AUTOMOTIVE SPEAKER SYSTEM

Abstract

The invention relates to a loudspeaker system (1) comprising a housing (10), a loudspeaker (11), a nozzle (12), the nozzle comprising an internal portion (121) connected to an external portion (122) by an interface device (13), the interface device being separate from at least one of the internal and external portions. It also relates to an arrangement of a central part of a vehicle comprising a central interior console, a floor and a loudspeaker system, as well as a vehicle having such a loudspeaker system. [Fig. 2]

Description

Title of the invention: AUTOMOBILE SPEAKER SYSTEM

[0001] Technical field of the invention The invention relates to the technical field of loudspeakers integrated into a motor vehicle, the loudspeaker being capable of emitting sound at frequencies below 2000 Hz. More specifically, the loudspeaker can emit mid-frequency sound. Even more specifically, the loudspeaker can emit low-frequency sound between 20 and 400 Hz.

[0002] Prior art The speakers typically integrated into a car struggle to reproduce low frequencies using the air volume in the vehicle's doors. Indeed, to reproduce low frequencies, the speakers must be positioned within a substantial enclosure, which then acts as a soundproof box. This enclosure volume can be at least 6 to 10 liters, making integration difficult. It is also known to employ a restricted enclosure, equipped with a tube which, depending on its own volume and that of the air inside the enclosure, resonates and takes over from the loudspeaker to produce bass-reflex sound. As a reminder, the "bass reflex" loudspeaker system consists of redirecting the rearward sound generated by the movement of the loudspeaker diaphragm towards the listener, notably through a resonance effect of the nozzle. The nozzle's design thus allows for the creation of powerful and precise bass and mid-range frequencies. Loudspeaker systems with a nozzle external to the acoustic enclosure are also used, thus forming so-called externally coupled speakers, which advantageously require an acoustic enclosure with a small volume of between 1.5 and 2.5 liters. Such loudspeaker systems allow for easier integration into a motor vehicle, but require a more delicate integration of the nozzle, as it is located outside the acoustic enclosure. Traditionally, speakers designed to reproduce bass and / or mid-range frequencies are installed in a door and may have a diameter (D) that limits the door's storage capacity and design. It is possible to replace this speaker with a smaller diameter, but this results in a loss of bass and mid-range frequencies, necessitating the addition of a separate audio system, such as a subwoofer, which can lead to significant integration challenges. that it directly impacts the architecture of the reception area, which can be a central console or a dashboard. There is therefore a technical problem in freeing the door of a vehicle from the sound device intended to reproduce low and mid frequencies.

[0003] Presentation of the invention The object of the present invention relates to a loudspeaker system comprising a housing, a loudspeaker, and a nozzle, wherein the nozzle includes an internal portion connected to an external portion by an interface device, the interface device being separate from at least one of the internal and external portions. Such a system allows for improved integration into a vehicle by positioning part of the system outside the passenger compartment.

[0004] Summary of the invention According to other features, the loudspeaker system that is the subject of the invention may comprise the following characteristics, taken separately or in combination with each other: - the enclosure includes a first opening through which the loudspeaker is positioned, in that the enclosure includes a second opening located at the level of a bottom wall of the enclosure and extended by the internal portion of the nozzle, and in that a free end of the nozzle adjoins a means of attachment intended for assembling the enclosure to a support; - the external portion of the nozzle includes at least one curved duct; - one end of the conduit includes an inlet pipe, the other end includes at least one vent; - the duct has a profile that is essentially an arc of a circle, in particular at an angle between 135° and 180°, so that the vent is offset from the inlet pipe of the external portion, in particular with respect to a transverse axis; - it includes at least one means of sealing, in particular an annular type sealing gasket located at a collar adjoining a free end of the internal portion of the nozzle, and / or an annular type sealing gasket located at another collar adjoining the first opening; - said fixing means includes at least one fixing element extending approximately radially out of the casing and / or the internal portion of the nozzle and / or a fixing stud extending out of the bottom wall of the casing in such a way that it makes reversible mounting of the casing and / or the interface device to a support suitable; - the volume of the container is between 1 litre and 3 litres, preferably between 1.5 litres and 2.5 litres.

