Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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Speech Station for an Intercom Network
The invention relates to a speech station for an intercom network.
The Applicant has been developing and manufacturing intercom networks and
their parts,
what are called speech stations, for more than 30 years.
Speech stations of the prior art are disclosed in patent application DE 10
2014 011 963
Al and in the subsequently published patent applications DE 10 2017 107 148
Al, DE
.. 10 2017 107 150 Al , DE 10 2017 106 946 A1, DE 10 2017 116 002 A1 and DE 10
2017
116 273 Al of the Applicant.
Speech stations of the type according to the invention serve for use in
intercom networks.
Audio data is transmitted via an intercom network. Intercom networks in this
respect
provide very complex networks of intercommunication systems, as are used in
the events
sector, for live events, e.g. at sports events and music events.
The term "speech station" in the context of the present patent application is
also used as
a synonym for the terms "intercom panel", "intercom unit", "intercom station"
or "member
of an intercom network".
Speech stations of the known type have a plurality of operator controls,
function keys,
selector keys, connectors and displays on their housing fronts or front sides.
The space
or the arrangement surface available on the housing front is limited. The
space for
arranging the operator controls, function elements, connectors and displays is
limited for
example because the speech station is intended to have dimensions which make
it
possible for a speech station to be inserted into a predetermined rack, i.e.
into an
mounting frame, for the purpose of fixing the speech station to the rack.
Speech stations
which can be placed on a desk are also known.
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In any case, because of the predetermined dimensions of a mounting frame on
the one
hand one dimension of the speech station is also predetermined: on the other
hand, there
is the need to accommodate as many different operator controls and function
elements
and also displays as possible. The arrangement surface for the plurality of
instruments
cannot however be increased at will.
Starting from this point, the object of the invention is to develop further a
speech station
of the known type such that an improved way of arranging function elements,
operator
controls and/or connectors and/or displays on the housing front is provided.
In one embodiment, there is provided a speech station for an intercom network,
comprising a housing, with a housing front and a housing rear side, wherein a
plurality of
programmable operator controls and multiple displays are arranged tightly
packed on the
housing front, wherein the operator controls comprise a plurality of selector
keys, wherein
the speech station as a result of a selector key being actuated by an operator
provides a
direct listen and/or speak connection to a selected other speech station of
the intercom
network via a switching station, wherein a plurality of connectors, are
arranged on the
housing rear side, wherein at least one loudspeaker is arranged fixedly on the
speech
station, wherein the loudspeaker is accommodated in an accommodation space
between
the housing front and housing rear side, offset to the rear relative to the
housing front,
and wherein the loudspeaker comprises a sound exit surface from which the
sound is
propagated to an opening in the housing front, wherein the opening has an
opening cross-
section which amounts to only a fraction of the sound exit surface.
In another embodiment, there is provided a speech station for an intercom
network,
comprising a housing , with a housing front and a rear housing side, wherein a
plurality
of programmable operator controls and multiple displays are arranged tightly
packed on
the housing front, wherein the operator controls comprise a plurality of
selector keys,
wherein the speech station as a result of a selector key being actuated by an
operator
provides a direct listen and/or speak connection to a selected other speech
station of
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the intercom network, wherein a plurality of connectors are arranged on the
rear housing
side, wherein at least one loudspeaker is arranged fixedly on the speech
station, wherein
the loudspeaker is accommodated in an accommodation space between the housing
front
and housing rear side, offset to the rear relative to the housing front, and
wherein the
loudspeaker has a sound exit surface from which the sound is propagated to an
opening
in the housing front, wherein the opening has an opening cross-section which
amounts
to only a fraction of the sound exit surface.
According to an embodiment, at least one loudspeaker is arranged fixedly on
the speech
station. Advantageously, two or even more loudspeakers are arranged fixedly on
the
speech station.
The loudspeaker is accommodated according to the invention in an accommodation
space between the housing front and the rear housing side. In this case it is
arranged
offset to the rear relative to the housing front. This means that the
loudspeaker is not
located directly behind a front housing plate, as in the prior art, but is
arranged relative
thereto clearly, that is to say by at least several millimeters,
advantageously several
centimeters, spaced apart from the inner side of the wall of the housing which
forms the
housing front, and offset to the rear.
The loudspeaker comprises a sound exit surface. This is in particular a
conventional
diaphragm of a substantially conventionally designed loudspeaker. The sound
exit
surface may for example be designed to be circular. It may however
alternatively have a
different contour.
