Patent Grant
11381921
This patent application claims priority to Austrian Patent Application No. A50931/2018, filed on Oct. 30, 2018, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein, in its entirety, by reference.
The invention relates to an electrodynamic acoustic transducer, which comprises at least one coil, which has a coil wire being wound around a loop axis, and a magnet system being designed to generate a magnetic field transverse to a longitudinal extension of the coil wire and transverse to the loop axis. Furthermore, the electrodynamic acoustic transducer comprises a membrane, which is fixed to the at least one coil and to a frame of the electrodynamic acoustic transducer. Finally, the electrodynamic acoustic transducer comprises a suspension system, which is fixed to the at least one coil and to said frame.
An electrodynamic acoustic transducer of said kind is generally known. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 9,712,921 B2 discloses a microspeaker with a frame, a membrane, a voice coil, a magnet system and suspension members. A first suspension member is attached to the length sides and the width sides of the membrane and the frame. The first suspension member is within a first plane. A second suspension member is attached to the lower end of the voice coil and the frame. The second suspension member is in a second plane different from the first plane.
Disadvantageously, the contact area between the suspension system and the coil is comparably small when it comes to coils with slim cross section, which are to be used for large excursions and high sound power. These coils have a large extension in the direction of the loop axis, whereas the width of the coil (not its diameter) is comparably small. As a consequence, the connection between the suspension system and the coil may break during use thus limiting the lifetime of the electrodynamic acoustic transducer. In particular, a suspension system fixed to the coil by means of an adhesive may be peeled off the coil by the rocking or tumbling movement of the coil.
Furthermore, fixing the suspension system to the lower end of the voice coil leads to comparably high electrodynamic acoustic transducers what is a particularly undesired effect when the electrodynamic acoustic transducer is used in mobile devices, for example in ultra flat mobile phones.
On the above grounds, it is an object of the invention to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art and to provide an improved design for an electrodynamic acoustic transducer. In particular, this improved design shall avoid breakage of the connection between the suspension system and the coil thus increasing the lifetime of the electrodynamic acoustic transducer compared to known solutions. Moreover, the improved design shall provide comparably flat electrodynamic acoustic transducers.
The inventive problem is solved by an electrodynamic acoustic transducer as disclosed in the opening paragraph, wherein the suspension system is fixed to the at least one coil in a region of a side wall of the at least one coil, which is oriented parallel to the loop axis.
By the above measures, the connection of a suspension system to the coil of an electrodynamic acoustic transducer is improved, even in case of coils with slim cross section (i.e. coils with a large extension in the direction of the loop axis and a comparably small width, which for example is the difference of the outer radius of the coil minus its inner radius in case of a circular coil). In particular, the contact area between the suspension system and the coil can be made substantially larger compared to prior art electrodynamic acoustic transducers. In turn the connection between suspension system and the coil is durable thus increasing the lifetime of the electrodynamic acoustic transducer compared to prior art solutions, even in case of large excursions and high sound output. In particular, peeling the suspension system off the coil by the rocking or tumbling movement of the coil can be avoided or at least limited. Moreover, the electrodynamic acoustic transducer is very flat although it comprises a suspension system because the suspension system is fixed to the at least one coil in a region of its side wall.
The proposed design applies to speakers in general and particularly to micro speakers, whose membrane area is smaller than 600 mm2 and/or whose back volume is in a range from 200 mm3 to 6 cm3. Such micro speakers are used in all kind of mobile devices such as mobile phones, mobile music devices, laptops and/or in headphones. A diameter of the coil wire beneficially is ≤110 m in such cases so as to allow for compact coils with a high number of windings and for a proper movement of the membrane. It should be noted at this point, that a micro speaker does not necessarily comprise its own back volume but can use a space of a device, which the speaker is built into, as a back volume. That means the speaker does not comprise its own (closed) housing but just an (open) frame. The back volume of the devices, which such speakers are built into, typically is smaller than 10 cm3.
The electrodynamic acoustic transducer may comprise a frame and/or a housing.
