Abstract: A diaphragm for an audio speaker includes an outer shell and an inner shell. Each shell has a face portion and an edge portion that is formed to be substantially perpendicular to the face portion. The inner shell is inserted into the outer shell such that at least a part of the edge portion of each shell is in contact with at least a part of the edge portion of the other shell and a space is formed between the face portions of each shell. A cellular core fills the space formed between the face portions of each shell and is bonded to the face portion of each shell. The outer and inner shells may have identical sizes and shapes such that there is an interference fit between the contacting edge portions. A voice coil may be supported by the edge portions.

Abstract: A micro speaker having a capacitive sensor to sense a motion of a speaker diaphragm, is disclosed. More particularly, embodiments of the micro speaker include a conductive surface of a diaphragm facing conductive surfaces of several capacitive plate sections across a gap. The diaphragm may be configured to emit sound forward away from a magnet of the micro speaker, and the capacitive plate sections may be supported on the magnet behind the diaphragm. In an embodiment, the gap provides an available travel for the diaphragm, which may be only a few millimeters. A sensing circuit may sense capacitances of the conductive surfaces to limit displacement of the diaphragm to within the available travel.

Abstract: An audio speaker having a suspension system including a surround to support a diaphragm within a frame and to reduce non-pistonic motion of the diaphragm at several resonant frequencies is disclosed. More particularly, embodiments of the surround include a film that undulates in a peripheral direction around the diaphragm and includes several undulations above and below a radial gap between the diaphragm and the frame. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.

Abstract: An acoustic module, such as a microphone or speaker module, includes an acoustic membrane that vibrates to produce acoustic waves and an acoustic cavity through which acoustic waves produced by the membrane travel. A liquid removal mechanism removes liquid from the acoustic cavity. Such a liquid removal mechanism may include the acoustic membrane, heating elements, hydrophobic and/or hydrophilic surfaces, and so on. In some cases, the liquid removal mechanism may remove liquid from the acoustic cavity upon connection of the acoustic module and/or an associated electronic device to an external power source.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include a microphone assembly having a microphone soldered on a bottom side of a bottom ported microphone flex circuit carrier, and a rigid coupler soldered on the top side of the carrier, opposite to the microphone. The coupler is inserted into and sealed to a microphone boot made out of a soft material. The top of the boot may be sealed to an electronic audio device into which the assembly is integrated. Acoustic openings through the housing, boot, coupler and carrier allow acoustic signals to reach the microphone. However, the seals between the housing, boot, coupler, carrier and microphone provide sound isolation, as well as a moisture and dust seal between the ambient and the inside of the electronic device. Such seals may include rings, grooves, threads, O-rings between the boot and coupler; or a reinforcing ring around the soft material of the boot.

Abstract: An acoustic module, such as a microphone or speaker module, includes an acoustic membrane that vibrates to produce acoustic waves and an acoustic cavity through which acoustic waves produced by the membrane travel. A liquid removal mechanism removes liquid from the acoustic cavity. Such a liquid removal mechanism may include the acoustic membrane, heating elements, hydrophobic and/or hydrophilic surfaces, and so on. In some cases, the liquid removal mechanism may remove liquid from the acoustic cavity upon connection of the acoustic module and/or an associated electronic device to an external power source.

Abstract: A portable electronic device having an enclosure having a top wall, a bottom wall, at least one sidewall connecting the top wall to the bottom wall, an acoustic output opening and a back volume defined by the top wall, the bottom wall and the at least one sidewall. A speaker driver is positioned within the enclosure, the speaker driver including a sound radiating surface having a top face and a bottom face for emitting sound waves therefrom. A frame member is attached to the speaker driver, the frame member forming a front volume chamber acoustically coupling the top face of the sound radiating surface to the acoustic output opening and a back volume chamber that overlaps a side of the speaker drive and acoustically couples the bottom face of the sound radiating surface to the back volume.

Abstract: A speaker assembly includes an enclosure having an acoustic chamber and an acoustic output opening and a speaker driver. The speaker driver includes a sound radiating surface and a first voice coil and a second voice coil positioned along opposite faces, respectively, of the sound radiating surface. The speaker driver further includes a first magnet assembly including an elongated gap in which part of the first voice coil is positioned to vibrate and a second magnet assembly having an elongated gap in which part of the second voice coil is positioned to vibrate. The first magnet assembly elongated gap is orientated lengthwise toward the acoustic chamber, and the second magnet assembly elongated gap is oriented lengthwise toward the acoustic output opening. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include a micro speaker assembly that has two drivers, each having a separate yoke, set of magnets, voice coil, and acoustic diaphragms. One driver may produce high frequency (HF) sound while the other produces low frequency (LF) sound. The two drivers may be packaged, side-by-side, within the same micro speaker acoustic enclosure. The drivers may have their respective magnet systems physically connected to each other, in order to enhance heat transfer from one to the other. In particular, a thermally conductive portion or bridge may be used to directly join or thermally connect adjacent edges of the yoke portions of the two magnet systems, in order to enhance heat transfer between the first and second micro speaker drivers. Thus, the assembly can handle more power without overheating. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.

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

Abstract: A magnet assembly for a audio speaker provides a gap through which a voice coil assembly passes. A magnetic member, a yoke, and a pole piece form a magnetic circuit that focuses magnetic energy in the gap. A spider movably supports the voice coil assembly. The spider is coupled to one of the magnetic member or the yoke by forming the one of the magnetic member or the yoke in two parts and joining the two parts with a portion of the spider between the two parts. The spider may be formed from a thin film thermoplastic, such as polyetheretherketone (PEEK), and may be less than 10 microns thick. The portion of the spider that is between the two parts may be shaped such that a portion of the two parts are in direct contact with one another.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include a micro speaker assembly that has two drivers, each having a separate yoke, set of magnets, voice coil, and acoustic diaphragms. One driver may produce high frequency (HF) sound while the other produces low frequency (LF) sound. The two drivers may be packaged, side-by-side, within the same micro speaker acoustic enclosure. The drivers may have their respective magnet systems physically connected to each other, in order to enhance heat transfer from one to the other. In particular, a thermally conductive portion or bridge may be used to directly join or thermally connect adjacent edges of the yoke portions of the two magnet systems, in order to enhance heat transfer between the first and second micro speaker drivers. Thus, the assembly can handle more power without overheating. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for assembling a self-contained audio/antenna module for a portable communication device, the method comprising the steps of incorporating, into the audio/antenna module, one or more transducers, said incorporation comprising, for at least one transducer, the steps of custom designing and implementing a membrane structure for the at least one transducer in accordance with design constrains provided by an audio/antenna module casing, and incorporating a standard, prefabricated magnetic circuit into the audio/antenna module, said magnetic circuit being adapted to displace the membrane structure of the at least one transducer in accordance with incoming audio drive signals. The invention further relates to an audio/antenna module manufactured according to the above-mentioned method.

Abstract: A diaphragm for an audio speaker includes an outer shell and an inner shell. Each shell has a face portion and an edge portion that is formed to be substantially perpendicular to the face portion. The inner shell is inserted into the outer shell such that at least a part of the edge portion of each shell is in contact with at least a part of the edge portion of the other shell and a space is formed between the face portions of each shell. A cellular core fills the space formed between the face portions of each shell and is bonded to the face portion of each shell. The outer and inner shells may have identical sizes and shapes such that there is an interference fit between the contacting edge portions. A voice coil may be supported by the edge portions.

Abstract: An acoustic transducer includes a housing, which may be a circular cylinder or may have a rectangular cross-section. Two permanent magnets that closely fit the inside of the housing are joined by a linkage having a high magnetic permeability to form a piston that is inserted into the housing. Two pole coils surround the housing with each coil adjacent one of the permanent magnets. The coils are arranged to cause the piston to oscillate within the housing and emit sound waves when coupled to an electrical signal. One end of the housing may be closed except for a barometric leak. A third permanent magnet or a spring may provide a restoring force that centers the piston between the coils when the piston is not subjected to other forces. One of the permanent magnets on the piston may include a vent passage.

Abstract: A magnet assembly for a audio speaker provides a gap through which a voice coil assembly passes. A magnetic member, a yoke, and a pole piece form a magnetic circuit that focuses magnetic energy in the gap. A spider movably supports the voice coil assembly. The spider is coupled to one of the magnetic member or the yoke by forming the one of the magnetic member or the yoke in two parts and joining the two parts with a portion of the spider between the two parts. The spider may be formed from a thin film thermoplastic, such as polyetheretherketone (PEEK), and may be less than 10 microns thick. The portion of the spider that is between the two parts may be shaped such that a portion of the two parts are in direct contact with one another.

Abstract: A portable electronic device having an enclosure having a top wall, a bottom wall, at least one sidewall connecting the top wall to the bottom wall, an acoustic output opening and a back volume defined by the top wall, the bottom wall and the at least one sidewall. A speaker driver is positioned within the enclosure, the speaker driver including a sound radiating surface having a top face and a bottom face for emitting sound waves therefrom. A frame member is attached to the speaker driver, the frame member forming a front volume chamber acoustically coupling the top face of the sound radiating surface to the acoustic output opening and a back volume chamber that overlaps a side of the speaker drive and acoustically couples the bottom face of the sound radiating surface to the back volume.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include a microphone assembly having a microphone soldered on a bottom side of a bottom ported microphone flex circuit carrier, and a rigid coupler soldered on the top side of the carrier, opposite to the microphone. The coupler is inserted into and sealed to a microphone boot made out of a soft material. The top of the boot may be sealed to an electronic audio device into which the assembly is integrated. Acoustic openings through the housing, boot, coupler and carrier allow acoustic signals to reach the microphone. However, the seals between the housing, boot, coupler, carrier and microphone provide sound isolation, as well as a moisture and dust seal between the ambient and the inside of the electronic device. Such seals may include rings, grooves, threads, 0-rings between the boot and coupler; or a reinforcing ring around the soft material of the boot.

Abstract: A speaker assembly includes an enclosure having an acoustic chamber and an acoustic output opening and a speaker driver. The speaker driver includes a sound radiating surface and a first voice coil and a second voice coil positioned along opposite faces, respectively, of the sound radiating surface. The speaker driver further includes a first magnet assembly including an elongated gap in which part of the first voice coil is positioned to vibrate and a second magnet assembly having an elongated gap in which part of the second voice coil is positioned to vibrate. The first magnet assembly elongated gap is orientated lengthwise toward the acoustic chamber, and the second magnet assembly elongated gap is oriented lengthwise toward the acoustic output opening. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.

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