Earplug, earphone and earplug manufacturing method for earphone

Abstract

The invention relates to an earplug for a headphone. The earplug comprises a deformable earplug body for at least partially inserting into an ear canal, one or more anisotropic stiffness elements arranged in or on the earplug body. Furthermore, the one or more anisotropic stiffness elements are configured to provide a position-specific stiffness to the earplug body. The invention further relates to a headphone comprising at least one earplug.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention generally relates to an earplug for a headphone, a headphone and a method of manufacturing an earplug for a headphone. In particular, the earplug can comprise an anisotropic stiffness element, such as an anisotropic microstructure, which can provide a position-specific stiffness and / or a direction-specific stiffness to the earplug body. BACKGROUND

[0002] Generally, some conventional headphones are based on plug-in earphones. Such plug-in earphones generally comprise a body portion and a soft earplug portion. For example, the earplug portion is generally designed to be pushed into the ear canal of a user in order to block external sounds and further to let the sounds produced by the headphone into the ear canal of the user.

[0003] Conventional earplugs for headphones are based on isotropic homogeneous materials, typically silicone. Furthermore, the selection of the homogeneous material of the earplug results in an overall stiffness of the earplug being influenced. For example, the earplug should not be too hard in order to not exert too much pressure on the ear canal of the user; however, the earplug should also not be too soft in order to not be insertable into the ear canal of the user.

[0004] However, a problem of such conventional earplugs is that the desired results, including easy insertability, wearing comfort and good sealing, cannot be optimized individually due to the above influences, but have a strong interdependence. Therefore, it is generally desirable to provide an alternative earplug for a headphone. SUMMARY

[0005] In view of the above problems and disadvantages, the present invention embodiments aim at improving conventional earplugs for headphones. It is an object of the present invention to provide an earplug which is able to better seal the ear canal of a user. Further, the earplug should provide a higher wearing comfort to the user. The disclosed earplug should overcome the disadvantages of conventional earplugs based on isotropic materials.

[0006] The objects are achieved by the present invention embodiments described in the attached independent claims. Advantageous implementations of the present invention embodiments are further defined in the dependent claims.

[0007] In particular, by using one or more anisotropic stiffness elements in the earplug body, the present invention embodiments are able to control the stiffness of the earplug in different positions and directions, so that the wearing comfort of the user can be maximized while ensuring a firm fit and good sound quality and / or an efficient acoustic sealing.

[0008] A first aspect of the present invention provides an earplug for a headphone, the earplug comprising: a deformable earplug body for at least partial insertion into an ear canal; one or more anisotropic stiffness elements arranged in or on the earplug body; the one or more anisotropic stiffness elements being configured to provide a position-specific stiffness to the earplug body.

[0009] The earplug can be an earplug for an insert earphone. The deformable body can enable the earplug (e.g., the deformable earplug body of the earplug) to be at least partially inserted (e.g., located) into a user's ear canal.

[0010] Further, the one or more anisotropic stiffness elements can be based on an anisotropic microstructure and can be arranged such that a position-specific stiffness can be provided to the earplug body. For example, the one or more anisotropic stiffness elements can be used to control the stiffness and other material parameters in different positions and directions in the earplug. Thus, the earplug can provide maximum wearing comfort to the user while ensuring a firm fit and good sound quality.

[0011] For example, the stiffness of the earplug can vary locally such that higher pressure can be exerted in areas that are less sensitive to force (e.g., the tragus) and lower pressure can be exerted in areas that are more sensitive to force. Thus, the wearing comfort and firm fit (preventing the earphone from falling off the user's ear) of the earplug can be improved.

[0012] In an implementation form of the first aspect, the one or more anisotropic stiffness elements are further configured to provide a direction-specific stiffness to the earplug body, wherein the stiffness of the earplug body is highest along an ear canal insertion direction.

[0013] In particular, providing a direction-specific stiffness to the earplug body can make the earplug easier to insert into a user's ear canal, more comfortable to wear, and easier to manufacture. Further, due to the direction-specific stiffness of the earplug body, the earplug can be stiffer when inserted (preventing the earplug body from folding, thus facilitating insertion) and softer when worn (improving comfort and sealing).

[0014] In a further implementation form of the first aspect, the one or more anisotropic stiffness elements are configured to provide a higher stiffness characteristic to the earplug body along a first axis of the earplug, in particular, the first axis is located in the ear canal insertion direction.

[0015] In a further implementation form of the first aspect, the one or more anisotropic stiffness elements are further configured to provide a lower stiffness characteristic to the earplug body along a second axis of the earplug, in particular, the second axis is oblique to the ear canal insertion direction.

