INVISIBLE MICROPHONE ASSEMBLY FOR A VEHICLE

Abstract

Microphone assembly (202) for a headliner (110) of a vehicle (100), comprising: a housing (204) arranged to be received in a substrate layer (112) of the headliner (110), the housing (204) having an upper portion (234) and a lower portion (236); a circuit board (216) mounted in the upper portion, the circuit board having a microphone element (218) coupled thereto; an insert holder (220) having a base (222) and a shaft member (224) extending upwardly therefrom, the base (222) having a plurality of passages (228) aligned with the shaft member (224), the shaft member (224) engaging the lower portion (236) to connect the insert holder (220) to the housing (204); and a seal (230) having at least one channel (232) defining an air path extending therethrough, the seal (230) being arranged to be received in the shaft member (224) and to extend between the base (222) and the upper portion (234), the seal (230) providing an acoustic seal between the insert bracket (220) and the housing (204) such that the air path conducts sound from a passenger compartment of the vehicle (100) through the passages (228) to the microphone element (218).

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 62 / 955,134, filed December 30, 2019. TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] Embodiments relate to an invisible microphone assembly for a vehicle, for example for a roof lining. BACKGROUND

[0003] Great efforts have been made to create a quiet cabin environment in vehicles. A typical goal in vehicle design is to minimize audible noise in the passenger compartment. Consumers want to be insulated from road noise, engine noise, and other unwanted noise sources. Vehicles may incorporate various insulating materials between the passenger compartment and noise-generating components. However, the insulating materials can be expensive and add weight to the vehicle. Some modern vehicles have a noise management system to reduce the audible noise in a vehicle's passenger compartment. The noise management system may also work by generating sounds or tones that enhance the driving experience.

[0004] The noise management system in a vehicle may operate using microphones and speakers to control the noise or sound. The active noise management system may capture audio signals through the microphones. The microphone signals may be processed, and speaker output signals may be generated. In addition, other communication systems in the vehicle rely on microphones located at various locations throughout the vehicle. The addition of voice and active noise control microphones has resulted in visible microphone grilles that disrupt the intended clean appearance of the vehicle interior, such as the headliner. US 2019 / 0 364 351 A1 describes a microphone assembly comprising a stem member configured to be received in an opening defined by a base substrate layer of a headliner. The stem member defines an air path.The microphone assembly comprises a microphone element mounted on a circuit board in a housing. The microphone element is aligned with the air path, so the air path directs sound from the cabin to the microphone element. One side of the vehicle's roof lining is covered with an acoustically transparent layer, so the microphone assembly is not visible in the vehicle cabin.

[0005] US 2015 010 191 A1 describes a microelectromechanical (MEMS) microphone assembly. The assembly includes a housing, a MEMS transducer, and a plurality of substrate layers. The single MEMS transducer is disposed within the housing. The plurality of substrate layers supports the single MEMS transducer. The plurality of substrate layers defines a first transmission mechanism for enabling a first side of the single MEMS transducer to receive an audio input signal and a second transmission mechanism for enabling a second side of the single MEMS transducer to receive the audio input signal. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The object underlying the invention is achieved by the subject matter of the independent claims. Further advantageous embodiments are specified in the subclaims. SUMMARY

[0007] In one or more embodiments, a microphone assembly for a vehicle headliner includes a housing arranged to be received within a substrate layer of the headliner, the housing having an upper portion and a lower portion. A circuit board is mounted within the upper portion, the circuit board having a microphone element coupled thereto. The microphone assembly further includes an insert mount having a base and a shaft member extending upwardly therefrom, the base having a plurality of passages aligned with the shaft member, the shaft member engaging the lower portion to connect the insert mount to the housing.A seal having at least one channel defining an air path extending therethrough is arranged to be received in the shaft member and extend between the base and the upper portion, the seal providing an acoustic seal between the insert bracket and the housing such that the air path conducts sound from a passenger compartment of the vehicle through the passages to the microphone element.

