US 6,176,345 B1Granted

Pistonic motion, large excursion passive radiator

AssigneeMackie Designs Inc.

InventorsCalvin C. Perkins, Terry L. Wetherbee, David D. Bie

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Abstract

A passive radiator assembly for a speaker that substantially reduces diaphragm resonance in the operating frequency range of the device. The new passive radiator assembly includes a quasi-elliptical shaped laminated honeycomb diaphragm, which is damped by an integral outer compliance (suspension) made of an elastomeric material that covers the entire upper surface of the diaphragm. The integrated outer compliance is of a progressive type, having a stiffness that increases in a controlled fashion during large excursions. To prevent non-linear rocking movements and compensate for displacement non-linearities, at least one, and preferably two, opposed spiders supported by a spider assembly frame are used to provide a restoring force applied to the diaphragm.

Claims28

Dependent claims

A passive radiator assembly capable of emitting large excursions for a speaker contained within a speaker enclosure, said passive radiator assembly comprising:

a substantially planar diaphragm having a layer of honeycombed material sandwiched between a pair of spaced apart outer skins that covers the diaphragm;
a compliance assembly including a frame, which is connected to the speaker enclosure, and a progressive-type compliance, which is of a size and shape to contact and adhere to one of the outer skins of the diaphragm such that the combined diaphragm and compliance have a stiffness that increases in a controlled fashion during large excursions;
wherein the compliance and compliance frame are mounted relative to the speaker enclosure such that the passive radiator within the compliance and compliance frame is contained within a generally sealed enclosure within the speaker enclosure;
and
a spider assembly having at least one spider mounted within a spider assembly frame such that the at least one spider is attached to a support member, which is connected to the diaphragm, in order to provide a restoring force to the diaphragm when the diaphragm resonates in an operating frequency.

2 more elements

A passive radiator assembly capable of emitting large excursions for a speaker contained within a speaker enclosure, said passive radiator assembly comprising:

a substantially planar diaphragm;
a compliance assembly including a frame, which is connected to the speaker enclosure, and a progressive-type compliance, which is of a size and shape to contact and adhere to the diaphragm such that the combined diaphragm and compliance frame have a stiffness that increases in a controlled fashion during large excursions;
wherein the compliance and compliance frame are mounted relative to the speaker enclosure such that the passive radiator within the compliance and compliance frame is contained within a generally sealed enclosure within the speaker enclosure;
and
a spider assembly having at least one spider mounted within a spider assembly frame such that the at least one spider is attached to a support member, which is connected to the diaphragm, in order to provide a restoring force to the diaphragm when the diaphragm resonated in an operating frequency.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 09/370,972Filed 9 Aug 1999 · continuation
Priority: 18 Jul 1997
Granted: 23 Jan 2001
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification4 codes

H04R 7/00
Diaphragms for electromechanical transducers
H04R 1/2834
Using a passive diaphragm: for loudspeaker transducers
H04R 2307/207
Details of diaphragms or cones for electromechanical transducers, their suspension or their manufacture covered by H04R7/00 or H04R31/003, not…:…
H04R
Loudspeakers, microphones, gramophone pick-ups or like acoustic electromechanical transducers