Driving circuit and wearable sound device thereof

Abstract

To provide a driving circuit configured to drive a venting device.SOLUTION: A driving circuit configured to drive a venting device includes a first node, a second node, and an amplifying circuit. The venting device is configured to be controlled to open a vent or seal the vent, and includes a film structure which includes a first flap and a second flap, and an actuator which includes a first actuating unit disposed on the first flap and a second actuating unit disposed on the second flap. When the venting device is controlled to open the vent, the driving circuit generates a first voltage at the first node and generates a second voltage at the second node. When the venting device is controlled to seal the vent, the driving circuit generates a third voltage at both the first node and the second node. The first voltage is larger than the third voltage, and the third voltage is larger than the second voltage.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a drive circuit and a wearable sound device thereof, and more particularly to a drive circuit and a wearable sound device thereof that reduce occlusion effects and improve the lifespan of a vent device. [Background technology]

[0002] The occlusion effect is due to the closed volume of the ear canal, which causes a large perceived sound pressure by the listener. For example, the occlusion effect occurs when a listener with a wearable sound device in their ear canal engages in certain movements (e.g., jogging) that generate bone-conducted sound. There is room for further improvement regarding the occlusion effect to improve the listening experience. Summary of the Invention

[0003] Therefore, a first object of the present application is to provide a wearable sound device to improve the shortcomings of the prior art.

[0004] An embodiment of the present application discloses a drive circuit configured to drive a vent device, the drive circuit having a first node and a second node; and an amplifier circuit having an amplifier output terminal coupled to the first node; the vent device having a film structure and an actuator; the film structure having a first flap and a second flap; the actuator having a first actuation portion disposed on the first flap and a second actuation portion disposed on the second flap; the first node is coupled to the first actuation portion, The second node is coupled to a second actuator; the vent device is configured to be controlled to open the vent or to seal the vent; when the vent device is controlled to open the vent, the drive circuit generates a first voltage at the first node and a second voltage at the second node; when the vent device is controlled to seal the vent, the drive circuit generates a third voltage at both the first node and the second node; the first voltage is greater than the third voltage and the third voltage is greater than the second voltage.

[0005] An embodiment of the present application discloses a wearable sound device, which includes: a vent apparatus having a film structure and an actuator, wherein the film structure has a first flap and a second flap, and the actuator has a first actuation portion disposed on the first flap and a second actuation portion disposed on the second flap; a drive circuit having a first node and a second node; wherein the first actuation portion and the second actuation portion are coupled to the first node and the second node; the vent apparatus is configured to be controlled to open the vent or to seal the vent; when the vent apparatus is controlled to open the vent, the drive circuit generates a first voltage at the first node and a second voltage at the second node; when the vent apparatus is controlled to seal the vent, the drive circuit generates a third voltage at both the first node and the second node; the first voltage is greater than the third voltage, and the third voltage is greater than the second voltage.

[0006] These and other objects 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]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a wearable sound device according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0008] [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a driving circuit according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0009] [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a driving circuit according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0010] [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a swapping module according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0011] [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a swapping module according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0012] [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a swapping module according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0013] [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a timing diagram of the voltage, current, and control signals of the swapping module shown in FIG. 6.

[0014] [Figure 8] 1 is a schematic diagram of an LDO according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0015] [Figure 9] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a charge pump according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0016] [Figure 10] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a wearable sound device according to an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] 1 is a schematic diagram of a wearable sound device 10 according to an embodiment of the present application. The wearable sound device 10 (e.g., an in-ear device) may include a vent device 10VntD and a driver circuit 10dvrC.

[0018] The vent device 10VntD, configured to be controlled to open or close the vent 113vnt, may include a membrane structure 111 and an actuator 112. A slit may divide the membrane structure 111 into two flaps 111Fa and 111Fb facing each other. The flaps 111Fa / 111Fb may include a fixed end and a free end such that the flaps 111Fa / 111Fb are actuated by the actuator 112 to swing up or down. The actuator may include actuating portions 112Ca and 112Cb disposed on the flaps 111Fa and 111Fb, respectively.

[0019] The driver circuit 10dvrC configured to drive the vent device 10VntD may include nodes N1 and N2. The node N1 is coupled to the actuating portion 112Ca (e.g., its contacts or electrodes) and ensures a voltage between the two electrodes of the actuating portion 112Ca; the node N2 is coupled to the actuating portion 112Cb (e.g., its contacts or electrodes) and ensures a voltage between the two electrodes of the actuating portion 112Cb.

[0020] According to FIG. 1(a), when the vent device 10VntD is controlled to open the vent 113vnt, the drive circuit 10dvrC applies a voltage Vo1 (first voltage V up ) at node N2, and a voltage Vo2 (equal to a second voltage V down (equal to

[0021] In this application, Vo1 is used to denote the voltage applied to the actuation portion 112Ca, and Vo2 is used to denote the voltage applied to the actuation portion 112Cb. up represents the voltage that moves the corresponding flap upward or in the positive Z direction. down represents the voltage that moves the corresponding flap downward or in the negative Z direction.

[0022] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1(a), the drive circuit 10dvrC supplies a first voltage V up as the voltage Vo1, and the drive circuit 10dvrC generates a second voltage V downis generated as voltage Vo2.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 1(b), when the vent device is controlled to seal the vent 113vnt, the drive circuit 10dvrC generates a voltage Vo1 (equal to the third voltage) at the node N1 and a voltage Vo2 (equal to the third voltage) at the node N2.

[0024] In one embodiment, V seal The third voltage V, which may be annotated as V, represents the voltage that drives the corresponding flap(s) to remain in a flat position parallel to the substrate 114 or base on which the vent device 10VntD is placed. seal When generating the flaps 111Fa and 111Fb, both flaps 111Fa and 111Fb remain in a flat position. In this case, air leakage through the flaps 111Fa and 111Fb is negligible and the vent device 10VntD is considered to be sealed or closed.

[0025] In one embodiment, the first voltage V up , the second voltage V down and a third voltage V seal are 30V, 0V and 15V, respectively, i.e., V up >V seal >V down It could be.

[0026] In one embodiment, the voltage Vo1 applied to the actuation portion 112Ca is switchable between a first voltage and a third voltage, and the voltage Vo2 applied to the actuation portion 112Cb is switchable between a second voltage and a third voltage, so that the vent device 10VntD is switchable between an open state (e.g., an airflow channel is created) and a closed state (e.g., least leakage).

[0027] 2 is a schematic diagram of a driver circuit 20dvrC according to an embodiment of the present application. The driver circuit 10dvrC may be implemented by the driver circuit 20dvrC. The driver circuit 20dvrC may include an amplifier circuit 2ampC, a low dropout regulator (LDO) 2LDO, a charge pump 2PMP, and switches SW1 and SW2. The amplifier circuit 2ampC, having an amplifier output terminal Nout coupled to a node N1, may include an error amplifier 2erAMP and resistors R1 and R2 arranged in a (negative) feedback loop that determines the amplification gain of the amplifier circuit 2ampC.

[0028] When the vent device 10VntD is controlled to open the vent 113vnt, the switch SW1 coupled between the nodes N1 and N2 is turned off. in (equal to the first input voltage), where the first input voltage is equal to the product of the first input voltage and the amplification gain. For example, if the ratio of resistor R1 to resistor R2 is 24, the first voltage and the first input voltage are 30 V and 1.2 V, respectively. Also, switch SW2 coupled between node N2 and (electrical) ground is turned on so that the second voltage applied to node N2 is 0 V.

[0029] When the vent device 10VntD is controlled to seal the vent 113vnt, the switch SW1 is turned on to connect the node N1 to the node N2, and the switch SW2 is turned off. in The third voltage applied to both nodes N1 and N2 is equal to the second input voltage multiplied by the amplification gain. For example, if the ratio of resistor R1 to resistor R2 is 24, then the third voltage and the second input voltage are 15 V and 0.6 V, respectively.

[0030] It should be noted that the driver circuit 20dvrC having resistors R1 and R2 and an amplification gain is an example and is not intended to be limiting. The driver circuit may include other types of passive components (e.g., capacitors) with amplification gain, and this is within the scope of the present application.

[0031] 1, the space within the wearable sound device 10 may be divided into volumes 130chmF and 130chmB. Volume 130chmF generally represents the volume within the wearable sound device 10 that is or will be connected to the ear canal, and volume 130chmB may represent the volume within the wearable sound device 10 that is or will be connected to the ambient environment of the wearable sound device 10. When the vent 113vnt is closed / sealed, volumes 130chmF and 130chmB are largely unconnected, which may avoid a significant drop in sound pressure level (SPL) at low frequencies and improve the listening experience. When vent 113vnt is formed in vent device 10VntD, volumes 130chmF and 130chmB are connected via vent 113vnt to allow sound / air to vent from one side to the other, thereby relieving pressure caused by the occlusion effect.

[0032] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the LDO 2LDO has an input voltage and an output voltage V in , CP The output voltage V in , CP The charge pump 2PMP is configured to increase the voltage, but is not limited to this.

[0033] It should be noted that if the flap 111Fa continues to maintain a particular deformation for a long period of time (due to the application of a constant / fixed voltage to the actuation portion 112Ca), reliability issues may arise. If the flap bends and changes between an upward position (as in 111Fa in FIG. 1(a)) and a downward position (as in 111Fb in FIG. 1(a)) during operation of the vent device 10VntD, the lifespan of the vent device 10VntD may be extended.

