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Also simply referred to as "the gap," an air gap refers to the physical space between the voice coil and the magnet assembly within the driver. The air gap is an important feature of a driver's motor system and plays a crucial role in its operation. Here's how the air gap functions and its importance:
- Magnetic field generation: The air gap forms the core of the magnetic circuit in a loudspeaker driver. It helps create a uniform and concentrated magnetic field within the gap. The magnet assembly, typically consisting of a permanent magnet and pole piece, establishes a magnetic flux path, and the air gap serves as a crucial part of this path.
- Voice coil movement: The voice coil, a wire wound around a former, is positioned within the air gap. When an audio signal passes through the voice coil, an electromagnetic interaction occurs between the voice coil and the magnetic field in the air gap. This interaction generates a driving force that moves the diaphragm, producing sound waves. The gap between the voice coil and magnet must have tight tolerances to ensure the assembly does not rub.
- Control of diaphragm motion: The air gap influences the control and accuracy of the diaphragm's motion. The strength and uniformity of the magnetic field in the air gap directly impact the control and linearity of the voice coil's movement. A well-designed air gap ensures proper magnetic flux distribution, enabling precise control over the diaphragm's motion and improving the driver's overall performance.
- Efficiency and power handling: The size and design of the air gap affects the driver's efficiency and power handling capabilities. The gap's dimensions determine the strength of the magnetic field and the overall efficiency of the motor system. A properly designed air gap ensures efficient energy transfer between the voice coil and the magnetic field, contributing to the driver's power handling capacity.
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