Wireless Speaker

Abstract

To provide a wireless speaker capable of executing wireless power feeding at high efficiency.SOLUTION: A wireless speaker 10 that receives data transmitted from an external device through short-range radio communication operates a speaker unit 12 based on the data. The wireless speaker 10 comprises a storage battery 18, a power-receiving antenna 16 for receiving a power signal transmitted from a transmission device 30 through electromagnetic wave type wireless power feeding, and a conversion part 17 for converting the power signal received by the power-receiving antenna 16 into DC power to be transmitted to the storage battery 18. According to the wireless speaker 10, part containing metal or magnetic material in a constituent component of the wireless speaker 10 is not arranged on an outer side than a power-receiving face 161 in a direction perpendicular to the power-receiving face 161 of the power-receiving antenna 16.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a wireless speaker.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, wireless speakers have been put into practical use. A wireless speaker has a communication circuit for performing short-range wireless communication with an external device (for example, an electronic device), a speaker unit that emits sound, a storage battery as a power source, and the like. In this wireless speaker, data is received from an external device through short-range wireless communication, and the speaker unit is operated based on the data. As a result, it is possible to perform non-contact transmission of audio data (such as voice data and music data) from an external device to the wireless speaker and operations of the wireless speaker (such as volume operation and selection of playback data).

[0003] Conventionally, so-called wireless power supply for non-contact power supply to a storage battery built in an electronic device has been proposed (see Patent Document 1). In the wireless power supply described in Patent Document 1, an electromagnetic wave (specifically, a power signal) emitted from a power transmission antenna of a power transmission device is received by a power reception antenna of a device to be charged. Then, this power signal is converted into direct current power, and the converted direct current power is supplied to the storage battery. The storage battery is charged by this direct current power.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] For power supply to a rechargeable battery built into a wireless speaker, it is conceivable to use the above-described electromagnetic wireless power supply. Components of the wireless speaker, such as a speaker unit and a communication circuit, contain materials that attenuate electromagnetic waves (specifically, metals and magnetic materials, etc.). Therefore, even if wireless power supply is simply used for power supply to the rechargeable battery, the electromagnetic waves for power supply may be attenuated (or shielded) by the components of the wireless speaker, and there is a possibility that power supply to the rechargeable battery cannot be performed successfully.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0006] The wireless speaker for solving the above problem is a wireless speaker that receives data transmitted from an external device through short-range wireless communication and operates a speaker unit based on the data, and includes a power storage unit as a power source for storing power, a power receiving unit that receives a power signal sent from a power transmission device through electromagnetic wireless power supply, and a conversion unit that converts the power signal received by the power receiving unit into DC power and sends it to the power storage unit. A part of the outer surface of the power receiving unit constitutes a power receiving surface for receiving the power signal. On the outer side of the wireless speaker with respect to the power receiving surface in a direction perpendicular to the power receiving surface, there is no arrangement of a part containing metal or magnetic material in the components constituting the wireless speaker.

[0007] According to the above configuration, the electromagnetic waves (specifically, power signals) sent from the power transmission device can be incident on the power receiving surface of the power receiving unit of the wireless speaker without being blocked by the components of the wireless speaker (specifically, parts containing metal or magnetic material). Thereby, the power signal transmitted from the power transmission device can be received by the power receiving unit while suppressing unnecessary attenuation by the components of the wireless speaker. Therefore, wireless power supply to the power storage unit built into the wireless speaker can be performed with high efficiency.

[0008] In the above wireless speaker, the component includes a housing made of a material that transmits electromagnetic waves. The power receiving unit is provided in such a manner that the power receiving surface extends along the inner surface of the housing. In a portion where the inner surface of the housing and the power receiving surface face each other, no component is disposed between the inner surface and the power receiving surface.

[0009] According to the above configuration, electromagnetic waves (specifically, power signals) can be incident on the power receiving surface of the power receiving unit in such a manner that only the housing among the components of the wireless speaker is transmitted from the outside of the housing made of a material that transmits electromagnetic waves. Thereby, the power signal transmitted from the power transmission device can be received by the power receiving unit while suppressing unnecessary attenuation.

