WO2018178520A1

WO2018178520A1 - System and method for enclosing an electronic apparatus and an electronic apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2018178520A1
Application number: PCT/FI2018/050240
Authority: WO
Inventors: Pauli HÄNNINEN
Original assignee: Acustom Oy
Priority date: 2017-03-30
Filing date: 2018-04-03
Publication date: 2018-10-04

Abstract

A system for enclosing an electronic apparatus, comprising a casing element (100) configured to accommodate therein components of the electronic apparatus; and at least one cover element (200,300) configured to be placed upon the casing element (100); wherein the casing element (100) comprises a hollow shape and has an inner surface (20) and an outer surface (40); the casing element (100) comprises at least one magnetic element (75a-c); and the cover element comprises at least in part magnetic material so that the at least one magnetic element (75a-c) of the casing element (100) is able to attract the cover element (200,300). Also an electronic apparatus and a method of enclosing an electronic apparatus.

Description

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ENCLOSING AN ELECTRONIC APPARATUS AND AN ELECTRONIC APPARATUS

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application generally relates to a system for enclosing an electronic apparatus. In particular, but not exclusively, the present application relates to casings and covers for an electronic apparatus. In particular, but not exclusively, the present application relates to casings and covers for a loudspeaker.

BACKGROUND

[0002] This section illustrates useful background information without admission of any technique described herein being representative of the state of the art.

[0003] Modern interior decoration requires flexibility in positioning and styling electronic apparatuses such as for example loudspeakers and lighting elements. Adapting electronic apparatuses to different environments, with visually pleasing results and without sacrificing any performance required from the apparatus, requires ease-of-adaptation.

[0004] Electronic apparatuses with various shapes are known in the art as well as modular systems in which components of an apparatus can be easily assembled into different combinations. Examples of such systems are shown in publications US2008/0137880 A1 and US 2016/0269819 A1 . However, such systems often require rigorous assembly, or lack flexibility. Furthermore, exchangeable cover elements for example for mobile phones are known as shown e.g. in publication US2017/0019513 A1 .

[0005] The object of the present invention is to provide an improved casing and cover for an electronic apparatus that mitigates the shortcomings of the prior art.

SUMMARY

[0006] Various aspects of examples of the invention are set out in the claims. [0007] According to a first example aspect of the present invention, there is provided a system for enclosing an electronic apparatus, comprising

a casing element configured to accommodate therein components of the electronic apparatus; and

at least one cover element configured to be placed upon the casing element; wherein

the casing element comprises a hollow shape and has an inner surface and an outer surface;

the casing element comprises at least one magnetic element; and

the cover element comprises at least in part magnetic material so that the at least one magnetic element of the casing element is able to attract the cover element.

[0008] The inner surface of the casing element may comprise at least one depression configured to receive the at least one magnetic element.

[0009] The outer surface of the casing element may comprise at least one seal element.

[0010] The outer surface of the casing element may comprise at least one depression configured to receive the at least one seal element.

[0011] The casing element may have a shape having a first end wider or as wide as a second end of the shape, wherein the first derivative of an outline of a cross-section of the shape starting from the edge of the first or second end of the shape to the edge of the first or second end of the shape, respectively, does not change its sign, and wherein the outline disregards any depressions and/or holes in the surface.

[0012] The casing element and the cover element may have a shape having a first end wider or as wide as a second end of the shape, wherein no part of the shape is wider than the first end.

[0013] The casing element and the cover element may have a shape selected from a group of hemisphere, truncated cone, cube, cuboid, parallelepiped and frustum.

[0014] The system may comprise a first and a second cover element both having a aforementioned shape, and the casing element may have a shape of any aforementioned two shapes with their first ends placed together so that each half has a shape allowing a cover element to be placed thereupon. [0015] According to a second example aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electronic apparatus, comprising

the system of the first example aspect of the present invention;

an active or passive element placed in an opening of the casing element; and a control element placed within the casing element.

[0016] The electronic apparatus may be a loudspeaker.

[0017] According to a third example aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for enclosing an electronic apparatus, comprising

providing a casing element configured to accommodate therein components of the electronic apparatus; and

providing at least one cover element configured to be placed upon the casing element and comprising at least in part magnetic material;

placing the cover element upon the casing element; and

attracting the cover element with at least one magnetic element comprised in the casing element .

