Method of compensating for a change in sound pressure characteristic with temperature of an electoacoustic transducer

Abstract

 The invention provides a method of compensating for a change in sound pressure characteristic with temperature of an electroacoustic transducer utilizing the tendency of resonance frequencies (fo) and (fv) to vary with temperature. The method according to the invention is, in an electroacoustic transducer comprising a diaphragm (4) disposed within a casing (2), a resonance chamber (6) provided on the front side of the diaphragm (4), a driving source (8) provided on the back side of the diaphragm (4), the diaphragm (4) being vibrated by the driving source (8) to produce a sound to be emitted through the resonance chamber (6), characterized in that the resonance frequency (fv) of the resonance chamber (6) is set lower (fv<fo) than the resonance frequency (fo) of the diaphragm (4). According to the invention, with the resonance frequency of the resonance chamber (6) set lower than the resonance frequency of the diaphragm (4), a magnetic driving force of the driving source (8) is increased at high temperatures to compensate for a decrease in sound pressure while it is decreased at low temperatures to compensate for an increase in sound pressure, thereby compensating for a change in sound pressure characteristic with temperature.

Description

[0001] This invention relates to a method of compensating for a change in sound pressure characteristic with temperature of an electroacoustic transducer, used in the form of a buzzer or sound alarm means, for converting electric signals into sound.

[0002] Electroacoustic transducers convert electric signals into sound. They can be used in the form of buzzers or sound alarm means in various electronic equipments to provide acoustic output corresponding to input electric signals. They have sound pressure characteristics determined by their own structure and materials. Sound pressure characteristics vary with temperature, and a change in sound pressure characteristic has effects on acoustic output.

[0003] Fig. 6 shows a prior art electroacoustic transducer using an electromagnetic coil in a driving source. This transducer has a cylindrical casing 2 made of synthetic resin. On the inner wall surface of the casing 2 are axially provided a plurality of ribs 3. On the back side of the ribs 3 a diaphragm 4 is disposed orthogonally to the axis of the casing 2. A resonance chamber 6 is defined on the front side of the diaphragm 4. On the back side thereof a driving source 8 is provided for producing vibrations of the diaphragm 4. A sound emitting hole 10 is provided on the closing surface of the casing 2 extending parallel to the diaphragm 4. The hole 10 has a cylindrical shape projecting into the resonance chamber 6. This allows the resonance chamber 6 to communicate with atmosphere to emit a sound produced by the diaphragm 4 in the resonance chamber 6 to the outside of the casing 2.

[0004] The driving source 8 is a means for-producing acoustic vibrations of the diaphragm 4. It is externally supplied with a driving current via terminals 12 and 14 to generate an alternating magnetic field acting on the diaphragm 4 for acoustic vibration. The diaphragm 4 is a magnetizable thin metal plate and at the central portion a disk-like magnetic piece 16 is mounted. The magnetic piece 16 is an additional mass means for increasing the mass of the diaphragm 4. It is made of a magnetic material to constitute a magnetic circuit in combination with the diaphragm 4. The diaphragm 4 is at the periphery magnetically fixed to the top of a cylindrical magnet 18 contained in the casing 2. That is, the diaphragm 4 is magnetized and secured in position by the magnetic attraction of the magnet 18. The magnet 18 is firmly fixed within the casing 2 by a magnetizable metal base 20 closing the back space of the casing 2. To the back surface of the base 20 is secured a substrate 22 with the terminals 12 and 14 mounted thereon. The central portions of the base 20 and substrate 22 are penetrated by a cylindrical core 24 extending along the center axis of the magnet 18. A gap 26 is defined between an end of the core 24 and the diaphragm 4 for permitting magnetic coupling and vibrations of the diaphragm 4. A coil 30 is wound around the core 24 via a bobbin 28 and connected to the terminals 12 and 14. Via the terminals 12 and 14, a driving current is supplied to the coil 30 as an input current for producing vibrations.

