Driving Circuit for Dynamic Venting in Wearable Sound Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wearable sound devices experience occlusion effects due to the sealed volume of the ear canal, which affects the listening experience, especially during movements generating bone-conducted sound, and have limitations in venting device lifetime.
Innovation Solution
A driving circuit and venting device with a film structure and actuator, where the driving circuit generates specific voltages to control the venting device to open or seal, using a swapping module to alternate voltages and incorporate AC components to enhance longevity and reduce power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the venting device is sealed to improve sound quality, then listening experience is improved, but occlusion effect increases during bone-conducted sound activities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic venting mechanism that transitions from a static sealed state to a dynamically controllable state. The venting device can switch between open and closed positions based on operational conditions, allowing the system to adapt between sound isolation (for music playback) and venting (for bone-conducted sound activities), thereby resolving the occlusion effect while maintaining sound quality when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state parameter of the venting device from fixed to variable. By controlling the opening/closing state of the venting device through voltage application to the film structure, the system can adjust the acoustic impedance and pressure equalization characteristics, enabling optimization between sound quality and occlusion effect reduction based on usage scenarios.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the venting device uses a film structure with actuators to enable dynamic control, then occlusion effect is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a thin film structure as the venting device component, which can be actuated by applying voltage to create electrostatic forces. This flexible film approach replaces complex mechanical actuators with a simpler electrostatic actuation mechanism, reducing overall device complexity while still enabling dynamic opening/closing control to mitigate occlusion effect.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical actuation systems with an electrostatic field-based actuation mechanism. By applying voltage to the film structure, the system generates electrostatic forces to control the venting device state, eliminating the need for complex mechanical linkages, motors, or springs, thereby reducing device complexity while achieving dynamic control.
3Ease of operation
If the driving circuit generates high voltage to control the venting device, then venting control is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic or pulsed voltage application to the film structure rather than continuous high voltage. By applying voltage only when state transition is needed (to open or close the venting device) and maintaining the state without continuous power, the system achieves effective venting control while significantly reducing average power consumption during battery operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the electrostatic properties of the film structure itself to maintain its state without continuous energy input. Once the film is actuated to a desired position (open or closed), it maintains that state through its inherent electrostatic characteristics, requiring no continuous power supply, thereby achieving self-service operation that minimizes power consumption while maintaining control capability.
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 occlusion effects by dynamically controlling the venting device to minimize sound pressure drops and extends the lifetime of the venting device through energy recycling and voltage swapping.
Implementation Method 1
the driving circuit generates a first voltage at the first node and generates a second voltage at the second node; wherein when the venting device is controlled to seal the vent, the driving circuit generates a third voltage at both the first node and the second node
Data Source
AI summary
A driving circuit, configured to drive a venting device, includes a first node, a second node, and an amplifying circuit. The venting device, configured to be controlled to open a vent or seal the vent, includes a film structure, which includes a first flap and a second flap, and an actuator, which includes a first actuating portion disposed on the first flap and a second actuating portion disposed on the second flap. When the venting device is controlled to open the vent, the driving circuit generates a first voltage at the first node and generates a second voltage at the second node. When the venting device is controlled to seal the vent, the driving circuit generates a third voltage at both the first node and the second node. The first voltage is larger than the third voltage, and the third voltage is larger than the second voltage.