PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-8989428-B2
Application Number: US-201113232222-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Acoustic systems in electronic devices

Abstract:
A mobile electronic device including a processor, a first electrical component including at least one contact area, and a second electrical component including at least one contact arm extending over a top surface of the second electrical component and secured in at least two locations, the at least one contact arm configured to be in electrical communication with the at least one contact area. In another embodiment, the electronic device further includes a microphone operably connected to an enclosure. A first resilient member coupled to the enclosure and a first side of the microphone and a second resilient member coupled to a second side of the microphone and a support structure within the enclosure.

Claims:
What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An electronic device comprising:
 a processor; 
 a connection component in communication with the processor; and 
 an audio output device in communication with the connection component, the audio output device comprising:
 a body; 
 at least one contact arm operably connected at a first end to a first location of the body and at a second end to a second location of the body; 
 a base body extension extending from the body adjacent to the second location, and configured to prevent the second end of the contact arm from disconnecting from the second location; 
 
 wherein:
 the contact arm operably couples the audio output device to the connection component. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the first location is a right side of the audio output device and the second location is a left side of the audio output device. 
     
     
       3. The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one contact arm can move between a first height and a second height. 
     
     
       4. The electronic device of  claim 3 , wherein the at least one contact arm is substantially prevented from moving in at least two directions. 
     
     
       5. The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein at least one contact arm further comprises a hinge substantially adjacent the first end. 
     
     
       6. The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one contact arm further comprises a locking structure configured to substantially prevent the at least one contact arm from moving in at least one direction. 
     
     
       7. The electronic device of  claim 6 , wherein the at least one locking structure forms the second end of the at least one contact arm. 
     
     
       8. The electronic device of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one keying structure corresponding to a keying feature of the connection component. 
     
     
       9. The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the connection component is a printed circuit board. 
     
     
       10. An electronic device comprising:
 an audio component configured to couple to an electrical circuit, the audio component comprising:
 a body comprising:
 a first sidewall; 
 a second sidewall opposite the first sidewall; 
 an exterior surface joining the first sidewall and the second sidewall; and 
 a base body extension extending outwardly from the second sidewall; and 
 
 an electrically conductive arm disposed across the exterior surface, the electrically conductive arm comprising:
 a first end coupled to the first sidewall; and 
 a second end configured to engage the base body extension; 
 
 
 wherein the electrically conductive arm couples the audio component to the electrical circuit. 
 
     
     
       11. The electronic device of  claim 10 , wherein the electrically conductive arm can move between a first height and a second height relative to the exterior surface. 
     
     
       12. The electronic device of  claim 10 , wherein the electrically conductive arm is substantially prevented from moving in at least two directions. 
     
     
       13. The electronic device of  claim 10 , wherein the electrically conductive arm comprises a hinge adjacent the first end. 
     
     
       14. The electronic device of  claim 10 , wherein the electrically conductive arm further comprises a locking structure configured to engage with the base body extension. 
     
     
       15. The electronic device of  claim 14 , wherein the at least one locking structure forms the second end of the electrically conductive arm. 
     
     
       16. The electronic device of  claim 14 , wherein the at least one locking structure forms the second end of the electrically conductive arm as a “T” shape configured to engaged the base body extension. 
     
     
       17. The electronic device of  claim 10 , further comprising at least one keying structure corresponding to a keying feature of the connection component. 
     
     
       18. An electronic device comprising:
 a processor; 
 a connection component in communication with the processor and comprising a keying recess; and 
 an audio component in communication with the connection component, the audio component comprising:
 a body; 
 at least one contact arm comprising:
 a first end configured to couple to a first location of the body; 
 a second end opposite the first end and configured to couple to a second location of the body opposite the first location; and 
 a keying portion between the first end and the second end; 
 
 
 wherein:
 the keying portion is configured to be received within the keying recess; and 
 the keying portion operably couples the audio component to the connection component. 
 
 
     
     
       19. The electronic device of  claim 18 , wherein the audio component comprises an audio output device. 
     
     
       20. The electronic device of  claim 18 , wherein the at least one contact arm is formed from an electrically conductive material. 
     
