Hands-free microphone with wind guard

• US 20060013425A1
• Filed: 07/16/2004
• Published: 01/19/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 07/16/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: General Motors LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: General Motors Corporation (Motors Liquidation Co. GUC Trust)
• Inventors: Kargus, Walter A. IV, Moss, Kevin T.
• Granted Patent: US 7,369,664 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 381/359
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/086 Protective screens, e.g. all weather or wind screens

Abstract

An airflow guard for a microphone includes a shell having an airflow diverter and a flow separation edge. The airflow diverter partially surrounds the microphone to redirect a flow of air away from the microphone. The flow of air separates from one of the airflow diverter or the flow separation edge. An acoustic reception system for a mobile vehicle and a hands-free communication device are also disclosed.

Claims

1. An airflow guard for a microphone, the airflow guard comprising:

a shell having an airflow diverter and a flow separation edge;

wherein the airflow diverter partially surrounds the microphone to redirect a flow of air away from the microphone, and wherein the flow of air separates from one of the airflow diverter or the flow separation edge.

2. The airflow guard of claim 1, wherein pressure fluctuations experienced by the microphone from the flow of air are minimized.

3. The airflow guard of claim 1, wherein the airflow diverter includes a contoured outer surface to redirect the flow of air away from the microphone.

4. The airflow guard of claim 1, wherein the flow separation edge is positioned downstream of the airflow diverter.

5. The airflow guard of claim 1, wherein the flow separation edge generates recirculating flow near an acoustic entry port of the airflow guard to reduce the level of pressure fluctuations in front of the microphone.

6. The airflow guard of claim 1, wherein the shell has a mating surface for positioning the airflow guard adjacent to a vehicle surface.

7. The airflow guard of claim 1 further comprising:

an acoustic entry port at least partially bordered by the flow separation edge;

wherein the acoustic entry port allows entry of acoustic sound into the microphone.

8. The airflow guard of claim 7, wherein the acoustic entry port comprises at least one aperture.

9. The airflow guard of claim 7, wherein the acoustic entry port is positioned downstream of the flow of air.

10. The airflow guard of claim 7 further comprising:

a microphone grille positioned in the acoustic entry port.

11. The airflow guard of claim 1 further comprising:

an acoustic foam positioned within the shell to isolate the microphone.

12. An acoustic reception system for a mobile vehicle, the system comprising:

a microphone connected to an in-vehicle communication device; and

a shell having an airflow diverter and a flow separation edge;

wherein the airflow diverter partially surrounds the microphone to redirect a flow of air away from the microphone, and wherein the flow of air separates from one of the airflow diverter or the flow separation edge

13. The system of claim 12, wherein pressure fluctuations experienced by the microphone from the flow of air are minimized.

14. The system of claim 12, wherein the in-vehicle communication device includes one of a cell phone, a telematics unit, an entertainment system, or a voice-recognition system.

15. The system of claim 12, wherein the microphone and the shell are connected to one of a group consisting of a rearview mirror, a steering wheel, a steering column, a dash, an entertainment console, an overhead console, a vehicle ceiling, and an in-vehicle location.

16. The system of claim 12 further comprising:

an acoustic entry port at least partially bordered by the flow separation edge;

wherein the acoustic entry port allows entry of acoustic sound into the microphone.

17. The system of claim 16 further comprising:

a microphone grille positioned in the acoustic entry port.

18. The system of claim 12 further comprising:

an acoustic foam positioned within the shell to isolate the microphone.

19. A hands-free communication device, comprising:

a headset including at least one earphone and a microphone; and

a shell having an airflow diverter and a flow separation edge;

wherein the airflow diverter partially surrounds the microphone to redirect a flow of air away from the microphone, and wherein the flow of air separates from one of the airflow diverter or the flow separation edge.

20. The device of claim 19, wherein pressure fluctuations experienced by the microphone from the flow of air are minimized.

21. The device of claim 19, wherein the airflow diverter includes a contoured outer surface to redirect the flow of air away from the microphone.

22. The device of claim 19 further comprising:

an acoustic entry port at least partially bordered by the flow separation edge;

wherein the acoustic entry port allows entry of acoustic sound into the microphone.

23. The device of claim 19 further comprising:

an acoustic foam positioned within the shell to isolate the microphone.