U.S. patent application number 11/190173 was filed with the patent office on 2007-01-25 for portable speaker assembly.
This patent application is currently assigned to Creative Technology Ltd.. Invention is credited to Thean Kuie Christopher Chang, Hui Ling Gan, Aik Hee Goh, Susimin Suprapmo.
Application Number | 20070017834 11/190173 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37678075 |
Filed Date | 2007-01-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070017834 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Chang; Thean Kuie Christopher ;
et al. |
January 25, 2007 |
Portable speaker assembly
Abstract
A portable speaker assembly having a first driver coupled to a
first portion of a telescoping enclosure and a second driver
coupled to a second portion of the telescoping enclosure. The
telescoping enclosure is movable between a first position and a
second position and has an intermediate portion extending outwardly
from the first portion and having a telescopically nesting
engagement with a second portion. The intermediate portion is able
to move telescopically relative to the second portion along a
longitudinal axis of the enclosure. The second portion has at least
one predetermined void adjacent to the telescopic connection of the
intermediate portion with the second portion.
Inventors: |
Chang; Thean Kuie Christopher;
(Singapore, SG) ; Gan; Hui Ling; (Singapore,
SG) ; Goh; Aik Hee; (Singapore, SG) ;
Suprapmo; Susimin; (Singapore, SG) |
Correspondence
Address: |
CREATIVE LABS, INC.;LEGAL DEPARTMENT
1901 MCCARTHY BLVD
MILPITAS
CA
95035
US
|
Assignee: |
Creative Technology Ltd.
|
Family ID: |
37678075 |
Appl. No.: |
11/190173 |
Filed: |
July 25, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/312 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04R 5/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/312 |
International
Class: |
B65D 85/30 20060101
B65D085/30 |
Claims
1. A portable speaker assembly comprising: (a) a first and second
driver; (b) a telescoping enclosure movable between a first
position and a second position, the telescoping enclosure
comprising a first portion, an intermediate portion extending
outwardly from the first portion and having a telescopically
nesting engagement with a second portion, the intermediate portion
being able to move telescopically relative to the second portion
along a longitudinal axis of the enclosure, (c) the first driver
being coupled to the first portion and the second driver being
coupled to the second portion; and (d) the second portion having at
least one predetermined void adjacent to the telescopic connection
of the intermediate portion with the second portion.
2. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein the at least one
predetermined void is substantially filled with an air permeable
foam material.
4. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein the first and second
drivers are oriented such that their primary sound generation
direction is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal
axis.
5. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein controls are provided
on the intermediate section, the controls being at least one
selected from the group consisting of: volume, tone, power on/off
and playback control.
6. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein the second portion
has a port for improving the frequency response of the second
portion.
7. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein the intermediate
portion has a further port for improving the frequency response of
the first portion.
8. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein the second portion
has an opening in a side wall through which the intermediate
portion passes, the at least one predetermined void being on the
periphery of the opening.
9. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the intermediate portion is
substantially hollow and is acoustically connected to the first
portion and the second portion.
10. The assembly as claimed in claim 8, wherein the opening area is
greater than the intermediate portion cross-sectional area in a
plane transverse to the longitudinal axis.
11. The assembly as claimed in claim 10, wherein the opening area
is greater than the intermediate cross-sectional area by the at
least one void.
12. The assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the location, size,
shape and number of the at least one void is controlled to minimize
the effect on the telescoping enclosure acoustic response of the at
least one void.
13. The assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the location, size,
shape and number of the at least one void is controlled to enhance
the telescoping enclosure acoustic response.
14. The assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein there is no seal
between the intermediate portion and the second portion.
15. The assembly as claimed in claim 14, wherein the at least one
void is for reducing friction and rubbing between the second
portion and the intermediate portion when the enclosure is extended
or retracted.
16. The assembly as claimed in claim 9, wherein the substantially
hollow intermediate portion includes a battery compartment.
17. The assembly as claimed in claim 1, further including an AM/FM
tuner.
18. A method for providing a balanced sound for substantially the
full frequency range by allowing the communication of air between
an interior of an enclosure and ambient surroundings.
19. The method as claimed in claim 18, wherein the air is passed
through air permeable foam material.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The invention concerns a portable speaker assembly and
refers more particularly, though not exclusively, to a portable
speaker assembly with an enclosure changeable in volume.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The inherent purpose of a portable speaker assembly limits
the overall size and weight of the speaker drivers and enclosures
used. Typically, to meet these requirements, sound quality is
sacrificed. Nevertheless, consumers continually yearn for a sound
fidelity comparable to larger speakers. Larger speakers will
achieve lower frequencies and therefore sound better than smaller
speakers, but are bulkier and heavier. This is a disadvantage for
portability. Generally, smaller speakers are designed for
portability and are either built-in to another device or stand
alone. When they are stand alone, they are often in a single
enclosure. This makes them more easily transported, but often they
cannot produce low frequencies, or achieve good stereo separation,
because of the small size of the enclosures and the short distance
between the drivers. Therefore, there is a trade-off between
portability and sound quality.
