JP2004509542A - Loudspeaker drive - Google Patents

Abstract

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is a module mounted to a panel and adapted to apply acoustic wave bending wave energy to the panel so that the panel emits acoustic output, wherein the housing is adapted to be secured to the panel. And leg means on the housing for securing the housing to the panel; an electromechanical transducer in the housing; and a transducer in the housing for supporting the electroacoustic signal. A module is provided that includes means adapted to contact a panel to apply bending wave energy when applied and acoustic signal amplifying means located within a housing.

Description

[0001]
(Technical field)
The present invention relates to a loudspeaker, and more particularly, to a loudspeaker driving device.
[0002]
(Background technology)
The invention particularly relates to the class of loudspeakers known as bending wave loudspeakers, as described, for example, in WO / 09842.
[0003]
A specific object of the present invention is to enhance the usefulness of a display sign such as a retail store or sales location advertisement display board. A general object of the present invention is to provide a self-contained, inexpensive and disposable drive unit for, for example, toys, new merchandise and promotional items, point of sale or retail point of sale advertising displays and the like. That is.
[0004]
(Disclosure of the Invention)
According to the present invention, there is provided a module which is attached to a panel and applies acoustic wave bending wave energy to the panel so that the panel emits an acoustic output, and is fixed to the panel. An electro-acoustic transducer supporting the housing in the housing, leg means on the housing for securing the housing to the panel, an electromechanical transducer in the housing, and the transducer in the housing. A module is provided that includes means adapted to contact a panel to apply bending wave energy when a signal is applied, and acoustic signal amplifying means located within a housing.
[0005]
The leg means may include a pressure sensitive adhesive pad for securing the housing to the panel. Said leg means may comprise legs which are continuous or arranged at a plurality of intervals.
[0006]
The transducer may be piezoelectric or magnet and coil. The transducer is inertial, in which case it can be compliantly mounted on the housing or grounded on the housing. The transducer means can be glued to the panel. That is, if the transducer is an electrodynamic device, it can be compliantly attached to the housing via a magnet and can be adhesively secured to the panel, for example, via a pressure sensitive panel and voice coil.
[0007]
The mounting of the housing on the panel is preferably compliant. That is, the housing portion in the area of the pressure-sensitive adhesive means may be elastic. This can be achieved by forming a housing having a resilient flange directed inwardly of the periphery forming the leg means.
[0008]
The acoustic signal amplifying means can be elastically fixed to the housing.
The housing is perforated so that acoustic signals from the panel can pass through the housing.
[0009]
The housing may support one or more batteries for powering the signal amplification means. These batteries can be placed substantially symmetrically around the transducer to help equalize the forces on the suspension of the transducer.
The present invention is schematically illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
[0010]
(Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention)
In FIG. 1, for example, a rigid panel in the form of a display panel (9), such as a retail advertising display, generally made of a material such as cardboard or the like having high rigidity, can provide acoustic output to enhance the display. A module (12) is shown that changes to
[0011]
The module (12) has a pressure sensitive adhesive pad (5) that allows the housing to be firmly affixed to the surface of the display panel (9), and includes a plurality of spaced apart elastic flanges (11) whose peripheral edges are folded inward. It has a housing (6) in the form of, for example, a rigid plastic dish, on which leg means in the form are formed, the flange (11) being compliant with the housing (6) on the panel (9). Bring suspension.
[0012]
The housing (6) has an inertial electro-acoustic transducer (1) with a magnet assembly (15) and a voice coil assembly (16). The transducer is connected to the housing (6) by a resilient suspension (2) and the voice coil assembly is fixedly secured to the board (9) by a pressure-sensitive adhesive pad (13). In this way, the transducer applies bending wave energy to the board (9) to emit acoustic output. The resilient or compliant mounting of the housing on the board prevents the housing from propagating bending wave energy and helps prevent unwanted and unintended vibrations of the housing. That is, the housing provides damping or added mass to improve panel characteristics.
[0013]
The housing (6) is, for example, a PWA mounted on a printed circuit board (3), ie, a signal amplification electronics (18) such as a pulse width amplifier, and an electric battery (8) for supplying power to a power amplifier. Is provided. The printed circuit board (3) is mounted on a compliant mounting (4) in the housing. The module housing (6) also has an acoustic signal storage (19) connected to the acoustic amplification electronics (18). The acoustic signal storage means is, for example, a tape reproducing device or a compact disk reproducing device.
[0014]
An opening (10) is formed in the housing such that acoustic energy from the board (9) passes through the housing substantially unimpeded. An opening is formed in the printed circuit board (3) on which the electronic device (18) is mounted for the same purpose. A power supply connector (7) to the amplifier (13) can be provided as an alternative to using a built-in battery.
[0015]
FIG. 2 shows a module (12) of the kind generally shown in FIG. 1, which is added to the display panel (9) to turn the display panel into a loudspeaker. In this embodiment, the module housing (6) is provided on the peripheral pedestal (17) together with a corrugated elastic suspension connected between the pedestal (17) and the housing (6). (Not shown) to be attached to the display board (9). The battery (8) in the housing is likewise mounted near the transducer (1) and serves to equalize the distribution of forces on the suspension of the transducer. The module comprises an external sensor (20) that is fixed at any convenient location on the board (9) so that the assembly can respond to a pedestrian's approach or voice input, the sensor comprising, for example, PIR, a sensor in the form of a passive infrared movement detector, a photocell or a detection microphone.
[0016]
The module can be selectively placed on the display plate and adds bending wave energy to the display plate to provide an effective or desired mode distribution and, for example, as described in the applicant's International Patent Application WO 97/09842. Advantageously coupled to operable frequency band.
[0017]
The electronics for storing, receiving, selecting, and decoding the acoustic data in the board, which is a memory and signal processing device, can be provided in the module.
The output of the amplifier for providing acoustic output to the transducer is, for example, 0.1 W to 10 W, and is preferably highly efficient to reduce the need for large radiators, such as 1 W or more. Digital or switching techniques can be used for output.
[0018]
The module can include, for example, control circuitry for adjusting a level or data channel.
The processor may have a data input for receiving the acoustic data / program.
[0019]
To indicate the operating status or to convey additional information, for example, a lamp or LED or a form or data indicator for visual or complementary reading of acoustic data, which may include a display Indicated through the opening or by selection of a partially or wholly translucent or transparent display panel.
[0020]
The sign or panel used with the module is advantageously a distributed mode principle / design for maximizing sound quality, as described, for example, in WO / 09842.
[0021]
The module can be designed to have a peelable cover exposed adhesive surface for the module and transducer to be connected to the panel, to achieve a quick and unskilled assembly of the finished speaker / sound reproduction system.
The module is designed to be dust / drip proof or waterproof with a continuous adhesive seal at the periphery.
[0022]
(Industrial applicability)
Accordingly, the present invention provides a convenient self-contained module for enhancing the functionality of the display panel and the like, while at the same time providing a self-contained speaker drive for another rigid panel in toys, new products, promotional items and the like. I do.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG.
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of a module for changing a display panel to generate an acoustic output.
FIG. 2
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of the module.

