Dyson engineers knew they needed to develop a non-contact solution to prevent the discomfort and irritation frequently associated with full-contact alternatives. Thus, the visor was a vital component. Airflow paths and visor design play a critical role in delivering pure air. The visor and visor returns, in conjunction with the central mesh that diffuses the two airflow jets, guarantee that the cleansed air departing the filters is supplied effectively to the nose and mouth in crosswinds and for the wearer’s unique facial shape. Beyond conventional testing methods, Dyson engineers use a breathing manikin equipped with medical-grade artificial lungs and monitoring equipment that ‘inhales’ pollution in a controlled chamber, simulating human breathing patterns. They next assess the level of pollution in the nose and throat to estimate the efficacy of the filtering of particles that would otherwise end up in Frank’s artificial lung.
Within the earcups, precision-engineered compressors suck air through dual-layer filters that have been cleverly constructed to fit within the headphone’s severe space limits. The electrostatic filter media absorbs ultrafine particles such as allergens and particles from sources such as brake dust, industrial combustion, and construction, while a potassium-enriched carbon layer captures city gas pollutants such as NO2 and SO2. The compressor directs the purified air to the wearer’s nose and mouth via the contact-free visor, which is constructed with flexible returns to direct the purified air flow to the wearer’s nose and mouth.
A scientific approach
As their first effort into audio, Dyson engineers used a scientific method, eschewing the ‘golden listener’ approach taken by many others. Dyson’s audio engineers and acousticians set out to design superior audio using metrics and thorough listening trials. As a result, the audio is clear and rich, with sophisticated noise cancellation. Despite the limited area available in a wearable device, Dyson engineers created a high-performance neodymium electroacoustic technology into each earcup. A broad frequency response, accurate left-right balance, and distortion levels well below what the human ear can discern ensure a genuine reproduction of the musicians’ or composers’ intentions.
The developers devised an enhanced noise cancelling technology by resolving a challenge created by Dyson. The passive attenuation of the device and the ANC, with its unique array of microphones, work in concert to decrease unwanted environmental noise and motor tones, providing enhanced noise cancellation at home, work, and on the move. Large, angled ear cushions conform to the shape of the listener’s ear, with a foam density and headband clamp force optimised for comfort and noise suppression.
Engineered for comfort
Each head on the planet is distinct. As Dyson’s first wearable, engineers had to rethink their approach to comfort. Engineers used detailed research on head and face geometries to determine how the Dyson Zone air purifying headphones would fit and perform on various heads– determining the clamp force of the headband, the geometry and materials of the visor, and the machine’s adjustability, among other things.
