Audio transducers
The invention relates to audio transducers, such as loudspeaker, microphones and the like, and includes improvements in or relating to: audio transducer diaphragm structures and assemblies, audio transducer mounting systems; audio transducer diaphragm suspension systems, personal audio devices incorporating the same and any combination thereof. The embodiments of the invention include linear action and rotational action transducers. For both types of transducer, rigid and composite diaphragm constructions and unsupported diaphragm periphery designs are described. Systems and methods for mounting the transducer to a housing, such as an enclosure or baffle are also described. Furthermore, hinge systems including: rigid contact hinge systems and flexible hinge systems are also disclosed for various rotational action transducer embodiments. Various applications and implementations are described and envisaged for the audio transducer embodiments including, for example, personal audio devices such as headphones, earphones and the like.
1. An audio device comprising:
at least one audio transducer having:
a transducer base structure;
a diaphragm moveably coupled to the transducer base structure to oscillate during operation; and
a transducing mechanism operatively coupled to the diaphragm;
one or more surrounds extending adjacent to and about an outer periphery of the diaphragm, and wherein the outer periphery of the diaphragm comprises one or more peripheral regions that are free from physical connection with the one or more surrounds; and
at least one decoupling mounting system, each decoupling mounting system compliantly mounting an audio transducer of the at least one audio transducer to at least one other part of the audio device, wherein the at least one decoupling mounting system is mounted to the transducer base structure of the audio transducer and the at least one other part of the audio device is not part of the diaphragm of the audio transducer of the audio device.
2. An audio device as claimed in claim 1 further comprising at least one housing, each respective housing accommodating a respective audio transducer of the at least one audio transducer.
3. An audio device as claimed in claim 2 wherein each housing is a baffle or enclosure.
4. An audio device as claimed in claim 2 wherein at least one of the one or more surrounds is separate from the at least one housing.
5. An audio device as claimed in claim 1 wherein a respective decoupling mounting system of the at least one decoupling mounting system compliantly mounts the transducer base structure of a respective audio transducer to a respective housing to at least partially alleviate mechanical transmission of vibration between the transducer base structure and the respective housing during operation.
6. An audio device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the outer periphery of the diaphragm is significantly free from physical connection such that the one or more peripheral regions constitute at least 20% of a perimeter of the outer periphery.
7. An audio device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the outer periphery of the diaphragm is free from physical connection such that the one or more peripheral regions constitute at least 50% of a perimeter of the outer periphery.
8. An audio device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the one or more peripheral regions of the diaphragm are separated from the one or more surrounds by an air gap.
9. An audio device as claimed in claim 1 further comprising ferromagnetic fluid located between the one or more peripheral regions of the diaphragm and the one or more surrounds.
10. An audio device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the diaphragm oscillates along a principal path of motion during operation and a corresponding one of the at least one decoupling mounting system enables movement of the diaphragm relative to the at least one other part of the audio device along a path or paths other than the principal path of motion.
11. An audio device as claimed in claim 1 wherein each decoupling mounting system permits translational movement of a respective transducer base structure relative to the at least one other part of the audio device.
12. An audio device as claimed in claim 1 wherein each decoupling mounting system permits rotation of an associated transducer base structure relative to the at least one other part of the audio device about at least one rotational axis.
13. An audio device as claimed in claim 1 wherein each decoupling mounting system permits rotation of an associated transducer base structure relative to the at least one other part of the audio device about a rotational axis that coincides with a node axis of the audio transducer, the node axis being an axis about which the transducer base structure would rotate during diaphragm oscillation, when unconstrained, due to reaction and/or resonance forces.
14. An audio device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the diaphragm of an audio transducer of the at least one audio transducer is hinged to the transducer base structure such that the diaphragm rotatably oscillates relative to the transducer base structure about an axis of rotation during operation.
15. An audio device as claimed in claim 14 wherein each decoupling mounting system permits rotation of an associated transducer base structure relative to the at least one other part of the audio device about an axis of rotation that is parallel to the axis of rotation of the diaphragm.
16. An audio device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the transducing mechanism of the at least one audio transducer is an electromagnetic mechanism having an electrically conductive coil and a magnet or magnetic assembly.
17. An audio device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the diaphragm of the at least one audio transducer is rigid and remains rigid during operation.
18. An audio device as claimed in claim 1 wherein a maximum thickness or a maximum depth of the diaphragm of the at least one audio transducer is greater than 11% of a maximum length or maximum dimension of the diaphragm.
19. An audio device as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a user interface accommodating the at least one audio transducer and being configured to locate within approximately 10 centimeters of a user's head in use.
20. An audio device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the transducer base structure comprises a substantially thick body.