STIFFNESS REDUCTION HINGES FOR AUDIO SPEAKERS
Audio speakers include one or more hinges designed to provide stiffness cancellation and offset air trapped in a back volume of the audio speakers. The hinges are connected to a rear suspension of the audio speaker, including a voice coil, while allowing the voice coil to acoustically drive a diaphragm. The hinges are manufactured to imitate a resting position in the audio speaker when the hinges are connected installed in the audio speaker. As a result, the hinges undergo less stress. Alternatively, hinges may be connected to a front suspension of an audio speaker.
1 . An audio speaker, comprising:
a voice coil;
a first hinge coupled with the voice coil, the first hinge configured to limit the voice coil to travel a first distance;
a pin coupled with the voice coil; and
a first stop mechanism, wherein the first stop mechanism is configured to contact the pin and limit the voice coil to travel a second distance less than the first distance.
2 . The audio speaker of claim 1 , wherein:
the first stop mechanism is further configured limit the first hinge to the second distance, and
the second distance is less than a threshold distance of travel of the first stop mechanism.
3 . The audio speaker of claim 1 , further comprising:
a housing; and
a second hinge coupled with the voice coil, wherein the first hinge and the second hinge are configured center the voice coil within the housing along a first axis.
4 . The audio speaker of claim 3 , wherein the first hinge and the second hinge are configured center the voice coil within the housing along a second axis different from the first axis.
5 . The audio speaker of claim 3 , further comprising a magnet, wherein the first hinge and the second hinge are configured to center the voice coil with respect to the magnet.
6 . The audio speaker of claim 3 , wherein the first hinge comprises:
a first portion coupled with the voice coil and having a first thickness; and
a second portion and having a second thickness different from the first thickness.
7 . The audio speaker of claim 6 , further comprising a third portion coupled with the housing and having the first thickness.
8 . The audio speaker of claim 6 , wherein the first thickness is less than the second thickness.
9 . An audio speaker, comprising:
a voice coil;
a first hinge coupled with the voice coil, the first hinge configured to travel a first distance; and
a first stop mechanism coupled with a magnet, the first stop mechanism configured to limit the travel of the first hinge to a second distance less than the first distance.
10 . The audio speaker of claim 9 , further comprising a second stop mechanism coupled with the magnet, wherein:
the first stop mechanism is configured to limit the travel of the first hinge along a first direction, and
the second stop mechanism is configured to limit the travel of the first hinge along a second direction opposite the first direction.
11 . The audio speaker of claim 9 , further comprising:
a housing; and
a second hinge coupled with the voice coil, wherein the first hinge and the second hinge are configured center the voice coil within the housing along a first axis.
12 . The audio speaker of claim 11 , wherein the first hinge and the second hinge are configured center the voice coil within the housing along a second axis different from the first axis.
13 . The audio speaker of claim 11 , wherein the first hinge and the second hinge are configured to center the voice coil with respect to the magnet.
14 . The audio speaker of claim 11 , wherein the first hinge comprises:
a first portion coupled with the voice coil and having a first thickness; and
a second portion and having a second thickness different from the first thickness.
15 . The audio speaker of claim 14 further comprising a third portion coupled with the housing and having the first thickness.
16 . The audio speaker of claim 15 , wherein the first thickness is less than the second thickness.
17 . An electronic device, comprising:
an audio speaker, comprising:
a voice coil;
a first hinge coupled with the voice coil; and
a second hinge coupled with the voice coil wherein the first hinge and the second hinge are configured center the voice coil along a first axis and a second axis different from the first axis.
18 . The electronic device of claim 17 , further comprising:
a first stop mechanism configured to limit travel of the first hinge and the second hinge along a first direction, and
a second stop mechanism configured to limit the travel of the first hinge and the second hinge along a second direction opposite the first direction.
19 . The electronic device of claim 17 , wherein the first hinge comprises:
a first portion comprising a first thickness;
a second portion comprising a second thickness greater than the first thickness; and
a third portion comprising the first thickness, wherein the second portion is positioned between the first portion and the second portion.
20 . The electronic device of claim 17 , further comprising a housing, wherein:
the housing defines a back volume, and
the first hinge and the second hinge are disposed in the back volume.