Self-powered wireless earphone including flexible thermoelectric element

Abstract

The present invention provides a self-powered wireless earphone comprising: first and second housing members constituting the body of the wireless earphone; a sound tube for guiding sound to the outside; and an eartip having an inner-skin member, an outer-skin member, and a thermoelectric element unit embedded in the outer-skin member and including a flexible thermoelectric material.

Description

Self-generating wireless earphones including flexible thermoelectric elements

[0001] The present invention relates to a self-generating wireless earphone comprising a flexible thermoelectric element, and more specifically, to a self-generating wireless earphone that improves power production by enabling conformal contact with complex ear shapes through a soft ear tip containing a flexible thermoelectric element, thereby allowing the temperature difference to be effectively gradiented.

[0002]

[0003] Wireless earphones have established themselves as an essential tool in the daily lives of modern people. Unlike wired earphones, wireless earphones have built-in communication modules such as Bluetooth and batteries, allowing them to connect to various electronic devices, such as audio equipment and smartphones, without the need for separate cables. Using wireless earphones completely eliminates the inconvenience caused by wires getting caught on surrounding objects or tangled on the body, making it possible to freely make phone calls or listen to music even while on the move or exercising. However, this convenience of wireless earphones inevitably brings with it the challenge of battery charging and extending playback time.

[0004] For wireless earphones to function, they must have a built-in battery, and naturally, this battery must be charged. Recently, many devices have adopted a method of charging and storing wireless earphones simultaneously using a dedicated charging case; however, this method has the disadvantage that the earphones become unusable while charging. This causes inconvenience, as users cannot use the earphones while waiting for them to charge if they are not sufficiently charged when they intend to use them.

[0005] Furthermore, as wireless earphones are small devices worn directly in the ears, they are typically designed to be compact to maintain portability, which inevitably results in small built-in batteries. A small battery implies a limited capacity, which leads to short usage times and causes significant inconvenience for frequent users. Moreover, most users tend to use earphones for short periods frequently rather than continuously for extended durations, a usage pattern that makes it difficult to predict when the battery will run out.

[0006] The usage time of wireless earphones is a factor that significantly affects the user experience, and various studies are being conducted to improve usage time. Among them, Patent Document 1 proposed a wireless earphone using an inorganic thermoelectric material. Patent Document 1 proposes a technology that extends the usage time of wireless earphones by placing an inorganic thermoelectric material inside the housing of the wireless earphones and assisting in the charging of the built-in battery with power generated by the temperature difference between the user's body temperature and the ambient temperature.

[0007] However, inorganic thermoelectric materials generally have bulky and heavy physical properties, making them unsuitable for wireless earphones where portability and comfort are critical. Furthermore, their inflexible shape imposes design constraints, making it difficult to meet the demands of consumers who prefer small and lightweight wireless earphones. In addition, inorganic thermoelectric materials are typically composed of expensive materials, resulting in high production costs, and they contain elements that can be environmentally harmful, posing a problem of negative environmental impact upon disposal.

[0008]

[0009] <Prior Art Literature>

[0010] (Patent Document 1) Korean Patent Application Publication No. 10-2021-0177377

[0011]

[0012] The present invention aims to provide a self-generating wireless earphone that extends usage time by charging the battery while using the wireless earphone using a self-generating method that converts thermal energy from the user's body temperature into electrical energy using a thermoelectric material, and at the same time overcomes the limitations of existing technology regarding portability, comfort, and design by applying a thin, light, and flexible thermoelectric material to the wireless earphone.

[0013] The problem to be solved by the present invention is not limited to the purposes mentioned above, and other unmentioned purposes will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description below.

[0014]

[0015] A self-generating wireless earphone according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises: a first housing member including an acoustic generating system, a communication module, and a battery inside; a second housing member coupled to the first housing member to seal an internal space; an acoustic tube formed protruding from at least a part of the second housing member and guiding sound generated by the acoustic generating system to the outside; an inner lining member formed in a cylindrical shape and dimensioned to be fitted into the acoustic tube as a soft ear tip fitted into the acoustic tube; an outer lining member extending rearward in a dome shape from one end of the inner lining member, with the free end extending to the first housing member; and an ear tip including a thermoelectric element unit embedded inside the outer lining member and comprising a flexible thermoelectric material.

