Open-Ear Audio Housing With Antiphase Sound Leakage Cancellation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Acoustic signal output devices that do not block the ear canal, such as open-ear headphones, suffer from significant sound leakage to the surroundings.
Innovation Solution
An acoustic signal output device with a driver unit and housing that emits a first acoustic signal and a second antiphase or approximate antiphase signal through separate sound openings, designed to attenuate the first signal by canceling it with the second signal, reducing sound leakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If open-ear earphones and headphones are used to avoid blocking the ear canal, then ear comfort is improved, but sound leakage to the surroundings increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by emitting a second acoustic signal that is substantially an antiphase signal of the first acoustic signal through a second sound opening. This antiphase signal pre-counteracts the sound leakage of the first acoustic signal before it propagates to the surroundings, thereby reducing sound leakage while maintaining the open-ear comfortable design
2Object-generated harmful factors
If sound attenuation is increased to reduce sound leakage, then sound isolation is improved, but sound quality may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by carefully controlling the attenuation rate or attenuation amount of the first acoustic signal through precise design of the sound opening configurations and antiphase signal parameters. The attenuation is optimized to reduce sound leakage while maintaining sound quality by ensuring the attenuation rate is equal to or less than a predetermined value smaller than the attenuation rate due to air propagation, or the attenuation amount is equal to or more than a predetermined value larger than the attenuation amount due to air propagation
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
Effectively reduces sound leakage to the surroundings by controlling the attenuation rate or amount of the first acoustic signal using the second signal, enhancing sound isolation.
Implementation Method 1
an acoustic signal emitted from the driver unit to one side is set as a first acoustic signal, and an acoustic signal emitted from the driver unit to another side is set as a second acoustic signal... an attenuation rate of the first acoustic signal at a second point with reference to a predetermined first point where the first acoustic signal arrives
Data Source
AI summary
An acoustic signal output device includes a driver unit and a housing that internally accommodates the driver unit. Here, an acoustic signal emitted from the driver unit to one side is set as a first acoustic signal, and an acoustic signal emitted from the driver unit to another side is set as a second acoustic signal. A wall portion of the housing includes a single or plurality of first sound openings for leading out the first acoustic signal to an outside and a single or plurality of second sound openings for leading out the second acoustic signal to an outside. An attenuation rate of the first acoustic signal at a second point with reference to a predetermined first point where the first acoustic signal arrives, the second point being farther from the acoustic signal output device than the first point, is equal to or less than a predetermined value smaller than an attenuation rate due to air propagation. Alternatively, an attenuation amount of the first acoustic signal at the second point with reference to the first point is equal to or more than a predetermined value larger than an attenuation amount due to air propagation.