From the sound exit surface, the sound emitted by the loudspeaker is
propagated to an
opening in the housing front. According to the invention, provision is made
for the
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opening in the housing front to have an opening cross-section which is
considerably
smaller than the sound exit surface. The opening has an opening cross-section
which
amounts to only a fraction of the sound exit surface. The opening cross-
section in this
case is at least smaller than half of the sound exit surface.
A "fraction" in the context of the present patent application is understood to
mean a
portion which in any case is not greater than 50%.
Due to the loudspeaker being spaced apart from the housing front, a duct which
serves
for conducting sound and which for example also makes it possible to provide
an
acoustic horn can be formed within the housing. Along this sound-conducting
space or
duct, the sound emitted by the loudspeaker is compressed, and concentrated
onto a
small opening in the housing front. The sound can emerge through this small
opening.
Owing to the fact that the loudspeaker is arranged spaced apart from the
housing front,
namely offset to the rear, additional arrangement or positioning surfaces
become free
on the housing front, along which further operator controls or displays or
connectors, or
at any rate regions or portions of operator controls, or regions or portions
of displays,
can be arranged.
In the prior art, considerable portions of the surface of the housing front
were reserved
for the loudspeaker. Along with this, the loudspeaker was arranged and/or
mounted
directly on the housing front. In contrast, owing to the change according to
the invention
in the position of the loudspeaker more arrangement space for the elements and
displays can be gained on the housing front. According to the invention,
however, this
does not result in the audio quality being adversely affected. Here, as a
particular
measure, such as for example by arranging a separate acoustic horn,
particularly
advantageous and optimized conducting and compression of sound waves from the
sound exit surface up to the small opening can be achieved.
It is covered by the invention in particular if also only a single opening on
the housing
front is associated with each sound exit surface of a loudspeaker. In one
variant of the
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invention, the opening may however also be subdivided into multiple partial
openings.
The partial openings may also be arranged spaced apart from one another on the
housing front. It is finally also covered by the invention if two or more
acoustic horns
which lead to the separate partial openings on the housing front are
associated with one
loudspeaker. In this alternative of the invention too, however, provision is
made for the
arrangement or positioning surface for the partial openings on the housing
front which is
supplied by the multiple partial openings to be considerably smaller in total
than the
sound exit surface of the loudspeaker. Otherwise, the advantage of a gain in
positioning
surface on the housing front aimed at by the invention would not be achieved.
The speech station according to the invention comprises an in particular
cuboid
housing. These are block-like elements of low height, comparatively greater
depth and
great width. They are designed in rack-like manner, suitably for rack-like
insertion.
The speech station according to the invention has a housing front and a rear
housing
side. On the housing front numerous operator controls, connectors and multiple
displays
are arranged tightly packed. The operator controls are in particular
programmable. At
least some of the operator controls are programmable. "Programmable" means
that
different functions can be assigned to the operator controls by a selection,
i.e. by
programming. To this end, programmability can occur at the speech station
itself, or
with the aid of a switching station to which the speech station is connected.
As a rule,
the possibility of programmability covers different functions being able to be
associated
with the operator controls. For example, a particular selector key after
actuation -
depending on programming - can establish an audio connection either with a
first other
speech station or with a second other speech station.
The speech station according to the invention comprises multiple displays. The
displays
comprise readouts which display information and/or parameters and/or functions
which
are or can be associated with the operator controls. In particular, the
displays may
comprise regions or portions which are also in a spatial connection - and
additionally in
a connection as regards content - with the respective operator control. The
user of a
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speech station can in this respect e.g. recognize what operator control has
what
function by glancing at a display.
For example, a speech station according to the invention may comprise a
plurality of
selector keys which as a result of actuation ensure a listen and/or speak
connection
with another speech station. On the display - in a direct spatial association
with the
individual operator controls - it can be indicated with which other speech
station, before
or after actuation of a particular operator control, this speech station can
establish an
audio connection. For this, for example user names of the persons who are
active at the
other speech station may be indicated on the display. Also alternatively
names,
identifiers, numbers or the like may be assigned to the speech stations.
The selector keys may for example include three positions, namely a middle
position or
inoperative position, into which the selector key is biased. Each selector key
may also
comprise two end positions or two operating positions, for example an upper
and a
lower operating position or switching position. To this end, provision may be
made for
the selector key to have to be kept pressed in order to perform a particular
function.
