Knowles Electronics, Inc.

David Earl Schafer

Thomas E Miller

Mekell Jiles

Daniel Max Warren

Anthony D Minervini

Peter V Loeppert

George Patterson

Stephen C Thompson

Henry G Nepomuceno

Clifford Ryan Grounds

Hanny Sunarto

Michael Pedersen

Mohammad Shajaan

Elmer V Carlson

August F Mostardo

Mohsin Nawaz

Shubham Shubham

Jay Cech

Microphones including a housing defining a cavity, a plurality of conductors positioned within the cavity, at least one dielectric bar positioned within the cavity, and a transducer diaphragm. The conductors are structured to move in response to pressure changes while the housing remains fixed. A first conductor generates first electrical signals responsive to the pressure changes resulting from changes in an atmospheric pressure. A second conductor generates second electrical signals responsive to the pressure changes resulting from acoustic activity. The dielectric bar is fixed with respect to the cavity and remains fixed under the pressure changes. The dielectric bar is adjacent to at least one of the conductors. In response to an applied pressure that is an atmospheric pressure and/or an acoustic pressure, the transducer diaphragm exerts a force on the housing and displaces at least a portion of conductors with respect to the dielectric bar.

Dielectric comb for MEMS device

An armature apparatus includes a first tine member, a second tine member, a center tine member, and a connecting portion. The connecting portion is coupled to the first tine member, the second tine member, and the connecting portion, and the connecting portion has a line of symmetry. The center tine member is attached to the connecting portion along the line of symmetry such that approximately one half the area of the connection portion is above the center tine member and approximately one half the area of the connection portion is below the center tine member. The attachment is effective to prevent a formation of a horizontal force in the center tine member along the third length when a vertical force is applied to the center tine member in the direction of third thickness.

Low axial vibration receiver armature and assembly

An armature apparatus includes a first tine member, a second tine member, a center tine member, and a connecting portion. The first tine member has a first length and a first width and these define a first surface. The second tine member has a second length and a second width and these define a second surface. The first surface generally faces the second surface and the first surface is generally parallel relation to the second surface. The center tine member has a third length and the third length is generally parallel to the first length and the second length. The connecting portion couples the center tine member to the first surface along the first length and to the second surface along the second length. The center tine member is generally disposed in a plane extending between the first tine member and the second tine member and the plane divides the first surface of the first tine member and the second surface of the second tine member.

A linkage assembly is used for mechanically coupling an armature and a diaphragm of a balanced receiver, the linkage assembly formed from a first linkage member displaced from a strip of stock material relative to the plane of the stock material and a second linkage member displaced from the strip relative to the plane. The first and second linkage members are then joined while secured to the strip. At least one severable connecting member securing the linkage member to the strip is severed to release the linkage member from the strip for assembly of the linkage member into the receiver. A method of forming a three-dimensional structure from flat stock is used to form the linkage assembly.

Method of making a linkage assembly for a transducer and the like

A linkage assembly () is used for mechanically coupling an armature () and a diaphragm () of a balanced receiver (), the linkage assembly () formed from a first linkage member () displaced from a strip of stock material () relative to the plane of the stock material () and a second linkage member () displaced from the strip () relative to the plane. The first and second linkage members () are then joined while secured to the strip (). At least one severable connecting member (-) securing the linkage member to the strip () is severed to release the linkage member from the strip for assembly of the linkage member into the receiver. A method of forming a three-dimensional structure from flat stock is used to form the linkage assembly ().

System of component s usable in the manufacture of an acoustic transducer

An acoustic assembly for use in a transducer includes a multi-layer structure. A first layer member includes a first center portion, a first edge portion and a first aperture separating the first center portion and the first edge portion. A second layer member includes a second center portion, a second edge portion and a second aperture separating the second center portion and the second edge portion such that the second center portion is free to move relative to the second edge portion. The first and second layers are formed into an assembly wherein the first center portion and the second center portion are coupled, the first edge portion and the second edge portion are coupled, and the first aperture and the second aperture are substantially aligned to define a passageway. The assembly has an assembly stiffness that is greater than the stiffness of either the first or second layer members. A hinge joins the assembled first and second center portions and the first and second edge portions such that the assembled first and second center portions is free to at least partially rotate relative to the assembled first and second edge portions about an axis. A flexible layer member is coupled to the assembly and provides airtight sealing of the passageway.

Acoustic assembly for a transducer

A receiver assembly includes a first diaphragm assembly having a diaphragm, and a second diaphragm assembly having a diaphragm. A linkage assembly is coupled to an armature of the receiver. The linkage assembly is also coupled to the first diaphragm assembly and to the second diaphragm assembly.

