Acoustic device, housing body for acoustic device, and method for manufacturing acoustic device and housing body

Abstract

The invention relates to an acoustic device having a housing and an acoustic sensor element. The housing has a first housing body and a second housing body. The second housing body has a sound receiving device and a sound guiding device. The sound guiding device is arranged between the sound receiving device and the acoustic sensor element. The acoustic conductance device has an acoustic conductance channel and a sealing lip. A sealing lip separates an interior of the housing from the acoustic conduction channel.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an acoustic device. The acoustic device may also be referred to as an acoustic sensor. The present invention also relates to a housing body for the acoustic device. The housing body may be a housing cover and will be described below together with the housing body. Hereinafter, the housing body will be referred to as a first housing body, and the housing cover will be referred to as a second housing body. The present invention also relates to a method for manufacturing the acoustic device and the housing body, in particular the second housing body. Background Art

[0002] Acoustic devices for motor vehicles are known from the prior art, which can be mounted on external accessible areas of the motor vehicle, for example on the bumper, the roof, on the back of the exterior mirrors and at other locations on the motor vehicle. These acoustic devices require a robust design in order to meet environmental requirements (in particular sealing against water and / or dust and / or dirt) as well as the acoustic function. In order to achieve good performance, the sound attenuation by the acoustic device or its housing should be as low as possible. For good sound absorption with little attenuation, the acoustic device requires an opening for the sound to enter that is as large as possible, and the volume for sound conduction within the acoustic device should be as small as possible. Acoustic device systems known from the prior art have sound guides with bends that can lead to attenuation of the acoustic signal, making it difficult to evaluate the acoustic signal for certain applications. In addition, many components are required for the assembly of such an acoustic device. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The present invention is based on an object to provide an improved acoustic device. Another object of the present invention is to provide a housing body, in particular a second housing body, for an acoustic device. Another object of the present invention is to provide a method for manufacturing such an acoustic device and such a second housing body. These objects are achieved by the subject matter of the independent claims. Advantageous developments are described in the dependent claims.

[0004] According to a first aspect, the present invention relates to an acoustic device comprising a housing and an acoustic sensor element. The housing comprises a first housing body and a second housing body. The first housing body can be referred to as the housing body. The second housing body can be referred to as the housing cover. The second housing body comprises a sound receiving device and a sound guide. The sound guide is arranged between the sound receiving device and the acoustic sensor element. The sound guide comprises a sound guide channel and a sealing lip. The sealing lip separates the interior of the housing from the sound guide channel.

[0005] The acoustic sensor element can be configured, in particular, to convert incident sound into an analog or digital signal. In particular, the acoustic sensor element can include or be a microphone. The sealing lip can, in particular, hermetically seal the area between the sound receiving device and the acoustic sensor element by separating the area from the interior of the housing. This improves the conduction of sound incident on the acoustic device toward the acoustic sensor element. In particular, the volume of sound conduction within the acoustic device can be reduced compared to acoustic devices known from the prior art.

[0006] According to a second aspect, the present invention relates to a second housing body having a sound receiving device and a sound guide. The sound guide is adjacent to the sound receiving device. The sound guide has a sound guide channel and a sealing lip. An acoustic device according to the present invention can have such a second housing body.

[0007] According to a third aspect, the present invention relates to a method for producing an acoustic device, in particular an acoustic device according to the present invention. The method comprises the following steps:

[0008] - providing a first housing body, in particular a first housing body of an acoustic device according to the invention;

[0009] - inserting an acoustic sensor element into the first housing body, wherein the acoustic sensor element is in particular an acoustic sensor element of the acoustic device according to the invention;

[0010] -A second shell body having a sound receiving device and a sound guiding device, in particular a second shell body of the acoustic device according to the present invention, is mounted on the first shell body, wherein the sound guiding device has a sound guiding channel and a sealing lip, wherein the second shell body is mounted so that the sound guiding device is arranged between the sound receiving device and the acoustic sensor element and so that the sealing lip separates the interior of the shell from the sound guiding channel.

[0011] This method enables simple production of the acoustic device according to the invention.

[0012] According to a fourth aspect, the present invention relates to a method for producing a second housing body, wherein the sound receiving device and the sound guide are provided such that the sound guide is adjacent to the sound receiving device and the sound guide has a sound guide channel and a sealing lip. The second housing body produced in this manner can then be used in a method for producing an acoustic device.

