WO2023147858A1 - Écouteur - Google Patents

Écouteur Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2023147858A1
WO2023147858A1 PCT/EP2022/052541 EP2022052541W WO2023147858A1 WO 2023147858 A1 WO2023147858 A1 WO 2023147858A1 EP 2022052541 W EP2022052541 W EP 2022052541W WO 2023147858 A1 WO2023147858 A1 WO 2023147858A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
magnet
coil arrangement
earphone according
coil
air passage
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/EP2022/052541
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Tommi Raussi
Miikka HAJANEN
Aleksi TULONEN
Toni LEHIMO
Jyri PAKARINEN
Original Assignee
Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. filed Critical Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.
Priority to PCT/EP2022/052541 priority Critical patent/WO2023147858A1/fr
Publication of WO2023147858A1 publication Critical patent/WO2023147858A1/fr

Links

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R1/00—Details of transducers, loudspeakers or microphones
    • H04R1/10—Earpieces; Attachments therefor ; Earphones; Monophonic headphones
    • H04R1/1016—Earpieces of the intra-aural type
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R1/00—Details of transducers, loudspeakers or microphones
    • H04R1/10—Earpieces; Attachments therefor ; Earphones; Monophonic headphones
    • H04R1/1041—Mechanical or electronic switches, or control elements
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R2460/00—Details of hearing devices, i.e. of ear- or headphones covered by H04R1/10 or H04R5/033 but not provided for in any of their subgroups, or of hearing aids covered by H04R25/00 but not provided for in any of its subgroups
    • H04R2460/11—Aspects relating to vents, e.g. shape, orientation, acoustic properties in ear tips of hearing devices to prevent occlusion

