JP7109125B1 - Earphone that emits light and sound - Google Patents

Abstract

An earphone that emits light and sound is provided. The present invention includes, for example, an optical element that converts an electrical signal into light, a sound element that converts the electrical signal into sound, a cylindrical stem member 10, and a guide that is contained in the stem member and guides a light wave output from the optical device. and a waveguide portion 20 inside the stem member for guiding the sound waves output from the acoustic element to the outside from the tip of the stem member. A light output portion 31 is provided at the tip of the light guide member 30 . For example, the light guide member 30 has a deflection structure, and the side surface of the light guide member 30 is provided with the second light output portion 32 . For example, the sound output section 21 is provided between the multiple protrusions 12 . [Selection drawing] Fig. 1

Description

The present invention relates to an earphone that emits light and sound, for example, an ear canal typed headphone that is used by inserting it into the ear canal.

Conventionally, devices have been provided that deliver sound and light to the ear canal (the ear canal). Patent Literature 1 discloses a device for detecting a chewing action (chewing) performed by a person. FIG. 3 of Patent Document 1 discloses an ear canal sensor 11 . The ear canal sensor 11 has a light emitting element 34 , a light receiving element 35 and a speaker 39 .

Patent Literature 2 discloses an input device that controls an external device. FIG. 9 of Patent Document 2 discloses an earphone 100 . The earphone inserted into the ear canal has a cylindrical sound canal body 103 that guides the sound generated by the sound output section 101 into the ear canal, and a radiation section 104 that emits light output from the light emitting element 106 into the ear canal. have.

US Pat. No. 6,200,000 discloses an accessory for a device that provides an audio signal to a user. 6, 7 and 8 of Patent Document 3 disclose earpiece units 600, 700 and 800. FIG. In FIG. 6, earpiece unit 600 includes audio transducer 206A for converting audio electrical signals to sound, waveguide 616 for transmitting sound to user's ear canal 110A, optical illumination source (ORS) 212A, and illuminating ear canal 110A. and a light guide 602 for guiding light. In FIG. 7B, elliptical tip 606 reveals one waveguide 616 and multiple light guides 602 arranged around waveguide 616 . In FIG. 8, the earpiece unit 800 has, in order from the ear canal side, a light irradiation source 212A, at least one opening 818A in the longitudinal direction of the waveguide 616 for sound output, and an audio transducer 206A.

JP 2016-77690 WO2017-022240 Patent No. 5931159

It is necessary to further improve at least one of performance improvement and cost reduction by reducing the number of parts while aiming for further miniaturization of the device.

For example, one light source element is desirable from the viewpoint of downsizing or cost reduction of the device. For example, it is desirable to efficiently output the amount of light transmitted from the earphone to the ear canal. For example, it is desirable to efficiently output sound transmitted from earphones to the ear canal.

One aspect of the earphone that transmits light and sound of the present invention is an optical element that converts an electrical signal into light, a sound element that converts an electrical signal into sound, a cylindrical stem material, and a stem material that contains the element, and a light guide member for guiding a light wave output from the optical element, and a waveguide portion inside the stem member for guiding the sound wave output from the acoustic element to the outside from the tip of the stem member.

1 is a perspective view of the earphone of the first embodiment; FIG. Perspective view showing a state in which ear pads are attached Cross section of main part of earphone Diagram explaining light waves Diagram explaining sound waves A view of the earphone viewed from the tip of the stem material The perspective view of the principal part of the earphone of 2nd Example. Sectional view of the essential part of the earphone of the second embodiment Perspective view of the earphone of the third embodiment

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the earphone of the first embodiment, FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which an ear pad is attached, and FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the main part of the earphone.

In FIG. 1 (perspective view), the earphone 100 has a housing 60, a stem member 10, and a light guide member 30. As shown in FIG. The earphone 100 is a device that is used by being inserted into an ear canal (external auditory canal), and emits sound and light.

The stem member 10 (Stem) has a cylindrical shape. The material of the stem member 10 is plastic, for example. The stem member 10 has a plurality of protrusions 12 at its tip. Projection 12 supports light guide member 30 at a portion thereof.

The waveguide portion 20 is a cavity inside the stem member 10 and guides sound waves output from a sound element 22 (to be described later) to the sound output portion 21 . The sound output portion 21 is located between the plurality of projections 12 (gap) in the circumferential direction of the stem member 10, and is located between the inner side of the stem member 10 and the light guide member 30 in the radial direction of the stem member 10 ( clearance).

The light guide member 30 transmits light waves output from an optical element 33 which will be described later. The light guide member 30 has a cylindrical shape and is enclosed in the stem member 10 . The material of the light guide member 30 is plastic or glass, which is a transparent member through which light waves can propagate.

The light guide member 30 has, at its tip, a light output portion 31 that outputs light waves toward the tip of the stem member 10 . The light guide member 30 further has a second light output portion 32 that outputs light waves in the lateral direction of the stem member 10 on its cylindrical side surface. The light output from the light output unit 31 is irradiated toward the back of the ear canal. The light output from the light output unit 32 is irradiated toward the inner wall (side surface) of the ear canal.

The tip of the light guide member 30 protrudes from the tip of the stem member 10 to obtain the light output portion 32 . The tip of the light guide member 30 includes a shape (optical deflector) that changes the traveling direction of the light wave that propagates through the cylindrical light guide member 30 (that is, deflects the light wave). The optical deflection section guides the light wave to the optical output section 32 by its deflection structure. As an example of a shape for deflecting light waves, a lens 34, which will be described later, having a conical recess (a mortar-shaped recess) is formed at the tip of the light guide (that is, the light output portion 31). The lens 34 is arranged substantially in the center of the light guide 30 . The conical recess may be formed integrally with the light guide 30 . Also, a single lens 34 may be incorporated so as to be attached to the light guide member 30 . Lens 34 is plastic or glass.

In FIG. 2 (perspective view), an ear pad 40 is attached to the earphone 100 . The ear pad 40 is supported by being fitted into a pad supporting portion 11 (see FIG. 1) formed at the root portion of the stem member 10 . The pad support portion 11 is an annular step formed on the outer periphery of the cylindrical stem member 10 . The ear pad 40 is made of a flexible material such as rubber so as to match the shape of the ear canal.

FIG. 3 (cross-sectional view) shows the main structure of earphone 100 excluding housing 60 . 3A and 3B are diagrams for explaining members mainly focused on light waves. The optical element 33 is arranged inside the cylindrical stem member 10 . The optical element 33 is supported on a portion of the inner wall of the stem member 10 by a support member. The support member is arranged in a partial space of the waveguide section 20, which is a space inside the cylindrical stem member 10, which will be described later. The light guide member 30 is arranged inside the cylindrical stem member 10 . The light guide member 30 is supported on a part of the inner wall of the stem member 10 by a support member. Alternatively, if the light guide member 30 has a cap shape, the light guide member 30 is supported so as to cover the optical element 33 . The optical element 33, which is a light source, converts electrical signals into light. Conductive wires 50 for conducting electrical signals to control the optical element 33 are arranged inside the stem material 10 . The optical element 33 may include at least one of a laser diode and a photodiode. Moreover, both may be included. Furthermore, the optical wavelength of the optical element 33 differs depending on the purpose.

The diameter φA of the pad support portion 11 is larger than the outer diameter φB of the cylindrical stem member 10 . The outer diameter φB is larger than the diameter φC of the light guide member 30 . A diameter φD of the waveguide portion 20 is substantially equal to the inner diameter of the stem member 10 .

In FIG. 3 , the dimension indicated by A1 indicates that the tip of the light guide member 30 protrudes from the tip of the ear pad 40 . It can be easily understood that the tip of the light guide member 30 protrudes from the tip of the stem member 10 . The projection is for obtaining the light output portion 32 on the side surface of the tip of the light guide member 30 .

