Selective Active Noise Cancellation for Machine Operators
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current active noise cancellation systems are unable to selectively cancel only unwanted sounds while allowing important or useful sounds to be heard by the operator of a machine, leading to ineffective noise reduction.
Innovation Solution
A noise control system that uses microphones or sensors to detect and identify specific sounds unwanted by the operator, generating an anti-noise signal to interfere with and cancel those sounds, while allowing other sounds to be heard, utilizing a controller and signal processing circuitry to selectively manage noise cancellation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If active noise cancellation systems eliminate all noises indiscriminately, then overall noise reduction is achieved, but useful sounds that operators need to hear are also cancelled
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the noise spectrum into different frequency bands and selectively applies cancellation only to unwanted frequencies while preserving useful sound frequencies. The system divides the acoustic environment into cancelable noise components and informative sound components, processing them differently through separate signal paths.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different quality treatments to different portions of the sound spectrum. Specifically, it applies active noise cancellation properties to unwanted frequency ranges while maintaining sound transmission properties for useful frequency ranges, creating local quality differentiation across the acoustic spectrum.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If traditional noise cancellation methods are used, then noise reduction is achieved, but the system lacks selectivity and cannot distinguish between unwanted and useful sounds
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic adaptability by allowing operators to adjust which frequency ranges or sound sources are cancelled versus preserved. The system can adapt its cancellation behavior based on operational conditions, operator preferences, and real-time acoustic environment analysis, making it versatile for different operating scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameters of noise cancellation by introducing frequency-selective filtering and adjustable cancellation depth controls. Operators can modify parameters such as frequency range, cancellation intensity, and target sound identification to optimize the system for specific operational needs.
3Ease of operation
If all sounds are cancelled to create a quiet environment, then operator comfort is improved, but the operator loses ability to monitor machine performance through sound
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating different acoustic environments for different frequency ranges - quiet for unwanted noise frequencies and informative for useful machine sound frequencies. This allows operators to enjoy comfort from noise reduction while maintaining monitoring capability for machine health through preserved useful sounds.
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
Enables the operator to selectively cancel unwanted noises, improving the operational environment by allowing important sounds to be heard, enhancing the operator's ability to monitor and control machine performance effectively and safely.
Implementation Method 1
If a speaker emits a sound whose wave has the same amplitude and an exact opposite polarity to the original sound, the waves cancel out and the result is no sound
Data Source
AI summary
A noise control system detects, identifies, and cancels specific, preselected sounds that an operator does not want to hear during operation of a machine. One or more of a microphone or another sensor detects sound vibrations or other operational parameters that result in the generation of sound vibrations during operation of the machine. A controller identifies, and selectively cancels only the specific, preselected sounds the operator does not want to hear while operating the machine by generating an anti-noise signal to interfere with the specific, preselected sounds.