Definitions

  • the disclosure relates to an earphone comprising a body configured to at least partially block an ear canal of a user.
  • Insert type earphones typically comprise at least a body and an ear tip.
  • the body fits in the concha area of the user's outer ear, and makes up the main part of the earphone as it includes most of the electronic components and a battery.
  • the ear tip often made of silicone, is inserted into the user’s ear canal.
  • a firm fit without any air leakage is preferred in order to ensure good low-frequency audio playback or to enable audio features such as active noise cancellation.
  • one drawback with this type of earphone is that the user’ s own voice sounds “boomy” due to the occlusion effect.
  • the user’ s voice transmits naturally to the ear canal by means of bone conduction, but the occlusion prevents low-frequency sound from escaping the ear canal as the entrance is blocked by the insert-type earphone.
  • Another drawback is that, with insert earphones, the user’s ear canal may get sweaty, and sometimes itchy or irritated, due to the lack of ventilation.
  • the occlusion effect has been relieved by implementing complex solutions such as adding a controlled valve to the earphone, or by using active noise control for reducing the low frequencies in the ear canal. These methods are generally called de-occlusion techniques. While active noise control may relieve the occlusion effect to a certain extent, it does address the issue of lacking ventilation.
  • Electronically switchable physical valves have been created to allow ear canal venting and de-occlusion, as well as allowing the user to clearly hear the surroundings. The drawback of these physical valve solutions is their large size or oblong shape. In particular, existing solutions cannot easily be implemented in small structures which makes them rather unpractical for insert earphone use.
  • an earphone comprising a body configured to at least partially block an ear canal of a user, the body comprising an air passage configured to allow air to pass through the body.
  • a magnet actuator is arranged within the body, the magnet actuator comprising a magnet, a first coil arrangement, and a second coil arrangement. Manipulation of electrical current in the first coil arrangement and/or the second coil arrangement generates movement of the magnet between a first position and a second position, the magnet being aligned with the air passage when in the first position such that the magnet blocks the air passage completely, preventing air from passing through the body, and the magnet being offset relative the air passage when in the second position such that air can pass through the body via the air passage.
  • Such a solution provides a reliable yet non-complex solution for sealing the ear canal as well as ventilating the ear canal and allowing sound waves to propagate into the ear canal.
  • the solution has a small footprint and is highly suitable in small apparatuses such as in-ear earphones.
  • the body is configured to be at least partially arranged within an ear canal of the user or to be arranged immediately adjacent an opening of the ear canal in a concha of the user’s ear, allowing the apparatus to be placed as close to the ear canal as possible.
  • the body comprises an outer section adapted for being arranged at least partially within the concha of the user, the magnet actuator being arranged within the outer section. This allows the size of the magnet actuator to be more flexible since the concha provides a larger space than the ear canal.
  • the air passage is configured to allow air to pass between the ear canal of the user and an exterior to the ear canal when the magnet is in the second position, allowing excellent ventilation and exterior sound propagation into the ear canal.
  • the magnet is arranged completely between the first coil arrangement and the second coil arrangement, the magnet being located adjacent the first coil arrangement when in the first position and the magnet being located adjacent the second coil arrangement when in the second position.
  • the magnet is in galvanic contact with the first coil arrangement when in the first position and in galvanic contact with the second coil arrangement when in the second position, allowing simple detection of the magnet’s position as well as maintaining of the magnet in that position.
  • the movement of the magnet between the first position and the second position is generated along an actuation axis, the actuation axis extending at an angle >0° to a center axis of the air passage.
  • electrical current in the first coil arrangement generates a first electromagnetic field between the first coil arrangement and the magnet, the first electromagnetic field moving the magnet in a first direction along the actuation axis, and electrical current in the second coil arrangement generates a second electromagnetic field between the second coil arrangement and the magnet, the second electromagnetic field moving the magnet in a second direction along the actuation axis.
  • first coil arrangement and the second coil arrangement are separated by a dielectric space, the magnet being movable within the dielectric space between the first position and the second position. This prevents electrical current from flowing between the coil arrangements, which in turn facilitates sensing of galvanic contact between the magnet and one of the coil arrangements such that it is easily determined which position the magnet is currently in.
  • the first coil arrangement and the second coil arrangement comprises at least one coil each, allowing sufficient magnetic fields to be generated while also considering the small form factor of the earphone.
  • the first coil arrangement comprises a plurality of first coils separated by dielectric gaps and/or the second coil arrangement comprises a plurality of second coils separated by dielectric gaps, facilitating generation of stronger magnetic fields by means of several coils.
