Ear tips and earphones

Abstract

To provide eartips and earphones that can prevent sound (vibration) from leaking to the outside through the gap between them and the sound conduit. [Solution] The earpiece is for earphones and has a substantially cylindrical base that is attached to a substantially cylindrical sound conduit of the earphone body. The base is made up of a three-layer structure consisting of a first layer, a second layer, and a third layer, each having a different hardness. The earphone also comprises the above earpiece and the earphone body.

Description

Technical Field

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[0001] The present invention relates to earpieces and earphones.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses, for example, an earpiece for an earphone that is attached to a sound guide tube (also called a "nozzle" or a "port") of the earphone. This earpiece includes an upper umbrella portion having an upper hollow tube and an upper umbrella surrounding the top end of the upper hollow tube, and a lower umbrella portion having a lower hollow tube and a lower umbrella surrounding the top end of the lower hollow tube. A buffer portion communicating with the upper hollow tube is provided at the top end of the lower hollow tube, and the hardness of the lower umbrella portion is configured to be slightly greater than the hardness of the upper umbrella portion. With this configuration, the lower umbrella portion seals the ear canal, and the buffer portion can be bent appropriately, so that it assists the upper umbrella portion to enter the ear canal and improves the defect that the upper umbrella portion is difficult to enter the depth of the ear hole or easily falls off, and the sound effect and quality of the earphone are disclosed.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, the sound (vibration) emitted from the driver is transmitted through the sound guide tube, passes through the earpiece, and then reaches the eardrum. However, some of the sound (vibration) may leak out to the outside from between the sound guide tube and the earpiece, that is, it may leak. From the viewpoints of the sound effect and quality of the earphone, it is necessary to suppress the above-mentioned leakage of sound (vibration) to the outside, but Patent Document 1 has not made a detailed study on this point.

[0005] This disclosure was devised in view of the conventional circumstances described above, and aims to provide an earpiece and earphone capable of preventing sound (vibration) from leaking to the outside through the sound conduit. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] An earpiece according to one aspect of the present disclosure is an earpiece for an earphone, comprising a substantially cylindrical base which is attached to a substantially cylindrical sound conduit of the earphone body, the base which is configured as a three-layer structure consisting of a first layer, a second layer, and a third layer, the first layer, the second layer, and the third layer each having different hardness.

[0007] Furthermore, an earphone according to one aspect of this disclosure comprises the above-mentioned earpiece and an earphone body having a substantially cylindrical sound conduit to which the earpiece is attached. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] The eartips and earphones of this disclosure can prevent sound (vibrations) from leaking to the outside through the gap between them and the sound conduit. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] Schematic diagram showing an earphone including an earpiece according to Embodiment 1 [Figure 2] Schematic cross-sectional view of the earphone shown in Figure 1. [Figure 3] Schematic cross-sectional view of a conventional earpiece. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] (Background leading to this disclosure) Conventional eartips 100, as shown in Figure 3, are often made of elastic material with different hardnesses in a first part 101 that goes deep into the ear canal and seals the ear canal, and a second part 102 that excludes the first part 101 (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The first part 101 is set to have a lower hardness in order to seal the ear canal, thereby improving its conformability to the ear canal. On the other hand, the second part consists of a region A that is attached to the sound conduit 114 and a region B that goes deep into the ear canal, making it complicated to set its hardness. Specifically, region A requires high hardness to tightly adhere to the sound conduit 114, while region B requires low hardness to achieve noise cancellation and user comfort because it goes deep into the ear canal. If the hardness of the second part 102 were increased to prioritize the considerations of area A, it would impair the conformability to the ear canal and, consequently, the sealing ability of the ear canal, and the user might experience discomfort due to the hardness of the second part 102 felt deep inside the ear canal. On the other hand, if the hardness of the second part 102 were decreased to prioritize the considerations of area B, the degree of contact with the sound conduit 114 would decrease, and there was a risk that sound (vibration) emitted from the driver would leak to the outside through the gap between it and the sound conduit 114.

[0011] In Patent Document 1, the hardness of the upper umbrella portion, which roughly corresponds to the first portion 101 shown in Figure 3, is set to approximately 30°±5°, and the hardness of the lower umbrella portion, which roughly corresponds to the second portion 102 shown in Figure 3, is set to approximately 40°±5°. In this case, the degree of contact between the earpiece and the sound conduit is low, and there is a risk that sound (vibration) away from the driver may leak to the outside through the gap between the earpiece and the sound conduit.

[0012] Furthermore, a good fit of the earpiece to the user's ear is crucial for achieving both noise cancellation and user comfort. Therefore, improving the fit is necessary to better realize both noise cancellation and user comfort. Thus, "improved fit" as used in this specification includes achieving both noise cancellation and user comfort more appropriately. Moreover, a good fit ensures that the earpiece maintains a proper seal in the ear canal, and thus, an improved fit simultaneously improves the sound effect and quality of the earphones.

[0013] The embodiments of this disclosure will be described in detail below, with reference to the drawings as appropriate. However, unnecessary details may be omitted. For example, detailed explanations of already well-known matters or redundant explanations of substantially identical configurations may be omitted. This is to avoid the following explanation becoming unnecessarily verbose and to facilitate understanding for those skilled in the art. The accompanying drawings and the following explanation are provided to enable those skilled in the art to fully understand this disclosure and are not intended to limit the subject matter described in the claims.

[0014] (Embodiment 1) Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing an earphone 1 including an earpiece 20 according to Embodiment 1. Figure 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the earphone shown in Figure 1.

[0015] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the earphone 1 comprises an earphone body 10 and an earpiece 20.

[0016] As shown in Figure 2, the earphone body 10 has a housing 11 and a speaker unit 13. The housing 11 has an internal storage space 12, in which the speaker unit 13 and other components are housed.

[0017] The housing 11 has a projecting sound guide tube 14 which is substantially cylindrical, and an earpiece 20 is attached to the sound guide tube 14. The sound guide tube 14 has a sound emitting hole 15 communicating with the accommodation space 12, and the sound (vibration) emitted from the speaker unit 13 is emitted to the earpiece 20 through the sound emitting hole 15.

[0018] At the projecting end (upper end) of the sound guide tube 14, there is provided a locking claw 16 for preventing the earpiece 20 from coming off, and the locking claw 16 is formed so as to expand in the diameter expanding direction with respect to the outer peripheral surface of the sound guide tube 14. That is, the locking claw 16 is formed in a flange shape.

[0019] In addition, in this specification, unless otherwise specified, the upper side is the side where the sound passing through the sound guide tube 14 is emitted from the sound emitting hole 15 (corresponding to the upper side on the paper surface), and the lower side is the side where the speaker unit 13 is accommodated (corresponding to the lower side on the paper surface).

[0020] The speaker unit 13 is a device that emits sound (vibration), and is also referred to as, for example, a "driver". The configuration of the speaker unit 13 is not particularly limited, and for example, a known speaker unit is used.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 2, the earpiece 20 integrally has a base portion 21 and an umbrella portion 22.

[0022] The base portion 21 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape, and a through hole 23 penetrating throughout the entire axial direction (vertical direction in the figure) thereof is provided. By inserting the sound guide tube 14 of the earphone body 10 into the through hole 23, the earpiece 20 is attached to the sound guide tube 14. As a result, since the through hole 23 communicates with the sound emitting hole 15, the sound (vibration) emitted from the speaker unit 13 is emitted to the through hole 23 (earpiece 20) through the sound emitting hole 15.

[0023] The inner diameter of the base portion 21 is formed to be equal to or smaller than the outer diameter of the sound guide tube 14. Thereby, in the state where the earpiece 20 is attached to the sound guide tube 14, the inner peripheral surface of the base portion 21 and the outer peripheral surface of the sound guide tube 14 are strongly adhered to each other.

[0024] The umbrella portion 22 is connected to the upper end of the base portion 21 along its entire circumference and extends toward the lower end of the base portion 21 so as to cover the outer circumference of the base portion 21. As a result, substantially the entire outer surface of the base portion 21 is covered by the umbrella portion 22. When the user is wearing the earphone 1, the umbrella portion 22 comes into contact with the user's ear canal and has the function of sealing the ear canal.

