Glass speaker

Abstract

This glass speaker (10) comprises: a support structure (12) having an opening (16); a glass plate (18) having an outer peripheral portion supported by the opening (16); at least one vibrator (20) for applying vibration to the glass plate (18); and at least one vibration attenuation member (30) disposed at a position separated from the glass plate (18) in the support structure (12) and disposed along an outer peripheral end (18A) of the glass plate (18).

Description

Glass Speaker

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a glass speaker.

[0002] International Publication Nos. 2023 / 085380 and 2023 / 224049 propose glass speakers whose diaphragms are made of glass plates.

[0003] In a glass speaker, a vibrator vibrates a glass plate, and the vibrations propagate to the surrounding air, generating sound pressure. However, the vibrations of the glass plate also affect the support structure that supports the glass plate, and the vibrations of the support structure may propagate to the outside, causing abnormal noise or unpleasant vibrations.

[0004] In consideration of the above, the present disclosure aims to provide a glass speaker that can suppress the vibrations of the support structure that supports the glass plate from propagating to the outside.

[0005] The glass speaker according to the present disclosure comprises a support structure having an opening, a glass plate whose outer periphery is supported by the opening, at least one vibrator that imparts vibration to the glass plate, and at least one vibration damping member that is positioned on the support structure at a position spaced apart from the glass plate and that is positioned along the outer periphery of the glass plate.

[0006] The glass speaker according to the present disclosure can suppress the vibrations of the support structure that supports the glass plate from propagating to the outside.

[0007] FIG. 1 is a front view showing a glass speaker according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the vibration damping member taken along line 2-2 in FIG. 1; FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an example in which the glass speaker according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied to a vehicle, the vehicle being viewed from the left rear diagonal; FIG. 4 is a plan view showing an example in which the glass speaker according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied to a vehicle, the vehicle being viewed from above, showing a number of evaluation examples in which the distance from the outer peripheral edge of the glass plate to the vibration damping member is different; and FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing another example in which the vibration damping member according to an embodiment of the present invention is configured as a rear spoiler of a vehicle, the vehicle being viewed from the left rear diagonal.

[0008] The glass speaker 10 according to this embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that unless otherwise specified in the specification, each element is not limited to one, and may be present in multiple numbers. Furthermore, in the drawings, substantially identical elements are given the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations in the specification will be omitted.

[0009] (Glass Speaker) Fig. 1 is a front view schematically showing a glass speaker 10 according to this embodiment. As shown in Fig. 1, the glass speaker 10 includes a support structure 12 having an opening 16, a glass plate 18 whose outer periphery is supported by the opening 16, a vibrator 20 that imparts vibrations to the glass plate 18, and a vibration-damping member 30 provided on the support structure 12. The glass speaker 10 vibrates the glass plate 18 by the vibrations imparted by the vibrator 20, and generates sound pressure as a speaker when these vibrations propagate into the surrounding air.

[0010] (Support Structure) As an example, the support structure 12 is formed by forming an opening 16 in a support main body 14 that forms a plate-like frame. This support structure 12 may be a vehicle body as in the example described below, or may be a wall member that forms a wall portion of a building, and is not particularly limited.

[0011] (Glass Plate) The glass plate 18 constitutes the diaphragm of the glass speaker 10. The glass plate 18 is made of a single glass plate and has two main surfaces that face each other in the thickness direction. The glass plate 18 may also be laminated glass in which two glass plates are bonded together with a resin intermediate layer.

[0012] The glass plate 18 is made of transparent or translucent inorganic glass, such as soda-lime glass, aluminosilicate glass, borosilicate glass, alkali-free glass, and quartz glass.

[0013] When the glass plate 18 is inorganic glass and is a single-pane glass, the glass plate 18 is preferably tempered glass. Tempered glass is glass that has a compressive stress layer formed on the surface of untempered glass, and may be either air-cooled tempered glass or chemically tempered glass. When the tempered glass is physically tempered glass (e.g., air-cooled tempered glass), the glass surface may be tempered by generating a compressive stress layer on the glass surface due to a temperature difference between the glass surface and the interior of the glass through an operation other than gradual cooling, such as rapidly cooling a glass plate that has been uniformly heated during bending from a temperature near its softening point. When the tempered glass is chemically tempered glass, the glass surface may be tempered by generating compressive stress on the glass surface using an ion exchange method or the like after bending.

[0014] When the glass plate 18 is a laminated glass in which two glass plates are bonded with a resin intermediate layer, both glass plates may be untempered glass, only one may be tempered glass, or both may be tempered glass. When both glass plates are tempered glass, both may be air-cooled tempered glass, both may be chemically tempered glass, or one may be cold-tempered glass and the other may be chemically tempered glass.