  • the first coil arrangement and the second coil arrangement each comprises a coil holder configured to maintain the coil(s), the magnet being in in galvanic contact with the coil holder when in the first position or the second position, providing a stable solution for holding the coils as well as for providing an end stop for the magnet range of motion.
  • the coil holder comprises at least one pin protruding towards the magnet, each one of the coils being wound around one of the pins.
  • the pins help to focus the electromagnetic field towards the magnet and allow less power to be used.
  • the first coil arrangement is configured to maintain the magnet in the first position and the second coil arrangement is configured to maintain the magnet in the second position when there is no electrical current in either of the first coil arrangement and the second coil arrangement, such that the magnet is maintained in the position that it was in when the electrical current was switched off.
  • the magnet is a permanent magnet having a first polarity in a direction towards the first coil arrangement and a second polarity in a direction towards the second coil arrangement, allowing an as simple, bidirectional magnet actuator as possible.
  • the earphone further comprises at least one membrane arranged between the magnet and an adjacent inner surface of the body, the membrane having a lower coefficient of friction than an adjacent surface of the magnet. This facilitates the sliding movement of the magnet and allows the body to be manufactured without having to consider the coefficient of friction of the body material.
  • Fig. 1 shows an exploded view of a partial earphone in accordance with an example of the embodiments of the disclosure
  • Fig. 2 shows a top view of a magnet actuator of an earphone in accordance with an example of the embodiments of the disclosure
  • Fig. 3a shows a cross-sectional side view of a partial earphone in accordance with an example of the embodiments of the disclosure, wherein the magnet actuator is in a first position;
  • Fig. 3b shows a cross-sectional side view of a partial earphone in accordance with an example of the embodiments of the disclosure, wherein the magnet actuator is in a second position;
  • Fig. 4a shows a cross-sectional top view of a partial earphone in accordance with an example of the embodiments of the disclosure, wherein the magnet actuator is in a first position;
  • Fig. 4b shows a cross-sectional top view of a partial earphone in accordance with an example of the embodiments of the disclosure, wherein the magnet actuator is in a second position.
  • the present invention relates to an earphone comprising a body 1 configured to at least partially block an ear canal of a user, the body 1 comprising an air passage 2 configured to allow air to pass through the body 1, and a magnet actuator 3 arranged within the body 1.
  • the magnet actuator 3 comprises a magnet 4, a first coil arrangement 5, and a second coil arrangement 6, and manipulation of electrical current in the first coil arrangement 5 or the second coil arrangement 6 generates movement of the magnet 4 between a first position Pl and a second position P2.
  • the magnet is aligned with the air passage 2 when in the first position Pl such that the magnet 4 blocks the air passage 2 completely, preventing air from passing through the body 1, and the magnet 4 is offset relative the air passage 2 when in the second position P2 such that air can pass through the body 1 via the air passage 2.
  • the body 1 may have any suitable shape even though the Figs, illustrate a substantially rectangular body.
  • the body 1 and the components within the body 1 may have any suitable complementary shapes as long as these shapes facilitate movement of the magnet actuator 3 within the body 1, as described in more detail below.
  • the earphone also known as an in-ear headphone, comprises a body 1 that is configured to at least partially block an ear canal of a user.
  • the earphone may comprise further components such as an ear tip made of an elastomer such as silicone.
  • the body 1 may be configured to be at least partially arranged within the user’s ear canal or to be arranged immediately adjacent the opening of the ear canal, i.e. in the concha of the user’s ear.
  • the body 1 may comprise an outer section 1 a adapted for being arranged at least partially within the concha, the magnet actuator 3 being arranged within the outer section la.
  • the earphone may comprise an inner section (not shown) in the form of, e.g., an elastomer ear tip.
  • the body 1 comprises an air passage 2 configured to allow air to pass through the body 1.
  • the air passage 2 extends through the body such that, when in use, air can pass between the user’s ear canal and the exterior, i.e. between any space outside of the user’s ear canal.
  • the exterior can be, e.g., the air volume formed within the concha of the user’s ear, or the air volume which is completely outside of the user’s ear.
  • the earphone comprises a magnet actuator 3 arranged within the body 1.
  • the magnet actuator 3 comprises a magnet 4, a first coil arrangement 5, and a second coil arrangement 6.
  • the magnet 4 is arranged between the first coil arrangement 5 and a second coil arrangement 6, as shown in the Figs., in a way that facilitates movement of magnet 4 between the first coil arrangement 5 and a second coil arrangement 6, which are stationary.
  • Movement of the magnet 4 is generated through manipulation of electrical current in one or both of the first coil arrangement 5 and the second coil arrangement 6.
  • the earphone may furthermore comprise at least one membrane 10, shown in Fig. 1, arranged between the magnet 4 and an adjacent inner surface of the body 1.
  • the membrane may, e.g., be made of polytetrafluoroethylene (Teflon).
  • Teflon polytetrafluoroethylene
