Internal vent structure for waterproof microphone acoustic cavity

• Main Authors: John Kevin Arledge, Deborah A Gruenhagen, David J Meyer, Andrew P Miehl, Gary A Lee, Karl F Mueller
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 08.05.2019
• Subjects: DEAF-AID SETS; ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE; ELECTRICITY; LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKEACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS

A method and apparatus are described for providing an acoustically-resistive air-permeable venting structure within a sealed microphone acoustic cavity. A microphone is mounted on a printed circuit board and positioned within a housing. A water-resistant membrane seals the microphone from an exterior of the housing, and a active acoustic cavity establishes an acoustical connection between the water-resistant membrane and the microphone. An acoustically-resistive air-permeable venting structure is formed in the body of the printed circuit board and connects to the active acoustic cavity either directly or via a separate vent path. The venting structure provides a viscous dampening effect by venting an active acoustic cavity of the electronic device to the rest of the enclosure sealed by the water-resistant membrane.