EP0685981A2 - Loudspeaker - Google Patents

Loudspeaker Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP0685981A2
EP0685981A2 EP95107543A EP95107543A EP0685981A2 EP 0685981 A2 EP0685981 A2 EP 0685981A2 EP 95107543 A EP95107543 A EP 95107543A EP 95107543 A EP95107543 A EP 95107543A EP 0685981 A2 EP0685981 A2 EP 0685981A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
loudspeaker
membrane
voice coil
centering
component
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP95107543A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0685981B1 (en
EP0685981A3 (en
Inventor
Stefan Geisenberger
Manfred Aigner
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Harman Audio Electronic Systems GmbH
Original Assignee
Nokia Technology GmbH
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from DE4422486A external-priority patent/DE4422486A1/en
Application filed by Nokia Technology GmbH filed Critical Nokia Technology GmbH
Publication of EP0685981A2 publication Critical patent/EP0685981A2/en
Publication of EP0685981A3 publication Critical patent/EP0685981A3/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0685981B1 publication Critical patent/EP0685981B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R9/00—Transducers of moving-coil, moving-strip, or moving-wire type
    • H04R9/02—Details
    • H04R9/04—Construction, mounting, or centering of coil
    • H04R9/045—Mounting

Definitions

  • the invention is concerned with the formation of high-temperature resistant connections of loudspeaker components, in particular with the connection of loudspeaker membranes with voice coil carriers.
  • loudspeaker membranes and voice coil carriers of loudspeakers are connected to one another by adhesive if they are not formed in one piece.
  • adhesive for example, it is known to connect an aluminum voice coil former to a loudspeaker membrane made of plastic, metal or paper by means of an adhesive.
  • the requirements placed on such an adhesive connection are also known.
  • Such a connection should be light, firmly connect both substances to one another - even under the influence of heat - and also be easy and quick to form.
  • voice coil former and loudspeaker membrane made of plastic can only solve the problems to a limited extent, since these materials do not have the necessary strength in the desired temperature range.
  • One-piece metal constructions of the voice coil former and loudspeaker membrane cannot currently be produced cost-effectively with the desired properties.
  • the invention is therefore based on the object of specifying a loudspeaker in which the various components of the loudspeaker, in particular voice coil former and loudspeaker membrane, are connected to one another in an environmentally compatible manner up to over 120 degrees Celsius.
  • the components of the loudspeaker to be connected are provided with an ultrasonically weldable metal, at least on their surfaces facing one another and intended for connection, the respective components of the loudspeaker can be connected to one another very easily using ultrasonic welding technology, provided the thickness of the respective metal layer is more than is about 8 ⁇ m.
  • the connection is particularly simple when the components to be connected are made entirely of ultrasonically weldable metal, since in this case there is no need to coat the surface areas provided for the connection.
  • connection in welding technology between the voice coil support and the loudspeaker membrane, between the voice coil support and the centering membrane and between the speaker membrane and the centering membrane can be carried out equally well.
  • this does not mean that only those connections between loudspeaker components in ultrasonic welding technology can be formed which require a lower weight of the connection.
  • the connection between the centering membrane and the speaker cage can also be designed as an ultrasonic weld.
  • the voice coil former is connected to the loudspeaker membrane or the centering membrane is connected to the voice coil former or the loudspeaker membrane with the interposition of an insulating arrangement, the insulator of which is connected to two opposite surface areas is coated with an ultrasonically weldable material. If the insulating arrangement is arranged between the voice coil support and the loudspeaker membrane, heat conduction from the loudspeaker membrane to the voice coil support is made more difficult by the insulator in the case of thermally highly stressed speaker membranes, so that no special measures need to be taken to isolate the voice coil wire arranged on the voice coil support.
  • the centering membrane if it is formed, for example, from two or more parts which are not connected to one another, can act as a contact bridge between the ends of the Voice coil wire and the ends of the audio signal line are used.
  • Ceramic or polyimide materials have proven to be suitable insulation materials. Such materials can be coated in suitable material thicknesses with, for example, aluminum or copper.
  • the centering membrane can be welded particularly well if the metal coating of the centering membrane is configured as specified in claim 7.
  • centering membranes formed from non-metal and / or of centering membranes which have no braid structure and are therefore of unbroken design can be connected to the first components of the loudspeaker when the edge provided for connection has the border specified in claim 8.
  • FIG. 1 shows a section through a loudspeaker in a detail, the representations on the right and left of the center line having different exemplary embodiments.
  • the left representation according to FIG. 1 shows a voice coil support 10 which is connected at its upper edge to the speaker membrane 11.
  • the loudspeaker membrane 11 and the voice coil former 10 are formed from aluminum, so that the surface areas 13.1, 13.2 of the loudspeaker membrane 11 and voice coil former 10 in contact with one another consist of materials which can be ultrasonically welded.
  • the connection between the loudspeaker membrane 11, which represents the first component of the loudspeaker in the sense of claims 1 to 3 in the connection area discussed here, is ultrasonically welded to the voice coil former 10, which is a further component in the sense of claims 1 and 2.
  • the cone region 14 of the loudspeaker diaphragm 11 is connected to the centering diaphragm 15, an insulating arrangement 16 being arranged between the loudspeaker diaphragm 11 and the centering diaphragm 15, which is discussed in more detail in connection with FIG. 2.
  • the right representation according to FIG. 1 differs from the left representation in that the insulating arrangement 16 is not arranged between the centering membrane 15 and the loudspeaker membrane 11, but between the loudspeaker membrane 11 and the voice coil former 10.
  • This arrangement has the advantage that the heat conduction from the loudspeaker membrane 11 to the voice coil former 10 or to the voice coil 17 is made more difficult by the intermediate arrangement of the insulating arrangement 16.
  • the intermediate arrangement of the insulating arrangement 16 can also be formed between the centering diaphragm 15 and the loudspeaker diaphragm 11 and between the loudspeaker diaphragm 11 and the voice coil bobbin 10, with which the advantages of the two individual representations according to FIG. 1 are combined.
  • This insulation arrangement 16 is shown enlarged with FIG.
  • This insulation arrangement 16 is formed by a layer of an insulator 18, which in the exemplary embodiment dealt with here is formed from ceramic material.
  • This insulator arrangement 16, which is a further component of the loudspeaker in the sense of claim 1 or claim 3, has on the side of the insulator 18, which faces the first component of the loudspeaker - here the voice coil former 10 - a metal coating 19.1, which is present is made of copper.
  • the surface area 13.2 of the metal coating 19.1 is connected to the surface area 13.1 of the voice coil former 10 made of aluminum by using the ultrasonic welding technique.
  • metal coating 19.2 On the side of the insulator 18 facing away from the metal coating 19.1 there is a further metal coating 19.2 likewise made of copper, which is not conductively connected to the metal coating 19.1.
  • the surface area 13.3 of the metal coating 19.2 is also ultrasonically welded to the surface area 13.4 of the loudspeaker membrane 11 made of aluminum.
  • Each of the two metal coatings 19.1 and 19.2 has a thickness of greater than or equal to 8 ⁇ m, while the thickness of the insulation layer 18 is approximately 1 mm.
  • the feasibility of the invention is not limited to that Limited use of copper as metal for the metal coatings 19.1, 19.2. Rather, the respective metal coating can also be formed from aluminum or nickel. Good results were also achieved with a polyimide film as insulator 18, which was coated on both sides with aluminum to form an insulator arrangement 16.
  • the isolator arrangement 18 shown with FIG. 2 essentially shows the installation situation according to the right illustration from FIG. 1. If the centering membrane 15 is not to be conductively connected to the loudspeaker membrane 11 (left illustration according to FIG. 1), the isolator arrangement 16 according to FIG. 2 is also in this Embodiment usable. In this case, the loudspeaker membrane 11 is the first component of the loudspeaker in the sense of claims 1 to 3, while the isolator arrangement 16 is the further component of the loudspeaker in the sense of claims 1 and 3.
  • FIG 3 shows a further representation of a loudspeaker in section.
  • the voice coil former 10 forms the first component of the loudspeaker in the sense of claims 1 and 2
  • the loudspeaker membrane 11 represents the further component of the loudspeaker in the sense of claims 1 and 2.
  • Both components 10, 11 just named are formed from aluminum and ultrasonically welded to one another.
  • an insulating arrangement 16 according to FIG. 2 can also be arranged in the connection area (not shown in FIG. 3).
  • FIG. 3 shows a centering membrane 15, which is connected to the voice coil bobbin 10.
  • an insulation arrangement 16 according to FIG. 2 can be interposed between the centering membrane 15 and the voice coil support if necessary (not shown in FIG. 3).
  • the dashed representation of the centering membrane 15 in FIG. 3 makes it clear that the centering membrane 15 can also be dispensed with entirely if the centering of the voice coil bobbin 10 is also carried out in a different manner, for example as shown in DE 4241212. Further details on the connection of a centering membrane 15 shown in FIG. 3 to the voice coil former 10 or the loudspeaker membrane 11 will be explained in more detail in connection with FIG. 5.
  • FIG. 4 shows a connection between the voice coil bobbin 10 and the loudspeaker membrane 11, the representations on the right and left of the center line relating to different exemplary embodiments.
  • the voice coil bobbin 10 and the loudspeaker diaphragm 11 are formed from aluminum in both exemplary embodiments and are connected by an ultrasound welding without the interposition of an insulating arrangement 16.
  • the voice coil former 10 is formed longer and thus projects with its upper end 20 deeper into the cone formed by the loudspeaker membrane 11.
  • the inner cross-section of the voice coil bobbin 10 which is also made of aluminum and has a cup-shaped shape, is inserted and connected.
  • the edge 22 of the cap 21, via which it is connected to the inner jacket of the voice coil former 10 points in the direction that the voice coil 17 is turned away from . The latter is because after the cap 21 has been placed with the edge 22 downward, the space delimited by the cap 21 and the voice coil holder 10 is no longer accessible to welding electrodes.
  • the left side of the illustration according to FIG. 4 shows a dust protection cap 21, which is also made of aluminum and is shaped like a dome.
  • This anti-screw cap 21 is connected with its circumferential flange 23 to the inside of the speaker diaphragm 11 by ultrasonic welding.
  • a centering membrane 15 is present and connected to the voice coil support 10 or the loudspeaker membrane 11, such a connection according to the prior art is generally carried out as an adhesive connection.
  • a connection between centering membrane 15 and voice coil former 10 or loudspeaker membrane 11 is now given in connection with FIG. 5, which solves the temperature problems.
  • the centering membrane 15 can be connected to these components 10, 11 very easily in ultrasonic welding if at least the surface regions 13 of the centering membrane 15, which are connected to the respective component 10, 11, are also formed from an ultrasonically weldable metal.
  • cement membranes 15 are conventionally made of textile or plastic mesh, the manufacture of an ultrasonically weldable coating on such materials is very complex and can only be achieved with considerable effort. If, on the other hand, metal or a metal braid is used as the material for the centering membrane 15, this material can be coated very easily with another metal, for example with the metal of the voice coil bobbin 10, by means of galvanic processes. Although such a galvanic coating can be produced with good adhesion to the centering membrane 15, such coating methods are not harmless for reasons of environmental protection. It is therefore much more advantageous to carry out the connection of the centering membrane 15 and the ultrasonically weldable metal coating, as will be explained in more detail below.
  • the desired high mechanical strength between the centering membrane 15 and the voice coil bobbin 10 or loudspeaker membrane 11 is only achieved when the centering membrane 15 is arranged between the strip 24 and the voice coil bobbin 10 or the loudspeaker membrane 11 and the regions of the strip 24 which the braid openings 25 penetrate with the voice coil 10 or the speaker membrane 11 are ultrasonically welded.
  • the latter is shown schematically in FIG. 5b for a connection between loudspeaker diaphragm 11 and centering diaphragm 15.
  • a particularly stable attachment between the centering membrane 15 and the respective component 10, 11 of the loudspeaker can be carried out if the strip 24 inserted into the tool is embossed by means of ultrasound while the centering membrane 15 is embossed is softened. This softening can also be carried out after the centering membrane 15 has been connected to the strip 24 following the embossing step.
  • the metal of the strip 24 penetrates the braid openings 25 such that a continuously thin metal film 26 also forms on the side of the centering membrane 15 facing away from the strip 24.
  • Figure 5c Since the metal film 26 and the remaining strip 24 have approximately the same thickness, this is for welding to the loudspeaker membrane 11 or the voice coil bobbin 10 no matter whether the metal film 26 or the strip 24 is used.
  • the centering membrane 15 discussed in connection with FIGS. 5a-c was formed from a beam wire mesh.
  • the thickness of the wire was approximately 0.1 mm. This does not mean that the centering membrane 15 cannot be formed from a non-metal.
  • the process should be modified so that no strip is used that is pressed through the braid openings.
  • the edge of the centering membrane 15, which is to be connected for connection to the loudspeaker membrane 11 or the voice coil bobbin 10 should be bordered by an approximately U-shaped profile made of ultrasonically weldable metal. The latter is shown in Figure 5d.
  • 5d was formed in that an L-shaped angle piece was bent around the edge 28 of the centering membrane 15, so that after bending, both legs 29, 30 of the U-shaped one Clamp the edge 28. If the surfaces of the border 27, which bear against the centering membrane 15, are roughened or provided with projections (not shown) which penetrate into the centering membrane 15 after bending, a stable connection between the border 27 and the centering membrane 15 is created. For additional strengthening of the connection, the border 27 together with the centering membrane 15 can also be provided with an approximately step-shaped embossed bead (not shown).
  • the centering membrane 15 does not necessarily have to be formed from an openwork mesh.
  • the border 27 is also not limited to centering membranes 15 made of non-metal, but can also be used for centering membranes 15 made of metal.
  • the connection between the centering membrane 15 provided with an enclosure 27 and, for example, the loudspeaker membrane 11 is realized in such a way that the leg 30 of the enclosure 27 is placed on an anvil 31 serving as a counter electrode.
  • the sonotrode 32 is then placed on the inside 33 of the loudspeaker membrane 11 in such a way that the loudspeaker membrane 11 and the legs 29, 30 of the casing 27 and the edge 28 are pressed against the anvil 31. If the ultrasonic welding is carried out in this state, the leg 29 of the surround 27 connects to the loudspeaker membrane 11.
  • the centering membrane 15 used is formed from an openwork braid, the metal of the surround 27 penetrates the braid openings 25 (not shown in FIG. 5d) and connects both legs 29, 30 through the centering membrane 15.

