Annular Headphone with Detachable Segmented Headband

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional earmuff headphones are unstable and prone to damaging the headband, which cannot be replaced to match different hairstyles or clothing styles.

Innovation Solution

An integrated annular headphone design featuring a retractable and replaceable annular headband that connects two speaker modules, forming a closed-loop around the forehead and back of the head, allowing for easy styling and maintenance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If a non-detachable headband is used to connect speaker modules, then the structural integrity is improved, but the adaptability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidadaptability

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The headband is divided into multiple detachable segments including a first headband portion, a second headband portion, and connecting components. This segmentation allows the headband to be disassembled and reconfigured, enabling users to replace or adjust portions while maintaining overall structural integrity during use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The headband transitions from a static, fixed structure to a dynamic, reconfigurable one. The detachable design allows the headband to change its configuration based on user needs, enabling adaptation to different hairstyles, clothing styles, or wear comfort requirements while maintaining stability when assembled.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of manufacture

If a fixed headband design is used, then the manufacturing simplicity is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidease of operation

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The headband is divided into multiple detachable segments including a first headband portion, a second headband portion, and connecting components. This segmentation allows the headband to be disassembled and reconfigured, enabling users to replace or adjust portions while maintaining overall structural integrity during use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The headband transitions from a static, fixed structure to a dynamic, reconfigurable one. The detachable design allows the headband to change its configuration based on user needs, enabling adaptation to different hairstyles, clothing styles, or wear comfort requirements while maintaining stability when assembled.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of manufacture

If a C-shaped headband is used to clamp the head, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the stability of wearing condition deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of manufactureVSAvoidstability of wearing condition

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of using a C-shaped headband that clamps the head from the front, this invention inverts the approach by using an annular headband that surrounds the entire head. This annular configuration provides more stable wearing conditions by distributing the clamping force around the head rather than concentrating it at the front, while still maintaining ease of manufacture through modular assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentUS10334343B2Integrated annular headphone

Publication Date: 2019.06.25 DEXIN ELECTRONICS LTD

AI summary

An integrated annular headphone includes an annular headband and a pair of speaker modules. The annular headband has a first half section, a second half section and two retaining portions. The first half section is connected to the second half section in a closed manner. The two retaining portions are respectively disposed at two sides of the annular headband. Each retaining portion has an inner opening, an outer opening and a receiving chamber between the inner opening and the outer opening. The pair of speaker modules are respectively retained in the retaining portions. Each speaker module has an ear cover, a housing and an electroacoustic transducer disposed in the housing. The ear cover is fixed to the inner opening. The housing is partially exposed outside the outer opening. The electroacoustic transducer faces the inner opening.