PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-8953833-B2
Application Number: US-201213607512-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Systems and methods for controlling airflow into an electronic device

Abstract:
Systems and methods for controlling airflow into an electronic device are disclosed. An airflow control system may include an airflow impedance plate having one or more airflow impeding features. The airflow impedance plate may be a passive device that may be configured to impede forceful airflow therethrough and also allow sound to pass therethrough.

Claims:
What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An airflow control system for controlling airflow to a microphone, the airflow control system comprising:
 a top plate having a top plate aperture; and 
 an airflow impedance plate disposed below the top plate, the airflow impedance plate comprising a flat surface and a bendable flap partially separated from the flat surface and comprising a top face and a bottom face, the bendable flap operative to bend with respect to the flat surface and at least partially cover the top plate aperture with the top face when a force exerted by the airflow onto the bottom face exceeds a predetermined amount, wherein the bendable flap is further configured to remain substantially parallel with the flat surface to allow sound to pass through the top plate aperture. 
 
     
     
       2. The airflow control system of  claim 1 , wherein the bendable flap is further operative to remain substantially parallel with the flat surface when the force exerted by the airflow is less than the predetermined amount. 
     
     
       3. The airflow control system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the airflow comprises a frequency response of the microphone; and 
 the bendable flap is further configured to remain substantially parallel with the flat surface to allow the airflow to pass through the top plate aperture. 
 
     
     
       4. The airflow control system of  claim 1 , wherein the bendable flap forms a portion of the flat surface. 
     
     
       5. The airflow control system of  claim 1 , wherein the bendable flap comprises at least one edge that is separated from the flat surface. 
     
     
       6. The airflow control system of  claim 1  further comprising a bottom plate disposed below the airflow impedance plate, the bottom plate having a bottom plate aperture. 
     
     
       7. The airflow control system of  claim 6 , wherein the bottom plate aperture is larger than the top plate aperture. 
     
     
       8. A method of manufacturing an airflow control system, the method comprising:
 processing a first adhesive member and a second adhesive member to form respective holes; 
 coupling the first adhesive member to a top surface of an airflow impedance plate and the second adhesive member to a bottom surface of the airflow impedance plate; 
 altering the airflow impedance plate to form a bendable flap on the airflow impedance plate based on each of the formed holes, wherein the bendable flap is operative to bend with respect to a flat surface of the airflow impedance plate and at least partially cover an aperture when a force exerted by an airflow onto a face of the airflow impedance plate exceeds a predetermined amount, and the bendable flap is further configured to remain substantially parallel with the flat surface to allow sound to pass through the aperture; and 
 trimming edge portions of each of the airflow impedance plate and the first and second adhesive members to provide the airflow control system. 
 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 8 , wherein the processing comprises one of chemically etching and laser cutting the first and second adhesive members to form the respective holes. 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 8 , wherein the altering comprises cutting a U-shape into the airflow impedance plate. 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 8 , wherein the cutting comprises removing a U-shaped portion of the airflow impedance plate to form at least one gap between the bendable flap and the rest of the airflow impedance plate. 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 8  further comprising coupling the first and second adhesive members to respective top and bottom plates. 
     
     
       13. An electronic device comprising:
 a housing comprising a housing aperture; 
 a microphone having a microphone aperture; and 
 an airflow control system secured between the housing aperture and the microphone aperture, the airflow control system fluidically coupling the housing aperture to the microphone aperture and comprises a top plate having a top plate aperture and an airflow impedance plate, the airflow impedance plate comprising a flat surface and a bendable flap partially separated from the flat surface and comprising a to face and a bottom face, the bendable flap operative to bend with respect to the flat surface and at least partially cover the top plate aperture with the top face when a force exerted by the airflow onto the bottom face exceeds a predetermined amount, wherein the bendable flap is further configured to remain substantially parallel with the flat surface to allow sound to pass through the top plate aperture. 
 
     
     
       14. The electronic device of  claim 13 , wherein the airflow control system further comprises a bottom plate that together with the top plate sandwiches the airflow impedance plate. 
     
     
       15. The electronic device of  claim 14 , wherein the bottom plate comprises a bottom plate aperture that is larger than the top plate aperture. 
     
     
       16. The electronic device of  claim 14  further comprising a plurality of adhesives disposed the top plate, the bottom plate, and the airflow impedance plate. 
     
     
       17. The electronic device of  claim 16 , wherein the plurality of adhesives is tuned to match a frequency response of the microphone. 
     
     
       18. An airflow control system for controlling airflow to a microphone, the airflow control system comprising:
 a block-shaped structure comprising a recess and a first aperture; and 
 an airflow impedance sheet disposed on the recess, the airflow impedance sheet comprising a surface having a top face and a bottom face, at least a portion of the surface being operative to bend and at least partially cover the first aperture with the top face when a force exerted by the airflow onto the bottom face exceeds a predetermined amount, wherein the portion of the surface is further configured to remain substantially parallel with a flat surface to allow sound to pass through the first aperture. 
 
     
     
       19. The airflow control system of  claim 18 , wherein the surface is further operative to remain substantially flat when the force exerted by the airflow is less than the predetermined amount. 
     
     
       20. The airflow control system of  claim 18 , wherein:
 the airflow comprises sound that matches a frequency response of the microphone; and 
 the surface is further configured to remain substantially flat to allow the sound to pass through the first aperture. 
 
     
     
       21. An airflow control system for controlling airflow to a microphone, the airflow control system comprising:
 a top plate having a top plate aperture; 
 an airflow impedance plate disposed below the top plate, the airflow impedance plate comprising a flat surface and a bendable flap partially separated from the flat surface and comprising a top face and a bottom face, the bendable flap operative to bend with respect to the flat surface and at least partially cover the top plate aperture with the top face when a force exerted by the airflow onto the bottom face exceeds a predetermined amount; and 
 an adhesive disposed between the airflow impedance plate and the top plate, wherein the adhesive is operative to create a spacing between the airflow impedance plate and the top plate that matches a frequency response of the microphone. 
 
     
     
