Classifications

• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
  • H04R1/00—Details of transducers, loudspeakers or microphones
  • H04R1/02—Casings; Cabinets ; Supports therefor; Mountings therein
  • H04R1/025—Arrangements for fixing loudspeaker transducers, e.g. in a box, furniture
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
  • H04R1/00—Details of transducers, loudspeakers or microphones
  • H04R1/20—Arrangements for obtaining desired frequency or directional characteristics
  • H04R1/22—Arrangements for obtaining desired frequency or directional characteristics for obtaining desired frequency characteristic only 
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
  • H04R31/00—Apparatus or processes specially adapted for the manufacture of transducers or diaphragms therefor
  • H04R31/006—Interconnection of transducer parts
• • 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
  • H04R9/00—Transducers of moving-coil, moving-strip, or moving-wire type
  • H04R9/06—Loudspeakers
  • H04R9/066—Loudspeakers using the principle of inertia
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
  • H04R2499/00—Aspects covered by H04R or H04S not otherwise provided for in their subgroups
  • H04R2499/10—General applications
  • H04R2499/11—Transducers incorporated or for use in hand-held devices, e.g. mobile phones, PDA's, camera's
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
  • H04R2499/00—Aspects covered by H04R or H04S not otherwise provided for in their subgroups
  • H04R2499/10—General applications
  • H04R2499/15—Transducers incorporated in visual displaying devices, e.g. televisions, computer displays, laptops

