Dual compression driver with inboard annular exit

Abstract

A dual-compression actuator includes: a first motor assembly at a first end, the first motor assembly including a first annular magnet and a first pole piece having a central conduit; a front phase plug coaxially disposed below the first motor assembly and including a first plurality of orifices; a second motor assembly at a second end; and a rear phase plug coaxially disposed above the second motor assembly and including a second plurality of orifices. A central insert is received in the central conduit and mounted to the rear phase plug, the inner surface of the first pole piece and the outer surface of the central insert forming an annular passage terminating at an annular outlet inside the first annular magnet. Acoustic signals from the first plurality of orifices and the second plurality of orifices are merged between the front and rear phase plugs and radiated radially inward to the annular passage and through the annular outlet.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The implementation scheme involves a dual compression driver with an inner annular outlet leading to a waveguide or horn. Background Technology

[0002] A dual-compression driver comprises two annular diaphragms, which either have identical profiles and operate within the same frequency range, or have different profiles and radiate in different frequency bands. In addition to the two diaphragms, the dual-compression driver includes two motor assemblies and two phase plugs. The phase plugs are positioned facing each other, and the diaphragms radiate through two acoustic chambers with mutually supporting acoustic loads (waveguides or horns).

[0003] Comparing a dual-compression driver to a conventional driver with a dome diaphragm and a voice coil of the same diameter, the dual-compression driver exhibits lower shift mass per diaphragm because the mass is distributed between the two diaphragms. Advantageously, the lower shift mass extends the high-frequency range of the dual-compression driver. Using two voice coils instead of one reduces thermal compression and increases 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 dual-compression driver also exhibits less low-frequency distortion compared to a conventional driver.

[0004] Existing dual-compression drivers utilize circular exits. The diameter of the exit is related to the cross-mode excited at the corresponding horn or waveguide entrance and the directional control at high frequencies. In constant directional waveguides, directional control is lost when the driver exit diameter (equal to the waveguide or horn entrance diameter) is comparable to the wavelength of the radiated signal. The same effect has been observed in waveguides used in line arrays, where a larger exit diameter degrades high-frequency directional control.

[0005] In a linear array, the waveguide inlet is typically circular, while the waveguide outlet is typically rectangular, with its vertical dimension significantly larger than its horizontal dimension. This provides wide directivity in the horizontal plane and narrow directivity in the vertical plane. The goal of waveguides in a linear array is to transform a circular inlet into a rectangular outlet and to provide a “flat” wavefront in the vertical plane. When several linear arrays are stacked vertically and one or more waveguides form a very long, vertically oriented radiator, cylindrical waves are produced instead of spherical waves. This is achieved via a progressive time delay of the acoustic wave toward the middle of the vertically oriented outlet, so that the arrival time of the acoustic wave is equal along the vertical profile of the waveguide. In a driver with a corresponding circular inlet and a circular outlet for the waveguide, the acoustic path starting from the outlet of the compression chamber must narrow to reach the outlet of the driver and then begin to widen again in the waveguide, resulting in unnecessary redundancy. Summary of the Invention

[0006] In one or more embodiments, a dual-compression driver includes a first driver assembly at a first end of the dual-compression driver, the first driver assembly including a first motor assembly disposed around a central axis and a front phase plug coaxially disposed below the first motor assembly. The front phase plug includes a first input side oriented toward the first motor assembly and a first output side oriented away from the first motor assembly, the front phase plug including a first plurality of orifices extending therethrough. The first motor assembly includes a first annular magnet at the first end of the dual-compression driver and a first pole piece coaxially disposed above the first annular magnet, the first pole piece including a central conduit having an inner surface extending therethrough. The dual-compression driver further includes a second driver assembly including a second motor assembly disposed around the central axis at a second end of the dual-compression driver and a rear phase plug coaxially disposed above the second motor assembly. The rear phase plug includes a second input side oriented toward the second motor assembly and a second output side oriented away from the second motor assembly, the rear phase plug including a second plurality of orifices extending therethrough. The dual compression driver further includes a central insert with a bottom end configured to be mounted to the second output side. The central insert is configured to be received in the central conduit and has a top end extending toward the first end of the dual compression driver. The inner surface of the central conduit and the outer surface of the central insert form an annular passage terminating at the first end inside the first annular magnet. Acoustic signals from the first plurality of orifices and acoustic signals from the second plurality of orifices are merged between the first output side and the second output side and radiate radially inward into the annular passage and through the annular outlet.

