Patent Description:
Document <CIT> discloses a system for mounting an audio speaker within an automobile door, in which a bridge is mounted on and extends from a door interior support panel, and has an integral platform spaced from the support panel and surrounding a speaker opening. The body of the audio speaker is received within the bridge speaker opening, and mounting flange tabs on the speaker radially project from the speaker body and are releasably secured to the bridge platform. An exterior trim panel has a lip that surrounds a speaker opening in the trim panel. The trim panel lip is removably secured to the platform radially outwardly of the speaker, such that the trim panel and the speaker are removably secured to the platform independently of each other. A grill is removably secured to the trim panel overlying and enclosing the speaker opening in trim panel, and thus covering both the bridge platform and the speaker.

Document <CIT> discloses a speaker system including a first panel which is an outer panel of a door, a second panel which is provided on the passenger compartment side of the vehicle door and has an opening for sound emission, and the first panel and the second panel. A third panel provided between the two, a speaker unit that overlaps with the opening in a plan view from the passenger compartment along the central axis and emits sound toward the passenger compartment, and the speaker unit and the first. A sound absorbing material is provided so as to be superposed on a portion corresponding to the antinode of the acoustic particle velocity in the standing wave generated between the panel and the panel.

Document <CIT> discloses a structure for mounting a door speaker on an automobile door such as a front door, a rear door, and a back door. Loudspeaker enclosures are typically mounted to the inner panels of vehicle doors using fasteners. These inner panels are comprised of a thin sheet of metal without much structure. As such, when the fastened loudspeaker is in use, a lateral load may be imposed on the inner panel causing it to oscillate inward and outward. These oscillations increase the amount of vehicle buzz, squeak, and rattle (BSR) which may concern customers, decrease overall customer satisfaction with the vehicle, and increase warranty claims.

Embodiments are disclosed for systems for securing a loudspeaker in a vehicle system. In the claimed embodiment, a vehicle door comprises an interior panel and an exterior panel defining a hollow space, a crossbar member extending through the hollow space in the vehicle door and the crossbar member fixedly attached to an inner face of the exterior panel, a loudspeaker enclosure housing a loudspeaker and mounted to the interior panel of the vehicle door, a first coupling unit fixedly attached to the loudspeaker enclosure, and a second coupling unit fixedly attached to the crossbar member, wherein the second coupling unit is secured to the first coupling unit.

A loudspeaker system may comprise a loudspeaker and a loudspeaker enclosure configured to house the loudspeaker, the loudspeaker enclosure mountable to an interior panel of a vehicle door. The loudspeaker system may further comprise a coupling unit extending from the loudspeaker enclosure and configured to secure the loudspeaker enclosure to a structural component of the vehicle door positioned away from the interior panel, wherein the structural component of the vehicle door comprises a crossbar member extending through a hollow space in the vehicle door defined by the interior panel and an exterior panel of the vehicle door.

A system for securing a loudspeaker system may comprise a loudspeaker and a loudspeaker enclosure housing the loudspeaker. The system may comprise a first coupling unit fixedly attachable to a rear surface of the loudspeaker enclosure, wherein the loudspeaker enclosure is mounted to an interior panel of a vehicle door, and a second coupling unit fixedly attachable to at least one component of the vehicle door positioned away from the interior panel, wherein the second coupling unit is coupleable to the first coupling unit to dampen vibrations of the interior panel when the loudspeaker produces sound, wherein the at least one component of the vehicle door comprises a crossbar member extending through a hollow space in the vehicle door defined by the interior panel and an exterior panel of the vehicle door.

The disclosure may be better understood from reading the following description of non-limiting embodiments, with reference to the attached drawings, wherein below:.

Most commercial vehicles (e.g., trucks, cars, vans) are designed to include an audio system that may enable users to listen to audio output from a radio, global positioning system (GPS), compact discs (CDs), digital versatile discs (DVDs), cassette tapes, and/or media (e.g., videos, MP3s) streaming from a multimedia device (e.g., a smart phone, tablet). The vehicle audio system includes a loudspeaker housed within a loudspeaker enclosure, with the loudspeaker enclosure typically mounted to an inner panel of a vehicle door system, as depicted in <FIG> and <FIG>. The loudspeaker converts electrical signals from the audio system into audible sound, with conversion involving the generation and regulation of vibrational energy by loudspeaker components. This vibrational energy may be inadvertently transferred to the inner panel of the vehicle door to which the loudspeaker enclosure is mounted, causing it to oscillate, move, or flex. Movement of the inner panel of the vehicle door induced by loudspeaker use, increases the amount of vehicle buzz, squeak, and rattle (BSR) which may be concerning or annoying to customers, lead to a perceived lack of vehicle quality, decrease overall satisfaction with the vehicle, and increase warranty claims.

By employing the loudspeaker enclosure integration systems described herein, inner door panel vibration/oscillation generated from loudspeaker use may be eliminated or lessened thereby reducing warranty claims on vehicles due to BSR and increasing customer satisfaction. The systems provided herein include a coupling between a loudspeaker enclosure, an inner panel of a vehicle door, and another structural component of the vehicle door to eliminate or greatly reduce BSR generated from loudspeaker use. In particular, as depicted in <FIG>, a loudspeaker enclosure may include a first coupling unit extending therefrom to couple to a second coupling unit. As depicted in <FIG> and <FIG>, the second coupling unit is fixed to a structural component such as a crossbar member.

