Sound generation apparatus and wearable sound device

Abstract

To provide a sound generating device for increasing a sound pressure level (SPL).SOLUTION: The sound producing device includes an airflow generator configured to generate an airflow, a first resonance chamber, and a second resonance chamber. The second resonant chamber is stacked on the first resonant chamber. Sound is produced by the airflow generated by the airflow generator and passing through the first and second resonance chambers. The airflow generator has an airflow pulsing device configured to generate a plurality of airflow pulses at an ultrasonic frequency, wherein the airflow includes the plurality of airflow pulses.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This application relates to sound generating devices and wearable sound devices, and more particularly to sound generating devices and wearable sound devices that increase SPL. [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 the field of sound reproduction, particularly for compact and wearable devices, certain challenges remain in achieving optimal acoustic performance. Existing sound-generating devices often face limitations in generating sufficient sound pressure levels (SPL) and maintaining acoustic efficiency, especially within constrained form factors. This can lead to reduced audio output that may not fully meet desired performance benchmarks.

[0004] A contributing factor to these challenges is often acoustic characteristics. Instances have been observed in which the internal acoustic pathways or structures within a sound-generating device have poorly positioned acoustic characteristics. This limits the device's ability to effectively amplify sound pressure, leading to an output that, while functional, may not provide the expected acoustic effect. Such scenarios highlight the continuing goal in this field to improve the acoustic performance of sound-generating devices, particularly in terms of increasing sound pressure levels.

[0005] Therefore, effectively improving the acoustic characteristics of sound generating devices to achieve higher SPL is an important goal in this field. Summary of the Invention

[0006] Therefore, the main object of the present application is to provide a sound generating apparatus and a wearable sound device to improve the shortcomings of the prior art.

[0007] One embodiment of the present application provides a sound generating device. The sound generating device includes an airflow generator configured to generate an airflow; a first resonant chamber; and a second resonant chamber. The second resonant chamber is stacked on the first resonant chamber. Sound is generated by the airflow generated by the airflow generator and passing through the first resonant chamber and the second resonant chamber.

[0008] Also, one embodiment of the present application provides a wearable sound device. The wearable sound device has a housing and a sound generating device. The sound generating device includes an airflow generator configured to generate an airflow; a first resonance chamber; and a second resonance chamber. The second resonance chamber is stacked on the first resonance chamber. Sound is generated by the airflow generated by the airflow generator and passing through the first resonance chamber and the second resonance chamber.

[0009] 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]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a cross-sectional view of a wearable sound device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an exploded view of the wearable sound device of FIG. 1. [Figure 3] 1 is a schematic diagram of a sound generating device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 4] 1 is a schematic diagram of a sound generating device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 5] The performance curve of the sound generating device of FIG. [Figure 6] 1 shows a schematic diagram of a comparative sound generating device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] The contents of US Pat. No. 11,943,585 are incorporated herein by reference.

[0012] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a cross-section of a wearable sound device 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of an exploded view of the wearable sound device 10. Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a sound generating apparatus 14 according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of a sound generating apparatus 1401 according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0013] The sound generating device 14 includes an airflow generator AFG, a first resonant chamber 141, and a second resonant chamber 143. The first resonant chamber 141 and the second resonant chamber 143 are stacked. The airflow generator AFG is configured to generate an airflow AF. In one embodiment, the airflow generator AFG may include an air pulse generator, designated 1401, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 11,943,585.

[0014] Specifically, the sound generating device 14 has (or can be seen to have) an air pulse generating package 140 including an air pulse generator 1401 and a first cover structure 1402, and a second cover structure 142.

[0015] The first resonant chamber 141 is formed between the air pulse generator 1401 (membrane structure or flap pair) and the first cover structure 1402. The air pulse generating package 140 is configured to generate a plurality of air pulses at ultrasonic frequencies.

[0016] The second cover structure 142 is disposed on the air pulse generating package 140. A second resonant chamber 143 is formed within the second cover structure 142 or between the air pulse generating package 140 and the second cover structure 142. The second resonant chamber 143 may increase the acoustic impedance of the sound generating device at ultrasonic frequencies. The second cover structure 142 further includes a seal structure 1420 and a cover layer 1422. In one embodiment, the seal structure 1420 may be a gasket. A hollow cavity 143′ is formed within the seal structure 1420 (where the hollow cavity 143′ emphasizes the empty space formed within the gasket or seal structure, and the second resonant chamber 143 emphasizes its resonance effect that increases the acoustic impedance). The cover layer 1422 covers the seal structure 1420. The hollow cavity 143′ forms the second resonant chamber 143 between the cover layer 1422, the seal structure 1420, and the first cover structure 1402. The diameter of the hollow cavity 143′ in the seal structure 1420 may gradually narrow from the first cover structure 1402 to the cover layer 1422. In one embodiment, the cover layer 1422 may include a plastic layer, a polymer layer, or a polyester layer. In one embodiment, the cover layer 1422 may be made of or include, but is not limited to, Mylar or BoPET (biaxially oriented polyethylene terephthalate).