     
       21. The electronic device of  claim 18 , wherein the at least one contact arm is substantially prevented from moving in at least two directions.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application claims the benefit under claims benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/529,870, filed Aug. 31, 2011 and titled “Acoustic Systems in Electronic Devices,” the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein in its entirety. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates generally to electronic devices and more specifically, to mobile electronic devices. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Electronic devices such as smart phones, mobile gaming devices, laptops, and so on may include vibration generators and/or haptic feedback generators, such as a vibrating alert (eccentric rotating weight), speakers, motors, and so on. These electronic devices may also include an audio sensor, such as a microphone. Often, the audio sensor may pick up the vibrations or other undesired mechanical movements. This may cause the audio sensor to transmit or otherwise record these vibrations. 
     Furthermore, audio receivers, or other audio output devices, and other electronic components may be dislocated or otherwise disconnected from an electrical contact due to vibrations in the device, a user dropping the device, or other forces experienced by the electronic device. The loose electrical contacts may degrade the quality of the audio receiver or other electrical component, or may completely prevent the audio receiver or other electrical component from functioning. 
     SUMMARY 
     Examples of embodiments described herein may take the form of an electronic device. The electronic device may include an enclosure and a microphone operably connected to the enclosure. The microphone is coupled to the enclosure via a first resilient member coupled to the enclosure and a first side of the microphone. A second resilient member is coupled to the second side of the microphone and another support structure. 
     Other embodiments may take the form of an electronic device including a processor and a connection component in communication with the processor. The electronic device further includes an audio output device in communication with the connection component. The audio output device includes at least one contact arm operably connected at a first end to a first location of the audio output device and at a second end to a second location of the audio output device, where the contact arm operably couples the audio output device to the connection component. 
     Still other embodiments may include a mobile electronic device. The mobile electronic device may include a processor, a first electrical component and a second electrical component. The first electrical component is in communication with the processor and includes at least one communication or contact area. The second electrical component includes at least one contact arm extending over a top surface of the second electrical component and movably secured to the second electrical component in at least two locations. The at least one contact arm is configured to be in electrical communication with the at least one communication or contact area. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an isometric view of an electronic device. 
         FIG. 2  is an exemplary block diagram of the electronic device. 
         FIG. 3A  is an isometric view of an audio receiver removed from the electronic device with contact arms in a first position. 
         FIG. 3B  is an isometric view of the audio receiver of  FIG. 3A  with the contact arms in a second position. 
         FIG. 3C  is a side elevation view of the audio receiver of  FIG. 3A  with the contact arms in the first position. 
         FIG. 3D  is a side elevation view of the audio receiver of  FIG. 3B  with the contact arms in the second position. 
         FIG. 4  is a cross-section view of the electronic device of  FIG. 1  taken along line  4 - 4  in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5  is an exploded isometric view of an exemplary assembly of the audio receiver, circuit, and sealing member removed from the electronic device. 
         FIG. 6  is an isometric view of a second example of the audio receiver of  FIG. 3A . 
         FIG. 7  is an isometric view of a third example of the audio receiver of  FIG. 3A . 
         FIG. 8A  is a diagram illustrating a first operation of an exemplary manufacturing process for assembling the electronic device of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 8B  is a diagram illustrating a second operation of the exemplary manufacturing process of  FIG. 8A . 
         FIG. 9  is an exploded isometric view of a exemplary coupling assembly for an audio component of the electronic device of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 10  is a cross-section view of the electronic device of  FIG. 1  taken along line  10 - 10  illustrating the coupling assembly of  FIG. 9 . 
     
    
    
