PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-10674254-B1
Application Number: US-201916372308-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B1

Title: Audible distortion reducing fin element

Abstract:
A portable electronic device includes a housing that at least partially defines an internal volume. The portable electronic device further includes a cover secured to the housing and that is and capable of enclosing the internal volume. The cover having a cover opening capable of passing an audible sound provided by an audio module located within the internal volume. The audible sound passing from the audio module to the cover opening along an audible sound path. The portable electronic device further includes a bracket assembly positioned in the internal volume and having: (i) a bracket opening that is aligned with and between the audio module with the cover opening, and (ii) a fin element that spans the bracket opening, the fin element having at least a portion positioned within the audible sound path.

Claims:
What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A portable electronic device, comprising:
 a housing that at least partially defines an internal volume; 
 a cover secured to the housing at least partially enclosing the internal volume, the cover defining a cover opening capable of passing an audible sound provided by an audio module along an audible sound path; and 
 a bracket assembly positioned in the internal volume defining a bracket opening that is positioned between the audio module and the cover opening, the bracket assembly comprising a fin element that spans the bracket opening, the fin element at least partially positioned in the audible sound path and having a triangular cross section. 
 
     
     
       2. The portable electronic device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the fin element is capable of reducing an acoustic distortion of the audible sound at the cover opening. 
     
     
       3. The portable electronic device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the fin element is located at a central portion of the bracket opening. 
     
     
       4. The portable electronic device as recited in  claim 3 , wherein the first and second fin elements are spaced apart within the bracket opening. 
     
     
       5. The portable electronic device as recited in  claim 3 , wherein the first and second fin elements are spaced equidistant from sidewalls defining the bracket opening. 
     
     
       6. The portable electronic device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the fin element is a first fin element, and wherein the bracket assembly further comprises a second fin element at least partially positioned within the audible sound path. 
     
     
       7. The portable electronic device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the fin element has a chevron like cross section. 
     
     
       8. The portable electronic device as recited in  claim 7 , wherein the pyramid geometry comprises peaks and valleys. 
     
     
       9. The portable electronic device as recited in  claim 7 , wherein the top surface of the fin element comprises laser markings. 
     
     
       10. The portable electronic device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein a top surface of the fin element facing the cover opening has a pyramid geometry. 
     
     
       11. The portable electronic device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein a top surface of the fin element facing the cover opening is defined by at least one peak and a bottom surface of the fin element facing the audio module is defined by at least one valley. 
     
     
       12. The portable electronic device as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising a cosmetic mesh that covers the cover opening, wherein a surface of the fin element facing the cosmetic mesh comprises at least one feature comprising laser markings, dark ink coloring, a polyurethane coating, or an offset pyramid geometry. 
     
     
       13. A portable electronic device, comprising:
 an enclosure comprising a bottom wall and side walls; 
 a cover secured to the enclosure, wherein the bottom wall, the side walls, and the cover at least partially define an internal volume, the cover defining a cover opening; 
 an audio module disposed in the internal volume and capable of providing an audio energy flow passing from the audio module to the cover opening along a flow path; and 
 an acoustic element at least partially disposed in the flow path, the acoustic element comprising a peak that defines a surface facing the cover opening. 
 
     
     
       14. The portable electronic device as recited in  claim 13 , wherein the acoustic element spans a portion of a bracket opening defined by a bracket disposed in the internal volume and through which the flow path travels. 
     
     
       15. The portable electronic device as recited in  claim 13 , further comprising a second acoustic element disposed in flow path. 
     
     
       16. The portable electronic device as recited in  claim 13 , wherein the acoustic element comprises an offset pyramid geometry that defines a surface facing the cover opening. 
     
     
       17. A portable electronic device, comprising:
 an enclosure comprising side walls, a bottom wall, and a cover defining a cover opening; 
 an audio module disposed in an internal volume defined by the enclosure, the audio module capable of producing audible sound along a flow path through the cover opening; and 
 fin elements disposed in the enclosure at least partially located in the flow path, the fin elements comprising triangular features defining surfaces facing the cover opening. 
 
     
     
       18. The portable electronic device as recited in  claim 17 , wherein the fin elements are capable of reducing an acoustic distortion of the audible sound at the cover opening. 
     
     
       19. The portable electronic device as recited in  claim 17 , wherein the fin elements each comprise repeated triangle shape objects with laser roughening and darkening. 
     
     
       20. The portable electronic device of  claim 17 , wherein the fin elements each have a same shape and are arranged equidistant from each other in the enclosure.

