JP3897920B2 - Bone conduction voice detector - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention includes a housing mounted in contact with the concha cavity of a human ear, and a piezoelectric element that is housed in the housing and detects bone conduction sound transmitted to the ear. The present invention relates to a bone conduction sound detection apparatus.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Such a bone conduction sound detecting device is housed in a housing in which a so-called bone conduction sound propagated by bone conduction as a mechanical vibration from the vocal cords to the ear part is mounted in the concha cavity part in contact with it. It is detected by converting it into an electrical signal with a piezoelectric element.
In general microphones such as the electret condenser type, it is often impossible to detect the user's voice accurately by detecting the external noise, but the influence of external noise is suppressed by detecting the bone conduction voice as described above. Thus, the user's voice can be accurately detected.
In the form of detecting the bone conduction sound in the human ear, in order to efficiently detect the bone conduction sound, it is necessary to accurately contact the housing containing the piezoelectric element in the concha cavity. A configuration has been considered in which the housing is formed into a shape similar to the shape of a so-called earphone housing and is brought into contact with the concha cavity.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the above-described conventional configuration, the shape and size of the concha cavity portion varies from person to person. Therefore, when the user changes the posture by tilting the head, the concha cavity of the housing In some cases, the state of contact with the part becomes unstable, the detection efficiency changes, the amount of detected audio signal fluctuates, and the detection quality deteriorates.
The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and its purpose is to make bone conduction sound more efficient and stable regardless of the shape and size of the concha cavity part to be worn. The point is to be able to detect.
[0004]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
By providing the configuration according to claim 1, when the bone conduction sound detection device is mounted on the ear, the mounting assisting member is elastically deformed and is positioned between the housing and a part of the ear. As described above, the housing for accommodating the piezoelectric element is attached to the concha cavity.
As a result, even if the shape and size of the concha cavity portion to be attached is different due to the elastic return force of the elastically deformed attachment assisting member, the housing is pressed to the side that contacts the concha cavity portion. An appropriate contact force can be obtained in a stable state.
Therefore, the bone conduction sound can be detected more efficiently and stably irrespective of the shape and size of the concha cavity part to be worn.
[0005]
In addition, by providing the configuration according to claim 2, a housing that supports the detection unit housing that houses the piezoelectric element and the earphone housing that houses the earphone for receiving the sound so as to be bifurcated by the main body support portion. The detector housing is mounted so as to contact the concha cavity portion, so that the bone conduction voice of the user can be detected and the voice signal sent by the user can be heard. Therefore, it is suitable to use as a voice input / output device for a communication device such as a telephone device or a wireless device.
[0006]
As described above, when the piezoelectric element and the earphone for receiving are provided, the vibration of the earphone for receiving due to sound emission may be detected by the piezoelectric element. By supporting the earphone housing containing the earphone for reception in a bifurcated manner, it is possible to suppress vibration from being transmitted from the earphone for reception to the piezoelectric element.
Furthermore, as described above, when the detection unit housing and the earphone housing are bifurcated, the attachment degree of the attachment assisting member is greater in the earphone housing than in the detection unit housing that contacts the concha cavity. It is large, and the apparatus configuration can be simplified by providing the mounting auxiliary member on the outer periphery of the earphone housing.
[0007]
Further, in order to attach the mounting auxiliary member to the housing, the mounting portion of the mounting auxiliary member with respect to the housing is formed in a bifurcated shape, and the outer peripheral portion of the housing is sandwiched by its elastic action. The mounting auxiliary member is detachable.
Accordingly, the mounting assisting member has elasticity for pressing the housing, and the mounting assisting member is attached to the housing for simplifying the configuration. However, some users do not need the mounting assisting member. In some cases, the bone conduction sound detection device can be made more convenient by appropriately removing the attachment assisting member.
[0008]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment in which the bone conduction voice detection device of the present invention is configured as a voice input / output device of a communication device such as a mobile phone device or a wireless device will be described with reference to the drawings.
As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the bone conduction speech detection device BS configured as the speech input / output device is roughly composed of a bone conduction speech pickup unit BP and an earphone unit ER. The main body support section 4 includes a detection section housing 2 that constitutes the conduction voice pickup section BP, an earphone housing 3 that constitutes the earphone section ER, and a main body support section 4 that supports the earphone housing 3 so as to be bifurcated. An input / output cable 5 for inputting / outputting an audio signal is extended.
[0009]
The bone conduction audio pickup unit BP is formed in the detection unit housing 2 in a substantially rod shape, as shown in FIG. 1 which is a side view and FIG. 3B which is a cross-sectional view in front view of the detection unit housing 2. Further, two piezoelectric elements 6 having one ends connected by soldering, and a signal processing board 7 that includes an FET, a capacitor, and the like and performs amplification and impedance conversion of detection signals of the piezoelectric elements 6 are for improving the S / N ratio. The shield case 8 is provided in a state of being housed.
The two piezoelectric elements 6 are supported and fixed in a cantilevered manner at one end in the longitudinal direction in the shield case 8 so that the piezoelectric elements 6 can efficiently detect bone conduction sound. And the support fixing of the shield case 8 with respect to the detection part housing 2 is made strong. The detection unit housing 2 protects the shield case 8 when an external force is applied.
[0010]
The detection unit housing 2 of the bone conduction audio pickup unit BP includes a narrow part 2a on the main body support part 4 side and a wide part 2b on the distal end side as shown in FIG. The piezoelectric element 6 is arranged in the wide portion 2b, and the signal processing board 7 is mainly arranged in the narrow portion 2a.
As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 showing the wearing state of the bone conduction sound detection device BS, the wide portion 2b is attached in the concha cavity 52 of the human ear 50 so as to be in contact therewith. More specifically, it is mounted so as to abut on the bottom 52A of the concha cavity 52. The bottom part 52A of the concha cavity part 52 is closest to the vocal cords in the concha cavity part 52, and is a position suitable for accurately capturing vibration generated in the vocal cords.
The surface of the wide portion 2b of the detection unit housing 2 that is in contact with the bottom 52A of the concha cavity 52 is convex to the bottom 52A side of the concha cavity 52 when viewed in the direction along the ear canal 51. The contact with the concha cavity 52 is improved.
[0011]
In addition, the detection unit housing 2 is formed to be hard so as to accurately transmit the fine vibration caused by the bone conduction sound in the concha cavity 52 to the piezoelectric element 6, and in order to improve the adhesion with the skin, the humidity The surface is polished to a mirror shape.
Examples of materials that can easily maintain humidity include polyamide-based resins and ABS resins, and ABS resins are particularly preferable because they have good moldability and are inexpensive.
[0012]
As shown in FIG. 1, the earphone unit ER is configured such that a dynamic speaker-type receiving earphone 10 is housed in an earphone housing 3, and a detection unit housing 2 is placed on the outer periphery of the earphone housing 3. A mounting auxiliary member 15 for pressing the side that contacts the cavity 52 is detachably provided.
The earphone housing 3 is made of a metal material, and includes a vibration damping member 11 that attaches and supports the earphone 10 for reception to one opening, and a protector 12 that protects the sound emission side of the earphone 10. The side opposite to the support side of the earphone 10 for receiving is supported by the main body support portion 4.
The damping member 11 is provided for absorbing and dampening mechanical fine vibration transmitted from the earphone 10 for receiving, and is made of an inexpensive metal having a relatively large specific gravity such as brass or iron.
[0013]
The mounting assisting member 15 is formed of a viscoelastic resin, and as shown in FIG. 6, the mounting assisting member 15 is formed in an arc shape so as to conform to the outer peripheral shape of the vibration damping member 11 and a bifurcated mounting portion 16. A pressing action portion 17 is provided integrally between the housing 1 (strictly speaking, the earphone housing 3) and a part of the ear portion 50, which is disposed in an elastically deformed state.
On the lower surface side of the mounting portion 16, a linear convex portion 16 a that engages with a concave groove 11 a formed so as to extend in the circumferential direction on the outer peripheral surface of the vibration damping member 11 is formed.
[0014]
When the attachment assisting member 15 is attached to the earphone housing 3, as shown in FIG. 6, when the convex portion 16 a of the attachment portion 16 is pressed so as to fit into the concave groove 11 a of the earphone housing 3, the attachment portion 16 is elastic. The diameter expands against the two, and both engage. In the state where the mounting assisting member 15 is attached to the earphone housing 3, the bifurcated attachment portion 16 holds the outer peripheral portion of the earphone housing 3 by its elastic action. Note that when the attachment assisting member 15 is removed, it is only necessary to pull the attachment assisting member 15 away from the earphone housing 3.
The length of the attachment portion 16 along the arc is slightly shorter than the length of the concave groove 11a of the vibration damping member 11, and the attachment auxiliary member 15 is attached to the earphone housing 3 with the attachment auxiliary member 15 attached thereto. 15 can be slid in the circumferential direction of the earphone housing 3 (the direction indicated by “B” in FIG. 2), and the mounting position can be adjusted according to the shape of the user's ear portion 50. It is.
[0015]
The pressing action portion 17 is formed in a substantially V shape in a side view, and when the bone conduction sound detection device BS is attached to the ear portion 50 as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the free end side end portion 17 a is It is locked at the upper end position 52B of the concha cavity portion 52, and is bent and elastically deformed. The elastic restoring force causes the housing 1 and, more specifically, the detection portion housing 2 to be connected to the concha cavity. The portion 52 is pressed toward the side contacting the bottom 52A.
Thereby, the elastic restoring force of the mounting assisting member 15 acts as a contact force with respect to the concha cavity 52 of the detection unit housing 2. In addition, in FIG. 4 etc., although the case where the free end side edge part 17a of the press action part 17 is latched to the upper end position 52B of the concha cavity part 52 is illustrated, this free end side edge part 17a is illustrated. The ear ring leg 53 may be locked.
[0016]
The main body support portion 4 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape as shown in FIG. 3 (a) and the like, and the signal wires from the bone conduction sound pickup portion BP and the earphone portion ER are inserted therein to protect them, By gradually changing the inner diameter at the lower position, the end portion of the input / output cable 5 that holds the signal line is fixed while reducing the force received by the input / output cable 5.
Further, a clamping member 20 for stabilizing the wearing state of the bone conduction sound detection device BS to the ear portion 50 is attached to the main body support portion 4. The sandwiching member 20 is formed of a relatively soft and elastic material such as a rubber material having a hardness of 50 degrees to 110 degrees. As shown in FIG. It is assumed that the edge 52C of the concha cavity 52 is securely clamped.
[0017]
A small-diameter through hole 20a is provided near the lower end of the holding member 20, and a weight (not shown) can be suspended and supported through the through hole 20a with a thread or the like. When a weight is suspended in the through-hole 20a, it acts as a contact force on the bottom 52A of the concha cavity 52 of the detection unit housing 2 together with the clamping operation of the clamping member 20.
In addition, the said weight can use the thing of various shapes, It can replace | exchange suitably according to a user's liking and fashion, and can also be used for the improvement of fashionability.
[0018]
Next, a usage pattern of the bone conduction sound detection device BS having the above-described configuration will be schematically described.
The bone conduction voice detection device BS is used by connecting a plug 5a provided at the tip of the input / output cable 5 to a voice input / output terminal of a communication device such as a mobile phone device or a radio.
When the bone conduction sound detection device BS is attached to the ear portion 50, the free end side end portion 17a of the attachment assisting member 15 is locked to the upper end position 52B of the concha cavity portion 52 or the ear ring leg 53 to assist the attachment. The bone conduction sound pickup part BP and the earphone part ER are all accommodated in the concha cavity part 52 in a posture in which the pressing action part 17 of the member 15 is further bent and the sound emission side of the earphone 10 for reception faces the external auditory canal 51. Attach to.
In this wearing state, the center of gravity positions of the earphone unit ER and the bone conduction audio pickup unit BP are located within the concha cavity 52 rather than the edge 52C of the concha cavity 52 that the pinching member 20 of the main body support 4 holds. The detection part housing 2 presses the bottom part 52A of the concha cavity part 52 with the weight of the earphone part ER and the bone conduction voice pickup part BP as the fulcrum 52C and the bottom part 52A of the concha cavity part 52 is pressed. It acts as a contact force for the bottom 52A of the cavity 52.
[0019]
The contact force of the detection unit housing 2 with respect to the bottom 52A of the concha cavity 52 is only obtained by the weight of the earphone unit ER and the bone conduction audio pickup unit BP, the action of the clamping member 20, and the like. Although it may become unstable depending on the shape and size of the ear part 50, the detection part housing 2 is accurately attached to the concha cavity part 52 by the elastic return force of the mounting assisting member 15 as described above. By pressing the bottom portion 52A, even if the user changes his / her posture, for example, by tilting his / her head, the fluctuation of the contact force is small, and the piezoelectric element 6 is not affected by the body hair of the skin. Can be stably maintained. If a stable contact force can be obtained without the mounting assisting member 15, the mounting assisting member 15 can be removed and mounted as described above.
[0020]
When the user has a conversation with the other party in the state of wearing the bone conduction sound detection device BS as described above, the vibration of the vocal cords caused by the user's voice is transmitted to the skull of the head, etc. 50 and reaches the surface of the concha cavity 52. The vibration that reaches the surface of the concha cavity 52 is transmitted to the piezoelectric element 6 in the detector housing 2 and converted into an electrical signal. The electric signal is processed by the signal processing board 7 and then transmitted to the other party via the input / output cable 5.
On the other hand, when the communication apparatus receives an audio signal emitted from the other party of the call, it is input to the receiving earphone 10 via the input / output cable 5, and the receiving earphone 10 emits the other party's voice toward the ear canal 51. .
[0021]
[Another embodiment]
Hereinafter, other embodiments of the present invention will be listed.
(1) In the embodiment described above, the earphone 10 for receiving is provided in the bone conduction sound detecting device BS so that not only the bone conduction sound can be detected but also the sound signal can be heard, but the earphone 10 for receiving is provided. Instead, only the detection of the bone conduction sound may be performed by the piezoelectric element 6.
(2) In the above embodiment, the case where the detection unit housing 2 is pressed and brought into contact with the bottom 52A of the concha cavity 52 is exemplified. The position where the housing 1 is brought into contact with the bone conduction sound for detection of the bone conduction sound can be appropriately changed within the concha conchae.
[0022]
(3) In the above embodiment, the mounting assisting member 15 is formed in a V shape with a resin of a viscoelastic body and is elastically deformed at the time of mounting. You may form the press action part 17 in the same shape with a metal leaf | plate spring.
Further, the attachment assisting member 15 is configured such that a coil spring is interposed between the earphone housing 3 and the upper end position 52B of the concha cavity 52 to press the detector housing 2 against the bottom 52A of the concha cavity 52. The specific configuration of can be variously changed.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a side sectional view of a bone conduction speech detection device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a front view of the bone conduction speech detection device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The figure which shows the detection part housing concerning a form. FIG. 4 The figure which shows the mounting state of the bone-conduction audio | voice detection apparatus concerning embodiment of this invention. [FIG. 5] The bone-conduction audio | voice detection apparatus concerning embodiment of this invention FIG. 6 is a view showing the mounting state. FIG. 6 is an explanatory view of attaching the mounting auxiliary member according to the embodiment of the invention.
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Housing 2 Detection part housing 3 Earphone housing 4 Main body support part 6 Piezoelectric element 10 Earphone 15 for receiving ears Wearing auxiliary member

Claims (3)

Bone conduction provided with a housing mounted in contact with the concha cavity portion of a human ear and a piezoelectric element housed in the housing and detecting bone conduction sound transmitted to the ear portion A voice detection device, which is arranged in an elastically deformed state between the housing and a part of the ear portion, and presses the housing toward the side in contact with the concha cavity portion by its elastic return force A mounting auxiliary member is provided to act ,
The mounting auxiliary member is
An attachment portion attached to the housing;
A bone conduction sound detecting device having a substantially V-shape when viewed from the side and having a pressing action portion whose free end side is locked to the concha cavity portion .   The housing houses the piezoelectric element and a detector housing that is mounted in contact with the concha cavity portion, and a receiving earphone that emits sound toward the ear canal of the ear portion. An earphone housing, and a main body support portion that supports the earphone housing and the detection portion housing so as to be bifurcated, and the mounting auxiliary member is provided on an outer periphery of the earphone housing in the housing. The bone conduction sound detection device according to claim 1. The mounting portion in the mounting auxiliary member is configured to have a bifurcated shape, and has a convex portion that engages with the concave groove of the housing,
The mounting portion is engaged with the concave groove of the housing by fitting the convex portion into the concave groove of the housing, and the convex portion engages with the concave groove. The bone conduction sound detection device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the bone conduction sound detection device is detachably attached in a state where the outer peripheral portion of the housing is sandwiched .

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