Electronic apparatus

Abstract

To provide means for enabling a user to hear external sound.SOLUTION: An earphone 1 includes: a shell 2 which constitutes an outer shell of the earphone 1; a bone conduction device 4 which is arranged inside the shell 2 and whose vibration surface 4a is exposed outward from the shell 2; and a through-hole 21a which is arranged in a tip part of the shell 2, extending toward an inner side of an ear when the earphone is worn and penetrates the shell 2 from the inner side to an outer side. Slits 21b are also arranged on the tip part of the shell 2. The shell 2 includes: a first shell 21 positioned on an ear side when the earphone is worn; and a second shell 22 positioned on the opposite side of the ear with respect to the first shell 21 when the earphone is worn.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to electronic devices for listening to sound, such as earphones, hearing aids, and sound collectors. [Background technology]

[0002] Among earphones, there are earphones called custom IEM (In Ear Monitor). Patent documents 1 to 3 describe custom IEM. In custom IEM earphones, the ear shape of the user is taken and made into a shell for use. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a custom IEM earphone. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the flow of a user ordering a custom IEM earphone. The shell is made based on the ear shape taken from the user and is the part that becomes the outer shell of the earphone. The faceplate is a part that decorates the earphone. A cable is connected to the connector. The connector is, for example, a type of connector called "T2" or a type of connector called "MMCX". In general, custom IEM earphones have the following advantages and disadvantages.

[0003] merit (1) The fit is good and the earphones are unlikely to fall out of the ears. (2) They have high sound insulation, allowing users to hear clearly even at low volumes, resulting in less damage to the user's eardrums. (3) You can enjoy creating your own design by combining your favorite colors for the faceplate, etc. (4) Since earpieces are not used, problems such as changes in sound quality and earphones not fitting in your ears are eliminated.

[0004] Disadvantages (1) Ear impressions must be taken at a specialty store that sells hearing aids, etc. (2) Delivery will take some time (approximately 2 to 4 months). (3) It is more expensive (at least 30,000 to 50,000 yen) than a universal model that is general-purpose for a variety of users. (4) Because outside sounds are blocked, users are at risk when going out. (5) Because it is a custom-made product, refunds or returns cannot be accepted, there is only one product, and design flexibility is low. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] JP 2016-201786 A [Patent Document 2] Patent No. 5872722 [Patent Document 3] Patent No. 5849296 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] Because earphones block the ears, there is a problem that users cannot hear outside sounds, which is dangerous, especially in the case of the custom IEM earphones mentioned above, which fit tightly to the ears.

[0007] It is an object of the present invention to provide a means by which a user can hear external sounds. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The electronic device of the first invention is characterized by comprising a shell that forms the outer casing of the device itself, and a bone conduction device that is provided inside the shell and has a vibration surface exposed to the outside from the shell.

[0009] In the present invention, the vibration surface of the bone conduction device is exposed to the outside from the shell. Therefore, the vibration of the bone conduction device is transmitted directly to the ear of the user wearing the electronic device, so that the user can fully hear the sound generated from the electronic device. Therefore, the user can hear the sound generated from the electronic device without blocking his / her ears, and can fully hear external sounds (sounds from outside). This prevents the user from being in danger when going out. Furthermore, since the user does not need to insert the electronic device into the ear canal, the user does not experience ear pain due to wearing the device for a long period of time.

[0010] The electronic device of the second invention is characterized in that, in the electronic device of the first invention, a through hole is provided in the tip portion of the shell, which extends toward the inside of the ear when worn, extending from the inside to the outside of the shell.

[0011] In the present invention, a through hole that penetrates from the inside to the outside of the shell is provided at the tip of the shell that extends toward the inside of the ear when worn. The through hole ensures a sound path for air-conducted sound from the bone conduction device in addition to bone conduction.

[0012] The electronic device of a third invention is the electronic device of the first invention, characterized in that a slit is provided in a tip portion of the shell that extends toward the inside of the ear when worn.

