Having Diaphragm Support Feature Patents (Class 381/398)
  • Patent number: 8965028
    Abstract: A speaker comprises a support structure having a circumferentially extending rim, a vibration member configured to be displaced relative to the support structure during operation of the speaker, and a suspension member suspending the vibration member relative to the support structure. The suspension member includes a radially outer portion attached to the rim of the support structure, a radially inner platform portion attached to the vibration member, and a plurality of beams. Each beam of the plurality of beams may extend from the radially outer portion to the radially inner platform portion. The plurality of beams is configured such that a resonant frequency of the vibration member attached to the radially inner platform portion of the suspension member scales linearly with a beam width of the beams of the plurality of beams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Skullcandy, Inc.
    Inventors: Tetsuro Oishi, Sam Noertker
  • Patent number: 8965034
    Abstract: [Problems] To provide a multifunction vibration actuator which has flat rising and falling frequency characteristic at the time of generation of bodily sensation vibration and which is stable for an input signal. [Means for Solving Problems] Flat frequency characteristics can be obtained by using a two-fold rotational symmetry frame type suspension, and miniaturization of the whole multifunction vibration actuator can be made by the user of the frame type suspension. With regard to the frame type suspension, use of protruded configuration of corner parts ensures the effect of absorption of deflection of the suspension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Namiki Seimitsu Houseki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Minoru Ueda, Naoki Tsushima, Takayuki Kumagai
  • Publication number: 20150036868
    Abstract: An acoustic transducer includes a housing, a plurality of diaphragms suspended from the housing and separated into one or more groups, and one or more motors combined with the housing that operate in response to an electrical signal. The diaphragms of each group are driven by a respective motor to which all the diaphragms in the group are coupled and at least one motor has an indirect coupling with no direct mechanical connection to the diaphragms driven thereby. One or more electromagnetic motors that drive one or more sets of multiple diaphragms to provide acoustically efficient loudspeaker systems having dimensions that allow use in applications that would be difficult or impossible with traditional transducers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2014
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Inventors: Andrew David UNRUH, Robert J. TRUE, Edward T. NORCOTT, JR., Jens-Peter AXELSSON, Alireza JABBARI, David J. PRINCE, Kenneth L. KANTOR, Ioannis KANELLAKOPOULOS, Shaolin WEI
  • Publication number: 20150036867
    Abstract: An acoustic transducer comprises one or more electromagnetic motors that drive one or more sets of multiple diaphragms to provide acoustically efficient loudspeaker systems having dimensions that allow use in applications that would be difficult or impossible with traditional transducers. The diaphragms may be driven directly, inertially or fluidically. If diaphragms are driven by rods that pass through holes in the diaphragms, noise may be generated by air that leaks through the pass-through holes. This noise may be reduced or eliminated by measures that reduce or eliminate the air leakage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2014
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Inventors: Andrew David UNRUH, Robert J. TRUE, Edward T. NORCOTT, JR., Jens-Peter AXELSSON, Alireza JABBARI, David J. PRINCE, Kenneth L. KANTOR, Ioannis KANELLAKOPOULOS, Shaolin WEI
  • Publication number: 20150036866
    Abstract: A speaker driver including a frame and a magnet assembly positioned within the frame. A sound radiating surface may be suspended over the magnet assembly. The sound radiating surface may include a top face and a bottom face, and the bottom face may face the magnet assembly. A suspension member may suspend the sound radiating surface over the magnet assembly. The suspension member may include a top side connected to the bottom face of the sound radiating surface and a bottom side connected to the magnet assembly. A voice coil extends from the bottom face of the sound radiating surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2013
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Pablo Seoane Vieites, Suzanne Hardy, Christopher R. Wilk, Alexander V. Salvatti, Scott P. Porter, Justin D. Crosby
  • Publication number: 20150036865
    Abstract: An electrical signal to audio signal transducer with a deformable diaphragm unit includes a connective portion and a deformable diaphragm unit. The connective portion connects the deformable diaphragm unit with a wall of a box. The deformable diaphragm unit is linked up with a through opening of the connective portion to form a passage. Push and pull exerted on the deformable diaphragm unit by the magnetic force induced by the current flows through the voice coil can cause deformable diaphragm unit to deform and move in a reciprocating manner and thus generate audible sounds. Therefore, with the transducer of the present invention, poor performance due to the dimensional constrain may be overcome.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2013
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Inventor: Lai-Shi Huang
  • Patent number: 8948439
    Abstract: An acoustic conversion device includes: a driving unit including a pair of magnets disposed so as to face each other, a yoke to which the pair of magnets are attached, a coil to which driving current is supplied, a vibrating portion which vibrates when driving current is supplied to the coil, and an armature disposed between the pair of magnets with the vibrating portion being passed through the coil; and a diaphragm unit including a diaphragm, and a beam portion for propagating the vibration of the vibrating portion to the diaphragm; with a coil attachment portion to which the coil is attached, located in a state in parallel with the vibrating portion, being provided to the armature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Tsutomu Nagumo, Koji Matsuda, Koji Nageno, Takeshi Hara, Takahiro Suzuki, Takayuki Ishii, Kenji Hiraiwa
  • Patent number: 8948441
    Abstract: A planar speaker system may include a bottom frame having a cavity. Within this cavity a plurality of magnets may be arranged to form a substantially circular pattern. A diaphragm that includes a plurality of electrically conductive traces may be connected to the bottom frame and extend across the cavity of the bottom frame. When alternating current flows through the electrically conductive traces, the diaphragm may vibrate in response to the interaction between the current flowing in the electrically conductive traces and the magnetic field, thereby producing sound. The planar speaker system may include a top frame having a cavity, and a second set of magnets may be disposed in the cavity of the top frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Harman International Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Zhijun Zhao
  • Patent number: 8942407
    Abstract: A loudspeaker radiating diaphragm can be stiffened to help increase the breakup frequency to above the working frequency range of the driver concerned, by forming it of a molded part and an attached formed part. The molded part is a radiating surface with stiffening ribs. The formed part is a thin surface of high modulus material, attached to the rear of the ribs. The overall structure can have significantly higher stiffness than either of the two parts. This helps in designing a loudspeaker driver that does not breakup within its working frequency range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: GP Acoustics (UK) Limited
    Inventors: Mark Alexander Dodd, Jack Anthony Oclee-Brown, Julia Davidson
  • Patent number: 8942408
    Abstract: A single-ended planar transducer device for generating a sound signal based on an electrical signal comprising at least two primary rows of primary magnets, at least one return row of at least one return structure, a diaphragm, a conductive trace formed on the diaphragm, and a frame. The frame supports two primary rows to define at least one core set comprising no more than two primary rows. A primary magnetic field is established between the primary rows in the at least one core set. The frame supports at least one return row adjacent to the at least one core set. A return magnetic field is established between each return row and any primary row adjacent thereto. A first portion of the trace is arranged at least partly within each primary magnetic field and a second portion of the trace is arranged at least partly within each return magnetic field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Inventor: James Joseph Croft, III
  • Publication number: 20150016656
    Abstract: A dual-diaphragm acoustic transducer includes a substrate defining an opening, an inner diaphragm and an outer diaphragm concentrically mounted at one same side of the substrate corresponding to the opening of the substrate, and a plurality of elastic supporting members connected between the outer perimeter of the inner diaphragm and the inner perimeter of the outer diaphragm. Thus, when a sound wave enters the opening of the substrate, the sound wave pressure forces the outer diaphragm to displace and to carry the inner diaphragm to move, and the inner diaphragm itself will also be forced by the sound wave pressure to have a larger displacement than the outer diaphragm, enhancing the sensitivity. Further, using the inner and outer diaphragms to respond to different sound wave pressures can enhance the sound wave pressure sensing range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2013
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Inventors: Jen-Yi CHEN, Chao-Sen CHANG, Chun-Chieh WANG, Yong-Shiang CHANG
  • Publication number: 20150016657
    Abstract: A diaphragm and a sounder using the same are disclosed in the present disclosure. The diaphragm includes a suspension portion and a dome assembled with the suspension portion. The dome includes a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) layer, a middle layer and an adhesive layer, with the middle layer sandwiched between the PET layer and the adhesive layer. The middle layer is formed with a first through hole for adjusting the deformation amount of the diaphragm. The present disclosure can improve the flatness of the dome and prevent deformation of the dome after the vibration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2014