[0016] According to one embodiment, the thermoelectric element unit may extend from the front end of the outer shell member to the rear end of the outer shell member within the outer shell member.

[0017] According to one embodiment, the thermoelectric element unit may include P-type flexible thermoelectric material legs and N-type flexible thermoelectric material legs arranged alternately in a circle inside the outer shell member; and a plurality of electrodes disposed at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the set of flexible thermoelectric material legs and connecting adjacent P-type flexible thermoelectric material legs and N-type flexible thermoelectric material legs in series.

[0018] According to one embodiment, it may further include a heat sink portion disposed at one end of a flexible thermoelectric material leg set located at the rear end of the outer shell member.

[0019] According to one embodiment, the acoustic tube includes a pair of first electrical contacts electrically connected to the battery on at least a portion of its outer surface, and the inner lining member includes a pair of second electrical contacts formed at a position corresponding to the pair of first electrical contacts and electrically connected to the thermoelectric element unit, and the thermoelectric element unit can be electrically connected to the battery through the electrical contact of the first electrical contacts and the second electrical contacts.

[0020] According to one embodiment, the acoustic tube further includes a guide groove for connection with the ear tip on at least a portion of its outer side, and the pair of first electrical contacts may be located in the guide groove.

[0021] According to one embodiment, a pair of first electrical contacts are ring-shaped extending over the entire circumferential direction of the acoustic tube, and each first electrical contact may be formed at a different axial position within the guide groove.

[0022] According to one embodiment, the inner lining member further includes a catch projection protruding radially inward on at least a portion thereof, and when the inner lining member is extrapolated to the acoustic tube, the catch projection is inserted into the guide groove, and the pair of second electrical contacts may be formed on at least a portion thereof.

[0023] According to one embodiment, the rear end of the outer shell member may be located completely outside the wearer's ear when the wearer wears the self-generating wireless earphone.

[0024] According to one embodiment, the front end of the thermoelectric element unit may be positioned adjacent to the wearer's ear canal when the wearer wears the self-generating wireless earphones.

[0025] According to one embodiment, the eartip may include silicone or sponge foam.

[0026]

[0027] A self-generating wireless earphone according to one embodiment of the present invention has the effect of significantly extending the usage time of the wireless earphone by converting the temperature difference between body temperature and the external environment into electrical energy through a self-generating function using a thermoelectric material. As a result, the user is not burdened by the need to charge the battery for a long time, which provides a significant advantage, especially during long-distance travel or outdoor activities.

[0028] In addition, since the self-generating wireless earphone according to one embodiment of the present invention uses a flexible thermoelectric material that is thin, light, and flexible, it has the advantage of not having limitations on the design and fit of the wireless earphone compared to conventional thermoelectric materials that have been applied in the past, and also enables efficient energy conversion while minimizing size and weight.

[0029] However, the effects of the present invention are not limited to those described above, but include all effects naturally realized through the various configurations proposed in the present invention.

[0030]

[0031] The features and benefits of the preferred embodiments of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description, which is discussed in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0032] FIG. 1 is an exemplary diagram of a self-generating wireless earphone according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing only the thermoelectric element unit embedded in the outer shell member of a self-generating wireless earphone according to one embodiment of the present invention separated and shown separately.

[0034] FIG. 3(a) shows a front view and a side cross-sectional view of a second housing member, an acoustic tube, and an ear tip of a self-generating wireless earphone according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3(b) shows a thermal gradient around the outer shell member of the ear tip when the self-generating wireless earphone according to one embodiment of the present invention is worn on the ear.

[0035] FIG. 4(a) shows a front view and a side cross-sectional view of a second housing member, acoustic tube, and eartip of a conventional general earphone when a thermoelectric element unit is mounted over the entire eartip, and FIG. 4(b) shows the thermal gradient around the outer shell member of the eartip in this case.

[0036] FIG. 5 is an exemplary diagram illustrating the principles of charge transfer and current generation in a thermoelectric element unit according to the present invention.

[0037]

[0038] The embodiments of the present invention are illustrative for the purpose of explaining the technical concept of the present invention. The scope of rights according to the present invention is not limited to the embodiments presented below or the specific description thereof.

[0039] All technical and scientific terms used in this invention, unless otherwise defined, have the meaning generally understood by those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains. All terms used in this invention are selected for the purpose of further explaining this invention and are not selected to limit the scope of rights according to this invention.