[0018] The electronic apparatus may be a loudspeaker.

[0019] Different non-binding example aspects and embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated in the foregoing. The embodiments in the foregoing are used merely to explain selected aspects or steps that may be utilized in implementations of the present invention. Some embodiments may be presented only with reference to certain example aspects of the invention. It should be appreciated that corresponding embodiments may apply to other example aspects as well. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] For a more complete understanding of example embodiments of the present invention, reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

[0021] Fig. 1 shows a schematic view of a casing element of the system according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0022] Fig. 2 shows a schematic view of a casing element of the system according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0023] Fig. 3 shows a schematic view of a cover element of the system according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0024] Fig. 4 shows a schematic principle view of a system according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0025] Fig. 5 shows a schematic principle view of a system according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0026] Fig. 6 shows a schematic principle view of a system according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0027] Fig. 7 shows a schematic principle view of a system according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0028] Fig. 8 shows a schematic principle view of a system according to an embodiment of the invention; and

[0029] Fig. 9 shows a schematic view of an assembled system according to an embodiment of the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTON OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] The present invention and its potential advantages are understood by referring to Figs. 1 through 9 of the drawings. In this document, like reference signs denote like parts or steps.

[0031] Fig. 1 shows a schematic view of a casing element 100 of the system according to an embodiment of the invention. The casing element is configured to accommodate therein the elements of an electronic apparatus. The casing element 100 has in an embodiment, as shown in Fig. 1 as an example, the shape of a hemisphere. In a further embodiment, the casing element 100 has a shape other than a hemisphere such as truncated cone, cube, cuboid, parallelepiped or frustum. In a still further embodiment, the casing element 100 has a further shape, the shape having a first end, or a base, wider or as wide as a second end of the shape, wherein no part of the shape is wider than the first end.

[0032] In a still further embodiment, the casing element 100 has a shape having a first end, or a base, wider or as wide as a second end of the shape, wherein the first derivative of an outline (Fig. 6, 105a) of a cross-section of the shape starting from the edge of the first or second end of the shape to the edge of the first or second end of the shape, respectively, does not change its sign, and wherein the outline disregards any depressions and/or holes in the surface, in order to allow a cover element 200 to be placed upon the casing element 100 as hereinafter explained. In a still further embodiment, the casing element 100 has a shape no part of which is wider than a corresponding inner width (Fig. 7; 105b) of the cover element 200 to be placed thereupon.

[0033] In a still further embodiment, the casing element 100 has a spherical shape. In a still further embodiment, the casing element 100 has a shape of two truncated cones, cubes, cuboids, parallelepipeds or frustums placed together at their wider ends. In a still further embodiment, the casing element 100 has a shape corresponding to any two shapes hereinbefore mentioned with their first ends placed together so that each half has a shape allowing a cover 200 to be placed thereupon.

[0034] In an embodiment, the casing element 100 is hollow and element comprises openings at both ends thereof. In a further embodiment, only one end of the casing element 100 has an opening. In a still further element, both ends of the hollow casing element 100 are closed. The opening 10 is in an embodiment configured to receive an electronic element, such as a loudspeaker element (Fig. 9; 910), or a light source. In a further embodiment, the opening 10 configured to receive the electronic element is positioned at the wider end of the casing element 100. The casing element 100 further comprises a first flange portion 30 around or in the periphery of at least a portion of the opening 10, configured to support and/or provide attachment points for the electronic element received at the opening 10. In an embodiment one or both openings are circular. In a further embodiment, the opening 10 is circular while the shape of the other opening depends on the shape of the casing element. In a still further embodiment, both openings have a shape other than circular, for example square or triangle. In an embodiment, the opening 10 and/or the other opening is positioned asymmetrically on the casing element 100, i.e. not on the central axis thereof.

[0035] The casing element comprises an outer surface 40 and an inner surface 20. In an embodiment, the casing element comprises on the outer surface thereof at least one seal element (not shown). In an embodiment, the outer surface comprises at least one recess, or depression, 50 configured to receive the at least one seal element. In a further embodiment, the outer surface 40 comprises more than one depression 50 at different distances from the opening 10, for example two or three depressions. In an embodiment, the at least one depression 50 surrounds the whole perimeter of the casing element 100. In a further embodiment, the at least one depression 50 comprises several discrete depressions positioned on the periphery of the casing element 100. The at least one seal element on the outer surface and/or received in the at least one depression is attached with conventional means such as by gluing or by form or friction fit. In a still further embodiment, casing element 100 comprises, at least in part, flexible material so that the outer surface thereof, or portions of the outer surface, is configured to function as the seal element.

