Graphene composite acoustic diaphragm

Abstract

The disclosure relates to an audio device that includes a diaphragm having a graphene material, such as a graphene flake, that is incorporated into a base material. The audio device may form part of a speaker device, a microphone device, or a headphone device. The concentration of the graphene and/or a size of the graphene flakes may be varied throughout the diaphragm to define a stiff center portion and a flexible portion that surrounds the center portion.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An electronic device comprising:
 a housing defining one or more openings;   a speaker diaphragm having a rigid center portion surrounded by a flexible portion, wherein the speaker diaphragm is positioned within the housing, aligned over the one or more openings and configured to generate sound waves that are emitted through the one or more openings;   a frame attached to the flexible portion of the speaker diaphragm and secured to the housing;   one or more magnets coupled to the frame; and   a magnetic actuator coupled to the speaker diaphragm and configured to move relative to the one or more magnets.   
     
     
         2 . The electronic device of  claim 1  wherein the frame includes a gasket configured to form a seal between the frame and the housing. 
     
     
         3 . The electronic device of  claim 1  wherein a magnetic force applied between the magnetic actuator and the one or more magnets causes the speaker diaphragm to generate sound waves. 
     
     
         4 . The electronic device of  claim 1  further comprising a mesh that is disposed between the speaker diaphragm and the one or more openings. 
     
     
         5 . The electronic device of  claim 1  wherein the speaker diaphragm is configured to generate sound waves by moving along an axis oriented perpendicular to an interior surface of the housing. 
     
     
         6 . The electronic device of  claim 1  wherein the rigid center portion includes graphene material. 
     
     
         7 . The electronic device of  claim 1  wherein the speaker diaphragm, the frame, the one or more magnets and the magnetic actuator are components of a speaker assembly. 
     
     
         8 . An electronic device comprising:
 a housing defining one or more openings;   a speaker assembly positioned within the housing, aligned over the one or more openings and including:
 a speaker diaphragm having a rigid center portion surrounded by a flexible portion and configured to generate sound waves that are emitted through the one or more openings; 
 a frame attached to the flexible portion of the speaker diaphragm and secured to the housing; 
 one or more magnets coupled to the frame; and 
 a magnetic actuator coupled to the speaker diaphragm and configured to move relative to the one or more magnets. 
   
     
     
         9 . The electronic device of  claim 8  wherein the frame includes a gasket that forms a seal between the frame and the housing. 
     
     
         10 . The electronic device of  claim 8  wherein a magnetic force applied between the magnetic actuator and the one or more magnets causes the speaker diaphragm to generate sound waves. 
     
     
         11 . The electronic device of  claim 8  further comprising a mesh that is disposed between the speaker diaphragm and the one or more openings. 
     
     
         12 . The electronic device of  claim 8  wherein the speaker diaphragm is configured to generate sound waves by moving along an axis oriented perpendicular to an interior surface of the housing. 
     
     
         13 . The electronic device of  claim 8  wherein the rigid center portion includes graphene material. 
     
     
         14 . A portable electronic device comprising:
 a housing including a back surface opposite a front surface and a plurality of sidewalls extending between the front surface and the back surface;   a display visible through the front surface;   at least one button positioned on an exterior surface of the housing;   one or more acoustic apertures defined by the housing;   a frame positioned within the housing and secured to an interior surface of the housing;   one or more magnets coupled to the frame;   a speaker diaphragm having a rigid center portion surrounded by a flexible portion, wherein the speaker diaphragm is positioned within the housing, aligned over the one or more acoustic apertures and configured to generate sound waves that are emitted through the one or more acoustic apertures; and   a magnetic actuator coupled to the speaker diaphragm and configured to move relative to the one or more magnets.   
     
     
         15 . The portable electronic device of  claim 14  wherein the frame includes a gasket configured to form a seal between the frame and the housing. 
     
     
         16 . The portable electronic device of  claim 14  wherein a magnetic force applied between the magnetic actuator and the one or more magnets causes the speaker diaphragm to generate sound waves. 
     
     
         17 . The portable electronic device of  claim 14  further comprising a mesh that is disposed between the speaker diaphragm and the one or more acoustic apertures. 
     
     
         18 . The portable electronic device of  claim 14  wherein the speaker diaphragm is configured to generate sound waves by moving along an axis oriented perpendicular to an interior surface of the housing. 
     
     
         19 . The portable electronic device of  claim 14  wherein the rigid center portion includes graphene material. 
     
     
         20 . The portable electronic device of  claim 14  wherein the speaker diaphragm, the frame, the one or more magnets and the magnetic actuator are components of a speaker assembly.