KR101521320B1 - Adjustable, dual speaker element in-ear phone - Google Patents

Abstract

An adjustable dual speaker element earphone is described. One speaker element (relatively small) of the speaker elements is sized to be worn within the opening of the listener's ear, while the other element (the relatively large one) is not. The position of the speaker element is adjustable so that the user can adjust the position of the speaker element to increase comfort. A relatively large speaker element can rotate about the vertical axis of the hinge joint according to the hinge joint so that the relatively large speaker element can rotate in a direction away from or towards the listener's ear. A relatively small speaker element is adjustable relative to a relatively large speaker element by means of a joint providing a plurality of rotational degrees of freedom for a relatively small speaker element.

Description

DUAL SPEAKER ELEMENT IN-EAR PHONE - ADJUSTABLE,

This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application No. 61 / 054,238 entitled " Adjustable Dual Speaker Element-Earphone ", filed on May 19, 2008, and U.S. Application No. 60 / 054,238, filed on April 6, 29 / 334,942, which is incorporated herein by reference.

More particularly, the present invention relates to an earphone for a high level of acoustic reproduction, and more particularly to an adjustable dual-element ear earphone with two transducers for ear use for reproducing a relatively low frequency and reproducing a relatively high frequency .

U.S. Patent No. 5,333,206 entitled "Dual Element Headphone" is a dual-headphone including a transducer (a) substantially larger than the opening of a conventional human ear and a relatively small transducer (b) Elements reveal headphones. In addition to the bend of the headband, the headphones disclosed in this document are not adjustable.

U.S. Patent No. 5,729,615 entitled " In-Ear Type Earphone with Ear Hanger "discloses an earphone with one in-ear speaker element connected to the shaft. The speaker element is pivotable relative to the shaft. In addition, the shaft is slidably movable along its axis. Thus, the position of the earphone can be raised or lowered in the vertical direction by sliding the shaft. Further, the earphone is rotatable only in the roll direction. Thus, although the earphone disclosed in this document discloses several mechanisms for adjusting the orientation and position of the earphone, such adjustment is limited. In addition, the earphone of this document has only one speaker element.

The foregoing description is merely illustrative of some of the disadvantages falling within the scope of the present invention and is not intended to limit the scope of the claims.

In various embodiments, an earphone is provided. In one or more embodiments, the earphone includes one or more speaker elements, and includes a bridge including a first end and a second end, the speaker element being pivotally connected to a first end of the bridge, And a hanger bar comprising a second portion, the first portion being threadedly connected to the second end of the bridge. In this embodiment, the second portion of the hanger bar is configured to be disposed at a portion of the listener's ear when the listener wears the earphone.

In one or more embodiments, an earphone is provided, wherein the earphone includes one or more speaker elements and includes a bridge including a first end and a second end, the speaker element being pivotable at a first end of the bridge And includes a hanger bar including a first portion and a second portion. In this embodiment, the second end of the bridge includes a rotary knob accessible to the listener when the listener wears the earphone. In addition, in this embodiment, the first portion of the hanger bar is operatively connected to the rotary knob so that the second portion can at least translationally move relative to the bridge as the knob rotates. Additionally, in this embodiment, the second portion of the hanger bar is configured to be disposed at a portion of the listener's ear when the listener wears the earphone.

In at least one embodiment, there is provided a method of wearing an earphone, the method comprising the steps of providing an earphone, wherein the earphone comprises one or more speaker elements, the bridge comprising a first end and a second end, Wherein the speaker element comprises a hanger bar including a first portion and a second portion, the first portion including a first portion and a second portion, the first portion including a first portion and a second portion, The second portion of the hanger bar is operatively connected to the rotary knob to allow at least translational motion with respect to the bridge. In this embodiment, the method includes rotating the knob to adjust the distance between the bridge and a second portion of the hanger bar, the method comprising rotating the speaker element relative to the bridge, And placing the hanger bar on a portion of the listener's ear to be aligned with the opening.

