Acoustic structure of seat back

Abstract

An acoustic structure of seat back in which speaker units are provided in a padding of the seat back. The padding includes: a frontal backrest surface area which is recessed backwardly of the seat back; and securing holes formed in that frontal backrest surface area. An enclosure of each speaker unit, in which each speaker is securely accommodated, is secured in each of the securing holes. A sound-conductive cushion element is juxtaposed on the foregoing recessed frontal backrest surface area of padding so as to lie on a frontal side of each of the speaker units. The sound-conductive cushion element may be of a network structure to not only provide an improved back support touch, but also achieve an improved conductivity of sounds from the speaker units to a user's back portion. Those padding and sound-conductive cushion element are covered with a trim cover assembly.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a sound system in an automotive seat, and in particular to an acoustic structure of seat back provided with speakers, wherein a sound is emitted from speakers to an occupant on the seat. [0003] 2. Description of Prior Arts [0004] There has been known an automotive seat of the type having speakers provided therein, which allows a sound, such as music, to be emitted from the speakers directly to an occupant on the seat, so that the occupant can fully enjoy the sound with both his or her ears and body. [0005] In this kind of seat, as disclosed from the Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2002-346476, the speakers are provided behind a cushion material forming one constituent element of the seat so as to be in contact with a reverse side of the cushion material. While not taught in that literature, normally, the speakers are secured to a spring element typically provided in the sea...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention provides an improved acoustic structure of a seat back that allows for wide expansion of sound emitted from speakers in the seat back to an entire area of the seat occupant, giving them a splendid impression as if the music was actually and vividly played. The acoustic structure includes a padding conforming to the seat back, securing holes for speakers, a seat back frame, and a sound-conductive cushion means covering the frontal side of the speakers. The sound-conductive cushion means is a network cushiony element formed by deforming a straw-like fiber and fusing points of it. The invention allows for a high cushiony effect and high air permeability while providing a high-quality acoustic experience for the seat occupant.

Problems solved by technology

The foregoing conventional acoustic structure of seat has, however, been found defective in that:

(i) the cushion material used is a foam padding material formed from urethane foam for optimal cushioning effect, but, is not suited for imparting the sound therethrough because of its property of absorbing sound and degrading acoustic effect, and

(ii) the sound emitted from each speaker is limited to a region which is substantially compassed by a diameter of the speaker itself, and such limited range of sound emission is directed to the back of an occupant on the seat, as a result of which, the occupant can not enjoy the music satisfactorily, and can not feel such vivid sound as if the music was performed in a real concert hall, neither, due to the foregoing sound absorption by the foam cushion material.

However, such exposed speakers interfere with the occupant's movement, thus impairing a comfortable seating condition of the seat, and further, the range of sound emission from such exposed speaker arrangement is limited to a narrow space around the seat occupant, so that the occupant can not fully enjoy the sound or music with his or her body.

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