阅读说明：本技术 形成音频换能器膜片的系统和方法 (System and method for forming an audio transducer diaphragm ) 是由 理查德·沃伦·利特尔 于 2018-05-02 设计创作，主要内容包括：本文公开了形成换能器膜片的系统和方法。在一个实施例中,一种生产换能器膜片的方法包括在第一成形工具和第二成形工具之间接收工件。该工件可以具有限定中心孔的内边界。该具有孔的工件在第一成形工具和第二成形工具之间被压缩以形成换能器膜片。(Systems and methods of forming a transducer diaphragm are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method of producing a transducer diaphragm includes receiving a workpiece between a first forming tool and a second forming tool. The workpiece may have an inner boundary defining a central bore. The workpiece having the hole is compressed between a first forming tool and a second forming tool to form a transducer diaphragm.)

1. A method of constructing a transducer diaphragm, the method comprising:

receiving a workpiece between a first forming tool and a second forming tool, the workpiece having an inner boundary defining a central bore; and

compressing the workpiece between a first forming tool and a second forming tool to form the transducer diaphragm.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the transducer diaphragm has a substantially elliptical, frustoconical shape.

3. The method of any preceding claim, wherein the transducer diaphragm has a rotationally asymmetric shape.

4. The method of any preceding claim, wherein the central bore has a first diameter, the method further comprising:

increasing the diameter of the central bore from the first diameter to a larger second diameter after compressing the workpiece between a first forming tool and a second forming tool.

5. The method of any preceding claim, wherein the workpiece comprises aluminum or an aluminum alloy.

6. The method of any preceding claim, wherein compressing the workpiece further comprises:

axially aligning a forming portion of a first forming tool with the central bore; and

actuating a forming portion of a first forming tool toward the central bore of the workpiece and the second forming tool.

7. The method of any preceding claim, wherein the transducer diaphragm has a sidewall extending between a first substrate portion and a second substrate portion, wherein the sidewall has a thickness range including a minimum thickness and a maximum thickness, and wherein the minimum thickness is greater than or equal to a predetermined percentage of the maximum thickness.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the predetermined percentage is 90% or greater.

9. The method of any preceding claim, further comprising:

the central hole is formed by removing a central portion of the workpiece prior to receiving the workpiece between the first forming tool and the second forming tool.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein removing the central portion of the workpiece comprises: removing a portion of the workpiece having a substantially circular shape.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein removing the central portion of the workpiece comprises: removing a portion of the workpiece having an asymmetric polygonal shape.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein removing the central portion of the workpiece comprises: a slit is formed in the workpiece.

13. A method of constructing an audio transducer assembly, the method comprising:

attaching a frame having a magnet to a transducer diaphragm constructed in accordance with any preceding claim; and

operatively coupling the transducer diaphragm to a coil adjacent the magnet, wherein the coil is electrically connected to an electrical signal source, and wherein the coil is configured to actuate the transducer diaphragm in response to an electrical signal received from the electrical signal source.

14. An audio transducer assembly produced according to the method of claim 13.

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates generally to consumer products and, more particularly, to methods, systems, products, features, services, and other elements for forming transducers, including transducer diaphragms and/or another aspect thereof.

Background

An audio transducer includes a cone or diaphragm that moves in response to an electrical signal to produce acoustic energy (e.g., sound). The diaphragm may be made of various materials, such as paper, metal, ceramic, and the like. For example, a conventional metal speaker diaphragm may be made from a sheet metal blank that is stamped into the shape of a frustum or cone. A central hole is punched out of the stamped cone, creating the inner boundary of the cone. However, in many instances, conventional metal cone forming processes can stretch and stress the metal material near the center of the cone, resulting in excessive thickness variation of the cone sidewalls and increased likelihood of tearing of the inner boundary.

