Elastomeric sleeve for wireless earphone and wireless earphone

Abstract

Disclosed are an elastomeric sleeve for a wireless earphone and a wireless earphone. The elastomeric sleeve for a wireless earphone includes a sleeve body defining a space for receiving an earphone body of the wireless earphone, a sleeve wing integrally formed with the sleeve body and extending outwardly from the sleeve body, and an antenna formed within the elastomeric sleeve, the antenna extending from the sleeve body to the sleeve wing. The wireless earphone includes an earphone body and one or more elastomeric sleeves for detachably connecting to the earphone body and partially surrounding the earphone body.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to an elastomer sleeve for a wireless earphone and a wireless earphone comprising the elastomer sleeve. BACKGROUND

[0002] Wireless earphones are becoming more and more popular due to their portability and convenience. Wireless earphones need to be as small as possible to meet ergonomic requirements. At the same time, wireless earphones include many components, such as electronic components, metal components, batteries, etc. How to reasonably place many components of the wireless earphone in the small earphone shell has always been a difficult problem in the design of wireless earphones.

[0003] The antenna is one of the key components of the wireless earphone, which is used to receive and transmit RF signals. Good antenna design requires free space. The more free space, the better the performance (radio frequency efficiency). However, with the requirement of comfortable wearing and good ergonomic performance, the size of the earphone becomes smaller and smaller. The space in the earphone becomes more and more limited, so the constraint on the antenna design of the wireless earphone is also higher and higher.

[0004] In addition, the outer ear of the wearer of the wireless earphone will absorb radio frequency energy, resulting in a loss of 3-6 dB. The smaller the earphone, the deeper the depth into the ear canal, the closer the earphone will be to the human body, and the more absorption will be.

[0005] Therefore, a new earphone antenna design is needed, which can meet the basic requirement of the wireless earphone to be as small as possible, while improving the performance of the earphone antenna. SUMMARY

[0006] The purpose of the present application is to provide a new earphone antenna design, which can meet the basic requirement of the wireless earphone to be as small as possible, give the earphone antenna more free space, and thus improve the performance of the earphone antenna.

[0007] According to one aspect of the present application, an elastomer sleeve for a wireless earphone is provided, comprising: a sleeve body defining a space for accommodating an earphone body of the wireless earphone; a sleeve wing integrally formed with the sleeve body and extending outward from the sleeve body; an antenna formed in the elastomer sleeve, the antenna extending from the sleeve body to the sleeve wing.

[0008] Optionally, the antenna comprises a joint formed in the sleeve body and connected with the antenna, the earphone body comprises a joint connected with a PCB of the earphone body, and the joint of the antenna is used to engage with the joint of the earphone body.

[0009] Optionally, the elastomer sleeve comprises a magnet connected with the joint thereof, and the magnet helps the joint of the antenna to engage with the joint of the earphone body.

[0010] Optionally, the antenna has a joint portion, and the earpiece body has a joint portion, and the joint portion of the antenna and the joint portion of the earpiece body are configured to engage with each other when the elastomer sleeve is connected to the earpiece body.

[0011] Optionally, the joint portion of the antenna and the joint portion of the earpiece body are each an L-shaped plate comprising a bottom plate and a side plate, and the bottom plate of the joint portion of the antenna and the bottom plate of the joint portion of the earpiece body are configured to abut against each other and be sandwiched between the magnet of the elastomer sleeve and the magnet of the earpiece body when the elastomer sleeve is connected to the earpiece body.

[0012] Optionally, the joint portion of the antenna and the joint portion of the earpiece body are each a flat plate, and the joint portion of the antenna and the joint portion of the earpiece body are configured to abut against each other and be sandwiched between the magnet of the elastomer sleeve and the magnet of the earpiece body when the elastomer sleeve is connected to the earpiece body.

[0013] Optionally, the antenna is a wire antenna or a FPC antenna.

[0014] Optionally, the wire antenna is linear or spiral.

[0015] Optionally, the antenna extends along a substantial portion of the length of the sleeve wing portion.

[0016] Optionally, the elastomer sleeve comprises an elastomer body overmolded on the antenna.

[0017] Optionally, the elastomer sleeve is a silicone sleeve.