Thus, for example a selector key, starting from a middle position, can be
deflected
upwards or alternatively downwards, wherein upon actuation of the selector key
along a
direction upwards a speak connection, and upon actuation of the same selector
key
downwards into the other operating position a listen connection, is obtained
in the same
other speech station.
The listen and/or speak connection of the speech station according to the
invention to a
selected other speech station of the intercom network is provided by means of
a
switching station. The intercom network is administrated there.
The speech station according to the invention has a plurality of connectors on
its rear
housing side. These include for example power supply connectors, data cable
connectors, BNC connectors and the like. In particular, the connectors for
connecting
this speech station to the switching station are also found here.
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Moreover, for the description of a speech station and the explanation of the
features
thereof, reference is made to the patent applications of the Applicant which
are listed
above, the content of which is hereby also referred to in full for the purpose
of reference
and inclusion of individual features described therein in the disclosure of
the present
patent application, in order to avoid repetition.
The speech station makes it possible to provide a listen and/or speak
connection with a
selected other speech station of the intercom network. However, the invention
also covers
speech stations which in addition to the transmission of audio data can also
transmit
and/or receive video signals and/or data signals along with it. For example,
the invention
also covers speech stations which can additionally display or reproduce video
signals on
a display installed on the speech station, or on a readout.
The data, signals or information also transmitted in the course of providing a
listen and/or
speak connection may be used e.g. for transmitting status information. For
example, an
item of information, such as "button 3 now illuminated in green", can be
transmitted to a
particular speech station of the intercom network.
According to a configuration, the opening is formed by a narrow elongate slot
This
provides the possibility of making the opening particularly small and at the
same time
ensuring a sufficiently large opening cross-section for the sound generated by
the
loudspeaker to pass through.
Finally, as a result of this on one hand the necessary space requirement for
the opening
on the housing front can be minimized. On the other hand, an opening formed in
this
manner may also be bridged or extended over by another element, e.g. by a grip
element,
without this adversely affecting the audio properties of the speech station.
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According to a further advantageous configuration of the invention, the slot
extends in
the vertical direction or substantially in the vertical direction. As a
result, there is the
possibility of positioning the opening as close as possible to lateral wall
portions of the
housing and configuring the entire arrangement surface on the housing front
for
positioning operator controls and displays with a maximum uninterrupted width.
In a further advantageous configuration of the invention, the opening cross-
section of
the opening amounts to less than half, further advantageously less than a
third, further
advantageously less than a quarter, further in particular less than a fifth,
further in
particular less than a sixth, further in particular less than a seventh, of
the sound exit
surface. Thus the opening is provided with a clear width or a clear cross-
section which
is considerably smaller than the sound exit surface of the loudspeaker.
Owing to the fact that the opening cross-section is considerably smaller than
the sound
exit surface, a high-quality loudspeaker can be used for the speech station
and at the
same time, without any loss of audio quality at the speech station, a
positioning or
arrangement surface for operator controls, displays, connectors, sockets or
the like
which is enlarged compared with the prior art can be obtained on the housing
front.
In a further advantageous configuration of the invention, the housing front
has a
rectangular or substantially rectangular basic form. The speech station
according to the
invention can as a result be dimensioned and formed based on speech stations
of the
prior art. This makes it possible to resort to conventional components and
elements,
e.g. conventional fastening elements for fastening a speech station in a rack
or holding
frame or mounting frame.
In a further advantageous configuration of the invention, the opening is
arranged close
to a lateral edge of the base surface. As a result, the arrangement surface or
positioning
surface for operator controls, displays, connectors and sockets or other
function
elements on the housing front can be kept free of interruptions and maximized.
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According to a further advantageous configuration of the invention, provision
is made for
the loudspeaker to be arranged close to a lateral wall or wall face of the
housing. As a
result, there is the possibility of particularly simple mounting of the
loudspeaker, since it
can be fixed or mounted for example directly on, or in a simple manner
relative to, a
lateral housing wall of the housing. On the other hand, as a result there is
the possibility
of arranging grip elements by which the housing can be grasped by an operator
[on] the
housing front and positioning these grip elements such that they extend over
or cover
the opening and at the same time - in conventional manner - are arranged
laterally on
the housing.
In a further advantageous configuration of the invention, an acoustic horn is
arranged
between the sound exit surface of the loudspeaker and the opening. This
acoustic horn
may comprise one or more walls on which the sound is reflected and conducted.