[0036] In an embodiment, the casing element 100 is manufactured by 3D- printing. In a further embodiment, the casing element is manufactured by moulding. The casing element comprises material selected from the group of plastic, metal, ceramic, composite, stone, wood or other biological material, or a combination thereof.

[0037] Fig. 2 shows a schematic view of a casing element 100 of the system according to an embodiment of the invention. The casing element 100 is shown from the inside in Fig. 2, i.e. the hollow enclosure therein is shown. The casing element 100 comprises the inner surface 20 and, in an embodiment, a second flange portion 60 around or in the periphery of at least a portion of the opposite to the opening 10, configured to support and/or provide attachment points for a base plate (130; Figs. 4- 7) and/or in an embodiment for a further half of the casing element 100.

[0038] The inner surface 20 of the casing element 100 comprises at least one depression 70a-c configured to receive at least one magnetic element 75a-c, such as a permanent magnet. The at least one magnetic element 75a-c is attached to the depression in conventional manner, for example by gluing, welding, soldering, riveting, taping, screwing, friction fit or other mechanical means. In a further embodiment, the at least one magnetic element 75a-c is embedded into the casing element or the at least one depression 70a-c is covered over. In a still further embodiment, the inner surface 20 has no depression, but the at least one magnetic element 70a-c is attached to the inner surface for example by gluing.

[0039] In an embodiment the number of depressions 70a-c and/or magnetic elements 75a-c is larger than one, for example two or three. In an embodiment, the depressions 70a-c and/or the magnetic elements 75a-c are positioned symmetrically around the periphery of the opening 10. In an embodiment, each depression 70a-c and/or each magnetic element 75a-c is positioned at a same distance from the opening 10. In a further embodiment the depressions 70a-c and/or magnetic elements 75a-c are positioned at different distances from the opening 10 and/or from each other.

[0040] Fig. 3 shows a schematic view of a cover element 200 of the system according to an embodiment of the invention. The cover element 200 is configured to be placed upon the casing element 100. The cover element 200, in an embodiment has a shape corresponding to the outline (Fig. 6, 105a) of the casing element 100. The cover element 200 has, in an embodiment, as shown in Fig. 3 as an example, the shape of a hemisphere. In a further embodiment, the cover element 200 has a shape other than a hemisphere such as truncated cone, cube, cuboid, parallelepiped or frustum. In a still further embodiment, the cover element 200 has a shape having a first end, or a base, wider or as wide as a second end of the shape, wherein the first derivative of a cross-section of the shape starting from the edge of the first or second end of the shape to the edge of the first or second end of the shape, respectively, does not change its sign, in order to allow the cover element 200 to be placed upon the casing element 100 as hereinafter explained. In an embodiment, the cover element 200 has a size corresponding substantially to the size of the casing element 100, so that the cover element 200 sits tightly on the casing element 100 when placed thereupon.

[0041] The cover element 200 comprises an inner surface 25 and an outer surface 45. The outer surface 45 is in an embodiment treated in order to provide a desired visual appearance and haptic feel. In an embodiment, the outer surface 45 is for example painted, spray painted, lacquered, brushed, upholstered e.g. with canvas or leather, oxidized, whetted, covered with concrete, heat treated, laser colored or patterned, machined, printed, polished or coated.

[0042] The cover element 200 is hollow and comprises openings at both ends thereof. In an embodiment, the opening 15 corresponds in size and shape to the opening 10 of the casing element 100 and the opening opposite to opening 15 corresponds in size and shape to the opening of the casing element 100 opposite to opening 10. In an embodiment, the size of the opening 15 is not the same as the size of the opening 10, for example the opening 15 is in an embodiment larger and corresponds to the size of the flange 30 of the casing element 100. In an embodiment one or both openings are circular. In a further embodiment, the opening 15 is circular while the shape of the other opening depends on the shape of the cover element 200. In a still further embodiment, both openings have a shape other than circular, for example square, ellipse or triangle. In a still further embodiment, the opening 10 and thee opening 15 have different shapes.

