Having Diaphragm Support Feature Patents (Class 381/398)
  • Publication number: 20110044490
    Abstract: An edge is provided between an outer peripheral part of a diaphragm and a frame. The edge includes a concave part which is formed along the outer peripheral part of the diaphragm and which includes a recess. The concave part is comprised of a first material. A second material is filled in a part of the recess and has lower density than the first material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2010
    Publication date: February 24, 2011
    Applicant: YAMAHA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Takashi MAKINO
  • Patent number: 7882612
    Abstract: A method for producing a membrane for a device, e.g. a microphone, includes providing a substrate is provided on which a counter electrode is disposed. A sacrificial layer is provided on a surface of the counter electrode facing away from the substrate. The surface of the sacrificial layer facing away from the counter electrode is structured to form a plurality of recesses in the surface to define one or several antistick elements and one or several corrugation grooves at the same time. Subsequently, a membrane material is deposited on the structured surface of the sacrificial layer. Then, the sacrificial layer is removed to form the membrane, which has one or several corrugation grooves and one or several antistick elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Alfons Dehé, Stefan Barzen, Marc Fueldner
  • Publication number: 20110026758
    Abstract: A diaphragm includes a membrane and at least one reinforcing structure stacked on the membrane. The at least one reinforcing structure includes at least one free-standing carbon nanotube structure. The at least one free-standing carbon nanotube structure includes a net structure of a plurality of carbon nanotubes combined to each other due to the van der Waals attractive force. A loudspeaker using the diaphragm is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2010
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Applicants: Tsinghua University, HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jia-Ping Wang, Liang Liu
  • Patent number: 7877856
    Abstract: An edge (29) for supporting a diaphragm assembly (100) with respect to a frame (26) is bonded to the frame (26) along the outer periphery thereof and joined to a diaphragm (27) in a position more peripherally inward than a voice coil (28) along the inner periphery thereof. The edge (29) partly overlaps diaphragm (27). This structure allows downsizing of the speaker, without reducing the sizes of a permanent magnet (21) and the edge (29).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Takanori Fukuyama, Tomoyasu Takase, Koji Sano, Hiroshi Yano, Masanori Nakano, Shigeru Tomoeda, Kazuki Honda, Kazuya Yamasaki, Kazutaka Kubo, Takeshi Shimokawatoko, Mitsutaka Enomoto, Masahide Sumiyama
  • Patent number: 7877855
    Abstract: A method for forming a vertical coupling structure for non-adjacent resonators is provided to have a first and a second resonators, a dielectric material layer, a first and a second high-frequency transmission lines and at least one via pole. The first and the second resonators respectively have a first and a second opposite metal surfaces. The dielectric material layer is disposed between the opposite second metal surfaces of the first and the second resonators. The first and the second transmission lines are respectively arranged at sides of the first metal surfaces of the first resonator and the second resonator. The first high-frequency transmission line is vertically connected to the second high-frequency transmission line by the via pole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignees: Industrial Technology Research Institute, National Taiwan University
    Inventors: Chia-Cheng Chuang, Ruey-Beei Wu, Tze-Min Shen
  • Patent number: 7876923
    Abstract: A seal consists of an annular thermoplastic body having a relatively thinner annular base and a relatively thicker, compressible annular bead. The annular body has a shape that corresponds to a mounting surface of a loudspeaker. A surface of a rim of a loudspeaker basket is placed in contact with a mold to form a substantially annular cavity, a melted thermoplastic material is injected at low-pressure into the cavity to form a seal adhered to the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Inventors: Brendan J. Finnegan, Donald S. Joyner, Lawrence D. Van Etten
  • Patent number: 7873178
    Abstract: A planar loudspeaker includes a shell pot, a magnet, a diaphragm, and a face plate. The magnet may be positioned in a cavity in the shell pot. The diaphragm may be coupled with the shell pot to cover an entrance to the cavity. The shell pot may include a conductive path having an inner contact proximate the central axis of the diaphragm, and an outer contact proximate to a perimeter of the diaphragm. The face plate may be coupled with the shell pot so that the diaphragm is positioned between the magnet and the faceplate. The face plate may include an inner terminal and an outer terminal that are aligned to be in direct contact with the respective inner contact and the outer contact of the diaphragm and form an electrical connection there between when the face plate is coupled with the shell pot. The inner and outer terminals may be coupled with a source of electrical signals, such as an audio amplifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: Harman International Industries, Incorporation
