Driver Holder, Driver Module, and Headset

Abstract

This driver holder is disposed inside a housing. The driver holder has a cylindrical section formed in a cylindrical shape and a driver is accommodated inside the cylindrical section. In addition, the cylindrical section is pressed into a module case disposed inside the housing. Here, an opening section on one axial end side of the cylindrical section constitutes a first sound path section which communicates the driver and the outside of the housing. In addition, a groove section formed in a surface of the cylindrical section constitutes a second sound path section which communicates with the first sound path section and extends to a microphone disposed outside the cylindrical section.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a driver holder, a driver module, and a headset.

Background Art

[0002] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2015-126509 discloses a technique of providing a partition inside an ear tip that is a part of a headset housing and corresponds to the above-described ear canal insertion portion, and forming a sound path for a microphone outside a sound path for a driver. These sound paths respectively communicate the inside of the user's ear canal with a driver housing portion and a microphone housing portion provided inside the housing.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0003] However, in the technique described in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2015-126509, since the sound path for the microphone is formed by the housing, there is a problem that it cannot be easily changed when trying to change the sound path in order to optimize the acoustic characteristics.

[0004] In addition, the sound path for the microphone needs to ensure airtightness. However, in the technique described in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2015-126509, since a plurality of parts are assembled to form the housing, there is a problem that it is not easy to assemble while ensuring the airtightness of the sound path. Further, there is a problem that the positional relationship between the driver and the microphone is not stable and variations due to assembly are likely to occur.

[0005] In consideration of the above problems, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a driver holder, a driver module, and a headset that facilitate changing the sound path for the microphone and ensuring airtightness, and improve assemblability.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The driver holder according to the first aspect is a driver holder that holds a driver inside a hollow housing, and is formed in a cylindrical shape. It includes a cylindrical portion that is configured to be press-fitted into a holder insertion portion that is arranged inside the housing and in which the driver is accommodated, a first sound path portion that forms an opening at one axial end side of the cylindrical portion and communicates the driver with the outside of the housing, and a second sound path portion that is formed by a groove portion on the surface of the cylindrical portion, communicates with the first sound path portion, and extends to a microphone arranged outside the cylindrical portion.

[0007] According to the first aspect, the driver holder is arranged inside the housing. This driver holder has a cylindrical portion formed in a cylindrical shape, and a driver is accommodated inside the cylindrical portion. Also, the cylindrical portion is configured to be press-fitted into the holder insertion portion inside the housing. Thereby, the driver arranged inside the housing is held by the driver holder.

[0008] Here, the opening at one axial end side of the cylindrical portion constitutes a first sound path portion that communicates the driver with the outside of the housing. Thereby, the acoustic signal output by the driver is radiated to the outside through the first sound path portion.

[0009] Also, a second sound path portion is formed on the surface of the cylindrical portion. This second sound path portion is constituted by a groove portion formed on the surface of the cylindrical portion, communicates with the first sound path portion, and extends to a microphone arranged outside the cylindrical portion. Thereby, the acoustic signal propagates to the microphone through the first sound path portion and the second sound path portion.

[0010] According to the above configuration, since the change of each sound channel part can be achieved by changing the shape of the driver holder, it is easy in that the design change of the housing is not required. Also, these sound channel parts are in a sealed state by press-fitting the cylindrical part into the holder insertion part. Therefore, it is easy to assemble while ensuring the sealing performance of the second sound channel part for the microphone. Furthermore, since the second sound channel part is provided integrally with the driver holder, the positional relationship between the driver and the microphone is stabilized. Thus, the variation due to assembly can be suppressed.

[0011] The driver holder according to the second aspect is the configuration described in the first aspect, wherein the driver holder is formed of an elastic material.

[0012] In the second aspect, since the driver holder is formed of an elastic material, the cylindrical part can be easily press-fitted into the holder insertion part by elastically deforming the cylindrical part, and the assemblability of the driver holder can be improved.

[0013] The driver holder according to the third aspect is the configuration described in the first aspect or the second aspect, wherein on the surface of the cylindrical part, ribs protruding from the surface are formed, and the cylindrical part is press-fitted into the holder insertion part while elastically deforming the ribs.

[0014] According to the third aspect, the cylindrical part is press-fitted into the holder insertion part while elastically deforming the ribs. Thereby, the frictional resistance when press-fitting the cylindrical part into the holder insertion part is reduced, and the workability during manufacturing is improved.

[0015] The driver holder according to the fourth aspect is the configuration described in any one of the first aspect to the third aspect, wherein in the cylindrical part, a driver pressing part protruding radially inward from the opening on the other end side in the axial direction into which the driver is inserted is provided, and the driver is accommodated inside the cylindrical part after getting over the driver pressing part, and is pressed toward one side in the axial direction by the elastic force of the pressing valve.

[0016] According to the fourth aspect, the driver is pressed toward one axial side of the cylindrical portion by the elastic force of the driver pressing portion. Therefore, the sealing performance between the driver and the cylindrical portion is effectively enhanced in the vicinity of the first sound path portion, which in turn contributes to the improvement of the sealing performance of the first sound path portion. Further, in the manufacturing process, by getting over the driver pressing portion, it can be clearly confirmed by the operator's vision and touch that the driver is accommodated at an appropriate position within the cylindrical portion. Thus, the assembly accuracy and workability of the product are improved.

[0017] The driver holder according to the fifth aspect has the configuration described in any one of the first to fourth aspects, and a plurality of the groove portions are formed on the surface of the cylindrical portion.

[0018] According to the fifth aspect, a plurality of groove portions constituting the second sound path portion are formed on the surface of the cylindrical portion. Thereby, the shock absorbability of the driver holder can be enhanced, and as a result, the shock resistance of the driver is improved. Further, while reducing the outer diameter of the driver holder, an optimum sound path for the microphone can be formed in accordance with the acoustic characteristics.

[0019] The driver holder according to the sixth aspect has the configuration described in any one of the first to fifth aspects, and the holder insertion portion is constituted by a bottomed cylindrical module case, and the cylindrical portion is press-fitted into the module case.

[0020] According to the sixth aspect, since the holder insertion portion is constituted by a bottomed cylindrical module case, the driver and the sound path portion can be easily modularized by press-fitting the driver holder into the module case.

[0021] The driver holder according to the seventh aspect has the configuration described in the sixth aspect, wherein the other axial end side of the module case is closed by a closing member, and a holder pressing portion that is disposed between the closing member and the cylindrical portion and presses the cylindrical portion toward the one axial side is provided at the other axial end side of the cylindrical portion.

[0022] According to the seventh aspect, a holder pressing portion is disposed between the closing member and the cylindrical portion of the module case, and presses the driver holder toward one axial end side. Therefore, by closing the module case, the cylindrical portion can be pressed toward one axial end side, so that the positional relationship between the driver and the microphone can be stabilized and variations due to assembly can be reduced.

[0023] The driver holder according to the eighth aspect has the configuration described in the seventh aspect, and the holder pressing portion is provided with a microphone fixing portion for fixing the microphone on a surface opposite to the surface that contacts the cylindrical portion side.

[0024] In the driver holder according to the eighth aspect, a microphone fixing portion is provided in the holder pressing portion, and a microphone is disposed in the module case. Thereby, main functional portions constituting the headset, such as the driver, the microphone, and the sound path portion, can be modularized and managed as an assembly, so that the product manageability is excellent. In addition, by pre-assembling the main components, the installation work on the housing side can be simplified. Further, since the module case can be used in combination with housings of a plurality of products having different shapes from each other, it has excellent versatility.

[0025] Since the driver module according to the ninth aspect includes the driver holder according to the first aspect to the eighth aspect, as described above, it is possible to easily change the sound path for the microphone and ensure the airtightness, and improve the assemblability.

[0026] Since the headset according to the tenth aspect includes the driver holder according to the first aspect to the eighth aspect, as described above, it is possible to easily change the sound path for the microphone and ensure the airtightness, and improve the assemblability.

Advantages of the Invention

[0027] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to obtain a driver holder, a driver module, and a headset that facilitate the change of the sound path for the microphone and ensure the airtightness, and improve the assemblability.

Brief Description of the Drawings

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[0029] [First Embodiment] Hereinafter, the headset 1 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4. In this specification, for convenience of explanation, when the headset 1 is worn, the eardrum side of the external auditory canal is referred to as the front side, and the entrance side or the auricle side of the external auditory canal is referred to as the rear side.

[0030] (Overall Configuration) As shown in FIG. 1, the headset 1 has a hollow housing 10 that houses functional components therein. The housing 10 is formed by fitting a front housing 12 and a rear housing 14.

[0031] The front housing 12 is formed in a cylindrical shape with an overall frustum of a cone outer shape, and its diameter gradually decreases from the rear side toward the front side. As a result, the front housing 12 has a shape that protrudes toward the eardrum side of the user.