The
acoustic horn has a cross-section which decreases from the sound exit surface
of the
loudspeaker towards the opening, in particular decreases continuously.
The wall of the acoustic horn may in this case resort to wall elements of the
housing,
e.g. on side walls of the housing. The acoustic horn may also be formed
exclusively or
partially of elements separate from the walls of the housing of the speech
station. For
example, the walls of the acoustic horn may be formed of metal or plastics
material.
The acoustic horn may be adapted to or optimized for the particular
requirements of
conducting sound from the sound exit surface of a loudspeaker to the small
opening. In
particular, the choice of material and the geometry of the wall regions of the
acoustic
horn can be optimized with regard to the audio requirements of the speech
station.
According to the invention, provision is made in particular for the housing
front to be
provided by a flat or substantially flat surface. The term "substantially
flat" in this case
takes into account the fact that slight deviations from this flatness are
permitted owing to
the function elements, operator controls, connection sockets or displays. For
example,
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operator controls can protrude from the front housing side, which is otherwise
flat, and
extend out towards the user of a speech station according to the invention.
According to a further advantageous configuration of the invention, the
positioning of the
loudspeaker has been carried out in the following particular manner: the
loudspeaker is
positioned such that the sound exit surface is arranged inclined relative to
the housing
front. In particular, the sound exit surface of the loudspeaker is arranged
inclined at an
acute angle, of for example 45 or approximately 450, relative to the housing
front.
As a result, firstly particularly advantageous possible ways of fastening,
arranging and
mounting the loudspeaker, but at the same time particularly advantageous
possible
ways of arranging and fastening and designing an acoustic horn which is
advantageously to be used become possible.
According to an advantageous configuration of the invention, the sound exit
surface of
the loudspeaker is oriented parallel to or substantially parallel to a lateral
housing wall of
the housing.
The sound exit surface in this embodiment is oriented at approximately 900 or
substantially perpendicular to the housing front. Again, conducting of sound
from the
loudspeaker to the housing front can take place with the aid of an acoustic
horn already
mentioned previously.
According to a further advantageous configuration of the invention, the
selector keys are
designed in a particular manner. Accordingly, at least some of the selector
keys may
assume different positions, namely advantageously three different positions.
Covered
by this is a first, in particular inactive, middle position into which a
selector key is biased.
Furthermore, a selector key has two active operating positions or end
positions, namely
a first, e.g. upper, end position and a second, e.g. lower, end position.
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By the action of a finger or a hand of a user, the latter can either -
starting from a middle
position - displace the selector key into an upper end position or
alternatively into a
lower end position and thereby actuate it. As soon as the selector key has
reached an
upper end position, the operator of this speech station has obtained a direct
speak
.. connection to the operator of another speech station. If the selector key
is displaced into
the other end position, the operator obtains a direct listen connection to
this other
speech station. The corresponding speak or listen connection is maintained
only as long
as the operator holds the selector key in its end position, that is to say
urges it into the
end position. As soon as the operator releases the selector key, the selector
key
automatically returns into its middle position due to spring biasing.
According to a further advantageous configuration of the invention, two
loudspeakers
are arranged on the speech station. As a result, in particular stereo
reception of audio
signals becomes possible.
Furthermore, the invention also permits the use of at least one loudspeaker in
a
microphone mode. As a result, audio monitoring of the speech station becomes
possible.
According to a further advantageous configuration of the invention, fastening
portions
which protrude laterally outwards are arranged on the housing front. These may
further
advantageously have in each case openings for fastening means to pass through.
As a
result, based on conventionally designed speech stations, particularly
advantageous
and simple fastening of the speech station according to the invention to an
mounting
frame, e.g. a rack, is made possible.
According to a further advantageous configuration of the invention, at least
one
microphone is arranged fixedly on the speech station. Alternatively or
additionally, at
least one connector for a microphone is arranged fixedly on the housing front
of the
speech station. This connector may for example be formed by a conventional
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microphone socket. This connector makes it possible to connect a microphone
directly to
the housing front.
According to a further configuration, at least one connector for a headset is
arranged on
the housing front. This provides a comfortable way of connecting a headset,
i.e. a
listen/speak unit, to the speech station.
According to a further configuration, the opening is covered by a grip
element. A grip
element of this type enables an operator to grasp or grip the speech station
easily and
permits comfortable handheld transport.
