Dual compression driver with single magnet

Abstract

A dual compression driver includes a first driver assembly having a first annular diaphragm disposed about a central axis and a first phase plug disposed coaxially below the first annular diaphragm, the first phase plug having a first plurality of apertures extending therethrough; and a second driver assembly having a second annular diaphragm disposed about the central axis and a second phase plug disposed coaxially over the second annular diaphragm, the second phase plug having a second plurality of apertures extending therethrough. A common annular magnet is disposed between the first driver assembly and the second driver assembly. A rear cover is mounted to the first phase plug and a front adapter is mounted to the second phase plug and includes a hollow conduit formed therein that defines a circular outlet of the dual compression driver. Acoustic signals from the first plurality of apertures and the second plurality of apertures are combined and radiated through the hollow conduit to the circular outlet.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The embodiments relate to a dual compression driver having a single common magnet. Background Art

[0002] A dual compression driver includes two annular diaphragms, where the diaphragms either have the same profile and operate in the same frequency range or have different profiles and radiate in different frequency bands. In addition to the two diaphragms, the dual compression driver also includes two motor assemblies and two phasing plugs. The phasing plugs are positioned adjacent to each other, and the diaphragms radiate through two acoustic chambers having mutual acoustic loading (waveguide or horn). Thus, the time delay between the two outlets of the adjacent phasing plugs is very small (less than a quarter wavelength at the highest frequency), so it does not produce interference or comb effects in the audio range.

[0003] Comparing the dual compression driver with a conventional driver having a dome diaphragm and a voice coil of the same diameter, the moving mass of each diaphragm in the dual compression driver is lower because the mass is distributed between the two diaphragms. Advantageously, the lower moving mass extends the high frequency range of the dual compression driver. Using two voice coils instead of one reduces thermal compression and increases the dynamic range and maximum SPL (sound pressure level) because the same level of output sound signal is achieved with smaller displacements of each voice coil and each diaphragm. For the same reason, the low frequency distortion of the dual compression driver is also smaller compared to a conventional driver. However, a disadvantage of the dual compression driver is its high cost because two motor assemblies with two expensive neodymium magnets must be used. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In one or more embodiments, a dual compression driver includes a first driver assembly that includes a first annular diaphragm disposed about a central axis and a first phase plug. The first phase plug is coaxially disposed below the first annular diaphragm and includes a first plurality of apertures extending therethrough. The dual compression driver further includes a second driver assembly that includes a second annular diaphragm disposed about the central axis and a second phase plug. The second phase plug is coaxially disposed above the second annular diaphragm and includes a second plurality of apertures extending therethrough. A common annular magnet is disposed between the first driver assembly and the second driver assembly. A rear cover is mounted to the first phase plug, wherein the rear cover and the first phase plug form a first acoustic path for acoustic signals from the first plurality of apertures. A front adapter is mounted to the second phase plug and has a hollow conduit formed therein along the central axis, the hollow conduit defining a circular outlet of the dual compression driver, wherein the front adapter and the second phase plug form a second acoustic path for acoustic signals from the second plurality of apertures. The acoustic signals from the first plurality of apertures and the acoustic signals from the second plurality of apertures are combined and radiated through the hollow conduit to the circular outlet.

[0005] In one or more embodiments, the first driver assembly includes a first top plate coaxially disposed above the first annular diaphragm, and the second driver assembly includes a second top plate coaxially disposed below the second annular diaphragm, and the common annular magnet is disposed between the first top plate and the second top plate. In one or more embodiments, the first phase plug has a first inner edge, and the second phase plug has a second inner edge, wherein the first inner edge and the second inner edge are adjacent to each other such that the first acoustic path and the second acoustic path converge. In one or more embodiments, an output side of the first phase plug oriented away from the first annular diaphragm includes a first plurality of radial channels extending inward from the first plurality of apertures to the first inner edge, and an output side of the second phase plug oriented away from the second annular diaphragm includes a second plurality of radial channels extending inward from the second plurality of apertures to the second inner edge.

