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EP-4738888-A1 - VEHICLE AUDIO SYSTEM

EP4738888A1EP 4738888 A1EP4738888 A1EP 4738888A1EP-4738888-A1

Abstract

Aspects of the present invention relate to a vehicle audio system (210) for a vehicle (200) comprising: at least one audio speaker (325) for converting a speaker audio signal (320) to sound waves; at least one electrostatic panel loudspeaker (425) for converting a panel audio signal (420) to sound waves; a control system (220) in communication with the at least one audio speaker and the at least one electrostatic panel loudspeaker, and configured to cause the at least one audio speaker to convert the speaker audio signal to sound waves, and cause the at least one electrostatic panel loudspeaker to convert the panel audio signal to sound waves.

Inventors

  • WILES, Paul
  • SOAR, Sam

Assignees

  • Jaguar Land Rover Limited

Dates

Publication Date
20260506
Application Date
20251103

Claims (11)

  1. A vehicle audio system for a vehicle comprising: at least one audio speaker for converting a speaker audio signal to sound waves; at least one electrostatic panel loudspeaker for converting a panel audio signal to sound waves; a control system in communication with the at least one audio speaker and the at least one electrostatic panel loudspeaker, and configured to cause the at least one audio speaker to convert the speaker audio signal to sound waves, and cause the at least one electrostatic panel loudspeaker to convert the panel audio signal to sound waves.
  2. A vehicle audio system as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the at least one audio speaker comprises a woofer speaker.
  3. A vehicle audio system as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the at least one audio speaker comprises a sub-woofer speaker.
  4. A vehicle audio system according to any preceding claim, comprising at least one vehicle seat comprising a headrest portion, wherein the at least one electrostatic loudspeaker comprises a headrest electrostatic loudspeaker unit disposed in the headrest portion.
  5. A vehicle audio system according to Claim 4, comprising a plurality of vehicle seats, each vehicle seat comprising a headrest portion wherein each headrest portion comprises an electrostatic loudspeaker unit.
  6. A vehicle audio system according to Claim 4 or Claim 5, comprising a front vehicle seat wherein the at least one electrostatic panel loudspeaker comprises a first electrostatic loudspeaker unit and a second electrostatic loudspeaker unit within the front seat, the first electrostatic loudspeaker unit configured to project sound forwards in the vehicle and the second electrostatic loudspeaker unit configured to project sound rearwards in the vehicle.
  7. A vehicle audio system as claimed in any preceding claim, comprising at least one interior trim component, wherein the at least one electrostatic loudspeaker is disposed within the interior trim component.
  8. A vehicle audio system as claimed in any preceding claim, comprising a plurality of electrostatic loudspeakers.
  9. A vehicle audio system as claimed in Claim 8, wherein the plurality of electrostatic loudspeakers are of different sizes.
  10. A vehicle audio system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the panel audio signal comprises a frequency range from 125Hz to 50kHz.
  11. A vehicle comprising the vehicle audio system according to any preceding claim.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present disclosure relates to a vehicle audio system. Aspects of the invention relate to a vehicle audio system and to a vehicle BACKGROUND Audio systems in vehicles undergo periodic upgrades and improvement, particularly at the present time where there is a need to evolve and adapt vehicle audio system designs based on the ever-changing requirements of consumers as well as the vehicle industry as a whole. For example, consumers desire improvements to be made in the sound quality of their vehicle audio systems. The demand for increasingly immersive and/or interactive experiences when listening to audio in their vehicles is also growing. Additionally, in recent years, there has been a drive to adopt an increasingly sustainable and eco-friendly approach to vehicle design, for example as can be seen from the rise in use of clean technologies, and the increased adoption of electric (or hybrid) vehicles. It is desirable to be able to fit the most up-to-date and modern vehicle audio systems alongside existing designs of vehicle sound and power systems, so as to improve the audio experience for users and to avoid the costs associated with large-scale alterations of underlying vehicle design. It is an aim of the present invention to address one or more of the disadvantages associated with the prior art. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Aspects and embodiments of the invention provide a vehicle audio system and a vehicle as claimed in the appended claims. According to an aspect of the present invention there is provided a vehicle audio system for a vehicle comprising: at least one audio speaker for converting a speaker audio signal to sound waves; at least one electrostatic panel loudspeaker for converting a panel audio signal to sound waves; a control system in communication with the at least one audio speaker and the at least one electrostatic panel loudspeaker, and configured to cause the at least one audio speaker to convert the speaker audio signal to sound waves, and cause the at least one electrostatic panel loudspeaker to convert the panel audio signal to sound waves. The present invention provides an audio system that combines at least one traditional audio speaker with at least one electrostatic panel loudspeaker. Electrostatic panel loudspeakers are slimmer than traditional audio speakers and so the present audio system can realise a space saving compared to an audio system comprised solely of traditional audio speakers. In one configuration the at least one audio speaker may be a speaker that is configured to provide bass frequencies whereas the at least one electrostatic panel loudspeaker may be configured to provide higher audio frequencies. Optionally, the at least one audio speaker may comprise a woofer speaker or a sub-woofer speaker. The vehicle audio system within the vehicle may at least one vehicle seat comprising a headrest portion, wherein the at least one electrostatic loudspeaker comprises a headrest electrostatic loudspeaker unit disposed in the headrest portion. Different configurations may be used to deploy the headrest electrostatic loudspeaker unit. For example, the unit may comprise a pair of panels in the headrest either side of the occupant's head or alternatively the unit may comprise a wraparound electrostatic panel loudspeaker. The vehicle audio system may comprise a plurality of vehicle seats, each vehicle seat comprising a headrest portion wherein each headrest portion comprises an electrostatic loudspeaker unit. The electrostatic loudspeaker units within the plurality of seats may all be of the same configuration (e.g. they may all be wraparound style panels) or there may be different configurations within the vehicle cabin (e.g. the front seats may be of the wraparound style and the rear seats may comprise a pair of panels). The vehicle within which the vehicle audio system is deployed may comprise a front vehicle seat and the at least one electrostatic panel loudspeaker may comprise a first electrostatic loudspeaker unit and a second electrostatic loudspeaker unit within the front seat, the first electrostatic loudspeaker unit being configured to project sound forwards in the vehicle and the second electrostatic loudspeaker unit being configured to project sound rearwards in the vehicle. The first and second electrostatic loudspeaker units may be located within two different surfaces within the vehicle seat. The vehicle within which the vehicle audio system is deployed may comprise at least one interior trim component, wherein the at least one electrostatic panel loudspeaker may be disposed within the interior trim component. The vehicle may comprise a plurality of trim components, and one or more electrostatic panel loudspeakers may be disposed within one, some or all of the plurality of trim components. The at least one electrostatic panel loudspeaker may be located within a recess within a trim component and may be located in locations traditionally occupied by