Mobile Terminal Stepped Earpiece and Camera Notch Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
The stacking of components such as cameras, sensors, and earpieces on the front top of mobile terminals hinders the increase of the screen-to-body ratio, affecting the display effect and reducing the available display area.
Innovation Solution
A mobile terminal design featuring an earpiece assembly and camera with stepped structures, where the earpiece and camera are lowered to reduce their exposed area, and the sound conduction tube is designed to gradually narrow, allowing the display screen to cover parts of these components, thereby minimizing the notch size and increasing the screen-to-body ratio.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If components (earpiece, camera, sensors) are stacked on the front top of the display screen, then sound conduction and camera functionality are ensured, but the notch size increases and screen-to-body ratio decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a two-dimensional planar arrangement of components to a three-dimensional stepped structure. The earpiece assembly includes a sound conduction tube that extends downward from the front surface, allowing the earpiece to be positioned lower while maintaining sound conduction functionality. This vertical dimensionality change reduces the horizontal footprint and notch size required on the display screen.
Solution Approach 2:
The sound conduction tube is nested within the earpiece assembly structure, with the tube extending downward from the front surface while the earpiece remains positioned higher. This nested configuration allows compact integration of multiple functional elements (earpiece, sound conduction tube, microphone) in a vertically stacked manner, reducing the overall space required on the front panel.
2Adaptability or versatility
If components are stacked on the front top of the display screen, then functionality is maintained, but the screen-to-body ratio decreases
Solution Approach 1:
By introducing vertical stacking with the sound conduction tube extending downward, the patent moves components out of the horizontal display area. The earpiece assembly utilizes the Z-axis (vertical dimension) rather than occupying additional horizontal space, thereby preserving the screen-to-body ratio while maintaining all required functionalities.
Solution Approach 2:
The earpiece assembly is segmented into distinct functional parts: the earpiece positioned higher for audio output, the sound conduction tube extending downward for acoustic guidance, and the microphone positioned lower for voice input. This segmentation allows each component to be optimally positioned in the vertical dimension, reducing overall footprint while maintaining functionality.
3Area of stationary object
If the earpiece is lowered to reduce notch size, then screen-to-body ratio increases, but sound conduction efficiency may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The sound conduction tube is nested within the earpiece assembly, creating a direct acoustic pathway from the earpiece (positioned higher) down to the microphone area. This nested configuration ensures efficient sound conduction despite the vertical separation between components, as the tube provides a dedicated acoustic channel that maintains sound energy transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The sound conduction tube is designed with specific local characteristics (appropriate diameter, material properties, and acoustic impedance) to optimize sound transmission. The tube's cross-sectional area and wall thickness are locally optimized to minimize acoustic losses and ensure efficient sound conduction from the earpiece to the user's ear, regardless of the vertical positioning.
Data Source
AI summary
A mobile terminal includes a display screen, an earpiece assembly, and a camera. The earpiece assembly includes an earpiece and a sound conduction tube in communication with the earpiece. They form a stepped structure, and a surface that is used to connect to the sound conduction tube is a first stepped surface. The camera includes a body and a lens connected to the body; the body and the lens form a stepped structure, and a surface that is on the body and that is used to connect to the lens is a second stepped surface. The display screen is provided with a notch, and the sound conduction tube and the lens are located in the notch. In a direction perpendicular to the display screen, the display screen covers a part of the first stepped surface and/or a part of the second stepped surface.