IP Library Granted Patent US 12,348,921
Granted Patent B2
US 12,348,921 · App. 17/822,498 · Granted Jul 1, 2025

High pressure water protection speaker or microphone

Inventors: David Marron-Baez (Zapopan, MX); Irving Morales Rodriguez (Guadalajara, MX); Enrique Chavez Luna (Guadalajara, MX); Ian McKerlich (Seattle, WA)
Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems, Inc.
H04R1/086B60R11/0247H04R1/023H04R1/025H04R2499/13
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,348,921
App. No.
17/822,498
Granted
Jul 1, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

A vehicle assembly includes a panel or mounting location, a speaker or microphone disposed within the panel for generating or detecting sounds and a cover disposed over the speaker. The cover includes a plurality of openings for the transmission of sound and a corresponding plurality of blockers at each of the plurality of openings. Each of the plurality of blockers includes a front face that is spaced apart forward of a corresponding one of the plurality of openings for blocking water intrusion.

Claims (19)

1. A vehicle comprising:

a mounting location on an external location of the vehicle;

a microphone disposed within the mounting location for generating receiving sounds;

a cover disposed over the speaker, the microphone including a plurality of openings for the transmission of sound and a corresponding plurality of blockers at each of the plurality of openings, each of the plurality of blockers includes a front face that is semi-circular with a radius corresponding to a radius of a corresponding one of the plurality of openings and is spaced apart forward of the corresponding one of the plurality of openings for blocking water intrusion.

2. The vehicle as recited in claim 1 , wherein the blocker defines a passage between a corresponding one of the plurality of openings, the passage including a first portion that extends forward from the opening and a second portion that is transverse to the first portion.

3. The vehicle as recited in claim 2 , wherein the blocker includes a first side and a second side that at least partially defines the first portion of the passage.

4. The vehicle instrument panel assembly as recited in claim 3 , wherein the front face is disposed on the first side and extends over the first portion of the passage.

5. The vehicle as recited in claim 4 , wherein the second side is shorter than the first side and the second portion of the passage is disposed between an end of the second side and the front face.

6. The vehicle as recited in claim 1 , wherein the microphone is positioned to detect noise, vibration or harshness from vehicle components.

7. The vehicle as recited in claim 1 , wherein the microphone is positioned to detect noise from the environment proximate to the vehicle.

8. An external microphone assembly for a vehicle, comprising:

a microphone for detecting sounds;

a cover disposed over the microphone, the cover including a plurality of openings for the transmission of sound and a corresponding plurality of blockers at each of the plurality of openings, each of the plurality of blockers includes a front face that is semi-circular with a radius corresponding to a radius of a corresponding one of the plurality of openings and is spaced apart forward of the corresponding one of the plurality of openings for blocking water intrusion.

9. The microphone assembly as recited in claim 8 , wherein the blocker defines a passage between a corresponding one of the plurality of openings, the passage including a first portion that extends forward from the opening and a second portion that is transverse to the first portion.

10. The microphone assembly as recited in claim 9 , wherein the blocker includes a first side and a second side that at least partially defines the first portion of the passage.

11. The microphone assembly as recited in claim 10 , wherein the front face is disposed on the first side and extends over the first portion of the passage.

12. The microphone assembly as recited in claim 11 , wherein the second side is shorter than the first side and the second portion of the passage is disposed between an end of the second side and the front face.

13. The microphone assembly as recited in claim 8 , wherein the microphone is positioned to detect noise, vibration or harshness from vehicle components.

14. The microphone assembly as recited in claim 8 , wherein microphone is positioned to detect noise from the environment proximate to the vehicle.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 27, 2022
From: MARRON-BAEZ, DAVID; RODRIGUEZ, IRVING MORALES; LUNA, ENRIQUE CHAVEZ; MCKERLICH, IAN
To: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, INC.
Reel/Frame 061221/0934 →
Continuity (2)
Continuation In Part 16692055 · Nov 22, 2019
Related Publication 20220417627A1 · Dec 29, 2022
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