EP1121833A1 - Resonant panel loudspeakers - Google Patents
Resonant panel loudspeakersInfo
- Publication number
- EP1121833A1 EP1121833A1 EP99949152A EP99949152A EP1121833A1 EP 1121833 A1 EP1121833 A1 EP 1121833A1 EP 99949152 A EP99949152 A EP 99949152A EP 99949152 A EP99949152 A EP 99949152A EP 1121833 A1 EP1121833 A1 EP 1121833A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- form member
- panel
- drive unit
- panel form
- housing
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Ceased
Links
Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
- H04R9/00—Transducers of moving-coil, moving-strip, or moving-wire type
- H04R9/06—Loudspeakers
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
- H04R7/00—Diaphragms for electromechanical transducers; Cones
- H04R7/16—Mounting or tensioning of diaphragms or cones
- H04R7/18—Mounting or tensioning of diaphragms or cones at the periphery
- H04R7/20—Securing diaphragm or cone resiliently to support by flexible material, springs, cords, or strands
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
- H04R7/00—Diaphragms for electromechanical transducers; Cones
- H04R7/02—Diaphragms for electromechanical transducers; Cones characterised by the construction
- H04R7/04—Plane diaphragms
- H04R7/045—Plane diaphragms using the distributed mode principle, i.e. whereby the acoustic radiation is emanated from uniformly distributed free bending wave vibration induced in a stiff panel and not from pistonic motion
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
- H04R9/00—Transducers of moving-coil, moving-strip, or moving-wire type
- H04R9/02—Details
- H04R9/04—Construction, mounting, or centering of coil
Definitions
- the invention relates to loudspeakers and more particularly to resonant panel loudspeakers, e.g. of the kind described in International patent application WO97/09842, i.e. so-called distributed mode loudspeakers.
- the concept of the present invention is to devise a mid and high frequency driver which replaces the two convention drivers previously used, which does not crossover in the critical region and which has consistent, desirably wide directivity throughout its working range.
- Distributed mode loudspeakers can be designed to operate over some 8-Octaves of the audio frequency band, although this may not always be the best solution, for instance in hi-fi applications. It is envisaged that it might sometimes be appropriate for a distributed mode loudspeaker to be used in association with a subwoofer for low frequencies, crossing over, say, at around 100 to 200 Hz.
- a loudspeaker or at least a loudspeaker drive unit that is not meant to necessarily work over 8-Scriptes but perhaps over 6 to 7 Octaves of the audio band, which would allow a wide choice of material and various construction possibilities that would help optimise the loudspeaker fully over its operating range.
- An example of this is a hi-fi midrange/tweeter drive unit working under the distributed mode loudspeaker principle. This can bring significant benefits to a conventional boxed loudspeaker system by allowing the cross-over point to be designed away from the critical 3kHz area down to 1kHz range, typically 300-500 Hz as well as benefiting from the superior radiation properties associated with a distributed mode loudspeaker.
- the present invention provides a cost-effective vehicle for all such applications and allows a manufacturer to optimise on tooling outlay and its production processes.
- the basic concept revolves around a simple construction of the loudspeaker "engine” or drive unit which would allow easy production assembly and provide consistency.
- a mid/high frequency loudspeaker drive unit comprising a stiff lightweight resonant panel-form member, a housing in which the panel-form member is mounted, a resilient suspension connected between the edges of the panel-form member and the housing, the arrangement being such that the housing and the panel-form member together define a sealed enclosure, and an electrodynamic vibration exciter for applying bending wave energy to the panel-form member to cause it to resonate to produce an acoustic output, the exciter comprising a magnet assembly rigidly fixed to the housing and defining an annular gap and a voice coil disposed in the annular gap and rigidly fixed to the panel- form member near to the geometric centre thereof, the location of the voice coil in the annular gap being provided by the said resilient suspension.
- the bending stiffness of the panel-form member may be in the range 0.15Nm to 24Nm and is preferably in the range 2Nm to 9Nm.
- the vibration exciter may be bonded to the panel-form member (herein after ⁇ panel' ) and/or to the enclosure by way of injection moulding or by use of the adhesive.
