JP2005094603A - Headphone device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a headphone device which is capable of reducing discomfort caused by pop noise when starting a use, and simplifies its structure. <P>SOLUTION: The headphone device comprises a pair of headphone units 2 each incorporating a speaker 23, a headphone band 1 connecting the headphone units 2, an automatic headphone unit folding mechanism 3, and a power supply switch part 4. Each of the headphone units 2 is capable of turning with an extension direction of the headphone band 1 as a center axis, and the power supply switch part 4 is turned on and off in accordance with the turning position of the headphone unit 2. Namely, when the turning position of the headphone unit 2 is a position that the acoustic output face of the speaker 23 faces, a power supply is turned on but when it is located in a position wherein the acoustic output face of the speaker 23 is made present within nearly the same plane, the power supply is turned off. While the headphone device is not used, the automatic folding mechanism 3 turns the headphone units 2 to the position wherein the acoustic output face of the speaker 23 is made present within nearly the same plane. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a headphone device capable of turning on and off a power supply.

  A wireless type headphone device that reproduces sound based on a sound reproduction signal received by wireless communication from a sound source device includes a power source inside the headphone device and supplies power to a reception circuit and a reproduction circuit inside the headphone device. Therefore, in such a headphone device, it is preferable that the power is reliably turned on when the headphone device is worn on the head, and the power is turned off when the headphone device is not used.

Patent Documents 1 and 2 have been proposed as wireless headphone devices that are automatically turned on when worn and automatically turned off when not worn.

  When the headphone device described in Patent Document 1 is worn on the head, both arm members to which the headphone unit-side ear pads (parts applied to the ears) are attached are pressed by the head and spread outwardly from each other. And a switch for turning on the power in conjunction with the rotation. Since the headphone device is automatically turned on when the headphone device is attached to the head and turned off when the headphone device is removed, it is possible to reliably prevent wasteful consumption of the battery due to forgetting to turn off the power.

  In addition, the headphone device described in Patent Document 2 includes a power switch that can be switched between ON and OFF states by a head pad that is displaced when mounted on the head. This headphone device makes it possible to automate the switching operation of ON / OFF of power supply, and to enable a comfortable wearing feeling and wearing for a long time.

JP 7-87584 A JP-A-8-294191

  Since the headphone devices described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 are operated by a power switch by moving both arm members and headband portions to which the ear pads are attached, the structure becomes complicated and there is a problem in durability.

  In addition, a headphone device that turns on and off the power supply usually generates pop noise (noise sound such as “bottom”) almost simultaneously with the power supply. In any case, since the power switch is turned on when the headphone device is worn on the head, the user hears pop noise in his / her ear, causing discomfort. Pop noise can be eliminated by circuit measures (for example, addition of a mute circuit linked to power supply), but the circuit size of the headphone device increases, resulting in increased costs and downsizing. It becomes an obstacle.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a headphone device that can reduce discomfort caused by pop noise that accompanies power on / off during use and that has a simple structure.

  The headphone device according to the present invention is a headphone device capable of turning on and off a power supply, and is provided in at least one of a pair of headphone units incorporating a speaker unit, a headphone band connecting the headphone units, and the headphone unit. A power switch for controlling the state of the power supply, wherein the headphone unit is rotatable about an extension direction of the headphone band as a central axis, and the power switch is in accordance with a rotation position of the headphone unit. Turn on and off.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the discomfort by the pop noise accompanying the power on / off at the time of use can be reduced. That is, before and after mounting the headphone device on the head, the headphone unit is usually gripped with both hands, so the headphone unit that is gripped is rotated and the headphone device is securely attached and detached while the power is on. Can do. In addition, when the headphone device is not in use, the headphone device can be folded to reduce the thickness (bulkness) of the headphone device, and can be easily stored in a vehicle such as an automobile or an aircraft with a small space. .

  The headphone device according to the present invention is such that the power switch turns on the supply power when the rotation position of the headphone unit is a position where the sound output surface of the speaker unit is opposed. Including. ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, when a headphone apparatus is made into a use state, a power supply can be turned on and the discomfort by the pop noise accompanying the power on / off at the time of a use start can be reduced.

  In the headphone device of the present invention, the power supply switch turns off the power supply when the rotation position of the headphone unit is a position where the sound output surface of the speaker unit exists in substantially the same plane. Including what is. According to the present invention, when the headphone unit is folded and stored, the power can be turned off, and unnecessary power consumption can be avoided.

  In the headphone device of the present invention, the headphone unit includes an automatic folding mechanism, and the automatic folding mechanism is located at a position where the sound output surface of the speaker unit exists in substantially the same plane when the headphone device is not used. And those that rotate the headphone unit. According to the present invention, when the headphone device is removed from the head, the thickness of the headphone device can be automatically reduced and the power can be turned off.

  In the headphone device according to the present invention, the automatic folding mechanism includes a torsion spring that rotates the headphone unit. According to the present invention, an automatic folding mechanism can be realized with a simple configuration.

  In the headphone device of the present invention, the power switch includes a substantially cylindrical cam member provided on the headphone band side and a switch member provided on the headphone unit side, and the switch member is elastically applied to the cam member. And those that are displaced in the extension direction of the headphone band in conjunction with the rotation of the headphone unit. According to the present invention, the power switch can be configured with a simple configuration.

  In the headphone device of the present invention, the headphone unit includes a receiving unit that receives a sound reproduction signal by wireless communication. According to the present invention, it is not necessary to perform troublesome wiring with a sound source such as an acoustic device, and usability is improved.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, while being able to reduce the discomfort by the pop noise accompanying the power on / off at the time of use, the headphone apparatus with a simple structure can be provided.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows an exploded perspective view of a headphone device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The headphone device of FIG. 1 is of a wireless type used in a vehicle such as an automobile, and receives and reproduces a sound reproduction signal from an acoustic device such as a car stereo (not shown) by infrared communication. Note that an acoustic device such as a car stereo is provided with an infrared light emitting circuit in order to emit infrared rays in a direction of the headphone device in the interior of a vehicle on which the car stereo is mounted.

  The headphone device of FIG. 1 includes a pair of headphone units 2 (2L, 2R) with a built-in speaker 23, a headphone band 1 connecting the headphone unit 2, and a head belt 11 provided alongside the headphone band 1. In addition, an automatic folding mechanism 3 for the headphone unit and a power switch unit 4 are provided.

  The headphone band 1 has a long thin plate shape that is curved in a substantially inverted U shape according to the shape of the head, and a head belt 11 is attached to both end portions via holders 12. Yes.

  When the headphone device is used, the head belt 11 is fitted and fixed to the user's head so as not to be displaced. The head belt 11 has a long bar shape or a long thin plate shape similar to the headphone band 1. It is formed by being bent into a substantially U shape. Both end portions of the head belt 11 are attached to the holder 12 so as to be slidable within a predetermined range. The head belt 11 has a shaft-shaped or thin-plate-shaped mounting shaft 11A fixed at both ends, and one end of a tension spring 43 described later is locked to the mounting shaft 11A.

  The head belt 11 is attached to the headphone unit 2 (for example, a base member 21 described later) while being displaceable in the axial direction (extension direction of the headphone band 1). Between the base member 21 and the base member 21, there is a first limit means 13 (not shown) (see FIG. 2B) that prevents the head belt 11 from sliding closer to the base member 21 by a predetermined distance. Provided.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 2B, the first limit means 13 of the present embodiment penetrates the slide hole 11B having a long hole shape provided in the mounting shaft 11A and the slide hole 11B (described later). A small screw 41A, such as a screw, spans the cam member 41. The small screw 41A also functions as a guide means when the mounting shaft 11A slides along the slide hole 11B.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 2B, a tension spring 43, which will be described later, is attached to the lower end of the attachment shaft 11A, and the tension spring 43 is attached to the attachment shaft 11A and the base member. The elastic force is urged in a direction in which the two are approaching each other.

