Speaker device

WO2025047256A1PCT designated stage expired Publication Date: 2025-03-06KATO YOSHIHIKO
View PDF 5 Cites 0 Cited by

Patent Information

Application Number
PCT/JP2024/027246
Authority / Receiving Office
WO · WO
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
Priority Date
2023-08-25
Filing Date
2024-07-30
Publication Date
2025-03-06

Smart Images

  • Figure JP2024027246_06032025_PF_FP_ABST
    Figure JP2024027246_06032025_PF_FP_ABST
Patent Text Reader

Abstract

Provided is a speaker device capable of performing high-fidelity reproduction with a simple configuration. This speaker device comprises: a speaker unit 1 that outputs a sound wave on the basis of an inputted audio signal; a housing 2 that is provided with open ends E1, E2 on one side and the other side; and a liquid container 3 that contains a predetermined liquid L. The speaker unit 1 closes one open end E1 such that the back surface thereof is exposed to an interior space S of the housing 2; the other open end E2 is inserted in the liquid container 3; a gap g is formed between the outer peripheral surface of the housing 2 and the inner peripheral surface of the liquid container 3; and the liquid L lies in a path leading from the interior space S of the housing 2 to the gap g through the other open end E2.
Need to check novelty before this filing date? Find Prior Art

Description

speaker equipment

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

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, speaker devices in which a speaker unit is housed in an enclosure have been widely used to reproduce music with high fidelity.

[0003] When sound is reproduced from a speaker unit that is not housed in an enclosure, the out-of-phase low-frequency sound that comes out from the back of the speaker unit, which has a low vibration frequency, travels around to the front and interferes with and cancels out the positive-phase sound that comes out from the front.As a result, the speaker unit produces only a poorly reproduced sound that is biased toward the high-frequency range and lacks bass.

[0004] To date, various types of enclosures have been developed to control the out-of-phase sound from the back of the speaker unit, and attempts have continued to be made to achieve high-fidelity reproduction. Currently, the two main types of speaker enclosures on the market are closed-type and bass-reflex type.

[0005] The sealed type is a system that blocks out the out-of-phase sound that comes from the back of the speaker unit and is harmful to the reproduced sound by confining this sound in an acoustically sealed space, while the bass reflex type is a system that forms a hollow cylinder called a bass reflex port in part of the sealed enclosure and uses Helmholtz resonance to emit the out-of-phase sound coming from the back of the speaker unit from the bass reflex port in the same phase as the positive phase sound coming from the front.

[0006] In this way, the types of enclosures for speaker devices have been developed and improved with a focus on how to process the anti-phase sound coming from the back of the speaker unit without compromising the sound quality of the reproduced sound.

[0007] For example, Patent Document 1 describes a speaker device invented that utilizes the difficulty of sound waves propagating in a reduced pressure space by reducing the pressure inside the enclosure to about one-tenth of atmospheric pressure.By sealing the enclosure after reducing the pressure inside the enclosure, the sound waves emitted inside the enclosure are reflected by the inner wall of the enclosure, return to the diaphragm, and interfere with each other, which in principle eliminates the cancellation and distorted vibrations that occur, and reproduces sound with sufficient sound pressure and clear sound quality across the entire audible range.

[0008] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2021-087187

[0009] However, the closed-type and bass-reflex speaker systems have the following problems.

[0010] In other words, with a sealed-type speaker, when the speaker cone paper inside the enclosure vibrates toward the front, the air pressure inside the enclosure becomes low, and when the speaker cone paper vibrates toward the back, the air pressure inside the enclosure becomes high. As a result, fluctuations in air pressure inside the enclosure act like an air spring on the speaker cone paper, impeding the vibration of the speaker cone paper, which tries to move faithfully in response to the signal current. This type of vibration interference can be resolved to some extent by making the enclosure larger, but increasing the size poses major practical and cost constraints.

[0011] Furthermore, in a bass reflex type, the direct reproduced sound emitted from the speaker unit is controlled by electromagnetic damping so that it vibrates faithfully to the input waveform because the cone paper is directly connected to the voice coil, but this electromagnetic damping does not work on the sound emitted from the bass reflex port.As a result, although the low-frequency sound emitted from the bass reflex port has a high sound pressure level, it has poor transient characteristics and cannot be said to be a high-fidelity reproduced sound.In addition, in a bass reflex type, sounds other than those near the resonance point emitted from the bass reflex port (sounds reflected in a complex manner within the enclosure) interfere with the positive phase sound from the front, impairing the sound quality.

