Electronic device

Abstract

The present application provides an electronic device in which a strain sensor does not generate a signal when the bottom surface of a frame is pressed. The electronic device includes a frame (3) including a first frame (1) and a second frame (2), and a strain sensor (14) attached to the inner wall of the frame (3), one side of the first frame (1) is opened by a first opening (4), one side of the second frame (2) is opened by a second opening (9), the first frame (1) and the second frame (2) are fixed in a state that the first opening (4) is opposite to the second opening (9), thereby forming the frame (3), the first frame (1) and the second frame (2) are fixed by two or more fixing parts (13), the strain sensor (14) is a strip shape having a first end (14a) and a second end (14b) at both ends in the long edge direction, the strain sensor (14) is attached to the inner wall of the second frame (2) in such a way that the long edge direction is along the edge of the second opening (9), and the first end (14a) is close to the fixing part (13), and the second end (14b) is away from the fixing part (13).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to an electronic device provided with a frame and a strain sensor. BACKGROUND

[0002] An electronic device to be referred to in the present application is disclosed in Patent Literature 1 (Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-87790). The electronic device disclosed in Literature 1 is a headphone. Figure 5 (A), (B) of FIG. 1 show a headphone 1000 disclosed in Literature 1. However, Figure 5 (A), (B) of FIG. 1 are cross-sectional views of the headphone 1000, Figure 5 (B) indicates Figure 5 (A) the arrow I-I' portion.

[0003] The headphone 1000 has a frame 101 of a hollow cylindrical shape. The frame 101 has an inner bottom surface 101a, an outer bottom surface 101b, an inner side surface 101c, an outer side surface 101d, an inner top surface 101e, and an outer top surface 101f. However, the inner bottom surface 101a to the outer top surface 101f are terms and reference numerals added by the present applicant for explanation and are not used in Literature 1.

[0004] The headphone 1000 connects a connection tube 102 to the outer top surface 101f of the frame 101. The headphone 1000 connects the connection tube 102 to an earplug (ear hole insertion portion) 103 that can be inserted into the ear hole of a person.

[0005] The headphone 1000 has a sheet-shaped piezoelectric element 104 attached to the hollow inner side surface 101c of the frame 101 as a sound producing body.

[0006] The headphone 1000 is used by being connected to a main electronic device (not shown) such as a smartphone, a sound recording and playing device (including a music playing device) by wireless or wired connection. The headphone 1000 generates sound from the sheet-shaped piezoelectric element 104 based on a signal transmitted from the main electronic device in a state where the earplug 103 is inserted into the ear hole of a person.

[0007] The present applicant has studied that, in the headphone 1000 (one example of an electronic device) disclosed in the above-described Literature 1, a strain sensor (not shown) is further attached to the inner side surface 101c of the frame 101 for control of the main electronic device.

[0008] That is, by pressing the outer side surface 101d of the frame 101, strain is generated in the frame 101. The strain sensor causes a signal to be generated in accordance with the strain generated in the frame 101. It is studied that the signal is transmitted to the main electronic device for control of the main electronic device. In addition, detailed contents regarding the strain sensor are disclosed, for example, in Patent Literature 2 (Japanese Patent Application Publication No. WO2012 / 137897) and the like.

[0009] For example, the main electronic device can be controlled as follows. However, this is an example in the case where the main electronic device is a music playback device.

[0010] 1) When the outer side surface 101d of the frame body 101 is continuously pressed for a certain time or more in a state where the power of the main electronic device is off, the power of the main electronic device is turned on.

[0011] 2) When the outer side surface 101d of the frame body 101 is continuously pressed for a certain time or more in a state where the power of the main electronic device is on, the power of the main electronic device is turned off.

[0012] 3) When the outer side surface 101d of the frame body 101 is pressed once for a short time in a state where the power of the main electronic device is on, the playback of a musical piece is started.

[0013] 4) When the outer side surface 101d of the frame body 101 is continuously pressed twice for a short time in a state where the power of the main electronic device is on, the playback of a currently playing musical piece is stopped, and the playback of a next musical piece is started.

[0014] However, the above-described control method is merely an example, and the control method is not limited thereto.

[0015] Patent Literature 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-87790

[0016] Patent Literature 2: WO 2012 / 137897

[0017] As described above, when the main electronic device is to be controlled by attaching a strain sensor to the inner side surface 101c of the frame body 101 of the earphone 1000 and pressing the outer side surface 101d of the frame body 101, in a specific case, an erroneous operation occurs in the main electronic device. Specifically, when the earbud 103 of the earphone 1000 is inserted into the ear hole of a person, an erroneous operation occurs in the main electronic device. The cause of the erroneous operation of the main electronic device was investigated, and the following was found.

[0018] When the earbud 103 of the earphone 1000 is inserted into the ear hole of a person, usually, the outer bottom surface 101b of the frame body 101 is pressed with a finger to press the earbud 103 into the ear hole of the person. Also, the shape of the frame body 101 is strained due to the pressing of the outer bottom surface 101b of the frame body 101.

[0019] Although the pressing of the outer bottom surface 101b of the frame body 101 does not control the main electronic device, the strain sensor detects the strain of the frame body 101 caused by the pressing and generates a signal. The signal is not a control signal but an erroneous signal, but is transmitted to the main electronic device to cause the main electronic device to operate.

[0020] As above, it is known that when the earplug 103 is inserted into the ear hole of a person, the host electronic device performs an erroneous operation due to an erroneous signal from the strain sensor. SUMMARY

[0021] An object of the present application is to solve the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide an electronic device in which an erroneous signal from a strain sensor is not generated even when the outer bottom surface of a frame body is pressed.

[0022] As a means for solving the above problems, an electronic device according to one embodiment of the present application includes a frame body including at least a first frame body and a second frame body, and a strain sensor attached to an inner wall of the frame body, one side of the first frame body is opened by a first opening, one side of the second frame body is opened by a second opening, the first frame body and the second frame body are fixed in a state in which the first opening and the second opening face each other, thereby constituting the frame body, the first frame body and the second frame body are fixed by two or more fixing portions, the strain sensor is a strip shape having a long side direction and a short side direction, and having a first end and a second end at both ends in the long side direction, the strain sensor is attached to the inner wall of the second frame body in such a manner that the long side direction is a direction along an edge of the second opening, and the first end is relatively close to the fixing portion, and the second end is relatively far from the fixing portion.

[0023] According to the electronic device according to one embodiment of the present application, when the side surface of the frame body is appropriately pressed, the strain sensor generates a signal well. On the other hand, when the bottom surface of the frame body is pressed, the strain sensor does not generate a signal, or generates only a very small signal.

[0024] According to the electronic device according to one embodiment of the present application, generation of an erroneous signal from the strain sensor is suppressed, and thus erroneous operation of the host electronic device can be suppressed. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0025] Figure 1 (A) is a perspective view of the earphone 100. Figure 1 (B) is an exploded perspective view of the earphone 100.

[0026] Figure 2 is a partial cross-sectional perspective view of the earphone 100.

[0027] Figure 3 (A) is an explanatory diagram of an experimental apparatus 200. Figure 3 (B) is an explanatory diagram showing behavior of the strain sensor 24.

[0028] Figure 4 (A) is an explanatory diagram of an experimental apparatus 300. Figure 4 (B) is a graph showing results of Experiment 2.

[0029] Figure 5 (A) and (B) are cross-sectional views of the existing earphone 1000, respectively. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] Hereinafter, a mode for carrying out the present application will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0031] Further, each embodiment is illustratively shown as an embodiment of the present application, and the present application is not limited to the contents of the embodiments. In addition, the contents described in different embodiments can be combined to be implemented, and the implementation contents in this case are also included in the present application. In addition, the drawings are used to help understanding the specification, and are often schematically depicted, and the ratio of the depicted constituent elements or the ratio of the dimensions between the constituent elements can not coincide with the ratio of these dimensions described in the specification. In addition, there are cases where the constituent elements described in the specification are omitted in the drawings, cases where the number of omissions is depicted, and the like.