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Acoustics & Sound (AREA)
  • Signal Processing (AREA)
  • Audible-Bandwidth Dynamoelectric Transducers Other Than Pickups (AREA)
  • Diaphragms For Electromechanical Transducers (AREA)
  • Pressure Welding/Diffusion-Bonding (AREA)

Abstract

The loudspeaker membrane (11) is made of metal, to allow it to be secured to the metal coil carrier (10) for the loudspeaker coil via ultrasonic welding, with an intermediate insulation device (16) fitted between the facing planar surfaces of the coil carrier and the loudspeaker membrane. The insulation device has outer metal layers (19.1, 19.2) which are suitable for ultrasonic welding to the coil carrier and the loudspeaker membrane respectively, on either side of an intermediate insulator (18). <IMAGE>

Description

Technisches GebietTechnical field

Die Erfindung befaßt sich mit der Ausbildung von hochtemparaturfesten Verbindungen von Lautsprecherbauteilen, insbesondere mit der Verbindung von Lautsprechermembranen mit Schwingspulenträgern.The invention is concerned with the formation of high-temperature resistant connections of loudspeaker components, in particular with the connection of loudspeaker membranes with voice coil carriers.

Stand der TechnikState of the art

Lautsprechermembranen und Schwingspulenträger von Lautsprechern werden gemäß dem Stand der Technik, sofern sie nicht einstückig ausgebildet werden, durch Klebung miteinander verbunden. So ist beispielsweise bekannt, einen aus Aluminium gebildeten Schwingspulenträger mittels eines Klebstoffes mit einer aus Kunststoff, Metall oder Papier gebildeten Lautsprechermembran zu verbinden. Die Anforderungen, welche an eine derartige Klebeverbindung gestellt werden, sind ebenfalls bekannt. So soll eine derartige Verbindung leicht sein, beide Stoffe - auch unter thermischer Einwirkung - fest miteinander verbinden und außerdem einfach und schnell ausbildbar sein.According to the prior art, loudspeaker membranes and voice coil carriers of loudspeakers are connected to one another by adhesive if they are not formed in one piece. For example, it is known to connect an aluminum voice coil former to a loudspeaker membrane made of plastic, metal or paper by means of an adhesive. The requirements placed on such an adhesive connection are also known. Such a connection should be light, firmly connect both substances to one another - even under the influence of heat - and also be easy and quick to form.

Für Lautsprecher, welche einen Schwingspulenträger aus Aluminium und eine Lautsprechermembran aus Kunststoff, Metall oder Papier aufweisen, sind diese Forderungen bis zu Betriebstemperaturen von bis zu 120 Grad Celsius befriedigend gelöst. Werden Lautsprecher höheren Umgebungstemperaturen ausgesetzt, nimmt die Temperaturfestigkeit der Verklebung rapide ab. Maßnahmen, wie etwa der Einsatz von verbesserten Klebstoffen bewirken zwar eine leicht höhere Temperaturfestigkeit, bedingen aber Klebstoffe, deren Verwendung unter Umweltsgesichtspunkten heute nicht mehr zu rechtfertigen ist.For loudspeakers which have a voice coil former made of aluminum and a loudspeaker membrane made of plastic, metal or paper, these requirements have been satisfactorily met up to operating temperatures of up to 120 degrees Celsius. If loudspeakers are exposed to higher ambient temperatures, the temperature resistance of the bond decreases rapidly. Measures such as the use of improved adhesives result in a slightly higher one Temperature resistance, but require adhesives, the use of which is no longer justifiable from an environmental point of view.

Die eben erörterten Probleme treten auch dann auf, wenn der Schwingspulenträger oder die Lautsprechermembran mit einer sogenannten Zentriermembran durch Klebung verbunden ist.The problems just discussed also occur when the voice coil former or the loudspeaker membrane is connected to a so-called centering membrane by adhesive bonding.