[0013] In one embodiment of the acoustic device, the second housing body consists of at least one first component and a second component. The sound guide channel is guided within the first component. The sealing lip is part of the second component. The second component comprises a more flexible material than the first component. This allows for a simple design of the second housing body, with the aid of which the advantageous properties of the acoustic device according to the invention can be achieved. The first component, in which the sound guide channel is guided, can in particular consist of plastic. The sealing lip can be a silicone seal and / or an elastomeric seal. For the elastomeric seal, in particular a thermoplastic elastomer can be used. Furthermore, the sealing lip can comprise a thermoplastic plastic, for example thermoplastic polyurethane. The sound insulation of the sound conducting volume can be simplified by the sealing lip comprising the more flexible material of the second component.

[0014] In one embodiment of the acoustic device, the first component comprises a harder material than the second component. This can improve the sound guide path because harder materials reflect sound better.

[0015] In one embodiment of the acoustic device, the second housing body has at least one spacer. The spacer is part of the second component. In particular, the spacer, optionally a plurality of spacers, and the sealing lip can be implemented as one piece.

[0016] In one embodiment of the acoustic device, the second housing body is a multi-component injection-molded part. This multi-component injection-molded part can be manufactured before the second housing body is assembled according to the manufacturing method of the present invention. In particular, the first part, which is a harder and less flexible first material, and the second part, which is a softer and more flexible second material, can be manufactured using a two-component injection molding method or a two-component injection pressing method.

[0017] In one embodiment of the acoustic device, the sound receiving device includes a sound receiving membrane and a cavity adjacent to the sound receiving membrane. The cavity is adjacent to the sound guide channel. The sound receiving membrane can be adhesively bonded or welded to the second housing body, wherein the welding can be performed, in particular, by ultrasonic welding.

[0018] In one embodiment of the acoustic device, the second housing body comprises a thermoplastic. The sound-receiving membrane comprises a thermoplastic, for example, polyetheretherketone (PEEK) and / or polypropylene (PP) and / or polyurethane (PUR) and / or polytetrafluoroethylene (pTFE) and / or polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and / or polyamide (PA). These materials are well-suited for the second housing body or the sound-receiving membrane. Both can be part of the first component. In particular, the sound-receiving membrane can be made of a thermoplastic, for example, polyetheretherketone (PEEK) and / or polypropylene (PP) and / or polyurethane (PUR) and / or polytetrafluoroethylene (pTFE) and / or polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and / or polyamide (PA).

[0019] In one embodiment of the acoustic device, the sound receiving membrane comprises a liquid-tight and air-tight material or a liquid-tight and air-permeable material.

[0020] In one embodiment of the acoustic device, the sealing lip surrounds the acoustic sensor element, thereby facilitating sealing between the sound-conducting volume and the interior of the housing.

[0021] In one embodiment of the acoustic device, the acoustic sensor element is arranged on a circuit board arranged in the first housing body. The sealing lip contacts the acoustic sensor element and / or the circuit board. This enables a seal between the sound conducting volume and the interior of the housing.

[0022] In one embodiment of the acoustic device, the acoustic sensor element is arranged on a side of the printed circuit board facing away from the second housing body. The printed circuit board has a through-hole. The through-hole is closed by the acoustic sensor element. The through-hole is connected to the sound guide channel. In particular, the through-hole can be connected to the sound guide channel via a volume for sound conduction arranged between the printed circuit board and the sealing lip.

[0023] In one embodiment of the acoustic device, the acoustic sensor element is designed as a MEMS microphone. MEMS refers to a micro-electromechanical structure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] Embodiments of the present invention are explained with reference to the following drawings. In the schematic drawings:

[0025] Figure 1 : cross section of the acoustic device;

[0026] Figure 2 : Figure 1 a view of a second housing body of the acoustic device;

[0027] Figure 3 : a cross section of another acoustic device;

[0028] Figure 4 : a cross section of another acoustic device;

[0029] Figure 5 : A view of a second housing body of another acoustic device;

[0030] Figure 6 : A flow chart of a method for manufacturing a second housing body; and

[0031] Figure 7 : Flowchart of a method for manufacturing an acoustic device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] Figure 1An acoustic device 1 is shown, which has a housing 10 and an acoustic sensor element 40. The housing 10 has a first housing body 11 and a second housing body 13. The second housing body 13 has a sound receiving device 14 and a sound guide 15. The sound guide 15 is arranged between the sound receiving device 14 and the acoustic sensor element 40. The sound guide has a sound guide channel 16 and a sealing lip 17. The sealing lip 17 separates the interior 12 of the housing 10 from the sound guide channel 16. The interior 12 of the housing 10 can optionally be designed as a recess in the first housing body 11.

