: second end 17), and vice versa. Thus, once the enclosure 1 is in operation, this configuration has the advantage of preventing potential deformations and vibrations of the acoustic enclosure 2. In other words, the back-to-back mounting eliminates the difference in behavior between the two half-boxes 15.

[0055] The head-to-tail triangular sections therefore allow each half-box 15 to take the forces from the other; we thus have two pieces resistant to deformations related to vibrations.

[0056] Each speaker 3 in enclosure 1 is therefore mounted in a sealed acoustic chamber. The sealing of each chamber allows each speaker 3 to operate optimally (i.e., with optimal sound reproduction), preventing acoustic short circuits that could degrade the sound quality of enclosure 1.

[0057] To form watertight volumes, the use of the internal partition 21 is particularly advantageous compared to prior art solutions which provide for forming each watertight volume by means of independent compartments having separate walls.

[0058] Indeed, such independent compartments require mounting modifications that necessitate empty spaces on the exterior of the enclosure (i.e., between the outer surface of the enclosure and the shell), thus increasing the overall volume of the speaker for the same effective volume. Furthermore, each compartment is formed by a separate wall with a certain thickness, which has the disadvantage of reducing the effective volume of the speaker.

[0059] The use of the internal partition 21 therefore makes it possible to increase the acoustic volume associated with each speaker to optimize the acoustic performance of the speaker and / or to reduce the total volume of the acoustic enclosure in order to minimize the size of the speaker.

[0060] The internal partition 21 is arranged to delineate distinct volumes, designed to reduce the effort required to move the diaphragm of each loudspeaker. Here, each acoustic chamber 22 has a volume of 0.2 L, which is an optimal volume determined by considering the size of the enclosure 1 and the characteristics of the chosen loudspeakers. The 0.2 L volume is therefore specific to the loudspeakers 3 shown here. Other loudspeakers may be associated with different optimal volumes.

[0061] In this example, the enclosure 1 comprises two loudspeakers 3, so only one horizontal partition 21 is provided inside the box 2, approximately at mid-height, to delimit two sealed acoustic volumes of 0.2 L each, associated with the two loudspeakers 3. In other embodiments (not described), the enclosure 1 may comprise a larger number of loudspeakers 3, and the number of internal partitions 21 of the box 2 will be adjusted accordingly. It should also be noted that the internal half-partition(s), and therefore the internal partition(s), are not necessarily horizontal and could be inclined, or even vertical.

[0062] Here, however, as we have seen, the internal wall 21 delimits an upper acoustic chamber 22a and a lower acoustic chamber 22b.

[0063] We can see that one of the half-boxes 15, in this case the front half-box 15a, comprises two faces arranged so that a diaphragm of one of the loudspeakers can extend at the level of said face: the upper face 25 and the front face 27 of the half-box 15a. The two loudspeakers 3a, 3b are therefore positioned on the same half-box 15, in this case the front half-box 15a.

[0064] The upper face 25 of the acoustic enclosure 2, which is also the upper face of the half-enclosure 15a, is arranged so that the diaphragm 23 of the loudspeaker 3a of the upper chamber 22a can extend at the level of said upper face 25. The chassis of the loudspeaker 3a is here fixed to the upper face 25, which includes an opening 26 through which the diaphragm 23 can be in acoustic communication with the outside of the enclosure 2.

[0065] The front face 27 of the acoustic enclosure 15a is arranged so that a diaphragm 23 of the loudspeaker 3b of the lower chamber 22b can extend at the level of said front face 27. The chassis of the loudspeaker 3b is here fixed to the front face 27, which includes an opening 28 through which the diaphragm 23 can be in acoustic communication with the outside of the enclosure 2.

[0066] The configuration described is indeed particularly well suited to the specific case where the acoustic enclosure 2 includes a speaker pointing upwards (" up-firing " and a front-facing speaker.

[0067] The angle between the longitudinal axes of these two speakers, for example, allows for the elevation required by Dolby's ATMOS™ technology. This technology requires two speakers with a specific angle between them in order to project sound onto both a horizontal and a vertical plane.

[0068] The grouping of the two speakers 3a, 3b in the front half-box 15a allows the speaker 1 to be compacted as much as possible while respecting the principle of separation of acoustic volumes (for example, as is the case here, a sealed acoustic volume of 0.2 L per speaker 3).