[0007] In one or more embodiments, the rear phase plug may include a rear base and an insert mounting portion extending upward from the rear base on the second output side for mounting the bottom end of the center insert. In one or more embodiments, the front phase plug may include a front base and a front mounting portion extending upward from the front base on the first input side for mounting to the first electrode.

[0008] In one or more embodiments, the diameter of the bottom end of the central insert may be smaller than the diameter of the top end of the central insert. In one or more embodiments, the inner surface of the central conduit and the outer surface of the central insert may be curved. In one or more embodiments, the annular passage may extend from the bottom end of the central insert to the top end of the central insert. In one or more embodiments, the diameter of the lower end of the central conduit may be smaller than the diameter of the upper end of the central conduit. In one or more embodiments, the central insert may be hollow.

[0009] In one or more embodiments, the second motor assembly may include a second annular magnet and a second pole piece coaxially disposed below the second annular magnet and forming the second end of the dual compression driver. In one or more embodiments, the second input side may include a rear-mounted portion configured to be received by the second pole piece.

[0010] In one or more embodiments, the first plurality of apertures and the second plurality of apertures may each be arranged circumferentially generally around the central axis. In one or more embodiments, the first plurality of apertures and the second plurality of apertures may each have a zigzag configuration around the central axis. In one or more embodiments, the first output side may include a first plurality of radial channels extending inwardly from the first plurality of apertures, and the second output side may include a second plurality of radial channels extending inwardly from the second plurality of apertures, the first plurality of radial channels and the second plurality of radial channels forming part of a shared acoustic path for guiding the combined acoustic signal to the annular path. In one or more embodiments, the dual compression driver may further include a first annular diaphragm coaxially disposed below and operatively connected to the first motor assembly, and a second annular diaphragm coaxially disposed above and operatively connected to the second motor assembly.

[0011] In one or more embodiments, a dual-compression actuator includes a first actuator assembly at a first end of the dual-compression actuator, the first actuator assembly including a first motor assembly disposed around a central axis and a front phase plug coaxially disposed below the first motor assembly. The front phase plug includes a first plurality of orifices extending therethrough. The first motor assembly includes a first annular magnet at the first end of the dual-compression actuator and a first pole piece coaxially disposed above the first annular magnet, the first pole piece having a central conduit having an inner surface extending therethrough, the front phase plug including a front base and a front mounting portion extending upward from the front base for mounting to the first pole piece. The dual-compression actuator further includes a second actuator assembly including a second motor assembly disposed around the central axis at a second end of the dual-compression actuator and a rear phase plug coaxially disposed above the second motor assembly, the rear phase plug including a second plurality of orifices extending therethrough, the rear phase plug including a rear base and an insert mounting portion extending upward from the rear base. The dual compression actuator further includes a central insert with a bottom end configured to be mounted to the insert mounting portion. The central insert is configured to be received in the central conduit of the first pole piece and has a top end extending toward the first end of the dual compression actuator. The inner surface of the central conduit and the outer surface of the central insert form an annular passage terminating at the first end of the dual compression actuator inside the first annular magnet. Acoustic signals from the first plurality of orifices and acoustic signals from the second plurality of orifices are merged between the front phase plug and the rear phase plug and radiate radially inward into the annular passage and through the annular outlet.

[0012] In one or more embodiments, a transducer includes a dual compression driver having a first driver assembly at a first end of the dual compression driver. The first driver assembly includes a first motor assembly disposed around a central axis and a front phase plug coaxially disposed below the first motor assembly. The front phase plug includes a first input side oriented toward the first motor assembly and a first output side oriented away from the first motor assembly. The front phase plug includes a first plurality of orifices extending therethrough. The first motor assembly includes a first annular magnet at the first end of the dual compression driver and a first pole piece coaxially disposed above the first annular magnet. The first pole piece has a central conduit having an inner surface extending therethrough. The dual compression driver further includes a second driver assembly including a second motor assembly disposed around the central axis at a second end of the dual compression driver and a rear phase plug coaxially disposed above the second motor assembly. The rear phase plug includes a second input side oriented toward the second motor assembly and a second output side oriented away from the second motor assembly. The rear phase plug includes a second plurality of orifices extending therethrough. The dual compression driver further includes a center insert with a bottom end configured to be mounted to the second output side. The center insert is configured to be received in the center conduit and has a top end extending toward the first end of the dual compression driver. The inner surface of the center conduit and the outer surface of the center insert form an annular passage terminating at the first end of the dual compression driver inside the first annular magnet. Acoustic signals from the first plurality of orifices and acoustic signals from the second plurality of orifices are merged between the first and second output sides and radiated radially inward into the annular passage and through the annular outlet. The transducer also includes a waveguide disposed on the top surface of the first pole piece, the waveguide having an annular inlet adjacent to the annular outlet of the dual compression driver.