The grip element, or in the event that multiple grip elements are present, the
multiple grip
elements, is/are advantageous in particular for the purpose of mounting or
dismantling
the speech station relative to an mounting frame or assembly frame. The grip
elements
in this case can be arranged and positioned such that they partially or
completely engage
beyond the opening. As a result, particularly space-saving accommodation of an
aperture
of the opening in the housing front for the sound generated by the loudspeaker
to emerge
from becomes possible.
As a result, the positioning or arrangement surface for accommodating operator
controls
and/or displays on the housing front can be maximized and/or optimized still
further.
In an embodiment of the speech station, provision is made for the direct
listen and/or
speak connection of the speech station according to the invention to a further
speech
station of the intercom network to take place not with the interposition of
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a switching station, but for the two speech stations - or plurality of speech
stations of an
intercom network - to be connected together directly, without the
interposition of a
switching station.
Further advantages will become apparent from the present disclosure, and also
with
reference to the following description of the exemplary embodiments
illustrated in the
drawings.
The Figures show in:
Fig. 1 a schematic front view of the housing front of an exemplary
embodiment of
the speech station according to the invention,
Fig. la an enlarged, schematic separate representation of a selector
key
approximately according to the encircled partial representation la in Fig. 1,
for explaining the different postures and positions of an actuating element
of a selector key,
Fig. 2 a schematic rear view of the speech station of Fig. 1,
Fig. 3 the speech station of Fig. 1 in a partially sectional
schematic top view
approximately along section line III-Ill in Fig. 1, numerous individual parts
having been omitted for clarity,
Fig. 4 an exemplary embodiment of an intercom network in a block-circuit
diagram-like, schematic representation using three speech stations
according to the invention,
Fig. 5 a schematic view of a housing front of a speech station of the
prior art,
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Fig. 6 an enlarged partially sectional, schematic detailed
representation of the
attachment region of a loudspeaker in a representation according to Fig. 3,
approximately along the encircled partial representation VI in Fig. 3,
Fig. 7 in a representation according to Fig. 6, an alternative arrangement
of a
loudspeaker with a changed inclination of a sound exit surface of the
loudspeaker relative to the housing front,
Fig. 8 a partially sectional, schematic, truncated and perspective
view of a further
exemplary embodiment of a speech station, in which grip elements which
cover the openings for the sound to emerge from are arranged on the
housing front,
Fig. 9 a representation similar to the representation of Fig. 7, a
further alternative
arrangement of a loudspeaker with a different orientation of the sound exit
surface of a loudspeaker in relation to the housing front, with here - in
comparison with the representations of Figures 6 and 7 - the other, namely
in relation to Fig. 3 the right-hand, side wall of the housing being
illustrated, and with the sound exit surface of the loudspeaker of Fig. 9
being oriented substantially parallel to a side wall of the housing, and
Fig. 10 shows a further exemplary embodiment of an intercom network
according
to the invention using two speech stations according to the invention in a
representation according to Fig. 4, with the two speech stations of Fig. 10
being connected together directly without the interposition of a switching
station.
Exemplary embodiments of the invention are described by way of example in the
following description of the figures, also with reference to the drawings. In
this case, for
clarity - also insofar as different exemplary embodiments are concerned -
identical or
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comparable parts or elements or regions are designated with identical
reference
characters, sometimes with lowercase letters added.
Features which are described only in relation to one exemplary embodiment may
in the
context of the invention also be provided in any other exemplary embodiment of
the
invention. Exemplary embodiments which are altered this way - even if not
shown in the
drawings - are likewise within the scope of the invention.
All the disclosed features are per se essential to the invention. The
disclosure content of
the associated priority documents (copy of the prior application) and also of
the cited
publications and of the described devices of the prior art is also hereby
incorporated in
full in the disclosure of the application.
The speech station in the exemplary embodiment in the drawings is designated
in its
entirety by 10. The speech station is a component or member of an intercom
network 11,
as is illustrated with reference to the block diagram of Fig. 4. An intercom
network 11 of
this type comprises a switching station 19 and a plurality of speech stations
10, 18a, 18b
which are connected together by means of connecting lines 48a, 48b, 48c. A
speech
station 10, 18a, 18b is connected in each case directly to the switching
station 19 via a
connecting line 48a, 48b, 48c. The switching station 19 administers this
intercom network
11.
The intercom network 11 serves for audio transmission and offers communication
options
for example for networks which are to be set up temporarily, such as for
example for live
events, such as music events or sports events.
