Adjustable earplug

Abstract

An adjustable earplug is provided, comprising an outer ear part and a plug which is to be fitted in an ear canal of the ear, wherein the outer ear part comprises at least one acoustic inlet, wherein the plug comprises a passage and an acoustic outlet, wherein an acoustic mesh is provided in the passage, and wherein the outer ear part is adjustable between at least two adjustment positions, wherein the at least two adjustment positions are selected from at least three adjustment positions, wherein: - in a first adjustment position, the at least one acoustic inlet is in acoustic communication with the passage via a first acoustic canal; - in a second adjustment position, the at least one acoustic inlet or a second acoustic inlet is in acoustic communication with the passage via a second acoustic canal and a membrane; - in a third adjustment position, the passage is at least substantially closed off.

Description

[0001] ADJUSTABLE EARPLUG

[0002] Technical field

[0003] The invention relates to an adjustable earplug.

[0004] Prior art

[0005] Adjustable earplugs are known per se. With the known adjustable earplugs, it is possible to adjust the earplug between different acoustic adjustment positions, so that a desired acoustic attenuation can be achieved.

[0006] For example document EP 3 132777 Al shows an adjustable earplug with volume control means in the form of first through-holes in a supporting frame and second through-holes in a rotating element, which may or may not overlap in order to control the volume.

[0007] For example document FR 2997010 Al shows an adjustable earplug with individual paths 20 which each have a predetermined level of sound filtering due to the fact that they each have a different cross-sectional dimension which differs from the other individual paths 20, wherein in each case one individual path 20 can be selected by a user.

[0008] For example document W02011 / 075840 Al shows an adjustable earplug with different canals which each contain a filter medium which differs from the other ones and a rotatable knob for selecting a canal.

[0009] For example document EP 3697358 Bl shows an adjustable earplug with a sliding knob for covering or uncovering two acoustic canals, with acoustic filters being arranged in the acoustic canals.

[0010] Summary of the invention

[0011] It is an object of the invention to provide an improved adjustable earplug. For example, it may be an object of the invention to achieve at least one improved acoustic adjustment position. It may, for example, be an alternative or additional object of the invention to be able to adjust an adjustable earplug to different adjustment positions in an improved way. According to a first aspect of the invention, the adjustable earplug comprises an outer ear part and a plug which is to be fitted in an ear canal of the ear, wherein the outer ear part comprises at least one acoustic inlet, wherein the plug comprises a passage and an acoustic outlet, wherein an acoustic mesh is provided in the passage, and wherein the outer ear part is adjustable between at least two adjustment positions, wherein the at least two adjustment positions have been selected from at least three adjustment positions, wherein:

[0012] - in a first adjustment position, the at least one acoustic inlet is in acoustic communication with the passage via a first acoustic canal;

[0013] - in a second adjustment position, the at least one acoustic inlet or a second acoustic inlet is in acoustic communication with the passage via a second acoustic canal and a membrane;

[0014] - in a third adjustment position, the passage is at least substantially closed off.

[0015] The adjustable earplug according to the first aspect of the invention is adjustable to at least two adjustment positions. Due to the fact that the acoustic mesh is provided in the passage, the sound will be attenuated by the acoustic mesh in each of the at least two adjustment positions. Another advantage of the acoustic mesh which is arranged in the passage is that the acoustic mesh protects the acoustic canals and may, for example, prevent earwax from entering an acoustic canal. The acoustic mesh provides attenuation across a large and preferably the entire frequency range, as a result of which both high-pitched and low-pitched sounds are attenuated by the acoustic mesh, which offers an advantage in both the first and the second adjustment position. This entire frequency range is for example between 65Hz and 16 kHz. In the third adjustment position, the passage is at least substantially closed off and preferably closed off completely, as a result of which the acoustic mesh possibly does not offer any advantage in the third adjustment position, but is no drawback either.

[0016] As has been described above, the adjustable earplug is adjustable to at least two of the three abovementioned adjustment positions, but in a preferred embodiment the adjustable earplug can be adjusted to each of the three mentioned, and possibly still other adjustment positions which have not been described.

[0017] The first adjustment position is in particular an adjustment position for holding conversations. In this first adjustment position, the first acoustic canal attenuates in particular high-pitched sounds, i.e. in particular sounds of a frequency higher than 1 kHz. Due to the first acoustic canal attenuating high- pitched sounds and the attenuation from the acoustic mesh in the passage, a user is better able to hear a conversation. The second adjustment position is, in particular, an adjustment position for concerts and the like, also referred to as hi-fi setting, in which a virtually flat attenuation is desired. The expression a flat attenuation is intended to mean a preferably virtually constant attenuation across the entire frequency range. In this second adjustment position, the second acoustic canal attenuates in particular high-pitched sounds, i.e. in particular sounds with a frequency higher than 6 kHz. The membrane attenuates in particular low-pitched sounds, i.e. in particular sounds with a frequency lower than 2kHz. In this embodiment, the second acoustic canal and the membrane are arranged in series. As described, the acoustic mesh has an acoustic attenuation across the entire frequency range. This makes it possible to achieve a virtually flat attenuation across the entire frequency range, as a result of which all the musical sounds are received, but in an attenuated way. This makes the musical experience virtually identical to an experience without an earplug, but the hearing is nevertheless protected.

