Support system for an acoustic transducer

Abstract

The invention relates to a support system having a connection element (201) for screwing the left side of an acoustic transducer module and a connection element (202) for screwing the right side of the acoustic transducer module, each of which comprises two outer panels (203) between which an adjustment device, in particular for horizontal displaceability, provides a releasable connection of the modules to the elements (301)-(500), which support system is suitable for connecting a number of loudspeaker modules to a flat baffle.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a support system for an acoustic transducer, in particular for the construction of an acoustic transducer surface, which can be used as a standing or hanging system, in particular for the construction of flat two-dimensional acoustic transducer arrangements from loudspeaker modules. [Background technology]

[0002] Such module arrangements are typically controlled according to the principles of wave field synthesis to generate one or more sound wavefronts that can be independently controlled in the azimuth and elevation planes and whose direction and opening angle can be separately adjusted. The loudspeaker modules do not need to be mechanically aligned, as is the case with line arrays. Control is achieved via discretely controlled levels and delay times of multiple transducers.

[0003] A support system is described that allows a flat acoustic transducer surface to be built from individual modules. This construction places special demands on the fastening system. On the other hand, the transducer surface must not be interrupted by larger areas where no transducers contribute to the generation of the wavefront. If the distance between the modules is too large, diffraction effects occur, resulting in unwanted side lobes outside the programmed directivity of the system.

[0004] The maximum size of the acoustic radiating surface is only limited vertically by the mechanical load-bearing capacity of the materials used; in the horizontal plane, the system can be expanded if necessary. The larger size places special demands on the accuracy of the positioning of the individual modules, since the errors add up with the number of modules. However, the exact position of each individual transducer is crucial in order to calculate the signal propagation time to each individual transducer. Even a difference of just a few millimeters between the calculated position of an individual transducer and its actual acoustic center leads to position-dependent changes in the frequency response. Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a stable support system module for an acoustic transducer, with which large two-dimensional acoustic transducer surfaces can be built without the tolerances added to the size of the system resulting in errors in the reproduction range. The system can also be used for beamforming applications where it is built as a two-dimensional radiator surface. In the following, the structure is explained using the schematic diagrams in Figures 1 to 4 as an example. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0006] [Figure 1] No description available. [Diagram 2] No description available. [Diagram 3] No description available. [Figure 4] No description available. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0007] 1 shows the structure of a two-dimensional acoustic transducer surface consisting of two modules 100 and two modules 101. In the following, starting from the front view, the left and right sides will be described.

[0008] The front dimensions of modules 100 and 101 are identical. However, in reality, not all modules in a wave field synthesis are equipped with a sub-bass loudspeaker. In this example, only module 100 has an additional transducer for the low frequency range, and is therefore deeper than module 101.

[0009] The support system comprises a lateral element (201), here constructed in mirror image (i.e. differently), which serves to screw the left side of the individual modules and (202) which serves to screw the right side of the individual modules, and two panels (203), between which an adjustment device (i.e. a variable mechanism) constructed of elements (301)-(500) realises a removable connection of the modules. The adjustment device can in particular be used to move the modules towards the viewing direction or against it (i.e. backwards).

[0010] The mounting system is designed to allow both modules type 100 and 101 to be mounted at any position within the overall structure. It is also possible to install type 100 modules inverted, i.e. with their radiating side facing backwards. This design can be advantageous for individual modules in very large systems to achieve a cardioid directivity of the whole system, even in the low frequency range. However, the support system can also be manufactured with a smaller mounting depth if only type 101 modules are used.

[0011] The system can be suspended from the truss 200. However, a standing construction is also possible. For this purpose, standing feet are suspended on connecting bolts 403 on the floor to distribute the load evenly. They can be designed to be adjustable in height and ensure a precise alignment of the system. High standing systems can be fixed against tilting to the truss 200. The truss 200 has several fastening holes so that the system can always be suspended at the center of gravity depending on the equipment with more or less modules in depth.

[0012] In FIG. 2 the connection mechanism is shown, which is screwed to the right side of each module. The fasteners on the left side are constructed in mirror image, respectively. The vertical connection of the modules in a row is achieved via a movable latch 401 as part of the adjustment device. It is embedded between the two outer panels (203) and can move along two guide pins. In the closed state, it is hooked to a connection bolt 403 connected to the upper module. The slide lever 302 is then in the closed position, as shown in the schematic diagram. The relative position of the systems connected in a row is then fixed to each other in all directions. If there is a risk that the guide bolt 405 cannot absorb the vertical forces when erecting high module rows, a force absorbing rail 402 can be provided for larger systems. The optional horizontal connection of the module rows using a connection element 500 can improve the dimensional stability of the system. Here shown in the closed state, the pin is hooked to the adjacent right module. However, other possibilities for connecting the panels horizontally using clamps, screws or hooks are also conceivable.

[0013] Figure 3 shows the open position of the connection element. The fixed lever 301 is pushed from the front to open the vertical connection. This allows the sliding lever 302 to be lifted, which moves the movable latch 401 to a position where the upper module can be lifted using its connection bolt 403. In its upper position, the horizontal connection element (500) releases the horizontal connection to the adjacent module.

[0014] A side view of the closed connection is shown in Figure 4. The sliding lever 302 holds the movable latch 401 in its forward position as shown until the fixed lever 301 is depressed. The pivot 410 of the sliding latch 302 is located slightly above the sliding bolt 409. The tension spring 404 therefore locks the lever in place to such an extent that force is first required to release the lever before the spring 404 supports lifting of the sliding lever 302.

[0015] In addition, the closed position of the slide lever (302) is secured by a safety hook (406), which fits into a groove in the slide lever (302) so that the slide lever (302) cannot be lifted. Only when the color-coded locking lever (301) is pressed, the safety hook (406) rotates around its pivot (407) against the force of the weak tension spring of the safety hook (408) until it releases the groove in the slide lever (302) to separate the modules. Thus, the system is doubly secured against unintentional opening of the vertical module connections by the tension spring (404) and the safety hook (406). [Explanation of symbols]

[0016] 100 Module with mid-range and high-frequency transducers and sub-bass 101 Module with mid-range and high-frequency transducers 200 Truss for hanging the system 201 The left-hand connection element consists of two steel plates and a connection mechanism between them 202 Right-hand connection element consisting of two steel plates and a connection mechanism between them 203 Outer Panel 301 Fixed lever 302 Slide lever 401 Movable Latch 402 Force absorbing rail 403 Connection bolt 404 Tension Spring 405 Guide bolt 406 Safety Hook 407 Safety hook pivot 408 Safety Hook Extension Spring 409 Slide Bolt 410 Safety hook pivot 500 horizontal connection elements

Claims

1. A support system having a connection element (201) for screwing the left side of an acoustic transducer module and a connection element (202) for screwing the right side of the acoustic transducer module, The connection elements each comprise two outer panels (203) between which an adjustment device, in particular for horizontal displaceability, provides a releasable connection of the modules to the elements (301) to (500), the support system being suitable for connecting a number of loudspeaker modules to a flat baffle.

2. It is also possible to install a module of type (100) inverted, i.e. with its radiating side towards the rear, which may be advantageous when setting up larger systems in order to achieve a cardioid directivity of the entire system even in the low frequency range, said support system having a connecting element (201) for screwing the left side of the acoustic transducer module and a connecting element (202) for screwing the right side of the acoustic transducer module, as claimed in claim 1.

3. A support system having a connection element (201) for screwing the left side of an acoustic transducer module and a connection element (202) for screwing the right side of an acoustic transducer module, as described in claim 1 or 2, which can accommodate modules of different depths if appropriate fastening holes are provided in the support system.

4. A support system having a connection element (201) for screwing the left side of an acoustic transducer module and a connection element (202) for screwing the right side of an acoustic transducer module, as described in at least one of the preceding claims, in which the vertical connection to the row of modules is made by a movable latch (401) that is embedded between the two outer panels (203) and can move along two guide bolts (405) and, in the closed state, is hooked onto a bolt (403) connected to the module located above.

5. A support system having a connection element (201) for screwing the left side of an acoustic transducer module and a connection element (202) for screwing the right side of an acoustic transducer module, as described in at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the optional horizontal connection of the module row by levers (500) or other connection options can improve the dimensional stability of the system.

6. A support system having a connecting element (201) for screwing the left side of an acoustic transducer module and a connecting element (202) for screwing the right side of an acoustic transducer module, as described in at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the pivot axis of the safety hook (410) is located slightly above the center of the slide bolt (409), whereby the tension spring (404) locks the slide lever (302) in its closed position to such an extent that a force is first required to release the slide lever (302) before the tension spring (404) supports lifting of the slide lever (302).

7. A support system having a connecting element (201) for screwing the left side of an acoustic transducer module and a connecting element (202) for screwing the right side of an acoustic transducer module, as claimed in at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the closed position of the slide lever (302) is fixed by a safety hook (406) which fits into a groove in the slide lever (302) and whereby pressure on the fixing lever (301) rotates the safety hook (406) against the force of a weak tension spring of the safety hook (408), preventing the slide lever (302) from being lifted until the groove in the slide lever (302) is released to separate the modules.

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