In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof. In the drawings, similar symbols typically identify similar components, unless context dictates otherwise. The illustrative embodiments described in the detailed description, drawings, and claims are not meant to be limiting. Other embodiments may be utilized, and other changes may be made, without departing from the spirit or scope of the subject matter presented here. It will be readily understood that the aspects of the present disclosure, as generally described herein, and illustrated in the figures, can be arranged, substituted, combined, and designed in a wide variety of different configurations, all of which are explicitly contemplated and make part of this disclosure. Further, it should be noted that, the terms "first", "second", and the like in the description and in the claims, are used to distinguishing between similar elements and do not tend to describe a particular sequential and chronological order.

A set of reference axes <NUM> are provided for comparison between views shown, indicating a y-axis, a z-axis, and an x-axis. In some examples, the z-axis may be parallel with a direction of gravity, with the x and y axes defining the horizontal plane.

Referring to <FIG>, a block diagram of a door system <NUM> with a loudspeaker enclosure <NUM> integrated according to the embodiments disclosed herein is illustrated. The door system <NUM> may be included, as an illustrative and non-limiting example, as part of a vehicle system (not shown) in which door system <NUM> may be used to enter and exit the vehicle system. In some examples, door system <NUM> may be included in the vehicle system using hinge hardware so that door system <NUM> is attached on a fixed rotatable axis that allows the door system <NUM> to pivot between a closed position (e.g., a user may not enter the vehicle system) and an open position (e.g., an opening is formed between door system <NUM> and the vehicle system and a user may enter the vehicle system through the formed opening). For example, the door system <NUM> may be included in a pick-up truck, sedan, sport utility vehicle, crane, helicopter, airplane, forklift, dump truck, and so on. In some examples, door system <NUM> may be mounted on or suspended from a track within the vehicle system so that door system <NUM> may slide along a horizontal axis between an open position that allows users to enter the vehicle system and a closed position. For example, the door system <NUM> may be included in a tram, train, bus, van, subway cars, and the like.

The door system <NUM> include a loudspeaker <NUM> that is communicatively coupled to a sound system (not shown) configured to provide electrical audio signals to the loudspeaker <NUM>, which the loudspeaker <NUM> converts to audible sound by vibrating responsive to the electrical audio signals, for example. For example, the loudspeaker <NUM> may comprise a cone (not shown) surrounding and attached to an electromagnetic coil (not shown), with the electromagnetic coil positioned around or inside of a permanent magnet (not shown). During sound system use, electrical signals from the audio source or sound system may pass through the electromagnetic coil of the loudspeaker <NUM> causing the electromagnetic coil to be continuously attracted and repelled (e.g., vibrate back and forth) from the permanent magnet. The cone to which the electromagnetic coil is attached amplifies these vibrations thereby pumping sound waves into the surrounding air allowing users to listen to audio media within the vehicle system. Some of the vibrational energy generated from the loudspeaker <NUM> when the sound system is in use may be transferred from the loudspeaker enclosure <NUM> to the structural component of a door system <NUM> to which the loudspeaker enclosure <NUM> is fastened or mounted. For example, use of the loudspeaker <NUM> may cause an inner door panel, such as the first panel <NUM>, to which the loudspeaker enclosure <NUM> is mounted to oscillate which, in turn, may cause other vehicle components in contact with the inner door panel to vibrate thereby contributing to overall vehicle BSR. Thus, systems are provided for damping vibrational energy transfer from the loudspeaker <NUM> and the loudspeaker enclosure <NUM> to other structural components of vehicle door system <NUM> when the sound system is in use. It should be appreciated that the systems provided herein for damping the oscillations of a loudspeaker enclosure may be implemented in other structural systems than a vehicle door without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

The door components <NUM> of the door system <NUM> include a first panel <NUM>, a second panel <NUM>, and a crossbar member <NUM>. The first panel <NUM> and the second panel <NUM> form inner and outer surfaces of a vehicle door comprising the door system <NUM>, and may be positioned relative to each other to form a hollow cavity <NUM> or space between the first panel <NUM> and the second panel <NUM>. The first panel <NUM> may comprise thin sheet metal, for example, with a limited degree of structure. The first panel <NUM> includes an inner face <NUM> which faces inwardly relative to an associated vehicle and an outer face <NUM> which faces outwardly relative to an associated vehicle. The first panel <NUM> may include apertures that allow for access to other door components <NUM> during vehicle assembly and/or the direct or indirect attachment of other functional components, such as a window (not shown), an inside door release handle (not shown) on the inner face <NUM>, a loudspeaker enclosure <NUM> on inner face <NUM>, and so on. The first panel <NUM> may be generally parallel to the second panel <NUM> as depicted.

