JP2015061206A - Ear piece and earphone provided with the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an ear piece capable of obtaining excellent reproduced sound quality while securing high sealability in an external auditory canal in a usage state where it is inserted into the external auditory canal.SOLUTION: An ear piece includes: a tubular base; a flexible umbrella shaped part which connects with an end part of the base and which extends in a shape of an umbrella from an end part toward the other end, to cover a peripheral face of the base in isolation; and a deformation suppression part Y which is provided between the umbrella shaped part and the base and which suppresses deformation exceeding a predetermined deformation amount when the umbrella shaped part is deformed as approaching to the base.

Description

  The present invention relates to an earpiece and an earphone including the earpiece.

It is detachably attached to the main body part mounted on the auricle, the cylindrical sound tube part protruding from the main body part, the speaker unit housed in the main body part or attached to the tip of the sound tube part, and the sound tube part There is known an earphone including an earpiece (for example, Patent Document 1).
This earphone is referred to as a so-called canal type, and is used by inserting an earpiece into the ear canal and mounting the main body portion inside the auricle. In this use state, the output sound of the speaker unit is emitted into the ear canal from a sound hole opened at the tip of the earpiece.

It is known that the canal type earphone can hear the reproduced sound better as the sealing property inside the ear canal when the earpiece is inserted is higher.
Therefore, the earpiece includes a hollow shaft portion that engages with the sound tube portion, and an umbrella-shaped portion that spreads in the shape of an umbrella of the sea moon for making good contact with the inner wall of the ear canal, and the contact is in good contact. As described above, at least the umbrella-shaped portion is formed thin with a flexible material.

  The earpiece described in Patent Document 1 prevents the outer skin (corresponding to the umbrella-shaped portion) from turning over due to the frictional force between the outer skin corresponding to the umbrella-shaped portion and the inner surface of the ear canal when the earpiece is pulled out from the ear canal. A strength reinforcing member is formed so as to protrude from the inner surface of the outer skin so as not to be connected to the shaft portion.

JP 2013-150288 A

The ear canal into which the earpiece is inserted has a large individual difference in cross-sectional shape. For this reason, in the conventional earpiece, the umbrella-shaped portion is usually formed with an outer size that is sufficiently larger than the cross-sectional shape of the ear canal, and is inserted into the ear canal.
The umbrella-shaped portion is formed by a thin material with no waist by using a flexible material (rubber or the like) so that the umbrella-shaped portion is closely attached to the inner wall of the ear canal as much as possible by the insertion. Conventional earpieces adhere relatively well when the cross-sectional shape of the ear canal is relatively circular.

However, when the cross-sectional shape is far from a circle (for example, when there is a part that spreads outward locally), the umbrella-like part does not have a waist and therefore follows the part where the shape changes locally. There was a case where a gap was generated.
If there is a gap, the earpiece 3 cannot sufficiently secure the sealability in the external auditory canal, and there is a possibility that the reproduction sound quality may be deteriorated.

  Therefore, the problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an earpiece and an earphone provided with the earpiece which can obtain a good reproduction sound quality while ensuring high sealing performance in the ear canal in a use state inserted into the ear canal. It is in.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention has the following configurations 1) and 2).
1) A tubular base (3a) and one end (3a1) of the base (3a) are connected to each other, and the outer surface (3a4) of the base (3a) is directed from the one end (3a1) to the other end (3a2). ) Is provided between the umbrella-shaped portion (3b) and the base portion (3a), and the umbrella-shaped portion (3b) is provided between the umbrella-shaped portion (3b) and the base portion (3a). ) Is an earpiece (3) provided with a deformation suppressing portion (Y) that suppresses deformation exceeding a predetermined deformation amount when deforming to approach the base (3a).
2) A main body (1), a sound tube portion (2) protruding from the main body portion (1), and a speaker unit attached to the tip of the sound tube portion (2) or inside the main body portion (1) (SP) and an earpiece (3) attached to the sound tube portion (2),
The earpiece (3) is connected to a tubular base (3a) and one end (3a1) of the base (3a) on the side far from the main body (1), and from the one end (3a1) to the main body A flexible umbrella-shaped portion (3b) extending in an umbrella shape so as to be separated from and cover the outer peripheral surface (3a4) of the base portion (3a) toward (1), the umbrella-shaped portion (3b) and the base portion ( 3a), a deformation suppressing portion (Y) that suppresses deformation exceeding a predetermined deformation amount when the umbrella-shaped portion (3b) is deformed to approach the base (3a). It is an earphone (51).

  According to the present invention, there is an effect that a good reproduction sound quality can be obtained while ensuring high airtightness in the ear canal in a state of use inserted into the ear canal.

It is a perspective view for demonstrating the earphone 51 of the Example in the earphone provided with the earpiece which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing in the S1-S1 position in FIG. 1 for demonstrating the earphone 51. FIG. It is a rear view for demonstrating the earpiece 3 of Example 1. FIG. It is sectional drawing in the S2-S2 position in FIG. 3 for demonstrating the earpiece 3. FIG. It is a fragmentary sectional view in the S3-S3 position in FIG. 4 for demonstrating the earpiece 3. FIG. FIG. 6 is a view corresponding to FIG. 5 for explaining the deformation when the earpiece 3 is inserted into the ear canal E; It is a figure corresponding to FIG. 5 for demonstrating the modification of the earpiece. 3 is a glove for explaining the behavior when the ear pieces 3, 3A, 3B of Examples 1 to 3 are inserted into the external auditory canal E. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a process of inserting the earpiece 3 into the ear canal E. FIG. It is a rear view for demonstrating the earpiece 3A of Example 2. FIG. It is sectional drawing in the S4-S4 position in FIG. 10 for demonstrating the earpiece 3A. FIG. 12 is a half cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 11 for explaining the deformation when the earpiece 3A is inserted into the ear canal E. It is a rear view for demonstrating the earpiece 3B of Example 3. FIG. It is sectional drawing in the S5-S5 position in FIG. 13 for demonstrating the earpiece 3B. FIG. 15 is a half cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 14 for explaining the deformation when the earpiece 3B is inserted into the ear canal E; FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view for explaining a modification of the earpiece 3 of the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view for explaining another modification of the earpiece 3 of the first embodiment.

