Speaker enclosure

Abstract

The present invention relates to a speaker enclosure comprising: a front case for supporting a speaker; and a rear case coupled to the front case so as to contain a part of the speaker. The front case comprises a front case body and a coupling hole extending through the front case body. The rear case comprises a coupling protrusion to be inserted into the coupling hole. The front case and the rear case are coupled as the coupling protrusion is inserted into the coupling hole and then caulked.

Description

enclosure for speakers

[0001] The present invention relates to an enclosure applied to a speaker.

[0002] A speaker is an audio device that converts an electrical signal into vibrations of a diaphragm, which then generates airborne waves to radiate sound. These speakers are also called loudspeakers or megaphones. A type in which the diaphragm is placed directly in the air is called a radiation speaker, while a type in which the diaphragm is placed inside a horn is called a horn speaker. Direct-radiation speakers are mostly cone speakers, which are commonly used in radio and stereo equipment, but some also use metal diaphragms. Speakers are also built into electronic devices such as TVs and audio equipment to function as audio devices.

[0003] These speakers consist of a driver unit that reproduces sound and an enclosure that acts as a resonance chamber. As electronic devices containing built-in speakers become smaller, the enclosures that make up the speakers also need to be thinner.

[0004] Fig. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a speaker enclosure according to the prior art.

[0005] Here, the speaker enclosure (100) according to the prior art is configured by assembling a front case (110) and a rear case (120). In order to reduce the thickness of the speaker enclosure (100) according to the prior art, the front case (110) and the rear case (120) may be implemented with different materials. For example, in the speaker enclosure (100) according to the prior art, the front case (110) may be configured with plastic, and the rear case (120) may be configured with a steel plate. In this case, in the speaker enclosure (100) according to the prior art, the front case (110) and the rear case (120) are connected by a fastening means (130) such as a screw. Accordingly, the speaker enclosure (100) according to the prior art has a problem in that the thickness of the enclosure cannot be reduced below a certain value due to the thickness of the screw head and the minimum screw length required for screw fastening. In addition, the enclosure (100) for a speaker according to the prior art has a problem in that the product is warped as the front case (110) and the rear case (120) are fastened to each other using a fastening means (130) such as a screw.

[0006] The present invention has been devised to solve the problems described above, and to provide an enclosure for a speaker that can be miniaturized while minimizing the occurrence of defects in the product.

[0007] To solve the above-mentioned problem, the present invention may include the following configuration.

[0008] The present invention may include a front case for supporting a speaker; and a rear case coupled with the front case to accommodate a portion of the speaker. The front case may include a front case body and a coupling hole penetrating the front case body. The rear case may include a coupling protrusion for insertion into the coupling hole. In this case, the front case and the rear case may be coupled by caulking after the coupling protrusion is inserted into the coupling hole.

[0009] The present invention may include a front case for supporting a speaker; and a rear case coupled with the front case to accommodate a portion of the speaker. The rear case may include a rear case body and a coupling hole penetrating the rear case body. The front case may include a coupling protrusion for insertion into the coupling hole. In this case, the front case and the rear case may be coupled by caulking after the coupling protrusion is inserted into the coupling hole.

[0010] According to the present invention, the following effects can be achieved.

[0011] The present invention can be implemented so that the front and rear cases are joined by caulking after the joining protrusions are inserted into the joining holes, thereby enabling the front and rear cases to be joined without using fastening means such as screws. Accordingly, the present invention eliminates the need to secure the thickness of the screw head portions required to join the front and rear cases, and the minimum screw length required for screw fastening, thereby minimizing the thickness of the front and rear cases joined. Accordingly, the present invention can be implemented in a miniaturized form.

[0012] Unlike comparative examples where the front and rear cases are fastened using fastening means such as screws, the present invention can avoid problems such as quality degradation due to poor fastening of the fastening means. Furthermore, since the front and rear cases are joined without relying on separate fastening means, the manpower required to fasten the fastening means is minimized, thereby reducing the manufacturing cost for joining the front and rear cases.

