US3896274A - Electret earphone - Google Patents

Abstract

A push-pull electrostatic transducer employs imperforate electret elements affixed to the surface of rigid vented backplates mounted on opposite sides of a conductive diaphragm.

Description

United States Patent Fraim et a1.

1451 July 22,1975

[ ELECTRET EARPHONE 3,612,778 10/1971 Murphy 307/88 ET 3,646,280 2/1972 Tamura 179/111 E 1 lnventorsi Freeman Fra'm, Lexmgton 3,772,133 11/1973 Schmitt 307/88 ET Mass; Preston Murphy, 3,812,575 5/1974 Hedman 179/111 E Barcekna Spam OTHER PUBLICATIONS [73] Assignee: Therm) Electron Corporatmn, Application of Electrets to Electro-Acoustic Transwaltham, Massducers by R. E. Collins; AWA Technical Review Dec. 22 Filed: Oct. 4, 1973 1973- [21] Appl' N05 4039573 Primary ExaminerKathleen H. Claffy Assistant ExaminerThomas DAmico 52 U.S. c1. 179/111 E; 307/88 ET n 8 m Firm1ames Neal [51] Int.Cl H04r 19/00 [58] Field of Search 179/111 E, 111 R, 106; ABSTRACT 307/88 ET A push-pull electrostatic transducer employs imperforate electret elements affixed to the surface of rigid [56] References Cited vented backplates mounted on opposite sides of a con- UNITED STATES PATENTS ductive diaphragm- 3,118,022 l/l964 Sessler 179/111E 11 Claims, 5Drawing Figures 2o 16 23 162o 11 15 A r W I l A ELECTRET EARPHONE BACKGROUND .OF THE INVENTION The bias necessary to obtain satisfactory linearity in an electroacoustic transducer can be provided by an electret, either as a diaphragm or as part of a fixed electrode. When the displacement of the diaphragm is substantial, linearity of operation is further enhanced by the push-pull mode of operation.

One problem encountered with electrets is that they degrade, or lose their charge with time, under the stresses of manufacturing processes or during normal operation. Polarization stability of electrets may be controlled by the choice of manufacturing process, materials, structure, or a combination thereof.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention pertains to electroacoustic electret transducers and particularly to a combination of fixed and vibrating elements as employed in earphones and the like. The general object of this invention is by structural improvement to extend the useful life-of the electret elements and to simplify the construction of acoustic devices employing electret elements.

The invention incorporates imperforate electret elements attached to the surface of rigid vented backplates mounted on opposite sides of a conductive diaphragm. The invention has the following specific objects:

1. To maximize electrical discharge pathlengths on the exposed dielectric surface of the electret elements;

2. To simplify assembly procedure; and

3. To eliminate degradation of the electret elements due to perforation during the manufacturing process.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a sectional plane view of a preferred embodiment of the electret earphone of this invention.

FIGS. 2a) through 20) show a plane view of a number of preferred embodiments of electret elements on suitable backplates.

FIG. 3 is a schematic of the earphone of FIG. 1 embodied in a hearing aid.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will be described in detail referring to FIG. 1. An earphone includes acasing 11 which formsacoustic chambers 12. Anacoustic port 13 is provided for sound output. Asound absorbing material 15 fills a portion of theacoustic chambers 12 to provide acoustic damping and protection against dust intrusion. Within thecasing 11, aconductive diaphragm 14 is tautly suspended byelements 16. On each side of thediaphragm 14, an electricallyconductive backplate 18 is mounted and isolated from thecasing 11 byelements 20. Afilm electret element 22 is affixed to theinner surface 24 of backplate l8.Acoustic passages 25 in thebackplates 18 are provided at locations not obstructed byelectret elements 22. Acapillary 23 equalizes pressure betweenacoustic chambers 12. Asurface 26 of theelectret 22 faces thediaphragm 14. Thediaphragm 14 andelectrets 22 are electrically-insulated from one another byelements 16 and 20.Conductors 28 connect thebackplates 18 and thediaphragm 14 to a representative push-pull network 30, shown schematically. Thenetwork 30 is connectedto asignal source 32.

