US20010026087A1

US20010026087A1 - Sound apparatus

Info

Publication number: US20010026087A1
Application number: US09/819,202
Authority: US
Inventors: Seijiro Tomita
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Sony Corp
Priority date: 2000-03-30
Filing date: 2001-03-28
Publication date: 2001-10-04
Also published as: CN1319367A; JP2001285976A

Abstract

To provide a simple sound apparatus in which an excellent sound effect can always be obtained. There are provided a seat portion 110 having a backrest portion 113 and a stool portion 114, a pair of closed-loop-shaped main frames 120 respectively attached to both side edges of the seat portion, and a sub-frame 130 including a vibrating unit 150 and connected to at least one of the main frames, and vibration generated from the vibrating unit is transmitted to the seat portion through at least one of the main frames.

Description

A sound apparatus characterized by comprising:

a seat portion having a backrest portion and a stool portion;

a pair of closed-loop-shaped main frames respectively attached to both side edges of the seat portion; and

a sub-frame including a vibrating unit and connected to at least one of the main frames,

wherein vibration generated from the vibrating unit is transmitted to the seat portion through at least one of the main frames.

A sound apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the main frames comprise armrest frames attached to both side edges of the backrest portion, ground frames, front leg frames attached to both side edges of the stool portion and connected to one end of the armrest frames and one end of the ground frames, and rear leg frames connected to the other end of the armrest frames and the other end of the ground frames, and

wherein one end of the sub-frame is connected to the front leg frame and the other end is connected to the rear leg frame.

A sound apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the vibrating unit is disposed opposite to the backrest portion and apart therefrom.

A sound apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a cloth is stretched on at least one of the backrest portion and the stool portion, and the vibration generated from the vibrating unit is transmitted through the cloth to a user seated on the seat portion.

A sound apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a cloth is stretched on a front surface and a rear surface of the backrest portion, and a front surface and a rear surface of the stool portion, and

a cushion member is interposed between the front surface and the rear surface of the backrest portion and between the front surface and the rear surface of the stool portion.

1. Technical Field

The present invention relates to a sound apparatus, and particularly to a chair type sound apparatus in which a vibrating unit is integrated.

2. Prior Art

As a convention chair type sound apparatus in which a vibrating unit is integrated, for example, there is one disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 179051/1999. In this sound apparatus, a speaker is housed at both sides of an upper portion of a back board of a chair constituted by a seat board and the back board, and a vibrating plate is housed in a substantially center portion between the seat board and the back board, and this apparatus is designed such that a high sound area is transmitted through the speaker to a user seated on the chair, and a low sound area is transmitted through the vibrating plate.

Besides, as another conventional chair type sound apparatus in which a vibrating unit is integrated, there is one disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 3044587. This sound apparatus is designed such that a speaker for all sound area is housed at both sides of an upper portion of a backrest portion of a chair constituted by a sitting portion and the backrest portion, the inside of the sitting portion and the backrest portion is made hollow, a speaker for a low-pitched sound is housed therein, all sound area is transmitted through the speaker for all sound area to a user seated on the chair, and a low sound area is transmitted through an opening portion provided in the sitting portion and the backrest portion.

In the foregoing conventional former chair type sound apparatus in which the vibrating unit is integrated, mechanical vibration of the low sound area is generated by the vibrating plate which is brought into press contact with part of the body of the user and is directly transmitted to the user. On this account, since the vibration is diffused to all the body of the user, there is a problem that the vibration is transmitted to unnecessary parts other than the part of the body to which the vibration is to be originally given, and an unpleasant feeling is given to the user. Besides, since the transmission state of the vibration is varied by a slight change of contact pressure between the body of the user and the vibrating plate, there is a problem that it is difficult to always obtain an excellent sound effect.

Besides, in the foregoing conventional latter chair type sound apparatus in which the vibrating unit is integrated, it is necessary that the inside of the sitting portion and the backrest portion constituting the chair is formed to be hollow and the opening portion is provided in the sitting portion and the backrest portion, there is a problem that the manufacture requires labor and the manufacturing cost becomes high.

Further, in both the sound apparatuses, since the speakers are disposed at both sides of both ears of the user, there is a problem that in the case where an image apparatus is provided in front of the chair, and a picture image and a sound synchronized with that are appreciated, an uncomfortable feeling is given to the user.

Then, the present invention has an object to provide a simple sound apparatus which can solve the above problems and always obtain an excellent sound effect.