       22. An airflow control system for controlling airflow to a microphone, the airflow control system comprising:
 a block-shaped structure comprising a recess and a first aperture; and 
 an airflow impedance sheet disposed on the recess, the airflow impedance sheet comprising a surface having a top face and a bottom face, at least a portion of the surface being operative to bend and at least partially cover the first aperture with the top face when a force exerted by the airflow onto the bottom face exceeds a predetermined amount, wherein the airflow impedance sheet comprises a plurality of relief cuts on edges of the surface.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This can relate to systems and methods for controlling airflow, and more particularly, to systems and methods for controlling airflow into an electronic device. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     Many electronic devices include microelectromechanical system (MEMS) components. Sometimes referred to as a micromachine, a MEMS component, such as a MEMS microphone, is smaller than a conventional counterpart, and may thus allow an electronic device to be made smaller. A MEMS microphone may be situated within a housing of an electronic device, such as adjacent to a surface of the housing. One problem with existing MEMS microphones is that, if a MEMS microphone is subjected to forceful airflow (e.g., from a deliberate forceful blasting of compressed air thereon, or from severe environmental conditions, such as extreme winds), air particles of the forceful airflow may be directed up one or more apertures and towards the MEMS microphone. When this occurs, the performance of the microphone may become affected. 
     SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     Systems and methods for controlling airflow into an electronic device are provided. 
     In some embodiments, an airflow control system for controlling airflow to a microphone may be provided. The airflow control system may include a top plate having a top plate aperture, and an airflow impedance plate disposed below the top plate. The airflow impedance plate may include a flat surface and a bendable flap that may be partially separated from the flat surface. The bendable flap may include a top face and a bottom face. The bendable flap may be operative to bend with respect to the flat surface and at least partially cover the top plate aperture with the top face when a force exerted by the airflow onto the bottom face exceeds a predetermined amount. 
     In some embodiments, a method of manufacturing an airflow control system may be provided. The method may include processing a first adhesive member and a second adhesive member to form respective holes. The method may also include coupling the first adhesive member to a top surface of an airflow impedance plate and the second adhesive member to a bottom surface of the airflow impedance plate. The method may also include altering the airflow impedance plate to form a bendable flap on the airflow impedance plate based on each of the formed holes. The method may also include trimming edge portions of each of the airflow impedance plate and the first and second adhesive members to provide the airflow control system. 
     In some embodiments, an electronic device may be provided. The electronic device may include a housing that may include a housing aperture. The electronic device may also include a microphone having a microphone aperture. The electronic device may also include an airflow control system that may be secured between the housing aperture and the microphone aperture. The airflow control system may fluidically couple the housing aperture to the microphone aperture and may be operative to enhance a performance of the microphone. 
     In some embodiments, an airflow control system for controlling airflow to a microphone may be provided. The airflow control system may include a block-shaped structure that may include a recess and a first aperture. The airflow control system may also include an airflow impedance sheet disposed on the recess. The airflow impedance sheet may include a surface having a top face and a bottom face. At least a portion of the surface being operative to bend and at least partially cover the first aperture with the top face when a force exerted by the airflow onto the bottom face exceeds a predetermined amount. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The above and other aspects and advantages of the invention will become more apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters refer to like parts throughout, and in which: 
         FIG. 1A  is a schematic view of an illustrative electronic device, in accordance with at least one embodiment; 
         FIG. 1B  is a front view of the electronic device of  FIG. 1A , in accordance with at least one embodiment; 
         FIG. 1C  is a back view of the electronic device of  FIG. 1A , in accordance with at least one embodiment; 
         FIG. 2A  is a perspective view of a portion of the electronic device of  FIG. 1A , in accordance with at least one embodiment; 
         FIG. 2B  is an exploded view of the portion of the electronic device of  FIG. 2A , in accordance with at least one embodiment; 
         FIG. 3  shows the portion of the electronic device of  FIG. 2A  including an airflow control system, in accordance with at least one embodiment; 
         FIG. 4  shows an exploded view of the airflow control system of  FIG. 3 , in accordance with at least one embodiment; 
         FIG. 5A  is a side view of a portion of the airflow control system of  FIG. 3  in a first state, in accordance with at least one embodiment; 
         FIG. 5B  is a side view of the portion of the airflow control system of  FIG. 3  in a second state, in accordance with at least one embodiment; 
         FIG. 5C  is yet another side view of the portion of the airflow control system of  FIG. 3  in an alternative second state, in accordance with at least one embodiment; 
         FIG. 6  is a bottom view of an airflow impedance plate of the airflow control system of  FIG. 3 , in accordance with at least one embodiment; 
         FIG. 7  is a top view of an alternative airflow impedance plate for the airflow control system of  FIG. 3 , in accordance with at least one embodiment; 
         FIG. 8  is a top view of another alternative airflow impedance plate for the airflow control system of  FIG. 3 , in accordance with at least one embodiment; 
         FIG. 9  is an illustrative process of manufacturing the airflow control system of  FIG. 3 , in accordance with at least one embodiment; 
         FIG. 10  is an exploded view of the microphone of  FIG. 2A  and an alternative airflow control system, in accordance with at least one embodiment; 
         FIG. 11  is a view of a bottom surface of a block-shaped structure of the alternative airflow control system of  FIG. 10 , taken in a +Y direction of  FIG. 10 , in accordance with at least one embodiment; 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective view of the microphone and alternative airflow control system of  FIG. 10 , in accordance with at least one embodiment; 
         FIG. 13  is a partial cross-sectional view of the microphone and alternative airflow control system of  FIG. 10 , taken from a line A-A of  FIG. 12 , in accordance with at least one embodiment; and 
         FIG. 14  is a partial cross-sectional view of the microphone and alternative airflow control system of  FIG. 10 , taken from a line B-B of  FIG. 12 , in accordance with at least one embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     Systems and methods for controlling airflow into an electronic device are provided and described with reference to  FIGS. 1-14 . 
       FIG. 1A  is a schematic view of an illustrative electronic device  100 . In some embodiments, electronic device  100  may perform a single function (e.g., a device dedicated to storing image content) and, in other embodiments, electronic device  100  may perform multiple functions (e.g., a device that stores image content, plays music, and receives and transmits telephone calls). Moreover, in some embodiments, electronic device  100  may be any portable, mobile, or hand-held electronic device configured to control output of content. Alternatively, electronic device  100  may not be portable at all, but may instead be generally stationary. Electronic device  100  may include any suitable type of electronic device operative to control output of content. For example, electronic device  100  may include a media player (e.g., an iPod™ available by Apple Inc. of Cupertino, Calif.), a cellular telephone (e.g., an iPhone™ available by Apple Inc.), a personal e-mail or messaging device (e.g., a Blackberry™ available by Research In Motion Limited of Waterloo, Ontario), any other wireless communication device, a pocket-sized personal computer, a personal digital assistant (“PDA”), a tablet, a laptop computer, a desktop computer, a music recorder, a still camera, a movie or video camera or recorder, a radio, medical equipment, any other suitable type of electronic device, and any combinations thereof. 
