Wearable sound device and method for ventilation and acoustic tuning

Abstract

To provide a wearable sound device.SOLUTION: A wearable sound device includes a sound outlet, a side opening, an air pulse generating (APG) device, and an exchanger. The exchanger includes a first opening, a second opening, a third opening, and a fourth opening. The first opening and the second opening are on a first side of the exchanger facing a first chamber, and the third opening and the fourth opening are on a second side of the exchanger facing the sound outlet. The APG device produces a first airflow flowing through a first air pathway between the surroundings and the third opening. A second airflow flows through a second air pathway between the fourth opening and the side opening. The first air pathway and the second air pathway are isolated from each other.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present application relates to a wearable sound device, a ventilation method, and an acoustic tuning method thereof, and more particularly to a wearable sound device, a ventilation method, and an acoustic tuning method thereof that can prevent condensation. [Background technology]

[0002] Unless otherwise stated herein, the approaches described in this section are not prior art to the claims of this application and are not admitted as prior art by inclusion in this section.

[0003] In most earphones currently on the market (e.g., those with dynamic drivers (DD), balanced armature (BA) drivers, planar drivers, air motion transformer (AMT) drivers, or other conventional moving membrane speakers), the air in the listener's ear canal is separated from the surrounding environment. This separation is maintained as the movement of the membranes in these speakers produces sound.

[0004] Unlike the traditional earphones mentioned above, the pump-like behavior of MEMS (micro-electro-mechanical systems) earphones breaks down the "ear canal-to-ambient isolation" by exchanging air between the listener's ear canal and the environment. This is usually not an issue in mild weather, but it becomes a problem in the dead of winter.

[0005] At sub-freezing temperatures, condensation can form inside a MEMS earphone when ear canal air (e.g., T=37°C, RH=80-95%) comes into contact with cold outside air (e.g., T=-10°C), similar to the way frost forms on a frozen car windshield. If a MEMS earphone is used during a freezing winter or left frozen in the cold for several hours, the condensation can freeze water or mist near the narrow gap (e.g., 0.8-2.5 μm) between the MEMS earphone's flap pairs, restricting membrane movement and leading to device failure.

[0006] Therefore, how to avoid condensation is an important objective in this field. Summary of the Invention

[0007] Therefore, the first object of the present application is to provide a wearable sound device, a ventilation method, and an acoustic tuning method thereof to improve the shortcomings of the prior art.

[0008] One embodiment of the present application discloses a wearable sound device having a sound outlet and a side opening; an air pulse generating (APG) device configured to generate audible sound by generating a plurality of air pulses; and an exchanger; the APG device generates a first air flow that flows between the ambient and the sound outlet via a first air path through the exchanger; and a second air flow that flows between the sound outlet and the side opening via a second air path through the exchanger; the first air path and the second air path are isolated from each other.

[0009] One embodiment of the present application discloses a ventilation method for a wearable sound device, comprising: directing a first air flow via a first air path through an exchanger between the surroundings and a sound outlet of the wearable sound device; and directing a second air flow via a second air path through the exchanger between the sound outlet and a side opening; the wearable sound device has a sound outlet, a side opening, an air pulse generating (APG) device, and an exchanger; the first air flow is generated by the APG device; and the first air path and the second air path are separated from each other.

[0010] An embodiment of the present application discloses an acoustic tuning method for a wearable sound device, the method comprising: directing a first air flow via a first air path through an exchanger; or directing a second air flow via a second air path through the exchanger; the wearable sound device having the exchanger; and the first air path and the second air path being separated from each other.

[0011] These and other objectives of the present invention will no doubt become obvious to those skilled in the art after reading the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment that is illustrated in the various figures and drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a wearable sound device according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0013] [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a wearable sound device according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0014] [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a front view of a cross-sectional schematic diagram of an exchanger according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0015] [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a side view of the schematic cross-sectional view shown in FIG. 3.

[0016] [Figure 5] 1 is a volume velocity plot according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0017] [Figure 6] 1 illustrates three AC airflow patterns according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0018] [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a drive signal generator according to an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] The measured performance of closed-type earphone emulators, such as air pulse generation (APG) devices at IEC 711, such as those taught in U.S. Application No. 18 / 321,759, is superior to existing acoustic transducers in terms of frequency range (e.g., 20 Hz-20 kHz), SPL (143 dB at IEC 711 or 120 dB at 20 Hz for vented earphones), and THD (less than 0.25% from 20 Hz-1 kHz at SPL > 105 dB), to name just a few. Such superior performance may lead to a proliferation of APG-based consumer products (e.g., earphones) being introduced to the market.

