EP4107969A1

EP4107969A1 - Integrated transducer

Info

Publication number: EP4107969A1
Application number: EP21723636.3A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Norman Gerkinsmeyer
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2020-02-18
Filing date: 2021-02-17
Publication date: 2022-12-28
Also published as: US11985493B2; WO2021164804A1; US20220394389A1; DE112021001118A5; DE102020001041A1

Abstract

Especially in the automotive and aviation sectors, the integration of existing acoustic transducers into the remaining surfaces of claddings in doors, sides, ceilings and panels (instrument panels) etc. is a major problem, since these are usually relatively deep and heavy and constantly represent a challenge and are therefore a contentious topic for designers, above all from the visual point of view. The invention relates to an acoustic transducer which can be fitted or integrated or installed with the least possible space requirement, use of materials and weight, predominantly in the consumer, pro audio and installation sectors and in the land, water and air transport vehicles sector. In contrast to conventional loudspeakers, the transducer according to the invention is an annular acoustic wave former which has a very flat, thin membrane which, depending on the intended use, is usually multi-layered and flexible, which membrane generates sound to a limited extent at certain points or in a ring within the membrane diameter or fastening diameter of the transducer basket.

Description

Description of integrated converter

The invention is a sound transducer which can be mounted or integrated or installed primarily in the consumer, pro audio, installation and automotive sectors on land, water and air with the least amount of space, material and weight.

Especially in the automotive and aviation sectors, the integration of the previous sound transducers in the remaining surfaces of the cladding in the doors, sides, ceilings and I-panels (instrument panels) etc. is a very big problem because these are usually relatively deep and heavy and in front of them Always a challenge for the designer, especially visually, and thus a hot topic.

One would like to condemn them completely, but that would not be justifiable for acoustic and audio quality reasons. And so in the automotive sector, for example, the tweeters are usually housed in the mirror triangles, A-pillars or lying in the corners of the I-panels and in the rear in the C / D-pillars or cladding.

It is even more difficult with the deeper and larger-diameter midrange drivers and basses. You still have to provide sufficient installation space, cabling, rear cover, protective grille, many amplifier channels and power, etc. for all loudspeakers.

To make matters worse, especially in the new hybrid and electric vehicles, in the doors or in the information panel, in the rear shelves or the A, B, C etc. pillars / bars, more and more electronics, batteries, There are safety precautions, such as stiffeners or airbags, etc., and therefore less space required, efficiency and weight savings play an increasingly important role, which the current sound transducers fulfill for the most part.

The "integrated converter" technology according to the invention (hereinafter referred to as converter) shows several possibilities to meet the new circumstances and requirements.

For the sake of simplicity, the following descriptions, exemplary embodiments and illustrations are designed and described as rotationally symmetrical shapes, without wishing to refer or restrict themselves to them alone; other shapes are also possible.

In contrast to conventional loudspeakers, the transducer according to the invention is a ring sound wave shaper, which has a very flat, thin, depending on the intended use, a mostly multilayer, flexible membrane that generates limited sound within the membrane diameter or fastening diameter of the transducer cage.

Not to be confused with the sound transducers that are operated according to the transducer principles of DML (Distributed Modes Loudspeaker) or BMR (Balanced Modes Radiators), which are known in specialist circles. These types are briefly explained below:

DML ^'s are generally realized with so-called Exitern. In principle, these are loudspeakers without a membrane, but they have centerings and sometimes also beads. And instead of the membrane, a solid plate, mostly made of metal, is attached.

Now a very large and stable free-swinging membrane / support structure is mounted over this plate, which is then stimulated decentrally by the exiter and thus a chaotic waveform forms over the entire surface and the mounted structure and thus generates sound. However, in this case the entire structure (e.g. cladding) vibrates and this is usually not accepted. In addition, the sound is not really convincing. Another minus point is the very high required dead weight and depth of the mounted exiter so that the principle works.

BMR ^'s are basically flat-membrane loudspeakers with a conventional design, weight and depth, with a relatively hard and thick membrane with a bead, where one tries to generate higher frequencies by adding mass to the middle of the membrane. These BMR ^' s belong to the loudspeakers that are better known as piston oscillators but are not really convincing in terms of sound.

The fact that both (BMR and DML) types are not widely accepted in the market is proven by the poor sales figures, small areas of application and quantities in almost all areas of industry, although they have been on the market for decades.

As already mentioned at the beginning, the converter according to the invention functions significantly differently here, above all without the aforementioned problems and disadvantages.

And because the transducer according to the invention has neither a bead nor a centering and also only a flat and very thin membrane, it is extremely flat.

Hence, there are many integration options here. One of these would be, for example, to partially or completely integrate the converter basket of the converter into the component structure in which it is to be mounted.

In other words, the transducer fuses, for example, with the supporting structure of a cladding and the membrane is formed or covered with the top layer of the cladding (e.g. leather, plastic film, fleece, wallpaper, etc.).

In the event that the materials clad with the top layer would be too heavy (high moving mass) to generate high tones or in some cases the high tone reproduction should be increased further, there is a further option according to the invention.

For this purpose, in the area within the voice coil, e.g. on the underside of the membrane, a spiral-shaped conductor track is attached, which is also contacted electrically in the same direction at the respective end and a central magnet (with e.g. polarity NS ) and a rotating magnet (with opposite polarity SN) is mounted around it. And so that membrane resonances and partial vibrations are also eliminated in this case and the sound wave form actually corresponds to that of ring sound waves, there is also a kind of elastic connection (= central damper) between the underside of the membrane, via the central magnets and the elastic central guide damper. In some cases it has proven to be advantageous to use a further, surrounded or annular elastic damper.

In any case, an isodynamic sound transducer is formed in this area from a physical point of view and the transducer according to the invention thus becomes a hybrid sound transducer. The sound wave propagation remains the same, namely that of the ring sound wave shaper according to the invention.

It has also proven to be advantageous to design the membrane in several parts / multi-layered or also one-part / single-layered like a sandwich. The membrane itself can either become thinner or thicker when viewed from the center towards the outside, or it can also have ring-shaped compression or weakening or, for example, radial characteristics. All of the above measures prevent disruptive propagation and reflections of opposing modes and surface resonances.

A special shape and design of the voice coil and the magnet has also proven to be advantageous for the high frequency range. Windings that are exchanged in an air gap or are surrounded by magnetic material have a higher inductance which significantly reduces the high-frequency reproduction (similar to a first-order low-pass filter). The state of the art is the use of a so-called copper cap in the air gap, which reduces the inductance of the winding and thus an increase in impedance towards the heights.

This measure in itself is not sufficient and therefore a voice coil is also used in the converter according to the invention, which uses electrically separate windings wound one behind the other in the same air gap 2, which then electrically selectively in series, jointly in parallel via one or each via its own amplifier channel to be contacted. In the case of individual or parallel connection and supply, the inductance is then significantly lower than in the case of the aforementioned or all other conventional constructions, and the high-frequency range is thus transmitted with almost no loss.

Another measure to reduce distortions, resonances, intermodulations and playback disturbances are constructive measures. All parts such as the bars of the baskets and their openings, the number of beams of the elastic dampers, supply lines, contacts, etc. should be designed with the amount of a lower prime number. This not only fundamentally reduces the even-numbered and multiple distortion components, etc.

In any case, the converter according to the invention is able to transmit almost the entire audio frequency range, far beyond the 20 kHz range, and in the highest quality. This means, for example, that there are no additional external speakers specifically for the High frequency range. A supplement in the low frequency range is conceivable and, depending on the application, etc., sensible but not mandatory.

As a result, the transducer according to the invention corresponds to the ideal of a point sound source with optimal impulse and time behavior with the result that, for example, the spatial reproduction is reproduced almost perfectly, one also speaks here of the virtual stage.

In the sum of its properties, the converter according to the invention saves installation effort, cables, various protective grids, various tools and costs for the baskets and speaker parts, multiple and deep installation spaces, expensive magnetic materials, fewer amplifier channels, thus also less power consumption, considerable weight, etc. and you can see each other No loudspeaker depending on the degree of integration, a blessing for every interior designer.

