Waterproof Microphone Partition Wall Acoustic Isolation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional waterproof microphones face a trade-off between achieving sufficient acoustic characteristics and ensuring waterproofing and durability, often compromising on one aspect to maintain the other.

Innovation Solution

A waterproof microphone design featuring a case with a partition wall separating it into two chambers, a waterproof vibrating membrane covering one chamber, and a sealing member with an air hole that allows communication between the chambers and the external space, which helps in maintaining acoustic integrity while preventing moisture ingress.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a waterproof vibrating diaphragm is used to achieve waterproofing, then waterproofing property is improved, but acoustic characteristics deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewaterproofing propertyVSAvoidacoustic characteristics
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The case is divided into two separate chambers (front chamber and rear chamber) by a partition wall. The front chamber houses the waterproof vibrating diaphragm for sound collection, while the rear chamber houses the microphone unit. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the diaphragm can be made waterproof without directly affecting the microphone unit's acoustic performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A partition wall with a hole acts as an intermediary structure between the front chamber and rear chamber. The hole in the partition wall allows acoustic energy to pass from the front chamber to the rear chamber while maintaining the waterproof seal. This intermediary structure enables both waterproofing and acoustic transmission without direct contact between the diaphragm and microphone unit.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If acoustic characteristics are prioritized, then sound quality is improved, but waterproofing property deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveacoustic characteristicsVSAvoidwaterproofing property
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the case into two chambers, the patent allows the front chamber to be optimized for acoustic collection with a waterproof diaphragm, while the rear chamber is optimized for housing the microphone unit with proper acoustic coupling. The segmentation enables independent optimization of both acoustic performance and waterproofing without compromise.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different parts of the case have different functional qualities - the front chamber is designed for sound collection with a waterproof diaphragm, the partition wall provides selective acoustic transmission, and the rear chamber provides acoustic coupling to the microphone unit. Each local region is optimized for its specific function while contributing to overall system performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Duration of action of stationary object

If a sealed structure is used to ensure waterproofing, then durability is improved, but acoustic characteristics deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovedurabilityVSAvoidacoustic characteristics
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of stationary objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The sealed structure is segmented into two chambers with a partition wall containing a hole. This segmentation allows the overall structure to remain sealed and durable for waterproofing, while the hole in the partition wall maintains acoustic communication between chambers, preventing degradation of sound pressure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The partition wall with its hole acts as a flexible acoustic pathway that maintains the sealed structure's integrity for waterproofing while allowing acoustic energy to pass through. This thin film-like structure provides both mechanical sealing and acoustic transmission properties.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

4Reliability

If a waterproof vibrating diaphragm is used, then waterproofing is improved, but acoustic characteristics deteriorate due to insufficient sound pressure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewaterproofing propertyVSAvoidsound pressure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

Segmenting the case into two chambers allows the front chamber to collect sound pressure through the waterproof diaphragm and transmit it through the hole in the partition wall to the rear chamber, where the microphone unit is located. This segmentation prevents sound pressure degradation by providing a dedicated acoustic pathway.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The hole in the partition wall serves as an intermediary acoustic pathway that transmits sound pressure from the front chamber to the rear chamber without compromising the waterproof seal. This intermediary structure maintains both waterproofing and sufficient sound pressure for the microphone unit.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 balances acoustic characteristics and waterproofing, allowing the microphone to function reliably in adverse weather conditions without compromising on sound quality or durability.

Implementation Method 1

a waterproof vibrating membrane (12) covering the opening portion of the front chamber (111)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAcoustic radiation pressure: Acoustic Radiation Pressure

Implementation Method 2

The waterproof vibrating membrane (12) covers the opening portion of the front chamber (111)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVibration: Vibration

Implementation Method 3

The sealing member (14) seals the opening portion of the rear chamber (116) and includes an air hole (141) that allows communication between the rear chamber (116) and an external space

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure equalization: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentEP3941088B1Waterproof microphone
Publication Date: 2023.11.29 HOSIDEN CORP
  • EP3941088B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3941088B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3941088B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The waterproof microphone according to the present invention comprises: a case that includes a partition wall separating an internal space into two chambers, a front chamber and a rear chamber, a hole in the partition wall for allowing communication between the front chamber and the rear chamber, and opening portions in surfaces of the front chamber and the rear chamber that face the partition wall; a waterproof vibrating membrane covering the opening portion of the front chamber; a microphone unit attached to a surface of the partition wall on the rear chamber side; and a sealing member sealing the opening portion of the rear chamber and including an air hole allowing communication between the rear chamber and an external space.