  The holder 12 has a shape in which the lower part is substantially cylindrical (this part is referred to as a cylindrical part 12A) and the upper part is substantially conical, and the head belt 11 and the headphone band 1 are sandwiched and attached at the same time. It has become. Further, the holder 12 is formed by joining two divided pieces and fixed integrally with a small screw 12B such as a screw so as to be immovable with respect to the headphone band 1.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the pair of headphone units 2 (2L, 2R) includes a base member 21, a fixed substrate 22 fixed to the base member 21, a speaker 23 mounted on the fixed substrate 22, a substrate 24, and a lid member 25. The cover 26 is provided. One headphone unit 2 </ b> L includes a power switch unit 4, a battery 28, and a battery cover 25 </ b> A, and is connected to both ends of the headphone band 1.

  Although the base member 21 is rotatably mounted on the cylindrical portion 12A of the holder 12, a coil spring (torsion spring) 31 described later is attached between the base member 21 and the cylindrical portion 12A. A rotational force directed in a certain direction is applied. Note that a battery holder (not shown) is fixed to the base member 21 of one headphone unit 2L in order to fix and accommodate the power supply battery 28 to each electronic component inside the headphone device.

  The fixed board 22 is integrally screwed to the base member 21 with a small screw 22A, and the speaker 23 is screwed onto the fixed board 22 with a small screw 23A. Further, an ear pad 23 </ b> B formed of a flexible member or a cushion material is attached to the sound output surface side of the speaker 23.

  The substrate 24 is fixed to the base member 21 and is mounted with various circuits constituting a receiving unit, a speaker driving unit and the like, a display element (for example, LED) indicating an operation state of the headphone device, and the like. The board 24 is provided in the left and right headphone units 2L and 2R, and a circuit constituting the receiving unit 241 shown in FIG. 3 is mounted on the board 24L provided in one headphone unit 2L. The amplifier 242 shown in FIG. 3 is mounted on the substrate 24R and drives the speaker 23.

  FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of the headphone device of FIG. 1, and includes a receiving unit 241 that receives an acoustic reproduction signal as an infrared signal, an amplifier 242 that drives a speaker 23, a power switch unit 4, and a battery (power source) 28. . The receiving unit 241 includes an infrared light receiving circuit 241A, a high frequency amplifier 241B, a decoder 241C, and a volume adjusting circuit 241D, and the output of the volume adjusting circuit 241D is sent to the amplifier 242. Since these circuits are well known, the description thereof is omitted. Although not shown, the power from the power source 28 is also supplied to the amplifier 242.

  The lid member 25 is integrally joined to the base member 21 and protects the substrate 24 attached to the base member 21 from the outside (the left lid member 25L also protects the power switch unit 4, the battery 28, etc.). The screw 22 </ b> A is fastened together with the fixed substrate 22 and screwed to the base member 21. Further, the substrate 24R is provided with a volume 27, and the output volume can be adjusted.

  Further, the one lid member 25L has an insertion port (not shown) for allowing the battery 28 to be taken in and out of a portion facing a battery holder (not shown) fixed to the substrate 24L. Then, the battery insertion opening of the lid member 25L is closed by the battery cover 25A.

  When the headphone device is not used, the automatic folding mechanism 3 automatically puts the headphone unit 2 at a position where the sound output surface of the speaker 23 (the surface on which the earpad 23B is attached) is substantially in the same plane. It is a mechanism to rotate. Specifically, the base member 21 is rotated along the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 12A of the holder 12, and the mounting surface of the ear pad 23B on the ear is a plane formed by the headphone band 1 (Y− in the example of FIG. 2). (Z plane). That is, when the headphone device is in use (the state shown in FIG. 2A), the ear pad 23B is attached to the ear and is in a state parallel to the XZ plane, but not in use. In the state (FIG. 2B), the headphone unit 2 is rotated by approximately 90 °. In this case, the headphone units 2L and 2R are rotated in opposite directions, respectively, so that the ear pad 23B is attached to the ear in the same direction (X direction in the example of FIG. 2).