[0018] As described, the third adjustment position is a closed position, as a result of which the third adjustment position hardly allows any sound to be received, if at all.

[0019] As described, the plug of the adjustable earplug according to the invention may be fitted in an ear canal of the ear and may thus be regarded as an inner ear part. The outer ear part is defined as a part of the adjustable earplug which is not and, in particular, cannot be arranged in the ear canal of the ear. This outer ear part may optionally be surrounded by a part of the ear, such as for example by an ear cup of the ear.

[0020] According to some embodiments, the passage is closed off in the third adjustment position by providing a closure element between the at least one acoustic inlet and the passage or by not aligning the at least one acoustic inlet and the passage. Providing a closure element offers the advantage that the outer ear part does not have to be made sound-proof except for the acoustic inlet, due to the fact that the closure element blocks the passage and thus attenuates sound preferably virtually completely. Alternatively, the outer ear part may be made sound-proof except for the acoustic inlet, so that no closure element has to be provided.

[0021] According to some embodiments, the acoustic mesh is made of polyester. More particularly, the mesh may be made of monofilament polyester yarns. The Applicant has found that such an acoustic mesh may provide a desired attenuation. According to some embodiments, the acoustic mesh has an acoustic resistance which is between 0.3 e8 Pa*s / mA3 and 2.40 e8 Pa*s / mA3, preferably between 1.0e8 Pa*s / mA3 and 1.40e8 Pa*s / mA3, more preferably around 1.20e8 Pa*s / mA3. The Applicant has found that in particular an acoustic resistance which is in this range provides a desired acoustic resistance, in particular in conjunction with the aforementioned acoustic canals and / or membrane. It should be noted that the acoustic resistance of the acoustic mesh may depend on the material used for the acoustic mesh and / or the dimensions of the acoustic mesh and / or the dimensions of the edge by which the acoustic mesh is attached and that the aforementioned values indicate a range of preferred values or a preferred value for the acoustic resistance of the acoustic mesh as used in the earplug according to at least some embodiments of the invention.

[0022] According to some embodiments, the acoustic mesh has a pore size which is between 10 and 15 pm, preferably between 11 and 13 pm, preferably around 12 pm. The Applicant has found that in particular a pore size which is within this range provides a desired acoustic resistance, in particular in conjunction with the mentioned acoustic canals and / or membrane.

[0023] According to some embodiments, the membrane is made of polyurethane (PU) or expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE). The Applicant has found that a membrane of one of the two aforementioned materials works satisfactorily.

[0024] According to some embodiments, the membrane has an active diameter which is between 2 and 6 mm, preferably between 2 and 3 mm, preferably approximately 2.4 mm. The Applicant has found that such an active diameter works satisfactorily. Here, an active diameter may be intended to mean in particular a diameter of the membrane which is free to vibrate, for example a part of the membrane which is situated inside a glued edge, with the part of the membrane which has been glued on being excluded from the active diameter. The entire diameter of the membrane may be, for example, approximately 1.6 mm larger, so that a sufficient amount of space remains on the peripheral edge of the membrane for the aforementioned glued edge.

[0025] According to some embodiments, the membrane has a thickness which is between 0.005 mm and 0,2 mm, preferably approximately 10 pm. The Applicant has found that such a thickness works satisfactorily. It should be noted that the Applicant has found that in particular the chosen material and thickness together determine if a membrane is suitable for the present earplug and that an abovementioned combination of chosen material and thickness in particular can work satisfactorily.

[0026] According to some embodiments, the membrane has an acoustic compliance which is between 2e-13 mA3 / Pa and 20e-13 mA3 / Pa, preferably between 6e-13 mA3 / Pa and 8e-13 mA3 / Pa, more preferably around 7e-13 mA3 / Pa. The Applicant has found that such an acoustic compliance provides a suitable membrane for the present earplug. It should be noted that the acoustic compliance of the membrane may depend on the material used for the membrane and / or the dimensions of the membrane and / or the dimensions of the edge by which the membrane is attached, and that the aforementioned values provide a range of preferred values or a preferred value for the acoustic compliance of the membrane as used in the earplug according to at least some embodiments of the invention.

[0027] According to some embodiments, the membrane is only glued onto the outer ear part on one of its sides. This prevents, in case two glued edges are used, i.e. on both sides of the membrane, the glued edges from not being aligned with respect to each other, which would result in too small a surface area remaining inside the glued edges which is free to vibrate, i.e. the active surface with the abovedescribed active diameter. The use of only one glued edge is achieved, according to the invention, by arranging the second acoustic canal on a downstream side of the membrane, so that the sound, viewed from an outer side of the earplug, first reaches the membrane and then moves further inwards via the second acoustic canal. Due to the fact that the second acoustic canal is a constriction and, in particular, has a smaller cross-sectional dimension and / or a diameter than the membrane, the membrane can close off in an airtight manner on the material of the outer ear part which surrounds the second acoustic canal on the side of the second acoustic canal.

[0028] According to some embodiments, a reinforcing ring is provided, for example made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), to which the membrane is glued, for example by means of a glued edge which extends across the peripheral edge of the membrane. The reinforcing ring is preferably arranged on a side of the membrane remote from the second acoustic canal.

