阅读说明：本技术 用于扬声器装置的薄膜单元 (Film unit for loudspeaker device ) 是由 安诺·海因·斯特恩豪斯 蒂莫西·鲁本·谢克 于 2019-07-09 设计创作，主要内容包括：一种用于扬声器装置的薄膜单元,所述薄膜单元(1)包括薄膜(2)和至少两个线圈(3)。所述至少两个线圈(3)的相应纵向轴线沿着主轴线(A)平行布置,主表面垂直于所述主轴线(A)形成,所述至少两个线圈(3)邻近于彼此定位并且机械地连接到所述薄膜(2),所述薄膜(2)是基本上平坦的并且具有平行于所述主表面的主表面(S)。通向所述至少两个线圈(3)的接线(4,5,6)至少部分地设置在所述薄膜(2)的平坦部分上。(A membrane unit for a loudspeaker device, the membrane unit (1) comprising a membrane (2) and at least two coils (3). The respective longitudinal axes of the at least two coils (3) being arranged in parallel along a main axis (A), a main surface being formed perpendicular to the main axis (A), the at least two coils (3) being positioned adjacent to each other and being mechanically connected to the film (2), the film (2) being substantially flat and having a main surface (S) parallel to the main surface. The connections (4,5,6) to the at least two coils (3) are at least partially arranged on a flat portion of the film (2).)

1. A membrane unit (1) for a loudspeaker device,

the film unit (1) comprises a film (2) and at least two coils (3),

wherein respective longitudinal axes of the at least two coils (3) are arranged in parallel, a main surface being formed perpendicular to the respective longitudinal axes,

the at least two coils (3) being positioned adjacent to each other and being mechanically connected to the film (2), the film (2) being substantially flat and having a main surface parallel to the main surface,

wherein the connections (4,5,6) to the at least two coils (3) are at least partially arranged on a flat portion of the film (2).

2. The membrane unit according to claim 1, wherein the flat portion of the membrane (2) is a wire support element (7).

3. The membrane unit according to claim 2, wherein the wiring support element (7) is a printed circuit board which is part of the membrane (2).

4. The membrane unit according to claim 2, wherein the wiring support element (7) is a printed circuit board, which is attached to the membrane (2).

5. The membrane unit according to claim 2, wherein the wiring support element (7) is a printed circuit board forming the membrane (2).

6. The membrane unit according to any one of claims 1-5, wherein the at least two coils (3) are attached to respective bobbins (8), the respective bobbins (8) being attached to the membrane (2).

7. The membrane unit according to claim 6, wherein a portion (4 ', 5 ', 6 ') of the wiring leading to the at least two coils (3) is provided on a surface of the respective bobbin (8).

8. The membrane unit according to any one of claims 1-7, wherein the at least two coils (3) are connected in parallel.

9. The membrane unit according to claim 8, wherein the wiring to the at least two coils (3) comprises parallel connection wiring (6) provided on the wiring support element (7).

10. The membrane unit according to any one of claims 1-7, wherein the at least two coils (3) are connected in series.

11. The membrane unit according to claim 10, wherein the wiring to the at least two coils (3) comprises a series connection wiring (6) provided on the wiring support element (7).

12. The membrane unit according to any one of claims 1-11, wherein the membrane unit (1) further comprises an overhanging element (9) attached to the membrane (2) or its peripheral edge.

13. The membrane unit according to any one of claims 1-12, wherein the membrane (2) comprises two spaced apart membrane sections (2a,2b) connected by a flexible/flexible bridge section (2c), wherein each of the membrane sections (2a,2b) comprises a coil (3) of at least two coils (3).

14. The membrane unit according to claim 13, wherein the width (W) of the bridge section (2c)₁) Is the width (W) of each of the film sections (2a,2b)₂) At most 50%.

