Earmuff and headphone having the same

Abstract

This invention provides an earcup for a headset and a headset having the same. The earcup of the headset includes a housing, an ear pad, and an adjustment member. The housing has at least one positioning structure. The ear pad is disposed on the housing. The adjustment member is disposed between the ear pad and the housing. The adjustment member includes at least one adjustable portion and at least one fixed portion. The at least one adjustable portion is correspondingly and movably connected to the at least one positioning structure of the housing. The at least one fixed portion is fixed to the ear pad. By adjusting the adjustable portion, the surrounding shape formed by the adjustment member can be changed, thereby causing the shape of the ear pad to change, achieving the purpose of adjusting the listening experience without changing the earcup.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This invention relates to an earmuff and a headset having the same. More particularly, this invention relates to an adjustable earmuff and a headset having the same. [Previous Technology]

[0002] Depending on the situation, headphone users may want different listening experiences. For over-ear headphones, the only way to change the listening experience is currently by changing the earcups. However, the material of the earcups' layers and foam, as well as their size, all affect the listening experience. Therefore, there are too many variables when changing to other earcups, making it difficult to make adjustments intuitively. [Summary of the Invention]

[0003] The present invention provides an earmuff that allows for intuitive adjustment of the hearing sensation and a headphone having the same.

[0004] The earcups of the headphones according to the present invention include a housing, an ear pad, and an adjustment member. The housing has at least one positioning structure. The ear pad is disposed on the housing. The adjustment member is disposed between the ear pad and the housing. The adjustment member includes at least one adjustable portion and at least one fixed portion. The at least one adjustable portion is correspondingly and movably disposed on the at least one positioning structure of the housing. The at least one fixed portion is fixed to the ear pad.

[0005] The headphones according to the present invention include two earcups according to the present invention and a headband. The headband connects the two earcups.

[0006] Compared with the prior art, the present invention provides an earcup for a headset and a headset having the same, wherein the earcup of the headset includes a housing, an ear pad, and an adjustment member. The housing has at least one positioning structure. The ear pad is disposed on the housing. The adjustment member is disposed between the ear pad and the housing. The adjustment member includes at least one adjustable portion and at least one fixed portion. The at least one adjustable portion is correspondingly and movably disposed on the at least one positioning structure of the housing. The at least one fixed portion is fixed to the ear pad. By adjusting the adjustable portion, the surrounding shape formed by the adjustment member can be changed, thereby causing the shape of the ear pad to change, achieving the purpose of adjusting the listening experience without changing the earcup.

[0007] In order to better understand the above and other aspects of the present invention, specific embodiments are described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings:

Implementation Method

[0009] Various embodiments will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The descriptions and drawings are provided for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to be limiting. For clarity, elements may not be drawn to scale. Furthermore, some elements and / or symbols may be omitted in some drawings. It is contemplated that elements and features in one embodiment may be advantageously incorporated into another embodiment without further explanation.

[0010] Please refer to Figure 1, which shows an exemplary headset 10 according to the present invention. The headset 10 includes two earcups 100 and a headband 20. The headband 20 connects the two earcups 100.

[0011] Please refer to Figures 2A-2F, which show details of the earmuff 100 according to the present invention. The earmuff 100 includes a housing 110, an ear pad 120, and an adjustment member 130. The housing 110 has at least one positioning structure 112. The ear pad 120 is disposed on the housing 110. The adjustment member 130 is disposed between the ear pad 120 and the housing 110. The adjustment member 130 includes at least one adjustable portion 132 and at least one fixed portion 134. The at least one adjustable portion 132 is correspondingly and movably disposed on the at least one positioning structure 112 of the housing 110. The at least one fixed portion 134 is fixed to the ear pad 120.

[0012] More specifically, the housing 110 includes a main body 114. In the example shown in Figures 2A-2F, the positioning structure 112 is formed directly on the main body 114. In other words, the housing 110 with the positioning structure 112 is formed integrally. The number of positioning structures 112 may be the same as the number of adjustable portions 132 of the adjusting member 130, and the positioning structure 112 corresponds one-to-one with the adjustable portion 132.