  Next, the automatic folding mechanism 3 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. Both ends of the coil spring (torsion spring) 31 described above are connected to the cylindrical portion 12A of the holder 12 and the base member 21, and therefore the base member 21 is always in a fixed direction with respect to the headphone band 1. The rotational force toward is applied. Therefore, when the headphone device is not used, the posture shown in FIG. 2B is always maintained by the elastic force of the coil spring 31, so that the headphone device as a whole is not bulky and can be easily stored even in a narrow place.

  The automatic folding mechanism 3 prevents the headphone unit 2 (base member 21 and the like) from rotating more than necessary (specifically, approximately 90 degrees or more) by the elastic force of the coil spring 31. Therefore, the second limit means 32 shown in FIG. 5 is attached.

  The second limit means 32 is for the base member 21 to perform a turning operation within an angle range of about 90 degrees with respect to the cylindrical member 12A, and has a 90 ° phase on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 12A. Provided on the inner peripheral surface of the base member 21 facing the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 12A so that the stop portions 121, 122 installed at the two shifted positions and the base member 21 can turn until the base member 21 is locked to the stop portions 121, 122. It is comprised with the latching | locking part 211. FIG. In FIG. 5B, the state where the locking portion 211 of the base member 21 is locked to the stop portion 121 is a non-use state (folded state shown in FIG. 9), and the locking portion 211 of the base member 21. The state where is locked to the stop portion 122 is the use state (the standing state shown in FIG. 10).

  Next, the power switch unit 4 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. The power switch unit 4 controls the supply of power from the battery 28 in accordance with the rotational position of the headphone unit 2. Specifically, when the headphone unit 2 (2L) is rotated so that the sound output surfaces of the speakers 23 (surfaces to which the ear pads 23B are attached) are opposed to each other (state in FIG. 2A) ) To supply power from the battery 28 in a power-on state. In addition, when the headphone unit 2 (2L) is rotated so that the sound output surface of the speaker 23 is substantially the same plane from this state, the power from the battery 28 is turned off. Is to cut off the supply.

  The power switch 4 is provided on the headphone band 1 side (specifically, the cylindrical member 12A of the holder 12) and the headphone unit 2 side (specifically, the switch board 42A of the base member 21). A switch 42 is provided. As shown in FIG. 4, the cam member 41 is formed in a substantially disc shape (or a substantially columnar shape), and a cylindrical portion below the holder 12 so as to be coaxial with the holder 12 to which the headphone band 1 is fixed. It is attached around 12A. That is, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 6, the cam member 41 is fixed to the cylindrical portion 12A by a small screw 41A such as a screw.

  A convex portion 411 is formed on one end surface (the lower end surface in FIGS. 6 and 7) of the cam member 41, and the convex portion 411 has a shape as shown in the cam diagram of FIG. In FIG. 8, the vertical axis represents the thickness L of the position facing the switch 42 of the convex portion 411 with respect to the flat surface 411 </ b> A of the cam member 41, and the horizontal axis represents the rotational position of the headphone unit 2. 0 ° on the horizontal axis is a rotation position shown in FIG. 6 and is a rotation position where the sound output surfaces of the speakers 23 face each other. Further, 90 ° on the horizontal axis is a rotation position shown in FIG. 7 and is a rotation position where the sound output surface of the speaker 23 is substantially in the same plane. Since the rotation position of the headphone unit 2 is limited from 0 ° to 90 ° by the second limit means 32 shown in FIG. 5, the thickness L is a value between 0 and the maximum value L2.

  Since the operation state of the switch 42 changes depending on the position of the operating rod 421, by selecting the mounting position of the switch 42, the operating rod 421 and the convex portion 411 are brought into contact with each other, so that the headphone unit 2 The operating state of the switch 42 can be changed by changing the contact state according to the rotation position of the switch 42. In this example, the switch 42 is attached so that the power is turned on when the operating rod 421 is in the state of FIG. 6 and the power is turned off when in the state of FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 4, when the headphone device is not in use, the automatic folding mechanism 3 is in the state shown in FIG. 7, and the thickness L of the cam portion is L2. To do. When the headphone unit 2 is rotated in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 7 from this state, the thickness L of the cam portion gradually decreases, and when it reaches L1, the switch 42 turns on the power. In the state shown in FIG. 6, the power-on state is maintained. Therefore, it is possible to control the supply of power according to the rotation position of the headphone unit.

  Next, the operation when using the headphone device of the present embodiment will be described.

(1) Non-use state In the non-use state of the headphone device, since only the spring force of the torsion spring 31 acts on the base member 21 unless an external force is applied, the headphone unit 2 is limited by the second limit means 32. Is held at a rotation position where the mounting surface of the ear pad 23B to the ear is substantially parallel to a plane formed by the headphone band 1 (YZ plane in the example of FIG. 2). . That is, as shown in FIG. 9, the headphone unit 2 is folded (lie down) and has a shape with reduced bulk, so that it can be easily stored in a vehicle with limited space such as an automobile. Can be done. In this state, the power switch unit 4 is in a power-off state and interrupts the supply of power from the battery 28.

(2) Use state When enjoying music or the like from an audio device such as a car stereo (not shown) mounted on a vehicle such as an automobile using the headphone device, the switch of the audio device is turned on. Then, the headphone device in the folded position as shown in FIG. 9 is taken out of the storage location, twisted in the direction of the arrow while holding the left and right headphone units 2 with both hands, and the mounting surface of the ear pad 23B to the ear is opposed. Put it in a state. That is, the use (standing) state as shown in FIG.

  When the state shown in FIG. 9 is changed to the state shown in FIG. 10, this change causes the base member 21 to turn 90 ° in the same direction. Therefore, the relative position between the cam member 41 and the switch 42 in the state shown in FIG. The relationship changes in conjunction with the turning operation, resulting in a state as shown in FIG. Specifically, when the base member 21 rotates, the operating rod 421 pushed by the convex portion 411 changes to a state where it is not pushed. For this reason, the operating state of the switch 42 changes, and power is supplied to the headphone device.

  As long as the headphone device in this state is attached to the head, the operation state of the switch 42 does not change, and the state in which power is supplied to the headphone device is maintained. Then, an acoustic signal based on the acoustic reproduction signal received by the receiving unit 241 from a car stereo or the like is reproduced.

  As described above, pop noise may also occur when the operating state of the switch 42 is changed. However, when changing from the state of FIG. 9 to the state of FIG. 10 prior to use of the headphone device, the pair of headphone units 2 is usually held and rotated with both hands, so that the headphone unit 2 (ear pad) is to be worn. Pop noise is generated before applying to the hair, and discomfort can be avoided.

(3) When removing:
On the other hand, when the headphone device is removed from the usage state worn on the head and the headphone unit 2 that has been held is released, the automatic return mechanism 3 operates to bring the headphone device into the state shown in FIG. Since the switch 42 is automatically turned off during the change to this state, forgetting to turn off the power can be prevented. In addition, pop noise when the power is turned off also occurs when the headphone unit 2 is separated from the ear, so that discomfort during removal can be avoided.

  1 has an automatic folding mechanism 3, and when the headphone device is not used, the headphone unit 2 is automatically rotated to a position where the sound output surface of the speaker 23 is substantially in the same plane. However, the automatic folding mechanism 3 may be omitted. In that case, the user manually rotates the headphone unit 2 when not in use.

