Loudspeaker device

Abstract

The loudspeaker apparatus (800) comprises a first loudspeaker (810) having a first acoustic radiating surface, a second loudspeaker (820) having a second acoustic radiating surface, and an enclosure (834), the first loudspeaker (810) being mechanically coupled to the second loudspeaker (820), the enclosure (834) enclosing a second side of the first acoustic radiating surface and a second side of the second acoustic radiating surface, and the enclosure (834) comprising a port (892) coupling a rear cavity (890) within the enclosure (834) to the outside air.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a loudspeaker device, particularly a loudspeaker device within a housing.

Background Art

[0002] Loudspeaker devices generally include a plurality of different components. A loudspeaker enclosure can generally accommodate one or more loudspeakers. The loudspeaker enclosure can be attached to a wall or, for example, a panel within the passenger compartment of a vehicle. The enclosure of the loudspeaker is often fixed to a wall or panel with screws, for example. Movement of the loudspeaker's diaphragm, magnet, or other all movable elements within the loudspeaker can also excite other elements, such as the loudspeaker enclosure, to vibrate. Further, different parts and elements of the loudspeaker device can be excited and collide with or rub against each other, creating a rattling noise. Additionally, vibrations of the loudspeaker device can be transmitted to other parts and elements directly or indirectly connected to the loudspeaker device, such as wall panels or other elements located near the loudspeaker device within a vehicle, for example. This can generate unwanted noise and degrade the user's sound experience. Further, loudspeaker devices placed within a vehicle or on the walls of a listening environment are generally required to be relatively small.

Summary of the Invention

Means for Solving the Problems

[0003] The loudspeaker device includes a first loudspeaker including a first acoustic radiation surface, a second loudspeaker including a second acoustic radiation surface, and an enclosure. The first loudspeaker is mechanically coupled to the second loudspeaker, and the enclosure surrounds the second side of the first acoustic radiation surface and the second side of the second acoustic radiation surface. The enclosure includes a port that couples the internal volume within the enclosure to the outside air. The first side of the first acoustic radiation surface faces the first side of the second acoustic radiation surface, and both the first side of the first acoustic radiation surface and the first side of the second acoustic radiation surface face a first cavity. The first cavity includes a first opening facing the internal air volume, or the second side of the first acoustic radiation surface faces the second side of the second acoustic radiation surface, the first side of the first acoustic radiation surface faces a second cavity, the second cavity includes a second opening facing the internal air volume, and the first side of the second acoustic radiation surface faces a separate third cavity separated from the second cavity. The third cavity includes a third opening facing the internal air volume.