[0069] Each of the upper face 25 and front face 27 includes a rib 30 which extends around the opening 26, 28, perpendicular to the outer wall of said face 25, 27.

[0070] Each rib 30, which extends along a square contour with rounded corners, provides acoustic guidance for sound waves produced by the diaphragm 23 of the loudspeaker 3 fixed to the face in question. The ribs 30 also provide acoustic insulation.

[0071] The rib 30 of the upper face 25 guides the acoustic waves upwards, and the rib 30 of the front face 27 guides the acoustic waves forwards.

[0072] The ribs 30 are directly integrated into the acoustic box 2, which limits the number of parts required to perform the guiding and isolation functions, while optimizing the volume of the enclosure 1. This avoids the need to use horns for guiding.

[0073] Advantageously, the ribs 30 have a height of less than 6 mm. This height allows for optimal reduction of the overall size while simplifying the shape of the ribs, since a flare is not necessary with such a rib height to guide the sound outwards from the enclosure 1.

[0074] Indeed, flaring is not necessary in the case where the height of the rib is very small compared to the diameter of the speaker in question.

[0075] For example, a speaker with a diameter between 45 and 50 mm is compatible with ribs less than 6 mm high. In this case, the ribs guide the sound without causing interference.

[0076] Here, in reference to the figure 6 Foams 31 are fixed to the internal walls of the front face 11 and the upper face 10 of the cover 6 of the shell 4. When the cover 6 and the box 2 are assembled, these foams 31 rest on the ribs 30 of the front face 27 and the upper face 25 of the front half-box 15a, so as to ensure a seal between the acoustic box 2 and the cover 6 around the membrane 23, which has the effect of preventing sound waves from passing between the box 2 and the cover 6. Thus, the foams 31 of the cover 6 combined with the ribs 30 of the box 2 help to guide the sound out of the enclosure 1.

[0077] We are now interested in, with reference to the figure 7 , to the manufacture of the half-boxes 15. The half-box 15 shown here is the front half-box 15a.

[0078] The 15 half-boxes are manufactured with a plastic material, using a plastic injection process.

[0079] Initially, we considered using a demolding direction normal to the assembly diagonal 33 of the box 2, according to the direction and sense represented by arrow 34. This method is illustrated in the left-hand drawing of the figure 7 .

[0080] However, this demolding direction poses a problem for demolding certain functions, such as the fixing means for attaching the speaker chassis 3 to the faces of the enclosure 2. These fixing means here include the screw shafts of the speakers.

[0081] The demolding direction has therefore been reoriented. The demolding of each half-box 15 is carried out according to the direction and sense represented by arrow 35.

[0082] For each half-box 15, the demolding direction is therefore perpendicular to a main face from which the two lateral faces 18 of the half-box 15 extend. The main face is the front face 27 for the front half-box 15a, and the rear face 37 for the rear half-box 15b.

[0083] The demolding direction is therefore not perpendicular to the diagonal 33 of the lateral faces 18, as can be seen in the drawing on the right of the figure 7 .

[0084] This reduces the difficulties during demolding.

[0085] With reference to the figure 8 We have also provided for draft angles α. The half-box 15 shown here is the front half-box 15a.

[0086] For each half-box 15, the outer wall of each side face 18 is inclined towards the inside of the half-box 15 to form a draft angle α between said outer wall and an axis X perpendicular to the main face of the half-box 15 (face 27 or 37).

[0087] Indeed, when manufacturing parts using plastic injection molding, the surfaces in the demolding direction must have a sufficient angle to allow the parts to be easily removed from the mold. The draft angle value is determined based, in particular, on the materials used to manufacture the half-shells 15.

[0088] For example, the front face 27 of the half-box 15a forms with at least one of the side faces 18 of the half-box an angle β which is between 45° and 90°, preferably between 85° and 90°.

[0089] It is noted that the inner wall of the lateral faces 18 is here inclined outwards from the half-box 15 at a certain angle with respect to the X axis, preferably less than the angle α.

[0090] With further reference to the figure 3 , box 2 also includes a sealing gasket 40. This is a flat gasket, made of compressible material (foam for example).

[0091] The sealing joint 40 is positioned between the two half-boxes 15a, 15b.

[0092] The flat joint 40 includes a contour portion 41 of generally rectangular shape which, when the box 2 is assembled, is positioned between the free edges of faces of the half-boxes 15.

