Vibration Generating Unit for Vocal Cord Signal Processing

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current solutions for voice supplementation, such as artificial vocal cords, often result in poor voice quality and do not effectively address voice disabilities or disorders, leading to social and communication challenges.

Innovation Solution

A device comprising a switching unit, a vibration generating unit, and a power unit that detects original vocal cord vibrations and generates amplified, attenuated, or frequency-modulated vibrations to enhance voice quality, using biocompatible materials and piezoelectric elements to mimic natural vocal cord function.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If an artificial vocal cord is used to supplement voice, then voice disability can be addressed, but voice quality becomes poor

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevoice disability treatment effectivenessVSAvoidvoice quality

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a vibration generation unit as an intermediary device that generates vibrations to supplement or replace vocal cord vibrations. This mediator approach allows voice supplementation without directly replacing the vocal cord structure, thereby maintaining better voice quality while addressing voice disability. The vibration generation unit converts electrical signals to mechanical vibrations that can be transmitted through the larynx.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical artificial vocal cord structure with an electromechanical system consisting of a vibration generation unit driven by electrical signals. This substitution allows for more precise control over vibration characteristics (frequency, amplitude) through electrical signal processing, thereby improving voice quality while maintaining the therapeutic effect for voice disability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If surgery is performed to expand or reduce the vocal cord, then voice disability may be cured, but the effect is not accurate and complete

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevoice disability cure rateVSAvoidvoice disability determination accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates a feedback mechanism where the vibration generation unit receives control signals that can be adjusted based on the desired voice output. The system can detect and respond to voice characteristics in real-time, allowing for precise adjustment of vibration parameters to achieve accurate voice disability treatment effects that surgery cannot provide.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a dynamic system where vibration frequency and amplitude can be continuously adjusted through electrical signal control. Unlike static surgical modifications, this dynamic approach allows real-time optimization of voice parameters to achieve precise and accurate treatment effects for voice disability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Manufacturing precision

If vibration is generated near the vocal cord, then voice quality improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevoice qualityVSAvoiddevice structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the vibration generation unit with the existing laryngeal structure, utilizing the natural anatomical pathways for vibration transmission. By combining the electromechanical vibration source with the body's existing vocal apparatus, the system achieves high voice quality without requiring a completely complex separate device structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The vibration generation unit is designed to serve multiple functions: it can supplement voice in voice disabled individuals, enhance voice in those with voice disorders, and potentially provide voice training or therapy. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate specialized devices, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining high voice quality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 device provides high-quality vocalization by generating vibrations near the vocal cord, improving pitch, loudness, and quality, effectively addressing voice disabilities and disorders, and reducing unwanted noise.

Implementation Method 1

using biocompatible materials and piezoelectric elements to mimic natural vocal cord function

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPiezoelectric effect: Piezoelectric Effect

Implementation Method 2

a vibration generating unit generating a vibration according to the signal

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical vibration: Vibration

Data Source

PatentUS9271066B2Device for supplementing voice and method for controlling the same

Publication Date: 2016.02.23 INHA UNIV RES & BUSINESS FOUNDATION

AI summary

A device for supplementing a voice includes: a sensing unit sensing a bio-signal corresponding to a first vibration of vocalization and generating a first signal corresponding to the bio-signal; a vibration unit generating a second vibration using the first signal; and a power unit supplying a power to the sensing unit and the vibration unit.