CN102046134B

CN102046134B - Vibroacoustic bathing system

Info

Publication number: CN102046134B
Application number: CN200980120060.4A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 巴里·D·格拉斯福德; 玛丽·J·里德
Original assignee: Kohler Co
Current assignee: Kohler Co
Priority date: 2008-03-31
Filing date: 2009-03-26
Publication date: 2014-04-02
Anticipated expiration: 2029-03-26
Also published as: EP2262463A1; WO2009123689A1; BRPI0910331A2; RU2010144524A; AU2009232374A1; CA2719852A1; CN102046134A; TW200946098A; MX2010010705A; US20090241253A1

Abstract

A vibroacoustic system includes a shell having a plurality of transducers mounted in an energy transmitting relation thereto. The transducers receive input signals having distinct wave characteristics and drive the shell to simultaneously produce both a vibratory experience effected by a tactile stimulus and an auditory experience effected by an aural stimulus.

Description

Vibroacoustic bathing system

The cross reference of related application

The application requires priority that submit to, U.S. Provisional Application 61/041,157 on March 31st, 2008.

Research or exploitation that federal government subsidizes

Inapplicable.

Background technology

The present invention relates to bathroom utensil.More specifically, it relates to acoustic shock type bathroom utensil, and this utensil has driven different controlled auditions and the housing of pallesthesia of producing.

Bathtub housing (for example, bathtub) is generally known to reappear music as sound speaker.US Patent No. 6,523,191 have disclosed a kind of sound source hot tube (acoustically active hottub), and it has a plurality of transducers that are embedded into the piece in hot tube housing that are fixed to.Audio-frequency transducer converts the signal of telecommunication from music source to vibration, and this vibration is sent to the housing of hot tube, makes hull vibration.Hot tube housing is being suitable for transmitting the sound frequency rate scope internal vibration relevant to music conventionally.Like this, at pump and nozzle, make aerated water circulation time within hot tube, user can hear music.

Yet technology discussed above cannot be used hot tube housing to produce two kinds of different effects.Transducer is only that the user of hot tube produces sub-audible sound.And, be used in US Patent No. 6,523, even any subsidiary vibration that not exclusively elimination also can detract and may be experienced by bather, produce because transducer reappears music of the nozzle in 191 hot tube.

German patent DE 199902875 has been introduced another example as the bathtub of sound speaker.The center of this list of references is the transmission efficiency that the mechanical oscillation that improves transducer is sent to bathtub housing, the performance of serving as sound speaker to improve housing.Yet with US Patent No. 6,523,191 is the same, German patent DE 199902875 only by housing with faking speaker, input signal in addition of the reproduction of not considering audible voice or the impact of output signal.

Use is arranged near single transducer vibration water bathtub, and therefore vibrates bather, is also generally known.US Patent No. 3,585,991 have disclosed a kind of transducer that becomes Energy Coupling relation with a wall of bathtub that is installed into.The transducer that is coupled to wall produces a series of single walls via bathtub by the energy waves of water, yet, comprise that the separated speaker (for example, headband receiver or ambient sound system) that is not coupled to bathtub housing is to produce music.Like this, US Patent No. 3,585,991 not by bathtub as sound speaker, but only use single wall to reach the object of vibration, and the separative speaker of tool produces audible music.In addition, this invention instruction forms the visible motion of water with the unit of whirlpool type, the effect of the energy waves that it propagates through water by obviously detracting.

European patent application published EP0651987 has also introduced the transducer of installing by the cinclides of bathtub wall, and this transducer allows ultrasound wave to be directly sent in bathtub.Like this, bathtub is not used as speaker, and only as the transducer Special mounting seat that has pad isolation between bathtub and transducer.For example, and except transducer, bathtub also comprises hydromassage device (, water jet), ultrasound wave also can detract.

Because produce controlled vibration and the dark tool challenge of auditory perception, so prior art produces between vibration or sound and has set up demarcation line with bathroom facilities shell.Therefore, create a kind of acoustic shock type bathroom utensil, the housing of this acoustic shock type bathroom utensil can produce and have the sound impression of different wave properties and the unlike signal of pallesthesia drives by two, can overcome above challenge, is former unforeseeable.