[0034] 3 is a schematic diagram of a driver circuit 30dvrC according to one embodiment of the present application. The driver circuit 10dvrC may be implemented by the driver circuit 30dvrC. Unlike the driver circuit 20dvrC, the driver circuit 30dvrC may further include a swapping module 3spM coupled between the nodes N1, N2, the actuation portions 112Ca and 112Cb for a longer lifespan.

[0035] When the vent device 10VntD is controlled to open the vent 113vnt, the swapping module 3spM generates a first voltage V between the actuation portion 112Ca and the actuation portion 112Cb. up and a second voltage V down are configured to swap (e.g., periodically or randomly) the free ends of flaps 111Fa and 111Fb such that the free ends of flaps 111Fa and 111Fb are far enough apart to form vent 113vnt, while the voltages Vo1 / Vo2 applied to actuating portions 112Ca / 112Cb are alternated between a first voltage and a second voltage to vary the deformation of actuating portions 112Ca / 112Cb and thereby increase their lifespan.

[0036] When the vent device 10VntD is controlled to seal the vent 113vnt, the swapping module 3spM is configured to apply a third voltage to the actuation portion 112Ca / 112Cb. For example, the node N1 may be coupled / connected to the actuation portion 112Ca (illustrated using a voltage Vo1), and the node N2 may be coupled / connected to the actuation portion 112Cb (illustrated using a voltage Vo2).

[0037] In other words, in the first phase / period, the swapping module 3spM N1 The voltage of the node N1 expressed by V is supplied to the operating unit 112Ca as Vo1, and V N2 In the second phase / period, the swapping module 3spM may supply the voltage V N1 is supplied to the actuation unit 112Cb as Vo2, and the voltage V N2can be supplied to the actuation portion 112Ca as Vo1.

[0038] 4 is a schematic diagram of the swapping modules 4SpMa and 4SpMb according to an embodiment of the present application. The swapping module 3spM can be implemented by the swapping module 4SpMa or 4SpMb.

[0039] 4(a) shows swapping module 4SpMa, which may include switch 4S12 (configured to selectively couple actuation unit 112Ca to a first voltage or a second voltage) and switch 4S34 (configured to selectively couple actuation unit 112Cb to a second voltage or the first voltage). In other words, switches 4S12 and 4S34 (e.g., double-pole double-throw switches) may be controlled by a control signal such that actuation units 112Ca and 112Cb are simultaneously switched to nodes N1 and N2, respectively, or such that actuation units 112Ca and 112Cb are simultaneously switched to nodes N2 and N1, respectively.

[0040] 4(b) shows swapping module 4SpMb, which may include switch 4S1 (coupled between actuation unit 112Ca and node N1), switch 4S2 (coupled between actuation unit 112Ca and node N2), switch 4S3 (coupled between actuation unit 112Cb and node N1), and switch 4S4 (coupled between actuation unit 112Cb and node N2). During a period between a first voltage being applied to actuation unit 112Ca and a second voltage being applied to actuation unit 112Cb to open vent 113vnt, switches 4S1 and 4S4 are conductive and switches 4S2 and 4S3 are cut off. During a period between a second voltage being applied to actuation unit 112Ca and a first voltage being applied to actuation unit 112Cb to open vent 113vnt, switches 4S2 and 4S3 are conductive and switches 4S1 and 4S4 are cut off.

[0041] The driving circuit may utilize the characteristics (e.g., capacitance characteristics) of the actuating unit to save power through energy recycling. Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of a swapping module 5spM according to an embodiment of the present application. The swapping module 3spM may be implemented by a swapping module 5spM including switches S1-S4, an inductor 5IL, and a switching module 5SW.

[0042] Switches S1 and S2 are configured to connect a node N1′ coupled to actuation portion 112Ca (e.g., an electrode thereof) to a first voltage V at node N1. up or a second voltage V at node N2 down to the actuating portion 112Ca. Switches S3 and S4 are controlled by control signals SCTR1 and SCTR2, respectively, to cause a node N2′ coupled to the actuating portion 112Cb (e.g., its electrode) to be coupled to a second voltage V down or the first voltage V up to the actuator 112Cb by control signals 5CTR2 and 5CTR1, respectively.

[0043] The switching module 5SW, controlled by the control signal 5CTR3, can sink not only current from node N2' to node N1', but also current from node N1' to node N2'. Due to the swapping operation of the swapping module 5spM, the energy stored in the actuating unit 112Ca or 112Cb is largely recycled (and reused by the actuating unit 112Cb or 112Ca), reducing power consumption.