[0018] Optionally, the joint portion is exposed from the elastomer sleeve to the space.

[0019] According to another aspect of the present application, there is provided a wireless earpiece comprising an earpiece body and one or more elastomer sleeves according to the above, wherein the elastomer sleeves are configured to be detachably connected to the earpiece body and partially enclose the earpiece body.

[0020] Optionally, a plurality of the elastomer sleeves have different sizes.

[0021] Optionally, the wireless earpiece is a Bluetooth earpiece.

[0022] Optionally, the antenna has a joint portion, and the earpiece body has a joint portion, and the joint portion of the antenna and the joint portion of the earpiece body are configured to engage with each other when the elastomer sleeve is connected to the earpiece body.

[0023] Optionally, the joint of the antenna and the joint of the earpiece body are both L-shaped plates comprising a base plate and a side plate, the base plates of the joint of the antenna and the joint of the earpiece body abut against each other and are sandwiched between the magnet of the elastomer sleeve and the magnet of the earpiece body when the elastomer sleeve is connected to the earpiece body.

[0024] Optionally, the joint of the antenna is welded to the antenna and the magnet of the elastomer sleeve is adhered to the joint of the antenna.

[0025] Optionally, the joint of the earpiece body is welded to the PCB of the earpiece body and the magnet of the earpiece body is adhered to the joint of the earpiece body. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0026] Figure 1 a perspective view of a wireless earpiece according to an embodiment of the present application is shown;

[0027] Figure 2 and Figure 3 a bottom view of a wireless earpiece of Figure 1 is shown, wherein Figure 2 an antenna formed within an elastomer sleeve is shown, Figure 3 an antenna within an elastomer sleeve and a PCB within an earpiece body are shown;

[0028] Figure 4 a perspective view of an elastomer sleeve is shown;

[0029] Figure 5 and 6 a connection between an antenna within an elastomer sleeve and a PCB of an earpiece body is shown, wherein for clarity, the elastomer portion of the elastomer sleeve, the housing of the earpiece body are not shown;

[0030] Figure 7 a perspective view of an earpiece according to an embodiment of the present application is shown, showing a connection between an antenna and an earpiece body, wherein for clarity, the elastomer of the elastomer sleeve, the housing of the earpiece body are not shown;

[0031] Figure 8 and Figure 9 a magnified view of the connection of the joint of the antenna and the joint of the earpiece body is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] Embodiments of the present application are described in detail below, examples of which are shown in the drawings, wherein the same or like reference numerals are used to represent the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar function throughout the several views. The embodiments described below are exemplary only, and are not to be taken in a limiting sense, but are merely for the purpose of explanation of the present application.

[0033] Unless otherwise defined, technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this application belongs. In the description of the application, it will be understood that terms "center", "longitudinal", "lateral", "upper", "lower", "front", "back", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer" and the like refer to the orientation or position shown in the drawings, and are merely used for convenience in describing the application and its working principles to make the application more intelligible and informative, and therefore should not be understood as indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a particular orientation, be constructed and operated in a particular orientation, and therefore should not be understood as a limitation of the application. In addition, the terms "first", "second" are only used for description purposes, and should not be understood as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0034] Figure 1 A wireless earphone 10 according to an embodiment of the present application is shown, which includes an earphone body 200 and an elastomeric sleeve 100 connected to the earphone body 200. The earphone body 200 includes a front body portion 210 and a rear body portion 220. An ear sleeve (not shown) is also typically fitted on the earphone front portion 210. In the worn position of the earphone, the earphone front portion 210 is at least partially located in the ear canal of the wearer, while the earphone rear portion 220 is located (at least mostly) outside the ear canal of the wearer. The elastomeric sleeve 100 partially wraps around the earphone rear portion 220, including a sleeve body 110 and a sleeve wing portion 120 integrally formed with the sleeve body 110 and extending outwardly therefrom. In the worn position of the earphone, the sleeve wing portion 120 is placed at a suitable position within the pinna for interacting with the pinna to help secure the earphone in position.

[0035] Figure 2 and Figure 3 A bottom view of the wireless earphone 10 is shown, in which Figure 2 An antenna 130 formed in the elastomeric sleeve is shown, Figure 3 The antenna 130 in the elastomeric sleeve and the PCB in the earphone body 200 are then shown.

