PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-12114127-B2
Application Number: US-202117482818-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Dynamic valve for an electronic device

Abstract:
A portable electronic device comprising: an enclosure having an enclosure wall that forms an interior chamber and a sound output port to an ambient environment; a transducer positioned within the interior chamber and dividing the interior chamber into a front volume chamber coupling a first side of the transducer to the sound output port and a back volume chamber coupled to a second side of the transducer; and an electromechanical valve comprising a number of flaps operable to open and close a vent to the interior chamber, the front volume chamber or the back volume chamber.

Claims:
What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A portable electronic device comprising:
 an enclosure having an enclosure wall that forms an interior chamber and a sound output port to an ambient environment; 
 a transducer positioned within the interior chamber and dividing the interior chamber into a front volume chamber coupling a first side of the transducer to the sound output port and a back volume chamber coupled to a second side of the transducer; and 
 an electromechanical valve comprising a flap coupled to the enclosure wall by a hinge and operable to rotate about the hinge to open and close a vent to the interior chamber, the front volume chamber or the back volume chamber, and the hinge biases the flap to a closed position, and 
 wherein the enclosure wall comprises a first width that increases to a second width in a direction away from the hinge to form a sloped surface and reduce a voltage required to transition the flap to an open position in which the flap is coupled to the sloped surface, and 
 wherein the flap comprises an electrode layer fixedly coupled to a structural material layer and the flap maintains a flat shape when rotating about the hinge to close the vent. 
 
     
     
       2. The portable electronic device of  claim 1  wherein the flap is one of a number of flaps that are operable to open or close the vent to the ambient environment. 
     
     
       3. The portable electronic device of  claim 1  wherein the vent comprises a first opening and a second opening, and the flap is a first flap operable to open and close the first opening, and a second flap is operable to open and close the second opening. 
     
     
       4. The portable electronic device of  claim 1  wherein the hinge couples the flap to a first portion of the enclosure wall arranged perpendicular to the flap and the flap is perpendicular to the first portion when the vent is closed. 
     
     
       5. The portable electronic device of  claim 4  wherein upon application of the voltage, the flap transitions from a closed position to an open position in which it is coupled to the sloped surface by an electrostatic force. 
     
     
       6. The portable electronic device of  claim 4  wherein the enclosure wall further comprises a second portion that runs perpendicular to the first portion and is positioned above the flap, and upon application of a voltage, the flap is coupled to the second portion to close the vent. 
     
     
       7. The portable electronic device of  claim 4  wherein the flap further comprises a piezoelectric layer coupled to the electrode layer. 
     
     
       8. The portable electronic device of  claim 7  wherein the electrode layer is a first electrode layer, and the flap further comprises a second electrode layer coupled to a side of the piezoelectric layer opposite the first electrode layer. 
     
     
       9. The portable electronic device of  claim 1  wherein the valve is a first valve, and the device further comprises a second valve having a flap operable to open in an opposite direction to the flap of the first valve to cancel a net air pressure generated by the first valve when transitioning to an open position. 
     
     
       10. A valve assembly for a portable electronic device, the valve assembly comprising:
 a support member coupled to an enclosure opening, the support member having an insulating layer; and 
 an electromechanical flap movably coupled to the support member by a hinge, the electromechanical flap comprising an electrode layer fixedly coupled to a structural material layer, and wherein upon application of a voltage, the electromechanical flap is operable to rotate about the hinge while maintaining a flat shape to transition between a closed configuration in which the electromechanical flap covers the enclosure opening and an open configuration in which the electromechanical flap uncovers the enclosure opening, and the hinge biases the flap to the closed configuration, and 
 wherein the support member comprises a first width that increases to a second width in a direction away from the hinge to form a sloped surface and reduce a voltage required to transition the flap to the open configuration in which the flap is coupled to the sloped surface. 
 
     
     
       11. The valve assembly of  claim 10  wherein the structural material layer comprises a polysilicon, a silicon nitride, or a single crystalline silicon. 
     
     
       12. The valve assembly of  claim 10  wherein the structural material layer comprises a piezoelectric material. 
     
     
       13. The valve assembly of  claim 12  further comprising a third material layer, wherein the third material layer comprises a metal. 
     
     
       14. The valve assembly of  claim 10  wherein the insulating layer is coupled to the sloped surface, and the flap rotates about the hinge toward the insulating layer to the open configuration. 
     
     
       15. The valve assembly of  claim 10  wherein the insulating layer is coupled to a surface of the support member running parallel to the enclosure opening and positioned above the flap, and wherein the flap rotates about the hinge toward the insulating layer to the closed configuration. 
     
     
       16. The valve assembly of  claim 10  wherein the electromechanical flap comprises a first electromechanical flap and a second electromechanical flap. 
     
     
       17. The valve assembly of  claim 16  wherein the first electromechanical flap and the second electromechanical flap are independently operable to transition between the closed configuration in which the first and second electromechanical flaps cover the enclosure opening and the open configuration in which the first and second electromechanical flaps rotate toward the insulating layer of the support member. 
     
     
       18. The valve assembly of  claim 16  wherein the opening comprises a first opening and a second opening, and the first electromechanical flap is operable to transition between the closed configuration in which the first electromechanical flap covers the first opening and the open configuration, and the second electromechanical flap is operable to transition between the closed configuration in which the first electromechanical flap covers the second opening and the open configuration. 
     