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Applicants: AAC MICROTECH (CHANGZHOU) CO., LTD., AAC ACOUSTIC TECHNOLOGIES (SHENZHEN) CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Wei Song, Chunmei She
  • Patent number: 8934656
    Abstract: A surround that is generally arched in shape and that includes a radial exterior flange that extends downward from exterior side of the arched portion of the surround and that adhesively attaches to the inner wall or edge of the mounting ring of the frame of the loudspeaker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Harman International Industries, Incorporated
    Inventor: Ronnie S. Espiritu
  • Publication number: 20150010195
    Abstract: A single-ended planar transducer device for generating a sound signal based on an electrical signal comprising at least two primary rows of primary magnets, at least one return row of at least one return structure, a diaphragm, a conductive trace formed on the diaphragm, and a frame. The frame supports two primary rows to define at least one core set comprising no more than two primary rows. A primary magnetic field is established between the primary rows in the at least one core set. The frame supports at least one return row adjacent to the at least one core set. A return magnetic field is established between each return row and any primary row adjacent thereto. A first portion of the trace is arranged at least partly within each primary magnetic field and a second portion of the trace is arranged at least partly within each return magnetic field.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2012
    Publication date: January 8, 2015
    Inventor: James Joseph Croft, III
  • Patent number: 8929583
    Abstract: A multifunction oscillatory actuator which performs acoustic reproduction by an acoustic reproduction section includes a diaphragm having a voice coil attached thereto and performs the occurrence of somesthetic oscillation by a magnetic circuit section having a magnet attached thereto, and in which the acoustic reproduction section and the magnetic circuit section are attached to a housing having a cylindrical shape, such that the magnetic circuit section is supported on an inner wall of the housing by a frame-shaped suspension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Namiki Seimitsu Houseki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Minoru Ueda, Takayuki Kumagai, Yuuichi Hashimoto
  • Publication number: 20150003661
    Abstract: Provided is an energy conversion apparatus including a diaphragm on which a coil of a lead pattern is formed, a magnet substrate configured to generate a magnetic field towards the coil on the diaphragm, and a magnetic film configured to generate magnetic force between the magnetic film and the magnet substrate to support the diaphragm therebetween.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2014
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Inventor: Michiaki SHINOTSUKA
  • Patent number: 8923545
    Abstract: An electroacoustic transducer has a ring-shaped magnetic assembly that generates a magnetic field, an elastic suspension connected to the magnetic assembly, a support connected to the elastic suspension and supporting a coil adapted to move in the magnetic field generated by the magnetic assembly, and an acoustic membrane connected to the support of the coil in order to vibrate and emit a sound. The magnetic assembly has a thin housing and support structure made of non-magnetic material, and a plurality of magnets with magnetic axis (A) and axial anisotropy, said magnets being disposed side by side, inside said thin housing and support structure that acts as bearing structure for the transducer and as containment structure for the magnets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Inventor: Maurizio Servadio
  • Publication number: 20140369547
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a suspension member for suspending a moveable piston structure of a transducer, the suspension member comprising tolerance compensation means comprising an elastomeric material, said tolerance compensation means being formed as a structure extending in a direction so as to form an acoustical seal between a first chamber and a second chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Inventor: Yao Qingshan
  • Publication number: 20140355814
    Abstract: A stabilizer for use in stabilizing a diaphragm of an audio device, such as a microphone transducer or a speaker driver. The stabilizer is configured to be attached to the diaphragm to provide stability to the diaphragm, which may be in the form of one or more of counteraction to asymmetric movement about the center of mass of the voice coil; counteraction to rotation in a direction perpendicular to the desired axial motion of the diaphragm; and additional nonlinear stiffness for mechanical limiting of the diaphragm in the axial direction, which may assist in preventing large excursions of the diaphragm from atypical sources, such as drop, shock, etc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2014
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Applicant: Shure Acquisition Holdings, Inc.
