This disclosure relates to electro-acoustic transducers. Existing electro-acoustic transducer designs include a voice coil coupled to a diaphragm or other sound radiating element and at least one suspension element, such as a surround or spider. Conductors, such as tinsel wire, are used to couple an input signal to the voice coil. In existing designs, the transducer often requires additional space to accommodate the conductors due to movement of the conductors during transducer operation. Without the additional space, the conductors may come in contact with other components within the transducer, which can lead to distortion and other undesirable effects on the sound being output from the transducer. The movement of the conductors during transducer operation can also lead to mechanical fatigue on the conductors and result in the transducer being inoperable. To accommodate the additional space necessary for the conductors, the height of the transducer is increased, resulting in an increased overall package size that may be undesirable in transducers having a high excursion relative to the size of the transducer.
All examples and features mentioned below can be combined in any technically possible way. Example mechanisms and techniques provide for electro-acoustic transducer suspension elements with built-in conductors that can be used in low-profile transducers. The proposed solution builds the conductors into one or more of the suspension members of the electro-acoustic transducer. The shape of the built-in conductor (once it enters the suspension member) can take various forms, including a “spring” (coiled) design or a “wave” design (which may look like a sinusoidal wave when viewed from the side). The non-linear shape of the built-in conductor may aid in preventing breakage of the conductor during operation of the electro-acoustic transducer due to strain and/or fatigue. By contrast, a substantially straight conductor frequently breaks near the edge of the suspension member during operation of the transducer. Providing a conductor having additional free length eliminates this failure point. In certain examples the suspension member includes tapered end portions projecting from the main portion of the suspension element. Thus, when viewed in cross section, the tapered end portions have a greater amount of thickness near the main portion, and reducing thickness when moving away from the main portion towards the inner and outer edges of the suspension element. The use of tapered end portions generates less fatigue on the conductor as it enters and/or exits the suspension member.
In one aspect, a suspension member of a transducer has a body, the body having a main portion, a first portion extending from the main portion and continuing to an outer edge, and a second portion extending from the main portion and continuing to an inner edge. The suspension member includes at least one conductor contained therein. The at least one conductor extends within the first portion, the main portion, and the second portion of the suspension member. A length of the at least one conductor within the suspension member body is greater than a minimal distance from the inner edge to the outer edge across the suspension member.
Examples may include one or more of the following features, or any combination thereof. A path of the at least one conductor within the suspension member may be substantially radial or at least partially traverse a circumference of the suspension member. The at least one conductor can comprise tinsel wire. The at least one conductor can have a wave shape within at least a portion of the suspension member or the at least one conductor can have a coiled shape within at least a portion of the suspension member. The suspension element may include at least one skin layer, the at least one skin layer surrounding a foam material, the at least one conductor being embedded within the foam material. At least one of the first portion and the second portion can have a generally tapered shape.
In another aspect, a suspension member of a transducer has a body, the body having a main portion, a first portion extending from the main portion and continuing to an outer edge, and a second portion extending from the main portion and continuing to an inner edge. The suspension member includes at least one conductor disposed along at least a portion of an outside surface of the suspension member. The at least one conductor has a first end and a second end. The first end extends within at least a section of the first portion and the second end extends within at least a section of the second portion. A length of the at least one conductor is greater than a minimal distance from the inner edge to the outer edge across the suspension member. At least one of the first portion and the second portion has a generally tapered shape.
Examples may include one or more of the following features, or any combination thereof. A path of the at least one conductor within the suspension member may be substantially radial or at least partially traverse a circumference of the suspension member. The at least one conductor can comprise tinsel wire. The at least one conductor can have a wave shape within at least a portion of the suspension member or the at least one conductor can have a coiled shape within at least a portion of the suspension member. The suspension element may include at least one skin layer, the at least one skin layer surrounding a foam material.
In another aspect, a suspension member of a transducer has a body, the body having a main portion, a first portion extending from the main portion and continuing to an outer edge, and a second portion extending from the main portion and continuing to an inner edge. The suspension member includes at least one conductor disposed within the suspension member body along an inside surface of the suspension member. The at least one conductor extends within the first portion, the main portion, and the second portion of the suspension member. A length of the at least one conductor within the suspension member body is greater than a minimal distance from the inner edge to the outer edge across the suspension member.
Examples may include one or more of the following features, or any combination thereof. A path of the at least one conductor within the suspension member may be substantially radial or at least partially traverse a circumference of the suspension member. The at least one conductor can comprise tinsel wire. The at least one conductor can have a wave shape within at least a portion of the suspension member or the at least one conductor can have a coiled shape within at least a portion of the suspension member. The suspension element may include at least one skin layer, the at least one skin layer surrounding a foam material, the at least one conductor being embedded within the foam material. At least one of the first portion and the second portion can have a generally tapered shape.
Note that each of the different features, techniques, configurations, etc. discussed in this disclosure can be executed independently or in combination.
The above and further features and advantages may be better understood by referring to the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters refer to the same parts throughout the different views. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of features and implementations.