Summary of the invention

On the one hand, acoustic shock type bathroom utensil comprises housing for being filled with water and in the mode that transmits relation with housing forming energy, is installed to a plurality of transducers of housing.Transducer receives different input signals, so that drive shell simultaneously, thereby produces the auditory perception of the pallesthesia wave property different from pallesthesia with having at least one.Pallesthesia is the tactual stimulation of realizing by the water in housing, and auditory perception is the auditory stimulus realizing beyond water.

On the other hand, acoustic shock type bathroom utensil comprises housing for being filled with water and in the mode that transmits relation with housing forming energy, is installed to a plurality of transducers of housing.Transducer receives has separated and different sound equipments and the input signal of vibration wave characteristic.Transducer is drive shell simultaneously, thereby realizes auditory stimulus to produce corresponding to the auditory perception of sound equipment wave property, thereby and produces and realize tactual stimulation corresponding to the pallesthesia of vibration wave characteristic.

Aspect further, acoustic shock type bathroom utensil comprises the housing for being filled with water.First group of transducer is to be installed to housing with the mode of housing forming energy transmission relation, and reception has the input signal of sound equipment wave property.Second group of transducer is to be installed to housing with the mode of housing forming energy transmission relation, and reception has the input signal of the vibration wave characteristic different from sound equipment wave property.First and second groups of transducer drive housings, to produce pallesthesia and the auditory perception that corresponds respectively to vibration wave characteristic and sound equipment wave property simultaneously, thereby realize separated and different sense of touch and auditory stimulus.

On the other hand, acoustic shock type bathroom utensil comprises the housing for being filled with water, and wherein, when housing fills water, water fills up the waterline of water below for housing definition one.First group of transducer with housing forming energy transmit the mode of relation and substantially higher than waterline be installed to housing, and receive the input signal with sound equipment wave property.Second group of transducer with housing forming energy transmit the mode of relation and substantially lower than waterline be installed to housing, and receive the input signal with the vibration wave characteristic different from sound equipment wave property.First and second groups of transducer drive housings, to produce corresponding with vibration wave characteristic and sound equipment wave property respectively pallesthesia and auditory perception simultaneously, to realize separated and different sense of touch and auditory stimulus.

By the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, of the present invention these and other side and benefit will be apparent again.Content is below only preferred illustrative embodiments of the present invention.In order to evaluate four corner of the present invention, should be with reference to claim.

Accompanying drawing explanation

Fig. 1 waits axonometric drawing, shows according to acoustic shock type bathroom utensil of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is the bottom view of this system;

Fig. 3 is the left side view of this system;

Fig. 4 is the foot view of this system;

Fig. 5 is the head end view of this system;

Fig. 6 A is schematic diagram, shows the exemplary circuit allocation plan of the system of Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 B is schematic diagram, shows another exemplary wiring layout;

Fig. 7 A is schematic diagram, and the exemplary signal that shows the acoustic shock type bathroom utensil of Fig. 1 is distributed;

Fig. 7 B is schematic diagram, shows another exemplary signal and distributes;

Fig. 8 A be can with the exemplary auxiliary waveform of using together with the acoustic shock type bathroom utensil of Fig. 1, for setting up pallesthesia and auditory perception by auxiliary input;

Fig. 8 B be can with the exemplary basic waveform of using together with the acoustic shock type bathroom utensil of Fig. 1, for setting up different pallesthesias.

The specific embodiment

The invention provides and can be simultaneously produce and act on acoustic shock type bathroom utensil or system 12 bather 11, controlled audition and pallesthesia for bather 11.

Auditory perception brings auditory stimulus mainly to bather 11, and this auditory stimulus is by producing in response to the driven housing 14 of acoustic signal, and this acoustic signal comprises the wave property under traditional music framework.Music framework comprises typical music element, for example the tone centered by specific tonality (key) and the harmony relevant to this tonality.Auditory perception preferably includes the sound equipment melody of the audition focus of being heard by bather 11.Auditory perception is preferably by gas medium, and for example air, propagates into bather 11, and substantially realizes auditory stimulus.

The stimulation that pallesthesia mainly brings sense of touch substantially to bather 11, this tactual stimulation is also by producing in response to the driven housing 14 of vibration signal, and this vibration signal comprises the wave property different from least one wave property of acoustic signal.The tactile vibrations of pallesthesia comprises rhythmless wave property substantially, and this rhythmless wave property is special experiencing to obtain the controlled vibration realizing via tactual stimulation of forming.The wave property of pallesthesia is preferably passed on recognizable, not auxiliary impression, this recognizable, not auxiliary impression not Time Created framework, mean that common adult bather can run into identical vibration signal in a plurality of occasions, and cannot distinguish consciously easily beginning within certain vibration impression, centre, end or relation At All Other Times.

