Cooling Feature Patents (Class 381/397)
  • Patent number: 7388963
    Abstract: A speaker apparatus includes a speaker, and a circuit to operate the speaker. The speaker apparatus further includes a speaker box having an opening to enclose a back of the speaker; a casing accommodating the speaker box combined with the speaker and the circuit therein, and communicating with an outside so as to dissipate heat from the circuit; and a duct penetrating the casing and the speaker box so as to emit back sound of the speaker. The present invention provides a speaker apparatus, which has high heat-dissipating efficiency, can be manufactured in various designs, and prevents a user from being burned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2008
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sang-hyun Han, Woo-nam Byun
  • Publication number: 20080075317
    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: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2006
    Publication date: March 27, 2008
    Applicant: Quanta Computer Inc.
    Inventors: Han-Ting Chen, Yun-Liang Hsieh, Jung-Wen Chang
  • Patent number: 7349207
    Abstract: An audio system includes a housing which has at least one port, at least one speaker driver with a diaphragm located in the housing, a tube made of one or more thermally conductive materials and having at least two openings, and at least one electronic component which is thermally coupled to the tube. The tube is at least partially located in the housing with one of the openings of the tube at least adjacent to the port of the housing. Movement of the diaphragm helps move air into and out of the tube to dissipate heat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: Brookstone Purchasing, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth David Harris, Vian W. Y. Li
  • Publication number: 20080025549
    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: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2006
    Publication date: January 31, 2008
    Applicant: Peavey Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Donald K. Avera
  • Patent number: 7181039
    Abstract: A thermally conductive chimney tube extends through a loudspeaker cabinet that encloses a volume of air heated by a speaker driver. The open ends of the chimney are outside the cabinet. A column of air within the chimney is in contact with the external ambient air, but sealed off from the enclosed volume of air. As the speaker driver heats the enclosed volume of air, the material of the chimney transfers the heat to the column of air, which rises and carries the heat away into the external ambient air, cooling the inside of the loudspeaker cabinet and thus cooling the speaker driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Assignee: Step Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Enrique M. Stiles, Richard C. Calderwood
  • Patent number: 7177439
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods and apparatus for dissipating heat in a voice coil of a loudspeaker, where at least one of: a bobbin having a substantially cylindrical shaped wall member is operable to support the voice coil, and the wall member includes at least one aperture operable to provide thermal communication from the voice coil through the wall member; and a heatsink is coupled to an outer surface of a bobbin and is in thermal communication with the voice coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Peavey Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy Bryan Tardo, Hartley D. Peavey
  • Patent number: 7120270
    Abstract: An acoustic device having a heat producing device, such as an amplifier and a heat sink for transferring heat from the amplifier. The acoustic device has a cone having an inner surface, and a support structure defining a volume. The heat producing element and the heat sink are positioned in the volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Assignee: Bose Corporation
    Inventors: Scott H. Aronson, Damian Howard, Craig A. Liebel, Richard Warren Little, John Schussler, Lee J. Shumosic, Bradford Kyle Subat
  • Patent number: 7088841
    Abstract: A subwoofer having a novel component geometry that permits large voice coils and high efficiency heat transfer capability. The subwoofer comprises a frame having an outside and an inside, a central portion, radial heat sink fins, lower ventilation apertures, and a bottom portion having a bottom vent aperture. A motor unit comprising a case and a pole unit, the case having lower ventilation apertures and the pole unit having a cylindrical portion having a center aperture, wherein the cylindrical portion of the pole unit is of a diameter less than the diameter of the case, defining a first chamber area. The lower ventilation apertures of the frame, and the lower ventilation apertures of the motor unit are aligned to allow air to flow from the outside of the subwoofer into the first chamber area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2006
    Assignee: Diamond Audio Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Drew Kallen
  • Patent number: 7079665
    Abstract: A loudspeaker has a magnetic circuit, a plastic frame to be coupled with the magnetic circuit, a voice coil disposed in a magnetic gap of the magnetic circuit, and a diaphragm connected with the voice coil. The frame and the magnetic circuit are coupled together by an elastic fastener provided on the frame. The frame and yoke are coupled together by fitting a plurality of elastic fasteners provided on a circle on a bottom surface of the frame with a yoke of the magnetic circuit. The elastic fastener can also be a clip section provided on a circle on the bottom surface of the frame. The frame and magnetic circuit are coupled together by the clip section and an extension provided along an outer circumference of the magnetic circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsuya Shimomura, Shinsaku Sawa, Shuji Ido, Shigeru Nishida
  • Patent number: 7039212
