Adjustable In-Ear Module With Angular And Vertical Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing in ear modules for information handling systems often fail to provide a comfortable and secure fit due to varying ear canal shapes, leading to suboptimal acoustic performance and user discomfort, as they cannot be easily adjusted to accommodate different ear sizes and shapes.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable in ear module system that allows for the alignment and positioning of the ear tip relative to the speaker housing through a speaker tube with selectable angular orientations and vertical adjustments, using sliding curved members and a vertical actuator, coupled with a position sensor to optimize audio output based on the ear tip position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed ear tip size is used in in ear modules, then manufacturing is simple and cost-effective, but it cannot accommodate varying ear canal shapes leading to poor fit and discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The ear tip is made dynamically adjustable through a flexible tube that allows the ear tip to move between multiple fixed positions (e.g., 0mm, 2mm, 4mm extension) and continuous positions within ranges. This dynamic adjustment capability enables adaptation to varying ear canal shapes while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure through predefined adjustment mechanisms rather than complex custom-moldable systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The ear tip assembly is segmented into adjustable components including a flexible tube, an adjustment mechanism with detents, and a movable ear tip portion. This segmentation allows independent adjustment of the ear tip position without requiring the entire in ear module to be complex, as only the ear tip segment needs to be adjustable.
2Reliability
If the ear tip position is fixed in the in ear module, then the structure is simple and reliable, but acoustic performance degrades when the fit is improper
Solution Approach 1:
A position sensor detects the actual position of the ear tip and provides feedback to a processor. The processor uses this feedback information to adjust audio parameters such as equalization settings to compensate for improper fit, ensuring reliable acoustic performance across different ear canal shapes without requiring a complex adjustment mechanism for every possible position.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes audio output parameters (such as frequency response, volume, and equalization) based on the detected ear tip position. By adjusting these parameters dynamically, the system maintains optimal acoustic performance across different positions without requiring the physical structure to be complex, as the compensation is achieved through software parameter adjustment rather than hardware complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple ear tip sizes are provided as replacements, then different ear canal shapes can be accommodated, but hygiene concerns prevent users from trying on different modules and replacement tips are required
Solution Approach 1:
The in ear module performs self-adjustment through an integrated mechanism where the user can manipulate the flexible tube or adjustment component to change ear tip position without requiring external assistance or multiple replacement tips. The position sensor and processor work together to automatically optimize the fit, eliminating the need for users to physically try on different pre-made ear tip sizes while maintaining hygiene by keeping the ear tip attached to the module.
4Ease of operation
If the ear tip flexes on the end of the speaker tube, then some comfort increase is achieved, but acoustical performance deteriorates due to different positions having different acoustical performance
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the ear tip position to multiple predetermined optimized positions rather than allowing continuous flexing. The flexible tube is designed with specific length and flexibility characteristics that enable the ear tip to reach these predetermined positions while maintaining optimal acoustical performance at each position. The position sensor ensures the ear tip is at the correct position for the selected setting.
Solution Approach 2:
The system compensates for acoustical variations at different positions by dynamically changing audio output parameters based on the detected ear tip position. This allows the ear tip to be positioned for optimal comfort while the audio parameters are adjusted to maintain optimal acoustical performance, decoupling the trade-off between comfort and acoustics.
Data Source
AI summary
An information handling system presents audible sounds from audio information at an in-ear monitor having a speaker in a speaker housing that directs sound through a speaker tube. An angular alignment mechanism adjusts the angular orientation of the speaker tube relative to the speaker housing and a vertical alignment mechanism adjust the distance that the speaker tube extends out from the speaker housing. Position sensors detect the position of the ear tube so that an audio processor can apply the position to adjust the sound output from the speaker and the noise cancellation provided in response to external noise detected by a microphone within the speaker housing.