Knob structure for adjusting sound parameters and earphone comprising knob structure

Abstract

The invention relates to a knob structure for adjusting sound parameters and an earphone comprising the knob structure. The knob structure for adjusting sound parameters comprises a knob, an encoder, an interference piece and a switching module. The knob has a shaft portion and an internal tooth portion. The encoder is connected with the shaft part of the knob and comprises a turntable and a bottom plate, the turntable is provided with one or more convex parts which are contacted with the bottom plate, and when the knob is rotated to drive the turntable of the encoder to rotate, the one or more convex parts rub the bottom plate. The interference member has a first end adjacent to the internal tooth portion of the knob. The switching module is provided with an inner tooth part used for making the first end of the interference piece make contact with or be away from the knob. The invention also provides an earphone comprising the knob structure.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a knob structure for adjusting sound parameters and an earphone comprising the knob structure, and in particular to a knob structure for adjusting sound parameters capable of providing two usage feelings and an earphone comprising the knob structure. Background Art

[0002] Some existing sound source input devices use a single step-feel design or a non-step-feel design to adjust the volume. However, users sometimes need to adjust the volume significantly, and sometimes need to adjust the volume slightly. Therefore, the wheels of such sound source input devices are not very convenient for users. In addition, the feel of the non-step-feel design is unclear. Summary of the invention

[0003] The object of the present invention is to provide a knob structure for adjusting sound parameters and an earphone including the knob structure, so as to solve at least one of the above problems.

[0004] The present invention provides a knob structure for adjusting sound parameters, which includes a knob, an encoder, an interference member and a switching module. The knob has a shaft and an inner tooth portion. The encoder is connected to the shaft of the knob, wherein the encoder includes a turntable and a bottom plate, the turntable has one or more convex portions contacting the bottom plate, and when the knob is rotated to drive the turntable of the encoder to rotate, the one or more convex portions rub the bottom plate. The interference member has a first end adjacent to the inner tooth portion of the knob. The switching module is configured to make the first end of the interference member contact or move away from the inner tooth portion of the knob.

[0005] In some embodiments of the present invention, the encoder has an opening that receives a portion of the shaft portion of the knob.

[0006] In some embodiments of the present invention, the switching module includes: a side cover body, wherein the knob also has an outer diameter portion, a part of the side cover body adjacent to the outer diameter portion, and has a pressing portion facing away from the knob; a switch, abutting the pressing portion; a connecting member, wherein the interference member also has a second end opposite to the first end, and the connecting member is connected to the second end of the interference member; and a driving member, which is configured to move the connecting member, wherein when the knob is pressed, the portion of the outer diameter portion of the knob pushes against the side cover body, so that the pressing portion of the side cover body presses the switch, thereby driving the driving member, causing the connecting member and the second end of the interference member to move, thereby causing the first end of the interference member to contact or move away from the inner tooth portion.

[0007] In some embodiments of the present invention, the connecting member has a first opening, and the first opening accommodates the second end of the interference member.

[0008] In some embodiments of the present invention, the knob structure further includes: an outer shell having an opening area exposing another portion of the outer diameter of the knob.

[0009] In some embodiments of the present invention, the knob structure further includes: a first torsion spring connected between the side cover body and the outer shell.

[0010] In some embodiments of the present invention, the switching module also includes: a permanent magnet, wherein the connecting member has a groove for accommodating the permanent magnet, the driving member is an electromagnet facing the permanent magnet, the electromagnet includes a magnetic core and a coil surrounding the magnetic core, and the switch is configured to energize the coil and change the polarity of the magnetic core when the switch is pressed by the pressing part, so that the magnetic core changes from attracting the permanent magnet to repelling the permanent magnet or from repelling the permanent magnet to attracting the permanent magnet, thereby moving the second end of the connecting member and the interference member.

[0011] In some embodiments of the present invention, the knob structure further includes: an upper cover body fixed on the side cover body and covering the inner teeth of the knob, wherein the upper cover body has a second opening, and the first end of the interference member passes through the second opening.

[0012] In some embodiments of the present invention, the knob structure further includes: a second torsion spring connected between the upper cover body and the interference member.

