Patent Description:
A general loudspeaker includes a vibration system having a diaphragm, a voice coil, and a frame, and a field portion having a yoke, a magnet, and a plate.

When such a loudspeaker is mounted in a cabinet for formation of a speaker device, the frame is generally fixed to an outer shell of the cabinet at a periphery of a sound emitting side of the loudspeaker.

There are many cases where the loudspeaker has its center of gravity located in the field portion because the field portion of the loudspeaker has the yoke and the magnet that weigh more than the diaphragm does.

As such, weight of the loudspeaker mounted in the cabinet is not well-balanced in the general speaker device, and when the loudspeaker is driven, there are cases where vibration of the diaphragm is transmitted to the cabinet through the frame, thus causing distortion in sound reproduced by the loudspeaker.

PTL <NUM> discloses a speaker device. In this speaker device, a field portion is disposed inwardly of a frame for adjustment of weight balance of a loudspeaker (namely, a position of a center of gravity of the loudspeaker), and a plane at which the loudspeaker is mounted is aligned with the center of gravity of the loudspeaker.

In the loudspeaker disclosed in PTL <NUM>, the field portion is disposed nearer to a sound emitting side than a diaphragm is, so that there are cases where the field portion causes distortion in sound that is reproduced by the diaphragm.

Some further prior art teaching useful for understanding the present invention may be found in: <CIT>, <CIT> and <CIT>.

The present disclosure provides a speaker device that is capable of suppressing distortion in reproduced sound.

The speaker device of the present disclosure includes: a loudspeaker including a diaphragm and a field portion disposed rearwardly of the diaphragm; and a cabinet accommodating the field portion. The loudspeaker further includes a mounting member with which the loudspeaker is mounted to the cabinet, and a mounting plane of the mounting member includes a center of gravity of the loudspeaker.

The speaker device of the present disclosure suppresses distortion in reproduced sound, thus being capable of reproducing clear sound.

Exemplary embodiments of a speaker device according to the present disclosure are described with reference to the drawings. It is to be noted that the following exemplary embodiments are merely illustrative of the speaker device of the present disclosure. The scope of the present disclosure is defined by the recitations in the claims with the following exemplary embodiments used as references and thus is not limited to the following exemplary embodiments only. As such, among constituent elements in the following exemplary embodiments, constituent elements not recited in the independent claim that indicates the most generic concept of the present disclosure are not necessarily essential for achievement of the object of the present disclosure but are described for the preferred embodiments.

It is also to be noted that the accompanying drawings and the following description are provided for those skilled in the art to fully understand the present disclosure and are not intended to limit the subject matter as described in the claims.

The drawings are not necessarily exact illustrations, but schematic views in which emphasis, omission, and proportion adjustment are made as required for illustration of the present disclosure, and these drawings may have shapes, positional relationships, and proportions that differ from actual shapes, actual positional relationships, and actual proportions. In the drawings, those substantially identical constituent elements have the same reference marks, and descriptions of those constituent elements may be omitted or simplified.

With reference to <FIG>, a description is hereinafter provided of speaker device <NUM> according to a first exemplary embodiment. In the present exemplary embodiment, a face provided with loudspeaker <NUM> is referred to as a front face of speaker device <NUM>, while a face opposite from the face provided with loudspeaker <NUM> is referred to as a back face of speaker device <NUM>. Relative proximity to the front face is described as "forward", while relative proximity to the back face is described as "rearward" or "backward". In the respective drawings, three axes including an X-axis, a Y-axis, and a Z-axis are shown. The X-axis indicates a depth direction (a front-back direction) of speaker device <NUM>. The Y-axis indicates a direction parallel to a side (e.g., a short side) of the front face of speaker device <NUM>. The Z-axis indicates a direction parallel to another side (e.g., a long side) of the front face of speaker device <NUM>. These axes and directions are shown only for convenience and do not limit the present disclosure at all.

<FIG> is a perspective view schematically illustrating an example of an external appearance of speaker device <NUM> according to the first exemplary embodiment.

As shown in <FIG>, speaker device <NUM> includes cabinet <NUM> and loudspeaker <NUM>.

<FIG> is a sectional view schematically illustrating a structural example including loudspeaker <NUM> and its proximity in speaker device <NUM> according to the first exemplary embodiment.

Loudspeaker <NUM> is an electroacoustic transducer that reproduces sound based on an input signal. As shown in <FIG>, loudspeaker <NUM> includes diaphragm <NUM>, frame <NUM>, edge <NUM>, damper <NUM>, voice coil body <NUM>, and field portion <NUM>.

Diaphragm <NUM> is a member that vibrates air by shifting back and forth (along the X-axis in the drawing) relative to its neutral position based on an electrical signal, thereby generating sound. In the example shown in the present exemplary embodiment, diaphragm <NUM> has the shape of a cone (truncated cone) and is provided with a hole in its center. Diaphragm <NUM> is mounted with voice coil body <NUM> at its inner periphery (hole edge). Loudspeaker <NUM> has, as a sound emitting side, a side that passes an outer periphery of cone-shaped diaphragm <NUM>.

Examples of a material for diaphragm <NUM> include, but not particularly limited to, paper, polymeric resin, and metal. Center cap <NUM> is mounted to close the hole provided in the center of diaphragm <NUM>.

Frame <NUM> is a structural member that holds the outer periphery of diaphragm <NUM> in a predetermined place. Frame <NUM> includes ring-shaped annulus <NUM> disposed to encircle the outer periphery of diaphragm <NUM>. Annulus <NUM> is disposed on the sound emitting side of loudspeaker <NUM>. In the example shown in the present exemplary embodiment, frame <NUM> has such a truncated cone shape that its diameter gradually decreases heading rearward (toward a back face of loudspeaker <NUM> or in a positive direction along the X-axis) from annulus <NUM>. An area including an (inner-periphery-side) end opposite from annulus <NUM> of frame <NUM> is fixed to field portion <NUM>. A given example of a material for frame <NUM> and a given example of a method of forming frame <NUM> respectively can be, but not particularly limited to, a metal plate including iron as a principal component and press working of the metal plate.

Edge <NUM> is an annular member connecting the outer periphery of diaphragm <NUM> and annulus <NUM> of frame <NUM>. Edge <NUM> has flexibility to allow for vibration of diaphragm <NUM> relative to frame <NUM> and has resilience to restore diaphragm <NUM> to the neutral position when loudspeaker <NUM> is undriven. In the example shown in the present exemplary embodiment, edge <NUM> is molded of resin and is of substantially semicircular section.

Damper <NUM> is a thin annular member that is disposed between annulus <NUM> and field portion <NUM> on the X-axis to connect frame <NUM> and voice coil body <NUM>. Damper <NUM> is disposed in substantially parallel relation with the sound emitting side of loudspeaker <NUM>. Damper <NUM> has flexibility to allow for vibration of voice coil body <NUM> relative to frame <NUM> and has resilience to restore voice coil body <NUM> to the neutral position when loudspeaker <NUM> is undriven.

<FIG> is a perspective view schematically illustrating an example of damper <NUM> included in speaker device <NUM> according to the first exemplary embodiment. In the example shown in the present exemplary embodiment, damper <NUM> is formed to have a shape of concentric circular corrugations as shown in <FIG>. Consequently, damper <NUM> has the flexibility and the resilience. The flexibility of damper <NUM> is ensured because when voice coil body <NUM> vibrates relative to frame <NUM>, the corrugations of damper <NUM> stretch accordingly, changing from their original shape along with an increasing relative distance between an inner and an outer periphery of damper <NUM>. The resilience of damper <NUM> is ensured because when voice coil body <NUM> stops vibrating, the corrugations of damper <NUM> restore their original shape.

Although not particularly limited, a material that is used for damper <NUM> includes woven fabric as a base material and thermoplastic resin as a binder in the example shown in the present exemplary embodiment. Specifically, damper <NUM> of the present exemplary embodiment can be made by impregnating the woven fabric with liquid thermoplastic resin and thereafter cooling the woven fabric.

Damper <NUM> thus made has the wider elastic region and the higher resilience in comparison with cases where thermosetting resin is used as a binder. Consequently, even when damper <NUM> is deformed significantly, the binder resin does not, for example, craze or fissure easily in damper <NUM>, making damper <NUM> hard to break. Damper <NUM> can maintain its constant stiffness for a long time from a time when damper <NUM> is formed, so that initial sound quality can be maintained for a long time with a resonance frequency decline suppressed in speaker device <NUM>.

Voice coil body <NUM> is a member that has one end disposed in magnetic gap <NUM> (refer to <FIG>) that is formed in field portion <NUM>, and another end joined to diaphragm <NUM>. Voice coil body <NUM> functions to generate a magnetic flux corresponding to an incoming electrical signal for interaction with magnet <NUM>, whereby diaphragm <NUM> is vibrated. In the example shown in the present exemplary embodiment, voice coil body <NUM> includes a cylindrical bobbin and a coil wound around the bobbin.

<FIG> is a sectional view schematically illustrating a structural example of field portion <NUM> included in speaker device <NUM> according to the first exemplary embodiment.

Field portion <NUM> is a member that forms a magnetic circuit that vibrates diaphragm <NUM> by means of voice coil body <NUM>. Field portion <NUM> is disposed rearwardly of diaphragm <NUM>, namely, on a side that is opposite from the sound emitting side of loudspeaker <NUM> across diaphragm <NUM>. In the example shown in the present exemplary embodiment, field portion <NUM> includes top plate <NUM>, magnet <NUM>, and yoke <NUM>.

Top plate <NUM> is an annular plate member, and its inner periphery is a portion for forming magnetic gap <NUM>. A magnetic material is used as a material for top plate <NUM> to focus the magnetic flux on magnetic gap <NUM>. In the example shown in the present exemplary embodiment, top plate <NUM> also functions as mounting member <NUM> with which loudspeaker <NUM> is mounted to cabinet <NUM>. Mounting plane <NUM> of mounting member <NUM> configured to include center of gravity <NUM> of loudspeaker <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, mounting plane <NUM> of mounting member <NUM> in the present exemplary embodiment is a plane that passes along a back face of mounting member <NUM>. In the present exemplary embodiment, mounting member <NUM> is integral with top plate <NUM> while being flush with top plate <NUM> at mounting plane <NUM>.

