Cylindrical Contact Microphone Segmented Shell Assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional microphones, such as electret and piezoelectric microphones, face issues with sound pick-up in noisy environments and complex, large structures that increase production costs due to different machining requirements.

Innovation Solution

A cylindrical contact-type microphone with a tapered, two-section conductive shell, a piezoelectric ceramic sheet, and a circuit board, featuring a conductive polar ring and connection sheets for simplified assembly and reduced production costs, using existing electret microphone manufacturing tools.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If piezoelectric microphones are used to achieve excellent sound pick-up in noisy environments, then sound pick-up effect is improved, but structure complexity and size increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesound pick-up effectVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The shell is divided into two sections with different wall thicknesses, and the connection plate is segmented with separate positive and negative signal connection areas, allowing simplified assembly while maintaining piezoelectric sound pick-up performance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The conductive polar ring serves multiple functions: it acts as an electrical connection component, a structural support element, and part of the acoustic pathway, reducing the need for separate components and simplifying the overall structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If piezoelectric microphones are used to achieve excellent sound pick-up in noisy environments, then sound pick-up effect is improved, but production costs increase due to different machining requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesound pick-up effectVSAvoidproduction cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The tapered cylindrical shell serves multiple purposes: it provides the acoustic chamber, acts as a mechanical support structure, and functions as part of the electrical connection path through its conductive nature, eliminating the need for separate components and allowing use of existing electret microphone tooling

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines the shell, connection plates, and polar ring into an integrated assembly where multiple functions are achieved through unified structural elements, allowing production using the same machining equipment and processes as traditional electret microphones

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If complex piezoelectric microphone structures are used, then sound pick-up effect is improved, but assembly convenience deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesound pick-up effectVSAvoidassembly convenience
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The connection plate is divided into distinct positive and negative signal connection areas with clear positioning features, and the shell is segmented into sections with matching steps, enabling straightforward alignment and assembly without complex positioning procedures

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The conductive polar ring and connection plates are designed to create clear electrical potential zones that naturally guide assembly, with the stepped shell structure providing mechanical stops that ensure proper positioning during assembly

Inventive Principle:
Principle #12Equipotentiality

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The microphone achieves effective sound pick-up in noisy environments with a simple, compact design that reduces production costs by leveraging existing manufacturing infrastructure.

Implementation Method 1

as vibrations produced by sounds are converted into electric signals via piezoelectric ceramic sheets

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPiezoelectric effect: Piezoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentEP3370432B1Cylindrical contact-type microphone
Publication Date: 2020.09.02 HU QIANG
  • EP3370432B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3370432B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

A cylindrical contact-type microphone, which relates to the technical field of audio devices, and solves the technical problem of inconvenient assembly of an existing contact-type microphone. The microphone comprises a shell, and a circuit board (4), a piezoelectric ceramic sheet (2), a lower-stage connection plate (3) and a conductive polar ring (5) which are mounted within the shell, wherein the shell is a two-section cylindrical conductive cylinder body, and a negative signal lower connection sheet of the lower-stage connection plate (3) is electrically connected to a step (13) at a joint portion of an upper cylinder section (11) and a lower cylinder section (12) of the shell; a bottom edge of the conductive polar ring (5) is electrically connected to a positive signal lower connection sheet of the lower-stage connection plate (3); the piezoelectric ceramic sheet (2) is inserted into the shell, and positive and negative electrodes of the piezoelectric ceramic sheet (2) are respectively connected to the positive signal lower connection sheet and the negative signal lower connection sheet of the lower-stage connection plate (3); a positive signal upper connection sheet of the circuit board (4) is electrically connected to an upper edge of the conductive polar ring (5); and an upper edge of the shell is bent inward and is electrically connected to a negative signal upper connection sheet of the circuit board (4).