[0013] Figure 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the front case and the rear case in a speaker enclosure according to the prior art.

[0014] Figure 2 is a schematic exploded perspective view of an enclosure for a speaker according to the present invention.

[0015] Figure 3 is a schematic exploded cross-sectional view of the front case and the rear case in the speaker enclosure according to the present invention.

[0016] Figure 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the front case and the rear case in the speaker enclosure according to the present invention.

[0017] Figure 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the front case and the rear case before the flange portion is formed in the speaker enclosure according to the present invention.

[0018] Hereinafter, an embodiment of an enclosure for a speaker according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

[0019] Referring to Fig. 2, the speaker enclosure (1) according to the present invention is a component of a speaker. The speaker enclosure (1) according to the present invention may be coupled with a driver unit (10) that generates sound. The speaker enclosure (1) according to the present invention may be implemented as a soundbox for the sound generated from the driver unit (10).

[0020] Referring to FIG. 2, the enclosure (1) for a speaker according to the present invention may include a front case (2).

[0021] The front case (2) above is for supporting the driver unit (10). The driver unit (10) can be coupled to the front case (2). The driver unit (10) can be coupled to the front case (2) so as to be partially inserted. The front case (2) can be arranged to face the rear case (3). A plurality of the driver units (10) can be coupled to the front case (2).

[0022] Referring to FIG. 2, the enclosure (1) for a speaker according to the present invention may include a rear case (3).

[0023] The rear case (3) is coupled to the front case (2) to accommodate a portion of the driver unit (10). The rear case (3) may be coupled to the front case (2) to form a receiving space (1a, illustrated in FIG. 4) for accommodating the driver unit (10). In this case, a portion of the driver unit (10) may be placed in the receiving space (1a). The rear case (3) may be coupled to the front case (2) at a position spaced apart from the driver unit (10). For example, the driver unit (10) may be coupled to one side of the front case (2), and the rear case (3) may be coupled to the other side of the front case (2). As the rear case (3) is coupled to the front case (2), it may be implemented as a resonance chamber for sound generated from the driver unit (10).

[0024] Referring to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the front case (2) may include a front case body (20) and a joining hole (21).

[0025] The front case body (20) above has the coupling hole (21) formed therein. The driver unit (10) can be coupled to the front case body (20). In this case, the driver unit (10) can be coupled to the front case body (20) so that it can be inserted therein.

[0026] The above-mentioned coupling hole (21) penetrates the front case body (20). The coupling hole (21) may be formed at a position spaced apart from the driver unit (10). The coupling hole (21) may be arranged to face the receiving space (1a). In the speaker enclosure (1) according to the present invention, a plurality of coupling holes (21) may be formed in the front case body (20). In this case, the coupling holes (21) may be formed in the front case body (20) at positions spaced apart from each other.

[0027] Referring to FIGS. 2 to 4, the front case (2) may include a step portion (22).

[0028] The step portion (22) is arranged on the outside of the coupling hole (21). The step portion (22) can be coupled to the front case body (20). In this case, the step portion (22) can be arranged to protrude from the front case body (20) toward the coupling hole (21). When the front case (2) is coupled to be arranged on the upper side of the rear case (3) based on the height direction (Z-axis direction), the upper surface (22a) of the step portion (22) can be arranged at a lower position than the upper surface (2a) of the front case (2).

[0029] Referring to FIGS. 2 to 4, the front case (2) may include a cocking hole (23).

[0030] The above caulking hole (23) penetrates the front case body (20). The caulking hole (23) may be connected to the coupling hole (21). The caulking hole (23) may be arranged on the outer side of the front case body (20), and the coupling hole (21) may be arranged on the inner side of the front case body (20). The diameter (23D) of the caulking hole (23) may be larger than the diameter (21D) of the coupling hole (21).

