Respiratory Support Acoustic Sensor Membrane for Sound Accuracy

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing respiratory support devices suffer from reduced sound intensity and accuracy in sound representation due to sound propagation through a membrane to a microphone, leading to contamination and deformation issues.

Innovation Solution

A respiratory support device with a conduit, acoustic sensor, and membrane where the acoustic sensor is arranged outside the conduit, and a membrane separates the airflow from the sensor, allowing the membrane to vibrate and directly transmit sound to a body attached to it, enhancing sound representation accuracy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a membrane is used to separate the acoustic sensor from the airflow, then the acoustic sensor is protected from contamination, but the sound intensity is reduced and sound accuracy is degraded

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveacoustic sensor protection from contaminationVSAvoidsound representation accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a membrane as an intermediary element that separates the acoustic sensor from the airflow while still allowing sound transmission. The membrane acts as a mediator that protects the sensor from contamination (humidified and contaminated air) while transmitting acoustic signals to the sensor, thus resolving the contradiction between protection and measurement accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the acoustic sensor is arranged outside the conduit, then the sensor is protected from airflow contamination, but the sound transmission path is lengthened and intensity is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensor protection from airflowVSAvoidsound detection accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The membrane serves as an intermediary that enables the acoustic sensor to be positioned outside the conduit (protecting it from airflow) while maintaining effective sound transmission. The membrane transmits acoustic vibrations from the airflow to the sensor without requiring direct contact, thus preserving measurement accuracy despite the spatial separation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 provides improved sound transmission and accuracy by minimizing airflow contamination and deformation, enabling precise sound detection and representation.

Implementation Method 1

sound propagating along the airflow causes the membrane to vibrate

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSound propagation: Sound

Implementation Method 2

the body is adapted to vibrate in response to sound propagating along the airflow

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVibration: Vibration

Data Source

PatentUS20250319266A1Respiratory support device, acoustic sensor system, and membrane

Publication Date: 2025.10.16 KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS NV

AI summary

A respiratory support device for providing pressurized air to a subject. The respiratory support device comprises a conduit, an acoustic sensor, a membrane, and a body. The conduit is for conveying an airflow. The conduit has an opening. The acoustic sensor is arranged outside the conduit. The membrane is arranged to cover the opening to separate the acoustic sensor and the airflow from each other. The body is attached to the membrane. The body is adapted to vibrate in response to sound propagating along the airflow. The acoustic sensor is adapted to generate a signal representative of the sound based on a vibration of the body.