Curved Microphone Waveguide Layout for Wearable Wind Noise Abatement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional porting designs for air-conduct microphones are susceptible to wind noise due to direct exposure, and the limited space in wearable devices complicates effective wind noise mitigation, with blocked ports further degrading acoustic performance.
Innovation Solution
An acoustic device with a curved primary waveguide and multiple secondary waveguides is used to mitigate wind noise by directing turbulent pressure waves away from acoustic sensors, while allowing sound pressure waves to reach the sensors through a split architecture in wearable devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If traditional straight tube porting design is used, then manufacturing is simple, but wind noise mitigation is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs curved waveguides instead of straight tubes to redirect turbulent airflow away from the acoustic sensor. The curvature of the waveguide creates a flow path that separates wind noise from the direct path to the microphone, reducing wind noise exposure while maintaining acoustic signal transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The porting structure is divided into multiple segments: a primary curved waveguide and multiple secondary waveguides that branch off to individual acoustic sensors. This segmentation allows each sensor to have its own optimized acoustic path while the primary waveguide handles the main airflow redirection function.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If multiple acoustic sensors are used for wind noise mitigation, then wind noise reduction is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically selects which acoustic sensor signal to use based on real-time wind noise conditions. The audio controller monitors signals from multiple sensors and selectively chooses the one with the least wind noise contamination, allowing adaptive optimization without permanently increasing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameter of signal selection based on wind noise levels. When wind noise is detected in one sensor's signal, the system switches to using a different sensor's signal, effectively changing which acoustic path is active based on environmental conditions.
3Reliability
If ports are blocked by dust or debris, then protection is improved, but acoustic performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The porting system is segmented into multiple independent pathways (primary waveguide and multiple secondary waveguides). If one pathway becomes blocked by dust or debris, the other pathways remain functional, providing redundancy and maintaining acoustic performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches between different acoustic sensor pathways based on their operational status. If one sensor's waveguide is blocked, the audio controller detects the degradation and switches to using signals from other functional sensors, maintaining reliable operation.
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 effectively reduces wind noise interference, enhancing the acoustic performance of wearable devices by minimizing the impact of turbulent airflow on sound detection.
Implementation Method 1
The primary waveguide is coupled to a plurality of secondary audio waveguides... directing turbulent pressure waves away from acoustic sensors
Data Source
AI summary
An acoustic device for use in a wearable device (e.g., smart watch) is described. The acoustic device includes a curved primary audio waveguide and a plurality of secondary waveguides. The curved primary waveguide has two ports that open to a local area on opposite ends of the primary audio waveguide. The primary waveguide is coupled to a plurality of secondary audio waveguides. Each secondary audio waveguide couples a different acoustic sensor to the primary audio waveguide. A controller can select a signal from an acoustic sensor, of the at least two acoustic sensors, having the least amount of wind noise. Additionally, in some embodiments, when there is minimal wind noise, the at least two acoustic sensors may be used for beamforming.