[0013] The earcup 100 may further include at least one positioning pin 140. The positioning pins 140 are slidably disposed in the positioning structures 112. For example, the at least one adjustable portion 132 of the adjustment member 130 is correspondingly connected to the at least one positioning pin 140; that is, the adjustable portion 132 is connected to the positioning structure 112 of the housing 110 via the positioning pin 140. Therefore, it can be understood that the number of positioning pins 140 can be consistent with and correspond one-to-one with the number of positioning structures 112 and the number of adjustable portions 132 of the adjustment member 130. Each positioning pin 140 can be independently slid in the corresponding positioning structure 112 by the user pinching the ear pad 120, thereby causing the shape of the corresponding adjustable portion 132 and the nearby ear pad 120 to change. Each positioning structure 112 may include a plurality of positioning holes H arranged along a radial direction of the earcup 100. A positioning pin 140 corresponding to a particular positioning structure 112 is disposed in one of the plurality of positioning holes H and is movable between the positioning holes H. In this example, the adjustment member 130 is annular in shape corresponding to the shape of the ear pad 120, so that the user can set the positioning pin 140 at a specific position in the positioning holes H, or move the positioning pin 140 to another position in the positioning holes H, thereby fixing or changing the annular shape formed by the adjustment member 130, for example fixing or changing the size of the adjustment member 130 in its radial direction, and thus correspondingly fixing or changing the shape of the ear pad 120. In another embodiment, the adjustment member 130 may also be an arc that conforms to the curvature of the ear pad 120 but is not completely closed; however, practical applications are not limited to this.

[0014] Although in the examples shown in Figures 2A-2F, the positioning structure 112 is directly formed on the main body 114, the positioning structure can also be separated from the main body as a different component. Referring to Figure 3, in another exemplary earcup 200, the housing 210 includes a main body 214 and at least one positioning plate 216. The positioning plate 216 is disposed on the main body 214, for example, locked to the main body 214. The positioning structure 112 is disposed in the positioning plate 216. The number of positioning plates 216 can be the same as the number of positioning structures 112, that is, the at least one positioning structure 112 is correspondingly disposed in the at least one positioning plate 216. Based on the two examples above, integrally forming the positioning structure 112 on the main body 114, as shown in Figures 2A-2F, is beneficial for simplifying mechanical conduction and is more beneficial for sound quality. Forming the positioning structure 112 on the positioning plate 216 and then assembling it onto the main body 214, as shown in Figure 3, is beneficial for replacing damaged components. The positioning plate 216 can be a metal plate, such as a rigid metal plate that is not flexible.

[0015] Referring back to Figures 2A-2F, the earpad 120 may include a cover layer 122 and a filler 124, such as foam. The cover layer 122 and the filler 124 therein form a volume-adjustable space S. The cover layer 122 of the earpad 120 may include an elastic portion 122E disposed along an inner peripheral wall of the earpad 120, wherein the inner peripheral wall of the earpad 120 generally refers to the peripheral wall of the inner ring of the earpad 120 ring cylinder. The fixing portion 134 of the adjusting member 130 is fixed to the elastic portion 122E. The elastic portion 122E of the earpad 120 may have a hollow channel 122H, for example, the elastic portion 122E may be a double-layer structure, and the hollow channel 122H is formed in the gap of the double-layer structure. At least a portion of the adjustment member 130 passes through the hollow channel 122H; in other words, the adjustment member 130 passes through the inner peripheral wall of the ear pad 120 located at the elastic portion 122E. More specifically, the adjustment member 130 is positioned at the fixing portion 134 to be disposed within the hollow channel 122H. Such a configuration can be achieved by mechanical engagement, but is not limited thereto. The elastic portion 122E may include, for example, elastic leather. Other portions of the covering layer 122 besides the elastic portion 122E may include, but are not limited thereto, inelastic artificial leather. In another embodiment, at least a portion of the adjustment member 130 is connected and disposed on one side of the cover layer 122 adjacent to one side of the elastic portion 122E. The side adjacent to the elastic portion 122E includes at least one side of the inner circumferential surface and the outer circumferential surface of the elastic portion 122E. For example, the inner circumferential surface or the outer circumferential surface of the elastic portion 122E may be provided with annular grooves or buckles for accommodating and fixing the adjustment member 130. This avoids designing the elastic portion 122E as a hollow type, further reducing manufacturing costs.

