Segmented Cylindrical Loudspeaker Diaphragm for Omnidirectional Radiation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing loudspeakers face challenges in achieving omnidirectional sound reproduction with good frequency range coverage and unrestricted diaphragm movement, often resulting in restricted radiation characteristics and efficiency limitations.

Innovation Solution

A loudspeaker design featuring a cylindrical diaphragm made of segmented sheet material with flexible supporting units and a magnetic arrangement that allows for 360-degree acoustic radiation, enabling wider frequency range coverage and minimal restriction on diaphragm movement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If several individual acoustic radiators are used to construct omnidirectional loudspeakers, then omnidirectional sound radiation is achieved, but the radiation characteristics deteriorate significantly above a certain frequency due to loss of coherence

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveomnidirectional sound radiationVSAvoidradiation characteristics above certain frequency
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The diaphragm is divided into multiple segments that can move independently, allowing each segment to radiate sound coherently while collectively achieving omnidirectional radiation. This segmentation maintains coherence at higher frequencies by enabling independent control of each segment's motion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention transitions from using multiple separate acoustic radiators arranged in space to a single planar diaphragm with segmented structure. This dimensional change from three-dimensional spatial arrangement to two-dimensional planar configuration maintains omnidirectional radiation capability while ensuring coherent motion across the entire radiating surface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a diffuser is used to produce omnidirectional characteristics, then omnidirectional sound radiation is achieved, but the frequency response and phase response become non-linear due to frequency-dependent absorption and phase changes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveomnidirectional sound radiationVSAvoidlinear frequency response and phase response
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention removes the diffuser component entirely from the system. Instead of using a diffuser to achieve omnidirectional radiation, the patent employs a segmented diaphragm structure that inherently provides omnidirectional characteristics without introducing frequency-dependent absorption and phase changes associated with diffusers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Stability of the object's composition

If the diaphragm is fixed to the bearing structure at extreme positions, then structural stability is improved, but the movement of the diaphragm is restricted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoiddiaphragm movement freedom
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The diaphragm is segmented into multiple sections, with only specific segments fixed to the bearing structure at extreme positions while other segments remain free to move. This segmentation allows the fixed segments to provide structural stability while the free segments maintain movement freedom for sound radiation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different parts of the diaphragm have different fixation characteristics: extreme position segments are fixed to provide stability, while central and intermediate segments are left free to move for optimal sound radiation. This local differentiation of fixation quality resolves the contradiction between stability and movement freedom.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

4Adaptability or versatility

If cylindrical and tubular diaphragms with magnetic circuits and coils are used, then omnidirectional radiation is achieved, but the loudspeaker operates only at high sound frequencies due to very slight change in diaphragm size

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveomnidirectional radiationVSAvoidfrequency range coverage
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention uses a planar diaphragm with segmented structure instead of cylindrical or tubular curved diaphragms. This planar configuration enables larger amplitude movements across the diaphragm surface, allowing operation across a wider frequency range including low and mid frequencies, while still achieving omnidirectional radiation through the segmented design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution provides a dynamic acoustic radiator with a large radiating surface in a small encasing volume, achieving omnidirectional sound with improved stereo image realism and consistent performance across a wide frequency range.

Implementation Method 1

a magnetic arrangement (12) fixed to the bearing structure and determining the air gaps

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic field interaction: Magnetic Field

Data Source

PatentEP2764708B1loudspeaker
Publication Date: 2020.05.13 BAY AG
  • EP2764708B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2764708B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2764708B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The invention relates to a loudspeaker, which contains bearing structure, a magnetic arrangement (12) fixed to the bearing structure, determining air-gaps (13), and a diaphragm connected to the bearing structure, made of a sheet material. The diaphragm has the shape of a cylindrical jacket consisting of segments (10), the segments (10) are connected to each other along delimiting lines running in the direction of the generating lines, and they have a surface the curvature of which is larger than the curvature that belongs to the overall radius of the cylindrical jacket-like shape, there is a flap (11) at least along two delimiting lines, which flaps (11) extend into an air-gap (13) each radially, and the diaphragm is connected to the bearing structure with flexible supporting units joining the flaps (11) and allowing radial movement of the flaps (11) in the air-gap (13).