[0040] Expressions such as "comprising," "having," "having," etc. used in the present invention should be understood as open-ended terms implying the possibility of including other embodiments, unless otherwise stated in the phrase or sentence containing such expressions.

[0041] In the present invention, when a part such as a layer, film, region, or plate is described as being "above" or "on" another part, this includes not only the case where it is "immediately above" another part, but also the case where there is another part in between. Conversely, when a part is described as being "immediately above" another part, it means that there is no other part in between. Furthermore, being described as being "above" or "on" a reference part means being located above or below the reference part, and does not necessarily mean being located "above" or "on" in the direction opposite to gravity. The same applies to "below" or "under."

[0042] In the present invention, "planar view" refers to the object of the present invention as viewed from above, and "cross-sectional view" refers to the cross-section of the object of the present invention cut perpendicularly to the ground or installation surface as viewed from the side. Additionally, in the present invention, "front" refers to the side facing the wearer's ear when worn, and "rear" refers to the opposite side.

[0043] In the present invention, expressions such as "identical" and "identical" indicate not only a strictly identical state, but also a state in which tolerances or differences exist to the extent that the same function is obtained.

[0044] In the present invention, expressions indicating relative or absolute arrangements, such as "in a certain direction," "along a certain direction," "parallel," "vertically," "to the center," "concentric," or "coaxial," not only strictly indicate such arrangements but also indicate a state of relative displacement with respect to tolerances or angles or distances to the extent that the same function is obtained.

[0045] Unless otherwise stated, singular expressions described in the present invention may include the meaning of the plural form, and this applies likewise to singular expressions described in the claims.

[0046]

[0047] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the attached drawings. In this process, the thickness of lines or the size of components depicted in the drawings may be exaggerated for clarity and convenience of explanation. Furthermore, in the description of the embodiments below, the description of identical or corresponding components may be omitted. However, even if a description of a component is omitted, it is not intended that such component is not included in any embodiment.

[0048] In addition, the following embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention but are merely exemplary details of the components presented in the claims of the present invention, and embodiments including components that are included in the technical concept throughout the specification of the present invention and are substitutable as equivalents for the components of the claims may be included in the scope of the present invention.

[0049]

[0050] FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a self-generating wireless earphone (1) according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 1, the self-generating wireless earphone (1) according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises: a first housing member (2) including a sound generating system, a communication module, and a battery inside; a second housing member (3) coupled to the first housing member (2) to seal an internal space; a sound tube (4) formed protruding from at least a part of the second housing member (3) and guiding sound generated by the sound generating system to the outside; and a soft ear tip (5) fitted into the sound tube (4). And the soft ear tip (5) includes an inner member (51) formed in a cylindrical shape and sized to be fitted into a sound tube (4), an outer member (52) extending in a dome shape toward the rear from the front end of the inner member (51), with its free end extending to the first housing member (2), and a thermoelectric element unit (6) surrounded by the outer member (52) and comprising a flexible thermoelectric material.

[0051]

[0052] A housing of a self-generating wireless earphone (1) according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a first housing member (2) including a sound generating system, a communication module, and a battery inside, and a second housing member (3) coupled to at least one side of the first housing member (2) to seal the internal space of the first housing member (2). As shown in FIG. 1, the first housing member (2) and the second housing member (3) cooperate to define the external contour of the earphone, excluding the sound tube (4) and the eartip (5). The first housing member (2) includes a cavity inside, and a unit or module for the function of the earphone, such as a sound generating system, a communication module, a control module, a sensor module (e.g., a touch sensor), a microphone system, and a battery, may be disposed in this cavity. Since the size or shape of the first housing member (2) is determined according to the design, type, required performance, etc. of the wireless earphone, the present invention does not specifically limit it.

[0053] An acoustic tube (4) is formed in at least a portion of the second housing member (3). This acoustic tube (4) protrudes forward from the second housing member (3) in a direction toward the wearer's external auditory canal. Sound generated by the sound generating system housed within the first housing member (2) is transmitted to the wearer's ear through the second housing member (3) and the acoustic tube (4).