[0016] In a further implementation form of the first aspect, the second axis is orthogonal to the first axis.

[0017] In a further implementation form of the first aspect, the one or more anisotropic stiffness elements comprise a plurality of beams arranged within the earplug body.

[0018] The plurality of beams can be based on tubes, e.g., each of the plurality of beams can be a tube. Further, each beam, e.g., each tube, can have a variable radial angle, i.e., the radial angle of each tube can be controlled when the earplug is made, which can result in an earplug that exerts less pressure on the user’s ear canal.

[0019] In a further implementation form of the first aspect, each of the beams has a higher stiffness in the beam extension direction and a lower bending stiffness oblique to the beam extension direction.

[0020] In a further implementation form of the first aspect, the one or more anisotropic stiffness elements further comprise a plurality of junction structures interconnecting the plurality of beams.

[0021] In a further implementation form of the first aspect, the plurality of junction structures provide a support body for the interconnected plurality of beams, thereby forming a mesh structure.

[0022] In a further implementation form of the first aspect, the one or more anisotropic stiffness elements further comprise a plurality of rings arranged adjacent to each other and at an end of the earplug opposite to the end of the earplug for insertion into the ear canal.

[0023] In a further implementation form of the first aspect,

[0024] The plurality of beams comprises silicone; and / or

[0025] The plurality of rings comprises silicone; and / or

[0026] The plurality of junction structures comprises metal wires.

[0027] A second aspect of the present application provides an earphone, the earphone comprising at least one earplug according to the first aspect or any of the implementation forms thereof.

[0028] The earphone can comprise at least one earplug, e.g., one earplug or a pair of earplugs. Further, the earphone can further comprise a circuitry.

[0029] The earphone can further comprise a circuitry, the circuitry comprising electronics, e.g., transducer elements that can be used to provide sound. The circuitry of the earphone can comprise hardware and software. The hardware can comprise analog circuitry or digital circuitry, or both analog and digital circuitry. In some embodiments, the circuitry comprises one or more processors and a non-volatile memory connected to the one or more processors. The non-volatile memory can carry executable program code that, when executed by the one or more processors, causes the device to perform the operations or methods described herein.

[0030] Further, the at least one ear tip of the earphone can be configured to deform to adapt to a user's ear canal and provide an acoustic seal. The earphone according to the second aspect achieves the above-mentioned advantages and effects of the ear tip according to the first aspect.

[0031] A third aspect of the present application provides a method of manufacturing an ear tip for an earphone, the method comprising: forming a deformable ear tip body configured to be at least partially inserted into an ear canal; and providing one or more anisotropic stiffness elements in or on the ear tip body such that the one or more anisotropic stiffness elements provide a position-specific stiffness to the ear tip body.

[0032] In an implementation form of the third aspect, the method of manufacturing according to the third aspect is performed to manufacture the ear tip according to the first aspect or any implementation form thereof.

[0033] It is to be noted that all devices, elements, units and means described in the present application can be implemented in software or hardware elements or any combination thereof. The steps of the methods described herein and the functions of the various entities described herein are intended to be implemented in software or hardware elements or any combination thereof. The software or hardware elements or any combination thereof, which perform the steps and functions of the described methods are intended to be implemented by or under the control of one or more processors or processor- like elements. Even if not specifically described as being implemented in software or hardware elements or any combination thereof, the steps of the methods and the functions of the various entities are nevertheless intended to be implemented in software or hardware elements or any combination thereof. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0034] The above aspects and implementation forms will be described in greater detail in the following description of specific embodiments in view of the enclosed drawings, in which:

[0035] Figure 1 Fig. 1 shows a schematic view of an ear tip for an earphone according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0036] Figure 2A and Figure 2B Fig. 2 shows a diagram of an anisotropic stiffness element according to a plurality of beams provided in an ear tip body (a) Figure 2A ), and a diagram of an anisotropic stiffness element according to a plurality of rings provided as a support structure of an ear tip (b) Figure 2B );

[0037] Figure 3A and Figure 3B Fig. 3 shows a diagram of an ear tip body provided with a higher stiffness characteristic along a first axis of the ear tip (a) Figure 3A ), and a diagram of an ear tip body provided with a lower stiffness characteristic along a second axis of the ear tip (b) Figure 3B );

[0038] Figure 4 a schematic view of an anisotropic stiffness element comprising a plurality of beams and a plurality of rings is shown;

[0039] Figure 5 a schematic view of an anisotropic stiffness element implemented using metal wires and other support materials is shown; Figure 4 a schematic view of an anisotropic stiffness element is shown;

[0040] Figure 6 a schematic flowchart of a method of making an earplug for a headphone is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0041] Figure 1 a schematic view of an earplug (110, 120) for a headphone (100, 101) provided by embodiments of the invention is shown.

[0042] In particular, Figure 1 A pair of headphones (100, 101) is shown in FIG. 1, comprising: a first headphone 100, e.g., comprising an earplug 110 for a user's left ear; and a second headphone 101, e.g., comprising an earplug 120 for a user's right ear. The first headphone 100 and the second headphone 101 can be similar or identical, and can have similar or identical functionality described herein. Furthermore, the earplug 110 and the earplug 120 can be similar or identical, and can have similar or identical functionality described herein.

[0043] The earplug (110, 120) comprises a deformable earplug body (111, 121) for at least partial insertion into an ear canal.

[0044] The earplug (110, 120) further comprises one or more anisotropic stiffness elements (112, 113, 122, 123) disposed in or on the earplug body (111, 121); the one or more anisotropic stiffness elements (112, 113, 122, 123) are configured to provide a location-specific stiffness to the earplug body (111, 121).

[0045] For example, in Figure 1 In particular, the earplug 110 comprises the anisotropic stiffness elements (112, 113) disposed in or on the earplug body 111 of the earplug 110. Furthermore, the earplug 120 comprises the anisotropic stiffness elements (122, 123) disposed in or on the earplug body 121 of the earplug 120.

[0046] Furthermore, the anisotropic stiffness elements (112, 113, 122, 123) are configured to provide a position-specific stiffness for each of the respective earplug bodies (111, 121).

[0047] For example, the anisotropic stiffness elements (112, 113, 122, 123) can be configured to cause a local variation of the stiffness of the earplugs (110, 120), respectively. Furthermore, this can allow for a higher pressure to be exerted on areas that are less sensitive to force (e.g. the tragus), and a lower pressure to be exerted on areas that are more sensitive to force. Thus, the wearing comfort and the secure fit (preventing the earphones (100, 101) from falling off the user’s ears) of each earplug (110, 120) can be improved.

[0048] Furthermore, a user can wear the first earphone 100 and the second earphone 101 by at least partially inserting the respective deformable earplug bodies (111, 121) of the earplugs (110, 120) into respective ear canals. Furthermore, by providing a position-specific stiffness by the anisotropic stiffness elements (112, 113, 122, 123), respectively, the deformable earplug bodies (111, 121) can deform to fit the unique shape of a specific user’s ear canal.

[0049] The first earphone 100 and / or the second earphone 101 can further comprise processing circuitry (not shown in Figure 1 The processing circuitry can comprise hardware and software. The hardware can comprise analog circuitry or digital circuitry, or both analog circuitry and digital circuitry. The digital circuitry can comprise components such as application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), digital signal processors (DSPs), or multi-purpose processors, etc. In one embodiment, the processing circuitry comprises one or more processors and a non-transitory memory connected to the one or more processors. The non-transitory memory can carry executable program code which, when executed by the one or more processors, causes the first earphone 100 and / or the second earphone 101 to perform, implement, or initiate the operations or methods described herein.

[0050] Reference is now made to Figure 2A and Figure 2B , Figure 2A and Figure 2BFigures 200A and 200B show an anisotropic stiffness element according to a plurality of beams 201 provided in the earplug body (as shown in 200A) and according to a plurality of rings 203 provided as a support structure of the earplug (as shown in 200B). Figure 1 Figure 2A Figure 2B

[0051] The anisotropic stiffness element (112, 113, 122, 123) can comprise a plurality of beams 201. In the shown example, eight beams 201 are shown that can provide the earplug body with higher stiffness properties in the ear canal insertion direction. Figure 2A

[0052] Further, each of the beams 201 can have a higher stiffness in the beam extension direction and a lower bending stiffness (e.g. elastic properties) oblique to the beam extension direction.

[0053] Further, a plurality of joint structures 202 can be provided for interconnecting the plurality of beams 201.

[0054] For example, the anisotropic stiffness element (112, 113, 122, 123) can comprise thicker elements (e.g. the beams 201) in the ear canal insertion direction to prevent the respective earplug (110, 120) from being excessively bent or folded. Elements adjacent to the thicker elements can be thinner elements, e.g. Figure 2A a mesh 202 shown in light grey that can hold the beams 201 together but at the same time be elastic in a direction orthogonal to the beams 201 (the thicker elements). Thus, the earplug (110, 120) can have flexibility towards the user's ear canal wall to prevent uncomfortable pressure; however, towards the ear canal itself can be stiffer so that excessive bending when inserting the earplug (110, 120) can be prevented. It is noted that the thin support structure can not be a beam-like structure as shown but can be or comprise a membrane-like structure that can also be used for non-leakage operation.

