Acoustic device and electronic equipment

Abstract

To provide an acoustic device and electronic equipment capable of obtaining sufficient waterproof performance under water pressure higher than before.SOLUTION: An acoustic device includes a waterproof vibrating membrane (131), a support member (133) arranged in the X direction with respect to the vibrating membrane (131) and supporting the vibrating membrane (131), a waterproof packing (14) in contact with the support member (133), a sound hole case (15) having an air passage (151) and located on the side opposite to the side on which the support member (133) of the waterproof packing (14) is arranged, and a compression plate (16) fixed in a state in which the sound hole case (15) is pressed along the X direction, having a through hole (161) that communicates with or includes the air passage (151), and located in the sound hole case (15) on the opposite side of the waterproof packing (14).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an audio device and an electronic device. [Background technology]

[0002] Portable and body-worn electronic devices are used in a variety of environments. When these electronic devices are used underwater, they must be waterproof. Patent Document 1 discloses a technology in which a support member bonded to a waterproof diaphragm with an adhesive is held down by a waterproof packing, isolating the speaker from the outside and ensuring waterproofing. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2018-107503 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, when more reliable waterproofing is required, if the waterproof gasket is directly pressed by a sheet metal member, there is a problem in that it is difficult to obtain sufficient waterproofing even under higher water pressure than before.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide an audio device and electronic device that can achieve sufficient waterproof performance under higher water pressure than ever before. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides A waterproof diaphragm; A support member that is arranged in a certain direction with respect to the vibration membrane and supports the vibration membrane; A waterproof member in contact with the support member; an insulating plate located on the opposite side of the waterproof member from the side on which the support member is disposed, the insulating plate having a first through hole connected to the vibration membrane; a metal plate that is located on the opposite side of the insulating plate from the waterproof member, has a second through hole that communicates with or includes the first through hole, and is fixed to the insulating plate in a state where the insulating plate is pressed in the certain direction; The acoustic device is characterized by comprising: Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, there is an advantage that an audio device can obtain sufficient waterproof performance under water pressure higher than ever before. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 2 is a partial cross-sectional view showing the vicinity of an audio device of the electronic device of the present embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a waterproof structure. [Diagram 3] 11A and 11B are diagrams illustrating the positional relationship of conductor portions. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a partial cross-sectional view showing the vicinity of an audio device 10 of an electronic device 1 of this embodiment. The electronic device 1 is, for example, an electronic wristwatch, and includes a housing 20, a crystal 30, a back cover 40, a display screen 50, an operating unit 60, an audio device 10, and the like.

[0010] The housing 20 is a cylindrical member that is open at the top and bottom, and the top side where the display screen 50 is located is covered by a windshield glass 30, and the bottom side is covered by a back cover 40, thereby sealing the display screen 50 and the operating unit 60 inside.

[0011] The windshield 30 is a transparent member, such as glass. The back cover 40 is a conductive member (conductor). The housing 20 here is a dielectric material, such as resin.

[0012] Display screen 50 is, for example, a liquid crystal display screen, and the displayed contents can be viewed from the outside through windshield 30. Operation unit 60 has a CPU, RAM, etc., and controls various operations of electronic device 1. Also, a battery and the like are housed in the space sealed by housing 20, windshield 30, and back cover 40.

[0013] The electronic device 1 may have an exterior member such as a bezel on the outside of the housing 20. The exterior member can be used to absorb external shocks or as decoration.

[0014] The audio device 10 is a device that outputs or detects sound, that is, a speaker or a microphone.

[0015] The acoustic device 10 includes an acoustic conversion unit 11 (acoustic module), a rubber edge 12, an acoustic transmission unit 13, a waterproof gasket 14 (waterproof member), a sound hole case 15 (insulating plate), a compression plate 16 (metal plate), a dustproof plate 17 (metal plate), screws 18, and an exterior member 19.

[0016] The housing 20 has a recess 201 on the outside and a recess 202 on the inside. Of the acoustic device 10, the acoustic conversion unit 11 and the rubber edge 12 are located in the recess 202 of the housing 20, and the acoustic transmission unit 13, the waterproof packing 14, etc. are housed in the recess 201. The recesses 201 and 202 are in communication with each other via an air passage 203. The air passage 203 may be bent midway.

