IP Library › Granted Patent US 11,128,942
Granted Patent B2
US 11,128,942 · App. 16/625,345 · Granted Sep 21, 2021

Sound transducer arrangement having a MEMS unit

Inventors: Ferruccio Bottoni (Graz, AT); Andrea Rusconi Clerici Beltrami (Vienna, AT)
Assignee: USOUND GMBH
H04R1/04H04R17/02H04R31/006H04R2201/003
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,128,942
App. No.
16/625,345
Granted
Sep 21, 2021
Kind
B2
Abstract

A sound transducer arrangement for generating and/or detecting sound waves in the audible wavelength spectrum includes an acoustic unit, which includes a vibratable diaphragm and a MEMS unit coupled to the diaphragm for generating and/or detecting a deflection of the diaphragm. The sound transducer arrangement includes a MEMS structure, which includes a support unit on which the MEMS unit and the acoustic unit are arranged. The support unit includes a metallic lead frame and a plastic body, with which the lead frame is partially circumferentially fused.

Claims (34)

1. A sound transducer arrangement for generating and/or detecting sound waves in the audible wavelength spectrum, the sound transducer arrangement comprising:

an acoustic unit, which includes a vibratable diaphragm;

a MEMS unit, which includes a coupling element and a MEMS structure, which is coupled to the diaphragm by the coupling element for generating and/or detecting a deflection of the diaphragm; and

a support unit that includes a metallic conductor frame and a plastic body with which the conductor frame is partially circumferentially fused; and

wherein the acoustic unit is arranged on the plastic body and the MEMS unit is arranged on the metallic conductor frame.

2. The sound transducer arrangement as claimed in claim 1 , wherein a middle region of the support unit defines a breakthrough, which is at least partially bordered by a support frame configured for accommodating the MEMS unit.

3. The sound transducer arrangement as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising a support frame defining an annular base element that defines a center thereof, wherein the conductor frame comprises a plurality of frame struts and frame openings located therebetween, wherein each of the frame struts extends radially outwardly from the center of the annular base element of the support frame in the form of rays.

4. The sound transducer arrangement as claimed in claim 2 , wherein the support frame is formed by the conductor frame and/or the plastic body.

5. The sound transducer arrangement as claimed in claim 3 , wherein the support frame and/or the conductor frame includes an electrical contact area that is electrically conductively connected to the conductor frame or to at least one frame strut.

6. The sound transducer arrangement as claimed in claim 5 , wherein the MEMS unit comprises at least one connection section for transmitting audio signals and/or electrical energy, which connection section is electrically connected to the contact area with the aid of a soldered joint and/or an electrically conductive adhesive bond.

7. The sound transducer arrangement as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the support unit comprises an ASIC receptacle, which is configured for accommodating an ASIC for controlling the sound transducer arrangement, and/or wherein the ASIC receptacle comprises an electrical connection to the conductor frame so that the audio signals and/or the electrical energy can be exchanged between the ASIC and the MEMS unit and/or between the ASIC and an external unit.

8. A sound transducer arrangement for generating and/or detecting sound waves in the audible wavelength spectrum, the sound transducer arrangement comprising:

an acoustic unit, which includes a vibratable diaphragm;

a MEMS unit, which includes a MEMS structure coupled to the diaphragm for generating and/or detecting a deflection of the diaphragm; and

a support unit on which the MEMS unit and the acoustic unit are arranged, wherein the support unit comprises a metallic conductor frame and a plastic body with which the conductor frame is partially circumferentially fused;

wherein a middle region of the support unit defines a breakthrough, which is at least partially bordered by a support frame configured for accommodating the MEMS unit; and

wherein an annular first base element is arranged around the support frame on a first side face of the support unit, wherein the acoustic unit is arranged on the first base element, and wherein a first cavity is formed between the acoustic unit and the support unit.

9. The sound transducer arrangement as claimed in claim 8 , wherein an annular second base element is arranged around the support frame on a second side face positioned opposite the first base element, and/or in a cover element that is arranged on the second base element, so that a second cavity is formed between the cover element and the support unit.

10. The sound transducer arrangement as claimed in claim 9 , wherein the first base element and/or the second base element are/is formed by the plastic body.

11. The sound transducer arrangement as claimed in claim 10 , wherein the support unit comprises at least one equalizing breakthrough, with the aid of which a pressure between the first cavity and the second cavity can be equalized.

12. The sound transducer arrangement as claimed in claim 8 , wherein the support frame includes a plurality of frame struts and wherein at least a portion of each of the frame struts protrudes radially outward beyond the first base element and/or are connected to a housing in the area of their ends.

13. The sound transducer arrangement as claimed in claim 9 , wherein and end of a frame strut is bent in the axial direction (X) toward the side of the first side face and/or the second side face.

14. The sound transducer arrangement as claimed in claim 3 , further comprising a housing, wherein at least a portion of an end of a frame strut is adhered, screwed, and/or latched together with the housing.

15. The sound transducer arrangement as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the conductor frame includes frame struts and frame openings located therebetween, and wherein the plastic body fills at least a portion of the frame openings between the frame struts.

16. The sound transducer arrangement as claimed claim 3 , wherein the plastic body fills at least a portion of the frame openings between the frame struts.

17. The sound transducer arrangement as claimed in claim 3 , wherein the support frame and/or the conductor frame includes two contact areas separated from one another in an electrically insulating manner by the plastic body and electrically conductively connected to the conductor frame or to at least one frame strut.

18. The sound transducer arrangement as claimed in claim 3 , wherein the support unit includes an ASIC receptacle, which is configured for accommodating an ASIC for controlling the sound transducer arrangement, wherein the ASIC receptacle includes an electrical connection to at least one frame strut so that the audio signals and/or the electrical energy can be exchanged between the ASIC and the MEMS unit and/or between the ASIC and an external unit.

19. The sound transducer arrangement as claimed in claim 9 , wherein the support frame includes a plurality of frame struts and wherein at least a portion of each of the frame struts protrudes radially outward beyond the second base element and/or are connected to a housing in the area of their ends.

20. A sound transducer arrangement for generating and/or detecting sound waves in the audible wavelength spectrum, the sound transducer arrangement comprising:

an acoustic frame;

a vibratable diaphragm clamped to the acoustic frame;

a MEMS unit, which includes a coupling element and a MEMS structure, which is coupled to the diaphragm by the coupling element for generating and/or detecting a deflection of the diaphragm; and

a support unit that includes a metallic conductor frame and a plastic body with which the conductor frame is partially circumferentially fused; and

wherein the acustic frame is arranged on the plastic body and the MEMS unit is arranged on the metallic conductor frame.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 24, 2020
From: RUSCONI CLERICI BELTRAMI, ANDREA; BOTTONI, FERRUCCIO
To: USOUND GMBH
Reel/Frame 051605/0786 →
Priority Claims (1)
DE 102017114142.1 · Jun 26, 2017 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20210067853A1 · Mar 4, 2021