A “frame” commonly is a part, which holds together the membrane, the coil and the magnet system. Usually, the frame is directly connected to the membrane and the magnet system (e.g. by means of an adhesive), whereas the coil is connected to the membrane. Hence, the frame is fixedly arranged in relation to the magnet system. Normally, the frame together with the membrane, the coil and the magnet system forms a sub system, which is the result of an intermediate step in a production process.
A “housing” normally is mounted to the frame and/or to the membrane and encompasses the back volume of a transducer, i.e. an air or gas compartment behind the membrane. Hence, the housing is fixedly arranged in relation to the magnet system. In common designs, the housing can be hermetically sealed respectively air tight. However, it may also comprise small openings or bass tubes as the case may be. Inter alia by variation of the back volume respectively by provision of openings in the housing, the acoustic performance of the transducer can be influenced.
The membrane can be fixed to the at least one coil and to the magnet system or can be fixed to the at least one coil and to a frame of the electrodynamic acoustic transducer or can be fixed to the at least one coil and to a housing of the electrodynamic acoustic transducer. The same counts for the suspension system, which can be fixed to the at least one coil and to the magnet system or can be fixed to the at least one coil and to a frame of the electrodynamic acoustic transducer or can be fixed to the at least one coil and to a housing of the electrodynamic acoustic transducer.
Further advantageous embodiments are disclosed in the claims and in the description as well as in the figures.
In an advantageous embodiment of the electrodynamic acoustic transducer, the suspension system is fixed to the side wall of the at least one coil. In this way, a large contact area between the suspension system and the at least one coil can be obtained.
Advantageously, the suspension system may also be fixed to the side wall and a top wall of the at least one coil, which top wall is oriented transverse (particularly perpendicular) to the loop axis and faces the membrane. In this way, the membrane may be directly be fixed to the suspension system, e.g. by means of laser welding.
In a further advantageous embodiment of the electrodynamic acoustic transducer, the suspension system is fixed to a shoulder of the coil. Such a shoulder often is used to provide a desired distribution of the electromagnetic field of the coil. On the other hand, the shoulder can be used to fix the suspension system. Alternatively or in addition, the suspension system can be fixed to a sidewall or top wall of a coil having a shoulder.
The electrodynamic acoustic transducer may comprise a plurality of coils (in particular two coils or even more than two coils). In this case, it is of particular advantage, if the suspension system is arranged between two coils. In this way, a very good connection of the suspension system to the at least two coils can be obtained.
Beneficially, the suspension system forms a pot, wherein the loop axis intersects said pot. Accordingly, a line running on the suspension system around the at least one coil is a continuous line. In this way, the raw material for the suspension system may be a simple disc which is transformed into a pot, for example by a deep drawing process.
Beneficially, the suspension system may also form a closed ring around the loop axis. Accordingly, a line running on the suspension system around the at least one coil is a continuous line, too.
In a very advantageous embodiment of the electrodynamic acoustic transducer, the suspension system forms arms or legs or levers connecting the at least one coil to the magnet system or to the frame/housing. Accordingly, a line running on the suspension system around the at least one coil is a broken line.
In a very advantageous embodiment of the electrodynamic acoustic transducer, the at least one coil is polygonal in shape and the suspension systems is connected to the at least one coil only at its corners. In this way a very good damping of the base rocking mode and higher degrees of rocking modes (i.e. around axes perpendicular to the excursion direction of the coil) can be provided while at the same time the “suspension” of the suspension system in the direction of the loop axis (i.e. in the excursion direction or for the piston mode) is comparably low.
In the above context, it is of advantage if the magnet system is arranged in the region of the longitudinal sides of the at least one polygonal coil and discontinues in the region of the corners of the at least one polygonal coil. In other words, the magnet system generates a substantially strong magnetic field through the polygonal coil just in the region of the longitudinal sides of the polygonal coil. This solution allows for a comparably large magnet system in the region of the longitudinal sides of the polygonal coil without increasing the overall height of the electrodynamic acoustic transducer because of the suspension system. Instead, the magnet system discontinues in the region of the corners of the at least one polygonal coil thus providing space for the suspension system.
