JP5177049B2 - Earpiece and headphones equipped with the same - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an earpiece and a headphone including the earpiece, and more particularly, to an earpiece that is attached to a cylindrical portion serving as a sound emitting portion provided in a headphone body and is inserted into the ear canal together with the cylindrical portion, and a headphone including the earpiece. .

2. Description of the Related Art Headphones called a so-called canal type in which an earpiece is attached to a cylindrical portion serving as a sound emitting unit provided in a headphone body and the earpiece is inserted into the ear canal together with the cylindrical portion are widely used.
An example of this headphone is described in Patent Document 1.
In Patent Document 1, the earpiece is described as an ear pad.

JP 2005-191663 A

By the way, an earpiece as disclosed in Patent Document 1 is connected to a cylindrical portion provided in a main body of a headphone, and one end side of the cylindrical portion, and is connected to the outer side of the cylindrical portion. And an umbrella-shaped portion extending in an umbrella shape so as to cover.
Since the earpiece is inserted into the ear canal, the earpiece is formed of a rubber material such as silicon rubber having flexibility.
In particular, the umbrella-shaped portion is formed thin and has a higher flexibility in order to adhere well to the inner wall of the ear canal.

On the other hand, the cylindrical portion is formed thick so that it does not easily come off the cylindrical portion, and the rigidity is higher than that of the umbrella-shaped portion.
However, since the earpiece is basically made of rubber and has to be formed with an outer diameter that can be inserted into the ear canal, the thickness of the cylindrical portion cannot be increased without limit.

Therefore, there is a limit to increasing the rigidity of the tubular portion, and when a certain amount of force is applied to the tubular portion, the tubular portion may come off from the tubular portion of the headphone body.
Specifically, it is the case that the earpiece was removed when the headphone was put in a bag, got on a crowded train, etc., and taken out after getting off the vehicle. In this case, the earpiece may be lost.
Accordingly, there is a demand for an earpiece that is difficult to be removed from the tube portion of the headphone body and a headphone including the earpiece.

  Therefore, the present invention was created to solve these problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an earpiece that is unlikely to be detached from the tube portion of the headphone main body and a headphone including the earpiece.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention has the following configurations 1) to 6).
1) A cylindrical portion (18e) having a through hole (18a) opened at both ends, and one end side of the cylindrical portion (18e) connected to the other end portion from the one end side An elastic member (18dn) having an umbrella-like portion (18b) extending in an umbrella shape so as to cover the tubular portion (18e) toward the side, and a ring-like shape embedded in the one end side A frame (18f) having a base portion (18f1) and an arm portion (18f2) embedded in the cylindrical portion (18e) and extending from the base portion (18f1) and extending toward the other end side. And an earpiece (50).
2) A cylindrical part (18e) having a through hole (18a) opened at both ends, and one end side of the cylindrical part (18e) connected to the other end part from the one end side An elastic member (18dn) having an umbrella shape (18b) extending in an umbrella shape so as to cover the cylindrical portion (18e) toward the side, and the cylindrical portion embedded in the one end side A base portion (18f11) having a filter portion (18fft) exposed to the outside in (18e), and extending from the base portion (18f11) embedded in the cylindrical portion (18e) and extending toward the other end portion side. An earpiece (18) including a frame (18f) having an arm part (18f21) to be taken out.
3) The cylindrical part (18e) has a projecting part (18c) projecting inwardly on the other end side, and a tip (18f2t) of the arm part (18f2) is formed on the projecting part (18c). The earpiece (18) according to 1) or 2), wherein the earpiece (18) is located in a range corresponding to.
4) The earpiece (18) according to any one of 1) to 3), wherein the arm portion (18f2) includes a width changing portion whose width changes as the arm portion (18f2) moves away from the base portion (18f2).
5) A main body portion (16), a sound emitting cylinder portion (16a) protruding from the main body portion (16), and a driver unit (30) attached to the main body portion (16) or the sound emitting cylinder portion (16a). ) And the earpiece (18) described in 1) or 2) attached to the sound emitting tube portion (16a).
6) The sound emitting tube portion (16a) includes an annular recess (16i), and the protrusion (18c) engages with the recess (16i) so that the earpiece (18) is connected to the sound emitting tube portion (16a). 5) The headphone (10) according to 5).

    According to the present invention, there is an effect that the earpiece is difficult to come off from the tube portion of the headphone main body.

It is a trihedral view for explaining an embodiment of the headphones of the present invention. It is sectional drawing and the side view for demonstrating the Example of the headphones of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the usage condition in the Example of the headphones of this invention. It is a top view for demonstrating the Example of the headphones of this invention. It is a two-plane figure for demonstrating the principal part in the Example of the earpiece of this invention. It is a fragmentary sectional view for demonstrating the Example of the headphones of this invention. It is a fragmentary sectional view for demonstrating the case where the principal part was formed with a different material in the Example of the headphones of this invention. It is a partial top view for demonstrating the principal part in the Example of the earpiece of this invention. It is a fragmentary sectional view for demonstrating insert molding at the time of manufacturing the Example of the earpiece of this invention. It is a partial top view for demonstrating the modification in the Example of the earpiece of this invention. It is a two-view figure for demonstrating the modification in the Example of the earpiece of this invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
1A is a front view of a headphone 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1B is a left side view of the headphone 10 according to the embodiment, and FIG. It is a top view of headphones 10 concerning a form. Fig.1 (a)-FIG.1 (c) show the headphones 10 for left ears.