Drawings

The features, aspects, and advantages of the disclosed technology may be better understood with reference to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where:

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional side view of a transducer assembly configured in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosed technology;

FIG. 2A is a plan view of a substrate sheet;

FIG. 2B is a plan view of a workpiece configured in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosed technique;

3-8 are plan views of workpieces configured in accordance with further embodiments of the disclosed technique;

FIG. 9A is a schematic side view of a forming system configured in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosed technology;

9B-9D are plan views of the workpiece during various forming operations;

FIGS. 9E and 9F are top and isometric side views, respectively, of a transducer diaphragm produced in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosed technology;

FIG. 9G is an enlarged portion of FIG. 9F;

FIG. 10 is a flow chart of a process of producing a transducer diaphragm in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosed technology;

FIG. 11 is a flow chart of a process of producing a transducer in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosed technology;

FIG. 12A is a plan view of a workpiece configured in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 12B is a top view of a conventional workpiece;

FIG. 12C is a top view of a transducer diaphragm configured in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosed technology; and

FIG. 12D is a graph illustrating the transducer diaphragm size at the position shown in FIG. 12C.

The drawings are for purposes of illustrating example embodiments, and it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the arrangements and instrumentality shown in the drawings.

Detailed Description

I. Overview

Systems and methods of forming a transducer diaphragm are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, for example, a method of producing a transducer diaphragm may include receiving a workpiece between a first forming tool and a second forming tool. The workpiece may include an inner boundary that defines a hole (e.g., a bore, a gap, an opening, etc.). The first forming tool and the second forming tool compress the workpiece therebetween, thereby deforming the workpiece and forming the transducer diaphragm. In some embodiments, the central aperture is formed by punching out a central portion of the workpiece prior to receiving the workpiece between the first forming tool and the second forming tool. In some embodiments, the resulting transducer diaphragm has a substantially elliptical frustoconical shape and/or a frustoconical shape. In certain embodiments, the transducer diaphragm has a rotationally asymmetric shape. In some embodiments, the diameter of the central bore increases from a first diameter to a second, larger diameter after the workpiece is compressed between the first forming tool and the second forming tool. In certain embodiments, the workpiece comprises a metal, for example, aluminum, magnesium, titanium, and/or alloys thereof. In further embodiments, the workpiece may comprise another suitable metal. In some embodiments, the transducer diaphragm has a sidewall having a thickness range including a minimum thickness and a maximum thickness, wherein the minimum thickness is a predetermined percentage of the maximum thickness (e.g., 85%, 88%, 90%, 92%, 95%, 98%, etc.).

In another embodiment, a method of forming a speaker diaphragm includes removing a central portion of a workpiece to form an unfinished speaker diaphragm having a central aperture. The method also includes compressing the unfinished speaker membrane between the first forming tool and the second forming tool to form the speaker membrane. For example, in some embodiments, the speaker diaphragm has a substantially elliptical, frusto-conical shape. In some embodiments, the speaker diaphragm may have a rotationally asymmetric shape. In some embodiments, the diameter of the central aperture in the speaker diaphragm is increased from a first diameter to a larger second diameter after the speaker diaphragm is formed. In some embodiments, compressing the unfinished speaker membrane includes moving the first forming tool relative to the second forming tool. In one embodiment, for example, when an unfinished loudspeaker diaphragm is compressed between a first forming tool and a second forming tool, the shaped portion of the first forming tool is axially aligned with the central bore and the shaped portion of the first forming tool is moved towards the central bore. In some embodiments, the removed central portion of the workpiece includes one or more holes having a generally circular shape. In certain embodiments, the removed central portion of the workpiece has one or more apertures of a substantially symmetrical polygonal shape. However, in other embodiments, the removed central portion has one or more holes of an asymmetric polygonal shape. In further embodiments, the removed central portion includes one or more slits formed in the workpiece.

In yet another embodiment, a method of constructing an audio transducer assembly includes forming a transducer diaphragm by compressing a metal workpiece having a central aperture between a first forming tool and a second forming tool. The metal workpiece may include, for example, an inner boundary defining a central bore. The method also includes attaching the diaphragm to a frame having a magnet, and operably coupling the diaphragm to a coil surrounded by the magnet. The coil is electrically connected to an electrical signal source and is configured to actuate the diaphragm in response to an electrical signal received from the electrical signal source. In some embodiments, the central portion of the metal film is removed prior to forming the diaphragm, thereby forming the central aperture. In some embodiments, the diameter of the central aperture in the speaker diaphragm increases from a first diameter to a larger second diameter after the diaphragm is formed.

