Insert molded surround with mechanical support
A suspension member for a diaphragm, the suspension member comprising an inner portion being adapted to be attached to a substantially stiff piston part, a outer portion arranged on or integrated with a substantially stiff support member so as to mechanically stabilize the suspension member, and a flexible member connecting the inner and outer portions. The present invention further relates to an electro-acoustic transducer, preferably a miniature electro-acoustic transducer, applying such suspension member.
1. A miniature suspension member for a diaphragm, the suspension member comprising:
an inner portion being adapted to be attached to a piston having a substantially flat major surface, the inner portion defining a closed area on which the piston is adapted to be attached;
an outer portion arranged on or integrated with a substantially stiff support member so as to mechanically stabilise the suspension member; and
a flexible member connecting the inner and outer portions, wherein the inner portion, the flexible member, and the outer portion form a single integrated piece.
2. A suspension member according to claim 1 , wherein the flexible member comprises at least one electrically conducting element adapted to transport electrical signals across the suspension member.
3. A suspension member according to claim 2 , wherein the at least one electrically conducting element is at least partly embedded into the flexible member.
4. A suspension member according to claim 2 , wherein the at least one electrically conducting element has a first free end accessible at the inner portion of the suspension member, and a second free end accessible at the outer portion of the suspension member.
5. A suspension member according to claim 1 , wherein the inner portion comprises an inner edge, said inner edge being adapted to be attached to an associated outer edge of the piston.
6. A suspension member according to claim 1 , wherein the inner portion comprises a supporting surface, said supporting surface being adapted to be attached to an associated surface portion of the piston.
7. A suspension member according to claim 6 , wherein the supporting surface comprises an essentially plane surface portion.
8. A suspension member according to claim 1 , comprising 2, 4 or 6 electrically conducting elements.
9. A suspension member according to claim 1 , wherein the flexible member comprises a material selected from the group consisting of: silicone and rubber.
10. A suspension member according to claim 1 , wherein the suspension member takes a substantially circular, a substantially oval or a substantially rectangular shape.
11. A suspension member according to claim 1 , wherein the substantially stiff support member forms an integral part of the suspension member.
12. A miniature diaphragm for an electro-acoustic transducer, the diaphragm comprising:
a suspension member comprising:
an inner portion being attached to a piston having a substantially flat major surface, the inner portion defining a closed area on which the piston is adapted to be attached,
an outer portion arranged on or integrated with a substantially stiff support member so as to mechanically stabilise the suspension member, and
a flexible member connecting the inner and outer portions, wherein the inner portion, the flexible member, and the outer portion form a single integrated piece.
13. A diaphragm according to claim 12 , wherein the piston comprises a polyimide, aluminium, polymer, or nylon.
14. A diaphragm according to claim 12 , wherein the piston comprises a flex print.
15. The suspension member according to claim 1 , wherein a first plane lying across the outer portion is distinct from and parallel to a second plane lying across the inner portion when the piston is stationary.