The headphones 10 are included in a headphone unit (not shown) for stereo sound output. The headphone unit further includes a right-ear headphone, a connection plug, and a cable. The right ear headphones (not shown) are formed symmetrically with the headphones 10.
The cable is provided so as to be divided into two forks from the middle. A connection plug is coupled to an end portion that is not divided into two branches, and a headphone 10 for the left ear and a headphone for the right ear are coupled to each of the end portions divided into the two branches.
The connection plug is inserted into a headphone terminal (not shown) of an audio output device such as a portable music player. At this time, when an electrical signal used for audio output is input to the connection plug, the electrical signal used for left audio output is transmitted to the left ear headphones 10 via the cable and used for right audio output. The electrical signal is transmitted to the right ear headphones.
A headphone unit may be provided for monaural sound output. Moreover, the headphone unit may not have two headphones but may have a single headphone for one ear.

  Hereinafter, the configuration of the headphones 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 (a) to 1 (c). In addition, description of the headphone for right ears is abbreviate | omitted by demonstrating the headphones 10 for left ears.

The headphone 10 includes a main body 16, an earpiece 18, a cushion 22, an ornament 24, and a bushing 26.
The main body 16 is made of resin and includes a cylindrical portion 16a and an inclined portion 16b that protrudes radially outward from the cylindrical portion 16a. The axial direction of the tube portion 16a is the insertion direction D1 of the headphones 10 into the ear canal. An earpiece 18 is attached to the tip of the cylindrical portion 16a.
Further, the cushion 22 is attached to the side surface of the inclined portion 16b where the cylindrical portion 16a extends. An ornament 24 is attached to the front surface of the main body 16, and a bushing 26 is attached to the lower surface of the main body 16 so as to extend downward.

Hereinafter, the components of the headphone 10 that extend in the insertion direction D1 of the headphone 10 into the ear canal, such as the tube portion 16a and the earpiece 18, are referred to as the insertion portion 12.
In addition, components of the headphone 10 that protrude radially outward from the insertion portion 12 such as the inclined portion 16 b and the cushion 22 are referred to as an insertion restriction portion 14. The insertion portion 12 is partially inserted into the user's ear canal during use.
When the insertion part 12 is inserted to the assumed insertion position, the insertion restriction part 14 abuts against a part of the auricle and regulates the insertion of the insertion part 12 into the heel from the assumed insertion position.

  2A is a cross-sectional view of the headphone 10 according to the embodiment as viewed from below, and FIG. 2B shows the headphone 10 when the ornament 24 is removed from the viewpoint P in FIG. It is the figure seen from. Hereinafter, the structure of the headphones 10 will be described in detail with reference to both FIG. 2 (a) and FIG. 2 (b).

The headphone 10 further includes a driver unit 30, a unit holder 32, and a vibration damping gel 34.
The driver unit 30 is formed in a low columnar shape having the same outer diameter as the cylindrical portion 16a.
The driver unit 30 outputs a vibration sound of a diaphragm (not shown) driven by an electric signal supplied to a voice coil (not shown) into the ear canal.
Therefore, the driver unit 30 is a so-called electroacoustic transducer and functions as an audio output unit. One end surface of the driver unit 30 serves as an audio output surface 30a from which sound emitted from the diaphragm is output.
In addition, a pair of terminals 30t to which a lead wire for transmitting an electric signal supplied from the outside is connected is provided on the back surface 30b side.

  4 is a YS diagram as viewed in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 1C, and shows a state where the earpiece 18 is removed from the headphones 10. FIG. Hereinafter, description will be made with reference to FIG. 4 in addition to FIGS.

The unit holder 32 has a bottomed cylindrical shape having a bottom 32t, and is formed so that the inner diameter is the same as the outer diameter of the driver unit 30. The inner diameter is, for example, 5.95 mm.
The unit holder 32 is formed by metal pressing. As a material to be used, there is an iron plate having a thickness of 0.15 mm. When the material is an iron plate, surface treatment such as galvanization may be performed.

  The bottom 32t of the unit holder 32 is provided with a plurality of minute through holes 32b so that sound can pass satisfactorily. In the embodiment, the through hole 32b is circular, and its diameter is, for example, 0.4 mm.

  2A, in the vicinity of the opening of the unit holder 32, a locking protrusion 32a protruding inwardly is provided by caulking work in the assembly process.

On the other hand, a first locking groove 16h that is recessed radially inward is provided in the vicinity of the tip of the cylindrical portion 16a. The unit holder 32 accommodates the driver unit 30 so that the audio output surface 30a abuts against the bottom, and the locking projection 32a in a state where the open end 16a1 of the cylindrical portion 16a is in contact with the back surface 30b of the driver unit 30. Is locked in the first locking groove 16h, thereby fixing the driver unit 30 to the main body 16.
This locking is performed by forming a locking projection 32a by caulking.

As described above, the unit holder 32 is formed in a thin cylindrical shape with a bottom by metal.
Thus, by forming the unit holder 32 with a metal, the unit holder 32 can be formed thinly and the thickness of the insertion part 12 can be suppressed.

  In the embodiment, the unit holder 32 is formed of a brass material. Of course, the material forming the unit holder 32 is not limited to a brass material, and other metal materials such as aluminum, an iron-based material, and a stainless material may be used. Further, the surface of the unit holder 32 may be subjected to a surface treatment such as galvanization.

  Here, as will be described later, when the insertion unit 12 is inserted up to the assumed insertion position of the ear canal, the driver unit 30 is entirely included in the ear canal. Thus, in order to enable the driver unit 30 to be included in the ear canal, it is necessary to reduce the diameter of the driver unit 30.

On the other hand, when the diameter of the driver unit 30 is reduced, it is necessary to reduce the size of the built-in voice coil, permanent magnet, and the like.
Therefore, as the driver unit 30 is reduced in size, it becomes increasingly difficult to suppress the deterioration of the sound quality of the output sound.

  For this reason, the cylindrical portion 16a of the main body 16 is provided with a back cavity portion 16c having a cylindrical inner surface for forming a back cavity BC that is a gap portion having an opening at the tip.

  In this embodiment, the back cavity portion 16c is cylindrical. The back cavity BC is defined by the opening end portion 16 a 1 having an opening in the cylindrical portion 16 a coming into contact with the back surface 30 b of the driver unit 30. By providing such a back cavity BC, it is possible to suppress deterioration in sound quality due to downsizing of the driver unit 30.

  As a result of the inventor's research and development, the provision of the back cavity BC has the effect of particularly complementing the lowering of the output in the low frequency range by downsizing the driver unit 30.

Further, the back cavity BC and the back cavity portion 16c are formed so that a part of the back cavity BC and the back cavity portion 16c is included in the ear canal when the insertion portion 12 is inserted to the assumed insertion position of the ear canal.
Thereby, the size of the portion protruding to the outside of the auricle due to the provision of the back cavity portion 16c can be suppressed.

The earpiece 18 is made of an elastic material such as rubber.
As shown in FIG. 2A, the earpiece 18 is formed to include a cylindrical portion 18e having a bottom portion 18t, and the bottom portion 18t of the cylindrical portion 18e is provided with an audio output hole 18a that is a circular through hole. ing.
In other words, the cylindrical portion 18e of the earpiece 18 is formed with a through hole that opens at both ends.
The earpiece 18 is provided with an umbrella-shaped portion 18b that is integrally coupled to the bottom portion 18t side of the cylindrical portion 18e.
The umbrella-shaped part 18b extends in an umbrella shape so as to cover the cylindrical part 18e from the one end part side to the other end part side.
In the vicinity of the opening of the cylindrical portion 18e of the earpiece 18 (on the side opposite to the bottom 18t), a locking projection 18c that protrudes inward in the diameter is provided.
On the other hand, a second locking groove 16i that is recessed radially inward is provided on the surface of the cylindrical portion 16a that is slightly separated from the opening than the first locking groove 16h.
When the locking projection 18c is locked in the second locking groove 16i, the earpiece 18 is attached to the main body 16 so as to wrap the entire unit holder 32 by the cylindrical portion.

  As described above, the sound from the sound output surface 30 a of the driver unit 30 is output to the outside through the numerous through holes 32 b of the unit holder 32 and the sound output holes 18 a of the earpiece 18.

  The earpiece 18 includes a frame 18f. The frame 18f is embedded in the earpiece 18 and integrated. Details of the earpiece 18 including the frame 18f will be described later with reference to FIGS.

In FIG. 2A, the main body 16 is provided with a gel insertion hole 16 f that extends coaxially across the back cavity portion 16 c and the bottom portion 161 and opens at the front surface of the main body 16.
A bottom portion 16l interposed between the back cavity portion 16c and the gel insertion hole 16f is provided with a wire insertion hole 16d that is a through hole and a plurality of ventilation holes 16e that are also through holes.
A wire (lead wire) that is connected to the driver unit 30 and supplies an electric signal is inserted into the wire insertion hole 16d.
The vent hole 16e allows the back cavity BC to communicate with the outside air so that the diaphragm built in the driver unit 30 can vibrate smoothly.

A disc-shaped damping gel 34 having an outer diameter substantially the same as the inner diameter of the gel insertion hole 16f is disposed in the gel insertion hole 16f.
The vibration damping gel 34 suppresses transmission of sound generated by, for example, rubbing a cable and clothes to the eardrum.
For this reason, the damping gel 34 is formed of a material having a high damping performance. The damping gel 34 is provided with a wire insertion hole 34a and a ventilation hole 34b formed in the same shape and the same position as the wire insertion hole 16d and the ventilation hole 16e, respectively. The damping gel 34 is inserted into the gel insertion hole 16f until it hits the bottom.
A bushing insertion hole 16g for attaching the bushing 26 is provided on the side wall of the gel insertion hole 16f.