[0012] As mentioned above, closed-type speaker systems suffer from insufficient low-frequency sound pressure and are too large, while bass-reflex speaker systems solve the low-frequency deficiency of closed-type systems to some extent, but still suffer from problems such as deterioration in sound quality due to their unique structure.

[0013] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a speaker device that has a simple configuration and is capable of high-fidelity reproduction.

[0014] The present invention, which solves the above problem, comprises a speaker unit that outputs sound waves based on an input audio signal, a housing having one and other open ends, and a liquid container that contains a predetermined liquid, wherein the speaker unit has one open end closed so that its back surface is exposed to the internal space of the housing, the other open end is inserted into the liquid container, a gap that communicates with the outside of the liquid container is formed between the outer peripheral surface of the housing and the inner peripheral surface of the liquid container, and the liquid is present in a path that leads from the internal space of the housing to the outside via the other open end.

[0015] According to the present invention, a liquid is interposed in the path from the internal space of the housing to the gap via the other open end, and the air pressure in the internal space of the housing is connected to the external atmospheric pressure via the liquid. Furthermore, vibration of the speaker unit (cone paper) changes the air pressure in the internal space of the housing. The change in air pressure in the internal space of the housing creates a pressure difference with atmospheric pressure, and this pressure difference pushes up or down the liquid level inside the housing. The liquid inside the housing that is pushed up or down flows in and out between the liquid container and the housing, eliminating the pressure difference in the internal space of the housing and equalizing it with atmospheric pressure. This series of liquid movements suppresses the generation of an air spring.

[0016] In other words, the vibrational energy of the cone paper is converted into potential energy of the liquid, suppressing the air spring in the interior space of the housing, so the vibration of the cone paper is not impeded. Also, the vibration of the speaker unit's cone paper vibrates the liquid in the interior space of the housing, but because the acoustic impedance of liquid is significantly different from that of air, the phenomenon of acoustic energy inside the housing propagating through the fluid to the outside of the housing can be ignored. As a result, the sound reproduced from the speaker unit is not masked across the entire frequency range from low to high frequencies, resulting in clear, detailed, and realistic sound quality with excellent reproduction capabilities for even the smallest signals.

[0017] In addition, according to the present invention, as described above, the generation of air spring is suppressed, so a large volume is not required, and the entire housing can be made smaller.

[0018] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the other open end is immersed in the liquid, and the liquid is exposed to the outside air through the gap.

[0019] With this configuration, the sound coming from the back of the cone paper is transmitted directly to the liquid, which increases the effect of suppressing the generation of air springs, resulting in reproduced sound with a more realistic sound quality.

[0020] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the liquid is non-volatile.

[0021] With this configuration, the liquid can be used for a long period of time.

[0022] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the gap is provided with a filter member having air permeability.

[0023] This configuration can prevent impurities from getting mixed into the liquid.

[0024] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the liquid container has an on-off valve for discharging the liquid.

[0025] With this configuration, the speaker device can be easily relocated and transported after the liquid has been discharged.

[0026] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the housing includes a first housing having the one opening end and a second housing having the other opening end, and the first housing and the second housing are detachably connected to each other.

[0027] With this configuration, the first housing and the second housing can be handled separately, improving convenience when relocating, transporting, storing, etc.

[0028] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the liquid is sealed in a flexible bag, and the other open end is closed by being placed on the bag.

[0029] With this configuration, it is possible to prevent leakage of the liquid while enabling reproduction of realistic sound quality by using the liquid.

[0030] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a speaker device that has a simple configuration and is capable of high-fidelity reproduction.

[0031] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a speaker device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a PP line cross-sectional view of the speaker device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of an operation mode of the speaker device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a use mode of the speaker device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a speaker device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the speaker device according to the second embodiment of the present invention, where (a) is a plan view and (b) is a QQ line cross-sectional view. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a speaker device according to a third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is an RR line cross-sectional view of the speaker device according to the third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of a use mode of the speaker device according to the third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a modified example of the speaker devices according to the first and second embodiments of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a modified example of the speaker devices according to the first and second embodiments of the present invention.

