Acoustic sensor and electric stethoscope device incorporating the same therein

• US 6,295,365 B1
• Filed: 11/02/1999
• Issued: 09/25/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 11/06/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Haruyoshi Ota
• Original Assignee: Haruyoshi Ota
• Inventors: Ota, Haruyoshi
• Primary Examiner(s): Harvey, Minsun Oh
• Application Number:
  US09/432,149
• Time in Patent Office: 693 Days
• Field of Search: 381/111, 381/114, 381/173, 381/369, 381/190, 381/67
• US Class Current: 381/114
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 17/00 Piezoelectric transducers; Electrostrictive transducers piezoelectric or electrostrictive elements in general H10N30/00; details of piezoelectric or electrostrictive motors, generators or positioners H10N30/00

Abstract

An acoustic sensor includes the following: a piezoelectric element constituted of a piezoelectric substance on which at least one electrode is provided, and a diaphragm on which the piezoelectric substance is mounted and supported; a membrane capable of vibrating, which is arranged in a position opposite to the diaphragm; a frame which is so horn-shaped that the interior space is enlarged from the edge of the membrane to the edge of the diaphragm; a cell constituted by arranging the frame in such a way as to house the diaphragm therein, expose the membrane to the outside, and enclose an electrically insulating liquid hermetically therein; and a lead connected to the electrode and drawn out from the electrode to the outside of the frame.

Claims

1. An acoustic sensor comprising:

a piezoelectric element including a piezoelectric substance on which at least one electrode is provided, and a diaphragm on which said piezoelectric substance is mounted and supported;

a membrane capable of vibrating, which is arranged in a position opposite to said diaphragm;

a frame which is so horn-shaped that the interior space is enlarged from the edge of said membrane to the edge of said diaphragm;

a cell constituted by arranging said frame in such a way as to house said diaphragm therein, expose said membrane to the outside, and enclose an electrical insulating liquid hermetically therein; and

a lead connected to said electrode and drawn out from said electrode to the outside of said frame.

4. An electronic stethoscope device incorporating therein the acoustic sensor as set forth in any one of claims 1 through 3.

2. An acoustic sensor comprising:

a piezoelectric element constituted of first and second piezoelectric substances, each of which has at least one electrode thereon, and a diaphragm sandwiched between said first and second piezoelectric substances so that said first and second piezoelectric substances are supported;

a pair of membranes capable of vibrating, which are arranged in positions opposite to said diaphragm;

a frame which is so horn-shaped that the interior space is enlarged from the edges of said pair of membranes to the edges of said diaphragm;

a cell constituted by arranging said frame in such a way as to house said diaphragm therein, expose said membranes to the outside, and enclose an electrical insulating liquid hermetically therein; and

a pair of leads respectively connected to said electrodes and drawn out from said electrodes to the outside of said frame.

3. An acoustic sensor comprising:

a first piezoelectric element constituted of a first piezoelectric substance on which at least,one electrode is provided, and a first diaphragm on which said first piezoelectric substance is mounted and supported;

a second piezoelectric element constituted of a second piezoelectric substance on which at least one electrode is provided, and a second diaphragm on which said second piezoelectric substance is mounted and supported;

a pair of membranes capable of vibrating, which are arranged in positions opposite to said first and second diaphragms, respectively;

a frame which is so horn-shaped that the interior space is enlarged from the edges of said pair of membranes to the edges of said first and second diaphragms, respectively;

a cell constituted by arranging said frame in such a way as to house said diaphragm therein, expose said membranes to the outside, and enclose an electrical insulating liquid hermetically therein; and

a pair of leads respectively connected to said electrodes and drawn out from said electrodes to the outside of said frame.