Capacitive Microphone Diaphragm Segmentation for Rigidity Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing capacitive microphones face challenges in achieving optimal diaphragm rigidity due to structural limitations, which affects the call quality and performance of mobile phone microphones.
Innovation Solution
The microphone chip design includes a diaphragm with an inner membrane portion, outer membrane portions, and supporting portions, connected through a fixing portion. A supporting member divides the inner membrane portion into floating regions, enhancing the diaphragm's rigidity and allowing for adjustable stiffness by varying the number of floating regions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the diaphragm structure is simplified for ease of manufacture, then manufacturing cost decreases, but diaphragm rigidity becomes difficult to adjust optimally
Solution Approach 1:
The diaphragm is divided into multiple membrane portions (inner membrane portion and outer membrane portions) separated by gaps, with supporting portions providing structural reinforcement. This segmentation allows each region to be optimized independently for both manufacturing simplicity and rigidity control.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the diaphragm are designed with different structural characteristics - the inner membrane portion has specific rigidity requirements for sound sensing, while outer membrane portions and supporting portions provide structural support. This local differentiation enables optimal rigidity distribution without complicating overall manufacturing.
2Length of moving object
If the diaphragm thickness is reduced to achieve thinner microphone design, then device compactness improves, but diaphragm strength and rigidity decrease
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the diaphragm into multiple portions with gaps between them, the structure achieves high rigidity-to-thickness ratio. The supporting portions provide localized reinforcement without increasing overall thickness, enabling thin microphone design while maintaining diaphragm strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The diaphragm employs a composite structure combining thin membrane portions for sensitivity with integrated supporting portions for strength. This composite approach allows the use of thin materials while achieving required mechanical strength through structural design rather than material thickness.
3Area of moving object
If the diaphragm area is increased to improve sound pickup, then acoustic sensitivity improves, but diaphragm rigidity control becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The diaphragm is segmented into inner and outer membrane portions with supporting portions distributed across the area. This segmentation allows large diaphragm area for improved sound pickup while maintaining rigidity control through the strategically positioned supporting portions that prevent excessive flexibility in larger structures.
Solution Approach 2:
Different areas of the diaphragm are assigned different functional qualities - the inner membrane portion optimizes for acoustic sensitivity, while outer portions and supporting portions optimize for structural rigidity. This local quality differentiation enables large area diaphragms to maintain proper rigidity characteristics.
4Strength
If supporting structures are added to increase diaphragm rigidity, then diaphragm strength improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The supporting portions are merged with the diaphragm structure itself rather than being separate components. This integration provides necessary rigidity support while avoiding the complexity of additional discrete parts, assembly steps, and alignment requirements that would arise from separate supporting structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The supporting portions serve multiple functions simultaneously - they provide structural rigidity, define the gaps between membrane portions, and contribute to the overall diaphragm architecture. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional specialized components, thereby reducing overall device complexity.
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
This design effectively increases and adjusts the diaphragm's rigidity, improving the microphone's performance by enhancing sound pickup quality and allowing for thinner or larger diaphragm configurations, thus improving feasibility.
Implementation Method 1
In response to the microphone chip being in an operating state, the inner membrane portion is adsorbed on the supporting member
Data Source
AI summary
A microphone chip and a microphone are provided. The microphone chip includes a substrate and a capacitive system disposed on the substrate. The capacitive system includes a diaphragm and a back plate spaced from the diaphragm, and there is an air spacing defined between the diaphragm and the back plate. The diaphragm includes an inner membrane portion, at least one outer membrane portion, and at least one supporting portion. The microphone chip further includes a supporting member. In an operating state, the inner membrane portion is adsorbed on the supporting member, and the supporting member is configured to divide the inner membrane portion into at least two regions. The diaphragm in the operating state is divided by the supporting member into a plurality of floating regions separated from each other, such that the rigidity of the diaphragm can be effectively adjusted and enhanced according to requirements.