[0015] However, the glass plate 18 may be made of organic glass, such as PMMA (Polymethylmethacrylate) resin, PC (Polycarbonate) resin, PS (Polystyrene) resin, PET (Polyethyleneterephthalate) resin, or cellulose resin.

[0016] When the glass plate 18 is a single-plate glass, the thickness of the glass plate 18 is preferably 0.5 mm or more, more preferably 1.0 mm or more, and even more preferably 1.5 mm or more. This improves the rigidity and strength of the glass plate 18, making it easier for piston vibration to occur. Furthermore, when the glass plate 18 is a single-plate glass, from the viewpoint of reducing the weight of the glass-mounted speaker 10, the thickness of the glass plate 18 is preferably 10.0 mm or less, more preferably 7.0 mm or less, and even more preferably 5.0 mm or less.

[0017] When the glass plate 18 is made of laminated glass, the thickness of each of the pair of glass plates constituting the glass plate 18 is preferably 0.5 mm or more, more preferably 1.0 mm or more, and even more preferably 1.5 mm or more. The thicknesses of the pair of glass plates constituting the glass plate 18 may be the same or different, but are preferably the same in terms of stabilizing sound pressure. Furthermore, the total thickness of the glass plates 18 is preferably 1.0 mm or more, more preferably 2.0 mm or more, and even more preferably 3.0 mm or more. Furthermore, in terms of reducing the weight of the glass speaker 10, the total thickness is preferably 10.0 mm or less, more preferably 8.0 mm or less, and even more preferably 6.0 mm or less.

[0018] When the glass plate 18 is used as laminated glass, the intermediate layer can be, for example, a transparent polyvinyl butyral (PVB)-based or ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA)-based resin film, or a resin film containing a thermosetting adhesive material such as a silicone (PDMS)-based, polyurethane-based, fluorine-based, polyethylene terephthalate-based, or polycarbonate-based material. The intermediate layer may also contain a material that enhances sound insulation, a material that enhances rigidity, or a material that absorbs ultraviolet or infrared light. The intermediate layer may also be a liquid or gel-like intermediate layer. Specific examples of liquid intermediate layers include water, oil, organic solvents, liquid polymers, ionic liquids, and mixtures thereof. More specifically, examples of the gel-like intermediate layer include propylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, tripropylene glycol, straight silicone oil (dimethyl silicone oil, methylphenyl silicone oil, methylhydrogen silicone oil), modified silicone oil, acrylic acid polymer, liquid polybutadiene, glycerin paste, fluorine-based solvent, fluorine-based resin, acetone, ethanol, xylene, toluene, water, mineral oil, and mixtures thereof. Among these, it is preferable to include at least one selected from the group consisting of propylene glycol, dimethyl silicone oil, methylphenyl silicone oil, methylhydrogen silicone oil, and modified silicone oil, and it is more preferable to use propylene glycol or silicone oil as the main component. Specific examples of the gel-like intermediate layer include carbon-based, fluorine-based, and silicone-based polymer materials. Specific examples include ABS, AES, AS, CA, CN, CPE, EEA, EVA, EVOH, IO, PMMA, PMP, PP, PS, PVC, RB, TPA, TPE, TPEE, TPF, TPO, TPS, TPU, TPVC, AAS, ACS, PET, PPE, PA6, PA66, PBN, PBT, PC, POM, PPO, ETFE, FEP, LCP, PEEK, PEI, PES, PFA, PPS, PSV, PTFE, PVDF, silicone, polyurethane, PI, PF, TAC, polyolefin, acrylic and copolymer resins thereof, and composite materials combining the above materials. The above materials may be used alone or in combination of two or more.The thickness of the intermediate layer may be, for example, 0.1 μm or more and 3.0 mm or less, 1.0 μm or more and 2.8 mm or less, or 3.0 μm or more and 2.6 mm or less.

[0019] A coating film may be formed on the glass plate 18. Examples of the coating film include a low-E (low emissivity) film, an anti-glare (AG) film, an anti-reflection (AR) film, an anti-fingerprint (AF) film, an ultraviolet (UV) cut film, an anti-fogging film, an anti-fungal film, and a water-repellent film.

[0020] Furthermore, the glass plate 18 may be colored glass baked in blue, red, green, gray, or the like, or may be privacy glass. Privacy glass is glass with lower transparency than green glass and clear glass, and is also called dark gray glass. Privacy glass can be achieved by adjusting the total iron content, converted to Fe2O3, in the rear window 12. The visible light transmittance of the privacy glass can be adjusted to, for example, approximately 40 to 50% when the plate thickness is 1.8 mm, and approximately 30 to 45% when the plate thickness is 2.0 mm. Also, photochromic glass may be used. Light-controlling glass has a light-controlling film sandwiched between two sheets of glass, which electrically changes the visible light transmittance. For example, the light-controlling film can be a polymer dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) film, a suspended particle device (SPD) film, a polymer network liquid crystal (PNLC) film, a guest-host liquid crystal film, an electrochromic material, or a photochromic material.