[0032] <Embodiment 1> A speaker device according to embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described below with reference to Figs. 1 to 4. Note that the embodiment shown below is an example of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the following embodiment. In these figures, the symbol W indicates a speaker device according to this embodiment. Note that the embodiment shown below is an example of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments.

[0033] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the speaker device W includes a speaker unit 1 that outputs sound waves based on an input audio signal, a housing 2 having opening ends E1 and E2 on one side (upper) and the other side (lower), and a liquid container 3 that contains a predetermined liquid L.

[0034] The liquid L is preferably a non-volatile and chemically stable oil, and low-viscosity silicone oil is preferably used.

[0035] The speaker unit 1 in this embodiment has an open end E1 closed so that its rear surface is exposed to the internal space S of the housing 2. The connection terminal j of the speaker unit 1 protrudes from the side surface of the housing 2.

[0036] The speaker unit 1 is, for example, a cone speaker unit.

[0037] The housing 2 in this embodiment has a generally tubular shape (a generally cylindrical shape in this embodiment) that extends vertically as a whole. The bottom surface of the housing 2 is provided with a plurality of spacers m that maintain a predetermined distance between the bottom surface of the housing 2 and the bottom surface of the liquid container 3. Furthermore, the left-right width of the housing 2 in a cross-sectional view is smaller than the left-right width of the liquid container 3 in a cross-sectional view. The spacers m may be attached to the housing 2 or the liquid container 3 in advance, or may be configured separately from them.

[0038] The liquid container 3 in this embodiment is a generally cylindrical body with a bottom that opens upward, and a certain amount of liquid L is poured inside.

[0039] 2, the open end E2 is immersed in the liquid L. More specifically, the lower part of the housing 2 including the open end E2 is immersed in the liquid L, and as a result, the liquid L enters the internal space S through the open end E2.

[0040] A gap g is formed around the entire circumference between the outer circumferential surface of the housing 2 and the inner circumferential surface of the liquid container 3, and a breathable filter member f is provided in this gap g. More specifically, the filter member f is a substantially annular member made of, for example, a sponge, and is provided so as to fill the gap g while maintaining breathability.

[0041] By configuring the speaker device W as described above, the liquid L is present in the path R that leads from the internal space S to the gap g via the open end E2.

[0042] Hereinafter, a usage mode of the speaker device W will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0043] As shown in Figure 3, when a specified audio device (not shown) is connected to the connection terminal j and music is played, the positive or negative pressure in the internal space S generated by the vibration of the cone paper causes the liquid L in the internal space S to flow out or in through the opening end E2, suppressing the generation of an air spring.

[0044] More specifically, as shown in Figure 3(a), when the cone paper vibrates in the direction of the internal space S, the air pressure in the internal space S rises, and at this time, the liquid L that has entered the internal space S is pushed down, and the pushed-down liquid L flows out into the liquid container 3 through the open end E2 so that the air pressure in the internal space S becomes equal to the outside air pressure.

[0045] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 3(b), when the cone paper vibrates in the direction opposite to the internal space S, the air pressure in the internal space S decreases. At this time, the external air pressure pushes down on the liquid L directly below the gap g and pushes up the liquid L that has entered the internal space S, and the liquid L flows into the internal space S through the opening end E2 so that the air pressure in the internal space S becomes equal to the external air pressure.

[0046] In this way, the level of the liquid L in the internal space S rises and falls in response to the vibration of the paper cone, so the air pressure in the internal space S is kept equal to the external air pressure, suppressing the generation of an air spring that inhibits the vibration of the paper cone. Also, the out-of-phase sound from the back of the paper cone is converted into potential energy that raises and lowers the liquid L, and is therefore not emitted to the outside as acoustic energy. Furthermore, the sound from the back of the paper cone does not propagate to the outside through the liquid L because the acoustic impedance of air and fluid is significantly different.

[0047] When the speaker device W is to be relocated or transported, the user can simply remove the filter member f (FIG. 4(a)) and lift the housing 2 upward (FIG. 4(b)). This allows the user to separate the housing 2 (and the speaker unit 1) from the liquid container 3.

[0048] As described above, according to this embodiment, the generation of air spring is suppressed by the liquid L, and the reproduced sound is only the positive phase component from the front of the cone paper, and is not masked across the entire frequency range from low to high frequencies, resulting in a clear, detailed, and realistic sound quality with excellent reproduction capabilities for minute signals.