[0025] As described above, the earpiece 20 is formed by layering three types of elastic materials with different hardnesses.

[0026] In other words, the earpiece 20 has a first layer 24 made of the hardest elastic material, a second layer 25 made of an elastic material with lower hardness than the first layer 24, and a third layer 26 made of an elastic material with lower hardness than the second layer 25 (the hardest), and these three layers are mainly stacked along the axial direction (up and down direction in the figure) of the base 21.

[0027] The elastic material is, for example, rubber such as silicone rubber. However, the elastic material is not limited to this, and may also be elastomer, for example.

[0028] The first layer 24 is a layer that mainly forms the lower region of the base 21 and is the part of the earpiece 20 that is attached to the sound conduit 14. For this reason, the hardness of the first layer 24 is set so that sound (vibration) does not leak out from between it and the sound conduit 14, from the viewpoint of improving sound quality. For this reason, the hardness of the first layer 24 is preferably, for example, A70° or higher.

[0029] The second layer 25 is located between the first layer 24 and the third layer 26, mainly forming the central region of the base 21. A portion of it is attached to the sound conduit 14 (the lower portion in Figure 2), while the other portion is inserted deep into the ear canal. Therefore, the second layer 25 requires a balance between improved sound quality and improved fit. Accordingly, the hardness of the second layer 25 is set considering the aforementioned balance. For this reason, the hardness of the second layer is preferably, for example, around A55°±5°.

[0030] The third layer 26 is mainly the upper region of the base 21 and forms the umbrella portion 22, and is the part that goes deep into the ear canal and seals the external auditory canal. For this reason, the hardness of the third layer 26 is set from the viewpoint of improving the fit. For this reason, the hardness of the third layer 26 is preferably about A30°±5°.

[0031] As mentioned above, the earpiece 20 is formed by three types of elastic materials with different hardnesses forming layers, and thus bonding interfaces are formed between the layers. Specifically, a first interface 27 is formed between the first layer 24 and the second layer 25, and a second interface 28 is formed between the second layer 25 and the third layer 26.

[0032] The first interface 27 and the second interface 28 are formed in an uneven shape (for example, a staircase shape) from the viewpoint of improving joint strength.

[0033] Furthermore, the first interface surface 27 is set to be located between the base end of the sound conduit 14 and the lower end of the locking claw 16 (within the range of reference numeral L1 in Figure 2) from the viewpoint of ease of attaching the earpiece 20 to the sound conduit 14. However, if the position of the first interface surface 27 is near the lower end of the locking claw 16, it is more likely to be subjected to load when attaching or detaching the earpiece 20, so it is preferable that it be located away from the lower end of the locking claw 16.

[0034] Furthermore, the position of the second interface 28 is appropriately set so that a good fit is achieved when the user wears the earphone 1.

[0035] As explained above, the earpiece 20 is formed with a three-layer structure, each layer having a different hardness. This allows the hardness of the first layer 24, which is attached to the underside of the sound conduit 14, to be set higher than in conventional designs. As a result, the first layer 24 adheres tightly to the sound conduit 14, preventing sound (vibration) from leaking out through the gap between the first layer and the sound conduit 14. Furthermore, this allows the hardness of the second layer 25 to be set flexibly, making it possible to achieve both improved sound quality and a good fit.

[0036] Furthermore, the earpiece 20 has its first interface 27 and second interface 28 formed in an uneven shape (for example, a stepped shape). As a result, compared to, for example, a case where the first interface 27 and second interface 28 are planar, the area of ​​the interface between the first layer 24 and the second layer 25, and the area of ​​the interface between the second layer 25 and the third layer 26 are increased, resulting in superior bonding strength between adjacent layers, and consequently, superior strength of the earpiece 20 itself.

[0037] (Summary of Embodiment 1) Based on the description of Embodiment 1 above, the following technology is disclosed.

[0038] <Technology 1> An ear tip (20) for an earphone (1), The earphone body (10) has a roughly cylindrical base (21) which is attached to a roughly cylindrical sound conduit (14), The base (21) is configured as a three-layer structure consisting of a first layer (24), a second layer (25), and a third layer (26). The first layer (24), the second layer (25), and the third layer (26) each have different hardnesses. Eartips (20).

