Micro-speaker Waterproof Membrane Stiffness Gradient
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional micro-speakers face performance issues due to the inability of screen fabrics to prevent liquid ingress while maintaining sound transmission, and existing waterproof membranes are prone to creasing and difficult to assemble.
Innovation Solution
A micro-speaker design featuring a waterproof membrane with a center area of greater stiffness than the peripheral area, allowing for effective sound transmission while preventing dust and liquid ingress, achieved through varying shapes, thicknesses, and materials of the membrane.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a screen fabric is disposed above the micro-speaker to block external dust, then dustproof function is improved, but liquid ingress prevention deteriorates because liquid cannot be exhausted outside the casing
Solution Approach 1:
The waterproof membrane is divided into a center area and a peripheral area with different stiffness characteristics. The center area has higher stiffness for sound transmission, while the peripheral area has lower stiffness for liquid exhaustion, resolving the contradiction between dust blocking and liquid ingress prevention
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the waterproof membrane are assigned different mechanical properties: the center area maintains high stiffness to allow sound transmission, while the peripheral area has reduced stiffness to enable liquid to pass through and be exhausted, thus simultaneously achieving dust blocking and liquid ingress prevention
2Reliability
If a waterproof membrane is added above the speaker to provide waterproof function, then liquid ingress prevention is improved, but the membrane is prone to creases and assembly difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The waterproof membrane features localized stiffness variation where the center area is stiffer and the peripheral area is more flexible. This local differentiation allows the membrane to resist creasing during assembly while maintaining waterproof integrity, directly addressing the manufacturing difficulty
Solution Approach 2:
The peripheral area of the waterproof membrane is designed with lower stiffness to provide flexibility during assembly operations, reducing crease formation. The dynamic flexibility during assembly transitions to static waterproof protection during operation
3Ease of manufacture
If the waterproof membrane has uniform stiffness, then manufacturing is simplified, but acoustical transmission performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The waterproof membrane is designed with non-uniform stiffness distribution: the center area has higher stiffness optimized for acoustical transmission, while the peripheral area has lower stiffness. This local quality differentiation resolves the contradiction by allowing each region to perform its specific function optimally
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 design ensures stable sound pressure levels and reduced total harmonic distortion, improving the micro-speaker's acoustic performance and assembly ease compared to conventional solutions.
Implementation Method 1
The waterproof membrane seals the opening and transmits the sound generated by the speaker monomer
Data Source
AI summary
A micro-speaker includes a speaker monomer, a housing and a waterproof membrane. The housing accommodates the speaker monomer and has an opening to output a sound generated by the speaker monomer. The waterproof membrane seals the opening and transmits the sound generated by the speaker monomer. The waterproof membrane has a center area and a peripheral area surrounding the center area, and a stiffness of the center area is greater than a stiffness of the peripheral area.