With top plate <NUM> having the above structure, there is no need for preparation of mounting member <NUM> as a separate component, so that loudspeaker <NUM> can have a reduced parts count. Moreover, top plate <NUM> integral with mounting member <NUM> is a disk-shaped member provided with a through hole in its center, thus enabling easy machining and a reduced manufacturing cost. Furthermore, mounting top plate <NUM> to cabinet <NUM> means simultaneous mounting of mounting member <NUM> to cabinet <NUM>, so that a simplified process of manufacturing speaker device <NUM> can be achieved.

In the example shown in the present exemplary embodiment, mounting member <NUM> is a part projecting outward from an outer edge of magnet <NUM>. For the purpose of facilitating mounting work of loudspeaker <NUM>, which is carried out rearwardly of fixed part <NUM>, mounting member <NUM> is provided with internal threads <NUM>.

Magnet <NUM> is of annular shape, is disposed to encircle a central part of yoke <NUM>, and is fixed firmly to top plate <NUM>. Magnet <NUM> has a top-plate-end surface magnetized to have one of a south pole and a north pole, and an opposite surface magnetized to have the other pole.

Yoke <NUM> is a member that is made of a magnetic material to form magnetic gap <NUM> of cylindrical shape with an inner peripheral surface of top plate <NUM>. Yoke <NUM> guides magnetic force of magnet <NUM> to magnetic gap <NUM>. In the example shown in the present exemplary embodiment, yoke <NUM> includes cylindrical part <NUM> and disk <NUM> that is disposed coaxially and integrally with cylindrical part <NUM> at one end (a rearward end) of cylindrical part <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, yoke <NUM> is formed to have a T-shaped section. A surface on the other end side (forward) of cylindrical part <NUM> of yoke <NUM> is formed to be flush with a forward surface of top plate <NUM>, and magnetic gap <NUM> is formed between an outer peripheral surface of the other end of cylindrical part <NUM> and the inner peripheral surface of top plate <NUM>. When disposed, cylindrical part <NUM> is inserted through a hole of annular magnet <NUM> from a rear of magnet <NUM>, and disk <NUM> makes contact with the rearward surface of magnet <NUM>.

<FIG> is a perspective sectional view schematically illustrating a structural example of cabinet <NUM> of speaker device <NUM> according to the first exemplary embodiment.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, cabinet <NUM> is a housing that accommodates field portion <NUM> disposed on the side opposite from the sound emitting side across diaphragm <NUM> (or rearwardly of diaphragm <NUM>). Cabinet <NUM> includes outer shell <NUM> and fixed part <NUM>.

Outer shell <NUM> is a member in which antiphase sound that is reproduced rearwardly of diaphragm <NUM> of loudspeaker <NUM> is confined or utilized.

In a conventional technique (not shown), an outer shell of a cabinet has a function of fixing a loudspeaker. On the other hand, outer shell <NUM> of cabinet <NUM> according to the present disclosure has not a function of directly fixing loudspeaker <NUM>.

In the example shown in the present exemplary embodiment, outer shell <NUM> of cabinet <NUM> is provided with, in its front wall, through hole <NUM> through which loudspeaker <NUM> is inserted to be disposed.

As shown in <FIG>, a diameter of through hole <NUM> is about the same as an inner diameter of annulus <NUM> of frame <NUM>. Sealing member <NUM> is provided in a clearance between a periphery of through hole <NUM> and annulus <NUM> of frame <NUM>. Sealing member <NUM> has flexibility to seal the clearance.

Sealing member <NUM> is an annular member. By shutting a rear side of diaphragm <NUM> in outer shell <NUM>, sealing member <NUM> can prevent antiphase sound from leaking out through the clearance between loudspeaker <NUM> and outer shell <NUM>. Sealing member <NUM> can also damp vibration that might be transmitted from loudspeaker <NUM> to outer shell <NUM> during sound reproduction by absorbing the vibration of loudspeaker <NUM>.

Fixed part <NUM> is disposed in cabinet <NUM> and is a member to which mounting member <NUM> is fixed for disposing loudspeaker <NUM> in a predetermined place. In the example shown in the present exemplary embodiment, loudspeaker <NUM> being in the predetermined place means that loudspeaker <NUM> is disposed in a position inserted through through hole <NUM> of cabinet <NUM>. With loudspeaker <NUM> being mounted in the predetermined place in cabinet <NUM>, fixed part <NUM> and mounting member <NUM> are in contact with each other at mounting plane <NUM>.