[0032] At the front end portion of the front housing 12, an ear canal insertion portion 16 that protrudes from the top of the frustum of an oblique cone toward the eardrum side is provided. The ear canal insertion portion 16 is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape with the front-rear direction as the axial direction, and a housing opening 18 that communicates the inside and outside of the front housing 12 is provided at the center of the bottom surface 16A that constitutes the front end portion. Inside this ear canal insertion portion 16, a driver module 9 described later is accommodated.

[0033] An earpiece 20 is attached to the outer periphery of the ear canal insertion portion 16. The earpiece 20 is also called an ear tip, an ear pad, or an ear cap, and is made of an elastic material such as silicone rubber, for example. The earpiece 20 has a cylindrical portion 20A that is fitted onto the outer periphery of the ear canal insertion portion 16. The cylindrical portion 20A is configured such that a fitting groove 21 provided on the inner periphery fits onto a fitting protrusion 16B provided on the outer periphery of the ear canal insertion portion 16. At the tip of the cylindrical portion 20A, a hemispherical cover-shaped contact portion 20B that expands so as to cover the entire cylindrical portion 20A is integrally provided. The contact portion 20B is configured to contact the wall surface of the user's ear canal and close the ear canal when the headset 1 is in use.

[0034] The rear housing 14 is formed in a shallow dish shape that is open on the front side, and is arranged so as to close the opening at the rear of the front housing 12.

[0035] In the accommodation space formed by the rear part of the front housing 12 and the rear housing 14, a printed circuit board 2 is arranged. The printed circuit board 2 is a board on which electronic components necessary for controlling the headset 1 are mounted. For example, depending on the purpose of use of the headset 1, it performs output control such as the output signal from the driver 3 described later, adjustment of the sensitivity of the microphone 4, etc., the cancellation frequency band and level in noise cancellation, and various controls when performing biometric authentication with the headset. This printed circuit board 2 is arranged in a posture with the substantially front-rear direction as the plate thickness direction and has mounting surfaces on both the front and rear sides. In the present embodiment, a flexible printed circuit board 6 connected to the driver module 9 via a connector 5 and a charging terminal 7 of the headset 1 are connected to the mounting surface on the front surface of the printed circuit board 2. Also, a battery 8 is arranged behind the printed circuit board 2.

[0036] (Driver module) Next, with reference to FIGS. 2 to 4, the configuration of the driver module 9 will be described in detail. The driver module 9 houses a driver holder 40, a driver 3, a microphone holder 60, and a microphone substrate 70 on which a microphone 4 is mounted in this order from the front to the rear inside a module case 30 forming an outer shell.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 2, the module case 30 is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape that is open toward the rear, and a module opening 34 that communicates the inside and outside of the module case 30 is provided at the center of the bottom wall 32 that constitutes the front end portion. The module opening 34 has substantially the same outer dimensions as the housing opening 18 and is coaxially arranged. This module case 30 is formed, for example, by drawing a metal material such as iron or aluminum with a press. Also, the opening on the rear end side (the other end side in the axial direction) of the module case 30 is closed by a metal closing member 36. The module case 30 corresponds to the "holder insertion portion" in the present disclosure, and the driver holder 40 described later is inserted therein.

[0038] The driver holder 40 is formed in a long shape with the longitudinal direction being the front-rear direction. The driver holder 40 is composed of a cylindrical portion 42 formed in a cylindrical shape as a whole. In the present embodiment, the driver 3 is accommodated inside the cylindrical portion 42. The driver holder 40 is formed of an elastic material that can be elastically deformed. In the present embodiment, as an example, the driver holder 40 is formed of an elastomer material such as TPE (Thermoplastic elastomer) or TPU (Thermoplastic polyurethane). The driver holder 40 is press-fitted from the rear side in the axial direction of the module case 30, and the surface portion is configured to be in close contact with the inner surface of the module case 30.

[0039] The cylindrical portion 42 is formed in a cylindrical shape with the front-rear direction as the axial direction and is open in the front-rear direction. The cylindrical portion 42 is press-fitted into the module case 30 and forms the first sound path portion SP1 and the second sound path portion SP2 by being in close contact with the inner surface of the module case 30.

[0040] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the first sound path portion SP1 is constituted by an opening at the front end side (one side) in the axial direction of the cylindrical portion 42. More specifically, the first sound path portion SP1 is constituted by a through hole 44 that penetrates the front wall 42A covering the front end of the cylindrical portion 42 in the front-rear direction. The first sound path portion SP1 serves as a sound path that communicates the driver 3 and the user's external auditory canal in a state where the cylindrical portion 42 is press-fitted into the module case 30. Further, the first sound path portion SP1 can adjust the volume of the first sound path portion SP1, and thus the volume in front of the driver 3, by adjusting the thickness dimension of the front wall 42A and the inner diameter dimension of the through hole 44.

[0041] The second sound path portion SP2 is constituted by a groove portion 46 formed on the surface of the cylindrical portion 42. In a state where the cylindrical portion 42 is press-fitted into the module case 30, the second sound path portion SP2 communicates with the first sound path portion SP1 and becomes a sound path extending to a microphone 4 (described later) within the module case 30. The groove portion 46 includes a lateral groove portion 46A formed on the front wall 42A of the cylindrical portion 42, a first longitudinal groove portion 46B formed on the outer peripheral portion 42B, and a second longitudinal groove portion 46C formed on an extension portion 42C (described later) of the cylindrical portion 42. The lateral groove portion 46A extends along the radial direction of the cylindrical portion 42 from the peripheral edge of a through hole 44 formed on the front wall 42A and communicates with the first sound path portion SP1. The first longitudinal groove portion 46B is provided continuously with the lateral groove portion 46A at the radially outer end of the cylindrical portion 42 and extends along the axial direction of the cylindrical portion 42. The second longitudinal groove portion 46C of the extension portion 42C is provided continuously from the rear end portion of the first longitudinal groove portion 46B.

[0042] The extension portion 42C is provided at the axially rear end side (the other end side) of the outer peripheral portion 42B. The extension portion 42C is a plate-like member extending axially rearward from an opening 48 provided at the rear end portion of the outer peripheral portion 42B, with the radial direction of the cylindrical portion 42 being the thickness direction. The radially outer surface of the extension portion 42C is a curved surface continuous with the outer peripheral portion 42B and is in close contact with the inner surface of the module case 30. A second longitudinal groove portion 46C, provided continuously with the first longitudinal groove portion 46B, is formed on the radially outer surface of this extension portion 42C. This second longitudinal groove portion 46C communicates with a side portion through hole 47 penetrating the extension portion 42C in the thickness direction. Through this side portion through hole 47, the second longitudinal groove portion 46C communicates with a sound hole 4A of the microphone 4 through through holes 64A, 70A formed in a microphone holder 60 and a microphone substrate 70 (described later).

[0043] On the surface of the cylindrical portion 42, ribs 50 (50A, 50B, 50C) protruding toward the module case 30 are integrally provided. The rib 50 is composed of, for example, triangular ribs. In a state where the cylindrical portion 42 is press-fitted into the module case 30, the tip of the triangular rib is elastically deformed and adheres to the inner surface of the module case 30. That is, the rib 50 has a function of reducing the frictional resistance during press-fitting by reducing the contact area between the surface of the cylindrical portion 42 and the inner surface of the module case 30. At the same time, it also has a function of ensuring the sealing performance of the first sound path portion SP1 and the second sound path portion SP2.

[0044] A plurality of ribs 50A are arranged on the outer peripheral portion 42B of the cylindrical portion 42. The plurality of ribs 50A each extend along the axial direction of the cylindrical portion 42 and are arranged at a predetermined interval in the circumferential direction of the outer peripheral portion 42B. Also, a pair of ribs 50A are arranged on both sides of the first sound path portion SP1. The plurality of ribs 50A are portions that are elastically deformed at the initial stage of press-fitting into the module case 30. Since they extend along the insertion direction of the cylindrical portion 42, the frictional resistance between the module case 30 and the cylindrical portion 42 is effectively reduced. Also, the rib 50A adheres to the inner surface of the module case 30 on both sides of the first longitudinal groove portion 46B to seal the second sound path portion SP2. The rib 50B extends along the circumferential direction of the outer peripheral portion 42B and connects the upper end portions of the respective ribs 50A. This rib 50B causes the outer peripheral portion 42B to adhere to the inner surface of the module case 30 along the circumferential direction. Also, the rib 50C is arranged on the radially outer surface of the extension portion 42C and extends so as to surround the periphery of the second longitudinal groove portion 46C and adheres to the inner surface of the module case 30 at the peripheral edge portion of the second longitudinal groove portion 46C.

