Differential ports for induced parasitic fluid circulation

Abstract

An example device includes an electronic component and an enclosure that covers at least a portion of the electronic component and that forms a volume between the enclosure and the electronic component. The enclosure includes an inlet port having inner walls that meet an outer surface of the enclosure to form one or more outer comers of the inlet port that taper away from the inlet port and that meet an inner surface of the enclosure to form one or more inner corners of the inlet port that are sharp corners. The enclosure also includes an outlet port having inner walls that meet the outer surface to form one or more outer corners of the outlet port that are sharp corners and that meet the inner surface to form one or more inner corners of the outlet port that taper away from the outlet port.

Description

DIFFERENTIAL PORTS FOR INDUCED PARASITIC FLUID CIRCULATION

[0001] This application claims the priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 586,900, filed 29 September 2023, the entire contents of which is incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROUND

[0002] A device may include an enclosure that contains various electronic components. Some electronic components, such as speakers, microphones, barometric pressure sensors, and the like may require openings in the enclosure to allow sound to pass through the enclosure.SUMMARY

[0003] In general, aspects of this disclosure are directed to an enclosure for a device. The enclosure may cover at least a portion of an electronic component of the device that may require an opening in the enclosure, such as a speaker that receives sound, a microphone that produces sound, or a barometer that receives air from the external environment of the device. As such, the enclosure may include one or more ports that allow air and sound to pass through the enclosure.

[0004] Because the ports in the enclosure may allow liquids to enter the device, the ports in the enclosure may have geometric features that induce a parasitic circulation of air to facilitate convective removal of heat and liquid from the device. The enclosure may include an inlet port having geometric features that cause a net inflow of air from the external environment of the device into a volume between the enclosure and the electronic component and an outlet port having geometric features that cause a net outflow of air from the volume into the external environment.

[0005] The combination of the inlet port and the outlet port may set in motion a parasitic circulation of air into the inlet port, through the volume, and out the outlet port. The parasitic circulation may provide a constant flow of fresh cool air into the volume and may exhaust air heated by the electronic component out of the outlet port. Such a parasitic circulation may facilitate convective removal of heat from the electronic component andmay also promote the expulsion of unwanted liquids from the volume, which may lower power requirements of the electronic component to eject liquid out of the device.

[0006] An example device includes: an electronic component; an enclosure that covers at least a portion of the electronic component and that forms a volume between the enclosure and the electronic component, the enclosure including: an inlet port having inner walls that meet an outer surface of the enclosure to form one or more outer comers of the inlet port that taper away from the inlet port and that meet an inner surface of the enclosure to form one or more inner corners of the inlet port that are sharp comers; and an outlet port having inner walls that meet the outer surface of the enclosure to form one or more outer comers of the outlet port that are sharp corners and that meet the inner surface of the enclosure to form one or more inner comers of the outlet port that taper away from the outlet port.

[0007] The details of one or more examples are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, objects, and advantages of the disclosure will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0008] FIG. 1 A is a schematic diagram illustrating components of an example device, in accordance with one or more aspects of this disclosure.

[0009] FIG. IB illustrates a plan view of the example enclosure of FIG. 1 A.

[0010] FIG. 1C illustrates another plan view of the example enclosure of FIG. 1 A.

[0011] FIG. 2A is a schematic diagram illustrating components of an example device, in accordance with one or more aspects of this disclosure.

[0012] FIG. 2B illustrates a plan view of the example enclosure of FIG. 2 A.

[0013] FIG. 2C illustrates another plan view of the example enclosure of FIG. 2 A.

[0014] FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating further details of an example device, in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0015] FIG. 1 A is a schematic diagram illustrating components of an example device 100, in accordance with one or more aspects of this disclosure. Examples of device 100 include a computing device such as a tablet computer, a laptop computer, a desktop computer, a gaming system, a media player, an e-book reader, a television platform, anautomobile navigation system, a wearable computing device (e.g., a computerized watch, computerized eyewear, a computerized glove), or any other type of mobile or non-mobile computing device.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 1A, device 100 includes enclosure 102, which may be a physical enclosure such as an outer case of device 100, that at least partially encloses electronic component 150. Enclosure 102 may be made of any suitable material, such as steel, plastic, glass, or other rigid materials. Electronic component 150 may be an electronic component such as components of a microphone, a speaker, or a barometer, that requires one or more openings in enclosure 102 to allow sound or air to pass. In the example where electronic component 150 is a component of a speaker, device 100 may also include diaphragm 160 that together, with electronic component 150, forms a speaker, where electronic component 150 may cause diaphragm 160 to vibrate to emit sound.

[0017] A portion of enclosure 102 may be positioned over electronic component 150 to cover electronic component 150 and to provide a barrier between electronic component 150 and the external environment in which device 100 is positioned. Enclosure 102 may include outer surface 120 that faces the external environment in which device 100 is positioned and inner surface 122 that faces electronic component 150 and the interior of device 100.

[0018] To allow sound and air to pass between electronic component 150 and the external environment of device 100, enclosure 102 includes inlet port 112 and outlet port 114, which are openings in enclosure 102 that enable sound to pass through enclosure 102, thereby allowing sound and air to enter enclosure 102 and reach electronic component 150 and to allow sound produced by electronic component 150 to travel outside of enclosure 102. Inlet port 112 and outlet port 114 may each be an opening from outer surface 120 of enclosure 102 to inner surface 122 of cover device that allows air and water to travel between volume 128 within enclosure 102 and the external environment of device 100. Inlet port 112 and outlet port 114 may be of any shape, such as a cylindrical shape.