  • the membrane 10 has a lower coefficient of friction than an adjacent surface 4a of the magnet 4, facilitating the movement of magnet 4 when arranged adjacent to an inner surface of the body 1. This also allows the body 1 to be manufactured without having to consider the coefficient of friction of the body material.
  • the body 1 may also comprise further components such as mesh, covering the opening of the body and air passage which is to face the ear canal, sealing or vibration dampening materials such as Poron, and electronic components such as contact pads and other electronic circuitry.
  • the magnet 4 is moved between a first position Pl and a second position P2.
  • the air passage 2 may, in other words, be configured to allow air to pass between the ear canal of the user and an exterior to the ear canal when the magnet 4 is in the second position P2. This allows the ear canal to be ventilated and sound waves to propagate into the ear canal.
  • the magnet 4 is arranged between the first coil arrangement 5 and the second coil arrangement 6.
  • the magnet 4 is arranged completely between the first coil arrangement 5 and the second coil arrangement 6 such that it is enclosed by the first coil arrangement 5 and the second coil arrangement 6.
  • the magnet 4 When the magnet 4 is in the second position P2, it is located adjacent to the second coil arrangement 6 as shown in Figs. 2, 3b, and 4b.
  • the magnet 4 is enclosed by the first coil arrangement 5 and the second coil arrangement 6 regardless of which position it is in due to the magnet 4, the first coil arrangement 5, and the second coil arrangement 6 being arranged in the same plane and the magnet 4 moving in said plane.
  • the magnet 4 When the magnet 4 is in the first position Pl, it is in galvanic contact with the first coil arrangement 5. Correspondingly, when the magnet 4 is in the second position P2, it is in galvanic contact with the second coil arrangement 6.
  • galvanic contact is meant direct physical contact, which generates a direct electrical connection between magnet 4 and coil arrangement 5, 6.
  • the magnet 4 may be a permanent magnet having a first polarity in a direction towards the first coil arrangement 5, e.g. a north pole N, as shown in Figs. 2 to 4b, and a second polarity in a direction towards the second coil arrangement 6, e.g. a south pole S.
  • the movement of the magnet 4 between the first position Pl and the second position P2 may be generated along an actuation axis Al, the actuation axis Al extending at an angle >0° to a center axis A2 of the air passage 2.
  • the angle may be 90° to the center axis A2 of the air passage 2, such that the magnet 4 slides within a plane, comprising actuation axis Al, which is parallel with a plane comprising the air passage 2. This allows the air passage 2 to be completely sealed all around its periphery by the magnet 4.
  • the movement of the magnet 4 between the first position Pl and the second position P2 may be linear.
  • a first electromagnetic field is generated between the first coil arrangement 5 and the magnet 4.
  • the first electromagnetic field attracts, i.e. moves, the magnet 4 in a first direction DI along the actuation axis Al as shown in Fig. 4b.
  • a second electromagnetic field is generated between the second coil arrangement 6 and the magnet 4.
  • the second electromagnetic field attracts, i.e. moves, the magnet 4 in a second direction D2 along the actuation axis Al.
  • One electrical field may be generated at a time.
  • two electrical fields may be generated simultaneously.
  • the first electromagnetic field attracts the magnet 4 while the second electromagnetic field repels the magnet 4, or the first electromagnetic field repels the magnet 4 while the second electromagnetic field attracts the magnet 4.
  • the first coil arrangement 5 and the second coil arrangement 6 are separated by a dielectric space 7 which is larger than the width of the magnet 4 as seen along the actuation axis Al.
  • the magnet 4 is, in other words, movable within the dielectric space 7 between the first position Pl and the second position P2.
  • the dielectric space 7 prevents electrical current from flowing between the first coil arrangement 5 and the second coil arrangement 6, which in turn facilitates sensing of galvanic contact between the magnet 4 and one of the first coil arrangement 5 and the second coil arrangement 6.
  • the first coil arrangement 5 and the second coil arrangement 6 comprise at least one coil 5a, 6a each.
  • the first coil arrangement 5 may comprise a plurality of first coils 5a separated by dielectric gaps 8.
  • the second coil arrangement 6 may comprise a plurality of second coils 6a separated by dielectric gaps 8.
  • the first coil arrangement 5 and the second coil arrangement 6 may each comprise a coil holder 9 configured to maintain the coils 5a, 6a.
  • the magnet 4 may be in galvanic contact with the respective coil holder 9 when in the first position Pl or the second position P2.
  • the coil holder 9 may comprise at least one pin 9a protruding towards the magnet 4. Each one of the coils 5a, 6a is wound around one pin 9a, as shown in Figs. 2, 4a, and 4b which show three coils 5a, 6a and the pins 9a for each coil arrangement 5, 6.
  • the pins 9a help to focus the electromagnetic field towards the magnet and allow less power to be used.
  • the pins 9a may comprise ferromagnetic material.
  • the first coil arrangement 5 may be configured to maintain the magnet 4 in the first position Pl when there is no electrical current in the first coil arrangement 5.
  • the second coil arrangement 6 may be configured to maintain the magnet 4 in the second position P2 when there is no electrical current in the second coil arrangement 6. This allows the magnet 4 to be maintained in the position that it was in if and when the electrical current is switched off unintentionally, e.g. due to dropping the earphone, or intentionally in order to conserve battery energy. This may be achieved by means of the pins 9a comprising a material that attracts the magnet, i.e., a material which has a polarization attracting either the north pole or the south pole of the magnet.