     
       19. The valve assembly of  claim 16  wherein the support member comprises a first end and a second end opposite the first end, the first electromechanical flap is coupled to the first end, the second electromechanical flap is coupled to the second end, and wherein the second electromechanical flap opens in a direction opposite to the first electromechanical flap to cancel a net air pressure generated by the first electromechanical flap when transitioning to the open configuration.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The application is a non-provisional application of co-pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/245,570, filed Sep. 17, 2021 and incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     An aspect of the disclosure is directed to a dynamic valve assembly for an electronic device. Other aspects are also described and claimed. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Portable communications or listening devices (e.g., smart phones, earphones, etc.) have within them one or more transducers that convert an input electrical audio signal into a sound pressure wave output that can be heard by the user, or a sound pressure wave input into an electrical audio signal. The transducer (e.g., a speaker) can be used to, for example, output sound pressure waves corresponding to the voice of a far end user, such as during a telephone call, or to output sound pressure waves corresponding to sounds associated with a game or music the user wishes to play. Due to the relatively low profile of the portable devices, the transducers also have a relatively low profile, which in turn, can make it difficult to maintain optimal sound quality. 
     SUMMARY 
     An aspect of the disclosure is directed to a dynamic valve that can be used to control an amount of leak between an inner cavity and ambient. Representatively, in the case of earphones, in some cases a perfect seal (high impedance) is desired, whereas in other cases a very open path (low impedance) is desired. Representatively, in some cases, where the earphone fits relatively tightly within the ear and forms a seal with the ear canal, or at least a partial seal, user&#39;s may experience an undesirable occlusion effect. For example, during active noise control (ANC) or noise cancellation, the user may want the in-ear device to be isolated with passive isolation and ANC (closed valve) but when outdoors it may be desirable for transparency (open valve) so there is a more natural and lower occlusion effect when speaking. The valve therefore allows for the amount of leak to be dynamically controlled during system operation depending on the desired level of leak, and with lower power consumption. 
     Representatively, in some aspects, the disclosure is directed to a portable electronic device (e.g., a wearable such as an earphone) including an enclosure having an enclosure wall that forms an interior chamber and a sound output port to an ambient environment; a transducer positioned within the interior chamber and dividing the interior chamber into a front volume chamber coupling a first side of the transducer to the sound output port and a back volume chamber coupled to a second side of the transducer; and an electromechanical valve comprising a number of flaps operable to open and close a vent to the interior chamber, the front volume chamber or the back volume chamber. In some aspects, the number of flaps are operable to open or close the vent to the ambient environment upon application of a voltage. In still further aspects, the vent includes a first opening and a second opening, and the number of flaps comprise a first flap operable to open and close the first opening, and a second flap operable to open and close the second opening. In some aspects, at least one flap of the number of flaps includes an electrode layer and a structural material layer and the flap is coupled to a support member having a first portion arranged perpendicular to the flap. In some aspects, upon application of a voltage, the flap transitions from a closed position to an open position in which it is coupled to the first portion by an electrostatic force. In some aspects, the support member further includes a second portion that runs perpendicular to the first portion and is positioned above the flap, and upon application of a voltage, the flap is coupled to the second portion to close the vent. The flap may further include a piezoelectric layer coupled to the electrode layer. In some aspects, the electrode layer is a first electrode layer, and the flap further includes a second electrode layer coupled to a side of the piezoelectric layer opposite the first electrode layer. In some aspects, the first portion of the support member comprises a tapered portion that reduces a distance the flap moves to transition to an open position. In some aspects, the valve is a first valve, and the device further comprises a second valve having a flap operable to open in an opposite direction to at least one flap of the number of flaps of the first valve to cancel a net air pressure generated by the first valve when transitioning to an open position. 
     In another aspect, the disclosure is directed to a valve assembly for a portable electronic device including a support member coupled to an enclosure opening, the support member having an insulating layer; and an electromechanical flap movably coupled to the support member, the electromechanical flap comprising a first material layer comprising a metal and a second material layer, and wherein upon application of a voltage, the electromechanical flap is operable to transition between a closed configuration in which the electromechanical flap covers the enclosure opening and an open configuration in which the electromechanical flap uncovers the enclosure opening. The first material layer including the metal may be an electrode layer and the second material layer comprises a structural material coupled to the first material layer, and the second material layer comprises a polysilicon, a silicon nitride, or a single crystalline silicon. In some aspects, the second material layer includes a piezoelectric material. In some aspects, a third material layer is further provided including a metal. In some aspects, the insulating layer is coupled to a surface of the support member running perpendicular to the enclosure opening, and the flap rotates about a hinge toward the insulating layer to the open configuration. In some aspects, the insulating layer is coupled to a surface of the support member running parallel to the enclosure opening and positioned above the flap, and wherein the flap rotates about a hinge toward the insulating layer to the closed configuration. In some aspects, the electromechanical flap includes a first electromechanical flap and a second electromechanical flap. The first electromechanical flap and the second electromechanical flap may be independently operable to transition between the closed configuration in which the first and second electromechanical flaps cover the enclosure opening and the open configuration in which the first and second electromechanical flaps rotate toward the insulating layer of the support member. In some aspects, the opening includes a first opening and a second opening, and the first electromechanical flap is operable to transition between the closed configuration in which the first electromechanical flap covers the first enclosure opening and the open configuration, and the second electromechanical flap is operable to transition between the closed configuration in which the first electromechanical flap covers the second enclosure opening and the open configuration. In some aspects, the support member includes a first end and a second end opposite the first end, the first electromechanical flap is coupled to the first end, the second electromechanical flap is coupled to the second end, and wherein the second electromechanical flap opens in a direction opposite to the first electromechanical flap to cancel a net air pressure generated by the first electromechanical flap when transitioning to the open position. 
     The above summary does not include an exhaustive list of all aspects of the present disclosure. It is contemplated that the disclosure includes all systems and methods that can be practiced from all suitable combinations of the various aspects summarized above, as well as those disclosed in the Detailed Description below and particularly pointed out in the claims filed with the application. Such combinations have particular advantages not specifically recited in the above summary. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The aspects are illustrated by way of example and not by way of limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings in which like references indicate similar elements. It should be noted that references to “an” or “one” aspect in this disclosure are not necessarily to the same aspect, and they mean at least one. 
         FIG.  1    illustrates a cross-sectional side view of one aspect of a portable electronic device and/or transducer assembly having a valve. 
         FIG.  2    illustrates a perspective view of one aspect of a valve of the portable electronic device and/or transducer assembly of  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  3 A  illustrates a cross-sectional side view of one aspect of a valve of a portable electronic device and/or transducer assembly of  FIG.  2    in a closed configuration. 
         FIG.  3 B  illustrates a cross-sectional side view of one aspect of a valve of a portable electronic device and/or transducer assembly of  FIG.  2    in an open configuration. 
         FIG.  4 A  illustrates a cross-sectional side view of one aspect of a valve of a portable electronic device and/or transducer assembly of  FIG.  2    in a closed configuration. 
         FIG.  4 B  illustrates a cross-sectional side view of one aspect of a valve of a portable electronic device and/or transducer assembly of  FIG.  2    in an open configuration. 
         FIG.  5 A  illustrates a side perspective view of one aspect of a valve of a portable electronic device and/or transducer assembly of  FIG.  2    in a closed configuration. 
         FIG.  5 B  illustrates a side perspective view of one aspect of a valve of a portable electronic device and/or transducer assembly of  FIG.  2    in an open configuration. 
         FIG.  6 A  illustrates a cross-sectional side view of one aspect of a valve of a portable electronic device and/or transducer assembly of  FIG.  2    in an open configuration. 
         FIG.  6 B  illustrates a cross-sectional side view of one aspect of a valve of a portable electronic device and/or transducer assembly of  FIG.  2    in a closed configuration. 
         FIG.  7 A  illustrates a cross-sectional side view of one aspect of a valve of a portable electronic device and/or transducer assembly of  FIG.  2    in a closed configuration. 
         FIG.  7 B  illustrates a cross-sectional side view of one aspect of a valve of a portable electronic device and/or transducer assembly of  FIG.  2    in an open configuration. 
         FIG.  8 A  illustrates a cross-sectional side view of one aspect of a valve of a portable electronic device and/or transducer assembly of  FIG.  2    in a closed configuration. 
         FIG.  8 B  illustrates a cross-sectional side view of one aspect of a valve of a portable electronic device and/or transducer assembly of  FIG.  2    in an open configuration. 
         FIG.  9    illustrates a block diagram of one aspect of an electronic device within which a transducer including the valve assembly of  FIG.  1   - FIG.  8    may be implemented. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In this section we shall explain several preferred aspects of this disclosure with reference to the appended drawings. Whenever the shapes, relative positions and other aspects of the parts described are not clearly defined, the scope of the disclosure is not limited only to the parts shown, which are meant merely for the purpose of illustration. Also, while numerous details are set forth, it is understood that some aspects of the disclosure may be practiced without these details. In other instances, well-known structures and techniques have not been shown in detail so as not to obscure the understanding of this description. 
     The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular aspects only and is not intended to be limiting of the disclosure. Spatially relative terms, such as “beneath”, “below”, “lower”, “above”, “upper”, and the like may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element&#39;s or feature&#39;s relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features. Thus, the exemplary term “below” can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (e.g., rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly. 
     As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising” specify the presence of stated features, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. 
     The terms “or” and “and/or” as used herein are to be interpreted as inclusive or meaning any one or any combination. Therefore, “A, B or C” or “A, B and/or C” mean “any of the following: A; B; C; A and B; A and C; B and C; A, B and C.” An exception to this definition will occur only when a combination of elements, functions, steps or acts are in some way inherently mutually exclusive. 
       FIG.  1    illustrates a cross-sectional side view of one aspect of a valve assembly for a transducer positioned within a portable electronic device. The electronic device  100  may include a housing, casing or outer enclosure  102  that defines or closes off a chamber in which the constituent electronic components of electronic device  100  are contained. In some aspects, it is contemplated that device  100  may be a portable or mobile communications device, an in-ear device, portable time piece or any other device within which a transducer may be implemented. Enclosure  102  may include an enclosure wall  104  that separates a surrounding environment from an encased space or interior chamber  106  formed within enclosure  102 . In some cases, the enclosure wall  104  completely isolates or seals the entire, or a portion of, interior chamber  106  from the surrounding environment. For example, the enclosure wall  104  may form a water-proof or acoustically isolated portion of interior chamber  106  which is impermeable to water and/or air. The interior chamber  106  may be of a sufficient volume and/or size to accommodate the constituent components of electronic device  100 . The enclosure wall  104  may also include one or more of an acoustic port  108 . The acoustic port  108  may be, for example, a sound output port through which sound from a speaker positioned within interior chamber  106  may be output. In other aspects, where a microphone is positioned near enclosure acoustic port  108 , it could be a sound input port to allow for input of sound to the microphone. 
     Representatively, in one aspect shown in  FIG.  1   , enclosure acoustic port  108  is an acoustic port that is acoustically open to a transducer  110  positioned within interior chamber  106 . In some aspects, transducer  110  may be any type of electroacoustic transducer capable of converting an electrical audio signal into a sound or a sound into an electrical audio signal. Representatively, transducer  110  may be a speaker or a micro-speaker, for example, a miniaturized version of a loudspeaker that uses a moving coil motor to drive sound output. Thus, in some aspects, transducer  110  may be referred to herein as a micro-speaker. In other aspects, where transducer  110  converts sound into an electrical audio signal, it may further be referred to herein as a microphone. In some aspects, transducer  110  may be coupled to an interior wall  122  and be considered to divide interior chamber  106  into a front volume chamber  106 A and a back volume chamber  106 B around transducer  110 . In the case where transducer  110  is a speaker, front volume chamber  106 A may form a chamber having a first volume (V 1 ) around the sound output face or surface  110 A of transducer  110 . The front volume chamber  106 A (and first volume V 1 ) may be considered acoustically coupled to, or otherwise open to, acoustic port  108 . In this aspect, sound pressure waves output from surface  110 A of transducer  110  may pass through front volume chamber  106 A and out to the surrounding ambient environment  112  through acoustic port  108 . Back volume chamber  106 B may have a second volume (V 2 ) and surround the back side of transducer  110  (e.g., the side of transducer  110  opposite surface  110 A). 