    Inventor: Roger Stephen Grinnip, III
  • Publication number: 20140355813
    Abstract: A diaphragm arrangement includes a middle foaming layer defining a first flat surface and an opposed flat surface, a first layer overlapped on the first flat surface of the middle foaming layer, and a second layer overlapped on the second flat surface of the middle foaming layer to form a flat speaker diaphragm which is arranged to mount at an opening of a supporting frame of a speaker.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2013
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Applicant: TANG BAND INDUSTRIES CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hsin Min HUANG
  • Patent number: 8903118
    Abstract: The present invention provides a dome diaphragm having high strength wholly and uniformly while maintaining a small thickness of a dome portion. A diaphragm 1 according to the present invention is a dome diaphragm including a dome portion 2. The dome portion 2 is divided into a plurality of small portions 4, and a ridge portion 7 is formed at a boundary of the small portions 4. In accordance with this configuration, the ridge portions 7 exist over the entire dome portion 2, and the ridge portions 7 can serve as frames for reinforcing the dome portion 2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: TOA Corporation
    Inventors: Takeshi Fujita, Hiroshi Kubota
  • Patent number: 8891808
    Abstract: Disclosed is a micro-speaker. The micro-speaker includes a frame, a magnetic circuit unit assembled with the frame, a diaphragm extending along a longitudinal direction, a coil, an elastic member and an FPC. The diaphragm includes a top plate and a periphery portion surrounding the top plate. The top plate includes a supporting portion extending from the top plate towards the base wall of the frame and disposed at a periphery portion of the top plate in the longitudinal direction. The elastic member includes an elastic part, a first end connecting to the supporting portion of the diaphragm and a second end connecting to the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignees: AAC Acoustic Technologies (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd., AAC Microtech (Changzhou) Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Xudong Yan
  • Publication number: 20140334662
    Abstract: An electro-acoustic transducer includes a frame with an accommodating space defined therein and an opening opened in a top surface thereof, at least one driving unit equipped in the accommodating space of the frame, a diaphragm movably mounted at the opening of the frame, at least one fulcrum settled in the accommodating space of the frame, and at least one lever placed next to the fulcrum to contact with and use the fulcrum as rotation center thereof. The lever connects with the driving unit and the diaphragm at two ends thereof and transmits vibration wave from the driving unit to the diaphragm. The lever has a longer length from the fulcrum to the diaphragm than from the fulcrum to the driving unit for increasing the vibration stroke of the diaphragm during transmitting the vibration wave.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2013
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Applicant: Cheng Uei Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: You Ruei Lin
  • Patent number: 8885868
    Abstract: A loudspeaker is disclosed, comprising a driven body and a suspension for providing a restoring force to the driven body, the suspension having a cup geometry wherein its attachment point on the fixed portion of the loudspeaker is displaced along the axis of motion relative to its attachment point on the driven body and comprising a first concentric region that is extendible to allow reciprocating axial movement of the driven body, a second concentric region which extends transversely from the first region toward one of the attachment points, and a circumferential member affixed to the suspension at a location between the first and second concentric regions, the circumferential member being relatively stiff compared to the material forming the first and second concentric regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: GP Acoustics (UK) Limited
    Inventors: Julia Davidson, Jack Anthony Oclee-Brown
  • Patent number: 8879777
    Abstract: There is provided a dynamic electroacoustic transducer comprising a diaphragm and an oscillator coil which is fixed to the diaphragm in an oscillator coil portion. The diaphragm has a first portion within the oscillator coil portion and a second portion between the oscillator coil portion and an edge of the diaphragm. The diaphragm has at least one stiffening portion in the region of the second portion, which is of a different stiffness from the second portion of the diaphragm. The stiffening portion is of a such a configuration that a wobble movement of the diaphragm is substantially compensated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Sennheiser electronic GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Heinz Epping
  • Patent number: 8879776
    Abstract: A speaker (200) includes a cylindrical diaphragm (201) which has closed ends, an edge (202) which supports the diaphragm (201) in a manner which allows the diaphragm to vibrate, a voice coil bobbin (203) around which a voice coil (204) is wound and which is connected to the diaphragm (201), and a magnetic circuit for driving the voice coil (204).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Takewa, Shinya Kagawa
  • Patent number: 8879775
    Abstract: A smart material actuator having more than two actuating arms, more than two mechanical webs, and being driven by a piezo or other smart material device within an enclosed compensator, and which may be adapted for use as an actuator, an energy capture device, or a sensor. In certain embodiments, the smart material actuator can also operate as the driver for an audio speaker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Viking AT, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffery Moler, Aaron Dickey