    Abstract: A port for a loudspeaker is disclosed which is sufficiently weather resistant for long term outdoor use and which prevents debris, insects and other vermin from entering the loudspeaker and which is compact and efficient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Assignee: Britannia Investment Corporation
    Inventors: John B. Poling, Bradley M. Starobin, Allen S. Baran, Matthew S. Polk, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7016514
    Abstract: A loudspeaker assembly includes a chassis, a magnet assembly supported by the chassis and disposed at a rear side thereof, a moveable voice coil, a rear suspension, and a diaphragm connected to the voice coil and to the chassis. The assembly defines a voice coil gap receiving the voice coil. To improve the cooling of the assembly, particularly when the magnet assembly includes neodymium, the assembly is positioned at least substantially in front of the diaphragm, and the chassis is positioned outwardly of the magnet assembly. Heat generated by the coil, which could adversely affect the magnet, is dissipated by conduction to the chassis and by convection and radiation to ambient air. The rear suspension supports the voice coil, is secured to the assembly and is connected to the chassis only through the magnet assembly and through the diaphragm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignee: KH Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Ian Stanley White, Richard Carl Klein
  • Patent number: 7006640
    Abstract: A pole piece 19 of a speaker main unit 1 has a pole 19a engaged with a bobbin 14 from the back side of a diaphragm 12, and a flange 19b horizontally expanding from the base of the pole 19a. In the pole 19a is formed a through hole 19c passing therethrough in an axial direction thereof, and in the bottom end of the through hole 19c is provided with a taper 19d which widens with it goes downward. A thin film piezoelectric element 4 is provided such that the element covers an external opening 19e of the through hole 19c, and one end 4a of a thin film piezoelectric element 4 is adhered to the bottom surface of the flange 19b.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Daisuke Arai, Susumu Fujiwara
  • Patent number: 6956956
    Abstract: A speaker system in which it is possible for power amplifier heat radiation and satisfactory audio characteristics to coexist. The power amplifier, and other components which are sources of heat, are arranged in an air flow convection path that is formed in a curved path from a lower bass reflex port toward an upper bass reflex port of a speaker box. The heat is exhausted (radiated) to the outside from the interior air space of the speaker box by the air flow and air from outside is introduced into the interior air space with good efficiency. In addition, the power amplifier includes a heat sink. The heat sink includes gaps that are formed between each of a plurality of fins which are opened in a vertical or diagonal direction such that the air flow convection path passes through the gaps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2005
    Assignee: Roland Corporation
    Inventors: Tomoaki Kuratani, Kosuke Takata
  • Patent number: 6944024
    Abstract: A combined heat sink and mounting bracket for a powered loudspeaker of a ported reflex type is provided. The combined heat sink and mounting bracket includes a base portion, a fastener attached to the base portion for securing to a reflex tube within the enclosure and a thermally conductive heat sink portion extending from the base portion. In further aspects, a loudspeaker assembly and an amplifier module incorporating the heat sink/mounting bracket are provided. In yet another aspect, a method of improving heat dissipation from an amplifier in a powered loudspeaker is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: Audioplex Technology Incorporated
    Inventor: William T. Devine, III
  • Patent number: 6868165
    Abstract: A loudspeaker has a magnetic flux assembly that has a pole piece and a plate and magnet structure for co-operating with a voice coil. The plate structure includes a top plate which is mounted adjacent to the diaphragm assembly of the loudspeaker. There is a cavity within the voice coil and between the diaphragm membrane and the top of the pole piece. A fluid flow passage is provide to permit air displaced to and from the cavity during movement of the diaphragm assembly to flow through the top plate and to encourage cooling of the assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2005
    Assignee: The Canadian Loudspeaker Corporation
    Inventor: Frank W. Fabian
  • Patent number: 6865281
    Abstract: A fluid cooled speaker having a T-yoke with a pole piece, a magnet surrounding the pole piece, a voice coil positioned between the pole piece and the magnet, and a cone connected to the voice coil. The T-yoke includes a body having a base and a pole piece with a sealed cavity formed within the pole piece. The T-yoke also has a fluid inlet and outlet formed in the body and communicating between the cavity and an area outside the body of the T-yoke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Inventor: Jeff B. Jordan
  • Patent number: 6837333
    Abstract: A loudspeaker system has a diaphragm for producing sound, a loudspeaker driver mechanism operable for moving the diaphragm in response to an applied electrical signal from an audio signal source, a blower positioned for directing air under pressure over the loudspeaker driver mechanism so that heat generated by the loudspeaker driver mechanism can be convectively removed, and a control circuit electrically connected to the blower and adapted for connection to the audio signal source such that an increase in the applied electrical signal causes a corresponding increase in speed of the blower. The control circuit includes a power limiting device and a switching device that is connected in parallel with the power limiting device. The switching device is actuable from a normally closed state to an open state when the applied electrical signal is above a predetermined level to regulate the speed of the blower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2005
    Assignee: Community Light and Sound, Inc.
    Inventor: Bruce Howze
  • Patent number: 6829366
    Abstract: A magnetic circuit includes an annular magnet magnetized in the axial direction thereof; an annular stacked plate disposed on the magnet and including first and second annular plates; and a yoke facing the inner circumferential surface of the stacked plate across a cylindrical space. Upper and lower magnetic gaps are provided at two axially separated positions in the cylindrical space. A loudspeaker includes the magnetic circuit; a voice coil placed in the upper and lower magnetic gaps; a diaphragm connected to the voice coil; and a frame fixed to the stacked plate and supporting the diaphragm in a vibratable manner. The inner circumferential portions of the first and second annular plates are axially deformed downward and upward, respectively, such that the inner circumferential surface of the stacked plate faces the lower and upper magnetic gaps. The remaining portions of the first and second annular plates are stacked on the magnet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Assignee: Alpine Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Kei Tanabe
  • Publication number: 20040234077
    Abstract: An audio sound quality enhancer which provides a transparent sound quality, using solid-state devices, which has previously been available only in vacuum tube audio systems. The invention comprises at least one solid-state component in the audio signal path of an audio circuit, and at least one heat source configured to heat the solid-state components. The invention increases the sound quality of solid-state audio systems by increasing the temperature of the semiconductor components involved in sound production. By intentionally heating the semiconductor components of an audio system above standard operating temperatures, the invention delivers sound quality levels normally only associated with vacuum tube sound systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2004
    Publication date: November 25, 2004
    Inventor: Ray B. Ridley
  • Patent number: 6804366
    Abstract: An external magnetic-type speaker apparatus includes a magnetic circuit that is provided with a yoke having a center pole, ring-shaped magnet and plate. The magnetic circuit and the edge of a vibrating plate are attached to a support frame. Ventilation holes are formed in the side surface of the support frame for allowing air inside the apparatus to escape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignees: Pioneer Corporation, Tohoku Pioneer Corporation
    Inventors: Osamu Takahashi, Takeshi Kaiwa, Masanori Ito
  • Patent number: 6792125
    Abstract: A speaker mounting apparatus is provided which facilitates pivoting of the speaker to a desired angular position, while providing increased thermal mass for the speaker assembly. For preferred embodiments, the speaker is mounted in a cup of a thermally conductive material, which cup has a surface which mates with a corresponding surface of a mount in a manner so as to permit the speaker to be pivoted to a desired angular position, to be held in such position and, for preferred embodiments, to permit heat transfer from the cup to the mount, which is also of a thermally conductive material, further increasing the thermal mass of the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: Boston Acoustics, Inc.
    Inventors: John R. David, Leo Kiefer, David G. Kroll
  • Publication number: 20040175015
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods and apparatus for dissipating heat in a voice coil of a loudspeaker, where at least one of: a bobbin having a substantially cylindrical shaped wall member is operable to support the voice coil, and the wall member includes at least one aperture operable to provide thermal communication from the voice coil through the wall member; and a heatsink is coupled to an outer surface of a bobbin and is in thermal communication with the voice coil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2003
    Publication date: September 9, 2004
    Applicant: Peavey Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy Bryan Tardo, Hartley D. Peavey
  • Patent number: 6788799
    Abstract: A speaker device and associated method for producing a speaker device that includes a voice coil and a radiant layer made of a radiant energy emissive material provided on a surface of the voice coil for suppressing the heat generated at the voice coil while simultaneously improving the input durability of the speaker device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2004
    Assignees: Pioneer Electronic Corporation, Tohoku Pioneer Electronic Corporation
    Inventors: Toshihiro Ishigaki, Yasuhisa Abe, Yoshitaka Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 6771791
    Abstract: An improved speaker having a modified front plate with air intake apertures, a vented frame, and a voice coil supported by a diaphragm constructed of gas impermeable material connected at one end to the frame and at the other end to the voice coil. Operation of the voice coil causes the diaphragm to draw air through the air intake apertures where it is drawn past the voice coil and vented out through the frame. The diaphragm operates as an air pump forcing the air past the voice coil for supplying of cool are and exhausting of heated air. A unidirectional flap may be used on the vented frame to an create air flow current past the voice coil for higher efficiency. The improved speaker provides longevity to the voice coil, the voice coil to diaphragm coupling, and to the diaphragm itself.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Assignee: MMATS Professional Audio, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth Steven Shelley, Matthew Martin Ginther
  • Patent number: 6754362
    Abstract: There is provided a speaker or a speaker system which has no chance of disabled ventilating air in a space enclosed with a voice coil bobbin to outside of the magnetic circuit through a throughhole C formed in a magnetic circuit to communicate with the space enclosed with a voice coil bobbin, even if mounting a speaker between inner surfaces of a casing, because of enabled ventilating air from a space enclosed with a voice coil bobbin to outside of a magnetic circuit through an air path 3c formed in the magnetic circuit to communicate with the throughhole C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2004
    Assignees: Pioneer Corporation, Tohoku Pioneer Corporation
    Inventors: Takeshi Kaiwa, Osamu Takahashi, Masanori Ito, Kunio Mitobe
  • Patent number: 6731773
    Abstract: A speaker with a replaceable cone assembly. The motor assembly has its own basket, which is mounted in the enclosure. The cone assembly also has its own basket, which fits inside the motor basket. In the event of damage or malfunction in the cone or coil, the entire cone assembly is easily removed and replaced, while the motor assembly and the main basket remain undisturbed in the enclosure. Preferably, the speaker includes a pole with additional vents to improve heat dissipation. The pole has a pole cap with vent openings aligned with the secondary vent passages in the pole. The pole cap has a plug to occlude the front end opening of the central or primary vent passage in the pole. The top of the cap is domed to provide a guide surface for the former as the replacement cone assembly is inserted in the motor assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: Stillwater Designs and Audio, Inc.
    Inventors: Chanc L. Bergbower, Zhijun Zhao
  • Patent number: 6724909
    Abstract: A weight is attached to the rear side of a magnetic circuit of a speaker unit. The tip of a boss that projects to the front side from the weight is joined to the rear side of a center pole of the magnetic circuit with a bolt. Even if reactive force that is generated when an electrical signal is converted into mechanical vibration by the magnetic circuit and a voice coil and sound waves are emitted from a vibration plate is transmitted to the magnetic circuit, the vibration of the magnetic circuit is suppressed by the weight. In this manner, sound quality with a good transient characteristic can be obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignees: Fujitsu Ten Limited, Timedomain Corporation
    Inventors: Katsuhiko Tsumori, Akira Nishikawa, Hiroshi Kowaki, Hiroyuki Yoshii
  • Publication number: 20040052397
    Abstract: An acoustic device having a heat producing device, such as an amplifier and a heat sink for transferring heat from the amplifier. The acoustic device has a cone having an inner surface, and a support structure defining a volume. The heat producing element and the heat sink are positioned in the volume.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2002
    Publication date: March 18, 2004
    Inventors: Scott H. Aronson, Damian Howard, Craig A. Liebel, Richard Warren Little, John Schussler, Lee J. Shumosic, Bradford Kyle Subat
  • Publication number: 20040008863
    Abstract: In an electro-dynamic loudspeaker, vent holes are optimized to provide improved the magnetic flux characteristics while maintaining sufficient ventilation. In addition, ported and unported enclosures may be utilized with the electro-dynamic loudspeakers to enhance low frequency performance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2003
    Publication date: January 15, 2004
    Inventors: Steven W. Hutt, David B. Garner, John F. Steere
