JP2011139180A - Ear chip, earphone, and manufacturing method of ear chip - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an ear chip, an earphone, and a manufacturing method of the ear chip, in which both adhesion and mounting feeling are satisfied. <P>SOLUTION: The ear chip consists of: a cylindrical core part through which a front end part of an electroacoustic conversion element passes coaxially; a ring flange part which extends to a radiation direction from the core part; and a gel part, and is provided with a ring shape gel part which is arranged in a space between an outer surface of the core part and an inner circle surface of the flange part, and a gel deformation permission part which permits swelling deformation of the gel part arranged in the space, and the gel part contacts with at least a part of the inner circle surface of the flange part. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an ear tip called a canal type used for an earphone or a hearing aid, a canal type earphone using the ear tip, and a method of manufacturing the ear tip.

  In recent years, digital audio players such as Walkman (registered trademark) and MP3 players, portable information devices such as mobile phones, CD / MD players and portable personal computers have been widely used, and the opportunity to use earphones indoors and outdoors. Is increasing more and more. For this reason, not only the sound quality. Earphones with better wearing feeling and the like have been preferred, and various earphones have been commercialized correspondingly. In recent years, in particular, there has been an increasing demand for earphones called canal-type earphones that can eliminate the influence of sound quality and wearing feeling caused by the size and shape of the ears, which varies from person to person.

  In the canal type earphone, it constitutes the part that is inserted into the ear canal, and the ear tip is detachably attached to the tip of the electroacoustic transducer, and the ear tip of the size that matches the shape of the ear canal is attached. Used. This eartip is an important part of the canal type earphone, and its performance is particularly important when wearing the canal type earphone. It depends on what is done. This adhesion is also related to the ability to block sound from the outside (hereinafter referred to as sound insulation), and the sound quality is also affected, for example, the sound quality in the low frequency range is improved when the sound insulation is enhanced.

  As an ear tip of a canal type earphone, the one shown in FIG. 1 is generally known (for example, Patent Document 1). In the figure, 10 is a cylindrical core part in which the tip of the electroacoustic transducer is coaxially inserted, and 11 is a thin annular flange part extending around the core part 10. The core part 10 and the flange part 11 Is integrally formed of flexible silicone rubber.

Such conventional general ear tips have the following problems, and improvements are desired.
(1) Adhesion problem: There are individual differences in the shape of the human external auditory canal, and the ear tip flange is molded from thin silicone rubber, etc., for the purpose of following each individual shape. . Silicone rubber is easily deformed, but the shape following condition with the flange portion against the uneven shape of the ear canal (hereinafter referred to as uneven followability) is not good, and actually the uneven followability to the unevenness of the ear canal is so good Absent. Hereinafter, this unevenness followability will be described with reference to FIG. 20 shows a cross section of the inner surface of the ear canal, and 21 shows a cross section of a flange portion of a conventional ear tip when inserted into the ear canal. The cross section 21 of the flange portion is deformed by being inserted into the ear canal, but it is only partially in contact with the ear canal, and this portion is deformed so as to be greatly indented. There are many gaps 22 between the cross section 20 on the surface. For this reason, the degree of close contact between the external auditory canal and the flange portion is not so good (it also affects the reduction in sound insulation).
(2) Problem of wearing feeling: Due to the above-mentioned (1), the flange portion is only partially in contact with the ear canal, so it has a hard (inorganic) feel, In the case of a sense of incongruity or continuous wear, the external auditory canal may be compressed to induce discomfort such as pain and fatigue, and it is still not a satisfactory situation to realize an ideal comfortable fit.

  Incidentally, in order to improve the adhesion, it is sufficient to increase the degree of restoration (hereinafter referred to as repulsion) so that the flange portion presses the ear canal side, but the rebound elastic force due to deformation of the ear tip material is increased. On the contrary, the hard feeling of incongruity is strengthened at the time of wearing. For this reason, there is a trade-off relationship that causes a problem in the feeling of wearing, such as feeling tired or painful in the ear by wearing the earphone for a long time, and it is not simply that the resilience should be increased.

  That is, the concave and convex followability and the resilience of the flange part are opposite to each other, and when the resilience is small and the concave and convex followability is large, the wearing feeling is good but the adhesion is insufficient, conversely, When the resilience is large and the unevenness following property is small, the adhesion is improved, but the wearing feeling is deteriorated. Therefore, an optimal balance between adhesion and wearing feeling is required.

  In many of the prior arts that have attempted to solve the problems as described above, for example, it has been proposed that the entirety be made of a foam. Certainly, if foam is used, the adhesion and the feeling of wearing can be improved, but with this, the resilience performance of the foam deteriorates for the basic repeated use required for the eartip, and the adhesion As a result, durability problems such as lowering of the temperature and breakage of the foam, and problems in terms of hygiene such as contamination easily attached and difficult to remove arise.

  In addition, many proposals have been made to apply gel, which is a material softer than rubber, to the eartip (for example, Patent Documents 2 to 15).

JP 2009-055249 A US Patent Application Publication No. 2007/098201 US Patent Application Publication No. 2009/202097 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 08-511412 US Patent Application Publication No. 2008/085030 JP 04-170899 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 04-170898 US Patent Application Publication No. 2009/214071 US Patent Application Publication No. 2007/121980 US Patent Application Publication No. 2009/052709 US Pat. No. 6,473,512 US Pat. No. 6,513,621 US Pat. No. 7,227,968 US Patent Application Publication No. 2008/264428 US Pat. No. 6,256,396

  In Patent Documents 2 to 4, it is proposed to apply a gel as a material of the eartip itself, but in this case, due to the adhesiveness (tackiness) of the gel, waste (such as waste products such as earwax and There is a problem that not only dust (dust) is attached but also uncomfortable feeling is caused at the time of wearing.

  Patent Documents 5 to 12 propose ear tips having a structure in which a rubber coating is filled so as to be entirely filled with a gel material and sealed. However, the structure in which the gel is filled and sealed as described above suppresses deformation of the gel, so that the elasticity becomes high and the wearing feeling is not preferable.

  Patent Documents 13 to 15 propose eartips that can improve the rebound resilience by allowing the gel to flow in a sealed space during deformation as a structure that improves such inconvenience. However, such an eartip has a very complicated structure and cannot meet the needs to be exchangeable according to taste.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an ear tip, an earphone, and a method for manufacturing the ear tip that are compatible in adhesion and wearing feeling.

  In order to achieve this object, the inventor of the present application, as a flange-type eartip having rubber elasticity, brings a gel portion made of gel into contact with a part of the inner surface of the flange portion, and further, a space where this gel can be deformed (Gel deformation permissive part) It is not necessary to provide a suitable resilience to the flange part and to adhere to the external auditory canal only by arranging a specific gel in a specific position at a specific position. Invented an ear tip that can improve the wear and realize a good wearing feeling due to the softness unique to gel.

  That is, according to the present invention, the cylindrical core portion having elasticity through which the tip portion of the electroacoustic transducer is inserted coaxially, the annular flange portion having elasticity extending in the radial direction from the core portion, and the gel portion An annular gel portion disposed in a space between the outer peripheral surface of the core portion and the inner peripheral surface of the flange portion, and the gel portion disposed in this space bulging and deforming. There is provided an ear tip that is provided with a gel deformation allowing portion that allows the gel portion to be in contact with at least a part of the inner peripheral surface of the flange portion. As a result, the gel part bulges and deforms along with the deformation of the flange when the eartip is attached to the ear canal, and the force to restore the bulging deformation acts on the flange part. By pressing the flange portion that has not been in contact with the ear canal side, the flange portion will follow the ear canal without any problem, thereby achieving both (1) adhesion and (2) a feeling of wearing.

  That is, in the space between the elastic core portion and the elastic flange portion, an annular gel portion in contact with at least a part of the inner peripheral surface of the flange portion and the gel portion bulge and deform By providing the gel deformation allowing portion, the flange portion is appropriately repelled and the fitting feeling (sound insulation) of the flange portion to the ear canal is improved while providing a good wearing feeling.

  In addition, the present invention has a technical idea that not only the above-described performance can be achieved, but also a function capable of arbitrarily adjusting the balance of adhesion and performance of wearing feeling can be provided by the gel member and the flange portion. ing.

  First, the function of adjusting the balance between the adhesion and the performance of the wearing feeling by the material and arrangement of the gel portion will be described.

  The definition of the volume Y of the space between the core part and the flange part differs depending on the positional relationship between the front end part of the flange part and the base end part of the core part. Assuming a reference plane perpendicular to the center axis of the core and in contact with the tip of the ear tip, if the height of the flange is higher than the height of the core at the height in the direction perpendicular to the reference plane, the tip of the flange Assuming an annular surface formed by connecting the inner peripheral end of the core and the outer peripheral end of the core base end at the shortest distance toward the central axis of the core, this annular surface, the flange inner peripheral surface and the core The volume of the space surrounded by the outer peripheral surface is defined as Y. On the other hand, when the height of the flange portion is equal to or less than the height of the core portion, the inner peripheral end of the front end of the flange portion is connected to the outer peripheral surface of the core portion, and the inner peripheral end of the front end of the flange portion extends in the direction of the central axis of the core portion. Assuming an annular surface that extends vertically toward the surface, the volume of the space surrounded by the annular plane, the inner peripheral surface of the flange portion, and the outer peripheral surface of the core portion is defined as Y.

The ratio G / Y volume G of the gel portion relative to the volume Y is preferably from 5% <G / Y <80 %, also, the gel portion relative to the axial cross-sectional length L _F of the inner peripheral surface of the flange portion the ratio _L G / _{L F} of the shaft cross-section length _{L G} of the portion in contact the inner peripheral surface is also preferably a _{20% ≦ L G / L F} <100%. If G / Y is 5% or less, the amount of gel is too small, and the gel portion located on the inner peripheral surface of the flange portion is insufficient to cause the corresponding portion of the flange portion to follow and deform, and the flange Since a moderate resilience cannot be given to the part, both the feeling of wearing and the adhesion cannot be remarkably improved. On the other hand, if G / Y is 80% or more, the amount of gel becomes too large, the volume of the gel deformation allowing portion becomes small, and the resilience of the entire ear tip becomes too large, which is not preferable. Therefore, G / Y determined based on the volume G of the gel part and the volume S (G + S = Y) of the gel deformation allowing part for obtaining the effects of the present invention is in the range of 5% <G / Y <80%. In some cases, it is possible to provide an optimum wearing feeling and adhesion. Further, if L _G / L _F is less than 20%, the gel portion is too small in the portion of the flange portion that contacts the external auditory canal, and appropriate repulsion cannot be given to that portion, so that sufficient adhesion can be obtained. It may not be possible. On the other hand, when L _G / L _F is 100% or more, the gel part is exposed to the outside from the edge of the flange part, and the wearing feeling is deteriorated due to stickiness. Therefore, 20% ≦ L _G / L _F <100%, which is a condition for forming a gel portion at least in a portion of the flange portion that contacts the ear canal and imparting an appropriate flange portion repulsive force to the contact portion of the ear canal, Thus, it is in a range where both an optimum wearing feeling and adhesion can be imparted.

The ratio H _{C /} H _F of the shaft section height H _C of the part gel portion relative to the shaft section height H _F of the portion the gel portion is in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the flange portion is in contact with the outer circumferential surface of the core portion 0 ≦ H _C / H _F ≦ 10 is also preferable. Further, the gel portion is so formed in the space to be formed at the flange portion and the core portion outer peripheral surface, because it is not the height of the gel portion is more than H _F, H _C is less H _F. H _C / _{H F} is a parameter for determining the filling shape of the gel, this _H C / _{H F} exceeds 10, undesirably because there is a case where the above-mentioned _L G / _{L F} is less than 20%.

  It is also preferred that the gel part is not in contact with the core part. This improves the adhesion of the flange portion to the ear canal while imparting appropriate resilience to the flange portion to improve the wearing feeling.

Gel portion is in contact with the core, (a) the shaft section height H _F of the portion the gel portion is in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the flange portion, the portion where the gel portion is in contact with the outer circumferential surface of the core portion axial or sectional height greater than H _C, (b) the shaft section height H _F of the portion the gel portion is in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the flange portion, the portion where the gel portion is in contact with the outer circumferential surface of the core portion axial section approximately equal to the height H _C, or (c) the shaft section height H _F of the portion the gel portion is in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the flange portion, the gel portion is in contact with the outer circumferential surface of the core portion it is also preferred portion smaller than the shaft section height H _C of. (A) is a case where the flange part side of a gel part is higher than a core part side, and the repulsive force of a flange part can be adjusted. In this case, H C _/ H _F increases, it is desirable to use a softer gel, by appropriate flanges repulsive force, it is possible to obtain a soft touch. (C) is a case where the flange portion side of the gel portion is lower than the core portion side, and the elasticity of the core portion is reinforced, so that the vibration of the core portion due to the electroacoustic transducer is suppressed and the sound quality is improved and the wearability is improved. In addition to being effective, it has the effect of making it difficult to come off. Furthermore, since rigidity is imparted to the tip portion of the ear tip, it is possible to eliminate crushing of the tip at the time of mounting, and mounting becomes easy. (B) is a case where the flange part side and the core part side have substantially the same height, and an intermediate effect between the case of (a) and the case of (c) is obtained.

  The contact surface of the gel part in contact with the gel deformation allowing part preferably has a shape for adjusting the deformation behavior of the gel. The shape for adjusting the deformation behavior of the gel is, for example, a flat surface or an inclined surface, or a surface having an annular concave portion, an annular groove, or an annular convex portion. The repulsive force of the flange portion can be adjusted depending on whether it is configured to have an annular recess or an annular groove, a flat surface or an inclined surface, or an annular convex portion. By providing the annular groove, the hardness of the gel can be partially reduced and the distribution can be adjusted, so that the deformation behavior of the flange portion can be adjusted to a desired state. Accordingly, it is possible to realize the desired adhesion and wearability. The repulsive force of the flange portion is greater when the annular convex portion is provided than when the annular concave portion is provided. The structure having an annular recess is effective when used when the gel is hard or the gel is filled in a large amount. In particular, when the concave portion is deep, a combined effect obtained by combining the above-described cases (a) and (c) can be obtained. The balance between the flange resilience and the core reinforcing effect can be adjusted by the shape of the recess. In addition, it contributes to weight reduction. A structure having an annular convex portion is effective for use in order to give a firmness to the gel repulsion when the gel is extremely soft. In addition, the structure of a plane or an inclined surface can obtain the intermediate | middle effect of a structure which has an annular recessed part, and a structure which has an annular convex part.

  It is also preferable that at least a part of the gel part has a thickness of 0.5 mm or more in the normal direction of the flange part. The thickness of at least a part of the gel part is selected within a range in which the ability to follow the external auditory canal shape at the contact part of the flange part with the external auditory canal is optimized. If the thickness is less than 0.5 mm, the entire gel portion is too thin to obtain the effect of utilizing the viscoelasticity unique to the gel. If at least a part of the thickness is 0.5 mm or more, it is possible to improve the adhesion (sound insulation) of the flange portion to the ear canal while giving the flange portion an appropriate resilience and improving the wearing feeling. The thickness of at least a part of the gel part is adjusted according to the hardness of the gel. When the gel is hard, it is adjusted in the direction of thinning, and when the gel is soft, it is adjusted in the direction of thickening.

  Next, the function of adjusting the balance of the performance of the adhesion and the feeling of wearing by adjusting the structure of the flange portion and the gas will be described.

  In order to adjust the resilience of the flange portion, a resilience adjusting member may be further added. This repulsion adjusting member is provided in contact with at least one of the inner peripheral surface and the outer peripheral surface between the inner peripheral surface of the flange portion and the outer peripheral surface of the core portion. It is possible to adjust the deformation and rebound behavior of the flange portion and to provide a new effect by the rebound adjustment portion.

  As a specific form of the repulsion adjustment member, there is a sealing lid having elasticity that seals a space between the core portion and a part of the inner peripheral surface of the flange portion. The sealing lid is preferably equivalent to or less elastic than the flange portion. By providing a sealing lid and making the gel deformation allowing portion a sealing system, the elastic deformation characteristics of the sealing lid and the compressive elastic properties of the gel deformation allowing portion are combined, and this portion functions as an air cushion, The resilience is obtained by interlocking the viscoelasticity of the gel part, the air elasticity of the sealed gel deformation allowing part and the leaf spring action of the sealing lid. That is, moderate rigidity is given to the deformation (deflection) of the flange portion by the deformation characteristics of the air cushion and the sealing lid while maintaining the followability of the flange portion to the ear canal due to the repulsion of the gel portion. Even in the case with this sealing lid, the ratio G / Y ′ of the volume G of the gel portion to the volume Y ′ of the space sealed by the sealing lid, the inner peripheral surface of the flange portion and the outer peripheral surface of the core portion is 5% <G. It is preferable that / Y ′ <80%. By deforming the sealing lid in a concave shape in the direction of the space to be sealed, the flange portion is easily deformed in the same manner as in the case of an open system when attached to the ear canal. As the flange portion is deformed, the sealing lid is pushed by the sealed gel deformation allowing portion, and an appropriate repulsive force is applied to the flange portion, so that adhesion to the ear canal is enhanced. Therefore, it is easy to mount, and after the mounting, the back pressure from the sealed gel deformation allowing portion and the contact lid acts to improve the adhesion. Furthermore, an orifice may be provided on the sealing lid to make it semi-sealed. Slow rebound (low rebound) can be imparted to the deformation of the flange portion by adjusting the degree of air flow in and out of the gel deformation allowing portion by the orifice. This slow rebound property can be obtained by appropriately selecting the diameter and number of the orifices according to the elastic characteristics of the ear tip (as the combined characteristics of the flange portion, the gel portion, the gel deformation allowing portion, and the sealing lid). As a result, while maintaining the basic operational effects of the present invention, it is possible to achieve the mounting characteristics (characteristics of being crushed and inserted and gradually restored after insertion to fit the ear canal) while maintaining the basic operational effects of the present invention.