15. A method of manufacturing a thin film unit according to claim 13 or 14, comprising the steps of:

a) -providing a single piece flat Printed Circuit Board (PCB) comprising said connections (4,5,6) to said at least two coils (3); and

b) the single piece flat printed circuit board is die cut to form two spaced apart film sections (2a,2b) and the bridge section (2c) therebetween.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising the steps of:

c) folding the membrane (2) along the bridge section (2c) to position the two membrane sections (2a,2b) parallel to each other, wherein the at least two coils (3) are arranged between the two membrane sections (2a,2 b).

Technical Field

The invention relates to a membrane unit for a loudspeaker device, comprising a membrane and at least two coils.

Background

US patent application US6,570,994 discloses a device for integrating a speaker with a button or keypad component such as a tactile membrane and/or a PCB. A tactile film, conventionally used between a button and a switch mechanism to provide tactile feedback to a user when the button is depressed, is extended to form a vibrating portion of the speaker. The vibrating portion is doped with or otherwise includes an active material (such as copper) that is physically affected by the magnetic field. The activation material may be adhered to the upper and/or lower side of the vibration part, or doped therein. A coil for a speaker is formed with a coil tracking pattern formed on one or more layers of a PCB. One or more amplifier circuits may be included to drive one or more coil patterns to induce a fluctuating magnetic field in a direction perpendicular to the vibrating portion of the haptic film. The vibrating portion of the tactile film reacts to fluctuations in the magnetic field to output an audible sound.

U.S. patent publication US2013/0089232 discloses a sound membrane of a multi-layer structure for a flat panel speaker, which is used in a large-capacity speaker by increasing the number of turns of a coil or the magnetic flux density of the coil using a stacked type PCB to increase the strength of induced electromotive force.

Disclosure of Invention

The present invention seeks to provide a membrane unit for a loudspeaker device which is cost effective and easy to manufacture and assemble, while allowing a good quality loudspeaker device to be provided.

According to the present invention, a membrane unit of the type mentioned in the preamble is provided, wherein the membrane unit comprises a membrane and at least two (voice coil) coils, wherein the respective longitudinal axes of the at least two coils are arranged in parallel. The major surfaces are formed perpendicular to the respective longitudinal axes, and the at least two coils are positioned adjacent to each other and mechanically connected to the film. The film is substantially flat and has a major surface parallel to the major surface, wherein the wiring (or traces, or equivalent wire connections) to the at least two coils is at least partially disposed on the flat portion of the film.

The thin film unit of the present invention greatly simplifies the interaction of multiple (voice coil) coils with a driver system, such as a magnetic assembly, for driving each of the coils. The membrane 2 may act as a wiring support element or Printed Circuit Board (PCB) in which the wiring is embedded or arranged thereon, wherein the wiring support element or printed circuit board in turn acts as a diaphragm for converting mechanical vibrations into sound or vice versa.

In one embodiment, the flat portion of the film is a wire support element that enables efficient routing of the wire to the at least two coils. The wiring may be embedded in or arranged on the wiring support element. The wire support element provides distributed uniform support of the wire such that any wear or tear due to vibration is minimized.

In one embodiment, the wire support element is a printed circuit board, wherein the printed circuit board is part of the film. Here, the printed circuit board provides an efficient and secure routing of the wiring to the at least two coils.

In one embodiment, the wire support element is a printed circuit board, wherein the printed circuit board is attached to the film. In this embodiment, the printed circuit board is provided as a separate component and is attached, e.g. glued, to the membrane, thereby enabling a simplified manufacturing process and allowing the membrane to take any shape for optimal sound production.

In an alternative embodiment, the wire support element is a printed circuit board, which forms the membrane. That is, in this embodiment, the printed circuit board is integrally formed with the film as a one-piece component, and thus, the printed circuit board performs at least two functions: 1) reliably and uniformly supporting/wiring the wiring to at least the two coils, and 2) acting as a diaphragm for converting mechanical vibration of the printed circuit board into sound or vice versa. This particular dual purpose of the wiring support element, i.e. the printed circuit board, provides a substantially simplified and robust design of the membrane unit for use in a loudspeaker device.