  • Publication number: 20040008857
    Abstract: A dipole radiating dynamic speaker design comprises a diaphragm (32) providing a surface for radiating acoustic output, a voice coil assembly (36) for driving the diaphragm, and a magnet system for providing magnetic flux across the voice coil assembly. The speaker incorporates a vented pole flux conductor (42) and a vent adjacent to the diaphragm permitting the rearward acoustic output to propagate away from the diaphragm producing acoustic output as a dipole radiator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2002
    Publication date: January 15, 2004
    Inventor: Glenn Arthur Marnie
  • Patent number: 6678387
    Abstract: A loudspeaker having an improved air cooling system. The loudspeaker includes a speaker frame, a diaphragm connected to the speaker frame, a voice coil which is formed on a voice coil bobbin and is connected to the diaphragm for vibrating the diaphragm, a permanent magnet having a central opening, a pole piece disposed coaxially within the central opening of the permanent magnet to form an air gap into which the voice coil is disposed, and a heat transfer plate disposed over the permanent magnet. The heat transfer plate has a plurality of cooling fins which are radially outwardly extending toward an outer rim thereof and inner and outer air openings on the outer rim. The outer rim has a step like shape in cross section and has a flat upper surface which is higher than top ends of the cooling fins. The vibration of the diaphragm produces air flows through air passages on the heat transfer plate between the inside and outside of the loudspeaker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Assignee: Alpine Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Jason Kemmerer
  • Patent number: 6665414
    Abstract: A speaker system and a cooling device therefor is provided which is capable of effectively dissipating heat generated by a voice coil. The cooling device is formed as a unitary member having a first member having a hollow cylindrical shape which is integrally formed with a second member having a hollow cylindrical shape which is concentric thereto and has a larger diameter than the first member, and a plurality of third members each in the form of a plate and radially arranged between the first member and the second member for connecting the members. The first member is arranged adjacent to the voice coil and at the same time inside a magnetic flux loop generated by a magnetic circuit, and the second member is arranged outside the magnetic flux loop, so that heat generated by the voice coil can be efficiently dissipated from the second member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Assignees: Pioneer Corporation, Tohoku Pioneer Corporation
    Inventors: Fumio Murayama, Takashi Suzuki, Takeshi Tokusho
  • Patent number: 6654477
    Abstract: A receiver for converting electrical energy to acoustical energy, and a method of manufacturing the receiver, are disclosed. The receiver comprises an armature having a peripheral edge, a magnet stack and a weld joint for attaching the armature to the magnet stack at the peripheral edge of said armature. The method comprises providing an armature having a peripheral edge, providing a magnet stack adjacent said armature, and welding said armature to the magnet stack at the peripheral edge of said armature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Assignee: Knowles Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas E. Miller, Elmer V. Carlson
  • Publication number: 20030215108
    Abstract: An improved speaker having a modified front plate with air intake apertures, a vented frame, and a voice coil supported by a diaphragm constructed of gas impermeable material connected at one end to the frame and at the other end to the voice coil. Operation of the voice coil causes the diaphragm to draw air through the air intake apertures where it is drawn past the voice coil and vented out through the frame. The diaphragm operates as an air pump forcing the air past the voice coil for supplying of cool are and exhausting of heated air. A unidirectional flap may be used on the vented frame to an create air flow current past the voice coil for higher efficiency. The improved speaker provides longevity to the voice coil, the voice coil to diaphragm coupling, and to the diaphragm itself.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2002
    Publication date: November 20, 2003
    Inventors: Kenneth Steven Shelley, Matthew Martin Ginther
  • Patent number: 6639993
    Abstract: A loudspeaker having an improved acoustic performance achieved by low distortion and high output power. The loudspeaker includes a speaker frame, a diaphragm connected to the speaker frame, a voice coil which is formed on a voice coil bobbin and is connected to the diaphragm for vibrating the diaphragm, a permanent magnet having a central opening, and a pole piece disposed coaxially within the central opening of the permanent magnet to form an air gap into which the voice coil is disposed. The top area of the through hole of the pole piece is curved with an S-shape in cross section and an inner diameter of the through hole is increased toward the inner top thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Assignee: Alpine Electronics, Inc
    Inventors: Jason Kemmerer, Eric Douglas Guarin
  • Patent number: 6636612
    Abstract: The invention provides a speaker having a number of features that cooperate to provide a small speaker 10 having a high sound pressure level output capability (volume), a wide frequency range, in particular from below 200 Hz to 20,000 Hz, low distortion, and that is magnetically shielded. The speaker 10 is suitable for mounting in, for example, a television where spaces are confined and stray magnetic fields are undesirable, yet high output is desirable and a wide frequency range is desirable to avoid the need for separate middle frequency (midrange) and high frequency (tweeter) speakers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Assignee: Algo Sound, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald J. North, Dai Z. Lee
