System for modifying the spatial volume perceived by a human ear for an electroacoustic earcup of a headphone

Abstract

The present invention relates to a system for modifying (200) the spatial volume perceived by a human ear for an electroacoustic earcup (1) of a headphone comprising a ring frame (201) configured to be arranged between the first wall (21) and the earpad (3) of an electroacoustic earcup (1), said ring frame (201) being provided with a labyrinthine structure (210) configured to delay the delivery to the human ear of one or more pressure waves generated by the electroacoustic transducer (4) by defining a first volume (V1) perceived by the human ear which is greater than the ear volume (Va) defined by the electroacoustic earcup (1).

Description

[0001] Title "System for modifying the spatial volume perceived by a human ear for an electroacoustic earcup of a headphone"

[0002] DESCRIPTION

[0003] Technical field

[0004] The present invention relates to a system for modifying the spatial volume perceived by a human ear for an electroacoustic earcup of a headphone, in accordance with the preamble of claim 1.

[0005] The present invention also relates to an electroacoustic earcup for headphones and headphones incorporating the system for modifying the spatial volume.

[0006] State of the art

[0007] It is known in the state of the art to realise an electroacoustic earcup for headphones. In detail, the electroacoustic earcup comprises a hollow housing featuring a first wall having an opening and a second wall. An earpad is also provided, shaped to couple with a human ear in an acoustically tight manner, that serves to define an ear chamber. The earpad is operatively connected in fluid continuity with the opening of the first wall. An electroacoustic transducer comprising a vibrating membrane to diffuse sound waves, i.e. pressure waves, in the direction of a listener's ear is arranged inside the hollow housing.

[0008] In addition, the electroacoustic earcup of the prior art may comprise pressurebalancing means configured to balance the pressure between the ear chamber and the hollow housing when the earpad is coupled with a human ear in an acoustically tight manner. In other words, these balance means prevent the rise of a pressure difference between the ear chamber and the hollow housing that would hinder the movement of the vibrating membrane, and thus hinder the proper propagation of sound waves in the direction of a listener's ear. Problem of the prior art

[0009] However, known electroacoustic earcups define an ear chamber between the user's ear and the earcup itself, whose size depends directly on the size of the earcup. In this way, pressure waves generated by the electroacoustic transducer reach the user's ear, which perceives the ear volume of the ear chamber. Specifically, the physical phenomena regulating the delivery of pressure waves to the human ear allow the ear volume to be perceived in spatial terms as limited to the effective size of the ear chamber.

[0010] Disadvantageously, the limited ear volume can lead to poor diffusion of sound waves in the direction of a listener's ear and a transmission of unnatural sounds that make listening to a user very unpleasant.

[0011] Summary of the invention

[0012] In this context, the technical task underlying the present invention is to provide a system for modifying the spatial volume perceived by a human ear for an electroacoustic earcup of a headphone that overcomes the drawbacks of the prior art.

[0013] A further object of the invention is to realise an electroacoustic earcup comprising the system for modifying the perceived spatial volume and headphones comprising a pair of electroacoustic earcups.

[0014] The specified technical task and the specified objects are substantially achieved by a system for modifying the spatial volume perceived by a human ear for an electroacoustic earpad of a headphone comprising the technical features set forth in one or more of the attached claims.

[0015] Advantages of the invention

[0016] Thanks to an embodiment, it is possible to modify the spatial volume perceived by the human ear with the same ear chamber size.

[0017] Thanks to an embodiment, it is possible to modify the spatial volume perceived by the human ear, giving the user the sensation of listening to sounds in a larger environment than the ear volume related to the actual size of the ear chamber.

[0018] Thanks to the preferred embodiment of the invention, the listening experience can be improved.

[0019] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] Further features and advantages of the present invention will become clearer from the indicative, and therefore non-limiting, description of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment of a system for modifying the spatial volume perceived by a human ear for an electroacoustic earcup as illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein:

[0021] - Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a frame of the system for modifying the spatial volume perceived by a human ear in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention with some parts omitted to better show others;

[0022] - Figure 2 shows a further perspective view of a frame of a system for modifying the spatial volume perceived by a human ear in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] - Figure 3 shows a view from above of the frame of Figure 1;

[0024] - Figure 4 shows a view from above of a further frame of the system for modifying the spatial volume perceived by a human ear in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] - Figure 5 shows a view from above of the combination of two frames of the system for modifying the spatial volume perceived by a human ear in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention with certain parts omitted to better show others;

[0026] - Figure 6 shows a section view of an electroacoustic earcup in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] - Figure 7 shows a section view of an electroacoustic earcup in accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] - Figure 8 shows a schematic view of closed headphones with a pair of electroacoustic earcups in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] With particular reference to Figure 1, number 200 denotes a system for modifying the spatial volume perceived by a human ear for an electroacoustic earcup 1 of headphones in accordance with the present invention.

[0031] In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the electroacoustic earcup 1 comprises a hollow housing 2 extending along a main direction X-X. Said hollow housing 2 features a first wall 21 having an acoustic opening 22 transverse to the main direction X-X and a second wall 23 spaced apart from the first wall 21.

[0032] The first 21 and second wall 23 are connected by a side wall 24. Preferably, the acoustic opening 22 occupies a central portion of the wall 21 and is perpendicular to the main direction X-X . The hollow housing 2 is therefore closed or open at the second wall 23, open at the first wall 21 and laterally delimited by the side wall 24.

[0033] Preferably, the hollow housing 2 has a cylindrical shape.

[0034] The electroacoustic earcup 1 comprises an earpad 3 shaped to couple with a user's ear in an acoustically tight manner to define an ear chamber 31. In other words, once coupled to the user's ear, the earpad 3 at least partially isolates the user's ear from the environment outside the electroacoustic earcup 1. This ear chamber 31 features an ear volume Va. It should be noted that the ear volume Va is dimensionally defined by the size of the earcup 1 and thus of the ear chamber 31.

[0035] In order to advantageously couple with the ear, the earpad 3 has a support surface 32 that can be tilted with respect to the main direction X-X. The tilt allows to best suit the user's facial shape. This earpad 3 is operatively connected in fluid continuity with the opening 22 of the first wall 21. Specifically, the earpad 3 can be coupled to one of the side wall 24 and the first wall 21, for example mechanically or magnetically.

[0036] The electroacoustic earcup 1 comprises an electroacoustic transducer 4 arranged within the hollow housing 2 and configured to generate pressure waves, specifically sound waves.

[0037] Preferably, the electroacoustic transducer 4 is arranged within the hollow housing at the opening 22 of the first wall 21. More preferably, the electroacoustic transducer 4 is arranged transverse to the main direction X-X. In the preferred condition, the electroacoustic transducer 4 is arranged perpendicular to the main direction X-X.

[0038] In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the electroacoustic transducer 4 comprises a vibrating membrane 41 facing the direction of the opening 22 of the first wall 21. This vibrating membrane 41 moves, by oscillating, a mass of air behind the vibrating membrane 41 along the main direction X-X, reproducing sound waves that propagate towards the opening 22 of the hollow housing 2.

[0039] In accordance with the present invention, the system 200 comprises a ring frame

[0040] 201 configured to be arranged between the first wall 21 and the earpad 3. Specifically, the ring frame 201 is provided with a labyrinthine structure 210 configured to delay the delivery to the human ear of one or more pressure waves generated by the electroacoustic transducer 4 defining a first volume VI perceived by the human ear which is greater than the ear volume Va.

[0041] In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the ring frame 201 comprises a first and second support base 202, 203. The first support base 202 is configured to couple with the first wall 21. The second support base 203 is spaced apart from the first support base

[0042] 202 along a spacing direction A- A, preferably perpendicular to the two support bases 202, 203 and the first wall 21. Specifically, the second support base 203 is configured to couple with the earpad 3.

[0043] The first and second support bases 202, 203 define a ring 201a featuring a central opening 204 configured to surround the acoustic opening 22.

[0044] According to an aspect, the labyrinthine structure 210 is arranged between the first and second support bases 202, 203.

[0045] Preferably, the labyrinthine structure 210 comprises one or more walls 211 projecting from one of the first support base 202 and the second support base 203 or a combination thereof.

[0046] These walls 211 are angularly and radially spaced apart from each other to define delay chambers 212 configured together with the walls 211 to receive pressure waves and generate phenomena of reflection, refraction, diffraction, absorption or a combination thereof to delay the delivery of pressure waves to the human ear.

[0047] Advantageously, this delay is perceived by the user's ear as a volume of the environment which is greater than the ear volume.

[0048] It should be noted that the first and second support bases 202, 203 feature an outer edge 202a, 203a and an inner edge 202b, 203b defining the central opening 204.

[0049] In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the walls 211 comprise first walls 213 and second walls 214.

[0050] Preferably, the first walls 213 have a cusp shape and the second walls 214 have a sinusoidal shape.

[0051] According to an aspect of the present embodiment, the first walls 213 extend from the outer edge 202a, 203 a towards the inner edge 202b, 203 b and the second walls 214 extend from the inner edge 202b, 203b towards the outer edge 202a, 203a.

[0052] According to a further aspect of the present invention, the labyrinthine structure 210 has first passage openings 210a configured to face the ear chamber 31 and opposite second passage openings 210b. These passage openings 210a, 210b are defined by the walls 211 and support bases.

[0053] In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the ring frame 201 comprises two halfparts 221, 222 hinged and configured to rotate mutually around a hinge point 223 between a moving configuration and a locking configuration.

[0054] According to an aspect, the ring frame 201 comprises a first and a second rotation element 224, 225 formed on the half-parts 221, 222, respectively, and configured to rotatably couple in the moving configuration. Preferably, the first rotation element 224 obtained on a half-part 221 comprises a pivot 224a and the second rotation element 225 obtained on the other half-part 222 comprises a seat 225a configured to receive and retain the pivot 224a allowing the mutual rotation of the half-parts 221, 222.

[0055] It should be noted that the first and second rotation elements 224, 225 define the hinge point 223.

[0056] According to an aspect, the ring frame 201 comprises a first and a second locking element 226, 227 obtained on the half-parts 221, 222 and configured to be coupled in order to lock the two half-parts 221, 222 in the locking configuration.

[0057] Specifically, the first locking element 226 is obtained on one of the half-parts 221 and comprises a hook 226a, while the second locking element 227 is formed on the other half-part 222 and comprises a housing 227a to reversibly retain and lock the hook 226a.

[0058] Due to the mutual mobility of the half-parts 221, 222, the ring frame 201 can be easily positioned in a relative seat as shown below.

[0059] In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the ring frame 201 is made by 3D printing preferably in nylon powder.

[0060] According to an aspect, the earpad 3 defines a seat 3a configured to receive the ring frame 201.

[0061] It should be noted that the seat 3a has an annular opening configured to receive the ring frame 201 from the ear chamber 31.

[0062] Preferably, the earpad 3 comprises a coupling flap 3b configured to be coupled to the side wall 24 or first wall 22.

[0063] Specifically, the earpad 3 comprises an earpad body 3 c extended between the support surface 32 and an inner annular surface 31 opposite the support surface 32. The coupling flap 3b projects peripherally from the body 3c of the earpad 33 on the side of the inner annular surface 31.

[0064] The seat 3a is defined at least in part between the coupling flap 3b and the inner annular surface 3.

[0065] According to the embodiment wherein the earpad 3 is retained to the side wall 24 for example as shown in Figure 6, the side wall 24 comprises a flap seat 24a configured to receive and retain the coupling flap 3b so as to anchor the earpad 3 to the side wall 24 by abutting the first wall 23. In this way, the seat 3 a is defined between the first wall 22, a portion of coupling flap 3 b acting as the side part of the seat 3 a and the inner annular surface 31.

[0066] According to an alternative embodiment, for example, as shown in Figure 7, the seat 3a is defined between the coupling flap 3b and the inner annular surface 31. In this embodiment, the first support wall 202 comprises a first magnetic element and the first wall 22 comprises a second magnetic element. The first and second magnetic elements are configured to mutually attract according to the physical laws of magnetism. It should be noted that one of the first and second magnetic elements is a permanent magnet. Preferably, the magnetic element that is not a permanent magnet is made of a material that is magnetically attracted to the permanent magnet, such as a ferromagnetic material. Alternatively, both magnetic elements are permanent magnets with opposite polarities. In this way, the earpad 3 is retained at the first wall 22.

[0067] In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the system 200 comprises a star frame

[0068] 230 configured to be arranged in the ear chamber 31 and surrounded by the ring frame 201. Specifically, the star frame 230 is configured to reduce the delay of delivery of one or more pressure wave to the human ear by the ring frame 201 by defining a second volume perceived by the human ear V2 which is smaller than the first volume VI and greater than the ear volume Va.

[0069] It should be noted that the star frame 230, which is at least partly arranged inside the ear chamber 31 thereby allows the pressure waves to reach the user’s ear first, making the second volume V2 perceived.

[0070] Preferably, the star frame 230 comprises a central body 231 featuring a central opening 232 configured to surround the acoustic opening 22. Specifically, the central body

[0071] 231 extends between a first support side wall 233 configured to face the ear chamber 31 and an opposite second support side wall 234.

[0072] In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the first support side wall 233 is shaped according to a multi-pointed star.

[0073] Preferably, the star frame 230 features pass-through acoustic channels 235 made on the central body 231 between the first and second support side walls 233, 234.

[0074] It should be noted that the central body features two annular support surfaces 231a. These pass-through acoustic channels 235 extend between the annular support surfaces 231a.

[0075] Preferably, pass-through acoustic channels 235 are provided with passage openings on their annular support surfaces.

[0076] In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the pass-through acoustic channels 235 have a prismatic shape and are preferably angularly spaced.

[0077] According to an aspect, the star frame 230 is made by 3D printing preferably in nylon powder.

[0078] Thanks to this ring frame 201 possibly combined with the star frame 230, it is possible to generate complex acoustics capable of making the human ear perceive through its human cognitive processes a first volume or second volume greater than the ear volume. In this way, the user perceives a larger environment than the environment physically defined by the ear chamber 31.

[0079] It should be noted that the ring frame 201 allows the first spatial volume to be perceived as, for example, the size of a theatre. When the ring frame 201 is combined with the star frame 230, the second volume, for example, of a room can be perceived. In both cases, the system 200 avoids the ear to perceive the typical ear volume of headphones, i.e. a restricted environment limited to the size of the electroacoustic earcup.

[0080] Advantageously, the system 200 allows the user to passively perceive greater spatial volumes than the ear volume without using active electronics capable of manipulating pressure waves.

[0081] Thanks to the use of nylon powder 3D printing, a rough surface can be defined for the frames 201, 230 configured to act on high frequencies by improving the effect of perceiving a volume different from the ear volume.

[0082] A further object of the present invention is to provide an electroacoustic earcup 1 for headphones of both the open and closed type as described above. This electroacoustic earcup 1 comprises the system for modifying the volume perceived by a human ear 200. Specifically, the ring frame 201 and possibly the star frame 230 are inserted in their respective positions according to the spatial volume the user wishes to perceive.

[0083] Further referring to Figure 8, the present invention provides a headphone 100 comprising a pair of electroacoustic ear cups la, lb as described in the preceding paragraphs.

[0084] The headphone comprises a flexible headband 101 extending between a first end 101a and a second end 101b and is shaped to fit over a user's head.

[0085] A first electroacoustic earcup la and a second electroacoustic earcup lb are connected to the ends 101a, 101b of the flexible headband 101, respectively.

[0086] In greater detail, the first and second ends 101a, 101b of the headband 101 are connected respectively to the first and second electroacoustic earcups la, lb by means of a first and second adjustment element 102a, 102b which allows the position of each electroacoustic earcup la, lb to be adjusted according to the user's needs.

[0087] Basically, thanks to the adjustment elements 102a, 102b it is possible to adjust the position of the electroacoustic earcups la, lb between an extended position and a retracted position, i.e. it is basically possible to adjust the extension length of the flexible headband 101.

[0088] To this end, each adjustment element 102a, 102b features a box-like shape that runs between an upper wall 103a, 103b and a lower wall 104a, 104b and features a through hole between the lower wall 104a, 104b and the upper wall 103a, 103b.

[0089] The upper wall 103a, 103b of each adjustment element 102a, 102b is immovably connected to the respective end 101a, 101b of the headband 101.

[0090] An adjustment stem 106a, 106b is positioned through the through-hole of each adjustment element 102a, 102b and extends between a lower end 107a, 107b and an upper end 108b, 108a. The lower end 107a, 107b of each adjustment stem 106a, 106b is immovably connected to the respective electroacoustic earcup la, lb.

[0091] Thanks to this configuration, each adjustment element 102a, 102b can slide on its respective adjustment stem 106a, 106b between an extended position and a retracted position.

[0092] In the extended position the upper end 108b, 108a of the adjustment stem 106a, 106b is contained within the adjustment element 102a, 102b. Conversely, in the retracted position, the upper end 108b, 108a of the adjustment stem 106a, 106b is in a position spaced from the upper wall 103a, 103b of the respective adjustment element 102a, 102b and the respective earcup la, lb rests on the lower surface 104a, 104b of the respective adjustment element 102a, 102b.

[0093] Note that the headphone 100 may comprise an electrical connection cable (not shown) that has a first and second end part. The first end part is connected to an electrical connection element (not shown) adapted to be connected to an amplifier (not shown). The second end part is connected to a first and a second cable (not shown), respectively connected to an electrical circuit of the first and the second acoustic earcup la, lb.

