DE102008043113A1 - Loudspeaker e.g. high-range loudspeaker, arrangement for use in passenger cabin of vehicle i.e. passenger car, has audio signal system connected with loudspeaker and for outputting switch-on signal from which control signal is generated - Google Patents

Abstract

The arrangement has a pivoting unit (12) for pivoting a loudspeaker (11) e.g. high-range loudspeaker, from a non-usage position to a usage position in response to a control signal. An audio signal system is connected with the loudspeaker and outputs a switch-on signal from which the control signal is generated. The loudspeaker is arranged in a dashboard (21), an A-pillar (22), a door pillar (23) or a door panel (24) of a vehicle. The control signal is generated based on information regarding a position of a listener relative to the loudspeaker. An independent claim is also included for a method for controlling a loudspeaker.

Description

State of the art

The The invention relates to a loudspeaker arrangement and a method for driving a loudspeaker according to the preamble of the independent claims out.

From the manual for the car radio "Panasonic CQ-DRX900", available on the Internet via the link www.panasonic.at/doc/b0404/cq-drx900/userguide/cqdrx900_userguide_1_d_-.pdf - is accessible as a PDF document, a car radio is known, which has a push of a button from a non - use in a use position and vice versa movable speakers. With conventional installation of this car radio in a center console of a car this speaker serves as a so-called "center speaker".

Advantages of the invention

The Invention with the features of the independent claims advantageously continues the aforementioned prior art.

advantageously, is a drive signal for pivoting a speaker off a non-use in a position of use of a switch-on signal a connected to the speaker or connectable audio signal system derived. Thus, the pivoting in the position of use is automatic and without further user interaction on or as a result of powering up the audio system causes.

The Invention may advantageously be used in conjunction with an audio signal system realized in a motor vehicle, in particular in a passenger car passenger compartment become.

Preferably If the at least one loudspeaker is a high-frequency or high and midrange speakers. This can be found in today's cars For example, in the dashboard, the A-pillar, a door spar or the door panel installed. Preferably There are at least two speakers for a stereophonic Audio signal reproduction provided on both sides of the passenger compartment, for multi-channel playback, for example on both sides of the passenger compartment and, for example, in addition centrally in the dashboard area.

In the non-use position is preferably a surface the loudspeaker enclosure visible to the installation environment, So for example, the texture and color of the surrounding dashboard, the A-pillar trim or the door panel is adjusted. This results in a tidy sight a surface into which the speaker is embedded. The protective surface protects the Speaker in non-use position beneficial against dust or other environmental, but also chemical and mechanical Influences, for example, in the course of a vehicle interior cleaning.

The automatic pivoting of the speaker from the described Non-use position in the use position provides advantageous way also a show and staging effect that is expected to that this particular for a youthful audience could represent an additional incentive to buy.

Advantageous the drive signal is also transmitted as a function of information the position of at least one listener relative to the speaker formed and causes an alignment of the speaker on the at least one listener. The position of at least one Listeners can, for example, directly from a Seat occupancy detection of a vehicle and / or indirectly a balance setting of one connected to the speaker or connectable audio component. This will be an optimization of sound quality from the perspective of the one or the other Listener depending on his / her position relative to the speaker or depending on the occupation of the Vehicle reached.

Advantageous the drive signal is alternatively or additionally depending generated by information to be reproduced in the vehicle. In particular be provided that, for example, in an incoming telephone call over a cellular phone component or in response to one of a cellular phone component Navigation system provided acoustically reproduced driving instruction a speaker from his for optimal playback of the Signals of the audio signal system for all vehicle occupants is pivoted to a position that provides optimal information only allowed to the driver.

drawings

embodiments The invention are illustrated in the figure and will be described below explained in more detail.

It demonstrate

1 the view of a passenger compartment of a car from the perspective of a driver or passenger with visible from this perspective part 1 the loudspeaker arrangement according to the invention,

2 a block diagram of the speaker assembly according to the invention ..

Description of the embodiments

In 1 is shown in the direction of travel right front corner of a vehicle interior of a passenger car, as it represents, for example, from the perspective of sitting on the left in the direction of travel vehicle driver. In this illustration, the reference numerals designate
21 the dashboard of the vehicle
22 an A-pillar of the vehicle
23 an upper door spar of the passenger door of the vehicle and
24 the door panel of the passenger door.

In the presentation of the 1 is assumed as an example of a stereo audio system installed in the vehicle that outputs stereo audio signals on left and right distributed in the vehicle speakers. Alternatively, monophonic or multi-channel audio systems with a corresponding speaker distribution are possible. In the present case, it is assumed by way of example of a stereophonic audio system for the reproduction of stereophonic audio signals. The reference number 1 denotes the part of the loudspeaker arrangement, which consists of the in the 1 indicated perspective of the driver for the driver or user is visible.