Description:
FIELD 
     The following description relates to an electronic device. In particular, the following description relates to a portable electronic device having an audio module capable of providing audible sound that can be ported through an opening. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Portable electronic devices can include an internal volume that houses an audio module. The audio module can be capable of emitting an audible sound through an opening in a cover enclosing the internal volume. For example, when the portable electronic device is a smartphone, the audio module can play music and/or emit a voice of a person participating in a telephone call with a user of the smartphone. The audible sound can be ported through the opening in the cover of the portable electronic device such that people within a certain range of the portable electronic device can hear the audible sound. 
     SUMMARY 
     In one aspect, a portable electronic device is described. The portable electronic device may include a housing that at least partially defines an internal volume. The portable electronic device may further include a cover secured to the housing and that is and capable of enclosing the internal volume. The cover may have a cover opening capable of passing an audible sound provided by an audio module located within the internal volume. The audible sound may pass from the audio module to the cover opening along an audible sound path. The portable electronic device may further include a bracket assembly positioned in the internal volume and may have: (i) a bracket opening that is aligned with and between the audio module with the cover opening, and (ii) a fin element that spans the bracket opening, the fin element having at least a portion positioned within the audible sound path. 
     In another aspect, a portable electronic device is described. The portable electronic device may include an enclosure having a bottom wall and side walls. The portable electronic device may further include a cover secured to the enclosure, where the bottom wall, side walls, and cover combine to at least partially define an internal volume. The cover may have a cover opening. The portable electronic device may further include an audio module disposed in the internal volume and capable of providing an audio energy flow, the audio energy flow passing from the audio module to the cover opening along an audio energy flow path. The portable electronic device may further include an acoustic element disposed within the audio energy path and capable of interaction with the audio energy flow to reduce an audible distortion at the cover opening. 
     In another aspect, a portable electronic device is described. The portable electronic device may include an enclosure defined by side walls, a bottom wall, and a cover with a cover opening. The portable electronic device may also include an audio module disposed in the enclosure. The audio module capable of producing audible sound along a flow path through the enclosure to the cover opening. The portable electronic device may also include a set of fin elements disposed in the enclosure such that the set of fin elements are each located in the flow path of the audible sound as the audible sound travels from the audio module to the cover opening. 
     Other systems, methods, features and advantages of the embodiments will be, or will become, apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following figures and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features and advantages be included within this description and this summary, be within the scope of the embodiments, and be protected by the following claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The disclosure will be readily understood by the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate like structural elements, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a plan view of an embodiment of an electronic device including a fin element, in accordance with some described embodiments; 
         FIGS. 2-5  illustrate a cross sectional view taken along line A-A of  FIG. 1  of examples of one or more fin elements disposed in an internal volume of a portable electronic device between a cover opening and an audio module, in accordance with some described embodiments; 
         FIG. 6  illustrates another cross sectional view taken along line B-B of  FIG. 1  of an example of the fin element disposed in the internal volume of the portable electronic device between the cover opening and the audio module, in accordance with some described embodiments; 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a side view of an alignment module positioned over a bracket assembly and a fin element positioned in the alignment module, in accordance with some described embodiments; 
         FIG. 8  illustrates a top view of the alignment module and the bracket assembly shown in  FIG. 7 , further showing the fin element, in accordance with some described embodiments; 
         FIG. 9  illustrates a top view of a top surface of the fin element, and additional features, in accordance with some described embodiments; 
         FIG. 10  illustrates a side view of the top surface of the fin element shown in  FIG. 9 , in accordance with some described embodiments; 
         FIG. 11  illustrates a cross sectional view partially showing the electronic device shown in  FIG. 1 , showing the bracket assembly and the alignment module secured together; and 
         FIG. 12  illustrates a schematic diagram of an electronic device, in accordance with some described embodiments. 
     
    
    
