CN112822581B

CN112822581B - Earphone

Info

Publication number: CN112822581B
Application number: CN202011210151.1A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 美和康弘
Original assignee: JVCKenwood Corp
Current assignee: JVCKenwood Corp
Priority date: 2019-11-15
Filing date: 2020-11-03
Publication date: 2023-07-04
Anticipated expiration: 2040-11-03
Also published as: EP3823300A1; JP2021082881A; EP3823300B1; JP2023175954A; JP7434821B2; CN112822581A

Abstract

The invention provides an earphone which is provided with a soft support member abutting against auricles and has excellent productivity. The earphone (91) includes: a first case (11) and a second case (12) that are combined in a first direction to form a frame (1K) having a space (Va) therein; a speaker unit (82) accommodated in the space (Va); a support (14) which is held between the first housing (11) and the second housing (12) in a clamped manner and which is softer than the first housing (11) and the second housing (12); and an inner frame (13) that restricts the reduction of the width (D14) of the support member (14) in the first direction.

Description

Earphone

Technical Field

The present invention relates to headphones.

Background

As described in patent document 1, a headset including a main body worn on an auricle and a protruding portion (a support) protruding from the main body is known. The protruding portion is in contact with the inner wall of the auricle in a state where the main body portion is worn on the auricle, and stabilizes wearing.

It is desirable that the main body portion is formed of a hard resin, and the support is formed of a soft silicone rubber or the like. Therefore, conventionally, a housing and a support member, which are a housing of a main body portion, are integrally formed by insert molding.

Prior art literature

Patent literature

Patent document 1: japanese patent laid-open No. 2009-060157

Disclosure of Invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

Insert molding is expensive and requires a high molding technique, and thus a molding factory capable of molding with high quality is limited. In addition, when the deformation and expansion of the shape different from the shape of either the case or the support are performed, a dedicated mold is required for each shape, and the sharing of the members is not easy.

In this way, there is room for improvement in the earphone having a soft support that contacts the auricle from the viewpoint of improving productivity in insert molding.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an earphone having a soft support member abutting against an auricle and excellent in productivity.

Means for solving the problems

In order to solve the above-described problem, the present invention has a configuration according to the following claim 1.

Technical solution 1. An earphone, comprising:

a first housing and a second housing combined in a first direction to form a frame having a space therein;

a speaker unit accommodated in the space;

a support member held between the first housing and the second housing and softer than the first housing and the second housing; and

and an inner frame limiting a reduction in width of the support member in the first direction.

Effects of the invention

According to the invention, the following effects are achieved: the device has a soft support member abutting against auricles, and is excellent in productivity.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a headphone 91 that is an example of a headphone according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is an exploded view of fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a first external perspective view of the earphone 91A.

Fig. 4 is a second perspective view of the earphone 91A.

Fig. 5 is an assembly view of the earphone 91A.

Fig. 6 is a partial sectional view showing a support mounting structure TK1 as a modification 1 of the support mounting structure TK.

Fig. 7 is a partial sectional view showing a mount structure TK2 as a modification 2 of the mount structure TK.

Fig. 8 is a partial sectional view showing a support mounting structure TK3 as a modification 3 of the support mounting structure TK.

Fig. 9 is a partial sectional view showing a mount structure TK4 as a modification 4 of the mount structure TK.

Fig. 10 is a partial sectional view showing a mount structure TK5 as a modification 5 of the mount structure TK.

Detailed Description

The headphones according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the

headphones

91 and 91A of the example.

Example (example)

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a structure of the earphone 91 in a modeling manner, and fig. 2 is an exploded view of the model shown in fig. 1. The earphone 91 described below is an in-ear type (earplug type) for the right ear worn on the right auricle. The left ear and the right ear are symmetrical, and the headphone 91 for the right ear will be described below as a representative.

In fig. 1, the directions of the left, right, up, and down in a state where the earphone 91 is worn on the right auricle are defined by arrows. Thus, the front is the back side of the paper, and the rear is the near side of the paper.

The earphone 91 includes a first housing 11, a second housing 12, an inner frame 13, a support 14, a speaker unit 82, and a cable 83.

