Mask Bone Conduction Speaker for Audible Alerts in High-Noise Environments

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Solution Overview

Problem

In high-noise environments, existing respirator systems face a tradeoff between providing audible alarms for end-of-service-life indicators (ESLI) and maintaining ambient noise awareness, as in-ear speakers interfere with ambient sounds while out-of-ear speakers may not deliver alarms effectively.

Innovation Solution

Integration of conduction speaker technology into a mask that vibrates the skull bone structure to transmit alarms and radio communications, allowing for audible notifications without obstructing ambient sound awareness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If in-ear speakers are used for audible alarms, then alarm notification effectiveness is improved, but ambient sound awareness deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealarm notification effectivenessVSAvoidambient sound awareness

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces bone as an intermediary medium to transmit alarm sounds directly to the inner ear, bypassing the external ear canal. This mediator approach allows alarm notification to be delivered effectively without blocking ambient sounds, as the bone conduction path is separate from the ambient sound transmission path through the ear canal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If out-of-ear speakers are used for audible alarms, then ambient sound awareness is maintained, but alarm notification effectiveness deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveambient sound awarenessVSAvoidalarm notification effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the conventional acoustic field-based speaker system with a mechanical vibration-based bone conduction system. By substituting air-based sound transmission with direct mechanical vibration transmission through bone, the system achieves effective alarm notification while maintaining ambient sound awareness, as the mechanical vibration path does not interfere with acoustic wave propagation in the ear canal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 clear and audible alerts in loud environments while allowing users to remain aware of their surroundings, enhancing safety for first responders and others in hazardous conditions.

Implementation Method 1

a vibration element in contact with the skirt, wherein the vibration element is positioned in contact with the skirt to conduct vibrations to the skull bone

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBone conduction: Vibration

Data Source

PatentUS10065055B2Mask including integrated sound conduction for alert notification in high-noise environments

Publication Date: 2018.09.04 HONEYWELL SAFETY PRODUCTS USA INC

AI summary

A human wearable mask includes a skirt for directly contacting a human wearer and a sound conduction component on the skirt. The sound conduction component can provide an alert notification within high-noise environments while allowing ambient sounds to be heard over the conduction speakers. The sound conduction component may be used to reproduce audio for firefighters and other users who need radio communications.