Loudspeaker enclosure with two back-to-back loudspeakers radially attached to a central core

Abstract

The invention relates to a loudspeaker enclosure (10) comprising: - a central core (13); - two loudspeakers (15, 16) arranged back-to-back along a transverse axis (T) and attached to the central core (13); and - a shell defining an internal volume (20) of the enclosure (10) in which the loudspeakers (15, 16) are housed. The central core (13) defines a cavity (44) opening towards the exterior of the internal volume (20), the cavity (44) being delimited by two transversely opposite side walls (47, 48). The enclosure (10) comprises a fastening system for fastening each loudspeaker (15, 16) to a respective side wall (47, 48) of the cavity (44), each fastening system being accessible from outside the internal volume (20) through the cavity (44).

Description

[0001] TITLE: Acoustic speaker with two radially mounted, head-to-tail drivers on a central core

[0002] The present invention relates to an acoustic enclosure of the type comprising:

[0003] - a central soul,

[0004] - two loudspeakers arranged back-to-back along a transverse axis and fixed on either side to the central core, and

[0005] - a shell defining an internal volume of the enclosure in which the speakers are housed.

[0006] Speakers, especially bass drivers, are large and heavy components that can cause significant vibrations in the speaker enclosure. Therefore, they are arranged back-to-back on a central hump so that the forces generated by one cancel each other out.

[0007] It is known from patent application FR3087067A1 that a first loudspeaker can be fixed to the central core using a screw system, and a second loudspeaker via a pin system, accessible from outside the enclosure through openings concealed by a third and fourth loudspeaker. This solution has the advantage of having no visible part of the loudspeaker mounting system.

[0008] However, this solution is not optimal because access to the first speaker's mounting system is only possible when the second speaker is disassembled from the central core.

[0009] Such a solution therefore complicates the assembly and disassembly of the enclosure.

[0010] We also know from the literature of a decoupled fixing of the loudspeakers on the central core, thanks to screws accessible from outside the enclosure, passing for example through the loudspeaker diaphragm.

[0011] In order to hide the fixing systems and preserve the aesthetic integrity of the speaker, parts (for example a screw cover itself assembled by means of deformable or glued elements) are added to the speaker, and complicate the assembly and disassembly of the speaker.

[0012] Furthermore, adding components that conceal the mounting systems on the speaker cones results in a significant increase in mass, which negatively impacts the speaker's performance. This increased mass generally necessitates optimizing the speaker cones themselves, for example, by making them very thin. However, this compromises the overall mechanical strength of the speaker, making it more susceptible to damage.

[0013] One of the goals of the invention is therefore to offer an acoustic enclosure allowing for easy assembly and disassembly of the speakers, while being aesthetic and robust.

[0014] To this end, the invention relates to an acoustic enclosure in which the central core defines a cavity opening to the outside of the internal volume of the enclosure, the cavity being delimited by two transversely opposed lateral walls, the enclosure comprising a system for fixing each loudspeaker on a respective lateral wall of the cavity, each fixing system being accessible from outside the internal volume of the enclosure through the cavity.

[0015] The central core defines a cavity allowing access to the speaker mounting systems from outside the enclosure, making it easy to assemble and disassemble the speakers from the central core, without harming the aesthetics of the enclosure.

[0016] Indeed, such an enclosure allows for solid speaker diaphragms, without any visible openings from the outside, such as those used to screw the speakers transversely onto the core. The resulting acoustic enclosure is therefore more aesthetically pleasing and more robust.

[0017] Furthermore, as mentioned previously, disassembly is facilitated because the access passage to the fixing systems defined by the cavity avoids having to completely disassemble the enclosure in order to access the speaker fixing systems.

