PRESSURE RELIEF VALVE FOR HEADPHONES

Abstract

Headphones (100), comprising: two earphone ear cups, each comprising: an earpiece housing (102) having a front volume (106) coupled to a sound output side of a driver, a rear volume (116) coupled to the rear side of the driver and acoustically isolated from the front volume, and an outer volume (110) isolated from the rear volume of the driver and closed to the environment; and a valve assembly (124) between the front volume and the outer volume, the valve assembly being configured to move in a first direction in response to a first pressure within the front volume and in a second direction different from the first direction in response to a second pressure within the front volume, and wherein movement of the valve assembly in the first direction and the second direction opens the outer volume to equalize a pressure between the front volume and the outer volume, the valve assembly further comprising two valve doors (302A / B) opening in opposite directions and having the door ends adjacent to each other, and a vent (306) located between the two valve doors (302A / B).

Description

AREA

[0001] One aspect of the invention relates to a valve for headphones, including a pressure relief valve for relieving pressure experienced by a user wearing closed-back headphones. Other aspects are also described and claimed. BACKGROUND

[0002] Whether listening on the go via a portable media player or via a stereo or home theater system at home, consumers often choose headphones. Headphones typically include a pair of ear cups that surround the user's ears and are held together by a headband. Headphones fall into two general categories based on the design of the ear cups: closed-back and open-back. Closed-back ear cups surround the user's ears and have a sealed (i.e., closed) back. Open-back ear cups also surround the user's ears but have a back that is open to the area surrounding the ear cup.

[0003] Both closed-back and open-back designs have their own acoustic advantages and disadvantages. For example, closed-back earcups can provide good sound isolation because they are sealed against ambient noise. Furthermore, the size and clamping force of the earcups can also be modified to further increase sound isolation. Features of the closed-back design, such as the sealed back, the size, and the clamping force of the earcups, allow this design to mechanically or passively attenuate ambient noise. However, due to the closed-back design of closed-back earcups, pressure changes within the section of the earcup surrounding the user's ear can be uncomfortable.Open-back earcups, on the other hand, can feel more open to the user, but may not be ideal in noisy environments because their passive attenuation may not be as good as closed-back designs.

[0004] US 8199955 B2 discloses a headphone with a configuration that prevents components from breaking and sounds from being reproduced incorrectly due to pressure changes in the spaces between the headphones.

[0005] WO 2009113751 A1 discloses a headphone with a check valve that can relieve air pressure exerted on the speaker through an opening.

[0006] WO 2019151988 A1 discloses a self-cooling headset with an auricle for forming an auricle volume and a control volume.

[0007] US 20190394556 A1 discloses a self-cooling headset having an ear cup that forms an ear shell when placed over a user's ear.

[0008] US 20180242070 A1 discloses headphones with two or more one-way valves: a valve at the bottom of the earcup through which air can flow in, and another valve at the top of the earcup through which air can flow out of the earcup.

[0009] US 9674600 B2 discloses an earphone with an air release valve, comprising a shell, the shell being provided with a rear cavity of the earphone for receiving a sound unit, the sound unit being arranged in the rear cavity of the earphone and fixedly connected to the shell, the side of the shell facing the human ear being connected to an ear cushion, the earphone being provided with an air release hole on the earphone shell between the rear cavity of the earphone and the cavity of the sound chamber of the earphone, and the air release hole being provided with an air release valve that opens automatically due to an increase in pressure. FR 3133962 A1 discloses headphones for audio headphones with an internal pressure equalization system, comprising: a shell, a cushion, and a speaker.

[0010] JP H10148181 A discloses a combination speaker and air pump comprising: a frame, a speaker in which the outer peripheral part of a vibration plate is fixed to the portion of the frame, an intake port valve provided at an intake port formed on the portion of the frame, and an exhaust port valve provided at an exhaust port formed on the portion of the frame. SUMMARY

[0011] The present invention is defined by the features of the independent claim(s). Preferred advantageous embodiments are defined by the sub-features of the dependent claims.

[0012] Any reference to "embodiment(s)", "example(s)" or "aspect(s) of the invention" in this specification which does not fall within the scope of the claims should be understood as illustrative example(s) for understanding the invention.

