Electronic apparatus

Abstract

To make a user hear a sound at a sufficient sound level.SOLUTION: A wearable device 1 comprises a temple 2 that is brought into contact with a base of the ear in a fitted state, a vibration source 6, a temple tip 5 for holding the vibration source 6, and a connection part 7 for turnably connecting the temple 2 and the temple tip 5 together. The connection part 7 turns the vibration source 6 from a first position to a second position in a usage state and from the second position to the first position. The second position is located on the inside of the ear in the fitted state with respect to the first position.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an electronic device that includes a vibration source for allowing a user to hear a sound. [Background technology]

[0002] Generally, sound is heard by humans as air vibrations that enter the ear canal, vibrate the eardrum, and reach the inner ear (auditory nerve). This type of sound conduction is called "air conduction," while sound transmitted by air vibrations is called "air-conducted sound." In contrast to "air conduction," "bone conduction" transmits sound directly to the auditory nerve through the vibration of the skull's bones, bypassing the eardrum. Unlike audio devices that rely solely on air conduction, audio devices such as headphones and earphones that utilize bone conduction can be placed with the user's ears open. For example, when bone conduction is used in products primarily intended for on-the-go use, such as augmented reality (AR) glasses, users can also perceive environmental sounds, making bone conduction a preferred sound transmission method for such devices. Patent Document 1 discloses an invention for a wearable eyeglass-type device that utilizes bone conduction.

[0003] Bone conduction devices (vibration sources) for transmitting vibrations to the skull include MM and MC dynamic vibrators and piezoelectric (piezo) elements. The former dynamic vibrators are heavy and bulky. For this reason, the latter piezoelectric elements are preferred for wearable products such as AR glasses, which require lightweight design, including ease of wearability.

[0004] Generally, eyeglass-type wearable devices using bone conduction devices are divided into two types: one that vibrates the side of the tragus and one that vibrates behind the pinna. In these types of wearable devices, if there is no adjustment mechanism to fit the bone conduction device to the user's head, the bone conduction device will not fit well on many users' heads, resulting in a lower level of audibility for users.

[0005] As mentioned above, Patent Document 1 discloses a glasses-type wearable device that uses a bone conduction device, but this wearable device is equipped with a mechanism for adjusting the position of the bone conduction device. However, as shown in Figure 3 of Patent Document 1, the support shaft of the adjustment mechanism is located behind the ear, making it impossible to fit the bone conduction device to the user. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-320790 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] As described above, conventional eyeglass-type wearable devices using bone conduction devices have had the problem that users cannot hear sounds at a sufficient volume.

[0008] The object of the present invention is to allow the user to hear sounds at a sufficient volume. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The electronic device of the first invention comprises a first housing that contacts the base of the ear when worn, a vibration source, a second housing that holds the vibration source, and a connection part that rotatably connects the first housing and the second housing, wherein the connection part rotates the vibration source from a first position to a second position that is a position in use, and from the second position to the first position, and the second position is located closer to the inside of the ear when worn than the first position.

[0010] In the present invention, the connector rotates the vibration source from a first position to a second position, which is the position for use. Here, the second position is located closer to the inside of the ear than the first position when the earphones are worn. This allows the vibration source moving closer to the inside of the ear to come into contact with the user, allowing the user to hear sound at a sufficient volume. It also makes it possible to prevent sound leakage.

[0011] An electronic device according to a second aspect of the present invention is the electronic device according to the first aspect of the present invention, characterized in that the connection portion is located above the ear when worn.

[0012] In the present invention, the connection part is located above the auricle when the earphone is worn, which allows the vibration source to move over a wider range, allowing the vibration source to contact an appropriate part of the user.

[0013] The electronic device of the third invention is the electronic device of the first invention, characterized in that it comprises two of the first housings, two of the vibration sources, two of the second housings, and two of the connection parts, and the distance between the two vibration sources at the second position is narrower than the distance between the two vibration sources at the first position.

[0014] The electronic device of the fourth invention is characterized in that, in the electronic device of the third invention, the distance between the two vibration sources at the first position is wider than the distance between the two vibration sources at the second position.

