Corrugated Membrane Hearing Protection for Adjustable Sound Attenuation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing earplugs, both passive and active, face challenges in providing flexible sound attenuation control and compliance due to uniform sound reduction or high power consumption, leading to inconvenience and reduced usage in noisy environments.

Innovation Solution

A device with a tensioned membrane featuring corrugations and an adjustable member that alters sound path tension for customizable sound attenuation, allowing gradual adjustment without sudden changes, and optionally using a compressible portion for smoother control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If passive earplugs provide uniform sound attenuation, then hearing protection is effective, but communication with fellow workers becomes difficult requiring periodic removal

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehearing damage from loud noisesVSAvoidoral communication ability

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The earplug incorporates an adjustable member that allows the user to dynamically change the tension of the membrane, thereby adjusting the sound attenuation level. This transforms a static attenuation system into a dynamic one, enabling adaptation between high attenuation for hearing protection and low attenuation for communication without removing the earplug.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the physical parameter of membrane tension through the adjustable member. By varying the tension parameter of the membrane, the acoustic response and sound attenuation characteristics are altered, allowing the user to switch between different attenuation levels to suit different environmental conditions and communication needs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If active earplugs provide adaptive attenuation with microphones and speakers, then sound control is improved, but device cost and power consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptive sound attenuation controlVSAvoidelectrical components and power consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces the electrical and electronic systems of active earplugs (microphones, speakers, batteries, control circuits) with a purely mechanical adjustment system. The adjustable member mechanically tensions the membrane to achieve adaptive attenuation without requiring any electrical components, thereby eliminating power consumption and reducing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The earplug enables the user to self-adjust the attenuation level through a simple mechanical interface. The user can manually control the membrane tension to adapt to different noise environments and communication needs, making the system self-sufficient without requiring external power sources or complex electronic control systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Object-affected harmful factors

If membrane tension is adjusted for sound control, then attenuation is improved, but sudden changes in attenuation may occur reducing user comfort

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesound intensity controlVSAvoidgradual adjustment smoothness

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The membrane incorporates corrugations (curved/ridged structures) that provide mechanical compliance and gradual deformation characteristics. When the adjustable member tensions the membrane, the corrugations unfold or deform progressively, enabling smooth, gradual changes in tension and attenuation rather than sudden jumps, thereby improving user comfort during adjustment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

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 fine-tuned sound attenuation control, reducing noise-induced hearing damage by adjusting sound intensity based on environmental noise levels, enhancing user comfort and compliance.

Implementation Method 1

Passive earplugs use the material of the earplug itself to attenuate the sound which passes through it. As the incident sound passes through the earplug, the sound is attenuated by the material of the earplug.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAcoustic absorption: Acoustic Absorption

Implementation Method 2

a tensioned membrane in the sound path comprising at least one corrugation; and an adjustable member arranged to bear against the membrane to adjust the tension of the membrane and thereby to alter an acoustic response of the sound path

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTension: Tension

Data Source

PatentUS12383432B2Hearing protection device

Publication Date: 2025.08.12 MINUENDO AS

AI summary

A device (1) for insertion into an ear canal of a mammalian subject. The device includes a body (2) having a sound path extending therethough and a tensioned membrane (10) in the sound path. The tensioned membrane has at least one corrugation (12). The device further includes an adjustable member (6) arranged to bear against the membrane to adjust the tension of the membrane and thereby to alter an acoustic response of the sound path. The adjustable member may include a compressible portion (8).