[0054]

[0055] The acoustic tube (4) may be formed in a roughly cylindrical shape with a hollow interior. As a non-limiting embodiment, the acoustic tube (4) may further include a guide groove (41) for connection with an ear tip (5) in at least a portion thereof. For example, referring to FIG. 1, the guide groove (41) may be formed continuously in the circumferential direction at a location adjacent to the second housing member (3). As described below, the inner lining member (51) of the ear tip (5) may include a catch (511) protruding at a certain height toward the radially inward end of the rear end, and when the ear tip (5) is inserted into the acoustic tube (4), the catch (511) is inserted into and caught in the guide groove (41), thereby firmly securing them to each other. Through the combined structure of the catch (511) and the guide groove (41), the axial movement of the ear tip (5) may be restricted. However, it should be noted that the combined structure of the ear tip (5) and the acoustic tube (4) shown in FIG. 1 is merely one example for explaining the present invention, and the combined structure of the ear tip (5) and the acoustic tube (4) is not limited to the combined structure shown in FIG. 1.

[0056] The acoustic tube (4) may include a pair of first electrical contacts (42) on at least a portion of its outer surface. This pair of first electrical contacts (42) may be electrically connected to a battery embedded within the first housing member (2) via wires, etc. This pair of first electrical contacts (42) may electrically contact a second electrical contact (512) formed on the inner lining member (51) of the eartip (5) described later to complete a charging circuit. In other words, the thermoelectric element unit (6) embedded in the eartip (5) may be electrically connected to the built-in battery embedded within the first housing member (2) through the contact between the first electrical contact (42) and the second electrical contact (512).

[0057] As a non-limiting embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 1, a pair of first electric contacts (42) may be provided in a ring shape extending over the entire circumferential direction of the acoustic tube (4). Additionally, each first electric contact (42) may be formed at a different axial position. When the first electric contact (42) is formed in a ring shape extending over the entire circumferential direction, the electric contact can be stably maintained regardless of the circumferential position of the second electric contact (512) of the eartip (5). Additionally, a pair of first electric contacts (42) may be located within a guide groove (41). When the first electric contact (42) is located within the guide groove (41), the axial position with the second electric contact (512) formed on the inner lining member (51) of the eartip (5) can be more easily aligned.

[0058]

[0059] A self-generating wireless earphone (1) according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a soft ear tip (5) that is fitted onto an acoustic tube (4). The ear tip (5) includes an inner lining member (51) formed in a cylindrical shape and sized to be fitted into the acoustic tube (4), an outer lining member (52) that extends in a dome shape toward the rear from the front end of the inner lining member (51), with its free end extending to a first housing member (2), and a thermoelectric element unit (6) that is surrounded by the outer lining member (52) and includes a flexible thermoelectric material.

[0060] Referring to FIG. 1, the eartip (5) may be composed of an inner lining member (51) provided on the inside and fitted into the acoustic tube (4), and an outer lining member (52) extending towards the rear in a dome shape from the front end of the inner lining member (51). The front end of the inner lining member (51) and the front end of the outer lining member (52) may be continuously connected. In the present invention, the material forming the eartip (5) is not specifically limited. However, at least the outer lining member (52) must have flexibility as it is a part that is inserted into the wearer's ear and comes into contact with the skin, and must be able to adapt to the various shapes of the wearer's external auditory canals. Additionally, the inner lining member (51) must satisfy the condition of having a certain degree of hardness so that it can be fitted into the acoustic tube (4) and secure the eartip (5) to the second housing member (3). As a non-limiting example of a material satisfying these two conditions, the eartip (5) may be made of silicone or sponge foam.

[0061] The inner lining member (51) is a part provided in a cylindrical shape on the inner side of the ear tip (5), and is fitted onto the acoustic tube (4) to fix the ear tip (5) to the second housing member (3). That is, the cross-sectional diameter of the inner lining member (51) is dimensioned by considering the cross-sectional diameter of the acoustic tube (4) so ​​that it can be fixed to the acoustic tube (4) in a fitted manner.

[0062] In a non-limiting embodiment, the inner lining member (51) may include a catch (511) protruding inward. In a non-limiting embodiment, the catch (511) may be formed at a position corresponding to the guide groove (41) of the acoustic tube (4). In this case, when the inner lining member (51) of the ear tip (5) is externally fitted, the catch (511) is inserted into the guide groove (41) of the acoustic tube (4) to more firmly secure the inner lining member (51).