    Inventors: John F. Steere, Hans-Juergen Regl, Steven W. Hutt
  • Publication number: 20110007931
    Abstract: A speaker diaphragm of the present invention is molded by paper-making molding, using not smaller than 5 wt % of fibers extracted from at least bamboo leaves. It is thereby possible to improve the rigidity of the speaker diaphragm, so as to realize a speaker diaphragm with low environmental load, reducible cost and high sound quality.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2009
    Publication date: January 13, 2011
    Inventors: Yohei Jin, Kazuyoshi Mimura, Shinya Mizone, Toru Fujii
  • Publication number: 20100322458
    Abstract: A speaker according to the present invention includes: a diaphragm formed as an elongated box-shaped five face body having one open face; an edge for supporting the diaphragm so as to enable vibration of the diaphragm; a voice coil wound around and fixed to four side faces which are among five faces of the diaphragm and which are adjacent to the open face; and a magnetic circuit for supplying a drive force to the voice coil, and the diaphragm is configured such that a height from the open face to an upper face opposed to the open face is greater than or equal to twice a thickness of the voice coil, and a length of a long side of the upper face is greater than or equal to twice a length of a short side of the upper face, and the upper face and two side faces of the diaphragm define a long side direction of the diaphragm, and a plurality of reinforcing ribs are formed as recessed and projecting shapes on the upper face and the two side faces of the diaphragm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2009
    Publication date: December 23, 2010
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Takewa
  • Patent number: 7856115
    Abstract: An optimized moving-coil loudspeaker is described herein. The loudspeaker includes an acoustic-radiating diaphragm that is non-cylindrical shape. The diaphragm is a substantially-planar substrate having uniform density. A moving-coil assembly is coupled to the acoustic-radiating diaphragm. The assembly is configured to move back and forth in a linear fashion. As the assembly is connected to the diaphragm it causes acoustic waves to be emitted from a front surface the acoustic-radiating diaphragm. The acoustic-radiating diaphragm is not supported by a conventional basket, among other differences.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Inventors: Roy B. Clair, Joshua M. Sadd
  • Publication number: 20100303278
    Abstract: A low profile speaker that is designed to substantially eliminate wobble of the bobbin and voice coil during operation with two different electromagnetic motor designs. In each design there is an added feature to of a downward extension of the outer edge of the cone that bottoms out on the bottom surface of the frame before the bottom edge of the bobbin strikes the bottom of the air gap thus preventing damage to the bobbin and voice coil when the voice coil is overdriven downward. Additionally, there are two different bobbin and voice coil cooling feature for use with electromagnetic motors that utilize a Tyoke construction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2008
    Publication date: December 2, 2010
    Inventor: Joseph Y. Sahyoun
  • Publication number: 20100296688
    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: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2009
    Publication date: November 25, 2010
    Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Osamu Funahashi
  • Publication number: 20100296687
    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: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2008
    Publication date: November 25, 2010
    Applicant: TOA Corporation
    Inventors: Takeshi Fujita, Hiroshi Kubota
  • Publication number: 20100284560
    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: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2010
    Publication date: November 11, 2010
    Inventors: J. CRAIG OXFORD, D. Michael Shields
  • Publication number: 20100278371
    Abstract: The invention provides an electroacoustic transducer capable of efficiently carrying out conversion from electric signals to sound or from sound to electric signals at low distortion, which requires no special shape nor processing as a magnet, requires no minute setting of the magnetization direction, and sets a distribution of higher magnetic flux densities for effective action with respect to an electric conductor of an acoustic diaphragm than in a magnet plate magnetized in the radius direction although the production process thereof is remarkably simple as in a magnet plate magnetized in the radius direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2008
