Radial Vibration Body Acoustic Sensor for Directional Sound Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing directional sound detection systems require multiple microphones spaced far apart, leading to large and complex setups, and involve complex phase calculations, making them inefficient for practical applications.
Innovation Solution
A directional acoustic sensor using a single structure with multiple vibration bodies arranged radially around 360 degrees, each with its own directivity, allowing for sound direction detection by comparing outputs from these vibration bodies, which are grouped by resonant frequency to enhance directional accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple microphones are spaced far apart to detect sound direction, then sound direction detection accuracy is improved, but system volume and installation complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the sound detection function into multiple independent vibration bodies arranged radially around a central sound inlet. Each vibration body independently responds to sound waves from different directions, allowing directional detection without requiring large spacing between sensors. This segmentation enables compact integration while maintaining detection accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a linear microphone array (one-dimensional spacing) to a radial arrangement of vibration bodies around a central point (two-dimensional circular distribution). This dimensional change allows multiple sensors to be positioned close to each other in a compact area while still capturing sound from all directions, resolving the contradiction between detection accuracy and system volume.
2Measurement precision
If multiple microphones are used to calculate phase differences, then sound direction detection capability is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the conventional acoustic measurement system (microphones measuring sound pressure) with a mechanical vibration system (vibration bodies that physically respond to sound waves). The vibration bodies convert acoustic energy into mechanical vibration, which is then detected. This substitution simplifies the detection mechanism by using direct mechanical response rather than requiring complex phase difference calculations between multiple acoustic sensors.
Solution Approach 2:
Each vibration body automatically responds to sound waves from its corresponding direction through its inherent mechanical properties. The vibration bodies self-organize the detection process by naturally vibrating in response to sound from their respective directions, eliminating the need for complex external control systems or post-processing calculations to determine sound direction.
3Adaptability or versatility
If vibration bodies are arranged radially around 360 degrees, then directional detection coverage is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the vibration bodies with identical or similar structural characteristics that can be manufactured using the same process. Each vibration body serves the same function (detecting sound from a specific direction) but is positioned at different angular locations. This universality allows for standardized manufacturing and simplifies production, as the same component design can be replicated and arranged in a radial pattern without requiring complex custom manufacturing for each position.
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 approach enables compact, efficient sound direction detection with high angular resolution and sensitivity, outperforming traditional systems in terms of size and performance, while maintaining accurate sound source localization.
Implementation Method 1
The plurality of vibration bodies may include different vibration bodies having different resonant frequencies. The plurality of vibration bodies may be grouped into a plurality of subgroups, each subgroup oriented in a different direction, and each of the plurality of subgroups may include different vibration bodies having different resonant frequencies.
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of vibration bodies arranged between the sound inlet and the sound outlet, wherein one or more of the plurality of vibration bodies selectively react to the sound received through the sound inlet according to a direction of the received sound
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are a directional acoustic sensor that detects a direction of sound, a method of detecting a direction of sound, and an electronic device including the directional acoustic sensor. The directional acoustic sensor includes a sound inlet through which a sound is received, a sound outlet through which the sound received through the sound inlet is output, and a plurality of vibration bodies arranged between the sound inlet and the sound outlet, in which one or more of the plurality of vibration bodies selectively react to the sound received by the sound inlet according to a direction of the received sound.