Method for switching the wearing status of an ear device, ear-worn unit, and ear device.

Abstract

To provide an ear device that can open or close the ear canal depending on the usage situation. [Solution] The device comprises a housing, a sound-emitting shaft connected to the housing and having a sound hole, and a movement adjustment unit that moves the sound-emitting shaft axially relative to the housing in response to user operation. By operating the movement adjustment unit, the device can be configured to either be in a sealed state where the sound hole of the sound-emitting shaft is positioned inside the ear canal, or in an open state where the sound hole of the sound-emitting shaft is positioned outside the ear canal.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an ear device, an ear-wearing unit, and a method for switching the wearing state of an ear device.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, ear devices such as earphones are classified into open type (open) and closed type (closed). Each of the open type (open) and the closed type (closed) has its own advantages and disadvantages, and there is a desire to switch and use them according to the situation. In this regard, for example, Patent Document 1 describes an earphone that can be appropriately switched and set so that the left and right ear pads are in an open type (open) or a closed type (closed). According to this, when the ear pad becomes open type, it becomes possible to hear surrounding external sounds while wearing the earphone.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in Patent Document 1, whether the ear device is used in the closed type or the open type, the ear pad remains inserted into the external auditory canal. Therefore, even when the ear device becomes open type, the discomfort caused by the presence of an insert in the external auditory canal cannot be eliminated.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide an ear device, an ear-wearing unit, and a method for switching the wearing state of an ear device, which can open or close the external auditory canal according to the usage situation. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] To solve the aforementioned problems, one embodiment of the ear device according to the present invention comprises a housing, a sound-emitting shaft portion connected to the housing and having a sound hole, and a movement adjustment portion that moves the sound-emitting shaft portion axially relative to the housing in response to user operation, wherein the movement adjustment portion can be operated to make the ear device assume a sealed state in which the sound hole of the sound-emitting shaft portion is positioned inside the external auditory canal, and an open state in which the sound hole of the sound-emitting shaft portion is positioned outside the external auditory canal. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, the external auditory canal can be opened or sealed depending on the usage situation. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view of the main parts showing the ear-mounted unit according to the embodiment in a sealed state and worn on the ear. [Figure 2] This is a perspective view of the main part showing the ear-mounted unit according to the embodiment in an open-type configuration worn on the ear. [Figure 3] This is a perspective view of the main part of the ear device. [Figure 4] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the main part of the ear device shown. [Figure 5] Figure 3 is an exploded view of the main parts of the ear device. [Figure 6] This is a cross-sectional view of a key part showing how an elastic member is attached to an ear device. [Figure 7] Figure 4 and other figures show a cross-sectional view of the main part illustrating how the wearing state of the ear device is switched from an open state where the ear pad portion is positioned outside the ear canal to a sealed state where the ear pad portion is inserted inside the ear canal. [Figure 8] This is an explanatory diagram illustrating the operation of switching the wearing state of an ear device from an open state to a sealed state. [Figure 9]Figure 4 and other figures show a cross-sectional view of the main part illustrating how the wearing state of the ear device is switched from a sealed state in which the ear pad portion is inserted into the external auditory canal to an open state in which the ear pad portion is positioned outside the external auditory canal. [Figure 10] This is an explanatory diagram illustrating the operation of switching the wearing state of an ear device from a sealed state to an open state. [Figure 11] This is a perspective view of the main part showing an ear-mounted unit according to one modification, in a state where it is attached to the ear. [Figure 12] This is a perspective view of the main part showing an ear-mounted unit according to one modification, in a state where it is attached to the ear. [Figure 13] This is a cross-sectional view of a key part showing one modified example of the ear pad section. [Figure 14] This is a cross-sectional view of a key part showing one modified example of the ear pad section. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] Referring to Figures 1 to 10, an embodiment of the ear device 1, ear-mounted unit 100, and method for switching the mounting state of the ear device 1 according to the present invention will be described. While the embodiments described below are subject to various technically preferred limitations for carrying out the present invention, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments and illustrated examples.

