Seatback speaker

Abstract

This relates to a seat equipped with a speaker that has an acoustic outlet in the backrest. [Solution] The seat comprises a seat headrest portion, a seat backrest portion, and a speaker assembly. The loudspeaker assembly includes at least one driver for generating an acoustic output, and an acoustic outlet fixed to the seat backrest portion and angled to provide an acoustic output at a position below the nominal ear position of the seat occupant, wherein the firing angle of at least one driver provides an acoustic output to achieve a consistent frequency response over a range of positions that deviate from the nominal ear position.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] (Claiming Priority) This application claims priority to U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 333,057, filed on May 28, 2021, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] (Field of the Invention) The present disclosure generally relates to a seat. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a seat having a speaker with an acoustic outlet in the backrest.

Background Art

[0003] For example, conventional seats in vehicles, entertainment venues, and other locations focus on user support and comfort. In some cases, these seats incorporate speakers for providing audio output. However, these conventional seats cannot provide consistent and satisfactory audio output for different users and / or a range of seating positions.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

[0005] All examples and features mentioned below can be combined in any technically possible way.

[0006] Various implementations include a seat and a vehicle including the seat. In certain cases, the seat includes a loudspeaker assembly having an acoustic outlet directed to provide acoustic output to achieve a consistent frequency response over a range of positions deviating from a nominal ear position.

[0007] In some particular embodiments, the seat includes a seat comprising: a seat headrest portion; a seat backrest portion; and a loudspeaker assembly comprising: at least one driver for generating an acoustic output; a loudspeaker assembly comprising: a loudspeaker assembly comprising: a loudspeaker assembly comprising: a loudspeaker assembly comprising: at least one driver for generating an acoustic output; a loudspeaker assembly comprising: a loudspeaker assembly comprising: a loudspeaker assembly comprising: a loudspeaker assembly comprising: a loudspeaker assembly comprising: at least one driver for generating an acoustic output; a loudspeaker assembly comprising: a loudspeaker assembly comprising: a loudspeaker assembly comprising: a loudspeaker assembly comprising: at least one driver for generating an acoustic output; a loudspeaker assembly comprising: a loudspeaker assembly comprising: a loudspeaker assembly comprising: at least one driver for generating an acoustic output; a loudspeaker assembly comprising: a loudspeak

[0008] In a further particular embodiment, the vehicle includes a seat comprising: a seat headrest portion; a seat backrest portion; and a loudspeaker assembly comprising: a loudspeaker assembly comprising: at least one driver for generating an acoustic output; and an acoustic outlet fixed to the seat backrest portion and angled to provide an acoustic output at a position below the nominal ear position of the seat occupant, wherein the firing angle of at least one driver provides the acoustic output to achieve a consistent frequency response over a range of positions deviating from the nominal ear position.

[0009] In a further specific embodiment, the method includes the step of providing an acoustic output in a loudspeaker assembly. The loudspeaker assembly is located in a seat having a seat headrest portion and a seat back portion. The loudspeaker assembly has at least one driver for generating an acoustic output, and an acoustic outlet fixed to the seat back portion and angled to provide an acoustic output at a position below the nominal ear position of the seat occupant. In various embodiments, the firing angle of at least one driver provides an acoustic output to achieve a consistent frequency response over a range of positions deviating from the nominal ear position.

[0010] The implementation may include one of the following characteristics, or any combination thereof.

[0011] In certain embodiments, the occupant's nominal ear position is the occupant's expected seating position (or location). In specific cases, this nominal ear position is equal to the median ear position of an American male.

[0012] In certain cases, the acoustic outlet is positioned below the occupant's nominal ear position relative to the seat's hip point, and a consistent frequency response is characterized by a high-frequency (HF) consistency greater than the high-frequency consistency for the acoustic output provided at the nominal ear position.

[0013] In some embodiments, the acoustic output from the sheet has an HF frequency response variation of less than half the HF frequency response variation of the acoustic output provided at the nominal ear position.

[0014] In certain cases, the variability in the HF frequency response of the acoustic output from the sheet is about one-third to about one-half of the variability in the HF frequency response for the acoustic output provided at the nominal ear position.

[0015] In some embodiments, HF is at least about 4 kilohertz (kHz), and LF is about 1 kHz or less.

[0016] In certain cases, the mid-range frequency (MF) is equal to approximately 1 kHz to approximately 4 kHz. In certain implementation configurations, the acoustic output from the sheet has a smaller variation in MF frequency response than the variation in MF frequency response for the acoustic output provided at the nominal ear position.

[0017] In some embodiments, a consistent frequency response is further characterized by LF consistency beyond that of the acoustic output provided at the nominal ear position.

[0018] In certain implementations, the seat includes the vehicle seat, the loudspeaker assembly is located outside the vehicle (e.g., closer to the exterior wall or door), and the LF consistency of the acoustic output from the seat is greater than the LF consistency of the acoustic output provided at the nominal ear position.

[0019] In certain cases, the consistent frequency response includes the frequency response of the loudspeaker assembly, and the acoustic output is characterized by at least one of the interaural separation of the occupant or the inter-seat separation between multiple occupants in the space including the seat.