[0013] The present invention also provides an earphone, which comprises the above-mentioned knob structure for adjusting sound parameters. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] The following will be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and various aspects of the present invention may be best understood based on the following embodiments. However, it should be understood that, in accordance with industry practice, the various features are not necessarily drawn to scale. In fact, for the sake of clarity, the shapes of the various features may be appropriately adjusted, and the sizes of the various features may be increased or decreased at will.

[0015] Figure 1 The figure is a schematic exploded perspective view of a knob, an encoder and an interference member of a knob structure according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0016] Figure 2 for Figure 1 Schematic cross-sectional view of the knob, encoder and interference part.

[0017] Figure 3 FIG. 4 is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of a knob structure according to an embodiment of the present invention in a first usage feeling state.

[0018] Figure 4 for Figure 3 A three-dimensional schematic diagram of a switching module with a knob structure.

[0019] Figure 5 FIG. 4 is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of a knob structure according to an embodiment of the present invention in a second usage feeling state.

[0020] Figure 6 for Figure 5A three-dimensional schematic diagram of a switching module with a knob structure.

[0021] Figure 7 FIG. 4 is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of a connecting member and a permanent magnet according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 8 FIG. 4 is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of an electromagnet according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Fig. 9 FIG. 4 is a partial stereoscopic schematic diagram of an earphone including a knob structure according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] The reference numerals are as follows:

[0025] 110: Knob

[0026] 110a: Shaft

[0027] 110i: Internal gear

[0028] 120: Encoder

[0029] 120°: Open

[0030] 122: Turntable

[0031] 1222: convex part

[0032] 124: Bottom plate

[0033] 130: Interference parts

[0034] 130a: First end

[0035] 130b: Second end

[0036] 140: Switch module

[0037] 141: Side cover

[0038] 141p: Pressing part

[0039] 142: Switch

[0040] 143: Connectors

[0041] 143h: First opening

[0042] 143r: Groove

[0043] 144: Driving parts

[0044] 1441: Electromagnet

[0045] 1441c: Coil

[0046] 1441m: Magnetic core

[0047] 145: Permanent magnet

[0048] 150: Outer shell

[0049] 150°: Opening area

[0050] 160: First torsion spring

[0051] 170: Upper cover

[0052] 170h: Second opening

[0053] 180: Second torsion spring DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0054] The advantages and features of the present invention and the methods for achieving the same will be more easily understood by describing them in more detail with reference to the exemplary embodiments and drawings. However, the present invention can be implemented in different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein. On the contrary, for those skilled in the art, the embodiments provided will make the present invention more thorough and comprehensive and fully convey the scope of the present invention.

[0055] The spatially relative terms used herein, such as "lower" and "upper", are used to facilitate the description of the relative relationship between one element or feature and another element or feature in the drawings. The true meaning of these spatially relative terms includes other orientations. For example, when the drawings are flipped 180 degrees up and down, the relationship between one element and another element may change from "lower" to "upper". The spatially relative descriptions used in the present invention should also be interpreted in the same way.

[0056] As described in the prior art, some existing sound source input devices adjust the volume through a roller with a single segment sense design or a non-segment sense design. However, users sometimes need to adjust the volume significantly, and sometimes need to adjust the volume slightly, so the roller of this type of sound source input device is not very convenient for users. In addition, the use feel of the roller without a segment sense design is unclear. Accordingly, the present invention provides a knob structure for adjusting sound parameters (such as volume, audio or pitch, but the present invention is not limited to this), which includes a knob, an encoder, an interference member and a switching module. The design of the encoder, the interference member and the switching module can provide two use feels for the user to switch, so as to facilitate the user to adjust the sound parameters significantly or slightly. Various embodiments of the knob structure of the present invention will be described in detail below.

[0057] Figure 1 The figure is a schematic exploded perspective view of a knob, an encoder and an interference member of a knob structure according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 for Figure 1 Schematic cross-sectional view of the knob, encoder and interference part. Figure 3 FIG. 4 is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of a knob structure according to an embodiment of the present invention in a first usage feeling state. Figure 4 for Figure 3 A three-dimensional schematic diagram of a switch module with a knob structure. Figures 1 to 4 As shown, the knob structure for adjusting sound parameters includes a knob 110 , an encoder 120 , an interference member 130 and a switch module 140 .