[0031] Referring to Fig. 3, the front case (2) may include a caulking slope (24).

[0032] The above caulking slope (24) is formed on the front case body (20). The caulking slope (24) may be arranged to be inclined toward the caulking hole (23). Accordingly, the speaker enclosure (1) according to the present invention may be implemented so that, when a caulking member (not shown) for pressing a coupling protrusion (31) to be described later is inserted into the caulking hole (23) in a misaligned state, it moves along the caulking slope (24) and then is inserted into the caulking hole (23). Accordingly, the speaker enclosure (1) according to the present invention can be smoothly inserted into the caulking hole (23) through the caulking slope (24) even if the caulking member is misaligned. The caulking slope (24) may be formed so that the distance between them becomes closer as it extends downward based on the height direction (Z-axis direction).

[0033] Referring to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the rear case (3) may include a rear case body (30) and a coupling protrusion (31).

[0034] The rear case body (30) above is combined with the coupling protrusion (31). When the rear case (3) and the front case (2) are combined, the rear case body (30) can be arranged to face the front case body (20). In this case, the rear case body (30) and the front case body (20) can be arranged to be spaced apart from each other. Accordingly, the receiving space (1a) can be formed between the rear case body (30) and the front case body (20). The receiving space (1a) can be implemented as a resonance chamber for sound generated from the speaker.

[0035] The above-mentioned coupling protrusion (31) is to be inserted into the coupling hole (21). The coupling protrusion (31) may protrude from the rear case body (30) toward the receiving space (1a, illustrated in FIG. 4). The coupling protrusion (31) may protrude from the rear case body (30) toward the front case body (20). The coupling protrusion (31) may protrude from the rear case body (30) to a length that does not protrude upwards from the upper surface (2a) of the front case (2) when the front case (2) and the rear case (3) are coupled. When the rear case (3) and the front case (2) are coupled, the coupling protrusion (31) may be positioned corresponding to the coupling hole (21). That is, the coupling protrusion (31) may be positioned to face the coupling hole (21) and be inserted into the coupling hole (21). To this end, the coupling protrusion (31) may be formed with a diameter equal to or smaller than that of the coupling hole (21). In this case, the front case (2) and the rear case (3) may be coupled as the coupling protrusion (31) is inserted into the coupling hole (21) and then caulked. Accordingly, the speaker enclosure (1) according to the present invention may achieve the following operational effects.

[0036] First, since the speaker enclosure (1) according to the present invention is configured such that the front case (2) and the rear case (3) are coupled by caulking after the coupling protrusion (31) is inserted into the coupling hole (21), the front case (2) and the rear case (3) are coupled without using a fastening means such as a screw. Accordingly, the speaker enclosure (1) according to the present invention does not need to secure the thickness of the head of the screw required to couple the front case (2) and the rear case (3), and the minimum screw length required for screw fastening, so the thickness of the front case (2) and the rear case (3) coupled can be minimized. Therefore, the speaker enclosure (1) according to the present invention can be implemented in a compact form.

[0037] Second, unlike the comparative example in which the front case (2) and the rear case (3) are fastened with a fastening means such as a screw, the speaker enclosure (1) according to the present invention may not cause problems such as a deterioration in quality due to poor fastening of the fastening means. In addition, since the front case (2) and the rear case (3) are inserted through the fastening hole (21) and the fastening protrusion (31) and the fastening protrusion (31) are fastened by caulking, the manpower required to fasten the fastening means is minimized, and thus the manufacturing cost for fastening the front case (2) and the rear case (3) can be reduced.

