Patent Application
20200196040
The present invention relates to the integration of a microphone or microphone matrix into a vehicle interior module that is itself installed in a motor vehicle.
It is nowadays common to integrate one or several microphones in a motor vehicle for applications like hands-free telephony, voice recognition, noise pick up and/or e-Call. In general, microphones are integrated at predetermined locations in the vehicle cabin to pick up voice signal from occupants with the purpose of allowing voice source discrimination by triangulation and, that way, improving the sound quality and voice signal integrity of mobile communications. The usage of multiple microphones or microphone arrays or matrixes in vehicle is growing popular since it allows great background noise filtering performance compared to single microphone constructions.
So far, microphones have been integrated within a vehicle as standalone modules, namely, microphone with its own electronics, connectors and package is installed in the vehicle trim component (such as an instrument panel, a headliner or any other vehicle interior trim components) or into another larger vehicle electric/electronics interior module (such like an overhead console (OHC), a rear view mirror, or a central stack console and the like). In this case, the microphone and the larger electric/electronics module integrating this microphone do not share any component or function with the exception of their relative mechanical interface, namely the fixture of the one into the other one. This merely mechanical integration of microphones in an interior module causes various drawbacks, such as: creation of functional cost redundancies, limitation in integration and miniaturization, mechanical vibration transmitted across the mechanical interface leading to undesired noise for microphones, the structure of the interior module needing to be significantly altered to accommodate the integration of the microphones, and numerous parts increasing the manufacturing complexity. The reason behind this situation is mostly a legacy of the current supplier base: microphone suppliers are not suppliers of the larger module integrating them.
Furthermore, driven by cost reasons, original equipments manufacturers (OEMs) are increasingly demanding fully integrated system in which the integrated module and eventually software can centrally control all functions of the considered module for integration. Regarding the microphone related functions, it is highly desired to fully, namely mechanically and electrically, integrate one or more microphones in an interior module, in order to systematically and smartly control the microphone function as well as the existing functions carried on the interior module. For example but not limited, it is expected that the integrated module is a overhead console (OHC) module, which includes not only the OHC specific functions like ambient lamps, map lamps and/or various human machine interfaces (HMI), such as buttons, displays and the like, but also the microphone function.
The present invention aims to at least overcome the aforementioned technical problems in the prior art.
The object of the present invention is to provide a microphone integrated assembly used in a motor vehicle to integrate microphone(s) in a larger vehicle interior module, which allows optimum acoustic performance, minor modifications to the structure of the interior module to mechanically integrate the microphone(s), and ease assembly operations. These and other objects are achieved by the embodiments of the invention having the features recited in the claims.
Microphones are preferably implemented on an individual microphone printed circuit board separated from the main application printed circuit board mainly for optimum acoustic performance, but in most of the cases it is also the consequence of different applicable physics laws for the microphone and main application printed circuit board functions. In the case of an overhead console, the microphone printed circuit board is to satisfy acoustic performance while the main application printed circuit board is to satisfy at least optical performance; compromising the printed circuit board level to allow same printed circuit board implementation for both microphone and main application components proves usually impossible. The first aspect of this invention proposes a microphone integrated assembly used in a motor vehicle, which comprises a main application printed circuit board, a microphone printed circuit board implementing one or more microphones, and a compression type interconnector which is compressively assembled between the main application printed circuit board and the microphone printed circuit board such as to electrically connect the microphone printed circuit board and the main application printed circuit board. In this way, microphones implemented on microphone printed circuit board and the main application printed circuit board are electrically integrated with each other, and are capable of sharing same power source, electrical elements and package. Therefore, the microphone function and other functions carried on the main application printed circuit board can be centrally controlled. Meanwhile, the compression type interconnector can act as an acoustic insulator, which mechanically decouple the microphone printed circuit board from the main application printed circuit board and prevents vibrations which propagate through the main application printed circuit board from coupling with the microphone printed circuit board, leading to decreased acoustic noise and overall improved acoustic performance.
In some embodiments, the one or more microphones may be acoustic sensors carrying out an acoustic sensing function. Further, the acoustic sensors may be Micro-electromechanical Systems (MEMSs). In this case, since MEMS-based acoustic sensors are much smaller sized than traditional microphones units, a compact and miniaturized overall structure for the microphone integrated assembly is obtained.
In some embodiments, the microphone printed circuit board may integrate several acoustic sensors forming a microphone matrix. In this case, since the microphone matrix (or array) allows an improved background noise filtering performance, the acoustic performance of the assembly is further 3o improved.
The acoustic sensors may be located on the top side or the bottom side of the microphone printed circuit board. When the acoustic sensors are located on the bottom side of the microphone printed circuit board, each of the sensors covers an acoustic hole arranged through the microphone printed circuit board. In this case, voice is propagated through the acoustic hole. Besides, with microphones located on the backside, the topside of the microphone printed circuit board has a nearly flat surface, which helps to evenly contact the abutting members, such as a cover or a foam part and prevent component damages.
In some embodiments, the compression type interconnector may be a carbon connector, which is cost efficient. In some other embodiments, the compression type interconnector may be a wire conductor type compression connector which uses highly conductive metal wires, such as Cu, Ag, or Au wires, to establish electrical paths between the microphone printed circuit board and the main application printed circuit board. The wire conductor type compression connector aims to lower resistance for improved electrical signal communication and increased power transfer between the printed circuit boards.
The microphone printed circuit board features a connecting pattern; and the main application printed circuit board features a connecting pattern. The compression type interconnector has its first conductive contacts electrically connected with the microphone printed circuit board connecting pattern and its second conductive contacts electrically connected with the main application printed circuit board connecting pattern, such that the microphone printed circuit board electrically connects to the main application printed circuit board. In this case, since connecting patterns, e.g. an array of connection pads, can be easily printed on a printed circuit board, the main application printed circuit board requires few modifications in structure, shape or size to adapt the integration of the microphone printed circuit board, except for the addition of connecting patterns at specific locations. Therefore, the microphone function can be easily integrated to the main application printed circuit board.
The compression type interconnector is mechanically aligned to electrically connect the microphone printed circuit board connecting pattern with the main application printed circuit board connecting pattern by compression. In this case, the compressed interconnector bias against the corresponding connecting patterns, resulting in a stable connection between the two printed circuit boards.
The assembly further comprises a housing enclosure located between the main application printed circuit board and the microphone printed circuit board which purpose is to correctly align the compression type interconnector at a location where the interconnector is capable of electrically connecting the microphone printed circuit board pattern with the main application printed circuit board pattern. In this case, once the housing enclosure is in position, the interconnector is accordingly located and maintained at a correct location to connect the two printed circuit boards. The housing enclosure is assembled first, followed by the placement of the compression interconnector into the enclosure. Thus, a non-blind and automated operation (such as stacking using robots) can be performed to assemble the microphone integrated assembly.
The assembly further comprises a cover including a mesh structure and/or holes. The mesh structure and/or holes are designed to minimize acoustic propagation interferences to the microphones implemented on the microphone printed circuit board.
The cover presses against the microphone printed circuit board towards the main application printed circuit board such that the compression type interconnector is compressed. In this case, the interconnector can be compressed by exerting a pressing force onto the cover, which is easily realized.
The main application printed circuit board is fastened by fastening means, such as screws, snapping means, and the like, to keep the compression type interconnector compressed in a stable way.
In some embodiments, the housing enclosure may be mechanically integrated with the cover.
The assembly further comprises a mesh foam part located between the cover and the microphone printed circuit board. The mesh foam part aids preventing dust from entering the microphone hole or affecting the microphone acoustic performance, and avoids a direct contact between the microphone printed circuit board and the cover, resulting in a further acoustic insulation to the microphone printed circuit board from its surroundings and leading to a further improved acoustic performance.
