# US 2013/0156218 A1 · Enclosure System With Acoustic Element > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2013/0156218 A1 - Document ID: US20130156218A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/664,469 - Filed: 2012-10-31 - Published: 2013-06-20 - Earliest claimed: 2011-12-16 - Inventors: William R. Annacone; Robert G. Johnston; Martyn D. Miller - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20130156218A1 ## CPC - B29C 45/1676: {using a soft material and a rigid material, e.g. making articles with a sealing part} - B29C 45/006: {Joining parts moulded in separate cavities} - B29L 2031/3437: {Cellular phones} - B29L 2031/38: Loudspeaker cones; Acoustic diaphragms - H04R 1/023: {Screens for loudspeakers} - H04R 1/086: {Protective screens, e.g. all weather or wind screens} - H04R 31/003: {for diaphragms or their outer suspension} - B29C: SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING (making preforms B29B11/00; making laminated products by combining previously unconnected layers which become one product whose layers will remain together B32B37/00 - B32B41/00) - B29L: INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASS B29C, RELATING TO PARTICULAR ARTICLES - H04R: LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; ELECTRIC HEARING AIDS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS (producing sounds with frequency not determined by supply frequency G10K) ## Abstract Watertight enclosures for digital audio devices include one or more diaphragms for transmitting sound to and/or from the digital device's audio transducers, such as speakers and microphones. To mitigate standing waves and/or prominent natural frequencies, a central portion of the diaphragm is wavy with a relatively low Q (Young's modulus). The central portion is encircled by a peripheral web portion that is relatively thin to provide the central portion with spring support. In some examples, the diaphragm also includes a seal for sealing against the digital device's housing to create a generally closed air chamber between the diaphragm and the audio transducer. The closed air chamber promotes sound transfer between the diaphragm and the audio transducer. The closed air chamber can also reduce crosstalk between a microphone and a proximate speaker. In some examples, a relatively soft diaphragm and a harder enclosure are created using plastic injection overmolding. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An enclosure system for housing a digital device that includes an audio transducer, wherein the audio transducer is at least one of a speaker and a microphone, the enclosure system comprising: an enclosure having an enclosure wall defining an acoustic window area, an interior space and an exterior, the interior space being sized to receive the digital device therein, the enclosure being configurable selectively between an open configuration and a closed configuration, the interior space being substantially hermetically sealed from the exterior when the enclosure is in the closed configuration; and a diaphragm disposed on the enclosure at the acoustic window area, the diaphragm comprising a central portion and a web portion encircling the central portion, the central portion and the web portion each having a material thickness, the material thickness of the central portion being greater than that of the web portion. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The enclosure system of claim 1, wherein the central portion is wavy. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The enclosure system of claim 1, wherein the web portion is more planer than the central portion. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The enclosure system of claim 1, wherein the central portion and the web portion are softer than the enclosure wall. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The enclosure system of claim 1, wherein the diaphragm is a seamless unitary piece. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The enclosure system of claim 1, wherein the diaphragm further comprises a mounting flange and a seal, the mounting flange being joined to the enclosure wall, the web extending between the central portion and the mounting flange, the seal extending from the mounting flange to the central portion, the seal engaging the digital device when the digital device is disposed within the interior space of the enclosure while the enclosure is in its closed configuration. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The enclosure system of claim 6, wherein the diaphragm is a seamless unitary piece. ### Claim 8 An enclosure system comprising: an enclosure having an enclosure wall defining an acoustic window area, an interior space and an exterior, the enclosure being configurable selectively between an open configuration and a closed configuration, the interior space being substantially hermetically sealed from the exterior when the enclosure is in the closed configuration; a digital device that includes a first audio transducer, the first audio transducer being one of a speaker and a microphone, the digital device being disposed within the interior space of the enclosure with the first audio transducer being in proximity with the acoustic window area; and a diaphragm disposed on the enclosure at the acoustic window area, the diaphragm comprising a central portion, a web portion, a mounting flange and a seal, the mounting flange being joined to the enclosure wall, the web portion extending between the flange and the central portion, and the seal extending from the mounting flange and engaging the digital device. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The enclosure system of claim 8, wherein the central portion and the web portion each having a material thickness, and the material thickness of the central portion being greater than that of the web portion. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The enclosure system of claim 8, wherein the seal, the web portion, central portion and the digital device define a substantially sealed chamber between the diaphragm and the first audio transducer, the digital device includes a second audio transducer being one of the speaker and the microphone, the second audio transducer being outside the substantially sealed chamber. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) The enclosure system of claim 8, wherein the central portion is wavy. ### Claim 12 (depends on 8) The enclosure system of claim 8, wherein the web portion is more planer than the central portion. ### Claim 13 (depends on 8) The enclosure system of claim 8, wherein the central portion and the web portion are softer than the enclosure wall. ### Claim 14 (depends on 8) The enclosure system of claim 8, wherein the diaphragm is a seamless unitary piece. ### Claim 15 An enclosure method pertaining to an enclosure for a digital device that includes an audio transducer, the enclosure defining an interior space and an exterior, the enclosure method comprising: plastic injection molding an enclosure wall of the enclosure, the enclosure wall defining an acoustic window area; plastic injection molding a diaphragm of the enclosure; joining the diaphragm to the enclosure wall at the acoustic window area by performing at least one of: a) plastic injection molding the enclosure wall, and b) plastic injection molding the diaphragm; and hermetically sealing the interior space of the enclosure from the exterior. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The enclosure method of claim 15, further comprising: inserting the digital device within the interior space of the enclosure; and positioning the audio transducer of the digital device in proximity with the diaphragm. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The enclosure method of claim 15, wherein the diaphragm is softer than the enclosure wall. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) The enclosure method of claim 15, wherein the diaphragm is wavy. ### Claim 19 (depends on 15) The enclosure method of claim 15, wherein the diaphragm comprises a central portion and a web portion encircling the central portion, wherein the central portion and the web portion each have a material thickness, and the material thickness of the central portion is greater than that of the web portion.