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Acoustics & Sound (AREA)
  • Signal Processing (AREA)
  • Reciprocating, Oscillating Or Vibrating Motors (AREA)

Abstract

Un écouteur comprend un corps (1) configuré pour bloquer au moins partiellement un conduit auditif d'un utilisateur, le corps (1) comprenant un passage d'air (2) configuré pour permettre à l'air de passer à travers ledit corps (1). Un actionneur magnétique (3) est disposé à l'intérieur dudit corps (1) et comprend un aimant (4), un premier agencement de bobine (5) et un second agencement de bobine (6). La manipulation du courant électrique dans ledit premier agencement de bobine (5) et/ou ledit second agencement de bobine (6) génère un mouvement dudit aimant (4) entre une première position (P1) et une seconde position (P2). L'aimant est aligné avec ledit passage d'air (2) lorsqu'il est dans ladite première position (P1), bloquant complètement ledit passage d'air (2), et décalé par rapport audit passage d'air (2) lorsqu'il est dans ladite seconde position (P2), permettant à l'air de passer à travers ledit corps (1) par l'intermédiaire dudit passage d'air (2).
PCT/EP2022/052541 2022-02-03 2022-02-03 Écouteur WO2023147858A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/EP2022/052541 WO2023147858A1 (fr) 2022-02-03 2022-02-03 Écouteur

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/EP2022/052541 WO2023147858A1 (fr) 2022-02-03 2022-02-03 Écouteur

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2023147858A1 true WO2023147858A1 (fr) 2023-08-10

Family

ID=80623418

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/EP2022/052541 WO2023147858A1 (fr) 2022-02-03 2022-02-03 Écouteur

Country Status (1)

Country Link
WO (1) WO2023147858A1 (fr)

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP2835987A1 (fr) * 2013-12-06 2015-02-11 Oticon A/s Prothèse auditive à évent régulable
EP3471433A2 (fr) * 2017-10-16 2019-04-17 Sonion Nederland B.V. Dispositif auditif personnel
EP3668117A1 (fr) * 2018-12-14 2020-06-17 GN Hearing A/S Écouteur permettant de déterminer l'état d'un élément de fermeture d'un évent
EP3694227A1 (fr) * 2019-02-07 2020-08-12 Oticon A/s Dispositif auditif comprenant un évent réglable

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP2835987A1 (fr) * 2013-12-06 2015-02-11 Oticon A/s Prothèse auditive à évent régulable
EP3471433A2 (fr) * 2017-10-16 2019-04-17 Sonion Nederland B.V. Dispositif auditif personnel
EP3668117A1 (fr) * 2018-12-14 2020-06-17 GN Hearing A/S Écouteur permettant de déterminer l'état d'un élément de fermeture d'un évent
EP3694227A1 (fr) * 2019-02-07 2020-08-12 Oticon A/s Dispositif auditif comprenant un évent réglable

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