Vehicle amplifier with detachable control panel

Abstract

The invention relates to vehicle sound systems, and more particularly to an amplifier with a detachable control panel. The technical result consists in universality and manufacturability, together with improved cost-efficiency and repairability. A vehicle amplifier with a detachable control panel is configured in the form of two separable units, specifically an amplifier unit and a detachable control panel. The detachable control panel can be an analog panel or an analog-digital panel. The detachable panel comprises an input unit for receiving audio signals from external sources, and an output unit for transmitting the signals to the amplifier unit. The amplifier unit comprises an input unit for receiving audio signals from the control panel, one or several low-frequency amplification stages, a DC-DC voltage converter, and a power supply.

Description

[0001]

[0002] Vehicle audio amplifier with removable control panel

[0003] The invention relates to automotive sound-reproducing audio equipment, and more specifically to an audio amplifier with a removable control panel.

[0004] With existing systems, drivers and other users experience frustration with many in-car infotainment systems for reasons including the difficulty associated with using the systems and inconsistency between systems for different vehicles.

[0005] The closest to the proposed invention is a car radio with a multi-channel audio signal power amplifier, described in patent RU 217824 U1, published on 20.04.2023. The known solution comprises an audio source unit with a multi-channel DSP audio signal processing processor, an external housing, a multi-channel audio signal power amplifier unit located therein, comprising a first, second, third and fourth class D stereo amplifier and having eight output amplification channels, each of which is configured to connect an external audio speaker. Moreover, the DSP processor is configured to generate a first, second, third and fourth audio signal, which are sent respectively to the input of the first, second, third and fourth class D stereo amplifier, wherein each class D stereo amplifier corresponds to a pair of output amplification channels, which are identical to each other in output amplification channels.

[0006] Due to the fact that the use of different amplifiers and control panels requires different device configurations, the known device is not universal or easily adaptable to different device block layouts.

[0007] The objective of the present invention is to create a unified design of the device.

[0008] The modular design of the device's system and interface modules ensures a unified design, allowing for flexible adaptation to various control panels and amplifier units. This approach can be used to develop and manufacture a wide range of audio amplifiers for vehicles with various interface sets by using different interface module options. Furthermore, if one component of the device fails, it is possible to replace only the damaged part without disassembling the entire device.

[0009] The technical result is to ensure versatility, manufacturability with increased efficiency, and improved maintainability.

[0010] The technical result according to the first embodiment is achieved in that the audio amplifier for vehicles with a removable control panel includes a removable analog panel and an amplification unit. The removable analog panel comprises an input unit, at least one matching operational amplifier, and an output unit. The input unit includes at least one input for receiving analog signals from an audio signal source. The output unit includes at least one output for transmitting signals to the amplification unit. Moreover, the output of each of the at least one input unit is connected to the input of the corresponding at least one matching operational amplifier, the output of which is connected to the input of the corresponding at least one output unit of the output unit. The amplification unit comprises an input unit, at least one low-frequency amplification (LFA) stage, a DC / DC voltage converter, and a power source.The input block includes at least one input for receiving signals from a removable analog panel. The output of each of the at least one input block is connected to the input of at least one corresponding low-frequency amplifier stage, the output of which is connected to the corresponding input of a DC / DC voltage converter.

[0011] In a particular implementation case, the outputs of the DC / DC voltage converter of the amplification block are connected to the inputs of the corresponding external sound sources.

[0012] In another particular implementation case, signals from the outputs of the DC / DC voltage converter of the amplification block are transmitted to an external additional device.

[0013] The technical result of the second embodiment is achieved in that the audio amplifier for vehicles with a removable control panel includes a removable analog-digital panel and an amplification unit. The removable analog-digital panel comprises an input unit, a digital signal processor (DSP), and an output unit. The input unit includes at least one input for receiving analog-digital signals from an audio signal source. The digital signal processor includes at least one input and at least one output. The output unit includes at least one audio output for transmitting audio signals to the amplification unit. The output of each of the at least one input of the input unit is connected to the corresponding at least one input of the digital signal processor, and each of the at least one output of the digital signal processor is connected to the corresponding at least one audio output of the output unit.The amplifier unit comprises an input unit, at least one low-frequency amplification (LF) stage, a DC-VDC voltage converter, and a power supply. The input unit includes at least one input for receiving signals from a removable analog-to-digital panel. The output of each of the at least one input unit is connected to the input of the corresponding at least one LF amplifier stage, the output of which is connected to the corresponding input of the DC-VDC voltage converter.

