Electrical audio signal processing systems and devices – Electro-acoustic audio transducer
Patent
1996-09-20
1998-04-21
Le, Huyen D.
Electrical audio signal processing systems and devices
Electro-acoustic audio transducer
381182, 381192, H04R 2500
Patent
active
057426961
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
FIELD OF INVENTION
The invention relates to a modular tweeter for inductive coupling and location within a loudspeaker, particularly, but not exclusively limited to, loudspeakers in television and automotive audio system.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Loudspeakers conventionally comprise a central pole with a surrounding magnet defining an annular gap therebetween with a radial magnetic field within the gap. A voice coil is wound on a tubular former which is disposed in the gap so that the voice coil is suspended in the magnetic field. The frequency range of sound produced by this type of speaker is limited to low and medium frequency sounds. One way to produce high frequency sounds in such loudspeakers is to incorporate an inductively coupled tweeter. Such tweeters are known and have been described in patents Nos. GB-545712, GB-2118398 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,965,839.
In our International Publication No. WO94/03024, a loudspeaker is disclosed having a pole and a surrounding magnet defining an annular gap, a voice coil supported on a tubular former disposed within the gap, and a conductive skirted dome also located within the gap and supported on an insulating gasket providing three arcuate points of support. A phase plug has a projection which extends through a central opening in the dome, the projection being fixed to the pole of the loudspeaker. The phase plug also has an integral horn which extends beyond the former.
One drawback of the aforementioned inductively coupled tweeters is that the tweeter must be assembled on the top of the pole at the bottom of the coil former during assembly of the loudspeaker. Known inductively coupled tweeters can not be fitted to existing loudspeakers.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved inductively coupled tweeter.
According to the invention there is provided a modular tweeter for a loudspeaker comprising a diaphragm having an electrically conductive skirt, an aperture in the diaphragm, and a support means passing through the aperture trapping the diaphragm in such a way that it is free to vibrate whilst providing means for manipulating the modular tweeter during assembly. The support means preferably comprises a phase plug moulding on one side of the diaphragm connected through the aperture to a support body on the other side of the diaphragm within the skirt for affixing the modular tweeter to a centre pole of the loudspeaker. The phase plug moulding may include a central phase plug portion and an outer horn portion. More particularly, there is provided a modular tweeter for inductive coupling and location within a host loudspeaker, the loudspeaker having a pole with a surrounding magnet and pole plate defining a gap therebetween and a voice coil wound on a tubular former disposed within the gap, the tweeter comprising a diaphragm for producing sound having an electrically conductive skirt, means to support the diaphragm having a surface for attachment to a pole of a loudspeaker and at least one support point for supporting the diaphragm, and phase plug means arranged on the opposite side of the diaphragm from the support means and connected to the support means through an aperture in the diaphragm by connector means in such a way that the diaphragm is free to vibrate, whereby the tweeter can be assembled before insertion into a loudspeaker.
In accordance with the invention, the assembled modular tweeter can be manipulated by means of the phase plug means to avoid damaging the delicate conductive skirted diaphragm and may be fitted during manufacture or to an existing loudspeaker if desired.
The diaphragm may comprise a dome with the conductive skirt extending therefrom. The diaphragm may be made from a single material. The material is preferably a metal foil, most preferably aluminium foil.
The support means may comprise one or a plurality of support points, preferably three. The three support points are preferably equi-distant relative to each other but may be asymmetric in order to adjust performance parameters for
REFERENCES:
patent: 4965839 (1990-10-01), Elieli
patent: 5602930 (1997-02-01), Walton
Harman International Industries Limited
Le Huyen D.
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