LOUDSPEAKER SYSTEM

Abstract

A loudspeaker system includes a transducer configured to transduce an electrical signal into sound waves, and having a clamped diaphragm configured to be deflected by the electrical signal, wherein the diaphragm has a deflection region which is deflectable in relation to a resting position of the diaphragm, and a clamping region which is less deflectable, or non-deflectable, in relation to the deflection region, a housing within which the transducer is arranged, the housing having perforations to allow the sound wave to exit to an external environment, wherein the perforations are arranged on the housing predominantly to be closer to the clamping region than to the deflection region.

Claims

1. A loudspeaker system including: a transducer configured to transduce an electrical signal into sound waves, and comprising a clamped diaphragm configured to be deflected by the electrical signal, wherein the diaphragm has a deflection region which is deflectable in relation to a resting position of the diaphragm, and a clamping region which is less deflectable, or non-deflectable, in relation to the deflection region, a housing within which the transducer is arranged, the housing comprising perforations to allow the sound wave to exit to an external environment, wherein the perforations are arranged on the housing predominantly to be closer to the clamping region than to the deflection region.

2. The loudspeaker system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the housing has side faces that are configured to be non-parallel to each other.

3. The loudspeaker system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the transducer is a patch transducer arranged between the side faces, wherein there is a first angle between the patch transducer and a first side face, and there is a second angle between the patch transducer and a second side face, the first and second angles being acute angles.

4. The loudspeaker system as claimed in claim 3, wherein the first angle and the second angle are the same or differ by at most 20%.

5. The loudspeaker system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the diaphragm has conduits applied to it into which the electrical signal can be fed, wherein an array of permanent magnets is arranged on at least one side of the diaphragm that are spaced apart from the diaphragm and are spaced apart from one another so that the sound waves may propagate between the permanent magnets.

6. The loudspeaker system as claimed in claim 5, wherein the conduits on the diaphragm are configured as a coil and are arranged on the diaphragm.

7. The loudspeaker system as claimed in claim 5, wherein the second side of the diaphragm also has a further array of permanent magnets arranged thereon which are spaced apart from the diaphragm and are spaced apart from one another so that the sound waves may propagate between the permanent magnets.

8. The loudspeaker system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the side faces are connected via a connecting region so that the side faces are closer to one another in the connecting region, wherein the perforations are arranged predominantly or completely in the connecting region.

9. The loudspeaker system as claimed in claim 8, wherein the perforations are arranged closer to each other in the connecting region.

10. The loudspeaker system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the side faces extend vertically to a bottom surface and/or to a roof surface of the housing.

11. The loudspeaker system as claimed in claim 10, wherein the bottom surface and the roof surface extend in parallel with each other and/or are congruent to each other.

12. The loudspeaker system as claimed in claim 10, wherein the bottom surface and the roof surface each comprise a parabolic surface, a hyperbolic surface, or an elliptical surface.

13. The loudspeaker system as claimed in claim 10, wherein the symmetry axes belonging to the parabolic surface, a hyperbolic surface, or elliptical surface span an angle of 30° at a vertex of said surface.

14. The loudspeaker system as claimed in claim 13, wherein the perforations extend predominantly or completely along a side face within the connecting region in a manner that is perpendicular to a region around the vertex of the parabolic or hyperbolic or elliptical surface.

15. The loudspeaker system as claimed in claim 10, wherein a sound wave absorbing material is arranged at the bottom surface and/or at the roof surface.

16. The loudspeaker system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the side faces are made of metal or of another sound wave reflecting material.

17. The loudspeaker system as claimed in claim 8, wherein the transducer is attached to one of the side faces at one end and is located opposite, in a spaced-apart manner, the connecting region at an opposite end.

18. A method of operating a loudspeaker system, the method comprising: providing a loudspeaker system as claimed in claim 1; applying a signal to the transducer so that an electrical signal is transduced to a sound wave and that a portion of the sound waves propagates through the perforations to an external environment of the loudspeaker system.