[0008] In one or more embodiments, a headliner assembly for a vehicle includes a headliner having a substrate layer having an opening and an A-surface layer that is acoustically transparent and exposed to a passenger compartment of the vehicle. The headliner assembly includes a microphone assembly having a housing arranged to be received within the substrate layer, the housing having an upper portion and a lower portion. A circuit board is mounted within the upper portion, the circuit board having a microphone element coupled thereto. The headliner assembly further includes an insert bracket having a base and a shaft member extending upwardly therefrom, the base having a plurality of apertures aligned with the shaft member, the shaft member engaging the lower portion to connect the insert bracket to the housing.A seal having at least one channel defining an air path extending therethrough is arranged to be received in the shaft member and extend between the base and the upper portion, the seal providing an acoustic seal between the insert bracket and the housing such that the air path conducts sound from the passenger compartment of the vehicle through the openings to the microphone element.

[0009] In one or more embodiments, a microphone assembly for a vehicle headliner includes at least one housing arranged to be received within a substrate layer of the headliner, and a plurality of circuit boards mounted within the at least one housing, each circuit board having a microphone element coupled thereto. The microphone assembly further includes an insert mount having a base and a plurality of spaced-apart shaft members extending upwardly therefrom, the base having a plurality of passages aligned with each shaft member, the shaft member being connected to the at least one housing.The microphone assembly further includes a plurality of seals, each having at least one channel defining an air path extending therethrough, each seal arranged to be received within one of the plurality of spaced-apart shaft members and extending between the base and the at least one housing. The plurality of seals provides an acoustic seal between the insert mount and the at least one housing such that the air path conducts sound from a passenger compartment of the vehicle through the openings to each microphone element. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. Figure 1 shows a noise or sound management system in a vehicle environment; Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a microphone assembly in a headliner with an insert bracket and a seal according to one or more embodiments; Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a microphone assembly according to one or more embodiments; Fig. 4 is a top perspective view of an insert holder according to one or more embodiments; Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a cross-section of the insert holder of the Fig. 4; Fig. 6 shows a cross-section of the microphone assembly of the Fig. 3; Fig. Figure 7 shows a longitudinal section of the microphone assembly of the Fig. 3; Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the cross section of the Fig. 6 shown microphone assembly; Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the longitudinal section of the Fig. 7 shown microphone assembly; Fig. 10 is a top perspective view of a seal according to one or more embodiments; Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional view of an array of microphone assemblies in a headliner including a corresponding insert mount according to one or more embodiments; and Fig. 12 is a cross-sectional view of an arrangement of microphone assemblies in a headliner including a common housing and corresponding insert mount according to one or more embodiments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0010] Detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein as required; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention that may be embodied in various and alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale; some features may be greatly exaggerated or reduced to show details of particular components. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention. Modern vehicles may include many different sound management systems and devices that work together to control the listening environment within the vehicle.For example, a vehicle may include a road noise cancellation (RNC) system configured to reduce the amount of road noise heard by vehicle occupants. Such systems typically work by receiving input from one or more microphones and outputting a signal to one or more speakers that modifies the sound pattern. The systems can mask unwanted road and engine noise and make the passenger compartment appear quieter. Additional applications may include hands-free communication systems and phone applications. Other vehicle noise management systems may include active noise control (ANC) and in-car communication (ICC) systems. These vehicle systems use one or more microphones to receive sound inputs.The microphones can be installed at various locations within the vehicle. Sound propagates through the air as a pressure wave. A source can generate sound by causing vibration in the air (or another medium). These vibrations then propagate from the source through the medium (e.g., air). A microphone can work by receiving these pressure waves and converting the pressure waves into an electrical signal. To achieve this, the microphone may need to be exposed to the pressure wave.