[0013] One aspect of the invention relates to a headphone earcup, for example, a closed-back headphone earcup, having a valve that depressurizes the front volume chamber of a driver (e.g., loudspeaker) positioned therein. The valve may include a movable member, such as a valve door, between the front volume chamber (e.g., an active volume chamber) and an inactive volume or chamber of the system. The movable member may open in response to pressure within the front volume chamber to connect the front volume chamber to the inactive volume or chamber. The front volume chamber may be considered an "active" volume or chamber because it experiences pressure changes due to sound pressure waves conducted into the volume or chamber from the sound output side of the driver (e.g., loudspeaker).An "active" volume or chamber can be any volume or chamber that experiences pressure changes and / or cycles due to sound pressure waves or any other occurrence that causes a pressure change, such as pressing the pinna against the ear, running, jumping, etc. The inactive volume or chamber is a volume or chamber into which no sound pressure waves are directed by the driver (e.g., loudspeaker) and / or that does not undergo pressure changes and / or cycles similar to the active volume, and is therefore referred to herein as an "inactive" volume or chamber. The inactive volume or chamber can be another volume or chamber that is separate from the front and rear volume chambers of the driver (e.g., active chambers) of the loudspeaker, so that it does not directly receive a sound pressure input from the loudspeaker.For example, the inactive volume or chamber could be acoustically isolated from the rear volume chamber and further isolated from the front volume chamber (when the valve is closed). The inactive volume could be another system volume or even the environment.

[0014] Opening the valve connects the front volume chamber to the inactive chamber for pressure equalization. For example, if the pressure exceeds a certain threshold (e.g., a positive pressure), the valve can open in one direction. In other aspects, the valve can open in the opposite direction if the pressure is less than a certain threshold (e.g., a negative pressure). In some aspects, the valve can include two separate check valves, one that opens only in response to a first pressure (e.g., a positive pressure) reaching a certain threshold, and one that opens only in response to a second pressure (e.g., a negative pressure) reaching a certain threshold. In other aspects, the valve can include two valve doors, one that opens only in response to the first pressure (e.g.,a positive pressure), and one that opens only in response to the second pressure (e.g., a negative pressure). In other words, the valve door (or check valve) that opens in response to one pressure may not open in response to a different pressure. The valve doors and / or check valves may open independently of each other, so that one can be closed while another is open. In one aspect, the valve may include a hinge and / or biasing mechanism (e.g., spring system) that biases the valve door toward a closed position to facilitate opening / closing of the valve in response to the desired pressure. In some aspects, the valve may be a silicone valve, where the door is formed by a slit in the silicone membrane and the biasing mechanism is the same material as the door.Furthermore, the valve door and / or the valve opening can be used to tune the valve to open in response to a desired pressure and / or at a desired speed in response to the pressure. For example, a weight of the valve door and / or an opening area or an associated inactive volume could be changed to increase and / or decrease the speed at which it opens and / or the pressure required to open. Representatively, a light door covering a large valve opening and / or a large volume would allow for faster opening, while a heavy door covering a small valve opening and / or a small volume would allow for slower opening of the valve door. As previously discussed, the pressure (or pressure change) within the front volume chamber that causes the valve to open can be controlled by acoustic pressure waves from the driver (e.g.,speaker), a user pressing the earpiece against the ear, running, jumping, etc., or a combination of any of these events. Depending on the circumstances, a slower or faster valve opening might be desirable. For example, a faster-opening valve may be desired to relieve a large pressure change that might occur when the earpiece is pressed against the user's ear, and a slower-opening valve may be desired when the pressure change is a smaller pressure change caused by running or jumping. Additionally, in some aspects, the earpiece may include a leakage vent, a barometric vent ("b-vent"), or other type of vent or opening connecting the anterior volume chamber to the inactive volume chamber to further assist in relieving pressure within the earpiece.For example, the vent could be formed in the valve or another portion of the auricle that can be used to connect the anterior volume chamber to the inactive volume or chamber.