[0036] Figure 4 The elastomeric sleeve 100 is shown. As Figure 4 shown, the elastomeric sleeve 100 includes a sleeve body 110, which defines a space 112 for accommodating the earphone body 200. In the worn position of the earphone, the earphone body (rear portion) is located within the space defined by the sleeve body 100. A sleeve wing portion 120 is integrally formed with the sleeve body 110 and extends outwardly therefrom. An antenna 130 is formed in the elastomeric sleeve 100, with one end of the antenna 130 being a joint 140. As Figure 4It is clear that the joint 140 is exposed from the sleeve body 110 to the space 112. The antenna 130 extends from the joint 140 along the length of the sleeve wing 120 to the vicinity of the free end of the sleeve wing 120. The majority of the length of the antenna 130 is within the sleeve wing 120.

[0037] Figure 5 And 6 The connection between the antenna 130 and the PCB of the earphone body is shown. For the sake of clarity, the elastomer part of the elastomer sleeve 100, the shell of the earphone body, etc. are not shown. As shown, the proximal end of the antenna 130 is the joint 140, and a joint 240 is provided on the PCB 230 at a position corresponding to the joint 140. In a preferred embodiment of the present application, the joint 140 is welded to the antenna 130, and the joint 240 is welded to the PCB 230 of the earphone body. When the elastomer sleeve 100 is connected to the antenna body 200, the joint 140 of the antenna 130 is docked with the joint 240 connected to the PCB 230, so that the antenna 130 is connected to the PCB 230.

[0038] As Figure 6 shown, in a preferred embodiment of the present application, the elastomer sleeve 100 includes a magnet 142 connected to the joint 140, and the earphone body 200 includes a magnet 242 connected to the joint 240. The magnet 142 and the magnet 242 help the connection and alignment of the joint 140 and the joint 240.

[0039] Figure 7 is a perspective view of the earphone 10 of the present application, showing the connection between the antenna and the earphone body, wherein for the sake of clarity, the elastomer of the elastomer sleeve 100, the shell of the earphone body, etc. are not shown.

[0040] Figure 8 And Figure 9 shows an enlarged view of the connection of the joint 140 of the antenna and the joint 240 of the earphone body. As Figure 8 And 9As shown, the joint 140 is an L-shaped plate in cross section, including a bottom plate 140a and a side plate 140b, the magnet 142 is placed in the space defined by the bottom plate 140a and the side plate 140b of the joint 140, one bottom side and one side side of the magnet 142 abut against the bottom plate 140a and the side plate 140b of the joint 140 respectively, and are bonded to the bottom plate 140a and the side plate 140b by adhesive, so as to fix the magnet 142 to the joint 140. The joint 240 is an L-shaped plate in cross section, including a bottom plate 240a and a side plate 240b, the magnet 242 is placed in the space defined by the bottom plate 240a and the side plate 240b of the joint 240, one bottom side and one side side of the magnet 242 abut against the bottom plate 240a and the side plate 240b of the joint 240 respectively, and are bonded to the bottom plate 240a and the side plate 240b by adhesive, so as to fix the magnet 242 to the joint 240.

[0041] When the elastic sleeve 100 is connected to the earphone body 200, the bottom plate 140a of the joint 140 abuts against the bottom plate 240a of the joint 240, and the bottom plate 140a of the joint 140 and the bottom plate 240a of the joint 240 are clamped between the magnet 142 and the magnet 242, the magnetic force of the magnet 142 and the magnet 242 helps the firm connection and accurate positioning between the joint 140 and the joint 240.

[0042] In the antenna design of the wireless earphone, a good antenna design needs free space. The more free space, the better the performance. In addition, when the length of the antenna is about 1 / 4 of the signal wavelength, the antenna performance is optimal. As shown in Figure 2 、 3 、5、7, by setting the antenna of the wireless earphone in the elastic sleeve 100, the antenna of the wireless earphone is set outside the earphone shell, so that the design and size of the antenna are no longer limited to the small size of the earphone shell. In this way, the antenna of the wireless earphone can obtain a large free space, and can easily realize the length of 1 / 4 wavelength, so as to realize the optimal antenna performance.

