EP3081005B1

EP3081005B1 - Device for the diffusion of sound

Info

Publication number: EP3081005B1
Application number: EP14830615.2A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Matteo PANINI
Original assignee: Ixoost Srl
Current assignee: Ixoost Srl
Priority date: 2013-12-11
Filing date: 2014-12-10
Publication date: 2019-07-17
Anticipated expiration: 2034-12-10
Also published as: ES2749608T3; EP3081005A1; ITMO20130336A1; WO2015087246A1

Description

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a device for the diffusion of sound, particularly for the diffusion of music.

Background Art

Various devices are known for the diffusion of sound, such as stereo systems, Hi-Fi systems or the like, which can have various technical characteristics as well as various overall dimensions.
The sound diffusion systems known to date are made using component parts specifically designed for such purpose, in order to optimize sound quality and therefore reproduce high-fidelity music.
Such systems of known type generally consist of a supporting structure, of one or more loudspeakers, of a sound source unit and of connection means for connecting the source unit to the loudspeakers.
A device for the diffusion of sound comprising a supporting structure associable with a source unit of sound and diffusion means of sound associated with the supporting structure and comprising a discharge collector are known from the web pages: http://www.freshnessmag.com/2013/08/06/ixoost-speakers-made-from-ferrari-exhaust-manifold, http://www.funkyspacemonkey.com/ixoost-exhaust-speaker-docking-system-iphone-ipod-touch and http://www.tomshw.it/news/ixoost-a-modena-suonano-le-marmitte-che-musica-52689.

Description of the Invention

The main aim of the present invention is to provide an acoustic device that envisages the use of exhaust manifolds of motor vehicles as an active and functional part for the diffusion of sound, while at the same time ensuring the high quality of same.
Within this aim, one object of the present invention is to provide a device for the diffusion of sound that envisages the use of components intended for a different use and which is adaptable, both as regards shape and acoustics, to exhaust manifolds of different shapes.
One object of the present invention is to optimize the quality of the sound produced, at both high and low frequencies.
Yet another object is to provide a device for the diffusion of sound which, besides being functionally efficient, has innovative characteristics aimed at elevating the aesthetic perception of the model, so as to be more interesting and appealing for users.
The above mentioned objects are achieved by the present device for the diffusion of sound according to claim 1.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become better evident from the description of a preferred but not exclusive embodiment of a device for the diffusion of sound, illustrated by way of an indicative but non-limitative example in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is an axonometric view of a device for the diffusion of sound according to the invention;
Figure 2 is a sectional view of a first detail of the device of Figure 1;
Figure 3 is a sectional view of a second detail of the device of Figure 1;
Figure 4 is a first axonometric view of a bearing element of the device of Figure 1;
Figure 5 is a second axonometric view of a bearing element of the device of Figure 1;
Figure 6 is an axonometric view of a flange of the device of Figure 1.