     SPECIFICATION 
     Some embodiments described herein may take the form of various acoustic systems incorporated into, or forming, electronic devices. One example acoustic system may include an audio receiver or other similarly functioning electrical component, generally referred to herein as a “receiver,” “audio receiver” or “audio output device.” The audio receiver includes a contact arm that is flexible yet secured. The contact arm may include an electrical contact for connecting to an electrically conductive area on a printed circuit board, flex cable, or other electrical input. The arms may be supported on a first side of the audio receiver and may wrap over and around at least one side (e.g., the top, bottom, front back, left and/or right) of the audio receiver or audio output device and be movably secured to a second side of the audio receiver. 
     In one embodiment, each of the arms may be movably secured to the second side of the audio receiver so that they may be substantially restrained from moving along at least two axes, but may be able to move along at least one axis. In one example, the contact arms may move vertically but not horizontally or laterally, or minimally in such directions. Further, the arms may be spring-loaded or otherwise biased away from the receiver body. This may allow the contact arms to be flexible, while still being rigid enough to maintain the electrical connection between the audio receiver or first electrical component and a second electrical component (e.g., circuit board) when under pressure, such as when the receiver is incorporated into a larger electronic device and secured in position against the second electrical component. As one example, receivers in mobile telephones may vibrate when a haptic device is actuated, such as the vibrator used when the phone is in a silent mode. This vibration may cause the receiver to shift horizontally or laterally, thus breaking an electrical contact between the receiver and the circuit board. The arms of the present embodiment may exert force against the circuit board, thereby resisting the afore-described “walking” motion when the receiver vibrates. 
     In addition to assisting in maintaining the electrical connection between the audio receiver and the connecting (e.g., second) electrical component, the contact arms simplify or facilitate the assembly or stacking of the electrical components during manufacture of the electronic device. The arms are secured in place and may therefore be less likely to get caught on the second electrical component, other components, or become deformed during the manufacturing process. 
     Another embodiment of the acoustic system may include an acoustic coupling assembly. The acoustic coupling assembly provides an acoustical seal via a mechanical attachment for an audio sensor (e.g., microphone) or other vibration sensitive component that also decouples the audio sensor from the structure. This generally allows the audio sensor to be less likely to produce feedback (due to the acoustic seal) as well as prevent the audio sensor from sensing undesired sounds or vibrations that may be preset in the electronic device. 
       FIG. 1  is an isometric view of a sample electronic device  100 , specifically a mobile smartphone.  FIG. 2  is an exemplary block diagram of the electronic device  100 . Although a smartphone is depicted, the electronic device  100  may take virtually any form, including a laptop, digital camera, input device (e.g., mouse, keyboard, remote control, gaming controller and the like), headphones/headset, hearing aid device, and so on. Generally, embodiments herein will be described with reference to a smartphone as the electronic device for the sake of convenience. 
     The electronic device  100  may include an enclosure  102  that may form a portion of an exterior of the electronic device  100 , and may at least partially enclose the various internal components of the electronic device  100 . The electronic device  100  may also include an input member  104 , a display screen  106 , an audio receiver  110 , an input port  112 , and an audio input device  114 . 
     The input member  104  (which may be a switch, capacitive sensor, or other input mechanism) allows a user to interact with the electronic device  100 . For example, the input member  104  may be a button or switch to alter the volume, return to a home screen, or the like. Additionally, the input member  104  may be virtually any size, shape, and may be located in any area of the mobile computing device  100 . Furthermore, the input member  104  may be combined with the display screen  106  as a capacitive touch screen. 
     The display screen  106  provides a visual output for the electronic device  100 . The display screen  106  may be substantially any type of video output mechanism, such as a liquid crystal display, plasma display, and so on. In some embodiments, the display screen  106  may also function as an input/output mechanism. As mentioned above, the display screen  106  may be a capacitive touch screen to allow a user to provide inputs to the electronic device  100 . 
     The audio receiver  110  may be substantially any component that may provide an audio output. For example, the audio receiver  110  may be a speaker or receiver that may produce sound waves in response to an electrical signal. The electronic device  100  may include multiple audio output devices  110 . For example, if the electronic device  100  is a cellular phone, it may have a first audio output device for providing a sound output as the user is talking on the phone (e.g., an earpiece speaker) and a second audio output device for when the user listening to music (e.g., external speaker). 
     The input port  112  is configured to receive a plug such as an analog audio plug, charging cord, output device, a tip ring sleeve connector, and the like. The receiving port  112  is formed in the enclosure  102  to electrically connect an external device (e.g., headphones, speakers) to one or more internal components of the mobile computing device  100 . 
     The audio sensor  114  may be a microphone or other mechanism that converts sound waves into electrical signals. The audio sensor  114  may be contained within the enclosure  102 ; however, the enclosure  102  and/or other components of the device  100  may define an audio path for sound waves to travel from outside the enclosure  102  to the audio sensor  114 . For example, as shown in  FIG. 1 , the sensor  114  is contained within an audio port  116 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , a block diagram of an embodiment of the mobile computing device  100  illustrating additional select electrical components. The mobile computing device  100  may include sensors  118 , an actuator  130 , a processor  124 , memory  120 , a network/communication interface  122 , and an input/output interface  126  all connected together by a system bus  128 . The mobile computing device  100  may include additional components that are not shown; and  FIG. 2  is meant to be exemplary only. 
     The sensors  118  may be substantially any type of sensor, such as an image sensor (e.g., camera), a movement sensor (e.g., accelerometer, gyroscope), light sensor, and so on. Additionally, the electronic device  100  may include more than one sensor, and thus incorporate different sensor types or the same sensor types. For example, the device  100  may include two accelerometers, an image sensor, and a light sensor. The sensor  118  may provide information to the processor  124  regarding the device  100 , such as the ambient light surrounding the device, movements of the device  100 , and so on. 
     The actuator  130  may be substantially any type of motorized component or vibration-inducing component. For example, the actuator  120  may be a motor coupled to an eccentric weight to provide a vibration alert for the electronic device  100 . In another example, actuator  120  may be a motor to drive a fan, a spinning disc for a hard drive and so on. In another example, the actuator  130  may be a device configured to provide a haptic feedback for the device  100 , such as a piezoelectric component, or moving component. 
     The network/communication interface  122  may receive and transmit various electrical signals. For example, the network/communication interface  122  may be used to place phone calls from the mobile computing device  100 , may be used to receive data from a network, or may be used to send and transmit electronic signals via a wireless or wired connection (e.g., Internet, WiFi, Bluetooth, or Ethernet). 
     The memory  120  may store electronic data that may be utilized by mobile computing device  100 . For example, the memory  120  may store electrical data e.g., audio files, video files, document files, and so on, corresponding to various applications. The memory  120  may be, for example, non-volatile storage, a magnetic storage medium, optical storage medium, magneto-optical storage medium, read only memory, random access memory, erasable programmable memory, or flash memory. 
     The processor  124  may control operation of the mobile computing device  100  and its various components. The processor  124  may be in communication with the sensors  118 , the actuator  130 , the audio sensor  114 , as well as with the audio receiver  110 . The processor  124  may be any electronic device cable of processing, receiving, and/or transmitting instructions. For example, the processor  124  may be a microprocessor or a microcomputer. 
     The input/output interface  126  facilitates communication by the mobile computing device  100  to and from a variety of devices/sources. For example, the input/output interface  126  may receive data from user, control buttons on the mobile computing device  100 , and so on. Additionally, the input/output interface  126  may also receive/transmit data to and from an external drive, e.g., a universal serial bus (USB), or other video/audio/data inputs. 
     Audio Output Device 
       FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of the electronic device  100  illustrating the audio receiver  110  operably coupled to a connection component  160  and the enclosure  102 . As briefly described above, the audio receiver  110  provides an audio output in response to an electronic signal. For example, the audio receiver  110  may be used as an earpiece or speaker for the electronic device  100 . It should be noted that, in other embodiments, the contact arms as described herein may be used with substantially any other electrical component other than an audio output device. 
       FIG. 5  is an exploded isometric view of the audio receiver  110 , the connection component  160 , and a seal  164 . Referring to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the audio receiver  110  may be secured within the electronic device  100  between a front side and a back side of the enclosure  102 . In one embodiment, the front side of the enclosure  102  may be a cover glass that may cover the display  106  as well as the audio receiver  110 . The front side of the enclosure  102  may include an output aperture  166  exposing a portion of the audio receiver  110 . This may allow the sound waves and/or vibrations created by the audio receiver  110  be heard by a user, as the waves may not be blocked by the enclosure  102 . 
     The audio receiver  110  may be secured to the enclosure  102  via a sealing member  164 . The sealing member  164  may be positioned on an inner surface  168  of the enclosure  102  surrounding the output aperture  166 . The sealing member  164  may help to prevent debris or other items from entering into the inner volume of the electronic device  100 , even though the outlet aperture  166  is exposes a portion of the inner volume. The sealing member  164  may be practically any type of material that may form a seal, such as rubber, silicone, plastic, and so on. 
     A base  146  or bottom member of the audio receiver  110  rests on the sealing member  164  and the connection component  160  is positioned over a top surface  144  of the audio receiver  110 . In some embodiments, the connection component  160  may not be in contact with the top surface  144  of the audio receiver  110 , but may be secured above and adjacent to the top surface  144 . In other embodiments the connection component physically abuts the top surface. Regardless, the connection component  160  may be positioned close enough to the top surface  144  to exert a downward force on at least one contact arm  132  of the audio receiver  110 . Thus, as described in more detail below with respect to  FIGS. 3A and 3B , when the connection component  160  is secured in place, the contact arms  132  may be forced into a compressed position, thus reducing the distance between them and the top surface  144  of the receiver. 
     The connection component  160  may be a printed circuit board, a flex cable, or another type of electrical connection component. The connection component  160  may be in communication with the processor  124  and may provide electrical signals to the audio receiver  110 . In response the audio receiver  110  produces sound waves. 
     Next, the audio receiver  110  will be discussed in further detail with respect to  FIGS. 3A and 3B .  FIG. 3A  is an isometric view of the audio output device  110  removed from the electronic device  100  with its contact arms in a first position.  FIG. 3B  is an isometric view of the audio receiver  110  with the contact arms in a second position. The audio receiver  110  may include a main body  152  having a top surface  144  and a bottom surface connected to a base  146 . 
     The audio output device  110  receives an electrical signal from the processor  124  via one or more contact arms  132 . The contact arms  132  are positioned on a first side  143  of the audio receiver  110  and secured in place on the first side  143  at the arm base  150 . The base  150  may be integrally formed with the main body  152  of the audio receiver  110 , or may be adhered or otherwise mechanically fastened to the main body  152  at the first side  143 . Each contact arm  132  extends up from the base  150  and curves at a hinge  148  to traverse the top surface  144  of the audio receiver  110 . 
     Each contact arm  132  extends substantially longitudinally across the top surface  144 . The contact arms  132  may generally run along the top surface  144  and are typically, although not necessary, parallel to one another and to the top edges of top surface  144 . In other embodiments, the contact arms  132  may extend at an angle or otherwise across the top surface  144 , see, e.g.,  FIG. 6 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 3A , in the extended or first position, the contact arms  132  extend at an angle upwards from the hinge  148  as they traverse over the top surface  144 . However, as shown in  FIG. 3B , in the compressed or second position, the contact arms  132  may extend substantially parallel to the top surface  144 . The hinge  148  and the base  150  act as a compressive spring contact, while allowing the contact arm  132  to flex, but also be secured. This allows the contact arms  132  to have a first height and first angle with respect to the top surface  144  in the first position and to have a second height and a second angle in the second position. 
     Each contact arm  132  includes an electrical contact  134  or a communication area on a raised or elevated portion of each contact arm  132 . The electrical contact  134  may include a raised ridge, bump or other projection that may correspond to an indent, detent, or other keying structure on a corresponding connection component  160  (see, e.g.,  FIG. 4 ), cable or other electrical component. 
     The electrical contact  134  may further include a keying structure  154  such as a raised bump on the top surface of the electrical contact  134 . The keying structure  154  may be the main contact location for the contact arm  134 , and also may help to secure the audio receiver  110  in position (this is discussed in more detail below with respect to  FIG. 4 ). 
     After the keying structure  154 , the contact arm  134  may transition to a bend  152 . The bend  152  allows the contact arm  134  to trace the main body  152  as it transactions from the top surface  144  to a second side  156 . 
     The contact arms  132  may terminate in a locking feature  136 . The locking feature  136  may interact with a base body extension  138  or sidewall to prevent the contact arm  132  from disengaging from the second side  156  of the audio receiver  110 . The locking feature  136  in combination with the base body extension  138  allows the contact arms  132  to move upward and downward relative to the top surface  144 , but may substantially prevent movement upwards past a certain point. Further, the locking feature  136 , the base body extension  138 , and a groove  140  in which the locking feature  136  travels, may prevent the contact arm  132  from moving in a lateral or horizontal direction. 
     For example, in one embodiment the locking feature  136  may be a “T” shaped member that when the contact arms  132  are fully extended and not under any downward force, engages with a first and second sidewall  137 ,  139  of the base body extension  138 . The branches  141  of the “T” may prevent the contact arm  132  from extending upwards past a certain height as the branches  141  may engage each sidewall  137 ,  139  holding the branches  141  in place. However, the groove  140  may be sufficiently wide enough along its length so that the branches  141  may allow the locking feature  136  (and thus the contact arms  132 ) to move downward within the groove  141 . 
     The locking feature  136  may prevent the contact arms  132  from becoming caught on components while the electronic device  100  is assembled. This is discussed in more detail below with respect to  FIGS. 8A and 8B . Additionally, the locking feature  136  helps to maintain the keying structure  154  and the contact  134  in the correct or connective position. For example, in some embodiments, the audio receiver  110  may vibrate while operating, which could cause the contact arms  132  (if not secured via the locking feature  136 ) to move or “walk” around, thus degrading the connection to a connection component or disconnecting the connection. 
     As the locking structure  136  may also help prevent the contacts  134  and the keying structure  154  from moving out of position, the locking structure  136  may also substantially prevent debris from gathering on the contact  134  and/or keying structure  152 . As the contacts  134  may be substantially prevented from moving along the outer bottom surface of the connection component  160 , they may be less likely to gather debris, which may gather on the outer surface of the connection component  160 . For example, as the audio receiver  110  and/or the connection component  160  may be exposed through the enclosure  102  (to allow sound waves to pass therethrough), debris may gather on either or both components. Thus, by preventing the contacts  134  from “walking around” the debris may not be positioned between the contacts  134  and the connection area of the connection component  160 . 
     In some embodiments, the base body extension  138  may be positioned lower in the groove  140 , so that the contact arms  132  may be pretensioned. In these embodiments, the locking feature  136  of the contact arms  132  may be engaged with the base body extension  138  at a lower location in the groove  140 , thus exerting a downward force against the arms  132 . In the pretensioned position the contact arms  132  may be slightly compressed, but not completely forced into the compressed position of  FIGS. 3B and 3C . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 3A-3D , when a downward force is applied to the contact arms  134 , the locking feature  136  may move downward in the groove  140 . As the locking feature  136  moves downward into the groove  140 , the contact arms  132  transition to a compressed position in which the arms  132  are closer to the top surface  144  of the audio receiver  110 . The hinge  148  allows the contact arms  132  to bend and the base body extension members  137 ,  138  substantially prevent movement of the locking feature  136  along a horizontal axis. 
     In another example, the groove  140  may provide a track in which the locking structure  136  may move. The locking feature  136  may include an engagement feature corresponding to an engagement feature of the groove  140  to help restrain lateral movement of the locking feature  136 . 
     Once the downward force is removed, and if the contact arm  134  is not secured in the compressed position, the contact arms  132  may return to the extended position. That is, the contact arms  132  may have sufficient resiliency and the hinge  148  may provide an upward, restoring force. When the restoring force is not resisted by the arms  132 , perhaps due to pre-tensioning, the contact arms  132  will move upward. Additionally, because the locking feature  136  may cooperate with the sidewalls  137 ,  139  of the base extension portion  138  to prevent the contact arms  132  from an extending past a particular height or moving past a particular position, the contact arms  132  may return to their original non-compressed position but are generally prevented from extending any further. 
