Microphone system for vehicle

• US 8,355,521 B2
• Filed: 01/26/2010
• Issued: 01/15/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 10/01/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Donnelly Corporation (Magna International Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Donnelly Corporation (Magna International Incorporated)
• Inventors: Larson, Mark L., Weller, Andrew D., Bigoness, Eric P., Lambrix, Timothy R., DeBoer, Carol L., McCaw, Joseph P., Barr, Joshua L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Le, Huyen D
• Application Number:
  US12/693,726
• Publication Number:
  US 20100124348A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,085 Days
• Field of Search: 381/86, 381/355, 381/356, 381/357, 381/358, 381/359, 381/360, 381/361, 381/365, 381/369, 381/189, 381/313, 340/425.5, 340/525, 340/815.4
• US Class Current: 381/365
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1284 with communication systems other than radio-receivers, e.g. keyless entry systems, navigation systems; with anti-collision systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/18 Closed-circuit television [CCTV] systems, i.e. systems in which the video signal is not broadcast
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/083 Special constructions of mouthpieces
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/086 Protective screens, e.g. all weather or wind screens
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/38 in which sound waves act upon both sides of a diaphragm and incorporating acoustic phase-shifting means, e.g. pressure-gradient microphone
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2499/13 Acoustic transducers and sound field adaptation in vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 3/00 Circuits for transducers , loudspeakers or microphones

Abstract

A vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly comprises an accessory, a reflective element and a bezel. The mirror assembly may define portions of a pocket that at least partially receives and secures the accessory therebetween when the reflective element is at least partially received in the bezel. The mirror assembly may include a microphone and an acoustic cover positioned at least partially over one or more inlet ports of the microphone. The acoustic cover may include an outer air flow limiting layer that substantially limits air flow therethrough and a diffusing material that may space and support the outer layer from the inlet ports to substantially diffuse air flow that penetrates the outer layer. An acoustic barrier may be positioned between a pair of inlet ports of the microphone to enhance the directivity of the microphone.

Claims

1. An interior rearview mirror system of a vehicle comprising:

an interior rearview mirror assembly comprising a reflective element and a casing, said interior rearview mirror assembly being adapted for attachment to an interior portion of the vehicle;

at least one microphone positioned in, at or adjacent to said interior rearview mirror assembly and having first and second inlet ports for receiving audible signals from within the vehicle cabin;

an acoustic cover positioned over said first and second inlet ports of said at least one microphone, said acoustic cover comprising an outer air flow limiting layer and at least one inner air flow limiting layer, said at least one inner air flow limiting layer being disposed at least partially over said first and second inlet ports and said outer air flow limiting layer being disposed at least partially over and spaced from said at least one inner air flow limiting layer and defining a space therebetween, said outer air flow limiting layer and said at least one inner air flow limiting layer being configured to substantially limit air flow therethrough; and

an acoustic barrier positioned across said microphone and between said first and second inlet ports, said acoustic barrier being configured to substantially acoustically isolate said first inlet port from said second inlet port.

2. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 1, wherein said acoustic cover comprises an outer rigid cover, said outer air flow limiting layer being attached to said outer rigid cover.

3. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 1, wherein said at least one inner air flow limiting layer comprises first and second inner air flow limiting layers, said first inner air flow limiting layer being disposed at said first inlet port and said second inner air flow limiting layer being disposed at said second inlet port.

4. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 3, wherein said first and second inner air flow limiting layers comprise different materials.

5. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 1, wherein said acoustic barrier defines a gap between a distal end of said acoustic barrier from said microphone and an inner surface of said outer air flow limiting layer.

6. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 1, wherein said space between said inner and outer air flow limiting layers comprises a diffusing material for diffusing air flow that permeates said outer air flow limiting layer.

7. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 1, wherein said space between said inner and outer air flow limiting layers comprises air.

8. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 1, wherein said outer air flow limiting layer comprises a hydrophobic characteristic.

9. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 1, wherein said at least one microphone is positioned at least partially within said interior rearview mirror assembly, said interior rearview mirror assembly defining a pocket for at least partially receiving and securing said at least one microphone when said reflective element is at least partially received in said interior rearview mirror assembly.

10. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 9, wherein said reflective element has a mounting plate at a rearward surface thereof, said mounting plate at least partially defining said pocket, said microphone being received within said pocket at said mounting plate and retained therein during assembly of said mirror assembly.

11. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 10, wherein said interior rearview mirror assembly includes a bezel, said bezel at least partially receiving said reflective element therein and retaining said microphone within said pocket.

12. An microphone system of a vehicle comprising:

a windshield accessory module having a housing, said windshield accessory module at least having a portion at, and with a view towards, the windshield of the vehicle;

a microphone positioned in, on, at or adjacent to said housing and having first and second inlet ports for receiving audible signals from within the vehicle cabin; and

an acoustic cover positioned at least partially over said first and second inlet ports of said microphone, said acoustic cover comprising an inner air flow limiting layer positioned at least partially over said first and second inlet ports and an outer air flow limiting layer positioned at least partially over said inner layer, said outer layer and said inner layer being configured to substantially limit air flow therethrough, said outer layer being spaced from said inner layer and defining a space between said outer layer and said inner layer; and

an acoustic barrier positioned along said microphone and between said first and second inlet ports, said acoustic barrier being configured to substantially acoustically isolate said first inlet port from said second inlet port.

13. The microphone system of claim 12, wherein said space between said outer layer and said inner layer comprises a diffusing material configured to space and support said outer layer from said inner layer and to substantially diffuse air flow that penetrates said outer layer.

14. The microphone system of claim 13, wherein said outer layer and said diffusing material comprise a multi-dimensional textile material.

15. The microphone system of claim 14, wherein said outer layer, said diffusing material and said inner layer comprises a three dimensional woven textile material.

16. The microphone system of claim 12, wherein said outer layer comprises a non-woven textile material.

17. The microphone system of claim 12, wherein said acoustic barrier and said outer layer define a gap therebetween.

18. The microphone system of claim 12, wherein said space between said outer layer and inner layer comprises air.

19. The microphone system of claim 12, wherein said outer layer comprises a hydrophobic characteristic.