Ultrasonic Acoustic Port Rings for Direct Echo Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Devices operating on surfaces face significant noise due to high reflection of sonic signals, particularly on hard surfaces like wood, vinyl, or tile flooring, which interferes with accurate detection of surface characteristics and cliff edges.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of annular rings, either debossed or embossed, around the acoustic opening ports of sonic transducers to attenuate direct echo paths and shape beam patterns, reducing noise and enhancing signal amplitude.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If sonic transducers are used for surface detection, then detection capability is provided, but direct path echoes and noise interfere with accurate detection

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurface detection accuracyVSAvoiddirect path echo noise

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

An annular acoustic lens is introduced as an intermediary component between the sonic transducer and the surface. This lens mediates the acoustic field by shaping the beam pattern and reducing direct path echoes that travel along the surface, thereby improving signal quality without requiring changes to the transducer itself or the surface being detected.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The acoustic lens changes the physical parameters of the acoustic field by modifying beam divergence and directing energy away from surface-skimming paths. By altering the acoustic wave propagation characteristics through the lens, the system reduces harmful direct path echoes while maintaining useful detection signals.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If standard acoustic opening ports are used, then device simplicity is maintained, but beam patterns cause noise and reduced signal quality

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal qualityVSAvoidacoustic opening port structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The annular acoustic lens serves multiple functions simultaneously: it shapes the beam pattern, reduces direct path echoes, enhances signal amplitude, and can be integrated into existing transducer designs. This multi-functionality improves signal quality without requiring multiple separate components or complex modifications to the acoustic opening port structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Loss of information

If sonic signals are transmitted for detection, then surface information is obtained, but high reflection on hard surfaces creates noise interference

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurface characteristic detectionVSAvoidsurface reflection noise

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The acoustic lens converts the harmful high-reflection characteristic of hard surfaces into a beneficial effect by shaping the beam to exploit specular reflection. Instead of allowing diffuse reflections to create noise, the lens directs reflected energy back toward the transducer, transforming surface reflection from a source of noise into an enhanced detection signal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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 configuration effectively reduces direct path echoes, improving the accuracy of surface detection and cliff edge identification by enhancing signal quality and reducing noise interference.

Implementation Method 1

annular rings, either debossed or embossed, around the acoustic opening ports of sonic transducers to attenuate direct echo paths

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAcoustic attenuation: Acoustic Absorption

Implementation Method 2

Devices operating on surfaces face significant noise due to high reflection of sonic signals

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectUltrasonic reflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 3

transmit sonic signals and receive returned sonic signals

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTime of flight: Time of Flight

Data Source

PatentUS12379477B2Ultrasonic direct echo path reduction

Publication Date: 2025.08.05 INVENSENSE INC

AI summary

A robotic cleaning appliance includes a housing to which is coupled a surface treatment item and a sensor assembly with first and second transducers and an acoustic interface. The first sonic transducer transmits sonic signals through an acoustic interface and out of a first acoustic opening toward a surface beneath the robotic cleaning appliance. The sonic signals reflect from the surface as corresponding returned signals received by the second sonic transducer via a second acoustic opening port of the acoustic interface. A first plurality of annular rings is defined in the external surface around the first acoustic opening port and a second plurality of annular rings is defined in the external surface around the second acoustic opening port. The pluralities of annular rings attenuate direct path echoes from a subset of the transmitted sonic signals which attempt to travel across the external surface to the second acoustic opening port.