In at least one embodiment, an earphone is provided, wherein the earphone includes a first speaker element and a second speaker element extending from the first speaker element. In this embodiment, the first speaker element comprises an enclosure having a wall, a first transducer arranged in the enclosure, and a first cavity formed between the wall of the enclosure and the first transducer and the first transducer Respectively. In addition, in this embodiment, the second speaker element includes a housing configured and configured to be at least partially worn within the opening of the listener's ear, the housing having a base and an acoustically emitting surface, A second transducer comprising a first acoustic opening and a second acoustic opening and arranged in the housing, said second transducer generating a second acoustic sound which is emitted through the second acoustic opening but can not be emitted through the first acoustic opening And a second cavity formed between the second transducer and the pedestal of the housing. The first cavity, the second cavity, and the first acoustic opening may have a first sound generated by the first transducer so that the first sound passes through the acoustic path and is emitted through the first acoustic opening but not through the second acoustic opening To form an acoustic path.

In at least one embodiment, an earphone is provided, wherein the earphone includes at least one speaker element configured to be at least partially worn within the opening of the listener's ear, and a hanger bar operatively connected to the speaker element. In this embodiment, the hanger bar is configured to be positioned behind the upper portion of the auditory canal's outer ear and at the upper outer curved portion of the listener's ear. Additionally, in this embodiment, the hanger bar has a configuration in which the speaker element is configured to exert a force on the listener's ear independently of gravity.

This summary is an outline of specific embodiments of the present application. The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described in this summary and includes variations within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims. In addition, these summary items should not be constructed or read in a manner that narrows the scope of the present invention.

1 shows a non-limiting embodiment of an earphone worn by a listener;
Figure 2 is a side view of the earphone of Figure 1;
Figure 3 is a front view of the earphone of Figure 1;
4 is a top view of the earphone of Fig.
Figs. 5-7 illustrate the tragel bridge of the earphone of Fig. 1; Fig.
Figure 8 is an exploded view of the earphone of Figure 1;
9 is an exploded view of a non-limiting embodiment of an earphone;
10 is a perspective view of a non-limiting embodiment of an earphone;
11 is a front view of the earphone of Fig.
12 is a cross-sectional view of the speaker element of the earphone of Fig. 10 cut along line 12-12 in Fig. 11. Fig.
Figure 13 is an exploded view of the speaker element of the earphone of Figure 10;
Figure 14 is a top view showing the force exerted by the earphone of Figure 10 against the listener's ear;

Certain representative embodiments will be described in order to provide a thorough understanding of the principles, functions, manufacture, and uses of the devices and methods described herein. One or more of these embodiments are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Those skilled in the art will recognize that these devices and methods, which have been specifically described herein and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, are non-limiting representative embodiments and that the scope of various embodiments of the invention is defined solely by the claims . In this regard, features described or illustrated in connection with a representative embodiment may be combined with features of other embodiments. Such variations and modifications may be included within the scope of the present invention.

In the following description, like reference numerals refer to like or corresponding parts throughout the several views. In the following description, the terms "forward", "rearward", "forward", "rearward", "right", "left", "upward", "downward" Are classified for convenience and should not be construed as limiting. The following description is intended to describe various embodiments of the invention, but is not intended to limit the invention.

The various embodiments relate to an adjustable dual speaker element earphone, wherein one of the speaker elements (relatively small) is sized to fit within the cavum concha of the listener's ear , And the other elements are not (relatively large). The position of the speaker element is adjustable so that the user can adjust the position of the speaker element to increase comfort. For example, in one embodiment, a relatively large speaker element can be rotated about a vertical axis of the hinged joint by a hinged joint, such that a relatively large speaker element is directed towards the listener's ear Or in a direction away from it. Additionally, according to various embodiments, a relatively small speaker element is adjustable for a relatively large speaker element. For example, in one embodiment, a relatively small speaker may prevent or restrict translational movement of a relatively small speaker element relative to a knuckle-ball joint, ball joint, or relatively large speaker element And can be connected to a relatively large speaker element by some other equivalent that provides multiple rotational degrees of freedom.

In addition, the earphone may include a hanger bar used by the listener to place the earphone in the ear of the listener. Accordingly, the hanger bar may include a horizontal section disposed in the upper external bend of the listener's ear behind the upper portion of the external ear (or gimbals). The earphone may include a knurled knob that allows the user to finely adjust the spacing between the speaker element and the horizontal section of the hanger bar so that in this embodiment, / RTI >

In at least one embodiment, an adjustable dual speaker element earphone is provided, wherein one of the speaker elements is sized to fit within the opening of the listener's ear. 1 to 4 show an earphone 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a perspective view of an earphone 10 worn on the ear 12 of the listener 14; Fig. 2 is a side view of the earphone 10; Fig. 3 is a front view of the earphone 10; 10). In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the earphone 10 includes a first speaker element 20, a second in-ear speaker element 22, a hanger bar 24 ) And a tragel bridge (26).