Thus, loudspeaker <NUM> is fixed to cabinet <NUM> at mounting plane <NUM> that includes center of gravity <NUM> of loudspeaker <NUM>. In this way, vibration of loudspeaker <NUM> can be prevented from being transmitted to fixed part <NUM> and outer shell <NUM> during sound reproduction, and accordingly, speaker device <NUM> can reproduce clear sound with distortion suppressed in sound reproduced by loudspeaker <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, inside cabinet <NUM>, fixed part <NUM> is fixed to cabinet <NUM> while stretching from a ceiling to a bottom face of cabinet <NUM> as well as stretching from one side face to an opposite side face of cabinet <NUM> in the example shown in the present exemplary embodiment. This means that fixed part <NUM> also functions as a member with which cabinet <NUM> is reinforced. Fixed part <NUM> is provided with, in a respective plurality of positions, large passage holes <NUM> that allow passage of sound.

In the example shown in the present exemplary embodiment, reinforcing plate <NUM> of the same shape as fixed part <NUM> is mounted in cabinet <NUM> rearwardly of fixed part <NUM>. Moreover, two beams <NUM> are respectively disposed at an upper and a lower position in cabinet <NUM>, passing through fixed part <NUM> and reinforcing plate <NUM>. Such a structure enables cabinet <NUM> and fixed part <NUM> to have improved structural strengths, respectively. As such, fixed part <NUM> and entire outer shell <NUM> of speaker device <NUM> can reliably receive vibration of loudspeaker <NUM> during sound reproduction, and clear sound can be emitted with sound distortion suppressed.

As described above, the speaker device according to the present exemplary embodiment includes: a loudspeaker including a diaphragm and a field portion disposed rearwardly of the diaphragm; and a cabinet accommodating the field portion. In the speaker device, the loudspeaker further includes a mounting member with which the loudspeaker is mounted to the cabinet, and a mounting plane of the mounting member includes a center of gravity of the loudspeaker.

It is to be noted that speaker device <NUM> is an example of the speaker device. Diaphragm <NUM> is an example of the diaphragm. Field portion <NUM> is an example of the field portion. Loudspeaker <NUM> is an example of the loudspeaker. Cabinet <NUM> is an example of the cabinet. Mounting member <NUM> is an example of the mounting member. Center of gravity <NUM> is an example of the center of gravity of the loudspeaker. Mounting plane <NUM> is an example of the mounting plane.

In thus formed speaker device <NUM>, for example, loudspeaker <NUM> is fixed to cabinet <NUM> at mounting plane <NUM> that includes the center of gravity of loudspeaker <NUM>, so that weight of loudspeaker <NUM> is well-balanced in comparison with a conventional technique in which a frame is fixed to an outer shell of a cabinet at a periphery of a sound emitting side of a loudspeaker when the loudspeaker is mounted to the cabinet. Thus, in comparison with the conventional technique, transmission of vibration of loudspeaker <NUM> to cabinet <NUM> can be more suppressed during sound reproduction in speaker device <NUM>. In speaker device <NUM>, field portion <NUM> is disposed rearwardly of diaphragm <NUM>, so that field portion <NUM> is unlikely to cause a phenomenon such as distortion in sound that is reproduced by diaphragm <NUM>. As such, speaker device <NUM> can achieve reproduction of clear sound with distortion suppressed in sound reproduced by loudspeaker <NUM>.

In the speaker device, the cabinet may include a fixed part to which the mounting member for the loudspeaker is fixed. The fixed part is disposed in the cabinet.

It is to be noted that fixed part <NUM> is an example of the fixed part.

In thus formed speaker device <NUM>, for example, loudspeaker <NUM> can be fixed to mounting member <NUM> disposed in cabinet <NUM> and thus can be fixed to cabinet <NUM> at mounting plane <NUM> including the center of gravity of loudspeaker <NUM>. Thus, vibration of loudspeaker <NUM> can be prevented from being transmitted to cabinet <NUM> during sound reproduction in speaker device <NUM>, and accordingly, clear sound can be reproduced with distortion suppressed in sound reproduced by loudspeaker <NUM>.

In the speaker device, the cabinet may include a through hole through which the loudspeaker is disposed. The cabinet may further include a sealing member that has flexibility to seal between a periphery of the through hole and an outer peripheral part of the loudspeaker.

It is to be noted that through hole <NUM> is an example of the through hole. Sealing member <NUM> is an example of the sealing member.

In thus formed speaker device <NUM>, for example, sealing member <NUM> can prevent antiphase sound from leaking out through the clearance between loudspeaker <NUM> and through hole <NUM> during sound reproduction by loudspeaker <NUM> disposed in through hole <NUM>. Sealing member <NUM> can also damp vibration that might be transmitted from loudspeaker <NUM> to cabinet <NUM> (outer shell <NUM>) during sound reproduction by absorbing the vibration of loudspeaker <NUM>.

In the speaker device, the mounting member may be integral with a top plate of the loudspeaker. Moreover, the mounting member may be flush with the top plate at the mounting plane.

It is to be noted that top plate <NUM> is an example of the top plate.

With thus formed speaker device <NUM>, for example, there is no need for preparation of mounting member <NUM> and top plate <NUM> as separate components, so that loudspeaker <NUM> can have the reduced parts count. Moreover, by mounting top plate <NUM> to cabinet <NUM>, mounting member <NUM> is mounted to cabinet <NUM> simultaneously, so that the simplified process of manufacturing speaker device <NUM> can be achieved.