[0058] like Figure 1 As shown, the knob 110 has a shaft portion 110a and an inner tooth portion 110i. In some embodiments, the shaft portion 110a and the inner tooth portion 110i are respectively located on two sides of the knob 110. In some embodiments, the cross-sectional shape of the shaft portion 110a is non-circular, for example, a polygon (eg, a hexagon).

[0059] like Figure 1 and 2 As shown, the encoder 120 is connected to the shaft portion 110a of the knob 110. In some embodiments, the encoder 120 has an opening 120o, which accommodates a portion of the shaft portion 110a of the knob 110. The cross-sectional shape of the opening 120o is non-circular, for example, a polygon (eg, a hexagon).

[0060] like Figure 2 As shown, the encoder 120 includes a turntable 122 and a bottom plate 124. The turntable 122 is substantially parallel to the knob 110. The turntable 122 has one or more protrusions 1222 contacting the bottom plate 124. In some embodiments, the one or more protrusions 1222 protrude from the lower surface of the turntable 122. In some embodiments, the protrusions 1222 are conductive springs, such as metal springs. When the knob 110 is rotated and then the turntable 122 of the encoder 120 is driven to rotate through the shaft 110a of the knob 110, the one or more protrusions 1222 rub against the bottom plate 124, thereby generating a friction feel (i.e., the first feel). In some embodiments, the bottom plate 124 has a plurality of conductive pads (not shown, which may be, for example, metal pads) arranged at intervals; when the knob 110 is rotated to drive the turntable 122 of the encoder 120 to rotate, the one or more protrusions 1222 intermittently rub against the plurality of metal pads, thereby generating a friction feel with a sense of segmentation. In practical applications, the operating force of the encoder 120 can be adjusted appropriately. In some embodiments, the operating force of the encoder 120 is between 5 grams and 15 grams, so that when the knob 110 is rotated, a friction feel with a slight sense of step can be generated.

[0061] like Figures 1 to 4 As shown, the interference member (or connecting rod) 130 has a first end 130a adjacent to the inner tooth portion 110i of the knob 110. The interference member 130 also has a second end 130b opposite to the first end 130a.

[0062] like Figure 4As shown, the switch module 140 is configured to make the first end 130a of the interference member 130 contact or move away from the inner tooth portion 110i of the knob 110. The switch module 140 can be, for example, a mechanical switch module or an electric switch module. Several embodiments of the switch module 140 will be described in detail below, but it should be noted that the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0063] In some embodiments, Figure 3 and 4 As shown, the switch module 140 includes a side cover 141, a switch 142, a connecting member 143 and a driving member 144. The knob 110 has an outer diameter portion (not shown), and the side cover 141 is adjacent to a portion of the outer diameter portion. The side cover 141 has a pressing portion 141p away from the knob 110. The pressing portion 141p can protrude from the surface of the side cover 141 (such as Figure 4 In some embodiments, when the knob 110 is not pressed, the outer diameter portion of the knob 110 and the side cover 141 are adjacent to each other but separated by a distance.

[0064] The switch (or push switch) 142 abuts against the push portion 141p. In some embodiments, the switch has an abutment top (not shown) that abuts against the push portion 141p. In some embodiments, the switch 142 is a Z-axis switch. In some embodiments, the switch 142 is fixed on a substrate (not shown).

[0065] like Figure 1 and 4 As shown, the connecting member 143 is connected to the second end 130b of the interference member 130. In some embodiments, as Figure 4 As shown, the connecting member 143 has a first opening 143h, and the first opening 143h accommodates the second end 130b of the interference member 130. Figure 1 and 4 As shown, the interference member 130 further has a connecting portion (not shown) between the first end 130 a and the second end 130 b , and a portion of the connecting portion is engaged in a hook portion (not shown) of the side cover 141 .

[0066] The driving member 144 is configured to move the connecting member 143. The switch 142 is electrically connected to the driving member 144. When the switch 142 is pressed, the switch 142 drives the driving member 144; when the switch 142 is pressed again, the switch 142 does not drive the driving member 144. In some embodiments, the driving member 144 and the connecting member 143 are adjacent to each other but separated by a distance (e.g., Figure 4 ), or are in contact with each other (not shown), or are integrally formed (not shown).