     Those skilled in the art will appreciate and understand that, according to common practice, various features of the drawings discussed below are not necessarily drawn to scale, and that dimensions of various features and elements of the drawings may be expanded or reduced to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present techniques described herein. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Reference will now be made in detail to representative embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the following descriptions are not intended to limit the embodiments to one preferred embodiment. To the contrary, it is intended to cover alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as can be included within the spirit and scope of the described embodiments as defined by the appended claims. 
     In the following detailed description, references are made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of the description and in which are shown, by way of illustration, specific embodiments in accordance with the described embodiments. Although these embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable one skilled in the art to practice the described embodiments, it is understood that these examples are not limiting such that other embodiments may be used, and changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the described embodiments. 
     Portable electronic devices may include an audio module and other structures relative to the audio module within an internal volume of the portable electronic devices. An example of such a portable electronic device may include a smartphone (e.g., iPhone® manufactured by Apple Inc. of Cupertino, Calif.), a tablet, a laptop, or any suitable portable electronic device. When the audio module emits audible sound (also referred to as an audio energy flow herein), the structures may vibrate and cause a non-laminar or turbulent flow of the audible sound that results in acoustic distortion as the audible sound traverses an audio energy flow path between the audio module and an opening through which the audible sound is ported. The other structures relative to the audio module that vibrate may include support structures, sub-assembly structures, covering structures, alignment structures, bracket structures, receiver structures, and/or other modules (e.g., vision system, microphone, lighting, etc.). As the other structures vibrate, they may contact one another, which further exacerbates the acoustic distortion. The other structures may provide a tortuous path for the audible sound to traverse when being emitted. Air associated with the audible sound may contact the other structures in the tortuous path, which may cause the other structures to vibrate. The acoustic distortions that are produced in the audible sound may provide for lower quality audio. 
     Accordingly, some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a portable electronic device that includes a fin element or acoustic element disposed in the internal volume of the portable electronic device between the audio module and the opening or acoustic aperture of the portable electronic device through which audio emitted by the audio module is ported. Adding the fin element to the acoustic aperture laminarizes the flow and reduces rub and buzz noise at the cover opening. In some embodiments, more than one fin element may be disposed in the internal volume to further reduce the acoustic distortion. The fin element may be disposed in any suitable location in the internal volume that is in the flow path of the air associated with the audible sound. By being placed in the flow path, the fin element may disrupt turbulence of the air carrying the audible sound and reduce the acoustic distortion of the audible sound at the opening by re-laminarizing the flow of the audible sound. The audible sound that emanates from the opening of the portable electronic device may include reduced acoustic distortion that provides for higher quality audio for audio emitted out of small and/or offset openings. 
     In some embodiments, the portable electronic device may include a housing having a bottom wall and side walls that combine to at least partially define an internal volume. The portable electronic device may also include a cover secured to the side walls and that is and capable of enclosing the internal volume. The cover may include a cover opening capable of porting the audible sound provided by the audio module located in the internal volume. In some embodiments, the portable electronic device may include a bracket assembly positioned in the internal volume and having (i) a bracket opening that is aligned with and between the audio module with the cover opening, and (ii) the fin element. The fin element may span the bracket opening and at least a portion of the fin element may be in a flow path of the audible sound. In some embodiments, the fin element may be installed in an alignment module of the bracket assembly. Further, the audio module may be installed in a receiver of the alignment module. The alignment module may align the audio module with the cover opening such that the audible sound may be ported out of the portable electronic device via the cover opening. Additional modules may be installed in the bracket assembly and/or the alignment module, such as a vision system, a microphone, a lighting module, or the like. 
     In some embodiments, the fin element may block a portion of the bracket opening to cause the audible sound to flow around the portion of the bracket opening occupied by the fin element. Disrupting the flow path of the audible sound may cause the flow to be re-laminarized. The size of the fin element may balance acoustic resistance with laminarization efficacy. The width of the fin element (e.g., 0.05 millimeters (mm) to 0.15 mm) may be less than the width of the bracket opening (e.g., 0.4 mm to 0.6 mm) such that the audible sound is not forced through too constricted of spaces. Further, the fin element may be any suitable shape. For example, the fin element may include one or more flat surfaces, one or more surfaces with a peak, one or more surfaces with a valley, or some combination thereof. The fin element may be made of any suitable material (e.g., polycarbonate, metal (stainless steel, aluminum, etc.), etc.). 
     The fin element may be rigidly-attached or non-rigidly attached to any suitable portion of the internal volume that is in the flow path of the audible sound. Rigidly attached may refer to the fin element being integral with another portion (e.g., included as part of the mold of another portion) or welded onto another portion. Non-rigidly attached may refer to being attached with an adhesive (e.g., glue, tape, etc.). For example, the fin element may be rigidly-attached to the bracket assembly or the alignment module by being included in a mold of the bracket assembly or the alignment module, or by being welded to the bracket assembly or the alignment module. The fin element may be rigidly-attached to a receiver housing the audio module. The fin element may be non-rigidly attached to any suitable portion of the bracket assembly or the alignment module by using an adhesive (e.g., glue, tape). 
     In some embodiments, a cosmetic mesh may cover the cover opening of the portable electronic device. The cosmetic mesh may reduce the visibility of components that are located in a portion of the internal volume aligned with the cover opening. The fin element may be one such component that is located in the portion of the internal volume. In some instances, light may reflect off of the various components and cause the visibility of the components to increase. In some embodiments, various features may be included on a surface of the fin element facing the cover opening to reduce the light reflections. Example features may include laser markings, dark ink coloring, polyurethane coating, an offset pyramid geometry, peaks and valleys of the offset pyramid geometry that are laser-etched, or some combination thereof. The features may reduce different kinds of light reflection. As a result of including the features on the surface of the fin element facing the cosmetic mesh, light reflecting off of the fin element may be reduced, thereby reducing the visibility of the fin element through the cosmetic mesh. 
