WO2017136386A1 - Dispositif de protection auditive - Google Patents

Dispositif de protection auditive Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2017136386A1
WO2017136386A1 PCT/US2017/015941 US2017015941W WO2017136386A1 WO 2017136386 A1 WO2017136386 A1 WO 2017136386A1 US 2017015941 W US2017015941 W US 2017015941W WO 2017136386 A1 WO2017136386 A1 WO 2017136386A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
housing
hearing
user
head
controller
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2017/015941
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Per O. HISELIUS
Original Assignee
3M Innovative Properties Company
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by 3M Innovative Properties Company filed Critical 3M Innovative Properties Company
Publication of WO2017136386A1 publication Critical patent/WO2017136386A1/fr

Links

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R1/00—Details of transducers, loudspeakers or microphones
    • H04R1/10—Earpieces; Attachments therefor ; Earphones; Monophonic headphones
    • H04R1/1083—Reduction of ambient noise
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
    • A61F11/00—Methods or devices for treatment of the ears or hearing sense; Non-electric hearing aids; Methods or devices for enabling ear patients to achieve auditory perception through physiological senses other than hearing sense; Protective devices for the ears, carried on the body or in the hand
    • A61F11/06—Protective devices for the ears
    • A61F11/14—Protective devices for the ears external, e.g. earcaps or earmuffs
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
    • A61F11/00—Methods or devices for treatment of the ears or hearing sense; Non-electric hearing aids; Methods or devices for enabling ear patients to achieve auditory perception through physiological senses other than hearing sense; Protective devices for the ears, carried on the body or in the hand
    • A61F11/06—Protective devices for the ears
    • A61F11/14—Protective devices for the ears external, e.g. earcaps or earmuffs
    • A61F11/145—Protective devices for the ears external, e.g. earcaps or earmuffs electric, e.g. for active noise reduction

