Pattern Patents (Class 381/408)
  • Patent number: 7085394
    Abstract: A first magnet is provided in an upper case and a second magnet is provided in a lower case so that these magnets face each other. These magnets are magnetized in opposite directions. A diaphragm having a drive coil is placed between these magnets. Thus, magnetic flux emitted from the respective magnets bends in a direction approximately perpendicular to the initial direction of emission of the flux. In the magnetic field, the component of the magnetic flux in the direction of radiation proportional to the driving force is dominant, and is symmetrical relative to the direction of vibration. Therefore, the sound pressure of the reproduced sound is increased and the secondary harmonic distortion caused by asymmetry of the driving force can be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sawako Usuki, Shuji Saiki
  • Patent number: 7062061
    Abstract: Supplemental portions are added to lead portions of a voice coil attached to a coil bobbin. The supplemental portions each has a shape, which can be restored repeatedly in response to stress, applied to the lead portions. In the case where stress is exerted on the lead portions under the influence of the pulling stress and compressive stress produced in the winding portion when a large driving current is supplied to the voice coil, the supplemental portions are deformed, thereby preventing the wire breaking at the lead portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Assignees: Pioneer Corporation, Tohoku Pioneer Corporation
    Inventor: Takashi Suzuki
  • Patent number: 6859544
    Abstract: A magnetic circuit for a speaker comprises: a bonded magnet shaped rectangular in top plan view, having on its top face a plurality of grooves formed to extend all the way along two opposing sides thereof and arrayed in parallel with one another at predetermined intervals, and magnetized such that magnetic fluxes at two adjacent grooves are directed inversely to each other; and a plurality of plate-like pole pieces fixedly disposed on the top face of the bonded magnet, and arrayed along the grooves such that two adjacent pole pieces form an air gap located along the center of each groove thereby forming a magnetic gap. And, there is provided a speaker which uses the magnetic circuit thereby achieving a reduced profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2005
    Assignee: Minebea Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuma Kato, Toshifumi Fukawatase
  • Patent number: 6845166
    Abstract: A plane driving type electroacoustic transducer having a film of diaphragm with a conduction pattern formed thereon and a magnetic circuit, wherein a vibration damping layer is provided on the diaphragm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Assignee: Foster Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akira Hara, Kunio Kondo
  • Patent number: 6760462
    Abstract: A loudspeaker, and particularly, a woofer, including a flat diaphragm transducer having at least one stator plate for carrying magnetic elements in close proximity to a low stiffness diaphragm wherein a piston-like motion of the diaphragm is achieved by creating pressure zones adjacent the diaphragm to improve an acoustic coupling and increase acoustic output for a given size of diaphragm by the provision of non-uniformly spaced openings in the at least one stator plate which are selectively spaced to control low frequency diaphragm resonance modes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2004
    Assignee: Eminent Technology Incorporated
    Inventor: F. Bruce Thigpen
  • Publication number: 20040022408
    Abstract: Electro-dynamic loudspeakers typically include a diaphragm having a conductor applied to one of its surfaces. 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 frame structures are provided for simplifying the manufacturing process and defining a reduced cost electro-dynamic loudspeaker.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2003
    Publication date: February 5, 2004
    Inventors: Louis A. Mango, John F. Steere, David B. Garner, Steven W. Hutt, Ronald E. Fenwick
  • Publication number: 20040008863
    Abstract: In an electro-dynamic loudspeaker, vent holes are optimized to provide improved the magnetic flux characteristics while maintaining sufficient ventilation. In addition, ported and unported enclosures may be utilized with the electro-dynamic loudspeakers to enhance low frequency performance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2003
    Publication date: January 15, 2004
    Inventors: Steven W. Hutt, David B. Garner, John F. Steere
  • Publication number: 20030215109
    Abstract: A loudspeaker of the present invention includes a diaphragm; a voice coil for driving the diaphragm; and a magnetic circuit including a yoke, a magnet provided on the yoke, and an upper plate provided on the magnet, for producing a magnet field that is perpendicular to the voice coil. The upper plate has a surface configuration such that when reflecting sound waves created by the diaphragm, the upper plate diffuses the sound waves.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2003
    Publication date: November 20, 2003
    Inventor: Kazuyuki Kosuda
  • Publication number: 20030146825
    Abstract: This invention deals with a portable terminal that reduces extraneous tones in a portable terminal in which is mounted an electromagnetic induction actuator that produces voice signals, a buzzer signal or a low frequency vibration. By short-circuiting the terminal fittings of the electromagnetic induction actuator or by connecting them electrically to amplifiers or to a signal generator that produces a constant voltage signal or a constant-frequency signal, the extraneous tone produced by vibration of the mechanical vibration system of the actuator is reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2003
    Publication date: August 7, 2003
    Inventors: Shoichi Kaneda, Kenji Ueno, Minoru Ueda
  • Patent number: 6590994
    Abstract: Speaker includes a diaphragm, and a linear vibrating device attached to a peripheral portion of the diaphragm. The linear vibrating device includes a conductor line meandering in a wave-like shape along the surface of the diaphragm, and magnets disposed in opposed relation to the conductor line. The magnets are disposed in regions surrounded by adjoining mountain portions and adjoining valley portions of the conductor line. The magnets are arranged in such a manner that every adjoining magnets have their magnetic poles of opposite polarities located close to the conductor line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventors: Rento Tanase, Atsushi Yoshida, Tetsu Kobayashi
  • Publication number: 20030076977
    Abstract: A panel transducer includes a diaphragm with areas of multiple electrical conductors, two rows of magnetic bars, two metal plates and a clamping frame. The diaphragm is clamped in the clamping frame and is positioned between the two rows of magnetic bars. Each row of magnetic plates is in close proximity to the clamped diaphragm. Each metal plate has holes. The holes correspond to spacing areas between the magnetic bars and acoustically connect the diaphragm to outside media. The magnetic bars are sequentially located on the metal plates with spacing between the magnetic bars. The diaphragm is secured to the clamping frame and has an active surface area under tension spaced inwardly of the clamping frame. There are no side magnetic bars at the ends of each of the row. Absorbing strips are used in place of the absent magnetic bars filling the space between the side magnetic bars and the clamping frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2001
    Publication date: April 24, 2003
    Inventor: Igor Levitsky
  • Publication number: 20020191808
    Abstract: A planar-magnetic electro-acoustic transducer including a support structure and a magnetic structure carried by the support structure, the magnetic structure comprising a multiplicity of high-energy magnets configured so as to have shared loop field maxima and local loop field maxima, and a diaphragm carried by the support structure, comprising a plurality of conductors carried by and coupled to the diaphragm, said conductors being disposed in relation to local loop maxima and configured to exploit the energy of local loop maxima, as well as the energy of shared loop maxima in driving the diaphragm to produce an acoustic output; and the magnetic structure can be configured so that it includes magnet rows, and the transverse cross-sectional width of the magnets does not exceed their transverse cross-sectional height, and the distance between adjacent elongated magnet rows is greater than one half the width of either of the magnets of the adjacent magnet rows.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2002
    Publication date: December 19, 2002
    Applicant: American Technology Corporation
    Inventors: James J. Croft, David Graebener
  • Publication number: 20010017930
    Abstract: A speaker and its production method in which productivity can be enhanced and characteristics can be easily improved. A frame 14 of a speaker 10 is divided into a first frame body 15 and a second frame body 44 and the first and second frame bodies 15, 44 can be put together by engaging. A voice coil 35, a magnetic circuit 16 and a damper 17 are attached to the first frame body 15 constituting a first assembly 11. A cone paper 45 is attached to the second frame body 44 constituting a second assembly 12. Claw-shaped hooks formed on the second frame body 44 are to catch an engaging part 21 formed at the first frame body 15 in order to connect the first assembly 11 and the second assembly 12 to construct the speaker 10. The two assemblies 11, 12 can be produced in parallel. This leads to an improvement in the production efficiency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2001
    Publication date: August 30, 2001
    Applicant: Minebea Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenichi Matsudo, Tsutomu Saito, Kunihiro Houjo
  • Patent number: 6185310
    Abstract: A planar magnetic acoustical transducer including a diaphragm with electrical circuit carrying conductors having a width substantially equal to a combined width of a plurality of magnetic fields created by equally spaced opposing rows of permanent magnets carried by opposing frame sections between which the diaphragm is mounted such that substantially the entire active area of the diaphragm is driven to create a smooth frequency response. The electrical circuit includes generally parallel segments which are aligned within the magnetic fields created by the rows of opposing magnets and are spaced at a distance relative to one another generally not less than a distance equal to a width of pole elements which are integrally formed with the frame sections and which pole elements are spaced intermediate each of the rows of magnets so as to be in an opposing relationship with one another on opposite sides of the diaphragm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Assignee: Eminent Technology Incorporated
    Inventors: Mohammad Kermani, Scott Phillips, F. Bruce Thigpen, Marc Delorme, Michael Montour
  • Patent number: 6137891
    Abstract: A variable geometry transducer diaphragm having an electrical conductor layer, with a conductor pattern, is positioned on an insulating layers. Magnets used to create an electromagnetic field around the conductors may be placed in the insulating layer or formed as part of the frame supporting the diaphragm. Alternatively, the frame may be constructed to function as plates of a capacitor creating an electrostatic field around the diaphragm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2000
    Assignee: Chain Reactions, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward M. Porrazzo, Karen Pamela Orell-Porrazzo
  • Patent number: 6111970
    Abstract: An electro-dynamic acoustic transducers has a pleated diaphragm in which an accordion-like alternating movement of the adjacent pleats is perpendicular to the radiation (acoustic) axis of the transducer. Formed metal combs having teeth in the spaces between at least some of the folds provide a precise corrugation and a reliable mechanical attachment between the diaphragm and the frame, with providing better thermal transfer from the diaphragm to the frame. The frame is preferably constructed from a material having high thermal conductivity (such as aluminum) for better heat-transfer and additional heat-dissipation. At least one of the metal combs is resiliently mounted to the frame by a spring, or by means of an elastic or pneumatic mechanism. This enables the diaphragm to remain under tension, counteracting any rippling that might result from the thermal expansion of the dielectric substrate and conductive strands within the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Assignee: Cerwin-Vega, Inc.
    Inventors: Alexander Voishvillo, Laszlo Megyeri
  • Patent number: 6108433
    Abstract: An ultrasonic emitter device having broad frequency range capacity with relatively large diaphragm displacement compared to typical electrostatic diaphragm movement. The device includes a core member able to establish a variable magnetic field adjacent the core member. A movable diaphragm is stretched along and displaced a short separation distance from the core member to allow an intended range of orthogonal displacement of the diaphragm within a strong portion of the magnetic field. At least one conductive ring disposed on the movable diaphragm within the influence of the variable magnetic field of the core member for enabling current flow through the ring for developing a second magnetic field which interacts with the first magnetic field to repel and relax the diaphragm at a desired frequency for development of a series of compression waves which may be adjusted to include an ultrasonic frequency range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: American Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Elwood G. Norris
  • Patent number: 6104825
    Abstract: Diaphragms of planar magnetic transducers having electrical conductor runs applied thereto are deformed to create lines of flexation such as by knurling, pressing, embossing or the like prior to being placed under tension within a support frame so as to reduce loss of diaphragm tension and thereby control resonance modes along active surface areas of the diaphragm when electrical energy is applied through the conductor runs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2000
    Assignee: Eminent Technology Incorporated
    Inventor: F. Bruce Thigpen
  • Patent number: 6097830
    Abstract: An acoustic transducer including a diaphragm having an electrical conductor applied thereto such that at least one segment of the conductor is selectively separable from the diaphragm in response to electric power being applied to the conductor to thereby provide thermal stress relief to the diaphragm during use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2000
    Assignee: Sonigistix Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas Richard Zelinka, F. Bruce Thigpen
  • Patent number: 5953438
    Abstract: An electromagnetic transducer diaphragm having an electrical conductor layer, with a conductor pattern, positioned between two insulating layers of a flexible, electrically-insulating material bonded together to protect the diaphragm. An electrical current can flow through the conductors to produce magnetic and electrostatic fields around said conductors which interact with an electromagnetic field to produce mechanical displacement of the diaphragm which in turn produces an audio signal. Non-ferrous supports can be used to support the diaphragm. A magnet or magnets may be used to create the electromagnetic field. The magnets can be bonded to the cross arms of the non-ferrous support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1999
    Assignee: Chain Reactions, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles Stevenson, Edward M. Porrazzo
  • Patent number: 5901235
    Abstract: Planar magnetic transducers including diaphragms having electrical conductors thereon which are mounted within frames so that spaced magnets are disposed on opposite sides of central sound producing surface areas of the diaphragms. Pole elements are provided in spaced relationship between each of the magnets and extend inwardly toward the diaphragms so to form pole extensions for causing magnetic flux from the poles of the magnets proximate to the diaphragms to extend more densely and generally parallel to the electrical conductors between the magnets and the pole elements. Openings for acoustic waves are provided between the pole elements and adjacent magnets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1999
    Assignee: Eminent Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: F. Bruce Thigpen, Claude Jeff Raley
  • Patent number: 5850461
    Abstract: A diaphragm mounting system for flat acoustic planar magnetic and electrostatic transducers which incorporates opposing frame sections, each of which defines a clamping or peripheral surface area and an internal or central area through which acoustic waves may pass from the diaphragm. The diaphragm is first placed on one frame section with zero plus tension. The second frame section includes a protruding ridge extending substantially along an inner edge of the central area which ridge defines a border for a sound producing area of the diaphragm. During assembly of the two frame sections, the ridge engages the diaphragm to place predetermined tension on the diaphragm as the sections are joined. In one embodiment, the profile of the ridge is shaped to provide predetermined biaxial tension in a diaphragm of generally rectangular shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1998
    Assignee: Sonigistix Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas Richard Zelinka