[0015] In another aspect, a headphone includes two headphone earcups, each enclosing an earcup housing defining an active chamber acoustically coupling a sound output side of a loudspeaker to a user's ear, and an inactive chamber surrounding the active chamber; and a passive valve assembly configured to open in response to a pressure change (e.g., positive or negative pressure change) within the active chamber to fluidly couple the active chamber to the inactive chamber and equalize a pressure between the active chamber and the inactive chamber. In some aspects, the active chamber forms a front volume chamber of the loudspeaker that is acoustically isolated from a rear volume chamber of the loudspeaker and is sized to surround an ear of use.In some aspects, the inactive chamber is closed to an environment and acoustically isolated from a rear volume chamber of the loudspeaker. In other aspects, the inactive chamber is open to an environment. The inactive chamber may be acoustically isolated from a rear volume chamber of the loudspeaker. The valve assembly may include a first valve door configured to open only in a first direction in response to a positive pressure change that exceeds a threshold pressure. The valve assembly may include a second valve door configured to open only in a second direction opposite the first direction in response to a negative pressure change that is less than a threshold pressure.The valve assembly may include a valve door coupled to the earphone housing by a biasing mechanism that biases the valve door toward a closed position. In some aspects, the valve assembly may include a check valve. In some aspects, the earphone earcup may further include a leak vent coupling the active chamber to the inactive chamber or an ambient environment. In some aspects, a sound pressure wave emitted from the sound exit side of the speaker may cause the positive pressure in the active chamber and open the valve assembly. In some aspects, the positive pressure or negative pressure is caused by a user pressing at least one of the pair of earphone earcups against their ear. In some aspects, the earphone earcups are closed-back earphone earcups.

[0016] In another aspect, a closed-back headphone earcup includes an earcup housing defining a front volume acoustically coupled to a sound output side of a driver, a rear volume coupled to a rear side of the driver and acoustically isolated from the front volume, and an outer volume acoustically isolated from the rear volume of the driver; and a valve assembly between the front volume and the outer volume, the valve assembly configured to move in a first direction in response to a first pressure within the front volume and in a second direction different from the first direction in response to a second pressure within the front volume, and wherein movement of the valve assembly in the first direction and the second direction opens the front volume to the outer volume,to equalize a pressure between the front volume and the outer volume. In some aspects, the valve assembly includes a first valve door configured to open in the first direction and a second valve door configured to open in the second direction. In some aspects, the first valve door remains closed when the second valve door opens in the second direction, and the second valve door remains closed when the first valve door opens in the first direction. In still further aspects, a size of the first valve door or a size of the second valve door is tuned to modify a rate at which the first valve door or the second valve door opens in response to the first pressure or the second pressure. The first pressure may be an overpressure within the front volume,that is greater than a threshold pressure. In some aspects, the second pressure may be a negative pressure within the front volume that is less than a threshold pressure. In some aspects, a leakage vent may be formed in the valve assembly that couples the front volume to the outer volume.

[0017] The foregoing summary does not include a complete list of all aspects of the present disclosure. The disclosure is intended to include all practical systems and methods from all suitable combinations of the various aspects summarized above, as well as those disclosed in the detailed description below and expressly recited in the claims filed with the application. Such combinations provide certain advantages not specifically recited in the foregoing summary. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] The aspects are illustrated by way of example and not limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals indicate like elements. It should be noted that references to "an" aspect in this disclosure do not necessarily refer to the same aspect, and mean at least one. Fig. 1 illustrates a schematic diagram of one aspect of a headphone earpiece with a valve arrangement. Fig. Figure 2 illustrates a schematic diagram of another aspect of a headphone earpiece with a valve arrangement. Fig. Figure 3 illustrates an enlarged schematic diagram of one aspect of the valve assembly of Fig. 1 or Fig. 2. Fig. Figure 4 illustrates an enlarged schematic diagram of one aspect of the valve assembly of Fig. 1 or Fig. 2. Fig. Figure 5 illustrates an enlarged schematic diagram of one aspect of the valve assembly of Fig. 1 or Fig. 2. Fig. Figure 6 illustrates an enlarged schematic diagram of one aspect of the valve assembly of Fig. 1 or Fig. 2. Fig. Figure 7 illustrates a simplified schematic view of one aspect of an electronic device in which the valve assembly may be employed. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] In this section, several preferred aspects of this disclosure are explained with reference to the accompanying drawings. While the shapes, relative positions, and other aspects of the described parts are not clearly defined, the scope of the disclosure is not limited to the parts shown, which are provided for purposes of illustration only. Furthermore, while numerous details are set forth, it is to be understood that some aspects of the disclosure may be practiced without these details. In other instances, well-known structures and techniques have not been shown in detail in order not to obscure this description.