On the front surface of the main body 16, an ornament attachment portion 16 k for attaching the ornament 24 is provided. The ornament attachment portion 16k is formed so as to be cut out from the front surface of the main body 16 at a certain depth.
An ornament 24 is fitted and fixed to the ornament mounting portion 16k. The ornament 24 is made of an aluminum material. Of course, the ornament 24 may be formed of other materials.

The inclined portion 16b of the main body 16 is provided with a cushion mounting hole 16j that penetrates the ornament mounting portion 16k and the back surface thereof.
The cushion 22 includes an auricle contact portion 22a and an attachment projection 22b. The auricle contact portion 22a contacts the auricle when the headphones 10 are attached to the user's ear. The attachment protrusion 22b is formed to protrude outward from the auricle contact portion 22a in order to attach the cushion 22 to the main body 16.
The cushion 22 is fixed to the main body 16 by fitting the mounting protrusion 22b into the cushion mounting hole 16j.

In the embodiment, the insertion restricting portion 14 extends at an angle θ with respect to a plane perpendicular to the insertion direction D1 when the insertion portion 12 is inserted into the ear canal (hereinafter referred to as “vertical plane PL1”). Yes.
Specifically, in consideration of the angle formed between the pinna near the opening and the extending direction of the external auditory canal, the insertion restricting portion 14 extends in the direction of θ = 23.5 degrees with respect to the vertical plane PL1. ing.
By setting such an angle, it is possible to arrange the ornament 24 so as to extend in the front-rear direction when the headphones 10 are worn on the user's ears. Both high design characteristics of the headphones 10 can be realized.
The insertion restricting portion 14 may extend in a direction that forms an angle of, for example, 20 degrees to 30 degrees with respect to the vertical plane PL1. Even when the insertion restricting portion 14 extends within such an angle range, it is possible to maintain the feeling of wearing and design of the headphones 10 during wearing.

FIG. 3 is an external view showing a state when the right ear headphones 10 are attached to the user's right ear.
The headphones 10 shown in FIG. 3 are formed symmetrically with respect to the left-ear headphones 10 shown in FIGS. 1 (a) to 1 (c) and FIGS. 2 (a) and 2 (b).
The auricle 94 has a bowl-shaped portion 94a around the opening of the ear canal.
The inclined portion 16b is formed in such a length that the tip portion 16m contacts the inner wall of the hook-shaped portion 94a when the headphones 10 are worn on the user's ear.
As described above, the insertion restricting portion 14 extends at an angle θ with respect to the vertical plane PL1.
Therefore, a reaction force is applied in the direction in which the insertion portion 12 is inserted into the ear canal by the inclined portion 16b coming into contact with the inner wall of the bowl-shaped portion 94a.
For this reason, it is hard to take off and a good wearing feeling can be given to a user.

Returning to FIG. The cushion 22 may extend to the position of the distal end portion 16m.
Further, an elastic member different from the cushion 22 may be provided at the position of the distal end portion 16m. At this time, the other elastic member may be formed of a member softer than the cushion 22.
Thereby, the wearing feeling of the headphones 10 can be further improved.

Furthermore, the insertion restricting portion 14 has a width in a direction orthogonal to both the extending direction of the insertion restricting portion 14 and the insertion direction D1 when the insertion portion 12 is inserted into the ear canal, that is, the second width in the left-right direction in FIG. W2 is formed substantially the same as the first width W1 of the unit holder 32 in the direction of the insertion portion 12.
In the embodiment, the driver unit 30 is accommodated in the insertion portion 12.
Therefore, since it is not necessary to accommodate the driver unit 30 in the insertion restricting portion 14, the width of the insertion restricting portion 14 can be easily made substantially the same as the width of the insertion portion 12.

When the width of the insertion restricting portion 14 is increased, there is a possibility that a finger space for attaching and detaching the insertion restricting portion 14 is insufficient when the insertion restricting portion 14 is disposed on the hook-shaped portion 94a.
Thus, by making the width of the insertion restricting portion 14 substantially the same as the width of the inserting portion 12, a finger space is secured around the insertion restricting portion 14 when the headphones 10 are attached to the user's ear. The headphones 10 can be easily attached to and detached from the ears.

  Next, details of the earpiece 18 will be described with reference to FIGS.

5A to 5C are two views showing the frame 18f.
The frame 18f is formed by pressing a metal plate material having no holes (hereinafter also simply referred to as a metal plate) or a metal plate material having a plurality of small holes. A so-called punching metal can be used as the latter material.
The metal is not limited. For example, there is an iron material. Secondary processing such as plating may be performed after the press processing. Further, it is not limited to metal, and may be formed of a resin material having a certain degree of rigidity. As will be described later, since the frame 18f is insert-molded, a material having high heat resistance is suitable when a resin material is used. Examples include polyamide.

Fig.5 (a) is a top view at the time of using a metal plate for the material of the flame | frame 18f, FIG.5 (c) is the side view.
FIG. 5B is a plan view when a punching metal is used for the frame 18f, and FIG. 5C is a side view. In the side view, both materials have the same external shape.
The thickness of the metal plate and punching metal used as the material is, for example, 0.1 mm. Since the opening of the punching metal is small, the opening is omitted in FIGS. 5B and 5C for convenience.