An earpiece and an earphone including the earpiece according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
In the following description, the front-rear direction is defined as the direction of the arrow in FIG. This direction is not related to the direction in the posture in use, and is defined for convenience in order to facilitate understanding.

Example 1
First, with reference to FIG.1 and FIG.2, the structure of the earpiece 3 of Example 1 and the earphone 51 provided with the same is demonstrated. FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of the earphone 51, and FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view at the S1-S1 position in FIG.

The earphone 51 includes a speaker unit SP, a main body 1 that accommodates the speaker unit SP therein, and a cord C that has one end connected to the speaker unit SP and the other end pulled out from the main body 1. Yes.
Inside the main body 1, a front cavity FC1 is formed as a gap on the front side of the sound emission surface SP1 of the speaker unit SP.

The main body portion 1 is formed with a sound tube portion 2 that protrudes in a direction perpendicular to or oblique to the sound emission surface SP1 of the speaker unit SP. In the earphone 51 of the embodiment, the sound tube portion 2 is formed in the oblique direction.
The sound tube portion 2 is formed in a cylindrical shape, for example. The outer shape of the cross section of the sound tube portion 2 is not limited to a circle, and may be an ellipse or a square.
The sound tube portion 2 is formed with a through hole 2a that communicates the front cavity FC1 with the external space. The cross-sectional shape of the through hole 2a is not limited, but is preferably circular.
The sound tube portion 2 is provided with a circumferential groove 2c having a reduced diameter.

An earpiece 3 is detachably attached to the outer peripheral surface 2 b of the sound tube portion 2.
The earpiece 3 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.
3 is a rear view of the single piece of the earpiece 3 shown in FIG. 2, FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view at the position S2-S2 in FIG. 3, and FIG. 5 is a position at S3-S3 in FIG. FIG.

The earpiece 3 is formed in an axially symmetric shape with the axis line CL3 as an axis of symmetry.
Specifically, the base 3a is connected to the substantially tubular base 3a having the axis CL3 as an axis and the front end 3a1 which is one end of the base 3a, and toward the rear end 3a2 which is the other end of the base 3a. And an umbrella-shaped portion 3b extending like a sea-moon umbrella so as to cover and cover the outer surface of the container. The position having the maximum diameter in the umbrella-shaped portion 3b is, for example, between the front end portion 3a1 and the rear end portion 3a2.
The base portion 3a is formed thicker (thickness is larger) than the umbrella-shaped portion 3b.
That is, the umbrella-shaped portion 3b is basically less rigid than the base portion 3a.

The base 3a has a through hole 3a3 that penetrates in the front-rear direction. The through hole 3a3 is opened as a sound hole 3e on the front end 3a1 side. Here, a portion in front of the sound tube portion 2 in the through hole 3a3 is defined as a sound hole 3e.
The earpiece 3 is made of a flexible material. For example, elastomer or rubber. An example in the case of rubber can be silicone rubber.

The base portion 3a has a peripheral rib portion 3c projecting inward in the radial direction on the rear end portion 3a2 side in the through hole 3a3.
The circumferential rib portion 3c is detachably engaged with the circumferential groove 2c of the sound tube portion 2 with the radial direction as a strong fitting. Thereby, the earpiece 3 is detachably attached to the sound tube portion 2.

The earpiece 3 has a connecting wall 3d that connects the inner surface 3b1 of the umbrella-shaped portion 3b and the outer peripheral surface 3a4 of the base portion 3a.
A plurality of connecting walls 3d are provided apart in the circumferential direction. 3 d of connection walls are formed in the arc shape used as a spiral shape in rear view.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, the portion connected to the outer peripheral surface 3a4 of the base 3a of the connecting wall 3d is provided at an angular pitch θa1 in the circumferential direction. Further, the portion of the connecting wall 3d that is connected to the inner surface 3b1 of the umbrella-like portion 3b is formed with an angular pitch θa1 that is shifted by an angle θb in the circumferential direction. Thereby, the connection wall 3d is formed in a spiral shape. Whether the spiral is right-handed or left-handed is not limited. That is, as shown in FIG. 3, it is not limited whether it is right-handed or vice versa.
The angular pitch θa1 is set to 60 °, for example. In this case, six connection walls 3d are formed in the circumferential direction. The angle θb is set to 25 °, for example.

  The thickness of the connecting wall 3d is set to be thin so as to have flexibility. For example, it is equivalent to the thickness of the umbrella-shaped part 3b and has the same flexibility as the umbrella-shaped part 3b.

In the connecting wall 3d, a rib 3d2 protruding inward is formed on the inner side surface 3d1, and a rib 3d4 protruding outward is formed on the outer side surface 3d3.
The rib 3d2 and the rib 3d4 are formed at corresponding positions so that at least a part thereof overlaps in the extending direction shown in FIG. 5 of the connecting wall 3d (the extending direction connecting the base portion 3a and the umbrella-shaped portion 3b). ing.

