EP0924957B1 - Connecting contacts - Google Patents

Description

Technical area

The invention relates to the terminal contacting of sound reproduction devices, which work according to the bending wave principle.

State of the art

Sound reproduction arrangements, which conical, flat or Kalottenmembranen and used in masses to reproduce sound events be, point to the electrical connection between a stationary arranged terminal block and connected to the respective membrane Voice coil for this purpose optimized (stranded) conductors on. By the special design of this ladder will ensure that, despite the Relative movement between the voice coil and the stationary terminal block a permanent, but the movement of the voice coil hardly obstructing Contacting is achieved.

In addition to these sound reproduction arrangements are known recently, which operate on the bending wave principle. Such arrangements are essentially formed by a panel and at least one drive system, the panel being vibrated when low-frequency sound signals are supplied to the drive system or systems.
Characteristic of such a sound reproduction arrangements is that a "bending wave radiation" is possible from a critical lower limit frequency, wherein the bending waves along the plane of the respective panel lead to a sound emission with frequency-dependent direction. In other words, a section through a created directional diagram shows a main lobe whose direction is frequency-dependent.

The panel is constructed according to the sandwich principle, placing two each other opposite surfaces of a very light core layer each with a thin cover layer are connected, for example by gluing. So that Panel has good sound reproduction properties, the material for the Cover layer have a particularly high Dehnwellengeschwindigkeit. suitable Covering materials are, for example, thin metal foils or else fiber reinforced plastic films. Also to the core layer are special Requirements, because this layer must be in the direction of the two Surfaces covered with the cover foils have a very high and in Direction parallel to the coated with the cover films surfaces one have very low modulus of elasticity. This anisotropic behavior of Core layer is achieved in that the core layer, for example, a Honeycomb structure obtained in which the walls forming the honeycomb run perpendicular to the two outer layers. As suitable materials for The honeycomb structure of the core layer has become light metals and fiber reinforced Plastics proved. It is also possible for the core layer rigid foams to use, provided that this between the two outer layers extending Have breakthroughs.

If sound reproduction arrangements according to the bending wave principle with Drive systems provided, as shown in a parallel application EP-A-0924959 or in US-A-4322583- im or integrated with the panel, the sound reproduction devices with Cone, flat and spherical membranes known electrical connections not be used to contact the voice coil. This is on it due to the fact that the drive systems of sound reproduction arrangements, which operate on the bending wave principle, high currents are supplied have to. This can only be very good in view of the high acceleration forces stable, the bending wave propagation but strongly attenuating contact connections will be realized. In addition, such contact connections would be and are in the Production very expensive.

The invention is therefore based on the object, a terminal contact for Specify sound reproduction devices according to the bending wave principle, which is very easy to implement, on the bending wave propagation a strong Has reduced damping effect and voltage losses due to high Transition resistance avoids.

Presentation of the invention

This object is achieved by the features specified in claim 1, Advantageous embodiments and further developments of the invention are the claims 2 to 10 removable.

The basic idea of the present invention is to form the panel Components for connecting the voice coil and audio signal source to use, because it was found that the outer layers and / or the core layer is extremely good as power supplies for the Insert voice coil when the core layer or at least one of Cover layers has conductive areas.

According to claim 2, the two cover layers covered the core layer be used as conductive areas, if these from an electrical Current conducting material are made and through a core layer of a Isolator are separated. The use of two outer layers, which are made entirely of the conductive material also has the additional advantage that when using a plurality of drive systems per panel no separate power supply for the individual drive systems must be provided. Rather, it is the electrical connection of the respective drive system only necessary the respective connections this Drive system to connect with one of the two cover layers. Also will be included This type of contacting of drive systems a high flexibility in the Arrangement of drive systems in or on the panel achieved because at Changes in the arrangement points of the various drive systems none Redesign of the power supply must be created.

According to claim 3, only one covering layer is made of a conductive one Material necessary if the top layer in at least two from each other isolated segment is divided. Such an arrangement has the advantage that no special insulation of the panel becomes necessary when in segments subdivided cover layer facing away from the listening room.

Also, according to claim 4, the core layer used as a power supply when it has conductive areas.

Is it necessary to form the conductive areas of the core layer massively, These should then according to claim 5 equal distance from the outer layers to have. This ensures that these conductive areas at Effect of bending waves no stretching forces are exercised.

Does the core layer on a breakthrough hole structure and is the Core layer formed from an insulator, these breakthroughs can also be very easy to be used for signal line, if these breakthroughs in accordance with Claim 7 are equipped with a conductor which is connected to the respective conductive Area is connected. Such conductors are not on the respective breakthroughs limited conductive plastics, but can also be massive Be wires, because by the leadership of the wires in the breakthroughs the bend the core layer 11 is not hindered across its largest dimension.