     Electronic device  100  may include a processor or control circuitry  102 , memory  104 , communications circuitry  106 , power supply  108 , input component  110 , output component  112 , and a detector  114 . Electronic device  100  may also include a bus  103  that may provide a transfer path for transferring data and/or power, to, from, or between various other components of device  100 . In some embodiments, one or more components of electronic device  100  may be combined or omitted. Moreover, electronic device  100  may include other components not combined or included in  FIG. 1A . For example, electronic device  100  may include motion detection circuitry, light sensing circuitry, positioning circuitry, or several instances of the components shown in  FIG. 1A . For the sake of simplicity, only one of each of the components is shown in  FIG. 1A . 
     Memory  104  may include one or more storage mediums, including for example, a hard-drive, flash memory, permanent memory such as read-only memory (“ROM”), semi-permanent memory such as random access memory (“RAM”), any other suitable type of storage component, or any combination thereof. Memory  104  may include cache memory, which may be one or more different types of memory used for temporarily storing data for electronic device applications. Memory  104  may store media data (e.g., music, image, and video files), software (e.g., for implementing functions on device  100 ), firmware, preference information (e.g., media playback preferences), lifestyle information (e.g., food preferences), exercise information (e.g., information obtained by exercise monitoring equipment), transaction information (e.g., information such as credit card information), wireless connection information (e.g., information that may enable device  100  to establish a wireless connection), subscription information (e.g., information that keeps track of podcasts or television shows or other media a user subscribes to), contact information (e.g., telephone numbers and e-mail addresses), calendar information, any other suitable data, or any combination thereof. 
     Communications circuitry  106  may be provided to allow device  100  to communicate with one or more other electronic devices or servers using any suitable communications protocol. For example, communications circuitry  106  may support Wi-Fi (e.g., an 802.11 protocol), Ethernet, Bluetooth™, high frequency systems (e.g., 900 MHz, 2.4 GHz, and 5.6 GHz communication systems), infrared, transmission control protocol/internet protocol (“TCP/IP”) (e.g., any of the protocols used in each of the TCP/IP layers), hypertext transfer protocol (“HTTP”), BitTorrent™, file transfer protocol (“FTP”), real-time transport protocol (“RTP”), real-time streaming protocol (“RTSP”), secure shell protocol (“SSH”), any other communications protocol, or any combination thereof. Communications circuitry  106  may also include circuitry that can enable device  100  to be electrically coupled to another device (e.g., a computer or an accessory device) and communicate with that other device, either wirelessly or via a wired connection. 
     Power supply  108  may provide power to one or more of the other components of device  100 . In some embodiments, power supply  108  can be coupled to a power grid (e.g., when device  100  is not a portable device, such as a desktop computer). In some embodiments, power supply  108  can include one or more batteries for providing power (e.g., when device  100  is a portable device, such as a cellular telephone). As another example, power supply  108  can be configured to generate power from a natural source (e.g., solar power using solar cells). 
     One or more input components  110  may be provided to permit a user to interact or interface with device  100 . For example, input component  110  can take a variety of forms, including, but not limited to, an electronic device pad, dial, click wheel, scroll wheel, touch screen, one or more buttons (e.g., a keyboard), mouse, joy stick, track ball, a microphone, and combinations thereof. For example, input component  110  may include a multi-touch screen. Each input component  110  can be configured to provide one or more dedicated control functions for making selections or issuing commands associated with operating device  100 . 
     Electronic device  100  may also include one or more output components  112  that may present information (e.g., textual, graphical, audible, and/or tactile information) to a user of device  100 . Output component  112  of electronic device  100  may take various forms, including, but not limited, to audio speakers, in-ear earphones, headphones, audio line-outs, visual displays, antennas, infrared ports, rumblers, vibrators, or combinations thereof. 
     For example, output component  112  of electronic device  100  may include an image display  112  as an output component. Such an output component display  112  may include any suitable type of display or interface for viewing image data captured by detector  114 . In some embodiments, display  112  may include a display embedded in device  100  or coupled to device  100  (e.g., a removable display). Display  112  may include, for example, a liquid crystal display (“LCD”), a light emitting diode (“LED”) display, an organic light-emitting diode (“OLED”) display, a surface-conduction electron-emitter display (“SED”), a carbon nanotube display, a nanocrystal display, any other suitable type of display, or combination thereof. Alternatively, display  112  can include a movable display or a projecting system for providing a display of content on a surface remote from electronic device  100 , such as, for example, a video projector, a head-up display, or a three-dimensional (e.g., holographic) display. 
     In some embodiments, output component  112  may include an audio output module that may be coupled to an audio connector (e.g., a male audio jack) for interfacing with an audio device (e.g., a headphone, an in-ear earphone, a microphone, etc.). 
     It should be noted that one or more input components  110  and one or more output components  112  may sometimes be referred to collectively herein as an I/O interface (e.g., input component  110  and output component  112  as I/O interface  111 ). It should also be noted that input component  110  and output component  112  may sometimes be a single I/O component, such as a touch screen that may receive input information through a user&#39;s touch of a display screen and that may also provide visual information to a user via that same display screen. 
     Detector  114  may include one or more sensors of any suitable type that may capture human recognition data (e.g., face data) that may be utilized to detect the presence of one or more individuals. For example, detector  114  may include an image sensor and/or an infrared sensor. The image sensor may include one or more cameras with any suitable lens or number of lenses that may be operative to capture images of the surrounding environment of electronic device  100 . For example, the image sensor may include any number of optical or digital lenses for capturing light reflected by the device&#39;s environment as an image. The captured light may be stored as an individual distinct image or as consecutive video frame images of a recording (e.g., several video frames including a primary frame and one or more subsequent frames that may indicate the difference between the primary frame and the subsequent frame). As used herein, the term “camera lens” may be understood to mean a lens for capturing light or a lens and appropriate circuitry for capturing and converting captured light into an image that can be analyzed or stored by electronic device  100  as either an individual distinct image or as one of many consecutive video frame images. 
     In some embodiments, detector  114  may also include one or more sensors that may detect any human feature or characteristic (e.g., physiological, psychological, physical, movement, etc.). For example, detector  114  may include a microphone for detecting voice signals from one or more individuals. As another example, detector  114  may include a heartbeat sensor for detecting heartbeats of one or more individuals. As yet other examples, detector  114  may include a fingerprint reader, an iris scanner, a retina scanner, a breath sampler, and a humidity sensor that may detect moisture and/or sweat emanating from any suitable portion of an individual&#39;s body. For example, detector  114  may include a humidity sensor that may be situated near or coupled to one or more portions of input component  110 , and that may detect moisture and/or sweat from an individual&#39;s hands. It should be appreciated that any detector  114  may include any sensor that may detect any human feature or characteristic. 
