Microphone Sound Guide Channel for Sealed Electronic Housings

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Solution Overview

Problem

Electronic devices with microphones suffer from low reliability, appearance consistency, and poor waterproof and dustproof performance due to the need for a sound guide hole on the housing, which compromises structural integrity.

Innovation Solution

A sound guide channel is formed between the cover plate and middle frame using overlapping channels and sealing members to transmit sound without a direct hole on the frame, enhancing appearance consistency and sealing performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a sound guide hole is provided on the housing to transmit sound information, then sound acquisition function is achieved, but appearance consistency and waterproof/dustproof performance deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesound acquisition functionVSAvoidwaterproof and dustproof performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The sound guide hole is segmented into multiple parts distributed across different components (cover plate with first sound guide hole, middle frame with second sound guide hole, and sound guide channel). This segmentation allows each component to contribute to sound transmission while maintaining the overall sealing integrity of the housing structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The sound guide channel is nested within the housing structure, with the cover plate and middle frame overlapping to form integrated sound transmission paths. The sound guide channel connects the first and second sound guide holes through the overlapping region, creating a nested configuration that maintains housing integrity while enabling sound transmission.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Ease of operation

If a sound guide hole is provided on the housing to transmit sound information, then sound acquisition function is achieved, but appearance consistency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesound acquisition functionVSAvoidappearance consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The sound guide channel acts as an intermediary structure that connects the first sound guide hole in the cover plate with the second sound guide hole in the middle frame. This intermediary configuration allows sound transmission while maintaining the aesthetic integrity of both the cover plate and middle frame surfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If overlapping structures with sound guide channels are used to eliminate direct holes, then appearance consistency and waterproofing are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveappearance consistency and waterproofingVSAvoidstructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cover plate and middle frame are merged through an overlapping configuration where their edge portions overlap to form an integrated structure. The sound guide channel is formed within this overlapping region, combining the sealing function of the overlap with the sound transmission function of the channel, thereby reducing overall structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The overlapping region between the cover plate and middle frame serves multiple functions: it provides structural sealing for waterproofing, creates the sound guide channel for acoustic transmission, and maintains appearance consistency by eliminating direct holes on external surfaces. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

Improves appearance integrity, waterproofing, and dustproofing while maintaining sound quality by eliminating direct sound guide holes, thus increasing device reliability and reducing manufacturing complexity and costs.

Implementation Method 1

a first channel (410) is arranged between the cover plate (100) and the body portion (310), a second channel (420) is arranged between the cover plate and the connecting portion (320), wherein the first through hole (621), the second through hole (330), the second channel (420), and the first channel (410) are in communication and form a sound guide channel

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAcoustic transmission: Sound

Data Source

PatentEP4221250B1Electronic device

Publication Date: 2026.02.11 VIVO MOBILE COMM CO LTD

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AI summary

This application discloses an electronic device, including: a cover plate; a circuit board, provided with a first through hole; a microphone, arranged on the circuit board, where a sound pickup hole of the microphone faces the first through hole; and a middle frame, including a body portion for forming a sidewall of the electronic device and a connecting portion extending from the body portion into the electronic device, where the connecting portion is in contact with a side of the circuit board facing away from the microphone, the connecting portion is provided with a second through hole, the second through hole faces the first through hole, the cover plate and the connecting portion overlap, a first channel is arranged between the cover plate and the body portion, and a second channel is arranged between the cover plate and the connecting portion; and the first through hole, the second through hole, the second channel, and the first channel are in communication and form a sound guide channel.