Microphone Sound Pickup Channel Layout for Thinner Metal-Frame Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional electronic devices face a challenge in simultaneously achieving a centrally disposed sound pickup channel opening on the outer side surface while being made thinner, as this configuration compromises the structural integrity and appearance.

Innovation Solution

The sound pickup channel is designed with a first channel segment extending towards the middle part of the middle frame and a second channel segment away from the screen, allowing the outer end opening to be centrally arranged, while maintaining a constant length in the thickness direction, thus facilitating device thinning and enhancing structural strength with a metal middle frame.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Shape

If the sound pickup channel opening is centrally disposed on the outer side surface, then the appearance is improved, but the device thickness cannot be reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveappearanceVSAvoiddevice thickness
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The sound pickup channel is designed with a two-segment structure that changes direction in space. The first channel segment extends from the outer side surface toward the middle part, and the second channel segment extends from there away from the screen. This dimensional change allows the channel to reach the microphone while maintaining a centrally disposed opening on the outer surface, resolving the contradiction between appearance and thickness reduction.

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

2Length of moving object

If the device is made thinner, then the hand feel and appearance are improved, but the structural integrity is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice thicknessVSAvoidstructural integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of moving objectVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The sound pickup channel is divided into two distinct segments with different orientations. The first channel segment and second channel segment are positioned at different locations and extend in different directions. This segmentation allows each segment to be optimized for its specific function while collectively achieving the overall design goals of thinness and structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Measurement precision

If the first channel segment is made shorter, then the microphone peak frequency is increased, but the channel structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemicrophone peak frequencyVSAvoidchannel structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The first channel segment is designed to be inclined toward the screen, creating a dynamic spatial arrangement that optimizes the sound path length. This inclination allows the segment to achieve the desired acoustic characteristics for increased peak frequency while maintaining a relatively simple geometric structure that is easy to process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4676013A1Electronic device
Publication Date: 2026.01.07 HONOR DEVICE CO LTD
  • EP4676013A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4676013A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4676013A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

This application provides an electronic device, and relates to the technical field of electronic devices, so that the electronic device can be thinned, and an outer end opening of a sound pickup channel can be centrally disposed. The electronic device includes a screen, a middle frame, the sound pickup channel, and a microphone. The screen includes a display surface. Both the middle frame and the sound pickup channel are disposed on a side that is of the screen and that faces away from the display surface. The sound pickup channel includes a first channel segment and a second channel segment. A first end of the first channel segment is located on an outer side surface of the middle frame, the first channel segment extends toward a middle part of the middle frame from the first end to a second end of the first channel segment, and the second end is closer to the screen than the first end in a direction perpendicular to the screen. A third end of the second channel segment is connected to the second end, the second channel segment extends in a direction away from the screen from the third end to a fourth end of the second channel segment, and the fourth end runs through a surface that is of the middle frame and that faces away from the screen. The microphone is located on a side that is of the middle frame and that faces away from the screen, the microphone has a sound pickup hole, and the sound pickup hole is communicated with the fourth end.