     In some embodiments, detector  114  may also include positioning circuitry for determining a current position of device  100 . The positioning circuitry may be operative to update the current position at any suitable rate, including at relatively high rates to provide an estimation of speed and distance traveled. In some embodiments, the positioning circuitry may include a global positioning system (“GPS”) receiver for accessing a GPS application function call that may return geographic coordinates (i.e., a geographic location) of the device. The geographic coordinates may be fundamentally, alternatively, or additionally, derived from any suitable trilateration or triangulation technique. For example, the positioning circuitry may determine the current location of device  100  by using various measurements (e.g., signal-to-noise ratio (“SNR”) or signal strength) of a network signal (e.g., a cellular telephone network signal) that may be associated with device  100 . For example, a radio frequency (“RF”) triangulation detector or sensor integrated with or connected to device  100  may determine the (e.g., approximate) current location of device  100 . Device  100 &#39;s current location may be determined based on various measurements of device  100 &#39;s own network signal, such as, for example: (1) an angle of the signal&#39;s approach to or from one or more cellular towers, (2) an amount of time for the signal to reach one or more cellular towers or device  100 , (3) the strength of the signal when it reaches one or more towers or device  100 , or any combination of the aforementioned measurements. Other forms of wireless-assisted GPS (e.g., enhanced GPS or A-GPS) may also be used to determine the current position of device  100 . Instead or in addition, the positioning circuitry may determine the current location of device  100  based on a wireless network or access point that may be in range or a wireless network or access point to which device  100  may be currently connected. For example, because wireless networks may have a finite range, a wireless network that may be in range of device  100  may indicate that device  100  is located in within a detectable vicinity of the wireless network. In some embodiments, device  100  may automatically connect to a wireless network that may be in range in order to receive valid modes of operation that may be associated or that may be available at the current position of device  100 . 
     In some embodiments, detector  114  may also include motion sensing circuitry for detecting motion of an environment of device  100  and/or objects in the environment. For example, the motion sensing circuitry may detect a movement of an object (e.g., an individual) about device  100  and may generate one or more signals based on the detection. 
     Processor  102  of device  100  may control the operation of many functions and other circuitry provided by device  100 . For example, processor  102  may receive input signals from input component  110  and/or drive output signals through display  112 . Processor  102  may load a manager program (e.g., a program stored in memory  104  or another device or server accessible by device  100 ) to process or analyze data received via detector  114  or inputs received via input component  110  to control output of content that may be provided to the user via output component  112  (e.g., display  112 ). Processor  102  may associate different metadata with the human recognition data captured by detector  114 , including, for example, positioning information, device movement information, a time code, a device identifier, or any other suitable metadata. Electronic device  100  (e.g., processor  102 , any circuitry of detector  114 , or any other component available to device  100 ) may be configured to capture data with detector  114  at various resolutions, frequencies, intensities, and various other characteristics as may be appropriate for the capabilities and resources of device  100 . 
     Electronic device  100  may also be provided with a housing  101  that may at least partially enclose one or more of the components of device  100  for protecting them from debris and other degrading forces external to device  100 . In some embodiments, one or more of the components may be provided within its own housing (e.g., input component  110  may be an independent keyboard or mouse within its own housing that may wirelessly or through a wire communicate with processor  102 , which may be provided within its own housing). 
     Electronic device  100  may include one or more microphones (e.g., as part of I/O interface  111 ) for capturing sounds from the environment (e.g., a user&#39;s voice). It should be appreciated that various criteria may be used to select the type of microphone for inclusion in an electronic device. For example, it may be preferable to use microphones that draw minimal power, that are compact, and that are easy to manufacture and integrate into electronic devices. As another example, it may be important to choose a microphone that provides a suitable frequency response. For example, a microphone may have a suitable frequency response if it can receive sounds over a range of frequencies that are audible to humans. MEMS microphones can provide one or more of these features. For example, MEMS microphones are smaller than conventional counterparts, and may allow an electronic device to be made smaller. MEMS microphones are also easy to integrate into electronic devices and can provide suitable frequency responses. 
       FIG. 1B  is a front view of electronic device  100 . As shown in  FIG. 1B , housing  101  may at least partially enclose I/O interface  111 . Moreover, housing  101  may include a microphone  160  (e.g., a MEMS microphone) and an aperture  120  through a portion of housing  101  (e.g., cut through a glass portion of housing  101 ). Aperture  120  may be situated on a bottom surface of electronic device  100  and may face the −Y direction. Microphone  160  may be situated within housing  101  and adjacent aperture  120  such that, when a user holds electronic device  100  close to the user&#39;s face, sound from the user&#39;s mouth may pass through aperture  120  and travel towards microphone  160 . 
     Although typical electronic devices may only include a single microphone, electronic device  100  may include a plurality of microphones. For example, electronic device  100  may include an aperture  122  through another portion of housing  101  (e.g., cut through another glass portion of housing  101 ) and may, in addition to microphone  160 , include a microphone  161  (e.g., another MEMS microphone). Aperture  122  may be situated on a front surface of housing  101  (e.g., adjacent a receiver  130  that may be a component of detector  114 ) and may face the +Z direction (e.g., out of the page shown in  FIG. 1B ). Microphone  161  may be situated within housing  101  and adjacent aperture  122  such that, when a user holds electronic device  100  with the front surface facing the user (e.g., during a video conference using a camera  132  of electronic device  100 ), sound from the user&#39;s mouth may pass through aperture  122  and travel towards microphone  161 . Situating microphone  161  on the front surface of housing  101  may more efficiently capture sound during such a video conference call, since the sound from the user&#39;s mouth may not be sufficiently directed towards the bottom surface of housing  101  for microphone  160  to capture. 
       FIG. 1C  is a back view of electronic device  100 . As shown in  FIG. 1C , electronic device  100  may include an aperture  124  through another portion of housing  101  (e.g., cut through yet another glass portion of housing  101 ) and may, in addition to microphones  160  and  161 , include a microphone  162  (e.g., yet another MEMS microphone). Aperture  124  may be situated on a back surface of housing  101  (e.g., near a top portion of the back surface) and may face a direction opposite the +Z direction of  FIG. 1B . Microphone  162  may be situated within housing  101  and adjacent aperture  124  such that, when a user holds electronic device  100  with the back surface facing the user (e.g., during a video conference using a camera  134  of electronic device  100 ), sound from the user&#39;s mouth may pass through aperture  124  and travel towards microphone  162 . Situating microphone  162  on the back surface of housing  101  may allow more efficient capture of sound during such a video conference call, since the sound from the user&#39;s mouth may not be sufficiently directed towards the front or bottom surfaces of housing  101  for any of microphones  160  and  161  to capture. 