[0013] In one or more embodiments, the waveguide may include a rectangular outlet. In one or more embodiments, the rear phase plug may include a rear base and an insert mounting portion extending upward from the rear base on the second output side for mounting the bottom end of the center insert. In one or more embodiments, the front phase plug may include a front base and a front mounting portion extending upward from the front base on the first input side for mounting to the first electrode. In one or more embodiments, the first output side may include a first plurality of radial channels extending inward from the first plurality of apertures, and the second output side may include a second plurality of radial channels extending inward from the second plurality of apertures, the first plurality of radial channels and the second plurality of radial channels forming part of a shared acoustic path for guiding the combined acoustic signal to the annular path. Attached Figure Description

[0014] Figure 1 It is a cross-sectional view of a dual compression drive with an inner annular outlet according to one or more embodiments;

[0015] Figure 2 It is a top perspective view of a dual compression drive with an inner annular outlet according to one or more embodiments;

[0016] Figure 3 This is a bottom perspective view of a dual compression drive according to one or more embodiments;

[0017] Figure 4 It is a perspective view of the first input side of the front phase plug according to one or more embodiments;

[0018] Figure 5 This is a top view of the first input side of the front phase plug;

[0019] Figure 6 It is a perspective view of the first output side of the front phase plug according to one or more embodiments;

[0020] Figure 7 This is a bottom view of the first output side of the front phase plug;

[0021] Figure 8 It is a perspective view of the second input side of the rear phase plug according to one or more embodiments;

[0022] Figure 9 This is a bottom view of the second input side of the rear phase plug;

[0023] Figure 10 It is a perspective view of the second output side of the rear phase plug according to one or more embodiments;

[0024] Figure 11It is a perspective view of the first electrode according to one or more embodiments;

[0025] Figure 12 It is a cross-sectional view of the first electrode according to one or more embodiments;

[0026] Figure 13 It is a perspective view of the center insert according to one or more embodiments;

[0027] Figure 14 It is a perspective view of the second output side of a rear phase plug with a center insert attached, according to one or more embodiments;

[0028] Figure 15 This is a top view of the second output side of the rear phase plug;

[0029] Figure 16 This is a schematic cross-sectional view of a dual compression actuator, showing the acoustic path through the actuator to the inner annular outlet;

[0030] Figure 17 This is a bottom perspective view of a corresponding waveguide with an annular inlet according to one or more embodiments, the corresponding waveguide being used with a dual compression driver having an inner annular outlet; and

[0031] Figure 18 yes Figure 17 A front perspective view of a waveguide according to one or more embodiments depicts the rectangular outlet of the waveguide. Detailed Implementation

[0032] Detailed embodiments of the invention are disclosed herein as needed; however, it should be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary embodiments of the 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 specific components. Therefore, the specific structural and functional details disclosed herein should not be construed as limiting, but rather serve only as a representative basis for teaching those skilled in the art to employ the invention in various ways.

[0033] It should be understood that the directional identifiers used herein for descriptive purposes (such as, but not limited to, top, bottom, above, below, up, down, inside, outside, upward, and downward) are not intended to be limiting, but are merely used to provide an exemplary environment for the components of the dual compression drive disclosed herein. Any directional terms used herein are merely for indicating the relative positions of the various components of the dual compression drive and are not intended to limit the components to any particular orientation in space.

[0034] In existing dual-compression drives, acoustic signals typically propagate axially from adjacent phase plugs towards the circular outlet of the dual-compression drive. The disclosed embodiment makes it possible to have an annular outlet in the dual-compression drive while maintaining a compact drive width dimension by guiding the acoustic signals inward and through an annular passage inside one or more components of the front motor assembly. The disclosed configuration combines acoustic signals from both drive assemblies and radiates the combined acoustic signals inward and then upward toward the annular outlet. The conduit for signal propagation to the annular outlet is formed by the outer surface of a central insert mounted to the rear phase plug and the inner surface of a central conduit passing through the front electrode, as further described below. The disclosed embodiment is scalable and advantageous for various applications, such as linear arrays.

