speaker
The speaker design with a dome-shaped cap using discrete opaque and transparent shell portions addresses manufacturing challenges, achieving a unique luminous effect and simplifying assembly while maintaining acoustic functions.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- WO · WO
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- HARMAN BECKER AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS INC
- Filing Date
- 2024-12-18
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-25
AI Technical Summary
Existing speaker components that affect appearance are difficult to manufacture and assemble while maintaining mechanical and acoustic functions, and achieving a desired aesthetic effect.
A speaker design featuring a dome-shaped cap with discrete opaque and transparent shell portions, guided by a light source and light-guiding component to emit light through the transparent portion, allowing for a unique luminous effect while simplifying manufacturing and assembly.
The design achieves a compact structure with a distinctive luminous effect, reducing manufacturing complexity and cost, and ensuring accurate aesthetic outcomes.
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Figure CN2024140232_25062026_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
SPEAKERTECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure relates to a speaker.BACKGROUND
[0002] Speakers are used to generate and emit sound, and they can be used in various fields. In some cases, it is desirable for a speaker to have a specific appearance to produce a desired aesthetic effect. However, for some components related to the appearance of a speaker, the change of their structures may greatly increase the manufacturing difficulty.
[0003] Therefore, for these components related to the appearance of a speaker, it is desirable that they still have the existing mechanical and acoustic functions, while the manufacturing and assembly processes are relatively simple.SUMMARY
[0004] The present disclosure aims at at least partially overcoming the above problems.
[0005] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a speaker is proposed, comprising a voice coil, a diaphragm, a cap, a light source and a light-guiding component, the cap is arranged at a hole in a center of the diaphragm, and the cap has a dome-shaped shell portion, the dome-shaped shell portion comprises an opaque first shell portion and a transparent second shell portion at least partially located at a periphery of the first shell portion, the first shell portion and the second shell portion are discrete members connected with each other, the light-guiding component is configured to guide at least a part of light generated by the light source towards the second shell portion.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] In order to explain the technical solution of the embodiment of the present disclosure more clearly, the attached drawings of the embodiment of the present disclosure will be briefly introduced below. The drawings are only used to show some embodiments of the present disclosure, and are not limited to all embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0007] Fig. 1A is a top view of a speaker according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and Fig. 1B is a cross-sectional view of the speaker taken along line A-A in Fig. 1A.
[0008] Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the cap of the speaker according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0009] Fig. 3A is a top view of the cap of the speaker according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, Fig. 3B is a cross-sectional view of the cap of the speaker taken along line A-A in Fig. 3A, and Fig. 3C is a partial enlarged view of the cap of the speaker. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0010] In order to make the purpose, solutions and advantages of the technical solutions of the present disclosure clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present disclosure will be described clearly and completely with the accompanying drawings of specific embodiments of the present disclosure. In the drawings, the same reference numerals represent the same parts. It should be noted that the described embodiments are part of the embodiments of the present disclosure, but not all of them. on the basis of the described embodiments of the present disclosure, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skills in the art without creative labor are within the protection scope of the present disclosure.
[0011] Unless otherwise defined, the technical terms or scientific terms used here shall have their ordinary meanings as understood by those with ordinary skills in the field to which the present disclosure belongs. The words "first" , "second" and the like used in the description and claims of the patent application of the present disclosure do not indicate any order, quantity or importance, but are only used to distinguish different components. Similarly, words "a" or "an" and the like do not necessarily mean quantity limitation. Words "comprising" or "including" and the like mean that the elements or objects appearing before the word cover the listed elements or objects appearing after the word and their equivalents, without excluding other elements or objects. Phrases "connected to" or "connected with" are not limited to direct connection, but can include indirect connection. "Up" , "down" , "left" and "right" are only used to express relative positional relationship. When the absolute position of the described object changes, the relative positional relationship may also change accordingly.