[0063] The inner lining member (51) may include a pair of second electrical contacts (512) on at least a portion of the inner surface. These electrical contacts are electrically connected to the thermoelectric element unit (6) described later and electrically connect the thermoelectric element unit (6) and the battery by contacting a pair of first electrical contacts (42) of the acoustic tube (4).

[0064] In a non-limiting embodiment, a pair of second electric contacts (512) may be formed on a stopper (511) and may be positioned axially so as to contact a pair of first electric contacts (42) located in a guide groove (41) of the acoustic tube (4).

[0065]

[0066] As shown in FIG. 1, the outer shell member (52) is connected to the front end of the inner shell member (51) and extends continuously toward the rear and substantially parallel to the inner shell member (51) at a position radially spaced from the inner shell member (51). FIG. 3 shows a wearer wearing the self-generating wireless earphone (1) according to the present invention. When the wearer wears the self-generating wireless earphone (1) according to the present invention, the front end of the outer shell member (52) (i.e., the part connected to the inner shell member (51)) is substantially located within the wearer's external auditory canal, and the rear end of the outer shell member (52) (i.e., the free end of the outer shell member (52)) can be extended longer than a standard eartip (5) and positioned substantially completely outside the wearer's ear.

[0067] Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 3, a temperature gradient can be formed by the wearer's body temperature and the ambient temperature in the area extending from the front end of the outer shell member (52) to the rear end of the outer shell member (52).

[0068] The size or shape of the outer shell member (52) can be varied in design considering aesthetic elements, comfort of wear, etc., under the design condition that a temperature gradient must be formed between the front end and the rear end of the outer shell member (52), so the present invention does not specifically limit this. However, since it is advantageous for the temperature difference between the front end and the rear end of the outer shell member (52) to be greater, it is preferable that the rear end (free end) of the outer shell member (52) be extended sufficiently long to the first housing member (2) located at the rearmost end of the wireless earphone.

[0069]

[0070] A self-generating wireless earphone (1) according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a thermoelectric element unit (6) that is embedded within an outer shell member (52) and configured to charge a battery embedded within a first housing member (2) during use of the wireless earphone. The thermoelectric element unit (6) of the present invention may extend over the entire length from a position adjacent to at least the front end of the outer shell member (52) to a position adjacent to at least the rear end. The thermoelectric element unit (6) of the present invention may include a flexible thermoelectric material having physical properties such as flexibility and thinness suitable for being embedded inside an eartip (5), as described below.

[0071] The thermoelectric effect refers to the phenomenon in which an electric current flows as a potential difference occurs within a material due to a temperature difference, causing the movement of electrons or holes. The thermoelectric effect is divided into the Seebeck effect, the Peltier effect, and the Thomson effect. The thermoelectric element unit (6) according to the present invention generates an electromotive force by utilizing the Seebeck effect, in which charge carriers diffuse from a high-temperature region to a low-temperature region due to a temperature difference occurring within the material. The Soret effect is a type of thermal diffusion phenomenon in which ions within a material move due to a temperature gradient, resulting in a difference in ion concentration within the material. This effect is observed during the process in which the temperature gradient moves through the material; electrons move to compensate for the resulting charge imbalance, and ultimately, an electric current flows, contributing to the conversion of thermal energy into electrical energy.

[0072] FIG. 2 shows a schematic structure of a flexible thermoelectric element unit (6) embedded in an outer shell member (52) of a self-generating wireless earphone (1) according to one embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 2, the thermoelectric element unit (6) according to the present invention may be composed of: P-type flexible thermoelectric material legs (61) and N-type flexible thermoelectric material legs (62) arranged alternately in a circle inside the outer shell member (52); and a plurality of electrodes (63) disposed at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the set of flexible thermoelectric material legs and connecting adjacent P-type flexible thermoelectric material legs (61) and N-type flexible thermoelectric material legs (62) in series.

