Bone Conduction Acoustic Device for Active Noise Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing acoustic devices for active noise reduction often encumber users and do not effectively attenuate ambient noise without compromising comfort.

Innovation Solution

An acoustic device with lateral acoustic modules positioned on the user's temples, utilizing osteophonic transducers to convert sound signals into vibratory signals for bone conduction, combined with electronic filtering to generate counter-noise signals, which are transmitted via bone conduction to cancel ambient noise perception.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If conventional airborne noise reduction headphones are used, then noise attenuation is achieved, but the device encumbers the user and reduces comfort

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenoise attenuationVSAvoiduser comfort

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the conventional airborne sound transmission mechanism with bone conduction technology. The osteophonic transducer converts electrical signals into vibratory signals that travel through the bone of the skull directly to the cochlea, eliminating the need for earpieces that block the ear canal and encumber the user.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces bone conduction as an intermediary transmission path between the transducer and the auditory nerve. Instead of transmitting sound through air to the ear canal, the vibratory signals use the bone of the skull as a medium to directly stimulate the cochlea, achieving noise reduction without physical encumbrance of the ear.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If bone conduction is used for noise reduction, then user comfort is improved, but effective noise attenuation must be achieved through complex signal processing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser comfortVSAvoidsignal processing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs feedback mechanisms where the system continuously monitors the ambient noise levels and adjusts the counter-noise signals accordingly. The microphones detect the actual noise, and the processing unit generates appropriate counter-noise signals that are transmitted via bone conduction, creating a closed-loop system that adapts to changing acoustic environments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes parameter changes in the signal processing, including adjusting the frequency, amplitude, and phase of the counter-noise signals based on the detected ambient noise characteristics. The system modifies these parameters dynamically to optimize noise cancellation effectiveness across different acoustic conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Object-affected harmful factors

If lateral acoustic modules are positioned on the temples, then noise reduction efficacy is improved, but precise positioning and retention become more challenging

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenoise reduction efficacyVSAvoidpositioning and retention mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the acoustic device into separate lateral acoustic modules that can be independently positioned on each temple. This segmentation allows for optimized positioning of the osteophonic transducers on the temporal bones while simplifying the overall retention mechanism through a headband that can be adjusted to fit different head sizes and shapes.

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

The device provides effective noise reduction without encumbering the user, achieving better noise attenuation through a combination of airborne and bone-conducted counter-noise signals, enhancing comfort and noise cancellation efficacy.

Implementation Method 1

The osteophonic transducer 8 comprises a transmitter element, not shown, capable of transforming a sound signal into a vibratory signal, transmitted to the auditory nerve of the user by bone conduction.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBone conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Implementation Method 2

The box 10 also includes an electronic card, not shown, which will be described in more detail with reference to the picture 2, and which is connected to the microphone for capturing ambient sound and which comprises an electronic filtering circuit making it possible to generate, from the sound signal picked up, an electrical signal called 'counter-noise'

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectronic filtering: Filter (electronic)

Data Source

PatentEP3000109B1Acoustic device capable of producing active noise reduction

Publication Date: 2021.01.27 ELNO SOC NOUV

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AI summary

The invention concerns an acoustic device (2) capable of producing active noise reduction, that can be positioned on the head of a user, comprising at least one microphone capable of sensing a sound signal representative of an ambient noise, comprising at least one acoustic module (4) for active noise reduction comprising an osteophonic transducer (8), capable of being positioned on a side flank of the head of the user and of transmitting a vibratory signal transformed by bone conduction into an acoustic signal perceptible by the user, connected to said microphone, while said at least one acoustic module (4) comprises an electronic circuit capable of generating a vibratory signal that helps attenuate the user's perception of said ambient noise.