Definitions

• the present invention relates improvements to loudspeaker driver assemblies and in particular to driver assemblies with retaining elements for panel loudspeakers.
• Panel loudspeakers are becoming increasingly popular due to their low profile, practicality, low cost and improving sound quality.
• a driver assembly for a panel loudspeaker comprising a voice coil, a magnet assembly, and a moulded retaining element for retaining the magnet assembly with respect to the voice coil, wherein the moulded retaining element defines a first surface adapted to be coupled to panel forming an acoustic radiator.
• the moulded retainer consists of an elastomer material .
• the assembly further comprises a substantially rigid planar member attached to the voice coil, the planar member being disposed between the voice coil and said first surface.
• a driver assembly for a panel loudspeaker comprising a voice coil, a magnet assembly, a retaining element for retaining the voice coil with respect to the magnet assembly, wherein the retaining element consists of an elastomer, and defines a first surface adapted to be coupled to a panel forming acoustic radiator.
• the elastomer is a hydrogel.
• a driver assembly for a panel loudspeaker comprising a voice coil, a magnet assembly, a substantially rigid planar member, a retaining element for retaining the voice coil with respect to the magnet assembly, wherein the retaining element defines a first surface adapted to be removably coupled to a panel forming an acoustic radiator, and the substantially rigid planar member is attached to the voice coil and is disposed between the voice coil and said first surface.
• the retaining element consists of a hydrogel.
• the retaining element consists of silicone.
• the retaining element may consist of a material having a Shore A hardness in the range 0 to 20.
• the retaining element may consist of a material having a Shore A hardness in the range 5 to 15.
• the retaining element may consist of a material having a Shore A hardness of approximately 10.
• the retaining element functions to retain the voice coil and the magnet assembly in a spatially separated relationship.
• the retaining element consists of a single moulded element.
• the first surface is adapted to be removably coupled to the panel forming the acoustic radiator.
• the magnet assembly comprises an axially extending central portion defining a first pole of a permanent magnet, a radially extending portion coupling the central portion to an axially extending magnetic shroud, the shroud defining a second pole of the permanent magnet, wherein the central portion and the shroud define a flux space therebetween.
• the voice coil extends into the flux space.
• the flux space may be annular.
• the retaining element comprises a disc defining the first surface. More preferably, the retaining element comprises a wall upstanding from an opposing surface of the disc.
• a volume defined by the retaining element accommodates the magnet assembly and the voice coil.
• the planar member is mounted adjacent said opposing surface of the disc.
• the wall has an inner diameter and an outer diameter
• the disc has a diameter greater than said outer diameter such that the disc defines a flange around the wall.
• said opposing surface of the disc is provided with one or more continuous ridges extending around the wall. More preferably, the continuous ridges are concentric with the wall. 1
• the wall is provided with a radially
• the outer diameter of the wall decreases in a
• the retaining element is
• driver assembly comprising a disc defining a first
• 18 panel loudspeaker comprising the steps of:
• the surface is removably attached to the
• the surface is removably attached to the
• the surface has adhesive properties.
• a sixth aspect of the invention there is provided a method of manufacturing a driving assembly for a panel loudspeaker, the method comprising the steps of: forming a retaining member by injection moulding, and; assembling a voice coil and magnet assembly in the retaining member.
• Figure 1 is a perspective sectional view of a driver assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, having a portion removed to display internal components;
• Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the driver assembly of Figure 1;
• FIG 3 is a perspective view of the driver assembly of Figures 1 and 2;
• Figure 4 is a perspective sectional view of a driver assembly in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the invention, having a portion removed to display internal components.
• a driver assembly comprising a transducer 12 and a retaining element 13.
• the transducer 12 is of the moving-coil type, and includes a voice coil 14 and a magnet assembly 15.
• the voice coil 14 consists of a hollow cylinder with a coil of conducting material secured thereto.
• Electrical connectors 16 are provided to provide electrical contact with a current source (not shown) via wires 17.
• the device is driven by alternating current (AC) , and preferably has standard loudspeaker impedance characteristics (4, 6 or 8 Ohm) with power handling in the range from 0.5 - 100 .
• AC alternating current
• the magnet assembly 15 comprises a substantially cylindrical metallic outer sheath 18, and a circular metallic back plate 20.
• the sheath 18 is provided with an inwardly extending lip 19 of lesser inner diameter than the main body of the sheath.
• Centrally mounted in the back plate 20, internally to the sheath 18, is a cylindrical permanent magnet 21, mounted to the back plate 20 at one of its ends.
• the axially extending metallic portion 22 comprises a frusto-conical portion 23, with outer diameter decreasing in a direction moving away from the back plate 20.
• the axially extending metallic portion 22 at its free end has a cylindrical portion 24 with greater outer diameter such that a flange is defined.
• the geometry of the magnet assembly 15 is such that an annular air space 26 separates the inwardly extending lip 19 and the cylindrical portion 24.
• the cylindrical portion 22 defines one pole of a permanent magnet (shown as N)
• the inwardly extending lip 19 defines the opposing pole of a permanent magnet . (shown as S) . Magnetic flux is therefore concentrated in the annular region 26.
• the voice coil 14 is securely mounted to a rigid planar pad 28, substantially concentrically with the pad 28.
• the components of the transducer 12 are accommodated in the retaining element 13 , which is moulded from an elastomeric material, which is preferably a silicone hydrogel.
• the material has a Shore A hardness of approximately 10. It has been found that materials having a Shore A hardness in the range 5 to 15 are particularly suitable, although materials with Shore A hardness in the range 0 to 20 could also be used effectively.
• the retaining element 13 comprises a substantially planar disc 30 defining a planar (front) surface 31, and a circular surrounding wall 32 upstanding from an opposing (back) surface 33 of the disc.
• the circular surrounding wall 32 has a varying outer diameter that decreases in a direction moving away from the disc 30.
• the retaining element therefore has a frusto-conical shape.
• the disc 30 has a greater, diameter than that of the surrounding wall 32, such that the disc defines a flange 40 around the wall.
• the opposing (back) surface 33 is provided with a pair of continuous concentric circular ridges 42, located around the surrounding wall 32.
• the ridges 42 allow an increased degree of axial flexibility of the disc, while retaining a certain amount of stif ess against flexing about diametric lines and/or chords .
• the internal diameter of the retaining element 13 differs at different axial positions of the element in order to accommodate the different components of the transducer.
• the rigid pad 28 is placed adjacent the opposing surface 33 of the disc, approximately concentrically with the disc and with the internal volume defined by the surrounding wall 32. The rigid pad is thus disposed between the voice coil and the disc 30.
• the rigid pad 28 has a diameter less than the outer diameter of the surrounding wall 32, but greater that the inner diameter of the main portion 32a of the surrounding wall.
• a shallow annular slot 34 is therefore provided to accommodate the rigid pad 28.
• the depth and diameter of the annular slot 34 corresponds closely to the thickness and diameter of the of the rigid pad 28, in order that the retaining element holds the rigid pad reasonably tightly.
• the surrounding wall is provided with a portion of decreased inner diameter, such that an inwardly extending ring 36 is defined.
• the inner diameter of the ring 36 corresponds to the outer diameter of the voice coil 14.
• the inner diameter of the main portion 32a of the surrounding wall 32 corresponds to the outer diameter of the sheath 18 of the magnet assembly 15.
• the magnet assembly 15 and the voice coil 14 are held by the retaining element in an aligned, spatially separated relationship.
• the positioning of the components is such that the voice coil extends axially into the annular space 26 in the magnet assembly.
• the coil is therefore located in the region of concentrated magnetic flux.
• an inwardly extending ring 38 is provided to engage with a circumferential portion of the back plate.
• a central area of the back plate is exposed, and may protrude through the aperture defined by the inwardly extending ring 38.
• the aperture provides access to the internal components of the driver assembly.
• the geometry of the retaining element 13 allows the retaining element to be temporarily stretched to allow assembly of, access to and removal of the transducer components .
• the front surface 31 of the disc 30 is coupled to a panel 44 to be used as an acoustic radiator.
• auxiliary fixing means such as a mechanical fixing, bonding or adhesive.
• the planar front surface of hydrogel material has inherent adhesive properties arising from the chemical make up of the material. This adhesion is adequate for removably attaching the driver assembly a wide range of rigid panels without using an auxiliary fixing mechanism or agent.
• the driver assembly will remain securely attached to the panel during use, with excellent acoustic coupling. After use, or if the position of the driver assembly is to be changed, it can be removed from the panel by simply peeling or pulling the driver assembly away from the panel.
• the panel can be repositioned immediately in the same manner.
• the driver assembly When coupled to any of a variety of panels, the driver assembly to produce a distributed mode speaker with good acoustic response characteristics .
• the coil 14 Since the coil 14 is located in the annular space 26, at which the magnetic flux of the magnet assembly 15 is concentrated, the application of an alternating current to the coil imparts a relative axial movement between the coil and the magnet.
• the retaining element 13 limits the axial expansion of the driver assembly, in a rearward direction, and thus the relative movement manifests itself as an axial movement of the voice coil 14.
• the voice coil imparts movement to the rigid pad 28, which transmits the mechanical movement to the panel 44 via the disc 30.
• the geometry of the retaining element is such that it directs the major mechanical movement to the area where there is contact with the panel 44, improving the movement in this side of the drive assembly, and minimising or effectively cancelling the movement on the back side of it .
• FIG 4 shows a driver assembly in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the invention. This embodiment is similar to that shown in Figures 1 to 3, although it has constructional and geometrical differences.
• FIG. 4 shows a driver assembly, generally depicted at 50, comprising a voice coil 54, a magnet assembly 55 and a retaining element 53.
• the magnet assembly 55 comprises a metallic outer sheath 58, and a circular metallic back plate 60.
• the sheath 56 has an outwardly extending rim 58 which separates frusto-conical back portion 57 and an inwardly extending lip 59 of lesser inner diameter than the main body of the sheath.
• On the opposing (lower) end of cylindrical magnet 61 there is provided an extending metallic portion 62 with a shaped rim 64 defining a flange.
• the geometry of the magnet assembly 55 is such that an annular air space in which magnetic flux is concentrated.
