Portable Speaker Placement in Hinge Pivot for Compact Notebooks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current notebook computers face challenges in reducing size while maintaining high-quality low-frequency sound output, as existing solutions either increase the device's size or adversely affect internal component placement and vibration-sensitive components like optical disc players due to the placement of low-frequency speakers.
Innovation Solution
A portable apparatus design featuring a sound output device positioned in a pivot portion between the display and main housing, allowing the sound to propagate parallel to the pivot axis, minimizing vibration impact on sensitive components and optimizing space for other internal components, with a baffle plate and shock-absorbing members to enhance sound quality and reduce vibrations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the low frequency speaker is disposed in the keyboard housing, then the sound output device can be integrated into the existing structure, but the size of the notebook computer is increased and the quality of low frequency sound is adversely affected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent relocates the low frequency speaker from the keyboard housing to the pivot portion, utilizing the third dimension (depth/thickness) of the pivot structure. This dimensional relocation allows the speaker to be positioned in previously unused space, reducing the overall footprint while maintaining sound quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The low frequency speaker is extracted from the keyboard housing and repositioned in the pivot portion. This extraction removes the space-occupying conflict between the speaker and other keyboard components, allowing for a more compact overall device size.
2Device complexity
If the low frequency speaker is disposed in the keyboard housing, then the sound output device can be integrated into the existing structure, but the quality of low frequency sound is adversely affected due to limited space for reflection, refraction or diffraction
Solution Approach 1:
By moving the speaker to the pivot portion, the patent creates a dedicated three-dimensional space for acoustic processing. The pivot portion's structural depth provides sufficient volume for sound reflection, refraction, and diffraction, improving low frequency sound quality while maintaining integration.
3Reliability
If the low frequency speaker is disposed at sides of the keyboard housing, then the quality of low frequency sound may be improved, but the sound propagating direction is substantially parallel to the rotation axis of optical disc player or hard drive, adversely affecting reading/writing operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the low frequency speaker asymmetrically in the pivot portion, orienting the sound propagation direction perpendicular to the rotation axis of the optical disc player or hard drive. This asymmetric placement creates spatial separation between the sound source and vibration-sensitive components, reducing harmful vibrations.
Solution Approach 2:
The pivot portion serves as an intermediary structure that houses the low frequency speaker while maintaining spatial separation from the optical disc player or hard drive. This intermediary positioning allows sound propagation in a direction that avoids direct interference with vibration-sensitive components.
4Volume of moving object
If the thickness of the keyboard housing is reduced, then the device becomes more compact, but there is little space left for reflection, refraction or diffraction of low frequency sound
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the pivot portion's depth dimension to provide acoustic processing space. By moving the speaker to this three-dimensional space rather than confining it to a thin keyboard housing, the design maintains compactness while providing sufficient volume for sound reflection, refraction, and diffraction.
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 enables a compact notebook computer with improved low-frequency sound quality, minimizing interference with vibration-sensitive components and allowing for a thinner, more compact form factor while maintaining optimal internal component placement and heat dissipation.
Implementation Method 1
The sound output device is disposed in the receiving space of the pivot portion and outputs sound in a sound propagating direction substantially parallel to the pivot axis
Data Source
AI summary
A portable apparatus includes a display housing, a main housing, and a sound output device. The display housing has a pivot side. The main housing includes a pivot portion that defines a pivot axis and that is coupled to the pivot side of the display housing such that the display housing is pivotable relative to the main housing about the pivot axis. The pivot portion is formed with a receiving space. The sound output device is disposed in the receiving space of the pivot portion and outputs sound in a sound propagating direction substantially parallel to the pivot axis.