First, in FIG. 5A, a frame 18f is provided with a ring-shaped base 18f1 having an opening 18fk and an outer periphery of the base 18f1 at an angular interval of about 90 °, and the outer periphery of the base 18f1. And an arm portion 18f2 that extends outward in the radial direction and has an arcuate outer surface and is bent in the same direction.
The shape of the opening 18fk is not limited, but is circular, for example, and its inner diameter is φfk, details of which will be described later.

  In FIG. 5 (b), the frame 18f is provided on the outer periphery of the disk-shaped base 18f11 and the base 18f11 at an angular interval of about 90 °, and extends radially outward from the outer periphery of the base 18f11. The distal end portion is formed to have an arm portion 18f21 that has an arc-shaped outer surface and is bent in the same direction.

  In FIG. 5C, the arm portion 18f2 (18f21) is formed such that the distance from the tip to the outer surface of the base portion 18f1 (18f11) is Lf2, and the width is Wf2.

The frame 18f is generally molded integrally by being embedded in a rubber ear piece 18 which is an elastic member by so-called insert molding. That is, the earpiece 18 is formed to include a frame 18f and an elastic member 18dn in which the frame 18f is embedded.
The frame 18f does not necessarily have to be entirely embedded in the elastic member 18dn, and may be formed so as to be partially exposed to the outside.
When the frame 18f is a punching metal, it is exposed to the outside through the audio output hole 18a of the earpiece 18.

  FIG. 6 shows a cross-sectional view of the earpiece 18 having a frame 18f (shown in FIGS. 5A and 5C) formed using a metal plate attached to the tubular portion 16a of the headphone 10. FIG. . In FIG. 6, only the earpiece 18 is shown in cross section for convenience. FIG. 6 shows a state in which the frame 18f is cut along the line SC1-SC1 in FIG.

  The position of the frame 18f provided integrally with the earpiece 18 will be described with reference to FIG.

The thickness T1 of the bottom 18t of the earpiece 18 and the thickness T2 of the tubular portion 18e are each set to 1.0 mm.
The frame 18f is inserted so that the center axis CL1 of the base portion 18f1 coincides with the center axis CL2 of the cylindrical portion 16a, and the outer surface of the frame 18f is positioned at the bottom portion 18t, for example, at a position of 0.6 mm from the outer surface. Molded.
Therefore, the frame 18 is formed so that the outer wall thickness is 0.6 mm and the inner wall thickness is 0.3 mm with respect to the frame 18 f at the bottom 18 t.
Further, the frame 18f is insert-molded so that the arm portion 18f2 is positioned substantially at the center in the thickness direction in the cylindrical portion 16a.

The frame 18f extends from the base portion 18f1 and is bent and formed into an arm portion 18f2, which is embedded in the cylindrical portion 16a, so that it is firmly integrated with the rubber portion.
Further, the frame 18f has the opening 18fk as described above. The inner diameter φfk is formed larger than the inner diameter of the audio output hole 18 a of the earpiece 18. For example, the inner diameter φa of the audio output hole 18a is 3.4 mm, and the inner diameter φfk of the opening 18fk is 4.4 mm.

The distance Lf2 is set so that the tip end 18f2a of the arm portion 18f2 is positioned closer to the base portion 18f1 than the tip end of the tubular portion 18e.
For example, the distance Lfe between the arm portion 18f2 and the tip of the cylindrical portion 18e is 0.6 mm.

The position of the tip 18f2a of the arm portion 18f2 may be set corresponding to the shape of the tube portion 16a.
Specifically, when the earpiece 18 is attached to the cylindrical portion 16a, the earpiece 18 may be positioned in the central axis CL1 direction range corresponding to the second locking groove 16i of the cylindrical portion 16a.
In other words, it may be positioned in the central axis CL1 direction range α corresponding to the locking projection 18c locked in the second locking groove 16i.

  In this way, the frame 18f is embedded in the earpiece 18, and the arm portion 18f2 extends from the base portion 18f1 to a position corresponding to the locking projection 18c, so that the locking projection 18c that locks in the second locking groove 16i. Therefore, the earpiece 18 is not easily detached from the cylindrical portion 16a.

Also, since a plurality of arm portions 18f2 are provided so as to be separated from each other, the frame 18f is firmly integrated with the surrounding rubber to form the earpiece 18.
Therefore, the frame 18 f is not easily detached from the earpiece 18 even when an external force that tears from the outside is applied.

  In addition, since a plurality of arm portions 18f2 are provided so as to be separated from each other at equal angular intervals, there is no difference in the circumferential direction in the ease with which the earpiece 18 is detached from the cylindrical portion 16a. Therefore, even if a force in any direction is applied to the earpiece 18 so as to remove it, the state in which the earpiece 18 is attached to the cylindrical portion 16a can be reliably maintained.

  FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which an earpiece 18 having a frame 18 f (shown in FIGS. 5B and 5C) formed using punching metal is attached to the tubular portion of the headphone 10. In FIG. 7, only the earpiece 18 is shown in cross section for convenience.

  First, the plurality of small holes provided in the frame 18f will be described in detail.

The frame 18f is formed by pressing a thin metal plate having a plurality of small openings 18f3 arranged in a matrix as shown in FIG. Therefore, the frame 18f is formed to have the opening 18f3 as a whole over the base 18f11 and the arm 18f21. In FIG. 5A, FIG. 5C, and FIG. 7, the opening 18f3 is omitted for convenience.
The filter 18f has a plurality of openings 18f3. Since each opening 18f3 is a minute opening, the passage of an object having a predetermined size or larger is restricted, and the filter 18f functions as a so-called dustproof filter. The exposed portion in the audio output hole 18a becomes the filter portion 18fft (see FIG. 7).

  The opening 18f3 has a rectangular shape in the embodiment, and the lengths x1 and y1 of the two sides are 0.16 mm and 0.16 mm, respectively. Further, the arrangement pitches Px and Py of the openings 18f3 are 0.26 mm and 0.26 mm, respectively.

  Punching metal can be used as the material for the frame 18f. For example, an iron-based punching metal having a thickness of 0.1 mm may be used, and surface treatment such as galvanization may be performed after forming the base portion 18f11 and the arm portion 18f21.

  Next, the position of the frame 18f formed by punching metal provided integrally with the earpiece 18 will be described with reference to FIG.

The thickness T1 of the bottom 18t of the earpiece 18 and the thickness T2 of the tubular portion 18e are each set to 1.0 mm.
The frame 18f is insert-molded so that the center axis CL1 of the base portion 18f11 coincides with the center axis CL2 of the cylindrical portion 16a, and the outer surface of the frame 18f is positioned at a position 0.6 mm from the outer surface of the bottom portion 18t. ing.
Therefore, the ear piece 18 is formed so that the outer thickness with respect to the frame 18f is 0.6 mm and the inner thickness is 0.3 mm at the bottom 18t.
The frame 18f is formed with a bent arm portion 18f21 extending from the base portion 18f11, and is thus firmly integrated with a rubber portion.
Further, the frame 18f has the opening 18f3 on the entire surface as described above, and at the time of insert molding with rubber, the rubber flows into the opening 18f3 except for the portion exposed to the audio output hole 18a, and is integrally molded.
Accordingly, the frame 18f is more firmly integrated with the portion formed of rubber.

The audio output hole 18a is formed with different diameters on the outer side and the inner side of the frame 18f.
Specifically, the outer diameter φc with respect to the frame 18f is smaller than the inner diameter φd.

  For example, the outer diameter φc is 3.4 mm, and the inner diameter φd is 4.0 mm.

  A detailed configuration when the outer audio output hole 18a for the frame 18f is made smaller than the inner one will be described with reference to FIG.

9 (a) and 9 (b) are partial cross-sectional views showing a mold arrangement at the time of insert molding for the E portion in the earpiece 18 of FIG.
FIG. 9A shows a case where the outside of the audio output hole 18a is smaller than the inside with respect to the frame 18f, as shown in FIG. 7, and FIG. The case where the outside is larger than the inside with respect to the frame 18f is shown.

First, in FIG. 9A, the mold K1 and the mold K2 are inserted into the spaces serving as the audio output holes 18a on the inner side and the outer side of the frame 18f at the time of insert molding.
The position of the outer shape Cu of the mold K1 and the position of the outer shape Cs of the mold K2 become the position of the inner surface of the audio output hole 18a after molding, and the outer shape Cu is located farther from the central axis CL1 than the outer shape Cs.
Rubber (filled area in FIG. 9) is filled in a portion where the molds K1, K2 do not exist by insert molding.

FIG. 9A shows a case where the mold K2 that forms the side visually recognized from the appearance in the audio output hole 18a covers a part of the opening 18f3 across one opening 18f3a. .
In this case, although the rubber enters the opening 18f3a, the opening 18f3b adjacent to the inside of the opening 18f3a is completely closed by the mold K1 and the mold K2, so that the rubber does not enter the inside. Absent.
Accordingly, as schematically shown in FIG. 9 (a1), it is recognized that the opening 18f3 visually recognized from the outside after molding is filled with rubber only in the opening 18f3a continuous with the inner wall of the audio output hole 18a. The opening 18f3b separated from the inner wall is recognized as a through hole not filled with rubber.

On the other hand, in FIG. 9B as well, the mold K1 and the mold K2 are respectively inserted into the spaces serving as the audio output holes 18a on the inner side and the outer side of the frame 18f during the insert molding.
The position of the outer shape Cu of the mold K1 and the position of the outer shape Cs of the mold K2 become the position of the inner surface of the audio output hole 18a after molding, and the outer shape Cu is closer to the central axis CL1 than the outer shape Cs.
Rubber (filled area in FIG. 9) is filled in a portion where the molds K1, K2 do not exist by insert molding.

In FIG. 9B, the mold K2 that forms the side visually recognized from the appearance in the audio output hole 18a straddles a part of the plurality of openings 18f3 across one opening 18f3a, and molds the mold. A state in which K1 straddles a part of the opening 18f3b adjacent to the opening 18f3a on the side of the central axis CL1 and covers the part is shown.
In this case, in this case, rubber enters both the opening 18f3a and the opening 18f3b.
Therefore, as schematically shown in FIG. 9 (b1), it is recognized that the opening 18f3a visually recognized from the outside after molding is filled with rubber in the opening 18f3a connected to the inner wall of the audio output hole 18a. However, the opening 18f3b separated from the inner wall is also filled with rubber, and the opening 18f3b is recognized as a closed through hole.

That is, as the appearance quality, as shown in FIG. 9A1, it is preferable that the opening 18f3 separated from the inner wall of the audio output hole 18a is not blocked as much as possible.
Further, when the inner diameter of the opening 18f3 is the same between the outer side and the inner side of the frame 18f, an opening 18f3b that is filled with rubber is generated when a slight misalignment between the mold K1 and the mold K2 occurs. there's a possibility that.
Therefore, as in the embodiment, it is desirable to make the outer audio output hole 18a with respect to the frame 18f smaller than the inner one.

According to the embodiment, the frame 18f is provided outside the through hole 32b of the unit holder 32 (on the opposite side of the driver unit 30).
Accordingly, the output sound from the driver unit 30 passes through the frame 18f and is emitted to the outside.
A space S is formed between the outer side surface 32t1 of the bottom 32t of the unit holder 32 and the inner side surface 18f4 of the frame 18f.

Thereby, most of the dust from the outside cannot pass through the opening 18f3 of the frame 18f and does not enter the inside of the frame 18f.
Even if there is minute dust that passes through the opening 18f3 and enters inside, the space S is provided, so that there is almost no dust reaching the through hole 32b of the unit holder 32.
Therefore, there is almost no possibility that dust from the outside will block the through hole 32b of the unit holder 32, and it is possible to prevent the output sound quality and the sound volume from being reduced by the dust from the outside.

In addition, since the earpiece 18 is formed of a material and a structure that can be washed with water as it is, even if dust adheres to or accumulates on the opening 18f3 of the earpiece 18, the earpiece 18 is removed from the headphones 10 and the user can remove it. Can be washed.
Therefore, the user can always keep the earpiece 18 clean, and can use the headphones 10 with good sound quality and volume over a long period of time.

  The arm portion 18f21 is provided with a small opening portion 18f3 with respect to the arm portion 18f2 formed of a metal plate, and since the surrounding rubber enters the opening portion 18f3, the arm portion 18f21 is molded more firmly. The same effect as that obtained from the above-described arm portion 18f2 can be obtained by setting the shape, tip position, and the like in the same manner as the arm portion 18f2.

  The embodiment of the present invention is not limited to the configuration and procedure described above, and it goes without saying that modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

  In the above-described embodiment, the structure in which the driver unit 30 is provided at the tip of the cylindrical portion 16a has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this.

  The present invention can also be applied to a configuration in which the driver unit 30 is disposed inside the main body having the cylindrical portion 16a (for example, a configuration described in Patent Document 1).

The shape of the opening 18f3 of the frame 18f is not limited to that described in the embodiment.
The openings 18f3 do not have to have the same shape. Moreover, it does not need to be the same size as each other.
The shape of the opening 18f3 may be a shape other than a rectangle. For example, the shape may be a circle, an ellipse, an oval, a star, or an irregular shape.
The arrangement of the openings 18f3 is not limited to a matrix. Various arrangements such as a staggered pattern, a radial pattern, a spiral pattern, and a random pattern can be used. Each shape and each arrangement can be freely combined.
FIG. 10A shows an example of an opening pattern in which the opening 18f3 has a circular opening and is provided in a matrix.
FIG. 10B shows an example of an opening pattern in which the opening 18f3 has an elliptical opening and is provided in a matrix.
FIG. 10C shows an example of an opening pattern in which the opening 18f3 is an irregular opening and is provided in a matrix.
FIG. 10D shows an example of an opening pattern in which the openings 18f3 are rectangular openings and are arranged in a staggered pattern.
FIG. 10 (e) shows an example of an opening pattern in which the openings 18f3 are long circular openings and are arranged radially.
FIG. 10F shows an example of an opening pattern in which the openings 18f3 are circular openings and are arranged in a spiral shape.
FIG. 10G shows an example of an opening pattern in which the openings 18f3 are star-shaped openings and are randomly arranged.

The material of the frame 18f may not be a flat plate shape but may be a net-like material knitted with a wire.
In the case of a net-like material, the opening 18f3 is a mesh gap. This net regulates the passage of objects of a predetermined size or larger.
Further, the frame 18f is not limited to a metal material as described above, and may be formed of a resin material. When insert molding is performed using a resin, it is desirable to select a material having heat resistance.

The number of arm portions 18f2 of the frame 18f is not limited to four described in the embodiment. Although it may be one, it is desirable that a plurality are provided apart from each other in the circumferential direction.
The protruding height of the arm portion 18f2 from the base portion 18f1 may also be different for each arm portion 18f2. The shape of the arm portion 18f2 is not limited.
The frame 18f may be formed only in a portion where the opening 18f3 is exposed to the audio output hole 18a of the earpiece 18.