[0010] In the above wireless speaker, the speaker unit and the power receiving unit are arranged such that the sound wave radiating portion that radiates sound waves in the speaker unit and the power receiving surface face in opposite directions.

[0011] The wireless speaker is often arranged such that the sound wave radiating portion of the speaker unit faces inward of the room, in other words, the sound wave radiating portion of the speaker unit faces away from the wall of the room. According to the above configuration, when the wireless speaker is arranged in this way, a power signal can be efficiently transmitted to the power receiving unit of the wireless speaker at a short distance from the power transmission device provided in the space behind or the wall of the room.

[0012] In the above wireless speaker, the power receiving unit has an annular shape extending along the outer edge of the sound wave radiating portion that radiates sound waves in the speaker unit, and the outer surface in the annular shape serves as the power receiving surface.

[0013] According to the above configuration, when the wireless speaker is arranged in such a manner that the sound wave radiation part of the speaker unit faces away from the wall of the room, a power transmission device provided on the side of the wireless speaker (such as an adjacent room) can efficiently transmit a power signal to the power reception part of the wireless speaker. Moreover, a power transmission device provided above the wireless speaker (such as the ceiling or the space above the ceiling) or a power transmission device provided below the wireless speaker (such as the floor or the space under the floor) can also efficiently transmit a power signal to the power reception part of the wireless speaker. According to the above configuration, wireless power supply to the wireless speaker can be executed with a high degree of freedom in this way.

[0014] The wireless speaker has a data reception permission part that permits reception of the power signal by the power reception part on the condition that the data is not being received. According to the above configuration, when the speaker unit is not operating, the power reception part can receive a power signal while suppressing an adverse effect on the operation of the speaker unit.

Advantages of the Invention

[0015] According to the present invention, wireless power supply to a wireless speaker can be executed with high efficiency.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0016]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0017] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a wireless speaker will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the wireless speaker 10 has a housing 11. The housing 11 constitutes the exterior of the wireless speaker 10. Various components that make up the wireless speaker 10 are housed inside the housing 11.

[0018] <Housing 11> As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the housing 11 has a housing main body 111 and a waterproof sheet 112. The housing main body 111 is made of a hard synthetic resin material. The housing main body 111 is substantially in the shape of a rectangular box. As the material for forming the housing main body 111, a material that transmits electromagnetic waves is adopted. The waterproof sheet 112 is provided inside the housing main body 111. The waterproof sheet 112 is formed in a sheet shape from a soft synthetic resin material. The waterproof sheet 112 is substantially in the shape of a rectangular box. The waterproof sheet 112 extends along the inner surface of the housing main body 111 in a manner covering substantially the entire inner surface of the housing main body 111. As the material for forming the waterproof sheet 112, a material that transmits electromagnetic waves is adopted.

[0019] In the wireless speaker 10 of this embodiment, the components housed in the housing 11 are arranged inside the waterproof sheet 112. Thereby, the wireless speaker 10 has a structure in which the inner surface of the housing main body 111 and the components provided inside the housing 11 are partitioned by the waterproof sheet 112. The waterproof sheet 112 functions to prevent water from entering the inside of the housing 11. The wireless speaker 10 of this embodiment is a waterproof type speaker. This wireless speaker 10 can be used in an environment where water is splashed (such as outdoors or in a bathroom).

[0020] As shown in FIG. 3, the wireless speaker 10 has a speaker unit 12, a speaker drive unit 13, and a short-range wireless communication unit 14 as components for emitting sound.

[0021] <Speaker unit 12> The speaker unit 12 is a device for converting an input signal into sound (vibration of air). The speaker unit 12 all has a voice coil, a magnet, a cone, a yoke, a frame member, etc., which are not shown in the figure. The voice coil is made of a metal material (copper-based material or aluminum-based material). The magnet is made of a magnetic material. The cone is made of a synthetic resin material. The yoke is made of a metal material (iron-based material). The frame member is formed of a metal material (iron-based material).

[0022] <Speaker drive unit 13> The speaker drive unit 13 has an amplifier circuit that outputs an operation signal to the speaker unit 12. In this embodiment, the speaker unit 12 operates by the operation signal output from the amplifier circuit. Note that the amplifier circuit (specifically, the circuit board including the amplifier circuit) contains metals such as a heat sink made of an aluminum-based material and a wiring pattern made of a copper-based material.

