Dynamic Acoustic Valve Assembly for Earphone Occlusion Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Portable electronic devices, such as earphones, face challenges in maintaining optimal sound quality due to their low profile, which can lead to issues like occlusion effects during active noise control and the need for dynamic impedance control.

Innovation Solution

A dynamic valve assembly is introduced, featuring an electromechanical valve with flaps that can open and close to control the amount of leak between an inner cavity and the ambient environment, allowing for dynamic impedance adjustment with low power consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a perfect seal (high impedance) is maintained, then passive isolation is improved, but the ability to speak naturally deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepassive isolationVSAvoidnatural speech
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The valve transitions from a static sealed state to a dynamic system that can open and close. During speech detection, the valve opens to allow natural sound leakage, improving speech naturalness while maintaining passive isolation during non-speech periods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the valve remains closed for noise cancellation, then isolation performance is improved, but power consumption increases due to continuous active noise control

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveisolation performanceVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of continuous active noise control, the system uses periodic valve opening during speech events. This intermittent operation reduces power consumption while maintaining isolation performance during non-speech periods when the valve remains closed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

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 dynamic valve assembly effectively manages impedance in real-time, reducing occlusion effects and enhancing sound quality by allowing for a natural and lower occlusion effect when speaking, while also minimizing power consumption.

Implementation Method 1

The flap may further include a piezoelectric layer coupled to the electrode layer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPiezoelectric effect: Piezoelectric Effect

Implementation Method 2

upon application of a voltage, the flap transitions from a closed position to an open position in which it is coupled to the first portion by an electrostatic force

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrostatic force: Electrostatics

Data Source

PatentUS20250030976A1Dynamic Valve for An Electronic Device
Publication Date: 2025.01.23 APPLE INC
  • US20250030976A1 patent drawing
  • US20250030976A1 patent drawing
  • US20250030976A1 patent drawing

AI summary

A portable electronic device comprising: an enclosure having an enclosure wall that forms an interior chamber and a sound output port to an ambient environment; a transducer positioned within the interior chamber and dividing the interior chamber into a front volume chamber coupling a first side of the transducer to the sound output port and a back volume chamber coupled to a second side of the transducer; and an electromechanical valve comprising a number of flaps operable to open and close a vent to the interior chamber, the front volume chamber or the back volume chamber.