Loudspeaker arrangement comprising one or more flat diaphragms

• US 4,696,037 A
• Filed: 12/27/1983
• Issued: 09/22/1987
• Est. Priority Date: 01/04/1983
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: US Philips Corporation (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Original Assignee: US Philips Corporation (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Inventors: Fierens, Gustaaf E. M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Isen, Forester W.
• Application Number:
  US06/565,309
• Time in Patent Office: 1,365 Days
• Field of Search: 181/141, 181/143, 181/145, 181/150, 181/163, 381/24, 381/86, 381/88, 381/89, 381/90
• US Class Current: 381/300
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/02 Casings; Cabinets ; Supports therefor; Mountings therein H04R1/28 takes precedence ; attachments for microphones H04R1/08; mounting of transducers in earpieces H04R1/1075
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/26 Spatial arrangements of separate transducers responsive to two or more frequency ranges

Abstract

A modular loudspeaker comprises a first module including a first loudspeaker unit (1) for reproducing a low-frequency audio signal and provided with at least two flat diaphragms (4, 5) and a second module including a second loudspeaker unit (2) for reproducing a high-frequency audio signal by means of a loudspeaker (8). The first and second loudspeaker units are constructed either to be mechanically detached from one another or to have connecting means whereby they can be rigidly mechanically connected to one another in a manner that will permit relatively easy mechanical detachment of the units from one another. Connecting means (10 or 11) allows the loudspeaker units to be electrically connected to one another and comprise interengageable parts that can be disengaged to disconnect the units. Another loudspeaker arrangement, which need not be of a modular construction, comprises a first loudspeaker unit (60) having at least one flat-diaphragm loudspeaker (61) and a second loudspeaker unit (62) which is pivotable about two orthogonal axes (65, 66).

Claims

1. A loudspeaker arrangement comprising:

a first loudspeaker unit for reproducing a low-frequency audio signal, a second separate loudspeaker unit provided with a loudspeaker for reproducing a high-frequency audio signal, the two loudspeaker units being constructed to have no mechanical connection between them, and means electrically connecting the loudspeaker units to one another and which comprise interengageable parts that can be disengaged from one another to disconnect the units, characterized in that the first loudspeaker unit comprises at least two flat diaphragms.

2. A loudspeaker arrangement as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the flat diaphragms extend at least substantially in one plane, have a rectangular shape and are adjacent each other along one side.

3. A loudspeaker arrangement as claimed in claim 1 wherein the flat diaphragms each form part of a flat-diaphragm loudspeaker, and first and second input terminals for receiving and applying first and second electric audio signals to the first and second flat-diaphragm loudspeakers, respectively, and to the second loudspeaker unit via said electric connecting means.

4. A loudspeaker arrangement as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that the loudspeaker arrangement further comprises a third separate loudspeaker unit provided with a loudspeaker for reproducing a primarily high-frequency audio signal, the first and third loudspeaker units being constructed to be mechanically detached, and means electrically connecting the first and third loudspeaker units to one another and which comprise interengageable parts that can be easily disengaged from one another to disconnect the first and third loudspeaker units from one another, and wherein the first and the second input terminals are coupled to the second and the third loudspeaker units respectively, for applying the first and the second electric audio signals to the second and the third loudspeaker units, respectively.

5. A loudspeaker arrangement as claimed in claim 1 wherein the loudspeaker in the second loudspeaker unit is pivotably mounted about at least one axis.

6. A loudspeaker arrangement as claimed in claim 2 wherein the flat diaphragms form part of first and second flat-diaphragm loudspeakers, respectively, and first and second input terminals for applying first and second electric audio signals to the first and second flat-diaphragm loudspeakers, respectively.

7. A loudspeaker arrangement as claimed in claim 2 wherein the flat diaphragms form part of first and second flat-diaphragm loudspeakers, respectively, and an input terminal for applying an electric audio signal to the first and second flat-diaphragm loudspeakers and to the second loudspeaker unit.

8. A loudspeaker arrangement as claimed in claim 2 wherein one flat diaphragm forms part of a flat-diaphragm loudspeaker and the other flat diaphragm forms part of a passive radiator, the loudspeaker arrangement being accommodated in an opening of an otherwise at least substantially airtight enclosure, and an input terminal for receiving and applying an electric audio signal to the flat-diaphragm loudspeaker and to the second loudspeaker unit.

9. A loudspeaker arrangement as claimed in claim 2 wherein the second loudspeaker unit comprises a second loudspeaker for producing a mid-range audio frequency signal.

10. A loudspeaker arrangement as claimed in claim 2 wherein the second loudspeaker unit is pivotably mounted about at least one axis.

11. A loudspeaker arrangement as claimed in claim 4 wherein the second and third loudspeaker units include a second loudspeaker for reproducing mid-range audio frequency signals.

12. A loudspeaker arrangement as claimed in claim 4 wherein the loudspeakers in the second and third loudspeaker units are pivotable about at least one axis.

13. A loudspeaker arrangement comprising:

a first loudspeaker unit for reproducing a low-frequency audio signal, a second separate loudspeaker unit provided with a loudspeaker for reproducing a primarily high-frequency audio signal, the two loudspeaker units having connecting means whereby they can be mechanically connected to one another in a manner that will permit ready detachment of the units from one another, said connecting means allowing the loudspeaker units to be electrically connected to one another and further comprising interengageable parts that can be disengaged from one another to disconnect the loudspeaker units from one another, characterized in that the first loudspeaker unit comprises at least first and second flat diaphragms.

14. A loudspeaker arrangement as claimed in claim 13 wherein said first and second flat diaphragms are rectangular and are disposed side-by-side adjacent one another in a common plane.