The first case 11 and the second case 12 are cases that become the head side and the counter head side, respectively, when the earphone 91 is worn on the auricle. The first and

second cases

11 and 12 are combined in the right-left direction, which is the first direction, to form a hollow frame 1K having a space Va formed therein.

The speaker unit 82 is accommodated in the space Va. The lead 83a is connected to the speaker unit 82, and the cable 83 in which the lead 83a is enclosed is led out from the space Va to the outside through the through hole 122 formed protruding from the cable lead-out portion 124 of the second case 12.

A sound tube 111 protruding leftward is formed at the left end of the first housing 11. An earpiece 81 inserted into the external auditory canal when the earphone 91 is used is detachably attached to the sound tube 111.

The inner frame 13 has, in the cross-sectional shape shown in fig. 1 and 2: a T-shaped base 131 having a narrow neck 131a; and protruding portions 13a protruding from the lower end of the base 131 in the left-right direction, respectively. The protruding portion 13a protruding leftward is referred to as a protruding portion 13a1, and the protruding portion 13a protruding rightward is referred to as a protruding portion 13a2.

The first housing 11 is provided with a frame engaging hole 11a into which the protruding portion 13a1 enters and engages. The second housing 12 is provided with a frame engaging hole 12a into which the protruding portion 13a2 enters and engages.

The first housing 11, the second housing 12, and the inner frame 13 are formed of hard resin. An example of a resin is ABS.

The support 14 is formed to be softer than the first housing 11 and the second housing 12. An example of a material for the support 14 is silicone rubber.

As shown in fig. 1 and 2, the support 14 includes: a base portion 14a having an inverted U-shape with a vertical cross-section shape opened downward; the protruding portions 14b protrude outward to the left and right at the open end portions of the lower end of the base portion 14 a. The protruding portion 14b protruding outward to the left is referred to as a protruding portion 14b1 of the first protruding portion, and the protruding portion 14b protruding outward to the right is referred to as a protruding portion 14b2 of the second protruding portion.

The first housing 11 is provided with a holder engaging hole 11b as a first engaging portion into which the protruding portion 14b1 can enter and engage, and the second housing 12 is provided with a holder engaging hole 12b as a second engaging portion into which the protruding portion 14b2 can enter and engage.

The front end of the cable 83 of the headphone 91 is connected to a music reproducing apparatus or the like, and supplies a sound signal to the speaker unit 82. The speaker unit 82 converts the input sound signal into sound and outputs it to the left. The output sound is emitted from the front end of the earpiece 81 to the outside through the internal space of the sound tube portion 111.

The earphone 91 is assembled from the disassembled state of the model shown in fig. 2 as follows.

First, as indicated by an arrow DRa shown in fig. 2, the inner frame 13 is fitted into the opening end portion of the support 14 so that the neck portion 131a of the base portion 131 and the protruding portion 13a are exposed.

Since the opening width of the inner surface of the support 14 is slightly smaller than the width of the outer surface of the inner frame 13 in the lateral direction, the inner frame 13 is held in a state of being fitted without falling down naturally due to friction with the support 14.

Next, the lead 83a is fixedly connected to the speaker unit 82. Then, the first housing 11 and the second housing 12 are fitted together with the support 14 and the inner frame 13 held by the support 14 interposed therebetween, and the assembled state shown in fig. 1 is obtained. The alignment site of the fitting is indicated by a border portion 15.

The boundary portion 15 between the first case 11 and the second case 12 may be strongly fitted with simple irregularities, may be sandwiched with an adhesive, or may be welded.

The support member 14 is not limited to the hollow support member having the space V14 formed therein as shown in fig. 1, and may be a support member having a solid inside.

As shown in fig. 1, even if a force for narrowing the width D14 of the outer shape in the left-right direction is applied to the stay 14 for extraction, the width D14 of the stay 14 cannot be narrowed because the inner frame 13 is interposed substantially without a gap at the opening end portion of the stay 14.

That is, the inner frame 13 restricts the reduction of the width D14 of the support 14 in the left-right direction.

Thus, the support 14 does not come off from the main body 1 in the normal use state.

Therefore, if the support 14 is formed as a separate member without using insert molding and assembled as described above, the support 14 can obtain a practically no difference in separation resistance strength from the case of insert molding in the earphone 91.

Further, since the inner frame 13 is interposed between the opening end portions of the supporting members 14 with almost no gap, the same inner frame 13 can be used for assembling the supporting members having different deformation shapes with respect to the protruding amount or protruding shape of the supporting members 14.

In this way, even if the earphone 91 is provided with the support 14, a dedicated mold for insert molding is not required, and productivity is improved.

An example of designing the model structure as a commercial earphone will be described with reference to the earphone 91A shown in fig. 3 to 5. The left ear and the right ear of the headphone 91A are symmetrical, and the headphone 91A for the right ear is described below.

Fig. 3 is a view from the rear of the head with the headset 91A being worn on the right side, and fig. 4 is a view from the front of the head obliquely upward and rightward.

In the earphone 91A, the first housing 11 and the second housing 12 are fitted at the boundary portion 15. The support 14 is sandwiched in a range passing from the obliquely upward front to the obliquely rearward lower as a part of the circumferential direction of the boundary portion 15.

Thus, when the earphone 91A is worn on the auricle, the support 14 is in contact with a wide area of the inner wall of the antitragus, and thus the wearing feeling of the earphone 91A on the auricle is good.

At the opening-side end portion of the support 14, an inner frame 13 (not shown because it is hidden inside the support 14) held by the support 14 is sandwiched between the first housing 11 and the second housing 12.

The cable 83 is led out from the through hole 122 of the cable lead-out portion 124 in the second housing 12.

Fig. 5 is an assembly view of the earphone 91A.

The inner frame 13 is formed in a crescent-shaped arcuate shape when viewed from the side (e.g., viewed from the left). The protruding portion 13a of the inner frame 13 is formed in a flange shape as one protruding portion 13a1, 13a2 on the left and right at the center portion in the arcuate length direction (up-down direction).

A frame engaging hole 11a into which the protruding portion 13a1 can enter and engage is formed in the first housing 11, and a frame engaging hole 12a into which the protruding portion 13a2 can enter and engage is formed in the second housing 12.

The support 14 is formed in a crescent-shaped arcuate shape having a greater height than the inner frame 13 when viewed from the side (e.g., from the left). The support 14 is formed in a bag shape with an opening on the back side of the paper surface in fig. 5.

The protruding portion 14b of the support 14 is formed in a flange shape protruding as the left and right three protruding portions 14b1, 14b2 at the center portion in the longitudinal direction (up-down direction) of the opening end portion of the support 14.

A support engagement hole 11b into which the protruding portion 14b1 can enter and engage is formed in the first housing 11, and a support engagement hole 12b into which the protruding portion 14b2 can enter and engage is formed in the second housing 12.

Thus, the earphone 91A can be assembled according to the following steps.

First, the inner frame 13 is fitted into the support 14 from the rear side of fig. 5 as indicated by an arrow DRb to form a unified body.

In addition, the speaker unit 82 to which the lead 83a is electrically connected is housed in the first housing 11 as indicated by an arrow DRc inside the first housing 11. The distal end side of the cable 83 is pulled out from the inside through a through hole 122 (see fig. 3) of a cable pulling-out portion 124 of the second housing 12 as indicated by a dot-dash arrow DRd.

Next, the first housing 11 and the second housing 12 are combined with the support 14 and the integral body of the inner frame 13 interposed therebetween.

At this time, the protruding portion 13a1 of the inner frame 13 is engaged with the frame engaging hole 11a of the first housing 11, and the protruding portion 14b1 of the support 14 is engaged with the support engaging hole 11b of the first housing 11.

Further, the protruding portion 13a2 of the inner frame 13 is engaged with the frame engaging hole 12a of the second housing 12, and the protruding portion 14b2 of the support 14 is engaged with the support engaging hole 12b of the second housing 12.

The protruding portions 13a1, 13a2 of the inner frame 13 correspond to the engaging convex portions in the present invention, and the

frame engaging holes

11a, 12a correspond to the engaging concave portions in the present invention, and the two are referred to as a frame engaging portion FK. The movement of the inner frame 13 relative to the first housing 11 and the second housing 12 is restricted at least in a direction orthogonal to the left-right direction by engagement of the frame engagement portion FK.

As is clear from the above steps, the earphone 91A and the earphone 91 of its model can be easily assembled. In addition, in the

headphones

91A, 91, the support 14 does not come off after assembly.

Further, the

headphones

91A and 91 can be manufactured as headphones having the support 14 serving as a cushion, without insert molding.

Therefore, the mold is inexpensive, and the molding of the constituent members is easy, so that the molding factory is not limited. This gives excellent productivity of the

headphones

91A, 91.

In addition, the

headphones

91A, 91 can be assembled using the inner frame 13 while using different shapes of supports. In this way, the

headphones

91A, 91 can easily share the components, and the productivity is excellent.

In addition, the

headphones

91A, 91 can use the first housing 11 and the second housing 12 while making at least one of the inner frame 13 and the support 14 have different shapes. In view of sharing of the components, the productivity of the

headphones

91A, 91 is also excellent.

The embodiment described in detail above is not limited to the above configuration, and may be modified without departing from the scope of the present invention.

The mounting structure of the support 14 to the first case 11 and the second case 12 is not limited to the above-described structure, and can be modified as in modification examples 1 to 5 described with reference to fig. 6 to 10, respectively.

The support mounting structures TK1 to TK5 shown in fig. 6 to 10, respectively, can replace the support mounting structure TK shown in part a of fig. 1. The headphones of modifications 1 to 5 in which the mount-mount structure TK of the headphone 91 is replaced with mount-mount structures TK1 to TK5 are referred to as headphones 911 to 915.

Modification 1

As shown in fig. 6, the support mounting structure TK1 provided in the earphone 911 of modification 1 is different from the support mounting structure TK in that there is no engagement portion between the inner frame 13 and the first and

second housings

11 and 12, and the support 14 has a portion sandwiched between the inner frame 13 and the first and

second housings

11 and 12.

Specifically, the support 14 has an extension portion 14b1 engaged with the first housing 11 and an extension portion 14b2 engaged with the second housing 12, similarly to the support mounting structure TK. The support 14 includes an inner extension portion 14c, and the inner extension portion 14c includes inner extension portions 14c1 and 14c2, and the inner extension portions 14c1 and 14c2 are engaged with inner engagement portions 13c1 and 13c2 formed as inner engagement portions 13c on the inner frame 13, respectively.

In the support mounting structure TK1, even if the width D14 of the support 14 is reduced for intentional extraction, since the inner frame 13 is interposed almost without a gap at the opening end of the support 14, the width D14 of the support 14 cannot be reduced. Thus, the support 14 does not fall off from the main body 1 after assembly.

In the support mounting structure TK1, since the inner frame 13 is not engaged with the first and

second housings

11 and 12, the boundary portion 15 where the first and

second housings

11 and 12 are engaged forms a step to achieve positioning.

The inner frame 13 may be fixed to the first housing 11 or the second housing 12 by bonding or welding to be more firmly integrated.

Modification 2

As shown in fig. 7, the support mounting structure TK2 provided in the earphone 912 of modification 2 is different from the support mounting structure TK in that there is no engagement portion between the inner frame 13 and the first and

second housings

11 and 12.

In the support mounting structure TK2, even if the width D14 of the support 14 is reduced for intentional extraction, since the inner frame 13 is interposed almost without a gap at the opening end of the support 14, the width D14 of the support 14 cannot be reduced. Thus, the support 14 does not fall off from the main body 1 after assembly.

In the support attachment structure TK2, since the inner frame 13 is not engaged with the first case 11 and the second case 12, the boundary portion 15 where the first case 11 and the second case 12 are engaged forms a step to realize positioning.

Modification 3

As shown in fig. 8, the support mounting structure TK3 provided in the earphone 913 of modification 3 is different from the support mounting structure TK in that the support 14 has a portion sandwiched by the inner frame 13 and the first and

second housings

11, 12.

In detail, the support 14 has an inner protruding portion 14c, and the inner protruding portion 14c includes an inner protruding portion 14c1 sandwiched between the inner frame 13 and the first housing 11 and an inner protruding portion 14c2 sandwiched between the inner frame 13 and the second housing 12.

In the support mounting structure TK3, even if the width D14 of the support 14 is reduced for intentional extraction, the width D14 of the support 14 cannot be reduced because the inner frame 13 is interposed almost without a gap at the opening end of the support 14. Thus, the support 14 does not fall off from the main body 1 after assembly.

In the support attachment structure TK3, since the combined position of the first housing 11 and the second housing 12 in the thickness direction is defined by the inner frame 13, the boundary portion 15 where the first housing 11 and the second housing 12 are engaged is formed in a shape that does not require a step but is merely abutted.

Modification 4

As shown in fig. 9, the support attachment structure TK4 provided in the earphone 914 of modification 4 is different from the support attachment structure TK in that the engagement portions of the inner frame 13 with the first case 11 and the second case 12 are formed so as to protrude toward the space Va side.

Specifically, the inner frame 13 has a T-shaped convex portion 13d protruding downward in fig. 9.

A recess into which the end of the first housing 11 enters and engages, i.e., a housing recess 13d1, and a recess into which the end of the second housing 12 enters and engages, i.e., a housing recess 13d2, are formed in the neck of the T-shaped projection 13d. The distal end portion of the T-shaped convex portion 13d protrudes into the space Va. Here, the end portions of the first and

second cases

11 and 12 correspond to the engaging convex portions in the present invention, and the case concave portions 13d1 and 13d2 correspond to the engaging concave portions in the present invention.

In the support mounting structure TK4, even if the width D14 of the support 14 is reduced for intentional extraction, the width D14 of the support 14 cannot be reduced because the inner frame 13 is interposed almost without a gap at the opening end of the support 14. Thus, the support 14 does not fall off from the main body 1 after assembly.

In the support mounting structure TK4, the combined position with the thickness direction of the first and

second cases

11 and 12 is defined by the T-shaped convex portion 13d of the inner frame 13, but a protruding portion is generated in the space Va. The space Va functions as a back cavity of the speaker unit 82, and therefore may affect reproduction sound of the headphones 914, and may have different reproduction characteristics from the support attachment structures TK1 to TK3 in which protruding portions are not generated in the space Va from the viewpoint of tightness of the back cavity.

Modification 5

As shown in fig. 10, the headphone 915 of modification 5 is different from the support mounting structure TK in that the support 14 is engaged with the first housing 11 and the second housing 12 and positioned with respect to the inner frame 13.

In detail, the inner frame 13 has tenons 13e, and the tenons 13e include tenons 13e1 and 13e2 protruding in the left-right direction, respectively.

The support 14 has a mortise hole 14d1 and a mortise hole 14d2, and the tenons 13e1 and 13e2 can be inserted through the mortise holes 14d1 and 14d2, respectively. Here, the tenons 13e1 and 13e2 correspond to the engaging convex portions in the present invention, and the tenons 14d1 and 14d2 correspond to the engaging concave portions in the present invention.

The first housing 11 and the second housing 12 have

mortises

11d, 12d into which the tenons 13e1 and 13e2 can enter and engage, respectively.

In assembly, the tenons 13e1 and 13e2 of the inner frame 13 are inserted through the mortise holes 14d1 and 14d2 of the support 14, respectively. Since the tenons 13e1, 13e2 are formed long enough and also protrude, they are engaged with the mortise holes 11d of the first housing 11, the mortise holes 12d of the second housing 12, respectively, and the first housing 11 and the second housing 12 are assembled.

In the support mounting structure TK5, even if the width D14 of the support 14 is reduced for intentional extraction, the width D14 of the support 14 cannot be reduced because the inner frame 13 is interposed almost without a gap at the opening end of the support 14. Thus, the support 14 does not fall off from the main body 1 after assembly.

In the support mounting structure TK5, the frame engagement portion FK corresponds to the tenons 13e1 and 13e2 of the inner frame 13, and the mortise 11d of the first housing 11 and the mortise 12d of the second housing 12. In the support attachment structure TK5, the movement of the inner frame 13 with respect to the first and

second housings

11 and 12 at least in the direction orthogonal to the left-right direction is restricted by the engagement of the frame engagement portion FK.

In the support mounting structure TK5, the inner frame 13, the support 14, and the first and

second cases

11 and 12 are positioned by the tenons 13e as one part. This can reduce the size of the earphone 915 in the vertical direction in fig. 10, and can be easily miniaturized.

The headphones 911 to 915 having the mount structures TK1 to TK5 of modification examples 1 to 5 can be manufactured as headphones having the mount 14 as a cushion without insert molding. Therefore, the mold is inexpensive and the molding factory is not limited. Thus, the productivity of the headphones 911 to 915 is excellent.

In addition, the headphones 911 to 915 may be assembled using the support having a different shape while using the inner frame 13. From the standpoint of sharing the components, the productivity of the headphones 911 to 915 is excellent.

The embodiments and modifications 1 to 5 can be freely combined within a possible range.

The earphone 91 is not limited to an earplug type earphone used by inserting the earphone 81 into the external auditory meatus. The earphone 91 may be a so-called in-ear earphone that is used by wearing the body portion 1 in the auricle E without the acoustic tube portion 111.

The

headphones

91, 91A, 911 to 915 are worn on the auricle of the user so that the support 14 abuts against the inner wall of the auricle when the housing 1K is housed in the concha. The inner wall of the pinna is for example the inner wall of an antitragus.

In this wearing state, the support 14 is normally slightly compressed and the inner wall is biased by its elastic repulsive force, so that the user can obtain a good wearing feeling and can stably maintain the wearing state.

The support 14 is not limited to contact with the inner wall of the antihelix, and may contact with the inner wall of other parts of the auricle.

Symbol description

1 main body part

1K frame

11 first shell

11a frame clamping hole

11b support piece clamping hole

111 sound tube part

12 second shell

12a frame clamping hole

12b support clamping hole

122 through hole

124 cable draw-out part

13 inner frame

13a, 13a1, 13a2 protruding parts

13c, 13c1, 13c2 inner engagement portions

131 base

131a neck

14 support

14a base

14b, 14b1, 14b2 extensions

14c, 14c1, 14c2

15 boundary portion

81 earphone

82 speaker unit

83 cable

83a lead wire

91. 91A, 911-915 earphone

D14 Width (of support)

FK frame engagement portion

TK, TK 1-TK 5 support piece mounting structure

Va, V14 space

Claims

1. An earphone, comprising:

a speaker unit accommodated in the space;

a support member including an opening end portion facing the frame body, which is held between the first housing and the second housing, and which is softer than the first housing and the second housing, the frame body being received in a concha cavity of an auricle, the support member being worn on the auricle in abutment with an inner wall of the auricle; and

an inner frame restricting a reduction in width of the opening end portion of the support member in the first direction,

the support has: a first protruding portion protruding to one outside in the first direction; and a second protruding portion protruding to the other outside,

the first housing has a first engaging portion engaged with the first projecting portion, and the second housing has a second engaging portion engaged with the second projecting portion.

2. The earphone of claim 1, wherein the earphone comprises a pair of earphone arms,

the inner frame is inserted into the open end of the support.

3. The earphone according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by having:

and a frame engagement portion that restricts movement of the inner frame relative to the first housing and the second housing in a direction orthogonal to the first direction.

4. The earphone of claim 3, wherein the earphone comprises a pair of earphone arms,

the frame engagement portion includes: an engagement recess provided in one of the first and second housings and the inner frame; and an engagement convex portion provided on the other of the first and second housings and the inner frame, and engaged with the engagement concave portion.

5. The earphone of claim 1, wherein the earphone comprises a pair of earphone arms,

the inner wall is an inner wall of an antihelix of the auricle.