[0006] In one or more embodiments, the first phase plug and the second phase plug each have an outer portion and an inner portion connected by an intermediate portion, wherein each outer portion is substantially planar, wherein each intermediate portion has an inclined section and a flat section, and wherein each inner portion is substantially inclined and terminates at the first inner edge of the first phase plug and terminates at the second inner edge of the second phase plug. In one or more embodiments, the inner portion of the first phase plug extends through the first annular diaphragm, and the inner portion of the second phase plug extends through the second annular diaphragm. In one or more embodiments, the first plurality of apertures are formed in the intermediate portion of the first phase plug, and the second plurality of apertures are formed in the intermediate portion of the second phase plug.

[0007] In one or more embodiments, the first annular diaphragm and the second annular diaphragm each have an outer portion and an inner portion connected by an intermediate portion, wherein each outer portion and each inner portion are substantially planar, and each first intermediate portion is substantially inclined such that the plane of each inner portion is offset from the plane of each outer portion. In one or more embodiments, the intermediate portion of the first annular diaphragm is aligned with the inclined section of the first phase plug, and the intermediate portion of the second annular diaphragm is aligned with the inclined section of the second phase plug. In one or more embodiments, each intermediate portion includes a stepped section configured to attach a first voice coil to the first annular diaphragm and a second voice coil to the second annular diaphragm.

[0008] In one or more embodiments, the first plurality of apertures and the second plurality of apertures are each arranged substantially circumferentially about the central axis. In one or more embodiments, the rear cover has a peripheral portion and a central portion, the central portion including a hub portion that extends at least partially into the hollow conduit. In one or more embodiments, a first compression chamber is defined between the input side of the first phase plug and the first annular diaphragm, and a second compression chamber is defined between the input side of the second phase plug and the second annular diaphragm, the first plurality of apertures forming an outlet to the first compression chamber, and the second plurality of apertures forming an outlet to the second compression chamber.

[0009] In one or more embodiments, a dual compression driver includes a first driver assembly that includes: a first annular diaphragm disposed about a central axis; a first phase plug coaxially disposed below the first annular diaphragm and having a first inner edge; and a first top plate coaxially disposed above the first annular diaphragm, the first phase plug including a first plurality of apertures extending therethrough. The dual compression driver further includes a second driver assembly that includes: a second annular diaphragm disposed about the central axis; a second phase plug coaxially disposed above the second annular diaphragm and having a second inner edge; and a second top plate coaxially disposed below the second annular diaphragm, the second phase plug including a second plurality of apertures extending therethrough. A common annular magnet is disposed between the first top plate and the second top plate. A rear cover is mounted to the first phase plug, wherein the rear cover and the first phase plug form a first sound path for sound signals from the first plurality of apertures. A front adapter is mounted to the second phase plug and has a hollow conduit formed therein along the central axis and defining a circular outlet of the dual compression driver, wherein the front adapter and the second phase plug form a second sound path for sound signals from the second plurality of apertures. The first inner edge and the second inner edge are adjacent to each other such that the first sound path and the second sound path converge at a central aperture of the dual compression driver, such that sound signals from the first plurality of apertures and sound signals from the second plurality of apertures radiate inwardly toward the central aperture and then combine and radiate through the hollow conduit to the circular outlet.

[0010] In one or more embodiments, a dual compression driver includes a first driver assembly that includes a first annular diaphragm disposed about a central axis and a first phase plug coaxially disposed below the first annular diaphragm. The first phase plug includes an input side oriented toward the first annular diaphragm and an output side oriented away from the first annular diaphragm, and the first phase plug includes a first plurality of apertures extending therethrough. The dual compression driver includes a second driver assembly that includes a second annular diaphragm disposed about the central axis and a second phase plug coaxially disposed above the second annular diaphragm. The second phase plug includes an input side oriented toward the second annular diaphragm and an output side oriented away from the second annular diaphragm, and the second phase plug includes a second plurality of apertures extending therethrough. A common annular magnet is disposed between the first driver assembly and the second driver assembly. A back cover is mounted to the first phase plug, wherein an inner surface of the back cover and the output side of the first phase plug form a first acoustic path for acoustic signals from the first plurality of apertures. A front adapter is mounted to the second phase plug and has a hollow conduit formed therein along the central axis, the hollow conduit having a bottom end adjacent to the second phase plug and a top end defining a circular outlet of the dual compression driver, wherein an inner surface of the front adapter and the output side of the second phase plug form a second acoustic path for acoustic signals from the second plurality of apertures. The acoustic signals from the first plurality of apertures and the acoustic signals from the second plurality of apertures are combined and radiated through the hollow conduit to the circular outlet. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] Figure 1 is a top perspective view of a dual compression driver according to one or more embodiments;