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining light waves. A light wave emitted by the optical element 33 is output from the light output section 31 and deflected to the light output section 32 by the deflection structure of the light guide member 30 . For example, the light waves are deflected by lens 34 . The amount of the light wave 321 (the amount of the second light beam) is desirably larger than the amount of the light wave 311 (the amount of the first light beam) (that is, the amount of deflection is large). This can increase the amount of light that irradiates the inner wall of the ear canal.

5A and 5B are diagrams for explaining members mainly for sound waves. FIG. The acoustic element 22, which is the sound source, is installed inside the housing 60 (FIG. 1) and converts electrical signals into sound. Conductors (not shown) are connected to the acoustic elements 22 . A sound wave emitted by the sound element 22 is transmitted through the waveguide section 20 which is the space inside the cylindrical stem member 10 . The sound waves propagated through the waveguide section 20 are output as sound waves 211 from the sound output section 21 to the outside. As can be easily understood from FIGS. 3 and 5, the stem member 10 includes an optical element 33 and a sound element 22. As shown in FIG. As for their arrangement, the optical element 33 and the sound element 22 are arranged in order from the left side (in order from the light output section 32 side which is the tip of the light guide member 30). Since the wavelength of light is shorter than the length of the sound wave, the deviating order is reasonable. For example, since the size of the optical element 33 is smaller than that of the sound element 22, the shape of the earphone 100 matches the shape of the ear canal. For example, the fact that the distance between the optical element 33 and the optical deflection section (lens 34) is shorter than the distance between the acoustic element 22 and the sound output section 21 matches the difference in wavelength. Therefore, the waveguide portion 20 is provided from the stem member 10 toward its center, and the optical element 33 is provided inside the waveguide portion 20 . In other words, the waveguide section 20 is arranged between the stem material 10 and the optical element 33 . The sound wave transmitted through the waveguide portion 20 passes between the stem member 10 and the optical element 33 and is output to the outside from the sound output portion 21 as the sound wave 211 . Housing 60 may contain a semiconductor device. The semiconductor device has a function of converting a signal transmitted from the outside to the earphone 100 into an electric signal to the optical element 33 and the sound element 22 respectively. A signal transmitted from the outside to the housing 60 of the earphone 100 may be an optical signal or an electrical signal. The thickness of the signal line connected to the housing 60 can be reduced by the semiconductor device.

FIG. 6 is a view of the earphone viewed from the tip side of the stem member. Four sound output portions 21 and four protrusions (Fig. 1) are disclosed. A light guide member 30 is arranged substantially at the center of them. A light output portion 31 is arranged substantially at the center of the light guide. A lens 34 is arranged substantially at the center of the light output section 31 .

7 and 8 are a perspective view and a cross-sectional view of main parts of an earphone 200 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The same reference numerals are used for the same contents as in the first embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted. The stem member 14 disclosed in the second embodiment substitutes for the ear pad 40 (FIG. 2) and stem member 10 disclosed in the first embodiment. The stem member 14 provides a rigid ear insert and has a larger diameter than the stem member 10 of the first embodiment, tapering toward its distal end. The stem member 14 disclosed in the second embodiment encloses and supports the light guide member 30 . The concept of transmitting sound waves and light waves is the same as in the first embodiment (earphone 100).

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an earphone 300 according to a third embodiment of the invention. The same reference numerals are used for the same contents as in the first embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted. The stem member 16 disclosed in the third embodiment has two protrusions 12 . Earphone 300 has two sound output sections 21 and two light output sections 32 . That is, the earphone 100 of the first embodiment has four protrusions 12 and the sound output sections 21, whereas the earphone 300 of the third embodiment has two. In this manner, the numbers of projections 12 and sound output sections 21 can be set to arbitrary numbers. The structural strength of the protrusion 12 is improved as compared with the first embodiment, and damage can be prevented.

The first through third embodiments of the present invention have the following advantages. A sound element 22, a waveguide section 20, an optical element 33, and a light guide member 30 are included in a cylindrical stem member 10 (the same applies to stem members 14 and 16). At least some of these inclusive relationships make it possible to reduce costs by reducing the number of parts. A light guide member 30 and a light output portion 31 are arranged substantially at the center of a cylindrical stem member 10 , and a sound output portion 21 is arranged between the stem member 10 and the light guide member 30 . This makes it possible to reduce costs by reducing the number of parts. A light output portion 32 is provided on the side surface of the cylindrical light guide member 30 . The tip of the light guide member 30 protrudes at least beyond the tip of the stem member 10 . This makes it possible to realize at least one of efficient light output and cost reduction by reducing the number of parts. Like the lens 34, the tip of the light guide 30 is provided with a function and structure for deflecting light waves. This makes it possible to realize at least one of efficient light output and cost reduction by reducing the number of parts. A sound output part 21 is provided between a plurality of protrusions 12 to shorten the transmission distance of sound waves. This makes it possible to achieve at least one of prevention of deterioration of sound wave transmission efficiency and improvement of sound quality while maintaining the structural strength of the earphone.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be implemented in various other forms without departing from the gist of the present invention. For example, the cylinder of the stem material may be a perfect circle or an ellipse. Plastics may be composed of various compounds and the like. Glasses may be composed of various compounds. The optical element 33 is not limited to a laser diode and a photodiode as long as it is a light source that emits a specific wavelength. good. The shape, structure, etc. of the housing 60 are arbitrary. The first to third embodiments can be combined as appropriate, whether specified or not explicitly stated in this specification. The technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-described multiple embodiments or combinations thereof, but extends to the matters described in the claims and equivalents or modifications thereof.

100, 200, 300 Earphones 10, 14, 16 Stem material 11 Pad support part 12 Projection part 20 Waveguide part 21 Sound output part 22 Acoustic element 30 Light guide material 31, 32 Light output part 33 Optical element 34 Lens 40 Ear pad 50 Lead wire 60 housing 211 sound wave 311, 321 light wave

Claims (14)

an optical element that converts an electrical signal into light;
a sound element that converts an electrical signal into sound;
a stem member having a waveguide section that guides sound waves output from the sound element from the inside of the cylinder to the outside;
a light guide member disposed inside the stem member to guide the light wave output from the optical element to the outside;
The earphone, wherein the sound wave flows between the light guide member and the stem member and is guided to the outside. The light guide member has a light output portion that outputs the light wave in the direction of the tip of the stem member,
The earphone according to claim 1, wherein the tip of the light guide member protrudes from the tip of the stem member. The stem member can be attached with an ear pad,
The earphone according to claim 2, wherein the tip of the light guide member protrudes from the tip of the ear pad. The earphone according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the light guide member has a second light output portion that outputs the light wave in a lateral direction of the stem member. 5. The earphone according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the light guide member has a deflection structure that deflects traveling of the light wave in a lateral direction of the stem member. 6. The earphone according to claim 5, wherein the deflection structure is a conical recess provided at the tip of the light guide. the stem member has a plurality of protrusions that support the light guide member;
6. The earphone according to any one of claims 1 to 5, comprising a sound output portion communicating with said waveguide portion between said plurality of projection portions. The earphone according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the optical element is disposed within and centrally within the stem material. 9. The earphone of claim 8, wherein the sound element is positioned within and centered within the stem material. 10. An earphone according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the waveguide is arranged between the stem material and the light guide material. 11. The earphone of Claim 10, wherein the waveguide is positioned between the stem material and the optical element. 8. The earphone according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the optical element is disposed inside the stem member, and the sound wave flows between the optical element and the stem member and is guided to the outside. 13. The earphone according to claim 12, wherein the light waves are directed outward from the center of the stem material, and the sound waves are directed outward by flowing between the light guide material and the stem material. 14. The earphone of claim 13, wherein the sound waves flow between the optical element and the stem material and are directed outside.

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