[0010] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the ear-mounted unit 100 according to this embodiment comprises an ear device 1, a main body 7, and an arm portion 8. The main body 7 houses, for example, a power supply unit such as a battery, a communication module for wireless communication such as Bluetooth®, and various circuit boards (none of which are shown) within a housing made of resin or the like. The arm portion 8 connects the main body 7 and the ear device 1. The ear device 1 and the ear-mounted unit 100 including the ear device 1 are used by being worn on the user's ear E. In the illustrated example, the arm portion 8 connects the ear device 1, which is positioned on the front side of the ear E (the opening side of the external auditory canal E2), and the main body 7, which is positioned on the back side of the earlobe E3, like an ear cuff.

[0011] As shown in Figures 3 to 5, in this embodiment, the ear device 1 includes a driver unit 2, a housing 3, a sound-emitting shaft portion 4, and a movement adjustment portion 5. As will be described later, the ear device 1 according to this embodiment is configured such that the movement adjustment portion 5 moves the sound-emitting shaft portion 4 in the axial direction Da (see Figures 1 and 2, etc.) to enable a sealed state in which at least the free end side of the sound-emitting shaft portion 4 (the ear pad portion 42 of the sound-emitting shaft portion 4) is inserted into the external auditory canal E2, and an open state in which the sound-emitting shaft portion 4 (the ear pad portion 42 of the sound-emitting shaft portion 4) is positioned outside the external auditory canal E2. When the sound-emitting shaft portion 4 is in the sealed state, the ear device 1 (the ear-wearing unit 100 including the ear device 1) can be used as a so-called sealed type. When the sound-emitting shaft portion 4 is in the open state, the ear device 1 (the ear-wearing unit 100 including the ear device 1) can be used as a so-called open type with the ear canal open. The configuration of each part will be described in detail below.

[0012] The driver unit 2 converts electrical signals into sound. Specifically, the driver unit 2 includes, for example, a diaphragm, a coil, a magnet, etc. (none of which are shown), and when the ear-worn unit 100 is an earphone, it converts electrical signals (sound signals) supplied from an external device into vibrations. When the ear-worn unit 100 is a hearing aid (sound collector), the ear device 1 further includes a microphone, amplifier, etc. (not shown). The microphone is a sound wave input unit (sound collector) that collects sound waves (sound data) from the outside, and the sound waves (sound data) collected by the microphone are input to the amplifier, converted into electrical signals, and amplified as appropriate. Furthermore, this electrical signal is supplied to the driver unit 2 and converted into sound. The driver unit 2 is built into the main body 7, and the generated sound may be guided to the sound hole 421 via a sound path (not shown) formed inside the arm section 8.

[0013] The housing 3 is formed of, for example, various resins or the like. In the example shown in FIG. 3 and the like, the outer shape is formed substantially spherical. Note that the shape of the housing 3 is not limited to the illustrated example. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, in the mounted state, a part of the spherical housing 3 abuts on the surface side of the auricle E and is locked in the concha cavity E1. In the embodiment, the housing 3 has a housing space 311 for housing the driver unit 2 therein. Further, the housing 3 supports one end side of the sound emitting shaft portion 4 described later. A sound hole 421 for emitting the sound converted by the driver unit 2 is formed at the other end side (free end side) of the sound emitting shaft portion 4, and a sound path is secured from the driver unit 2 to the sound hole 421. That is, the housing 3 has an opening 3a on the side that supports the sound emitting shaft portion 4, and a hollow support cylinder portion 312 that communicates with the housing space 311 is formed in the housing 3 from the housing space 311 side toward the opening 3a side. Note that the sound emitting shaft portion 4 is connected to the housing 3, one end side of the sound emitting shaft portion 4 is disposed inside the housing 3, and the other end side of the sound emitting shaft portion 4 has a sound hole.

[0014] The support cylinder portion 312 is a cylindrical portion coaxial with the cylindrical portion 41 of the sound emitting shaft portion 4 described later, and the support cylinder portion 312 is inserted inside the cylindrical portion 41 in the assembled state of the ear device 1. A gap exists between the outer peripheral portion of the support cylinder portion 312 and the inner peripheral portion of the cylindrical portion 41, and an elastic member 6 is interposed in this gap. In the embodiment, the elastic member 6 is a coil spring and is a return spring that is in a contracted state in the normal state. Hooking portions 61 such as hooks are provided at one end side and the other end side of the elastic member 6, respectively. The hooking portion 61 at one end side is locked to a first locking portion 313 formed on the support cylinder portion 312 side of the housing 3. The hooking portion 61 at the other end side is locked to a second locking portion 413 formed on the cylindrical portion 41. The first locking portion 313 and the second locking portion 413 are, for example, grooves or cutouts. The first locking portion 313 and the second locking portion 413 only need to be able to lock the hooking portion 61, and their shapes and the like are not limited.

