JP7332092B2 - An earphone with a ventilation device and a method for manually opening and closing the ventilation tube of the earphone - Google Patents

Description

The present disclosure relates to an earphone that includes a body and a vent tube that extends at least partially through the body.

In noisy environments, such as commuting, you may find that traditional earphones do not provide enough isolation from ambient sounds, which leads to a sub-optimal listening experience, or you feel that they are overly isolated, and this This often leads to a feeling of tightness or isolation, sometimes accompanied by discomfort in the ear canal due to perspiration.

Conventional earphones attempt to overcome these problems with electronic solutions. For example, earphones may have electronic hear-through capabilities, ie, the ability to channel ambient sounds into the ear canal using a microphone and speaker. This allows for natural ambient sounds, but in practice addresses mechanical discomfort due to lack of breathability, for example. In a further example, an earbud includes electronically controlled venting using vents that electronically open and close. Although this allows smooth air flow at least periodically, this solution is complex and expensive to implement reliably. Furthermore, both of these solutions require additional components (e.g. hardware such as microphones and digital signal processors), which require power to operate and which are not true wireless stereo heads. It may not be a set.

It is an object to provide an improved earphone with ventability. The foregoing and other objects are achieved by the features of the independent claims. Further implementations become apparent from the dependent claims, the description and the attached drawings.

According to a first aspect, an earphone is provided, the earphone comprising a body having a first surface, a second surface, and a peripheral surface extending between the first surface and the second surface; a body with a central axis of the body extending from the face to the second face; and a vent tube extending at least partially through the body in the direction of the central axis of the body, the vent tube having a first opening. a portion, a second opening, and a ventilation passageway extending between the first and second openings, the first opening and the second opening permitting airflow through the ventilation passageway; Thus, during use of the earbuds, the vent path can be closed and opened by manually moving at least a portion of the earbuds between the closed and open positions.

Such a solution allows the user to choose when to be sufficiently isolated from the ambient sound and when to pass the ambient sound, without electronic components. This provides a low power device that can have a small footprint because fewer components are required to operate. Furthermore, the device is more reliable than the electronically operated prior art due to its simple mechanical construction.

In one possible implementation of the first aspect, the first opening is located on the first side of the body and the second opening is located on the second side of the body.

In a further possible implementation of the first aspect, the first opening is located on the peripheral surface of the body and the second opening is located on the second surface of the body.

In a further possible implementation of the first aspect, the vent pipe extends through the interior of the body such that the vent path forms a closed channel extending through the body to reduce environmental noise. Provided is an earphone with excellent sound insulation.

In a further possible implementation of the first aspect, the vent pipe extends along the peripheral surface of the body such that the vent channel forms an open groove in the body, resulting in a simple manufacturing process and reliable Easy-to-operate earphones are promoted.

In a further possible implementation of the first aspect, the earphone further comprises a moveable member adapted to open and close the first opening of the vent tube, the moveable member being connected to the body adjacent the first opening. Thus, an earphone is provided in which the moving parts do not directly contact the ear canal and thus can be more comfortable for the user during operation.

In a further possible implementation of the first aspect, the movable member is either pivotable or rotatable between closed and open positions in a plane extending perpendicular to the central axis of the body. Alternatively, the movable member is axially displaceable in the direction of the central axis between the closed and open positions to facilitate an accessible and easy to operate opening and closing mechanism.

In a further possible implementation of the first aspect, the movable member has a through opening that at least partially overlaps the first opening in the open position to provide a reliable connection between the vent tube and the outside. .

In a further possible implementation of the first aspect, the earphone further comprises a stationary member fixedly connected to the body, the movable member being disposed between the body and the stationary member, the stationary member being movable in the open position. It has at least one recess that at least partially overlaps the through opening of the member, which also promotes high stability of the movable member when moved.

In a further possible implementation of the first aspect, the moveable member is connected to the body by a pivot, the longitudinal axis of the pivot extending parallel to and offset from the central axis of the body by , the movable member is eccentrically pivotable with respect to the body, facilitating a highly maneuverable earphone and a small form factor, which is especially important for true wireless earphones.

In a further possible implementation of the first aspect, the movable member is connected to the body by an axis of rotation, the longitudinal axis of the axis of rotation coinciding with the central axis of the body, whether in the open or closed position. Promotes earphones that have the same appearance and dimensions without

In a further possible implementation of the first aspect, the movable member is solid and connected to the body by a spring device, the movable member being movable in the direction of the central axis between the closed position and the open position. Yes, promoting simple and inexpensive earphones.

