Patent Publication Number: US-2002009207-A1

Title: Connection method for microphone of mobile radio communication unit and connection structure thereof

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001] 1. Field of the Invention  
       [0002] The present invention relates to a connection for a microphone mounted in a mobile radio communication unit such as a handphone or a radio transceiver, and more particularly to a connection method for a microphone mounted in a mobile radio communication unit and a connection structure thereof which are capable of conveniently achieving a circuit connection of the microphone with a printed circuit board without any interference while achieving an easy mounting of the microphone.  
       [0003] 2. Description of the Related Art  
       [0004] As well known, a microphone is mounted in a mobile radio communication unit such as a handphone or a radio transceiver. Such a microphone is electrically connected to a printed circuit board mounted in a mobile radio communication unit to convert a voice signal into an electrical signal. This microphone is encompassed by a holder made of a rubber material, and fitted in a boss formed in the interior of the mobile radio communication unit so that it is stably held in the interior of the unit without being loosened or separated from the unit.  
       [0005] The connection between the microphone and the printed circuit board is achieved using wires involving a welding task.  
       [0006] However, this connection made using wires requires a considerable working time and exhibits a considerably degraded workability.  
       [0007] In order to connect the microphone to the printed circuit board using wires, it is necessary to use a separate process for fixing those wires in accordance with a welding method. However, there is a considerable difficulty in conducting the wire welding process because the microphone has a miniature size so that it is of a built-in type. Furthermore, a considerable time is required to conduct the wire welding process. In addition, the wire welding process may interfere with peripheral components.  
       [0008] Where an external impact is applied to the mobile radio communication unit, the welded portions of the wires connecting the microphone to the printed circuit board may be damaged, so that those wires may be disconnected at the damaged portions. In this case, the degraded welded portions should be connected again. However, this process involves a considerable difficulty. Generally, where a re-welding process is conducted for a welded area, it is difficult to expect a sufficient bonding effect.  
       [0009] Furthermore, there is a limitation in reducing the total thickness of a housing included in the mobile radio communication unit due to the thickness of the holder used to connect the microphone to the printed circuit board. For this reason, there are problems in conventional cases in that it is impossible to achieve miniature and lightness.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0010] Therefore, an object of the invention is to solve the above mentioned problems and to provide a connection method for a microphone mounted in a mobile radio communication unit and a connection structure thereof, in which the connection of the microphone to a printed circuit board is made using circular conductive contacts formed at a holder made of a rubber material to protect the microphone, thereby being capable of conveniently achieving the connection between the microphone and the printed circuit board without using wires involving a welding process, as in conventional cases, while reducing the assembling time of the product, achieving an improvement in workability, and preventing an interference with peripheral components and a degradation in the connection resulting in a degradation in the reliability of the product.  
       [0011] Another object of the invention is to provide a connection structure for a microphone mounted in a mobile radio communication unit, in which the connection of the microphone to a printed circuit board is made using a connector coated with a conductive adhesive (or a non-conductive adhesive) at both surfaces thereof, and a movement preventing rim is protruded from the periphery of the microphone at the upper end of the microphone, thereby being capable of conveniently achieving the connection between the microphone and the printed circuit board in accordance with the use of the adhesive eliminating the use of a holder and without using wires involving a welding process, as in conventional cases, while reducing the assembling time of the product, achieving an improvement in workability, minimizing an increase in thickness resulting from the connection between the microphone and the printed circuit board to achieve a miniature and lightness of the housing of the mobile radio communication unit, and preventing an interference with peripheral components and a degradation in the connection resulting in a degradation in the reliability of the product.  
       [0012] In accordance with one aspect, the present invention provides a connection method for a microphone mounted in a mobile radio communication unit, comprising the steps of: fitting the microphone having contacts in a holder defined with a contact region having contacts and a non-contact region at an upper wall thereof; bring the contacts of the microphone into contact with respective inner surfaces of the contacts in the holder; fitting the holder carrying the microphone in a boss formed at an inner surface of a front case included in the mobile radio communication unit; laying a printed circuit board having contacts on the holder fitted in the boss, and then coupling a rear case of the mobile radio communication unit to the front case; and bring the contacts of the printed circuit board into contact with respective outer surfaces of the contacts of the holder in accordance with a pressure generated when the rear case is coupled to the front case, thereby completing an electrical connection of the microphone to the printed circuit board.  