[0015] Further, the housing 3 has an insertion hole 33 that opens at a position on the outer peripheral side different from the opening 3a and extends toward the support cylinder portion 312. The opening portion of the insertion hole 33 is provided at a portion outside the concha cavity E1 when the ear device 1 is worn on the ear E. Inside the insertion hole 33, an operating member 51 of a moving adjustment portion 5 described later is arranged to be movable along the insertion direction of the insertion hole 33 (this is defined as the "operating direction Db" of the operating member 51). In the embodiment, the insertion hole 33 is inserted in a direction substantially orthogonal to the support cylinder portion 312 along the axial direction Da of the sound emitting shaft portion 4, and the operating member 51 moves along the insertion direction (operating direction Db) inside the insertion hole 33.

[0016] Around the periphery of the portion where the insertion hole 33 and the support cylinder portion 312 intersect, an operating space 34 serving as a moving space when the abutting inclined portion 43 of the sound emitting shaft portion 4 described later moves in the axial direction is formed in the housing 3. Also, the opening side (outer peripheral side of the housing 3) of the insertion hole 33 is a narrow neck portion 331 having a smaller inner diameter than the back side where the operating member 51 is arranged, and the operating member 51 cannot move to the opening side from the narrow neck portion 331. A groove 332 is formed in a circumferential direction on the inner peripheral side of the narrow neck portion 331, and a flange portion 524 of a rotation operator 52 described later is fitted into this groove 332.

[0017] One side of the sound emitting shaft portion 4 is supported by the housing 3. In the embodiment, as described above, the sound emitting shaft portion 4 is locked to the housing 3 (the support cylinder portion 312 inside the housing 3) via an elastic member 6. The sound emitting shaft portion 4 has a hollow cylindrical portion 41 and an ear pad portion 42. One end side of the cylindrical portion 41 is inserted into the housing 3 from the opening 3a of the housing 3 and is supported by the support cylinder portion �12. The cylindrical portion 41 is preferably formed of a slidable material such as POM or the like.

[0018] The ear pad portion 42 is provided on the other end of the cylindrical portion 41 (the free end of the sound emission axis portion 4, which is the side opposite to the side supported by the housing 3). The ear pad portion 42 has a rounded tip on the ear canal E2 side and is formed in a roughly dome shape overall. The material used to form the ear pad portion 42 is not particularly limited, but a soft material that can seal the ear canal E2 when inserted into the ear canal E2 is used. The ear pad portion 42 has sound holes 421 that emit sound converted by the driver unit 2. In this embodiment, multiple sound holes 421 are provided on the tip side of the ear pad portion 42. By providing multiple sound holes 421, sound can be reliably delivered into the ear canal E2 even if some of the sound holes 421 are blocked by the wall of the ear canal E2 when the ear pad portion 42 is inserted into the ear canal E2. The cylindrical portion 41 and the ear pad portion 42 may be an integrated unit or separate.

[0019] A stopper inclined portion 43 is provided on the outer circumference of the cylindrical portion 41 at a position corresponding to the aforementioned operating space 34. The stopper inclined portion 43 has a second inclined surface 431 that contacts the first inclined surface 512 formed on the operating member 51 of the movement adjustment portion 5, which will be described later. The second inclined surface 431 has an inclination angle corresponding to the first inclined surface 512. In this embodiment, the insertion hole 33 through which the operating member 51 moves is provided almost perpendicular to the support cylindrical portion 312, and the first inclined surface 512 of the operating member 51 and the second inclined surface 431 of the stopper inclined portion 43 that receives it have an inclination angle of approximately 45 degrees. The second inclined surface 431 slides so as to be pushed out toward the first inclined surface 512 in response to the movement of the operating member 51. As a result, the entire sound emission shaft portion 4 moves along the axial direction Da in response to the movement of the operating member 51.