Operation of the apparatus of FIG. 1 will now be described. A signal from thesource 32 is received through the push-pull network 30 viaconductors 28 connected to thediaphragm 14 and theelectrodes 18.

At theelectrets 22, the signal is biased by the persisting field in theelectrets 22. The signal causes a timevarying electric field to develop between theelectrets 22 and thediaphragm 14 which induces thediaphragm 14 to vibrate. The vibration induces sound waves in theacoustic cavity 12. The resultant sound passes through theacoustic port 13.

In a preferred embodiment, the dimensions of theearphone 10 are approximately 10 mm in length by 10 mm in width by 5 mm in depth. Theearphone 10 as shown has ametal casing 11. Thecasing 11 may be plastic if no electrostatic shielding is required or size is not a constraint.

Thediaphragm 14 is the sole vibratile element. It is typically 6 microns in thickness and is aplastic film 17 withmetallized surfaces 31. Other materials may be used so long as thediaphragm 14 is electrically conductive and sufficiently flexible.

Theelectret elements 22 aredielectric films typically I theelectrets 22 and thediaphragm 14 may vary depending on the desired acoustic and electrical characteristics. Theelectret 22 is characterized by a persistent electrostatic charge. The dominant component of the charge, called the homocharge, resides on or near surface of theelectret 22. Since theplanar electret 22 has no perforations, the ratio of surface area to perimeter length is relatively high, and the electrical discharge path along the surface to any edge is maximized. Severa] preferred shapes ofelectrets 22 are shown in FIGS. 2a through 20. Theacoustic air passages 25 in thebackplates 18 may be of various shapes and sizes as shown in FIGS. 2a through 2c. More than oneelectret 22 may be bonded to eachbackplate 18 as shown in FIG. 20 in order to permit the central location of theair vents 25 and to shape the vibration characteristics of the diaphragm l4. I

An electrically conductive backplate having thermal expansion characteristics closely matching those of the electret element affixed thereto is desirable in order to inhibit deterioration of the electret element caused by thermally induced stress. This is accomplished in thebackplates 18 by providing aplastic base 19, which has thermal expansion characteristics matching those of theelectrets 22, with an electricallyconductive coating 21 less than one micron in thickness. A gold coating of 0.06 microns is suitable. Such a coated backplate has essentially the thermal expansion characteristics of the uncoated plastic. Likewise an electrically conductive backing 27 less than 0.15 microns thick on theelectret elements 22 does not have an substantial adverse effect on the thermal expansion characteristics of theelectret elements 22. If thebackplates 18 are not electrically conductive or do not have electricallyconductive surfaces 21,electrical connections 28 must be made di- '.rectly to theelectret elements 22.

appropriate amplifying means 38. The output is connected to the earphone l embodying the invention.

The' invention herein described has the following advantages:

1. the electrical discharge pathlengths along the surface of the electrets are maximized so that deterioration of the electret is impeded;

2. the assembly procedure has been simplified by avoiding the necessity of critical alignment of elements with holes or the formation of holes in the electret during or subsequent to assembly, and correspondingly 3. deterioration of electrets induced by the manufacturing process is eliminated.

While the invention has been described with respect to the details of a specific embodiment thereof, many changes and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and such can obviously be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

Having thus described the invention, whatis claimed is: a

1. An electroacoustic transducer comprising:

a thin, substantially flexible electrically conductive diaphragm;

a pair of rigid backplates positioned on opposite sides of said diaphragm;

a separate imperforate electret bonded to each said backplate along the surface thereof confronting said diaphragm, each said electret being imperforate to provide a single continuous surface uninterrupted by perforations, thereby to maximize the ratio of surface area of perimeter length;

each said backplate being vented at locations not obstructed by the electret bonded thereto;

said diaphragm and each of said electrets being electrically insulated from one another;

means for supporting said diaphragm between said electrets with sufficient clearance for said diaphragm to vibrate; and t means for electrically connecting individually to said diaphragm and to each of said electrets.

