PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-9538272-B2
Application Number: US-201514659319-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Acoustic mesh and methods of use for electronic devices

Abstract:
An acoustically permeable material is disposed within an aperture of an electronic device to provide aesthetic appeal for the electronic device and protection for an acoustic device mounted within the electronic device. A stiffener is used in conjunction with the acoustically permeable material to improve its ability to resist permanent mechanical deformation from external forces. In some embodiments the stiffener may have multiple cavities enabling improved isolation between multiple acoustic devices within the same aperture. Other methods of employing acoustically permeable materials are disclosed that improve the aesthetic appeal, acoustic performance and/or manufacturability of the electronic device.

Claims:
What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An electronic device comprising:
 a housing having an outer surface opposite and adjacent to an inner surface; 
 an aperture disposed within the housing and having an inner wall extending from the outer surface to the inner surface; 
 an acoustic mesh having a flange portion disposed adjacent the inner surface, a vertical portion disposed within the aperture adjacent the inner wall extending from the inner surface towards the outer surface, and a horizontal portion extending across the aperture; and 
 a stiffener having a horizontal flange disposed along the flange portion of the acoustic mesh compressing the acoustic mesh against the inner surface, and a vertical wall disposed adjacent to the vertical portion of the acoustic mesh such that the acoustic mesh is disposed between the vertical wall of the stiffener and the inner wall of the aperture. 
 
     
     
       2. The electronic device of  claim 1  wherein the vertical wall of the stiffener has a distal end that is positioned proximate the horizontal portion of the acoustic mesh. 
     
     
       3. The electronic device of  claim 1  wherein the acoustic mesh comprises multiple woven wires. 
     
     
       4. The electronic device of  claim 1  wherein the woven wires comprise steel. 
     
     
       5. The electronic device of  claim 1  wherein the acoustic mesh is formed into a cup-shaped geometry such that the flange portion is disposed adjacent the inner surface of the housing and the horizontal portion is substantially coplanar with the outer surface of the housing. 
     
     
       6. The electronic device of  claim 1  wherein the flange portion of the acoustic mesh is secured to the inner surface of the housing with a PSA. 
     
     
       7. The electronic device of  claim 1  wherein the horizontal flange of the stiffener is secured to the horizontal portion of the acoustic mesh with a PSA. 
     
     
       8. The electronic device of  claim 1  wherein a flexible boot structure has an opening aligned with the aperture in the housing and is secured to the stiffener. 
     
     
       9. The electronic device of  claim 8  wherein an acoustic device is secured to the flexible boot structure and is aligned with the opening. 
     
     
       10. The electronic device of  claim 1  wherein the stiffener has a first cavity and a second cavity separated by a divider. 
     
     
       11. An electronic device comprising:
 a housing having an outer surface opposite and adjacent to an inner surface; 
 an aperture disposed within the housing and extending from the outer surface to the inner surface and having an inner wall therebetween; 
 an acoustic mesh in a cup-shaped formation, the acoustic mesh having a flange portion oriented parallel to the inner surface, a vertical portion extending from the flange portion towards the outer surface adjacent the inner wall, and a horizontal portion extending across the aperture; 
 a stiffener having a horizontal flange disposed along the inner surface of the housing and a vertical wall extending from the horizontal flange through the aperture towards the outer surface; and 
 a bond between the flange portion of the acoustic mesh and the stiffener. 
 
     
     
       12. The electronic device of  claim 11  wherein the vertical wall of the flange has a distal end bonded to the flange portion of the acoustic mesh. 
     
     
       13. The electronic device of  claim 11  wherein the horizontal portion of the acoustic mesh is substantially coplanar with the outer surface of the electronic device. 
     
     
       14. The electronic device of  claim 11  wherein the flange portion of the acoustic mesh is disposed adjacent to the inner surface of the housing and the horizontal flange of the stiffener is disposed adjacent to the flange portion. 
     
     
       15. An electronic device comprising:
 a housing having an outer surface disposed opposite and adjacent an inner surface and an aperture extending from the inner surface to the outer surface; 
 an acoustic mesh disposed against the inner surface of the housing and across the aperture, and having a mounting portion that extends beyond a perimeter of the aperture; 
 an elastomeric layer disposed against the inner surface of the housing and encircling the acoustic mesh; and 
 a bracket disposed within the housing having a protrusion configured to compress the mounting portion of the acoustic mesh to the inner surface of the housing and a second surface configured to compress the elastomeric layer against the inner surface of the housing. 
 
     
     
       16. The electronic device of  claim 15  wherein the elastomeric layer forms an acoustic seal between the bracket and the housing. 
     
     
       17. The electronic device of  claim 15  further comprising an acoustic device in communication with the aperture and secured to the bracket. 
     
     
       18. The electronic device of  claim 15  wherein the elastomeric layer has a first PSA that adheres it to the inner surface of the housing and a second PSA layer that secures it to the bracket. 
     
     
       19. The electronic device of  claim 15  further comprising a plate disposed adjacent the bracket that secures the bracket against the housing. 
     
     
       20. The electronic device of  claim 15  wherein the acoustic mesh comprises woven wires.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 62/047,441, for “EARPIECE INTEGRATED MAGNETIC SHIELDING FOR MITIGATING INGRESS OF MAGNETIC PARTICLES” and U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 62/047,567, for “ACOUSTIC MESH AND METHODS OF USE FOR ELECTRONIC DEVICES” which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety for all purposes. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     The described embodiments relate generally to electronic devices that employ acoustic devices that communicate with the environment through apertures within the housing of the electronic device. More particularly, the present embodiments relate to acoustic meshes that are employed within the apertures. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Currently there are a wide variety of electronic devices that have apertures within their housings to allow acoustic devices (e.g., microphones and speakers) located within the electronic device to acoustically communicate with the outside environment. To protect the electronic devices from damage acoustically permeable materials may be employed within or proximate the apertures. 
     New electronic devices may require new features or new methods of implementing acoustically permeable materials to improve their performance and/or aesthetics. 
     SUMMARY 
     An electronic device having an aperture with an acoustic mesh disposed within it is disclosed. In one embodiment an electronic device has a housing having an outer surface opposite and adjacent to an inner surface. The housing may further have an aperture disposed within it wherein the aperture has an inner wall extending from the outer surface to the inner surface of the housing. An acoustic mesh is disposed at least partially within the aperture. The acoustic mesh has a flange portion disposed adjacent the inner surface of the housing and a vertical portion disposed within the aperture along the inner wall. The acoustic mesh may further have a horizontal portion extending across the aperture such that the aperture is optically obscured. 
     In further embodiments a stiffener may be used in conjunction with the acoustic mesh. The stiffener may have a horizontal flange disposed along the flange portion of the acoustic mesh such that it compresses the acoustic mesh against the inner surface of the housing. The stiffener may further have a vertical wall disposed adjacent to the vertical portion of the acoustic mesh such that the acoustic mesh is disposed between the vertical wall of the stiffener and the inner wall of the aperture. In yet further embodiments, the vertical wall of the stiffener has a distal end that is positioned proximate the horizontal portion of the acoustic mesh. 
     In some embodiments the acoustic mesh comprises multiple woven wires that may be made from steel. In other embodiments the acoustic mesh may be formed into a cup-shaped structure such that the flange portion is disposed adjacent the inner surface of the housing and the horizontal portion is substantially coplanar with the outer surface of the housing. 
     In some embodiments the flange portion of the acoustic mesh is secured to the inner surface of the housing with a PSA and the horizontal flange of the stiffener is secured to the horizontal portion of the acoustic mesh with a PSA. In other embodiments a flexible boot structure is secured to the stiffener, and has an opening aligned with the aperture in the housing. 
     In another embodiment an acoustic mesh is disposed against the inner surface of the housing and across the aperture, and has a mounting portion that extends beyond a perimeter of the aperture. An elastomeric layer is disposed against the inner surface of the housing and encircles the acoustic mesh. A bracket is disposed within the housing and has a protrusion configured to compress the mounting portion of the acoustic mesh to the inner surface of the housing. The bracket has a second surface configured to compress the elastomeric layer against the inner surface of the housing. 
     In some embodiments the elastomeric layer forms an acoustic seal between the bracket and the housing. In other embodiments an acoustic device is in communication with the aperture and secured to the bracket. The elastomeric layer has a first PSA that adheres it to the inner surface of the housing and a second PSA layer that secures it to the bracket. A plate is disposed adjacent the bracket that secures the bracket against the housing. In some embodiments the acoustic mesh comprises woven wires. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a partial cross-sectional view of the receiver aperture of the electronic devices shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is an enlarged portion of the cross-sectional view shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  is an isometric view of one embodiment of an acoustic mesh according to an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 5  is an isometric view of one embodiment of an acoustic mesh according to an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 6  is plan view of a single cavity stiffener that can be used in the electronic device shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 7  is plan view of a dual cavity stiffener that can be used in the electronic device shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 8  is plan view of a triple cavity stiffener that can be used in the electronic device shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a partial cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a receiver aperture of an electronic device; 
         FIG. 10  is a partial isometric view of an acoustic element attached to a boot according to an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 11  is a partial isometric view of an acoustic element attached to a boot including an acoustic mesh according to an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 12  is a partial cross-sectional view of a compressible acoustic seal formed around the periphery of an acoustic mesh according to an embodiment of the invention; and 
         FIG. 13  is a partial cross-sectional view of a cosmetic acoustic mesh and a secondary acoustic mesh separated by a plate, according to an embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Certain embodiments of the present invention relate to acoustically permeable materials and methods of employing them in electronic devices. While the present invention can be useful for a wide variety of configurations, some embodiments of the invention are particularly useful for electronic devices that use wire mesh for such materials, as described in more detail below. 
       FIG. 1  depicts an illustrative rendering of one embodiment of an electronic device  100  that includes a housing  105  with outer surface  107 . Device  100  further includes a receptacle connector  110 , a multipurpose button  115  as an input component and a touch screen display  120  as both an input and output component. Electronic device  100  may also have one or more apertures  125 ,  130 ,  135 ,  140  within housing  105  that interface with one or more acoustic elements (e.g., a speaker or a microphone) within the electronic device. For example, aperture  125  may contain a speaker for a user to hear a caller and a microphone for noise cancellation. In other embodiments aperture  130  may contain a microphone to receive a user&#39;s voice or to record ambient noise for noise cancellation. Further embodiments may have a loudspeaker aperture  135  containing a speaker for features such as a speakerphone. Electronic device  100  may have additional apertures disposed in housing  105 , such as aperture  140  that may contain a microphone for features such as noise cancellation. Although examples of apertures containing acoustic elements have been provided, other configurations are possible and within the scope of this disclosure. 