[0035] First refer to Figures 1 to 3 This document discloses a dual compression driver 100 with an inner annular outlet, the dual compression driver including a first front driver assembly 102 and a second rear driver assembly 104, which can be used in a transducer or a loudspeaker. The first driver assembly 102 and the second driver assembly 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 around a central axis 106.

[0036] like Figure 1 As shown in the cross-sectional view, the first drive assembly 102 includes a first motor assembly 108 at a first end 110 of the dual compression drive 100, the first motor assembly being disposed around a central axis 106, and the second drive assembly 104 includes a second motor assembly 112 at a second end 114 of the dual compression drive 100, the second motor assembly being disposed around the central axis 106. In one or more embodiments, the first motor assembly 108 may include a first annular permanent magnet 116 (e.g., neodymium) disposed at the first end 110 of the dual compression drive 100 between a first annular top plate 118 and a first pole piece 120, and the second motor assembly 112 may include a second annular permanent magnet 122 (e.g., neodymium) disposed at the second end 114 of the dual compression drive 100 between a second annular top plate 124 and a second pole piece 126. However, it should be understood that the first motor assembly 108 and the second motor assembly 112 are not limited to this configuration.

[0037] Continue to refer to Figure 1A first annular flexure diaphragm 128 may be coaxially disposed below and operatively connected to the first motor assembly 108, and a second annular flexure diaphragm 130 may be coaxially disposed above and operatively connected to the second motor assembly 112. In one or more embodiments, the first annular diaphragm 128 and the second annular diaphragm 130 may be made of a polymer (e.g., Teonex®) film. The first motor assembly 108 provides a permanent magnetic field for electrodynamic coupling with a first voice coil 132, wherein the first voice coil 132 is mechanically coupled to the first annular diaphragm 128 and causes movement of the flexible portion of the first annular diaphragm 128 to convert a received electrical signal into an acoustic signal (sound wave). Similarly, the second motor assembly 112 provides a permanent magnetic field for electrodynamic coupling with a second voice coil 134, wherein the second voice coil 134 is mechanically coupled to the second annular diaphragm 130 and causes movement of the flexible portion of the second annular diaphragm 130 to convert a received electrical signal into an acoustic signal. The first annular diaphragm 128 and the second annular diaphragm 130 may each include irregularly shaped segments, such as a first V-shaped segment 136 and a second V-shaped segment 138, respectively, such as between a first generally flat inner clamping portion and an outer clamping portion, or the first annular diaphragm 128 and the second annular diaphragm 130 may have other suitable configurations.

[0038] like Figure 1 and Figures 4 to 7 As shown, the first front phase plug 140 is coaxially disposed below the first annular diaphragm 128 and the first motor assembly 108, and includes a first input side 142 oriented toward the first motor assembly 108 and a first output side 144 oriented away from the first motor assembly 108. Figure 1 and Figures 8 to 10 As shown, the second rear phase plug 146 is coaxially disposed above the second annular diaphragm 130 and the second motor assembly 112, and includes a second input side 148 oriented toward the second motor assembly 112 and a second output side 150 oriented away from the second motor assembly 112. The front phase plug 140 includes a first plurality of orifices 152 extending therethrough from the first input side 142 to the first output side 144, and the rear phase plug 146 includes a second plurality of orifices 154 extending therethrough from the second input side 148 to the second output side 150.

[0039] 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, a first compression chamber (not shown) is defined between a first input side 142 and a first annular diaphragm 128, wherein a first plurality of orifices 152 form an outlet to the first compression chamber. A second compression chamber (not shown) is defined between a second input side 148 and a second annular diaphragm 130, wherein a second plurality of orifices 154 form an outlet to the second compression chamber. The amount of air trapped within the compression chamber is characterized by acoustic 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) so that the volume of the compression chamber is also small. The small radial dimensions of the first annular diaphragm 128 and the second annular diaphragm 130 correspond to the small radial dimensions of the matching compression chamber, which shifts unwanted air resonances (cross modes) in the compression chamber to higher frequencies, sometimes above the audio range.

