IP Library Granted Patent US 7,978,871
Granted Patent B2
US 7,978,871 · App. 11/614,201 · Granted Jul 12, 2011

Speaker system for a vehicle

Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,978,871
App. No.
11/614,201
Granted
Jul 12, 2011
Kind
B2
Abstract

In response to an applied force, a speaker system is configured to deploy from a confined area so as to function as a pelvis pusher. Additionally, portions of the speaker system are configured to collapse upon the application of the force so as to absorb the force.

Claims (33)

1. A speaker system comprising:

a frame configured to collapse upon the application of a predetermined force to the frame so as to absorb at least a portion of the impact caused by the predetermined force; and

a magnetic assembly being attached to the frame, the magnetic assembly being configured to direct the predetermined force in the direction of the frame causing deployment of the speaker system.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the predetermined force includes a force in a range of 4 kN to 6 kN.

3. The system of claim 1 , further comprising an absorption device positionable about the frame, the absorption device being configured to dampen the effects of resonance created by the speaker system and absorb at least a portion of the predetermined force.

4. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a grill cover being attached to the frame and having a predetermined stiffness for operating as a pelvis pusher upon the application of the predetermined force.

5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the magnetic assembly includes a top plate, a voice coil, and a magnet.

6. The system of claim 5 , wherein the magnetic assembly further includes a backplate.

7. The system of claim 1 , wherein the frame is formed of a polymer composite material or metallic alloy.

8. The system of claim 1 , wherein the speaker system is attached to a vehicle door through the use of at least one bolt and a nut; and

wherein the speaker system deploys from the vehicle door by traversing a shaft of the bolt upon the application of the predetermined force.

9. The system of claim 8 , further comprising a pusher device being mounted within the door in alignment with the speaker system so as to contact and cause deployment of the speaker system in response to the applied predetermined force.

10. The system of claim 8 , wherein the at least one bolt is encased in one or more sleeves that are configured to break and separate from the at least one bolt upon the application of the predetermined force allowing the speaker system to traverse the shaft of the bolt.

11. The system of claim 8 , wherein the speaker system is attached to the vehicle door at least at a door trim, the door trim having a seam formed generally around an outer perimeter of the speaker system facilitating deployment of the speaker system through the door trim upon the application of the predetermined force.

12. A speaker system being attached to a vehicle door, wherein the speaker system is deployable from the door upon the application of a predetermined force, the system comprising:

a frame configured to collapse upon the application of the predetermined force;

a magnetic assembly being attached to the frame for distributing the force throughout the speaker system;

wherein the speaker system is attached to the vehicle door through the use of at least one bolt and a nut; and

wherein the speaker system traverses a shaft of the bolt while being deployed from the vehicle door.

13. The system of claim 12 , wherein the at least one bolt is encased in one or more sleeves that are configured to break and separate from the at least one bolt upon the application of the predetermined force allowing the speaker system to traverse the shaft of the bolt.

14. The system of claim 13 , further comprising an absorption device positionable about the frame, the absorption device being configured to dampen the effects of resonance created by the speaker system and absorb the predetermined force.

15. The system of claim 14 , further comprising a grill cover being attached to the frame and having a predetermined stiffness for operating as a pelvis pusher upon the application of the predetermined force.

16. The system of claim 12 , wherein the speaker system is attached to the vehicle door at least at a door trim, the door trim having a seam formed generally around an outer perimeter of the speaker system facilitating deployment of the speaker system through the door trim upon the application of the predetermined force.

17. A speaker system for a vehicle having at least one door, wherein the door has interior trim side and an exterior side, the system comprising:

a frame constructed of a polymer composite or metallic alloy material and having a first side and a second side wherein the first side is positioned about the interior trim side within a pelvis area, the frame being configured to collapse upon the application of a predetermined force to the frame;

an absorption device being disposed between the first side of the frame and the interior trim side, the absorption device being configured to dampen the effects of resonance created by the speaker system;

a diaphragm being attached to the first side of the frame;

a grill cover being attached to the interior side and having a predetermined stiffness for operating as a pelvis pusher upon the application of the predetermined force; and

a magnetic assembly being attached to the second side of the frame, the magnetic assembly being configured to direct the predetermined force in the direction of the frame causing deployment of the speaker system through the interior trim side.

18. The system of claim 17 , wherein the speaker system is attached to the vehicle door through the use of at least one bolt and a nut; and

wherein the speaker system deploys from the vehicle door by traversing a shaft of the bolt upon the application of the predetermined force.

19. The system of claim 18 , further comprising at least one sleeve that surrounds the shaft of the bolt to position the speaker system about the bolt, the sleeve being configured to collapse upon the application of the force to allow the speaker system to traverse the shaft.

20. The system of claim 18 , wherein the speaker system is attached to the vehicle door at least at the interior trim side, the interior trim side having a seam formed generally around an outer perimeter of the speaker system that breaks upon the application of the predetermined force to the speaker system to facilitate deployment of the speaker system through the interior trim side of the vehicle door.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 21, 2006
From: M. JAYASURIYA, A. MANGALA; SPAHN, BRIAN
To: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
Reel/Frame 018665/0965 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20080150324A1 · Jun 26, 2008