The second panel <NUM> includes an inner face <NUM> which faces inwardly relative to an associated vehicle and an outer face <NUM> which faces outwardly relative to an associated vehicle. The outer face <NUM> of the second panel <NUM>, for example, may comprise the exterior surface of a door comprising the door system <NUM>. The second panel <NUM> may comprise a sheet of metal formed into patterns and/or curves, with the overall formed structure increasing the rigidity of the second panel <NUM>. In some examples, the second panel <NUM> may have one or more reinforcement panels fixedly attached to the inner face <NUM>. In some examples, the second panel <NUM> may have a combination of reinforcement panels and crossbar members, such as the crossbar member <NUM>, fixedly attached to the inner face <NUM>. In some examples, the second panel <NUM> may have one or more crossbar members, such as the crossbar member <NUM>, fixedly attached to the inner face <NUM>.

For example, an outer face <NUM> of the crossbar member <NUM> may be welded, bolted, or otherwise suitably fastened to the inner face <NUM> of second panel <NUM>. The crossbar member <NUM> may comprise a passive safety device designed to protect vehicle occupants from side impacts. For example, during a vehicle crash, the crossbar member <NUM> may absorb the energy created during the collision thereby protecting occupants from side impact. As such, the crossbar member <NUM> may be comprised of high strength grade steel, stainless steel, titanium, aluminum, or another suitable material sufficient to increase the stiffness of the vehicle door and distribute the energy from an impact. The crossbar member <NUM> may span the length of a vehicle door and be fastened halfway between a bottom surface (not shown) and a midpoint (not shown) of the second panel <NUM> along the y-axis. In other embodiments, the door system <NUM> may include multiple crossbar members. For example, in addition to the crossbar member <NUM>, the door system <NUM> may have a second crossbar member spanning the midsection of second panel <NUM> along the y-axis.

As previously described, the first panel <NUM> may include apertures for inserting and connecting additional functional components such as a loudspeaker enclosure <NUM> which houses at least one loudspeaker <NUM>. At least a portion of the loudspeaker enclosure <NUM> may be contoured to accommodate the shape of a window (not shown) within the door system <NUM> when the window is rolled all the way down (e.g., when the window is at its lowest setting). The loudspeaker enclosure <NUM> may have apertures that are complimentary to additional apertures in the first panel <NUM> so that fasteners (e.g., bolts/nuts, torque-locking fasteners) may be inserted to connect the two components when the loudspeaker enclosure <NUM> has been inserted and the apertures are aligned. Alternatively, the loudspeaker enclosure <NUM> may be epoxy glued or otherwise suitably attached to the first panel <NUM> after insertion through a complimentary aperture on inner face <NUM>.

While such loudspeaker installation may be secure and is currently the common means employed during vehicle assembly, the loudspeaker <NUM> may introduce or cause BSR during sound system use. For example, inner vehicle door panels, such as the first panel <NUM>, are being continually re-designed with thinner materials to decrease vehicle weight, thereby improving overall fuel economy, handling, braking time, and so on. Concurrently, loudspeakers with more powerful subwoofers are being integrated into vehicles. As such, when the loudspeaker <NUM> is in use, the limited structure and slender design of the inner door panel or first panel <NUM> to which the loudspeaker enclosure <NUM> is fastened are not enough to prevent the first panel <NUM> from moving or flexing in response to the lateral energy emitted by the loudspeaker <NUM>. Consequently, the inner door panel <NUM> may oscillate which, in turn, may cause other functional components of the door system <NUM> directly or indirectly connected to the inner door panel <NUM> (e.g. a window, a lock actuator, an interior door handle) to move or vibrate, thereby causing an increase in the BSR of the vehicle. For example, the first panel <NUM> may flex or vibrate when the loudspeaker <NUM> is in use which, in turn, may cause other components of the door system <NUM> to shake or vibrate.

Thus, according to the embodiments disclosed herein, systems are provided to counteract the movement of the inner door panel <NUM> by creating a coupling effect between the loudspeaker enclosure <NUM>, the door inner panel <NUM>, and another structural component of the vehicle door system <NUM>. For example, a first coupling unit <NUM> may be attached, fastened, coupled to, or built into to a rear surface <NUM> of the loudspeaker enclosure <NUM>. The relative positioning of the first coupling unit <NUM> on the loudspeaker enclosure <NUM> may be such that the first coupling unit <NUM> does not disrupt the contoured edge of the loudspeaker enclosure <NUM> that accommodates the window of the door system <NUM> when the window is at its lowest setting (e.g., when the window is rolled all the way down). The first coupling unit <NUM> may extend from the loudspeaker enclosure <NUM> away from loudspeaker <NUM> (e.g., laterally opposite to the direction from which sound is emitted from loudspeaker <NUM>) and into the hollow space <NUM> within door system <NUM>.

The first coupling unit <NUM> may then be coupled to a second coupling unit <NUM> via a fastener <NUM>. The fastener <NUM> may comprise a bolt system, rivet, inseparable snap, or any other suitable means to securely fix or fasten the first coupling unit <NUM> to the second coupling unit <NUM>. In some embodiments, the first coupling unit <NUM> may be secured to the second coupling unit <NUM> without the use of a fastener <NUM>. For example, the first coupling unit <NUM> may directly interlock with the second coupling unit <NUM> using a series of complimentary recesses and projections. In some examples, the first coupling unit <NUM> may be hooked to the second coupling unit <NUM>. In some examples, the first coupling unit <NUM> may be welded, epoxy glued, or soldered to the second coupling unit <NUM>.