[0005] It is known that a sound pressure characteristic of above described electroacoustic transducer is structually determined by the diaphragm 4 and resonance chamber 6. The diaphragm 4 and resonance chamber 6 have natural resonance frequencies (fo) and (fv) respectively. The resonance frequency (fo) is determined by physical parameters such as the material and shape of the diaphragm 4, the shape and mass of the magnetic piece 16, the size of the gap 26, the magnetic force of the magnet 18, the size of the back space 32 of the diaphragm 4, and the diameter of the core 24. The resonance frequency (fv) is determined using the following equation:

[0006] The equation (1) is the Helmholtz equation, where V stands for the volume of the resonance chamber 6, D and L for the diameter and length of the sound emitting hole 10, and C for the sound velocity (approx. 344,000 mm/sec.). That is, the frequency (fv) is determined by the diameter and length of the sound emitting hole 10 and the volume of the resonance chamber 6. If the diameter and length of the sound emitting hole 10 are constant, the frequency (fv) only depends on the volume of the resonance chamber 6.

[0007] Fig. 7 shows a measure to increase the sound pressure of the resonance frequency (fo) in the prior art transducer, where the frequency (fv) is set to double (fv=2fo) the frequency (fo). Fig. 8 shows a measure to broaden the frequency range of the sound pressure characteristic, where the frequency (fv) is set slightly higher (fv>fo) than the frequency (fo). A reproduced frequency (fw) is set at the frequency (fo) in the former case and to be in the range of (fo) to (fv) in the latter case.

[0008] It is also known that a sound pressure characteristic varies with temperature in the prior art electroacoustic transducer. Possible factors which influence the characteristic are as follows:

(a) The coil 30, a primary part of the driving source 8, is a wound copper wire. At high temperatures, an increase in the internal resistance of the coil 30 causes a decrease in current to weaken the generated magnetic field, thus decreasing the driving force to vibrate the diaphragm 4. At low temperatures, the reverse change occurs.

(b) The magnet 18 is in a magnetic relation with the core 24 with the coil 30 wound thereon. At high temperatures, a change in the outer dimensions of the magnet 18 leads to an increase in the gap 26 constituting a part of the magnetic circuit, thus deteriorating the magnetic efficiency. This is noticeable particulary when a plastic magnet is used for the magnet 18. Conversely at low temperatures, the magnetic efficiency is improved.

(c) The magnetic force of the magnet 18 tends to decrease at high temperatures while increase at low temperatures.

[0009] Above factors in combination decrease the resonance frequency (fo) at high temperatures while increase the same at low temperatures.

[0010] A change in the shape and dimensions of the casing 2 with temperature influences the resonance frequency (fv). Thus, the frequency (fv) also varies with temperature, that is, it is increased at high temperatures and decreased at low temperatures.

[0011] Fig. 9 shows the change in the resonance frequencies (fo) and (fv) with temperature when they are relativley set to be (fv=2fo) as shown in Fig. 7. At high temperatures (T_H=85°C), the resonance frequency (fo) at ordinary temperature (T_s=25 °C) is shifted to (fo_H)(<fo) and the frequency (fv) to (fv_H (>fv). The frequency interval (fov) at ordinary temperature is expanded to (fov_H) (>fov) to cause a remarkable drop in sound pressure. At low temperatures (T_L= - 40°C), the resonance frequency (fo) at ordinary temperature is shifted to (fo_L)(>fo) and the frequency (fv) to (fv_L)(<fv). The frequency interval (fov) at ordinary temperature is narrowed to (fov_L)(<fov) to cause a remarkable rise in sound pressure. Above result in a remarkable change in sound pressure of 10 dB or more at the reproduced frequency (fw). Required and sufficient acoustic output is not available.

[0012] Fig. 10 also shows the change in the resonance frequencies (fo) and (fv) with temperature when they are relativley set to be (fv>fo) as shown in Fig. 8. At high temperatures (T_H=85°C), the resonance frequency (fo) at ordinary temperature (T_s=25 °C) is shifted to (fo_H) (<fo) and the frequency (fv) to (fv_H) (>fv). The frequency interval (fov) at ordinary temperature is expanded to (fov_H) (>fov) to cause a remarkable drop in sound pressure. At low temperatures (T_L= -40°C ), the resonance frequency (fo) at ordinary temperature is shifted to (fo_L) (>fo) and the frequency (fv) to (fv_L) (<fv). The frequency interval (fov) at ordinary temperature is narrowed to (fov_L) (<fov) to cause a remarkable rise in sound pressure. Above also result in a remarkable change in sound pressure of 10 dB or more at the reproduced frequency (fw).