[0021] The glass plate 18 has its outer periphery supported by the opening 16 of the support structure 12 .

[0022] Specifically, on one of the two main surfaces of the glass plate 18, an adhesive layer 17 (see FIG. 2) is provided between the outer periphery of the main surface and the edge of the opening 16. The adhesive layer 17 may be disposed all around the outer periphery of the glass plate 18, or may be disposed only on a part of the outer periphery. The adhesive layer 17 may be a resin layer containing at least one of urethane-based, phenol-based, butyl-based, synthetic rubber-based, acrylic-based, epoxy-based, silicone-based, epoxysilicone-based, and polyvinyl chloride-based resins.

[0023] A sealant may be provided between the outer periphery of one main surface of the glass plate 18 and the opening 16 of the support structure 12. This sealant may be disposed along the entire periphery of the glass plate 18, or may be disposed only on a part of the periphery.

[0024] (Vibrator) The vibrator 20 is connected to a power source via a cable (not shown) and vibrates the glass plate 18 in response to an input electrical signal. As an example, the vibrator 20 of this embodiment is a voice coil motor including a coil portion and a magnetic circuit, one of which is fixed to the glass plate 18 via a mount member 21, and the other is arranged so as to be movable relative to the glass plate 18. When a current flows through the coil portion, the interaction between the coil portion and the magnetic circuit generates vibrations, causing the glass plate 18 to vibrate. Note that the vibrator 20 is not limited to a voice coil motor, and actuators other than voice coil motors, such as piezoelectric actuators, may be used as long as they are capable of transmitting the desired vibrations to the glass plate 18.

[0025] (Vibration Damping Member) The vibration damping member 30 is disposed on the support structure 12 at a position spaced apart from the glass plate 18, and is disposed along the outer peripheral edge 18A (see FIG. 2 ) of the glass plate 18. The vibration damping member 30 suppresses the vibration of the support structure 12 caused by the vibration of the glass plate 18 from being transmitted to the outside.

[0026] Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the vibration damping member 30. As shown in Fig. 2, the vibration damping member 30 includes, as an example, a plate-shaped main body 32 made of resin or metal, and an elastic adhesive layer 34 that forms an adhesive surface with the support structure 12.

[0027] The adhesive layer 34 of the vibration-damping member 30 gives the adhesive surface between the support structure 12 and the vibration-damping member 30 excess elasticity and viscosity. As a result, vibrations of the glass plate 18 transmitted to the vibration-damping member 30 via the support structure 12 are absorbed by the adhesive layer 34, thereby enabling effective vibration isolation.

[0028] The vibration damping member 30 also includes a plate-shaped main body 32 made of resin or metal. Therefore, by disposing the main body 32 on the support structure 12, the bending rigidity along the vibration direction of the vibrator 20 is increased at the contact portion between the vibration damping member 30 and the support structure 12. This makes it possible to damp vibrations transmitted from the glass plate 18 to the vibration damping member 30.

[0029] It should be noted that the adhesive layer 34 is not essential for the vibration damping member 30 and may be omitted. In this case, the vibration damping member 30 may be attached to the support structure 12 by screwing or the like. The main body 32 of the vibration damping member 30 may be formed by forming an elastic material such as rubber into a plate shape. In this case, regardless of whether the adhesive layer 34 is present or not, the vibration damping member 30 has elasticity on the adhesive surface with the support structure 12. It is more preferable that the vibration damping member 30 include the adhesive layer 34 in terms of enhancing the vibration damping effect.

[0030] The vibration damping member 30 is shaped to extend longitudinally along the outer peripheral edge 18A of the glass plate 18. Therefore, the vibration damping member 30 extends in a direction that intersects with the direction of vibration propagation from the glass plate 18 toward the support structure 12. This makes it possible to effectively enhance the vibration damping effect. In terms of effectively enhancing the vibration damping effect, it is necessary to ensure that the bonding area between the vibration damping member 30 and the support structure 12 is 100 cm ２ ] or more is more preferable.

[0031] Here, the vibration damping member 30 is formed in the shape of a long rectangular plate and is disposed only on a portion of the outer peripheral edge 18A of the glass plate 18, but is not limited to this. Various shapes can be used as long as they extend long along the outer peripheral edge 18A of the glass plate 18. Furthermore, the vibration damping member 30 may be disposed around the entire outer peripheral edge 18A of the glass plate 18.

