# US 10,455,317 B2 · Hybrid ring-radiator headphone driver > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,455,317 B2 - Document ID: US10455317B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/627,803 - Filed: 2017-06-20 - Published: 2017-10-05 - Granted: 2019-10-22 - Earliest claimed: 2014-05-27 - Assignees: Voyetra Turtle Beach, Inc. - Applicants: Voyetra Turtle Beach, Inc. - Inventors: David Zepp - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10455317B2 ## CPC - H04R 1/1075: {Mountings of transducers in earphones or headphones} - H04R 1/24: Structural combinations of separate transducers or of two parts of the same transducer and responsive respectively to two or more frequency ranges - H04R 3/12: for distributing signals to two or more loudspeakers {(specially adapted for hearing aids H04R25/407)} - H04R 9/025: {Magnetic circuit} - H04R 9/04: Construction, mounting, or centering of coil - H04R: LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; ELECTRIC HEARING AIDS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS (producing sounds with frequency not determined by supply frequency G10K) ## Abstract A system and method for a hybrid ring-radiator headphone driver, substantially as shown in and/or described in connection with at least one of the figures, as set forth more completely in the claims. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A hybrid headphone driver comprising: a frame; a center radiator comprising: an inner magnet; and an inner coil that moves in relation to the inner magnet; a ring radiator comprising: a ring-shaped outer magnet that encircles the inner magnet; and an outer coil that moves in relation to the outer magnet; at least a first diaphragm portion coupled to the inner coil; and at least a second diaphragm portion coupled to the outer coil, wherein the frame comprises a plurality of rings that separate the inner magnet from the outer magnet. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The hybrid headphone driver of claim 1, wherein the frame comprises a vent hole in a back side of the frame, the vent hole allowing air flow between the back side of the frame and an inner volume of the frame between two of the plurality of rings. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The hybrid headphone driver of claim 2, wherein the vent hole allows air flow for the center radiator. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The hybrid headphone driver of claim 1, wherein a first ring of the plurality of rings has a first height from a back side of the frame, and a second ring of the plurality of rings has a second height from the back side of the frame, wherein the second height is greater than the first height. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The hybrid headphone driver of claim 4, wherein the first ring of the plurality of rings defines a center space in which at least a portion of the inner magnet is positioned and in which at least a portion of the inner coil is positioned. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The hybrid headphone driver of claim 1, wherein the frame comprises a planar back side, at least a portion of which is directly behind the center radiator. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The hybrid headphone driver of claim 1, comprising a magnet cup in which the inner magnet is positioned, and wherein at least one of the plurality of rings defines a space into which the magnet cup is press fit. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The hybrid headphone driver of claim 1, wherein the first diaphragm portion and the second diaphragm portion are different portions of a same diaphragm. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The hybrid headphone driver of claim 1, wherein: the inner magnet and the outer magnet are independent magnets; and the inner magnet comprises a slot in which the inner coil moves. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The hybrid headphone driver of claim 9, wherein the outer magnet comprises a slot in which the outer coil moves. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The hybrid headphone driver of claim 9, wherein the ring-shaped outer magnet defines an central space bounded by an inner perimeter surface of the ring-shaped outer magnet, and the inner magnet extends entirely through the central space. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) The hybrid headphone driver of claim 9, wherein the inner magnet is thicker than the outer magnet. ### Claim 13 (depends on 9) The hybrid headphone driver of claim 9, wherein the inner magnet comprises a permanent magnet, and the outer magnet comprises a permanent magnet. ### Claim 14 (depends on 9) The hybrid headphone driver of claim 9, wherein each of the inner magnet and the outer magnet comprises a center hole. ### Claim 15 A hybrid headphone driver comprising: a frame; a center radiator comprising: an inner magnet; and an inner coil that moves in relation to the inner magnet; a ring radiator comprising: a ring-shaped outer magnet that encircles the inner magnet; and an outer coil that moves in relation to the outer magnet; at least a first diaphragm portion coupled to the inner coil and coupled directly to the frame; and at least a second diaphragm portion coupled to the outer coil and coupled directly to the frame, wherein the frame comprises a continuous ring of a same material, the at least a first diaphragm portion is coupled directly to the ring, and the at least a second diaphragm portion is coupled directly to the ring. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The hybrid headphone driver of claim 15, wherein the second diaphragm portion comprises two lobes that encircle the first diaphragm portion, and an interface between the two lobes is positioned directly in front of the outer magnet. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The hybrid headphone driver of claim 15, wherein each of the center radiator and the ring radiator comprises a same respective effective radiating area. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) The hybrid headphone driver of claim 15, wherein each of the center radiator and the ring radiator comprises a similar respective Theil/Small parameter. ### Claim 19 A hybrid headphone driver comprising: a frame; a center radiator comprising: an inner magnet; and an inner coil that moves in relation to the inner magnet; a ring radiator comprising: a ring-shaped outer magnet that encircles the inner magnet; and an outer coil that moves in relation to the outer magnet; at least a first diaphragm portion coupled to the inner coil and coupled directly to the frame; and at least a second diaphragm portion coupled to the outer coil and coupled directly to the frame, wherein the first diaphragm portion and the second diaphragm portion are different portions of a same diaphragm.