In other examples, each of these example implementations may be embodied as a method, a device configured to perform the implementation, a system of devices configured to perform the implementation, or a non-transitory computer-readable medium containing instructions executable by one or more processors to perform the implementation. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the present disclosure includes many other embodiments, including combinations of the example features described herein. Moreover, any example operations described as being performed by a given device to clarify the techniques may be performed by any number of suitable devices, including the devices described herein.

Although some examples described herein may relate to functions performed by a given actor (e.g., "user" and/or other entity), it should be understood that this description is for purposes of explanation only. The claims should not be construed as requiring any such example actor to perform an action unless the claim's own language expressly requires such language.

In the drawings, like reference numbers indicate identical or at least substantially similar elements. To facilitate discussion of any particular element, one or more of the most significant digits of any reference number refer to the drawing in which that element is first introduced. For example, element 160 is first introduced and discussed with reference to FIG. 1.

Example transducer II

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional side view of a speaker or transducer assembly 100 configured in accordance with embodiments of the disclosed technology transducer assembly 100 includes a basket, housing, or frame 102 that houses a magnet assembly 104 (e.g., one or more permanent magnets comprising neodymium). The magnet assembly 104 surrounds a pole or core 108 extending from a lower portion of the frame 102. The coil 106 surrounds the core 108, and includes a negative terminal 107a and a positive terminal 107 b. A flexible membrane or surround 112 resiliently couples the diaphragm 160 to the frame 102. The dust cap 116 covers the aperture 140 in the diaphragm 160 to protect the voice coil 108 from external dust and other contaminants. The damper or spider 114 couples the speaker frame 102 to the voice coil 106 and maintains the concentric position of the voice coil 106 relative to the magnet assembly 104 and the axial alignment of the voice coil 106 and the aperture 140. The spider 114 may provide a restoring force on the diaphragm 160 and voice coil 106 to prevent excessive inward and/or outward movement.

In operation, the voice coil 106 receives an electrical signal (e.g., an audio electrical signal) from an amplifier and/or another electrical signal source (not shown) via terminals 107a and 107 b. The flow of electrical signals through the voice coil 106 creates a corresponding magnetic field. In response, the magnet assembly 104 drives the voice coil 106 inward and outward, which moves the diaphragm 160 inward and outward, respectively, thereby generating sound.

Example methods

Fig. 2A is a plan view of a sheet 220 having a central portion 225 and comprising a substrate. The plurality of holes 224 in the sheet may facilitate alignment of the sheet 220 on a mold during fabrication of a product (e.g., a metal transducer diaphragm). In some embodiments, the substrate comprises a metal capable of being formed into a sheet, such as aluminum, brass, copper, steel, tin, nickel, titanium, and/or alloys thereof. In other embodiments, the substrate may comprise another metal, for example, magnesium, beryllium, and/or alloys thereof. In some embodiments, the sheet 220 may have a thickness of 0.5mm or less (e.g., a thickness between about 0.05mm and 0.5mm, between about 0.1mm and 0.20mm, or between about 0.12mm and 0.15 mm). In other embodiments, the sheet 220 may have any suitable thickness. Further, in the embodiment illustrated in fig. 2A, the sheet 220 has a substantially rectangular shape. However, in other embodiments, the sheet 220 may have another suitable shape (e.g., circular, oval, square, triangular, trapezoidal, hexagonal, octagonal).

