Sonos, Inc.

Richard Warren Little

Niels Van Erven

Matthew Aaron Nelson

Mark Burleson

Brandon Holley

Anthony Ferraro

Ian Popken

Derrick Pierce

Daniel Liu

Ernie Latham-Brown

Petr Stolz

Systems and methods of forming transducer diaphragms 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 can have an inner boundary defining a central aperture. The workpiece with the aperture is compressed between the first and second forming tools to form the transducer diaphragm.

Systems and methods of forming audio transducer diaphragms

A digital image of a speaker spider may be received from an optical microscope or laser microscope. The digital image is filtered to fill in voids in the digital image, where the voids are indicative of holes in the speaker spider. The filtered digital image is compared to design criteria. An indication on a display screen may indicate whether the fabricated speaker spider meets the design criteria.

Speaker spider measurement technique

A diaphragm for a loudspeaker may include a conductive coupler, a voice coil having a voice coil lead, where the voice coil lead is positioned in conductive contact with the conductive coupler, and a terminal lead, where the terminal lead is positioned in conductive contact with the conductive coupler, and where the voice coil lead and the terminal lead are attached to the conductive coupler.

Transducer assembly

A first lifetime estimate is determined for a first acoustic component of a first audio playback device configured with first signal processing settings. A second audio playback device is configured with second signal processing settings. A second lifetime estimate is determined for a second acoustic component of the second audio playback device configured with the second signal processing settings, where the second lifetime estimate is determined based on first lifetime estimate and where the first acoustic component is substantially similar to the second acoustic component.

Lifetime of an audio playback device with changed signal processing settings

A diaphragm for a loudspeaker may include a continuous primary diaphragm having an upper surface and a lower surface, where the primary diaphragm comprises a ring-shaped, flat region having an inner diameter and an outer diameter. The diaphragm may also include a reinforcing ring attached to the upper surface of the primary diaphragm, where the reinforcing ring has an inside diameter and an outside diameter, and where the reinforcing ring is attached to the upper surface of the primary diaphragm such that the inside diameter of the reinforcing ring coincides with the inner diameter of the flat region.

Transducer diaphragm

Embodiments for voice coil wire configurations are provided. In one example, a voice coil wire configuration may involve a wire that is flexible in a first plane and substantially inflexible in a second plane. The wire may be a flat wire configured to be flexible in the first plane and substantially inflexible in the second plane. The wire may be coupled to the voice coil in an orientation such that the first plane of the wire is aligned with an axial direction of the voice coil such that wire flex caused by axial movement of the voice coil during operation of the loudspeaker may be substantially in the first plane, and minimally in the second plane. In some examples, the wire may be intermediately adhered to one or more other components of the loudspeaker between the input terminal and the voice coil.

Voice coil wire configurations

Embodiments for a speaker basket of a speaker assembly are provided. A speaker basket may include a central opening through which a speaker sub-assembly may be mounted and a conductive material that includes: (i) a central portion molded within the speaker basket, (ii) an input portion configured to be coupled to an output of an audio source, and (iii) an output portion configured to be coupled to an input of the speaker sub-assembly.

Speaker basket

Embodiments of detecting detects in a playback device via audio playback are provided. A playback device may play a test sound during a time period, and capture, via one or more microphones of the playback device, the test sound during the time period. A determination that a defect in the playback device has been detected may be based on the recorded test sound.

Defect detection via audio playback

Embodiments are provided for configurations of a loudspeaker and assembly of the loudspeaker. The loudspeaker may include a frame, a voice coil, a magnetic structure that includes a magnetic gap, a surround, a spider, and a circumferential spacer element. The circumferential spacer element may include a first tier attached to an outer rim of the surround; and a second tier attached to an outer rim of the spider, wherein the circumferential spacer element is coupled to the frame such that the voice coil is suspended at least partially within the magnetic gap.

Loudspeaker assembly configuration

A playback device may operate based on detected position and/or orientation information. In one embodiment, a control device determines position and/or orientation of a playback device with respect to a base. The control device compares the determined position to a reference position. If the determined position corresponds to the reference position, the control device allows operation of the playback device. If the determined position does not correspond to the reference position, the control device limits operation of the playback device.

Operation using positioning information

Embodiments are provided for configurations of a loudspeaker. The loudspeaker may include a frame, a magnetic structure having a magnetic gap, a voice coil suspended within the magnetic gap, a first suspension element, a diaphragm, and a second suspension element. The first suspension element may have an inner rim and an outer rim attached to the frame. The diaphragm may have an outer portion and a continuous central portion attached to the voice coil via a first coupler. The outer portion of the diaphragm may be attached to the inner rim of the first suspension element. The second suspension element may have an inner rim and an outer rim attached to the frame. The inner rim of the second suspension element may be attached to the diaphragm via a second coupler along a circumferential middle section of the diaphragm between the continuous central portion and outer portion of the diaphragm.

Growing community of inventors

Santa Barbara, CA, United States of America

Richard Warren Little