[0029] According to some embodiments, the second acoustic canal has a smaller cross-sectional dimension than the first acoustic canal. As a result thereof, the second acoustic canal provides greater attenuation than the first acoustic canal, which is desired in the aforementioned hi-fi setting. The cross-sectional shape of the first acoustic canal and / or second acoustic canal may be chosen as desired, for example in conjunction with a shape of the outer ear part of the earplug.

[0030] According to some embodiments, the outer ear part comprises a first part and a second part, wherein the first part is connected to the plug and wherein the second part is displaceable with respect to the first part for adjusting the outer ear part.

[0031] In practical terms, the second part may be displaceable with respect to the first part by means of rotation.

[0032] According to some embodiments, the second part comprises the at least one acoustic inlet and, more particularly, a first acoustic inlet and a second acoustic inlet. By displacing the second part, it is possible in this case to bring at least one acoustic inlet or one of the first acoustic inlet and the second acoustic inlet in communication with the passage in the plug for adjusting the earplug to the first or second adjustment position, respectively.

[0033] According to some embodiments, the second part comprises the first acoustic canal and the second acoustic canal and membrane. By displacing the second part, the first acoustic canal or the second acoustic canal and membrane can here be brought into communication with the passage in the plug for adjusting the earplug to the first or second adjustment position, respectively.

[0034] According to some embodiments, the second part comprises the first acoustic inlet, the second acoustic inlet, the first acoustic canal and the second acoustic canal and membrane, wherein the first acoustic inlet is in acoustic communication with the first acoustic canal, and wherein the second acoustic inlet is in acoustic communication with the second acoustic canal and the membrane. In such an embodiment, in the first adjustment position, the sound enters the ear via, successively, the first acoustic inlet, the first acoustic canal and the passage with the acoustic mesh arranged therein and, in the second adjustment position, successively via the second acoustic inlet, the membrane, the second acoustic canal and the passage with the acoustic mesh arranged therein. In such an embodiment, both the first and second acoustic inlets and the first and second acoustic canals and the membrane are displaceable with respect to the first part of the housing in order to be able to adjust the earplug, wherein, by displacement of the second part of the housing with respect to the first part of the housing, in the first adjustment position, the first acoustic inlet and the first acoustic canal are aligned with the passage and, in the second adjustment position, the second acoustic inlet, the second acoustic canal and the membrane are aligned with the passage. According to some embodiments, the second part comprises an aforementioned closure element. By displacing the second part, the closure element can in this case be aligned with the passage in the plug in order to close off the latter and to adjust the earplug to the third adjustment position. According to some embodiments, the second part comprises a housing part with the first acoustic inlet and a second acoustic inlet, wherein the second part furthermore comprises an annular element with the first acoustic canal at a first angle location and the second acoustic canal and membrane at a second angle location, wherein the first acoustic inlet is in acoustic communication with the first acoustic canal, and wherein the second acoustic inlet is in acoustic communication with the second acoustic canal and the membrane. In such an embodiment, in the first adjustment position, the sound enters the ear via, successively, the first acoustic inlet, the first acoustic canal and the passage with the acoustic mesh arranged therein and, in the second adjustment position, successively via the second acoustic inlet, the membrane, the second acoustic canal and the passage with the acoustic mesh arranged therein. In such an embodiment, both the first and second acoustic inlets as well as the first and second acoustic canals and the membrane are displaceable with respect to the first part of the housing in order to adjust the earplug, wherein, by displacement of the second part of the housing with respect to the first part of the housing, in the first adjustment position, the first acoustic inlet and the first acoustic canal at the first angle location are aligned with the passage and, in the second adjustment position, the second acoustic inlet, the second acoustic canal and the membrane at the second angle location are aligned with the passage.

[0035] It should be noted that, in this embodiment, an aforementioned closure element may be provided which, if provided, is preferably arranged at a third angle location of the annular element, so that when the closure element is aligned with the passage in the third adjustment position and thus the third angle location, the closure element closes off the passage.

[0036] According to some embodiments, the first acoustic inlet comprises an inlet opening and the second acoustic inlet is formed by intermediate spaces in the housing part. This has the advantage that the sound is attenuated to a greater degree in the second adjustment position, due to the fact that it enters via intermediate spaces or gaps in the housing part, in particular in the second part of the housing, which intermediate spaces or gaps form a smaller inlet than the inlet opening, which offers an advantage with regard to the so-called hi-fi setting. In this case, the expression smaller inlet is understood to mean that the intermediate spaces or gaps form an inlet having a smaller cross- sectional dimension than the inlet opening, so that a greater degree of attenuation is brought about. Due to the fact that the sound can enter via gaps, it is preferred in this embodiment if the aforementioned closure element is provided. According to some embodiments, a sealing is provided between the first part and the second part of the outer ear part. In other words, a sealing is provided between the mutually displaceable parts of the outer ear part. An advantage of such a sealing is that sound can enter the passage only, or at least substantially, via a desired route, such as for example via the at least one acoustic inlet and one of the acoustic canals, or more particularly via the first acoustic inlet and the first acoustic canal in the first adjustment position, and via the second acoustic inlet, the second acoustic canal and the membrane in the second adjustment position, and not, or hardly at all, via other routes.

