Air Vent Cavity System for Electronic Device Pressure Equalization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Electronic devices, especially those designed for portability, face challenges in maintaining internal and external air pressure balance while being waterproof, leading to issues like fogging on camera windows and deteriorated performance of atmospheric sensors and speakers due to sealed structures that prevent air flow.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating an air vent and cavity system within the electronic device's housing, allowing for controlled air flow through openings and vents while maintaining waterproof integrity, thereby equalizing internal and external pressures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a sealed structure is used to make the electronic device waterproof, then water resistance is improved, but air pressure equalization deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewaterproof performanceVSAvoidair pressure equalization
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The sealed structure is segmented by introducing discrete air vent openings at specific locations (top and bottom of the housing) rather than maintaining a complete seal. This segmentation allows the structure to simultaneously provide waterproofing through the sealed enclosure while permitting air pressure equalization through the strategically placed vent openings.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Air vent openings serve as intermediary elements between the internal and external environments. These vents act as mediators that allow air molecules to pass through the otherwise sealed structure, enabling pressure equalization without compromising the waterproof barrier of the main housing enclosure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If a gap is used to equalize air pressure, then pressure balance is improved, but device volume increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveair pressure equalizationVSAvoiddevice volume
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of creating a horizontal gap between the rear plate and camera decoration part (which would increase device volume), the air vent openings are positioned vertically at the top and bottom of the housing. This dimensional repositioning allows air pressure equalization through vertical airflow paths without requiring additional horizontal space, thus maintaining compact device dimensions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Ease of operation

If the camera flange is positioned to allow air flow, then pressure equalization is improved, but mounting space decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveair flowVSAvoidmounting space
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The air flow function is extracted from the camera flange structure and relocated to dedicated air vent openings in the housing. This separation allows the camera flange to focus solely on its mounting function without being constrained by air flow requirements, while the air vents provide optimized airflow paths through the housing structure, preserving both mounting space and air flow efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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

This design reduces pressure differences within the device, minimizing fogging and enhancing the performance of atmospheric sensors and speakers, while preventing water exposure.

Implementation Method 1

the cavity, the air vent and the opening are configured to provide an air path

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAir flow:

Data Source

PatentEP4195887B1Electronic apparatus comprising air vent
Publication Date: 2025.08.06 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP4195887B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4195887B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4195887B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, an electronic apparatus comprises: a housing including an opening directed to the outside of the electronic apparatus, and a cavity distanced from the opening; a display arranged on the housing; an air vent, arranged between the housing and display, at least a part of which faces the opening; and a camera module, arranged in the housing, at least a part of which faces the cavity, wherein the cavity, air vent, opening provide a passage for the air.