Apparatus and method for creating acoustic energy in a receiver assembly with improved diaphragms-linkage arrangement

A method of making an acoustic assembly for use in a transducer includes forming a multi-layer assembly. The multi-layer assembly includes a first layer member and a second layer member. Each member includes a center portion, an edge portion and an aperture separating the center portion and the edge portion. The assembly has an assembly stiffness that is greater than the stiffness of either the first or second layer members. A hinge joins the assembled first and second center portions and the first and second edge portions such that the assembled first and second center portions is free to at least partially rotate relative to the assembled first and second edge portions about an axis. A flexible layer member is coupled to the assembly and provides airtight sealing of the passageway.

Method of making an acoustic assembly for a transducer

Various linkage assemblies are shown and described for connecting a first movable member to a second movable member of a transducer. The linkage assemblies provide for motion amplification or reduction and, when used for sound generating purposes such as hearing aids or speakers, three different schemes for compensating for amplification-induced distortion. One scheme for compensating for distortion while providing amplification is the use of a lower horizontal span segment in a closed-loop linkage assembly that is longer than a corresponding upper horizontal span segment or upper vertex. Thus, a horizontal span segment used to connect the loop to the first movable member of the armature is longer than a corresponding segment or vertex used to connect the loop to the second movable member. A second distortion compensating feature that provides amplification is found in the use of non-parallel legs used to connect the linkage loop to the housing. The legs extend from vertices that connect the upper and lower portions of the loop together and they extend inwardly toward each other in a non-parallel fashion as they extend from the vertices to the bottom panel of the housing. Finally, a third scheme involves the manipulation of the effective height of the upper and lower portions of the closed loop. By providing a lower portion of the closed loop with a greater effective height or length than the upper portion, amplification is provided with a distortion effect that can be used to counterbalance distortion effects generated by other features of the linkage assemblies. The converse of all three schemes can be used for motion or gain reduction as well.

Apparatus for creating motion amplification in a transducer with improved linkage structure

A receiver assembly includes a housing having a fixed housing portion and a shiftable housing portion cooperating to define a hollow cavity. A flexible membrane secured between the fixed housing portion and the shiftable housing portion and adapted to allow relative motion between the fixed and shiftable housing portions. The receiver assembly further includes a magnetic motor assembly including a displaceable drive rod; and a link assembly having a first end fixedly attached to an inner surface of the shiftable housing and a second end coupled to the drive rod. The link assembly translates the shiftable housing portion relative to the fixed housing portion in response to the displacement of the drive rod.

Apparatus and method for generating acoustic energy in a receiver assembly

Linkage assembly for an acoustic transducer

A paddle () of a diaphragm () of a receiver () is manufactured using one or more layers of a material selected for their inertial mass and rigidity. The paddle may have a layered structure with stiff outer layers such as aluminum and a less dense inner layer, such as thermoplastic adhesive. The inner and outer layers are selected to give an inertial mass matching that of an armature () of the receiver () and to give a lowest frequency bending resonance above a desired range, for example, 14 KHz.

Apparatus for creating acoustic energy in a balanced receiver assembly and manufacturing method thereof

A balanced receiver providing significantly reduced vibration is disclosed. The balanced receiver comprises a closed loop operably attached between an armature and a diaphragm. The effective moving mass of the diaphragm is designed to match the effective moving mass of the armature. The closed loop facilitates the balancing of the motion of the diaphragm and the motion of the armature, thus reducing the vibration of the receiver.

Vibration balanced receiver

Multiple embodiments of a solid state condenser transducer, and methods of manufacture, are disclosed. The transducer comprises a semi-conductor substrate forming a frame and having an opening, a thin-film cantilever structure forming a diaphragm extending over a portion of the opening, the structure having a proximal portion and a distal portion. The proximal portion is attached to the frame, and the distal portion extends over a portion of the frame. A variable gap capacitor having a movable plate and a fixed plate is provided, wherein the movable plate is disposed on the distal portion of the structure and the fixed plate is disposed on the frame adjacent the movable plate.

Miniature silicon condenser microphone

A housing for shielding a transducer of the type mounted on a silicon die attached to a flexible circuit. The housing provides a jacket which protects the silicon die from physical damage. The jacket, in cooperation with the top and bottom cups, further provides a shield for the silicon die from light and electromagnetic interferences. An acoustic port located on the top portion of the jacket furnishes the means by which acoustic energy enters the jacket to contact the transducer. A back cavity, formed between the bottom cup and the silicon die, serves as the acoustic pressure reference which allows the microphone to function properly.

Growing community of inventors

Glen Ellyn, IL, United States of America

David Earl Schafer