[0013] In the present invention, a slit is provided at the tip of the shell that extends toward the inside of the ear when worn. The slit allows the user to more fully recognize external sounds.

[0014] An electronic device of a fourth invention is the electronic device of the second invention, characterized in that the through hole is connected to the bone conduction device by a cavity inside the shell.

[0015] In conventional electronic devices using bone conduction devices (e.g., earphones), the vibration is transmitted to the bone, resulting in muffled sound. In the present invention, the through hole is connected to the bone conduction device through a cavity inside the shell. This ensures a sound path for air conduction sound from the bone conduction device, making it possible to achieve a wide range, just like regular earphones that use air conduction sound.

[0016] The electronic device of the fifth invention is the electronic device of the second invention, characterized in that the tip portion of the shell that extends toward the inside of the ear when worn has a plurality of slits provided around the through hole.

[0017] An electronic device of a sixth invention is the electronic device of the third invention, characterized in that the slit extends rearward from the tip portion of the shell, and the depth of the slit becomes shallower from the tip portion to the rear.

[0018] The electronic device of the seventh invention is characterized in that, in the electronic device of the first invention, the shell has a first shell that is positioned on the ear side when worn, and a second shell that is positioned on the opposite side of the ear from the first shell when worn.

[0019] An electronic device according to an eighth aspect of the present invention is the electronic device according to the seventh aspect of the present invention, characterized in that the first shell is based on a shape of the concha of the ear.

[0020] In the present invention, the first shell is based on the shape of the concha, which eliminates the adverse effect on sound quality caused by contact pressure with bones, which is a concern with earphones using bone conduction devices.

[0021] The electronic device of a ninth aspect of the present invention is the electronic device of the first aspect of the present invention, further comprising a mounting portion that is located on the side of the shell opposite to the side closest to the ear when the electronic device is worn.

[0022] In the present invention, the electronic device includes a decorative portion that is located on the side of the shell opposite to the side closest to the ear when the electronic device is worn, so that the electronic device can be decorated by the decorative portion.

[0023] An electronic device according to a tenth aspect of the present invention is the electronic device according to the ninth aspect of the present invention, characterized in that the decorative part is detachable from the shell.

[0024] For example, in conventional custom IEM earphones, because they are made to order, users can freely choose their favorite design, but they cannot change the design to suit their mood of the day. In the present invention, the decorative part is detachable from the shell. This allows users to freely choose from a variety of decorative parts to suit their mood and outfit of the day.

[0025] The electronic device of the 11th invention is characterized in that, in the electronic device of the 9th invention, the shell has a detachable part for removably fixing the decorative part, and the decorative part serves as a detachable part for removably fixing the decorative part itself.

[0026] An electronic device according to a twelfth aspect of the present invention is the electronic device according to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, characterized in that the detachable part and the detachable part are each a magnet.

[0027] The electronic device of a thirteenth aspect of the present invention is the electronic device of the first aspect of the present invention, further comprising a connector to which a plug for outputting sound from a sound source is connected.

[0028] In the present invention, a connector is provided to which a plug that outputs sound from a sound source is connected. This allows the electronic device to be wired by connecting a cable having a plug, and allows the electronic device to be wireless by connecting a wireless receiver having a plug.

[0029] An electronic device of a fourteenth aspect of the present invention is the electronic device of the first aspect of the present invention, characterized in that the bone conduction device is a dynamic type vibrator.

[0030] The electronic device of a fifteenth aspect of the present invention is the electronic device of the first aspect of the present invention, characterized in that the electronic device is an earphone.

[0031] The electronic device of a sixteenth aspect of the present invention is the electronic device of the first aspect of the present invention, which is a hearing aid.

