Earcup Pressure Equalization via Displaceable Wall
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing earcups for headsets are prone to damage when used by divers or skydivers due to pressure changes, which can cause damage to the loudspeaker, diaphragm, and housing structure, and are often heavy or compromise sound quality to mitigate these issues.
Innovation Solution
The earcup design incorporates a displaceable wall that fluidly divides the inner cavity into two sub-cavities, allowing pressure equalization by connecting the second sub-cavity with the surrounding space through second openings, thereby reducing pressure differences across the diaphragm.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the earcup is configured with a robust housing structure and components to withstand pressure changes, then the reliability under pressure is improved, but the weight increases and sound quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The inner cavity is divided into two separate sub-cavities (first sub-cavity and second sub-cavity) by a displaceable wall. The first sub-cavity maintains a dry environment for the loudspeaker, while the second sub-cavity connects to the surrounding space through second openings, allowing pressure equalization without exposing the speaker components to water or pressure damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The displaceable wall acts as an intermediary element between the dry first sub-cavity and the wet second sub-cavity. It transmits pressure changes from the second sub-cavity to adjust the volume of the first sub-cavity, thereby equalizing pressure on the diaphragm without allowing water or direct pressure contact with the loudspeaker components.
2Strength
If the earcup uses a robust housing structure to resist pressure damage, then the strength is improved, but the sound quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The housing structure is segmented into two functional zones separated by the displaceable wall: a protected zone (first sub-cavity) for audio components and an exposed zone (second sub-cavity) for pressure equalization. This segmentation allows the housing to be optimized for strength in the second sub-cavity while maintaining acoustic integrity in the first sub-cavity.
Solution Approach 2:
The displaceable wall serves as a mediator that transmits pressure equalization forces to the diaphragm's rear side without requiring the housing structure itself to withstand extreme pressure differentials. This reduces the need for overly robust (and acoustically detrimental) housing structures.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If the earcup maintains an air-tight inner cavity to reduce ambient noise, then the noise reduction is improved, but the pressure difference causes damage to components
Solution Approach 1:
The air-tight cavity is segmented into two sub-cavities with different pressure management strategies. The first sub-cavity remains air-tight for noise reduction, while the second sub-cavity has controlled connectivity to the surrounding space through second openings, allowing pressure equalization without compromising the acoustic sealing of the first sub-cavity.
Solution Approach 2:
The displaceable wall acts as a pressure equalization intermediary that allows the first sub-cavity to maintain its air-tight acoustic sealing while the second sub-cavity manages pressure changes. The wall's displacement adjusts the volume of the first sub-cavity to compensate for pressure differences, protecting components from pressure damage while preserving noise reduction.
4Reliability
If the earcup allows pressure equalization by connecting the inner cavity with surrounding space, then the pressure difference is reduced, but water may ingress and damage the loudspeaker
Solution Approach 1:
The inner cavity is segmented into a dry first sub-cavity containing the loudspeaker and a wet second sub-cavity that connects to the surrounding space. The displaceable wall separates these zones, allowing pressure equalization through the wall's displacement while preventing direct water contact with the loudspeaker components in the first sub-cavity.
Solution Approach 2:
The displaceable wall serves as a protective intermediary that enables pressure equalization between the first and second sub-cavities without allowing water to pass into the first sub-cavity. The wall's movement transmits pressure changes while maintaining the water barrier, protecting the loudspeaker from water ingress.
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 design effectively reduces pressure differences across the diaphragm, preventing damage and allowing the earcup to function reliably at varying depths and altitudes without compromising sound quality or increasing weight.
Implementation Method 1
The displaceable wall is configured such that pressure differences between the first sub-cavity and the surrounding space cause the displaceable wall to displace, thereby equalizing pressure and preventing damage to audio components
Implementation Method 2
an electroacoustic transducer (104) with an actively driven diaphragm (105) arranged in a first opening (106) in the housing wall (101)
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to an earcup for audio communication, e.g. for use in headsets and other wearable audio communication devices and systems. The invention further relates to a headset comprising one or two such earcups. The earcup comprises a housing wall that is configured to separate an inner cavity inside the earcup from space surrounding the earcup, and an electroacoustic transducer with an actively driven diaphragm arranged in or across an opening in the housing wall and/or as a portion of the housing wall. The electroacoustic transducer is configured to cause the diaphragm to emit sound into the surrounding space from a front side of the diaphragm. A gas in the inner cavity has a first pressure that exerts a force on the back side of the diaphragm. The earcup further comprises a displaceable wall that fluidly divides the inner cavity into a first sub-cavity containing the gas and a second sub-cavity containing one or more fluids, and one or more openings in the housing wall that fluidly connect the second sub-cavity with the surrounding space. The displaceable wall is configured to be displaced by oppositely directed forces exerted respectively by the first pressure and by a second pressure of the one or more fluids and thus change the volume of the first sub-cavity in reaction to a change in the difference between the first pressure and the second pressure, thereby reducing a pressure difference between the front side and the back side of the diaphragm. The invention may e.g. be used to enable divers and/or skydivers to wear their headsets respectively under water and at high altitudes above ground without risking a collapse of the earcup.