Einstückige Konstruktionen von Schwingspulenträger und Lautsprechermembran aus Kunststoff können die Probleme nur bedingt lösen, da auch diese Werkstoffe im gewünschten Temperaturbereich nicht die notwendige Festigkeit aufweisen.One-piece constructions of voice coil former and loudspeaker membrane made of plastic can only solve the problems to a limited extent, since these materials do not have the necessary strength in the desired temperature range.

Einstückige Metallkonstruktionen von Schwingspulenträger und Lautsprechermembran können derzeit nicht mit den gewünschten Eigenschaften kostengünstig hergestellt werden. Insbesondere ist es nicht möglich, eine Lautsprechermembran aus Aluminium oder Titan zusammen mit dem Schwingspulenträger etwa in einem Tiefziehprozeß auszubilden.One-piece metal constructions of the voice coil former and loudspeaker membrane cannot currently be produced cost-effectively with the desired properties. In particular, it is not possible to form a loudspeaker membrane made of aluminum or titanium together with the voice coil former, for example in a deep-drawing process.

Daher liegt der Erfindung die Aufgabe zugrunde, einen Lautsprecher anzugeben, bei dem die verschiedenen Bauteile des Lautsprechers, insbesondere Schwingspulenträger und Lautsprechermembran umweltverträglich bis über 120 Grad Celsius miteinander verbunden sind.The invention is therefore based on the object of specifying a loudspeaker in which the various components of the loudspeaker, in particular voice coil former and loudspeaker membrane, are connected to one another in an environmentally compatible manner up to over 120 degrees Celsius.

Darstellung der ErfindungPresentation of the invention

Diese Aufgabe wird mit den Merkmalen gemäß Anspruch 1 gelöst. Vorteilhafte Aus- und Weiterbildungen der Erfindung sind den Ansprüchen 2 bis 6 entnehmbar.This object is achieved with the features according to claim 1. Advantageous further developments of the invention can be found in claims 2 to 6.

Sind gemäß Anspruch 1 die zur Verbindung stehenden Bauteile des Lautsprechers zumindest an ihrem zueinander zugewandten und zur Verbindung bestimmten Oberflächen mit einem ultraschallverschweißbarem Metall versehen, sind die jeweiligen Bauteile des Lautsprechers sehr einfach unter Anwendung der Ultraschallschweißtechnik miteinander verbindbar, sofern die Dicke der jeweiligen Metallschicht mehr als etwa 8 µm beträgt. Besonders einfach ist die Herstellung der Verbindung dann, wenn die jeweils zu verbindenden Bauteile vollständig aus ultraschallverschweißbarem Metall gebildet sind, da in diesem Fall auf eine Beschichtung der zur Verbindung vorgesehenen Oberflächenbereiche verzichtet werden kann.If, according to claim 1, the components of the loudspeaker to be connected are provided with an ultrasonically weldable metal, at least on their surfaces facing one another and intended for connection, the respective components of the loudspeaker can be connected to one another very easily using ultrasonic welding technology, provided the thickness of the respective metal layer is more than is about 8 µm. The connection is particularly simple when the components to be connected are made entirely of ultrasonically weldable metal, since in this case there is no need to coat the surface areas provided for the connection.

Gemäß Anspruch 2 kann die Verbindung in Schweißtechnik zwischen dem Schwingspulenträger und der Lautsprechermembran, zwischen dem Schwingspulenträger und der Zentriermembran und zwischen der Lautsprechermembran und der Zentriermembran gleichermaßen gut ausgeführt werden. Dies heißt aber nicht, daß nur solche Verbindungen zwischen Lautsprecherbauteilen in Ultraschallschweißtechnik ausgebildet werden können, bei denen es auf ein niedrigeres Gewicht der Verbindung ankommt. Vielmehr kann auch die Verbindung zwischen der Zentriermembran und dem Lautsprecherkorb als Ultraschallverschweißung ausgeführt sein.According to claim 2, the connection in welding technology between the voice coil support and the loudspeaker membrane, between the voice coil support and the centering membrane and between the speaker membrane and the centering membrane can be carried out equally well. However, this does not mean that only those connections between loudspeaker components in ultrasonic welding technology can be formed which require a lower weight of the connection. Rather, the connection between the centering membrane and the speaker cage can also be designed as an ultrasonic weld.

Besonders vorteilhaft ist es, wenn gemäß Anspruch 3 der Schwingspulenträger mit der Lautsprechermembran bzw. die Zentriermembran mit dem Schwingspulenträger oder der Lautsprechermembran unter Zwischenordnung einer Isolieranordnung verbunden ist, deren Isolator an zwei gegenüberliegenden Oberflächenbereichen mit einem ultraschallverschweißbarem Material beschichtet ist. Ist die Isolieranordnung zwischen dem Schwingspulenträger und der Lautsprechermembran angeordnet, so wird bei thermisch hochbelasteten Lautsprechermembranen durch den Isolator eine Wärmeleitung von der Lautsprechermembran zum Schwingspulenträger erschwert, so daß zur Isolierung des auf dem Schwingspulenträger angeordneten Schwingspulendrahtes keine besonderen Maßnahmen mehr ergriffen werden müssen. Ist die Isolieranordnung auf der einen Seite mit der Lautsprechermembran oder dem Schwingspulenträger und auf der anderen Seite mit einer aus Metall gebildeten Zentriermembran verbunden, kann die Zentriermembran, wenn sie beispielsweise aus zwei oder mehr nicht miteinander verbundenen Teilen gebildet ist, als Kontaktbrücke zwischen den Enden des Schwingspulendrahtes und den Enden der Tonsignalzuleitung genutzt werden.It is particularly advantageous if, according to claim 3, the voice coil former is connected to the loudspeaker membrane or the centering membrane is connected to the voice coil former or the loudspeaker membrane with the interposition of an insulating arrangement, the insulator of which is connected to two opposite surface areas is coated with an ultrasonically weldable material. If the insulating arrangement is arranged between the voice coil support and the loudspeaker membrane, heat conduction from the loudspeaker membrane to the voice coil support is made more difficult by the insulator in the case of thermally highly stressed speaker membranes, so that no special measures need to be taken to isolate the voice coil wire arranged on the voice coil support. If the insulating arrangement is connected on one side to the loudspeaker membrane or the voice coil support and on the other side to a centering membrane formed from metal, the centering membrane, if it is formed, for example, from two or more parts which are not connected to one another, can act as a contact bridge between the ends of the Voice coil wire and the ends of the audio signal line are used.

Als geeignete Isolationsstoffe haben sich Keramik- oder Polyimid-Werkstoffe erwiesen. Derartige Stoffe sind in geeigneten Materialdicken mit beispielsweise Aluminium oder Kupfer beschichtbar.Ceramic or polyimide materials have proven to be suitable insulation materials. Such materials can be coated in suitable material thicknesses with, for example, aluminum or copper.

Eine besonders gute Ultraschallschweißbarkeit der Zentriermembran ist dann gegeben, wenn die Metallbeschichtung des Zentriermembran so ausgebildet ist, wie es in Anspruch 7 angegeben ist.The centering membrane can be welded particularly well if the metal coating of the centering membrane is configured as specified in claim 7.

Die Verwendung von aus Nichtmetall gebildeten Zentriermembranen und/oder von Zentriermembranen, die keine Geflechstruktur aufweisen und daher undurchbrochen ausgebildet sind, sind mit den ersten Bauteilen des Lautsprechers dann verbindbar, wenn der zur Verbindung vorgesehene Rand die in Anspruch 8 angebene Einfassung aufweist.The use of centering membranes formed from non-metal and / or of centering membranes which have no braid structure and are therefore of unbroken design can be connected to the first components of the loudspeaker when the edge provided for connection has the border specified in claim 8.

Kurze Darstellung der FigurenBrief presentation of the figures

Es zeigen:

Figur 1:
eine Schnittdarstellung durch einen Schwingspulenträger;
Figur 2:
eine weitere Darstellung gemäß Figur 1;
Figur 3:
eine weitere Darstellung gemäß Figur 1;
Figur 4:
eine weitere Darstellung gemäß Figur 1; und
Figur 5:
vier weitere Darstellungen gemß Figur 3. Wege zum Ausführung der Erfindung
Show it:
Figure 1:
a sectional view through a voice coil former;
Figure 2:
a further representation according to Figure 1;
Figure 3:
a further representation according to Figure 1;
Figure 4:
a further representation according to Figure 1; and
Figure 5:
four further representations according to Figure 3. Ways of carrying out the invention

Figur 1 zeigt einen Schnitt durch einen Lautsprecher im Ausschnitt, wobei die Darstellungen rechts und links der Mittellinie verschiedene Ausführungsbeispiele zum Gegenstand haben.FIG. 1 shows a section through a loudspeaker in a detail, the representations on the right and left of the center line having different exemplary embodiments.