    Publication date: November 4, 2010
    Inventor: Akito Hanada
  • Patent number: 7813522
    Abstract: A loudspeaker device 1 includes an acoustic diaphragm 5 composed of a domed diaphragm 11, an edge-like diaphragm 13, and a junctional flat portion 12 which joins those domed and edge-like diaphragms, and a joined portion 23 where an end surface of a bobbin 4 of a voice coil or of a conductive 1-turn ring 3 is stuck and fixed to the junctional flat portion 12 or a reinforcement ring 15; and the reinforcement ring 15 is stuck and fixed to the junctional flat portion 12 from above or from under, thereby increasing the mechanical strength of the junctional flat portion 12 of the acoustic diaphragm 5. A loudspeaker device in which unnecessary vibrations are removed and also the quality of acoustic signals is excellent up to high range is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshio Ohashi, Masaru Uryu, Naotaka Tsunoda, Takeshi Hara
  • Patent number: 7795063
    Abstract: A micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) device includes a back-plate substrate, having an intended region formed with a plurality of perforating holes. A first structural dielectric layer, disposed on the back-plate substrate, wherein the dielectric layer having an opening above the intended region. An etching stop layer, disposed over the first structural dielectric layer. A second structural dielectric layer, formed over the back-plate substrate. The etching stop layer and the second structural dielectric layer form at least a part of a micro-machine diaphragm, and cover over the opening of the first structural dielectric layer to form a chamber between the micro-machine diaphragm and the back-plate substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Solid State System Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsung-Min Hsieh, Chien-Hsing Lee
  • 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: 20100208934
    Abstract: Objects are to make a speaker device smaller than heretofore in size, in profile, and in weight, and to reproduce sound in high quality. The speaker device includes: a diaphragm which has an inner rim connected to a voice coil bobbin and an outer rim connected to a frame through an edge, and is shaped so that a peak portion is formed between the inner rim and the outer rim, which are positioned at an acoustic radiation side in comparison with the peak portion; and an inner magnet type magnetic circuit for driving a voice coil which is arranged on the voice coil bobbin connected to the inner rim of the diaphragm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2006
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Applicants: PIONEER CORPORATION, TOHOKU PIONEER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Dohi, Akihiko Furuto
  • Publication number: 20100195862
    Abstract: A transducer generates acoustic energy. The transducer is suitable for incorporation into any device that needs sound reproduction capability, including devices with generally rectangular geometries such as cell phones, PDAs, and portable gaming devices. The transducer includes a displaceable membrane with a deformable corner. The deformable corner may extend the frequency range over which the transducer generates acoustic energy without distortion. The deformable corner may be part of a membrane periphery around the displaceable membrane. The membrane periphery may be square, triangular, or may take any other polygonal shape.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2010
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Applicant: AKG Acoustics GmbH
    Inventor: Martin Optiz
  • Publication number: 20100183187
    Abstract: The present invention provides: a loudspeaker including a frame, a drive unit, and a membrane; the membrane having an inner edge, an outer edge which is suspended from the frame, and a membrane body which is between the inner and outer edges and extends around the drive unit; the drive unit having a stationary part secured to the frame and a translatable part secured to the inner edge of the membrane; the membrane body including a dished portion which, has a depth that increases from said inner and outer edges towards a base region of the dished portion located between said edges; wherein the loudspeaker includes a stiffening element which extends around the drive unit and stiffens the membrane body at the base region of the dished portion, so as to reinforce the membrane against deformation in the base region. By including the stiffening element, it has been found that the first break-up resonance of the membrane is shifted to a higher frequency and has reduced amplitude.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2008
    Publication date: July 22, 2010
    Applicant: PSS Belgium N.V.
    Inventor: David Corynen
  • Publication number: 20100177925
    Abstract: A speaker device includes a diaphragm having an inner rim connected to a voice coil bobbin and an outer rim connected to a frame through an edge, wherein the diaphragm is shaped so that a peak portion is formed with an acute angle folded back between the inner rim and the outer rim which are positioned at an acoustic radiation side in comparison with the peak portion. The cross-sectional shape of the diaphragm extending from the peak portion to the inner rim is formed with a convex shape toward an acoustic radiation side, and also that of the diaphragm extending from the peak portion to the outer rim is formed with substantially straight shape or convex shape toward the acoustic radiation side. The speaker device lower in profile allows high-quality sound to be reproduced, in particular, the high range of frequency characteristic of the sound pressure to be improved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2006
    Publication date: July 15, 2010
    Applicants: PIONEER CORPORATION, TOHOKU PIONEER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Akihiko Furuto, Hiroyuki Dohi
  • Publication number: 20100172533
    Abstract: A loudspeaker diaphragm contains polylactic acid, and bamboo charcoal mixed in the polylactic acid. The diaphragm does not affect environment and provides a loudspeaker with high sound quality.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2008
    Publication date: July 8, 2010
    Inventors: Yoshimichi Kajihara, Kazuaki Nishimura, Hiroshi Shinkoda
  • Patent number: 7747035
    Abstract: A loudspeaker having a diaphragm with a fixed edge and a free edge, and a multiplicity of conductors running parallel to its length and adjacent to the free edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Inventor: Leslie A. Heavner
  • Publication number: 20100158306
    Abstract: A diaphragm unit is arranged to be used in a loudspeaker including a frame. The diaphragm includes a diaphragm and an edge joined to an outer periphery of the diaphragm. The diaphragm extends in a longitudinal direction and has a first center line extends along the longitudinal direction. The edge has an outer periphery being arranged to join to the frame, and an inner periphery joined to the outer periphery of the diaphragm. The edge has a convex surface having substantially a semi-circular cross section. The convex surface of the edge has grooves provided therein. The grooves extend from the inner periphery of the edge to the outer periphery of the edge. The grooves have cross sections each having a U-shape or a V-shape, and are arranged symmetrically about the first center line of the diaphragm. This diaphragm unit provides an elongated loudspeaker reproducing bass sounds with small distortions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2007
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Applicant: MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Atsushi Inaba, Hiroyuki Takewa
  • Publication number: 20100142741
    Abstract: A speaker with an embedded sound enhancement module includes a magnet, a pole piece positioned within the magnet, a sleeve surrounding the pole piece, a conductive wire coil wound around the sleeve between the magnet and the pole piece, a dust cap or diaphragm attached to a circumference of the sleeve, a speaker cone surrounding the dust cap, and an enclosed chamber having an aperture to access an internal volume of the chamber and an alternative density transmission medium (ADTM) positioned within a portion of the internal volume.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2009
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Inventor: Jan Princeton Plummer
  • Publication number: 20100135519
    Abstract: The invention relates to a loudspeaker designed with a large area having sandwich-like layer structure, consisting of a plurality of conductive and nonconductive layers which form an active sound-radiating loudspeaker surface, having: a first diaphragm sheet (1) coated with an electrically conductive layer (3), a second diaphragm sheet (2) coated with an electrically conductive layer (4) a static high-voltage supply (9), which generates an electric field between the first electrically conductive layer (3) and the second electrically conductive layer (4), an audio source (10) which influences the high-voltage fields between the first electrically conductive layer (3) and the second electrically conductive layer (4) via a capacitor (15).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2008