Claims (17)

A module mounted to a panel, wherein the panel emits acoustic output by applying audible bending wave energy to the panel,
A housing adapted to be fixed to the panel;
Leg means on the housing and adapted to secure the housing to the panel;
An electromechanical transducer in the housing;
Means for supporting the transducer within the housing and adapted to add bending wave energy in contact with the panel when an electroacoustic signal is applied;
Sound signal amplification means in the housing;
A module comprising: The module of claim 1, wherein the leg means comprises a pressure sensitive adhesive pad for securing the housing to the panel. The module according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the leg means has a plurality of spaced legs. The module according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the converter is a magnet and a coil type. The module of claim 4, wherein the transducer is inertial and is compliantly mounted to the housing. A module according to any preceding claim, wherein the transducer is attached to the panel by gluing. A module according to any preceding claim, wherein the mounting of the housing on the panel is compliant. 8. The module according to claim 7, wherein the housing part in the area of the pressure-sensitive adhesive means is elastic. 9. The module according to claim 8, wherein the housing has an inwardly directed elastic flange forming the leg means. The module according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the acoustic signal amplifier is resiliently mounted within the housing. A module according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the housing is perforated so that acoustic energy from the panel can pass through the housing. A module according to any preceding claim, wherein the housing supports at least one dry cell for supplying power to the signal amplification means. 13. The battery of claim 12, comprising a plurality of batteries disposed substantially symmetrically around the transducer and adapted to help equalize the distribution of force on the suspense of the transducer. Module. The module according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising an acoustic signal storage means connected to the acoustic signal amplification means. The module according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a movement or approach detection means and activates the acoustic signal amplification means. A flex wave loudspeaker comprising a rigid panel and a module according to any one of the preceding claims adapted to add flex wave energy attached to the panel. A signboard comprising the bending wave loudspeaker according to claim 16.