[0073] First, the thermoelectric element unit (6) according to the present invention includes flexible P-type flexible thermoelectric material legs (61) and flexible N-type flexible thermoelectric material legs (62) that are arranged alternately in a circle inside the outer shell member (52), as shown in FIG. 2. In conventionally proposed wireless earphones using thermoelectric elements, inorganic thermoelectric materials were generally utilized. The thermoelectric element unit (6) made of inorganic thermoelectric material is mounted as a component that occupies a certain volume within the wireless earphone body or headset body. Inorganic thermoelectric materials have high thermoelectric performance and have the advantage of being able to stably produce power for a long period of time due to a large number of electrons. However, due to their physical characteristics, such inorganic thermoelectric materials tend to be bulky and heavy, which poses a problem of significant limitations when applied to wireless earphones where portability and comfort are important. For example, if inorganic thermoelectric materials are used, the weight of the wireless earphone increases and its size inevitably becomes relatively larger; in this case, the burden on the ear increases, which can cause discomfort when worn for a long time, and there are also many design limitations. Furthermore, inorganic thermoelectric materials such as Bi2Te3 contain expensive materials, which leads to increased production costs, and contain elements that may be environmentally harmful, such as Te, Pb, Cd, Se, and Sb, which can have a negative impact on the environment upon disposal. To overcome the disadvantages of conventionally used inorganic thermoelectric materials, the inventors of the present invention have devised a new approach distinct from conventional technology by utilizing organic thermoelectric materials that have strengths in flexibility and lightweighting. As a result, the P-type flexible thermoelectric material leg (61) and the N-type flexible thermoelectric material leg (62) included in the thermoelectric element unit (6) of the present invention may each include an organic thermoelectric material. The type of organic thermoelectric material forming the P-type flexible thermoelectric material leg (61) and the N-type flexible thermoelectric material leg (62) is not particularly limited and may include any known organic thermoelectric material.

[0074] As a non-limiting example, as an example of a known organic thermoelectric material, Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (abbreviated as "PEDOT"), a conductive polymer having excellent conductivity and flexibility, may be primarily used. However, since PEDOT itself has a problem of low solubility, it may be used in the form of PEDOT:PSS with Poly(styrenesulfonate) (abbreviated as "PSS") added to increase solubility. Additionally, to improve thermoelectric performance, Poly(styrene sulfonic acid) (abbreviated as "PSSH") or CuCl2 may be added to PEDOT. Alternatively, conductivity may be increased by increasing the amount of electrons through acid treatment, or poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT:PAAMPSA:PA) doped with Poly(2-acrylamido-2-methyl-1-propanesulfonic acid) in Phytic acid may be used without adding PSS. P-type organic thermoelectric material leg (61) and N-type organic thermoelectric material leg (62) can be manufactured by selecting one of these organic thermoelectric materials or selecting two thermoelectric materials with similar thermoelectric performance and adding appropriate doping elements according to the type.

[0075] In the present invention, the number of P-type and N-type organic thermoelectric material leg pairs is not specifically limited, and the number of P-type and N-type organic thermoelectric material leg pairs can be freely determined by considering design conditions regarding battery charging capacity.

[0076] However, although the above description explains the use of organic thermoelectric materials as a preferred embodiment, the use of inorganic thermoelectric materials is not completely excluded in the present invention, and even inorganic thermoelectric materials can be sufficiently applied to the present invention as long as they possess the flexibility and lightness required by the present invention.

[0077]

[0078] In the process of deriving the configuration of the present invention, the inventors of the present invention gave deep consideration to a method for forming a clear temperature gradient, particularly with respect to the thermoelectric element unit (6) embedded in the ear tip. To this end, they first identified the problems that arise when a thermoelectric element unit is embedded in a standard ear tip currently on the market.

[0079] FIG. 4 shows a conventional wireless earphone that is commercially available. As can be easily seen in FIG. 4(a), the rear end of the outer shell member of the eartip attached to the general wireless earphone is generally not extended. FIG. 4(b) schematically shows the thermal gradient formed in the area around the outer shell member of the eartip when such a general wireless earphone is worn on the ear. As clearly shown in FIG. 4(b), if the rear end of the outer shell member is not extended, it can be confirmed that a distinct temperature gradient is not formed in the mounted thermoelectric element unit. In addition, it was confirmed that if the thermoelectric element unit (6) is embedded throughout the inner shell member (51) and outer shell member (52) of the eartip, both parts ① and ② indicated in FIG. 4(b) are on the hot side, so a problem arises in which a distinct temperature gradient is not formed.

[0080] The inventors of the present invention identified the problems that arise when a thermoelectric element unit is mounted on the eartip of a conventional wireless earphone as described above, and conducted various studies on a method to form a cold side corresponding to the condition that the front part of section ① shown in FIG. 4(b) is fixed to a high temperature side. As a result of the study, they devised a configuration in which the rear end of the outer shell member (52) is sufficiently extended while the thermoelectric element unit (6) is embedded only in the outer shell member (52).