[0094] Obviously, a person skilled in the art, for the purpose of satisfying contingent and specific requirements, can make numerous modifications to the variants described above, all therefore contained within the scope of protection as defined in the following claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A system (200) for modifying a spatial volume perceived by a human ear for an electroacoustic earcup (1) of a headphone, comprising:- a hollow housing (2) extending along a main direction (X-X), the hollow housing(2) featuring a first wall (21) having an acoustic opening (22) transverse to the main direction (X-X) and a second wall (23), the first (21) and the second wall (23) being connected by a side wall (24);- an earpad (3) shaped to couple with a human ear in an acoustically tight manner to define an ear chamber (31) provided with an ear volume (Va), said earpad (3) being operatively connected in fluid continuity with the acoustic opening (31) of the first wall (21) and coupled to one of the side wall (24) and the first wall (21);- an electroacoustic transducer (4) arranged within the hollow housing (2) and configured to generate pressure waves; said system (200) being characterized by comprising:- a ring frame (201) configured to be arranged between the first wall (21) and the earpad(3), said ring frame (201) being provided with a labyrinthine structure (210) configured to delay the delivery to the human ear of one or more pressure waves generated by the electroacoustic transducer (4) by defining a first volume (VI) perceived by the human ear which is greater than the ear volume (Va).

2. The system (200) according to claim 1, wherein the ring frame (201) comprises:- a first support base (202) configured to couple to the first wall (21);- a second support base (203) spaced apart from the first support base (202) along a spacing direction (A- A) and configured to couple to the earpad (4), said first and secondsupport bases (202, 203) defining a ring (201a) featuring a central opening (204) configured to surround the acoustic opening (22);- the labyrinthine structure (210) being arranged between the first and the second support base (202, 203).

3. The system (200) according to claim 2, wherein the labyrinthine structure (210) comprises one or more walls (211) projecting from one of the first support base (202) and the second support base (203) or a combination thereof, said walls (211) being angularly and radially spaced apart from each other to define delay chambers (212) configured together with the walls (211) to receive pressure waves and generate phenomena of reflection, refraction, diffraction, absorption or a combination thereof to delay the delivery of said pressure waves to the human ear.

4. The system (200) according to claim 3, wherein- the walls (211) comprise first walls (213) and second walls (214), the first walls (213) feature a cusp shape, and the second walls (214) feature a sinusoidal shape;- the first and the second support base (202, 203) featuring an outer edge (202a, 203a) and an inner edge (202b, 203b), said first walls (213) extending from the outer edge (202a, 203a) towards the inner edge (202b, 203b), and said second walls (214) extending from the inner edge (202b, 203b) towards the outer edge (202a, 203a).

5. The system (200) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the ring frame (201) comprises:- two half-parts (221, 222) hinged and configured to rotate mutually around a hinge point (223) between a moving configuration and a locking configuration;- a first and a second rotation element (224, 225) obtained on the half-parts (221, 222), respectively, and configured to rotatably couple in the moving configuration;- a first and a second locking element (226, 227) obtained on the half-parts (221, 222), and configured to couple to lock the two half-parts (221, 222) in the locking configuration.

6. The system (200) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the ring frame (201) is made by nylon powder 3D printing.

7. The system (200) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the earpad (3) defines a seat (3a) configured to receive the ring frame (201).

8. The system (200) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising a star frame (230) configured to be arranged in the ear chamber (31) and surrounded by the ring frame (201), said star frame (230) being configured to reduce the delivery delay of one or more pressure waves to the human ear by the ring frame (201) by defining a second volume perceived by the human ear (V2) which is smaller than the first volume (VI) and greater than the ear volume (Va).

9. The system (200) according to claim 8, wherein the star frame (230) comprises a central body (231) featuring a central opening (232), said central body (231) extending between a first support side wall (233) configured to face the ear chamber (31) and a second support side wall (234) opposite thereto; said first support side wall (233) being shaped according to a star shape.

10. The system (200) according to claims 8 and 9, wherein the star frame (230) is made by nylon powder 3D printing.

11. An electroacoustic earcup (1) for headphones, comprising:- a hollow housing (2) extending along a main direction (X-X), the hollow housing (2) featuring a first wall (21) having an acoustic opening (22) transverse to the main direction (X-X) and a second wall (23), the first (22) and the second wall (23) being connected by a side wall (24);- an earpad (3) shaped to couple with a human ear in an acoustically tight manner to define an ear chamber (31) provided with an ear volume (Va), said earpad (3) being operatively connected in fluid continuity with the acoustic opening (22) of the first wall (21) and coupled to one of the side (24) and the first wall (21);- an electroacoustic transducer (4) arranged within the hollow housing (2) and configured to generate pressure waves; characterized by comprising a system for modifying the volume perceived by a human ear (200) according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

12. A headphone (100) comprising a flexible headband (101) extending between a first end (101a) and a second end (101b), characterized by comprising a first (la) and a second electroacoustic ear cup (lb) as defined in claim 11, said first electroacoustic ear cup (la) being connected to the first end (101a) and said second electroacoustic ear cup (102) being connected to the second end (10b).

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