Backrest speaker

Abstract

A seat including a seat headrest portion, a seat back portion, and a loudspeaker assembly associated with the seat back portion, the loudspeaker assembly having an acoustic directivity angled upward above a nominal ear position of an occupant.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] (Priority Claim) This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 032,983 (filed June 1, 2020), U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 333,056 ("Backrest Speakers"), Attorney Docket No. AS-20-238-US1, filed May 28, 2021, and U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 333,057 ("Seatback Speakers"), Attorney Docket No. AS-21-254-US, filed May 28, 2021, each of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety herein.

[0002] FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present disclosure relates generally to seats that include acoustic output devices such as speakers, and more particularly to loudspeakers integrated into the seat backs. [Background technology]

[0003] For example, conventional seats in vehicles, entertainment venues, and other locations focus on user support and comfort. In some cases, these seats integrate speakers to provide audio output. However, these conventional seats are unable to provide consistent and satisfying audio output for a range of different users and / or seating positions. Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]

[0004] All embodiments and features mentioned below can be combined in any technically possible manner.

[0005] Various implementations include a seat and a vehicle including the seat. In certain cases, the seat includes a loudspeaker assembly with an acoustic directionality angled upward above the nominal ear position of an occupant.

[0006] In some particular aspects, the seat includes a seat headrest portion, a seat back portion, and a loudspeaker assembly associated with the back portion and having an acoustic directionality angled upward above the nominal ear position of the occupant.

[0007] In another particular aspect, a method includes providing an acoustic output in a seat having a loudspeaker assembly associated with a back portion of the seat, the acoustic directivity of the output being angled upward above a nominal ear position of an occupant.

[0008] Implementations may include one or any combination of the following features.

[0009] In one particular embodiment, the acoustic directionality is angled upward above the expected ear positions of approximately 80% of the potential occupant population.

[0010] In some cases, the acoustic directionality is angled upwards above the expected ear positions of approximately 90% of the potential occupant population.

[0011] In certain implementations, the acoustic directionality is angled upward above the expected ear positions of approximately 95% of the potential occupant population.

[0012] In one particular case, the acoustic directionality is angled upwards above the expected ear positions of approximately 97% of the potential occupant population.

[0013] In some implementations, the acoustic directionality is angled upward at an angle of at least 20 degrees above horizontal.

[0014] In certain embodiments, the acoustic directionality is angled upward at an angle of at least 26 degrees above horizontal.

[0015] In certain cases, the acoustic directionality is angled upward at an angle of at least 36 degrees above horizontal.

[0016] In some embodiments, the acoustic directionality is angled upward at an angle of at least 40 degrees above horizontal.

[0017] In one particular implementation, the loudspeaker assembly is positioned so that the center of the acoustic output of the acoustic assembly is less than 600 mm vertically higher than the hip point of the vehicle seat.

[0018] In some embodiments, the loudspeaker assembly is positioned so that the center of the acoustic output of the acoustic assembly is less than 575 mm vertically higher than the hip point of the vehicle seat.

[0019] In certain cases, the loudspeaker assembly includes at least one loudspeaker (or driver) for producing an acoustic output and an acoustic outlet (or outlet) secured within the seat back portion and angled to provide an acoustic output having an acoustic directionality angled upward above the nominal ear position of the occupant.

[0020] In certain implementations, the angle of the loudspeakers provides an acoustic output to achieve a consistent frequency response over a range of positions that deviate from the nominal ear position.

[0021] In certain cases, a consistent frequency response is characterized by greater high frequency (HF) consistency than HF consistency for acoustic output provided at the nominal ear position.

[0022] In certain implementations, the acoustic output from the seat has a MF frequency response variation that is less than the MF frequency response variation for acoustic output provided at the nominal ear position. In a further aspect, the consistent frequency response is further characterized by an LF consistency that is greater than or equal to the LF consistency for acoustic output provided at the nominal ear position.

[0023] In particular cases, HF is equal to or greater than about 4 kilo-Hertz (kHz) and LF is equal to or less than about 1 kHz. In certain embodiments, mid-range frequency (MF) is equal to between about 1 kHz and about 4 kHz.

[0024] In some aspects, the consistent frequency response is characterized by at least one of an occupant's inter-ear separation, an occupant's head rotation separation, or an inter-seat separation between multiple occupants in a space that includes the seats. In certain cases, the consistent frequency response includes the frequency response of a loudspeaker assembly.

