Foldable Device Acoustic Conduit Layout for Unblocked Sound Paths
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Solution Overview
Problem
In foldable electronic devices, the speaker and receiver structures face operational challenges when their sound transmission openings are shielded in unfolded and folded states, requiring a new structural design to ensure seamless sound output and input.
Innovation Solution
An integrated speaker/receiver component is implemented within a foldable electronic device, featuring a flexible display and a conduit system that directs sound radiation in both unfolded and folded states, with dedicated conduits for forward and rearward sound emission, and includes an acoustic enclosure with through holes and gaskets for sound passage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a speaker and receiver are separately mounted or integrated in a general bar-type mobile electronic device, then the sound transmission function is achieved, but in a foldable electronic device the opening designed for sound transmission may be shielded when folded, causing operational failure
Solution Approach 1:
The sound transmission path is segmented into multiple independent conduits: a first conduit for rearward sound transmission through the rear surface cover, and a second conduit for forward sound transmission through the flexible display. This segmentation ensures that if one path is blocked, the other remains functional, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention adds a spatial dimension to sound transmission by creating separate three-dimensional pathways (conduits) that extend in different directions from the acoustic component. The first conduit extends toward the rear surface cover while the second conduit extends toward the flexible display, providing multi-directional sound transmission capability that maintains reliability across different device states.
2Adaptability or versatility
If dedicated conduits are created for forward and rearward sound emission, then acoustic performance and design freedom are enhanced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The acoustic component serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as both a speaker for sound output and a receiver for sound input. The conduit system is designed to handle both forward and rearward sound transmission through the same component, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining high acoustic performance and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the speaker and receiver functions into a single integrated acoustic component, and combines the sound transmission pathways into a unified conduit system that handles both forward and rearward emission. This merging reduces the number of separate components needed, thereby reducing device complexity while enhancing acoustic performance.
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 enables easy operation of the speaker/receiver component in both states, improves mounting space, enhances acoustic performance, and increases design freedom by allowing forward and rearward sound emission.
Implementation Method 1
a radiation direction of first sound generated by the acoustic component is directed to outside of the rear surface cover side along the second conduit, and a radiation direction of second sound generated by the acoustic component is directed to outside of the flexible display side along the third conduit
Data Source
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AI summary
An electronic device according to various embodiments of the present disclosure may comprise: a first housing structure including a first rear cover; a second housing structure which provides movement relative to the first housing structure; a hinge structure connecting the first housing structure and the second housing structure so as to be pivotable from a folded state to an unfolded state; a flexible display configured to be variable in response to a movement of the second housing structure relative to the first housing structure; and an acoustic component disposed in the first housing structure and configured to output and input sound. The first housing structure may include at least one opening, and a conduit extending from the acoustic component to the opening. The conduit may include a first conduit extending toward a first end of the first housing structure, a second conduit branching off from the first conduit and extending toward at least a partial area of the first rear cover, and a third conduit branching off from the first conduit and extending toward at least a partial area of the flexible display.