Embodiments of the Invention

With particular reference to these figures, globally indicated by reference numeral 1 is a device for the diffusion of sound, particularly for the diffusion of music.
The device 1 comprises a supporting structure 2, which defines a rest surface for positioning the device itself on a supporting surface, associable with a source unit 3 of sound.
More in particular, in the embodiment shown in figure 1, the supporting structure 2 has connection means to an external source unit 3, such as an electronic device suitable for containing pieces of music or sound files, e.g., of the type of a telephone, a smartphone or a music player.
The connection means can be of the type of a connector associable with a removable source unit 3 or can be of the Wi-Fi type for the wireless connection to a source unit 3 which can also be arranged at a distance from the device 1.
In an alternative embodiment, not shown in the illustrations, the source unit 3 can be of the integrated type and therefore integrally associated with the supporting structure 2, such as, e.g. a CD/MP3 player.
The device 1 then also comprises diffusion means 4 of sound, associated with the supporting structure 2, and connection means, not shown in detail in the illustrations, of the source unit 3 to the diffusion means themselves.
More in detail, the means of connection are of the electric type and are suitable for transferring the electric signal emitted by the source unit 3 to the diffusion means 4, which, as is known, are then suitable for converting such electric signal into sound.
According to the invention, the diffusion means 4 of sound comprise an exhaust manifold 5 integrally associated with the supporting structure 2 and which defines at least a hollow channel 6 having at least an opening 7 facing outwards. In the embodiment shown in the illustrations, the exhaust manifold 5 has a plurality of hollow channels 6 distinct the one from the other, each of which defines a relative opening 7, and a manifold 8 in which the hollow channels themselves flow. The manifold 8 in turn defines at least a further opening 9 facing outwards. As shown in figure 1, the openings 7 (identified in figure 2) are substantially aligned the one with the other and the further opening 9 is arranged at a greater height than the openings 7 themselves.
According to the invention, furthermore, the diffusion means 4 also comprise at least a supporting element 10, 11 associated with the exhaust manifold 5 in correspondence to a relative opening 7 and defining a housing seat 12 inside which a loudspeaker 13 is inserted.
In the embodiment shown in the illustrations, the diffusion means 4 comprise a plurality of loudspeakers 13, each of which is fitted inside a relative supporting element 10, 11 in turn arranged in correspondence to a relative opening 7.
The supporting element 10, 11 defines a bottom wall 10a, 11a, arranged at the rear of the relative loudspeaker 13 and facing inside the corresponding hollow channel 6, which has at least a first calibrated through hole 14 to allow the flow of air from the seat 12 towards the hollow channel itself. The supporting element 10, 11 also defines a lateral wall 10b which surrounds the relative loudspeaker 13.
The seat 12 therefore has a substantially closed extremity (not considering the first hole 14), defined by the bottom wall 10a, 11a, and an open extremity, opposite the bottom wall 10a, 11a and through which the relative loudspeaker 13 is inserted.
According to the invention, the supporting element 10, 11 comprises at least a bearing element 10, which defines the housing seat 12, and at least a flange 11 for attaching to the exhaust manifold 5 associated (the flange) in a removable way with the bearing element 10.
Preferably, the bearing element 10 has a substantially cylindrical shape. Suitably, the size of the bearing element 10, and therefore also the volume defined by the relative seat 12, is proportionate to the type of the relative loudspeaker 13.
The flange 11 is associated with the exhaust manifold 5 in correspondence to its extremity defining the relative opening 7.
The first calibrated hole 14 is thus defined on both the bearing element 10 and on the flange 11. More in particular, the bearing element 10 has a bottom wall 10a, on which is defined a portion of the first hole 14, and defines the lateral wall 10b which surrounds the relative loudspeaker 13; in turn, the flange 11 defines a wall 11a on which is defined the remaining portion of the first hole 13 and which rests, in use, against the bottom wall 10a of the bearing element 10.
According to the invention, the flange 11 has first connection means 15 to the exhaust manifold 5; the flange 11 and the bearing element 10 then have second connection means 16 of reciprocal connection.
Both the first and the second connection means 15, 16 are e.g. made up of a plurality of holes engageable in a removable way by relative threaded elements (not shown in the illustrations).
As can be seen in the figures 5 and 6, the first connection means 15 are defined in correspondence to the perimeter edge of the flange 11 while the second connection means 16 are defined on its wall 11a and on the bottom wall 10a of the bearing element 10.
It is easy for the technician in the sector to appreciate how the position of the holes 15 and 16 is variable according to the exhaust manifold 5 used.
The bearing element 10 also has third connection means 26 to the supporting structure 2, these too made up of a plurality of through holes engageable by relative threaded elements (not shown in the illustrations).
Advantageously, the supporting element 10, 11 has at least a second through hole 17, preferably a plurality, defined on the lateral wall 10b that surrounds the loudspeaker 13, and which faces on one side the inside of the seat 12 and on the other side the outside.
The second holes 17 are also arranged behind the relative loudspeaker 13 and are intended, in use, to be turned downwards, allowing the air to flow out towards the outside.
The front air wave emitted by each loudspeaker 13 therefore propagates directly into the environment while the rear air wave is conveyed in part through the first hole 14 and in part towards the outside through the second holes 17. The front wave and the rear wave are thus in reciprocal phase relationship such as to make the emission of low frequencies easier.
Between the loudspeaker 13 and the supporting element 10, 11 are suitably positioned sealing means 18, e.g., consisting of a snap ring. Such sealing means 18 are arranged in such a way as to insulate the front part of the loudspeaker 13 from its rear part, so as to prevent the so-called acoustic short circuit.
More in particular, as shown in figure 2, the sealing means 18 are positioned between the loudspeaker 13 and the portion of the supporting element 10, 11 defining the open extremity of the seat 12.
In the preferred embodiment shown in the illustrations, the device 1 comprises at least a ring nut 19 for fastening the loudspeaker 13, which is associated in a removable way with the supporting element 10, 11 in correspondence to the open extremity of the seat 12 defined by same. The loudspeaker 13 is therefore positioned in between the supporting element 10, 11 and the ring nut 19. Advantageously, the diffusion means 4 also comprise at least a further loudspeaker 23 arranged in correspondence to the further opening 9.
More in particular, the diffusion means 4 comprise at least a further supporting element 21 associated with the exhaust manifold 5 in correspondence to the further opening 9 and defining a further housing seat 22 inside which a further loudspeaker 23 is fitted.
The further supporting element 21 has two open and opposite extremities, a rear one turned towards the inside of the exhaust manifold 5 and a front one through which the further loudspeaker 23 is fitted. In this case too, between the further loudspeaker 23 and the further supporting element 21 are positioned sealing means, not visible in detail in the illustrations, suitable for hermetically separating the volume of air arranged behind the further loudspeaker 23 from the external environment.
Suitably, a further fastening ring nut 24 is also provided associated in a removable way with the further supporting element 21 in correspondence to its front open extremity.
Preferably, the loudspeakers 13 are dedicated to reproducing the high and medium frequencies, while the loudspeakers 23 are dedicated to reproducing the medium and low frequencies.
Advantageously, the device 1 also comprises at least a closing element 25 for closing the hollow channels 6. The result is therefore that the volume of each hollow channel 6 arranged behind the relative bottom wall 10a, 11a is closed, i.e., it has no external outlet, thereby acting as a resonance chamber for the corresponding loudspeaker.
As regards the further loudspeaker 23, the volume arranged behind this is hermetically closed, the further seat 22 does not in fact have any external outlet. Such closing element 25 is, e.g., made up of an elastically deformable material, such as open-cell polyurethane foam, which is compressed to enable it to be fitted inside the exhaust manifold 5 then blocking itself inside by effect of its natural expansion.
The closing element 25 is generally positioned along the manifold 8 so as to split up the volume inside the exhaust manifold into at least two distinct portions, one of which communicating with the openings 7 and the other communicating with the further opening 9.
Alternative embodiments cannot furthermore be ruled out wherein the device 1 has a plurality of closing elements 25.
The volume of air arranged behind the loudspeakers 13 housed in correspondence to the openings 7 acts as a real system of elastic suspension of the membrane of the loudspeakers themselves, altering their excursion and thus affecting their frequency response.
The first calibrated hole 14 therefore permits regulating, or partialising the input of air inside such volume positioned between the bottom wall 10a, 11a and the closing element 25 so as to optimize the frequency response of the loudspeaker. It has in practice been ascertained how the described invention achieves the proposed objects and in particular the fact is underlined that the device forming the subject of the present invention permits sound diffusion using conventional exhaust manifolds for automotive use.
More in detail, the presence of the first calibrated hole defined on the supporting elements of the loudspeakers allows air to flow inside the relative hollow ducts defined by the exhaust manifold itself, thus optimizing the sound resonance effect.
Again, the simultaneous presence of a closing element located inside the exhaust manifold to define a substantially closed volume behind the first calibrated hole and second holes defined on the supporting element permits combining the so-called "pneumatic suspension" effect, which consists in reducing the acoustic effects of the rear wave, muffling it in a suitable hermetic air volume (the one that is positioned between the closing element and the bottom wall of the supporting element), with the so-called "bass-reflex" effect, which consists in reconverting part of the rear wave in phase with the front emission thanks to the exit of the sound through the second holes themselves.

