Speaker surround structure for maximizing cone diameter

Abstract

A surround that is generally arched in shape and that includes a radial exterior flange that extends downward from exterior side of the arched portion of the surround and that adhesively attaches to the inner wall or edge of the mounting ring of the frame or the loudspeaker.

Claims

1. A loudspeaker comprising: a frame having a mounting ring, the mounting ring including a rim extending from a planar landing; a diaphragm; a surround having a top surface opposite a bottom surface, the surround extending between the diaphragm and the frame; and an annular retaining ring including an interface and being positioned directly on the planar landing to receive the surround at the interface, wherein the annular retaining ring is adhesively fixed to the planar landing to position the annular retaining ring directly on the planar landing; and wherein the interface and an interior wall of the rim define a gap and the annular retaining ring includes an extending portion positioned directly below the gap and above the planar landing.

2. The loudspeaker of claim 1 wherein the rim includes an interior wall that extends from the planar landing and in parallel with at least a portion of the bottom surface of the surround and at least a portion of the annular retaining ring.

3. The loudspeaker of claim 2 wherein the top surface of the surround is adhesively fixed to the interior wall of the rim, and the bottom surface of the surround is adhesively fixed to the annular retaining ring to increase a diameter of the diaphragm.

4. The loudspeaker of claim 3, wherein the interior wall extends in a non-parallel direction from the planar landing.

5. The loudspeaker of claim 3, wherein the interior wall extends in a perpendicular direction to the planar landing.

6. The loudspeaker of claim 1 wherein the interface is formed on an inside portion of the annular retaining ring to receive the bottom surface of the surround.

7. The loudspeaker of claim 1 wherein at least a portion of the surround is positioned over the annular retaining ring.

8. The loudspeaker of claim 7, wherein the portion of the surround is at least an arched portion of the surround.

9. The loudspeaker of claim 1 wherein the surround is positioned within the gap and directly above the extending portion and wherein the extending portion prevents the surround from contacting the planar landing.

10. The loudspeaker of claim 1, wherein the rim extends generally upward from the planar landing and forms an outer perimeter of the loudspeaker, wherein at least a portion of the top surface of the surround extends generally downward toward the planar landing and is adhesively fixed to the rim to increase a diameter of the diaphragm.

11. The loudspeaker of claim 1, wherein the planar landing receives the bottom surface of the surround at the interface.

12. The loudspeaker of claim 1, wherein the frame includes a frame area, and the diaphragm includes a diaphragm area, wherein a ratio of the diaphragm area to the frame area is greater than 0.54 to increase low frequency response performance of the loudspeaker.

13. The loudspeaker of claim 1, wherein the frame includes a frame area, and the diaphragm includes a diaphragm area, wherein a ratio of the diaphragm area to the frame area is between 0.60 and 0.63 to increase low frequency response performance for the loudspeaker.

14. The loudspeaker of claim 1, wherein the frame includes a frame area, and the diaphragm includes a diaphragm area, wherein a ratio of the diaphragm area to the frame area is approximately 0.63 to increase low frequency response performance for the loudspeaker.

15. A loudspeaker comprising: a frame having a mounting ring, the mounting ring including a rim extending from a planar landing; a diaphragm; a surround having a top surface opposite a bottom surface, the surround extending between the diaphragm and the frame; and an annular retaining ring including an interface and being positioned directly on the planar landing to receive the surround at the interface, wherein the annular retaining ring is adhesively fixed to the planar landing to position the annular retaining ring directly on the planar landing; and wherein the rim extends generally upward from the planar landing and forms an outer perimeter of the loudspeaker, wherein at least a portion of the top surface of the surround extends generally downward toward the planar landing and is adhesively fixed to the rim to increase a diameter of the diaphragm.

16. A loudspeaker comprising: a frame having a mounting ring, the mounting ring including a rim extending from a planar landing; a diaphragm; a surround having a top surface opposite a bottom surface, the surround extending between the diaphragm and the frame; and an annular retaining ring including an interface and being positioned directly on the planar landing to receive the surround at the interface, wherein the annular retaining ring is adhesively fixed to the planar landing to position the annular retaining ring directly on the planar landing; and wherein the frame includes a frame area, and the diaphragm includes a diaphragm area, wherein a ratio of the diaphragm area to the frame area is greater than 0.54 to increase low frequency response performance of the loudspeaker.

17. A loudspeaker comprising: a frame having a mounting ring, the mounting ring including a rim extending from a planar landing; a diaphragm; a surround having a top surface opposite a bottom surface, the surround extending between the diaphragm and the frame; and an annular retaining ring including an interface and being positioned directly on the planar landing to receive the surround at the interface, wherein the annular retaining ring is adhesively fixed to the planar landing to position the annular retaining ring directly on the planar landing; and wherein the frame includes a frame area, and the diaphragm includes a diaphragm area, wherein a ratio of the diaphragm area to the frame area is between 0.60 and 0.63 to increase low frequency response performance for the loudspeaker.

18. A loudspeaker comprising: a frame having a mounting ring, the mounting ring including a rim extending from a planar landing; a diaphragm; a surround having a top surface opposite a bottom surface, the surround extending between the diaphragm and the frame; and an annular retaining ring including an interface and being positioned directly on the planar landing to receive the surround at the interface, wherein the annular retaining ring is adhesively fixed to the planar landing to position the annular retaining ring directly on the planar landing; and wherein the frame includes a frame area, and the diaphragm includes a diaphragm area, wherein a ratio of the diaphragm area to the frame area is approximately 0.63 to increase low frequency response performance for the loudspeaker.

19. A loudspeaker comprising: a frame having a mounting ring, the mounting ring including a rim extending from a planar landing; a diaphragm; a surround having a top surface opposite a bottom surface, the surround extending between the diaphragm and the frame; and an annular retaining ring including an interface and being positioned directly on the planar landing to receive the surround at the interface, wherein the annular retaining ring is adhesively fixed to the planar landing to position the annular retaining ring directly on the planar landing, wherein the rim includes an interior wall that extends from the planar landing and in parallel with at least a portion of the bottom surface of the surround and at least a portion of the annular retaining ring, and wherein the top surface of the surround is adhesively fixed to the interior wall of the rim, and the bottom surface of the surround is adhesively fixed to the annular retaining ring to increase a diameter of the diaphragm.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The invention can be better understood with reference to the following figures. The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention. In the figures, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the different views.

(2) FIG. 1 is a side view of a prior art loudspeaker driver.

(3) FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the encircled portion of the loudspeaker driver illustrated in FIG. 1.

(4) FIG. 3 is a side view of a loudspeaker driver of the present invention.

(5) FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the encircled portion of the loudspeaker driver illustrated in FIG. 3.

(6) FIG. 5 is an alternative embodiment of the loudspeaker driver illustrated in FIG. 3.

(7) FIG. 6 is another alternative embodiment of the loudspeaker driver illustrated in FIG. 3.

(8) FIG. 7 is another alternative embodiment of the loudspeaker driver illustrated in FIG. 3.

(9) FIG. 8 is another alternative embodiment of the loudspeaker driver illustrated in FIG. 3.

(10) FIG. 9 is another alternative embodiment of the loudspeaker driver illustrated in FIG. 3.

(11) FIG. 10 is another alternative embodiment of the loudspeaker driver illustrated in FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(12) As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention that may be embodied in various and alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale; some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention.

(13) FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of one embodiment of a loudspeaker driver 300 of the present invention. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the loudspeaker driver 300 consists of a diaphragm 302, voice coil 304, magnetic motor 306, frame 308 and suspension system, which consists of both a spider 310 and a surround 312. The magnetic motor 306 is attached to the frame 308. The voice coil 304 and diaphragm 302 are mounted to the frame 308 via the suspension system 310 and 312. The voice coil 304 of the driver consists of a voice coil former (not shown) having a wire (not shown) wound about the lower portion of the voice coil former. The diaphragm 302 of the driver is formed as a cone and is substantially greater in diameter than that of the voice coil 304.

(14) Two suspension members 310 and 312 are utilized in the suspension system. A spider suspension 310 is connected to the voice coil 304 and extends from the voice coil 304 to the frame 308, connecting the voice coil 304 to the frame 308. A surround suspension member 312 is connected to the diaphragm 302 at its outer edge and extends outward from the diaphragm 302 to connect the diaphragm 302 to the frame 308. The suspension system of the driver acts to provide the stiffness of the driver and also provide air sealing for the driver. Although FIG. 3, depicts the suspension system including both the surround 312 and the spider 310, loudspeaker driver suspensions do not always utilize a spider 310. In particular, in smaller sized speakers, the spiders 310 are often absence from the suspension system. The surround design of the invention may be used in loudspeaker drivers 300 with or without spider suspensions 310.

(15) FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the encircled portion of FIG. 3 and illustrates the connection of the diaphragm 302 to the frame 308 via the surround 310. As seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, the frame 308 includes an outer mounting ring 314, which includes a rim 316 and a general flat landing section 318. The rim 316 includes both an inner wall 320 and outer wall 322.

(16) The surround 312 has an arched or central portion 324 that is generally half-circular or arched in shape. Similar to the prior art surround 312, a radial planar interior flange 328 extends about the inner perimeter of the central arched portion 324 of the surround 312. This radial planar interior flange 328 is designed for the adhesive attachment of the interior flange 328 to the diaphragm 302.

(17) A radial exterior flange 326, also known as an outer attachment member or axial skirt, extends generally downward from exterior side of the arched portion 324 of the surround 312. This radial exterior flange 326 departs from the conventional flange 114 (see prior art FIGS. 1 and 2) in that it extends generally directly downward, rather in outward, from the exterior side of the arched portion 324 of the surround 312. Thus, the exterior flange 326, which is used to attach the surround 312 to the diaphragm, is designed as a downward extension of the outer half of the arched portion 324 of the surround 312.

(18) Rather than attaching to the landing section 118 of the mounting ring 314 of the frame 108, the exterior flange 326 of the surround 312 is positioned adjacent to and interfaces with the inner wall 320 of the rim 316 of the mounting ring 314 of the frame 308. The lower edge of the exterior flange 326 rests on the landing section 318 of the mounting ring 314. Exterior flange 326 is then adhesively attached at the interfacing surfaces of the inner wall 320 of the mounting ring 314 of the frame 308.

(19) Both the exterior 326 and interior flanges 328 of the surround 312 are typically attached to the frame 308 and diaphragm 302, respectively, with conventional adhesives. However, the attachment of the exterior flange 326 to the surround 312 can be accomplished by other fixed and removable mechanisms which are common within the industry, including but not limited to the use of adhesives.

(20) The surround 312 can be constructed from several materials commonly known in the industry, including, but not limited to, rubber, compressed foam rubber, corrugated cloth, paper, plastic, treated fabrics or other similar material that functions to constrain the diaphragm 302 radially yet allows it to vibrate in an axial direction when driven by the voice coil 304. The frame 308 can be made from a pressed sheet metal, molded from plastic or cast metal such as aluminum, or other material known in the art for use with loudspeaker frames.

(21) While the above described surround design 312 is illustrated in a loudspeaker 300 having a generally round frame 308 and diaphragm 302, the surround design 312 may be utilized for any shape speaker frame 308, e.g., round, oval, rectangular or otherwise, and can be used in connection with frames 308 made of various materials, such as stamped steel or cast speaker frames 308.

(22) When use in connection with vehicles, the loudspeaker drivers 300 are generally mounted with baffles or other mounting mechanism within the predefined openings of the vehicles. As such, the speakers generally include mounting gaskets, mounting rings, and sometimes, frame extensions or adapters (not shown) to assist with mounting the loudspeakers. These additional mounting devices are separate mechanical elements from the frame 308 and should not be considered part of the frame 308 of the loudspeaker 300.

(23) FIG. 5 depicts an embodiment that utilizes the surround design 312 illustrated in FIGS. 2 & 3; however, the exterior flange 326 is fitted into an annular channel 510 whose outer wall 512 is formed by the inner wall 320 of the rim 316 and whose inner wall 514 is formed by a thickened region 516 of the frame 308, which may be molded from the same material as that of the frame 308. This configuration provides superior attachment reliability due to increased adhesive area in the interface between the inner wall 320 surface of the peripheral rim 316 of frame 308 and the outer wall of the exterior flange 326 and that of the inner wall of the exterior flange 326 and the inner wall 514 formed by the thickened region 516 of the frame 308.

(24) FIG. 6 depicts an alternative embodiment where the exterior flange 326 is folded in two, or double backed on itself. The fold 610 of the flange is positioned such that it is resting on the landing 318 of the mounting ring 314. The exterior flange 326 is than adhesively fastened to the inner wall 320 of the rim 316 of frame 308 as well to the planar landing 318 of the mounting ring 314.

(25) FIG. 7 depicts an alternative embodiment of the invention that further includes a mounting adaptor 710, fitted between the exterior flange 326 and the inner wall 320 of the rim 316 of the frame 308. The use of the mounting adaptor 510 enables the speaker to be mounted onto the rear side of a speaker panel.

(26) The exterior flange 326 is designed with a narrow fastening flange 712 extending outwardly from the edge of the exterior flange 326 and is fastened adhesively to the landing 318 of frame 308 and to a lower portion of the mounting adaptor 710. The mounting adaptor 710 may be molded from a plastic or formed or cast from a metal material, such as aluminum and may be formed with a horizontal arm 714 that will interface with the rear speaker panel and facilitate the mounting of the speaker. The adapter is fastened adhesively to the inner wall 320 of the rim 316 of frame 308. The lower end of the vertical portion 716 of the adaptor 710 acts downwardly on the narrow fastening flange 712 to provide additional interfacing area for downwardly on the narrow fastening flange 712 to provide additional interfacing area for enhancing the adhesive fastening of the flange 712 to the landing 318 of the frame 308.

(27) FIG. 8 depicts an embodiment of the invention where the exterior flange 810 of the surround 312 is molded such that it gradually thickens at is nears the end of the flange 810, such that it flares to a thickness that enables an enlarged additional area of adhesive fastening of the flange 810 to the inner wall 320 of the rim 316 and to the planar landing 318 of the mounting ring 314 of the frame 308. The degree of gradually thicken of the flange 810 may vary by design such that contacts only a portion of the landing 318 of the mounting ring 314 or such that it contacts substantially all of the landing 318 of the mounting ring 314 of the frame 308, as illustrated by FIG. 8.

(28) FIG. 9 depicts a version of the basic embodiment of FIG. 3 where the surround 312 is the same as in FIG. 3 but is retained on the inside by an annular retainer ring 910, which is adhesively fastened to the landing 318 of the frame 308. The exterior flange 326 of the surround 312 is fastened in place adhesively to the inner wall 320 of the rim 316 of the frame 308 and at its interface with the ring 910.

(29) FIG. 10 depicts an alternative embodiment of that illustrated in FIG. 9. In this embodiment, retainer ring 1010 is designed with an annular channel 1012 that accepts the exterior end of the exterior flange 326 of the surround 312. The thickness of the outer wall 1014 of the retainer ring 1010 may be adjusted to take into account the necessary dimensions of the diaphragm 302 relative to the frame 308 and the span of the flexible arched portion 324 of suspension member 312 relative to the frame 308 and diameter of the diaphragm 302.

(30) By way of example, in a 4 round speaker with a conventional basket having 129 mm outer diameter, incorporation of most embodiments of the present invention will enable the conventional cone diameter (92 mm) to be increased to approximately 102.6 mm. This is an increase in diaphragm of 11.5% in diameter and 24.4% in area, which provides significant improvement of low frequency response. Additionally, the diaphragm area/frame area accomplished by using the surround designs set forth above may be increased in the 4 category to approximately 0.633, compared to 0.51 for conventional speakers, which an increase of 24% of diaphragm area/frame area.

(31) In any of the embodiments, the arched portion 324 of the surround 312 may be made uniform in thickness or specially varied in thickness for increased compliance, e.g. shaped to be thinner in a central region 324 and/or one or both flanges 326 and 328 may be tapered.

(32) The above loudspeaker dimensions are given by way of example only. One skilled in the art will recognize that the above configuration can be incorporated into speaker systems of various sizes and shapes and is not limited to the dimension described above, but may vary based upon the desired application.

(33) While exemplary embodiments are described above, it is not intended that these embodiments describe all possible forms of the invention. Rather, the words used in the specification are words of description rather than limitation, and it is understood that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Additionally, the features of various implementing embodiments may be combined to form further embodiments of the invention.