[0003] Also, most speaker assemblies are a sealed enclosure. Great
effort is made to ensure a complete seal of the enclosure to
maximize the acoustic response. The only forms of enclosures that
are not totally sealed are bass reflex, and tuned port speakers. In
such a case the enclosure is still fully sealed except for an
especially-designed opening for improved low frequency response. It
is therefore desirable to provide a portable speaker system having
a sound quality obtainable from a larger enclosure but provided in
an enclosure having a size and shape that ensures compactness in
transit, but without the inherent difficulties of sealing the
enclosure.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] In a first preferred aspect, there is provided a portable
speaker assembly comprising: [0005] (a) a first and second driver;
[0006] (b) a telescoping enclosure movable between a first position
and a second position, the telescoping enclosure comprising a first
portion, an intermediate portion extending outwardly from the first
portion and having a telescopically nesting engagement with a
second portion, the intermediate portion being able to move
telescopically relative to the second portion along a longitudinal
axis of the enclosure; [0007] (c) the first driver being coupled to
the first portion and the second driver being coupled to the second
portion; and [0008] (d) the second portion having at least one
predetermined void adjacent to the telescopic connection of the
intermediate portion with the second portion.
[0009] The at least one predetermined void may be substantially
filled with an air permeable foam material; and the first and
second drivers may be oriented such that their primary sound
generation direction is substantially perpendicular to the
longitudinal axis. The speaker assembly may include an AM/FM tuner.
Controls may be provided on the intermediate section, the controls
being at least one of: volume, tone, power on/off, AM/FM tuner
control and playback control.
[0010] The second portion may have a port for improving the
frequency response of the second portion; and the intermediate
portion may have a further port for improving the frequency
response of the first portion.
[0011] The second portion may have an opening in a side wall
through which the intermediate portion passes, the at least one
predetermined void being on the periphery of the opening. The
intermediate portion may be substantially hollow and may be
acoustically connected to the first portion and the second portion.
The substantially hollow intermediate portion may include a battery
compartment.
[0012] The opening may have an area that is greater than the
intermediate portion cross-sectional area in a plane transverse to
the longitudinal axis. The opening area may be greater than the
intermediate cross-sectional area by the area of the at least one
void.
[0013] The location, size, shape and number of the at least one
void may be controlled to minimize the effect on the telescoping
enclosure acoustic response by the at least one void. Alternatively
or additionally, the location, size, shape and number of the at
least one void may be controlled to enhance the telescoping
enclosure acoustic response. Preferably, there is no seal between
the intermediate portion and the second portion. The at least one
void may be for reducing friction and rubbing between the second
portion and the intermediate portion that may occur when the
enclosure is extended or retracted.
[0014] There is also provided a method for providing a balanced
sound for substantially the full frequency range by allowing the
communication of air between an interior of an enclosure and
ambient surroundings. The air may be passed through air permeable
foam material.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] In order that the invention may be fully understood and
readily put into practical effect there shall now be described by
way of non-limitative example only preferred embodiments of the
invention, the description being with reference to the accompanying
illustrative drawings.
[0016] In the drawings:
[0017] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first preferred embodiment
of a portable speaker system;
[0018] FIGS. 2A and 2B are perspective views of the first preferred
embodiment of the portable speaker system in retracted and extended
positions;
[0019] FIG. 2C is a perspective view of a second preferred
embodiment of the portable speaker system in the extended position;
and
[0020] FIG. 3 is a front elevation view of the first preferred
embodiment of the portable speaker system.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0021] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 3, a portable speaker system 10 is
provided for work or personal use. The system 10 may be used at
home or office environment, or when traveling, such as in a hotel
room. Typically, the system 10 is expected to be used in
combination with a portable media device such as an audio or
multimedia device such as, for example, a CD payer, DVD or VCD
player, media player, laptop or notebook computer, personal digital
assistant, or MP3 player (not shown). The system 10 comprises a
first driver 20 and second driver 21, a telescoping enclosure 30,
and at least one predetermined void 40. Preferably, the drivers 20,
21 are able to cover the audible full frequency range or at least a
major portion of the audible frequency range.
[0022] The enclosure 30 has a first portion 31 in a telescopically
nesting arrangement within a second portion 32, an intermediate
portion 33 proving the telescopic engagement of first and second
portions 31, 32. The portions 31, 32 are able to telescope along a
longitudinal axis of the enclosure 30. The first driver 20 is
coupled to the first portion 31 and the second driver 21 is coupled
to the second portion 32. The drivers 20, 21 are oriented such that
their primary sound generation direction is substantially
perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. As shown, first and second
portions 31, 32 are of similar area in a plane transverse to the
longitudinal axis, but are of differing lengths in the direction of
the longitudinal axis.