- the vibration exciter voice coil may be bonded directly to a resonant panel during the injection moulding of the panel.
- the voice coil of an exciter may be bonded into a pre-formed aperture moulded in a resonant panel during assembly. The need for a separate voice coil carrier is thus removed.
- the panel may be co-moulded with the suspension.
- the suspension may be of resilient a material, eg plastics.
- the panel may be injection moulded as a monolith or using foaming techniques.
- the panel may be flat or curved and may vary in thickness or cross-section.
- the enclosure may have embedded electrically conducting inserts for carrying electrical signals efficiently from connectors on the enclosure edge to the vibration exciter. The assembly and connectivity of the drive unit may thus be automated.
- the drive unit may be clad in other mouldings and structures to suit the application, e.g. for aesthetic reasons. For example an appropriate trim will make it suitable for surface mounting onto a hi-fi speaker cabinet. Conversely, a suitable outer moulding will turn the engine into a multimedia speaker. Further the engine may be mounted onto other structures such as television cabinets.
- Figure 1 is a perspective view, partly cut-away to reveal hidden detail, of a loudspeaker drive unit
- Figure 2 is a cross-sectional side view of the loudspeaker drive unit of Figure 1, and
- Figure 3 is a graph representing the frequency response of the drive unit of Figures 1 and 2.
- a loudspeaker drive unit 1 intended as a mid/high frequency driver which may be used as a component in a loudspeaker system also comprising a low frequency driver, in which case the mid/high frequency and low frequency drivers may be assembled into a common cabinet, or as the sole driver in a compact loudspeaker, e.g. for multi-media or computer or automobile use .
- the drive unit 1 comprises a generally rectangular enclosure 2 having a dish-like body 11 surrounded by an outwardly extending fixing flange 3 formed at intervals with holes 12 whereby the enclosure can be fixed in position by means of suitable fasteners (not shown) e.g. in the cabinet (not shown) of a loudspeaker.
- the enclosure 2 may be made from plastics, e.g. by injection moulding, and is formed internally with cross-bracing flanges 13 in the interests of adding stiffness to the enclosure while retaining its light-weight nature.
- the enclosure 2 is formed at its base 14 with an internal generally circular shallow recess 4 having a central through hole 16, the recess being adapted snugly to receive a circular backing plate 6 on which is rigidly mounted the magnet assembly 7 of an electrodynamic vibration exciter 5 by means of a bolt 20.
- the exciter 5 comprises the said magnet assembly which defines an annular gap 19, and a voice coil and cylindrical former assembly 8 disposed in the annular gap and moveable axially thereof in response to an electrical signal applied to the voice coil.
- the backing plate 6 is fixed to the enclosure in any convenient manner. Thus it may be fixed by fasteners or by adhesive means or may be moulded integrally with the enclosure.
- a generally rectangular stiff, lightweight resonant panel-form member 9 is resiliently mounted on the enclosure 2 by means of a flexible foam suspension 10 which extends round the periphery of the panel 9.
- the enclosure and the panel thus define a closed cavity 15.
- the suspension 10 may be fixed to the panel 9 and to the enclosure 2 by adhesive means.
- the panel 9 is a distributed mode panel in accordance with the teaching in WO97/09842.
- the voice coil/former assembly 8 of the exciter 5 is rigidly fixed to the panel 9 at a suitable near-centre drive position as taught in WO97/09842 to introduce bending wave energy into the panel to cause it to resonate to produce an acoustic output.
- the voice coil and coil former assembly 8 has an annular mounting member or foot 21, e.g. of plastics, rigidly fixed to its end adjacent to the panel 9 to aid its fixing to the panel, which may be with the aid of an adhesive.
- the exciter 5 is grounded to the enclosure 2 and does not comprise a suspension between the magnet assembly and the voice coil so that centring of the voice coil in the annular gap 19 of the magnet assembly is achieved only by the panel edge suspension 10. In this way the moving mass of the exciter is reduced to improve its high frequency response.