[0039] This configuration allows for variations in hardness to correspond to the required role of each layer at the base. Specifically, layers requiring strong adhesion to the sound conduit can be formed from a highly hard elastic material, thereby preventing sound (vibration) from leaking out through the gap with the sound conduit. Furthermore, with the aforementioned configuration, layers that penetrate deep into the ear canal can be formed from a less hard elastic material, resulting in a better fit.

[0040] <Technology 2> The first layer (24), the second layer (25), and the third layer (26) are stacked in this order from the sound conduit side (bottom side in Figure 2) in the axial direction of the base (21). The hardness of the first layer (24) is higher than the hardness of the second layer (25), and the hardness of the second layer (25) is higher than the hardness of the third layer (26). The earpiece (20) described in Technical 1.

[0041] This configuration allows for strong adhesion to the sound conduit through the first layer, and a good fit through the third layer. Furthermore, by using the second layer to achieve a balanced hardness, a better balance between strong adhesion to the sound conduit and a good fit can be achieved.

[0042] <Technology 3> The first interface (27) between the first layer (24) and the second layer (25), and the second interface (28) between the second layer (25) and the third layer (26), each have an uneven shape. Eartips (20) as described in Technical Section 2.

[0043] With this configuration, for example, compared to a case where the interface is planar, the contact area between adjacent layers increases, resulting in superior bonding strength between adjacent layers and, consequently, superior strength of the base.

[0044] <Technology 4> The umbrella portion (22) is connected to the base portion (21) and covers the base portion (21), The hardness of the umbrella portion (22) is equivalent to the hardness of the third layer (26). Earpiece (20) as described in Technology 2 or Technology 3.

[0045] This configuration ensures that the hardness of the third layer and the hardness of the umbrella section are equivalent, resulting in a better fit.

[0046] <Technology 5> The earpiece (20) described in any one of the following technical sections 1 through 4, The earphone body (10) has a roughly cylindrical sound conduit (14) into which the earpiece (20) is attached, Earphones equipped with (1).

[0047] This configuration improves the sound effects and quality of the earphones.

[0048] While embodiments have been described above with reference to the attached drawings, this disclosure is not limited to such examples. It is clear to those skilled in the art that various modifications, alterations, substitutions, additions, deletions, and equivalents can be conceived within the scope of the claims, and these are also understood to fall within the technical scope of this disclosure. Furthermore, the components of the embodiments described above can be combined in any way without departing from the spirit of the invention. [Industrial applicability]

[0049] The technology disclosed herein is useful for eartips attached to the sound conduit of an earphone body, and for earphones having the aforementioned eartips. [Explanation of symbols]

[0050] 1 earphones 10. Earphone body 11 cabinets 12 Containment space 13 speaker units 14 Sound conduit 15 Sound-emitting holes 16 Locking claws 20 eartips 21 Base 22. Umbrella section 23 Through holes 24 First Floor 25 Second Floor 26 Third Floor 27 First Realm 28 Second Realm

Claims

1. These are ear tips for earphones. It has a roughly cylindrical base that is attached to the roughly cylindrical sound conduit of the earphone body, The base is configured as a three-layer structure consisting of a first layer, a second layer, and a third layer. The aforementioned first layer, the second layer, and the third layer each have different hardnesses. Ear tips.

2. The first layer, the second layer, and the third layer are stacked in this order from the sound conduit side in the axial direction of the base. The hardness of the first layer is higher than the hardness of the second layer, and the hardness of the second layer is higher than the hardness of the third layer. The earpiece according to claim 1.

3. The first interface between the first layer and the second layer, and the second interface between the second layer and the third layer, each have an uneven shape. The earpiece according to claim 2.

4. It is connected to the base and has an umbrella portion that covers the base, The hardness of the umbrella portion is equivalent to that of the third layer. The earpiece according to claim 2.

5. An earpiece according to any one of claims 1 to 4, The earphone body has a roughly cylindrical sound conduit into which the aforementioned earpiece is attached, Earphones equipped with [a specific feature / feature].

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