Retrofittable Hearing Protector Sensor Modules for Multi-Sensor Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hearing protectors face challenges in integrating multiple sensors for environmental and physiological monitoring while maintaining cost-effectiveness, compact size, and user comfort, as well as providing a user-friendly solution for retrofitting.
Innovation Solution
A hearing protector design with removably attachable sensor modules that integrate cushion and cup sensors, connected via a sensor module with processing units, power supply, and wireless communication, allowing for easy retrofitting and sensor configuration changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple sensors are integrated into hearing protectors for environmental and physiological monitoring, then measurement capability and information quality are improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor system is divided into separate modules: cushion sensors integrated into the cushion component, cup sensors integrated into the cup component, and a central sensor module that receives signals from both. This segmentation allows each sensor type to be independently optimized and manufactured, then assembled into the complete hearing protector system, reducing overall manufacturing complexity while maintaining comprehensive monitoring capability.
2Measurement precision
If multiple sensors are integrated into hearing protectors, then measurement capability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor module serves multiple functions: it receives signals from both cushion sensors and cup sensors, processes environmental parameters, processes physiological parameters, and can communicate wirelessly. This multi-functionality consolidates what would otherwise require separate processing units, reducing overall manufacturing cost while maintaining comprehensive monitoring capability.
3Reliability
If sensor modules are permanently integrated into hearing protectors, then measurement reliability is improved, but adaptability and ease of retrofitting decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The connection between the cushion sensors and the sensor module, as well as between the cup sensors and the sensor module, is designed to be detachable rather than permanent. This allows the sensor module to be dynamically attached or removed from the hearing protector components, enabling retrofitting of existing devices and adaptation to different configurations while maintaining reliable signal transmission during use.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a hearing protector (10) with a sensor module (30) having a module sensor (32). The sensor module (30) is removably attached to the cushion (22, 24) and the cup (12A, 14A) of the earmuff (12, 14) of the hearing protector (10). The hearing protector (10) according to present disclosure allows the arrangement of sensors at a hearing protector (10) in an easy and cost-efficient way even with multiple sensors. The advantage of such a hearing protector (10) is an easy, compact and reliable solution of a hearing protector (10) providing information about the environment and about the conditions of the user (100) or worker using such a hearing protector (10). Also, a method of retrofitting such a sensor module (30) to a hearing protector (1) is provided. Such a method is advantageous because reversible retrofitting of existing hearing protectors (1) not having the required functionality of sensors is provided.