[0025] In one particular implementation, the seats include two loudspeaker assemblies, and separation between the seats is maintained by both loudspeaker assemblies within the seats.

[0026] In certain implementations, at least one loudspeaker is located proximate to the sound outlet.

[0027] In some cases, the sound outlet is fixed relative to the seat back portion.

[0028] In one particular aspect, the seat headrest portion is adjustable relative to the seat back portion.

[0029] In certain implementations, the seat back extends above the nominal shoulders of the occupant.

[0030] In some aspects, 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.

[0031] In certain implementations, the vehicle passenger seat is a seat in a ride-share vehicle, a limousine, a bus, or a public transportation vehicle. In certain cases, the vehicle passenger seat is one of a plurality of vehicle passenger seats, one or more of which include a loudspeaker assembly. In some aspects, the vehicle passenger seats are arranged in a huddle-around configuration, such that one or more of the seats face each other.

[0032] In certain cases, the seat back portion has a middle portion and two side surfaces extending from either side of the middle portion, and when the seat is unoccupied, the front face of the seat back on each side is angled relative to the front face of the middle portion, and the sound outlet of the loudspeaker assembly is located on one of the side surfaces. In certain of these cases, the sound outlet has an inward firing angle relative to the front face of the middle portion.

[0033] In certain aspects, a vehicle includes a seat having a loudspeaker assembly.

[0034] In certain cases, the occupant's nominal ear position is the occupant's expected seating position (or location). In certain cases, this nominal ear position is equal to the ear position of the median American male. In further cases, this nominal ear position is equal to the average of the ear positions of the median American male and the median American female.

[0035] In some cases, at least one loudspeaker is separated from the acoustic outlet. In certain aspects, a channel or waveguide is located between the driver and the outlet such that the driver is located closer to the base of the seat or the center of the seat than the acoustic outlet.

[0036] In certain aspects, positions that deviate from the nominal ear position include lower positions associated with an occupant sitting lower on the seat or higher positions associated with an occupant sitting higher on the seat.

[0037] In some implementations, the at least one loudspeaker has an upward firing angle relative to a horizontal plane that intersects the front of the seat back portion adjacent the sound outlet.

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

[0039] The details of one or more implementations are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, objects, and advantages will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0040] [Figure 1] 1A-1C are perspective views of an exemplary vehicle seat having seatback speakers according to various implementations. [Figure 2] 1A-1C are schematic side views of loudspeaker placement in a seat back at a nominal angle according to various implementations. [Figure 3] 1A-1C are schematic side views of exemplary loudspeaker placements in a seat back at an increased angle, according to various implementations. [Figure 4] 10A-10C are schematic side views of further exemplary loudspeaker placements in a seat back at an increased angle, according to various implementations.

[0041] It should be noted that the drawings of the various implementations are not necessarily to scale. The drawings are intended to depict only typical aspects of the disclosure and therefore should not be considered limiting of the scope of the implementations. In the drawings, like numbering represents like elements between the drawings. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0042] Commonly labeled components in the figures are considered to be substantially equivalent components for purposes of illustration, and redundant descriptions of those components are omitted for clarity.

[0043] Seats, such as vehicle seats (such as those used in cars, trucks, buses, trains, airplanes, boats, or other vehicles), entertainment venue seats (such as movie theater seats, sports or concert venue seats, etc.), gaming seats, and / or home entertainment seats (such as home theater seats), can be equipped with acoustic transducers or speakers to deliver an acoustic experience. In some cases, speakers are integrated into the seat headrest or headrest wings. Such headrest speakers can provide superior acoustic performance (e.g., with respect to providing inter-seat isolation and / or interaural control, e.g., interaural parameter control) due to their proximity to the seat occupant's ears. However, for 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 cause the seat or headrest to have a high center of mass (thus potentially requiring additional seat reinforcement). The speakers can compete with other mechanical components of the headrest. Additionally, wiring headset speakers through the headrest connector can be difficult for some seats.

[0044] Seat speakers may be at least partially integrated into the backrest of a vehicle seat. Some such speakers may be located on or otherwise very close to the upper surface of the seatback, e.g., as close to the ears as possible, and configured to radiate acoustic energy toward the seat occupant's nominal ear position. From an integration standpoint, seatback speakers may in some cases be preferred over headrest speakers because, for example, seatback speakers have a lower center of mass than headrest speakers and may be easier to integrate into the seat due to more available space in the seatback, and / or because, unlike headrest speakers, associated wiring does not need to pass through the headrest posts.

[0045] The technology described herein allows for the benefits of seatback speakers to be leveraged in an improved manner to rival or even beat the acoustic performance of headrest speakers. The embodiments disclosed herein provide broadly acceptable acoustic performance across a range of potential occupants by transmitting acoustic energy with directionality directed at a relatively high angle compared to that directed toward the nominal ear position. In some embodiments, an 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 outlets located in the seat back to areas closer to the seat occupants' ears. The acoustic assembly is configured to provide directionality at a relatively high angle directed above the nominal ear position of the expected occupant group.

[0046] Systems and methods according to embodiments described herein can combine the benefits of seatback speaker integration while producing better acoustic performance than those that direct acoustic energy toward the nominal ear position. In various embodiments, high-angle loudspeakers and / or acoustic assemblies integrated into the seatback can provide acoustic performance comparable to or better than headrest speakers.

[0047] FIG. 1 illustrates a seat 10 having acoustic outlets 12, for example, from an acoustic channel of an acoustic assembly 14 (within the seat 10) or possibly directly from one or more acoustic transducers. FIG. 1 also annotates the approximate location of the hip point, as described in more detail below. The seat 10 may include a base 16, a back portion 18 connected to the base 16 (e.g., configured to pivot and / or slide relative to a pivot point 20), and a headrest portion 22 connected to the backrest portion 18. A front surface 24 of the seat 10 is visible in FIG. 1. In certain implementations, the seat headrest portion 22 is adjustable relative to the seat back portion 18, for example, to pivot, raise, and / or lower to support users with different head positions.

[0048] 2 shows the seat 10 in a nominal operating position, such as for driving a vehicle, watching a performance or media presentation, or participating in a gaming experience, with the seat back (seat back portion 18) in the nominal operating position, which in some embodiments may involve a recline angle of approximately 21 degrees relative to the base 16. Loudspeakers 26 mounted relatively high within the seat back portion 18 are positioned to be aimed at the nominal ear position.

[0049] As used herein, the term "nominal ear position" is based on the midpoint between the ear position of a typical male and the ear position of a typical female in a given population. For such purposes, the term "typical" may refer to the median (50th percentile) ear position relative to the seat, which may be related to the headrest surface and / or hip point when seated (e.g., as may be defined by SURFACE VEHICLE STANDARD J826, entitled "Devices for Use in Defining and Measuring Vehicle Seating Accommodation," dated November 2015, available from SAE International). For purposes of illustration, the target population used herein is American adults.

[0050] Referring to Figure 2, the median adult male position is annotated as AM50. Half of the American adult male population is expected to have high ear positions and half are expected to have low ear positions. The median adult female position is annotated as AF50. Half of the American adult female population is expected to have high ear positions and half are expected to have low ear positions. In certain embodiments, the nominal ear position is selected based on the median, or AM50, of the American male population.

[0051] The loudspeaker 26 in FIG. 2 is positioned at a height relatively close to (or slightly below) the nominal ear position, with the center of the acoustic channel at the output of the acoustic channel (sound output) located at a height of approximately 572 millimeters (mm) vertically above the hip point. The loudspeaker 26 is oriented (e.g., projecting direction, loudspeaker axis) toward the nominal ear position, which in this example is tilted upward by approximately 15 degrees relative to a horizontal plane intersecting the acoustic outlet 12 while the seat 10 is in a 21-degree reclined position with the seatback portion 18 reclined. While the location of the loudspeaker 26 in FIG. 2 is effective in avoiding obstruction by the occupant's shoulders, it can exhibit dramatically different acoustic performance across a range of different occupant heights and ear positions. For example, a shorter individual may have their ears directly in front of the speaker 26, while a taller individual may have their ears positioned significantly higher and further away from the speaker 26.

[0052] Systems and methods according to various specific implementations herein achieve more consistent acoustic performance across a range of occupants than the relatively high, shallow angled speakers shown in FIG.

[0053] FIG. 3 shows loudspeakers 26 in the seatback portion 18 of seat 30 in a similar position to that of FIG. 2, but aimed at the ear position of a tall individual. In this example, loudspeakers 26 are aimed at the expected ear position of the 95th percentile adult male (annotated AM95). Thus, only 5% of the adult male American population has a higher ear position. Further considering women, approximately 97% of the adult American population has ear positions below the position at which the loudspeakers are aimed in FIG. 3. AM95 indicates a location approximately 60 millimeters (mm) higher than AM50, and AF05 indicates a location approximately 116 mm lower than AM50.