[0043] In an embodiment, the cover element 200 comprises magnetic material, i.e. material which the at least one magnetic element 75a-c of the casing element attract. In a further embodiment, the cover element 200 comprises in part magnetic material, so that the at least one magnetic element 75a-c of the casing element 100 is able to attract the cover element 200. In a still further embodiment, the cover element comprises in part magnetic material in the form of magnetic elements (not shown) attached thereto and positioned in such a way that the at least one magnetic element of the casing element 100 is able to attract the cover element 200. In an embodiment, the material of the cover element 200 comprises metal. In a further embodiment, the material of the cover element 200 comprises steel. In a still further embodiment the material of the cover element 200 comprises aluminium, copper, brass or stainless steel.

[0044] Figs. 4 to 7 show schematic principle views of a system according to an embodiment of the invention. The system comprises the casing element 100 and the cover element 200. Also the outline of the casing element 105a and the shape of the inner surface 105b of the cover element 200 is shown in Figs. 6 and 7. The system further comprises a base plate 130 attached to one end of the casing element 100 enclosing the casing element from that end. In an embodiment, the base plate 130 is attached to the wider end of the base element. The hollow interior of the casing element 100 comprises electronic components of the system. In an embodiment, at least a part of the electronic components are supported on the base plate 130 and/or attached to the casing element. The base plate is attached to the casing element in a conventional manner, for example by mechanical connection such as screw or by gluing.

[0045] In an embodiment, the system comprises an active or passive element, such as a speaker element, cover plate or grid, or a light source, 1 10; and a control element 120 In an embodiment, the control element 120 comprises modules needed to control the active or passive element 1 10 and the functionalities of the system, for example in case of a loudspeaker, the control element 120 comprises an amplifier element, connection element and communications element such as wired or wireless communications element for example for local area network or Bluetooth connections. In a further example embodiment, the system comprises still further elements that are not shown.

[0046] In an embodiment, the system comprises an active loudspeaker with the cover element 200, casing element 100, an element 1 10 comprising a speaker element, a control element 120 comprising a DSP-amplifier, a wireless module such as Bluetooth module, connectors and a user interface element with e.g. buttons for controlling the system and an external power source. In a further embodiment, the system comprises a passive loudspeaker with the cover element 200, casing element 100, an element 1 10 comprising a speaker element and control element comprising connectors. In an embodiment, the outer dimensions of the system comprise a bottom diameter of about 212 mm, diameter of the opening 10 of about 120 mm and casing height of about 94 mm. The skilled person appreciates that the dimensions of the system are chosen in accordance with each configuration of the system.

[0047] The cover element 200 is placed upon the casing element 100 in such a way that it is pushed thereon and snaps into place assisted by the magnetic elements 75a-c. The cover element is supported by the outer surface 40 of the casing element 100 and/or the seal elements attached to the depressions 50. In an embodiment, the cover element 200 fits snuggly on the casing element, or on the seal elements, so that no gaps or seams are immediately apparent. It is to be noted that although Figs. 4-7 show the active or passive element 1 10 on the side from which the cover element 200 is pushed on the casing element 100, the active element in an embodiment is positioned on the opposite side. As hereinbefore explained, in an embodiment, the opening 10 and/or the other opening is positioned asymmetrically on the casing element 100, i.e. not on the central axis thereof, and accordingly the active or passive element 1 10 as well.

[0048] Fig. 8 shows a schematic principle view of a system according to an embodiment of the invention. Fig. 8 shows a system having a casing element 100 with the shape of two shapes placed together at their wider ends as explained hereinbefore with reference to Fig. 1 . The system comprises the active or passive element 1 10 and the control element 120 as hereinbefore described. The active element and the control element are attached to the casing element 100 and/or to an inner structure (not shown) placed inside the casing element. The system further comprises a first cover element 200 and a second cover element 300. In an embodiment, the first 200 and second 300 cover element have identical shapes. In a further embodiment, the first 200 and the second 300 cover element have shapes different from each other. In as till further embodiment, the first 200 and second 300 cover element do not meet in the middle, i.e. a gap is left between the first 200 and the second 300 cover element.