     It is recognized that, for example, a size, volume, pressure or other aspects of front volume chamber  106 A or back volume chamber  106 B may impact the acoustic performance of transducer  110 . Thus, modifying the size, volume and/or pressure of front volume chamber  106 A and/or back volume chamber  106 B may be used to tune the acoustic performance of transducer  110 . For example, in some cases, it may be desirable for front volume chamber  106 A and/or back volume chamber  106 B to be isolated or sealed (e.g., high impedance) from the ambient environment  112  to achieve the desired acoustic performance. In other cases, it may be desirable for front volume chamber  106 A and/or back volume chamber  106 B to have a very open path (e.g., low impedance) and have some amount of leak to the surrounding ambient environment  112 . In still further aspects, it may be desirable for front volume chamber  106 A to have a leak, or otherwise be open to, back volume chamber  106 B. 
     With this in mind, valve assemblies or valve(s)  114 ,  116  and/or  118  may further be provided to vent an associated chamber. Valve  114 ,  116 , and/or  118  may open and/or close a vent or opening  120  from front volume chamber  106 A and/or back volume chamber  106 B to the ambient environment  112 , or a vent or opening  120  between front and back volume chambers  106 A-B. Representatively, valve  114  may open and/or close opening  120  formed through wall  104  between front volume chamber  106 A and ambient environment  112 . In other words, when valve  114  is open, front volume chamber  106 A can leak or vent to ambient environment  112  and when valve  114  is closed, the leak or venting is prevented. A leak or venting may be desired from front volume chamber  106 A where, for example, device  100  is an in-ear earpiece sealed within the user&#39;s ear but a more open feel is desired. Valve  116  may open and/or close opening  120  through wall  104  between back volume chamber  106 B and ambient environment  112 . In other words, when valve  116  is open, front volume chamber  106 A can leak or vent to back volume chamber  106 B, and when valve  116  is closed, the leak or venting is prevented. Valve  118  may open and/or close opening  120  through wall  122  between front volume chamber  106 A and back volume chamber  106 B. In this aspect, when valve  118  is open, back volume chamber  106 B can leak or vent to back volume chamber  106 B, and when valve  118  is closed, the leak or vent is prevented. In still further aspects, it is contemplated that one or more of valves  114 ,  116 ,  118  could be used to open and/or close an opening (e.g., opening  120 ) which is to another type of acoustic chamber, for example, an opening to an acoustic resonator or attenuator coupled to one or more of the previously discussed chambers or ports of the transducer. 
     In one aspect, one or more of valves  114 ,  116 ,  118  may be electromechanical valves that open and/or close in response to the application of a voltage. In this aspect, valves  114 ,  116 ,  118  may be dynamically actuated to control the amount of leak. In some aspects, one or more of valves  114 ,  116 ,  118  may be micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) actuators or valves. Valves  114 ,  116 ,  118  may be the same, or may be different. In some aspects, one or more of valves may offer the advantages of bistability, low power consumption switching from on/off states, digitization for controlling a percentage or amount of open area for venting, and/or silent operation. A number of representative configurations for valves  114 ,  116 ,  118  will now be described in reference to  FIG.  2   - FIG.  8 B . 
     Representatively,  FIG.  2    illustrates a magnified top perspective view of a representative valve from  FIG.  1   . In this aspect,  FIG.  2    shows valve  114  used to open/close opening  120  formed in enclosure wall  104 . It should be understood, however, that although valve  114  is specifically discussed, one or more of valves  116  and/or  118  may be the same as valve  114  such that the description provided herein also applies to any other valves disclosed in  FIG.  1   . From this view, it can be seen that opening  120  includes a number of openings  220  and valve  114  includes a number of flaps  214  configured to open/close a respective one of the openings  220 . Representatively, openings  220  may be an array of openings  220  that together make up opening  120 . In this aspect, openings  220  may be relatively small, for example, from about 1 mm to about 3 mm. Similarly, valve  114  includes an array of flaps  214  that are positioned over a respective one of openings  220  to open/close each opening  220  as desired. For example, the combination of openings  220  and flaps  214  may make up a 4×4 array of valves as shown, although more or fewer valves may be included in the array. For example, the valves may be arranged in a 5×5 array, a 6×6 array or the like. It should be understood, however, that valves may be in arrangements or patterns other than an array as desired. In addition, it should be understood that while square shaped openings  120  and/or flaps  214  are shown, other polygon or non-polygon shapes and sizes of openings  120  and/or flaps  214  are contemplated (e.g., triangular, rectangular, circular, etc.). The size and shape of openings  120  and flaps  214  should be complimentary such that the flaps  214  are of a sufficient size and/or shape to cover the openings  220  in the closed configuration and uncover the openings  220  in the open configuration. It further may be understood that in some aspects, each of flaps  214  may be individually controlled by application of a voltage such that some may be open (e.g., not covering a respective opening  220 ) while others may be closed (e.g., covering a respective opening  220 ) depending on the desired level of venting. The opening and/or closing of flaps  214  may be driven in parallel or separately controlled by the application of a voltage to give a variable impedance control. For example, in some aspects, the application of an electric voltage may be used to open flaps  214 , but once opened they may be considered “latched”, and can remain latched while almost reducing the power to virtually zero. In this aspect, valves  114  consume a relatively low amount of power when transitioning between open/closed states or configurations. 