[0054] The loudspeakers 26 in the seat 30 of FIG. 3 are oriented at an upward angle relative to the horizontal. In this example, the loudspeakers may be oriented at an upward angle of about 22 to about 32 degrees relative to the horizontal, more particularly about 25 to about 29 degrees relative to the horizontal, and even more particularly about 27 degrees relative to the horizontal (the last example shown). This is based on the loudspeaker locations and the expected ear position of a 95th percentile adult male. According to various additional examples, the upward angle may be greater than about 40 degrees, or may be in the range of about 20 to about 60 degrees, or may be in the range of about 30 to about 50 degrees, or may be in the range of about 35 to about 45 degrees, or may be in the range of about 37 to about 42 degrees. In various examples, the loudspeakers 26 may also be angled inward relative to a vertical reference or centerline, e.g., from left to right.

[0055] In various embodiments, loudspeaker 26 may be positioned in a housing 32 attached to back portion 18, or in combination with a mounting plate or other suitable mechanical arrangement. In some embodiments, an air gap within back portion 18 may act as an acoustic volume that affects the tuning of loudspeaker 26.

[0056] In various embodiments (not shown), an acoustic channel may be included to transmit acoustic energy from the mounting location of the loudspeaker 26 to or near the front of the seat back portion 18 (e.g., proximate the air outlet 12), and in some embodiments may be covered by a grill and / or by a cover for the seat back portion 18 according to various embodiments. Such an acoustic channel may, for example, become larger with distance from the loudspeaker and have an increasing cross-section, such as that shown diagrammatically in FIG. 3. In other embodiments, the acoustic channel may have various shapes and may have a decreasing or substantially constant cross-section.

[0057] In certain cases, the loudspeaker 26 is located in close proximity (e.g., next to or adjacent to) the acoustic outlet (or outlet) 12. However, this proximity is not required. That is, in various additional implementations, the loudspeaker (or driver) 26 may be physically separated from the acoustic outlet 12, for example, by several centimeters (cm) or more. In certain cases, the loudspeaker 26 is separated from the acoustic outlet 12 by 10 mm, 20 mm, 30 mm, 40 mm, 50 mm, or more. In certain cases, an acoustic channel or waveguide (not shown) connects the loudspeaker 26 to the outlet 12 such that the loudspeaker 26 is located closer to the seat base 18 than the outlet 12, or the loudspeaker 26 is mounted internally within the seat back portion 18, for example, near the midpoint between the base 18 and the headrest portion 22.

[0058] In various embodiments, acoustic channels, enclosures, and / or voids within the back portion 18 can affect the directivity of the loudspeaker 26. Such an arrangement may generally be considered an acoustic assembly, and references to directivity herein may refer to the directivity of such an acoustic assembly when installed, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In some embodiments, such as when the acoustic channel does not occlude the loudspeaker 26 (e.g., does not obstruct a direct line of sight from the loudspeaker to the ear, see e.g., FIG. 3 ), the directivity of the acoustic assembly may be substantially the same as the directivity of the loudspeaker 26, particularly at higher frequencies where the acoustic output becomes more directional. Thus, in some embodiments, the directivity of the acoustic assembly may be substantially aligned with the axis of the loudspeaker 26.

[0059] In certain embodiments, two or more loudspeakers 26 may be provided as part of the acoustic assembly. Suitable signal processing may allow two or more loudspeakers 26 to be driven to allow control of the directionality of the acoustic output. For clarity, this is intended to refer to the number of loudspeakers 26 on each of the left and right sides, such as two or more loudspeakers 26 per side.

[0060] FIG. 4 shows the loudspeakers 26 in the seatback portion 18 of the seat 40 at a lower position than in FIG. 3, but also oriented toward the expected ear position of a tall individual (AM95). Thus, the loudspeakers 26 in the seat 40 shown in FIG. 4 are oriented at an upward angle of about 34 degrees to about 44 degrees relative to the horizontal, in some specific cases about 37 degrees to about 41 degrees relative to the horizontal, and in more specific cases about 39 degrees relative to the horizontal (the last example shown). This is based on the lower position of the loudspeakers (relative to FIG. 3) and the expected ear position of a 95th percentile adult male. The combination of loudspeaker position and orientation shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 may provide better acoustic performance across a range of individuals than that of FIG. 2. Compared to the configuration of FIG. 2, the loudspeakers 26 in the assemblies of FIGS. 3 and 4 may be closer to the ear position of shorter individuals, but the orientation of the loudspeakers 26 means that the ear position of taller individuals is more aligned with the directionality of the loudspeakers 26 (or acoustic assembly).