[0049] Furthermore, as described above, the generation of air spring is suppressed, so the entire housing 2 can be made smaller.

[0050] Furthermore, since the open end E2 is immersed in the liquid L and the liquid L is exposed to the outside air through the gap g, the sound pressure on the back of the cone paper acts directly on the liquid L, effectively suppressing the generation of air springs and allowing for the reproduction of sound with a more realistic quality.

[0051] Furthermore, since the liquid L is non-volatile, the liquid L can be used for a long period of time.

[0052] Furthermore, by providing the breathable filter member f in the gap g, it is possible to prevent impurities from being mixed into the liquid L.

[0053] 5 and 6, a speaker device according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In this embodiment, components that are basically the same as those in the previous embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be simplified. In these figures, the reference numeral X denotes the speaker device according to this embodiment.

[0054] 5 and 6, the speaker device X includes a speaker unit 1, a housing 2 having opening ends E1 and E2 on one side (front) and the other side (rear bottom), and a liquid container 3 containing a liquid L. In this embodiment, the plate-like body of the housing 2 having the opening end E1 serves as the speaker baffle. Note that the hatching of the liquid L is omitted in Fig. 6, and each support means n, which will be described later, is shown hatched in Fig. 6(b).

[0055] The connection terminal j of the speaker unit 1 in this embodiment protrudes from the rear surface of a first housing 21, which will be described later.

[0056] The housing 2 in this embodiment has a first housing 21 provided with an opening end E1 and a second housing 22 provided with an opening end E2.

[0057] The first housing 21 is a box-like body having a generally rectangular parallelepiped shape, and has an opening E1 and a communication hole p1 at its bottom. The second housing 22 is formed by connecting two generally rectangular parallelepiped cylindrical bodies, and has a stepped shape, and has an opening E2 and a communication hole p2 at its front.

[0058] Here, the first housing 21 and the second housing 22 are detachably connected to each other. More specifically, the first housing 21 and the second housing 22 are connected by four connecting means t in a state where the communication holes p1 and p2 are communicated with each other, i.e., in a state where the first housing 21 is placed on the stepped portion of the second housing 22.

[0059] Each of the connecting means t is a screw member that penetrates from each side surface of the first housing 21 to each side surface of the second housing 22 inserted into the first housing 21. Note that the installation location and number of each of the connecting means t are not particularly limited, and the configuration of the connecting means t is not limited to the configuration of this embodiment as long as it is a known means. Furthermore, in order to increase the airtightness of the internal space S, a packing or the like may be provided at the contact point between the first housing 21 and the second housing 22.

[0060] Furthermore, second housing 22 is supported in midair within liquid container 3 by a plurality of support means n. More specifically, support means n are generally plate-shaped metal fittings provided at each of the four corners inside liquid container 3, and each support means n abuts against the bottom and each corner of liquid container 3, while being placed on the upper part of one end face thereof and connected to the outer circumferential surface of second housing 22.

[0061] The liquid container 3 in this embodiment is a roughly rectangular parallelepiped container that opens upward, and a fixed amount of liquid L is poured inside.

[0062] With the speaker device X configured as described above, the liquid L is present in the path R that leads from the internal space S to the gap g via the opening end E2. The configuration in which the filter member f is provided in the gap g is the same as that of the first embodiment.

[0063] When music is played in the speaker device X of this embodiment, the liquid level of the liquid L in the internal space S rises and falls in response to the vibration of the cone paper, in the same manner as in the speaker device W of embodiment 1, thereby suppressing the generation of an air spring.

[0064] When replacing the liquid L or relocating or transporting the speaker device W, the user simply removes the screws t and moves the first housing 21 and the second housing 22 upward together with the support means n, thereby separating the housing 2 (and the speaker unit 1) from the liquid container 3.

[0065] As described above, this embodiment not only achieves substantially the same effects as embodiment 1, but also makes it possible to handle the housing 2 and the liquid container 3 separately while keeping the speaker unit 1 facing forward as in a normal speaker device, thereby improving convenience when relocating, transporting, storing, etc.

[0066] 7 to 9, a speaker device according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. In this embodiment, components that are essentially the same as those in the previous embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be simplified. In these figures, the reference numeral Y denotes the speaker device according to this embodiment.

