Apple Inc.

Eugene H Fox

Brad G Boozer

Christopher Matthew Werner

Maegan K Spencer

James G Horiuchi

Amin M Younes

William C Lukens

David M Pelletier

Daniel J Hiemstra

Daniel J Barrett

Christopher D Guichet

Rico L Zorkendorfer

Molly J Anderson

Erik G De Jong

Scott P Porter

Ruchir M Dave

Ryan C Perkins

Nikolas T Vitt

Jesse A Lippert

Sherry Tang

Baris Ozgen

Mark A Murphy

Embodiments are directed to a portable electronic device having a substantially concealed barometric vent. The vent may be used to equalize air pressure within the enclosure while forming a barrier between external contaminants, moisture, and so on and various internal component and assemblies of the device. In one embodiment, the vent may include a screen configured to impede ingress of particulates and an air-permeable membrane configured to impede ingress of moisture.

Concealed barometric vent for an electronic device

This application relates to a portable electronic device including a first sensing module and a second sensing module that are both in communication with a processor. The portable electronic device can include access ports that are formed in the housing, where the first and second sensing modules are capable of receiving an external stimulus by way of the access ports. A plate is positioned in the housing between a wall of the housing and the sensing modules. The plate and the wall define non-linear flow paths between the access ports to the first and second sensing modules. The non-linear flow paths can transmit the external stimulus to cause at least one of the first or second sensing modules to provide a detection signal to the processor that causes a display unit to present a notification that corresponds to the external stimulus.

Internal architecture of a portable electronic device having ports that are offset from electronic modules

An acoustic transducer can have an acoustic diaphragm defining a barometric vent configured to equalize a barometric pressure-gradient across the acoustic diaphragm. Such a barometric vent can be formed by an aperture through the acoustic diaphragm. A gas-permeable vent membrane can be coupled with the acoustic diaphragm and extend across the aperture. The vent membrane can inhibit movement of liquid across the vent membrane. An acoustic-transducer module can include a chassis a chassis configured to mount the acoustic-transducer module to another module, and a suspension system can movably couple the acoustic diaphragm with the chassis. Such an acoustic-transducer module can sealably couple with a housing of a water-resistant electronic device to inhibit a flow of liquid into the housing while providing a water-resistant barometric vent to the housing, as well as an acoustic diaphragm having a sufficient size to meet or exceed selected acoustic-performance targets.

Vented acoustic transducers and related methods and systems

Fasteners and fastener systems that can act as air vents for enclosures are described. The fasteners can be configured to secure a component to a wall of an enclosure, while at the same time providing a passageway for air to pass between an internal cavity of the enclosure and an outer environment. The venting feature of the fastener can serve to equalize pressures between the internal cavity and outer environment so as to prevent pressure build up or condensation within the internal cavity. The dual functionality of the fasteners is suitable for use in portable electronic devices where compactness and space saving measures can be of importance.

Vent for portable electronics combined with enclosure mounting fastener

An electronic device having an interior volume, the electronic device including a sealing mechanism to prevent ingress of water into the interior cavity. The sealing mechanism having a channel having a first opening at an external environment and a second opening that leads to the interior volume, a membrane that covers the second opening, the membrane being air permeable and water resistant such that the membrane allows air to pass and prevents passage of water up to an upper pressure threshold, a stopper mechanism, and a diaphragm comprising a surface arranged to receive an external water pressure and that is air and water impermeable, the diaphragm being coupled to the stopper mechanism that deflects in response to the water pressure such that the diaphragm actuates the stopper mechanism and seals off the channel from at the first opening preventing water pressure at the membrane from exceeding the upper pressure threshold.

Self-energizing sealing mechanisms

Growing community of inventors

San Jose, CA, United States of America

Eugene H Fox