[0081] FIG. 3(b) schematically illustrates the thermal gradient that occurs in the area surrounding the outer shell member (52) of the eartip (5) when the self-generating wireless earphone (1) according to one embodiment of the present invention is worn on the ear. As shown in FIG. 3(a), the self-generating wireless earphone (1) according to one embodiment of the present invention has a thermoelectric element unit (6) embedded in the eartip (5), which is one of the wireless earphone components rather than the wireless earphone body, and more specifically in the outer shell member (52) of the eartip (5). Referring to FIG. 3(b), when a wearer wears the wireless earphone of the present invention, the front end of the outer shell member (52) is located within the wearer's external auditory canal, and the rear end of the outer shell member (52) is extended longer than a typical eartip and is located completely outside the wearer's ear. As a result, the front end of the outer shell member (52) receives body heat from the skin within the wearer's external auditory canal and becomes a high-temperature side with a high temperature, and the rear end of the outer shell member (52) loses heat due to contact with the atmosphere and becomes a low-temperature side with a relatively lower temperature compared to the front end of the outer shell member (52), thereby forming a distinct temperature gradient from the front to the rear of the outer shell member (52).

[0082] The thermoelectric element unit (6) of the present invention can be embedded along almost the entire length of the outer shell member (52), from the front end to the rear end of the outer shell member (52), as illustrated in FIG. 1 or FIG. 3(a). Thus, similar to the outer shell member (52), when worn, the front end of the thermoelectric element unit (6) can be located adjacent to the wearer's ear canal or within the external auditory canal, and the rear end of the thermoelectric element unit (6) can be located completely outside the wearer's ear. By doing so, the front end of the thermoelectric element unit (6) is securely located on the high-temperature side and the rear end is located on the low-temperature side, thereby enabling thermoelectric power generation due to the temperature difference.

[0083]

[0084] The thermoelectric element unit (6) of the present invention includes a plurality of electrodes (63) that connect a P-type flexible thermoelectric material leg (61) and an N-type flexible thermoelectric material leg (62) in series. As shown in FIG. 2, each electrode (63) is positioned at one end of the P-type flexible thermoelectric material leg (61) and the N-type flexible thermoelectric material leg (62) and connects adjacent P-type flexible thermoelectric material leg (61) and N-type flexible thermoelectric material leg (62) to each other, thereby providing an electrical connection between adjacent flexible thermoelectric material legs. All P-type flexible thermoelectric material legs (61) and N-type flexible thermoelectric material legs (62) included in the thermoelectric element unit (6) are connected in series by this electrode (63).

[0085] As a non-limiting embodiment, a plurality of electrodes (63) may comprise any one of copper (Cu), gold (Au), and platinum (Pt) which have high electrical conductivity.

[0086] As a non-limiting embodiment, a heat sink portion (7) may be further included at the rear end of the thermoelectric element unit (6) of the present invention. This heat sink portion (7) may be located at the rear end of the P-type flexible thermoelectric material leg (61) and the N-type flexible thermoelectric material leg (62). As previously described, the rear end of the outer shell member (52) containing the thermoelectric element unit (6) of the present invention loses heat through contact with the atmosphere, and thus has a relatively lower temperature compared to the front end. However, since heat release into the atmosphere is not very fast, the temperature may reach equilibrium after using the wireless earphones for a certain period of time, and consequently, a continuous temperature gradient cannot be maintained. To solve this problem, the present invention may further include a heat sink portion (7) at the rear end of the outer shell member (52) that rapidly absorbs heat from the thermoelectric element unit (6) and the electrode (63) and releases it into the atmosphere. Continuous self-generation can be achieved by maintaining a temperature gradient in the thermoelectric element unit (6) through the heat sink part (7).

[0087]

[0088] FIG. 5 illustrates the principle of charge movement and current generation in a thermoelectric element unit (6) according to the present invention. In FIG. 5, the high-temperature side is located within the external auditory canal and absorbs body heat, thereby increasing the temperature, while the low-temperature side releases heat into the atmosphere, thereby decreasing the temperature. Due to the temperature gradient between the two ends of each P-type flexible thermoelectric material leg (61) and N-type flexible thermoelectric material leg (62), the movement of ions generates a Solet effect, and electrons or holes move to balance the charge, causing current to flow and charge the battery built into the wireless earphone.

