WO2015057519A1

WO2015057519A1 - Folded yoke apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2015057519A1
Application number: PCT/US2014/060119
Authority: WO
Inventors: Michael MCCRATIC; Shawn Yang; Gary Hsieh; Dennis FENG; Tony Xu; Frank Huang; Todd ZHANG
Original assignee: Mccratic Michael; Shawn Yang; Gary Hsieh; Feng Dennis; Tony Xu; Frank Huang; Zhang Todd
Priority date: 2013-10-17
Filing date: 2014-10-10
Publication date: 2015-04-23
Also published as: CN206042347U; DE212014000202U1

Abstract

A motor for an acoustic device includes an armature; a yoke; at least one magnet disposed in the yoke; and a coil. The at least one magnet defines a space and the coil forms a tunnel, and the armature extends through the space and tunnel. The yoke comprises a single elongated piece of material, and the single elongated piece of material is bent or folded and the two ends attached to form the yoke.

Description

FOLDED YOKE APPARATUS

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This patent claims benefit under 35 U.S. C. § 119 (e) to United States Provisional

Application No. 61892139 entitled "Folded Yoke Apparatus" filed October 17, 2013, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] This application relates to acoustic devices and, more specifically, to yokes and yoke-like structures utilized by these devices.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Various types of microphones and receivers have been used through the years. In these devices, different electrical components are housed together within a housing or assembly. Other types of acoustic devices may include other types of components. These devices may be used in hearing instruments such as hearing aids or in other electronic devices such as cellular phones, headphones, and computers.

[0004] The receiver motor typically includes a coil, a yoke, an armature (or reed), and magnets. An electrical signal applied to the coil and creates a magnetic field within the motor which causes the armature to move. Movement of the armature causes movement of a diaphragm, which creates sound. Together, the magnets, armature, and yoke form a magnetic circuit. The yoke may also serve to hold or support the magnets or other components.

[0005] The design of the yoke typically involves the construction of multiple ring-like elements that are attached together. Although this structure provided adequate functionality for the device, it did have some drawbacks. For example, the rings had to be attached and this could be a complicated and sometimes expensive process. The rings also had to be aligned and this could also be a complicated process. These drawbacks have resulted in some user dissatisfaction with previous approaches.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] For a more complete understanding of the disclosure, reference should be made to the following detailed description and accompanying drawings wherein:

[0007] FIG. 1A comprises a perspective, cut-away view of a receiver according to various embodiments of the present invention;

[0008] FIG. IB comprises a perspective view of the yoke shown in FIG. 1A according to various embodiments of the present invention;

[0009] FIG. 1C comprises a perspective view of a receiver of FIG. 1A and IB according to various embodiments of the present invention;

[0010] FIG. ID comprises an exploded view of the receiver of FIG. 1A, B, and C according to various embodiments of the present invention;

[0011] FIG. IE comprises a top cut-away view of the receiver of FIG. 1A, B, C, and D according to various embodiments of the present invention;

[0012] FIG. IF comprises a side cutaway view of the receiver of FIG. 1A, B, C, D, and E according to various embodiments of the present invention;

[0013] FIG. 2 comprises a view of an un-folded yoke according to various embodiments of the present invention;

[0014] FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B comprise views of folding the yoke according to various embodiments of the present invention;

[0015] FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B comprise views of the folded yoke according to various embodiments of the present invention; [0016] FIG. 5A, 5B, and 5C comprises view of attaching portions of the folded yoke together according to various embodiments of the present invention.

[0017] Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity. It will further be appreciated that certain actions and/or steps may be described or depicted in a particular order of occurrence while those skilled in the art will understand that such specificity with respect to sequence is not actually required. It will also be understood that the terms and expressions used herein have the ordinary meaning as is accorded to such terms and expressions with respect to their corresponding respective areas of inquiry and study except where specific meanings have otherwise been set forth herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] Folded yokes and other yoke-like structures are provided. In one aspect, the yoke is constructed of a single piece of material that is folded, then the two ends attached together. The attachment can be made in a number of different ways such as by welding or by using adhesive or combinations of these or other approaches.

[0019] In many of these embodiments, a motor for an acoustic device includes an armature; a yoke; at least one magnet disposed in the yoke; and a coil. The at least one magnet defines a space and the coil forms a tunnel, and the armature extends through the space and tunnel. The yoke comprises a single elongated piece of material, and the single elongated piece of material is bent or folded and the two ends attached to form the yoke.

[0020] In some aspects, the yoke is constructed of ferrites. In other aspects, the yoke includes a first end and a second end, and the first end includes a tab and the second end includes a notch. In some examples, the yoke is folded or bent so that the tab fits into the notch. In other examples, the attachment may be made by welding or adhesive.

