IP Library Granted Patent US 12,212,906
Granted Patent B2
US 12,212,906 · App. 18/545,669 · Granted Jan 28, 2025

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 12,212,906
App. No.
18/545,669
Granted
Jan 28, 2025
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 (43)

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 and comprising:

a first fluid impermeable layer defining a first channel;

a second fluid impermeable layer defining a second channel at least partially overlapping the first channel; and

a fluid permeable layer between the first fluid impermeable layer and the second fluid impermeable layer;

wherein the fluid path extends from the first internal volume to the second internal volume.

2. The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein the first channel extends into the first fluid impermeable layer a first distance, and the second channel extends into the second fluid impermeable layer a second distance.

3. The electronic device of claim 2 , wherein a sum of the first distance and the second distance is greater than a third distance measured between a periphery of the first and second fluid impermeable layers and a central aperture of the first and second fluid impermeable layers.

4. The electronic device of claim 3 , wherein an overlapping region of the first channel and the second channel is positioned closer to the periphery than the central aperture.

5. The electronic device of claim 2 , wherein the first distance and the second distance are equivalent.

6. The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein the first channel comprises a first channel width and the second channel comprises a second channel width.

7. The electronic device of claim 6 , wherein at least one of the first channel width or the second channel width varies along a channel length.

8. The electronic device of claim 7 , wherein:

the first channel width is wider at a periphery of the first and second fluid impermeable layers and narrows toward a central aperture of the first and second fluid impermeable layers; and

the second channel width is wider at the central aperture and narrows toward the periphery.

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, and the venting element comprising:

a first fluid impermeable layer;

a second fluid impermeable layer; and

a coiled tube between the first fluid impermeable layer and the second fluid impermeable layer, wherein the fluid path extends through a conduit of the coiled tube.

10. The audio component of claim 9 , wherein the coiled tube comprises at least one of a metal material, a metal alloy material, a polymer material, or a ceramic material.

11. The audio component of claim 9 , wherein the fluid path comprises a spiral pattern at least partially encircling a central aperture of the venting element.

12. The audio component of claim 9 , wherein;

the coiled tube is a first coiled tube and the conduit is a first conduit; and

the venting element comprises a second coiled tube adjacent to the first coiled tube, the fluid path extending through a second conduit of the second coiled tube.

13. The audio component of claim 9 , wherein the first fluid impermeable layer and the second fluid impermeable layer comprise a resin material or a curable adhesive forming a singular material enveloping the coiled tube.

14. The audio component of claim 9 , wherein the first fluid impermeable layer and the second fluid impermeable layer comprise distinct material segments adhered to the coiled tube.

15. The audio component of claim 9 , wherein the venting element is configured to attenuate acoustic waves.

16. The audio component of claim 15 , wherein the acoustic waves filterable by the venting element comprise wavelengths above 20 Hertz.

17. The audio component of claim 9 , further comprising a membrane support positioned adjacent to the venting element.

18. 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 opposite the first surface; and

a fluid permeable layer comprising a coil disposed adjacent the first fluid impermeable layer and the second fluid impermeable layer, the fluid permeable layer defining a fluid path extending from a central portion of the venting element to a periphery of the venting element along gaps between the first fluid impermeable layer, the second fluid impermeable layer, and the coil.

19. The venting element of claim 18 , wherein;

the coil is a first coil, and the fluid permeable layer comprises a second coil positioned adjacent to the first coil; and

the second coil further defines the gaps between the first fluid impermeable layer, the second fluid impermeable layer, and the first coil.

20. The venting element of claim 18 , wherein the first fluid impermeable layer and the second fluid impermeable layer include discrete layers comprising at least one of a heat-activated film, a pressure sensitive adhesive tape, or a thermoplastic elastomer.

Continuity (4)
Continuation 17445931 · Aug 25, 2021
Provisional Application 63179934 · Apr 26, 2021
Provisional Application 63083045 · Sep 24, 2020
Related Publication 20240121541A1 · Apr 11, 2024
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