Respiratory Support Acoustic Sensor with Rigid-Body Vibration Transfer

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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 that deforms and attenuates the signal received by the acoustic sensor, leading to inaccurate detection of conduit conditions.

Innovation Solution

A respiratory support device with a membrane that separates the acoustic sensor from the airflow, allowing direct vibration transmission to a body attached to the membrane, which generates a signal representative of the sound, thereby improving sound propagation and 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 and accuracy are reduced due to attenuation and deformation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection of acoustic sensorVSAvoidsound representation accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

A rigid body is introduced as an intermediary element between the membrane and the acoustic sensor. The membrane vibrates in response to sound waves and transfers these vibrations to the rigid body, which then transmits them to the acoustic sensor. This intermediary rigid body structure preserves the vibration characteristics more effectively than direct membrane-to-sensor coupling, improving sound representation accuracy while maintaining sensor protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the direct acoustic transmission path (sound through air to microphone) with a mechanical vibration transmission path (membrane vibration to rigid body to acoustic sensor). This mechanical substitution allows for better vibration transfer and improved sound detection accuracy while maintaining the protective function of the membrane.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If the acoustic sensor is placed outside the conduit, then the sensor is protected from contaminated airflow, but the sound signal intensity is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensor protection from contaminationVSAvoidsound signal intensity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The rigid body acts as a mechanical intermediary that couples the membrane vibrations to the acoustic sensor with high efficiency. This intermediary structure enables the sensor to detect vibrations with sufficient intensity despite being positioned outside the conduit, maintaining signal strength while protecting the sensor from contaminated airflow.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the membrane covers the opening to separate airflow, then contamination is prevented, but sound transmission accuracy is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontamination preventionVSAvoidsound information accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The rigid body serves as a faithful intermediary that transfers membrane vibrations to the acoustic sensor with minimal distortion. This intermediary structure preserves the acoustic information content while allowing the membrane to maintain its protective function, preventing loss of sound information.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system utilizes mechanical vibration of the membrane in response to sound waves, and this vibration is efficiently transferred through the rigid body to the acoustic sensor. By focusing on the vibration characteristics rather than direct acoustic pressure transmission, the system maintains sound information accuracy while the membrane provides contamination protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #18Mechanical vibration

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 enhances sound representation accuracy by minimizing attenuation and deformation, enabling precise detection of conduit conditions and subject status through improved sound transmission.

Implementation Method 1

sound propagating along the airflow causes the membrane to vibrate

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSound propagation: Sound

Implementation Method 2

the body vibrates in response to the sound propagating along the airflow

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVibration transmission: Vibration

Data Source

PatentEP4631554A1Respiratory support device, acoustic sensor system, and membrane

Publication Date: 2025.10.15 KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS NV

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AI summary

There is provided 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.