Cooling Feature Patents (Class 381/397)
  • Patent number: 8452040
    Abstract: This is a novel speaker design which introduces its own integrated bass-reflex. This design allows for improved cooling for the speaker's voice coil over existing designs and has acoustics that are more natural and of higher quality than known speakers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Inventor: Srdjan Perovic
  • Publication number: 20130108099
    Abstract: A structure of a loudspeaker is designed to increase a heat dissipation effect while decrease distortion of sound wave. The loudspeaker has a speaker frame, a diaphragm connected to the speaker frame in a manner capable of vibration, a voice coil connected to the diaphragm to vibrate the diaphragm, a magnetic assembly configured by an inner cylinder and an outer cylinder, a shorting member mounted on an outer surface of the inner cylinder and inserted in a gap of the magnetic assembly, shorting member extensions integrally connected with the shorting member and extended in radial directions of the loudspeaker, and openings formed in the radial directions on the outer cylinder of the magnetic assembly to receive the shorting member extensions. The shorting member, plurality of shorting member extensions, and speaker frame are integrally formed with one another to dissipate heat generated by the voice coil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2011
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Inventors: Jason Kemmerer, James J. Walter
  • Publication number: 20130089231
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a mobile device including a magnet unit that is thermally coupled to the heat sink portion of a housing of the mobile device is disclosed. The mobile device comprises a speaker driver that includes a magnet unit, a housing having a heat sink portion that is made of a material having a high thermal conductivity, and a thermal component. The heat sink portion has a first face that is coupled to the speaker driver and a second face that is exposed to the exterior of the mobile device. The thermal component binds the speaker driver to the first face of the heat sink portion to create a cooling path from the magnet unit to the exterior of the mobile device. Other embodiments are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2011
    Publication date: April 11, 2013
    Applicant: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Christopher Raymond Wilk, Ruchir M. Dave, Sawyer I. Cohen
  • Patent number: 8406450
    Abstract: A thermoacoustic device includes at least one first electrode, at least one second electrode, a thermoacoustic element, a base and a plurality of fins. The at least one second electrode is spaced from the at least one first electrode. The thermoacoustic element is electrically connected with the at least one first electrode and the at least one second electrode. The base supports the thermoacoustic element and the at least one first electrode and the at least one second electrode. The fins are in thermal engagement with the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignees: Tsinghua University, Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kai-Li Jiang, Liang Liu, Chen Feng, Li Qian, Shou-Shan Fan
  • Publication number: 20120237077
    Abstract: Described is a vented speaker driver assembly utilizing a speaker driver having a pole piece that defines therein a vent that is not covered by a dust cap. The frame of the speaker driver is configured to be mounted to a structure's surface such that the pole piece of the driver is located within the structure's interior space. The vented speaker driver is configured to be utilized in a back-to-back vented driver assembly wherein the sound of more than one speaker driver is achieved in a footprint of only one driver and with minimized generation of physical vibrations from the assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2011
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Inventor: Eugen Nedelcu
  • Patent number: 8259953
    Abstract: Electro dynamic transducers can fail due to either excessive voice coil excursion, causing mechanical clipping, or by overheating of the voice coil causing degradation of the materials. The disclosed invention relates to protection against excess voice coil temperature in such transducers. The current through the transducer voice coil and the voltage across its terminals, are measured. The resistive part of the impedance of the transducer is then estimated based on the measurements of current and voltage. When the resistive impedance for the given type of transducer is well known at one temperature it is then possible to calculate the temperature when the resistive impedance changes. The estimated voice coil temperature is then fed to a signal attenuator or controller, which attenuates the output signal to the transducer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Bang & Olufsen Icepower A/S
    Inventors: Bjørn Sand Jensen, Mads Emil Solgaard
  • Patent number: 8259986