[0037] According to some embodiments, the passage of the plug comprises a passage inlet opening, and wherein the sealing is arranged around the passage inlet opening, and wherein the sealing is compressed between the first part and the annular element of the outer ear part. An advantage of such a sealing is that sound can enter the passage only, or at least substantially, via a desired route, such as for example via the first acoustic inlet and the first acoustic canal in the first adjustment position, and via the second acoustic inlet, the second acoustic canal and the membrane in the second adjustment position, and not, or hardly at all, via other routes.

[0038] The sealing may be, for example an O-ring. The O-ring may be made, for example, of a fluorine rubber material (FKM).

[0039] According to some embodiments, the earplug comprises at least one spring for pushing the first part and the annular element towards each other. As a result thereof, sufficient force is exerted on the sealing to provide a good sealing. In practical terms, several springs are provided which are distributed over the annular element at different angular positions.

[0040] The at least one spring may be configured, in particular, to push the first part and the annular element towards each other in the axial direction. In this case, axial means substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the passage and / or, in use, directed towards the ear canal of the ear.

[0041] According to some embodiments, the earplug comprises visual and / or tactile and / or auditory indication means for indicating each of the adjustment positions. This has the advantage that the adjustment positions are perceivable to the user in a desired manner. The visual indication means may comprise, for example, markings, which markings may or may not be sensible. The tactile and / or auditory indication means may be, for example, click positions, which click positions may be sensible and / or audible. According to some embodiments, the earplug comprises engagement means for engaging the outer ear part in order to adjust the adjustable earplug to one of the adjustment positions. The engagement means may comprise, for example, a projection. The engagement means may form part of, for example, the aforementioned second part of the housing.

[0042] According to some embodiments, the second part comprises click-action means in order to click-fit the second part with respect to the first part in at least one of the adjustment positions. This has the advantage that adjustment to the at least one adjustment position can readily be performed and / or that this may form a tactile and / or auditory indication of this adjustment position. Preferably, the click-action means are configured in such a way that the second part can be click-fitted in each of the adjustment positions, but it is also possible for the other adjustment position or adjustment positions to be end positions, as a result of which click-fitting can be omitted for these positions.

[0043] According to some embodiments, the outer ear part may comprise a third part which extends at least partly over the at least one inlet, preferably at a distance from the at least one inlet. In this way, the third part can at least partly protect the at least one inlet from the environment and thus protect the interior of the earplug to an at least sufficient degree from external influences, such as for example moisture and / or dirt, while the sound can reach the at least one inlet. The third part may be a part which is, for example, fixedly connected to the first part.

[0044] According to some embodiments, the click-action means comprise at least one projection or at least one recess, which at least one projection or recess is provided on the annular element or on a second annular element of the second part, and wherein the click-action means cooperate with the first part or with a third part which is fixedly connected to the first part, wherein the first part or third part comprise at least one recess or at least one projection for engaging with the at least one projection or recess of the click-action means. Providing at least one projection and recess which interact with each other makes simple click-fitting of the projection in the recess and thus click-fitting in the at least one adjustment position possible. It is advantageous if several projections and recesses are provided, so that click-fitting can be performed uniformly and / or click-fitting in several adjustment positions is possible. As has been described, the at least one projection or recess may be provided on the annular element or on a second annular element of the second part, in which case such an optionally provided second annular element may be referred to as a click-fit ring. As has been described, the other of the projection or recess forms part of the first part or third part of the housing. An optionally provided third part may in this case be fixedly connected to the first part, for example by communication means, and is designed, in an advantageous embodiment, as a substantially frustoconical part which is arranged in the second part, the second part being of a substantially annular design.

[0045] According to some embodiments, the at least one recess is formed by a, viewed in an axial direction and with respect to the at least one projection, depression on an annular guide path for guiding the at least one projection. In such an embodiment, the at least one projection moves in a substantially rotational direction across the annular guide path when adjusting the earplug, in which case the at least one recess moves in a substantially axial direction in the recess for click-fitting in the at least one adjustment position. The recess is in this case recessed with respect to the projection and, depending on how and where the at least one projection and at least one recess are arranged, the recess may be recessed in a direction towards the plug or away from the plug.

[0046] According to some embodiments, the at least one recess has a substantially triangular cross-sectional shape, so that the at least one projection gradually moves up to a top of the at least one recess during adjustment of the adjustable earplug in order to be click-fitted in the at least one adjustment position. Due to the gradual displacement of the at least one projection in the triangular recess, clickfitting takes place gradually, so that, in this case, the amount of noise produced does not irritate the user. Alternatively or additionally, this facilitates the adjustment of the earplug from the click-fitted adjustment position to another adjustment position.

[0047] According to some embodiments, the at least one spring or another spring is configured for clickfitting the click-action means in the at least one adjustment position. The at least one spring or another spring in this case facilitates the click-fitting in the at least one adjustment position. If another spring or other springs are provided, these are in particular different springs to the abovedescribed spring or springs which serve to push the annular element and first part towards each other, but in practical terms, the above-described spring or springs may also serve for click-fitting.

[0048] According to some embodiments, the earplug furthermore comprises limiting means for limiting a displacement of the second part with respect to the first part. The limiting means in this case determine end positions of the second part with respect to the first part and may optionally correspond to adjustment positions.

[0049] The independent and dependent claims describe specific and preferred characteristic features of the embodiments of the invention. Characteristic features of the dependent claims may be combined with characteristic features of the independent and dependent claims, or with characteristic features described above and / or below, and this in any suitable manner as would be clear to someone skilled in the art.

[0050] The abovementioned and other characteristic features, properties and advantages of the present invention will be explained by means of the following exemplary embodiments, optionally in combination with the drawings.

[0051] The description of these exemplary embodiments is given by way of illustration and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. The reference numerals in the following description now refer to the drawings.

[0052] Brief description of the figures

[0053] With a view to providing a better illustration of the characteristic features of the invention, the following text describes a number of preferred embodiments by way of example, without any limiting nature, with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

[0054] • Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view of an earplug of an embodiment;

[0055] • Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic exploded view of the earplug from Fig. 1, viewed from a top side;

[0056] • Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic exploded view of the earplug from Fig. 1, viewed from a bottom side;

[0057] • Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic cross section of the earplug from Fig. 1 in the first adjustment position;

[0058] • Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic cross section of the earplug from Fig. 1 in the second adjustment position;

[0059] • Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic cross section of the earplug from Fig. 1 in the third adjustment position;

[0060] • Fig. 7 is a diagrammatic perspective view of an earplug of a second embodiment.

[0061] Identical reference numerals refer to similar or identical characteristic features or objects in the various figures.

[0062] Description of exemplary embodiments

[0063] The present invention will be described below by means of specific embodiments. It should be noted that the term "comprising", as used for example in the claims, should not be interpreted in a limiting sense, limiting to the elements, characteristic features and / or steps mentioned thereafter. The term "comprising" does not exclude the presence of other elements, characteristic features or steps.

[0064] Therefore, the scope the expression "an object comprising the elements A and B" is not limited to an object which only contains the elements A and B. In the light of the present invention, these expressions only mean that the relevant elements for the invention are the elements A and B.

[0065] In the following specification, reference is made to "an embodiment" or "the embodiment". Such references mean that a specific element or characteristic feature, described by means of this embodiment, is included in at least this one embodiment.

[0066] The use of the terms "in an embodiment" or "in the embodiment" in various instances in this description does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, although it may refer to the same embodiment.

[0067] Furthermore, the properties or the characteristic features may be combined in any suitable way in one or several embodiments, as would be clear to someone skilled in the art.

[0068] Wherever "a", "an" or "one" are used in the above or following specification, this does not exclude that several such elements may be provided.

[0069] Where reference is made in the figures to a top side or bottom side or another view, that is the view in the figures and this may be different when using the earplug. Such indications are therefore not to be seen as limiting. When using the earplug, it may for example be the case that in practice the top side mentioned with reference to Fig. 2 corresponds with an outer side, viewed from the ear of the user.

[0070] Figures 1 - 3 show an adjustable earplug 1 according to an embodiment of the invention. The earplug 1 comprises an outer ear part 2 and a plug 3 which is to be fitted in an ear canal of the ear. In this embodiment, the outer ear part 2 comprises a first acoustic inlet 4 which is formed by an inlet opening 4 and a second acoustic inlet 5 which is formed by intermediate spaces between different parts of the outer ear part 2, as will be described in more detail with reference to Fig. 5. The plug 3 comprises a passage 6, a passage inlet 7 which adjoins the passage 6 and a passage outlet 8 which, in use, faces the inside of the ear.

[0071] As is partly clear from Figs. 4 - 6, an acoustic mesh 9 is arranged in the passage 6. In this embodiment, the acoustic mesh is made of polyester, has an acoustic resistance of approximately 1.20e8 Pa*s / mA3 and a pore size of approximately 12 pm. The Applicant has found that such an acoustic mesh in particular offers advantages with regard to the desired acoustic attenuation, but, if desired, another suitable mesh may be provided.

[0072] In this embodiment, the outer ear part 2 is adjustable between three adjustment positions, which will be explained in more detail with reference to Figs. 4 - 6.

[0073] Figs. 2 and 3 show that the earplug 1 in this embodiment comprises in particular the components which will be described below with reference to the sequence shown in the exploded views from Fig. 2 and 3 from the top down.

[0074] Figs. 2 and 3 show a third part 20 of the outer ear part 2 of the earplug 1. This third part has a substantially frustoconical shape, with the narrowing of the frustoconical shape being directed towards the plug 3. The third part 20 comprises communication means 21 in order to provide a non- rotatable connection with a first part 10 of the outer ear part 2 in a fitted position of the earplug 1. To this end, the communication means 21 cooperate with component 11 of the first part 10 and, in particular, engage therewith. On its side facing the plug 3 of a peripheral edge thereof, the third part 20 has a guide path 22 with recesses 23 which are arranged so as to be evenly distributed along the circumference. The recesses 23 have a substantially triangular cross-sectional shape. The guide path 22 guides a rotating displacement of projections 35 of a click-fit ring 33, as will be explained in more detail below.

[0075] In this embodiment, the second part 2 comprises several components. In particular, the second part 2 in this embodiment comprises a housing part 30 with an engagement projection 31 and aforementioned acoustic inlet opening 4 and second acoustic inlet 5, which second acoustic inlet 5 is formed by gaps in the housing part 30 and / or between the housing part 30 and third part 20. The housing part 30 is substantially annular, so that the third part 20 can be arranged therein. On its side facing the plug 3, the housing part 30 comprises in this case three recesses 32, in which projections 39 of an annular element 37 may be fitted in order to join the housing part 30 and annular element 37 together in a fitted position of the earplug 1. The second part 2 furthermore comprises a click-fit ring 33 with, in this case, three projections 35. The projections 35 extend substantially axially in the direction of the third part 20 from the click-fit ring 33. In the fitted position of the earplug 1, the click-fit ring 33 is connected to the annular element 37 in a non-rotatable manner. In the fitted position, second projections 34 of the click-fit ring 33 extend in the direction of recesses 38 of the annular element 37, which recesses 38 accommodate a first end of the compression springs 36. The projections 34 extend in the compression springs 36, i.e. the compression springs extend around the second projections 34, so that the second projections 34 guide the compression springs 36. The compression springs 36 are configured to, on the one hand, push the projections 35 towards the third part 30 and, on the other hand, push the annular element 37 towards a first part 10 of the outer ear part 2. With a rotational displacement of the housing part 30, for example due to engagement of engagement projection 31, the click-fit ring 33 and the annular element 37 rotate in the same direction. In this case, the projections 35 of the click-fit ring 33 move along the guide path 22 of the third part 20 and may, in this case, move in and out of the recesses 23. When the three projections 35 are situated in respective recesses 23, the earplug 1 is in an adjustment position. Fig. 3 shows that there are nine recesses 23 in total, so that the three projections 35 extend in the respective three recesses 23 in each of the three adjustment positions. Due to the substantially triangular shape of the recesses 23 and projections 35, click-fitting occurs gradually in an adjustment position, so that it does not cause any irritating noise. It also facilitates moving the housing part 30 in and / or out of an adjustment position.

[0076] As was briefly mentioned above, the second part 2 furthermore comprises the annular element 37. The annular element comprises the acoustic elements for the various adjustment positions. When adjusting the earplug 1, the annular element 37 rotates about the abovementioned component 11 of the first part 10.

[0077] In particular, the annular element 37 in this embodiment comprises a first acoustic canal 43 for attenuating high-pitched sounds. When the first acoustic canal 43 is aligned with passage 6 of plug 3, the earplug is in a first adjustment position, which will be explained in more detail with reference to Fig. 4. The inlet opening 4 of the housing part 30 acoustically adjoins the first acoustic canal 43. This first adjustment position is denoted by indication 14 in this example and is the one outer adjustment position of the three adjustment positions. The earplug 1 furthermore comprises a membrane 40 which may be arranged in a membranereceiving space 41 of the annular element 37. The edge of the membrane receiving space 41 defines a recess in which the membrane can vibrate and underneath that there is, in turn, a second acoustic canal 42, so that in a fitted use position of the earplug 1 sound which enters the earplug via the acoustic inlet 5 makes the membrane 40 vibrate, and wherein the sound which is created by the vibrating membrane then enters the passage 6 of the plug 3 via the second acoustic canal 42. In this case, the second acoustic canal attenuates high-pitched sounds of the noise while the membrane by contrast attenuates low-pitched sounds, so that sounds across virtually the entire frequency range are attenuated. In this example, the membrane 40 is made of polyurethane (PU) or expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE). Fig. 5 shows the active diameter d of the membrane 40 which, in this case, is approximately 2.4 mm. In this case, the membrane has a thickness of approximately 10 pm. In this case, the membrane has an acoustic compliance of approximately 7e-13 mA3 / Pa.

[0078] When the earplug 1 is in a second adjustment position, the sound is attenuated via the membrane 40 and second acoustic canal 42. This second adjustment position is denoted in this example by indication 13 and is the central adjustment position of the three adjustment positions.

[0079] In a third adjustment position, a closed part 44 of the annular element 37 is arranged in front of the passage 6 of the plug 3, so that the closed part 44 of the annular element 37 defines a closure element for closing off the passage 6. In this third adjustment position, as little as possible and preferably no sound at all passes through to the ear. In this example, this third adjustment position is denoted by indication 15 and is the other outer adjustment position of the three adjustment positions.

[0080] The position of engagement projection 31 with respect to the reference numerals 13 - 15 indicates to which adjustment position the earplug 1 is set.

[0081] The earplug 1 furthermore comprises an O-ring 45 which, in the fitted position of the earplug 1, is accommodated in an O-ring-receiving space 12 of the first part 10 of the outer ear part 2. In the fitted position, the abovementioned compression springs 36 push the annular element 37 towards the first part 10, so that the O-ring is compressed in between and closes off the passage inlet opening 7 of the passage 6 on all sides.