Definitions

  • Hearing protection devices can be utilized in noisy environments to protect the hearing of a user.
  • a hearing protection device can include a passive sound absorbing material disposed within a housing of one or both hearing protectors or muffs of the device to provide passive noise reduction of ambient noise.
  • a volume of the housing of each of the hearing protectors and the characteristics of the sound absorbing material disposed within the housing can be tailored to account for the specific environment in which the hearing protection device will be utilized.
  • hearing protection devices can also include an active noise reduction (ANR) system.
  • ANR systems can reduce ambient noise by producing sound pressure waves that are designed to cancel sound pressure waves of the ambient noise.
  • ANR systems can utilize either analog circuitry or digital signal processing circuitry.
  • digital signal processing circuitry can utilize adaptive algorithms that are designed to analyze a waveform of the ambient sound pressure wave and generate a signal that will either phase shift or invert the polarity of the original signal produced by the ambient sound pressure wave. This inverted signal can be amplified and directed to a transducer disposed within the hearing protector that produces a sound pressure wave similar in frequency and amplitude to the original waveform, thereby creating destructive interference.
  • the destructive interference between the original signal and the inverted signal can reduce the sound pressure level of the perceivable noise.
  • the ambient noise and the sound pressure wave produced by the ANR system have the same or similar amplitude and frequency but are out of phase such that the two waves cancel each other out due to destructive interference between the two waves.
  • some ANR systems utilize one or more microphones to sense sound pressure within a hearing protector of the system and provide a signal to a controller that then provides an inverted signal to a transducer, which creates a sound pressure wave that destructively interferes with the original sound pressure.
  • ambient noise can cause one or both hearing protectors of a hearing protection device to move back and forth against and away from a head of a user when the hearing protectors are in contact with the head and surround the ears.
  • Such movement or oscillation of the hearing protectors can create sound pressure waves within the hearing protectors.
  • one or both hearing protectors of the hearing protection device can be subject to various forces caused by movement of the user of the hearing protection device or of a vehicle in which the user is present. These forces directed toward the head of the user can cause a change in pressure inside the hearing protector.
  • the hearing protection device can include a hearing protector that is adapted to be disposed over an ear of a user.
  • the hearing protector can include a housing that includes an open end, and a seal disposed adjacent the open end of the housing that is adapted to be in contact with a head of the user and at least partially surrounds the ear of the user.
  • the hearing protector can also include a chamber adjacent the open end of the housing that forms an enclosed space with the head of the user, where the enclosed space has a volume Vi.
  • the hearing protector also includes a transducer that includes a membrane that is in fluid communication with the chamber.
  • the transducer can also include an actuator connected to the membrane, where the actuator is adapted to change a shape of the membrane to control the volume Vi of the enclosed space.
  • a motion detector connected to the housing that can detect movement of the housing relative to the user's head when the hearing protector is in contact with the head can provide a signal to a controller that is representative of the detected movement of the housing.
  • the controller can provide a second signal to the actuator of the transducer to control the volume Vi such that Vi varies by less than a desired amount for a selected frequency range of the detected movement of the housing.
  • the present disclosure provides a hearing protection device that includes a hearing protector adapted to be disposed over an ear of a user.
  • the hearing protector includes a housing having an open end, a seal disposed adjacent the open end of the housing that is adapted to be in contact with a head of the user and at least partially surrounds the ear of the user, and a chamber adjacent the open end of the housing that forms an enclosed space with the head of the user, where the enclosed space includes a volume Vi.
  • the hearing protector further includes a transducer including a membrane, and an actuator connected to the membrane. The membrane is in fluid communication with the chamber, and the actuator is adapted to change a shape of the membrane to control the volume Vi of the enclosed space.
  • the hearing protector further includes a motion detector connected to the housing of the hearing protector that detects movement of the housing relative to the head of the user when the hearing protector is in contact with the head, and a controller connected to the motion detector and the transducer.
  • the controller is adapted to receive a first signal from the motion detector that is representative of the detected movement of the housing relative to the head of the user and provide a second signal to the actuator to control the volume Vi of the enclosed space such that Vi varies by less than 0.1% over a selected frequency range of the detected movement of the housing.
  • the present disclosure provides a hearing protection device that includes first and second hearing protectors connected by a headband, where each of the first and second hearing protectors is adapted to be disposed over an ear of a user.
  • At least one of the first and second hearing protectors includes a housing having an open end, a seal disposed adjacent the open end of the housing that is adapted to be in contact with a head of the user and at least partially surrounds the ear of the user, and a chamber adjacent the open end of the housing that forms an enclosed space with the head of the user.
  • the enclosed space includes a volume Vi.
  • the at least one of the first and second hearing protectors further includes a transducer including an enclosure, a membrane that forms at least a portion of the enclosure, and an actuator connected to the membrane.
  • the membrane is in fluid communication with the chamber, and the actuator is adapted to change a shape of the membrane to control the volume Vi of the enclosed space.
