EP1036484A1 - Resonant mode panel-loudspeakers - Google Patents

Resonant mode panel-loudspeakers

Info

Publication number
EP1036484A1
EP1036484A1 EP98949102A EP98949102A EP1036484A1 EP 1036484 A1 EP1036484 A1 EP 1036484A1 EP 98949102 A EP98949102 A EP 98949102A EP 98949102 A EP98949102 A EP 98949102A EP 1036484 A1 EP1036484 A1 EP 1036484A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
panel
resonant
suspension means
form loudspeaker
suspension
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
EP98949102A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP1036484B1 (en
Inventor
Graham Bank
Martin Colloms
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.)
NVF Tech Ltd
Original Assignee
New Transducers Ltd
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
Application filed by New Transducers Ltd filed Critical New Transducers Ltd
Publication of EP1036484A1 publication Critical patent/EP1036484A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1036484B1 publication Critical patent/EP1036484B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R7/00—Diaphragms for electromechanical transducers; Cones
    • H04R7/02—Diaphragms for electromechanical transducers; Cones characterised by the construction
    • H04R7/04—Plane diaphragms
    • H04R7/045—Plane diaphragms using the distributed mode principle, i.e. whereby the acoustic radiation is emanated from uniformly distributed free bending wave vibration induced in a stiff panel and not from pistonic motion
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R7/00—Diaphragms for electromechanical transducers; Cones
    • H04R7/02—Diaphragms for electromechanical transducers; Cones characterised by the construction
    • H04R7/04—Plane diaphragms
    • H04R7/06—Plane diaphragms comprising a plurality of sections or layers

