RIBBON TRANSDUCERS

TRANSDUCTEURS A RUBAN

English Abstract

A ribbon transducer has its ribbon (10) which is
held at each end made capable of lateral movement for
adjustment purposes by providing a plurality of
traverse cross-suspension elements (12) to which the
ribbon is secured, with each of these cross-suspension
elements being capable of transverse displacement, for
example by rotation of mounting pillars (14a, 14b).

Claims

THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION IN WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE PROPERTY
OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
1. A ribbon transducer comprising a ribbon extending
between an end suspension means at each end of the ribbon, and
a plurality of cross-suspension elements transversely of the
longitudinal axis of the ribbon and to which the ribbon is
secured, with each of the cross-suspension elements being capable
of displacement in the direction at right-angles to the
longitudinal axis of the ribbon to produce consequential lateral
movement of the ribbon.
2. A ribbon transducer according to claim 1, in which the
cross-suspension elements comprise strips or bands of material
which traverse the ribbon and are fixed to the ribbon and are
secured at each end to support means.
3. A ribbon transducer according to claim 2, in which the
strips or bands are fixed to the ribbon by adhesive.
4. A ribbon transducer according to claim 2 or 3, in which
said support means can be adjusted to effect movement of the
cross-suspension elements at right-angles to the longitudinal
axis of the ribbon.
5. A ribbon transducer according to claim 2 or 3, in which
the support means comprises adjustably rotatable posts positioned
on each side of the ribbon.
6. A ribbon transducer according to claim 1, in which each
cross-suspension element is carried by a U-shaped support member
which bridges the ribbon.
-page 1 of Claims-

Description

2019540
RIBBON TRANSDUCERS
SPECIFICATION
This invention relates to ribbon transducers and is
particularly concerned with the mounting of the ribbon
itself, particularly in transducers for use in
loudspeakers and microphones.
In order to achieve satisfactory operation of a
10 ribbon transducer it is necessary that the ribbon
itself should be centered so that its longitudinal axis
lies correctly in relation to the other components.
Various methods have been proposed heretofore for
centering a ribbon. One method involves the use of
15 shaped magnets for this purpose. In another
alternative arrangement the ribbon is attached to
stretcher elements at its sides and is held in tension
by a spring mechanism. Such arrangements are
complicated and not capable of easy adjustment.
It is an object of the present invention to provide
a means for centering a ribbon of a ribbon transducer
in a manner which is simple and capable of easy
adjustment.
In accordance with the present invention this is
25 achieved by providing a plurality of cross-suspension
elements transversely to the longitudinal axis of the
ribbon and to which the ribbon is secured, with each of
these cross-suspension elements being capable of
displacement in the direction at right angles to the
30 longitudinal axis of the ribbon, to produce
consequential lateral movement of the ribbon.
Preferably, the cross-suspension elements comprise
strips or bands of material affixed by adhesive for
example to one face of the ribbon and secured at each
35 end to support means. The support means can be
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2019540
adjusted to effect movement of the cross-suspension
elements at right-angles to the longitudinal axis of
the ribbon.
In order that the invention may be more fully
5 understood, preferred embodiments of cross-suspension
mounting for a ribbon of a ribbon transducer will now
be described by way of example and with reference to
the accompanying drawings, in which:
Fig. 1 is an isometric view of a first embodiment
10 of mounting arrangement; and
Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of a second mounting
arrangement.
Referring to the drawings, there is shown in Fig. 1
a ribbon foil 10 which constitutes part of a ribbon
15 transducer, for example for a loudspeaker. Beneath the
underside of the ribbon foil 10 lies a cross-suspension
element 12. This is in the form of a band or strip
which is affixed, for example by adhesive, to the
underside of the ribbon foil. The ends of the cross-
20 suspension element 12 are secured in suspension pillars14a and 14b positioned one on each side of the ribbon
foil so that the element 12 lies at right-angles to the
longitudinal axis of the foil. Each of the suspension
pillars 14a, 14b is provided with a slot in the end
25 thereof, so that the pillars can be rotated, for
example with a screwdriver. The suspension pillars
14a, 14b are mounted on rear and front extrusion plates
16a and 16b respectively so that they can be rotated
relative to the support plates and will hold their
30 adjusted positions. The front and rear extrusion
plates 16a, 16b also serve as support plates for
magnets 18 which are held in place by backing plates
20.
In use, in order to centre the ribbon foil 10, it
35 is simply necessary to displace the cross-suspension

2019S40
element 12 by rotation of the suspension pillars until
the ribbon foil is accurately centered. A maximum
displacement of plus or minus 1 millimetre is generally
sufficient.
It will be appreciated that the ribbon foil 10 is
provided with a plurality of cross-suspension elements
12 at intervals along its length so that the foil can
be accurately centered throughout its length.
Alternative methods of mounting the cross-
10 suspension elements 12 may be devised within the scope
of the present invention. For example, as shown in
Fig. 2, instead of providing a suspension pillar on
each side of the ribbon foil, the cross-suspension
element 12 could be mounted between the two limbs 22,
15 23 of a generally U-shaped support member 24, for
example a plastics moulding. Adjustment means would
then be provided for moving the cross-suspension
element 12 relative to the U-shaped support 24.
Alternatively, the U-shaped support 24 could be movable
20 bodily, with the cross-suspension element 12, to effect
the re~uired adjustment. Various other alternative
methods of mounting and support will be apparent to
those skilled in the art.

Representative Drawing