[0020] Fig. Figure 1 illustrates a schematic diagram of one aspect of a headphone earcup with a valve assembly. It should be understood that the figures illustrate only one of a pair of left and right ear cups of headphone 100, which may be connected by a headband (not shown). Thus, each of the features described with reference to the ear cup of headphone 100 illustrated in the drawings should be understood to apply to the other ear cup of headphone 100. The ear cup housing 102 forms a casing sized to surround and cover a user's ear. From this perspective, the ear cup housing 102 includes a first chamber 104 defining an active or front volume 106 and a second chamber 108 defining an inactive volume 110.The first chamber 104 and the front volume chamber 106 may surround the ear 112 when the headset 100 is positioned on the user's head. In some cases, an ear cup cushion 118 may be positioned around the first chamber 104 of the ear cup housing 102 to ensure a comfortable fit and / or to seal the ear cup around and / or to the user's ear. The second chamber 108 and the inactive volume 110 may be a substantially closed chamber and / or a substantially closed volume positioned behind the first chamber 104 (as shown in FIG. Fig. 1). For example, the second chamber 108 and the inactive volume 110 may be part of the system volume surrounding other system components enclosed within the housing 102 but not serving a particular acoustic function. The housing 102 may further define a third chamber 114 enclosing another volume, or rear volume 116. The rear volume 116 of the third chamber 108 may be acoustically isolated from the inactive volume 110 of the second chamber 108 and the active volume 106 of the first chamber 104.

[0021] A driver 116 for outputting a music signal (S) toward the ear 112 may be mounted within the housing 102. The driver 116 may be any type of electrical-to-acoustic transducer with a pressure-sensitive diaphragm and circuitry configured to generate sound in response to an electrical audio signal input (e.g., a loudspeaker). The electrical audio signal may be a music signal input to the driver 120 through the sound source 122. The sound source 122 may be any type of audio device capable of outputting an audio signal, for example, an electronic audio device such as a portable music player, a home stereo system, or a home theater system capable of outputting an audio signal.The first chamber 104, which defines the front volume 106, may be acoustically coupled to the sound exit side 120A of the driver 120 and allow sound from the driver 120 to travel to the user's ear 112. From this perspective, the first chamber 104 and the front volume 106 may be sized to surround the ear, as previously discussed. The third chamber 114, which defines the rear volume 116, may be acoustically coupled to the rear side 120B (e.g., non-sound exit side) of the driver 120 and acoustically isolated from the first chamber 104 and the second chamber 108, as previously discussed.

[0022] To improve acoustic performance and comfort of the headset 100, the headset 100 may include a valve assembly 124. The valve assembly 124 may include a movable member 126 positioned over an opening 128 formed through the earcup housing 102. The opening 128 is located between the first chamber 104 and the second chamber 108. Accordingly, when the movable member 126 is in a closed position, the opening 128 is covered and the first chamber 104 is not open to the second chamber 108. In other words, in the open position, air may not be able to flow between the front volume 106 and the outer volume 110. Conversely, when the movable member 126 is in an open position, the opening 128 is not covered and the first chamber 104 is open to the second chamber 108.In other words, air can move between the front volume 106 and the outer volume 110. In this aspect, the valve assembly 124 can be used to equalize pressure within the first chamber 104 and / or between the first chamber 104 and the second chamber 108. For example, when pressure above a desired threshold occurs within the first chamber 104, the valve assembly 124 can open so that the first chamber 104 is open to the second chamber 108 and air can flow from the first chamber 104 to the second chamber 108 to relieve (e.g., reduce) the pressure. The particular operation of the valve assembly 124 will be described with reference to FIG. Fig. 3- Fig. 6 described in more detail.

[0023] The valve assembly 124 may be a passive or mechanical valve used to equalize the pressure within the first chamber 104 by opening and / or closing the first chamber 104 to the second chamber 108. The valve assembly 124 may be considered a passive valve (as opposed to an active valve) because it can open or close in the absence of electrical input. For example, the valve assembly 124 may open or close in response to pressure, a pressure change, and / or a pressure differential within the first chamber 104 and / or between the first chamber 104 and the second chamber 108. The valve assembly 124 may therefore also be considered a pressure-sensitive valve. This is in contrast to an active valve, which requires electrical input to open or close the valve.