[0011] Existing in-vehicle microphones receive the pressure wave through openings that expose the cabin air to the microphone elements. For example, a microphone may be installed in a vehicle headliner. The headliner-mounted microphone assembly may include a visible A-surface grille defining one or more openings. The A-surface may be the surface visible within the vehicle's passenger compartment. The microphone assembly may include a housing attached to the grille from a B-side of the headliner. The B-side may be the surface opposite the A-surface and is generally not visible within the passenger compartment. These grilles are generally visible within the passenger compartment and can be aesthetically pleasing. In addition, the openings allow dust and moisture to enter the microphone elements, which may result in reduced performance.

[0012] The increase in the number of microphone grilles in the headliner has created a need for a microphone that does not require an A-surface grille, i.e., an "invisible" microphone. One challenge with integrating a microphone into the headliner is that the headliner manufacturer typically allows a maximum circular cutout diameter in the headliner substrate material of 6 mm. It has been found that this maximum 6 mm hole size creates no visible indication at the A-surface of the headliner and is therefore not visible to a passenger compartment occupant. A microphone assembly requires a larger diameter than 6 mm, and therefore a microphone cannot be designed to fit into this 6 mm hole in the headliner. Therefore, the microphone must be mounted further away from the headliner. This can lead to sealing problems and a non-linear microphone frequency response.

[0013] Embodiments disclosed herein include an invisible microphone assembly that may be incorporated into the headliner of a vehicle, forming a headliner assembly. A location for a cutout for the microphone assembly is provided, which may have a diameter greater than 6 mm. Embodiments include an insert retainer integrated between the substrate and the A-surface layers of the headliner, and a seal in the microphone assembly, as described further below.

[0014] Fig. 1 shows a block diagram of a vehicle 100 including a controller 102. The controller 102 may include a microprocessor and memory to implement various features and functions. For example, the controller 102 may be part of an RNC system or an ANC system. The controller 102 may be part of an ICC system that governs in-vehicle communications. The controller 102 may also be configured as a sound processor to implement telematics features such as voice recognition and hands-free system operation.

[0015] The controller 102 may be electrically connected to one or more microphones 104. The microphones 104 may be located at different positions within the vehicle 100. The microphones 104 may be configured to generate an electrical signal representing sound or noise at the position of the microphones 104. The controller 102 may be electrically connected to one or more speakers 106. The speakers 106 may be configured to generate sound based on signals received from the controller 102. The vehicle 100 may further include a user interface 108 in electrical communication with the controller 102. In some examples, the user interface 108 may be a touchscreen display that can display content from the controller 102 and provide inputs (e.g., menu selections) to the controller 102. The user interface 108 may also include buttons and switches.The configuration and use of the user interface 108 may depend on the purpose of the controller 102. The vehicle 100 may further include a headliner (in . Fig. 1 (not shown). The headliner may be configured to line an interior of a roof of the vehicle 100. The headliner may be configured to provide sound and thermal insulation within the passenger compartment of the vehicle. The headliner may also be configured to mount various components. For example, lights, control panels, and microphones may be mounted to the headliner.

[0016] The Fig. 2-3 and 5-9 illustrate an invisible microphone assembly 202 configured to be installed in a vehicle headliner 110, forming a headliner assembly 200. While the embodiments shown and described herein are directed to installation in a vehicle headliner, the concepts and assemblies may also be applied to other areas of the vehicle's passenger compartment (e.g., side panel, instrument panel, console). Referring to Fig. 2, the vehicle headliner 110 may be a multi-layer construction including a substrate layer 112 that provides the lining and structural integrity of the headliner 110. The substrate layer 112 may be constructed of a composite material with application-specific stiffness, strength, and insulation properties. The substrate layer 112 is covered by a middle layer 114, which may be constructed of a foam material, which in turn may be covered by an A-surface layer 116, which may be constructed of a fabric material. The A-surface layer 116 may be an acoustically transparent material that allows sound waves to pass through the material. For example, the A-surface layer 116 may be an acoustic fabric configured to be acoustically transparent. Acoustically transparent fabrics may include fabrics with an open weave through which air can easily pass.Acoustically transparent materials can be rated based on a noise reduction coefficient (NRC), which quantifies a material's sound absorption. For example, the NRC can be measured using the Standard Test Method for Sound Absorption, and sound absorption coefficients can be measured using the reverberation room method defined by ASTM International (ASTM C423-17). The NRC can represent the amount of sound absorbed by the material. An ideal acoustically transparent material might have an NRC of zero. In practice, the acoustically transparent material should have a low NRC.

