Loudspeaker with integrated spider standoff ring

• US 20060133637A1
• Filed: 12/16/2004
• Published: 06/22/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/16/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Garmin International, Inc. (Garmin Limited)
• Original Assignee: JL Audio, Inc.
• Inventors: Proni, Lucio
• Granted Patent: US 7,379,558 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 381/398
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 7/22 Clamping rim of diaphragm or cone against seating
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 9/043 Inner suspension or damper, e.g. spider outer suspension or surround H04R7/16
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 9/06 Loudspeakers

Abstract

A loudspeaker is provided in which the outer diameter or foot of the spider is over molded with a standoff formed of a plastic material in an injection molding tool so that the spider and standoff form an integral unit. The standoff, in turn, is glued or otherwise affixed to the frame of the speaker to provide accurate centering of the voice coil relative to the magnetic gap of the motor structure.

Claims

1. A loudspeaker, comprising:

a motor structure including a voice coil movable within a magnetic gap;

a frame;

an upper suspension connected to said frame;

a diaphragm coupled to said upper suspension and to said voice coil;

a lower suspension having a first end coupled to said voice coil and second end;

a standoff formed of a molded plastic material, said second end of said lower suspension being over molded with said standoff to integrally connect said standoff and said lower suspension, said standoff being mounted to said frame in position to permit said lower suspension to assist in suspending said voice coil within said magnetic gap.

2. The loudspeaker of claim 1 in which said frame is formed with a spider plateau, said standoff being glued to said spider plateau.

3. The loudspeaker of claim 1 further including at least one electrical connector over molded with said standoff, said electrical connector being effective to mount lead wires extending from said voice coil.

4. A loudspeaker, comprising:

a motor structure including a voice coil movable within a magnetic gap;

a frame having a spider plateau formed with at least one locator hole;

an upper suspension connected to said frame;

a diaphragm coupled to said upper suspension and to said voice coil;

a lower suspension having a first end coupled to said voice coil and a second end;

a standoff formed of a molded plastic material, said second end of said lower suspension being over molded with said standoff to integrally connect said standoff and said lower suspension, said standoff having at least one pin extending outwardly from a first surface thereof, said standoff being mounted to said frame in position so that said at least one pin is received within said at least one locator hole in said spider plateau and said first surface rests atop said spider plateau.

5. The loudspeaker of claim 4 in which said at least one pin is a pin over molded with said standoff to integrally connect said pin and said standoff.

6. The loudspeaker of claim 4 in which said at least one pin is integrally formed with said standoff upon the molding thereof.

7. A loudspeaker, comprising:

a motor structure including a voice coil movable within a magnetic gap;

a frame having a spider plateau formed with at least one locator hole;

an upper suspension connected to said frame;

a diaphragm coupled to said upper suspension and to said voice coil;

a lower suspension having a first end coupled to said voice coil and a second end;

a standoff formed of a molded plastic material, said second end of said lower suspension being over molded with said standoff to integrally connect said standoff and said lower suspension, said standoff being formed with at least one hole extending from a first surface thereof which is positioned in alignment with said at least one locator hole in said spider plateau;

a screw extending through said at least one locator hole in said spider plateau and being threaded into said at least one hole in said standoff to secure said standoff to said spider plateau.

8. A loudspeaker, comprising:

a motor structure including a voice coil movable within a magnetic gap;

a frame including a number of spaced arms, each of said spaced arms having a seat formed with a locator hole;

an upper suspension connected to said frame;

a diaphragm coupled to said upper suspension and to said voice coil;

a lower suspension having a first end coupled to said voice coil and second end;

a standoff formed of a molded plastic material, said second end of said lower suspension being over molded with said standoff to integrally connect said standoff and said lower suspension, said standoff being formed with a number of holes each extending from a first surface thereof, said holes each being positioned in alignment with said locator holes in one of said seats in said spaced arms of said frame;

a screw extending through said locator in each of said seats and being threaded into an aligning hole of said standoff to secure said standoff to said frame arms.