Drawings

Brief Description of Drawings

The invention will be discussed in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

fig. 1A to 1C show a top view, a side view and a perspective view, respectively, of a film unit of a first embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 2A to 2C show a top view, a side view and a perspective view, respectively, of a film unit according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 3A to 3C show a top view, a side view and a perspective view, respectively, of a film unit according to a third embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 4A to 4C show a top view, a side view and a perspective view, respectively, of a film unit according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of a film unit according to a fifth embodiment of the invention; and is

Fig. 6 shows a partial cross-sectional view of a loudspeaker device having a membrane unit according to a sixth embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 7 illustrates a membrane including a bridge segment according to an embodiment of the present invention; and is

Fig. 8 shows a side view of a film in a folded configuration according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description

Exemplary embodiments of the membrane unit 1 of the present invention are depicted in fig. 1 to 6 showing common components identified by common reference numerals. In particular, as shown in fig. 1A to 1C, these common components comprise a membrane unit 1 for a loudspeaker device, wherein the membrane unit 1 comprises a membrane 2 and at least two coils 3, wherein the longitudinal axes a1, a2 of the at least two coils 3 are arranged in parallel. The main surfaces are formed perpendicular to the respective longitudinal axes a1, a2, wherein at least two coils 3 are located adjacent to each other, spaced apart, and mechanically connected to the film 2. The film 2 is flat, e.g. substantially flat, and has a main surface S parallel to the aforementioned main surface. Thus, the main surface S is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axes a1, a 2. The connections (or wires, traces or other equivalent electrically conductive connections) 4,5,6 to the at least two coils 3 are at least partially provided on a (substantially) flat portion of the film 2.

It is to be understood that the diaphragm 2 may be regarded as a diaphragm, which acts as a transducer for converting mechanical vibrations of the membrane/diaphragm 2 into sound or vice versa by means of the at least two coils 3.

In one embodiment, the flat portion of the film 2 is a wire support element 7 that provides a secure and reliable attachment of the wires/traces 4,5,6 to the film unit 2. In another embodiment, the wire support element 7 is a Printed Circuit Board (PCB), wherein the PCB is part of the membrane 2. In this embodiment, the PCB provides robust routing of the traces to the at least two coils.

In an alternative embodiment, the wire support element 7 is a PCB, but wherein the PCB is attached to the membrane 2, for example as a separate component. For example, the PCB may be considered a separate component attached (e.g., glued) to the film 2. In this embodiment, the membrane 2 may have any desired shape that provides optimal sound production, and wherein the PCB is attached to a substantially flat portion of the membrane 2.

In an advantageous embodiment, the wiring support element 7 is a PCB, and the PCB forms the membrane 2. In this embodiment, the PCB itself acts as a diaphragm for generating sound. In particular, the wiring support element 7 and the PCB are integrally formed as a one-piece component, thereby minimizing the component count and reducing the complexity of the membrane unit 1, since the wiring support element 7 (i.e. the PCB) now acts as a diaphragm, as mentioned earlier. Thus, in this embodiment, the PCB is a membrane 2, and thus, the PCB performs two functions: 1) the wires 4,5,6 are reliably and uniformly supported/wired to the at least two coils, and 2) act as a diaphragm for converting mechanical vibrations of the PCB into sound or vice versa. This dual purpose of the wiring support element 7, i.e. the PCB, provides a substantially simplified and robust design of the membrane unit 1 for use in a loudspeaker device.

In one embodiment, the wires 4,5,6 leading to the at least two coils 3 are embedded in the film 2 for e.g. protecting the wires 4,5,6 and/or to minimize the thickness of the film 2. Furthermore, embedding the wires 4,5,6 in the membrane 2 minimizes damage to the same due to vibrations.

