Shock Mounted Transducer Assembly Pressure Absorption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Microphone components in cellular and smartphone handsets are vulnerable to damage from rapid pressure changes, such as those caused by fluid ingress, which can lead to mechanical stress and potential failure.
Innovation Solution
A shock-mounted transducer assembly is designed to move within an enclosure in response to pressure changes, utilizing a flexible printed circuit and a stiffening layer, along with an air-permeable water-resistant membrane and support structures to absorb and distribute pressure, reducing the impact on the membrane and other components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the microphone assembly is rigidly mounted in the enclosure, then structural stability is improved, but the microphone components become vulnerable to damage from rapid pressure changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the microphone assembly movable rather than fixed within the enclosure. The assembly can translate in response to pressure changes, allowing it to adapt dynamically to external conditions. This is achieved through a movable mounting structure that permits controlled movement while maintaining operational stability during normal conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements beforehand cushioning by introducing a cushioning structure between the microphone assembly and the enclosure. This cushioning element absorbs and distributes the impact of sudden pressure changes before they reach the delicate microphone components, protecting them in advance from potential damage.
2Reliability
If an air permeable water resistant membrane is placed over the microphone opening, then waterproofing is improved, but the membrane becomes vulnerable to damage from high pressure deflections
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the intermediary principle by introducing a cushioning structure as a mediator between the high-pressure environment and the protective membrane. This intermediary element absorbs excess pressure and reduces the direct impact on the membrane, allowing the membrane to maintain its waterproofing function while being protected from pressure-induced damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The cushioning structure serves as beforehand cushioning for the membrane by preemptively absorbing pressure spikes before they reach the membrane. This protective layer is positioned to intercept and dissipate the force of rapid pressure changes, preventing direct transmission to the membrane and reducing the risk of damage.
3Reliability
If the microphone assembly is allowed to move freely in response to pressure changes, then protection from pressure damage is improved, but structural stability during normal operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamics by creating a movable mounting system that allows the microphone assembly to translate when needed. The structure transitions from a static fixed position to a dynamic adjustable position, enabling the assembly to move in response to pressure changes while returning to or stabilizing at its operational position during normal use.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by allowing the position parameter of the microphone assembly to vary in response to external pressure conditions. The assembly's location within the enclosure is not fixed but can change based on the pressure environment, optimizing protection during extreme conditions while maintaining operational integrity during normal conditions.
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 solution effectively protects microphone components from sudden pressure changes by allowing the assembly to translate and absorb pressure, thereby reducing the risk of damage and maintaining operational integrity under conditions like water exposure.
Implementation Method 1
The second support member may have a compliance sufficient to accommodate the translation of the microphone assembly module in response to the pressure change. In other words, the support member is compliant or resilient enough to deform and allow the microphone assembly module to compress it in response to the pressure change to reduce the impact pressure
Implementation Method 2
an air permeable water resistant membrane positioned between the sound inlet port and the acoustic channel
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device comprising having an enclosure with an enclosure wall separating a surrounding environment from an encased space. The enclosure wall includes a top portion having an acoustic channel extending from the encased space to the surrounding environment and a bottom portion. A microphone assembly module positioned within the encased space, and having a microphone acoustically coupled to a sound inlet port that is aligned with the acoustic channel and an air permeable water resistant membrane. A first support member is dimensioned to translatably couple the microphone assembly module to the top portion of the enclosure wall and translate the microphone assembly in response to a pressure change within the acoustic channel, and a second support member is dimensioned to translatably couple the microphone assembly module to the bottom portion of the enclosure wall.