Die linke Darstellung gemäß Figur 1 zeigt einen Schwingspulenträger 10, welcher an seinem oberen Rand mit der Lausprechermembran 11 verbunden ist. Die Lautsprechermembran 11 und der Schwingspulenträger 10 sind aus Aluminium gebildet, so daß die miteinander in Berührung stehenden Oberflächenbereiche 13.1, 13.2 von Lautsprechermembran 11 und Schwingspulenträger 10 aus Materialien bestehen, die ultraschallverweißbar sind. Die Verbindung zwischen der Lautsprechermembran 11, welche im hier erörterten Verbindungsbereich das erste Bauteil des Lautsprechers im Sinne der Ansprüche 1 bis 3 darstellt, ist mit dem Schwingspulenträger 10, welches ein weiteres Bauteil im Sinne der Ansprüche 1 und 2 ist, ultraschallverschweißt.The left representation according to FIG. 1 shows a voice coil support 10 which is connected at its upper edge to the speaker membrane 11. The loudspeaker membrane 11 and the voice coil former 10 are formed from aluminum, so that the surface areas 13.1, 13.2 of the loudspeaker membrane 11 and voice coil former 10 in contact with one another consist of materials which can be ultrasonically welded. The connection between the loudspeaker membrane 11, which represents the first component of the loudspeaker in the sense of claims 1 to 3 in the connection area discussed here, is ultrasonically welded to the voice coil former 10, which is a further component in the sense of claims 1 and 2.

Ferner ist der Kegelbereich 14 der Lautsprechermembran 11 mit der Zentriermembran 15 verbunden, wobei zwischen der Lautsprechermembran 11 und der Zentriermembran 15 eine Isolieranordnung 16 angeordnet ist, auf welche im Zusammenhang mit Figur 2 noch näher eingegegangen wird.Furthermore, the cone region 14 of the loudspeaker diaphragm 11 is connected to the centering diaphragm 15, an insulating arrangement 16 being arranged between the loudspeaker diaphragm 11 and the centering diaphragm 15, which is discussed in more detail in connection with FIG. 2.

Schon in diesem Zusammenhang sei darauf hingewiesen, daß, wenn die Zentriermembran 15 mit der Lautsprechermembran 11 verbunden ist, eine zweiteilige Ausbildung einer aus Metall gebildeten Zentriermembran als Kontaktbrücke zwischen den Drahtenden der auf dem Schwingspulenträger 10 angeordneten Schwingspule 17 und den Drahtenden der Tonsignalzuleitung (alles in Figur 1 nicht dargestellt) genutzt werden kann. In diesem Fall kann auf eine sonst übliche Litzenkontaktierung der Schwingspule 17 mit der Tonsignalzuleitung verzichtet werden.Already in this context, it should be pointed out that when the centering diaphragm 15 is connected to the loudspeaker diaphragm 11, a two-part design of a centering diaphragm made of metal as a contact bridge between the wire ends of the voice coil 17 arranged on the voice coil former 10 and the wire ends of the audio signal feed line (all in Figure 1 not shown) can be used. In this case, there is no need for otherwise usual wire contacting of the voice coil 17 with the audio signal feed line.

Die rechte Darstellung gemäß Figur 1 unterscheidet sich von der linken Darstellung dadurch, daß die Isolieranordnung 16 nicht zwischen der Zentriermembran 15 und der Lautsprechermembran 11, sondern zwischen der Lautsprechermembran 11 und dem Schwingspulenträger 10 angeordnet ist. Diese Anordnung hat den Vorteil, daß durch die Zwischenordnung der Isolieranordnung 16 die Wärmeleitung von der Lautsprechermembran 11 zum Schwingspulenträger 10 bzw. zur Schwingspule 17 erschwert ist.The right representation according to FIG. 1 differs from the left representation in that the insulating arrangement 16 is not arranged between the centering membrane 15 and the loudspeaker membrane 11, but between the loudspeaker membrane 11 and the voice coil former 10. This arrangement has the advantage that the heat conduction from the loudspeaker membrane 11 to the voice coil former 10 or to the voice coil 17 is made more difficult by the intermediate arrangement of the insulating arrangement 16.

In diesem Zusammenhang sei darauf hingewiesen, daß die Zwischenordnung der Isolieranordnung 16 auch zwischen der Zentriermembran 15 und der Lautsprechermembran 11 sowie zwischen der Lautsprechermembran 11 und dem Schwingspulenträger 10 ausgebildet sein kann, womit die Vorteile der beiden Einzeldarstellungen gemäß Figur 1 vereinigt sind.In this context, it should be pointed out that the intermediate arrangement of the insulating arrangement 16 can also be formed between the centering diaphragm 15 and the loudspeaker diaphragm 11 and between the loudspeaker diaphragm 11 and the voice coil bobbin 10, with which the advantages of the two individual representations according to FIG. 1 are combined.

Mit Figur 2 ist eine Isolieranordnung 16 vergrößert dargestellt. Diese Isolieranordnung 16 wird von einer Lage eines Isolators 18 gebildet, welche im hier behandelten Ausführungsbeispiel aus Keramik-Material gebildet ist. Diese Isolatoranordnung 16, welche ein weiteres Bauteil des Lautsprechers im Sinne von Anspruch 1 oder Anspruch 3 ist, weist auf der Seite des Isolators 18, welche dem ersten Bauteil des Lautsprechers - hier dem Schwingspulenträger 10 - zugewandt ist, eine Metallbeschichtung 19.1 auf, welche vorliegend aus Kupfer gebildet ist. Der Oberflächenbereich 13.2 der Metallbeschichtung 19.1 ist mit dem Oberflächenbereich 13.1 des aus Aluminium gebildeten Schwingspulenträgers 10 durch Anwendung der Ultraschallschweißtechnik verbunden.An insulating arrangement 16 is shown enlarged with FIG. This insulation arrangement 16 is formed by a layer of an insulator 18, which in the exemplary embodiment dealt with here is formed from ceramic material. This insulator arrangement 16, which is a further component of the loudspeaker in the sense of claim 1 or claim 3, has on the side of the insulator 18, which faces the first component of the loudspeaker - here the voice coil former 10 - a metal coating 19.1, which is present is made of copper. The surface area 13.2 of the metal coating 19.1 is connected to the surface area 13.1 of the voice coil former 10 made of aluminum by using the ultrasonic welding technique.

Auf der der Metallbeschichtung 19.1 abgewandten Seite des Isolators 18 ist eine weitere ebenfalls aus Kupfer gebildete Metallbeschichtung 19.2 vorhanden, welche nicht mit der Metallbeschichtung 19.1 leitend verbunden ist.On the side of the insulator 18 facing away from the metal coating 19.1 there is a further metal coating 19.2 likewise made of copper, which is not conductively connected to the metal coating 19.1.

Der Oberflächenbereich 13.3 der Metallbeschichtung 19.2 ist mit dem Oberflächenbereich 13.4 der aus Aluminium gebildeten Lautsprechermembran 11 ebenfalls ultraschallverschweißt.The surface area 13.3 of the metal coating 19.2 is also ultrasonically welded to the surface area 13.4 of the loudspeaker membrane 11 made of aluminum.

Jede der beiden Metallbeschichtungen 19.1 und 19.2 weist eine Dicke von größer/gleich 8 µm auf, während die Dicke der Isolationsschicht 18 etwa 1 mm beträgt.Each of the two metal coatings 19.1 and 19.2 has a thickness of greater than or equal to 8 μm, while the thickness of the insulation layer 18 is approximately 1 mm.

Die Ausführbarkeit der Erfindung ist nicht auf die Verwendung von Kupfer als Metall für die Metallbeschichtungen 19.1, 19.2 beschränkt. Vielmehr kann auch die jeweilige Metallbeschichtung aus Aluminium oder Nickel gebildet sein. Gute Ergebnisse wurden auch mit einer Polyimid-Folie als Isolator 18 erzielt, welche zur Bildung einer Isolatoranordnung 16 beidseitig mit Aluminium beschichtet war.The feasibility of the invention is not limited to that Limited use of copper as metal for the metal coatings 19.1, 19.2. Rather, the respective metal coating can also be formed from aluminum or nickel. Good results were also achieved with a polyimide film as insulator 18, which was coated on both sides with aluminum to form an insulator arrangement 16.

Die mit Figur 2 gezeigte Isolatoranordnung 18 zeigt im wesentlichen die Einbausituation gemäß der rechten Darstellung aus Figur 1. Soll die Zentriermembran 15 mit der Lautsprechermembran 11 nicht leitend verbunden sein (linke Darstellung gemäß Figur 1), ist die Isolatoranordnung 16 gemäß Figur 2 auch in diesem Ausführungsbeispiel verwendbar. In diesem Fall ist die Lautsprechermembran 11 das erste Bauteil des Lautsprechers im Sinne der Ansprüche 1 bis 3, während die Isolatoranordnung 16 das weitere Bauteil des Lautsprechers im Sinne der Ansprüche 1 und 3 ist.The isolator arrangement 18 shown with FIG. 2 essentially shows the installation situation according to the right illustration from FIG. 1. If the centering membrane 15 is not to be conductively connected to the loudspeaker membrane 11 (left illustration according to FIG. 1), the isolator arrangement 16 according to FIG. 2 is also in this Embodiment usable. In this case, the loudspeaker membrane 11 is the first component of the loudspeaker in the sense of claims 1 to 3, while the isolator arrangement 16 is the further component of the loudspeaker in the sense of claims 1 and 3.