In another embodiment, the connections 4,5,6 to the at least two coils 3 are arranged on the membrane 2 for e.g. simplifying the design and/or manufacturing process of the membrane unit 1.

As mentioned previously, the membrane 2 may comprise a flat portion as a wiring support element 7, wherein the wiring 4,5,6 is embedded in or arranged on the wiring support element 7. Advantageously, the wiring support element 7 is a PCB, wherein the PCB may be part of the membrane 2 as a single-piece component, or the PCB may be arranged on the membrane 2 as a separate component

Based on these embodiments, it is evident that the wiring 4,5,6 leading to the at least two coils 3 may be embedded in the main surface S or arranged on the main surface S of the film 2, wherein the film 2 itself may be a PCB. In case a separate PCB is provided arranged on the main surface S of the film 2, the connections 4,5,6 to the at least two coils 3 may then be embedded in or arranged on the PCB on which the at least two coils 3 are arranged.

In one embodiment, each of the at least two (or more) voice coils 3 is wired in series in/on the membrane 2 or in/on a wiring support element 7 (e.g., PCB 7). As depicted, the wires 4,5 may be considered as positive and negative terminals of the thin-film unit 1.

In fig. 2A to 2C, an embodiment similar to the embodiment of fig. 1A to 1C is shown, with the difference that in the depicted embodiment of fig. 2A to 2C at least two voice coils 3 are wired in/on the membrane 2 or in/on a wiring support element 7 (e.g. PCB7) in parallel.

In the embodiments of fig. 1A-1C and 2A-2C, each of the at least two coils 3 is disposed, for example, on a major surface S of film 2, with the at least two coils 3 in contacting engagement with major surface S and extending away from major surface S along longitudinal axes a1, a 2. By arranging at least two coils 3 on the main surface S, it is possible to minimize the thickness/height of the membrane unit 1, thereby allowing the membrane unit 1 to be incorporated into a size-constrained loudspeaker device.

In fig. 3A to 3C and 4A to 4C, further embodiments of the film unit 1 are depicted, wherein the film 2 comprises at least two bobbin members 8 arranged on the main surface S, and wherein the at least two bobbin members 8 extend along the longitudinal axes a1, a2 of the at least two coils 3. Each of the at least two coils 3 is arranged (e.g., wound) around one of the at least two bobbin members 8. That is, in one embodiment, at least two coils 3 are attached to respective bobbin members 8, and respective bobbin members 8 are attached to film 2, e.g., to major surface S of film 2.

In one embodiment, a portion 4 ', 5 ', 6 ' of the wiring 4,5,6 leading to the at least two coils 3 is provided on a surface (inner or outer surface) of the respective bobbin member 8.

As shown, the bobbin member 8 allows at least two coils 3 to be disposed away/offset from the major surface S of the film 2 by a coil offset distance Lc greater than zero. Each portion 4 ', 5 ', 6 ' of the wire 4,5,6 spans a coil length Lc between at least two coils 3 and the film 2.

Note that fig. 1A to 1C and fig. 3A to 3C show an embodiment in which at least two coils 3 are connected in series. In one embodiment, the connections 4,5,6 to the at least two coils 3 may then comprise series connection connections/traces 6 provided on the membrane 2 (i.e. the connection support element 7, e.g. a PCB). Further, note that fig. 2A to 2B and fig. 4A to 4C show an embodiment in which at least two coils are connected in parallel. The connections 6 to the at least two coils 3 comprise parallel connection connections 6 arranged on the membrane 2. In one embodiment, the parallel connection wiring 6 may be embedded in or disposed on the film 2. In another embodiment, the parallel connection wires/traces 6 may be embedded in or disposed in/on the wire support element 7 (e.g., PCB 7).