[0012] Figure 2 is a bottom perspective view of a dual compression driver according to one or more embodiments;

[0013] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of a dual compression driver according to one or more embodiments;

[0014] Figure 4 is a bottom perspective view of the first annular diaphragm or a top perspective view of the second annular diaphragm according to one or more embodiments;

[0015] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the first or second annular diaphragm;

[0016] Figure 6 is a bottom view of the first phase plug or a top view of the second phase plug according to one or more embodiments;

[0017] Figure 7 is a bottom perspective view of the first phase plug or a top perspective view of the second phase plug;

[0018] Figure 8 is a top view of the first phase plug or a bottom view of the second phase plug;

[0019] Figure 9 is a top perspective view of the first phase plug or a bottom perspective view of the second phase plug;

[0020] Figure 10 is an exploded cross-sectional view showing the second phase plug and the second annular diaphragm according to one or more embodiments;

[0021] Figure 11 is a bottom perspective view of the rear cover according to one or more embodiments;

[0022] Figure 12 is a top perspective view of the rear cover according to one or more embodiments;

[0023] Figure 13 is a bottom perspective view of the front adapter according to one or more embodiments;

[0024] Figure 14 is a perspective view of the first or second pole piece according to one or more embodiments; and

[0025] Figure 15 is a perspective view of the insertion ring according to one or more embodiments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] As needed, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it should be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary embodiments of the present invention that can be embodied in various and alternative forms. The drawings are not necessarily to scale; some features may be enlarged or minimized to show details of particular components. Therefore, the specific structural details and functional details disclosed herein should not be construed as limiting, but only as a representative basis for teaching those skilled in the art to employ the present invention in various ways.

[0027] It should be understood that the directional identifiers (such as but not limited to top, bottom, above, below, upper, lower, upward, and downward) used herein for descriptive purposes are not intended to be limiting, but only to provide an exemplary environment for the components of the dual compression driver disclosed herein. Any directional terms used herein are merely to indicate the relative layout of the various components of the dual compression driver and are not intended to limit the components to any particular orientation in space.

[0028] According to one or more embodiments, a dual compression driver is disclosed herein that uses a single magnet shared between two driver components. This design is scalable and helps significantly reduce the cost of the dual compression driver by only requiring one magnet. In the single magnet configuration disclosed herein, the phase plug and its corresponding diaphragm are not positioned against each other as in a typical dual driver, such that the diaphragm is separated not only by the thickness of the phase plug, but also by the thickness of the shared magnet and two top plates. To prevent delays between the phase plug exits and to prevent any unwanted combing effects at high frequencies, embodiments of the dual compression driver disclosed herein minimize this time delay via a specialized configuration of the diaphragm and phase plug as described below.

[0029] First referring to Figures 1 to 3 , a dual compression driver 100 is disclosed herein that can be used in a transducer or speaker and includes a first or rear driver component 102 and a second or front driver component 104. The first driver component 102 and the second driver component 104 can be configured to operate in the same frequency range or in different frequency ranges. The various components of the dual compression driver 100 can be arranged generally about a central axis 106.

[0030] As Figure 3 shown in the cross-sectional view of Figures 3 to 5 and Figure 10 , the first driver component 102 includes a first annular diaphragm 108 disposed about the central axis 106, and the second driver component 104 includes a second annular diaphragm 110 disposed about the central axis 106. In one or more embodiments, the first annular diaphragm 108 and the second annular diaphragm 110 can be formed of a polymer film. The first annular diaphragm 108 and the second annular diaphragm 110 are identical but are arranged in opposite orientations. As