[0018] According to other advantageous aspects of the invention, the acoustic enclosure comprises one or more of the following features, taken individually or in all technically possible combinations:

[0019] - the lateral walls of the cavity are separated from each other along the transverse axis by a distance of between 50 mm and 60 mm;

[0020] - the cavity defines at least two passage channels of the fixation system, each passage channel passing through the lateral wall of the cavity along the transverse axis, at least a part of each fixation system opening into the cavity through one of the passage channels;

[0021] - each fixing system comprises a stud, one end of the stud being screwed into a tapped hole in a loudspeaker, the second end of the stud passing through the respective side wall of the cavity, each fixing system comprising a nut screwed onto the second end, the nut bearing against the respective side wall of the cavity; - the stud comprises a smooth, unthreaded section extending between the first end and the second end along the transverse axis;

[0022] - the enclosure includes a plug that seals, at least partially, the cavity, the plug being fixed to the central core;

[0023] - the enclosure includes complementary positioning elements arranged on the one hand on the stopper and on the other hand on the cavity, the positioning elements cooperating to guide the stopper into the cavity along a direction of opening of the cavity;

[0024] - the cap includes at least one sealing gasket disposed between the cap and the central core;

[0025] - the enclosure includes a third speaker covering the plug, the third speaker extending perpendicularly to the two speakers; and

[0026] - the plug comprises a body, an electronic circuit fixed to the body and disposed inside the cavity, the electronic circuit comprising at least one connection terminal for the third speaker passing through the body and being accessible from outside the cavity.

[0027] The invention also relates to a method of assembling an enclosure as described above, the method comprising the steps of: supplying the central core, the two loudspeakers, and the shell, arranging the loudspeakers back-to-back along the transverse axis on either side of the cavity, inserting an assembly tool through the cavity from outside the internal volume, and fixing the loudspeakers to the side walls of the cavity by the fixing system, using the assembly tool.

[0028] The invention will become clearer upon reading the following description, given solely by way of non-limiting example, and made with reference to the drawings in which:

[0029] [Fig. 1] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an acoustic enclosure according to the invention,

[0030] [Fig. 2] Figure 2 is a partially exploded perspective view of the acoustic enclosure of Figure 1, showing a loudspeaker away from a central core,

[0031] [Fig. 3] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view along a median plane lll-lll of the acoustic enclosure of Figure 1, and

[0032] [Fig. 4] Figure 4 is a partially exploded perspective view of the acoustic enclosure of Figure 1, showing a closing piece away from the central core. With reference to Figures 1 to 4, an acoustic enclosure 10 according to the invention is described.

[0033] The acoustic enclosure 10 is, for example, an active enclosure, meaning that it includes, among other things, an amplifier, which is not shown. Similarly, for the sake of clarity, other electrical or electronic components of the acoustic enclosure not directly related to the invention are not shown in the figures and / or are not described here.

[0034] The acoustic enclosure 10 comprises a central core 13, visible in figure 3, two loudspeakers 15, 16 arranged back to back along a transverse axis T and a shell 18 defining an internal volume 20 of the enclosure 10 in which the central core 13 and the loudspeakers 15, 16 are housed.

[0035] The transverse axis T is, for example, horizontal when the acoustic enclosure is in the operating position on a horizontal surface S.

[0036] Speakers 15 and 16 are bass speakers. By "bass speaker," we mean, for example, a speaker adapted to reproduce sound waves with frequencies below 1000 Hz, preferably below 500 Hz, and even more preferably below 150 Hz.

[0037] With reference to Figure 2, the loudspeakers 15, 16 respectively comprise a chassis 23, 24 and a diaphragm 25, 26 adapted to emit sound waves.

[0038] Membranes 25, 26 are advantageously closed spherical caps formed in one piece.

[0039] The shell 18 is in particular formed of two symmetrical half-shells 28, 29, each assembled with one of the two loudspeakers 15, 16. Each half-shell 28, 29 is advantageously a single piece. By "single piece," we mean that the half-shell is a single unit and is not made up of portions mechanically fixed to one another.

[0040] Each half-shell 28, 29 is fixed, for example by screwing, onto a respective loudspeaker 15, 16, in particular onto the chassis 23, 24 of the loudspeaker 15, 16 (also called bowls).

[0041] Each half-shell 28, 29 has an opening 31, 32 for the passage of the diaphragm 25, 26 of the loudspeaker 15, 16.

[0042] Apart from the opening 31, 32 the half-hulls 28, 29 are solid, that is to say they do not include any other openings.

[0043] In the example shown, the acoustic enclosure 10 is oblong along a longitudinal axis L advantageously perpendicular to the transverse axis T. Thus, the loudspeakers 15, 16 as well as the half-shells 28, 29 form lateral parts 34, 35 of the enclosure 10.

[0044] The central core 13 is a cast part, for example made of aluminum, and extends essentially along a plane perpendicular to the transverse axis T.

[0045] It comprises a veil 38, visible in figure 3, extending along the essential part of the median plane of the enclosure 10 and an end plate 36 extending along a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L. The end plate 36 is disposed at one end of the veil 38.

[0046] The veil 38 is a rectangular section plate, extending into the internal volume 20, along the longitudinal axis, between the two loudspeakers 15, 16.

[0047] Plate 36 forms a support for a third and fourth speaker, not shown, at the front of speaker 10.

[0048] The two loudspeakers 15, 16 are fixed on either side of the central core 13, along the transverse axis T, each by a fixing system 40, 41.

[0049] According to the invention, and with reference to figure 2, the central core 13 defines a cavity 44 opening outwards from the internal volume 20 of the enclosure 10. This cavity 44 opens at the center of a peripheral rim 44A extending around the cavity 44.

[0050] The cavity 44 defines an opening direction D of the cavity, extending along the depth of the cavity 44 between an open end 45 through the end plate 36 and a partially closed bottom 46.

[0051] The opening direction D is inclined, for example perpendicularly, with respect to the transverse axis T.

[0052] In the example of figures 2 to 4, the opening direction D is parallel to the longitudinal direction L.

[0053] The peripheral rim 44A includes a flat portion surrounding the open end 45. In other words, the peripheral rim 44A extends in a plane perpendicular to the opening direction D, around the open end 45.

[0054] The cavity 44 has a rectangular cross-section and is delimited by four lateral walls 47, 48, 49, 50, arranged in opposing pairs, for example substantially parallel, and is at least partially closed by the bottom 46. It thus defines a basin. Each lateral wall 47, 48, 49, 50 connects the opening end 45 to the bottom 46 of the cavity 44.

[0055] Each side wall 47, 48, 49, 50 forms a non-planar curved surface. This property improves the mechanical strength of the side walls 47, 48, 49, 50.

[0056] The transversely opposing side walls 47, 48 are separated from each other along the transverse axis T by a distance of between 50 mm and 60 mm. As shown in Figure 3, each mounting system 40, 41 secures a loudspeaker 15, 16 to a side wall 47, 48 of the cavity 44.

[0057] As can be seen in Figure 3, each fastening system 40, 41 comprises a male-male stud 54 passing through the side walls 47, 48 of the cavity 44 by means of passage channels 51, 52, each stud 54 having first and second threaded ends 55, 56, connected to each other by a smooth section 57.

[0058] The first end 55 of the stud 54 is screwed into a tapped hole 60 in the chassis 23, 24 of one of the two speakers 15, 16.

[0059] The second end 56 of the stud 54 protrudes into the cavity 44.

[0060] Each fastening system 40, 41 includes a nut 63 screwed onto the second end 56 of the stud 54. Each nut 63 bears against the side wall 47, 48 of the cavity 44.

[0061] The smooth section 57 acts as a stop when screwing the first end 55 into the tapped hole 60, so that the second end 56 remains accessible through the passage channel 51, 52 of the cavity 44.

[0062] Thus, the fixing of the loudspeakers 15, 16 is accessible from outside the internal volume 20 through the cavity 44, which facilitates the assembly and disassembly of the loudspeakers 15, 16 on the central core 13.

[0063] With reference to figure 4, the acoustic enclosure 10 includes a plug 70 which closes, at least partially, the cavity 44.

[0064] The plug 70 comprises a molded body 70A formed of a flat core 71 and a cavity sealing plate 74 extending perpendicularly to one end of the core 71, along a plane perpendicular to the opening direction D.