[0019] A portion of enclosure 102 is positioned over electronic component 150 to form a volume 128, which is an empty space within device 100, between enclosure 102 and electronic component 150. Volume 128 may enable air and liquid to flow between inlet port 112 and outlet port 114. In examples where electronic component 150 is a speaker,volume 128 may provide space for diaphragm 160 to vibrate and move within volume 128 to emit sound produced by the speaker.

[0020] Openings in enclosure 102, such as inlet port 112 and outlet port 114 may enable air to flow in and out of device 100 to cool electronic component 150. For example, cool air drawn into openings in enclosure 102 may be heated by electronic component 150, and such heated air may be drawn out of the openings in enclosure 102.

[0021] Openings in enclosure 102, such as inlet port 112 and outlet port 114, may also allow liquids, such as water, to enter device 100. Device 100 may perform one or more actions to expel such liquids that enter device 100. In the example where electronic component 150 is a speaker, electronic component 150 may output a tone that causes diaphragm 160 to vibrate and expel liquids out of the openings in enclosure 102. Electronic component 150 may typically output a high powered tone that is powerful enough to eject liquids out of the openings of enclosure 102. However, outputting such a high powered tone may excessively drain the battery or other power source of device 100 and may also provide a subpar user experience by distracting the user of device 100. Furthermore, openings in enclosure 102 may not be optimized to exhaust air heated by electronic component 150 out of device 100, which may cause electronic component 150 to operate at relatively higher temperatures, which may increase the chance that electronic component 150 malfunctions and which may potentially shorten the operating lifespan of electronic component 150.

[0022] The airflow in and out of volume 128 via openings of enclosure 102, such as inlet port 112 and outlet port 114, may be rate limited. The air pressure of the external environment of device 100 may not change due to low acoustic impedance and constant atmospheric pressure. Openings within enclosure 102 such as inlet port 112 and outlet port 114 may resist airflow at a rate that depends on the pressure differential between the external environment and volume 128 and on the air turbulence (i.e., air velocity). Air within volume 128 may have pressure variations due to movement of diaphragm 160, the finite size of volume 128, and restricted flow rate through openings of enclosure 102.

[0023] Airflow in and out of volume 128 is affected by the properties of ports in enclosure 102, such as the properties of inlet port 112 and outlet port 114. In particular sharp corners (e.g., 90 degree corners) where inner walls 116 of inlet port 112 meet outer surface 120 and inner surface 122 of enclosure 102, as well as surface roughness of inner walls 116 and the cross-section area of inlet port 112 may create turbulence, which may increase the resistance of inlet port 112 to airflow. Similarly, sharp comers where innerwalls 118 of outlet port 114 meet outer surface 120 and inner surface 122 of enclosure 102, as well as surface roughness of inner walls 118 and the cross-section area of outlet port 113 may create turbulence, which may increase the resistance of outlet port 114 to airflow. Such resistive losses due to turbulence may increase rapidly with high flow velocities. Sharp comers may be corners formed by two flat surfaces or substantially flat surfaces meet without a transitional edge (e.g., a chamfer or a bevel) and without a rounded comer between the two surfaces.

[0024] A port may have geometric features that may cause the port to have differential flow, such that the resistance of airflow in a first direction is different from the resistance of airflow going in the opposite direction. For example, inlet port 112 may have outer corners 124 A and 124B that are tapered away from inlet port 112, which may facilitate the intake of air from the external environment into inlet port 112. Inlet port 112 may also have inner corners 124C and 124D that that are not tapered, which may impede the outflow of air from volume 128 into inlet port 112.

[0025] By facilitating intake of air from the external environment and impeding outflow of air from volume 128, these geometric features of inlet port 112 may cause a net inflow of air into volume 128, and the air pressure in volume 128 may increase over time until the inward and outward airflows equalize. If enclosure 102 only has a single opening in the form of inlet port 112 and does not also have outlet port 114, such an increase in air pressure due to the differential flow may normally be undesirable as the increase in air pressure may cause an offset to diaphragm 160, which may go against good speaker design practices that require port symmetry.

[0026] In another example, a port of device 110 may have geometric features that may cause the port to have differential flow that causes a net outflow of air from volume 128 to the external environment. For example, outlet port 114 may have inner corners 126C and 126D that are tapered away from outlet port 114, which may facilitate the outflow of air from volume 128 into outlet port 114. Outlet port 114 may also have outer corners 126A and 126B that are not rounded (e.g., sharp corners), which may impede the inflow of air from the external environment into outlet port 114.

[0027] By facilitating outflow of air from volume 128 and impeding intake of air from the external environment, these geometric features of outlet port 114 may cause a net outflow of air from volume 128, and the air pressure in volume 128 may decrease over time until the inward and outward airflows equalize. If enclosure 102 only has a single opening in the form of outlet port 114 and does not also have inlet port 112, such adecrease in air pressure due to the differential flow may normally be undesirable as the decrease in air pressure may cause an offset to diaphragm 160, which may go against good speaker design practices that require port symmetry.

[0028] In accordance with aspects of this disclosure, enclosure 102 may utilize a mixture of ports having different geometric features that promote differential flows inwards into volume 128 and outwards from volume 128 to set in motion a parasitic circulation. Enclosure 102 may include a pair of ports: inlet port 112 having geometric features that cause a net inflow of air from the external environment into volume 128, and outlet port 114 having geometric features that cause a net outflow of air from volume 128 into the external environment.

[0029] The combination of inlet port 112 having geometric features that cause a net inflow of air from the external environment into volume 128 and outlet port 114 having geometric features that cause a net outflow of air from volume 128 into the external environment may set in motion a parasitic circulation of air into inlet port 112, through volume 128, and out of outlet port 114. The parasitic circulation may provide a constant flow of fresh cool air into volume 128 and may exhaust air heated by electronic component 150 out of outlet port 114, thereby facilitating convective removal of heat from electronic component 150. The convective removal of heat from electronic component 150 may enable electronic component 150 to operate at relatively lower temperatures, which may decrease the chance that electronic component 150 malfunctions and which may potentially lengthen the operating lifespan of electronic component 150. The parasitic circulation may also promote the expulsion of unwanted liquids from volume 128, which may enable a speaker, such as electronic component 150, to use less power to emit a less powerful tone to eject liquid from volume 128, which may improve the battery life of device 100.

[0030] In the example of FIG. 1 A, inlet port 112 may have outer corners, such as outer corners 124A and 124B, where inner walls 116 of inlet port 112 meet outer surface 120 of enclosure 102. Inlet port 112 may also have inner corners, such as inner corners 124C and 124D, where inner walls 116 of inlet port 112 meet inner surface 122 of enclosure 102.

[0031] To increase airflow into inlet port 112, inner walls 116 of inlet port 112 may meet outer surface 120 to form outer corners, such as outer comer 124 A and outer comer 124B, that are tapered away from inlet port 112, such as by being rounded corners, chamfered corners, and the like. Outer corners 124 A and 124B being tapered away from inlet port 112 may effectively increase the opening of inlet port 112 at outer surface 120of enclosure 102, thereby increasing the airflow from the external environment into inlet port 112. In some examples, outer comers 124A and 124B are tapered away from inlet port 112 by being rounded corners, which are also referred to as bullnose comers, tapered corners, or flared comers. Such rounded comers may be convex curves from inner walls 116 to outer surface 120 of enclosure 102. In some examples, the rounded comers may have a radius of four to one. In some examples, the rounded corners may have a radius of at least two to one. In some examples, the rounded corners may have a radius of at least four to one.

[0032] Inner corners 124C and 124D of inlet port 112 may be sharp corners (e.g., nontapered corners), such as 90 degree corners or a corner formed by a meeting of two straight lines or planes. Inner corners 124C and 124D, by being sharp comers, may cause the opening of inlet port 112 at inner surface 122 of enclosure 102 to effectively be smaller than the opening of inlet port 112 at outer surface 120 of enclosure 102, which may cause a net inflow of air from the external environment into volume 128. In this way, inlet port 112 may be operable to induce a net inflow of air into volume 128 in device 100 between enclosure 102 and electronic component 150.

[0033] Outlet port 114 may have outer corners, such as outer comers 126A and 126B, where inner walls 118 of outlet port 114 meet outer surface 120 of enclosure 102. Outlet port 114 may also have inner corners, such as inner corners 126C and 126D, where inner walls 118 of outlet port 114 meet inner surface 122 of enclosure 102.

[0034] To cause a net outflow of air from volume 128 into the external environment, inner comers of outlet port 114, such as inner comers 126C and 126D, are tapered away from outlet port 114. Inner corners 126C and 126D being tapered away from outlet port 114 may effectively increase the opening of outlet port 114 at inner surface 122 of enclosure 102, thereby increasing the airflow from volume 128 into outlet port 114. In some examples, inner corners 126C and 126D are tapered away from outlet port 114 by being rounded corners, which are also referred to as tapered corners or flared corners. Such rounded corners may be convex curves from inner walls 118 to inner surface 122 of enclosure 102. In some examples, the rounded comers may have a radius of four to one. In some examples, the rounded corners may have a radius of at least two to one. In some examples, the rounded corners may have a radius of at least four to one.

[0035] Outer comers 126A and 126B of outlet port 114 may be sharp corners (e.g., nonrounded comers). Outer comers 126A and 126B, by being sharp corners, may cause the opening of outlet port 114 at outer surface 120 of enclosure 102 to effectively be smallerthan the opening of outlet port 114 at inner surface 122 of enclosure 102, which may cause a net outflow of air from volume 128 into the external environment. In this way, outlet port 114 may be operable to induce a net outflow of air from volume 128 to the external environment of device 100.

[0036] The cross-sectional area of inlet port 112 may be equal to the cross-sectional area of outlet port 114. By pairing inlet port 112 having a net inflow of air into volume 128 from the external environment with outlet port 114 having a net outflow of air from volume 128 into the external environment, the inflow of air from the external environment into inlet port 112 and the outflow of air from outlet port 114 into the external environment may balance each other. As such that there may not be a net increase of inflow or outflow of air into and out of volume 128, and the air pressure in volume 128 may therefore average out to atmospheric pressure, thereby not causing any offset of diaphragm 160.

[0037] Instead, pairing inlet port 112 having a net inflow of air into volume 128 from the external environment with outlet port 114 having a net outflow of air from volume 128 into the external environment are therefore operable to induce a parasitic circulation from inlet port 112 to volume 128 and from volume 128 to outlet port 114. Such parasitic circulation may increase transfer of air heated by electronic component 150’s heat dissipation out of volume 128 and may increase inflow of cool air into volume 128 to cool electronic component 150, thereby increasing the efficiency of air cooling electronic component 150.

[0038] In some examples, to promote differential flows inwards into volume 128 and outwards from volume 128, inlet port 112 may be shaped to promote net inflow of air into volume 128, and outlet port 114 may be shaped to promote net outflow of air. For example, inlet port 112 may be shaped to have a larger opening at outer surface 120 and a smaller opening at inner surface 122. Similarly, outlet port 114 may be shaped to have a larger opening at inner surface 122 and a smaller opening at outer surface 120.

[0039] While FIG. 1 A illustrates an example enclosure 102 having two ports: inlet port 112 and outlet port 114, the techniques of this disclosure may be equally applicable to cover devices having any number of pairs of an inlet port having a net inflow of air into volume 128 and an outlet port having a net outflow of air from volume 128.

[0040] FIG. IB illustrates a plan view of enclosure 102 of FIG. 1 A. As shown in FIG. IB, outer surface 120 of enclosure 102 may include openings for inlet port 112 and outlet port 114, which are positioned co-planarly in enclosure 102. In some examples, inlet port112 and outlet port 114 are also positioned collinearly in enclosure 102. Inlet port 112 may include outer comer 124 that tapers away from inlet port 112 Such outer corner 124 may be a rounded comer that is a convex curve from inlet port 112 to outer surface 120.

[0041] FIG. 1C illustrates another plan view of enclosure 102 of FIG. 1 A. As shown in FIG. IB, inner surface 122 of enclosure 102 may include openings for inlet port 112 and outlet port 114, which are positioned co-planarly in enclosure 102. In some examples, inlet port 112 and outlet port 114 are also positioned collinearly in enclosure 102. Outlet port 114 may include inner corner 126 that tapers away from outlet port 114 Such inner corner 126 may be a rounded corner that is a convex curve from outlet port 114 to inner surface 122.

[0042] FIG. 2A is a schematic diagram illustrating components of an example device 200, in accordance with one or more aspects of this disclosure. Device 200 may be an example of device 100 of FIGS. 1A-1C.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 2A, device 200 includes enclosure 202, which is similar to enclosure 102 shown in FIGS. 1 A-1C and which may be a physical enclosure such as an outer case of device 200, that at least partially encloses electronic component 250. Enclosure 202 may be made of any suitable material, such as steel, plastic, glass, or other rigid materials. Electronic component 250 may be similar to electronic component 150 of FIG. 1 A and may be an electronic component such as a microphone or a speaker, that requires one or more openings in enclosure 202 to allow sound to pass. In the example where electronic component 250 is a speaker, device 200 may also include diaphragm 160 for the speaker that may vibrate to emit sound produced by the speaker.

[0044] A portion of enclosure 202 may be positioned over electronic component 250 to cover electronic component 250 and to provide a barrier between electronic component 250 and the external environment in which device 200 is positioned. Enclosure 202 may include outer surface 220 that faces the external environment in which device 200 is positioned and inner surface 222 that faces electronic component 250 and the interior of device 200.

[0045] To allow sound to pass between electronic component 250 and the external environment of device 200, enclosure 202 includes inlet port 212, inlet port 232, and outlet port 214, which are openings in enclosure 202 that enable sound to pass through enclosure 202, thereby allowing sound to enter enclosure 202 and reach electronic component 250 and to allow sound produced by electronic component 250 to travel outside of enclosure 202. Inlet port 212, inlet port 232, and outlet port 214may each be anopening from outer surface 220 of enclosure 202 to inner surface 222 of cover device that allows air and water to travel between the external environment of device 200. Inlet port 212, inlet port 232, and outlet port 214 may be of any shape, such as a cylindrical shape.

[0046] A portion of enclosure 202 is positioned over electronic component 250 to form a volume 228, which is an empty space within device 200, between enclosure 202 and electronic component 250. Volume 228 may enable air and liquid to flow between inlet port 212, inlet port 232, and outlet port 214. In examples where electronic component 250 is a speaker, volume 228 may provide space for diaphragm 160 to vibrate and move within volume 228 to emit sound produced by the speaker.

[0047] Openings in enclosure 202, such as inlet port 212, inlet port 232, and outlet port 214, may enable air to flow in and out of device 200 to cool electronic component 250. For example, cool air drawn into openings in enclosure 202 may be heated by electronic component 250, and such heated air may be drawn out of the openings in enclosure 202.

[0048] Openings in enclosure 202, such as inlet port 212, inlet port 232, and outlet port 214, may also allow water to enter device 200. Device 200 may perform one or more actions to expel such water that enter device 200. In the example where electronic component 250 is a speaker, electronic component 250 may output a tone to expel water out of the openings in enclosure 202.

[0049] In accordance with aspects of this disclosure, enclosure 202 may utilize a mixture of ports having different geometric features that promote differential flows inwards into volume 228 and outwards from volume 228 to set in motion a parasitic circulation. Enclosure 202 may include inlet ports 212 and 232 each having geometric features that cause a net inflow of air from the external environment into volume 228, and outlet port 214 having geometric features that cause a net outflow of air from volume 228 into the external environment.

[0050] The combination of inlet ports 212 and 232 each having geometric features that cause a net inflow of air from the external environment into volume 228 and outlet port 214 having geometric features that cause a net outflow of air from volume 228 into the external environment may set in motion a parasitic circulation of air into inlet port 212, through volume 228, and out of outlet port 214 and a parasitic circulation of air into inlet port 232, through volume 228, and out of outlet port 214. The parasitic circulations may provide a constant flow of fresh cool air into volume 228 and may exhaust air heated by electronic component 250 out of outlet port 214, thereby facilitating convective removal of heat from electronic component 250. The parasitic circulations may also promote theexpulsion of unwanted liquids from volume 228, which may enable a speaker, such as electronic component 250, to use less power to emit a tone to eject liquid from volume 228.