Fig. 2B is a plan view of a workpiece 230, the workpiece 230 including a sheet 220 and including an inner boundary 226, the inner boundary 226 defining a central aperture 240 formed in the workpiece 230 (e.g., one or more apertures, gaps, openings in a central region of the workpiece 230). The central aperture 240 may be formed, for example, by cutting, perforating, or otherwise removing the central portion 225 (fig. 2A) from the sheet 220. In the embodiment shown in fig. 2B, the central aperture 240 comprises a circular aperture in the workpiece 230 having a dimension D1 (e.g., diameter) between about 1mm and about 100mm (e.g., between about 10mm and about 100 mm). In other embodiments, workpiece 230 may include one or more apertures having any suitable shape and/or size, as described below.

Fig. 3-7 are schematic plan views of respective workpieces 330, 430, 530, 630, and 730 configured in accordance with further embodiments of the disclosed technology. Referring also to fig. 3-7, as discussed above with reference to fig. 2B, the workpieces 330, 430, 530, 630, and 730 may be made from the sheet 220. The workpiece 330 includes a central aperture 340 having a polygonal shape (e.g., triangular). The workpiece 430 includes a central aperture 440 having a diamond, square, and/or parallelogram shape. The workpiece 530 includes a hexagonal center hole 540. The workpiece 630 includes an irregular center hole 640 (e.g., cloud-shaped). The workpiece 730 includes a central bore 740 having slits.

Fig. 8 is a schematic plan view of a workpiece 830 configured in accordance with another embodiment of the disclosed technique. The workpiece 830 includes a plurality of holes 840 (identified as a first hole 840a and a second hole 840b, respectively). In the embodiment shown in FIG. 8, the workpiece 830 includes two apertures 840. However, in other embodiments, the workpiece 830 may include three or more holes 840. In some embodiments, the hole 840 is located in the workpiece 830 at a location other than the center region.

Fig. 9A is a schematic side view of a film forming machine (e.g., stamp press) or system 950 configured in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosed technology. The system 950 may include a controller 952 configured to control the system 950. The upper mold or first forming tool 954 has a forming portion 955. The lower die or second forming tool 956 may be configured to receive and hold the workpiece 230 during a forming operation (e.g., stamping, pressing, and/or another suitable metal cold forming process). A plurality of posts 957 can receive respective ones of the holes 224 in the workpiece 230 such that the workpiece 230 is secured to the second forming portion 956 and aligned with the first forming tool 954 and the forming portion along axis a.

The controller 952 may include a memory and one or more processors, which may take the form of a general or special purpose processor or controller. For example, the controller 952 may comprise a microprocessor, microcontroller, application specific integrated circuit, digital signal processor, or the like. The memory may be a data storage device that may be loaded with one or more software components that are executed by one or more processors to implement these functions. Thus, the memory may include one or more non-transitory computer-readable storage media, examples of which may include: volatile storage media (e.g., random access memory, registers, cache memory, etc.), and non-volatile storage media (e.g., read-only memory, hard disk drives, solid state drives, flash memory and/or optical storage, among others).

In operation, the second forming tool 956 receives and secures the workpiece 230 thereon. The controller 952 instructs the first forming tool 954 to move along axis a in the direction indicated by arrow B toward the second forming tool 956. Movement of the first forming tool 954 toward the second forming tool 956 causes the forming portion 955 to engage and compress the workpiece 230 between the first forming tool 954 and the second forming tool 956. Compressing the workpiece 230 between the forming tools 954 and 956 deforms the workpiece 230, transforming it from a sheet into a desired shape, as described below. Fig. 9B and 9C show the workpiece 230 before and after compression. Fig. 9B is a plan view of the workpiece 230. Fig. 9C is a plan view of an unfinished diaphragm or intermediate workpiece 230' after the compression operation discussed above with reference to fig. 9A. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 9C, the intermediate workpiece 230' includes a transducer diaphragm 960 (e.g., a transducer cone) and an edge material 964 formed therein. Due to the compression discussed above with reference to fig. 9A, the intermediate workpiece 230 'includes a corresponding central bore 240' of a different size (e.g., larger diameter) relative to the central bore 240. In some embodiments, the intermediate workpiece 230' is formed as a result of a single compression operation of the system 950. In other embodiments, the system 950 may perform multiple compression operations (e.g., progressive stamping and/or rolling) on the workpiece 230 to form the intermediate workpiece 230'.