[0014] In one particular case of implementation, the input block of the analog-digital panel includes an RS232 interface for receiving sequences of control signals from external control, while the output of the RS232 interface is connected to the corresponding input of the digital signal processor.

[0015] In another particular embodiment, the input block of the analog-digital panel includes an RS485 interface for receiving digital signals from an audio signal source, wherein the output of the RS485 interface is connected to the corresponding input of the digital signal processor.

[0016] In another particular implementation case, the input block of the analog-digital panel includes a USB type A connector connected to the corresponding input of the digital signal processor for receiving digital signals from an audio signal source.

[0017] In another particular embodiment, the analog-to-digital panel additionally contains a low-frequency amplification stage, the input block of the analog-to-digital panel includes a USB type B connector for receiving digital signals from an audio signal source, wherein the output of the USB type B connector is connected to the input of the low-frequency amplification stage, the output of which is connected to the corresponding input of the digital signal processor.

[0018] In another particular implementation case, the input block of the analog-digital panel includes a USB type C connector connected to the corresponding input of the digital signal processor for receiving digital signals from an audio signal source.

[0019] In another particular embodiment, the input block of the analog-digital panel includes an optical fiber connector connected to the corresponding input of the digital signal processor for receiving optical signals from an audio signal source.

[0020] In another particular embodiment, the input block of the analog-digital panel includes a coaxial input connected to the corresponding input of the digital signal processor for receiving digital signals from an audio signal source.

[0021] In another particular embodiment, the analog-digital panel contains a BlueTooth module for receiving digital signals via a BlueTooth channel, and the output of the BlueTooth module is connected to the corresponding input of the digital signal processor.

[0022] In another specific implementation, the analog-to-digital panel additionally contains an analog-to-digital converter (ADC), a digital-to-analog converter (DAC), a first-stage low-frequency amplifier, a second-stage low-frequency amplifier, a third-stage low-frequency amplifier, a fourth-stage low-frequency amplifier, an RCA audio output, and an analog audio signal delay line. The analog-to-digital panel's input block includes an input for receiving high- and low-level analog signals from an audio source.The output of the input for receiving high and low level analog signals is connected to the input of the first low frequency amplifier cascade, the output of which is connected to the input of the delay line of analog audio signals, the output of which is connected to the input of the second low frequency amplifier cascade, the output of which is connected to the input of the ADC, the output of which is connected to the corresponding input of the digital signal processor, one of the outputs of which is connected to the input of the DAC, the output of which is connected to the input of the third low frequency amplifier cascade, the first output of which is connected to the corresponding, at least, one audio output for transmitting audio signals to the amplification unit, the second output of the third low frequency amplifier cascade is connected to the input of the fourth low frequency amplifier cascade, the output of which is connected to the input of the RCA audio output.

[0023] In another specific implementation case, the analog-digital panel contains a Master / Slave switch. In yet another specific implementation case, the outputs of the DC / DC voltage converter of the amplification block are connected to the inputs of the corresponding external audio sources.

[0024] In another particular implementation case, signals from the outputs of the DC / DC voltage converter of the amplification block are transmitted to an external additional device.

[0025] In another particular implementation case, the input block of the analog-digital panel includes configurable outputs for transmitting control signals to the amplification block.

[0026] The use of removable control panels and a unified amplifier unit allows for the assembly of devices during production without the need to produce a separate device for each type of amplifier, thereby ensuring the versatility of the device design, manufacturability with increased cost-effectiveness, and increased maintainability of the design.

[0027] Fig. 1 shows the block diagram of the removable analog control panel.

[0028] Fig. 2 shows a block diagram of a removable analog-digital control panel.

[0029] Fig. 3 shows a block diagram of the amplification unit according to the first embodiment.

[0030] Fig. 4 shows a block diagram of the amplification unit according to the second embodiment. The essence of the proposed solution is that the audio amplifier for vehicles with a removable control panel is made in the form of two separable units - the amplification unit and the removable control panel.

[0031] The amplifier block can be of different classes - A, B, AB, C, D. The amplifier block (Fig. 3, Fig. 4) can contain a different number of amplification channels. The amplifier block can have different power, etc. And it can be a pre-amplifier for use in conjunction with an additional external amplifier.

[0032] The removable control panel can be an analog panel (Fig. 1) or an analog-digital panel (Fig. 2).

[0033] Removable analog panel 1 - universal panel without built-in DSP.

[0034] Removable analog-digital panel 3 - a universal panel with a built-in sound processor (DSP), controlled by a PC or other devices.

[0035] A vehicle audio amplifier with a removable control panel receives audio data externally. This means the audio amplifier receives multiple audio signals from multiple audio sources. In this case, the multiple audio sources represent devices that deliver audio signals in various forms. For example, multiple audio sources represent devices capable of delivering audio signals in various forms, such as a cassette player, DVD player, CD player, Blu-ray player, radio, MP3 player, or storage media containing media files. The audio amplifier can receive various audio signals: digital signals, analog signals, and radio frequency (RF) signals.

[0036] The audio amplifier receives audio signals from the audio source via a cable, connector, jack, plug, etc. Wireless connections such as BlueTooth, Wi-Fi, ZigBee, NFC, etc. can also be used.

[0037] The audio amplifier can receive sequences of control signals in accordance with a control command from the user to process the audio signal. The user interface for transmitting control commands can be implemented as a plurality of buttons, a touch panel, a remote control, etc. If the user interface is implemented as a wireless remote control, the device may include a wireless Bluetooth receiver so that the user can enter control commands using a separate wireless remote control.

[0038] In one embodiment, an audio amplifier for vehicles with a removable control panel includes a removable analog panel 1 and an amplifier unit 2.

[0039] The removable analog panel 1 contains an input block 101, one or more matching operational amplifiers 102.1, 102.2 ...

[0040] 102.P and output block 103.

[0041] Input block 101 includes one or more inputs for receiving analog signals from an audio source. The output of each input block is connected to the input of the corresponding matching operational amplifier 102.1, 102.2 ... 102.n.

[0042] Output block 103 includes one or more outputs for transmitting signals to amplification block 2. The output of each corresponding matching operational amplifier 102.1, 102.2 ... 102.P is connected to the input of the corresponding output of output block 103.

[0043] The amplification unit 2 contains an input unit 201, one or more low frequency amplification stages (LFA) 202.1, 202.2 ... 202.p, a DC / DC voltage converter 203 and a power supply 204.

[0044] Input block 201 includes one or more inputs for receiving signals from removable analog panel 1. The output of each input of input block 201 is connected to the input of the corresponding stage of low frequency amplifier 202.1, 202.2 ... 202.p. The output of each corresponding stage of low frequency amplifier 202.1, 202.2 ... 202.p is connected to the corresponding input of DCVDC voltage converter 203.

[0045] From the corresponding outputs of the DC / DC voltage converter 203, signals are transmitted to the corresponding external sound sources 205.1, 205.2 ... 205.п or to the external additional device 206.

[0046] In another example of implementation, an audio amplifier for vehicles with a removable control panel includes a removable analog-digital 3 panel and an amplification unit 2.

[0047] The analog-digital panel 3 contains a digital signal processor (DSP) 301, an input block 302 and an output block 303.

[0048] The digital signal processor 301 includes one or more inputs and one or more outputs.

[0049] Input block 302 includes one or more inputs for receiving analog-digital signals from an audio source. The output of each input of input block 302 is connected to the corresponding input of digital signal processor 301.

[0050] Output block 303 includes one or more audio outputs for transmitting audio signals to amplification block 2. Each output of digital signal processor 301 is connected to the corresponding audio output of output block 303.

[0051] The amplification block 2 contains an input block 201, one or more low-frequency amplification stages (LFA) 202.1, 202.2 ... 202.p, a DCVDC voltage converter 203 and a power supply 204.

[0052] Input block 201 includes one or more inputs for receiving signals from removable analog-digital panel 3. The output of each input of input block 201 is connected to the input of the corresponding stage of low frequency amplifier 202.1, 202.2 ... 202.p. The output of each corresponding stage of low frequency amplifier 202.1, 202.2 ... 202.p is connected to the corresponding input of DCVDC voltage converter 203.

[0053] From the corresponding outputs of the DC / DC voltage converter 203, signals are transmitted to the corresponding external sound sources 205.1, 205.2 ... 205. n or to the external additional device 206.

[0054] The input block 302 of the analog-digital panel 3 may include an RS232 interface 304 for receiving sequences of control signals from an external control device, an optical fiber connector for receiving optical signals from an audio signal source, and a BlueTooth module 307 for receiving digital signals via a BlueTooth channel.

[0055] The input block 302 of the analog-digital panel may include an RS485 305 interface, a USB type A connector, a USB type B connector, a USB type C connector and a coaxial input, designed to receive digital signals from an audio signal source.

[0056] The outputs of the RS232 and RS485 interfaces, USB type A, USB type B, USB type C connectors, optical connector, coaxial input and BlueTooth module are connected to the corresponding inputs of the digital signal processor 301.

[0057] The analog-to-digital panel 3 may additionally contain an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) 308, a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) 309, a first stage of a low-frequency amplifier 310, a second stage of a low-frequency amplifier 312, a third stage of a low-frequency amplifier 314, a fourth stage of a low-frequency amplifier 315, an RCA audio output 316 and a delay line for analog audio signals 311. The input block 302 of the analog-to-digital panel includes an input for receiving high and low level analog signals from an audio signal source.The output of the input for receiving high and low level analog signals is connected to the input of the first stage of the low frequency amplifier 310, the output of which is connected to the input of the delay line of analog audio signals 311, the output of which is connected to the input of the second stage of the low frequency amplifier 312, the output of which is connected to the input of the ADC 308, the output of which is connected to the corresponding input of the digital signal processor 301, one of the outputs of which is connected to the input of the DAC 309, the output of which is connected to the input of the third stage of the low frequency amplifier 314, the first output of which is connected to the corresponding audio output of the output block 303 for transmitting audio signals to the amplification block 2, the second output of the third stage of the low frequency amplifier 314 is connected to the input of the fourth stage of the low frequency amplifier 315, the output of which is connected to the input of the RCA audio output 316.

[0058] For the operation of the proposed audio amplifier, only one type of signal received from the audio signal source from the presented set is sufficient.

[0059] External sound sources 205.1, 205.2 ... 205. p can be built-in speakers that are mounted inside the vehicle in any (any, at the discretion of the installer) places.

[0060] The external additional device 206 may be an external amplifier or an external audio playback unit (for example, wired or wireless headphones, a wireless speaker, etc.).

[0061] The analog-digital panel 3 may additionally contain a Master / Slave switch.

[0062] The input block 302 of the analog-digital panel 3 can include adjustable outputs for transmitting control signals to the amplification block 2.

[0063] The proposed audio amplifier can be used in car radios, DSP / FM / USB / BT receivers, which can provide reception of radio stations or playback of audio files recorded on DVD, CD, Blu-ray, USB drives, transmission of sound from external sources through various audio inputs or wireless interfaces, as well as output an amplified multi-channel audio signal to audio speakers located in vehicles, to additional external amplifiers or to connected external sound reproduction units.

Claims

Invention formula 1. An audio amplifier for vehicles with a removable control panel, including a removable analog panel and an amplifier unit; wherein the removable analog panel contains an input block including at least one input for receiving analog signals from an audio signal source, at least one matching operational amplifier and an output block including at least one output for transmitting signals to the amplification block, wherein the output of each of at least one input of the input block is connected to the input of the corresponding at least one matching operational amplifier, the output of which is connected to the input of the corresponding at least one output of the output block; the amplification unit comprises an input unit including at least one input for receiving signals from a removable analog panel, at least one low frequency amplification (LFA) stage, a DC / DC voltage converter and a power source, wherein the output of each of at least one input of the input unit is connected to the input of the corresponding at least one LFA stage, the output of which is connected to the corresponding input of the DC / DC voltage converter 2. An audio amplifier for vehicles with a removable control panel according to paragraph 1, characterized in that the outputs of the DC / DC voltage converter are connected to the inputs of the corresponding external sound sources.

3. An audio amplifier for vehicles with a removable control panel according to paragraph 1, characterized in that signals from the outputs of the DC / DC voltage converter are transmitted to an external additional device.

4. An audio amplifier for vehicles with a removable control panel, including a removable analog-digital panel and an amplifier unit; and the analog-digital panel contains a digital signal processor (DSP) including at least one input and at least one output, an input block including at least one input for receiving analog-digital signals from an audio signal source and an output block including at least one audio output for transmitting audio signals to an amplification block, wherein the output of each of at least one input of the input block is connected to a corresponding at least one input of the digital signal processor, each of at least one output of the digital signal processor is connected to a corresponding at least one audio output of the output block; The amplification unit comprises an input unit including at least one input for receiving signals from a removable analog-digital panel, at least one low frequency amplification (LFA) stage, a DC / DC voltage converter and a power source, wherein the output of each of at least one input of the input unit is connected to the input of the corresponding at least one LFA stage, the output of which is connected to the corresponding input of the DC / DC voltage converter.

5. An audio amplifier for vehicles with a removable control panel according to claim 4, characterized in that the input unit of the analog-digital panel includes an RS232 interface for receiving signal sequences from an external control device, for example, a touch screen, a connected control panel, a computer, and the output of the RS232 interface is connected to the corresponding input of the digital signal processor.

6. An audio amplifier for vehicles with a removable control panel according to claim 4, characterized in that the input block of the analog-digital panel includes an RS485 interface for receiving digital signals from an audio signal source, and the output of the RS485 interface is connected to the corresponding input of the digital signal processor.

7. An audio amplifier for vehicles with a removable control panel according to claim 4, characterized in that the input block of the analog-digital panel includes a USB type A connector connected to the corresponding input of the digital signal processor for receiving digital signals from an audio signal source.

8. An audio amplifier for vehicles with a removable control panel according to claim 4, characterized in that the analog-digital panel additionally contains a low-frequency amplification stage, the input block of the analog-digital panel includes a USB type B connector for receiving digital signals from an audio signal source, and the output of the USB type B connector is connected to the input of the low-frequency amplification stage, the output of which is connected to the corresponding input of the digital signal processor.

9. An audio amplifier for vehicles with a removable control panel according to claim 4, characterized in that the input block of the analog-digital panel includes a USB type C connector connected to the corresponding input of the digital signal processor for receiving digital signals from an audio signal source.

10. An audio amplifier for vehicles with a removable control panel according to claim 4, characterized in that the input block of the analog-digital panel includes an optical connector for optical fiber, connected to the corresponding input of the digital signal processor, for receiving optical signals from an audio signal source.

11. An audio amplifier for vehicles with a removable control panel according to claim 4, characterized in that the input block of the analog-digital panel includes a coaxial input connected to the corresponding input of the digital signal processor for receiving digital signals from an audio signal source.

12. An audio amplifier for vehicles with a removable control panel according to paragraph 4, characterized in that the analog-digital panel contains a BlueTooth module for receiving digital signals via a BlueTooth channel, and the output of the BlueTooth module is connected to the corresponding input of the digital signal processor.

13. An audio amplifier for vehicles with a removable control panel according to paragraph 4, characterized in that the analog-to-digital panel contains an analog-to-digital converter (ADC), a digital-to-analog converter (DAC), an RCA audio output and a delay line for analog audio signals with matching operational amplifiers; the input block of the analog-digital panel includes an input for receiving high and low level analog signals from an audio signal source; and the output of the input for receiving high and low level analog signals is connected to the input of the first stage of the low frequency amplifier, the output of which is connected to the input of the delay line of analog audio signals, the output of which is connected to the input of the second stage of the low frequency amplifier, the output of which is connected to the input of the ADC, the output of which is connected to the corresponding input of the digital signal processor, one of the outputs of which is connected to the input of the DAC, the output of which is connected to the input of the third stage of the low frequency amplifier, the first output of which is connected to the corresponding, at least, one audio output for transmitting audio signals to the amplification unit, the second output of the third stage of the low frequency amplifier is connected to the input of the fourth stage of the low frequency amplifier, the output of which is connected to the input of the RCA audio output.

14. An audio amplifier for vehicles with a removable control panel according to claim 4, characterized in that the outputs of the DC\DC voltage converter are connected to the inputs of the corresponding external sound sources.

15. An audio amplifier for vehicles with a removable control panel according to paragraph 4, characterized in that signals from the outputs of the DC / DC voltage converter are transmitted to an external additional device.

16. An audio amplifier for vehicles with a removable control panel according to paragraph 4, characterized in that the analog-digital panel contains a Master / Slave switch.

17. An audio amplifier for vehicles with a removable control panel according to paragraph 4, characterized in that the output block of the analog-to-digital panel includes adjustable outputs for transmitting current control signals to the amplification block.

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