[0044] 6 is a schematic diagram of a swapping module 6spM according to an embodiment of the present application. The swapping module 6spM may be implemented by a swapping module 6spM that may include switches SWH1, SWL1, SWH2, and SWL2, an inductor 6IL, and a switching module 6SW. The switches SWH1, SWL1, SWH2, and SWL2 may include buffers 6bH1, 6bL1, 6bH2, and 6bL2, respectively, and transistors 6tH1, 6tL1, 6tH2, and 6tL2. The switching module 6SW may include switches SWrc1 and SWrc2 that may include buffers 6bRC1 and 6bRC2, and transistors 6tRC1 and 6tRC2.

[0045] 7 is a timing diagram of the voltages Vo1, Vo2, current 6I, control signals 6rc1, 6rc2, 6CTR1 (or 5CTR1), 6CTR2 (or 5CTR2), and 5CTR3 of the swapping module 6spM shown in FIG. 6 (or the swapping module 5spM shown in FIG. 5). For illustrative purposes, a switch (e.g., SWH1) is conductive when the corresponding control signal (e.g., 6CTR1) is in a high state (e.g., logic "1"), and is non-conductive or cut off when the corresponding control signal is in a low state (e.g., logic "0").

[0046] First voltage V up is applied to the actuation portion 112Ca, and a second voltage V down is applied to the actuation portion 112Cb and the vent 113vnt is opened, the switches SWH1 and SWL2 are turned on (the voltage V N1’ the first voltage V up and the voltage at node N2', V N2’ to the second voltage V down During the period TT1, the drive circuit outputs V N1’ / V up and Vo2 as V N2’ / V down7, the free end of the flap 111Fa that has swung upward is higher than the fixed ends of the flaps 111Fa and 111Fb, and the free end of the flap 111Fb that has swung downward is lower than the fixed ends of the flaps 111Fa and 111Fb. Also, since the switch SWrc2 is turned off, the switching module 6SW is turned off within the period TT1.

[0047] During a period CND1 (which functions as a third period) between periods TT1 (which functions as a first period) and TT2 (which functions as a second period), switches SWH1, SWL1, SWH2, and SWL2 are turned off, and switches SWrc1 and SWrc2 are turned on. Current 6I flowing through inductor 6IL continues to decrease (i.e., in the opposite direction to the positive direction indicated in FIG. 6 ) until voltages Vo1 and Vo2 applied to actuating portion 112Ca and 112Cb become equal. Current 6I then begins to increase until it reaches zero. This current 6I transfers the charge stored in capacitor 6PZTc1 (formed between the lower electrode having voltage Vbtm and the upper electrode of actuating portion 112Ca) to capacitor 6PZTc2 (formed between the lower electrode having voltage Vbtm and the upper electrode of actuating portion 112Cb), effectively swapping voltages Vo1 and Vo2. (In one embodiment, the voltage Vbtm may be grounded.) The first voltage V up to a second voltage V down The voltage Vo1 decreases towards the second voltage V down to the first voltage V up When the voltage Vo2 increases toward the upper limit, the flap 111Fa may swing downward and the flap 111Fb may swing upward.

[0048] Second voltage V down is applied to the actuation portion 112Ca, and a first voltage V up During the period TT2 during which the second voltage V is applied to the actuation portion 112Cb and the vent 113vnt is opened, the switches SWL1 and SWH2 are turned on (the second voltage V down to voltage V N1’ and the first voltage V up to voltage V N2’During the period TT2, the switches SWH1 and SWL2 are turned off. N1’ / V up and Vo1 as V N2’ / V down 7, the free end of the flap 111Fa that has swung downward is lower than the fixed ends of the flaps 111Fa and 111Fb, and the free end of the flap 111Fb that has swung upward is higher than the fixed ends of the flaps 111Fa and 111Fb. Also, since the switch SWrc1 is turned off, the switching module 6SW is turned off within the period TT2.

[0049] During a period CND2 (which serves as a third period) between periods TT2 and TT1, switches SWH1, SWL1, SWH2, and SWL2 are turned off, and switches SWrc1 and SWrc2 are turned on. Current 6I flowing through inductor 6IL continues to increase until voltage Vo1 equals voltage Vo2. Thereafter, current 6I begins to decrease until it reaches zero. Current 6I transfers the charge stored in capacitor 6PZTc2 of actuation section 112Cb to capacitor 6PZTc1 of actuation section 112Ca, effectively swapping voltages Vo1 and Vo2. When voltage Vo1 equals second voltage V down to the first voltage V up , and the voltage Vo2 rises towards the first voltage V up to a second voltage V down When the flap 111Fa is lowered toward the center of the flaps 111Fb, the flap 111Fa can swing upward and the flap 111Fb can swing downward.