Accordingly, the inventor proposes: At least one integrated converter comprising:

- a supporting structure called the converter cage, which is very flat, with bars or air outlets, the number of which corresponds as closely as possible to a prime number,

- A first magnet system, consisting of at least one magnetic yoke, a permanent magnet, a pole plate and a pole core (front side of the yoke) which can have a copper or pole cap,

- A first air gap of the magnet system (formed by pole plate and copper cap) into which at least one first voice coil is immersed, which has separate windings on the voice coil former 2, which are wound one behind the other and which each have an electrical contact, each individually or in parallel with one Amplifier channel can be contacted and operated and whose voice coil former is connected to the underside of the first membrane,

- a first elastic central guide damper which is located in the center of the first magnet system in the direction of the membrane and which has air passages / openings, the number of which corresponds as closely as possible to a prime number,

- a first elastic central guide damper on which there is a first elastic central damper which is connected to the underside of the first membrane and the first central guide damper,

- depending on the structure and intended use, a second circumferential elastic damper is located on the first elastic central guide damper, which is connected to the underside of the first membrane and the first central guide damper,

- whereby the first membrane is made flexible and this can consist of several layers, - the first membrane or supporting membrane is connected or attached to the first very flat supporting structure (converter cage) via a flat, elastic perforated ray-shaped damper that is located up to the outer edge, the number of rays with holes corresponds as much as possible to a prime number,

In the case of the hybrid version, there are:

- there are further permanent magnets on the first elastic central guide damper in the direction of the membrane or supporting membrane, a rotating magnet (e.g. with N-S polarity) and a central magnet in the center (e.g. with S-N polarity),

- In the area within the voice coil, e.g. on the underside of the membrane or support membrane, a spiral-shaped conductor track that is also contacted electrically in the same direction at the respective end of the winding. Depending on the application, the contact can be made together with the other contacts but also separately,

- at least one elastic, flatter central damper, in this case located or provided between the central magnet and the membrane, others are conceivable,

And in the case of the higher degree of integration:

- the supporting structure (converter cage) is designed in such a way or that it is set back so far that it can be mounted with the supporting structure of the cladding etc. The back of the cladding or the cover or the cover layers etc. is connected in such a way that it can produce sound over it.

- the supporting structure (converter basket) and the supporting structure of the cladding etc. (e.g. of a vehicle) merges and is a part and that the front of the support membrane directly or indirectly with the underside or back of the cladding / cover / cover layers etc. so connected is that it can produce sound through it.

- Depending on the situation or position, it has proven to be advantageous to provide e.g. a grille on the front, cladding side, side of the cover or the top layer to protect against contact.

- And if the membrane of the transducer according to the invention is not attached with its front side directly or indirectly to the underside or back of the cladding or the cover or the cover layers, etc., the cover or the cover or the cover layers should be perforated or sound permeable and be designed to be stable so that contact protection, e.g. grids, is superfluous.

The invention is described in more detail below with reference to the figures, only the features necessary for understanding the invention being shown. And for a better overview, only the parts or sections are shown in the respective figures hatched, which actually differ or are supplemented from the other figures and their parts or cuts.

They show in detail:

1: Integrated transducer according to the invention in the vertical sectional view

FIG 2: Integrated converter according to the invention in the vertical sectional view as a hybrid version

FIG. 3: Integrated transducer according to the invention in the vertical sectional view in a simple integrated version

FIG. 4: Integrated transducer according to the invention in the vertical sectional view in the highly integrated version

FIG. 5: Integrated transducer according to the invention in a vertical 3D representation of the rear side

FIG. 6: Integrated transducer according to the invention in a vertical 3D representation of the front side

FIG. 7: Integrated transducer according to the invention in the vertical sectional view in a further, simpler, integrated version

FIG 8: Integrated transducer according to the invention in the vertical sectional view In the highly integrated version with contact protection / grille

Almost all parts shown or described here or below are designed as rotationally symmetrical, symmetrical or ring-shaped for the sake of simplicity. Deviating shapes, designs and materials are therefore not excluded.