[0004] Other systems, methods, features, and advantages will be or will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings. All such additional systems, methods, features, and advantages are included within the scope of the present invention and are intended to be protected by the following claims. This specification also provides, for example, the following. (Item 1) A first loudspeaker (710, 810) having a first acoustic radiation surface, A second loudspeaker (720, 820) having a second acoustic radiation surface, An enclosure (734, 834), A loudspeaker device (700, 800) comprising: The first loudspeaker (710, 810) is mechanically coupled to the second loudspeaker (720, 820), The enclosure (734, 834) surrounds a second side of the first acoustic radiation surface and a second side of the second acoustic radiation surface, The enclosure (734, 834) includes ports (792, 892) that couple a rear cavity (790, 890) within the enclosure (734, 834) to the outside air, A first side of the first acoustic radiation surface faces a first side of the second acoustic radiation surface, and the first side of the first acoustic radiation surface and the first side of the second acoustic radiation surface both face a first cavity (730, 830), and the first cavity (730, 830) includes a first opening (732, 832) facing the interior air volume, or A second side of the first acoustic radiation surface faces a second side of the second acoustic radiation surface, a first side of the first acoustic radiation surface faces a second cavity (830a), the second cavity (830a) includes a second opening (832a) facing the interior air volume, and a first side of the second acoustic radiation surface faces a separate third cavity (830b) separated from the second cavity (830a), and the third cavity (830b) includes a third opening (832b) facing the interior air volume, the loudspeaker device (700, 800). (Item 2) The loudspeaker device (700, 800) according to Item 1, wherein the acoustic radiation surface of the first loudspeaker (710, 810) is arranged parallel to the acoustic radiation surface of the second loudspeaker (720, 820). (Item 3) Further comprising at least one additional loudspeaker (930, 1030) having a third acoustic radiation surface, The first side of the third acoustic radiation surface faces the first sides of the first acoustic radiation surface and the second acoustic radiation surface, and faces the first cavity (730, 830, 1030), or The second side of the third acoustic radiation surface faces the second sides of the first acoustic radiation surface and the second acoustic radiation surface, and faces a separate fifth cavity (930c) separated from the first cavity (930a) and the second cavity (930b), and the fifth cavity (930c) is provided with a fifth opening facing the internal air volume. The loudspeaker device (700, 800, 900) according to item 1 (Item 4) The loudspeaker device (700, 800) includes an even number of loudspeakers, Two loudspeakers together form a pair of loudspeakers, The pairs of loudspeakers are arranged in a row, The first side of the acoustic radiation surface of each of the additional loudspeakers faces the first cavity (730, 830), or The first side of the acoustic radiation surface of the first loudspeaker of each pair of loudspeakers faces the second cavity (830a), and the first side of the acoustic radiation surface of the second loudspeaker of each pair of loudspeakers faces the third cavity (830b). The loudspeaker device (700, 800) according to item 1 or item 2 (Item 5) Further comprising a cover (694, 794, 894), the cover (694, 794, 894) being configured to close the enclosure (634, 734, 834) with respect to the internal air volume. The loudspeaker device (600, 700, 800) according to any one of items 1 to 4 (Item 6) The cover (694, 794) is provided with an opening (696, 796), and the opening (696, 796) of the cover (694, 794) is aligned with the first opening (632, 732) of the first cavity (630, 730), or The cover (894) has two openings (832a, 832b), and each of the two openings (832a, 832b) of the cover (894) is aligned with a different one of the second opening (832a) of the second cavity (830a) and the third opening (832b) of the third cavity (830b). The loudspeaker device (600, 700, 800) according to item 5. (Item 7) The cover (694, 794, 894) forms a part of a panel inside a vehicle, or the cover (694, 794, 894) forms a part of a wall of a room. The loudspeaker device (600, 700, 800) according to item 5 or item 6. (Item 8) The first opening (732) is covered with fabric or mesh, or the second opening (832a) and the third opening (832b) are covered with fabric or mesh. The loudspeaker device (700, 800) according to any one of items 1 to 7. (Item 9) The first loudspeaker (710, 810) includes a first speaker basket, the second loudspeaker (720, 820) includes a second speaker basket, and the first speaker basket is mechanically coupled to the second speaker basket. The loudspeaker device (700, 800) according to any one of the preceding items. (Item 10) The loudspeaker device (700, 800) according to item 9 further includes a plurality of first connection elements (352) and a plurality of second connection elements (354) configured to connect the first speaker basket to the second speaker basket. (Item 11) The first speaker basket and the second speaker basket are bonded together with an adhesive. The loudspeaker device (700, 800) according to item 9. (Item 12) The first side of the first acoustic radiation surface faces the first side of the second acoustic radiation surface, and the first side of the first acoustic radiation surface and the first side of the second acoustic radiation surface both face the first cavity (730). The first cavity (730) includes a first opening (732) facing the interior air volume. The first speaker basket includes a first protrusion extending in a first direction (y) from the first speaker basket toward the second loudspeaker (720). The second speaker basket includes a second protrusion extending in the first direction (y) from the second speaker basket toward the first loudspeaker (710). The loudspeaker device (700) according to any one of items 9 to 11, wherein the first protrusion is mechanically coupled to the second protrusion, thereby defining the first cavity (730) between the front surface of the first loudspeaker (710) and the front surface of the second loudspeaker (720). (Item 13) The loudspeaker device (700) according to item 12, wherein the first protrusion and the second protrusion are excluded in a second direction (z) perpendicular to the first direction (y) to form the first opening (732). (Item 14) The first opening (732) has a cross-section of a rounded rectangle, a square, a rectangle, a round cross-section, or an oval cross-section, or The loudspeaker devices (700, 800) according to any one of the preceding items, wherein each of the second opening (832a) and the third opening (832b) has a cross-section of a rounded rectangle, a square, a rectangle, a round cross-section, or an oval cross-section. (Item 15) The loudspeaker devices (700, 800) according to any one of the preceding items, wherein the loudspeaker devices (700, 800) are attached to a panel (798, 898) of a vehicle, and the panel (798, 898) separates the internal air volume from the outside air.

[0005] This device can be better understood by referring to the following description and drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale; instead, emphasis is placed on illustrating the principles of the present invention. Further, like reference numerals in the figures designate corresponding parts in different figures.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0006]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0007] Referring to FIG. 1, a loudspeaker device 100 is schematically shown. Specifically, FIG. 1 schematically shows a cross-sectional view of the loudspeaker device 100. The loudspeaker device 100 can be attached to, for example, a wall or a vehicle. The loudspeaker device 100 includes a first loudspeaker 110 and a second loudspeaker 120. The first loudspeaker 110 includes a first acoustic radiation surface (e.g., a first diaphragm), and the second loudspeaker 120 includes a second acoustic radiation surface (e.g., a second diaphragm). The first loudspeaker 110 and the second loudspeaker 120 are arranged to face each other in a first direction y. That is, the first side of the first acoustic radiation surface is arranged to face and face the first side of the second acoustic radiation surface. The first acoustic radiation surface in this example is arranged essentially parallel to the second acoustic radiation surface. The distance d1 between the first loudspeaker 110 and the second loudspeaker 120 may be, for example, between 1 cm and 20 cm. The distance d1 between the first loudspeaker 110 and the second loudspeaker 120 may be determined, for example, by the sizes of the loudspeakers 110 and 120.