[0031] In one or more embodiments, the middle portion 116 includes a stepped section 118 configured to attach the first voice coil 120 to the first annular diaphragm 108 and the second voice coil 122 to the second annular diaphragm 110 ( Figure 3 ). Referring to Figure 5 , while each of the segments 116a and 116b of the middle portion 116 (on either side of the stepped section 118) is depicted herein as having the same angle relative to the outer portion 112 and the inner portion 114 and relative to each other, these segments 116a, 116b may alternatively have different angles relative to the outer portion 112 and the inner portion 114 and relative to each other. In the latter case, the stepped section 118 may be biased inwardly such that the interior angle between the segments 116a, 116b is obtuse, or the stepped section 118 may be biased outwardly such that the interior angle between the segments 116a, 116b is acute. Either of these configurations may provide additional flexibility in controlling the mechanical behavior of the first annular diaphragm 108 and the second annular diaphragm 110.

[0032] Turning now to Figure 3 and Figures 6 to 10 , the first driver assembly 102 includes a first phase plug 124 coaxially disposed below the first annular diaphragm 108, and the second driver assembly 104 includes a second phase plug 126 coaxially disposed above the second annular diaphragm 110. The first phase plug 124 and the second phase plug 126 are identical but are arranged in opposite orientations. The first phase plug 124 includes an input side 128 oriented toward the first annular diaphragm 108 and an output side 130 oriented away from the first annular diaphragm 108. Correspondingly, the second phase plug 126 includes an input side 128 oriented toward the second annular diaphragm 110 and an output side 130 oriented away from the second annular diaphragm 110. The first phase plug 124 includes a first plurality of apertures 132 extending therethrough from the input side 128 to the output side 130, and the second phase plug 126 includes a second plurality of apertures 134 extending therethrough from the input side 128 to the output side 130.

[0033] The first phase plug 124 and the second phase plug 126 can be configured to correspond to the shapes of the first annular diaphragm 108 and the second annular diaphragm 110, respectively. The first phase plug 124 and the second phase plug 126 each have an outer portion 136 and an inner portion 138 connected by an intermediate portion 140. In one or more embodiments, each outer portion 136 can be substantially planar and located in a plane orthogonal to the central axis 106. Each intermediate portion 140 has an inclined section 142 and a flat section 144. The inner portion 138 of the first phase plug 124 is substantially inclined and terminates at a first inner edge 146, and the inner portion 138 of the second phase plug 126 is substantially inclined and terminates at a second inner edge 148. The output side 130 of the first phase plug 124 includes a first plurality of radial channels 150 extending inward from the first plurality of apertures 132 to the first inner edge 146, and the output side 130 of the second phase plug 126 includes a second plurality of radial channels 152 extending inward from the second plurality of apertures 134 to the second inner edge 148. Thus, each of the first plurality of apertures 132 and the second plurality of apertures 134 is acoustically connected to a corresponding one of the first plurality of radial channels 150 and the second plurality of radial channels 152. In one or more embodiments, the first plurality of holes 132 are formed in the intermediate portion 140 of the first phase plug 124, and the second plurality of holes 134 are formed in the intermediate portion 140 of the second phase plug 126.

[0034] In a compression driver, the diaphragm is loaded by a compression chamber, which is a thin layer of air separating the diaphragm from the phase plug. In the embodiments disclosed herein, and with reference to Figure 3 , a first compression chamber 154 is defined between the input side 128 of the first phase plug 124 and the first annular diaphragm 108, where the first plurality of apertures 132 form an exit to the first compression chamber 154. A second compression chamber 156 is defined between the input side 128 of the second phase plug 126 and the second annular diaphragm 110, where the second plurality of apertures 134 form an exit to the second compression chamber 156. The amount of air trapped in the compression chamber is characterized by the compliance proportional to the volume of the compression chamber. In practice, the height of the compression chamber can be very small (e.g., about 0.5 mm or less) such that the volume of the compression chamber is also small. The small radial dimensions of the first annular diaphragm 108 and the second annular diaphragm 110 correspond to the small radial dimensions of the matching compression chambers 154, 156, which shifts the unwanted air resonances (cross modes) in the compression chambers 154, 156 to higher frequencies, sometimes above the audio range.