[0067] As shown in Figures 7 and 8, the speaker device Y comprises a speaker unit 1, a housing 2 having opening ends E1 and E2 on one side (front) and the other side (rear bottom), and a liquid container 3 containing a liquid L.

[0068] In this embodiment, the liquid L is loosely enclosed in a flexible bag A. In other words, the amount of liquid L in the bag A is a predetermined amount that does not generate tension on the surface of the bag A. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 8 in particular, the bag A with the liquid L enclosed therein is accommodated in the liquid container 3 with the bag A covering the entire bottom surface of the liquid container 3 and with substantially the entire periphery of its outer surface (side surface) abutting against the inner surface of the liquid container 3. Note that a resin material, for example, is preferably used as the material for the bag A.

[0069] The housing 2 in this embodiment is a substantially cylindrical body, as in the first embodiment. The housing 2 also has protrusions h protruding in all four directions from its outer periphery. As a result, by placing each protrusion h on the edge of the opening of the liquid container 3, the housing 2 is inserted into the liquid container 3 with the opening end E2 of the housing 2 spaced a predetermined distance from the bottom surface of the liquid container 3.

[0070] In this embodiment, since the liquid container 3 contains the bag A with the liquid L sealed therein, as shown in Figure 8 in particular, the housing 2 is inserted into the liquid container 3 with its opening end E2 pressing and deforming the bag A. As a result, the housing 2 is placed on the bag A, the opening on the opening end E2 side is closed by the bag A, and the internal space S is sealed.

[0071] Furthermore, as described above, because the liquid L is loosely sealed in the bag A, no tension is generated by the liquid L on the top surface of the bag A, and as shown in Fig. 8, the top surface closing the opening on the open end E2 side is substantially parallel to the bottom surface of the liquid container 3, except for the portion deformed by pressure. Furthermore, as shown in Fig. 8, the liquid L is sealed in the bag A so as to fill the space between the open end E2 and the bottom surface of the liquid container 3 via the bag A, but a smaller amount of liquid L may be used as long as the sealed state is maintained even when the cone paper vibrates.

[0072] With the speaker device Y configured as described above, the liquid L and the bag A are present on the path R that leads from the internal space S to the gap g via the open end E2. The other configurations of the speaker unit 1 and the liquid container 3 are the same as those in embodiment 1. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the spacer m and the filter member f are not required.

[0073] Although not shown in the figures, when music is played in the speaker device Y of this embodiment, the liquid level of the liquid L sealed in the bag body A in the internal space S rises and falls in response to the vibration of the cone paper, in the same manner as the speaker device W of embodiment 1, thereby suppressing the generation of an air spring.

[0074] When replacing the bag A or relocating or transporting the speaker device Y, the user simply moves the housing 2 (and the speaker unit 1) upward (FIG. 9). This allows the user to separate the housing 2 (and the speaker unit 1) from the liquid container 3.

[0075] As described above, according to this embodiment, similar to the first embodiment, it is possible to use the liquid L to reproduce realistic sound quality while preventing leakage of the liquid L.

[0076] <Modifications> The shapes and dimensions of the components shown in the above embodiment are merely examples, and can be modified in various ways based on design requirements and the like.

[0077] For example, the liquid container 3 in the speaker device W and the speaker device X may have an on-off valve v for discharging the liquid L, as shown in Fig. 10. This makes it easier to transfer and transport the liquid L.

[0078] In addition, existing enclosure types such as the Kelton type and the front-loaded horn type have a part of their structure constituted by a sealed housing. By replacing the sealed housing part of each of these types with the type of speaker device X, the reproduction sound quality of each of these types can be improved.

[0079] The speaker device W may also be modified as shown in Fig. 11. That is, in the housing 2, a gathered (pleated) film u1 that does not allow the liquid L to pass through but transmits air pressure well may be installed parallel to the speaker unit 1 between the speaker unit 1 in the internal space S and the liquid surface. A similar gathered (pleated) film u2 may also be installed in the gap g. The films u1 and u2 may be made of, for example, resin.

[0080] As a result, the internal space S is divided by the film u1 into an internal space S1 and an internal space S2. At this time, the internal space S1 is sealed by the film u1, and similarly, the internal space S2 is also sealed.