[0032] In Figure 1 (A), Figure 1 (B), Figure 2 An earphone 100 is shown as an electronic device related to the present embodiment in (A) and (B). However, the electronic device of the present application is not limited to the earphone, and can be other kinds of electronic devices such as a hearing aid, a headphone, and the like.

[0033] Figure 1 (A) is a perspective view of the earphone 100. Figure 1 (B) is an exploded perspective view of the earphone 100, and shows a state where a first housing 1 and a second housing 2, which will be described later, are detached from each other. Figure 2 is a partial cross-sectional perspective view of a part of the earphone 100.

[0034] The earphone 100 is provided with a housing 3 including the first housing 1 and the second housing 2. The material of the housing 3 (the first housing 1, the second housing 2) is arbitrary, and for example, a resin can be used.

[0035] One end of the first housing 1 is opened by a first opening 4, and the inside is hollow. A tubular (hollow) earhole insertion portion 5 that can be inserted into the earhole of a person is provided at the other end of the first housing 1. The portion of the other end of the first housing 1 other than the portion provided with the earhole insertion portion 5 is closed.

[0036] As a result, the first housing 1 has a side surface 6 and a top surface 7. The side surface 6 has an inner side surface 6a and an outer side surface 6b. The top surface 7 has an inner top surface 7a and an outer top surface 7b.

[0037] The shape of the first opening 4 as viewed from the opening direction is arbitrary, and in the present embodiment, is substantially circular. In addition, in the present embodiment, the first housing 1 is substantially cylindrical.

[0038] The first housing 1 is provided with a locking portion 8 for locking a claw portion 12 provided in the second housing 2 described later. The locking portion 8 is arbitrary in configuration, shape, and the like as long as it can lock the claw portion 12. In the present embodiment, the locking portion 8 is composed of a rectangular through-hole 8a formed through the side surface 6, and a locking beam 8b provided adjacent to the through-hole 8a. The number of the locking portion 8 is arbitrary, and is two in the present embodiment.

[0039] One end of the second housing 2 is opened by the second opening 9, and the inside is hollow. The other end of the second housing 2 is closed.

[0040] As a result, the second housing 2 has a bottom surface 10 and a side surface 11. The bottom surface 10 has an inner bottom surface 10a and an outer bottom surface 10b. The side surface 11 has an inner side surface 11a and an outer side surface 11b.

[0041] The shape of the second opening 9 viewed from the opening direction is arbitrary, and is substantially circular in the present embodiment. In addition, the second housing 2 is substantially cylindrical in the present embodiment.

[0042] The claw portion 12 is composed of a column portion 12a and a claw 12b provided at the front end of the column portion 12a. The number of the claw portion 12 is arbitrary, and is two in the present embodiment, like the locking portion 8.

[0043] The first housing 1 and the second housing 2 are fixed to each other in a state where the first opening 4 and the second opening 9 face each other, thereby constituting the housing 3.

[0044] In the present embodiment, the fixing of the first housing 1 and the second housing 2 is performed by locking the claw 12b of the claw portion 12 to the locking beam 8b of the locking portion 8. However, the fixing of the first housing 1 and the second housing 2 can be performed by other methods.

[0045] The portion that fixes the first housing 1 and the second housing 2 is referred to as a fixing portion 13. In the present embodiment, the portion where the locking portion 8 and the claw portion 12 are provided corresponds to the fixing portion 13.

[0046] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the locking portion 8 is provided in the first housing 1, and the claw portion 12 is provided in the second housing 2, but the formation positions thereof can be reversed. That is, the claw portion 12 can be provided in the first housing 1, and the locking portion 8 can be provided in the second housing 2.

[0047] The earphone 100 is provided with a strain sensor 14. The strain sensor 14 is, for example, a piezoelectric strain sensor. The strain sensor 14 is composed of, for example, a member in which electrodes are formed on both main surfaces of a piezoelectric sheet containing polylactic acid. The piezoelectric sheet preferably extends at least in a single-axis direction.

[0048] The strain sensor 14 is a strip-shaped component having a long side direction and a short side direction, with a first end 14a and a second end 14b at both ends along the long side direction. The strain sensor 14 is attached to the inner surface 11a of the second frame 2 such that the long side direction is along the edge of the second opening 9, and the first end 14a is positioned closer to the fixing part 13 (locking part 8 and claw part 12), while the second end 14b is positioned further away from the fixing part 13. Furthermore, the inner surface 11a of the second frame 2 is synonymous with the inner wall of the second frame 2.

[0049] The strain sensor 14 outputs a signal during the period when the external force applied to the second frame 2 changes, that is, during the period when the strain of the second frame 2 changes.

[0050] The earphone 100 has a sound-emitting element 15 inside the frame 3. The type of sound-emitting element 15 is arbitrary. The installation position of the sound-emitting element 15 inside the frame 3 is also arbitrary. In this embodiment, the sound-emitting element 15 is installed on the inner bottom surface 10a of the second frame 2.

[0051] Although not shown in the diagram, the earphone 100 includes a communication module within the housing 3. The communication module wirelessly connects the earphone 100 to an external main electronic device (not shown). The earphone 100 transmits signals generated by the strain sensor 14 to the main electronic device via the communication module. Additionally, the main electronic device transmits sound signals, music signals, etc., to the earphone 100 via the communication module. Furthermore, the earphone 100 uses these sound signals, music signals, etc., to cause the sound-emitting element 15 to emit sound.

[0052] In addition, the connection between the headphones 100 and the main electronic device can also be wired instead of wireless.

[0053] Although the illustration is omitted, the earphone 100 has a power source, such as a secondary battery, within the housing 3. This power source powers the strain sensor 14, the sound generator 15, the communication module, and other components.

[0054] The earphone 100 causes strain in the frame 3 by pressing on its outer surface (outer surface 6b of the first frame 1 and outer surface 11b of the second frame 2). The earphone 100 detects the strain in the frame 3 using a strain sensor 14 and generates a signal from the strain sensor 14. The earphone 100 can send this signal to the main electronic device to control the main device.

[0055] In addition, as main electronic devices, examples include smartphones, tablets, personal computers, recording and playback devices (including music playback devices), video playback devices, radios, and televisions.

[0056] As described above, for example, when the main electronic device is a music playback device, control can be performed as follows.

[0057] 1) When the outer side surface of the frame 3 is pressed for a certain time or more in a state where the power of the main electronic device is off, the power of the main electronic device is turned on.

[0058] 2) When the outer side surface of the frame 3 is pressed for a certain time or more in a state where the power of the main electronic device is on, the power of the main electronic device is turned off.

[0059] 3) When the outer side surface of the frame 3 is pressed once for a short time in a state where the power of the main electronic device is on, the play of a music is started.

[0060] 4) When the outer side surface of the frame 3 is pressed twice for a short time in succession in a state where the power of the main electronic device is on, the play of a currently played music is stopped and the play of a next music is started.

[0061] However, the control method is not limited to this, and other control methods can be considered.

[0062] In this way, the earphone 100 can control the main electronic device by pressing the outer side surface of the frame 3.

[0063] On the other hand, the earphone 100 suppresses erroneous operation in the main electronic device even when the outer bottom surface 10b of the second frame 2 is pressed with a finger or the like while the earhole insertion portion 5 is inserted into the earhole of a person by adopting the above-described structure.

[0064] More specifically, the earphone 100 attaches the strain sensor 14 to the inner side surface 11a of the second frame in such a manner that the long direction is in the direction along the edge of the second opening 9 and the first end 14a is relatively close to the fixing portion 13 (the locking portion 8 and the claw portion 12) and the second end 14b is relatively far from the fixing portion 13, whereby even when the outer bottom surface 10b of the second frame 2 is pressed, the strain sensor 14 does not generate a signal or generates only a very small signal.

[0065] That is, the earphone 100 attaches the strain sensor 14 to the inner side surface 11a of the second frame in the above-described condition, whereby even when the outer bottom surface 10b of the second frame 2 is pressed, elongation occurs in the lower region and contraction occurs in the upper region at the first end 14a of the strain sensor 14, and, in contrast, contraction occurs in the lower region and elongation occurs in the upper region at the second end 14b of the strain sensor 14, so the signals are canceled out inside the strain sensor 14, and the strain sensor 14 does not generate a signal or generates only a very small signal. This mechanism is described in Experiment 1 described below.