[0020] However, APG devices can be susceptible to condensation. For example, APG devices may include flap(s) or gap(s). When air in a listener's ear canal, which has high absolute humidity and a relatively high temperature, mixes with cooler air outside the ear canal (e.g., during freezing winter), moisture that accumulates in the gap(s) or adheres to the flap(s) can potentially freeze into ice. This condensation can impair the function of the APG device but can be resolved by proper ventilation, heat dissipation, thermal energy redistribution, or humidity reduction.

[0021] For example, the present invention proposes a wearable sound device 10 shown in Figure 1. The wearable sound device 10 comprises an APG device 12 and an exchanger 14.

[0022] APG device 12 may be the APG device taught in US patent application Ser. No. 18 / 321,759 and may be configured to generate sound by generating a plurality of air or airflow pulses.

[0023] The exchanger 14 may have a structure similar to a heat / air exchanger. For example, in the (heat) exchanger, two sets of conduits / channels are formed and two fluid streams (e.g., air streams or liquid streams) flow in opposite directions within the (heat / air) exchanger. Note that in the (heat / air) exchanger, the two fluid streams exchange energy or heat with each other, but the two fluid streams are separated from each other.

[0024] The exchanger 14 may help prevent condensation or improve the lifespan of the device. For example, the exchanger 14 may lower the temperature of the air in the listener's ear canal 118, raise the temperature of the air from outside, or minimize temperature differences between different spots in the wearable sound device 10.

[0025] 1 , the exchanger 14 may have a conduit / guide / channel 145 connected between or connecting the openings 141 and 143 to guide the (first) airflow. The opening 143 is located near / beside side A-A′ of the exchanger 14 and faces / connects to the sound outlet 11 of the wearable sound device 10; the opening 141 is located near / beside side B-B′ of the exchanger 14 and faces / connects to the (front) chamber 15. The sound outlet 11 may be directed toward the ear canal 118. The APG device 12 may generate a (first) airflow that flows through the air path 107 between the periphery 117 and the sound outlet 11.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 1 , the exchanger 14 may have a conduit / guide / channel 146 connected between or connecting the openings 142 and 144 to guide the (second) airflow. The opening 144 is located near / next to the side A-A′ and faces / connects to the sound outlet 11. The opening 142 is located near / next to the side B-B′. Although the side B-B′ faces the front chamber 15, the opening 142 or the conduit 146 is not physically connected to the front chamber 15. Instead, the opening 142 is separated from the front chamber 15 by the partition wall 16 and physically connects to the side opening 13 so that the ear canal 118 is directly connected to the outside air 117. The (second) airflow may flow through the air path 108 between the sound outlet 11 and the side opening 13 without connecting to the front chamber 15. In other words, the partition 16 separates the air passage 108 from the front chamber 15 .

[0027] The high thermal conductivity of the conduits / channels 145 and 146 (e.g., higher than that of air) allows the exchanger 14 to reduce the temperature difference. Specifically, heat is transferred between the first and second air flows, which may move in opposite directions. In other words, cool air from the surroundings 117 enters the wearable sound device 10 and moves through the air paths 107 / 108, while warm, humid air from the ear canal 118 moves through the air paths 108 / 107. Due to heat transfer, the temperature of the air in the conduit / channel 145 may gradually increase from side B-B' to side A-A', reducing the temperature difference between the air from the ear canal 118 and the air from the surroundings 117. Similarly, the air in the conduit / channel 146 may gradually cool from side A-A' to side B-B', reducing the temperature difference between the air from the surroundings 117 and the air from the ear canal 118. In other words, heat transfer between conduits / channels 145 and 146 minimizes the temperature difference and reduces the possibility / risk of condensation.

[0028] Note that heat exchanger 14 transfers heat from warm air to cool air without direct contact because the two air streams are physically separated. In other words, air particles in conduit / channel 145 do not mix with or come into contact with air particles in conduit / channel 146. Instead, air paths 107 and 108 are separated from one another. Meanwhile, air entering ear canal 118 (e.g., via air path 107) mixes with air already present in ear canal 118. Air exiting ear canal 118 (e.g., via air path 108) may be pushed out of this mixed air within ear canal 118 by the (increased) pressure within ear canal 118.

