Foldable Electronic Device Speaker With Rear Sound Emission

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Solution Overview

Problem

Foldable electronic devices face challenges in maintaining effective sound emission and internal pressure adjustment when in a folded state, limiting their functionality during calls or audio playback.

Innovation Solution

The electronic device incorporates a speaker housed in a first housing with a sound emission hole on its rear surface, allowing rear sound emission and adjusting internal pressure, enabling calls or audio playback even in a folded configuration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the speaker is housed in a foldable electronic device with a hinge connecting two housings, then the device can be folded for portability, but the sound emission and internal pressure adjustment become ineffective in the folded state

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefoldable configurationVSAvoidsound emission effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The sound emission function is segmented into two independent paths: front sound emission through the speaker grille and rear sound emission through the sound emission hole. This segmentation allows the rear sound to be emitted effectively even when the device is folded, resolving the contradiction between foldable configuration and sound emission effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The sound emission hole is positioned on the rear surface of the first housing, utilizing the third dimension (depth/rear surface) rather than only the front surface. This spatial repositioning allows rear sound to be emitted outward from the folded device, maintaining sound emission effectiveness in the folded state.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Reliability

If conventional pressure adjustment structures are used in foldable devices, then internal pressure can be adjusted, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinternal pressure adjustmentVSAvoidpressure adjustment structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sound emission hole serves dual functions: emitting rear sound from the speaker and adjusting internal pressure of the first housing. By making this single structure multi-functional, the patent eliminates the need for separate pressure adjustment mechanisms, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining pressure adjustment capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The pressure adjustment function is merged with the sound emission hole. The same opening that allows rear sound to escape also serves as a pressure relief valve, combining two functions into one structure and simplifying the overall device design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

Enables seamless voice calls and audio playback in a folded state by optimizing sound emission and internal pressure, eliminating the need for conventional pressure adjustment structures.

Implementation Method 1

a speaker (420) received in the first housing (210)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSound wave propagation: Sound

Implementation Method 2

a sound emission hole (413) configured to emit a rear sound generated from the speaker (420)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure gradient: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentEP4358500B1Electronic device comprising speaker

Publication Date: 2025.10.01 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

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AI summary

According to an embodiment, an electronic device may comprise a housing including a first housing and a second housing, a hinge rotatably connecting the first housing and the second housing, and a speaker received in the first housing. The first housing may include a sound emission hole configured to emit a rear sound generated from the speaker.