  • Publication number: 20140321692
    Abstract: The invention relates to a loudspeaker, which contains bearing structure, a magnetic arrangement (12) fixed to the bearing structure, determining air-gaps (13), and a diaphragm connected to the bearing structure, made of a sheet material. The diaphragm has the shape of a cylindrical jacket consisting of segments (10), the segments (10) are connected to each other along delimiting lines running in the direction of the generating lines, and they have a surface the curvature of which is larger than the curvature that belongs to the overall radius of the cylindrical jacket-like shape, there is a flap (11) at least along two delimiting lines, which flaps (11) extend into an air-gap (13) each radially, and the diaphragm is connected to the bearing structure with flexible supporting units joining the flaps (11) and allowing radial movement of the flaps (11) in the air-gap (13).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2012
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Inventor: Zoltan Bay
  • Publication number: 20140321691
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a suspension for a sound transducer. The present invention discloses a suspension for a sound transducer, to which a diaphragm and voice coil of the sound transducer are attached and which guides the vibrations of the diaphragm and voice coil, comprising: a central portion to which a voice coil is attached; an outer peripheral portion resting on a frame; and a connecting portion connecting the central portion and the outer peripheral portion, wherein the central portion has a mold portion, which is molded by heat or pressure to take the place of a center diaphragm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2013
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: Em-Tech. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ji Hoon Kim, Joong Hak Kwon, Jung Hyung Lee, Hyeon Taek Oh
  • Patent number: 8867778
    Abstract: A loudspeaker has a short support post joined to the forward plate; upper end of the support post in association with the fixing post is joined to the middle part of the drum paper with the fixing post; the voice coil has the upper end thereof joined to the drum paper; when the voice coil drives the drum paper to vibrate and emit sound, the upper end of the short support post sways and generates a small offset because of the lower end of the support post being retained by the forward plate such that the voice coil moves axially in the magnetic clearance without deviation, and the voice coil is incapable of touching the yoke or the forward plate to produce noise; therefore, quality of sound output from the loudspeaker is enhanced effectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignees: FirstChair Acoustics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ching-Wen Yang
  • Publication number: 20140294226
    Abstract: An acoustic transducer comprising: a flexible membrane; and a tension actuator, wherein the tension actuator is configured to be electrically controllable and define to the acoustic properties of the transducer dependent on the tension of the membrane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2011
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Applicant: Nokia Corporation
    Inventor: Mikko Veli Aimo Suvanto
  • Patent number: 8848960
    Abstract: A cone speaker that outputs audio by transmitting to a truncated cone, the movements of a voice coil driven when an audio current is transmitted through a voice coil placed inside a magnetic circuit formed in a space that surrounds a pole piece. Inside a space between the back surface of a center cap attached to a central portion of the cone and the apical surface of the pole piece that faces the center cap, a first filling material composed of a flexible porous body with a low porosity fills the periphery of the space and a second filling material composed of a flexible porous body with a higher porosity than the first filling material fills the central portion thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Genus Audio Corp.
    Inventor: Eiji Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 8842873
    Abstract: A loudspeaker includes a chassis, a diaphragm, a motor system, a first suspension and a second suspension. The chassis has an inner periphery and an outer periphery. The diaphragm has an inner periphery and an outer periphery. The motor system has a magnet assembly connected to the inner periphery of the chassis, and a voice coil assembly connected to the diaphragm. The first suspension has an inner periphery connected to the outer periphery of the diaphragm, and an outer periphery connected to the outer periphery of the chassis. The second suspension has an inner periphery connected to at least one of the magnet assembly and the inner periphery of the chassis, and an outer periphery connected to the diaphragm between the inner and outer periphery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Harman Becker Automotive Systems GmbH
    Inventor: George Bullimore
  • Patent number: 8842858
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an electret condenser microphone which comprises an exterior sidewall structure attached to a carrier. The exterior sidewall structure comprises a non-conductive base material carrying first and second electrical wiring patterns electrically connected to first and second electrical traces, respectively, of the carrier. A diaphragm holder, carrying a conductive microphone diaphragm is attached to the sidewall structure to establish electrical connection between a conductive microphone diaphragm and one of the first and second electrical wiring patterns of the sidewall structure. A conductive perforated backplate is arranged in spaced relationship to the conductive microphone diaphragm. The conductive perforated backplate is electrically connected to another one of the first and second wiring patterns of the sidewall structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Invensense, Inc.