Fig. 9D is a plan view of the intermediate workpiece 230 'in which the diaphragm includes a first boundary 970 (e.g., an inner boundary, circumference, and/or perimeter) that defines a central aperture 940, the central aperture 940 having an increased size relative to the apertures 240 and 240'. In some embodiments, the central aperture 940 is formed by punching the intermediate workpiece 230 'at the central aperture 240' (fig. 9C). In other embodiments, any suitable operation (e.g., cutting) may be performed on the intermediate workpiece 230 'to increase the transition from the central hole 240' to the central hole 940.

FIG. 9E is a top view of the diaphragm 960 having the second boundary 962 after removal of the edge material 938 of the workpiece 230'. FIG. 9F is an isometric side view of the transducer diaphragm 960. Fig. 9G is an enlarged portion of fig. 9F. Referring to fig. 9E-9G, simultaneously, membrane 960 includes a first substrate portion 961a (e.g., an upper substrate) and a second substrate portion 961b (e.g., a lower substrate). The membrane 960 also includes a first surface 963a (e.g., a front surface) opposite a second surface (e.g., a back surface). The second boundary 962 (e.g., an outer boundary, a perimeter, and/or a circumference) defines an opening 968 in the membrane 960. In the embodiment shown in fig. 9F, the diaphragm 960 has a substantially elliptical, frusto-conical shape. In other embodiments, the membrane 960 may have other suitable shapes including, for example, a frustoconical shape, a conical shape, or the like.

The first and second boundaries 970 and 962 have respective dimensions D2 and D3 (e.g., diameter, length, and/or width). In some embodiments, dimension D2 is a diameter between about 10mm and 100mm (e.g., between about 20mm and about 90mm, between about 30mm and about 50mm, or between about 40 mm), and dimension D3 is a width between about 20mm and about 500mm (e.g., between about 25mm and about 250mm, between about 30mm and about 200mm, between about 150mm and 180mm, or about 170 mm). In other embodiments, the dimensions D2 and D3 may be any suitable diameter, length, or width. Further, D4 indicates the axial distance between first boundary 970 and second boundary 962. In some embodiments, for example, distance D4 corresponds to a height of diaphragm 960 that is between about 10mm and about 100mm (e.g., between about 20mm and about 50mm, between about 25mm and about 35mm, or about 28 mm).

One or more sidewalls 964 extend from the first boundary 970 to the second boundary 962 between the first base portion 962a and the second base portion 962 b. As shown in fig. 9G, one or more sidewalls 964 have a range of thicknesses including a maximum or first thickness T1 and a minimum or second thickness T2. In some embodiments, for example, the thickness ranges between about 0.1mm and about 0.3mm (e.g., between about 0.135mm and about 0.15 mm). The first thickness T1 may be between about 0.14mm and about 0.15mm (e.g., between about 0.145mm and 0.150mm, or about 0.149 mm). The second thickness T2 may be between about 0.135mm and about 0.145mm (e.g., between about 0.137mm and 0.142mm, between about 0.139mm and about 0.141mm, or about 0.14 mm). In some embodiments, the second thickness T2 is a predetermined percentage (e.g., 90%) of the first thickness T1. However, in other embodiments, the predetermined percentage may be another suitable percentage (e.g., between about 80% and about 99%, between about 85% and about 98%, between about 87% and about 93%, between about 88% and 92%).

FIG. 10 is a flow chart of a process 1000 of producing a transducer diaphragm. In some embodiments, process 1000 includes instructions stored on non-transitory computer-readable memory that, when executed by one or more processors, may cause one or more machines and/or systems (e.g., system 950 of fig. 9A) to perform one or more operations. In some aspects, a single machine or system may perform all of the operations described below. In other aspects, process 1000 is performed by more than one machine or system. In certain aspects, process 1000 includes additional or fewer steps than those described below with reference to fig. 10. Further, the steps shown in fig. 10 do not necessarily represent the order in which the steps are performed.