[0066] (Experiment 1)

[0067] In order to confirm the effectiveness of the present application, Experiment 1 described below was performed.

[0068] First, as shown in Figure 3 (A), an experimental device 200 is prepared.

[0069] The experimental device 200 is provided with a frame 21 which is a cylinder with one end open and the other end closed. The frame 21 is made of resin.

[0070] The frame 21 is fixed by two fixing portions 23. The two fixing portions 23 are fixed to opposite positions of the frame 21.

[0071] A strain sensor 24 is attached to the inner side surface of the frame 21. More specifically, the strain sensor 24 is a strip having a long side direction and a short side direction, and having a first end 24a and a second end 24b at both ends in the long side direction. The strain sensor 24 is attached to the inner side surface of the frame 21 in such a manner that the long side direction is a direction along the edge of the opening of the frame 21, and the first end 24a is relatively close to one of the fixing portions 23, and the second end 24b is relatively far from the fixing portion 23.

[0072] In Figure 3 (A), first, the A1 portion of the outer side surface of the frame 21 is pressed. The strain sensor 24 well generates a large signal.

[0073] Next, both the A1 portion and the A2 portion of the outer side surface of the frame 21 are pressed. The strain sensor 24 well generates a large signal.

[0074] Next, the outer bottom B portion of the frame 21 is pressed. However, the strain sensor 24 generates only a very small signal.

[0075] In Figure 3 (B), elongation and contraction occurring in the strain sensor 24 when the outer bottom B portion of the frame 21 is pressed is shown. Further, Figure 3 (B) is obtained by simulation.

[0076] From Figure 3 (B), it is known that, at the first end 24a of the strain sensor 24, elongation occurs in the lower region, and contraction occurs in the upper region, and, on the contrary, at the second end 24b of the strain sensor 24, contraction occurs in the lower region. As a result, it is considered that the signals are canceled within the strain sensor 24, and the strain sensor 24 generates only a small signal.

[0077] Thus, when the A1 portion or the A1 portion and the A2 portion of the outer side surface of the frame 21 are pressed, the strain sensor 24 well generates a large signal, but when the outer bottom B portion of the frame 21 is pressed, only a small signal is generated. As described above, the effectiveness of the present application can be confirmed.

[0078] (Experiment 2)

[0079] Next, in order to investigate the appropriate opening size of the frame (particularly the second frame) in the present application, the appropriate position of the fixing portion, and the appropriate number of the fixing portions, Experiment 2 described below was conducted.

[0080] First, as shown in (A), an experimental device 300 was prepared. Figure 4 (A) shows, an experimental device 300 was prepared.

[0081] The experimental device 300 was provided with a frame 31 that was a cylinder with one end open and the other end closed. In the experimental device 300, as the frame 31, three frames with diameters (φ) of 20 mm, 28 mm, and 40 mm were prepared.

[0082] A strain sensor 34 was attached to the inner side surface of the frame 31. More specifically, the strain sensor 34 was a strip having a long direction and a short direction, and having a first end 34a and a second end 34b at both ends in the long direction. The strain sensor 34 was attached to the inner side surface of the frame 31 so that the long direction was in the direction along the edge of the opening of the frame 31. In Experiment 2, the length of the long direction of the strain sensor 34 was 15 mm.

[0083] One fixing portion 33 was provided in the frame 31. The position at which the fixing portion 33 was provided was variable, and the relative positional relationship between the strain sensor 34 and the fixing portion 33 could be changed.

[0084] In Figure 4 (A), the fixing portion 33 was fixed to the first end 34a of the strain sensor 34. The angle at this time (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the "angle of the restriction position") was set to 0°. Furthermore, by moving the position of the fixing portion 33 clockwise, the angle of the restriction position was increased to 90°, 180°, and 270°.

[0085] Furthermore, in order not to interfere with the proper operation of the strain sensor 34, it is preferable that the width of the fixing portion 33 be as small as possible. However, in the case where the present application is embodied as the earphone 100 or the like, the width of the claw portion 12 equivalent to the width of the fixing portion 33 needs to have a strength for firmly fixing the first frame 1 and the second frame 2, and needs to have a certain degree of size. For example, in the earphone 100, the width of the claw portion 12 needs to be several mm in size. Therefore, in Experiment 2, the width of the fixing portion 33 was set to 5 mm.

[0086] In the three experimental devices 300, while the position of the fixing portion 33 was shifted, the magnitude of the output generated by the strain sensor 34 when the outer bottom surface of the experimental device 300 was pressed was measured. Figure 4 (B) shows the results.

[0087] From Figure 4(B) As is apparent, when the diameter of the opening of the frame 31 is set to 20 mm, a signal of a magnitude slightly larger than 5 is output regardless of the position of the fixed portion 33. In addition, the values of the output indicate the relative magnitude at the time of comparison. As a result, it is apparent that, in the case where the diameter of the opening of the frame 31 is 20 mm, the diameter of the opening is too small to apply the present application.

[0088] On the other hand, when the diameter of the opening of the frame 31 is set to 28 mm, the magnitude of the output of the strain sensor 34 periodically changes by moving the position of the fixed portion 33. Moreover, the magnitude of the output of the strain sensor 34 becomes 0 when the angle of the position of the restriction is 0°, 120°.

[0089] In addition, when the diameter of the opening of the frame 31 is set to 40 mm, the magnitude of the output of the strain sensor 34 periodically changes by moving the position of the fixed portion 33. Moreover, the magnitude of the output of the strain sensor 34 becomes 0 when the angle of the position of the restriction is about 105°.

[0090] As described above, it is confirmed that, in the case where the diameter of the opening of the frame 31 is 28 mm or more and 40 mm or less, the present application can be favorably applied.

[0091] In addition, it is apparent that, for example, when the diameter of the opening of the frame 31 is 28 mm, if the fixed portion 33 is provided at three places where the angle of the position of the restriction is 0°, 120°, and 240°, the strain sensor 34 does not output a signal even if the outer bottom portion of the frame is pressed, and the first frame and the second frame can be firmly fixed.

[0092] The earphone 100 according to the embodiment has been described above. However, the present application is not limited to the above, and various modifications can be made according to the gist of the present application.

[0093] For example, in the embodiment, the earphone is shown as an electronic device, but the electronic device is not limited to the earphone, and can be a hearing aid, a headphone, or the like. In addition, the electronic device is not limited to a device related to sound, music, or the like, and as long as the frame and the strain sensor are provided, the present application can be applied to all kinds of electronic devices.

[0094] In addition, in the earphone 100, the earhole insertion portion 5 is provided in the first frame 1, but the frame 3 (particularly, the first frame 1) can constitute the earhole insertion portion in addition to this.

[0095] In addition, in the earphone 100, the locking portion 8 is provided in the first frame 1, and the claw portion 12 is provided in the second frame 2, but the claw portion 12 can be provided in the first frame 1, and the locking portion 8 can be provided in the second frame 2.

[0096] The electronic device according to one embodiment of the present application is as described in the "SUMMARY" section.

[0097] In the electronic device, it is also preferable that the sound emitting body be provided inside the frame body, and at least one selected from the group consisting of an earphone, a hearing aid, and a headphone be constituted. This is because the present application is particularly useful in these electronic devices. In this case, it is also preferable that an ear hole insertion portion capable of being inserted into an ear hole of a person be provided on the other side of the first frame body opposite to the side on which the first opening is provided, or the first frame body constitute the ear hole insertion portion.

[0098] It is also preferable that the strain sensor function as the sound emitting body. In this case, the number of components required can be reduced, and the manufacturing process can be simplified to improve productivity.

[0099] It is also preferable that the other side of the second frame body opposite to the side on which the second opening is provided be closed. In this case, the hollow of the frame body can be closed in addition to the ear hole insertion portion.

[0100] It is also preferable that the number of the fixing portions be two or three. In this case, even if the outer bottom portion of the frame body is pressed, the strain sensor does not output a signal or outputs only a small signal, and the first frame body and the second frame body can be firmly fixed.