Figur 3 zeigt eine weitere Darstellung eines Lautsprechers im Schnitt. Das erste Bauteil des Lautsprechers im Sinne der Ansprüche 1 und 2 bildet der Schwingspulenträger 10 während die Lautsprechermembran 11 das weitere Bauteil des Lautsprechers im Sinne der Ansprüche 1 und 2 darstellt.Figure 3 shows a further representation of a loudspeaker in section. The voice coil former 10 forms the first component of the loudspeaker in the sense of claims 1 and 2, while the loudspeaker membrane 11 represents the further component of the loudspeaker in the sense of claims 1 and 2.

Beide eben benannten Bauteile 10, 11 sind aus Aluminium gebildet und miteinander ultraschallverschweißt.Both components 10, 11 just named are formed from aluminum and ultrasonically welded to one another.

Sofern eine Wärmeisolierung zwischen beiden Bauteilen 10, 11 notwendig sein sollte, kann im Verbindungsbereich auch eine Isolieranordnung 16 gemäß Figur 2 zwischengeordnet sein (in Figur 3 nicht dargestellt).If thermal insulation between the two components 10, 11 should be necessary, an insulating arrangement 16 according to FIG. 2 can also be arranged in the connection area (not shown in FIG. 3).

Abweichend zu den Darstellungen gemäß Figur 1 zeigt die in Figur 3 dargestellte Anordnung eine Zentriermembran 15, welche mit dem Schwingspulenträger 10 verbunden ist. Auch hier kann im Bedarfsfalle zwischen der Zentriermembran 15 und dem Schwingspulenträger eine Isolieranordnung 16 gemäß Figur 2 zwischengeordnet sein (in Figur 3 nicht dargestellt). Die gestrichelte Darstellung der Zentriermembran 15 in Figur 3 macht deutlich, daß die Zentriermembran 15 auch gänzlich entfallen kann, wenn die Zentrierung des Schwingspulenträgers 10 auch in anderer Weise - etwa wie in DE 4241212 gezeigt - ausgeführt ist. Weitere Einzelheiten zur Verbindung einer in Figur 3 dargestellten Zentiermembran 15 mit dem Schwingspulenträger 10 oder der Lautsprechermembran 11 wird im Zusammenhang mit Figur 5 näher erläutert werden.1, the arrangement shown in FIG. 3 shows a centering membrane 15, which is connected to the voice coil bobbin 10. Here, too, an insulation arrangement 16 according to FIG. 2 can be interposed between the centering membrane 15 and the voice coil support if necessary (not shown in FIG. 3). The dashed representation of the centering membrane 15 in FIG. 3 makes it clear that the centering membrane 15 can also be dispensed with entirely if the centering of the voice coil bobbin 10 is also carried out in a different manner, for example as shown in DE 4241212. Further details on the connection of a centering membrane 15 shown in FIG. 3 to the voice coil former 10 or the loudspeaker membrane 11 will be explained in more detail in connection with FIG. 5.

Figur 4 zeigt eine Verbindung von Schwingspulenträger 10 und Lautsprechermembran 11, wobei die Darstellungen rechts und links der Mittellinie unterschiedliche Ausführungsbeispiele betreffen.FIG. 4 shows a connection between the voice coil bobbin 10 and the loudspeaker membrane 11, the representations on the right and left of the center line relating to different exemplary embodiments.

Der Schwingspulenträger 10 und die Lautsprechermembran 11 sind in beiden Ausführungsbeispielen aus Aluminium gebildet und ohne Zwischenordnung einer Isolieranordnung 16 durch Ultraschallschweißung verbunden.The voice coil bobbin 10 and the loudspeaker diaphragm 11 are formed from aluminum in both exemplary embodiments and are connected by an ultrasound welding without the interposition of an insulating arrangement 16.

Im Gegensatz zu Darstellung gemaß Fig. 1 ist in der rechten Darstellung gemäß Fig. 4 der Schwingspulenträger 10 länger aus gebildet und ragt somit mit seinem oberen Ende 20 tiefer in den von der Lautsprechermembran 11 gebildeten Kegel hinein. Am oberen Ende 20 des Schwingspulenträgers 10 ist eine den inneren Querschnitt des Schwingspulenträger 10 verschließende und gleichfalls aus Aluminium gebildete Kappe 21 von topfförmiger Gestalt eingesetzt und verbunden. Um die Schweißbarkeit der Verbindung von Kappe 21 und Schwingspulenträger 10 in Utraschallschweißtechnik zu gewährleisten, ist es wesentlich daß der Rand 22 der Kappe 21, über welchen diese mit dem Innenmantel des Schwingspulenträger 10 verbunden ist, in die Richtung weist, die der Schwingspule 17 abgwandt ist. Letzteres deshalb, weil nach dem Aufsetzen der Kappe 21 mit dem Rand 22 nach unten der von Kappe 21 und Schwinspulenträger 10 begrenzte Raum für Schweißelektroden nicht mehr zugänglich ist.In contrast to the representation according to FIG. 1, in the right representation according to FIG. 4, the voice coil former 10 is formed longer and thus projects with its upper end 20 deeper into the cone formed by the loudspeaker membrane 11. At the upper end 20 of the voice coil bobbin 10 is one the inner cross-section of the voice coil bobbin 10, which is also made of aluminum and has a cup-shaped shape, is inserted and connected. In order to ensure the weldability of the connection between cap 21 and voice coil former 10 using ultrasonic welding technology, it is essential that the edge 22 of the cap 21, via which it is connected to the inner jacket of the voice coil former 10, points in the direction that the voice coil 17 is turned away from . The latter is because after the cap 21 has been placed with the edge 22 downward, the space delimited by the cap 21 and the voice coil holder 10 is no longer accessible to welding electrodes.

Die linke Seite der Darstellung gemäß Fig.4 zeigt eine Staubschutzkappe 21, welche ebenfalls aus Aluminium gebildet ist und kalottenförmig geformt ist. Diese Schaubschutzkappe 21 ist mit ihrem umlaufenden Flansch 23 mit der Innenseite der Lautsprechermembran 11 durch Ultraschallschweißung verbunden.The left side of the illustration according to FIG. 4 shows a dust protection cap 21, which is also made of aluminum and is shaped like a dome. This anti-screw cap 21 is connected with its circumferential flange 23 to the inside of the speaker diaphragm 11 by ultrasonic welding.

Ist gemäß Figur 3 eine Zentriermembran 15 vorhanden und mit dem Schwingspulenträger 10 oder der Lautsprechermembran 11 verbunden, so wird eine solche Verbindung gemäß dem Stand der Technik allgemein als Klebeverbindung ausgeführt. In Ansehung der mit solchen Klebeverbindungen verbundenen Temperaturproblemen bei höheren Umgebungstemperaturen wird nun im Zusammenhang mit Figur 5 eine Verbindung zwischen Zentriermembran 15 und Schwingspulenträger 10 oder Lautsprechermembran 11 angegeben, welche die Temperaturprobleme löst. Sind die beiden letztbenannten Bauteile 10, 11 mit ihren jeweiligen Oberflächenbereichen 13 oder auch vollständig mit einem ultraschallschweißbarem Metall gebildet, so kann die Zentriermembran 15 mit diesen Bauteilen 10, 11 sehr einfach in Ultraschallschweißung verbunden werden, wenn zumindest die Oberflächenbereiche 13 der Zentriermembran 15, welche mit dem jeweiligen Bauteil 10, 11 verbunden sind, ebenfalls aus einem ultraschallschweißbarem Metall gebildet sind. Da Zemtiermembranen 15 herkömmlich aus Textil- oder Kunststoffgeflecht sind, ist die Herstellbarkeit einer ultraschallschweißbaren Beschichtung auf derartigen Werkstoffen sehr aufwendig und nur mit erheblichem Aufwand realisierbar. Wird hingegen als Werkstoff für die Zentriermembran 15 Metall bzw. ein Metallgeflecht verwendet, kann dieser Werkstoff durch Anwendung von galvanischen Verfahren sehr einfach mit einem anderen und beispielsweise mit dem Metall des Schwingspulenträgers 10 ultraschallverschweißbaren Metall beschichtet werden. Wenngleich eine solche galvanische Beschichtung mit guter Haftung auf der Zentriermembran 15 herstellbar ist, sind derartige Beschichtungsverfahren aus Gründen des Umweltschutzes nicht unbedenklich. Wesentlich vorteilhafter ist es daher die Verbindung von Zentriermembran 15 und ultraschallschweißbarer Metallbeschichtung so auszuführen, wie es nachfolgend näher ausgeführt wird.If, according to FIG. 3, a centering membrane 15 is present and connected to the voice coil support 10 or the loudspeaker membrane 11, such a connection according to the prior art is generally carried out as an adhesive connection. In view of the temperature problems associated with such adhesive connections at higher ambient temperatures, a connection between centering membrane 15 and voice coil former 10 or loudspeaker membrane 11 is now given in connection with FIG. 5, which solves the temperature problems. If the two last-mentioned components 10, 11 are formed with their respective surface areas 13 or completely with an ultrasonically weldable metal, then the centering membrane 15 can be connected to these components 10, 11 very easily in ultrasonic welding if at least the surface regions 13 of the centering membrane 15, which are connected to the respective component 10, 11, are also formed from an ultrasonically weldable metal. Since cement membranes 15 are conventionally made of textile or plastic mesh, the manufacture of an ultrasonically weldable coating on such materials is very complex and can only be achieved with considerable effort. If, on the other hand, metal or a metal braid is used as the material for the centering membrane 15, this material can be coated very easily with another metal, for example with the metal of the voice coil bobbin 10, by means of galvanic processes. Although such a galvanic coating can be produced with good adhesion to the centering membrane 15, such coating methods are not harmless for reasons of environmental protection. It is therefore much more advantageous to carry out the connection of the centering membrane 15 and the ultrasonically weldable metal coating, as will be explained in more detail below.