    Inventor: Christian Lillelund
  • Publication number: 20140270279
    Abstract: The invention generally relates to acoustic transducers. In certain aspects, the acoustic transducer includes a diaphragm and an actuator releasably coupled to the diaphragm to cause movement of the diaphragm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: EMO LABS, INC.
    Inventor: Terrence Keith Jones
  • Publication number: 20140270327
    Abstract: The invention generally relates to acoustic transducers. In certain aspects, the acoustic transducer includes a curved diaphragm and an actuator coupled to the curved diaphragm to cause movement of the curved diaphragm. In certain embodiments, the curved diaphragm has at least one free edge. In other embodiments, the left and right edges of the curved diaphragm are associated with auxiliary supports. In another embodiment, the acoustic transducer is a multi-pole loudspeaker wherein a curved diaphragm radiates the sound energy in a modified dipole pattern. The curvature of the radiating surface of the transducer reduces sound cancellation from sound energy reflected by nearby surfaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Emo Labs, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Hedges, Stefan Bokaemper, Terrence Keith Jones
  • Publication number: 20140270326
    Abstract: The invention provides a planar-magnetic transducer with a frame and a primary magnet row structure of elongated magnets adjacent and air gapped from a first surface side of a mobile portion of a thin film or thin structure diaphragm with conductive traces incorporated with the diaphragm. An additional pair of magnetic sources attached to the frame outside of the vibratable region of the diaphragm and mounted above the plane of the opposite, second surface side of the diaphragm to enhance magnetic energy near the second surface side of the film diaphragm, without any magnet rows attached directly in front of the second surface side of the vibratable region of the diaphragm between the additional pair of magnetic sources.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventor: James J. Croft, III
  • Publication number: 20140254858
    Abstract: An electro-acoustic transducer includes a frame having sidewalls, a magnetic circuit system received in the frame and a vibration system fixed to the frame. The vibration system includes a vibrating diaphragm and a driving voice coil for driving the vibrating diaphragm to move. The electro-acoustic transducer further includes a communication coil, which is fixed within the frame and located below the vibrating diaphragm and surrounding the driving voice coil. The communication coil is a symmetric loop structure, which includes four straight edge portions and curved corner portions located at four corners to connect adjacent straight edge portions. A distance between each of the curved corner portions and the driving voice coil is greater than a distance between each of the straight edge portions and the driving voice coil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2014
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: AAC TECHNOLOGIES PTE. LTD.,
    Inventor: Jing He
  • Patent number: 8824707
    Abstract: A micromachined microphone or speaker embedded within, or positioned on top of, a substrate suitable for carrying microelectronic chips and components. The acoustic element converts sound energy into electrical energy which is then amplified by electronic components positioned on the surface of the substrate. Alternatively, the acoustic element may be driven by electronics to produce sound. The substrate can be used in standard microelectronic packaging applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Mark Bachman, Guann-Pyng Li Li
  • Patent number: 8824725
    Abstract: A speaker diaphragm includes a fabric layer in which impregnated thermosetting resin is thermally cured, and a paper layer integrated on a rear face of this fabric layer. Fluffs of the paper layer filling stitches of the fabric layer are entangled with threads of the fabric layer from a surface of the fabric layer, and are firmly fixed by thermosetting resin. This integrates the layers in the state that the paper layer is filled in the stitches of the fabric layer. Accordingly, internal loss and Young's modulus of the speaker diaphragm can be increased. As a result, the speaker sound quality can be improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventor: Osamu Funahashi
  • Patent number: 8824724
    Abstract: An audio transducer for use in a loudspeaker system. The transducer includes a pair of flexible, curved diaphragms, with each diaphragm having a distal end and a proximal end. The curved diaphragms form hemi-cylindrical lobes being substantially tangent to one another at their proximal ends and are attached to energy absorbent dampers at their distal ends. The transducers can be employed in a line array as part of the loudspeaker system as well as some of the transducers facing forward while others rearward and, in doing so, their amplitudes and phases can be adjusted for fine tailoring the geometric coverage of acoustic energy radiating from the loudspeaker system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Inventors: J. Craig Oxford, D. Michael Shields
  • Patent number: 8818014
