Patent Description:
Patent Literature <NUM> discloses a conventional acoustic apparatus. The warning device described in Patent Literature <NUM> includes a body, a cover to be attached to a front side of the body, and a back cover to be attached to a back side of the body. The body is provided with a piezoelectric loudspeaker. The cover has a large number of tone holes formed therein.

Here, in the cover having the large number of tone holes, design of a lower surface of the body is restricted. <CIT> describes a front portion of an inner cylinder-shaped portion, having a push button attached thereon, which is enclosed by a plate-shaped portion having a cylinder-shaped centre opening portion. On an inner circumference portion positioned in the almost middle of the height direction of the inner cylinder-shaped portion, a level difference portion, whose rear portion has a larger diameter than the front portion, is formed. A piezoelectric buzzer is fixed on the above level difference portion, using an adhesive agent etc., so as to form a resonant chamber between the plate-shaped portion and the piezoelectric buzzer. On the rear portion of the inner cylinder-shaped portion, a rear lid having a protrusion for working a tact switch is attached. <CIT> relates to an intercom which has appearance improved by concealing a speaker hole by a call button in a front cover of a casing and also preventing a speaker from being damaged by the above concealment of the speaker hole. The intercom has a box-shaped body, a cover attached to the front surface of the body and the speaker attached from the rear surface side of the cover, wherein a button attachment frame larger than outer diameter of the speaker is provided at a position opposite to the speaker of the cover and a call button approximately with the same size of the button attachment frame is provided in the button attachment frame.

It is an object of the present disclosure to provide an acoustic apparatus which enables the degree of design freedom of a housing to be increased.

An acoustic apparatus according to the present invention is defined in claim <NUM>. The dependent claims define further advantageous embodiments.

An acoustic apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the attached drawings. Note that the embodiment and variations described below are mere examples of various embodiments of the present disclosure.

An acoustic apparatus of the present embodiment is an alarm <NUM> which is configured such that when the alarm <NUM> senses smoke caused by a fire or the like, the alarm <NUM> illuminates a path or the like, and in addition, outputs a sound such as a warning sound. The alarm <NUM> is attached to, for example, a ceiling surface or the like of a living room , a bedroom, a stairs, or a corridor in a dwelling house, or an office, a stairs, a corridor, or the like in a building other than the dwelling house.

The alarm <NUM> of the present embodiment has a function as an illumination device configured such that, for example, when the alarm <NUM> senses smoke, the alarm <NUM> illuminates a floor surface to light up an evacuation route and the like. The alarm <NUM> of the present embodiment further has a function as an acoustic apparatus configured such that, for example, when the alarm <NUM> senses smoke, the alarm <NUM> outputs not only the warning sound but also a sound such as a speech and the like.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the alarm <NUM> includes an operation button <NUM> provided on a surface of a housing <NUM>. When the operation button <NUM> is pushed toward an inner side of the housing <NUM> while the alarm <NUM> is outputting a sound, the alarm <NUM> stops outputting the sound.

In the following description, in the alarm <NUM>, the surface provided with the operation button <NUM> is defined as a front surface, and a surface facing the ceiling surface is defined as a back surface. A direction parallel to a direction from the back surface to the front surface of the alarm <NUM> is defined as a forward and rearward direction. Viewing an object from the front is defined as a "front view" of the object.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the alarm <NUM> includes an attachment, the housing <NUM>, a circuit board <NUM>, a sensor <NUM>, an illuminator <NUM>, a sound outputter <NUM>, the operation button <NUM>, and a battery <NUM>.

The attachment is fixed to a surface (installation surface) such as the ceiling surface to which the alarm <NUM> is to be installed. In this state, the housing <NUM> is attached to the attachment. The attachment of the present embodiment includes a base plate <NUM>. The base plate <NUM> has a fixing plate <NUM> and a rising part <NUM>. The fixing plate <NUM> has a disk shape and has a back surface facing the installation surface. The rising part <NUM> protrudes from an outer periphery of the fixing plate <NUM> in the forward direction. The rising part <NUM> includes a plurality of holding claws <NUM> for holding the housing <NUM>.

The housing <NUM> accommodates components such as the circuit board <NUM>, the sensor <NUM>, the illuminator <NUM>, the sound outputter <NUM>, and the battery <NUM> therein. The housing <NUM> has a housing space <NUM>. The housing <NUM> includes a bottom plate <NUM>, a side cover <NUM>, and a top plate <NUM>. The housing <NUM> is made of a synthetic resin, for example, a flame-retardant ABS resin.

The bottom plate <NUM> is detachably attached to the base plate <NUM>. The bottom plate <NUM> is configured to be fit to an inner side of the rising part <NUM> of the base plate <NUM> and is hooked on the plurality of holding claws <NUM>, thereby keeping a state where the bottom plate <NUM> is fit to the inner side of the rising part <NUM>. The bottom plate <NUM> is fixed to the side cover <NUM> with a plurality of fixation tools <NUM> such as screws.

The side cover <NUM> is included in a side surface of the alarm <NUM>. The side surface faces a direction orthogonal to the forward and rearward direction. The side cover <NUM> has a cylindrical shape whose central axis is parallel to the forward and rearward direction. The side cover <NUM> includes an outer periphery <NUM> and a partition <NUM>.