[0040] The acoustic signal generated by the first annular diaphragm 128 travels through a first plurality of orifices 152, which serve as the entrance to the front phase plug 140, while the acoustic signal generated by the second annular diaphragm 130 travels through a second plurality of orifices 154, which serve as the entrance to the rear phase plug 146. Therefore, the entrance areas of the front phase plug 140 and the second phase plug 146 are significantly smaller than the areas of the first annular diaphragm 128 and the second annular diaphragm 130, respectively. Figures 4 to 5 and Figures 8 to 9 As shown, the first plurality of apertures 152 and the second plurality of apertures 154 may each be arranged generally circumferentially around the central axis 106, thereby forming a general circle. In one or more embodiments, the first plurality of apertures 152 and the second plurality of apertures 154 each have a “zigzag” or sawtooth configuration arranged generally circumferentially around the central axis 106, as shown. This meandering configuration of apertures 152, 154 helps to mitigate any adverse effects of diaphragm splitting on the frequency response and can have the effect of blurring air resonances in the first and second compression chambers, thereby shaping and improving the wavefront exiting the dual compression driver 100. However, the first plurality of apertures 152 and the second plurality of apertures 154 are not limited to the embodiments depicted herein and may include other suitable shapes and configurations.

[0041] In one or more embodiments, the first output side 144 includes a first plurality of radial channels 156 extending inwardly from a first plurality of orifices 152. Figures 6 to 7 The second output side 150 includes a second plurality of radial channels 158 extending inwardly from the second plurality of orifices 154. Figure 10 Therefore, each orifice 152, 154 is acoustically connected to the corresponding radial channels 156, 158. For example... Figure 1 and Figure 16As best shown in the present embodiment, in the embodiment disclosed herein, the first output side 144 faces the second output side 150 such that the first plurality of radial channels 156 and the second plurality of radial channels 158 form part of a shared acoustic path for combining acoustic signals from the first driver assembly 102 and the second driver assembly 104, as further described below.

[0042] Refer again Figures 4 to 5 and Figures 8 to 9 In one or more embodiments, the front phase plug 140 may include a front base 160, and the rear phase plug 146 may include a rear base 162, each of the front and rear bases being generally disk-shaped and located in a plane orthogonal to the central axis 106. In one or more embodiments, the front base 160 may include a first annular intermediate region 164 having a first plurality of orifices 152 disposed therein, and the rear base 162 may include a second annular intermediate region 166 having a second plurality of orifices 154 disposed therein. The first intermediate region 164 and the second intermediate region 166 may have an inverted V-shaped configuration on the first input side 142 and the second input side 148, respectively, with protrusions corresponding to and aligned with the first V-shaped segment 136 of the first annular diaphragm 128 and the second V-shaped segment 138 of the second annular diaphragm 130. Of course, it should be understood that the front phase plug 140 and the rear phase plug 146 are not limited to this configuration, and the first annular diaphragm 128 / front phase plug 140 and the second annular diaphragm 130 / rear phase plug 146 may have alternative complementary configurations.

[0043] like Figure 1 As best shown, in one or more embodiments, a first pole piece 120 is coaxially disposed above and can be mounted on the first annular magnet 116, wherein the first pole piece 120 may have a first outer portion 168 and a first inner portion 170, the first outer portion 168 forming a first end 110 of the dual compression actuator 100 and having a larger diameter than the first inner portion 170. A first top plate 118 is coaxially disposed below the first annular magnet 116. In one or more embodiments, the bottom surface 172 of the first outer portion 168 abuts the first annular magnet 116, and the first inner portion 170 is adjacent to the first annular magnet 116 and the first top plate 118. However, it should be understood that the first motor assembly 108 is not limited to this configuration.

[0044] Accordingly, in one or more embodiments, a second pole piece 126 is coaxially disposed below and mounted on the second annular magnet 122, wherein the second pole piece 126 may have a second outer portion 174 and a second inner portion 176, the second outer portion 174 forming the second end 114 of the dual compression actuator 100 and having a larger diameter than the second inner portion 176. A second top plate 124 is coaxially disposed above the second annular magnet 122. In one or more embodiments, the bottom surface 178 of the second outer portion 174 abuts the second annular magnet 122, and the second inner portion 176 is adjacent to the second annular magnet 122 and the second top plate 124, as shown below. Figure 1 As shown in the best embodiment. However, it should be understood that the second motor assembly 112 is not limited to this structure.

[0045] Continue to refer to Figure 1 And also refer to Figures 11 to 12 The first electrode 120 has a central conduit 180 formed therethrough along the central axis 106, the central conduit 180 having an inner surface 182. The central conduit 180 has a lower end 184 and an upper end 186. The diameter of the lower end 184 may be smaller than the diameter of the upper end 186, such that the width of the central conduit 180 can extend from the lower end 184 to the upper end 186. Although the inner surface 182 is depicted herein as curved, it should be understood that the central conduit 180 is not limited to this configuration and may be cylindrical, exponentially extended, conical, arcuate, or other suitable contours.

