Patent Application
20230388720
This invention relates in general to speaker drivers of the electrostatic type using a vibratable diaphragm.
Electrostatic speaker drivers converting electrical signals into audible sound have a diaphragm stretched taut between charged plates called stators. Appropriate charging of the diaphragm causes it to move toward one of the stators. Displacement of the diaphragm in this manner imparts vibrations to ambient air at the diaphragm. These vibrations are audible as sound.
Currently, stators are planar. Sound radiates perpendicularly initially from the diaphragm, with most acoustic energy projected in a direction parallel to displacement of the diaphragm. Although a driver or an associated speaker can be aimed or directed in a desired direction, dispersion of sound in multiple directions could be enhanced given appropriate configuration of the stators and diaphragm.
The present invention addresses the above stated need by providing an electrostatic speaker driver configured to deliver three dimensional projection of sound. To this end, both the diaphragm and also surrounding stators are non-planar, and more particular, may be conical or partially so. Stators have apertures to enable escape and propagation of sound.
Various advantages of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment, when read in light of the accompanying drawings.
Various features and attendant advantages of the present invention will become more fully appreciated when considered in view of the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts and/or features throughout the several views, and wherein:
Referring now to the drawings, there is illustrated in
First stator 108 has a distal end 122 fixed to frame 102. Diaphragm 106 has a distal end 124 fixed to frame 102 proximate distal end 122 of first stator 108. Second stator 110 has a distal end 126 fixed to frame 102 proximate distal end 124 of diaphragm 106.
At least one spar 128 may separate diaphragm 106 from first stator 108 and at least one spar 128 may separate diaphragm 106 from second stator 110.
An electrical system 130 includes a source of positive charge 132 connected to one of first stator 108 and second stator 110, a source of negative charge 134 connected to the other one of first stator 108 and second stator 110, and a source of electrical signals 136 corresponding to sound signals connected to diaphragm 106. Electrical system 130 may include connectors such as jacks, as depicted, to receive signals or operating power from components not included as part of electrostatic speaker driver 100 or an associated speaker (such as speaker 152, to be described hereinafter), or may include these other components, as desired. Electrical system 130 will be understood to include that number, size(s) and arrangements of components to operate as described, even if not all components are expressly shown. Portions of electrical system 130 may include wireless links (not shown).
As seen in
It should be understood that the Drawing Figures are diagrammatic, are not drawn to scale, and are abbreviated in that they do not show every component necessary for operation. Novelty lies principally in configuration of first and second stators 108, 110 and diaphragm 106, so that other components necessary for operation may be taken from known components, and may be arranged by one of ordinary skill in the speaker arts without further instruction herein.
It should be noted at this point that orientational terms such as “lower end”, “ahead of”, and “behind” refer to the subject drawings as viewed by an observer. The drawing figures depict their subject matter in orientations of normal use, which could obviously change with changes in design, placement within an environment, etc. Therefore, orientations terms must be understood to provide semantic basis for purposes of description, and do not limit the invention or its component parts in any particular way.
Unless otherwise indicated, the terms “first”, “second”, etc., are used herein merely as labels, and are not intended to impose ordinal, positional, or hierarchical requirements on the items to which these terms refer. Moreover, reference to e.g. a “second” item does not either require or preclude the existence of e.g. a “first” or lower numbered item, and/or e.g. a “third” or higher numbered item.
Frame 102 may comprise a base 138 for resting electrostatic speaker driver 100 on a horizontal surface (not shown) such as a tabletop. Frame 102 could have legs (not shown) in addition to or instead of base 102 if desired. Base 138 may be modified, relocated, or omitted entirely where for example wall or ceiling mounting is contemplated. Frame 102 may include a peripheral wall 140 proximate proximal ends 114, 116, 120 of first stator 108, of diaphragm 106, and of second stator 110. Proximal ends 114, 116, 120 of first stator 108, of diaphragm 106, and of second stator 110 may be coupled to peripheral wall 140. Circular peripheral wall 140 may support and anchor first and second stators 108, 110, and may serve as a guide limiting deviation of diaphragm 106 from concentricity and alignment with respect to first and second stators 108, 110. First and second stators 108, 110 may be sealed against passage of air along their full extent if desired, such as by a bead of adhesive, or by a flexible bellows (neither shown). Alternatively, first and second stators 108, 110 may be tacked periodically along their extent to peripheral wall 140, depending on sound quality considerations. Diaphragm 106 may be similarly sealed if desired, or alternatively, may be coupled to a sleeve (not shown) fitting closely to peripheral wall 140 and being readily slidable therealong.
In the embodiment of
Referring also to
The term non-planar will be understood as referring to a member extending beyond a single nominal plane, so as to occupy three dimensional space. In a further embodiment illustrating a non-planar design comprising planar sections, first stator 108, diaphragm 106, and second stator 110 may comprise non-curved sections which together generate a non-planar configuration (
Referring principally to
Central member 144 may comprise a hollow tube, to accommodate passage of components of electrical system 130, or if desired, may be non-hollow (i.e., solid). Base 138 may be partially hollow for electrical system 130 or alternatively, solid. Central member 144 may be solidly fixed to base 138 at its lower end 146.
Referring principally to
Referring principally to
The present invention may be thought of as a speaker driver, a speaker including the novel speaker driver enclosed within an enclosure, or a speaker including at least one novel speaker driver and also at least one other speaker driver in the enclosure. In the latter example, any of the at least one other speaker driver may have or lack a novel speaker driver as defined in the claims which follow.
In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes, the principle and mode of operation of this invention have been explained and illustrated in its preferred embodiment. However, it must be understood that this invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically explained and illustrated without departing from its spirit or scope.