Next, the behavior of the earpiece 3 during the insertion process into the ear canal E will be described.
When the earpiece 3 is inserted into the ear canal E, first, the umbrella-shaped portion 3b contacts the inner wall E1 of the ear canal E whose outer surface is smaller than the outer shape of the umbrella-shaped portion 3b (see FIG. 9A). This state is a state at a distance d0 at the insertion distance d.
Thereafter, by being further inserted, the umbrella-shaped portion 3b is squeezed while receiving a load directed radially inward from the inner wall E1 of the ear canal E, and approaches the base portion 3a. That is, the diameter of the umbrella-shaped portion 3b is reduced such that the connecting wall 3d falls to the base portion 3a side (see arrow DR1 in FIG. 5).

When the diameter of the umbrella-shaped portion 3b is reduced to some extent, as shown in FIG. 6, the rib 3d2 contacts the outer peripheral surface 3a4 of the base portion 3a at the position P1, and the rib 3d4 contacts the inner surface 3b1 of the umbrella-shaped portion 3b at the position P2. It will be in the state of contact (hereinafter referred to as a rib contact state).
The timing at which the rib 3d2 and the rib 3d4 come into contact with each other does not have to be the same, and either one may be first.
For example, when the umbrella-shaped portion 3b is deformed so that the rib 3d2 first comes into contact with the outer peripheral surface 3a4 of the base portion 3a, resistance to deformation that falls to the base portion 3a side of the connecting wall 3d is generated. Deformation of the portion of the wall 3d closer to the base 3a than the rib 3d2 is substantially suppressed.
At this time, since the rib 3d4 is not in contact with the umbrella-shaped portion 3b, the portion of the connecting wall 3d closer to the umbrella-shaped portion 3b than the rib 3d4 continues to be deformed. It contacts the inner surface 3b1 of the umbrella-shaped portion 3b.

In the rib contact state, the position P1 and the position P2 are at positions that are substantially matched in the circumferential direction. That is, the rib 3d2 and the rib 3d4 are in contact with the outer peripheral surface 3a4 and the inner surface 3b1 in a radial direction.
Specifically, the position P1 and the position P2 are substantially on a line LN1 passing through the axis CL3 in FIG. That is, both the rib 3d2 and the rib 3d4 are sandwiched between the umbrella-shaped portion 3b and the base portion 3a at substantially the same circumferential position.
As a result, when the umbrella-shaped portion 3b attempts to approach the base portion 3a, the rib 3d2 and the rib 3d4 are compressed without causing the collapsing deformation of the connecting wall 3d, so that a large resistance is generated. That is, sag deformation is suppressed.
The position P1 and the position P2 may not be strictly on the line LN1. For example, the line LN1 may be at a position straddling both the rib 3d2 and the rib 3d4. Also in this case, the effect of suppressing the deformation of the umbrella-like portion 3b is exerted similarly.

Assuming that the insertion distance d in the rib contact state is the distance d1, the compression resistance of the ribs 3d2 and the ribs 3d4 is generated when the umbrella-shaped portion 3b tries to shrink due to the insertion of the earpiece 3 into the ear canal E after the distance d1. Thus, the umbrella-like portion 3b urges the inner wall E1 of the ear canal E with a repulsive force F caused by the energy accumulation.
Therefore, the transition of the diameter reduction of the umbrella-shaped portion 3b and the repulsive force F at the insertion distance d in the process of inserting the earpiece 3 into the ear canal E will be described with reference to the graph of FIG.

In FIG. 8, the horizontal axis is the insertion distance d, the left vertical axis is the distance from the axis line CL3 of the inner surface 3b1 of the umbrella-shaped portion 3b (radius R: see FIG. 4), and the right vertical axis is the umbrella-shaped portion 3b. A repulsive force F that biases the inner wall E1 of the ear canal E.
As shown in FIG. 4, the radius R is the distance from the axis line CL3 of the connection position between the connecting wall 3d and the inner surface 3b1 of the umbrella-shaped portion 3b.
At a distance d0 at the start of insertion, the radius R is almost a free state value R0. Therefore, no repulsive force F is generated. The state of the distance d0 is shown in FIG.

As the insertion progresses, the umbrella-shaped portion 3b is deformed so that the radius R decreases. Along with this, the repulsive force F tends to increase due to the elastic repulsive force of the reduced diameter deformation of the umbrella-shaped portion 3b and the falling deformation of the connecting wall 3d.
Since the reduced diameter deformation of the umbrella-shaped portion 3b and the falling-down deformation of the connecting wall 3d are deformation of a thin portion having flexibility, the repulsive force F is extremely small.

  When the insertion further proceeds and the umbrella-shaped portion 3b is reduced in diameter by a predetermined deformation amount, the rib comes into contact with the distance d1. In the rib contact state, the radius R is a value R1. That is, the predetermined deformation amount is (R0-R1). The state of the distance d1 is shown in FIG.

When the insertion proceeds further beyond the distance d1, the deformation of the umbrella-shaped portion 3b is suppressed from being in the rib contact state. On the other hand, the repulsive force F by the rib 3d2 and the rib 3d4 increases rapidly.
After the distance d1, when the insertion of the earpiece 3 proceeds to some extent, the shape of the external auditory canal E becomes almost stable, and at the distance d2, the decrease in the radius R of the umbrella-shaped portion 3b almost stops and becomes the value R2. The value of the repulsive force F at the distance d2 is F2.
After the distance d2, the radius R is substantially constant and the repulsive force F is substantially constant until the insertion distance d reaches the distance d3 that is a predetermined insertion position. The values of the radius R and the repulsive force F at the distance d3 are R2 and F3, respectively. The state of the distance d3 is shown in FIG.

As is clear from FIG. 8, after the rib contact state (d = d1), the repulsive force F increases rapidly, and the umbrella-shaped portion 3b urges the inner wall E1 of the external auditory canal E in a direction of expanding. Thereby, the adhesion degree of the umbrella-shaped part 3b and the inner wall E1 of the ear canal E improves.
In addition, when the cross-sectional shape of the external auditory canal E is far from a circle, for example, even when there is a portion that spreads outward locally, the earpiece 3 is in a so-called waist state in a rib contact state, and is umbrella-shaped. The part 3b is urged radially outward so as to follow a locally changing part. Thereby, the adhesion degree of the umbrella-shaped part 3b and the inner wall E1 of the ear canal E improves more.

  The insertion distance in FIG. 8 is equal to indicating an order, not an absolute distance.

As described above, the earpiece 3 according to the first embodiment allows the diameter reduction of the umbrella-shaped portion 3b accompanying insertion into the ear canal E until the predetermined diameter reduction amount is reached, and is suppressed after reaching the predetermined diameter reduction amount. And a deformation suppressing portion Y that generates a reaction force directed outward in the radial direction. In the first embodiment, the deformation suppressing portions are the connecting wall 3d, and the rib 3d2 and the rib 3d4 provided on the connecting wall 3d.
Thereby, not only the adhesion between the umbrella-shaped portion 3b and the inner wall E1 in the initial stage of insertion of the earpiece 3 into the ear canal E, but also the adhesion between the umbrella-shaped portion 3b and the inner wall E1 at the time when the insertion progresses further. improves.
Therefore, a high sealing property inside the ear canal E by the earpiece 3 is ensured, and a good reproduction sound quality is obtained.

  In addition, since the earphone 51 provided with the earpiece 3 ensures high sealing performance in the ear canal E during use, high sound insulation and sound leakage can be obtained.

(Example 2)
Next, with reference to FIGS. 10-12, the earpiece 3A of Example 2 is demonstrated.
FIG. 10 is a rear view of the earpiece 3A. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line S4-S4 in FIG. 10, and FIG. 12 is a half cross-section showing a closed state (described later) of the earpiece 3A.
The earpiece 3 </ b> A is detachably attached to the sound tube portion 2 of the earphone 51 described in the first embodiment, similarly to the earpiece 3.

The earpiece 3A is formed in an axially symmetric shape with the axis CL3A as an axis of symmetry.
Specifically, the base 3Aa is connected to the substantially tubular base 3Aa with the axis CL3A as an axis and the front end 3Aa1 which is one end of the base 3Aa, and toward the rear end 3Aa2 which is the other end of the base 3Aa. And an umbrella-shaped portion 3Ab extending in a sea-moon umbrella shape so as to cover the outer peripheral surface 3Aa4. The position having the maximum diameter in the umbrella-shaped portion 3Ab is between the front end portion 3Aa1 and the rear end portion 3Aa2.
The thickness of the umbrella-shaped portion 3Ab is formed thinner than the thickness of the base portion 3Aa. That is, the umbrella-shaped portion 3Ab is basically lower in rigidity than the base portion 3Aa.

The base portion 3Aa has a through hole 3Aa3 penetrating in the front-rear direction. As for through-hole 3Aa3, front end 3Aa1 side is opened as sound hole 3Ae. Here, a portion in front of the sound tube portion 2 (illustrated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 11) engaged in the through hole 3Aa3 is defined as a sound hole 3Ae.
The earpiece 3A is formed of a flexible material. For example, elastomer or rubber. An example in the case of rubber can be silicone rubber.

The base portion 3Aa has a peripheral rib portion 3Ac projecting radially inward on the rear end portion 3Aa2 side in the through hole 3Aa3.
The circumferential rib portion 3c is detachably engaged with the circumferential groove 2c of the sound tube portion 2 (not shown in FIG. 11, see FIG. 2) with the radial direction as a strong fit. As a result, the earpiece 3 </ b> A is detachably attached to the sound tube unit 2.

The earpiece 3A has a connecting wall 3Ad that connects the inner surface 3Ab1 of the umbrella-shaped portion 3Ab and the outer peripheral surface 3Aa4 of the base portion 3Aa.
A plurality of connection walls 3Ad are provided, for example, spaced apart in the circumferential direction.
The connecting wall 3Ad is formed in a partition shape extending in the radial direction from the axis line CL3A and partitioning the space between the base portion 3Aa and the umbrella-shaped portion 3Ab in the circumferential direction in the rear view.
Specifically, it is formed with an angular pitch θAa in the circumferential direction. The angle pitch θAa is set to 60 °, for example.

The connecting wall 3Ad has a slit 3As that opens toward the rear end 3Aa2 and is cut with a predetermined opening width W1 toward the front end 3Aa1. The cutting direction toward the front end 3Aa1 is substantially parallel to the axis CL3A.
The cut depth L1 of the slit 3As can be appropriately set according to, for example, a predetermined deformation amount (described later) determined by design. The connecting wall 3Ad is at least half the length Ld in the direction along the axis CL3A.
Slit 3As has opposing surface 3As1 as a pair of opposing part which mutually opposes in radial direction.

  The thickness of the connection wall 3Ad is formed thinner than the base 3Aa. For example, it is set to be equal to the thickness of the umbrella-shaped portion 3Ab. That is, it has flexibility similarly to the umbrella-shaped portion 3Ab.

  The behavior in the process of inserting the earpiece 3A into the ear canal E will be described with reference to FIGS.

When the earpiece 3A is inserted into the ear canal E, the umbrella-shaped portion 3Ab first contacts the inner wall E1 of the ear canal E whose outer surface is smaller than the outer shape of the umbrella-shaped portion 3Ab. This state is a state at a distance d0 at the insertion distance d.
Thereafter, by being further inserted, the umbrella-shaped portion 3Ab is retracted and approaches the base portion 3Aa. That is, the slit 3As of the connecting wall 3Ad is deformed so as to be closed, and the diameter of the umbrella-shaped portion 3Ab is reduced (see arrow DR2 in FIG. 12).
In FIG. 12, the outer shape of the umbrella-like portion 3Ab in the free state is indicated by a one-dot chain line.

When the diameter reduction deformation of the umbrella-shaped portion 3Ab proceeds to some extent and reaches a predetermined deformation amount, the opposing surfaces 3As1 of the slit 3As come into contact with each other at the position P3 as shown in FIG. 12, and the slit is closed. This state is referred to as a slit closed state.
Accordingly, when the umbrella-shaped portion 3Ab tries to approach the base portion 3Aa, the connecting wall 3Ad is compressed in the extending radial direction, so that a large resistance force is generated. That is, the sag deformation of the umbrella-shaped portion 3Ab is suppressed.
Assuming that the insertion distance in the slit closed state is the distance d1, when the umbrella-shaped portion 3Ab is to be swollen by the insertion of the earpiece 3A into the external ear canal E after the distance d1, the slit 3As is closed, so that the connection wall 3Ad On the contrary, the umbrella-shaped portion 3Ab urges the inner wall E1 of the ear canal E with a repulsive force FA.

In FIG. 8, the horizontal axis is the insertion distance d, the left vertical axis is the distance (radius RA) from the axis CL3A of the inner surface 3Ab1 of the umbrella-shaped portion 3Ab, and the right vertical axis is the umbrella-shaped portion 3Ab along the inner wall E1 of the ear canal E. The repulsive force FA to be energized.
As shown in FIG. 11, the radius RA is a distance at a connection position between the connection wall 3Ad and the inner surface 3Ab1 of the umbrella-shaped portion 3Ab.

  The distance d0 is the insertion start point at which the umbrella-shaped portion 3Ab and the external auditory canal E are in contact with each other, and the radius RA is substantially a free state value RA0. Therefore, no repulsive force FA is generated. The state of the distance d0 is shown in FIG.

  As the insertion proceeds, the umbrella-shaped portion 3Ab undergoes a squeezing deformation, so that the radius RA decreases. Along with this, the repulsive force FA tends to increase due to the elastic repulsive force of the reduced diameter deformation of the umbrella-shaped portion 3Ab. Since the reduced diameter deformation of the umbrella-shaped portion 3Ab is a deformation of the thin-walled umbrella-shaped portion 3Ab having flexibility, the repulsive force FA is extremely small.

  When the insertion further proceeds and the umbrella-shaped portion 3Ab is reduced in diameter by a predetermined deformation amount, the slit is closed at the distance d1. In the slit closed state, the radius RA is a value RA1. That is, the predetermined deformation amount is (RA0-RA1), which is substantially the opening width W1 of the slit 3As. The state of the distance d1 is shown in FIG.

When the insertion proceeds further beyond the distance d1, the reduced diameter deformation of the umbrella-shaped portion 3Ab is suppressed because it is in the slit closed state. On the other hand, the repulsive force FA due to the connecting wall 3Ad increases rapidly.
After the distance d1, when the insertion of the earpiece 3A proceeds to some extent, the shape of the ear canal E becomes substantially stable at the value RA2, and the decrease in the radius RA of the umbrella-shaped portion 3Ab almost stops at the distance d2. The value of the repulsive force FA at the distance d2 is FA2.
After the distance d2, the radius RA is substantially constant and the repulsive force FA is substantially constant until the insertion distance d reaches the distance d3 that is a predetermined insertion position. The values of the radius RA and the repulsive force FA at the distance d3 are RA2 and FA3, respectively. The state of the distance d3 is shown in FIG.

As is apparent from FIG. 8, the repulsive force FA increases suddenly after insertion in the slit closed state (d = d1) and the umbrella-like portion 3Ab is urged in a direction of expanding the inner wall E1 of the ear canal E. The degree of adhesion between the shape portion 3Ab and the inner wall E1 of the ear canal E is improved.
Further, even if the cross-sectional shape of the external auditory canal E is far from a circle, for example, there is a portion that spreads outward locally, the earpiece 3A is in a waisted state in the slit closed state, and the slit closed state (d = D1) In the subsequent insertion, the umbrella-shaped portion 3Ab is urged radially outward so as to follow the locally changing portion. As a result, the degree of adhesion between the umbrella-shaped portion 3Ab and the inner wall E1 of the ear canal E is further improved. The insertion distance in FIG.

As described above, the earpiece 3A of the second embodiment allows the diameter reduction of the umbrella-shaped portion 3Ab accompanying insertion into the ear canal E until the predetermined diameter reduction amount is reached, and is suppressed after reaching the predetermined diameter reduction amount. And a deformation suppressing portion YA that generates a reaction force. In the second embodiment, the deformation suppressing portion YA is a pair of facing surfaces 3As1 of the connection wall 3Ad and the slit 3As provided in the connection wall 3Ad.
Thereby, not only the adhesion between the umbrella-shaped portion 3Ab and the inner wall E1 of the ear canal E in the initial stage of insertion, but also the adhesion between the umbrella-shaped portion 3Ab and the inner wall E1 at the time when the insertion proceeds is further improved. Therefore, high sealing performance inside the ear canal E by the earpiece 3A is ensured, and good reproduction sound quality is obtained.

  Moreover, since the earphone 51 provided with the earpiece 3A ensures high sealing performance in the ear canal E during use, high sound insulation and sound leakage can be obtained.