[0023] <Short-range wireless communication unit 14> The short-range wireless communication unit 14 is a wireless communication module compliant with the Bluetooth (registered trademark) standard. The short-range wireless communication unit 14 has a communication antenna and a communication circuit. The external device 20 also has a wireless communication module (hereinafter, the short-range wireless communication unit 21) compliant with the Bluetooth (registered trademark) standard. Examples of the external device 20 include electronic devices owned by users (smartphones, tablet terminals, personal computers). In this embodiment, by pairing the wireless speaker 10 and the external device 20 using the short-range wireless communication units 14 and 21, wireless communication between the wireless speaker 10 and the external device 20 becomes possible.

[0024] In this embodiment, data transmitted from the external device 20 is received by the short-range wireless communication unit 14 through short-range wireless communication, or data transmitted from the wireless speaker 10 is received by the short-range wireless communication unit 21. The data to be transmitted and received includes audio data (such as voice data and music data) related to the sound generated by the wireless speaker 10, and operation data related to the operations of the wireless speaker 10 (such as power operation, volume operation, and selection of playback data). And in the wireless speaker 10 of this embodiment, the speaker unit 12 operates based on the data received by the short-range wireless communication unit 14. In this embodiment, it is possible to perform non-contact transmission of audio data from the external device 20 to the wireless speaker 10 and operation of the wireless speaker 10 by the external device 20 through short-range wireless communication.

[0025] The wireless speaker 10 of this embodiment is charged by the power sent from the power transmission device 30. The power transmission device 30 performs power supply to the wireless speaker 10 by wireless power supply of the radio wave (microwave in this embodiment) method. The specific configuration of the power transmission device 30 will be described in detail later.

[0026] The wireless speaker 10 includes a power receiving antenna 16, a conversion unit 17, a storage battery 18, and a control unit 19 as components for wireless power supply. <Power receiving antenna 16> The power receiving antenna 16 constitutes a part that receives the power sent from the power transmission device 30 by wireless power supply of the radio wave method. Specifically, the power receiving antenna 16 is used for receiving the power signal transmitted from the power transmission device 30. The power receiving antenna 16 is also used for transmitting a beacon signal including position information to the power transmission device 30.

[0027] <Conversion unit 17> The conversion unit 17 constitutes a part that converts the power signal received by the power receiving antenna 16 into DC power. The conversion unit 17 has a rectifier circuit and a transformer circuit. In the wireless speaker 10 of the present embodiment, the DC power converted by this conversion unit 17 is supplied to the storage battery 18, thereby charging the storage battery 18.

[0028] <Storage battery 18> The storage battery 18 is a secondary battery that stores power. The storage battery 18 is a power source of the wireless speaker 10.

[0029] <Control unit 19> As the control unit 19, for example, a microcontroller unit is used. The control unit 19 includes a processor and a storage unit. The storage unit includes a ROM (Read Only Memory) and a RAM (Random Access Memory). The control unit 19 executes various controls related to the operation control of the wireless speaker 10. The control unit 19 controls the short-range wireless communication unit 14 to receive data from the external device 20. The control unit 19 controls the power receiving antenna 16 to receive the power signal or transmit a beacon signal to the power transmission device 30. The control unit 19 executes the operation control of the speaker unit 12 (specifically, the speaker drive unit 13).

[0030] <Data reception permission unit 191> The control unit 19 has a data reception permission unit 191 as its functional unit. The data reception permission unit 191 permits the reception of the power signal by the power receiving antenna 16 on the condition that the data has not been received from the external device 20 through short-range wireless communication. In the present embodiment, when the speaker unit 12 is not operating, the power signal is received by the power receiving antenna 16 while suppressing an adverse effect on the operation of the speaker unit 12.

[0031] <Power transmission device 30> The power transmission device 30 includes a power transmission antenna 31 and a control unit 32. The power transmission antenna 31 is used for various communications with the wireless speaker 10. The power transmission antenna 31 is utilized for transmitting a power signal to the wireless speaker 10 and receiving a beacon signal from the wireless speaker 10.