[0033] The acoustic device 1 may also be referred to as an acoustic sensor 1 . The first housing body 11 may also be referred to as a housing body 11 . The second housing body 13 may also be referred to as a housing cover 13 .

[0034] Acoustic sensor element 40 can be configured, in particular, to convert incident sound into an analog or digital signal. In particular, acoustic sensor element 40 can include or be microphone 41. Sealing lip 17 can, in particular, tightly seal region 18 between sound guide channel 16 and acoustic sensor element 40 by separating this region 18 from interior 12 of housing 10. This allows for improved conduction of sound incident on acoustic device 1 toward acoustic sensor element 40. In particular, the volume of sound conduction within acoustic device 1 can be reduced compared to acoustic devices known from the prior art.

[0035] exist Figure 1 As shown in FIG, the second housing body 13 has a recess 19. As a result, the material used for the second housing body 13 can be saved. Figure 1 Other optional features are shown in FIG, which are referred to below as embodiments.

[0036] In one embodiment of the acoustic device 1, the acoustic sensor element 40 is arranged on a circuit board 20 arranged in the first housing body 11. The sealing lip 17 contacts the circuit board 20. This enables a seal between the sound-conducting volume and the interior 12 of the housing 10.

[0037] In one embodiment of the acoustic device 1, the second housing body 13 consists of at least one first component 21 and a second component 22. The sound guide channel 16 is guided in the first component 21. The sealing lip 17 is part of the second component 22. The second component 22 comprises a more flexible material than the first component 21. This allows for a simple structure of the second housing body 13, with the aid of which the advantageous properties of the acoustic device 1 according to the invention can be achieved. The first component 21, in which the sound guide channel 16 is guided, can in particular be made of plastic. The sealing lip 17 can be a silicone seal and / or an elastomeric seal. As an elastomeric seal, in particular a thermoplastic elastomer can be used. Furthermore, the sealing lip 17 can comprise thermoplastic polyurethane. By virtue of the sealing lip 17 comprising the more flexible material of the second component 22, the sound insulation of the sound conducting volume can be simplified. In particular, the sealing lip 17 can rest on the printed circuit board 20 and adhere to it due to the material of the second component 22. This improves the sound insulation.

[0038] In one embodiment of the acoustic device 1, the first component 21 comprises a harder material than the second component 22. This allows an improvement in the sound guide channel 16 to be achieved, since harder materials reflect sound better.

[0039] In one embodiment of the acoustic device 1 , the second housing body 13 is a multi-component injection-molded part 23 .

[0040] In one embodiment of the acoustic device 1, the sound receiving device 14 has a sound receiving membrane 25 and a cavity 26 adjacent to the sound receiving membrane 25. The cavity 26 is adjacent to the sound guide channel 16. The sound receiving membrane 25 can be adhesively bonded or welded to the second housing body 13, wherein the welding can be performed in particular by means of ultrasonic welding.

[0041] In one embodiment of the acoustic device 1, the second housing body 13 comprises a thermoplastic. The sound-receiving membrane 25 comprises polyetheretherketone (PEEK) and / or polypropylene (PP) and / or polyurethane (PUR) and / or polytetrafluoroethylene (pTFE) and / or polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and / or polyamide (PA). These materials are well-suited for the second housing body 13 and the sound-receiving membrane 25. Both can each be part of the first component 21. In particular, the sound-receiving membrane 25 can be made of a thermoplastic, for example, polyetheretherketone (PEEK) and / or polypropylene (PP) and / or polyurethane (PUR) and / or polytetrafluoroethylene (pTFE) and / or polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and / or polyamide (PA).

[0042] exist Figure 1As also optionally shown, an acoustic sensor element 40 is arranged on the side 27 of the circuit board 20 facing the second housing body 13. The acoustic sensor element 40 can be several millimeters in size, and in particular, less than five millimeters. The sound guide channel 16 can have a circular cross-section and a diameter of 1 to 2 millimeters. The sound receiving membrane 25 can also be circular and have a diameter of 5 to 25 millimeters.

[0043] In one embodiment of the acoustic device 1 , the sound receiving membrane 25 comprises a liquid-tight and air-tight material or a liquid-tight and air-permeable material.

