earphones

Abstract

To provide earphones that more effectively prevent foreign objects from entering the housing and extend the maintenance cycle. [Solution] The earphone comprises an earphone body and an earpiece attached to the earphone body. The earphone body has a housing in which a speaker unit is incorporated, and a substantially cylindrical sound conduit protruding from the housing and having a sound-emitting hole for releasing sound emitted from the speaker unit to the earpiece. An annular recess is provided at the protruding end of the sound conduit, formed by expanding the inner diameter of the sound conduit, and a dustproof sheet is provided in the annular recess, having a first opening that communicates with the sound-emitting hole.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to earphones.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an earphone including a sound emitting means and a sound collecting means, a housing in which the sound emitting means and the sound collecting means are accommodated, a sound hole formed inside the housing for propagating the sound emitted from the sound emitting means to the sound collecting means, and an ear pad covering at least a part of the sound hole. In this earphone, a dust-proof sheet is provided on the side end face of the ear pad, which is the end face of the ear pad, and a mesh is provided between the side end face of the sound hole and the dust-proof sheet to achieve a dust-proof effect.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the earphone of Patent Document 1, since the dust-proof sheet blocks the sound hole, although foreign matters such as dust can be collected by the dust-proof sheet, due to the influence of the surface free energy, the collected foreign matters spread over the entire dust-proof sheet, and foreign matters tend to accumulate also in the central part of the dust-proof sheet (the part blocking the sound hole). That is, in the earphone of Patent Document 1, foreign matters accumulate in the central part of the dust-proof sheet according to the usage period, and the sound emitted through the sound hole becomes difficult to hear due to the accumulated foreign matters, etc., and there is a possibility that the quality of the earphone (especially the sound quality) is reduced. For this reason, the frequency of performing maintenance such as removing and cleaning foreign matters attached to the dust-proof sheet and replacing members including the dust-proof sheet with new ones increases (the maintenance cycle becomes shorter) in the earphone of Patent Document 1.

[0005] This disclosure was devised in view of the conventional circumstances described above, and aims to provide earphones that can more effectively prevent foreign matter from entering the inside of the housing and extend the maintenance cycle. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] An earphone according to one aspect of the present disclosure comprises an earphone body and an earpiece attached to the earphone body, wherein the earphone body includes a housing into which a speaker unit is incorporated, and a substantially cylindrical sound conduit protruding from the housing and having a sound-emitting hole for propagating sound emitted from the speaker unit to the outside of the housing, and an annular recess formed by expanding the inner diameter of the sound conduit is provided at the protruding end of the sound conduit, and a dustproof sheet is provided in the annular recess having a first opening that communicates with the sound-emitting hole. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] The earphones described herein allow for more effective prevention of foreign matter entering the housing and extend the maintenance cycle. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] Perspective view showing earphones according to Embodiment 1 [Figure 2] Figure 1 shows a disassembled perspective view of the main components of the earphone. [Figure 3] Schematic cross-sectional view showing the sound conduit of the earphone and its vicinity, as shown in Figure 1. [Figure 4] Figure 1 shows a perspective view of the sound conduit of the earphone, viewed from above. [Figure 5] This figure shows a modified example 1 of the dustproof sheet according to Embodiment 1, and corresponds to Figure 4. [Figure 6] This figure shows a modified example 2 of the dustproof sheet according to Embodiment 1, and corresponds to Figure 4. [Figure 7] This figure shows an earphone according to Embodiment 2, and corresponds to Figure 3. [Figure 8]Figure 7 is a perspective view of the sound conduit of the earphone shown, viewed from above, and corresponds to Figure 4. [Figure 9] Diagram explaining how foreign objects can enter earphones. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] (Background leading to this disclosure) Figure 9 is a diagram illustrating the intrusion of foreign objects into the earphone 101. For the sake of explanation, the intrusion of foreign objects into the earphone will be described below with reference to Figure 9, but the intrusion of foreign objects is a problem that can commonly occur when using earphones.

[0010] Generally, foreign matter R such as dust, debris, and earwax enters the earphone body 110 through the tip 120a of the earpiece 120. This foreign matter R often enters by traveling along the inner circumferential wall 120b of the earpiece 120, especially when the earphone 101 is in use. As mentioned above, the foreign matter R that enters basically first accumulates on the periphery of the acoustic mesh 132 provided in the sound conduit 114, and gradually spreads to the center of the acoustic mesh 132. Therefore, if the earphone 101 is used for a long period of time, foreign matter R may accumulate throughout the acoustic mesh 132, or foreign matter R may pass through the acoustic mesh 132 and enter the inside of the earphone body 110. In this case, the sound emitted through the sound emission hole 115 may become difficult to hear, or the speaker unit (not shown) built inside the earphone body 110 may malfunction. This can shorten the maintenance cycle of the earphone 101 or reduce its lifespan.

[0011] 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.

[0012] (Embodiment 1) Figure 1 is a perspective view showing an earphone 1 according to Embodiment 1. Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the main parts of the earphone 1 shown in Figure 1. As shown in Figure 1, the earphone 1 comprises an earphone body 10 and an earpiece 20.

[0013] A detailed explanation of the earpiece 20 will be omitted, but for example, the earpiece 20 is made of rubber such as silicone rubber or elastomer, and has a roughly cylindrical base that is attached to the sound conduit 14 (see below) and an umbrella-shaped part that seals the ear canal. Other known earpieces besides the one described above may be used, and their configuration is not particularly limited.

[0014] Figure 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the sound conduit 14 and its vicinity of the earphone 1 shown in Figure 1. Figure 4 is a perspective view of the sound conduit 14 of the earphone 1 shown in Figure 1, viewed from above. As shown in Figure 3, the earphone body 10 has a housing 11 and a speaker unit 13. The inside of the housing 11 is a housing space 12, and the speaker unit 13 and the like are housed in the housing space 12.

[0015] 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 emission 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 emission hole 15. The sound emission hole 15 is arranged in parallel with a microphone accommodation part 16 (to be described later) in the inner space of the sound guide tube 14. In other words, the sound guide tube 14 is provided with a partition wall 14a that divides its inner space into the sound emission hole 15 and the microphone accommodation part 16.

[0016] Furthermore, the earphone main body 10 has a feedback microphone 17 for realizing a noise canceling function. The feedback microphone 17 is accommodated in the microphone accommodation part 16 described above. Specifically, it is assembled to the partition wall 14a within the microphone accommodation part 16. As the feedback microphone 17, for example, a known one may be used, and its configuration is not particularly limited.

[0017] Also, the earphone main body 10 may have a feedforward microphone in order to realize a noise canceling function. In this case, by combining the feedback microphone 17 and the feedforward microphone, a more excellent noise canceling function can be realized.

[0018] At the protruding end (upper end) of the sound guide tube 14, a locking claw 18 for preventing the earpiece 20 from coming off is provided, and the locking claw 18 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 18 is formed in a flange shape.

[0019] At the protruding end of the sound guide tube 14, an annular recess 19 formed by expanding the inner diameter of the sound guide tube 14 is provided. The annular recess 19 is an annular recess in which the inner peripheral surface of the protruding end of the sound guide tube 14 is recessed in the diameter expanding direction over the entire circumferential direction. A laminated member 30 (to be described later) is provided in this annular recess 19.

[0020] In this specification, unless otherwise specified, the upper side refers to the side from which sound that has passed through the sound conduit 14 is emitted from the sound discharge hole 15 (corresponding to the upper side of the page), and the lower side refers to the side in which the speaker unit 13 is housed (corresponding to the lower side of the page).

[0021] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the laminated member 30 includes a dustproof sheet 31, an acoustic mesh 32, and double-sided tapes 33 and 34.

[0022] The dustproof sheet 31 is a sheet-like component that prevents foreign matter from entering the interior of the housing 11. The dustproof sheet 31 is formed so that its outer circumference corresponds to the inner circumference of the annular recess 19, and a first opening 31a that communicates with the sound vent 15 is formed at a location corresponding to the sound vent 15 (see also Figure 4).

[0023] The first opening 31a is formed in a shape corresponding to the opening shape of the sound-emitting hole 15, and from the viewpoint of ensuring the effect of preventing foreign matter from entering and the sound quality, it is preferable that its opening area is approximately the same as the opening area of ​​the sound-emitting hole 15. However, the size of the opening area of ​​the first opening 31a relative to the opening area of ​​the sound-emitting hole 15 is not limited as long as the effect of preventing foreign matter from entering and the sound quality can be guaranteed.

[0024] The acoustic mesh 32 is a mesh-like or porous plate-like member that dampens (suppresses) sound vibrations transmitted from the sound-emitting holes 15. The outer shape of the acoustic mesh 32 is formed to correspond to the inner shape of the annular recess 19 and blocks the sound-emitting holes 15. Therefore, the acoustic mesh 32 can capture foreign matter that has passed through the first opening 31a of the dustproof sheet 31. In other words, the acoustic mesh 32 has not only an acoustic function but also a function to prevent the intrusion of foreign matter.

[0025] The double-sided tape 33 is a tape-like component used to attach the dustproof sheet 31 and the acoustic mesh 32. The double-sided tape 33 is formed such that, for example, its outer periphery corresponds to the outer periphery of the dustproof sheet 31, and an opening 33a is formed at a location corresponding to the first opening 31a.