As mentioned hereinabove, the second coupling unit <NUM> is fixedly attached to a component of the door system <NUM> positioned away from the first panel <NUM>. In some examples, the second coupling unit <NUM> may be attached, fastened, coupled to, or built into the inner face <NUM> of the crossbar member <NUM>. In this way, in addition to being fastened to the first panel <NUM>, the loudspeaker enclosure <NUM> may also be coupled to the crossbar member <NUM>. By coupling the loudspeaker enclosure <NUM> to the crossbar member <NUM>, the first panel <NUM> may be stiffened and the vibrational energy resulting from loudspeaker use dampened. Additionally, the lateral energy emitted by the loudspeaker <NUM> may be at least partially absorbed by the crossbar member <NUM>. In this way, BSR associated with loudspeaker use may be eliminated or significantly decreased. Further, coupling the loudspeaker enclosure <NUM> to the crossbar member <NUM> to reduce BSR makes use of current vehicle design as loudspeakers are typically positioned low and close to the front of a vehicle within a door system <NUM> (for example, as shown in <FIG>) to improve acoustics. Crossbar members such as the crossbar member <NUM> are a required vehicle safety standard, with the lowest crossbar member typically located behind the loudspeaker enclosure <NUM>.

In some examples, the loudspeaker enclosure <NUM> may be coupled to an additional or alternative structural component of the door system <NUM>. For example, the loudspeaker enclosure <NUM> may be coupled to the second panel <NUM> of the door system <NUM>. In some examples, the loudspeaker enclosure <NUM> may be coupled to the crossbar member <NUM> as well as the second panel <NUM> of the door system <NUM>. The first coupling unit <NUM> may include a plurality of coupling points so that the second coupling unit <NUM> may be secured to the first coupling unit <NUM> and a third coupling unit (not shown) may also be secured to the first coupling unit <NUM>. The second coupling unit <NUM> may be fixedly attached to the crossbar member <NUM> and the third coupling unit may be fixedly attached to the second panel <NUM> of the door system <NUM> or to another component of the door system <NUM>. In other examples, two or more coupling units including the first coupling unit <NUM> may extend from the speaker enclosure <NUM> and be secured to complimentary coupling units including the second coupling unit <NUM> located on different structural components of the vehicle door system <NUM>.

As an illustrative and non-limiting example, <FIG> shows a perspective pictorial view of a vehicle door system <NUM> for a vehicle door <NUM> including a loudspeaker enclosure <NUM> securely integrated into the vehicle door <NUM> according to an embodiment. The door system <NUM> comprises a first panel <NUM> and a second panel <NUM>, similar to the first panel <NUM> and the second panel <NUM> of the door system <NUM> described hereinabove. As mentioned hereinabove, the loudspeaker enclosure <NUM> comprises a housing for at least partially enclosing and supporting a loudspeaker <NUM>.

The first panel <NUM> includes an inner face <NUM> which faces inwardly relative to an associated vehicle and an outer face (not shown) which faces outwardly relative to an associated vehicle. The first panel <NUM> may include several apertures such as first aperture <NUM>, second aperture <NUM>, and a third aperture (not visible) through which the loudspeaker enclosure <NUM> housing a loudspeaker <NUM> may be inserted. The first aperture <NUM> and the second aperture <NUM> may be used to directly and/or indirectly attach or couple other components of door system <NUM> (e.g., a window <NUM>, an inner door handle) as well as for enabling access to the hollow space <NUM> between the first panel <NUM> and the second panel <NUM>.

The loudspeaker enclosure <NUM> may be fastened to the inner face <NUM> of the first panel <NUM> using a plurality of mounting points including a first mounting point <NUM>, a second mounting point <NUM>, and a third mounting point <NUM>. The mounting points of the loudspeaker enclosure <NUM> may comprise openings that align with complimentary/corresponding apertures on the first panel <NUM> (not shown). Once the openings and apertures are aligned, the loudspeaker enclosure <NUM> may be fastened to the inner face <NUM> of the first panel <NUM> using torque-locking fasteners, bolts/nuts, rivets, or another suitable means. In some embodiments, the loudspeaker enclosure <NUM> may include more or less than three mounting points. In some embodiments, the loudspeaker enclosure <NUM> may not have mounting points and may be attached to the door inner panel <NUM> by other suitable means (e.g., epoxy glued). When the loudspeaker enclosure <NUM> is mounted only to the inner face <NUM> of the first panel <NUM>, vibrational energy may be transferred to the first panel <NUM> from the loudspeaker enclosure <NUM> when the loudspeaker <NUM> is in use. In turn, vibration of the first panel <NUM> may cause other components of door system <NUM> directly and/or indirectly attached or otherwise coupled to the first panel <NUM> to vibrate, leading to an increase in vehicle BSR.

Further, the door system <NUM> includes a second panel <NUM>. An outer face (not shown) of the second panel <NUM> may comprise the external surface of the vehicle door <NUM>. A first crossbar member <NUM> and a second crossbar member <NUM> may be fixedly attached to an inner face <NUM> of the second panel <NUM>. First crossbar member <NUM> and second crossbar member <NUM> may be welded, bolted, or otherwise suitably secured to second panel <NUM>. In some examples, the second panel <NUM> may have also have reinforcement panels (not shown) fixedly attached to the inner face <NUM>. In some examples, the second panel <NUM> may have only one crossbar member fixedly attached to the inner face <NUM> (e.g., only the first crossbar member <NUM> may be welded onto the inner face <NUM> of the second panel <NUM>). In some embodiments, the door system <NUM> may have more than two crossbar members.