The terms "proximal" and "distal" are used herein for the listener's head. Thus, the proximal parts of the earphone 10 are directed to the listener's nose and the distal parts are directed to the rear of the listener's head. In addition, the spatial terms "vertical" and "horizontal" are used herein with respect to the figures. These terms are not intended to be limiting or exhaustive.

The first speaker element 20 may be formed in a generally circular shape as shown in the figure and may be formed to have a size large enough not to enter into the opening of the listener 14. The second speaker element 22 may also be formed in a generally circular shape and may extend outwardly from the inner portion 28 of the first speaker element 20. According to one embodiment, the second speaker element 22 is fixed to the inner surface 28 of the first speaker element 20 such that relative movement between the first speaker element and the second speaker element is not performed. The second speaker element 22 is connected to the first speaker element 20 by an arm 23 such that the second speaker element 20 is normally extended vertically from the first speaker element 20 . According to various embodiments, the inner surface 28 of the first speaker element 20, the arm 23 and the backing 25 of the second speaker element 22 are manufactured from a single portion of the injection molded plastic So that their positions are fixed.

As shown in the figure, the hanger bar 24 can be formed in a substantially L-shape and has (i) a first proximal portion 30 extending vertically from the tragular bridge 26, (Ii) a second distal portion that is configured to be arranged on the upper outer flexion of the ear behind the upper portion 13 of the ear (or auricle) and extends horizontally away from the first portion 30 and is arranged perpendicular to the first portion; (32). The hanger bar 24 may have a cylindrical cross-section and may be made of plastic, metal or any other suitable material.

The tragel bridge 26 includes a vertically oriented distal shaft head 34 fixedly connected to the first speaker element 20 at the proximal end of the first speaker element 20. The shaft head 34 and the tragular bridge 26 may be arranged in a tangential direction with respect to the proximal side of the first speaker element 20 of the circular shape. A slotted retaining bolt or pintle 36 is inserted through an opening formed by the shaft head 34 to hinge the first speaker element 20 to the tragular bridge 26. In this way, the first speaker element 20 can rotate about the vertical axis of the shaft head 34 so that the first speaker element 20 can be directed towards or from the listener's ear 12 It is possible to rotate in the direction in which it is spaced apart. The shaft head 34 may be made of, for example, metal or plastic. In one embodiment, the shaft head 34 and the outer circumferential support 42 of the first speaker element 20 can be made as an integral part of the injection molded plastic. The height of the tragular bridge 26 may be smaller than the diameter of the first speaker element 20. [ For example, the height of the tragular bridge 26 may be approximately one-half the diameter of the first speaker element 20. 10 and 11, the tragel bridge 126 may be greater than half the diameter of the first speaker element 120 but less than the diameter of the first speaker element 120. [ In such an embodiment, the cylindrical knurled knob 148 may be larger than the knob 48 mentioned above, so that the listener contacts the knob 148, rotates it and adjusts the hanger bar 124 Lt; RTI ID = 0.0 > a < / RTI >

5-7 illustrate aspects of the tragel bridge 26 in accordance with various embodiments. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the tragular bridge 26 showing the pintle 26 and the shaft head 34. Fig. In FIGS. 6 and 7, the tragel bridge 26 is removed so that other components in the tragular bridge 26 can be seen. Ring 38 can be arranged between the upper portion of the shaft head 34 and the head 40 of the pintle 36, as shown in these figures. The O-ring 38 may be arranged inside the tragular bridge 26 and may not normally be visible. The function of the O-ring 38 is to prevent rotation of the first speaker element 20 relative to the tragular bridge 26 and to maintain the relative position between the tragular bridge 26 and the first speaker element 20 In order to provide friction between the pintle 36 and the shaft head 34 so that the pintle 36 and the shaft head 34 can be rotated. The tragular bridge 26 has upper and lower flanges 42, 44 on and below the shaft head 34. The upper and lower flanges 42, The pintle 36 is inserted through the upper flange 42, the shaft head 34 and the lower flange 44 so that the shaft head 34 is hingedly connected to the tragular bridge 26.