    Abstract: A loudspeaker design delivers improved efficiency by reducing the power required from an audio source to produce sound. The loudspeaker includes a magnet housing, at least two magnets and a magnetic flux collector. The magnetic flux collector is coupled with and extends away from the magnet housing. Magnetic flux generated by the magnets is received and channeled by the magnetic flux collector and the magnet housing to an air gap included in the loudspeaker to maximize the availability of the magnetic energy of the magnets in the air gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Harman International Industries, Incorporated
    Inventors: Benny Danovi, Eric Royse
  • Patent number: 8175319
    Abstract: A moving coil loudspeaker has an interchangeable magnet assembly with a plurality of interchangeable magnet segments configured to be circumferentially disposed about a voice coil within the loudspeaker. Heat sink members can be arranged in between the magnet segments to absorb excess heat generated during operation of the loud speaker. In one embodiment, the magnet assembly has at least one annular magnetic member made up of the plurality of magnet segments, a plurality of heat sink members disposed in between the magnet segments, an annular first plate adjacent a first side of the annular magnetic member, and a yoke member having a second plate adjacent a second side of the annular magnetic member and a central cylindrical portion configured to pass through a central opening in the annular magnetic member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Inventors: Yoichiro Sumitani, Chun-Yi Lin
  • Patent number: 8175321
    Abstract: A diaphragm for a speaker includes two portions. The first portion is made of metallic material for producing a high frequency tone. The second portion is made of a non-metallic material for producing a low frequency tone. The first portion is joined at a first peripheral edge to a voice coil while a second peripheral edge is joined at a first peripheral edge of the second portion to form the diaphragm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Samson Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas Bryant, Michael A. Ketchell
  • Patent number: 8165336
    Abstract: A voice coil includes a cylindrical bobbin formed of a first material; a coil which surrounds on an outer circumferential surface of the bobbin; and a plurality of reinforcement members formed of a material having a propagation speed faster than the first material and provided on the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical bobbin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Victor Company of Japan, Limited
    Inventors: Junji Iino, Shinji Kamimura, Satoshi Imamura
  • Patent number: 8165335
    Abstract: The present invention is to provide a speaker having desirable sound characteristics with a smaller size, and a speaker unit having the speaker. The speaker unit has the speaker and an attachment unit. The speaker has a case, a magnetic circuit, a diaphragm, and a passage. A first chamber is disposed between an inner surface of an outer case of the case and an outer surface of the magnetic circuit. A second chamber is disposed between the diaphragm and the magnetic circuit. The passage communicates with the first and second chambers and has a groove disposed on a bottom wall of the case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignees: Pioneer Corporation, Tohoku Pioneer Corporation
    Inventors: Shinichi Hayasaka, Koji Takayama, Hiroyuki Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 8150095
    Abstract: A thermal management system improves thermal property of the speaker system by promoting air circulation to cool the speaker system. The thermal management system includes a speaker frame, an air guide formed on the speaker frame for guiding the air, a ventilation slit formed on the air guide which penetrates through the speaker frame for air communication, and a spider mounting ring for mounting a spider of the speaker system on the speaker frame. The spider mounting ring has a cut-out at its upper edge which positionally match the air guide. The cut-out is curved sharply at its upper surface while a lower edge of the spider mounting ring is gently curved, thereby creating an air passage of directional property.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Alpine Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Jason Kemmerer
  • Patent number: 8131000
    Abstract: A cooling arrangement for voice coil of speaker is disclosed to include a first bearing cup, a second bearing cup inserted into a top opening of the first bearing cup with a top flange thereof stopped at the top side of the first bearing cup to support a voice coil inside the first bewaring cup, and a conical outer holding down cup sleeved onto the first bearing cup to hold down a damper on a bottom flange of the first bearing cup and having a top edge bonded to a cone paper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Hi-Tech Sound System Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Steff Lin