Definitions

  • the invention relates to loudspeakers and more particularly to panel-form loudspeakers of the kind adapted to be excited by launching bending waves into a resonant panel to cause it to resonate to produce an acoustic output.
  • loudspeakers are described in our International patent application WO97/09842, and are known as distributed mode loudspeakers.
  • a moving diaphragm In conventional pistonic loudspeakers, a moving diaphragm, usually a cone, is held in position on a frame or chassis by at least one flexible member which forms a resilient suspension.
  • This suspension performs at least the following functions, namely:- 1. location in the frame of an assembly comprising the diaphragm and a vibrator usually including a moving coil motor;
  • a resonant panel-form loudspeaker comprising suspension means located wholly in one or more panel regions of low average velocity.
  • suspension means may be used to suspend the panel in a support and/or to support a vibration exciter on the panel.
  • the support may comprise a surrounding area of the panel, which surrounding region may be acoustically inactive.
  • the resonant panel-form loudspeaker may comprise a panel having an acoustically active area and panel regions of low average velocity surrounding the acoustically active area, with slots or grooves in the panel structure defining the acoustically active area.
  • the slots or grooves may be such that they extend only partly through the panel structure.
  • the idea of using low energy regions of the panel for the mechanical support of the panel itself or of an exciter on the panel may be extended to include the use of slots or through incisions in the panel for the purpose of areal definition of a desired acoustically active panel area for distributed mode operation or at least desired acoustic vibration behaviour set within, or as a part of a larger panel component.
  • Such slotting will, for example, permit a wide range of distributed mode type vibrating panels to be produced as an integrated design with arbitrarily formed and contoured vehicle trim panels.
  • the slots may be of any suitable form or shape consistent with the desired vibration behaviour in the required frequency range.
  • FEA finite element analysis
  • the low vibration energy in the suspension regions has the benefit of allowing the use of stronger suspension elements than would otherwise be possible, so increasing the durability of the resulting assembly.
  • a compliant suspension may be created by incising the panel to form integral finger-like cantilever members.
  • the incisions may comprise a parallel pair of slots through the panel structure.
  • the cantilever members may be straight or otherwise, e.g. curved.
  • straight cantilevers might be preferred in order better to span the distance between areas of low average velocity and a region of high activity where the exciter is coupled to the panel.
  • the suspension may consist of an array of such cantilever members.
  • the panel may be incised to form cantilever members which retain stiffness in the plane of the panel and which are compliant in the plane of a frame or the like supporting the panel.
  • a separate compliant suspension e.g.
  • the rubber-like suspension may be mounted on the cantilevers.
  • the resonant panel -form loudspeaker may comprise a distributed mode acoustic radiator, e.g. of the kind defined in International patent application WO97/09842.
  • the invention is a decorative trim panel, e.g. for a vehicle or the like and incorporating a loudspeaker as defined above.
  • the invention is a vehicle, e.g. an automobile, comprising a loudspeaker as defined above or a decorative trim panel as defined above.
  • the invention is a method of making a resonant panel acoustic device characterised by identifying the location of at least one panel region of low average velocity and positioning suspension means within the said region (s) .
  • the method may comprise defining an acoustically active area of the panel by locating panel regions of low average velocity surrounding the acoustically active area and disrupting the panel structure in the said regions to form panel suspension means.
  • the method may comprise defining the acoustically active area by slotting the panel structure. The slots may be such that they extend only partly through the panel structure.
  • the method may further comprise identifying the desired panel location, e.g. an anti-node, for coupling the vibration exciter to drive the panel, and identifying one or more nodal regions adjacent to the drive location in which to position the exciter suspension.
  • desired panel location e.g. an anti-node
  • the method may comprise incising the panel material to define cantilevers forming the suspension means.
  • the suspension means may be such as to have at least three cantilevers .
  • Figure 1 is a cross-sectional side view through part of a resonant panel-form loudspeaker and showing a suspension for a vibration exciter;
  • Figure 2 is an underneath plan view to smaller scale of the resonant loudspeaker panel of Figure 1 ;
  • Figure 3 is an underneath plan view of a resonant loudspeaker panel showing three embodiments of vibration exciter suspension;
  • Figure 4 is a plan view of a panel incorporating a resonant panel-form loudspeaker
  • Figure 5 is a scrap plan view, to an enlarged scale, of detail V A' of Figure 4, and
  • Figures 6 and 7 are alternative scrap cross-sectional views on the line A-A of Figure 5.
  • a resonant panel-form loudspeaker 14 e.g. of the general kind described in International patent application WO97/09842 and comprising a resonant generally rectangular flat panel 1 usually of a stiff lightweight material forming an acoustic radiator and an inertial vibration exciter 4 mounted on the panel 1 to induce bending wave vibration in the panel to cause it to resonate to produce an acoustic output.
  • the panel may be of monolithic construction, but as shown comprises a cellular core 2 sandwiched between opposed face skins 3.
  • the inertial vibration exciter 4 comprises a voice coil/tubular coil former assembly 13 mounted, e.g. by bonding in a circular aperture 12 in the panel 1 whereby the assembly 13 extends from one face of the panel (the upper face as shown in Figure 1) and projects into an annular gap 15 in a magnet assembly 5,6,7 and defined between a disc-like pole piece 7 and a pole cap 6 which together sandwich a disc-like magnet 5.
  • the assembly comprising the magnet 5 and poles 6 and 7 is mounted on the panel 1 for axial movement relative to the coil/former assembly 13, when the coil is energised with a signal, on a compliant suspension attached to an annular flange 8 projecting from the cup 6 and comprising three equi-spaced rubber-like pads 9, only one of which is visible in Figure 1.
  • the pads 9 are mounted on finger-like cantilevers 10 formed by incising U-shaped slots 11 through the panel and equi-spaced round and concentric with the aperture 12 as best can be seen in Figure 2 in panel regions of low average velocity, such that the inner ends 16 of the cantilevers are free for movement normal to the plane of the panel 1.
  • the pads 9 are attached near to the free ends 16 of the cantilevers 10. It will be understood that, if desired, the pads 9 might be omitted and the magnet assembly 5,6,7 might instead be mounted directly on the cantilevers 10.
  • Figure 3 of the drawings show various alternative embodiments of cantilever for suspending a vibration exciter on the panel 1.
  • These include a single straight finger-like cantilever 10 defined by a U-shaped slot or incision 11 of the kind shown in Figures 1 and 2, a curved cantilever 17 defined by a spiral slot 18, and a resilient suspension comprising a cantilever member 19 defined between an opposed pair of arcuate slots 20 and having a central part circular portion 21 and an opposed pair of projections 22 attached at their distal ends to the panel, with the magnet system connected at a central position 23 of the portion 21.
  • Figures 4 to 7 disclose an embodiment of resonant panel-form loudspeaker 14 of the general kind described above and having a resonant panel 1 forming part of a larger panel 24, which may, for example, be a decorative trim panel in an automobile or the like vehicle.
  • the loudspeaker 14 has a rectangular resonant panel 1 defined within the larger panel 24 by grooves or slots 25, the panel 1 being suspended in the panel 24 by suspension cantilevers 27 defined by opposed parallel slots 26 arranged to bridge the slot 25 in regions round the panel 1 of low average velocity.
  • One cantilever is disposed on each side of the panel 1.
  • the vibration exciter 4 may be suspended as described above or conveniently as desired.
  • the slot 25 may extend only partly through the panel 1.
  • the slot 25 extends through the upper skin 3 and through the core 2 of the panel 1 to leave the lower skin intact and covering the slot.
  • the slot 25 may extend completely through the panel 1.
  • the slotting may be made at an early stage of manufacture, e.g. with laser or water jet cutting and the slots need only be wide enough to achieve a stable clearance for the vibrating component.
  • a width of 1mm or 2mm may generally be sufficient.
  • the width of the suspension component depends upon the effective cantilever length, the toughness and linear stiffness of the panel in that region and the acceleration forces which the whole assembly might be reasonably required to sustain. Values of about 4 to about 25mm have proved effective for cantilever width.
  • a relatively narrow slot width allow for a safe grounding of the panel in contrast to surface configurations using adhesive bonding to compliant suspension components. In this later case the suspension may suffer damage due to de-bonding.
  • the larger general panel may act as a baffle, generally augmented by local structures such as vehicle door frame or some overall framing and support. In an architectural application the structural panel will be augmented by the design of the room or building. Acoustic leakage via the narrow slots is likely to be negligible between front and back. Such low leakage is also beneficial in respect of stray noise isolation from the back to the front of the panel which may be important in some applications.
  • suspension can use same material as panel , so cost is low;
  • suspension may be located within the panel thickness, or with only a small increase of thickness
  • a number of such suspension positions can be found either to suspend the panel to the relatively stationary part of a vibration exciter, e.g. a magnet assembly, and/or to suspend the panel to a frame or other support, and,