The outer periphery <NUM> surrounds the base plate <NUM> and the bottom plate <NUM> (is located on an outer side of the base plate <NUM> and the bottom plate <NUM> in a direction orthogonal to the forward and rearward direction). The outer periphery <NUM> has a round shape in a front view thereof. The outer periphery <NUM> includes a front surface having a front opening <NUM> and a back surface having a back opening <NUM>.

The partition <NUM> has a plate shape orthogonal to the forward and rearward direction and partitions an interior space surrounded by the outer periphery <NUM> in the forward and rearward direction. The partition <NUM> is disposed in front of the bottom plate <NUM> in a state where the bottom plate <NUM> is fixed to the side cover <NUM>.

The top plate <NUM> is fixed to the side cover <NUM> in a state where the top plate <NUM> covers the front opening <NUM> of the outer periphery <NUM> (side cover <NUM>). The top plate <NUM> has a disk shape. The top plate <NUM> is fixed to the bottom plate <NUM> and the side cover <NUM> with the plurality of fixation tools <NUM>.

The housing space <NUM> is a space in which the components are to be accommodated. The housing space <NUM> is surrounded by the bottom plate <NUM>, the side cover <NUM>, and the top plate <NUM>. The housing space <NUM> of the present embodiment has a first space and a second space.

The first space is a space surrounded by the top plate <NUM>, the outer periphery <NUM>, and the partition <NUM>. In the first space, the circuit board <NUM>, the illuminator <NUM>, the sound outputter <NUM>, and the battery <NUM> are disposed. The circuit board <NUM> is provided with a control circuit. The control circuit is electrically connected to the sensor <NUM>, a light source <NUM> (LED) of the illuminator <NUM>, the sound outputter <NUM>, a push button switch <NUM> for stopping an output of a sound from the sound outputter <NUM>, and the battery <NUM> and controls the light source <NUM> and the sound outputter <NUM>. The circuit board <NUM> has a front surface provided with the light source <NUM> and the push button switch <NUM>.

The second space is a space surrounded by the bottom plate <NUM>, the outer periphery <NUM>, and the partition <NUM>. In the second space, the sensor <NUM> is disposed.

The sensor <NUM> is configured to sense the presence of smoke. The sensor <NUM> is provided on a back surface of the circuit board <NUM>. The partition <NUM> has a through hole <NUM> formed at a location corresponding to the sensor <NUM>. The sensor <NUM> passes through the through hole <NUM>, thereby being disposed in the second space. That is, the sensor <NUM> is exposed in the second space.

The outer periphery <NUM> has a part (part corresponding to the second space) which is located behind the partition <NUM> and which has a plurality of slits <NUM>. Each slit <NUM> extends along a circumferential direction of the outer periphery <NUM>. The plurality of slits <NUM> are communicated with the second space and a space outside the housing <NUM>. Thus, smoke which is present outside the housing <NUM> enters the second space through the plurality of slits <NUM>.

The sensor <NUM> includes, for example, a photoelectric sensor. The photoelectric sensor includes a light-emitting element and a light-receiving element. When the light-emitting element outputs light with smoke being present in the second space, the light is irregularly reflected off the smoke. Thus, the light-receiving element senses the light irregularly reflected. When the light-receiving element senses a certain quantity of light, the control circuit senses the presence of the smoke. When the control circuit senses the presence of the smoke based on a signal output from the sensor <NUM>, the control circuit outputs an electric signal to the sound outputter <NUM> so as to cause the sound outputter <NUM> to operate.

The push button switch <NUM> is a switch configured to stop an output of a sound from the sound outputter <NUM>. The push button switch <NUM> is configured to be pushed by an operation piece <NUM> (<FIG>) of the top plate <NUM> when a front surface of the operation button <NUM> is pushed in the rearward direction.

The operation button <NUM> receives an operation from outside the alarm <NUM> to be able to switch functions. When the operation button <NUM> of the present embodiment is operated in a state where the sound outputter <NUM> is outputting a sound, the operation button <NUM> switches the state to a state where the sound outputter <NUM> is not outputting the sound. The operation button <NUM> is provided in the opening <NUM> formed in a front surface of the top plate <NUM>.

The opening <NUM> is a section rearwardly recessed from the front surface of the top plate <NUM>. The opening <NUM> has a round shape in a front view thereof. The opening <NUM> includes a peripheral wall section <NUM> and a partition <NUM> (support plate) having the operation piece <NUM>.

The peripheral wall section <NUM> has a cylindrical shape whose center axis is elongated in the forward and rearward direction. The peripheral wall section <NUM> has surfaces on both sides in a thickness direction thereof, and one of the surfaces which faces the center axis is an inner peripheral surface of the opening <NUM>. An edge line at which a front end of the inner peripheral surface intersects with the front surface of the top plate <NUM> forms an opening in the top plate <NUM>. The opening is referred to as an operation button opening <NUM>. Note that the peripheral wall section <NUM> does not have to have a cylindrical shape but may have a rectangular tubular shape.

