Barometric Sensor Venting Through a Speaker Duct in Waterproof Electronics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Barometric pressure sensors in electronic devices require external holes for pressure measurement, which degrade aesthetic appeal and waterproof performance.
Innovation Solution
The electronic device incorporates a housing design with a first slit and a second slit, a speaker, and a duct system connecting the slits to the barometric pressure sensor, allowing external air to be introduced through the speaker hole without external openings, and a separate air vent hole for internal air release.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a hole is formed on the outside of the electronic device to transfer barometric pressure to the sensor, then the barometric pressure sensor can measure barometric pressure, but the aesthetic appeal of the electronic device is degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the speaker hole as an intermediary structure to transfer barometric pressure from the external environment to the barometric pressure sensor located inside the housing. This mediator approach allows the sensor to access external pressure without requiring a dedicated external hole, thus maintaining the device's aesthetic appearance while enabling accurate pressure measurement.
Solution Approach 2:
The speaker hole serves multiple functions: it acts as an acoustic output channel for the speaker and simultaneously functions as a pressure transfer pathway for the barometric pressure sensor. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate external openings, preserving the device's aesthetic appeal while maintaining measurement capability.
2Device complexity
If a hole for the barometric pressure sensor and an air vent hole are shared, then the device structure is simplified, but the waterproof performance of the electronic device is degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the pressure transfer function from the air vent function by using the speaker hole specifically for barometric pressure measurement. The air vent hole remains separate for thermal management purposes. This segmentation allows each opening to serve its dedicated function without compromising the waterproof integrity of the device.
Solution Approach 2:
The speaker hole acts as an intermediary pressure transfer path that does not require direct communication with the external environment for air venting purposes. This mediator approach enables the barometric sensor to function without creating a shared opening with the air vent, thereby maintaining waterproof performance.
3Measurement precision
If external holes are used for barometric pressure measurement, then the sensor can access external pressure, but the number of external holes increases
Solution Approach 1:
The speaker hole is designed to serve dual purposes: acoustic output and barometric pressure sensing. By making this opening multi-functional, the patent avoids adding extra external holes while still enabling the barometric pressure sensor to access external pressure accurately.
Solution Approach 2:
The speaker hole functions as an intermediary structure that allows pressure transmission from the external environment to the internal sensor without requiring a dedicated external hole. This mediator approach maintains measurement capability while minimizing the number of external openings.
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 design maintains the device's waterproof performance while allowing barometric pressure measurement without external holes, enhancing both aesthetics and functionality.
Implementation Method 1
a barometric pressure sensor disposed in the housing and configured to measure barometric pressure... a duct configured to connect the through-hole and a sound output passage... allowing barometric pressure of external air to be transferred to the barometric pressure sensor
Data Source
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AI summary
An electronic device according to various embodiments of the disclosure includes a front plate configured to form at least a part of a front surface of the electronic device, a speaker disposed in the electronic device, a barometric pressure sensor disposed in the electronic device to measure barometric pressure, a housing configured to form a side surface of the electronic device, and a first slit provided as a gap having a first interval between the housing and an edge portion of the front plate, wherein the housing includes a sound output hole provided at a position at which the speaker is disposed, and a through-hole provided at a position at which the barometric pressure sensor is disposed, and the housing is spaced apart from the front plate to provide a duct configured to connect the through-hole and a sound output passage which is a space for connecting the first slit and the sound output hole. In addition, various other embodiments identified through the specification are possible.