Microphone and orientation sensor assembly

• US 8,457,332 B2
• Filed: 01/06/2010
• Issued: 06/04/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 01/07/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Knowles Electronics Llc (Knowles Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Knowles Electronics Llc (Knowles Corporation)
• Inventors: Loeppert, Peter, Smith, Peter, Lautenschlager, Eric
• Primary Examiner(s): GUADALUPE, YARITZA
• Application Number:
  US12/652,793
• Publication Number:
  US 20100172518A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,245 Days
• Field of Search: 381/122, 381174-176, 381/191, 381/369
• US Class Current: 381/175
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 9/00 Measuring inclination, e.g. by clinometers, by levels
• CPC Class Codes: G01P 15/0802 Details
• CPC Class Codes: G01P 15/125 by capacitive pick-up
• CPC Class Codes: G01P 15/18 in two or more dimensions
• CPC Class Codes: G01P 2015/0831 the mass being of the paddle type having the pivot axis between the longitudinal ends of the mass, e.g. see-saw configuration
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/03 Constructional features of telephone transmitters or receivers, e.g. telephone hand-sets
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/12 including a sensor for measuring a physical value, e.g. temperature or motion telephones including GPS signal receivers H04M2250/10
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 19/04 Microphones H04R19/01 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2201/003 Mems transducers or their use of the electrostatic type H04R19/005

Abstract

A microphone and orientation sensor system includes a microphone and an orientation sensor. The microphone has a diaphragm. The orientation sensor includes an inertial load member having a first end and a second end opposite the first end. The sensor also includes at least one electrode positioned adjacent to the inertial load member. The sensor further includes a beam. The inertial load member pivots about the beam, and the pivoting of the load member causes a change in a distance between the first end and the electrode resulting in a change in capacitance between the first end and the electrode. The diaphragm and electrode are formed from a common layer of material.

Claims

1. A microphone and orientation sensor system comprising:

a microphone having a diaphragm;

an orientation sensor comprising;

an inertial load member having a first end and a second end opposite the first end;

at least one electrode positioned adjacent to the inertial load member; and

a beam, wherein the inertial load member pivots about the beam, wherein the pivoting of the load member causes a change in a distance between the first end and the electrode resulting in a change in capacitance between the first end and the electrode;

wherein the diaphragm and electrode are formed from a common layer of material.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the inertial load member comprises a first layer of a first material and a second layer of a second and different material.

3. The system of claim 1 further comprising an additional mass member disposed upon a surface of the inertial load member.

4. The system of claim 3 wherein the additional mass member is disposed as to only one side of the surface of the inertial load member.

5. The system of claim 3 wherein the additional mass member comprises a wire bond metallization.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein the inertial load member comprises a first layer and a second layer, wherein the second layer comprises a raised portion extending through an opening in the first layer, and wherein the raised portion is operable to prevent contact between the first layer and the at least one electrode.

7. A microphone and orientation sensor system comprising:

a microphone having a backplate;

an orientation sensor comprising;

an inertial load member having a first end and a second end opposite the first end; and

a beam, wherein the inertial load member pivots about the beam;

wherein the backplate and load member share a common layer of material.

8. The system of claim 7 wherein the inertial load member comprises a first layer of a first material and a second layer of a second and different material.

9. The system of claim 7 further comprising an additional mass member disposed upon a surface of the inertial load member.

10. The system of claim 9 wherein the additional mass member is disposed as to only one side of the surface of the inertial load member.

11. The system of claim 9 wherein the additional mass member comprises a wire bond metallization.

12. The system of claim 7 further comprising at least one electrode disposed adjacent to the inertial load member, and wherein the inertial load member comprises a first layer and a second layer, wherein the second layer comprises a raised portion extending through an opening in the first layer, and wherein the raised portion is operable to prevent contact between the first layer and the at least one electrode.