[0008] A first cavity 130 is formed between the front surfaces of the first loudspeaker 110 and the second loudspeaker 120. The first loudspeaker 110 and the second loudspeaker 120 can radiate sound into the first cavity 130. The first cavity 130 may include an opening through which the sound generated by the first loudspeaker 110 and the sound generated by the second loudspeaker 120 can exit from the first cavity 130 towards the environment. The opening may be fully open or covered with a breathable cover such as a fabric or mesh that provides a decorative exposure to the wall enclosing the enclosure. The wall surface on the opposite side of the opening is closed over the entire length of the opening so that sound is radiated from the opening. However, since the opening is arranged in a different image plane, it is not visible in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 1.

[0009] The loudspeaker device 100 may further include an enclosure having a first enclosure portion 114 and a second enclosure portion 124. The first enclosure portion 114 forms a first cavity 112 that surrounds the back of the first loudspeaker 110. The second enclosure portion 124 forms a second cavity 122 that surrounds the back of the second loudspeaker 120. According to another example, the first enclosure portion 114 and the second enclosure portion 124 may together form a single cavity that surrounds the backs of both the first loudspeaker 110 and the second loudspeaker 120.

[0010] The loudspeaker device 100 shown in FIG. 1 includes a pair of loudspeakers, which pair includes a first loudspeaker 110 and a second loudspeaker 120. However, this is merely an example. It is also possible for a loudspeaker device to include three or more loudspeakers. This is illustratively shown in FIG. 2, which schematically shows the dimensional diagram of another loudspeaker device 200. The loudspeaker device 200 shown in FIG. 2 includes three pairs of loudspeakers, and each pair of loudspeakers is formed by a first loudspeaker 210 and a second loudspeaker (not visible in the dimensional diagram of FIG. 2). However, any other number of loudspeakers is also possible. Although only pairs of loudspeakers are shown in the figure, generally, it is also possible for the loudspeaker devices 100, 200 to include an odd number of loudspeakers. This will be illustratively described below with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10.

[0011] Each of at least two loudspeakers can be arranged in the same manner as described for the first loudspeaker 110 and the second loudspeaker 120 of FIG. 1 above. The first cavity 230 may be formed continuously, for example, between all (paired) loudspeakers. The first enclosure portion 214 may surround all the first loudspeakers 210 and form a continuous closed cavity at the back of the first loudspeakers 210. However, it is also possible for separate cavities to be formed at the back of each of the first loudspeakers 210. The same applies to the second loudspeaker and the second enclosure portion 224, and the second enclosure portion 224 may form a single continuous cavity at the back of the second loudspeaker or separate cavities for each of the second loudspeakers. According to another example, it is also possible for all of the first loudspeakers 210 and the second loudspeakers to be arranged within a single continuous cavity formed by an enclosure at the back of the loudspeakers. The opening 232 of the first cavity 230 may face in a second direction z perpendicular to the first direction y. When the loudspeaker device 200 includes three or more loudspeakers, two or more loudspeakers may be arranged continuously in a third direction x perpendicular to both the first direction y and the second direction z.

[0012] Referring to the exploded view of FIG. 3, the first loudspeaker 310 and the second loudspeaker 320 are schematically shown in an unattached state. The loudspeaker enclosure is not particularly shown in FIG. 3. The first loudspeaker 310 includes a first loudspeaker basket 316, and the second loudspeaker 320 includes a second loudspeaker basket 326. According to one example, the first loudspeaker 310 and the second loudspeaker 320 can be arranged opposite to each other in the first direction y and can be mechanically coupled to each other. According to one example, the first loudspeaker basket 316 is mechanically coupled to the second loudspeaker basket 326. The first loudspeaker 310 or the first loudspeaker basket 316 can be coupled to the second loudspeaker 320 or the second loudspeaker basket 326 by a first connecting element 352 and a second connecting element 354. For example, the first loudspeaker 310 can include a plurality of first connecting elements 352 and a plurality of second connecting elements 354. The second loudspeaker 320 may also include a plurality of first connecting elements 352 and a plurality of second connecting elements 354, and each first connecting element 352 of the second loudspeaker 320 forms a corresponding portion of the second connecting element 354 of the first loudspeaker 310, and each second connecting element 354 of the second loudspeaker 320 forms a corresponding portion of the first connecting element 352 of the first loudspeaker 310. However, using connecting elements to couple the first loudspeaker 310 to the second loudspeaker 320 is merely an example. The loudspeakers 310, 320 can be coupled in any other suitable manner. According to another example, the first loudspeaker 310 and the second loudspeaker 320 are bonded together with an adhesive.