[0029] To prevent condensation from forming within the APG device 12, the temperature mixing point should be located as far away from the APG device 12 as possible. For example, a length of sound tube is used to form the conduits / channels 145 and 146 of the exchanger 14. Alternatively, the exchanger 14 can be located near the tip of the sound tube or the bud (e.g., 219) of the wearable sound device 10, which is the point furthest from the APG device 12. This location prevents cool air around the APG device 12 from immediately mixing with warm air from the ear canal 118, thereby minimizing the (potential for) condensation within the APG device 12.

[0030] To further reduce the likelihood of condensation, the absolute humidity of the air in the ear canal 118 should be reduced. For example, air from the surroundings 117 with lower absolute humidity will absorb more moisture from the air in the ear canal 118. Moreover, with regard to incidental ventilation, when the APG device 12 generates sound or music, airflow pulses are generated, which clear moist air from the ear canal 118. With regard to active ventilation, the APG device 12 can generate airflow pulses to dry the ear canal 118 without producing sound. These drying effects help prevent condensation.

[0031] For example, Figure 2 shows a wearable sound device 20 that may implement the device 10. The APG device 22 of the wearable sound device 20 may initiate air movement, which results in airflow(s) within the exchanger 24 of the wearable sound device 20.

[0032] Accompanying / natural ventilation

[0033] During sound-generating operation, the APG device 22 can push / pull air toward / from the ear canal 118, thereby providing incidental / natural ventilation, which can be considered a by-product of the sound-generating operation. As shown in the volume velocity plot of FIG. 5 , when the APG device 22 generates a 6 kHz tone containing 32 pulses per cycle, a net negative (or positive) air volume movement occurs with each pulse within the 6 kHz cycle. The net air volume movement per pulse either pushes air from the front chamber 15 toward the ear canal 118 through the air path 107 or pulls air back from the ear canal 118 to the front chamber 15 through the air path 107. Correspondingly, the pressure within the ear canal 118 may rise (or fall) proportionally, resulting in the perception of an audible sound by the listener / user. As a result, the sound-generating operation not only minimizes the temperature difference between the air in the ambient 117 and the air in the ear canal 118, but also reduces the absolute humidity of the air in the ear canal 118.

[0034] However, the accompanying / natural ventilation is not always perfect. For example, condensation may occur when the sound-generating operation is paused. Furthermore, the effectiveness of accompanying / natural ventilation with sound-generating operation depends on the spectral composition of the generated sound and the corner frequency f (of the acoustic tuning of the conduit / channel 146). c This is because air path 108 acts as a low-pass filtered version of air path 107. Specifically, like a cavity, ear canal 118 can accumulate and smooth out high frequency changes in pressure, resulting in a low-pass filtering effect. If the rate of this rising (or falling) pressure is slow enough (e.g., below the corner frequency f cAt lower sound frequencies, an airflow along air path 108 flows in the opposite direction to the airflow along air path 107. Thus, the APG device 22 has a corner frequency f c The effect of the accompanying / natural ventilation caused by the sound generating operation is weaker if the APG device 22 generates only sounds significantly higher in frequency than the APG device 22, and is stronger if the APG device 22 generates sounds in the lower frequency range.

[0035] Active ventilation

[0036] Thus, the present invention introduces active ventilation. The (accompanying or by-product) airflow for incidental ventilation may correspond to an audible frequency (e.g., 20 Hz), while the (active) airflow for active ventilation may correspond to a non-audible frequency (e.g., 6 Hz). However, the airflow for incidental or active ventilation may be different from or independent of the natural convection airflow caused by a temperature difference. Correspondingly, the control signal(s) for driving APG device 22 may be modified such that APG device 22 generates an (active) airflow beyond that intended by the audible acoustic signal(s) for providing active ventilation, in addition to the (accompanying) airflow caused by the audible acoustic signal(s) for providing incidental ventilation.

[0037] AC Airflow for Active Ventilation

[0038] In one embodiment of active ventilation, airflow pulses having a time-varying (or alternating current (AC)) envelope are generated by the APG device of the present application, and the spectral component(s) of the envelope of the airflow pulse are lower than the lowest audible frequency, e.g., 16 Hz. For example, FIG. 6 shows three AC airflow patterns: a solid line representing a single-tone AC airflow pattern (e.g., 9 Hz), a dashed-dot line representing a two-tone AC airflow pattern (e.g., 9 Hz and 4.5 Hz), and a dashed line representing a three-tone AC airflow pattern (e.g., 9 Hz, 4.5 Hz, 2.25 Hz). The two-tone (or three-tone) AC airflow pattern exhibits one amplitude swing (or two amplitude swings) between pairs of larger amplitude swings. Here, the AC airflow patterns can be referred to as the AC envelope of the airflow pulses generated by the present application. These smaller amplitude swings enhance heat transfer between the air in air paths 107 and 108 and therefore reduce the temperature difference of the air as it emerges from conduits / channels 145 or 146 .

[0039] Control signals for driving the APG device 22 are generated by modifying the digital (audio) data for sound generating operations before a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) converts the digital (audio) data into an analog signal for the controller / driver of the APG device 22 to generate an AC airflow or airflow pulses with an AC envelope. This (digital) approach has minimal overhead, is more manageable, and offers greater flexibility for incorporating new features via over-the-air (OTA) firmware updates. This allows for adjusting parameters or adding new features, thereby providing continuous improvement to the end customer throughout the product lifecycle.

[0040] Alternatively, the control signals for driving the APG device 22 are generated by embedding an AC signal source within the controller / driver of the APG device 22 to generate AC airflow or airflow pulses having an AC envelope, where the AC (source) signal corresponds to the AC envelope. This (analog) approach may be more practical during the product development phase because it requires minimal effort from the system-on-chip (SoC) firmware developer(s).

[0041] DC Airflow for Active Ventilation

[0042] In another embodiment of active ventilation, airflow pulses having a time-invariant (or direct current (DC)) envelope flowing in a fixed direction are generated by the APG device of the present application. This DC airflow or airflow pulse with a DC envelope can be combined with an airflow intended to generate audible sound (accompanying airflow) and can travel from the periphery 117, through the exchanger 14, along the airpath 107, and into the ear canal 118. In other words, together with or in addition to the air pulses or airflow pulses corresponding to audible sound, the APG device can also generate airflow pulses with a DC envelope to provide active ventilation. The DC airflow can also generate a corresponding pressure in the ear canal 118, which induces an opposing DC airflow from the ear canal 118, through the exchanger 14, along the airpath 108, and to the sound outlet 11. These DC airflows also help reduce condensation.

[0043] To generate a DC airflow or airflow pulse with a DC envelope, a control signal for driving the APG device 22 is generated by adding / superimposing a DC offset voltage onto the audio signal. This DC offset voltage causes the APG device 22 to generate a DC airflow or airflow pulse with a DC envelope, and the DC offset voltage corresponds to the DC envelope. The direction of the DC airflow (e.g., from the APG device 22 along the air path 107 to the ear canal 118) is determined by the sign of the DC offset voltage.

[0044] To generate a DC offset voltage, a digital offset is added to the digital (audio) data for sound generation operations before it is converted by the DAC. For example, for 16-bit-per-sample audio, a digital offset ranging from 16 (0.05%, -66 dB / FS) to 1024 (3.1%, -30 dB / FS) can be added to each digital (audio) data before it is fed to the DAC. Even at its maximum value (e.g., 1024), the digital offset does not significantly reduce the dynamic range.

[0045] Alternatively, the drive signal generator (such as that disclosed in U.S. Application No. 18 / 665,525) can be modified to generate a DC-like offset voltage. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, a first switch may be connected to a voltage V BIAS The first branch, biased at V, is selectively connected to the output terminal of the drive signal generator, and the second switch has a capacitor (e.g., 10 μF) and is connected to the output terminal of the drive signal generator. BIAS +V OFFSET The first branch is connected to the output terminal during the first half of each pulse, and the second branch is connected to the output terminal during the second half of each pulse. (outside 1) JPEG2025137475000002.jpg5114 is logically implemented by switches S1p_sm, 1n_sm, S2p_sm, or S2n_sm. Capacitors 1nF, 10μF, Caux1, Caux2, equivalent capacitance 54nF, resistors 22kΩ, 40Ω, inductor 0.8μH, amplifier A, switches S1_amp, S1n_sm, S1p_sm, S2_amp, S2n_sm, S2p_sm, SM_ER, (outside 1) JPEG2025137475000003.jpg5114, APG device APG5, or voltage SM, SV1, SV2, VOP, VON, V cc , V BIASDetails can be found in U.S. Application No. 18 / 665,525. This scheme is competitive when power amplifier(s) are added after the DAC to improve low impedance load driving capability, and DC decoupling capacitor(s) are inserted after the power amplifier(s).