[0017] The acoustic transducer 11 is a speaker or a microphone (collectively referred to as a transducer element) that converts between sound (sound waves) and electrical signals. A rubber edge 12 is positioned around the transducer element of the acoustic transducer 11.

[0018] The acoustic transmission unit 13 has a vibration membrane 131. The vibration membrane 131 is a conventionally known thin film member that vibrates in response to sound waves and transmits sound from one side to the other across the vibration membrane 131. The vibration membrane 131 is also waterproof. That is, the vibration membrane 131 does not allow water to pass through it at water pressures within a standard range, and is not destroyed or irreversibly deformed. This prevents water from entering the air passage 203 and the acoustic conversion unit 11 from the outside. The periphery of the vibration membrane 131 is supported in a ring shape by support members 133 on both sides. The support members 133 have an opening in line with the center of the vibration membrane 131. The vibration membrane 131 is capable of vibrating inside the ring shape supported by the support members 133.

[0019] The waterproof packing 14 is an O-ring located in an annular shape along the periphery of the acoustic transmission part 13. The waterproof packing 14 has a shape corresponding to the outer periphery of the acoustic transmission part 13, and is slightly larger than the acoustic transmission part 13. The waterproof packing 14 prevents water from entering the inside (the acoustic conversion part 11 side) through gaps in the periphery of the acoustic transmission part 13.

[0020] The sound hole case 15 has an air passage 151 (first through hole) that penetrates the center and connects to the vibration membrane 131. The sound hole case 15 is, for example, a resin member, but if it is not a conductive metal, it may be a ceramic member or the like, or it may be a composite member combining a plurality of insulating members. The sound hole case 15 is located on the outside of the waterproof packing 14, that is, on the opposite side to the side where the support member 133 (sound transmission part 13) of the waterproof packing 14 is arranged. The inside of the sound hole case 15 (the waterproof packing 14 side) has a ring-shaped lowered shape so that the waterproof packing 14 can be accommodated, and the outside has a protruding part 152 in the center through which the air passage 151 penetrates. The compression plate 16 is fitted in a ring-shaped shape around the protruding part 152. In other words, the sound hole case 15 (insulating plate) does not have to be flat.

[0021] The compression plate 16 is a metal plate that is fixed to the housing 20 with screws 18 to press and fix the waterproof packing 14 (sound hole case 15). The compression plate 16 has a through hole 161 (second through hole). The through hole 161 has a cross-sectional size larger than the air passage 151, and the protrusion 152 of the sound hole case 15 is inserted (contained) inside the through hole 161. The compression plate 16 is larger in plan view than the sound hole case 15, and by fixing both ends, etc. with screws 18, the waterproof packing 14 can be pressed and fixed evenly.

[0022] Dustproof plate 17 has fine openings or mesh aligned with at least the position of air passage 151. Dustproof plate 17 is a metal plate, for example, stainless steel (SUS), and is fixed to housing 20 together with compression plate 16 by screws 18. The openings or mesh allow sound to pass through while preventing the intrusion of dirt and dust from the outside. Dustproof plate 17 is electrically connected to rear cover 40 by metal wiring 41, and is grounded to the housing together with compression plate 16 in contact with dustproof plate 17.

[0023] As described above, the screws 18 are small screws that secure the overlapping compression plate 16 and dustproof plate 17 together to the housing 20. The number of screws is not particularly limited, but is determined according to the size of the space and the reliability of the fixation, and is, for example, two.

[0024] The exterior member 19 is a cover member that covers the opening of the dustproof plate 17, and may have an appropriate shape depending on the external design. The exterior member 19 is made of, for example, various resins.

[0025] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the waterproof structure. Sound (sound waves) transmitted from the outside to air passage 151, or sound (sound waves) transmitted from acoustic conversion unit 11 to air passage 203, reaches acoustic transmission unit 13. The sound waves that reach diaphragm 131 vibrate diaphragm 131, and sound waves corresponding to the vibration of diaphragm 131 are further output in the opposite direction to the arrival side, in a direction along the X-axis here (a certain direction). That is, the X-axis direction is a direction perpendicular to diaphragm 131 in a stationary state without sound at atmospheric pressure.