[0045] On one side, a driver pressing portion 52 is integrally provided on the axially rear end side (the other end side) of the cylindrical portion 42. The driver pressing portion 52 forms the peripheral edge of the opening 48 and projects in a gable shape radially inward from the outer peripheral portion 42B. In the present embodiment, a driver housing portion DC is provided between the front wall 42A of the cylindrical portion 42 and the driver pressing portion 52. The driver 3 is housed in the driver housing portion DC while elastically deforming the driver pressing portion 52 forward. In the state where the driver 3 is housed, the inner surface of the driver housing portion DC is in close contact with the driver 3. Note that the inner diameter (the diameter of the inner peripheral surface) of the driver housing portion DC is formed slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the outer peripheral surface of the driver 3. Thereby, when the driver 3 is housed in the driver housing portion DC, the outer peripheral surface of the driver 3 and the inner peripheral surface of the driver housing portion DC are in close contact with each other and sealed. Further, the driver pressing portion 52 presses the driver 3 forward from the axially rearward side by an elastic restoring force, and brings the front surface of the driver 3 into close contact with the peripheral edge of the first sound path portion SP1.

[0046] Note that the driver 3 includes a magnetic circuit, a diaphragm, etc. for generating an output signal in a cylindrical case having the front-rear direction as the axial direction, and those having a well-known structure can be used as appropriate. The diaphragm of the driver 3 is disposed on the front end side of the case and outputs an acoustic signal into the user's external auditory canal through the first sound path portion SP1.

[0047] A microphone holder 60 as a holder pressing portion is disposed behind the driver holder 40. The microphone holder 60 is a plate-like member bent in a substantially L shape as a whole, and is disposed between the cylindrical portion 42 of the driver holder 40 and the closing member 36 in a state where the module case 30 is closed. The microphone holder 60 is formed of a resin material as an example.

[0048] The microphone holder 60 has a lower wall portion 62 that abuts against the rear surface of the driver holder 40, and a vertical wall portion 64 that stands upright axially rearward from the upper surface of the lower wall portion 62. An opening 63 that penetrates the lower wall portion 62 in the axial direction (plate thickness direction) and communicates the inside and outside of the driver accommodation portion DC is provided in the lower wall portion 62 that abuts against the rear surface of the driver holder 40. This opening 63 is provided to release the back pressure generated when the diaphragm of the driver 3 vibrates into the rear space of the driver 3. Further, as will be described later, the opening 63 also serves as an opening for wiring through which the wiring 72 connected to the driver 3 is inserted. On the other hand, the vertical wall portion 64 abuts against the radially inner surface of the extension portion 42C of the driver holder 40. In a state where the module case 30 is closed, the rear end of the vertical wall portion 64 is pressed by the closing member 36. Thereby, the lower wall portion 62 and the vertical wall portion 64 are configured to press the cylindrical portion 42 toward the front end side in the axial direction.

[0049] On the surface of the vertical wall portion 64 of the microphone holder 60 opposite to the surface that abuts against the extension portion 42C, a microphone fixing portion 66 is provided. The microphone substrate 70 is fixed to the microphone fixing portion 66 by a method such as fixing with a pressure-sensitive adhesive or claw fitting. The microphone substrate 70 is arranged in a vertical posture with the direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the module case 30 as the plate thickness direction, and the microphone 4 is mounted on the mounting surface facing the inner surface of the module case 30. A wiring 72 extending from the rear of the driver 3 is connected to the microphone substrate 70. The wiring 72 is connected to the microphone substrate 70 through the opening 63 formed in the lower wall portion 62 of the microphone holder 60. In the present disclosure, the microphone substrate 70 is not essential, and the microphone may be directly fixed to the microphone fixing portion 66.

[0050] The microphone 4 is suitable for functions possessed by the headset 1, such as noise cancellation, personal authentication, pulse wave detection, etc. For example, it collects sound inside the ear canal like a feedback microphone for noise cancellation, or the microphone 4 is used as a vibration sensor that measures vibrations, pressure changes, etc. in the audible and inaudible frequency bands inside the ear canal.

[0051] By being mounted on the microphone substrate 70 in the vertical posture, the sound hole 4A for sound collection provided corresponding to the internal diaphragm of the microphone 4 is opened in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the module case 30. The sound hole 4A communicates with the side through hole 47 provided in the extension part 42C of the driver holder 40 through the vertical wall part 64 of the microphone holder 60 and the through holes 64A and 70A formed in the microphone substrate 70. Thereby, the sound (vibration) inside the ear canal reaches the microphone 4 through the second sound path part SP2.

[0052] The above-mentioned microphone 4 is arranged back and forth along the axial direction inside the module case 30 with the cylindrical part 42 of the driver holder 40. By arranging the driver holder 40 and the microphone 4 back and forth in this way, the module case 30 can be miniaturized in the radial direction, and the entire module case 30 can be arranged inside the ear canal.

[0053] In this embodiment, the microphone substrate 70 and the above-mentioned printed circuit board 2 are connected by the flexible substrate 6. The flexible substrate 6 is formed in a long sheet shape and is connected to the rear end of the microphone substrate 70 as shown in FIG. 3. The other end of the flexible substrate 6 is inserted into the insertion part 37 of the closing member 36 and protrudes outside the module case 30. The flexible substrate 6 is accommodated in a bent state in the rear accommodation space of the housing 10 (see FIG. 1).

[0054] The driver module 9 configured as described above is assembled as follows. After the driver 3 is housed in the driver holder 40, the microphone holder 60, the microphone substrate 70, the microphone 4, and the flexible substrate 6, which are pre-assembled to the driver holder 40, are further fixed to the driver holder 40. Then, the driver 3 and the microphone substrate 70 are connected by a wiring 72. Thereafter, these are integrally press-fitted inside the module case 30, and the rear-end opening of the module case 30 is closed with the closing member 36, whereby the assembly (assembly) of the driver module 9 is completed.

[0055] In the present embodiment, a sheet-like pressure-sensitive adhesive 74 is provided between the module case 30 and the driver holder 40, and between the driver holder 40 and the microphone holder 60, joining the two. The pressure-sensitive adhesive 74 is provided to stabilize the positioning of each component during module assembly, but is not essential from the viewpoint of ensuring airtightness inside the module case 30. That is, in the present embodiment, the airtightness inside the module case 30 can be ensured by utilizing the elastic force of the driver holder 40. Therefore, from the viewpoint of reducing the number of components, a configuration may be adopted in which the pressure-sensitive adhesive 74 is not provided inside the module case 30.

[0056] (Operation and Effect) As described above, the headset 1 according to the present embodiment has been described. When the headset 1 has a noise cancellation function, noise that enters the ear canal from the outside, etc., reaches the microphone 4 through the first sound path portion SP1 and the second sound path portion SP2 formed inside the module case 30. The noise that has reached the microphone 4 is converted into an electrical signal by the microphone 4. The electrical signal corresponding to the converted noise is input to the control unit of the printed circuit board 2, and a noise cancellation signal of opposite phase is generated. By converting this noise cancellation signal into an acoustic signal and outputting it from the driver 3, noise cancellation is enabled.

[0057] When the headset 1 has a biometric function, for example, by utilizing individual differences in the shape of an individual's external auditory canal, an acoustic signal is output from the driver 3, and a response signal generated in the external auditory canal is acquired by the microphone 4. Then, by performing frequency analysis of the response signal acquired by the microphone 4 with the control unit, an individual can be authenticated.

[0058] Also, in the present embodiment, the driver holder 40 has a cylindrical portion 42 formed of an elastic material, and the driver 3 is housed inside the cylindrical portion 42. Further, the cylindrical portion 42 is configured to be press-fitted into a holder insertion portion, that is, inside the module case 30, within the housing 10. Thereby, the driver 3 disposed inside the housing 10 is held by the driver holder 40.

[0059] Here, the through hole 44 provided on the axially front end side (one end side) of the cylindrical portion 42 constitutes a first sound path portion SP1 that communicates the driver 3 with the user's external auditory canal. Thereby, the acoustic signal output by the driver 3 is radiated to the user's external auditory canal (outside the housing 10) through the first sound path portion SP1.

[0060] Also, a second sound path portion SP2 is formed on the surface of the cylindrical portion 42. This second sound path portion SP2 is constituted by a groove portion 46 formed on the surface of the cylindrical portion 42, communicates with the first sound path portion SP1, and extends to the microphone 4 disposed outside (rear side) of the cylindrical portion 42. Thereby, the acoustic signal in the user's external auditory canal propagates to the microphone 4 through the first sound path portion SP1 and the second sound path portion SP2.

[0061] According to the above configuration, since the modification of each sound channel part can be achieved by modifying the shape of the driver holder 40, it is easy in that there is no need to modify the design of the housing 10. Also, these sound channel parts (SP1, SP2) are in a sealed state by press-fitting the cylindrical part 42 into the module case 30. Therefore, it is easy to assemble while ensuring the sealing performance of the second sound channel part SP2 for the microphone. Furthermore, since the second sound channel part SP2 is provided integrally with the driver holder 40, the positional relationship between the driver 3 and the microphone 4 is stabilized. Thus, variations due to assembly can be suppressed.