[0055] For example, such anisotropic microstructures can be created by using 3D printing with one or more mesh structures 202 having different element thicknesses or having different materials. For example, the beams 201 can be based on earplug tubes that can be stiffer in the insertion direction and softer towards the ear canal wall.

[0056] According to Figure 2B ​​​​As shown in 200B, the anisotropic stiffness elements (112, 113, 122, 123) can be based on a plurality of rings 203. For example, the plurality of rings 203 can be positioned adjacent to each other and at an end of the earplug (110, 120) opposite to the end of the earplug (110, 120) for insertion into the ear canal. Further, each ring 203 can be based on a tube having a radial angle that can vary. For example, the plurality of rings 203 can vary the radial direction of the earplug body (111, 121). In Figure 2B As shown in 200B, two possible variations are indicated in dashed lines in this regard.

[0057] Reference is now made to Figure 3A and Figure 3B , Figure 3A and Figure 3B a graph showing the earplug body (111, 121) having a higher stiffness characteristic along a first axis of the earplug ( Figure 3A ), and the earplug body (111, 121) having a lower stiffness characteristic along a second axis of the earplug ( Figure 3B ).

[0058] As can be seen from Figure 3A 300A, the plurality of beams 201 can have a higher stiffness along a first direction of the beams 201 (indicated by arrows 301 and 302). Such a characteristic enables the tips of the beams 201 to substantially maintain their shape. Thus, they can be easily inserted into the ear canal. Further, as can be seen from Figure 3B 300B, the plurality of beams 201 can have a lower bending stiffness along a second direction (indicated by arrows 303 and 304). Such a characteristic enables the beams 210 to easily conform to the ear canal, with low recovery pressure. This improves the seal of the ear canal.

[0059] Reference is now made to Figure 4 , Figure 4 a schematic diagram showing an anisotropic stiffness element (e.g., 112, 113, 122, 123) comprising a plurality of beams 201 and a plurality of rings 203. Figure 1

[0060] For example, the anisotropic stiffness elements (112, 113, 122, 123) can be based on the plurality of beams 201, the plurality of rings 203, and a plurality of junction structures 202 (e.g., mesh structures 202).

[0061] Combining the plurality of beams 201 and the plurality of rings 203 can form an earplug (100, 101) that can exert a lower pressure on the ear canal opening (because Figure 2B ​The structure shown in 200B is more in line with the natural angle change of the direction of the human ear canal), and can also be easily inserted without exerting too much pressure on the ear canal wall. Figure 2A The structure shown in 200A is shown to be harder toward the ear canal and softer toward the ear canal wall.

[0062] also, Figure 4 Such a combined structure is shown in FIG400. The anisotropic stiffness element (112, 113, 122, 123) may include the plurality of silicone-based beams 201, the plurality of silicone-based rings 203, and the plurality of engagement structures 202 (e.g., meshes). Furthermore, for example, the ring support design may be used to prevent the earplug tube from being squeezed when inserted into a narrow ear canal.

[0063] Now refer to Figure 5 , Figure 5 Shows the use of metal wire and other support materials to achieve Figure 4 Schematic diagram of the anisotropic stiffness element shown.

[0064] The anisotropic stiffness element (112, 113, 122, 123) may include a plurality of silicone-based beams 201, a plurality of silicone-based rings 203, and a plurality of bonding structures 202 based on metal wires 501. Such structures combined to form the anisotropic stiffness element (112, 113, 122, 123) may facilitate an earplug design that may bend in the direction of the user's ear canal (e.g., due to the plurality of rings 203 ( Figure 5 This combination is not shown in the figure), making it easy to insert without putting too much pressure on the ear canal wall. This combination is not only an example of an anisotropic earplug structure, but also has different properties at different locations (for example, it bends easily at the end of the earphone body but not easily at other locations).

[0065] exist Figure 5 In the illustrated diagram 500 , the plurality of beams 201 are interconnected with an exemplary bonding structure based on metal wires 501 and an additional soft material 502 (shown in dark grey) disposed on the structure of the metal wires 501 .

[0066] As an alternative to 3D printing, such microstructures can be fabricated by molding a softer material 502 (e.g., silicone) over a harder support material (e.g., the mesh of wire 501 ), e.g., as Figure 5 The structure shown in 500 is shown.

