Shared Audio Port Structure for Gas Sensing in Water-Resistant Electronics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electronic devices with gas sensors face challenges in integrating them without compromising water-resistant characteristics, as they require additional holes for fluidic communication with the external environment, which is undesirable for improving water resistance.
Innovation Solution
The electronic device shares a hole with other components like microphones or receivers, allowing the gas sensor to communicate with the outside environment through these existing openings, eliminating the need for additional holes and enhancing water resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a gas sensor is equipped inside an electronic device with a dedicated hole for fluidic communication, then the gas sensor can measure air quality, but the water-resistant characteristics of the electronic device are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The gas sensor shares a hole with other components (microphone, receiver, or both) that already require fluidic communication with the external environment. This merging approach allows the gas sensor to access outside air through an existing opening rather than requiring a dedicated hole, thereby maintaining the water-resistant characteristics of the electronic device while enabling air quality measurement functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The shared hole serves multiple functions: it enables sound transmission for the microphone and/or receiver while simultaneously providing fluidic communication for the gas sensor to detect air quality. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate openings for each component, resolving the contradiction between measurement capability and water resistance
2Adaptability or versatility
If additional holes are added to the housing for the gas sensor, then air quality measurement is enabled, but the water resistance and structural integrity are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The gas sensor is integrated into an existing hole structure that is already required for audio components. This combining approach adds the air quality monitoring capability without increasing the number of holes in the housing, thereby maintaining structural integrity and water resistance while enhancing device versatility
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
This configuration enables the electronic device to perform air quality analysis and user health monitoring without compromising its water-resistant design, utilizing existing openings for both sound and gas sensor functionality.
Implementation Method 1
a gas sensor capable of measuring the air quality
Implementation Method 2
recognize a user gesture of starting a proximity call by using the proximity sensor
Implementation Method 3
an audio device located inside the housing and communicating with an outside of the electronic device through the hole
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device includes a housing having a hole formed therein, an audio device inside the housing and communicating with an outside of the electronic device through the hole, a gas sensor inside the housing and communicating with the outside through the hole, a proximity sensor inside the housing, a wireless communication module inside the housing, and a processor inside the housing. The processor is configured to acquire data associated with air outside the electronic device by using the gas sensor, to recognize a user gesture of starting a proximity call by using the proximity sensor, and to calculate air quality of the outside air based on at least one of data acquired by the gas sensor before the proximity call starting gesture is recognized and data acquired by the gas sensor after a gesture of ending the proximity call is recognized. Other various embodiments are possible.