     One problem with existing MEMS microphones is that, if a MEMS microphone is subjected to forceful airflow (e.g., from a deliberate forceful blasting of compressed air thereon, or from severe environmental conditions, such as extreme winds), air particles of the forceful airflow may be directed up one or more apertures of an electronic device as a pressure wave towards the microphone. For example, when forceful airflow is directed into an aperture (e.g., any one of apertures  120 ,  122 , and  124 ) of electronic device  100 , air particles of the forceful airflow may be directed at a corresponding microphone (e.g., a corresponding one of microphones  160 ,  161 , and  162 ). If the force of the airflow exceeds a predetermined amount, the performance of the microphone may decrease, or in some cases, the microphone can be damaged. 
       FIG. 2A  is a perspective view of a portion of electronic device  100 .  FIG. 2B  is an exploded view of this portion of electronic device  100 . The portion may include a portion of housing  101  having aperture  120 , which may face the −Y direction. Housing  101  may include external surface side  101   e  and internal surface side  101   i , and aperture  120  may extend from external surface side  101   e  to internal surface side  101   i . Electronic device  100  may include a circuit board  170  (e.g., a flexible circuit board) adjacent internal surface side  101   i . Circuit board  170  may include circuit board aperture  170   a . Electronic device  100  may also include a microphone  160  that may be attached to circuit board  170 . As described above, microphone  160  may be a MEMS microphone that may include microphone aperture  160   a  for receiving sound (e.g., from a user&#39;s voice). Housing  101 , circuit board  170 , and microphone  160  may align with respect to each other in any suitable manner. For example,  FIGS. 2A and 2B  show these components aligning with one another such that sound, that may enter housing  101  through aperture  120  in the +Y direction, may travel through housing aperture  120 , circuit board aperture  170   a , and microphone aperture  160   a  into microphone  160 , in this order. 
     Microphone  160  may include a diaphragm (not shown) that may receive the sound, and may process the received sound and/or send the received sound to processor  102  for processing. The performance of one or more components of microphone  160  (e.g., the diaphragm) may be affected, for example, when airflow is forcefully directed at microphone  160 , at or above a predefined force F. The forceful airflow may cause air particles to travel through aperture  120  in the +Y direction and towards microphone  160 . It should be appreciated that, although  FIGS. 2A and 2B  only show microphone  160 , the performance of any one of microphones  161  and  162  may also be affected by forceful airflow. 
       FIG. 3  shows the portion of electronic device  100  of  FIG. 2A  including an airflow control system  300 . Airflow control system  300  may, for example, be included in electronic device  100  to enhance the performance of microphone  160 . For example, airflow control system  300  may prevent deliberate and/or forceful airflow from interfering with the operation of microphone  160 . As another example, airflow control system  300  may reduce undesired noise (e.g., from windy conditions in an outdoor environment) from being detected by microphone  160 . Thus, airflow control system  300  may not be triggered to impede airflow that electronic device  100  may experience during normal usage thereof, but may instead be triggered to only impede airflow that may be caused during a high pressure or high airflow event. Airflow control system  300  may include a stack of components (e.g., a stack of die-cuts) that may include a bottom plate  302 , an airflow impedance plate  304  sandwiched by two impedance adhesives  322  and  324 , a top plate  306 , and a top plate adhesive  332 . Although not shown, each of bottom plate  302 , airflow impedance plate  304 , impedance adhesives  322  and  324 , top plate  306 , and top plate adhesive  332  may include one or more apertures or openings that may allow sound to pass (e.g., from bottom plate  302  all the way up through top plate adhesive  332 ). 
       FIG. 4  shows an exploded view of airflow control system  300 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , bottom plate  302 , airflow impedance plate  304 , impedance adhesives  322  and  324 , top plate  306 , and top plate adhesive  332  may each include one or more apertures or openings, and may stack upon one another to form airflow control system  300 . Bottom plate  302  may be substantially flat and may include a bottom plate aperture  302   a  having a particular size. In some embodiments, bottom plate aperture  302   a  may be chemically etched. In other embodiments, bottom plate aperture  302   a  may be laser-cut via a fine-focused laser. Bottom plate  302  may be composed of any suitable material (e.g., 0.22MM PET, 0.20MM SUS 301, acrylic, stainless steel, etc.). 
     Bottom plate  302  may include a top surface  302   t  and a bottom surface  302   b . Bottom surface  302   b  may rest on internal surface side  101   i  of housing  101  such that bottom plate aperture  302   a  may at least partially align with housing aperture  120  (e.g., to allow sound to pass in the +Y direction of  FIG. 3 ). Bottom plate aperture  302   a  may be smaller, similar in size, or larger than housing aperture  120 . In some embodiments, bottom surface  302   b  may also be attached to internal surface side  101   i  via an adhesive (not shown). In other embodiments, internal surface side  101   i  of housing  101  may function as bottom plate  302  (e.g., without the need for bottom plate  302 ) and housing aperture  120  may function as bottom aperture  302   a . Bottom plate  302  may also include one or more bumps (not shown) on any of top surface  302   t  and bottom surface  302   b  that may function as standoffs between bottom plate  302  and a corresponding adjacent component (e.g., internal surface side  101   i , airflow impedance plate  304 , an adhesive, etc.). In some embodiments, these bumps or standoffs may prevent one or more portions of airflow impedance plate  304  (e.g., bendable flap  304   f ) from adhering or otherwise sticking to top surface  302   t  of bottom plate  302  (e.g., due to moisture or static electricity). 
     Bottom surface  322   b  of impedance adhesive  322  may rest on top surface  302   t  of bottom plate  302 . Top surface  322   t  of impedance adhesive  322  may contact bottom surface  304   b  of airflow impedance plate  304 . Accordingly, impedance adhesive  322  may couple or attach bottom plate  302  to airflow impedance plate  304 , and may also act as an acoustic seal between these plates. Impedance adhesive  322  may be substantially flat and may include impedance adhesive aperture  322   a  that may at least partially overlap with bottom plate aperture  302   a  to allow sound to pass therethrough. Impedance adhesive  322  may be composed of any suitable material (e.g., acrylic adhesive, such as NITTO 5605, etc.) and may have a similar size as bottom plate  302 . Impedance adhesive aperture  322   a  may be larger than bottom plate aperture  302   a  (e.g., in order to expose certain portions of airflow impedance plate  304  to airflow that may pass upward through bottom plate aperture  302   a ). 
     Airflow impedance plate  304  may be composed of any suitable material (e.g., PET, silicon, or any other suitable material that may bend, flex, and/or have any suitable elastic property), and may have a similar size as bottom plate  302  and impedance adhesive  322 . Airflow impedance plate  304  may have any suitable thickness (e.g., 30 um). Airflow impedance plate  304  may also be substantially flat, and may include a bendable flap  304   f . The actual geometry and elastic properties (e.g., stiffness) of airflow impedance plate  304  may be defined such that bendable flap  304   f  may bend with respect to the rest of airflow impedance plate  304  in the presence of an air pressure wave (e.g., at force F described above). Bendable flap  304   f  may form a portion of airflow impedance plate  304 , but may include edges  304   e  that may separate bendable flap  304   f  from the rest of airflow impedance plate  304 . These separations may form gap  304   g  between edges  304   e  and adjacent portions of airflow impedance plate  304 . In some embodiments, bendable flap  304   f  may be created by cutting out a U-shaped portion of airflow impedance plate  304 . 
     Bendable flap  304   f  may, via impedance adhesive aperture  322   a , be exposed to portions of top surface  302   t  of bottom plate  302 . In such a configuration, airflow that passes through bottom plate aperture  302   a  and impedance adhesive aperture  322   a  may exert a minimum of force F, and this force may impinge on bottom surface  304   b  of bendable flap  304   f  and cause it to bend upward (e.g., in the +Y direction of  FIG. 3 ). 