[0032] Furthermore, it is preferable that the vibration damping member 30 is disposed in the support structure 12 within a range where the distance L [mm] (see FIG. 1) from the outer peripheral edge 18A of the glass plate 18 is 500 [mm] or less.

[0033] The ratio of the weight of the vibration-damping member 30 to the weight of the glass plate 18 is set to 1 / 200 to 1 / 3. It is believed that the greater the ratio of the weight of the vibration-damping member 30 to the weight of the glass plate 18, the more effectively the vibration-damping effect is enhanced. It is preferable that the ratio of the weight of the vibration-damping member 30 to the weight of the glass plate 18 be set to 1 / 200 to 1 / 3. If the weight of the vibration-damping member 30 is approximately the same as that of the glass plate 18, which is the vibrating body, a sufficient damping effect can be expected due to the moment relationship. Therefore, a sufficient damping effect can be obtained by setting the ratio of the weight of the vibration-damping member 30 to the weight of the glass plate 18 to 1 or less. To effectively enhance the vibration-damping effect while maintaining the maximum sound pressure input level (SPL) of the speaker, it is more preferable that the ratio of the weight of the vibration-damping member 30 to the weight of the glass plate 18 be set to 1 / 100 to 1 / 2.

[0034] 3 and 4, a description will be given of Example 1 in which the glass speaker 10 of the above embodiment is applied to a vehicle V. Note that the arrow FR shown as appropriate in each figure indicates the front side of the vehicle, the arrow UP indicates the upper side of the vehicle, and the arrow LH indicates the left side of the vehicle. Furthermore, when the front-rear, up-down, and left-right directions are used in the following description unless otherwise specified, they refer to front-rear in the front-rear direction of the vehicle, up-down in the up-down direction of the vehicle, and left-right when facing the direction of travel.

[0035] First, a description will be given of the vehicle V. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the vehicle V to which the glass speaker 10 is applied, viewed from the left rear. As shown in Fig. 3, a body 40 of the vehicle V has a plurality of openings formed on the front, side, rear, and top surfaces, and a window glass is supported in each opening.

[0036] More specifically, a first opening 42A (see FIG. 4) is formed in the front surface of the body 40. The first opening 42A is an opening provided in front of the front seats in the vehicle interior, and supports the outer periphery of the windshield 50 serving as the glass plate 18.

[0037] A second opening 42B is formed in the front of each of the left and right sides of the body 40 of the vehicle V, and a third opening 42C is formed in the rear of each of the left and right sides. Door panels of a front door 44 and a rear door 46, which constitute part of the body 40, are attached to the second opening 42B and the third opening 42C via hinges (not shown). The openings of the front door 44 and the rear door 46 support the outer peripheries of front side glass 52 and rear side glass 54, which serve as glass sheets 18, respectively.

[0038] A fourth opening 42D is formed in the rear surface of the body 40 of the vehicle V. A door panel of a tailgate 48 constituting the rear surface of the vehicle V is attached to the fourth opening 42D via a hinge portion 60. The opening 16 of the tailgate 48 supports the outer periphery of a tailgate 56 serving as a glass plate 18.

[0039] A fifth opening 42E is formed in the upper surface (roof 49) of the body 40 of the vehicle V. The fifth opening 42E supports the outer periphery of a roof glass 58 serving as the glass plate 18.

[0040] In the first embodiment, the vibrator 20 is attached to the rear window 56. The vibration damping member 30 is provided on the body 40 of the vehicle V at a position spaced apart from the outer peripheral edge 18A of the rear window 56.

[0041] It is not essential that the vibrator 20 be attached to the rear window 56. The glass speaker 10 may be configured by attaching the vibrator to other window panes such as the windshield 50, the front side windows 52, the rear side windows 54, and the roof glass 58.

[0042] The vibrator 20 is fixed near the upper end of the main surface of the rear windshield 56 facing the interior of the vehicle. A light-shielding layer 57 that blocks visible light is provided on at least a portion of the outer peripheral edge of the rear windshield 56, and in Example 1, the light-shielding layer 57 is provided around the entire outer peripheral edge 18A of the rear windshield 56. The light-shielding layer 57 is made of a material containing ceramics as a main component, and is disposed on the main surface of the rear windshield 56 facing the interior of the vehicle. The vibrator 20 is attached at a position where the light-shielding layer 57 is provided. This prevents the vibrator 20 from being visible from outside the vehicle V, thereby ensuring the design of the vehicle V.

[0043] The color of the opaque colored ceramic layer constituting the light-shielding layer 57 can be set arbitrarily, and is preferably a dark color such as black, brown, gray, or dark blue, or white, with black being more preferred.

[0044] The vibration damping member 30 is disposed within 500 mm of the outer peripheral edge of the rear windshield 56 in the body 40 of the vehicle V as a support structure. This prevents the vibrations of the rear windshield 56 from vibrating and reaching the door panel of the rear door 48, thereby preventing the vibrations of the rear door 48 from being transmitted to the outside. The vibration damping member 30 may be disposed within 500 mm of the outer peripheral edge of the rear windshield 56 that is closest to the position where the vibrator 20 is attached, or may be disposed within 500 mm of the outer peripheral edge of the rear windshield 56 that is farthest from the position where the vibrator 20 is attached.

[0045] In addition, from the viewpoint of ensuring the design of the vehicle V, it is preferable that the vibration damping member 30 be located in a position that is not visible from the outside, for example, on the side of the outer panel that constitutes the body 40 facing the interior of the vehicle.

[0046] Furthermore, in Example 1, the door panel of the back door 48 is attached to the fourth opening 42D via the hinge portion 60, and therefore is significantly affected by vibrations propagated to the body 40 via the hinge portion 60. For this reason, it is considered more effective to dispose the vibration damping member 30 along the propagation path of the vibrations via the hinge portion 60.

[0047] (Evaluation of Vibration Damping Member) Next, an evaluation of the vibration damping effect achieved by providing the vibration damping member 30 on the body 40 of the vehicle V will be described. Here, Fig. 4 is a plan view that schematically shows the vehicle V as viewed from above, and in this Example 1, shows a plurality of Evaluation Examples 1 to 4, each of which has a different distance L [mm] from the outer peripheral edge 18A of the rear windshield 56 (glass plate 18) to the vibration damping member 30. Note that the distance L [mm] here is the actual distance measured along the outer periphery of the vehicle body to which vibrations are actually transmitted from the outer periphery of the vibration damping member 30 to the outer periphery 18A of the rear windshield 56.

[0048] In the vehicle V used in evaluation examples 1 to 4, the weight of the rear windshield 56 was set to 4000 [g], and the weight of the vibration damping member 30 was set to 200 [g]. In other words, the ratio of the weight of the vibration damping member 30 to the weight of the rear windshield 56 was set to 1 / 20. In addition, the adhesive area between the vehicle V and the vibration damping member 30 was 350 [cm ２ ] is set.

[0049] In Evaluation Example 1, the distance L (mm) from the outer peripheral edge 18A of the glass plate 18 to the vibration damping member 30 is set to 100 mm. At this position, the vibration damping member 30 is provided at an end (the upper end in Example 1) of the outer peripheral portion of the door panel that constitutes the back door 48, the end having a connection portion with the hinge portion 60.

[0050] In evaluation example 2, the distance L (mm) from the outer peripheral edge 18A of the glass plate 18 to the vibration damping member 30 is set to 300 mm. At this position, the vibration damping member 30 is provided on the front side of the hinge portion 60 and at the rear end of the roof 49.

[0051] (Evaluation Example 3) In Evaluation Example 3, the distance L [mm] from the outer peripheral edge 18A of the glass plate 18 to the vibration damping member 30 is set to 400 [mm], and the vibration damping member 30 is located further forward in the vehicle than the vibration damping member 30 in Evaluation Example 2.

[0052] (Evaluation Example 4) In Evaluation Example 4, the distance L [mm] from the outer peripheral edge 18A of the glass plate 18 to the vibration damping member 30 is set to 500 [mm], and the vibration damping member 30 is located further forward in the vehicle than the vibration damping member 30 in Evaluation Example 3.

[0053] Table 1 below shows the maximum input sound pressure (SPL) [dB] and the glass acceleration [m / s] when the input voltage from a power supply (not shown) is set to 1.5 [V] and the vibrator 20 attached to the rear window 56 is vibrated at a frequency of 50 [Hz]. ２ ] and seat acceleration [m / s ２ ] are shown as measured values.

[0054] The maximum input sound pressure [dB] is the maximum input sound pressure [dB] when the output from the glass speaker 10, which uses the rear window 56 as a diaphragm, is collected by a microphone installed at the shoulder position (the position of the upper end of the seat back) P1 of the front seat S1 of the vehicle V.

[0055] Glass acceleration [m / s ２ ] is a measurement value obtained by an acceleration sensor installed at the center of the rear window 56 in the vertical and horizontal directions. The smaller the output loss, the greater the glass acceleration [m / s ２ ] is likely to be large.

[0056] Seat acceleration [m / s ２ ] is a measurement value obtained by an acceleration sensor installed at the shoulder position (the position of the upper end of the seat back) P2 of the rear seat S2 of the vehicle V. The greater the vibration transmitted from the body 40 of the vehicle V to the rear seat S2, the greater the seat acceleration [m / s ２ ] is likely to be large.

[0057] Comparative Examples 1 to 3 are shown as comparison targets for Evaluation Examples 1 to 4. Comparative Example 1 is a measurement value of a vehicle V in which the measure of providing the vibration-damping member 30 is not taken. Comparative Example 2 is an example in which the distance L [mm] from the outer peripheral edge 18A of the rear windshield 56 to the vibration-damping member 30 exceeds 500 [mm], and the distance L [mm] is set to 600 [mm]. Comparative Example 3 is an example in which the ratio of the weight of the vibration-damping member 30 to the weight of the rear windshield 56 is less than 1 / 200, and the ratio is set to 1 / 400.

[0058] (Table 1)

[0059] As shown in Table 1, in Evaluation Examples 1 to 4 in which the vibration damping member 30 was disposed within 500 mm from the outer peripheral edge 18A of the rear window 56, the seat acceleration [m / s ２ ] is low. Therefore, in evaluation examples 1 to 4, it can be concluded that the provision of the vibration damping member 30 was able to suppress the vibration of the body 40 supporting the rear window 56 from being transmitted into the vehicle cabin. In addition, the maximum input sound pressure [dB] was 83 [dB] to 84 [dB], which indicates a sound pressure level sufficient for listening.

[0060] On the other hand, in Comparative Example 2, in which the vibration damping member 30 was disposed at a position 600 [mm] from the outer peripheral edge 18A of the rear window 56, the seat acceleration [m / s ２ In other words, Comparative Example 2 is inferior to Evaluation Examples 1 to 4 in terms of suppressing the propagation of vibrations of the body 40 into the vehicle cabin.

[0061] Furthermore, when the ratio of the weight of the vibration-damping member 30 to the weight of the rear window 56 is less than 1 / 200, as in Comparative Example 3, the measured value of the seat acceleration [m / s2] is the same as that of Comparative Example 1. In other words, Comparative Example 3 is inferior to Evaluation Examples 1 to 4 in terms of suppressing the propagation of vibrations of the body 40 into the vehicle cabin.

[0062] 5, a second embodiment in which the glass speaker 10 of the above embodiment is applied to a vehicle V will be described. In the second embodiment, the vibration damping member 30 is attached to an upper portion of a back door 48 and serves as a rear spoiler 62 extending in the vehicle width direction. Other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment, and therefore description thereof will be omitted.

[0063] The rear spoiler 62 is an aerodynamic part that is attached to the rear of the body 40 and rectifies the flow of air while driving, and is made of resin, for example. The rear spoiler 62 can be attached to the body 40 (back door 48) by adhesion with double-sided tape, fastening with screws, or the like.

[0064] The weight of the rear spoiler 62 is not particularly limited, but as an example, the ratio of the weight of the rear spoiler 62 to the weight of the tailgate 48 as a glass plate is set to be equal to or less than 13. In this embodiment, the weight of the tailgate 48 is set to 400 [g], the weight of the rear spoiler 62 is set to 5000 [g], and the ratio of the weight of the rear spoiler 62 to the weight of the tailgate 48 is 13.

[0065] When attached to the tailgate 48, the rear spoiler 62 has a three-dimensional shape with a predetermined height relative to the main surface of the tailgate 56, which is the glass plate 18. This allows for a structure with a high vibration damping effect according to the vibration characteristics based on the structure of the body 40. In this case, it is more preferable to interpose a vibration-damping material between the rear spoiler 62 and the tailgate 48. The vibration-damping material may be the adhesive layer 34 of the above embodiment, or an elastic member made of rubber, urethane, or the like.

[0066] (Operations and Effects) As explained above, the glass speaker 10 according to this embodiment comprises the support structure 12 having the opening 16, the glass plate 18 whose outer periphery is supported by the opening 16, and at least one vibrator 20 that imparts vibrations to the glass plate 18. As a result, the glass speaker 10 vibrates the glass plate 18 by the vibrations imparted by the vibrator 20, and the vibrations propagate into the surrounding air, thereby generating sound pressure as a speaker.

[0067] Here, the glass speaker 10 is provided with at least one vibration damping member 30 that is arranged in a position on the support structure 12 away from the glass plate 18 and that is arranged along the outer peripheral edge 18A of the glass plate 18. This makes it possible to suppress the vibrations of the support structure 12 that supports the glass plate 18 from being propagated to the outside.

[0068] In this embodiment, the vibration damping member 30 is formed to extend elongatedly along the outer peripheral edge 18A of the glass plate 18. This effectively enhances the vibration damping effect.

[0069] In this embodiment, the vibration damping member 30 is disposed in the support structure 12 within a distance L of 500 mm from the outer peripheral edge 18A of the glass plate 18. This makes it possible to suppress the vibration of the support structure 12 that supports the glass plate 18 from being transmitted to the outside.

[0070] In this embodiment, the ratio of the weight of the vibration damping member 30 to the weight of the glass plate 18 is set to 1 / 200 to 1 / 13. This makes it possible to effectively enhance the vibration damping effect while ensuring the maximum input sound pressure as a speaker.

[0071] In this embodiment, the vibration-damping member has a plate-shaped main body 32 made of elastic resin or metal, and a viscoelastic adhesive layer 34 that forms the bonding surface with the glass plate 18. In other words, the vibration-damping member 30 imparts excess elasticity and viscosity between the glass plate 18 and the main body 32 by virtue of the adhesive layer 34. As a result, vibrations transmitted from the glass plate 18 to the vibration-damping member 30 are absorbed by the adhesive layer 34, thereby enabling effective vibration damping.

[0072] Furthermore, as in the first and second embodiments, the support structure 12 can be the body 40 of the vehicle V, and the glass plate 18 can be a window glass whose outer periphery is supported by the opening 16 of the body 40. This makes it possible to prevent vibrations of the body 40 supporting the window glass from being transmitted to seats and the like installed in the vehicle cabin when the glass speaker 10 is configured using the window glass of the vehicle V as the diaphragm.

[0073] Furthermore, as in the first and second embodiments, the support structure 12 may be a door panel that constitutes part of the body 40 and is attached to an opening in the body 40, and the glass plate 18 may have its outer periphery supported by the opening 16 of the door panel. This makes it possible to prevent vibrations of the door panel that supports the glass plate 18 from being transmitted to seats and the like installed in the vehicle interior via the hinge portion 60 or other parts of the body 40.

[0074] Furthermore, as in the second embodiment, the vibration damping member 30 may be a rear spoiler 62 attached to an upper portion of a back door 48 of the vehicle V and extending in the vehicle width direction. This makes it possible to utilize an exterior part of the vehicle V to suppress the vibration of the body 40 from being transmitted to seats and the like installed in the vehicle cabin.

[0075] Furthermore, like the rear spoiler 62 of the second embodiment, the vibration damping member 30 may have a three-dimensional shape with a predetermined height relative to the surface of the support structure 12. This allows for a structure with a high vibration damping effect in accordance with the vibration characteristics based on the structure of the body 40.

[0076] Although the glass speaker 10 according to the present embodiment and preferred examples have been described above, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The glass speaker 10 according to the present disclosure may be applied to moving objects such as airplanes, helicopters, ships, and trains, in addition to vehicles. The glass speaker 10 may also be applied to window glass of buildings and other structures.

[0077] The following additional notes are provided regarding the above-described embodiments.

[0078] (Supplementary Note) A glass speaker comprising: a support structure having an opening; a glass plate whose outer periphery is supported by the opening; at least one vibrator that applies vibration to the glass plate; and at least one vibration damping member that is arranged on the support structure at a position spaced apart from the glass plate and along the outer periphery of the glass plate. (Supplementary Note 2) The glass speaker according to Supplementary Note 1, wherein the vibration damping member has a shape that extends elongatedly along the outer periphery of the glass plate. (Supplementary Note 3) The glass speaker according to Supplementary Note 1 or Supplementary Note 2, wherein the vibration damping member has a three-dimensional shape that has a predetermined height relative to the main surface of the glass plate. (Supplementary Note 4) The glass speaker according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 3, wherein the vibration damping member is arranged on the support structure within a distance of 500 mm from the outer periphery of the glass plate. (Supplementary Note 5) The glass speaker according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 4, wherein the ratio of the weight of the vibration damping member to the weight of the glass plate is set to 1 / 200 to 13. (Supplementary Note 6) The glass speaker according to Supplementary Note 5, wherein the ratio of the weight of the vibration damping member to the weight of the glass plate is set to 1 / 100 to 1 / 2. (Supplementary Note 7) The glass speaker according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 6, wherein the vibration damping member has elasticity at the bonding surface with the support structure. (Supplementary Note 8) The glass speaker according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 7, wherein the vibration damping member has: a plate-shaped main body formed from resin or metal; and an adhesive layer that forms the bonding surface with the support structure and has elasticity. (Supplementary Note 9) The glass speaker according to Supplementary Note 8, wherein the adhesive layer gives the bonding surface with the support structure excess elasticity and viscosity to the vibration damping member. (Supplementary Note 10) The glass speaker according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 9, wherein the support structure is a vehicle body, and the glass plate is a window glass whose outer periphery is supported in an opening in the body. (Supplementary Note 11) The glass speaker according to Supplementary Note 10, wherein the support structure is a door panel that forms part of the body and is attached to an opening in the body, and the outer periphery of the glass plate is supported in the opening of the door panel.(Supplementary Note 12) The glass speaker according to Supplementary Note 11, wherein the door panel is a back door constituting the rear of the vehicle, and the vibration damping member is a rear spoiler attached to an upper part of the back door and extending in the vehicle width direction. (Supplementary Note 13) The glass speaker according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 12, wherein the vibration damping member is separate from the support structure. (Supplementary Note 14) The glass speaker according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 13, wherein the vibration damping member is arranged on the support structure within a range of 400 mm from the outer peripheral edge of the glass plate. (Supplementary Note 15) The glass speaker according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 14, wherein the vibration damping member is arranged on the support structure within a range of 300 mm from the outer peripheral edge of the glass plate. (Supplementary Note 16) The glass speaker according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 15, wherein the vibration damping member is arranged on the support structure within a range of a distance of 100 mm from the outer peripheral edge of the glass plate. (Supplementary Note 17) The glass speaker according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 16, wherein the vibration damping member extends in a direction intersecting a transmission direction of vibrations propagating from the glass plate toward the support structure. (Supplementary Note 18) The vibration damping member and the support structure are bonded together, and the bonding area between the vibration damping member and the support structure is 100 cm. ２ The glass speaker according to any one of Supplementary Note 1 to Supplementary Note 17,