[0013] The first loudspeaker 310 may include a first protrusion 318. The first protrusion 318 may extend in a first direction y from the first loudspeaker basket 316 toward the second loudspeaker 320. The first protrusion 318 may at least partially surround the first acoustic radiation surface within a plane defined by a second direction z and a third direction x. As schematically shown in FIG. 3, the first protrusion 318 may be removed from one side to form an opening 332. The second loudspeaker 320 may include a second protrusion 328. The second protrusion 328 may extend in the first direction y from the second loudspeaker basket 326 toward the first loudspeaker 310. The second protrusion 328 may at least partially surround the second acoustic radiation surface within a plane defined by the second direction z and the third direction x. As schematically shown in FIG. 3, the second protrusion 328 may be removed from one side to form the opening 332. The first connection element 352 and the second connection element 354 may be respectively arranged along the first protrusion 318 and the second protrusion 328. When the first loudspeaker 310 and the second loudspeaker 320 are coupled to each other, the first protrusion 318 and the second protrusion 328 may be coupled to each other, whereby the first loudspeaker basket 316 may be connected to the second loudspeaker basket 326. The first cavity 330 may be defined by the first protrusion 318 and the second protrusion 328. That is, the first protrusion 318 and the second protrusion 328 partially surround the first cavity 330 within a plane defined by the second direction z and the third direction x.

[0014] When a connection is formed between the first loudspeaker 310 and the second loudspeaker 320, the first cavity 330 is formed between the first loudspeaker 310 and the second loudspeaker 320, and the opening 332 is formed toward the second direction z.

[0015] The first loudspeaker 310 and the second loudspeaker 320 both generate vibrations during use (for example, when the first acoustic radiation surface and the second acoustic radiation surface are excited to generate sound). By mechanically connecting the first loudspeaker 310 to the second loudspeaker 320, the vibrations of the two loudspeakers 310, 320 can be canceled out with each other. This is because both loudspeakers 310, 320 generally receive the same audio signal and generate the same sound at the same time. That is, both loudspeakers vibrate simultaneously. By mounting the loudspeakers facing each other, the vibrations become opposite to each other and thus cancel each other out. In this way, the resulting vibration of the loudspeaker device 300 including the first loudspeaker 310 and the second loudspeaker 320 is zero or at least close to zero. Therefore, for example, there is little vibration transmitted to surrounding components such as a loudspeaker enclosure. The same applies to devices with three or more loudspeakers.

[0016] The attached first loudspeaker 410 and second loudspeaker 420 are exemplarily shown in the front view of FIG. 4 and the side view of FIG. 5. As shown in the side view of FIG. 5, for example, when the first loudspeaker 510 is connected to the second loudspeaker 520, the third protrusion 540 and the fourth protrusion 544 are formed by the first loudspeaker 510 and the second loudspeaker 520. The third protrusion 540 extends in the second direction z from the loudspeaker device 500, and the fourth protrusion 544 extends in the second direction z from the loudspeaker device 500 on the side opposite to the first protrusion 540. According to an example, the third protrusion 540 can be formed by the first loudspeaker basket 516 or the first protrusion 518 and the second loudspeaker basket 526 or the second protrusion 528, and the fourth protrusion 544 can also be formed by the first loudspeaker basket 516 or the first protrusion 518 and the second loudspeaker basket 526 or the second protrusion 528. For example, the upper half of the third protrusion 540 and the upper half of the fourth protrusion 544 can be formed by the first loudspeaker 510 (the first loudspeaker basket 516 or the first protrusion 518), and the lower half of the third protrusion 540 and the lower half of the fourth protrusion 544 can be formed by the second loudspeaker 520 (the second loudspeaker basket 526 or the second protrusion 528).

[0017] Each of the third protrusions 440, 540 and the fourth protrusions 444, 544 may include, for example, a protruding edge or shelf. The third protrusions 440, 540 may surround the opening 432 of the first cavity 430 within a plane defined by, for example, the second and third directions z, x. As schematically shown in FIG. 4, the opening 432 may have an elongated shape (cross-section), for example, a rounded rectangle. However, any other shape (cross-section) of the opening 432, such as a square, rectangle, circle, or ellipse, etc. is also possible. Referring back to FIG. 5, the fourth protrusion 544 may be disposed on the opposite side of the third protrusion 540 in the second direction z. That is, for example, the fourth protrusion 544 may be disposed on the rear wall of the first cavity 530, and the third protrusion 540 may be disposed in front of the first cavity 530. However, this is merely an example. According to another example (not shown), the third protrusion 540 may be disposed on the first side wall of the first cavity 530, and the fourth protrusion 544 may be disposed on the second side wall of the first cavity 430. However, in the latter case, the third protrusion 540 may not surround the opening 532 of the first cavity 530. The third protrusion 540 and the fourth protrusion 544 can be used, for example, to mount the loudspeakers 410, 420 within an enclosure (not shown in FIGS. 4 and 5).

[0018] Referring now to FIG. 6, a loudspeaker device according to an example is schematically shown. In the example shown in FIG. 6, as described above with respect to FIGS. 1 to 5, the first loudspeaker 610 (i.e., the first loudspeaker basket) and the second loudspeaker 620 (i.e., the second loudspeaker basket) are mechanically coupled to each other. The loudspeaker enclosure 634 shown in FIG. 6 includes a cavity or air volume chamber 690 and a ventilation duct or port 692. The port 692 enables the cavity 690 to have a ventilation opening to the outside air. That is, the opening 632 of the first cavity 630 formed between the first loudspeaker 610 and the second loudspeaker 620 may face the inside of the vehicle or the room. Therefore, the loudspeakers 610 and 620 radiate sound into the internal air volume (e.g., inside a room or a vehicle passenger compartment), while the port 692 provides a ventilation opening towards the outside air (e.g., outside the room or outside the vehicle). This enables miniaturization of the loudspeaker device. Specifically, the enclosure 634 shown in FIG. 6 can be made much smaller than an enclosure without a port. By providing the enclosure 634 with the port 692, the enclosure 634 provides an unenclosed air volume inside the cavity 690 that communicates with the outside air (e.g., outside the vehicle). In this way, the reverse-phase sound pressure generated at the rear surfaces of the loudspeakers 610 and 620 (the rear surfaces facing the cavity 690) is prevented from entering the internal air volume (e.g., inside a room or a vehicle passenger compartment), and thus acoustic cancellation within the internal air volume is prevented. Thereby, a decrease in sound pressure within the internal air volume can be prevented. Also, deterioration of sound quality can be reduced.

[0019] The apparatus comprising the first loudspeaker 610 and the second loudspeaker 620, and optionally further loudspeakers, described above with respect to FIGS. 1 to 5, may be arranged within the enclosure 634 such that a single cavity 690 is formed, the single cavity 690 surrounding the backs of at least two loudspeakers. The loudspeaker apparatus may further comprise a cover 694 configured to close the enclosure 634 with respect to the internal air volume. That is, the cover 694 may form, for example, part of a panel in the vehicle interior or part of an interior wall. The cover 694 comprises an opening 696. The opening 696 may be aligned with the opening 632 of the first cavity 630. In this way, the opening 632 of the first cavity 630 remains open and is not covered, while the enclosure 634, specifically the air volume chamber 690, is closed with respect to the internal air volume. That is, the enclosure 634 is closed with respect to the internal air volume, but is provided with an opening with respect to the outside air by means of the port 692.

[0020] Next, referring to FIG. 7, a cross-sectional view of the apparatus described with respect to FIG. 6 is schematically shown. FIG. 7 shows a first loudspeaker 710 and a second loudspeaker 720 facing each other, with a first cavity 730 formed between them (the first side of the first acoustic radiation surface faces the first side of the second acoustic radiation surface). As described above with respect to FIG. 3, the first loudspeaker 710 (i.e., the first speaker basket) and the second loudspeaker 720 (i.e., the second speaker basket) are mechanically coupled to each other. The first loudspeaker 710 (or the first loudspeaker basket) can be connected to the second loudspeaker 720 (or the second loudspeaker basket) by a connecting element, as described above with respect to FIG. 3. It is also possible to bond the first loudspeaker 710 and the second loudspeaker 720 together with an adhesive. The first loudspeaker 710 and the second loudspeaker 720 are mounted in an enclosure 734 that forms a rear cavity 790 surrounding the rear of the first loudspeaker 710 and the rear of the second loudspeaker 720 (the second side of the first acoustic radiation surface and the second side of the second acoustic radiation surface face the rear cavity 790). The enclosure 734 includes a port 792 configured to couple the rear cavity 790 to the outside air. The loudspeaker device 700 can be mounted on a panel 798 of a vehicle, for example, a panel 798 that separates the internal air volume from the outside air. The loudspeaker device 700 can include a cover 794 that closes the enclosure 734 or the rear cavity 790 with respect to the internal air volume. The cover 794 includes an opening aligned with the opening 732 of the first cavity 730, as described above with respect to FIG. 6.