Pallesthesia is preferably by liquid medium, and for example water, propagates into bather 11, and realizes substantially tactual stimulation, for example deep massage impression.And pallesthesia preferably includes the controlled application of the vibration that housing 14 is produced, with position and the intensity of operation control vibration impression.

Acoustic shock type bathroom utensil 12, housing 14 more specifically, by " fine setting (tune) ", become maximizing that produce and propagate to realize audition separately and audition and the pallesthesia of tactual stimulation by empty G&W by housing 14.Preferably housing 14 is tailored into the tonality of expectation, to suitably respond the main frequency of specific tonality.Suitable housing 14 responses mean that housing 14 has minimum vibration attenuation in the preferable range of frequency substantially, and housing 14 is configured to can operate to strengthen the wave property of expectation.For example, by the frequency response (, the natural frequency of housing 14 and resonance) of housing 14 is associated with the audition of expectation and the wave property of pallesthesia, set up housing 14 and the audition of expectation and the relation between pallesthesia.

Figure 1 illustrates exemplary acoustic shock type bathroom utensil 12.Bathroom utensil or system 12 comprise housing 14, for example bathtub, shower cabinet, pond or other similar basin, it is preferably by fibrous glass reinforced plastics and makes, but can make by multiple other material or such as the combination of the such material of acrylic, metal, porcelain and similar material.

The frequency response of housing 14 partly depends on material and the geometry of housing 14.For example, depend on geometry, cast iron may be too fine and close and too heavy and cannot set up preferred acoustic shock type bathroom utensil.Yet the present invention still can use the cast housing with suitable geometry and structure.Preferably the geometry of housing 14 is become with optimization of material, can suitably respond by the details of each application and the given expected frequency range of wave property of audition and pallesthesia.

Housing 14 comprises the left side wall 16 that departs from right side wall 18 substantially, departs from a wall 20 of foot wall 22, and the substrate 24 being connected with

wall

16,18,20,22.Housing 14 is conventionally via inserting a part of water with the faucet that valve (not shown) is controlled.In substrate 24, be formed with discharge outlet 26, to do not allow water discharge from housing 14 in used time.In addition, gap 28 is seated in spilling water crosspiece 30, to guarantee that water can not be elevated to waterline more than 32 and can not break through the plane 34 that housing 14 edges 36 define.

The foot 38 of housing 14 can comprise leg rest part 40, and the contour surface of this leg rest part 40 is configured to engage and support when user is in housing 14 foot of user.In addition, head end 42 can comprise the head recess 44 above the back part 48 that is formed on a wall 20.Back part 48 tilts, and profile be formed at bather in housing 14 time for bather 11 provides reclined position.

Head recess 44 can adopt various structures.Yet the size of every kind and size are manufactured into the head rest that makes as bather 11 in head recess 44 time, bather 11 ear is supported in fact lower than plane 34, and preferably higher than waterline 32.The ear that keeps bather can change by housing 14 and produce and by airborne auditory stimulus (below can describe in detail) lower than the edge 36 of housing 14 and higher than waterline 32.Alternatively, head recess 44 can be configured so that bather 11 ear is positioned at waterline 32 times.And this also can change the auditory stimulus being realized by audition and pallesthesia.

Acoustic shock type bathroom utensil, or alternatively, the acoustic shock type bathroom utensil 12 of bathtub form can comprise and is installed to a series of photochromotherapy devices (chromotherapy device) 50 that the vibration with housing 14 of housing 14 is synchronizeed substantially.Photochromotherapy device 50 can consist of multi-color LED, incandescent lamp bulb, optical fiber bunch (fiber optic strand) etc., and be placed in translucent or transparent glasses lens 52 after.Photochromotherapy device 50 may be installed by any technology well known by persons skilled in the art.And, can change as required position and the quantity of photochromotherapy device 50.

Acoustic shock type bathroom accessory system 12 comprises and is mounted to a plurality of transducers that have Energy Coupling relation with housing 14.These transducer drive and vibration housing 14, realize audition and pallesthesia by this.Although describe illustrative embodiments with reference to electromagnetic transducer, transducer can be input signal to be converted to the transducer of any type of corresponding mechanical vibration.In exemplary embodiment, transducer is electromagnetism Rolen-Star audio-frequency transducer preferably.In addition, transducer can comprise as U.S. Patent application the 12/051st, No. 190 described electromagnetic shieldings, and the document is all incorporated herein conduct with reference to data.

