Spider Patents (Class 381/404)
  • Patent number: 8081791
    Abstract: A loudspeaker includes a frame, a magnetic circuit supported by the frame, voice coil body provided movably in relation to a magnetic gap provided at the magnetic circuit, a diaphragm having an outer rim being joined via a first edge to the frame and an inner rim being joined to the voice coil body, and a damper located towards the magnetic circuit from the diaphragm. The damper has an inner rim joined to the voice coil body. The damper has an outer rim joined via a second edge to the frame. The second edge protrudes towards the diaphragm or in a direction opposite to the diaphragm. The damper includes a first protrusion protruding towards the diaphragm and a second protrusion protruding in a direction opposite to a direction in which the first protrusion protrudes. A protrusion out of the first and second protrusions is closest to the second edge among the protrusions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventor: Osamu Funahashi
  • Patent number: 8077902
    Abstract: A voice coil suspension system comprising a spider formed of flexible dielectric material defining a flexure portion configured to suspend a voice coil for axial displacement and an elongate connector portion for carrying flat electrical conductors for electrically connecting terminals of said voice coil to stationary electric contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Advanced Bionics AG
    Inventors: Richard L. Weisman, Claude A. Vidal, Russ J. Redmond, Michael Collinson, Paul Kaluzniak
  • Patent number: 8041070
    Abstract: The invention relates to a small speaker. A speaker 1 comprises: a magnetic circuit 3 having a yoke 7, a magnet 15, and a pole piece 16; a vibration system 4 having a voice coil 18 and diaphragm 19 which are joined to each other through a voice coil bobbin 23; and a frame 2 which holds the magnetic circuit 3 and the vibration system. The voice coil is placed in a magnetic gap 17. In the speaker, dampers 26 which are extended respectively from a plurality of places of an opening side end portion of the voice coil bobbin are disposed, and tip end portions of said dampers are bonded and fixed to the frame. The voice coil bobbin is supported from the lower side. The resistance to input is improved without impairing the thinness of the speaker 1, and while suppressing the increase of the production cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Hosiden Corporation
    Inventors: Tomohiko Kamimura, Hideo Yuasa
  • Patent number: 8041068
    Abstract: Loudspeaker has frame, magnetic circuit, voice coil, diaphragm, first combination and second combination. First combination and second combination are both provided closer to magnetic circuit than diaphragm, the inner rims of which are connected to voice coil while the outer rims are to frame. First combination has first damper and first edge wherein first edge has first edge protrusion protruding in a direction toward diaphragm. Second combination has second damper and second edge wherein second edge has second edge protrusion protruding in an opposite direction to the protruding direction of first edge protrusion This structure obtains loudspeaker that distortion is suppressed and weight reduction is easy for an excursion part thus improved in driving efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventor: Osamu Funahashi
  • Patent number: 8005253
    Abstract: The invention is intended to enhance the driving efficiency in a speaker being less in distortion. In order to achieve the purpose, there is provided a damper disposed rather closer to a magnetic circuit than the diaphragm, of which the inner rim is connected to a voice coil body, and the outer rim of the damper is connected to the frame via the second edge. The second edge is protruded toward the diaphragm or the opposite side thereof. The damper has such a structure that the first protrusion protruding toward the diaphragm and the second protrusion protruding in a direction opposite to the first protrusion are alternately repeated in a plurality of times, and the first protrusion and the second protrusion are different in size from each other. The smaller protrusion out of the first and second protrusions is same in protruding direction as the second edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventor: Osamu Funahashi
  • Patent number: 7974434
    Abstract: A loudspeaker includes a frame; a magnetic circuit supported by the frame; a voice coil disposed in a magnetic gap of the magnetic circuit so as to be able to vibrate freely in the gap; a diaphragm connected to the frame at the outer rim thereof via a first edge and connected to the voice coil at the inner rim thereof; a damper connected to the voice coil at the inner rim thereof, the damper being closer to the magnetic circuit than the diaphragm is close to the magnetic circuit; and a second edge connecting the outer rim of the damper to the frame. The second edge has a protrusion protruding either toward the diaphragm or in the opposite direction. The second edge is coupled to a third edge having a protrusion protruding at least in the opposite direction in which the protrusion of the second edge protrudes. This structure enables the loudspeaker to have little distortion and high driving efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventor: Osamu Funahashi
  • Patent number: 7899202