[0065] The end plate 36 protrudes from the sealing plate 74 in the opening direction D.

[0066] The flat core 71 and the plate 74 give the body 70A a T-shaped contour.

[0067] The core 71 defines, opposite the plate 74, a rear surface 72. The plate 74 is abutted against the peripheral rim 44A delimiting the open end 45 of the cavity 44 and is screwed to it.

[0068] The plug 70 includes a first sealing gasket 78, visible in figure 3, arranged between the plug 70 and the central core 13.

[0069] The first sealing gasket extends in particular around the core 71, in a groove formed under the plate 74. Thus, when the plug 70 is assembled on the central core 13, the sealing of the assembly is ensured by the first sealing gasket 78 and thus defines the useful internal volume 20 for the proper functioning of the loudspeakers 15,16.

[0070] The plug 70 includes a positioning nipple 80 protruding from the core 71 in the direction of opening D of the cavity 44.

[0071] The bottom 46 of the cavity 44 includes an additional housing 81 for receiving the nipple 80.

[0072] A second sealing gasket 84 carried in a groove of the nipple 80 rests on the internal surface of the housing 81.

[0073] The first and second seals 78, 84 are for example O-rings.

[0074] As previously mentioned, the acoustic enclosure 10 includes a third loudspeaker (not shown) fixed to the sealing plate 74 of the plug 70 and supported by the end plate 36 of the central core 13. The third loudspeaker extends perpendicularly to the two loudspeakers 15, 16.

[0075] The third speaker is screwed onto the 70 plug and a fourth speaker is magnetized into this third speaker so as not to leave any screws visible.

[0076] The cap 70 comprises two electrical circuits 90 assembled on the core 71. The electrical circuits 90 are arranged on either side of the core 71.

[0077] Similarly, the central core 13 comprises two electrical circuits 92, visible in figure 3, assembled on either side of the veil 38.

[0078] Each electrical circuit 90 is a printed circuit board and includes connection terminals (not shown) for the third and fourth speakers accessible from outside cavity 44.

[0079] The plate 74 has through-holes 94, along the opening direction D, through which the connection terminals pass in order to connect the electronic circuits 90 to the third and fourth speakers located on the other side, along the opening direction D, of the plate 74. A gasket not shown is then placed on the through-holes 94 in order to close and seal the internal volume 20.

[0080] Similarly, to ensure the electrical connection between the electrical circuits 90 and 92, connection terminals 96, visible in Figure 3, are arranged on one side on the electrical circuits 90 placed on the plug 70, and on the other side on the electrical circuits 92 placed on the central core 13, along the opening direction D. Two openings 98, visible in Figure 2, are present on the base 46 to ensure the connection between these two pairs of connection terminals 96. A method for assembling an acoustic enclosure 10 as described above will now be described in detail.

[0081] Initially, the central core 13, the speakers 15, 16 and the casing 18 are supplied. The electronic circuits 92 are already assembled on the shroud 38 of the central core 13.

[0082] The shell 18 is fixed to each of the speakers 15, 16, for example by screwing. Advantageously, the half-shells 28, 29 are screwed to the respective speakers 15, 16, on the side of the speakers 15, 16. Thus, when the enclosure 10 is assembled, the screw heads for fixing the half-shells 28, 29 to the speakers 15, 16 are located inside the internal volume 20 of the enclosure 10 and are not visible from the outside.

[0083] In the example in the figures, the first end 55 of the stud 54 is then screwed into the tapped hole 60 of the chassis 23, 24 of the speaker 15, 16.

[0084] The loudspeakers 15, 16 are arranged back to back along the transverse axis T, on either side of the central core 13. This step and those that follow, relating to the fixing of the loudspeakers 15, 16 on the central core 13, can be carried out simultaneously or successively.

[0085] In particular, the second ends 56 of the studs 54 are inserted into the passage channels 51, 52 of the side walls 47, 48 of the cavity 44.