Claims

Device (1) for the diffusion of sound, comprising:
- a supporting structure (2) associable with a source unit (3) of sound;

- diffusion means (4) of sound associated with said supporting structure (2);

- connection means between said source unit (3) and said diffusion means (4);
wherein said diffusion means (4) comprise:
- an exhaust manifold (5) defining at least a hollow channel (6) having at least an opening (7) facing outwards,

- at least a supporting element (10, 11) and a corresponding loudspeaker (13), the supporting element being associated with said exhaust manifold (5) in correspondence to said opening (7) and defining a housing seat (12) inside which is inserted the loudspeaker (13),
characterized in that said supporting element (10, 11) defines a bottom wall (10a, 11a) arranged at the rear of the loudspeaker itself and facing said opening (7) and inside said hollow channel (6), and where said bottom wall (10a, 11a) has at least a first calibrated through hole (14) to allow the flow of air from said housing seat (12) towards the hollow channel itself,
where said supporting element (10, 11) comprises at least a bearing element (10), defining said housing seat (12), and at least a flange (11) for attaching to said exhaust manifold (5) associated in a removable way with said bearing element (10), said first calibrated hole (14) being defined on both said bearing element (10) and on said attachment flange (11), and where said attachment flange (11) has first connection means (15) to said exhaust manifold (5) and that said flange (11) and said bearing element (10) have second connection means (16) of reciprocal connection.
Device (1) according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that said supporting element (10, 11) has at least a second through hole (17), defined on the wall (10b) that surrounds laterally said loudspeaker (13) and able to put in communication, at the rear of said loudspeaker (13), said housing seat (12) with the outside.
Device (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that it comprises sealing means (18) placed between said loudspeaker (13) and said supporting element (10, 11).
Device (1) according to claim 3, characterized by the fact that said housing seat (12) has an open extremity, opposite said bottom wall (10a, 11a) and through which is inserted said loudspeaker (13), and by the fact that said sealing means (18) are placed between said loudspeaker (13) and said supporting element (10, 11) in correspondence to its portion defining said open extremity.
Device (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that it comprises at least a ring nut (19) for fastening said loudspeaker (13) associable with said supporting element (10, 11) in correspondence to said open extremity, said loudspeaker (13) being placed between said supporting element (10, 11) and said ring nut (19).
Device (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that it comprises at least a closing element (25) of said hollow channel (6), the volume placed between said bottom wall (10a, 11a) and said closing element (25) defining a resonance chamber.
Device (1) according to claim 6, characterized by the fact that said closing element (25) is of the elastically deformable type.
Device (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said exhaust manifold (5) defines a plurality of hollow channels (6) and comprises at least a manifold (8) in which the hollow channels themselves flow, said manifold (8) defining at least a further opening (9) facing outwards and arranged at a greater height than said openings (7), and characterized by the fact that said diffusion means (4) comprise at least a further supporting element (21) associated with said exhaust manifold (8) in correspondence to said further opening (9) and defining a further housing seat (22) inside which is housed at least a further loudspeaker (23).
Device (1) according to claims 6 and 8, characterized by the fact that said closing element (25) is arranged inside said manifold (8).