Speaker Coil Extraction for Audio and Thermal Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Portable computing devices face challenges in incorporating high-performance speakers due to space constraints, leading to poor audio performance as devices become more compact and internal component density increases.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a speaker assembly with a speaker enclosure that includes a speaker coil port allowing the coil to extend outside, integrated with a vent in the device case, and a resonant cavity formed by a seal between the speaker enclosure and the base portion, along with multiple transducers for producing both high and low frequency audio signals, optimizing audio output within the compact design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the portable computing device becomes more compact to meet user expectations for portability, then the enclosure size is reduced, but the speaker implementation yields poor audio performance due to increased internal component density
Solution Approach 1:
The speaker coil is extended in a direction perpendicular to the conventional plane of the speaker assembly, allowing it to protrude from the enclosure. This dimensional change enables the speaker to achieve adequate voice coil area for good audio performance while maintaining a compact enclosure footprint, directly resolving the contradiction between small size and good sound quality
2Reliability
If the speaker coil is extended outside the enclosure to improve audio performance, then the voice coil area is increased, but heat buildup within the enclosed space increases
Solution Approach 1:
The voice coil is extracted from the enclosed speaker assembly and extended outward through a dedicated port. This extraction allows the heat-generating component to be positioned outside the sealed enclosure, enabling effective heat dissipation while maintaining the acoustic benefits of an extended voice coil, thus resolving the contradiction between audio performance and thermal management
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 solution enhances audio performance by allowing for a larger speaker cone and reduced heat buildup while maintaining a compact design, effectively addressing the challenge of integrating high-quality speakers in portable computing devices.
Implementation Method 1
a first transducer affixed to the speaker enclosure including a speaker cone and a speaker coil
Implementation Method 2
a seal configured to seal a first portion of the speaker enclosure to the base portion and form a resonant cavity
Data Source
AI summary
A portable computing device can include one or more speakers integrated with internal components. In one embodiment, the speakers can be configured to produce audio output signals and direct at least a portion of the audio signals through vents disposed on a base portion of the portable computing device. In one embodiment, the vents can also direct cooling air into the base portion. In one embodiment, the speakers can also be configured to direct a portion of the audio signal through a speaker grille disposed on the base portion. One embodiment of a speaker enclosure can include a resonant cavity for a first audio transducer formed by the speaker enclosure in cooperation with the base portion of the portable computing device and a second audio transducer configured to direct an audio signal beneath a keyboard.