Electrical audio signal processing systems and devices – Electro-acoustic audio transducer – Plural or compound reproducers
Patent
1994-07-15
1996-12-17
Tran, Sinh
Electrical audio signal processing systems and devices
Electro-acoustic audio transducer
Plural or compound reproducers
381186, 381151, 381205, H04R 2500
Patent
active
055861954
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a body-acoustic device wherein acoustic signals in the form of electric output from such systems as an audio system, arcade amusement machine, or home video game system are converted into mechanical vibration to a human body. More particularly, the present invention relates to a body-acoustic device wherein sound pressure from a loudspeaker causes the outer walls of the loudspeaker's housing to vibrate for transmission to a human body.
BACKGROUND ART
In general, a body-acoustic device of the above type includes a housing wherein an inner space of the housing is divided into two parts by a diaphragm having an opening for mounting a loudspeaker. When the loudspeaker is operated, sound pressure from the loudspeaker vibrates the outer walls of the housing.
An example of such a sonic body resonator is disclosed in the Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open 2-266797. Particularly, FIG. 4 of this laid-open application discloses a loudspeaker housing comprising a pair of dish-shaped vibrating elements joined together to form a discoid. The inner space of this discoidal housing is divided, in its thickness direction, into two parts by a diaphragm made of a relatively hard material such as wood, and the diaphragm has an opening for mounting a loudspeaker.
However, a problem with this type of body-acoustic device is that when the inner spaces of the housing are completely segregated from each other by the diaphragm, it becomes impossible to vibrate the entire outer wall of the housing, failing to produce satisfactory body-acoustic effect.
The loudspeaker mounted to the diaphragm may be made to have a larger diameter and a larger output for increasing vibration propagated on the outside wall of the housing while also enhancing bass sound. However, this measure makes it necessary to increase the overall size of the housing for accommodating the diametrically larger loudspeaker, resulting in a weight increase of the body-acoustic device and a higher manufacturing cost. Thus, the body-acoustic device becomes unsuitable as a peripheral device for a low-cost video game system.
It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a body-acoustic device wherein a diametrically small speaker having a small output can provide sufficient body vibration as well as sufficient propagation of bass sound.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a small and light sonic body resonator which can be manufactured at a low cost but yet create sufficient body-felt sound effect.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
In order to achieve the above objects, a body-acoustic device according to the present invention comprises a housing, a diaphragm dividing the inner space of this housing into a first chamber and a second chamber, and a loudspeaker mounted to an opening of the diaphragm. The diaphragm may preferably comprises a transversely vibratory member. In addition, the diaphragm may be provided with a port for allowing air movement between the first and second chambers.
According to a preferred embodiment, the diaphragm is supported at its perimetric edge by an inner surface of the housing via an elastic member. Further, the entire housing or at least a part of the housing opposite to the diaphragm, that is, a part for direct or indirect contact with the body of a user, is made of a transversely vibratory member.
According to a first aspect of the present invention, the diaphragm for mounting the loudspeaker is a transversely vibratory member. Hence, when the loudspeaker is operated, the entire diaphragm vibrates together with the vibration of the loudspeaker's cone paper, which is equivalent to an enlargement of the loudspeaker diameter. As a result, the sound pressure from the loudspeaker is enhanced, making it possible to obtain sufficient sound effect, especially with respect to heavy bass sound, even if the diameter of the loudspeaker itself is small.
Such a sound enhancement effect can be further intensified, as in the preferred embodiment, by using the elas
REFERENCES:
patent: 4232204 (1980-11-01), Rojas
Abstract, JP-A-03 085096, Publication date: Apr. 10, 1991.
Abstract, JP-A-01 288096, Publication date: Nov. 20, 1989.
Ishigaki Hitomi
Tamura Masako
Bednarek Michael D.
Capcom Co. Ltd.
Tran Sinh
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