Woofer module of a portable computer

• US 6,798,654 B2
• Filed: 03/19/2003
• Issued: 09/28/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 09/26/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Wistron Corporation
• Original Assignee: Wistron Corporation
• Inventors: Chen, Wen-Chi, Tsai, Chu-Chia, Chang, Hung-Yue, Li, Chien-Te, Chen, Jin-Ming, Chu, Shu-Hsien, Li, Tung-Yang, Huang, Sung-Chan
• Primary Examiner(s): CHANG, YEAN HSI
• Application Number:
  US10/249,153
• Publication Number:
  US 20040062001A1
• Time in Patent Office: 559 Days
• Field of Search: 361/695, 361/685-686
• US Class Current: 361/679.23
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1616 with folding flat displays, e.g. laptop computers or notebooks having a clamshell configuration, with body parts pivoting to an open position around an axis parallel to the plane they define in closed position
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1656 Details related to functional adaptations of the enclosure, e.g. to provide protection against EMI, shock, water, or to host detachable peripherals like a mouse or removable expansions units like PCMCIA cards, or to provide access to internal components for maintenance or to removable storage supports like CDs or DVDs, or to mechanically mount accessories mounting of accessories to a computer display G06F1/1607; display hoods G06F1/1603; cooling arrangements for portable computers G06F1/203
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1688 the I/O peripheral being integrated loudspeakers

Abstract

A woofer module is used for outputting alow-frequency audio signal, and can be inserted into and removed from anexpansion slot of a portable computer. The woofer module has a housing, a speaker unit positioned inside the housing for generating the audio signal, a predetermined space positioned inside the housing for resonating the audio signal, and a bass reflex duct positioned inside the housing which is connected to an output vent of the predetermined space and an output vent of the housing for transmitting the audio signal from the output vent of the housing to an ambientenvironment.

Claims

1. A notebook computer comprising:

a first housing having an expansion slot; and

a woofer module installed in the expansion slot for generating a low-frequency signal, the woofer module capable of removing from the expansion slot, the woofer module comprising;

a second housing;

a speaker unit positioned in the second housing far generating the low-frequency signal;

a predetermined room positioned in the second housing for resonating the low-frequency signal;

a bass reflex duct positioned in the second housing, the bass reflex duct being used for connecting an output vent of the predetermined room and an output vent of the second housing so that the low-frequency signal is outputted from the output vent of the second housing; and

an absorbing member disposed on the second housing to alleviate the vibration caused by the woofer module.

2. The notebook computer of claim 1 wherein the woofer module further comprises:

a third housing; and

at least a first support device for connecting the second housing the third housing, and the absorbing member.

3. The notebook computer of claim 2 wherein the expansion slot further comprises a second support device for connecting the third housing and the expansion slot.

4. The notebook computer of claim 3 wherein each of the first and second support devices is a screw.

5. The notebook computer of claim 1 wherein the absorbing member is a rubber ring, and the screw pierces through the rubber ring for connecting the second and third housings.

6. The notebook computer of claim 1 wherein the second housing comprises a narrow portion that corresponds to a location where the bass reflex duct is connected to the output vent of the predetermined room, and the narrow portion of the second housing is more flexible than other portions of the second housing.

7. The notebook computer of claim 6 wherein the expansion further comprises a support device for connecting the second housing and the expansion slot, and the support device is connected to a portion of the second housing that corresponds to the bass reflex conduct.

8. A woofer module of a notebook computer for generating a low-frequency signal, the notebook computer comprising a first housing having an expansion slot, the woofer module installed in the expansion slot for generating a low-frequency signal, the woofer module capable of removing from the expansion slot, the woofer module comprising

a second housing;

a speaker unit positioned in the second housing for generating the low-frequency signal;

a predetermined room positioned in the second housing for resonating the low-frequency signal;

a bass reflex duct positioned in the second housing, the bass reflex duct being used for connecting an output vent of the predetermined room and an output vent of the second housing so that the low-frequency signal is outputted from the output vent of the second housing; and

an absorbing member disposed on the second housing to alleviate the vibration caused by the woofer module.

9. The woofer module of claim 8 further comprising:

at least a first support device for connecting the first housing, the second housing, and the absorbing member.

10. The woofer module of claim 9 wherein each of the first support devices is a screw.

11. The woofer module of claim 8 wherein the absorbing member is a rubber ring, and the screw pierces through the rubber ring for connecting the second and third housings.

12. The woofer module of claim 8 wherein the second housing comprises a narrow portion that corresponds to a location where the bass reflex duct is connected to the output vent of the predetermined room, and the narrow portion of the second housing is more flexible than other portions of the second housing.

13. The woofer module of claim 12 wherein the expansion further comprises a support device for connecting the second housing and the expansion slot, and the support device is connected to a portion of the second housing that corresponds to the bass reflex conduct.