     These and other embodiments are discussed below with reference to  FIGS. 1-12 . However, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the detailed description given herein with respect to these Figures is for explanatory purposes only and should not be construed as limiting. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a plan view of an embodiment of an electronic device  100 , in accordance with some described embodiments. In some embodiments, the electronic device  100  is a tablet computing device. In other embodiments, the electronic device  100  is a wearable electronic device. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , the electronic device  100  is a portable electronic device, commonly referred to as a smartphone. It should be understood that electronic device  100  and portable electronic device  100  may be used interchangeably herein. The electronic device  100  may include an enclosure  102  that includes a bottom wall (not shown) and several side wall components, such as a first side wall component  104 , a second side wall component  106 , a third side wall component  108 , and a fourth side wall component  110 . The side wall components may combine with the bottom wall to define an internal volume, or cavity, to hold the internal components of the electronic device  100 . In some embodiments, the bottom wall includes a non-metal, such as glass, plastic, or other transparent material. Also, in some embodiments, the first side wall component  104 , the second side wall component  106 , the third side wall component  108 , and the fourth side wall component  110  include a metal, such as steel (including stainless steel), aluminum, or an alloy that includes aluminum and/or steel. Further, each of the aforementioned side wall components may be separated and isolated from each other by a filler material that includes a non-metal such that the side wall components are electrically isolated from each other. For example, the enclosure  102  may include a first filler material  120  that separates the first side wall component  104  from the second side wall component  106  and the fourth side wall component  110 . The enclosure  102  may further include a second filler material  121  that separates the third side wall component  108  from the second side wall component  106  and the fourth side wall component  110 . The first filler material  120  and the second filler material  121  may include a molded plastic and/or a molded resin. In some instances, at least one of first filler material  120  and the second filler material  121  includes an antenna component (not shown in  FIG. 1 ). 
     The electronic device  100  may further include a cover  112  that secures over the enclosure  102 , and in particular, the aforementioned side wall components of the enclosure  102 . In this regard, the first side wall component  104 , the second side wall component  106 , the third side wall component  108 , and the fourth side wall component  110  may provide an edge region that defines an opening that receives the cover  112 . The cover  112  may include a material such as glass or sapphire, or another suitable transparent material. When formed from glass, the cover  112  may be referred to as a cover glass. Also, the cover  112  may further include a cover opening  114 , or though hole. The cover opening  114  is labeled in the enlarged view. The electronic device  100  may further include an audio module (for example, the audio module  200  shown in  FIG. 2 ) aligned with the cover opening  114  in order to allow acoustical energy (e.g., an audible sound) generated from the audio module to exit the electronic device  100  via the cover opening  114 . As described further below, the acoustical energy may be affected by acoustic distortion created as the audible sound flows through various structures in a tortuous path from the audio module to the cover opening  114 . To reduce the acoustic distortion experienced by the audible sound, one or more fin elements (for example, the fin element  202  shown in  FIG. 2 ) may be disposed in a flow path of the audible sound in the internal volume of the electronic device  100 . The one or more fin elements may cause the audible sound to be re-laminarized, thereby reducing the acoustic distortion. The fin element is not illustrated in  FIG. 1  because its visibility through the cover opening  114  may be reduced due to the one or more light reflecting, reducing features that are included in the fin element. Example locations, types, and/or characteristics of the one or more fin elements are discussed further below. 
     The electronic device  100  may further include a display assembly  116  (shown as a dotted line) that is covered or overlaid by the cover  112 . Accordingly, the cover  112  may be referred to as a protective layer. The display assembly  116  may include multiple layers, with each layer serving one or more particular functions. The electronic device  100  may further include a display cover  118  that is covered by the cover  112  and defines a border around the display assembly  116 . In particular, the display cover  118  may substantially cover an outer edge of the display assembly  116 . The electronic device  100  may include control inputs. For example, the electronic device  100  may include a first button  122  and a second button  124 , each of which is design to allow for a user input to control the display assembly  116 . The first button  122  and/or the second button  124  may be used to actuate a switch (not shown in  FIG. 1 ), thereby generating an input to a processor (not shown in  FIG. 1 ). 
     As shown, the cover  112  may include a rectilinear design defined by the side wall components of the enclosure  102 . However, in some instances, as shown in  FIG. 1 , the display assembly  116  (and at least some of its associated layers) may include a notch  126  formed in the display assembly  116 . The notch  126  is also labeled in the enlarged view. The notch  726  may represent a reduced surface area of the display assembly  116  (as compared to that of the cover  112 ). The electronic device may include a masking layer  128  applied to the underside, or bottom surface, of the cover  112  in a location corresponding to the notch  126 . The masking layer  128  may include an ink material (or materials) that provides an appearance (in terms of color) that is substantially similar to the appearance of the display assembly  116  (when the display assembly  116  is off). For example, both the masking layer  128  and the display assembly  116  may include a dark appearance that resembles black. Also, in some instances, the display cover  118  may include an appearance (in terms of color) that is similar to both the masking layer  128  and the display assembly  116  (when the display assembly  116  is off). 
     Generally, the masking layer  128  includes an opaque material that blocks the passage of light, and accordingly, may obscure vision into the electronic device  100 . However, the masking layer  128  may include several openings that represent a void in the masking layer  128 . For example, as shown in the enlarged view, the masking layer  128  may include a first opening  132  and a second opening  134 . When the electronic device  100  includes a vision system, the camera modules may align with the first opening  132  and the second opening  134 . The masking layer  128  may further include a third opening  136  and a fourth opening  138 . Additional camera modules and/or lighting modules may align with the third opening  136  and the fourth opening  138 . While the masking layer  128  is shown as having several openings, each of the openings may be filled with a material that provides at least some masking and/or some consistency in appearance (in terms of color). In this regard, the openings may be not be easily seen by a user, thereby hiding the sensor and the modules of the vision system, and the overall consistency of the electronic device  100  is at least partially maintained in terms of appearance. Also, as shown in the enlarged view, the first opening  132 , the second opening  134 , the third opening  136 , and the fourth opening  138  may be centered with the masking layer  128  in both the X- and Y-dimensions. 