[0016] The adjustment member 130 may be flexible. For example, the adjustment member 130 may be formed of a thin metal sheet. When the adjustment member 130 includes a plurality of adjustable portions 132 and a plurality of fixed portions 134, the adjustable portions 132 and fixed portions 134 may be alternately arranged with respect to each other. More specifically, the adjustable portions 132 and fixed portions 134 may be alternately arranged with respect to each other at equal intervals. As shown in Figures 2A-2F, in the earcup 100, the adjustment member 130 has two adjustable portions 132 and two fixed portions 134, which are alternately arranged with respect to each other. In this case, the two adjustable portions 132 may be arranged on a major axis Y of the earcup 100, and the two fixed portions 134 may be arranged on a minor axis X of the earcup 100 orthogonal to the major axis, as shown in Figures 2E-2F. It is understood that the number of adjustable parts 132 and the number of fixed parts may be less than or more than two. For example, in the earcup 300 shown in Figure 4, the adjustment member 330 includes one adjustable part 332 and one fixed part 334. In the earcup 400 shown in Figure 5, the adjustment member 430 includes four adjustable parts 432 and four fixed parts 434.

[0017] The entire sound adjustment structure, namely the adjustment component 130, the positioning pin 140, and the positioning structure 112, can be minimized and quickly disassembled and assembled.

[0018] According to some embodiments, the earcup 100 may further include an outer shell 150, which is combined with the housing 110. According to other embodiments, the outer shell 150 may be considered as another element of the headphones 10 that is not part of the earcup 100, for connecting the headband 20 and the earcup 100. Since the hearing adjustment structure of the earcup 100 is modularly arranged in the part of the earcup 100 that is not part of the outer shell 150, the earcup 100 can be easily and quickly removed and replaced, whether it is removed from the outer shell 150 or removed entirely together with the outer shell 150.

[0019] According to some embodiments, the earcup 100 may further include a sound generating unit 160 disposed in a space formed by the outer shell 150 and the housing 110. For example, the sound generating unit 160 may be assembled in conjunction with the housing 110.

[0020] When a user wants to change the sound quality of the earcups 100, they can move the positioning pins 140 from one side of the earcups 120 into another positioning hole H, thereby changing the circumferential shape of the adjustment member 130 and thus changing the volume of the space S of the ear pads 120. A smaller volume of space S results in a less spacious sound with increased treble, while a larger volume of space S results in a more spacious sound with reduced treble. For example, when wanting to change from the smaller volume shown in Figure 2E to the larger volume shown in Figure 2F, the user can remove the headphones, or still wear them, and then move the positioning pins 140 from the outside inwards, moving both positioning pins 140 into the positioning hole H closer to the inside. The movement of the positioning pins 140 changes the circumferential shape of the adjustment member 130. The flexible adjustment member 130 transmits lateral force, combined with the outward expansion of the elastic part, changing the shape and volume of the space S of the ear pads 120. When changing from the larger volume shown in Figure 2F to the smaller volume shown in Figure 2E, the user can remove the headphones and slide the positioning pins 140 outwards, moving both positioning pins 140 into the positioning holes H closer to the outer edge. This movement of the positioning pins 140 changes the surrounding shape of the adjustment member 130. The flexible adjustment member 130 transmits lateral force, which, combined with the inward contraction of the elastic part, changes the shape and volume of the space S in the ear pad 120. Therefore, without changing the earcups, the user can intuitively achieve different listening experiences through simple actions.

[0021] It is understood that since each positioning pin 140 can slide independently, more adjustment options are available. For example, only one positioning pin 140 of the earcup 100 can be moved, so that the volume of space S is between the volume of space S in Figure 2E and the volume of space S in Figure 2F, resulting in a sound quality between the two. Furthermore, the number of positioning holes H is related to the number of sound quality adjustment segments available. For example, when each positioning structure 112 includes three positioning holes H, compared to the case of two positioning holes H shown in the diagram, the positioning pin 140 can remain in more positions, giving the user more sound quality options and enabling multi-segment adjustment of treble intensity.

[0022] Furthermore, since the user moves the positioning pin 140 from one side of the earcup 120 and the sound adjustment structure is not exposed, the shell 110 and the outer shell 150 can be completely sealed to prevent sound leakage.

[0023] In summary, the present invention provides an earmuff and a headset having the same, wherein the earmuff of the headset includes a housing, an ear pad, and an adjustment member. The housing has at least one positioning structure. The ear pad is disposed on the housing. The adjustment member is disposed between the ear pad and the housing. The adjustment member includes at least one adjustable portion and at least one fixed portion. The at least one adjustable portion is correspondingly and movably disposed on the at least one positioning structure of the housing. The at least one fixed portion is fixed to the ear pad. With the earmuff of the present invention, the listening experience of a single headset can be intuitively adjusted through simple two-dimensional movements.