[0012] As used herein, the diaphragm of a speaker defines a central axis, and this central axis may be the central axis of the speaker in some cases. As used herein, the term "axial" or "axial direction" refers to the direction along the central axis of the diaphragm, and the term "radial" or "radial direction" refers to the direction generally perpendicular to the central axis of the diaphragm, either towards or away from the central axis. The terms "radially inner" or "radially inward" refers to parts, portions, positions or directions relatively closer to the central axis of the diaphragm, while "radially outer" or "radially outward" refers to parts, portions, positions or directions relatively farther from the central axis of the diaphragm.
[0013] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a speaker is proposed, comprising a voice coil, a diaphragm, a cap, a light source and a light-guiding component, the cap is arranged at a hole in a center of the diaphragm, and the cap has a dome-shaped shell portion, the dome-shaped shell portion comprises an opaque first shell portion and a transparent second shell portion at least partially located at a periphery of the first shell portion, the first shell portion and the second shell portion are discrete members connected with each other, the light-guiding component is configured to guide at least a part of light generated by the light source towards the second shell portion.
[0014] For such a speaker, at least a part of the light generated by the light source can be emitted to the outside of the cap after traveling through the light-guiding component and the transparent second shell portion, while the first shell portion is opaque to the light. Therefore, the speaker has a compact structure and a unique luminous effect. Further, the first shell portion and the second shell portion are discrete members connected with each other, thus allowing the desired luminous effect to be achieved more accurately, and the manufacturing and assembly process of the speaker is simpler and more cost-effective.
[0015] The present disclosure will be described in detail below by describing example embodiments.
[0016] Fig. 1A is a top view of a speaker 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and Fig. 1B is a cross-sectional view of the speaker 1 taken along line A-A in Fig. 1A. As shown in Figs. 1A and 1B, the speaker 1 includes a voice coil 150, a diaphragm 10, a cap 20 and a frame 50. The voice coil 150 is arranged inside the speaker 1. For example, a driving assembly is provided inside the speaker 1. The driving assembly includes a permanent magnet, a first pole piece and a second pole piece and is configured to provide a magnetic field in a space between the first pole piece and the second pole piece. The voice coil 150 is arranged in the space between the first pole piece and the second pole piece. Thus, by applying a varying current to the windings of the voice coil 150, the voice coil 150 moves in the axial direction. The diaphragm 10 is arranged on the surface of the speaker 1 and is connected with the voice coil 150. The movement of the voice coil 150 drives the vibration of the diaphragm 10, so that the diaphragm 10 generates and propagates sound to the outside of the speaker 1. As mentioned above, the diaphragm 10 defines a central axis, and accordingly defines the axial direction and the radial direction. In Fig. 1B, the central axis L of the diaphragm 10 also serves as the central axis of the speaker 1.
[0017] As shown in Fig. 1B, the center of the diaphragm 10 is provided with a hole 110. The cap 20 is disposed at the hole 110 of the diaphragm 10. The cap 20 may be a dust cap. Referring also to Figs. 2 and 3B, the cap 20 has a dome-shaped shell portion 200. The dome-shaped shell portion 200 protrudes towards the outside 102 of the speaker 1. As shown in Fig. 1B, the speaker 1 further includes a light source 30 and a light-guiding component 40. The light source 30 can generate light in a controlled manner. For example, the light source 30 is mechanically and electrically connected to a PCB board 35 (printed circuit board) in the speaker 1 to generate light in a controlled manner. The light-guiding component 40 passes through the a hole of the voice coil 150 and the hole 110 of the diaphragm 10 and is disposed between the light source 30 and the dome-shaped shell portion 200 of the cap 20. The light-guiding component 40 includes a light inlet port 410 and a light outlet port 420. The light inlet port 410 is arranged close to the light source 30, so that at least a part of the light generated and emitted by the light source 30 can enter the inside of the light-guiding component 40 via the light inlet port 410. The light outlet port 420 is located away from the light source 30 and near the dome-shaped shell portion 200. For example, the light outlet port 420 is located in the inner space 201 of the dome-shaped shell portion 200. The aforementioned light entering the inside of the light-guiding component 40 can leave the light-guiding component 40 via the light outlet port 420 and be emitted to the dome-shaped shell portion 200. The light emitted to the dome-shaped shell portion 200 can travel to the outside 102 of the speaker 1 via the transparent portion of the dome-shaped shell portion 200, as will be described in detail later.
