Bone Conduction Transducer Integrated with Inflatable Oxygen Mask
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Solution Overview
Problem
Pilots wearing emergency oxygen masks face challenges with separate headsets, including time constraints and discomfort during stressful situations, and using both hands to position headsets can divert attention from aircraft controls.
Innovation Solution
A respiratory mask system with an inflatable harness integrated with a bone conduction device that provides audio, allowing for hands-free communication and noise cancellation, using a bone conduction transducer positioned on the inflatable harness to enhance audio delivery and include features like active noise control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a separate headset is used with an oxygen mask, then audio communication is provided, but the device complexity and discomfort increase for the pilot
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the oxygen mask and audio communication device into a single integrated unit. The bone conduction transducer is incorporated into the oxygen mask structure, eliminating the need for a separate headset. This merging reduces the number of components the pilot must handle and wear, while maintaining both oxygen delivery and audio communication functions in one device.
2Reliability
If a separate headset is used with an oxygen mask, then audio communication is provided, but the time required to don both devices increases
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating the audio communication functionality directly into the oxygen mask, the pilot can don a single device instead of two separate devices. The bone conduction transducer is built into the mask structure, so when the pilot puts on the oxygen mask, audio communication capability is automatically available, eliminating the time required to separately position and adjust a headset.
3Reliability
If hands are used to position a separate headset, then audio communication is established, but attention is diverted from aircraft controls
Solution Approach 1:
The integration of the bone conduction transducer into the oxygen mask allows the audio communication device to be positioned automatically when the mask is donned. The pilot only needs to position the single oxygen mask device on their face, and the bone conduction transducer will be correctly positioned against the skull to transmit audio signals, eliminating the need for additional hand movements to adjust a separate headset while maintaining audio communication reliability.
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
Enables pilots to receive audio hands-free, improving situational awareness and reducing distractions during emergencies by integrating audio communication directly into the mask system, enhancing safety and comfort.
Implementation Method 1
A bone conduction device is interconnected with a portion of the inflatable harness and is operable to provide audio to a user that is wearing the respiratory mask system
Implementation Method 2
Inflation of the inflatable harness (including a tube on which the bone conduction device is mounted) may press the bone conduction transducer against the user's head to enhance the audio provided to the user
Data Source
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AI summary
A respiratory mask system is presented. This respiratory mask system includes an inflatable harness (20) and a bone conduction device to provide audio to a user while wearing the respiratory mask system. The bone conduction device is installed on or interconnected with a portion of the inflatable harness, such as a tube (22) of the inflatable harness that is positioned at least somewhat in proximate to a user's ear. Inflation of the inflatable harness may press the bone conduction device against the user to enhance the delivery of audio to the user.