[0050] Specifically, at the beginning of period CND2, due to the voltage difference between voltages Vo1 and Vo2, inductor 6IL conducts current 6I from actuating portion 112Cb (e.g., its upper electrode) to actuating portion 112Ca (e.g., its upper electrode) and also serves to resist current fluctuations of current 6I. Furthermore, capacitors 6PZTc1 and 6PZTc2, inductor 6IL, resistor 6r1 of actuating portion 112Ca, and resistor 6r2 of actuating portion 112Cb can be viewed as an RLC circuit. In one embodiment, the RLC circuit may form an underdamped RLC oscillator such that after switches SWrc1 and SWrc2 are closed, current 6I experiences an upward surge roughly resembling the initial hump of a sine wave. As a result, current 6I is drawn from actuating portion 112Cb to actuating portion 112Ca, corresponding to the amount of electrons / charges transferred / removed from capacitor 6PZTc2 to capacitor 6PZTc1 during / after period CND2.

[0051] By the same rationale, during / after period CND1, a (more or less) amount of electrons / charges is transferred / removed to the capacitor 6PZTc2 via the switching module 6SW and the inductor 6IL, whereby the energy stored in the actuating part 112Ca or 112Cb (e.g., capacitor 6PZTc1 or 6PZTc2) is largely recycled / reused during / after period CND1 or period CND2, so that the power consumption due to the swapping activity of the swapping module 6spM is significantly reduced.

[0052] 7, the start time of periods CND1 / CND2 is some time after the end time of periods TT1 / TT2, and the end time of periods CND1 / CND2 is some time after the start time of periods TT2 / TT1. Alternatively, the start time of periods CND1 / CND2 coincides with the end time of periods TT1 / TT2, and the end time of periods CND1 / CND2 coincides with the start time of periods TT2 / TT1.

[0053] In one embodiment, the swapping frequency of the switching module 6SW may be set to a low value (e.g., but not limited to, less than 10 Hertz) to reduce power consumption or minimize swapping acoustic noise. The differential / antisymmetric movement of the flaps 111Fa and 111Fb may facilitate net zero volume displacement and may also minimize swapping acoustic noise.

[0054] For details of the energy recycling principle of the swapping modules 5spM and 6spM, reference can be made to US patent application Ser. No. 17 / 133,655, which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0055] 8 is a schematic diagram of LDOs 8LDO1 and 8LDO2 according to an embodiment of the present application. LDO 2LDO can be implemented by LDO 8LDO1 or 8LDO2.

[0056] 8(a) shows an LDO 8LDO1 that may include resistors 8R1a and 8R2a, an amplifier 8AMP1, and a transistor 8T1. One input terminal of amplifier 8AMP1 outputs an output voltage V in , CP Monitors a fraction of the output voltage V in , CP The voltage of the other input terminal (or the amplified output terminal Nout) of the amplifier 8AMP1 is 8V. in If different from , the drive to transistor 8T1 is in , CP is changed to keep it constant.

[0057] 8(b) shows an LDO 8LDO2 that may include resistors 8R1b and 8R2b, an amplifier 8AMP2, and a transistor 8T2. One input terminal of amplifier 8AMP2 outputs an output voltage V in , CP Monitors part of the output voltage V in , CPis different from the stable reference voltage Vdc2 at the other input terminal of amplifier 8AMP1, the drive to transistor 8T2 is in , CP is changed to keep it constant.

[0058] 9 is a schematic diagram of charge pumps 9PMP1 and 9PMP2 according to an embodiment of the present application. Charge pump 2PMP can be implemented by charge pumps 9PMP1, 9PMP2, or a Dickson charge pump.

[0059] In Figure 9, (a) shows a charge pump 9PMP1, which includes capacitors 9C1a-9C5a for storing charge to increase the voltage, and diodes 9D1-9D5 for transferring charge between the capacitors 9C1a-9C5a, and requires the supply of opposite signals 9S1a and 9S2a.

[0060] FIG. 9(b) shows a charge pump 9PMP2, which includes capacitors 9C1b-9C4b for storing charge to boost the voltage, and transistors 9T1-9T4 for transferring charge between the capacitors 9C1b-9C4b, and requires the supply of opposite signals 9S1b and 9S2b.

[0061] Furthermore, to increase lifespan, in one embodiment, the input to actuation portion 112Ca or 112Cb (e.g., electrodes or contacts of actuation portion 112Ca) may be a superposition / combination of alternating current (AC) and direct current (DC) waveforms.

[0062] For example, referring back to FIG. 1(a), when vent device 10VntD is controlled to open vent 113vnt, drive circuit 10dvrC may generate a first signal (which may include a first voltage and a first AC component) at node N1 and a second signal (which may include a second voltage and a second AC component) at node N2 to vary the input to actuator 112Ca or 112Cb over time (e.g., periodically or randomly). In one embodiment, the first and second AC components may be inverse to each other such that the combination of the first and second AC components is zero, which may produce a net zero volume displacement to minimize the acoustic output caused by the first and second AC components. The first and second AC components may be less than the average of the first and second voltages. The larger the first or second AC component, the greater the average of the first and second voltages.