[0032] As the control unit 32, for example, a micro control unit is used. The control unit 32 includes a processor and a storage unit. The storage unit includes a ROM and a RAM. The control unit 32 executes various controls related to communication with the wireless speaker 10. The control unit 32 controls the power transmission antenna 31 to receive the beacon signal transmitted by the wireless speaker 10. The control unit 32 converts the power supplied from a power supply device (not shown) into a power signal and transmits this power signal using the power transmission antenna 31.

[0033] In this embodiment, power is supplied to the wireless speaker 10 through radio wave-based wireless power feeding. The power supply to the wireless speaker 10 is executed as follows. The wireless speaker 10 uses the power receiving antenna 16 to transmit a beacon signal to the power transmission device 30 at a predetermined time interval. The power transmission device 30 receives the beacon signal by the power transmission antenna 31 and identifies the position of the wireless speaker 10 based on the beacon signal. Then, the power transmission device 30 transmits a power signal from the power transmission antenna 31 toward the identified position. The wireless speaker 10 receives the power signal by the power receiving antenna 16 and converts this power signal into DC power and supplies it to the storage battery 18. The storage battery 18 is charged by this DC power.

[0034] Here, the components of the wireless speaker 10 include materials (specifically, metal materials and magnetic materials) that attenuate electromagnetic waves (including power signals). When the power signal (electromagnetic wave) for wireless power supply is attenuated (or shielded) by such components, wireless power supply cannot be performed successfully. In view of this, in the present embodiment, when receiving the power signal by the wireless speaker 10, the components of the wireless speaker 10 are arranged so that the power signal is not attenuated by the components of the wireless speaker 10.

[0035] <Arrangement mode of components> Hereinafter, the arrangement mode of the components of the wireless speaker 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5.

[0036] <Arrangement of the power receiving antenna 16> As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the power receiving antenna 16 has a rectangular plate shape. The power receiving antenna 16 is provided inside the housing 11 in a manner extending along the inner surface of the rear wall 11R of the housing 11. A part of the outer surface of the power receiving antenna 16, specifically, one surface (the right side in FIG. 4) in the thickness direction constitutes a power receiving surface 161 for receiving a power signal.

[0037] In the present embodiment, the power receiving surface 161 of the power receiving antenna 16 faces the inner surface of the rear wall 11R of the housing 11. No components of the wireless speaker 10 are arranged between the power receiving surface 161 of the power receiving antenna 16 and the inner surface of the rear wall 11R of the housing 11. Therefore, in the present embodiment, no parts including metal and magnetic materials in each component of the wireless speaker 10 are arranged between the power receiving surface 161 of the power receiving antenna 16 and the inner surface of the rear wall 11R of the housing 11.

[0038] The housing 11 is made of a synthetic resin material that does not attenuate electromagnetic waves. Therefore, in the present embodiment, it can be said that no parts including metal and magnetic materials in each component are arranged outside the wireless speaker 10 (the right side in FIG. 4) than the power receiving surface 161 in the direction perpendicular to the power receiving surface 161 of the power receiving antenna 16 (the left - right direction in FIG. 4).

[0039] The rear wall 11R of the housing 11 has four mounting recesses 113. The mounting recesses 113 are used for mounting the wireless speaker 10. The four mounting recesses 113 are located at positions deviated from the projection area (indicated by AR in FIGS. 4 and 5) when the power receiving surface 161 is projected onto the rear wall 11R in the direction facing the power receiving antenna 16 (the left - right direction in FIG. 4), specifically, provided at the four corners of the rear wall 11R. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the mounting recesses 113 are not arranged in the projection area AR outside the power receiving surface 161 of the power receiving antenna 16.

[0040] <Arrangement of the speaker unit 12> The speaker unit 12 is provided on the front - wall 11F side (the left side in FIG. 4) among the components provided inside the housing 11. The speaker unit 12 is provided inside the housing 11 such that the sound - wave radiation part 121 that radiates sound waves in the speaker unit 12 faces the inner surface of the front wall 11F of the housing 11. In the present embodiment, the sound - wave radiation part 121 of the speaker unit 12 and the inner surface of the front wall 11F of the housing 11 face each other. In the present embodiment, the speaker unit 12 and the power receiving antenna 16 are arranged such that the sound - wave radiation part 121 of the speaker unit 12 and the power receiving surface 161 of the power receiving antenna 16 face in opposite directions.