[0024] Additionally, in some aspects, the first chamber 104 may include an additional opening or vent 202 to an inactive volume and / or chamber, as in Fig. 2. Representatively, in some aspects, the vent 202 may vent the first chamber 104 to the environment 204 surrounding the housing 102. For example, the vent 202 may be a b-vent that extends through the housing 102 from the front volume 106 to the environment. In other aspects, the vent 202 may be formed in the valve assembly 124, as described in more detail with reference to Fig. 3 and Fig. 5. The vent 202 may further assist in relieving pressure within the front volume 106. For example, in some aspects, the vent 202 may allow a constant flow of air between the environment 204 and the front volume 106 to relieve small pressures and / or pressure changes within the front volume 106, while the valve assembly 124 opens in response to larger and / or more sudden pressures and / or pressure changes within the front volume 106 to relieve larger pressure changes.

[0025] The specific aspects and operations of the valve assembly 124 will now be described with reference to Fig. 3- Fig. 6. Representatively illustrate Fig. 3- Fig. 6 enlarged cross-sectional side views of the with reference to Fig. 1- Fig. 2 described valve arrangement. Referring to Fig. 3 illustrates Fig. 3 illustrates the valve assembly 124, which includes a movable member 126 positioned over the opening 128 formed within the wall 308 between the front volume 106 (e.g., an active volume) and the outer volume 110 (e.g., an inactive volume). As previously discussed, the front volume 106 may be an active volume defined by the front volume chamber of the driver, while the outer volume 110 may be an inactive volume within an outer chamber of the earphone housing and / or the environment. The movable member 126 may be any type of valve door that can open in response to a pressure or pressure change within the front volume 106 to equalize the pressure within and / or between the front volume 106 and the outer volume 110. Representatively, the movable member 126 may include a first valve door 302A and a second valve door 302B pivoted at pivot points 304A and 304B, respectively.304B are movably coupled to the wall 308. In some aspects, each of the first and second valve doors 302A, 302B may be operable to open independently of one another in a single direction and in response to different pressures and / or pressure changes. For example, in one aspect, the first valve door 302A may be operable to open in response to a first pressure or pressure change (P1) that exceeds a predetermined threshold pressure (P TH1 ) only in the direction shown by the arrow (e.g., into the outer volume 110). For example, the first pressure or the first pressure change (P1) may be an overpressure (e.g., a pressure greater than atmospheric pressure) and / or a pressure that exceeds a predetermined threshold pressure (P TH1) (e.g., a pressure greater than atmospheric pressure and / or a sound pressure output from the speaker). Representatively, the first pressure or pressure change (P1) could be a rapid pressure increase caused by the user pressing the pinna against the ear, running, and / or jumping. The valve door 302A can be tuned to open in response to this particular pressure change, as shown by the dashed line. The valve door 302A can be further tuned to return to the closed position once the pressure between the outer volume 110 and the front volume 106 is equalized.

[0026] The valve door 302B, however, remains closed in response to the first pressure or pressure change (P1). Rather, the valve door 302B can only open in the direction shown by the corresponding arrow (e.g., into the front volume 106) in response to a second pressure change (P2). The second pressure or pressure change (P2) can be different from the first pressure or pressure change (P1). For example, the second pressure or pressure change (P2) can be a negative pressure (e.g., a pressure less than atmospheric pressure) and / or a pressure within the front volume 106 that is less than a predetermined threshold pressure (P TH2) (e.g., a pressure less than atmospheric pressure and / or a sound pressure output by the speaker). Representatively, the second pressure or pressure change (P2) could be a rapid pressure drop caused by the user removing the auricle from the head, running, and / or jumping. The valve door 302B can be tuned to open only in the direction illustrated by the arrow (e.g., into the front volume 106) in response to the second pressure or pressure change (P2). However, the valve door 302A remains closed and does not open at this second pressure or pressure change (P2). From this perspective, the valve doors 302A and 302B can be understood as being tuned to open only in response to different pressures and / or pressure changes, such that one opens while one remains closed.Opening only one door at a time helps regulate airflow between chambers 106, 110. For example, in some cases, both positive pressure in the first volume 106 and negative pressure in the outer volume 110 may occur simultaneously. The first valve door 302A opens in response to the positive pressure in the first volume 106. However, the second valve door 302B is only allowed to open into the front volume 106. Since the second valve door 302B cannot open toward the outer volume 110, the negative pressure in the outer volume 110 does not cause it to open. From this perspective, air can move from the front volume 106 to the outer volume 110 due to the opening of the first valve door 302A, but is prevented from moving from the outer volume 110 to the front volume 106 by the closed second valve door 302B. This, in turn, equalizes the pressure in the front volume 106.

