WO2019138371A1

WO2019138371A1 - Ear-pressure-equalizing headphones

Info

Publication number: WO2019138371A1
Application number: PCT/IB2019/050228
Authority: WO
Inventors: Mark Palmer
Original assignee: Earways Limited
Priority date: 2018-01-11
Filing date: 2019-01-11
Publication date: 2019-07-18
Also published as: GB201800418D0; GB2570123A

Abstract

The invention relates to headphones 10. The headphones 10 comprises two ear pieces 12, 14. Each ear piece comprises gaps in the ear pieces to allow air flow from the speaker of the earpieces through the back of the headphones, and vice versa, so as to allow control of ear air pressure, and wherein the headphones comprises heating means designed to cause a user's Eustachian tubes to open, to permit the flow of air through more easily through a users Eustachian tubes.

Description

EAR-PRESSURE-EQUALIZING HEADPHONES

The invention relates to headphones. In particular, but not exclusively, the invention relates to headphones for aircraft.

Headphones are a pair of loudspeaker drivers worn on or around the head over a user's ears.

Open-back headphones have openings for air at the back of the speaker, as well as the openings at the front of the speaker which enable sound to move towards the user’s ears. Many people find that open-back headphones sound better, because they let air, which is needed to move sound towards the user’s ears, flow through them more freely. However, with open-back headphones much of the sound will leak into the room, annoying people other than the user. Moreover, noise from the surroundings can easily penetrate open-back headphones and annoy the user too.

In a public place, closed back headphones, for example noise-cancelling headphones, tend to be chosen instead of open back headphones, because closed back headphones cut the wearer off completely from the environment, causing less or no disturbance to members of the public other than the user, and so the user is less disturbed by ambient noise.

Closed-back headphones are sealed at the back so, theoretically no sound escapes, or leaks in from outside.

In an aircraft, pressure change proportional to altitude change, can cause pressure changes on an ear of a passenger. A problem with known closed back headphones on an aircraft is that they can exacerbate the negative effects of pressure change on an ear of a passenger due to altitude change.

An aim of the present invention is to provide improved headphones and/or alternative headphones.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided headphones in accordance with Claim 1.

Other optional and preferred features of the invention are set out in the dependent claims, and the description, below. The features of one aspect of the invention can be combined in any complimentary manner, with one or more features of another aspect of the invention, the dependent claims, and/or with one or more features of the description, where such a combination of features would provide a working embodiment of the invention.

In this way, pressure can“escape” out of the headphones, it does not build up inside the headphone in the same way as it would if there was a perfect headphones seal around the ear, meaning pressure inside and outside the headphone equalise readily (giving rise to the familiar ear pop) so that damage does not occur inside the ear.

Headphones in accordance with the invention can be defined as“closed back” headphones in that the openings do not allow significant sound to escape which may disturb the public. Headphones in accordance with the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which,

Figure l is a schematic cross sectional diagram of an ear, showing an Eustachian tube, during ascent,

Figure 2 is a schematic cross sectional diagram of an ear, showing an Eustachian tube, during descent,

Figure 3 is a frontal view of headphones in accordance with the invention,

Figure 4 is a side view of headphones in accordance with the invention,

Figure 5 is a first exploded view of headphones in accordance with the invention,

Figure 6 is a second exploded view of headphones in accordance with the invention,

Figure 7 is a third exploded view of headphones in accordance with the invention,

Figure 8 is a fourth exploded view of headphones in accordance with the invention,

Figure 9 shows vents of the headphones, from a first side of an earpiece,

Figure 10 shows vents of the headphones, from a second side of an earpiece, Figure 11 shows a gap of the headphones, from the front of an earpiece,

Figure 12 shows a gap of the headphones, from a side of an earpiece,

Figure 13 shows a gap of the headphones, from the side of an earpiece, and

Figure 14 is a schematic cross sectional diagram of the headphones of the invention worn on an ear.

What happens in an ear of a passenger when an aircraft climbs?

Referring to Figure 1, as an aircraft climbs, the air pressure inside the cabin gradually decreases until it reaches the level at which it will remain for the rest of the flight (at cruising altitude). Because this air pressure will be lower than it was at ground level it means that some of the trapped air must be allowed to escape from the inner ear. If it doesn’t, the slightly higher pressure on the eardrum indicated by the arrow will cause the eardrum to bulge outwards. If all goes well, the overpressure air in the inner ear simply escapes via the Eustachian tube (for example, through the nose), as indicated by the arrow. It’s easier for the Eustachian tube to exhaust air, than to intake air. Accordingly, hardly anyone has problems with their ears when an aircraft is climbing.

What happens in an ear of a passenger when an aircraft descends?

Referring to Figure 2, as an aircraft descends, the air pressure inside the cabin gradually increases. The rising air pressure pushes the ear drum inwards, as indicated by the arrow. To counter this, the air pressure on the other side of the eardrums, in the inner ear, must also increase. To enable this to happen, air must be sucked in through the Eustachian tube, as indicated by the arrow.

The headphones of the invention works for both aircraft ascent and descent.

Referring to Figures 3 to 6, headphones 10 comprises a first ear unit 12 and a second ear unit 14, which are connected by a band 16.

The second unit 14 comprises the controls in accordance with the invention, and the second ear unit 12 transmits a sound signal to the first ear unit 12 using a conventional cable, so the second ear unit 14 will be described hereunder.

Figure 8 is the most accurate in terms of the relative position of each of the parts, and where Figure 8 conflicts with other Figures in this regard, Figure 8 takes precedence.

Referring to Figure 7 to 10, the second ear unit 14 comprises a front casing 18 and a rear casing

20

Referring to Figures 7 and 8, the front casing 18 and rear casing 20 enclose the following parts:

A driver 40. The driver 40 is connected to a connecting cord 41, so that, in use, the driver 40 can convert the electrical signal into a sound wave that the ear can understand.

A PCBA 32 (see Figure 8). A battery 34. The driver 40 is connected to the battery 34, so that it can be electrically powered.

Referring to Figure 14, the rear casing 20 comprises a charging port 22 for charging the battery 34.

The rear casing 20 comprises a multi function button 24, and a battery status button 26, both of which can be conveniently mounted on the PCB A 32. The rear casing 20 comprises a battery status and heat setting indicator, in the form of four LED’s 28.

The headphones 10 produce sound in the same way as known headphones. The driver 40 comprises a permanent magnet, a voice coil, which becomes an electromagnet when electricity flows through it, and a diaphragm attached to the coil, which operates in a known manner, the diaphragm making the sound when it moves.

The second ear unit 12 comprises a padded ring 50 for surrounding the ear. The padded ring 50 is made from Polyurethane foam, which is covered by a suitable material such as natural leather or leather effect plastics material.

The first ear unit 12 comprises a heating means 36 in the form of an annular disc arranged between ear pad 50 and front casing 18. The heating means 36 is powered by the battery 34.

Referring to Figures 7 and 8 for example, in accordance with the invention, the first ear unit 12 comprises an annular part 60 and a disc part 62. Referring to Figures 11 to 13, the annular part 60 and the disc part 62 define an annular gap between them, in the order of about 0.7 mm. Referring to Figure 8, the annular part 60 comprises an adaptor opening for a cable plug, the cable plug being designed to run from the headphones 10 to a music source (not shown for conciseness because it is not pertinent to the invention).

Referring to Figure 9, the rear casing 20 comprises vents 72, 74. Figures 9 and 10 are the most accurate in terms of the geometry of the vents 25, and where Figures 9 and 10 conflict with other Figures in this regard, Figures 9 and 10 take precedence. Figure 10 shows only one of the vents. The other vent is the mirror image.

The first ear unit 12 comprises a band mounting part 80. The band mounting part 80 comprises a tubular part. The tubular part has four openings in the periphery, arranged in pairs. The tubular part is connected to the disc part 62 of the back case 18.

Referring to Figures 4 to 6, the band 16 comprises a first wire part 82 and a second wire part 84, arranged parallel to one another. The first ends of the first wire part 82 and the second wire part 84 are joined by a third wire part 86. The second ends of the first wire part 82 and the second wire part 84 are joined by a fourth wire part 88.

Referring to Figure 4, the first wire part 82 and the second wire part 84 of the band are arranged through the openings in the band mounting part 80. The (first ear unit 12 and the) second ear unit 14 are slidably moveable along the first wire part 82 and the second wire part 84 of the band 16. The fourth wire part 88 limits movement of the second ear unit 14. The third wire part

86 limits movement of the first ear unit 12. The headphones 10 comprise one or more reinforcement members 90. The embodiment shown has two reinforcement members 90, which are the same, so only the first needs to be described. Referring to Figure 6, the reinforcement member 90 comprises a flexible member 92 which defines two parallel sleeves. The parallel sleeves are designed to accommodate, respectively, the first wire part 82 and the second wire part 84. The reinforcement member 90 comprises a first rigid spacer 94, and a second rigid spacer 96. The first rigid spacer 94 is connected to the second rigid spacer 96 by fasteners, clamping the flexible member 92 therebetween, so as to retain the position of the first wire part 82 and the second wire part 84.

The first ear unit 12 is substantially the same as the second ear unit 14. However, unlike the second ear unit 14, the first ear unit 12 has no PCBA 32 or battery 40.

In use, the annular part 60 and the disc part 62 co-operate to form a cover for the vents 72, 74, dampening sound.

The annular gap between the annular part 60 and the disc part 62 lets pressure escape however. This is due to the relative positions and the orientation of the rear casing 20, the vents 72, 74, the annular part 60, the disc part 62, and the annular gap.

The headphones 10 are entirely coated with acoustically dampening rubberised material to further help absorb sound (inside and out), that may spill through the walls of the headset. This is a feature put in place to keep sound in the correct place or prevent it from becoming an irritant. Parts 1 and 2 in Figures 12 and 13 are parts 60 and 62 in the remainder of the specification. Parts 1 and 2 act as a cover for the internal vents and act as a sound dampener, letting out pressure while containing sound.

In use, the headphones 10 is operated as follows.

To turn the power on, press the multi function button 24 and hold it down for 2 seconds. The default setting is level 1 heat, the lowest level. One of the LED’s 28 will illuminate to indicate level 1 heat.

To turn the power off, press the multi function button 24 and hold it down for 2 seconds. The LED’s 28 will turn off.

To select the temperature, press the multi function button 24. The temperature will increase one level with each press. Two of the LED’s 28 will illuminate to indicate level 2 heat. Three of the LED’s 28 will illuminate to indicate level 3 heat. Four of the LED’s 28 will illuminate to indicate level 4 heat, the highest. The heating power of the heating means 36 is further described hereunder.

To ascertain the battery status, press the battery status button 26. The current battery status will be displayed after one press. The indicator light(s) 28 will be illuminated for a few seconds.

It should be appreciated that closed back headphones 10 in accordance with the invention keep the heat in more effectively than open backed headphones would, which is important in solving the technical problem herein. Referring to Figure 14, heat expands middle ear as the air trapped in the chambers becomes less dense as the temperature increases. Eustachian tubes expand, allows easier pressure transfer.

1. direct heating causes parts of the body, including the Eustachian tube, to expand.

2. heated air causes greater air pressure, and the higher pressure air expands the Eustachian tube from within the tube.

It is important to not overheat the ear because that could cause discomfort from the heat, and, indirectly, too much opening of the earway s and consequential pressure on the ear. Private tests have found that the temperature of the air within the headphones 10 should not exceed about 50 degrees. The optimum temperature range is about 37 degrees to about 45 degrees. The heating power of the heating means 36 is designed so that the temperature in the pinna and external ear is about 39 degrees (or two degrees above the human body temperature) at level 1, 41 degrees at level 2, 43 degrees at level 3, and 45 degrees at level 4.

It will be appreciated that the or each vent 72, 74 is oriented to direct sound transversely to the general direction of the sound wave emanating from the speaker. The or each vent 72, 74 comprises a wall 76 oriented at an angle of between 70 and 90 degrees to the plane of the speaker, more preferably at angle of about 80 degrees to the plane of the speaker. The wall 76 of the or each vent 72, 74 and the rear casing 20 define openings 78. The plane of the openings 78, in the general direction of a sound wave from a speaker, is transverse to the general axis of the sound wave. More specifically, the plane of the openings 78, in the general direction of a sound wave from a speaker, is approximately 80 degrees to 90 degrees to the general axis of the sound wave.

The wall 76 of the or each vent 72, 74 is oriented to redirect sound, until it finds the opening 78. It will then be directed towards the annular part 60 and the disc part 62.

An advantage of the headphones 10 is that sound waves coming from the speaker part of the headphones 10 will collide and ricochet back into the listeners hearing vicinity thus causing no adverse effects two other passengers in terms of sound pollution and or irritation.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided closed back aircraft headphones comprising two ear pieces, wherein each ear piece comprises gaps in the ear pieces to allow air flow from the speaker of the earpieces through the back of the headphones, and vice versa, so as to allow control of air pressure on a user’s ear, without appreciable sound loss from the headphones.

Claims

1. Headphones comprising two ear pieces, wherein each ear piece comprises gaps in the ear pieces to allow air flow from the speaker of the earpieces through the back of the headphones, and vice versa, so as to allow control of ear air pressure, and wherein the headphones comprises heating means designed to cause a user’s Eustachian tubes to open, to permit the flow of air through more easily through a users Eustachian tubes.

2. Headphones according to Claim 1, wherein a rear wall of the speaker casing comprises one or more sound vents, preferably two sound vents.

3. Headphones according to Claim 1 and/or 2, wherein the or each vent is designed to direct sound transverse to the sound wave emanating from the speaker, preferably wherein the or each vent is designed to direct sound towards the periphery of the or each ear piece, preferably wherein each ear piece comprises an annular wall, the annular wall preferably directs sounds away from the periphery of the or each ear piece, preferably back into the earpiece towards the speaker.

4. Headphones according to Claim 1 and/or 2 and/or 3, wherein the heating means comprises a plurality of heating levels, preferably four levels.

5. Headphones according to any one or more preceding claim, wherein the headphones comprises a battery power indicator, the batter power indicator preferably comprising a plurality of LED’s, preferably the more of which illuminate to indicate more power in the battery.

6. Headphones according to any one or more preceding claim, wherein the headphones comprises a band for arrangement over the head of the user, the band comprises parallel rails, the position of the earphones is slidably adjustable on the rails.

7. Headphones according to any one or more preceding claim, wherein the headphones are closed back.

8. Headphones according to any one or more preceding claim, wherein the headphones are headphones for aircraft, or aircraft headphones.