[0061] Thus, as occupant height and ear position vary, a trade-off occurs between distance from the loudspeaker 26 and alignment with the directionality of the loudspeaker 26 and / or acoustic assembly. This provides an advantage because the vehicle seat designer does not know the occupant's ear positions, as many different occupants may use the vehicle seat at different times. Thus, seatback speakers according to 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, e.g., regardless of who is using the seat.

[0062] Taller individuals may have ear positions further from the loudspeakers 26 but closer to the roof or headliner of the environment (e.g., vehicle, room, etc.) and may benefit from acoustic reinforcement from the headliner (and / or roof). In addition, taller individuals' shoulders may be positioned closer in front of the loudspeakers 26 and may also provide acoustic reinforcement. For completeness, shorter individuals may have ear positions closer to the loudspeakers 26 and thus may not require acoustic reinforcement. Thus, the loudspeakers 26 may be suitably positioned lower in the seat back according to some of the embodiments described herein.

[0063] 3 and 4 show the location of the center of acoustic output in millimeters as a function of height measured vertically from the hip point of seats 30 and 40, respectively. The heights in these examples are approximately 572 mm and 533 mm, respectively, which are vertically higher than the hip point. It is understood that these heights may vary according to a particular implementation and may be configured to vary with adjustment of the upward firing angle of loudspeakers 26, as well as the inward firing angle of loudspeakers 26, relative to a centerline that bisects the seat back.

[0064] In various embodiments, the loudspeaker 26 may be positioned so that the center of its acoustic output is less than about 600 mm vertically above the hip point, or less than about 575 mm vertically above the hip point, or less than about 550 mm above the hip point, or about 525 mm, or less than about 500 mm. In some embodiments, the center of the output of the acoustic assembly (which may be the end of the acoustic channel) may be between about 375 mm and about 600 mm vertically above the hip point, or between about 400 mm and about 575 mm vertically above the hip point, or between about 425 mm and about 550 mm vertically above the hip point, or between about 450 mm and about 525 mm. For reference, such measurements above the hip point may be measured straight up vertically, with the seatback in a nominal position, such as inclined at about 21 degrees from vertical, as shown in the figures.

[0065] As described herein, a seat (e.g., seat 10, seat 30, seat 40) can be one or more of a vehicle driver seat, a vehicle passenger seat, an entertainment venue seat, a gaming seat, and / or a home entertainment seat. In certain implementations, the vehicle passenger seat is a seat in a ride-share vehicle, a limousine, a bus, or a public transportation vehicle. In certain cases, the vehicle passenger seat is one of a plurality of vehicle passenger seats, one or more of which include a loudspeaker assembly. In some aspects, the vehicle passenger seats are arranged in a huddle-around configuration, such that one or more of the seats face each other.

[0066] In certain cases, the seats disclosed herein can serve multiple purposes, for example, as gaming seats and home entertainment seats (e.g., in a home theater). In further cases, the seat 10, 30, 40 can be one of multiple seats in a vehicle, which may include similar components and / or functionality. Various seat configurations can benefit from aspects of the seats shown according to various implementations, including, among others, stadium seating at an entertainment venue, multi-passenger vehicle seating configurations (e.g., seats used for a driver and / or passengers), home entertainment configurations (e.g., rows or multiple seat arrangements), etc. In certain cases, the seats disclosed herein can benefit from being located within a cabin or other enclosed space, such as within a vehicle interior (or cab). In such cabin configurations, certain acoustic advantages can be realized. However, many of the advantages of the seats disclosed herein can be realized in other seating configurations and other environments.

[0067] 1-4 are fixed within, and in certain cases relative to, the seat back portion 18. This configuration fixes the launch angle of the loudspeaker 26 relative to the seat occupant, regardless of the tilt / recline angle of the seat back portion 18 relative to the base 16.

[0068] In certain cases, the sound outlets 12 of the loudspeaker assemblies of Figures 2-4 may be spaced from the centerline of the seat back portion 18 by about 180 mm to about 330 mm. In certain cases, the sound outlets of each loudspeaker assembly are spaced from the centerline of the seat back portion by about 200 mm in narrower cases and about 300 mm in wider cases.

[0069] The combination of loudspeaker locations and orientations shown in Figures 2-4, and in certain cases the loudspeaker locations and orientations shown in seats 30 and 40 in Figures 3 and 4, can provide better acoustic performance across a range of individuals than conventional seatback speakers. The loudspeakers can be closer to the ear positions of shorter individuals, but the loudspeaker orientation means that the ear positions of taller individuals are more aligned with the directionality of the loudspeakers (or acoustic assemblies).

[0070] Thus, as occupant height and ear position vary, a trade-off occurs between distance from the loudspeaker and alignment with the directionality of the loudspeaker and / or acoustic assembly. This provides an advantage because the vehicle seat designer does not know the occupant's ear positions, as many different occupants may use the vehicle seat at different times. Thus, seatback speakers according to 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, e.g., regardless of who is using the seat.

[0071] Furthermore, taller individuals' ear positions may be further from the loudspeakers but closer to the vehicle roof or headliner and may benefit from acoustic reinforcement from the headliner (and / or roof). In addition, taller individuals' shoulders may be positioned closer to the front of the loudspeakers and may also provide acoustic reinforcement. For completeness, shorter individuals may have ear positions closer to the loudspeakers and thus may not require acoustic reinforcement. Thus, loudspeakers may be appropriately positioned lower in the seat back in accordance with some of the embodiments described herein.

[0072] As described herein, in certain cases, such as those shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the angle of at least one loudspeaker 26 provides an acoustic output to achieve a consistent frequency response across a range of positions deviating from the nominal ear position. For example, the consistent frequency response can be characterized by a high-frequency (HF) consistency greater than the HF consistency for the acoustic output provided to the nominal ear position. In certain additional cases, the acoustic output from seats 30, 40 has an HF frequency response variation that is about two-thirds to three-quarters or less of the HF frequency response variation for the acoustic output provided to the nominal ear position (e.g., about 11 to about 12 dBSPL / V for seats 30, 40 compared to about 15 dBSPL / V for seat 10). In these examples, the HF is about 4 kilohertz (kHz) to about 20 kHz or greater, and the LF is about 1 kHz or less. In yet other implementations, the consistent frequency response is further characterized by an LF consistency greater than or equal to the LF consistency for the acoustic output provided to the nominal ear position. For example, the variation in frequency response over the LF range may be about 5 percent to about 20 percent less for sheets 30 and 40 compared to sheet 10 (e.g., about 3.5 dBSPL / V for sheets 30 and 40 compared to about 4 to 4.5 dBSPL / V for sheet 10).

[0073] In yet another example, the seats 30, 40 are vehicle seats having an interior loudspeaker assembly (with the driver 26 closer to the center of the vehicle cabin) and an exterior loudspeaker assembly (with the driver 26 closer to the exterior wall or door of the vehicle). According to various implementations, for loudspeaker assemblies positioned at exterior locations, the LF consistency of the acoustic output from the seats 30, 40 is greater than the LF consistency of the acoustic output provided to the nominal ear position.

[0074] Additional features of seatback speakers can be found in U.S. Patent No. 10,730,422, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Further features of seatback speakers can be found in U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 17 / 333,057 ("Seatback Speakers," Attorney Docket No. AS-21-254-US, filed May 28, 2021), which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Further description of occupant seating positions and acoustic parameters within a seat can be found in U.S. Patent No. 10,455,327 ("Binaural Measurement System"), which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0075] Certain components in the disclosed systems may not be illustrated, but it is understood that they enable various additional functions. For example, the systems may include additional electronics, including, but not limited to, power sources, 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 traditional inputs, such as tactile inputs including dials, buttons, touchscreens, etc. The interfaces may also include voice command interfaces, allowing a user to make adjustments using voice commands. The interfaces may also include gesture-based interfaces, allowing a user to make adjustments using gestures (e.g., waving, nodding, etc.).

