Active Vent Control in Wearable Audio for Pressure Relief
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wearable audio devices face a challenge in balancing sleek design with acoustic excellence, as larger speakers for better sound quality cause discomfort due to vibrational pressures from user movements and unintended sharp sounds, while smaller speakers lack power and are sensitive to environmental noise.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating active vents that can selectively open and close based on sensor inputs to alleviate pressure and maintain audio quality, using sensors and ANC circuitry to control vent operation, and employing dynamic equalization to compensate for frequency losses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If larger speakers are used to improve acoustic power and sound quality, then acoustic performance is improved, but the device size increases and causes discomfort due to vibrational pressures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamically controllable vent that can open and close based on detected vibrational pressure levels. When movement is detected through sensors, the vent opens to equalize pressure and reduce discomfort. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to maintain acoustic sealing during static use while providing pressure relief during user movement, resolving the contradiction between acoustic power and comfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The vent acts as an intermediary element between the sealed acoustic chamber and the external environment. It mediates the pressure buildup caused by larger speakers during user movement, allowing controlled pressure equalization without compromising the overall acoustic sealing. This intermediary mechanism enables the system to benefit from larger speaker power while mitigating the harmful vibrational pressure effects.
2Power
If a sealed design is used to compensate for small speaker power, then acoustic power is improved, but sensitivity to vibrational pressures increases causing unpleasant pressure peaks
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from a static sealed design to a dynamic sealed design with an actively controlled vent. The vent remains closed during normal operation to maintain acoustic power, but opens automatically when sensors detect user movement or pressure buildup. This dynamic behavior allows the system to maintain acoustic sealing benefits while providing pressure relief pathways when needed, eliminating the harmful pressure peaks.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates sensors that continuously monitor pressure levels and user movement, providing feedback to the vent control system. When pressure peaks are detected or movement is sensed, the feedback triggers the vent to open, equalizing pressure. This closed-loop feedback mechanism allows the system to maintain strong acoustic sealing while automatically responding to and mitigating pressure peak conditions.
3Volume of moving object
If small speakers are used to achieve sleek design, then device size is reduced, but acoustic power and bass response deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic venting system that adapts to user movement and pressure conditions. During static listening, the vent remains closed, maintaining acoustic power. During movement, the vent opens to prevent pressure buildup. This dynamic behavior allows small speakers to be used in sleek designs while maintaining acoustic performance through intelligent pressure management rather than relying solely on speaker size.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the acoustic parameters of the device dynamically by controlling the vent state. When the vent opens, it alters the acoustic impedance and pressure distribution in the ear canal, compensating for the limited power of small speakers during movement. This parameter change allows the system to maintain acoustic effectiveness across different usage conditions despite using compact speakers.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If ANC is activated to cancel background noise, then noise cancellation performance is improved, but sharp painful sounds are generated due to speaker vibration
Solution Approach 1:
The dynamic vent system provides an additional pressure relief pathway that works in conjunction with ANC. When ANC generates sharp sounds through active speaker vibration, the vent can open to equalize pressure and reduce the intensity of these sounds. This dynamic pressure management complements the electronic ANC, providing a mechanical relief pathway that mitigates the harmful effects of active noise cancellation.
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 provides a comfortable user experience by reducing pressure peaks and maintaining audio quality, while avoiding weak bass response and enhancing acoustic performance.
Implementation Method 1
at least one active vent; and at least one processor configured to receive the first sensor signal, the second sensor signal, the third signal and the fourth signal to determine whether a trigger threshold is met, and if the trigger threshold is met, send a control signal to the at least one active vent to cause the at least one active vent to open or close
Implementation Method 2
active noise cancellation (ANC) circuitry configured to provide at least a third signal and fourth signal, wherein the third signal is a music compensated first sensor signal and the fourth signal is an ANC signal
Data Source
AI summary
A wearable audio device can include at least one speaker; a first sensor configured to sense sound related to the at least one speaker and provide a first sensor signal; a second sensor configured to sense sound external to the wearable device and provide a second sensor signal; active noise cancellation (ANC) circuitry configured to provide at least a third signal and fourth signal, wherein the third signal is a music compensated first sensor signal and the fourth signal is an ANC signal; at least one active vent; and at least one processor configured to: receive the first sensor signal, the second sensor signal, the third signal and the fourth signal to determine whether a trigger threshold is met, and if the trigger threshold is met, send a control signal to the at least one active vent to cause the at least one active vent to open or close.