In some embodiments, the assembly may further comprise one or more additional compression type interconnectors, which are compressively assembled between the main application printed circuit board and the microphone printed circuit board to connect or simply to mechanically support the microphone printed circuit board. In this case, the additional compression type interconnector(s) may serve only the purpose of acoustic insulation without electrical contacting purpose. The number and position(s) of the additional interconnector(s) are not limited, and can be easily adjusted by those skilled in the art to adapt the specific geometries of microphone printed circuit boards, in order to support the microphone printed circuit boards at a proper location and without deflection or excessive stress.
In some embodiments, the microphone printed circuit board is located at a level close to the outward surface of the assembly; the main application printed circuit board is located at a different level; the difference between the two levels is compensated by the compression type interconnector. In this case, on one hand, microphones on the microphone printed circuit board can be located as close as possible to the top (outward) surface of the assembly for optimum acoustic performance. On the other hand, the main application printed circuit board located at a different level can follow constraints from other fields of physics for other functions that are carried out. Difference between the levels of the main application printed circuit board and the microphone printed circuit board can be compensated by the height of the compressively assembled interconnector, without any modification to the structure of the main application printed circuit board or the cover.
According to a second aspect of this invention, an interior module for a vehicle comprising the aforementioned assembly is provided. In this way, an interior module can integrate microphones to capture voices from discriminated occupants within a vehicle, and also can centrally control the microphones, together with other functions implemented in said interior module. Particularly, the interior module may be physically located at a location suitable to the acoustic purposes of the microphone.
Optionally, the interior module may be an overhead console (OHC) in which that microphones are integrated. Furthermore, the interior module may be a rear view mirror.
According to a third aspect of this invention, a vehicle comprising the aforementioned interior module is provided.
According to a fourth aspect of this invention, a method for assembling the aforementioned assembly is provided. The method comprising the steps of providing a microphone printed circuit board which implements one or more microphones; arranging a compression type interconnector on the microphone printed circuit board; and arranging a main application printed circuit board on the compression type interconnector. In this method, the compression type interconnector is compressively assembled between the microphone printed circuit board and the main application printed circuit board such as to electrically connect the microphone printed circuit board and the main application printed circuit board. This method comprises no blind operation and can be performed by simply stacking the members one-by-one. Then the method can be easily operated by a robot.
In some embodiments, the method further comprises arranging a housing enclosure between the microphone printed circuit board and the main application printed circuit board and arranging the compression type interconnector into the cavity of the housing enclosure. In this way, the compression type interconnector can be easily and correctly aligned at a location where the interconnector electrically connects the microphone printed circuit board with the main application printed circuit board.
In some embodiments, the compression type electrically connects the microphone printed circuit board with the main application printed circuit board thought a convenient and effective contacting method. In this case, the first conductive contacts of the compression type interconnector electrically contact a connecting pattern of the microphone printed circuit board, and the second conductive contacts of the compression type interconnector electrically contact a connecting pattern of the main application printed circuit board such that the microphone printed circuit board electrically connects to the main application printed circuit board.
In some embodiments, the method further comprising the step of pressing the main application printed circuit board towards the microphone printed circuit board in order to compress the compression type interconnector and to keep the compression type interconnector compressed. In this way, the compression deformation applied on the interconnector can be maintained reliably through the entire product lifecycle, and then a stable electrical connection between the two printed circuit boards can be obtained.
The aforementioned and other embodiments of the present specification are described in greater depth in the drawings and detailed description provided below.
The present invention will be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
In the accompanying drawings and the following description, identical or equivalent components are annotated by identical numbers. Numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a better understanding of the invention. However, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known features have not been described in detail to avoid obscuring the invention. Hereinbelow, an example in which the invention is applied to a motor vehicle will be described.