In the present case of the stereophonic audio system is a speaker 11 in the dashboard 21 admitted. Alternatively, the speaker could be 11 for example, in the A-pillar 22 , the door hoom 23 or the door panel 24 or, for example, be embedded in the so-called mirror triangle of the passenger door.

This speaker 11 is in a pivoting device 12 kept that also in the dashboard 21 is admitted. The gift institution 12 allows a pivoting of the speaker 11 around at least one pivot axis 16 from a non-use to a use position. In the preferred embodiment of the invention shown here, the pivoting device allows 12 a pivoting of the speaker 11 about two mutually independent pivot axes according to the double arrows shown, that is to say about a first pivot axis substantially perpendicular to the dashboard surface 15 and to a substantially perpendicular thereto, also perpendicular to the direction of travel, second pivot axis 16 ,

The pivoting about the at least one or according to the advantageous embodiment second, pivot axis 16 allows a gift of the speaker 11 from a non-use position to a use position and vice versa. In the non-use position, a rear surface of a loudspeaker enclosure encloses the loudspeaker 11 preferably flush with the dashboard surface 21 from. In this position is the sound outlet of the speaker 11 , which faces away from the rear of the speaker housing, facing away from the vehicle interior and points into the interior of the dashboard 21 , This is the sound outlet of the speaker 11 protected from acting from the area of the vehicle interior environmental influences, in particular dust and in the case of, for example, a cleaning of the vehicle interior cleaning agents and the like. In the use position, however, is the sound outlet opening of the speaker 11 facing the vehicle interior. The according to the present advantageous embodiment additional pivoting of the speaker 11 around the first pivot axis 15 allows additional orientation of the speaker 11 on the or the vehicle occupants.

For pivoting the speaker 11 includes the pivoting device 12 a drive, such as an electric motor drive with stepper motors, which are controlled by a drive signal. The drive signal contains in a conventional manner information for the exact positioning of the drive, in particular the angular position of the speaker to be set, so that the speaker 11 in response to a particular drive signal, the corresponding pan position with respect to the pivot axis 16 or according to the preferred embodiment of the two pivot axes 15 and 16 occupies.

In 2 a block diagram of the entire device is shown.

To a controller 10 on the one hand is an audio signal source 3 connected. This audio signal source 3 For example, a per se known radio receiver, at the output of a stereophonic audio signal, ie audio signals for a left and a right audio channel, is pending. Alternatively, it can also be, for example, a player for music storage media, such as tape or optically scannable disc-shaped information carrier, memory cards or the like. The of this audio signal source 3 output audio signals to be arranged in the vehicle interior speakers 11 and 11-1 , preferably via additional speakers 11-2 and 11-3 be issued. The speaker 11 and 11-1 are for example right and left in the dashboard 21 arranged, as for speakers 11 in 1 shown. The other speakers 11-2 and 11-3 For example, in the door panels of down doors, comparable reference numerals 24 with respect to the passenger door, the vehicle arranged. The speaker 11 and 11-1 and preferably also the speakers 11-2 and 11-3 are by means of associated pivoting devices 12 . 12-1 . 12-3 and 12-4 pivotable. The second pivot axis is found here 16 the speaker 11 and analog 11-1 at the pivoting devices 12-2 and 12-3 For example, a correspondence in a pivot axis, which lies substantially in the surface of the side panel of the rear door. The surfaces of the speakers 11-2 and 11-3 Thus, when not in use, they are essentially flush with the door panels.

The pivoting devices 12 . 12-1 . 12-2 and 12-3 are via individual control signals 18 . 18-1 . 18-2 and 18-3 , which preferably also contain information about the exact orientation or position of the pivoting devices, driven. These drive signals are from the controller 10 in response to a turn-on signal of the audio signal system 3 generated.

In the simplest case, a switch-on signal is understood to mean a signal that is connected to the switching on of the audio signal system 3 itself, ie in particular with actuation of the switch of the audio signal system, in the case of a car radio as an audio signal system 3 for example, with the switching on of the vehicle ignition when the car radio was turned on when the vehicle was turned off. However, it may also be, for example, a signal which the connection of audio signals to the speakers 11 signals, so for example, a mute or mute button or a source selector switch, with the example in an operating device an audio signal source 3 selected or playing the audio signal source 3 For example, the playback of a CD or the like is started.