[0043] In addition, the earphone antenna of the present application is arranged in the elastic sleeve of the earphone, compared with the scheme that the antenna is arranged in the earphone shell or on the earphone shell, the earphone antenna of the present application is relatively far away from the ear canal and the human body, so that the signal is not disturbed and affected by the human body, further improving the performance of the earphone antenna.

[0044] Generally, the elastomer sleeve is detachably connected to the earphone body for replacement. The present application adopts the form of L-shaped joint with additional magnet, which can ensure the quick engagement and accurate positioning of the joint of the elastomer sleeve and the joint of the earphone body when the elastomer sleeve is detachably connected to the earphone body, and ensure the firm connection of the joint of the elastomer sleeve and the joint of the earphone body, thereby ensuring that the antenna in the elastomer sleeve can be quickly, accurately and firmly connected to the PCB in the earphone body.

[0045] In the foregoing description, the present application is described in connection with the helical antenna. However, the present application is not limited thereto, and the present application can also adopt any other suitable antenna, such as a straight antenna or an FPC antenna. The straight antenna is simple to manufacture and low in cost, while the helical antenna or the FPC antenna has the advantage of greater equivalent length. In the preferred embodiment, the present application adopts different forms of antenna for elastomer sleeves of different sizes to achieve the best antenna performance. For example, a wireless earphone usually has several pairs of elastomer sleeves, such as three pairs of elastomer sleeves of large, medium and small sizes, or four or five pairs of elastomer sleeves from large to small, so as to better adapt to different people. In the preferred embodiment of the present application, the straight antenna can achieve the optimal length of 1 / 4 signal wavelength for the elastomer sleeve of large size, while the helical antenna and the FPC antenna are used for the elastomer sleeve of small size to achieve the effective length of 1 / 4 signal wavelength. For example, for the three pairs of elastomer sleeves of large, medium and small sizes, in the preferred embodiment, the straight antenna is used for the elastomer sleeve of large size, and the helical antenna and the FPC antenna are used for the elastomer sleeve of small size.

[0046] In the preferred embodiment of the present application, the elastomer sleeve is formed with the antenna by overmolding, however, the present application is not limited thereto, and other suitable processes known in the art can be used to form the antenna in the elastomer sleeve. In the preferred embodiment of the present application, the material of the elastomer sleeve is silicone, however, the present application is not limited thereto, and other suitable elastomer materials known in the art can be used. By overmolding the antenna with the elastomer, the antenna can avoid contact with the skin of the wearer, thereby enhancing the performance of the antenna.

[0047] In preferred embodiments of the application, the elastomeric sleeve and the earpiece body both employ L-shaped joints and magnets. However, the application is not limited in this regard, and the joints of the elastomeric sleeve and the earpiece body can employ flat joints. When the elastomeric sleeve is connected to the earpiece body, the flat joints of the elastomeric sleeve and the earpiece body are brought into abutment, and the flat joints of the elastomeric sleeve and the earpiece body are sandwiched between the magnets of the elastomeric sleeve and the earpiece body. In alternative embodiments, one of the joints of the elastomeric sleeve and the earpiece body is an L-shaped plate and the other is a flat plate. In alternative embodiments, only one of the elastomeric sleeve and the earpiece body has a magnet connected to its joint. In further alternative embodiments, neither of the elastomeric sleeve and the earpiece body includes a magnet connected to its joint. In this case, the secure connection between the joints of the elastomeric sleeve and the earpiece body is achieved primarily by the elasticity of the elastomeric sleeve. In alternative embodiments, the joint of the earpiece body can be recessed with respect to the earpiece body, and the joint of the elastomeric sleeve can be protruding, thereby facilitating the accurate positioning of the joint of the earpiece body with respect to the joint of the elastomeric sleeve.

[0048] Preferred embodiments of the application illustrate an in-ear earpiece, however the application is not limited in this regard, and the application can employ other suitable forms of earpieces, such as a semi-in-ear earpiece or an earbud earpiece.

[0049] Preferred embodiments of the application illustrate a Bluetooth earpiece, however the application is not limited in this regard, and the application can be other wireless earpieces that require an antenna, such as an infrared earpiece.