[0017] The middle layer 114 may be bonded or otherwise secured to the substrate layer 112, and the A-surface layer 116 may be bonded or otherwise secured to the middle layer 114. In some configurations, the A-surface layer 116 may be stretched over the middle layer 114. The substrate layer 112 may define one or more openings 118, where the shape of each opening 118 may be rectangular, circular, or any other suitable shape. The middle layer 114 may define one or more cavities 120 generally aligned with each opening 118.

[0018] The headliner assembly 200 includes a microphone assembly 202 with a housing 204. The housing 204 may be configured to enclose and provide structural support for elements of the microphone assembly 202. The housing 204 may be formed from a plastic material, but is not limited in this regard. As best shown in the Fig. 7 and Fig. 9, the microphone assembly 202 may include a connector 206 configured to receive a mating electrical connector (not shown) for transmitting electrical signals from the microphone assembly 202 to another system (e.g., controller 102). The connector 206 may include one or more electrically conductive pins 208 or recesses configured to engage corresponding conductive elements of the mating connector. The microphone assembly 202 may include a circuit board (e.g., a printed circuit board assembly (PCBA)) 216 mounted within the housing 204. The microphone assembly 202 may include one or more microphone elements 218 coupled to or integrated with the circuit board 216.

[0019] The microphone element 218 can have various configurations. The microphone element 218 can utilize microelectromechanical system (MEMS) technology and can be an integrated circuit / sensor assembly mounted to the circuit board 216. In some configurations, an integrated microphone module can be incorporated in place of the circuit board 216. The microphone element 218 can be a piezoelectric microphone or a condenser microphone. The microphone element 218 can be configured to convert a sound wave at the sensor into an electrical signal. The electrical connection of the microphone element 218 to the circuit board 216 can depend on the type of microphone technology utilized. In some configurations, the microphone element 218 can be directly coupled as components mounted on the circuit board 216.In some configurations, electrical leads from the microphone element 218 may be electrically connected to the circuit board 216 by soldering. In some configurations, the microphone element 218 may include an integrated signal processing unit.

[0020] The circuit board 216 may include other electrical / electronic components for interacting with the microphone element 218. The components may include filters and power management functions. The electrically conductive portions of the connector 206 may be electrically coupled to traces of the circuit board 216 to transmit signals between the circuit board 216 and the external controller 102. Some features of the circuit board 216 may be incorporated into the microphone element 218.

[0021] As in the Fig. 2-9, the microphone assembly 202 includes an insert mount 220 provided for interfacing and connecting to the housing 204. The insert mount 220 is arranged to be received within the substrate layer 112 and the middle layer 114 of the headliner 110 below the A-surface layer 116. The insert mount 220 includes a base 222 having a hollow shaft member 224 extending upwardly therefrom. The base 222 includes a central region 226 aligned with the shaft member 224, with a plurality of small apertures 228 provided in the central region 226. These apertures 228 provide a sound path from the microphone assembly 202 through the A-surface layer 116 and into the passenger compartment of the vehicle.The base 222 also provides a lining structure for the fabric A-surface layer 116 so that no indentation or evidence of the microphone assembly 202 is visible within the interior of the passenger compartment. The shaft member 224 may be configured to be received within the opening 118 provided in the substrate layer 112, while the base 222 may be configured to be received within the cavity 120 provided in the middle layer 114. Although the base 222 is illustrated herein as being relatively thin and having a generally circular or disc shape, it should be understood that the base 222 is not limited to this configuration and that other shapes and thicknesses may alternatively be employed. Likewise, the shaft member 224 is not limited to the generally rectangular shape illustrated herein.