     Bottom surface  324   b  of impedance adhesive  324  may rest on top surface  304   t  of airflow impedance plate  304 . Top surface  324   t  of impedance adhesive  324  may contact bottom surface  306   b  of top plate  306 . Accordingly, impedance adhesive  324  may couple or attach airflow impedance plate  304  to top plate  306 . Impedance adhesive  324  may be similar to impedance adhesive  322  and may include a similar impedance adhesive aperture  324   a . In particular, impedance adhesive aperture  324   a  may be large enough for bendable flap  304   f  to at least partially cover or block top plate aperture  306   a  of top plate  306 , when bendable flap  304   f  is subjected to at least force F. In this manner, airflow (or an air pressure wave) that may exert at least a predetermined amount of force, may be substantially inhibited from passing through top plate aperture  306   a  and up towards microphone aperture  160   a.    
     Top plate  306  may be similar to bottom plate  302  (e.g., having a similar size and composed of similar materials). Top plate aperture  306   a  may be smaller than bottom plate aperture  302   a , but may be similar in size to microphone aperture  160   a . Top surface  306   t  of top plate  306  may attach or couple to circuit board  170  via top plate adhesive  332  (e.g., which may be similar to impedance adhesives  322  and  324 ). Top plate adhesive  332  may be composed of any suitable material (e.g., NITTO 5615) and may include a top plate aperture  332   a.    
     It is known that microphones are typically designed or tuned to a specific frequency response, where sound within a certain range of frequencies is captured with minimal loss of amplitude. Accordingly, although it may be important to impede forceful airflow from affecting the performance of microphone  160 , it may also be important to allow sound to successfully pass therethrough. In particular, it may be desirable to allow sound, which may match the frequency response of microphone  160 , to successfully pass through the stack of components of airflow control system  300  and towards microphone aperture  160   a.    
     Bendable flap  304   f  may be configured (e.g., by controlling its stiffness) to only slightly bend upward in the +Y direction of  FIG. 3  when such sound travels into electronic device  100 . That is, portions of this sound may cause bendable flap  304   f  to only bend slightly upward (or not bend upward at all), while other portions of this sound may pass through gap  304   g  and up through top plate aperture  306   a  and microphone aperture  160   a . For example, bendable flap  304   f  may be configured based on a force that is typically exerted by airflow carrying sound at different amplitudes and at different frequencies in the human audible frequency range (e.g., 20 Hz to 20 kHz) or that matches the frequency response of microphone  160 . As another example, bendable flap  304   f  may be configured based on a force exerted by deliberate forceful airflow or extreme environmental conditions such as wind. In this manner, airflow control system  300  may be constructed to both impede forceful airflow therethrough and match the frequency response of microphone  160 . 
     It should also be appreciated that impedance adhesives  322  and  324  may, in addition to coupling bottom plate  302  to airflow impedance plate  304 , and coupling airflow impedance plate  304  to top plate  306 , respectively, may each also be configured to match the frequency response of microphone  160 . For example, any of the thickness and texture of each of these adhesives may be configured such that a respective space is created in the stack of airflow control system  300 . This space may control resonance within airflow control system  300  (e.g., by preventing inner surfaces of airflow control system  300  from vibrating at the same frequencies as sound that may travel therethrough). 
       FIGS. 5A-5C  are side views of top plate  306  and airflow impedance plate  304 , taken from the −Z direction of  FIG. 3 . For the sake of simplicity,  FIGS. 5A-5C  only show top plate  306  and airflow impedance plate  304 . However, it should be appreciated that the other components of airflow control system  300  (e.g., bottom plate  302 , impedance adhesives  322  and  324 , and top adhesive  332  may also be present as described above). As shown in  FIG. 5A , airflow impedance plate  304  may reside beneath top plate  306 . Bendable flap  304   f  may be in its natural position (e.g., substantially parallel with the rest of airflow impedance plate  304 ). Gap  304   g  may be present between a portion of bendable flap  304   f  and a corresponding portion of the rest of airflow impedance plate  304 . Bendable flap  304   f  may rest in this natural position either when no airflow is traveling in the +Y direction or when airflow is traveling in the +Y direction, but that may exert a force onto the bottom surface of bendable flap  304   f  at less than force F described above (e.g., airflow due to sound). 
       FIG. 5B  shows bendable flap  304   f  bending in the +Y direction with respect to the rest of airflow impedance plate  304 . For example, bendable flap  304   f  may bend, as shown, when airflow traveling in the +Y direction exerts a force onto the bottom surface of bendable flap  304   f  equal to or greater than force F. As shown in  FIG. 5B , when bendable flap  304   f  bends due to this airflow, a top portion of bendable flap  304   f  may at least partially cover or block top plate aperture  306   a  and prevent some or all of the airflow from traveling through top plate aperture  306   a . In this manner, airflow that exerts at least a force F may be prevented from traveling toward microphone  160 . For example, it may be known that performance of the diaphragm of microphone  160  may be affected when airflow (or an air pressure event) exerts a force of at least F A  onto the diaphragm. By integrating airflow control system  300  between microphone  160  and housing aperture  120 , and configuring at least bendable flap  304   f  to bend and at least partially cover top plate aperture  306   a , the performance of microphone  160  may be enhanced. 
     As shown in  FIG. 5B , bendable flap  304   f  may be configured to only bend at a portion  390  that may form a portion of airflow impedance plate  304 , where the rest of bendable flap  304   f  may remain substantially straight. In some embodiments, bendable flap  304   f  may be configured to bend throughout, as shown in  FIG. 5C . For example, when airflow exerts at least force F onto the bottom surface of bendable flap  304   f , bendable flap  304   f  may bend throughout such that the top portion of bendable flap  304   f  may substantially or fully cover top plate aperture  306   a . In these embodiments, airflow control system  300  may be configured to more effectively impede the airflow from affecting the performance of microphone  160 . In fact, bendable flap  304   f  may be configured such that a stronger force F may result in airflow that exerts a larger force (e.g., larger than force F) onto the bottom surface of bendable flap  304   f . In this configuration, the top surface of bendable flap  304   f  may more closely (or more effectively) shield or seal top plate aperture  306   a , and may thus substantially attenuate an air pressure wave that may otherwise affect the performance of microphone  160 . 
       FIG. 6  shows airflow impedance plate  304  and top plate aperture  306   a , taken from either a line IV of  FIG. 4  or the +Y direction of  FIG. 3 . As shown in  FIG. 6 , air particles from airflow may exert forces F a  onto portions of bottom surface  304   b  of bendable flap  304   f . Other air particles from the airflow may find their way toward top plate aperture  306   a  via gap  304   g . When the airflow is a result of sound, the airflow may exert a force less than force F onto the bottom surface of bendable flap  304   f . This aggregate force may cause bendable flap  304   f  to bend slightly (or may not cause bendable flap  304  to bend at all). Remaining portions of the airflow may travel around bendable flap  304   f  via gap  304   g  and continue through top plate aperture  306   a . In this manner, sound (e.g., that may match the frequency response of microphone  160 ) may pass through airflow control system  300  with little to no inhibition. 
     In contrast, when the airflow is a result of deliberate forceful airflow, for example, air particles from the airflow may exert an aggregate force (e.g., of forces F a ) equal to or greater than force F onto the bottom surface of bendable flap  304   f . This aggregate force may cause bendable flap  304   f  to bend (e.g., as shown in  FIG. 5B  or  5 C), and remaining portions of the airflow may also travel around bendable flap  304   f  via gap  304   g  and continue past bendable flap  304   f . However, because bendable flap  304   f  may at least partially (or substantially) cover or block top plate aperture  306   a  (e.g., as shown in  FIGS. 5B and 5C ), the airflow may be substantially inhibited from passing through top plate aperture  306   a  and microphone aperture  160   a.    
