FLEXIBLE, SHAPEABLE FREE-FORM ELECTROSTATIC SPEAKERS

Number: 20170118562
Published: 2017-04-27
Filed: 2017-01-09
Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
Inventors: Poupyrev; Ivan et al.
CPC: H04R19/013; H04R31/006
Verdict: Medium Hardware
Source: Google Patents · FreePatentsOnline

The keeper's note

Continuation filing of #125 (flexible electrostatic-speaker hardware).

Abstract

An embodiment provides a free-form electrostatic speaker, including: a three dimensional object body; at least a portion of the three dimensional object body having a free-form electrode layer disposed thereon; the free-form electrode layer being shaped to substantially match the at least a portion of the three dimensional object body; a free-form diaphragm positioned proximate to, and being shaped to substantially match, the free-form electrode layer; and an input element coupled to the free-form electrode layer that accepts input from an external source. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Background

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A illustrates basic operatingprinciples of an electrostatic speaker.

FIG. 1B illustrates example configurations for an electrostatic speaker.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example free form electrostatic speaker and related components.

FIG. 3 illustrates example arbitrary shapes for a free-form electrostatic speaker.

FIG. 4 illustrates example displacements of three dimensional (3D) printed diaphragms of varying thickness.

FIG. 5(A-D) illustrates example geometries and sound directionality for various diaphragm types of 3D printed free-formelectrostatic speakers.

FIG. 6 illustrates an example slit 3D printed electrostaticspeaker.

FIG. 7(A-B) illustrates an example multi-electrode 3D printed electrostatic speaker and sound production thereof.

FIG. 8(A-B) illustrates arbitrary shapes forfree-form electrostatic speakers having a thin-film diaphragm.

FIG. 8C illustrates an example of a molded thin-film diaphragm.

FIG. 9 illustrates an example fabrication process for a thin-film diaphragm free-form electrostatic speaker.

FIG. 10(A-B) illustrates example frequency responses of a 3D printed free-form electrostatic speaker and uses thereof for interactive functionality.

FIG. 11(A-B) illustrates tactile feedback of an example 3D printed free-form electrostatic speaker.

FIG. 12 illustrates an example of device circuitry.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Claims

1. A free-form electrostatic speaker, comprising: a three dimensional object body with at least a portion of the three dimensional object body having a free-form electrode layer disposed thereon, wherein the free-form electrode layer isshaped to substantially match the portion of the three dimensional object body; a free-form diaphragm positioned proximate to, and being shaped to substantially match, the free-form electrode layer; and an input element coupled to the free-form electrode layer that is configured to accept input from an external source. 11. A method of forming a free-form electrostatic speaker, comprising: printing a three dimensional object using a three dimensional printer; the three dimensional object having a conductive layer disposed on at least a portion thereof; printing a three dimensional diaphragm using a three dimensional printer; the three dimensional diaphragm having a conductive layer disposed on at least a portion thereof; the three dimensional diaphragm having an insulating layer disposed on the conductive layer; fixing the three dimensional diaphragm with respect to the conductive layer disposed on at least a portion of the three dimensional object body using a connecting element; and coupling at least one input element to the conductive layer of the three dimensional object body that accepts input from an external source. 16. A free-form electrostaticspeaker, comprising: a three dimensional object body having a conductive layer disposed on at least a portion thereof; a three dimensional diaphragm having a conductive layer disposed on at least a portion thereof; the three dimensional diaphragm having an insulating layer disposed on the conductive layer; a connecting element fixing the three dimensional diaphragm with respect to the conductive layer disposed on at least a portion of the three dimensional object body; and an input element coupled to the conductive layer of the threedimensional object body that accepts input from an external source.