Speaker Module Water Ejection via Diaphragm Vibration

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Solution Overview

Problem

As electronic devices become thinner, internal components become more susceptible to liquid intrusion, necessitating improved water resistance mechanisms to prevent liquid entry and efficiently eject captured water from speaker modules.

Innovation Solution

A speaker assembly with a diaphragm and semi-porous mesh that allows water to exit while blocking entry, utilizing a magnetic driver to expel water through a direct path when a water ejection signal is received, enhancing water resistance and minimizing energy consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the device profile is made thinner to improve portability, then the compactness and portability are improved, but the susceptibility to liquid intrusion increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice profile thicknessVSAvoidliquid intrusion susceptibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a water ejection system that proactively removes water from the acoustic volume before it can cause damage to internal components. The system detects water presence and activates the ejection mechanism to expel water through the audio port, preventing harmful liquid intrusion effects even though the thinner design allows easier water entry

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a mesh assembly with porous structure that allows water to pass through while maintaining acoustic functionality. The porous mesh enables water ejection while blocking larger particles and providing a pathway for controlled water removal from the acoustic volume, addressing the liquid intrusion issue without compromising the thin profile design

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

2Reliability

If a water ejection system is added to prevent liquid damage, then the water resistance is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater resistanceVSAvoidspeaker assembly complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates the water ejection function into the existing speaker assembly components. The driver unit serves dual purposes: normal acoustic operation and water ejection activation. The diaphragm and audio port structure are utilized for both sound output and water expulsion, eliminating the need for separate dedicated water ejection components and reducing overall system complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The water ejection system operates autonomously by detecting water presence in the acoustic volume and automatically activating the driver unit to expel water. The system self-regulates the ejection process without requiring external control mechanisms or additional sensors, reducing complexity while maintaining reliable water protection

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Productivity

If the diaphragm is directly aligned with the audio port for water ejection, then the water ejection efficiency is improved, but the acoustic performance may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater ejection efficiencyVSAvoidacoustic performance

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements different functional zones within the audio port and mesh assembly. The audio port is optimized for water ejection with direct diaphragm alignment, while the mesh assembly provides acoustic filtering and sound output functionality. The diaphragm's direct alignment creates a focused water ejection path, while the mesh structure maintains acoustic quality by allowing controlled sound passage and water removal

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 prevents liquid ingress into the device housing and efficiently expels water using minimal energy, reducing the risk of damage to internal components while maintaining optimal acoustic performance.

Implementation Method 1

a magnetic driver configured to generate a magnetic field that induces movement of the diaphragm to produce an audible sound by moving air contained within the acoustic volume

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic field induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

a mesh assembly including a mesh that allows water to pass out of the acoustic volume and hinders water from passing into the acoustic volume

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhysical filtration through mesh structure: Filter (physical)

Implementation Method 3

When a water ejection signal is received at the speaker assembly, the magnetic driver causes the diaphragm to vibrate to force the water contained within the acoustic volume to follow a direct flow path through the audio port

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic field induced vibration: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS10595107B2Speaker module architecture

Publication Date: 2020.03.17 APPLE INC

AI summary

An electronic device includes a housing having an opening comprising an audio port and a speaker assembly carried by the device housing. The speaker assembly includes a water ejection system having a diaphragm coupled to a magnetic driver and a mesh that covers the audio port where the diaphragm and the mesh together define an acoustic volume. When a water ejection signal is received at the magnetic driver, the magnetic driver is caused to move the diaphragm in a manner that ejects water contained within the acoustic volume out of the acoustic volume and through the mesh.