Recessed Ear Cup Microphone Windshield for Wind Noise Damping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hearing protection units with exterior microphones suffer from inadequate wind noise damping and are prone to mechanical damage due to the exposed windshield.
Innovation Solution
The microphone is positioned inside the outer cup portion with a porous windshield integrated into the outer cup's surface, creating a cavity between the windshield and the microphone, and a mounting frame that secures the windshield, minimizing exposure and risk of damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the microphone is placed on the outside of the ear cup with a projecting windshield, then the microphone can receive sound from the surroundings, but the windshield is prone to mechanical damage and wind noise damping is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional microphone placement by positioning the microphone inside the ear cup rather than on the outside. The windshield becomes recessed into the ear cup surface, creating a cavity that protects the microphone from mechanical damage while the porous material continues to dampen wind noise effectively.
Solution Approach 2:
The microphone is nested within the ear cup structure, with the windshield integrated into the ear cup surface. This nesting arrangement protects the sensitive microphone element while maintaining acoustic functionality, as the microphone is housed within the protected interior space of the ear cup.
2Ease of operation
If the microphone is placed on the outside of the ear cup, then sound reception is direct, but the exposed windshield suffers from practical drawbacks and easy damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reverses the conventional arrangement by placing the microphone inside the ear cup with the windshield recessed into the surface. This inversion protects the windshield from physical damage while the acoustic opening maintains effective sound reception from the surroundings.
Solution Approach 2:
The recessed windshield acts as an intermediary element between the external environment and the internal microphone. It provides a protected interface that allows sound to pass through while shielding the microphone from direct mechanical exposure to external hazards.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the windshield is made porous for wind noise damping, then wind noise is reduced, but the exposed positioning increases vulnerability to damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs porous material for the windshield to effectively dampen wind noise. The porous structure allows the windshield to be recessed into the ear cup surface while maintaining its acoustic damping properties, reducing wind noise without compromising the protective benefit of the recessed positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The porous windshield is nested within the ear cup structure, with its outer surface flush with or recessed into the ear cup surface. This nesting provides mechanical protection to the porous material while preserving its wind noise damping functionality.
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 configuration effectively reduces wind noise and minimizes the risk of mechanical damage to the microphone and windshield, enhancing overall performance and durability.
Implementation Method 1
a microphone provided with a windshield of porous material for receiving sound from the surroundings
Data Source
AI summary
An ear cup with a microphone apparatus including an inner cup portion, for forming a noise damping space, and an outer cup portion for forming a space for accommodating electronics and/or a current source. The inner cup portion and the outer cup portion are separated by a partition. The inner cup portion has a pocket and two opposingly located recesses in which a bracket for a microphone is disposed. Over the microphone, a windshield is provided, this protecting the microphone from being damaged and also damping wind noise. The windshield has an outer configuration that may be seen as a continuation of the outer cup portion, in order to prevent turbulence in the region of the windshield. The windshield is produced from a porous material, which is surrounded by a mounting frame having nap catches for engagement in snap catches.