19. The method of manufacturing a loudspeaker system as claimed in claim 1, the method comprising: providing a transducer that transduces an electrical signal to sound waves, clamping a diaphragm so that the diaphragm is deflected by the transduced sound wave, wherein the diaphragm is deflected, within a deflection region, in relation to a resting position of the diaphragm, and is deflected, within a clamping region, to a lesser degree or not at all in relation to the deflection region; providing a housing; arranging perforations on the housing so as to enable the sound waves to exit to an external environment; the perforations being arranged, on the housing, closer to the clamping region than to the deflection region, arranging the transducer inside the housing.

20. The method as claimed in claim 19, comprising: determining a geometry of the housing; determining a pattern of perforations on the housing such that sound waves may exit the housing via the perforations; manufacturing the housing with the determined geometry and the determined pattern of perforations.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] Embodiments of the present invention will be detailed subsequently referring to the appended drawings, in which:

[0023] FIG. 1 shows a proposed loudspeaker system in a perspective view;

[0024] FIG. 2 shows a top view of the loudspeaker system according to FIG. 1;

[0025] FIG. 3a, b show a top view of alternative shapes of the proposed loudspeaker system;

[0026] FIGS. 4a-c show a top view of the transducer housing (FIG. 4a); a top view of the transducer diaphragm (FIG. 4b); a side view of the transducer (FIG. 4c); and

[0027] FIG. 5 shows a schematic representation of a translational vibration, a rotational vibration, and a vibrational vibration on a triatomic molecule;

[0028] FIG. 6 shows a flow chart of a method of operating a loudspeaker system; and

[0029] FIG. 7 shows a flowchart of manufacturing a loudspeaker system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0030] Individual aspects of the invention described herein will be described below in FIGS. 1 to 7. In the present application, identical reference numerals relate to elements that are identical or identical in action, and not all reference numerals will be presented again in all drawings in case they are repeat themselves.

[0031] FIG. 1 shows a proposed loudspeaker system 10 in a perspective view, and FIG. 2 shows a top view of the loudspeaker system 10 according to FIG. 1. The loudspeaker system 10 includes a transducer 20 configured to transduce an electrical signal into sound waves. The transducer 20 comprises a clamped diaphragm 30 configured to be deflected by the electrical signal, the diaphragm 30 having a deflection region 32 which is deflectable in relation to a resting position 34 of the diaphragm 30, and a clamped region 36 which is deflectable to a lesser degree or not at all in relation to the deflection region 32. In FIGS. 1 and 2, the diaphragm 30 is shown in its resting position 34. The resting position is that position which the diaphragm 30 assumes when no signal is applied to the transducer 20. Casually speaking, when the loudspeaker system is turned off, the diaphragm 30 will be in its resting position 34. When a signal is applied to the transducer 20, the diaphragm 30 will be excited to vibrate. Since the diaphragm 30 is clamped inside the transducer 20, the diaphragm has a clamping region 36 in which the vibrations may vibrate in a limited manner only, which is due to the clamping of the diaphragm 30. Furthermore, the diaphragm has a deflection region 32 in which the vibrations may vibrate almost freely. For example, the diaphragm will vibrate within the x-y plane when the diaphragm is in the resting position 34, in parallel with a y-z plane. A corresponding coordinate system is drawn in FIGS. 1 to 4. The clamping region 36 and the deflection region 32 are further indicated by the dashed lines in FIGS. 2 and 3.

[0032] The transducer 20 is arranged inside a housing 40, the housing 40 having perforations 50 to enable the sound wave to exit to an external environment. The perforations 50 are predominantly arranged, on the housing 40, closer to the clamping region 36 than to the deflection region 32. In particular, the perforations 50 are arranged exclusively opposite the clamping region 36. This may cause sound waves formed in the vicinity of the clamping region 36 to leave the housing 40 promptly, in particular without prior reflection from the housing 40. It has also been found that the sound waves formed in the clamping region are predominantly rotational vibrations 94. With the proposed loudspeaker system, rotational vibrations may advantageously be released in addition to translational vibrations 96, since the perforations 50 on the housing 40 allow the rotational vibrations to exit directly into an external environment without first being unnecessarily reflected. Consequently, the principle of the present invention may be seen in that the perforations 50 of the housing 40 are arranged where they are closest to the clamping region 36.

[0033] The housing 40 has side faces 42 which are not configured to be parallel to one another. Such side faces 42, which are configured in a non-parallel manner, are shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3b. In the case of non-parallel side faces, the probability of standing waves being generated when sound waves are reflected from the side faces 42 of the housing 40 may be greatly reduced, in particular eliminated. It is also conceivable that the side faces 42 are configured to be parallel to one another, as is shown in FIG. 3a. In such a case, the probability that standing waves may arise may be greater than in case of non-parallel side faces 42. However, creation of standing waves may also be counteracted by placing sound absorbing materials at least partially on the side faces 42 or along the side faces 42.

[0034] Advantageously, the transducer 20 is a patch transducer arranged between the side faces 42, wherein a first angle α is formed between the patch transducer and a first side face 42, and a second angle β is formed between the patch transducer and a second side face 42 when a tangent is placed on the side face 42 and an axis is placed through the transducer 20, respectively, as drawn in FIGS. 2 and 3b. Here, the first and second angles α, β are acute angles. Advantageously, the first angle and the second angle are equal, i.e. α=β, or the first angle and the second angle differ from each other by at most 20%, i.e. α=β±20%. Particularly advantageously, the first and second angles α, β each include 15°, i.e. α+β=30°. Furthermore, it is conceivable that the side faces 42 have a curved shape in a section perpendicular to the side face 42, i.e. in a top view as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, for example. It is further conceivable that two opposing side faces 42 have two different curve shapes in a section (not shown). For example, one curve shape may be parabolic, and the other curve shape may be a higher-order polynomial or a straight line. However, two mutually symmetrical curve shapes of the side faces 42 are advantageous for aesthetic reasons.

[0035] According to one embodiment, conduits 60 are applied to the diaphragm 30 into which the electrical signal may be fed, wherein an array of permanent magnets 62 are arranged on at least one side of the diaphragm 30, which are spaced apart from the diaphragm 30 and spaced apart from one another, so that the sound waves may propagate between the permanent magnets 62. Such conduits 60 are shown schematically in FIG. 4b, for example. The conduits 60 may be arranged on the diaphragm 30 in a meandering pattern. The conduits 60 may be applied to the diaphragm 30 in such a way that the conduits 60 form one or more coils 70.

[0036] FIG. 4a shows a top view of the housing of the transducer 20; FIG. 4b shows a top view of the diaphragm 30 of the transducer 20; and FIG. 4c shows a side view of the transducer 20. The housing of the transducer 20, i.e., the transducer housing 22, may advantageously have holes 92 and embossments 90. This is schematically outlined in FIG. 4a, for example. Sound waves may leave the transducer 22 through the holes 92 of the transducer housing 22. In addition, heat may be at least partially removed through the holes 92 by convection. Improved dissipation of the heat generated may be effected by the transducer housing 22, which is advantageously configured to be metallic. The embossings 90 may act as cold fins to selectively dissipate the heat generated. In addition, the embossings 90 provide stability to the transducer housing 22. The diaphragm 30 is arranged inside the transducer housing 22, the diaphragm being outlined in FIG. 4b. FIG. 4c shows in a side view that the permanent magnets 62 are spaced apart from the diaphragm 30 and from one another. The permanent magnets 62 are arranged, for example, on an array or directly on a side of the transducer housing 22 that faces the diaphragm 30. The diaphragm 30 may be clamped between two beads 98 (see FIG. 4c).