[0062] Also, in the present embodiment, since the driver holder 40 is formed of an elastic material, the cylindrical part 42 can be easily press-fitted into the module case 30 by elastically deforming it, and the assemblability can be improved. Also, since the driver 3 is accommodated in this driver holder 40, the shock absorption performance is enhanced.

[0063] Also, in the present embodiment, ribs 50A, 50B, 50C protruding from the surface are formed on the surface of the cylindrical part 42, and the cylindrical part 42 is press-fitted into the module case 30 while elastically deforming the ribs 50A, 50B, 50C. Thereby, since the frictional resistance when press-fitting the cylindrical part 42 into the module case 30 is reduced, the workability during manufacturing is improved.

[0064] Also, in the present embodiment, the driver 3 is pressed toward the front side (one side) in the axial direction of the cylindrical part 42 by the elastic force of the driver pressing part 52. Thereby, the sealing performance between the driver 3 and the cylindrical part 42 is effectively enhanced in the vicinity of the first sound channel part SP1, and thus contributes to the improvement of the sealing performance of the first sound channel part SP1. Also, in the manufacturing process, by getting over the driver pressing part 52, it is possible for the operator to clearly confirm by visual and tactile senses that the driver 3 is accommodated at an appropriate position within the cylindrical part 42, so the assembly accuracy and workability of the product are improved.

[0065] In addition, in this embodiment, since the holder insertion portion is configured by the bottomed cylindrical module case 30, by press-fitting the driver holder 40 into the module case 30, the driver 3, the first sound channel portion SP1, and the second sound channel portion SP2 can be easily modularized.

[0066] In addition, in this embodiment, a microphone holder 60 as a holder pressing portion is disposed between the closing member 36 and the cylindrical portion 42 of the module case 30, and presses the driver holder 40 toward the front end side (one end side) in the axial direction. Therefore, by bringing the module case 30 into a closed state, the cylindrical portion 42 can be pressed toward the front end side in the axial direction, so that the positional relationship between the driver 3 and the microphone 4 can be stabilized and variations due to assembly can be reduced.

[0067] In addition, in this embodiment, since the microphone fixing portion 66 is provided on the microphone holder 60 as the holder pressing portion, the microphone 4 is disposed in the module case 30. As a result, the main functional portions of the headset 1 such as the driver 3, the microphone 4, and the sound channel portion can be modularized and managed as an assembly, so that the product manageability is excellent. In addition, by pre-assembling the main components, the installation work on the housing 10 side can be simplified. For example, in this embodiment, the module case 30 (driver module 9) can be installed on the housing 10 only by joining the bottom wall 32 of the module case 30 to the bottom surface 16A of the ear canal insertion portion 16 using the pressure-sensitive adhesive 74. Furthermore, by modularizing the driver 3 and the microphone 4 with the module case 30, they can be used in a plurality of products having different shapes and the like, and the versatility is excellent.

[0068] Furthermore, in this embodiment, by disposing the microphone 4 and the microphone substrate 70 in a vertically placed posture, the microphone 4 can be disposed back and forth along the axial direction with respect to the cylindrical portion 42. As a result, the outer dimensions of the module case 30 can be designed to match the outer shape of the driver 3 (driver holder 40), and the driver module 9 can be miniaturized in the radial direction.

[0069] That is, when the microphone is housed inside the module case in a horizontal posture, the microphone substrate on which the microphone is mounted also assumes a horizontal posture (a posture with the axial direction being the plate thickness direction). For this reason, compared with a configuration in which the microphone is arranged in a vertical posture, the module case becomes larger in the radial direction in order to secure the width of the microphone substrate. In this regard, in the present embodiment, by arranging the microphone in a vertical posture, the enlargement of the module case 30 in the radial direction is effectively suppressed.

[0070] Also, from the perspective of miniaturizing the module case 30, by making the module case 30 of metal, the thickness of the side wall and the bottom wall of the case can be reduced compared with the case of forming with other materials such as resin, which contributes to miniaturization.

[0071] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, since the driver module 9 is arranged inside the ear canal insertion portion 16 of the housing 10, the accommodation space for other components inside the housing 10 can be expanded. Thereby, for example, by expanding the accommodation space of the battery, the battery can be enlarged, and the battery capacity of the headset 1 can be increased.

[0072] Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, since the microphone 4 is arranged behind the driver 3, the microphone 4 does not interfere with the acoustic output of the driver 3, and the inconvenience that the desired acoustic characteristics cannot be obtained is eliminated.

[0073] Also, since the driver module 9 is arranged inside the ear canal insertion portion 16, the volume in front of the driver 3 can be reduced. The volume in front of the driver is the volume of the front chamber of the driver formed between the driver and the ear canal inside the housing. That is, in the present embodiment, since the volume in front of the driver can be reduced, the attenuation of the high-frequency characteristics in the ear canal can be suppressed.

[0074] [Second Embodiment] The driver holder 40 according to the first embodiment described above had the second sound path portion SP2 formed as a single groove shape as a whole on the surface of the cylindrical portion 42. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 5, the driver holder 80 according to the second embodiment is characterized in that the second sound path portion SP2 is constituted by a plurality of groove portions 82 formed on the surface of the cylindrical portion 42 and communicating with each other. Regarding other configurations, they are the same as those in the first embodiment. In this embodiment, the same components as those in the first embodiment described above are given the same numbers and their descriptions are omitted.

[0075] The plurality of groove portions 82 constituting the second sound path portion SP2 include five horizontal groove portions 82A formed on the front wall 42A of the cylindrical portion 42, and five first vertical groove portions 82B provided continuously with each horizontal groove portion 82A and formed on the outer peripheral portion 42B of the cylindrical portion 42. These horizontal groove portions 82A and first vertical groove portions 82B correspond to the horizontal groove portion 46A and the first vertical groove portion 46B in the first embodiment. Each of the five horizontal groove portions 82A extends radially outward from the peripheral edge of the through hole 44 formed at the center of the front wall 42A, and is arranged radially as a whole when viewed from the axial direction. Also, the five first vertical groove portions 82B are formed continuously at the radially outer ends of the respective horizontal groove portions 82A and extend along the axial direction on the surface of the outer peripheral portion 42B. In other words, the five first vertical groove portions 82B are arranged at predetermined intervals along the circumferential direction of the outer peripheral portion 42B.

[0076] Also, behind the five first vertical groove portions 82B, a circumferential groove portion 82C extending along the circumferential direction on the surface of the outer peripheral portion 42B is formed. The circumferential groove portion 82C connects the rear ends of the five first vertical groove portions 82B in the circumferential direction and communicates with each first vertical groove portion 82B. Further, behind the circumferential groove portion 82C, one second vertical groove portion 82D is formed. The second vertical groove portion 82D is formed on the surface of the extension portion 42C of the cylindrical portion 42. The second vertical groove portion 82D extends axially rearward from the circumferential groove portion 82C and communicates with the side through hole 47 of the extension portion 42C. The second vertical groove portion 82D corresponds to the second vertical groove portion 46C in the first embodiment.

[0077] In the configuration of the second sound path portion SP2, the sound in the user's external auditory canal passes through the first sound path portion SP1, the lateral groove portion 82A, the first longitudinal groove portion 82B, the circumferential groove portion 82C, and the second longitudinal groove portion 82D in this order and reaches the sound hole 4A of the microphone 4.

[0078] Since the driver holder 80 with the above configuration basically follows the configuration of the driver holder 40 according to the first embodiment, the same operations and effects can be obtained. Further, in the present embodiment, in order to form the second sound path portion SP2, a plurality of groove portions 82 (82A, 82B, 82C, 82D) are formed on the surface of the cylindrical portion 42, and thus the impact absorption performance of the cylindrical portion 42 is enhanced by these groove portions 82. As a result, the impact resistance of the driver 3 is improved.

[0079] Further, according to the present embodiment, the cross-sectional area of the second sound path portion SP2 can be easily changed, and the acoustic signal of the microphone can be adjusted to a desired high-frequency characteristic. That is, in the above-described second embodiment, a configuration is adopted in which five lateral groove portions 82A and the first longitudinal groove portion 82B are formed on the front wall 42A and the outer peripheral portion 42B of the cylindrical portion 42, respectively. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this, and the number and the individual cross-sectional areas of the lateral groove portion 82A and the first longitudinal groove portion 82B can be changed as necessary, and the cross-sectional area of the second sound path portion SP2 can be changed. The number of the lateral groove portion 82A and the first longitudinal groove portion 82B may be one or more, and can be increased or decreased as appropriate. Further, when the cross-sectional area of the second sound path portion SP2 is changed, the characteristics of the acoustic signal acquired at the position of the microphone 4 via the second sound path portion SP2 change, so that the acoustic signal of the microphone 4 can be adjusted to a desired high-frequency characteristic.