[0020] The movement adjustment section 5 includes an operating member 51 and a rotary operator 52. The operating member 51 is a member that acts on the sound emission shaft 4 and, as shown in Figures 4 and 5, is positioned inside the insertion hole 33 of the housing 3 and is movable within the insertion hole 33 along the insertion direction (operation direction Db). The operating member 51 is preferably made of a sliding material such as POM. As mentioned above, the outer diameter of the operating member 51 is larger than the inner diameter of the narrow neck portion 331 so that it cannot come out on the opening side of the narrow neck portion 331. The operating member 51 has a screw hole 511 that opens towards the narrow neck portion 331, and the screw portion 521 of the rotary operator 52 is screwed into the screw hole 511 from the narrow neck portion 331 side. The operating member 51 has a first inclined surface 512 such that its width in cross-section narrows as it moves toward the tip side in the direction of movement (i.e., the lower side of the direction of movement Db in Figure 4, etc.), and the first inclined surface 512 is in sliding contact with the second inclined surface 431 mentioned above.

[0021] The rotary operator 52 is positioned outside the concha E1 when the ear device 1 is worn, and is an operator that can be operated by the user while the device is worn. The rotary operator 52 comprises a shaft portion 522 with a threaded portion 521 formed on one side, and an operating head 523 provided on the other side of the shaft portion 522 that can be rotated by the user with their fingers. Preferably, the circumferential surface of the operating head 523 is knurled, for example, to facilitate finger operation. A flange portion 524 is formed between the operating head 523 and the threaded portion 521 on the shaft portion 522. As described above, the flange portion 524 is positioned in the groove 332 formed in the narrow neck portion 331. The portion of the narrow neck portion 331 in which the groove 332 is formed has a roughly U-shaped cross-section, and the flange portion 524 is held within the groove 332. As a result, the rotary operator 52 can rotate around its axis, but is restricted from moving in the insertion direction (operation direction Db) of the insertion hole 33.

[0022] Next, with reference to the drawings, the operation of the ear device 1 and the ear-mounted unit 100 according to this embodiment, and the method for switching the wearing state of the ear device 1 will be explained. Note that in Figures 7 and 9, for illustrative purposes, the size of the ear device 1 is depicted as larger than the size of the ear E.

[0023] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, when a user attaches the ear-mounted unit 100 of the embodiment to their ear E, the ear device 1 is positioned on the opening side of the external auditory canal E2 of the ear E, and the housing 3 is locked inside the concha E1. In Figures 1 and 2, the position where the housing 3 abuts against and is supported by the concha E1 is called the contact point P. The axial direction Da of the sound-emitting shaft portion 4 of the ear device 1 is set in the direction toward the inside of the external auditory canal E2 from this contact point P. When the tip side of the sound-emitting shaft portion 4 (the tip side of the ear pad portion 42) is inserted into the external auditory canal E2, a pressing force is applied to the ear device 1 from the external auditory canal E2 side in the direction along the axial direction Da, but because the housing 3 is in contact with the concha E1 at the contact point P, this pressing force can be received by the concha E1 side. Furthermore, the main body 7, which is connected to the ear device 1 via the arm portion 8, is positioned on the back side of the ear E, with the earlobe E3 in between. This allows the ear-mounted unit 100 to be securely attached to the ear E and prevents it from falling off.

[0024] To switch the wearing state of the ear device 1 (ear-mounted unit 100 equipped with the ear device 1) from an open state where the ear pad portion 42 is positioned outside the external auditory canal E2 to a sealed state where the ear pad portion 42 is inserted into the external auditory canal E2, and from the sealed state to the open state, the user operates the rotary operator 52 of the movement adjustment unit 5 with their finger as follows. This allows the wearing state of the ear-mounted unit 100 to be switched to the desired state while the ear-mounted unit 100 remains attached to the ear E.

[0025] First, when the ear pad portion 42 is in an open state outside the ear canal E2 (left side of Figure 7), the movement adjustment portion 5 of the embodiment is raised to the extent that the operating member 51 is screwed into the threaded portion 521 and contacts the lower end of the slender neck portion 331 (see left side of Figure 7 and Figure 8). In this state, the second inclined surface 431 of the abutment inclined portion 43 is only in contact with the first inclined surface 512 and is not pressed. The sound emission shaft portion 4 on which the abutment inclined portion 43 is provided is locked to the housing 3 via an elastic member 6 which is a return spring, and this elastic member 6 is in a contracted state, which is approximately its natural length, when in the open state.

[0026] To switch the sound emission shaft 4 from this open state (left side of Figure 7) to a sealed state (right side of Figure 7) and use the ear device 1 (ear-mounted unit 100 equipped with the ear device 1) as a sealed type, the user rotates the rotary operator 52 of the movement adjustment unit 5 counterclockwise, as shown in Figure 8. This causes the operating member 51 to gradually extend through the insertion hole 33 downwards in the insertion direction (operating direction Db) (downwards in Figure 8), as indicated by the downward arrow in Figure 8. As shown in Figure 8, the operating member 51 moves in a direction different from the axial direction Da of the sound emission shaft 4 (see the rightward arrow in Figure 8). In this embodiment, the operating direction Db of the operating member 51 is approximately 90 degrees to the axial direction Da of the sound emission shaft 4 toward the external auditory canal E2 (see Figures 1 and 2). As shown in Figures 1 and 2, by setting the insertion direction (operating direction Db) of the insertion hole 33 to be approximately perpendicular to the axial direction Da of the sound emission shaft portion 4, the operating head 523 of the rotary operator 52 can be positioned outside the concha E1. Therefore, the user can easily operate the rotary operator 52 while wearing the ear device 1 on their ear E.

[0027] As the operating member 51 moves downward in the operating direction Db (see the downward arrow in Figure 8), the second inclined surface 431 slides outwards against the first inclined surface 512, causing the entire sound-emitting shaft portion 4 to slide against the elastic member 6 along the axial direction Da toward the opening 3a of the housing 3 (see the rightward arrow in Figure 8). In this embodiment, simply by pushing the operating member 51 linearly downward in the operating direction Db, the first inclined surface 512 pushes the second inclined surface 431 along the slope. As a result, the downward force applied in the operating direction Db (downward in Figure 8) can be effectively converted into a force that moves the sound-emitting shaft portion 4 to the right in the axial direction Da (rightward in Figure 8). As a result, at least the ear pad portion 42, which is the tip end of the sound-emitting shaft portion 4, is inserted into the external auditory canal E2. When the ear pad portion 42 is inserted into the external auditory canal E2, creating a sealed state, the elastic member 6 extends to a length longer in the axial direction Da than its natural length. A force acts on the elastic member 6 to return it to its normal contracted state. However, when the operating member 51 is lowered to below the insertion hole 33, the second inclined surface 431 of the abutting inclined portion 43 abuts against the first inclined surface 412, preventing it from returning to the left in the axial direction Da, and thus the position of the sound emission axis portion 4 in the axial direction Da is maintained (see the state on the right in Figure 7).

[0028] Conversely, if the user wishes to switch the sound emission shaft 4 from a sealed state (left side of Figure 9) to an open state (right side of Figure 9) and use the ear device 1 (ear-mounted unit 100 equipped with the ear device 1) as an open type, the user rotates the rotary operator 52 of the movement adjustment unit 5 clockwise, as shown in Figure 10. This causes the operating member 51 to be gradually pulled up in the insertion hole 33 in the upward direction (upward direction in Figure 10) of the insertion direction (operation direction Db) by the screw portion 521 of the rotary operator 52, as indicated by the upward arrow in Figure 10. When the operating member 51 is raised upward, the second inclined surface 431 becomes movable to the left in the axial direction Da (see the leftward arrow in Figure 10) by the amount that the first inclined surface 412 has moved upward, and the sound emission shaft 4 is pulled back to the left in the axial direction Da by the restoring force of the elastic member 6 as it tries to return to its normal contracted state. As a result, the ear pad portion 42, which is the tip of the sound-emitting axis portion 4, is positioned outside the external auditory canal E2.