Thus, the controller generates 10 on receipt of the switch-on control signals 18 . 18-1 . 18-2 and 18-3 for the pivoting devices 12 . 12-1 . 12-2 and 12-3 for pivoting the speakers 11 . 11-1 . 11-2 and 11-3 from their previously described non-use position in their use positions, in which the sound outlet openings of the loudspeakers face the passenger compartment of the vehicle. This is accompanied by a show or staging effect, which draws the attention of the vehicle passengers.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the drive signals comprise 18 to 18-3 additional information on the exact alignment of the speakers 11 to 11-3 depending on an occupancy of the passenger compartment with passengers to allow for all passengers the most favorable auditory impression. These are the controller 10 Information supplied to a seat occupancy detection.

A such seat occupancy detection can be done in different ways, for example, with an optical pickup and downstream Image recognition, alternatively by means of a so-called and per se known depth sensors using the runtime principle or also with occupancy sensors installed in the seats, such as printing mats and appropriate evaluation to be executed. In the present case is from a seat occupancy detection by means of pressure mats, which in the seats of the vehicle seats are admitted, gone out.

The five seats in the present case are pressure mats 25 and 25-1 for the two front seats and another three pressure mats 25-2 . 25-3 and 25-4 intended for the three seats on the rear seat. Their output signals 26 are the controller 10 fed. The control 10 determines control signals from the signals of the seat occupancy sensors 18 to 18-3 for controlling the pivoting devices 12 to 12-3 such that the speakers 11 to 11-3 be aligned for optimal for the respective vehicle occupancy Abstrahlcharakteristik. An opimale radiation characteristic consists for example in that when occupying the vehicle only by the driver all speakers 11 to 11-3 on the driver, in addition to a passenger, the speakers 11 to 11-3 be aligned to a virtual position between the driver and front passenger. With additional occupancy of the rear seat, the front speakers 11 and 11-1 for example, preferably for sonicating the front seats, the rear speakers 11-2 and 11-3 to the sound of the rear seat or seated passengers aligned.

Alternatively, information about the seat occupancy also indirectly from a known balance and / or fad adjustment of the audio system 3 be won. Usually, current audio systems have such settings to manually or automatically adjust an optimal adjustment of the audio signal reproduction to the vehicle occupancy. The balance setting is used to adjust the volume between the left and right speakers, the fader to adjust the volume between the front and rear speakers. It is based on the consideration that the user adjusts these settings exactly if this is indicated by a change in vehicle occupancy compared to a previous setting.

Furthermore, to the controller 10 also another audio signal source 4 such as a mobile phone 4 or a car navigation system 4 , which produces driving instructions in acoustic form on a case-by-case basis. In this embodiment of the invention may preferably be provided that, for example, the front left speaker 11-1 in response to an incoming telephone call or to a navigation instruction provided by the navigation system, is pivoted from an ideal for the current seat occupancy position in an ideal for the targeted information only the driver. After issuing the information intended for the driver or after completion of the call becomes the speaker 11-1 pivoted back into its optimal for the current audio signal playback position.

Becomes the audio signal source 3 switched off, generates the control 10 in response to this shutdown signal, further control signals 18 to 18-3 for pivoting the speakers 11 to 11-3 from the current in their non-use position.

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list The documents listed by the applicant have been automated generated and is solely for better information recorded by the reader. The list is not part of the German Patent or utility model application. The DPMA takes over no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited non-patent literature

• - www.panasonic.at/doc/b0404/cq-drx900/userguide/cqdrx900_userguide_1_d_-.pdf [0002]

Claims (6)

Speaker arrangement with a loudspeaker ( 11 ) and a pivoting device ( 12 ), by means of which the loudspeaker ( 11 ) in response to a drive signal ( 18 ) is pivotable from a non-use position into a use position, characterized in that the drive signal ( 18 ) from a switch-on signal one with the loudspeaker ( 11 ) or connectable audio signaling equipment ( 3 ) is derived. Speaker arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that the loudspeaker ( 11 ) is a tweeter or a high and midrange speaker. Loudspeaker arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the loudspeaker ( 11 ) in the dashboard ( 21 ), an A-pillar ( 22 ), a door spar ( 23 ) or a door trim ( 24 ) of a vehicle is arranged. Loudspeaker arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the drive signal ( 18 ) depending on information ( 26 ) about the position of at least one listener relative to the speaker ( 11 ) is formed and an orientation of the speaker ( 11 ) causes the at least one listener. Loudspeaker arrangement according to claim 4, characterized in that the information ( 26 ) on the position of the at least one listener from a seat occupancy recognition of a vehicle and / or a balance setting of a with the speaker ( 11 ) connected or connectable audio component ( 3 ) is derived. Method for driving a loudspeaker ( 11 ), where the speaker ( 11 ) in response to a drive signal ( 18 ) is pivoted from a non-use to a use position, characterized gekennnzeichnet that the drive signal ( 18 ) from a switch-on signal one with the loudspeaker ( 11 ) or connectable audio signaling equipment ( 3 ) is derived.