Specifically, with reference to figure 2, Fig. 6 A and Fig. 6 B, transducer is divided into two groups: (1) vibration housing 14 is to realize the audition transducer of auditory perception, and (2) vibration housing 14 is to realize the vibration transducer of pallesthesia.Audition transducer comprises right sound equipment transducer 54R and left sound equipment transducer 54L (being jointly called "

sound equipment transducer

54R, 54L ").Vibration transducer comprises right head end vibration transducer 56R, left head end vibration transducer 56L, right crus of diaphragm end vibration transducer 58R, left foot end vibration transducer 58L, right side head end vibration transducer 60R, left side head end vibration transducer 60L, right side foot vibration transducer 62R and left side foot vibration transducer 62L (being jointly called "

vibration transducer

56R, 56L, 58R, 58L, 60R, 60L, 62R, 62L ").

Described illustrative embodiments is used two

audition transducer

54R, 54L and eight

vibration transducer

56R, 56L, 58R, 58L, 60R, 60L, 62R, 62L altogether; But, according to the present invention, can comprise any amount of audition and vibration transducer.In addition,, although show preferred transducer arrangement and quantity, can change the layout of transducer, and in fact, each specific instrument 12 (for example, bathtub) preferably arranges the layout of transducer for the interactive type of user ' s preference, to maximize audition and pallesthesia.With regard to the housing 14 shown in illustrative embodiments, preferably with illustrated relative arranged transducer, to maximize the transmission of the wave property being realized by audition and pallesthesia.For example, as shown in Figure,

sound equipment transducer

54R, 54L are oriented auditory perception is guided to bather 11, thereby realize the auditory stimulus of expecting.

Each transducer is arranged on the position that produces local impression and/or overall

feeling.Vibration transducer

56R, 56L, 58R, 58L, 60R, 60L, 62R, 62L are preferably installed to the waterline 32 times of housing 14, and corresponding vibration can be produced by water-borne sense of touch, pallesthesia.

Example as local vibration impression, right head end vibration transducer 60R and left head end vibration transducer 60L are all fixed to housing 14 in contiguous back part 48 ground, the energy that right head end vibration transducer 60R and left head end vibration transducer 60L are produced can vibrate the housing 14 of contiguous back part 48, and produces the corresponding energy waves that propagates into bather 11 from housing 14 in liquid medium.Pallesthesia can be back, chest by tactilely-perceptible by bather and approach right head end vibration transducer 60R and the controlled directional vibration of all inner biological structures of left head end vibration transducer 60L.Similarly controlled partial result is produced by all the

other vibration transducer

56R, 56L, 58R, 58L, 60R, 60L, 62R, 62L at housing 14 desired locations place around.

Preferably

sound equipment transducer

54R, 54L are mounted to neighboring edge 36, in fact higher than waterline 32, and the head end 42 of deflection housing 14.This is positioned to more close bather's 11 head by

sound equipment transducer

54R, 54L and in fact higher than the water surface in housing 14.Result is, in housing 14 vibration surrounding airs, when realizing auditory stimulus, this layout has strengthened the auditory perception being produced by sound equipment transducer 54R, 54L.And the design of housing 14, the especially part of neighboring edge 36, be tailored into the wave property that can strengthen auditory perception, thereby maximize auditory stimulus.

In the exemplary embodiment, right head end vibration transducer 56R, left head end vibration transducer 56L, right crus of diaphragm end vibration transducer 58R and left foot end vibration transducer 58L are substantially spaced apart along longitudinal axis 64.Similarly, right side head end vibration transducer 60R, left side head end vibration transducer 60L, right side foot vibration transducer 62R and left side foot vibration transducer 62L are substantially spaced apart along axis of pitch 66.Also the transversely directed right sound equipment transducer 54R of axis 66 and left sound equipment transducer 54L substantially.

This overall arrangement of

transducer

54R, 54L, 56R, 56L, 58R, 58L, 60R, 60L, 62R, 62L make housing 14 simultaneously generating portion depend on audition and the pallesthesia of relative spacing and arrangement between transducer.Can control the audition of audition and pallesthesia and tactual stimulation very, for example, amplitude, frequency and persistent period.

Available any known method is installed to housing 14 by

transducer

54R, 54L, 56R, 56L, 58R, 58L, 60R, 60L, 62R, 62L, include but not limited to: with bonding agent and epoxy resin,

transducer

54R, 54L, 56R, 56L, 58R, 58L, 60R, 60L, 62R, 62L are connected to housing 14 securely, and between housing 14 and transducer forming energy coupled relation.Preferred connection can guarantee that energy efficient is delivered to housing 14 from

transducer

54R, 54L, 56R, 56L, 58R, 58L, 60R, 60L, 62R, 62L, make housing produce fully auditory perception and pallesthesia, to realize audition and the tactual stimulation of expectation.In related U.S. patent application the 12/051st, a kind of attachment method has been described in No. 190, the document is merged in herein as a reference in full.

Concrete with reference to figure 6A, the overall signal that shows the simplified example of acoustic shock type bathroom accessory system 12 flows and distribution schematic diagram.For clarity sake, vibrating mass described separately and sound part.Generation and the processing of signal are described in more detail with reference to Fig. 7 A.

Auditory perception is the result of acoustic signal 68 and its sound equipment wave property.Acoustic signal 68 comprises the instruction (namely, characteristic) of

sound equipment transducer

54R, 54L, thereby produces in order to vibrate housing 14 auditory perception that is implemented as auditory stimulus.Acoustic signal 68 is process audifier 70 before driving right sound equipment transducer 54R and left sound equipment transducer 54L.Acoustic signal 68 comprises the sound equipment passage 68A that drives right sound equipment transducer 54R and left sound equipment transducer 54L.Can be by controlling the sound equipment wave property of sound equipment passage 68A, for example frequency and/or amplitude are controlled auditory perception.

Can or be compressed into acoustic signal 68 codings, sound equipment wave property can be decoded from acoustic signal 68, with one or more audifiers 70, amplify, and be connected to

sound equipment transducer

56R, 56L to produce the auditory perception of expectation.

Pallesthesia is the result of vibration signal 72 and its vibration wave characteristic.Vibration signal 72 comprises for the instruction of

vibration transducer

56R, 56L, 58R, 58L, 60R, 60L, 62R, 62L (namely, characteristic), in order to produce the pallesthesia of being realized by tactual stimulation.In the exemplary embodiment, vibration signal 72 will pass through a pair of vibration amplifier 74 before driving

vibration transducer

56R, 56L, 58R, 58L, 60R, 60L, 62R, 62L.Vibration signal 72 preferably includes vibrating channel 72A.

In an exemplary embodiment shown in Fig. 6 A and Fig. 7 A, vibrating channel 72A drives right head end vibration transducer 56R, left head end vibration transducer 56L, right side head end vibration transducer 60R and left side head end vibration transducer 60L (being jointly called " head

end vibration transducer

56R, 56L, 60R, 60L ") via head end amplifier 74A.Vibrating channel 72A drives right crus of diaphragm end vibration transducer 58R, left foot end vibration transducer 58L, right side foot vibration transducer 62R and left side foot vibration transducer 62L (being jointly called "

foot vibration transducer

58R, 58L, 62R, 62L ") via foot amplifier 74B.

Another exemplary embodiment has been shown in Fig. 6 B and Fig. 7 B, and wherein vibrating channel 72A drives right head end vibration transducer 56R, left head end vibration transducer 56L, right crus of diaphragm end vibration transducer 58R and left foot end vibration transducer 58L (being jointly called "

end vibration transducer

56R, 56L, 58R, 58L ") via end amplifier 74C.Vibrating channel 72A drives right side foot vibration transducer 62R, left side foot vibration transducer 62L, right side head end vibration transducer 60R and left side head end vibration transducer 60L (being jointly called "

core vibration transducer

60R, 60L, 62R, 62L ") via core amplifier 74D.

As shown in Figure 6B,

end vibration transducer

56R, 56L, 58R, 58L are driven by vibrating channel 72A.Similarly,

core vibration transducer

60R, 60L, 62R, 62L are driven by vibrating channel 72A.Can be at the tactual stimulation of operation control vibration impression aspect intensity, persistent period and frequency.

68A is the same with sound equipment passage, and the characteristic of vibrating channel 72A can be changed to produce pallesthesia.The same with

sound equipment transducer

54R, 54L, each can be driven

vibration transducer

56R, 56L, 58R, 58L, 60R, 60L, 62R, 62L by vibration signal 72, this signal codified or be compressed into vibration signal 72.Further, depend on application requirements, each

vibration transducer

56R, 56L, 58R, 58L, 60R, 60L, 62R, 62L can be driven by single or multiple vibration amplifiers 74.

