Method of forming a transducer assembly

• US 8,549,733 B2
• Filed: 07/09/2010
• Issued: 10/08/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 07/09/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Shure Acquisition Holdings Inc. (Shure Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Shure Acquisition Holdings Inc. (Shure Incorporated)
• Inventors: Bedwell, Kevin M., Frohlich, Lajos
• Primary Examiner(s): Kim, Paul D
• Application Number:
  US12/833,639
• Publication Number:
  US 20120008804A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,187 Days
• Field of Search: 294/17, 295/921, 295/94, 295/95, 296/091, 724/64, 156/268, 156/344, 257/E21.596, 228/181, 228/190, 219/121.69, 219/121.85
• US Class Current: 29/609.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/1016 Earpieces of the intra-aural type
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 11/02 Loudspeakers
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/00 Deaf-aid sets , i.e. electro-acoustic or electro-mechanical hearing aids; Electric tinnitus maskers providing an auditory perception electrical stimulation of auditory nerves to promote the auditory function A61N1/36038; optical stimulation of auditory nerves to promote the auditory function A61N5/0622
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 31/006 Interconnection of transducer parts of diaphragm and outer suspension by moulding H04R31/003
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/1082 Partial cutting bonded sandwich [e.g., grooving or incising]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49002 Electrical device making
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49005 Acoustic transducer
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49007 Indicating transducer
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/4902 Electromagnet, transformer or inductor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/4908 Acoustic transducer
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49798 Dividing sequentially from leading end, e.g., by cutting or breaking

Abstract

A transducer and method of forming a transducer is disclosed. The method comprises locating a feed wire for forming a drive pin on a reed surface, welding a first end of the feed wire to the reed, cutting the feed wire to form a drive pin, and securing the drive pin to a paddle. The first end of the feed wire can be welded to the reed by a laser welding operation. The laser melts the reed to form a molten reed material, and the feed wire is pushed through the molten reed material to form a weld between the feed wire and the reed, once the molten reed material solidifies. The wire coil is then cut with a second laser to form the drive pin. The drive pin is then adhered to a paddle with an adhesive.

Claims

1. A method of forming a balanced armature transducer assembly comprising:

locating a feed wire for forming a drive pin on a reed at a wire contact point on a first surface of the reed;

welding a first end of the feed wire to the reed by a laser welding operation with a first laser, wherein the first laser is directed at a second surface of the reed opposite the wire contact point;

cutting the feed wire to form a drive pin; and

securing the drive pin to a paddle.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the feed wire is compressed against the reed to form a buckled portion in the feed wire.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the first laser melts a portion of the reed to form a molten reed material and the feed wire is pushed through the molten reed material to form a weld between the feed wire and the reed once the molten reed material solidifies.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of cutting the feed wire to form a drive pin comprises cutting the feed wire with a second laser, wherein the second laser forms a bulbous end on the drive pin.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein securing the drive pin to the paddle comprises adhering the bulbous end of the drive pin to the paddle with an adhesive, and wherein the adhesive forms a socket which receives the bulbous end.

6. A method of forming a balanced armature transducer assembly comprising:

locating a feed wire for forming a drive pin on a reed by contacting the reed with the feed wire;

laser-welding a first end of the feed wire to the reed with a first laser wherein the reed creates a protective shield for the feed wire to prevent the feed wire from melting and the first laser melts a portion of the reed to form a molten reed material and the feed wire is advanced through the molten reed material to form a weld between the feed wire and the reed upon solidification of the molten reed material;

laser-cutting the feed wire to form a drive pin with a second laser; and

adhering the drive pin to a paddle.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein the feed wire is compressed against the reed to form a buckled portion in the feed wire.

8. The method of claim 6 wherein the feed wire contacts the reed on a first reed surface and the first laser is directed at a second reed surface opposite the first reed surface.

9. The method of claim 6 wherein the second laser forms a bulbous end portion on the drive pin.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein the bulbous end portion of the drive pin is adhered to the paddle with an adhesive and the adhesive forms a socket around the bulbous end portion.

11. A method of forming a drive pin onto a reed of a balanced armature transducer comprising:

placing a feed wire in contact with a reed at a wire contact point;

directing a heat source at the reed to liquefy a portion of the reed adjacent the wire contact point and wherein the reed creates a protective shield for the feed wire to prevent the feed wire from melting;

advancing the feed wire into the molten material on the reed; and

solidifying the liquefied portion of the reed to form a weld between the reed and the feed wire.

12. The method according to claim 11 further comprising cutting the feed wire to form a drive pin having a cut end.

13. The method according to claim 12 further comprising gluing the cut end of the drive pin to a paddle to form a connection between the reed and the paddle via the drive pin.