Appliance including voice recognition device

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional appliances with voice recognition systems face issues such as noise interference from vibration sources and howling, where the microphone is prone to picking up noise from the appliance's internal vibrations and sound output, leading to reduced voice recognition accuracy.

Innovation Solution

The appliance design incorporates a voice input device and sound output device configuration where the voice input device is positioned closer to the panel surface, with a sealing member to reduce noise transmission, and the sound output device is positioned to output sound internally, preventing direct noise interference. Additionally, the voice input devices are placed on either side of the sound output device's centerline to minimize noise overlap and improve assembly efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If the microphone is spaced apart from the panel in an inner direction to prevent vibration transmission, then vibration noise is reduced, but the microphone picks up noise from internal noise sources and speaker howling

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevibration noiseVSAvoidinternal noise and speaker howling

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from a single-dimensional spacing approach to a multi-dimensional solution by introducing partition walls that create spatial separation in three-dimensional space. The partition walls divide the internal space into voice input regions and sound output regions, allowing the microphone to be positioned close to the panel while preventing noise transmission through vertical and lateral barriers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent divides the internal cavity into separate functional zones using partition walls. The voice input device is placed in a dedicated region separated from the speaker by partition structures, creating distinct acoustic zones. This segmentation prevents noise from the speaker and internal components from reaching the microphone while maintaining close proximity to the panel for vibration isolation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the microphone is positioned close to the panel surface, then vibration noise is reduced, but the microphone picks up speaker output sound as noise

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevibration noiseVSAvoidspeaker output noise

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces partition walls as intermediary structures between the speaker and microphone. These partition walls act as acoustic barriers that block the transmission of speaker output sound to the microphone while allowing the microphone to remain close to the panel surface for vibration noise reduction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses three-dimensional spatial arrangement with partition walls extending vertically and laterally to create acoustic isolation zones. This multi-dimensional approach allows the microphone to be positioned close to the panel while preventing speaker noise transmission through the partition structures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Device complexity

If the voice input device and sound output device are disposed to overlap in front and rear direction, then transmission paths are easily partitioned, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransmission path partitioningVSAvoidoverall device structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the voice recognition device into distinct functional modules: a voice input device section and a sound output device section, separated by partition walls. This segmentation creates clear transmission paths for voice input and sound output while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure that can be integrated into existing appliance designs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 configuration enhances voice recognition accuracy by isolating the voice transmission path from the sound output path, reducing noise interference, and allows for easier assembly and a more compact design.

Implementation Method 1

a sealing member 235 which is in close proximity with the inner surface of the panel 150

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSound blocking: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 2

a microphone hole 232a which is in communication with the sealing opening portion 235a; a microphone 233 which is installed on the rear surface of the PCB 232 and collects sound

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSound collection: Acoustics

Implementation Method 3

a sound output device 250 which is disposed on the rear surface of the panel 150 and outputs sound

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSound output: Acoustics

Data Source

PatentUS11114102B2Appliance including voice recognition device

Publication Date: 2021.09.07 LG ELECTRONICS INC

AI summary

An appliance including a voice recognition device, the voice recognition device including a sound output device and a voice input device, wherein the sound output device is configured to output sound toward the inside of the panel, and the voice input device is configured to collect voice transmitted from the outside of the panel toward the panel.