[0029] There are advantages and disadvantages to using the ear device 1 (ear-wearing unit 100 equipped with the ear device 1) in an open-type configuration, where the tip of the sound-emitting shaft 4, in which the sound hole 421 is formed, is not inserted into the ear canal E2, and to using the ear device 1 (ear-wearing unit 100 equipped with the ear device 1) in a sealed-type configuration, where the tip of the sound-emitting shaft 4 is inserted into the ear canal E2. For example, in the open-type configuration, external sounds can also be taken in. Therefore, for example, while walking, on a train, or during an online meeting, it is possible to hear the sound converted by the driver unit 2 while being aware of the surrounding environment. Also, by keeping the ear canal (ear canal E2) open, discomfort and a feeling of being trapped inside are less likely to occur, and discomfort due to moisture buildup is also avoided. As a result, the ear device 1 (ear-wearing unit 100 equipped with the ear device 1) can be used comfortably for a long time. On the other hand, the further the sound hole 421 is from the entrance of the ear canal E2, the lower the sound pressure reaching the eardrum becomes, making it more difficult for people to hear the sound. Furthermore, if the sound hole 421 is located outside the ear canal E2, the risk of sound leakage to the surroundings increases. In this respect, with a closed-type design, clear, high-quality sound can be expected, and there is no need to worry about sound leakage to the surroundings, allowing for immersion in music, etc. In addition, by creating a sealed state, noise cancellation can be effectively performed, making it possible to eliminate background noise. With the ear device 1 of this embodiment (ear-mounted unit 100 equipped with the ear device 1), the user can easily switch between open-type and closed-type as needed due to its relatively simple configuration, and one device can be used to suit various situations.

[0030] As described above, the ear device 1 of this embodiment includes a housing 3, a sound-emitting shaft 4 connected to the housing 3 and having a sound hole 421, and a movement adjustment unit 5 that moves the sound-emitting shaft 4 in the axial direction Da relative to the housing 3 according to user operation. By operating the movement adjustment unit 5, the ear device can be set to a sealed state in which the sound hole 421 of the sound-emitting shaft 4 is positioned inside the ear canal E2, and to an open state in which the sound hole 421 of the sound-emitting shaft 4 is positioned outside the ear canal E2. This allows the user to easily switch between a sealed and an open type, and to use one ear device 1 by switching between sealed and open types as appropriate. This allows the user to enjoy high-quality sound with peace of mind in a sealed state when they are concerned about sound leakage to the surroundings or when they want to immerse themselves in music, and to use it as an open type that puts less strain on the ear E when they want to be considerate of their surroundings or when they want to use it comfortably for a long time, thus adapting to the situation.

[0031] Furthermore, the movable adjustment unit 5 in this embodiment includes a rotating control element 52 that is positioned outside the concha cavity E1 and can be operated by the user while the device is worn. Therefore, the user can easily switch between the open and closed types.

[0032] Furthermore, the movement adjustment unit 5 of the embodiment includes an operating member 51 that moves in a direction different from the axial direction Da of the sound emission shaft unit 4 (operating direction Db) and acts on the sound emission shaft unit 4, and the sound emission shaft unit 4 moves in the axial direction Da in response to the operation of the operating member 51. In the embodiment, the direction of movement of the operating member 51 (operating direction Db) is approximately 90 degrees with respect to the axial direction Da of the sound emission shaft unit 4. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the axial direction Da of the sound emission shaft unit 4 is approximately equal to the extension direction of the external auditory canal E2, making it difficult to operate the sound emission shaft unit 4 from the axial direction Da. In this regard, by operating the operating member 51 from a direction different from the axial direction Da, particularly from a direction approximately 90 degrees with respect to the axial direction Da, it is possible to apply force easily and stably operate the movement adjustment unit 5, and move the sound emission shaft unit 4 in the axial direction Da.

[0033] Furthermore, the operating member 51 of the embodiment has a first inclined surface 512 such that its width in cross-section narrows towards the tip side in the direction of movement (operating direction Db), and the sound-emitting shaft portion 4 has a second inclined surface 431 having an inclination angle corresponding to the first inclined surface 512. When the operating member 51 moves in the direction of movement (operating direction Db) with the first inclined surface 512 in contact with the second inclined surface 431, the second inclined surface 431 slides against the first inclined surface 512, and the sound-emitting shaft portion 4 moves in the axial direction Da. In this way, with a relatively simple configuration in which the inclined surfaces abut and slide against each other, the sound-emitting shaft portion 4 can be moved in the axial direction Da by movement from a direction different from the axial direction Da.