[0017] The first cover structure 1402 has a plurality of first outlets 145 formed on an upper side thereof. Furthermore, the second cover structure 142 includes at least a second outlet 147 formed on an upper side thereof. Thus, the first resonant chamber 141 can form a first Helmholtz resonance, and the second resonant chamber 143 can form a second Helmholtz resonance. The sound generating device 14 can be considered to have the first (Helmholtz) resonant chamber 141 and the second (Helmholtz) resonant chamber 143 stacked one on the other.

[0018] In one embodiment, the air pulse generator 1401 has a flap pair 1403 including a first flap 101 and a second flap 103 positioned opposite each other. A slit 112 is formed between the first flap 101 and the second flap 103. The flap pair 1403 performs differential motion at ultrasonic frequencies to form an opening 112, which is formed by the slit 112.

[0019] In one respect, the flap pair 1403 forms a virtual valve 112. The virtual valve 112 can be considered a slit 112 when the virtual valve 112 is in a closed / sealed state (high acoustic resistance such that airflow therethrough is negligible). The virtual valve 112 can be considered an aperture 112 when the virtual valve 112 is in an open state (low acoustic resistance such that airflow therethrough is significant).

[0020] Additionally, the flap pair 1403 may perform both common mode and differential motion. The common mode and differential motion performed by the flap pair 1403 causes the air pulse generator 1401 to generate multiple air pulses, specifically multiple airflow pulses.

[0021] In one aspect, the airflow generator AFG includes an air pulse generator 1401, and the airflow AF generated by the airflow generator AFG includes a plurality of airflow pulses generated by the air pulse generator 1401.

[0022] For details of the operation of the air pulse generator 1401, reference may be made to US Pat. No. 11,943,585, which will not be repeated here.

[0023] The sound generating device 14 may be disposed in a wearable sound device. The wearable sound device of the present invention may be a wearable sound device capable of generating sound. The wearable sound device of the present invention may be an earbud, an earphone, a hearing aid, a smart watch, smart glasses, an AR / VR / MR / XR device (AR / VR / MR / XR stands for augmented reality / virtual reality / mixed reality / augmented reality), etc.

[0024] According to the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the wearable sound device 10 is an earphone and comprises a housing 12 and the aforementioned sound generating device 14. The wearable sound device 10 may further comprise ear tips 16, making it an in-ear wearable sound device.

[0025] The improved performance of the sound generating device 14 can be verified by FIG. 5, which shows the sound pressure level (SPL) curves of the sound generating device 14 (with a stacked second (Helmholtz) resonant chamber) and the sound generating device 14wo (without the second resonant chamber), where the sound generating device 14wo is shown in FIG. 6. In FIG. 6, the hollow cavity 143'wo in the sound generating device 14wo is too open to form a (Helmholtz) resonance therein. The hollow cavity 143'wo cannot achieve the effect of increasing the acoustic impedance, and therefore cannot increase the SPL accordingly.

[0026] In comparison, considering that the air pulse generating package 140 generates airflow pulses, the second resonant chamber 143 stacked on or above the first resonant chamber 141 effectively increases the acoustic impedance (especially at ultrasonic frequencies) of the sound generating device 14 due to Helmholtz resonance, resulting in more sound pressure. As can be seen from Figure 5, the sound generating device 14 with two stacked (Helmholtz) resonant chambers has a 5-7 dB performance improvement in terms of SPL over the sound generating device 14 without stacked resonant chambers.

[0027] Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that numerous modifications and variations of the apparatus and method may be made while retaining the teachings of the present invention. Accordingly, the above disclosure should be construed as limited only by the metes and bounds of the appended claims.

[0028] For example, the sound generating device is not limited to having two resonant chambers, the sound generating device may have multiple (more than two) resonant chambers stacked together or stacked along the direction of airflow, and this is within the scope of the present invention.

[0029] For example, the second resonant chamber 143 may be substantially sealed apart from the first outlet 145 and the second outlet(s) 147. The second outlet(s) 147 may be small enough to achieve Helmholtz resonance. Optionally, a dimension (e.g., length, width, or diameter) of the one second outlet 147 may be substantially close to or smaller than one-third of the dimension (e.g., width or diameter) of the one first outlet 145 or the cross-sectional area of ​​the second resonant chamber 143. Optionally, the dimension (e.g., length, width, or diameter) of the one second outlet 147 may be a function of the resonant frequency or volume of the second resonant chamber 143.