       FIG. 3C  illustrates the contact arms  132  in an extended position and  FIG. 3D  illustrates the contact arms  132  in a compressed position. The contact arms  132 , and specifically the locking feature  136 , may transition from a first height H 1  to a second height H 2  with respect to the groove  140 . This height differential also corresponds to a height difference of the arms  132  over the top surface  144 , and thus the height of the arms  132  above the top surface  144  may similarly increase/decrease depending on whether the contact arms  132  are in a compressed or extended position. 
     Referring again to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the contact arms  132  may curve upward to form the electrical contact  134 . This may allow the electrical contact  134  to be able to better contact the connection component  160  to form an electrical connection for electronic communication. 
     Additionally, the electrical contact  134  may be coated with, or may be formed from, a different material than the arm  132 . For example, the electrical contact  134  may be an electrically conductive material, such as gold, copper, silver, certain polymers, and so on. 
     The connection component  160  may include a keying structure  162  and a communication or contact area  161 . The communication or contact area  161  provides an electrical communication output for another component, e.g., for the audio receiver  110 . The keying structure  162  matingly receives the keying structure  152  of the contact arm  132 . In some embodiments, the keying structure  152  may be the only portion of the audio receiver  110  that may be in contact with the connection component  160 . The corresponding keying structures  152 ,  162  may help to retain the connection, as the keying structure  152  of the audio receiver  110  may rest within the depression, detent, or other feature on the bottom of the connection component  160 . 
     It should be noted that in some embodiments, the contacts for the connection component  160  may include the keying structure  162  and/or may include an exposed substantially flat electrical contact. In other words, the contact  134  of the contact arm  132  may be able to move around on the surface of the connection component  160  while still maintaining an electrical connection. 
     As the contact arms  132  are secured to two sides of the audio receiver  110 , the contacts  134  may be substantially prevented from “walking” around the bottom of the connection component  160 , even though the audio receiver  110  may vibrate while producing an output or may experience other forces (e.g., as when the device  100  is dropped). This may prevent the contacts  134  from collecting debris and deteriorating the electrical connection between the audio receiver  110  and the connection component  160 . 
     Alterative Embodiments of the Audio Output Device 
       FIG. 6  is an isometric view of a second embodiment of the audio receiver  110 . In this embodiment, the contact arms  132  may be slightly wider than in the audio receiver  110  illustrated in  FIG. 3A . Additionally, the contact arms  132  may transition into the bend  152  in a curved manner, so that the locking feature  136  may be aligned at least partially off-center from the contact arm  132 . For example, the bend  152  may be an “S” or other curved shape. In this embodiment, the base body extension  138  on the main body  152  of audio receiver  110  may be off-set from the base  150  of the contact arm  132 . In other words, the contact arm  132  may be angled inwards towards a center of the audio receiver  110  as it traverses across the top surface  144  to couple to the base body extension  138 . Furthermore, the contact arms  132  may also may traverse along a non-linear plane from the hinge  148  to the bend  152 . For example, the contact arms  132  may have a depression in a middle portion and then extend back upward to form the contact area  134 . 
     Further, the audio receiver  110  of  FIG. 6  may also include an alterative locking feature  136 . The locking feature  136  as shown in  FIG. 6  may be a “L” shape only having a single branch  141  to interact with the body extension  138 . In this embodiment, the locking feature  136  may be smaller, but may be more easily removed from the groove  140 . This is because the single branch  141  may not prevent horizontal movement. Furthermore, the branch  141  may allow the locking feature  136  to be unlocked from the body extension  138  by providing a horizontal force to misalign the branch  141  from the body extension  138 . To lock the contact arms  132 , a horizontal force in the opposite direction may align the locking feature  136  branch  141  with the body extension  138 . Thus, the contact arms  132  may be selectively unlocked and unlocked, to selectively secure the contact arms  132  to the second side  152  of the audio receiver  110 . 
       FIG. 7  is an isometric view of a second embodiment of the audio receiver  110 . The audio receiver  110  in this embodiment may include contact arms  132  substantially similar to the audio receiver  110  of  FIG. 3A . However, in this embodiment, the locking feature  136  may be the “L” shaped branch as shown in  FIG. 6 . As shown in  FIG. 7 , the main body  152  may include the first body extension  138  to engage the branch  141 . Additionally, the main body  152  may include the second extension member  137  or side wall surrounding the groove  140  which may prevent the locking feature  136  from being disengaged with the groove  140 . 
     The contact arms  132  may have a thinner width than the contact arms of  FIG. 6 . Additionally, the bend  152  in the audio receiver  110  of  FIG. 7  may be substantially aligned with the middle portion of the contact arms  132 , such that the branch  141  of the locking feature  136  may be aligned at least at one location with the middle portion of the contact arms  132 . Further, the contact area  134  may be generally raised above a plane of the contact arms  132  and may not include a specific keying feature, such as the keying feature  154  of  FIGS. 3A and 6 . 
     Similar to the embodiment of the audio receiver  110  illustrated in  FIG. 3A , the audio receivers illustrated in  FIGS. 6 and 7  also flexibly secure the contact arms  132  to the main body  152 . For example, the branch  141  of the L-shaped locking feature  136  engages the body extension feature  138  so that the contact arms  132  are secured to the second side  152  of the audio receiver  110 , but also can move at least partially in a vertical direction. 
     Assembly of the Electronic Device 
     The audio receiver  110  may simplify the manufacturing assembly of the electronic device  100 .  FIG. 8A  illustrates a first operation in the manufacturing process for the electronic device  100 .  FIG. 8B  illustrates a second operation in the manufacturing process for the electronic device  100 . In some embodiments, the connection component  160  may be slid over the top surface  144  of the audio receiver  110  at an angle with respect to the top surface  144 . A sliding assembly may be beneficial over a vertical stacking assembly as each component may be positioned at essentially the same time and the likelihood of components being damaged due to forces is reduced. 
