Audio Accessory Elastic Body for Automatic Volume Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional audio signal devices face challenges in automatically adjusting volume levels, leading to undesirable hearing situations and potential hearing damage, as users cannot manually adjust volumes suitably, especially when the device is not in close contact with the ear.

Innovation Solution

An audio accessory with an elastic body and sensor modules that automatically adjust volume based on the insertion condition in the ear, using a cylindrical inner cover and elongated outer cover with inlets and sensors to generate signals for deformation, connected to an electronic device for signal processing and volume control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If the audio accessory is directed away from the ear, then the volume of the audio signal is reduced, but the user cannot manually adjust the volume to a suitable level

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehearing damage riskVSAvoidmanual volume adjustment

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The audio accessory automatically detects its insertion state through sensor modules and adjusts the volume level without requiring manual user intervention. The system serves itself by using sensors to monitor whether the accessory is properly inserted in the ear and autonomously controlling the audio output volume based on the detected state.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The sensor modules provide feedback about the insertion condition to the control system, which then adjusts the volume accordingly. This closed-loop feedback mechanism allows the system to continuously monitor and adapt the audio output based on the actual wearing state, preventing both excessive volume and insufficient volume scenarios.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Extent of automation

If the audio accessory is in close contact with the ear inadvertently, then the volume may be too high, but there is no mechanism to prevent undesirable hearing situations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomatic volume adjustmentVSAvoidhearing safety

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically monitors the insertion state through sensor modules and adjusts the volume without requiring user awareness or manual adjustment. When the accessory is detected to be in close contact with the ear, the system autonomously limits the maximum volume to prevent hearing damage, providing self-protective functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The sensor modules detect the insertion state in advance before harmful high-volume exposure can occur. The control system proactively adjusts the volume limits based on the detected state, preventing undesirable hearing situations before they happen rather than reacting after damage occurs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

3Ease of operation

If manual volume adjustment is required, then the user has control over volume, but it is difficult to hear audio signal at good volume level when user cannot manually adjust

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevolume controlVSAvoidinsertion condition detection

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical volume adjustment with an automated electronic control system. Sensor modules detect the insertion condition and automatically adjust the audio output volume through electronic control, eliminating the need for manual mechanical adjustment while achieving more precise volume control based on actual wearing state.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 enables stable volume control and correct determination of the inserted state in the ear, preventing undesirable hearing situations and potential hearing damage by automatically adjusting audio signal levels.

Implementation Method 1

at least one sensor module disposed on at least one of the cylindrical inner cover and the at least one outer cover and configured to generate a sensor signal related to deformation of the at least one outer cover

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDeformation: Deformation

Data Source

PatentUS9357319B2Elastic body of audio accessory, audio accessory and electronic device supporting the same

Publication Date: 2016.05.31 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

An elastic body of an audio accessory is provided. The elastic body includes a cylindrical inner cover, at least one outer cover which is elongated from a top end edge of the cylindrical inner cover to enclose the cylindrical inner cover, the at least one outer cover having at least one inlet which partially exposes at least a part of the cylindrical inner cover, and at least one sensor module disposed on at least one of the cylindrical inner cover and the at least one outer cover and configured to generate a sensor signal related to deformation of the at least one outer cover.