In the exemplary embodiment, concrete with reference to figure 7A, auditory perception and pallesthesia are encoded into respectively in acoustic signal 68 and vibration signal 72.Preferably, acoustic signal 68 and vibration signal 72 are encoded into the form (" MP3 format ") of mpeg layer 3, yet can be by any other codec encodes, or can be with unprocessed form (for example, waveform (" WAV "), advanced audio (" AAC "), Dolby Digital, and similar form) present.

Acoustic signal 68 preferably obtains from separated medium apparatus (not shown) with vibration signal 72, and for example safe digital (" SD ") blocks, mini SD, compact flash, flash memory disk and similar device.Alternatively, acoustic signal 68 and vibration signal 72 for example can be stored in, in built-in storage medium (, hard drive) or optical medium (for example, compact disk (" CD "), digital versatile dish (" DVD "), Blu-ray Disc (" BD "), and similar mediums) in.Like this, acoustic signal 68 and vibration signal 72 can obtain and from single stream from single medium apparatus.

In the exemplary embodiment, acoustic signal 68 is directed into sound equipment decoder 76, and it is decoded into the stream acoustic signal (streaming audile signal) 68 that comprises sound equipment passage 68A from MP3 format there.Similarly, vibration signal 72 is routed to vibration decoder 78, and it is decoded into the stream vibration signal 72 of involving vibrations passage 72A from preferred MP3 format there.Sound equipment decoder 76 and vibration decoder 78 can be similar to the SCF5250Integrated ColdFire microprocessor of being produced by Freecale Semiconductor.Alternatively, can decode acoustic signal 68 and vibration signal 72 of single decoder.

The output (that is, the first vibrating channel 72A) of the output of sound equipment decoder 76 (that is, the first sound equipment passage 68A) and vibration decoder 78 is directed into controller 80.In the exemplary embodiment, controller 80 can be the commercially available logic device of any a plurality of complex programmables.Controller 80 is routed to sound equipment passage 68A and vibrating channel 72A the suitable input of signal processor 82 (can below describe).Will be appreciated that, controller 80 can be combined with

decoder

76,78, signal processor 82, amplifier 70,74, photochromotherapy controller 86 and be used in, several or all functions and feature in any other parts in acoustic shock type bathroom accessory system 12.For ease of explaining, this exemplary embodiment is separately explained function and the feature of each parts.

Controller 80 offers photochromotherapy controller 86 by least one color signal (chromo signal) 84.Photochromotherapy controller 86 is controlled a series of photochromotherapy devices 50 (for example, LEDS) in response to the color signal 84 receiving from controller 80.Multiple color combination, intensity, pattern and similar aspect are directed into housing 14 via the photochromotherapy device 50 of photochromotherapy controller 86 and institute's combination.

Acoustic signal 68 and vibration signal 72 are controlled and regulated to the signal processor 82 of illustrative embodiments.Signal processor 82 can be used for regulating vibration wave characteristic or sound equipment wave property, such as frequency and the amplitude of sound equipment passage 68A, vibrating channel 72A and any other input signal.Signal processor 82 can be similar to the TAS5508A being manufactured by Texas Instruments.In addition, signal processor can comprise a series of amplifiers; Yet, illustrative embodiments shown in Fig. 6 A and Fig. 7 A comprises the audition amplifier 70 that drives

sound equipment transducer

54R, 54L, and a pair of vibration amplifier 74, one drives head

end vibration transducer

56R, 56L, 60R, 60L, and one drives

foot vibration transducer

58R, 58L, 62R, 62L.It will be recognized by those skilled in the art, multiple amplifier configuration and combination can be used to supply with energy into acoustic shock type bathroom accessory system 12.For example, circuit board can comprise a series of chips, and these chips all comprise a pair of amplifier that receives separately input signal.Amplifier electric coupling is in many ways got up with the heat energy that distributes better during operation, for example, by the one or more chips of electric coupling.