Is according to claim 7, the core layer of a plurality of narrow strips is formed, each strip, with another strip is arranged next to, with this over a plurality of mutually spaced and towards the Narrow side of the soaps extending joints is connected and where the unconnected areas of the strips have a mutual distance, and at least one of these strips is formed of a conductive material, Conductive areas in the core layer without any special effort to be provided.

To continue the guided in the or the stiffener sound signal can according to Claim 8, the existing according to claim 7 breakthroughs are used, if these openings are provided with a conductor, which with the said strip of conductive material is connected.

The supply of audio signals to the panel is particularly simple if according to claim 9, the panel surrounded by a holder and with this connected is. It is particularly advantageous if the fastening means, with which the panel is connected to the holder, at the same time a conductive Connection between the stationary mounted on the holder Terminals and respective conductive area of cover layer and / or Produce core layer.

Short illustration of the figures

Figur 1

ein Paneel in schematischer Seitenansicht;

Figur 2

ein weiteres Paneel in schematischer Seitenansicht;

Figur 3

eine Kernschicht in Draufsicht (schematisch);

Figur 4

ein weiteres Paneel in einer Ansicht gemäß Figur 1;

Figur 5

ein weiteres Paneel in einer Ansicht gemäß Figur 1;

Figur 6

ein weiteres Paneel in einer Ansicht gemäß Figur 1;

Figur 7

eine Randbefestigung für ein Paneel in schematischer Seitenansicht; und

Figur 8

eine weitere Randbefestigung für ein Paneel in schematischer Seitenansicht.

Show it:

FIG. 1

a panel in a schematic side view;

FIG. 2

another panel in a schematic side view;

FIG. 3

a core layer in plan view (schematic);

FIG. 4

another panel in a view of Figure 1;

FIG. 5

another panel in a view of Figure 1;

FIG. 6

another panel in a view of Figure 1;

FIG. 7

an edge attachment for a panel in a schematic side view; and

FIG. 8

a further edge attachment for a panel in a schematic side view.

Ways to carry out the invention

The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to FIGS.

In Figure 1, a panel is shown, which consists of a core layer 11 and a upper and a lower cover layer 12.1, 12.2 is formed. The two Cover layers 12 are on two opposite surfaces of the core layer 11 connected to this. The schematic representation of Figure 1 is removable, that the core layer 11 has a breakthroughs 13 Has hole structure. The breakthroughs 13 are perpendicular between the two cover layers 12. Only for the sake of completeness it should be noted that the core layer 11 also in other - not shown- embodiments can be formed entirely from a hard foam.

Further, in the core layer 11, a voice coil bobbin 14 is inserted, wherein the free end 15 protrudes from the panel 10. Besides, the free end is 15 of the voice coil bobbin 14 is provided with a voice coil 16. Only the For the sake of completeness, it should be pointed out that in the case of a ready-to-use Panel 10, the free end 15 of the voice coil bobbin 14 and voice coil 16th with a drive system not shown in connection.

The - not shown, but for energizing the voice coil 16 necessary-wire ends are each connected to a conductive area 17.1, 17.2. in the In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the two conductive Areas 17.1, 17.2 formed of wires, each between the lower Cover layer 12.2 and the core layer 11 run. Also can not in one illustrated embodiment, the conductive regions 17 and wires in corresponding cutout be arranged in the core layer 11. Will the mentioned wires used as conductive areas 17, these should, however, in elastic material can be stored so-called and as a result of bending of the panel 10 may occur under operating conditions To avoid "wire whirr". Because of the improved physical contact the latter measures are superfluous if in the embodiment according to Figure 1 said wires through conductive portions 17 in the form of conductive films are formed, which at the core layer 11 facing Side of the lower cover layer 12.2 are laminated.

In the embodiment of Figure 2 are in contrast to the embodiment according to FIG. 1 shows the conductive regions in the middle between the two cover layers 12 passed through the core layer. This embodiment has the advantage that at Deflection of the panel 10 under operating conditions on the conductive. Areas no stretching forces act. Therefore, those shown in FIG conductive areas 17 are also formed by solid wires or thorns, which are inserted from the narrow side of the core layer 11 in this. The Voice coil 16 is connected to the conductive regions 17 of Figure 2 via flexible Wires 18 electrically connected.

In Figure 3 is a plan view of a core layer 11 is shown, wherein the Core layer 11 covered cover layers 12 have been omitted. These Illustration also illustrates the hole structure of the core layer 11, which in the present case of a plurality of cross-section honeycomb-shaped openings 13 is formed.

Such hole structures are formed so that initially a plurality of narrow strips are stacked on top of each other. This is where each strip, on another strip is piled up with a plurality of mutually spaced and extending in the direction of the scarf side of the strip Connection points (usually in the form of adhesive beads) provided. are all strips are stacked and connected in this way pulled apart the stack, bringing the hole structure shown in Figure 3 the core layer 11 results. In Figure 3 is exemplary of six of the shown Breakthroughs 13 'the connection of two strips 19', 19 "shown, wherein the respective connection points between the two strips 19 ', 19 "with a X are marked.

Furthermore, in the embodiment according to FIG. 3, two strips 19 are shown, which are shown pulled out thick. These stiffeners 19 are made of one formed conductive material and form the conductive regions 17.1, 17.2 of Core layer 11. It becomes clear in connection with the last paragraph that by using at least one strip 19 of conductive material conductive areas 17 in the core layer 19 very easily and without switching the Production can be realized. Deviating from Figure 3 only one Strip 19 of conductive material in the core layer 11 according to the last paragraph incorporated into the core layer, must for contacting the Voice coil 16 can be ensured that this one stiffener 19 in two split sections isolated from each other.

In the direction of the figure 3 occurs perpendicular to the paper plane, the voice coil 16 out. The respective wire ends (not shown) of the voice coil 16 are via the contact points 20 each with one of the two -aus leitfähigem Material produced strips 19 connected.

If, as shown in Figure 1, the voice coil 16 an axial distance to Core layer 11 has, the connection between the voice coil 16 and the Stiffening according to FIG. 3 via a corresponding conductor (not shown) be prepared. For this purpose, the breakthrough 13, from which the not shown conductor is led out, with a conductive plastic be foamed. The connection between the conductor and the conductive Plastic can be realized as a plug connection by the plastic in the only plugged in.

FIG. 4 shows a panel 10 in which the voice coil 16 is inside the core layer 11 is arranged. This is so realized that in the core layer 11, which is made of an insulator, a recess 21 is formed was and the voice coil 16 with the breakthroughs 13 forming Walls 22 is connected. In addition, in the recess 21 is the only schematically shown drive system 23 integrated. The voice coil 16 is by means of flexible wires 18 with the conductive areas 17.1, 17.2 connected, which in this case of the made of conductive material Cover layers 12.1, 12.2 are formed. In this case, the flexible wire 18, which connects the voice coil 16 with the upper cover layer 12.1, through one of the openings 13 out. If so-called "wire whirrs" can be feared, the flexible wire 18 respectively receiving Breakthrough 13 also be foamed with an elastic material. Because the Voice coil 16 must be inserted into the recess 21 before at least the lower cover layer 12.2 is connected to the core layer 11 is the Connection between the flexible wire 18 and the lower cover layer 12.2 solved so that the wire 18 penetrates the under cover 12.2 (indicated by the wire end shown in dashed lines) and by means of the contact point 20th with the side facing away from the core layer 11 of the lower cover layer 12.2 for example soldered.

In the embodiment of Figure 5, which largely the Embodiment is modeled after Figure 4, however, was to Contacting the voice coil 16 to the use of flexible wires 18 waived. Instead, two of the recess 21 are sibling Breakthroughs 13 partially with a conductive plastic material 24 (indicated through the puncture) and the wire ends 25 of the voice coil 16 inserted into the conductive plastic material 24. As in this Embodiment, the two cover layers 12 of conductive material are formed, the conductive connection between the conductive areas 17 in the form of the two cover layers 12 and the voice coil 16 via the conductive plastic material 24 produced.

To ensure the stability of the connection between the wire ends and the conductive Plastic material 24 can not improve in another illustrated embodiment, the rest of the respective and with Kunststoffinaterial 24 partially filled breakthrough 13 even with a Be filled insulation material.

In contrast to the embodiments according to FIGS. 4 and 5 in Figure 6, the conductive regions 17 exclusively from the upper cover layer 12.1. provided. For this purpose, the upper cover layer 12.1 in two from each other divided isolated segments 26. The resulting between the segments 26 Gap 27 is closed with a cover strip 28, which-like the Core layer 11- is made of an insulating material. The contact between the two segments 26 and the voice coil 16 is as in the Embodiment according to Figure 5 by a foaming with conductive Plastic material 24 realized

Figure 7 shows the edge 29 of a panel 10. With lateral distance A to the edge 29, a holder 30 is disposed of insulating material, which in this case has a U-shaped Contour has. The two cover layers 12, which with the core layer 11 are connected, are guided to the holder 30 and thereby span the Distance A. In other words, through this type of training the work Both cover layers 12 at a distance A as a fastener for the panel 10th Since the two cover layers 12 in the present embodiment, the form conductive regions 17 (approximately according to Figure 5), is guided by the leadership of Both cover layers 12 to the holder 30 at the same time a conductive Connection between the vibratory panel 10 and the fixed bracket 30 realized without much additional effort. With 33 are two coming from a sound signal source, not shown, connecting lines shown, which are guided to the holder 30. To the U-shaped Holder 30 at the same time as Anschußleiste for the leads 33 to use, are separated by an insulation 34 legs 32 of the holder 30 formed as so-called solder lugs, through which the connecting lines 33rd plugged and soldered. If necessary, between the two thighs 32 or at a distance A between the holder 30 and core layer 11 an electronics for controlling the voice coil 16, not shown in this figure be.

An attachment of a panel 10 is also shown in FIG. For the production of Connection between the edge 29 and the holder 30 serves a web 31, which is made of conductive material and in the core layer 11th is inserted and attached. The attachment of the web 31 is realized so that the Breakthrough 13, which is completely penetrated by the web 31, with a Plastic material is filled. It is in the Plastic material, which between the web 31 and the upper cover layer 12.1 is arranged to be an insulator, while the plastic material, which is located between the web 31 and the lower cover layer 12.2, a conductive plastic material 24 is. This will ensure that the web 31 is in conductive connection with the lower cover layer 12.2. Only the For completeness, it should be mentioned that the upper - also conductive - cover layer 12.1 at another location of the edge 29 by means of a figure 8 corresponding arrangement is contacted.

Claims (10)

1. Contact connection for a sound reproduction arrangement according to the flexural wave principle, with a panel (10) which is formed by a core layer (11), an upper and a lower cover layer (12.1, 12.2), wherein the two cover layers (12) are each connected to opposing surfaces of the core layer (11), and with at least one drive system (23) which is connected to the panel (10) and can be connected to a sound signal source by means of two lines (18), characterised in that at least one of the two cover layers (12.1, 12.2) and/or the core layer (11) has conductive areas (17.1, 17.2), and that these conductive areas (17) are conductively connected to the lines (33) to the sound signal source and the respective connections (25) of the respective drive system (23).
2. Contact connection as claimed in Claim 1, characterised in that the two cover layers (12) are made from conductive material and that the core layer (11) which is formed by an insulator insulates the two cover layers (12) from one another.
3. Contact connection as claimed in Claim 1, characterised in that one of the cover layers (12) is divided into at least two segments (26) which are insulated from one another, and that each segment (26) is formed from conductive material.
4. Contact connection as claimed in Claim 1, characterised in that the core layer (11) has conductive areas (17) which extend substantially parallel to one of the two cover layers (12).
5. Contact connection as claimed in Claim 4, characterised in that the conductive areas (17) which extend parallel to one of the two cover layers (12) are the same distance from the two cover layers (12).
6. Contact connection as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the core layer (11) has a perforated structure with a plurality of openings (13), wherein the openings (13) extend between the two cover layers (12), that the core layer is formed by an insulator and that at least one of the openings (13) is provided with a conductor (18) which is connected to one of the conductive areas (17).
7. Contact connection as claimed in Claim 1, characterised in that the core layer (11) is formed by a number of narrow strips (19), wherein each strip (19) which has another strip (19) adjacent to it is connected to the latter by a plurality of reciprocally spaced connection sites (X) which extend in the direction of the narrow side of the strips (19), and wherein the unconnected areas of the strips (19) have a reciprocal spacing, and that at least one of theses strips (19) is formed from conductive material.
8. Contact connection as claimed in Claim 7, characterised in that at least one of the areas (17) in which a strip (19) made from a conductive material has a reciprocal spacing with respect to the said strip (19) made from an insulating material is provided with a conductor (18; 24), wherein a conductive connection exists between the conductor (18; 24) and the conductive strip (19).
9. Contact connection as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 8, characterised in that the panel (10) is surrounded by a holder (30), that a reciprocal spacing (A) exists between the panel (10) and the holder (30) in which a fixing means (12; 33) is placed between the holder (30) and the panel (10), and that the respective conductive areas (17) of the cover layers (12.1, 12.2) and/or the core layer (11) likewise extend to the holder (30).
10. Contact connection as claimed in Claim 9, characterised in that the fixing means (12; 30) itself forms the conductive connection between the panel (10) and the holder (30).

Images