[0067] Figure 6 A method 600 for manufacturing earplugs (110, 120) for headphones (100, 101) provided by an embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0068] The method 600 comprises a step S601 of forming a deformable earplug body (111, 121) for at least partial insertion into an ear canal.

[0069] The method 600 further comprises a step S602 of providing one or more anisotropic stiffness elements (112, 113, 122, 123) in or on the earplug body (111, 121) such that the one or more anisotropic stiffness elements (112, 113, 122, 123) provide a position-specific stiffness to the earplug body (111, 121).

[0070] The application has been described in relation to various embodiments and implementations as examples. However, other variants can be understood and implemented by those skilled in the art in practice of the claimed application, in the light of the drawings, the summary and the independent claims. In the claims and in the specification, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article "a" does not exclude a plurality. A single element or other unit can fulfill the functions of several entities or items described in the claims. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.

Claims

1. An earplug (110, 120) for a headphone (100, 101), characterized in that The earplug (110, 120) comprises: a deformable earplug body (111, 121) for at least partial insertion into an ear canal; one or more anisotropic stiffness elements (112, 113, 122, 123) arranged in or on the earplug body (111, 121); the one or more anisotropic stiffness elements (112, 113, 122, 123) are configured to provide a position-specific stiffness to the earplug body (111, 121); the one or more anisotropic stiffness elements (112, 113, 122, 123) are further configured to provide a higher stiffness characteristic to the earplug body (111, 121) along a first axis of the earplug (110, 120), the first axis being in the direction of insertion of the ear canal; the one or more anisotropic stiffness elements (112, 113, 122, 123) are further configured to provide a lower stiffness characteristic to the earplug body (111, 121) along a second axis of the earplug (110, 120), the second axis being oblique to the direction of insertion of the ear canal.

2. The earplug (110, 120) according to claim 1, wherein: the one or more anisotropic stiffness elements (112, 113, 122, 123) are further configured to provide a direction-specific stiffness to the earplug body (111, 121), wherein the stiffness of the earplug body (111, 121) is highest in the direction of insertion of the ear canal.

3. The earplug (110, 120) according to claim 1, wherein: the second axis is orthogonal to the first axis.

4. The earplug (110, 120) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: the one or more anisotropic stiffness elements (112, 113, 122, 123) comprise a plurality of beams (201) arranged within the earplug body (111, 121).

5. The earplug (110, 120) according to claim 4, wherein: each of the beams has a higher stiffness along the beam extension direction and a lower bending stiffness oblique to the beam extension direction.

6. The earplug (110, 120) according to claim 4, wherein: the one or more anisotropic stiffness elements (112, 113, 122, 123) further comprise a plurality of joint structures (202) interconnecting the plurality of beams (201).

7. The earplug (110, 120) according to claim 6, wherein: the plurality of joint structures (202) provide a support body for the interconnected plurality of beams (201), thereby forming a mesh structure.

8. The earplug (110, 120) according to claim 6 or 7, wherein: The one or more anisotropic stiffness elements (112, 113, 122, 123) further comprise a plurality of rings (203) arranged adjacent to each other and located at an end of the earplug (110, 120) opposite to an end of the earplug (110, 120) for insertion into the ear canal.

9. The earplug (110, 120) according to claim 8, characterized in that: the plurality of beams (201) comprises silicone; and / or the plurality of rings (203) comprises silicone; and / or the plurality of joint structures (202) comprises metal wires.

10. An earphone (100, 101), characterized in that comprises: at least one earplug (110, 120) according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

11. A method (600) of making an earplug (110, 120) for a headphone (100, 101), the method comprising: The manufacturing method (600) is to manufacture an earplug (110, 120) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, the method (600) comprising: forming (S601) a deformable earplug body (111, 121) for at least partial insertion into an ear canal; arranging (S602) one or more anisotropic stiffness elements (112, 113, 122, 123) in or on the earplug body (111, 121) such that the one or more anisotropic stiffness elements (112, 113, 122, 123) provide a position-specific stiffness to the earplug body (111, 121); the one or more anisotropic stiffness elements (112, 113, 122, 123) are for providing a higher stiffness characteristic to the earplug body (111, 121) along a first axis of the earplug (110, 120), the first axis being in the direction of insertion into the ear canal; the one or more anisotropic stiffness elements (112, 113, 122, 123) are further for providing a lower stiffness characteristic to the earplug body (111, 121) along a second axis of the earplug (110, 120), the second axis being oblique to the direction of insertion into the ear canal.

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