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Multimedia (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Acoustics & Sound (AREA)
  • Signal Processing (AREA)
  • Fittings On The Vehicle Exterior For Carrying Loads, And Devices For Holding Or Mounting Articles (AREA)
  • Diaphragms For Electromechanical Transducers (AREA)
  • Audible-Bandwidth Dynamoelectric Transducers Other Than Pickups (AREA)

Abstract

A resonant panel-form loudspeaker characterised by suspension means located in at least one panel region of low average velocity. A method of making a resonant panel acoustic device characterised by locating at least one panel region of low average velocity and positioning suspension means within the said region(s). The method may comprise delineating an acoustically active area of a larger panel, e.g. a motor vehicle decorative trim panel, by grooving or slotting the panel in panel regions of low average velocity.

Description

RESONANT MODE PANEL-LOUDSPEAKERS
DESCRIPTION
TECHNICAL FIELD
The invention relates to loudspeakers and more particularly to panel-form loudspeakers of the kind adapted to be excited by launching bending waves into a resonant panel to cause it to resonate to produce an acoustic output. Such loudspeakers are described in our International patent application WO97/09842, and are known as distributed mode loudspeakers.
BACKGROUND ART
In conventional pistonic loudspeakers, a moving diaphragm, usually a cone, is held in position on a frame or chassis by at least one flexible member which forms a resilient suspension. This suspension performs at least the following functions, namely:- 1. location in the frame of an assembly comprising the diaphragm and a vibrator usually including a moving coil motor;
2. allows motion of the diaphragm in an axial direction but restrains motion in directions normal to the axis, and
3. provides a degree of damping to vibration of the diaphragm by means of its material choice and treatment . These requirements are usually met by a flexible corrugated moulded member, sometimes known as a roll surround, usually made from a rubber-like material, which is connected between the outer periphery of the diaphragm and the surrounding frame and a corrugated flexible member, sometimes known as a spider, which is connected between the region of the diaphragm apex and the frame . Although not always used, the common execution with two separate suspension members gives satisfactory performance in the three functions listed above. In the case of traditional moving coil loudspeakers the attachment of suspensions at other positions will introduce unwanted resonances and disturb the vibrational characteristics of the diaphragm.
It is among the objects of the invention to provide a suspension adapted to the needs of a resonant panel loudspeaker. In the case of a resonant panel loudspeaker we have discovered that a number of regions exist within the panel which have low .average velocities by reason of the inherent nature of the panels and have concluded that it might be possible to locate a suspension at or near these panel positions and that the low velocity in such regions will mean that the suspension will have little or no effect on the vibrational characteristics of the panel as a whole. DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a resonant panel-form loudspeaker comprising suspension means located wholly in one or more panel regions of low average velocity. Such suspension means may be used to suspend the panel in a support and/or to support a vibration exciter on the panel.
The support may comprise a surrounding area of the panel, which surrounding region may be acoustically inactive. The resonant panel-form loudspeaker may comprise a panel having an acoustically active area and panel regions of low average velocity surrounding the acoustically active area, with slots or grooves in the panel structure defining the acoustically active area. The slots or grooves may be such that they extend only partly through the panel structure.
Thus the idea of using low energy regions of the panel for the mechanical support of the panel itself or of an exciter on the panel may be extended to include the use of slots or through incisions in the panel for the purpose of areal definition of a desired acoustically active panel area for distributed mode operation or at least desired acoustic vibration behaviour set within, or as a part of a larger panel component. Such slotting will, for example, permit a wide range of distributed mode type vibrating panels to be produced as an integrated design with arbitrarily formed and contoured vehicle trim panels. The slots may be of any suitable form or shape consistent with the desired vibration behaviour in the required frequency range. FEA (finite element analysis) techniques facilitate the rapid design and analysis of indicated slot perimeter shape and resulting geometric forms.
The low vibration energy in the suspension regions has the benefit of allowing the use of stronger suspension elements than would otherwise be possible, so increasing the durability of the resulting assembly.
A compliant suspension may be created by incising the panel to form integral finger-like cantilever members. The incisions may comprise a parallel pair of slots through the panel structure. The cantilever members may be straight or otherwise, e.g. curved. As concerns a suspension for a vibration exciter, straight cantilevers might be preferred in order better to span the distance between areas of low average velocity and a region of high activity where the exciter is coupled to the panel. The suspension may consist of an array of such cantilever members. Thus the panel may be incised to form cantilever members which retain stiffness in the plane of the panel and which are compliant in the plane of a frame or the like supporting the panel. Alternatively or additionally a separate compliant suspension e.g. of a rubber-like material may be fixed, e.g. by means of an adhesive, to the panel in the said region (s) of low average velocity. Where the rubberlike suspension is used in addition to the cantilevers, the rubber-like suspension may be mounted on the cantilevers.
The resonant panel -form loudspeaker may comprise a distributed mode acoustic radiator, e.g. of the kind defined in International patent application WO97/09842.
From another the invention is a decorative trim panel, e.g. for a vehicle or the like and incorporating a loudspeaker as defined above. From a further aspect, the invention is a vehicle, e.g. an automobile, comprising a loudspeaker as defined above or a decorative trim panel as defined above.
From yet another aspect the invention is a method of making a resonant panel acoustic device characterised by identifying the location of at least one panel region of low average velocity and positioning suspension means within the said region (s) .
The method may comprise defining an acoustically active area of the panel by locating panel regions of low average velocity surrounding the acoustically active area and disrupting the panel structure in the said regions to form panel suspension means. The method may comprise defining the acoustically active area by slotting the panel structure. The slots may be such that they extend only partly through the panel structure.
Where the suspension is intended for supporting a vibration exciter, the method may further comprise identifying the desired panel location, e.g. an anti-node, for coupling the vibration exciter to drive the panel, and identifying one or more nodal regions adjacent to the drive location in which to position the exciter suspension.
The method may comprise incising the panel material to define cantilevers forming the suspension means. The suspension means may be such as to have at least three cantilevers .
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS The invention is diagrammatically illustrated, by way of example, in the accompanying drawings, in which: -
Figure 1 is a cross-sectional side view through part of a resonant panel-form loudspeaker and showing a suspension for a vibration exciter;
Figure 2 is an underneath plan view to smaller scale of the resonant loudspeaker panel of Figure 1 ;
Figure 3 is an underneath plan view of a resonant loudspeaker panel showing three embodiments of vibration exciter suspension;
Figure 4 is a plan view of a panel incorporating a resonant panel-form loudspeaker;
Figure 5 is a scrap plan view, to an enlarged scale, of detail VA' of Figure 4, and
Figures 6 and 7 are alternative scrap cross-sectional views on the line A-A of Figure 5. BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
In the drawings, and referring more particularly to Figures 1 and 2, there is shown a resonant panel-form loudspeaker 14 e.g. of the general kind described in International patent application WO97/09842 and comprising a resonant generally rectangular flat panel 1 usually of a stiff lightweight material forming an acoustic radiator and an inertial vibration exciter 4 mounted on the panel 1 to induce bending wave vibration in the panel to cause it to resonate to produce an acoustic output. The panel may be of monolithic construction, but as shown comprises a cellular core 2 sandwiched between opposed face skins 3.
The inertial vibration exciter 4 comprises a voice coil/tubular coil former assembly 13 mounted, e.g. by bonding in a circular aperture 12 in the panel 1 whereby the assembly 13 extends from one face of the panel (the upper face as shown in Figure 1) and projects into an annular gap 15 in a magnet assembly 5,6,7 and defined between a disc-like pole piece 7 and a pole cap 6 which together sandwich a disc-like magnet 5.
The assembly comprising the magnet 5 and poles 6 and 7 is mounted on the panel 1 for axial movement relative to the coil/former assembly 13, when the coil is energised with a signal, on a compliant suspension attached to an annular flange 8 projecting from the cup 6 and comprising three equi-spaced rubber-like pads 9, only one of which is visible in Figure 1. In turn the pads 9 are mounted on finger-like cantilevers 10 formed by incising U-shaped slots 11 through the panel and equi-spaced round and concentric with the aperture 12 as best can be seen in Figure 2 in panel regions of low average velocity, such that the inner ends 16 of the cantilevers are free for movement normal to the plane of the panel 1.
The pads 9 are attached near to the free ends 16 of the cantilevers 10. It will be understood that, if desired, the pads 9 might be omitted and the magnet assembly 5,6,7 might instead be mounted directly on the cantilevers 10.
Figure 3 of the drawings show various alternative embodiments of cantilever for suspending a vibration exciter on the panel 1. These include a single straight finger-like cantilever 10 defined by a U-shaped slot or incision 11 of the kind shown in Figures 1 and 2, a curved cantilever 17 defined by a spiral slot 18, and a resilient suspension comprising a cantilever member 19 defined between an opposed pair of arcuate slots 20 and having a central part circular portion 21 and an opposed pair of projections 22 attached at their distal ends to the panel, with the magnet system connected at a central position 23 of the portion 21.
Figures 4 to 7 disclose an embodiment of resonant panel-form loudspeaker 14 of the general kind described above and having a resonant panel 1 forming part of a larger panel 24, which may, for example, be a decorative trim panel in an automobile or the like vehicle. In this embodiment the loudspeaker 14 has a rectangular resonant panel 1 defined within the larger panel 24 by grooves or slots 25, the panel 1 being suspended in the panel 24 by suspension cantilevers 27 defined by opposed parallel slots 26 arranged to bridge the slot 25 in regions round the panel 1 of low average velocity. One cantilever is disposed on each side of the panel 1. The vibration exciter 4 may be suspended as described above or conveniently as desired. As shown in Figure 6, the slot 25 may extend only partly through the panel 1. As shown, the slot 25 extends through the upper skin 3 and through the core 2 of the panel 1 to leave the lower skin intact and covering the slot. Alternatively as shown in Figure 7, the slot 25 may extend completely through the panel 1. In regard to the application of the present invention to automobile trim panels and the like decorative structures, the slotting may be made at an early stage of manufacture, e.g. with laser or water jet cutting and the slots need only be wide enough to achieve a stable clearance for the vibrating component. In practice a width of 1mm or 2mm may generally be sufficient. The width of the suspension component depends upon the effective cantilever length, the toughness and linear stiffness of the panel in that region and the acceleration forces which the whole assembly might be reasonably required to sustain. Values of about 4 to about 25mm have proved effective for cantilever width.