Da herkömmlich ausgebildete Zentriermembranen 15 eine gewellte Kontur aufweisen, ist es geläufig, diese Kontur durch Ausführung eines Prägeschritts auszubilden. Wird bei diesem Prägeschritt ein dünner und aus ultrschallschweißbarem Metall bestehender Streifen mit in das Prägewerkzeug eingelegt, durchfließt bzw. durchdringt das Metall des Streifen das Geflecht der Zentriermembran 15 unter dem Druck des Prägewerkzeugs. Ist dieser Vorgang abgeschlossen, ist ein Zustand erreicht, der in Figur 5a schematisch veranschlicht ist. Deutlich ist dieser Darstellung entnehmbar, daß nach dem Prägen der Zentriermembran 15 der Bereich des Streifens 24, welcher der Zentriermembran 15 zugewandt ist, die Geflechtöffnungen 25 in der Zentriermembran 15 durchdringen. Durchdringen Bereiche des Streifen 24 die Geflechtöffungen 25 in der Zentriermembran 15, ist eine Verbindung zwischen beiden Teilen 15, 24 gegeben, die es erlaubt beide Teile als Einheit anzusehen. Soll eine aus beiden Teilen 15, 24 gebildete Einheit mit dem Schwingspulenträger 10 oder Lautsprechermembran 11 ultrschallverschweißt werden, ist es wesentlich, daß die Zentriermembran 15 mit der Oberflächeseite an den Schwingspulenträger 10 oder die Lautsprechermembran 11 angesetzt wird, die dem Streifen 24 abgewandt ist. Dies deshalb, weil die Bereiche des Streifen 24, welche die Geflechtöffnungen 25 durchdringen, allein noch nicht geeignete sind, die Zentriermembran 15 unter mechanischer Belastung dauerhaft beispielsweise mit dem Schwingspulenträger 10 zu verbinden. Die gewünschte hohe mechanische Festigkeit zwischen Zentriermembran 15 und Schwingspulenträger 10 bzw. Lautsprechermembran 11 wird erst dann erreicht, wenn die Zentriermembran 15 zwischen dem Streifen 24 und dem Schwingspulenträger 10 bzw. der Lautsprechermembran 11 angeordnet ist und die Bereiche des Streifen 24, welche die Geflechtöffnungen 25 durchdringen, mit dem Schwingspulenträger 10 oder der Lautsprechermembran 11 ultraschallverschweißt sind. Letzteres ist in Figur 5b für eine Verbindung zwischen Lautsprechermembran 11 und Zentriermembaran 15 schematisch gezeigt.Since conventionally designed centering membranes 15 have a corrugated contour, it is common to form this contour by performing an embossing step. If a thin strip made of ultrasonically weldable metal is inserted into the stamping tool in this stamping step, the metal of the strip flows through or penetrates the mesh of the centering membrane 15 under the pressure of the stamping tool. When this process is complete, a state is reached which is schematically simplified in FIG. 5a. This representation is clear It can be seen that after the centering membrane 15 has been embossed, the area of the strip 24 which faces the centering membrane 15 penetrates the braid openings 25 in the centering membrane 15. If areas of the strip 24 penetrate the braid openings 25 in the centering membrane 15, there is a connection between the two parts 15, 24, which allows both parts to be viewed as a unit. If a unit formed from both parts 15, 24 is to be ultrasonically welded to the voice coil former 10 or loudspeaker membrane 11, it is essential that the centering membrane 15 is attached to the voice coil former 10 or the loudspeaker membrane 11 with the surface side facing away from the strip 24. This is because the areas of the strip 24 which penetrate the braid openings 25 alone are not yet suitable for permanently connecting the centering membrane 15 to the voice coil former 10, for example under mechanical load. The desired high mechanical strength between the centering membrane 15 and the voice coil bobbin 10 or loudspeaker membrane 11 is only achieved when the centering membrane 15 is arranged between the strip 24 and the voice coil bobbin 10 or the loudspeaker membrane 11 and the regions of the strip 24 which the braid openings 25 penetrate with the voice coil 10 or the speaker membrane 11 are ultrasonically welded. The latter is shown schematically in FIG. 5b for a connection between loudspeaker diaphragm 11 and centering diaphragm 15.

Eine besonders stabile Befestigung zwischen Zentriermembran 15 und dem jeweiligen Bauteil 10, 11 des Lautsprechers ist dann ausführbar, wenn während des Prägens der Zentriermembran 15 der in das Werkzeug eingelegte Streifen 24 mittels von Ultraschall erweicht wird. Dieses Erweichen kann auch nach dem Verbinden der Zentriermembran 15 mit dem Streifen 24 im Anschluß an den Prägeschritt ausgeführt werden. In beiden Fällen durchdringt bei entsprechender Gestaltung des Werkzeugs bzw. der Ultraschallschweißanordnung das Metall des Streifen 24 die Geflechtöffnungen 25 dergestalt, daß sich auch an der dem Streifen 24 abgewandten Seite der Zentriermembran 15 ein durchgängig dünner Metallfilm 26 bildet. Letzteres ist schematisch mit Figur 5c gezeigt. Da der Metallfilm 26 und der verbleibende Streifen 24 etwa gleiche Dicke haben, ist des für die Verschweißung mit der Lautsprechermembran 11 oder dem Schwingspulenträger 10
gleichgültig, ob dazu der Metallfilm 26 oder der Streifen 24 verwendet wird.A particularly stable attachment between the centering membrane 15 and the respective component 10, 11 of the loudspeaker can be carried out if the strip 24 inserted into the tool is embossed by means of ultrasound while the centering membrane 15 is embossed is softened. This softening can also be carried out after the centering membrane 15 has been connected to the strip 24 following the embossing step. In both cases, with a suitable design of the tool or the ultrasonic welding arrangement, the metal of the strip 24 penetrates the braid openings 25 such that a continuously thin metal film 26 also forms on the side of the centering membrane 15 facing away from the strip 24. The latter is shown schematically with Figure 5c. Since the metal film 26 and the remaining strip 24 have approximately the same thickness, this is for welding to the loudspeaker membrane 11 or the voice coil bobbin 10
no matter whether the metal film 26 or the strip 24 is used.

Die im Zusammenhang mit den Figuren 5a - c besprochene Zentriermembran 15 wurde aus einem Strahldrahtgeflecht gebildet. Die Dicke des Drahtes betrug etwa 0,1 mm. Dies heißt nicht, daß nicht auch die Zentriermembran 15 aus einem Nichtmetall gebildet sein kann. Bei Verwendung von Nichtmetallen sollte das Verfahren aber so modifiziert werden, daß kein Streifen verwendet wird, der durch die Geflechtöffnungen gepreßt wird. Statt dessen sollte bei den aus Nichtmetall gebildeten Zentriermembranen 15 der Rand der Zemtriermembran 15, welcher zur Verbindung mit der Lautsprechermembran 11 bzw. dem Schwingspulenträger 10 verbunden werden soll, von einem in etwa u-förmig geformten Profil aus ultraschallschweißbarem Metall eingefaßt werden. Letzteres ist in Figur 5d gezeigt. Die in dieser Figur 5d gezeigte gezeigte Einfassung 27 wurde dadurch gebildet, daß ein L-förmiges Winkelstück um den Rand 28 der Zentriermembran 15 gebogen wurde, so daß nach dem Biegen beide Schenkel 29, 30 des u-förmigen Profils den Rand 28 einklemmen. Sind die Oberflächen der Einfassung 27, welche an der Zentriermembran 15 anliegen, aufgerauht ausgebildet oder mit Vorsprüngen (nicht dargestellt) versehen, die nach dem Umbiegen in die Zentriermembran 15 eindringen, ist eine stabile Verbindung von Einfassung 27 und Zentriermembran 15 geschaffen. Zur zusätzlichen Verfestigung der Verbindung kann die Einfassung 27 zusammen mit der Zentriermembran 15 auch noch mit einer etwa stufenförmig ausgebildeten Prägesicke (nicht dargestellt) versehen sein.The centering membrane 15 discussed in connection with FIGS. 5a-c was formed from a beam wire mesh. The thickness of the wire was approximately 0.1 mm. This does not mean that the centering membrane 15 cannot be formed from a non-metal. When using non-metals, the process should be modified so that no strip is used that is pressed through the braid openings. Instead, in the case of the centering membranes 15 formed from non-metal, the edge of the centering membrane 15, which is to be connected for connection to the loudspeaker membrane 11 or the voice coil bobbin 10, should be bordered by an approximately U-shaped profile made of ultrasonically weldable metal. The latter is shown in Figure 5d. The border 27 shown in this FIG. 5d was formed in that an L-shaped angle piece was bent around the edge 28 of the centering membrane 15, so that after bending, both legs 29, 30 of the U-shaped one Clamp the edge 28. If the surfaces of the border 27, which bear against the centering membrane 15, are roughened or provided with projections (not shown) which penetrate into the centering membrane 15 after bending, a stable connection between the border 27 and the centering membrane 15 is created. For additional strengthening of the connection, the border 27 together with the centering membrane 15 can also be provided with an approximately step-shaped embossed bead (not shown).