[0041] <Arrangement of other components> Among the components of the wireless speaker 10, the components other than the housing 11, the power receiving antenna 16, and the speaker unit 12 are arranged between the power receiving antenna 16 and the speaker unit 12. Specifically, the speaker driving part 13, the short - range wireless communication part 14, the conversion part 17, the storage battery 18, and the control part 19 are provided in the space between the power receiving antenna 16 and the speaker unit 12 inside the housing 11.

[0042] <Operation> Hereinafter, the operation of the wireless speaker 10 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. FIGS. 4 and 5 show an example of the arrangement mode of the wireless speaker 10 and the power transmission device 30.

[0043] In the example shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, while the wireless speaker 10 is provided in the bathroom 40, the power transmission device 30 is provided in the changing room 41 adjacent to the bathroom 40. The wireless speaker 10 is attached to a partition wall 43 that separates the bathroom 40 and the changing room 41. The wireless speaker 10 is fixed to the surface 431 on the bathroom 40 side of the partition wall 43 by using a bracket 11B of a separate member and a mounting recess 113 of the housing 11. As a result, the rear wall 11R of the housing 11 of the wireless speaker 10 and the partition wall 43 are in a facing state. The power transmission device 30 is attached to the surface 432 on the changing room 41 side of the partition wall 43. The power transmission device 30 is fixed to the partition wall 43 in a manner that sandwiches the partition wall 43 between the wireless speaker 10.

[0044] When wirelessly powering the wireless speaker 10, a power signal is transmitted from the power transmission antenna 31 of the power transmission device 30 toward the power reception antenna 16 of the wireless speaker 10. This power signal reaches the power reception surface 161 of the power reception antenna 16 of the wireless speaker 10 after passing through the partition wall 43 and the rear wall 11R of the housing 11 of the wireless speaker 10 as indicated by the arrow A in FIG. 4.

[0045] In the wireless speaker 10 of the present embodiment, only the housing 11 (specifically, its rear wall 11R) among the components is arranged outside the power reception surface 161 in the direction perpendicular to the power reception surface 161 of the power reception antenna 16. Therefore, in the portion outside the power reception surface 161 of the wireless speaker 10, that is, the portion through which the power signal passes, there is no portion including metal and magnetic material in the components of the wireless speaker 10.

[0046] Therefore, the power signal (electromagnetic wave) transmitted from the power transmission device 30 is configured to pass through the partition wall 43 and then pass only through the housing 11 among the components of the wireless speaker 10, and be incident on the power receiving surface 161 of the power receiving antenna 16 from the outside of the housing 11. Accordingly, the above power signal is incident on the power receiving surface 161 of the power receiving antenna 16 without being blocked by the components of the wireless speaker 10 (specifically, parts including metal or magnetic material).

[0047] Moreover, in the wireless speaker 10 of the present embodiment, the mounting recess 113 is not arranged in the above projection area AR on the rear wall 11R of the housing 11. As a result, the bracket 11B used for mounting the wireless speaker 10 in a manner that utilizes the mounting recess 113 is also not arranged in the above area AR. Therefore, the above power signal is incident on the power receiving surface 161 of the power receiving antenna 16 without being blocked by the bracket 11B. Even when the wireless speaker 10 of the present embodiment uses a bracket 11B formed of a material (such as a magnet or a metal material) that attenuates electromagnetic waves, it has a structure in which the above power signal is not attenuated by the bracket 11B.

[0048] According to the wireless speaker 10 of the present embodiment, the power signal transmitted from the power transmission device 30 is received by the power receiving antenna 16 while unnecessary attenuation by the components of the wireless speaker 10 and the mounting bracket 11B is suppressed.

[0049] <Operational and Effect> Hereinafter, the operational and effect of the wireless speaker 10 of the present embodiment will be described. (1) In the wireless speaker 10, in a direction perpendicular to the power receiving surface 161 of the power receiving antenna 16 and on the outer side of the power receiving surface 161, there is no part including metal and magnetic material in the components of the wireless speaker 10. Therefore, the power signal transmitted from the power transmission device 30 can be received by the power receiving antenna 16 while suppressing unnecessary attenuation by the components of the wireless speaker 10. Thus, wireless power supply to the wireless speaker 10 can be performed with high efficiency.