[0046] like Figure 1 and Figures 4 to 5 As shown, the front phase plug 140 includes a front mounting portion 188 that extends upward from the front base 160 along a central axis 106 on a first input side 142 for mounting the front phase plug 140 to a first motor assembly 108, such as to a first pole piece 120. Upon assembly, the lower end 184 (i.e., the first inner portion 170) of the central conduit 180 is adjacent to the front mounting portion 188, wherein the diameter of the lower end 184 may be substantially the same as the diameter of the front mounting portion 188. In one or more embodiments, the front mounting portion 188 may be a hollow cylinder defining a lumen 190 through which a first plurality of radial channels 156 extend inward to intersect the lumen 190. However, it should be understood that the front mounting portion 188 may have any configuration suitable for mounting the front phase plug 140 to the first motor assembly 108.

[0047] like Figure 1 and Figures 8 to 9As shown, the rear phase plug 146 may include a rear mounting portion 192 located on the second input side 148 and extending downward from the rear base 162 along the central axis 106 for mounting the rear phase plug 146 to the second motor assembly 112, such as to the second pole piece 126. More specifically, the rear mounting portion 192 may be cylindrical and arranged to press-fit into a groove 194 formed in the second pole piece 126, such as... Figure 1 As shown. In one or more embodiments, the rear mounting portion 192 may include an outer frame 196, an inner cylindrical member 198, and a plurality of struts 200 connecting the outer frame 196 to the inner member 198. However, it should be understood that the rear mounting portion 192 may have any configuration suitable for mounting the rear phase plug 146 to the second motor assembly 112 (e.g., such as a solid construction).

[0048] The rear phase plug 146 may also include an insert mounting portion 202 located on the second output side 150, extending upward from the rear base 162 along the central axis 106. Figure 1 and Figure 10 ).like Figure 1 As best shown, the insert mounting portion 202 can be integrally formed with the rear mounting portion 192. In the embodiment described herein, the insert mounting portion 202 has a solid cylindrical structure with a hollow central channel 204 passing through it, but other configurations are also conceivable.

[0049] Now for reference Figure 1 and Figures 13 to 15 The dual compression drive 100 also includes a center insert 206 configured to be received in a center conduit 180 and having a bottom end 208 and a top end 210, the bottom end being arranged to be mounted to a second drive assembly 104, such as to a rear phase plug 146, and the top end extending toward a first end 110 of the dual compression drive 100. Figure 1 As best shown, the bottom end 208 may be generally flat and may be received on the insert mounting portion 202 on the second output side 150 of the rear phase plug 146. In one or more embodiments, the center insert 206 may be hollow, wherein the diameter of the bottom end 208 is smaller than the diameter of the top end 210. The outer surface 212 of the center insert 206 may be curved or have any other suitable profile, such as corresponding to and / or complementing the inner surface 182 of the center conduit 180.

[0050] In one or more embodiments, a first central hole 214 is coaxial with the central axis 106. Figure 1 and Figures 13 to 15A second central hole 216, formed through the thickness (axial direction) of the bottom end 208 of the central insert 206 and coaxial with the central axis 106, is formed. Figure 1 and Figures 8 to 10 A third center hole 218 is formed through the thickness of the rear phase plug 146 (i.e., through the insert mounting portion 202 and the rear mounting portion 192) and is coaxial with the center axis 106. Figure 1 and Figure 3 The second pole piece 126 is formed through its thickness. One or more of the first center hole 214, the second center hole 216, and the third center hole 218 may have internal threads. One or more fasteners 220 (e.g., screws) may be inserted through the first center hole 214, the second center hole 216, and the third center hole 218 to secure the components of the dual compression drive 100 together (see...). Figure 1 Generally, the various components of the dual compression drive 100 can be joined together using fasteners or adhesives.

[0051] like Figure 1 and Figure 16 As best shown, the inner surface 182 of the central conduit 180 and the outer surface 212 of the central insert 206 together form an annular passage 222 inside the first motor assembly 108 (including the first annular magnet 116), wherein the annular passage 222 terminates at an annular outlet 224 at the first end 110 of the dual compression actuator 100, the annular outlet being adjacent to the tip 210 of the central insert 206. In operation, acoustic signals from the first plurality of orifices 152 and acoustic signals from the second plurality of orifices 154 merge between the first output side 144 of the front phase plug 140 and the second output side 150 of the rear phase plug 146, and radiate radially inward into the annular passage 222, thereby providing a natural upward extension of the wavefront exiting through the annular outlet 224 of the dual compression actuator 100. In one or more embodiments, the cross-sectional area of ​​the annular passage 222 may extend from the bottom end 208 of the central insert 206 to the tip 210 of the central insert 206. The annular passage 222 can be expanded by increasing the distance between the outer surface 212 of the central insert 206 and the inner surface 182 of the central conduit 180 in a direction transverse to the central axis 106. The total acoustic cross-sectional area of ​​the air path (including the first plurality of orifices 152 and the second plurality of orifices 154, the first plurality of radial channels 156 and the second plurality of radial channels 158, and the annular passage 222) gradually increases to provide a smooth transition of the acoustic signal through the dual compression driver 100. Furthermore, since the annular outlet 224 is located inside the first annular magnet 116, the overall width of the dual compression driver 100 can be effectively kept to a minimum.

[0052] Figures 17 to 18An exemplary waveguide 226 of a dual compression driver 100 is shown. In one or more embodiments, waveguide 226 may have an annular inlet 228 and a rectangular outlet 230. Waveguide 226 can be used to control the directivity of sound waves propagating from the dual compression driver 100 into the surrounding environment (i.e., the sound pressure level coverage over a particular listening area) and increase the reproducible SPL over a particular frequency range. The rectangular outlet 230 has a smaller dimension in the horizontal plane and a larger dimension in the vertical plane, thus providing a wide directivity response (wider diffusion) in the horizontal plane and a narrower diffusion in the vertical plane. This configuration is optimal for forming the cylindrical wavefront required in a linear array cluster, although waveguide 226 is not limited to this configuration. Waveguide 226 may be received and mounted on the top surface 232 of a first pole piece 120, wherein the annular inlet 228 is adjacent to and aligned with the annular outlet 224 of the dual compression driver 100. Sound waves enter from the annular outlet 224 of the dual compression driver 100, radiate through the rectangular outlet 230 via the waveguide 226, and propagate into the surrounding environment.

[0053] While exemplary embodiments have been described above, they do not imply that these embodiments describe all possible forms of the invention. Rather, the terms used in this specification are descriptive rather than limiting, and it should be understood that various changes can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Furthermore, features of various embodiments can be combined to form other embodiments of the invention.

Claims

1. A dual compression drive, comprising: A first driver assembly includes a first motor assembly disposed around a central axis at a first end of the dual compression driver and a front phase plug coaxially disposed below the first motor assembly. The front phase plug includes a first input side oriented toward the first motor assembly and a first output side oriented away from the first motor assembly. The front phase plug includes a first plurality of orifices extending therethrough. The first motor assembly includes a first annular magnet at the first end of the dual compression driver and a first pole piece coaxially disposed above the first annular magnet. The first pole piece has a central conduit with an inner surface passing through it. The second drive assembly includes a second motor assembly disposed around the central axis at the second end of the dual compression drive and a rear phase plug coaxially disposed above the second motor assembly. The rear phase plug includes a second input side oriented toward the second motor assembly and a second output side oriented away from the second motor assembly. The rear phase plug includes a second plurality of orifices extending through it. as well as A central insert having a bottom end configured to be mounted to the second output side, the central insert being configured to be received in the central conduit and having a top end extending toward the first end of the dual compression driver, wherein the inner surface of the central conduit and the outer surface of the central insert form an annular passage terminating at the first end inside the first annular magnet, wherein acoustic signals from the first plurality of orifices and acoustic signals from the second plurality of orifices merge between the first output side and the second output side and radiate radially inward into the annular passage and through the annular outlet.

2. The dual compression driver of claim 1, wherein the rear phase plug includes a rear base and an insert mounting portion extending upward from the rear base on the second output side for mounting the bottom end of the center insert.

3. The dual compression driver of claim 1, wherein the front phase plug includes a front base and a front mounting portion extending upward from the front base on the first input side for mounting to the first electrode.

4. The dual compression driver according to claim 1, wherein the diameter of the bottom end of the central insert is smaller than the diameter of the top end of the central insert.

5. The dual compression actuator of claim 1, wherein the inner surface of the central conduit and the outer surface of the central insert are curved.

6. The dual compression driver of claim 1, wherein the annular passage extends from the bottom end of the central insert to the top end of the central insert.

7. The dual compression actuator according to claim 1, wherein the diameter of the lower end of the central conduit is smaller than the diameter of the upper end of the central conduit.

8. The dual compression driver of claim 1, wherein the central insert is hollow.

9. The dual compression drive according to claim 1, wherein the second motor assembly includes a second annular magnet and a second pole piece coaxially disposed below the second annular magnet and forming the second end of the dual compression drive.