[0101] It is also preferable that the fixing portion be constituted by a claw portion formed on one of the first frame body and the second frame body, and a locking portion capable of locking the claw portion formed on the other of the first frame body and the second frame body. In this case, the first frame body and the second frame body can be firmly fixed.

[0102] It is also preferable that the width of the claw portion be 5 mm or less. In this case, the fixing portion does not hinder the proper operation of the strain sensor, and the first frame body and the second frame body can be firmly fixed.

[0103] It is also preferable that, in a cross section of the second frame body in a region to which the strain sensor is attached as viewed in the opening direction of the second opening, the shape of the inner wall be circular or elliptical, and the diameter of the circular shape or the length of the major axis of the elliptical shape be 28 mm or more and 40 mm or less. In this case, an electronic device in which even if the outer bottom portion of the frame body is pressed, the strain sensor does not output a signal or outputs only a small signal can be provided.

[0104] It is also preferable that the signal acquired by the strain sensor be transmitted to a main electronic device outside in a wired or wireless manner. In this case, the main electronic device can be controlled by pressing the outer side surface of the frame body. The main electronic device is, for example, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a personal computer, a sound recording and playback device, a video playback device, a radio, a television, or the like.

[0105] Reference Signs List

[0106] 1... first housing; 2... second housing; 3... housing; 4... first opening; 5... ear hole insertion portion; 6... side surface; 6a... inner side surface; 6b... outer side surface; 7... top surface; 7a... inner top surface; 7b... outer top surface; 8... locking portion; 8a... through hole; 8b... locking beam; 9... second opening; 10... bottom surface; 10a... inner bottom surface; 10b... outer bottom surface; 11... side surface; 11a... inner side surface; 11b... outer side surface; 12... claw portion; 12a... column portion; 12b... claw; 13... fixing portion; 14... strain sensor; 14a... first end; 14b... second end.

Claims

1. An electronic device comprising: a frame including at least a first frame and a second frame; and a strain sensor attached to an inner wall of the frame, wherein the electronic device is characterized in that: one side of the first frame is opened by a first opening, one side of the second frame is opened by a second opening, the first frame and the second frame are fixed in a state in which the first opening and the second opening face each other, thereby constituting the frame, the first frame and the second frame are fixed by two or more fixing portions, the strain sensor is a strip having a long direction and a short direction, and having a first end and a second end at both ends in the long direction, the strain sensor is attached to the inner wall of the second frame in such a manner that the long direction is a direction along an edge of the second opening, and the first end is relatively close to the fixing portion, and the second end is relatively far from the fixing portion.

2. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein: a sound emitter is provided inside the frame, and the frame constitutes one selected from among an earphone, a hearing aid, and a headphone.

3. The electronic device according to claim 2, wherein: an ear hole insertion portion capable of being inserted into an ear hole of a person is provided on the other side of the first frame, which is opposite to the side provided with the first opening, or the first frame constitutes the ear hole insertion portion capable of being inserted into the ear hole of the person.

4. The electronic device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein: the strain sensor functions as the sound emitter.

5. The electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: the other side of the second frame, which is opposite to the side provided with the second opening, is closed.

6. The electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: the number of the fixing portions is two or three.

7. The electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: the fixing portion is constituted by a claw portion formed on one of the first frame and the second frame, and a locking portion capable of locking the claw portion formed on the other of the first frame and the second frame.

8. The electronic device according to claim 7, wherein: the width of the claw portion is 5 mm or less.

9. The electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: in a cross section of the second frame in a region in which the strain sensor is attached, as viewed from the opening direction of the second opening, the shape of the inner wall is circular or elliptical, and the diameter of the circle or the length of the major axis of the ellipse is 28 mm or more and 40 mm or less.

10. The electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: the electronic device is connected to a main electronic device outside in a wired or wireless manner, and a signal acquired by the strain sensor is transmitted to the main electronic device.

11. The electronic device according to claim 10, wherein: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ The main electronic device is at least one selected from a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a personal computer, a sound recording and playing device, a video playing device, a radio, and a television. The main electronic device is at least one selected from a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a personal computer, a sound recording and playing device, a video playing device, a radio, and a television.

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