       FIG. 7  is a plan view of an alternative airflow impedance plate  404  that may be similar to airflow impedance plate  304 . Airflow impedance plate  404  may be composed of a similar material as airflow impedance plate  304 , and may have any suitable thickness (e.g., 0.03 mm). Instead of a bendable flap, however, airflow impedance plate  404  may include two holes  404   h  and a middle portion  404   m . Each of middle portion  404   m  and holes  404   h  may have any suitable size (e.g., each hole  404  may be 0.05 mm wide) for impeding and passing airflow therethrough, respectively. Similar to airflow impedance plate  304 , airflow impedance plate  404  may be configured to both control airflow towards microphone aperture  160   a , as well as pass sound that matches a frequency response of microphone  160 . When airflow impedance plate  404  is aligned with top plate  306  (e.g., similar to how airflow impedance plate  304  is aligned with top plate  306 , as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 ), middle portion  404   m  may substantially block or impede airflow (e.g., that may be traveling in the +Y direction of  FIG. 3 ) from directly flowing toward top plate aperture  306   a . Simultaneously, holes  404   h  may allow sound (e.g., that may be traveling in the +Y direction of  FIG. 3 ) to pass through toward top plate aperture  306   a  with minimal to no inhibition. 
       FIG. 8  is a plan view of yet another alternative airflow impedance plate  504  that may be similar to airflow impedance plate  404 . Instead of just two holes, however, airflow impedance plate  504  may include a plurality of holes  504   h  and a middle portion  504   m . Each of middle portion  504   m  and each of holes  504   h  may have any suitable size for impeding and passing airflow therethrough, respectively. That is, similar to airflow impedance plate  404 , airflow impedance plate  504  may be configured to both control airflow towards microphone aperture  160   a , as well as pass sound that matches a frequency response of microphone  160 . For example, when airflow impedance plate  504  is aligned with top plate  306  (e.g., similar to how airflow impedance plate  304  is aligned with top plate  306 , as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 ), middle portion  504   m  may substantially block or impede airflow (e.g., that may be traveling in the +Y direction of  FIG. 3 ) from directly flowing toward top plate aperture  306   a . Simultaneously, holes  504   h  may allow sound (e.g., that may be traveling in the +Y direction of  FIG. 3 ) to pass therethrough and toward top plate aperture  306   a  with minimal to no inhibition. 
       FIG. 9  is an illustrative process of manufacturing airflow control system  300  of  FIG. 3 . The process may begin at step  902 . At step  904 , the process may include processing a first adhesive member and a second adhesive member to form respective holes. For example, the process may include processing impedance adhesive  322  and impedance adhesive  324  to form respective impedance adhesive apertures  322   a  and  324   a . In some embodiments, the first adhesive member and the second adhesive member may be formed from a single sheet of adhesive. 
     At step  906 , the process may include coupling the first adhesive member to a top surface of an airflow impedance plate and the second adhesive member to a bottom surface of the airflow impedance plate. For example, the process may include coupling impedance adhesive  324  to top surface  304   t  of airflow impedance plate  304  and impedance adhesive  322  to bottom surface  304   b  of airflow impedance plate  304 . At this step, airflow impedance plate  304  may not yet include the bendable flap  304   f  and gap  304   g  features. That is, airflow impedance plate  304  may not yet be processed to form bendable flap  304  and gap  304   g.    
     At step  908 , the process may include altering the airflow impedance plate to form a bendable flap on the airflow impedance plate based on each of the formed holes. For example, after airflow impedance plate  304  is laminated or coupled to impedance adhesives  322  and  324 , the process may include altering airflow impedance plate  304  to form bendable flap  304   f  on airflow impedance plate  304  based on impedance adhesive apertures  322   a  and  324   a . In some embodiments, the process may include chemically etching a U-shape into airflow impedance plate  304 . In other embodiments, the process may include laser cutting the U-shape into airflow impedance plate  304 . The altering step may also include removing a U-shaped portion of airflow impedance plate  304  based on the cut U-shape to form gap  304   g.    
     At step  910 , the process may include trimming edge portions of each of the airflow impedance plate and the first and second adhesive members to provide an airflow control system. For example, the process may include trimming edge portions of each of airflow impedance plate  304  and impedance adhesives  322  and  324  to provide airflow control system  300 . In some embodiments, the process may include trimming airflow impedance plate  304  and impedance adhesives  322  and  324  to a particular size and/or shape via die-cutting. 
     In some embodiments, the process may also include coupling the first and second adhesive members to respective top and bottom plates. For example, the process may also include coupling impedance adhesive  322  to bottom plate  302  and impedance adhesive  324  to top plate  306 . As a result, a complete stack of components may provide the airflow control function of airflow control system  300  described above. 
     It is to be understood that the steps shown in process  900  of  FIG. 9  are merely illustrative and that existing steps may be modified or omitted, additional steps may be added, and the order of certain steps may be altered. 
     As described above with respect to  FIGS. 2A and 2B , microphone  160  may include a diaphragm (not shown) that may receive sound, and may process the received sound and/or send the received sound to processor  102  for processing. The performance of one or more components of microphone  160  (e.g., the diaphragm) may be affected, for example, when airflow is forcefully directed at microphone  160 , at or above a predefined force F. The forceful airflow may cause air particles to travel through in the +Y direction of  FIGS. 2A and 2B , and towards microphone  160 .  FIG. 10  is an exploded view of microphone  160  and an alternative airflow control system  800 . Similar to airflow control system  300 , alternative airflow control system  800  may be configured to prevent deliberate and/or forceful airflow from interfering with the operation of microphone  160 . Moreover, alternative airflow control system  800  may also reduce undesired noise (e.g., from windy conditions in an outdoor environment) from being detected by microphone  160 . As shown in  FIG. 10 , alternative airflow control system  800  may include a block-shaped structure  802 , adhesives  832  and  834 , and airflow impedance sheet  852 . Block-shaped structure  802  may be composed of any suitable material (e.g., metal, plastic, etc.) and may include a top surface  802   t  and a bottom surface  802   b . Block-shaped structure  802  may also include a recess  804 , a recess surface  804   b , and an aperture  802   a  through recess surface  804   b . Aperture  802   a  may extend from recess surface  804   b  to top surface  802   t . Adhesive  832  may be similar to adhesive  834 , and may be composed of any suitable material. Adhesives  832  and  834  may couple to corresponding portions of recess surface  804   b , and may also couple to corresponding portions of top surface  852   t  of airflow impedance sheet  852 . As shown in  FIG. 14 , for example, portions of recess surface  804   b  may be curved or dished such that it may more easily conform with airflow impedance sheet  852 . 
     Airflow impedance sheet  852  may be substantially flat and may be composed of any suitable material (e.g., PET film). Airflow impedance sheet  852  may include top surface  852   t , a bottom surface  852   b , and edges  852   e . As shown in  FIG. 10 , microphone  160  may couple to circuit board  170  such that microphone aperture  160   a  and circuit board aperture  170   a  may align. Further, top surface  802   t  of block-shaped structure  802  may couple to circuit board  170  via an adhesive  902 . Adhesive  902  may be similar to each one of adhesives  832  and  834 , and may include an aperture  902   a . Each one of microphone  160 , circuit board  170 , adhesive  902 , block-shaped structure  802 , adhesives  832  and  834 , and airflow impedance sheet  852  may align with one another to fluidically couple aperture  802   a  with microphone aperture  160   a.    
