ARRANGEMENT AND METHOD FOR MOUNTING A MICROPHONE TO AN INTERIOR SURFACE OF A VEHICLE

• US 20110164759A1
• Filed: 01/06/2010
• Published: 07/07/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 01/06/2010
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: General Motors LLC (General Motors Company), GM Global Technology Operations Incorporated (General Motors Company)
• Inventors: GRATKE, JESSE T., FORNATORO, DARRYL T.
• Application Number:
  US12/683,040
• Publication Number:
  US 20110164759A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 381/91
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/08 Mouthpieces; Microphones; Attachments therefor
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2499/13 Acoustic transducers and sound field adaptation in vehicles

Abstract

An arrangement for mounting a microphone to a surface in a passenger compartment of a vehicle includes, but is not limited to, a housing having an opening. The housing is configured to be mounted to the surface. A directional wideband microphone is mounted within the housing and positioned to partition the housing into a first chamber and a second chamber. The directional wideband microphone has an acoustic axis that extends through the first chamber. The housing and the directional wideband microphone cooperate to direct the acoustic axis in a predetermined direction.

Claims

1. An arrangement for mounting a microphone to a surface in a passenger compartment of a vehicle, the arrangement comprising:

a housing having an opening, the housing being configured to be mounted to the surface; and

a directional wideband microphone mounted within the housing and positioned to partition the housing into a first chamber and a second chamber, the directional wideband microphone having an acoustic axis extending through the first chamber,

wherein the housing and the directional wideband microphone cooperate to direct the acoustic axis in a predetermined direction.

2. The arrangement of claim 1, wherein a volume of the first chamber and a volume of the second chamber are approximately equal.

3. The arrangement of claim 2, wherein an opening to the first chamber has a surface area that is approximately equal to an opening to the second chamber.

4. The arrangement of claim 1, wherein the directional wideband microphone is oriented to direct the acoustic axis to extend in a direction that is substantially parallel to a surface of the housing.

5. The arrangement of claim 1, further comprising a preamplifier electrically connected to the directional wideband microphone.

6. The arrangement of claim 5, wherein the preamplifier is mounted inside the directional wideband microphone.

7. The arrangement of claim 1, further comprising a boot partially surrounding the directional wideband microphone and wherein the boot and the directional wideband microphone cooperate to partition the housing into the first chamber and the second chamber.

8. The arrangement of claim 7, wherein the directional wideband microphone has a plurality of sound receiving surfaces, wherein the boot defines a plurality of openings, and wherein the plurality of openings are aligned with the plurality of sound receiving surfaces such that the plurality of sound receiving surfaces are substantially uncovered.

9. The arrangement of claim 1, further comprising an acoustic textile having a predetermined acoustic impedance, the acoustic textile at least partially covering the opening.

10. The arrangement of claim 1, wherein the directional wideband microphone is mounted to the housing such that the acoustic axis extends in a direction that is oblique to a surface of the housing.

11. An arrangement for mounting a microphone to a surface in a passenger compartment of a vehicle, the arrangement comprising:

a housing having an opening, the housing being configured to be mounted to the surface; and

a directional wideband microphone mounted within the housing and positioned to partition the housing into a first chamber and a second chamber, the directional wideband microphone having an acoustic axis extending through the first chamber, and the directional wideband microphone being positioned a distance from a far wall of the first chamber that is less than a length of a wavelength of a frequency of interest,

wherein the housing and the directional wideband microphone cooperate to direct the acoustic axis in a predetermined direction.

12. The arrangement of claim 11, wherein a volume of the first chamber and a volume of the second chamber are approximately equal.

13. The arrangement of claim 12, wherein an opening to the first chamber has a surface area that is approximately equal to an opening to the second chamber.

14. The arrangement of claim 11, further comprising a preamplifier electrically connected to the directional wideband microphone.

15. The arrangement of claim 14, wherein the preamplifier is mounted inside the directional wideband microphone.

16. The arrangement of claim 11, further comprising a boot partially surrounding the directional wideband microphone and wherein the boot and the directional wideband microphone cooperate to partition the housing into the first chamber and the second chamber.

17. The arrangement of claim 16, wherein the directional wideband microphone has a plurality of sound receiving surfaces, wherein the boot defines a plurality of openings, and wherein the plurality of openings are aligned with the plurality of sound receiving surfaces such that the plurality of sound receiving surfaces are substantially uncovered.

18. The arrangement of claim 11, further comprising an acoustic textile having a predetermined acoustic impedance, the acoustic textile at least partially covering the opening.

19. An arrangement for mounting a microphone to a surface in a passenger compartment of a vehicle, the arrangement comprising:

a housing having an opening, the housing being configured to be mounted to the surface;

a directional wideband microphone mounted within the housing and positioned to partition the housing into a first chamber and a second chamber, the directional wideband microphone having an acoustic axis extending through the first chamber, and the directional wideband microphone being positioned a distance from a far wall of the first chamber that is less than a length of a wavelength of a frequency of interest; and

a mass of sound absorbing material disposed in the first chamber,

wherein the housing and the directional wideband microphone cooperate to direct the acoustic axis in a predetermined direction.

20. The arrangement of claim 19, wherein the mass of sound absorbing material comprises a foam material.