[0093] The contour portion 41 ensures the sealing of the box 2 at the joint of the two assembled half-boxes 15.

[0094] Advantageously, the joint 40 also includes an inner portion 42 which, when the box is assembled, is positioned between free edges of the internal half-partitions 20. The inner portion 42 has a longitudinal shape and extends from a first side (one length) of the contour portion 41 to a second side parallel to the first side (another length), perpendicular to the first side and the second side.

[0095] The sealing joint 40 therefore also ensures a seal between the two acoustic chambers 22a, 22b.

[0096] To be as effective as possible, this 40 joint must be as flat as possible (and therefore have a constant thickness, without significant differences in thickness).

[0097] Note that here, for a half-box 15, by "free edge" we mean an edge that does not belong to another face.

[0098] The half-boxes 15a, 15b are assembled together in the following manner.

[0099] The rear half-casing 15b includes longitudinal studs 44, here ten in number, distributed along the length of the free edges of the lateral faces 18 of the rear half-casing 15, and extending parallel to these by being positioned at the level of the internal wall of the lateral faces 18.

[0100] The forward half-casing 15a includes additional threaded barrels.

[0101] To assemble the box 2, screws are inserted into the longitudinal studs 44 from the external wall of the rear face 37 of the rear half-box 15b, and are screwed into the threaded shafts.

[0102] Note that the joint 40 has holes 45 at the level of these studs to allow the screws to pass through.

[0103] With further reference to the figure 4 , we see that the enclosure 1 includes a power supply circuit board 46 which is positioned in the rear half-casing 15b, at the level of the volume corresponding to the lower chamber 22b.

[0104] The power supply board 46 is positioned near the entry point of the power supply cable 12.

[0105] This card is held inside the half-box 15b by screws. More specifically, it is mechanically constrained by the screws 47 but also by a support rib 48 which pushes in the opposite direction to the tightening in order to prevent vibrations that could generate unwanted noise during the operation of the speaker 1. Indeed, simple contact of the card 46 against the rear half-box 15b would cause it to vibrate and therefore generate unwanted noise.

[0106] Finally, the power supply board 46 is positioned on a plane inclined at 45° to each of the rear face 37 and lower face 38 of the half-casing 15b. A female connector 49 is mounted on the printed circuit board of the power supply board 46, perpendicular to it.

[0107] This configuration allows the male connector 50, located at the free end of the power cable 12, to be connected in two positions: a first connection position, corresponding to the figure 1 , wherein, when the male connector 50 is connected to the female connector 49, the cable 12 extends parallel to the rear face 7 of the shell 4 near the male connector 50, and a second connection position, corresponding to the figure 2 , wherein, when the male connector 50 is connected to the female connector 49, the cable 12 extends parallel to the lower face 8 of the shell 4 near the male connector 50.

[0108] With reference to figures 2 And 9 The speaker 1 includes a main electronic board 52 which comprises components enabling the speaker 1 to perform the functions for which it is designed. The electronic board 52 includes, in particular, user interface components 53 and a radio frequency communication module, including an antenna 54 which allows the speaker 1 to communicate with external equipment (for example, a decoder box).

[0109] The radio frequency communication module here operates according to the Wi-Fi standard, but other standards could be used, such as Bluetooth.

[0110] Enclosure 1 includes a space to accommodate the electronic board 52. The location is preferably "front".

[0111] The forward half-box 15a includes a reception area 55 (best seen on the figure 5 ) arranged to accommodate the electronic card 52.

[0112] The reception surface 55 is located here on the external wall of the front face 27 of the box 2.

[0113] The outer wall of the front panel 27 also includes initial fastening means arranged for attaching the electronic board 52 to said outer wall. These initial fastening means comprise two threaded holes 56 into which fastening screws are screwed.

[0114] This front location allows the user to have direct access to the interface components 53, arranged at the front of the speaker 1, which is particularly convenient if the user wishes to install the speaker 1 against a vertical surface such as a wall.

[0115] The front placement of the electronic board 52 also helps to limit electromagnetic interference on the Wi-Fi antenna 54 outside the enclosure 2, particularly in the direction of the equipment (here the decoder box) to which the speaker is connected.

[0116] It is further noted that when the electronic board 52 is positioned in this front location, the printed circuit of the board 52 acts as a sealing element which helps to improve the acoustic performance of the enclosure 1, without requiring the addition of additional sealing elements.