[0027] The valve doors 302A-B may be coupled to the housing wall 308 at pivot points 304A-B. The pivot points 304A-B may be hinges that allow the valve doors 302A-B to open only in the previously discussed directions in response to the desired pressure (e.g., P1 or P2). In some aspects, the hinges may be formed from a same material as the valve doors 302A-B, while in other aspects, they may be made from a different material. For example, in some aspects, the valve may be a silicone valve, and the doors 302A-B may be formed by cutting a slot(s) into the silicone membrane. In this aspect, the hinges would also be formed from the same silicone material as the doors 302A-B.In other aspects, the valve may be constructed from other materials, and the doors 302A-B may be coupled to the wall at the pivot points 304A-B by a different type of hinge, and in some cases may also include a biasing mechanism. For example, the pivot points 304A-B may include a spring or other biasing mechanism to bias the valve flaps 302A-B toward a closed position. In this aspect, the valve doors 302A-B may remain closed until a desired pressure and / or pressure change occurs, causing them to open, and they may return to the closed position when the pressure is equalized.

[0028] Fig. 4 is an enlarged view of another aspect of the valve assembly 124. In particular, the valve assembly 124 is Fig. 4 is substantially similar to the previously discussed valve assembly, except that it also includes a vent 306 within the valve to further assist in pressure equalization. For example, in some aspects, the vent 306 may allow for a constant flow of air between the front volume 106 and the outer volume 110. In this aspect, the vent 306 may be used to relieve small pressures and / or pressure changes within the front volume 106, while the valve assembly 124 could be set to open only in response to larger and / or more sudden pressures and / or pressure changes within the front volume 106 to relieve larger pressure changes. The vent 306 could be a b-vent and could be used in addition to and / or instead of the vents previously discussed with reference to Fig. b-venting of the housing as described in section 2.

[0029] Fig. 5 is an enlarged view of another aspect of the valve assembly 124. In particular, the valve assembly 124 is Fig. 5 is substantially similar to the valve assembly previously discussed, except that it is a single valve door 302 that includes a vent 306 through the door. For example, the valve assembly 124 could include a single check valve or multiple check valves that include a valve door that opens in a single direction in response to a particular pressure and / or pressure change to equalize the pressure. In some aspects, although not shown, the valve assembly 124 could include two different valve doors 302 covering different openings 128 within the housing wall 308 to relieve different pressure events (e.g., negative pressure and positive pressure changes), as previously discussed. The vent 306 could be a b-vent and could be used in addition to and / or instead of the vents previously discussed with reference to Fig. b-venting of the housing as described in section 2.

[0030] Additionally, as previously discussed, one or more of the previously discussed valve assemblies 124 may be tuned to open in response to a particular pressure and / or pressure change. For example, in some aspects, the weight of the valve door (e.g., valve doors 302A-B), the size of the valve opening (e.g., opening 128), and / or the size of the associated inactive volume (e.g., outer volume 110) may be specifically selected such that the valve assembly 124 opens and / or closes in response to a desired pressure. For example, as in Fig. 6, the size (S1) of the valve opening 128 or the size (S2) of the door 302 may be specifically selected so that the valve opens in response to the desired pressure and at the desired speed. Representatively, as previously discussed, a size of the valve door could be changed to change a weight of the valve door to increase and / or decrease the speed at which it opens and / or the pressure required to open it. Additionally, a size of the opening 128 and / or the associated volume 110 is such that the air exchange area is larger or smaller to increase and / or decrease the speed at which the door opens and / or closes. Representatively, a lightweight door covering a large valve opening and / or volume would enable faster opening of the door 302.On the other hand, a heavy door covering a small valve opening and / or volume would allow for a slower opening of the valve door 302. As previously discussed, the pressure (or pressure change) within the front volume chamber that causes the valve to open may be caused by sound pressure waves from the driver (e.g., speaker), a user pressing the pinna against the ear, running, jumping, etc., or a combination of any of these events. Depending on the circumstances, a slower or faster valve opening might be desirable. For example, a faster-opening valve may be desired to relieve a large pressure change that might occur when the pinna is pressed against the user's ear, and a slower-opening valve may be desired if the pressure change is a smaller pressure change caused by running or jumping.

[0031] Fig. Figure 7 illustrates a simplified schematic view of one aspect of an electronic device in which a valve arrangement as described herein may be implemented. The headset 100 of Fig. 1-2 is an example of a system that may include some or all of the circuitry of electronic device 700.

[0032] The electronic device 700 may include, for example, a power supply 702, storage 704, a signal processor 706, a memory 708, a processor 710, communication circuitry 712, and input / output circuitry 714. In some aspects, the electronic device 700 may include more than one of each component of the circuitry, however, for simplicity, only one of each is shown in Fig. 7. Furthermore, one skilled in the art would recognize that the functionality of certain components may be combined or omitted, and that additional or fewer components may be used in Fig. 1 to 6 are not shown, for example, may be included in the headphone 100.

[0033] The power supply 702 may power the components of the electronic device 700. In some aspects, the power supply 702 may be coupled to a power grid, such as an electrical outlet. In some aspects, the power supply 702 may include one or more batteries for powering a headset or other type of electronic device associated with the headset. As another example, the power supply 702 may be configured to generate power from a natural source (e.g., solar power using solar cells).

[0034] Storage 704 may include, for example, a hard disk, flash memory, cache, ROM, and / or RAM. Furthermore, storage 704 may be local to and / or remote from electronic device 700. For example, storage 704 may include an onboard storage medium, a removable storage medium, storage space on a remote server, a wireless storage medium, or any combination thereof. Furthermore, data such as system data, user profile data, and any other relevant data may be stored in storage 704.

[0035] The signal processor 706 may, for example, be a digital signal processor used for real-time processing of digital signals that are converted from analog signals, for example, by input / output logic 714. After the digital signals have been processed, the digital signals could then be converted back to analog signals.

[0036] Memory 708 may include any form of temporary storage, such as RAM, buffers, and / or caches. Memory 708 may also be used to store data used to operate electronic device applications (e.g., operating system instructions).

[0037] In addition to the signal processor 706, the electronic device 700 may additionally include the general processor 710. The processor 710 may be capable of interpreting system instructions and processing data. For example, the processor 710 may be capable of executing instructions or programs, such as system applications, firmware applications, and / or any other application. Furthermore, the processor 710 has the capability of executing instructions to communicate with any or all components of the electronic device 700.

[0038] The communication circuitry 712 may be any suitable communication circuitry operable to initiate a communication request, establish a connection to a communication network, and / or transmit communication data to one or more servers or devices within the communication network. For example, the communication circuitry 712 may support one or more of Wi-Fi (e.g., an 802.11 protocol), Bluetooth®, radio frequency systems, infrared, GSM, GSM plus EDGE, CDMA, or any other communication protocol, and / or any combination thereof.

[0039] Input / output circuitry 714 may convert (and optionally encode / decode) analog signals and other signals (e.g., inputs from physical contact, physical movements, analog audio signals, etc.) into digital data. Input / output circuitry 714 may also convert digital data into any other type of signal. The digital data may be provided to and received from processor 710, storage 704, memory 708, signal processor 706, or any other component of electronic device 700. Input / output circuitry 714 may be used to interface with any suitable input or output devices. Further, electronic device 700 may include specialized input circuitry associated with input devices, such as one or more proximity sensors, accelerometers, etc.The electronic device 700 may also include specialized output circuitry associated with output devices such as one or more speakers, earphones, etc.

[0040] Finally, the bus 716 may provide a data transmission path for transferring data to, from, or between the processor 710, the storage 704, the memory 708, the communication circuitry 712, and any other component included in the electronic device 700. Although the bus 716 in Fig. 7 as a single component, one skilled in the art would recognize that electronic device 700 may include one or more components.

