Speaker Dust Removal Using Acoustic Vibration in Electronic Openings

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electronic devices face issues with foreign substances like soil, dust, and moisture adhering to sound output openings, disrupting sound output and requiring inefficient manual removal.

Innovation Solution

The device employs a speaker to output low-frequency acoustic signals with specific waveforms to dislodge and separate foreign substances from mesh nets, combined with vibration motors for effective expulsion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a mesh net is installed in the sound output opening to prevent foreign substance inflow, then the reliability of sound output is improved, but the foreign substance accumulates on the mesh net and disturbs sound output

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection against foreign substanceVSAvoidsound output disturbance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies mechanical vibration by using a vibration motor to generate vibrational forces that dislodge foreign substances from the mesh net surface. The vibration motor vibrates the housing in a predetermined direction, creating mechanical agitation that separates accumulated dust, soil, or sand particles from the mesh net, thereby restoring sound output without requiring manual intervention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #18Mechanical vibration

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical removal (user shaking or cleaning) with an automated vibration mechanism. Instead of requiring user action to remove foreign substances, the system uses an electrically-driven vibration motor that automatically generates the necessary mechanical motion to expel contaminants, substituting human-operated mechanical systems with an automated electromechanical system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If a mesh net is installed in the sound output opening, then foreign substance inflow is prevented, but manual removal by shaking becomes inconvenient for the user

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection against foreign substanceVSAvoiduser convenience
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-service by automatically detecting and removing foreign substances without requiring user intervention. The vibration motor is activated based on detection signals (from sensors detecting foreign substance presence) or timing signals, enabling the device to clean itself autonomously. This eliminates the need for users to manually shake or clean the mesh net, significantly improving ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms where sensors detect the presence of foreign substances on the mesh net and send signals to the controller. The controller then activates the vibration motor in response to these detection signals, creating a closed-loop control system. This feedback-driven approach ensures that cleaning operations are triggered only when necessary, optimizing both convenience and effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Object-generated harmful factors

If the user shakes the electronic device to discharge foreign substance, then some removal may occur, but the discharge is inefficient and inconvenient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveforeign substance removalVSAvoiddischarge efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The vibration motor generates controlled mechanical vibrations that efficiently dislodge foreign substances from the mesh net surface. Unlike random user shaking, the vibration motor provides consistent, directed vibrational forces at appropriate frequencies and amplitudes, significantly improving the efficiency of foreign substance removal and enabling complete discharge of contaminants.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #18Mechanical vibration

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

Effectively removes foreign substances from sound output openings without user inconvenience, ensuring uninterrupted sound output.

Implementation Method 1

outputs an acoustic signal of a low frequency having a specific waveform to discharge the foreign substance (e.g., the soil, the dust, the sand, and the moisture) to outside of the electronic device or to separate the foreign substance (e.g., the soil, the dust, the sand, and the moisture) from the mesh net

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAcoustic radiation pressure: Acoustic Radiation Pressure

Implementation Method 2

may use the speaker (or the receiver) and the vibration motor to effectively discharge the foreign substance

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical vibration: Vibration

Data Source

PatentEP3927476B1Method for removing dust using speaker and electronic device supporting the same
Publication Date: 2025.12.10 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP3927476B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3927476B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3927476B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

An electronic device includes a housing including at least one opening, a sensor module including at least one sensor, a sound output device including sound output circuitry, a memory, and a processor, wherein the processor may be configured to: determine whether the electronic device is in a state where a foreign substance has entered into the electronic device through the at least one opening, determine whether the electronic device is in a first disposition state using the sensor module based at least on determining that the electronic device is in the state where the foreign substance has entered into the electronic device, and control the electronic device to output a specified acoustic-signal having a specified frequency band and a specified waveform through the sound output device based on the electronic device being in the first disposition state.