Segmented Punched Area for Microphone and Speaker Housing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Electronic devices with multiple microphones and speakers face aesthetic disadvantages due to large, singular microphone and speaker holes on their outer surfaces, which can compromise both functionality and appearance.

Innovation Solution

The integration of microphone and speaker holes into a single patterned punched area on the device's housing, allowing for a unified and aesthetically pleasing design while maintaining sound processing capabilities.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Shape

If separate microphone and speaker holes are formed on the outer surface of the electronic device, then the functional requirements for sound input and output are met, but the aesthetic appearance deteriorates due to large, visible holes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaesthetic appearanceVSAvoidsound processing functionality
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The single punched area is segmented into multiple through-holes that serve different functions. Some through-holes are used for microphone sound input, others for speaker sound output, and the segmentation allows each hole to be smaller and less visually prominent while collectively fulfilling both audio functions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A single punched area structure performs multiple functions: it provides sound input for one or more microphones, sound output for one or more speakers, and maintains aesthetic appearance by consolidating all audio openings into one unified pattern rather than separate large holes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Measurement precision

If multiple separate holes are provided for microphones and speakers, then accurate sound direction and distance determination is achieved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesound direction and distance determination accuracyVSAvoidnumber of holes and their arrangement
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple functional holes for different microphones and speakers are merged into a single punched area pattern. This consolidation reduces the overall structural complexity while preserving the precise spatial arrangement needed for accurate sound direction and distance determination through acoustic processing

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If large singular holes are used for microphone and speaker, then sound processing capability is ensured, but the visibility of holes increases compromising aesthetics

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesound processing capabilityVSAvoidvisibility of holes
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The large singular holes are segmented into multiple smaller through-holes within a unified punched area. This segmentation reduces the visibility and aesthetic impact of individual holes while collectively maintaining sufficient sound processing capability for both microphone input and speaker output

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3174308B1Electronic device including microphone and speaker and method for manufacturing the same
Publication Date: 2020.06.24 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP3174308B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP3174308B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP3174308B1 patent drawingFigure 1C

AI summary

An electronic device and a method of manufacturing the electronic device is provided. The electronic device includes a housing, a structure that is formed on a surface of the housing and comprises a first pattern having a first at least one through-hole, a first speaker that is arranged in an interior of the housing to be adjacent to a first portion of the first pattern and is configured to output a sound, and a first microphone that is arranged in the interior of the housing to be adjacent to a second portion of the first pattern and is configured to receive a sound.