  As another specific form of the repulsion adjusting portion, there are a plurality of rib members extending radially from the core portion toward the inner peripheral surface of the flange portion. These radial rib members are formed, and the deformation behavior of the flange portion is adjusted using the leaf spring action. When used by being pushed into the depth of the ear canal, the tip of the outer peripheral surface of the flange portion can be brought into close contact with the ear canal. That is, when a large amount of gel is put in close contact with the ear canal up to the tip of the flange portion, it becomes hard, and instead, a radial rib member is formed and its leaf spring action is utilized. The leaf spring action of the radial rib member can be adjusted by the material, shape, thickness, number of the rib ribs to be formed, and arrangement in accordance with the resilience performance of the flange portion.

  It is also preferable that the gel of the gel part has a gel hardness of 20 to 300 (degrees of penetration) (25 ° C.) based on JIS K2207-1980 (50 g load). If the gel hardness is less than 20, the desired effect is not obtained, and if it exceeds 300, the shape retention of the gel becomes difficult and the flange portion may swell due to the solvent in the gel. Therefore, when the penetration (25 ° C.) is in the range of 20 to 300, the above-described effects of the present invention can be preferably obtained.

  It is also preferable that the gel part is made of a gel to which a gel-like foam or a hollow filler is added. Both the open cell system and the closed cell system can be applied to the gel foam, and the resilience of the gel part is adjusted by the viscoelasticity and foam density of the gel. Thereby, while being able to attain weight reduction, while being able to provide the touch peculiar to a gel-like foam, it is possible to obtain a thick sound quality in a low sound range as in the case of an eartip made of a foam. Further, by adding a hollow filler whose outer shell is resin-based to the gel, the same effect as that of a single-celled gel-like foam can be obtained. The degree can be adjusted by the amount of filler added. If added excessively, the gel becomes brittle and the durability of the mechanical strength in the bulging deformation is lowered. As a guideline, it is desirable that the amount is about 1 to 4 parts by weight of the hollow filler with respect to 100 parts by weight of the gel.

  A gel part can also be comprised from the some gel which has a mutually different property. Depending on the combination and arrangement of a plurality of gels having different properties, the resilience and action and effect of the flange can be variously adjusted. Various variations can be applied to the configuration. In particular, when a high-hardness gel is laminated on a thin flange portion in a thin film and a low-hardness gel is laminated on the thin flange portion, the thin flange portion is stiffened with a high-hardness gel and laminated on the thin flange portion. The hardness gel can improve the external auditory canal followability and flange deformability.

  According to the present invention, there is further provided an earphone including the above-described ear tip and an electroacoustic conversion element in which the core portion of the ear tip is inserted coaxially into the tip portion.

  According to the present invention, furthermore, the ear tip manufacturing method includes a filling step of filling a gel into a housing having a cylindrical core portion and an annular flange portion extending radially from the core portion, and an inner surface of the housing. A gel coating process for coating the gel and a curing process for curing the coated gel. In the process from the start of the gel coating process to the completion of the curing process, an operation of rotating or rotating the housing about the axis of the core is performed.

  By filling the housing with the gel and curing the housing while rotating, the gel can be cured while being laminated on the inner peripheral surface of the flange portion by centrifugal force.

  According to the present invention, by forming the gel portion that contacts the inner peripheral surface of the flange portion and the gel deformation allowing portion, the flange portion is given appropriate resilience, and the concave and convex followability of the flange portion to the ear canal is provided. By improving it, both adhesion (sound insulation) and high wearing comfort are achieved. And the resilience of a flange can be freely changed by adjusting the structure of a gel part.

It is sectional drawing which shows schematically the structure of the conventional common ear tip for canal type earphones. It is a figure explaining the uneven | corrugated followable | trackability of the conventional general ear tip shown in FIG. It is (A) top view and (B) sectional view showing roughly composition of an ear tip in one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view schematically showing a configuration of a canal type earphone equipped with the ear tip of FIG. 3. It is a figure explaining the uneven | corrugated followable | trackability of the eartip of FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the optimal contact | adherence conditions of the flange part which contacts an ear canal. FIG. 4 is an axial cross-sectional view of a half on one side schematically showing the configuration of the ear tip of FIG. 3. FIG. 4 is an axial cross-sectional view of a half on one side schematically showing the configuration of the ear tip of FIG. 3. FIG. 4 is an axial sectional view for explaining a part of the manufacturing process of the ear tip of FIG. 3. It is the axial sectional view of the half of one side which showed typically the composition of the ear tip in other embodiments of the present invention. It is the axial sectional view of the half of one side which showed typically the composition of the ear tip in other embodiments of the present invention. It is the axial sectional view of the half of one side which showed typically the composition of the ear tip in still another embodiment of the present invention. It is the axial sectional view of the half of one side which showed typically the composition of the ear tip in other embodiments of the present invention. It is the axial sectional view of the half of one side which showed typically the composition of the ear tip in still another embodiment of the present invention. It is the axial sectional view of the half of one side which showed typically the composition of the ear tip in other embodiments of the present invention. It is the axial sectional view of the half of one side which showed typically the composition of the ear tip in still another embodiment of the present invention. It is the axial sectional view of the half of one side which showed typically the composition of the ear tip in other embodiments of the present invention. It is the axial sectional view of the half of one side which showed typically the composition of the ear tip in still another embodiment of the present invention. (A) Plan view, (B) BB line sectional view, (C) Plan view, and (D) D schematically showing the structure of the ear tip in two other embodiments of the present invention. FIG. It is the axial sectional view of the half of one side which showed typically the composition of the ear tip in other embodiments and various modifications of the present invention. It is the axial sectional view of the half of one side which showed typically the composition of the ear tip in the example and comparative example of the present invention.

  FIG. 3 schematically shows a configuration of an ear tip according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 schematically shows a configuration of a canal type earphone equipped with the ear tip.

  In these drawings, reference numeral 40 denotes a canal type earphone, and 30 denotes an ear tip attached to the earphone 40.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the earphone 40 includes a housing 41, a cylindrical sound conduit 42 that protrudes from the housing 41, an electroacoustic transducer 43 that transmits sound waves to the sound conduit 42, and the sound conduit 42. And an eartip 30 mounted around.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the ear tip 30 includes a cylindrical core portion 31 that is coaxially inserted into the sound conduit 42 and fixedly mounted when the ear tip 30 is attached to the earphone 40, and a periphery from the tip 31 a of the core portion 31. An annular gel portion 34 filled in a part of the annular space 33 between the outer circumferential surface 31b of the core portion 31 and the inner circumferential surface 32a of the flange portion 32; A space other than the gel portion 34 of the space 33 is formed, and a gel deformation allowing portion 35 that receives the bulging deformation of the gel portion 34 is provided.

  As an ear tip, if it has a conventional flange part, a shape and a material will not be specifically limited. In general, the core portion 31 and the flange portion 32 of these ear tips are integrally formed of a flexible and easily deformable material, for example, an elastic material such as silicone rubber or other elastomer. As an example only, silicone rubber having a JISA hardness of 20 to 50 is used in this embodiment. In the present embodiment, the flange portion 32 is formed to a thickness of 0.1 to 0.5 mm. This thickness is selected according to the hardness of the gel constituting the gel portion 34 and its filling form. In the present embodiment, the flange portion 32 has an annular flare shape that is curved so as to form an annular space 33 having one end opened between the inner peripheral surface 32 a and the outer peripheral surface 31 b of the core portion 31. ing.

  The gel of the gel part 34 is not particularly limited as long as it has a property capable of bulging and deforming, but does not flow at least in the range of stress applied to the gel part when the ear tip is deformed. As the material of the gel, other organogels such as acrylic gel and urethane gel may be used, and hydrogel may be used. When it is desired to reduce the temperature dependency and the deformation of the ear tip due to repeated use, a silicone gel having a small influence of the use temperature and a small compressive deformation strain is preferable. The curing form may be any form such as thermoplastic, thermosetting, energy ray curable, etc., but in this embodiment, thermosetting is used from the viewpoint of productivity (workability and cost). Yes. Furthermore, it is particularly desirable to use an addition reaction type which does not contain by-products and has no volume change after curing.

  Moreover, you may use the gel-like foam (For example, NP-GEL by Taika Co., Ltd.) which foamed a part of gel. In this case, the gel-like foam can be applied to both open-cell and closed-cell foams, and the resilience of the gel part is adjusted by the viscoelasticity and foam density of the gel. Thereby, while being able to attain weight reduction, while being able to provide the touch peculiar to a gel-like foam, it is possible to obtain a thick sound quality in a low sound range as in the case of an eartip made of a foam. Further, by adding a hollow filler whose outer shell is resin-based to the gel, the same effect as that of a single-celled gel-like foam can be obtained. The degree can be adjusted by the amount of filler added. If added excessively, the gel will be in a shabby state, and as a guideline, it is desirable that the amount is about 1 to 4 parts by weight of the hollow filler with respect to 100 parts by weight of the gel.

  Furthermore, the gel of the gel portion 34 preferably has a hardness that can be bulged and deformed, and has a penetration (25 ° C.) in accordance with JIS K2207-1980 (50 g load) of 20 to 300. In order to obtain the effects described later, it is desirable to have the gel hardness. If the gel hardness is less than 20, this effect is not obtained because it is too hard, and if it exceeds 300, the gel becomes too soft and cannot be restored to its original shape after deformation (breakage of the gel). The problem that the reproducibility cannot be reproduced easily occurs, and the flange portion 32 may be significantly swollen by the solvent in the gel, and the dimensions and resilience of the flange portion change, thereby impairing the adhesion to the ear canal. Or a liquid solvent oozes out to the outer surface of the flange portion that comes into contact with the ear canal, which is not preferable.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the gel portion 34 is filled into the space 33 in such a manner that the gel is adjacent to and integrated with the inner peripheral surface 32 a of the flange portion 32. In this embodiment, the outer peripheral end 34 a of the annular gel portion 34 terminates in the middle of the inner peripheral surface 32 a of the flange portion 32, and the inner peripheral end 34 b of the annular gel portion 34 is formed on the outer peripheral surface 31 b of the core portion 31. It touches. A surface (upper surface in the drawing) 34c on the earphone main body side of the gel portion 34 forms a boundary surface with the gel deformation allowing portion 35, and forms an inclined surface that is lowered in the axial direction (in the drawing).

  As described above, the gel portion 34 is in contact with and integrated with the inner peripheral surface 32a of the flange portion 32, and the gel deformation allowing portion 35 that can deform the gel portion 34 is provided. In response to the deformation, the gel portion 34 bulges and deforms toward the gel deformation allowing portion 35, while the force for restoring the bulge deformation acts on the flange portion, and an appropriate stiffness is given to the flange portion 32. At the same time, the flange portion 32 is smoothly deformed following the smooth deformation of the gel portion 34. As a result, the flange portion 32 in contact with the external auditory canal is evenly in contact with the external auditory canal, so that the softness without a tangled feeling is different from the softness with a hard feeling as in the case of partial contact, for example, the little finger It will have a fleshy texture. As a result, the wearing feeling (continuous feeling of use) is greatly improved. Furthermore, since the gel portion 34 is appropriately deformed and repelled with respect to the flange portion 32, the flange portion 32 can easily follow the shape of the ear canal. As a result, the adhesion is greatly improved and the adhesion area to the external auditory canal is increased.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the unevenness followability of the ear tip according to the present embodiment, wherein 20 is a cross section of the inner surface of the ear canal, and 32 ′ is the flange portion 32 of the ear tip according to the present embodiment when inserted into the ear canal. Similarly, the cross section 34 'shows a cross section of the gel portion 34 of the ear tip of this embodiment when inserted into the ear canal. As shown by the arrows in the figure, since the gel portion 34 is repelled, the cross section 32 ′ of the flange portion 32 follows the unevenness of the cross section 20 on the inner surface of the ear canal, so the gap is reduced. , Adhesion is improved.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the optimum contact condition of the flange portion that comes into contact with the ear canal, and shows the stress characteristic with respect to the deformation amount. However, A is a conventional ear tip having no gel portion, B is a conventional ear tip flange portion made highly elastic, or the gel portion is present but the entire space is filled with gel or its An ear tip having a high gel hardness, C is a case of the ear tip of the present invention in which a gel portion and a gel deformation allowing portion exist.

  As can be seen from the figure, in the conventional ear tip of A, the stress does not change so much as the deformation amount increases, and therefore the stress P when attached to the outer ear is very low. That is, even if the wearability is satisfactory, the adhesion is insufficient. In addition, in the case where the flange part of the conventional ear tip of B is made highly elastic, or the ear tip that is filled with gel or has a high gel hardness, the stress rapidly increases as the amount of deformation increases. Therefore, the stress R when attached to the outer ear becomes very high. That is, the adhesion is satisfactory, but the repulsive force to the ear canal becomes very large, and a feeling of pressure is felt, or pain is felt in the ear canal due to continuous wearing, resulting in a poor feeling of wearing. On the other hand, in the ear tip of the present invention of C, the stress increases moderately with respect to the increase in the amount of deformation, and the stress Q when mounted on the outer ear is an appropriate rebound characteristic that achieves both adhesion and mounting feeling. The value of the area. That is, it is possible to obtain an optimal balance in wearability and adhesion.

  FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 schematically show the ear tip in the axial cross section of one half, in order to explain the filling form of the gel part 34 in this embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 7, if the volume of the gel portion 34 is G, the volume of the gel deformation allowing portion 35 is S, and the volume of the space 33 is Y, Y = G + S. In the present embodiment, the ratio G / Y of the volume G of the gel portion 34 to the volume Y of the space 33 is preferably 5% <G / Y <80%. When the ratio G / Y is 5% or less, the amount of gel is too small to provide an appropriate resilience to the flange portion 32, so that the wearing feeling is not good and the adhesion is not so high. On the other hand, when the ratio G / Y is 80% or more, the amount of the gel becomes too large, the volume S of the gel deformation allowing portion 35 becomes small, and the resilience of the entire ear tip becomes too large. Therefore, when this ratio G / Y is in the range of 5% <G / Y <80%, it is possible to give an optimal wearing feeling and adhesion.

Further, as shown in FIG. 7, the flange portion GEL section 34 with respect to the axial cross-sectional length L _F of the inner circumferential surface 32a of 32 the ratio L _G of the shaft cross-section length L _G of the portion in contact with the inner peripheral surface 32a / L _F is preferably 20% ≦ L _G / L _F <100%, and particularly preferably includes a point of L _G / L _F = 20% with the root of the flange portion as a base point. In the present invention, the gel part 34, it is important to form the inner surface of the portion in contact with the ear canal of the flange portion, the flange portion of the earphone tip tip side, often in the ear canal when wearing does not contact the ear canal, L _G The point where / L _F = 20% corresponds to the boundary portion. Therefore, by including 20% ≦ L _G / L _F <100% including L _G / L _F = 20%, the gel part 34 is always formed on the flange part in contact with the ear canal. The effect of the present invention is exhibited. Incidentally, the starting point of the axial cross-section length L _F, as shown in FIG. 7, to a point on the most distal end side of the flange portion with respect to a center axis direction of the earphone chips, and that the contact and the normal of the center axis of the above. When this ratio L _G / L _F is less than 20%, it is not possible to give an appropriate resilience to the portion of the flange portion 32 that contacts the ear canal. On the contrary, when the ratio L _G / L _F is 100% or more, the gel part 34 is exposed to the outside from the edge of the flange part 32, and the wearing feeling is deteriorated due to stickiness. Therefore, 20% ≦ L _G / L _F <100, which is a condition for forming a gel portion 34 at least in the portion of the flange portion 32 that contacts the ear canal and imparting an appropriate flange portion repulsive force to the contact portion of the ear canal. % Is a range in which an optimal wearing feeling and adhesion can be provided at the same time.

Filling the shape of the gel, as shown in FIG. 8, the gel portion 34 with respect to the axial section height H _F of the portion the gel portion 34 is in contact with the inner peripheral surface 32a of the flange portion 32 on the outer peripheral surface 31a of the core 31 when expressed in that portion of the shaft section at a height _{H C} of the ratio _H C / _{H F} which is in contact, it is desirable that _{0 ≦ H C / H F ≦} 10. If the ratio _H C / _{H F} exceeds 10, it is undesirably if the ratio _L G / _{L F} above is less than 20%. In this embodiment, the gel part 34 is in contact with the core part 31, and the flange part side of the gel part 34 is higher than the core part side. In other words, the boundary surface with the gel deformation | transformation permission part 35 comprises the inclined surface which falls toward an axial direction (in a figure). In particular, the ratio _H C / _{H F} is in the range of _{0 <H C / H F ≦} 0.8. The ratio H _{C /} H _F increases, it is desirable to use a softer gel, which makes it possible to obtain an appropriate flange repulsive force and the gel distinctive soft feel.

  It is desirable that at least a part of the gel part 34 has a thickness of 0.5 mm or more in the normal direction of the flange part. The thickness of at least a part of the gel portion 34 is selected within a range in which the external ear canal shape following property at the contact portion of the flange portion with the external ear canal can be optimized. If the thickness is less than 0.5 mm, the entire gel portion 34 is too thin to obtain an effect utilizing the viscoelasticity unique to the gel. If the thickness of at least a part of the gel portion 34 is 0.5 mm or more, the flange portion 32 has an appropriate resilience and a good wearing feeling, and the adhesion (sound insulation) of the flange portion 32 to the ear canal is improved. Can be increased. The thickness of at least a part of the gel part 34 is adjusted according to the hardness of the gel. When the gel is hard, it is adjusted in the direction of thinning, and when the gel is soft, it is adjusted in the direction of thickening.

  FIG. 9 is an axial sectional view for explaining a part of the manufacturing process of the ear tip in the present embodiment. Hereinafter, the formation process of the gel part 34 of the ear tip in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

As shown in FIG. 2A, first, a housing comprising a core portion 31 and a thin annular flange portion 32 formed integrally with the core portion 31 is placed on the rotary table 90 so as to be coaxial with the rotation center shaft 90a. The gel 91 is filled in the housing (inside the inner peripheral surface of the flange portion 32) as shown in FIG. Next, as shown in FIG. 3C, the rotary table 90 is rotated, and the filled gel 91 is developed along the inner peripheral surface of the flange portion 32 by centrifugal force. Further, as shown in FIG. 4D, in the state where the rotary table 90 is rotated, for example, hot air 92 is blown to cure the gel 91 to create the gel portion 34. In the case of an energy ray curable gel, energy rays are applied instead of hot air 92. In this way, the gel is cured while rotating the housing, whereby the gel portion 34 is formed by being cured while being laminated on the inner peripheral surface of the flange portion 32 by centrifugal force. Incidentally, H _F and H _C is the same, in the case of forming a substantially flat gel portion the shape of the gel portion in contact with the S may be cured by omitting the operation of rotating the rotary table. Further, as another form of manufacturing method, after the gel is filled in the housing, it may be cured in a state where a mold for transferring and forming the shape of the gel part in contact with S is pressed, and then the mold is removed.

  FIG. 10 schematically shows an ear tip according to another embodiment of the present invention in a half axial section. The present embodiment is different from the embodiment of FIG. 3 in the filling form of the gel portion 104, and the other configurations are the same as in the case of FIG. Therefore, in FIG. 10, the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 3 are used for the same components.

In the present embodiment, the gel portion 104 is not in contact with the outer peripheral surface 31 b of the core portion 31, and is in contact only with the inner peripheral surface 32 a of the flange portion 32. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the above-described ratio H _C / H _F is H _C / H _F = 0. As in the present embodiment, the gel portion 104 is in contact with only the inner peripheral surface 32a of the flange portion 32, thereby imparting an appropriate resilience to the flange portion 32 to improve the wearing feeling, and the flange portion 32 to the ear canal. Improve adhesion.

  Other configurations and operational effects in the present embodiment are the same as those in the embodiment of FIG.

  FIG. 11 schematically shows an ear tip according to still another embodiment of the present invention in an axial cross section on one half. The present embodiment is different from the embodiment of FIG. 3 in the filling form of the gel portion 114, and the other configurations are the same as in the case of FIG. Therefore, in FIG. 11, the same reference numerals as in FIG. 3 are used for the same components.

In the present embodiment, the outer peripheral end 114 a of the annular gel portion 114 terminates in the middle of the inner peripheral surface 32 a of the flange portion 32, and the inner peripheral end 114 b of the annular gel portion 114 is the outer peripheral surface 31 b of the core portion 31. Is in contact with However, in this embodiment, the core part side of the gel part 114 is higher than the flange part side. In other words, the boundary surface 114c with the gel deformation allowing portion 35 constitutes an inclined surface that rises in the axial direction (in the drawing). In particular, the ratio H _C / H _F is in the range of 1.2 <H _C / H _F ≦ 10. Thereby, since the elasticity of the core part 31 is reinforced, the vibration of the core part 31 caused by the electroacoustic transducer can be suppressed (damped), so that the sound quality can be improved and the wearability can be improved. There is also. Furthermore, since rigidity is imparted to the tip portion of the ear tip, it is possible to eliminate crushing of the tip at the time of mounting, and mounting becomes easy.

  Other configurations and operational effects in the present embodiment are the same as those in the embodiment of FIG.

  FIG. 12 schematically shows an ear tip according to still another embodiment of the present invention in an axial cross section on one half. The present embodiment is different from the embodiment of FIG. 3 in the filling form of the gel portion 124, and the other configurations are the same as those in the case of FIG. Accordingly, in FIG. 12, the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 3 are used for the same components.

In the present embodiment, the outer peripheral end 124 a of the annular gel portion 124 terminates in the middle of the inner peripheral surface 32 a of the flange portion 32, and the inner peripheral end 124 b of the annular gel portion 124 is the outer peripheral surface 31 b of the core portion 31. Is in contact with However, in the present embodiment, the core part side and the flange part side of the gel part 124 have substantially the same height. In other words, the boundary surface 124c with the gel deformation allowing portion 35 constitutes a flat surface. In particular, the ratio H _C / H _F is in the range 0.8 <H _C / H _F ≦ 1.2. Thereby, the intermediate effect of embodiment of FIG. 3 and embodiment of FIG. 11 can be acquired.

  Other configurations and operational effects in the present embodiment are the same as those in the embodiment of FIGS. 3 and 11.

  FIG. 13 schematically shows an ear tip according to still another embodiment of the present invention in an axial cross section on one half. The present embodiment is different from the embodiment of FIG. 3 in the filling form of the gel part 134, and the other configurations are the same as those in the case of FIG. Therefore, in FIG. 13, the same reference numerals as in FIG. 3 are used for the same components.

  In the present embodiment, the outer peripheral end 134 a of the annular gel portion 134 terminates in the middle of the inner peripheral surface 32 a of the flange portion 32, and the inner peripheral end 134 b of the annular gel portion 134 is the outer peripheral surface 31 b of the core portion 31. Is in contact with An upper surface (in the drawing) 134c of the gel portion 134 that is in contact with the gel deformation allowing portion 35 has an annular recess 134d as a shape for adjusting the deformation behavior of the gel. In other words, the boundary surface 134c with the gel deformation allowing portion 35 constitutes a surface having an annular recess 134d. The structure having the annular recess 134d as in the present embodiment is effective when used when the gel is hard or the gel is filled in a large amount. In particular, when the concave portion is deep, a combined action effect combining the above-described embodiment of FIG. 3 and the embodiment of FIG. 11 can be obtained. The balance between the flange resilience and the core reinforcing effect can be adjusted by the shape of the recess 134d. In addition, it contributes to weight reduction.

  Other configurations and operational effects in the present embodiment are the same as those in the embodiment of FIGS. 3 and 11.

  FIG. 14 schematically shows an ear tip according to still another embodiment of the present invention in an axial cross section of one half. The present embodiment is different from the embodiment of FIG. 3 in the filling form of the gel portion 144, and the other configurations are the same as those in the case of FIG. Therefore, in FIG. 14, the same reference numerals as in FIG. 3 are used for the same components.

  In the present embodiment, the outer peripheral end 144 a of the annular gel portion 144 terminates in the middle of the inner peripheral surface 32 a of the flange portion 32, and the inner peripheral end 144 b of the annular gel portion 144 is the outer peripheral surface 31 b of the core portion 31. Is in contact with The upper surface (in the drawing) 144c of the gel portion 144 that is in contact with the gel deformation allowing portion 35 has an annular convex portion 144d as a shape for adjusting the deformation behavior of the gel. In other words, the boundary surface 144c with the gel deformation allowing portion 35 constitutes a surface having an annular convex portion 144d. As in this embodiment, the repulsive force of the flange portion 32 is greater when the annular convex portion 144d is provided than when the annular concave portion is provided. The structure having the annular convex portion 144d as in the present embodiment is effective when used to give a firmness to the gel repulsive force when the gel is extremely soft.

  Other configurations and operational effects in the present embodiment are the same as those in the embodiment of FIGS. 3 and 11.

  FIG. 15 schematically shows an ear tip according to still another embodiment of the present invention in an axial cross section on one half. In the present embodiment, the form of the gel portion 154 is different from the case of the embodiment of FIG. 3, and other configurations are the same as those of the case of FIG. Accordingly, in FIG. 15, the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 3 are used for the same components.

  In this embodiment, the gel part 154 in contact with the gel deformation allowing part 35 includes a plurality of coaxial annular grooves 154a as a shape for adjusting the deformation behavior of the gel. The number of the coaxial annular grooves 154a is arbitrary 1 or more. By providing such an annular groove 154a, the gel portion 154 can partially lower the hardness of the gel, and its distribution can be adjusted, so that the deformation behavior of the flange portion 32 can be changed to a desired state. It becomes possible to adjust to. Accordingly, it is possible to realize the desired adhesion and wearability.

  Other configurations and operational effects in the present embodiment are the same as those in the embodiment of FIG.

  FIG. 16 schematically shows an ear tip according to still another embodiment of the present invention in a half axial section. This embodiment is different from the embodiment of FIG. 3 in that a sealing lid 166 is provided, and the other configuration is the same as that of FIG. Therefore, in FIG. 16, the same reference numerals as in FIG. 3 are used for the same components.