The loudspeaker enclosure <NUM> may be coupled to at least or at most one of the crossbar members <NUM> and <NUM> according to the methods described herein. For example, the loudspeaker enclosure <NUM> may be coupled to the first crossbar member <NUM> using coupling units. As an illustrative example, <FIG> shows a cross-sectional side pictorial view of a portion <NUM> of the vehicle door <NUM> including the loudspeaker enclosure <NUM>. As depicted, a first coupling unit <NUM> is attached to or built in to a rear surface <NUM> of the loudspeaker enclosure <NUM>. An example of a first coupling unit <NUM> is described further herein with regard to <FIG>.

Further, a second coupling unit <NUM> is attached to or built in to an inner face <NUM> of the first crossbar member <NUM>. Examples of how the second coupling unit <NUM> may be fixedly attached to the crossbar member <NUM> are described further herein with regard to <FIG> and <FIG>.

The second coupling unit <NUM> is configured to complement the first coupling unit <NUM> such that the first coupling unit <NUM> and the second coupling unit <NUM> may be securely coupled. The first coupling unit <NUM> is securely attached or coupled to the second coupling unit <NUM> via a fastener <NUM>. The fastener <NUM> may be a bolt system, rivet, or another suitable means to securely couple or fasten the first coupling unit <NUM> to the second coupling unit <NUM>.

In some examples, the loudspeaker enclosure <NUM> may be positioned higher within the vehicle door <NUM> (relative to the z-axis) so that the speaker enclosure <NUM> may be securely coupled to the second crossbar member <NUM> via the first coupling unit <NUM> and a coupling unit (not shown) similar to the second coupling unit <NUM> and fixedly attached (e.g., welded, bolted) to the second crossbar member <NUM> using a fastener similar to the fastener <NUM>.

In yet other examples, the loudspeaker enclosure <NUM> may be coupled, via coupling units such as the coupling unit <NUM> and the coupling unit <NUM>, to both the first crossbar member <NUM> and the second crossbar member <NUM>. Such an arrangement may dampen vibrations caused by the loudspeaker <NUM> in the lateral direction, or along the x-axis, as well as vibrations with y-axis and/or z-axis components.

The rear surface <NUM> of loudspeaker enclosure <NUM> may include a contour <NUM> that accommodates a window, such as the window <NUM>, of the vehicle door <NUM> when the window <NUM> is rolled all the way down. The relative positioning of the first coupling unit <NUM> when fastened to or integrated within the loudspeaker enclosure <NUM> may be such that the first coupling unit <NUM> does not disrupt contour <NUM> and, thus, may not impede window function. The first coupling unit <NUM> may extend laterally (e.g., along the x-axis) from the rear surface <NUM> of the loudspeaker enclosure <NUM> into the hollow space <NUM> within the vehicle door <NUM>. In some embodiments, the first coupling unit <NUM> may extend from a bottom surface <NUM> of the loudspeaker enclosure <NUM> into the hollow space <NUM> within the vehicle door <NUM>.

To further illustrate how a first coupling unit may be provided to secure a loudspeaker enclosure, <FIG> shows an enlarged rear perspective view <NUM> of an example loudspeaker enclosure <NUM> with an example first coupling unit <NUM>. The first coupling unit <NUM> may comprise the first coupling unit <NUM> described hereinabove with regard to <FIG> and <FIG> as well as the first coupling unit <NUM> described hereinabove with regard to <FIG>.

The first coupling unit <NUM> extends outwards from the rear surface <NUM> of the loudspeaker enclosure <NUM>. The first coupling unit <NUM> comprises a first section <NUM> and a second section <NUM>. The first section <NUM> and the second section <NUM> may be identical in terms of size, shape, and geometry. In the example shown, the first section <NUM> and the second section <NUM> may be shaped with two angled side edges that curve in towards a rounded, pointed front edge, with each angled side edge further connected to a back edge with minimal curvature. In some embodiments, the first section <NUM> and the second section <NUM> of the first coupling unit <NUM> may not be identical in terms of size, shape, and geometry. For example, the first section <NUM> may be longer than the second section <NUM>, the second section <NUM> may be a different shape than a first section <NUM>, and so on. Further, the first coupling unit <NUM> may take on a different overall shape and construction than depicted in <FIG> to accommodate for variation among vehicle door panels and loudspeaker enclosure designs. For example, the first coupling unit <NUM> may be square shaped, triangular, branched/Y shaped, and so on.