[0021] However, the first loudspeaker 710 and the second loudspeaker 720, and all of the additional loudspeakers optionally, facing the single cavity 730 formed between the first side of the first acoustic radiation surface (the first loudspeaker 710) and the first side of the second acoustic radiation surface (the second loudspeaker 720), are merely examples. According to another example, as schematically shown in FIG. 8, it is alternatively possible that the second side of the first acoustic radiation surface is arranged opposite and facing the second side of the second acoustic radiation surface. Similar to the apparatus described above with respect to FIGS. 1 to 7, in the example of FIG. 8, the first acoustic radiation surface is arranged essentially parallel to the second acoustic radiation surface in order to cancel out the vibrations generated by each of the two loudspeakers 810, 820, and the first loudspeaker 810 (i.e., the first loudspeaker basket) is mechanically coupled to the second loudspeaker 820 (i.e., the second loudspeaker basket). However, in the example shown in FIG. 8, each of the first loudspeaker 810 and the second loudspeaker 820 faces a separate cavity 830a, 830b that is separate from the respective other cavity. That is, the first loudspeaker 810 (the first side of the first acoustic radiation surface) faces the second cavity 830a, and the second loudspeaker 820 (the first side of the second acoustic radiation surface) faces a third cavity 830b that is separate from the second cavity 830a. The second cavity 830a includes a second opening 832a leading to the internal air volume, and the third cavity 830b includes a third opening 832b leading to the internal air volume.

[0022] The first loudspeaker 810 and the second loudspeaker 820 are disposed within an enclosure 834 that forms a rear cavity 890 surrounding the rear surface of the first loudspeaker 810 (the second side of the first acoustic radiation surface) and the rear surface of the second loudspeaker 820 (the second side of the second acoustic radiation surface). The enclosure 834 includes a port 892 that couples the rear cavity 890 to the outside air, similar to the apparatus described above with respect to FIGS. 6 and 7. The first loudspeaker 810 and the second loudspeaker 820 are mechanically coupled to each other, similar to those described above. According to one example, the first loudspeaker basket of the first loudspeaker is coupled to the second loudspeaker basket of the second loudspeaker 829 along a connection line indicated by a dashed line in FIG. 8. The loudspeakers 810, 820 can be connected to each other by the first connection element and the second connection element, as described above with respect to FIG. 3. However, it is also possible to bond the loudspeakers 810, 820 together with an adhesive along the connection line or to use any other suitable type of connection element. The loudspeaker device 800 can further include a cover 894 that includes two openings, and each of the two openings of the cover 894 is aligned with a different one of the second opening 832a of the second cavity 830a and the third opening 832b of the third cavity 830b.

[0023] The port 892 in FIG. 8 is disposed centrally between the first loudspeaker 810 and the second loudspeaker 820. However, this is merely an example. The port 892 can be disposed at any suitable location of the enclosure 834. Generally, the exact location of the port 892 can be determined by the design of the vehicle or wall to which the loudspeaker device 800 is attached. The loudspeaker device 800 can be attached to a vehicle panel 898, for example, a panel 898 that separates the internal air volume from the outside air.

[0024] As described above, the loudspeaker device includes two or more loudspeakers. The first loudspeaker and the second loudspeaker can be arranged such that their membranes or acoustic radiation surfaces are arranged (mechanically) parallel to each other. According to one example, the first side of the first acoustic radiation surface of the first loudspeaker faces the first side of the second acoustic radiation surface of the second loudspeaker (see, for example, FIG. 7). According to another example, the second side of the first acoustic radiation surface of the first loudspeaker faces the second side of the second acoustic radiation surface of the second loudspeaker (see, for example, FIG. 8). The additional loudspeakers can be arranged such that their acoustic radiation surfaces are aligned with either the acoustic radiation surface of the first loudspeaker or the acoustic radiation surface of the second loudspeaker. That is, the respective acoustic radiation surfaces of at least one additional loudspeaker are arranged in the same plane as either the acoustic radiation surface of the first loudspeaker or the acoustic radiation surface of the second loudspeaker. According to one example, the loudspeaker device includes an even number of loudspeakers, and two loudspeakers together form a pair of loudspeakers. Similar to what was described above with respect to FIG. 3, the pairs of loudspeakers can be arranged adjacent to each other in a row. In the device described above with respect to FIG. 7, the first side of the respective acoustic radiation surfaces of the additional loudspeakers faces the first cavity 730. In the device described above with respect to FIG. 8, the first side of the acoustic radiation surface of the first loudspeaker of each pair of loudspeakers faces the second cavity 830a, and the first side of the acoustic radiation surface of the second loudspeaker of each pair of loudspeakers faces the third cavity 830b.

[0025] Next, referring to FIG. 9, a loudspeaker device 900 including an odd number of loudspeakers according to an example is schematically shown. The loudspeaker device 900 in this example includes three loudspeakers 910, 920, and 980. The second sides of the acoustic radiation surfaces of the respective loudspeakers 910, 920, and 980 are directed toward each other. The first sides of the acoustic radiation surfaces of the respective loudspeakers 910, 920, and 980 are arranged so as to be spaced apart from each other. Each of the three loudspeakers 910, 920, and 980 is arranged in a radial array at an equal angle 97 with respect to each other. As shown in FIG. 9, the three loudspeakers 910, 920, and 980 are oriented such that the central axes C, D, and E of sound radiation are aligned in azimuths approximately 120 degrees with respect to each other. The sound radiations C, D, and E from the second sides of the acoustic radiation surfaces intersect at the circumcenter 98. The loudspeakers 910, 920, and 980 are arranged in an enclosure 934. The enclosure 934 in this example has a hexagonal shape, and one of the loudspeakers is attached to every other side of the hexagon. However, the enclosure 934 may also be, for example, triangular with one of the loudspeakers 910, 920, and 980 attached to each side of the enclosure 934. Each of the loudspeakers 910, 920, and 980 (the first side of each acoustic radiation surface) faces separate cavities 930a, 930b, and 930c. The loudspeakers 910, 920, and 980 are mechanically coupled to each other.