[0051] In the example of FIG. 2 A, inlet port 212 may have outer corners, such as outer corners 224A and 224B, where inner walls 216 of inlet port 212 meet outer surface 220 of enclosure 202. Inlet port 212 may also have inner corners, such as inner corners 224C and 224D, where inner walls 216 of inlet port 212 meet inner surface 222 of enclosure 202.

[0052] To increase airflow into inlet port 212, inner walls 216 of inlet port 212 may meet outer surface 220 to form outer corners, such as outer comer 224A and outer comer 224B, that are tapered away from inlet port 212. Outer comers 224A and 224B being tapered away from inlet port 212 may effectively increase the opening of inlet port 212 at outer surface 220 of enclosure 202, thereby increasing the airflow from the external environment into inlet port 212. In some examples, outer comers 224A and 224B are tapered away from inlet port 212 by being rounded comers, which are also referred to as tapered comers or flared corners. Such rounded corners may be convex curves from inner walls 216 to outer surface 220 of enclosure 202. In some examples, the rounded corners may have a radius of four to one. In some examples, the rounded corners may have a radius of at least two to one. In some examples, the rounded corners may have a radius of at least four to one.

[0053] Inner corners 224C and 224D of inlet port 212 may be sharp corners (e.g., nontapered corners). Inner corners 224C and 224D, by being sharp comers, may cause the opening of inlet port 212 at inner surface 222 of enclosure 202 to effectively be smaller than the opening of inlet port 212 at outer surface 220 of enclosure 202, which may cause a net inflow of air from the external environment into volume 228. In this way, inlet port 212 may be operable to induce a net inflow of air from the external environment into volume 228 in device 200 between enclosure 202 and electronic component 250.

[0054] Similarly, inlet port 232 may have outer corners, such as outer comers 234A and 234B, where inner walls 236 of inlet port 232 meet outer surface 220 of enclosure 202. Inlet port 232 may also have inner comers, such as inner corners 234C and 234D, where inner walls 236 of inlet port 232 meet inner surface 222 of enclosure 202.

[0055] To increase airflow into inlet port 232, inner walls 236 of inlet port 232 may meet outer surface 220 to form outer corners, such as outer comer 234 A and outer comer 234B, that are tapered away from inlet port 232. Outer comers 234A and 234B being tapered away from inlet port 232 may effectively increase the opening of inlet port 232 atouter surface 220 of enclosure 202, thereby increasing the airflow from the external environment into inlet port 232. In some examples, outer comers 234A and 234B are tapered away from inlet port 232 by being rounded comers, which are also referred to as tapered comers or flared corners. Such rounded corners may be convex curves from inner walls 216 to outer surface 220 of enclosure 202. In some examples, the rounded corners may have a radius of four to one. In some examples, the rounded corners may have a radius of at least two to one. In some examples, the rounded corners may have a radius of at least four to one.

[0056] Inner corners 234C and 234D of inlet port 232 may be sharp corners (e.g., nontapered corners). Inner corners 234C and 234D, by being sharp comers, may cause the opening of inlet port 232 at inner surface 222 of enclosure 202 to effectively be smaller than the opening of inlet port 232 at outer surface 220 of enclosure 202, which may cause a net inflow of air from the external environment into volume 228. In this way, inlet port 232 may be operable to induce a net inflow of air from the external environment into volume 228 in device 200 between enclosure 202 and electronic component 250.

[0057] In the example of FIG. 2 A, outlet port 214 may be positioned between inlet port 212 and inlet port 232 in enclosure 202. Outlet port 214 may have outer corners, such as outer corners 226A and 226B, where inner walls 218 of outlet port 214 meet outer surface 220 of enclosure 202. Outlet port 214 may also have inner corners, such as inner comers 226C and 226D, where inner walls 218 of outlet port 214 meet inner surface 222 of enclosure 202.

[0058] To cause a net outflow of air from volume 228 into the external environment, inner comers of outlet port 214, such as inner comers 226C and 226D, are tapered away from outlet port 214. Inner corners 226C and 226D being tapered away from outlet port 214 may effectively increase the opening of outlet port 214 at inner surface 222 of enclosure 202, thereby increasing the airflow from volume 228 into outlet port 214. In some examples, inner corners 226C and 226D are tapered away from outlet port 214 by being rounded corners, which are also referred to as tapered corners or flared corners. Such rounded corners may be convex curves from inner walls 218 to inner surface 222 of enclosure 202. In some examples, the rounded comers may have a radius of four to one. In some examples, the rounded corners may have a radius of at least two to one. In some examples, the rounded corners may have a radius of at least four to one.

[0059] Outer comers 226A and 226B of outlet port 214 may be sharp corners (e.g., nonrounded comers). Outer comers 226A and 226B, by being sharp corners, may cause theopening of outlet port 214 at outer surface 220 of enclosure 202 to effectively be smaller than the opening of outlet port 214 at inner surface 222 of enclosure 202, which may cause a net outflow of air from volume 228 into the external environment. In this way, outlet port 214 may be operable to induce a net outflow of air from volume 228 into the external environment.

[0060] The arrangement of outlet port 214 between inlet port 212 and inlet port 232 may induce a parasitic circulation from inlet port 212 to volume 228 and from volume 228 to outlet port 214, and a parasitic circulation from inlet port 232 to volume 228 and from volume 228 to outlet port 214. Such parasitic circulations may increase transfer of air heated by electronic component 250’ s heat dissipation out of volume 228 and may increase inflow of cool air into volume 228 to cool electronic component 250, thereby increasing the efficiency of air cooling electronic component.

