Microphone Wind Noise Suppression via Acoustic Fiber Structure

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing microphone devices struggle to effectively suppress wind noise without relying on digital signal processing, which increases costs and can deteriorate voice quality by limiting the human voice band, making it difficult to record clear audio.

Innovation Solution

A microphone structure with an elastic member and an acoustic transmission member, such as a fiber material with low air permeability, is used to attenuate wind noise by positioning the microphone on the photographer's side of the device housing, allowing the cover member and acoustic transmission member to work together to block wind noise independently of electrical processing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If digital signal processing is used to eliminate wind noise, then wind noise can be reduced, but the cost increases and voice quality deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewind noiseVSAvoidsignal processing circuit
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the digital signal processing system with a physical acoustic structure. Specifically, it uses a microphone unit with a cover member and acoustic transmission member that physically block wind noise before it reaches the microphone, substituting mechanical/acoustic means for electronic processing means.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an acoustic transmission member as an intermediary between the wind noise source and the microphone. This member has specific acoustic properties that allow it to block wind noise while transmitting voice frequencies, acting as a physical filter without requiring electronic processing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If digital signal processing limits the voice band to eliminate wind noise, then wind noise is reduced, but voice quality and sound quality deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewind noiseVSAvoidvoice quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The acoustic transmission member has different acoustic properties for different frequency ranges. It is designed to block low-frequency wind noise while transmitting mid and high-frequency voice components, achieving frequency-selective noise reduction through physical structure rather than electronic filtering.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 solution significantly reduces wind noise by up to 35 dB, minimizing the need for digital signal processing and maintaining sound quality, as shown in the evaluation tests, while being applicable to various electronics like video cameras and cell phones.

Implementation Method 1

an acoustic transmission member, such as a fiber material with low air permeability, is used to attenuate wind noise

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAir permeability: Permeation

Implementation Method 2

an elastic member and an acoustic transmission member, such as a fiber material with low air permeability, is used to attenuate wind noise

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVibration attenuation: Damping

Data Source

PatentEP2830323B1Microphone device, microphone unit, microphone structure, and electronic equipment using these
Publication Date: 2017.07.19 TOMOEGAWA CORP
  • EP2830323B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2830323B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP2830323B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

[Problems] Disclosed is a microphone unit which can suppress collection of wind noise and minimize or eliminate digital signal processing. [Means for solving] The microphone unit has at least a microphone, a first acoustic transmissive material, and a second acoustic transmissive material, the first acoustic transmissive material is a fiber material in which fibers are intertwined with each other, the second acoustic transmissive material is a mesh-like member or a porous member having a plurality of holes, and the microphone is configured to be protected by the first acoustic transmissive material and the second acoustic transmissive material in this order.