  • the at least one of the first and second hearing protectors further includes a motion detector connected to the housing of the hearing protector that detects movement of the housing relative to the head of the user when the hearing protector is in contact with the head, and a controller connected to the motion detector and the transducer, where the controller is adapted to receive a first signal from the motion detector that is representative of the detected movement of the respective housing relative to the head of the user and provide a second signal to the actuator to control the volume Vi of the chamber such that Vi varies by less than 0.1% over a selected frequency range of the detected movement of the housing.
  • phrases "at least one of and “comprises at least one of followed by a list refers to any one of the items in the list and any combination of two or more items in the list.
  • phrases "at least one of and “comprises at least one of followed by a list refers to any one of the items in the list and any combination of two or more items in the list.
  • a number e.g., up to 50
  • the number e.g., 50
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of one embodiment of a hearing protection device including one or more hearing protectors.
  • FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-section view of a hearing protector that can be utilized with the hearing protection device of FIG. 1.
  • FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-section view of the hearing protector of FIG. 2 with an enclosed space formed by a chamber of the hearing protector and a user's head having a minimum volume.
  • FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-section view of another embodiment of a hearing protector.
  • FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-section view of another embodiment of a hearing protector.
  • the hearing protection device can include a hearing protector that is adapted to be disposed over an ear of a user.
  • the hearing protector can include a housing that includes an open end, and a seal disposed adjacent the open end of the housing that is adapted to be in contact with a head of the user and at least partially surrounds the ear of the user.
  • the hearing protector can also include a chamber adjacent the open end of the housing that forms an enclosed space with the head of the user, where the enclosed space has a volume Vi.
  • the hearing protector also includes a transducer that includes a membrane that is in fluid communication with the chamber.
  • the transducer can also include an actuator connected to the membrane, where the actuator is adapted to change a shape of the membrane to control the volume Vi of the enclosed space.
  • a motion detector connected to the housing that can detect movement of the housing relative to the user's head when the hearing protector is in contact with the head can provide a signal to a controller that is representative of the detected movement of the housing.
  • the controller can provide a second signal to the actuator of the transducer to control the volume Vi such that Vi varies by less than a desired amount for a selected frequency range of the detected movement of the housing.
  • One or more embodiments of hearing protection devices described herein can be utilized to dampen or attenuate sound pressure waves present within a hearing protector of the hearing protection device. Such sound pressure waves can be caused by ambient low frequency sound pressure waves incident upon the hearing protector, thereby causing the hearing protector to move relative to a head of a user that has donned the hearing protection device.
  • a motion detector can be utilized to measure movement of a housing of a hearing protector of the device. The motion detector can provide a first signal that is representative of the motion of the housing of the hearing protector. Such first signal can be utilized by a controller to provide a second signal to a membrane of a transducer.
  • the membrane can be in fluid communication with an enclosed space that is formed by a chamber of the housing of the hearing protector and a head of a user.
  • a volume of this enclosed space can be controlled by changing the shape of the membrane of the transducer such that a change in the volume of the enclosed space caused by the movement of the hearing protector can be minimized.
  • sound pressure waves formed within the housing caused by movement of the housing can be dampened or attenuated.
  • ANR active noise reduction
  • One or more embodiments of hearing protection devices described herein can provide an ANR system that requires fewer components than traditional ANR systems. The use of fewer components can provide hearing protection devices that are less expensive, require less power, and can occupy less space within a hearing protector of the device. Further, in one or more embodiments, coupling between the transducer and the motion detector can be controlled to reduce the potential for acoustic feedback within the device when compared to traditional ANR systems. In addition, one or more embodiments of hearing protection devices described herein can include a controller that is adapted to allow the user to manually adjust an amplitude of the frequency of the change in shape of the membrane of the transducer.
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of one embodiment of a hearing protection device 10.
  • the device 10 can include one or more hearing protectors 12 and 14, and a headband 16 that connects the two hearing protectors together.
  • a headband 16 that connects the two hearing protectors together.
  • the hearing protectors can be adapted to be disposed within the ear of the user (e.g., earplugs, insert headphones, etc.).
  • Each of the hearing protectors 12, 14 can be connected to the headband 16 using any suitable technique or combination of techniques.
  • the hearing protectors 12, 14 are connected to the headband 16 at a pivot 18 such that each hearing protector can be adjusted by a user when the device 10 is placed on a user's head and each hearing protector surrounds or covers an ear of the user.
  • each pivot 18 can be disposed on opposite sides of each hearing protector 12, 14 such that each hearing protector can rotate about a rotation axis formed by the pivots. The pivots 18 can allow the user to adjust each hearing protector 12, 14 by rotating the hearing protector about the rotation axis.
  • the headband 16 can include any suitable headband and take any suitable shape or combination of shapes.
  • the headband 16 is adjustable such that a user can increase or decrease a linear distance between the hearing protectors 12, 14 as measured along a curve of the headband. By adjusting this length, a user can properly position each hearing protector 12, 14 such that it surrounds or covers the ear.
  • the headband 16 can provide a biasing force to the hearing protectors 12, 14 such that the protectors remain engaged with the user's head surround the ear.
  • the device 10 can also include one or more antenna 20 that can be connected to a loudspeaker disposed within one or both of the hearing protectors 12, 14 and a transceiver that is adapted to transmit and receive signals.
  • one or both of the hearing protectors 12, 14 can include circuitry that can allow communication to and from the user that is wearing the hearing protection device 10.
  • the circuitry can include any suitable electronic components or devices, e.g., a microphone, an amplifier, a transceiver, etc.
  • One or both of the hearing protectors 12, 14 can also include a power source that provides electrical energy to electronic circuitry disposed within one or both of the hearing protectors.
  • the headband 16 can provide one or more electrical pathways between the hearing protectors 12, 14 such that electrical signals (including electrical energy) can be transmitted between the hearing protectors.
  • one or more switches or buttons can be disposed on an exterior of one or both of the hearing protectors 12, 14 that allow the user to control the electronic circuitry disposed within one or both of the hearing protectors.
  • FIGS. 2-3 are various schematic views of one embodiment of a hearing protector 100 that can be utilized for one or both of the hearing protectors 12, 14 of device 10.
  • the hearing protector 100 can be adapted to be disposed over an ear 104 of a user.
  • the hearing protector 100 can include a housing 110 that has an outer surface 112 and an inner surface 114.
  • the housing 110 also includes a closed end 116 and an open end 118.
  • a seal 122 can be disposed adjacent the open end 118 of the housing 110.
  • the term "adjacent the open end of the housing” means that an element or component (e.g., seal 122) is disposed closer to the open end 118 of the housing 110 than to the closed end 116 of the housing.
  • the seal 122 can be adapted to be in contact with a head 102 of the user. In one or more embodiments, the seal 122 can be adapted to at least partially surround the ear 104 of the user. In one or more embodiments, the seal 122 can completely surround the ear 104. In one or more embodiments, the seal 122 can be in contact with at least a portion of the ear 104.
  • the hearing protector 100 also includes a chamber 130 that is disposed adjacent the open end 118 of the housing 110.
  • the chamber 130 can be defined by the inner surface 114 of the housing 110 and a plane formed by a perimeter 120 of the housing.
  • the chamber 130 is adapted to form or define an enclosed space 132 with the head 102 of the user.
  • the enclosed space 132 can have a volume Vi.
  • the volume Vi of the enclosed space 132 includes the volume within the ear
  • the volume Vi of the enclosed space 132 is an occluded volume formed when the hearing protector 100 is in contact with the head 102 of the user.
  • the hearing protector 100 can also include a transducer 140 that includes an enclosure 142 and a membrane 144 that can, in one or more embodiments, form at least a portion of the enclosure.
  • the transducer 140 can also include an actuator 146 that is connected to the membrane 144.
  • the membrane 144 can be in fluid communication with the chamber 130 through an opening 113 of the housing 110.
  • the term "fluid communication" means that the membrane 144 is in contact with a fluid (e.g., air) disposed or located within the chamber 130.
  • the membrane 144 and the enclosure 142 form a second chamber 150 that includes a volume V2.
  • the actuator 146 can be adapted to change a shape of the membrane 144 to control the volume Vi of the chamber 130 as is further described herein.
  • the hearing protector 100 can also include a motion detector 160 that is connected to the housing 110 of the hearing protector 100.
  • the motion detector 160 is adapted to detect movement of the housing 110 relative to the head 102 of the user when the hearing protector 100 is in contact with the head as shown in FIG. 2.
  • the motion detector 160 can be connected to a controller 162.
  • the controller 162 can also be connected to the actuator 146 of the transducer 140.
  • the controller 162 can be adapted to receive a first signal from the motion detector 160 that is representative of the detected movement of the housing 110 relative to the head 102 of the user and provide a second signal to the actuator 146 to control the volume Vi of the enclosed space 132 such that Vi varies by less than a desired amount over a selected frequency range of the detected movement of the housing.
  • the first signal can be proportional to acceleration of the housing 110 or the velocity of the housing.
  • the housing 110 of the hearing protector 100 can include any suitable material or combination of materials, e.g., metal, polymer, etc.
  • the housing 110 can also be a single unitary housing or include several parts that are connected together using any suitable technique or combination of techniques. Further, the housing 110 can take any suitable shape or combination of shapes and have any suitable dimensions.
  • the housing 110 in combination with the seal 122 are adapted to at least partially enclose the ear 104 of the user.
  • the seal 122 can be disposed adjacent the open end 118 of the housing 110.
  • the seal 122 is connected to the perimeter 120 of the housing 110 using any suitable technique or combination of techniques.
  • the seal 122 can be attached to the perimeter 120 using any suitable adhesive.
  • the seal 122 can be snap-fit or friction-fit to the perimeter 120 of the housing 110.
  • the seal 122 can include any suitable material or combination of materials.
  • the seal 122 includes a resilient material that can absorb mechanical energy provided by movement of the housing 110 relative to the head 102 of the user.
  • the chamber 130 can take any suitable shape or combination of shapes. Further, the chamber 130 can have any suitable volume as measured between the inner surface 114 of the housing 110 and a plane formed by the perimeter 120 of the housing. Depending upon the location of the transducer 140, the chamber 130 can also be defined by the inner surface 114 of the housing 110 and an outer surface 145 of the membrane 144 of the transducer. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, the chamber 130 is defined by the inner surface 114 of the housing 110 and the outer surface 145 of the membrane 144 along with the plane formed by the perimeter 120 of the housing.
  • the chamber 130 forms the enclosed or occluded space 132 with the head 102 of the user when the hearing protector 100 is in contact with the head and surrounds the ear 104 of the user.
  • the enclosed space 132 can have any suitable volume Vi. In one or more embodiments, the volume Vi of the enclosed space 132 is less than the volume of the chamber 130 as portions of the head 102 and ear 104 may extend into the chamber. In one or more embodiments, the volume Vi of the enclosed space 132 is greater than the volume of the chamber 130. Further, in one or more embodiments, the volume Vi of the enclosed space 132 is equal to the volume of the chamber 130.
  • the transducer 140 of the hearing protector 100 can include any suitable transducer or combination of transducers that are adapted to control the volume Vi of the enclosed space 132.
  • the transducer 140 is an electro-acoustic transducer.
  • the transducer 140 is a loudspeaker.
  • the transducer 140 can be disposed in any suitable location relative to the chamber 130 such that the membrane 144 is in fluid
  • the transducer 140 includes the membrane 144 and the enclosure 142.
  • the membrane 144 forms a part of the enclosure 142.
  • the enclosure 142 is also in part formed by the outer surface 112 of the housing 110.
  • the enclosure 142 of the transducer 140 can be a separate enclosure that is connected to or disposed within the housing 110 as is further described herein.
  • the membrane 144 can include any suitable material or combination of materials such that the membrane can change shape to control the volume Vi of the enclosed space 132.
  • the actuator 146 of the transducer 140 is connected to the membrane 144.
  • the actuator 146 can include any suitable component or components adapted to change a shape of the membrane 144 to control the volume Vi of the enclosed space 132.
  • the actuator 146 can include a magnet system, piezo-electric drive, etc.
  • the membrane 144 and the enclosure 142 of the transducer 140 form the second chamber 150 that has a volume V2.
  • the second chamber 150 can take any suitable shape or combination of shapes.
  • the second chamber 150 is an enclosed space that can reduce acoustic shorting of the transducer 140.
  • the volume V2 of the second chamber 150 can be any suitable volume.
  • the motion detector 160 Connected to the hearing protector 100 is the motion detector 160.
  • the motion detector 160 is Connected to the hearing protector 100.
  • the motion detector 160 can be disposed in any suitable location relative to the hearing protector 100.
  • the motion detector 160 is disposed within the chamber 130 of the hearing protector 100 and connected to the inner surface 114 of the housing 110.
  • the motion detector 160 can be disposed on the outer surface 112 of the housing 110.
  • the motion detector 160 can be disposed on an outer surface 148 of the transducer 140.
  • the motion detector 160 can be disposed within the second chamber 150 of the transducer 140.
  • the motion detector 160 can include any suitable components or electronic circuitry that are adapted to detect movement of the housing 110 relative to the user's head 102 of the user when the hearing protector 100 is in contact with the head as is shown in FIGS. 2-3.
  • the motion detector 160 can include at least one of an accelerometer, a laser-based motion detector, and a gyroscope.
  • the controller 162 Connected to the motion detector 160 and the transducer 140 is the controller 162, which is shown schematically in FIG. 2.
  • the controller 162 is electrically connected to the motion detector 160 and the transducer 140.
  • the controller 162 can include any suitable controller.
  • the controller 162 is adapted to receive a first signal from the motion detector 160 that is representative of the detected movement of the housing 1 10 relative to the head 102 of the user and provide a second signal to the actuator 146 to control the volume Vi of the enclosed space 132 over a selected frequency range of the detected movement of the housing.
  • the actuator 146 of the transducer 140 can control the volume Vi of the enclosed space 132 by changing the shape of the membrane 144.
  • the selected frequency range of the detected movement of the housing 1 10 can be any suitable frequency range. In one or more embodiments, the selected frequency range is at least 10 Hz and no greater than 20 kHz. In one or more embodiments, the selected frequency range is at least 10 Hz and no greater than 5 kHz. Further, in one or more embodiments, the selected frequency range is at least 20 Hz and no greater than 2 kHz.
  • the volume Vi can be controlled such that it varies by any suitable amount. In one or more embodiments, the volume Vi varies by no greater than 0.1%. In one or more embodiments, the volume Vi varies by no greater than 0.05%. In one or more embodiments, the volume Vi varies by no greater than 0.01%.
  • the controller 162 can, in one or more embodiments, utilize a portion of the volume V2 of the second chamber 150 to increase the volume Vi of the enclosed space 132. This exchange of volume between the enclosed space 132 and the second chamber 150 can maintain Vi such that motion of the housing 1 10 caused by external sound pressure waves or other movement can be dampened or attenuated. While the housing 1 10 may continue to move both toward and away from the head 102 of the user, any sound pressure waves created within the enclosed space 132 by this movement can be dampened or attenuated by maintaining the volume Vi of the enclosed space 132.
  • the controller 162 can include any suitable components or electronic circuitry.
  • the controller 162 can include a low-pass filter 164. Any suitable low-pass filter can be utilized.
  • the low-pass filter 164 can filter the first signal provided by the motion detector 160.
  • the low-pass filter 164 can include a second-order low-pass filter.
  • the hearing protector 100 can also include an amplifier 166 connected to the controller 162 and the transducer 140.
  • the amplifier 166 can be adapted to amplify the second signal provided by the controller 162 to the actuator 146 of the transducer 140.
  • the amplifier can include any suitable components or electronic circuity, power sources, etc., that are adapted to amplify the second signal.
  • the hearing protector 100 can provide any suitable reduction in sound pressure level at the ear 104 of the user of sound pressure waves within the enclosed space 132 that may be caused by movement of the housing 1 10 related to the user's head 102 of the user.
  • the hearing protector 100 can reduce the sound pressure level at the ear 104 of the user by at least 5 dB and no greater than 140 dB in at least one one-third octave band within the selected frequency range.
  • the hearing protector 100 can reduce the sound pressure level at the ear 104 of the user by at least 10 dB and no greater than 120 dB in at least one one-third octave band within the selected frequency range.
  • the hearing protector 100 can reduce the sound pressure level at the ear 104 of the user by at least 15 dB and no greater than 100 dB in at least one one-third octave band within the selected frequency range.
  • the controller 162 and the amplifier 166 can be disposed in any suitable location relative to the hearing protector 100. In one or more embodiments, one or both of the controller 162 and the amplifier 166 can be disposed within the housing 1 10 of the hearing protector 100. In one or more embodiments, one or both of the controller 162 and the amplifier 166 can be disposed on the outer surface 1 12 of the housing 1 10. Further, in one or more embodiments, one or both of the controller 162 and the amplifier 166 can be disposed on the outer surface 148 of the enclosure 142 of the transducer 140. In one or more embodiments, the controller 162 and amplifier 166 can be connected to the headband 16 of the hearing protection device 10 of FIG. 1. In such embodiments, the controller 162 and amplifier 166 can be connected to electronic circuitry or devices disposed in or both of the first and second hearing protectors 12, 14.
  • the transducer 140 can have a fundamental resonance frequency fo.
  • the fundamental resonance frequency fo can be any suitable value. In one or more embodiments, fo can be greater than the selected frequency range.
  • the first signal from the motion detector 160 can be filtered by a second-order low-pass filter 164 and then amplified if the signal provided by the motion detector is proportional to acceleration of the hearing protector 100.
  • the fundamental resonance frequency fo can have a value that is less than the selected frequency range. In such embodiments, the first signal from the motion detector 160 may not require filtering if the first signal is proportional to acceleration of the hearing protector 100.
  • the hearing protector 100 can include any suitable additional components or devices that can provide additional functions and features to the hearing protector.
  • hearing protector 100 can include an optional microphone 168. Any suitable microphone or combination of microphones can be utilized for microphone 168.
  • the microphone 168 can be disposed in any suitable location on or within the housing 1 10 such that it is adapted to detect one or more sound pressure waves within the enclosed space 132. As illustrated in FIGS. 2- 3, the microphone 168 is disposed within the housing 110.
  • the microphone 168 can be connected to the controller 162 and adapted to provide a microphone signal to the controller that is representative of one or more sound pressure waves detected by the microphone within the enclosed space 132.
  • the controller 162 can be adapted to receive the microphone signal from the microphone 168 and adjust an amplitude of the second signal that is provided to the actuator 146 of the transducer 140 based upon the microphone signal. For example, in one or more embodiments, the change in shape of the membrane 144 caused by the actuator 146 can create one or more sound pressure waves within the enclosed space 132. Such sound pressure waves can be detected by the microphone 168, and a microphone signal representative of the sound pressure waves can be provided to the controller 162.
  • the controller 162 can modify an amplitude of the second signal that is provided by the controller 162 to the actuator 146 such that an amplitude of the sound pressure waves provided by the membrane 144 is modified.
  • the hearing protector 100 can also include insulative material disposed in any suitable location on or within the housing 1 10 to provide passive noise reduction of ambient sound pressure waves that are incident upon the hearing protector and that can be detected by the user. Any suitable insulative material or materials can be utilized to provide this passive noise reduction.
  • the hearing protector 100 can also include any suitable power source that can provide electrical energy to the transducer 140, motion detector 160, controller 162, amplifier 166, and any other electronic circuitry connected to the hearing protector.
  • the power source can be disposed in any suitable location relative to the hearing protector, e.g., disposed on the outer surface 1 12 of the housing 100.
  • ambient sound pressure waves that are incident upon the hearing protector 100 can in certain circumstances cause the hearing protector to move relative to the head 102 of the user, thereby potentially forming sound pressure waves within the enclosed space 132.
  • Such sound pressure waves may be detected by the user.
  • the perimeter 120 of the housing 1 10 is at a maximum distance 124 from the head 102 of the user when the hearing protector is engaged with the head. This maximum distance 124 between the perimeter 120 of the hearing protector 100 and the head 102 can occur when the hearing protector is engaged with the head and the housing 1 10 is not moving relative to the head, or when the housing is moving relative to the head and has moved away from the head at a maximum distance.
  • the maximum distance 124 can be the average distance between the perimeter of the housing and the head when the housing is not moving relative to the head or at its maximum distance from the head when moving.
  • the maximum distance 124 can depend upon the thickness and resiliency of the seal 122, the force applied by the headband 16 to the attached hearing protector 100, the shape of the head 102, etc.
  • FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-section view of the hearing protector 100 of FIG. 2 where the perimeter 120 of the housing 110 is at a minimum distance 125 from the head 102 of the user.
  • the minimum distance 125 can be the average minimum distance between the perimeter 120 of the housing 110 and the head 102.
  • This minimum distance 125 can be the result of ambient sound pressure waves that are incident upon the housing 110 and cause the housing to move in a direction toward the head 102.
  • the seal 122 has been compressed such that the perimeter 120 is closer to the head 102 than when the hearing protector 100 is at its maximum distance 124 as shown in FIG. 2.
  • the hearing protector 100 can move in a direction toward and away from the head 102 between its maximum distance 124 and its minimum distance 125 from the head. Such movement can cause sound pressure waves to be formed within the housing 110 that can be detected by the user.
  • One or more embodiments of hearing protectors described herein can dampen or attenuate these sound pressure waves by changing the shape of the membrane 144 such that the volume Vi of the enclosed space 132 does not vary by more than a preselected value, e.g., by no more than 0.1%.
  • the shape of the membrane 144 has changed from a first shape in FIG. 2 to a second shape in FIG. 3, thereby increasing the volume of the chamber 130 and compensating for the decrease in volume of the enclosed space 132 caused by the movement of the hearing protector 110 relative to the head 102.
  • external sound pressure waves that are incident on the hearing protector 100 can cause the housing 110 to oscillate generally toward and away from the head 102.
  • This oscillating motion of the housing 110 can have a frequency of oscillation.
  • an amplitude of this oscillation can be equal to or less than the maximum distance 124 of the perimeter 120.
  • the transducer 140 can be disposed in any suitable location relative to the housing 110 of the hearing protector 100 such that the membrane 144 is in fluid
  • FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-section view of another embodiment of a hearing protector 200. All of the design considerations and possibilities regarding the hearing protector 100 of FIGS. 1-3 apply equally to the hearing protector 200 of FIG. 4.
  • the hearing protector 200 can be utilized with any suitable hearing protection device, e.g., device 10 of FIG. 1.
  • transducer 240 is disposed within housing 210 of the hearing protector.
  • the transducer 240 can include an enclosure 242 and a membrane 244 that can form at least a portion of the enclosure.
  • the enclosure 242 and the membrane 244 combine to form a second chamber 250.
  • the transducer 240 is disposed such that the membrane 244 is in fluid communication with a chamber 230 of the hearing protector 200.
  • the second chamber 250 of the transducer 240 is disposed within the chamber 230.
  • the hearing protector 200 also includes a seal 222 disposed adjacent an open end 218 of the housing 210, where the seal is adapted be in contact with a head 202 of a user and at least partially surrounds an ear 204 of the user.
  • the hearing protector 200 also includes the transducer 240, including an actuator 246 that is adapted to change a shape of the membrane 244 to control a volume Vi of the enclosed space 232.
  • the protector 200 also includes a motion detector 260 connected to the housing 210 that detects movement of the housing relative to the head 202 when the hearing protector is in contact with the head.
  • a controller 262 can be connected to the motion detector 260 and the transducer 240, and an amplifier 266 can be connected to the controller and the transducer.
  • the controller 260 is adapted to receive a first signal from the motion detector 260 that is representative of the detective movement of the housing 210 relative to the head 202, and provide a second signal to the actuator 246 to control the volume Vi of the enclosed space 232.
  • a hearing protector of a hearing protection device can include a transducer that does not have an enclosure, i.e., an open-back transducer or loudspeaker.
  • FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-section view of another embodiment of a hearing protector 300. All of the design considerations and possibilities regarding the hearing protector 100 of FIGS. 1-3 apply equally to the hearing protector 300 of FIG. 5.
  • the hearing protector 300 can be utilized with any suitable hearing protection device, e.g., device 10 of FIG. 1.
  • transducer 340 does not include an enclosure. Instead, membrane 344 and actuator 346 are disposed outside of housing 310 and are exposed to the surrounding environment.
  • the membrane 344 can be disposed within an opening 313 formed in the housing 310 and can be connected to the housing 310 using any suitable technique or combination of techniques such that it is in fluid communication with a chamber 330 of the hearing protector 300.
  • the actuator 346 can be connected to one or both of the membrane 344 and to the housing 310 using any suitable technique combination of techniques.
  • the actuator 346 is connected to the housing 310 such that the transducer is adapted to change a shape of the membrane 344 to control a volume Vi of an enclosed space 332 formed by the chamber 330 and a head 302 of a user.
  • the actuator 346 can be connected to the housing 310 using one or more brackets or braces that support the actuator.
  • any suitable technique or combination of techniques can be utilized to measure the noise reduction characteristics of one or more embodiments of hearing protection devices described herein.
  • a testing apparatus as described in ISO 4869-3:2007, entitled “Acoustics— Hearing protectors— Part 3 : Measurement of insertion loss of ear-muff type protectors using an acoustic test fixture,” can be utilized to determine the noise reduction characteristics of a hearing protector of a hearing detection device, e.g., hearing protector 100 of FIGS. 2-3.
  • the testing apparatus will be described in reference to hearing protector 100 of FIGS. 2-3, this testing apparatus can be utilized to test any of the various embodiments of hearing protectors described herein.
  • the hearing protector 100 can be fitted on an artificial ear.
  • the motion detector 160 can be connected to a power supply, and an amplifier can be connected to a signal from the motion detector to amplify the signal any suitable amount, e.g., 40 dB.
  • the amplifier can also include a low-pass filter (e.g., low pass filter 164). The filtered signal from the low-pass filter can be provided to an amplifier that amplifies the signal and provides the amplified signal to the transducer 140.
  • An external sound source can be utilized that provides any suitable frequency and amplitude of an external sound pressure wave or waves.
  • a sound pressure level of the external sound pressure wave can be measured to provide a baseline sound pressure level.
  • a sound pressure level can then be measured within the housing 110 of the hearing protector 100 prior to activating the motion detector 160.
  • Power can be supplied to the motion detector 160, and the sound pressure level can again be measured within the housing. From the measurements of the sound pressure level within the housing 110 both prior to and during engagement of the motion detector 160 and the actuator 146 of the transducer 140, a change in volume of the enclosed space 132 can be determined.
  • An insertion loss of the hearing protector 100 can, therefore, be determined by the difference in sound pressure levels at each one-third octave band in accordance with ISO 4869-3.

Landscapes

  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Acoustics & Sound (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Biomedical Technology (AREA)
  • Psychology (AREA)
  • Otolaryngology (AREA)
  • Biophysics (AREA)
  • Heart & Thoracic Surgery (AREA)
  • Vascular Medicine (AREA)
  • Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
  • Signal Processing (AREA)
  • Soundproofing, Sound Blocking, And Sound Damping (AREA)

Abstract

Conformément à différents modes de réalisation, l'invention concerne un dispositif de protection auditive. Le dispositif de protection auditive peut comprendre un élément de protection auditive qui comprend un boîtier, un joint d'étanchéité disposé de manière adjacente à une extrémité ouverte du boîtier, une chambre adjacente à l'extrémité ouverte du boîtier qui forme un espace fermé avec une tête d'un utilisateur, et un transducteur. Un actionneur du transducteur est conçu pour modifier une forme de la membrane afin de commander un volume V1 de l'espace fermé. L'élément de protection auditive comprend également un détecteur de mouvement relié au boîtier qui détecte le déplacement du boîtier par rapport à la tête de l'utilisateur lorsque l'élément de protection auditive est en contact avec la tête, et un contrôleur relié au détecteur de mouvement et au transducteur. Le contrôleur est conçu pour commander le volume V1 de l'espace fermé sur la base d'un signal provenant du détecteur de mouvement.
PCT/US2017/015941 2016-02-05 2017-02-01 Dispositif de protection auditive WO2017136386A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US201662291632P 2016-02-05 2016-02-05
US62/291,632 2016-02-05

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2017136386A1 true WO2017136386A1 (fr) 2017-08-10

Family

ID=58044182

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US2017/015941 WO2017136386A1 (fr) 2016-02-05 2017-02-01 Dispositif de protection auditive

Country Status (1)

Country Link
WO (1) WO2017136386A1 (fr)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US11582548B2 (en) 2017-11-21 2023-02-14 3M Innovative Properties Company Cushion for a hearing protector or audio headset

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2305063A (en) * 1995-09-07 1997-03-26 Noise Cancellation Tech Headset with means to limit cushion compression
WO2000035243A2 (fr) * 1998-12-10 2000-06-15 University Of Southampton Casques reducteurs de bruit
CN204709154U (zh) * 2015-04-30 2015-10-21 赵志强 一种隔音耳罩

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2305063A (en) * 1995-09-07 1997-03-26 Noise Cancellation Tech Headset with means to limit cushion compression
WO2000035243A2 (fr) * 1998-12-10 2000-06-15 University Of Southampton Casques reducteurs de bruit
CN204709154U (zh) * 2015-04-30 2015-10-21 赵志强 一种隔音耳罩

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US11582548B2 (en) 2017-11-21 2023-02-14 3M Innovative Properties Company Cushion for a hearing protector or audio headset

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US5452361A (en) Reduced VLF overload susceptibility active noise cancellation headset
US7289636B2 (en) Electronic earplug for monitoring and reducing wideband noise at the tympanic membrane
JP2989843B2 (ja) アクティブ雑音減少システム
US5740258A (en) Active noise supressors and methods for use in the ear canal
US5448645A (en) Active fan blade noise cancellation system
JP6092248B2 (ja) 変換器の変位に基づく信号圧縮
KR20140125969A (ko) 소음 제거를 위한 헤드셋
US20150170633A1 (en) Bone-conduction noise cancelling headphones
WO2017136386A1 (fr) Dispositif de protection auditive
US8103013B2 (en) Acoustic transducer device
US11049487B2 (en) Robust adaptive noise cancelling systems and methods
US11039247B2 (en) Extended bandwidth adaptive noise cancelling system and methods
TWI702855B (zh) 具濾音器的主動式降噪裝置及耳機
US9071894B2 (en) Hearing protection system
EP3899926A1 (fr) Systèmes et procédés robustes d'élimination adaptative du bruit
EP3340646A1 (fr) Dispositif d'écoute à suppression de bruit
FI94287B (fi) Häiriönvaimennusmenetelmä ja anturikonstruktio signaalin mittaamiseksi kiinteän aineen pinnalta
JP3143200U (ja) 防音保護具
KR102697308B1 (ko) 견고한 적응형 잡음 소거 시스템 및 방법
US11763791B2 (en) Noise amplification control in adaptive noise cancelling systems
JP6018025B2 (ja) 検体情報処理装置
US20230026002A1 (en) Non-acoustic sensor for active noise cancellation
Oinonen Development of active noise control and voice communication systems for personal hearing protectors
Moitra Industrial Noise Cancellation System-Model
Dumčius et al. Modeling and investigation of active noise control system

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
121 Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application

Ref document number: 17705240

Country of ref document: EP

Kind code of ref document: A1

NENP Non-entry into the national phase

Ref country code: DE

122 Ep: pct application non-entry in european phase

Ref document number: 17705240

Country of ref document: EP

Kind code of ref document: A1