Ergänzend sei in diesem Zusammenhang darauf hingewiesen, daß bei der Verwendung der Einfassung 27 die Zentriermembran 15 nicht notwendig aus einem durchbrochenen Geflecht gebildet sein muß. Auch ist die Einfassung 27 nicht auf Zentriermembranen 15 aus Nichtmetall beschränkt, sondern kann auch bei Zentriermembranen 15 aus Metall verwendet werden.In addition, it should be noted in this connection that when using the bezel 27, the centering membrane 15 does not necessarily have to be formed from an openwork mesh. The border 27 is also not limited to centering membranes 15 made of non-metal, but can also be used for centering membranes 15 made of metal.

Die Verbindung zwischen der mit einer Einfassung 27 versehenen Zentriermembran 15 und beispielsweise der Lautsprechermembran 11 wird so realisiert, daß der Schenkel 30 der Einfassung 27 auf einen als Gegenelektrode dienenden Amboß 31 aufgelegt wird. Zum Verschweißen wird dann die Sonotrode 32 auf die Innenseite 33 der Lautsprechermembran 11 so aufgesetzt, daß die Lautsprechermembran 11 und die Schenkel 29, 30 der Einfassung 27 und der Rand 28 gegen den Amboß 31 gedrückt werden. Wird in diesem Zustand die Ultraschallschweißung ausgeführt, verbindet sich der Schenkel 29 der Einfassung 27 mit der Lautsprechermembran 11. Ist dabei die verwendete Zentriermembran 15 aus einem durchbrochenen Geflecht gebildet, durchdringt das Metall der Einfassung 27 die Geflechtöffnungen 25 (in Figur 5d nicht gezeigt) und verbindet so beide Schenkel 29, 30 durch die Zentriermembran 15 hindurch.The connection between the centering membrane 15 provided with an enclosure 27 and, for example, the loudspeaker membrane 11 is realized in such a way that the leg 30 of the enclosure 27 is placed on an anvil 31 serving as a counter electrode. For welding, the sonotrode 32 is then placed on the inside 33 of the loudspeaker membrane 11 in such a way that the loudspeaker membrane 11 and the legs 29, 30 of the casing 27 and the edge 28 are pressed against the anvil 31. If the ultrasonic welding is carried out in this state, the leg 29 of the surround 27 connects to the loudspeaker membrane 11. If the centering membrane 15 used is formed from an openwork braid, the metal of the surround 27 penetrates the braid openings 25 (not shown in FIG. 5d) and connects both legs 29, 30 through the centering membrane 15.

Obwohl die im Zusammenhang mit den Figuren 5a - d erörterten Ausführungsbeispiele nur die Verbindung zwischen Zentriermembran 15 und Lautsprechermembran 11 bzw. Schwingspulenträger 10 betreffen, können die dort gezeigten Maßnahmen auch zur Verbindung zwischen Zentriermembran 15 und Lautsprecherkorb (nicht dargestellt) genutzt werden.Although the exemplary embodiments discussed in connection with FIGS. 5a-d relate only to the connection between centering diaphragm 15 and loudspeaker diaphragm 11 or voice coil support 10, the measures shown there can also be used to connect the centering diaphragm 15 and loudspeaker basket (not shown).

Claims (8)

Lautsprecher
mit einer Lautsprechermembran 10, und
mit einem Schwingspulenträger 11,
dadurch gekennzeichnet,
daß zumindest ein Oberflächenbereich 13.1 eines ersten Bauteils des Lautsprechers und zumindest ein Oberflächenbereich 13.2 eines weiteren Bauteils des Lautsprechers aus Metallen gebildet sind, die miteinander durch Ultraschallverschweißung verbindbar sind, und
daß die jeweiligen Bauteile mit ihren jeweiligen Oberflächenbereichen 13.1, 13.2 miteinander ultraschallverschweißt sind.speaker
with a speaker membrane 10, and
with a voice coil former 11,
characterized,
that at least one surface area 13.1 of a first component of the loudspeaker and at least one surface area 13.2 of a further component of the loudspeaker are formed from metals which can be connected to one another by ultrasonic welding, and
that the respective components with their respective surface areas 13.1, 13.2 are ultrasonically welded to one another. Lautsprecher nach Anspruch 1,
dadurch gekennzeichnet,
daß das erste Bauteil des Lautsprechers entweder der Schwingspulenträger 10 oder die Lautsprechermembran 11 ist,
daß das weitere Bauteil des Lautsprechers entweder der Schwingspulenträger 10 oder eine Zentriermembran 15 ist, und
daß das jeweilige erste Bauteil mit einem andersnamigen weiteren Bauteil des Lautsprechers verbunden ist.A loudspeaker according to claim 1,
characterized,
that the first component of the loudspeaker is either the voice coil former 10 or the loudspeaker membrane 11,
that the further component of the loudspeaker is either the voice coil former 10 or a centering membrane 15, and
that the respective first component is connected to another component of the loudspeaker of the same name. Lautsprecher nach Anspruch 1,
dadurch gekennzeichnet.
daß das erste Bauteil des Lautsprechers des Schwingspulenträger 10 oder die Lautsprechermembran 11 ist,
daß das weitere Bauteil des Lautsprechers eine Isolieranordnung 16 ist, welche jeweils aus einer Lage eines Isolators 18 gebildet ist und welche an der Seite, welche dem metallbeschichteten Oberflächenbereich 13.2 abgewandt ist, eine weitere ebenfalls ultraschallschweißbare Metallbeschichtung 19.2 aufweist, und
daß die Metallbeschichtung 19.2 des jeweiligen Isolators 18 mit einem ebenfalls aus ultraschallverschweißbarem Metall bestehenden Oberflächenbereich 13.4 eines Lautsprecherteils, das von dem jeweils ersten Bauteil verschieden ist, durch Ultraschallverschweißung verbunden ist.A loudspeaker according to claim 1,
characterized.
that the first component of the loudspeaker of the voice coil bobbin 10 or the loudspeaker diaphragm 11 is
that the further component of the loudspeaker is an insulating arrangement 16, which is formed in each case from one layer of an insulator 18 and which one the side which faces away from the metal-coated surface area 13.2 has a further metal coating 19.2 which can also be ultrasonically welded, and
that the metal coating 19.2 of the respective insulator 18 is connected to a surface area 13.4 of a loudspeaker part, which is also made of ultrasonically weldable metal and is different from the respective first component, by ultrasound welding. Lautsprecher nach Anspruch 1,
dadurch gekennzeichnet,
daß zumindest die ersten Bauteile des Lautsprechers vollständig aus einem ultraschallschweißbaren Metall gebildet sind.A loudspeaker according to claim 1,
characterized,
that at least the first components of the speaker are made entirely of an ultrasonically weldable metal. Lautsprecher nach Anspruch 3,
dadurch gekennzeichnet,
daß die Isolieranordnung 16 eine Keramikschicht als Isolator 18 aufweist.Loudspeaker according to claim 3,
characterized,
that the insulating arrangement 16 has a ceramic layer as the insulator 18. Lautsprecher nach Anspruch 3,
dadurch gekennzeichnet,
daß die Isolieranordnung 16 eine Polyimidschicht als Isolator 18 aufweist.Loudspeaker according to claim 3,
characterized,
that the insulating arrangement 16 has a polyimide layer as the insulator 18. Lautsprecher nach Anspruch 2,
dadurch gekennzeichnet,
daß der Bereich der Zentriermembran 15, welcher zur Verbindung mit einem ersten Bauteil des Lautsprechers vorgesehen ist, eine ultraschallschweißbare Metallschicht aufweist, die zumindet an einer Oberflächenseite der Zentriemembran 15 aufliegt und die Geflechtöffnungen 25 in der Zentriermembran 15 durchdringt.Loudspeaker according to claim 2,
characterized,
that the area of the centering membrane 15, which is provided for connection to a first component of the loudspeaker, has an ultrasonically weldable metal layer, which lies at least on one surface side of the centering membrane 15, and the braid openings 25 in the centering membrane 15 penetrates. Lautsprecher nach Anspruch 2,
dadurch gekennzeichnet,
daß der Bereich der Zentriermembran 15, welcher zur Verbindung mit einem ersten Bauteil des Lautsprechers vorgesehen ist, eine Einfassung 27 aus ultraschallschweißbarem Metall aufweist, welche den Rand 28 der Zentriermembran 15 ummantelt.Loudspeaker according to claim 2,
characterized,
that the area of the centering membrane 15, which is provided for connection to a first component of the loudspeaker, has an enclosure 27 made of ultrasonically weldable metal, which surrounds the edge 28 of the centering membrane 15.
EP95107543A 1994-06-01 1995-05-18 Loudspeaker Expired - Lifetime EP0685981B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE4419253 1994-06-01
DE4419253 1994-06-01
DE4422486 1994-06-28
DE4422486A DE4422486A1 (en) 1994-06-01 1994-06-28 speaker

