Adjustable Headphone Support Members for Comfort

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional headphones, whether 'on the ear' or 'over the ear', become uncomfortable during extended use due to inadequate support and pressure distribution, leading to inconvenience when switching between different earpiece sizes or configurations.

Innovation Solution

The development of earwear with multiple support members that can be configured between an 'on-the-ear' and 'over-the-ear' mode, using adjustable first and second support members connected via a positioner, allowing pressure to be applied at different locations on the head, with a headband providing clamping force for secure fit, and an audio controller adjusting settings based on configuration changes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If conventional headphones use fixed support members for 'on the ear' or 'over the ear' configuration, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the comfort deteriorates during extended use due to inadequate pressure distribution

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural simplicityVSAvoidcomfort during extended use

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The support members are designed to be dynamically adjustable between different configurations. The first support member can be positioned to contact the head surrounding the ear, while the second support member can contact the ear directly, allowing the user to switch between 'over the ear' and 'on the ear' modes to maintain comfort during extended use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The support structure is divided into multiple independent support members (first support member and second support member) that can be independently positioned and adjusted. This segmentation allows each support member to contact different locations on the head, providing better pressure distribution and comfort.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If headphones use multiple support members with adjustable configurations, then comfort during extended use is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomfort during extended useVSAvoidmultiple support members and positioner

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple support members are merged into a single integrated earpiece assembly that functions as one unit. The first and second support members are both connected to the same earpiece, allowing them to work together to provide comfortable support while maintaining a unified device structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The support members are designed to perform multiple functions: they can be adjusted to provide 'over the ear' support, 'on the ear' support, or intermediate configurations. This multi-functionality allows a single device to adapt to different user preferences and comfort requirements without requiring multiple separate headphones.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the support members are made adjustable between different configurations, then adaptability to different user preferences is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to additional adjustment mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconfiguration flexibilityVSAvoidadjustment operation

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The positioner mechanism is designed to enable easy self-adjustment by the user. The mechanism allows the support members to be moved between configurations through simple user actions without requiring complex tools or procedures, making the adjustment process intuitive and straightforward.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This configuration enhances comfort during prolonged use by allowing pressure adjustment without replacing earpieces, maintaining audio quality and noise isolation across configurations, and enabling seamless transitions between modes without removing the earwear.

Implementation Method 1

The positioner includes a rubber diaphragm having two stable arrangements, wherein the first support member configuration corresponds to a first stable arrangement of the rubber diaphragm and the second support member configuration corresponds to a second stable arrangement of the rubber diaphragm

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS20200314522A1Headphone with multiple support members

Publication Date: 2020.10.01 LENOVO SWITZERLAND INTERNATIONAL GMBH

AI summary

For earwear with multiple support members supporting multiple configurations, methods, apparatus, and systems are disclosed. One apparatus includes a first support member configured to contact a first portion of a user's head, a second support member configured to contact a second portion of the user's head different than the first, a positioner that moves the first support member and the second support member between a first configuration where the first support member is extended and the second support member is retracted, and a second configuration the first support member is retracted and the second support member is extended.