According to the present invention, the above object is achieved by providing a seat portion having a backrest portion and a stool portion, a pair of closed-loop-shaped main frames respectively attached to both side edges of the seat portion, and a sub-frame including a vibrating unit and connected to at least one of the main frames, and by transmitting vibration generated from the vibrating unit to the seat portion through at least the one of the main frames.

According to the above structure, the vibrating unit is fixed to the sub-frame connected to the main frame, the user can easily obtain the best listening position by the seat portion, and the position is fixed, so that it becomes unnecessary to carefully adjust the position of the speaker and the position of the user in order to produce a stereo effect of sound and a 3D effect, and sound image orientation recorded at the time of content production can be accurately and easily reproduced.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 A schematic perspective view showing a preferred embodiment of a sound apparatus of the present invention. [0023]
FIG. 2 A side view of the sound apparatus of FIG. 1. [0024]
FIG. 3 A plan view showing an arrangement of a pair of first vibrating units of the sound apparatus of FIG. 1. [0025]
FIG. 4 A block diagram showing a schematic example of a system when an image apparatus such as a television and a disk apparatus such as a DVD player are connected to the sound apparatus of FIG. 1. [0026]
FIG. 5 A side view showing a comparison example with respect to a structure of a main frame of the sound apparatus of FIG. [0027]
FIG. 6 A side view showing a first comparison example with respect to an attachment structure of a second vibrating unit of the sound apparatus of FIG. 1. [0028]
FIG. 7 A side view showing a second comparison example with respect to the attachment structure of the second vibrating unit of the sound apparatus of FIG. 1. [0029]
FIG. 8 A side view showing a third comparison example with respect to the attachment structure of the second vibrating unit of the sound apparatus of FIG. 1. [0030]
FIG. 9 A side view showing a first comparison example with respect to a structure of a seat portion of the sound apparatus of FIG. 1. [0031]
FIG. 10 A side view showing a second comparison example with respect to the structure of the seat portion of the sound apparatus of FIG. 1.[0032]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to accompanying drawings in detail. [0033]
Incidentally, since the embodiments described below are preferred specific examples of the present invention, although technically preferred various limitations are given, the scope of the present invention is not limited to these embodiments unless there is a description to limit the present invention particularly in the following explanation. [0034]
FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing a preferred embodiment of a sound apparatus of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a side view thereof. [0035]
This [0036] sound apparatus 100 has a so-called pipe chair shape, and is roughly constituted by a seat portion 110, a pair of main frames 120, 120, a pair of sub-frames 130, 130, a pair of first vibrating units 140, 140, a pair of second vibrating units 150, 150, and a control unit 160.
The [0037] seat portion 110 has a structure in which a cushion member 112 is strongly stretched between a pair of pipes 111, 111, which are bent substantially L-shaped, so that a backrest portion 113 and a stool portion 114 are formed. This cushion member 112 has such a structure that a material of a front surface cloth is a mixture of cotton and polyethylene (50% cotton, 50% polyethylene), a material of a rear surface cloth is nylon, and urethane resin is inserted between the front surface and the rear surface.
As the material of this cloth, anything that can keep a comfortable sitting state since it is extended when a load is applied and returns to its former state when the load is taken off, for example, leather is preferable to anything that gradually loses a comfortable sitting state since it is extended when a load is applied and it does not return to its former state when the load is taken off, for example, hemp cloth (canvas). Incidentally, it is sufficient if the [0038] cushion member 112 is stretched on at least one of the backrest portion 113 and the stool portion 114.
The pair of [0039] main frames 120, 120 are formed of pipes bent substantially trapezoid-shaped, and are respectively attached to both side edges of the seat portion 110 by screws. The main frames 120 are formed into closed-loop shapes by armrest frames 121 attached to both side edges of the backrest portion 113 by screws, ground frames 122 to come in contact with a floor surface or the like, front leg frames 123 attached to both side edges of the stool portion 114 by screws and integrally connected to ends of the armrest frames 121 and ends of the ground frames 122, and rear leg frames 124 integrally connected to the other ends of the armrest frames 121 and the other ends of the ground frames 122.
The pair of [0040] sub-frames 130, 130 are formed of pipes bent substantially L-shaped, their ends are respectively unitedly connected to the front leg frames 123, 123, and the other ends are respectively unitedly connected to the rear leg frames 124, 124.
The pair of first [0041] vibrating units 140, 140 are for all sound area and are high directional one-way speakers, and are respectively fixed by screws to ends of respective wooden armrests 141, 141 attached onto the pair of armrest frames 121, 121. Like this, since the respective vibrating units 140, 140 are attached to the ends of the respective armrests 141, 141, the sound image orientation becomes deeper than the first vibrating units 140, 140 when viewed from the user.
The pair of vibrating [0042] units 140, 140 are disposed so that the ears of the user seated on the seat portion 110 are positioned in the vicinity of stereo orientation (best listening position). Further, the pair of first vibrating units 140, 140 are disposed so that a cross point position of vibrations generated from the first vibrating units 140, 140 becomes behind of the head of the user seated on the seat portion 110.
Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, the pair of [0043] vibrating units 140, 140 are disposed so that an angle θ between the vibrations W, W generated from the respective vibrating units 140, 140 and a straight line C passing through the substantially center portion of the user seated on the seat portion 110 from the cross point position P has a range of a minimum angle θ1 of 28° and a maximum angle θ2 of 30°.
Incidentally, in view of a stereo feeling, it is preferable that θ is not less than 20 degrees and not larger than 35 degrees, and is more preferable that it is not less than 25 degrees and not larger than 32 degrees. [0044]
Besides, in the case where θ is less than 28 degrees, a spreading feeling of sound becomes low, and the stereo effect goes down. On the other hand, in the case where θ is larger than 30 degrees, although the stereo effect is raised, the listening point becomes a pin point. Then, since recording is basically performed with a standard of from 28 degrees to 30 degrees, in order to reproduce the recorded state faithfully, it is desirable to make listening in the same environment. Thus, from the viewpoint of reproducing the recorded state faithfully, it is more preferable that θ is not less than 28 degrees and not larger than 30 degrees. [0045]
The pair of second [0046] vibrating units 150, 150 are, for example, body sonic (trade name) for a low sound area, and they are arranged on a wooden plate 151 and are respectively fixed by screws. Further, both ends of this plate 151 are attached by screws between the pair of sub-frames 130, 130 so that the second vibrating units 150, 150 face the backrest portion 113 and are separate therefrom.
The [0047] control unit 160 is an amplifier for controlling the respective first vibrating units 140, 140 and the second vibrating units 150, 150, and are fixed to a wooden plate 161 by screws. Further, both ends of this plate 161 are attached between the pair of ground frames 122, 122 by screws.
This [0048] control unit 160 is provided with a phase control terminal for enabling the change of the phase of vibration generated from at least one of the first vibrating units 140, 140 and the second vibrating units 150, 150 according to the user seated on the seat portion 110. Further, there is provided a band control terminal for enabling the change of the band of vibration generated from the second vibrating units 150, 150 according to the gender of the user seated on the seat portion 110.
Here, the band of the vibration generated from the respective vibrating [0049] units 150, 150, which is varied according to the gender of the user, is made −6 dB at 125 Hz in the case of the male and −6 dB at 100 Hz in the case of the female, so that the continuity of sound can be made good.
Incidentally, in the case where the user is male, it is preferable that the band of the vibration generated from the second vibrating [0050] units 150 is not less than 0 Hz and not higher than 135 Hz (not less than −6 dB). This is because there occurs such a disadvantage that if the band of the vibration is higher than 135 Hz, a sound band is reproduced so that a voice is heard from under the seat portion 114. Besides, in view of the continuity of sound with the first vibrating units 140 as full band speakers, it is further preferable that the band of the vibration generated from the second vibrating units 150 is not less than 0 Hz and not higher than 130 Hz (not less than −6 dB). Further, in view of an affinity with the sound apparatus 100 of this embodiment, it is further preferable that the band of the vibration generated from the second vibrating units 150 is not less than 0 Hz and not higher than 125 Hz (not less than −6 dB).
On the other hand, in the case where the user is female, it is preferable that the band of the vibration generated from the second vibrating [0051] units 150 is not less than 0 Hz and not higher than 125 Hz (not less than −6 dB). This is because there occurs such a disadvantage that if the band of the vibration is higher than 125 Hz, the sound band is reproduced, so that a voice is heard from under the seat portion 114. Besides, in view of the continuity of sound with the first vibrating units 140 as the full band speakers, it is further preferable that the band of the vibration generated from the second vibrating units 150 is not less than 0 Hz and not higher than 110 Hz (not less than −6 dB). Further, In view of an affinity with the sound apparatus 100 of this embodiment, it is further preferable that the band of the vibration generated from the second vibrating units 150 is not less than 0 Hz and not higher than 100 Hz (not lower than −6 dB).
