SHAPE OPTIMIZATION OF A LOUDSPEAKER DIAPHRAGM WITH RESPECT TO SOUND DIRECTIVITY PROPERTIES

This paper presents a novel method for optimizing the directivity of t he sound emission from the diaphragm of an electro dynamic loudspeaker . The analysis of the diaphragm is performed by finite element analysi s of the structural dynamic behaviour and using the boundary element m ethod for the acoustic analysis. Through optimization of a dead mass d istribution on the diaphragm, or of the shape of the mid-surface of th e diaphragm, it has been possible to improve its directivity propertie s for sound emission. Several illustrative examples are presented at t he end of the paper.