[0023] The intermediate portion 33 telescopically engages in the
second portion 32, and is operatively connected to both the first
and second portions 31, 32. That is, the first portion 31, second
portion 32 and intermediate portion 33 are all substantially
hollow. Furthermore, the intermediate portion is open at each end
to enable a full acoustic connection to both the first portion 31
and the second portion 32. The intermediate portion 33 extends
outwardly from a side wall 34 of first portion 31, and passes
through an opening 37 in the side wall 36 of the second portion 32.
The opening 37 is preferably slightly larger in area than the
cross-sectional area of the intermediate portion to facilitate ease
of the telescopic movement. The side wall 34 of the first portion
has an opening 35 for the acoustic connection of the first portion
31 with the intermediate portion 33. The cross-sectional area of
the intermediate portion, and the length of the intermediate
portion 33, is selected to allow complete telescoping within the
second portion 32 without interfering with the second driver 21. In
that way the speaker assembly 10 can still be operated in the
un-extended position shown in FIG. 2A, as well as the fully
extended position shown in FIGS. 1 and 2B, or somewhere between
them. The intermediate portion 33 may be of any suitable
cross-sectional shape such as, for example, triangular, square (as
shown), rectangular, elliptical, circular, pentagonal, hexagonal,
and so forth. The nature of the voids 40, 41 may also be influenced
by the cross-sectional shape of the intermediate portion 33. By
having the first portion 31, second portion 32 and intermediate
portion 33 all operatively and acoustically connected, then
enclosure 30 has a significantly enlarged volume for the two
drivers 20, 21 when in the extended position, thus improving the
acoustic response of the portable speaker 10.
[0024] The first portion 31 and second portion 32 may each have a
flat base so that they can easily stand on a surface, and to
facilitate the accurate location of intermediate portion 33 in
opening 37.
[0025] Preferably, there are a number of predetermined voids 40, 41
provided on the outer portion 32 along the sides of the opening 37
for the telescopic connection with the second portion 32. The
number of voids 40, 41 may be any suitable number such as, for
example, one, two (as shown), three, four, five, and so forth. The
voids 40, 41 may be regularly or irregularly spaced around
intermediate portion 33, or may be continuous. The voids 40, 41 are
on the periphery of the opening 37 and serve to make opening 37 to
have an area larger than the cross-sectional area of intermediate
portion. In this way the voids 40, 41 are able to communicate air
between the interior of the enclosure 30 and the ambient
surroundings. The increase in the interior of the enclosure 30 in
the extended position (FIG. 1) over that of the un-extended
position (FIG. 2A) enhances the acoustic response of the system 10.
Regular extension and retraction of the enclosure 30 is envisaged
in ordinary use, and thus the voids 40, 41 also advantageously
extend the durability of the system 10 as they minimize friction
and rubbing between the side wall 36 and the intermediate portion
33. By controlling the location, size, shape and number of the
voids 40, 41 the effect on the acoustic response may be minimized,
and may even be enhanced.
[0026] In a preferred embodiment, sound is improved by the
telescopic expansion of the enclosure 30 in a number of ways.
First, the interior space of the enclosure 30 is substantially
increased, preferably by up to approximately 60%. Second, by
extending the enclosure 30, the enclosure 30 provides increased
separation of the drivers 20, 21 by an additional measure,
preferably by about 60%. Additionally, as there is no sealing
around the opening 37, and thus the enclosure of second portion 32
is therefore not sealed, during operation sounds waves are pushed
out of the enclosure 30 via the voids 40, 41. As is stated above,
by controlling the location, size, shape and number of voids 40, 41
it is possible to enhance certain frequencies. Without a fully
sealed enclosure 30, sound reproduction quality is not as precise
when compared with a fully sealed enclosure. However, improving the
reproduction of certain frequencies will be more noticeable to the
listener than a small loss of precision. Thus the system 10 may be
able to provide a balanced sound for substantially the full
frequency range.
[0027] The size, shape and position of the voids 40, 41 may be
controlled and selected to enhance certain acoustic
characteristics. The drivers 20, 21 and the material of the
enclosure 30 are also selected to taking advantage of the known
parameters of the voids 40, 41 to achieve certain acoustic
characteristics. That is, the equalization curve may be altered to
optimize the sound generated by the drivers 20, 21 in consideration
of the impact on the acoustic performance provided by the voids 40,
41. That impact may be minimizing the adverse effect, or
enhancement.
[0028] To prevent the ingress of dust particles within the system
10, the voids 40, 41 may be substantially filled with an air
permeable foam material. The foam may lead to some insignificant
obstruction of the air flow. However, for certain environments and
usages, this shortcoming is outweighed by preserving the
operational life of the system 10.