       FIG. 11  is a view of bottom surface  802   b  of block-shaped structure  802 , taken in a +Y direction of  FIG. 10 . As shown in  FIG. 11 , airflow impedance sheet  852  may be coupled (e.g., via adhesives  832  and  834 ) to recess surface  804   b  of block-shaped structure  802 . In some embodiments, the actual geometry and elastic properties (e.g., stiffness) of airflow impedance sheet  852  may be defined such that at least a portion of airflow impedance sheet  852  may bend in the presence of an air pressure wave (e.g., force F described above). Airflow impedance sheet  852  may also include a plurality of relief cuts  854  that may allow a portion of airflow impedance sheet  852  (e.g., a portion that may extend from a line X 1  to a line X 2 ) to bend with respect to remaining portions of airflow impedance sheet  852 . In particular, airflow impedance sheet  852  may be configured such that center portion  852   c  of airflow impedance sheet  852  may bend or move when forceful airflow (e.g., at or above force F described above) is applied to bottom surface  852   b  of portion  852   c . If edges  852   e  are flush or are allowed to contact sides  804   e  of recess  804 , then edges  852   e  and/or recess  804  of block-shaped structure  802  may, for example, become damaged over time. For example, edges  852   e  may contact or catch onto edges  804   e , which may prevent edges  852   e  from moving in the ±Y directions. To prevent this from occurring, airflow impedance sheet  852  may have an area that is smaller than an area of recess  804 . In particular, edges  852   e  of airflow impedance sheet  852  may be offset from sides  804   e  of recess  804  (e.g., by a distance of J). In this manner, rubbing and/or contacting of airflow impedance sheet  852  with sides  804   e  of recess  804  may be prevented. 
     Although not shown in  FIG. 11 , adhesives  832  and  834  may separate airflow impedance sheet  852  from recess surface  804   b  by a predefined distance (e.g., by a distance that may be equal to a thickness of adhesives  832  and  834 ). Thus, top surface  852   b  of portion  852   c  of airflow impedance sheet  852  may be separated from aperture  802   a  of block-shaped structure  802  by this predefined distance. In this manner, when forceful airflow impinges onto bottom surface  852   b  of airflow impedance sheet  852 , portion  852   c  of airflow impedance sheet  852  may bend and/or move towards aperture  802   a  to at least partially block or cover aperture  802   a . This may prevent the forceful airflow from traveling into and affecting the performance of microphone  160 . 
     As described above with respect to  FIGS. 2A and 2B , it is known that microphones are typically designed or tuned to a specific frequency response, where sound within a certain range of frequencies is captured with minimal loss of amplitude. Accordingly, although it may be important to impede forceful airflow from affecting the performance of microphone  160 , it may also be important to allow sound to successfully pass therethrough. In particular, it may be desirable to allow sound, which may match the frequency response of microphone  160 , to successfully pass through alternative airflow control system  800  and towards microphone aperture  160   a . Thus, in some embodiments, airflow impedance sheet  852  may be configured (e.g., by controlling its stiffness) to only slightly bend upward in the +Y direction of  FIG. 10  when such sound travels into electronic device  100 . That is, portions of this sound may cause portion  852   c  of airflow impedance sheet  852  to only bend slightly upward (or not bend upward at all), while other portions of this sound may pass through a gap that may exist between recess surface  804   b  and top surface  852   t  of portion  852   c.    
       FIG. 12  is a perspective view of microphone  160  integrated with alternative airflow control system  800 .  FIG. 13  is a partial cross-sectional view of microphone  160  and alternative airflow control system  800 , taken from a line A-A of  FIG. 10 .  FIG. 14  is a partial cross-sectional view of microphone  160  and alternative airflow control system  800 , taken from a line B-B of  FIG. 10 . As shown in  FIGS. 13 and 14 , a gap k may exist between recess surface  804   b  and top surface  852   t  of portion  852   c . When sound travels in the +Y direction towards microphone  160  (e.g., at a force that may be less than force F), portion  852   c  may only bend slightly upward (or not bend upward at all). In this manner, the sound may travel around edges  852   e  and up through aperture  802   a  and microphone aperture  160   a . In contrast, when forceful airflow travels in the +Y direction towards microphone  160  (e.g., at or above force F), portion  852   c  may bend upward to at least partially block and/or cover aperture  802   a  of block-shaped structure  802 . When aperture  802   a  is blocked or covered in this manner, most or all of the air particles of the forceful airflow may be prevented from traveling through aperture  802   a  and towards microphone  160 . 
     Similar to airflow control system  300 , in some embodiments, airflow impedance sheet  852  may be configured based on a force that is typically exerted by airflow carrying sound at different amplitudes and at different frequencies in the human audible frequency range (e.g., 20 Hz to 20 kHz) or that matches the frequency response of microphone  160 . As another example, airflow impedance sheet  852  may be configured based on a force exerted by deliberate forceful airflow or extreme environmental conditions such as wind. In this manner, alternative airflow control system  800  may be constructed to both impede forceful airflow therethrough and match the frequency response of microphone  160 . 
     It should also be appreciated that adhesives  832  and  834  may, in addition to coupling airflow impedance sheet  852  to block-shaped structure  802 , may also be configured to match the frequency response of microphone  160 . For example, any of the thickness and texture of each adhesives  832  and  834  may be configured to create gap k. Gap k may control resonance within alternative airflow control system  800  (e.g., by preventing inner surfaces of alternative airflow control system  800  from vibrating at the same frequencies as sound that may travel therethrough). 
     While there have been described systems and methods for controlling airflow into an electronic device, it is to be understood that many changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Insubstantial changes from the claimed subject matter as viewed by a person with ordinary skill in the art, now known or later devised, are expressly contemplated as being equivalently within the scope of the claims. Therefore, obvious substitutions now or later known to one with ordinary skill in the art are defined to be within the scope of the defined elements. It is also to be understood that various directional and orientational terms such as “up and “down,” “front” and “back,” “top” and “bottom,” “left” and “right,” “length” and “width,” and the like are used herein only for convenience, and that no fixed or absolute directional or orientational limitations are intended by the use of these words. For example, the devices of this invention can have any desired orientation. If reoriented, different directional or orientational terms may need to be used in their description, but that will not alter their fundamental nature as within the scope and spirit of this invention. Moreover, an electronic device constructed in accordance with the principles of the invention may be of any suitable three-dimensional shape, including, but not limited to, a sphere, cone, octahedron, or combination thereof. 
     Therefore, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention can be practiced by other than the described embodiments, which are presented for purposes of illustration rather than of limitation.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20120907
Publication Date: 20150210
Grant Date: 20150210
Priority Date: 20120907
Inventors: COHEN SAWYER
PORTER SCOTT
DAVE RUCHIR
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "Y10T29/4998", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04M1/03", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R2499/11", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04M1/03", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R1/086", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R1/086", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R2201/003", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "Y10T29/4998", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01L2924/0002", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R2201/003", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01L2924/0002", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R2499/11", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 50233309