The first exemplary embodiment has been described above as being illustrative of the technique disclosed in the present application. However, the above exemplary embodiment is not restrictive of the present disclosure.

Accordingly, other structural examples of the first exemplary embodiment are hereinafter described.

<FIG> is a sectional view schematically illustrating a structural example of mounting member <NUM> in another example of the first exemplary embodiment. In the structural example of the first exemplary embodiment of <FIG>, top plate <NUM> is flush with mounting member <NUM>; however, the present disclosure is not limited to this structure. For example, top plate <NUM> may not be flush with mounting member <NUM> as shown in <FIG>. This structure enables easy alignment between mounting plane <NUM> and the center of gravity of loudspeaker <NUM> in a design stage of loudspeaker <NUM>.

<FIG> is a sectional view schematically illustrating a structural example including field portion <NUM> and mounting member <NUM> in another example of the first exemplary embodiment. As shown in <FIG>, field portion <NUM> may, for example, include a magnetic circuit with an inner magnet, and as a member separate from field portion <NUM>, mounting member <NUM> may be mounted to yoke <NUM>.

A description is provided next of speaker device 100A according to a second exemplary embodiment. While speaker device 100A includes a plurality of loudspeakers <NUM>, loudspeakers <NUM> are each supported by substantially the same structure as loudspeaker <NUM> of speaker device <NUM> described in the first exemplary embodiment. In the following description, it is to be noted that constituent elements that have substantially the same actions, functions, shapes, mechanisms, or structures as the constituent elements described in the first exemplary embodiment have the same reference marks, and their description may be omitted. The following description is centered on those different from the first exemplary embodiment, and descriptions of matters described in the first exemplary embodiment and descriptions of the same contents as those of the first exemplary embodiment may be omitted. In the present exemplary embodiment, "forward", "backward", an X-axis, a Y-axis, and a Z-axis are defined similarly to those in the first exemplary embodiment.

<FIG> is a perspective view schematically illustrating an example of an external appearance of speaker device 100A according to the second exemplary embodiment.

As shown in <FIG>, speaker device 100A includes the plurality of loudspeakers <NUM> (e.g., three loudspeakers <NUM>) in one cabinet 101A. Specifically, loudspeakers <NUM> mounted to speaker device 100A are first loudspeaker <NUM> and two second loudspeakers <NUM>. It is to be noted that loudspeakers <NUM> of speaker device 100A are not at all limited to three in number.

In the present exemplary embodiment, speaker device 100A is a bass-reflex speaker device. Speaker device 100A includes port <NUM> opening at a back face of speaker device 100A, and duct <NUM> connected to port <NUM> (refer to <FIG>).

First loudspeaker <NUM> is, for example, a coaxial speaker that mainly generates sounds in a middle tone range and a high tone range.

<FIG> is an enlarged side view illustrating first loudspeaker <NUM> and its periphery in cabinet 101A of speaker device 100A according to the second exemplary embodiment.

As shown in <FIG>, first loudspeaker <NUM> is mounted to fixed part <NUM> (or specifically projection <NUM> of fixed part <NUM>) via mounting member 134A. Mounting member 134A includes spacers 137A for adjustment of a position (of center of gravity 201A of first loudspeaker <NUM>) where first loudspeaker <NUM> is mounted to fixed part <NUM>. First loudspeaker <NUM> is mounted to fixed part <NUM> via spacers 137A.

Spacers 137A are each formed of, for example, a plate-shaped metal member of relatively high rigidity. Spacers 137A each have a through hole through which bolt <NUM> passes to mount first loudspeaker <NUM> to fixed part <NUM>. It is preferable that spacers 137A be formed of a non-magnetic material such as stainless steel. In this way, influence of spacers 137A can be suppressed on a magnetic field of field portion <NUM> (refer to <FIG>). Spacers 137A may be formed integrally with mounting member 134A. For example, spacers 137A may be fixed to mounting member 134A by an epoxy adhesive or may be fastened firmly to mounting member 134A by screws. This structure can suppress sliding of spacers 137A at its surface in contact with mounting member 134A during vibration of first loudspeaker <NUM>.

Spacers 137A are disposed in respective positions (e.g., four positions in a structural example shown in the present exemplary embodiment) where bolts <NUM> are respectively mounted. It is to be noted that bolts <NUM> are members that fix mounting member 134A to fixed part <NUM>. A plane including respective outer surfaces of spacers 137A is mounting plane 200A of mounting member 134A (a plane where mounting member 134A makes contact with projection <NUM> of fixed part <NUM>). In order for mounting plane 200A of mounting member 134A to include center of gravity 201A of first loudspeaker <NUM>, the position where first loudspeaker <NUM> is mounted to fixed part <NUM> is adjusted by means of, for example, spacers 137A in speaker device 100A.

Second loudspeakers <NUM> are each, for example, a so-called woofer that mainly generates sound in a low tone range as compared with first loudspeaker <NUM>.