[0117] We are particularly interested in the interface components 53. These components include an actuation component 57, which can be activated via a button 58, and an indicator light, in this case a light-emitting diode 59 (LED). The LED 59 indicates to the user the position of the button 58 on the front panel 11 of the enclosure 1.

[0118] Button 58 allows manual control of the actuation component 57 to implement a predefined function of the enclosure 1.

[0119] Here, this predefined function is the pairing function of speaker 1. Preferably, the pairing function will then allow transmission of audio signals via a wireless technology, for example Wi-Fi or "Bluetooth", to connect speaker 1 for example to a decoder box of type STB, so that the sound is transmitted without having to use audio cables.

[0120] The actuation component 57 is here a switch, which in this case is a bistable switch.

[0121] The button 58 comprises a deformable surface 60 and an actuation member 61.

[0122] The deformable surface 60 is located on the front face 11 of the outer shell 4.

[0123] The actuation member 61 is a body located between the switch 57 and the inner wall of the deformable surface 60.

[0124] The actuation member 61 extends here from the inner wall of the deformable surface 60.

[0125] The deformable surface 60 is formed in the cover 6 by a layer of a deformable material, such as a thermoplastic polymer, preferably Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS), here having a thickness of 2.5 mm.

[0126] The deformable surface 60 is obtained here by a cut made in the front face 11 of the cover 6 of the outer shell 4.

[0127] With reference to the figure 10 The deformable surface 60 includes a bearing area 63 and a tongue 64. The tongue 64 extends horizontally on the outer wall of the front face 11 of the cover 6 of the outer shell 4, and includes an end connected to the rest of the cover 6 and a free end from which the bearing area 63 extends.

[0128] The support area 63 is arranged so that when the user presses on the support area 63, it sinks to a certain depth, to bring the actuation member 61 towards the switch 57 so as to actuate it and change its state.

[0129] The tongue 64 here has a width of 3 mm and a length of 11.4 mm, which allow good deformation under the pressure of the user's finger, while ensuring the return to place of the support area 63 when the pressure ceases.

[0130] Thus, the support area 63 will be able to sink to a certain depth, here equal to 1.6 mm relative to the front face 11 of the enclosure 1, which will allow the actuation element 61 to actuate the switch 57 placed behind it.

[0131] As long as the user presses on the support area 63, the button 58 deforms in such a way as to push the switch 57.

[0132] Note that the support area 63 here has a "cat's head" shape.

[0133] The support zone 63 comprises successively, according to a first dimension D1, an extremal portion 65, a central portion 66 and an extremal portion 65. The central portion 66 is therefore positioned between the two extremal portions 65 according to this first dimension D1.

[0134] The extremal portions 65 project from both ends of the central portion 66 along a second dimension D2 perpendicular to the first dimension D1 and in the same direction (here upwards). The two extremal portions 65 therefore have a height, along the second dimension D2, greater than that of the central portion 66.

[0135] The orthogonal projection of LED 69 onto the front face 11 is positioned between the two extreme portions 65.

[0136] This means that when the speaker 1 is viewed from the front, the LED 59 is positioned between the two extreme portions 65 of the support area 63 and here above the central portion 66. This particular shape makes it possible to maximize the surface area of ​​the support area 63, by going around the light guide 68 of the LED 59 as closely as possible without hindering the emission of light.

[0137] Preferably, the front of the speaker 1, including the contact area 63 (here, the outer wall of the front face 11 of the cover 6 of the housing 4), is covered with fabric, so that the user cannot see the precise contours of the contact area 63. The fabric is configured to allow the light emitted by the LED 59 to pass through, so that the LED 59 is visible through the fabric. This arrangement allows the user to know where to press without needing to see the precise contours of the contact area 63.

[0138] We therefore have here an equipment 1 comprising an external housing 4 and an electronic board 52 positioned in the external housing near an internal wall of a face 11 of the external housing, the electronic board comprising an actuable component 57 and a light indicator 59, the equipment comprising a button 58 having a deformable surface 60 formed on said face of the external housing and an actuation member 61, the button 58 being arranged so that, when a user presses on the deformable surface 60, it depresses and the actuation member 61 actuates the actuable component 57. The deformable surface has a bearing area 63 comprising two extremal portions 65 along the first dimension D1 and a central portion 66 of height along the second dimension D2 perpendicular to the first dimension D1 which is lower than that of the extremal portions.The equipment is arranged so that the orthogonal projection of the indicator onto the face of the external housing is positioned between the two extreme portions 65.

