Dynamic Vent Film for Wearable Audio Occlusion Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional wearable sound devices experience an occlusion effect due to the sealed ear canal, leading to a significant drop in sound pressure levels, especially in lower frequencies, making the listening experience poor and requiring stronger speaker drivers which are difficult to integrate in small, lightweight designs.
Innovation Solution
A venting device with an anchor structure, film structure, and actuator that partitions space into two volumes, allowing airflow to release pressure and adjust the vent opening to minimize occlusion effects while maintaining sound quality and durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a fixed airflow channel is provided to release pressure and suppress occlusion effect, then occlusion effect is suppressed, but sound pressure level in lower frequency drops significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a movable film structure that can dynamically adjust the vent opening size based on operating conditions. The film can move between different positions to either open or close the vent, allowing the system to adapt between suppressing occlusion effect and maintaining sound pressure level as needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of vent opening size by moving the film structure to different positions. This parameter change allows the airflow channel to be adjusted from fully open to fully closed, enabling control over both occlusion effect suppression and sound pressure level maintenance.
2Illumination intensity
If a larger fixed vent is configured to reduce SPL drop, then sound pressure level is improved, but water and dust protection becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The movable film structure allows the vent opening to be closed when not needed for pressure release, providing protection against water and dust ingress while maintaining the capability to open the vent for occlusion effect suppression when required.
3Illumination intensity
If a stronger speaker driver is used to compensate for SPL loss, then sound pressure level is improved, but device size and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the pressure management function from the speaker driver by providing a separate venting mechanism. This allows the use of a smaller, lighter speaker driver since it doesn't need to compensate for SPL loss caused by a fixed open vent.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If the ear canal is sealed to improve sound quality, then sound isolation is improved, but occlusion effect increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent provides a dynamic vent opening that can be opened or closed based on occlusion detection. When occlusion is detected, the vent opens to release pressure and reduce the occlusion effect. When no occlusion is present, the vent remains closed to maintain sound isolation and quality.
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 venting device effectively suppresses the occlusion effect, maintaining high sound pressure levels across the audio frequency range without the need for excessively powerful speaker drivers, while also providing better water and dust protection.
Implementation Method 1
the movement of the film structure in response to a pressure differential therebetween
Data Source
AI summary
A venting device is disposed within a wearable sound device or to be disposed within the wearable sound device. The venting device includes an anchor structure, a film structure and an actuator. The film structure includes an anchor end anchored on the anchor structure and a free end, and the film structure is configured to form a vent or close the vent. The actuator is disposed on the film structure. The film structure partitions a space into a first volume and a second volume, and the first volume and the second volume are connected via the vent when the vent is formed. The venting device is controlled by the controller to seal the vent when the controller determines to close the vent.