Passive Membrane Tactile Feedback for Enhanced Bass Perception

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wearable loudspeaker devices fail to effectively enhance bass sound perception by only providing auditory feedback, lacking a method to transmit low-frequency vibrations to the user's body, which limits the overall listening experience.

Innovation Solution

A device and method that incorporate a first and second enclosure with a loudspeaker and passive membranes within each enclosure, where sound waves generated by the loudspeaker cause pressure changes, stimulating the membranes to vibrate and provide tactile feedback to the user, enhancing the perception of low-frequency sounds without using actuators.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If only auditory feedback is provided by loudspeaker, then device complexity is reduced, but bass sound perception is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice complexityVSAvoidbass sound perception
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The device is segmented into multiple functional units: a loudspeaker for auditory feedback, passive membranes for tactile feedback, and separate enclosures for each combination. This segmentation allows independent optimization of auditory and tactile components without increasing overall system complexity significantly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines auditory feedback (loudspeaker) and tactile feedback (passive membranes) into a single integrated device. Multiple enclosures are merged, with each containing both a loudspeaker and passive membranes, creating a unified system that delivers both sound types simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If passive membranes are added to transmit vibrations, then tactile feedback is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetactile feedbackVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The passive membranes are self-activating components that convert sound pressure directly into vibrations without requiring external actuators or power sources. The sound waves from the loudspeaker automatically stimulate the membranes, eliminating the need for additional control systems or energy input.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces active mechanical actuator systems with passive membranes that rely on acoustic pressure stimulation. Instead of using motorized vibration generators, the system uses sound pressure waves to directly induce membrane vibrations, simplifying the mechanical system.

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

3Reliability

If multiple enclosures are used for tactile feedback, then tactile feedback quality is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetactile feedback qualityVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The device is divided into multiple independent enclosures, each containing a loudspeaker and passive membranes. This segmentation allows each enclosure to be manufactured separately using standardized processes, and then assembled into the final device, reducing overall manufacturing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Each enclosure is designed as a universal module that can serve multiple functions: providing both auditory feedback through the loudspeaker and tactile feedback through the passive membranes. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate specialized components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

The solution effectively enhances the perception of low-frequency sounds by transmitting vibrations to the user's body, improving the listening experience while minimizing sound pressure loss and total harmonic distortion, allowing for adjustable tactile feedback intensity and location on the body.

Implementation Method 1

at least one loudspeaker mounted in a wall of the enclosure between the inside and the outside of the enclosure and configured to produce sound waves

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSound waves: Sound

Implementation Method 2

the pressure inside the enclosure changes depending on the sound waves

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure changes: Pressure Increase

Implementation Method 3

the at least one passive membrane is configured to be stimulated to vibrate depending on the pressure inside the enclosure

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVibration: Vibration

Data Source

PatentEP3494709B1Device and method for generating tactile feedback
Publication Date: 2021.03.17 HARMAN BECKER AUTOMOTIVE SYST GMBH
  • EP3494709B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3494709B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3494709B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A device for generating tactile feedback, the device comprises an enclosure, at least one loudspeaker mounted in a wall of the enclosure between the inside and the outside of the enclosure and configured to produce sound waves, and at least one membrane mounted in a wall of the enclosure between the inside and the outside of the enclosure, wherein the pressure inside the enclosure changes depending on the sound waves, and wherein the at least one membrane is configured to be stimulated to vibrate depending on the pressure inside the enclosure and to be brought in contact with an object to provide tactile feedback.