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0685981A2 true EP0685981A2 (en) 1995-12-06
EP0685981A3 EP0685981A3 (en) 1996-06-05
EP0685981B1 EP0685981B1 (en) 2001-08-29

Family

ID=25937100

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP95107543A Expired - Lifetime EP0685981B1 (en) 1994-06-01 1995-05-18 Loudspeaker

Country Status (4)

Country Link
US (1) US5699439A (en)
EP (1) EP0685981B1 (en)
JP (1) JPH0847089A (en)
AT (1) ATE205040T1 (en)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2518660A (en) * 2013-09-27 2015-04-01 Pss Belgium Nv Loudspeaker

Families Citing this family (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2336499B (en) * 1998-03-18 2002-06-12 Nokia Mobile Phones Ltd Audio diaphragm mounting arrangements in radio telephone handsets
US6372066B1 (en) 1999-05-06 2002-04-16 New Transducers Limited Vibration exciter
AU4419600A (en) * 1999-05-06 2000-11-21 New Transducers Limited Vibration exciter
JP3619736B2 (en) 2000-02-25 2005-02-16 スター精密株式会社 Speaker
EP1128705B1 (en) * 2000-02-25 2009-05-06 Star Micronics Co., Ltd. Speaker
US20070053545A1 (en) * 2005-09-07 2007-03-08 Steff Lin Speaker
KR101534470B1 (en) * 2014-04-25 2015-07-08 에스텍 주식회사 Piezoelectric speaker
GB201513555D0 (en) 2015-07-31 2015-09-16 Pss Belgium Nv Audio system

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS61220592A (en) * 1985-03-26 1986-09-30 Kozo Sakane Speaker device
EP0251057A1 (en) * 1986-06-21 1988-01-07 EWD Electronic-Werke Deutschland GmbH Loudspeaker
EP0297572A1 (en) * 1987-07-03 1989-01-04 EWD Electronic-Werke Deutschland GmbH Membrane for loudspeaker
US5027412A (en) * 1985-10-11 1991-06-25 Pioneer Electronic Corporation Voice coil with rectangular coil wire and foil leads
WO1992009180A1 (en) * 1990-11-16 1992-05-29 Stage Accompany B.V. Loudspeaker with coated voice coil

Family Cites Families (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3925626A (en) * 1974-02-22 1975-12-09 Jr Robert John Stallings Dynamic speaker having dome diaphragm and basket frequency
SU522555A1 (en) * 1975-01-02 1976-07-25 Специальное Конструкторское Бюро Кировоградского Завода Радиоизделий Electrodynamic Loudspeaker Head
AT338351B (en) * 1975-04-29 1977-08-25 Philips Nv ELECTROACOUSTIC CONVERTER, METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING SUCH A CONVERTER AND DEVICE FOR CARRYING OUT SUCH METHODS
NL8200416A (en) * 1982-02-04 1983-09-01 Philips Nv FLAT MEMBRANE CONVERTER AND METHOD FOR MAKING SUCH A CONVERTER
JPS58209293A (en) * 1982-05-31 1983-12-06 Hitachi Ltd Speaker
US4590333A (en) * 1984-06-14 1986-05-20 John Strohbeen Multidriver loudspeaker
US5062140A (en) * 1988-04-27 1991-10-29 Sony Corporation Induction speaker
AT397898B (en) * 1991-09-25 1994-07-25 Akg Akustische Kino Geraete MEMBRANE FOR ELECTRODYNAMIC CONVERTERS

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS61220592A (en) * 1985-03-26 1986-09-30 Kozo Sakane Speaker device
US5027412A (en) * 1985-10-11 1991-06-25 Pioneer Electronic Corporation Voice coil with rectangular coil wire and foil leads
EP0251057A1 (en) * 1986-06-21 1988-01-07 EWD Electronic-Werke Deutschland GmbH Loudspeaker
EP0297572A1 (en) * 1987-07-03 1989-01-04 EWD Electronic-Werke Deutschland GmbH Membrane for loudspeaker
WO1992009180A1 (en) * 1990-11-16 1992-05-29 Stage Accompany B.V. Loudspeaker with coated voice coil

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN vol. 11 no. 61 (E-483) ,25.Februar 1987 & JP-A-61 220592 (KOZO SAKANE) 30.September 1986, *

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2518660A (en) * 2013-09-27 2015-04-01 Pss Belgium Nv Loudspeaker
US9774972B2 (en) 2013-09-27 2017-09-26 Pss Belgium, N.V. Loudspeaker

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP0685981B1 (en) 2001-08-29
EP0685981A3 (en) 1996-06-05
JPH0847089A (en) 1996-02-16
US5699439A (en) 1997-12-16
ATE205040T1 (en) 2001-09-15

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
DE2828148C2 (en) Bending arrangement
DE102009026636A1 (en) Membrane nebulizer and method for welding a membrane to a carrier in the manufacture of a membrane nebulizer
DE102010049548A1 (en) Diaphragm assembly manufacturing method, involves mounting frame elements on inner area of section surfaces such that electrolyte membrane and/or catalyst layers completely cover section surfaces and/or project into section surfaces
DE69910099T2 (en) One-piece thermoplastic exchange device
DE102013212331A1 (en) Method of connecting a tubular cable lug to a strand made of aluminum
EP0685981A2 (en) Loudspeaker
DE10026635A1 (en) Method of manufacturing a soldered joint e.g. of piezo-actuator for driving injection valve of combustion engine, requires arranging the wires in the region of the wire surfaces under one another
WO1995000459A1 (en) Process for producing a gastight soldered joint and use of the process in the production of components with a vacuum-tight casing
EP1948347B1 (en) Laser welding method and filter element produced by it
DE102016204120A1 (en) resin component
DE102010037336B4 (en) Metal composite body and device for producing the metal composite body
WO2008125303A1 (en) Composite element and method for the production of the attachment thereof
DE2531585A1 (en) METHOD OF FORMING A MEMBRANE ARRANGEMENT FOR AN ELECTROACOUSTIC CONVERTER
DE4437476A1 (en) Connecting line
DE2851745C2 (en) Multi-layer membrane for an electroacoustic transducer
AT519175B1 (en) ULTRASONIC WELDING OF A LADDER WITH A CONTACT PART
EP0685979A2 (en) Centering diaphragm
DE3852156T2 (en) MEMBRANE UNIT OF AN ELECTROSTATIC MICROPHONE, A METHOD FOR THEIR PRODUCTION AND AN ELECTROSTATIC MICROPHONE.
DE4422486A1 (en) speaker
DE3723337A1 (en) ELECTROSTATIC CONVERTER
DE602004004425T2 (en) Method for speaker production by ultrasonic vibration welding and speaker produced by this method
DE102006042855A1 (en) condenser microphone
DE4421418A1 (en) Centering membrane
DE102018006494A1 (en) Component for a bipolar plate and bipolar plate
DE102004048625A1 (en) Thermoplastic plastic and metal component joining method involves use of plastic containing ketone molecules and metal containing iron, aluminum or chrome and metal is heated at interface between components

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A2

Designated state(s): AT BE DE DK ES FR GB IT NL SE

PUAL Search report despatched

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009013

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A3

Designated state(s): AT BE DE DK ES FR GB IT NL SE

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 19960510

17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 19990520

RAP1 Party data changed (applicant data changed or rights of an application transferred)

Owner name: HARMAN AUDIO ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS GMBH

GRAG Despatch of communication of intention to grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS AGRA

GRAG Despatch of communication of intention to grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS AGRA

GRAH Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS IGRA

GRAG Despatch of communication of intention to grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS AGRA

GRAH Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS IGRA

GRAH Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS IGRA

GRAA (expected) grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: B1

Designated state(s): AT BE DE DK ES FR GB IT NL SE

REF Corresponds to:

Ref document number: 205040

Country of ref document: AT

Date of ref document: 20010915

Kind code of ref document: T

GBT Gb: translation of ep patent filed (gb section 77(6)(a)/1977)

Effective date: 20010831

REF Corresponds to:

Ref document number: 59509551

Country of ref document: DE

Date of ref document: 20011004

ET Fr: translation filed
PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DK

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20011129

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: IF02

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: ES

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20020228

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: AT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20020518

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: BE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20020531

PLBE No opposition filed within time limit

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT

26N No opposition filed
PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: NL

Payment date: 20030513

Year of fee payment: 9

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: SE

Payment date: 20030521

Year of fee payment: 9

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: SE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20040519

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: NL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20041201

EUG Se: european patent has lapsed
NLV4 Nl: lapsed or anulled due to non-payment of the annual fee

Effective date: 20041201

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GB

Payment date: 20140527

Year of fee payment: 20

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IT

Payment date: 20140526

Year of fee payment: 20

Ref country code: FR

Payment date: 20140519

Year of fee payment: 20

Ref country code: DE

Payment date: 20140529

Year of fee payment: 20

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R071

Ref document number: 59509551

Country of ref document: DE

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: PE20

Expiry date: 20150517

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GB

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF EXPIRATION OF PROTECTION

Effective date: 20150517