[0080] Here, referring to FIG. 6, a description will be given of how the frequency characteristics at the position of the microphone 4 of the acoustic signal output from the driver 3 change in response to the change in the second sound path portion SP2. In each embodiment, with the user wearing the headset corresponding to each embodiment, when an acoustic signal is output from the driver 3, the sound pressure level obtained at the position of the microphone 4 was confirmed by simulation. FIG. 6 shows the relative frequency characteristics (relative difference) of the driver sound source at the position of the microphone 4 in Embodiment 2 and Embodiment 3 based on Embodiment 1. In the graph of FIG. 6, the horizontal axis represents the frequency [Hz] of the acoustic signal output from the driver 3, and the vertical axis represents the sound pressure level [dB] at the position of the microphone 4.

[0081] [Embodiment 1] In the headset of Embodiment 1, one horizontal groove portion 46A, one first vertical groove portion 46B, and one second vertical groove portion 46C were formed on the surface of the cylindrical portion of the driver holder. That is, in Embodiment 1, the second sound path portion SP2 is formed with the same configuration as the driver holder 40 of the first embodiment (see FIG. 4).

[0082] [Embodiment 2] In the headset of Embodiment 2, five horizontal groove portions 82A, five first vertical groove portions 82B, one circumferential groove portion 82C, and one second vertical groove portion 82D were formed on the surface of the cylindrical portion of the driver holder. That is, in Embodiment 2, the second sound path portion SP2 is formed with the same configuration as the driver holder 80 of the second embodiment (see FIG. 5).

[0083] [Embodiment 3] In the headset of Embodiment 3, ten horizontal groove portions 82A, ten first vertical groove portions 82B, one circumferential groove portion 82C, and one second vertical groove portion 82D were formed on the surface of the cylindrical portion of the driver holder. That is, in Embodiment 3, the basic structure is the same as that of the driver holder 80 of the second embodiment, but ten horizontal groove portions 82A and ten first vertical groove portions 82B formed on the front wall 42A and the outer peripheral portion 42B of the cylindrical portion 42 are arranged at equal intervals along the circumferential direction, and the second sound path portion SP2 is formed.

[0084] As shown in FIG. 6, by changing the shape of the second sound path portion formed in the driver holder, it is possible to adjust the frequency characteristics at the position of the microphone 4 in the high frequency portion of the frequency. Thus, according to the second embodiment, the acoustic signal of the microphone can be adjusted to have a desired high frequency characteristic.

[0085] Also, by providing a plurality of groove portions 82 on the surface of the cylindrical portion 42 as in the second embodiment, the cross-sectional area of the second sound path portion SP2 can be easily ensured. Therefore, accordingly, by reducing the height dimension (dimension in the radial direction) of a single groove portion 82, the outer diameter dimension of the cylindrical portion 42 can be set smaller, and the module case 30 can be miniaturized in the radial direction.

[0086] [Third Embodiment] As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, in the third embodiment, a microphone fixing portion 96 is integrally provided on an extension portion 94 of a driver holder 92. That is, it is characterized in that a configuration corresponding to the driver holder 40 and the microphone fixing portion 66 of the microphone holder 60 in the first embodiment is integrally formed. Further, it is characterized in that a holder pressing portion 98B is provided on a closing member 98. Regarding other configurations, they are the same as those in the first embodiment. In this embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to the same components as those in the first embodiment described above, and the description thereof is omitted.

[0087] In this embodiment, a microphone substrate 70 on which a driver holder 92, a driver 3, and a microphone 4 are mounted is housed in this order from the front to the back inside a module case 30 forming an outer shell of a driver module 90. Further, the rear end opening of the module case 30 is closed by a resin closing member 98.

[0088] The driver holder 92 is integrally provided with an extension portion 94 on the axially rear end side (the other end side) of the cylindrical portion 42. The extension portion 94 forms a part of the cylindrical portion 42 and is a plate-like member extending rearward from the axially rear end portion of the outer peripheral portion 42B. Similar to the extension portion 42C of the first embodiment, the extension portion 94 is formed with a second longitudinal groove portion 46C that constitutes the second sound path portion SP2 on the radially outer surface. On the other hand, a microphone fixing portion 96 is provided on the radially inner surface of the extension portion 94, and the microphone substrate 70 is fixed by a method such as fixing with a pressure-sensitive adhesive or claw fitting. Further, the extension portion 94 is provided with a side portion through hole 95 that communicates the second longitudinal groove portion 46C and the sound hole 4A of the microphone 4.

[0089] The closing member 98 has a lid portion 98A that closes the rear end opening of the module case 30 and a holder pressing portion 98B that hangs downward from the inner surface of the lid portion 98A inside the case in the axial forward direction. The holder pressing portion 98B is formed in a block shape, and in a state where the module case 30 is closed, the front end portion presses the cylindrical portion 42 axially forward. Further, the radially inner side surface of the holder pressing portion 98B presses the microphone 4 and the microphone substrate 70 against the extension portion 94 side via the cushioning material 100 to support the extension portion 94. Thereby, the positions of the driver 3 and the microphone 4 are stabilized by the closing member 98, and the assemblability is improved. Also, the sealing performance of the first sound path portion SP1 and the second sound path portion SP2 can be enhanced.

[0090] Also in the driver holder 92 having the above configuration, basically following the configuration of the driver holder 40 according to the first embodiment, the same operations and effects can be obtained. Further, in this embodiment, by integrally providing the microphone fixing portion 96 on the driver holder 92, a configuration that does not require a microphone holder configured separately from the driver holder is adopted, so that the number of parts and the assembly man-hours of the driver module 90 can be reduced. Also, since the holder pressing portion 98B is integrally provided on the closing member 98, the positions of the driver 3 and the microphone 4 are stabilized. As a result, the assemblability of the driver module 90 can be improved.

[0091] [Fourth Embodiment] In the driver module 110 of the fourth embodiment shown in FIGS. 9 to 11, a microphone 4 is arranged on the side of the driver 3 inside the module case 112, which is a characteristic point. In this fourth embodiment, the same components as those in the first embodiment are given the same numbers and their descriptions are omitted.

[0092] The module case 112 is formed flat in the left - right direction (a direction orthogonal to the axial direction) and is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape that is open on the rear side in the axial direction. A module opening 34 that communicates the inside and outside of the module case 112 is provided at one end side in the left - right direction of the bottom wall 114 of the module case 112. Also, inside this module case 112, a cylindrical driver holder 116 formed flat in the left - right direction is press - fitted.

[0093] The driver holder 116 is formed in a cylindrical shape with one end side in the left - right direction open in the front - rear direction of the axial direction, and the inside is a driver accommodation part DC. The driver 3 is inserted into the driver accommodation part DC from an opening 48 provided on the rear end side in the axial direction corresponding to the driver accommodation part DC. Also, a driver pressing part 52 is integrally provided at the opening 48. Further, the opening on the front end side in the axial direction corresponding to the driver accommodation part DC is constituted by a through - hole 44 that penetrates the front wall 116A of the driver holder 116 in the axial direction, and the through - hole 44 constitutes the first sound path part SP1.

[0094] On one side, a concave housing portion is formed on the outer peripheral portion 116B on the other end side in the left-right direction of the driver holder 116, which serves as the microphone fixing portion 118. A microphone substrate 70 on which the microphone 4 is mounted is fixed to the microphone fixing portion 118. The microphone substrate 70 and the driver 3 described above are connected by a wiring 72 that extends in the left-right direction behind the driver holder 116. One end of the flexible substrate 6 is connected to the microphone substrate 70. The other end of the flexible substrate 6 is inserted into the insertion portion 37 of the closing member 120 that closes the module case 112 from the rear and protrudes outside the module case 112. Note that a configuration may be adopted in which the microphone is directly fixed to the microphone fixing portion 118 without providing the microphone substrate 70.

[0095] As shown in FIGS. 11(A) and 11(B), a sound hole 4A that is open to the microphone fixing portion 118 side is formed on the lower surface of the microphone 4. This sound hole 4A communicates with the second sound path portion SP2 through a through hole 70A that penetrates the microphone substrate 70 in the plate thickness direction.

[0096] The second sound path portion SP2 is integrally formed with the driver holder 116. The second sound path portion SP2 includes a single horizontal groove portion 122A formed on the surface of the front wall 116A of the driver holder. The horizontal groove portion 122A extends from the peripheral edge portion of the through hole 44 to the other end side in the left-right direction. This horizontal groove portion 122A forms a sound path that communicates with the first sound path portion SP1 when the driver holder 116 is press-fitted into the module case 112 and the front wall 116A of the driver holder 116 abuts against the bottom wall 114 of the module case 112. The second sound path portion SP2 also includes a horizontal hole portion 122B provided continuously at the other end portion in the left-right direction of the horizontal groove portion 122A and a vertical hole portion 122C provided continuously at the rear end portion of the horizontal hole portion 122B. The horizontal hole portion 122B extends from the front wall 116A of the driver holder 116 to the rear side in the axial direction and is connected to the lower end portion of the vertical hole portion 122C. The vertical hole portion 122C penetrates the driver holder 116 on the microphone fixing portion 118 side and communicates with the sound hole 4A of the microphone 4.