[0044] In one embodiment of the acoustic device 1 , the acoustic sensor element 40 is designed as a MEMS microphone. MEMS refers to a micro-electromechanical structure.

[0045] Figure 2 The diagram shows the acoustic sensor element 40 as viewed from below. Figure 1 1 . In this embodiment of the acoustic device 1 , the sealing lip 17 is designed to be closed, so that the sealing lip 17 surrounds the acoustic sensor element 40 . This facilitates the sealing between the sound-conducting volume and the interior 12 of the housing 10 .

[0046] In addition, Figure 2 , it can be seen that the optional recesses 19 are arranged circularly around the sealing lip 17 . In this case, a plurality of bridges 28 are arranged between the recesses 17 , which increase the stability of the second housing body 13 .

[0047] Figure 3 shows a cross section of an acoustic device 1 which, unless otherwise specified below, is identical to the Figure 1 The acoustic device 1 corresponds to Figure 1 All features of the acoustic device 1 as referred to as optional features can also be optionally provided in Figure 3 The optional recess 19 is omitted here.

[0048] In this embodiment of the acoustic device 1, the acoustic sensor element 40 is arranged on the side 29 of the circuit board 20 facing away from the second housing body 13. The circuit board 20 has a through-hole 30. The through-hole 30 is closed by the acoustic sensor element 40. The through-hole 30 is connected to the sound guide channel 16. In particular, the through-hole 30 can be connected to the sound guide channel 16 via a volume for sound conduction, i.e., the area 18, which is arranged between the circuit board 20 and the sealing lip 17. In this embodiment, the sealing lip 17 also rests on the circuit board 20. The sealing lip 17 can be attached to the circuit board 20 due to the material of the second component 22. This improves the sound insulation. In this embodiment, it can be provided that the sealing lip 17 surrounds the through-hole 30.

[0049] Figure 4 shows a cross section of an acoustic device 1 which, unless otherwise specified below, is identical to the Figure 1 The acoustic device 1 corresponds to Figure 1 All features of the acoustic device 1 as referred to as optional features can also be optionally provided in Figure 4 1 . The optional recess 19 is omitted here. The sealing lip 17 contacts the acoustic sensor element 40 . This enables a seal between the sound-conducting volume, i.e., in particular, the region 18 , and the interior 12 of the housing 10 . In particular, the sealing lip 17 can rest against the acoustic sensor element 40 and, due to the material of the second component 22 , adhere to the acoustic sensor element 40 . This improves the sound insulation. The acoustic sensor element 40 has a sound-sensitive surface 42 that is smaller than the acoustic sensor element 40 , so that a support surface 43 for the sealing lip 17 is arranged on the acoustic sensor element 40 .

[0050] Figure 5 A view showing a second housing body 13 of another embodiment of an acoustic device 1 as viewed from below, i.e. Figure 2 Similar to the view of FIG, wherein the acoustic device 1 can be otherwise similar to Figure 1 The acoustic device 1 is corresponding. Here, a plurality of bridges 28 are also arranged between the recesses 19, which increase the stability of the second housing body 13. In this embodiment, the second housing body 13 has at least one spacer 31. The spacer 31 is part of the second component 22. In particular, the spacer 31, optionally a plurality of spacers 31 and the sealing lip 17 can be implemented in one piece. Figure 5 As also shown in FIG, the spacer 31 is connected to the sealing lip 17 via connecting bridges 32 which also belong to the second component 22. These connecting bridges are guided through the bridges 28 of the second housing body 13. This allows for simple production of the second housing body 13, in particular when the second housing body 13 is a multi-component injection-molded part 23. Figure 5 As optionally indicated by dashed lines, the spacer 31 can be designed as a circumferential bridge 33. This allows vibration decoupling of the second housing body.

[0051] Figure 6 The method for producing the second housing body 13, in particular Figures 1 to 5 Flowchart 50 of a method for providing one of the second housing bodies 13. In this case, in a providing step 51, a second housing body 13 having a sound receiving device 14 and a sound guide device 15 is provided. The sound guide device 14 is adjacent to the sound receiving device 15. The sound guide device 14 has a sound guide channel 16 and a sealing lip 17. Figure 6, multiple sub-steps of the provision step 51 are optionally shown. If the second housing body 13 is a multi-component injection-molded part 23, a first two-component step 52 can be performed first, in which the harder and less flexible first material of the first component 21 is injection-pressed or injection-molded. Subsequently, the softer and more flexible second material of the second component 22 can be injection-pressed or injection-molded in a second two-component step 53. This order is not mandatory; it is also possible to first injection-press or injection-mold the softer and more flexible second material of the second component 22 in the first two-component step 52, followed by injection-pressing or injection-molding the harder and less flexible first material of the first component 21 in the second two-component step 53. Furthermore, in an optional fastening step 54, the sound-receiving membrane 25 can be glued or welded to the second housing body 13, wherein the welding can be performed, in particular, by means of ultrasonic welding.