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Applicant: Bayer MaterialScience AG
    Inventors: Thilo-J. Werners, Michael Heite, Norman Gerkinsmeyer, Joachim Kistner
  • Publication number: 20100128917
    Abstract: A speaker comprising a first rod magnet having a longitudinal direction, a second rod magnet having a longitudinal direction parallel with the longitudinal direction of the first rod magnet, a third rod magnet forming a second magnetic gap between it and the first rod magnet, a diaphragm vibrating in the vibrating direction, a housing for storing the first rod magnet, the second rod magnet, the third rod magnet and the diaphragm, and voice coils bonded to the diaphragm and arranged in first and second magnetic gaps. The second rod magnet has a longitudinal direction parallel with the longitudinal direction of the first rod magnet, and has the opposite end faces in the longitudinal direction. The third rod magnet has a longitudinal direction parallel with the longitudinal direction of the first rod magnet, and has the opposite end faces in the longitudinal direction. The diaphragm is located between the first and second rod magnets and between the first and third rod magnets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2007
    Publication date: May 27, 2010
    Applicant: MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Koji Sano, Kazuki Honda, Satoshi Itoh, Masashi Kawabe
  • Patent number: 7716808
    Abstract: Electro-dynamic loudspeakers typically include a diaphragm having a conductor applied to one of its surfaces where the diaphragm is secured to a frame. The conductor is connected to a power supply for providing electrical current through linear traces of the conductor that interact with magnetic fields generated by magnets that are mounted to the frame. The diaphragm is driven by a motive force created when current passes through the conductor within the magnetic field. The electrical current is varied to create an acoustical output from the electro-dynamic loudspeaker. Different methods of attaching the diaphragm are provided for simplifying the manufacturing process and for obtaining a robust electro-dynamic loudspeaker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: Harman International Industries, Incorporated
    Inventors: Steven W. Hutt, John F. Steere, David B. Garner, Louis A. Mango
  • Patent number: 7711137
    Abstract: A transducer generates acoustic energy. The transducer is suitable for incorporation into any device that needs sound reproduction capability, including devices with generally rectangular geometries such as cell phones, PDAs, and portable gaming devices. The transducer includes a displaceable membrane with a deformable corner. The deformable corner may extend the frequency range over which the transducer generates acoustic energy without distortion. The deformable corner may be part of a membrane periphery around the displaceable membrane. The membrane periphery may be square, triangular, or may take any other polygonal shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: AKG Acoustics GmbH
    Inventor: Martin Optiz
  • Patent number: 7711138
    Abstract: The present invention is a loudspeaker. The loudspeaker includes a frame, a cone having an outer edge in a shape of a reverse angle flange, and a reinforcing ring bonded to a back side of the flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Inventor: Bruce W. Howze
  • Patent number: 7706561
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for manufacturing an electroacoustic transducer for, for instance, a hearing aid, with a diaphragm arranged in a housing. The diaphragm is attached onto a film or punched from a sheet of material, such that along the circumferential edge of the diaphragm, a free strip of film or a strip of material remains present, in a capillary space between the circumferential edge of the film and the inner wall of the housing, or in a capillary space between the diaphragm and the strip of material, a polymer of a low viscosity is provided to connect to diaphragm with the housing wall. Through the method, the production of the transducer is greatly simplified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: Sonion Nederland B.V.