[0026] In addition to the diaphragm 131, the acoustic transmission unit 13 has support members 1331 and 1332 (collectively referred to as the support member 133) that are aligned in the X direction with respect to the diaphragm 131 and positioned on both sides of the diaphragm 131, and adhesive tapes 1321 and 1322 (collectively referred to as the adhesive tape 132) that bond the diaphragm 131 and the support members 1331 and 1332, respectively. That is, the acoustic transmission unit 13 is integrated with the support member 1332, the adhesive tape 1322, the diaphragm 131, the adhesive tape 1321, and the support member 1331 in this order from the inside. The diaphragm 131 and the adhesive tape 132 may be one size smaller than the support member 133. The size of the diaphragm 131 does not need to be the same as the size of the adhesive tape 132.

[0027] As described above, in air, the central portion of diaphragm 131 vibrates to transmit sound to the opposite side of diaphragm 131. In water, diaphragm 131 prevents water from entering the acoustic transducer 11 side from the outside.

[0028] Support member 133 is a metal plate that supports diaphragm 131 by sandwiching the periphery of diaphragm 131 from both sides. Note that support member 133 does not have to be a single member, and may be an integrated member of multiple members.

[0029] The adhesive tape 132 bonds the diaphragm 131 and the support member 133 in a ring shape at the portion supported by the support member 133. Although not particularly limited, the circular central portion of the adhesive tape 132, which is not bonded to the diaphragm 131, makes it easier for the diaphragm 131 to vibrate appropriately, and also makes it easier to distribute stress to the bonded portion of the diaphragm 131 evenly even when water pressure is applied to the diaphragm 131. The adhesive tape 132 is a double-sided tape having layers of adhesive material on both sides of a sheet-like base material. The adhesive material has elasticity at least within an expected pressure range, and is elastically deformed, i.e., compressed, at a rate according to the magnitude of the pressure. The thickness of the adhesive tape 132 at about air pressure is equal to or greater than the thickness at which the support member 133 does not interfere with the vibration of the diaphragm 131. Note that, as long as the adhesive member has the same degree of elasticity as the adhesive member, can ensure waterproofing, and can suppress misalignment of diaphragm 131 relative to support member 133, particularly misalignment in a direction perpendicular to the X-direction when water pressure is applied, the adhesive member may be located between diaphragm 131 and support member 133 rather than completely adhesively fixing diaphragm 131 to support member 133 as with the adhesive member.

[0030] As described above, the dustproof plate 17 and the compression plate 16 are fixed by the screw 18. The compression plate 16 is pressed by tightening the screw 18. In response to this pressure, the sound hole case 15 and the waterproof packing 14 are further pressed down along the X direction, and the waterproof packing 14 presses the sound transmission part 13 while preventing water from entering the inside of the sound transmission part 13. In the case of having a waterproof function higher (for example, about 10 to 20 atmospheres) than simple waterproofing for daily life (about several atmospheres), if the sound hole case 15 is a metal member, the pressure required to completely fill the gap between the waterproof packing 14 and the housing 20 and the support member 133 even under high water pressure is not applied, making it difficult to obtain the required waterproofness. On the other hand, even if only the sound hole case 15 is directly fixed with the screw 18, the pressure is relaxed and sufficient pressure is not applied to the waterproof packing 14 (especially in the case of a resin member, which has a significantly lower rigidity (elastic modulus is not very high) compared to metal members, etc.). In the electronic device 1, the range of the waterproof packing 14 is selectively and more reliably pressed against the sound hole case 15 by the compression plate 16, which is a metal plate with higher rigidity (higher elasticity) than the sound hole case 15, so that the waterproof packing 14 deforms to fill the gap between the housing 20 and the acoustic transmission unit 13, ensuring waterproofing. In particular, the compression plate 16 is positioned so as to encompass the entire range of the waterproof packing 14 in a planar perspective seen along the X direction, so that the range where the waterproof function occurs can be effectively pressed with a surface to seal the gap. The screws 18 may be tightened with a strength according to the required waterproof performance.