[0061] In addition, to balance the inflow of air from the external environment into inlet ports 212 and 232 and the outflow of air from outlet port 214 into the external environment, the sum of the cross-sectional areas of inlet ports 212 and inlet port 232 may equal the cross-sectional area of outlet port 214. By combining inlet ports 212 and 232 each having a net inflow of air into volume 228 from the external environment with outlet port 214 having a net outflow of air from volume 228 into the external environment, the inflow of air from the external environment into inlet ports 212 and 232 and the outflow of air from outlet port 214 into the external environment may balance each other. As such that there may not be a net increase of inflow or outflow of air into and out of volume 228, and the air pressure in volume 228 may therefore average out to atmospheric pressure, thereby not causing any offset of diaphragm 260.

[0062] In some examples, to promote differential flows inwards into volume 228 and outwards from volume 228, inlet ports 212 and 232 may each be shaped to promote net inflow of air into volume 228, and outlet port 214 may be shaped to promote net outflow of air. For example, each of inlet ports 212 and 232 may be shaped to have a larger opening at outer surface 220 and a smaller opening at inner surface 222. Similarly, outlet port 214 may be shaped to have a larger opening at inner surface 222 and a smaller opening at outer surface 220.

[0063] While FIG. 2A illustrates an example enclosure 102 having three ports: inlet port 212, inlet port 232, and outlet port 214, the techniques of this disclosure may be equally applicable to enclosures having any number of inlet ports having a net inflow of air into volume 228 and any number of outlet ports having a net outflow of air from volume 228as long as the cross sectional areas of all the inlet ports equal the cross sectional areas of all the outlet ports.

[0064] FIG. 2B illustrates a plan view of enclosure 202 of FIG. 2 A. As shown in FIG. 2B, outer surface 220 of enclosure 202 may include openings for inlet port 212, inlet port 232, and outlet port 214, which are positioned co-planarly in enclosure 202. In some examples, inlet port 212, inlet port 232, and outlet port 214 are also positioned collinearly in enclosure 202. Outlet port 213 is positioned in enclosure 202 between inlet port 212 and inlet port 232. Inlet port 212 may include outer corner 224 that tapers away from inlet port 212. Such outer corner 224 may be a rounded corner that is a convex curve from inlet port 212 to outer surface 220. Similarly, inlet port 232 may include outer comer 234 that tapers away from inlet port 232. Such outer comer 234 may be a rounded comer that is a convex shape from inlet port 232 to outer surface 220.

[0065] FIG. 2C illustrates another plan view of enclosure 202 of FIG. 2 A. As shown in FIG. 2C, inner surface 222 of enclosure 202 may include openings for inlet port 212, inlet port 232, and outlet port 214, which are positioned co-planarly in enclosure 202. In some examples, inlet port 212, inlet port 232, and outlet port 214 are also positioned collinearly in enclosure 202. Outlet port 213 is positioned in enclosure 202 between inlet port 212 and inlet port 232. Outlet port 214 may include inner comer 226 that tapers away from outlet port 214. Such inner corner 226 may be a rounded comer that is a convex curve from outlet port 214 to inner surface 222.

[0066] Device 300 of FIG. 3 is described below as an example of device 100 as illustrated in FIGS. 1 A-1C or an example of device 200 as illustrated in FIGS. 2A-2C.

[0067] Device 300 of FIG. 3 may be an example of a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a laptop computer, a desktop computer, a wearable device, a home automation device or system, a gaming system, a media player, an e-book reader, a mobile television platform, an automobile navigation or infotainment system, or any other type of mobile, non- mobile, wearable, and non-wearable computing device. FIG. 3 illustrates only one particular example of device 300, and many other examples of device 300 may be used in other instances and may include a subset of the components included in example device 300 or may include additional components not shown in FIG. 3.

[0068] As shown in the example of FIG. 3, device 300 includes diaphragm 360, electronic component 350, user interface component (UIC) 338, one or more processors 340, one or more input components 342, one or more communication units 344, one or more output components 346, and one or more storage components 348. One or moreoutput components 346. Storage components 348 of device 300 also include speaker control module 352. Diaphragm 360 is an example of diaphragm 160 of FIG. 1A and diaphragm 260 of FIG. 2A, and electronic component 350 is an example of electronic component 150 of FIG. 1A and electronic component 250 of FIG. 2A.

[0069] Communication channels 351 may interconnect each of components 350, 338, 340, 344, 346, 342, and 348 for inter-component communications (physically, communicatively, and / or operatively). In some examples, communication channels 351 may include a system bus, a network connection, an inter-process communication data structure, or any other method for communicating data.

[0070] Diaphragm 360 is a speaker diaphragm and / or a microphone diaphragm.Diaphragm 360 may be operable to vibrate to emit sound produced by the speaker or to vibrate in response to sound that enters device 300.

[0071] Electronic component 350 may be part of a speaker (e.g., an audio device, including circuitry, configured to generate and output a sound and / or noise), a microphone, a charging contact, a barometer, or another suitable electronic component that requires one or more openings in the enclosure of device 300 to allow sound or air to pass. In some examples, electronic component 350 may include components, such as the motor assembly or magnetic circuit of a speaker that, together with diaphragm 360, forms a speaker. That is, device 300 may include a speaker device that includes electronic component 350 and diaphragm 360.

[0072] One or more input components 342 of device 300 may receive input. Examples of input are tactile, audio, and video input. One or more input components 342 of device 300, in one example, includes a presence-sensitive display, touch-sensitive screen, mouse, keyboard, voice responsive system, video camera, microphone or any other type of device for detecting input from a human or machine. In some examples, one or more input components 342 may include electronic component 312.