[0089]

[0090] The foregoing description is merely an illustrative explanation of the technical concept of the present invention, and those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains may make various modifications and variations within the scope of the essential characteristics of the present invention. Accordingly, the embodiments disclosed in the present invention are intended to explain, not limit, the technical concept of the present invention, and the scope of the technical concept of the present invention is not limited by these embodiments. The scope of protection of the present invention shall be interpreted by the claims below, and all technical concepts within an equivalent scope shall be interpreted as being included within the scope of rights of the present invention.

[0091]

[0092] <Explanation of Symbols>

[0093] 1 Self-generating wireless earphones

[0094] 2. First housing member

[0095] 3 Second housing member

[0096] 4 acoustic tubes

[0097] 41 Guide Home

[0098] 42 First electrical contact

[0099] 5 ear tips

[0100] 51 Inner skin component

[0101] 511 stopper

[0102] 512 Second electrical contact

[0103] 52 Skin member

[0104] 6 thermoelectric element units

[0105] 61 Type P flexible thermoelectric material leg

[0106] 62 N-type flexible thermoelectric material legs

[0107] 63 electrodes

[0108] 7 Heat Sink Section

Claims

1. Regarding self-generating wireless earphones, A first housing member comprising an acoustic generating system, a communication module, and a battery inside; A second housing member coupled to the first housing member to seal the internal space; A sound tube formed protruding from at least a portion of the second housing member and guiding sound generated by the sound generating system to the outside; and As a soft ear tip that is extrapolated to the above acoustic tube, An inner member formed in a cylindrical shape and dimensioned to be fitted into the acoustic tube; An outer shell member extending toward the rear in a dome shape from the front end of the inner shell member, wherein the free end extends to the first housing member; and A thermoelectric element unit embedded inside the above-mentioned outer shell member and comprising a flexible thermoelectric material Eartips including; Self-generating wireless earphones including 2. In Paragraph 1, The above thermoelectric element unit is a self-generating wireless earphone that extends from the front end of the outer shell member to the rear end of the outer shell member within the outer shell member.

3. In Paragraph 1, The above thermoelectric element unit is, P-type flexible thermoelectric material legs and N-type flexible thermoelectric material legs arranged alternately in a circle inside the outer shell member; and Multiple electrodes positioned at both longitudinal ends of a set of flexible thermoelectric material legs and connecting adjacent P-type flexible thermoelectric material legs and N-type flexible thermoelectric material legs in series. Self-generating wireless earphones that include 4. In Paragraph 3, A self-generating wireless earphone further comprising a heat sink portion disposed at one end of a flexible thermoelectric material leg set located at the rear end of the above outer shell member.

5. In Paragraph 1, The above acoustic tube includes a pair of first electrical contacts electrically connected to the battery on at least a portion of its outer side, and The above inner member includes a pair of second electrical contacts formed at a position corresponding to the pair of first electrical contacts and electrically connected to the thermoelectric element unit, and A self-generating wireless earphone in which the thermoelectric element unit is electrically connected to the battery through the electrical contact of the first electrical contact and the second electrical contact.

6. In Paragraph 5, A self-generating wireless earphone, wherein the acoustic tube further includes a guide groove for connection with the eartip on at least a portion of the outer side, and the pair of first electrical contacts are located in the guide groove.

7. In Paragraph 6, A self-generating wireless earphone, wherein the above pair of first electrical contacts is ring-shaped extending over the entire circumferential direction of the acoustic tube, and each first electrical contact is formed at a different axial position within the guide groove.

8. In Paragraph 7, The above inner lining member further includes a catch projection protruding radially inward in at least a portion thereof, and When the above inner lining member is extrapolated to the acoustic tube, a stopper is inserted into the guide groove, and A self-generating wireless earphone in which the above pair of second electrical contacts are formed on at least a part of the above catch.

9. In Paragraph 1, A self-generating wireless earphone in which the rear end of the outer shell member is located completely outside the wearer's ear when the wearer wears the self-generating wireless earphone.

10. In Paragraph 1, The front end of the thermoelectric element unit is positioned adjacent to the wearer's ear canal when the wearer wears the self-generating wireless earphone.

11. In Paragraph 1, The above eartip is a self-generating wireless earphone comprising silicone or sponge foam.

Images