[0063] Further, Figure 10 provides another scheme for providing a long service life or extended lifespan. In Figure 10, the vent device 11vntD further includes a portion 111P disposed between the free ends of the flaps 111Fa and 111Fb to increase the distance between the free ends of the flaps 111Fa and 111Fb.

[0064] When the vent device 11vntD is controlled to open the vent 113vnt, the voltages Vol and Vo2 are V down (e.g., 0V (grounded)) or floating. Therefore, no electrical stress is applied to the vent device 11vntD, potentially improving its lifespan.

[0065] On the other hand, when the vent device 11vntD is controlled to close the vent 113vnt, the voltage Vo1 becomes equal to the third voltage V seal and a third AC component, and the voltage Vo2 is the third voltage V seal In other words, when the vent device 11vntD is controlled to close the vent 113vnt as shown in FIG. 10(b), the drive circuit 10dvrC generates a third signal (a third voltage V sealand a third AC component) at node N2, generating a fourth signal (which may include a third voltage V seal and fourth AC components). The third and fourth AC components may be inverse of each other so that the combination of the third and fourth AC components is zero, which may produce a net zero volume displacement to minimize the acoustic output caused by the third and fourth AC components. Alternatively, the waveform of the third AC component is identical to the waveform of the fourth AC component. The third and fourth AC components may be relatively small compared to the third voltage so that the vent 113 is substantially sealed / closed. The larger the third or fourth AC component, the larger the third voltage may be. The amplitude of the third or fourth AC component may be different from the amplitude of the first or second AC component.

[0066] In addition, the operating part is V down Note that an alternative to applying a voltage (e.g., 0V) to the actuator is to let the actuator float (i.e., no voltage is applied to the actuator). In this case, the free end of the flap can hang below its fixed end. Letting the actuator float means that no voltage is applied to the actuator. down achieves a similar effect as applying

[0067] In the context of this application, an AC waveform may encompass a waveform that is not DC in nature. Thus, a waveform that is not purely DC is considered an AC waveform. The term "voltage" may refer to a DC waveform or a time-invariant waveform. The term "signal" may refer to an AC waveform or a time-varying waveform.

[0068] In one embodiment, an application processor may be configured to process input from the sensor(s) and issue command(s) to control drive circuit 10dvrC such that a first or third voltage is applied to node N1 and a second or third voltage is applied to node N2 to open or seal vent 113vnt. For example, the application processor may be configured to turn switch SW1 or SW2 on / off. The sensor(s) may be a feedforward microphone configured to detect external noise, a feedback microphone configured to detect acoustic sounds due to occlusion effects, or a motion sensor configured to detect acoustic sounds due to body movement (e.g., jogging).

[0069] Any mechanism capable of creating or blocking a vent can be utilized as the wearable sound device 10 of the present invention. Details or modifications of wearable sound devices, venting apparatus, or driving circuits are disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Nos. 16 / 920,384, 17 / 008,580, 17 / 133,655, 17 / 842,810, 17 / 344,980, 17 / 344,983, 17 / 720,333, 18 / 048,852, 18 / 172,346, and 18 / 303,599, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties and made a part hereof.

[0070] The use of ordinal terms such as "first" and "second" does not in itself imply a priority, precedence, or order of an element relative to another element, a time sequence in which acts of a method are performed, or a requirement that all elements be present at the same time; these terms are merely used as labels to distinguish one element with a certain name from another element with the same name. The technical features described in the following embodiments may be mixed or combined in various ways as long as there is no contradiction between them.

[0071] In summary, a drive circuit is provided that opens or seals a vent in a vent device, leading to reduced blockage reduction effects. A drive circuit swapping module configured to swap a first voltage from a first actuation section to a second actuation section and (simultaneously) swap a second voltage from the second actuation section to the first actuation section may extend the life of the vent device. By utilizing the characteristics of the vent device, the drive circuit swapping module may be designed with high performance to recycle energy and reduce power consumption. A drive circuit that outputs a signal to the vent device that includes a (DC) voltage and an AC component may also extend the life of the vent device.