[0139] Note here that the actionable component 57 is not necessarily a switch, that the function is not necessarily a speaker pairing function (it could be a speaker activation or deactivation function, track selection, volume adjustment, etc.).

[0140] It should also be noted here that the support area 63 is placed on a speaker enclosure, but the same principle applies to other types of devices, such as digital television decoders. In such cases, the assembly comprising the support area and the light guide can be covered with other flexible, light-transmitting materials, for example, a plastic film instead of fabric.

[0141] We can see that the front face 11 of the cover 6 of the outer shell 4 comprises a surface 62 with cutouts 69, each of which has a hexagonal shape, thus defining a honeycomb structure. This surface 62 improves the diffusion of the acoustic waves produced by the diaphragm 23 of the loudspeaker 3b. The upper face 10 of the cover 6 also comprises such a surface.

[0142] We are now interested in assembling the housing 2 with the outer shell 4.

[0143] The enclosure 2 includes second means of fixing arranged to cooperate with third means of fixing the outer shell 4 to fix said outer shell to the acoustic enclosure.

[0144] The second method of attachment includes 70 holes (visible on the figure 5 for example) to position screws. The holes 70 are positioned on the lateral edges of the front face 27 of the front half-casing 15a, which extend laterally beyond the junction of the side faces 18 with the front face 27. There are six holes 70 here.

[0145] The 70 holes comprise three holes positioned at each of the two lateral edges of the front face, distributed according to the length of said edges.

[0146] The third means of attachment include six threaded barrels 71 (visible on the figure 2 ) which extend horizontally at the level of the internal walls of the lateral faces 9 of the chassis 5 of the external shell 4, near the free edges of said lateral faces 9.

[0147] Screws are therefore positioned in holes 70 and screwed into barrels 71 to fix the box 2 to the chassis 5.

[0148] We can see that the external walls of the side faces 19 of the acoustic box 2 also include grooves 75 which extend from the second means of fixing (the holes 70) and which are arranged to prevent the third means of fixing the external shell from coming into contact with the side faces of the acoustic box.

[0149] The grooves 75 therefore make it easier to insert the outer shell 4 onto the housing 2.

[0150] Preferably, the number of grooves 75 is the same as the number of holes 70. Therefore, there are six grooves 75, centered on the holes 70. The grooves 75 extend over almost all the lateral surfaces of the half-shells 15, except for the front surface which serves as a support for the screws. Thus, these grooves have the advantage of preventing contact with the screw shanks in the shell.

[0151] Given their shape, the grooves also contribute to the overall rigidity of the box.

[0152] We are now focusing more specifically on the outer shell 4.

[0153] The outer shell 4 was designed taking into account all the constraints that apply to the acoustic enclosure 2, and in particular the need to associate a sealed acoustic volume of 0.2 L with each loudspeaker 3.

[0154] Shell 4 surrounds acoustic box 2 while also serving as a covering for speaker 1.

[0155] Due to its two-piece design, the outer shell 4 is modular and can be easily replaced while retaining the same acoustic enclosure 2.

[0156] The outer shell 4 therefore includes, as we have seen, a chassis 5 and a cover 6.

[0157] The chassis 5 is configured to receive the acoustic box 2, and has two side faces 9, a rear face 7 connecting the two side faces 9, and a bottom face 8 (bottom) serving as a support for the other faces, and a front opening 80 formed between the side faces 9 and extending to the top of the rear face 7.

[0158] The cover 6 is configured to completely cover the front opening 80 of the chassis 5.

[0159] Thus, the chassis 5 forms a receptacle allowing the acoustic box 2 to be housed within it. When the cover 6 is fixed on the chassis 5, the central acoustic box 2 is completely protected by the shell 4.

[0160] The modular nature of the shell 4 allows it to be replaced in whole or in part (i.e. the chassis and / or the cover) in order to modify the appearance of the speaker with greater freedom, while preserving the acoustic performance of the speaker 1.

[0161] Preferably, the chassis 5 and the cover 6 are each formed from a single piece, obtained by an injection molding technique (i.e., injecting polymer into a mold). In practice, the piece forming the cover 6 is less rigid than the piece forming the chassis 5.

[0162] Due to its relatively flat and slightly angular shape (angle of approximately 120°), the part forming the cover 6 behaves like a stretched canvas when subjected to the vibrations produced by the loudspeakers. It must therefore be constrained to prevent deformation during the speaker's operation.