(Example 3)
Next, with reference to FIGS. 13-15, the earpiece 3B of Example 3 is demonstrated.
FIG. 13 is a rear view of the earpiece 3B. FIG. 14 is a sectional view taken along the line S5-S5 in FIG. 13, and FIG. 15 is a half section showing a rib contact state (described later) of the earpiece 3B.
The earpiece 3 </ b> B is detachably attached to the sound tube portion 2 of the earphone 51 described in the first embodiment, similarly to the earpiece 3.

The earpiece 3B is formed in an axially symmetric shape with the axis line CL3B as an axis of symmetry.
Specifically, the base 3Ba is connected to the substantially tubular base 3Ba having the axis CL3B as an axis and the front end 3Ba1 which is one end of the base 3Ba, and toward the rear end 3Ba2 which is the other end of the base 3Ba. And an umbrella-shaped portion 3Bb extending in a sea-moon umbrella shape so as to cover and cover the outer peripheral surface 3Ba4. The position having the maximum diameter in the umbrella-shaped portion 3Bb is between the front end portion 3Ba1 and the rear end portion 3Ba2.
The thickness of the umbrella-shaped portion 3Bb is formed thinner than the thickness of the base portion 3Ba. That is, the umbrella-shaped portion 3Bb is basically less rigid than the base portion 3Ba.

The base 3Ba has a through-hole 3Ba3 penetrating in the front-rear direction. As for through-hole 3Ba3, front end 3Ba1 side is opened as sound hole 3Be. Here, a portion in front of the sound tube portion 2 (shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 14) engaged in the through-hole 3Ba3 is defined as a sound hole 3Be.
The earpiece 3B is made of a flexible material. For example, elastomer or rubber. An example in the case of rubber can be silicone rubber.

The base 3Ba has a circumferential rib 3Bc projecting inward in the radial direction on the rear end 3Ba2 side in the through hole 3Ba3.
The circumferential rib portion 3c is detachably engaged with the circumferential groove 2c (not shown in FIG. 14) of the sound tube portion 2 with the radial direction as a strong fitting. As a result, the earpiece 3B is detachably attached to the sound tube portion 2.

The earpiece 3B has an arcuate arc-shaped wall 3Bd between the inner surface 3Bb1 of the umbrella-shaped portion 3Bb and the outer peripheral surface 3Ba4 of the base portion 3Ba.
A plurality of arcuate walls 3Bd are provided, for example, spaced apart in the circumferential direction.
The arc-shaped wall 3Bd is formed in the space between the base portion 3Ba and the umbrella-shaped portion 3Bb so as to extend in the circumferential direction in an arc shape having the axis line CL3B as the central axis in the rear view.
Specifically, the arc-shaped wall 3Bd is formed at an angular pitch θBa in the circumferential direction with an extending angle θB in the circumferential direction. The extension angle θB is 60 °, for example, and the angular pitch θBa is 120 °, for example.

As shown in FIG. 14, the arc-shaped wall 3Bd is formed with a thickness tB so that a gap V1 and a gap V2 are generated between the umbrella-shaped portion 3Bb and the base portion 3Ba, respectively.
That is, a gap V1 and a gap V2 are formed between the arc-shaped wall 3Bd and the umbrella-shaped portion 3b, and between the arc-shaped wall 3Bd and the base portion 3Ba, the radial distances being the distance dB1 and the distance dB2, respectively.

The thickness tB of the arc-shaped wall 3Bd is not limited. For example, the thickness may be equal to the thickness of the umbrella-shaped portion 3Bb, or may be equal to the thickness of the base portion 3Ba.
The thickness tB of the arc-shaped wall 3Bd can be appropriately set according to, for example, a predetermined deformation amount determined by design, and a deformation amount of the umbrella-shaped portion 3Bb until reaching the arc-shaped wall contact state described later.

  The behavior in the process of inserting the earpiece 3B into the ear canal E will be described with reference to FIGS.

When the earpiece 3B is inserted into the ear canal E, the umbrella-shaped portion 3Bb first comes into contact with the inner wall E1 of the ear canal E whose outer surface is smaller than the outer shape of the umbrella-shaped portion 3Bb. This state is a state at a distance d0 at the insertion distance d.
Thereafter, by being further inserted, the umbrella-shaped portion 3Bb is squeezed and approaches the base portion 3Ba. That is, at least the radial distance dB1 of the gap V1 is deformed to reduce the diameter of the umbrella-shaped portion 3Bb (see arrow DR3 in FIG. 15).
In FIG. 15, the outer shape of the umbrella-shaped portion 3Bb in the free state is indicated by a one-dot chain line.

When the diameter of the umbrella-shaped portion 3Bb progresses to some extent, as shown in FIG. 15, the outer surface 3Bd1 of the arc-shaped wall 3Bd abuts on the inner surface 3Bb1 of the umbrella-shaped portion 3Bb on the rear end 3Ba2 side, and the inner surface of the arc-shaped wall 3Bd 3Bd2 abuts on the outer peripheral surface 3Ba4 of the base 3Ba.
Accordingly, the distance dB1 and the distance dB2 between the gap V1 and the gap V2 are 0 (zero) at the position P4 and the position P5. This state is referred to as an arcuate wall contact state. Usually, the position P4 and the position P5 are the tips (front ends) of the arc-shaped wall 3Bd.
Thereby, when the umbrella-shaped portion 3Bb tries to approach the base portion 3Ba, at least the arc-shaped wall 3Bd is compressed in the thickness direction, and a large resistance force is generated. That is, the sag deformation of the umbrella-shaped portion 3Bb exceeding the predetermined deformation amount is suppressed.

  The insertion distance d in the arcuate wall contact state is defined as a distance d1. When the earpiece 3B is inserted into the ear canal E after the distance d1, the umbrella-like portion 3Bb is reduced, the distance dB1 and the distance dB2 are 0 (zero), that is, the gap V1 and the gap V2 are closed. In addition, a compression resistance is generated at least by the arcuate wall 3Bd. Conversely, the umbrella-shaped portion 3Bb biases the inner wall E1 of the ear canal E with a repulsive force FB.

In FIG. 8, the horizontal axis is the insertion distance d, the left vertical axis is the distance (radius RB) from the axis CL3B at the position P5 at the same position as the front end of the arc-shaped wall 3Bd on the inner surface 3Bb1 of the umbrella-shaped portion 3Bb, and the right vertical axis. Is the repulsive force FB that urges the inner wall E1 of the ear canal E by the umbrella-shaped portion 3Bb.
That is, as shown in FIG. 13, the radius RB is a distance between the arc-shaped wall 3Bd and the inner surface 3Bb1 of the umbrella-shaped portion 3Bb at the same position in the direction of the axis CL3B.

  At the distance d0 at the start of insertion, the radius RB is almost the value RB0 in the free state. Therefore, no repulsive force FB is generated. The state of the distance d0 is shown in FIG.

  As the insertion progresses, the umbrella-shaped portion 3Bb progresses to be deformed so that the radius RB decreases. Accordingly, the repulsive force FB tends to increase due to the elastic repulsive force of the reduced diameter deformation of the umbrella-shaped portion 3Bb. Since the reduced diameter deformation of the umbrella-shaped portion 3Bb is a deformation of the thin-walled umbrella-shaped portion 3Bb having flexibility, the repulsive force FB is extremely small.

When the insertion further proceeds and the umbrella-shaped portion 3Ab is reduced in diameter by a predetermined deformation amount, the arc-shaped wall is brought into contact with the distance d1. In the arcuate wall contact state, the radius RB is the value RB1. That is, the predetermined deformation amount is (RB0-RB1), which is substantially a distance obtained by adding the thickness tB of the arc-shaped wall 3Bd, the distance dB1, and the distance dB2. The state of the distance d1 is shown in FIG.

  When the insertion exceeds the distance d1 and the insertion further proceeds, the diameter-reducing deformation of the umbrella-shaped portion 3Bb is in an arcuate wall contact state, and therefore, deformation exceeding a predetermined deformation amount is suppressed. On the other hand, the repulsive force FA due to the arc-shaped wall 3Bd, the umbrella-shaped portion 3Bb, and the base portion 3Ba increases rapidly.

After the distance d1, when the insertion of the earpiece 3B proceeds to some extent, the shape of the ear canal E becomes substantially stable at the value RB2, and the decrease in the radius RB of the umbrella-shaped portion 3Bb almost stops at the distance d2. The value of the repulsive force FB at the distance d2 is FB2.
After the distance d2, the radius RB is substantially constant and the repulsive force FB is also substantially constant until the insertion distance d reaches the distance d3 that is a predetermined insertion position. The values of the radius RB and the repulsive force FB at the distance d3 are RB2 and FB3, respectively. The state of the distance d3 is shown in FIG.

As is clear from FIG. 8, the repulsive force FB suddenly increases by insertion after the arcuate wall contact state (d = d1), and the umbrella-shaped portion 3Bb is urged in a direction to expand the inner wall E1 of the ear canal E. The degree of adhesion between the umbrella-shaped portion 3Bb and the inner wall E1 of the ear canal E is improved.
Further, even if the cross-sectional shape of the external auditory canal E is far from a circle, for example, there is a portion that spreads outward locally, the earpiece 3B is in a so-called waist state in the arc-shaped wall contact state, and the arc-shaped wall contact In the insertion after the contact state (d = d1), the umbrella-shaped portion 3Bb is urged radially outward so as to follow the locally changing portion. As a result, the degree of adhesion between the umbrella-shaped portion 3Ab and the inner wall E1 of the ear canal E is further improved. The insertion distance in FIG.

As described above, the earpiece 3B of the second embodiment allows the reduced diameter of the umbrella-shaped portion 3Bb accompanying insertion into the ear canal E until reaching a predetermined reduced diameter amount, and after reaching the predetermined reduced diameter amount, It has a deformation suppressing portion YB that suppresses deformation exceeding that and generates a reaction force. In the third embodiment, the deformation suppressing portion YB is an arcuate wall 3Bd.
Thereby, not only the adhesion between the umbrella-shaped portion 3Bb and the inner wall E1 of the ear canal E in the initial stage of insertion, but also the adhesion between the umbrella-shaped portion 3Bb and the inner wall E1 at the time when the insertion proceeds is further improved. Therefore, high sealing performance inside the ear canal E by the earpiece 3B is ensured, and good reproduction sound quality can be obtained.

  In addition, since the earphone 51 provided with the earpiece 3B ensures high sealing performance in the ear canal E during use, high sound insulation and sound leakage can be obtained.

  The embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the above-described configuration, and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

  The speaker unit SP is not limited to the one accommodated in the main body 1 as shown in FIG. You may attach to the inside or the front-end | tip of the sound cylinder part 2. FIG.

In the first embodiment, the rib 3d2 and the rib 3d4 included in the deformation suppressing portion Y have been formed on the connecting wall 3d. However, the present invention is not limited to this.
As shown in FIG. 16A, instead of the rib 3d2, a rib 3a5 protruding from the outer peripheral surface 3a4 of the base 3a toward the connecting wall 3d may be provided. Moreover, you may provide the rib 3d6 which protrudes toward the connection wall 3d from the inner surface 3b1 of the umbrella-shaped part 3b instead of the rib 3d4.
When the umbrella-shaped portion 3b is reduced in diameter by a predetermined deformation amount, the rib 3d5 and the rib 3d6 abut on the connecting wall 3d at the positions P6 and P7, respectively.
The position P6 and the position P7 are substantially on the line LN1 passing through the axis line CL3, and the rib 3d5 and the rib 3d6 are in contact with each other so as to be continuous in the radial direction.

As shown in FIG. 17A, the rib 3d5 and the rib 3d6 may be provided together with the rib 3d2 and the rib 3d4.
When the diameter of the umbrella-shaped portion 3b is reduced by a predetermined deformation amount, the rib 3d2 and the rib 3d5 abut on the position P8, and the rib 3d4 and the rib 3d6 abut on the position P9.
The position P8 and the position P9 are substantially on the line LN1 passing through the axis CL3, and the rib 3d5, the rib 3d2, the rib 3d4, and the rib 3d6 abut so as to be continuous in the radial direction.

  That is, the earpiece 3 includes a first protrusion (rib 3d4 or rib 3d6) that is formed on at least one of the umbrella-shaped portion 3b or the connecting wall 3d and that protrudes toward the other, including the modification, and the connecting wall 3d or the base 3a. It has a 2nd protrusion (rib 3d2 or rib 3d5) which is formed in at least one and protrudes toward the other.

Although the deformation | transformation suppression part Y, YA, YB in Examples 1-3 demonstrated what was formed in line symmetry, it is not limited to what has line symmetry.
When the deformation amount of the umbrella-shaped portions 3b, 3Ab, and 3Bb is changed in the circumferential direction or when the ease of deformation is changed in the circumferential direction, it becomes non-symmetrical. However, it may be provided at a desired circumferential position.

  In the first embodiment, the rib 3d2 may be formed as close as possible to the sound tube portion 2, and the rib 3d4 may be formed as close as possible to the umbrella-shaped portion 3b.

  Although the rib intermittent in the circumferential direction is shown in the third embodiment, the rib may be provided continuously over the entire circumference.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Main-body part 2 Sound tube part, 2a Through-hole, 2c Circumferential groove 3, 3A, 3B Earpiece 3a, 3Aa, 3Ba Base part, 3a1, 3Aa1, 3Ba1 Front end part 3a2, 3Aa2, 3Ba2 Rear end part 3a3, 3Aa3, 3Ba3 Through-hole 3a4, 3Ba4 Outer peripheral surface 3b, 3Ab Umbrella-shaped part, 3b1, 3B1 Inner surface 3c, 3Ac, 3Bc Peripheral rib, 3d, 3Ad Connecting wall 3d1 Inner side, 3d2, 3d4 rib, 3d3 Outer side 3e, 3Ae, 3Be Sound hole Slit, 3As1 Opposing surface 3Bd Arc wall, 3Bd1 outer surface, 3Bd2 inner surface 51 Earphone C cord, CL2, CL3, CL3A, CL3B Axis d Insertion distance d0-d3, dB1, dB2 Distance E Outer ear canal, E1 Inner wall F, FA, FB Repulsive force FC1 Front cavity LN1 Line P1, P2 Position SP Speed Mosquitoes unit, SP1 sound emitting surface tB thickness R, RA radius V1, V2 gap W1 opening width Y, YA, YB deformation suppressing portion θAa, θBa angular pitch, .theta.B extending angle

Claims (5)

A tubular base;
A flexible umbrella-shaped portion connected to one end portion of the base portion and extending in an umbrella shape so as to cover the outer peripheral surface of the base portion away from the one end portion toward the other end portion;
A deformation suppressing portion that is provided between the umbrella-shaped portion and the base portion and suppresses deformation exceeding a predetermined deformation amount when the umbrella-shaped portion is deformed to approach the base portion;
With earpiece. The deformation suppressing unit is
An arc-shaped connecting wall that connects the inner surface of the umbrella-shaped portion and the outer surface of the base portion;
A first protrusion formed on at least one of the umbrella-shaped part or the connection wall and protruding toward the other; and a second protrusion formed on at least one of the connection wall or the base and protruding toward the other;
Have
The first protrusion and the second protrusion are configured to contact each other in a radial direction when a deformation approaching the base of the umbrella-shaped portion reaches the predetermined deformation amount. The earpiece according to claim 1, wherein the earpiece is formed. The deformation suppressing unit is
A connecting wall that connects the inner surface of the umbrella-shaped portion and the outer surface of the base portion in a radial direction;
In the connection wall, a slit formed by opening on the other end side and cutting toward the one end side;
Have
The pair of opposed portions of the slit are configured to contact each other when a deformation approaching the base of the umbrella-shaped portion reaches the predetermined deformation amount. Earpiece. The deformation suppressing unit is
An arcuate wall extending in the circumferential direction and formed to have a gap between the inner surface of the umbrella-shaped portion and the outer surface of the base portion;
The arcuate wall is configured to come into contact with the inner surface of the umbrella-shaped portion and the outer surface of the base portion when the deformation of the umbrella-shaped portion approaching the base reaches the predetermined deformation amount. The earpiece according to claim 1. The main body,
A sound tube protruding from the main body,
A speaker unit attached to the tip of the sound tube part or the inside of the main body part;
An earpiece attached to the sound tube portion;
With
The earpiece is
A tubular base;
A flexible umbrella-shaped portion connected to one end portion of the base portion on the side far from the main body portion and extending in an umbrella shape so as to cover the outer peripheral surface of the base portion from the one end portion toward the main body portion;
A deformation suppressing portion that is provided between the umbrella-shaped portion and the base portion and suppresses deformation exceeding a predetermined deformation amount when the umbrella-shaped portion is deformed to approach the base portion;
Earphone equipped with.

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