[0079] The disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-087488, filed on May 29, 2024, is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. All documents, patent applications, and technical standards described herein are incorporated herein by reference to the same extent as if each individual document, patent application, and technical standard was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.

[0080] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 10 Glass speaker 12 Support structure 16 Opening 18 Glass plate 20 Vibrator 30 Vibration damping member 32 Main body 34 Adhesive layer 40 Body 48 Back door (door panel) 56 Back glass (glass plate) 62 Rear spoiler V Vehicle

Claims

1. A glass speaker comprising: a support structure having an opening; a glass plate whose outer periphery is supported by said opening; at least one vibrator that imparts vibrations to said glass plate; and at least one vibration damping member that is arranged on said support structure at a position spaced apart from said glass plate and along the outer periphery of said glass plate.

2. A glass speaker as set forth in claim 1, wherein the vibration damping member is shaped to extend elongatedly along the outer peripheral edge of the glass plate.

3. A glass-type speaker as set forth in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the vibration damping member has a three-dimensional shape with a predetermined height relative to the surface of the support structure.

4. A glass speaker according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the vibration damping member is arranged on the support structure within a range of a distance of 500 mm from the outer peripheral edge of the glass plate.

5. A glass speaker according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the ratio of the weight of the vibration damping member to the weight of the glass plate is set to 1 / 200 to 1 / 13.

6. The glass speaker according to claim 5, wherein the ratio of the weight of the vibration damping member to the weight of the glass plate is set to 1 / 100 to 1 / 2.

7. A glass speaker as set forth in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the vibration damping member has elasticity on the bonding surface with the support structure.

8. A glass speaker as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the vibration damping member has a plate-shaped main body made of resin or metal, and an adhesive layer having elasticity and forming an adhesive surface for bonding to the support structure.

9. A glass-type speaker as set forth in claim 8, wherein the adhesive layer of the vibration damping member gives the adhesive surface with the support structure excess elasticity and viscosity.

10. A glass speaker as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the support structure is a vehicle body, and the glass plate is a window glass whose outer periphery is supported in an opening in the body.

11. A glass speaker as claimed in claim 10, wherein the support structure is a door panel that forms part of the body and is attached to an opening in the body, and the outer periphery of the glass plate is supported by the opening in the door panel.

12. The glass speaker according to claim 11, wherein the door panel is a back door that forms the rear of the vehicle, and the vibration damping member is attached to the top of the back door and is a rear spoiler that extends in the vehicle width direction.

13. A glass speaker according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the vibration damping member is separate from the support structure.

14. A glass speaker as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the vibration damping member is arranged on the support structure within a range of a distance of 400 mm from the outer peripheral edge of the glass plate.

15. A glass speaker as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the vibration damping member is arranged on the support structure within a range of a distance of 300 mm from the outer peripheral edge of the glass plate.

16. A glass speaker as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the vibration damping member is arranged on the support structure within a range of a distance of 100 mm from the outer peripheral edge of the glass plate.

17. A glass speaker according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the vibration damping member extends in a direction intersecting the direction of vibration propagation from the glass plate towards the support structure.

18. The vibration damping member and the support structure are bonded together, and the bonding area between the vibration damping member and the support structure is 100 cm ２ The glass speaker according to claim 1 or 2, wherein:

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