DE202018104824U1 - Household appliance with a structure-borne sound converter - Google Patents

Abstract

Household appliance, comprising a housing (4) with at least one outer wall, a structure-borne noise transducer (18) which is arranged on the inner surface of the outer wall of a housing side (6, 10, 12, 14, 16) in such a way that it at least by means of its own vibrations the outer wall can vibrate in a stimulable arrangement area and can stimulate the emission of sound waves.

Description

The invention relates to a household appliance with a structure-borne sound converter.

Household appliances, also known as white goods, are usually used in private households. Household appliances include laundry care appliances; Cooking and baking equipment; Dishwashers; Refrigeration and freezing equipment; Small electrical appliances, such as coffee machines, espresso machines, fully automatic coffee machines and kitchen trolleys; Room air conditioners; Cleaning devices such as vacuum cleaners; Personal care devices such as hair dryers; Heat generators, such as radiant heaters or tanning beds; Home improvement machines such as sewing machines and drilling machines; as well as measuring devices, such as a personal scale or a clinical thermometer.

Known household appliances mostly use optical signals, such as displays or individual status lights, such as LEDs, to communicate with a user, in particular to output information. The problem with optical displays, however, is that these are sometimes difficult to see due to reflections or lighting conditions, are arranged on the household appliance in such a way that they are difficult to see, or when the household appliance is being used, the user has to look away from the actual operating area in order to view the optical display.

Household appliances are also known which transmit information acoustically. Dynamic loudspeakers are used here, including the moving coil loudspeakers and in particular the widespread cone loudspeakers. However, it is problematic that these loudspeakers have a highly sensitive membrane, which must be protected against mechanical influences. For this reason, known dynamic speakers are usually arranged behind a grille. However, this grille does not avoid the effect of moisture on the membrane and other sensitive parts of the dynamic speaker. The previously known solution consists in arranging the dynamic loudspeaker in a housing behind a housing wall, which has a considerable influence on the sound quality and volume. This is because the housing significantly dampens the sound waves emitted by the dynamic loudspeaker.

In addition, previously used solutions, such as the grids mentioned, provide a breeding ground for spreading germs, since they are difficult or sometimes impossible to clean. However, this represents a considerable hygiene problem, which is highly undesirable especially in the household.

The invention is therefore based on the object of providing a household appliance which improves the output of audio signals and can be used independently of mechanical influences and moisture and has improved cleanability from a hygienic point of view.

This object is achieved by the household appliance according to the invention with the features of claim 1.

The invention is based on the idea that the use of a sound-producing unit within a household appliance housing, which can be used independently of mechanical influences and moisture, overcomes the problems of the prior art. A structure-borne noise transducer is particularly suitable for this.

In principle, a structure-borne noise transducer has a structure similar to that of a loudspeaker, but a structure-borne noise transducer does not comprise an oscillating membrane for emitting sound waves. A structure-borne noise transducer essentially comprises three components, namely an oscillatable mass, a connection terminal for electrical use with, for example, an amplifier and a mounting plate for attachment to an installation surface or the housing inner surface of the outer wall. By applying an electrical signal, such as a music or speech signal, to the connection terminal, the vibratable mass vibrates in time with the signal. The vibration is transferred to the mounting plate and from there is passed on to the installation surface or the inner surface of the housing of the outer wall. The arrangement region of the installation surface or housing inner surface thus excited then emits sound waves in accordance with the applied signal.

The region of the outer wall that can be stimulated by the structure-borne sound transducer to form functional bending waves is to be understood as a region that can be excited.

Compared to dynamic loudspeakers, however, sound is emitted on a different principle. The outer wall, on which the structure-borne sound transducer is arranged, cannot vibrate in a piston-like manner in comparison to a previously used loudspeaker membrane. Bending waves therefore spread on the excited arrangement area of the outer wall. These bending waves are reflected on the edges of the corresponding housing side, creating a chaotic bending wave pattern on the sound-emitting Surface arises. As a result, the corresponding and audible sound waves are emitted.