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a schematic example of a system when an [0052] image apparatus 10 such as a television and a disk apparatus 20 such as a DVD player are connected to the sound apparatus 100.
A sound output signal from the [0053] disk apparatus 20 is inputted to a rear line input terminal (Rear LINE IN) 161 of the control unit 160 and a front line input terminal (Front LINE IN) 162, and is inputted through an input selection switch (Input Select) 163 to a speaker amplifier (stereo) 164 and a low-pass filer (LPF) 165.
The sound signal inputted to the speaker amplifier (stereo) [0054] 164 is amplified, is inputted to a phase control circuit (phase control) 166, and is controlled to a phase selected by the user through a phase control terminal 167. Then, the sound signal is outputted from speaker output terminals (Int SP OUT, Ext SP OUT) 168, 169, and is inputted to the respective first vibrating units 140, 140. By this, the sound of all sound area is generated from the respective first vibrating units 140 and 140.
Besides, the sound signal inputted to the low-pass filter (LPF) [0055] 165 is separated by the band selected by the user through a band control terminal 170, is inputted to a vibrating unit amplifier 171, and is amplified. Then, the sound signal is outputted from a transducer output terminal (Vt transducer OUT) 172, and is inputted to the respective second vibrating units 150, 150. By this, the sound of the low sound area is generated from the respective second vibrating units 150, 150.
In this sort of system, when the [0056] disk apparatus 20 is, for example, a DVD player of 5.1 ch, by allocating 0.1 ch to the respective second vibrating units 150, 150, a powerful effective sound can be felt.
In the case where the picture and sound are appreciated by the system of such structure, the user sits in the [0057] seat portion 110, turns on the respective power supply switches of the image apparatus 10, the disk apparatus 20, and the control unit 160, and adjusts the bands of the respective second vibrating units 150, 150 to user's own gender through the band control terminal 170 of the control unit 160.
The vibration of all sound area of the sound synchronized with the picture displayed on the [0058] image apparatus 10 is transmitted through the air and reaches the user from the respective vibrating units 140, 140. At this time, the user can adjust the phases of the respective first vibrating units 140, 140 through the phase control terminal 167 of the control unit 160. By this, since it is possible to cause the vibration in all sound area of the sound to pass through the outside of both ears of the user, the user can feel spreading of the sound.
At the same time, the vibration in the low sound area of the sound synchronized with the picture displayed on the image apparatus is transmitted through the [0059] cushion member 112 of the seat portion 110 via at least one of the main frames 120 from the respective second vibrating units 150, 150 and reaches the user. Like this, the vibration in the low sound area of the sound is not directly transmitted to the body of the user, and the second vibrating units 150 capable of reproducing the low sound area, which can not be reproduced by a normal speaker, are attached, so that the user can feel the natural and effective low sound.
Here, the reason why the structure of the [0060] main frames 120 of the sound apparatus 100 of this embodiment, the attachment structure of the second vibrating units 150, and the structure of the seat portion 110 are made the structures shown in FIG. 2, that is, the main frames 120 are made the structure with a large ground contact area, the respective second vibrating units 150, 150 are attached apart from the user, and the seat portion 110 is made the cloth stretching structure, will be described with reference to comparison examples shown in FIG. 5 to FIG. 10. Incidentally, the same structural portions as FIG. 2 are designated by the same numbers.
A [0061] sound apparatus 200 shown in FIG. 5 is a comparison example in which a structure of a main frame 220 is formed into a substantially C-shape, that is, an open loop shape. When the main frame 220 of this sort of structure is adopted, since an end portion 220 a of the main frame 220 pushes a floor surface or the like, there is such a defect that almost all vibration generated by a second vibrating unit 150 escapes to the floor surface or the like and only a slight part thereof is transmitted to the user seated on a seat portion 110.
A [0062] sound apparatus 300 shown in FIG. 6 is a comparison example in which a second vibrating unit 150 is attached to a rear portion of a main frame 120. When the second vibrating unit 150 of this sort of attachment structure is adopted, there is such a defect that almost all vibration generated by the second vibrating unit 150 is transmitted to an armrest 141 attached onto an armrest frame 121 and it becomes hard to transmit the vibration to other portions.
A [0063] sound apparatus 400 shown in FIG. 7 is a comparison example in which a second vibrating unit 150 is attached to a rear portion of a seat portion 110. When the second vibrating unit 150 of this sort of attachment structure is adopted, there is such a defect that the user seated on the seat portion 110 excessively feels the vibration generated by the second vibrating unit 150.
