Variable Hole Member for Dynamic Acoustic Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Audio electronic devices with noise canceling functions face challenges in allowing users to hear peripheral sounds without removing the device or using a separate microphone, which can be inconvenient and affect sound quality and atmospheric pressure.
Innovation Solution
An audio electronic device with a variable hole member that includes a conductive material and a deformable member, allowing the external sound duct to be opened or closed based on an electric signal or pressure, enabling effective hearing of peripheral sounds while maintaining noise canceling functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If the audio electronic device is designed to block sounds for noise canceling, then noise canceling effect is improved, but peripheral sounds cannot be heard and atmospheric pressure difference occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a variable hole member that can dynamically change its opening degree between a first state (open) and a second state (closed) based on user input or detection results. This dynamic adjustment allows the device to switch between noise canceling mode (closed state for better noise isolation) and peripheral sound hearing mode (open state for environmental awareness), resolving the contradiction between noise blocking and peripheral sound perception.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameter of the hole member's opening degree to control sound transmission. By adjusting the opening degree parameter between fully open and fully closed states, the device can optimize both noise canceling performance (closed state) and peripheral sound hearing (open state), thereby resolving the technical contradiction between these two opposing requirements.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If the audio electronic device is designed to block sounds for noise canceling, then noise canceling effect is improved, but atmospheric pressure difference occurs between inside and outside
Solution Approach 1:
The variable hole member dynamically adjusts between open and closed states to manage atmospheric pressure. When closed, it provides effective noise isolation; when opened, it equalizes atmospheric pressure between the inside and outside of the device, thereby resolving the contradiction between noise blocking and pressure balance.
3Ease of operation
If a separate microphone is used for hearing peripheral sounds, then peripheral sounds can be heard, but power is consumed and sound quality is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the sound transmission function from the active electronic microphone system and implements it through a passive mechanical structure (variable hole member). By opening the hole member, external sounds are naturally conducted to the user without requiring active microphone operation, thereby eliminating the need for additional power consumption while maintaining sound quality.
4Ease of operation
If the hole member is opened to hear peripheral sounds, then peripheral sounds can be heard, but noise canceling effect is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The variable hole member provides dynamic control, allowing the user or system to switch between open and closed states based on the desired function. When closed, noise canceling is optimized; when open, peripheral sounds are heard. This dynamic switching capability resolves the contradiction by allowing optimal performance of either function at different times rather than compromising both simultaneously.
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
Enhances usability by allowing users to hear external sounds without removing the device, improving sound quality and reducing pressure differences, thus providing a more natural and realistic spatial impression.
Implementation Method 1
a deformable member comprising a deformable material configured to deform based on the electric signal
Implementation Method 2
a deformable member comprising a deformable material configured to deform by a pressure applied thereto
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device according to various embodiments disclosed herein may include: a housing, a speaker embedded in the housing, an acoustic duct configured to transfer an output from the speaker to a user, an external hole formed in the housing to be connected to outside the electronic device, an external sound duct configured to transfer a sound introduced through the external hole to the user, and a variable hole member comprising a variable opening disposed in at least one of the external hole and the external sound duct, wherein the variable hole member may include a conductive member comprising a conductive material configured to apply an electric signal, a ventilation hole configured to allow a sound transferred from the external hole to pass therethrough, and a deformable member comprising a deformable material configured to deform based on the electric signal to close at least a portion of the ventilation hole.