SOUND SYSTEM FOR A WATER POOL BY ELECTROACOUSTIC TRANSDUCTION AND POOL THUS EQUIPPED

Abstract

This electroacoustic transduction sound system for a pool comprises a main body consisting of a first part (6), referred to as the aerial part, intended to be outside the pool when the system is in operation, and a second part (7), referred to as the submerged part, intended to be submerged in the pool when the system is in operation. Each of the constituent parts (6, 7) of the body includes at least one electroacoustic transducer. The invention also relates to a pool equipped with such a system. [Figure to be published with the abbreviation: Fig. 2]

Description

Description Title of the invention: SOUND SYSTEM DEVICE FOR A WATER BASIN BY ELECTROA TRANSDUCTION- COUSTICS AND BASIN THUS EQUIPPED

[0001] — The present invention relates to a sound system for a water basin by electroacoustic transduction and a basin thus equipped.

[0002] = The expression "water basin" here refers to all types of basins containing water fresh or salt water, whether the pool is for collective or private use, whatever the its shape and / or dimensions and / or the material from which the basin is made. As Non-exhaustive examples include in-ground swimming pools, semi-in-ground swimming pools in-ground pools, above-ground pools, public pools, spas, basins or lanes of swimming against the current or not. The term "basin" also refers to pools with... decorative purposes or suitable for housing animals such as fish, birds or aquatic mammals.

[0003] For the record, transduction is the operation, using one or more transducer(s) allowing the transformation of one physical quantity into another. Here, it This involves transforming an electrical or electronic signal into an acoustic signal. For In this way, electroacoustic transduction uses the material as a resonating chamber. constituent of the object on which the transducer is fixed.

[0004] Currently, there is a need to provide sound for a pool, whether outside the pool, for example with background music, or in the water, so that all users, whether they are outside the pool, on the surface or below the waterline of the basin, they can enjoy a sound system.

[0005] = The sound system outside the pool is, for example and in a known way, achieved using speakers placed around the pool. Such a solution is more or less effective depending on the placement of the speakers and / or their number and / or power. To provide sound inside water tanks, we know of loudspeakers integrated into the walls of the pools and diffusing sounds. This solution is limited, the area sound diffusion being relatively narrow, with a sound reproduction quality that is not optimal. Furthermore, it requires a complex wall construction. pools, with the speakers integrated in a watertight manner into the wall pools. Alternatively, these are speakers connected by wire to an amplifier which are introduced into the pool. The sound quality is generally not good, and this requires the permanent presence of an operator.