[0030] For example, the placement of the second outlet(s) 147 may be adaptively adjusted. Optionally, the protrusion of the second outlet(s) 147 onto the first cover structure 1402 may or may not overlap with the first outlet 145.

[0031] For example, the resonant frequency of the second resonant chamber 143 may optionally be a function of the resonant frequency of the first resonant chamber 141 .

[0032] In summary, the present invention utilizes multiple stacked resonant chambers to raise the acoustic impedance and therefore improve the SPL.

[0033] Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that numerous modifications and variations of the apparatus and method 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]

[0034] [Patent Document 1] U.S. Patent No. 11,943,585

Claims

1. an airflow generator configured to generate an airflow; and a first resonance chamber and a second resonance chamber; the second resonant chamber is stacked on the first resonant chamber; sound is generated by an airflow generated by the airflow generator and passing through the first resonance chamber and the second resonance chamber; Sound generating device.

2. the airflow generator includes an air pulse generator configured to generate a plurality of airflow pulses at an ultrasonic frequency; the airflow includes the plurality of airflow pulses; 2. The sound generating device of claim 1.

3. the air pulse generator includes a pair of flaps, the pair of flaps including a first flap and a second flap facing each other; 3. The sound generating device of claim 2.

4. the pair of flaps perform differential motion to form an opening at the ultrasonic frequency.

4. A sound generating device according to claim 3.

5. the pair of flaps performing common mode and differential motion; the air pulse generator generates the plurality of airflow pulses through the pair of flaps performing the common mode motion and the differential motion.

4. A sound generating device according to claim 3.

6. an air pulse generating package having the airflow generator and a first cover structure; the first resonance chamber is formed between the airflow generator and the first cover structure; 2. The sound generating device of claim 1.

7. the first cover structure has a plurality of first outlets formed on an upper side of the first cover structure; 7. A sound generating device according to claim 6.

8. a second cover structure disposed on the air pulse generating package; The second resonance chamber is formed within the second cover structure.

7. A sound generating device according to claim 6.

9. the second cover structure has a seal structure and a cover layer; 9. A sound generating device according to claim 8.

10. a hollow cavity formed within the seal structure; 10. A sound generating device according to claim 9.

11. the cover layer covers the seal structure; the second resonance chamber is formed by the hollow cavity between the cover layer, the seal structure, and the first cover structure; 11. A sound generating device according to claim 10.

12. a diameter of the hollow cavity within the seal structure gradually narrows from the first cover structure toward the cover layer; 11. A sound generating device according to claim 10.

13. The sealing structure is a gasket.

10. A sound generating device according to claim 9.

14. the cover layer comprises a plastic layer, a polymer layer, or a polyester layer; 10. A sound generating device according to claim 9.

15. the second cover structure has at least a second outlet formed on an upper side of the second cover structure; 9. A sound generating device according to claim 8.

16. the second resonant chamber is configured to increase the acoustic impedance of the sound-generating device at the ultrasonic frequency.

2. The sound generating device of claim 1.

17. Housing and; 1. A sound generating device, comprising: an airflow generator configured to generate an airflow; and a first resonance chamber and a second resonance chamber; the second resonant chamber is stacked on the first resonant chamber; sound is generated by an airflow generated by the airflow generator and passing through the first resonance chamber and the second resonance chamber; a sound generating device; Wearable sound device.

18. the airflow generator includes an air pulse generator configured to generate a plurality of airflow pulses at an ultrasonic frequency; the airflow includes the plurality of airflow pulses; 18. A wearable sound device according to claim 17.

19. the air pulse generator includes a pair of flaps, the pair of flaps including a first flap and a second flap facing each other; 19. A wearable sound device according to claim 18.

20. the pair of flaps performing common mode and differential motion; the air pulse generator generates the plurality of airflow pulses through the pair of flaps performing the common mode and differential motions.

20. A wearable sound device according to claim 19.

21. an air pulse generating package having the airflow generator and a first cover structure; the first resonance chamber is formed between the airflow generator and the first cover structure; 18. A wearable sound device according to claim 17.

22. a second cover structure disposed on the air pulse generating package; The second resonance chamber is formed within the second cover structure.

22. A wearable sound device according to claim 21.

23. ear tips; The wearable sound device is an in-ear wearable sound device.

18. A wearable sound device according to claim 17.

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