Speaker Assembly Inward Flange Surround Mounting
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The use of clamps to attach surrounds to speaker frames increases costs and complexity, reduces diaphragm size, and requires an outwardly extending flange, limiting cone area and sound pressure.
Innovation Solution
A speaker assembly design where the surround attaches directly to the frame without a clamp, utilizing an inwardly extending outer portion and a reinforcement member with offsets and fasteners for secure attachment, allowing for a larger diaphragm size and increased cone area without an outward flange.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a clamp is used to attach the surround to the frame, then the attachment strength is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the clamp component entirely from the assembly. The surround is designed with an integrated flanged portion that directly attaches to the frame, eliminating the need for a separate clamp component and reducing assembly complexity while maintaining attachment strength through the integrated design
Solution Approach 2:
The flanged portion is merged into the surround structure itself, combining the attachment function with the surround component. This integration eliminates the need for separate fastening components and simplifies the overall assembly while providing sufficient attachment strength
2Reliability
If a clamp is used to attach the surround to the frame, then the attachment reliability is improved, but the diaphragm size is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of extending the flange outward to provide clamping surface area, the patent inverts the approach by positioning the flanged portion inward on the frame. This allows the diaphragm to extend to the full outer perimeter of the frame, maximizing diaphragm area while the inward flange provides reliable attachment through direct engagement with the frame's mounting surface
3Area of stationary object
If an outwardly extending flange is used to attach the surround, then the attachment surface area is improved, but the cone area is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional flange positioning by placing it inward on the frame rather than outward. This allows the diaphragm/cone to extend to the maximum possible diameter within the frame, maximizing cone area while the inward flange provides sufficient attachment surface area for reliable mounting
4Stability of the object's composition
If the mounting surface extends outward, then the attachment stability is improved, but the overall speaker size increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of extending the mounting surface outward to improve stability, the patent positions the flanged mounting surface inward on the frame. This compact arrangement provides sufficient mounting stability through direct engagement while keeping the overall speaker assembly size minimized, as no additional outward extension is required
Data Source
AI summary
A speaker assembly includes a frame and a surround that suspends a diaphragm from the frame. An outer portion of the surround is disposed, dimensioned, and configured to permit the mounting of the surround to the frame such that the surround, itself, does not need to include an outwardly extending flange and/or clamp. Rather, the outer portion of the surround is generally disposed on the frame, with the mounting surface of the outer portion of the surround extending inward relative to the outer periphery of the surround. A reinforcement member is cooperatively structured with the surround to reinforce the surround during operation of the speaker assembly. The reinforcement member has a ringed configuration that includes a plurality of offsets each structured to facilitate attachment of the reinforcement member to the frame.