[0035] The first phase plug 124 and the second phase plug 126 are radially oriented towards each other at an angle. In one or more embodiments, the middle portion 116 of the first annular diaphragm 108 is aligned with the inclined section 142 of the first phase plug 124, and the middle portion 116 of the second annular diaphragm 110 is aligned with the inclined section 142 of the second phase plug 126. As Figure 3 and Figure 10 best shown in, the inner portion 138 of the first phase plug 124 is configured to extend through the first annular diaphragm 108, and the inner portion 138 of the second phase plug 126 is configured to extend through the second annular diaphragm 110. The configuration of the first annular diaphragm 108 and the second annular diaphragm 110 and the first phase plug 124 and the second phase plug 126 helps to minimize the distance between the radial outlets of the first phase plug 124 and the second phase plug 126 (the first plurality of radial channels 150 and the second plurality of radial channels 152) at the first inner edge 146 and the second inner edge 148, such that the radial outlets of the first phase plug 124 and the second phase plug 126 converge at their minimum axial distance therebetween.

[0036] Referring Figure 3 , the first driver assembly 102 includes a first annular top plate 158 coaxially disposed above the first annular diaphragm 108, and the second driver assembly 104 includes a second annular top plate 160 coaxially disposed below the second annular diaphragm 110. In one or more embodiments, the dual compression driver 100 includes a single common annular permanent magnet 162 disposed between the first driver assembly 102 and the second driver assembly 104, such as between the first top plate 158 and the second top plate 160. The common magnet 162 provides a permanent magnetic field for electrokinetic coupling with the first voice coil 120, such that the flexible middle portion 116 of the first annular diaphragm 108 is caused to move to convert the received electrical signal into an acoustic signal (sound wave). The common magnet 162 also provides a permanent magnetic field for electrokinetic coupling with the second voice coil 122, such that the flexible middle portion 116 of the second annular diaphragm 110 is caused to move to convert the received electrical signal into an acoustic signal.

[0037] The acoustic signal generated by the first annular diaphragm 108 travels through the first plurality of apertures 132 that are the inlets of the first phase plug 124, while the acoustic signal generated by the second annular diaphragm 110 travels through the second plurality of apertures 134 that are the inlets of the second phase plug 126. Accordingly, the areas of the inlets of the first phase plug 124 and the second phase plug 126 are significantly smaller than the areas of the first annular diaphragm 108 and the second annular diaphragm 110, respectively. As Figures 6 to 10As shown, the first plurality of apertures 132 and the second plurality of apertures 134 may each be disposed generally circumferentially about a central axis 106, generally forming a circle. In one or more embodiments, the first plurality of apertures 132 and the second plurality of apertures 134 each have a "zigzag" or serrated configuration disposed generally circumferentially about the central axis 106, as shown. This serpentine configuration of the apertures 132, 134 helps to mitigate any adverse effects of diaphragm breakup on the frequency response and can have the effect of obscuring the air resonances in the first compression chamber 154 and the second compression chamber 156, thereby shaping and improving the wavefront exiting the dual compression driver 100. However, the first plurality of apertures 132 and the second plurality of apertures 134 are not limited to the embodiments depicted herein and may include other suitable shapes and configurations.

[0038] Reference Figure 3 and Figure 14 , the first driver assembly 102 may further include a first annular pole piece 164 that is coaxially disposed above the first annular diaphragm 108 and embedded from the first top plate 158. Similarly, the second driver assembly 104 may further include a second annular pole piece 166 that is coaxially disposed below the second annular diaphragm 110 and embedded from the second top plate 160. As Figure 3 shown, the top surface 168 of the first pole piece 164 abuts the bottom surface 170 of the second pole piece 166. The first pole piece 164 and the second pole piece 166 may each include an outer portion 172 having a thickness greater than the inner portion 174, wherein the outer portion 172 has a recessed surface 176 and an inclined surface 178. The inclined surface 178 of the first pole piece 164 may be oriented toward the middle portion 116 of the first annular diaphragm 108, and the inclined surface 178 of the second pole piece 166 may be oriented toward the middle portion 116 of the second annular diaphragm 110.