     Representatively,  FIGS.  3 A- 3 B  illustrate a cross-sectional side view of one aspect of a valve assembly from  FIG.  2   . In particular,  FIGS.  3 A- 3 B  illustrate representative aspects of valve  114  from  FIG.  2   . It should be understood, however, that although valve  114  is specifically discussed, one or more of valves  116  and/or  118  may be the same as valve  114  such that the description provided herein also applies to any other valves disclosed herein. Referring now to valve  114 , it can be seen from this view that valve  114  includes at least one flap  214  that is coupled to support member  302  by a hinge  306 . It should be recognized that although the term “flap” is used herein, flap  214  may be any structure suitable for opening and/or closing opening  220  as discussed herein. Flap  214  and/or support member  302  may include materials that allow for the opening and/or closing of flap  214  relative to opening  220  upon application of a voltage and electrostatic forces. Representatively, flap  214  may include a first material layer  214 A that is made of a metal material and a second material layer  214 B that is made of a structural material. In some aspects, flap  214  may further include an optional material layer  214 C that is the same as second material layer  214 B and first material layer  214 A may be sandwiched between layers  214 B and  214 C. The materials for layers  214 A- 214 B and optional layer  214 C may be any MEMS material. For example, first material layer  214 A may be made of a metal material including, but not limited to, gold, aluminum or the like. In some aspects, first material layer  214 A may be referred to herein as an electrode layer, or as including an electrode. Second material layer  214 B and material layer  214 C may be made of a structural material including, but not limited to, polysilicon, silicon nitride, silicon carbide, single crystalline silicon, or polymer MEMS materials in general. The first material layer  214 A and second material layer  214 B may be fixedly attached to one another (e.g., during a processing operation, using an adhesive, etc.) to form flap  214 . In some aspects, the material layer  214 C may be fixedly attached to a side of first material layer  214 A opposite the second material layer  214 B to provide environmental protection and/or better stress control to flap  214 . Flap  214  may include a first end  310  that is considered free to move between open and/or closed positions, and a second end  312  that is coupled to hinge  306  and drives the movement of free end  310 . In some aspects, hinge  306  may include a spring or biasing mechanism  314  that biases flap  214  toward the closed or horizontal position in which flap  214  covers opening  220  as shown in  FIG.  3 A . In this aspect, in the resting state shown in  FIG.  3 A  (e.g., no voltage is applied), flap  214  will remain closed or otherwise in a position such that it is covering opening  220 . The application of a sufficient voltage to flap  214 , however, will create an attractive force between flap  214  and support member  302  that overcomes the biasing force of the hinge  306 . This, in turn, causes flap  214  to move or rotate (as shown by the arrow) toward support member  302  to the open position (or vertical position) in which it is not covering opening  220  and latch to support member  302  due to the electrostatic forces, as shown in  FIG.  3 B . 
     In this aspect, support member  302  may include a material that allows flap  214  to rotate toward support member  302  and latch to support member  302  upon application of a force. Representatively, support member  302  may be a perpendicularly extending part (or wall) of a substrate or enclosure wall and include an insulating material  308  attached to a side or surface facing flap  214 . For example, support member  302  may be considered to run perpendicular to the opening  220  as shown. In some aspects, support member  302  may be made of a single crystal silicon, a quartz or a glass material, and the insulating material  308  may be, for example, an aluminum oxide or silicon dioxide material layer. Upon application of a voltage to flap  214 , the voltage will slowly start applying force on the flap  214 . The voltage may be continually increased until an attractive force is generated that causes flap  214  to move or rotate toward support member  302  and latch thereto. It should further be understood that once latched, flap  214  can stay latched while almost reducing the power to zero due to electrostatic forces. Once, however, the voltage is decreased to a certain threshold value, the spring/mechanical force of hinge  306  will overcome the electrostatic force causing flap  214  to rotate back to the closed position shown in  FIG.  3 A . In this aspect, it may be understood that to open/close flap  214  there is a critical voltage that may be used to keep flap  214  open and upon reducing the voltage, there is some hysteresis that occurs allowing flap  214  to remain latched for a period of time using the electrostatic forces that were generated. At some point, however, this is overcome by the biasing force of the hinge  306  and flap  214  will go back to the closed position. For example, to open flap  214 , up to approximately 50 volts may be applied to flap  214 , this may then be reduced to 40 volts with flap  214  remaining latched. Upon further reducing the voltage to 30 volts, flap  214  may stay latched for a period of time due to hysteresis until eventually the spring force overcomes any remaining forces causing flap  214  to rotate back to the closed position. In some aspects, the device may have an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC)  222  that could be next to flap  214  that connects with and is used to apply the voltage necessary to dynamically control flap  214 . 
     Referring now in more detail to support member  302 , support member  302  may, in some aspects, be a wall or structure that extends from the enclosure wall  104 , into the interior chamber  106  defined by enclosure wall  104 . For example, support member  302  may be a wall or structure coupled to, or formed by the enclosure wall and/or a substrate or other material within which the valve assembly is implemented. Support member  302  may extend perpendicularly from a portion of enclosure wall  104  defining opening  220 . In some aspects, another support member  304  may also be provided and extend perpendicularly from a portion of enclosure wall  104  defining opening  220 . Support member  302  and support member  304  may surround opening  220 . In some aspects, support member  302 ,  304  may be one integrally formed wall or structure that is formed partially or entirely around opening  220 . In this aspect, support members  302 ,  304  may form an interior chamber below opening  220  and within which flap  214  may be received when it moves toward support member  302  (e.g., to an open or vertical position) as previously discussed and shown in  FIG.  3 B . As can further be seen from  FIG.  3 A , when flap  214  is closed, the enclosure interior chamber  106  is closed, or sealed off, from ambient environment  112 . On the other hand, when flap  214  is in the open position, as shown in  FIG.  3 B , interior chamber  106  is open, or shares a volume, with ambient environment  112 . The opening and closing of flap  214  can be dynamically controlled as previously discussed. In addition, each flap  214  in the array of flaps making up the valve  114  discussed in reference to  FIG.  2    may be individually controlled so that the total open area of opening can be selected to match the desired leak. For example, where the largest opening or leak is desired, all flaps  214  may be opened, where a smaller leak is desired, some flaps  214  may be opened while others may be closed. 
       FIGS.  4 A- 4 B  illustrate cross-sectional side views of another aspect of a valve assembly from  FIG.  2   . In particular,  FIGS.  4 A- 4 B  illustrate representative aspects of valve  114  from  FIG.  2   . Valve  114  shown in  FIGS.  4 A- 4 B  is substantially similar to the valve described in reference to  FIGS.  3 A- 3 B  in that it includes flap  214 , connected to support member  302  by hinge  306 . Similar to the previously discussed flaps, flap  214  may include a first material layer  214 A (e.g., a metal material layer) and a second material layer  214 B (e.g., a structural material layer). Support member  302  may include an insulating material  308  attached to a side or surface of support member  302  facing flap  214 . In this aspect, upon application of a voltage as previously discussed, flap  214  will be caused to rotate in the direction of the arrow toward support member  302 . Flap  214  rotates until it contacts support member  302  and latches to support member  302  as previously discussed. 