  • Patent number: 6590990
    Abstract: The invention relates to a speaker that can cool a voice coil efficiently. A bobbin that supports the voice coil is made from a material having good thermal transfer characteristics. Slits are formed in the bobbin to further promote heat emission from the voice coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Assignees: Pioneer Corporation, Tohoku Pioneer Corporation
    Inventors: Yasuhisa Abe, Takashi Suzuki, Koji Matsumoto
  • Publication number: 20030118207
    Abstract: A plurality of heat conduction bodies comprising a metallic material are located with a space held between each other, and attached with a connection with at least one of a voice coil bobbin comprising an insulating material and a voice coil. Further, one end of each heat conduction body is connected to a center cap comprising a metallic material. When the voice coil generates heat, the heat can be radiated by transmitting it to the center cap through the heat conduction body. Additionally, the heat conduction body with a shape of band is attached with a space held between each other, and the voice coil bobbin is formed with an insulating material, so that an eddy current caused by a magnetic field in a magnetic gap can be restrained from occurring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2002
    Publication date: June 26, 2003
    Applicant: PIONEER CORPORATION AND TOHOKU PIONEER CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yoshimi Kudo
  • Publication number: 20030081808
    Abstract: A loudspeaker having an improved air cooling system. The loudspeaker includes a speaker frame, a diaphragm connected to the speaker frame, a voice coil which is formed on a voice coil bobbin and is connected to the diaphragm for vibrating the diaphragm, a permanent magnet having a central opening, a pole piece disposed coaxially within the central opening of the permanent magnet to form an air gap into which the voice coil is disposed, and a heat transfer plate disposed over the permanent magnet. The heat transfer plate has a plurality of cooling fins which are radially outwardly extending toward an outer rim thereof and inner and outer air openings on the outer rim. The vibration of the diaphragm produces air flows through air passages on the heat transfer plate between the inside and outside of the loudspeaker.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2001
    Publication date: May 1, 2003
    Inventor: Jason Kemmerer
  • Patent number: 6549637
    Abstract: Differential flow vents allow airflow within a vent to be preferential. A flange disposed within a vent introduces non-linearities and causes a preferred direction of airflow into an expanding volume. The differential flow vents are used in conjunction with the natural motion of the loudspeaker cone acting as a pump to cool the loudspeaker cabinet enclosure without having to directly cool the woofer magnet structure. In one embodiment, at least one pair of opposed differential flow vents within the cabinet enclosure provide fresh air to be preferentially circulated to cool the interior of a loudspeaker system. In another embodiment, by providing an odd number of opposed differential flow vents within the cabinet enclosure, positive air circulation also results. By making either the pairs or odd number of differential flow vents to be asymmetrical, dynamic woofer offset is compensated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Peavey Electronics Corp.
    Inventor: Jon M. Risch
  • Patent number: 6535613
    Abstract: An air flow control device is positioned relative to the throughbore 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 interior surface of the former of the voice coil opposite the wire winding on the exterior surface of the former.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: JL Audio, Inc.
    Inventor: Jason A. Ssutu
  • Patent number: 6526151
    Abstract: A high stability loudspeaker has a yoke with a plurality of vents installed therein. The yoke is combined to a bottom of a frame of the loudspeaker. A magnet is placed in the yoke. A washer is arranged above the magnet. A periphery of the magnet is surrounded by a voice coil. A coil winding surrounds the voice coil. A combining portion is formed at a periphery of the yoke. The combining portion serves to be combined with a surround connected to a bottom of end of the voice coil. The voice coils is vertically installed in a gap between the portions of the yoke. The top of the voice coil is connected to another surround. Thereby, vibration of the voice coil is confined at the two ends. As a result, the gap between portions of the yoke structure into which the voice coil extends between portions of the yoke is reduced and therefore, the sensitivity of the loudspeaker is increased and the distortion is decreased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2003
    Assignee: Meiloon Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jack Peng
  • Patent number: 6516076
    Abstract: A modular horn loudspeaker principally intended for use on emergency vehicles consists of three coaxially aligned cup-shaped parts, a sound chamber, a cover fitted to the sound chamber and a housing. The first embodiment of the modular, compact horn loudspeaker is implemented with a single siren driver and includes a dome-shaped driver diaphragm integrally formed onto an interior surface of the sound chamber. The sound chamber is an acoustical boundary defining member having curved propagation paths or horn throat channels formed in relief on a cup-shaped exterior surface. The sound chamber is coaxially aligned with and received in a tightly fitted cup-shaped cover member to define a plurality of curved horn throats of expanding rectangular cross sectional dimension directing the sound waves rearwardly around the diaphragm periphery and toward a housing rear wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Assignee: Atlas Sound, L.P.
