Multi-driver loudspeaker

• US 4,554,414 A
• Filed: 12/27/1983
• Issued: 11/19/1985
• Est. Priority Date: 04/28/1983
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Harman International Industries Incorporated (Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Harman International Industries Incorporated (Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.)
• Inventors: House, William N.
• Primary Examiner(s): Rubinson, Gene Z.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Byrd, Danita R.
• Application Number:
  US06/565,464
• Time in Patent Office: 693 Days
• Field of Search: 179/115.5 PS, 179/116, 179/110 A, 179/115.5 R, 179/178, 179/181 R, 181/144, 181/163, 181/147
• US Class Current: 381/182
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/24 Structural combinations of separate transducers or of two parts of the same transducer and responsive respectively to two or more frequency ranges
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 23/02 Transducers using more than one principle simultaneously

Abstract

A multi-driver loudspeaker combination includes a first transducer of the dynamic radiator type, designed to reproduce sound in the lower portion of the audio frequency range. The radiator of the first transducer includes a diaphragm. The combination also includes a second transducer designed to reproduce sound in the upper portion of the audio frequency range. A base support, which is somewhat horn-shaped, is mounted on the first transducer diaphragm, a voice coil form, or dust cap, or some combination of these, within the periphery of the first transducer diaphragm, and extends away from the first transducer. This base support terminates at an edge remote from the first transducer. The edge is in the form of a closed plane curve. The second transducer includes a diaphragm having a perimetral edge which is joined to the edge of the base support to support the second transducer from the first. This mounting structure permits orientation of the second transducer axis at an angle to the axis of the first transducer. Another multi-driver loudspeaker combination comprises the first transducer, a second transducer including a piezoelectric crystal driver, and an adhesive for gluing the piezoelectric crystal of the second transducer to the dust cap of the first transducer. Again, the axis of the second transducer can be oriented at an angle to the axis of the first transducer.

Claims

1. A multi-driver loudspeaker combination comprising

a first transducer of the dynamic radiator type designed to reproduce sound in the lower portion of the audio frequency range, the radiator of the first transducer including a diaphragm,

a second transducer designed to reproduce sound in the upper portion of the audio frequency range, said second transducer being positioned within the periphery of the said diaphragm,

and means for mounting the second transducer, the mounting means consisting essentially of a base support, means for mounting the base support from the first transducer radiator to extend away from the first transducer, the base support terminating at an edge, the second transducer including a diaphragm having an edge joined to the first-mentioned edge to support the second transducer from the base support.

2. The loudspeaker combination of claim 1 wherein the base support edge and the diaphragm edge are closed generally planar curves.

3. The loudspeaker combination of claim 1 wherein the second transducer includes driving means comprising a piezoelectric crystal.

4. The loudspeaker combination of claim 1 wherein each of the first and second transducers includes separate driving means,

the driving means of the first transducer being of the moving coil, permanent magnet type,

the driving means of the second transducer being of the piezoelectric type.

5. The loudspeaker combination of claim 4 wherein the second transducer is mounted non-concentrically with respect to the first transducer.

6. The loudspeaker combination of claim 1 wherein the second transducer is mounted non-concentrically with respect to the first transducer.

7. The loudspeaker combination of claim 1 wherein the first transducer axis and the second transducer axis are angularly displaced from each other.

8. A multi-driver loudspeaker combination comprising

a first transducer of the dynamic radiator type designed to reproduce sound in the lower portion of the audio frequency range, the radiator of the first transducer including a diaphragm,

a second transducer designed to reproduce sound in the upper portion of the audio frequency range, said second transducer being positioned within the periphery of the said diaphragm,

each of the first and second transducers including separate driving means,

the driving means of the first transducer being of the moving coil, permanent magnet type,

the driving means of the second transducer being of the piezoelectric type,

and a base support for mounting the second transducer from the first transducer radiator to extend away from the first transducer,

the base support comprising a dust cap covering a central region of the first transducer, and a suitable adhesive for mounting the piezoelectric driver from the dust cap.

9. The loudspeaker combination of claim 8 wherein the piezoelectric driver axis and the moving coil axis are angularly displaced from each other.

10. In a multi-driver loudspeaker combination comprising a first transducer of the dynamic radiator type designed to reproduce sound in the lower portion of the audio frequency range, the first transducer including a dust cap, a second transducer designed to reproduce sound in the upper portion of the audio frequency range, said second transducer including a second transducer diaphragm and a piezoelectric driver, and means for mounting the second transducer from the first transducer consisting essentially of an adhesive for mounting the piezoelectric driver from the dust cap.