Bone Vibration Transducer With Swingable Bar for High Frequency Audio
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-frequency sound exposure leads to health issues like hearing loss, and there is a need for a method to enable older adults to perceive high-frequency sounds effectively without damaging their hearing, particularly by using bone conduction to enhance sound quality and image clarity.
Innovation Solution
A bone vibration transducer system that uses a swingable bar pivotally coupled with an exciter to generate vibrations corresponding to high-frequency signal components, applied to the maxilla or mandible bones through the gum tissue, while a headphone set receives middle-to-low frequency components, and accelerometers analyze these vibrations to generate reports.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If high-frequency sound is transmitted through the human hearing system, then sound quality and frequency range are improved, but health risks such as hearing loss and hearing damage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces bone (maxilla or mandible) as an intermediary medium to transmit high-frequency vibrations directly to the inner ear, bypassing the vulnerable outer and middle ear structures. This mediator approach allows high-frequency sound transmission while avoiding the harmful effects on the traditional hearing pathway.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the traditional acoustic-mechanical hearing system (ear canal, eardrum, ossicles) with a direct bone conduction pathway. By substituting the mechanical ear structures with bone vibration transmission, high-frequency sounds can be perceived without subjecting the delicate ear mechanisms to damaging stress.
2Measurement precision
If traditional earphones or headphones are used to deliver high-frequency sounds, then audio quality is improved, but health effects such as headache, tinnitus, and fatigue occur
Solution Approach 1:
The bone acts as an intermediary that delivers high-frequency vibrations directly to the cochlea without requiring high-intensity acoustic pressure in the ear canal, thereby avoiding the harmful effects associated with traditional earphone usage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent separates the transmission pathway for high-frequency sounds from the traditional ear canal pathway, using bone conduction as a distinct route. This segmentation allows high-frequency audio delivery while avoiding the harmful concentration of acoustic energy in the ear canal that causes headaches and tinnitus.
3Reliability
If bone conduction is used to transmit high-frequency sounds, then hearing safety is improved, but device complexity increases due to the need for swingable bar and pivot mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic swingable bar mechanism that pivots to convert electrical vibrations into mechanical bone vibrations. This dynamic structure achieves efficient bone conduction transmission while maintaining relative simplicity through motion-based vibration generation rather than complex static mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The swingable bar uses mechanical vibration principles to efficiently transfer high-frequency signals to the bone. By leveraging natural vibration and resonance, the system achieves effective bone conduction with a relatively simple oscillating mechanism rather than requiring complex multi-component transducers.
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 system effectively transfers high-frequency audio signals to the bones, improving sound perception and quality for older adults, reducing the risk of hearing damage and enhancing daily life by allowing clear and enjoyable sound experiences.
Implementation Method 1
an exciter (11) configured to receive high frequency signal components and reproduce the high frequency signal components
Implementation Method 2
a swingable bar (12) coupled with the exciter (11) through a pivot holder (13) to perform a swinging movement; in the swinging movement, the swingable bar (12) is swung to generate vibrations waves corresponding to the reproduced high frequency signal components
Implementation Method 3
transform them to vibrations waves which are applied to a unique location: the surface of the maxilla or the mandible bones, through the gum tissue located over the lower side of the human face
Implementation Method 4
a second accelerometer (21) placed adjacent to occipital bones of the user to receive the vibration waves and to convey the vibration waves to a second analyzer (22)
Data Source
AI summary
A system for perceiving high audio frequencies in stereo includes a bone vibration transducer including an exciter configured to receive high frequency signal components and to reproduce the high frequency signal components; and the bone vibration transducer further includes a swingable bar pivotally coupled with the exciter via a pivot holder to perform a swinging movement; wherein in the swinging movement, the swingable bar is swung to generate vibrations waves corresponding to the reproduced high frequency signal components and to convey the vibration waves to at least one bone of a user.