[0081] Furthermore, since film u1 effectively transmits air pressure, internal spaces S1 and S2 function as a single unit against air pressure fluctuations. Furthermore, film u2 also effectively transmits air pressure, so the liquid L between the outer peripheral surface of housing 2 and the inner peripheral surface of liquid container 3 is exposed to atmospheric pressure via film u2.

[0082] In this way, the membranes u1 and u2, which do not allow the liquid L to pass through but transmit air pressure well, suppress the generation of air springs above and below the liquid surface of the liquid L, in the same principle as the speaker device W shown in Figure 1, etc., making it possible to reproduce realistic sound quality while preventing leakage of the liquid L. Note that in this modified example, the filter member f is not necessary. This modified example can also be similarly applied to the speaker device X.

[0083] Moreover, by connecting the speaker devices W to Y to a low-pass filter and a power amplifier for bass reproduction, the speaker devices W to Y can be used as a so-called subwoofer.

[0084] In addition, the speaker devices W and X may also use the liquid L sealed in the bag A, as in the speaker device Y.

[0085] In addition, the word "abbreviated" in the application documents is a concept that means that the shape that follows has been chamfered or rounded, and also includes elements that make up the shape having been deformed or changed in length within a range that does not impede the purpose of the shape.

[0086] <Supplementary Explanation> The structure and operation that provide excellent sound quality will now be described in detail.

[0087] <<Effect of having a liquid in the path>> By having a liquid in the path, the vibrational energy of the speaker unit's paper cone is converted into the potential energy of the liquid, and the air spring is suppressed in the interior space of the housing, so the vibration of the paper cone is not impeded. Furthermore, the vibration of the paper cone causes the liquid in the interior space of the housing to vibrate, but because the acoustic impedance of liquid is significantly different from that of air, the propagation of acoustic energy inside the housing to the outside via the fluid can be ignored. This allows for the reproduction of realistic sound quality, with only positive phase sound from the front of the paper cone.

[0088] <<Effect of Gap Formation>> In the present invention, a gap is formed around the entire circumference between the outer circumferential surface of the housing and the inner circumferential surface of the liquid container, thereby increasing the surface area of ​​the liquid exposed to the atmosphere. The air spring inside the housing, which is generated by the vibration of the paper cone, is suppressed by the movement of the liquid, but if the surface area of ​​the liquid exposed to the atmosphere is sufficiently large, the liquid moves quickly and the air spring can be suppressed more effectively.

[0089] <<Effect of Miniaturization and Surface Area of ​​Liquid Inside Housing>> In the present invention, because a liquid is interposed in the path leading to the outside, the housing needs to be as small and compact as possible in volume to suppress the generation of air spring. The force that moves the liquid is the product of the surface area of ​​the liquid inside the housing and the pressure per unit area applied to the liquid surface. If the volume of the housing is large, the air pressure per unit volume decreases in inverse proportion to the volume, and the air pressure per unit area acting on the liquid surface inside the housing decreases. The decrease in air pressure acting on the liquid makes it impossible to effectively move the liquid in phase with the vibration of the cone paper, and the air spring cannot be sufficiently suppressed.

[0090] Furthermore, if the surface area of ​​the liquid inside the housing is smaller than the vibrating area of ​​the paper cone, the force moving the liquid decreases in proportion to the reduction in the liquid's surface area. Ignoring the reduction in air pressure per unit volume due to the internal volume of the housing, when the surface area of ​​the liquid is equal to the surface area of ​​the paper cone, the air pressure acting on the liquid surface is equal to the vibration of the paper cone. If the housing is small and the surface area of ​​the liquid inside the housing is equal to the area of ​​the paper cone, the vibration energy of the paper cone can be fully applied to the liquid surface, allowing the liquid to move quickly in phase with the paper cone. If the housing volume is not small enough, or if the surface area of ​​the liquid inside the housing is smaller than the area of ​​the paper cone, the liquid will not move in phase with the vibration of the paper cone. If the liquid does not move in phase with the vibration of the paper cone, not only will the generation of air spring not be suppressed, but distortion will increase, degrading sound quality. When the internal volume of the housing is sufficiently small and the liquid surface area inside the housing is equal to the vibration area of ​​the paper cone, the liquid surface is subjected to air pressure equal to the vibration energy of the paper cone, moving along paths inside and outside the housing, the air pressure inside the housing becomes equal to atmospheric pressure, and the air spring does not work.In order to move the liquid in phase with the vibration of the paper cone and suppress the air spring, it is extremely important that the housing has a small volume and that the surface area of ​​the liquid inside the housing is equal to the area of ​​the paper cone.