The first section <NUM> may be coupled to the second section <NUM> by a plurality of spacers attached at a perpendicular angle to the inner facing surfaces (with respect to the overall structure of the first coupling unit <NUM>) of the first section <NUM> and the second section <NUM>. For example, the plurality of spacers may include a first spacer <NUM>, a second spacer <NUM>, and a third spacer <NUM>, with a first side of each spacer attached to an inner face <NUM> of the second section <NUM> and a second side of each spacer attached to an inner face (not visible) of the first section <NUM>. The plurality of spacers may be arranged so that an opening or chamber is formed between each adjacent spacer. The first coupling unit <NUM> may further include a first hole <NUM> in the first section <NUM> and a second hole <NUM> in the second section <NUM>, with the first hole <NUM> aligned with the second hole <NUM> with respect to the z-axis. The first section <NUM> may additionally include a first groove <NUM> and a second groove <NUM>. The first hole <NUM>, the second hole <NUM>, the first groove <NUM>, and the second groove <NUM> as well as the overall geometry of the first coupling unit <NUM> may be designed to interact with a second coupling unit such as the second coupling unit <NUM>, so that the first coupling unit <NUM> may be securely attached to the second coupling unit <NUM> via a coupling or fastener (e.g., fastener <NUM> of <FIG>).

In some embodiments, the first coupling unit <NUM> may be inserted into a second coupling unit <NUM> and be secured to the second coupling unit <NUM> via the fastener <NUM>. In some embodiments, the first coupling unit <NUM> may interlock with the second coupling unit <NUM> without the use of the fastener <NUM> after the first coupling unit <NUM> is inserted into the second coupling unit <NUM>. In some embodiments, the first coupling unit <NUM> may be another structural component (e.g., a bracket, a hook) designed to interact and be securely attached to the second coupling unit <NUM> with or without the use of the fastener <NUM>.

It should be appreciated that <FIG> further depicts a mounting point <NUM> similar to the third mounting point <NUM> described hereinabove with regard to <FIG>. The loudspeaker enclosure <NUM> may include additional such mounting points to secure the loudspeaker enclosure <NUM> to a door panel such as the first panel <NUM>.

To illustrate the interface between coupling units, <FIG> shows a rear perspective view <NUM> of the loudspeaker enclosure <NUM> that includes the first coupling unit <NUM> as well as a second coupling unit <NUM> that may be implemented as the second coupling unit <NUM> or <NUM> described hereinabove. The second coupling unit <NUM> may comprise an intermediate bracket that may interface with first coupling unit <NUM> and a structural component of the door system (e.g., the first crossbar member <NUM>, the second crossbar member <NUM>, the second panel <NUM>, and so on). In other embodiments, the second coupling unit <NUM> may not be an intermediate bracket and may be another type of coupling device (e.g., a hook, a clasp) that may interlock or be securely attached to the first coupling unit <NUM> and the structural component of the door system. The second coupling unit <NUM> may be generally M-shaped, and comprised of a first leg <NUM> and a second leg (not shown). The first leg <NUM> and the second leg may be inserted into complementary openings/chambers within the first coupling unit <NUM> formed between the plurality of spacers (e.g., first spacer <NUM>, a second spacer <NUM>) that adjoin the first section <NUM> and the second section <NUM> of the first coupling unit <NUM>. For example, the first leg <NUM> may be inserted into the first coupling unit <NUM> via the opening formed between the second spacer <NUM> and the third spacer <NUM>. The underside of a middle portion <NUM> of the second coupling unit <NUM> may also include a first ridge and a second ridge (not visible) that, respectively, fit into the first groove <NUM> and the second groove <NUM> of first coupling unit <NUM> when second coupling unit <NUM> is inserted into first coupling unit <NUM>.

Further, the middle portion <NUM> of the second coupling unit <NUM> may include a hole <NUM> that is complementary in size, shape, and geometry to the first hole <NUM> in the first section <NUM> and the second hole <NUM> in the second section <NUM> of the first coupling unit <NUM>. When the hole <NUM> is fully or partially aligned to the first hole <NUM> and the second hole <NUM>, an oval-shaped slot may be formed between the first coupling unit <NUM> and the second coupling unit <NUM>, with the length of the formed slot determined by the amount of face sharing contact between the first coupling unit <NUM> and the second coupling unit <NUM>. The formed slot may be used to securely attach the first coupling unit <NUM> to the second coupling unit <NUM> via a coupling or fastener (e.g., a bolt system, a clamp) which may be inserted through or attached to the formed slot. The first coupling unit <NUM> may be securely attached to the second coupling unit <NUM> at different distances relative to the door system based on the amount of face-sharing contact between the second coupling unit <NUM> and the first coupling unit <NUM>. For example, the second coupling unit <NUM> may be fully or partially inserted into the first coupling unit <NUM>, thereby changing the length of the formed slot between the first coupling unit <NUM> and the second coupling unit <NUM> and, thus, the amount of options for coupling placement.

For example, the second coupling unit <NUM> may be fully inserted into the first coupling unit <NUM> when the loudspeaker enclosure <NUM> is close to the structural component of the door system to which the loudspeaker enclosure <NUM> is to be coupled. In another example, the second coupling unit <NUM> may be partially inserted into the first coupling unit <NUM> when the loudspeaker enclosure <NUM> is at a greater distance to the structural component of the door system to which the loudspeaker enclosure <NUM> is to be coupled than in the example above. Thus, the formed slot may account for space variations that may occur between the loudspeaker enclosure <NUM> and the structural component of the door system to which the loudspeaker enclosure <NUM> is to be coupled, as further described with respect to <FIG>.