[0163] That is why fasteners such as clips, attachment points and two screws are provided on the cover 6 and on the chassis 5 to assemble the cover onto the chassis.

[0164] With reference to the figure 11, the cover 6 includes here first of all elastic interlocking elements 81 (“clips”), here six in number, arranged near the free edges of the inner wall of the upper face 10 of the cover 6.

[0165] Each element 81 comprises two legs 82 extending vertically from the inner wall, and a hook 83 carried by the two legs 82 and perpendicular to them.

[0166] The chassis 5 includes additional elastic snap-fit ​​elements 84 (“clip beaks”), six in number, arranged near the upper free edges of the side faces 9 and the rear face 7 of the chassis 5.

[0167] The lid 6 also has two hooks 85 positioned each on the upper part and near one of the free edges of the inner wall of the front face of the lid.

[0168] The chassis 5 has two additional attachment points 86, each positioned on the upper part and near the free edge of the inner wall of one of the lateral faces 9 of the chassis 5.

[0169] The cover 6 also includes two threaded barrels 87, each positioned near the lower part of one of the free edges of the inner wall of the front face 11 of the cover 6.

[0170] The chassis 5 has two screw hooks 88, here two tapped holes, positioned on each at one end of the free edge of the inner wall of the lower face 8 of the chassis 5.

[0171] During the assembly of the enclosure 1, and therefore during the assembly of the cover 6 onto the chassis 5, the clips 81 engage with the clip prongs 84, the hooks 85 engage with the complementary attachment points 86, and the threaded shafts 87 align with screw holes 88 formed on the bottom of the chassis. Screws are then inserted into the threaded shafts 87 through the holes in the holes 88 and tightened.

[0172] Advantageously, all the fastening elements described above are obtained directly during the molding of the cover or chassis, thus limiting the addition of extra fastening parts as practiced in the prior art.

[0173] Indeed, in the present example, only two screws are mounted through the screw hooks 88 of the chassis and the screw shafts 87 of the lid to reinforce the attachment of the lid to the chassis, all other fixing elements being integrated directly into the lid and chassis, which allows an after-sales service operator to easily change the lid and / or chassis to modify the appearance of the enclosure.

[0174] The speaker that has just been described has many advantages.

[0175] It allows for the optimization of the technical volume in order to obtain maximum compactness of the enclosure.

[0176] Separating aesthetics from technical functions allows for greater freedom in adapting the style of the enclosure for a given technical volume, either by increasing the external dimensions of the enclosure or by maintaining an equivalent external volume.

[0177] The integration and fixing of the housing into an external shell via simple screws allows for the rapid design of new coverings.

[0178] Indeed, only three constraints are typically present when defining a new design: a minimum gap (1 mm for example) between the box and the shell; a certain gap (5 mm for example) between the base of each speaker and the shell to allow maximum speaker movement; screw shafts (here six) in a defined position to correspond to the passages in the box.

[0179] 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.

[0180] The shape of the side faces of the half-boxes is not necessarily triangular. Any shape is possible, provided it is compatible with an end-to-end assembly.

[0181] Similarly, the chassis and the cover of the case may have different appearances than those described here.

Claims

1. Sound box (2), intended to form an acoustic speaker enclosure (1) which may also comprise two loudspeakers (3), the sound box comprising two half-boxes (15) assembled with each other, each half-box comprising a first end (16) and a second end (17) opposite along a first dimension (d1), the first end having a first height, along a second dimension (d2) perpendicular to the first dimension, which is less than a second height of the second end in said second dimension, each half-box further comprising an inner half-partition (20), the sound box (2) being arranged so that, when it is assembled, the two half-boxes are positioned head-to-tail so that the first end of each half-box is positioned at the second end of the other half-box, and the inner half-boxes extend in line with each other to form an inner partition (21) of the sound box that defines inside the sound box, two acoustic chambers (22) each intended to accommodate one of the two loudspeakers (3).

2. Sound box according to claim 1, wherein each half-box (15) comprises two lateral faces (18) extending opposite each other and parallel to the first dimension (d1) and to the second dimension (d2), each lateral face of each half-box having a triangular shape, the sound box thus, comprising two lateral faces (19) of rectangular shape and each formed by two lateral faces (18) of the two half-boxes.