Referring to
The transducer includes a mechanism to provide power to the voice coil (which is moving within the transducer during operation of the transducer), and to do so without affecting the movement of the voice coil during operation. Typically, power is provided to the voice coil via one or more conductors, sometimes referred to as tinsel wires. The connection of the conductors to the voice coil must be flexible due the voice coil movement while also being failure resistant (for example, resistant to stress or fatigue). The conductors may be built into one or more of the suspension members of the electro-acoustic transducer. It is desirable to minimize or eliminate stress concentration points on the conductors to reduce the likelihood of breakage. One way to minimize or eliminate stress concentration points is to add additional free length to the conductors. Free length refers to the end-to-end length of a wire, in other words, the length of a wire between two end and/or attachment points.
If a conductor that is anchored at both ends is moved between two points, the conductor undergoes stress. During movement of the voice coil, the length (L) of the conductor is changed, due to strain on the conductor. By increasing the length of the built-in conductor, the amount of strain is reduced. The length of the conductor can be increased in various ways. For example, the conductor could take on a coiled shape or other shapes having a three-dimensional path. The conductor could also take on a wave shape (e.g., a sinusoidal wave, step function, triangular wave) or other shapes having a two-dimensional path. In general, the conductor could take on any non-linear shape that provides added length as compared to a linear arrangement of the conductor. With the added length, movement of the conductor between two points involves less strain on the conductor. The coiled shape, wave shape, or other non-linear shape can have any number of turns and any diameter for the turns. These and other parameters can be adjusted based on the application of the transducer, and may vary depending on the suspension size, desired excursion, etc.
In electro-acoustic transducers having built-in conductors that do not provide additional free length, the points where the conductor enters and/or exits the suspension member are typically the points of failure. The conductor is in electrical and mechanical communication with a voice coil. The voice coil, during operation of the transducer, moves in a vertical plane along with the conductor. This can result in fatigue of the conductor, especially at the points where the conductor enters and/or exits the suspension member. The fatigue can be from the conductor stretching and moving up and down during operation of the transducer. This fatigue can lead to mechanical failure of the conductor, rendering the transducer unusable. In general, any point where the conductor is constrained to change direction can lead to a failure as described herein.
Referring now to
The suspension member 50 may be made from a flexible material, including, but not limited to, fabric, rubber, foam, or polyurethane (PU) plastic, such as thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU). The suspension member 50 may be made from multiple materials. For example, the suspension member 50 may comprise one or more skin layers that are filled with compressed or uncompressed foam, rubber or silicone. The skins could be made of various materials, including non-woven fabrics or woven fabrics, such as polyester. The skins could be porous or sealed with an elastomer, including but not limited to TPU. Alternatively, the suspension member 50 may comprise one or more skin layers surrounding a hollow area, unfilled with any material.
The suspension member 50 also includes at least one conductor 56 having a first end 70 and a second end 72. The first end 70 of the conductor 56 extends within the second portion 64 and continues to the inner edge 66 of the suspension member 50. The second end 72 of the conductor 56 extends within the first portion 60 and continues to the outer edge 62 of the suspension member 50. A length (L) of the conductor 56 within the suspension member 50 is greater than a minimal distance (D) from the inner edge 66 to the outer edge 62 across the suspension member 50. The shape of the conductor 56 in this example is coiled. In such a manner, the length of the conductor L is greater than the minimal measured distance D from end-to-end of the suspension member when viewed in cross-section, and this increased length makes the conductor 56 less susceptible to fatigue during use of the transducer.
As shown in the figures, the first and second portions 60, 64 have a tapered shape with the first and second portions including greater thickness near the main portion 52, and decreasing in thickness as the first and second portions extend away from the main portion 52 towards the inner and outer edges 66, 62. While a generally triangular tapered shape for the first and second portions are shown, it should be understood that the first and second portions could also comprise other shapes including but not limited to a circular projection, a rectangular projection and the like. By way of first portion 60 and second portion 64, there is less fatigue generated at the point where the conductor 56 enters and/or exits the suspension member 50. Due to the extended portions of the suspension member providing a certain amount of flexibility for the conductor during operation of the transducer, the stress experienced by the conductor as it enters and/or exits the extended portion is reduced. Providing a conductor having additional length through the coiled structure, as well as providing the extended portions of the suspension member serves to decrease the likelihood of breakage of the conductor near the edge of the suspension member.
Referring now to
The suspension member 100 also includes at least one conductor 106 having a first end 120 and a second end 122. The first end 120 of the conductor 106 extends within the second portion 114 and continues to the inner edge 116 of the suspension member 100. The second end 122 of the conductor 106 extends within the first portion 110 and continues to the outer edge 112 of the suspension member 100. A length (L) of the conductor 106 within the suspension member 100 is greater than a minimal distance from the inner edge 116 to the outer edge 112 across the suspension member 100. The shape of the conductor in this example is a wave. In such a manner, the length of the conductor L is greater than the minimal measured distance D from end-to-end of the suspension member 100 when viewed in cross-section, and this increased length makes the conductor 106 less susceptible to fatigue during use of the transducer.
As shown in the figures, the first and second portions 110, 114 have a tapered shape with the first and second portions including greater thickness near the main portion 102, and decreasing in thickness as the first and second portions extend away from the main portion 102 towards the inner and outer edges 116, 112. While a generally triangular tapered shape for the first and second portions are shown, it should be understood that the first and second portions could also comprise other shapes including but not limited to a circular projection, a rectangular projection and the like. By way of first portion 110 and second portion 114 there is less fatigue generated at the point where the conductor 106 enters and/or exits the suspension member 100. Due to the extended portions of the suspension member providing a certain amount of flexibility for the conductor during operation of the transducer, the stress experienced by the conductor as it enters and/or exits the extended portion is reduced. Providing a conductor having additional length through the wave structure, as well as providing the extended portions of the suspension member serves to decrease the likelihood of breakage of the conductor near the edge of the suspension member.
Referring now to
The suspension member 150 also includes at least one conductor 156 having a first end 170 and a second end 172. The conductor 156 extends within at least a section of first portion 160, along at least a portion of an outside surface 154 of main body 152 and within at least a section of second portion 164. The first end 170 of the conductor 156 extends to the inner edge 166 of the suspension member 150. The second end 172 of the conductor 156 extends to the outer edge 162 of the suspension member 150. A length (L) of the conductor 156 along the suspension member 150 is greater than a minimal distance (D) from the inner edge 166 to the outer edge 162 across the suspension member 150. The conductor may have a coiled shape, or wave shape, or other non-linear shapes that provide added length as compared to a linear arrangement of the conductor. The length of the conductor 156 is greater than the minimal measured distance D from end-to-end of the suspension member 150, and this increased length makes the conductor 156 less susceptible to fatigue during use of the transducer.
As shown in the figures, the first and second portions 160, 164 have a tapered shape with the first and second portions including greater thickness near the main portion 152, and decreasing in thickness as the first and second portions extend away from the main portion 152 towards the inner and outer edges 166, 162. While a generally triangular tapered shape for the first and second portions are shown, it should be understood that the first and second portions could also comprise other shapes including but not limited to a circular projection, a rectangular projection and the like. By way of first portion 160 and second portion 164, there is less fatigue generated at the point where the conductor 156 enters and/or exits the suspension member 150. Due to the extended portions of the suspension member providing a certain amount of flexibility for the conductor during operation of the transducer, the stress experienced by the conductor as it enters and/or exits the extended portion is reduced. Providing a conductor having additional length, as well as providing the extended portions of the suspension member serves to decrease the likelihood of breakage of the conductor near the edge of the suspension member.
Referring now to
The suspension member 200 also includes at least one conductor 206 having a first end 220 and a second end 222. The conductor 206 runs along at least a portion of an inside surface 204 of first portion 210, main body 202 and second portion 214. The first end 220 of the conductor 206 extends within the inner edge 216. The second end 222 of the conductor 206 extends within the outer edge 212 of the suspension member 200. The conductor may have a coiled shape, wave shape, or other non-linear shapes that provide added length as compared to a linear arrangement of the conductor. The length of the conductor L within the suspension member body 202 is greater than the minimal measured distance D from end-to-end of the suspension member 200, and this increased length makes the conductor 206 less susceptible to fatigue during use of the transducer.
As shown in the figures, the first and second portions 210, 214 have a tapered shape with the first and second portions including greater thickness near the main portion 202, and decreasing in thickness as the first and second portions extend away from the main portion 202 towards the inner and outer edges 216, 212. While a generally triangular tapered shape for the first and second portions are shown, it should be understood that the first and second portions could also comprise other shapes including but not limited to a circular projection, a rectangular projection and the like. By way of first portion 210 and second portion 214, there is less fatigue generated at the point where the conductor 206 enters and/or exits the suspension member 200. Due to the extended portions of the suspension member providing a certain amount of flexibility for the conductor during operation of the transducer, the stress experienced by the conductor as it enters and/or exits the extended portion is reduced. Providing a conductor having additional length, as well as providing the extended portions of the suspension member serves to decrease the likelihood of breakage of the conductor near the edge of the suspension member.
Referring now to
Referring now to
The one or more conductors could run through a plane within the suspension element or could follow the outer surface of the suspension element (on the top or bottom of a convolution). For example, in a suspension element comprising two skins filled with foam, the one or more conductors could be on top of the skin, under the skin, or encapsulated within the foam. The presently described electro-acoustic transducer suspension element is especially important for transducer designs having a high excursion relative to the size of the transducer, as it enables a design that has a shorter height with no additional space in between the suspension elements.
Throughout the entirety of the present disclosure, use of the articles “a” or “an” to modify a noun may be understood to be used for convenience and to include one, or more than one of the modified noun, unless otherwise specifically stated. Elements, components, modules, and/or parts thereof that are described and/or otherwise portrayed through the figures to communicate with, be coupled to, be associated with, and/or be based on, something else, may be understood to so communicate, be coupled to, be associated with, and or be based on in a direct and/or indirect manner, unless otherwise stipulated herein.
A number of implementations have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that additional modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the inventive concepts described herein, and, accordingly, other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims.