Blower apparatus and VR apparatus
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Filing Date
- 2026-01-19
- Publication Date
- 2026-04-20
Abstract
Description
Blower and VR device
[0001] The present invention relates to a blower device that has a sound emitting function and a blowing function and can be worn on a user's head.
[0002] Patent Document 1 describes an earmuff device. The earmuff device of Patent Document 1 includes an arm and a main body. The main body is placed so as to cover the user's auricle.
[0003] The main body includes a heating element and a fan. Heat generated by the heating element is transferred to the inside of the user's ear by the fan. In this way, the earmuff device warms the inside of the user's ear.
[0004] JP 2014-68831 A
[0005] In a device such as that shown in Patent Document 1, which is placed against a user's auricle and blows air into the ear, a sound emitting function is sometimes desired.
[0006] However, it has not been easy to achieve both air blowing performance and sound output performance in a shape that is worn on the user's ear.
[0007] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a blower device with a speaker that can be worn on a user's ear and has both good air blowing performance and good sound output performance.
[0008] The air blowing device of the present invention comprises a housing having a first opening that can communicate with a user's ear canal, a blowing device provided in the housing that generates gas to be sent out of the housing from the first opening, and a speaker provided in the housing that generates sound to be sent out of the housing from the first opening.
[0009] The air outlet of the air blowing device is positioned so as to overlap the first opening when viewed from the outside. The speaker is positioned closer to the first opening than the air blowing device and so as not to overlap the air outlet when viewed from outside the first opening. The main sound emission direction of the speaker is a direction different from the direction connecting the speaker and the first opening.
[0010] In this configuration, the gas discharged from the air blowing device is guided directly (without obstructions) to the first opening and is discharged from the first opening with low loss. Sound is less likely to cause turbulence like air currents, and sound emitted from the speaker is reflected and guided to the first opening, where it is emitted. This allows the user to hear the sound from the speaker while achieving efficient and effective airflow.
[0011] According to this invention, it is possible to achieve both air blowing performance and sound emission performance in a shape that can be worn on the user's ear.
[0012] FIG. 1 is a side cross-sectional view showing an example of the configuration of a blower device according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view showing an example of the configuration of a blower device. FIG. 3A is a perspective view showing an example of an installation of the blower device according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 3B is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the installation position. FIG. 4 is a graph showing an example of acoustic frequency characteristics of a piezoelectric pump and a motor (axial fan). FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a blower device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a side cross-sectional view showing an example of the configuration of a blower device according to a second embodiment. FIG. 7A is a perspective view showing an example of an installation of the blower device according to the second embodiment, and FIG. 7B is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the installation position. FIG. 8 is a functional block diagram of a blower device according to the second embodiment. FIG. 9 is a side cross-sectional view showing an example of the configuration of a blower device according to a third embodiment. FIG. 10 is a functional block diagram of a blower device according to the third embodiment. FIG. 11 is a schematic configuration diagram of a temperature sensor of a blower device according to a fourth embodiment. FIG. 12 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the installation position of a blower device according to the fourth embodiment. Fig. 13(A) is a circuit diagram showing an example of a start-up circuit of the air blowing control unit, and Fig. 13(B) shows the output voltage characteristics of the start-up circuit. Fig. 14 is a circuit diagram showing an example of a drive circuit of the air blowing control unit. Fig. 15 is a functional block diagram of a VR device using an air blowing device. Fig. 16 is a diagram showing an example of how the VR device is worn. Fig. 17 is a side cross-sectional view showing an example of the configuration of a headphone-type air blowing device. Fig. 18 is a diagram showing an example of how the headphone-type air blowing device is worn. Fig. 19 is a side cross-sectional view showing an example of the configuration of a headphone-type air blowing device.
[0013] [First embodiment] A blower device according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a side cross-sectional view showing an example of the configuration of the blower device according to the first embodiment.
[0014] 1, the air blower 10 includes a housing 101, a speaker 11, an air blowing device 12, a first sound-absorbing member 13, a second sound-absorbing member 14, a flow path pipe 16, and ear pads 102. The first sound-absorbing member 13 and the second sound-absorbing member 14 form the fixing member of the present invention.
[0015] The housing 101 includes a bottom wall 112 , a side wall 113 and a cylindrical portion 114 .
[0016] The bottom wall 112 is a substantially flat plate. The side walls 113 stand along the outer periphery of the bottom wall 112. The side walls 113 have a shape such that the cross-sectional area parallel to the flat surface of the bottom wall 112 decreases with increasing distance from the bottom wall 112 in a direction perpendicular to the flat surface of the bottom wall 112.
[0017] The cross-sectional area of the opening of the cylindrical portion 114 is smaller than the area of the flat surface of the bottom wall 112. The cylindrical portion 114 is connected to an end of the side wall 113 opposite to the end connected to the bottom wall 112. The internal space of the cylindrical portion 114 communicates with the internal space surrounded by the bottom wall 112 and the side wall 113. These internal spaces form the internal space of the housing 101.
[0018] The housing 101 is made of a material having enough rigidity to maintain a constant shape, such as resin or metal.
[0019] The ear pad 102 has a circular ring shape and is made of a cushioning material.
[0020] The ear pad 102 has a central space 129. The ear pad 102 is attached to the housing 101 so that the cylindrical portion 114 of the housing 101 is inserted into the central space 129. This allows communication between the internal space of the housing 101 and the central space 129 of the ear pad 102. The opening surface of the ear pad 102 on the opposite side to the surface where the ear pad 102 is attached to the housing 101 is the opening OE of the blower 10. The opening OE is the sound emitting surface and the air blowing surface of the blower 10.
[0021] The blower device 12 is configured by a piezoelectric pump. Fig. 2 is a side cross-sectional view showing an example of the configuration of the blower device.
[0022] As shown in FIG. 2 , the blower device 12 includes an outer housing 123 , an inner housing 124 , a diaphragm 125 , and a piezoelectric element 126 .
[0023] The outer housing 123 is rectangular when viewed from the front, and has an outlet 1239 penetrating the wall at the center of the front wall. The rear side of the outer housing 123 is open.
[0024] The inner housing 124 is rectangular when viewed from the front, and has a through-hole 1249 penetrating the wall at the center of the front wall. The back side of the inner housing 124 is open. The shape of the inner housing 124 is smaller than the shape of the outer housing 123, and is roughly similar to that of the outer housing 123.
[0025] The inner housing 124 is disposed in the internal space of the outer housing 123. The front direction of the inner housing 124 is the same as the front direction of the outer housing 123. The space surrounded by the outer housing 123 and the inner housing 124 forms a flow path 1230. When the blower device 12 is viewed from the front, the outlet 1239 of the outer housing 123 and the through-hole 1249 of the inner housing 124 overlap.
[0026] A flat diaphragm 125 is disposed on the back surface of the inner housing 124. The diaphragm 125 closes the opening on the back surface of the inner housing 124. As a result, the blower device 12 defines a pump chamber 1290 surrounded by the inner housing 124 and the diaphragm 125.
[0027] A piezoelectric element 126 is disposed on the diaphragm 125 .
[0028] By applying a drive signal of a predetermined frequency (drive frequency) to the piezoelectric element 126, the piezoelectric element 126 is distorted and the diaphragm 125 vibrates. As a result, the blower device 12 changes the volume of the pump chamber 1290. The blower device 12 uses this volume change to draw air into the pump chamber 1290 from the back side of the blower device 12 through the flow path 1230 and the through-hole 1249. When the blower device 12 discharges air from the pump chamber 1290 through the through-hole 1249, it draws in air flowing in from the flow path 1230 and discharges the air from the discharge port 1239.
[0029] As a result, the blower device 12 has high directivity in the front direction and discharges gas at a predetermined flow rate.
[0030] The blower device 12 having such a configuration is disposed so that the wall on the front side is substantially perpendicular to the axial direction of the housing 101 and the outlet 1239 faces the opening OE.
[0031] The first sound absorbing member 13 is made of a material that has low breathability and high sound absorption properties. The first sound absorbing member 13 is ring-shaped.
[0032] The first sound absorbing member 13 is disposed on the bottom wall 112 side of the housing 101 relative to the blower device 12. In other words, the first sound absorbing member 13 is disposed on the opposite side of the housing 101 from the opening OE relative to the blower device 12.
[0033] The first sound absorbing member 13 abuts against the bottom wall 112. The surface of the first sound absorbing member 13 opposite to the bottom wall 112 abuts against the blower device 12.
[0034] The second sound absorbing member 14 is disposed in a through hole that penetrates the first sound absorbing member 13. The second sound absorbing member 14 overlaps the opening 110 in the bottom wall 112 of the blower device 10.
[0035] The second sound absorbing member 14 is made of a material that is highly breathable and has sound absorbing properties, such as glass wool or steel wool.
[0036] By providing the first sound-absorbing member 13 and the second sound-absorbing member 14, the blower 10 can prevent undesired sounds generated by the blower device 12 from leaking outside the housing 101. Furthermore, by providing the second sound-absorbing member 14, the supply of air to the blower device 12 can be ensured while preventing the above-mentioned leakage of undesired sounds.
[0037] That is, the first sound-absorbing member 13 mainly absorbs undesired sounds, and the second sound-absorbing member 14 assists in absorbing undesired sounds while ensuring the supply of air to the blowing device 12 .
[0038] The speaker 11 is fixed to the housing 101. The speaker 11 is disposed so that its sound emitting surface faces the internal space of the housing 101 and is exposed to this internal space.
[0039] The main sound emission direction of the speaker 11 is perpendicular to the axial direction of the housing 101. The arrangement of the speaker 11 is not limited to this, but is not limited to this as long as the speaker 11 does not overlap the outlet 1239 of the blower device 12 when viewed from the opening OE. The arrangement of the speaker 11 can take various forms as appropriate depending on the shape of the flow path pipe 16.
[0040] The shape of the speaker 11 is not important, but it is preferable that it is as small as possible.
[0041] The flow path pipe 16 includes a first pipe 161 and a second pipe 162 .
[0042] The first tube 161 has a shape that extends in a direction parallel to the axial direction of the housing 101. One open end of the first tube 161 is connected to the outlet 1239 of the blower device 12. The other open end of the first tube 161 is disposed near the opening OE of the blower device 10. When the opening OE is viewed from above, the other open end of the first tube 161 overlaps with the opening OE.
[0043] The second tube 162 has a shape that extends in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the housing 101. One open end of the second tube 162 is connected to a position midway in the extension direction of the first tube 161. As a result, the internal space of the second tube 162 communicates with the internal space of the first tube 161. The other open end of the second tube 162 abuts against or is close to the sound emitting surface of the speaker 11. When the sound emitting surface is viewed from above, the opening portion of the other open end (the internal space of the second tube 162) overlaps the sound emitting surface.
[0044] With this configuration, the air discharged from the air blowing device 12 passes through the first pipe 161, reaches the opening OE directly, and is emitted from the opening OE. The sound emitted from the speaker 11 is propagated to the first pipe 161 through the second pipe 162, passes through the first pipe 161, and is emitted from the opening OE.
[0045] FIG. 3A is a perspective view showing an example of how the blower device according to the first embodiment is attached, and FIG. 3B is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the attachment position.
[0046] 3A and 3B, the blower 10 is worn by the user 90 so as to be inserted into an ear canal 910 of the ear 91 of the user 90. In other words, the blower 10 is an inner-type earphone.
[0047] In this worn state, the wind (gas) and sound sent out from the blower 10 are supplied directly to the ear canal 910 of the ear 91 of the user 90 from the opening OE of the blower 10. The wind and sound enter the ear canal 911 through the ear canal 910. The wind and sound that enter the ear canal 911 reach the eardrum.
[0048] This allows the ear canal 911 and eardrum of the user 90 to be directly cooled, and also allows the user 90 to hear sounds.
[0049] In particular, the temperature near the eardrum is close to the core temperature of a person. Therefore, the air blower 10 can provide a greater cooling effect than blowing air onto exposed areas of the skin such as the arms, face, and legs. Furthermore, because the air blower 10 blows air from very close to the user 90, a high cooling effect can be achieved even with a low airflow rate.
[0050] Furthermore, in the air blower 10, the highly directional air discharged from the air blower device 12, which is formed by a piezoelectric pump, is sent directly through the opening OE, thereby enabling the air blower 10 to efficiently and effectively send air to the ear canal 910, the ear canal 911, and the eardrum of the user 90.
[0051] Furthermore, the sound emitted from the speaker 11 does not have strong directionality. That is, since it does not cause turbulence like air, the sound is transmitted to the opening OE with substantially low loss, for example, while reflecting off the inner wall surface inside the flow path pipe 16. This allows the blower device 10 to emit sound to the eardrum of the user 90 with low loss.
[0052] On the other hand, for example, if the positional relationship between the blower device 12 and the speaker 11 is reversed, the sound from the speaker 11 is emitted directly from the opening OE, but the air (airflow) discharged from the blower device 12 is likely to cause turbulence, for example, within the flow path pipe 16, resulting in losses.
[0053] In this way, blower device 10 can efficiently and effectively send wind and sound to ear canal 910 of user 90. As a result, blower device 10 can achieve both air blowing performance and sound output performance in a shape that can be worn on the user's ear.
[0054] Furthermore, with this configuration, blower device 10 can increase the degree of freedom in the placement position and orientation of speaker 11 within housing 101. This allows blower device 10 to place speaker 11 according to the shape of housing 101, thereby realizing a smaller housing 101 and improved design.
[0055] Furthermore, the blower 10 uses a piezoelectric pump as the blower device 12. This provides the following effects.
[0056] Fig. 4 is a graph showing an example of the acoustic frequency characteristics of a piezoelectric pump and a motor (axial fan). Fig. 4 shows the audible range. In Fig. 4, the horizontal axis represents frequency, the vertical axis represents sound volume, the solid line represents the piezoelectric pump, and the dotted line represents the motor (axial fan).
[0057] As shown in FIG. 4, the use of a piezoelectric pump can reduce the volume of sound in the audible range.
[0058] In this way, the blower device 10 can suppress the noise felt by the user 90 .
[0059] Furthermore, a piezoelectric pump is smaller, thinner, and lighter than an axial fan, which allows the blower 10 to be made smaller, thinner, and lighter, thereby reducing the burden on the user 90 when wearing the blower 10.
[0060] In the flow path pipe 16, the flow path cross-sectional area of the first pipe 161 and the flow path cross-sectional area of the second pipe 162 may be the same or different. For example, by making the flow path cross-sectional area of the second pipe 162 smaller than the flow path cross-sectional area of the first pipe 161, it is possible to prevent the gas (wind) discharged from the blower device 12 from leaking toward the speaker 11.
[0061] 5 is a functional block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the blower device according to the first embodiment. The blower device 10 includes a speaker 11, a blowing device 12, and a control unit 20. The control unit 20 includes a sound reproduction unit 21 and a blowing control unit 22.
[0062] The control unit 20 is configured by, for example, an IC, an electronic circuit module, etc. Although not shown, the control unit 20 is disposed in a position other than the flow path pipe 16 within the housing 101.
[0063] The control unit 20 has a communication function or the like (not shown) or is connected to a signal cable, through which music data, voice data, etc. to be played by the speaker 11 are input. In addition, the control unit 20 receives an air blow trigger that sets the air blowing on and off.
[0064] The sound reproducing unit 21 generates a sound emission control signal based on music data, voice data, etc., and outputs it to the speaker 11 .
[0065] The air blowing control unit 22 generates an air blowing control signal for starting air blowing in response to an air blowing on trigger, and outputs the signal to the air blowing device 12. The air blowing control unit 22 generates an air blowing control signal for stopping air blowing in response to an air blowing off trigger, and outputs the signal to the air blowing device 12.
[0066] Furthermore, if the air blowing trigger is associated with music data or audio data, the sound playback unit 21 and the air blowing control unit 22 can use this association information to output the sound emission control signal and the air blowing control signal in time synchronization.
[0067] Furthermore, by setting the frequency of the gas (wind) discharged by the air blowing device 12 (the driving frequency of the piezoelectric pump) within the audible range, it is also possible to provide auxiliary sounds to the sounds emitted by the speaker 11.
[0068] [Second embodiment] A blower device according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 6 is a side cross-sectional view showing an example of the configuration of the blower device according to the second embodiment. Fig. 7(A) is a perspective view showing an example of how the blower device according to the second embodiment is attached, and Fig. 7(B) is a cross-sectional view enlarging the vicinity of the attachment position. Fig. 8 is a functional block diagram of the blower device according to the second embodiment.
[0069] As shown in Figures 6, 7(A), 7(B), and 8, the air blower 10A according to the second embodiment differs from the air blower 10 according to the first embodiment in that it includes a control unit 20A and a temperature sensor 40. The other configuration of the air blower 10 is the same as that of the air blower 10, and a description of similar parts will be omitted.
[0070] The blower device 10A includes a control unit 20A and a temperature sensor 40. The temperature sensor 40 is, for example, a chip-type thermistor. The temperature sensor 40 is disposed in the first tube 161 of the flow path tube 16 of the blower device 10A. The temperature sensor 40 is preferably disposed near the tip of the first tube 161. The tip of the first tube 161 is the end opposite the side connected to the blower device 12 and closer to the opening OE of the blower device 10A. The temperature sensor 40 may be disposed at the tip of the cylindrical portion 114 of the housing 101 or on the ear pad 102.
[0071] In this configuration, when the user 90 wears the air blower 10A, the temperature sensor 40 is placed inside the ear canal 910, as shown in Figures 7(A) and 7(B). This allows the temperature sensor 40 to detect the body temperature of the user 90 with high accuracy.
[0072] As shown in FIG. 8, the temperature sensor 40 outputs a temperature detection signal based on the body temperature to the control unit 20A.
[0073] The control unit 20A includes a body temperature detection unit 23. The body temperature detection unit 23 detects body temperature based on a temperature detection signal. The air blow control unit 22 generates and outputs an air blow control signal based on the body temperature. For example, when the air blow control unit 22 detects that the detected body temperature is equal to or higher than the cooling threshold, it generates and outputs the air blow control signal to the air blowing device 12.
[0074] As a result, when the body temperature of the user 90 becomes high, the air blowing device 10A can blow air to cool the user 90. At this time, the air blowing device 12 blows air into the ear canal 910, so that the user 90 can be cooled effectively.
[0075] [Third embodiment] A blower device according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 9 is a side cross-sectional view showing an example of the configuration of the blower device according to the third embodiment. Fig. 10 is a functional block diagram of the blower device according to the third embodiment.
[0076] 9 and 10, blower device 10B differs in that it includes a control unit 20B, and temperature sensors 41 and 42. Other configurations of blower device 10B are the same as those of blower device 10A, and a description of similar parts will be omitted.
[0077] Blower device 10B includes temperature sensors 41 and 42. Similar to temperature sensor 40, temperature sensors 41 and 42 are, for example, chip-type thermistors. Temperature sensors 41 and 42 are disposed in first tube 161 of flow path tube 16 of blower device 10B. Temperature sensor 41 is disposed near the other open end (tip) of first tube 161. Temperature sensor 42 is disposed near one open end (end on the blower device 12 side) of first tube 161.
[0078] In this configuration, when the user 90 wears the blower device 10B, the temperature sensor 41 is placed inside the ear canal 910, and the temperature sensor 42 is placed outside the ear canal 910 at a position away from the ear canal 910.
[0079] The temperature sensors 41 and 42 output temperature detection signals to the control unit 20B.
[0080] The control unit 20B includes a core body temperature detection unit 24B. The core body temperature detection unit 24B detects the core body temperature of the user 90 based on the temperature detection signals of the temperature sensors 41 and 42.
[0081] The air supply control unit 22 generates and outputs an air supply control signal based on the core body temperature. For example, when the air supply control unit 22 detects that the core body temperature is equal to or higher than the cooling threshold, the air supply control unit 22 generates and outputs an air supply control signal to the air supply device 12.
[0082] As a result, the air blower 10B can blow air when the core body temperature of the user 90 becomes high, thereby cooling the user 90. At this time, the air blower device 12 blows air into the ear canal 910, so that the user 90 can be cooled effectively.
[0083] [Fourth embodiment] A blower device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 11 is a schematic diagram of a temperature sensor of the blower device according to the fourth embodiment. Fig. 12 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the mounting position of the blower device according to the fourth embodiment.
[0084] The air blower according to the fourth embodiment differs from the air blower according to the second embodiment in that it includes a temperature sensor 40C. The other configuration of the air blower according to the fourth embodiment is the same as that of the air blower 10A according to the second embodiment, and therefore a description of the same parts will be omitted.
[0085] 11, the temperature sensor 40C includes a base portion 401, a plurality of thermistors 4021-4024, and a plurality of wiring patterns 4031-4034. The base portion 401 is made of a flexible, deformable insulating film. The base portion 401 is elongated.
[0086] The multiple thermistors 4021-4024 are arranged at intervals in the extension direction of the base portion 401. The multiple wiring patterns 4031-4034 are connected to the multiple thermistors 4021-4024, respectively. Although not shown in the figure, the multiple wiring patterns 4031-4034 are connected to the multiple thermistors 4021-4024 in a connection manner that allows temperature detection signals from the multiple thermistors 4021-4024 to be extracted.
[0087] The temperature sensor 40C is disposed on the ear pad 102. This brings the multiple thermistors 4021-4024 of the temperature sensor 40C into contact with or close to the wall of the ear canal 911. Therefore, the temperature detection signals of the multiple thermistors 4021-4024 reflect the body temperature of the user 90 with higher accuracy.
[0088] The temperature detection signals of the plurality of thermistors 4021-4024 are input to the body temperature detection unit 23. The body temperature detection unit 23 detects the body temperature of the user 90 based on the temperature detection signals of the plurality of thermistors 4021-4024.
[0089] In this way, the air blower according to the fourth embodiment can achieve the same effects as the air blower 10A according to the second embodiment. Furthermore, the air blower according to the fourth embodiment can detect body temperature with high accuracy, and therefore can perform air blowing control based on the body temperature of the user 90 with high accuracy.
[0090] (Example of a startup circuit for a blower control unit) Fig. 13(A) is a circuit diagram showing an example of a startup circuit for a blower control unit, and Fig. 13(B) shows the output voltage characteristics of the startup circuit. The horizontal axis in Fig. 13(B) represents the elapsed time from the start of drive (start-up), and the vertical axis represents the output voltage. This output voltage corresponds to the voltage of the blower control signal and is the voltage applied to the blower device.
[0091] As shown in FIG. 13A, the starter circuit includes a plurality of switching elements Q1 and Q2, a plurality of resistors R11, R21, R31, and R41, a capacitor C11, and a Zener diode D11.
[0092] A series circuit of a resistor R11, a capacitor C11, and a Zener diode D11 is connected between the positive and negative electrodes of the DC power supply. The node between the resistor R11 and the capacitor C11 is connected to the gate terminal of the switching element Q1.
[0093] A resistor R21 is connected to the positive electrode of the DC power supply. A drain terminal of a switching element Q1 is connected to the resistor R21. A source terminal of the switching element Q1 is connected to a resistor R31, which is connected to the negative electrode of the DC power supply. A gate terminal of a switching element Q2 is connected to a node between the resistor R21 and the drain terminal of the switching element Q1. The drain terminal of the switching element Q2 is connected to the positive electrode of the DC power supply. The source terminal of the switching element Q2 is connected to the output terminal of the start-up circuit. The source terminal of the switching element Q2 is connected to the gate terminal of the switching element Q2 via a resistor R41.
[0094] As shown in FIG. 13B, a startup circuit configured in this manner can perform slope voltage control by setting the voltage change rate of the voltage (startup voltage) at the start of generation of the power supply voltage Vdd to a first stage and a second stage, and making the voltage change rate in the second stage lower than the voltage change rate in the first stage.
[0095] This allows the start-up circuit to suppress undesired power consumption during start-up and increase the efficiency of power supply to the air blowing device formed by the piezoelectric pump.
[0096] The start-up circuit is not limited to the one shown in the example, but may be a circuit that controls the power supply voltage Vdd using the MCU.
[0097] (Example of a Drive Circuit for the Air Blowing Control Unit) FIG. 14 is a circuit diagram showing an example of a drive circuit for the air blowing control unit.
[0098] As shown in FIG. 14 , the example drive circuit includes an H-bridge circuit controlled by an MCU and a current limiting circuit. The MCU is connected to the H-bridge circuit and outputs a PWM signal having an appropriate frequency and duty. The H-bridge circuit includes multiple switching elements Q11-Q14. The gate terminals of the multiple switching elements Q11-Q14 are connected to the MCU. The drain terminal of switching element Q11 is connected to the drain terminal of switching element Q13, and a drive voltage Vc is applied to them. The source terminal of switching element Q11 is connected to the drain terminal of switching element Q12. The source terminal of switching element Q13 is connected to the drain terminal of switching element Q14. The source terminal of switching element Q12 is connected to the source terminal of switching element Q14, and this connection node is connected to the current limiting circuit. The connection node between the source terminal of switching element Q11 and the drain terminal of switching element Q12 and the connection node between the source terminal of switching element Q13 and the drain terminal of switching element Q14 are output terminals of the drive circuit.
[0099] The current limiting circuit includes a transistor Qcl1, a transistor Qcl2, a resistor Rc11, a resistor Rc12, and a capacitor Ccl0.
[0100] A drive voltage Vc is applied to the base terminal of transistor Qcl1 through resistor Rcl1. This drive voltage Vc is the power supply voltage Vdd shown in Figure 13A. The base terminal of transistor Qcl1 is connected to the collector terminal of transistor Qcl2. The drain terminal of transistor Qcl2 is connected to the reference potential.
[0101] The collector terminal of the transistor Qcl1 is connected to the reference potential through the capacitor Ccl0, and is also connected to the connection node between the source terminal of the switching element Q12 and the source terminal of the switching element Q14.
[0102] The drain terminal of the transistor Qcl1 is connected to the base terminal of the transistor Qcl2. The connection node between the base terminal of the transistor Qcl2 and the drain terminal of the transistor Qcl1 is connected to the reference potential via a resistor Rcl2.
[0103] With this configuration, the drive circuit and the current limiting circuit can set the drive voltage for the air blower device so that it operates at an air volume that is optimal for power consumption, and can prevent undesired current from being supplied to the air blower device. As a result, the drive circuit and the current limiting circuit can optimize the power consumption of the air blower device, which is made up of a piezoelectric pump, and can increase air blowing efficiency.
[0104] The driving circuit is not limited to the one shown in the example, and other circuit configurations such as a linear amplifier may be used.
[0105] [Example of VR device using a blower] Fig. 15 is a functional block diagram of a VR device using a blower. Fig. 16 is a diagram showing an example of how the VR device is worn.
[0106] 1, the VR device 1D includes a blower 10D and VR goggles 30. The blower 10D includes a speaker 11R, a speaker 11L, a blower device 12R, a blower device 12L, and a VR control unit 20D. In this embodiment, the VR control unit 20D is included in the blower 10D, but the VR control unit 20D may be included in the VR goggles 30, or may be provided separately from the blower 10D and the VR goggles 30, or may be included in a cloud or the like.
[0107] The speaker 11R is for the right channel, and the speaker 11L is for the left channel. The blower device 12R is for the right ear, and the blower device 12L is for the left ear.
[0108] Although not shown in detail, the blower device 10D includes a right-ear blower and a left-ear blower. The right-ear blower includes a speaker 11R and a blower device 12R, and the left-ear blower includes a speaker 11L and a blower device 12L.
[0109] The VR control unit 20D includes a VR sound reproduction unit 21D, an air blowing control unit 22D, and a VR video reproduction unit 25D. The VR video reproduction unit 25D reproduces a VR video signal and outputs it to the display 31 of the VR goggles 30. The VR sound reproduction unit 21D reproduces a VR sound signal corresponding to the above-mentioned sound emission control signal and outputs it to the speaker 11R and the speaker 11L. The air blowing control unit 22D generates an air blowing control signal and outputs it to the air blowing device 12R and the air blowing device 12L.
[0110] The VR video playback unit 25D, the VR sound playback unit 21D, and the airflow control unit 22D output a VR video signal, a VR sound signal, and an airflow control signal in time synchronization based on the VR (virtual reality) provided to the user using the VR device 1D.
[0111] The display 31 displays a VR image based on the VR image signal. The speakers 11R and 11L generate sounds based on the VR sound signal. The air blowing devices 12R and 12L are driven based on the air blowing control signal to generate air.
[0112] 16, the air blowers 10D of the VR device 1D are worn on both ears of the user 90. The right ear air blower of the air blower 10D is worn on the right ear, and although not shown, the left ear air blower of the air blower 10D is worn on the left ear. The VR goggles 30 are worn so as to cover the eyes of the user 90.
[0113] This allows the user 90 to view VR images on the display 31 of the VR goggles 30. The user 90 can also hear sound with both ears and feel wind with both ears through the blower device 10D.
[0114] In this way, the VR device 1D can provide the user with not only images and sounds, but also wind. The VR device 1D can provide not only images and sounds time-synchronized, but also wind time-synchronized. In other words, the VR device 1D can allow the user to experience VR not only with the user's sight and hearing, but also with the user's sense of touch. This allows the VR device 1D to provide the user with a highly immersive experience.
[0115] For example, the VR control unit 20D outputs a blower control signal in time synchronization with the VR video signal and the VR sound signal at the timing when a cool image and sound are to be provided to the user in virtual reality, when a surprising image and sound are to be provided to the user, or when a frightening image and sound are to be provided to the user. This allows the user to experience not only the image and sound but also the coolness, surprise, and fear through the wind.
[0116] In this case, since the speakers 11R and 11L and the air blowing devices 12R and 12L are provided in the air blowing device 10D, the VR device 1D can be made compact. This allows the user 90 to easily experience a highly immersive virtual reality experience with simple equipment.
[0117] Furthermore, since the speaker 11R, the speaker 11L, the air blowing device 12R, and the air blowing device 12L are provided in the air blowing device 10D, the sound source and the air blowing source are close to the ears (user 90). Therefore, there is less of a time difference between the sound and the air reaching the ears. This allows the VR device 1D to provide the user 90 with a more immersive experience.
[0118] [Examples of Derived Fan Devices] In the above embodiment, an earphone-type fan device that is partially inserted into the ear canal 910 of the user 90 has been described as an example, but a headphone-type fan device that covers the ears can also be used.
[0119] (Structure Example of Headphone-Type Air Blower 10E1) Fig. 17 is a side cross-sectional view showing an example of the configuration of a headphone-type air blower. Fig. 18 is a diagram showing an example of how the headphone-type air blower is worn.
[0120] As shown in FIG. 17, the blower 10E1 includes a housing 101E, a speaker 11, a blower device 12, a first sound-absorbing member 13, a second sound-absorbing member 14, a holding member 15, and an ear pad 102E.
[0121] The housing 101E is cylindrical and has a bottom wall 112E and a side wall 113E. The housing 101E is open at the end opposite the bottom wall 112E in the axial direction of the cylinder. An opening 110 with a predetermined opening area is formed in the bottom wall 112E. The housing 101E is made of a material having enough rigidity to maintain a constant shape, such as resin or metal.
[0122] The ear pad 102E has a circular ring shape and is made of a cushioning material.
[0123] The ear pad 102E has a central space 129. The ear pad 102E is attached to the housing 101E so that the central space 129 communicates with an opening in the housing 101E. The opening on the opposite side of the ear pad 102E from the surface where it is attached to the housing 101E is the opening OE of the blower device 10E1. The opening OE is the sound emitting surface and the air blowing surface of the blower device 10E1.
[0124] The blower device 12 is disposed in the housing 101E so that the front surface faces the opening OE. Furthermore, the blower device 12 is disposed at a position where the opening OE and the outlet 1239 overlap when the opening OE is viewed from the outside.
[0125] The first sound absorbing member 13 is disposed on the bottom wall 112E side of the housing 101E with respect to the blower device 12. In other words, the first sound absorbing member 13 is disposed on the opposite side of the housing 101E from the opening OE with respect to the blower device 12.
[0126] The first sound absorbing member 13 abuts against the bottom wall 112E and the side wall 113E. The surface of the first sound absorbing member 13 opposite to the bottom wall 112 abuts against the rear surface of the blower device 12.
[0127] The second sound absorbing member 14 is disposed in a through hole that penetrates the first sound absorbing member 13. The second sound absorbing member 14 overlaps with the opening 110 in the bottom wall 112E of the blower device 10E1.
[0128] The holding member 15 is annular and made of a material having a predetermined rigidity, and is preferably made of a material having low resonation.
[0129] The holding member 15 abuts against the inner circumferential surface of the side wall 113 of the housing 101E. The holding member 15 is disposed between the blower device 12 and the ear pad 102E in the axial direction of the housing 101E. An auxiliary exhaust hole 119 is formed in the holding member 15. The auxiliary exhaust hole 119 communicates with the outside of the housing 101E through a through-hole 109 formed in the side wall 113E of the housing 101E.
[0130] The speaker 11 is fixed to the holding member 15. More specifically, the speaker 11 is disposed so that its sound emitting surface faces the central space of the holding member 15 and is exposed to this central space.
[0131] The main sound emission direction of the speaker 11 is perpendicular to the axial direction of the housing 101E. Note that the arrangement of the speaker 11 is not limited to this as long as the speaker 11 does not overlap the outlet 1239 of the blower device 12 when viewed from the opening OE.
[0132] 18, the blower device 10E1 is worn on the head of a user 90. The blower device 10E1 is worn by the user 90 so as to cover both ears.
[0133] With this configuration, the blower device 10E1 can achieve the same effects as the blower device 10.
[0134] (Structural example of headphone-type air blower 10E2) Fig. 19 is a side cross-sectional view showing an example of the configuration of a headphone-type air blower. As shown in Fig. 19, air blower 10E2 differs from air blower 10E1 in that it includes an air blowing device 12E. Other configurations of air blower 10E2 are similar to those of air blower 10E1, and a description of similar parts will be omitted.
[0135] The blower device 12E is configured as an axial flow fan and is disposed so that the blowing surface is substantially perpendicular to the axial direction of the housing.
[0136] With this configuration, the blower device 10E2 can achieve the same effects as the blower device 10E1.
[0137] The configurations of the above-described embodiments can be combined as appropriate, and effects according to each combination can be achieved.
[0138] <1> A blower device comprising: a housing having a first opening that can communicate with a user's ear canal; a blower device provided in the housing and that generates gas to be sent from the first opening to the outside of the housing; and a speaker provided in the housing and that generates sound to be sent from the first opening to the outside of the housing, wherein an outlet of the blower device is arranged at a position that overlaps the first opening when viewed from the outside, the speaker is arranged closer to the first opening than the blower device and at a position that does not overlap the outlet when viewed from outside the first opening, and a main sound emission direction of the speaker is a direction different from a direction connecting the position of the speaker and the first opening.
[0139] <2> The air blower according to <1>, further comprising: a flow path pipe disposed within the housing through which the gas and the sound propagate; the flow path pipe comprising a first pipe and a second pipe; a first end which is one end of the first pipe abutting and communicating with an outlet of the air blower device; a second end which is the other end of the first pipe being close to the first opening; a third end which is one end of the second pipe abutting or close to a sound emitting surface of the speaker; and a fourth end which is the other end of the second pipe being in communication with an internal space of the first pipe.
[0140] <3> The air blower according to <1> or <2>, wherein the air blowing device is a piezoelectric pump using a piezoelectric element.
[0141] <4> The air blowing device according to any one of <1> to <3>, further comprising an air blowing control unit that generates and outputs an air blowing control signal for the air blowing device.
[0142] <5> The air blower device according to <4>, further comprising a temperature sensor for detecting a body temperature of the user, wherein the air blowing control unit outputs the air blowing control signal by referring to the body temperature detected by the temperature sensor.
[0143] <6> The air blower according to <4> or <5>, wherein the temperature sensor detects a core body temperature as the body temperature.