[0050] (2) The components of the wireless speaker 10 include a housing 11 made of a synthetic resin material that transmits electromagnetic waves. The power receiving antenna 16 is provided in such a manner that the power receiving surface 161 extends along the inner surface of the rear wall 11R of the housing 11. In a portion where the inner surface of the rear wall 11R of the housing 11 and the power receiving surface 161 of the power receiving antenna 16 face each other, there are no components of the wireless speaker 10 between the inner surface of the rear wall 11R and the power receiving surface 161. According to this embodiment, a power signal (electromagnetic wave) can be incident on the power receiving surface 161 of the power receiving antenna 16 in such a manner that only the housing 11 among the components of the wireless speaker 10 is transmitted from the outside of the housing 11. Thereby, the power signal transmitted from the power transmission device 30 can be received by the power receiving antenna 16 while suppressing unnecessary attenuation.

[0051] (3) The speaker unit 12 and the power receiving antenna 16 are arranged such that the sound wave radiating portion 121 of the speaker unit 12 and the power receiving surface 161 of the power receiving antenna 16 face in opposite directions.

[0052] In the wireless speaker 10, when the sound wave radiation part 121 of the speaker unit 12 is arranged to face the inside of the room, the power receiving surface 161 of the power receiving antenna 16 is arranged to face the outside of the room (for example, the back wall, etc.). According to this embodiment, in this case, from the power transmission device 30 provided behind (for example, the space behind, the wall of the room, the adjacent room), a power signal can be efficiently transmitted to the power receiving antenna 16 of the wireless speaker 10 at a short distance. In the examples shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the wireless speaker 10 is provided in the bathroom 40, and the power transmission device 30 is provided in the dressing room 41 adjacent to the bathroom 40. In this example, through the partition wall 43 separating the bathroom 40 and the dressing room 41, a power signal can be efficiently transmitted from the power transmission device 30 to the wireless speaker 10 at a short distance.

[0053] (4) The data reception permission unit 191 of the control unit 19 permits the reception of a power signal by the power receiving antenna 16 on the condition that the wireless speaker 10 is not receiving data from the external device 20 through short - range wireless communication. Thereby, only when the speaker unit 12 is not operating, it is possible to execute the reception of the power signal by the power receiving antenna 16 and thus the power supply to the storage battery 18 while suppressing an adverse effect on the operation of the speaker unit 12.

[0054] <Modified Example> Note that the above - described embodiment can be modified and implemented as follows. The above - described embodiment and the following modified examples can be implemented in combination with each other within a technically non - conflicting range.

[0055] · As the power storage unit for storing power, instead of adopting the storage battery 18, a capacitor can be adopted. · The data reception permission unit 191 may be omitted. The reception of data from the external device 20 by short - range wireless communication and the reception of the power signal by the power receiving antenna 16 may be executed simultaneously.

[0056] ·As the standard for short-range wireless communication used in the above-described embodiment, in addition to Bluetooth (registered trademark), Wi-Fi (registered trademark), Zigbee (registered trademark), etc. can be adopted.

[0057] ·The positional relationship between the speaker unit 12 and the power receiving antenna 16 can be arbitrarily changed as long as no other components are arranged between the power receiving surface 161 of the power receiving antenna 16 and the inner surface of the housing 11 in the portion where they face each other.

[0058] An example of such a positional relationship will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 to 8. In FIGS. 6 to 8, the same components as those of the wireless speaker 10 of the above-described embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 5 are denoted by the same reference numerals (or corresponding reference numerals), and detailed description thereof hereinafter will be omitted.