[0005] The invention also relates to an arrangement of a central part of a vehicle comprising a central interior console, a floor and a loudspeaker system having all or part of the aforementioned characteristics, according to which the floor includes an opening through which the interface device extends such that the loudspeaker system is partly disposed inside the passenger compartment, in particular by the housing fixed by the inner portion of the nozzle to an inner face of the floor, the outer portion of the nozzle being disposed under the floor of the vehicle, in particular by the interface device fixed against the outer face of the floor.

[0006] The invention also relates to a vehicle, in particular of the electrically powered type, comprising a loudspeaker system as mentioned above, or the arrangement mentioned above.

[0007] Presentation of the figures Other goals, characteristics, and advantages will become apparent upon reading the following description, given only as a non-limiting example and with reference to the attached figures, in which: - Fig. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a loudspeaker system according to the invention; - [Fig.2] illustrates an exploded perspective view of elements of the loudspeaker system of [Fig.1]; - [Fig.3] illustrates a view of an interior side of the vehicle floor incorporating the speaker system of [Fig.1]; - [Fig.4] illustrates a view of an exterior side of the vehicle floor incorporating part of the speaker system of [Fig.1]; - [Fig.5] illustrates a view of an exterior side of the vehicle floor incorporating the entire speaker system of [Fig.1].

[0008] Detailed description In the following description, the following conventions are used. The X reference mark designates the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, oriented towards the rear. The Y reference mark designates the transverse direction of the vehicle, oriented to the right. The Z reference mark designates the vertical direction upwards. The terms "inward" or "internal" and "outward" or "external" are given relative to the vehicle's passenger compartment: what is "external" or directed "outward" is directed towards the outside of the passenger compartment, what is "internal" or directed "inward" is directed towards the inside of the passenger compartment.

[0009] Figure [1] illustrates a loudspeaker system 1 comprising a housing 10 associated with an external coupling device consisting of a nozzle 12 of a particular design, in the sense that the nozzle 12 advantageously comprises an internal portion 121 connected to an external portion by an interface device 13. The enclosure 10 includes an opening 101 through which the loudspeaker 11 is positioned. The loudspeaker 11 is preferably elliptical in profile, specifically 6x9” in size, which advantageously allows for easy integration of the loudspeaker system in the central part of the vehicle. The caisson 10 includes a bottom wall 102 in which a second opening 102 is formed. The second opening 102 leads into the nozzle 12, more particularly into the internal portion 121 of the nozzle 12. The housing 10 and the internal portion of the nozzle 12 can form a single unit, made in one piece, in particular by molding a plastic material. The housing 10 includes a peripheral rim encircling the loudspeaker 11, which is substantially flat in order to receive a sealing gasket 14 against which a grille 61 is able to bear.

[0010] In [Fig.2], a means for fixing 30 of the loudspeaker system is shown at the level of a free end of the internal portion 121. Thus illustrated from a three-quarter rear view, the free end of the internal portion of the nozzle is made visible. A fixing stud 34 is visible, laterally bordering the opening of the free end of the internal portion 121 of the nozzle. More specifically, the stud 34 in [Fig. 2] includes two tapped holes. The fastening means 30 comprising the internal portion 121 is supplemented by a projecting tab 31 located on a side opposite the stud 34. A flange 127 extends radially outward from the free end of the inner portion 121. The flange 127 is formed by a free face of the stud 34, the tab 31, and a rib connecting the stud 34 to the tab 31. The flange 127 is spaced from the end edge of the inner portion 121 of the nozzle such that it defines a recess for receiving a sealing means 15, of the annular type. The opening of the inner portion 121 has a substantially rectangular cross-section, one side of which has a substantially curved profile. The mounting tab 31 extends preferentially outward from the apex of the curved side. This design advantageously allows the nozzle to self-center through the opening in its support, namely the vehicle floor and / or the interface device. The sealing gasket 15 is preferably made of foam so that it ensures air and water tightness once compressed by the assembly of the internal portion 121 of the nozzle 12 on the floor 50.

[0011] In [Fig.3], the internal elements of the loudspeaker system 1 are shown visible. The housing 10 includes a fixing element of the fixing arm type 32 extending outwards in a direction opposite to that of the fixing lug 31 located at the level of the internal portion 121 of the nozzle 12. The fixing arm 32 is thus located at the rear of the fixing lug 31. For example, the mounting arm 32 creates a first attachment point with the support 50 formed by the vehicle floor, while the mounting bracket 31 creates a second attachment point with the support. The mounting stud 34 creates third and fourth attachment points spaced transversely apart. The first attachment point can be located approximately equidistant from the second attachment point and the third and fourth attachment points to ensure stable attachment to the support. This stability is further enhanced by placing the nozzle on an interface device 13, which partially protrudes from an inner face 52 through an opening 51 in the floor. This opening advantageously complements the protruding portion of the interface device 13, which will now be described.

[0012] In [Fig. 4], the outer face 53 of the floor 50 is shown to highlight the relative position of the interface device 13 considered in isolation with respect to the receiving floor 50. The interface device comprises a fastening means 30 in the form of a projecting plate from which extend at least one fastening element 33, in particular three fastening elements whose angular distribution is uniformly distributed with respect to the normal to the central opening 131. The central opening 131 is asymmetrical with respect to the fastening means 30 so that the latter does not interfere with the other fastening elements positioned on the inner face 52 of the floor for securing the inner portion 121 of the nozzle 12. Given the opening 131 provided in a fastening plate, the interface device 13 includes an inner ring 132 around which the free end of the inner portion 121 of the nozzle 12 is fitted. The interface device 13 includes an outer ring 133 extending outward from the fastening means 30. The outer ring 133 may be substantially coaxial with the inner ring 132. The inner ring 132 and the outer ring 133 are arranged on either side of the fastening means 30 of the interface device 13 to the floor 50.The particular distribution of the fixing elements 31, 32, 33 and 34 gives rise to an offset, in particular an alternation of positioning, of the nuts of said fixing means 30 which are previously assembled to the floor 50. The outer ring 133 of the interface device 13 is further extended by at least one element 134 of a locking means for the outer portion 122 of the nozzle 12 to the interface device 13. The at least one element 134 of a locking means comprises discontinuous walls 134 which can be considered as slots which, by their spacing, provide housing 54 intended for the complementary parts of the end of the external portion 122 of the nozzle 12. The external portion 122 includes an inlet tube 124 which is intended to extend the internal portion 121 of the nozzle 12 via the interface device 13. The external portion 122 is fixed to the interface device 13 by mounting the internal portion 122 in said locking means 134. The slots of said locking means are interposed between ribs 1221, in particular between four ribs 1221, such that the slots of the interface device are extended by peripheral rib portions 1221 at the end of the external portion 122 of the nozzle 12. The ribs 1221 and the slots 134 are thus arranged alternately, one after the other when the external portion 122 is mounted, thereby creating an interlocking of these parts. To perfect the locking, a deformable ring (not shown) is mounted inside channels made on both the ribs 1221 and the crenellations 134.The snap-fit ​​fixing and locking mechanism ensures a permanent assembly of the external portion 122 of the nozzle 12.

[0013] Figure 5 shows a preferred embodiment of the external portion 122 of the nozzle 12. The external portion 122 comprises two ducts 123 connected to each other by a common chamber 126 formed by the inlet pipe 124. Each duct has a curved profile, substantially in the form of an arc of a circle, such that the outlet vents are positioned with respect to the outer face 53 of the floor. More specifically, each duct 123 has a profile substantially in the form of an arc of a circle, in particular at an angle between 135° and 180°, such that the vent 125 is offset from the inlet pipe 124, in particular with respect to a transverse axis Y. Such a conformation of the external portion 122 aims to reduce the bulk of the nozzle, particularly in its part located outside the cabin. The radii of curvature of the ducts 123 are preferably different, such that one duct is longer, or even greater in length, than the other. The cross-sections of the ducts may also be different. This allows the loudspeaker system to reproduce sound in two ways: one for low frequencies, through the larger external duct, and the other for mid frequencies, through the smaller external duct. According to the embodiment of [Fig. 5], the conduits 123 have a rectangular cross-section. The conduits are respectively tangent to the normal along axis AA of the inlet pipe 124. The conduits 123 follow opposite directions with respect to axis AA; the conduit 123 intended for low frequencies is oriented along the Y-axis, and the conduit 123 intended for medium frequencies is oriented in the opposite direction to the axis. Each of the vents 125 is positioned with regard to a localized deformation of the floor in such a way that the space between the vent and the floor respects a predetermined distance, in particular between 10 mm and 50 mm, preferably 40 mm.

[0014] The vent outlets are flared, specifically trumpet-shaped, to prevent any unwanted "mouth" noise, an audio phenomenon known as unwanted sound generated by airflow in a duct at a sudden change in cross-section, particularly at the duct outlet, as seen here at the outlet of the ducts 123 of the nozzle 12. The speaker system 1 passes through the floor 50, which advantageously allows part of the acoustic function to be located outside the passenger compartment. This design also advantageously reduces the space occupied by the speaker system 1, thus facilitating its integration into the passenger compartment, particularly at the center console.

[0015] Advantageously, the geometry of the box 10 allows for an inclined placement of the loudspeaker 11 so that the cone of diffusion of the sound waves is more widely oriented towards the occupants of the vehicle.

[0016] Advantageously, the invention proposes the use of an elliptical loudspeaker 11, which allows integration in or under a floating console, along a longitudinal direction, which helps to reduce the size of the loudspeaker system 1, but also the width of the center console.

Claims

Demands

1. Loudspeaker system (1) comprising a cabinet (10), a loudspeaker (11), a nozzle (12), characterized in that the nozzle comprises an internal portion (121) connected to an external portion (122) by an interface device (13), the interface device being distinct from at least one of the internal and external portions.

2. System (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the enclosure (10) comprises a first opening (101) through which the loudspeaker is positioned, in that the enclosure comprises a second opening (103) located at the level of a bottom wall (102) of the enclosure and extended by the internal portion (121) of the nozzle (12), and in that a free end of the nozzle (12) adjoins a fastening means (30) intended for assembling the enclosure to a support.

3. System (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the external portion (122) of the nozzle (12) comprises at least one curved conduit (123).

4. System (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that one end of the conduit (123) comprises an inlet tube (124), the other end comprising at least one vent (125).

5. System (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the conduit (123) has a profile substantially in the form of an arc of a circle, in particular with respect to an angle (a) between 135° and 180°, such that the vent (125) is offset from the inlet tube (124) of the external portion, in particular with respect to a transverse axis (Y).

6. System (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least one sealing means (14, 15), in particular an annular type sealing gasket (15) disposed at a collar (127) adjoining a free end of the internal portion (121) of the nozzle, and / or an annular type sealing gasket (14) disposed at another collar (27) adjoining the first opening (101).

7. System (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said fastening means (30) comprises at least one fastening element (31, 32, 33) extending approximately radially out of the casing and / or the internal portion (121) of the nozzle and / or a fastening stud (34) extending out of the wall of bottom (102) of the box (10) in such a way that it makes suitable for reversible mounting of the box (10) and / or the interface device (13) to a support (50).

8. System (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the volume of the container (10) is between 1 litre and 3 litres, preferably between 1.5 litres and 2.5 litres.

9. Arrangement of a central part of a vehicle comprising a central interior console (60), a floor (50) and a loudspeaker system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the floor (50) includes an opening (51) through which the interfacing device (13) extends such that the loudspeaker system (1) is partly disposed inside the passenger compartment, in particular by the housing (10) fixed by the inner portion of the nozzle to an inner face (52) of the floor, the outer portion (122) of the nozzle being disposed under the floor (50) of the vehicle, in particular by the interfacing device (13) fixed against the outer face (53) of the floor.

10. Vehicle, in particular of the electrically powered type, comprising a loudspeaker system (1) according to at least one of claims 1 to 8, or the arrangement according to claim 9.