  In addition, although the wireless type headphone device connected to the acoustic device using infrared (infrared light) communication has been described, communication means such as ultrasonic waves or radio waves may be used as the wireless communication means. Moreover, you may comprise by the cable which connected the cord between audio equipment.

  Furthermore, although the power switch unit 4 has been described as controlling the power supply to the headphone unit, it may also control the power supply of the audio equipment. In that case, since it is necessary to transmit the state of the power switch unit 4 on the acoustic device side, a transmission function is also added to the wireless communication means.

  The headphone device of the present invention can avoid discomfort due to pop noise when the power is turned on and off, and also improves storage performance, so that it can be used in a vehicle with limited storage space such as an automobile or an aircraft. Useful for.

The exploded perspective view of the headphone device of an embodiment of the invention (A) is a schematic diagram showing the posture of the headphone unit when the headphone device according to the embodiment of the present invention is attached, and (B) is a schematic diagram showing the posture of the headphone unit when the headphone device is not attached. Schematic block diagram of a headphone device according to an embodiment of the present invention The figure which shows the vicinity of the power switch part inside the headphone unit of embodiment of this invention (A) is a fragmentary sectional view showing the second limit means in the headphone device of the embodiment of the present invention, (B) is a cross-sectional view taken along line VV in (A). The figure which shows the ON state of the switch in the headphone apparatus of embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows the OFF state of the switch in the headphone apparatus of embodiment of this invention. The cam diagram in the cam member of the switch part in the headphone device of an embodiment of the invention The figure which shows the non-use (folding) state of the headphone apparatus of embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows the use (stand-up) state of the headphone apparatus of embodiment of this invention

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Headphone band 11 Head belt 11A Mounting shaft 11B Slide hole 12 Holder 12A Cylindrical part 121,122 Stop part 13 First limit means 2 Headphone unit 21 Base member 211 Locking part 22 Fixed board 23 Speaker 23B Ear pad 24 Substrate 241 Receiver 241A Infrared light receiving circuit 25 Lid member 28 Battery 3 Automatic folding mechanism 31 Coil spring (torsion spring)
32 Second limit means 4 Switch mechanism 43 Tension spring 41 Cam member 41A Machine screw 411 Convex part 42 Switch 421 Actuation rod 43 Tension spring

Claims (7)

A headphone device capable of turning on and off the power supply,
A pair of headphone units with built-in speaker units;
A headphone band connecting the headphone unit;
A power switch provided on at least one of the headphone units, for controlling a state of the power supply;
The headphone unit is rotatable about the extension direction of the headphone band as a central axis,
The headphone device in which the power switch is turned on / off according to the rotation position of the headphone unit. The headphone device according to claim 1,
The headphone device in which the power switch turns on the supply power when the rotation position of the headphone unit is a position where the sound output surface of the speaker unit is opposed. The headphone device according to claim 1 or 2,
The power supply switch is a headphone device that turns off the power supply when the rotation position of the headphone unit is a position where the sound output surface of the speaker unit exists in substantially the same plane. The headphone device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The headphone unit includes an automatic folding mechanism,
The automatic folding mechanism is a headphone device that rotates the headphone unit to a position where the sound output surface of the speaker unit exists in substantially the same plane when the headphone device is not used. The headphone device according to claim 4, wherein
The automatic folding mechanism is a headphone device including a torsion spring that rotates the headphone unit. The headphone device according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The power switch includes a substantially cylindrical cam member provided on the headphone band side, and a switch member provided on the headphone unit side,
The headphone device, wherein the switch member is in contact with the cam member by an elastic force and is displaced in an extension direction of the headphone band in conjunction with rotation of the headphone unit. The headphone device according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
The headphone unit includes a receiving unit that receives an acoustic reproduction signal by wireless communication.

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