US1877992A - Energy-translating device - Google Patents

Description

Sept. 20, 1932. J. D. SEABERT 1,877,992

ENERGY TRANSLATING DEVICE Filed Sept. 6, 1930 INVENTOR JahnDSeQbert ATTfDRNEY Patented Sept, 20, 1932 were. s

ENnaeY-rnAnsL'A'rme nnvron Application filed September 6,}1930'. Serial no. 480,174.

My invention relates to energy-translating current at audio frequencies. More particularly, my invention relates to speakers of the cone type and improvements therein for obtaining more efficient reproduction of sound waves.

. In the analysis of the operation of speakers of the cone type, more particularly, the diaphragm element, it has been found that, at the higher audio frequencies, the diaphragm does not vibrate as a piston but does vibrate in sections; that is, the Whole area of the diaphragm is noteffective, Whereas, for an eiiicient reproduction of low-frequency sounds,

a radiator of large area must vibrate andwith all parts 111 phase. I As the frequency of the impressed current approaches that of the lower audio frequencies, sectional vibration of the diaphragm becomes less pronounced, and the tendency is for the diaphragm to vibrate more and more in the nature of a piston, that is, the diaphragm tends gradually to assume, but never completely, the characteristic of a unitary rigid structure, as the frequency of the impressed Wave approaches the lower end of the audio-frequency spectrum.

Insofar as I am acquainted with the prior art, because of the above vibration characteristics assumed by cone diaphragm speakers, no success has been obtained inthe radiation of sound of any considerable pressure at frequencies lower than approximately 80 cycles. In speakers of the present day construction, those which are capable of respond ing to frequencies as low as 80 cycles are considered as having very good frequency-respouse characteristics, 1 fully and efficiently reproduce the full effect of instruments emitting notes or tones below 80 cycles, such as the bassof an orchestra or the longerpipes of an organ, it is essential that the speaker be made to respond faith- However. to success- E E Marmara Ernst; or DAYTON, 0310, nssrenon To wnsmmenonsn ELECTRIC a men- @UFACTUBING COMPANY, a oonronarrou on rnnnsyrvnnm having adiameter of approximately 25 to 30 inches will be suitable for the purpose. If a cone of this area were driven at its apex, according to customary practice, only the center portion of the cone would vibrate, and it would beno more eifective than possibly a cone having a diameter of 10 to 12inches. Consequently, merely increasing the size of the cone diaphragm will not produce the results desired. f

It is,.accordingly, one object of myinvention to provide means for extending the lowfrequency response of an energy-translating device. It is another object of my invention to provide means for producing a speaker capable of responding to frequencies of the order of '25cycles. r l

, Another. object of my invention is to provide means, forcausing the diaphragm of a cone speaker to vibrate as a unit. V r

In theaccompanying drawing, I have disclosed three views of one embodiment of my invention. 1 I

Figure I is a front View of my device ner, of associating the driving units with the diaphragm. l i

Fig. i is a view, in cross-section, along the line IV-JVof Fig. 1 p, Fig. 5 is a view,in cross-section, along the line VV. of Fig. 2.

Other objects of my invention will be dis closed in the following description of my device, whentaken in conjunction with the above-referred-to drawing. y

In order to obtain thepistonaction of a diaphragm at the low frequencies and to prevent the diaphragm from vibratingsectionally, I have conceived the idea of dis-. tributing the drivingforceabout the surface of the diaphragminstead of concentrating it all at one point, such as the apex of the "cone diaphragm normally used in practice. To accomplish the above result, I have divided the diaphragm into a plurality of section a d have distributed the driving force among the various sections of the diaphragm.

ing, the vibratory element 1 is shown as comprising a plurality of relatively small coneshaped sections 3, the edges-5 of which intersect in the form ofa portion of a hyperbola, as clearly illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5. This particular construction, functioning as trusses to resist distorting forces, adds materially to the strength and rigidity of the diaphragm. The diaphragm is, accordingly, mounted on'a frame by means of a flexible edging of leather 7 or other suitable material. Associated with each section, at the apex thereof, is an individual driving unit 9. These driving units are connected electrically from the same source of audio-frequency current and are so connected as to operate in '20 time phase, thereby causing the associated sections of the diaphragm to also operate in the same manner. a

A frame or supportll, maintained in spacedrelationship to the diaphragm by 26 means of a plurality of bracket arms 13, is employed as a mounting for supporting the driving units 9 in their respectivepositions withregard to their associated-diaphragm sections.

R ferring more particularly to the draw- 7 said vibratory element, said driving units being apportioned among said sections.

4. An energy-translating device comprising a vibratory element having a plurality of intersecting sections, the intersections being of such character :as .to resist distorting forces applied to the vibratory element.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed, my name this 27th day of August,

JOHN D. SEABERT.

The whole assemblage 'may be B mounted upon a stand 15', whereby it may be conveniently'moved from one place to another. r

The above-described energy translator" may be set into a bafile orhorn in accordance p with present practice in order to realize the full benefit of the device.

Various changes may be madein the structure described by me as comprising one embodlment of my inventlon. Any driving 40 unit ofsuitable type may be employed as well as any shaped diaphragmso long as they possess the desiredcharacteristics.

Therefore, while I have described my invention in detail',I do not desire to be limited to the details described except insofar 4 as is necessitated by the prior art and the appended claims. 7

I claim as my inventionz. 1. An energy-translating device comprising a vibratory element and means foractuating said element as a unit, said means comprising a plurality of independent driving units each associated with a section of said ing a vibratory element having a. plurality of. sections {of substantially cone-shape and driving means comprising a plurality of lndependent driving units associated with

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