[0024] Although the present invention has been disclosed above by way of embodiments, it is not intended to limit the present invention. Those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains can make various modifications and refinements without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of this invention shall be determined by the appended claims. [Simplified Explanation of the Diagram]

[0008] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary over-ear headphone according to the present invention. Figures 2A-2F are schematic diagrams of an exemplary earcup according to the present invention. Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of another exemplary earcup according to the present invention. Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of yet another exemplary earcup according to the present invention. Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of yet still another exemplary earcup according to the present invention.

Claims

1. An earcup for an over-ear headphone, comprising: A housing having at least one positioning structure; an ear pad disposed on the housing; An adjustment member is disposed between the ear pad and the housing. The adjustment member includes at least one adjustable portion and at least one fixed portion. The at least one adjustable portion is correspondingly and movably disposed in the at least one positioning structure of the housing, and the at least one fixed portion is fixed to the ear pad. At least one positioning pin is slidably disposed in the at least one positioning structure. The at least one adjustable portion of the adjustment member is correspondingly connected to the at least one positioning pin. Each positioning pin slides independently in its corresponding positioning structure, causing a change in the shape of the corresponding adjustable portion.

2. The earcups of the headphones as described in claim 1, wherein, Each of the positioning structures includes a plurality of positioning holes arranged along a radial direction of the earcup, and a positioning pin corresponding to the positioning structure is disposed in one of the positioning holes and is movable between the positioning holes.

3. The earcups of the headphones as described in claim 1, wherein, The housing includes: a main body; and at least one positioning plate disposed on the main body; wherein the at least one positioning structure is correspondingly disposed in the at least one positioning plate.

4. The earcups of the headphones as described in claim 1, wherein, The adjustment member includes a plurality of adjustable parts and a plurality of fixed parts, and the plurality of adjustable parts and the plurality of fixed parts are alternately arranged with each other.

5. The earcups of the headphones as described in claim 1, wherein, The adjustment member has two adjustable parts and two fixed parts, which are alternately arranged. The two adjustable parts are arranged on a long axis of the earcup, and the two fixed parts are arranged on a short axis of the earcup orthogonal to the long axis.

6. The earcups of the headphones as described in claim 1, wherein, The ear pad has a cover layer including an elastic portion disposed along an inner peripheral wall of the ear pad, and the adjustment member has at least one fixing portion fixed to the elastic portion.

7. The earcups of the headphones as described in claim 6, wherein, The elastic portion of the earpad has a hollow channel, and at least a portion of the adjustment member passes through the hollow channel.

8. The earcups of the headphones as described in claim 7, wherein, The adjusting member is positioned at the location of the at least one fixing part for placement within the hollow channel.

9. The earcups of the headphones as described in claim 1, further comprising: An outer shell, which is combined with the shell; And a sound generating unit is disposed in the space formed by the outer shell and the housing.

10. A type of over-ear headphone, comprising: Two earmuffs, each earmuff comprising: a housing having at least one positioning structure; an ear pad disposed on the housing; and an adjustment member disposed between the ear pad and the housing, the adjustment member comprising at least one adjustable portion and at least one fixed portion, the at least one adjustable portion being correspondingly and movably disposed on the at least one positioning structure of the housing, the at least one fixed portion being fixed to the ear pad; and at least one positioning pin being slidably disposed in the at least one positioning structure; wherein the at least one adjustable portion of the adjustment member is correspondingly connected to the at least one positioning pin; wherein each positioning pin slides independently in the corresponding positioning structure and causes the shape of the corresponding adjustable portion to change; and a headband connecting the two earmuffs.

11. The headphones as described in claim 10, wherein, In each of the earcups, each of the positioning structures includes a plurality of positioning holes arranged along a radial direction of the earcup, and a positioning pin corresponding to the positioning structure is disposed in one of the positioning holes and is movable between the positioning holes.

12. The headphones as described in claim 10, wherein, In each of the earmuffs, a cover layer of the ear pad includes an elastic portion disposed along an inner peripheral wall of the ear pad, and the at least one fixing portion of the adjustment member is fixed to the elastic portion.

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