WO2023236999A1

WO2023236999A1 - Water-resistant connection structure and wireless earphone

Info

Publication number: WO2023236999A1
Application number: PCT/CN2023/098877
Authority: WO
Inventors: 陶志勇; 刘彬; 曹洪斌
Original assignee: 苏州索迩电子技术有限公司
Priority date: 2022-06-10
Filing date: 2023-06-07
Publication date: 2023-12-14
Also published as: CN115065906A

Abstract

Disclosed are a water-resistant connection structure and a wireless earphone. The water-resistant connection structure comprises a housing (1) and a cable assembly (2). The housing (1) is provided with an insertion hole (10). The cable assembly (2) comprises an outer skin layer (20), a wire (21) passing through the outer skin layer (20), and an insertion head (22) connected to an end portion of the outer skin layer (20), the insertion head (22) being used for insertion into the insertion hole (10); wherein, the outer skin layer (20) comprises, integrally formed, a sleeve (200) and a sealing ring (201), the sealing ring (201) being connected to the insertion head (22) and being in interference fit with the insertion hole (10). The water-resistant connection structure of the present invention, by means of the sealing ring tightly fit with the insertion hole and integrally formed on the outer skin layer, is able to effectively improve the seal between the insertion head and the insertion hole.

Description

A waterproof connection structure and wireless earphones

Priority information: This application claims priority from Chinese patent application No. 202210656515.1, filed on June 10, 2022.

Technical field

The present invention relates to the technical field of earphones, and in particular, to a waterproof connection structure and wireless earphones.

Background technique

Wireless earphones, such as bone conduction earphones, usually include several functional devices and cable assemblies connected to the functional devices. The functional devices are, for example, earphone heads, battery compartments or control compartments. Usually, the number of headphone heads is two. The headphone heads and the battery compartment, the headphone heads and the control compartment, and the battery compartment and the control compartment are all connected through cable assemblies to realize the electrical connection between the functional devices. connect. Generally, the cable assembly between the headphone head and the battery compartment and between the headphone head and the control compartment are called ear hooks, while the cable assembly between the battery compartment and the control compartment is called a neckband cable.

During use, the connection between the cable assembly and the functional device is prone to bending and twisting, which affects the sealing of the connection. After the sealing becomes worse, external liquid can easily invade into the functional device, affecting its normal operation.

Contents of the invention

The object of the present invention is to provide a waterproof connection structure and a wireless earphone. The waterproof connection structure can improve the sealing performance of the connection between the cable assembly and the functional device.

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object of the invention, on the one hand, the invention proposes a waterproof connection structure, including:

The shell is provided with a socket; and,

A cable assembly includes an outer layer, a conductor extending through the outer layer, and a connector connected to the end of the outer layer, and the connector is used for plugging into the connector hole;

Wherein, the outer layer includes an integrally formed sleeve and a sealing ring. The sealing ring is connected to the connector and has an interference fit with the connector hole.

Further, the sealing ring includes a body and at least one ring of convex ring portion protruding from the outer periphery of the body. The body is embedded in the connector, and the convex ring portion is an interference fit with the connector hole. .

Further, the connector is provided with a first protrusion adapted to the plug hole, the first protrusion is located on a side of the protrusion ring away from the sleeve, and the first protrusion part and the convex ring part A first annular groove is formed between them.

Further, the connector is provided with a second protrusion adapted to the plug hole, the second protrusion and the protrusion ring portion are respectively located on both sides of the first protrusion, and the first A second annular groove is formed between the convex part and the second convex part.

Further, the body includes a first outer peripheral surface extending from the convex ring portion toward the sleeve, and the first outer peripheral surface is provided with an annular recessed portion.

Furthermore, the outer layer further includes a plurality of connecting pieces connected between the first end surface of the sleeve and the sealing ring, and the connecting pieces are embedded in the connector.

Furthermore, the connecting piece is provided with a plurality of first stepped portions protruding outward, and the connector 22 is provided with a second stepped portion protruding outward, and the second stepped portion is located between two adjacent first stepped portions. During this period, the first step portion and the second step portion cooperate to form an annular third protrusion, and a third annular groove is formed between the third protrusion and the first end surface of the sleeve.

Further, the housing has a second end surface with the plug hole, and after the cable assembly is connected to the housing, the second end surface fits the first end surface of the sleeve and Interference fit.