[0091] The present invention has a configuration in which the lower part of the housing is housed in (inserted into) a liquid container, and is a structure that makes it easy to ensure a sufficient surface area for the liquid inside the housing while being compact.

[0092] The present invention is configured to achieve both the above-mentioned miniaturization and the maintenance of a liquid surface area within the housing equivalent to that of a paper cone, thereby enabling the rapid movement of liquid based on the above-mentioned design to more effectively suppress the generation of air springs.

[0093] <<Summary>> In this way, the present invention focuses on suppressing the generation of air springs using liquid, and in order to suitably achieve this, each component contributes in a concerted manner to enable the rapid movement of liquid, thereby not only improving the quality of the reproduced sound but also reducing the size of the speaker device, resulting in a unique synergistic effect not found in the cited documents.

[0094] In particular, conventional speaker devices have the following problems: - Small sealed speakers have poor bass reproduction and produce a muffled tone because the movement of the cone paper is suppressed by an air spring; - Large sealed speakers have a weakened air spring and reproduce rich bass, but are difficult to install in an average home; - Flat baffle speakers, which have no housing, do not use the air spring at all and produce a clear, well-balanced sound that is not drowned out by other sounds, but the anti-phase sound from the rear interferes and prevents bass reproduction. In contrast, the present invention focuses on the fact that, without using the air spring, even a small housing can produce rich bass like a large speaker and the clear, well-balanced sound of a flat baffle.

[0095] In other words, conventional large-scale closed-type speaker devices reduce the pressure per unit volume by increasing the internal volume, and the change in pressure per unit volume (i.e., the strength of the air spring) is reduced to a level where it is negligible, and improving sound quality inevitably requires increasing the size of the device.In contrast, the present invention is not bound by conventional common sense and goes against this way of thinking, and by moving the liquid in the same phase as the vibration of the cone paper, it is a completely new type of speaker device that, despite being a closed-type, the smaller the device, the better the sound reproduction quality can be obtained.

[0096] W to Y Speaker device 1 Speaker unit 2 Housing E1, E2 Open end 3 Liquid container S Internal space g Gap L Liquid A Bag body

Claims

1. A speaker device comprising: a speaker unit which outputs sound waves based on an input audio signal; a housing having one and other open ends; and a liquid container which opens upward and contains a predetermined liquid, wherein one open end of the speaker unit is closed so that its back surface is exposed to the internal space of the housing; the other open end is inserted into the liquid container; a gap which communicates with the outside of the liquid container is formed between the outer peripheral surface of the housing and the inner peripheral surface of the liquid container; the liquid is present in a path which leads from the internal space of the housing to the outside via the other open end; and by inserting the other open end into the liquid container, the gap is formed around the entire circumference between the outer peripheral surface of the housing and the inner peripheral surface of the liquid container.

2. The speaker device according to claim 1, wherein the housing has a generally cylindrical shape extending in the vertical direction, and the width of the housing in the left-right direction in cross section is smaller than the width of the liquid container in the left-right direction in cross section.

3. The speaker device according to claim 1, wherein the housing and the liquid container are separable.

4. The speaker device according to claim 1, wherein the other open end is immersed in the liquid, and the liquid is exposed to the outside air through the gap.

5. The speaker device according to claim 4, wherein the liquid is non-volatile.

6. The speaker device according to claim 4, wherein a filter member having air permeability is provided in the gap.

7. The speaker device according to claim 4, wherein the liquid container has an opening / closing valve for controlling the discharge of the liquid.

8. The speaker device according to claim 1, wherein the housing comprises a first housing having the one opening end and a second housing having the other opening end, the first housing and the second housing being detachably connected to each other.

9. The speaker device according to claim 1, wherein the liquid is sealed in a flexible bag, and the other open end is placed on the bag and closed.

Citation Information

Patent Citations

  • JP1986068588U

  • JP1992043097U

  • JP1992048791U

  • Acoustic enclosure system with liquid attenuation

    JP1996507665A

  • microphone

    JP2017519419A