Angled Nozzle In-Ear Headphone Acoustic Design
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional in-ear headphones lack optimal acoustic performance and comfort due to their straight design, which results in inadequate sound isolation and balance in frequency response, leading to undesirable sound quality and fit issues.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates an angled nozzle with a damper having a 0.6 millimeter hole, featuring a co-molded rear and front housing with a friction fit connection, and a vent for enhanced bass response, optimizing sound wave delivery and acoustic performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a straight nozzle design is used, then the manufacturing is simple, but the sound isolation and frequency response balance are inadequate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by changing the nozzle from a straight configuration to an angled configuration (specifically 10-15 degrees relative to the longitudinal axis). This asymmetric design improves sound isolation and frequency response balance without significantly complicating the manufacturing process, as the angle can be achieved through standard molding techniques.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs parameter changes by optimizing the nozzle angle parameter (10-15 degrees) and the damper hole diameter parameter (0.6mm). These specific parameter values were determined to provide the optimal balance between manufacturing feasibility and acoustic performance, improving sound isolation and frequency response while maintaining ease of manufacture.
2Manufacturing precision
If the damper hole size is increased, then the manufacturing tolerance is more forgiving, but the frequency response balance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent specifies a precise damper hole diameter of 0.6mm as the optimal parameter that balances manufacturing feasibility with acoustic performance. This specific value was determined to provide adequate frequency response balance while still allowing for reasonable manufacturing tolerances in standard production processes.
3Reliability
If a larger vent area is used, then the bass response is enhanced, but the overall sound isolation is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a distributed vent system with multiple small vent holes rather than a single large opening. This allows the vent area to be distributed throughout the housing, providing bass enhancement while maintaining overall sound isolation. The local vent holes are strategically positioned to achieve the desired acoustic effect without compromising global isolation performance.
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
The angled nozzle design with a 0.6 millimeter damper hole improves sound quality by providing a balanced frequency response and increased comfort, outperforming straight nozzle versions and other variations in acoustic performance and fit.
Implementation Method 1
Positioned within an end portion of the nozzle is a damper having an aperture or hole therein
Implementation Method 2
The vent allows sound waves to pass through, enhancing bass frequency response
Implementation Method 3
featuring a co-molded rear and front housing with a friction fit connection
Data Source
AI summary
A pair of in-ear headphones is disclosed that are operable to reproduce incoming audio signals. The in-ear headphones include a housing defining an internal chamber. A front portion of the housing defines a nozzle extending away from the housing. A driver is positioned in the internal chamber such that a sound reproduction portion of the driver is aligned with an internal audio channel running through the nozzle. A damper is positioned in an end of the nozzle having a damper aperture having a predetermined size. The nozzle extends from a base portion of the housing at a predetermined upward angle and a predetermined bend angle that provides improved audio frequency responses in desirable frequency ranges.