[0015] The electronic device of the fifth invention is the electronic device of the fourth invention, characterized in that the two first housings are each temples, and further include two rims connected to the two temples respectively, and a bridge connecting the two rims, and is in the form of glasses.

[0016] In the present invention, the electronic device is a pair of eyeglasses. The connector rotates the vibration source from a first position to a second position and from the second position to the first position. Here, the distance between the two vibration sources at the second position is smaller than the distance between the two vibration sources at the first position. Therefore, the user can easily wear the pair of eyeglasses by moving (rotating) the vibration source from the first position to the second position.

[0017] Furthermore, the distance between the two vibration sources at the first position is greater than the distance between the two vibration sources at the second position, so the user can easily remove the eyeglass-type electronic device by moving (rotating) the vibration sources from the second position to the first position.

[0018] An electronic device according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is the electronic device according to the first aspect of the present invention, wherein the vibration source is a piezoelectric element.

[0019] An electronic device according to a seventh aspect of the present invention is the electronic device according to the sixth aspect of the present invention, wherein the piezoelectric element has a flat, substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and the largest surface of the piezoelectric element is a contact surface.

[0020] In the present invention, the largest surface of the flat, approximately rectangular parallelepiped piezoelectric element is the contact surface. That is, the largest surface of the piezoelectric element comes into contact with the user. This allows the user to hear sound at a sufficiently loud volume.

[0021] An electronic device according to an eighth aspect of the present invention is the electronic device according to the first aspect of the present invention, wherein the vibration source is held by the second housing via an elastic member.

[0022] In the present invention, the vibration source is held by the second housing via an elastic member, which prevents vibrations from the vibration source from being transmitted to the second housing, thereby preventing sound leakage.

[0023] The electronic device of the ninth invention is the electronic device of the first invention, characterized in that the connection portion is composed of a rotation mechanism that enables the angle between the first housing and the second housing to be changed.

[0024] In the present invention, the connection section is configured with a rotation mechanism that allows the angle between the first housing and the second housing to be changed, which allows the user to easily fix the vibration source in a desired position.

[0025] An electronic device of a tenth invention is characterized in that, in the electronic device of the first invention, the vibration source is composed of two vibration elements, and the two vibration elements are connected in opposite phases.

[0026] In the present invention, the two vibration elements are connected in opposite phases, which cancels out the sounds from each vibration element, preventing sound leakage.

[0027] An electronic device of an eleventh invention is the electronic device of the tenth invention, characterized in that the two vibration elements are each a flat, approximately rectangular parallelepiped, and the largest surface of the vibration element is a contact surface.

[0028] The electronic device of the 12th invention is characterized in that, in the electronic device of the 10th invention, the two vibration elements are arranged opposite each other, the opposing surfaces of the two vibration elements are sealed, and the surface opposite the opposing surfaces of the two vibration elements is open.

[0029] An electronic device according to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention is the electronic device according to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, characterized in that the surface of one of the vibration elements opposite to the opposing surface is a contact surface.

[0030] An electronic device according to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention is the electronic device according to the tenth aspect of the present invention, characterized in that the two vibration elements are disposed close to each other and facing each other. [Effects of the Invention]

[0031] According to the present invention, it is possible to allow the user to hear sounds at a sufficient volume. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0032] [Figure 1]1 is a perspective view showing a wearable device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 1 is a perspective view showing a wearable device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a wearable device worn by a user. [Figure 4] 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the dashed line B in FIG. 1. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining measurement positions. [Figure 6] 10(a) is a graph showing the measurement results of sound leakage when the wearable device is worn, and FIG. 10(b) is a diagram showing the measurement results of sound leakage at an overall level. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0033] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below in which an electronic device of the present invention, which is provided with a vibration source for allowing a user to hear sound, is applied to a glasses-type wearable device.