A [0064] sound apparatus 500 shown in FIG. 8 is a comparison example in which a connection frame 570 is newly connected and attached between a second vibrating unit 150 and a seat portion 110. When the second vibrating unit 150 of this sort of attachment structure is adopted, there is such a defect that the seat portion 110 is abnormally vibrated by the vibration generated by the second vibrating unit 150.
A [0065] sound apparatus 600 shown in FIG. 9 is a comparison example in which an upper portion of a seat portion 610, that is, a portion of a head rest is formed to be high. When the seat portion 610 of this sort of structure is adopted, there is such a defect that the vibration generated by a second vibrating unit 150 is concentrated on the head of the user seated on the seat portion 610.
A [0066] sound apparatus 700 shown in FIG. 10 is a comparison example in which a pipe 770 for reinforcement is connected between a pair of pipes 711, 711 constituting a seat portion 710. When the seat portion 710 of this sort of structure is adopted, there is such a defect that the user seated on the seat portion 710 touches the pipe 770.
According to the [0067] sound apparatus 100 as described above, although it has been conventionally necessary to carefully adjust the position of a speaker and the position of a user to obtain the stereo effect of sound and the 3D effect, the respective first vibrating units 140, 140 and the respective second vibrating units 150, 150 are fixed to the respective main frames 120, 120 and the sub-frames 130, 130, the user can easily obtain the best listening position by the seat portion 110, and the positions are fixed, so that the above-mentioned position adjustment becomes unnecessary, and the sound image orientation recorded at the time of content production can be accurately and simply reproduced.
Besides, conventionally, although a heavy low-pitched sound can be reproduced only by a super woofer or a large-sized speaker, since the small-sized first vibrating [0068] units 140, 140 and the respective second vibrating units 150, 150 are disposed in the near field, the electric power consumption is low, and it is possible to feel a powerful high quality sound without being influenced by surroundings.
Besides, conventionally, when seeing and listening is made in an event or by a number of people, although the sound image orientation recorded at the time of content production can be reproduced for only a person seated near the center of the sound apparatus, the sound image orientation recorded at the time of content production can be reproduced to all participants irrespective of the sitting places. [0069]
Incidentally, the vibrating unit includes, for example, a speaker, a body sonic (trade name), a body sensory unit, a transducer, and the like. Further, not only the vibrating unit is fixed to the frame, but also the vibrating unit may be housed in the frame. [0070]
Besides, as cushioning materials, there is, for example, urethane resin, cotton, or so-called sponge. [0071]
Besides, a connecting method of the respective members is not limited to only fixing by screws, but fixing by a cord, rope or the like, welding, bonding, or the like may be adopted. [0072]
The [0073] sound apparatus 100 of this embodiment can be applied to, for example, a chair for home theater of DVD software, a chair with a mobile audio home reproducing apparatus, an audio video chair for an event, a chair for relaxation, a chair for music therapy, and the like.
As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a small and low cost sound apparatus in which an excellent sound effect can be always obtained. [0074]
[0075] 100 . . . sound apparatus, 110 . . . seat portion, 111 . . . pipe, 112 . . . cushion member, 113 . . . backrest portion, 114 . . . stool portion, 120. . . mainframe, 121. . . armrest frame, 122. . . ground frame, 123 . . . front leg frame, 124 . . . rear leg frame, 130 . . . sub-frame, 140 . . . first vibrating unit, 141 . . . armrest, 150 . . . second vibrating unit, 151 . . . plate, 160 . . . control unit, 161 . . . rear line input terminal, 162 . . . front line input terminal, 163 . . . input selection switch, 164 . . . speaker amplifier, 165 . . . low-pass filter, 166 . . . phase control circuit, 167 . . . phase control terminal, 168 . . . speaker output terminal, 169 . . . speaker output terminal, 170 . . . band control terminal, 171 . . . vibration unit amplifier, 172 . . . transducer output terminal

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A sound apparatus characterized by comprising:

a seat portion having a backrest portion and a stool portion;

2. A sound apparatus according to

claim 1

, wherein the main frames comprise armrest frames attached to both side edges of the backrest portion, ground frames, front leg frames attached to both side edges of the stool portion and connected to one end of the armrest frames and one end of the ground frames, and rear leg frames connected to the other end of the armrest frames and the other end of the ground frames, and

3. A sound apparatus according to

claim 1

, wherein the vibrating unit is disposed opposite to the backrest portion and apart therefrom.

4. A sound apparatus according to

claim 1

, wherein a cloth is stretched on at least one of the backrest portion and the stool portion, and the vibration generated from the vibrating unit is transmitted through the cloth to a user seated on the seat portion.

5. A sound apparatus according to

claim 1

, wherein a cloth is stretched on a front surface and a rear surface of the backrest portion, and a front surface and a rear surface of the stool portion, and