Loudspeaker system for a motor vehicle

• US 9,592,770 B2
• Filed: 12/19/2012
• Issued: 03/14/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 02/24/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Audi AG (Volkswagen AG)
• Original Assignee: Audi AG (Volkswagen AG)
• Inventors: Sulowski, Adam
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Duc
• Assistant Examiner(s): PATEL, YOGESHKUMAR G
• Application Number:
  US14/380,537
• Publication Number:
  US 20150030178A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,546 Days
• Field of Search: 381/86, 381/302, 381/300, 381/71.4
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0217 for loud-speakers
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/028 associated with devices performing functions other than acoustics, e.g. electric candles
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/288 for loudspeaker transducers
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/345 for loudspeakers
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2499/13 Acoustic transducers and sound field adaptation in vehicles

Abstract

A loudspeaker system for a motor vehicle has a loudspeaker, which is arranged adjacent to at least one wall of the motor vehicle. At least one pipeline originates from the loudspeaker and runs through the wall. A shut-off device for the at least approximately sound-tight closure of the pipeline is arranged in the pipeline.

Claims

1. A loudspeaker system for a motor vehicle having an engine compartment and a wall bounding the engine compartment, comprising:

a loudspeaker, which is arranged adjacent to the wall bounding the engine compartment;

a pipeline originating from the loudspeaker and running through the wall bounding the engine compartment; and

a shut-off device in the pipeline, to selectively provide an at least approximate sound-tight closure of the pipeline when activated, wherein

the shut-off device has a shut-off element movable between an open position and a closed position,

the loudspeaker is powered by an amplifier, and

the shut-off element is moved between the open and closed positions as a function of operation of the amplifier.

2. The loudspeaker system as claimed in claim 1, wherein

the motor vehicle has a wall bounding a passenger compartment of the motor vehicle, and

the pipeline runs through the wall bounding a passenger compartment.

3. The loudspeaker system as claimed in claim 2, wherein

the wall bounding the engine compartment is separate from the wall bounding the passenger compartment, and

the pipeline runs through both the wall bounding the engine compartment and the wall bounding the passenger compartment.

4. The loudspeaker system as claimed in claim 2, wherein

a water box is provided between the wall bounding the passenger compartment and the wall bounding the engine compartment, and

the loudspeaker is provided in the water box.

5. The loudspeaker system as claimed in claim 4, wherein

the pipeline has first and second parts,

the first part of the pipeline runs through the wall bounding the engine compartment,

the second part of the pipeline runs through the wall bounding the passenger compartment, and

the shut-off device is arranged in at least one of the first and second parts of the pipeline.

6. The loudspeaker system as claimed in claim 5, wherein

the shut-off device comprises first and second shut-off elements to provide an approximate sound-tight closure of the first and second parts of the pipeline, respectively.

7. The loudspeaker system as claimed in claim 5, wherein

the loudspeaker is provided between the first and second parts of the pipeline.

8. The loudspeaker system as claimed in claim 1, wherein

a control element controls movement of the shut-off element between the open and closed positions.

9. The loudspeaker system as claimed in claim 1, wherein

the shut-off element is in the open position when the amplifier is operating, and

the shut-off element is in the closed position when the amplifier is not operating.

10. The loudspeaker system as claimed in claim 1, wherein

a control element controls movement of the shut-off element, and

when the amplifier changes states, the control element requires the amplifier to operating or not operating for a predetermined period of time before the shut-off element is opened or closed, respectively.

11. The loudspeaker system as claimed in claim 1, wherein

the shut-off element is moved between the open and closed positions as a function of specific sound effects.

12. The loudspeaker system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the shut-off element is biased toward the closed position.

13. The loudspeaker system as claimed in claim 1, wherein

the shut-off element is formed as a flap that can be rotated about an axis of rotation.

14. The loudspeaker system as claimed in claim 13, wherein

the shut-off element is in the open position when the flap is parallel to walls of the pipeline and the shut-off element is in the closed position when the flap is rotated to be perpendicular to walls of the pipeline.

15. The loudspeaker system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the shut-off element is formed as a central closure.

16. The loudspeaker system as claimed in claim 1, wherein

the shut-off element is formed as a central closure,

the shut off element comprises a plurality of lamellae that are moved concentrically inward or outward as a diaphragm.

17. The loudspeaker system as claimed in claim 1, wherein

the shut-off element is formed as a disk that can be moved into and out of a cross section of the pipeline.

18. The loudspeaker system as claimed in claim 1, wherein

the loudspeaker is a subwoofer, and

both the engine compartment and a passenger compartment are open to the subwoofer when the shut-off device is not activated.