[0034] 1 and 2 are perspective views showing a wearable device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the wearable device 1 being worn by a user. As shown in the figures, the wearable device 1 includes temples 2, rims 3, a bridge 4, and end pieces 5. The rims 3 are portions that form an internal space for holding lenses, a projection unit in the case of AR glasses, and the like. Two rims 3 are provided, corresponding to the user's eyes. The two rims 3 are connected by the bridge 4.

[0035] The temple 2 (first housing) is a part that extends perpendicular to the arrangement direction of the two rims 3. The temple 2 and the rim 3 are connected by a hinge. The two temples 2 can be rotated inward relative to the rim 3 from the positions shown in Figures 1 and 2 by the hinge. As shown in Figure 3, the temple 2 comes into contact with the base of the user's ear when worn by the user (worn state). The end piece 5 (second housing) is the part that rests on the user's ear when worn. The end piece 5 is the tip of the temple and is also called the tip piece.

[0036] The wearable device 1 further includes a vibration source 6 and a connection unit 7. The vibration source 6 is a vibration source that allows the user to hear sounds. The vibration source 6 will be described later.

[0037] The connection part 7 rotatably connects the temple 2 and the end piece 5. The connection part 7 is configured, for example, by a rotation mechanism that can change the angle between the temple 2 and the end piece 5. The connection part 7 is located on a straight line of the temple 2 and at the tip of the temple 2. The connection part 7 is located behind the base of the ear when the glasses are worn (the state shown in FIG. 3). Also, as shown in FIG. 3, the connection part 7 is located above the auricle when the glasses are worn. The connection part 7 rotates the vibration source 6 (end piece 5) from a first position (the position shown in FIGS. 1 and 2) to a second position (the position shown in FIG. 3), which is the position when the glasses are in use. Also, the connection part 7 rotates the vibration source 6 (end piece 5) from the second position to the first position.

[0038] Here, the second position is located closer to the ear than the first position when the earphones are worn. In other words, the distance between the two vibration sources 6 (end pieces 5) at the second position (the distance indicated by dashed line A) is shorter than the distance between the two vibration sources 6 (end pieces 5) at the first position. Also, the first position is located closer to the ear than the second position when the earphones are worn. In other words, the distance between the two vibration sources 6 (end pieces 5) at the first position (the distance indicated by dashed line A) is longer than the distance between the two vibration sources 6 (end pieces 5) at the second position. The curvature of the end pieces 5 is designed to achieve this positional relationship between the first position and the second position.

[0039] Due to the positional relationship between the first position and the second position described above, when the vibration source 6 (end mill 5) moves from the first position to the second position, the lateral pressure increases, and when the vibration source 6 (end mill 5) moves from the second position to the first position, the lateral pressure is released.

[0040] As shown in the figure, the end piece 5 is composed of a first portion 5a that extends from the end of the temple 2 to the rear side of the ear, a second portion 5b that bends from the end of the first portion 5a and folds back below and in front of the ear, and a third portion 5c that bends from the end of the second portion 5b and folds back below and in front of the ear.

[0041] In such eyeglass (sunglasses) type wearable device 1, the angle-adjustable connection part 7 between the temple 2 and the end piece 5 allows the user to adjust the position of the piezoelectric element 5 located behind the ear when the wearable device 1 is worn by the user. The support shaft of the connection part 7 is located above the ear. The gap between the end pieces 5 on which the piezoelectric element 6 is provided narrows as the temple 2 is rotated from the first position to the second position (rotated forward to wear the wearable device 1), and widens as the temple 2 is rotated from the second position to the first position (rotated backward to remove the wearable device 1).

[0042] Fig. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of dashed line B in Fig. 1. Fig. 4 shows a cross section in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of piezoelectric elements 6a and 6b, which will be described later. The vibration source 6 is attached to the third part 5c of the end cap 5. In other words, the end cap 5 holds the vibration source 6. The vibration source 6 is composed of two piezoelectric elements 6a and 6b (vibration elements). The piezoelectric elements 6a and 6b are connected in reverse phase.

[0043] The piezoelectric elements 6a and 6b are flat, approximately rectangular parallelepipeds. That is, the piezoelectric elements 6a and 6b are rectangular flat plates. The maximum surface size of the piezoelectric elements 6a and 6b is, for example, 20 mm x 10 mm. The piezoelectric elements 6a and 6b are multilayer piezoelectric elements.