According to Fig. 1, the speech station 10 according to the invention
comprises a housing
12 which is formed in substantially cuboid manner. Fig. 1 illustrates the
front 13 of the
housing 12, Fig. 2 illustrates the rear side 14 of the housing 12, and Fig. 3,
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according to this exemplary embodiment of the invention, illustrates a cross-
section
through the housing 12, so that the housing front 13, rear housing side 14 and
an
accommodation space 25 can be recognized here within the housing 12.
According to Fig. 1, a plurality of operator controls 15a, 15b, 15c are
arranged on the
housing front 13, merely some of which are provided with reference characters.
The
operator controls in the exemplary embodiment are arranged in two rows and in
a total
of four groups.
The operator controls 15a, 15b, 15c are in each case designed as selector keys
17a,
17b, 17c, 17, with again only some selector keys being provided with reference
characters.
Such a selector key 17 comprises in each case - according to Fig. la - an
actuating
lever 49, which is illustrated on an enlarged scale according to the encircled
partial
representation of Fig. la. Accordingly, the actuating lever 49 comprises a
lever element
49 extending towards the observer of Fig. 1 and projecting from the housing
front 13,
which element can be gripped at its free end by the finger of a user, and
starting from a
middle position 40 can be displaced in the vertical direction 31 into an upper
end
position 41a or counter to the vertical direction 31 into a lower end position
41b. The
deflected lever element 49, which is located in the end position 41a, 41b, is
spring-
biased in the middle position 40. Therefore, as soon as the operator releases
the lever
49, it is automatically returned into the middle position 40.
As soon as an operator has actuated a selector key 17, 17a, 17b, 17c and has
displaced it into its end position 41a, 41b, a direct listen and/or speak
connection is
produced with the selected speech station 18a. Thus for example in the end
position
41a a speak connection and in the end position 41b a listen connection can be
obtained. The different operating modes are also referred to as speak/listen
mode.
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With regard to Fig. la, it is noted that the actuating element 49 can assume
three
different positions 39a, 39b and 39c.
Furthermore, four displays 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d are arranged on the housing
front 13 of
the housing 12 in the exemplary embodiment. The number of displays 16a, 16b,
16c,
16d and the number of selector keys are of course arbitrary.
In principle, however, the aim of the speech station 10 according to the
invention is for a
plurality of operator controls 15a, 15b, 15c, 15d and displays 16a, 16b, 16c,
16d to be
able to be arranged tightly packed on the housing front 13, in order on one
hand to
accommodate a plurality of the operator controls, displays and connectors, but
on the
other hand also to make possible comfortable and reliable operation, and to
make it
possible to recognize the elements.
In the exemplary embodiment of Fig. 1, a plurality of connectors are provided
on the
housing front 33 in addition to the selector keys 17, 17a, 17b, 17c: for
example, Fig. 1
shows a microphone connector 45 and a headset connector 46. The microphone
connector 45 may be designed as a socket for an audio jack and the headset
connector
46 may be designed as an XLR male socket connector.
Finally, in the exemplary embodiment of Fig. 1 two USB connectors 52a, 52b are
also
provided on the housing front 13.
The housing front 13 furthermore comprises fastening portions 42a, 42b
protruding
laterally outwards, in which a number of openings 43 are arranged. The speech
station
10 may be fastened to a rack or mounting frame by means of the lateral
fastening
portions 42a, 42b. Fastening means, not shown, may extend through the openings
43
for this purpose.
Between the lateral fastening portions 42a, 42b and the arrangement surface 53
for the
operator controls 15a, 15b, 15c, 15d and for the displays 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d
there are
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arranged two openings 28a, 28b, which are formed in the type of slots 30a,
30b. In this
case, these are exit openings for sound which is generated by loudspeakers
24a, 24b.
As best becomes clear according to the representation in Fig. 3, the interior
54 of the
.. housing 12 is surrounded by the housing front 13 and the rear housing side
14 and the
lateral wall faces 35a, 35b of the housing 12. Furthermore, the housing 12 has
a bottom
wall 55 and a top wall 56 which is not shown in Fig. 3, and is indicated in
Fig. 1. The
interior 54 is therefore delimited by these six wall portions.
The numerous electronic components, such as printed circuit boards,
processors,
capacitors, optionally transformers and other electronic components and also
cables
and conductors, which are to be arranged in the interior 54 of the housing 12
are not
shown. It is however apparent to the person skilled in the art that an
electrical conductor
runs to each connector 45, 46, 52a, 52b on the housing front 13 to each
operator
control 15a, 15b, 15c, 15d.
