Manikin Electroacoustic Simulation With Bone Conduction Vibration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing manikins for electroacoustic tests do not adequately simulate both acoustic signals through the mouth and sufficient vibration amplitude at the ear, failing to mimic realistic bone-conducted sounds.

Innovation Solution

A manikin apparatus with a mouth simulator and an electrodynamic vibrator coupled to a vibrating rod, which induces vibrations at the ear portion, mimicking bone-conducted sounds by interacting electromagnetically to produce a magnetic force that transfers vibration to the manikin.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a mouth simulator is used to generate acoustic signals through the mouth portion, then acoustic signal generation is improved, but sufficient vibration amplitude at the ear portion cannot be achieved

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveacoustic signal generationVSAvoidvibration amplitude at ear portion
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system separates the acoustic signal generation function (mouth simulator) from the vibration generation function (electrodynamic vibrator), allowing each component to be optimized independently for its specific function while working together to achieve realistic bone conduction simulation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The electrodynamic vibrator acts as an intermediary component that generates vibrations transmitted through the manikin's head structure to the ear portion, mediating between the acoustic signal source and the ear simulator to produce realistic bone conduction effects

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the electrodynamic vibrator is positioned to exert vibration directly at the ear portion, then vibration amplitude is improved, but it interferes with sound wave propagation from the mouth simulator

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevibration amplitude at ear portionVSAvoidsound wave propagation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The electrodynamic vibrator is positioned at the mouth portion rather than the ear portion, extracting the vibration source from the ear area where it would interfere with acoustic measurements, while still achieving bone conduction simulation through structural vibration transmission

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The system transitions from direct local vibration application at the ear to remote vibration application at the mouth, utilizing the manikin's head structure as a transmission medium to deliver vibrations to the ear portion without physical interference with the acoustic path

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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

Enables more realistic electroacoustic tests by simulating sound propagation from the mouth to the ear, including bone-conducted vibrations, enhancing the fidelity of sound reproduction.

Implementation Method 1

the electrodynamic vibrator and the vibrating rod interact electromagnetically to produce a magnetic force which induces a vibration at least at the ear portion of the manikin

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic interaction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP3902287B1Method and manikin for electroacoustic simulation
Publication Date: 2025.05.21 GN AUDIO AS
  • EP3902287B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3902287B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3902287B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An apparatus, comprising: a manikin (101) with at least a head portion (102) and an ear portion (103); wherein the head portion has an inner side and an outer side and accommodates a mouth simulator (104) including an electroacoustic transducer (105). Further, the apparatus comprises an electrodynamic vibrator (120) with a vibrating rod (121); wherein the vibrating rod is coupled to the manikin (101) to exert a vibrating force at the head portion (102); and wherein the vibrating force induces vibration of the manikin at least at the ear portion (103). Thereby more realistic electroacoustic tests on devices under test such as such as headsets, headphones, earphones, hearing instruments and active hearing protectors can be performed.