Sound and vibration sensor
The present invention relates to a sound and vibration sensor comprising pressure generating arrangement adapted to generate pressure variations in a first and a second rear volume in response to vibrations of the sound and vibration sensor, the pressure generating arrangement comprising a moveable mass secured to a suspension member, and a first and a second pressure detecting arrangement, wherein the first and second pressure detecting arrangements are acoustically connected to a front volume of the sound and vibration sensor, and wherein each front volume is acoustically connected to the exterior of the sound and vibration sensor via a sound inlet, wherein the first pressure detecting arrangement is acoustically connected to the first rear volume, and that the second pressure detecting arrangement is acoustically connected to the second rear volume. The present invention further relates to a personal audio device comprising a sound and vibration sensor.
1 . A sound and vibration sensor, the sound and vibration sensor comprising:
a pressure generating arrangement adapted to generate pressure variations in both a first rear volume and a second rear volume in response to vibrations of the sound and vibration sensor, the pressure generating arrangement comprising a moveable mass secured to a suspension member; and
a first pressure detecting arrangement and a second pressure detecting arrangement, wherein the first pressure detecting arrangement and the second pressure detecting arrangement are acoustically connected to an exterior of the sound and vibration sensor via at least one front volume, the at least one front volume each acoustically connected to the exterior of the sound and vibration sensor via a respective sound inlet,
wherein the first pressure detecting arrangement is acoustically connected to the first rear volume, and the second pressure detecting arrangement is acoustically connected to the second rear volume, and
wherein the moveable mass and the suspension member collectively divide a volume into the first rear volume and the second rear volume.
2 . The sound and vibration sensor according to claim 1 , wherein:
the first pressure detecting arrangement comprises a first MEMS cartridge, the first MEMS cartridge comprising a first front volume and a first moveable membrane, and
the second pressure detecting arrangement comprises a second MEMS cartridge, the second MEMS cartridge comprising a second front volume and a second moveable membrane.
3 . The sound and vibration sensor according to claim 2 , wherein the sound and vibration sensor further comprises one or more signal processors, and wherein the first MEMS cartridge and the second MEMS cartridge are electrically connected to the one or more signal processors.
4 . The sound and vibration sensor according to claim 1 , wherein:
the at least one front volume is a common front volume, the common front volume acoustically connected to both the first pressure detecting arrangement and the second pressure detecting arrangement, and
the common front volume is acoustically connected to the exterior of the sound and vibration sensor via a common sound inlet.
5 . The sound and vibration sensor according to claim 4 , wherein:
the first pressure detecting arrangement comprises a first MEMS cartridge, the first MEMS cartridge comprising a first front volume and a first moveable membrane,
the second pressure detecting arrangement comprises a second MEMS cartridge, the second MEMS cartridge comprising a second front volume and a second moveable membrane,
the sound and vibration sensor further comprises one or more signal processors, the first MEMS cartridge and the second MEMS cartridge electrically connected to the one or more signal processors, and
the one or more signal processors, the first MEMS cartridge, and the second MEMS cartridge are in the common front volume.
6 . The sound and vibration sensor according to claim 5 , wherein the one or more signal processors, the first MEMS cartridge, and the second MEMS cartridge are on a first surface of a first PCB.
7 . The sound and vibration sensor according to claim 6 , wherein the pressure generating arrangement is on a second surface of the first PCB.
8 . The sound and vibration sensor according to claim 7 , wherein the pressure generating arrangement further comprises a housing on the second surface of the first PCB.
9 . The sound and vibration sensor according to claim 6 , wherein the first PCB comprises:
a first acoustical opening adapted to acoustically connect the first MEMS cartridge to the first rear volume, and
a second acoustical opening adapted to acoustically connect the second MEMS cartridge to the second rear volume.
10 . The sound and vibration sensor according to claim 6 , wherein the common front volume is at least partly defined by the first PCB, a second PCB and a wall portion, the wall portion between the first PCB and the second PCB.
11 . The sound and vibration sensor according to claim 10 , wherein the common sound inlet comprises an acoustical opening in the second PCB.
12 . The sound and vibration sensor according to claim 10 , further comprising:
one or more vias are between the first PCB and the second PCB, and
one or more electrical contact pads on an outer surface of the second PCB.
13 . The sound and vibration sensor according to claim 1 , wherein:
an overall length of the sound and vibration sensor is smaller than 4 mm,
an overall width of the sound and vibration sensor is smaller than 3 mm, and
an overall height of the sound and vibration sensor is smaller than 1.5 mm.
14 . A personal audio device comprising the sound and vibration sensor according to claim 1 , said personal audio device being a hearing device, a hearing aid, a hearable, or an earbud.
15 . A personal audio device comprising the sound and vibration sensor according to claim 1 , said personal audio device being a hearing device, a hearing aid, a hearable, or an earbud.
16 . A sound and vibration sensor, the sound and vibration sensor comprising:
a pressure generating arrangement adapted to generate pressure variations in both a first rear volume and a second rear volume in response to vibrations of the sound and vibration sensor, the pressure generating arrangement comprising a moveable mass secured to a suspension member; and
a first pressure detecting arrangement and a second pressure detecting arrangement, wherein the first pressure detecting arrangement and the second pressure detecting arrangement are acoustically connected to an exterior of the sound and vibration sensor via at least one front volume, the at least one front volume each acoustically connected to the exterior of the sound and vibration sensor via a respective sound inlet,
wherein the first pressure detecting arrangement is acoustically connected to the first rear volume, and the second pressure detecting arrangement is acoustically connected to the second rear volume, and
wherein the moveable mass and the suspension member are configured to simultaneously:
increase pressure in one of the first rear volume or the second rear volume, and
reduce pressure in another the first rear volume or the second rear volume.
17 . The sound and vibration sensor according to claim 16 , wherein:
the first pressure detecting arrangement comprises a first MEMS cartridge, the first MEMS cartridge comprising a first front volume and a first moveable membrane, and
the second pressure detecting arrangement comprises a second MEMS cartridge, the second MEMS cartridge comprising a second front volume and a second moveable membrane.
18 . The sound and vibration sensor according to claim 17 , wherein the sound and vibration sensor further comprises one or more signal processors, and wherein the first MEMS cartridge and the second MEMS cartridge are electrically connected to the one or more signal processors.
19 . The sound and vibration sensor according to claim 16 , wherein:
the at least one front volume is a common front volume, the common front volume acoustically connected to both the first pressure detecting arrangement and the second pressure detecting arrangement, and
the common front volume is acoustically connected to the exterior of the sound and vibration sensor via a common sound inlet.
20 . The sound and vibration sensor according to claim 19 , wherein:
the first pressure detecting arrangement comprises a first MEMS cartridge, the first MEMS cartridge comprising a first front volume and a first moveable membrane,
the second pressure detecting arrangement comprises a second MEMS cartridge, the second MEMS cartridge comprising a second front volume and a second moveable membrane,
the sound and vibration sensor further comprises one or more signal processors, the first MEMS cartridge and the second MEMS cartridge electrically connected to the one or more signal processors, and
the one or more signal processors, the first MEMS cartridge, and the second MEMS cartridge are in the common front volume.