At block 1010, the process 1000 may optionally include forming one or more holes in the workpiece (e.g., the holes 240 in the workpiece 230 of fig. 2B). As discussed above with reference to fig. 2B-8, the one or more apertures may comprise any suitable shape, including, for example, one or more circles, ovals, triangles, squares, pentagons, hexagons, slits, non-polygonal shapes, and the like. The one or more apertures may be formed using any suitable operation, such as punching, cutting, and the like.

At block 1020, the process 1000 includes receiving a workpiece having one or more central apertures into a machine or system (e.g., the system 950 of fig. 9A). As shown in fig. 9A, for example, a workpiece is received between two or more forming tools (e.g., dies) in preparation for a compression and/or deformation operation. In one embodiment, for example, at least one of the forming tools has a forming portion that is aligned with at least one of the one or more central holes formed in the workpiece.

At block 1030, the process 1000 includes forming a diaphragm (e.g., the diaphragm 960 of fig. 9C-9F) in a workpiece. As discussed above with reference to fig. 9C, the diaphragm may be formed by moving a first forming tool toward a second forming tool holding a workpiece. The first forming tool may impact and/or engage the workpiece and elastically deform a portion of the workpiece to a desired shape (e.g., an elliptical, frustoconical shape).

At block 1040, the process 1000 may optionally include adjusting the size of one or more central apertures in the diaphragm. As shown in fig. 9C and 9D, for example, the size (e.g., diameter) of the one or more central apertures may be increased from a first size (e.g., diameter of aperture 240' of fig. 9C) to a larger second size (e.g., dimension D2 of aperture 940 of fig. 9D (fig. 9F)). Any suitable means may be used to adjust the size of the one or more apertures, including, for example, perforating the one or more apertures. In some embodiments, the larger second size is selected based on removing portions of the workpiece adjacent the central aperture that may receive pressure during the forming operation as described above with reference to block 1030.

At block 1050, the process 1000 may optionally include removing excess material from the workpiece. As shown in fig. 9D, for example, the step of producing the membrane 960 may result in excess edge material 962. As shown in fig. 9E, the edge material may be removed using any suitable means, including, for example, cutting and/or trimming the edge material from the workpiece.

At block 1060, the process 1000 may optionally include additional processing of the diaphragm prior to attachment to the transducer. In some embodiments, for example, the membrane is cleaned and anodized after formation.

FIG. 11 is a flow diagram of a process 1100 of producing a transducer (e.g., transducer 100 of FIG. 1). In some embodiments, process 1100 includes instructions stored on a non-transitory computer-readable memory that, when executed by one or more processors, may cause one or more machines and/or systems to perform one or more operations. In some aspects, a single machine or system may perform all of the operations described below. In other aspects, process 1100 may be performed by more than one machine or system. In some aspects, process 1100 may include additional or fewer steps than those described below with reference to fig. 11. Further, the steps shown in fig. 11 do not necessarily represent the order in which the steps are performed.

At block 1110, the process 1100 includes forming a transducer diaphragm (e.g., the diaphragm 960 of fig. 9F), as described above with reference to fig. 10.

At block 1120, the process 1100 includes attaching a transducer diaphragm to a transducer frame (e.g., the frame 102 of fig. 1) having a magnet (e.g., the magnet assembly 104 of fig. 1). A transducer enclosure (e.g., enclosure 112 of fig. 1) may attach an outer boundary (e.g., second boundary 962) of the diaphragm to the frame. Attaching the diaphragm to the frame may further include, for example, operatively coupling a voice coil (e.g., voice coil 108 of fig. 1) to an inner boundary (e.g., first boundary 970 of fig. 9F) of the diaphragm. As discussed above with reference to fig. 1, for example, operably coupling the diaphragm to a coil surrounded by a magnet may allow the coil to actuate the diaphragm in response to an electrical signal received from an electrical signal source via terminals on the coil (e.g., terminals 107a and b of fig. 1), thereby producing sound.