Advantageously, a ratio of a stiffness of the suspension system to a stiffness of the membrane in direction of the loop axis is below 1.5 and preferably in a range of 0.1 to 1.5. That means that the suspension system and the membrane have a similar stiffness in the direction of the loop axis (i.e. in the excursion direction), or the suspension system may also be substantially softer than the membrane. In this way, a movement of the membrane in the direction of the loop axis (i.e. an excursion of the membrane) is not hindered much by the suspension system.
In a further advantageous embodiment of the electrodynamic acoustic transducer, a ratio of a stiffness of the suspension system to a stiffness of the membrane in direction transverse (perpendicular) to the loop axis is below 1.5 and preferably in a range of 0.1 to 1.5. That means that the suspension system and the membrane have a similar stiffness in a direction transverse to the loop axis (i.e. transverse to the excursion direction), or the suspension system may also be substantially softer than the membrane. In this way, a center of rotation for a rocking movement of the membrane is pretty much in the center of gravity of the at least one coil. That is why the horizontal moving distance at the lower end of the coil is just the half horizontal moving distance of a coil without a suspension system. This is advantageous for the width of the magnet gap as well as for the sound quality and the efficiency of the electrodynamic acoustic transducer.
Advantageously, a ratio of a thickness of the membrane to a thickness of the suspension system measured in direction of the loop axis is in a range of 0.5 to 3.0. In this way, a stiffness of the membrane and a stiffness of the suspension system can be in a comparable range in direction of the loop axis and transverse to the loop axis.
Advantageously, the membrane and the suspension system can be made of the same material. Hence, the suspension system can be made in an efficient and economic way, as the material for the membrane has to be on stock anyway for the production of the electrodynamic acoustic transducer.
Beneficially, the membrane and/or the suspension system are made of one or more layers of Polyaryletherketone (PAEK), Acrylate, Thermoplastic Elastomeric (TPE), Polyetherimide (PEI), Polycarbonate (PC) and/or silicone rubber. In this way, good acoustic performance can be achieved. Nevertheless, other materials may be used for the membrane and/or the suspension system as well.
In a further advantageous embodiment of the electrodynamic acoustic transducer, a profile of the suspension system in a sectional plane parallel to the loop axis corresponds to a profile of the membrane in this plane, wherein a deviation of said profile of the suspension system and said profile of the membrane is less than 0.2 mm in a direction parallel to the loop axis. In other words, the membrane and the suspension system have the same profile or similar profiles in a sectional plane parallel to the loop axis. In this way the membrane and the suspension system are deformed synchronously or at least almost synchronously when the at least one coil is excursed.
In yet another advantageous embodiment of the electrodynamic acoustic transducer, a profile of the suspension system in a sectional plane parallel to the loop axis corresponds to a mirrored profile of the membrane in this plane mirrored around an axis transverse to the loop axis, wherein a deviation of said profile of the suspension system and said mirrored profile of the membrane is less than 0.2 mm in a direction parallel to the loop axis. In other words, the membrane and the suspension system again have the same profile or similar profiles in a sectional plane parallel to the loop axis, but wherein one profile is mirrored. In this way the membrane and the suspension system are deformed in an antiparallel way or in at least almost antiparallel way when the at least one coil is excursed.
Advantageously, a moving volume between the membrane and the suspension system is hermetically sealed or airtight. In this way, a coupling of the membrane and the suspension system is particularly strong. That is why an undesired wobbling or fluttering of the suspension system can be hindered. In particular, this coupling also hinders buckling of the suspension system when the at least one coil excessively moves towards the frame/housing as a compression/decompression of the air in the space between the membrane and the suspension system causes a counterforce. This effect can be increased even more if there is an overpressure in the moving volume, i.e. a pressure above the atmospheric pressure. In this way, tensile stress is caused in the membrane and the suspension system suppressing undesired wobbling, fluttering and buckling.
Advantageously, a moving volume between the membrane and the suspension system may also be permeable to air or non-airtight. In this way, a coupling of the membrane and the suspension system is rather loose, or strictly speaking coupling of the membrane and the suspension system is just done at their respective endpoints or edges. In this way the membrane may freely move. Accordingly, the quality of the output sound is not deteriorated by a strong coupling of the membrane and the suspension system.