[0013] Fig. 11 shows the sound pressure characteristics of the prior art electroacoustic transducer, where T_s represents the characteristic at 25°C, T_H at 85 °C, and T_L at -40 °C. Fig. 12 shows the coil current characteristics corresponding to Fig. 11, where Ts represents the characteristic at 25°C, T_H at 85 °C, and T_L at -40 °C. A difference in sound pressure at -40 °C and 85°C is about 10 dB at the reproduced frequency range (fw) of 2 kHz to 3 kHz.

[0014] As described above, in the prior art electroacoustic transducer, the sound pressure characteristic varies with temperature to the extent that the change is sensible by hearing in various applications and seasons.

[0015] An object of the invention is to provide a method of compensating for a change in sound pressure characteristic with temperature of an electroacoustic transducer by utilizing the tendency of the resonance frequencies (fo) and (fv) to vary with temperature.

[0016] Preferably, the invention provides a method of compensating for a change in sound pressure characteristic with temperature without a major change in the basic structure of a conventional electroacoustic transducer.

[0017] The method according to the invention is, in an electroacoustic transducer comprising a diaphragm disposed in the casing, a resonance chamber provided on the front side of the diaphragm, a driving source provided on the back side of the diaphragm, and the diaphragm being vibrated by the driving source to produce a sound to be emitted through the resonance chamber, characterized in that the resonance frequency(fv) of the resonance chamber is set lower (fv<fo) than the resonance frequency (fo) of the diaphragm .

[0018] In this invention, the resonance frequencies (fo) and (fv) of the diaphragm and resonance chamber are relatively set so that the frequency (fv) is lower than the frequency (fo) at ordinary temperature. At high temperatures, the frequency (fv) tends to rise, the frequency (fo) tends to fall and a magnetic driving force is weakened to decrease the sound pressure. At low temperatures, the frequency (fv) tends to fall, the frequency (fo) tends to rise, and a magnetic driving force is improved to increase the sound pressure. According to the invention, at high temperatures the interval between the resonance frequencies (fo) and (fv) is narrowed to increase the sound pressure, thus offsetting the decrease in sound pressure due to the weakened magnetic driving force. At low temperatures, the interval is expanded to decrease the sound pressure, thus offsetting the increase in sound pressure due to the improved magnetic driving force. That is, the change in the interval between the resonance frequencies is inversely related to that of the conventional transducer. A change in sound pressure caused by a change in driving force is offset by a change in sound pressure caused by a change in frequency interval, thus compensating for a change in sound pressure with temperature to provide a sound pressure characteristic with only a negligible change with temperature.

[0019] Fig. 1 is a graph showing an embodiment of the method of compensating for a change in sound pressure characteristic with temperature of an electroacoustic transducer according to the invention.

[0020] Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of an embodiment of the electroacoustic transducer implementing the method shown in Fig. 1.

[0021] Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the dimensional difference between the electroacoustic transducer shown in Fig. 2 and the prior art electroacoustic transducer shown in Fig. 6.

[0022] Fig. 4 is a graph showing the sound pressure characteristics obtained in the electroacoustic transducer shown in Fig. 2.

[0023] Fig. 5 is a graph showing the coil current characteristics obtained in the electroacoustic transducer shown in Fig. 2.

[0024] Fig. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of a prior art electroacoustic transducer.

[0025] Fig. 7 is a graph showing the sound pressure characteristic obtained in the prior art electroacoustic transducer.

[0026] Fig. 8 is a graph showing the sound pressure characteristic obtained in the prior art electroacoustic transducer.

[0027] Fig. 9 is a graph showing the change in sound pressure characteristics with temperature obtained in the prior art electroacoustic transducer.

[0028] Fig. 10 is a graph showing the change in sound pressure characteristics with temperature obtained in the prior art electroacoustic transducer.

[0029] Fig. 11 is a graph showing the sound pressure characteristics obtained in the prior art electroacoustic-transducer.

[0030] Fig. 12 is a graph showing the coil current characteristics obtained in the prior art electroacoustic transducer.

[0031] Now an embodiment of the invention shown in the drawings is described below.