<FIG> is an enlarged side view illustrating second loudspeaker <NUM> and its periphery in cabinet 101A of speaker device 100A according to the second exemplary embodiment.

As shown in <FIG>, second loudspeaker <NUM> is mounted to fixed part <NUM> via mounting members 134B. Mounting member 134B includes a plurality of spacers 137B for adjustment of a position (of center of gravity 201B of second loudspeaker <NUM>) where second loudspeaker <NUM> is mounted to fixed part <NUM>. Second loudspeaker <NUM> is mounted to fixed part <NUM> via the plurality of spacers 137B.

In the present exemplary embodiment, positions where bolts <NUM> are respectively mounted (e.g., four positions in a structural example shown in the present exemplary embodiment) each have spacers 137B that are stacked one on another. It is to be noted that bolts <NUM> are members that fix mounting member 134B to fixed part <NUM>. A plane including an outer surface of outermost spacer 137B among spacers 137B that are stacked one on another is mounting plane 200B of mounting member 134B (a plane where mounting member 134B makes contact with fixed part <NUM>). In order for mounting plane 200B of mounting member 134B to include center of gravity 201B of second loudspeaker <NUM>, the position where second loudspeaker <NUM> is mounted to fixed part <NUM> in speaker device 100A is adjusted by means of spacers 137B that are stacked one on another. In speaker device 100A, spacers 137B are stacked one on another (that is to say, spacers 137B to be stacked one on another are adjusted in number), so that the adjustment of the mounting position of second loudspeaker <NUM> with respect to fixed part <NUM> can be effected, and center of gravity 201B of second loudspeaker <NUM> can be disposed in mounting plane 200B of mounting member 134B.

It is to be noted that spacer 137A and spacer 137B that are used to respectively mount first loudspeaker <NUM> and second loudspeaker <NUM> may be of substantially the same shape (identical components of the same shape). In this way, speaker device 100A can use a reduced number of component types.

<FIG> is a side view schematically illustrating a structural example of an interior of cabinet 101A of speaker device 100A according to the second exemplary embodiment.

As shown in <FIG>, cabinet 101A has a plurality of transverse plates <NUM>. Each of the plurality of transverse plates <NUM> is fixedly disposed in cabinet 101A to be substantially parallel to a horizontal plane (a plane parallel to a surface on which speaker device 100A is placed: an X-Y plane).

In speaker device 100A, fixed parts <NUM> are respectively provided for loudspeakers <NUM>. The plurality of fixed parts <NUM> are mounted in cabinet 101A while being respectively fitted in grooves that are respectively provided in transverse plates <NUM>. The plurality of fixed parts <NUM> are disposed in a common vertical plane (Y-Z plane) and are each fixed, via transverse plate(s) <NUM> or directly, to cabinet 101A.

It is to be noted that each of transverse plates <NUM> is provided with at least one vertically through hole (not shown) (along the Z-axis). This enables vertical (Z-axis) transmission of air vibration in speaker device 100A.

With speaker device 100A having such a structure, cabinet 101A and speaker device 100A as a whole can have improved structural strengths, respectively. As such, entire cabinet 101A of speaker device 100A can reliably receive vibration of second loudspeaker <NUM> for the low tone range, and first loudspeaker <NUM> can be under suppressed influence of this vibration.

Fixed part <NUM> to which first loudspeaker <NUM> is mounted includes projection <NUM> that projects from a position where fixed part <NUM> is fixed to transverse plate <NUM> or cabinet 101A and reaches mounting plane 200A (a plane where projection <NUM> makes contact with mounting member 134A). In the present exemplary embodiment, projection <NUM> may be formed integrally with fixed part <NUM>. With projection <NUM> provided in speaker device 100A, first loudspeaker <NUM> and second loudspeaker <NUM> that are structurally different from each other can have their respective diaphragms <NUM> (refer to <FIG>) positioned substantially in a common surface (a front face of cabinet 101A in the present exemplary embodiment). Moreover, first loudspeaker <NUM> can have its center of gravity 201A disposed in mounting plane 200A, and second loudspeakers <NUM> can have their respective centers of gravity 201B disposed in mounting plane 200B. In this way, respective centers of gravity <NUM> (center of gravity 201A and centers of gravity 201B) of loudspeakers <NUM> can all be positioned in corresponding mounting planes 200A, 200B in speaker device 100A. In speaker device 100A, fixed parts <NUM> are disposed in the common vertical plane (Y-Z plane) for the ensured structural strength of cabinet 101A, and respective diaphragms <NUM> of loudspeakers <NUM> (first loudspeaker <NUM> and second loudspeakers <NUM>) are positioned in the common surface, thus enabling suppressed phase shifts in sound.

In the present exemplary embodiment, it is to be noted that as shown in <FIG>, a rearward part of first loudspeaker <NUM> may be enclosed by cabinet 101A, transverse plate <NUM>, and partition wall <NUM>. With cabinet 101A of speaker device 100A having such a structural interior, a rear face of first loudspeaker <NUM> can be under suppressed influence of air vibration that takes place rearwardly of second loudspeakers <NUM>.