5 to 7, the pintle 36 may include a lower slot through which the speaker wire 46 is connected to the tragel bridge 26 and the first and second speaker elements < RTI ID = 0.0 > 20, and 22, respectively.

1 to 7, the traugel bridge 26 may also include a cylindrical, knurled knob 48 arranged in a vertical direction at the proximal end of the tragel bridge 26. The knurled knob 48 may be provided with a vertical opening therethrough, the vertical opening including threads inside the knurled knob 48 around the opening. The lower end of the first portion 30 of the hanger bar 24 may have a corresponding thread that matches the thread of the knurled knob 48 as shown in FIG. As the knurled knob 48 rotates about its vertical axis, the horizontal portion 32 of the hanger bar 24 is moved in a direction perpendicular to the tragular bridge 26 (and thus the speaker elements 20 and 22) Lt; / RTI > That is, as the knurled knob 48 is rotated, the user can adjust the relative position of the tragular bridge 26 and / or the speaker elements 20, 22 relative to the second portion 32 of the hanger bar 24, The distance H shown in FIG. 2, which adjusts a portion of the hanger bar 24 placed on the listener's ears, thereby optimizing or improving the wearing of the earphone 10 for the user. In at least one embodiment, the threads of the knurled knob 48 and the hanger bar 24 are formed relatively finely so that the user can make fine adjustments. Alternatively, in at least one embodiment, the knurled knob 48 and the threads of the hanger bar 24 are formed relatively rough so that the user can make rough adjustments. The knurled knob 48 may be made of, for example, plastic or metal.

In addition, in at least one embodiment, the knob 48 can rotate relative to the hanger bar 24 to a position where the hanger bar 24 is detached from the knurled knob 48. The hanger bar 24 may be rotated relative to the knob 48 such that the threads of the hanger bar 24 are separated from the knob 48. In other embodiments, In this embodiment, another hanger bar (not shown) having a different dimension of the first portion 30 and / or the second portion 42 can be inserted into the tragular bridge 26 at the knob 48 have. Thus, hanger bars of different dimensions can be provided to be worn by a large number of people with different sized ears.

According to various embodiments, the thread of the lower portion of the first portion of the hanger bar 24, as shown in Fig. 5, is a strain relief member adjacent the lower portion of the tragular bridge 26 at the proximal side, 50). The speaker wire 46 may be threaded through the slots in the strain relief member, tragular bridge 26 and pintle 36 as shown in FIG. 5 to the speaker elements 20,22. The strain relief member 50 may be made of, for example, plastic.

1 to 4, the hanger bar 24 may be hingedly connected to the speaker elements 20, 22 by a trawl bridge 26. In other embodiments, Thus, the tragular bridge 26 is arranged adjacent to the tragus of the listener's ear 12, as shown in FIG. 1, when the earphone 10 is correctly positioned in the listener's ear 12. [ As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the tragular bridge 26 may be formed in the shape of a rectangle having a knurled knob 48 at the proximal end and a shaft head 34 at the proximal end. The tragel bridge 26 may be made of plastic or any other suitable material. 1 and 14, when the earphone 10, 110 is correctly placed in the listener's ear 12, the hanger bars 24, 124, as mentioned above, Is positioned behind the upper portion (13) and on the upper external bend of the listener's ear (12). According to various embodiments, the hanger bars 24,124 may be configured such that the first speaker element 20,121 and / or the second speaker element 22,122 apply a force (F _{in in} Figure 14) to the ear of the listener It can have shape and size.

Referring to Figures 1-4, 10-11 and 14, in various embodiments, the shape of the hanger bar may be described as follows. The first portion 30,301 of the hanger bars 24,124 may be connected to the listener and / or the second speaker element 22,122 when the earphone 10,101 is properly positioned within and / As shown in Fig. In addition, the second portion 32, 132 may be arranged in the horizontal direction relative to the listener and / or the second speaker element 22, 122. The second portion 32,322 also includes a second portion 32,132 that extends obliquely toward the lower, rear and second speaker elements 22,122 as it extends apart from the first portion 30,130. Or curved. In addition, the second portion 32, 132 can also extend in the horizontal direction toward the second speaker element 22, 122 as the second portion 32, 132 extends away from the first portion 30, Or may be curved. Alternatively, the second portion 132 may be connected to the first portion 130 by a middle portion 131 of the hanger bar 124, as best seen in FIG. The middle portion 131 may be inclined or curved toward the second speaker element 122 as the middle portion 131 is shifted from the vertical first portion 130 to the horizontal second portion 132. [ The intermediate portion 131 may extend from the second portion 132 to the first portion 130 so that the major longitudinal axis for the first portion 130 does not intersect the major longitudinal axis for the second portion 132. [ To set the offset.

Referring to Fig. 14, there is shown a top view showing the force exerted by the earphone 110 when the earphone is worn on the listener's ear 12. Fig. In this embodiment, without the aid of gravity, the hanger bar 124 and the second speaker element 122 can be adjusted relative to each other (as mentioned above) and thus, according to the hanger bar 124, The speaker element 122 may apply a force F _in toward the ear cannell 16 of the listener's ear 12 and / or on this course and / or towards it. In other words, the hanger bar 124 is configured such that the hanger bar 124 functions like a lever and is supported by the head 17 of the listener on the fulcrum 18 (the upper portion 13 of the outer ear of the listener's ear 12, (Formed by the point of contact between the second portion of the bar 124), so that the second speaker element 122 is biased against at least a portion of the listener 12 and / (F _in ) is added.

Mathematically, the force exerted on and / or against the ear canal F _in and / or the opening 15 may be determined as follows. The balance (F _h · D _h ) applied by the listener's head 17 on the second portion 132 of the hanger bar 124 around the equilibrium and support 18, is equal to the torque (F _e · D _e) exerted by the part (130). Therefore, the force equilibrium equation is calculated as follows.

F _h · D _h = F _e · D _e

When the force F _e applied on the first portion 130 is calculated,

By setting the same force F _e as the force F _c applied to the ear by the first speaker element 120,

When F _c is calculated,

When the force (F _in ) applied by the second speaker element 122 in the opening 15 and / or the ear canal 16 is calculated,

F _in = F _c cos (硫)

The variables such as the force F _h applied from the head on the earphone 110, the user defined distance D _h , D _e and D _l and the user configured angle? The equation for the force F _in of the second speaker element 122 in the ear canal, including the ear canal is as follows.

Thus, the force F _in by the second speaker element 122 at the listener's ear can be adjusted by the force of the speaker elements 120, 120, independently of any force caused by gravity and / or gravity, 122) to an appropriate position to adequately secure the first, second, < RTI ID = 0.0 > and / or < / RTI >

In various earphones, the in-ear speaker element can be sized and configured to be held in place by forming a snug fit against the wall of the ear canal. However, in various embodiments, the second speaker element 122 may be sized such that the speaker element 122 is formed larger than the ear canal 122. In this embodiment, the second speaker element 122 may prevent insertion into the ear canal and thus be pressed in a direction away from the ear canal and / or from the ear canal by the inner wall of the ear of the listener. Thus, the function of the earphone 110 to provide an appropriate magnitude of force to the listener ' s ear can be achieved by maintaining the proper position of the first and / or the second speaker element 120,122 relative to the listener's ear canal and / This can be an additional important thing to do.

8 is an exploded view of earphone 10 according to various embodiments. As shown in FIG. 8, the tragular bridge 26 may include front and rear pieces 52, 54 interconnected by, for example, screws 56. In other alternative embodiments, other means of connecting the front and rear pieces 52, 54, such as a snap fit, may be used. Additionally, in other alternative embodiments, the tragular bridge 26 may include more or fewer individual pieces than two individual pieces. In addition, instead of having the front and rear pieces shown in Fig. 8, the tragular bridge may include upper and lower pieces 64 and 66 as shown in Fig. 9, which shows a developed view of the tragel bridge according to another embodiment. . ≪ / RTI >

Referring to the embodiment of FIG. 8, the rear pieces 54 of the tragular bridge 26 may each include flanges 42, 44 located above and below the shaft head 34. The trawl bridge 26 may also include upper and lower proximal flanges 58 and 60 positioned above and below the knurled knob 48. [ The upper proximal flange 58 has two pieces, one piece 58a on the front piece 52 of the tragular bridge 26 and one piece 58b on the rear piece 54 of the tragular bridge 26, And a single piece 58b of a pair. In various embodiments, a plastic friction O-ring 39 may be arranged between the two pieces 58a, 58b of the upper proximal flange 58. The O-ring 39 may be arranged in the tragular bridge 26 and is not normally visible. The function of the O-ring 39 is to prevent the hanger bar 24 from rotating relative to the traugel bridge 26 and to maintain the relative position between the traugel bridge 26 and the hanger bar 24. [ To provide friction between the flange 58 of the bridge 26 and the first portion 30 of the hanger bar 24. In addition, the second speaker element 22 is capable of providing a resistance biasing force so that the hanger bar 24 is rotated in a direction away from the tragular bridge 26 and then deflected towards the listener's ear. have. For example, the second portion 32 of the hanger bar 24 may be rotated toward the listener's ear and away from the tragular bridge 26. Ring 39 can store the resistance rotational energy such that the second portion 32 of the hanger bar 24 is deflected backward toward the tragular bridge 26. The O- Thus, the second portion 32 of the hanger bar 24 and the second speaker 22 can be deflected relative to each other when worn on the listener's ear. Alternatively, the O-ring 39 may be omitted in various embodiments. In this embodiment, the upper proximal flange 58 can be sized and configured to provide rotational friction directly against the movement of the hanger bar passing therethrough. In any case, due to the rotational friction provided by the O-ring 39 and / or the flange 58, the user may notice that the second portion 32 of the hanger bar 30 does not substantially rotate (due to friction) The knob 48 may be rotated to translate relative to the traugel bridge 26. [ The trawl bridge 26 may also include a retaining nut 62 on the underside of the shaft head 34 that receives the pintle 36 in place.

Each of the first and second speaker elements 20,22 may comprise an acoustic transducer, each acoustic transducer including a dynamic driver for generating acoustic waves in the audible range. These acoustic transducers can produce acoustic energy with different (though potentially overlapping) frequency ranges. For example, the first speaker element 20, which is larger than the second speaker element 22, may produce an intermediate frequency from a lower frequency in the audible range, and the second speaker element 22 may produce a middle frequency can do. According to at least one embodiment, the first speaker element 20 may comprise a transducer of approximately 20 mm diameter, and the second speaker element 22 may be approximately 12 mm in diameter. Alternatively, according to at least one embodiment, the first speaker element 20 may be 20.0 mm in diameter and the second speaker element 22 may be approximately 13.5 mm in diameter.

3 and 4, the first speaker element 20 includes a low frequency transducer enclosure 70 (not shown) on its inner portion 28 (i.e., the portion facing the ear 12) The low frequency transducer enclosure may include a low pass acoustical filter (LFTE) for the first speaker element 20 that effectively removes high frequency components from the output of the driver for the first speaker element 20. The low pass acoustical filter ). ≪ / RTI > In addition, sound may be emitted from the proximal surface 72 of the second speaker element 22. In addition, the opening of the second speaker element 22 can be concentrated in the inner portion of the second speaker element 22 extending to the farthest point in this opening of the listener's ear 12. [ More details on dual element speakers are described in U.S. Patent Nos. 4,418,248 and 5,333,206 entitled "Dual Element Headphones ", which is incorporated by reference herein.

12 and 13 in at least one embodiment, it is contemplated that a first transducer (not shown) of the first speaker element 120 within the audiotape and / or auditory canal of the listener via, for example, the second speaker element 122 120a may be provided. In this embodiment, the sound produced by the first transducer 120a can be initially guided into the first cavity 120b formed between the first transducer 120a and the inner wall 170a. This sound then passes through the channel 123a in the arm 123 and into the second cavity 122c formed in front of the receiver 125 of the second speaker element 122 and behind the second transducer 122d Lt; / RTI > From this, the sound produced by the first transducer 120a can be emitted from the proximal surface 172 of the second speaker element 122 through the first acoustic opening 122a. In addition, the sound produced by the second transducer 122d may be emitted from the proximal surface 172 of the second speaker element 122 through the second acoustic opening 122b. Thus, the relatively low frequency sound produced by the first transducer 120a may be transmitted to the second transducer 122d outside the earphone, but within the ear of the listener, for example in this opening and / Is mixed with the sound of the relatively high frequency generated by the microphone. As a result of mixing the relatively high frequency sound wave and the low frequency sound wave outside the earphone, the relatively low frequency sound generated by the first converter 120a is generated from the relatively high frequency sound Can be prevented. Thus, in some embodiments, the second transducer is typically attenuated from the relatively low frequency sound waves by sealing the second transducer within the housing of the second speaker element 122 between the cavity 122c and the proximal surface 172 . Thus, the acoustic path may also be configured to prevent the relatively low frequency sonic energy from disturbing the second transducer 122d as the second transducer 122d modulates and generates a relatively high frequency sound.