[0073] One or more output components 346 of device 300 may generate output. Examples of output are tactile, audio, and video output. One or more output components 346 of device 300, in one example, includes a presence-sensitive display, sound card, video graphics adapter card, speaker, liquid crystal display (LCD), organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display, a light field display, haptic motors, linear actuating devices, or any other type of device for generating output to a human or machine.

[0074] One or more communication units 344 of device 300 may communicate with external devices via one or more wired and / or wireless networks by transmitting and / orreceiving network signals on the one or more networks. Examples of one or more communication units 344 include a network interface card (e.g., an Ethernet card), an optical transceiver, a radio frequency transceiver, a GPS receiver, or any other type of device that can send and / or receive information. Other examples of one or more communication units 344 may include short wave radios, cellular data radios, wireless network radios, as well as universal serial bus (USB) controllers.

[0075] UIC 338 of device 300 may be hardware that functions as an input and / or output device for device 300. For example, UIC 338 may include a display component, which may be a screen at which information is displayed by UIC 338 and a presence-sensitive input component that may detect an object at and / or near the display component.

[0076] One or more processors 340 may implement functionality and / or execute instructions within device 300. For example, one or more processors 340 on device 300 may receive and execute instructions stored by storage components 348 that execute the functionality of speaker control module 352. The instructions executed by one or more processors 340 may cause device 300 to store information within storage components 348 during program execution. Examples of one or more processors 340 include application processors, display controllers, sensor hubs, microprocessors, digital signal processors, logic circuitry, processing circuitry, and any other hardware configured to function as a processing unit. One or more processors 340 may execute instructions of speaker control module 352 to perform actions or functions. That is, speaker control module 352 may be operable by one or more processors 340 to perform various actions or functions of device 300.

[0077] One or more storage components 348 within device 300 may store information for processing during operation of device 300. That is, device 300 may store data accessed by speaker control module 352 during execution at device 300. In some examples, storage component 348 is a temporary memory, meaning that a primary purpose of storage component 348 is not long-term storage. Storage components 348 on device 300 may be configured for short-term storage of information as volatile memory and therefore not retain stored contents if powered off. Examples of volatile memories include random access memories (RAM), dynamic random access memories (DRAM), static random access memories (SRAM), and other forms of volatile memories known in the art.

[0078] Storage components 348, in some examples, also include one or more computer- readable storage media. Storage components 348 may be configured to store larger amounts of information than volatile memory. Storage components 348 may further beconfigured for long-term storage of information as non-volatile memory space and retain information after power on / off cycles. Examples of non-volatile memories include magnetic hard discs, optical discs, floppy discs, flash memories, or forms of electrically programmable memories (EPROM) or electrically erasable and programmable (EEPROM) memories. Storage components 348 may store program instructions and / or information (e.g., data) associated with communication units 344.

[0079] In the example where electronic component 350 and diaphragm 360 form a speaker, one or more processors 340 are configured to execute speaker control module 352 to cause one or more processors 340 to drive electronic component 350 to generate and output sound. Speaker control module 352 may cause one or more processors 340 to send one or more signals to electronic component 350 (e.g., to drive electronic component 350) to cause electronic component 350 to output a magnet field that causes diaphragm 360 to vibrate to generate and output sound. For example, speaker control module 352 may cause one or more processors 340 to send one or more signals to electronic component 350 to cause diaphragm 360 to vibrate to thereby output a tone that expels liquids out of openings in the enclosure of device 300. In some examples, speaker control module 352 may cause one or more processors 340 to send one or more signals to electronic component 350 to cause diaphragm 360 to vibrate and expel liquids out of openings in the enclosure of device 300 in response to UIC 338 receiving user input selecting a liquid ejection functionality.

[0080] Aspects of this disclosure include the following examples.

[0081] Example 1. A device comprising: an electronic component; and an enclosure that covers at least a portion of the electronic component and that forms a volume between the enclosure and the electronic component, the enclosure including: an inlet port having inner walls that meet an outer surface of the enclosure to form one or more outer comers of the inlet port that taper away from the inlet port and that meet an inner surface of the enclosure to form one or more inner corners of the inlet port that are sharp comers; and an outlet port having inner walls that meet the outer surface of the enclosure to form one or more outer comers of the outlet port that are sharp corners and that meet the inner surface of the enclosure to form one or more inner comers of the outlet port that taper away from the outlet port.

[0082] Example 2. The device of example 1, wherein the inlet port is operable to induce a net inflow of air into the volume in the device between the enclosure and the electroniccomponent, and wherein the outlet port is operable to induce a net outflow of air out of the volume.

[0083] Example 3. The device of example 2, wherein the inlet port and the outlet port are operable to set in motion a parasitic circulation of air into the inlet port, through the volume, and out of the outlet port.

[0084] Example 4. The device of example 1, wherein the one or more outer corners of the inlet port that taper away from the inlet port and the one or more inner corners of the outlet port that taper away from the outlet port are rounded corners.

[0085] Example 5. The device of example 4, wherein the rounded corners comprise convex curves.

[0086] Example 6. The device of example 4, wherein the rounded corners each have a radius of at least two to one.

[0087] Example 7. The device of example 1, wherein the inlet port and the outlet port are positioned co-planarly in the enclosure.

[0088] Example 8. The device of example 1, wherein a cross-sectional area of the inlet port is equal to a cross-sectional area of the outlet port.