[0049] The first 200 and the second 300 cover element are placed upon the casing element 100 in such a way that they are pushed thereon from opposite directions and snap into place assisted by the magnetic elements 75a-c which attract the cover elements. The cover elements are supported by the outer surface 40 of the casing element 100 and/or the seal elements attached to the depressions 50. In an embodiment, the first 200 and the second 300 cover element fit snuggly on the casing element so that no gaps or seams are immediately apparent.

[0050] Fig. 9 shows a schematic view of an assembled system according to an embodiment of the invention. The active element 910 is a speaker element attached to the flange element 30 of the casing element with screws 35. The cover element is placed on the casing element so that the opening 15 leaves the flange element 30 and the opening of the casing element in which the speaker element 910 is placed visible. In other parts of the system, the outer surface 45 of the cover element provides a pleasing visual appearance and haptic feel. The system further comprises a pedestal 80 for supporting the system on a surface, such as a table or floor depending on the type of the pedestal. In a further embodiment, instead of the pedestal 80, the system comprises means for attaching the system for example to a wall or roof.

[0051] Without in any way limiting the scope, interpretation, or application of the claims appearing below, a technical effect of one or more of the example embodiments disclosed herein is the provision of a flexible system for enclosing an electronic apparatus. Another technical effect of one or more of the example embodiments disclosed herein is the provision of an easy to assemble system.

[0052] Although various aspects of the invention are set out in the independent claims, other aspects of the invention comprise other combinations of features from the described embodiments and/or the dependent claims with the features of the independent claims, and not solely the combinations explicitly set out in the claims.

[0053] It is also noted herein that while the foregoing describes example embodiments of the invention, these descriptions should not be viewed in a limiting sense. Rather, there are several variations and modifications which may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

A system for enclosing an electronic apparatus, comprising

a casing element (100) configured to accommodate therein components of the electronic apparatus; and

at least one cover element (200,300) configured to be placed upon the casing element (100); wherein

the casing element (100) comprises a hollow shape and has an inner surface (20) and an outer surface (40);

the casing element (100) comprises at least one magnetic element (75a- c) ; and

the cover element comprises at least in part magnetic material so that the at least one magnetic element (75a-c) of the casing element (100) is able to attract the cover element (200,300); characterized in that

the inner surface of the casing element (100) comprises at least one depression (70a-c) configured to receive the at least one magnetic element (75a- c); and wherein

the outer surface of the casing element (100) comprises at least one depression (50) configured to receive at least one seal element.

The system of any preceding claim, wherein the casing element (100) has a shape having a first end wider or as wide as a second end of the shape, wherein the first derivative of an outline (105a) of a cross-section of the shape starting from the edge of the first or second end of the shape to the edge of the first or second end of the shape, respectively, does not change its sign, and wherein the outline disregards any depressions and/or holes in the surface.

The system of any preceding claim, wherein the casing element (100) and the cover element (200,300) has a shape having a first end wider or as wide as a second end of the shape, wherein no part of the shape is wider than the first end.

The system of any preceding claim, wherein the casing element (100) and the cover element (200) has a shape selected from a group of hemisphere, truncated cone, cube, cuboid, parallelepiped and frustum. The system of any preceding claim, wherein the system comprises a first (200) and a second (300) cover element both having a shape of any of the claims 6-7, and the casing element (100) has a shape of any two shapes of any of the claims 5-7 with their first ends placed together so that each half has a shape allowing a cover element (200, 300) to be placed thereupon.

An electronic apparatus, comprising

the system of any preceding claim;

an active or passive element (1 10) placed in an opening of the casing element (100); and

a control element (120) placed within the casing element (100).

The electronic apparatus of claim 9, wherein the electronic apparatus is a loudspeaker.

A method for enclosing an electronic apparatus, comprising

providing a casing element (100) configured to accommodate therein components of the electronic apparatus wherein the outer surface of the casing element (100) comprises at least one depression (50) configured to receive at least one seal element; and

providing at least one cover element (200,300) configured to be placed upon the casing element (100) and comprising at least in part magnetic material;

placing the cover element (200) upon the casing element (100); and attracting the cover element (200) with at least one magnetic element

(75a-c) comprised in the casing element (100), wherein the inner surface of the casing element (100) comprises at least one depression (70a-c) configured to receive the at least one magnetic element (75a-c).

The method of claim 8, wherein the electronic apparatus is a loudspeaker.