Vehicle Microphone Wind Break with Contoured Flow Deflector

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing external microphones on vehicles capture unwanted external noise along with desired sound data, degrading the quality of sound capture.

Innovation Solution

A microphone assembly featuring a flow control housing with a partially spherical shape and a wind break member that includes a base, a wind break portion, and heating elements to reduce noise and improve sound quality, comprising a sound path with an inlet and outlet to allow desired sound to pass through while minimizing wind noise.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a microphone is placed on the exterior of a vehicle to capture external sound data, then the ability to capture external sound is improved, but external noise interference increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesound capture qualityVSAvoidexternal noise interference

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The wind break member is divided into multiple functional segments: a base portion that mounts to the vehicle, a wind break portion with contoured surfaces to deflect airflow, and a sound path portion with specific geometry to allow desired sound transmission while blocking wind noise. This segmentation allows each portion to be optimized for its specific function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The wind break member acts as an intermediary structure between the external environment and the microphone. It includes a sound path that serves as a controlled intermediary channel, allowing desired sound to pass through while filtering out wind noise through carefully designed inlet and outlet geometries.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a wind break member is added to reduce wind noise, then external noise interference is reduced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewind noise reductionVSAvoidmicrophone assembly structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The wind break member integrates multiple functions into a single component: it provides aerodynamic wind deflection through its contoured surfaces, structures a controlled sound path with specific inlet and outlet geometries, and includes mounting features for attachment to the microphone housing. This merging reduces the need for multiple separate components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The wind break member is designed as a multi-functional component that simultaneously serves as an aerodynamic flow deflector, a sound path structure, and a mounting element. The contoured surfaces perform both wind deflection and structural support functions, while the integrated sound path provides both noise filtering and acoustic transmission.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If heating elements are added to manage environmental factors, then sound capture reliability is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesound capture consistencyVSAvoidheating element power consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The heating elements modify the thermal parameter of the air within the sound path by providing localized heating. This parameter change prevents condensation and maintains consistent acoustic properties of the air in the sound path, ensuring reliable sound transmission under varying environmental conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 assembly effectively reduces external noise interference and enhances sound quality by using a wind break design and heating elements to manage environmental factors, improving data capture for vehicles.

Implementation Method 1

The wind break portion comprises a top surface. The top surface forms a first angle relative to the base of the wind break member and the top surface has one of a concave shape, a convex shape, and a compound concave and convex shape.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAerodynamic flow control:

Implementation Method 2

The microphone assembly further comprises a plurality of heating elements disposed in at least one of the microphone housing, the base of the wind break member, and the wind break portion of the wind break member.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal heating: Heating

Data Source

PatentUS10674243B2Wind break for external microphone

Publication Date: 2020.06.02 GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC

AI summary

A microphone assembly for an external surface of a vehicle comprises a microphone housing, a microphone assembly, and a wind break member. The microphone housing comprises a housing support. The microphone is disposed in the microphone housing. The wind break member has a base and a wind break portion. The base of the wind break member comprises a floor surface, a leading edge, and a trailing edge opposite the leading edge. The wind break portion of the wind break member is disposed proximate the leading edge of the base. The microphone housing is disposed on the base of the wind break member proximate the wind break portion. The wind break portion comprises a top surface that forms a first angle relative to the base of the wind break member. The top surface has one of a concave shape, a convex shape, and a compound concave and convex shape.