     Apertures  125 ,  130 ,  135 ,  140  may enable sound waves to travel through housing  105  such that acoustic elements disposed within electronic device  100  may acoustically communicate with outside environment  145 . In further embodiments an acoustic mesh may be disposed within one or more of the apertures and be situated between the acoustic element and exterior surface  107  of housing  105  such that it protects the acoustic element from damage and provides an aesthetic appearance. The acoustic mesh may be acoustically permeable and held in place by a stiffener such that the acoustic mesh may be resilient to permanent deformation, as described in more detail below. 
     As an illustrative example of an embodiment, a simplified partial cross-section of aperture  125  (see section A-A) in electronic device  100  is shown in  FIG. 2 . Housing  105  may have outer surface  107  opposite and adjacent to an inner surface  109 . In some embodiments an aperture  125  may be disposed within housing  105  and have an inner wall  110  extending from outer surface  107  to inner surface  109 . In one embodiment, aperture  125  may provide a path for sound waves to travel through housing  105  to a speaker  205  and a microphone  210  disposed within electronic device  100 . In further embodiments speaker  205  may be used for a user to hear a caller and microphone  210  may be used for noise cancellation or other purposes. 
     An acoustic mesh  215  may be disposed at least partially within aperture  125  and located between exterior environment  145  and the acoustic elements (i.e., speaker  205  and microphone  210 ). Acoustic mesh  215  may be acoustically permeable and have a horizontal portion  220  extending across aperture  125 . In some embodiments, horizontal portion  220  may be substantially coplanar with exterior surface  107  of housing  105  such that it may provide a substantially uniform exterior surface for electronic device  100  for an aesthetically appealing appearance. That is acoustic mesh  200  may partially obscure microphone  205  and speaker  210  from view from outside of housing  105 , providing a more uniform appearance to outer surface  107  of electronic device  100 . In other embodiments acoustic mesh  215  may be disposed below exterior surface  107 . Acoustic mesh  200  may be held in place with a stiffener  230  such that it may be precisely positioned within aperture  125  and be resilient to mechanical deformation, as discussed in more detail below. Speaker  205  and microphone  210  may be attached to a flexible boot  235  that is secured to stiffener  230  with a pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA) or other material. 
     Now referring to  FIG. 3 , a magnified cross-sectional view of stiffener  230  and acoustic mesh  215  disposed in aperture  125  is illustrated. Acoustic mesh  215  has a horizontal portion  220  that covers aperture  125 , a vertical portion  305  that extends through aperture  125  and a flange portion  310  that extends parallel and adjacent to inside surface  109  of housing  105 . In some embodiments, stiffener  230  may have a vertical wall  320  that extends around the inner perimeter of aperture  125  such that acoustic mesh  215  is disposed between the vertical wall of the stiffener and inner wall  110  of the aperture. 
     Stiffener  230  may be made from a material that is relatively rigid that resists movement of acoustic mesh  215  as discussed in more detail below. Stiffener  230  may also have a horizontal flange  325  that may compress horizontal flange  310  of acoustic mesh  215  against inner surface  109  of housing  105 , holding the acoustic mesh in place within aperture  125 . In some embodiments, vertical wall  320  of stiffener  230  may extend to exterior surface  107  of housing  105 , while in other embodiments the vertical wall may be recessed from the exterior surface. In yet further embodiments, vertical wall  320  may be disposed around only a portion of the perimeter of aperture  125 . Flange portion  310  of acoustic mesh  215  may be adhered to housing  105  and to horizontal flange  325  of stiffener  230  with a first layer  330  and a second layer  335  respectively, of a PSA. 
     Stiffener  230  may hold acoustic mesh  215  to be substantially coplanar with exterior surface  107  of housing  105  and aid the acoustic mesh in retaining its shape when subjected to external forces. For example, in some applications electronic device  100  may be placed in a pocket or a purse along with a set of keys or other hard object. The keys may be pressed against acoustic mesh  215  causing it to deform. In some embodiments, where acoustic mesh  215  is constructed from wire, the acoustic mesh may sustain permanent plastic deformation, marring its aesthetic appearance. In such embodiments, stiffener  230  may provide acoustic mesh  215  increased resilience to plastic deformation by reinforcing the perimeter of the acoustic mesh such that it resists permanent deformation. Thus, stiffener  230  may enable acoustic mesh  215  to sustain higher forces without resulting in plastic deformation. 
