Mesh structure providing enhanced acoustic coupling

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9414141-B2
Application number	US-201213343645-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jan 4, 2012
Priority date	Jan 4, 2012
Publication date	Aug 9, 2016
Grant date	Aug 9, 2016

Abstract

A portable electronic device that provides compact configurations for audio elements are disclosed. The audio elements can be drivers (e.g., speakers) or receivers (e.g., microphones). According to one aspect, mesh structures, such as mesh barriers, are formed to facilitate improved acoustic sealing in a space efficient manner. In one embodiment, a mesh barrier for an audio port can be reliably acoustically sealed (or coupled) with an audio chamber and/or outer device housing in a space efficient manner. A mesh barrier can serve to block undesired foreign substances from entry or further entry into an audio port and/or serve as a cosmetic barrier which obscures vision into an audio port. In one embodiment, a portion of a mesh structure can be provided with a substantially planar surface that facilitates improved acoustic sealing.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A mesh structure for an acoustic port opening of an outer surface of a housing of a portable electronic device, the mesh structure comprising:
a mesh article positioned above an audio element of the portable electronic device, the mesh article having a weave configuration of overlapping elements, the mesh article having a central portion and an outer peripheral portion, wherein the outer peripheral portion is:
processed to integrate a material interstitially with the weave configuration thereby reducing the porosity of the peripheral portion with respect to the central portion; and
configured to receive an adhesive after being processed, the adhesive facilitating acoustic sealing of the mesh article within the acoustic port.

2. A mesh structure as recited in claim 1 , wherein the processed outer peripheral portion provides a frame for the mesh article.

3. A mesh structure as recited in claim 2 , wherein the frame is configured to form an acoustic seal between the mesh article and the housing of the portable electronic device.

4. A mesh structure as recited in claim 1 , wherein the processed outer peripheral portion has a more planer surface as compared to the central portion.

5. A mesh structure as recited in claim 1 , wherein the mesh structure is a mesh barrier that prevents debris from entering the acoustic port.

6. A mesh structure as recited in claim 1 , wherein the material integrated into the outer peripheral portion includes an adhesive.

7. A mesh structure as recited in claim 1 , wherein the material integrated into the outer peripheral portion includes a light cured material.

8. A mesh structure as recited in claim 1 , wherein the material integrated into the outer peripheral portion includes an ink.

9. A mesh structure as recited in claim 1 , wherein the material integrated into the outer peripheral portion includes a metal deposited using an electroforming process.

10. A mesh structure as recited in claim 1 , wherein the material integrated into the outer peripheral portion includes a thermoplastic material.

11. A mesh structure as recited in claim 1 , wherein the processed outer peripheral portion is compressed with respect to the central portion.

12. A mesh structure for an acoustic port opening of a portable electronic device, the mesh structure comprising:
a middle portion; and
an outer portion having a material interstitially integrated within the mesh structure, wherein the outer portion is:
less porous than the middle portion; and
configured to receive an adhesive layer that facilitates acoustic sealing of the mesh structure within the acoustic port after the material is integrated into the outer portion.

13. A mesh structure as recited in claim 12 , wherein the outer portion provides a frame for the mesh structure.

14. A mesh structure as recited in claim 13 , wherein the frame is configured to form an acoustic seal between the mesh article and the housing of the portable electronic device.

15. A mesh structure as recited in claim 12 , wherein the outer portion is substantially more planer than the middle portion.

16. A mesh structure as recited in claim 12 , wherein the material integrated into the outer portion includes a silicone materials.

17. A mesh structure as recited in claim 12 , wherein the material integrated into the outer portion includes a light-cured adhesive.

18. A mesh structure as recited in claim 12 , wherein at least a portion of the mesh structure is hydrophobic.

19. A mesh structure for an acoustic port of an electronic device, comprising:
a woven mesh article having an inner region having a first thickness and a peripheral region having a second thickness that is less than the first thickness, wherein:
the peripheral region includes a material embedded within the woven mesh;
the peripheral region is less porous than the inner region; and
the woven mesh is configured to be positioned relative to an acoustic port formed in a housing of a portable electronic device.

20. The mesh structure of claim 19 , wherein the peripheral region comprises a recess disposed on at least one of a top surface of the peripheral region and a bottom surface of the peripheral region.

21. The mesh structure of claim 19 , wherein the peripheral region is compressed with respect to the inner region.

Assignees

• Cohen Sawyer I
• Kole Jared M
• Wittenberg Michael B
• Merz Nicholas
• Apple Inc

Inventors

• Cohen Sawyer I
• Kole Jared M
• Wittenberg Michael B
• Merz Nicholas

Classifications

• H04R7/00

  Diaphragms for electromechanical transducers (in general F16J3/00); Cones (for musical instruments G10 ){(cones, diaphragms or the like, for emitting or receiving sound in general G10K13/00; Mounting thereof)} · CPC title

• H04M1/03

  Constructional features of telephone transmitters or receivers, e.g. telephone hand-sets · CPC title

• H04R1/023 Primary

  Screens for loudspeakers · CPC title

• H04M1/035

  Improving the acoustic characteristics by means of constructional features of the housing, e.g. ribs, walls, resonating chambers or cavities · CPC title

• H04R1/02

  Casings; Cabinets {; Supports therefor;} Mountings therein (H04R1/28 takes precedence {; attachments for microphones H04R1/08; mounting of transducers in earpieces H04R1/1075}) · CPC title