[0046] composition

[0047] 2, exchanger 24 is created by utilizing the interior volume of an acoustic tube and converting it into a set of conduits, with one conduit (e.g., 145) connecting ear canal 118 to front chamber 15 and another conduit (e.g., 146) connecting ear canal 118 to side opening 13. In this application, the terms "conduit" and "channel" within an exchanger may be used interchangeably.

[0048] However, an exchanger may have many more conduits / channels with various configurations. For example, Figures 3 and 4 show front and side views of exchanger cross sections 301-304, each of which may implement exchanger 14 according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0049] Section 301 is divided into two conduits F a1 and V a1 3(a) can show a cross section 301 along side A-A', and FIG. 3(b) can show a cross section 301 along side B-B'. As shown in FIG. 4(a), conduit F a1 and V a1 may be twisted 225° between sides A-A' and B-B' over the length of the exchanger (or approximately the length of the acoustic tube). Twisting conduit Va1 increases its equivalent length, thereby increasing the impedance reactance or improving heat transfer efficiency.

[0050] More generally, as in most heat exchangers, the first and second conduits / channels are interleaved or interlaced with one another, thereby increasing the contact surface between them and improving heat transfer efficiency.

[0051] Section 302 has five conduits F c1 and V c1 -V c4 In Figures 3(c) and 4(b), conduit V c1 -V c4 is conduit F c1 This arrangement is surrounded by conduit V c1 -V c4 This fully utilizes all available surface area and is favorable for heat transfer.

[0052] In another aspect, comparing Figures 3(a) and (c), the conduit (i.e., V a1 ) are separated by several smaller conduits (e.g., V c1 -V c4 ), which may increase the reactance of the impedance. c1 -V c4 may extend from the sound outlet 11 to the side opening(s) (e.g., 13), while the conduit F of cross section 302 c1 may extend from the front chamber 15 to the sound outlet 11. c1 -V c4 By designing the geometric shape of the conduit V c1 -V c4 The reactance of the impedance can be adjusted to achieve resonance with the capacitance of the ear or with the capacitance of the wearable sound device (e.g., 10) at 2-3 kHz, thereby increasing the sound pressure level (SPL).

[0053] For example, as shown in Figure 3(c), each conduit V c1 -V c4 has a circular cross section. However, since a circle typically has the shortest perimeter of all shapes, the conduit may have an irregular shape.

[0054] For example, the conduit F in Fig. 3(d) d1 has a rectangular or square cross section. d1 -F d5 and V d1 -V d4 can exhibit different shapes, which can be useful for adjusting the Q value of the resonance. For example, as shown in Figures 3(d) and 4(c), a conduit V having a square-like shape can be used. d4 can be at most, and the triangular-shaped conduit F d2 can be the smallest.

[0055] Alternatively, conduit F in cross section 304 of FIG. 3(e) and FIG. 4(d) e1 -F e3 and V e1 -V e2 has a narrow rod-like shape, which is characterized by a high boundary-to-area ratio. As a result, the conduit V e1 and V e2 More than 85% of the available boundary around the conduit (e.g., V) is utilized for heat transfer. e1 The smaller the diameter or width of the conductor, the higher the reactance of the impedance can be.

[0056] Each of the cross sections 301-304 shown in Figure 3 has a circular outline, but is not limited to such. For example, the cross sections may have an irregular outline that matches the appearance of the housing of a wearable sound device (e.g., 10 or 20). Similarly, instead of the rectangular outlines 301-304 shown in Figure 4, the cross section along line C-C' may have a trapezoidal outline that tapers from side B-B' to side A-A'.

[0057] 1, 2, or 4, side A-A' and side B-B' are parallel, but not limited to this. For example, side A-A' may be oriented differently / not parallel to side B-B'.

[0058] Returning to FIG. 1 or 2 , both the front chamber (e.g., 15) and the rear chamber (e.g., 102) are acoustically defined with respect to the APG device (e.g., 12). For example, the film structure of the APG device or the mounting plate (e.g., 103) to which the APG device is attached may divide the interior space of the wearable sound device (e.g., 10 or 20) into a front chamber and a rear chamber. The front chamber may acoustically connect one side of the APG device's film structure toward the exchanger(s) or sound outlet (e.g., 11). As a result, sound generated by the APG device can travel from the front chamber to the sound outlet and then enter the listener's ear canal (e.g., 118). Meanwhile, the rear chamber may be acoustically coupled to the opposite side of the film structure and connected to the surroundings through its orifice (e.g., 106). Generally, a user will rarely feel significant air pressure changes in the rear chamber.

[0059] The orifice(s) (e.g., 106) or side opening(s) (e.g., 13) may function as super vent(s). The second air path (e.g., 108), with the help of the exchanger(s) (e.g., 14 or 24) and the first air path (e.g., 107), not only provides the functions of occlusion-relief and acoustic tuning, but also adds features such as keeping the listener's ear canal (e.g., 118) dry or minimizing temperature differences. Thus, the side opening(s) or orifice(s) may be considered an enhanced version of the vent device(s).

[0060] The placement of the side opening(s) (e.g., 13) is carefully designed. For example, the side opening may be located adjacent to the front chamber (e.g., 15). Alternatively, the side opening or the conduit (e.g., 146) connecting to the side opening is separated from the front chamber. Alternatively, the side opening is located between the sound outlet (e.g., 11) and the orifice (e.g., 106). Alternatively, the side opening is oriented differently or perpendicularly to the sound outlet or orifice. Alternatively, the projection of the side opening on the APG device (e.g., 12) does not overlap with the projection of the sound outlet (or orifice) on the APG device.

[0061] Similarly, the placement of the exchanger(s) (e.g., 14 or 24) is carefully designed. For example, an exchanger may be located adjacent to the front chamber (e.g., 15), but not strictly speaking within the front chamber. Alternatively, the exchanger(s) may be located within the front or rear chamber.

[0062] Additionally, the conduits / channels (e.g., 145 / 146) within the exchanger can be engineered to meet specific frequency response requirements, such as increasing SPL in the 2K-3KHz range. The conduits / channels (e.g., 145 / 146) within the exchanger can be engineered to a) provide blockage relief while presenting the resistance necessary to achieve the target SPL for f<65Hz; or b) create resonance to enhance SPL between 2K-3KHz. In other words, the conduits / channels (e.g., 145 / 146) within the exchanger can be engineered for acoustic tuning.

[0063] The wearable sound device (e.g., 10 or 20) may further have an air filter that fills a corresponding orifice (e.g., 106). The housing (e.g., 101) of the wearable sound device, which surrounds the APG device or exchanger(s), may define an orifice located between the rear chamber and the surroundings (e.g., 117), or a sound outlet located between the front chamber and the ear canal. Due to the narrow gap between the pair of flaps of the APG device, it may be vulnerable to damage by dust or small particles. The air filter(s) in the orifice(s) serve to prevent such contaminants from entering the rear chamber.

[0064] The wearable sound device (e.g., 10 or 20) may further have a pad (e.g., 219) surrounding the sound outlet (e.g., 11) of the housing (e.g., 101). The pad located on the end of the wearable sound device may be made of rubber, foam, or silicone material.

[0065] The wearable sound device (e.g., 10 or 20) may be an in-ear device, an earbud, an earphone, a TWS (Truly Wireless Stereo), a headphone, or a hearing aid. The orifice (e.g., 106) or the side opening (e.g., 13) may be a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) device, or a vent device for forming a dynamic or static vent. The APG device (e.g., 12 or 22) may be or have any type of electroacoustic transducer (e.g., a MEMS device), any type of speaker, or a combination thereof.

[0066] Details or modifications of wearable sound devices, APG devices, or vent devices are disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Nos. 17 / 842,810, 17 / 344,980, 17 / 344,983, 17 / 720,333, 18 / 172,346, 18 / 303,599, 18 / 366,637, 18 / 530,235, 18 / 321,759, 18 / 321,753, 18 / 321,757, 18 / 321,752, 18 / 624,105, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 320,703, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties and made a part hereof.

[0067] For example, as detailed in U.S. Patent Application No. 18 / 624,105, an APG device may generate (asymmetric) air pulses that always create a net airflow in a single direction, the direction of which may be related to the DC offset voltage of the drive signal or the phase between one drive signal and another.

[0068] In summary, the wearable sound device of the present application provides heat transfer functionality to avoid device failure caused by condensation in harsh weather conditions. As mentioned above, exchanger(s) are included for heat transfer, and side opening(s) are introduced to facilitate intake and exhaust of airflow(s). Furthermore, the exchanger(s) may be designed with acoustic or fluid dynamics in mind.

