US4758388A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of manufacturing ceramic vibration plate for speaker
Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corp
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Filing: 1986-10-07
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Granted: 1988-07-19
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Expires: 2006-10-07
Abstract
Abstract A dome shaped ceramic vibration plate for an audio speaker is manufactured by vacuum evaporation and deposition using a laser beam. The vibration plate is formed as a thin ceramic film which adheres to the surface of a mother model, which is thereafter dissolved or fused away.
Inventors
- 👤 Osamu Hamada
- 👤 Megumi Omine
- 👤 Munehisa Sugimoto
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 23:10
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04R; H04R7/00; H04R7/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
124 words
A method of manufacturing a ceramic vibration plate for an audio speaker, comprising the step of: (a) disposing a ceramic material (16) in a vacuum vessel (14) (b) disposing a dome-shaped mother model (17) for said vibration plate in the vacuum vessel, spaced from the ceramic material but having a direct, unobstructed path of communication therewith, (c) focusing a laser beam onto an exposed surface of the ceramic material to evaporate ceramic particles therefrom, (d) forming a thin, dome-shaped ceramic film (21) of predetermined thickness by adhering evaporated particles onto an exposed surface of the mother model, (e) removing the mother model and adhered film from the vessel, and (f) removing the mother model from the film to leave a dome-shaped ceramic vibration plate.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
124 words
A method of manufacturing a ceramic vibration plate for an audio speaker, comprising the step of: (a) disposing a ceramic material (16) in a vacuum vessel (14) (b) disposing a dome-shaped mother model (17) for said vibration plate in the vacuum vessel, spaced from the ceramic material but having a direct, unobstructed path of communication therewith, (c) focusing a laser beam onto an exposed surface of the ceramic material to evaporate ceramic particles therefrom, (d) forming a thin, dome-shaped ceramic film (21) of predetermined thickness by adhering evaporated particles onto an exposed surface of the mother model, (e) removing the mother model and adhered film from the vessel, and (f) removing the mother model from the film to leave a dome-shaped ceramic vibration plate.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the mother model is made by draw forming a thin aluminum plate.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method as defined in claim 2, wherein the mother model is removed from the film by dissolving it in a solution of NaOH.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the mother model is formed by casting a low fusing point metal.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method as defined in claim 4, wherein the mother model is removed from the film by heating and fusion.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the laser beam is discharged from a CO 2 laser oscillator.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
52 words
A method as defined in claim 1, wherein a heater (18) is disposed behind the exposed surface of the ceramic material to uniformly preheat said material during the impingement of the laser beam thereon to prevent any thermally induced cracking of said material due to localized heating by the focused laser beam.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
46 words
A method as defined in claim 7, wherein a heater (18) is disposed behind the exposed surface of the mother model to uniformly preheat said mother model during the forming of the ceramic film to enhance the adherence of the evaporated particles on said mother model.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as defined in claim 8, wherein the preheating temperature of the ceramic material and the mother model are 300° C.-800° C.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
GB1155124A
Cited
GB1339733A
Cited
US3907949A
Cited
JPS5413968A
Cited
JPS574694A
Cited
GB2123650A
Cited
GB2134748A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1991-07-19 | 1992-01-18 | 1992-07-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-07-19 | 1996-01-18 | 1996-07-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-07-19 | 2000-01-18 | 2000-07-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |