Wearable Audio Device With Separated Speaker And Microphone Paths
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Solution Overview
Problem
The integration of high-performance microphones in wearable devices, such as those worn on the ear, leads to a reduction in available space, causing audio performance issues like sound interference and degraded ANC functionality due to the microphone occupying most of the conduit space.
Innovation Solution
The device integrates a speaker and microphone support structure with separate modules, positioning the microphone away from the speaker and ensuring a distinct sound reception and output path, thereby maintaining a conduit opening ratio and reducing sound leakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a high-performance microphone is used, then audio quality is improved, but the microphone size increases and occupies most of the conduit space
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure is divided into distinct sections: a speaker support section and a microphone support section. This segmentation allows the microphone to be positioned on the opposite side of the support member from the speaker, preventing the microphone from occupying conduit space while maintaining its high-performance characteristics and size for optimal audio quality.
2Volume of moving object
If the conduit size is reduced, then wearability and aesthetics are improved, but the available space for audio components decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The support member utilizes the thickness dimension (Z-direction) to separate the speaker and microphone components vertically. The speaker is disposed on a first surface of the support member while the microphone is disposed on a second surface opposite the first surface, allowing both components to coexist in a compact conduit without interfering with each other, thus maintaining reduced conduit size for wearability while managing component arrangement effectively.
3Volume of moving object
If the microphone is positioned close to the speaker, then space utilization is improved, but sound interference and ANC performance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The microphone is extracted from the conventional position near the speaker and relocated to the opposite side of the support member. This spatial separation removes the source of sound interference from the microphone's vicinity, preventing speaker sound from leaking into the microphone while maintaining effective space utilization within the conduit structure.
Data Source
AI summary
According to various embodiments of the disclosure, an electronic device may includes a housing, a speaker module disposed inside the housing, a microphone module disposed inside the housing, and a support member including a speaker hole, a speaker support section having the speaker module disposed on a first surface thereof, and a microphone support section having the microphone module disposed on a second surface thereof opposite to the first surface. The microphone module may be disposed to be spaced apart from the speaker hole.