    Abstract: A loudspeaker includes a circular damper, a cone, and a cylindrical bobbin. The circular damper may include a centrally disposed cone attachment protuberance and a peripherally disposed top plate attachment section. The cone may have a central inner portion that may be attached to the cone attachment protuberance of the damper. The cone may be attached to the cylindrical bobbin, which may have a voice coil coupled thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Sound Sources Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Yoichiro Sumitani, Lin Chun-Yi
  • 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
  • Patent number: 7844071
    Abstract: Voice coil body of a loudspeaker is provided at the outer circumferential wall surface with a supporting section. Diameter of the inner circumference of suspension holder is greater than outer diameter of the voice coil body while diameter of the inner circumference of diaphragm is greater than diameter of the inner circumference of suspension holder for facilitating a gluing of the inner circumferential end of suspension holder and the inner circumferential end of diaphragm on the supporting section and to the voice coil body. By so doing, harmonic distortion of a loudspeaker can be further reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Osamu Funahashi, Seiichi Yoshida, Kimihiro Ando, Kazuyoshi Umemura
  • Patent number: 7840025
    Abstract: A loudspeaker damper including: an outer damper; and an inner damper; wherein the outer damper and the inner damper configured to damp a vibrating portion relative to a fixed portion of a loudspeaker, wherein the outer damper supports the outer periphery of a voice coil of the vibrating portion, and supports the outer periphery of the voice coil relative to the fixed portion, wherein the inner damper supports the inner periphery of the voice coil, and supports the inner periphery of the voice coil relative to the fixed portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Emiko Ikeda, Takahisa Tagami
  • Patent number: 7760901
    Abstract: A speaker device includes a magnetic circuit system and a vibration system. The vibration system has a voice coil bobbin, a voice coil wound therearound, a damper, an annular member, a diaphragm and one additional annular member fixed to the voice coil via an adhesive. In the vibration system, the additional annular member and the annular member are arranged on the lower side of the damper and on the upper side of the damper, respectively. A flat portion in the vicinity of the inner peripheral edge portion of the damper is sandwiched between the additional annular member and the annular member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignees: Pioneer Corporation, Tohoku Pioneer Corporation
    Inventors: Teruaki Kaiya, Seiya Sato
  • Publication number: 20100172535
    Abstract: A spider arrangement for an electromagnetic vibrator includes an outer rim adapted for mounting to a supporting frame of the electromagnetic vibrator, an inner rim coaxially aligning with the outer rim for mounting to an induction coil of the electromagnetic vibrator, and a plurality of suspension arms radially and evenly extended from the inner rim to the outer rim to enable the inner rim to be moved axially in responsive to an electromagnetic force between the induction coil and a magnetic element. Each of the suspension arms provides a restoring force towards the inner rim for allowing the induction coil to alignedly move in a pistonic motion with respect to the magnetic element in a stable manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2009
    Publication date: July 8, 2010
    Inventor: Hsin Min Huang
  • Publication number: 20100150391
    Abstract: A voice coil suspension system comprising a spider formed of flexible dielectric material defining a flexure portion configured to suspend a voice coil for axial displacement and an elongate connector portion for carrying flat electrical conductors for electrically connecting terminals of said voice coil to stationary electric contacts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2006
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Inventors: Richard L. Weisman, Claude A. Vidal, Russ J. Redmond, Michael Collinson, Paul Kaluzniak
  • Patent number: 7724913
    Abstract: A composite damper for a speaker comprises an inner ring surface material, an outer ring surface material, and a plurality of ribs connected between the inner ring surface material and the outer ring surface material. The inner ring surface material and the outer ring surface material have a plurality of alternating concentric peaks and valleys; thereby when it is coupled with a periphery of a voice coil of the speaker, it has a more stable vibration frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Inventor: Hiroshi Ohara
  • Publication number: 20100104127
    Abstract: A loudspeaker including a bottom plate being formed from a material capable of transmitting a magnetic flux. The bottom plate has a bottom portion, a cylindrical inside portion that extends upwardly from the bottom portion, and a cylindrical outside portion that extends upwardly from the bottom portion and encircles the inside portion. A cylindrical magnet is positioned on the bottom portion. A top plate is formed from a magnetic flux-transmissive material and extends outwardly from the top of the magnet. The top plate is laterally spaced away from the outside portion so as to form an air gap between the top plate and the outside portion. A diaphragm has a bobbin portion that is positioned within the air gap and is capable of free movement in the air gap. The suspension portion of the diaphragm is positioned at the center of the magnet. The sound-producing portion of the diaphragm is affixed to the top of the bobbin portion and is affixed to the top of the suspension portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2008