[0144] <7> The air blower according to any one of <4> to <6>, wherein the temperature sensor has a deformable base portion.
[0145] <8> The air blower device according to any one of <4> to <7>, wherein the air blowing control unit performs slope voltage control by setting a voltage change rate to a first stage and a second stage when generation of the air blowing control signal starts, and making the voltage change rate of the second stage lower than the voltage change rate of the first stage.
[0146] <9> The air blower device according to any one of <4> to <8>, wherein the air blowing control unit includes a current limiting circuit that limits an output current.
[0147] <10> The air blowing device according to any one of <1> to <9>, further comprising: a fixing member that is arranged on the opposite side of the housing from the first opening relative to the air blowing device and that fixes the air blowing device to the housing, the fixing member comprising: a first sound-absorbing member that has low breathability and high sound absorption; and a second sound-absorbing member that is arranged in a through-hole that penetrates the first sound-absorbing member and has high breathability and sound absorption.
[0148] <11> A VR device comprising: the air blowing device according to any one of <4> to <10>; and a VR control unit that includes the air blowing control unit and outputs a drive signal to the air blowing device and a sound emission control signal to the speaker based on a virtual reality provided to the user.
[0149] <12> The VR device according to <11>, further comprising a display that displays an image based on virtual reality to be provided to the user, wherein the VR control unit outputs a video signal to the display.
[0150] 10, 10A, 10B, 10D, 10E1, 10E2: Air blower 1D: VR device 11, 11L, 11R: Speaker 12, 12E, 12L, 12R: Air blower device 13: First sound absorbing member 14: Second sound absorbing member 15: Holding member 16: Flow path pipe 20, 20A, 20B: Control unit 20D: VR control unit 21: Sound reproduction unit 21D: VR sound reproduction unit 22, 22D: Air blowing control unit 23: Body temperature detection unit 24B: Core body temperature detection unit 25D: VR video reproduction unit 30: VR goggles 31: Display 40, 40C, 41, 42: Temperature sensor 90: User 91: Ear 101, 101E: Housing 102, 102E: Ear pad 109: Through hole 110: Opening 112, 112E: Bottom wall 113, 113E: Side wall 114: Cylindrical portion 119: Auxiliary exhaust hole 123: Outer housing 124: Inner housing 125: Diaphragm 126: Piezoelectric element 129: Central space 161: First tube 162: Second tube 401: Base portion 910: Ear hole 911: Ear canal 1230: Flow path 1239: Discharge port 1249: Through hole 1290: Pump chamber 4021: Thermistor 4031: Wiring pattern
Claims
1. A housing having a first opening that can communicate with the user's ear canal, A blowing device provided in the housing generates gas that is sent out to the outside of the housing from the first opening, A speaker is provided in the housing and generates sound that is sent out to the outside of the housing through the first opening, Equipped with, The discharge port of the blowing device is positioned so as to overlap the first opening when viewed from the outside. The speaker is positioned on the first opening side of the blowing device, and, when viewed from outside the first opening, is positioned so as not to overlap with the discharge port. The primary sound emission direction of the speaker is different from the direction connecting the speaker's position and the first opening. Blower.
2. The enclosure is provided with a flow path pipe through which the gas and sound propagate, The flow channel pipe comprises a first pipe and a second pipe, One end of the first pipe, the first end, is in contact with and communicates with the discharge port of the blowing device, and the other end of the first pipe, the second end, is close to the first opening. The third end, which is one end of the second tube, is in contact with or close to the sound-emitting surface of the speaker, and the fourth end, which is the other end of the second tube, is in communication with the internal space of the first tube. The blower according to claim 1.
3. The aforementioned blowing device is a piezoelectric pump using a piezoelectric element. The blower according to claim 1 or claim 2.
4. The system includes a blower control unit that generates and outputs a blower control signal for the blower device. The blower according to claim 1 or claim 2.
5. The system includes a temperature sensor that detects the user's body temperature, The airflow control unit outputs the airflow control signal by referring to the body temperature detected by the temperature sensor. The blower according to claim 4.
6. The temperature sensor detects core body temperature as the body temperature. The blower according to claim 5.
7. The temperature sensor comprises a deformable base portion. The blower according to claim 5.
8. The airflow control unit sets the voltage change rate to a first stage and a second stage when the airflow control signal is first generated, and performs slope voltage control so that the voltage change rate in the second stage is lower than the voltage change rate in the first stage. The blower according to claim 4.
9. The aforementioned air blower control unit includes a current limiting circuit that limits the output current. The blower according to claim 4.
10. The housing is provided with a fixing member positioned on the opposite side of the first opening with respect to the blowing device, and for fixing the blowing device to the housing, The aforementioned fixing member is A first sound-absorbing member with low breathability and high sound absorption, A second sound-absorbing member is placed in a through-hole that penetrates the first sound-absorbing member, and has high breathability and sound-absorbing properties. Equipped with, The blower according to claim 1 or claim 2.
11. The blower according to claim 4, A VR control unit, which includes the aforementioned airflow control unit, outputs a drive signal to the airflow device and outputs a sound emission control signal to the speaker based on the virtual reality provided to the user, A VR device equipped with [the following features].
12. The device includes a display that shows virtual reality-based images provided to the user, The VR control unit outputs a video signal to the display. The VR device according to claim 11.