2. An electroacoustic transducer as defined in claim 1, wherein said electrets are substantially circular.

3. An electroacoustic transducer as defined in claim 1, wherein said device is a receiver.

4. An electroacoustic receiver as defined in claim 3, wherein said device is an earphone.

5. An electroacoustic receiver comprising:

a'thin, substantially flexible electrically conductive diaphragm;

a pair of rigid electrode backplates positioned on opposite sides of said diaphragm;

a separate imperforate electret bonded to and covering a portion of each of said electrode backplates along the surface thereof confronting said diaphragm, each said electret being imperforate to provide a single continuous surface uninterrupted by perforations, thereby to maximize the ratio of surface area to perimeter length;

each of said imperforate electrets being substantially planar and having a ratio of the longest line along the surface which would pass through the center of gravity to the shortest line along the surface which would pass through the center of gravity not exceeding three;

each said electrode backplate being vented for acoustic airflow at locations not obstructed by the electret bonded thereto;

said diaphragm and each of said electrets being electrically insulated from one another;

means for supporting said diaphragm between said electrets with sufficient clearance. for said diaphragm to vibrate; and

means for electrically connecting individually to said diaphragm and to each of said electrets.

6. An electroacoustic receiver as defined in claim 5,

wherein said electrets are substantially circular.

7. An electroacoustic receiver as defined in claim 5,

wherein said device is an earphone.

8. A hearing aid comprising:

microphone means;

amplifier means;

push-pull driving means;

an electrostatic receiver comprising:

a casing;

acoustic ports;

a thin, substantially flexible electrically conductive diaphragm;

a pair of rigid backplates positioned on opposite sides of said diaphragm;

a separate imperforate electret, each said electret being imperforate to provide a single continuous surface uninterrupted by perforations, thereby to maximize the ratio of surface area to perimeter length;

said backplates being vented at locations not obstructed by said electrets;

said diaphragm and each of said electrets being electrically insulated from one another;

means for supporting said diaphragm between said electrets with sufficient clearance for said diaphragm to vibrate; and

means for electrically connecting individually to said diaphragm and to each of said electrets.

9. An electroacoustic transducer comprising:

an electrically conductive vibratile diaphragm;

a pair of rigid backplates positioned on opposite sides of said diaphragm, said backplates having plastic bases with an electrically conductive coating thereon, said coating not exceeding one micron in thickness; 1

a separate imperforate electret bonded to each said backplate along the surface thereof confronting said diaphragm, each electret comprising an electrically non-conductive member having thermal expansion characteristics similar to the thermal expansion characteristics of said base and being imperforate to provide a single continuous surface uninterrupted by perforations, thereby to maximize the ratio of surface area to perimeter length, an obverse surface of said member confronting said diaphragm, an electrically conductive backing on the reverse surface of said member, said backing bonding said member to said backplate in surface to surface contact, each said electret and its associated backplate having similar thermal expansion char-' each said backplate together with the walls of said container forming an acoustic chamber;

7 a separate imperforate electret bonded to each said backplate along the central portion of the surface thereof confronting said diaphragm;

said backplate having holes through it at locations.

surrounding said electret for providing acoustic passageways between said diaphragm and said acousticchambers; and an opening in said container for providing an acoustic port communicating with at least one of said acoustic chambers.

Claims (11)

1. An electroacoustic transducer comprising: a thin, substantially flexible electrically conductive diaphragm; a pair of rigid backplates positioned on opposite sides of said diaphragm; a separate imperforate electret bonded to each said backplate along the surface thereof confronting said diaphragm, each said electret being imperforate to provide a single continuous surface uninterrupted by perforations, thereby to maximize the ratio of surface area of perimeter length; each said backplate being vented at locations not obstructed by the electret bonded thereto; said diaphragm and each of said electrets being electrically insulated from one another; means for supporting said diaphragm between said electrets with sufficient clearance for said diaphragm to vibrate; and means for electrically connecting individually to said diaphragm and to each of said electrets.