[0082] The annular element 37 furthermore comprises boundary edges 46 which, upon rotation, come to lie beyond the first adjustment position and third adjustment position against boundary cams 16 of the first part 10. As a result thereof, the end positions of the adjustable earplug 1 are delimited. In this embodiment, the plug 3 of the earplug 1 comprises a first plug part 60 which is integrally connected to the first part 10 of the outer ear part 2. In other words, in this embodiment, the plug 3 and the first part 10 of the outer ear part 2 form one integrally formed element, but this may also be separate components. The first plug part 60 comprises a receiving space 62 for accommodating the acoustic mesh 9, with the acoustic mesh 9 being securely glued to a peripheral edge of the receiving space 62. The plug 3 furthermore comprises a relatively soft and / or deformable second plug part 61 by means of which the earplug 1 can be fitted substantially securely in the ear canal of the ear and which at least slightly adapts to the shape of the ear canal. As can be seen in, for example, Fig. 4, an edge 63 of the second plug part 61 pushes the acoustic mesh into the receiving space 62. The second plug part 61 is detachable with respect to the first plug part 60 in order to be able to easily detach and subsequently clean the second plug part 61. The passage 6 is formed by adjoining canals through the first plug part 60 and second plug part 61. The first plug part 60 comprises the passage inlet opening 7 and the second plug part 61 comprises the passage outlet opening 8.

[0083] Fig. 4 shows the earplug 1 in its first adjustment position. This first adjustment position serves for holding conversations. As has already been described, in this first adjustment position, the sound enters the earplug 1 via inlet opening 4, then passes through the first acoustic canal 43 where the high-pitched sounds are attenuated, then continues via passage 6, is attenuated across virtually the entire range by acoustic mesh 9 and subsequently leaves the earplug 1 via passage outlet opening 8 and enters the ear of the user. The arrow 70 indicates how the sound enters the earplug 1. The cross- sectional dimension and length of the canal 43 is in this case chosen such that a desired attenuation is achieved, and thereafter the passage widens in order to prevent further attenuation. This widening downstream of the first acoustic canal 43 can be seen in Fig. 4.

[0084] Fig. 5 shows the earplug 1 in its second adjustment position. This second adjustment position serves for listening to loud music, the so-called hi-fi setting. As has already been described, the sound enters the earplug 1 via acoustic inlet 5 in this second adjustment position, which acoustic inlet 5 is formed by gaps and slits. An advantage of such an acoustic inlet 5 formed by intermediate spaces, such as gaps and slits, is that this allows less sound to enter the earplug 1 than is the case with inlet opening 4, so that a first degree of attenuation is already achieved. After the sound has entered the earplug 1, the sound causes the membrane 40 to vibrate, as a result of which low-pitched sounds are attenuated, and the sound which is passed on travels along via the second acoustic canal 42 where high-pitched sounds are attenuated, continues on via passage 6, is attenuated by acoustic mesh 9 across virtually the entire range and then leaves the earplug 1 via passage outlet opening 8 and enters the ear of the user. The arrows 71 indicate how the sound enters the earplug 1. The effective diameter of the membrane 40, i.e. the diameter of the membrane 40 which is able to vibrate freely, is denoted by the letter d.

[0085] Fig. 6 shows the earplug 1 in its third adjustment position. In this third adjustment position, the closed part 44 of annular element 37 closes off the inlet opening 7 of passage 6, so that no sound, or hardly any, can enter the ear of the user. In this embodiment, the closure element formed by the closed part 44 is desirable because sound can enter the earplug 1 via the aforementioned gaps which form the second acoustic inlet 5. If this is not possible, such a closure element could be omitted and it would suffice not to align the acoustic inlets with the passage 6.

[0086] Fig. 7 shows the earplug 1 according to a second embodiment. The earplug 1 according to the second embodiment partly corresponds to the earplug 1 from Figs. 1 to 6, and only the differences will be discussed here, with the reader being referred to the description of Figs. 1 to 6 for a further description of this earplug 1 from Fig. 7. The earplug 1 according to the second embodiment as illustrated in Fig. 7 differs from that of the first embodiment in that the indication means 13 - 15 for the various adjustment positions are designed differently.

[0087] The present invention is by no means limited to the above-described embodiments, but may be realised according to different variants without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0088] Overview of reference numerals

[0089] 1 Earplug

[0090] 2 Outer ear part

[0091] 3 Plug

[0092] 4 First acoustic inlet

[0093] 5 Second acoustic inlet

[0094] 6 Passage of the plug

[0095] 7 Passage inlet of the plug

[0096] 8 Passage outlet of the plug

[0097] 9 Acoustic mesh

[0098] 10 First part of the outer ear part

[0099] 11 Component of the first part

[0100] 12 O-ring-receiving space

[0101] 13 Indication means for second adjustment position 14 Indication means for first adjustment position

[0102] 15 Indication means for third adjustment position

[0103] 16 Boundary cams

[0104] 20 Third part of the outer ear part

[0105] 21 Connecting means for connecting with the first part

[0106] 22 Guide path

[0107] 23 Recesses in the guide path

[0108] 30 Housing part of the outer ear part

[0109] 31 Engagement projection

[0110] 32 Recesses for connecting with the annular element

[0111] 33 Click-fit ring

[0112] 34 Second projections for guiding spring

[0113] 35 Projections for click-fitting in the adjustment positions

[0114] 36 Springs

[0115] 37 Annular element

[0116] 38 Recesses

[0117] 39 Projections of the annular element for connecting with the housing part

[0118] 40 Membrane

[0119] 41 Membrane-receiving space

[0120] 42 Second acoustic canal

[0121] 43 First acoustic canal

[0122] 44 Closure element

[0123] 45 O-ring

[0124] 46 Boundary edges

[0125] 60 First plug part

[0126] 61 Second plug part

[0127] 62 Receiving space for the acoustic mesh

[0128] 63 Edge of the second plug part

Claims

Claims1. Adjustable earplug, comprising an outer ear part and a plug which is to be fitted in an ear canal of the ear, wherein the outer ear part comprises at least one acoustic inlet, wherein the plug comprises a passage and an acoustic outlet, wherein an acoustic mesh is provided in the passage, and wherein the outer ear part is adjustable between at least two adjustment positions, wherein the at least two adjustment positions are selected from at least three adjustment positions, wherein:- in a first adjustment position, the at least one acoustic inlet is in acoustic communication with the passage via a first acoustic canal;- in a second adjustment position, the at least one acoustic inlet or a second acoustic inlet is in acoustic communication with the passage via a second acoustic canal and a membrane;- in a third adjustment position, the passage is at least substantially closed off.