[0034] Furthermore, the sound-emitting shaft portion 4 of this embodiment is locked to the housing 3 via an elastic member 6. The elastic member 6 is in a contracted state, which is approximately its natural length, when the sound-emitting shaft portion 4 is open, and in an extended state, which is longer in the axial direction Da than its natural length, when the sound-emitting shaft portion 4 is sealed. In the extended state, the elastic member 6 exerts a restoring force that tries to return it to its normal contracted state. Therefore, after the sealed state is reached, simply by changing the position in the axial direction Da where the second inclined surface 431 abuts against the first inclined surface 512, the elastic member 6 is automatically pulled back by its restoring force, and the sound-emitting shaft portion 4 can return to the open state.

[0035] Furthermore, the ear-mounted unit 100 of this embodiment includes the ear device 1 shown in the embodiment, a main body 7 positioned on the back of the ear E when worn, and an arm portion 8 connecting the main body 7 and the ear device 1. This allows the main body 7 and the ear device 1 to sandwich the ear E from both sides, enabling stable attachment to the ear E.

[0036] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[0037] For example, the ear-mounted unit 100 in the above embodiment is illustrated by an example where the arm portion 8 connecting the ear device 1, which is locked into the conchae cavity E1, and the main body 7, which is positioned on the back side of the ear E, is arranged to cross the earlobe E3 like an ear cuff. However, the configuration of the ear-mounted unit 100 is not limited to this. For example, as shown in Figure 11, the ear-mounted unit 200 may be arranged so that the arm portion 8a connecting the ear device 1 and the main body 7 passes below the earlobe E3. Also, as shown in Figure 12, the ear-mounted unit 300 may be arranged so that the arm portion 8b connecting the ear device 1 and the main body 7 passes above the earlobe E3.

[0038] Furthermore, although the above embodiment illustrates a case where the ear device 1 is provided on an ear-mounted unit 100 comprising a main body 7 and an arm portion 8, the ear device 1 may be used independently without being connected to the main body 7 or arm portion 8. For example, the ear device may have a built-in communication module or various circuit boards, configured to communicate with various electronic devices such as smartphones, and receive audio signals from electronic devices wirelessly and emit sound from the sound hole 421. Alternatively, the ear device may be used in connection with various audio equipment via a wired connection. In such cases where the ear device is used independently, a second contact portion is provided on the housing portion that engages with the concha E1 at a position different from the contact point P, so that the housing is engaged with the concha E1 at least in two places. This prevents the ear device from falling out without the ear E being sandwiched between the ear device and the main body.

[0039] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, an example was given in which the ear pad portion 42 provided on the sound-emitting shaft portion 4 is formed in a substantially dome shape and has multiple sound holes 421 on its tip side, but the shape and configuration of the ear pad portion are not limited thereto. For example, as shown in Figure 13, the ear pad portion 42a may have one sound hole 422 on its tip side. Alternatively, for example, a hollow locking shaft portion may be provided on the free end side of the cylindrical portion 41 of the sound-emitting shaft portion 4, and the ear pad portion 42b may be configured to have a locking cylindrical portion 424 that locks onto the locking shaft portion inside a dome-shaped umbrella portion 423 as shown in Figure 14.

[0040] Furthermore, the distance from the concha E1 to the external auditory canal E2 varies from person to person. Also, when using a closed-type design, users have preferences for how they want to wear the headphones, such as wanting to stop the sound-emitting shaft 4 near the entrance of the external auditory canal E2 or wanting to insert it deep into the external auditory canal E2. For this reason, multiple ear pads of different sizes (length in the axial direction Da) may be provided so that when the sound-emitting shaft 4 is moved to the external auditory canal E2 side as far as it can be moved by the movement adjustment unit 5, the tip of the sound-emitting shaft 4 reaches the position that provides the user's desired sealed state. In addition, the sound-emitting shaft 4 may be provided with an attachment that can be attached between the cylindrical part 41 and the ear pad part 42 and can change the length in the axial direction Da. Furthermore, the ear pads and parts of the attachments may be provided with expandable bellows or the like that can be adjusted to the user's desired length. When multiple types of ear pads and attachments are provided, it is preferable to configure the headphones so that the user can change or attach / detach the ear pads and attachments as appropriate according to the fit and ease of use.