[0067] Figure 5FIG. 4 is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of a knob structure according to an embodiment of the present invention in a second usage feeling state. Figure 6 for Figure 5 A three-dimensional schematic diagram of a switch module with a knob structure. Please refer to Figure 3 and 4 and Figure 5 and 6 When the knob 110 is pressed, the portion of the outer diameter of the knob 110 pushes against the side cover 141, so that the pressing portion 141p of the side cover 141 presses the switch 142 (for example, presses the abutting top portion of the switch 142), thereby driving the driving member 144 to move the connecting member 143, thereby moving the second end 130b of the interference member 130, and causing the first end 130a of the interference member 130 to contact or move away from the inner tooth portion 110i. After the switch 142 is pressed, the abutting top portion of the switch 142 rebounds to reset the side cover 141 and the knob 110.

[0068] In some embodiments, please refer to Figure 3 and 4 and Figure 5 and 6 When the knob 110 is pressed, the switch 142 drives the driving member 144. The driving member 144 moves the connecting member 143 away from the driving member 142, and the second end 130b of the interference member 130 moves away from the driving member 142, and the first end 130a of the interference member 130 contacts the inner tooth portion 110i, so that the user can feel a clear sense of segmentation (i.e., the second hand feeling) when rotating the knob 110, so that the user can finely adjust the sound parameters. Please refer to Figure 5 and 6 and Figure 3 and 4 When the knob 110 is pressed again, the switch 142 does not drive the driving member 144, so that the connecting member 143 returns to its original position, and the second end 130b of the interference member 130 also returns to its original position, and the first end 130a of the interference member 130 is moved away from the inner tooth portion 110i, so that the user can feel the friction feeling (i.e., the first feeling mentioned above) when rotating the knob 110 later.

[0069] The aforementioned driving member 144 may be, for example, an electromagnet or a motor. The following is a detailed description of an embodiment in which the driving member 144 is an electromagnet. Figure 7 is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of a connecting member and a permanent magnet according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4 and 7 The switching module 140 further includes a permanent magnet 145 , and the connecting member 143 has a groove 143 r for accommodating the permanent magnet 145 . Figure 8 is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of an electromagnet according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4 and8 The driving member 144 is an electromagnet 1441 facing the permanent magnet 145, and the electromagnet 1441 includes a magnetic core 1441m and a coil 1441c surrounding the magnetic core 1441m. Figure 4 , 6 , 7 and 8, the permanent magnet 145 and the electromagnet 1441 are adjacent to each other but separated by a distance. The switch 142 is configured to energize the coil 1441c when the switch 142 is pressed by the pressing portion 141p to change the polarity of the magnetic core 1441m, so that the magnetic core 1441m changes from attracting the permanent magnet 145 to repelling the permanent magnet 145, or from repelling the permanent magnet 145 to attracting the permanent magnet 145, so that the connecting member 143 moves, and the second end 130b of the interference member 130 moves (for example, the connecting member 143 and the second end 130b of the interference member 130 are moved away from or close to the electromagnet 1441), so that the first end 130a of the interference member 130 moves.

[0070] The following is a detailed description of an embodiment in which the driving member 144 is a motor. Figure 3 and 4 The driving member 144 and the connecting member are in contact with each other (not shown) or integrally formed (not shown). The switch 142 is configured to drive the motor when the switch 142 is pressed by the pressing portion 141p, so that the connecting member 143 moves, and the second end 130b of the interference member 130 moves, so that the first end 130a of the interference member 130 moves.

[0071] In some embodiments, Figure 3 and 4 As shown, the knob structure further includes an outer shell 150 having an opening area 150o exposing a portion of the outer diameter of the knob 110 for the user to rotate the knob 110. In some embodiments, the substrate carrying the switch 142 is fixed in the outer shell 150, for example, fixed on a bracket (not shown) of the outer shell 150.

[0072] In some embodiments, Figure 3 and 4 As shown, the knob structure further includes a first torsion spring 160, which is connected between the side cover 141 and the outer shell 150. The first torsion spring 160 is configured to assist the side cover 141 and the knob 110 to quickly return to their original positions after the knob 110 is pressed.

[0073] In some embodiments, Figure 3 and 4 As shown, the knob structure further includes an upper cover 170, which is fixed on the side cover 141 and covers the inner teeth 110i of the knob 110. The upper cover 170 has a second opening 170h, and the first end 130a of the interference member 130 passes through the second opening 170h.

[0074] In some embodiments, Figure 3 As shown, the knob structure further includes a second torsion spring 180 , which is connected between the upper cover 170 and the interference member 130 .

[0075] Fig. 9 FIG. 1 is a partial three-dimensional schematic diagram of an earphone including a knob structure according to an embodiment of the present invention (only the headband part and a single earmuff part of the earphone are shown). Fig. 9 The present invention provides an earphone, which includes the above-mentioned knob structure that can provide two usage feelings, so that the user can adjust the sound parameters by operating the knob 110.

[0076] However, the above is only the preferred embodiment of the present invention, and it cannot be used to limit the scope of the present invention. That is, all simple equivalent changes and modifications made according to the claims and the invention description of the present invention are still within the scope of the present invention. In addition, any embodiment or claim of the present invention does not need to achieve all the purposes, advantages or features disclosed in the present invention. In addition, the abstract part and the title are only used to assist the search of patent documents, and are not used to limit the scope of rights of the present invention.

Claims

1. A knob structure for adjusting sound parameters, comprising: A knob having a shaft portion and an inner tooth portion; an encoder connected to the shaft of the knob, wherein the encoder comprises a rotating disk and a bottom plate, the rotating disk has one or more protrusions contacting the bottom plate, and when the knob is rotated to drive the rotating disk of the encoder to rotate, the one or more protrusions rub against the bottom plate; an interference member having a first end adjacent to the inner toothed portion of the knob; as well as A switching module is provided to make the first end of the interference member contact or stay away from the inner tooth portion of the knob.

2. The knob structure for adjusting sound parameters as claimed in claim 1, wherein the encoder has an opening which accommodates a portion of the shaft portion of the knob.

3. The knob structure for adjusting sound parameters as claimed in claim 1, wherein the switching module comprises: A side cover, wherein the knob further has an outer diameter portion, and a portion of the side cover adjacent to the outer diameter portion has a pressing portion away from the knob; a switch abutting against the pressing portion; a connecting member, wherein the interference member further has a second end opposite to the first end, the connecting member being connected to the second end of the interference member; and a driving member, arranged to move the connecting member, When the knob is pressed, the portion of the outer diameter of the knob pushes against the side cover body, so that the pressing portion of the side cover body presses the switch to drive the driving member, thereby moving the connecting member and the second end of the interference member, and further causing the first end of the interference member to contact or move away from the inner tooth portion.

4. The knob structure for adjusting sound parameters as described in claim 3, wherein the connecting member has a first opening for accommodating the second end of the interference member.

5. The knob structure for adjusting sound parameters as claimed in claim 3, further comprising: An outer shell has an opening area exposing another part of the outer diameter portion of the knob.

6. The knob structure for adjusting sound parameters as claimed in claim 5, further comprising: A first torsion spring is connected between the side cover and the outer shell.

7. The knob structure for adjusting sound parameters as claimed in claim 3, wherein the switching module further comprises: A permanent magnet, wherein the connecting member has a groove for accommodating the permanent magnet, the driving member is an electromagnet facing the permanent magnet, the electromagnet includes a magnetic core and a coil surrounding the magnetic core, and the switch is configured to energize the coil when the switch is pressed by the pressing portion to change a polarity of the magnetic core, so that the magnetic core changes from attracting the permanent magnet to repelling the permanent magnet or from repelling the permanent magnet to attracting the permanent magnet, thereby moving the connecting member and the second end of the interference member.

8. The knob structure for adjusting sound parameters as claimed in claim 3, further comprising: An upper cover body is fixed on the side cover body and covers the inner tooth portion of the knob, wherein the upper cover body has a second opening, and the first end of the interference member passes through the second opening.

9. The knob structure for adjusting sound parameters according to claim 8, further comprising: A second torsion spring is connected between the upper cover and the interference member.

10. An earphone, comprising the knob structure for adjusting the sound parameter as claimed in claim 1.

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