1 shows the basis of the integrated transducer according to the invention is the flat support structure (transducer cage) 1, with webs and air passages 10, the number of which should correspond to a prime number as much as possible, the magnet system, consisting of at least one magnetic yoke 14, a permanent magnet, is mounted in this 11, a pole plate 4 and a pole core formed by the return circuit 14 of the circumferential copper or pole cap 5, in the air gap (formed by the pole plate 4 and copper cap 5) of the magnet system (in the direction of the membrane 2) the voice coil is immersed ( consisting of the coil carrier 8 the 2 separate windings 14, 16 with their electrical contacts 25 and 26) which is attached to the underside of the support membrane 24 in the center of the magnet system, there is an elastic central guide damper 12 with its webs air passages 13 the number of which is as prime as possible and which is connected in its center to the underside of the membrane 2 via an elastic central damper. Depending on the structure and intended use, it can be advantageous to provide a second circumferential elastic damper 6 which is also connected to the underside of the first membrane and the elastic central guide damper 12, while the first membrane 2 has a flat elastic perforated radial damper that extends to the outer edge 3/23, the number of beams with holes corresponding to a prime number as far as possible, is attached to the flat support structure (transducer cage) 1 via an external narrow web, and so the membrane 2 has a certain flexibility and resonances and modes do not run further outwards and Then there is a circumferential groove 9 outside. The double arrow shows the direction of movement

In addition, it has proven advantageous to construct the thin, flexible membrane 2, the dampers 6, central dampers 7, central guide dampers 12 and dampers 3 in multiple layers. Foils, fleeces, fabrics, foams, sandwiches, etc., which can consist of plastics, metals or natural materials or mixed forms of these, and which can be glued on one or two sides depending on the part and purpose, are particularly suitable for this purpose.

In the hybrid version, FIG. 2 shows that the central guide damper 12 has further permanent magnets in the direction of the membrane 2, namely a rotating magnet 17 (e.g. with the NS polarity) and in the center a central magnet 20 (e.g. with the SN polarity), and in the area within the Coil carrier 8, for example on the underside of membrane 2, a spiral-shaped conductor track 18 is provided which is electrically in the same direction at the respective end of the winding, also contacted 27 and 28. Depending on the application, the contacting can be made together with the other contacts 26 and 26, but also separately; the double arrow shows the direction of movement further, for example, circumferential elastic dampers such as 6 are conceivable,

A simple integrated version is shown in FIG 3. Here, the support structure (converter cage) 1 is designed so that it is set back so far that it can be mounted with the support structure of the cladding etc. (e.g. a vehicle) 21, so that the front of the support membrane 24 is connected directly or indirectly to the underside or back of the cladding or the cover or the cover layers 22 etc. in such a way that it can produce sound over it.

A highly integrated version is shown in FIG. Here, the supporting structure (converter basket) 1 merges into the supporting structure of the cladding 21 etc. (eg of a vehicle) or is reduced to one part and the front of the support membrane 24 is directly or indirectly with the lower or rear of the cladding or the reference or the cover layers 22 etc. is connected in such a way that they can produce sound over them.

For a better understanding, FIG. 5 shows the 3D rear view of the integrated converter according to the invention.

Here you can see the supporting structure (converter basket) 1 with the air outlets with webs 10, the ray-shaped damper 3/23, the number of rays with holes should correspond to a prime number if possible, and the central guide damper 12 with its webs 12 and air passages 13, the number of which should be a prime number if possible should correspond.

For a better understanding, FIG. 6 shows the 3D front view of the integrated transducer according to the invention with its membrane 2 and the section line information A - A.

A version of a variant of the mounted integrated transducer according to the invention in a cladding support structure (e.g. in the vehicle) 21 is shown in FIG. 7

In this case, the membrane 2 of the transducer according to the invention is not attached with its front side directly or indirectly to the underside or rear side of the cladding or the cover or the cover layers 29 etc., while the cover or the cover or the cover layers 29 should be so be perforated or sound-permeable and stable, so that a protection against contact, for example a grid 30, is superfluous.