[0052] Figure 7 A flow chart showing a method for manufacturing an acoustic device 1 that can be used with Figures 1 to 5 The acoustic device 1 is provided accordingly. In a further provision step 55, the first housing body 11 is provided. In an insertion step 56, the acoustic sensor element 40 is inserted into the first housing body 11. In a further fastening step 57, the second housing body 13 is mounted on the first housing body 11 such that the sound guide 15 is arranged between the sound receiving device 14 and the acoustic sensor element 40 and such that the sealing lip 17 separates the interior 12 of the housing 10 from the sound guide channel 16. In this case, it can be provided that the second housing body 13 is glued to the first housing body 11 or that the second housing body 13 is screwed or welded to the first housing body 11, wherein the welding can be performed in particular by means of ultrasonic welding.

[0053] Although the present invention has been described in detail through preferred embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the disclosed examples, and those skilled in the art may derive other variations therefrom without departing from the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. An acoustic device (1) comprising a housing (10) and an acoustic sensor element (40), wherein: The housing (10) comprises a first housing body (11) and a second housing body (13), wherein the second housing body (13) comprises a sound receiving device (14) and a sound guide device (15), wherein the sound guide device (15) is arranged between the sound receiving device (14) and the acoustic sensor element (40), wherein the sound guide device (15) comprises a sound guide channel (16) and a sealing lip (17), wherein the sealing lip (17) separates the interior (12) of the housing (10) from the sound guide channel (16).

2. The acoustic device (1) according to claim 1, wherein The second housing body (13) comprises at least a first part (21) and a second part (22), wherein the sound guide channel (16) is guided within the first part (21), wherein the sealing lip (17) is part of the second part (22), and wherein the second part (22) comprises a more flexible material than the first part (21).

3. The acoustic device (1) according to claim 2, wherein The second housing body (13) has at least one spacer (31), wherein the spacer (31) is part of the second component (22).

4. The acoustic device (1) according to claim 2 or 3, wherein The second housing body (13) is a multi-component injection-molded part (23).

5. The acoustic device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: The sound receiving device (14) has a sound receiving membrane (25) and a cavity (26) adjacent to the sound receiving membrane (25), wherein the cavity (26) is adjacent to the sound guide channel (16).

6. The acoustic device (1) according to claim 5, wherein The second housing body (13) comprises a thermoplastic, and the sound receiving membrane (25) comprises polyetheretherketone (PEEK) and / or polypropylene (PP) and / or polyurethane (PUR) and / or polytetrafluoroethylene (pTFE) and / or polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and / or polyamide (PA).

7. Acoustic device (1) according to claim 5 or 6, wherein The sound receiving membrane (25) comprises a liquid-tight and air-tight material or a liquid-tight and air-permeable material.

8. The acoustic device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein: The acoustic sensor element (40) is arranged on a circuit board (20) arranged in the first housing body (11), wherein the sealing lip (17) contacts the acoustic sensor element (40) and / or the circuit board (20).

9. The acoustic device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein The acoustic sensor element (40) is designed as a MEMS microphone.

10. A second housing body (13) having a sound receiving device (14) and a sound guide device (15), wherein: The sound guide device (15) is adjacent to the sound receiving device (14), wherein the sound guide device (15) has a sound guide channel (16) and a sealing lip (17).

11. A method for manufacturing an acoustic device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, comprising the following steps: - providing a first housing body (11); - inserting the acoustic sensor element (40) into the first housing body (11); - Mounting the second housing body (13) on the first housing body (11) such that the sound guide device (15) is arranged between the sound receiving device (14) and the acoustic sensor element (40), and such that the sealing lip (17) separates the interior (12) of the housing (10) from the sound guide channel (16).

12. A method for producing a second housing body (13) according to claim 10, wherein: A sound receiving device (14) and a sound guide device (15) are provided, wherein the sound guide device (15) is adjacent to the sound receiving device (14), wherein the sound guide device (15) has a sound guide channel (16) and a sealing lip (17).

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