This invention relates in general to hermetically sealed communication devices and more particularly to methods for detecting air leakage in such devices.
Portable communication products, such as two-way radios, often need to operate in adverse environments and thus require a hermetic seal for submersability. If the seal has an air leak, the integrity of the product will be compromised and water intrusion may occur. Even products that are not expected to be submersible are often expected to operate in blowing rain conditions and as such a reliable seal is needed. Traditional air leakage testing techniques utilize a vacuum to create a pull on the outside of the product and measure the pressure change over time. However, the vacuum test is time consuming and laborious thereby causing delays in the manufacturing process.
Air leaks may also occur once a product has been in use out in the market. It is unlikely that a customer would be aware of the leak until a product failure, such as water intrusion, occurs. It would be beneficial if an air leak could be detected prior to any product failure.
Accordingly, there is a need for an improved technique for detecting air leakage in a communication device.
The features of the present invention, which are believed to be novel, are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in the several figures of which like reference numerals identify like elements, and in which:
While the specification concludes with claims defining the features of the invention that are regarded as novel, it is believed that the invention will be better understood from a consideration of the following description in conjunction with the drawing figures, in which like reference numerals are carried forward.
In accordance with the present invention, the communication device 100 provides air leak self-diagnosis by monitoring signal characteristics of the speaker 106. By applying an excitation signal 124 to the speaker terminals 112 via the controller 110 and monitoring a back electro-motive force (EMF) response 126 at the speaker terminals, the presence of a gross leak can be determined. The air leak is determined based on one or a combination of zero crossings, time decay, and amplitude of the EMF response from the speaker.
Different excitation signals can be applied to terminals 112. For example a sinusoidal, square wave or DC voltage signal can be applied to and removed from terminals 112. The back EMF response 126 generated from the speaker is monitored at terminals 112 and a Q characteristic of the EMF response is determined. The Q can be established using either time domain or frequency domain data.
In accordance with the present invention, monitoring the back electromotive force at the speaker terminals after an excitation signal is applied to and removed from the speaker terminals provides a technique for determining the existence of an air leak in a communication device. In
The controller circuitry 110 of the communication device is preferably programmed to provide the alert when the Q falls outside of the predetermined threshold. The air leak self-diagnosis facilitates the detection of leaks both in a factory environment and out in the field. The self-diagnosis leak test can be incorporated into existing final software checks performed in a factory to catch assembly failures. The air leak self-diagnosis technique of the present invention may be run automatically, for example, upon power up or may be user-enabled. The air leak self-diagnosis technique allows a service center to quickly indicate to a technician that a leak is present without ever opening the communication device. Thus, factory environments, field servicing and end users can all benefit from the leak self-diagnosis feature of the present invention.
Accordingly, there has been provided an air leak self-diagnosis technique for a communication device that does not require the use of external vacuums or accessories. The elimination of the factory vacuum test reduces test cycle time and cost. Furthermore, the self-diagnosis feature allows an end user and/or service technician to be notified of any leaks so that a repair can take place prior to any product failure.
While the preferred embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, it will be clear that the invention is not so limited. Numerous modifications, changes, variations, substitutions and equivalents will occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.
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