A household appliance is therefore proposed, comprising a housing with at least one outer wall, a structure-borne sound transducer, which is arranged on the housing inner surface of the outer wall of a housing side in such a way that, by means of its own vibrations, it sets the outer wall in vibration at least in a stimulable arrangement area and for the emission of sound waves can stimulate.

Since the structure-borne sound transducer is arranged as such on the inside surface of the housing, it serves as an “invisible loudspeaker” and does not negatively influence the appearance of the housing. This is because there is no need to provide an opening in the housing which allows sound waves to escape from the interior of the housing. Since corresponding openings can be dispensed with, typical functional noises of a household appliance, which can sometimes be considerable, can be shielded from a user in the best possible way.

A moisture or water seal can also be omitted in this context, since the housing has no openings. There is therefore perfect protection against environmental influences and mechanical influences.

The invention also offers advantages for hygienic reasons, which cannot be negligible in the field of household appliances. By eliminating the previously required openings, housing surfaces of household appliances no longer have to be designed with undercuts or jagged and can therefore be cleaned in a simple manner. There is no longer any need to install protective grilles, which pose significant hygiene problems. The household appliance according to the invention thus does not offer optimal breeding grounds for germs.

Furthermore, good sound emission is possible since household appliances usually have at least a large area, which is particularly suitable for arranging a structure-borne sound transducer.

The structure-borne sound converter has another advantage compared to a dynamic loudspeaker. The sound waves are emitted very broadly in comparison to a conventional dynamic loudspeaker. It is therefore possible to excite a comparatively much larger area with a small number of structure-borne sound transducers or even with a single structure-borne sound transducer and to cover a much larger room.

According to a preferred embodiment of the household appliance according to the invention, the structure-borne sound transducer is arranged off-center in a geometric center of the housing side or between 1% and 20%, preferably between 5% and 10%, in the direction of a length and / or a width of the housing side. The exact central arrangement achieves the highest efficiency (sound pressure level to input power) and the best bass reproduction. A slightly eccentric arrangement in the specified range can result in a more balanced sound wave emission, which has advantages in particular when playing music. In the event that a plurality of structure-borne noise transducers are arranged on one housing side, the structure-borne noise transducers can be combined into individual groups and the housing side can be divided into housing sections, each housing segment being assignable, so that the structure-borne noise transducer (s) belong to a group in a geometric center of the housing portion or between 1 to 20%, preferably between 5 to 10%, are arranged off-center of a length and / or a width of the housing section.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the household appliance according to the invention, the housing side is only attached to its edges and / or is free from stiffening elements. For the best possible emission of sound waves, it is advantageous that the housing side or at least the excited arrangement area can vibrate freely. It is also advantageous if the housing side has no stiffening elements, such as stiffening ribs or stiffening fastening elements, which inhibit free swinging.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the household appliance according to the invention, it comprises at least two structure-borne sound transducers, arranged on essentially opposite housing inner surfaces of the outer wall and / or on a single housing side. Basically, a maximum volume level and an efficiency increase with the number of structure-borne noise transducers on one side of the housing. If, for example, the number of structure-borne noise transducers on a single side of the housing doubles, a sound pressure level that is approximately 3 dB higher can be generated. As a rule of thumb, it can be stated that a structure-borne noise transducer provides a good sound experience per m ^{2 of the} housing side, although this of course depends, among other things, on the free vibration ability of the housing side and the material of the housing side. The larger the stimulable side of the housing, the more low-frequency sound components are reproduced and the "fuller" the sound. The smaller the side of the housing that can be stimulated, the less low-frequency sound is reproduced and the "thinner" the sound.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the household appliance according to the invention, the structure-borne noise transducer is screwed or glued to the inside of the housing, preferably using power adhesive, silicone or long-term stable adhesive tape. In principle, the arrangement of the structure-borne noise transducer on a flat side of the housing is preferred, and a mounting plate of the structure-borne noise transducer should lie flat. However, it must be ensured that, for example, the adhesive selected harmonizes with the material of the housing side when bonding.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the household appliance according to the invention, it is conceivable that the housing is made of a non-magnetic material, preferably of plastic, at least in the excitable arrangement area or on the corresponding housing side. Since structure-borne noise transducers have a permanent magnet due to their design, this would always be preloaded. The magnetism of the housing thus has a considerable influence on the effect of the structure-borne noise transducer. It should also be noted that the efficiency decreases with increasing weight of the housing at least in the excited arrangement area or on the corresponding housing side. So the lightest possible material should be used. It is also advantageous if the material is as stiff as possible.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the household appliance according to the invention, cabling of the structure-borne noise transducer is arranged in such a way that it cannot come into contact with the stimulable arrangement area, preferably is covered at least in sections with a foam. Loose and moving parts in general, and the cabling in particular, can rest on the side of the housing and significantly influence the free vibration behavior. The cabling itself can also vibrate and emit unwanted noise. It is therefore advantageous to lay the cabling or to pad it in such a way that it does not vibrate or at least does not lead to noise.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the household appliance according to the invention, the structure-borne noise transducer is designed to output an information message from the household appliance, a radio sound signal, a television sound signal, an internet-based sound signal and / or a mobile radio-based sound signal. These individual audio signals are not mutually exclusive - for example, a radio audio signal can simultaneously be an internet-based audio signal in the event that a user follows an internet radio station. In such an embodiment, it is particularly advantageous that music reproduction in particular is made possible without arranging a separate loudspeaker in a room for this purpose, this separate loudspeaker having corresponding disadvantages, such as installation work, inadequate cleaning ability and an installation space requirement.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the household appliance according to the invention, it comprises a control unit designed to control the structure-borne noise transducer, and at least one microphone and / or a pickup and / or a sound data record. At least the duration and / or the volume and / or the time of noises of the household appliance can be stored in the noise data record. The duration and / or the volume and / or the point in time of noises can, as it were, also be determined with a microphone and / or pickup. In this embodiment, it is particularly advantageous that an audio signal that is actually external to the household appliance, such as, for example, a radio, television or Internet audio signal, can be matched to a domestic audio signal, such as an information message, with regard to the time of playback and volume and / or vice versa. For example, it is conceivable that the audio signal external to the household appliance is interrupted or at least its volume is reduced for the duration of an information message. The volume can either be reduced abruptly, i.e. without a noticeable time delay, or dimmed. As it were with the volume increase. It is also advantageous that the control unit knows about the duration and / or the volume and / or the time of noises, such as functional noises, of the household appliance by means of the microphone, the pickup and / or the sound data record. By means of these elements, the background noise of the household appliance can be detected. It is therefore possible, for example, to output an information message from the household appliance only when the household appliance noise has ended. For example, ejecting coffee grounds from a carrier into a coffee grounds container in fully automatic coffee machines causes not inconsiderable functional or interference noises. If an acoustic signal were added or output as an information message ("Completion of the hot beverage") during the ejection, this could be lost in the background noise and not be heard by a user. However, it is desirable for the user to be acoustically informed about the completion of his hot beverage shortly after its completion. Since the control unit also knows the time and duration of the functional noise, it can output an information message following the functional noise. A time-delayed output between 0 to 10 seconds, preferably between 1 to 5 seconds, particularly preferably after 1 or is preferred 2 seconds. If there is a permanent or prolonged functional noise (noise lasts longer than 15 seconds), the control unit can output the information message even during the functional noise - however, in this case it is advantageous to adjust the volume of the information message to the volume of the functional noise, preferably such that the information message is louder than the functional noise.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the household appliance according to the invention, it comprises an audio signal receiver designed for wireless reception of audio signals external to the household appliance. The audio signal receiver is preferably a WiFi receiver and / or a Bluetooth receiver. In this embodiment, an audio signal, for example from a mobile radio device, can be transmitted to the household appliance in a simple manner and this can be used in the sense of a loudspeaker. The audio signal receiver and / or the control unit can be designed in a known manner for the data-transferring coupling to a device external to the household appliance, such as a mobile phone.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the household appliance is a fully automatic coffee machine. Fully automatic coffee machines in particular have large freely oscillating surfaces and are particularly suitable for implementing the advantages according to the invention.

All combinations of at least two of the features disclosed in the description, the claims and / or the figures fall within the scope of the invention.

In order to avoid repetition, features disclosed according to the device should also be considered disclosed according to the method and be claimable. Likewise, features disclosed in accordance with the method should also be considered as disclosed in accordance with the device and should be capable of being claimed.

The features disclosed according to the method essentially have the advantages of the features disclosed according to the device, to which reference is hereby made.

• 1 eine schematische Schnittansicht eines erfindungsgemäßen Haushaltsgeräts in einer Ausführungsform als Kaffeevollautomat,
• 2 eine Detailansicht eines Körperschallwandlers nach 1,
• 3 eine Draufsicht auf eine Gehäuseinnenfläche mit einem Körperschallwandler nach 1, und
• 4 eine Draufsicht auf eine Gehäuseinnenfläche eines Haushaltsgeräts in einer weiteren Ausführungsform.

Further features, advantages and details of the invention result from the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the drawing. Show it:

• 1 2 shows a schematic sectional view of a household appliance according to the invention in one embodiment as a fully automatic coffee machine,
• 2 a detailed view of a structure-borne sound converter 1 .
• 3 a plan view of a housing inner surface with a structure-borne sound converter 1 , and
• 4 a plan view of a housing inner surface of a household appliance in a further embodiment.

In 1 is a household appliance in the form of a fully automatic coffee machine 2 shown. The typical functional units of a fully automatic coffee machine, such as the brewing unit, are merely not shown for the sake of the illustration of the invention. The fully automatic coffee machine 2 has a housing 4 on which is made at least in sections from a rigid plastic. The housing 4 also has a front 6 which is shown in dashed lines and which an application area 8th for placing a container and filling with coffee. In addition, the housing 4 two lateral sides 10 of which the lateral side shown in the drawing plane 10 is shown partly in full and partly in dashed lines. The housing 4 also includes a back 12 as well as a top 14 and a bottom 16 , The front 6 , the lateral sides 10 , the backside 12 , the top 14 as well as the bottom 16 serve as the outer wall of the housing 4 ,

On each lateral side 10 is a structure-borne noise transducer 18 arranged, which are also shown in section. The two structure-borne sound converters 18 are used to create a stereo effect on opposing inner surfaces of the lateral sides 10 arranged, which are glued to their respective inner housing surface by means of a long-term stable adhesive tape. Every structure-borne sound converter 18 is by means of wiring 20 , which is not on an outer wall, with an amplifier 22 connected. The amplifier 22 includes an audio signal receiver 24 , for receiving external WiFi signals and / or Bluetooth signals and for sending corresponding signals.

The two lateral sides 10 are only attached to adjacent outer walls via their edges and are free of stiffening elements so that they can swing as freely as possible.

Is shown inside the housing 4 also a control unit 36 , to control the structure-borne sound converter 18 , The control unit 36 comprises a memory on which a sound data record is stored, in which at least the duration and / or the volume and / or the time of functional noises of the fully automatic coffee machine is / are stored.

2 now shows a structure-borne sound transducer 18 in isolation or in the assembly position on an inner surface of the housing on the lateral side 10 , The structure-borne sound converter 18 includes a vibratable mass 26 as well as a mounting plate 28 , which rests planar or flat on the inside surface of the housing. Via the mounting plate 28 is the structure-borne noise converter 18 with the corresponding outer wall or the inner surface of the housing on the lateral side 10 bonded. The vibrating mass 26 moves in accordance with the electrical audio signals in the normal direction with respect to the mounting plate 28 like an arrow P shown. The wiring 20 is with connections 30 of the structure-borne noise transducer 18 connected to introduce the electrical audio signals into the structure-borne sound transducer 18 ,

3 now shows the arrangement of a single structure-borne sound transducer 18 on an inner surface of the housing. The lateral side shown 10 , which has the housing inner surface, comprises a length L and a width B , In addition, the lateral side points 10 a longitudinal central axis I as well as a latitude central axis b on. The intersection of the central longitudinal axis I and the latitude central axis b defines the geometric center 32 the housing side or the lateral side 10 , The structure-borne sound converter 18 is now off-center in two directions. It is namely both in the longitudinal direction and in the width direction with respect to the geometric center 32 staggered. The longitudinal offset LV is about 5.3% of the full length L and the offset in the width direction BV is about 6.5% of the full width B , It should be noted that these percentages serve only to illustrate the invention and are not to be regarded as limiting the disclosure content.

