Method of fabricating a miniature device having an acoustic diaphragm
First Claim
1. A method of fabricating a device having a compliant member, comprising:
- applying heat to a thermoplastic elastomer to maintain the thermoplastic elastomer in a softened state;
extruding the thermoplastic elastomer in the softened state into a film of thermoplastic elastomer;
positioning one or more of a bobbin and a housing, each having an end, such that the end of the bobbin and/or housing extends at least partially into the film of thermoplastic elastomer, the positioning occurring when the thermoplastic elastomer is in the softened state and/or the bobbin and/or housing is at a temperature that is greater than a temperature of the film of thermoplastic elastomer; and
cooling the film of thermoplastic elastomer having the bobbin and/or housing positioned therein, wherein the bobbin and/or housing is thereby secured to the film of thermoplastic elastomer.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method of forming a device having a compliant member includes applying heat to a thermoplastic elastomer to maintain the thermoplastic elastomer in a softened state. The thermoplastic elastomer is extruded in the softened state as a film of thermoplastic elastomer. One or more of a bobbin and a housing, each having and end, is positioned such that the end extends at least partially into the film of thermoplastic elastomer. The positioning occurs when the thermoplastic elastomer is in the softened state and/or the bobbin and/or housing is at a temperature that is greater than a temperature of the film of thermoplastic elastomer. The film is cooled so that the bobbin and/or housing are secured to the film and so that the thermoplastic elastomer is in a state that exhibits rubber-like properties.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A method of fabricating a device having a compliant member, comprising:
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applying heat to a thermoplastic elastomer to maintain the thermoplastic elastomer in a softened state; extruding the thermoplastic elastomer in the softened state into a film of thermoplastic elastomer; positioning one or more of a bobbin and a housing, each having an end, such that the end of the bobbin and/or housing extends at least partially into the film of thermoplastic elastomer, the positioning occurring when the thermoplastic elastomer is in the softened state and/or the bobbin and/or housing is at a temperature that is greater than a temperature of the film of thermoplastic elastomer; and cooling the film of thermoplastic elastomer having the bobbin and/or housing positioned therein, wherein the bobbin and/or housing is thereby secured to the film of thermoplastic elastomer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A device comprising:
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a compliant member having a substantially planar shape and formed of a film of a thermoplastic elastomer; and a housing having an end that extends at least partially into the compliant member, wherein the thermoplastic elastomer adheres to a portion of the housing at the end of the housing to form a meniscus having a height defined along a wall of the housing, wherein the meniscus is formed at each of an inner wall surface of the housing and an outer wall surface of the housing. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification