Acoustic transducer with improved acoustic damper

• US 20010033671A1
• Filed: 02/23/2001
• Published: 10/25/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 02/24/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Knowles Electronics Llc (Knowles Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Knowles Electronics Llc (Knowles Corporation)
• Inventors: Kearey, Steve
• Granted Patent: US 6,704,427 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 381/355
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/222 for microphones H04R1/24, H04R1/26 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/288 for loudspeaker transducers
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 19/016 for microphones
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/00 Deaf-aid sets , i.e. electro-acoustic or electro-mechanical hearing aids; Electric tinnitus maskers providing an auditory perception electrical stimulation of auditory nerves to promote the auditory function A61N1/36038; optical stimulation of auditory nerves to promote the auditory function A61N5/0622
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 31/003 for diaphragms or their outer suspension
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 31/006 Interconnection of transducer parts of diaphragm and outer suspension by moulding H04R31/003

Abstract

An acoustic damper for covering a housing inlet of a transducer is disclosed. The damper includes a mesh panel and a non-mesh periphery. The non-mesh periphery of the damper is adhesively attached to the housing of the transducer wherein the mesh panel covers the inlet. The non-mesh periphery of the damper inhibits the adhesive from wicking into the mesh panel. The damper is adaptable for attachment of a film. The film is capable of cooperating with a backplate to form a motor assembly of the transducer.

Claims

1. An acoustic transducer comprising:

a housing having an inlet; and

,

an acoustic damper, the damper comprising a mesh panel and non-mesh periphery, the non-mesh periphery of the damper being adhesively attached to the housing, and the mesh panel covering the inlet wherein the non-mesh periphery inhibits the adhesive from wicking into the mesh panel.

2. The acoustic transducer of

claim 1

further comprising:

a film being operably attached to the non-mesh periphery of the damper and forming a diaphragm assembly, the interior of the film being free to move without touching the mesh panel, the diaphragm assembly being adaptable to cooperate with an electret backplate to form a motor assembly.

3. The acoustic transducer of

claim 1

wherein the damper is comprised of a unitary electroformed material.

4. The acoustic transducer of

claim 3

wherein the electroformed material is nickel.

5. An acoustic transducer comprising:

a housing having an internal side and an external side;

an inlet extending through the housing; and

,

a damper attached to the housing and covering the inlet, the damper comprising a mesh portion and a non-mesh portion.

6. The acoustic transducer of

claim 5

wherein the damper comprises:

a perimeter having a first side and a second side; and

,

a screen, the screen being connected to the first side of the perimeter, the perimeter of the damper being adhesively attached to the housing wherein the perimeter inhibits the adhesive from being wicked into the screen.

7. The acoustic transducer of

claim 6

wherein the adhesive utilized to attach the perimeter to the housing is a glue.

8. The acoustic transducer of

claim 5

wherein the damper is attached to the external side of the housing.

9. The acoustic transducer of

claim 5

wherein the damper comprises a unitary electroformed material.

10. The acoustic transducer of

claim 9

wherein the electroformed material is nickel.

11. The acoustic transducer of

claim 6

wherein the second side of the perimeter is adhesively attached to the housing.

12. The acoustic transducer of

claim 11

wherein the damper is attached to the external side of the housing.

13. An acoustic transducer comprising a motor assembly, the motor assembly having a diaphragm assembly being operably connected to a backplate, the transducer comprising:

a housing having an inlet; and

,

the diaphragm assembly being connected to the housing and covering the inlet;

the diaphragm assembly comprising;

a non-mesh perimeter having a first side and a second side;

a mesh panel connected to the first side of the perimeter, the mesh panel substantially covering the inlet; and

,

a film operably attached to the second side of the perimeter, the mesh panel and the film being substantially parallel and spaced apart by the perimeter, the film being adaptable to cooperate with the backplate to form the motor assembly.

14. The acoustic transducer of

claim 13

wherein the non-mesh perimeter is continuous.

15. An acoustic transducer comprising:

a housing having an inlet;

an acoustic damper, the damper having a mesh panel encircled within a non-mesh periphery;

a metallized film connected to the periphery of the damper, the film being spaced apart and substantially parallel to the mesh panel, the portion of the film adjacent the periphery of the damper capable of vibrating; and

,

a charged backplate mounted to the housing, the backplate having an electret material thereon, and the entire backplate spaced a distance from the film, the backplate cooperating with the film to create an electrical signal.

16. The acoustic transducer of

claim 15

wherein the backplate is attached to a frame, the frame being attached to the housing.

17. The acoustic transducer of

claim 16

wherein the frame has a conduit to facilitate the transportation of an acoustic signal to the backplate.

18. The acoustic transducer of

claim 15

wherein the non-mesh periphery is continuous.