    Abstract: A sound production component that includes a vibration element, a support member, and a connection part. The vibration element includes a polygonal vibration plate and an electromechanical conversion element attached to the vibration plate. The connection part connects an entire periphery of the vibration plate to the support member. At least a portion of the connection part has a curved shape. The length of a portion of the connection part which connects each corner of the vibration plate and the support member is shorter than the length of a portion of the connection part which connects a central portion of each side edge of the vibration plate and the support member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshio Imanishi, Yoshihiro Sonoda
  • Patent number: 8811650
    Abstract: A ribbon transducer comprising a ribbon made of conductive material, two rigid supports where the ends of the ribbon are fixed, and a tensioning and damping system provided at least at one end of the conductive ribbon to tension the ribbon and damp its movements. The tensioning and damping system comprises a leaf spring comprising a first end section to which said ribbon is fixed and a second end section fixed to said rigid support, in such a way to exert a tensile force in the tensioning direction of the ribbon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Ask Industries Societa' per Azioni
    Inventor: Maurizio Servadio
  • Patent number: 8794374
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a sound converter, and, more particularly, to a sound converter which can solve a problem in that a vibration space decreases in the sound converter requiring high outputs, as the overall height of a voice coil increases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: EM-Tech. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ji Hoon Kim, Kwan Ho Ko, Joong Hak Kwon
  • Patent number: 8792670
    Abstract: A loudspeaker for active noise cancellation is disclosed in which a measurement microphone (12) is arranged at the acoustic center. In addition, a system for active noise cancellation is described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: AMS AG
    Inventor: Martin Schoerkmaier
  • Publication number: 20140193026
    Abstract: A magnetic circuit includes an upper plate, a magnet, a lower plate, and a center pole. The outer circumference of a frame is coupled with a diaphragm. One end of a voice coil is coupled with the diaphragm, and the other end is inserted into a magnetic gap formed between the upper plate and the center pole. The frame is provided with a through hole. An insertion part provided on the outer circumference of the upper plate is inserted into the through hole. The frame is coupled with the upper plate by bending the insertion part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2013
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Applicant: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Kenichi Ajiki, Toshinori Yamaji, Keiji Ishikawa, Masamichi Ara
  • Patent number: 8774448
    Abstract: A speaker includes a vibrating unit, and a magnetic circuit unit. The vibrating unit includes a diaphragm, an elastic plate coupled with the diaphragm, and a voice coil electrically connecting to the elastic plate. The vibrating unit is mounted to and positioned by the magnetic circuit unit. A projection of the diaphragm on the magnetic circuit unit is disposed within an outline of the magnetic circuit unit. The speaker has no frame or any structure with a frame configuration, which makes the magnetic circuit unit larger and more powerful.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignees: AAC Acoustic Technologies (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd., AAC Acoustic Technologies (Changzhou) Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Lin-Zhen Li, Xiong Zhang
  • Patent number: 8767999
    Abstract: A slimline speaker comprises: a magnetic circuit having a magnet and yoke disposed to form a separating space in the horizontal direction; a bobbin on which a voice coil is mounted and of which the lower side is inserted in the separating space between the magnet and yoke; a base frame for mounting the magnetic circuit; a damper having an inside edge coupled to the bobbin and an outside edge coupled to the base frame; and a diaphragm having an inside edge coupled to a point lower down than the point where the damper is coupled on the bobbin, and an outside edge coupled to the base frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Inventor: Joung Youl Shin
  • Patent number: 8763238
    Abstract: A hearing aid (8) comprises an inlet port (6), a sound tube (12) for conveying sound to the ear piece (13). The invention further provides a component for a hearing aid comprising a slab (26) having an exterior surface, which is super-hydrophobic. The component may be any one of a housing, a casing, a shell, a faceplate, a grid, a hook, a lid, a battery drawer, a button, or a manipulator. The invention also provides a method of manufacturing a component for a hearing aid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Widex A/S
    Inventors: Jorn Eiler Vestergaard, Jorgen Mejner Olsen, Leif Hojslet Christensen, Kenneth Brian Haugshoj, Martin Frohling Jensen, Kasper Vestentoft
  • Publication number: 20140169614
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a miniature suspension member for a miniature transducer, said miniature suspension member comprising first and second portions being connected by a flexible member at respective outer regions facing away from a centre of the suspension member, wherein the first portion, the second portion and the flexible member form, in combination, a polymer-based one-piece injection mouldable structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2012
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: Gettop Europe R&D ApS
    Inventor: Morten Kjeldsen Andersen