According to a second aspect there is provided a headset comprising at least one ear bud according to the above. The second opening of the earphone is adapted to be positioned adjacent to or within the user's ear canal, and the first opening of the earphone is adapted to be positioned outside the ear canal. so that the user can manually move at least a portion of the earbuds between the closed and open positions. This allows the user to select when to be sufficiently separated from the environmental sound and when to pass the environmental sound without using electronic components. This headset consumes less power and is more reliable than electronically operated prior art.

According to a third aspect, there is provided a method for manually opening and closing a vent tube of an earphone when the earphone according to the above is worn in a user's ear. The method includes manually applying pressure to the earbud to move at least a portion of the earbud between the closed and open positions. The method allows the user to select when to be sufficiently isolated from ambient sound and when to pass ambient sound through simple manual movements without electronic components.

In one possible implementation of the third aspect, manually applying pressure comprises rotating at least one of a movable member of the body and the earbud by the user to provide an accessible and easy-to-operate opening and closing mechanism. promote

In a further possible implementation of the third aspect, manually applying pressure comprises the user momentarily pushing the movable member of the earbud toward the central axis of the body of the earbud, resulting in a simple and inexpensive earbud. promote This aspect and other aspects will become apparent from the embodiments described below.

In the following detailed portion of the disclosure, each aspect, embodiment and implementation is described in more detail with reference to exemplary embodiments shown in the drawings.

1 shows a perspective view of an earbud according to one embodiment of the invention, the earbud in a closed position; FIG.

Figure 2 shows an exploded view of the embodiment of Figure 1;

Fig. 2b shows a perspective view of the embodiment of Figs. 1 and 2a, with the earphone in the open position;

Fig. 3 shows a perspective view of an earbud according to a further embodiment of the invention, the earbud in the closed position;

FIG. 3a shows the embodiment of FIG. 3a, with the earphones in the open position;

Fig. 3 shows an exploded view of an earphone according to yet another embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 4a shows the embodiment of Fig. 4a, with the earphones in the closed position;

Figures 4a and 4b show the embodiment of Figures 4a and 4b, with the earphones in the open position;

Fig. 4 shows a perspective view of an earbud according to a further embodiment of the invention, the earbud in the open position;

Fig. 5a shows the embodiment of Fig. 5a, with the earphones in the closed position;

Fig. 4 shows a perspective view of an earbud according to a further embodiment of the invention, the earbud in the open position;

Fig. 6a shows the embodiment of Fig. 6a, with the earphones in the closed position;

Figures 1-6b show an embodiment of an earphone 1 adapted for placement adjacent to or within a user's ear canal.

The earphone 1 comprises a body 2 having a first surface 2a, a second surface 2b and a peripheral surface 2c extending between the first surface 2a and the second surface 2b. Body 2 may be cylindrical, but may be of any suitable shape that fits the shape of the user's ear and ear canal. A central axis A1 of the main body 2 extends from the first surface 2a to the second surface 2b. The earphone 1 also comprises a vent tube 3 extending at least partially through the body 2 in the direction of the central axis A1. The vent tube 3 allows air and sound waves to flow from the outside into the user's ear canal. The vent tube 3 has a first opening 3a, a second opening 3b, and a vent path 3c extending between the first opening 3a and the second opening 3b so that air can flow through the first opening 3a. and/or flows into the ventilation path 3c from the second opening 3b.

As shown in Figures 2a and 2b and Figures 4a-4c, the first opening 3a may be located on the first side 2a of the body 2 and the second opening 3b may be located on the opposite side of the body 2 on the second side. It may be located on surface 2b. Furthermore, the first opening 3a may be located in the peripheral surface 2c of the body and the second opening 3b may be located in the opposite second surface 2b of the body 2, as shown in Figure 3a.

The first opening 3a of the earphone 1 may be adapted for placement inside the ear canal, but is preferably adapted for placement outside the ear canal. The second opening 3b of the earphone 1 may be adapted for placement outside the ear canal, but is preferably adapted for placement inside the ear canal.

A user can manually move at least a portion of the earphone 1 between the closed position P1 and the open position P2 so that the ventilation path 3c is closed and opened during use. If the flow of air and sound waves is completely or partially interrupted, i.e. from the first opening 3a to the second opening 3b or from the second opening 3b to the first opening 3a through the ventilation path 3c If not, the vent pipe 3 is closed. The vent tube 3 may be at the first opening 3a when the earphone 1 is in the closed position P1 shown in FIGS. 1, 3a, 4b and 5b, at the second opening 3b, or at the vent path shown in FIG. It can be sealed inside 3c. Correspondingly, if air and sound waves can pass smoothly through the vent passage 3c from the first opening 3a to the second opening 3b or from the second opening 3b to the first opening 3a, the vent pipe 3 is open.

The vent tube 3 may extend along the peripheral surface 2c of the body 2, as shown in Figures 4a-4c and 6a-6b, so that the vent path 3c opens into the body 2 along its outside Form a mold groove. This open groove may extend parallel to the central axis and may be any suitable path that fits the user's ear canal.

In a further embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-3b and 5a-5b, the vent tube 3 extends through the interior of the body 2 such that the vent path 3c is a closed channel extending through the body 2. to form

The vent tube 3 is opened at the first opening 3a or at the vent channel 3c by rotating the body 2 to a position in which the vent tube 3 is closed by the ear tissue, such as the antitragus, as shown in Figures 5a-6b. It may extend internally to be sealed by the user's ear. When in the open position as shown in Figure 5a, the first opening 3a is unobstructed by ear tissue. When in the open position as shown in Figure 6a, the first opening 3a and a portion of the vent channel 3c are unobstructed by ear tissue. Correspondingly, ear tissue blocks the first opening 3a and the vent channel 3c when in the closed position as shown in Figures 5b and 6b.

Earbud 1 may include a movable member 4 adapted to open and close vent tube 3 by sealing first opening 3a. The movable member 4 may be connected to the body 2 adjacent the first opening 3 a of the vent tube 3 . The movable member 4 may have a peripheral shape corresponding to the peripheral shape of the body 2 in a plane perpendicular to the central axis A1, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2a, 2b and 4a-4c. . However, any suitable shape is conceivable and the movable member 4 may have a perimeter that is larger than the perimeter of the body 2 or smaller as shown in Figures 3a and 3b.

As shown in FIGS. 2a and 2b, the movable member 4 may be pivotable between a closed position P1 and an open position P2 in a plane extending perpendicularly to the central axis A1 of the body 2. FIG. The movable member 4 may be connected to the body 2 by a pivot 6 shown in Figure 2a. The vertical axis A2 of the pivot shaft 6 extends parallel to the central axis A1 of the main body 2 and deviates from the central axis A1 of the main body 2, so that the movable member 4 can pivot eccentrically with respect to the main body 2. As shown in FIG.

As shown in FIGS. 4a-4c, the movable member 4 may be rotatable in a plane extending perpendicular to the central axis A1 of the body 2 between a closed position P1 and an open position P2. The movable member 4 may be connected to the main body 2 by a rotating shaft 7 , the longitudinal axis A3 of which coincides with the central axis A1 of the main body 2 .

The movable member 4 may have at least one through opening 4a, as shown in Figures 3a-4c. The through opening 4 a may have a shape corresponding at least partially to the shape of the first opening 3 a of the vent tube 3 . The through opening 4a may align with the first opening 3a in the open position, as shown in Figures 3a and 4c, but may at least partially overlap.

The earphone 1 may further comprise a fixing member 5 fixedly connected to the body 2 . The movable member 4 may be arranged between the body 2 and the fixed member 5, as shown in Figures 4a-4c. The fixed member 5 may have at least one recess 5a which may align with and at least partially overlap the through opening 4a of the movable member 4 in the open position, as shown in Figure 4c.

As shown in Figures 3a and 3b, the movable member 4 may be axially displaceable in the direction of the central axis A1 between the closed position P1 and the open position P2. The movable member 4 may be solid, ie it may not contain any openings or recesses, and may be connected to the body 2 by means of a spring device 9, for example comprising a compression spring. The movable member 4 is movable in the direction of the central axis A1 between the closed position P1 and the open position P2.

The invention further relates to a headset comprising at least one earphone 1, preferably two earphones 1 (ie one for each ear). The second opening 3b of each earbud 1 is adapted to be placed adjacent to or in either of the user's ear canals, and the first opening 3a of the earbuds 1 are adapted to be placed in the same ear canal. adapted to be placed outside the At least a portion of each earphone 1 can be manually moved by the user between the closed position P1 and the open position P2.

The present invention further relates to a method of manually opening and closing the vent tube 3 of an earphone 1 by manually applying pressure to the earphone 1 to move at least a portion of the earphone 1 between the closed position P1 and the open position P2. .

Manually applying pressure may involve the user rotating at least one of the body 2 and the movable member 4 of the earphone 1, as shown in FIGS. 1-2b and 4a-4c.

Manually applying pressure may also include the user momentarily pushing the movable member 4 of the earphone 1 in the direction of the central axis A1 of the body 2 of the earphone 1, as shown in Figures 3a and 3b. The first momentary depression opens the ventilation path 3c, and the second momentary depression closes the ventilation path 3c.