These and other aspects, features, details, utilities, and advantages of the invention will become more fully apparent from the following detailed description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings, wherein the drawings illustrate features in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the invention, and wherein:
Like reference numbers refer to like or equivalent parts in the several views.
Various embodiments are described herein to various apparatuses. Numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the overall structure, function, manufacture, and use of the embodiments as described in the specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It will be understood by those skilled in the art, however, that the embodiments may be practiced without such specific details. In other instances, well-known operations, components, and elements have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the embodiments described in the specification. Those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the embodiments described and illustrated herein are non-limiting examples, and thus it can be appreciated that the specific structural and functional details disclosed herein may be representative and do not necessarily limit the scope of the embodiments, the scope of which is defined solely by the appended claims.
Reference throughout the specification to “various embodiments,” “some embodiments,” “one embodiment,” or “an embodiment,” or the like, means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in various embodiments,” “in some embodiments,” “in one embodiment,” or “in an embodiment,” or the like, in places throughout the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. Thus, the particular features, structures, or characteristics illustrated or described in connection with one embodiment may be combined, in whole or in part, with the features, structures, or characteristics of one or more other embodiments without limitation given that such combination is not illogical or non-functional.
It must be noted that, as used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” include plural referents unless the content clearly dictates otherwise.
The terms “first,” “second,” and the like in the description and in the claims, if any, are used for distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a particular sequential or chronological order. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances such that the embodiments of the invention described herein are, for example, capable of operation in sequences other than those illustrated or otherwise described herein. Furthermore, the terms “include,” “have,” and any variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements is not necessarily limited to those elements, but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus.
All directional references (e.g., “plus,” “minus,” “upper,” “lower,” “upward,” “downward,” “left,” “right,” “leftward,” “rightward,” “front,” “rear,” “top,” “bottom,” “over,” “under,” “above,” “below,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” clockwise,” and “counterclockwise”) are only used for identification purposes to aid the reader's understanding of the present disclosure, and do not create limitations, particularly as to the position, orientation, or use of the any aspect of the disclosure. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances such that the embodiments of the invention described herein are, for example, capable of operation in other orientations than those illustrated or otherwise described herein.
As used herein, the phrased “configured to,” “configured for,” and similar phrases indicate that the subject device, apparatus, or system is designed and/or constructed (e.g., through appropriate hardware, software, and/or components) to fulfill one or more specific object purposes, not that the subject device, apparatus, or system is merely capable of performing the object purpose.
Joinder references (e.g., “attached,” “coupled,” “connected,” and the like) are to be construed broadly and may include intermediate members between a connection of elements and relative movement between elements. As such, joinder references do not necessarily infer that two elements are directly connected and in fixed relation to each other. It is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative only and not limiting. Changes in detail or structure may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined in the appended claims.
All numbers expressing measurements and so forth used in the specification and claims are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term “about” or “substantially,” which particularly means a deviation of ±10% from a reference value.
It should be noted that although the membrane 7 of this example is fixed to the frame 10 and although the suspension system 11 is fixed to the magnet system 6a, other possibilities are possible as well. For example, the membrane 7 could be fixed to the coil 2 and to said magnet system 6a. The suspension system 11 could be fixed to the coil 2 and to said frame 10.
In other embodiments, the frame 10 and/or the housing 12 need not to exist at all and can be omitted. In this case, the membrane 7 is fixed to the coil 2 and to the magnet system 6a, and the suspension system 11 is fixed to the coil 2 and to said magnet system 6a. However, if there is a frame 10, the membrane 7 can be fixed to the coil 2 and to the frame 10, and the suspension system 11 can be fixed to the coil 2 and to said frame 10. If there is a housing 12, the membrane 7 can be fixed to the coil 2 and to the housing 12, and the suspension system 11 can be fixed to the coil 2 and to said housing 12.