       [0013] In accordance with another aspect, the present invention provides in a mobile radio communication unit including a front case having a boss at an inner surface thereof, a rear case, a printed circuit board, and a microphone mounted in the boss and adapted to convert a voice signal into an electrical signal, a connection structure for electrically connecting the microphone to the printed circuit board, the connection structure comprising: a first conductive region provided at one surface of the printed circuit board and formed with a first contact having a circular ring shape and a second contact centrally arranged inside the first contact; a second conductive region provided at one surface of the microphone and formed with a third contact having a circular ring shape and a fourth contact centrally arranged inside the third contact; a cylindrical holder made of a rubber material and fitted around the microphone, the holder being fitted in the boss and having a circular opening for allowing a voice from a user to enter the microphone fitted in the holder; a third conductive region provided at an upper wall of the holder and formed with a fifth contact having a circular ring shape and a sixth contact centrally arranged inside the fifth contact, the fifth and sixth contacts extending throughout the thickness of the upper wall while being flush with inner and outer surfaces of the upper wall to serve as a connector for electrically connecting the microphone to the printed circuit board; and an annular cushion rim provided at a peripheral edge of the upper wall outside the fifth contact, the annular cushion rim serving to provide a buffering effect when the holder comes into contact with the rear case under pressure, while serving to guide contacting operations respectively conducted between the first and second contacts and the fifth and sixth contacts.  
       [0014] In accordance with another aspect, the present invention provides in a mobile radio communication unit including a front case having a boss at an inner surface thereof, a rear case, a printed circuit board, and a microphone mounted in the boss and adapted to convert a voice signal into an electrical signal, a connection structure for electrically connecting the microphone to the printed circuit board, the connection structure comprising: a first conductive region provided at one surface of the printed circuit board and formed with a first contact having a circular ring shape and a second contact centrally arranged inside the first contact; a second conductive region provided at one surface of the microphone and formed with a third contact having a circular ring shape and a fourth contact centrally arranged inside the third contact; a rubber ring fitted in the boss at an upper end of the boss, the rubber ring serving to prevent the microphone, fitted in the boss, from being separated from the boss; a disk-shaped connector interposed between the printed circuit board and the microphone, the connector having a fifth contact and a sixth contact extending throughout the thickness of the connector to connect the contacts of the microphone to the contacts of the printed circuit board, thereby electrically connecting the microphone to the printed circuit board; a conductive adhesive coated over each surface of the connector and adapted to firmly keep the electrical connection made between the printed circuit board and the microphone by the connector; and a movement preventing rim provided at a periphery of the microphone at an upper end of the microphone and adapted to prevent the connector from moving in a state in which it is seated on the microphone. 
     
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
     [0015] The above objects, and other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent after a reading of the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which:  
     [0016]FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a microphone connection structure of a mobile radio communication unit according to a first embodiment of the present invention;  
     [0017]FIG. 2 is a plan view illustrating the structure of a holder according to the first embodiment of the present invention;  
     [0018]FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A′ of FIG. 2;  
     [0019]FIG. 4 is a plan view of a microphone according to the first embodiment of the present invention;  
     [0020]FIG. 5 is an assembled sectional view illustrating the connected state of the microphone to a printed circuit board obtained by the holder in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention;  
     [0021]FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating a connection method using the above mentioned connection structure in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention;  
     [0022]FIG. 7 is a sectional view illustrating a holder structure according to a second embodiment of the present invention;  
     [0023]FIG. 8 is a plan view illustrating a holder structure according to a third embodiment of the present invention;  
     [0024]FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line B-B′ of FIG. 8;  
     [0025]FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a microphone connection structure applied to a mobile radio communication unit in accordance with the fourth embodiment of the present invention;  
     [0026]FIG. 11 is a plan view illustrating the structure of a connector coated, at each surface thereof, with a conductive adhesive having conductive characteristics in accordance with the fourth embodiment of the present invention;  
     [0027]FIG. 12 is a sectional view illustrating the connector according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention;  
     [0028]FIG. 13 is a perspective view illustrating the structure of a microphone according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention;  
     [0029]FIG. 14 is a plan view illustrating the microphone structure according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention;  
     [0030]FIG. 15 is an assembled sectional view illustrating the condition in which the microphone is connected to a printed circuit board via connector in a mobile radio communication unit in accordance with the fourth embodiment of the present invention; and  
     [0031]FIG. 16 is a sectional view illustrating the structure of a connector coated, at each surface thereof, with a non-conductive adhesive having non-conductive characteristics in accordance with the fifth embodiment of the present invention. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
     [0032] Now, the present invention will be described in conjunction with a preferred embodiments illustrated in the annexed drawings.  
     [0033]FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a microphone connection structure of a mobile radio communication unit according to a first embodiment of the present invention.  
     [0034]FIG. 2 is a plan view illustrating the structure of a holder according to the first embodiment of the present invention.  
     [0035]FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A′ of FIG. 2.  
     [0036]FIG. 4 is a bottom view of a microphone according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is an assembled sectional view illustrating the connected state of the microphone to a printed circuit board obtained by the holder.  
     [0037] Referring to FIGS.  1  to  5 , a mobile radio communication unit is illustrated which includes a printed circuit board  1 , and a microphone  2  mounted in a boss  3 . The microphone  2  is electrically connected to the printed circuit board  1  so that it converts a voice signal into an electrical signal.  
     [0038] The printed circuit board  1  is provided at one surface thereof with a conductive region where a first contact  1   a  having a circular ring shape and a second contact  1   b  centrally arranged inside the first contact  1   a  are formed.  
     [0039] In similar, the microphone  2  is provided at one surface thereof with a conductive region where a third contact  2   a  having a circular ring shape and a fourth contact  2   b  centrally arranged inside the third contact  2   a  are formed.  
     [0040] A cylindrical holder  10  made of a rubber material is fitted around the microphone  2 . In this state, the microphone  2  is fitted in the boss  3  formed at the inner surface of a front case included in the mobile radio communication unit. Thus, the microphone  2  is firmly mounted in the boss  3 .  
     [0041] The holder  10  is provided at a lower wall thereof with a circular opening  11  for allowing a voice from the user to enter the microphone  2  fitted in the holder  10 .  
     [0042] The holder  10  is also provided at an upper wall thereof with a conductive region where a fifth contact  12   a  having a circular ring shape and a sixth contact  12   b  centrally arranged inside the fifth contact  12   a  are formed, so as to function as a connector for electrically connecting the microphone  2  to the printed circuit board  1 . The fifth and sixth contacts  12   a  and  12   b  extend throughout the thickness of the upper wall while being flush with inner and outer surfaces of the upper wall.  
     [0043] An annular cushion rim  13  is provided at the peripheral edge of the upper wall of the holder  10  outside the fifth contact  12   a . The annular cushion rim  13  serves to provide a buffering effect when the holder  10  comes into contact with a rear case (not shown), while serving to guide contacting operations conducted between the first and second contacts  1   a  and  1   b  and the fifth and sixth contacts  12   a  and  12   b.    
     [0044] In the holder  10 , the non-conductive portion of the upper wall is made of a hard material whereas the conductive portions of the upper wall corresponding to the fifth and sixth contacts  12   a  and  12   b  are made of a soft material. Accordingly, when contacting is made between the first and second contacts  1   a  and  1   b  and the third and fourth contacts  2   a  and  2   b , respectively, the fifth and sixth contacts  12   a  and  12   b  are compressed between the first and second contacts  1   a  and  1   b  and the third and fourth contacts  2   a  and  2   b , respectively. Thus, the connection between the printed circuit board  1  and the microphone  2  is more firmly and easily achieved.  