       FIGS. 2-5  illustrate a cross sectional view taken along line A-A of  FIG. 1  of examples of one or more fin elements  202  disposed in an internal volume  204  of a portable electronic device  100  between a cover opening  114  and an audio module  200 , in accordance with some described embodiments. For example,  FIG. 2  illustrates a first example of the fin element  202  disposed in the internal volume  204 . The internal volume  204  may be at least partially defined by the bottom wall and side walls of the portable electronic device  100 . The cover  112  (e.g., where the masking layer  128  is located) may be secured to the side walls and that is and capable of enclosing the internal volume. As depicted, the cover  112  includes the cover opening  114 . The cover opening  114  may be capable of porting an audible sound provided by the audio module  200  located within the internal volume  204 . 
     The audio module  200  may be disposed in a receiver  206  in the internal volume  204 . The receiver  206  may also house a microphone  208 . The receiver  206  may be secured to an alignment module  210  that is capable of aligning the audio module  200  and/or the microphone  208  with the cover opening  114  to allow the audio module  200  and the microphone  208  to access the ambient environment. The alignment module  200  may be included in a bracket assembly that is capable of housing additional components (e.g., such as a vision system). The receiver  206  may house any other suitable elements (e.g., lighting elements), modules, and/or sensors. The audio module  200  and the microphone  208  may include any suitable features described herein for an audio module and a microphone. In order to hide the audio module  200  and the microphone  208  from view, a cosmetic mesh  212  may secure (by adhesives, for example) to the cover  112  and cover the cover opening  114 , thereby covering the audio module  200  and the microphone  208 . The cosmetic mesh  212  may include a material that permits acoustical energy to pass through the cosmetic mesh  212 . 
     The alignment module  210  may include an alignment ring  214 . The alignment ring  214  may include a bracket opening  216  or an alignment module opening  216  that is aligned with and between the audio module  200  and the cover opening  114  to allow audible sound to be ported from the audio module out of the cosmetic mesh  212 . The receiver  206  may be rigidly or non-rigidly secured to the alignment ring  214 . The alignment ring  214  may be secured to the cover  112  via an adhesive (e.g., glue or tape)  218 . Further, a stiffener  220  may be disposed between the adhesive  218  and may be secured to the cosmetic mesh  212  via other adhesive or by any suitable technique. The stiffener  220  may be made of any suitable material to provide structural support, such as metal, plastic, etc. In some instances, when a fin element is not disposed in the flow path of the audible sound, the audible sound emitted by the audio module  200  and/or the audio module  200  bumping against the receiver as it emits the audible sound may cause the stiffener  220  to vibrate or resonate, which may lead to turbulent kinetic energy (acoustic distortion represented by squiggly circular arrows  222 ) in the audible sound. Further, the stiffener  220  may contact the cover  112  while the stiffener  220  is vibrating, which may cause the turbulent kinetic energy to be increased. 
     To reduce the acoustic distortion  222 , in some embodiments, the fin element  202  may be disposed at any suitable location of the internal volume  204  that is in a flow path of the audible sound to cause the audible sound to re-laminarize (re-laminarized audible sound represented by straight arrows  224 ) prior to exiting the cosmetic mesh  212 . Re-laminarize refers to causing the audible sound to have a laminar flow which exhibits less acoustic distortion than non-laminar flow. Laminar flow occurs in fluid dynamics when a fluid (e.g., audible sound) flows in parallel layers without disruption between the layers. Non-laminar flow occurs when the fluid does not flow in parallel layers and there is disruption between the layers, thereby causing acoustic distortion, for example. As depicted, the fin element  202  may be rigidly or non-rigidly (e.g., via an adhesive) installed in a portion of the bracket opening  216  or the alignment module opening  216  in such a way that the fin element  202  is in a flow path of audible sound emitted by the audio module  200 . The fin element  202  may span the bracket opening  216  or the alignment module opening  216 . Further, in some embodiments the fin element  202  may be substantially or completely centered in the bracket opening  216  or the alignment module opening  216 . For example, the fin element  202  may be included as part of the mold of the alignment module  210  or may be welded to side walls of the alignment module opening  216 . In some embodiments, an additional stiffener may be disposed in the internal volume  204  such that the additional stiffener is located above a portion of the alignment module opening  216 , and the fin element  202  may be rigidly or non-rigidly attached to the additional stiffener at a location that is in the flow path of the audible sound emitted from the audio module  200 . In some embodiments, the fin element  202  may be rigidly or non-rigidly attached to the receiver  206  at a location that is in the flow path of the audible sound emitted from the audio module  200 . 
     As depicted in the enlarged view of the fin element  202 , the fin element  202  may include one or more peaks  226  and one or more valleys  228  on a surface (top surface  230 ) of the fin element  202  facing the cosmetic mesh  212  and cover opening  114 . The fin element  202  may be characterized as having a chevron like cross section. The peaks  226  and valleys  228  may provide light reflecting benefits to allow light that enters the cosmetic mesh  212  to be redirected or channeled in such a way that reflected light is reduced. For example, the top surface  230  may have an offset pyramid geometry, as described further below. Further, a surface (bottom surface) of the fin element  202  facing the audio module  200  may include one or more valleys  232  or indentions. The valleys  232  may enable light that enters a slope of one of the peaks  226  on the top surface to exit a slope of one of the valleys  232  on the bottom surface, instead of bouncing off of a flat bottom surface and reflecting out of the cosmetic mesh  212 . Additional details related to the various features of the fin element  202  that reduce reflected light to minimize visibility of the fin element  202  are discussed further below. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a second example of two fin elements  202  disposed in a flow path of audible sound emitted from the audio module  200  in the internal volume  204 . The second fin element  202  may further reduce the acoustic distortion  222  of the audible sound emitted by the audio module  200  prior to the audible sound leaving the cosmetic mesh  212 . The audible sound may be re-laminarized (represented by straight arrows  224 ) as the audible sound passes around the fin elements  202  as a result of the fin elements disturbing the turbulent kinetic energy of the audible sound. In the depicted embodiment, the two fin elements  202  are included in the alignment ring  214  and span the bracket opening  216  or the alignment module opening  216 . In some embodiments, the two fin elements  202  may be spaced apart in the bracket opening  216  or the alignment module opening  216  such that there is equidistance from each fin element  202  and the side walls of the alignment module opening  216  in the alignment ring  214 . It should be understood that the two fin elements  202  may be disposed at different locations in the internal volume  204  such that the two fin elements  202  are in a flow path of audible sound emitted by the audio module  200  and reduce acoustic distortion  222 . 