[0031] FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the positional relationship of the conductor portions.

[0032] As described above, the dustproof plate 17, which is a conductor, and the compression plate 16 in contact therewith are connected to the back cover 40 by the metal wiring 41, and are thus grounded to the housing. On the other hand, the acoustic transducer unit 11 is grounded to the back cover 40 via a conductor path 42 inside the housing 20. Therefore, under normal conditions, the compression plate 16, the dustproof plate 17, and the acoustic transducer unit 11, together with the back cover 40, are all maintained at approximately the same ground voltage. Moreover, the support member 133 is not connected to any other conductor here and is in a floating state.

[0033] However, in the portable electronic device 1, due to the design of wiring each component compactly, the metal line 41 and the conductor path 42 do not necessarily have a sufficient cross-sectional area and may be longer than the linear distance. Also, if the back cover 40 is not electrically connected to the ground via the human body, the potential of the casing such as the back cover 40 will not be exactly the ground potential and may become charged depending on the situation.

[0034] In this situation, when the ground is connected, the housing ground voltage changes (drops) suddenly, but a potential difference may occur for a short time between the dustproof plate 17 and the compression plate 16 and the acoustic conversion unit 11 depending on the difference in resistance and parasitic capacitance according to the length and cross-sectional area of ​​the metal line 41 and the conductor path 42. At this time, if the distance between the acoustic conversion unit 11 and the dustproof plate 17 and the compression plate 16 via the air passages 203 and 151, particularly the distance between each of them and the support member 133 because the support member 133 is sandwiched between them here, is too short (as described above, the support member 133 is floating and no current flows, so if only one of the distances is short, a problem is unlikely to occur), a discharge may occur through the support member 133 in the air passages 203 and 151 as shown by the arrow in FIG.

[0035] The instantaneous generation of a large current due to discharge may mainly damage the acoustic conversion unit 11 (particularly, the digital microphone, etc.). As described above, the electronic device 1 equipped with the acoustic device 10 having a high-pressure waterproof function requires the compression plate 16, but the compression plate 16 is structured so as not to significantly reduce the distance between the compression plate 16 and the support member 133 compared to the dustproof plate 17.

[0036] Here, as described above, the sound hole case 15, which is an insulating member, is positioned between the compression plate 16 and the support member 133, separating the compression plate 16 from the support member 133, thereby suppressing discharge. In particular, the sound hole case 15 has the protrusion 152, and the compression plate 16 is positioned on the outside thereof, so that the compression plate 16 does not face the air passage 203. This prevents the distance between the support member 133 and the conductor portion from being shortened from the distance between the support member 133 and the dustproof plate 17 that is originally present, and thus more effectively suppresses discharge. In other words, the sound hole case 15 functions as a spacer member between the support member 133 and the compression plate 16 and dustproof plate 17.

[0037] As described above, the acoustic device 10 of this embodiment comprises a waterproof diaphragm 131, a support member 133 that is positioned alongside the diaphragm 131 in the X direction and supports the diaphragm 131, a waterproof gasket 14 that contacts the support member 133, a sound hole case 15 made of an insulating material and having an air passage 151, and a metal compression plate 16 that is positioned on the opposite side of the sound hole case 15 from the waterproof gasket 14, has a through hole 161 that communicates with or contains the air passage 151, and is fixed in a state in which the sound hole case 15 is pressed along the X direction. In this way, by pressing down the waterproof packing 14 with two layers, the sound hole case 15 made of a non-metallic insulating material and the metallic compression plate 16, the waterproof packing 14 can be pressed in more stably and strongly. This allows the acoustic device 10 to more reliably and sufficiently waterproof the internal acoustic transducer 11 even under higher water pressure than before. In addition, the sound hole case 15, which is an insulating member, is positioned so as to contact the waterproof packing 14, and is further pressed down by the metal compression plate 16, so that the compression plate 16 and the support member 133 can be separated from each other. This makes it possible to reduce discharge between the compression plate 16 and the support member 133.

[0038] Furthermore, sound hole case 15 has protrusion 152 through which air passage 151 passes. Through hole 161 includes protrusion 152 on the inside. By using a double structure in this way in which compression plate 16 does not directly face air passage 151, discharge is more reliably suppressed. Furthermore, alignment during manufacturing and assembly is easy, and waterproof strength can be increased more easily and reliably.

[0039] Moreover, the compression plate 16 encompasses the entire waterproof packing 14 in a plan view seen along the X direction. Therefore, the waterproof packing 14 can be evenly and reliably pressed to improve waterproofness.

[0040] Moreover, the compression plate 16 is fixed by the screws 18. Since the pressing strength is determined by the tightening of the screws 18, the desired waterproof strength can be easily obtained reliably and stably.

[0041] Furthermore, adhesive tape 132 is located between support member 133 and diaphragm 131, or an adhesive member may be located instead of adhesive tape 132. By fixing diaphragm 131 to support member 133 and at least suppressing relative movement, waterproofing between support member 133 and diaphragm 131 can be more reliably achieved.

[0042] Furthermore, the sound hole case 15 is a resin or ceramic member. Since the sound hole case 15 is not a metal member, but is particularly a resin or ceramic member, when water pressure is applied, the gap with the waterproof packing 14 is filled more appropriately in response to the water pressure, and the gap between the waterproof packing 14 and the housing 20 is also filled, ensuring waterproofing.

[0043] Moreover, the electronic device 1 of this embodiment includes the above-mentioned audio device 10 and a housing 20 to which the compression plate 16 is fixed. Since the electronic device 1 can reliably obtain waterproofness under higher water pressure than in the past, the electronic device 1 can be used in more diverse and harsh environments.

[0044] The acoustic device 10 also includes an acoustic converter 11 that converts between sound waves and electrical signals. The acoustic converter 11 is waterproofed by a diaphragm 131 and a waterproof packing 14, and the compression plate 16 and the acoustic converter 11 are each grounded to the case back cover 40. In a small electronic device 1, the ground path is often thin and extends while avoiding other wiring and configurations. In addition, the case ground voltage itself may not become zero. As a result, when a potential difference occurs between the configurations due to a sudden change in the case ground voltage, a discharge may occur between the configurations that are closer than the ground path, causing serious damage to the electronic components. In the electronic device 1 of this embodiment, the configuration is such that the occurrence of such a discharge path is avoided, while the waterproofing can be further improved, so that a more robust electronic device 1 is obtained, and the electronic device 1 can be used under a wide variety of conditions.

[0045] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but may be modified in various ways. For example, in the above embodiment, the through hole 161 of the compression plate 16 is described as not facing the air passage 151, but as long as a certain distance is obtained between the through hole 161 and the support member 133, the through hole 161 may face the air passage 151 to some extent.

[0046] Also, the sound hole case 15 has been described as having a stepped, annular protrusion 152, but is not limited to this. For example, the sound hole case 15 may have a shape in which the air passage 151 is located at the center where it tapers down, and in this case, the shape of the through hole 161 will also follow the shape of this sound hole case 15.

[0047] In the above embodiment, the screw 18 is described as fixing the dustproof plate 17 and the compression plate 16, but this is not limited thereto. It is sufficient that the compression plate 16 is fixed so as to appropriately press the sound hole case 15, and for example, the screw 18 may press the compression plate 16 alone, or it may be pressed by something other than the screw.

[0048] Furthermore, the shapes of the air passages 203, 151 are not limited to those shown in the above embodiment. The thickness, bending, etc. may be adjusted depending on the shapes of the electronic device 1 and the housing 20 and the positional relationship with other components.

[0049] In the above embodiment, the compression plate 16 has been described as including the entire area of ​​the waterproof packing 14 in a plan view, but this is not limited as long as the waterproof packing 14 is reliably pressed. The compression plate 16 may also be a combination of multiple (e.g., two) metal plates.