    Publication date: April 29, 2010
    Inventor: Jason Myles Cobb
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20100046788
    Abstract: A loudspeaker spider comprises rubber type material having a central opening defining an inner rim, a periphery outer rim, and a spring effect portion provided at a portion located between the inner rim and the outer rim to enable the inner rim to be moved axially up and down with respect to the outer rim when a driving force is applied to the inner rim and be retained to an original equilibrium position after the driving force is released. The spider also includes an integral conductor arrangement which comprises at least one conductor where at least a portion of the at least one conductor extends from the inner rim to the outer rim of the loudspeaker spider.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2008
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Inventors: Michael Harris, Jon Nicholls
  • Patent number: 7599511
    Abstract: A loudspeaker provided with a frame (101), a membrane (103) and a drive unit (105). The membrane has an outer circumferential edge (104a) suspended from the frame and an inner circumferential edge (104b). The drive unit has a stationary part (106a) secured to the frame and a translatable part (106b) provided with a coil support (108b) secured to the inner circumferential edge of the membrane. The membrane includes a membrane body (104) which, viewed in a circumferential direction, has a pattern of folds radially extending between the inner circumferential edge and the flat outer circumferential edge of the membrane. The folds have a depth (d), which increases from the edges (104a, 104b) towards an area (104A) situated between both edges. In this area, the folds are provided with faces (204C), to which a spider (111) of the loudspeaker is secured. This loudspeaker combines a small height with a large stroke of the membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Assignee: PSS Belgium N.V.
    Inventor: David Magda Eddy Corynen
  • Patent number: 7570776
    Abstract: A speaker device has a connecting member on which a groove capable of accumulating a constant amount of adhesive is formed. The groove is in the vicinity of a lower end of an outer peripheral wall of a cylindrical portion, and is formed on the outer peripheral wall of the cylindrical portion along a circumferential direction. A bottom surface of an inner peripheral edge portion of a conductive damper disposed on an upper side in plural dampers is fixed to the connecting member with adhesive applied to the groove. The adhesive is applied between the upper surface of the inner peripheral edge portion of the conductive damper and the outer peripheral wall of the cylindrical portion. Thus, the conductive damper, which is sandwiched by the adhesive applied to the groove and the adhesive applied to the upper surface of the conductive damper, is fixed to the connecting member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignees: Pioneer Corporation, Tohoku Pioneer Corporation
    Inventor: Tomoyuki Watanabe
  • Publication number: 20090141926
    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: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2008
    Publication date: June 4, 2009
    Inventors: Roy B. Clair, Joshua M. Sadd
  • Patent number: 7542583
    Abstract: A loudspeaker has a configuration in which edge diameter in the cross section of second edge coupled to suspension holder is set to be larger than edge diameter in the cross section of first edge coupled to diaphragm. With such a configuration, a loudspeaker with reduced harmonic distortion is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2009
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventor: Osamu Funahashi
  • Patent number: 7539323
    Abstract: Disclosed is a speaker configured to reduce or eliminate distortions when a diaphragm thereof vertically moves in sound reproduction and which can be downsized. This speaker includes: a cylindrical frame having a bottom face and an open top; a magnetic circuit disposed on a inner bottom face of the frame; a voice coil having a coil portion thereof disposed in a magnetic gap of the magnetic circuit; the diaphragm disposed in an opening of the frame, and fixed to the voice coil along an inner periphery thereof, and to the frame via a first edge along an outer periphery thereof; and a support fixed to the diaphragm on the side of the magnetic circuit at one end and to the vicinity of the magnetic circuit via the second edge on the other end. The first edge is substantially analogous to the second edge in shape with respect to the boundary therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2009
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Osamu Funahashi, Seiichi Yoshida
  • Patent number: 7532736