[0032] Fig. 1 shows an embodiment of the method of compensating for a change in sound pressure characteristic with temperature of an electroacoustic transducer according to the invention. This electroacoustic transducer has natural resonance frequencies (fo) and (fv). This invention is characterized in that they are relatively set so that the resonance frequency (fv) of the resonance chamber 6 is lower than the resonance frequency (fo) of the diaphragm 4.

[0033] These frequencies are relatively set at ordinary temperature to such values that they are not inversely related with temperature. The present invention intends not to suppress changes in the resonance frequencies (fo) and (fv), but, taking into account possible changes in the frequencies with temperature, to differentially set them to the extent that they may approach each other but they are never inversely related. To determine the frequencies (fo) and (fv), the above mentioned physical parameters and equation can be utilized. That is, the resonance frequency (fo) is determined by the material and shape of the diaphragm 4, the shape and mass of the magnetic piece 16 as an additional mass means, the size of the gap 26, the magnetic force of the magnet 18, the size of the back space 32 of the diaphragm 4, and the diameter of the core 24. The resonance frequency (fv) is determined by the equation (1). Especially, the frequency (fv) of the resonance chamber 6 can be easily adjusted by the volume of the resonance chamber 6 since it is in close relation with its volume.

[0034] The resonance frequency (fv) is increased to (fv_H) (>fv) at high temperatures (=T_H) and decreased to (fv_L) (<fv) at low temperatures (=T_L). The resonance frequency (fo) is decreased to (fo_H )(<fo) at high temperatures and increased to (fo_L) (>fo) at low temperatures. These possible changes are unique characteristics of this kind of electroacoustic transducers as described referring to Figs. 9 and 10. This is true to the invention with the frequency (fv) set lower than the frequency (fo).

[0035] With the frequency (fv) set lower than the frequency (fo), the frequencies (fo) and (fv) are shifted to (fo_H) and (fv_H) to approach each other at high temperatures (=T_H) so that the frequency interval becomes narrower (fov_H) than that (fov) at ordinary temperature .

[0036] Referring to the structure of the prior art shown in Fig. 6, above mentioned (a)-(c) factors weaken the magnetic driving force to decrease the sound pressure, but in the electroacoustic transducer according to the invention, the frequency interval is narrowed (fov>fov_H) to increase the sound pressure. In other words, a decrease in sound pressure due to the weakened driving force is offset by an increase in sound pressure due to the narrowed frequency interval, thus suppressing a remarkable drop in sound pressure.

[0037] At low temperatures (=T_L), the frequencies (fo) and (fv) are shifted to (fo_L) and (fv_L) to move away from each other so that the frequency interval becomes wider (fov_L) than that (fov) at ordinary temperature.

[0038] Referring to the structure of the prior art shown in Fig. 6, above mentioned (a)-(c) factors improve the magnetic driving force to increase the sound pressure, but in the electroacoustic transducer according to the invention, the frequency interval is expanded (fov<fov_L) to decrease the sound pressure. In other words, an increase in sound pressure due to the improved driving force is offset by a decrease in sound pressure due to the expanded frequency interval, thus suppressing a remarkable rise in sound pressure.

[0039] As described above, setting the resonance frequency (fv) lower than the resonance frequency (fo) compensates for a change in sound pressure with temperature to provide a sound pressure characteristic with only a negligible change with temperature within the reproduced frequency range.

[0040] Fig. 2 shows an embodiment of the electroacoustic transducer implementing the method according to the invention. It is structually similar to that of the prior art transducer shown in Fig. 6, therefore having the same reference numbers for the parts.

[0041] This transducer has a cylindrical casing 2 made of synthetic resin. On the inner wall surface of the casing 2 are axially provided a plurality of ribs 3. On the back of the ribs 3 a diaphragm 4 is disposed orthogonally to the axis of the casing 2. A resonance chamber 6 is defined on the front side of the diaphragm 4. On the back side thereof a driving source 8 is provided for producing vibrations of the diaphragm 4. A sound emitting hole 10 is provided on the closing surface of the casing 2 extending parallel to the diaphragm 4. The hole 10 has a cylindrical shape projecting into the resonance chamber 6. This allows the resonance chamber 6 to communicate with atmosphere to emit a sound produced by the diaphragm 4 in the resonance chamber 6 to the outside of the casing 2.