The operation button <NUM> is attached to the partition <NUM>. The partition <NUM> includes a pair of shaft bodies <NUM> which will be described later and a pore (second pore <NUM>) which supports a restriction claw <NUM>. The pair of shaft bodies <NUM> are configured to support a pair of hook pieces <NUM>. The partition <NUM> supports the operation button <NUM> in a state where the operation button <NUM> is attached to the partition <NUM>. The partition <NUM> is provided at a rear end of the peripheral wall section <NUM>. The partition <NUM> has a plate shape orthogonal to the forward and rearward direction. The partition <NUM> has a front surface corresponding to a bottom surface of the opening <NUM>. The partition <NUM> is located between the operation button <NUM> and the sound outputter <NUM> when the top plate <NUM> is fixed to the side cover <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the partition <NUM> includes a first pore <NUM> and a second pore <NUM>. Here, as illustrated in <FIG>, on a plane orthogonal to the forward and rearward direction, a straight line passing through the center of the operation button <NUM> is defined as a first virtual straight line <NUM>, and a straight line passing through the center of the operation button <NUM> and orthogonal to the first virtual straight line <NUM> is defined as a second virtual straight line <NUM>.

The first pore <NUM> is part of an acoustic space <NUM> which will be described later. The first pore <NUM> is formed on the second virtual straight line <NUM> and along an outer edge of the partition <NUM>. In the partition <NUM>, the second pore <NUM> is located on an opposite side of the first virtual straight line <NUM> from the first pore <NUM> and is on the second virtual straight line <NUM>. That is, the second pore <NUM> is provided on an opposite side from the first pore <NUM> in the radial direction of the opening <NUM>. The first pore <NUM> and the second pore <NUM> penetrate through the partition <NUM>. Thus, the operation button opening <NUM> is communicated with the housing space <NUM> via the first pore <NUM> and the second pore <NUM>. The first pore <NUM> and the second pore <NUM> will be described later in detail.

The operation piece <NUM> is provided to the partition <NUM>. The operation piece <NUM> is a piece obtained by separating part of the partition <NUM> from the other portions by a slit having a U-shape in a front view and is configured to elasticity deform when pushed in the rearward direction. As illustrated in <FIG>, the operation piece <NUM> includes an elasticity piece <NUM> which is elastically deformable and an operation projection <NUM> facing an operation surface of the push button switch <NUM>.

The operation button <NUM> includes a button body <NUM> included in a main body of the operation button <NUM> and a pressure projection <NUM> protruding in the rearward direction from a back surface of the button body <NUM>. The pressure projection <NUM> has a tip end disposed to face a portion of the elasticity piece <NUM>, the portion being located between the operation projection <NUM> and a base of the elasticity piece <NUM>. Thus, when the operation button <NUM> is pushed in the rearward direction, as illustrated in <FIG>, the pressure projection <NUM> pushes the elasticity piece <NUM> in the rearward direction, and the elasticity piece <NUM> warps in the rearward direction. Then, the operation projection <NUM> pushes the push button switch <NUM>.

The operation button <NUM> is disposed on an inner side of the operation button opening <NUM>. Saying that the operation button <NUM> is disposed on an inner side of the operation button opening <NUM> includes not only that the front surface of the operation button <NUM> is flush with the front surface of the top plate <NUM> but also that the operation button <NUM> is located rearward or forward with respect to the front surface of the top plate <NUM>. That is, the operation button <NUM> is, in a front view thereof, disposed at least on the inner side of the operation button opening <NUM>. In other words, at least part of the operation button <NUM> is disposed in the operation button opening <NUM>.

The housing <NUM> has a single-sided hinge structure for rotatably attaching the operation button <NUM> to the top plate <NUM>. The single-sided hinge structure includes the pair of shaft bodies <NUM> provided to the housing <NUM> and a bearing <NUM> provided to the button body <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the pair of shaft bodies <NUM> extend in a direction orthogonal to the second virtual straight line <NUM> in the front view of the operation button <NUM>, and the pair of shaft bodies <NUM> are apart from each other with the second virtual straight line <NUM> at the center. Each shaft body <NUM> has a cylindrical shape. The first pore <NUM> has a line symmetric shape with respect to the second virtual straight line <NUM>. The pair of shaft bodies <NUM> protrude from a pair of surfaces in a direction in which the pair of shaft bodies <NUM> face each other, the pair of surfaces being included in an inner peripheral surface of the first pore <NUM> and facing each other in a direction along the first virtual straight line <NUM>. A straight line connecting the centers of the pair of shaft bodies <NUM> is a rotation axis <NUM> of the operation button <NUM>.

The rotation axis <NUM> is a uniform straight line serving as the center of rotation of the operation button <NUM>. In the front view of the operation button <NUM>, the rotation axis <NUM> is located between the center of the operation button <NUM> and an outer periphery of the operation button <NUM>. The rotation axis <NUM> is parallel to the first virtual straight line <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the bearing <NUM> protrudes from the back surface of the button body <NUM>. The bearing <NUM> includes a pair of hook pieces <NUM> each having an L-section. The pair of hook pieces <NUM> are disposed to be apart from each other in the direction along the first virtual straight line <NUM>. The pair of hook pieces <NUM> are hooked on the pair of shaft bodies <NUM> on a one-to-one basis. Thus, the operation button <NUM> rotates about the rotation axis <NUM> when the front surface of the operation button <NUM> is pushed toward the housing <NUM>.

