Apple invention uses electrodes to dry out wet iPhone innards
An Apple invention published on Thursday points to work on water resistant portable devices capable of expelling water from speaker and microphone cavities using varied electric charges and acoustics.
Source: USPTO
As published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, Apple's patent application for "Liquid expulsion from an orifice" describes a novel method by which water, or any other liquid, is transported out of an acoustic chamber. The general idea is to introduce hydrophobic properties to conductive elements disposed within an acoustic cavity -- a speaker or microphone chamber -- by varying their respective surface charges.
While Apple currently installs a fine mesh screen over device openings to prevent foreign objects and liquid from entering, there is a chance of ingress when immersed or subjected to water under pressure. Further, condensation may accumulate within the chamber, depending on humidity and local temperature fluctuations, a bad situation for sensitive electronic components.
In some embodiments of the proposed invention, sensors disposed inside the acoustic module are used to detect the presence of moisture. Other implementations rely on existing acoustic sensors, like onboard microphones, to accomplish the task through tone analysis.
If it is determined that liquid has indeed entered the acoustic module, a surface charge is applied to conductive elements lining the chamber's walls. Said elements are configured to conform to the acoustic cavity's shape, for example as a tube-shaped wire coil. Apple notes these conductive elements are covered with a protective layer of dielectric material.
Effect of surface charge variation on water droplet.
Switching a conductive element's surface charge between positive, neutral and negative modifies that particular region's hydrophobicity, meaning an electrode can be configured to attract or repel liquid. For example, a positive charge might reduce an area's hydrophobic properties, while a negative surface charge has the opposite effect and pushes liquid away.
Selectively applying varying surface charges to particular regions allows the system to facilitate movement of a collected liquid, or more specifically transport water toward and out of an exit port. A separate surface charge might also be applied to the protective mesh screen to speed up the process.
Finally, Apple says speaker drivers might also assist in liquid evacuation. By outputting energy pulses, or sound waves, that propagate through the acoustic channel, a speaker can push out standing fluid by force.
It is unclear if Apple plans to put the water expulsion invention into action anytime soon, but the company already employs passive waterproofing measures in its current product lineup. The iPhone 6s, for example, was found to include a perimeter gasket and silicone-sealed cables, while the Apple Watch boasts a water resistant design, including the completely encapsulated S1 system-in-package.
Recent rumors claim Apple is mulling a "ruggedized" next-generation iPhone boasting water- and dust-proof features, though exact specifications were expectedly unavailable.
Apple's liquid expulsion patent application was first filed for in May 2014 and credits Stephen P. Zadesky, Fletcher R. Rothkopf and Ashley E. Fletcher as its inventors.
Source: USPTO
As published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, Apple's patent application for "Liquid expulsion from an orifice" describes a novel method by which water, or any other liquid, is transported out of an acoustic chamber. The general idea is to introduce hydrophobic properties to conductive elements disposed within an acoustic cavity -- a speaker or microphone chamber -- by varying their respective surface charges.
While Apple currently installs a fine mesh screen over device openings to prevent foreign objects and liquid from entering, there is a chance of ingress when immersed or subjected to water under pressure. Further, condensation may accumulate within the chamber, depending on humidity and local temperature fluctuations, a bad situation for sensitive electronic components.
In some embodiments of the proposed invention, sensors disposed inside the acoustic module are used to detect the presence of moisture. Other implementations rely on existing acoustic sensors, like onboard microphones, to accomplish the task through tone analysis.
If it is determined that liquid has indeed entered the acoustic module, a surface charge is applied to conductive elements lining the chamber's walls. Said elements are configured to conform to the acoustic cavity's shape, for example as a tube-shaped wire coil. Apple notes these conductive elements are covered with a protective layer of dielectric material.
Effect of surface charge variation on water droplet.
Switching a conductive element's surface charge between positive, neutral and negative modifies that particular region's hydrophobicity, meaning an electrode can be configured to attract or repel liquid. For example, a positive charge might reduce an area's hydrophobic properties, while a negative surface charge has the opposite effect and pushes liquid away.
Selectively applying varying surface charges to particular regions allows the system to facilitate movement of a collected liquid, or more specifically transport water toward and out of an exit port. A separate surface charge might also be applied to the protective mesh screen to speed up the process.
Finally, Apple says speaker drivers might also assist in liquid evacuation. By outputting energy pulses, or sound waves, that propagate through the acoustic channel, a speaker can push out standing fluid by force.
It is unclear if Apple plans to put the water expulsion invention into action anytime soon, but the company already employs passive waterproofing measures in its current product lineup. The iPhone 6s, for example, was found to include a perimeter gasket and silicone-sealed cables, while the Apple Watch boasts a water resistant design, including the completely encapsulated S1 system-in-package.
Recent rumors claim Apple is mulling a "ruggedized" next-generation iPhone boasting water- and dust-proof features, though exact specifications were expectedly unavailable.
Apple's liquid expulsion patent application was first filed for in May 2014 and credits Stephen P. Zadesky, Fletcher R. Rothkopf and Ashley E. Fletcher as its inventors.
Comments
That was my first thought. There must be a reason Apple don't do that, there are even third party after sales options for this I believe, but I don't know why Apple haven't gone this route. Could it be heat related?
My bet is that one day, like we now have complete systems on chips, we will one day have a single 'doo da' that is an iPhone on a chip. At which point it will be incased in epoxy resin and be indestructible. It will of course have to be implanted in the brain
and people will still complain that it's not user serviceable...
From my laboratory in the castle east
To the master bedroom where the vampires feast
The ghouls all came with their humble iPhones
To get a jolt from my electrodes
It's a submarine!
"Liquid expulsion from an orifice" describes a novel method by which water, or any other liquid, is transported out of an acoustic chamber.
This reminds me of the time in grade school when I laughed so hard, I sprayed milk out of my nose.