Microphone unit for an action camera

Abstract

Microphone unit (1) for an action camera, comprising a microphone capsule (10) with at least one input hole (11), a waterproof enclosure (20) which waterproofly encloses the microphone capsule (10), wherein the waterproof enclosure (20) has a water-impermeable passive diaphragm (25) which can vibrate freely and allows incoming sound to pass through essentially undisturbed, a basket (30) with a plurality of holes (31), wherein the basket (30) is provided outside the waterproof enclosure (20) in front of the passive diaphragm (25), and a foam part (40) which is provided in front of the basket (30) and has an open-cell foam, wherein the foam part (40) contacts the basket (30), wherein the passive diaphragm (25) has a minimum vibrating area of ​​20 mm², wherein the foam part (40) has pores that are small enough so that the foam part (40) absorbs water residues from the can suck away the holes (31) in the basket (30),where, however, the pores are simultaneously so large that they cannot retain water on their own, whereby, when the microphone unit (1) is in the water, water residues after removal of the microphone unit (1) from the water largely run downwards out of the foam part (40) following gravity, the foam part (40) having a predominant pore density of 15 ppi to 80 ppi.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a microphone unit for an action camera and to an action camera with a microphone unit.

[0002] Action cameras, such as those from GoPro, typically have a built-in microphone. These cameras are optionally available with a waterproof, sound-dampening housing. However, this housing results in poor audio recording quality due to the built-in microphone.

[0003] DE 197 15 365 C2 discloses a condenser microphone with a microphone housing and a first diaphragm, as well as a second diaphragm which is designed as a passive, free-vibrating sealing diaphragm. However, when such microphones are immersed in water, it often happens that water droplets remain on the microphone's input hole and thus clog it.

[0004] It is an object of the present invention to provide a microphone unit which is operable underwater and enables effective sound pickup or recording.

[0005] This problem is solved by a microphone unit according to claim 1.

[0006] Thus, a microphone unit for an action camera is provided, comprising a microphone capsule with at least one input hole and a waterproof enclosure that encloses the microphone capsule. The waterproof enclosure features a water-resistant passive diaphragm that can vibrate freely, allowing incoming sound to pass through essentially undisturbed. The microphone unit has a basket with multiple holes, positioned outside the enclosure in front of the passive diaphragm. The microphone unit also includes a foam insert in front of the basket, made of open-cell foam. This foam insert contacts the basket. The passive diaphragm has a minimum vibrating area of ​​20 mm². 2 on.

[0007] According to one aspect of the present invention, the microphone unit has a support layer for supporting the passive diaphragm. The support layer is arranged within the enclosure behind the passive diaphragm. The support layer is spaced apart from the passive diaphragm so that it does not contact the passive diaphragm during normal operation.

[0008] According to a further aspect of the present invention, the foam part has pores that are small enough to allow it to absorb residual water from the holes in the basket like a sponge. At the same time, the pores are large enough that they cannot retain water on their own, so that after the microphone unit is removed from the water, most of the remaining water runs downwards out of the foam part due to gravity.

[0009] According to one aspect of the present invention, the foam part has a predominant pore density of 15 ppi to 80 ppi.

[0010] According to one aspect of the present invention, the microphone unit has a holder that attaches the microphone unit to a housing of an action camera.

[0011] According to another aspect of the present invention, the holder is designed to be flexible.

[0012] According to another aspect of the present invention, the diameter of the objection hole is 0.5 to 2.5 mm.

[0013] According to another aspect of the present invention, the area of ​​the enclosure to which the passive membrane is attached is designed in such a way that no circumferential ridge is formed around the edge of the passive membrane.

[0014] The microphone unit according to the invention is intended to prevent water droplets from remaining on or in the microphone unit after it has been removed from the water, thus blocking an entry hole and preventing effective recording of airborne sound.

[0015] According to the invention, a microphone unit is provided which, immediately after emerging from water, exhibits the desired acoustic properties without impairment, while simultaneously providing good mechanical protection and wind noise suppression.