[0022] The microphone assembly 202 may further include a seal 230 arranged to be received within the shaft member 224 to facilitate connection of the insert holder 220 to the housing 204. The seal 230 defines at least one continuous channel 232 that serves as an airway for sound traveling from the openings 228 through the substrate layer 112 to the microphone element 218. The seal 230 may be formed from a resilient material such as rubber and may be coupled to the circuit board 216. The seal 230 may assist in the assembly of the housing 204 and the insert holder 220 to accommodate any manufacturing tolerances between these elements. Because the seal 230 is resilient, it can accommodate slight variations in the alignment of the shaft member 224, the insert holder 220, and the housing 204.The seal 230 can also provide an acoustic sealing function between the two plastic parts, the shaft member 224 and the housing 204, to prevent leakage air entering the channel 232 from escaping at undesirable locations. As with the shaft member 224, the seal 230 is not limited to the generally rectangular shape illustrated herein, and other shapes and configurations are fully contemplated.

[0023] The insert holder 220 is configured to be attached to the housing 204 and mounted to one side of the substrate layer 112. In some configurations, the base 222 may be bonded to the substrate layer 112 with an adhesive. As best shown in the Fig. 6 and Fig. 8, the housing 204 may include a first or upper portion 234 and a second or lower portion 236. The upper portion 234 may house the circuit board 216 and the coupled microphone element 218, and the lower portion 236 may engage the shaft member 224 to connect the insert holder 220 to the housing 204. For example, as best shown in the Fig. 4 and Fig. 5, the shaft member 224 may include a mounting feature, such as at least one tab 238 extending therefrom, with each tab 238 arranged to be received in a corresponding groove 240 in the lower portion 236 of the housing 204 to achieve a snap-fit ​​connection between the shaft member 224 and the housing 204. In the illustrated arrangement, the lower portion 236 is received and secured to an outer surface of the shaft member 224. Of course, it is understood that the shaft member 224 could alternatively include a groove and the lower portion 236 have a tab, that the inboard and outboard positions of the lower portion 236 and the shaft member 224 could be reversed, or that the housing 204 and the insert retainer 220 could be secured together via another mechanical configuration or via an adhesive.

[0024] Although the wave element 224 is illustrated as vertically oriented with respect to the substrate layer 112, it may be oriented at angles other than ninety degrees relative to the substrate layer 112 to enhance sound collection from different directions. The seal 230 may also be adjusted to create a continuous air path through the substrate layer 112 to the microphone element 218. Thus, the one or more openings 118 may intersect the substrate layer 112 at different angles.

[0025] In the embodiment described herein in the Fig. 7 and 9-10, the seal 230 defines two longitudinally extending channels 232 separated by a central member 242. The central member 242 provides structural support for the seal 230, but may not extend its entire length. The seal 230 is illustrated herein as having generally rectangular channels 232 defining rectangular airways. Referring to Fig. 7, the channels 232 may have a larger cross-section at a bottom region 244 of the seal 230 adjacent the base 222 compared to a middle region 246 of the seal 230, and the channels 232 may converge into a common airway in an upper region 248 of the seal 230 adjacent the circuit board 216 and the microphone element 218, with the microphone element 218 in fluid communication with the channel(s) 232 and the airway(s). It should be understood that the shape and configuration of the channels 232 and the defined airways are not limited to this example, and other numbers (e.g., single or more than two) and shapes of the channels 232 and airways are possible. For example, the channels 232 could alternatively have a uniform cross-sectional area along the length of the seal 230.The cross-sectional area and length of the channel(s) 232 and the defined airway(s) may be selected to result in a predetermined frequency response.

[0026] How best to Fig. 4-5 and 10, the seal 230 may have one or more projections 250 extending outwardly therefrom, each sized to be received in a corresponding opening 252 provided in the shaft member 224. This mating connection between the seal 230 and the shaft member 224 may serve to position these elements relative to one another to ensure proper positioning of the seal 230 within the shaft member 224 and to ensure the desired positioning of the seal 230 relative to the upper portion 234 of the housing 204 when the lower portion 236 is mated to the insert retainer 220.

