Flat panel loudspeaker system and method of making
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorWing W. Cheung
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An exciter assembly for use with a flat panel loudspeaker system including a panel having a core, an inner sheet coupled to an inner surface of the core and an outer sheet coupled to an outer surface of the core. The exciter assembly may include an exciter having a voice coil assembly attachable to the outer sheet of the panel, the voice coil assembly having a lock pad, and a lock base releasably engaging the lock pad and attachable to the outer sheet of the panel, to vibrate the panel to generate sound energy; and an exciter support bracket connected to the exciter housing and attachable to the outer sheet of the panel.
Claims20
An exciter assembly for use with a flat panel loudspeaker system, the loudspeaker system including a panel having a core, an inner sheet coupled to an inner surface of the core and an outer sheet coupled to an outer surface of the core, the exciter assembly comprising:
- an exciter having an exciter housing, a voice coil assembly attachable to the outer sheet of the panel, the voice coil assembly having a lock pad, and a lock base releasably engaging the lock pad and attachable to the outer sheet of the panel, to vibrate the panel to generate sound energy;
- the lock pad including a coil former and a cylindrical projection shaped to define a first opening;
- the lock base including an annular base having a second opening coaxial with the first opening;
- and
- an exciter support bracket connected to the exciter housing and attachable to the outer sheet of the panel.
A flat panel loudspeaker system for a vehicle, the system comprising:
- a panel forming a cabin wall in a vehicle, the panel having a core, an inner sheet coupled to an inner surface of the core and an outer sheet coupled to an outer surface of the core;
- an exciter having an exciter housing, a voice coil assembly attached to the outer sheet of the panel, the voice coil assembly having a lock pad and a lock base releasably engaging the lock pad and mounted on and contacting the outer sheet of the panel, to vibrate the panel to generate sound energy within the vehicle;
- and
- the lock pad including a coil former and a cylindrical projection shaped to define a first opening;
- the lock base mounted on and contacting the outer sheet of the panel and including an annular base having a second opening coaxial with the first opening;
- and
- an exciter support bracket connected to the exciter housing and attached to the outer sheet.
A method of constructing a flat panel loudspeaker system for transmitting sound energy within a vehicle cabin including a panel, the panel having a core, an inner sheet coupled to an inner surface of the core, and an outer sheet coupled to an outer surface of the core, the method comprising:
- attaching an exciter having an exciter housing, a voice coil assembly to the outer sheet of the panel, the voice coil assembly having a lock pad including a coil former and a cylindrical projection shaped to define a first opening, and a lock base including an annular base having a second opening coaxial with the first opening, by attaching the annular base of the lock pad to the outer sheet of the panel, and releasably attaching the lock pad to the lock base, such that vibration of the exciter vibrates the panel to generate sound energy within the vehicle cabin;
- attaching an exciter support bracket to the outer sheet;
- and
- connecting the exciter support bracket to the exciter housing.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.