JP2012044245A - Aperture type bone conduction earphone - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an aperture type bone conduction earphone which has air permeability by communicating with the outside and gives no oppressive feeling in wearing while having the bone conduction earphone of a simple structure type with no head band, of an external auditory canal insertion type and compact, and is also usable in water or of an amphibious type.SOLUTION: An aperture type bone conduction earphone comprises: a magnetic material having an air vent 6' capable of communicating with the outside in wearing at the center part in the axial direction; at least one or more dampers 7 provided around the outer circumference of the magnetic material; a coil bobbin 4 provided around the outer circumference of the magnetic material, housing the damper 7 in its trunk, and with a coil 8 wound around the outer circumference of the trunk; and an aperture type bone conduction device 3 through the magnetic material having the air vent 6'.

Description

  The present invention relates to an aperture-type bone conduction earphone that is small in size and has good wearing feeling and usability.

  Earphones can be used without being inserted into the ear canal separately from conventional earphones that are generally inserted into the ear canal to close the ears, and those that are bone conduction type that also close the ear. It is roughly classified into a bone conduction earphone.

  Examples of the former earphone include those described in Document 1 (Magnetic Earphone Type) and Document 2 (Piezoelectric Type).

  Moreover, as the latter earphone, for example, there is one such as document 3 (so-called outer casing type).

  In the former former earphone, the earphone is inserted into the ear canal at the time of use. Therefore, since the ear canal is blocked, the ear canal is compressed and feels uncomfortable and tired when used for a long time. There are problems such as feeling mental and physical burdens such as feelings, difficulty in hearing alarm sounds in danger, and lack of safety.

  On the other hand, the latter type is used by being brought into contact with the head or being placed around the ear without being inserted into the ear canal. Thus, it does not compress the ear canal, unlike the former type.

JP-A-50-151134 JP 2009-111820 A JP 2009-49844 A

  However, the latter type has a structure in which earphones are provided at both ends of the hanger portion of the headband made of an elastic member, and the headband is attached to the head for use. Assembly is cumbersome and expensive. Since the mounting device is large and heavy, it requires physical strength, and the head is pressed during mounting, so there is a feeling of pressure and it tends to get tired if worn for a long time. There were a number of issues, such as taking up space during storage.

  The present invention has been proposed in view of the above, and the object of the present invention is to make the bone conduction earphone a type of a compact and simple configuration of the ear canal insertion type, eliminating the headband, and communicating with the outside world, An object of the present invention is to provide an aperture-type bone conduction earphone that has air permeability and eliminates the feeling of pressure when worn. Another object of the present invention is to provide an open-type bone conduction earphone that can be used in water or is an amphibious type.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the invention according to claim 1 is provided on the outer periphery of a magnetic body comprising a longitudinal member having a vent hole 6 ′ at the center in the axial direction, which can communicate with the outside world at the time of mounting. And at least one damper 7 and a coil bobbin 4 provided on the outer periphery of the magnetic body, housing the damper 7 in the body portion, and having a coil 8 wound around the body portion outer periphery. An open-type bone conduction device 3 is provided through a magnetic body having a '.
The invention according to claim 2 is the open-type bone conduction earphone according to claim 1, wherein the magnetic body is a movement 6 made of a magnetic material having a vent hole 6 ′ at an axially central portion, and one end of the movement 6. The structure of the magnet 5 provided in the part or the magnetic powder is formed, and the movement 6 and the magnet 5 are integrated.
The invention according to claim 3 is the open-type bone conduction earphone according to claim 1, characterized in that the coil bobbin 4 has a two-part structure that is divided horizontally or vertically.
The invention according to claim 4 is the open-type bone conduction earphone according to claim 1, characterized in that the bone conduction device 3 is covered with a waterproof cover and can be used for underwater use.
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the open bone conduction earphone according to the first aspect, a waterproof lid-shaped stopper is provided in the vent hole 6 'in the central portion of the bone conduction device 3, It is characterized by being an amphibious type.

According to the open-type bone conduction earphone according to the first and second aspects of the present invention, the external ear and the eardrum side are communicated with each other through the vent hole 6 ', and the ear canal is not blocked when worn, so that the compression of the ear canal can be reduced. And even if you sweat, the moisture can be released to the outside air, and since it is not cut off from the outside world, you can reduce the sense of isolation and physical burden, and you can also feel the alarm sound at the time of danger, It has the effect that it can be avoided.
In addition, it can be used for elderly people, hearing-impaired people, and the like. Even when used as a hearing aid, there is no relation between the microphone and the speaker, and thus there is an effect that no howling occurs.
According to the second aspect of the present invention, the damper 7 can be easily accommodated in the body portion of the coil bobbin 4 at the time of assembly, and the assemblability is good.
According to invention of Claim 3, since it can be used as a waterproof type, it has the effect that use in heavy rain or water is also possible.
In the piezoelectric type, it is difficult to convey the low sound range due to the rigidity (stiffness control) of the piezoelectric element itself. On the other hand, in the present invention, since the movement including the magnet has mass (mass control), it has an advantage of easily transmitting vibration directly to the bone.

(A) is sectional drawing of 1st Example of this invention, (b) shows sectional drawing of an example of the cover combined. The example of the assembly procedure of the bone conduction apparatus which concerns on this invention is shown. The assembly completion perspective view of the bone transmission device concerning the present invention is shown. An explanatory view of a completed state of an aperture type bone conduction earphone of the present invention is shown. The explanatory view in the state where the open type bone conduction earphone of the 1st example of the present invention was equipped to the ear is shown. (A), (b) is explanatory drawing of the electric current which flows into a coil, and the generated magnetic field. Explanatory drawing which shows an example of the magnetic body which consists of a movement and a magnet is shown. (A), (b) is the force (F) concerning a magnetic body by the generated magnetic field. (A), (b) shows the relationship between the current and magnetic fields Φa, Φb flowing in the coil and the magnetic field Φm of the magnet. Sectional drawing of 2nd Example of the bone-conduction earphone of this invention is shown. (A) is explanatory drawing which looked at the completion state of 2nd Example of the bone conduction earphone of this invention from the side surface, (b) shows a front view. The example of the assembly procedure of 3rd Example of the bone conduction earphone of this invention is shown. Sectional drawing of the completion state of 3rd Example of the bone conduction earphone of this invention is shown. (A) is explanatory drawing which looked at the completion state of 3rd Example of the bone conduction earphone of this invention from the side surface, (b) shows a front view. The side sectional view of the 4th example of the bone conduction earphone of the present invention is shown. (A) is explanatory drawing which looked at the completion state of 4th Example from the side, (b) shows a front view. It is a 5th Example of the bone conduction earphone of the present invention, and shows the state where it was put on the ear.

  Fig.1 (a) shows the longitudinal cross-sectional view of the open type | mold bone-conduction earphone based on 1st Example of this invention.

  In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes a housing made of an elastic member such as silicon rubber or elastomer. The housing 1 includes a cylindrical portion 1a having a substantially cylindrical shape inserted into the ear canal and an outer periphery of one outer end portion of the cylindrical portion 1a. And a substantially disc-shaped flange portion 1b having a predetermined thickness. In use, the cylindrical portion 1a is inserted into the ear canal, and the flange portion 1b is similarly inserted into the ear canal. As the material of the housing, a material having good vibration transmission efficiency and a hardness are selected.

  A substantially cylindrical pad 2 as shown in FIG. 1B is put on the outer peripheral portion of the cylindrical portion 1a. The pad 2 is made of a soft elastic member, and the shape of the external auditory canal varies depending on the person. Therefore, when the bone conduction earphone is inserted into the external auditory canal, the pad portion is deformed and brought into close contact. The flange portion 1b is also made of a deformable elastic member. Needless to say, the cylindrical portion 1a and the pad 2 may be integrally formed.

  In the hollow part inside the cylindrical part 1a and the flange part 1b, an open type bone conduction device 3 which is a main member of the present invention as a transducer (electro-mechanical converter) is provided.

  The bone conduction device 3 has a cylindrical shape, a long cylindrical main body in which at least one or more grooves 6a are formed in the outer peripheral portion, and an integrally formed one end portion of the main body and having a diameter larger than that of the main body cylindrical portion. The movement 6 is made of a magnetic material having a magnet support portion 6b in which a storage space is formed, and the magnet is made of a ring-shaped magnet 5 housed in the magnet support portion 6b of the movement 6. Body, a damper 7 made of an elastic member such as rubber provided in the groove 6a of the movement 6 constituting the magnetic body, and a damper receiving groove on the inner peripheral surface. And a coil bobbin 4 provided in a non-contact state, and a coil 8 wound between flanges 4 a formed at both ends of the coil bobbin 4. The magnet support 6b does not necessarily have a cylindrical shape as in the illustrated example. For example, the magnet support 6b may have a disk shape or other appropriate shape.

  The main body cylindrical portion and the damper 7 of the movement 6 are located in the space of the hollow body portion of the coil bobbin 4.

  In the above, the magnet 5 is provided in the magnet support portion 6b of the movement 6 by using an adhesive or by fixing means such as caulking. The opening 5a in the center of the magnet 5 and the hole in the cylindrical portion of the body of the movement 6 are coaxially connected, and the inner end side of the cylindrical portion 1a of the housing 1 (when inserted into the ear canal) The hole 1a ′ formed in the central part of the eardrum side is also coaxial and communicates with the hole 1a ′.

  The magnet 5 is provided in a space a formed in the flange 1b, and the magnet support portion 6b is not in contact with the inner surface of the flange portion 1b so as not to disturb the vibration of the movement 6. Further, the inner peripheral surface side of the damper 7 is positioned in the groove 6 a of the movement 6, the outer peripheral surface side of the damper 7 is positioned on the inner peripheral surface side of the winding body portion of the coil bobbin 4, and the main body cylindrical portion of the coil bobbin 4 and the movement 6. A gap is provided between the movement 6 and the movement 6 so as to easily vibrate. The movement 6 is preferably made of a material having high magnetic permeability.

  For example, the movement 6 and the magnet 5 made of a magnetic material such as iron or stainless steel have separate structures in the illustrated embodiment. For example, a hexagonal ferrite magnetic powder, a stainless steel powder for sintering, etc. It is good also as a magnetic body which shape | molds and integrates alloy powder etc.

  In addition, in FIG. 1, the code | symbol 1c is an opening part formed in the outer side of the flange part 1b.

  FIG. 2 is an explanatory view showing an assembly example of the open bone conduction device 3.

  In assembling, as shown in the lower figure, the magnet 5 is set on the magnet support portion 6b of the movement 6 having an elongated and substantially cylindrical shape. In the example of illustration, the part of the magnet support part 6b is shown with the cross section so that the mounting state of the magnet 5 is easy to understand. Further, as shown in the middle figure, for example, a pair of grooves 6a is provided with a damper 7, and a pair of two half-divided coil bobbin bodies 4 ', preferably in a horizontally-divided structure, are arranged to face each other, from both sides. The joint portion of the coil bobbin half 4 ′ is preferably integrated by ultrasonic welding so that the outer periphery of the damper 7 is housed inside, and the coil bobbin 4 is formed as shown in the uppermost drawing. By making the coil bobbin 4 into a horizontally divided two-part structure in this way, a structure in which the damper 7 or the like is easily built in can be provided, and the assembly can be made excellent. In addition, although the coil bobbin 4 was made into the horizontal split type in the state of illustration, it is good also as a thing of the vertical split structure of upper and lower divided. The magnet 5 may be incorporated in the final process, and the stage in which the magnet 5 is incorporated is arbitrary. Moreover, the magnet support part 6b does not need to be cylindrical as described above, and may be disk-shaped or others.

  As shown in FIG. 3, a coil 8 is wound around the outer periphery of the body portion of the coil bobbin 4 to complete the hole-type bone conduction device 3 shown in FIG. In FIG. 3, 8a and 8b are lead lines of the coil 8 for energizing the audio signal.

  As shown in FIG. 1A, the bone conduction device 3 is provided in the hollow portion of the housing 1 by an insertion method or a loading method. In this case, the magnet 5 is located outside (inside the flange portion 1b of the housing 1). The insertion method is literally a method of inserting into the central part of the housing 1 and preferably fixing with an adhesive. The same applies to the loading method.

  FIG. 4 is an explanatory view of the assembled bone-type earphone 3A as viewed from the side. There is little or no step between the outer peripheral surface of the flange portion 1b and the outer peripheral surface of the pad 2, and the portion of the flange portion 1b is also inserted into the ear canal during use. However, according to this bone conduction earphone, when the pad 2 portion, which is an ear insertion portion, is inserted into the ear canal, the ear canal is blocked by a hole in the center of the magnet, a vent 6 'in the movement 6, a hole 1a' in the housing 1, and the like. It will not come off.

  In use, as shown in FIG. 5, the open bone conduction earphone 3 </ b> A is inserted into the external auditory canal A. Then, an audio current is applied to the coil 8 of the open bone conduction device via lead wires 8a and 8b (see FIG. 3, not shown for convenience in illustration in FIG. 5). FIG. 5 shows the structure of the outer ear A ′, the middle ear B ′, the inner ear C ′, and the like. D 'represents the eardrum, E' represents the ear canal, F 'represents the cochlea, and G' represents the ossicle, such as the heel bone a, the kinuta bone b, and the stapes c.

  6A, 6B to 9A, 9B show the principle of vibration of the bone conduction device 3. FIG. 6A and 6B are explanatory diagrams of the current flowing through the coil 8 and the magnetic fields Φa and Φb generated thereby. FIG. 7 is an example of a magnetic body, FIGS. 8A and 8B are explanatory diagrams in which F due to the generated magnetic field acts on the magnetic body, and FIGS. 9A and 9B are generated magnetic fields Φa and Φb and magnets. Shows the relationship with the magnetic field Φm.

  6 (a) and 6 (b), when an alternating audio current flows through the coil 8 via the lead wires 8a and 8b, it is generated according to the direction of the currents ia and ib according to the right-hand rule of amperes. The directions of the magnetic fluxes Φa and Φb are alternately changed as indicated by arrows. Ampere's right-handed screw law is a law that expresses the relationship between current and the magnetic field that forms around it. It is. In the figure, 4 is a coil bobbin, 6 is a movement, and 7 is a damper. The movement 6 in this example is a magnetic body having a configuration in which a magnet 5 is provided at one end as shown in the figure.

  When a movement 6 made of a material with a high magnetic permeability having a magnet 5 at one end as shown in FIG. 7 is arranged at the center of the coil 8, it receives a force F generated by Fleming's left-hand rule. As shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, this force F acts in a direction to support the movement 6 disposed in the hollow portion of the coil bobbin 4 via the gap by the damper 7. The arrow indicates the direction of F generated by the directions of currents ia and ib.

  As shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, since the holding damper 7 mechanically supports the magnetic body formed of the movement 6 in which the magnet 5 is integrated, Φa and Φb are It affects the magnetic flux Φm and causes the magnetic body to move up and down. This vibration is transmitted to the coil bobbin 4 and further transmitted to the bone through a member covering the vibration body itself and transmitted to the auditory nerve. In this case, the member covering the vibrating body is similar to the hardness of the external auditory canal, and importance is attached to the adhesion with the periphery of the loading. The holding damper 7 may be one as long as the movement 6 is balanced. The damper 7 should have a low hardness in order to vibrate the movement 6 quickly.

  A bone conduction device 3 that functions as a vibrating body including a magnet 5, a movement 6, a damper 7, a coil bobbin 4, a coil 8, and the like is provided in the housing 1, and vibration is transmitted to the housing 1.

  General airway sound is transmitted through the air as vibration in the air and the eardrum vibrates and is transmitted to the auditory organ called the cochlea. On the other hand, in the present invention, the vibration of the bone conduction device 3 is directly transmitted from the ossicle G 'to the auditory nerve after the cochlea F' in FIG.

  FIG. 10 shows a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment is characterized in that the entire outer shape is a substantially cylindrical shape that is slightly longer in the axial direction. FIG. 11A is an explanatory view showing an appearance, and FIG. 11B is a front view.

  In this embodiment, the shape of the movement 6 is simple. That is, the movement 6 is formed into an elongated cylindrical shape, and the ring-shaped magnet 5 is provided on the outer periphery of one end thereof (corresponding to the outer position of the external auditory canal when inserted into the external auditory canal) to constitute the open bone transmission device 3. It has a special feature. In this example, one end portion of the movement 6 functions as a support portion for the magnet 5.

  FIG. 12 shows another embodiment of the bone conduction device 3. In this third embodiment, the magnet 5 is attached to the end of the movement 6, the damper 7 and the groove 6a are integrated, and the axial dimensions of the movement 6 and the coil bobbin 4 are shortened. Since the basic configuration is substantially the same as the bone conduction device 3 of FIG.

  FIG. 13 shows a sectional view of the assembled state.

  FIG. 14A is an explanatory diagram of the completed state, and FIG. 14B is a front view.

  FIG. 15 shows a fourth embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the basic configuration of the bone conduction device 3 is the same as that of FIG. FIG. 16A shows the outer observation surface, and FIG. 16B shows the front view.

  What is characteristic in this embodiment is that the bone conduction earphone is an earplug type, and the bone conduction device 3 inserted into the ear canal is covered with a cover 1d made of a waterproof elastic member, so that it can be used in water. It is a thing. In this case, there is a gap between the outer periphery of the magnet 5 and the inner surface of the waterproof cover 1d so as not to prevent vibration.

  In this embodiment, the damper 7 is one type, but it is needless to say that a bone conduction device in which the damper 7 is a double type may be used as in the embodiment shown in FIG.

  Needless to say, the shape of the cover 1d is not limited to the illustrated example. Further, in place of the cover 1d, a waterproof lid-like stopper (not shown) that prevents water from entering the inside of the axial vent 6 'in the central portion of the bone conduction device 3 is made detachable. When a cylindrical or bottomed cylindrical plug is inserted, it can be used in water. When the plug is removed, the vent 6 'communicates with the outside air and can be used on land. Also good.

  FIG. 17 shows a fifth embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, a flange 3a located outside the external auditory canal A is provided outside the open bone conduction earphone 3A, and an appropriate illustration or a jewel is provided on the outer surface of the flange 3a. An appropriate mounting member is provided to provide an accessory effect. The outer shape of the flange 3a is preferably circular, and other shapes are polygonal and rectangular. It is attached to the bone conduction device 3A by an adhesive, ultrasonic welding, a fitting means with an appropriate uneven structure, or the like. According to the fitting means, it can be made detachable and can be used as shown in FIG. In addition, it is preferable to make a hole communicating with the vent hole 6 'in the center of the flange 3a. The hole may be covered with a member such as a cloth having air permeability.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Housing 1a Cylindrical part 1a 'Hole 1b Flange part 1c Flange opening part 2 Pad 3 Bone conduction device 3A Opening type bone conduction earphone 3a Flange 4 which brings a decoration effect Coil bobbin 4a Flange 5 Magnet 5a Magnet opening 6 Movement 6a Groove 6b Magnet support 6 'Ventilation hole 7 Damper 8 Coil

Claims (5)

  A magnetic body composed of a longitudinal member having a vent hole (6 ′) in the central portion in the axial direction that can communicate with the outside world when mounted, at least one damper (7) provided on the outer periphery of the magnetic body, and the magnetic body And a coil bobbin (4) in which the coil (8) is wound around the outer periphery of the body, and the air hole (6 ') is provided. An open-type bone conduction earphone comprising an open-type bone conduction device (3) through a body.   2. The open-type bone conduction earphone according to claim 1, wherein the magnetic body includes a movement (6) made of a magnetic material having a ventilation hole (6 ′) in the center in the axial direction, and one end of the movement (6). An aperture-type bone conduction earphone characterized by comprising a structure of a provided magnet (5) or a magnetic powder formed by integrating the movement (6) and the magnet (5).   2. The aperture type bone conduction earphone according to claim 1, wherein the coil bobbin (4) has a horizontally or vertically divided structure.   2. An aperture-type bone conduction earphone according to claim 1, wherein the bone conduction device (3) is covered with a waterproof cover so that it can be used for underwater use.   2. The open-type bone conduction earphone according to claim 1, wherein the bone conduction device (3) is provided with a detachable and waterproof lid-like plug in the central ventilation hole (6 ′). An open-type bone conduction earphone characterized by

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