[0020] In a particular implementation, the seat includes two loudspeaker assemblies, and the separation between the seats is maintained by both loudspeaker assemblies within the seat.

[0021] In some aspects, the position is about 60 millimeters below the nominal ear position plus or minus about 50 millimeters, measured from the hip point of the seat.

[0022] In a particular aspect, at least one driver is positioned proximate to the acoustic outlet.

[0023] In some cases, at least one driver is separated from the acoustic outlet. In a particular aspect, a channel or waveguide is positioned between the driver and the outlet such that the driver is positioned closer to the base of the seat or the center of the seat than the acoustic outlet.

[0024] In a particular aspect, the position deviating from the nominal ear position includes a lower position associated with an occupant sitting in a lower position of the seat or a higher position associated with an occupant sitting in a higher position of the seat.

[0025] [[ID=II]]

[0026] In some implementations, the acoustic outlet has an upward emission angle with respect to a horizontal plane that intersects the front surface of the seat back portion adjacent to the acoustic outlet. This occurs when the acoustic outlet is closer to the hip point.

[0027] In certain embodiments, at a reclining angle of about 21 degrees from vertical, the center of the acoustic outlet is about 562 mm to about 650 mm higher in the vertical direction than the hip point of the seat. In certain examples, at a reclining angle of 21 degrees, the center of the acoustic outlet is about 562 mm to about 577 mm higher in the vertical direction than the hip point of the seat. In more specific examples, the center of the acoustic outlet (at a reclining angle of 21 degrees) is about 567 mm to about 572 mm higher in the vertical direction than the hip point of the seat.

[0028] In other specific examples, at a reclining angle of 21 degrees, the center of the acoustic outlet is about 642 mm to about 652 mm higher in the vertical direction than the hip point of the seat. In more specific cases, the height (h) of the outlet is about 650 mm or less, and in some of these cases, it is equal to about 647 mm.

[0029] In some cases, the acoustic outlet is fixed to the seat back portion.

[0030] In a particular embodiment, the seat headrest portion is adjustable with respect to the seat back portion.

[0031] In certain embodiments, the seat headrest portion has at least a section that is vertically aligned with a section of the seat back portion with respect to the hip point of the seat.

[0032] In certain implementations, the seat back extends above the nominal shoulders of the occupant.

[0033] In some cases, the seat is one of a vehicle driver seat, a vehicle passenger seat, an entertainment venue seat, a gaming seat, or a home entertainment seat.

[0034] In certain implementations, a vehicle passenger seat is a seat in a rideshare vehicle, limousine, bus, or public transport vehicle. In specific cases, a vehicle passenger seat is one of several vehicle passenger seats, one or more of which include a loudspeaker assembly. In some embodiments, vehicle passenger seats are arranged facing each other in configurations such as a cross-aisle configuration or a huddle-around configuration.

[0035] In certain embodiments, the seat backrest has a middle section and two sides extending from both sides of the middle section, and with no occupant in the seat, the front of the backrest on each side is angled relative to the front of the middle section, and the sound outlet of the loudspeaker assembly is located on one of the sides. In certain cases among these, the sound outlet has an inward emission angle relative to the front of the middle section.

[0036] In some cases, the sound outlet of each loudspeaker assembly is located approximately 180mm to 330mm from the centerline of the seat back. In specific cases, the sound outlet of each loudspeaker assembly is located approximately 200mm in the narrower case and approximately 300mm in the wider case from the centerline of the seat back.

[0037] In some cases, the vehicle includes seats.

[0038] Two or more features described in this disclosure, including the features described in this summary section, may be combined to form implementations not specifically described herein.

[0039] Details of one or more implementations are described in the accompanying drawings and the following description. Other features, purposes, and advantages will become apparent from this description and drawings, as well as from the claims. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0040] [Figure 1] This is a schematic side view of an example sheet in various implementation forms. [Figure 2] This is a perspective view of a portion of a sheet, showing various implementation configurations. [Figure 3] This is a perspective view of a different part of the sheet, depending on the implementation configuration. [Figure 4] This is a top cross-sectional view of a sheet in various mounting configurations. [Figure 5] This is a front view of the sheet portion in various implementation configurations. [Figure 6] This is a top cross-sectional view of the sheet in various additional implementation configurations. [Figure 7] This is a schematic side view of an exemplary sheet with various further implementation forms. [Figure 8] This shows the location of the acoustic exit within the sheet in various implementation configurations. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0041] Please note that the drawings of various implementation configurations are not necessarily to scale. The drawings are intended to show only typical embodiments of this disclosure and should not be considered to limit the scope of implementation configurations. In the drawings, similar numbering indicates similar elements between drawings.

[0042] This disclosure is at least in part based on the recognition that loudspeakers or sets of loudspeakers can be beneficially deployed in a seat to provide a consistent frequency response over a range of seat positions. For example, seats such as vehicle seats, amusement venue seats, gaming seats, and home entertainment seats may include loudspeaker assemblies having acoustic outlets angled to provide acoustic output to achieve a consistent frequency response over a range of positions deviating from the nominal ear position of the seat occupant. In various embodiments, the acoustic outlets of each loudspeaker assembly are fixed to the seat back portion of the seat. In particular cases, the acoustic outlets of each loudspeaker assembly are located at or below the nominal ear position of the seat occupant relative to the hip point of the seat. Compared with conventional seats, the seats and vehicles disclosed herein provide a more consistent, higher quality acoustic output over a range of seating positions.

[0043] Commonly labeled components in the diagram are considered substantially equivalent for illustrative purposes, and redundant descriptions of those components are omitted for clarity.

[0044] Seats, such as vehicle seats (seats used in cars, trucks, buses, trains, aircraft, boats, or other vehicles), entertainment venue seats (e.g., cinema seats, sports or concert venue seats), gaming seats, and / or home entertainment seats (e.g., home theater seats), may be fitted with acoustic transducers or speakers to deliver an acoustic experience. In some cases, the speakers are mounted within the seat so that they are close to the ears of the seat occupants. In some cases, the speakers are integrated into the seat headrest or headrest wing. Such headrest speakers can provide superior acoustic performance (e.g., with respect to providing separation between seats and / or control between both ears, e.g., parameter control between both ears) by being close to the ears of the seat occupants. However, in some seats (e.g., some vehicle seats), headrest speakers may not be the best choice. For example, mechanical and electrical integration may be difficult in some cases. Some headrests are designed to be thin and not very bulky and may not have enough volume to accommodate headrest speakers. Headrest speakers can give the seat or headrest a high center of mass (and therefore may require additional seat reinforcement). The speakers may compete with other mechanical components of the headrest. In addition, wiring headrest speakers through headrest connectors can be difficult for some seats. Furthermore, headrest wings can restrict the user's field of vision when they turn their head, potentially causing safety concerns and / or undesirable acoustic performance.

[0045] Seat speakers may be at least partially integrated into the backrest of the vehicle seat. Some such speakers may be positioned on the upper surface of the backrest, or otherwise very close to the upper surface, for example, as close to the ears as possible, and configured to radiate acoustic energy toward the nominal ear position of the seat occupant. From the standpoint of integration, backrest speakers may be preferred in some cases over headrest speakers, for example, because backrest speakers have a lower center of mass than headrest speakers, which can make them easier to integrate into the seat due to the more available space within the seat backrest, and / or because, unlike headrest speakers, the associated wiring does not need to pass through the headrest posts.

[0046] The technology described herein enables the utilization of the advantages of backrest speakers in an improved manner, such as being comparable to or even surpassing the acoustic performance of headrest speakers. In various implementations, the technology described herein can utilize the advantages of backrest speakers in an improved manner compared to headrest speakers, particularly for acoustic experiences beyond music playback, such as making phone calls and / or outputting audio at separate volume levels to other seats in the vehicle. The embodiments disclosed herein provide widely acceptable acoustic performance over a range of potential occupants by transmitting acoustic energy with a relatively low angle of directivity compared to that directed towards the nominal ear position. In various examples, the acoustic output exits the backrest from a position below the nominal ear position relative to the hip point of the seat. In certain examples, the acoustic output achieves a consistent frequency response over a range of positions deviating from the nominal ear position. In some embodiments, the acoustic assembly may include a housing or mounting point, one or more loudspeakers, and one or more acoustic channels that transmit acoustic energy from the speakers to an outlet located in the seat back. The acoustic assembly is configured to provide directivity at a relatively low angle, directed to a position lower than the nominal ear position of the expected occupant group.

[0047] Where used herein, the term “nominal ear position” is based on the ear position of a typical male in a given population. For such purposes, the term “typical” may mean the median (50th percentile) ear position relative to the seat, which may relate to the headrest surface and / or hip point when seated (as may be defined, for example, by SURFACE VEHICLE STANDARD J826, dated November 2015, “Devices for Use in Defining and Measuring Vehicle Seating Accommodation,” available from SAE International). For illustrative purposes, the population used herein is American adult male. For example, the median position of adult males in Figure 1 is annotated as AM50. Half of the adult male population is expected to have a high ear position, and the other half a low one.

[0048] Figure 1 shows a side view of sheet 10 in various implementation configurations. Figure 2 shows a perspective view of a portion of sheet 10 in Figure 1. Figure 3 shows a perspective cross-section of a portion of sheet 10 in Figures 1 and 2. Refer to Figures 1 through 3 simultaneously.

[0049] As described herein, seat 10 may be a vehicle driver's seat, a vehicle passenger seat, an entertainment venue seat, a gaming seat, and / or a home entertainment seat. In certain cases, seat 10 may serve multiple purposes, for example, as a gaming seat and a home entertainment seat (e.g., in a home theater). In further cases, seat 10 may be one of several seats in a vehicle, which may include similar components and / or functions. Various seat configurations can benefit from the embodiments of seat(s) shown according to various implementation forms, including, among others, stadium seats in an entertainment venue, multi-passenger vehicle seat configurations (e.g., when seat(s) 10 are used for the driver and / or passengers), and home entertainment configurations (e.g., when one or more seats(s) 10 are arranged). In some examples, seat 10 is a seat in a rideshare vehicle, limousine, bus, or public transport vehicle. In certain examples, seat 10 is one of several vehicle passenger seats, one or more of which include a loudspeaker assembly. In some embodiments, two or more of the seats 10 are arranged facing each other, for example, in a cross-aisle configuration or a huddle-around configuration. In certain cases, the seats(s) 10 disclosed herein can benefit from being located in a cabin or other enclosed space, such as a passenger compartment (or cab). Such cabin configurations can realize certain acoustic advantages. However, many of the advantages of the seats(s) 10 disclosed herein can be realized in other seat configurations and other environments.

[0050] In various embodiments, the seat 10 includes a base 12, a seat backrest portion 14 coupled to the base 12 (for example, at a hinge point 16), and a seat headrest portion 18 coupled to the seat backrest portion 14. In certain embodiments, the seat headrest portion 18 is adjustable relative to the seat backrest portion 14. In other embodiments, the seat headrest portion 18 is fixed relative to the seat backrest portion 14. The seat 10 further includes a loudspeaker assembly 20 having an acoustic outlet 22 fixed to the seat backrest portion 14. The loudspeaker assembly 20 also includes an acoustic driver (e.g., an electroacoustic transducer) 24 for generating an acoustic output. In the example shown in Figure 1, the driver 24 is positioned in close proximity to (e.g., next to or adjacent to) the acoustic outlet 22. However, this proximity is not mandatory. In other words, in various additional implementations, the driver 24 may be physically located more than, for example, several centimeters (cm) away from the acoustic outlet 22. In certain cases, the driver 24 may be 20 mm, 30 mm, 40 mm, 50 mm, or more away from the acoustic outlet 22. In certain cases, an acoustic channel or waveguide (not shown) may connect the driver 24 to the outlet 22 so that the driver 24 is located closer to the base 12 of the seat 10 than to the outlet 22, or the driver 24 may be mounted internally within the seat backrest portion 14, for example, near the midpoint between the base 12 and the headrest portion 18. In some cases, the acoustic outlet 22 may be covered by a grille and / or an acoustically transparent cover of the backrest.

[0051] In various embodiments, the loudspeaker assembly 20 may include a housing 21 attached to the backrest portion 14, or a mounting plate or other suitable mechanical arrangement. In some examples, the voids within the backrest portion 14 (e.g., the space inside and / or between the buffer elements and / or structural elements of the backrest portion 14) may function as acoustic volumes that influence the tuning of the driver 24.

[0052] The acoustic channel may have an increasing cross-section, as schematically shown in Figure 1, for example, increasing with distance from the driver 24. In other embodiments, the acoustic channel may have various shapes and may have a decreasing or substantially constant cross-section.

[0053] In various embodiments, the acoustic channels, housing, and / or gaps within the backrest portion 14 may affect the directivity of the driver 24. Such arrangements may generally be considered acoustic assemblies, and references to directivity herein may refer to the directivity of such acoustic assemblies when installed, unless the context explicitly indicates otherwise. In some embodiments, the directivity of the acoustic assembly may be substantially the same as that of the driver 24, particularly in the mid-range to higher frequencies where the acoustic output is more direct. Thus, in embodiments of various disclosures, the directivity of the acoustic assembly may be substantially aligned with the axis of the driver 24.

[0054] In all cases, the sound outlet 22 of the loudspeaker assembly 20 is fixed within the seat back portion 14, and in certain cases, fixed relative to the seat back portion 14. That is, even if the seat back portion 14 moves (e.g., reclines or tilts, rises or falls), the sound outlet 22 remains fixed relative to the seat back portion 14. However, it is understood that the firing angle of the driver 24 (and consequently the sound outlet 22) may change with respect to the nominal ear position as the seat back portion 14 is tilted (e.g., moved further vertically from the seat hip point (HP)) and reclined (e.g., moved closer vertically to the HP). In some of these cases, as the back portion 14 is tilted from the 21-degree reference position in Figure 1, the firing angle becomes more downward, while as the back portion 14 reclines from the 21-degree reference position, the firing angle becomes more upward. This is partly due to how occupants tend to slide or lean forward in the seat when it is reclined, and how they tend to sit upright when the seat is upright.

[0055] In some other implementations, the firing angle of the driver 24 and / or the angle of the acoustic outlet 22 may be adjustable within a relatively narrow range, for example, by moving the driver 24 and / or adjusting the acoustic enclosure and / or walls that define the outlet 22. This small adjustment may be useful in compensating for occupant sliding or leaning forward when the seat reclines beyond a certain angle, for example, to 30 degrees, 40 degrees, or 45 degrees, or beyond. In certain examples, the firing angle of the driver 24 and / or the angle of the acoustic outlet 22 are configured to adjust, for example, by only a few degrees, in response to the seat recline angle reaching a threshold. The firing angle adjustment can be automated, for example, via control system commands and / or via a weight adjustment mechanism.