     [0045]FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating a connection method using the above mentioned connection structure in accordance with the present invention.  
     [0046] As shown in FIG. 6, this connection method involves the steps of:  
     [0047] fitting the microphone  2  having the third and fourth contacts  2   a  and  2   b  in the holder  10  defined with the contact region having the fifth and sixth contacts  12   a  and  12   b  and the non-contact region at the upper wall thereof;  
     [0048] bring the third and fourth contacts  2   a  and  2   b  into contact with respective inner surfaces of the fifth and sixth contacts  12   a  and  12   b  in the holder  10 ;  
     [0049] fitting the holder  10  carrying the microphone  2  in the boss  3  formed at the inner surface of the front case  100  included in the mobile radio communication unit;  
     [0050] laying the printed circuit board  1  on the holder  10  fitted in the boss  3 , and then coupling the rear case of the mobile radio communication unit to the front case  100 ; and  
     [0051] bring the first and second contacts  1   a  and  1   b  of the printed circuit board  1  into contact with respective outer surfaces of the fifth and sixth contacts  12   a  and  12   b  in the holder  10  in accordance with a pressure generated when the rear case is coupled to the front case  100 , thereby completing an electrical connection of the microphone  2  to the printed circuit board  1 .  
     [0052] Now, this connection method will be described in detail, in conjunction with FIGS.  1  to  6 .  
     [0053] First, the printed circuit board  1  is formed at one surface thereof with a conductive region. That is, a first contact  1   a  having a circular ring shape and a second contact  1   b  centrally arranged inside the first contact  1   a  are formed. In similar, the microphone  2  is formed at one surface thereof with a conductive region where a third contact  2   a  having a circular ring shape and a fourth contact  2   b  centrally arranged inside the third contact  2   a  are formed.  
     [0054] Thereafter, the microphone  2  is fitted in the cylindrical holder  10  made of a rubber material. In this state, the holder  10  carrying the microphone  2  is fitted in the boss  3  formed at the inner surface of the front case  100  included in the mobile radio communication unit. Thus, the microphone  2  is firmly mounted in the boss  3 .  
     [0055] The printed circuit board  1  is then laid on the holder  10  fitted in the boss  3 . At this time, the cushion rim  13  formed at the peripheral edge of the upper wall of the holder  10  comes into contact with the printed circuit board  1 .  
     [0056] Subsequently, the rear case of the mobile radio communication unit is coupled to the front case  100 . As the rear case is coupled to the front case  100 , it applies a pressure to the holder  10 . The cushion rim  13  is compressed by the pressure while performing a buffering function.  
     [0057] As the cushion rim  13  is compressed, the first and second contacts  1   a  and  1   b  of the printed circuit board  1  and the third and fourth contacts  2   a  and  2   b  of the microphone  2  into contact with respective outer surfaces of the fifth and sixth contacts  12   a  and  12   b  in the holder  10 . Thus, a desired electrical contact state is obtained.  
     [0058] Since the non-conductive portion of the upper wall of the holder  10  is made of a hard material whereas the fifth and sixth contacts  12   a  and  12   b  of that upper wall is made of a soft material, the first and second contacts  1   a  and  1   b  of the printed circuit board  1  and the third and fourth contacts  2   a  and  2   b  of the microphone  2  into contact with respective outer surfaces of the fifth and sixth contacts  12   a  and  12   b  in The holder  10  while compressing the fifth and sixth contacts  12   a  and  12   b  by a certain pressure. As a result, the printed circuit board  1  and microphone  2  can be electrically connected to each other.  
     [0059] Since the holder  10  is provided at the lower wall thereof with the circular opening  11 , the voice from the user can enter the microphone  2  fitted in the holder  10  via the opening  11 .  
     [0060]FIG. 7 is a sectional view illustrating a holder structure according to a second embodiment of the present invention.  