[0059] As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the housing 11 has a peripheral wall 11S. The peripheral wall 11S has a substantially rectangular tubular shape connecting the front wall 11F and the rear wall 11R. The power receiving antenna 56 is plate-shaped and provided inside the housing 11. The power receiving antenna 56 has an annular shape extending along the outer edge of the sound wave radiating portion 121 of the speaker unit 12. Specifically, the power receiving antenna 56 has a rectangular tubular shape extending along the inner surface of the peripheral wall 11S. In the present embodiment, the outer surface of the rectangular tubular power receiving antenna 56 is the power receiving surface 561. In the wireless speaker 50, the power receiving surface 561 faces outward in the rectangular tubular shape, that is, outward of the wireless speaker 50. In the wireless speaker 50, the speaker driving unit 13 (FIG. 6), the short-range wireless communication unit 14, the conversion unit 17, the storage battery 18, and the control unit 19 are arranged inside the rectangular tubular power receiving antenna 56.

[0060] FIG. 8 shows a state in which the wireless speaker 50 is arranged in a manner in which the sound wave radiating portion 121 of the speaker unit 12 faces away from the side wall of the bathroom 40. As shown in FIG. 8, the power receiving antenna 56 includes an upper portion 56A arranged such that the power receiving surface 561 faces upward, a side portion 56B arranged such that the power receiving surface 561 faces sideways, and a lower portion 56C (see FIGS. 6 and 7) arranged such that the power receiving surface 561 faces downward.

[0061] Therefore, by arranging the power transmission device 30 on the side of the wireless speaker 50, such as installing it on the side wall of the bathroom 40 or in the adjacent room, it is possible to efficiently transmit a power signal from the power transmission device 30 to the side portion 56B of the power receiving antenna 56. Note that FIG. 8 shows a state in which the power transmission device 30 is provided in the dressing room 41 adjacent to the bathroom 40.

[0062] Also, by arranging the power transmission device 30 above the wireless speaker 50, such as installing it on the ceiling or in the ceiling space of the bathroom 40, it is possible to efficiently transmit a power signal from the power transmission device 30 to the upper portion 56A of the power receiving antenna 56.

[0063] Furthermore, by arranging the power transmission device 30 below the wireless speaker 50, such as installing it on the floor or under the floor of the bathroom 40, it is possible to efficiently transmit a power signal from the power transmission device 30 to the lower portion 56C of the power receiving antenna 56.

[0064] In this way, the wireless speaker 50 can efficiently receive power signals from multiple directions. Therefore, wireless power supply to the wireless speaker 50 can be executed with a high degree of freedom.

[0065] Another example of the positional relationship will be described. The speaker unit 12 and the power receiving antenna 16 may be arranged side by side in a direction along the inner surface of the front wall 11F of the housing 11. In this case, the speaker unit 12 and the power receiving antenna 16 may be arranged such that both the sound wave radiation portion 121 of the speaker unit 12 and the power receiving surface 161 of the power receiving antenna 16 face the inner surface of the front wall 11F of the housing 11.

[0066] ·If there is no part containing the metal or magnetic material of the component arranged in the projection area AR outside the power receiving surface 161 in the direction perpendicular to the power receiving surface 161, at least a part of the component may be arranged between the power receiving surface 161 and the inner surface of the rear wall 11R of the housing 11. Even with such a configuration, the power signal transmitted from the power transmission device 30 can be received by the power receiving antenna 16 while suppressing unnecessary attenuation by the components of the wireless speaker 10.

[0067] ·The power receiving antenna 16 may be fixed to the outer surface (or inner surface) of the wall portion of the housing 11. ·As the housing 11, a structure in which a part is made of a metal material or a magnetic material can be adopted. In this case, the portion of the housing 11 containing the metal or magnetic material may not be arranged in the projection area AR (see FIGS. 4 and 5) outside the power receiving surface 161 in the direction perpendicular to the power receiving surface 161. Examples of the above structure include a structure in which a part of the front wall 11F of the housing 11 is composed of a metal mesh plate, and a structure in which a part of the rear wall 11R of the housing 11 is composed of a fixing magnetic body.

[0068] ·The wireless speaker according to the above embodiment can also be applied to a non-waterproof type wireless speaker that does not have a waterproof sheet 112. ·The wireless speaker according to the above embodiment is not limited to being installed in a home (bathroom, changing room, living room), and can also be applied to a wireless speaker installed in any place such as a commercial facility or a public facility. The wireless speaker according to the above embodiment can be applied not only to a fixed type wireless speaker used in a state of being installed in a predetermined place, but also to a portable type wireless speaker that can be carried. When applied to a portable type wireless speaker, wireless power supply to the wireless speaker can be performed at a place where the power transmission device 30 is installed (for example, a home, a vehicle, a public facility, a commercial facility, etc.).