[0027] The microphone element 218 may be mounted to the circuit board 216 in various ways. The mounting may depend on the position of a connector or receiver (not shown) of the microphone element 218. The connector or receiver may be the portion of the microphone element 218 that is exposed to the sound wave. In some configurations, the microphone element 218 may be mounted such that the connector is aligned with the air path formed by the seal 230, such that the air path conducts sound from the passenger compartment of the vehicle to the microphone element(s) 218. In some configurations, the microphone element 218 may be mounted on an opposite side of the circuit board 216 (e.g., opposite the air path), and the circuit board 216 may define a conduit 254 (see Fig. 6-9) to extend the air path to the microphone element 218. The connector of the microphone element 218 may be mounted toward the conduit 254 defined by the circuit board 216. In some configurations, the microphone element 218 may define a cylindrical connector (not shown) aligned with the air path. In one example, the conduit 254 in the circuit board 216 may receive the cylindrical connector.

[0028] In one or more embodiments, multiple microphone assemblies 202 may be used to create an invisible microphone array 300, as shown in Fig. 11. In this example, a plurality of separate housings 204 are provided, each including a circuit board 216 and a coupled microphone element 218, and an insert mount 220 having a plurality of spaced shaft elements 224 is used to connect to the separate housings 204. The components and features of the microphone assembly 202, the housing 204, the insert mount 220, and the seal 230 used in conjunction with the Fig. 2-10 can equally be applied to the arrangement 300 of the Fig. 11 may be applicable. In an alternative embodiment, which is described in Fig. 12, an invisible microphone assembly 400 is shown including a common housing 204 in which a plurality of circuit boards 216 and coupled microphone elements 218 are mounted, and an insert mount 220 having a plurality of spaced shaft elements 224 is utilized to connect to the common housing 204. The components and features of the microphone assembly 202, the housing 204, the insert mount 220, and the seal 230 used in conjunction with the Fig. 2-10 can in turn equally apply to the arrangement 400 of the Fig. 12 may be applicable.

[0029] It is understood that directional terms such as, but not limited to, above, below, upper and lower are used herein to describe the relative orientation of elements and are not intended to be limiting.

[0030] The invisible microphone assembly 202 (and assemblies 300, 400) utilizing the disclosed insert mount 220 offers the advantage that the microphone assembly 202 is not visible within the vehicle's passenger compartment. Occupants within the vehicle may not notice the presence of the microphone assembly 202, allowing for a more uniform, unbroken headliner surface than previous grille designs. Another advantage is that the air passages are covered by the A-surface layer 116, preventing dust and other contaminants from entering and therefore reducing the likelihood of problems with reduced performance. Embodiments disclosed herein also allow the microphone assembly 202 to be positioned closer to the A-surface layer 116, resulting in a more linear frequency response of the microphone element 218.The seal 230 joins the housing 204 and the insert bracket 220 together in a sealed joint, thereby defining the air path(s) from the vehicle's passenger compartment to the microphone element 218. Accordingly, the microphone assembly 202 provides improved rear noise reduction due to the proper acoustic seal provided by the seal 230 between the vehicle's passenger compartment and the microphone element 218.

[0031] Although exemplary embodiments are described above, these embodiments are not intended to describe all possible forms of the invention. Rather, the terms used in the description are words of description rather than limitation, and it is understood that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. In addition, the features of various implementing embodiments may be combined to form further embodiments of the invention.