[0097] According to the above configuration, the second sound path portion SP2 is composed of a lateral groove portion 122A, a lateral hole portion 122B, and a longitudinal hole portion 122C, and extends from the first sound path portion SP1 to the microphone 4. As a result, the sound outside the module case 112 reaches the microphone 4 through the first sound path portion SP1 and the second sound path portion SP2.

[0098] Similar to the first embodiment, in this embodiment, the driver holder 116 is press-fitted into the module case 112 to form the second sound path portion SP2 for the microphone. Therefore, it is possible to easily change the second sound path portion SP2 and ensure airtightness, and improve the assemblability.

[0099] In addition, in this embodiment, since the microphone 4 is arranged on the side of the driver 3 inside the module case 112, the module case 112 and the driver holder 116 can be miniaturized in the axial direction.

[0100] [Fifth Embodiment] The driver module 130 of the fifth embodiment shown in FIGS. 12(A) and 12(B) basically follows the configuration of the driver module 110 of the fourth embodiment, but is different in that the second sound path portion SP2 and the first sound path portion SP1 are not communicated. In this embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to the same components as those in the fourth embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted.

[0101] In the module case 112 of the driver module 130, a module opening 34 is formed at one end side in the left-right direction of the bottom wall 114, and a sound path module opening 132 is formed at the other end side in the left-right direction. The sound path module opening 132 is composed of a through hole penetrating the bottom wall 114 in the plate thickness direction, and communicates the outside of the module case 112 with the second sound path portion P2.

[0102] The second sound path portion SP2 is provided on the side of the first sound path portion SP1 for the driver, and is composed of a lateral hole portion 122B and a longitudinal hole portion 122C that penetrate the front wall 116A and the outer peripheral portion 116B of the driver holder 116.

[0103] Since the configuration of the fifth embodiment basically follows the configuration of the fourth embodiment, the same operations and effects can be obtained. Further, on the surface of the driver holder 116, the surface shape of the front wall 116A that affects the sealing properties of the first sound channel SP1 and the second sound channel portion SP2 can be simplified, so that the contact surface with the module case 112 is stabilized and the sealing properties of each sound channel portion are improved.

[0104] [Sixth Embodiment] Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 13 and 14, the driver module 200 according to the sixth embodiment will be described. In the present embodiment, the same components as those in the first embodiment described above are denoted by the same reference numerals and their description is omitted. The driver module 200 according to the sixth embodiment is characterized in that two microphones 400A and 400B can be accommodated inside the module case 210.

[0105] As shown in FIG. 13, inside the module case 210, a driver holder 220, a driver 3, a first microphone holder 230, a first microphone substrate 70A on which a first microphone 400A is mounted, a second microphone holder 240, and a second microphone substrate 70B on which a second microphone 400B is mounted are accommodated in this order from the front to the rear.

[0106] The module case 210 is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape that is open on the rear side in the axial direction. At the center of the bottom wall 212 of the module case 210, a module opening 214 that communicates the inside and outside of the module case 210 is provided. Further, the module case 210 has a sound channel accommodating portion 216 formed by raising a part of the outer periphery radially outward.

[0107] The driver holder 220 is formed in a cylindrical shape that is open axially at the front and rear, and is press-fitted from the rear opening of the module case 210. The driver holder 220 basically follows the configuration of the driver holder 40 of the first embodiment, and has a cylindrical tubular portion 222 and an extension portion 224 integrally provided at the rear end of the tubular portion 222. A first sound path portion SP1 is formed in the front wall 222A of the tubular portion 222 by a through hole 44 formed therethrough. Also, a second sound path portion SP2 is formed by a groove portion 46 formed on the surface of the tubular portion 222 and the extension portion 224 so as to communicate with the first sound path portion. Since the configurations of the first and second sound path portions SP1 and SP2 are the same as those of the first embodiment, detailed description thereof is omitted.

[0108] In the driver holder 220, the outer peripheral portion where the second sound path portion SP2 is formed bulges in the radial direction and is formed thicker than other portions. This thick portion is accommodated in the sound path accommodating portion 216 of the module case 210 when the driver holder 220 is press-fitted into the module case 210. The driver holder 220 forms the second sound path portion SP2 part thick, and reduces the outer diameter by thinning the portions other than the second sound path portion SP2, thereby achieving miniaturization. Further, a rib 50 surrounding the second sound path portion SP2 is formed on the surface of the driver holder 220, and the tip of the rib 50 elastically deforms and adheres to the inner surface of the sound path accommodating portion 216. Thereby, the second sound path portion SP2 having excellent sealing performance is formed.

[0109] As shown in FIG. 14, in the driver accommodating portion DC formed inside the tubular portion 222 of the driver holder 220, the driver 3 is inserted from the opening 226 on the rear end side of the tubular portion 222, and a first microphone holder 230 is disposed on the rear side of the driver 3. The first microphone holder 230 basically follows the configuration of the microphone holder 60 of the first embodiment, and forms a plate-like member bent in a substantially L shape by a lower wall portion 232 that abuts against the rear surface of the driver holder 220 and a vertical wall portion 234 that stands upright axially rearward from the upper surface of the lower wall portion 232.

[0110] The lower wall portion 232 has an opening 236 formed to penetrate in the axial direction (plate thickness direction), and a wiring 72 connected to the rear surface of the driver 3 is drawn out rearward through the opening 236. The vertical wall portion 234 has an extension portion 224 of the driver holder 220 abutting on the outer surface facing the inner surface of the module case 210, and forms a curved surface substantially flush with the extension portion 224. A first microphone fixing portion 66A is provided on the inner surface of the vertical wall portion 234 provided on the opposite side of this outer surface. The first microphone substrate 70A is fixed to the first microphone fixing portion 66A using a pressure-sensitive adhesive.

[0111] The first microphone substrate 70A is arranged in a vertically placed posture in the same manner as the microphone substrate 70 of the first embodiment. On the first microphone substrate 70A, a first microphone 400A is mounted on the mounting surface opposite to the first microphone fixing portion 66A. The sound holes of the first microphone 400A communicate with the second sound path portion SP2 through through-holes (all omitted in reference numerals) formed through the first microphone substrate 70A, the vertical wall portion 234 of the first microphone holder 230, and the extension portion 224 of the driver holder 220, respectively. Thereby, the sound (vibration) in the external auditory canal reaches the first microphone 400A via the second sound path portion SP2. The first microphone 400A is used, for example, for feedback-type noise cancellation. The first microphone substrate 70A is connected to a long sheet-shaped first flexible substrate 6A, and is electrically connected to the printed circuit board 2 in the housing 10 via a connector 5 provided at the tip of the first flexible substrate 6A.

[0112] A second microphone holder 240 is arranged on the rear side of the first microphone holder 230. The second microphone holder 240 also follows the configuration of the microphone holder 60 of the first embodiment in the basic components, and forms a plate-shaped member bent in a substantially L shape by a lower wall portion 242 and a vertical wall portion 244.

[0113] The second microphone holder 240 is arranged in a posture opposite to that of the first microphone holder 230 in the front-rear direction, and is alternately accommodated inside the module case 210 with the first microphone holder 230. In this state, the vertical wall portions 234 and 244 of the first and second microphone holders 230 and 240 are arranged to face each other inside the module case 210. Then, the lower wall portion 242 of the second microphone holder 240 abuts against the rear surface of the vertical wall portion 234 of the first microphone holder 230, and the opening on the rear end side of the module case 210 is closed by the lower wall portion 242. Two insertion portions 246 are formed in the lower wall portion 242 for inserting the first flexible substrate 6A connected to the first microphone substrate 70A and the second flexible substrate 6B connected to the second microphone substrate 70B described later.

[0114] A sheet-like gasket 250 abuts against the outer surface of the vertical wall portion 244 facing the inner surface of the module case 210, forming a curved surface substantially flush with the outer surface of the vertical wall portion 244. This gasket 250 is formed using an elastic material similar to that of the driver holder 220. In this embodiment, as an example, an elastomer material such as TPE or TPU is used. This gasket 250 is arranged in a state of being press-fitted between the vertical wall portion 244 of the second microphone holder 240 and the module case 210. Then, the gasket 250 forms a sealed third sound path portion SP3 that communicates the inside and outside of the module case 210 by bringing both surfaces into close contact with the outer surface of the vertical wall portion 244 and the inner surface of the module case 210. The third sound path portion SP3 is composed of a through hole 252 formed through the gasket 250. The through hole 252 is coaxially arranged with the through hole 218 formed on the outer periphery of the module case 210, thereby communicating the inside and outside of the module case 210 outside the outer ear canal of the user. Note that ribs 50 surrounding the third sound path portion SP3 are formed on the surface of the gasket 250 in the same manner as the driver holder 220, and the tips of the ribs 50 are elastically deformed and in close contact with the inner surface of the module case 210.