     Now referring to  FIG. 4 , a portion of one example of an acoustic mesh  400  is illustrated. In some embodiments acoustic mesh  400  may be made from multiple woven wires  405 . In further embodiments wires  405  may be made from a material such as, but not limited to stainless steel. As discussed above, acoustic mesh  400  may be acoustically permeable while providing both protection for the acoustic element and an aesthetically pleasing appearance. That is, in some embodiments acoustic mesh  400  may partially obscure visibility into the aperture providing a less disrupted appearance of exterior surface  107  (see  FIG. 1 ) of electronic device  100 . In some embodiments acoustic mesh  400  may be relatively flat while in other embodiments it may be formed into two or three-dimensional shapes. Acoustic mesh  400  may be formed using any process, including but not limited to single-stage or progressive die forming. 
     Now referring to  FIG. 5  another example of a portion of an acoustic mesh  500  is shown. In this embodiment acoustic mesh  500  is a plate  505  with multiple perforations  510 . Myriad types of acoustic meshes may be used and are within the scope of this disclosure. 
     Now referring to  FIGS. 6-8 , plan views of various embodiments of stiffeners, such as stiffener  230  illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , are shown. In some embodiments the stiffener may have more than one cavity which may provide acoustic isolation between acoustic elements, as discussed in more detail below. In some embodiments the stiffener may be made from a metal such as, for example, steel, stainless steel, tin, brass, or any other metal. In further embodiments the stiffener may be plated, painted or anodized to provide corrosion protection and an appropriate aesthetic appearance. In yet further embodiments, the stiffener may be made from a plastic or other material. Three configurations of stiffeners are illustrated, although other embodiments may employ different configurations and/or geometries. 
     Now referring to  FIG. 6 , a stiffener  600  having a single compartment  605  is illustrated. Stiffener  600  may have a vertical wall  610  that encloses compartment  605 . In some embodiments, both a microphone and a speaker may be contained within compartment  605 . Stiffener  600  may also have a horizontal flange  615 . 
     Now referring to  FIG. 7  another stiffener  700  is illustrated. Stiffener  700  may have a vertical wall  705  that encloses first and second compartments  710 ,  715 , respectively. A divider  720  may form a barrier between first and second compartments  705 ,  710 , respectively. Stiffener  700  may also have a horizontal flange  725 . In one embodiment, first compartment  710  may contain a speaker and second compartment  715  may contain a microphone. In other embodiments first and second compartments  710 ,  715  respectively may contain different components. In further embodiments, divider  720  may serve as an acoustic isolation barrier, attenuating the interference of a speaker located in one cavity with a microphone located in the other cavity. In yet further embodiments, divider  720  may provide additional mechanical support to vertical wall  705 . 
     Now referring to  FIG. 8 , another stiffener  800  is illustrated. Stiffener  800  may a vertical wall  805  that encloses first, second and third compartments  810 ,  815  and  820 , respectively. Dividers  825 ,  830  may form barriers between first, second and third compartments  810 ,  815  and  820 , respectively. Stiffener  800  may also have a horizontal flange  835 . In one embodiment, first compartment  810  may contain a speaker, second compartment  815  may contain a first microphone and third compartment  820  may contain a second microphone. In other embodiments, first, second and third compartments  810 ,  815  and  820 , respectively may contain other components. In further embodiments, dividers  825 ,  830  may serve as acoustic isolation barriers, attenuating the interference of a speaker located in one cavity with one or more microphones located in another cavity. In yet further embodiments, dividers  825 ,  830  may provide additional mechanical support to vertical wall  805 . Other variations of stiffeners are possible and within the scope of this disclosure, including, but not limited to additional cavities, horizontal dividers, and different shapes of stiffeners such as squares, circles and closed polygons. 
