Hornlet spike

Abstract

The device may include an acoustic horn that is fed soundwaves from the at least one sound source. The acoustic horn has a throat at a central axis and a spike positioned at the throat of the acoustic horn. The spike has at least three triangular vanes. A first side of each triangular vane is shared at the central axis. A second side of each triangular vane runs 90 degrees from the first side and ends at a surface of the acoustic horn at the throat. A hypotenuse of each triangular vane runs from a point on the central axis a predetermined distance above the throat and terminates at the throat.

Description

Client Docket No. P230444WO Attorney Docket No. 012-P230444WOHORNLET SPIKETECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The disclosure relates to a loudspeaker component, and more particularly, to a spike component in a horn speaker assembly.BACKGROUND

[0002] A horn speaker is a type of loudspeaker that uses an acoustic horn to increase the efficiency of sound waves produced by a driver. The acoustic horn can be designed to match the frequency range of the driver, and it can be made of various materials such as metal or plastic. The output of a horn speaker is typically measured in decibels (dB) and can vary depending on the design and size of the horn.

[0003] Ultra-high frequency (UHF) refers to soundwaves above 10 kHz in frequency. Horn speakers can be designed to produce sound waves in this highest decade of human hearing, being typically smaller size appropriate to the wavelength of sound involved. The efficiency of the horn speaker in this range can be affected by several factors such as the size and shape of the horn, the material used, and the frequency response of the driver.

[0004] While these speakers are known fortheir high efficiency and ability to produce loud sound, they can have limitations in the ultra-high frequency range. This is because the size and shape of the horn can affect the dispersion of sound waves, causing them to become directional and lose energy as they travel further off a central axis of the speaker. In addition, the output of the speaker in the ultra-high frequency range may be lower than in other frequency ranges due to air mass loading of the driver in a large horn.

[0005] To overcome this limitation, some horn speakers may use additional smaller horn speakers designed specifically for ultra-high frequency reproduction to improve the output in the ultra-high frequency range. These smaller horn speakers are designed to produce sound waves with a smaller wavelength, allowing them to have more dispersion at higher frequencies than larger horn speakers. By combining smaller horn speakers with the larger, or main, horn speaker, the speaker system can achieve a more balanced and consistent output across all frequency ranges. However,Client Docket No. P230444WO Attorney Docket No. 012-P230444WOthe addition of these components can also increase the complexity and cost of the speaker system, as well as create new performance issues, such as with smoothness at crossover or smooth phase or time performance.SUMMARY

[0006] In one general aspect, a device may include at least three triangular vanes. A first side of each triangular vane is shared at a central axis of an acoustic horn, a second side of each triangular vane runs 90 degrees from the first side and terminates at a throat surface of an acoustic horn, and a hypotenuse of each triangular vane runs from a point on the central axis a predetermined distance above the throat plane and terminates at the throat surface.

[0007] In another general aspect, the at least three triangular vanes are equidistant from each other, a diameter of the throat determines a number of vanes, the hypotenuse of each triangular vane terminates at a surface of the throat of the acoustic horn, the second side of the at least three triangular vanes divide the throat into equal segments, the hypotenuse of each triangular vane is curved, where the curve is concave, or where the curve is convex.

[0008] In yet another general aspect, a horn loudspeaker assembly may include at least one sound source, such as a compression driver. The horn loudspeaker assembly may also include an acoustic horn being fed soundwaves from the at least one sound source. The acoustic horn has a throat at a central axis and a spike positioned at the throat of the acoustic horn. The spike has at least three triangular vanes. A first side of each triangular vane is shared at the central axis, a second side of each triangular vane runs 90 degrees from the first side and ends at a surface of the acoustic horn at the throat, and a hypotenuse of each triangular vane runs from a point on the central axis a predetermined distance above the throat and terminates at the throat.

[0009] Implementations may include one or more of the following features: a horn loudspeaker assembly where the at least three triangular vanes are equidistant from each other, a horn loudspeaker assembly where the hypotenuse of each triangular vane terminates at the throat, a horn loudspeaker assembly where a diameter of the throat determines a limit to a quantity of vanes, a horn loudspeaker assembly where the second side of the at least three triangular vanes divide the throat into equal segments, a horn loudspeaker assembly where the hypotenuse of each triangular vane is curved, where the curve is concave, or where the curve is convex..Client Docket No. P230444WO Attorney Docket No. 012-P230444WOBRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] One or more embodiments of the present disclosure are pointed out with particularity in the appended claims. However, other features of the embodiments will become more apparent and are best understood by referring to the detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

[0011] FIG. 1 is a side view of the mechanical structure, hereinafter referred to as a hornlet spike;

[0012] FIG. 2 is a side view of one or more embodiments of a hornlet spike;

[0013] FIG. 3A is a perspective view of one or more embodiments of a horn loudspeaker assembly having an acoustic horn and a hornlet spike positioned at its throat;

[0014] FIG. 3B is a front view of the horn loudspeaker assembly;

[0015] FIG. 4 is a cutaway view of one or more embodiments of a horn loudspeaker having an acoustic horn and a hornlet spike positioned at a throat of the acoustic horn;

[0016] FIG. 5 is a cutaway view of one or more embodiments of a horn loudspeaker having an acoustic horn and a hornlet spike positioned at a throat of the acoustic horn; and

[0017] FIG. 6 is a cutaway view of one or more embodiments of a horn loudspeaker having a horn and a hornlet spike positioned at a throat of the horn.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] The inventive subject matter is a mechanical structure that is designed to be placed at the entrance or throat of an acoustic horn in a horn loudspeaker assembly. FIG. 1 is a side view of the mechanical structure 100, hereinafter referred to as a "hornlet spike”. The hornlet spike 100 has at least three triangular vanes 102a, 102b, 102c. The triangular vanes 102a, 102b, 102c are positioned in such a way that a first side 104a, 104b, 104c of each triangular vane intersects at a central axis 106. A second, or short, side 108a, 108b, 108c are at a right angle to the first side 104a, 104b, and 104c. A hypotenuse 110a, 110b, and 110c of each triangular vane runs from a central point 112 on the central axis 106.Client Docket No. P230444WO Attorney Docket No. 012-P230444WO

[0019] In the examples described hereinafter, the hornlet spike 100 has three triangular vanes 102a, 102b, 102c. However, it should be noted that the hornlet spike 100 may have more than three triangular vanes. A height and shape of the vanes determines frequency of effects and sub-harmonic effects. The height dictates a region of primary effect. For example, a low 30kHz range yielding approximately 6 dB higher along the central axis. In some instances, the height may track with approximately four times a wavelength of the frequency at the center of the effect. The shape may also impact the effect and an optimum shape may depend on the frequency region of interest.

[0020] The hornlet spike 100 improves a performance of the horn loudspeaker by controlling a flow of sound waves through the acoustic horn. The hornlet spike 100 does this by forming small "hornlets" between two consecutive vanes and a surface of the acoustic horn between the vanes at the base of the hornlet spike 100. The hornlet spike 100 directs the air to reduce turbulence and improve the overall sound quality of the acoustic horn. Additionally, the hornlet spike 100 allows for easy incorporating into the acoustic horn design, making it a versatile and practical addition to a horn loudspeaker assembly.

[0021] The triangular vanes of the hornlet spike 100 may also vary in size and shape. For example, FIG. 2 is a side view of one or more embodiments of a hornlet spike 200 wherein each triangular vane 202a, 202b, 202c has a curved hypotenuse 210a, 210b, 210c. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the hypotenuse 210a, 210b, 210c of each triangular vane 202a, 202b, 202c has a concave curve.

[0022] FIG. 3A is a perspective view of one or more embodiments of a horn loudspeaker assembly 300 having an acoustic horn 302 and a hornlet spike 304 positioned at a throat 306 of the horn 302. The central axis 106 of the hornlet spike is also a central axis 308 of the horn 302. FIG. 3B is a front view of the horn loudspeaker assembly 300. The hornlet spike 304 subsects the throat 306 into equal sections 310, 312, 314. Each subsection forms, in effect, a throat of a smaller horn, a "hornlet", that expands as the hornlet spike 304 tapers towards the central point 112. Sound waves travelling from the horn throat pass through the hornlets 310, 312, 314 created by the hornlet spike 304 and are blended together at the central point 112 of the hornlet spike 304.

[0023] FIG. 4 is a cutaway view of one or more embodiments of a horn loudspeaker 400 having an acoustic horn 402 and a hornlet spike 404 positioned at a throat 406 of the acoustic horn 402. In the example shown in FIG. 4 three triangular vanes 408a, 408b, and 408c share first sides along theClient Docket No. P230444WO Attorney Docket No. 012-P230444WOcentral axis 106. Second sides 412a, 412b, 412c are at right angles from the central axis 106 and terminate at a surface 414 of the acoustic horn 402 at the throat 406. A hypotenuse 410a, 410b, 410c of each triangular vane 408a, 408b, 408c runs from a diameter of the throat 406 at the surface 414 of the horn 402 and terminates at the central point 112 of the hornlet spike 405 on the central axis 106. The central point 112 of the hornlet spike 404 is at a point a predetermined distance into an expansion of the acoustic horn 402.

[0024] FIG. 5 is a cutaway view of one or more embodiments of a horn loudspeaker 500 having an acoustic horn 502 and a hornlet spike 504 positioned at a throat 506 of the acoustic horn 502. In the example shown in FIG. 5 three triangular vanes 508a, 508b, and 508c (not fully visible in FIG. 5) share first sides along the central axis 106. Second sides 512a, 512b, 512c (not visible in FIG. 5) are at right angles from the central axis 106 of the hornlet spike 504 and terminate at a surface 514 of the acoustic horn 502 at the throat 506. A hypotenuse 516a, 516b, 516c (not fully visible in FIG. 5) of each triangular vane 508a, 508b, 508c runs from a diameter of the throat 506 at the surface 514 of the acoustic horn 502 and terminates at the central point 112 of the hornlet spike 504 on the central axis 106. The central point 112 of the hornlet spike 504 is at a point a predetermined distance into an expansion of the acoustic horn 502. In the example shown in FIG. 5, the hypotenuse 516a, 516b, 516c of each triangular vane 508a, 508b, 508c has a concave curve.

[0025] FIG. 6 is a cutaway view of one or more embodiments of a horn loudspeaker 600 having a horn 602 and a hornlet spike 604 positioned at a throat 606 of the acoustic horn 602. In the example shown in FIG. 6 three triangular vanes 608a, 608b, and 608c share first sides along the central axis 106 of the hornlet spike 604. Second sides 612a, 612b, 612c are at right angles from the central axis 106 of the hornlet spike 604 and terminate at a surface 614 of the horn 602 at the throat 606. A hypotenuse 616a, 616b, 616c of each triangular vane 608a, 608b, 608c (not fully visible in FIG. 6) runs from a diameter of the throat 606 at the surface 614 of the horn 602 and terminates at the central point 112 on the central axis 106 of the hornlet spike 604. The central point 112 of the hornlet spike 604 is at a point a predetermined distance into an expansion of the horn 602. In the example shown in FIG. 6, the hypotenuse 616a, 616b, 616c of each triangular vane 608a, 608b, 608c has a convex curve.

[0026] Large horn speakers can have low output in the ultra-high frequency range, which can limit their overall performance. The addition of the hornlet spike increases the output in the 28 kHz to 40 kHz range, depending on dimensions. This increase in output provides greater bandwidthClient Docket No. P230444WO Attorney Docket No. 012-P230444WOspecification, meaning that the speaker can produce a wider range of frequencies with greater accuracy and clarity. Overall, the hornlet spike improves the loudspeaker performance by increasing output in the ultra-high frequency range without negatively impacting the overall sound quality.

Claims

Client Docket No. P230444WO Attorney Docket No. 012-P230444WO[0027] CLAIMS1. A device for increasing a bandwidth of a horn loudspeaker assembly having an acoustic horn and a throat at a central axis, the device comprising:at least three triangular vanes, a first side of each triangular vane is shared at the central axis, a second side of each triangular vane runs 90 degrees from the first side and terminates at the throat, and a hypotenuse of each triangular vane runs from a point on the central axis a predetermined distance above the throat and terminates at the throat.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least three triangular vanes are equidistant from each other.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein a diameter of the throat determines a maximum number of vanes.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the hypotenuse of each triangular vane terminates at a surface of the acoustic horn at the throat.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the second side of the at least three triangular vanes divide the throat into equal segments.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the hypotenuse of each triangular vane is curved.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein the curve is concave.

8. The device of claim 6, wherein the curve is convex.

9. A horn loudspeaker assembly, comprising:at least one sound source;an acoustic horn being fed soundwaves from the at least one sound source, the acoustic horn has a throat at a central axis; anda spike positioned at the throat of the acoustic horn, the spike has at least three triangular vanes, a first side of each triangular vane is shared at the central axis, a second side of each triangular vane runs 90 degrees from the first side and ends at a surface of the acoustic horn at the throat, a hypotenuse of each triangular vane runs from a point on the central axis a predetermined distance above the throat and terminates at the throat.

10. The horn loudspeaker assembly of claim 9, wherein the at least three triangular vanes are equidistant from each other.

11. The horn loudspeaker assembly of claim 9, wherein a diameter of the throat determines a limit to a quantity of vanes.

12. The horn loudspeaker assembly of claim 9, wherein the hypotenuse of each triangular vane terminates at the throat.

13. The horn loudspeaker assembly of claim 9, wherein the second side of the at least three triangularClient Docket No. P230444WO Attorney Docket No. 012-P230444WOvanes divide the throat into equal segments.

14. The horn loudspeaker assembly of claim 9, wherein the hypotenuse of each triangular vane terminates at the throat.

15. The horn loudspeaker assembly of claim 9, wherein the hypotenuse of each triangular vane is curved.

16. The horn loudspeaker assembly of claim 15, wherein the curve is concave.

17. The horn loudspeaker assembly of claim 15, wherein the curve is convex.

Images