[0042] The driving source 8 is a means for producing acoustic vibrations of the diaphragm 4. It is externally supplied with a driving current via terminals 12 and 14 to generate an alternating magnetic field acting on the diaphragm 4 for acoustic vibration. The diaphragm 4 is a magnetizable thin metal plate and at the central portion a disk-like magnetic piece 16 is mounted. The magnetic piece 16 is an additional mass means for increasing the mass of the diaphragm 4. It is made of a magnetic material to constitute a magnetic circuit in combination with the diaphragm 4. It may be made of a non-magnetizable material only for the purpose of increasing the mass.

[0043] The diaphragm 4 is at the periphery magnetically fixed to the top of a cylindrical magnet 18 contained in the casing 2. That is, the diaphragm 4 is magnetized and secured in position by the magnetic attraction of the magnet 18. The magnet 18 is firmly fixed within the casing 2 by a magnetizable metal base 20 closing the back space of the casing 2. To the back surface of the base 20 is secured a substrate 22 with the terminals 12 and 14 mounted thereon. The central portions of the base 20 and substrate 22 are penetrated by a cylindrical core 24 extending along the center axis of the magnet 18. A gap 26 is defined between an end of the core 24 and the diaphragm 4 for permitting magnetic coupling and vibrations of the diaphragm 4. A coil 30 is wound around the core 24 via a bobbin 28 and connected to the terminals 12 and 14. An alternating drive current is supplied to the terminals 12 and 14 as an input current to generate an alternating magnetic field at the coil 30 for interlinkage with the diaphragm 4. The driving source 8 is surrounded by the cylindrical magnet 18. In this electroacoustic transducer, the diaphragm 4, the magnetic piece 16 as an additional mass means, the driving source 8, the cylindrical magnet 18, and the base 20 in combination constitute a closed magnetic circuit. The additional mass means is excluded from the closed magnetic circuit if a non-magnetizable material is used instead of the magnetic piece 16.

[0044] Fig. 3 compares this electroacoustic transducer with the prior art transducer. According to the invention, the diameter (=a) of the casing 2 is the same, the height b1 of the casing 2 is lower, the volume ratio of the resonance chamber 6 to the casing 2, i.e. the height c₁ is higher, the height d₁ of the magnet 18 is lower, and the diameter e1 of the magnet 18 is larger. The references b₂ , c₂ , d₂ , and e₂ show the corresponding dimensions of the prior art transducer. The dimensional relationship are as follows: b₁<b₂ , c₁>c₂ , d₁ < d₂ , and e₁>e₂.

[0045] The volume ratio of the resonance chamber 6 to the casing 2 can be increased to considerably decrease the resonance frequency (fv). This allows easy setting of the resonance frequency interrelation of (fv< fo). The electroacoustic transducer, with the frequency (fv) set lower than (fo), will provide sound pressure characteristics, as shown in Fig. 1 where T_L= -40°C, T_s=25°C, and T_H=85°C, with only a negligible change in sound pressure of about 1 dB.

[0046] Figs. 4 and 5 show the sound pressure and corresponding coil current characteristics of the electroacoustic transducer with the frequency (fv) set lower than (fo), where T_L=-40°C, T_S=25°C, and T_H=85°C. The sound pressure characteristics within the reproduced frequency range (fw) (=1.7kHz to 2.2kHz) show only a negligible change of about 1 dB. This proves that the method acccording to the invention will compensate for a change in sound pressure characteristic with temperature.

[0047] As described above, according to the invention, setting the resonance frequency of the resonance chamber lower than the resonance frequency of the diaphragm may compensate for a change in sound pressure characteristic with temperature to provide stable sound pressure characteristic regardless of temperatures. This is also true when a plastic magnet is used, which likely presents a remarkable change in sound pressure characteristic with temperature.

Claims

1. A method of compensating for a change in sound pressure characteristic with temperature of an electroacoustic transducer comprising a diaphragm disposed in a casing, a resonance chamber provided on the front side of said diaphragm, a driving source provided on the back side of said diaphragm, and said diaphragm being vibrated by said driving source to produce a sound to be emitted through said resonance chamber, being characterized in that a resonance frequency of said resonance chamber is set lower than a resonance frequency of said diaphragm.

