Multi-Layer Acoustic Mesh for Visual Obscurity and Audio Transparency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing acoustic mesh systems in mobile electronic devices either compromise audio performance for cosmetic masking or fail to adequately obscure underlying components, leading to a need for an improved solution that balances acoustic transparency and visual obscurity.
Innovation Solution
A multi-layer acoustic mesh system with two layers of low density acoustic mesh material, offset and separated by an acoustic air gap, which maintains sound quality while effectively hiding the acoustic transducer from view.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a single layer of acoustic mesh material is used to cover the loudspeaker, then visual obscurity is improved, but acoustic transparency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The single layer of acoustic mesh is divided into two separate layers spaced apart from each other. This segmentation allows each layer to be less dense individually while collectively providing sufficient visual obscurity, thereby maintaining acoustic transparency that would be lost in a single dense layer.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution transitions from a single two-dimensional layer to a three-dimensional structure with two layers separated by a distance. This adds the dimension of spacing between layers, creating an acoustic air gap that enhances acoustic transparency while the combined effect of two offset layers provides superior visual obscurity.
2Illumination intensity
If a dense acoustic mesh material is used to achieve high visual opaqueness, then cosmetic appearance is improved, but audio performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The dense mesh structure is segmented into two less dense layers separated by an air gap. Each individual layer has lower density and thus better acoustic transparency, but together they provide equivalent or superior visual opaqueness compared to a single dense layer.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses a composite structure consisting of two acoustic mesh layers combined with an acoustic air gap. This composite approach creates a material system that exhibits both high visual opaqueness and high acoustic transparency, properties that neither component alone would achieve.
3Illumination intensity
If acoustic mesh material is placed close to the acoustic transducer, then visual obscurity is improved, but volume attenuation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The solution moves from a single plane close to the transducer to a two-layer configuration where at least one layer is positioned farther away. This dimensional change in positioning reduces the blocking effect on sound waves while maintaining visual obscurity through the offset layer arrangement.
Solution Approach 2:
The mesh coverage is segmented into two layers at different positions, allowing sound waves to pass through the gaps between layers more effectively than a single continuous layer would, thereby reducing volume attenuation while maintaining visual obscurity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution provides high acoustic transparency with minimal volume attenuation and frequency response coloring, while achieving high visual opaqueness, thus enhancing the cosmetic appearance without degrading sonic performance.
Implementation Method 1
The lower layer of acoustic mesh material and the upper layer of acoustic mesh material provide an amount of acoustic transparency and an amount of visual obscurity
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device as provided here includes a primary housing, an acoustic transducer, a lower layer of acoustic mesh material, and an upper layer of acoustic mesh material. An interior volume is defined within the primary housing. The primary housing includes an interior mounting surface, an exterior mounting surface, and an acoustic port. The transducer is located within the interior volume, and the lower layer of mesh material is coupled between the interior mounting surface and the transducer to cover a lower opening of the acoustic port. The upper layer of mesh material covers an upper opening of the acoustic port. Each layer of mesh material provides an amount of acoustic transparency and an amount of visual obscurity such that the transducer is effectively hidden from view without adversely impacting the audio performance characteristics of the transducer.