The material of the earpiece 18 is not limited to silicon rubber. Moreover, it is not restricted to rubber.
The sound output hole 18a of the earpiece 18 may not be circular. The shape such as a rectangle or an ellipse is not limited.
Even in such a case, it is desirable that the outer side and the inner side with respect to the frame 18f have different sizes, and specifically, the outer side is smaller than the inner side.

In addition, the sound output hole 18a is desirably similar to the inside and the outside of the frame 18f, but may have a shape that is not similar.
In the embodiment, the tubular portion 18e of the earpiece 18 has the bottomed portion having the bottom portion 18t. However, the bottomless tubular portion 18e having no bottom portion 18t may be used.

The position of the tip 18f2t of the arm portion 18f2 may not be included in the central axis CL1 direction range corresponding to the locking projection 18c, and may be positioned on the base portion 18f1 side.
In this case, the locking projection 18c is easily bent. However, if the desired rigidity can be obtained as the rubber material, the earpiece 18 is less likely to be detached from the cylindrical portion 16a while reducing the size of the frame 18f. can do.

A modified example of the frame 18f will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIGS. 11A to 11C are views corresponding to FIGS. 5A to 5C, and FIG. 11A is a plan view when a metal plate is used as the material of the frame 18f. 11 (c) is a side view thereof.
FIG. 11B is a plan view when punching metal is used for the frame 18f, and FIG. 11C is a side view. The side view is common to both materials.

  11A to 11C are the same except for the shape of the arm portion 18f2 (18f21), and the arm portion 18f2 (18f21) will be described as a representative of the arm portion 18f2.

In this modification, the arm portion 18f2 is formed so that its width changes as it goes to the tip.
Specifically, the width is formed so as to increase toward the tip. That is, the width Wf2 on the root side extends to the width Wf2a on the tip side.
Thus, by increasing the width of the arm portion 18f2 on the distal end side, it is possible to increase the locking force of the locking protrusion 18c that locks in the first locking groove 16i.
The number and shape of the arm portions 18f2 are appropriately set so that the mounting force and the removal force are optimized in accordance with the physical properties of the rubber material of the earpiece 18 and the engagement depth with the first locking groove 16i. Can do.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Headphone 12 Insertion part 14 Insertion restriction part 16 Main body 16a Tube part 16a1 Opening end part 16b Inclination part 16h First locking groove 16b Inclination part 16c Back cavity part 16d Wire insertion hole 16e Vent hole 16f Gel insertion hole 16g Bushing insertion hole 16h First locking groove 16i Second locking groove 16j Cushion mounting hole 16k Ornament mounting part 16l Bottom part 16m Tip part 18 Earpiece 18a Audio output hole 18b Umbrella-shaped part 18c Engaging protrusion 18dn Elastic member 18e Cylindrical part 18f Frame 18fk Opening Portion 18f1, 18f11 base portion 18f2, 18f21 arm portion 18f3 opening portion 18f4 inner surface 18fft filter portion 18t bottom portion 22 cushion 22a auricle contact portion 22b mounting projection 24 ornament 26 bushing 30 driver unit 30a audio output surface 3 b Back 30t Terminal 32 Unit holder 32a Locking projection 32b Through hole 32t Bottom 32t1 Outer surface 34 Damping gel 34b Vent hole 94 Auricle 94a Hook-shaped part BC Back cavity CL1 Center axis CL2 Frame center axis D1 Insertion direction S space φfk inner diameter

Claims (6)

A cylindrical part having through holes that open at both ends, and one end side of the cylindrical part connected to the cylindrical part so as to cover the cylindrical part from the one end side toward the other end side An elastic member having an umbrella-shaped portion extending in an umbrella shape;
A frame having a ring-shaped base portion embedded in the one end portion side, and an arm portion embedded in the cylindrical portion and extending from the base portion toward the other end portion side;
Earpiece with. A cylindrical part having through holes that open at both ends, and one end side of the cylindrical part connected to the cylindrical part so as to cover the cylindrical part from the one end side toward the other end side An elastic member having an umbrella-shaped portion extending in an umbrella shape;
A base portion having a filter portion embedded in the one end portion and exposed to the outside in the cylindrical portion, and an arm embedded in the cylindrical portion and extending from the base portion and extending toward the other end portion A frame having a portion,
Earpiece with. The cylindrical portion has a protruding portion protruding inwardly on the other end side,
The earpiece according to claim 1, wherein a tip end of the arm portion is located in a range corresponding to the protruding portion.   The earpiece according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the arm portion includes a width changing portion that changes in width as the arm portion moves away from the base portion. The main body,
A sound emitting tube protruding from the main body,
A driver unit attached to the main body part or the sound emitting cylinder part;
The earpiece according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the earpiece is attached to the sound emitting cylinder portion,
With headphones. The sound emitting tube portion includes an annular recess,
The headphone according to claim 5, wherein the protrusion is engaged with the concave portion so that the earpiece is attached to the sound emitting tube portion.

Images