3. Sound box according to claim 2, wherein each half-box (15) is manufactured by moulding, said half-box being arranged so that its mould-release takes place in a mould-release direction (35) perpendicular to a main face (27, 37) of the half-box from which the two lateral faces of the half-box extend.

4. Sound box according to claim 3, wherein, for each half-box (15), the outer wall of each lateral face (18) is inclined towards the inside of the half-box to form a draft angle (α) between said outer wall and an axis (X) perpendicular to said main face.

5. Sound box according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, when the sound box is in a nominal position, the inner wall (21) extends in a horizontal plane and thus, defines an upper acoustic chamber (22a) and a lower acoustic chamber (22b), an upper face (25) of the sound box being arranged so that a diaphragm (23) of the loudspeaker (3a) of the upper acoustic chamber can extend at said upper face, and a front face (27) of the sound box being arranged so that a diaphragm (23) of the loudspeaker (3b) of the lower acoustic chamber can extend to said front face.

6. Sound box according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein one of the half-boxes (15a) comprises two faces each arranged so that a diaphragm of one of the loudspeakers may extend at said face.

7. Sound box according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising, for each loudspeaker (3), a face (25, 27) arranged so that a diaphragm (23) of said loudspeaker may extend at said face, said face comprising an opening (26, 28) through which the diaphragm (23) can be in acoustic communication with the outside of the box, an outer wall of said face further comprising a rib (30) which extends around the opening so as to provide acoustic guidance of acoustic waves produced by said diaphragm.

8. Sound box according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a seal (40), made of a compressible material, arranged at the joint of the half-boxes (15) when those are assembled, the seal comprising a contour portion (41) positioned between free edges of faces of the half-boxes, and an inner portion (42) positioned between free edges of the inner half-partitions, so that the seal ensures a sealing of the box at the joint of the two half-boxes, and at the two acoustic chambers.

9. Sound box according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a front face (27) having an outer wall comprising a receiving surface (55) arranged to receive an electronic board (52), and first fastening means (56) arranged to fasten the electronic board to said outer wall.

10. Sound box according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising second fastening means (70) arranged to cooperate with third fastening means (71) of an outer shell (4) to fasten said outer shell to the sound box (2).

11. Sound box according to claim 10, comprising a front face (27) having lateral edges on which the second fastening means are formed, outer walls of the lateral faces (19) of the sound box further comprising grooves (75) which extend from the second fastening means (70) and which are arranged to prevent the third fastening means of the outer shell (4) from coming into contact with the lateral faces of the sound box, and to stiffen said sound box.

12. Speaker enclosure (1) comprising the sound box (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, as well as the two loudspeakers (3).

13. Speaker enclosure according to claim 12, which comprises the sound box according to any one of claims 10 or 11, the speaker enclosure further comprising the outer shell (4).

14. Speaker enclosure according to claim 13, the outer shell (4) comprising a frame (5) forming a rear face (7), a bottom face (8) and lateral faces (9) of the speaker enclosure, and a lid (6) forming a top face (10) and a front face (11) of the speaker enclosure.

15. Speaker enclosure according to any one of claims 12 to 14, the speaker enclosure comprising a sound box according to claim 9, the speaker enclosure also comprising the electronic board (52), the electronic board comprising interface components (53) with a user.

16. Speaker enclosure according to claim 15, wherein the interface components comprise an actuatable component (57), and wherein the speaker enclosure comprises a button (58) arranged to actuate the actuatable component, the button comprising a deformable surface (60) formed on the outer shell (4) and comprising a resting area (63) arranged so that when the user presses on the resting area, this one sinks and allows to actuate the actuatable component to implement a predefined function.

17. Speaker enclosure according to claim 16, wherein the interface components further comprise a light indicator (59) indicating a position of the button (58) on the outer shell (4), and wherein the resting area (63) comprises a central portion (66) and two end portions (65) according to a first dimension (D1), the two end portions having a height according to a second dimension (D2) perpendicular to the first dimension (D1) greater than that of the central portion, the speaker enclosure being arranged so that an orthogonal projection of the light indicator on the outer shell (4) is positioned between the two end portions (65).

18. Speaker enclosure according to any one of claims 16 and 17, wherein the deformable surface (60) is obtained by a cutout made in the outer shell, the deformable surface comprising a tab (64) having one end connected to the rest of the outer shell and a free end from which the resting area (63) extends.