[0115] In the vertical wall portion 244, a second microphone fixing portion 66B is provided on the inner surface provided on the side opposite to the outer surface of the second microphone holder 240. A second microphone substrate 70B is fixed to the second microphone fixing portion 66B using a pressure-sensitive adhesive. The second microphone substrate 70B is arranged in a vertically placed posture in the same manner as the first microphone substrate 70A, and is arranged on the rear side of the first microphone substrate 70A. On the second microphone substrate 70B, a second microphone 400B is mounted on the mounting surface opposite to the second microphone fixing portion 66B. The sound holes of the second microphone 400B communicate with the third sound channel portion SP3 through through-holes (both not numbered) formed through the second microphone substrate 70B and the vertical wall portion 244 of the second microphone holder 240, respectively. Thereby, the sound (vibration) outside the external auditory canal reaches the second microphone 400B through the third sound channel portion SP3. The second microphone 400B is used, for example, for feedforward type noise cancellation. The second microphone substrate 70B is connected to a long sheet-like second flexible substrate 6B, and is electrically connected to the printed circuit board 2 in the housing 10 through a connector 5 provided at the tip of the second flexible substrate 6B.

[0116] The assembly of the driver module 200 according to the sixth embodiment starts with the driver 3 accommodated in the driver holder 220 in advance and the first microphone substrate 70A, the first microphone 400A, and the first flexible substrate 6A fixed to the first microphone holder 230. Then, the driver holder 220 and the first microphone holder 230 are fixed using a pressure-sensitive adhesive 74, and are press-fitted into the module case 210 in an assembled state. Thereafter, the second microphone holder 240 in a state where the second microphone substrate 70B, the second microphone 400B, the second flexible substrate 6B, and the gasket 250 are fixed in advance is inserted into the module case 210, and the second microphone holder 240 closes the opening on the rear end side of the module case 210, thereby completing the assembly. Note that the pressure-sensitive adhesive 74 is also arranged between the module case 210 and the driver holder 220.

[0117] Since the driver module 200 with the above configuration basically follows the configuration of the driver module 9 of the first embodiment, the same operations and effects can be obtained. Further, in this embodiment, the first microphone 400A used for feedback-type noise cancellation and the second microphone 400B used for feedforward-type noise cancellation are modularized integrally with the driver 3, and the noise cancellation performance can be improved.

[0118] Also, according to this embodiment, the first microphone holder 230 and the second microphone holder 240 are formed of substantially L-shaped plate-like members arranged in opposite postures, and are alternately accommodated in the module case 210. Thereby, the accommodation space for the first and second microphones 400A and 400B can be reduced in the axial direction, and the module case 210 can be downsized. In the above embodiment, the first microphone 400A and the second microphone 400B are arranged side by side in the front and rear in the module case 210, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the first microphone 400A and the second microphone 400B may be arranged to face each other, and the module case 210 can be further downsized in the axial direction.

[0119] Also, in the above embodiment, the first microphone 400A is used for noise cancellation, but the present invention is not limited to this, and it may be used as a vibration sensor for measuring vibrations, pressure changes, etc. in the audible and inaudible frequency bands in the ear canal.

[0120] [Seventh Embodiment] Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 15 to 19, a driver module 300 according to the seventh embodiment and a headset 302 using the same will be described. In this embodiment, the same components as those in the first embodiment described above are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted. The driver module 300 according to the seventh embodiment is characterized in that a part of the module case 310 is exposed from the housing 304 and arranged.

[0121] As shown in FIG. 15, the headset 302 has a hollow housing 304 that houses functional components inside. The housing 304 is formed by fitting a front housing 304A and a rear housing 304B. The front housing 304A is formed in a cylindrical shape with an overall outer shape of an oblique truncated cone, and a housing opening 306 that communicates the inside and outside of the front housing 304A is provided at the top of the oblique truncated cone portion. A driver module 300 is inserted into this housing opening 306. The rear housing 304B is formed in a shallow dish shape that is open on the front side, and is arranged to close the opening at the rear of the front housing 304A.

[0122] In the accommodation space composed of the front housing 304A and the rear housing 304B, a box-shaped inner housing 308 that is open on the front side is accommodated, and a battery 8 is held inside the inner housing 308. Further, a first printed circuit board 2A is arranged on the front side of the inner housing 308, and a second printed circuit board 2B is arranged on the rear side of the inner housing 308 in the accommodation space. The first and second printed circuit boards 2A and 2B are arranged in a posture with the substantially front-rear direction as the plate thickness direction, and electronic components necessary for controlling the headset 302 are mounted on the mounting surfaces on both sides. A charging terminal 7 (not shown in FIG. 15) of the headset 302 and a board assembly 330 connected to the driver module 300 via a connector 5 are connected to the first printed circuit board 2A arranged on the front side of the inner housing 308.

[0123] A module case 310 that forms the outer shell of the driver module 300 is inserted into the housing opening 306 formed at the front end of the front housing 304A. The module case 310 is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape that is open toward the rear, and a module opening 314 that communicates the inside and outside of the module case 310 is provided at the center of the bottom wall 312 that constitutes the front end portion. The tip of the module case 310 protrudes to the front side of the front housing 304A and is arranged inside the user's external auditory canal.

[0124] Here, an earpiece 309 is attached to the tip (front end) of the module case 310. The earpiece 309 has a cylindrical portion 309A fitted around the outer periphery of the module case 310 and a hemispherical cover-shaped contact portion 309B provided integrally at the tip of the cylindrical portion 309A. At the tip of the module case 310, a first groove 316 is formed annularly along the circumferential direction, and a fitting protrusion 309C provided on the inner periphery of the cylindrical portion 309A of the earpiece 309 is fitted into the first groove 316, thereby attaching the earpiece 309 to the module case 310.

[0125] As shown in FIG. 16, an annular second groove 318 is formed in the middle portion of the module case 310. A vent hole 319 (see FIG. 17) that communicates the inside and outside of the module case 310 is formed in the second groove 318, and the air pressure inside the module case 310 is adjusted to optimize the driving of the driver 3. An annular vent cover 322 made of a mesh material is attached to the second groove 318 to prevent foreign matter from the outside from entering through the vent hole 319. Further, an annular third groove 320 is formed at the rear end portion of the module case 310. An annular third substrate portion 336 that constitutes a substrate assembly 330 to be described later is attached to the third groove 320.

[0126] As shown in FIG. 17, inside the module case 310, a substrate assembly 330 on which a driver holder 40, a driver 3, a microphone holder 60, and a microphone 4 are mounted is accommodated in this order from the front to the rear, and an opening on the rear end side of the module case 310 is closed by a closing member 350. Since the configurations of the driver holder 40, the driver 3, and the microphone holder 60 are the same as those in the first embodiment, detailed description thereof is omitted.

[0127] As shown in FIG. 18, the substrate assembly 330 is formed by connecting a plate-shaped printed circuit board and a sheet-shaped flexible circuit board, and includes a first substrate portion 332, a second substrate portion 334, and a third substrate portion 336. The first substrate portion 332 is composed of a plate-shaped printed circuit board and is fixed to the microphone fixing portion 66 of the microphone holder 60. This first substrate portion 332 is arranged in the module case 310 in a vertical posture in the same manner as the microphone substrate 70 of the first embodiment. On the mounting surface of the first substrate portion 332 on the side opposite to the microphone fixing portion 66, a microphone 4 is mounted. The sound hole of the microphone 4 communicates with the second sound channel portion SP2 through through-holes (all reference numerals omitted) formed through the first substrate portion 332, the vertical wall portion 64 of the microphone holder 60, and the extension portion 224 of the driver holder 40. On the mounting surface of the first substrate portion 332, in addition to the microphone 4, a thermistor 340 for measuring the temperature around the driver module 300 is mounted.

[0128] The second substrate portion 334 has a long sheet shape extending along the axial direction of the module case 310 from the end of the first substrate portion 332 and is composed of a flexible circuit board. The tip of the second substrate portion 334 is electrically connected to the first printed circuit board 2A in the housing 304 via a connector 5.

[0129] The third substrate portion 336 has a long sheet shape extending along the circumferential direction of the module case 310 from the end of the first substrate portion 332 and is composed of a flexible circuit board. The third substrate portion 336 has pads, and these pads can be used, for example, for a capacitive proximity sensor. In this case, by forming the module case 310 of a metal material, the capacitance can be further increased, and the performance of the proximity sensor can be improved. The third substrate portion 336 is drawn out to the outside through a slit 324 (see FIG. 19) formed on the outer periphery of the module case 310 and is mounted in an annular third groove 320.