In fig. 5, it is shown wherein the membrane unit 1 further comprises a suspension element 9 attached to the membrane 2 (e.g. to a peripheral edge thereof), wherein the suspension element 9 is typically a flexible suspension element 9 allowing movement of the membrane 2. The connections 4,5,6 to the at least two coils (3) are at least partially arranged on a flat part of the film 2, for example on the main surface S of the film 2. In the depicted embodiment, the film 2 may comprise a PCB7 as a flat portion of the film 2 on which the at least two coils 3 and the wiring 4,5,6 are arranged. That is, the wiring 4,5,6 may be embedded in or arranged on the film 7. As is clear from fig. 5, the membrane 2 with the PCB7 acts as a diaphragm and may have any desired shape according to specifications. This provides a compact and simpler design and reduces the parts count.

As mentioned above, it is not strictly necessary to use separate PCB7 components arranged on the membrane 2, wherein at least two coils 3 and the wiring 4,5,6 are arranged on the PCB. In contrast, the membrane 2 and the PCB7 may be formed as a single-piece component in an integral manner, and therefore, the PCB7 is regarded as the membrane 2, so that the PCB7 functions as a diaphragm for converting mechanical vibration into sound and converting sound into mechanical vibration.

Fig. 6 shows an embodiment of a (electromagnetic) loudspeaker device comprising a membrane unit 1 and magnetic assemblies 10, 11, wherein at least two coils 3 are configured for magnetic engagement with the magnetic assemblies 10, 11. In an embodiment, the at least two (voice coil) coils 3 are paired with magnetic assemblies 10, 11 or any kind of driver assembly for the at least two coils 3. In one embodiment the loudspeaker device comprises input signal connections 12 and output signal connections 13 wired to at least two coils 3 through/via wires 4,5,6 located on or embedded in the membrane 2.

In fig. 6, it is clearly shown that the membrane 2 has a substantially flat portion as a wire support element 7 acting as a PCB7 for routing the wires 4,5,6 to the at least two coils 3. The aforementioned bobbin member 8 may be directly attached to the wire support element 7, i.e. the PCB 7. The bobbin member 8 may also be integrally formed with the wire barrel support member 7 (i.e., PCB 7).

According to the invention, it is not necessary to provide a separate planar or conical diaphragm portion to the membrane 2 for generating sound. In fact, in an advantageous embodiment, the membrane 2 is a PCB7 for wiring the connections 4,5,6, wherein the PCB7 is only responsible for the conversion of mechanical vibrations into sound or sound into mechanical vibrations. Thus, the PCB7 may be provided in any shape for forming a membrane/diaphragm 2 for a loudspeaker device.

In fig. 6, it is further shown that the at least two bobbin members 8 may be hollow bobbin members 8 (e.g. cylindrical bobbin members 8), each of which is arranged to receive a pole (+) of a magnetic assembly 10, 11, such that the membrane 2 (e.g. PCB7) is driven by the magnetic assembly 10, 11 through the at least two bobbin members 8.

The magnetic assembly 10, 11 may be connected to or arranged in a housing of the loudspeaker device. A plurality of bobbin members 2 each having a coil 3 are arranged on a membrane 2 (e.g. PCB7), which membrane 2 is driven by magnetic assemblies 10, 11 for generating sound.

Fig. 7 and 8 each show a top view and a side view, respectively, of the membrane unit 1, which allows to reduce the manufacturing complexity and provides an easy assembly of the loudspeaker device using the membrane unit 1. In particular, fig. 7 shows a top view of the film unit 1, wherein the film 2 comprises two spaced-apart film segments 2a,2b connected by a flexible bridge segment 2c, wherein each of the film segments 2a,2b comprises a coil of the at least two coils 3. In the embodiment shown in the figures, each of the film sections 2a,2b may comprise two coils 3. The bridge section 2c has a width W which is smaller than each of the film sections 2a,2b₂Width W of₁Wherein the two film sections 2a, 2c can be considered to be significantly wider than the bridge portion 2c, allowing the bridge portion 2c to be easily bent or folded for bringing the major surfaces S of each film portion 2a,2b towards each other in an opposing manner, as depicted in fig. 8. As depicted, the coil 3 of each film section 2a,2b extends towards the main surface S of the opposite film section.