4 now shows one of the 3 Similar view, but not with a structure-borne sound transducer 18 , but with four structure-borne sound transducers 18 , In order to avoid repetitions, only the differences are explained below 3 described.

Two structure-borne sound converters 18 are each in a group 34 summarized. The alignment on the inner surface of the housing thus takes place with respect to the individual group 34 instead of and not with respect to each individual structure-borne sound transducer 18 , The lateral side 10 is in the longitudinal direction in two side sections 10a and 10b divided by the central width axis b are separated. In addition, the side sections 10a and 10b the common longitudinal central axis I and each with its own central width axis b1 respectively. b2 on. The intersection of the central longitudinal axis I and the respective central latitude b1 respectively. b2 defines the geometric center 321 respectively. 322 of the respective page section 10a and 10b the lateral side 10 , Every group 34 is with respect to its own geometric center 321 respectively. 322 arranged off-center in one direction. The housing groups 34 have no offset in the width direction. However, every group is 34 with respect to their corresponding central width axis b1 respectively. b2 for an offset LV1 respectively. LV2 offset in the longitudinal direction.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

2

Kaffeevollautomat

4

casing

6

front

8th

application area

10

lateral side

10a, 10b

side portion

12

back

14

top

16

bottom

18

Borne drivers

20

cabling

22

amplifier

24

Audio signal receiver

26

vibrating mass

28

mounting plate

30

connections

32

geometric center

34

group

36

control unit

321

geometric center

322

geometric center

L

length

B

width

I

Longitudinal central axis

b, b1, b2

Wide central axis

LV, LV1, LV2

Longitudinal offset

BV

Offset in the width direction

P

arrow

Claims (11)

Household appliance, comprising a housing (4) with at least one outer wall, a structure-borne noise transducer (18) which is located on the inner surface of the outer wall of a housing side (6, 10, 12, 14, 16) is arranged in such a way that by means of its own vibrations it can vibrate the outer wall at least in a stimulable arrangement area and can excite it to emit sound waves. Household appliance after Claim 1 , wherein the structure-borne noise transducer (18) in a geometric center (32, 321, 322) of the housing side (6, 10, 12, 14, 16) or between 1% and 20%, preferably between 5% and 10% off-center in the direction of a Length (L) and / or a width (B) of the housing side (6, 10, 12, 14, 16) is arranged. Household appliance according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing side (6, 10, 12, 14, 16) is only attached to its edges and / or is free of stiffening elements. Household appliance according to one of the preceding claims, comprising at least two structure-borne sound transducers (18), arranged on essentially opposite housing inner surfaces of the outer wall and / or on a single housing side (6, 10, 12, 14, 16). Household appliance according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the structure-borne noise transducer (18) is screwed or glued onto the inside surface of the housing, preferably with power adhesive, silicone or long-term stable adhesive tape. Household appliance according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing (4) is formed at least in the stimulable arrangement area from a non-magnetic material, preferably from plastic. Household appliance according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a wiring (20) of the structure-borne noise transducer (18) is arranged such that it cannot come into contact with the stimulable arrangement area, is preferably at least partially covered with a foam. Domestic appliance according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the structure-borne noise transducer (18) is designed to output an information message from the domestic appliance, a radio audio signal, a television audio signal, an internet-based audio signal and / or a mobile radio-based audio signal. Domestic appliance according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a control unit (36) designed to control the structure-borne sound transducer (18), and at least one microphone and / or a pickup and / or a sound data record, in which at least the duration and / or the volume and / or the time of functional noises of the household appliance are stored. Domestic appliance according to one of the preceding claims, comprising an audio signal receiver (24), designed for wireless reception of audio signals external to the household appliance, preferably a WiFi receiver and / or Bluetooth receiver. Domestic appliance according to one of the preceding claims, wherein it is a fully automatic coffee machine (2).

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