[0069] Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that numerous modifications and variations of the devices and methods may be made while retaining the teachings of the present invention. Accordingly, the above disclosure should be construed as limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. a sound outlet and a side opening; an air pulse generator (APG) device configured to generate an audible sound by generating a plurality of air pulses; and an exchanger; the APG device generates a first airflow that flows between the ambient air and the sound outlet via a first air path through the exchanger; a second air flow passing through the exchanger between the sound outlet and the side opening via a second air path; the first air path and the second air path are separated from each other; Wearable sound device.

2. The second air stream is separated from the first air stream or first chamber between the APG device and the exchanger. The wearable sound device according to claim 1 .

3. further comprising an air filter to prevent contaminants from entering the wearable sound device. The wearable sound device according to claim 1 .

4. a control signal for driving the APG device or a driver for the APG device comprising an alternating current (AC) signal or a direct current (DC) offset voltage superimposed on an audible audio signal; The wearable sound device according to claim 1 .

5. the exchanger having a first opening, a second opening, a third opening, and a fourth opening; the first opening and the second opening are on a first side of the exchanger facing a first chamber between the APG device and the exchanger in the wearable sound device, and the third opening and the fourth opening are on a second side of the exchanger facing the sound outlet of the wearable sound device; the first side is opposite the second side; the first airflow generated by the APG device flows via the first air path through the first opening and the third opening; the second air flow flows via the second air path through the second opening, the fourth opening, and the side opening; The wearable sound device according to claim 1 .

6. The exchanger comprises: a first channel connecting the first opening and the third opening; and a second channel connecting the second opening and the fourth opening; The wearable sound device according to claim 5 .

7. the first air path and the second air path are twisted or interleaved with one another; The wearable sound device according to claim 1 .

8. a partition configured to separate the second air path from a first chamber between the APG device and the exchanger; The wearable sound device according to claim 1 .

9. the APG device generates airflow pulses having an alternating current (AC) envelope, the frequency of the AC envelope being below the lowest audible frequency; The wearable sound device according to claim 1 .

10. the APG device generates an airflow pulse having a direct current (DC) envelope corresponding to a DC offset voltage; The wearable sound device according to claim 1 .

11. The exchanger comprises: a first channel configured to guide the first air flow; and a second channel configured to guide the second air flow; The wearable sound device according to claim 1 .

12. the first channel and the second channel in the exchanger are designed for acoustic tuning; A wearable sound device according to claim 11.

13. the first channel and the second channel in the exchanger are designed for blockage mitigation to achieve a specific sound pressure level (SPL) for a specific spectrum; A wearable sound device according to claim 11.

14. The first and second channels in the exchanger are designed to create a resonance to enhance the sound pressure level (SPL) for a specific spectrum. A wearable sound device according to claim 11.

15. The first channel or the second channel has a circular cross-section, a square-like cross-section, or a triangle-like cross-section. A wearable sound device according to claim 11.

16. the first air flow and the second air flow flow in opposite directions; The wearable sound device according to claim 1 .

17. 1. A ventilation method for a wearable sound device, comprising: directing a first air flow between the surroundings and a sound outlet of the wearable sound device via a first air path through an exchanger; and directing a second air flow via a second air path through the exchanger between the sound outlet and a side opening of the wearable sound device; the wearable sound device having the sound outlet, the side opening, an air pulse generating (APG) device, and the exchanger; the first airflow is generated by the APG device; the first air path and the second air path are separated from each other; Ventilation method.

18. directing the first air flow via the first air path through the exchanger between the periphery and a third opening; and directing the second air flow via the second air path through the exchanger between a fourth opening and the side opening; the exchanger having a first opening, a second opening, the third opening, and the fourth opening; the first opening and the second opening are on a first side of the exchanger facing a first chamber, and the third opening and the fourth opening are on a second side of the exchanger facing the sound outlet.

18. The ventilation method of claim 17.

19. 1. A method of acoustic tuning for a wearable sound device, comprising: directing a first air stream to flow via a first air path through the exchanger; and directing a second air stream to flow via a second air path through the exchanger; The wearable sound device includes the exchanger; The first air path and the second air path are separated from each other. Acoustic tuning method.

20. the exchanger having a first channel for guiding the first air flow and a second channel for guiding the second air flow; The first and second channels in the exchanger are designed to create a resonance to enhance the sound pressure level (SPL) for a specific spectrum.

20. The acoustic tuning method of claim 19.

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