Spring-Loaded Microphone Vent for High-Pressure Air and Liquid
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Microphones on mobile devices and vehicles are vulnerable to performance degradation and damage from momentary high-pressure compressed air or high-pressure sprayed liquids due to inadequate protection by existing screens.
Innovation Solution
A microphone protection device with a fixture, inner and outer plates separated by springs, which closes the sound path upon exposure to high-pressure air or liquid, using a sealing rubber and mesh sound filter to prevent damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a screen is installed at the entrance of the sound path to prevent foreign objects from entering the microphone, then foreign object protection is improved, but the screen cannot protect against momentary high-pressure compressed air or high-pressure sprayed liquids, causing the diaphragm to break or degrade
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic protection mechanism where the second plate moves relative to the first plate. During normal operation, the sound path remains open for sound transmission. When high-pressure air or liquid is detected, the second plate is pushed by the pressure to close the sound path, dynamically switching between open and closed states based on environmental conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful high-pressure air or liquid into a useful signal that triggers the protection mechanism. The high-pressure flow pushes the second plate to close the sound path, transforming the harmful pressure into the activating force for the protective action, thereby protecting the diaphragm from damage
2Reliability
If the sound path is always closed to protect the diaphragm from high-pressure air and liquid, then protection reliability is improved, but normal sound transmission is blocked, causing the microphone to fail its primary function
Solution Approach 1:
The sound path is designed to be dynamically controllable rather than statically fixed. The first plate can be selectively opened or closed based on operational needs, allowing the system to switch between protection mode (closed) and operation mode (open), thereby resolving the contradiction between always being protected and always being functional
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a rigid protective structure is used to block high-pressure air and liquid, then protection effectiveness is improved, but the structure cannot allow normal sound transmission, affecting microphone performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses flexible plates (first plate and second plate) instead of rigid protective structures. These thin, flexible plates can vibrate and move in response to sound waves during normal operation, allowing sound transmission. When high-pressure air or liquid strikes, the plates deform and close the sound path, providing protection. The flexibility enables dual functionality that rigid structures cannot achieve
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
Prevents diaphragm damage and performance degradation by blocking high-pressure air or liquid, while allowing normal sound transmission through a spring-activated mechanism.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of springs disposed between the inner and outer plates, and it is characterized in that, in a normal state, the inner plate and the outer plate are separated by the spring to form a sound path
Implementation Method 2
when high-pressure compressed air or sprayed liquid is introduced, the outer plate is closely pressed against the inner plate to close the sound path
Data Source
AI summary
An example embodiment of present disclosure discloses a microphone protection device capable of preventing performance degradation or damage to a microphone mounted on a mobile device, vehicle, or the like from a momentary high-pressure compressed air or high-pressure sprayed liquid. A disclosed protection device may include: a fixture formed with a through-hole that supports the microphone and leads to the microphone's sound opening, and a mounting compartment for mounting a protection device; an inner plate mounted in the mounting compartment of the fixture and having a sound hole formed in the center; an outer plate mounted in the mounting compartment of the fixture and having a plurality of sound holes formed on its outer circumference; and a plurality of springs disposed between the inner and outer plates.