The controller 80 of illustrative embodiments also comprises auxiliary input 88.Controller 80 receives auxiliary input 88, and this input is routed to sound

equipment transducer

54R, 54L and

vibration transducer

56R, 56L, 58R, 58L, 60R, 60L, 62R, 62L.This signal can be sent to or all transducers of being determined via user interface (not shown) by bather 11 or determined according to the logic of programming in advance by controller 80.For example, controller 80 can be programmed to filter auxiliary input 88, for example, with by lower frequency (, about below 250 hertz) be directed to

vibration transducer

56R, 56L, 58R, 58L, 60R, 60L, 62R, 62L, and upper frequency (for example, about more than 250 hertz) is directed to sound equipment transducer 54R, 54L.Alternatively, controller 80 can be programmed to from auxiliary input 88 and extract fluctuating signal (that is, " beat ") and those signal guidance are arrived to

vibration transducer

56R, 56L, 58R, 58L, 60R, 60L, 62R, 62L.Then the remainder of auxiliary input 88 can be directed to sound equipment transducer 54R, 54L.Can obtain auxiliary input 88 from multiple auxiliary device (not shown), comprise computer, TV, digital media player and similar device.

Come 8A with the aid of pictures and figure B, show and simplify waveform (wherein, Y-axis represents relative amplitude substantially, and X-axis is express time continuum substantially), this simplification waveform shows and is used to produce the audition of expectation and exemplary acoustic signal 68 and the vibration signal 72 of pallesthesia.Shown acoustic signal 68 and vibration signal 72 are only to can be used for producing the auditory stimulus of expectation and the example waveform of tactual stimulation by vibration housing 14.Pallesthesia and auditory perception have at least one and experience different wave property from another.This characteristic can relate to frequency, amplitude, tone, persistent period and any other wave property, and preferably coordinates mutually with housing 14.In addition, it should be noted that preferably and produce pallesthesia and auditory perception by housing 14 simultaneously, substantially to realize sense of touch and auditory stimulus simultaneously.Therefore, each transducer impression that drive shell 14 is expected with generation simultaneously.

" assisting " waveform 98 has been shown in Fig. 8 A.Auxiliary waveform 98 represents acoustic signal 68 and the vibration signal 72 that can produce and via auxiliary input 88, be routed to each

sound equipment transducer

54R, 54L and

vibration transducer

56R, 56L, 58R, 58L, 60R, 60L, 62R, 62L.Shown in auxiliary waveform 98 in, do not carry out controlling of auxiliary input 88, yet, as discussed above, can control signal (for example, adjustment, filtration, destructing are controlled with similar) to obtain relative predetermined audition and pallesthesia.For example, can analyze vibration signal 72 to extract pulse P, this pulse P then filters and is reinforced vibration signal 72 from acoustic signal 68.In addition, can control sound equipment wave property and vibration wave characteristic, to have better interaction (that is, dynamically finely tuning for housing 14) with housing 14.Many extra signal handlings and treatment technology within the scope of the present invention, and are well known by persons skilled in the art.

With reference to figure 8B, " substantially " waveform 100 can be used for providing and is more similar to the massage of repetition or the auditory perception of tum and pallesthesia.Can expect many modification, and these modification within the scope of the present invention.

As discussed above, acoustic shock type bathroom accessory system 12 can be constructed to be permeable to produce controlled audition and the pallesthesia of the various auditions that caused by housing 14 vibrations and tactual stimulation realization.

Preferred illustrative embodiment of the present invention is described in detail.For those of ordinary skills, many modifications of described preferred illustrative embodiment and modification will be apparent.Therefore, the present invention should not be limited to described illustrative embodiments.

Industrial applicability

The invention provides the acoustic shock type bathroom utensil being used in consumer's bathing application, especially, can produce the bath system of controlled audition and pallesthesia.

Claims

1. an acoustic shock type bathroom utensil, comprising:

For the housing being filled with water; With

In the mode with described housing forming energy transmission relation, be installed to a plurality of transducers of described housing, wherein said a plurality of transducer receives respectively different input signals to drive described housing simultaneously, thereby produce the auditory perception of the pallesthesia wave property different from described pallesthesia with thering is at least one, described pallesthesia is the tactual stimulation that the water by described housing is realized, and described auditory perception is that the auditory stimulus that realizes outside described water is to realize auditory stimulus;

For the controller of described a plurality of transducers, the input signal that wherein said controller impact is received by described a plurality of transducers;

Be arranged on a plurality of photochromotherapy devices on described housing;

Be connected to the photochromotherapy controller on described controller, wherein the controller for described a plurality of transducers provides color signal to photochromotherapy controller, and wherein said photochromotherapy controller is controlled a series of photochromotherapy devices in response to the described color signal receiving from described controller, to utilize a plurality of photochromotherapy devices to produce multiple color combination, intensity and pattern.