[0089] Example 9. The device of example 1, wherein the inlet port is a first inlet port, and wherein the enclosure further includes a second inlet port having inner walls that meet the outer surface of the enclosure to form one or more outer comers of the second inlet port that taper away from the second inlet port and that meet the inner surface of the enclosure to form one or more inner comers of the second inlet port that are sharp comers.

[0090] Example 10. The device of example 9, wherein the outlet port is positioned in the enclosure between the first inlet port and the second inlet port.

[0091] Example 11. The device of example 9, wherein the first inlet port, the second inlet port, and the outlet port are positioned co-planarly in the enclosure.

[0092] Example 12. The device of example 9, wherein a sum of cross-sectional areas of the first inlet port and the second inlet port is equal to a cross-sectional area of the outlet port.

[0093] Example 13. The device of example 9, wherein the second inlet port is operable to induce a net inflow of air into the volume in the device between the enclosure and the electronic component and to set in motion a parasitic circulation of air into the second inlet port, through the volume, and out of the outlet port.

[0094] Example 14. The device of example 9, wherein the one or more outer comers of the second inlet port that taper away from the inlet port are one or more rounded corners.

[0095] Example 15. The device of example 14, wherein the one or more rounded corners comprise one or more convex curves.

[0096] Example 16. The device of example 14, wherein the one or more rounded corners each have a radius of at least two to one.

[0097] Example 17. The device of example 1, wherein the electronic component is a speaker, further comprising: processing circuitry configured to drive the speaker such that the diaphragm vibrates to move within the volume in the device to output a tone and to eject liquids out of the outlet port.

[0098] Example 18. The device of example 17, wherein the inlet port and the outlet port are operable to allow sound output by the speaker to travel outside of the enclosure.

[0099] Example 19. The device of example 1, wherein the electronic component is a microphone, and wherein the inlet port and the outlet port are operable to allow sound to enter the enclosure and to the microphone.

[0100] Example 20. The device of example 1, wherein the electronic component is a barometer, and wherein the inlet port and the outlet port are operable to allow air to enter the enclosure and to the barometer.

[0101] Various aspects have been described in this disclosure. These and other aspects are within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A device comprising: an electronic component; and an enclosure that covers at least a portion of the electronic component and that forms a volume between the enclosure and the electronic component, the enclosure including: an inlet port having inner walls that meet an outer surface of the enclosure to form one or more outer corners of the inlet port that taper away from the inlet port and that meet an inner surface of the enclosure to form one or more inner corners of the inlet port that are sharp corners; and an outlet port having inner walls that meet the outer surface of the enclosure to form one or more outer comers of the outlet port that are sharp corners and that meet the inner surface of the enclosure to form one or more inner corners of the outlet port that taper away from the outlet port.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the inlet port is operable to induce a net inflow of air into the volume in the device between the enclosure and the electronic component, and wherein the outlet port is operable to induce a net outflow of air out of the volume.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the inlet port and the outlet port are operable to set in motion a parasitic circulation of air into the inlet port, through the volume, and out of the outlet port.

4. The device of any of claims 1-3, wherein the one or more outer corners of the inlet port that taper away from the inlet port and the one or more inner corners of the outlet port that taper away from the outlet port are rounded comers.

5. The device of claim 4, wherein the rounded comers comprise convex curves.

6. The device of any of claims 4 and 5, wherein the rounded corners each have a radius of at least two to one.

7. The device of any of claims 1-6, wherein the inlet port and the outlet port are positioned co-planarly in the enclosure.

8. The device of any of claims 1-7, wherein a cross-sectional area of the inlet port is equal to a cross-sectional area of the outlet port.

9. The device of any of claims 1-8, wherein the inlet port is a first inlet port, and wherein the enclosure further includes a second inlet port having inner walls that meet the outer surface of the enclosure to form one or more outer comers of the second inlet port that taper away from the second inlet port and that meet the inner surface of the enclosure to form one or more inner comers of the second inlet port that are sharp comers.

10. The device of claim 9, wherein the outlet port is positioned in the enclosure between the first inlet port and the second inlet port.

11. The device of claim 9, wherein the first inlet port, the second inlet port, and the outlet port are positioned co-planarly in the enclosure.

12. The device of any of claims 9-11, wherein a sum of cross-sectional areas of the first inlet port and the second inlet port is equal to a cross-sectional area of the outlet port.

13. The device of any of claims 9-12, wherein the second inlet port is operable to induce a net inflow of air into the volume in the device between the enclosure and the electronic component and to set in motion a parasitic circulation of air into the second inlet port, through the volume, and out of the outlet port.

14. The device of any of claims 9-13, wherein the one or more outer comers of the second inlet port that taper away from the inlet port are one or more rounded corners.

15. The device of claim 14, wherein the one or more rounded comers comprise one or more convex curves.

16. The device of any of claims 14 and 15, wherein the one or more rounded corners each have a radius of at least two to one.

17. The device of any of claims 1-16, wherein the device comprises a diaphragm, and the electronic component and the diaphragm forms a speaker, further comprising: processing circuitry configured to drive the speaker such that the diaphragm vibrates to move within the volume in the device to output a tone and to eject liquids out of the outlet port.

18. The device of claim 17, wherein the inlet port and the outlet port are operable to allow sound output by the speaker to travel outside of the enclosure.

19. The device of any of claims 1-16, wherein the electronic component is a microphone, and wherein the inlet port and the outlet port are operable to allow sound to enter the enclosure and to the microphone.

20. The device of any of claims 1-16, wherein the electronic component is a barometer, and wherein the inlet port and the outlet port are operable to allow air to enter the enclosure and to the barometer.

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