[0038] Referring to FIGS. 2 to 4, the coupling protrusion (31) may be formed integrally with the rear case body (30). Accordingly, unlike the comparative example in which the rear case (3) and the front case (2) are coupled by separate fastening means such as screws or rivets, the speaker enclosure (1) according to the present invention can prevent the rear case (3) and the front case (2) from being separated from the rear case body (30) by caulking while the rear case (3) and the front case (2) are coupled to each other. Therefore, the speaker enclosure (1) according to the present invention can more firmly couple the front case (2) and the rear case (3) through the coupling protrusion (31). Meanwhile, in the speaker enclosure (1) according to the present invention, the coupling protrusion (31) may be formed in multiple numbers on the rear case body (30). In this case, the coupling protrusions (31) may be formed on the front case body (20) at positions spaced apart from each other. Accordingly, the speaker enclosure (1) according to the present invention can be simultaneously caulked after the coupling protrusions (31) are inserted into the coupling holes (21). Therefore, the speaker enclosure (1) according to the present invention can minimize the occurrence of defects such as warping in the front case (2) or the rear case (3) through the coupling protrusions (31) and the coupling holes (21).

[0039] Referring to FIGS. 2 to 4, the coupling projection (31) may include a flange portion (32).

[0040] The flange portion (32) protrudes toward the step portion (22). The flange portion (32) can be supported by the step portion (22) so that the coupling protrusion (31) is fixed to the coupling hole (21). Accordingly, the speaker enclosure (1) according to the present invention can be implemented so that the front case (2) and the rear case (3) are maintained in a coupled state by the flange portion (32) being supported by the step portion (22). Accordingly, the speaker enclosure (1) according to the present invention can prevent the front case (2) and the rear case (3) from being separated from each other by firmly fixing the front case (2) and the rear case (3) through the flange portion (32). On the other hand, when the front case (2) and the rear case (3) are coupled to each other with a fastening means such as a screw or a rivet, a problem such as the fastening means becoming loose may occur. When the front case (2) and the rear case (3) are coupled to each other, the step portion (22) can be placed between the flange portion (32) and the rear case body (30) based on the height direction (Z-axis direction). Accordingly, the flange portion (32) is supported at the lower part based on the height direction (Z-axis direction) by the step portion (22), thereby preventing the rear case (3) from being separated from the front case (2).

[0041] Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the outer diameter (32D) of the flange portion (32) may be larger than the inner diameter (22D) of the step portion (22). In other words, the outer diameter (32D) of the flange portion (32) may be larger than the diameter (21D) of the coupling hole (21). Accordingly, in the speaker enclosure (1) according to the present invention, the flange portion (32) may be implemented to support the step portion (22) in a state where the coupling protrusion (31) is inserted into the coupling hole (21). In this case, the upper surface (22a) of the step portion (22) is arranged at a position lower than the upper surface (2a) of the front case (2), thereby preventing the flange portion (32) from protruding toward the upper surface (2a) of the front case (2). Furthermore, the thickness (32T) of the flange portion (32) based on the height direction (Z-axis direction) may be smaller than the depth (23T) of the caulking hole (23). Accordingly, the flange portion (32) can be prevented from being positioned higher than the upper surface (2a) of the front case (2) while being supported by the step portion (22). Accordingly, the speaker enclosure (1) according to the present invention can implement the thickness of the front case (2) and the rear case (3) combined as the thickness of the product by having the upper surface (32a) of the flange portion (32) be positioned lower than the upper surface (2a) of the front case (2). Therefore, the speaker enclosure (1) according to the present invention can be miniaturized by preventing parts for combination from protruding to the upper surface (2a) of the front case (2).

[0042] Referring to FIG. 5, the flange portion (32) can be formed in the following order. First, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the front case (2) and the rear case (3) can be coupled to each other so that the coupling protrusion (31) is inserted into the coupling hole (21). Next, the flange portion (32) can be formed by the caulking member pressing the coupling protrusion (31) through the caulking hole (23) formed in the front case (2). For this purpose, the diameter (23D) of the caulking hole (23) can be larger than the diameter (21D, illustrated in FIG. 3) of the coupling hole (21). In addition, the diameter (23D) of the caulking hole (23) can be larger than the outer diameter (32D, illustrated in FIG. 4) of the flange portion (32). Accordingly, the caulking member for pressurizing the flange portion (32) into the caulking hole (23) can be inserted or detachably connected.