- the magnet assembly may be thermally coupled to the voice coil to improve its power capacity and heat may be radiated from the exposed rear face -of the backing plate ⁇ .
- a drive unit as described above may have the following specification: -
- Panel size 210X148.5mm (A5 std. size)
- the panel may be aligned and located accurately using the hole in the panel within the voice coil to assist alignment of the voice coil in the annular gap.
- Locating pins might possibly be provided on the enclosure near to the panel edges to prevent sideways movement of the panel.
- the frequency response of this panel is shown in Figure 3.
- the invention thus provides a novel loudspeaker drive unit for mid and high frequencies which solves significant problems in known arrangements both as concerns frequency cross-over problems and dispersion.
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Acoustics & Sound (AREA)
- Signal Processing (AREA)
- Multimedia (AREA)
- Audible-Bandwidth Dynamoelectric Transducers Other Than Pickups (AREA)
- Diaphragms For Electromechanical Transducers (AREA)
- Details Of Audible-Bandwidth Transducers (AREA)
Abstract
Description
Claims
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GBGB9822246.6A GB9822246D0 (en) | 1998-10-13 | 1998-10-13 | Loudspeakers |
GB9822246 | 1998-10-13 | ||
PCT/GB1999/003209 WO2000022877A1 (en) | 1998-10-13 | 1999-10-12 | Resonant panel loudspeakers |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP1121833A1 true EP1121833A1 (en) | 2001-08-08 |
Family
ID=10840427
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP99949152A Ceased EP1121833A1 (en) | 1998-10-13 | 1999-10-12 | Resonant panel loudspeakers |
Country Status (12)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP1121833A1 (en) |
JP (1) | JP2002528019A (en) |
KR (1) | KR20010075442A (en) |
CN (1) | CN1319320A (en) |
AU (1) | AU6213999A (en) |
BR (1) | BR9914147A (en) |
CA (1) | CA2345749A1 (en) |
GB (2) | GB9822246D0 (en) |
IL (1) | IL141966A0 (en) |
TW (1) | TW462206B (en) |
WO (1) | WO2000022877A1 (en) |
ZA (1) | ZA200101978B (en) |
Families Citing this family (20)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JP2003516648A (en) | 1999-07-23 | 2003-05-13 | デジタル ソニックス,リミティド ライアビリティー カンパニー | Flat panel speaker |
US6751329B2 (en) | 2000-09-21 | 2004-06-15 | New Transducers Limited | Loudspeaker driver |
GB0023134D0 (en) * | 2000-09-21 | 2000-11-01 | New Transducers Ltd | Loudspeaker driver |
US7120263B2 (en) | 2001-03-23 | 2006-10-10 | New Transducers Limited | Bending wave acoustic radiator |
WO2002078391A2 (en) * | 2001-03-23 | 2002-10-03 | New Transducers Limited | Bending wave acoustic radiator |
US7002070B2 (en) | 2001-06-22 | 2006-02-21 | Shelley Katz | Electronic piano |
US7062051B2 (en) | 2001-08-17 | 2006-06-13 | New Transducers Limited | Acoustic device |
AU2003202084A1 (en) * | 2003-01-22 | 2004-08-13 | Shelley Katz | Apparatus and method for producing sound |
DE10326761A1 (en) * | 2003-06-13 | 2005-01-27 | Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der angewandten Forschung e.V. | speaker |
JP2006279284A (en) * | 2005-03-28 | 2006-10-12 | Kenwood Corp | Screen speaker |
JP2007322606A (en) * | 2006-05-31 | 2007-12-13 | Kawai Musical Instr Mfg Co Ltd | Musical sound device and production method for musical sound device |
JP2009260763A (en) * | 2008-04-18 | 2009-11-05 | Panasonic Corp | Flat speaker |