    Inventors: Engbert Wilmink, Aart Zeger van Halteren, Hendrik Dolleman, Paul Christiaan van Hal
  • Patent number: 7706562
    Abstract: A corrugated damper for a speaker has a plurality of alternating concentric peaks and valleys formed on a surface thereof and a plurality of ribs installed on the valleys in such a way that both ends of the ribs are connected between their respective two adjacent peaks, thereby enhancing strength of the damper while keeping its basic elasticity, and preventing from deformation or breakage of the, damper due to long-term uneven action forces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Inventor: Hiroshi Ohara
  • Patent number: 7706560
    Abstract: A cross-sectionally substantially-semicircular portion of an edge portion adapted to connect an outer periphery of a diaphragm to a speaker frame is configured to have an uneven-thickness structure in which the thickness of the portion gradually decreases toward a sticking portion of an outer peripheral portion of the speaker frame from a sticking portion of the outer periphery of the diaphragm. Thus, the propagation characteristic of vibrations generated on the edge portion is improved. Disturbance is prevented from occurring in an mid-range frequency characteristic due to inverse resonance caused by the edge portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignees: Pioneer Corporation, Tohoku Pioneer Electronic Corporation
    Inventors: Koji Takayama, Hiroyuki Kobayashi, Shinichi Hayasaka, Kazuki Yuze
  • Patent number: 7701507
    Abstract: A digital camera module (100) includes a lens module (110), an image sensor (120) and a linear voice coil actuator (130). The lens module further includes a lens set (111), an infrared cut filter (112), a spacer set (113) and a barrel (114). The image sensor is a CCD or a CMOS. The linear voice coil actuator includes an elongated soft magnetic core (131), a tubular permanent magnet (132) positioned parallel to the axis of the core, a sliding holder (133) and a coil (134) attached to the sliding holder and positioned to interact with the permanent magnet along the axis of the core. The digital camera module further includes a servo-controller (140) for controlling the movement of the linear voice coil actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ga-Lane Chen
  • Patent number: 7684586
    Abstract: A speaker includes a diaphragm having a principal vibration part and annular internal and external supports for supporting the principal vibration part, a large-diameter voice coil unit mounted at the outer edge of the principal vibration part, a small-diameter voice coil unit mounted at the inner edge of the principal vibration part, and a yoke integrated with the diaphragm. Positioning members fixed to the diaphragm as well as secured to a predetermined site of the yoke are provided for restricting the positions of the diaphragm relative to the yoke in a radial direction and an axial direction perpendicular to the radial direction so that the large-diameter voice coil unit and the small-diameter voice coil unit are arranged within respective magnetic gaps in a magnetic circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: Alpine Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Naoki Shimamura
  • Publication number: 20100054506
    Abstract: Provided is a piezoelectric speaker (40) including: a piezoelectric element (42) that deforms in response to an input signal; a diaphragm (43) that is set in bending motion by the piezoelectric element (42) to generate sound; and a resilient portion (44) that holds at least a part of an outer edge of the diaphragm (43). The piezoelectric speaker further includes a lock portion (46) arranged to block extension of the diaphragm (43) by coming into contact with a part of a vibration plane of the diaphragm (43) when an input signal is not input to obtain a lock state and to release the lock state immediately after the input signal is input. Consequently, bending motion of the diaphragm (43) can be started quickly and movement of the diaphragm is not obstructed after starting of the bending motion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2007
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Inventor: Ukyo Mori
  • Patent number: 7669310
    Abstract: An acoustic mirror of alternately arranged layers of high and low acoustic impedances is manufactured in that a basic material having a first layer of the layer sequence is initially provided, on which a second layer of the layer sequence is created on the first layer such that the second layer of the layer sequence partially covers the first layer. Subsequently, a planarization layer is applied onto the layer sequence, and the planarization layer is removed in an area which in the common layer plane projects laterally beyond the second layer so as to result in a residual planarization layer. Finally, a termination layer is applied onto the layer sequence and the residual planarization layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: Avago Technologies Wireless IP (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventor: Gernot Fattinger
  • Publication number: 20100034418