[0006] — A swimming pool monitoring device is also known from US-B-5 369 623 comprising transducers emitting series of acoustic pulses and, in Analyzing the return wave, it detects the possible presence of a person in the pool. This sonar-type device is a monitoring and alarm system designed to prevent drownings. Therefore, it cannot be considered a sound system, even though it uses sound waves, if only because these waves are inaudible to the human ear. According to a known solution, for example CN-A-106501795 or CN-A-102997988, electro-acoustic transducers immersed in basins are used as part of a hydrophone calibration method. There is therefore a need for simple sound reinforcement, whether in or outside a pool, regardless of its type and / or use, with a low installation cost. The invention aims to address this need by proposing a simple electroacoustic transduction sound system that is easy to set up in a pool, reliable, and capable of providing sound both outside and inside the pool. To this end, the invention relates to a sound system by electroacoustic transduction of a pool, characterized in that it comprises a main body formed of a first part, called aerial, intended to be outside the pool when the device is in use configuration and a second part, called submerged, intended to be submerged in the pool when the device is in use configuration, each of the two constituent parts of the body comprising at least one electroacoustic transducer. The invention thus makes it possible, with a complete device, simple to install, including on existing pools and without structural modification of the latter, to simultaneously provide sound to the inside and outside of a pool. According to advantageous but not mandatory aspects of the invention, such a device may include one or more of the following features: -The main body is configured in an L shape, with each of the branches defining a structural part of the main body. -The branches that make up the main body are independent and connected to each other by a removable and / or adjustable link. -Several transducers equip each of the constituent parts of the main body. -Each constituent part of the main body emits the same sounds. -Each constituent part of the main body emits different sounds. -At least one of the transducers of one of the constituent parts of the main body is adapted to collect sounds. -The second submerged part of the main body is equipped with an adjustment means of its buoyancy. The invention also relates to a basin equipped with at least one sound system conforming to one of the preceding characteristics, The invention will be better understood and other advantages thereof will become more apparent upon reading the following description, given solely by way of non-limiting example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: [fig.1] is a simplified perspective view of a pool equipped with two sound systems according to one embodiment of the invention, [fig.2] is a larger-scale perspective view of a portion of the basin in figure 1 equipped with a sound system according to one embodiment of the invention, [fig.3] is a perspective view, at a different scale and from the rear face, of a sound system according to one embodiment of the invention, [fig.4] is a side view, in partial cutaway and at another scale, of the device of figure 3 in position on a basin, the transducers being visible in the cutaway areas and [fig.5] is a simplified view, in perspective and at another scale, of the main components of the device in pre-assembly position. Figure ! illustrates a pool 1. Pool 1, shown here for illustrative purposes, is a square, in-ground pool with a ladder 2. Pool 1 has a perimeter rim 3, also called a coping in the case of an in-ground pool. Typically, the coping 3 of a pool 1 of this type is made of ceramic tiles or concrete. The invention applies to all types of basins, regardless of the material from which they are made, namely concrete, polymers, stainless steel, or other, without limitation of shape and / or size or use, whether public, private, decorative, or otherwise. By way of non-limitation and solely to illustrate the scope of the invention, examples include private or public swimming pools, spas, lap pools or lap lanes, aquaculture or fish farming basins, decorative basins, animal enclosures such as those for fish, marine mammals, or birds, maintenance basins, hydraulic testing basins, and thermal or medical treatment basins. Figure 1 shows two sound systems 4, resting on the coping 3. The systems 4 are identical here. Alternatively, when several systems are installed on the same pool 1, they are of different shapes and / or dimensions. The same applies to their external appearance, namely the type and / or color of the material from which the system is made. Each device 4 is formed from a main body 5. Here the body 5 is configured in an L shape. The branches of the main body are structurally linked and formed, for example, by machining or molding. In another embodiment, the branches of the main body are independent and connected by a removable joint. Such a removable joint can also be adjustable. Alternatively, the main body has a different shape, for example, an open V. In all cases, the shape of the body 5 of the device 4 is adapted so that a part of the body is out of the water, outside of the basin 1 and a part is immersed in the basin 1. The first part 6, called aerial, is located outside the basin 1 while the second part 7, called immersed, is in the basin 1. The part 7 is positioned so that it extends, at least partially, below the water line of the basin 1. Thus the second part 7 is permanently immersed. The device 4 is preferably held in position on