Another benefit concerns durability in respect of lateral acceleration forces. A relatively narrow slot width allow for a safe grounding of the panel in contrast to surface configurations using adhesive bonding to compliant suspension components. In this later case the suspension may suffer damage due to de-bonding. Where the acoustic arrangement suggests that separation of the radiation is required between front and rear panel faces, the larger general panel may act as a baffle, generally augmented by local structures such as vehicle door frame or some overall framing and support. In an architectural application the structural panel will be augmented by the design of the room or building. Acoustic leakage via the narrow slots is likely to be negligible between front and back. Such low leakage is also beneficial in respect of stray noise isolation from the back to the front of the panel which may be important in some applications.
In connection with vehicle trim panels a later stage of manufacture concerns the lamination of a lightweight relatively flexible decorative film of cloth on a thin layer of soft open cell polyurethane foam. This structure may be applied over the slots without significant impairment of the operating principle. As regards the user, no witness of the slots is then apparent. Some small further improvement in acoustic isolation may result from the finite acoustic resistance of the foam and cloth covered slots.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The advantages of arrangements as shown in the drawings are as follows, namely:-
1. suspension can use same material as panel , so cost is low;
2. suspension may be located within the panel thickness, or with only a small increase of thickness;
3. a number of such suspension positions can be found either to suspend the panel to the relatively stationary part of a vibration exciter, e.g. a magnet assembly, and/or to suspend the panel to a frame or other support, and,
4. simple cantilever/beam calculations readily provide the desired value of the compliance.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A resonant panel-form loudspeaker characterised by suspension means located in at least one panel region of low average velocity.
2. A resonant panel-form loudspeaker according to claim 1, characterised by a suspension means created by incising the panel structure to form at least one cantilever member integral with the panel structure .
3. A resonant panel-form loudspeaker according to claim 2, characterised in that the incisions comprise a parallel pair of slots through the panel structure .
4. A resonant panel-form loudspeaker according to claim 2 or claim 3, characterised in that the suspension means comprises an array of the cantilever members.
5. A resonant panel-form loudspeaker according to any one of claims 2 to 4 , characterised in that the cantilever members are such as to retain stiffness in the plane of the panel and to create compliance in a plane normal to the plane of the panel.
6. A resonant panel-form loudspeaker according to any preceding claim, characterised by a compliant suspension fixed to the panel .
7. A resonant panel-form loudspeaker according to claim 6 when dependent on any one of claims 2 to 5 , characterised in that the compliant suspension is fixed to the cantilever member .
8. A resonant panel-form loudspeaker according to any preceding claim, characterised by a distributed mode acoustic radiator.
9. A resonant panel-form loudspeaker according to any preceding claim, characterised in that the panel comprises an acoustically active area and regions of low average velocity surrounding the acoustically active area, and characterised by slots or grooves in the panel structure and defining the acoustically active area.
10. A resonant panel-form loudspeaker according to claim 9, characterised in that the slots or grooves are such that they extend only partly through the panel structure.
11. A decorative trim panel characterised by a resonant panel-form loudspeaker according to claim 9 or claim 10.
12. A vehicle characterised by a decorative trim panel as claimed in claim 11.
13. A method of making a resonant panel acoustic device characterised by locating at least one panel region of low average velocity and positioning suspension means within the said region (s) .
14. A method according to claim 13, characterised by defining an acoustically active area of the panel by locating panel regions of low average velocity surrounding the acoustically active area and disrupting the panel structure in the said regions to form the suspension means .
15. A method according to claim 13 or claim 14 when dependent on claim 11, characterised by defining the acoustically active area by slotting the panel structure.
16. A method according to claim 15, characterised by forming the slots such that they extend only partly through the panel structure .
17. A method according to any one of claims 13 to 16, characterised by incising the panel material to define cantilever members forming the suspension means.
18. A method according to any one of claims 13 to 17, characterised by forming a vibration exciter suspension means comprising identifying a desired panel drive location for coupling the vibration exciter to the panel to drive the panel, and identifying one or more regions of low average velocity adjacent to the drive location in which to position the exciter suspension means.
19. A method according to any one of claims 11 to 16, characterised by forming a suspension means having at least three cantilever members.
EP98949102A 1997-10-21 1998-10-16 Resonant mode panel-loudspeakers Expired - Lifetime EP1036484B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB9722079 1997-10-21
GBGB9722079.2A GB9722079D0 (en) 1997-10-21 1997-10-21 Loudspeaker suspension
PCT/GB1998/003131 WO1999021397A1 (en) 1997-10-21 1998-10-16 Resonant mode panel-loudspeakers