     In conventional audio output devices having non-secured electrical contacts, the sliding manufacturing assembly of the connection component  160  may cause the contacts to snag, break, deform, or become misaligned. This may be due to the sliding angled assembly of the connection component  160 . Additionally, non-secured contacts may end or terminate upward at an angle, so that they can engage another component positioned above, thereby giving the connection component  160  on object to bend backward or misalign. However, as the contact arms  132  of the audio receiver  110  are looped and secured in place via the locking feature  136 , the contact arms  132  may be substantially prevented from being deformed as the connection component  160  slides into place on top of and adjacent to the audio receiver  110  as shown in  FIG. 8B . 
     Coupling Assembly 
       FIG. 9  is an isometric view of a coupling assembly  200  for attaching the microphone  114  to the electronic device  100 .  FIG. 10  is a cross-section view of the electronic device taken along line  10 - 10  of  FIG. 1 . Referring to  FIGS. 1 ,  9 , and  10 , the input port  112  within the enclosure  102  provides an acoustic pathway  214  from outside the enclosure  102  to the microphone  114 . The coupling assembly  200  may be positioned substantially underneath the input port  112  and connected to the enclosure  102  such that air and sound waves may travel between the two. For example, the enclosure  102  may include a recess  216  in communication with the input port  112  and the coupling assembly  200  may be aligned with the recess  216 . 
     The coupling assembly  200  increases the acoustic seal for the microphone  114  while at the same time decoupling the microphone  114  from the device  100 . For example, the coupling assembly  200  compressively secures the microphone  114  to the enclosure  102  so as to create an acoustic seal and substantially prevent feedback and direct sound waves directly through the acoustic path  214  to the microphone  114 . Additionally, the coupling assembly  200  further acts to “decouple” the microphone  114  from the enclosure  102  and the device  100  so that vibrations or other noise of the device  100  may not be sensed by the microphone  114 . 
     The microphone  114  and the coupling assembly  200  may be operably connected to a cable  210  (or other electrical communication component). The cable  210  may be positioned substantially beneath the coupling assembly  200 , adjacent to the microphone  114 , and within the audio pathway  214 . The cable  210  may be a flex cable, a printed circuit board, or substantially any other electrical component for transmitting electrical signals from the microphone  114 . 
     The microphone  114  may be positioned beneath the coupling assembly  200  and a microphone boot  207  or may be positioned within the coupling assembly  200  (which will be discussed in more detail below). The microphone  114  may include a diaphragm  212 , a can  211  for retaining the diaphragm  212 , and an adhesive  231  or attachment member for attaching the microphone  114  to the cable  110 . 
     The diaphragm  212  may be substantially any material that may convert acoustic sound waves into an electrical signal. For example, the diaphragm  212  may be a film of electret material, a condenser material, capacitive material, piezoelectric material, and so on. The diaphragm  212  may be positioned on the adhesive  231  or spacer member and connected to the cable  210  via the can  211 . 
     A boot  207  assists in sealing the diaphragm  212  from noise signals that could potentially interfere with the sound waves. The boot  207  may be plastic, metal, or other suitable material. Further, the boot  207  may also include a cavity  218 . The cavity  218  is in communication with the acoustic pathway  214 . The diaphragm  212  may be positioned at least partially below the cavity  218  on a bottom side of the boot  207  after the cable  210  and coupling assembly  200 . 
     The cavity  218  directs air that may be displaced by the vibration of the diaphragm  212  towards an opening (not shown). 
     An acoustic mesh  206  may be positioned between the boot  207  and the enclosure  102 , and attached to the boot  207  by adhesive  208 . The acoustic mesh  206  may help to seal the acoustic pathway  214  and prevent debris from entering into the microphone  114  via the input port  112  (which may be exposed to outer side of the enclosure  102 ). 
     The coupling assembly  200  secures the microphone  114  and in some embodiments the boot  207  to the enclosure  102  and to the device  100 . The coupling assembly  200  may include a first resilient member  202  and a second resilient member  204 . As shown in  FIG. 10 , the microphone  114  may be coupled to the enclosure via the two resilient members  202 ,  204 . The resilient members  202 ,  204  may be substantially any type of resilient element, such as but not limited to, foam, springs, and so on. In one embodiment, the resilient members  202 ,  204  may be open cell foam, low density foam, or foamed plastic. 
     The resilient members  202 ,  204  may have a low spring force, such that there may be a high ratio between the microphone  114 , the boot  207 , and the resilient members  202 ,  204 . In one example, the resilient members  202 ,  204  may be substantially easily compressed. It should be noted that the spring force or rate of the resilient members  202 ,  204  may be varied depending on the desired coupling and/or the structure. In some instances, the resilient members  202 ,  204  may be thicker and therefore the spring rate may be increased as compared with a same material for the resilient member  202 ,  204  that is thinner. 
     Each of the resilient members  202 ,  204  may also include an opening  216 ,  226  to allow air and sound waves to communicate therethrough. Additionally, the resilient members  202 ,  204  may be operably connected to the enclosure  102 , the microphone  114  and the cable  110  via adhesive  222 ,  224 ,  228 ,  230 . 
     In one embodiment, a top surface of the first resilient member  202  may be operably connected to the enclosure  102  via the first adhesive  222 . A bottom surface of the first resilient member  202  is operably connected to a top surface of the acoustic mesh  206  via the second adhesive  224 . A top surface of the second resilient member  204  is operably connected to the bottom surface of the boot  207  via a third adhesive  208  and a bottom surface of the second adhesive  204  is operably connected to the cable  210  via the fourth adhesive  239 . 