[0026] Figure 10 shows another exemplary loudspeaker device 1000 including an odd number of loudspeakers 1010, 1020, 1080. In this example, the first sides of the acoustic radiation surfaces of the loudspeakers 1010, 1020, 1080 are directed towards each other. The second sides of the acoustic radiation surfaces of the loudspeakers 1010, 1020, 1080 are directed away from each other. Each of the three loudspeakers 1010, 1020, 1080 is arranged in a radial array at an angle 107 that is equidistant from each other. As shown in FIG. 10, the three transducers 1010, 1020, 1080 are oriented such that the central axes J, K, L of the sound radiation are angularly equidistant from each other. In this example with three loudspeakers 1010, 1020, 1080, the central axes J, K, L are generally oriented at azimuths of about 120 degrees from each other. The sound radiation J, K, L from the first side of the acoustic radiation surface intersects at the circumcenter 108 of the cavity 1030. The loudspeakers 1010, 1020, 1080 can be arranged inside an enclosure (not specifically shown in FIG. 10) that surrounds the second sides of the acoustic radiation surfaces of the loudspeakers 101, 1020, 1080. In the example shown in FIG. 10, the cavity 1030 has a triangular shape. However, this is merely an example. Other shapes are generally possible. The loudspeakers 1010, 1020, 1080 are mechanically coupled to each other.

[0027] The first direction, the second direction, and the third directions x, y, z are used for illustrative purposes only throughout the description. This direction is not defined with respect to the ground. Rather, the direction is only used to indicate the orientation of various elements and their relative arrangement to each other. When mounted inside a wall or a vehicle, the described loudspeaker device may be rotated to any suitable position, and as a result, it will be oriented in any suitable azimuth.

[0028] Although various embodiments of the present invention have been described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many more embodiments and implementations are possible within the scope of the present invention. In particular, those skilled in the art will recognize the interchangeability of various features from different embodiments. Although these techniques and systems have been disclosed in relation to specific embodiments and examples, it will be understood that these techniques and systems can be extended beyond the scope of the specifically disclosed embodiments to other embodiments and / or their use and obvious modifications. Therefore, the present invention should not be limited except when considering the appended claims and their equivalents.

[0029] The description of embodiments is presented for purposes of illustration and description. Suitable modifications and variations to the embodiments may be made in light of the above description or obtained from practicing the method. The apparatus described is exemplary in nature and may include additional elements and / or omit elements. As used in this application, elements recited in the singular and proceeded by the term "a" or "an" should be understood as not excluding a plurality of such elements unless such exclusion is specified. Further, references to "one embodiment" or "an example" of the present disclosure are not intended to be construed as excluding the existence of additional embodiments that also incorporate the recited mechanism. Terms such as "first," "second," and "third" are used merely as labels and are not intended to impose numerical requirements or a particular positional order on their objects. The system described is exemplary in nature and may include additional elements and / or omit elements. The subject matter of the present disclosure includes all new and non-obvious combinations and sub-combinations of various systems and configurations, as well as other features, functions, and / or characteristics disclosed. The following claims specifically point out the subject matter from the above disclosure that is considered new and non-obvious.

Claims

1. a first loudspeaker (710, 810) having a first acoustic radiation surface; a second loudspeaker (720, 820) having a second acoustic radiation surface; an enclosure (734, 834); A loudspeaker device (700, 800) comprising: the first loudspeaker (710, 810) being mechanically coupled to the second loudspeaker (720, 820); the enclosure (734, 834) surrounding a second side of the first acoustic radiation surface and a second side of the second acoustic radiation surface; the enclosure (734, 834) comprising ports (792, 892) that couple a rear cavity (790, 890) within the enclosure (734, 834) to the outside air; a first side of the first acoustic radiation surface faces a first side of the second acoustic radiation surface, and the first side of the first acoustic radiation surface and the first side of the second acoustic radiation surface both face a first cavity (730, 830), and the first cavity (730, 830) comprises a first opening (732, 832) facing the interior air volume, or a second side of the first acoustic radiation surface faces a second side of the second acoustic radiation surface, a first side of the first acoustic radiation surface faces a second cavity (830a), the second cavity (830a) comprises a second opening (832a) facing the interior air volume, and a first side of the second acoustic radiation surface faces a separate third cavity (830b) separated from the second cavity (830a), and the third cavity (830b) comprises a third opening (832b) facing the interior air volume; the loudspeaker device (700, 800) wherein the interior air volume is defined by a room or a vehicle passenger compartment, and the outside air is outside the room or the vehicle passenger compartment.

