Optically clear diaphragm for an acoustic transducer and method for making same

• US 9,232,316 B2
• Filed: 08/04/2014
• Issued: 01/05/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 03/06/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Emo Labs, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Emo Labs, Inc.
• Inventors: Booth, Jeffrey Davis, Bokaemper, Stefan, White, Robert H. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Enad, Elvin G
• Assistant Examiner(s): SCHREIBER, CHRISTINA MARIE
• Application Number:
  US14/450,959
• Publication Number:
  US 20140341403A1
• Time in Patent Office: 519 Days
• Field of Search: 381/327, 381/426, 381/345, 381/164, 381/152, 381/190, 181/167, 181/166
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 11/06 Hearing aids construction of hearing aids H04R25/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/2819 for loudspeaker transducers
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 17/00 Piezoelectric transducers; Electrostrictive transducers piezoelectric or electrostrictive elements in general H10N30/00; details of piezoelectric or electrostrictive motors, generators or positioners H10N30/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2207/00 Details of diaphragms or cones for electromechanical transducers or their suspension covered by H04R7/00 but not provided for in H04R7/00 or in H04R2307/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 23/002 using electrothermic-effect transducer
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2307/025 Diaphragms comprising polymeric materials
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2499/15 Transducers incorporated in visual displaying devices, e.g. televisions, computer displays, laptops
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 31/003 for diaphragms or their outer suspension
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 7/00 Diaphragms for electromechanical transducers in general F16J3/00; Cones for musical instruments G10 cones, diaphragms or the like, for emitting or receiving sound in general G10K13/00; Mounting thereof
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 7/02 characterised by the construction
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 7/04 Plane diaphragms
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 7/045 using the distributed mode principle, i.e. whereby the acoustic radiation is emanated from uniformly distributed free bending wave vibration induced in a stiff panel and not from pistonic motion
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 7/10 comprising superposed layers in contact
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 7/125 comprising a plurality of superposed layers in contact
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 7/26 Damping by means acting directly on free portion of diaphragm or cone air damping H04R1/28
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 9/06 Loudspeakers

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a diaphragm that may be used with a mechanical-to-acoustical transducer. The diaphragm may include a layer of optically clear film, a damping layer and another layer of optically clear film. The damping layer may be an adhesive. The diaphragm may also comprise two optically clear films, optionally including a damping layer, wherein the films indicate a desired coefficient of linear thermal expansion in one or both of the machine and transverse directions.

Claims

1. A device that converts a mechanical motion into acoustic energy, the device comprising:

a multi-layer diaphragm, wherein at least one of the layers is a damping layer that is positioned between two other layers;

drive electronics;

at least one support; and

at least one mechanical-to-acoustical transducer including a distal portion coupled to the diaphragm and a proximal portion coupled to the support, wherein movement of the transducer causes movement of the diaphragm in a direction that is generally transverse to the direction of the movement of the transducer.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the diaphragm is an optically clear diaphragm.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein the diaphragm comprises first and second optically clear layers.

4. The device according to claim 3, wherein the diaphragm is configured such that the damping layer is between the first and second optically clear layers.

5. The device of claim 3, wherein said damping layer is an adhesive.

6. A device that converts a mechanical motion into acoustic energy, the device comprising:

a multi-layer diaphragm, wherein at least one of the layers is a damping layer, said diaphragm comprising a composite elastic modulus of equal to or greater than 2.0 GPa;

at least one support; and

at least one mechanical-to-acoustical transducer including a distal portion coupled to the diaphragm and a proximal portion coupled to the support, wherein movement of the transducer causes movement of the diaphragm in a direction that is generally transverse to the direction of the movement of the transducer.

7. The device according to claim 6, wherein the damping layer that is positioned between two other layers.

8. The device according to claim 7, wherein said damping layer is an adhesive.

9. The device according to claim 8, wherein the adhesive is a pressure sensitive adhesive.

10. A device that converts a mechanical motion into acoustic energy, the device comprising:

a multi-layer diaphragm comprising a damping layer positioned between two other layers;

an outer coating on the diaphragm, said outer coating selected from the group consisting of;

an anti-reflective coating;

an anti-static coating; and

an anti-smudge coating; and

at least one mechanical-to-acoustical transducer including a distal portion coupled to the diaphragm and a proximal portion coupled to a support, wherein movement of the transducer causes movement of the diaphragm in a direction that is generally transverse to the direction of the movement of the transducer.

11. The device according to claim 10, wherein said damping layer is an adhesive.