  • Patent number: 8107662
    Abstract: A ported electroacoustical device uses the action of the port to provide cooling airflow across a heat producing device. The device includes a loudspeaker enclosure including a first acoustic port, and an acoustic driver, mounted in the loudspeaker enclosure. The device also includes a heat producing device. The acoustic driver and the acoustic port are constructed and arranged to coact to provide a cooling, substantially unidirectional airflow across the heat producing device, thereby transferring heat from the heat producing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Bose Corporation
    Inventor: Robert Preston Parker
  • Patent number: 8094866
    Abstract: A loudspeaker in which the cone contains holes which allows the air behind the dust cover to flow freely in and out from behind the dust cover as the cone moves. There may also be a hole or holes in the lower suspension to allow air to escape from behind the lower suspension without ever becoming turbulent. All edges on the cone and basket are to be rounded as much as economically possible to prevent the air flow from becoming turbulent. The back of the speaker should be wrapped in a cloth like nylon tulle to prevent magnetic particles from getting into the magnetic structure causing speaker failure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Inventor: Joel Dean Finegan
  • Patent number: 8087804
    Abstract: An illuminating device comprises a heat sink, at least one light emitting module and a speaker. The heat sink has a first containing space, a second containing space and a first channel being in communication with the first containing space and the second containing space. The light emitting module is arranged in the first containing space and contacted with the heat sink. The speaker comprising a thin film is arranged in the second containing space. When the speaker is in operation, the thin film vibrates so that a first airflow from the second containing space to the first containing space through the first channel is formed. In the above-mentioned illuminating device, the vibration of the thin film of the speaker causes air in the first containing space to flow, and the heat dissipation efficiency of the illuminating device is improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: Kinpo Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Chun-I Sun
  • Patent number: 8059856
    Abstract: A heat sink for a loudspeaker assembly includes: a housing of generally toroidal shape defining an interior portion and an exterior portion; and a plurality of fins extending from within the interior portion of the housing to, and at least partially over, the exterior portion of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Peavey Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Donald K. Avera
  • Publication number: 20110243364
    Abstract: A structure of a loudspeaker is designed to decrease a thickness or height thereof, thereby reducing a mounting depth of the loudspeaker on a mounting panel or wall. The loudspeaker includes a speaker frame, a diaphragm connected to the speaker frame in a manner capable of vibration, a voice coil connected to the diaphragm through a coil bobbin to receive an electric signal to vibrate the diaphragm, a spider connected to the speaker frame and to the diaphragm for supporting the diaphragm and the voice coil in a flexible manner, a magnetic assembly including a top plate, a permanent magnet and a pole piece for creating a magnetic circuit for interaction with the voice coil inserted in an air gap, and a plurality of cut-outs formed on a top of the magnetic assembly at an outside thereof to receive therein corresponding suspension elements of the spider.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2011
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Inventor: James J. Walter
  • Patent number: 8014555
    Abstract: An electromagnetic transducer includes a housing, a diaphragm, a conductive coil, and a magnetic assembly having a plurality of air passages. The coil communicates with the diaphragm such that a flexible portion of the diaphragm is movable in response to movement of the coil. The coil includes axially spaced first and second coil portions. The magnetic assembly is disposed in the housing and is axially spaced from the diaphragm by an interior region. The coil portions are at least partially disposed in an annular gap formed in the magnetic assembly. Each air passage communicates with the interior region and with a respective aperture of the housing. The air passages provide respective air flow paths between the diaphragm and the ambient environment. Air flow through the passages is affected by movement of the flexible diaphragm portion for transferring heat from the transducer to the ambient environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Harman International Industries, Incorporated
    Inventors: Ralph E. Hyde, Douglas J. Button
  • Publication number: 20110206231
    Abstract: An electromagnetic converter includes a magnetic circuit having permanent magnets, a lower frame for fixing magnetic pole faces of these permanent magnets thereto, an upper frame having an opening formed therein on a side of the other magnetic pole faces of the permanent magnets and plates fixed to the other magnetic pole faces, and a diaphragm having a voice coil pattern arranged on side portions thereof in a direction of the length thereof and on a top portion thereof in a direction of the width thereof. Protruding portions join between these side portions. The periphery of the top portion is joined to the periphery of the opening of the upper frame via an upper gasket. A flange at the edges of the four side portions is joined to an inner surface of the upper frame, i.e., an inner portion of the magnetic circuit via a lower gasket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2010
    Publication date: August 25, 2011
    Applicant: Mitsubishi Electric Engineering Company, Limited
    Inventor: Shunji YOSHIDA
  • Publication number: 20110188697
    Abstract: A flat thin dynamic speaker which includes a motor unit, a suspension unit, a radiating unit and a frame arranged in such a manner that the motor unit and the suspension unit are at the same plane while the radiating unit is on top of the motor unit such that the thickness of the speaker assembly is reduced while the performance of the speaker assembly is maintained or even improved. Also, the speaker can be made into a quadrangular, polygon or a spherical structure. The speaker further has a surround at a level lower than the radiating unit without utilizing the radiating surface of the radiating unit such as a maximized radiating surface is provided, and includes a dual side voice-coil actuation to the radiator unit, thereby providing a slim and flat speaker assembly with high power output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2011
    Publication date: August 4, 2011
    Inventor: Walter Ka Wai Chu
  • Patent number: 7970160
    Abstract: A speaker apparatus which does not need insertion of a stand into a speaker box, and which can prevent vibrations occurring in a speaker unit from transmitting to the speaker box by the speaker apparatus itself is provided. Within a speaker box which can be divided into first and second half portions, a plurality of supports extending from a main body portion of a weight radially are fixed at a connecting portion of the speaker box by bolts. A driving portion of a speaker unit is coupled to the main body portion of the weight, and is supported inside the speaker box in a manner that vibrations do not transmit, by the main body portion of the weight acting as a virtual ground. In order to swing the speaker box, a stand and the speaker box are pivotally supported by a pivotally supporting mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Fujitsu Ten Limited
    Inventor: Mitsuhiro Hiramoto
  • Patent number: 7940951
    Abstract: A heat dissipation device includes a hollow housing and a speaker. The hollow housing has a first opening and a second opening. The speaker is disposed at the first opening, wherein the speaker includes a diaphragm oscillating within a frequency scope the human ear cannot or hardly hear so as to generate airflow through the second opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: Quanta Computer Inc.
    Inventors: Han-Ting Chen, Yun-Liang Hsieh, Jung-Wen Chang
  • Patent number: 7936896
    Abstract: According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a speaker apparatus including: a magnetic circuit; a vibrating plate vibrated by the magnetic circuit; a speaker frame holding the magnetic circuit and the vibrating plate, and a connecting portion connecting a portion of holding the vibrating plate and a portion of holding the magnetic circuit, an inclined face of the connecting portion being inclined relative to a direction of tangential line of circumference of the speaker frame, the connecting portion configured to flow air due to a vibration of the vibrating plate along the inclined face thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignees: Pioneer Corporation, Tohoku Pioneer Corporation
    Inventors: Minoru Horigome, Teruaki Kaiya, Yuichi Takahashi
  • Publication number: 20110085694
    Abstract: An ultra-thin speaker includes a metal upper casing, and a metal lower casing corresponding to the metal upper casing and capable of covering a vibrating membrane, a support frame, a magnet and a yoke between two corresponding internal surfaces of the metal upper and lower casings and forming a contact surface with the yoke, such that after the yoke conducts heat of a heat source to the metal lower casing, the heat is conducted to the metal upper casing through a connection and a contact of the metal upper and lower casings to increase a heat dissipating area, so as to overcome the heat dissipation problem and minimize the overall thickness of the speaker.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2010
    Publication date: April 14, 2011
    Applicant: FORTUNE GRAND TECHNOLOGY INC.
    Inventor: PING-YU LEE
  • Patent number: 7912239
    Abstract: A flat speaker comprising a vibrating plate including a spiral voice coil, a lead portion extracted from the vice coil and reinforced by the reinforcing member, and an electric supply line; an edge portion supporting the vibrating plate; and a yoke, supporting the edge portion, on which the permanent magnet arranged to face the voice coil. The flat speaker 1 of the invention includes a vibrating membrane 2 of an insulating base film 3 with a spiral or meandering voice coil 4 formed on one or both faces thereof, a permanent magnet 5 arranged on corresponding location facing the voice coil 4; and a yoke 6 on which the permanent magnet 5 is arranged. The vibrating membrane 2 is avoided from hitting the permanent magnet by providing a perforated sheet on the back face of the yoke to control acoustic resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignees: The Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd., Fujitsu Ten Limited
    Inventors: Takeshi Nishimura, Masato Sorimachi, Yuuzo Nakajima, Hiroshi Ikeda, Kiyoshi Ootani, Akira Nishikawa, Yuichi Nakajima, Kiyosei Shibata
  • Publication number: 20110026757
    Abstract: A diaphragm for acoustic converter includes a base and a damping layer formed on one surface or both surfaces of the base. The damping layer includes a particle having a heat dissipating function, and has detachability with respect to the base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2008
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Applicants: PIONEER CORPORATION, TOHOKU PIONEER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hideki Takahashi, Hayato Otomo, Kenji Takahashi
  • Patent number: 7881490
    Abstract: A speaker device includes a magnetic circuit, a vibration system, a frame and a terminal. The frame is formed into a frame shape, and an inner wall thereof holds the magnetic circuit. Particularly, the frame has an opening for ventilation, which makes a rear surface positioned on a side opposite to a sound output direction and a side surface curved to a direction of the sound output direction from a peripheral end of the rear surface communicate with each other, and the terminal covers the opening on the rear surface of the frame. Therefore, the opening is provided on the side surface of the frame, and ventilation performance of the speaker device is ensured. In addition, by such amount that no opening is provided on the rear surface of the frame, a setting space of the terminal can be enlarged on the rear surface of the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignees: Pioneer Corporation, Tohoku Pioneer Corporation
    Inventors: Satoshi Chiba, Shunichi Hiramuki
  • Publication number: 20100316248
    Abstract: An improved self-cooling loudspeaker of the electrodynamic type, formed by a magnetic circuit includes a cylindrical permanent magnet (1) and two polar parts (2 and 3), namely a cylindrical “core ring” (2) positioned on the permanent magnet (1) and a “return vessel” (3) having a circular plan view, on which the permanent magnet (1) is placed. The “core ring” (2) includes a plurality of helical grooves (4) on the outer cylindrical face thereof, while the “return vessel” (3) also includes a plurality of helical grooves (5) on the upper part of the inner cylindrical face thereof, matching the grooving (4) of the “core ring” (2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2009
    Publication date: December 16, 2010
    Applicants: ACUSTICA BEYMA, SL
    Inventor: Jose Martinez-Iranzo
  • Publication number: 20100316247
    Abstract: A loudspeaker has an alarm and a luminous element, these being an improvement upon exiting loudspeakers having luminous elements. The luminous element is an illuminating lamp. A radiative cooling fin is mounted near the illuminating lamp. The use of radiator cooling firework permits a larger power light to be selected as the luminous element. This makes the loudspeaker capable of functioning as a substitute light source within an area. Also, the assembly employs an alarm with the loudspeaker. The brighter light emitted by the illuminating lamp on each loudspeaker provides better illumination. The lamp may also flash according to pre-programmed directions for the purpose of indicating a path and thereby helping people to escape from danger. Further, where the external power source fails, the loudspeaker assembly has a built-in emergency power source, ensuring that the loudspeaker and the illuminating lamp can still work normally.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2008
    Publication date: December 16, 2010
    Inventor: Feng Ding
  • Patent number: 7831059
    Abstract: An electro-magnetic audio transducer that is self-cooling by inhaling and exhausting an area that is separated from the reminder of the transducer by an instantaneous decrease or increase, respectively, of the pressure within that area by the movement of a coil when electrically excited. The coil being wound on a bobbin that defines an interior cavity that changes in size as the coil is excited causing that size to increase or decrease thus inhaling or exhausting, respectfully, air into or out of the cavity by the pressure change. That movement of air resulting in convective cooling of the coil and transducer. The bobbin encircling a magnetic pole piece with a cooling cap on top thereof with slots therethrough through which air is drawn in opposite directions as the size of the cavity within the bobbin changes size as the coil is electrically excited.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Inventor: Joseph Y. Sahyoun
  • Patent number: 7804976
    Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method is disclosed for providing auxiliary heat dissipating capacity to a loudspeaker assembly. The apparatus comprises a plug that is inserted into a vent at the back of a loudspeaker assembly and extends away therefrom. The plug makes a thermal connection with the pole piece through which the vent is bored, so that the plug conducts at one end the heat from the pole piece that is radiated thereto by the voice coil and radiates this heat to the ambient air at its other end. A plate may be affixed to it other end to provide an additional heat sink for the apparatus. The apparatus may be removable or permanently affixed to the pole piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Inventor: Wayne Parham
  • Publication number: 20100215206
    Abstract: An audio speaker has at least one transducer for converting electrical signals into mechanical motion. There is a planar sound producing structure that has a first face and a second face. A mechanical connection connects the at least one transducer to the sound producing structure, such that mechanical motion produced by the at least one transducer induces the sound producing structure to vibrate and produces sound from the first face and the second face. A deflector is interposed between the at least one transducer and the sound producing structure. The deflector is adjacent to the second face of the sound producing structure and reflects the produced sound from the second face of the sound producing structure to a listening area forward of the first face.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2010
    Publication date: August 26, 2010
    Inventor: Allan SCHNEIDER
  • Publication number: 20100195851
    Abstract: In a representative embodiment, an apparatus, comprises a substrate; a microelectronic ultrasonic transducer (MUT) disposed over the substrate; and a thermoelectric device disposed proximate to the MUT and configured to provide heat to or remove heat from the MUT. A microelectromechanical MEMs device is also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2009
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Applicant: Avago Technologies Wireless IP (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventor: OSVALDO BUCCAFUSCA
  • Patent number: 7747034
    Abstract: A speaker device includes a voice coil bobbin around which a voice coil is wound, and a connecting member mounted on an outer peripheral wall of the voice coil bobbin. Plural ventilation holes are provided on a side wall of the voice coil bobbin with constant spaces, and plural ventilation holes are provided at a cylindrical part of the connecting member with constant spaces. Particularly, in this speaker device, each position of the ventilation holes of the connecting member coincides with each position of the ventilation holes of the voice coil bobbin in such a state that the connecting member is mounted on the outer peripheral wall of the voice coil bobbin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignees: Pioneer Corporation, Tohoku Pioneer Corporation
    Inventor: Tomoyuki Watanabe
  • Publication number: 20100158305
    Abstract: A loudspeaker includes frame, diaphragm whose outer rim is supported by this frame, voice coil unit connected to this diaphragm, magnetic circuit where voice coil of this voice coil unit is movably disposed in its magnetic gap, and first edge member and second edge member for supporting voice coil unit by frame. Voice coil unit is supported at two points at a predetermined interval to the side of magnetic gap from a part where diaphragm is connected. First edge member and second edge member include heat-resistant connectors that allow air to pass through, and ring edges and made of a resilient material connected to these connectors. Edge of first edge member or edge of second edge member protrudes toward diaphragm and the other edge protrudes toward magnetic circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2008
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Inventors: Osamu Funahashi, Hiroyuki Morimoto, Kazuyoshi Umemura
  • Patent number: 7724912
    Abstract: A speaker assembly includes a rigid, structurally stable and self supporting housing within which at least a first driver is mounted and enclosed. The housing including a first aperture formed in a first wall of the housing. The first driver includes a cone coupled to a driver magnet for generating sound. The driver magnet is seated within the first aperture exposing a portion of the driver magnet to an exterior of the housing. The driver magnet is encircled by a foam gasket member, the foam gasket member being shaped and dimensioned to permit airflow about the magnet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Inventor: Dennis A. Tracy
  • Patent number: 7715584
    Abstract: An air deflector is positioned relative to the through bore in the pole piece of the motor structure of a speaker such that the flow of air entering and leaving a cavity overlying the voice coil and pole piece is directed along a flow path which passes in thermal communication with at least a portion of the inner surface of the former of the voice coil opposite the wire winding on the outer surface of the former.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: JL Audio, Inc.
    Inventor: Lucio Proni
  • Publication number: 20100092023
    Abstract: A diaphragm for a speaker includes two portions. The first portion is made of metallic material for producing a high frequency tone. The second portion is made of a non-metallic material for producing a low frequency tone. The first portion is joined at a first peripheral edge to a voice coil while a second peripheral edge is joined at a first peripheral edge of the second portion to form the diaphragm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2007
    Publication date: April 15, 2010
    Applicant: SAMSON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Douglas Bryant, Michael A. Ketchell
  • Patent number: 7684585
    Abstract: A thermal management system improves thermal property of the speaker system by promoting air circulation to cool the speaker system. The thermal management system includes a speaker frame, an air guide formed on the speaker frame for guiding the air, a ventilation slit formed on the air guide which penetrates through the speaker frame for air communication, and a spider mounting ring for mounting a spider of the speaker system on the speaker frame. The spider mounting ring has a cut-out at its upper edge which positionally match the air guide. The cut-out is curved sharply at its upper surface while a lower edge of the spider mounting ring is gently curved, thereby creating an air passage of directional property.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: Alpine Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Jason Kemmerer
  • Patent number: 7668333
    Abstract: A speaker frame comprising: a rear end wall; a damper support portion; an edge support portion to which an edge as an outer circumferential portion of a vibration plate is to be stuck and fixed; and plural frame arms which connect the edge support portion to the rear end wall and the damper support portion, wherein: a width of each of the frame arms increases as the position goes from the edge support portion to the damper support portion, and damper-support-portion-side end portions of side edges of adjoining frame arms are continuous with each other to form a single as an axis of symmetry, a bisector of an angle formed by the adjoining frame arms; and a single vent window is formed in each of the frame arms, and a reinforcement rib erects at a circumferential edge of the vent window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Pioneer Corporation
    Inventors: Minoru Horigome, Toshihiro Hikichi, Takashi Haba
  • Publication number: 20090310813
    Abstract: A moving coil loudspeaker has an interchangeable magnet assembly with a plurality of interchangeable magnet segments configured to be circumferentially disposed about a voice coil within the loudspeaker. Heat sink members can be arranged in between the magnet segments to absorb excess heat generated during operation of the loud speaker. In one embodiment, the magnet assembly has at least one annular magnetic member made up of the plurality of magnet segments, a plurality of heat sink members disposed in between the magnet segments, an annular first plate adjacent a first side of the annular magnetic member, and a yoke member having a second plate adjacent a second side of the annular magnetic member and a central cylindrical portion configured to pass through a central opening in the annular magnetic member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2008
    Publication date: December 17, 2009
    Inventors: Yoichiro Sumitani, Chun-Yi Lin
  • Patent number: 7634101
    Abstract: A thermal management system promotes cooling effects of a loudspeaker. The thermal management system includes an internal heat sink having a tubular shape and mounted between a pole piece and a magnet of the loudspeaker, the internal heat sink having pleat portions to form a plurality of air passages on an inner surface from top to bottom thereof; and a back plate connected to the pole piece and having ventilation holes that vertically penetrate through the back plate, the internal heat sink and the magnet being mounted on the back plate. A lower end of the air passage on the internal heat sink is positionally matched with an upper opening of the ventilation hole on the back plate, thereby allowing an air flow through the air passage and the ventilation hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Assignee: Alpine Electronics, Inc
    Inventor: Jason Kemmerer
  • Patent number: 7574013
    Abstract: The speaker has a frame, a magnetic circuit, a voice coil body and a diaphragm. The magnetic circuit is disposed inside of the frame to form a magnetic gap. The voice coil body is disposed movably in the magnetic gap. The diaphragm is coupled to the voice coil body by an inner periphery edge thereof and to the frame by an outer periphery edge thereof. The outer peripheral surface of a convex portion provided on a bottom of the frame is at least either being brought into contact with or in proximity to the magnetic circuit. The configuration can provide the speaker with excellent heat dissipation characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Osamu Funahashi, Seiichi Yoshida, Kimihiro Ando, Kazuyoshi Umemura, Yoichi Asahi
  • Patent number: 7570779
    Abstract: In a speaker having a magnet circuit causing vibrations of a diaphragm and attached to and supported on a frame, a plurality of projections is formed on a bottom portion of the frame supporting the magnetic circuit. The projections are in point contact with a rear-facing face of a flange of a yoke partially forming the magnetic circuit in order for the magnetic circuit to be supported on the speaker frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignees: Pioneer Corporation, Tohoko Pioneer Corporation
    Inventor: Hideaki Sugiura
  • Publication number: 20090046887
    Abstract: A cooling arrangement for voice coil of speaker is disclosed to include a first bearing cup, a second bearing cup inserted into a top opening of the first bearing cup with a top flange thereof stopped at the top side of the first bearing cup to support a voice coil inside the first bewaring cup, and a conical outer holding down cup sleeved onto the first bearing cup to hold down a damper on a bottom flange of the first bearing cup and having a top edge bonded to a cone paper.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2007
    Publication date: February 19, 2009
    Applicant: HI-TECH SOUND SYSTEM CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Steff Lin
  • Publication number: 20090041282
    Abstract: A ported electroacoustical device uses the action of the port to provide cooling airflow across a heat producing device. The device includes a loudspeaker enclosure including a first acoustic port, and an acoustic driver, mounted in the loudspeaker enclosure. The device also includes a heat producing device. The acoustic driver and the acoustic port are constructed and arranged to coact to provide a cooling, substantially unidirectional airflow across the heat producing device, thereby transferring heat from the heat producing device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2008
    Publication date: February 12, 2009
    Inventors: Robert Preston Parker, Antonio M. Lage, Mark R. Hickman
  • Publication number: 20080304694
    Abstract: A speaker includes: a heat sink disposed at the front of a bobbin; and a coupler disposed between the front of the heat sink and the rear of a diaphragm, wherein the heat sink includes: a base portion having an outer circumferential wall and disposed inside the bobbin; and a flange portion extending axially outwardly from the forefront of the outer circumferential wall and having its rear face disposed in contact with the front of the bobbin, and the coupler includes: a diaphragm supporting portion disposed at the rear of the diaphragm; and inner and outer annular walls disposed at the diaphragm supporting portion, and wherein the heat sink is connected to the coupler such that the base portion and the flange portion of the heat sink are connected respectively to the inner annular wall and the outer annular wall of the coupler.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2008
    Publication date: December 11, 2008
    Inventor: Shigeru Hayashi
  • Patent number: 7447318
    Abstract: This invention provides a compensation system capable of compensating for power loss due to the power compression effects of the voice coil as the temperature of the voice coil increases. To compensate for the power compression effect, the invention predicts or estimates the temperature of the voice coil using a thermal-model, and adjusts the estimated temperature according to the cooling effect as the voice coil moves back and forth in the air gap. The thermal-model may be an equivalent electrical circuit that models the thermal circuit of a loudspeaker. With the input signal equating to the voltage delivered to the loudspeaker, the thermal-model estimates a temperature of the voice coil. The estimated temperature is then used to modify equalization parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignee: Harman International Industries, Incorporated
    Inventors: Douglas J. Button, Paul Robert Williams
  • Patent number: 7426283
    Abstract: An outer-radial magnetic-flux applying unit of a speaker device includes an annular main unit and at least one piece of annular sub-unit stacked atop a free end of the main unit. A heat-dissipating member composed of a material having a good thermal conductivity encompasses the outer-radial magnetic-flux applying unit including the sub-unit and is thermally bonded with the outer-radial magnetic-flux applying unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2008
    Assignees: Pioneer Corporation, Tohoku Pioneer Corporation
    Inventors: Teruaki Kaiya, Seiya Sato