[0076] In various implementations, components described as being "coupled" to one another can be joined along one or more interfaces. In some implementations, these interfaces can include joints between separate components, while in other cases, these interfaces can include rigidly and / or integrally formed interconnects. That is, in some cases, components "coupled" to one another can be formed simultaneously to define a single, continuous member. However, in other implementations, these coupled components can be formed as separate members and then joined by known processes (e.g., soldering, fastening, ultrasonic welding, bonding). In various implementations, electronic components described as being "coupled" to one another can be linked via conventional wired and / or wireless means such that the electronic components can communicate data with one another. Additionally, subcomponents within a given component can be considered to be linked via conventional pathways, although not necessarily shown.

[0077] Although multiple implementations have been described, it is nevertheless understood that additional modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the inventive concepts described herein, and, accordingly, other implementations are within the scope of the following claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0078] 10 sheets 12 Sound outlet 14 Acoustic Assembly 16 base 18 Backrest 20 Pivot Point 22 Headrest part 24 Front of seat 10 26 loudspeakers 30 sheets 32 Case 40 sheets

Claims

1. A sheet, The seat headrest and The seat back and a loudspeaker assembly associated with the seat back portion and having an acoustic directivity angled upwardly above a nominal ear position of an occupant, the nominal ear position is based on a midpoint between a typical male ear position and a typical female ear position within a given population; The loudspeaker assembly is disposed in the seat back portion and is located at a position lower than the seat headrest portion, at least one loudspeaker for producing an acoustic output; a sound outlet disposed at a position lower than the seat headrest portion and in front of the seat backrest portion, Sheet.

2. 10. The seat of claim 1, wherein the acoustic directionality is angled upward to a position higher than the expected ear positions of approximately 80% of the occupant population.

3. 10. The seat of claim 1, wherein the acoustic directionality is angled upward to a position higher than the expected ear positions of approximately 90% of the occupant population.

4. 10. The seat of claim 1, wherein the acoustic directionality is angled upwardly to a position higher than the expected ear positions of approximately 95% of the occupant population.

5. 10. The seat of claim 1, wherein the acoustic directionality is angled upward to a position higher than the expected ear position of approximately 97% of the occupant population.

6. 10. The seat of claim 1, wherein the acoustic directionality is angled upward at an angle of at least 20 degrees above horizontal.

7. 10. The seat of claim 1, wherein the acoustic directionality is angled upward at an angle of at least 26 degrees above horizontal.

8. 10. The seat of claim 1, wherein the acoustic directionality is angled upward at an angle of at least 36 degrees above horizontal.

9. 10. The seat of claim 1, wherein the acoustic directionality is angled upward at an angle of at least 40 degrees above horizontal.

10. 2. The seat of claim 1, wherein the loudspeaker assembly is positioned so that a center of acoustic output of an acoustic assembly including the loudspeaker assembly is less than 600 mm vertically higher than a hip point of the seat.

11. 2. The seat of claim 1, wherein the loudspeaker assembly is positioned so that a center of acoustic output of an acoustic assembly including the loudspeaker assembly is less than 575 mm vertically higher than a hip point of the seat.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the acoustic output from the at least one loudspeaker is provided through the acoustic outlet; the at least one loudspeaker is angled to provide the acoustic output with the acoustic directivity angled upwardly above the nominal ear position of the occupant; The sheet according to claim 1.

13. 13. The seat of claim 12, wherein the angle of the at least one loudspeaker is oriented at an upward angle of 22 degrees to 32 degrees relative to horizontal, 25 degrees to 29 degrees relative to horizontal, or 27 degrees relative to horizontal, or alternatively at an upward angle of 34 degrees to 44 degrees relative to horizontal, 37 degrees to 41 degrees relative to horizontal, or 39 degrees relative to horizontal to provide the acoustic output to achieve a consistent frequency response over a range of positions deviating from the nominal ear position.

14. 14. A seat according to claim 13, wherein the sound outlet is spaced from a centre line extending heightwise through a midpoint of the width of the seat back portion by 180 mm to 330 mm.

15. 14. A seat as claimed in claim 13, wherein the sound outlet is spaced 200mm or 300mm from a centre line extending heightwise through the middle of the width of the seat back portion.

16. The seat of claim 12 , wherein the at least one loudspeaker is adjacent to the sound outlet.

17. 13. The seat of claim 12, wherein the at least one loudspeaker is 10 mm, 20 mm, 30 mm, 40 mm, 50 mm, or more away from the sound outlet.

18. 13. The seat of claim 12, wherein the sound outlet is fixed relative to the seat back portion.

19. 10. The seat of claim 1, wherein the seat headrest portion is adjustable relative to the seat back portion.

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