[0041] Although certain aspects have been described and shown in the accompanying drawings, it should be understood that such aspects are merely illustrative and not restrictive of the broad disclosure, and that the disclosure is not limited to the specific constructions and arrangements shown and described because various other modifications may occur to those skilled in the art. The description, therefore, is to be considered illustrative and not restrictive. In addition, to assist the Patent Office and any reader of patents issued based on this application in interpreting the appended claims, applicants wish to state that they do not intend to invoke the application of 35 USC 112(f) with any of the appended claims or claim elements unless the terms "means for" or "step for" are expressly used in the particular claim.

Claims

[1] Headphones (100), comprising: two earphone ear cups, each comprising: an earpiece housing (102) having a front volume (106) coupled to a sound output side of a driver, a rear volume (116) coupled to the rear side of the driver and acoustically isolated from the front volume, and an outer volume (110) isolated from the rear volume of the driver and closed to the environment; and a valve assembly (124) between the front volume and the outer volume, the valve assembly being configured to move in a first direction in response to a first pressure within the front volume and in a second direction different from the first direction in response to a second pressure within the front volume, and wherein movement of the valve assembly in the first direction and the second direction opens the outer volume to equalize a pressure between the front volume and the outer volume, the valve assembly further comprising two valve doors (302A / B) opening in opposite directions and having door ends adjacent to one another, and a vent (306) located between the two valve doors (302A / B). [2] The headset (100) of claim 1, wherein the front volume is dimensioned to surround an ear of use. [3] The headset (100) of claim 1, wherein the valve assembly (124) comprises a first valve door configured to open only in a first direction in response to an overpressure change that exceeds a threshold pressure. [4] The headset (100) of claim 3, wherein the valve assembly comprises a second valve door configured to open only in a second direction opposite to the first direction in response to a negative pressure change being less than a threshold pressure. [5] The headset (100) of claim 1, wherein the valve assembly comprises a valve door coupled to the headset housing (102) by a biasing mechanism that biases the valve door toward a closed position. [6] The headset (100) of claim 1, wherein the valve assembly (124) comprises a check valve. [7] The headset (100) of claim 1, wherein the vent (306) couples the front volume (106) to the external volume or an environment. [8] Headphones (100) according to claim 1, wherein a sound pressure wave emitted from the sound exit side of the loudspeaker causes an overpressure change in the front volume and opens the valve assembly (124). [9] The earphone (100) of claim 1, wherein the pressure change is a positive pressure change or a negative pressure change caused by a user pressing at least one of the pair of earphone earcups against his or her ear. [10] The headphones (100) of claim 1, wherein the headphone earcups are closed-back headphone earcups. [11] Closed-back earpiece comprising: an earpiece housing (102) defining a front volume (106) acoustically coupled to a sound output side of a driver, a rear volume (116) coupled to a rear side of the driver and acoustically isolated from the front volume (106), and an outer volume (110) acoustically isolated from the rear volume (116) of the driver and closed to an environment; and a valve assembly (124) between the front volume (106) and the outer volume (110), the valve assembly (124) being configured to move in a first direction in response to a first pressure within the front volume (106) and in a second direction different from the first direction in response to a second pressure within the front volume (106), and wherein movement of the valve assembly (124) in the first direction and the second direction opens the front volume to the outer volume (110) to equalize pressure between the front volume (106) and the outer volume (110), the valve assembly (124) further comprising two valve doors (302A / B) opening in opposite directions and having door ends adjacent to one another, and a vent (306) located between the two valve doors (302A / B). [12] The earphone earpiece of claim 11, wherein the first valve door is configured to open in the first direction and the second valve door is configured to open in the second direction. [13] The earphone earpiece of claim 12, wherein the first valve door remains closed when the second valve door opens in the second direction, and the second valve door remains closed when the first valve door opens in the first direction. [14] The earphone earpiece of claim 12, wherein a size of the first valve door or a size of the second valve door is adjusted to modify a speed at which the first valve door or the second valve door opens in response to the first pressure or the second pressure. [15] The earphone earpiece of claim 11, wherein the first pressure comprises an overpressure within the front volume (106) that is greater than a threshold pressure. [16] The earphone earpiece of claim 11, wherein the second pressure comprises a negative pressure within the front volume (106) that is less than a threshold pressure.

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