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1036484A1 true EP1036484A1 (en) 2000-09-20
EP1036484B1 EP1036484B1 (en) 2004-05-06

Family

ID=10820766

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP98949102A Expired - Lifetime EP1036484B1 (en) 1997-10-21 1998-10-16 Resonant mode panel-loudspeakers

Country Status (14)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1036484B1 (en)
JP (1) JP2001521353A (en)
KR (1) KR20010031264A (en)
CN (1) CN1271508A (en)
AT (1) ATE266301T1 (en)
AU (1) AU9548498A (en)
BR (1) BR9812949A (en)
CA (1) CA2303789A1 (en)
DE (1) DE69823695D1 (en)
GB (1) GB9722079D0 (en)
HK (1) HK1027251A1 (en)
IL (1) IL135677A0 (en)
TW (1) TW410526B (en)
WO (1) WO1999021397A1 (en)

Families Citing this family (30)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB0025125D0 (en) * 2000-10-13 2000-11-29 New Transducers Ltd Loudspeaker driver
US7548854B2 (en) 2002-01-31 2009-06-16 Awi Licensing Company Architectural sound enhancement with pre-filtered masking sound
US6983819B2 (en) 2002-04-02 2006-01-10 Awi Licensing Company Entertainment sound panels
US10158337B2 (en) 2004-08-10 2018-12-18 Bongiovi Acoustics Llc System and method for digital signal processing
US10848118B2 (en) 2004-08-10 2020-11-24 Bongiovi Acoustics Llc System and method for digital signal processing
US8284955B2 (en) 2006-02-07 2012-10-09 Bongiovi Acoustics Llc System and method for digital signal processing
US11431312B2 (en) 2004-08-10 2022-08-30 Bongiovi Acoustics Llc System and method for digital signal processing
JP4565991B2 (en) * 2004-12-24 2010-10-20 富士通テン株式会社 Speaker device using vehicle interior plate as diaphragm and interior plate
US11202161B2 (en) 2006-02-07 2021-12-14 Bongiovi Acoustics Llc System, method, and apparatus for generating and digitally processing a head related audio transfer function
US10701505B2 (en) 2006-02-07 2020-06-30 Bongiovi Acoustics Llc. System, method, and apparatus for generating and digitally processing a head related audio transfer function
US10848867B2 (en) 2006-02-07 2020-11-24 Bongiovi Acoustics Llc System and method for digital signal processing
US10069471B2 (en) 2006-02-07 2018-09-04 Bongiovi Acoustics Llc System and method for digital signal processing
US9615189B2 (en) 2014-08-08 2017-04-04 Bongiovi Acoustics Llc Artificial ear apparatus and associated methods for generating a head related audio transfer function
JP4946272B2 (en) * 2006-08-30 2012-06-06 日本電気株式会社 Electroacoustic transducer and transmitter for sonar equipped with the electroacoustic transducer
JP4967725B2 (en) * 2007-03-12 2012-07-04 ヤマハ株式会社 Array speaker and speaker device
WO2010137988A1 (en) * 2009-05-29 2010-12-02 Leiv Eiriksson Nyskapning As Loudspeaker arrangement
US9264004B2 (en) 2013-06-12 2016-02-16 Bongiovi Acoustics Llc System and method for narrow bandwidth digital signal processing
US9883318B2 (en) 2013-06-12 2018-01-30 Bongiovi Acoustics Llc System and method for stereo field enhancement in two-channel audio systems
US9906858B2 (en) 2013-10-22 2018-02-27 Bongiovi Acoustics Llc System and method for digital signal processing
US9615813B2 (en) 2014-04-16 2017-04-11 Bongiovi Acoustics Llc. Device for wide-band auscultation
US10639000B2 (en) 2014-04-16 2020-05-05 Bongiovi Acoustics Llc Device for wide-band auscultation
US10820883B2 (en) 2014-04-16 2020-11-03 Bongiovi Acoustics Llc Noise reduction assembly for auscultation of a body
US9564146B2 (en) 2014-08-01 2017-02-07 Bongiovi Acoustics Llc System and method for digital signal processing in deep diving environment
US9638672B2 (en) 2015-03-06 2017-05-02 Bongiovi Acoustics Llc System and method for acquiring acoustic information from a resonating body
DE102015105330A1 (en) * 2015-04-08 2016-10-13 Ujet Vehicles S.À.R.L. Battery assembly and scooter with a battery assembly
US9621994B1 (en) 2015-11-16 2017-04-11 Bongiovi Acoustics Llc Surface acoustic transducer
JP2018537910A (en) 2015-11-16 2018-12-20 ボンジョビ アコースティックス リミテッド ライアビリティー カンパニー Surface acoustic transducer
KR20200143707A (en) 2018-04-11 2020-12-24 본지오비 어커스틱스 엘엘씨 Audio enhancement hearing protection system
US10959035B2 (en) 2018-08-02 2021-03-23 Bongiovi Acoustics Llc System, method, and apparatus for generating and digitally processing a head related audio transfer function
KR102215716B1 (en) * 2019-10-21 2021-02-18 삼원액트 주식회사 Panel with sound reproduction