• the voice coil 54 is securely mounted to a rigid planar pad 68, substantially concentrically with the pad 68, and the components are retained in the elastomeric retaining element 53.
• the retaining element 53 comprises a substantially planar disc 70 defining a planar (front) surface, and a circular surrounding wall 72 upstanding from an opposing (back) surface of the disc.
• the retaining element which preferably is a silicone material as described with reference to Figures 1 to 3, fits over and around the back portion 57 of the sheath 58.
• the rim 58 is received in a groove in the retaining element. The cooperation of the rim and groove assists in the maintaining the components in an appropriate spatial relationship.
• the magnet assembly is provided with a bore 75 extending through the back plate 60, the magnet 61 and the metallic portion 62. In this example, the bore is concentric with the other components of the apparatus. Electrical connections 76 to the voice coil 54 to pass through the bore and out to the audio apparatus providing the audio signal.
• hydrogel retaining element One function of the hydrogel retaining element is the transmission of energy from voice coil vibrations, which have relatively large amplitude, to panel vibrations of relatively small amplitude across a bigger surface area of the panel. This is facilitated by the provision of a disc to give a large contact area between the driver assembly and the panel. Consequently, the driver assembly turns a larger proportion of the panel into a loudspeaker and therefore produces a high quality sound in the high, medium and low frequency ranges. Compared with prior art arrangements, the present invention performs particularly well in the mid- to low-frequency ranges.
• the retaining element provides a flexible connection between the transducer and the panel, without restricting the vibrations of the panel in the same manner as many prior art systems.
• the driver assembly is manufactured by: (i) forming a retaining element from a hydrogel by an injection moulding process (ii) assembling a transducer from a magnet assembly and a voice coil with the retaining element .
• the rigid pad 28 could be inserted into the retaining element after injection moulding, or alternatively the injection moulding could take place around a pre- positioned rigid pad.
• the present invention in its various aspects provides numerous advantages over the prior art arrangements.
• the flexibility of the hydrogel transmits mechanical movement of the transducer to the panel without constraining its own modes of movement, which ensures an accurate sound . fidelity.
• the flexible attachment allows movement at the contact point between the driver assembly and the panel mitigating panel stress and damage.
• the assembly avoids the need for a spider for mounting the magnet assembly centrally with respect to the voice coil.
• the retaining element aligns the movement of the voice coil, and minimises the stress to the coil and rattling caused by misalignment.
• the retaining element aids heat dissipation and protects the panel from overheating.
• the driving assembly is compatible with a wide range of rigid panels, due to the avoidance of bonding the transducer to the panel .
• the improved alignment of the transducer parts allows manufacture of the transducer with a small annular space between the voice coil and the magnet assembly, improving transducer efficiency.
• the driver assembly has the ability of produce high quality sound at frequencies of between 50 to 18000Hz using only one transducer.
• the retaining element keeps all component parts together, but at the same time gives some flexibility to the structure of the product.
• the driver assembly has improved load bearing characteristics.
• the driver assembly and retaining element of the present invention is able to function on a wide range of surfaces such as foam tiles, display boards, metal, glass and plastics.
• the properties and the manufacturing process of the hydrogel render the unit flexible due to the way it is fixed to a panel within seconds and can be attached and re-attached without damage to the panels/displays, and without an auxiliary fixing agent or mechanism.
• the technology can be used wherever space is limited, or external access to transducer components is to be avoided.
• the flexibility of the assembly gives rise to numerous applications of the technology as follows :
• Audio/visual products are Audio/visual products.
• the driver assembly may be mounted to a rear surface of a display board, and connected to a source of audio data such as a combined MP3 player and amplifier.
• a proximity detector such as an infrared detector, may be provided to activate the system in response to an indication that a person is in the vicinity of the display.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Acoustics & Sound (AREA)
• Signal Processing (AREA)
• Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Otolaryngology (AREA)
• Multimedia (AREA)
• Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
• Audible-Bandwidth Dynamoelectric Transducers Other Than Pickups (AREA)
• Diaphragms For Electromechanical Transducers (AREA)
• Piezo-Electric Transducers For Audible Bands (AREA)
• Transducers For Ultrasonic Waves (AREA)

Priority Applications (4)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (2)

Family

ID=27636705

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (7)

Cited By (2)

Families Citing this family (4)

Citations (2)

Family Cites Families (23)

• 2003
  • 2003-06-17 GB GBGB0314007.6A patent/GB0314007D0/en not_active Ceased
• 2004
  • 2004-06-17 US US10/561,407 patent/US7889876B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2004-06-17 EP EP04742947A patent/EP1639858B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 2004-06-17 CN CN200480016183.0A patent/CN1806467A/zh active Pending
  • 2004-06-17 JP JP2006516432A patent/JP4866239B2/ja not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2004-06-17 AT AT04742947T patent/ATE550884T1/de active
  • 2004-06-17 WO PCT/GB2004/002588 patent/WO2004114717A2/en not_active Ceased

Patent Citations (2)

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