[0032] The electronic device of a seventeenth aspect of the present invention is the electronic device of the first aspect of the present invention, which is a sound collector. Effect of the Invention

[0033] According to the present invention, a user can hear sounds generated from an electronic device without blocking his / her ears, and can hear external sounds (sounds from outside) sufficiently. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0034] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing an earphone according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 1 is an exploded perspective view showing an earphone according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an ear. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a custom IEM earphone. [Diagram 5] A flowchart showing the process a user goes through to order custom IEM earphones. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0035] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described. In this embodiment, an earphone will be described as an example of an electronic device for listening to sound. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an earphone 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the earphone 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The earphone 1 (electronic device) is a custom IEM (In Ear Monitor) earphone. As shown in the figure, the earphone 1 includes a shell 2, a face plate 3, a bone conduction device 4, and the like.

[0036] The shell 2 is a part that constitutes the outer shell of the earphone 1. The shell 2 has a first shell 21 and a second shell 22. The first shell 21 is a part based on the shape of only the user's concha. For this reason, the manufacturer of the earphone 1 takes an ear mold of only the user's concha and creates the first shell 21. FIG. 3 shows a schematic diagram of an ear. In a conventional custom IEM earphone, an ear mold is taken including parts other than the concha, and a shell is created. In this embodiment, the shell 2 includes two shell parts 21 and 22, but in a conventional custom IEM earphone, the shell does not include two shell parts. In this embodiment, the first shell 21 side of the earphone 1 is defined as the tip side, and the direction away from the tip side is described as the rear. In other words, when the earphone 1 is worn on the user's ear, the side of the earphone 1 that is closer to the ear is defined as the tip side.

[0037] A through hole 21a and a slit 21b are provided in the tip portion of the first shell 21, that is, the tip portion that extends toward the inside of the ear when the earphone 1 is worn on the user's ear. The through hole 21a is a hole that penetrates from the inside to the outside of the first shell 21. Slits 21b are provided around the through hole 21a. In this embodiment, five (multiple) slits 21b are provided at equal intervals around the through hole 21a. It goes without saying that the number of slits 21b is not limited to five. The slits 21b extend from the tip of the first shell 21 toward the rear, and the depth of the slits 21b is deepest at the tip side and becomes shallower toward the rear. In addition, an MMCX type connector 21c is provided inside the first shell 21 at a portion that leads to the through hole 21a.

[0038] The second shell 22 is located behind the first shell 21. A magnet 22a is provided on the rear surface of the second shell 22. The magnet 22a (detachable portion) is for detachably fixing the face plate 3 to the shell 2.

[0039] The faceplate 3 (decorative part) is located behind the shell 22, at the rearmost side of the earphone 1. In other words, the faceplate 3 is located on the opposite side to the side of the second shell 22 (shell 2) closest to the ear when the earphone 1 is worn in the user's ear. Since the faceplate 3 is located at the rearmost side of the earphone 1, it is an exposed part when the user wears the earphone 1, and people other than the user will see the faceplate 3. The faceplate 3 can also be said to be a part that decorates the earphone 1.

[0040] A magnet (not shown) is provided on the surface on the tip side of the face plate 3. The magnet (detachable portion) is for detachably fixing the face plate 3 to the shell 2. The face plate 3 is detachably fixed to the shell 2 by the magnets of the second shell 22 and the face plate 3.

[0041] The bone conduction device 4 is a device that allows the user to hear sounds by bone conduction. The bone conduction device 4 is, for example, a dynamic type vibrator with a diameter of 10 mm and a total height of 6.1 mm. The bone conduction device 4 is provided inside the first shell 21. The vibration surface 4a of the bone conduction device 4 is exposed to the outside from the first shell 21. The bone conduction device 4 is provided in the first shell 21 so that the vibration surface 4a of the bone conduction device 4 contacts the concha cavity of the user's ear when the earphone 1 is worn on the user's ear. In addition, the above-mentioned through hole 21a is connected to the bone conduction device 4 by a cavity inside the first shell 21.

[0042] The earphone 1 according to this embodiment uses cartilage conduction, which transmits sound by vibrating the ear cartilage. Conventionally, sound transmission paths have been classified into air conduction and bone conduction, but cartilage conduction has been proven to provide better hearing than air conduction and bone conduction.

[0043] The earphones 1 further include a connector 21c to which a plug for outputting sound from a sound source is connected. In this embodiment, the connector 21c is an MMCX type connector, but may be a T2 type connector.

[0044] As described above, in this embodiment, the vibration surface 4a of the bone conduction device 4 is exposed to the outside from the first shell 21 (shell 2). Therefore, the vibration of the bone conduction device 4 is directly transmitted to the ear of the user who wears the earphone 1, so that the user can fully hear the sound generated from the earphone 1. Therefore, the user can hear the sound generated from the earphone without blocking the ear, and can fully hear external sounds (sounds from outside). This prevents the user from being in danger when going out. Furthermore, since the user does not need to insert the earphone 1 into the ear canal, the ears do not suffer from ear pain due to wearing the earphone for a long time. Note that, since the first shell 21 is based on the shape of the concha, when the user wears the earphone 1 in the ear, the earphone 1 is held by the concha, and the tip of the first shell 21 does not come into contact with the user's ear canal. In other words, when the earphone 1 is worn in the user's ear, the tip of the first shell 21 is not inserted into the user's ear canal.

[0045] In this embodiment, a through hole 21a that penetrates from the inside to the outside of the first shell 21 is provided at the tip of the first shell 21 (shell 2) that extends toward the inside of the ear when worn. The through hole 21a can ensure a sound path for air-conducted sound from the bone conduction device 4 in addition to bone conduction.

[0046] In this embodiment, a slit 21b is provided at the tip of the first shell 21 (shell 2) that extends toward the inside of the ear when worn. The slit 21b allows the user to more fully recognize external sounds.

[0047] In conventional electronic devices using bone conduction devices (e.g., earphones), muffled sounds were generated because vibrations were transmitted to the bones. In this embodiment, the through hole 21a is connected to the bone conduction device 4 through a cavity inside the first shell 21 (shell). This ensures a sound path for air conduction sound from the bone conduction device 4, so a wide range can be achieved, just like with general earphones that use air conduction sound.

[0048] In this embodiment, the first shell 21 is based on the shape of the concha. This eliminates the adverse effect on sound quality caused by contact pressure with bones, which is a concern with earphones using bone conduction devices.

[0049] In the present embodiment, the electronic device includes a decorative portion that is located on the opposite side to the ear side of the shell when the electronic device is worn, so that the electronic device can be decorated with the decorative portion.

[0050] For example, in conventional custom IEM earphones, because they are made to order, you can freely choose your favorite design, but you cannot change the design to suit your mood on that day. In this embodiment, the face plate 3 is detachable from the shell 2. This allows the user to freely select various face plates 3 to match their mood and outfit on that day.

[0051] In this embodiment, the earphone 1 includes a connector 21c to which a plug that outputs sound from a sound source is connected. This allows the electronic device to be wired by connecting a cable with a plug. Also, the earphone 1 can be wireless by connecting a wireless receiver with a plug.

[0052] In addition, JP 2020-174294 A (refer to the abstract and FIG. 1) discloses a cartilage conduction earphone including an electromechanical converter 12 that converts an electrical signal into mechanical vibration and a vibrating member 13 that transmits the mechanical vibration. The vibrating member 13 has a flat diaphragm 20 that vibrates in the thickness direction in response to the mechanical vibration while engaged with the electromechanical converter 12, and a plurality of contact parts 21 that protrude in the thickness direction from a plurality of ends of the diaphragm 20. When the cartilage conduction earphone is worn, each of the plurality of contact parts 21 is in contact with the side wall of the concha cavity, and the vibrating member 13 is supported in a state in which the diaphragm 20 faces the ear canal.

[0053] In the invention described in JP 2020-174294 A, the vibrating member 13 that transmits the mechanical vibration from the electromechanical converter 12 has a flat vibrating plate 20 that vibrates in the thickness direction in response to the mechanical vibration while engaged with the electromechanical converter 12, and a plurality of abutting portions 21 that protrude in the thickness direction from a plurality of ends of the vibrating plate 20, so that the dimension in the thickness direction is large and the device is large. In addition, since the mechanical vibration from the electromechanical converter 12 is transmitted via the vibrating member 13, the vibration cannot be transmitted sufficiently.

[0054] In contrast, in the earphone 1 of this embodiment, the vibration surface 4a of the bone conduction device 4 is exposed to the outside from the first shell 21 (shell 2), so that vibrations can be transmitted sufficiently by directly contacting the ear. Furthermore, because the vibration surface 4a of the bone conduction device 4, which is exposed to the outside, is directly contacted with the ear, no extra components are required and the earphone 1 does not become larger.

[0055] Although an embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the forms to which the present invention can be applied are not limited to the above-described embodiment, and appropriate modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0056] In the above-described embodiment, earphones are exemplified as an electronic device for listening to sound. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and may be any electronic device for listening to sound, such as a sound collector or a hearing aid. In addition, although a custom IEM earphone created from an ear mold taken from a user is exemplified as an earphone, it may be something other than a custom IEM earphone.

[0057] In the above embodiment, the magnet 22a is exemplified as the attaching / detaching part for detachably fixing the faceplate 3 and the attached / detached part, but the present invention is not limited to this. [Industrial Applicability]

[0058] The present invention can be suitably used in electronic devices for listening to sound, such as earphones, hearing aids, and sound collectors. [Explanation of symbols]

[0059] 1. Earphones (electronic devices) 2. Shell 21 First Shell 21a Through hole 21b Slit 21c Connector 22 Second Shell 22a Magnet (detachable part) 3 Face plate (decorative part) 4. Bone conduction devices 4a Vibration surface

Claims

1. A shell that constitutes the outer shell of the device itself; a bone conduction device provided inside the shell and having a vibration surface exposed to the outside from the shell; An electronic device comprising:

2. 2. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein a through hole penetrating from the inside to the outside of the shell is provided at a tip portion of the shell that extends toward the inside of the ear when worn.

3. 2. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein a slit is provided in a tip portion of the shell that extends toward the inside of the ear when the electronic device is worn.

4. The electronic device according to claim 2 , wherein the through hole is connected to the bone conduction device through a cavity inside the shell.

5. 3. The electronic device according to claim 2, wherein a plurality of slits are provided around the through hole in a tip portion of the shell that extends toward the inside of the ear when worn.

6. The slit extends rearward from the tip portion of the shell, 4. The electronic device according to claim 3, wherein the depth of the slit decreases from the tip portion toward the rear.

7. The shell is A first shell positioned on the ear side when worn; A second shell located on the opposite side of the ear when worn relative to the first shell; 2. The electronic device according to claim 1, further comprising:

8. The electronic device according to claim 7 , wherein the first shell is shaped based on the shape of the concha of an ear.

9. The electronic device according to claim 1 , further comprising a decorative portion located on the side of the shell opposite to the ear when the electronic device is worn.

10. The electronic device according to claim 9 , wherein the decorative portion is detachable from the shell.

11. The shell has a detachable portion for detachably fixing the decorative portion, The electronic device according to claim 9 , wherein the decorative part is a detachable part for detachably fixing the decorative part.

12. 12. The electronic device according to claim 11, wherein the detachable part and the detachable part are each a magnet.

13. 2. The electronic device according to claim 1, further comprising a connector to which a plug for outputting sound from a sound source is connected.

14. The electronic device according to claim 1 , wherein the bone conduction device is a dynamic type vibrator.

15. 2. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the electronic device is an earphone.

16. 2. The electronic device according to claim 1, which is a hearing aid.

17. 2. The electronic device according to claim 1, which is a sound collector.

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