Acoustic Housing Defect Classification via Frequency Energy Ratio

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for detecting defects in device housings, such as those used in safety-critical applications, cannot effectively classify detected impurities as foreign bodies or structural defects, leading to undetected manipulations and hidden damage.

Innovation Solution

A method using sound waves involves arranging a loudspeaker and microphone inside the housing to measure reference and current frequency responses, calculating a difference response, and determining a ratio of high-frequency to low-frequency signal energy to classify defects as either foreign bodies or structural issues based on significant changes in sound transmission.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If acoustic signals are used to monitor housing integrity, then defect detection capability is improved, but defect classification capability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedefect detection capabilityVSAvoiddefect classification capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The frequency response is segmented into multiple frequency bands (low-frequency band below 400-500 Hz and high-frequency band above 400-500 Hz). By analyzing the ratio of signal energies in these different frequency bands, the system can classify defects into different types (foreign bodies vs. structural defects), thereby resolving the contradiction between detecting defects and classifying them.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If comprehensive defect monitoring is implemented, then security against hacker attacks is improved, but undetected manipulations increase due to large number of enclosures

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecurity against hacker attacksVSAvoidmonitoring efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual inspection methods with an automated acoustic monitoring system using loudspeakers and microphones. The system automatically measures frequency responses, calculates energy ratios, and classifies defects without human intervention, enabling efficient monitoring of large numbers of enclosures while maintaining high security reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Area of stationary object

If acoustic monitoring is used for hidden or inaccessible enclosures, then detection coverage is improved, but detection accuracy deteriorates due to hidden defects

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection coverageVSAvoiddetection accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses parameter changes in the acoustic domain by analyzing frequency response characteristics across different frequency bands. By measuring the ratio of signal energies in low-frequency and high-frequency bands, the system can accurately classify defects even in hidden or inaccessible enclosures, maintaining high detection accuracy while expanding coverage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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

This approach allows for rapid and reliable classification of defects, distinguishing between foreign bodies and structural issues by evaluating the energy ratio in specific frequency bands, enhancing detection and classification accuracy.

Implementation Method 1

The use of sound waves in the form of structure-borne or airborne sound is known for monitoring the integrity of structures

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSound wave propagation: Sound

Implementation Method 2

measuring a reference frequency response of the sound transmission from this loudspeaker to this microphone

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAcoustic reflection and transmission: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP4086868B1Method and apparatus for detecting and classifying a defect of a housing
Publication Date: 2024.01.31 MUSE ELECTRONICS GMBH
  • EP4086868B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP4086868B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4086868B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

A method for detecting and classifying a fault (F) of an enclosure (2) comprises: measuring a reference frequency response (17) of the sound transmission (13) from at least one loudspeaker (11) to at least one microphone (12); measuring an actual frequency response (19) of the sound transmission (13) from the at least one loudspeaker (11) to the at least one microphone (12); determining a difference frequency response (21) between the actual frequency response (19) and the reference frequency response (17);and if a measure (M) of the differential frequency response (21) exceeds a detection threshold (D): detecting a defect (F), calculating a ratio (R) of the signal energy (Ei+k) of a high-frequency frequency band (Bi+k) of the differential frequency response (21) to the signal energy (Ei) of a low-frequency frequency band (Bi) of the differential frequency response (21), and if the ratio (R) exceeds a predetermined classification threshold (C): classifying the defect (F) as a foreign body (8 - 10), otherwise classifying the defect (F) as a flaw (5 - 7). The invention further relates to a device (1) for carrying out this method.