     In this configuration, however, support member  302  (and support member  304 ) may include an angled, sloped or tapered configuration such that the distance flap  214  must move to contact and latch to support member  302  is reduced from that which the support member is not tapered (e.g., as shown in  FIGS.  3 A- 3 B ). In particular, the interior surface  402  of support member  302 , which faces the interior chamber, may slope in an outward direction at the end furthest from flap  214 . For example, support member  302  may have a first width dimension (W 1 ) at the end closest to flap  214  and increase to a second width dimension (W 2 ) at the end furthest from flap  214 . The slope or angle of support member  302  decrease the distance between support member  302  and support member  304  from a first distance D 1  (at the top of the chamber) to a second distance D 2  (at the bottom of the chamber). This, in turn, decreases the distance flap  214  must move to contact support member  302  and reach the open/latched position. For example, whereas in the previous configuration, flap  214  had to move across the entire distance D 1  to contact the support member, in this configuration, flap  214  need only move across the distance D 2  to contact support member  302 . It should further be understood that since the distance flap  214  moves to reach the open/latched position is reduced, the voltage required to reach the open/latched position may also be reduced. 
     Referring now to  FIGS.  5 A- 5 B ,  FIGS.  5 A- 5 B  illustrate side perspective views of another aspect of a valve assembly. In particular,  FIGS.  5 A- 5 B  illustrate representative aspects of valve  114  from  FIG.  2   . Valve  114  is similar to the previously discussed valves, however, in this configuration, valve  114  includes a number of flaps  514 A,  514 B,  514 C,  514 D,  514 E and  514 F arranged over opening  220 . Opening  220  may be formed in enclosure wall  104  and, in this aspect, have a hexagonal shape as shown. Each of flaps  514 A-F may be triangularly shaped and attached to enclosure  104  and/or surrounding support members  502 ,  504 ,  506  at their widest end by a hinge  524 . In this aspect, the point of each of the triangularly shaped flaps  514 A-F face the center of opening  220  and when they are arranged together over opening  220  as shown, they form a similar hexagonal shape to opening  220 .  FIG.  4 A  illustrates flaps  514 A-F in a closed configuration in which they cover, or are otherwise considered to close, opening  220  so that the interior chamber  106  is closed off from the ambient environment  112 . To open flaps  514 A-F, a voltage as previously discussed is applied, causing flaps  514 A-F to rotate inward and toward an inner surface of a respective one of the support members  502 ,  504 ,  506  to which they are coupled. Flaps  514 A-F, hinges  524  and support members  502 ,  504 ,  506  may be substantially similar to the previously discussed flaps, hinges and support members such that upon application of a voltage, an electrostatic force is created that draws flaps  514 A-F inward toward support members  502 ,  504 ,  506 . In this aspect, although not shown, insulating layers may be formed on the interfacing surfaces of support members  502 ,  504 ,  506  similar to those previously discussed in reference to  FIGS.  3 A- 3 B . The flaps  514 A-F may then remain latched to a respective one of support members  502 ,  504 ,  506  until the force is less than that of the biasing force of hinges  524 . At which point, the biasing force of hinges  524  overcomes the electrostatic force and causes flaps  514 A-F to transition back to the closed configuration shown in  FIG.  4 A . As previously discussed, each of flaps  514 A-F may be individually controlled such that all may be closed, all may be opened, or only some of flaps  514 A-F may be closed/opened depending on the level of leak desired. It should further be understood that while a single valve assembly  114  and opening  220  are shown in enclosure  104 , there may be an array of valve assemblies  114  and openings  220  as previously discussed in reference to  FIG.  2   . 
       FIGS.  6 A- 6 B  illustrate cross-sectional side views of another aspect of a valve assembly from  FIG.  2   . In particular,  FIGS.  6 A- 6 B  illustrate representative aspects of valve  114  from  FIG.  2   . Valve  114  shown in  FIGS.  6 A- 6 B  is substantially similar to the valve described in reference to  FIGS.  3 A- 4 B  in that it includes flap  214 , connected to support member  302  by hinge  306 . Similar to the previously discussed flaps, flap  214  may include a first material layer  214 A (e.g., a metal material layer) and a second material layer  214 B (e.g., a structural material layer). Flap  214  may be attached to support member  302  at one end  312  by hinge  306  and the other end  310  near support member  304  may be considered a free end. Support member  302  may include an insulating material or layer  308  attached to a side facing flap  214 . 
     In this configuration, however, flap  214  moves in a reverse direction to close opening  220  upon application of a voltage. Representatively, flap  214  may be coupled to support member  302  by a reverse hinge  306 . Reverse hinge  306  may bias flap  214  toward the horizontal position shown in  FIG.  6 A , which in this case is the open position. Support member  304  may include a second upper or latching portion  604  that is perpendicular to the first lower portion, which runs perpendicular to opening  220  as shown. For example, portion  604  may be arranged such that it extends over the free end  310  of flap  214  and parallel to opening  220 , while the lower portion of support member  304  extends below opening  220 . Representatively, support member  304  may, in this aspect, be an “L” shaped structure with the latching portion  604  extending over the free end  310  of flap  214  and the remaining portion extending below opening  220 . Latching portion  604  may include an insulator material  608  and a structural material  608 . Upon application of a voltage, flap  214  rotates from the open (horizontal) position shown in  FIG.  6 A  in an upward direction toward latching portion  604 . Flap  214  rotates upward until it contacts latching portion  604 , which in turn, closes the opening  220  as shown in  FIG.  6 B . Flap  214  may remain in the closed position until the electrostatic forces are overcome by the biasing force of the hinge  306  causing flap  214  to move back to the open (horizontal) position shown in  FIG.  6 A . Since, similar to the configuration of  FIGS.  4 A- 4 B , flap  214  does not need to move as far to contact latching portion  604 , the voltage required to transition flap  214  from the open to closed position may be reduced. In addition, once in the closed or latched position of  FIG.  6 B , flap  214  will remain held in place for a period of time without application of the voltage as previously discussed, thus while held in place in the closed/latched position the power consumption is virtually zero. It may further be understood that another advantage of this configuration is that latching portion  604  acts as a mechanical stopper to avoid mechanical failure in large pressure inputs. 
       FIGS.  7 A- 7 B  illustrate a cross-sectional side view of another aspect of a valve assembly from  FIG.  2   . In particular,  FIGS.  7 A- 7 B  illustrate representative aspects of valve  114  from  FIG.  2   . Valve  114  shown in  FIGS.  7 A- 7 B  is substantially similar to the valve described in reference to  FIGS.  3 A- 3 B  in that it includes flap  214 , connected to support member  302  by hinge  306 . Similar to the previously discussed flaps, flap  214  may include a first material layer  214 A (e.g., a metal material layer) and a second material layer  214 B (e.g., a structural material layer). In this configuration, flap  214  further includes a third material layer  714 B and a fourth material layer  714 B. For example, the third material layer  714 B may be a piezoelectric layer and fourth material layer  714 B may be a metal layer. In some aspects, the first material or metal layer  214 A may be considered a common electrode and the fourth material or metal layer  714 A may be considered a counter electrode. Similar to the previously discussed configurations, the assembly may further include support member  302  and support member  304 . Support member  302  may include an insulating material  308  attached to a side facing flap  214 . In this aspect, upon application of a voltage as previously discussed, flap  214  will be caused to rotate in the direction of the arrow toward support member  302 . Flap  214  rotates until it contacts support member  302  and latches to support member  302  as previously discussed. 
     Referring now in more detail to flap  214 , the addition of the third material layer  714 A including a piezoelectric material and the fourth material layer  714 B including an electrode provides a combined actuation mechanism that can further help to reduce the voltage requirement. For example, flap  214  can be actuated using a combination of capacitive/piezoelectric or capacitive/thermal bimorph actuation mechanisms to reduce the voltage requirement. Representatively, the piezoelectric layer of third material layer  714 A may provide significant bending force which can be used to cause an initial movement of flap  214  at a reduced voltage. For example, in configurations without the piezoelectric layer, to move flap  214  from 0-30 degrees angle of rotation, a relatively significant voltage is required. The addition of the third material layer  714 A including a piezoelectric layer allows for the application of a relatively small voltage initially which causes the flap  214  to bend slightly due to the deflection of the piezoelectric material. This slight bend provides an initial rotational kick to the flap  214  at a lower voltage than the previously discussed configurations. After the initial rotational kick at the reduced voltage, the voltage can be increased to fully rotate flap  214  to the latched position. The overall voltage, however, required to open/close flap  214  is considered reduced in comparison to a valve without a piezoelectric layer. 
       FIGS.  8 A- 8 B  illustrate cross-sectional side views of another aspect of a valve assembly from  FIG.  2   . In particular,  FIGS.  8 A- 8 B  illustrate representative aspects of valve  114  from  FIG.  2   . Valve  114  shown in  FIGS.  8 A- 8 B  is substantially similar to the valve described in reference to  FIGS.  3 A- 3 B  in that it includes flap  214 , connected to support member  302  by hinge  306  as well as a second support member  304 . Support member  302  may include an insulating layer  308 A (e.g., an aluminum oxide layer) as previously discussed. Similar to the previously discussed flaps, flap  214  may include a first material layer  214 A (e.g., a metal material layer) and a second material layer  214 B (e.g., a structural material layer). Flap  214  transitions from the closed (horizontal) configuration shown in  FIG.  8 A  to the open (vertical) configuration shown in  FIG.  8 B  upon application of a voltage as previously discussed. 
     In this configuration, however, valve  114  further includes an opposing flap  814  that will cancel the net air pressure generated by the valve during transition to null sound that may occur due to the opening/closing of flap  214 . Representatively, in some aspects, when flap  214  opens, it may push some air toward the chamber  802  it is connected to, which may be heard by the user. To avoid this, a second flap  814  that opens in a reverse and/or cancelling arrangement to cancel this air flow from flap  214  may be provided. In this aspect, flap  814  may be connected to a bottom end  816  of support member  304  by hinge  806 . Flap  814  may be similar to the previously discussed flap  214  in that it includes a first material layer  814 A (e.g., a metal material layer) and a second material layer  814 B (e.g., a structural material layer). In addition, similar to support member  302  to which flap  214  is connected to, support member  304  to which flap  814  is connected to may include an insulating layer  308 B. Hinge  806  connecting flap  814  to support member  304  may be similar to hinge  306  in that it includes a biasing mechanism or spring  808  to bias flap  814  to the closed position. In this configuration, however, hinge  806  operates in reverse to hinge  306  and allows for the opening/closing of flap  814  in an opposite direction to flap  214 . Representatively, upon application of a voltage, hinge  806  allows flap  814  to open in a direction of arrow  810  (toward support member  304 ) which is opposite to the direction of flap  214  as illustrated by arrow  812  (toward support member  302 ). In one representative process for cancelling the net air pressure generated by flap  214  during transition to the open configuration of  FIG.  8 B , when flap  214  is opened, flap  814  is also opened. The flows generated by the opening of both flaps  214 ,  814  will form a destructive acoustic wave. This, in turn, will reduce the transition sound pressure level (SPL) to a level that is not heard by the user. One exemplary manufacturing process for forming this dual valve configuration would be to form two MEMS wafers with a flap/hinge at one end and then bond them together at opposite ends. 
     As previously discussed, any one or more of the valve assemblies disclosed herein in reference to  FIGS.  1 - 8 B  may be dynamically controlled by the application of a voltage to control the amount of leak between the chambers or volumes that they connect. For example, any one or more of the valve assemblies may be dynamically opened to connect a front volume chamber or a back volume chamber of a transducer to an ambient environment surrounding the chambers and/or device enclosure in which the transducer is implemented. In other aspects, any one or more of the valve assemblies may be dynamically opened to connect the front volume chamber to the back volume chamber of the transducer. It should further be understood that although the valve assemblies are described as opening/closing various chamber associated with transducers, they may be used to open/close or otherwise connect any chambers where dynamical control of a leak between the chambers or different volumes is desired. 
       FIG.  9    illustrates a block diagram of one aspect of an electronic device within which the previously discussed transducer and/or valve assembly may be implemented. As shown in  FIG.  9   , device  900  may be any type of portable device within which a transducer and/or valve assembly disclosed herein may be desired, for example, an earpiece (e.g., in-ear earpiece, hearing aid or the like), mobile phone, personal digital assistant, portable timepiece or other portable device. Device  900  may include storage  902 . Storage  902  may include one or more different types of storage such as hard disk drive storage, nonvolatile memory (e.g., flash memory or other electrically-programmable-read-only memory), volatile memory (e.g., battery-based static or dynamic random-access-memory), etc. 