<FIG> and <FIG> illustrate how a loudspeaker enclosure such as the loudspeaker enclosure <NUM> may be coupled to a component of a door system. In particular, <FIG> shows a top pictorial view <NUM> of the loudspeaker enclosure <NUM> secured to a crossbar member <NUM>, which may comprise the crossbar member <NUM>, according to an embodiment. The crossbar member <NUM> may be designed for the integration of the second coupling unit <NUM>, with a portion of the crossbar member <NUM> specifically shaped to accommodate the structure of the second coupling unit <NUM> as shown. The second coupling unit <NUM> may be built into a front side <NUM> of the crossbar member <NUM> or may be attached via suitable means (e.g., bolts/nuts, welding, soldering, and so on). Once attached or otherwise integrated into the crossbar member <NUM>, the first leg <NUM> and a second leg <NUM> of the second coupling unit <NUM> may be inserted into the first coupling unit <NUM> as previously described. The second coupling unit <NUM> may be inserted into the first coupling unit <NUM> until hole <NUM> is partially or fully aligned with the first hole <NUM> and the second hole <NUM> of the first coupling unit <NUM>. The partial or full alignment of hole <NUM> with the first hole <NUM> and the second hole <NUM> may be such that a fastener <NUM> may be inserted through the opening/slot formed by aligning all three holes. The fastener <NUM> may be a bolt system, rivet, inseparable snap, or another suitable fastener that allows for the second coupling unit <NUM> to be securely attached to the first coupling unit <NUM>. The fastener <NUM> may be inserted at any point within the opening/slot formed by aligning all three holes. Thus, the relative positioning of the first coupling unit <NUM>, with respect to the second coupling unit <NUM>, may be adjusted to account for distance variations (e.g., due to cross vehicle build variation and different loudspeaker enclosure designs) that may occur between the loudspeaker enclosure <NUM> and the structural component of the door system to which the loudspeaker enclosure <NUM> may be coupled.

As another example, the crossbar member <NUM> may not be adapted to accommodate the second coupling unit <NUM>. As an illustrative example, <FIG> shows a top pictorial view <NUM> of the loudspeaker enclosure <NUM> secured to a crossbar member <NUM>, which may comprise the crossbar member <NUM> described hereinabove, via a first coupling unit <NUM> and a second coupling unit <NUM>. As depicted, the second coupling unit <NUM> may is configured to be directly attached to a front side <NUM> of the crossbar member <NUM> by suitable means (e.g., bolts/nuts, welding, etc.). The second coupling unit <NUM> may then be coupled to the first coupling unit <NUM> as previously described via the fastener <NUM>.

In other embodiments, the loudspeaker enclosure <NUM> may be coupled to a door outer panel (e.g., second panel <NUM>) as described. For example, the second coupling unit <NUM> may be integrated into the design and manufacture of the outer panel or the second coupling unit <NUM> may be attached to the outer panel via suitable means (e.g., bolted, welded, etc.). The second coupling unit <NUM> may then be coupled to the first coupling unit <NUM> which may be fixedly coupled or integrated into the loudspeaker enclosure <NUM>. By incorporating the second coupling unit <NUM> into the door outer panel <NUM>, more options for the relative positioning of the loudspeaker <NUM>/loudspeaker enclosure <NUM> within the door system may be provided (e.g. as compared to using a second coupling unit incorporated on or within a crossbar member which has limited vertical space).

In some embodiments, the loudspeaker enclosure <NUM> may be coupled to more than one structure of the door system. In one example, the loudspeaker enclosure <NUM> may include multiple coupling units that may be coupled to corresponding coupling units located on multiple door structures (e.g., the loudspeaker enclosure <NUM> may have a first coupling unit that couples to a corresponding coupling unit on a crossbar member and a second coupling unit that couples to a corresponding coupling unit on an outer door panel). In another example, the loudspeaker enclosure <NUM> may include a first coupling unit with multiple pairs of holes (e.g., a first pair may include the first hole <NUM> and the second hole <NUM>), with each hole pair coupled to a different second coupling unit (e.g., both a second coupling unit on a crossbar member and a second coupling unit on a door outer panel may be simultaneously coupled to a first coupling unit of a loudspeaker enclosure). In this way, the systems and methods described herein, may create a coupling effect between a loudspeaker enclosure mounted to a first surface of a vehicle door, and another structural component of the vehicle door so that BSR from loudspeaker use may be dampened, reduced, or eliminated.

In one embodiment, a system for a vehicle door comprises a loudspeaker enclosure housing a loudspeaker and mounted to an interior panel of the vehicle door, a first coupling unit fixedly attached to the loudspeaker enclosure, and a second coupling unit fixedly attached to a component of the vehicle door away from the interior panel, wherein the second coupling unit is secured to the first coupling unit.

