Molded acoustic mesh for electronic devices

• US 10,154,327 B2
• Filed: 08/07/2015
• Issued: 12/11/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 09/08/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Auclair, Martin J., Kole, Jared M., Rammah, Marwan, Pakula, David A., Porter, Scott P.
• Primary Examiner(s): San Martin, Edgardo
• Application Number:
  US14/821,568
• Publication Number:
  US 20160073183A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,222 Days
• Field of Search: 181151, 181152, 181153, 181199, 381333, 381336, 381338, 381345, 381347
• CPC Class Codes: G10K 11/18 Methods or devices for transmitting, conducting or directing sound G10K11/02, G10K11/36 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/021 incorporating only one transducer
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/023 Screens for loudspeakers
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2499/11 Transducers incorporated or for use in hand-held devices, e.g. mobile phones, PDA's, camera's

Abstract

An electronic device has a speaker housing secured within the device housing. The speaker housing has a cavity with a speaker at one end and a port at the other configured to communicate through an aperture in the housing of the electronic device. A panel of acoustic mesh is integrally formed within the cavity of the housing and is disposed between the port and the speaker. In other embodiments flexible structures are integrally molded onto a plate or the acoustic device and used to secure and acoustically seal the acoustic device within the device housing.

Claims

1. A receiver assembly comprising:

a plate including a penetration formed through the plate, wherein the plate is configured to be positioned against an interior surface of an electronic device housing such that the penetration is aligned with an aperture formed through the electronic device housing;

a continuous wall attached to the plate and defining a cavity aligned with the penetration, the continuous wall further defining a receiving opening that communicates with the cavity, wherein the receiving opening is positioned opposite the penetration and is sized to receive a speaker at least partially into the cavity; and

a panel of acoustic mesh disposed within the cavity and having a portion integrally molded with the continuous wall.

2. The receiver assembly of claim 1 further comprising a speaker positioned within the cavity and configured to be in acoustic communication with the penetration.

3. The receiver assembly of claim 1 wherein the panel of acoustic mesh has a perimeter that is integrally formed with the continuous wall.

4. The receiver assembly of claim 1 wherein the panel of acoustic mesh is configured to span across the cavity.

5. The receiver assembly of claim 1 wherein the panel of acoustic mesh is insert molded into the continuous wall.

6. The receiver assembly of claim 1 wherein the continuous wall is made from an elastomeric material.

7. The receiver assembly of claim 1 wherein the continuous wall includes an interior surface having a plurality of sequential ridges that form an acoustic seal to the speaker.

8. The receiver assembly of claim 1 wherein a panel of cosmetic mesh is disposed between the panel of acoustic mesh and an exterior environment.

16. The receiver assembly of claim 1 wherein the penetration is a first penetration and the plate includes a second penetration that is aligned with a microphone that is attached to the plate.

9. An electronic device comprising:

a housing having an aperture;

a plate mated to an inside surface of the housing and having a penetration that is aligned with the aperture;

a boot attached to the plate and including a cavity and a receiving opening formed by a continuous wall, wherein the cavity is aligned with the penetration and sized to receive a speaker through the receiving opening and at least partially into the cavity; and

a panel of acoustic mesh disposed within the cavity and having a perimeter integrally formed with the continuous wall.

10. The electronic device of claim 9 further comprising a panel of cosmetic mesh disposed between the panel of acoustic mesh and an external environment.

11. The electronic device of claim 10 wherein the panel of cosmetic mesh is secured between the plate and the housing.

12. The electronic device of claim 10 wherein the panel of cosmetic mesh is integrally formed with the housing of the electronic device.

13. The electronic device of claim 10 wherein the panel of cosmetic mesh is formed from woven wires.

14. The electronic device of claim 9 wherein the panel of acoustic mesh is formed from a woven fabric.

15. The electronic device of claim 9 wherein the continuous wall includes an internal surface including a plurality of sequential ridges that are positioned to form an acoustic seal to the speaker that is received within the cavity.

17. The electronic device of claim 9 wherein the penetration is a first penetration and the plate includes a second penetration that is aligned with a microphone that is attached to the plate.

18. The electronic device of claim 17 wherein the second penetration is aligned with the aperture.