2. acoustic shock type bathroom utensil as claimed in claim 1, that wherein said pallesthesia has is rhythmless, unduplicated wave property substantially.

3. acoustic shock type bathroom utensil as claimed in claim 1, at least one in wherein said transducer is configured in the vertical direction substantially the waterline higher than the water in described housing, and at least one in wherein said transducer is configured in the vertical direction substantially lower than described waterline, and wherein described at least one transducer higher than described waterline provides described auditory perception, lower than described at least one transducer of described waterline, provide described pallesthesia.

4. acoustic shock type bathroom utensil as claimed in claim 1, wherein have four transducers at least, the first couple of described transducer arranges around the first axle of described housing, and the second couple of described transducer arranges around second axis that is substantially perpendicular to described first axle of described housing.

5. acoustic shock type bathroom utensil as claimed in claim 4, wherein has at least six transducers, and wherein at least two are specifically designed to described auditory perception, and at least four are specifically designed to described pallesthesia.

6. acoustic shock type bathroom utensil as claimed in claim 5, wherein said described at least two transducers that are specifically designed to described auditory perception are arranged on the opposite side of described first axle.

7. acoustic shock type bathroom utensil as claimed in claim 6, described at least four transducers that are wherein specifically designed to described pallesthesia are arranged in each quadrant being limited by described first axle and described the second axis has a transducer at least.

8. acoustic shock type bathroom utensil as claimed in claim 7, wherein said housing limits a bathtub basin.

9. acoustic shock type bathroom utensil as claimed in claim 8, wherein said basin comprises for bather's head location being become substantially to the head recess lower than the edge of described bathtub basin.

10. acoustic shock type bathroom utensil as claimed in claim 9, wherein said basin limits foot wall, Tou Bi and two sidewalls, described foot wall and the relative both sides of described wall at described the second axis, and two sidewalls extend on the opposite side of described first axle between described wall and described foot wall.

11. 1 kinds of acoustic shock type bathroom utensils, comprising:

For the housing being filled with water; With

In the mode with described housing forming energy transmission relation, be installed to a plurality of transducers of described housing, wherein said transducer receives has separated and different sound equipment wave properties and the input signal of vibration wave characteristic, wherein said transducer drives described housing simultaneously, thereby to produce the auditory perception corresponding with sound equipment wave property, realize auditory stimulus, thereby and the generation pallesthesia corresponding with vibration wave characteristic realize vibratory stimulation;

Be arranged on a plurality of photochromotherapy devices on described housing;

12. 1 kinds of acoustic shock type bathroom utensils, comprising:

For the housing being filled with water;

First group of transducer, this first group of transducer is to be installed to described housing with the mode of described housing forming energy transmission relation, and reception has the input signal of sound equipment wave property; With

Second group of transducer, this second group of transducer is to be installed to described housing with the mode of described housing forming energy transmission relation, and reception has the input signal of the vibration wave characteristic different from described sound equipment wave property;

Housing described in first and second groups of transducer drive wherein, to produce the pallesthesia corresponding with described vibration wave characteristic and the auditory perception corresponding with described sound equipment wave property simultaneously, to realize separated and different sense of touch and auditory stimulus;

Be arranged on a plurality of photochromotherapy devices on described housing;

13. 1 kinds of acoustic shock type bathroom utensils, comprising:

For the housing being filled with water, wherein, when described housing fills water, described water fills up the waterline of water below for described housing definition one;

First group of transducer, this first group of transducer with described housing forming energy transmit the mode of relation and substantially higher than described waterline be installed to described housing, and receive the input signal with sound equipment wave property; With

Second group of transducer, this second group of transducer with described housing forming energy transmit the mode of relation and substantially lower than described waterline be installed to described housing, and receive the input signal with the vibration wave characteristic different from described sound equipment wave property;

Housing described in first and second groups of transducer drive wherein, to produce the pallesthesia corresponding with described vibration wave characteristic and the auditory perception corresponding with described sound equipment wave property simultaneously, to realize separated and different sense of touch and auditory stimulus; For the controller of described a plurality of transducers, the input signal that wherein said controller impact is received by described a plurality of transducers;

Be arranged on a plurality of photochromotherapy devices on described housing;