The operation button <NUM> includes the restriction claw <NUM>. The restriction claw <NUM> restricts displacement in a direction opposite from a rotation direction (specifically, a push direction of rotation directions about the rotation axis <NUM>) when the front surface of the operation button <NUM> is pushed toward the housing <NUM>. Thus, in a state where the operation button <NUM> is attached to the housing <NUM>, the operation button <NUM> is restricted from rotating in a direction which is one of rotation directions about the rotation axis <NUM> and which is opposite from the push direction.

Note that the single-sided hinge structure does not have to include the pair of shaft bodies <NUM> but has at least a portion serving as the rotation axis <NUM>. The single-sided hinge structure of the present embodiment is made of a synthetic resin but may be made of other materials by two-color molding, insert molding, or the like.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the alarm <NUM> includes the illuminator <NUM>. The illuminator <NUM> emits light such that as the light propagates in the traveling direction, the light diffuses in the radial direction. The light is emitted from the illuminator <NUM> in a conical shape viewed as a whole. The illuminator <NUM> includes the light source <NUM> and an optical member <NUM>.

The light source <NUM> includes light-emitting diodes (LEDs) attached to the circuit board <NUM>. That is, the light source <NUM> is provided in the housing <NUM>. The color of light output from the light source <NUM> is white but may be red, blue, or the like.

The optical member <NUM> is on an optical axis of the light source <NUM> in the housing <NUM> (in the first space). The optical member <NUM> is made of a transparent material such as acrylic, glass, or the like. As illustrated in <FIG>, the optical member <NUM> includes: a focusing lens <NUM> having a first incidence plane <NUM>; an adjacent part <NUM> having a second incidence plane <NUM>; a light guide <NUM> having a first exit plane <NUM> and a second exit plane <NUM>; and a pair of support legs <NUM>.

The focusing lens <NUM> collects light emitted from the light source <NUM>. The focusing lens <NUM> includes an incidence plane (first incidence plane <NUM>) via which light output from the light source <NUM> enters the focusing lens <NUM>. The first incidence plane <NUM> has a convex lens shape and is spherically curved to protrude toward the light source <NUM>.

The light guide <NUM> guides the light collected by the focusing lens <NUM> to the first exit plane <NUM>. The light guide <NUM> is integrally formed with the focusing lens <NUM>. The light guide <NUM> extends in the forward and rearward direction. The light guide <NUM> has a pair of inclined surfaces <NUM>. The pair of inclined surfaces <NUM> face each other in a width direction of the first exit plane <NUM>. The pair of inclined surfaces <NUM> are tilted such that the distance between the pair of inclined surfaces <NUM> decreases toward the front. The light guide <NUM> has an end surface in the forward direction, and the end surface is the first exit plane <NUM>.

The first exit plane <NUM> is a surface from which light passing through the first incidence plane <NUM> is output outside the housing <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG>, the first exit plane <NUM> is disposed in a hole section <NUM>.

The hole section <NUM> is recessed from the surface of the housing <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG>, the hole section <NUM> includes a pair of inner side surfaces <NUM> and a bottom surface <NUM>. The pair of inner side surfaces <NUM> are apart from each other in a radial direction of the opening <NUM>. The bottom surface <NUM> is located on a rear side of the pair of inner side surfaces <NUM>. In the present embodiment, one of the pair of inner side surfaces <NUM> is the inner peripheral surface of the opening <NUM> of the top plate <NUM>, and the other is the outer periphery of the operation button <NUM>. The bottom surface <NUM> is part of the front surface of the partition <NUM>. The hole section <NUM> is, in a front view thereof, formed concentrically with the housing <NUM> and extends along a surface of the housing <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the first exit plane <NUM> has a shape elongated along the longitudinal direction of the hole section <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG>, the first exit plane <NUM> has, in a front view thereof, a length in a direction in which the hole section <NUM> extends, and the first exit plane <NUM> has a width in a direction orthogonal to the length. The length of the first exit plane <NUM> is larger than the width of the first exit plane <NUM>. The first exit plane <NUM> has an arc-like shape in a front view of the first exit plane <NUM>.

The area S<NUM> of the first exit plane <NUM> is smaller than the area S<NUM> of the first incidence plane <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG>, when light output from the light source <NUM> enters the focusing lens <NUM> through the first incidence plane <NUM>, the light passing through the first incidence plane <NUM> is collected by the focusing lens <NUM>. The focal point of light collected is located rearward of the first exit plane <NUM>. Then, light passing through the first exit plane <NUM> is radiated while diverging. Thus, the area S<NUM> of the first exit plane <NUM> is smaller than the area S<NUM> of the first incidence plane <NUM>, and therefore, it is possible to make the first exit plane <NUM> less noticeable. Moreover, since the area S<NUM> of the first incidence plane <NUM> is larger than the area S<NUM> of the first exit plane <NUM>, a larger quantity of light can be secured than in a case where the area of the incidence plane is equal to the area of the exit plane. In sum, while the area of first incidence plane <NUM> is maintained to be larger than or equal to a certain area so as to secure the quantity of light, it is possible to make the first exit plane <NUM> in the housing <NUM> less noticeable.

The first exit plane <NUM> is, for example, not limited to the end surface of the light guide <NUM> but may be a form as illustrated in <FIG>. An exit plane of a variation shown in <FIG> includes an opening plane <NUM> of a pore <NUM> formed in a partition <NUM>. The pore <NUM> penetrates through the partition <NUM>. An optical member <NUM> is a focusing lens <NUM>. The incidence plane (first incidence plane <NUM>) of the focusing lens <NUM> is a portion which is part of a back surface of the focusing lens <NUM> and which is irradiated with light. The area of the opening plane <NUM> is smaller than the area of the incidence plane of the focusing lens <NUM>.

Alternatively, as illustrated in <FIG>, the incidence plane (first incidence plane <NUM>) may be flat. When the optical member <NUM> is the focusing lens <NUM>, the focusing lens <NUM> may be a convex lens in which the incidence plane of the focusing lens <NUM> is flat, and a plane from which light passing through the focusing lens <NUM> is output spherically protrudes in a travelling direction of the light. Moreover, the optical member <NUM> does not include the focusing lens <NUM> and may include only the light guiding member.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the adjacent part <NUM> includes the second incidence plane <NUM>. The adjacent part <NUM> is adjacent to an area around the focusing lens <NUM> and is integrally formed with the focusing lens <NUM>. The second incidence plane <NUM> is provided to a back surface of the adjacent part <NUM>. The second incidence plane <NUM> is formed around the first incidence plane <NUM> and adjoins the first incidence plane <NUM>.

The second exit plane <NUM> is a surface from which light passing through the second incidence plane <NUM> from the light source <NUM> is output into the hole section <NUM>. In the light guide <NUM>, the second exit plane <NUM> includes surfaces on both sides in the length direction of the first exit plane <NUM>. From the second exit plane <NUM>, light exits in a direction different from a direction in which light exits from the first exit plane <NUM>. In the present embodiment, an optical axis of light output via the second exit plane <NUM> and an optical axis of light output via the first exit plane <NUM> intersect with each other.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the first exit plane <NUM> and the second exit plane <NUM> are disposed at a location where the inner peripheral surface of the opening <NUM> of the housing <NUM> intersects with the first virtual straight line <NUM> in plan view. From the first exit plane <NUM>, light exits in the forward direction. That is, the first exit plane <NUM> allows light to go out toward a space below the ceiling surface. From the second exit plane <NUM>, light exits along the longitudinal direction of the hole section <NUM>. Thus, the light exiting from the second exit plane <NUM> is radiated downward from the entire perimeter of a gap <NUM> having an annular shape formed in the hole section <NUM>.

Here, the hole section <NUM> has an annular shape and has the pair of inner side surfaces <NUM> and the bottom surface <NUM>. The gap <NUM> has the annular shape and includes the pair of inner side surfaces <NUM>. The gap <NUM> is included in the hole section <NUM>.

Each inner side surface <NUM> of the hole section <NUM> has a smaller surface roughness than the roughness of the surface of the housing <NUM> (that is, the surface of the housing <NUM> is rougher than the inner side surface <NUM> of the hole section <NUM>). In the alarm <NUM> of the present embodiment, the front surface of the top plate <NUM> is embossed, but both of the pair of inner side surfaces <NUM> of the hole section <NUM> are not embossed. Moreover, in the alarm <NUM> of the present embodiment, the bottom surface <NUM> is not embossed. Thus, disposing the second exit plane <NUM> in the hole section <NUM> enables light exiting from the second exit plane <NUM> to be reflected toward the pair of inner side surfaces <NUM> of the hole section <NUM>. This enables a part between the operation button <NUM> and the opening <NUM> of the housing <NUM> to be illuminated, and thereby, illumination for striking up the operation button <NUM> is possible.

Note that only one of the pair of inner side surfaces <NUM> of the hole section <NUM> may have a lower surface roughness than the surface of the housing <NUM>. Moreover, the inner side surfaces <NUM> of the hole section <NUM> may be mirror-finished.

The alarm <NUM> in the present embodiment includes a sound outputter <NUM>. The sound outputter <NUM> outputs a sound (sound wave). The sound outputter <NUM> of the present embodiment includes a loudspeaker <NUM> configured to convert an electric signal into a sound. The loudspeaker <NUM> includes a diaphragm and mechanically vibrates the diaphragm in accordance with the electric signal to generate a sound. The loudspeaker <NUM> has a round shape in a front view thereof and has a disk shape. The loudspeaker <NUM> is smaller than the operation button <NUM> in the front view of the operation button <NUM>. In other words, the operation button <NUM> is larger than the loudspeaker <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the loudspeaker <NUM> overlaps the rotation axis <NUM> in the front view of the operation button <NUM>, and the center <NUM> of the loudspeaker <NUM> is located between the first virtual straight line <NUM> and the rotation axis <NUM> in a direction along the second virtual straight line <NUM>. Thus, the loudspeaker <NUM> at least partially overlaps the operation button <NUM> in the front view of the operation button <NUM>.