[0069] ·A part (or the whole) of the components of the wireless speakers 10 and 50 may be arranged outside the power receiving surfaces 161 and 561 in a direction perpendicular to the power receiving surfaces 161 and 561. When arranging components including metal or magnetic materials, the components may be arranged such that only the portions not including metal or magnetic materials are located outside the power receiving surfaces 161 and 561 in a direction perpendicular to the power receiving surfaces 161 and 561. When arranging components not including metal or magnetic materials, such as components entirely formed of a synthetic resin material that transmits electromagnetic waves, the components may be arranged as follows. That is, the components may be arranged such that the whole of the components is located outside the power receiving surfaces 161 and 561 in a direction perpendicular to the power receiving surfaces 161 and 561.

[0070] ·The wireless speaker according to the above embodiment can also be applied to a wireless speaker having components (such as a microphone) other than the above-described components. Also in this case, the portion including metal or magnetic material of the components of the wireless speaker may not be arranged outside the power receiving surface in a direction perpendicular to the power receiving surface.

[0071] ·The wireless speaker according to the above embodiment can also be applied to a wireless speaker having a plurality of speaker units, such as a stereo speaker having two speaker units.

[0072] ·The wireless speaker according to the above embodiment is not limited to a wireless speaker that receives power from a power transmission device through radio wave-based wireless power supply, but can also be applied to a wireless speaker that receives power from a power transmission device through electromagnetic induction-based wireless power supply. In this case, the wireless speaker is provided with a power receiving coil as a power receiving unit that receives a power signal transmitted from the power transmission device. The power transmission device is provided with a power transmission coil that transmits a power signal. In short, as long as it is a wireless speaker that receives power from a power transmission device through electromagnetic wave-based wireless power supply using electromagnetic waves, the wireless speaker according to the above embodiment is applicable.

Description of Symbols

[0073] 10, 50… Wireless speaker 11… Housing 111… Housing body 112… Waterproof sheet 113… Mounting recess 11R… Rear wall 11F… Front wall 11S… Peripheral wall 11B… Bracket 12… Speaker unit 121… Sound wave radiation part 13… Speaker drive part 14… Short-range wireless communication part 16, 56… Power receiving antenna 161, 561… Power receiving surface 17… Conversion part 18… Rechargeable battery 19… Control part 191… Data reception permission part 20… External device 21… Short-range wireless communication part 30… Power transmission device 31… Power transmission antenna 32… Control part 40… Bathroom 41… Dressing room 43… Partition wall 431, 432… Surface 56A… Upper part 56B… Side part 56C… Lower part

Claims

1. A wireless speaker that receives data transmitted from an external device through short-range wireless communication and operates a speaker unit based on the data, a power storage unit as a power source for storing power, a power receiving unit that receives a power signal sent from a power transmission device through electromagnetic wave-based wireless power supply, and a conversion unit that converts the power signal received by the power receiving unit into direct current power and sends it to the power storage unit, wherein a part of the outer surface of the power receiving unit constitutes a power receiving surface for receiving the power signal, on the outer side of the wireless speaker with respect to the power receiving surface in a direction perpendicular to the power receiving surface, there is no part containing metal or a magnetic body among the components constituting the wireless speaker, the power receiving unit has a cylindrical shape, and the outer surface of the cylindrical power receiving unit is the power receiving surface and faces outward of the wireless speaker. The wireless speaker.

2. The component includes a housing made of a material that transmits electromagnetic waves, the power receiving unit is provided in such a manner that the power receiving surface extends along the inner surface of the housing, The wireless speaker according to claim 1, wherein, in a portion where the inner surface of the housing and the power receiving surface face each other, no component is disposed between the inner surface and the power receiving surface.

3. The wireless speaker according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the speaker unit and the power receiving unit are arranged such that a sound wave radiation unit that radiates sound waves in the speaker unit and the power receiving surface face in opposite directions.

4. The wireless speaker according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a data reception permission unit that permits reception of the power signal by the power receiving unit on the condition that the data is not being received.

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