[0039] As Figure 3 and Figure 15As shown, the dual compression driver 100 may further include an insert ring 180 having an outer surface 182 configured to abut the common magnet 162 and an inner projection 184 configured to be disposed between the first pole piece 164 and the second pole piece 166 and received within each corresponding recessed surface 176. A first rubber ring 186 may be coaxially disposed below the inner edge 188 of the first pole piece 164, and a second rubber ring 190 may be coaxially disposed above the inner edge 188 of the second pole piece 166. The first rubber ring 186 may fix and / or clamp the outer portion 112 of the first annular diaphragm 108 to the first pole piece 164 and the first phase plug 124, and the second rubber ring 190 may fix and / or clamp the outer portion 112 of the second annular diaphragm 110 to the second pole piece 166 and the second phase plug 126. Generally, the components of the first driver assembly 102 and the second driver assembly 104 may be connected together by fasteners or adhesives. A central hole 192 coaxial with the central axis 106 is defined by the annular components of the dual compression driver 100.

[0040] As Figures 1 to 3 and Figures 11 to 12 shown, a rear cover 194 is mounted to the first phase plug 124 and has a peripheral portion 196 and a central portion 198, wherein the plane of the central portion 198 may be offset (e.g., upward) from the plane of the peripheral portion 196. In one or more embodiments, the central portion 198 may include a hub portion 200 extending into the central hole 192, wherein the hub portion 200 may have an elongated, generally bullet-shaped profile. That is, the diameter of the hub portion 200 is less than the inner diameter of the central hole 192 and may taper axially to a sharp or rounded tip 202 located on the central axis 106. As Figure 3 best shown therein, the inner surface 204 of the rear cover 194 and the output side 130 of the first phase plug 124 form a first sound path 206 for sound signals from the first plurality of apertures 132 and the first driver assembly 102.

[0041] Reference Figures 1 to 3 and Figure 13, in one or more embodiments, the front adapter 208 is mounted to the second phase plug 126 and includes a hollow conduit 210 formed therein along the central axis 106, where the hollow conduit 210 can be considered an extension of the central bore 192. In one or more embodiments, the shaft hub portion 200 can extend at least partially through the hollow conduit 210 and can extend to an axial height above the second phase plug 126. The hollow conduit 210 has a bottom end 212 adjacent to the second phase plug 126 and a top end defining a circular outlet 214 of the dual compression driver 100. The diameter of the top end or circular outlet 214 can be greater than the diameter of the bottom end 212 such that the hollow conduit 210 tapers outwardly from the bottom end 212 to the circular outlet 214, where the diameter of the bottom end 212 can be substantially the same as the diameter of the central bore 192. The front adapter 208 has an inner surface 216 that is disposed on or attached to the second driver assembly 104, such as an outer portion 136 of the second phase plug 126. As Figures 1 to 3 shown, the front adapter 208 can substantially surround the second driver assembly 104 and the common magnet 162 and may also surround the first driver assembly 102. As Figure 3 best shown in, the inner surface 216 of the front adapter 208 and the output side 130 of the second phase plug 126 together form a second acoustic path 218 for acoustic signals from the second plurality of orifices 134 and the second driver assembly 104.

[0042] In one or more embodiments, and as Figure 3As best shown, the first inner edge 146 of the first phase plug 124 and the second inner edge 148 of the second phase plug 126 are adjacent to each other such that the first acoustic path 206 and the second acoustic path 218 converge, for example, at the central aperture 192. Thus, in operation, acoustic signals from the first plurality of apertures 132 radiate inwardly along the first acoustic path 206, and acoustic signals from the second plurality of apertures 134 radiate inwardly along the second acoustic path 218 and merge at the central aperture 192 and then radiate through the hollow conduit 210 of the front adapter 208 to the circular outlet 214 of the dual compression driver 100. The total acoustic cross-sectional area of the air path (including the first plurality of apertures 132 and the second plurality of apertures 134, the first radial channel 150 and the second plurality of radial channels 152, the first acoustic path 206 and the second acoustic path 218, the central aperture 192 and the hollow conduit 210) gradually increases to enable a smooth transition of the acoustic signal through the dual compression driver 100. The disclosed configuration of the first annular diaphragm 108 and the second annular diaphragm 110 and the first phase plug 124 and the second phase plug 126 reduces the path length between the radial outlets of the first phase plug 124 and the second phase plug 126 to allow for a smooth merging of the acoustic signals, and the use of a common magnet 162 between the first driver assembly 102 and the second driver assembly 104 significantly reduces costs without sacrificing the performance of the dual compression driver 100.