[0072] Those skilled in the art will readily recognize 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. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0073] [Patent Document 1] U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 344,983 [Patent Document 2] U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2020 / 0211521 [Patent Document 3] U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2019 / 0098390 [Patent Document 4] U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2013 / 0121509 [Patent Document 5] U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016 / 0176704 [Patent Document 6] U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2017 / 0021391 [Patent Document 7] U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2017 / 0325030 [Patent Document 8] U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2020 / 0213770 [Patent Document 9] U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2020 / 0178000 [Patent Document 10] U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2020 / 0100033 [Patent Document 11] U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2019 / 0039880 [Patent Document 12] U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2012 / 0053393 [Patent Document 13] U.S. Patent No. 8,724,200 [Patent Document 14] U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2019 / 0349665 [Patent Document 15] U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2017 / 0164115 [Patent Document 16] U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2017 / 0217761 [Patent Document 17] U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2007 / 0007858 [Patent Document 18] U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2017 / 0201192 [Patent Document 19] U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2017 / 0260044 [Patent Document 20] U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2013 / 0223023 [Patent Document 21] U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015 / 0163599 [Patent Document 22] Korean Patent Application Publication No. 10-2015-0030691 [Patent Document 23] Chinese Patent Application Publication No. 111063790 [Patent Document 24] Patent Publication No. 2020-31444 [Patent Document 25] Patent Publication No. 2009-512375 [Patent Document 26] Korean Patent Application Publication No. 10-2010-0002351 [Patent Document 27] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 11-307441 [License 28] U.S. Patent and Trademark Publication No. 2014 / 0140558 [License 29] U.S. Patent and Trademark Publication No. 2006 / 0131163 [License 30] U.S. Patent No. 11,399,228 [Patent Document 31] U.S. Patent No. 11,323,797 [Patent Document 32] U.S. Patent and Trademark Publication No. 2018 / 0120938 [Non-licensed literature]

[0074] [Non-licensed Document 1] HYONSE KIM ET AL, A slim type microvalve driven by PZT films, Sensors and Actuators A: PHYSICAL, 18 January, 2005, pages 162-171, Vol. 121, Elsevier BV, XP027806904

Claims

1. 1. A driver circuit included in a wearable sound device configured to drive a vent device included in the wearable sound device, the driver circuit comprising: a first node and a second node; an amplifier circuit having an amplifier output terminal coupled to the first node; the vent device having a film structure and an actuator; the film structure having a first flap and a second flap; the actuator having a first actuation portion disposed on the first flap and a second actuation portion disposed on the second flap; the first node is coupled to the first actuation portion and the second node is coupled to the second actuation portion; the vent device is configured to be controlled to open a vent or to seal the vent; When the vent device is controlled to open the vent, the drive circuit generates a first voltage at the first node and a second voltage at the second node; when the vent device is controlled to seal the vent, the drive circuit generates a third voltage at both the first node and the second node; the first voltage is greater than the third voltage, and the third voltage is greater than the second voltage; a negative feedback loop is formed within the drive circuit, the amplifier circuit being part of the negative feedback loop; the amplifier circuit includes an error amplifier; the amplifier circuit has an amplification gain; the drive circuit having a low dropout regulator coupled between the error amplifier and the first node, the low dropout regulator being part of the negative feedback loop. Drive circuit.

2. when the vent device is controlled to open the vent, the error amplifier receives a first input voltage, the first voltage being a product of the first input voltage and the amplification gain; 2. The drive circuit of claim 1.

3. a switch coupled between the first node and the second node; When the vent device is controlled to open the vent, the switch is shut off.

3. The drive circuit according to claim 2.

4. when the vent device is controlled to seal the vent, the error amplifier receives a second input voltage, and the third voltage is a product of the second input voltage and the amplification gain.

2. The drive circuit of claim 1.

5. a switch coupled between the first node and the second node; When the vent device is controlled to seal the vent, the switch is conductive.

5. The drive circuit according to claim 4.

6. 1. A driver circuit included in a wearable sound device configured to drive a vent device included in the wearable sound device, the driver circuit comprising: a first node and a second node; an amplifier circuit having an amplifier output terminal coupled to the first node; the vent device having a film structure and an actuator; the film structure having a first flap and a second flap; the actuator having a first actuation portion disposed on the first flap and a second actuation portion disposed on the second flap; the first node is coupled to the first actuation portion and the second node is coupled to the second actuation portion; the vent device is configured to be controlled to open a vent or to seal the vent; When the vent device is controlled to open the vent, the drive circuit generates a first voltage at the first node and a second voltage at the second node; when the vent device is controlled to seal the vent, the drive circuit generates a third voltage at both the first node and the second node; the first voltage is greater than the third voltage, and the third voltage is greater than the second voltage; a negative feedback loop is formed within the drive circuit, the amplifier circuit being part of the negative feedback loop; the amplifier circuit includes an error amplifier; the amplifier circuit has an amplification gain; the drive circuit having a charge pump coupled between the error amplifier and the first node, the charge pump being part of the negative feedback loop; Drive circuit.

7. 1. A driver circuit included in a wearable sound device configured to drive a vent device included in the wearable sound device, the driver circuit comprising: a first node and a second node; an amplifier circuit having an amplifier output terminal coupled to the first node; a swapping module; the vent device having a film structure and an actuator; the film structure having a first flap and a second flap; the actuator having a first actuation portion disposed on the first flap and a second actuation portion disposed on the second flap; the first node is coupled to the first actuation portion and the second node is coupled to the second actuation portion; the vent device is configured to be controlled to open a vent or to seal the vent; When the vent device is controlled to open the vent, the drive circuit generates a first voltage at the first node and a second voltage at the second node; when the vent device is controlled to seal the vent, the drive circuit generates a third voltage at both the first node and the second node; the first voltage is greater than the third voltage, and the third voltage is greater than the second voltage; a negative feedback loop is formed within the drive circuit, the amplifier circuit being part of the negative feedback loop; the swapping module is coupled between the first actuation portion and the second actuation portion; the swapping module is configured to swap the first voltage from the first operating portion to the second operating portion and swap the second voltage from the second operating portion to the first operating portion; the swapping module includes a first switch, a second switch, a third switch, and a fourth switch; the first switch and the second switch are coupled to the first actuation portion; the third switch and the fourth switch are coupled to the second actuation portion; the swapping module includes an inductor and a switching module; the inductor and the switching module are coupled between the first actuating portion and the second actuating portion; Drive circuit.

8. During a first period during which the first voltage is applied to the first actuation portion and the second voltage is applied to the second actuation portion, the first switch and the fourth switch are conductive, the second switch and the third switch are blocked, and the switching module is blocked; the second voltage is applied to the first actuation portion, and during a second period during which the first voltage is applied to the second actuation portion, the second switch and the third switch are conductive, the first switch and the fourth switch are blocked, and the switching module is blocked; during a third period between the first period and the second period, the first switch, the second switch, the third switch, and the fourth switch are turned off, and the switching module is turned on; 8. The drive circuit according to claim 7.

9. the switching module includes a fifth switch and a sixth switch; the fifth switch is coupled between the inductor and the first actuation portion; the sixth switch is coupled between the inductor and the second actuation portion; 8. The drive circuit according to claim 7.

10. the first switch is coupled between the first actuation portion and the first node; the second switch is coupled between the first actuation portion and the second node; the third switch is coupled between the second actuation portion and the first node; the fourth switch is coupled between the second actuation portion and the second node; 8. The drive circuit according to claim 7.

11. During a first period during which the first voltage is applied to the first actuation portion and the second voltage is applied to the second actuation portion, the first switch and the fourth switch are turned on and the second switch and the third switch are turned off; the second voltage is applied to the first actuation portion, and during a second period during which the first voltage is applied to the second actuation portion, the second switch and the third switch are turned on, and the first switch and the fourth switch are turned off. The drive circuit of claim 10.

12. the driver circuit generates a first signal at the first node and a second signal at the second node; the first signal includes a first AC (alternating current) component; the second signal includes a second AC component.

2. The drive circuit of claim 1.

13. a vent device having a film structure and an actuator, the film structure having a first flap and a second flap, the actuator having a first actuation portion disposed on the first flap and a second actuation portion disposed on the second flap; a driver circuit having a first node and a second node; the first actuation portion and the second actuation portion are coupled to the first node and the second node; the vent device is configured to be controlled to open a vent or to seal the vent; When the vent device is controlled to open the vent, the drive circuit generates a first voltage at the first node and a second voltage at the second node; when the vent device is controlled to seal the vent, the drive circuit generates a third voltage at both the first node and the second node; the first voltage is greater than the third voltage, and the third voltage is greater than the second voltage; the drive circuit includes an amplifier circuit, a negative feedback loop is formed within the drive circuit, and the amplifier circuit is part of the negative feedback loop; the amplifier circuit includes an error amplifier; the amplifier circuit has an amplification gain; the drive circuit includes a low dropout regulator (LDO) and a charge pump coupled between the error amplifier and the first node, the low dropout regulator (LDO) and the charge pump being part of the negative feedback loop. Wearable sound device.

14. The drive circuit having a swapping module; the swapping module is coupled between the first actuation portion and the second actuation portion; the swapping module is configured to swap the first voltage from the first operating portion to the second operating portion and swap the second voltage from the second operating portion to the first operating portion. A wearable sound device according to claim 13.

15. When the vent device is controlled to open the vent, during a first period of time, the first flap is actuated to move toward a first direction and the second flap is actuated to move toward a second direction opposite the first direction, and during a second period of time, the first flap is actuated to move toward the second direction and the second flap is actuated to move toward the first direction. A wearable sound device according to claim 13.

16. During the first period, the first actuation portion receives the first voltage and the second actuation portion receives the second voltage; During the second period, the first actuation portion receives the second voltage and the second actuation portion receives the first voltage.

16. A wearable sound device according to claim 15.

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