[0041] Furthermore, the configuration of the movement adjustment unit 5 shown in the above embodiment is just one example and can be modified as appropriate. For example, in the embodiment, the movement adjustment unit 5 is provided with a rotary operator 52 that moves the operating member 51 by rotating it, as an operator operated by the user, but the operator is not limited to rotating. For example, it may be a push button that moves the operating member 51 in one or more stages by being pressed. Also, in the embodiment, the configuration is such that the first inclined surface 512 moves in the operating direction Db, causing the second inclined surface 431 that contacts it to slide and move the sound emission shaft 4 in the axial direction Da, but the configuration for moving the sound emission shaft 4 in the axial direction Da is not limited to this. It is preferable for the axial direction Da and the operating direction Db to be in different directions and orthogonal to each other for efficient operation, but the axial direction Da and the operating direction Db do not necessarily have to be orthogonal. If the axial direction Da and the operating direction Db are not orthogonal, the inclination angles of the first inclined surface 512 and the second inclined surface 431 do not have to be 45 degrees, and are adjusted to the appropriate angles.

[0042] Furthermore, although the above embodiment illustrates the case where the elastic member 6 is a coil spring, the elastic member 6 is not limited to a coil spring and can be any elastic member that can automatically return the sound-emitting shaft 4, which has been moved in the axial direction Da by the movement adjustment unit 5, to its original position. Also, for example, the elastic member 6 may be a coil spring that is normally in an extended state. In this case, for example, when the sound-emitting shaft 4 is moved in the axial direction Da by the movement adjustment unit 5, the elastic member 6 is compressed. Then, when the restriction on movement by the movement adjustment unit 5 is released, the sound-emitting shaft 4 returns to its original position due to the restoring force of the elastic member 6 trying to return to its extended state.

[0043] Furthermore, while the above embodiment illustrates a case where the open-type and closed-type can be switched while the ear device 1 (ear-mounted unit 100 equipped with the ear device 1) is attached to the ear E, the ear device 1 (ear-mounted unit 100 equipped with the ear device 1) may also be designed to switch between the open-type and closed-type while it is removed from the ear E.

[0044] Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but includes the scope of the invention as described in the claims and its equivalents. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0045] 1...Ear device, 3...Housing, 4...Sound emission axis, 5...Movement adjustment section, 421...Sound hole, Da...Axial direction, E2...External auditory canal

Claims

1. The casing and A sound-emitting shaft portion having a sound hole is connected to the aforementioned housing, A movement adjustment unit that moves the sound emission shaft portion in the axial direction relative to the housing in response to user operation, It has, By operating the aforementioned movement adjustment unit, the sound hole of the sound emission shaft can be positioned in a sealed state where it is located inside the external auditory canal, or in an open state where it is located outside the external auditory canal. An ear device characterized by the following features.

2. The aforementioned movement adjustment unit includes an operating element that is positioned outside the concha and can be operated by the user while worn. The ear device according to feature 1.

3. The aforementioned movement adjustment unit includes an operating member that moves in a direction different from the axial direction of the sound emission shaft and acts on the sound emission shaft, The sound emission shaft portion moves in the axial direction in response to the movement of the operating member. The ear device according to feature 1.

4. The direction of movement of the aforementioned operating member is approximately 90 degrees with respect to the axial direction of the sound emission shaft portion. The ear device according to feature 3.

5. The aforementioned operating member has a first inclined surface such that its width in cross-section narrows as it moves towards the tip in the direction of movement. The sound emission shaft portion has a second inclined surface having an inclination angle corresponding to the first inclined surface, With the first inclined surface in contact with the second inclined surface, the operating member moves in the direction of movement, causing the second inclined surface to slide against the first inclined surface, and the sound emission shaft portion to move in the axial direction. The ear device according to feature 3.

6. The sound-emitting shaft portion is secured to the housing via an elastic member. The elastic member is in a contracted state, which is approximately its natural length, when the sound-emitting shaft is open, and in an extended state, which is longer in the axial direction than its natural length, when the sound-emitting shaft is closed. The ear device according to feature 1.

7. The ear device according to any one of claims 1 to 6 is The main unit is positioned behind the ear when worn, The main body and the arm portion connecting to the ear device, An ear-worn unit characterized by having the following features.

8. A sound-emitting shaft, supported by a housing that is locked within the concha cavity and having a sound-emitting hole at its free end, is moved axially relative to the housing by user operation. Switching between a sealed state in which at least the free end of the sound-emitting shaft is inserted into the external auditory canal and an open state in which the sound-emitting shaft is positioned outside the external auditory canal. A method for switching the wearing state of an ear device, characterized by the following features.

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