2. An electroacoustic transducer as defined in claim 1, wherein said electrets are substantially circular.

3. An electroacoustic transducer as defined in claim 1, wherein said device is a receiver.

4. An electroacoustic receiver as defined in claim 3, wherein said device is an earphone.

5. An electroacoustic receiver comprising: a thin, substantially flexible electrically conductive diaphragm; a pair of rigid electrode backplates positioned on opposite sides of said diaphragm; a separate imperforate electret bonded to and covering a portion of each of said electrode backplates along the surface thereof confronting said diaphragm, each said electret being imperforate to provide a single continuous surface uninterrupted by perforations, thereby to maximize the ratio of surface area to perimeter length; each of said imperforate electrets being substantially planar and having a ratio of the longest line along the surface which would pass through the center of gravity to the shortest line along the surface which would pass through the center of gravity not exceeding three; each said electrode backplate being vented for acoustic airflow at locations not obstructed by the electret bonded thereto; said diaphragm and each of said electrets being electrically insulated from one another; means for supporting said diaphragm between said electrets with sufficient clearance for said diaphragm to vibrate; and means for electrically connecting individually to said diaphragm and to each of said electrets.

6. An electroacoustic receiver as defined in claim 5, wherein said electrets are substantially circular.

7. An electroacoustic receiver as defined in claim 5, wherein said device is an earphone.

8. A hearing aid comprising: microphone means; amplifier means; push-pull driving means; an electrostatic receiver comprising: a casing; acoustic ports; a thin, substantially flexible electrically conductive diaphragm; a pair of rigid backplates positioned on opposite sides of said diaphragm; a separate imperforate electret, each said electret being imperforate to provide a single continuous surface uninterrupted by perforations, thereby to maximize the ratio of surface area to perimeter length; said backplates being vented at locations not obstructed by said electrets; said diaphragm and each of said electrets being electrically insulated from one another; means for supporting said diaphragm between said electrets with sufficient clearance for said diaphragm to vibrate; and means for electrically connecting individually to said diaphragm and to each of said electrets.

9. An electroacoustic transducer comprising: an electrically conductive vibratile diaphragm; a pair of rigid backplates positioned on opposite sides of said diaphragm, said backplates having plastic bases with an electrically conductive coating thereon, said coating not exceeding one micron in thickness; a separate imperforate electret bonded to each said backplate along the surface thereof confronting said diaphragm, each electret comprising an electrically non-conductive member having thermal expansion characteristics similar to the thermal expansion characteristics of said base and being imperforate to provide a single continuous surface uninterrupted by perforations, thereby to maximize the ratio of surface area to perimeter length, an obverse surface of said member confronting said diaphragm, an electrically conductive backing on the reverse surface of said member, said backing bonding said member to said backplate in surface to surface contact, each said electret and its associated backplate having similar thermal expansion characteristics; each said backplate being vented at locations not obstructed by the electret bonded thereto; said diaphragm and each of said electrets being electrically insulated from one another; means for supporting said diaphragm between said electrets with sufficient clearance for said diaphragm to vibrate; and means for electrically connecting individually to said diaphragm and to each of said electrets.

10. An electroacoustic transducer as defined in claim 9 wherein said electrically conductive surface of said electret does not exceed 0.15 microns in thickness.

11. An electroacoustic transducer comprising: a closed container; a thin, substantially flexible electrically conductive diaphragm mounted at its perimeter inside said container, thereby dividing said container into two sections; a pair of rigid backplates mounted inside said container on opposite sides of said diaphragm with sufficient clearance for said diaphragm to vibrate, each said backplate together with the walls of said container forming an acoustic chamber; a separate imperforate electret bonded to each said backplate along the central portion of the surface thereof confronting said diaphragm; said backplate having holes through it at locations surrounding said electret for providing acoustic passageways between said diaphragm and said acoustic chambers; and an opening in said container for providing an acoustic port communicating with at least one of said acoustic chambers.

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