[0026] The double-sided tape 34 is a tape-shaped member for attaching the laminated member 30 to the annular recess 19. The double-sided tape 34 is formed such that, for example, its outer circumference corresponds to the outer circumference of the dustproof sheet 31, and an opening 34a is formed at a location corresponding to the first opening 31a. The double-sided tape 34 may be the same as the double-sided tape 33.

[0027] The laminated member 30 consists of a dustproof sheet 31, double-sided tape 33, acoustic mesh 32, and double-sided tape 34, which are laminated in this order from top to bottom, and are attached to the annular recess 19 via the double-sided tape 34. When the laminated member 30 is attached to the annular recess 19, as shown in Figure 3, the front surface 35 of the dustproof sheet 31, which is the upper end surface of the laminated member 30, is set to be located below the protruding end surface 14b of the sound conduit 14. However, the front surface 35 may be flush with the protruding end surface 14b.

[0028] Furthermore, if there is no need to damp (suppress) sound vibrations, the laminated member 30 may consist only of a dustproof sheet 31 and double-sided tape 34. However, from the viewpoint of preventing the intrusion of foreign matter, it is preferable that the laminated member 30 consists of a dustproof sheet 31, an acoustic mesh 32, and double-sided tapes 33 and 34.

[0029] As explained above, in earphone 1, a dustproof sheet 31 with a first opening 31a communicating with the sound emission hole 15 is provided in the annular recess 19 of the sound conduit 14. In other words, in earphone 1, the dustproof sheet 31 is placed in a location where foreign matter tends to accumulate relatively easily. This makes it possible to efficiently and effectively prevent foreign matter from entering the inside of the housing 11. Furthermore, because the dustproof sheet 31 is formed in the shape described above, for example, surface free energy acts as a force that attracts foreign matter, making it difficult for foreign matter to pass through the first opening 31a and making it easier for foreign matter to remain on the front surface 35 of the dustproof sheet 31. For this reason, earphone 1 can more effectively prevent foreign matter from entering the inside of the housing 11 and extend the maintenance cycle.

[0030] Furthermore, in the earphone 1, an acoustic mesh 32 is provided between the annular recess 19 and the dustproof sheet 31. As a result, even if foreign matter passes through the first opening 31a of the dustproof sheet 31, the acoustic mesh 32 can collect the foreign matter, thereby more effectively preventing foreign matter from entering the inside of the housing 11.

[0031] (Modified example 1 of the dustproof sheet according to Embodiment 1) Figure 5 shows a modified example 1 of the dustproof sheet 31 according to Embodiment 1, and corresponds to Figure 4. As shown in Figure 5, the dustproof sheet 31 may be provided with a second opening 31b that exposes a part of the acoustic mesh 32.

[0032] This configuration allows foreign matter to be concentrated and collected at the exposed portion of the acoustic mesh 32 through the second opening 31b. In other words, by providing the second opening 31b in the dustproof sheet 31 to collect foreign matter at a predetermined location on the acoustic mesh 32, the intrusion of foreign matter into the interior of the housing 11 can be prevented more effectively.

[0033] (Modified example 2 of the dustproof sheet according to Embodiment 1) Figure 6 shows a modified example 2 of the dustproof sheet 31 according to Embodiment 1, and corresponds to Figure 4. As shown in Figure 6, the dustproof sheet 31 may be provided with ribs 31c that are stretched across the first opening 31a.

[0034] This configuration divides the first opening 31a into multiple sections, reducing its opening area. This reduces the amount of foreign matter passing through the first opening 31a, thereby more effectively preventing foreign matter from entering the housing 11. However, the ribs 31c must be provided in such a way that they do not degrade the sound quality of the earphone 1. In other words, multiple ribs 31c may be provided as long as they do not degrade the sound quality of the earphone 1.

[0035] (Embodiment 2) In describing the earphone 1 according to Embodiment 2, the same configuration as the earphone 1 according to Embodiment 1 will be omitted from the description.

[0036] Figure 7 is a diagram showing the earphone 1 according to Embodiment 2, and corresponds to Figure 3. As shown in Figure 7, Embodiment 2 takes the example of a case where the microphone housing 16 is not provided in the inner space of the sound conduit 14.

[0037] Figure 8 is a perspective view of the sound conduit of the earphone shown in Figure 7, viewed from above, and corresponds to Figure 4. As mentioned above, in the earphone 1 according to Embodiment 2, since the microphone housing 16 is not provided in the inner space of the sound conduit 14, the inner space of the sound conduit 14 functions as the sound emission hole 15. For this reason, as shown in Figure 8, the outer shape of the dustproof sheet 31 is formed in a ring shape as shown in the figure.

[0038] In addition, the earphone 1 according to Embodiment 2 may also have a feedback microphone 17 in the earphone body 10. In this case, the feedback microphone 17 may be housed, for example, in the housing space 12.