[0043] Although not shown, according to another embodiment, the speaker enclosure (1) according to the present invention may have the front case (2) and the rear case (3) having opposite structures. For example, the rear case (3) may include a coupling hole (not shown) penetrating the rear case body (30). The front case may include a coupling protrusion (not shown) to be inserted into the coupling hole (not shown) formed in the rear case body (30). In this case, the speaker enclosure (1) according to the present invention may be such that the front case (2) and the rear case (3) are coupled when the coupling protrusion is inserted into the coupling hole and then caulked. In the speaker enclosure (1) according to the present invention, the coupling hole (21) included in the front case (2) and the coupling protrusion (31) formed in the rear case (3) may be formed to be approximately identical with the coupling hole (not shown) and the coupling protrusion (not shown) according to other embodiments, with the only difference being the position in which they are arranged.

[0044] Meanwhile, in the speaker enclosure (1) according to the present invention, the front case (2) or the rear case (3) in which the coupling protrusion (31) is formed may be made of a metal material such as iron, and the front case (2) or the rear case (3) in which the coupling hole (21) is formed may be made of a metal material such as iron that is the same material as the case having the coupling protrusion (31), or may be made of a resin material such as plastic. In this way, in the speaker enclosure (1) according to the present invention, the front case (2) or the rear case (3) may be formed of the same or different materials.

[0045] The present invention described above is not limited to the above-described embodiments and the attached drawings, and it will be apparent to a person skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains that various substitutions, modifications, and changes are possible within a scope that does not depart from the technical spirit of the present invention.

Claims

1. Front case to support the speaker; and A rear case coupled to the front case to accommodate a portion of the speaker, The above front case includes a front case body and a joining hole penetrating the front case body, The above rear case includes a coupling protrusion for insertion into the coupling hole, An enclosure for a speaker, characterized in that the front case and the rear case are combined by caulking after the above-mentioned connecting protrusion is inserted into the connecting hole.

2. In paragraph 1, The above front case includes a step portion arranged on the outside of the above joining hole, The above-mentioned joining projection includes a flange portion protruding toward the step portion, An enclosure for a speaker, characterized in that the flange portion is supported by the step portion so that the coupling protrusion is fixed to the coupling hole.

3. In paragraph 2, The above rear case includes a rear case body to which the above coupling protrusion is coupled, An enclosure for a speaker, characterized in that the rear case body and the coupling protrusion are formed as one piece.

4. In paragraph 2, The above rear case includes a rear case body to which the above coupling protrusion is coupled, A speaker enclosure characterized in that the step portion is positioned between the flange portion and the rear case body.

5. In paragraph 3, An enclosure for a speaker characterized in that the rear case is made of a metal material such as iron.

6. In paragraph 2, A speaker enclosure characterized in that the upper surface of the above-mentioned step portion is positioned lower than the upper surface of the front case.

7. In paragraph 2, The above front case includes a cocking hole penetrating the front case body, An enclosure for a speaker, characterized in that the diameter of the cocking hole is larger than the outer diameter of the flange portion.

8. In paragraph 7, The above front case includes a caulking slope formed on the front case body, An enclosure for a speaker, characterized in that the above caulking slope is arranged to be inclined toward the caulking hole.

9. In paragraph 7, An enclosure for a speaker, characterized in that the thickness of the flange portion is smaller than the thickness of the cocking hole.

10. Front case to support the speaker; and A rear case coupled to the front case to accommodate a portion of the speaker, The above rear case includes a rear case body and a joining hole penetrating the rear case body, The above front case includes a coupling protrusion for insertion into the coupling hole, An enclosure for a speaker, characterized in that the front case and the rear case are combined by caulking after the above-mentioned connecting protrusion is inserted into the connecting hole.

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