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a third example of a single fin element  202  disposed in a flow path of audible sound emitted from the audio module  200  in the internal volume  204 . The fin element  202  depicted may also reduce acoustic distortion  222  of the audible sound emitted by the audio module  200 . The audible sound may be re-laminarized (represented by straight arrows  224 ) as the audible sound passes around the single fin element  202  as a result of the fin element disturbing the turbulent kinetic energy of the audible sound. The description related to the fin element  202  illustrated in  FIG. 2  may generally apply for the fin element  202  in  FIG. 4 . The difference between the fin element  202  in  FIG. 2  and the fin element  202  in  FIG. 4  is the shape of the fin element  202 . As illustrated, and shown more clearly in the enlarged view, the fin element  202  in  FIG. 4  includes a single peak  226  on a top surface of the fin element  202  that faces the cosmetic mesh  212  and the cover opening  114 . Further, the bottom surface of the fin element  202  is flat, as opposed to including valleys. Although having a different shape, the fin element  202  may be capable of reducing the acoustic distortion  222  of the audible sound to provide higher quality audio. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a fourth example of two fin elements  202  disposed in a flow path of audible sound emitted from the audio module  200  in the internal volume  204 . As described above, including a second fin element  202  in the flow path of the audible sound may further reduce the acoustic distortion  222  of the audible sound. The audible sound may be re-laminarized (represented by straight arrows  224 ) as the audible sound passes around the two single fin element  202  as a result of the two fin elements disturbing the turbulent kinetic energy of the audible sound. The difference between the two fin elements  202  of  FIG. 5  and the two fin elements illustrated in  FIG. 3  is the shape. Although having a different shape, the two fin elements  202  may be capable of reducing the acoustic distortion  222  of the audible sound to provide higher quality audio. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates another cross sectional view taken along line B-B of  FIG. 1  of an example of the fin element  202  disposed in the internal volume  204  of the portable electronic device  100  between the cover opening  114  and the audio module  200 , in accordance with some described embodiments. In the illustrated embodiment shown in the cross sectional view taken along line B-B, the fin element  202  is illustrated as spanning the bracket opening  216  or the alignment module opening  216 . The fin element  202  may be rigidly attached to the alignment ring  214  by being included in a mold of the alignment ring  214  or welded to the side walls of the bracket opening  216  or the alignment module opening  216 . The fin element  202  is disposed in the flow path of audible sound emitted from the audio module  200  and reduces acoustic distortion  222  by re-laminarizing the audible sound (straight arrows  224 ). The description of the fin element  202  with reference to  FIG. 2  above may apply to the fin element  202  illustrated in  FIG. 6 . 
       FIG. 7  illustrates a side view of an alignment module  210  positioned over a bracket assembly  700  and a fin element  202  positioned in the alignment module  210 , in accordance with some described embodiments. The bracket assembly  700  may include a vision system or any suitable system positioned in the bracket assembly  700 . The alignment module  210  and the bracket assembly  700  may include any features described herein for an alignment module and a bracket assembly, respectively. As shown, the bracket assembly  700  includes a first section  762 , a second section  764 , and a third section  766  designed to interact with a first section  712 , a second section  714 , and a third section  716 , respectively, of the alignment module  210 . Also, the bracket assembly  700  is designed to carry various modules (e.g., camera modules, light emitting modules, etc.) of the vision system, for example. 
     The alignment module  210  may align and/or carry several components, such as the audio module  200 , the microphone  208 , a sensor (positioned behind the audio module  200 ), and a lighting element  756 . The alignment module  210  may also align and/or carry a proximity sensor (not shown in  FIG. 7 ). The alignment module  210  may be designed to position the aforementioned components at least partially in the third section  766  (or recessed section). Also, the audio module  200 , the microphone  208 , the sensor, and the lighting element may electrically couple to a flexible circuit  760  that can electrically couple to a processor (not shown in  FIG. 7 ). The first section  712  of the alignment module  210  may further include an opening  718  designed to receive a portion of a module included in the bracket assembly  700 . The first section  712  may further include an extended portion  720  having a contoured region  722  that defines a reduced diameter of the opening  718  of the first section  712  from a first end (such as the bottom end) to a second end (such as the top end) of the alignment module  210 , with the extended portion  720  wrapping around a majority of the opening  718 . The second section  714  may include an opening  724  designed to receive a portion of a second module included in the bracket assembly  700 . The second section  714  of the alignment module  210  may include an extended portion  726  that forms a generally semicircular design such that a diameter of the opening  724  in the second section  714  remains generally constant. 
     The alignment module  210  may include an alignment ring  214  that includes side walls that define the bracket opening  216  or the alignment module opening  216 . In some embodiments, the fin element  202  may be installed in the alignment module to span the bracket opening  216  or the alignment module opening  216 . The fin element  202  may be located in a flow path of audible audio emitted from the audio module  200  (e.g., the fin element  202  is disposed between the audio module  200  and the cover opening of the portable electronic device). The fin element  202  may be positioned to disrupt turbulent kinetic energy experienced by the audible sound to reduce acoustic distortion by re-laminarizing the flow of the audible sound. The re-laminarized audible sound may be emitted the cosmetic mesh covering the cover opening of the cover (not shown in  FIG. 7 ). Further, a top surface of the fin element  202  that faces the cosmetic mesh may include at least one visibility reducing feature that reduces light reflected off of the fin element  202 . Reducing the light reflected off of the fin element  202  may reduce the visibility of the fin element  202  through the cosmetic mesh from a perspective external to the electronic device. 
     During an assembly operation of an electronic device (not shown in  FIG. 7 ), the alignment module  210 , secured with a cover (not shown in  FIG. 7 ), is lowered down toward the vision system and the bracket assembly  700 . While the cover is lowered, the alignment module  210  may contact the portion of a module in the bracket assembly  700 , as an example, and apply a force to the module that causes the bracket assembly  700 , along with the components of the vision system, to shift to a desired location in the electronic device. 
       FIG. 8  illustrates a top view of the alignment module  210  and the bracket assembly  700  shown in  FIG. 7 , further showing the fin element  202 , in accordance with some described embodiments. As shown, the alignment module  210  is positioned over and onto the bracket assembly  700 . When the bracket assembly  700  is assembled with the alignment module  210 , the bracket assembly  700  may include the fin element  202  that may be disposed in the alignment module  210 . As illustrated, the fin element  202  spans the bracket opening  216  or the alignment module opening  216 . In some embodiments, the fin element  202  may be centered in the bracket opening of the alignment module opening  216 . In other embodiments, the fin element  202  may be displaced relative to the center of the bracket opening  216  or the alignment module opening  216 . In some embodiments the fin element  202  may be placed in any suitable location in the flow path of audible sound emitted from the audio module  200  in the internal volume. The bracket opening  216  or the alignment module opening  216  may be aligned with the cover opening of the cover to enable porting of the audible sound emitted by the audio module out of the portable electronic device. 