     Processing circuitry  904  may be used to control the operation of device  900 . Processing circuitry  904  may be based on a processor such as a microprocessor and other suitable integrated circuits. With one suitable arrangement, processing circuitry  904  and storage  902  are used to run software on device  900 , such as internet browsing applications, voice-over-internet-protocol (VOIP) telephone call applications, email applications, media playback applications, operating system functions, etc. Processing circuitry  904  and storage  902  may be used in implementing suitable communications protocols. Communications protocols that may be implemented using processing circuitry  904  and storage  902  include internet protocols, wireless local area network protocols (e.g., IEEE 802.11 protocols—sometimes referred to as Wi-Fi®), protocols for other short-range wireless communications links such as the Bluetooth® protocol, protocols for handling 3G or 4G communications services (e.g., using wide band code division multiple access techniques), 2G cellular telephone communications protocols, etc. 
     To minimize power consumption, processing circuitry  904  may include power management circuitry to implement power management functions. For example, processing circuitry  904  may be used to adjust the gain settings of amplifiers (e.g., radio-frequency power amplifier circuitry) on device  900 . Processing circuitry  904  may also be used to adjust the power supply voltages that are provided to portions of the circuitry on device  900 . For example, higher direct-current (DC) power supply voltages may be supplied to active circuits and lower DC power supply voltages may be supplied to circuits that are less active or that are inactive. If desired, processing circuitry  904  may be used to implement a control scheme in which the power amplifier circuitry is adjusted to accommodate transmission power level requests received from a wireless network. 
     Input-output devices  906  may be used to allow data to be supplied to device  900  and to allow data to be provided from device  900  to external devices. Display screens, microphone acoustic ports, speaker acoustic ports, and docking ports are examples of input-output devices  906 . For example, input-output devices  906  can include user input-output devices  906  such as buttons, touch screens, joysticks, click wheels, scrolling wheels, touch pads, key pads, keyboards, microphones, cameras, etc. A user can control the operation of device  900  by supplying commands through user input devices  908 . Display and audio devices  910  may include liquid-crystal display (LCD) screens or other screens, light-emitting diodes (LEDs), and other components that present visual information and status data. Display and audio devices  910  may also include audio equipment such as speakers and other devices for creating sound. Display and audio devices  910  may contain audio-video interface equipment such as jacks and other connectors for external headphones and monitors. 
     Wireless communications devices  912  may include communications circuitry such as radio-frequency (RF) transceiver circuitry formed from one or more integrated circuits, power amplifier circuitry, passive RF components, antennas, and other circuitry for handling RF wireless signals. Wireless signals can also be sent using light (e.g., using infrared communications). Representatively, in the case of a speaker acoustic port, the speaker may be associated with the port and be in communication with an RF antenna for transmission of signals from the far end user to the speaker. 
     Returning to  FIG.  9   , device  900  can communicate with external devices such as accessories  914 , computing equipment  916 , and wireless network  918  as shown by paths  920  and  922 . Paths  920  may include wired and wireless paths. Path  922  may be a wireless path. Accessories  914  may include headphones (e.g., a wireless cellular headset or audio headphones) and audio-video equipment (e.g., wireless speakers, a game controller, or other equipment that receives and plays audio and video content), a peripheral such as a wireless printer or camera, etc. 
     Computing equipment  916  may be any suitable computer. With one suitable arrangement, computing equipment  916  is a computer that has an associated wireless access point (router) or an internal or external wireless card that establishes a wireless connection with device  900 . The computer may be a server (e.g., an internet server), a local area network computer with or without internet access, a user&#39;s own personal computer, a peer device (e.g., another portable electronic device), or any other suitable computing equipment. 
     Wireless network  918  may include any suitable network equipment, such as cellular telephone base stations, cellular towers, wireless data networks, computers associated with wireless networks, etc. For example, wireless network  918  may include network management equipment that monitors the wireless signal strength of the wireless handsets (cellular telephones, handheld computing devices, etc.) that are in communication with network  918 . 
     While certain aspects have been described and shown in the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that such aspects are merely illustrative of and not restrictive on the broad disclosure, and that the disclosure is not limited to the specific constructions and arrangements shown and described, since various other modifications may occur to those of ordinary skill in the art. The description is thus to be regarded as illustrative instead of limiting. For example, although a speaker is specifically disclosed herein, the valve disclosed herein could be used with other types of transducers, for example, microphones. In addition, in some aspects, the valve could be used to open/close the opening to an acoustic resonator or attenuator coupled to a transducer. Still further, although a portable electronic device such as a mobile communications device is described herein, any of the previously discussed valve and transducer configurations may be implemented within a tablet computer, personal computer, laptop computer, notebook computer, headphones and the like. In addition, to aid the Patent Office and any readers of any patent issued on this application in interpreting the claims appended hereto, applicants wish to note that they do not intend any of the appended claims or claim elements to invoke 35 U.S.C. 112(f) unless the words “means for” or “step for” are explicitly used in the particular claim.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20210923
Publication Date: 20241008
Grant Date: 20241008
Priority Date: 20210917
Inventors: HATIPOGLU, Gokhan
HRUDEY, PETER C.
GRINKER, SCOTT C.
JAIN, ANKUR
WRIGHT, PATRICK B.
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "H10N30/00", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R1/025", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R3/00", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "F16K15/16", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H10N30/00", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H10N30/206", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R1/1041", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R2460/11", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R2460/15", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R1/1016", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R2499/11", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "F16K2200/204", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "F16K31/02", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "F16K31/005", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "F16K1/2021", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R1/2826", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "F16K1/2007", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H10N30/00", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R3/00", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R1/025", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "F16K15/16", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R1/2826", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 85383983