     The adhesive  222 ,  224 ,  228 ,  230  secures the resilient members  202 ,  204  to the enclosure  102 , the microphone  114  (via the cable  110 ) in a secure manner so as to form a seal with each component. In other words, the adhesive  222 ,  224 ,  228 ,  230  compresses the enclosure  102 , the microphone  114 , and the boot  207  together. In this manner, air and sound waves that enter through the acoustic pathway  214  may be directed towards the microphone  114  without being able to be dispersed or otherwise attenuated. Furthermore, the compressive stack formed of the enclosure  102 , the resilient members  202 ,  204 , the microphone  114 , and the cable  210  and boot  207  may substantially prevent sound waves from entering into the microphone  114  other than through the input port  112 , and the acoustic pathway  214 . This because the adhesives  222 ,  224 ,  228 ,  230  act to create a seal between the enclosure  102  and the boot  207  and the coupling assembly  200  and the microphone  114 . 
     The enclosure  102 , the coupling assembly  200  and the boot  207  create a compressive stack for the microphone  114 . The compressive stack provides a seal around the microphone  114  (to allow for better sound sensing) while at the same time the coupling assembly  200  isolates the microphone  114  from unwanted noise or vibrations. The better the compressive force of the stack, the better the acoustic seal may be, as the acoustic seal may not only depend on the compressive strength of the adhesives securing each component together. Thus, the coupling assembly  200  allows for the microphone  114  to have a good acoustic seal while still being operably coupled to the device  100 . This is possible as the microphone  114  is substantially suspended from the enclosure  102  by the resilient members  202 ,  204 , isolating the microphone  114  from vibrations of the device. The coupling assembly  200  may prevent feedback in the microphone  114 , although the microphone may be high gain and configured to sense multiple frequencies, and so on. 
     The coupling assembly  200  may better isolate the microphone  114  from the device  104 , while still providing an acoustic seal due to the compressibility of the resilient members  202 ,  204 . For example, if the resilient members  202 ,  204  were not compressed then coupling assembly  200  may not provide an acoustic seal for the microphone  114 . Similarly, although high dampening materials may generally provide better isolation from vibrations than other materials, when compressed these materials may transmit vibrations therethrough. As briefly explained above, if the microphone  114  is positioned in a non-compressive stack or other assembly, the acoustic seal may be degraded. 
     Essentially, the coupling assembly  200  provides for a microphone seal that attaches and seals the microphone  114  to the device  100  while at the same time isolating the microphone  114  from the device  100 . 
     In one embodiment, the microphone  114  may be positioned between the resilient members  202 ,  204  at the location of the boot  20 . That is, the microphone  114  may be suspended or sandwiched between the two resilient members  202 ,  204 . In this embodiment, the boot  207  may be omitted, or the microphone  114  may be positioned within or directly beneath the boot  207 . The resilient members  202 ,  204  may then be positioned on either side of the microphone  114  to create a spring, mass, spring assembly, with the resilient members  202 ,  204  acting as a springs as the microphone  114  acting as the mass suspended between the two springs. This embodiment may provide for isolation from vibrations of the devices. However, the isolation of the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 10 , having two masses (specifically, boot  207  and microphone  114 ) may include an additional layer of isolation, and thus may better separate the microphone  114  from vibrations of the device  100 . 
     In a second embodiment, only a single resilient member  202  may be utilized to operably connect the microphone  114  and/or boot  207  to the enclosure  102 . In this example, the bottom resilient member  204  may be omitted. As there may fewer resilient members, this embodiment may provide less isolation from vibrations, but may be less expensive to produce as fewer components may be necessary. 
     In operation, when the actuator  130  produces vibrations in the device  100  (e.g., when a vibration alert is activated), the resilient members  202 ,  204  may substantially isolate the microphone  114  from detecting these vibrations and transmitting a sound. This because the microphone  114  acts as a mass suspended between two springs (the resilient members  202 ,  204 ) and although it may move with the vibrations, it may not experience the vibrations. 
     Conclusion 
     The foregoing description has broad application. For example, while examples disclosed herein may focus on the contact arms for an audio output device, it should be appreciated that the concepts disclosed herein may equally apply to contact arms for other electrical components. Similarly, although the coupling assembly may be discussed with respect a mobile electronic device, the devices and techniques disclosed herein are equally applicable to other types of devices. Accordingly, the discussion of any embodiment is meant only to be exemplary and is not intended to suggest that the scope of the disclosure, including the claims, is limited to these examples. 
     All directional references (e.g., proximal, distal, upper, lower, upward, downward, left, right, lateral, longitudinal, front, back, top, bottom, above, below, vertical, horizontal, radial, axial, clockwise, and counterclockwise) are only used for identification purposes to aid the reader&#39;s understanding of the present disclosure, and do not create limitations, particularly as to the position, orientation, or use of this disclosure. Connection references (e.g., attached, coupled, connected, and joined) are to be construed broadly and may include intermediate members between a collection of elements and relative movement between elements unless otherwise indicated. As such, connection references do not necessarily infer that two elements are directly connected and in fixed relation to each other. The exemplary drawings are for purposes of illustration only and the dimensions, positions, order and relative sizes reflected in the drawings attached hereto may vary.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20110914
Publication Date: 20150324
Grant Date: 20150324
Priority Date: 20110831
Inventors: HILL MATTHEW D.
BRIGHT ANDREW
WILK CHRISTOPHER
SILIPÄ TEEMU PEKKA
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "H04R2499/11", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R25/604", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R1/2892", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R1/06", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R1/1075", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R2499/11", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R25/604", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R1/2892", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R1/1075", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R1/06", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R1/06", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R25/604", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R1/2892", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R1/1075", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R2499/11", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 47743779