    Abstract: A speaker including a frame, a diaphragm fixed to the frame through a first edge, a voice coil, a magnetic circuit, and a suspension holder fixed to the frame through a second edge is disclosed. The first and the second edges are spaced apart, and substantially symmetrical in shape with respect to the space between them. The inner periphery of the suspension holder and the inner periphery of the diaphragm are fixed to a part of the voice coil which is located outside of the magnetic gap of the magnetic circuit. The magnetic circuit has a magnet provided outside of the bottom of the frame. The outer periphery of the magnetic extends at least beyond the center of the second edge. The magnetic gap of the magnetic circuit is disposed inside of the frame, above a bottom surface of the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventor: Osamu Funahashi
  • Patent number: 7515728
    Abstract: A speaker apparatus including: a first diaphragm; a second diaphragm arranged coaxial with the first diaphragm along a driving direction; a frame having diaphragm supporting portions; and a voice-coil bobbin, wherein outer circumferential portions of the first diaphragm and the second diaphragm are fixed to the diaphragm supporting portions respectively, inner circumferential portions of the first diaphragm and the second diaphragm are connected together and fixed to the voice-coil bobbin so as to make a sealed space between the first diaphragm, the second diaphragm and the frame, and the voice-coil bobbin is supported by springiness of a gas contained in the sealed space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignees: Pioneer Corporation, Tohoku Pioneer Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Kobayashi, Kyoichi Matsuda
  • Patent number: 7505603
    Abstract: The invention relates to a micro-speaker with a second suspension made of highly resilient material installed inside of the speaker. The speaker is able to provide high level acoustic output with low distortion rate in a wide frequency range with a very small and slim structure and it may prevent a disconnection of a lead connecting the voice coil and the electrode. The speaker includes a yoke, a permanent magnet, a plate, a vibration plate integrated with a first suspension, a voice coil, a frame and a protector. The speaker further comprises a second suspension made of highly resilient material installed between the plate and the vibration plate, and is characterized in that the voice coil is attached to the lower surface of the second suspension and the vibration plate is attached to the upper surface of the second suspension and the vibration plate is attached to the upper surface of the second suspension and the outer periphery of the second suspension is fixed to the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2009
    Assignee: Jin Young Acoustic Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ok-Jung Yoo
  • Patent number: 7502487
    Abstract: A speaker device includes a terminal member, a connecting member, a conductive damper and a voice coil. The terminal member has a first connecting part, a slit, a hole, a second connecting part and a fixing part. The connecting member has a projecting portion on a bent portion and a groove at an area in the vicinity of a lower end of an outer peripheral wall of the cylindrical portion. The terminal member is mounted to the connecting member. A lead wire is wound around the slit of the connecting part, and a portion thereof is soldered. The projecting portion is inserted into the hole. The fixing part is inserted into the groove. The second connecting part is connected to a conductive member of the conductive damper disposed at the area in the vicinity of the lower end of the outer peripheral wall of the cylindrical portion by the soldering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2009
    Assignees: Pioneer Corporation, Tohoku Pioneer Corporation
    Inventor: Tomoyuki Watanabe
  • Patent number: 7438155
    Abstract: A speaker system is provided, including a suspension element having an outer edge and an inner edge. The suspension element, such as a spider or surround, varies in shape along at least a portion of the suspension element to help relieve both the radial and tangential stress placed on the suspension element when it is stretched. The shape employed in the suspension element allows the suspension element to stretch more easily, creating a higher performance speaker of the same size by increasing the diaphragm excursion and voice coil movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Harman International Industries, Incorporated
    Inventors: Brendon Stead, Clayton Williamson, Mark Trainer
  • Patent number: 7433485
    Abstract: A novel shallow speaker has a novel spidercone coaxial with and optionally having a radially inner spidercone flange suspended in a circumferential adhesive well affixed to the former. An inner rearward flange of the flat annular diaphragm is suspended in the circumferential adhesive well and the well is filled with epoxy. The spidercone has a frustroconical portion having a minimum radius smaller than the maximum magnet assembly radius and a maximum radius greater than the maximum magnet assembly radius. The spidercone has a spider portion integral with the larger end of the frustroconical portion and attachable to the basket by a tangential flange. The tinsel is interwoven with the spidercone in a way that reduces the risk of breaking and shorting. The diaphragm is substantially flat and coplanar with the top edge of the narrow surround when at rest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2008
    Assignee: Mitek Corp., Inc.
    Inventors: Brad Michael Diedrich, Chad A. Kautz
  • Patent number: 7394913
    Abstract: A voice coil bobbin coupled to a damper is allowed to vibrate in its axis direction within a magnetic circuit including a magnet and a plate supported by a yoke. A range extending between a neutral position of an end of the voice coil bobbin and a portion of the yoke opposing the end of the voice coil bobbin is longer than a range extending between the plate and a neutral position of a portion where the voice coil bobbin is coupled to the damper. A damper ring is fitted around the voice coil bobbin in a position closer to the plate within the portion where the voice coil bobbin is coupled to the damper. A rear face of the damper ring opposing the plate is shaped in face-geometry parallel to a face of the plate opposing the damper ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignees: Pioneer Corporation, Tohoku Pioneer Corporation
    Inventors: Kyoichi Matsuda, Tomiaki Ando, Hiroyuki Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 7386144
    Abstract: The present invention provides an intertial-type voice actuator that includes a magnetic flux conductive material core with a continuous channel. The channel has antifringing groove. The actuator employs a radially polarized cylindrical magnet spaced in the channel to form a magnetic gap and a conductive coil positioned at least partially in the gap. A multi-component suspension system provides high quality sound using an antifriction bearing, a viscous magnetic fluid, and a spider suspension. The inertial-type actuator is completed by an integrated mounting apparatus. In one embodiment, a receiver and an output disk are interlocked by helical wedges and the actuator is mounted on a soundboard. In another embodiment, a special receiving cavity is attached to a wall stud for intrawall installation. The cavity is equipped with longitudinal electrical contacts so that the actuator can move and still be connected. After the actuator is inserted, the wall covering is installed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Assignee: Revolution Acoustics, Ltd.
    Inventors: Stephen Saint Vincent, Robert Katz, Sylvain Duchesne
  • Patent number: 7382892
    Abstract: An evenly elastically deformable damper for speaker is disclosed to include a damper body of a plain weave fabric having elastic warp wires and weft wires intercrossed in X and Y directions and a center through hole cut through the top and bottom surfaces and bonded to a voice coil, a plurality of reinforcing patches stitched to the damper body in a crossed manner around the center through hole of the damper body to secure lead wires to the damper body and formed of a plain weave fabric having elastic warp wires and weft wires intercrossed in direction A and direction B at about 45° relative to X and Y directions to keep the damper body in balance and to prevent damage of the lead wires when vibrated with the voice coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Inventor: Yen-Chen Chan
  • Patent number: 7379558
    Abstract: A loudspeaker is provided in which the outer diameter or foot of the spider is over molded with a standoff formed of a plastic material in an injection molding tool so that the spider and standoff form an integral unit. The standoff, in turn, is glued or otherwise affixed to the frame of the speaker to provide accurate centering of the voice coil relative to the magnetic gap of the motor structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Assignee: JL Audio, Inc.
    Inventor: Lucio Proni
  • Patent number: 7366318
    Abstract: A suspension, for the voice coil of a loudspeaker drive unit, includes an inner ring to be connected to the voice coil of the loudspeaker drive unit; an outer ring to be connected to the chassis of the loudspeaker drive unit; and a plurality of radial spoke-like members connecting the inner ring to the outer ring. The radial spoke-like members are free of compressive stress between their ends. The spoke-like members are of greater lateral stiffness than the spoke-like member?s and are substantially X-shaped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: B&W Loudspeakers Limited
    Inventor: Stuart Michael Nevill
  • Patent number: 7346183
    Abstract: An annular spider with lead wires sandwiched is provided. The improved structure of the spider allows the lead wires to be sandwiched in between two surface linings. The annular spider that serves to have the voice coil held in concentric position is formed by a negative shaped press mould with two halves, where each half has at least one half-circle slot on the mould surface, so that at least one tunnel is formed when two complementary slots on opposite mould halves are combined, through which the lead wire is fixed between two surface linings. The complementary slots of the two mould halves can prevent damage or deformation to the lead wires in the spider forming process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Inventor: Hiroshi Ohara
  • Patent number: 7324659
    Abstract: A frame is provided with an opening allowing insertion of a jig for setting an inner rim of a suspension holder to a proper position. The jig ensures positive alignment of the suspension holder when making connection to the frame. The jig also ensures reliable bonding of a diaphragm to the suspension holder with a bonding agent, since it steadily supports the suspension holder in position during the bonding process. The positioning of the bobbin and a voice coil is thus reliable when being assembled, thereby improving acoustic performance of a speaker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Osamu Funahashi, Hiroyuki Morimoto, Yukio Okamoto
  • Patent number: 7316289
    Abstract: An electro-acoustic transducer includes a tone generator, a vibrator, and a case. The tone generator includes a diaphragm, and a voice coil joined to the diaphragm. The vibrator includes a magnetic circuit having a magnetic gap at which the voice coil is positioned, and a suspension made of metal and having a first end joined to the magnetic circuit to suspend the magnetic circuit for allowing the magnetic circuit to vibrate. The case is joined to a periphery of the diaphragm, and includes a metal plate joined to a second end of the suspension. The metal plate is joined to the suspensions reliably, hence allowing the electro-acoustic transducer to be manufactured stably.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2008
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenichi Ajiki, Kimihiro Ando, Masashi Kawabe
  • Patent number: 7292707
    Abstract: A loudspeaker has a diaphragm with an edge area and a central area. A voice coil carrier may be fastened to the diaphragm in the central area, a voice coil being wound around the voice coil carrier. A magnet system may be included into which the voice coil carrier and the voice coil are completely or partially inserted. A basket may enclose one face of the diaphragm and to which the magnet system is fastened. An elastic bead may be fastened to the edge area of the diaphragm and to the basket. A centering device may be fastened to the central area of the diaphragm and to the basket. The loudspeaker may include an additional elastic bead as a centering device, which is fastened directly or indirectly to the basket and the diaphragm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2007
    Assignee: Harman Becker Automotive Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Leohard Kreitmeier, Jürgen Ringlstetter
  • Patent number: 7289642
    Abstract: An audio speaker has a T-yoke, a solenoid, a voice coil, a cone paper, a magnet, a gasket, a basket, a terminal, a damper and a wire. The T-yoke has a bottom disk and a pole formed on the bottom disk. The solenoid and the voice coil are mounted on the pole. The cone paper is mounted a top of the t-yoke. The gasket is mounted on a top surface of the magnet. The basket is mounted on the gasket around the cone paper. The damper is mounted between the voice coil and the basket. The wire is mounted on the damper and has a sealant. The sealant is mounted securely on the damper and securely seals the wire, and thereby prevents the wire from swaying to eliminate both interference with the acoustic waves and corrosion arising from being exposed to humidity in the air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2007
    Inventor: Ting-Pang Chen
  • Patent number: 7274796
    Abstract: A reinforced speaker damper includes a ring-shaped damper body made of woven fabric in the form of a mesh and press-molded to form a wavy cross-section having alternating ridges and troughs. A plurality of reinforces is attached to the damper body. Each reinforce includes a woven fabric in the form of a mesh with rectangular openings extending in a direction different from that of the damper body and having a wavy cross-section for closely fitting over the wavy configuration of the damper body. Each reinforce is fixed to the damper body by for example sewing and extends between inner and outer circumferences of the ring of the damper body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Inventor: Yen-Chen Chan
  • Patent number: 7209570
    Abstract: A high efficiency loudspeaker without a damper is provided. The loudspeaker includes magnetic circuit having a magnetic gap and a voice coil member, which has movable coil, disposed in the magnetic gap of the magnetic circuit. The loudspeaker also includes a diaphragm, whose inner peripheral part is linked with the voice coil member, outside the magnetic gap and a frame linked with an outer peripheral part of the diaphragm via a first edge. An inner peripheral part of a suspension holder is linked with the voice coil member at a linked position which is closer to the magnetic circuit than a linked position of the diaphragm and the voice coil member. An outer peripheral part of the suspension holder is linked with a frame via a second edge. The first edge and the second edge are substantially symmetrical with each other about a median of a first edge and a second edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Osamu Funahashi, Hiroyuki Morimoto, Yukio Okamoto
  • Patent number: 7200240
    Abstract: A spider with an enhanced structure is disclosed. The spider has a plurality of concentric corrugations each of which has a plurality of inflections so that the concentric corrugations have polygonal shapes. With this enhanced structure, a spider can have an improved strength while maintaining an appropriate flexibility. A spider with the enhanced structure can avoid deformations due to un-uniform applications of external forces over a long period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2007
    Inventor: Hiroshi Ohara
  • Patent number: 7197154
    Abstract: Speaker design/method positively centering speaker components one with the other with a unique design of the surround and radiator. Surround has a main body extending radially through more than 180°, extending from the body there is a flat outer ring and a flat inner ring at substantially 180° radially around the body from the outer ring with a portion of the main body extending below the inner ring, forming a channel between the inner ring and the body portion that extends below it. The radiator has outer and inner edges with a central opening defined by the inner edge, with the outer edge either blunt or defined by a short downward extending ring. The shape and dimensions of the outer edge of the radiator and the channel are substantially the same outer with the radiator edge fitting snugly within the surround channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Inventor: Joseph Y. Sahyoun
  • Patent number: 7177440
    Abstract: An electromagnetic transducer such as an audio speaker which includes an asymmetric diaphragm to deliver smooth frequency response with reduced distortion by reduction of common modes in the diaphragm. Other benefits such as asymmetric directivity patterns can be realized. The asymmetric cone has a perimeter OD at which a surround may be coupled, and an ID at which a bobbin or spacer may be coupled. The center of the ID is not coincident with the center of the OD. The transducer further includes a stabilization mechanism for reducing rocking of the diaphragm assembly. The stabilization mechanism may include mass balancing of the diaphragm and/or adjustments to the location or symmetry of the suspension components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Step Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick M. Turnmire, Enrique M. Stiles, Richard C. Calderwood
  • Patent number: 7171015
    Abstract: A speaker apparatus has a frame to which a convex paper is attached. A bobbin with a voice coil is attached to the paper cone. A magnetic circuit is formed inside the frame. A damper suspending the bobbin is composed of a corrugation portion, which is positioned orthogonal to the bobbin in an inactivity of the speaker apparatus. The damper also includes a first leg portion extending forward along a vibration direction of the bobbin from an inner periphery end of the corrugation portion, and a second leg portion extending backward along the vibration direction of the bobbin from an outer periphery end of the corrugation portion. The first and second leg portions have substantially the same length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuo Murayama, Kazuyuki Suda
  • Patent number: 7076079
    Abstract: Disclosed is a multi-functional actuator comprising: a housing having an internal space and a groove in the inner side; a sound-generating diaphragm with an outer end fixed to the upper end of said housing; a voice coil fixed to the bottom of said diaphragm; a vertically magnetized magnet; an upper plate attached to said magnet for forming a magnet circuit; a yoke for forming the magnetic circuit together with said magnet; a weight for defining a vibration body together with said yoke; a leaf spring fixed into said grooves of the housing and having a portion of curvature; and a vibrating coil installed in said housing for generating vibration using a magnetic flux formed in a magnetic system. A structure that can prevent deformation of the leaf spring before/after dropping to a mobile communication terminal such as mobile telephone and pager is provided thereby to prevent reliability degradation of the actuator in use for the mobile communication terminal and enhance vibration features thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignee: Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Seuk Hwan Chung
  • Patent number: 7010141
    Abstract: In a speaker device 10 having: a magnetic circuit 13 including a magnet 14 and a yoke 11; a voice coil 16 which is placed in a magnetic gap 12 of the magnetic circuit 13; and a diaphragm 17 which is vibrating available in a state where the diaphragm is coupled with the voice coil 16, a peripheral edge of the diaphragm 17 being fixed to a housing 20, a damper holder 30 is disposed in a portion where a damper 27 is attached to the housing 20. The damper holder 30 is in point contact with the housing 20 via three or more projections 31 which are disposed on one of the damper holder 30 and the housing 20. Preferably, the damper holder 30 is made of a hybrid material of a resin (polypropylene) and tungsten, and has a specific gravity of 10.0 or larger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Assignees: Pioneer Corporation, Tohoku Pioneer Corporation
    Inventors: Hideaki Sugiura, Taizo Nakata, Tetsuo Nishikawa
  • Patent number: 7006651
    Abstract: A small and high-performance waterproof speaker which can be manufactured inexpensively by decreasing the number of components. Front face of a case (1) is sealed hermetically by a water resistant diaphragm (2) from which a voice coil (3) is projecting inward and a magnetic circuit part (5) having a part (6a) being fitted to the voice coil (3) and a permanent magnet (8) is secured to a first resilient plate (4) provided in the case (1). The first resilient plate (4) is provided with a plurality of through holes (18) and the fitting part (6a) is coupled with the diaphragm (2) through a first coupling member (13) of resilient material. On the other hand, an inertial member (12) is secured to a second resilient plate (11) disposed, oppositely to the first resilient plate (4), in the case (1) and the second resilient plate (11) is coupled with the first resilient plate (4) through a second coupling member (14) of resilient material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignee: Uetax Corporation
    Inventor: Masataka Ueki
  • Patent number: 7006652
    Abstract: A butterfly damper for supporting a voice coil bobbin of a speaker on a frame in a state that the damper is vibrative. The butterfly damper is made of olefinic resin material having an internal loss of 0.045 or greater, a tensile elongation of 200% or greater, and a flexural modulus of 300 MPa or greater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignees: Pioneer Corporation, Tohoku Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Tomiyama, Satoshi Hachiya
  • Patent number: 6940991
    Abstract: A damper for loudspeaker is constituted by mounting tubular knitted tinsel cords through an adhesive agent of acrylic emulsions having a tackiness onto one surface of a corrugated damper body. The damper is thereby rendered easily manufacturable and highly flexible enough for restraining any breaking of the tinsel cords and improving the reliability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2005
    Assignee: Foster Electric Co.
    Inventor: Fumiteru Shingu
  • Patent number: 6865282
    Abstract: An electromagnetic transducer such as an audio speaker employs a slotted yoke and two suspension components enabling very large excursion relative to the size of the diaphragm which results in improved low frequency output. A first suspension component includes an inner ring, flexible springs, and an outer body. The flexible springs extend through the slots of the yoke and couple the inner ring to the outer body. The inner ring, outer body, and flexible springs of the first suspension component may be of monolithic construction or they may be distinct components coupled together. The inner ring couples to the bobbin of the diaphragm assembly, and the outer body couples to the outer cylindrical surface of the yoke or to a mounting ring which is coupled to the outer cylindrical surface of the yoke. A second suspension component, such as a surround, couples the diaphragm assembly and to the mounting ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Inventor: Richard L. Weisman