the coping 3 and on a wall 9 of the pool 1 by means known per se, for example, suction cups, screws, or the device's own weight. Alternatively, the attachment is permanent, for example, by bonding, molding, or machining into the pool material. In another embodiment, the device 4 is held in position by a centering system with pins, the pins being located in a counterbore or on a plate fixed to the wall and / or the coping. Alternatively, casters, at least on the submerged portion 7, may be provided to allow the device to be easily moved by sliding along the wall. Accessories can be fitted to the device. These include, for example, operating handles, decorative or signaling lights, decorative elements, or other features. As shown in Figure 2, the above-ground part 6 and the submerged part 7 are, respectively, square and rectangular in shape. Alternatively, the shapes of the first and second parts 6 and 7 may be identical or different, for example, circular, triangular, oval, or other. Similarly, the external appearance and / or the constituent material of each part 6 and 7 may or may not be identical. In all cases, the shape and / or dimensions of the second submerged part 7 are such that it is always below the waterline. The end 10 opposite the free end 11 of part 7 is connected to the end 12 of part 6. Here, this connection is fixed, the ends 10 and 12 being joined by a piece of material made from parts 6 and 7. In other words, the entire device 4 is a single piece, for example obtained by molding or machining. Parts 6 and 7 are arranged angularly, with an angle α between 70° and 120°, preferably between 85° and 95°. As shown in Figure 2, the joining area between parts 6 and 7 is rounded so as to easily fit the rounded edge 13 of the coping 3. In an alternative not shown, the connection between ends 10 and 12 is of the articulated type, for example, by means of a hinge or an elastically deformable material. Advantageously, the hinge is also adjustable in length. Such a solution allows for greater adaptability of the device 4 to different existing pool edges, as parts 6 and 7 are independent and connected to each other in such a way as to easily adapt to the various configurations of the pool edges. In Figure 2, it can be seen that the aerial part 6 rests, by its end 12, on the edge 13 of the coping 3 and by its free end 14 on the flat surface 15 of the coping 3. To prevent any unwanted movement of the device, the underside of part 6 is equipped with a means of attachment to the surface 15. This could be, for example, suction cups, magnets, adhesive, or screws. In all cases, this attachment could be permanent or removable, for example, to allow for maintenance of the device and / or cleaning of the edge 13 of the coping 3. In an embodiment not shown, the aerial part 6 is positioned in a counterbore made in the surface 15 and forming a receiving housing for the part 6. Such a solution makes it possible to limit the footprint of the device 4 on the coping 3 of the pool 1, in order to limit any risk of a user falling and / or any damage to the device 4. For this purpose and more generally whatever the method of retaining the part 6 on the coping 3, a flexible seal protects the periphery of the part 6, which also has rounded edges. Figure 3 is a view of the device 4 alone, from the rear faces of parts 6 and 7 intended to rest, respectively, against the coping 3 and the wall 9 of the basin 1. Part 7 is thicker than part 6. This extra thickness allows for the inclusion of a compartment 16 within part 7, forming a ballast. As a reminder, a ballast is a compartment that alternately receives water and air in an adjustable manner, in order to regulate, as needed, the buoyancy of the object in which the ballast is placed. The inlet and outlet of air and water in the ballast is controlled by a pump and / or a set of valves and check valves. In the upper and lower parts of compartment 16, as shown in Figure 3, openings 17 and 170 provide external connections. This configuration optimizes the retention of part 7 in the water, depending on its density (fresh or salt water), without requiring any additional fastening. This configuration is suitable when the device is used only occasionally or when it is desired to be able to move the device laterally along the pool walls. Part 7 is held against the wall 9 by its apparent weight, without any modification to the wall 9. This solution is particularly well-suited when the wall 9 is covered with a polymer waterproofing film or liner, which is inherently relatively sensitive to impacts. In these cases, it is easy to understand why part 6 is also held removably on the coping 3, for example by suction cups, by an adhesive coating provided on the lower face 18 of part 6, by its own weight or by centering pins associated with a plate equipped with additional housings. The compartment 16 can also be used to secure the device 4 in place at different depths in the basin. In this case, the device includes a length-adjustable part 7, for example telescopic, and / or a length-adjustable connecting zone 19 between parts 6 and 7, for example telescopic or made of an elastic material. In another embodiment, when the device 4 is intended to be permanently maintained on a basin 1, the compartment 16 is of reduced thickness and forms a receiving housing for a given ballast and / or for components of the device. In all cases, regardless of the thickness of compartment 16, a compartment 20, particularly visible in figure 5, should be provided. This compartment 20 is a closed compartment forming a buffer zone, filled with air, between the wall 9 of the basin 1 on which part 7 of the device 4 is placed. It is easy to understand that such a closed compartment filled with air can also be provided on part 6 of the device. This compartment 20 forms an air volume allowing optimal transmission, without delay or distortion, of sound to the walls of the basin and its propagation to all points of the basin, whether outside or in the water, depending on whether the compartment equips part 6 or 7 or both. As can be seen from figures 4 and 5, the sound transmission organs are electroacoustic transducers 21, 22 mounted respectively on parts 6 and 7. For the record, an electroacoustic transducer transforms an electrical signal into a sound wave, it being understood that an electrical signal is also a vibratory phenomenon. The sound wave emitted by transducers 21 and 22 is transmitted to the material, and more generally, to the medium in which the transducer is located. Thus, transducer 21 will transmit sounds to the coping stone 3 and thereby to the medium surrounding the coping stone, namely the immediate external environment of the basin 1. The transducer 22 first transmits the sound wave, via the air compartment 20 to the wall 9 of the basin 1 and thereby to the volume of water contained in the basin. It is understood that transducers 21 and 22 may or may not be identical in terms of power, sounds emitted, and sound direction. Thus, transducer 21 may emit a given sound band while transducer 22 emits other sounds. Alternatively, one of the transducers, for example the submerged transducer 22, emits infrasound or ultrasound audible to marine mammals. The submerged part can also be equipped with a hydrophone collecting sounds emitted in the water and / or of a sonar-type device or strain gauges, that is to say a device using the emission and reverberation of sound waves on an object to locate and define the object. In another embodiment, the transducer 21 is adapted for directional sound emission, for example towards an object outside the pool such as a slide or a diving board. It is thus possible, with several transducers distributed over one or more pools, to define specific sound zones. As can be seen in Figure 5, the device 4 of the invention is of a construction adapted for use in a humid environment and, in this case, potentially corrosive due to the presence of chlorine used for treating swimming pool water. For this reason, the various elements, at least the external parts in contact with the outside, compartments 16 and 20, and parts 6 and 7, are made of a water-resistant polymer that is neutral with respect to water and a chlorinated environment. This could be, for example, PVC (polychlorovinyl) or acrylic. As shown in Figures 4 and 5, sections 6 and 7 are hollow and form housings for transducers 21 and 22, respectively. The entire assembly is covered by an L-shaped protective cover, referenced as 23. Sealing is ensured by a bonded gasket 24. This allows the cover 23 to be removed to access and maintain the transducers 21 and 22. Electronic and electrical components, such as the control and transmission modules, and batteries, are preferably housed in the above-ground section 6 to keep them as dry as possible. Alternatively, the transducers 21 and 22 are embedded in resin, as are the electronic and electrical components where this is feasible, thus ensuring complete sealing. Similarly, it is possible to insert several transducers, rather than just one, into each of parts 6 and 7. Alternatively, other control, transmission and sound collection devices or other physico-chemical characteristics can be housed in parts 6 and 7. By way of non-limiting examples, one can cite a control module of device 4 by Wifi, Bluetooth or other, hydrophones, temperature, pH, salinity, pressure sensors or a module in connection with a weather station or an information service to provide alert messages in case of storms, tsunami or other dangerous phenomena when the basin is located in a risk zone.

Claims

Demands

1. Sound reinforcement device (4) by electroacoustic transduction of a basin (1), characterized in that it comprises a main body (5) formed of a first part (6), called aerial, intended to be outside the basin (1) when the device (4) is in operating configuration and of a second part (7), called submerged, intended to be submerged in the basin (1) when the device (4) is in its operating configuration, each of the two parts (6, 7) constituting the body (5) comprising at minus one electroacoustic transducer (21, 22).

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the body main (5) is configured in L, each of the branches defining a structural part (6, 7) of the main body (5).

3. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the branches (6, '7) constituting the main body (5) are independent and connected between they by a removable and / or adjustable connection.

4. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that several trans- conductors (21, 22) equip each of the constituent parts (6, 7) of the main body (5).

5. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that each part (6, 7) constituting the main body (5) diffuses the same sounds.

6. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that each part (6, 7) constituting the main body (5) diffuses different sounds.

7. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one of the transducers (21, 22) of one of the constituent parts (6, 7) of the body main (5) is suitable for collecting sounds.

8. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that part (7) submerged part of the main body (5) is provided with an adjustment means (16) of its buoyancy.

9. Basin (1) equipped with at least one compliant sound system (4) to one of the previous claims.

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