  In this embodiment, the resilience adjusting member for adjusting the resilience of the flange portion 32 is an elastic property that seals the annular space 33 between the outer peripheral surface 31b of the core portion 31 and the inner peripheral surface 32a of the flange portion 32. An annular sealing lid 166 is provided. In this embodiment, the sealing lid 166 is made of the same material as the core portion 31 and the flange portion 32. The core part 31, the flange part 32, and the sealing lid 166 may be integrally formed, or only the sealing lid 166 may be bonded later. In the case of being molded integrally, the gel part 34 is injected and filled via the sealing lid 166 by an injection device. Thus, by providing the sealing lid 166 and making the gel deformation allowing portion 35 a sealing system, this portion functions as an air cushion, the viscoelasticity of the gel portion 34 and the air elasticity of the sealed gel deformation allowing portion 35. And a repulsion property obtained by interlocking the leaf spring action of the sealing lid 166 itself. That is, moderate rigidity is given to the deformation (deflection) of the flange portion 32 by the deformation characteristics of the air cushion and the sealing lid 166 while maintaining the followability of the flange portion to the ear canal due to the repulsion of the gel portion 34. In this embodiment including the sealing lid 166, the ratio G / Y ′ of the volume G of the gel portion 34 to the volume Y ′ of the sealed space is 5% <G / Y ′ <80%. It is preferable.

  Other configurations and operational effects in the present embodiment are the same as those in the embodiment of FIG.

  FIG. 17 schematically shows an ear tip according to still another embodiment of the present invention in an axial cross section on one half. In the present embodiment, the shape of the sealing lid 176 is different from that of the embodiment of FIG. 16, and other configurations are the same as those of the embodiment of FIG. Therefore, in FIG. 17, the same reference numerals as in FIG. 16 are used for the same components.

  In the present embodiment, the rebound adjustment member for adjusting the rebound of the flange portion 32 is mounted in a state where the sealing lid 176 is bent in a concave shape in the direction of the space to be sealed. As described above, by mounting the sealing lid 176 in a concave shape in the direction of the space to be sealed, the sealing lid is easily flattened or convex by being pushed by the air pressure of the sealed space when mounted on the ear canal. Therefore, the flange portion 32 can be easily deformed as in the case of the open system. After the mounting, the sealing lid 176 is pushed by the sealed gel deformation allowing portion 35 along with the deformation of the flange portion 32, and is tensioned to give an appropriate repulsive force to the flange portion 32. Increases nature. Therefore, it is easy to install, and after installation, the back pressure from the sealed gel deformation allowing portion 35 and the sealing lid 176 acts to improve the adhesion, and in addition to the compatibility between the adhesion and the feeling of installation, The handleability is also improved.

  Other configurations and operational effects in the present embodiment are the same as those in the embodiment of FIGS. 3 and 16.

  FIG. 18 schematically shows an ear tip according to still another embodiment of the present invention in an axial cross section on one half. This embodiment is different from the embodiment of FIG. 16 in the form of the sealing lid 186, and the other configuration is the same as that of the embodiment of FIG. Accordingly, in FIG. 18, the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 16 are used for the same components.

  In this embodiment, at least one orifice 186a is provided in the sealing lid 186 as a resilience adjusting member for adjusting the resilience of the flange portion 32, and is in a semi-sealed state. By adjusting the degree of air entering and leaving the gel deformation allowing portion 35 by such an orifice 186a, it is possible to impart slow rebound (low resilience) to the deformation of the flange portion 32. This slow rebound property is obtained by appropriately selecting the diameter and number of the orifices 186a according to the elastic characteristics of the ear tip (as a composite characteristic of the flange portion 32, the gel portion 34, the gel deformation allowing portion 35 and the sealing lid 186). Obtainable. As a result, while maintaining the basic operational effects of the present invention, it is possible to achieve the mounting characteristics (characteristics of being crushed and inserted and gradually restored after insertion to fit the ear canal) while maintaining the basic operational effects of the present invention.

  Other configurations and operational effects in the present embodiment are the same as those in the embodiment of FIGS. 3 and 16.

  FIG. 19 is a schematic diagram of the ear tip in two other embodiments of the present invention in one half of the (A) plane, (B) BB line cross section, (C) plane and (D) DD line cross section. Is shown. These two embodiments differ from the embodiment of FIG. 3 in that radial rib members 196 and 196 ′ are provided, and the other configurations are the same as those of FIG. Accordingly, in FIG. 19, the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 3 are used for similar components.

  In the embodiment of FIGS. 19A and 19B, the repulsion adjusting member for adjusting the resilience of the flange portion 32 extends radially from the core portion 31 toward the inner peripheral surface 32 a of the flange portion 32. A plurality of rib members 196 having elasticity are provided. Particularly in the present embodiment, the radial rib member 196 connects the outer peripheral surface 31 b of the core portion 31 and the inner peripheral surface 32 a of the flange portion 32. The plurality of radial rib members 196 are provided so that the angular intervals are equal. In the present embodiment, four rib members are provided, but the number is arbitrary as long as the number is two or more. However, it is desirable to have a uniform angular interval. In the present embodiment, the rib member 196 is formed of the same material as the core portion 31 and the flange portion 32. The core part 31, the flange part 32, and the radial rib member 196 may be integrally formed, or only the radial rib member 196 may be bonded later. By providing such a radial rib member 196, the deformation behavior of the flange portion 32 can be adjusted using the leaf spring action. When the ear tip is pushed into the outer ear canal and used, the tip of the outer peripheral surface of the flange portion 32 can be brought into close contact with the ear canal. That is, if a large amount of gel is put in close contact with the ear canal up to the tip of the flange portion 32, it becomes hard, and instead, a plurality of radial rib members 196 are formed and the leaf spring action is used. is there.

  19C and 19D, the radial rib member 196 ′ is connected only to the outer peripheral surface 31b of the core portion 31 and is connected to the inner peripheral surface 32a of the flange portion 32. Absent. In this case, the rib member 196 'acts as a cantilever leaf spring. Furthermore, as in the present embodiment, it is desirable to increase the thickness of the fixed side, that is, the core portion 31 side to give rigidity. Moreover, a rib can also be functioned as a stopper member that restricts deformation of the flange.

  Note that as a modification of the present embodiment, the rib member may be fixed to the flange portion 32 side. Further, a rib member having both ends connected as in the embodiment of FIGS. 19A and 19B, and a rib member having only one end connected as in the embodiment of FIGS. 19C and 19D, It is good also as a form which used together.

  Other configurations and operational effects in the present embodiment are the same as those in the embodiment of FIG.

  FIG. 20 schematically shows, as yet another embodiment of the present invention and various modifications, an ear tip in a configuration in which a plurality of gels having different properties are applied in combination with each other in an axial cross section on one half. The present embodiment is different from the embodiment of FIG. 3 in the form of the gel portion, and the other configurations are the same as those in the case of FIG. Therefore, in FIG. 20, the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 3 are used for the same components.

  20A to 20H are horizontal stacking types, FIGS. 20I to 20N are vertical stacking types, and FIG. 20O is a composite type of both. Various variations other than those illustrated are applicable.

  In the embodiment shown in FIG. 20 (A), the gel portion includes a first gel portion 204a having a low hardness laminated on the inner peripheral surface 32a of the flange portion 32, and the first gel portion 204a. It is comprised from the 2nd gel part 204b of the high hardness laminated | stacked on the whole. In the modification shown in FIG. 20 (B), the gel portion includes a first gel portion 204a having a low hardness laminated on the inner peripheral surface 32a of the flange portion 32, and the first gel. It is composed of a part of the part 204 a and a high hardness third gel part 204 c laminated between the outer peripheral surface 31 b of the core part 31. Furthermore, in the modification shown in FIG. 20C, the gel portion has a fourth gel portion 204d having a low hardness, which is laminated in contact with a part of the inner peripheral surface 32a of the flange portion 32, and the fourth gel. The high-hardness 5th gel part 204e laminated | stacked between the part 204d and a part of outer peripheral surface 31b of the core part 31 is comprised.

  20 (A) to 20 (C), a gel portion having a low hardness is arranged at a portion that comes into contact with the external auditory canal, and a gel portion having a higher hardness is provided on the core portion side to repel the flange portion 32. Is increasing.

  In the modification shown in FIG. 20 (D), the gel portion is a high-hardness sixth gel portion 204f laminated on the inner peripheral surface 32a of the flange portion 32, and the sixth gel portion 204f. It is comprised from the 7th gel part 204g of the low hardness laminated | stacked on the whole. Moreover, in the modification shown in FIG.20 (E), the gel part is the 6th high gel part 204f laminated | stacked on it along the internal peripheral surface 32a of the flange part 32, and this 6th gel. A low-hardness eighth gel portion 204h laminated between a part of the portion 204f and the outer peripheral surface 31b of the core portion 31 is formed.

  In the types shown in FIGS. 20D and 20E, a high-hardness gel portion is disposed on the flange portion side to provide reinforcing hardness to the flange portion 32, and a low-hardness gel portion is disposed on the core portion side. This provides the overall softness. That is, the sixth gel portion 204f having a high hardness is laminated in a thin film shape on the thin flange portion 32, and the seventh gel portion 204g or the eighth gel portion 204h having a low hardness is laminated thereon, so that the thin portion is thin. While the flange portion 32 has a firmness with a high-hardness gel, the ability to follow the ear canal and the deformability of the flange portion are improved by the low-hardness gel laminated thereon.

  In the modified mode shown in FIG. 20 (F), the gel portion has a ninth hard gel portion 204i laminated in contact with a part of the inner peripheral surface 32a of the flange portion 32, and the ninth gel portion 204i. And a tenth gel portion 204j of ultra-low hardness laminated between a part of the outer peripheral surface 31b of the core portion 31.

  In the type shown in FIG. 20 (F), a high hardness gel portion is arranged on the flange portion side to give reinforcement hardness to the flange portion 32, and an ultra low hardness gel portion is arranged on the core portion side to Fine vibrations caused by the acoustic transducer are suppressed (damped).

  In the modification shown in FIG. 20 (G), the gel portion is a low-hardness first gel portion 204a laminated on the inner peripheral surface 32a of the flange portion 32, and the first gel portion 204a. And the 11th gel part 204k which consists of the gel which added the foam gel or the hollow filler laminated | stacked between the outer peripheral surface 31b of the core part 31, and is comprised. Furthermore, in the modification shown in FIG. 20 (H), the gel portion has a fourth gel portion 204d having a low hardness in which the gel portion is laminated in contact with a part of the inner peripheral surface 32a of the flange portion 32, and the fourth gel. It is comprised from the 12th gel part 204l which consists of the gel which added the foam gel or hollow filler laminated | stacked between the part 204d and the outer peripheral surface 31b of the core part 31. FIG.

  20 (G) and (H), the flange portion is formed by disposing a low-hardness gel portion in the portion that comes into contact with the ear canal, and disposing a foam gel or a gel to which a hollow filler is added on the core side. The internal vibration is suppressed and the sound insulation is improved.

  In the modification shown in FIG. 20 (I), the gel portion is a low hardness thirteenth gel laminated between a part of the inner peripheral surface 32a of the flange portion 32 and a part of the outer peripheral surface 31b of the core portion 31. The portion 204m and the high-hardness fourteenth gel portion 204n laminated on the thirteenth gel portion 204m. 20J, the gel portion is laminated so that the upper surface is inclined between a part of the inner peripheral surface 32a of the flange portion 32 and a part of the outer peripheral surface 31b of the core portion 31. The low-hardness fifteenth gel portion 204o and the high-hardness sixteenth gel portion 204p laminated on the fifteenth gel portion 204o. Furthermore, in the modification shown in FIG. 20 (K), the gel part is a foam gel or hollow layer laminated between a part of the inner peripheral surface 32a of the flange part 32 and a part of the outer peripheral surface 31b of the core part 31. The seventeenth gel portion 204q made of a gel to which a filler is added and the low-hardness eighteenth gel portion 204r laminated on the seventeenth gel portion 204q.

  In these types of FIGS. 20I to 20K, the upper layer exhibits the leaf spring effect, and the deformation behavior of the flange portion 32 can be adjusted. When the ear tip is pushed into the outer ear canal and used, the tip of the outer peripheral surface of the flange portion 32 can be brought into close contact with the ear canal. That is, if a large amount of gel is put in close contact with the ear canal up to the tip of the flange portion 32, it becomes hard. Instead, such a gel portion is provided in the upper layer, and its leaf spring action is used. is there. In particular, the change mode in FIG. 20K contributes to improvement in sound insulation.

  In the modified mode shown in FIG. 20 (L), the gel portion is a nineteenth gel with high hardness laminated between a part of the inner peripheral surface 32a of the flange portion 32 and a part of the outer peripheral surface 31b of the core portion 31. Part 204s and a low-hardness twentieth gel part 204t laminated on the nineteenth gel part 204s. 20 (M), the gel part is laminated so that the upper surface is inclined between a part of the inner peripheral surface 32a of the flange part 32 and a part of the outer peripheral surface 31b of the core part 31. The high-hardness 21st gel portion 204u and the low-hardness 22nd gel portion 204v laminated on the 21st gel portion 204u. Furthermore, in the modification shown in FIG. 20 (N), the gel portion is a low-hardness 23rd layer laminated between a part of the inner peripheral surface 32 a of the flange portion 32 and a part of the outer peripheral surface 31 b of the core portion 31. Gel portion 204w and a 24th gel portion 204x made of a foam gel or a gel added with a hollow filler laminated on the 23rd gel portion 204w.

  According to these types of FIGS. 20L to 20N, the tip side of the earphone tip is made rigid by using a hard gel, and the tip of the earphone tip is crushed when pushed into the ear canal and attached. While avoiding the phenomenon, it is possible to apply a low hardness gel to the portion that comes into contact with the ear canal to give an appropriate resilience and achieve both adhesion and a feeling of wearing.

  In the modified mode shown in FIG. 20 (O), the gel portion includes a first gel portion 204a having a low hardness laminated on the inner peripheral surface 32a of the flange portion 32, and the first gel portion 204a. Part 11 and the 11th gel part 204k which consists of the gel which added the gel-like foam or hollow filler laminated | stacked between the outer peripheral surfaces 31b of the core part 31, and the high hardness laminated | stacked on the 11th gel part 204k The 25th gel portion 204y.

  The type shown in FIG. 20 (O) has a combined effect of the type shown in FIG. 20 (G) and the type shown in FIG. 20 (K).

  Other configurations and operational effects in the present embodiment and the modification are the same as those in the embodiment of FIG.

  In the above-described embodiment, the flange portion has a uniform thickness. However, the thickness of the flange portion is partially changed according to the softness and thickness of the gel portion and further according to desired characteristics. You may comprise so that it may be made. For example, the portion where the softness of the gel is desired to be utilized may be reduced in the thickness of the flange portion, and the portion where rigidity or stiffness is desired may be increased.

  In the above-described embodiment, the gel is injected and filled into the inside of the housing having the core portion and the flange portion. However, the gel portion may be disposed inside the housing by bonding. Furthermore, if the flange portion and the gel portion are integrally formed, the productivity is improved. In the integral molding, an adhesion promoting component such as a primer may be interposed. Thereby, peeling of the gel part from a flange part can be prevented.

  Furthermore, although embodiment mentioned above is an eartip which has a single flange part, the eartip by which the some flange part was arrange | positioned coaxially may be sufficient. In that case, you may comprise separately the structure mentioned above for every flange part, and you may comprise so that only one part flange part may be equipped with a gel part.

  Regarding the eartips of the present invention, samples of five examples and two comparative examples were actually made, and their characteristics were evaluated by a sensory test. FIG. 21 schematically shows the ear tip in the comparative example and the example with an axial cross section on one half.

  FIG. 2A shows an ear tip used as Comparative Example 1. This eartip is a commercially available single flange type eartip having only a silicone rubber flange portion 212 and a core portion 211 and no gel portion, and an M size of EP-EX10 manufactured by Sony Corporation was used.

  FIG. 5B shows an ear tip used as Comparative Example 2. In this eartip, the space between the flange portion 212 and the core portion 211 of the eartip in Comparative Example 1 is filled with an uncured addition-reactive silicone gel at a filling rate of 100%, and is adjusted in an oven at an ambient temperature of 100 ° C. It is time-cured to form an annular gel portion 214b whose upper surface is flat and inclined, and is further bonded with a 0.3 mm thick silicone rubber sealing lid 216 having a JISA hardness of 40. As the addition reaction type silicone gel, SILGEL612 (hereinafter referred to as gel A) manufactured by Asahi Kasei Wacker Silicone Co., Ltd. having a gel hardness of 140 penetration was used.

  FIG. 3C shows the ear tip used as Example 1. This eartip is an oven in which the space between the flange portion 212 and the core portion 211 of the eartip in Comparative Example 1 described above is filled with uncured addition-reactive silicone gel at a filling rate of 30%, and the ambient temperature is 100 ° C. Is cured for one hour to form an annular gel portion 214c having a flat and horizontal upper surface. As the addition reaction type silicone gel, CF5055 (hereinafter referred to as gel B) manufactured by Toray Dow Silicone Co., Ltd. having a gel hardness of 50 penetration was used.

  FIG. 4D shows the ear tip used as the second embodiment. This eartip is uncured in which 3% by weight of a hollow filler is added to 97% by weight of uncured addition-reactive silicone gel in the space between the flange portion 212 and the core portion 211 of the eartip in Comparative Example 1 described above. The silicone gel was filled at a filling rate of 50%, and was cured in an oven having an atmospheric temperature of 100 ° C. for one hour to form an annular gel portion 214d having a flat top surface and a horizontal surface. Gel A having a gel hardness of 120 penetration was used as the addition reaction type silicone gel.

  FIG. 5E shows the eartip used as Example 3. This eartip is an oven in which the space between the flange portion 212 and the core portion 211 of the eartip in Comparative Example 1 described above is filled with uncured addition-reactive silicone gel at a filling rate of 50% and the ambient temperature is 100 ° C. And an annular gel portion 214e constituting an inclined surface whose upper surface is lowered in the axial center direction. As the addition reaction type silicone gel, gel B having a gel hardness of 50 penetration was used.

  FIG. 5F shows the eartip used as Example 4. This eartip is an oven in which the space between the flange portion 212 and the core portion 211 of the eartip in Comparative Example 1 described above is filled with uncured addition-reactive silicone gel at a filling rate of 30%, and the ambient temperature is 100 ° C. To form an annular gel portion 214f having a flat upper surface and a horizontal surface, and further bonded with a 0.3 mm thick silicone rubber sealing lid 216 having a JISA hardness of 40. Gel A having a gel hardness of 140 penetration was used as the addition reaction type silicone gel.

  FIG. 5G shows the eartip used as Example 5. This eartip is an oven in which the space between the flange portion 212 and the core portion 211 of the eartip in Comparative Example 1 described above is filled with uncured addition-reactive silicone gel at a filling rate of 60% and the ambient temperature is 100 ° C. To form an annular gel portion 214g having a flat top surface and a horizontal surface, and further, a 0.3 mm thick silicone rubber sealing lid 216 having a thickness of 40 mm is bonded thereto. Gel A having a gel hardness of 140 penetration was used as the addition reaction type silicone gel.

  Sensory evaluation was performed about what attached the ear chip | tip of the above comparative examples 1 and 2 and Examples 1-5 to the earphone MDR-EX76LP by Sony Corporation. In this method, each subject wears an earphone so that it fits his / her ear in a room where a certain amount of white noise exists, and sensory evaluation of the wearing feeling and sound insulation is performed. The constant white noise was obtained by generating white noise with a sound pressure level of 60 to 70 dB from the speaker at the position of the subject. At that time, the sound pressure level was confirmed by a sound level meter installed at a height of 1.2 m. As evaluation points for each evaluation item, the evaluation is performed in seven stages from -3, -2, -1, 0, +1, +2, +3 from the bad evaluation side, and the average value of the subject evaluation points is calculated for each evaluation item. It was evaluated as follows. When the average value was larger than that of Comparative Example 1 (excellent), it was evaluated as ◯, when it was the same (equivalent), Δ, and when it was small (inferior), it was evaluated as ×. The test was performed by 10 subjects. The breakdown was 3 males in their 20s, 2 females in their 20s, 2 males in their 30s, and 3 males in their 40s.

  The evaluation results and gel conditions of the above Comparative Examples 1 and 2 are shown in Table 1, and the evaluation results and gel conditions of Examples 1 to 5 are shown in Table 2.

  As can be seen from Tables 1 and 2, all of Examples 1 to 5 have improved sound insulation compared to Comparative Example 1 in which no gel part is present, and the adhesion to the external auditory canal is improved by application of the gel. Has been. Similarly, in all of Examples 1 to 5, the wearing feeling is improved as compared with Comparative Example 1, and both adhesion and wearing feeling are compatible.

  Moreover, both the cases without the sealing lids of Examples 1 to 3 and the cases with the sealing lids of Examples 4 and 5 both have good adhesion and a feeling of wearing. Furthermore, even if the upper surface of the gel part is an inclined surface as in Example 3, good adhesion and a feeling of wearing are obtained. Furthermore, as in Example 2, even when the gel part is added with a hollow filler, good adhesion and a feeling of wearing are obtained. Further, as in Comparative Example 2, when the space is completely filled with the gel and the gel deformation allowing portion is not present, the adhesion is improved, but the wearing feeling is deteriorated, which is not preferable. Therefore, like Example 1-5, by providing a gel deformation | transformation allowance part and making the conditions of a gel part into a specific condition further, adhesiveness and a feeling of mounting | wearing can both be made favorable.

  The above-described embodiments and examples are all illustrative and do not limit the present invention, and the present invention can be implemented in various other modifications and changes. Therefore, the scope of the present invention is defined only by the claims and their equivalents.

10, 31, 211 Core part 11, 32, 212 Flange part 20 Cross section of inner surface of ear canal 21 Cross section of flange part 22 Gap 30 Ear tip 31a Tip 31b Outer peripheral surface 32 'Cross section of flange part 32a Inner peripheral surface 33 Space 34, 104, 114, 124, 194, 204a, 204b, 204c, 204d, 204e, 204f, 204g, 204h, 204i, 204j, 204k, 204l, 204m, 204n, 204o, 204p, 204q, 204r, 204s, 204u, 204v, 204w, 204x, 204y, 214b, 214C, 214d, 214e, 214f, 214g Gel part 34 'Cross section of gel part 35 Gel deformation permissible part 34a, 114a, 124a, 134a, 144a Outer peripheral end 34b, 114b, 124b, 134 144b Inner peripheral edge 40 Canal type earphone 41 Housing 42 Sound conduit 43 Electroacoustic transducer 90 Rotary table 90a Rotation center shaft 91 Gel 92 Hot air 114c, 124c, 134c, 144c Interface 134d Concave 144d Convex 154a Annular groove 166, 176 186, 216 Sealed lid 186a Orifice 196, 196 'Rib member

Claims (18)

  The electroacoustic transducer includes a cylindrical core portion having elasticity inserted coaxially, an annular flange portion having elasticity extending radially from the core portion, and a gel portion. An annular gel portion disposed in a space between the outer peripheral surface and the inner peripheral surface of the flange portion, and a gel disposed in the space and allowing the gel portion to bulge and deform. The ear tip is provided with a deformation allowing portion, and the gel portion is in contact with at least a part of an inner peripheral surface of the flange portion. The ratio L _{G /} L _F of the shaft cross-section length L _G of the portion where the gel portion relative to the axial cross-sectional length L _F of the inner peripheral surface of the flange portion is in contact with the inner peripheral surface, 20% ≦ L _G / The eartip according to claim 1, wherein L _F <100%.   3. The eartip according to claim 1, wherein a ratio G / Y of the volume G of the gel portion to the volume Y of the space is 5% <G / Y <80%.   The ear tip according to claim 1, wherein the gel portion is not in contact with the core portion. The gel portion is in contact with the core, the shaft section height H _F of the portion where the gel portion is in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the flange portion, the gel portion is in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the core portion ear tip according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that greater than axial section height H _C of the portion located. The gel portion is in contact with the core, the shaft section height H _F of the portion where the gel portion is in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the flange portion, the gel portion is in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the core portion ear tip according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that approximately equal to the axial section height H _C of the portion located. The gel portion is in contact with the core, the shaft section height H _F of the portion where the gel portion is in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the flange portion, the gel portion is in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the core portion ear tip according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that less than the shaft section height H _C of the portion located.   The ear tip according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein a contact surface of the gel portion that is in contact with the gel deformation allowing portion has a shape for adjusting a deformation behavior of the gel.   The ear tip according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein at least a part of the gel part has a thickness of 0.5 mm or more in a normal direction of the flange part. .   A repulsion adjusting member that is provided between the inner peripheral surface of the flange portion and the outer peripheral surface of the core portion so as to be in contact with at least one of the inner peripheral surface and the outer peripheral surface and adjusts the repulsion of the flange portion. The eartip according to any one of claims 1 to 9, further comprising:   The ear tip according to claim 10, wherein the repulsion adjusting member is an elastic sealing lid that seals the space between the core portion and a part of the inner peripheral surface of the flange portion.   The eartip according to claim 11, wherein the sealing lid is provided with at least one orifice.   The ear tip according to claim 10, wherein the repulsion adjusting member is a plurality of rib members extending radially from the core portion toward the inner peripheral surface of the flange portion.   The gel of the gel part has a gel hardness of 20 to 300, according to JIS K2207-1980 (50 g load), penetration (25 ° C). The eartip according to item 1.   The ear tip according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the gel part is made of a gel-like foam or a gel to which a hollow filler is added.   The ear tip according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the gel part is composed of a plurality of gels having different properties.   An earphone comprising the ear tip according to any one of claims 1 to 16, and an electroacoustic conversion element in which a core portion of the ear tip is inserted coaxially into a tip portion.   A filling step of filling a gel into a housing having a cylindrical core portion and an annular flange portion extending radially from the core portion, a gel coating step of applying gel to the inner surface of the housing, and the coating A curing step for curing the gel, and in the course of the completion of the curing step from the start of the gel coating step, performing an operation of rotating or rotating the housing around the axis of the core portion A method for manufacturing an eartip.

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