GB0811015D0 (en) * | 2008-06-17 | 2008-07-23 | Deben Acoustics | Improved acoustic device |
WO2010007335A1 (en) * | 2008-07-17 | 2010-01-21 | New Transducers Limited | Inertial vibration exciter |
CN101674517B (en) * | 2009-09-25 | 2012-08-29 | 广东长虹电子有限公司 | Acoustic generating device |
JP5909169B2 (en) * | 2012-09-25 | 2016-04-26 | 京セラ株式会社 | SOUND GENERATOR, SOUND GENERATOR, AND ELECTRONIC DEVICE |
GB2568282B (en) | 2017-11-10 | 2020-11-25 | Amina Tech Limited | Flat panel loudspeaker |
KR102625724B1 (en) | 2018-10-05 | 2024-01-15 | 엘지디스플레이 주식회사 | Display apparatus |
FR3110162B1 (en) * | 2020-05-13 | 2022-05-27 | Saint Gobain | Glazing with audio exciter |
GB202217215D0 (en) * | 2022-11-17 | 2023-01-04 | Amina Tech Limited | distributed mode flat panel loudspeaker with overhanging monolithic panel and method of installation thereof |
Family Cites Families (8)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3247925A (en) * | 1962-03-08 | 1966-04-26 | Lord Corp | Loudspeaker |
US4284167A (en) * | 1979-06-04 | 1981-08-18 | Electronic Research Assoc., Inc. | Sound reproducing device |
US4928312A (en) * | 1988-10-17 | 1990-05-22 | Amel Hill | Acoustic transducer |
FI94203C (en) * | 1991-11-25 | 1995-07-25 | Anturilaakso Oy | Speaker |
UA51671C2 (en) * | 1995-09-02 | 2002-12-16 | Нью Транзд'Юсез Лімітед | Acoustic device |
GB9701983D0 (en) * | 1997-01-31 | 1997-03-19 | New Transducers Ltd | Electro-dynamic exciter |
NZ336071A (en) * | 1997-01-09 | 2000-08-25 | New Transducers Ltd | Loudspeaker with resonant radiator having exciter to apply bending waves to radiator which is resiliently coupled to support |
EP2178307B1 (en) * | 1998-01-16 | 2013-11-27 | Sony Corporation | Speaker apparatus and electronic apparatus having speaker apparatus enclosed therein |
-
1998
- 1998-10-13 GB GBGB9822246.6A patent/GB9822246D0/en not_active Ceased
-
1999
- 1999-09-12 KR KR1020017003992A patent/KR20010075442A/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 1999-10-12 AU AU62139/99A patent/AU6213999A/en not_active Abandoned
- 1999-10-12 BR BR9914147-7A patent/BR9914147A/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 1999-10-12 CN CN99811160A patent/CN1319320A/en active Pending
- 1999-10-12 EP EP99949152A patent/EP1121833A1/en not_active Ceased
- 1999-10-12 GB GB0105807A patent/GB2357215A/en not_active Withdrawn
- 1999-10-12 JP JP2000576669A patent/JP2002528019A/en active Pending
- 1999-10-12 IL IL14196699A patent/IL141966A0/en unknown
- 1999-10-12 CA CA002345749A patent/CA2345749A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 1999-10-12 WO PCT/GB1999/003209 patent/WO2000022877A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 1999-10-15 TW TW088117867A patent/TW462206B/en active
-
2001
- 2001-03-09 ZA ZA200101978A patent/ZA200101978B/en unknown
Non-Patent Citations (1)
Title |
---|
See references of WO0022877A1 * |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
KR20010075442A (en) | 2001-08-09 |
WO2000022877A8 (en) | 2000-05-25 |
AU6213999A (en) | 2000-05-01 |
CA2345749A1 (en) | 2000-04-20 |
WO2000022877A1 (en) | 2000-04-20 |
GB2357215A (en) | 2001-06-13 |
BR9914147A (en) | 2001-06-26 |
IL141966A0 (en) | 2002-03-10 |
GB9822246D0 (en) | 1998-12-09 |
GB0105807D0 (en) | 2001-04-25 |
JP2002528019A (en) | 2002-08-27 |
TW462206B (en) | 2001-11-01 |
ZA200101978B (en) | 2001-09-11 |
CN1319320A (en) | 2001-10-24 |
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Legal Events
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