[0086] An assembly tool, not shown, such as a clamping tool, is inserted into the cavity 44 from outside the internal volume 20 of the enclosure 10 in order to place and tighten the nuts 63 on the second ends 56 of the studs 54.

[0087] Advantageously, the assembly tool is a motorized open-end wrench type tool which allows the nuts 63 to be screwed onto the second ends 56 of the studs 54 until the nuts 63 are pressed against the side wall 47, 48 of the cavity, around the transverse axis T, while being controlled from outside the cavity 44, in particular by being held in the opening direction D.

[0088] In other words, the assembly tool allows the clamping along the transverse axis T of the loudspeakers 15, 16 in the direction of opening D of the cavity 44.

[0089] Once the speakers 15, 16 are fixed to the central core 13, the plug 70 is inserted into the cavity 44, according to the opening direction D.

[0090] At this stage, the electronic circuits 90 are already assembled on the cap 70, as well as the first and second sealing gaskets 78, 84.

[0091] The positioning members 80, 81 guide the insertion of the plug 70 into the cavity 44, until they cooperate to ensure the correct positioning of the plug 70 in the cavity 44. This also ensures the correct positioning of the respective connection terminals 96 with respect to each other, to ensure electrical contact between the central core 13 and the plug 70.

[0092] The cap 70 is then screwed onto the peripheral rim 44A of the central core 13 using screws 76.

[0093] Finally, the third speaker is screwed onto the plug 70 and then the fourth speaker is fixed in the third speaker by a magnetic system and visually seals the cavity 44 and the plug 70 for a user located outside the enclosure 10.

[0094] No fixing system is visible from the outside, which improves the aesthetics of the speaker 10 as well as the safety of the user who does not have easy access to the electronic parts of the speaker 10.

[0095] For possible disassembly of speakers 15, 16, the third and fourth speakers and the plug 70 are removed.

[0096] The cavity 44 defined by the central core 13 is then used to introduce a tool (for example the assembly tool mentioned above) to loosen each nut 63 and release the second ends 56 of the studs 54, which can then be translated out of the passage channels 51, 52 of the cavity 44.

[0097] Speakers 15, 16 can then be extracted along the transverse axis T.

[0098] Thanks to the features described above, the 10 acoustic enclosure is easy to assemble and disassemble.

[0099] Variations of the embodiment described above will now be briefly mentioned.

[0100] These variants, not shown, describe other systems for fixing 40, 41 the loudspeakers 15, 16 on the central core 13.

[0101] In these variants, each nut 63 of the fastening system 40, 41 is for example replaced by a bayonet system cooperating with a clamping flange, a pin system cooperating with a pin support, a clamping collar, or a wedge cooperating with a wedge support.

[0102] For example, in a first variant, each mounting system 40, 41 includes a bayonet mounted on the chassis 23, 24 of the loudspeaker 15, 16. The bayonet is, for example, fixed using a shoulder screw on the chassis.

[0103] A clamping flange, fitted with a tightening screw, is screwed onto the central core 13. Each bayonet is inserted and locked into its respective clamping flange. Locking is achieved, in particular, by the tightening screw, which is accessible, for example, through the cavity 44.

[0104] In a second variant, each fixing system 40, 41 includes a pin screwed into passage holes linked on one side to the central core 13 and on the other side to the chassis 23, 24 of the loudspeaker 15, 16, from outside the internal volume 20, along the opening direction D, and through the cavity 44.

[0105] In a third variant, each fixing system 40, 41 includes a clamping collar, tightened by a clamping screw on a transverse axis of the chassis 23, 24, the clamping screw being accessible from outside the internal volume 20, according to the opening direction D, through the cavity 44.

[0106] Regardless of the embodiments described above, the acoustic enclosure 10 according to the invention has many advantages.

[0107] The central core 13 defining a cavity 44 allowing access to the fixing systems 40, 41 of the loudspeakers 15, 16 from outside the enclosure 10, it is easy to assemble and disassemble the loudspeakers 15, 16 from the central core 13, without harming the aesthetics of the enclosure 10.

[0108] Indeed, such an enclosure 10 allows for a shell 18 and solid and robust membranes 25, 26, without any visible opening from the outside used for example to screw the speakers 15, 16 transversely onto the core 13.

[0109] Moreover, as mentioned previously, the non-destructive disassembly of the enclosure 10 is facilitated because the access passage to the fixing systems 40, 41 defined by the cavity 44 avoids having to completely disassemble the enclosure 10 in order to access the fixing systems 40, 41 of the loudspeakers 15, 16.

Claims

DEMANDS 1. Acoustic enclosure (10) comprising: - a central core (13), - two loudspeakers (15, 16) arranged back to back along a transverse axis (T) and fixed on either side to the central core (13), - a shell (18) defining an internal volume (20) of the enclosure (10) in which the loudspeakers (15, 16) are housed, characterized in that the central core (13) defines a cavity (44) opening to the outside of the internal volume (20) of the enclosure (10), the cavity (44) being delimited by two transversely opposed lateral walls (47, 48), and in that the enclosure (10) includes a fixing system (40, 41) for each loudspeaker (15, 16) on a respective lateral wall (47, 48) of the cavity (44), each fixing system (40, 41) being accessible from outside the internal volume (20) of the enclosure (10) through the cavity (44).

2. Acoustic enclosure (10) according to claim 1, in which the side walls (47, 48) of the cavity (44) are separated from each other along the transverse axis (T) by a distance between 50 mm and 60 mm.

3. Acoustic enclosure (10) according to claim 1 or 2, in which the cavity (44) defines at least two passageways (51, 52) of the fastening system (40, 41), each passageway (51, 52) passing through the side wall (47, 48) of the cavity (44) along the transverse axis (T), at least a part of each fastening system (40, 41) opening into the cavity (44) through one of the passageways (51, 52).

4. Acoustic enclosure (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each fastening system (40, 41) comprises a stud (54), a first end (55) of the stud (54) being screwed into a tapped hole (60) of a loudspeaker (15, 16), a second end (56) of the stud (54) passing through the respective side wall (47, 48) of the cavity (44), each fastening system (40, 41) comprising a nut (63) screwed onto the second end (56), the nut (63) bearing against the respective side wall (47, 48) of the cavity (44).

5. Acoustic enclosure (10) according to claim 4, wherein the stud (54) comprises a smooth, unthreaded section (57) extending between the first end (55) and the second end (56) along the transverse axis (T).

6. Acoustic enclosure (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a plug (70) closing, at least partially, the cavity (44), the plug (70) being fixed on the central core (13).

7. Acoustic enclosure (10) according to claim 6, comprising complementary positioning members (80, 81) disposed on the one hand on the plug (70) and on the other hand on the cavity (44), the positioning members (80, 81) cooperating to guide the plug (70) in the cavity (44) along an opening direction (D) of the cavity (44).

8. Acoustic enclosure (10) according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the plug (70) comprises at least one sealing gasket (78, 84) disposed between the plug (70) and the central core (13).

9. Acoustic enclosure (10) according to any one of claims 6 to 8, comprising a third loudspeaker covering the plug (70), the third loudspeaker extending perpendicularly to the two loudspeakers (15, 16).

10. Acoustic enclosure (10) according to claim 9, wherein the plug (70) comprises a body (70A), an electronic circuit (90) fixed to the body (70A) and disposed inside the cavity (44), the electronic circuit (90) comprising at least one connection terminal for the third loudspeaker passing through the body (70A) and being accessible from outside the cavity (44).

11. A method for assembling a loudspeaker enclosure (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, the method comprising the following steps: supplying the central core (13), the two loudspeakers (15, 16), and the shell (18), arranging the loudspeakers (15, 16) back-to-back along the transverse axis (T) on either side of the cavity (44), inserting an assembly tool through the cavity (44) from outside the internal volume (20), and fixing the loudspeakers (15, 16) to the side walls (47, 48) of the cavity (44) by the fixing system (40, 41), using the assembly tool.

Images