[0043] While the foregoing describes exemplary embodiments, it does not mean that these embodiments describe all possible forms of the invention. On the contrary, the words used in this specification are descriptive words rather than limiting words, and it should be understood that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Additionally, the features of the various implemented embodiments may be combined to form additional embodiments of the invention.

Claims

1. A dual compression driver, comprising: A first driver assembly including a first annular diaphragm disposed about a central axis and a first phase plug, the first phase plug being coaxially disposed below the first annular diaphragm and including a first plurality of apertures extending therethrough; A second driver assembly including a second annular diaphragm disposed about the central axis and a second phase plug, the second phase plug being coaxially disposed above the second annular diaphragm and including a second plurality of apertures extending therethrough; A common annular magnet disposed between the first driver assembly and the second driver assembly; A rear cover mounted to the first phase plug, wherein the rear cover and the first phase plug form a first acoustic path for acoustic signals from the first plurality of apertures; And A front adapter mounted to the second phase plug and having a hollow conduit formed therein along the central axis, the hollow conduit defining a circular outlet of the dual compression driver, wherein the front adapter and the second phase plug form a second acoustic path for acoustic signals from the second plurality of apertures, Wherein the acoustic signals from the first plurality of apertures and the acoustic signals from the second plurality of apertures are combined and radiated through the hollow conduit to the circular outlet.

2. The dual compression driver according to claim 1, wherein the first driver assembly includes a first top plate coaxially disposed above the first annular diaphragm, and the second driver assembly includes a second top plate coaxially disposed below the second annular diaphragm, the common annular magnet being disposed between the first top plate and the second top plate.

3. The dual compression driver according to claim 1, wherein the first phase plug has a first inner edge and the second phase plug has a second inner edge, wherein the first inner edge and the second inner edge are adjacent to each other such that the first acoustic path and the second acoustic path converge.

4. The dual compression driver according to claim 3, wherein an output side of the first phase plug oriented away from the first annular diaphragm includes a first plurality of radial channels extending inward from the first plurality of apertures to the first inner edge, and an output side of the second phase plug oriented away from the second annular diaphragm includes a second plurality of radial channels extending inward from the second plurality of apertures to the second inner edge.

5. The dual compression driver according to claim 3, wherein each of the first phase plug and the second phase plug has an outer portion and an inner portion connected by an intermediate portion, wherein each outer portion is substantially planar, wherein each intermediate portion has an inclined section and a flat section, and wherein each inner portion is substantially inclined and terminates at the first inner edge of the first phase plug and the second inner edge of the second phase plug.

6. The dual compression driver according to claim 5, wherein the inner portion of the first phase plug extends through the first annular diaphragm, and the inner portion of the second phase plug extends through the second annular diaphragm.

7. The dual compression driver according to claim 5, wherein the first plurality of orifices are formed in the intermediate portion of the first phase plug, and wherein the second plurality of orifices are formed in the intermediate portion of the second phase plug.

8. The dual compression driver according to claim 5, wherein each of the first annular diaphragm and the second annular diaphragm has an outer portion and an inner portion connected by an intermediate portion, wherein each outer portion is substantially planar, and each intermediate portion is substantially inclined such that the plane of each inner portion is offset from the plane of each outer portion.

9. The dual compression driver according to claim 8, wherein the intermediate portion of the first annular diaphragm is aligned with the inclined section of the first phase plug, and wherein the intermediate portion of the second annular diaphragm is aligned with the inclined section of the second phase plug.

10. The dual compression driver according to claim 8, wherein each intermediate portion includes a stepped section configured to attach a first voice coil to the first annular diaphragm and a second voice coil to the second annular diaphragm.

11. The dual compression driver according to claim 1, wherein the first plurality of orifices and the second plurality of orifices are each arranged circumferentially around a central axis.

12. The dual compression driver according to claim 1, wherein the rear cover has a peripheral portion and a central portion, the central portion including a hub portion that at least partially extends into the hollow conduit.