[0130] As shown in FIG. 19, a closing member 350 is disposed on the rear side of the microphone holder 60. The closing member 350 has a lid portion 350A that closes the opening at the rear end side of the module case 310, and a holder pressing portion 350B that stands upright in the axial forward direction from the surface inside the case of the lid portion 350A. Since the basic constituent parts of the closing member 350 follow the configuration of the closing member 98 according to the third embodiment, a detailed description thereof will be omitted. In a state where the module case 310 is closed by the lid portion 350A, the vertical wall portion 64 of the microphone holder 60 and the holder pressing portion 350B are disposed to face each other inside the case, and a first substrate portion 332 provided with the microphone 4 is disposed between the vertical wall portion 64 and the holder pressing portion 350B. The holder pressing portion 350B presses the vertical wall portion 64 of the microphone holder 60 with a lateral (radial) force via the first substrate portion 332, and brings the driver holder 40 into close contact with the module case 310. Further, the second substrate portion 334 of the substrate assembly 330 is drawn out to the outside of the module case 310 through an insertion portion 352 formed through the lid portion 350A.

[0131] The assembly of the driver module 300 according to the seventh embodiment starts with the driver 3 being housed in the driver holder 40 in advance and the first substrate portion 332 of the substrate assembly 330 being fixed to the microphone holder 60. Then, the driver holder 40 and the microphone holder 60 are fixed using a pressure-sensitive adhesive 74, and are press-fitted into the module case 310 in an assembled state. At this time, the third substrate portion 336 of the substrate assembly 330 is drawn out from the slit 324 of the module case 310 and wound around the third groove 320 on the outer periphery of the module case 310. Thereafter, the assembly is completed by closing the opening at the rear end side of the module case 310 with the closing member 350. Note that the ring-shaped pressure-sensitive adhesive 74 for adhering the driver holder 40 and the microphone holder 60 is provided with a front mesh 74A that covers the module opening 314 of the module case 310 and prevents the intrusion of dust and the like. Further, the pressure-sensitive adhesive 74 is also disposed between the module case 310 and the driver holder 40, and between the microphone holder 60 and the closing member 350.

[0132] Since the driver module 300 with the above configuration basically follows the configuration of the driver module 9 in the first embodiment, the same operations and effects can be obtained. Further, in the present embodiment, a part of the driver module 300 is disposed outside the housing 304, and the tip side exposed from the housing 304 is inserted into the user's external auditory canal. That is, the external auditory canal insertion portion of the headset 302 is constituted by the module case 310. Thereby, it becomes possible to easily cope with the requirement for diameter reduction of the external auditory canal insertion portion of the headset 302. [Supplementary Explanation]

[0133] As described above, an example of the embodiment of the present disclosure has been described. However, the present disclosure can be appropriately modified without departing from the gist of the invention, and the configurations in the above embodiments can be omitted, replaced, or changed.

[0134] For example, in the above embodiments, the driver holders 40, 80, 92, 116, 220 and the gasket 250 are formed of an elastomer material. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and any elastic material that can be elastically deformed may be used. For example, it may be made of silicone rubber. Further, when a driver holder made of conductive silicone in which a conductive filler is mixed in silicone rubber is adopted as the configuration of the present disclosure, generation of static electricity during assembly of the driver module and during use of the headset can be prevented.

[0135] Also, in the above embodiments, the ribs 50A, 50B, 50C are configured as triangular ribs. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The shape of the rib may be hemispherical or trapezoidal.

[0136] Also, in the first to sixth embodiments, the driver modules 9, 90, 200 are arranged inside the external auditory canal insertion portion 16. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The driver modules 9, 90 may be arranged in the portion on the eardrum side of the housing 10. For example, they may be arranged behind the external auditory canal insertion portion 16. Alternatively, like the driver module 300 in the seventh embodiment, a part of the driver module 300 may be exposed outside the housing 304.

[0137] In addition, in each of the above embodiments, the driver 3 and the microphones 4, 400A, and 400B are housed in the module case 30, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. Components such as the microphone 4 other than the driver 3 and the driver holder 40 may be arranged outside the module case 30. Further, the microphone 4 is not limited to a configuration arranged on the rear side of the driver 3, and may be arranged on the side of the driver.

[0138] In addition, in the first embodiment above, the holder insertion portion is configured by the module case 30, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. The holder insertion portion may be provided in the housing 10. For example, the ear canal insertion portion 16 may be used as the holder insertion portion, and the driver holder 40 may be directly press-fitted into the ear canal insertion portion 16. Alternatively, a bottomed cylindrical housing portion communicating with the ear canal insertion portion may be integrally formed behind the ear canal insertion portion 16 inside the housing 10, and the housing portion may be used as the holder insertion portion.

[0139] In addition, the housings 10 and 304 of the above embodiments are merely examples, and any housing may be used as long as it houses the components of the headset inside. The shape and size of the housing can be variously changed. Further, the headset of the above embodiment is a so-called wireless headset, but the present disclosure is not limited to this, and a headset connected to a terminal via a wire may also be used. Further, the headset may be for both ears or for one ear. In addition, the driver module and the driver holder of the above embodiment may be applied to wearable devices.

[0140] The disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No. 2020-170811 filed on October 8, 2020 is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. All documents, patent applications, and technical standards described in this specification are incorporated herein by reference to the same extent as if each individual document, patent application, and technical standard were specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.

Claims

1. A driver, a microphone having a sound hole for sound collection, a driver holder that holds the driver inside a hollow housing, A driver module comprising: The driver holder is formed in a cylindrical shape, and is configured to be press-fitted into a holder insertion portion that is arranged inside the housing and in which the driver is accommodated inside; a first sound path portion that forms an opening at one axial end side of the cylindrical portion and communicates the driver with the outside of the housing; a second sound path portion that is formed by a groove portion formed on the surface of the cylindrical portion, communicates with the first sound path portion, and extends to the microphone arranged outside the cylindrical portion; comprising The microphone is arranged behind the driver such that the sound hole is within the range where the cylindrical portion is formed when viewed from the front-rear direction. Driver module.

2. The driver holder is formed of an elastic material. The driver module according to Claim 1.

3. Ribs protruding from the surface are formed on the surface of the cylindrical portion. The cylindrical portion is press-fitted into the holder insertion portion while elastically deforming the ribs. The driver module according to Claim 1 or Claim 2.

4. A driver pressing portion that protrudes radially inward from an opening at the other axial end side where the driver is inserted is provided on the cylindrical portion. The driver rides over the driver pressing portion and is accommodated inside the cylindrical portion, and is pressed toward one axial side by the elastic force of the driver pressing portion. The driver module according to Claims 1 to 3.

5. A plurality of the groove portions are formed on the surface of the cylindrical portion. The driver module according to any one of Claims 1 to 4.

6. The holder insertion portion is constituted by a bottomed cylindrical module case. The cylindrical portion is press-fitted into the module case. The driver module according to any one of Claims 1 to 5.

7. The other axial end side of the module case is closed by a closing member. A holder pressing portion that is arranged between the closing member and the cylindrical portion and presses the cylindrical portion toward the one axial end side is provided at the other axial end side of the cylindrical portion. The driver module according to Claim 6.

8. The holder pressing portion is provided with a microphone fixing portion for fixing the microphone on a surface opposite to the surface that contacts the cylindrical portion side. The driver module according to claim 7.

9. The housing and The driver module according to any one of claims 1 to 8, disposed inside the housing, and A headset comprising.

10. A driver holder for holding a driver inside a hollow housing, A cylindrical portion formed in a cylindrical shape, having the driver accommodated therein, and configured to be press-fittable into a holder insertion portion disposed inside the housing, A first sound path portion that forms an opening at one axial end side of the cylindrical portion and communicates the driver with the outside of the housing, A second sound path portion formed by a groove portion formed on the surface of the cylindrical portion, communicating with the first sound path portion and extending to a microphone disposed outside the cylindrical portion, Comprising A plurality of the groove portions are formed on the surface of the cylindrical portion. Driver holder.

11. A driver holder for holding a driver inside a hollow housing, A cylindrical portion formed in a cylindrical shape, having the driver accommodated therein, and configured to be press-fittable into a holder insertion portion disposed inside the housing, A first sound path portion that forms an opening at one axial end side of the cylindrical portion and communicates the driver with the outside of the housing, A second sound path portion formed by a groove portion formed on the surface of the cylindrical portion, communicating with the first sound path portion and extending to a microphone disposed outside the cylindrical portion, Comprising The holder insertion portion is composed of a bottomed cylindrical module case, The cylindrical portion is press-fitted into the module case. Driver holder.

12. The housing and The driver holder according to claim 10 or claim 11, disposed inside the housing, and A headset comprising.

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