     Now referring to  FIG. 9 , another embodiment is shown, illustrating how an acoustic mesh may be employed in an electronic device having a high aspect ratio aperture. In one embodiment, an electronic device  900  may have a ratio of a depth  910  of an aperture  905  to an opening  915  of the aperture that is relatively large (e.g., greater than or equal to 1:1 in some embodiments, 2:1 in some embodiments or 4:1 in some embodiments), resulting in a relatively tall and narrow aperture, as shown. Because of the high aspect ratio, it may be difficult to form an acoustic mesh that can start at an inner surface  920  of housing  903  and have a portion approximately coplanar with an exterior surface  930  of the housing. That is, in some embodiments the depth  910  to opening  915  ratio of aperture  905  may exceed the manufacturability limits of the acoustic mesh material. To place an acoustic mesh within aperture  905  with a portion of it proximate exterior surface  930 , an acoustic mesh cap  935  may be constructed in a cup-shaped formation and used in conjunction with an extension, as described in more detail below. 
     In one embodiment, acoustic mesh cap  935  may have a flange portion  940  oriented parallel to inner surface  920  of housing  903 , and a vertical portion  943  extending from the flange portion towards exterior surface  930  and along an inner wall of aperture  905 . Acoustic mesh cap  935  may further have a horizontal portion  945  extending across aperture  905  substantially coplanar with exterior surface  930 . 
     Extension  950  may be a formed structure similar to the aforementioned stiffener illustrated in  FIG. 3 , having a vertical wall  960  that extends within aperture  905  and a flange  965  that secures to inner surface  920  of housing  903 . However, in this embodiment flange  965  of extension  950  may not extend to exterior surface  930  of housing  903 . Instead, acoustic mesh cap  935  may be formed and disposed on a distal portion of vertical wall  960  such that the combination of extension  950  and acoustic mesh cap  935  enables horizontal portion  945  of acoustic mesh cap  935  to be placed substantially flush with exterior surface  930  of housing  903 . In some embodiments, acoustic mesh cap  935  may be secured to extension  950  with a PSA or other material. In further embodiments acoustic mesh cap  935  may be welded to or insert molded to extension  950 . 
     Now referring to  FIGS. 10 and 11  an embodiment is illustrated that may be used to improve the aesthetics of an acoustic element disposed within an aperture and attached to the electronic device with a PSA. As an illustrative example,  FIG. 10  shows an embodiment where a microphone  1005  may be attached using a PSA so it may be disposed in an aperture such as aperture  125  in  FIG. 1 . In this embodiment microphone  1005  is attached to a boot  1010  using a first PSA  1015 . A boot aperture  1020  may be aligned with aperture  125  (see  FIG. 1 ) in housing  105  such that microphone  1005  is in acoustic communication with an exterior of the electronic device. In some applications, first PSA layer  1015  may bleed into center portion  1025  and be visible to a user through aperture  125  (see  FIG. 1 ). More specifically, any PSA that bleeds into center portion  1025  may appear as a different color or reflectivity than other surfaces within aperture  125  (see  FIG. 1 ) and may distract from the aesthetic appeal of the device. Some embodiments may improve the aesthetic appeal of such configurations, as discussed in more detail below. 
     Now referring to  FIG. 11 , an embodiment that may have improved aesthetic appeal is illustrated and shows a microphone  1005  attached to a boot  1010 . First PSA layer  1015  may be bonded to an acoustic mesh layer  1105  such that the first acoustic mesh layer covers up center portion  1020  of boot. Such a configuration may provide a continuous and uniform appearance within aperture  125  (see  FIG. 1 ) regardless of the amount of first PSA layer  1015  material that is within center portion  1020  of boot. That is, acoustic mesh layer  1105  may cover up any first PSA layer  1015  bleeding and provide a more uniform appearance within aperture  125  (see  FIG. 1 ) resulting in improved aesthetic appeal. A second PSA layer  1110  may be used to bond acoustic mesh layer  1105  to boot  1010 . 
     Now referring to  FIG. 12 , an embodiment is illustrated showing a structure that may be used to consistently position an acoustic mesh over an aperture in an electronic device housing while the simultaneously forming a reliable acoustic seal for an acoustic device mounted within the aperture. As discussed above, acoustic devices may be mounted within an aperture within a housing of an electronic device (see for example speaker  205  in aperture  125  illustrated in  FIG. 2 ) and may receive or transmit sound waves through the aperture. An acoustic seal within the aperture may be beneficial to ensure the sound waves are minimally attenuated within the aperture and the acoustic device performance is optimized. 