The same applies to the connectors to be arranged on the rear housing side 14.
For this
reason, there is not inconsiderable cabling effort within the housing 12.
As the exemplary embodiment of Fig. 3 makes clear, a first loudspeaker 24a and
a
second loudspeaker 24b are arranged in the interior 54 of the housing 12. In
further
exemplary embodiment of the invention which are not shown in the figures, the
speech
station 10 comprises only one loudspeaker 24.
The loudspeaker 24a is arranged spaced apart by an offset 26 from the housing
front
13. The offset 26 in the exemplary embodiment is approximately half the depth
T of the
interior 54 of the housing 12. The offset 56 is measured between the inner
side 57 of
the housing front 13 and that portion 58 of the loudspeaker 24 which comes
closest to
the inner side 57.
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Advantageously, the offset 26 in speech stations according to the invention is
at least
10%, further in particular at least 20%, further in particular at least 25%,
further in
particular at least 30%, of the depth T of the interior 54 of the housing 12.
In the exemplary embodiment of Fig. 3, the loudspeaker 24, 24a, 24b is a
conventional
so-called moving-coil loudspeaker. As a result of using such a loudspeaker
type, very
good fidelity of audio reproduction can be achieved. It is also possible to
resort to
conventional loudspeakers.
Such moving-coil loudspeakers have a diaphragm, the dimension of which
determines
the size of the loudspeaker. According to the exemplary embodiment of Fig. 3,
the
loudspeaker 24 has a transverse extent QS which corresponds to the external
diameter
of the substantially circular diaphragm. The loudspeaker 24a therefore has a
sound exit
surface 27 which is just as large as the diaphragm. The sound exit surface 27
therefore
has a diameter which corresponds to the transverse extent QS.
The sound generated by the loudspeaker 24a - as is best made clear with
reference to
the exemplary embodiment in Fig. 6 which is illustrated in greater detail - is
designated
with 51 in Fig. 6 as a sound wave. These sound waves are conducted to the
opening 28
or the slot 30 starting from the exit surface 27 of the loudspeaker 24a. This
is done in
the exemplary embodiment according to the figures by providing an acoustic
horn 36.
This has in particular partly curved wall portions 37a, 37b, so that the
interior or the
internal cross-section of the acoustic horn 36 becomes continuously smaller
from the
sound exit surface 27 up to the opening 28.
As a result, the opening 28 may have an opening cross-section 29 which is
considerably smaller than the sound exit surface 27.
In the exemplary embodiment of Fig. 6, the opening 28 has a width B (cf. Fig.
6) and a
height H (cf. Fig. 1) which results in an opening cross-section 29 as a
product of height
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H and width B which is considerably smaller than the sound exit surface 27 of
the
loudspeaker 24a. The sound exit surface 27 has a size of Tr X (QS:2)2.
Even at a first glance, considering Figures 1 and 6 and comparing the sound
exit
surface 27 with the opening 28 shows that the sound exit surface 27 is
considerably
larger than the opening 28.
Thus the opening 28 on the housing front 13 can be kept very small. This
maximizes the
arrangement surface 53 on the housing front 13. Therefore a plurality of
operator
controls 15a, 15b, 15c, 15d, in particular selector keys 17, 17a, 17b, 17c and
displays
16a, 16b, 16c, 16d and also connectors 52a, 52b, 45, 46, can be accommodated
on the
housing front 13.
In the exemplary embodiment of Fig. 6, the sound exit surface 27 is arranged
at a 45
angle (reference character a) relative to the housing front 13.
In the exemplary embodiment of Fig. 7, the loudspeaker 24 on the other hand is
positioned differently: here the sound exit surface 27 is oriented parallel to
the housing
front 13. Here too, however, a very great offset 26 between the inner side 57
of the
housing front 13 and the sound exit surface 27 is provided. In the exemplary
embodiment of Fig. 7 as well, an acoustic horn 36 with wall portions 37a, 37b
is
provided.
In further exemplary embodiments of the invention not shown in the figures,
the acoustic
horn 36 may also be formed or partially formed by inner faces of portions 35a,
57 of the
housing 12.
In the exemplary embodiment of Fig. 9, a representation which is slightly
changed
compared with the representations of Figures 6 and 7 is shown:
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Here the lateral, right-hand - relative to Fig. 3 - wall surface 35b of the
housing 12 and a
corresponding right-hand - relative to Fig. 3 - portion of the housing front
13 are
illustrated.