Various aspects and implementations have been described herein in conjunction with various embodiments. However, other variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art, from a study of the drawings, this disclosure, and the appended claims, in practicing the claimed subject matter. can be In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite articles "a" or "an" do not exclude a plurality. The mere fact that certain measurements are recited in different dependent claims does not indicate that combinations of these measurements cannot be used to advantage. Any reference signs used in the claims shall not be construed as limiting the scope.

Claims (19)

A body having a first surface, a second surface, and a peripheral surface extending between the first surface and the second surface, the central axis of the body extending from the first surface to the second surface. an extending body;
a vent tube extending at least partially through the body in the direction of the central axis of the body, wherein
said vent tube having a first opening, a second opening and a vent path extending between said first opening and said second opening, said first opening and said second opening allows airflow to pass through said ventilation path, and
said vent tube extending along said peripheral surface of said body such that said vent channel forms an open groove in said body;
An earphone wherein the vent path can be closed and opened by manually moving at least a portion of the earphone between a closed position and an open position during use of the earphone. 2. The earphone of claim 1, wherein the first opening is located on the first side of the body and the second opening is located on the second side of the body. 2. The earphone of claim 1, wherein the first opening is located on the peripheral surface of the body and the second opening is located on the second surface of the body. 4. The earphone further comprises a movable member adapted to open and close the first opening of the vent tube, the movable member being connected to the body adjacent the first opening. Earphone according to any one of the paragraphs. the earphone further comprising a fixed member fixedly connected to the body, the movable member being disposed between the body and the fixed member;
5. An earphone according to claim 4, wherein the fixed member has at least one recess that at least partially overlaps the through opening of the movable member in the open position. A body having a first surface, a second surface, and a peripheral surface extending between the first surface and the second surface, the central axis of the body extending from the first surface to the second surface. an extending body;
a vent tube extending at least partially through the body in the direction of the central axis of the body;
a fixing member fixedly connected to the body;
An earphone comprising
said vent tube having a first opening, a second opening and a vent passageway extending between said first opening and said second opening; allows airflow to pass through said ventilation path, and
the earbud further comprising a moveable member adapted to open and close the first opening of the vent tube;
said movable member being connected to said body adjacent said first opening, said movable member being disposed between said body and said fixed member;
the ventilation path can be closed and opened during use of the earbud by manually moving at least a portion of the earbud between a closed position and an open position;
The earbud, wherein the fixed member has at least one recess that at least partially overlaps the through opening of the movable member in the open position. 7. The earphone of claim 6, wherein the first opening is located on the first side of the body and the second opening is located on the second side of the body. 7. The earphone of claim 6, wherein the first opening is located on the peripheral surface of the body and the second opening is located on the second surface of the body. 8. An earphone according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the vent tube extends through the interior of the body such that the vent path forms a closed channel extending through the body. 9. An earphone according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the vent tube extends along the peripheral surface of the body such that the vent channel forms an open groove in the body. the movable member is either pivotable or rotatable between the closed position and the open position in a plane extending perpendicular to the central axis of the body; or
11. An earphone according to any one of claims 4, 6 to 10, wherein said movable member is axially displaceable in said direction of said central axis between said closed position and said open position. 12. An earphone according to any one of claims 4, 6 to 11, wherein the movable member has a through opening that at least partially overlaps the first opening in the open position. The movable member is connected to the main body by a pivot shaft, and the vertical axis of the pivot shaft extends parallel to the central axis of the main body and offset from the central axis of the main body, whereby the movable member is connected to the main body. 13. An earphone according to any one of claims 4, 6 to 12, which is eccentrically pivotable with respect to the body. An earphone according to any one of claims 4, 6 to 12 , wherein the movable member is connected to the main body by a rotating shaft, the longitudinal axis of which coincides with the central axis of the main body. Claims 4 and 6, wherein said movable member is solid and connected to said body by a spring arrangement, said movable member being movable in said direction of said central axis between said closed position and said open position. 13. The earphone according to any one of Claims 12 to 12 . 16. A headset comprising at least one earbud according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the second opening of the earbud is positioned adjacent to or in a user's ear canal. adapted to
wherein the first opening of the earbud is adapted for placement outside the ear canal so that the user can manually move at least a portion of the earbud between a closed position and an open position; headset. 16. A method for manually opening and closing a vent tube of an earphone when the earphone according to any one of claims 1 to 15 is worn in a user's ear, said method comprising:
A method comprising manually applying pressure to the earbud to move at least a portion of the earbud between a closed position and an open position. 18. The method of claim 17, wherein manually applying pressure comprises the user rotating at least one of the body and movable member of the earbud. 18. The method of claim 17, wherein manually applying pressure comprises the user momentarily pushing a movable member of the earbud in the direction of the central axis of the body of the earbud.

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