     [0061] As shown in FIG. 7, the holder  10  has fifth and sixth contacts  12   a′  and  12   b′  formed at the upper wall thereof in such a fashion that they are axially protruded from the upper wall to form steps on the inner and outer surfaces of the upper wall.  
     [0062] In accordance with this structure in which the fifth and sixth contacts  12   a′  and  12   b′  are axially protruded from the upper wall of the holder  10  to form steps on the inner and outer surfaces of the upper wall, it is possible to more easily achieve a desired electrical connection between the printed circuit board  1  and the microphone  2 , as compared to the above mentioned first embodiment.  
     [0063] In this embodiment, elements respectively corresponding to those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals.  
     [0064] Meanwhile, FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate a third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a plan view illustrating a holder structure whereas FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line B-B′ of FIG. 8.  
     [0065] In accordance with this embodiment, the holder  10  is provided at the upper wall thereof with two fifth contacts  12   a″  having a semicircular ring shape while facing each other, and with a sixth contact  12   b″  centrally arranged inside the fifth contact  12   a″ . This structure is adapted to prevent noise from being generated when the printed circuit board  1  and microphone  2  are electrically connected. Although two fifth contacts  12   a″  having a semicircular ring shape are formed in accordance with this embodiment, a plurality of contacts having an arc shape may be formed as fifth contacts.  
     [0066] In this embodiment, elements respectively corresponding to those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals.  
     [0067] FIGS.  10  to  15  illustrate a fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a microphone connection structure applied to a mobile radio communication unit in accordance with the fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a plan view illustrating the structure of a connector coated, at its surface, with a conductive adhesive having conductive characteristics in accordance with the fourth embodiment of the present invention.  
     [0068]FIG. 12 is a sectional view illustrating the connector according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.  
     [0069]FIG. 13 is a perspective view illustrating the structure of a microphone according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 14 is a plan view illustrating the microphone structure according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 15 is an assembled sectional view illustrating the condition in which the microphone is connected to a printed circuit board via connector in a mobile radio communication unit in accordance with the fourth embodiment of the present invention.  
     [0070] Referring to FIGS.  10  to  15 , a mobile radio communication unit is illustrated which has a configuration similar to that of the first embodiment in that it includes a printed circuit board  1  provided at one surface thereof with a conductive region, where a first contact  1   a  having a circular ring shape and a second contact  1   b  centrally arranged inside the first contact  1   a  are formed, and a microphone  2  provided at one surface thereof with a conductive region, where a third contact  2   a  having a circular ring shape and a fourth contact  2   b  centrally arranged inside the third contact  2   a  are formed, the microphone  2  being electrically connected to the printed circuit board  1  so that it converts a voice signal into an electrical signal, and a boss  3  for mounting the microphone  2  therein.  
     [0071] A rubber ring  20  is fitted in the boss  3  at the upper end of the boss  3 . The rubber ring  20  serves to prevent the microphone  2 , fitted in the boss  3 , from being separated from the boss  3 .  
     [0072] A disk-shaped connector  30  is interposed between the printed circuit board  1  and the microphone  2 . The connector  30  has a seventh contact  30   a  and an eighth contact  30   b  extending throughout the thickness of the connector  30 . The seventh and eighth contacts  30   a  and  30   b  serve to connect the contacts  2   a  and  2   b  of the microphone  2  to the contacts  1   a  and  1   b  of the printed circuit board  1 , thereby electrically connecting the microphone  2  to the printed circuit board  1 .  
     [0073] In order to firmly keep the electrical connection between the printed circuit board  1  and the microphone  2  by the connector  30 , a conductive adhesive  40  is coated over both surfaces of the connector  30 .  
     [0074] A movement preventing rim  50  is provided at the periphery of the microphone  2  at the upper end of the microphone  2  in order to prevent the connector  30  from moving in a state in which it is seated on the microphone  2 .  
     [0075] Now, this configuration according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail, in conjunction with FIGS.  10  to  15 .  
