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EP-4042713-B1 - SIDE-FIRING HEADREST LOUDSPEAKER WITH OMNIDIRECTIONAL LENS

EP4042713B1EP 4042713 B1EP4042713 B1EP 4042713B1EP-4042713-B1

Inventors

  • LUDWIG, CHRIS
  • WINTON, Riley
  • TRESTAIN, CHRISTOPHER MICHAEL
  • MOSSINGTON, DAVID

Dates

Publication Date
20260506
Application Date
20191010

Claims (10)

  1. A loudspeaker assembly comprising: a first loudspeaker (132a) for being positioned on a first side of a headrest (110a) of a first vehicle seat (106a) for transmitting a first audio output toward one of a side pillar (116a) and a door of a vehicle (114a); and a first acoustic lens (134a) coupled to the first loudspeaker (132a) and defining a first opening to enable the first audio output to pass from the first opening at a first predetermined angle; characterised in that the first acoustic lens (134a) includes an upper platform (350) and outer ring (352) that are spaced apart from one another, wherein the upper platform (350) and the outer ring (352) define the first opening of the first acoustic lens (134a) and the upper platform (350) at least partly directs the first audio output through the first opening, and wherein the loudspeaker assembly further comprises a cap (200) being attached to an outer surface of the upper platform (350) and being configured to block the first audio output.
  2. The loudspeaker assembly of claim 1 further comprising a second loudspeaker (132b) for being positioned on a second side of the headrest (110b) of the first vehicle seat (106a) for transmitting a second audio output toward a second vehicle seat (106b) that is positioned directly adjacent to the first vehicle seat (106a).
  3. The loudspeaker assembly of claim 2, wherein the second side of the headrest (110b) is positioned opposite to the first side of the headrest (110a).
  4. The loudspeaker assembly of claim 3 further comprising a second acoustic lens (134b) coupled to the second loudspeaker (132b) and defining a second opening to enable the second loudspeaker (132b) to transmit the second audio output from the second opening at a second predetermined angle.
  5. The loudspeaker assembly of claim 4, wherein the first predetermined angle is similar to the second predetermined angle.
  6. The loudspeaker assembly of any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the first acoustic lens (134a) includes a blocking portion to block transmission of the first audio output at an outer perimeter of the first acoustic lens (134a).
  7. The loudspeaker assembly of any of claims 1 to 6, wherein the first loudspeaker (132a) is configured to transmit the first audio on a first axis that extends through a center thereof toward the one of the side pillar (116a) and the door of the vehicle (114a), and wherein the first acoustic lens (134a) includes a waveguide positioned thereon that redirects the first audio in a direction that is offset from the first axis.
  8. The loudspeaker assembly of claim 7, wherein the waveguide is positioned directly over the first loudspeaker (132a).
  9. The loudspeaker assembly of any of claims 1 to 8, wherein the cap (200) is formed of a translucent material to enable light to pass therethrough.
  10. The loudspeaker assembly of any of claims 1 to 9, wherein the first acoustic lens (134a) is positioned between the first loudspeaker (132a) and the one of the side pillar (116a) and the door of the vehicle(114a).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD Aspects disclosed herein generally relate to a loudspeaker system and more particularly to at least one loudspeaker positioned in a headrest of a vehicle that transmits audio data on a side-firing basis in conjunction with an acoustic lens. These aspects and others will be discussed in more detail herein. BACKGROUND U.S. Publication No. 2008/0247575 to Hutt et al. discloses a directional loudspeaker that provides an enhanced listening environment by producing an indirect sound field of greater amplitude than that of the direct sound field. The directional loudspeaker includes loudspeaker elements positioned to provide a listener located below the loudspeaker elements with an impression of sound spaciousness in a vehicle environment. The loudspeaker elements may include baffles or acoustic lenses to deflect the indirect field away from the path to the listener position. The loudspeaker may also be operated with windows open by channeling the indirect sound field through an acoustic waveguide and deflector to the listener. A sound processor is also provided to accept a sound input, create an indirect and direct sound field, output the sound fields to loudspeaker elements, and also may provide electronic enhancement effects such as multi-channel sound or sound parameter adjustment. Publication EP 2 405 670 A1 discloses two loudspeakers incorporated into a headrest of the vehicle, a protective cap for each of said two loudspeakers provided at the headrest above each loudspeaker and extending in a direction in which the sound of each loudspeaker is emitted, an audio signal processor receiving an audio input signal which is configured to generate audio output signals for said two loudspeakers such that the audio output signals when they are output by the two loudspeakers are perceived by a user sitting on a seat on which the headrest with the loudspeaker is provided as a virtual soundfield, a database containing cap compensating information allowing to compensate an influence of the protective caps on the audio output signals emitted by the two loudspeakers which are perceived by the user as the virtual soundfield, wherein the audio signal processor is configured to generate the virtual soundfield for said user taking into account the cap compensating information. Publication US 2019/111820 A1 discloses a vehicle headrest that includes: a main body having a front surface arranged to support a back of a head of a user and a pair of acoustic channels each formed in part by a side wall having a front edge that is offset from the front surface, the main body having a portion configured to receive first and second transducers having a center-to-center spacing of approximately 130 millimeters (mm) to approximately 240 mm, where a dimension (Dimension K) defined by a distance between respective inside surfaces of the side walls of the pair of acoustic channels is related to a dimension (Dimension F) defined by an amount that the front edge of each side wall is recessed from the front surface. Publication US 2019/005941 A1 discloses an acoustic lens that includes a body aligned on an axis. The body includes a top surface, a sidewall that extends from the top surface, and a bottom surface that is generally opposite the top surface. The sidewall includes an opening for a soundwave from the transducer to travel through in an off-axis direction. SUMMARY In at least one embodiment, a loudspeaker assembly including a first loudspeaker, a first acoustic lens, and a cap is provided. The first loudspeaker is positioned on a first side of a headrest of a first vehicle seat for transmitting a first audio output toward one of a side pillar and a door of a vehicle. The first acoustic lens is coupled to the first loudspeaker and defining a first opening to enable the first audio output to pass from the first opening at a first predetermined angle. The first acoustic lens includes an upper platform and outer ring that are spaced apart from one another. The upper platform and the outer ring define the first opening of the first acoustic lens and the upper platform at least partly directs the first audio output through the first opening. A cap is attached to an outer surface of the upper platform and is configured to block the first audio output. A loudspeaker assembly not falling under the scope of the claims includes a first loudspeaker and a first acoustic lens. The first loudspeaker is positioned on a first side of a headrest of a first vehicle seat for transmitting a first audio output toward a second vehicle seat positioned in a same row of the first vehicle seat. The first acoustic lens is coupled to the first loudspeaker and defining a first opening to enable the first loudspeaker to transmit the first audio output from the first opening at a first predetermined angle. A loudspeaker assembly not falling under the scope of the claims includes a first loudspeaker and a second loudspeaker. The first loudspeaker is po