[0044] The piezoelectric elements 6a and 6b are arranged with their largest surfaces facing each other. The distance between the opposing piezoelectric elements 6a and 6b is, for example, 1 mm, but it is preferable that the piezoelectric elements 6a and 6b are arranged as close as possible (close to each other) without coming into contact with each other. The opposing surfaces of the piezoelectric elements 6a and 6b are sealed. The surfaces opposite the opposing surfaces of the piezoelectric elements 6a and 6b are open.

[0045] The piezoelectric element 6a is attached to the end piece 5 via elastic members 8a and 8b. The elastic members 8a and 8b extend along the longitudinal direction of the piezoelectric element 6a. The elastic members 8a and 8b are arranged along the longitudinal direction at both ends of the piezoelectric element 6a in the short side direction. The piezoelectric element 6b is attached to the end piece 5 via elastic members 8c and 8d. The elastic members 8c and 8d extend along the longitudinal direction of the piezoelectric element 6b. The elastic members 8c and 8d are arranged along the longitudinal direction at both ends of the piezoelectric element 6b in the short side direction. The elastic members 8a to 8d are preferably made of elastomer, silicone rubber, chloroprene rubber, urethane rubber, butadiene rubber, or the like. The hardness of the elastic members 8a to 8d is preferably 30 to 50°.

[0046] 3, the open surface (largest surface) of one piezoelectric element 6b abuts (contacts) against a bone such as the user's head. An elastomer sheet or the like may be attached to the open surface of one piezoelectric element 6b for protection. Furthermore, a punched metal, mesh metal, or the like may be provided on the open surface of the other piezoelectric element 6a for protection.

[0047] The following describes the measurement results of sound leakage when the wearable device 1 is worn. FIG. 6(a) is a graph showing the measurement results of sound leakage when the wearable device 1 is worn. FIG. 6(b) is a diagram showing the measurement results of sound leakage at an overall level. As an example, the wearable device 1 according to this embodiment is used. As a comparative example, a wearable device 1 in which the vibration source 6 is a single piezoelectric element, and both sides of the piezoelectric element are completely open, is used. The measurement position is indicated by arrow C in FIG. 5. Other measurement conditions include a microphone distance of 5 cm and an output signal of white noise. The sound leakage characteristics shown in FIG. 6 were measured when worn on a human body (skin tissue).

[0048] In the example, the sound leakage level is high in the vicinity of 1.5 kHz to 2 kHz, but the level thereafter is reduced. Furthermore, the overall level value is 6.7 dB lower in the example than in the comparative example, demonstrating that sound leakage is suppressed. This is thought to be because vibrations transmitted from the vibration source 6 to the housing, including the end cap 5, are also canceled out.

[0049] As described above, in this embodiment, the connection unit 7 rotates the vibration source 6 from the first position to the second position, which is the position for use. Here, the second position is located closer to the inside of the ear than the first position when the earphones are worn. This allows the vibration source 6, which moves closer to the inside of the ear, to come into contact with the user, allowing the user to hear sound at a sufficient volume. It also makes it possible to prevent sound leakage.

[0050] In this embodiment, the connection part 7 is located above the auricle when the earphone is worn. This increases the range of movement of the vibration source 6, allowing the vibration source 6 to contact an appropriate part of the user.

[0051] In this embodiment, the wearable device 1 is a glasses-type wearable device. The connection unit 7 rotates the vibration source 6 from the first position to the second position and from the second position to the first position. Here, the distance between the two vibration sources 6 at the second position is narrower than the distance between the two vibration sources at the first position. Therefore, the user can easily wear the glasses-type wearable device 1 by moving (rotating) the vibration source 6 from the first position to the second position.

[0052] Furthermore, the distance between the two vibration sources 6 at the first position is greater than the distance between the two vibration sources 6 at the second position. Therefore, the user can easily remove the eyeglass-type wearable device 1 by moving (rotating) the vibration sources 6 from the second position to the first position.

[0053] In this embodiment, the largest surfaces of the flat, approximately rectangular parallelepiped piezoelectric elements 6a and 6b are contact surfaces. That is, the largest surfaces of the piezoelectric elements 6a and 6b come into contact with the user. This allows the user to hear sound at a sufficiently loud volume.

[0054] In this embodiment, the vibration source 6 is held by the end cap 5 via an elastic member 8. This prevents the vibration of the vibration source 6 from being transmitted to the end cap 5, thereby preventing sound leakage.

[0055] In this embodiment, the connection portion 7 is configured with a rotation mechanism that enables the angle between the temple 2 and the end piece 5 to be changed. This allows the user to easily fix the vibration source 6 in a desired position.

[0056] In this embodiment, the two piezoelectric elements 6a and 6b are connected in opposite phases, which cancels out the sounds from the piezoelectric elements and prevents sound leakage.

[0057] The above describes an embodiment of the present invention, but the forms to which the present invention can be applied are not limited to the above-described embodiment, and as exemplified below, appropriate modifications can be made within the scope of the spirit of the present invention.

[0058] In the above-described embodiment, the electronic device to which the present invention is applied is exemplified as a glasses-type wearable device 1. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and may be any other electronic device as long as it has a vibration element such as a piezoelectric element that serves as a vibration source for allowing the user to hear sound.

[0059] In the above-described embodiment, a piezoelectric element is used as an example of the vibration element that serves as a vibration source for allowing the user to hear sound. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and other vibration elements may also be used. [Industrial Applicability]

[0060] The present invention can be suitably employed in electronic devices that include a vibration source for allowing a user to hear a sound. [Explanation of symbols]

[0061] 1. Wearable devices (electronic devices) 2 Temple (1st cabinet) 3 rims 4 Bridge 5 Modern (2nd cabinet) 6 Vibration source 6a, 6b Piezoelectric element (vibration element) 7 Connection 8a to 8d Elastic members

Claims

1. a first housing that contacts the base of the ear when worn; A vibration source; a second housing for holding the vibration source; a connecting portion that rotatably connects the first housing and the second housing, the connecting portion rotates the vibration source from a first position to a second position that is a position in an in-use state, and from the second position to the first position; The electronic device is characterized in that the second position is located closer to the ear than the first position when the electronic device is worn.

2. The electronic device according to claim 1 , wherein the connection portion is located above the ear when the electronic device is worn.

3. Two of the first housings; Two of the vibration sources; Two second housings; two said connection portions, 2. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the distance between the two vibration sources at the second position is smaller than the distance between the two vibration sources at the first position.

4. 4. The electronic device according to claim 3, wherein the distance between the two vibration sources at the first position is greater than the distance between the two vibration sources at the second position.

5. the two first housings are temples, two limbs respectively connected to the two temples; a bridge connecting the two limbs, 5. The electronic device according to claim 4, wherein the electronic device is in the form of glasses.

6. 2. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the vibration source is a piezoelectric element.

7. The piezoelectric element has a flat, substantially rectangular shape, 7. The electronic device according to claim 6, wherein the largest surface of the piezoelectric element is a contact surface.

8. 2. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the vibration source is held by the second housing via an elastic member.

9. 2. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the connecting portion is configured with a rotation mechanism that can change an angle between the first housing and the second housing.

10. The vibration source is composed of two vibration elements, 2. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the two vibration elements are connected in reverse phase.

11. The two vibration elements each have a flat, approximately rectangular parallelepiped shape, 11. The electronic device according to claim 10, wherein the largest surface of the vibration element is a contact surface.

12. The two vibration elements are arranged opposite to each other, The opposing surfaces of the two vibration elements are sealed, 11. The electronic device according to claim 10, wherein a surface opposite to the opposing surface of the two vibration elements is open.

13. 13. The electronic device according to claim 12, wherein a surface of one of the vibration elements opposite to the opposing surface is a contact surface.

14. The electronic device according to claim 10 , wherein the two vibration elements are disposed closely facing each other.

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