12 and 13, the first cavity 120b, the channel 123a, the second cavity 122c, and / or the first acoustic opening 122a may be configured for a first transducer 120a, May be sized and configured to form an acoustic path that functions as a low pass acoustical filter for the first transducer 120a that effectively removes high frequency components from the output of the driver. Thus, since the acoustic path is selected to function as an acoustic filter, the electrical signal delivered to the first transducer 120a and the electrical signal delivered to the second transducer 122d in at least one embodiment, . That is, the electronic components of the earphone can be simplified by not having to provide an electronic chip or other electronic components that provide signal filtering for the driver of the converter. This simplification is due in part to sizing and configuring of the acoustic path itself and the sound produced by the first transducer so that the surfaces formed thereby function as low pass acoustic filters.

In some of the above-described embodiments, the second speaker element 22 may be fixedly connected to the first speaker element 20. The second speaker element 22 can be hingedly connected to the first speaker element 20 so that the second speaker element 22 can be hinged to the vertical axis of the hinge connecting the first and second speaker elements, You can pivot around it. That is, according to one embodiment, the second speaker element 22 can rotate relative to the first speaker element 20 along the curve C shown in Fig.

According to another alternative embodiment, the second speaker element 22 may be connected to the first speaker element 20 by means of a pivoting joint having a plurality of rotational degrees of freedom, such as a knuckle-ball joint or a ball joint. That is, the second speaker element 22 may be rotated about any three vertical axes, i.e., relative pitch, yaw and / or roll motion for the first speaker element 20, motion may be allowed. In this case, in addition to being able to pivot along line C in Fig. 4, the second speaker element 22 is connected to the second speaker element 22 at a joint between the second speaker element 22 and the first speaker element 20, (I.e., along curve E in FIG. 3) and rotate about a horizontal axis (i.e., along curve D in FIG. 3). The user can adjust the relative positions of the speaker elements 20, 22 to increase comfort according to a plurality of degrees of freedom of movement.

In addition, in other embodiments, the first speaker element 20 may be coupled to the tragular bridge 26 (e.g., by a joint, such as a knuckle-ball joint or a ball joint, that allows multiple rotational degrees of freedom, . That is, the first speaker element 20 may be rotated about any three vertical axes, i.e., the relative pitch, yaw and / or roll motion for the tragular bridge 26 may be allowed. In this way, the user can adjust the direction of rotation of the first speaker element 20 to further enhance the comfort of the earphone 10.

The examples set forth herein are intended to illustrate the potential and particular practice of the embodiments. These examples are intended to be illustrative to those skilled in the art. Certain features of these examples are not intended to limit the scope of the embodiments described.

The drawings and description of the embodiments are simplified in order to illustrate the elements in order to clearly understand the embodiments. These elements are not described herein because they are well known in the art and aid in understanding embodiments.

Various embodiments, variations, and adaptations to these embodiments are apparent to those skilled in the art in practicing at least some of the advantages of the various embodiments described herein. The disclosed embodiments include all such variations, modifications, and applications without departing from the scope of the embodiments described herein.

No patent, literature, or other disclosure may be incorporated by reference herein in whole or in part, but only to the extent that it does not conflict with existing definitions, statements, or other matters described herein As shown in Fig. To that extent and to the extent necessary, the disclosure provided herein is in lieu of the contradictory content set forth in the referenced document. Any reference in this specification to any of the definitions, expressions, or other disclosure content as described herein, Or any part thereof, constitutes only so that there is no contradiction between the content of the existing disclosure and the reference.