[0037] The mutual distances of the permanent magnets 62 may enable the sound waves to leave the transducer 20 unreflected and to enter the space 43 between the transducer 20 and the side face 42. The transducer 20 with its clamped diaphragm is configured to generate translational vibrations 96 in the deflection region 32 and rotational vibrations 94 in the clamping region 36. By virtue of the perforations 50 being arranged closer to the clamping region 36 than to the deflection region 32, advantageously the rotational vibrations 94 generated may leave the housing 40 unreflected, so that advantageously a greater proportion of rotational vibrations 94 in relation to the translational vibrations 96 may reach a user's ear.

[0038] The conduits 60 on the diaphragm 30 are configured as coils 70 and are arranged on the diaphragm 30. Advantageously, the conduits 60 are arranged on the diaphragm in a meandering manner, in particular printed thereon. Another array of permanent magnets 62, which are spaced apart from the diaphragm 30 and are spaced apart from one another so that sound waves may propagate between the permanent magnets 62, is arranged also on the second side of the diaphragm 30. In particular, the permanent magnets 62 are arranged in a stationary manner. This means that the diaphragm 30, along with the conduits 60, will move in relation to the stationary permanent magnets 62 when a signal is applied to the conduits 60. Advantageously, an AC voltage is applied to the conduits 60 such that the diaphragm 30 begins to vibrate.

[0039] Advantageously, the side faces 42 are connected via a connecting region 44 so that the side faces 42 are closer together in the connecting region 44, the perforations 50 being arranged predominantly or entirely in the connecting region 44. The connecting region 44 is located opposite one of the two clamping regions 36 of the diaphragm 30. The connecting region 44 is configured by the regions of the side faces 42 which are adjacent to one another, in particular which are connected to one another. The perforations 50 are arranged closer to one another in the connecting region 44. In particular, the perforations 50 are arranged closer to one another where two side faces 42 merge into each other.

[0040] Advantageously, the side faces 42 extend vertically to a bottom surface 46 and/or to a roof surface 47 of the housing 40. The the bottom surface 46 and the roof surface 47 extend parallel to one another and/or are configured congruently with one another. Advantageously, the surface areas of the bottom surface 46 and the roof surface 47 are the same. However, it is also conceivable that the bottom surface 46 and the roof surface 47 run parallel to each other, however that they do not run on top of each other, but offset from each other. In such a case, the side faces 42 are not arranged to be perpendicular to the bottom surface 46 and to the roof surface 47. It is further conceivable that the bottom surface 46 and the roof surface 47 have different surface areas. In such a case, the side faces 42 are not arranged to be perpendicular to the bottom surface 46 and to the roof surface 47. Advantageously, the bottom surface 46 and the roof surface 47 have parabolic surfaces, hyperbolic surfaces or an elliptical surfaces. For example, a parabolic roof surface 47 can be seen in FIGS. 1 and 2. At a vertex of the parabolic or hyperbolic or elliptical surface, the axes of symmetry 80 or tangents 80 belonging to this surface advantageously span an angle of 30°.

[0041] Further advantageously, the perforations 50 extend predominantly or entirely along a side face 42 in the connecting region 44, perpendicular to a region 48, about the vertex of the of the parabolic or hyperbolic or elliptical surface. In other words, the region 48 around the apex forms the connecting region 44 in which two side faces 42 are connected to each other.

[0042] Advantageously, a sound wave absorbing material 52 is arranged on the bottom surface 46 and/or on the roof surface 47. A sound absorbing material 52 may be arranged on the side faces 42, namely where perforations 50 are not provided on the housing. Indeed, it is also conceivable that a few perforations 50 are arranged on the side faces 42 of the housing, such that the few perforations 50 are located opposite the deflection region 32. This may also enable translational vibrations 96 to leave the housing 40 directly. Advantageously, the side faces 42 are made of metal or of another sound wave reflecting material. By using sound wave reflecting material for the housing 40 and by attaching sound absorbing materials 52 as well as providing the perforations 50, a desired intensity of rotational vibrations 94 and translational vibrations 96 may be selectively delivered to an external environment.

[0043] Advantageously, the transducer 20 is attached to a side face 42 at one end and is located opposite, while being spaced apart from, the connecting region 44 at an opposite end. As can be seen, for example, in FIG. 1, the side face 42 to which the transducer 20 is attached lies between the two side faces 42, which are connected to each other via the connecting region 44.

[0044] When sound energy is generated, air molecules, for example diatomic and triatomic gas molecules, are excited. There are three different mechanisms responsible for the stimulation. Reference is made to the German patent DE 198 19 452 C1. These three mechanisms are summarized schematically in FIG. 5. The first mechanism, or excitation, is translation. Translation describes the linear motion of the air molecules or atoms with respect to the center of mass of the molecule. The second type of excitation is rotation, in which the air molecules or atoms rotate about the center of gravity of the molecule. The center of gravity is indicated at 700 in FIG. 5. The third mechanism is the vibration mechanism, in which the atoms of a molecule move back and forth toward and away from the center of gravity of the molecules.

[0045] FIG. 6 shows a flowchart of a method 600 of operating a loudspeaker system 10. The method 600 includes, in step 610, providing a loudspeaker system 10 as has been described herein; and in step 620, applying a signal to the transducer so that an electrical signal is transduced to a sound wave and that a portion of the sound waves propagates through the perforations 50 to an external environment of the loudspeaker system 10. Advantageously, an AC signal is applied to the conduits 60 of the coil 70 so as to operate the loudspeaker system 10. This may excite the diaphragm 30 to vibrate in relation to the stationary permanent magnets 62.

[0046] FIG. 7 shows a flow chart of manufacturing a loudspeaker system 10. The method 800 includes, in step 810, providing a transducer 20 that transduces an electrical signal to sound waves, and shows, in step 820, clamping a diaphragm 30 so that the diaphragm 30 is deflected by the transduced sound wave, wherein the diaphragm 30 is deflected, within a deflection region 32, in relation to a resting position 34 of the diaphragm 30 and is deflected, within a clamping region 36, to a lesser degree or not at all in relation to the deflection region 32. Step 830 includes providing a housing 40, and step 840 includes arranging perforations 50 on the housing 40 so as to enable the sound waves to exit to an outer environment; the perforations 50 being arranged, on the housing 40, closer to the clamping region 36 than to the deflection region 32. Step 850 includes arranging the transducer 20 inside the housing 40.

[0047] The method 800 of manufacturing a loudspeaker system 10 advantageously further includes determining a geometry of the housing 40; determining a pattern of perforations 50 on the housing 40 such that sound waves may exit the housing via the perforations 50; and manufacturing the housing 40 with the determined geometry and pattern of perforations 50.

[0048] While this invention has been described in terms of several embodiments, there are alterations, permutations, and equivalents which fall within the scope of this invention. It should also be noted that there are many alternative ways of implementing the methods and compositions of the present invention. It is therefore intended that the following appended claims be interpreted as including all such alterations, permutations and equivalents as fall within the true spirit and scope of the present invention.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0049] 10 loudspeaker system [0050] 20 transducer [0051] 22 transducer housing [0052] 30 diaphragm [0053] 32 deflection region [0054] 34 resting position [0055] 36 clamping region [0056] 40 housing [0057] 42 side face [0058] 43 space [0059] 44 connecting region [0060] 46 bottom region [0061] 47 roof region [0062] 48 region [0063] 50 perforations [0064] 52 sound wave absorbing material [0065] 60 conduit [0066] 62 permanent magnet [0067] 70 coil [0068] 80 symmetry axis, tangent [0069] 90 embossing [0070] 92 hole [0071] 94 rotational vibration [0072] 96 translational vibration [0073] 98 bead [0074] 700 center of gravity [0075] 600 method [0076] 610 step [0077] 620 step [0078] 800 method [0079] 810 step [0080] 820 step [0081] 830 step [0082] 840 step [0083] 850 step