2. The method of compensating for a change in sound pressure characteristic with temperature of an electroacoustic transducer comprising a diaphragm disposed in a casing, a resonance chamber provided on the front side of said diaphragm, a driving source provided on the back side of said diaphragm, and said diaphragm being vibrated by said driving source to produce a sound to be emitted through said resonance chamber according to claim 1, comprising:
   setting said resonance frequency of the resonance chamber lower than said resonance frequency of the diaphragm at ordinary temperature;
   compensating for a decrease in sound pressure at high temperatures above said ordinary temperature by narrowing a frequency interval between said resonance frequency of the resonance chamber and said resonance frequency of the diaphragm to improve a magnetic driving force of said driving source; and
   compensating for an increase in sound pressure at low temperatures below said ordinary temperature by expanding a frequency interval between said resonance frequency of the resonance chamber and said resonance frequency of the diaphragm to decrease a magnetic driving force of said driving source.

3. The method of compensating for a change in sound pressure characteristic with temperature of an electroacoustic transducer comprising a diaphragm disposed in a casing, a resonance chamber provided on the front side of said diaphragm, a driving source provided on the back side of said diaphragm, and said diaphragm being vibrated by said driving source to produce a sound to be emitted through said resonance chamber according to claim 1, comprising:
   setting said resonance frequency of the resonance chamber lower than said resonance frequency of the diaphragm at ordinary temperature;
   compensating for a decrease in sound pressure at high temperatures above said.ordinary temperature by increasing said resonance frequency of the resonance chamber and decreasing said resonance frequency of the diaphragm to narrow a frequency interval therebetween so as to improve a magnetic driving force of said driving source; and
   compensating for an increase in sound pressure at low temperatures below said ordinary temperature by decreasing said resonance frequency of the resonance chamber and increasing said resonance frequency of the diaphragm to expand a frequency interval therebetween so as to weaken a magnetic driving force of said driving source.

4. The method of compensating for a change in sound pressure characteristic with temperature of an electroacoustic transducer according to claims 1, 2 and 3, wherein said resonance frequency of the resonance chamber is set lower than said resonance frequency of the diaphragm at ordinary temperature to the extent that they are not inversely related with temperature.

5. The method of compensating for a change in sound pressure characteristic with temperature of an electroacoustic transducer according to claim 1, wherein said resonance frequency of the resonance chamber is set lower than said resonance frequency of the diaphragm by increasing a volume ratio of said resonance chamber to said casing.

6. The method of compensating for a change in sound pressure characteristic with temperature of an electroacoustic transducer according to claim 1, wherein said resonance chamber is provided within said casing of a cylindrical shape and closed by said diaphragm disposed at the middle portion of the casing, and communicates with atmosphere through a sound emitting hole provided on the casing.

7. The method of compensating for a change in sound pressure characteristic with temperature of an electroacoustic transducer according to claim 1, wherein a sound emitting hole, having a cylindrical shape formed on the inner wall surface of said casing, projects into said resonance chamber.

8. The method of compensating for a change in sound pressure characteristic with temperature of an electroacoustic transducer according to claim 1, wherein the diaphragm is disk-like corresponding to the shape of the casing and an additional mass means mounted thereon.

9. The method of compensating for a change in sound pressure characteristic with temperature of an electroacoustic transducer according to claim 1, wherein the diaphragm is a plate made of magnetizable material disposed between a plurality of ribs protruded on the inner wall surface of said resonance chamber and a cylindrical magnet fixed within said casing, and the periphery of the diaphragm is fixed by magnetic attraction of said cylindrical magnet.

10. The method of compensating for a change in sound pressure characteristic with temperature of an electroacoustic transducer according to claim 1, wherein said diaphragm, an additional mass means fixed to the diaphragm, said driving source, a cylindrical magnet surrounding said driving source, and a base supporting said magnet in combination constitute a closed magnetic circuit within said casing.

11. The method of compensating for a change in sound pressure characteristic with temperature of an electroacoustic transducer according to claim 1, wherein said driving source comprises a coil wound around a core fixed to a base, and the coil is externally supplied with an alternating driving current to generate an alternating magnetic field acting on said diaphragm.

12. The method of compensating for a change in sound pressure characteristic with temperature of an electroacoustic transducer according to claim 1, wherein a base and substrate are mounted to close the back opening of said casing and from the substrate terminals are drawn out for supplying electricity to a coil.

Drawing