Speaker Integrated Pressure Sensor Sealing and Liquid Clearance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Integrating environmental sensors into compact portable electronic devices while maintaining water resistance and preventing internal damage from moisture or liquid ingress is challenging, especially when these devices are exposed to moist or wet environments.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a pressure sensor within the audio component housing of portable electronic devices, which includes a sealed audio component housing that forms a barrier against liquid ingress, and utilizing a speaker membrane to clear liquid from the sensor port, ensuring the sensor can operate effectively while preventing moisture from reaching internal electronics.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If environmental sensors are integrated into compact portable electronic devices, then the device's functionality is improved, but the device's water resistance is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensor integrationVSAvoidwater resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The device is divided into separate sealed compartments: the audio component housing containing the pressure sensor is sealed separately from the main device housing. This segmentation allows the sensor to access environmental pressure while the main electronics remain protected from moisture and liquid ingress.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A sealed audio component housing acts as an intermediary structure between the external environment and the internal electronics. The housing includes a port that allows air pressure to reach the sensor while preventing liquid ingress, serving as a protective mediator that enables sensing without compromising water resistance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If a pressure sensor is integrated into the audio component housing, then environmental pressure sensing is enabled, but liquid ingress to the sensor is possible

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepressure sensingVSAvoidliquid ingress

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The audio component housing includes a sealed enclosure with controlled openings that act as flexible barriers. The housing structure allows air molecules to pass through to the pressure sensor while blocking larger liquid molecules, effectively filtering out harmful liquid ingress while enabling pressure measurement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The pressure sensor is extracted from the main device cavity and placed within the sealed audio component housing. This extraction isolates the sensor in a protected environment where it can sense pressure through the housing port while being shielded from liquid ingress that would affect sensors placed directly in the main cavity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Reliability

If the audio component housing is sealed to prevent liquid ingress, then water resistance is improved, but the speaker membrane may accumulate liquid

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater resistanceVSAvoidliquid accumulation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The speaker membrane is designed to be dynamically active, vibrating during audio playback. This dynamic motion prevents liquid from settling and accumulating in the audio component housing, as the membrane's movement creates forces that repel and clear liquid away from critical components while maintaining the sealed structure's water resistance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The speaker membrane serves a dual function: it performs its primary audio output function while simultaneously acting as a self-cleaning mechanism that clears liquid from the audio component housing through its vibration and motion, eliminating the need for separate liquid clearance mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 configuration allows for effective environmental pressure sensing while maintaining the device's water resistance, reducing the negative effects of liquid on the sensor and internal components, ensuring reliable operation in moist conditions.

Implementation Method 1

utilizing a speaker membrane to clear liquid from the sensor port

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVibration: Vibration

Implementation Method 2

pressure sensor within the audio component housing that is fluidly coupled to an environment external to the portable electronic device

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure sensing: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentUS11579024B2Speaker integrated environmental sensors

Publication Date: 2023.02.14 APPLE INC

AI summary

Aspects of the subject technology relate to electronic devices having sensors such as pressure sensors. A pressure sensor may be integrated into an audio component of an electronic device such that the pressure sensor is fluidly coupled to an environment external to a device housing via at least a portion of an internal cavity of the audio component housing. The audio component housing may include an opening. The pressure sensor may be mounted adjacent to or within the opening. The opening may be sealed to prevent passage of gas or liquid through the opening. The pressure sensor may be integrally formed with an inner wall of the audio component housing. The audio component may be a speaker or a microphone.