Hands-free microphone with wind break

• US 20060193486A1
• Filed: 04/27/2006
• Published: 08/31/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 07/16/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: General Motors LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: General Motors LLC (General Motors Company)
• Inventors: Kargus, Walter A. IV, Moss, Kevin T.
• Granted Patent: US 7,848,528 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

A wind break device for a microphone includes an airflow diverter and a flow separation edge partially bordering a microphone end of the airflow diverter. The microphone zone located between the flow separation edge and is part of the recirculation zone. The microphone is located in the microphone zone. Airflow separates from one of the airflow diverter or the flow separation edge. The separated airflow is directed as one of recirculating airflow or a major airflow and the recirculating airflow is directed into the recirculation zone. The major airflow is directed over the microphone zone and the recirculation zone to reduce the level of pressure fluctuations experienced by the microphone in the microphone zone.

Claims

1. A wind break device for a microphone, the wind break device comprising:

an airflow diverter; and

a flow separation edge partially bordering a microphone end of the airflow diverter, the microphone is located in the microphone zone, the microphone zone is located between flow separation edge and the reattachment zone, wherein airflow separates from one of the airflow diverter or the flow separation edge, wherein the separated airflow is directed as one of recirculating airflow or a major airflow, wherein the recirculating airflow is directed into the recirculation zone, and wherein the major airflow is directed over the microphone zone and the recirculation zone.

2. The wind break device of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the major airflow is directed into a reattachment zone and wherein the recirculation zone is located between the reattachment zone and the flow separation edge.

3. The wind break device of claim 2, wherein the microphone zone and the recirculation zone at least partially overlap.

4. The wind break device of claim 1, wherein the flow separation edge is positioned downstream of the wind break device.

5. The wind break device of claim 1, wherein the wind break device further comprises:

a contoured outer surface to direct the airflow; and

a front face at least partially bordered by the flow separation edge, the front face bordering the microphone zone and recirculating zone.

6. The windbreak device of claim 1, where the microphone is located in the front face of the step.

7. The wind break device of claim 1, wherein the wind break device is a shell including:

a contoured outer surface to direct the separated airflow.

8. The wind break device of claim 7, wherein the shell further includes a port opening bordering the microphone zone and at least partially bordered by the flow separation edge.

9. The wind break device of claim 1, wherein the wind break device further comprises a mating surface for positioning the wind break adjacent to an external surface.

10. The wind break device of claim 9, wherein the external surface is a vehicle surface.

11. The wind break device of claim 9, and wherein the recirculation zone is located between a reattachment zone and the microphone zone, wherein the recirculating airflow directed into the recirculation zone does not contact the external surface and wherein the major airflow is directed to contact the external surface in the reattachment zone.

18. A windbreak device of claim 1, where the microphone is located in the front face of the step.

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

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

a wind break device having an airflow diverter and a flow separation edge, the flow separation edge bordering the a recirculation zone of the airflow diverter, the microphone is inside the microphone zone, the microphone zone located between the flow separation edge is inside the recirculation zone, , wherein airflow separates from one of the airflow diverter or the flow separation edge, wherein the separated airflow is directed as one of recirculating airflow or a major airflow, wherein the recirculating airflow is directed into the recirculation zone, and wherein the major airflow is directed over the microphone zone and the recirculation zone to reduce the level of pressure fluctuations experienced by the microphone in the microphone zone.

13. The system of claim 12, including means to direct at least a portion of the major airflow into a reattachment zone, wherein the recirculation zone is located between the reattachment zone and the flow separation edge.

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 wind break device are connected to one of a group consisting of a rearview mirror, a steering wheel, a steering column, a vehicle dashboard, an entertainment console, an overhead console, a vehicle ceiling, a roof rail, an a-pillar in the vehicle, an in-vehicle console, an in-vehicle location, and combinations thereof..

16. The system of claim 12, wherein the wind break device further comprises:

a contoured outer surface to direct the flow of air away from the microphone; and

a front face at least partially bordered by the flow separation edge, the front face bordering the microphone zone and recirculating zone.

17. The system of claim 12, wherein the wind break device is a shell including:

a contoured outer surface to direct the airflow away from the microphone; and

a port opening, the port opening bordering the microphone zone and at least partially bordered by the flow separation edge.

19. A hands-free communication device, comprising:

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

a wind break device having an airflow diverter and a flow separation edge, the flow separation edge partially bordering a microphone end of the airflow diverter, a microphone zone located between flow separation edge and is partially contained in the recirculation zone, wherein the microphone is located in the microphone zone, and wherein the flow separation edge generates recirculating flow in the recirculation zone to reduce the level of pressure fluctuations experienced by the microphone in the microphone zone.