As described above, the speaker device according to the present exemplary embodiment includes: the loudspeakers each including the diaphragm and the field portion disposed rearwardly of the diaphragm; and the cabinet accommodating the field portions. In this speaker device, each of the loudspeakers further includes the mounting member with which the loudspeaker is mounted to the cabinet, and the mounting plane of the mounting member includes the center of gravity of the loudspeaker.

It is to be noted that speaker device 100A is an example of the speaker device. Each of Loudspeakers <NUM>, first loudspeaker <NUM>, and second loudspeaker <NUM> is an example of the loudspeaker. Cabinet 101A is an example of the cabinet. Each of mounting members 134A and 134B is an example of the mounting member. Each of centers of gravity 201A and 201B is an example of the center of gravity of the loudspeaker. Each of mounting planes 200A and 200B is an example of the mounting plane.

With thus formed speaker device 100A, for example, effects similar to the effects of speaker device <NUM> described in the first exemplary embodiment can be obtained.

In the speaker device, the mounting member may include a spacer that is formed integrally with the mounting member. The loudspeaker may be mounted to the fixed part via the spacer.

It is to be noted that each of spacers 137A and 137B is an example of the spacer. Fixed part <NUM> is an example of the fixed part.

In thus formed speaker device 100A, for example, the position where first loudspeaker <NUM> is mounted to fixed part <NUM> can be adjusted by means of spacers 137A, so that center of gravity 201A of first loudspeaker <NUM> can be positioned in mounting plane 200A of mounting member 134A. Moreover, the position where second loudspeaker <NUM> is mounted to fixed part <NUM> can be adjusted by means of spacers 137B, so that center of gravity 201B of second loudspeaker <NUM> can be positioned in mounting plane 200B of mounting member 134B.

In the speaker device, the cabinet may be mounted with the plurality of loudspeakers, and the fixed parts may be fixed to the cabinet in a common plane.

It is to be noted that the plurality of loudspeakers <NUM> (first loudspeaker <NUM> and second loudspeakers <NUM>) is an example of the plurality of loudspeakers.

With thus formed speaker device 100A, for example, cabinet 101A including the plurality of loudspeakers <NUM>, and speaker device 100A as a whole can have the improved structural strengths, respectively. As such, entire cabinet 101A of speaker device 100A can reliably receive vibration of second loudspeaker <NUM> for the low tone range, and first loudspeaker <NUM> can be under suppressed influence of this vibration.

In the speaker device, the fixed parts may be respectively provided for the loudspeakers.

In the speaker device, the fixed part may include a projection that protrusively reaches the mounting plane.

Projection <NUM> protrusively reaching mounting plane 200A is an example of the projection.

In thus formed speaker device 100A, for example, first loudspeaker <NUM> and second loudspeaker <NUM> that are structurally different from each other can have their respective diaphragms <NUM> positioned substantially in the common surface (e.g., the front face of cabinet 101A) to suppress phase shifts in sound. Moreover, first loudspeaker <NUM> can have its center of gravity 201A disposed in mounting plane 200A, and second loudspeakers <NUM> can have their respective centers of gravity 201B disposed in mounting plane 200B.

The first and second exemplary embodiments have been described above as being illustrative of the technique disclosed in the present application. However, the above exemplary embodiments are not restrictive of the present disclosure.

Accordingly, some other exemplary embodiments are described below.

The speaker device of the present disclosure is applicable to those including an electronic device and a mobile body.

A brief description is provided of an example of the electronic device, which is one example of the application of the present disclosure's speaker device.

<FIG> schematically illustrates an example of external appearance of electronic device <NUM> including speaker devices <NUM> of the first exemplary embodiment.

Electronic device <NUM> is, for example, an audio component system.

Electronic device <NUM> includes a pair of left and right speaker devices <NUM> described in the first exemplary embodiment. Also included by electronic device <NUM> are: amplifier <NUM> including a circuit that amplifies an electrical signal to be input into speaker device <NUM>; and tuner <NUM> and compact disc (CD) player <NUM> that output an audio signal to be input into amplifier <NUM>.

In electronic device <NUM> as the audio component system, the audio signal output from tuner <NUM> or CD player <NUM> is amplified by amplifier <NUM>, and sound corresponding to this audio signal is emitted from loudspeaker <NUM> included in speaker device <NUM>. Specifically, in loudspeaker <NUM>, dynamic magnetic force generated by voice coil body <NUM> in response to the electrical signal input to voice coil body <NUM> interacts with static magnetic force generated in the magnetic gap, whereby voice coil body <NUM> vibrates relative to frame <NUM>. This vibration is transmitted to diaphragm <NUM>, thus causing diaphragm <NUM> to vibrate and generate sound.

Electronic device <NUM> that can be achieved using this structure is thus capable of reproducing, as described above, clear sound with less distortion.

It is to be noted that electronic device <NUM> may include, in place of speaker devices <NUM>, speaker devices 100A described the second exemplary embodiment.

