IP Library Granted Patent US 11,889,249
Granted Patent B2
US 11,889,249 · App. 17/445,931 · Granted Jan 30, 2024

Internal venting mechanisms for audio system with non-porous membrane

Inventors: Jiahui Liang (San Francisco, CA); Andrew L. Doyle (Cupertino, CA); Nikolas T. Vitt (Redwood City, CA); Yingyi Wang (Suzhou, CN); David W. Robison (San Jose, CA)
Assignee: APPLE INC.
H04R1/023H04R1/44H04R1/028H04R9/06H04R2201/023H04R2400/11H04R2499/11
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,889,249
App. No.
17/445,931
Granted
Jan 30, 2024
Kind
B2
Abstract

An electronic device can include a housing, an audio component, and a gasket. The housing can define a first internal volume and the audio component can define a second internal volume. The audio component can include membrane and a venting element having a fluid impermeable layer. The venting element can define a fluid path placing the first internal volume and the second internal volume in fluid communication. At least a portion of the fluid path can extend parallel to the fluid impermeable layer. The gasket can define a seal between the first internal volume and an ambient environment adjacent the housing.

Claims (51)

1. An electronic device, comprising:

a housing at least partially defining a first internal volume; and

an audio component defining a second internal volume, the audio component comprising:

a membrane; and

a venting element defining a fluid path, the fluid path extends from the first internal volume to the second internal volume, the venting element comprising:

a first layer at least partially defining a first channel;

a second layer at least partially defining a second channel; and

a fluid permeable intermediate layer disposed between the first layer and the second layer.

2. The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein:

the first channel extends from a central portion of the venting element; and

the second channel extends from a periphery of the venting element.

3. The electronic device of claim 2 , wherein:

a length of the first channel is greater than half of a distance between the central portion and the periphery; and

a length of the second channel is greater than half of the distance.

4. The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein the fluid permeable intermediate layer comprises a region disposed between the first and second channels, the region placing the first and second channels in fluid communication.

5. The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein the audio component comprises a microphone.

6. The electronic device of claim 2 , wherein:

a width of the first channel narrows as the first channel extends from the central portion; and

a width of the second channel narrows as the second channel extends from the periphery.

7. The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein the fluid permeable intermediate layer further comprises a porous metal.

8. The electronic device of claim 1 , further comprising an enclosure disposed within the housing and at least partially surrounding the audio component, the enclosure defining a third internal volume, the fluid path placing the first internal volume, the second internal volume, and the third internal volume in fluid communication.

9. An audio component, comprising:

a case at least partially defining an internal volume;

a membrane at least partially defining the internal volume; and

a venting element in fluid communication with the internal volume, the venting element defining a fluid path extending from the internal volume to an environment external to the case, the venting element comprising:

a first fluid impermeable layer;

a second fluid impermeable layer; and

a porous layer disposed between the first fluid impermeable layer and the second fluid impermeable layer, the porous layer defining at least a portion of the fluid path.

10. The audio component of claim 9 , wherein the fluid path extends from a central portion of the venting element to a periphery of the venting element.

11. The audio component of claim 9 , wherein the venting element comprises:

a first layer at least partially defining a first channel;

a second layer at least partially defining a second channel; and

a fluid permeable intermediate layer disposed between the first layer and the second layer.

12. The audio component of claim 11 , wherein:

the first channel and the second channel extend parallel to the fluid permeable intermediate layer;

a width of the first channel varies along a length of the first channel;

a width of the second channel varies along a length of the second channel; and

a region of the fluid permeable intermediate layer is disposed between the first channel and the second channel.

13. The audio component of claim 9 , wherein the porous layer comprises a metal foam.

14. The audio component of claim 9 , wherein the venting element further comprises

a coiled member coupled to the fluid impermeable layer, at least a portion of the fluid path being defined by the fluid impermeable layer and the coiled member.

15. The audio component of claim 9 , wherein the venting element further comprises:

a fluid impermeable layer; and

a coiled member coupled to the fluid impermeable layer, the coiled member defining a conduit, and at least a portion of the fluid path being formed by the conduit.

16. The audio component of claim 9 , wherein the audio component comprises at least one of a speaker or a microphone.

17. A venting element for a portable electronic device, comprising:

a first fluid impermeable layer defining a first surface of the venting element;

a second fluid impermeable layer defining a second surface of the venting element; and

a coiled member disposed between the first fluid impermeable layer and the second fluid impermeable layer, the coiled member defining a conduit defining a fluid path extending to an external environment.

18. The venting element of claim 17 , wherein the conduit extends from a central portion of the venting element toward a periphery of the venting element.

19. The venting element of claim 17 , wherein the fluid impermeable layer comprises a polymer.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 25, 2021
From: LIANG, JIAHUI; DOYLE, ANDREW L.; VITT, NIKOLAS T.; WANG, YINGYI; ROBISON, DAVID W.
To: APPLE INC.
Reel/Frame 057290/0141 →
Continuity (3)
Provisional Application 63179934 · Apr 26, 2021
Provisional Application 63083045 · Sep 24, 2020
Related Publication 20220095024A1 · Mar 24, 2022
Cited By (1)
US 12,732,743