Summarizing, the membrane 7 can be fixed to the magnet system 6a and/or the frame 10 and/or the housing 12. The same counts for the suspension system 11, which can be fixed to the magnet system 6a and/or the frame 10 and/or the housing 12 as well.
The transducer 1a generally can be embodied as a loudspeaker and in particular as a micro speaker, whose membrane area is smaller than 600 mm2 and/or whose back volume F is in a range from 200 mm3 to 6 cm3. A diameter of the coil wire beneficially is ≤110 m in such cases so as to allow for compact coils 2 with a high number of windings and for a proper movement of the membrane 7. In this way, the electrodynamic transducer 1a may be used for all kind of mobile devices like mobile phones, laptops, earphones, etc.
In the example of
However, this is not the only possibility.
In the embodiment of
It should also be noted that a back volume F of the transducer 1a, 1b may be hermetically sealed or permeable to air so as to influence the sound quality of the transducer 1a, 1b.
Moreover, because of the vertical distance Δz, a comparably large restoring moments can be generated without stiffening the system against a movement in direction of the loop axis (piston mode). In this way, rocking modes defining rocking both around the x-axis and the y-axis can efficiently be damped without deteriorating the efficiency and power output of the transducer 1a, 1b much.
Furthermore,
Furthermore,
Moreover, in
The magnet system 6b of the transducer 1e shown in
The magnet system 6b is arranged in the region of the longitudinal sides H of the at least one polygonal coil 2 and discontinues in the region of the corners J of the at least one polygonal coil 2 (because there are single side magnets 15a . . . 15d and not a ring-shaped outer magnet). This solution allows for a comparably large magnet system 6b in the region of the longitudinal sides H of the polygonal coil 2 without increasing the overall height of the electrodynamic acoustic transducer 1e (what is the extension of the electrodynamic acoustic transducer 1e in z-direction) because of the suspension system 11a . . . 11d. Instead, the magnet system 6b discontinues in the region of the corners J of the at least one polygonal coil 2 thus providing space for the four arms/legs/levers 11a . . . 11d.
It should also be noted at this point, that the membrane frame 13 and/or the suspension system frame 14 shown in
A moving volume E between the membrane 7 and the suspension system 11 is permeable to air or non-airtight in this example. In this way, a coupling of the membrane 7 and the suspension system 11 is rather loose allowing the membrane 7 to move more or less freely. Accordingly, the quality of the output sound is not deteriorated by a strong coupling of the membrane 7 and the suspension system 11.
The embodiments of
Finally,
Generally, the membrane 7 and the suspension system 11, 11a . . . 11d can be made of the same material. Accordingly, the suspension system can be made in an efficient and economic way, as the material for the membrane 7 has to be on stock anyway for the production of the electrodynamic acoustic transducer 1a . . . 1h.
Generally, the membrane 7 and/or the suspension system 11, 11a . . . 11d can be made of one or more layers of Polyaryletherketone (PAEK), Acrylate, Thermoplastic Elastomeric (TPE), Polyetherimide (PEI), Polycarbonate (PC) and/or silicone rubber. In this way, good acoustic performance can be achieved. Nevertheless, other materials may be used for the suspension system 11, 11a . . . 11d and/or the membrane 7 as well.
For all embodiments, it is also beneficial, if a ratio of a stiffness of the suspension system 11, 11a . . . 11d to a stiffness of the membrane 7 in direction of the loop axis A (or in direction z) is below 1.5 and preferably in a range of 0.1 to 1.5. Hence, the suspension system 11, 11a . . . 11d and the membrane 7 have a similar stiffness in the direction of the loop axis A (i.e. in the excursion direction), or the suspension system 11, 11a . . . 11d may also be substantially softer than the membrane 7. In this way, a movement of the membrane 7 in the direction of the loop axis A (i.e. an excursion of the membrane 7) is not hindered much by the suspension system 11, 11a . . . 11d.
