Wireless Neck Microphone for Firefighter Communication

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Solution Overview

Problem

Firefighters face challenges in smooth communication due to background noise and the use of facepiece respirators and chemical protective clothing, which hinder the ability to hear colleagues and operate radio equipment effectively.

Innovation Solution

A wireless communication device for a neck microphone that integrates a neck microphone and a wireless communication terminal device, allowing for hands-free communication. The device includes a body placed on the rear of the neck, a neck microphone that transmits voice through neck vibration, and features like a PTT button, mute button, and automatic alarm mode.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a traditional radio equipment with buttons is used, then communication can be established, but the firefighter cannot hear colleagues and cannot press buttons easily when wearing facepiece respirator or chemical protective clothing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of communicationVSAvoiddifficulty in pressing buttons

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the traditional mechanical button-pressing system with a voice-activated communication system. The firefighter speaks into the neck microphone, and the system automatically transmits the voice signal through the radio equipment, eliminating the need to physically press buttons while wearing protective gear.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The neck microphone acts as an intermediary device between the firefighter's voice and the radio transmission system. It captures voice signals from the neck area and converts them into electrical signals that can be transmitted wirelessly, solving the problem of inaccessible buttons.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If firefighters concentrate on rescuing people, then lifesaving efficiency improves, but important information from outside is missed due to background noise

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelifesaving efficiencyVSAvoidmissed information

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the communication function from the traditional radio equipment and integrates it into a neck-mounted device with directional microphone. This allows firefighters to receive critical information directly at their ears while focusing on rescue operations, separating the communication task from the physical act of pressing buttons.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The neck microphone utilizes vibration detection to capture voice signals. The microphone unit detects vibrations from the firefighter's neck when they speak, converting these mechanical vibrations into electrical signals for transmission, enabling clear communication in noisy environments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #18Mechanical vibration

3Reliability

If a separate wire is used to connect body and neck microphone, then connection is established, but free movement is restricted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection stabilityVSAvoidfree movement

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the physical wire connection with a wireless transmission system. The neck microphone transmits signals wirelessly to the body unit, eliminating the constraint of cables while maintaining reliable communication between the components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The body unit serves multiple functions: it houses the communication terminal device, provides power management, and receives wireless signals from the neck microphone. This integration allows the system to maintain connection stability without requiring physical wires, as the wireless protocol provides both connectivity and signal transmission.

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

Enables free movement and easy communication in noisy environments like fire sites, improves wearing comfort by distributing the weight of the device, allows for stable communication even with protective gear, and facilitates multi-party real-time calls without a base station.

Implementation Method 1

a neck microphone, which is attachably/detachably provided on the body to come into close contact with a front part of the neck, and thus transmit voice sound through vibration of the neck

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVibration: Vibration

Data Source

PatentUS12289575B2Wireless communication device for neck microphone

Publication Date: 2025.04.29 SIRBAN CO LTD

AI summary

The present invention relates to a wireless communication device for a neck microphone, comprising: a body 110, which has a communication terminal device and is placed on the rear part of the neck of a user; and a neck microphone 120, which is attachably/detachably provided on the body to come into close contact with the front part of the neck, and thus transmit voice sound through the vibration of the neck, wherein the center of gravity is at the back of the neck of the user because of the weight of the body. The present invention is manufactured in an integrated form of a neck microphone and a wireless communication terminal device, and thus enables communication while both hands are free even if fire is suppressed while the facepiece respirator is worn, or even if chemical protective clothing is worn.