ANR Headset Clamping-Force Switching for Comfort and Noise Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Active noise reduction (ANR) headsets face challenges in maintaining comfort and situational awareness due to the need for high clamping force, which can lead to discomfort and increased power consumption when loosening the fit to reduce noise, and compromising noise reduction affects both passive and active noise cancellation.

Innovation Solution

A headset with a configurable headband that adjusts clamping force, allowing two modes of noise reduction, automatically transitioning between them to balance comfort and noise protection, using sensors and control electronics to manage the active noise reduction circuit's gain and frequency response based on the headband configuration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If higher clamping force is applied to improve noise reduction, then noise cancellation performance is improved, but comfort deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenoise reduction performanceVSAvoidcomfort

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the clamping force adjustable rather than fixed. The headband allows users to dynamically adjust the tension between tight and loose configurations, enabling the system to adapt to different comfort and performance needs. This resolves the contradiction by allowing the user to optimize the balance between noise reduction effectiveness and comfort based on situational requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If higher clamping force is applied to improve noise reduction, then noise cancellation performance is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenoise reduction performanceVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts power consumption based on the headband configuration. When the headband is in a loose configuration, the ANR circuit automatically reduces its power consumption to account for the reduced passive noise isolation. This allows the system to maintain effective noise cancellation while optimizing energy usage based on the actual seal quality provided by the headband tension.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If lower clamping force is applied to improve comfort, then comfort is improved, but noise reduction performance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovecomfortVSAvoidnoise reduction performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs feedback by having the ANR circuit detect the headband configuration (tight or loose) and automatically adjust its noise cancellation strategy accordingly. When a loose configuration is detected, the system compensates for the reduced passive isolation by modifying the active noise reduction parameters, thereby maintaining noise reduction performance despite the lower clamping force and improved comfort.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

4Use of energy by moving object

If lower clamping force is applied to reduce power consumption, then power consumption is reduced, but noise reduction performance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidnoise reduction performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses feedback from headband configuration detection to automatically adjust ANR circuit parameters. When the headband is loosened to reduce power consumption, the ANR circuit detects this change and modifies its operation to compensate for the reduced passive noise isolation, thereby maintaining noise reduction performance while operating at lower power levels appropriate for the relaxed fit.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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 solution provides adaptable noise reduction that balances comfort and noise protection, maintaining dynamic range and tonal balance while reducing discomfort and power consumption, allowing for situational awareness and noise reduction adjustments based on environmental needs.

Implementation Method 1

each having a front opening adapted to be adjacent to a respective ear of a user and including an electroacoustic transducer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectroacoustic transduction:

Implementation Method 2

The headband is configurable between at least two configurations that each press the earcups against the head of the user with different amounts of force

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical force: Mechanical Force

Data Source

PatentUS8675885B2Adjusting noise reduction in headphones

Publication Date: 2014.03.18 BOSE CORP

AI summary

A headset includes first and second earcups each having a front opening adapted to be adjacent to a respective ear of a user and including an electroacoustic transducer, a headband coupled to each of the earcups, and an active noise reduction circuit coupled to the electroacoustic transducers. The headband is configurable between at least two configurations that each press the earcups against the head of the user with different amounts of force. The active noise reduction circuit is configured to determine which of the at least two configurations the headband may be configured in, to provide a different amount of noise reduction when the headband may be configured in each of the different amounts of force, and to automatically transition between the different amounts of noise reduction in response to a change in the configuration of the headband between the at least two configurations.