With reference to
The microphone integrated assembly 100 is a portion of a microphone integrated overhead console (OHC) of a motor vehicle, in which the microphone function is integrated together with classic OHC functions. As shown in
One or more microphones 3 are implemented on the microphone printed circuit board 1. Throughout this description, the term “microphones” refers to any suitable acoustic sensors capable of carrying out acoustic sensing functions, namely, capable of capturing sound pressure and converting it into electrical signals for subsequent processing. Preferably, the microphones 3 may be micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS), which contribute to a compact and miniaturized overall size for the assembly compared with the conventional microphone units. As shown in
The main application printed circuit board 2 carries various elements for specific OHC functions, such as ambient lamps, map lamps and/or human machine interfaces. As schematically shown in
Due to the issue described above, as shown in
In order to electrically integrate the microphone printed circuit board 1 and the main application printed circuit board 2, the assembly 100 uses the compression type interconnector 4 to electrically connect the printed circuit boards with each other. The interconnector 4 constructs multiple electrical paths, through which the main application printed circuit board 2 can provide electrical power and signals to and from the microphone printed circuit board 1 for its operation. The interconnector 4 can be used to connect the microphones 3 to a controller or a digital bus transceiver located on the main application printed circuit board 2. The controller or digital bus transceiver could also be located on the microphone printed circuit board 1 itself.
In the embodiments illustrated in
Any suitable contact-type interconnector known in the art can be used. For example, the interconnector 4 may be made from compressive materials, such as rubber. Then the interconnector 4 can be compressively assembled between the pattern 6 and pattern 7, as to electrically connect the microphone printed circuit board 1 and the main application printed circuit board 2 and get a stable contact connection. Conveniently, the interconnector 4 naturally compensates small relative displacements of the printed circuit boards and absorbs mechanical vibration propagating along the main application printed circuit board 2 resulting in a reduced noise picked up by the microphones 3 located on the microphone printed circuit board 1. The conductive portions of the interconnector 4 are made by adding conductive additives, such as carbon particles, metal wires and the like. Carbon type connectors having carbon particles are cost efficient, while wire conductor type connectors, which uses highly conductive metal wires such as Cu, Ag, Au wires and the like, can be used to establish much lower resistance electrical paths between printed circuit boards, such that a larger current can be allowed to flow through the interconnector 4.
As shown in
The assembly 100 further comprises a plastic cover 9, which is located on top of the microphone printed circuit board 1, such that the microphone printed circuit board 1 is protected from its surrounding and made invisible. The cover 9 is usually a styling part. A portion of the cover 9 is shown in
The assembly 100 further comprises a mesh foam part 11, which is made from foam materials. The mesh foam part 11 is located between the cover 9 and the microphone printed circuit board 1, and serves the prevention of dust from entering the microphone hole and affecting the microphone acoustic performance. In the embodiments, the mesh foam part 11 is also compressive, such that the mesh foam part 11 can conform to any small relative displacement between the microphone printed circuit board 1 and the cover 9, and absorb vibration propagated therebetween.
The invention can be carried out not only in the illustrative embodiments but also in other various embodiments. For example, while it has been shown that four microphones in a 2 by 2 matrix are implemented on the microphone printed circuit board 1, the invention is not limited thereto. It is also possible to employ different microphones configurations, the number of microphone and their arrangement on the printed circuit board 1 being irrelevant.
Similarly, while it has been exemplarily shown in the illustrative embodiments that the invention is applied to an overhead console, the invention is also applicable to any other interior modules in a motor vehicle, such as a rear view mirror, a central console and the like. The integrated microphones operate to capture voices from discriminated occupants within a vehicle, and can be centrally controlled together with other functions implemented in the interior module. The interior module is physically located at a location suitable for the acoustic purposes of the microphones.
Referring to
As shown in
In the following step, as shown in
Finally, the assembled microphone integrated assembly is mounted onto a motor vehicle. The assembly process illustrated in
While the assembling procedure has been exemplarily shown in an illustrative embodiment where only one compression type interconnector is used, the invention is applicable to multiple interconnectors, such as two interconnectors shown in
While the invention has been described with reference to a limited number of embodiments, those skilled in the art, having benefit of this invention, will appreciate that other embodiments can be devised without departing from the scope of the invention as disclosed herein. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be limited only by the attached claims.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 201710266229.3 | Apr 2017 | CN | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/CN2018/084033 | 4/23/2018 | WO | 00 |