Claims (53)

In the earphone,
A first speaker element and a second speaker element extending from the first speaker element, the second speaker element being sized and configured to be partially worn in the opening of the listener's ear when the listener wears, The second speaker element being connected to the first speaker element by a pivoting joint,
A bridge including a first end and a second end, the speaker element being pivotally connected to a first end of the bridge,
The first portion being threadably connected to the second end of the bridge and the second portion of the hanger bar being adapted to be disposed in a portion of the listener's ear when the listener wears the earphone Wherein the first end of the bridge forms a first axis, the one or more speaker elements are rotatable about a first axis, the second end of the bridge forms a second axis, Wherein the earphone is threadably connected to the second end of the bridge so as to be rotatable about two axes. 2. The hanger bar of claim 1, wherein the bridge further comprises a rotatable knob accessible to the listener, the knob having a threaded engagement with a first portion of the hanger bar such that the second portion of the hanger bar translates relative to the bridge, And the earphone. 3. The earphone of claim 2, wherein the second portion of the bridge and the hanger bar are spaced apart by a distance, and wherein the rotary knob is configured to vary the distance as the knob rotates. delete delete 2. The earphone of claim 1, wherein the pivoting joint is configured to provide three degrees of freedom of rotation relative to the second speaker element with respect to the first speaker element. 7. The earphone according to claim 6, wherein the pivotally rotatable joint is a ball joint. 2. The method of claim 1 wherein the first speaker element is configured to generate a first sound in a first predetermined direction and the second speaker element is configured to generate a second sound in a second predetermined direction, And the predetermined direction is transverse to the second predetermined direction. The earphone of claim 1, wherein the first speaker element is pivotably connected to the first end of the bridge by a ball joint. 2. The earphone of claim 1 wherein the first speaker element is pivotally connected to the first end of the bridge by a hinged joint. 11. The earphone of claim 10 wherein the hinged joint defines a first axis and the first speaker element is only rotatable about the first axis. 11. The hanger according to claim 10, wherein the hinged joint forms a first axis, the first speaker element can only rotate about the first axis, the rotary knob forms a second axis, Wherein the earphone is operatively connected to the rotary knob so that it can only rotate around it. 3. The earphone of claim 2 wherein the rotary knob forms a second axis and the hanger bar is operably connected to the rotary knob such that the hanger bar can rotate about a second axis. The earphone according to claim 1, wherein the first axis and the second axis are formed in parallel. The earphone according to claim 1, wherein the first axis and the second axis are not arranged in the same straight line. 2. The hanger bar of claim 1, wherein the first portion of the hanger bar includes threads such that the second portion of the hanger bar at least translates relative to the bridge as the second portion of the hanger bar relative to the bridge, earphone. 2. The earphone of claim 1, wherein the bridge is configured to be disposed adjacent to the migration of the listener's ear when the listener wears the earphone. 3. The hanger bar of claim 1, further comprising an O-ring arranged in the bridge, wherein a first portion of the hanger bar passes through the O-ring and the upper O-ring rotates about a first portion of the hanger bar passing therethrough Wherein the earphone is sized and configured to provide friction. A method of wearing earphones, the method comprising:
Providing an earphone, wherein the earphone includes a first speaker element and a second speaker element extending from the first speaker element, the second speaker element being configured to provide a portion of the listener's ear, when worn by a listener, The second speaker element being connected to the first speaker element by a pivoting joint,
The bridge element comprising a bridge including a first end and a second end, the speaker element being pivotally connected to a first end of the bridge, the second end including a rotary knob, and the first and second portions Wherein the first portion is operatively connected to the rotary knob such that as the knob rotates, the second portion of the hanger bar is at least translationally movable relative to the bridge,
Rotating the knob to adjust the distance between the bridge and the second portion of the hanger bar,
Rotating the speaker element relative to the bridge,
Placing a hanger bar on a portion of the listener's ear so that the loudspeaker element is aligned with the opening of the listener's ear, and
And locating the second speaker element in part in the opening of the listener's ear. 20. The method of claim 19, wherein the step of placing further comprises placing a hanger bar on a portion of the listener's ear such that the bridge is disposed adjacent the opening of the listener's ear. 20. The method of claim 19, further comprising rotating a second portion of the hanger bar relative to the bridge. delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete

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