[0029] In a typical scenario, the enclosure 30 of the system 10
retracts to reduce its size for transport as illustrated in FIG. 2A
and extends, as illustrated in FIG. 2B, to increase its size in
use, to generate improved sound. The increase in separation between
the primary axes of the drivers 20, 21 in the extended position is
a design consideration, preferably based at least in part on the
size of the drivers 20, 21, the frequency response desired, and the
interior space of the enclosure 30 in the retracted and extended
positions. Accordingly, the dimensions illustrated and described
are intended to be illustrative only and not limiting as to the
scope of the invention.
[0030] In one preferred embodiment, the first and second portions
31, 32 are configured with one or more detent mechanisms
respectively located in at least one of the inner and outer
sections to lock the enclosure in either or both of the extended
(open) position and the retracted (closed) position. For example, a
first detent mechanism may be located on the inner section 31 to
engage a catch concealed in the outer section 32. Suitable detent
mechanisms such as ball detents or the like are known to those of
skill in the relevant art and therefore further details will not be
provided here. In order to lock the enclosure 30 in the extended
position, a second detent mechanism may also be located on the
inner section 31 of the enclosure 30, for example to engage the
same catch.
[0031] The enclosure 30 is preferably constructed using multiple
layers, such that sufficient rigidity is provided along with sound
damping qualities. For example, in one preferred embodiment, each
of the inner section 31 and outer section 32 of the enclosure 30 is
composed of a three layer wall construction for high rigidity and
low weight. For a non-limiting example, the outer shell may be
formed from deep-drawn aluminum to provide protection, stiffness at
a very low weight, and aesthetic appeal. The inner shell is also
preferably composed of a rigid material, such as a plastic. The
middle layer may be formed from any suitable damping material, for
example rigid expanded polyethylene foam, to add rigidity and
adhesion between the three layers along with the damping qualities.
Although the three layer construction is shown only for the second
portion 32, it is understood that the multilayer construction is
preferably used also in the first portion 31.
[0032] In an alternative construction, the plastic inner shell is
constructed with ribs that, when adhered to the outer shell, will
form an air gap 50, or honeycomb wall. Between the two layers is a
layer of rigid polyethylene foam that damps, stiffens, and adheres
to the inner and outer layers, forming a lightweight, rigid
enclosure.
[0033] The system 10 is preferably transported in its closed
position. In operation, the user expands the system 10 from its
retracted position by pulling the ends of the enclosure 30 in
opposing directions until the enclosure 30 detents into its open
position. In the extended position, preferably each of the two
drivers 20, 21 share the common enclosure 30. That is, no baffle or
other barrier is provided in the common enclosure 30 to separate
the interior space of the enclosure 30 accessible from each of the
two drivers 20, 21. However, structures for mounting the two
drivers 20, 21 may be included in the enclosure 30. Ports 60, 61
are provided to increase the acoustic response in the lower
frequencies. By use of intermediate portion 33, port 61 may be of
greater length than otherwise would have been possible. This may be
used to further enhance the low frequency response.
[0034] Preferably, the system 10 is configured to operate on
batteries, AC power, solar power or an auxiliary power source, for
example, vehicle power source using a car lighter plug. A battery
compartment may be incorporated in the intermediate portion 33. In
one embodiment, the system 10 contains an input port to receive the
input signal from an audio source such as those described above.
The system 10 may also include an AM/FM tuner.
[0035] Referring to FIG. 2C, in further embodiment, the
intermediate section 33 has speaker controls and displays that are
exposed when the enclosure 30 is fully extended and protected by
the outer section 31 when the enclosure is fully retracted for
transport. The speaker controls may include, for example, volume,
tone, balance, power on/off, AM/FM tuner control(s) and playback
control(s).
[0036] Although it has been described that the orientation of the
drivers 20, 21 are such that their primary sound generation
direction is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis,
other possible orientations are envisaged. For example, the drivers
20, 21 may be oriented with their primary axes directed within a
variation range from perpendicular wherein the channel separation
provided by the enclosure 30 may be appreciated. That is, even with
the drivers 20, 21 oriented off of the perpendicular direction,
their sound generation may be appreciated by a listener as being
generally directed towards the listener. For example, in one
embodiment, the drivers 20, 21 may be configured such that the
primary axes of each may be directed in a direction falling in the
range from precisely perpendicular to about 45 degrees from
perpendicular (either outward or inward, i.e., the primary axes
intersecting in front of the drivers 20, 21). More preferably, the
range is limited to about 30 degrees or less from
perpendicular.
[0037] It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that
numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the
invention as shown in the specific embodiments without departing
from the scope or spirit of the invention as broadly described. The
present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all
respects illustrative and not restrictive.
* * * * *