       FIG. 12  illustrates a partial cross-sectional view of an electronic device  1200  having an aperture  1205  and an acoustic device  1210  within the aperture. This view may be similar to section A-A illustrated in  FIG. 1 . In this embodiment an acoustic mesh  1220  is secured over aperture  1205  and against housing  105  by protrusion  1235  on bracket  1230 . Bracket  1230  may held in place by panel  1235 . 
     Bracket  1230  may simultaneously form an acoustic seal within aperture  1205  by compressing an elastomer  1240  between bracket  1230  and housing  105 . Elastomer  1240  is compressible such that it accommodates tolerances in bracket  1230 , protrusion  1235  and acoustic mesh  1220 . Thus, acoustic mesh  1220  may be consistently positioned against housing  105  and elastomer layer  1240  accommodates tolerances within the components such that it creates a consistent and reliable acoustic seal around perimeter of acoustic mesh  1220 . In some embodiments elastomer layer  1240  may comprise a resilient foam-type material. In further embodiments, elastomer layer  1240  has a first PSA layer  1245  and a second PSA layer  1250  that adheres the elastomer layer to housing  105  and bracket  1230 , respectively. 
     Now referring to  FIG. 13 , in some embodiments a secondary acoustic mesh  1305  may be disposed proximate an acoustic element  1310  while a cosmetic acoustic mesh  1315  may be disposed proximate housing  105 . Cosmetic acoustic mesh  1315  may have a first layer  1320  and a second layer  1325  of PSA that adhere it between housing  105  and plate  1330 , respectively. Secondary acoustic mesh  1305  may be located proximate acoustic element  1310  and have a first layer  1335  and a second layer  1340  of PSA that adheres acoustic element  1310  to plate  1330 , respectively. In such embodiments, separating cosmetic acoustic mesh  1315  from secondary acoustic mesh  1305  may enable more consistent assembly processes as opposed to placing them adjacent one another such that there are two layers of acoustic mesh and four layers of PSA adjacent one another. In one embodiment, cosmetic acoustic mesh  1315  may comprise woven wires while secondary acoustic mesh  1305  may comprise a type of cloth. In other embodiments different types, configurations and arrangements of acoustic meshes may be used. 
     Although electronic device  100  (see  FIG. 1 ) is described and illustrated as one particular electronic device, embodiments of the invention are suitable for use with a multiplicity of electronic devices. For example, any device that receives or transmits audio, video or data signals may be used with the invention. In some instances, embodiments of the invention are particularly well suited for use with portable electronic media devices because of their potentially small form factor. As used herein, an electronic media device includes any device with at least one electronic component that may be used to present human-perceivable media. Such devices may include, for example, portable music players (e.g., MP3 devices and Apple&#39;s iPod devices), portable video players (e.g., portable DVD players), cellular telephones (e.g., smart telephones such as Apple&#39;s iPhone devices), video cameras, digital still cameras, projection systems (e.g., holographic projection systems), gaming systems, PDAs, as well as tablet (e.g., Apple&#39;s iPad devices), laptop or other mobile computers. Some of these devices may be configured to provide audio, video or other data or sensory output. 
     For simplicity, various internal components, such as the control circuitry, graphics circuitry, bus, memory, storage device and other components of electronic device  100  (see  FIG. 1 ) are not shown in the figures. 
     In the foregoing specification, embodiments of the invention have been described with reference to numerous specific details that may vary from implementation to implementation. The specification and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense. The sole and exclusive indicator of the scope of the invention, and what is intended by the applicants to be the scope of the invention, is the literal and equivalent scope of the set of claims that issue from this application, in the specific form in which such claims issue, including any subsequent correction.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20150316
Publication Date: 20170103
Grant Date: 20170103
Priority Date: 20140908
Inventors: AUCLAIR MARTIN J.
KOLE JARED M.
SHUKLA ASHUTOSH Y.
MYERS SCOTT A.
PAKULA DAVID A.
RAMMAH MARWAN
Assignee: APPLE INC
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Family ID: 55438776