[0050] In the above embodiment, an electronic wristwatch has been taken as an example of the electronic device 1, but the electronic device 1 is not limited to this and may be other electronic devices. In addition, the specific details of the configuration, structure, materials, etc. shown in the above embodiment can be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0051] Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, but includes the scope of the invention described in the claims and its equivalents. The inventions described in the claims originally attached to this application are set forth below. The claim numbers in the appended claims are the same as those in the claims originally attached to this application.

[0052] [Note] <Claim 1> A waterproof diaphragm; A support member that is arranged in a certain direction with respect to the vibration membrane and supports the vibration membrane; A waterproof member in contact with the support member; an insulating plate located on the opposite side of the waterproof member from the side on which the support member is disposed, the insulating plate having a first through hole connected to the vibration membrane; a metal plate that is located on the opposite side of the insulating plate from the waterproof member, has a second through hole that communicates with or includes the first through hole, and is fixed to the insulating plate in a state where the insulating plate is pressed in the certain direction; An acoustic device comprising: <Claim 2> the insulating plate has a protrusion through which the first through hole passes, 2. The acoustic device according to claim 1, wherein the second through hole includes the protrusion on its inside. <Claim 3> 3. The acoustic device according to claim 1, wherein the metal plate encompasses the entire waterproofing member in a plan view seen along the certain direction. <Claim 4> 4. The acoustic device according to claim 1, wherein the metal plate is fixed by a screw. <Claim 5> 5. The acoustic device according to claim 1, wherein an adhesive or pressure-sensitive adhesive member is located between the support member and the diaphragm. <Claim 6> 6. The acoustic device according to claim 1, wherein the insulating plate is made of a resin material or a ceramic material. <Claim 7> An acoustic device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, a housing to which the metal plate is fixed; An electronic device comprising: <Claim 8> The acoustic device includes an acoustic converter that converts between sound waves and electrical signals, The acoustic transducer is waterproofed by the vibration membrane and the waterproofing member. The metal plate and the acoustic transducer are each grounded to the housing. 8. The electronic device according to claim 7, [Explanation of symbols]

[0053] 1 Electronic equipment 10 Sound equipment 11 Acoustic transducer 12 Rubber Edge 13. Acoustic Transmission Section 131 Vibrating Membrane 132, 1321, 1322 Adhesive Tape 133, 1331, 1332 Support member 14 Waterproof packing 15 Sound hole case 151 Air passage 152 Protrusion 16 Compression plate 161 Through hole 17 Dustproof plate 19 Exterior materials 20. Cabinet 201, 202 Recess 203 Air passage 30 Windshield Glass 40 Back cover 41 Metallic Wire 42 Conductor Path 50 display screen 60 Operating Part

Claims

1. A waterproof diaphragm; A support member that is arranged in a certain direction with respect to the vibration membrane and supports the vibration membrane; A waterproof member in contact with the support member; an insulating plate located on an opposite side of the waterproof member from a side on which the support member is disposed, the insulating plate having a first through hole connected to the vibration membrane; a metal plate located on an opposite side of the insulating plate from the waterproof member, the metal plate having a second through hole communicating with or including the first through hole, and fixed to the insulating plate in a state of being pressed in the certain direction; An acoustic device comprising:

2. the insulating plate has a protrusion through which the first through hole passes, 2. The acoustic device according to claim 1, wherein the second through hole includes the protrusion on its inside.

3. 3. The acoustic device according to claim 1, wherein the metal plate encompasses the entire waterproofing member in a plan view seen along the certain direction.

4. 4. The acoustic device according to claim 1, wherein the metal plate is fixed by a screw.

5. 5. The acoustic device according to claim 1, wherein an adhesive or pressure-sensitive adhesive member is positioned between the support member and the diaphragm.

6. 6. The acoustic device according to claim 1, wherein the insulating plate is made of a resin material or a ceramic material.

7. An acoustic device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, a housing to which the metal plate is fixed; An electronic device comprising:

8. The acoustic device includes an acoustic converter that converts between sound waves and electrical signals, The acoustic transducer is waterproofed by the vibration membrane and the waterproofing member. The metal plate and the acoustic transducer are each grounded to the housing.

8. The electronic device according to claim 7.

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