Microphone with Movable Partition Wall for Noise Adaptation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Directional MEMS microphones are robust to noise but have lower sensitivity and poor frequency response compared to non-directional microphones, making them less suitable for environments with varying noise levels, such as vehicles.

Innovation Solution

A microphone design incorporating a sound sensing module, a semiconductor chip, and a sound delay filter that selectively operates based on noise voltage levels to switch between directional and non-directional modes, adjusting the microphone's aperture configuration to optimize performance in changing noise environments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a directional microphone is used to receive sound sources in only the desired direction, then robustness to noise input from peripheral portions is improved, but sensitivity and frequency response characteristic deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenoise robustnessVSAvoidsensitivity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies a movable partition wall that can dynamically switch between blocking and opening states to transition the microphone between directional and non-directional modes. This dynamic structure allows the system to adapt its acoustic characteristics based on operational requirements, resolving the contradiction between noise robustness and sensitivity by enabling the microphone to switch between directional (noise-resistant) and non-directional (high-sensitivity) modes as needed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a directional microphone is used to receive sound sources in only the desired direction, then robustness to noise input from peripheral portions is improved, but frequency response characteristic deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenoise robustnessVSAvoidfrequency response

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The movable partition wall provides dynamic control over acoustic pathways, allowing the microphone to switch between directional and non-directional modes. This enables the system to optimize frequency response characteristics by opening the partition wall to allow full acoustic access when frequency response is critical, while maintaining directional mode for noise robustness when needed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Measurement precision

If a non-directional microphone is used to maintain high sensitivity and excellent frequency response, then sensitivity and frequency response characteristic are improved, but robustness to noise input deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesensitivityVSAvoidnoise robustness

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The movable partition wall enables the microphone to dynamically switch between non-directional mode (for high sensitivity and frequency response) and directional mode (for noise robustness). This dynamic adaptability allows the system to prioritize sensitivity when noise is not an issue, while switching to directional mode when noise robustness becomes the primary requirement

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 can adapt its directional characteristics to improve sensitivity and frequency response, enhancing its robustness in noisy environments while reducing power consumption and costs.

Implementation Method 1

a sound sensing module 17, which is connected to the first sound aperture 12

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPiezoelectric effect: Piezoelectric Effect

Implementation Method 2

A capacitive microphone based on Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) technology

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapacitive effect: Capacitance

Implementation Method 3

forming a sound delay filter 20 at a receiving space of the cover to be connected to the second sound aperture 16

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAcoustic filtering: Filter (physical)

Data Source

PatentUS9736605B2Method of manufacturing microphone, microphone, and control method therefor

Publication Date: 2017.08.15 HYUNDAI MOTOR CO LTD

AI summary

Disclosed are a method of manufacturing a microphone, a microphone, and a control method thereof. The method includes forming a sound sensing module on a main substrate including a first sound aperture such that the sound sensing module is connected to the first sound aperture. The method further include forming a cover for receiving the sound sensing module formed therein with a second sound aperture corresponding to the first sound aperture on the main substrate. The method also includes forming a sound delay filter at a receiving space of the cover to be connected to the second sound aperture. The method also includes forming a semiconductor chip electrically connected to the sound sensing module at the receiving space, to selectively operate the sound delay filter according to a signal output from the sound sensing module.