[0050] Furthermore, in preferred embodiments, the contact surfaces between the joint of the elastomeric sleeve and the joint of the earpiece body can be silver or gold plated, to enhance the electrical connection between the two.

[0051] The above-described embodiments are merely exemplary and are not intended to limit the scope of the application. Various modifications and improvements can be made to the embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the application.

Claims

1. An elastomeric sleeve for a wireless earpiece, comprising: a sleeve body defining a space for receiving an earpiece body of the wireless earpiece; a sleeve wing integrally formed with the sleeve body and extending outwardly from the sleeve body; an antenna formed within the elastomeric sleeve, the antenna extending from the sleeve body to the sleeve wing, wherein the antenna includes a first engagement portion formed within the sleeve body at one end of the antenna and connected thereto, the earpiece body includes a second engagement portion connected to a PCB of the earpiece body, the first engagement portion is configured to engage with the second engagement portion to form an electrical connection therebetween.

2. The elastomeric sleeve of claim 1, wherein the elastomeric sleeve includes a magnet connected to the first engagement portion, the magnet facilitating engagement between the first engagement portion and the second engagement portion.

3. The elastomeric sleeve of claim 1, wherein the elastomeric sleeve includes a magnet connected to the first engagement portion, the earpiece body includes a magnet connected to the second engagement portion, the magnets facilitating engagement between the first engagement portion and the second engagement portion.

4. The elastomeric sleeve of claim 3, wherein the first engagement portion and the second engagement portion are each L-shaped plates including a base plate and a side plate, the base plates of the first engagement portion and the second engagement portion abut against each other and are sandwiched between the magnet of the elastomeric sleeve and the magnet of the earpiece body when the elastomeric sleeve is connected to the earpiece body.

5. The elastomeric sleeve of claim 3, wherein the first engagement portion and the second engagement portion are each flat plates, the first engagement portion and the second engagement portion abut against each other and are sandwiched between the magnet of the elastomeric sleeve and the magnet of the earpiece body when the elastomeric sleeve is connected to the earpiece body.

6. The elastomeric sleeve of any one of claims 1-5, wherein the antenna is a wire antenna or an FPC antenna.

7. The elastomeric sleeve of claim 6, wherein the wire antenna is linear or helical.

8. The elastomeric sleeve of any one of claims 1-5, wherein the antenna extends along a majority of a length of the sleeve wing.

9. The elastomeric sleeve of any one of claims 1-5, wherein the elastomeric sleeve includes an elastomeric body overmolded over the antenna.

10. The elastomeric sleeve of any one of claims 1-5, wherein the elastomeric sleeve is a silicone sleeve.

11. The elastomeric sleeve of any one of claims 1-5, wherein the first engagement portion is exposed from the elastomeric sleeve to the space.

12. A wireless earpiece, comprising an earpiece body and one or more elastomeric sleeves according to any one of claims 1-11, wherein the elastomeric sleeve is configured to be detachably connected to the earpiece body and partially enclose the earpiece body.

13. The wireless earpiece of claim 12, wherein a plurality of the elastomeric sleeves have different sizes.

14. The wireless earpiece of claim 12, wherein the wireless earpiece is a Bluetooth earpiece.

15. The wireless earpiece of claim 12, wherein the elastomeric sleeve includes a magnet associated with the first interface portion, and the earpiece body includes a magnet associated with the second interface portion thereof, the magnets facilitating engagement between the first interface portion and the second interface portion.

16. The wireless earpiece of claim 15, wherein the first interface portion and the second interface portion are each L-shaped plates including a base portion and a side portion, the base portions of the first interface portion and the second interface portion being brought into abutting engagement with one another and being sandwiched between the magnet of the elastomeric sleeve and the magnet of the earpiece body when the elastomeric sleeve is coupled to the earpiece body.

17. The wireless earpiece of claim 16, wherein the first interface portion is welded to the antenna, and the magnet of the elastomeric sleeve is adhered to the first interface portion.

18. The wireless earpiece of claim 16, wherein the second interface portion is welded to the PCB of the earpiece body, and the magnet of the earpiece body is adhered to the second interface portion of the earpiece body.

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