2. The loudspeaker device (700, 800) according to claim 1, wherein the acoustic radiation surface of the first loudspeaker (710, 810) is arranged parallel to the acoustic radiation surface of the second loudspeaker (720, 820).

3. further comprising at least one additional loudspeaker (930, 1030) having a third acoustic radiation surface The first side of the third acoustic radiation surface faces the first sides of the first acoustic radiation surface and the second acoustic radiation surface, and faces the first cavity (730, 830, 1030), or The second side of the third acoustic radiation surface faces the second sides of the first acoustic radiation surface and the second acoustic radiation surface, and faces a separate fifth cavity (930c) separated from the first cavity (930a) and the second cavity (930b), the fifth cavity (930c) having a fifth opening facing the internal air volume, the loudspeaker device (700, 800, 900) according to claim 1.

4. Further comprising a plurality of additional loudspeakers, The plurality of additional loudspeakers comprise an even number of loudspeakers, Two of the plurality of additional loudspeakers together form a pair of loudspeakers, The pair of loudspeakers is arranged in a row, The first side of each acoustic radiation surface of the plurality of additional loudspeakers faces the first cavity (730, 830), or The first side of the acoustic radiation surface of the first loudspeaker of each pair of loudspeakers faces the second cavity (830a), and the first side of the acoustic radiation surface of the second loudspeaker of each pair of loudspeakers faces the third cavity (830b), the loudspeaker device (700, 800) according to claim 1 or claim 2.

5. Further comprising a cover (694, 794, 894), the cover (694, 794, 894) being configured to close the enclosure (634, 734, 834) with respect to the internal air volume, the loudspeaker device (600, 700, 800) according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. The cover (694, 794) has an opening (696, 796), and the opening (696, 796) of the cover (694, 794) is aligned with the first opening (632, 732) of the first cavity (630, 730), or The cover (894) has two openings (832a, 832b), and each of the two openings (832a, 832b) of the cover (894) is aligned with a different one of the second opening (832a) of the second cavity (830a) and the third opening (832b) of the third cavity (830b). The loudspeaker device (600, 700, 800) according to claim 5.

7. The cover (694, 794, 894) forms a part of a panel inside a vehicle, or the cover (694, 794, 894) forms a part of a wall of a room. The loudspeaker device (600, 700, 800) according to claim 5 or claim 6.

8. The first opening (732) is covered with a fabric or a mesh, or the second opening (832a) and the third opening (832b) are covered with a fabric or a mesh. The loudspeaker device (700, 800) according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. The first loudspeaker (710, 810) includes a first speaker basket, the second loudspeaker (720, 820) includes a second speaker basket, and the first speaker basket is mechanically coupled to the second speaker basket. The loudspeaker device (700, 800) according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. The loudspeaker device (700, 800) according to claim 9, further comprising a plurality of first connection elements (352) and a plurality of second connection elements (354) configured to connect the first speaker basket to the second speaker basket.

11. The first speaker basket and the second speaker basket are bonded together with an adhesive. The loudspeaker device (700, 800) according to claim 9.

12. The first side of the first acoustic radiation surface faces the first side of the second acoustic radiation surface, and the first side of the first acoustic radiation surface and the first side of the second acoustic radiation surface both face the first cavity (730). The first cavity (730) includes a first opening (732) facing the internal air volume. The first speaker basket includes a first protrusion extending in a first direction (y) from the first speaker basket toward the second loudspeaker (720). The second speaker basket includes a second protrusion extending in the first direction (y) from the second speaker basket toward the first loudspeaker (710). The loudspeaker device (700) according to any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein the first protrusion is mechanically coupled to the second protrusion, thereby defining the first cavity (730) between the front surface of the first loudspeaker (710) and the front surface of the second loudspeaker (720).

13. The loudspeaker device (700) according to claim 12, wherein the first protrusion and the second protrusion are excluded in a second direction (z) perpendicular to the first direction (y) to form the first opening (732).

14. The first opening (732) has a cross-section of a rounded rectangle, a square, a rectangle, a round cross-section, or an oval cross-section, or The loudspeaker device (700, 800) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein each of the second opening (832a) and the third opening (832b) has a cross-section of a rounded rectangle, a square, a rectangle, a round cross-section, or an oval cross-section.

15. The loudspeaker device (700, 800) according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the loudspeaker device (700, 800) is attached to a panel (798, 898) of a vehicle, and the panel (798, 898) separates the internal air volume from the outside air.

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