The present invention is generally related to audio speakers, and more particularly is related to an audio speaker having a tweeter that is capable of continuous rotation.
Use of audio speakers within an enclosed environment is limited by the direction of speaker projection. Specifically, to optimize sound projection, audio speakers are typically directed toward a specific location within the enclosed environment where a listener, or listeners, will be located. To direct the audio speakers, entire audio speakers are typically placed in an arrangement so that speaker projection is directed to the listener. As an example, in a room, speaker cabinets, having audio speakers therein, may be angled to face where a listener would be located.
Unfortunately, in certain enclosed environments locations for placing or installing audio speakers are predefined. As an example, openings for receiving audio speakers in an automobile are typically predefined by the manufacturer of the automobile. During finishing of the automobile, audio speakers are inserted into the predefined openings, resulting in the sound typically being projected in a direction that is not toward a passenger or driver of the automobile. As is well known, typical locations for automobile speakers are at the bottom of a door, on a dashboard, and in the back of the automobile, however, the audio speakers typically do not face a passenger or driver of the automobile. Instead, passengers and drivers of automobiles receive audio sound after sound waves have bounced about the interior of the automobile.
Thus, a heretofore unaddressed need exists in the industry to address the aforementioned deficiencies and inadequacies.
Embodiments of the present invention provide an audio speaker having a tweeter capable of continuous rotation. Briefly described, in architecture, one embodiment of the audio speaker, among others, can be implemented as follows. The audio speaker contains a tweeter having a top portion and a bottom portion, and an axis mount assembly, where the tweeter is removably connected to the axis mount assembly. The audio speaker also contains a first connection member, capable of maintaining electrical communication with the axis mount assembly throughout continuous rotation of the axis mount assembly within the audio speaker.
The axis mount assembly contains a terminal plate capable of connecting to the bottom portion of the tweeter, wherein the terminal plate maintains electrical communication with the tweeter. The axis mount assembly also contains an axis mount face plate having a top portion and a bottom portion, wherein the axis mount face plate is capable of receiving the terminal plate and tweeter within an indented portion of the top portion of the axis mount face plate. The axis mount assembly further contains an axis mount spacer located beneath the axis mount face plate and a second connection member that maintains electrical communication with the first connection member throughout continuous rotation of the axis mount assembly within the audio speaker.
Other features and advantages of the present invention will be or become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following drawings and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional features and advantages be included within this description, be within the scope of the present invention, and be protected by the accompanying claims.
Many aspects of the invention can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the present invention. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.
It should be noted that while the present description provides the example of the audio speaker having a rotatable tweeter aiming system (also referred to herein as a tweeter assembly) being located within an automobile, the location for use of the audio speaker having the rotatable tweeter is not limited to automobiles, but instead, may be use in any environment that would benefit from having a tweeter that can be directed by rotation to optimize sound projection of the audio speaker. As an example, the audio speaker may be wall or ceiling mounted within a room.
As is known by those having ordinary skill in the art, the phase plug 108 is a fixed waveguide. The phase plug 108 has an indented central portion for receiving the tweeter assembly 120. Since the combination of a back plate 102, electro-magnet 104, top plate 106, and phase plug 108 is known, further description of functions provided by the same is not provided herein, except to mention that the combination provides the basic functionality of a woofer. Connections within the tweeter assembly 120 and interaction with the audio speaker 100, so as to provide the capability of a tweeter and axis mount assembly rotating more that 360 degrees, is further defined herein.
The audio speaker 100 also contains a frame 112. Optionally, the phase plug 108 and frame 112 may serve as heat sinks for the woofer.
The axis mount assembly 200 contains a terminal plate 210, an axis mount faceplate 220, an axis mount spacer 250, and a male PCB 260. Each portion of the axis mount assembly 200 is described in detail herein. In addition,
In accordance with the first exemplary embodiment of the invention, the tweeter 150 contains a diffuser ring 162. The diffuser ring 162 is located on a top face 160 of the tweeter 150, above a tweeter dome 164. Prior use of a diffuser ring 162 has the diffuser ring 162 being mounted directly above a center line/center point of a tweeter dome and causes even radiation of acoustic energy. Prior use of the diffuser ring 162 is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,689,573, entitled, “FREQUENCY-DEPENDENT AMPLITUDE MODIFICATION DEVICES FOR ACOUSTIC SOURCES”, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
Unlike prior use of a diffuser ring 162, the present tweeter 150 has the diffuser ring 162 offset from the center line/center point of the tweeter 150. Due to the above-mentioned offset of the diffuser ring 162 from the center line/center point, the radiation pattern shifts/tilts away from the center line/center point of the tweeter dome 164. As an example, looking at the top view provided by
As is explained further below, the combination of the offset diffuser ring 162 and the angling of the top face of the axis mount faceplate 220, results in tweeter energy being capable of being directed when mounted. As an example, if the audio speaker 100 is located low and forward in a door of a vehicle, the tweeter 150 energy can be directed up and back toward a listener. Directional control of tweeter 150 energy is provided at least by rotation of the axis mount assembly 200.
A conductive path is provided from the first connection wire 218 of the terminal plate 210 to the second connection terminal 216, and a separate conductive path is provided from the second connection wire 219 of the terminal plate 210 to the first connection terminal 214. Due to conductive paths described herein, when the terminal plate 210 is snap-fitted to the bottom of the tweeter 150, a conductive path is provided from the first connection wire 218 of the terminal plate 210, to the second connection terminal 216 of the terminal plate 210, to the second conductive leg 156 of the tweeter 150. In addition, a conductive path is provided from the second connection wire 219 of the terminal plate 210, to the first connection terminal 214 of the terminal plate 210, to the first conductive leg 154 of the tweeter 150.
