In-Vehicle Sound Emitter Housing With Sealed Split-Case Assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing in-vehicle sound emitting devices face challenges in protecting electronic circuits from external environments, such as moisture and dust, and are difficult to assemble due to insufficient sealing and integration of loudspeakers and electronic circuits within housings.

Innovation Solution

The device is designed with a case that separates the loudspeaker and electronic circuit into distinct internal spaces, using a partition plate to facilitate assembly and sealing, with fastening units on different locations to ensure protection and ventilation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the housing is formed with top, bottom, right, and left plate members and a partition plate inside, then the loudspeaker and electronic circuit can be housed separately, but it becomes difficult to assemble the partition plate inside the housing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection of electronic circuitVSAvoidassembly of partition plate
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The housing is divided into a front case and a rear case that are separate components, with the partition plate forming part of the front case structure. This segmentation allows the front case (with integrated partition plate) to be assembled separately and then connected to the rear case, making assembly easier while maintaining separate compartments for the loudspeaker and electronic circuit.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If the housing is completely sealed to protect from moisture and dust, then the electronic circuit is protected from external environment, but the assembly and separate mounting of loudspeaker and electronic circuit housings becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection from external environmentVSAvoidseparate mounting of components
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The sealed housing is segmented into a front case and a rear case that can be separately assembled and mounted. The front case contains the loudspeaker and partitions, while the rear case contains the electronic circuit. These separate units can be independently mounted to the vehicle body, yet when combined form a completely sealed housing that protects all components from moisture and dust.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A sealing member (grommet or packing) is used as an intermediary element at the connection interface between the front case and rear case. This sealing member enables the two separate cases to be joined while maintaining complete sealability, thus allowing separate mounting while still protecting the electronic circuit from the external environment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Strength

If the front case and rear case are fastened to the partition plate, then the components are securely assembled, but the assembly process becomes more complex with multiple fastening locations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly securityVSAvoidassembly structure
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The partition plate is merged with the front case as an integrated component rather than a separate piece requiring independent fastening. The front case is fastened to the partition plate at multiple locations, but since the partition plate forms part of the front case structure, this reduces the overall complexity compared to having completely separate components that would require even more fastening points.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP4009658B1In-vehicle sound emitting device
Publication Date: 2026.04.22 ALPS ALPINE CO LTD
  • EP4009658B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4009658B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4009658B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An in-vehicle sound emitting device includes a front case and a rear case. The front case is partitioned from the rear case by a partition plate made from a metal plate. Rear space inside the rear case is sealed, and an electronic circuit is disposed in the rear space. A loudspeaker is mounted in front space inside the front case. By using two of the partition plates having the same structure, the front case having the incorporated loudspeaker and the rear case having the incorporated electronic circuit can be disposed separately.