Further, the cable assembly further includes an elastic metal wire inserted in the outer layer, the end of the elastic metal wire is provided with a concave part and/or a convex part, and the connector is injection molded on the The recessed portion and the outer portion of the raised portion.

Further, the material of the outer layer is silicone, the material of the connector is plastic, and the outer layer and the connector are two-color injection molded together.

Further, glue is filled between the connector plug and the inner surface of the connector hole.

On the other hand, the present invention proposes a wireless earphone, including the waterproof connection structure as described in any one of the above.

Further, the wireless earphone is a bone conduction earphone, which includes a battery compartment, a control compartment and two earphone heads. The battery compartment, the control compartment and the two earphone heads all include the housing. The battery compartment and the The control compartments, the battery compartment and the headphone head, and the control compartment and the headphone head are all connected through the cable assembly.

Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects: In the present invention, the outer layer is integrally formed with a sealing ring, the sealing ring is connected to the plug, and has an interference fit with the plug hole, which can effectively realize the connection between the plug and the shell. seal between bodies.

As a further improvement, the inner surface of the connector and the socket is filled with glue. The glue adhesion not only improves the firmness of the connection between the connector and the housing, but also further improves the connection between the connector and the socket. Waterproof seal.

Description of the drawings

Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a waterproof connection structure according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a schematic structural diagram of a housing according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic structural view of the housing shown in FIG. 2 from another perspective.

Figure 4 is a schematic structural diagram of a cable assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the cable assembly shown in FIG. 4 .

Figure 6 is a schematic structural diagram of a connector according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of the waterproof connection structure shown in FIG. 1 from another perspective.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view along line A-A in FIG. 7 .

Figure 9 is a schematic structural diagram of the end of the outer skin layer in an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of part I in FIG. 8 .

Figure 11 is a schematic plan view of the end of the cable assembly of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is an enlarged view of part II in FIG. 11 .

Figure 13 is a perspective view of the end of the cable assembly in the present invention.

FIG. 14 is an enlarged view of part III in FIG. 5 .

Figure 15 is a schematic structural diagram of the wireless earphone in the present invention.

Detailed ways

In order to make the above objects, features and advantages of the present application more obvious and easy to understand, the specific implementation modes of the present application will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It can be understood that the specific embodiments described here are only used to explain the present application, but not to limit the present application. In addition, it should be noted that, for convenience of description, only some but not all structures related to the present application are shown in the drawings. Based on the embodiments in this application, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative efforts fall within the scope of protection of this application.

The terms "including" and "having" and any variations thereof in this application are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, method, system, product or device that includes a series of steps or units is not limited to the listed steps or units, but optionally also includes unlisted steps or units. units, or optionally other steps or units inherent to such processes, methods, products or devices.

Reference herein to "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment can be included in at least one embodiment of the present application. The appearances of this phrase in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, nor are separate or alternative embodiments mutually exclusive of other embodiments. Those skilled in the art understand, both explicitly and implicitly, that the embodiments described herein may be combined with other embodiments.

As shown in Figures 1 to 14, a waterproof connection structure corresponding to a preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a housing 1 and a cable assembly 2 connected to the housing 1.

The housing 1 is provided with a plug-in hole 10. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the case 1 has a first end face 11, and the plug-in hole 10 is provided on the first end face 11. The housing 1 also includes an inner end face 12 opposite to the first end face 11 , and the connecting hole 10 is connected from the first end face 11 to the inner end face 12 .

The cross-sectional shape of the connector hole 10 is not limited, for example, it can be circular, rounded rectangular, oval, etc. Preferably, the connector hole 10 is a non-circular hole, which can provide a better limiting effect and prevent the cable assembly from 2 rotates around the axis of the circular hole under the action of torque. In the illustrated embodiment, the cross-sectional shape of the connector hole 10 is approximately a rounded rectangle.

As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the cable assembly 2 includes an outer sheath 20, a conductor 21 passing through the outer sheath 20, and a connector 22 connected to the end of the outer sheath 20. The conductor 21 passes through the connector 22 to communicate with the outside. functional devices connected. The number of wires 21 is not limited, and may be one or more wires, used for transmitting power or electrical signals.

The plug 22 is used for plugging into the plug hole 10 . As a preferred embodiment, the plug 22 is snap-connected to the plug hole 10 . Figures 6 to 8 show a specific connection structure. The connector 22 includes two elastic arms 225 arranged opposite each other. Each elastic arm 225 is provided with an outwardly protruding hook portion 2250 at its end. The two hook portions 2250 bulges away from each other. After the connector 22 is inserted into the connector hole 10 , the elastic arm 225 extends to the outside of the inner end surface 12 , and its hook portion 2250 hooks the inner end surface 12 to prevent the connector 22 from withdrawing from the connector hole 10 .

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 9 , the outer layer 20 includes an integrally formed sleeve 200 and a sealing ring 201 . The sealing ring 201 is connected to the connector 22 and has an interference fit with the connector hole 10 , so that the cable assembly 2 is in contact with the connector 22 . The connection of the housing 1 forms a waterproof seal.

As a preferred embodiment, the connector 22 and the outer layer 20 are molded together by two-color injection molding. In this way, the assembly steps of the plug 22, the sleeve 200 and the sealing ring 201 can be omitted, the production efficiency is higher, the precision of injection molding is better, and the sealing effect between the sealing ring 201 and the connector hole 10 is more consistent. good. As shown in Figure 10, the tail 227 of the connector 22 is formed inside the sleeve 200. The sleeve 200 includes a covering layer 203 covering the front end surface 2270 of the tail 227, and at least part of the tail 227 is covered by the covering layer 203. The front end surface 2270 can make the connector 22 more firmly fixed in the outer layer 20 and prevent the two from being separated.

As a preferred embodiment, the outer layer 20 is entirely made of silicone material, and the connector 22 is made of plastic material. The plastic material can be, for example, PC+ABS, PC+glass fiber, or PA+glass fiber. Since the silicone rubber is elastic and has an interference fit with the connector hole 10, it can maintain a tight fit with the connector hole 10, ensuring the reliability of the seal.

As a preferred embodiment, in addition to sealing with the connector hole 10 through the sealing ring 201, glue can also be filled between the connector plug 22 and the inner surface of the connector hole 10. The glue can fill the connector plug 22 and the connector. The gap between the jacks 10 can not only improve the firmness of the connection between the cable assembly 2 and the housing 1 through bonding, but can also further improve the sealing and waterproof effect.

As a preferred embodiment, as shown in Figures 9 and 10, the sealing ring 201 includes an annular body 2010 and a convex ring portion 2011 protruding from the outer periphery of the body 2010. The body 2010 is embedded in the connector 22. The junction between the outer peripheral surface and the plug 22 is preferably a smooth transition. The sealing ring 201 has an interference fit with the connector hole 10 through its convex ring portion 2011, and the number of the sealing ring 201 can be one or more rings.

As a preferred embodiment, as shown in Figures 11 and 12, the body 2010 includes a first outer peripheral surface 2012 extending from the convex ring portion 2011 toward the sleeve 200, and the first outer peripheral surface 2012 is provided with an annular recessed portion 2013. . When glue is applied on the outer periphery of the connector 22 , the recessed portion 2013 can accommodate the glue on the outer periphery of the connector 22 , thereby increasing the firmness of the glue connection and effectively improving the sealing between the convex ring portion 2011 and the connector hole 10 .

As a preferred embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 , the connector 22 is provided with a first protrusion 220 that matches the connector hole 10 . The first protrusion 220 and the connector hole 10 preferably have a clearance fit. , so that the connector plug 22 can be inserted into the connector hole 10 . The first protruding portion 220 is located on the side of the sealing ring 201 away from the sleeve 200 , and a first annular groove 221 is formed between the first protruding portion 220 and the flange portion 2011 . On the one hand, the distance between the first protrusion 220 and the inner wall of the connector hole 10 is small. When the cable assembly 2 is bent or twisted, the first protrusion 220 220 can abut the hole wall of the connector hole 10, thereby reducing or even eliminating the amount of movement of the connector plug 22, preventing the connector plug 22 from loosening, and maintaining the sealing between the connector plug 22 and the connector hole 10. On the other hand, when glue is filled between the connector 22 and the socket 10 , more glue can be accommodated in the first annular groove 221 , making the bonding between the connector 22 and the housing 1 stronger.