10. The dual compression driver of claim 9, wherein the second input side includes a rear mounting portion configured to be received by the second pole piece.

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

12. The dual compression driver of claim 11, wherein the first plurality of orifices and the second plurality of orifices each have a zigzag configuration around the central axis.

13. The dual compression driver of claim 1, wherein the first output side includes a first plurality of radial channels extending inwardly from the first plurality of orifices, and the second output side includes a second plurality of radial channels extending inwardly from the second plurality of orifices, the first plurality of radial channels and the second plurality of radial channels forming part of a shared acoustic path for guiding the combined acoustic signal to the annular path.

14. The dual compression driver of claim 1, further comprising a first annular diaphragm coaxially disposed below the first motor assembly and operably connected to the first motor assembly, and a second annular diaphragm coaxially disposed above the second motor assembly and operably connected to the second motor assembly.

15. A dual compression drive, comprising: A first driver assembly includes a first motor assembly disposed around a central axis at a first end of the dual compression driver and a front phase plug coaxially disposed below the first motor assembly. The front phase plug includes a first plurality of orifices extending therethrough. The first motor assembly includes a first annular magnet at the first end of the dual compression driver and a first pole piece coaxially disposed above the first annular magnet. The first pole piece has a central conduit having an inner surface extending therethrough. The front phase plug includes a front base and a front mounting portion extending upward from the front base for mounting to the first pole piece. The second drive assembly includes a second motor assembly disposed around the central axis at the second end of the dual compression drive and a rear phase plug coaxially disposed above the second motor assembly. The rear phase plug includes a second plurality of orifices extending therethrough and includes a rear base and an insert mounting portion extending upward from the rear base. as well as A central insert having a bottom end configured to be mounted to the insert mounting portion, the central insert being configured to be received in the central conduit and having a top end extending toward the first end of the dual compression driver, wherein the inner surface of the central conduit and the outer surface of the central insert form an annular passage terminating at the first end inside the first annular magnet, wherein acoustic signals from the first plurality of orifices and acoustic signals from the second plurality of orifices are merged between the front phase plug and the rear phase plug and radiate radially inward into the annular passage and through the annular outlet.

16. A transducer comprising: Dual compression driver, the dual compression driver comprising: A first driver assembly includes a first motor assembly disposed around a central axis at a first end of the dual compression driver and a front phase plug coaxially disposed below the first motor assembly. The front phase plug includes a first input side oriented toward the first motor assembly and a first output side oriented away from the first motor assembly. The front phase plug includes a first plurality of orifices extending therethrough. The first motor assembly includes a first annular magnet at the first end of the dual compression driver and a first pole piece coaxially disposed above the first annular magnet. The first pole piece has a central conduit with an inner surface passing through it. The second drive assembly includes a second motor assembly disposed around the central axis at a second end of the dual compression drive and a rear phase plug coaxially disposed above the second motor assembly. The rear phase plug includes a second input side oriented toward the second motor assembly and a second output side oriented away from the second motor assembly. The rear phase plug includes a second plurality of orifices extending through it. A central insert having a bottom end configured to be mounted to the second output side, the central insert being configured to be received in the central conduit and having a top end extending toward the first end of the dual compression driver, wherein the inner surface of the central conduit and the outer surface of the central insert form an annular passage terminating at the first end inside the first annular magnet, wherein acoustic signals from the first plurality of orifices and acoustic signals from the second plurality of orifices merge between the first output side and the second output side, and radiate radially inward into the annular passage and through the annular outlet; and A waveguide disposed on the top surface of the first electrode, the waveguide having an annular inlet adjacent to the annular outlet of the dual compression driver.

17. The transducer of claim 16, wherein the waveguide comprises a rectangular outlet.

18. The transducer of claim 16, wherein the rear phase plug includes a rear base and an insert mounting portion extending upward from the rear base on the second output side for mounting the bottom end of the central insert.

19. The transducer of claim 16, wherein the front phase plug includes a front base and a front mounting portion extending upward from the front base on the first input side for mounting to the first electrode.

20. The transducer of claim 16, wherein the first output side includes a first plurality of radial channels extending inwardly from the first plurality of orifices, and the second output side includes a second plurality of radial channels extending inwardly from the second plurality of orifices, the first plurality of radial channels and the second plurality of radial channels forming part of a shared acoustic path for guiding the combined acoustic signal to the annular path.

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