[0016] According to one aspect of the present invention, a microphone unit for an action camera is provided. The microphone unit comprises a microphone capsule with a voice input hole, a waterproof enclosure with a water-resistant passive diaphragm of a minimum size. The diaphragm has water-repellent properties. Furthermore, a basket with a plurality of holes is provided, which surrounds the passive diaphragm on one side. The microphone unit also includes a foam component that surrounds the basket. The foam component is made of open-cell foam with a predominant pore size.

[0017] Further embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0018] The advantages and embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to the drawing.

[0019] Fig. Figure 1 shows a schematic sectional view of a microphone unit according to a first embodiment,

[0020] Fig. 2 shows a schematic sectional view of a microphone unit according to a second embodiment and

[0021] Fig. Figure 3 shows an exploded view of the microphone unit according to the second embodiment.

[0022] Fig. Figure 1 shows a schematic sectional view of a microphone unit 1 according to the first embodiment. The microphone unit 1 According to the first embodiment, the external microphone unit is... 1 Designed for an action camera. The microphone unit 1 features a microphone capsule 10 with a (small) loophole for objections 11 on. The microphone capsule 10 is enclosed by a waterproof casing 20 surrounded by the waterproof enclosure 20features a water-impermeable passive membrane 25 up. The microphone unit 1 also features a basket 30 with a plurality of holes 31 on, which is in front of the passive membrane 25 is provided for. Furthermore, the microphone unit features 1 a piece of foam 40 up, which the basket 30 and at least part of the enclosure 20 surrounds.

[0023] The microphone capsule 10 has a membrane 12 and optionally a counter electrode 13 Optionally, the diameter of the objection hole 11 0.5 to 2.5 mm. Preferably, the diameter of the objection hole is 0.9 mm. The water-impermeable passive membrane 25 It is designed in such a way that it can vibrate freely and allows the incoming sound to pass through essentially undisturbed. The enclosure 20is designed in such a way that the sound which passes through the passive membrane 25 What happened, the objection loophole remained undisturbed 11 the microphone capsule 10 and thus the microphone diaphragm 12 can be achieved so that the sound can be captured or recorded accordingly.

[0024] According to one aspect of the present invention, the passive membrane 25 a minimum vibratory surface of 20 mm 2 on. The passive membrane 25 can therefore have a minimum diameter of 5 mm if the passive membrane 25 is designed as a round membrane. According to one aspect of the present invention, the diameter of the passive membrane is 25 9 mm. This results in a vibrating surface of approximately 60 mm². 2 .

[0025] Preferably, the vibrating passive membrane has 25 It has a water-repellent surface. Due to the size of the membrane25 In addition to their water-repellent properties, a water droplet on the membrane cannot penetrate the entire membrane. 25 cover. This results in the passive membrane 25 It can also vibrate even when there is a drop of water on the membrane, so that airborne sound can also reach the microphone capsule. 10 can be passed on.

[0026] The basket 30 with the majority of the holes 31 serves as mechanical protection for the passive membrane 25 The basket 30 It is designed in such a way that it absorbs the vibrations of the passive membrane. 25 not hindered. The holes 31 in the basket 30 are designed to allow sound to pass through unimpeded. If the microphone unit 1 If it is immersed in water and then removed, water droplets may enter the holes. 31to cover. To avoid this, a foam part is used. 40 above the basket 30 placed. Here the basket touches 30 the foam part 40 , which constitutes a corresponding exception 41 features into which the basket 30 as well as the waterproof enclosure 20 can be placed. Optionally, the foam part can be used. 40 to serve as a windbreak. The foam part 40 It features an open-pored foam with a predominant pore size. The pores are designed in such a way that when the microphone unit is removed, 1 out of the water, they soaked up the remaining water from the holes like a sponge. 31 in the basket 30 vacuum up, so that the holes 31 of the basket 30The pores of the foam part are designed to be large enough that they cannot retain water on their own. This prevents any residual water from entering the foam part after the microphone unit is removed. 1 The water largely flows downwards out of the foam, following gravity.

[0027] According to the invention, the predominant pore size of the foam part is 40 in the range between 0.3 and 1.5 mm. The foam part 40 It has a pore density (pores per inch) of 15 to 80 ppi. A pore density of approximately 30 ppi is particularly advantageous.

[0028] Optionally, "Regicell 30ppi" foam can be used. Reticell is a polyester filter foam manufactured by Woodbridge FoamPartner.

[0029] According to one aspect of the invention, the design of the passive membrane 25, of the basket 30 with the holes 31 as well as the foam part 40 With the specified pore sizes, a microphone unit is provided which can easily be submerged underwater and then removed again, with the passive membrane being the 25 and / or in the holes 31 The water present can drain away within a very short time, for example faster than 2 seconds, so that the microphone capsule 10 in the microphone unit 1 It can detect or record airborne sound very quickly after being removed from the water.

[0030] According to one aspect of the present invention, the enclosure 20 a carrier layer 26 on. The carrier layer 26 It can represent an open-pored support layer, for example made of damping silk, and serves to support the passive membrane. 25 to support from the inside when the microphone unit1 It is operated underwater. The support layer 26 This means it is positioned at a small distance from and behind the passive membrane. The support layer 26 particularly inside the enclosure 20 This is advantageous because it allows the water-repellent outer surface of the passive membrane to be... 25 remains unchanged and allows water on the passive membrane to drain away quickly. The support layer 26 is spaced away from the passive membrane 25 arranged so that they form the passive membrane 25 Not touched during normal operation. Only when the passive membrane 25 due to strong external pressure, such as occurs when immersing deeper into water, in the direction of the support layer 26 When pressed, contact occurs between the carrier layer and the carrier layer. 26 and the passive membrane 25, so that the desired support effect is achieved. This is advantageous because the passive membrane 25 It does not need to be designed to withstand the water pressure alone. This is also advantageous because a supporting function for a membrane is difficult to reconcile with the requirement of acoustic transparency. Furthermore, a gap between the support layer is optional. 26 and the objection loophole 11 planned.

[0031] The area of ​​the enclosure is optional. 20 , at which the passive membrane 25 is attached in such a way that there is no circumferential ridge around the edge of the passive membrane. 25 arises. Such a thing, the edge of the passive membrane 25 A surrounding step could impede the runoff of water droplets and should therefore be avoided. For the same reason, a basket is also optional. 30 designed so that the holes 31down to the plane of the passive membrane 25 sufficient, so that even the basket 30 no closed circumferential elevation around the edge of the passive membrane 25 educates.

[0032] Fig. Figure 2 shows a schematic sectional view of a microphone unit 1 according to a second embodiment. The microphone unit according to the second embodiment is essentially the same as the microphone unit according to the first embodiment. A microphone capsule 10 is enclosed in a waterproof casing 20 surrounding the microphone capsule 10 or the enclosure 20 is provided by a holder 50 held, which for example is attached to a case 60 It can be attached to an action camera. The mount 50 The case is particularly waterproof. 60 attached. The bracket 50It is optionally designed with flexibility in mind. This has the advantage, among others, of preventing the transmission of structure-borne noise from the housing. 60 to the microphone capsule 10 This is reduced. Furthermore, the flexible design reduces the risk of the microphone unit breaking off. 1 reduced. Since the microphone unit 1 Since action cameras are often worn close to the body during sporting activities, the microphone unit above could be used to detect this. 1 Furthermore, it poses a risk of injury to the user, which can be prevented by a flexible design of the holder. 50 is avoided. Inside the bracket 50 Can leads be routed to the microphone capsule? 10 Connect electrically to the action camera. Optionally, the mount forms a... 50 part of the enclosure 20 The result is a completely waterproof system that includes the microphone unit. 1, the bracket 50 and the case 60 contains.

[0033] On the enclosure 20 can a cap 23 be placed. The cap 23 has a protective membrane 25 on, which is designed as a passive waterproof membrane. The protective membrane 25 It can optionally be embossed and loosely stretched, making it acoustically transparent. In the area of ​​the enclosure 20 is an open-pored damping silk 26 provided. The damping silk 26 This can improve the acoustic properties (smoothing of the frequency response) as well as the mechanical support of the protective membrane. 25 , especially under static pressure (for example, at a diving depth of up to 1 m). The diameter of the hydrophobic protective membrane 25 can be the diameter of the protective membrane 25according to the first embodiment. This creates a protective membrane. 25 provided for, in which a protective membrane 25 The water droplet present cannot completely cover the membrane. For further mechanical protection of the protective membrane 25 is a basket 30 with a plurality of holes 31 intended. This basket could, for example, be a gauze basket.

[0034] To the basket 30 A piece of foam can be placed around it. 40 It is intended to serve as a windbreak. The foam part 40 is in contact with the basket 30 and serves to drain water from the basket.

[0035] Fig. Figure 3 shows an exploded view of the microphone unit according to the second embodiment. The microphone unit thus has a holder. 50 , an enclosure 20 with a microphone unit 10 , a cap23 , optionally a carrier layer 26 , a protective membrane 25 , a basket 30 with a plurality of holes 31 as well as a foam part 40 on. QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0036] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0037] DE 19715365 C2

[0003]

Claims

[1] Microphone unit ( 1 ) for an action camera, with a microphone capsule ( 10 ) with at least one objection hole ( 11 ), a waterproof enclosure ( 20 ), which contains the microphone capsule ( 10 ) waterproof enclosure, where the waterproof enclosure ( 20 ) a water-impermeable passive membrane ( 25 ) exhibits a structure that can vibrate freely and allows incoming sound to pass through essentially undisturbed, a basket ( 30 ) with a plurality of holes ( 31 ), where the basket ( 30 ) outside the enclosure ( 20 ) in front of the passive membrane ( 25 ) is planned, and a foam part ( 40 ), which is in front of the basket ( 30 ) is provided and has an open-pore foam, where the foam part ( 40 ) the basket ( 30 ) touched, where the passive membrane ( 25 ) a minimum vibrating surface of 20 mm 2 exhibits. [2] Microphone unit ( 1 ) according to claim 1, furthermore with a carrier layer ( 26 ) to support the passive membrane ( 25 ), wherein the carrier layer ( 26 ) within the enclosure ( 20 ) behind the passive membrane ( 25 ) is arranged, where the carrier layer ( 26 ) spaced from the passive membrane ( 25 ) arranged so that they form the passive membrane ( 25 ) not affected during normal operation. [3] Microphone unit according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the foam part ( 40 ) has pores that are small enough so that the foam part ( 40 ) like a sponge absorbs water residue from the holes ( 31 ) in the basket ( 30 can suck away, However, the pores are also so large that they cannot retain water on their own, so that water residue remains after the microphone unit is removed ( 1 ) from the water, mostly following gravity downwards from the foam part ( 40 ) run out. [4] Microphone unit according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the foam part ( 40 ) exhibits a predominant pore density of 15 ppi to 80 ppi. [5] Microphone unit according to one of claims 1 to 4 further comprising a holder ( 50 ), which is designed to house the microphone unit ( 1 ) to attach to the housing of an action camera. [6] Microphone unit according to claim 5, wherein the holder ( 50 ) is flexibly designed. [7] Microphone unit according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein a diameter of the speech hole ( 11 ) has a thickness of 0.5 to 2.5 mm. [8] Microphone unit according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the area of ​​the enclosure ( 20 ), on which the passive membrane ( 25 ) is attached, is designed in such a way that there is no circumferential ridge around the edge of the passive membrane ( 25 ) arises.