It should be noted, that in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the invention, the terminal plate 210 may be connected to the tweeter 150 in a manner other than being snap-fitted, as long as a conductive path is provided to the tweeter 150.
The faceplate 220 contains a first opening 224, a second opening 226, a third opening 228, and a fourth opening 230. The first opening 224 is capable of receiving a bolt that enters from the back 240 of the faceplate 220, through the first opening 224, and into the back opening 158 of the tweeter 150. The second opening 226 is a connection wire opening capable of allowing the first and second connection wires 218, 219 of the terminal plate 210 traverse therethrough. It should be noted that the first and second connection wires 218, 219 of the terminal plate 210 do not connect directly to the faceplate 220, thereby allowing the faceplate 220 to be fabricated from a conductive material. As a result, the faceplate 220 may be fabricated from different materials, including, but not limited to, aluminum, plastic, ceramic, wood or other conductive and/or non-conductive materials.
The third opening 228 is capable of receiving an axle screw 229 (
The fourth opening 230 is capable of receiving a positioning bolt 244 (
In accordance with the first exemplary embodiment of the invention, a plane of the top 242 of the faceplate 220 is not perpendicular to a central axis of the audio speaker 100. Instead, the faceplate 220 is at an angle to the central axis of the audio speaker 100, where the faceplate 220 is angled inward toward the center of the audio speaker 100. The angle of the faceplate 220 maintains the tweeter 150 at an angle, thereby providing for better control of sound projection. As an example, the combination of the faceplate 220 maintaining the tweeter 150 at an angle inward toward the center of the audio speaker 100, and the offset diffuser ring 162, results in the rotation of the tweeter 150 and axis mount assembly 200 controlling sound projection. Therefore, if the audio speaker 100 is located in a factory speaker location of an automobile, namely, in a low and forward position in a door of the vehicle, energy of the audio speaker 100 can be directed up and back toward a listener. This direction is provided by rotation of the tweeter 150 and axis mount assembly 200 within the audio speaker 100.
It should be noted that in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the invention, the plane of the top 242 of the faceplate 220 may be at a different angle to the central axis. Optionally, the faceplate 220 may serve as a heat sink for the tweeter 150, thereby improving overall system handling of the audio speaker 100.
The bottom portion of the male PCB 260 contains a first set of conductive pins 270 and a second set of conductive pins 272. The first set of conductive pins 270 are conductively connected to the first conductive path 264, while the second set of conductive pins 272 are conductively connected to the second conductive path 268. As a result, the first set of conductive pins 270 have a positive polarity and the second set of conductive pins 272 have a negative polarity. It should be noted that although the first and second sets of conductive pins 270, 272 are shown to have three conductive pins each, the number of conductive pins may be more or fewer.
Referring to a bottom portion of the female PCB 280, the female PCB 280 contains a first conductive contact 286 and a second conductive contact 288, where the first conductive contact 286 has a positive polarity and the second conductive contact 288 has a negative polarity. The conductive strip 290 is connected to the first and second conductive contacts 286, 288, where a positive lead of the conductive strip 290 is connected to the first conductive contact 286 and a negative lead of the conductive strip 290 is connected to the second conductive contact 288.
The conductive strip 290 is flat and flexible, and contains a first conductive path and a second conductive path located between two layers of non-conductive material. As an example, the first and second conductive paths may be flat metal conductors. The positive lead of the conductive strip 290 is connected to the first conductive path within the conductive strip 290 and the negative lead of the conductive strip 290 is connected to the second conductive path within the conductive strip 290.
When the tweeter assembly 120 is assembled on the top of the female PCB 280, the first and second set of pins 270, 272 conductively communicate with the first and second concentric traces 282, 284, respectively. Pressure to push the sets of pins 270, 272 onto the concentric traces 282, 284 may be provided by, for example, a series of springs. As an example, a first set of springs may cause the first set of pins 270 to press against the first concentric trace 282, and a second set of springs may cause the second set of pins 272 to press against the second concentric trace 284. Alternatively, a rubber bumper or other material may be provided for maintaining conductive communication between the pins and traces.
Since conductive communication between the male PCB 260 and the female PCB 280 is maintained by the pin/concentric trace relationship, the axis mount assembly 200, having the tweeter 150 therein, is capable of continuous and infinite variability of rotation and any degree of 360 can be set without binding. It should be noted that, in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the invention, the male PCB 260 and the female PCB 280 may be in opposite locations, where the female PCB 280 is instead a portion of the axis mount assembly 200, and the male PCB 260 is connected to the conductive strip 290. In addition, the pins may be replaced by different conductive members that are capable of maintaining connection to the concentric traces.
The conductive strip 290 may traverse an outer portion of the audio speaker 100 frame 112, to a mounting location (not shown) located on an outer side portion of the frame 112. The mounting location has a positive connection port (not shown) and a negative connection port (not shown).
In accordance with an alternative embodiment of the invention, as shown by
It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments of the present invention merely set forth for a clear understanding of the principles of the invention. Many variations and modifications may be made to the above-described embodiments of the invention without departing substantially from the spirit and principles of the invention. All such modifications and variations are intended to be included herein within the scope of this disclosure and the present invention and protected by the following claims.
This application claims priority to copending U.S. Provisional Application entitled, “AUDIO SPEAKER HAVING A ROTATABLE TWEETER,” having Ser. No. 60/756,158, filed Jan. 4, 2006, which is entirely incorporated herein by reference.
Number | Date | Country | |
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60756158 | Jan 2006 | US |