       FIG. 9  illustrates a top view of a top surface  230  of the fin element  202 , and additional features, in accordance with some described embodiments. In some instances, adding an additional section, such as the fin element  202 , to the alignment ring disposed in the internal volume below the cosmetic mesh, the top surface  230  of the additional section may become visible in certain lighting conditions due to different types of light reflections. Accordingly, in some embodiments, one or more features may be included in the top surface  230  to reduce the light reflections and the visibility of the top surface  230 . 
     The different types of light reflections may include retro-reflection, direct reflection, and total internal reflection. Retro-reflection may refer to light that bounces off slopes of a ridged structure. For example, when the top surface  230  includes peaks or ridges having slopes and the slopes face one another, light may enter the cosmetic mesh, bounce off of one slope of a peak onto another slop of another peak that is aligned with the peak, and is reflected back out of the cosmetic mesh. The retro-reflections off neighboring ridges may cause axial brightness. Retro-reflections may cause the top surface  230  to be visible through the cosmetic mesh. 
     To reduce the retro-reflections, a feature, such as a three-dimensional offset pyramid geometry, may be included in the top surface  230  of the fin element  202 . As illustrated, numerous pyramids  900  may be provided on the top surface  230 , each pyramid  900  includes four slopes or faces  902  and a peak  904 . The faces  902  may be characterized as triangle shapes. The pyramids  900  may be arranged in rows  906  in an offset manner such that a majority of the slopes  902  of the pyramids  900  in a row do not directly face another slope of a pyramid  900  in another row  906 . For example, slope  902  of one pyramid  900  does not directly face slope  908  of another pyramid  900 . Instead, slope  902  is aligned with slope  910  of a pyramid  900  that is two rows  906  away. As such, a channel  912  is provided between the slope  902  and the slope  910  such that when light bounces off slope  902 , the light travels through the channel  912  and may dissipate due to the length of travel in the channel  910 . Since the pyramids  900  in a line in each row, each row may include repeated triangle shapes. Further, the peaks  904  of the pyramids may represent numerous discrete dots so light reflections off of the peaks  904  is blurred and not as noticeable as light reflecting off of two-dimensional ridge geometries. The offset pyramid geometry may reduce total retro-reflective area and may have an effect of going from high-resolution to low-resolution by blending in dark areas. 
     Direct reflections may refer to light that enters the cosmetic mesh in a direction, hits the top surface  230  of the fin element  202 , and reflects back out of the cosmetic mesh in the same direction in which the light entered. Direction reflections off peaks and valleys may cause axial and off-axis brightness. Direct reflections may also cause the top surface  230  to be visible through the cosmetic mesh. The direct reflections may occur when light directly strikes a peak  904  and/or a valley (e.g., channel  912 ). 
     To reduce the direct reflections, a feature, such as laser-etched peaks  904  and valleys (e.g., channel  912 ) of the offset pyramid geometry, may be included in the top surface  230  of the fin element  202 . A laser-etched tool may be used to reduce the radii of the peaks  904  and valleys, thereby reducing the surface areas of flat portions of the peaks  904  and valleys. In some embodiments, the radii may be reduce to a range of approximately 10 micrometers to 30 micrometers (e.g., approximately 20 micrometers). By reducing the radii, direct reflections may occur less often due to the smaller surface area of the peaks and valleys of the offset pyramid geometry of the top surface  230 . 
     Total internal reflection may refer to light that enters the material (e.g., polycarbonate) of the fin element  202 , reflects at certain angles while entering the material and while moving in the material, and reflects out of the material at a different direction than the direction the light arrived at the top surface  230 . In other words, the light may enter the material, transfer laterally, and exit back out of the material at a different area apex of the top surface  230 . Total internal reflections can cause thin sections of the material to illuminate. The light reflected back out of the cosmetic mesh due to the total internal reflection may cause the top surface  230  to be visible through the cosmetic mesh. 
     To reduce total internal reflections, a feature, such as dark ink coloring and/or polyurethane coating, may be included in the top surface  230  of the fin element  202 .  FIG. 10  illustrates a side view of the top surface  230  of the fin element  202  shown in  FIG. 9 , in accordance with some described embodiments. The top surface  230  may be formed with substrate  1000 , which may be a polycarbonate, metal, etc. Dark ink coloring  1002  may be applied to a surface of the substrate  1000  to darken the surface. Polyurethane coating  1004  may be applied to the dark ink coloring  1002  to provide a matte finish. The dark ink coloring  1002  and/or the polyurethane coating  1004  may reduce the total internal reflections of the top surface  230 . 
     In some embodiments, a feature, such as laser markings, may be included in the top surface  230  of the fin element  202 . The laser markings may be applied in combination with the dark ink coloring and/or polyurethane coating or may be used independently. The laser markings may darken the top surface  230  and roughens surface texture. The laser markings may burn and melt the substrate  1000  to darken its color without making the surface shiny. The laser markings may reduce the total internal reflections of the top surface  230 . 
     In some embodiments, the various features described above may be used in any suitable combination to reduce retro-reflections, direct reflections, and/or total internal reflections of light striking the top surface  230  of the fin element  202 . Further, additional features may be included in the top surface  230  to reduce visibility. For example, repeated triangle shape with laser roughening and darkening reflects light away from the user to make fin element  202  cosmetically acceptable. As a result of implementing one or more of the features, visibility of the top surface  230  of the fin element  202  through the cosmetic mesh may be reduced from a viewpoint external to the portable electronic device, thereby providing an enhanced look of the portable electronic device. 
       FIG. 11  illustrates a cross sectional view partially showing the electronic device  100  shown in  FIG. 1 , showing the bracket assembly  700  and the alignment module  210  secured together, in accordance with some described embodiments. The electronic device  100  may include a circuit  760  that is electrically and mechanically coupled to the audio module  200 , the microphone  208 , and/or other components (e.g., a lighting element, a sensor). The circuit  760  may include a flexible circuit that is electrically and mechanically connected to a circuit board, thereby placing the audio module  200 , the microphone  208 , and/or other components in communication with the circuit board. Also, the alignment module  210  is adhesively secured with the cover  112 . The alignment module  210  is aligned with the cover  112  such that when the audio module  200  is positioned in the alignment module opening  216  or the bracket opening  216 , the audio module  200  is aligned with the cover opening  114  of the cover  112 . Also, the alignment module  210  including the fin element  202  may be aligned with the cover  112  such that the fin element  202  is disposed between the audio module  200  and the cover opening  114 . The fin element  202  may disrupt kinetic turbulent energy experienced by the audible sound to re-laminarize the audible sound prior to the audible sound exiting the cover opening  114 . Further, the microphone  208  may be aligned with a diagonal opening (not labeled) of the alignment module  210 , and at least partially aligned with the cover opening  114 . 