Electronic device <NUM>, namely, the audio component system including speaker devices <NUM> (or speaker devices 100A) that have loudspeakers <NUM> has been described here, as an application example of the speaker devices disclosed in the present disclosure to the electronic device. However, the present disclosure is not at all limited to this structure. The speaker device of the present disclosure is also applicable to, for example, mobile telephones and portable audio devices. Moreover, the speaker device of the present disclosure is susceptible of wide application or extension, such as for use in video devices that include liquid crystal televisions, plasma display televisions, and organic electro-luminescence (EL) televisions, information communication devices that include the mobile telephones, and electronic devices that include computer-related devices.

A brief description is provided next of a structural example in which the speaker device of the present disclosure is applied to the mobile body.

<FIG> is a sectional view schematically illustrating an example of mobile body <NUM> including loudspeaker <NUM> of the first exemplary embodiment.

Mobile body <NUM> is, for example, an automobile.

As shown in <FIG>, a rear tray of mobile body <NUM> can function as a part of cabinet <NUM>. Alternatively, a front panel (not shown) of mobile body <NUM> can function as a part of cabinet <NUM>.

In the example shown in <FIG>, with the mounting plane passing center of gravity <NUM> (not shown in <FIG>), loudspeaker <NUM> is fixed to fixed part <NUM> that is fixed to the rear tray of mobile body <NUM>. Based on an audio signal that is sent from a car navigation system (not shown) or a car audio system (not shown) that are mounted on mobile body <NUM>, loudspeaker <NUM> emits sound in mobile body <NUM>.

Even in cases where vibration is caused to mobile body <NUM>, fixing of speaker device <NUM> (this reference mark is not shown in <FIG>) thus mounted to mobile body <NUM> is stable with respect to the rear tray or the like, so that stable sound reproduction can be achieved.

It is to be noted that mobile body <NUM> is not limited to the automobile and may be an aircraft, a watercraft, or a train.

While it is only fixed part <NUM> mounted with first loudspeaker <NUM> that includes projection <NUM> in the structure described in the second exemplary embodiment, the present disclosure is not at all limited to this structure. For example, fixed parts <NUM> that are respectively mounted with first loudspeaker <NUM> and second loudspeaker <NUM> may be of the same shape, each having projection <NUM>, and fixed part <NUM> to be mounted with first loudspeaker <NUM> may be disposed in cabinet 101A so that its surface provided with projection <NUM> faces first loudspeaker <NUM>, while fixed part <NUM> to be mounted with second loudspeaker <NUM> may be disposed in cabinet 101A so that its surface without projection <NUM> faces second loudspeaker <NUM>. Because respective fixed parts <NUM> can substantially be of the same shape, speaker device 100A can use a reduced number of component types.

The exemplary embodiments have been described above as being illustrative of the technique of the present disclosure, and the accompanying drawings and the detailed description have been provided accordingly.

For illustration of the above technique, the constituent elements illustrated and described in the accompanying drawings and the detailed description may include not only the constituent elements that are essential for solving the problems but also the constituent elements that are not essential for solving the problems. For this reason, those inessential constituent elements that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings or are described in the detailed description should not immediately be acknowledged as essential.

Since the above exemplary embodiments are intended to be illustrative of the technique of the present disclosure, various modifications, replacements, additions, omissions, and others can be made within the scope of the claims or equivalents of the claims.

Claim 1:
A speaker device (<NUM>, 100A) comprising:
a loudspeaker (<NUM>) including a diaphragm (<NUM>) and a field portion (<NUM>) comprising a top plate (<NUM>), a magnet (<NUM>) and a yoke (<NUM>), and disposed rearwardly of the diaphragm (<NUM>), the field portion (<NUM>) being arranged to form a magnetic circuit that vibrates the diaphragm (<NUM>) by means of a voice coil body (<NUM>); and
a cabinet (<NUM>, 101A) accommodating the field portion (<NUM>), wherein
the loudspeaker (<NUM>) further includes a mounting member (<NUM>, 134A, 134B) with which the loudspeaker (<NUM>) is mounted to the cabinet (<NUM>, 101A), and
a mounting plane (<NUM>, 200A, 200B) of the mounting member (<NUM>, 134A, 134B) includes a center of gravity (<NUM>, 201A, 201B) of the loudspeaker (<NUM>), and
characterized in that the cabinet (<NUM>, 101A) includes a fixed part (<NUM>) to which the mounting member (<NUM>, 134A, 134B) is fixed, the fixed part (<NUM>) being disposed in the cabinet (<NUM>, 101A),
the loudspeaker (<NUM>) being mounted to the cabinet (<NUM>, 101A) such that the fixed part (<NUM>) and the mounting member (<NUM>) are in contact with each other at the mounting plane (<NUM>), the fixed part (<NUM>) being fixed to the cabinet (<NUM>, 101A) while stretching from a ceiling to a bottom face of the cabinet (<NUM>, 101A) as well as stretching from one side face to an opposite side face of the cabinet (<NUM>, 101A),
wherein the mounting member (<NUM>, 134A, 134B) is integral with a top plate (<NUM>) of the loudspeaker (<NUM>).