IP Library Granted Patent US 12696022
Granted Patent B2
US 12696022 · App. 19/336,706 · Granted Jul 28, 2026

Light guide mounting for audio speaker illumination

Inventor: Henrik Kirkeby Jepsen (Vinderup, DK)
Assignee: Harman International Industries, Incorporated
H04R1/028F21V33/0056F21V2200/20
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12696022
App. No.
19/336,706
Granted
Jul 28, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a magnet assembly for an audio speaker. The magnet assembly comprises a magnet arrangement including a through hole and a light guide. The light guide is configured to guide light through the through hole of the magnet arrangement. The light guide includes a first portion having a cylindrical shape with a longitudinal axis. The first portion has a light receiving end surface for receiving light from a light source and is configured to be inserted in the direction of the longitudinal axis into the through hole of the magnet arrangement. The light guide includes a second portion for emitting the light received at the light receiving end surface. The light guide includes a first protrusion protruding perpendicular to the longitudinal axis from the lateral surface of the first portion.

Claims (36)

1 . A magnet assembly for an audio speaker comprising:

a magnet arrangement including a through hole, and

a light guide, wherein the light guide is configured to guide light through the through hole of the magnet arrangement, wherein the light guide includes:

a first portion having a cylindrical shape with a longitudinal axis, wherein the first portion has a light receiving end surface for receiving light from a light source, wherein the first portion is configured to be inserted in a direction of the longitudinal axis into the through hole of the magnet arrangement,

a second portion for emitting the light received at the light receiving end surface, wherein the second portion is arranged at an end of the first portion opposite to the light receiving end surface,

a first protrusion protruding perpendicular to the longitudinal axis from a lateral surface of the first portion, wherein the first protrusion provides a support structure for an edge of the through hole when the light guide is located in the through hole, and

at least one second protrusion protruding perpendicular to the longitudinal axis from the lateral surface of the first portion, wherein the at least one second protrusion is arranged in a direction of the longitudinal axis between the first protrusion and the light receiving end surface, wherein the at least one second protrusion is dimensioned to provide an interference fit of the first portion within the through hole of the magnet arrangement.

2 . The magnet assembly of claim 1 , wherein the second portion comprises a conical portion arranged along the longitudinal axis and having a diameter that increases in a direction away from the first portion and a disc-shaped portion at an end of the conical portion opposite the first portion.

3 . The magnet assembly of claim 2 , wherein the first protrusion is formed by an edge of the conical portion facing the end of the first portion.

4 . The magnet assembly of claim 1 , wherein a cross-section of the first portion perpendicular to the longitudinal axis corresponds to a cross-section of the through hole of the magnet arrangement.

5 . The magnet assembly of claim 1 , wherein the first portion has a clearance fit in the through hole of the magnet arrangement.

6 . The magnet assembly of claim 1 , wherein the interference fit is a press fit assembled with cold pressing.

7 . The magnet assembly of claim 1 , wherein the interference fit is a press fit assembled or disassembled without damaging material of the first portion and the at least one second protrusion.

8 . The magnet assembly of claim 1 , wherein the first portion and the at least one second protrusion comprise plastic, wherein the at least one second protrusion is dimensioned such that an equivalent plastic strain resulting from the interference fit is below a predefined threshold.

9 . The magnet assembly of claim 1 , wherein the first portion, the second portion, the first protrusion, and the at least one second protrusion are integrally formed.

10 . The magnet assembly of claim 1 , wherein the at least one second protrusion comprises at least two second protrusions arranged equally spaced along a circumference of the first portion.

11 . The magnet assembly of claim 1 , wherein the at least one second protrusion comprises a continuous ridge arranged along a circumference of the first portion.

12 . The magnet assembly of claim 1 , wherein the magnet arrangement comprises a notch in an inner surface of the through hole, wherein the at least one second protrusion is arranged to snap in the notch when the light guide is located in the through hole.

13 . The magnet assembly of claim 1 , wherein the first protrusion forms a stop prohibiting a further movement of the first portion into the through hole when the first protrusion abuts against the edge of the through hole.

14 . The magnet assembly of claim 1 , wherein the at least one second protrusion comprises at least two second protrusions arranged at different distances from the light receiving end surface.

15 . An audio speaker configured to emit sound in a main sound emission direction, comprising:

a voice coil;

a magnet assembly positioned within the voice coil, the magnet assembly comprising:

a magnet arrangement including a through hole, and

a light guide, wherein the light guide is configured to guide light through the through hole of the magnet arrangement, wherein the light guide includes:

a first portion having a cylindrical shape with a longitudinal axis, wherein the first portion has a light receiving end surface for receiving light from a light source, wherein the first portion is configured to be inserted in a direction of the longitudinal axis into the through hole of the magnet arrangement,

a second portion for emitting the light received at the light receiving end surface, wherein the second portion is arranged at an end of the first portion opposite to the light receiving end surface,

a first protrusion protruding perpendicular to the longitudinal axis from a lateral surface of the first portion, wherein the first protrusion provides a support structure for an edge of the through hole when the light guide is located in the through hole, and

at least one second protrusion protruding perpendicular to the longitudinal axis from the lateral surface of the first portion, wherein the at least one second protrusion is arranged in a direction of the longitudinal axis between the first protrusion and the light receiving end surface, wherein the at least one second protrusion is dimensioned to provide an interference fit of the first portion within the through hole of the magnet arrangement;

a movable diaphragm connected to the voice coil; and

the light source configured to emit light, the light source being located at the light receiving end surface of the magnet assembly, wherein the second portion of the light guide extends in the main sound emission direction through the movable diaphragm.

16 . The audio speaker of claim 15 , wherein the movable diaphragm is configured to move together with the voice coil, the movable diaphragm comprising a front surface and a rear surface opposite the front surface.

17 . The audio speaker of claim 16 , wherein the movable diaphragm is arranged in a direction opposite to the main sound emission direction.

18 . The audio speaker of claim 15 , wherein the second portion comprises a conical portion arranged along the longitudinal axis and having a diameter that increases in a direction away from the first portion and a disc-shaped portion at an end of the conical portion opposite the first portion.

19 . The audio speaker of claim 15 , wherein a cross-section of the first portion perpendicular to the longitudinal axis corresponds to a cross-section of the through hole of the magnet arrangement.

20 . The audio speaker of claim 15 , wherein the magnet arrangement comprises a notch in an inner surface of the through hole, wherein the at least one second protrusion is arranged to snap in the notch when the light guide is located in the through hole.