Speaker terminals

A configuration of speaker terminals in a speaker basket. The configuration of speaker terminals has a set of conductive terminals positioned adjacent to one another on a single side of the speaker basket. The set of conductive terminals are coupled between a spider retained in the speaker basket and a connector element, also positioned on the single side of speaker basket.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The inventive subject matter is directed to a speaker assembly, and more particularly to speaker terminals for a speaker assembly.

BACKGROUND

Speakers convert electrical energy into sound. When electrical energy flows into a voice coil, an induced magnetic field may be created that interacts with magnetic flux in an air gap. The interaction between the voice coil and the magnetic flux moves a diaphragm in order to produce audible sound. This is facilitated by speaker terminals that provide the connection between the voice coil and an audio source. A foremost concern in a loudspeaker is, of course, sound quality. Other concerns in speaker applications may include weight, balance, vibration and many other elements that are known to disrupt speaker performance. Such concerns factor into the design of a complete loudspeaker assembly and includes the speaker terminals.

The design and implementation of speaker terminals in the speaker assembly have a direct impact on the speaker performance. Therefore, the reliability of speaker terminals is a main concern for optimal speaker performance.

SUMMARY

A configuration of speaker terminals in a speaker basket. The configuration of speaker terminals has a set of conductive terminals positioned adjacent to one another on a single side of the speaker basket. The set of conductive terminals are coupled between a spider retained in the speaker basket and a connector element, also positioned on the single side of speaker basket.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

While various aspects of the inventive subject matter are described with reference to illustrative embodiments, the inventive subject matter is not limited to such embodiments, and additional modifications, applications, and embodiments may be implemented without departing from the inventive subject matter. In the figures, like reference numbers will be used to illustrate the same components. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the various components set forth herein may be altered without varying from the scope of the inventive subject matter.

FIG. 1is a perspective view of a configuration of speaker terminals100. The example shown inFIG. 1is a configuration of speaker terminals100for handling two input signals. The configuration of speaker terminals has a first positive conductive input terminal102and a first negative conductive input terminal104to create a first electromagnetic field. The configuration of speaker terminals100has a second positive conductive input terminal106and a second negative conductive input terminal108to create a second electromagnetic field. The configuration100of the terminals102,104,106,108is such that the terminals are each adjacent to one another. Each of the terminals102,104,106,108has first and second ends that are incorporated into a speaker basket, not shown, and configured to be conductively coupled between a connector to an audio source and a spider in the speaker basket. The speaker terminals102,104,106,108are positioned adjacent with one another so that coupling occurs on one common side of the speaker basket and are arranged to receive an audio input signal from the audio source.

FIG. 2is a bottom-view perspective of a speaker basket assembly200that incorporates the speaker terminal configuration ofFIG. 1. The four terminals102,104,106,106,108are arranged adjacent to one another on one common side230of a speaker basket202in the speaker basket assembly200. A first end212,214,216,218of each of the terminals102,104,106,108are to be conductively coupled to a spider232that retains a voice coil (not shown). A second end222,224,226,228of each of the terminals102,104,106,108is conductively coupled to a connector234, which may be molded into the speaker basket202as shown inFIG. 2. The connector234couples the speaker assembly200to an audio source (not shown). The spider232is positioned in a center opening204of the speaker basket202. A voice coil (now shown inFIG. 2) is retained in the center opening204. The speaker terminals102,104,106,108may be conductively coupled to the spider232using a plurality of tinsel wires, such as Litz wire238. For example, the Litz wires238are woven in the spider and terminate at an end in the center opening204.

The speaker terminals102,104,106,108adjacent to each other and positioned on the same side230of the speaker basket reduce the complexity of a geometry of the terminal as well as the overall length of the terminal. Several advantages are presented by this configuration. The terminals102,104,106,108are easier to manufacture because their geometry is much simpler than known terminals that are typically placed on two sides of the speaker basket and must follow an outer diameter curve of the speaker basket. Also, known terminals placed on two sides of the speaker basket require multiple connectors and/or a wire harness assembly in order to connect to the audio source. The terminals102,104,106,108positioned adjacent to each other on a same, single side of the speaker basket assembly provide a more direct, shorter path from the spider to connector234. Each of these results in a more reliable speaker assembly as well as a reduced manufacturing cost. Further, because of the shorter, more direct terminals and fewer connectors that do not require a wire harness assembly that is typically used in known speaker basket assemblies, a weight savings may also be realized.

FIG. 3is a close-up view300of the spider232and the first conductive ends212,214,216,218of the speaker terminals for the two input configuration of speaker terminals disclosed inFIGS. 1 and 2. Four Litz wires302are soldered at the first conductive ends212,214,216,218, stitched along, or woven into, the spider232and terminate at a voice coil304near the center opening204of the speaker basket at a voice coil (304) having a dust cap306to protect the voice coil304. The configuration of speaker terminals maintains a balanced vibration and does not adversely affect the total harmonic distortion of a loudspeaker assembly. An inverse ratio relationship exists between displacement and stiffness of the spider232. Displacement of the spider232is typically smaller than 0.5 mm/50 g. A maximum weight should be smaller than 0.04 times a total weight of a mechanical mass of a diaphragm assembly including air load and the voice coil. Therefore, four tinsel wires weighing in at 0.2 g each is 0.8 g would require the total weight of the mechanical mass of a diaphragm assembly including air load and voice coil to be 20 g. Further, a mechanical compliance of driver suspension should be maintained smaller than 1 mm/N. Taking such considerations into account, the speaker basket assembly having four adjacent terminals and tinsel wires positioned on the same side of the spider does not adversely affect the total harmonic distortion.

FIG. 4is a graph400comparing total harmonic distortion for speaker assemblies having a one-sided configuration of speaker terminals as described herein with reference toFIGS. 1-3with a two-sided speaker terminal configuration that is typically known. The two-sided speaker terminal configuration has a complex terminal configuration to run the terminals around the center opening of the speaker basket so that there is a pair of terminals at two opposite sides of the speaker center opening. In the alternative, known speaker basket assemblies may use a wire harness to connect the pairs of terminals at two sides of the speaker basket. The graph shows amplitude v. frequency of a first graph402for a two-sided speaker terminal configuration known in the art. A second graph404shows amplitude v. frequency for the one-sided configuration of speaker terminals described herein with reference toFIGS. 1-3. The graph comparison shows that total harmonic distortion is not significantly affected by the terminal configuration described with reference toFIG. 1wherein four terminals are positioned adjacent to one another on the same side of the speaker basket.

In the foregoing specification, the inventive subject matter has been described with reference to specific exemplary embodiments. Various modifications and changes may be made, however, without departing from the scope of the inventive subject matter as set forth in the claims. The specification and figures are illustrative, rather than restrictive, and modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the inventive subject matter. Accordingly, the scope of the inventive subject matter should be determined by the claims and their legal equivalents rather than by merely the examples described.

For example, the steps recited in any method or process claims may be executed in any order and are not limited to the specific order presented in the claims. Additionally, the components and/or elements recited in any apparatus claims may be assembled or otherwise operationally configured in a variety of permutations and are accordingly not limited to the specific configuration recited in the claims.