     The bracket assembly  700  may include a first bracket  1142  and a second bracket  1144  secured with the first bracket  1142  to hold various modules (e.g., camera module, light module) of the vision system. The first bracket  1242  may include a multi-piece assembly. In this regard, the first bracket  1142  may include a first bracket part  1152  and a second bracket part  1154  secured with the first bracket part  1152 . The second bracket part  1154  may be referred to as a module carrier that holds a module. The first bracket part  1152  may attach to the second bracket  1144  and the second bracket part  1154  by welding, as an example, thereby electrically coupling the brackets and the parts together. Other attachment methods that electrically couple the brackets and parts together are possible. The second bracket  1144  may include a first spring element  1146  and a second spring element  1148  that are used to support the bracket assembly  700  and the vision system. 
     The bottom wall  1140  may include a transparent material, such as glass or the like. In this regard, the bottom wall  1140  may include a material that is different from the side wall components shown in  FIG. 1 . However, in some embodiments (not shown), the bottom wall  1140  is formed from a metal and the side wall components (also formed from the metal) are integrally formed from the bottom wall  1140 . Although not shown, the bottom wall  1140  may include a mask that provides an opaque material across a major surface of the bottom wall  1140 . 
     When the electronic device  100  is being assembled, a module included in the bracket assembly  700  may engage the alignment module  210 . The alignment module  210  may be secured to the cover  112  via an adhesive. The cover  112  may move in a direction toward the enclosure  102  in order to secure the cover  112  to the enclosure  102 . As the cover  112  is lowered, the alignment module  210  may engage a module  1112  of the vision system. The force provided by the alignment module  210  to the module  1112  (by way of the cover  112  moving toward the enclosure  102 ) causes the module  1112  to shift in the x-direction, which in turn causes the bracket assembly  700  and the remaining modules to shift along the X-axis (in the “negative” direction). The shifting, or movement, of the modules causes the modules in the bracket assembly  700  to align in the electronic device  100  in a desired manner. 
       FIG. 12  illustrates a schematic diagram of an electronic device  1200 . The electronic device  1200  may be representative of other embodiments of electronic devices described herein. The electronic device  1200  may include storage  1202 . The storage  1202  may include one or more different types of storage such as hard disk drive storage, nonvolatile memory (such as flash memory or other electrically-programmable read-only memory), volatile memory (such as battery-based static or dynamic random-access memory). 
     The electronic device  1200  may include processor circuitry  1206  having one or more processors that communicate with several peripheral devices via a bus system  1204 . The processor circuitry  1206  may be used to control the operation of the electronic device  1200 , and may include a processor (such as a microprocessor) and other suitable integrated circuits. In some embodiments, the processor circuitry  1206  and the storage  1202  run software on the electronic device  1200 . For example, the software may include object recognition software. In this regard, the electronic device  1200  may include output devices  1208  and input devices  1210  that supply data to the electronic device  1200 , and also allow data to be provided from the electronic device  1200  to external devices. The output devices  1208  may include an audio module that is aligned with a cover opening of the electronic device  1200 . The audio module is capable of emitting an audible sound. The audible sound may experience acoustic distortion based on structures resonating within a flow path of the audible sound. A fin element may be disposed within the flow path of the audible sound between the audio module and the cover opening. The fin element may re-laminarize the audible sound by disrupting the turbulent kinetic energy causing the acoustic distortion. Further, the fin element may include one or more features on a top surface facing the covering opening to reduce light reflecting off of the top surface to reduce visibility of the fin element through the cover opening. The output devices  1208  may further include a lighting element used during low-light (dim) applications. Additionally, the output devices  1208  may include a display layer (associated with a display assembly). 
     The input devices  1210  may include multiple camera modules. Additionally, the input devices  1210  may include buttons, switches, touch input and force touch layers (associated with a display assembly). Also, the electronic device  1200  may include a power supply  1212  (such as a battery) that provides electrical energy to the storage  1202 , the processor circuitry  1206 , the output devices  1208 , and the input devices  1210 . 
     The various aspects, embodiments, implementations or features of the described embodiments can be used separately or in any combination. Various aspects of the described embodiments can be implemented by software, hardware or a combination of hardware and software. The described embodiments can also be embodied as computer readable code on a computer readable medium for controlling manufacturing operations or as computer readable code on a computer readable medium for controlling a manufacturing line. The computer readable medium is any data storage device that can store data, which can thereafter be read by a computer system. Examples of the computer readable medium include read-only memory, random-access memory, CD-ROMs, HDDs, DVDs, magnetic tape, and optical data storage devices. The computer readable medium can also be distributed over network-coupled computer systems so that the computer readable code is stored and executed in a distributed fashion. 
     The foregoing description, for purposes of explanation, used specific nomenclature to provide a thorough understanding of the described embodiments. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the specific details are not required in order to practice the described embodiments. Thus, the foregoing descriptions of the specific embodiments described herein are presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not targeted to be exhaustive or to limit the embodiments to the precise forms disclosed. It will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that many modifications and variations are possible in view of the above teachings.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20190401
Publication Date: 20200602
Grant Date: 20200602
Priority Date: 20190401
Inventors: CATER, TYLER B.
CHENG, Mu-hua
SIPILA, TEEMU P.
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "H04R1/2888", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R1/025", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R2499/11", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R1/2888", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R2499/11", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R1/025", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R1/025", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R2499/11", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R1/2888", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 70856323