[0021] Referring now to FIG. 1A, IB, 1C, ID, IE, and IF one example of a receiver apparatus 100 with a folded yoke is described. The apparatus 100 includes a coil 102, a yoke 104, magnets 106, an armature (or reed) 108, terminals (e.g., solder pads) 110, a drive rod 112, a spacer 114, a cup 116, and a sound tube 118. An electrical signal applied to the coil 102 and creates a magnetic field within the motor which causes the armature 108 to move. Movement of the armature 108 causes movement of the drive rods 112, which moves a diaphragm or paddle 111, which creates sound in the sound tube 118. Together, the magnets 106, armature 108, and yoke 104 form a magnetic circuit. The yoke 104 may also serve to hold or support the magnets 106 or other components.

[0022] The magnets 106, armature 108, yoke 104, and coil 102 and (in this example) spacer 114 form a motor 101. Electrical terminals 103 couple to the coil 102 and allow an electrical signal to be applied to the coil 102. The diaphragm or paddle 111 fits into a diaphragm plate assembly 113. The components fit into a cup 116. A cover 117 is placed on top of the cup 116 and acoustically seals the cup 116. [0023] As will be described in greater detail below, the yoke 104 is in some aspects constructed of a single elongated piece of material (e.g., ferrites). The single elongated piece of material is bent or folded and the two ends attached to form the yoke. This approach avoids problems associated with previous devices. For example, separate rings of material need not be used and need not be attached together. The yoke 104 is constructed of a material that includes all the required and needed properties to enable the yoke to provide a magnetic circuit path and/or support other components of the system.

[0024] As mentioned and in operation, an electrical signal is applied to the coil 102. The applied electrical signal together with the magnets 106 create a magnetic field within the apparatus 100 that causes the armature 108 to defect moving the drive rod 112 and, consequently, the diaphragm 111. The yoke 104 provides part of a magnetic circuit (formed by the magnets 106, coil 102, armature 108, and yoke 104). The creation of the magnetic circuit allows the above-mentioned operation to occur.

[0025] Referring now to FIG. 2, a one piece yoke 200 is described. The yoke 200 is formed (e.g., stamped or cut to give two examples) from a single piece of material. The material may be, for example, ferrites. Other examples of material are possible. In one example, the yoke is approximately 0.345 inches long, 0.080 inches wide, and 0.014 inches thick. Other dimensions may also be used.

[0026] The yoke 200 has a tab 202 and a notch 204. The yoke is folded or bent so that the tab 202 fits into the notch 204. Once secured, the tab 202 and notch 204 can be further secured or attached by welding or use of an adhesive to secure the two elements together.

[0027] Referring now to FIG. 3A and 3B, one example of a folding yoke is described.

The yoke 300 is first folded or bent in the direction indicated by the arrows labeled 302. Then, the yoke 302 is folded or bent in the direction indicated by the arrows labeled 304 so that an attachment is made to surfaces 306. The folding or bending may be accomplished by any suitable tool, group of tools, or process such as a sheet metal process. Other examples are possible.

[0028] Referring now to FIG. 4A and 4B, one example of attachment surfaces for folded yokes is described. As shown in FIG. 4A, a yoke 400 may have an attachment surface 402 at the top of the yoke 400. As shown in FIG. 4B, the yoke 400 may have attachment surfaces 404 at the side of the yoke 400. It will be understood that the attachment surfaces may be moved to any suitable location to suit the needs of the user and the system.

[0029] Referring now to FIGs. 5A-C, various attachment mechanisms and approaches are described for yoke 500. In each of these figures, a first portion 502 of the yoke 500 is folded to connect to a second portion 504 of the yoke 500.

[0030] Referring now to FIG. 5A, one example of an approach to enhance the connection strength between the first portion 502 of the yoke 500 and the second portion 504 of the yoke 500 is described. Stamps 508 are used to expand the first portion 502 of the yoke 500 to assure the second portion 504 of the yoke can secure the portion 502 of the yoke 500 firmly. The stamps 508 may be accomplished or implemented by any suitable tool, or process such as stamping. Others examples of tools and processes are possible, such as changing the location of stamps 508.

[0031] Referring now to FIG. 5B, tongues 522 extend into grooves 524 to secure the first portion 502 to the second portion 504. Attachment may be made by welding or adhesive to give two examples.

[0032] Referring now to FIG. 5C, a single tongue 532 extend into a single grooves 534 to secure the first portion 502 to the second portion 504. Attachment may be made by welding or adhesive to give two examples.

[0033] Preferred embodiments of this invention are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the invention. It should be understood that the illustrated embodiments are exemplary only, and should not be taken as limiting the scope of the invention.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A motor for an acoustic device, the motor comprising:

an armature;

a yoke;

at least one magnet disposed in the yoke;

a coil;

wherein the at least one magnet defines a space and the coil forms a tunnel, the armature extending through the space and tunnel;

wherein the yoke comprises a single elongated piece of material, the single elongated piece of material being bent or folded and the two ends attached to form the yoke.

2. The motor of claim 1 wherein the yoke is constructed of ferrites.

3. The motor of claim 1 wherein the yoke includes a first end and a second end, and the first end includes a tab and the second end includes a notch.

4. The motor of claim 3 wherein the yoke is folded or bent so that the tab fits into the notch.

5. The motor of claim 4 wherein the attachment may be made by welding or adhesive.