The present disclosure relates to a loudspeaker and a corresponding frame or basket for the loudspeaker, and more specifically to a spoke configuration of the loudspeaker frame.
The function of a frame in a direct radiating loudspeaker is to hold the edge of a diaphragm's suspension on one side and hold the attached motor assembly and the moving assembly spider on the other side. The traditional frame configuration uses radially-oriented spokes that connect the base of the frame to the surround landing. Many loudspeaker applications require the minimization of transducer weight, which includes the weight of the frame. Weight reduction must also be balanced with the structural integrity of the frame.
One or more embodiments of the present disclosure is directed to a frame or basket for a speaker. The frame may comprise a base including a mounting surface for mechanically coupling to a motor assembly of the speaker. The frame may further comprise a mounting flange configured to mount the speaker to a baffle and support a diaphragm assembly. Further, the frame may include a plurality of tapered spokes extending from the base to support the mounting flange. Each tapered spoke may taper from the base in a direction of the mounting flange.
Each tapered spoke may have a convex curvature in relation to a central longitudinal axis of the frame. The plurality of tapered spokes may include four tapered spokes spaced apart by 90 degrees. Alternatively, the plurality of tapered spokes may include three tapered spokes spaced apart by 120 degrees. Each tapered spoke may include a cut-out region defining a pair of converging legs comprising a first converging leg and a second converging leg.
The mounting flange may include a plurality of mounting tabs having a mounting hole. The plurality of mounting tabs may extend outward to provide support for mounting the speaker. Moreover, a quantity of the plurality of mounting tabs may be equal to the quantity of the plurality of tapered spokes.
The first converging leg and the second converging leg in each pair of converging legs may join at the mounting flange adjacent a respective mounting tab. Moreover, each converging leg in the pair of converging legs may be symmetrical with respect to a radial axis extending from the center of the frame through a corresponding mounting hole. An outer edge of each converging leg may be convex with respect to the radial axis.
One or more additional embodiments of the present disclosure is directed to a speaker comprising a diaphragm assembly, a motor assembly for driving the diaphragm assembly, and a frame. The diaphragm assembly may include a diaphragm and a surround. The frame may have a base mechanically coupled to the motor assembly, a mounting flange coupled to the diaphragm via the surround, and a connecting structure extending between the base and the mounting flange. The connecting structure may include a plurality of tapered spokes extending from the base and tapering in a direction of the mounting flange.
Each tapered spoke may define a radial triangular pattern having an apex adjacent the mounting flange. Moreover, each tapered spoke may have a convex curvature in relation to a central longitudinal axis of the frame. The plurality of tapered spokes may include four tapered spokes spaced apart by 90 degrees. Each tapered spoke may include a cut-out region defining a pair of converging legs comprising a first converging leg and a second converging leg.
The mounting flange may include a plurality of mounting tabs having a mounting hole. The plurality of mounting tabs may extend outward to provide support for mounting the speaker. Moreover, a quantity of the plurality of mounting tabs may be equal to the quantity of the plurality of tapered spokes. The first converging leg and the second converging leg in each pair of converging legs may join at the mounting flange adjacent a respective mounting tab.
One or more additional embodiments of the present disclosure is directed to a loudspeaker assembly comprising a baffle and at least one speaker mounted to the baffle. Each speaker may include a diaphragm assembly including a diaphragm and a surround, a motor assembly for driving the diaphragm assembly, and a frame. The frame may have a base mechanically coupled to the motor assembly, a mounting flange coupled to the diaphragm via the surround, and a connecting structure extending between the base and the mounting flange. The connecting structure may include a plurality of tapered spokes extending from the base and tapering in a direction of the mounting flange to form a radial triangular pattern having an apex adjacent the mounting flange.
Each tapered spoke may have a convex curvature in relation to a central longitudinal axis of the frame. The mounting flange may include a plurality of mounting tabs having a mounting hole. The plurality of mounting tabs may extend outward to provide support for mounting the speaker. Moreover, a quantity of the plurality of mounting tabs may be equal to the quantity of the plurality of tapered spokes. Further, each tapered spoke may include a triangular cut-out region defining a pair of converging legs comprising a first converging leg and a second converging leg. The pair of converging legs may converge at the mounting flange adjacent a respective mounting tab.
As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention that may be embodied in various and alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale; some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention.
The mounting flange 110 may include mounting tabs 118 which extend outward to provide support for mounting the speaker 100 and to provide adequate clearance for mounting holes 120. Accordingly, the speaker 100 may be mounted to a baffle of a loudspeaker assembly (not shown) using appropriate fasteners (e.g., screws) fed through the respective mounting holes 120. The mounting flange 110 may also include non-tab portions 122 which only extend outward enough to form a seal with the baffle (not shown) to which the speaker 100 is mounted.
A voice coil former or bobbin 214 may be mechanically coupled to the diaphragm 114. The bobbin 214 may be further coupled to the frame 106 by a flexible suspension component referred to as a spider 216 (see also
As shown, the tapered spokes 300 may have a generally triangular or trapezoidal shape in that the width of the spoke at the base 108 of the frame 106 is greater than the width of the spoke at the mounting flange 110. The width, curvature, and the angle of the tapered spokes 300 may allow for a thin and lightweight configuration with uniformly distributed minimal stress. The cut-out region 402 in each tapered spoke 300 may reduce excess weight in the frame 106 without sacrificing its structural integrity. Each converging leg 404a,b in the pair of converging legs 404 may be symmetrical about a radial axis R extending from the center X of the frame 106 through the mounting holes 120. Moreover, the converging legs 404a and 404b may gently arc as each pair converges near the mounting flange 110. For instance, an outer edge 406 of each converging leg 404a,b with respect to the radial axis R may be rounded or convex. Further, each tapered spoke 300 may, in general, have a slightly convex curvature in relation to a central longitudinal axis L of the frame 106.
As shown in
Referring to
While exemplary embodiments are described above, it is not intended that these embodiments describe all possible forms of the invention. Rather, the words used in the specification are words of description rather than limitation, and it is understood that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Additionally, the features of various implementing embodiments may be combined to form further embodiments of the invention.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 62/731,268 filed Sep. 14, 2018, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated in its entirety by reference herein.
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20200092653 A1 | Mar 2020 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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62731268 | Sep 2018 | US |