Example data IV

Fig. 12A is a plan view of an enhanced workpiece 1230a configured in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure. Fig. 12B is a top view of a conventional workpiece 1230B. FIG. 12C is a top view of the transducer diaphragm 1260 with positions 1-12. Referring first to fig. 12A-12C concurrently, the enhanced workpiece 1230a (fig. 12A) includes a central aperture 1240, the enhanced workpiece 1230a and the central aperture 1240 being similar to the workpiece 230 and the central aperture 240, respectively, discussed above with reference to fig. 2B. However, the conventional workpiece 1230B (fig. 12B) has no central hole.

Both the reinforced workpiece 1230a and the conventional workpiece 1230b may be formed into a diaphragm having the shape of a diaphragm 1260 (fig. 12C) using the forming process (e.g., stamping) discussed above with reference to fig. 9A and 10, the diaphragm 1260 having a central opening 1240'. The inventors have recognized that forming the reinforced workpiece 1230a having the central aperture 1240 in the diaphragm 1260 may provide one or more benefits as compared to conventional techniques of stamping a conventional workpiece 1230 b. For example, films produced according to the disclosed techniques can be expected to have less sidewall thickness variation and/or reduced likelihood of tearing as compared to films produced using conventional techniques.

FIG. 12D is a graph 1280 showing the relative transducer diaphragm thickness (along the y-axis) at locations 1-12 (along the x-axis) shown in FIG. 12C. The thicknesses in graph 1280 include a first thickness 1281 (e.g., about 0.15mm), a second thickness 1283 (e.g., about 0.13mm), and a threshold thickness 1282 (e.g., about 90% of the first thickness).

A first thickness range 1285a includes thicknesses of sidewalls of diaphragms produced using the reinforced workpiece 1230a (fig. 12A) at corresponding locations 1-12 shown in the diaphragm 1260 (fig. 12C) based on the data shown in table 1 below. A second thickness range 1285B includes thicknesses of sidewalls of diaphragms produced using the conventional workpiece 1230B (fig. 12B) at corresponding locations 1-12 shown in the diaphragm 1260 (fig. 12C) based on the data shown in table 2 below. Ten membranes were produced using the reinforced workpiece 1230a and ten membranes were produced using the conventional workpiece 1230 b. As shown in the graph 1280, thicknesses in the first range 1285a are greater than or equal to the threshold thickness at all locations 1-12, while thicknesses in the second range 1285b are less than the predetermined thickness 1282 at least locations 5, 6, 11, and 12.

Table 1: in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosed technique, the measured thickness at locations 1-12 in FIG. 12C for each of the 10 diaphragms produced using the reinforced workpiece 1230a (FIG. 12A)

Table 2: the measured thickness at locations 1-12 in FIG. 12C for each of the 10 diaphragms produced by stamping the conventional workpiece 1230B (FIG. 12B):

conclusion V

The above description discloses, among other things, various example systems, methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture including, among other things, firmware and/or software executed on hardware. It should be understood that these examples are illustrative only and should not be considered as limiting. For example, it is contemplated that any or all of these firmware, hardware, and/or software aspects or components could be embodied exclusively in hardware, exclusively in software, exclusively in firmware, or in any combination of hardware, software, and/or firmware. Accordingly, the examples provided are not the only way to implement such systems, methods, apparatus, and/or articles of manufacture.

Furthermore, references herein to "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment may be included in at least one exemplary embodiment of the invention. The appearances of the phrase in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, nor are separate or alternative embodiments mutually exclusive of other embodiments. Thus, those skilled in the art will explicitly and implicitly appreciate that the embodiments described herein can be combined with other embodiments.

The description is presented primarily in terms of illustrative environments, systems, processes, steps, logic blocks, processing, and other symbolic representations that are directly or indirectly analogous to the operation of data processing devices coupled to a network. These process descriptions and representations are generally used by those skilled in the art to convey the substance of their work to others skilled in the art. Numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present disclosure. However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present disclosure may be practiced without these specific, specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, components, and circuits have not been described in detail as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects of the embodiments. Accordingly, the scope of the disclosure is defined by the appended claims rather than the description of the embodiments above.