The highly integrated version according to FIG. 4 is shown in FIG. In addition, a touch guard or grille 30 is shown or suggested here.

In summary, the invention thus discloses an integrated converter in a hybrid version with:

- a converter cage with bars and air outlets, the number of which should correspond to a prime number as much as possible,

- A first flexible multi-layer support membrane, which can have a different thickness profile and punctiform ring-shaped embossings between its center and outer edge and in the center of which there is a spiral-shaped conductor track on the underside / backside at whose respective ends the electrical contact + / - is located

- a first magnet system (consisting of yoke, magnet, pole plate)

- A first annular copper cap on the pole core center of the first magnet, which together with the pole plate forms the air gap of the first magnet. - a first voice coil, consist of a coil carrier with two electrically separated coils wound one behind the other, each of which is contacted via its own electrical contacts + / - and the two coils are immersed in the air gap while the other side of the coil carrier connects the voice coil with the underside of the first Membrane connects

- A first central guide damper with webs and air passages, the number of which should correspond to a prime number if possible

- a second central magnet located in the center of the first

Central guide damper is located

- A third rotating magnet (with opposite polarity to the second central magnet) which is located on the central guide damper.

- a first elastic perforated ray-shaped damper whose number of rays with holes corresponds as much as possible to a prime number, via which the first multi-layer membrane flexibly connects to the transducer cage via an external narrow web,

- A first elastic central damper, which is located in the center on the second central magnet and thus elastically connects the underside of the first support membrane with the first central guide damper.

- A second elastic circumferential damper, which is located on the third circumferential magnet and thus elastically connects the underside of the first support membrane with the first central guide damper.

- A first support structure with a correspondingly thin flexible cladding in which the transducer cage is mounted or integrated with all the parts described above so that the front or surface of the membrane can be connected to the back of the cladding cover layer in such a way that sound is then generated via the cladding can be

The protection claims now filed with the application and later submitted are attempts to formulate without prejudice to the achievement of further protection. The references listed in the dependent protection claims indicate the further development of the subject matter of the main protection claim through the features of the respective sub-protection claim.

However, these are not to be understood as a waiver of the achievement of an independent, objective protection for the features of the referenced sub-protection claims. Features that have so far only been disclosed in the description can be claimed in the course of the process as being essential to the invention, for example to distinguish them from the prior art. List of reference symbols

1 converter basket

2 membranes

3 radial damper

4 pole plate

5 copper cap

6 circumferential damper

7 central dampers

8 spool carriers

9 circumferential groove

10 air passage

11 magnet

12 central guide damper

13 Air outlets of the central guide damper

14 magnetic return

15 1st coil

16 2nd coil

17 rotating magnet

18 spiral-shaped conductor track

19 flatter central damper

20 Central mag net

21 support structure

22 Covering top layer

23 dampers

24 support membrane

25 + electrical contact

26 - electrical contact

27 + electrical contacting spiral-shaped conductor track

28 - electrical contacting spiral-shaped conductor track

29 perforated cladding top layer

30 protective grille etc.

Claims

1. Integrated converter, comprising:

1.1 a converter cage 1 with webs and air passages 10, the number of which should correspond as much as possible to that of a prime number, and a web and circumferential groove 9

1.12 of a first flexible multi-layer support membrane 24 which can have a different thickness profile and punctiform ring-shaped embossments between its center and outer edge and in the center of which there is a spiral-shaped conductor track 18 on the underside / rear side, at the respective ends of which there is electrical contact + 27 / - 28 is located

1.13 a first magnet system consisting of yoke 14, magnet 11, pole plate 4

1.14 a first annular copper cap 5 on the pole core center of the first magnet, which together with the pole plate 4 forms the air gap of the first magnet.

1.15 of a first voice coil, consist of a coil carrier 8 with two electrically separate coils 15, 16 wound one behind the other, which are each contacted via their own electrical contacts + 25 / - 26 and the two coils are in

1.16 immerse the air gap while the other side of the coil former 8 connects the voice coil to the underside of the first support membrane 24

1.17 a first central guide damper 12 with webs and air passages 13, the number of which should correspond to a prime number if possible

1.18 a second central magnet 20 which is located in the center of the first central guide damper 12

1.19 a third rotating magnet 17 (with opposite polarity to the second central magnet) which is located on the central guide damper 12.

1.20 a first elastic perforated ray-shaped damper 3 and 23 whose number of rays with holes correspond to a prime number as far as possible, via which the first multi-layer support membrane 24 flexibly connects to the transducer cage via an external narrow web with groove 6,

1.21 a first elastic central damper 19, which is located in the center on the second central magnet 20 and thus elastically connects the underside of the first support membrane 24 to the first central guide damper 12. 1.22 a second elastic circumferential damper 6, which is located on the third circumferential magnet 17 and thus elastically connects the underside of the first support membrane 24 to the first central guide damper.

1.23 of a first support structure 21 with a correspondingly thin flexible cladding cover layer 22 in which the converter cage 1 with all parts described above is mounted or integrated in such a way that the front or surface of the support membrane 24 can be connected to the back of the cladding 22 in such a way that then Sound can be generated via the cladding

2. Integrated converter according to the preceding claim 1, characterized in that the electrical contact + 25 / - 26 of the two coils 15 and 16 on the coil carrier 8 and the contact + 27 / - 28 of the spiral conductor 18 can also be done together.

3. Integrated converter according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 2, characterized in that the support membrane 24 is also made uniform and single-layer.

4. Integrated converter according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 3, characterized in that in a further integrated version the first converter cage 1 is replaced or integrated into the support structure 21 with the correspondingly thin flexible cladding 22, so that all parts described above are mounted or integrated in such a way that the front or surface of the support membrane 24 can be connected to the rear of the cladding cover layer 22 in such a way that sound can then be generated via the cladding.

In some cases, with unfavorable positioning, it can also be advantageous to mount a protective grille 30

5. Integrated transducer according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 4, characterized in that if the transducer according to the invention does not have a supporting membrane 24 but generates the sound itself via the membrane 2, it has proven to be advantageous in front of the transducer, with a little distance from the membrane 2 to use a cladding cover layer 29 that is perforated and is perforated to prevent loss of sound and is designed to be stable against contact and impressions.

6. Integrated transducer according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the position of the transducer according to the invention, regardless of whether, for example, horizontally, vertically, overhead does not matter. The same applies to the possible applications or areas of use, these can be consumer, pro audio, installation hi-fi and in the automotive sector on land, water and in the air.

7. Integrated transducer according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it can also be integrated as a single sound transducer or in combination with other loudspeakers or basses in housings or other objects.

8. Integrated transducer according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 7, characterized in that this, whether integrated or as a single sound transducer as described in claim 7, is designed as a so-called single-ended transducer even without the following parts or this then has no ( n): third revolving magnet 17, spiral-shaped conductor track 18, flatter central damper 19, second central magnet 20 and also no electrical contacts +27 and -28. Instead, however, the central damper 7 and, depending on the design, also the circumferential damper 6, which then connects the underside of the membrane 2 with the upper side of the elastic central guide damper

9. Integrated converter according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 8, characterized in that it has proven advantageous to build the thin, flexible membrane 2, support membrane 24, circumferential damper 6, central damper 7, central guide damper 12, 19 and damper 3 in single or multiple layers . Foils, fleeces, fibers, fabrics, foams, sandwiches, etc., which can consist of plastics, metals or natural materials or mixed forms of these, and which can be glued on one or both sides depending on the part and purpose, are particularly suitable for this purpose.

10. Integrated converter according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 9, characterized in that, depending on the intended use or conditions, the converter basket can consist of plastics, metals, natural materials or mixed forms thereof.

11. Integrated converter according to one of the preceding claims 1 to

10, characterized in that, depending on the intended use or conditions, not only the membrane can not have a rotationally symmetrical shape but also a different shape.

12. Integrated converter according to one of the preceding claims 1 to

11, characterized in that the number of webs, air passages, openings, such as 10, 12, 13, etc. do not correspond to prime numbers.