[0039] The only differences between Embodiment 1 and Embodiment 2 are the configuration and structure described above; the other configurations and structures of the earphone 1 according to Embodiment 2 are basically the same as those of the earphone 1 according to Embodiment 1. Therefore, Embodiment 2 can achieve the same functions and effects as Embodiment 1.

[0040] (Summary of Embodiments 1-2) Based on the above description of Embodiments 1-2, the following technologies are disclosed.

[0041] <Technology 1> An earphone (1) comprising an earphone body (10) and an earpiece (20) attached to the earphone body (10), The aforementioned earphone body (10) A housing (11) into which a speaker unit (13) is incorporated, The housing (11) has a substantially cylindrical sound conduit (14) that protrudes from it and has a sound-emitting hole (15) for releasing sound emitted from the speaker unit (13) to the earpiece (20), An annular recess (19) is provided at the protruding end of the sound conduit (14) by expanding the inner diameter of the sound conduit (14). A dustproof sheet (31) is provided in the annular recess (19), having a first opening (31a) that communicates with the sound-emitting hole (15). Earphone (1).

[0042] In this configuration, a dustproof sheet with a first opening communicating with the sound-emitting holes is provided in the annular recess. This makes it difficult for foreign matter that enters along the inner wall of the earpiece to fall into the first opening due to the influence of surface free energy, etc., and instead makes it easier for it to accumulate around the periphery of the dustproof sheet. In other words, with the above configuration, foreign matter can be concentrated and accumulated around the periphery of the dustproof sheet, thus more effectively preventing foreign matter from entering the inside of the housing and extending the maintenance cycle.

[0043] <Technology 2> An acoustic mesh (32) is provided between the annular recess (19) and the dustproof sheet (31). The earphone (1) described in Technical 1.

[0044] With this configuration, even if foreign matter passes through the first opening of the dustproof sheet, it can be collected by the acoustic mesh, thus preventing foreign matter from entering the inside of the enclosure.

[0045] <Technology 3> The dustproof sheet (31) and the acoustic mesh (32) are laminated together. The dustproof sheet (31) is provided with a second opening (31b) that exposes a portion of the acoustic mesh (32). The earphone (1) described in Technical 2.

[0046] This configuration allows for the concentrated collection of foreign matter onto a portion of the acoustic mesh exposed through the second opening of the dustproof sheet.

[0047] <Technology 4> The dustproof sheet (31) is provided with ribs (31c) that are stretched across the first opening (31a). Earphones (1) described in any one of Technology 1 to Technology 3.

[0048] With this configuration, the first opening is divided into multiple sections, reducing its opening area. This reduces the amount of foreign matter passing through the first opening, thereby more effectively preventing foreign matter from entering the inside of the housing.

[0049] <Technology 5> The dustproof sheet (31) is provided such that its front surface (35) is flush with the protruding end surface (14b) of the sound conduit (14), or so that it is located on the base end side (lower side in Figure 3) of the sound conduit (14). Earphones (1) described in any one of the technologies 1 through 4.

[0050] With this configuration, the dustproof sheet does not protrude above the protruding end face, making it difficult for users to come into contact with the dustproof sheet and preventing the dustproof sheet from coming off the annular recess.

[0051] 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]

[0052] The technology disclosed herein is useful for canal-type and in-ear type earphones. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0053] 1 earphones 10. Earphone body 11 cabinets 13 speaker units 14 Sound conduit 14b Projecting end surface 15 Sound-emitting holes 19 Annular recess 20 eartips 31 Dustproof sheet 31a First opening 31b Second opening 31c Rib 32 Acoustic Mesh 35 Front side

Claims

1. An earphone comprising an earphone body and an earpiece attached to the earphone body, The aforementioned earphone body is A housing that incorporates a speaker unit inside, The housing has a substantially cylindrical sound conduit that protrudes from it and has a sound-emitting hole for releasing sound emitted from the speaker unit to the earpiece, The protruding end of the sound conduit is provided with an annular recess formed by expanding the inner diameter of the sound conduit. A dustproof sheet is provided in the annular recess, having a first opening that communicates with the sound-emitting hole. Earphones.

2. An acoustic mesh is provided between the annular recess and the dustproof sheet. The earphone according to claim 1.

3. The dustproof sheet and the acoustic mesh are laminated together. The dustproof sheet is provided with a second opening that exposes a portion of the acoustic mesh. The earphone according to claim 2.

4. The dustproof sheet is provided with ribs that are stretched across the first opening. The earphone according to claim 1.

5. The dustproof sheet is provided such that its front surface is flush with the protruding end surface of the sound conduit, or so that it is located on the base end side of the sound conduit. The earphone according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

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