    Abstract: A micro speaker having a first core assembly and a second core assembly, with a diaphragm between the first and second core assemblies. Each of the core assemblies includes a housing with a pole and a cover plate, and a permanent magnet within the housing. At least one of the core assemblies includes an electrically conductive coil positioned around the pole. Each of the cover plates has a groove therein. The micro speaker further includes a soft magnetic armature present between each cover plate and the diaphragm, with a portion of each armature present and moveable within the grooves.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2008
    Publication date: February 11, 2010
    Applicant: SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY LLC
    Inventor: Wayne Allen Bonin
  • Publication number: 20100014702
    Abstract: An electroacoustical transducer includes a bobbin, a first acoustic radiator coupled to the bobbin through a first surround having a mechanical compliance, a second acoustic radiator generally rigidly coupled to the bobbin, and a basket. The first acoustic radiator is coupled to the basket through a second surround, and the second acoustic radiator is coupled to the basket through a third surround. The first surround is constructed to cause the first acoustic radiator to move out of phase with the second acoustic radiator relative to the bobbin when actuated by the bobbin at acoustic frequencies at and above a resonant frequency of the first acoustic radiator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2008
    Publication date: January 21, 2010
    Applicant: BOSE CORPORATION
    Inventor: Jason D. Silver
  • Publication number: 20100014703
    Abstract: A loudspeaker according to the present invention includes a frame body, a leading wire board disposed underneath the frame body, a magnet mounted in the frame body, a pad ring glued on an edge of the frame body, a diaphragm whose exterior rim is glued on the pad ring and a voice coil assembled in the frame body and surrounding the magnet. A top of the voice coil is adhered to a bottom of the diaphragm and two free ends of the voice coil are soldered to the leading wire board. The pad ring is made of plastic material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2008
    Publication date: January 21, 2010
    Applicant: CHENG UEI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hung-Chi Wang, Kun-Li Huang
  • Patent number: 7647688
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a low frequency quartz resonator includes metalizing a top-side of a quartz wafer with a metal etch stop, depositing a first metal layer over the metal etch stop, patterning the first metal layer to form a top electrode, bonding the quartz wafer to a silicon handle, thinning the quartz wafer to a desired thickness, depositing on a bottom-side of the quartz wafer a hard etch mask, etching the quartz wafer to form a quartz area for the resonator and to form a via through the quartz wafer, removing the hard etch mask without removing the metal etch stop, forming on the bottom side of the quartz wafer a bottom electrode for the low frequency quartz resonator, depositing metal for a substrate bond pad onto a host substrate wafer, bonding the quartz resonator to the substrate bond pad, and removing the silicon handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignee: HRL Laboratories, LLC
    Inventors: David T. Chang, Randall L. Kubena, Frederic P. Stratton, Pamela R. Patterson
  • Publication number: 20100002901
    Abstract: A speaker having improved sound quality by reducing a phase difference and also having an outstanding outward appearance is provided. In a speaker comprising a vibrating element 10, a drive unit 20 for vibrating the vibrating element 10, and a frame 30 supporting the vibrating element 10 and the drive unit 20, the vibrating element 10 comprises a front face region 10A which forms a continuously curved face having a convex-shaped cross-sectional portion T1 formed in its central portion and a concave-shaped cross-sectional portion T2 formed around the portion T1, and a connecting region 10B located on the rear side of the front face region 10A and connected to the drive unit 20.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2006
    Publication date: January 7, 2010
    Applicant: Pioneer Corporation
    Inventors: Kyoichi Matsuda, Toshihiro Hikichi, Daisuke Itoh, Teruaki Kaiya
  • Publication number: 20090316948
    Abstract: A drive cone 11 and a diaphragm 14 are integrally driven by a voice coil 6 movably disposed in a magnetic gap 5. Peripheral edge portions of the drive cone 11 and the diaphragm 14 are supported by a frame 12 via different edge portions 13 and 15, respectively. The drive cone 11 is provided with a rising-up portion 11a which rises up toward an acoustic radiation direction from a inner circumferential end, and a rising-down portion 11b which rises down toward a direction reverse to the acoustic radiation direction. An inner circumferential edge of the diaphragm 14 is fixed at an annular top formed between the rising-up portion and the rising-down portion. Moreover, a first rib 11c and a second rib 11d are formed on the drive cone 11 in such a manner as to rise up toward the acoustic radiation direction integrally with the drive cone. The diaphragm 14 is supported also at the tips of the ribs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2006
    Publication date: December 24, 2009
    Applicants: PIONEER CORPORATION, TOHOKU PIONEER CORPORATION
    Inventor: Teruaki Kaiya
  • Patent number: 7627133
    Abstract: A diaphragm has a through-hole for fixing a voice coil at its center part, and has a fixing part of an edge at its outer periphery which is substantially circular. The shape of the outer periphery of diaphragm is formed as follows: a first circle and a second circle overlap each other with their center points displaced in such a manner that at least one part of an outer periphery of the first circle and the second circle forms a part of the substantially circular outer periphery of the entire shape. Using this structure, signal reproduction characteristics can significantly be flattened by reducing the resonance level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventor: Osamu Funahashi
  • Publication number: 20090290748
    Abstract: The planar speaker contains a frame, a diaphragm, a driver, a surround, and a number of flexible suspension elements. The diaphragm is suspended in a front opening of the frame by the surround. The driver is positioned at the center of the frame and a voice coil of the driver is attached to a back surface of the diaphragm. Two beams are arranged in parallel between two opposing longer wall segments of the frame on either side of the driver. The suspension elements are supported by the two beams, respectively, and attached to a back surface of the diaphragm. The symmetric deformation of the diaphragm along its longer side is thereby constrained by the suspension elements and the deformations at the two end zones of the diaphragm vibrating at a phase opposite to that of the center of the diaphragm would be suppressed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2008
    Publication date: November 26, 2009
    Inventor: Tai Yan Kam
  • Patent number: 7620190
    Abstract: The invention refers to a device (3) for actuating a membrane arranged in an opening to a space, and a vehicle having such a device. The membrane (1) has a first surface (1?) and a second opposite surface (1?), and is limited by an edge area. The device includes a first strip (5) to be attached to the first surface of the membrane in the edge area, and a second strip (6) to be attached to a surface of a frame portion extending around the opening. An exchanging number (8) is arranged between and connecting the first strip with the second strip. An actuating member (20) is arranged to transfer a reciprocating primary movement to the exchanging member converting the primary movement to a reciprocating secondary movement, which has a longer length of stroke than the primary movement and acts on the strips to move towards and away from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2009
    Assignee: Magna Donnelly Corporation
    Inventor: Mats Gustavsson
  • Patent number: 7609148
    Abstract: An actuator is provided that includes: a diaphragm that vibrates to generate sound; a housing that is attached to an outer edge of the diaphragm to support the diaphragm; an accommodating space that is formed inside the diaphragm and the housing, and an axis of which extends in a thickness direction of the diaphragm in the middle of the diaphragm; a coil that is wound around the axis, is attached to a face of the diaphragm facing the accommodating space, and is disposed in the accommodating space; a movable body that is disposed in a radial inside space of the coil or on an extension of the space, within the accommodating space; and a spring that supports the movable body such that the movable body is movable in the axial direction within the accommodating space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Kouichiro Takashima, Shun Kayama, Minoru Nakano, Yukiko Shimizu
  • Publication number: 20090262971
    Abstract: An uncured fluid adhesive is charged into a groove surrounding the outer circumference of a voice coil so that the inner circumferential edge of a diaphragm is immersed in the adhesive. The cured adhesive securely bonds the diaphragm to the voice coil, and thus the diaphragm can be driven at high output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2006
    Publication date: October 22, 2009
    Inventor: Osamu Funahashi
  • Publication number: 20090252368
    Abstract: A ribbon-type electroacoustic transducer such that the acoustic dispersion in the window roughly parallel to the transducers' diaphragm surface is superior to the dispersion of other similar ribbon-type electroacoustic transducers is described. In addition, methods of improving the symmetry of the magnetic field within the motor of the electroacoustic transducer are described. In addition, methods of employing flexible suspension elements attached to a ribbon-type electroacoustic transducer diaphragm such that a shape is created in the diaphragm by the compliance of the flexible suspension elements roughly approximating a smooth curve similar to the smoothly curved diaphragm as described above is described. Additionally, methods of improving the symmetry of the magnetic field within the motor for this shape of diaphragm are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2008
    Publication date: October 8, 2009
    Inventor: George E. Short, III