Claims

[1] Microphone assembly (202) for a headliner (110) of a vehicle (100), comprising: a housing (204) arranged to be received in a substrate layer (112) of the headliner (110), the housing (204) having an upper portion (234) and a lower portion (236); a circuit board (216) mounted in the upper portion, the circuit board having a microphone element (218) coupled thereto; an insert holder (220) having a base (222) and a shaft member (224) extending upwardly therefrom, the base (222) having a plurality of passages (228) aligned with the shaft member (224), the shaft member (224) engaging the lower portion (236) to connect the insert holder (220) to the housing (204); and a seal (230) having at least one channel (232) defining an air path extending therethrough, the seal (230) being arranged to be received in the shaft member (224) and to extend between the base (222) and the upper portion (234), the seal (230) providing an acoustic seal between the insert bracket (220) and the housing (204) such that the air path conducts sound from a passenger compartment of the vehicle (100) through the passages (228) to the microphone element (218). [2] The microphone assembly (202) of claim 1, wherein the seal (230) is coupled to the circuit board (216) and the microphone element (218) is aligned with the air path. [3] The microphone assembly (202) of claim 1, wherein the base (222) is covered by an A-surface layer (116) of the headliner (110), the A-surface layer (116) being constructed of an acoustically transparent material. [4] The microphone assembly (202) of claim 1, wherein the base (222) is arranged to be secured to the substrate layer (112) and received in a cavity (120) in a middle foam layer (114) of the headliner (110). [5] The microphone assembly (202) of claim 1, wherein the shaft member (224) and the lower portion (236) of the housing (204) are connected via a snap-fit ​​arrangement. [6] The microphone assembly (202) of claim 1, wherein the seal (230) includes two longitudinally extending channels (232) separated by a central member (242). [7] The microphone assembly (202) of claim 6, wherein the channels (232) have a larger cross-section at a bottom region (244) of the seal (230) compared to a middle region (246) of the seal (230), and the channels (232) converge into a common air path at an upper region (248) of the seal (230). [8] The microphone assembly (202) of claim 1, wherein the seal (230) includes one or more outwardly extending projections (250) each sized to be received in a corresponding opening (252) provided in the shaft member (224) to locate the seal (230) with respect to the shaft member (224). [9] A headliner assembly (200) for a vehicle (100), comprising: a headliner (110) having a substrate layer (112) having an opening (118) and an A-surface layer (116) that is acoustically transparent and exposed to a passenger compartment of the vehicle (100); and a microphone assembly (202) comprising a housing (204) arranged to be received in the substrate layer (112), the housing (204) having an upper portion (234) and a lower portion (236); a circuit board (216) mounted in the upper portion (234), the circuit board (216) having a microphone element (218) coupled thereto; an insert holder (220) having a base (222) and a shaft member (224) extending upwardly therefrom, the base (222) having a plurality of passages (228) aligned with the shaft member (224), the shaft member (224) engaging the lower portion (236) to connect the insert holder (220) to the housing (204); and a seal (230) having at least one channel (232) defining an air path extending therethrough, the seal (230) being arranged to be received in the shaft member (224) and to extend between the base (222) and the upper portion (234), the seal (230) providing an acoustic seal between the insert bracket (220) and the housing (204) such that the air path conducts sound from the passenger compartment of the vehicle (100) through the passages (228) to the microphone element (218). [10] Microphone arrangement (300) for a roof lining (110) of a vehicle (100), comprising: at least one housing (204) arranged to be received in a substrate layer (112) of the headliner (110); a plurality of circuit boards (216) mounted in the at least one housing (204), each circuit board (216) having a microphone element (218) coupled thereto; an insert holder (220) having a base (222) and a plurality of spaced-apart shaft members (224) extending upwardly therefrom, the base (222) having a plurality of passages (228) aligned with each shaft member (224), the shaft member (224) being connected to the at least one housing (204); and a plurality of seals (230), each having at least one channel (232) defining an air path extending therethrough, each seal (230) arranged to be received in one of the plurality of spaced-apart shaft members (224) and extending between the base (222) and the at least one housing (204), the plurality of seals (230) providing an acoustic seal between the insert bracket (220) and the at least one housing (204) such that the air path conducts sound from a passenger compartment of the vehicle (100) through the passages (228) to each microphone element (218).

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