[0018] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the light outlet port 420 has a shape that is axially symmetrical with respect to the central axis L of the diaphragm 10, so as to emit light in an axially symmetrical manner. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 1B, the light-guiding component 40 is configured to emit light in the horizontal direction in Fig. 1B and in an axially symmetrical manner. According to the present disclosure, due to the arrangement of the light-guiding component 40, the control capability on the luminous effect of the speaker 1 is significantly increased. In addition, the light source 30 and the PCB board 35 can be arranged inside the speaker 1 in a flexible manner. Thus, the speaker 1 can have a compact structure, and respective components of the speaker 1 may have the least negative impact on each other.
[0019] Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of the cap 20 of the speaker 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Fig. 2, the cap 20 has a dome-shaped shell portion 200. The dome-shaped shell portion 200 includes a first shell portion 210 and a second shell portion 220. According to the present disclosure, the first shell portion 210 and the second shell portion 220 are members discrete from each other, and they are assembled together during the manufacturing process of the cap 20. For the first shell portion 210 and the second shell portion 220 assembled together, the second shell portion 220 is at least partially located at the periphery of the first shell portion 210. Specifically, the second shell portion 220 has an annular shape, and the radially outer edge 212 of the first shell portion 210 and the radially inner edge 221 of the second shell portion 220 are connected with each other. In the illustrated embodiment, the first shell portion 210 and the second shell portion 220 may both be members that are axially symmetrical with respect to the central axis L, so as to have a simple structure. According to other embodiments of the present disclosure, the first shell portion 210 and the second shell portion 220 may each have a rotationally symmetrical shape with respect to the central axis L, for example, to achieve other effects of appearance. Fig. 2 also shows a connection tab 230 connected to the radially outer edge 222 of the second shell portion 220. The connection tab 230 is used to connect the cap 20 to a surface of the diaphragm 10, such as the outer surface of the diaphragm 10 which is on the outside of the speaker 1. For example, the shape of the connection tab 230 conforms to the shape of the corresponding surface portion of the diaphragm 10.
[0020] According to the present disclosure, the first shell portion 210 is opaque, while the second shell portion 220 is transparent. At least a part of the light generated by the light source 30 is directed to the second shell portion 220 via the light-guiding component 40 and passes through the second shell portion 220. Thus, this part of light generated by the light source 30 finally travels to a side of the cap 20 located outside the speaker 1. Because the first shell portion 210 is opaque, the light emitted from the light-guiding component 40 cannot travel to the outside 102 of the speaker 1 via the first shell portion 210. Therefore, viewed from the outside of the speaker 1, the speaker 1 has a luminous effect that the first shell portion 210 does not emit light and the second shell portion 220 emits light. Such luminous effect is closely related to the shape of the first shell portion 210. According to the present disclosure, by providing the first shell portion 210 and the second shell portion 220 as discrete members connected with each other, e.g., the first shell portion 210 and the second shell portion 220 are first manufactured separately from each other and then connected with each other to form the cap 20, the shape of the opaque portion of the dome-shaped shell portion 200 (i.e., the first shell portion 210) can be accurately controlled, thereby accurately achieving the desired luminous effect of the speaker 1. In addition, the manufacturing process described above can significantly reduce the manufacturing difficulty and manufacturing cost of the cap 20. Further, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the connection tab 230 may be integrally formed with the second shell portion 220, and such integrally formed member is then connected with the first shell portion 210 to form the cap 20.
[0021] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the first shell portion 210 and the second shell portion 220 may be respectively manufactured by thermoforming of a planar plastic plate, and then assembled by being connected with each other. In other words, the respective shapes of the first shell portion 210 and the second shell portion 220 may be formed by thermoforming of a flat plastic plate, while the transparency of the two members is different (i.e., the first shell portion 210 is opaque and the second shell portion 220 is transparent) . The first shell portion 210 and the second shell portion 220 manufactured in this way have light weight with low manufacturing cost, and the shape and position accuracy of the opaque portion of the dome-shaped shell portion 200 of the cap 20 can be improved significantly.
[0022] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the first shell portion 210 may be made of an opaque plastic material, and the second shell portion 220 may be made of a transparent plastic material. For example, the opaque plastic material itself is black. Alternatively, the first shell portion 210 and the second shell portion 220 may both be made of a transparent plastic material, while the surface of the first shell portion 210 is further coated with an opaque material, for example, printed with opaque ink. For example, the opaque ink is black ink. The aforementioned plastic material may be, for example, PC (polycarbonate) or PET (polyethylene terephthalate) .
[0023] The applicant proposed the above embodiments based on the following findings: in the existing manufacturing process, for a non-planar shell-like plastic part with partitioned surface characteristics (e.g., a plastic part with regions of different colors or transparency, etc. ) , the partitioned surface characteristics may be applied before or after the plastic part is formed into the designed shape. However, the actual partitioned surface characteristics produced prone to deviate from the expected design. In particular, due to the non-uniform deformation properties (such as anisotropic deformation properties) of plastics during thermoforming, it is difficult to accurately maintain the partitioned surface characteristics (such as color and transparency) applied before thermoforming. On the other hand, it is also difficult to apply the partitioned surface characteristics after the thermoforming of a plastic part. Therefore, the cap 20 according to the present disclosure has a particularly accurate configuration regarding transparency, and the corresponding speaker 1 has a particularly accurate luminous effect.
[0024] Fig. 3A is a top view of the cap 20 of the speaker 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, Fig. 3B is a cross-sectional view of the cap 20 taken along line A-A in Fig. 3A, and Fig. 3C is a partially enlarged view of the cap 20. Figs. 3B and 3C illustrate the connection between the first shell portion 210 and the second shell portion 220 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figs. 3B and 3C, the edge section 215 of the first shell portion 210 and the edge section 225 of the second shell portion 220 are overlapped and bonded with each other in the thickness direction 205 of the dome-shaped shell portion 200 (shown schematically by straight and dashed lines in Fig. 3C) , thereby connected with each other. For example, the width of the overlapped region, where the first shell portion 210 and the second shell portion 220 are bonded to each other, is 0.5 cm to 1.0 cm. Through the overlapping arrangement of the first shell portion 210 and the second shell portion 220, the surface area of bonding connection between them can be increased, and the fixing strength between them can be enhanced. As shown in detail in Fig. 3C, the edge section 225 of the second shell portion 220 is located on a side of the interior 101 of the speaker 1 relative to the edge section 215 of the first shell portion 210, so that the bonding region cannot be seen from the outside of the speaker 1, thereby ensuring a neat appearance of the speaker 1 while enhancing the fixing strength between the first shell portion 210 and the second shell portion 220. As further shown in Fig. 3C, the edge section 225 of the second shell portion 220 may be recessed toward the interior 101 of the speaker 1 to receive the edge section 215 of the first shell portion 210, so that the cap 20 has a smooth outer surface where the first shell portion 210 and the second shell portion 220 are connected.
[0025] With continued reference to Fig. 1B, the light-guiding component 40 is disposed between the light source 30 and the second shell portion 220 of the dome-shaped shell portion 200, passing through the hole of the voice coil 150 and the hole 110 of the diaphragm 10. The light-guiding component 40 may be configured so that the light outlet port 420 can emit light to the second shell portion 220 in an axially symmetrical manner, and then the light passes through the second shell portion 220. Further, the light-guiding component 40, the cap 20 and the diaphragm 10 may be configured such that the light emitted from the light outlet port 420 passes through the second shell portion 220 and reaches the outer surface of the diaphragm 10 (i.e., the surface of the diaphragm 10 located outside the speaker 1) . Therefore, viewed from the outside of the speaker 1, the first shell portion 210 does not emit light, while the second shell portion 220 emits light, and at the same time, the diaphragm 10 is illuminated in a certain region, thus making the luminous effect more abundant. In this case, by adjusting the specific configurations of the light-guiding component 40, the cap 20 and the diaphragm 10, the speaker 1 can have various luminous effects. In addition, referring also to Fig. 1A, a part of the frame 50 adjacent to the radially outer edge of the diaphragm 10 may have a symmetrical shape (for example, symmetrical with respect to the line A-A in Fig. 1A) . Thus, the speaker 1 can be stably assembled while having a simple and neat appearance.
[0026] According to one or more embodiments of the disclosure, the present disclosure can be implemented as follows.
[0027] Item 1: A speaker comprising a voice coil, a diaphragm, a cap, a light source and a light-guiding component, wherein the cap is arranged at a hole in a center of the diaphragm, and the cap has a dome-shaped shell portion, the dome-shaped shell portion comprises an opaque first shell portion and a transparent second shell portion at least partially located at a periphery of the first shell portion, the first shell portion and the second shell portion are discrete members connected with each other, the light-guiding component is configured to guide at least a part of light generated by the light source towards the second shell portion.
[0028] Item 2: The speaker according to item 1, wherein the light-guiding component passes through a hole of the voice coil and the hole of the diaphragm and is disposed between the light source and the second shell portion, so as to guide at least a part of the light emitted by the light source towards the second shell portion.
[0029] Item 3: The speaker according to any one of items 1 to 2, wherein the second shell portion has an annular shape, and a radially outer edge of the first shell portion and a radially inner edge of the second shell portion are connected with each other.
[0030] Item 4: The speaker according to any one of items 1 to 3, wherein respective shapes of the first shell portion and the second shell portion are formed by thermoforming a planar plastic plate.
[0031] Item 5: The speaker according to any one of items 1 to 4, wherein the first shell portion is made of opaque plastic material and the second shell portion is made of transparent plastic material, or, the first shell portion and the second shell portion are both made of transparent plastic material, and surface of the first shell portion is coated with an opaque material.
[0032] Item 6: The speaker according to any one of items 1 to 5, wherein in a region where the first shell portion and the second shell portion are connected with each other, an edge section of the first shell portion and an edge section of the second shell portion are overlapped and bonded with each other in a thickness direction of the dome-shaped shell portion, wherein the edge section of the second shell portion is located on an inner side of the speaker relative to the edge section of the first shell portion.
[0033] Item 7: The speaker according to any one of items 1 to 6, wherein the edge section of the second shell portion is recessed toward an interior of the speaker to receive the edge section of the first shell portion, so that the cap has a smooth outer surface in the region where the first shell portion and the second shell portion are connected with each other.
[0034] Item 8: The speaker according to any one of items 1 to 7, wherein the first shell portion and the second shell portion each have a rotationally symmetrical shape.
[0035] Item 9: The speaker according to any one of items 1 to 8, wherein the light-guiding component comprises a light outlet port located in an inner space of the dome-shaped shell portion, and the light outlet port has a shape that is axially symmetrical with respect to a central axis of the diaphragm to emit light to the second shell portion in an axially symmetrical manner.
[0036] Item 10: The speaker according to any one of items 1 to 9, wherein the light-guiding component, the cap and the diaphragm are configured such that the light emitted from the light outlet port passes through the second shell portion and reaches an outer surface of the diaphragm.
[0037] Item 11: The speaker according to any one of items 1 to 10, wherein the speaker further comprises a frame, a radially outer edge of the diaphragm is connected to the frame, and a part of the frame adjacent to the radially outer edge of the diaphragm has a symmetrical shape.
[0038] Systems and methods have been described in general terms as an aid to understanding details of the disclosure. In some instances, well-known structures, materials, and / or operations have not been specifically shown or described in detail to prevent obscuring aspects of the disclosure. In other instances, specific details have been given to provide a thorough understanding of the disclosure. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize that the disclosure may be embodied in other specific forms, for example to adapt to a particular system or apparatus or situation or material or component, without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. Therefore, the disclosures and descriptions herein are intended to be illustrative, but not limiting, of the scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, the disclosure is not to be restricted except considering the attached claims and their equivalents.
Claims
1.A speaker, comprising a voice coil (150) , a diaphragm (10) , a cap (20) , a light source (30) and a light-guiding component (40) , wherein the cap (20) is arranged at a hole (110) in a center of the diaphragm (10) , and the cap (20) has a dome-shaped shell portion (200) ,the dome-shaped shell portion (200) comprises an opaque first shell portion (210) and a transparent second shell portion (220) at least partially located at a periphery of the first shell portion (210) , the first shell portion (210) and the second shell portion (220) are discrete members connected with each other, the light-guiding component (40) is configured to guide at least a part of light generated by the light source (30) towards the second shell portion (220) .2.The speaker according to claim 1, wherein the light-guiding component (40) passes through a hole of the voice coil (150) and the hole (110) of the diaphragm and is disposed between the light source (30) and the second shell portion (220) , so as to guide at least a part of the light emitted by the light source (30) towards the second shell portion (220) .3.The speaker according to claim 1, wherein the second shell portion (220) has an annular shape, and a radially outer edge of the first shell portion (210) and a radially inner edge of the second shell portion (220) are connected with each other.4.The speaker according to claim 1, wherein respective shapes of the first shell portion (210) and the second shell portion (220) are formed by thermoforming a planar plastic plate.5.The speaker according to claim 4, wherein the first shell portion (210) is made of opaque plastic material and the second shell portion (220) is made of transparent plastic material, or,the first shell portion (210) and the second shell portion (220) are both made of transparent plastic material, and surface of the first shell portion (210) is coated with an opaque material.6.The speaker according to claim 1, wherein in a region where the first shell portion (210) and the second shell portion (220) are connected with each other, an edge section (215) of the first shell portion and an edge section (225) of the second shell portion are overlapped and bonded with each other in a thickness direction of the dome-shaped shell portion, wherein the edge section (225) of the second shell portion is located on an inner side of the speaker (1) relative to the edge section (215) of the first shell portion.7.The speaker according to claim 6, wherein the edge section (225) of the second shell portion is recessed toward an interior of the speaker to receive the edge section (215) of the first shell portion, so that the cap (20) has a smooth outer surface in the region where the first shell portion and the second shell portion are connected with each other.8.The speaker according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the first shell portion (210) and the second shell portion (220) each have a rotationally symmetrical shape.9.The speaker according to claim 8, wherein the light-guiding component (40) comprises a light outlet port (420) located in an inner space of the dome-shaped shell portion (200) , and the light outlet port (420) has a shape that is axially symmetrical with respect to a central axis of the diaphragm (10) to emit light to the second shell portion (220) in an axially symmetrical manner.10.The speaker according to claim 9, wherein the light-guiding component (40) , the cap (20) and the diaphragm (10) are configured such that the light emitted from the light outlet port (420) passes through the second shell portion (220) and reaches an outer surface of the diaphragm (10) .11.The speaker according to claim 8, wherein the speaker (1) further comprises a frame (50) , a radially outer edge of the diaphragm (10) is connected to the frame (50) , and a part of the frame (50) adjacent to the radially outer edge of the diaphragm (10) has a symmetrical shape.