In a first example of the system, the component of the vehicle door comprises an exterior panel of the vehicle door. In a second example of the system optionally including the first example, the component of the vehicle door comprises a crossbar member extending through a hollow space in the vehicle door defined by the interior panel and an exterior panel of the vehicle door. In a third example of the system optionally including one or more of the first and second examples, the second coupling unit is secured to the first coupling using a fastener. In a fourth example of the system optionally including one or more of the first through third examples, the loudspeaker is configured to generate sound by vibrating in a lateral direction, wherein the first coupling unit extends from the loudspeaker enclosure in the lateral direction and is secured to the second coupling unit along the lateral direction to dampen vibrations of the interior panel caused by vibrations of the loudspeaker. In a fifth example of the system optionally including one or more of the first through fourth examples, the first coupling unit is fixedly attached to a rear side of the loudspeaker enclosure adjacent to a contoured surface of the loudspeaker enclosure, and the contoured surface of the loudspeaker enclosure is contoured to accommodate a window of the vehicle door when the window is lowered to a lowest position. In a sixth example of the system optionally including one or more of the first through fifth examples, the first coupling unit includes a first hole, the second coupling unit includes a second hole, and the first coupling unit and the second coupling unit are in face-sharing contact with the first hole and the second hole at least partially aligned to form a coupling slot. In a seventh example of the system optionally including one or more of the first through sixth examples, the system further comprises a fastener extending through the coupling slot to secure the first coupling unit to the second coupling unit. In an eighth example of the system optionally including one or more of the first through seventh examples, a size of the coupling slot varies with the extent of face-sharing contact between the second coupling unit and the first coupling unit.

In another embodiment, a loudspeaker system comprises a loudspeaker, a loudspeaker enclosure configured to house the loudspeaker, the loudspeaker enclosure mountable to an interior panel of a vehicle door, and a coupling unit extending from the loudspeaker enclosure and configured to secure the loudspeaker enclosure to a structural component of the vehicle door positioned away from the interior panel.

In a first example of the loudspeaker system, the coupling unit is coupleable to a second coupling unit extending from the structural component to secure the loudspeaker enclosure. In a second example of the loudspeaker system optionally including the first example, the loudspeaker emits sound in a lateral direction, and the loudspeaker enclosure is secured to the structural component of the vehicle door in the lateral direction. In a third example of the loudspeaker system optionally including one or more of the first and second examples, the coupling unit includes a first hole, the second coupling unit includes a second hole, and the coupling unit is coupleable to the second coupling unit when the coupling unit and the second coupling unit are in face-sharing contact and the first hole is at least partially aligned with the second hole. In a fourth example of the loudspeaker system optionally including one or more of the first through third examples, the loudspeaker system further comprises a fastener extending through the first hole and the second hole to securely couple the coupling unit to the second coupling unit. In a fifth example of the loudspeaker system optionally including one or more of the first through fourth examples, the first hole is stadium-shaped or oval-shaped and the second hole is stadium-shaped or oval-shaped, and the coupling unit is coupleable to the second coupling unit when the first hole is at least partially aligned with the second hole to produce at least a circular slot for the fastener to extend therethrough. In a sixth example of the loudspeaker system optionally including one or more of the first through fifth examples, the component of the vehicle door comprises one of an exterior panel of the vehicle door, or a crossbar member extending through a hollow space defined by the interior panel and the exterior panel.

In one embodiment, a system for securing a loudspeaker system comprising a loudspeaker and a loudspeaker enclosure housing the loudspeaker is provided. The system comprises a first coupling unit fixedly attachable to a rear surface of the loudspeaker enclosure, wherein the loudspeaker enclosure is mounted to an interior panel of a vehicle door, and a second coupling unit fixedly attachable to at least one component of the vehicle door positioned away from the interior panel, wherein the second coupling unit is coupleable to the first coupling unit to dampen vibrations of the interior panel when the loudspeaker produces sound.

In a first example of the system, the first coupling unit includes a first hole, the second coupling unit includes a second hole, and the first coupling unit is coupleable to the second coupling unit when the first coupling unit and the second coupling unit are in face-sharing contact and the first hole is at least partially aligned with the second hole. In a second example of the system optionally including the first example, the system further comprises a fastener that extends through the first hole and the second hole to secure the first coupling unit to the second coupling unit. In a third example of the system optionally including one or more of the first and second examples, the at least one component comprises one or more of a crossbar member and an exterior panel of the vehicle door positioned opposite to the interior panel.

As used in this application, an element or step recited in the singular and proceeded with the word "a" or "an" should be understood as not excluding plural of said elements or steps, unless such exclusion is stated. Furthermore, references to "one embodiment" or "one example" of the present disclosure are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional embodiments that also incorporate the recited features. The terms "first," "second," and "third," etc. are used merely as labels, and are not intended to impose numerical requirements or a particular positional order on their objects.

Claim 1:
A vehicle door, comprising:
an interior panel (<NUM>) and an exterior panel (<NUM>) defining a hollow space (<NUM>);
a crossbar member (<NUM>) extending through the hollow space (<NUM>) in the vehicle door and the crossbar member (<NUM>) fixedly attached to an inner face (<NUM>) of the exterior panel (<NUM>);
a loudspeaker enclosure (<NUM>) housing a loudspeaker (<NUM>) and mounted to the interior panel (<NUM>) of the vehicle door;
a first coupling unit (<NUM>) fixedly attached to the loudspeaker enclosure (<NUM>); and
a second coupling unit (<NUM>) fixedly attached to the crossbar member (<NUM>), wherein the second coupling unit (<NUM>) is secured to the first coupling unit (<NUM>).