Furthermore, it is beneficial for all embodiments if a ratio of a stiffness of the suspension system 11, 11a . . . 11d to a stiffness of the membrane 7 in direction transverse/perpendicular to the loop axis A (or in direction x or y) is below 1.5 and preferably in a range of 0.1 to 1.5. Hence, the suspension system 11, 11a . . . 11d and the membrane 7 have a similar stiffness in a direction transverse to the loop axis A (i.e. transverse to the excursion direction), or the suspension system 11, 11a . . . 11d may also be substantially softer than the membrane 7. In this way, a center of rotation G for a rocking movement of the membrane 7 is pretty much in the center of gravity of the coil 2 what is advantageous for the sound quality of the electrodynamic acoustic transducer 1a . . . 1h.
Generally, it is also of advantage, if a ratio of a thickness d1 of the membrane 7 to a thickness d2 of the suspension system 11, 11a . . . 11d measured in direction of the loop axis A is in a range of 0.5 to 3.0. In this way, a stiffness of the membrane 7 and a stiffness of the suspension system 11, 11a . . . 11d can be a comparable range in direction of the loop axis A and transverse to the loop axis A.
It should be noted that the invention is not limited to the above mentioned embodiments and exemplary working examples. Further developments, modifications and combinations are also within the scope of the patent claims and are placed in the possession of the person skilled in the art from the above disclosure. Accordingly, the techniques and structures described and illustrated herein should be understood to be illustrative and exemplary, and not limiting upon the scope of the present invention.
In particular, the curvature of the profile of the suspension systems 11, 11a . . . 11d of the transducers 1c . . . 1h may be oriented differently and look like the profile of the suspension system 11 in
The scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims, including known equivalents and unforeseeable equivalents at the time of filing of this application. Although numerous embodiments of this invention have been described above with a certain degree of particularity, those skilled in the art could make numerous alterations to the disclosed embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of this disclosure.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| A 50931/2018 | Oct 2018 | AT | national |
| Number | Name | Date | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4190746 | Harwood | Feb 1980 | A |
| 5511131 | Kohara et al. | Apr 1996 | A |
| 6526151 | Peng | Feb 2003 | B1 |
| 6735322 | Watanabe | May 2004 | B1 |
| 7813521 | Lim | Oct 2010 | B2 |
| 9712921 | Salvatti et al. | Jul 2017 | B2 |
| 10034094 | Perkins | Jul 2018 | B2 |
| 20040213431 | Mello | Oct 2004 | A1 |
| 20070160257 | Stiles | Jul 2007 | A1 |
| 20110243364 | Walter | Oct 2011 | A1 |
| 20120087523 | Gerkinsmeyer | Apr 2012 | A1 |
| 20140270323 | Permanian | Sep 2014 | A1 |
| 20160057543 | Salvatti et al. | Feb 2016 | A1 |
| 20170070823 | Permanian | Mar 2017 | A1 |
| 20170347204 | Linghu et al. | Nov 2017 | A1 |
| 20180301724 | Kong | Oct 2018 | A1 |
| 20190104369 | Kim | Apr 2019 | A1 |
| Number | Date | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 206640781 | Nov 2017 | CN |
| 206851020 | Jan 2018 | CN |
| 206993401 | Feb 2018 | CN |
| 207968928 | Oct 2018 | CN |
| 4317775 | Aug 1994 | DE |
| 0942626 | Sep 1999 | EP |
| 2111057 | Oct 2009 | EP |
| 2348754 | Jul 2011 | EP |
| 2002262389 | Sep 2002 | JP |
| 2011007403 | Jan 2011 | WO |
| 2012088518 | Jun 2012 | WO |
| 2013007112 | Jan 2013 | WO |
| Entry |
|---|
| First Office Action issued for Austrian priority application A50931/2018, dated Jan. 17, 2019. |
| China National Intellectual Property Administration, First Office Action issued in counterpart CN application 201911044945.2. dated Dec. 11, 2020. |
| China National Intellectual Property Administration, Search Report issued in counterpart CN application 201911044945.2. dated Dec. 11, 2020. |
| China National Intellectual Property Administration, Second Office Action issued in counterpart CN application 201911044945.2. dated Jul. 7, 2021. |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20200137500 A1 | Apr 2020 | US |