The first pore <NUM> penetrates the partition <NUM>. The partition <NUM> has a uniform thickness. The first pore <NUM> is within the loudspeaker <NUM> in the front view of the operation button <NUM> and is smaller than the loudspeaker <NUM>. That is, in the front view of the operation button <NUM>, the area of the first pore <NUM> is smaller than the area of the loudspeaker <NUM>.

The loudspeaker <NUM> is disposed behind the partition <NUM>. Thus, as illustrated in <FIG>, a space having a dimension greater than or equal to the thickness of the partition <NUM> is formed in front of the loudspeaker <NUM>. The space forms the acoustic space <NUM>.

The alarm <NUM> includes a gap <NUM> between an edge of the opening <NUM> of the top plate <NUM> and the operation button <NUM>. The gap <NUM> extends over the entire length of the outer perimeter of the operation button <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG>, the acoustic space <NUM> overlaps at least part of the gap <NUM> in the entire length of the gap <NUM> in a plan view of the operation button <NUM>. In sum, the acoustic space <NUM> connects the loudspeaker <NUM> to the gap <NUM>.

When a sound is output from a front surface of the loudspeaker <NUM>, the sound propagates in the acoustic space <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG> and is output to the outside through the gap <NUM>. In the present embodiment, of the gap <NUM> formed between an edge of the opening <NUM> of the top plate <NUM> and the operation button <NUM>, a gap corresponding to the first pore <NUM> and a first recess <NUM> which will be described later is a tone hole. That is, in the present embodiment, the gap <NUM> serves as the tone hole, and therefore, the gap <NUM> is formed at least between the first virtual straight line <NUM> and the rotation axis <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the partition <NUM> has a pair of recesses (first recesses <NUM>) extending along the longitudinal direction (circumferential direction) of the gap <NUM> from the first pore <NUM> in the front view of the operation button <NUM>. A space (space in front of the recess) in the first recess <NUM>, connect the first pore <NUM> to the gap <NUM>.

Moreover, as illustrated in <FIG>, the housing <NUM> is provided with a sound shielding structure <NUM>. The sound shielding structure <NUM> limits a sound passing range of the gap <NUM> in the entire length of the gap <NUM> to a certain range. The sound shielding structure <NUM> includes a first vertical surface <NUM>, a horizontal surface <NUM> orthogonal to the first vertical surface <NUM>, and a second vertical surface <NUM> orthogonal to the horizontal surface <NUM>. The first vertical surface <NUM> and the second vertical surface <NUM> are parallel to the forward and rearward directions and are orthogonal to the front surface of the partition <NUM>.

The sound shielding structure <NUM> suppresses a sound output to the acoustic space <NUM> from going out through part, other than a range corresponding to the first pore <NUM> and the first recess <NUM>, of the gap <NUM>. Thus, the sound of the alarm <NUM> of the present embodiment is mainly output through the gap <NUM> corresponding to the first pore <NUM> and the first recess <NUM>. This reduces clipping noise caused due to sounds which have the same frequency but which are output from locations apart from each other.

Moreover, the loudspeaker <NUM> of the present embodiment is configured to output two or more types of sounds (sound waves). The loudspeaker <NUM> is configured to output a first sound which can be output from a first portion <NUM> of the loudspeaker <NUM> and a second sound which can be output from a second portion <NUM> of the loudspeaker <NUM> as the two or more types of sounds.

The first sound includes a voice sound and a warning sound. The first sound has a frequency within a voice band (e.g., higher than or equal to <NUM> and lower than or equal to <NUM>) and a frequency within a warning sound band (e.g., higher than or equal to <NUM> and lower than or equal to <NUM>). The first sound is output from the front surface (first portion <NUM>) of a diaphragm of the loudspeaker <NUM>.

The second sound includes a vibration sound generated when the diaphragm of the loudspeaker <NUM> vibrates. The second sound is different from the first sound. The phase of the second sound is a reverse phase of the phase of the first sound. The second sound is output from a back surface (second portion <NUM>) of the diaphragm of the loudspeaker <NUM>.

The partition <NUM> has a second pore <NUM> and a second recess <NUM> via which the second sound is allowed to be output to the outside. The second pore <NUM> and the second recess <NUM> are formed on an opposite side from the first pore <NUM> in a radial direction of the opening <NUM>. The second recess <NUM> extends in a longitudinal direction (circumferential direction) of the gap <NUM>. The space in the second recess <NUM> is communicated with the second pore <NUM> and the gap <NUM>.

The alarm <NUM> of the present embodiment outputs, from the front surface (first portion <NUM>) of the diaphragm of the loudspeaker <NUM>, a warning sound as the first sound. Then, the alarm <NUM> outputs, from the front surface of the diaphragm of the loudspeaker <NUM>, voice as the first sound. These first sounds pass through the acoustic space <NUM> and are output through the gap <NUM> to the outside.

At this time, the vibration sound as the second sound output from the back surface (second portion <NUM>) of the diaphragm of the loudspeaker <NUM> passes a space (space behind the partition <NUM>) between the partition <NUM> and the circuit board <NUM> and goes through an opening of the second pore <NUM> to the outside of the housing <NUM>.

Then, the sound gone through the opening of the second pore <NUM> to the outside of the housing <NUM> is output via the space in the second recess <NUM> through the gap <NUM>.

Note that since the first sound and the second sound are output from respective different locations of the gap <NUM>, the first sound and the second sound may reinforce or cancel each other, that is, interfere with each other. In the alarm <NUM> of the present embodiment, the traveling distance of the first sound and the traveling distance of the second sound are determined such that no interfere of the first sound and the second sound with each other occurs, but if the interference occurs, it is possible to handle the interference by the following method.

As illustrated in <FIG>, providing a separator <NUM> enables the occurrence of interference to be reduced. The separator <NUM> is provided between the loudspeaker <NUM> and the second pore <NUM>. The separator <NUM> protrudes from a back surface of the partition <NUM> in the rear direction. The separator <NUM> has a tip end which is in contact with or in the proximity of the circuit board <NUM>. The separator <NUM> extends along the first virtual straight line <NUM> and extends in a direction intersecting with a straight line passing through the loudspeaker <NUM> and the second pore <NUM>. On both sides in a longitudinal direction of the separator <NUM>, spaces are located.

Since the separator <NUM> is provided between the loudspeaker <NUM> and the second pore <NUM>, the second sound output from the back surface of the diaphragm of the loudspeaker <NUM> passes between the partition <NUM> and the circuit board <NUM> but is transmitted to bypass the separator <NUM> at this time. Thus, the traveling distance of the second sound increases. That is, the separator <NUM> enables the traveling distance of the second sound to be adjusted, and therefore, it is possible to reduce the occurrence of interference.

In the present embodiment, the loudspeaker <NUM> is disposed at a location such that the loudspeaker <NUM> overlaps the rotation axis <NUM> in the front view of the operation button <NUM>, but as illustrated in <FIG>, the loudspeaker <NUM> does not have to overlap the rotation axis <NUM>. In this case, the center <NUM> of the loudspeaker <NUM> is located between the first virtual straight line <NUM> and the rotation axis <NUM> in the front view of the operation button <NUM>.

Moreover, as illustrated in <FIG>, the operation button <NUM> does not have to be concentric with the housing <NUM> in the front view of the operation button <NUM>. In this case, the loudspeaker <NUM> is at least disposed at a location such that at least part of the loudspeaker <NUM> overlaps the operation button <NUM> in the front view of the operation button <NUM>, and thereby, part of the gap <NUM> can be the tone hole.

The acoustic apparatus according to the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiment.

In one variation, the sensor <NUM> is not limited to a sensor configured to sense smoke. For example, the sensor <NUM> may be configured to sense flame or heat.

In one variation, the operation button <NUM> does not have to be configured to stop a sound from the sound outputter <NUM>. For example, the operation button <NUM> may be an operation button for switching modes of the alarm.

In one variation, the opening <NUM> does not have to be provided with the peripheral wall section <NUM> but may be a through hole for the operation button <NUM> formed in the top plate <NUM>.

In one variation, the optical member <NUM> has to be provided with neither the second incidence plane <NUM> nor the second exit plane <NUM>.

The illuminator <NUM> of the above-described embodiment is configured to conically emit light, but the illuminator <NUM> is not limited to this example. In one variation, the illuminator <NUM> may emit light such that a specific shape (e.g., arrow shape) is displayed by light shining on a floor surface.

In the illuminator <NUM> of the above-described embodiment, a focal point of light passing through the focusing lens is located rearward of the first exit plane <NUM>, but the focal point may be located forward of the first exit plane <NUM>.

The sound outputter <NUM> does not have to have a round shape in the front view of the operation button <NUM> but may have, for example, a quadrangular shape, or an elliptical shape. Moreover, the sound outputter <NUM> does not have to be the loudspeaker but may be configured to output a warning sound by using a diaphragm.

In one variation, the second pore <NUM> does not have to be located on an opposite side of the center of the first virtual straight line <NUM> from the first pore <NUM>. The second pore <NUM> is at least located at a location different from the first pore <NUM>.

As described above, an acoustic apparatus of a first aspect includes: a housing (<NUM>) having a housing space (<NUM>); an operation button opening (<NUM>) formed in the housing (<NUM>); an operation button (<NUM>) disposed on an inner side of the operation button opening (<NUM>); and a sound outputter (<NUM>) provided to the housing space (<NUM>) and configured to output a sound. The operation button opening (<NUM>) is communicated with the housing space (<NUM>). Moreover, the acoustic apparatus has a gap (<NUM>) corresponding to at least part of a space between an edge of the operation button opening (<NUM>) and the operation button (<NUM>). In a front view of the operation button (<NUM>), the sound outputter (<NUM>) is disposed at a location where at least part of the sound outputter overlap the operation button (<NUM>). In addition, the operation button (<NUM>) is configured to rotate about a rotation axis (<NUM>) when a front surface of the operation button (<NUM>) is pushed into the housing (<NUM>). The rotation axis (<NUM>) is located between a center of the operation button (<NUM>) and an outer periphery of the operation button (<NUM>) in the front view of the operation button (<NUM>). At least part of the gap (<NUM>) is located at a side of the rotation axis (<NUM>) viewed from a virtual straight line (<NUM>) which is parallel to the rotation axis (<NUM>) and which runs through the center of the operation button (<NUM>) in the front view of the operation button (<NUM>). The sound outputter (<NUM>) has a center (<NUM>) located at a side of the rotation axis (<NUM>) viewed from the virtual straight line (<NUM>) in the front view of the operation button (<NUM>).

This configuration enables a sound output from the sound outputter (<NUM>) to be output through the gap (<NUM>) between the edge of the operation button opening (<NUM>) and the operation button (<NUM>), and therefore, a dedicated tone hole does not have to be provided, and it is thus possible to improve the degree of design freedom of the housing. In addition, this configuration enables a sound to be output from part of the gap close to a location at which the operation button (<NUM>) is attached to the housing (<NUM>), and therefore, it is possible to reduce vibration of the operation button (<NUM>). Thus, it is possible to reduce the occurrence of clipping noise.

In an acoustic apparatus of a second aspect referring to the first aspect, the sound outputter (<NUM>) is disposed at a location such that the sound outputter (<NUM>) overlaps the rotation axis (<NUM>) in the front view of the operation button (<NUM>).

This configuration enables vibration of the operation button (<NUM>) to further be reduced.

In an acoustic apparatus of a third aspect referring to the first or second aspect, the housing (<NUM>) includes a partition (<NUM>) located between the operation button (<NUM>) and the sound outputter (<NUM>). The partition (<NUM>) further includes an acoustic space (<NUM>) penetrating through the partition (<NUM>) and connecting the sound outputter (<NUM>) to the gap (<NUM>).

This configuration enables a sound with improved sound effect to be output.

In an acoustic apparatus of a fourth aspect referring to the third aspect, the partition (<NUM>) includes at least one recess (<NUM>) extending from the acoustic space (<NUM>) along the gap (<NUM>) in plan view of the operation button (<NUM>). The acoustic space (<NUM>) is communicated with the gap (<NUM>) via a space in the at least one recess (<NUM>).

This configuration enables a sound to be output through a gap having a range larger than the width of the acoustic space (<NUM>) even when the acoustic space (<NUM>) has a narrow width.

An acoustic apparatus of a fifth aspect referring to any one of the first to fourth aspects further includes a sound shielding structure (<NUM>) configured to limit to a certain range, a range in which the sound passes, of the gap (<NUM>).

This configuration enables the range in which the sound is output to be limited to the certain range even when the range of the gap (<NUM>) is wide. Therefore, it is possible to reduce clipping noise which is caused due to a difference caused in traveling distance.

In an acoustic apparatus of a sixth aspect referring to any one of the first to fifth aspects, the operation button (<NUM>) is larger than the sound outputter (<NUM>) in the front view of the operation button (<NUM>).

With this configuration, the operation button (<NUM>) occupies a large proportion of the housing (<NUM>), and therefore, the operation button (<NUM>) is easy to be operated, and in addition, the gap (<NUM>) through which a sound is output is easy to be designed.

In an acoustic apparatus of a seventh aspect referring to any one of the first to sixth aspects, the sound outputter (<NUM>) is configured to output, in addition to a first sound as the sound, a second sound different from the first sound. The housing (<NUM>) has a pore (<NUM>) formed at a location other than the gap (<NUM>), through the pore (<NUM>), the second sound is to be output to an outside of the housing (<NUM>).

This configuration enables stereoscopic characteristics to be imparted to a sound.

In an acoustic apparatus of an eighth aspect referring to any one of the first to seventh aspects, the acoustic apparatus is an alarm (<NUM>) and the sound outputter (<NUM>) is configured to output a warning sound as the sound.

With this configuration, a dedicated tone hole does not have to be provided, and it is thus possible to provide an alarm with a high degree of design freedom.

Claim 1:
An acoustic apparatus, comprising:
a housing (<NUM>) having a housing space (<NUM>);
an operation button opening (<NUM>) communicated with the housing space (<NUM>) and formed in the housing (<NUM>);
an operation button (<NUM>) disposed on an inner side of the operation button opening (<NUM>);
a gap (<NUM>) corresponding to at least part of a space between an edge of the operation button opening (<NUM>) and the operation button (<NUM>); and
a sound outputter (<NUM>) provided in the housing space (<NUM>) and configured to output a sound,
characterized in that
the operation button (<NUM>) is configured to rotate about a rotation axis (<NUM>) when a front surface of the operation button (<NUM>) is pushed into the housing (<NUM>), the rotation axis (<NUM>) being located between a center of the operation button (<NUM>) and an outer periphery of the operation button (<NUM>) in a front view of the operation button (<NUM>),
at least part of the gap (<NUM>) is located at a side of the rotation axis (<NUM>) viewed from a virtual straight line (<NUM>) which is parallel to the rotation axis (<NUM>) and which runs through the center of the operation button (<NUM>) in the front view of the operation button (<NUM>), and
the sound outputter (<NUM>) has a center (<NUM>) located at a side of the rotation axis (<NUM>) viewed from the virtual straight line (<NUM>) in the front view of the operation button (<NUM>), and
in the front view of the operation button (<NUM>), the sound outputter (<NUM>) is disposed at a location where at least part of the sound outputter (<NUM>) overlaps the operation button (<NUM>).