Acoustic Device Linear Sound Attenuation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing hearing protection devices fail to provide linear attenuation of sound across the entire acoustic spectrum, particularly losing high frequencies above 8000 Hz and neglecting psycho-acoustic criteria, leading to an unnatural sound perception.

Innovation Solution

An acoustic device with a channel that combines attenuation and resonance mechanisms, featuring a frustoconical section for accentuating short wave frequencies, ensuring linear sound attenuation without clipping high frequencies and maintaining tonal balance, achieved through a combination of attenuation and amplification processes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If existing hearing protection filters are used to attenuate sound, then sound attenuation is achieved, but high frequencies above 8000 Hz are strongly attenuated or clipped

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesound attenuationVSAvoidhigh frequency loss
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the geometric parameters of the filter channel, specifically increasing the diameter to at least 10mm and optimizing the length-diameter ratio to between 0.5 and 2. These parameter changes prevent high frequency clipping while maintaining effective sound attenuation across the audible spectrum.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The filter is designed as a separate, removable component that can be inserted into or removed from the hearing protection device. This segmentation allows the filter to be optimized independently with specific dimensional parameters (diameter ≥10mm, length/diameter ratio 0.5-2) that prevent high frequency loss while providing effective attenuation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Loss of energy

If existing filters attenuate sound selectively, then certain frequencies are reduced, but the entire acoustic spectrum cannot be restored linearly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveselective attenuationVSAvoidspectral balance
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

By optimizing the channel dimensions (diameter ≥10mm, length/diameter ratio 0.5-2), the filter achieves a frequency response that maintains linear attenuation across the entire audible spectrum. The parameters are specifically chosen to prevent resonant peaks and dips that would disrupt spectral balance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The filter design with specific dimensional parameters provides universal performance across the entire acoustic spectrum, not just selective frequency ranges. It simultaneously attenuates unwanted sounds while preserving and linearly restoring the complete frequency range from low to high frequencies.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If a small diameter channel is used in the filter, then dust or grease clogging is avoided, but the acoustic spectrum is considerably attenuated at medium frequency and high frequencies are clipped

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveclogging resistanceVSAvoidacoustic spectrum loss
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the critical parameter of channel diameter from small dimensions to at least 10mm, which is large enough to prevent clogging by dust or grease particles while maintaining an optimized length-diameter ratio (0.5-2) that prevents high frequency clipping and preserves the acoustic spectrum.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of relying solely on small diameter for clogging resistance, the invention uses the length-diameter ratio as an additional dimensional parameter. The optimized ratio (0.5-2) ensures that even with a larger diameter (≥10mm), the acoustic performance is maintained without high frequency loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The device provides a natural 'loudness' effect by reducing low frequencies and amplifying high frequencies, resulting in improved listening comfort and a more musical sound quality, effectively restoring the high frequency range beyond 8 kHz.

Implementation Method 1

the sound is amplified at the output of the device according to the invention, through a projection phenomenon in order to accentuate the short wave frequencies, ie the mids and highs

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAcoustic resonance: Resonance

Implementation Method 2

the sound is amplified at the output of the device according to the invention, through a projection phenomenon

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAcoustic projection:

Implementation Method 3

means for attenuating and resonating the sound conveying the latter

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAcoustic absorption: Acoustic Absorption

Data Source

PatentEP2222260B1Acoustic device for linear perceived-sound attenuation
Publication Date: 2011.05.11 EARSONICS
  • EP2222260B1 patent drawingFigure 1~5

AI summary

The present invention relates to an acoustic device for linear perceived-sound attenuation, comprising a channel (1) along which said sound propagates from an entry (2) to an exit (3), characterized in that it comprises, combined so as to make the perceived sound undergo a linear attenuation, at its entry (2), means (4) for attenuating and setting into resonance sound propagating through the latter as far as at least one filter (6) opening as exit (3), onto means (7) for accentuating the filtered sound, in particular its short-wave frequencies, said accentuating means consisting of a frustoconical portion of said channel (1) having a cross section that increases from said housing (5) towards said exit (3).