13. The dual compression driver according to claim 1, wherein a first compression chamber is defined between the input side of the first phase plug and the first annular diaphragm, and a second compression chamber is defined between the input side of the second phase plug and the second annular diaphragm, the first plurality of orifices forming an outlet leading to the first compression chamber, and the second plurality of orifices forming an outlet leading to the second compression chamber.

14. A dual compression driver, comprising: a first driver assembly including: a first annular diaphragm disposed about a central axis; a first phase plug coaxially disposed below the first annular diaphragm and having a first inner edge; and a first top plate coaxially disposed above the first annular diaphragm, the first phase plug including a first plurality of orifices extending therethrough; a second driver assembly including: a second annular diaphragm disposed about the central axis; a second phase plug coaxially disposed above the second annular diaphragm and having a second inner edge; and a second top plate coaxially disposed below the second annular diaphragm, the second phase plug including a second plurality of orifices extending therethrough; A common annular magnet disposed between the first top plate and the second top plate; A rear cover mounted to the first phase plug, wherein the rear cover and the first phase plug form a first sound path for sound signals from the first plurality of orifices; and A front adapter mounted to the second phase plug and having a hollow conduit formed therein along the central axis and defining a circular outlet of the dual compression driver, wherein the front adapter and the second phase plug form a second sound path for sound signals from the second plurality of orifices, wherein the first inner edge and the second inner edge are adjacent to each other such that the first sound path and the second sound path converge at the central hole of the dual compression driver, such that sound signals from the first plurality of orifices and sound signals from the second plurality of orifices radiate inwardly toward the central hole and then merge and radiate through the hollow conduit to the circular outlet.

15. The dual compression driver according to claim 14, wherein an output side of the first phase plug oriented away from the first annular diaphragm includes a first plurality of radial channels extending inwardly from the first plurality of orifices to the first inner edge, and an output side of the second phase plug oriented away from the second annular diaphragm includes a second plurality of radial channels extending inwardly from the second plurality of orifices to the second inner edge.

16. The dual compression driver according to claim 14, wherein each of the first phase plug and the second phase plug has an outer portion and an inner portion connected by an intermediate portion, wherein each outer portion is substantially planar, wherein each intermediate portion has an inclined section and a flat section, and wherein each inner portion is substantially inclined and terminates at the first inner edge of the first phase plug and at the second inner edge of the second phase plug.

17. The dual compression driver according to claim 16, wherein each of the first annular diaphragm and the second annular diaphragm has an outer portion and an inner portion connected by an intermediate portion, wherein each outer portion and each inner portion are each substantially planar, and each intermediate portion is substantially inclined such that the plane of each inner portion is offset from the plane of each outer portion.

18. The dual compression driver according to claim 14, wherein the first plurality of orifices and the second plurality of orifices are each arranged circumferentially about the central axis.

19. The dual compression driver according to claim 14, wherein the rear cover has a peripheral portion and a central portion, and the central portion includes a hub portion at least partially extending into the hollow conduit.

20. A dual compression driver comprising: A first driver assembly including a first annular diaphragm disposed about a central axis and a first phase plug coaxially disposed below the first annular diaphragm, the first phase plug including an input side oriented toward the first annular diaphragm and an output side oriented away from the first annular diaphragm, the first phase plug including a first plurality of orifices extending therethrough; A second driver assembly, the second driver assembly including a second annular diaphragm disposed about the central axis and a second phase plug coaxially disposed above the second annular diaphragm, the second phase plug including an input side oriented towards the second annular diaphragm and an output side oriented away from the second annular diaphragm, the second phase plug including a second plurality of apertures extending therethrough; A common annular magnet, the common annular magnet disposed between the first driver assembly and the second driver assembly; A rear cover, the rear cover being mounted to the first phase plug, wherein an inner surface of the rear cover and the output side of the first phase plug form a first sound path for sound signals from the first plurality of apertures; And A front adapter, the front adapter being mounted to the second phase plug and having a hollow conduit formed therein along the central axis, the hollow conduit having a bottom end adjacent the second phase plug and a top end defining a circular outlet of the dual compression driver, wherein an inner surface of the front adapter and the output side of the second phase plug form a second sound path for sound signals from the second plurality of apertures, wherein the sound signals from the first plurality of apertures and the sound signals from the second plurality of apertures are combined and radiated through the hollow conduit to the circular outlet.

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