     [0076] First, the printed circuit board  1  is formed at one surface thereof with a conductive region. That is, the first contact  1   a  having a circular ring shape and the second contact  1   b  centrally arranged inside the first contact  1   a  are formed. In similar, the microphone  2  is formed at one surface thereof with a conductive region where the third contact  2   a  having a circular ring shape and the fourth contact  2   b  centrally arranged inside the third contact  2   a  are formed.  
     [0077] Also, the movement preventing rim  50  is provided at the periphery of the microphone  2  at the upper end of the microphone  2 . The rubber ring  20  is fitted in the boss  3  at the upper end of the boss  3 . As mentioned above, the boss  3  is formed at the front case  100  of the mobile radio communication unit. The rubber ring  20  serves to prevent the microphone  2 , fitted in the boss  3 , from being separated from the boss  3 .  
     [0078] The microphone  2  is then fitted in the boss  3  of the front case  100  carrying the rubber ring  10 .  
     [0079] Thereafter, the connector  30 , which has the seventh and eight contacts  30   a  and  30   b  extending throughout the thickness thereof, is seated on the microphone  2 . In this state, the eighth contact  30   b  of the connector  30  comes into contact with the third and fourth contacts  2   a  and  2   b  of the microphone  2 , so that it is electrically connected with those contacts  2   a  and  2   b.    
     [0080] When the printed circuit board  1  having the first and second contacts  1   a  and  1   b  come into tight contact with the upper surface of the connector  30 , the seventh contact  30   a  of the connector  30  is electrically connected with the first and second contacts  1   a  and  1   b.    
     [0081] Since the connector  30  has a disk structure with a very small thickness while being coated with a conductive adhesive  40  at both surfaces thereof, the electrical connection between the printed circuit board  1  and the microphone  2  by he connector  20  can be reliably maintained. Also, the total thickness of the mobile radio communication unit can be reduced.  
     [0082] Although the conductive adhesive  40  is coated over both surfaces of the connector  30  in the illustrated case, it may be coated on the first and second contacts  1   a  and  1   b  of the printed circuit board  1  and the third and fourth contacts  2   a  and  2   b  of the microphone  2 . In this case, of course, the same effect as that of the fourth embodiment is obtained.  
     [0083] Meanwhile, FIG. 16 illustrates a fifth embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 16, the connector  30  is provided with a ninth contact  30   a′  corresponding to the seventh contact  30   a  of the fourth embodiment and a tenth contact  30   b′  corresponding to the eighth contact  30   b  of the fourth embodiment. The ninth and tenth contacts  30   a′  and  30   b′  are slightly protruded from associated surfaces of the connector  30 . A non-conductive adhesive  40 ′ is coated on non-contact regions a and b where the ninth and tenth contacts  30   a′  and  30   b′  are not formed.  
     [0084] When the ninth and tenth contacts  30   a′  and  30   b′  of the connector  30  come into contact with the first and second contacts  1   a  and  1   b  of the printed circuit board  1 , the non-conductive adhesive  40 ′ coated only on the non-contact regions a and b of the connector  30  serves to allow the connector  30  to come into tight contact with the printed circuit board  1  and microphone  2  at its upper and lower surfaces, respectively, thereby maintaining the connection state made between the printed circuit board  1  and the microphone  2  by the connector  30 .  
     [0085] In this embodiment, elements respectively corresponding to those of the first through fourth embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals. No description will be made for those elements.  
     [0086] As apparent from the above description, the present invention provides a connection method for a microphone mounted in a mobile radio communication unit and a connection structure thereof, which are capable of conveniently achieving the connection of the microphone to the printed circuit board without using wires involving a welding process while reducing the assembling time of the product, achieving an improvement in workability, preventing an interference with peripheral components and a degradation in the connection resulting in a degradation in the reliability of the product, and minimizing an increase in thickness resulting from the connection between the microphone and the printed circuit board to achieve a miniature and lightness of the housing of the mobile radio communication unit.  
     [0087] Although the preferred embodiments of the invention have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims.