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US 9,573,165 B2Granted
Hydrophobic mesh cover
AssigneeApple Inc.
InventorsDouglas J. Weber, Naoto Matsuyuki
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A screen having a hydrophobic portion to resist the entry of liquid into an acoustic module and a hydrophilic portion to aid in the removal of liquid from an acoustic chamber is described. The screen is placed in an orifice in the acoustic module between the external environment and the internal acoustic chamber.
Claims20
An acoustic module, comprising:
- an acoustic chamber;
- an audio component disposed within the acoustic chamber;
- a port adjacent an external environment and the acoustic chamber;
- and
- a semi-permeable barrier material disposed within the port and comprising:
- a first side facing the external environment and exhibiting a hydrophobic characteristic;
- a second side facing the acoustic chamber and opposite the first side, and exhibiting a hydrophilic characteristic;
- wherein the audio component is configured to emit inaudible acoustic waves that move moisture toward and through the semi-permeable barrier material.
5 more elements
A cover for an acoustic module that includes an audio component, the cover comprising:
- a liquid permeable material having a first side and a second side;
- the first side including a hydrophobic coating;
- and
- the second side including a hydrophilic coating configured to be oriented towards the audio component,
- wherein the liquid permeable material allows liquid to pass from the first side of the liquid permeable material to the second side of the liquid permeable material to dry the acoustic module.
2 more elements
A cover for an acoustic module comprising:
- a hydrophilic mesh material having a first size mesh opening;
- and
- a hydrophobic mesh material having a second size mesh opening smaller than the first size mesh opening;
- wherein the hydrophilic mesh material is adjacent to the hydrophobic mesh material to form the cover,
- wherein when liquid is received at the hydrophilic mesh material, the hydrophilic and hydrophobic mesh materials cooperate to dry the acoustic module by moving the liquid through the cover.
2 more elements
A device for drying an acoustic chamber, the device comprising:
- a cover material covering a port of the acoustic chamber, the cover material comprising a screen having a hydrophobic side and a hydrophilic side, wherein:
- the hydrophobic side is adjacent an exterior environment outside the acoustic chamber;
- the hydrophilic side is adjacent an interior portion of the acoustic chamber;
- and
- the screen is configured to move liquid within the acoustic chamber from the hydrophilic side to the hydrophobic side by capillary action.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.