[0056] In certain implementations, the acoustic outlet 22 is angled to provide acoustic output (along axis(a) from the driver 24) to a position 26 below the nominal ear position 28 of the occupant 30 of the seat 10 (an exemplary nominal occupant, AM50, is shown). In some implementations, position 26 is approximately 60 mm ± approximately 50 mm below the nominal ear position 28.

[0057] In a particular implementation, the firing angle (α) of the driver 24 (measured from the acoustic outlet 22) provides an acoustic output to achieve a consistent frequency response over a range of positions that deviate from the nominal ear position 28. In a particular case, the range of positions that deviate from the nominal ear position includes lower positions associated with occupants seated in lower positions in the seat, or higher positions associated with occupants seated in higher positions in the seat. The range of positions is shown in a non-limiting example in Figure 1 and, in some cases, extends from the expected ear position of an adult male at the 95th percentile (Note AM95) to the expected ear position of an adult female at the 5th percentile (Note AF05). AM95 is approximately 60 millimeters (mm) higher than AM50, and AF05 is approximately 116 mm lower than AM50.

[0058] In various embodiments, the launch angle (α) of the driver 24 may be measured with respect to a horizontal plane intersecting the seat back portion 14 while the seat is at a reference recline angle of 21 degrees, as shown in Figure 1. The launch angle (α) of the driver 24 (as output via the acoustic outlet 22) can be equal to approximately 5 to 15 degrees in some cases, approximately 7 to 13 degrees in additional cases, approximately 8 to 12 degrees in additional cases, and approximately 10 to 11 degrees in additional cases. In a particular example, the launch angle (α) of the driver 24 is equal to approximately 10.8 degrees. It is understood that this launch angle (α) of the driver 24 may vary with variations in the backrest angle, which can range from a few degrees to approximately + / - 10 degrees. In any case, the launch angle (α) of the driver 24 (and the corresponding acoustic outlet 22) directs the acoustic output to a position 26 below the ears of the occupant 30. It is understood that the acoustic channels around the driver 24 can be flared in various implementation configurations, for example, with a tolerance of approximately + / - 15 degrees.

[0059] In some of these cases, as shown in the example in Figure 1, the acoustic outlet 22 is located below the nominal ear position 28 of the occupant 30 relative to the hip point (HP) of the seat 10. In a particular example (at a recline angle of 21 degrees), the center of the acoustic outlet 22 is approximately 562 mm to 650 mm higher vertically than the HP of the seat 10, as indicated by the distance (h) in Figure 1. In a more specific example, the center of the acoustic outlet 22 is approximately 562 mm to 577 mm higher vertically than the HP of the seat 10. In a further specific example, the center of the acoustic outlet 22 is approximately 567 mm to 572 mm higher vertically than the HP of the seat 10. In a particular example, as shown in Figure 1, where the firing angle (α) of the driver 24 is approximately 10 to 11 degrees, the center of the acoustic outlet 22 is approximately 567 mm higher vertically than the HP of the seat 10.

[0060] In some cases, the consistent frequency response of the acoustic output is a function of both the firing angle (α) of the driver 24 and the position of the exit 22 relative to, for example, the nominal ear position 28 of the occupant 30. For example, a consistent frequency response can be characterized by a greater HF consistency than the high-frequency (HF) consistency for the acoustic output provided to the nominal ear position 28. In certain examples, the acoustic output from the seat 10 has an HF frequency response variation of about half or less of the HF frequency response variation for the acoustic output provided to the nominal ear position 28. In even more specific cases, the HF frequency response variation of the acoustic output from the seat 10 is about one-third to about half of the HF frequency response variation for the acoustic output provided to the nominal ear position 28. In exemplary examples, the HF frequency response variation of the acoustic output from the seat 10 has been found to be about 12 dBSPL / V or less in some cases, about 10 dBSPL / V or less in further cases, and about 5 dBSPL / V or less in even further cases. These HF frequency response variations were compared to the following HF frequency response variations for acoustic output provided at the nominal ear position, namely 15 dBSPL / V, 15 dBSPL / V, and 10 dBSPL / V, respectively.

[0061] In certain implementations, the acoustic output from sheet 10 has a smaller MF frequency response variation than the MF frequency response variation for the acoustic output provided to the nominal ear position 28. In specific examples, this MF frequency response variation from sheet 10 is about 10 to 20 percent smaller than the MF frequency response variation for the acoustic output provided to the nominal ear position 28. In yet another implementation, the consistent frequency response of the acoustic output from sheet 10 is further characterized by LF consistency that is greater than the LF consistency for the acoustic output provided to the nominal ear position 28.

[0062] In some embodiments, the HF frequency range is approximately 4 kilohertz (kHz) or higher, and may extend above approximately 20 kHz, while the LF frequency range is approximately 1 kHz or lower. The midrange frequency range can be equal to approximately 1 kHz to approximately 4 kHz.

[0063] In some exemplary implementations, a “consistent frequency response” includes the frequency response of the loudspeaker assembly 20 and is characterized by at least one of the following: inter-auditory isolation of occupant 30, or inter-seat isolation between multiple occupants in a space including the seat 10 (e.g., multiple occupants in a vehicle, or multiple occupants in a home theater or entertainment venue). In a seat having two loudspeaker assemblies (e.g., left and right loudspeaker assemblies 20), inter-seat isolation is maintained by both loudspeaker assemblies 20 within the seat 10.

[0064] In some cases (as seen, for example, in Figures 2, 3, and 5), the seat 10 includes at least two loudspeaker assemblies 20, such as left and right loudspeaker assemblies. In some of these cases, the seat 10 is a vehicle seat having an in-vehicle loudspeaker assembly (closer to the center of the vehicle cabin) and an out-of-vehicle loudspeaker assembly (closer to the exterior wall or door of the vehicle). According to various embodiments, for the loudspeaker assembly 20 positioned outside the vehicle, the LF consistency of the acoustic output from the seat 10 is greater than the LF consistency of the acoustic output provided to the nominal ear position 28.

[0065] In specific examples as shown in Figures 2 and 3, the seat back portion 14 has a middle portion 34 and two sides 36, 38 extending from both sides 40, 42 of the middle portion 36. When there is no occupant 30 in the seat 10, the front 32 of the back portion 14 on each side 36, 38 is inclined relative to the front 32 of the middle portion 36. In these cases, the acoustic outlet(s) 22 of each loudspeaker assembly 20 are located on one of the sides 36, 38.

[0066] In certain examples, as shown in Figure 2, the acoustic outlet 22 has an inward firing angle relative to the front surface 32 of the intermediate portion 36. In further examples, as shown in the top cross-sectional view of the seat 10 in Figure 5, the driver 24 in a two-driver configuration may have an inward (lateral) firing angle (β) of about 5 to about 15 degrees when measured from the center line that bisects the backrest portion 14. In certain cases, the lateral firing angle (β) is equal to about 8 to about 12 degrees, and in more specific cases, it is equal to about 10 degrees. As further described herein with respect to Figure 8, the inward firing angle can vary based on the vertical positioning of the driver 24, for example, a higher (h) value is associated with a lower inward firing angle.

[0067] As described herein, according to various embodiments, the seat headrest portion 18 is adjustable relative to the seat backrest portion 14. For example, Figures 1, 2, and 5 each show configurations of a seat headrest portion 18 adjustable relative to the seat backrest portion 14. For example, the seat headrest portion(s) 18 can be moved perpendicularly relative to the seat backrest portion 14 and, in certain cases, can be configured to slide in a direction that is not strictly perpendicular. In certain cases, such as the configuration shown in Figure 2, the seat headrest portion 18 has at least a section 44 that is perpendicularly aligned with section 46 of the seat backrest portion 14 relative to the hip point (HP) of the seat 10. In some cases, section 46 of the seat backrest 14 overlaps perpendicularly with section 44 of the seat headrest portion 18. In additional implementations, such as the configurations shown in Figures 1 to 3 (and Figures 7 and 8), the seat backrest 14 (e.g., section 46) extends above the nominal shoulders 48 of the occupant 30 (Figure 1).

[0068] Figure 5 shows a modified version of the seat shown in Figures 1 to 4. In particular, the seat 10a in Figure 5 is shown including a loudspeaker assembly 20a attached to the headrest portion 18a of the seat 10a. In these cases, the loudspeaker assembly 20a in the headrest portion 18a is positioned with an outlet 22a having an outward firing angle, and the loudspeaker assembly 20b in the backrest portion 14 is positioned with an outlet 22b having an inward firing angle. In some of these cases, the loudspeaker assembly 20b in the backrest portion 14 has an upward firing angle and is positioned vertically below the nominal ear position, as described with reference to any of Figures 1 to 4. In some examples, additional features of a headrest portion similar to the headrest portion 18a can be found in Patent Document 1, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Further descriptions of the occupant seating position and acoustic parameters in the seat can be found in Patent Document 2 ("Binaural Measurement System"), which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0069] Figure 6 is a top cross-sectional view of a portion of the seat 10a in Figure 5. As shown in this example, the loudspeaker assembly 20b in the backrest portion 14 has an inward (lateral) firing angle (β) of about 5 to about 15 degrees, measured from the center line (CL) that bisects the backrest portion 14. In a particular case, the lateral firing angle (β) is equal to about 14 to about 34 degrees, in a more particular case, it is equal to about 20 to about 28 degrees, and in an even more particular case, it is equal to about 24 degrees. As will be further described herein with respect to Figure 8, the inward firing angle can vary based on the vertical positioning of the driver 24, for example, a higher (h) value is associated with a lower inward firing angle.

[0070] Figure 7 shows variations of the seat 10c according to various embodiments. In this configuration, the seat 10c includes at least one driver 24c (e.g., two drivers, one on each side of the seat 10c) mounted on the seat 24c at a position above the shoulders 48 of the nominal occupant 30. In this case, the driver 24c has a downward firing angle (α) relative to the horizontal to direct the acoustic output to a position 26 below the ears of the nominal occupant 30. In these cases, the backrest 14 may extend above the shoulders 48 of the nominal occupant 30, and at least a portion of the headrest 18 is sandwiched between sections of the backrest 14. In some of these cases, the headrest 18 is adjustable (e.g., in height or angle), while in others, the headrest 18 is fixed (e.g., in a "mummy" style seat). In any case, the downward launch angle (α) is configured to deliver the acoustic output to a position 26 below the ears of the nominal occupant 30 and to provide a consistent frequency response over a range of positions within the seat 10c. In some cases, the launch angle (α) is equal to about 13 degrees to about 23 degrees (or about -13 degrees to about -23 degrees relative to the horizontal). In more specific cases, the launch angle (α) is equal to about -15 degrees to about -21 degrees. In even more specific cases, the launch angle (α) is equal to about -18 degrees. According to certain embodiments, the height (h) of the exit 22 is greater than in the upward launch configuration described herein, for example, compared to the seat 10 in Figure 1. That is, in various implementations with a downward (or negative) launch angle (α), such as the seat 10c, the height (h) of the exit 22 is equal to about 642 mm to about 652 mm. In more specific cases, the exit height (h) is less than approximately 650 mm, and in specific cases, it is equal to approximately 647 mm.

[0071] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of a portion of a seat 50 having an occupant 30 according to various embodiments. This figure shows three variations relating to the position of the outlet from the loudspeaker assembly 20 in the backrest portion 14. For example, a first position (i) illustrates an outlet 22 having a transducer (not shown) with a first upward firing angle (e.g., as shown in Figures 1, 2, 3, and 6); a second position (ii) illustrates an outlet 22 having a transducer with a second upward firing angle; and a third position (iii) illustrates an outlet 22 having a transducer with either a downward firing angle or a nearly vertical firing direction (e.g., as shown in Figures 4 and 7). The acoustic outlet 22 has been described in various embodiments as having an upward firing angle relative to the front surface 32 of the seat back portion 14 adjacent to the outlet 22 (e.g., in positions (i) and / or (ii)), but in certain additional embodiments, the acoustic outlet 22 has a downward firing angle relative to the front surface 32 of the seat back portion 14 adjacent to the outlet 22 (e.g., in position (iii)). In these cases, position (iii) can be located at approximately the same height as the nominal ear position 28, or slightly above the nominal ear position 28 (as shown in Figure 7). The additional outlet 22 positions are simply indicated by asterisks on the seat 50 as an example. In certain non-limiting examples, in positions (i) and / or position (ii), the distance (d1) from the centerline (CL) to the outlet 22 is equal to about 270 mm to about 330 mm, and in some specific examples, it is about 300 mm. In a further non-restrictive example, at position (iii), the distance (d2) from the center line (CL) to the exit 22 is equal to approximately 180 mm to approximately 220 mm, and in a specific example, approximately 200 mm.

[0072] The combinations of loudspeaker position and orientation shown in Figures 1 to 8 may provide better acoustic performance across a range of individuals than conventional seatback speakers. The loudspeakers can be closer to the ears of shorter individuals, but the orientation of the loudspeakers means that the ears of taller individuals better match the directivity of the loudspeakers (or acoustic assemblies).

[0073] Therefore, as the occupant's height and ear position change, a trade-off arises between the distance from the loudspeaker and the alignment with the directivity of the loudspeaker and / or acoustic assembly. This offers an advantage because, since many different occupants may use the vehicle seat at different times, the vehicle seat designer does not know the occupant's ear position. Thus, the seatback speakers according to the embodiments described herein are beneficial because they do not know where the occupant's ears are located and can provide substantially equal acoustic performance regardless of the occupant's ear position, for example, regardless of who is using the seat.

[0074] Furthermore, the ear position of a taller individual may be further from the loudspeaker but closer to the vehicle's roof or headliner, and may benefit from acoustic reinforcement from the headliner (and / or roof). In addition, the shoulders of a taller individual may be positioned closer to the front of the loudspeaker and may also provide acoustic reinforcement. For completeness, a relatively short person may have their ear position closer to the loudspeaker and therefore may not require acoustic reinforcement. Thus, the loudspeaker may be appropriately positioned lower in the backrest according to some of the embodiments described herein.

[0075] Certain components in the disclosed system, which may not be illustrated, are understood to enable a variety of additional functions. For example, the system may include additional electronic components, including but not limited to power supplies, processors, memory, communication components such as transmitters / receivers, network connectivity devices (including but not limited to Wi-Fi®, Bluetooth®, cellular or near-field communication (NFC) devices), and location identification components (e.g., GPS systems). In addition, the systems disclosed herein may include one or more interfaces that enable user interaction, including one or more conventional inputs such as haptic inputs, including dials, buttons, and touchscreens. Further interfaces may include fabrics with integrated sensing / interface components, which may be referred to as “smart” fabrics. Interfaces may also include voice command interfaces, allowing users to make adjustments using voice commands. Interfaces may also include gesture-based interfaces, allowing users to make adjustments using gestures (e.g., waving, nodding, etc.).

[0076] Commonly labeled components in the diagram are considered substantially equivalent for illustrative purposes, and redundant descriptions of those components are omitted for clarity. The numerical ranges and values ​​described according to various implementations are merely examples of such ranges and values ​​and are not intended to limit these implementations. In some cases, the term "approximately" is used to modify a value, in which case it may indicate a margin of error, such as + / - measurement error. This margin of error may range from a maximum of 1 percent to 3 percent.

[0077] In various implementations, components described as "linked" to one another can be joined along one or more interfaces. In some implementations, these interfaces may include joints between separate components, while in others, these interfaces may include interconnects that are rigidly and / or integrally formed. That is, in some cases, "linked" components can be formed simultaneously to define a single continuous member. However, in other implementations, these linked components may be formed as separate members and then joined by known processes (e.g., soldering, fastening, ultrasonic welding, joining). In various implementations, electronic components described as "linked" can be linked via conventional wired and / or wireless means so that these electronic components can communicate data with each other. Furthermore, subcomponents within a given component can be considered linked via conventional paths, although these are not necessarily illustrated.

[0078] Several implementation forms have been described. Nevertheless, additional modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the concept of the present invention as described herein, and it is understood that other implementation forms also fall within the scope of the following claims. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0079] 10, 10a, 10c, 50 Seat, 14 Seat back, 18 Seat headrest, 20, 20a, 20b Loudspeaker assembly, 22 Acoustic outlet, 24, 24c Driver, 28 Nominal ear position, 30 Occupant, 32 Front, 34 Middle, 36, 38 Side, HP Hip point

Claims

1. It is a sheet, The seat headrest area, The seat backrest and, This is a loudspeaker assembly, At least one driver for generating audio output, An acoustic outlet fixed to the seat backrest and angled to provide the acoustic output at a position below the nominal ear position of the seat occupant, wherein the angle of the at least one driver provides the acoustic output to achieve a consistent frequency response over a range of positions deviating from the nominal ear position, A loudspeaker assembly equipped with, Equipped with, A seat in which the sound outlet is positioned below the nominal ear position of the occupant with respect to the hip point of the seat.

2. The sheet according to claim 1, wherein the position is approximately 60 millimeters plus or minus approximately 50 millimeters below the nominal ear position, measured from the hip point of the sheet.

3. The seat according to claim 1, wherein the seat is one of a vehicle driver's seat, a vehicle passenger seat, an entertainment venue seat, a gaming seat, or a home entertainment seat.

4. The seat according to claim 1, wherein, at a reclining angle of approximately 21 degrees from the vertical, the center of the sound outlet is approximately 562 mm to approximately 650 mm higher vertically than the hip point of the seat.

5. The sheet according to claim 1, wherein the acoustic output from the sheet has an HF response variation of about half or less of the HF response variation for the acoustic output provided at the nominal ear position.

6. The sheet according to claim 1, wherein the consistent frequency response is characterized by a higher HF consistency than the high-frequency (HF) consistency for the acoustic output provided at the nominal ear position.

7. The sheet according to claim 1, wherein the consistent frequency response is characterized by LF consistency greater than or equal to low-frequency (LF) consistency with respect to the acoustic output provided at the nominal ear position.

8. A vehicle equipped with the seat described in claim 1.

9. It is a sheet, The seat headrest area, The seat backrest and, This is a loudspeaker assembly, At least one driver for generating audio output, An acoustic outlet fixed to the seat backrest and angled to provide the acoustic output at a position below the nominal ear position of the seat occupant, wherein the angle of the at least one driver provides the acoustic output to achieve a consistent frequency response over a range of positions deviating from the nominal ear position, A loudspeaker assembly equipped with, Equipped with, The sound outlet is positioned below the nominal ear position of the occupant relative to the hip point of the seat. The seat is one of the following: a vehicle driver's seat, a vehicle passenger seat, an entertainment venue seat, a gaming seat, or a home entertainment seat.

10. The sheet according to claim 9, wherein the acoustic output from the sheet has an HF response variation of about half or less of the HF response variation for the acoustic output provided at the nominal ear position.

11. The sheet according to claim 9, wherein the consistent frequency response is characterized by a higher HF consistency than the high-frequency (HF) consistency for the acoustic output provided at the nominal ear position.

12. The sheet according to claim 11, wherein the HF is at least about 4 kilohertz (kHz) to about 12 kHz.

13. The sheet according to claim 9, wherein the consistent frequency response is characterized by LF consistency greater than or equal to low-frequency (LF) consistency with respect to the acoustic output provided at the nominal ear position.

14. The sheet according to claim 13, wherein the LF is approximately 1 kHz or less.

15. The seat according to claim 13, wherein the seat includes a vehicle seat, the loudspeaker assembly is positioned externally, and the LF consistency of the acoustic output from the seat is greater than the LF consistency of the acoustic output provided at the nominal ear position.

16. A vehicle comprising the seat described in claim 9, wherein the seat comprises a driver's seat or a passenger seat.

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