In one embodiment, the width W of the bridge segment 2c₁Is the width W of each of the film sections 2a,2b₂Up to 50% of the bridge section 2c, thereby increasing the foldability of the bridge section 2 c. In an exemplary embodiment, the bridge segment 2c has a width W₁Is the width W of each of the film sections 2a,2b₂At most 25%, 10% or even at most 5% to further increase the foldability of the bridge section 2 c. In a still further embodiment, the bridge segment 2c may comprise a plurality of (parallel) bridge segment elements, the total width of which is equal to the width W₁。

Just as in any other embodiment, the membrane 2 and in particular the membrane sections 2a,2b may be seen as a diaphragm acting as a transducer for converting mechanical vibrations of the membrane sections 2a,2b into sound or vice versa. In an advantageous embodiment, the membrane 2 may be a Printed Circuit Board (PCB) providing robust routing of the wires 4,5,6 of each coil 3 of the membrane sections 2a,2 b. Thus, in this embodiment, the two membrane sections 2a, 2c and the bridge section 2c can be seen as forming a single foldable PCB.

As shown in fig. 7, in one embodiment, the wiring 4,5 may be routed along the bridge section 2c for connecting each of the coils 3. The connections 4,5 can be arranged on the bridge section 2c or can be embedded therein, wherein the connections 4,5 can be considered as positive and negative terminals of the film unit 1.

In an advantageous embodiment, the membrane 2 may be a single PCB, wherein the two membrane sections 2a,2b and the bridge section 2c (including the wiring 4,5,6) form a single piece component, such that the number of different components is reduced, thus simplifying the membrane unit 1.

From a manufacturing point of view, the two membrane sections 2a,2b and the bridge section 2c can be obtained by: a single flat piece of material is die cut to obtain the film 2 shown in figure 7. For example, a single piece of flat material, such as a single piece of flat PCB comprising the wiring 4,5,6 leading to the at least two coils 3, may be provided and the two spaced apart film sections 2a,2b and the bridge section 2c therebetween are formed by a die cutting step. In a subsequent step of the manufacturing process, the membrane 2 may be folded along the bridge section 2c, as depicted in fig. 8, i.e. to position the two membrane sections 2a,2b parallel to each other, wherein the at least two coils 3 are arranged between the two membrane sections 2a,2 b. The skilled person will appreciate that the die-cutting step for obtaining the film 2 of fig. 7 avoids having to manufacture the two film sections 2a,2b separately and then connect the film sections 2a,2b by means of a separate bridge section 2 c.

An important advantage of the flexible bridge section 2c connecting the two membrane sections 2a,2b is that the membrane sections 2a,2b as shown in fig. 8 can vibrate freely and provide a compact membrane unit 1. The bridge section 2c allows each coil 3 to be electrically connected efficiently while providing maximum freedom of movement for the membrane sections 2a,2 b.

In fig. 8, it is further shown that at least two coils 3 can be attached to respective bobbins 8, each of which is attached to one of the film sections 2a,2 c. In particular, in fig. 8, each film section 2a, 2c may comprise two coils 3 attached to a respective bobbin 8, wherein the bobbin 8 is arranged between the two film sections 2a,2b when the film 2 is folded. It should be noted that when the membrane 2 is folded along the bridge section 2c, then at least two coils 3 may each be positioned at the left or right side of the membrane sections 2a,2b, such that in the folded configuration of the membrane 2 the at least two coils 3 do not touch or interfere. The same applies to the case where at least two coils 3 are arranged on the bobbin 8.

The invention has been described above with reference to a number of exemplary embodiments as shown in the accompanying drawings. Modifications and alternative implementations of some parts or elements are possible and included in the scope of protection as defined in the appended claims.