Open Audio Device Upstanding Structure Clothing Muffling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Open audio devices worn on the torso often experience sound muffling due to clothing covering the acoustic transducers, which inhibits sound pressure from reaching the ears or being detected by the microphone.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates an upstanding structure, such as ribs or cages, coupled to the housing proximate to the acoustic transducers, which prevents clothing from interrupting sound radiation or reception by creating a space between the device and the clothing, allowing sound to propagate more effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the open audio device is worn under clothing, then the device is concealed and comfortable to wear, but the clothing covers the acoustic transducers and muffles sound
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an upstanding structure that extends in the vertical dimension away from the housing surface. This creates a three-dimensional space between the acoustic transducer and the clothing, allowing sound waves to propagate in multiple directions and bypass the attenuating clothing material, thereby resolving the contradiction between concealment and sound quality
Solution Approach 2:
The upstanding structure acts as an intermediary element between the acoustic transducer and the clothing. It creates an acoustic channel or pathway that mediates the interaction between sound waves and clothing material, reducing the harmful muffling effect while maintaining the ability to wear the device under clothing
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the acoustic transducer is covered by clothing, then the device remains concealed, but sound pressure cannot reach the ears or microphone effectively
Solution Approach 1:
By extending the upstanding structure vertically from the housing, the patent creates a new spatial dimension for sound propagation. This allows sound pressure to reach the ears and microphone through the space created by the upstanding structure, bypassing the clothing cover while maintaining concealment
Solution Approach 2:
The upstanding structure segments the space between the acoustic transducer and the clothing, creating distinct acoustic zones. This segmentation allows sound waves to travel through the open space created by the upstanding structure rather than being blocked by the continuous clothing surface
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 muffling, particularly in the low-frequency range and voice band, improving sound quality by ensuring that sound pressure can travel to and from the transducers with less attenuation, as demonstrated by the comparison of sound pressure levels with and without the upstanding structures.
Implementation Method 1
the upstanding structure constructed and arranged to inhibit radiated sound or received sound from being interrupted by a flexible sheet material (e.g., clothing) located over the housing
Data Source
AI summary
An open audio device with a housing that is configured to be worn on the torso and an acoustic transducer carried by the housing, the acoustic transducer configured to either radiate sound outwardly of the housing or convert received sound into an electrical signal. A structure is coupled to the housing. The structure is proximate to the acoustic transducer. The structure is constructed and arranged to inhibit radiated sound or received sound from being interrupted by a flexible sheet material, such as clothing, located over the housing.