    Inventor: Bruce Marlin
  • Publication number: 20020118841
    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: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2001
    Publication date: August 29, 2002
    Applicant: Harman International Industries Incorporated
    Inventors: Douglas J. Button, Paul Robert Williams
  • Publication number: 20020118855
    Abstract: There is provided a speaker or a speaker system which has no chance of disabled ventilating air in a space enclosed with a voice coil bobbin to outside of the magnetic circuit through a throughhole C formed in a magnetic circuit to communicate with the space enclosed with a voice coil bobbin, even if mounting a speaker between inner surfaces of a casing, because of enabled ventilating air from a space enclosed with a voice coil bobbin to outside of a magnetic circuit through an air path 3c formed in the magnetic circuit to communicate with the throughhole C.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2002
    Publication date: August 29, 2002
    Applicant: PIONEER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takeshi Kaiwa, Osamu Takahashi, Masanori Ito, Kunio Mitobe
  • Patent number: 6430300
    Abstract: A cooling mechanism is provided for an audio speaker, which mechanism includes a plate of a thermally conductive material mounted between the driver mechanism of the speaker and the speaker basket and extending from the voice coil gap to the outside of the speaker. The spacing between this plate and the voice coil is preferably kept as small as possible. The plate is preferably a vent plate having a plurality of radial vents extending along the width of the plate from the voice coil gap side thereof to the side facing the outside of the speaker. Such a vent plate, in addition to providing radiant cooling, also provides cooling via air flow as well as conduction and convection cooling. The vents are sized and shaped so as to minimize any turbulence, and thus any audible air noise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2002
    Assignee: Boston Acoustics, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Cox, Aaron Linn, Leif Blackmon
  • Publication number: 20020094104
    Abstract: A permanent magnet, coil moving loudspeaker having a front suspension, a dust cap, a cone, a rear suspension or spider, a frame, and a voice coil assembly. The voice coil assembly is comprised of a tubular former with insulation coated, electrically conductive wire, an air filter, a vent plate, a ring with radial channels and parallel walls, a front plate, a magnet, and a back plate. The spider is designed to function as a pump diaphragm that forces air to move through the vent plate and be expelled from the speaker, thus reducing the amount of heat within the loudspeaker allowing it to function more efficiently.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2001
    Publication date: July 18, 2002
    Inventor: Michael Eugene Bush
  • Publication number: 20020094105
    Abstract: A generally cylindrical pole piece for a moving coil loudspeaker includes a blind recess in the axial end face that faces an air-permeable dust cap. The recess is lined with a plurality of spaced ribs or fins to increase the surface area available for heat dissipation. The recess and ribs are preferably tapered, to enable the pole piece to be made as a forging.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2002
    Publication date: July 18, 2002
    Applicant: KH Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Duncan Boniface
  • Publication number: 20020067843
    Abstract: The invention relates to a speaker that can cool a voice coil efficiently. A bobbin that supports the voice coil is made from a material having good thermal transfer characteristics. Slits are formed in the bobbin to further promote heat emission from the voice coil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2001
    Publication date: June 6, 2002
    Applicant: Pioneer Corporation and Tohoku Pioneer Corporation
    Inventors: Yasuhisa Abe, Takashi Suzuki, Koji Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 6373957
    Abstract: A loudspeaker comprises a motor stator providing an air gap, a voice coil, a support for supporting the voice coil in the air gap, a diaphragm coupled to the voice coil for reciprocation with the voice coil, and a frame for supporting the diaphragm. The motor stator comprises a back wall and a sidewall defining a somewhat cup-shaped interior, and a center pole comprising a permanent magnet. The center pole comprises a thermally relatively less conductive material. A passageway is provided through the center pole. A heat sink has a first portion for surmounting the center pole. The first portion is oriented adjacent the air gap. A second portion is coupled to the first portion in heat conducting relation and extends through the passageway to conduct heat away from the air gap through the passageway. The first and second portions comprise a thermally relatively more conductive material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Assignee: Harman International Industries, Incorporated
    Inventor: John Sloan Stewart