It can be understood that the number of the first protrusion 220 is not limited to one. As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 , the connector 22 is provided with a second protrusion 222 that is adapted to the connector hole 10 . The second protrusion 222 and The convex ring portions 2011 are respectively located on both sides of the first convex portion 220 , and a second annular groove 223 is formed between the first convex portion 220 and the second convex portion 222 . It is also preferred that the second protrusion 222 has a clearance fit with the connector hole 10 to facilitate the insertion of the connector plug 22 . The provision of the second protrusion 222 can further improve the firmness of the connection and the sealing performance of the connection.

The connector 22 is also provided with a third protrusion 224 between the first end surface 2000 of the sleeve 200 and the convex ring portion 2011. A third annular groove 228 is formed between the third protrusion 224 and the first end face 2000 of the sleeve 200. . Since the third protrusion 224 is located close to the outer end of the connector hole 10 , the seal between it and the connector hole 10 can effectively prevent external water vapor, liquid, dust and other foreign matter from entering, and prevent foreign matter from causing damage to the sealing ring 201 damage, which is conducive to maintaining a good sealing effect. Preferably, the first end surface 2000 of the sleeve 200 is fit with the second end surface 11 of the housing 1 and has an interference fit, that is, the first end surface 2000 of the sleeve 200 is elastically abutted against the second end surface 11 of the housing 1, Maintaining a certain extrusion force between the first end face 2000 and the second end face 11 can improve the waterproof sealing effect on the one hand, and on the other hand, the gap between the two can be 0, which can eliminate the gap at the connection and improve the appearance of the product. sex. The first end surface 2000 and the second end surface 11 can also be adhered to each other to further prevent external water vapor, liquid, dust and other foreign matter from entering the connector hole 10 . Further preferably, the outline size of the third convex portion 224 gradually increases toward the side where the first end surface 2000 is located, so as to further improve the sealing effect and prevent external water vapor, liquid, dust and other foreign matter from entering.

As a preferred embodiment, referring to Figure 9, the sealing ring 201 also includes a number of connectors 2014 (the number shown in the figure is four) connected between the first end surface 2000 of the sleeve 200 and the body 2010. The connector 2014 is embedded in the connector 22. Each connector 2014 is provided with a protruding first step portion 2015. Referring to Figures 6 and 13, the connector 22 is provided with a protruding second step portion 226. A step portion 2015 is provided between two adjacent second step portions 226 , and the outer surfaces of the first step portion 2015 and the second step portion 226 are smoothly connected, and the two cooperate to form the third convex portion 224 .

As shown in Figures 5 and 10, the cable assembly 2 also includes an elastic metal wire 23 that penetrates the outer layer 20. The elastic metal wire 23 is used to provide elastic force to restore the cable assembly 2 to its original shape, so that the earphone head of the earphone is in contact with the original shape. people The facial skin fits more closely and is made of elastic materials. For example, it can be a single metal or an alloy material including a variety of metal materials, such as aluminum alloy, magnesium alloy, titanium alloy, spring steel, etc. It may be a composite material including metallic materials and non-metallic materials. Preferably, the elastic metal wire 23 is made of titanium wire.

As shown in FIGS. 10 and 14 , in order to improve the firmness of the connection between the elastic metal wire 23 and the connector 22 , the end of the elastic metal wire 23 is provided with a plurality of radially inward recessed portions 230 and/or a plurality of radial recesses 230 . The convex protruding portion 231 and the connector 22 cover the end of the elastic metal wire 23, covering the recessed portion 230 and the protruding portion 231, thereby forming a staggered connection between the connector 22 and the elastic metal wire 23. The connection between the elastic metal wire 23 and the connector 22 is stronger and does not rotate or loosen during the manufacturing process and the user's use. The above-mentioned recessed portion 230 and protruding portion 231 can be formed by radially pressing the elastic metal wire 23 .

The present invention also provides a wireless earphone, which includes the waterproof connection structure described above.

As shown in Figure 15, the wireless headset includes a battery compartment 30, a control compartment 31 and two earphone heads 32, between the battery compartment 30 and the control compartment 31, between the battery compartment 30 and the earphone head 32, and between the control compartment 31 and another earphone. The heads 32 are all connected through the cable assembly 2 . The battery compartment 30, the control compartment 31 and the headphone head 32 all include a housing 1, that is, the battery compartment 30, the control compartment 31 and the headphone head 32 can be connected to the cable assembly 2 using the above-mentioned waterproof connection structure, so that each part The sealing effect of the connection with the cable assembly 2 is better, which is beneficial to ensuring the reliable operation of the wireless earphones.

Preferably, the wireless earphone is a bone conduction earphone, the earphone head 32 of which is in contact with the human facial skin, allowing the wearer to hear sound through bone conduction.

The above are only specific embodiments of the present invention, and any other improvements made based on the concept of the present invention are deemed to be within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

A waterproof connection structure, characterized by including:

The housing (1) is provided with a socket (10); and,

The cable assembly (2) includes an outer sheath (20), a wire (21) passed through the outer sheath (20), and a connector (22) connected to the end of the outer sheath (20). The connector plug (22) is used for plugging into the connector hole (10);

The outer layer (20) includes an integrally formed sleeve (200) and a sealing ring (201). The sealing ring (201) is connected to the connector (22) and connected to the connector hole (201). 10) Interference fit.
The waterproof connection structure according to claim 1, characterized in that the sealing ring (201) includes a body (2010) and at least one ring of convex ring portions (2011) protruding from the outer periphery of the body (2010). The body (2010) is embedded in the connector (22), and the convex ring portion (2011) is an interference fit with the connector hole (10).
The waterproof connection structure according to claim 2, characterized in that the plug (22) is provided with a first protrusion (220) adapted to the plug hole (10), and the first protrusion (220) is located on the side of the convex ring portion (2011) away from the sleeve (200), and a first annular groove is formed between the first convex portion (220) and the convex ring portion (2011) (221).
The waterproof connection structure according to claim 3, characterized in that the connector (22) is provided with a second protrusion (222) adapted to the connector hole (10), and the second protrusion (222) and the convex ring portion (2011) are respectively located on both sides of the first convex portion (220), and a second convex portion (222) is formed between the first convex portion (220) and the second convex portion (222). Annular groove (223).
The waterproof connection structure of claim 2, wherein the body (2010) includes a first outer peripheral surface (2012) extending from the convex ring portion (2011) toward the sleeve (200), so The first outer peripheral surface (2012) is provided with an annular recessed portion (2013).
The waterproof connection structure according to claim 1, characterized in that the outer layer (20) further includes a gasket connected between the first end surface (2000) of the casing (200) and the sealing ring (201). A plurality of connectors (2014), and the connectors (2014) are embedded in the connector (22).
The waterproof connection structure according to claim 6, characterized in that the connecting piece (2014) A plurality of protruding first step portions (2015) are provided, and the connector 22 is provided with a protruding second step portion (226). The second step portion (226) is located between two adjacent first steps. Between the parts (2015), the first step part (2015) and the second step part (226) cooperate to form an annular third convex part (224). The third convex part (224) and the A third annular groove (228) is formed between the first end surfaces (2000) of the sleeve (200).
The waterproof connection structure according to claim 1, characterized in that the housing (1) has a second end face (11) with the plug hole (10), and the cable assembly (2) and After the housing (1) is connected, the second end surface (11) and the first end surface (2000) of the sleeve (200) are fit and interference fit.
The waterproof connection structure according to claim 1, characterized in that the cable assembly (2) further includes an elastic metal wire (23) penetrated in the outer layer (20), and the elastic metal wire (23) 23) The end is provided with a recess (230) and/or a protrusion (231), and the connector (22) is injection molded outside the recess (230) and the protrusion (231).
The waterproof connection structure according to claim 1, characterized in that the material of the outer layer (20) is silica gel, the material of the connector (22) is plastic, and the outer layer (20) and the connector are made of plastic. The plug (22) is molded together by two-color injection molding.
The waterproof connection structure according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that glue is filled between the inner surface of the connector plug (22) and the connector hole (10).
A wireless earphone, characterized by comprising the waterproof connection structure according to any one of claims 1 to 11.
The wireless earphone according to claim 12, characterized in that the wireless earphone is a bone conduction earphone, which includes a battery compartment (30), a control compartment (31) and two earphone heads (32), and the battery compartment (32) 30), the control compartment (31) and the two headphone heads (32) all include the housing (1), between the battery compartment (30) and the control compartment (31), the battery compartment (30) ) and the headphone head (32) and between the control chamber (31) and the headphone head (32) are connected through the cable assembly (2).