Family Cites Families (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0847659B1 (en) * 1995-09-02 1999-03-10 New Transducers Limited Loudspeakers comprising panel-form acoustic radiating elements
UA51671C2 (en) * 1995-09-02 2002-12-16 Нью Транзд'Юсез Лімітед Acoustic device

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
See references of WO9921397A1 *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
ATE266301T1 (en) 2004-05-15
GB9722079D0 (en) 1997-12-17
CN1271508A (en) 2000-10-25
KR20010031264A (en) 2001-04-16
EP1036484B1 (en) 2004-05-06
CA2303789A1 (en) 1999-04-29
AU9548498A (en) 1999-05-10
DE69823695D1 (en) 2004-06-09
JP2001521353A (en) 2001-11-06
TW410526B (en) 2000-11-01
HK1027251A1 (en) 2001-01-05
WO1999021397A1 (en) 1999-04-29
IL135677A0 (en) 2001-05-20
BR9812949A (en) 2000-08-08

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
EP1036484B1 (en) Resonant mode panel-loudspeakers
JP3034952B2 (en) Panel type speaker
JP3542136B2 (en) Inertial vibration transducer
AU703071B2 (en) Loudspeakers comprising panel-form acoustic radiating elements
EP1101387B1 (en) Acoustic device using bending wave modes
EP1283002B1 (en) Loudspeaker having an acoustic panel and an electrical driver
EA000376B1 (en) Vibration transducer
KR20010012364A (en) Vibration transducers for resonant panel-form loudspeaker and loudspeaker with the same
US6278787B1 (en) Loudspeakers
SK25598A3 (en) Inertial vibration transducers
EP1170977A1 (en) Laminated composite panel-form loudspeaker
EP3101911B1 (en) Distributed mode loudspeaker damping oscillations within exciter feet
JPH11512255A (en) Loudspeaker composed of panel-shaped acoustic radiating elements
US6494289B1 (en) Device for dynamic excitation of panel loudspeakers
JPH11252673A (en) Acoustic reproduction device
US6061461A (en) Audio transducer
US5230021A (en) Audio transducer improvements
MXPA00003742A (en) Resonant mode panel-loudspeakers
US20060153406A1 (en) Bending wave loudspeaker
JPH0258998A (en) Piezoelectric loudspeaker
AU5400401A (en) Acoustic device

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

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 20000425

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

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

17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 20001024

GRAP Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR1

RIC1 Information provided on ipc code assigned before grant

Ipc: 7H 04R 7/04 B

Ipc: 7H 04R 9/06 B

Ipc: 7H 04R 7/06 A

GRAS Grant fee paid

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR3

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 FI FR GB IE IT NL PT SE

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 FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20040506

Ref country code: IT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRE;WARNING: LAPSES OF ITALIAN PATENTS WITH EFFECTIVE DATE BEFORE 2007 MAY HAVE OCCURRED AT ANY TIME BEFORE 2007. THE CORRECT EFFECTIVE DATE MAY BE DIFFERENT FROM THE ONE RECORDED.SCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20040506

Ref country code: FR

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: 20040506

Ref country code: FI

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: 20040506

Ref country code: BE

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: 20040506

Ref country code: AT

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: 20040506

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: FG4D

REF Corresponds to:

Ref document number: 69823695

Country of ref document: DE

Date of ref document: 20040609

Kind code of ref document: P

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: IE

Ref legal event code: FG4D

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 FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20040806

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: 20040806

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

Ref country code: DE

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: 20040807

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: 20040817

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: HK

Ref legal event code: GR

Ref document number: 1027251

Country of ref document: HK

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

Ref country code: IE

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

Effective date: 20041018

NLV1 Nl: lapsed or annulled due to failure to fulfill the requirements of art. 29p and 29m of the patents act
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

EN Fr: translation not filed
26N No opposition filed

Effective date: 20050208

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: IE

Ref legal event code: MM4A

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

Ref country code: PT

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

Effective date: 20041006

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

Ref country code: GB

Payment date: 20080919

Year of fee payment: 11

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 NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20091016