The loudspeaker 24c has a sound exit surface 27c which is oriented parallel to
the side
wall 35b.
The acoustic horn 36 is provided here by wall portions 37a, 37b, with the wall
portions
37a of the acoustic horn 36 corresponding to the inner side 59 of the side
wall 35b.
Fastening elements 60 can be discerned, which make it possible for the
loudspeaker
24c to be fastened directly to the side wall 35b of the housing 12.
In Fig. 9, the reference character 61 designates a printed circuit board on
which a
plurality of electronic components can be arranged. For example, 62 designates
an
electronic component which has a predetermined height 63 and a predetermined
width
64.
On looking at Fig. 9, it can be recognized that the clearance remaining
between the
component 62 and the housing side wall 35b has an internal width 65 which is
smaller
than the transverse extent QS of the loudspeaker.
Due to the rearward displacement according to the invention or the offset
rearwards of
the loudspeaker 24c relative to the housing front 13, there is therefore now
the
possibility of arranging the electronic component 62 at the position
illustrated in Fig. 9
on the board 61.
It should be noted, that in Fig. 9 the sound exit opening 19, 20, 30 on the
housing wall
12 is not shown for reasons of clarity, but is of course present.
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According to Fig. 1, the opening 28 is provided as a cutout in the housing
front 13 in the
type of a slot 30. This is formed elongated in the vertical direction 31. As a
result, a very
narrow, small opening on the housing front 13 is made possible.
The housing front 13, as Fig. 1 makes clear, comprises a rectangular base
surface 33.
The positioning of the two slots 30a, 30b which is provided in the region of
the lateral
edge 34a, 34b of the base surface in the exemplary embodiment is advantageous.
The
arrangement surface 53 for the operator controls 15a, 15b, 15c, 15d and the
displays
16a, 16b, 16c, 16d can in this manner be maximized free from interruption.
For completeness, the rear side of the housing 12 will also be described with
reference
to the exemplary embodiment of Fig. 2. Here there are a plurality of
connectors 20a,
20b, 20c, 20d, 20e, 20f, 20g, 20h, 20i, which are illustrated merely by way of
example.
For example, there can be seen a power supply connector 21 which makes it
possible
to connect the speech station 10 to a 220 V mains cable. Furthermore, a
connector 50
for supply connection loop-through is provided. In this respect, a further
electric or
electronic device which requires mains voltage can be connected to the
connector 50.
Furthermore, data cable connectors 22a, 22b, 22c are arranged on the rear
housing
side 14. These here may be various sockets for different plug formats, such as
for
example HDMI, GPIO, dual Ethernet, 4-Wire analog or other connectors. Fig. 2
also
clearly shows a BNC connection socket 23 for connecting a BNC cable.
As the exemplary embodiment of Fig. 8 lastly makes clear, in a further
exemplary
embodiment grip elements 47a, 47b which cover the slots 30a, 30b are provided.
The
grip elements 47a, 47b are likewise arranged in the region of the lateral
edges 34a, 34b
of the base surface 33 of the speech station 10.
Below, a speech station 10' of the prior art will be discussed briefly with
reference to Fig.
5:
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With regard to the speech station 10' of the prior art in Fig. 5, identical
reference
characters, in each case with an apostrophe added, will be used for
simplicity.
The speech station 10' according to Fig. 5 in the prior art, too, already has
programmable operator controls 15a', 15b', which can also function as displays
16a',
16b'. Here, an opening for a fixedly installed and non-illustrated
loudspeaker, is
provided at 28'.
The opening cross-section 29' of the opening 28' for the sound to emerge from
here is
made as large as the loudspeaker not visible in Fig. 5 and located in the
direction of
viewing of the observer behind the housing front 13' in Fig. 5.
In the exemplary embodiment according to the invention, the opening 28 in the
housing
front 13 is kept free from any elements. The invention however also covers the
opening
28 being completely or partially covered or occupied by loudspeaker grilles or
mats of
plastics material or textile materials, as are also usually used for other
sound exit
openings for loudspeakers in housings.
In addition, it should be explained herewith with reference to Fig. 10 that in
a further
exemplary embodiment according to the invention of an intercom network 11 a
speech
station 10 according to the invention is connected to another speech station
18 of the
intercom network 11 directly via a connecting line 66, without the
interposition of a
switching station.
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