15. A loudspeaker arrangement as claimed in claim 13 wherein the loudspeaker arrangement further comprises a third separate loudspeaker unit having a loudspeaker for reproducing a primarily high-frequency audio signal, the first and third loudspeaker units having connecting means whereby they can be mechanically connected to one another in a manner that will permit ready detachment of the first and third units from one another, said connecting means allowing the first and third loudspeaker units to be electrically connected to one another and further comprising interengageable parts that can be disengaged from one another to disconnect the first and third units from one another, and first and second input terminals coupled to the second and the third loudspeaker units for receiving and applying first and second electric audio signals to the first, second and third loudspeaker units.

16. A loudspeaker arrangement as claimed in claim 15 wherein the second and third loudspeaker units are pivotably mounted about at least one axis.

17. A loudspeaker arrangement as claimed in claim 13 wherein at least one of said flat diaphragms forms part of a flat-diaphragm loudspeaker, said second loudspeaker unit including a loudspeaker for reproducing a mid-range audio frequency signal, and wherein the second loudspeaker unit is pivotably mounted about two orthogonal axes one of which extends substantially perpendicular to the surface of a flat diaphragm.

18. A loudspeaker arrangement as claimed in claim 14 wherein the first and second flat diaphragms are part of first and second flat diaphragm loudspeakers, respectively, and the second loudspeaker unit comprises a second loudspeaker for reproducing mid-range audio frequency signals, and at least one input terminal for receiving and applying an electric audio signal to the first and second flat-diaphragm loudspeakers and to the second loudspeaker unit.

19. A loudspeaker arrangement comprising:

a first loudspeaker unit for reproducing a low-frequency audio signal, a second separate loudspeaker unit provided with a loudspeaker for reproducing a high-frequency audio signal, the two loudspeaker units being constructed to have no rigid mechanical connection between them, and electrical connecting means being provided whereby the loudspeaker units can be electrically connected to one another and which comprise interengageable parts that can be disengaged from one another to disconnect the units, characterized in that the first loudspeaker unit comprises at least two flat diaphragms.

20. A loudspeaker arrangement as claimed in claim 19 wherein the flat diaphragms extend at least substantially in one plane, have a rectangular shape and adjoin each other along one side.

21. A loudspeaker arrangement as claimed in claim 19, characterized in that the flat diaphragms each form part of a flat-diaphragm loudspeaker, first and second input terminals for receiving first and second electric audio signals, respectively, and for applying the first and second electric signals to the first and second flat-diaphragm loudspeakers, respectively.

22. A loudspeaker arrangement as claimed in claim 21 further comprising:

a third separate loudspeaker unit provided with a loudspeaker for reproducing a high frequency audio signal, the first and third loudspeaker units being constructed to have no rigid mechanical connection therebetween, and electrical connecting means whereby the first and third loudspeaker units can be electrically connected to one another and which comprise interengageable parts that can be disengaged from one another to disconnect the units, and the first and the second input terminals being coupled to the second and the third loudspeaker units, respectively, for applying the first and second electric signals to the second and third loudspeaker units, respectively.

23. A loudspeaker arrangement as claimed in claim 19 wherein the flat diaphragms each form part of a flat-diaphragm loudspeaker, and an input terminal for receiving and applying an electric audio signal to the first and the second flat-diaphragm loudspeaker and to the second loudspeaker unit.

24. A loudspeaker arrangement as claimed in claim 19 wherein one flat diaphragm forms part of a flat-diaphragm loudspeaker and the other flat diaphragm forms part of a passive radiator, the loudspeaker arrangement being accommodated in an opening of an otherwise at least substantially airtight enclosure, and an input terminal for receiving and applying an electric audio signal to the flat-diaphragm loudspeaker and to the second loudspeaker unit.

25. A loudspeaker arrangement as claimed in claim 19 wherein the second loudspeaker unit comprises a second loudspeaker for reproducing a mid-range audio frequency signal.

26. A loudspeaker arrangement as claimed in claim 19, characterized in that the loudspeaker(s) in the second loudspeaker unit is (are) pivotably mounted about at least one axis.

27. A loudspeaker arrangement comprising:

a first loudspeaker unit for reproducing a low-frequency audio signal, a second separate loudspeaker unit provided with a loudspeaker for reproducing a high-frequency audio signal, the two loudspeaker units having mechanical connecting means whereby they can be rigidly mechanically connected to one another but which will permit detachment of the units from one another, and electrical connecting means being provided whereby the loudspeaker units can be electrically connected to one another and which comprise interengageable parts that can be disengaged from one another to disconnect the units from one another, characterized in that the first loudspeaker unit comprises at least two flat diaphragms.

28. A loudspeaker arragement as claimed in claim 27, characterized in that the flat diaphragms each form part of a flat-diaphragm loudspeaker, first and second input terminals for receiving first and second electric audio signals, respectively, said audio signals comprising the left-hand and the right-hand signal of a stereophonic signal, and for applying the first and second electric signals to the first and second flat-diaphragm loudspeakers, respectively.

29. A loudspeaker arrangement as claimed in claim 28 further comprising:

a third separate loudspeaker unit provided with a loudspeaker for reproducing a high frequency audio signal, the first and third loudspeaker units including mechanical connecting means whereby they can be rigidly mechanically connected to one another but which will permit detachment of the units from one another, and electrical connecting means whereby the first and third loudspeaker units can be electrically connected to one another and which comprise interengageable parts that can be disengaged from one another to disconnect the units, and the first and second input terminals being coupled to the second and third loudspeaker units, respectively, for applying the first and second electric signals to the second and third loudspeaker units, respectively.

30. A loudspeaker arrangement as claimed in claim 27 wherein the electrical connecting means and mechanical connecting means are combined into one connecting means.