2. Adjustable earplug according to Claim 1, wherein the passage is closed off in the third adjustment position by providing a closure element between the at least one acoustic inlet and the passage or by not aligning the at least one acoustic inlet and the passage.

3. Adjustable earplug according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the acoustic mesh is made of polyester.

4. Adjustable earplug according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the acoustic mesh has an acoustic resistance which is between 0.3 e8 Pa*s / mA3 and 2.40 e8 Pa*s / mA3, preferably between 1.0e8 Pa*s / mA3 and 1.40e8 Pa*s / mA3, more preferably around 1.20e8 Pa*s / mA3.

5. Adjustable earplug according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the acoustic mesh has a pore size which is between 10 and 15 pm, preferably between 11 and 13 pm, preferably around 12 pm.

6. Adjustable earplug according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the membrane is made of polyurethane (PU) or expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE).

7. Adjustable earplug according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the membrane has an active diameter which is between 2 and 6 mm, preferably between 2 and 3 mm, preferably approximately 2.4 mm.

8. Adjustable earplug according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the membrane has a thickness which is between 0.005 mm and 0.2 mm, preferably approximately 10 pm.

9. Adjustable earplug according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the membrane has an acoustic compliance which is between 2e-13 mA3 / Pa and 20e-13 mA3 / Pa, preferably between 6e-13 mA3 / Pa and 8e-13 mA3 / Pa, more preferably around 7e-13 mA3 / Pa.

10. Adjustable earplug according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the second acoustic canal has a smaller cross-sectional dimension than the first acoustic canal.

11. Adjustable earplug according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the outer ear part comprises a first part and a second part, wherein the first part is connected to the plug and wherein the second part is displaceable with respect to the first part for adjusting the outer ear part.

12. Adjustable earplug according to Claim 11, wherein the second part is displaceable by means of rotation.

13. Adjustable earplug according to Claim 11 or 12, wherein the second part comprises a housing part with the first acoustic inlet and a second acoustic inlet, wherein the second part furthermore comprises an annular element with the first acoustic canal at a first angle location and the second acoustic canal and membrane at a second angle location, wherein the first acoustic inlet is in acoustic communication with the first acoustic canal, and wherein the second acoustic inlet is in acoustic communication with the second acoustic canal and the membrane.

14. Adjustable earplug according to Claim 13, wherein the first acoustic inlet comprises an inlet opening and wherein the second acoustic inlet is formed by intermediate spaces in the housing part.

15. Adjustable earplug according to Claim 13 or 14, wherein the passage of the plug comprises a passage inlet, and wherein a sealing is arranged around the passage inlet, and wherein the sealing is compressed between the first part and the annular element of the outer ear part.

16. Adjustable earplug according to Claim 15, comprising at least one spring for pushing the first part and the annular element towards each other.

17. Adjustable earplug according to Claim 16, wherein the at least one spring is configured to push the first part and the annular element towards each other in the axial direction.

18. Adjustable earplug according to one of the preceding claims, comprising visual and / or tactile and / or auditory indication means for indicating each of the adjustment positions.

19. Adjustable earplug according to one of the preceding claims, comprising engagement means for engaging the outer ear part in order to adjust the adjustable earplug to one of the adjustment positions.

20. Adjustable earplug according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the second part comprises click-action means in order to click-fit the second part with respect to the first part in at least one of the adjustment positions.

21. Adjustable earplug according to Claim 20, wherein the click-action means comprise at least one projection or at least one recess, which at least one projection or recess is provided on the annular element or on a second annular element of the second part, and wherein the click-action means cooperate with the first part or with a third part which is fixedly connected to the first part, wherein the first part or third part comprise at least one recess or at least one projection for engaging with the at least one projection or recess of the click-action means.

22. Adjustable earplug according to Claim 21, wherein the at least one recess is formed by a, viewed in an axial direction and with respect to the at least one projection, depression on an annular guide path for guiding the at least one projection.

23. Adjustable earplug according to Claim 22, wherein the at least one recess has a substantially triangular cross-sectional shape, so that the at least one projection gradually moves up to a top of the at least one recess during adjustment of the adjustable earplug in order to be click-fitted in the at least one adjustment position.

24. Adjustable earplug according to one of Claims 20 - 23, wherein the at least one spring or another spring is configured for click-fitting the click-action means in the at least one adjustment position.

25. Adjustable earplug according to one of the preceding claims and at least Claim 11, furthermore comprising limiting means for limiting a displacement of the second part with respect to the first part.

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