Annular Sound Output Device for Stable Ear Fit and Natural Intake
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sound output devices struggle to maintain a stable and comfortable wearing state while allowing natural intake of external sound, particularly when used outdoors, due to design configurations that can obstruct sound pathways or cause instability from protruding components.
Innovation Solution
A sound output device with a drive unit in an annular shape and an electric unit coupled to it, featuring an intake hole for external sound, is designed to be inserted into the cavum concha, ensuring the intake hole remains unobstructed and the device fits securely without protruding, with a curved surface for comfort and an attachment assist body for adjustable fit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a through hole is formed in the housing to take in external sound, then external sound can be naturally taken in, but the diaphragm is present in the path of external sound which may affect the natural intake of external sound
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is divided into separate sound intake paths: one path for external sound that bypasses the diaphragm, and another path for sound from the speaker unit. This segmentation allows external sound to be taken in naturally without being affected by the diaphragm's vibration.
Solution Approach 2:
A vent hole is introduced as an intermediary element that allows external sound to pass through the housing without interacting with the diaphragm. The vent hole serves as a separate channel that mediates between the external environment and the internal housing space, enabling natural sound intake independent of the diaphragm's function.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a tubular portion protrudes outward from the ear to accommodate the speaker unit, then the speaker unit can be arranged outside the ear, but the wearing state on the ear becomes unstable
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of allowing the tubular portion to protrude outward from the ear, the invention inverts the arrangement by positioning the speaker unit and its supporting structures inside the cavum concha, following the natural contour of the ear. This inversion eliminates the protruding portion that caused instability while maintaining the ability to arrange the speaker unit effectively.
Solution Approach 2:
The speaker unit and its supporting structures are nested within the housing that fits into the cavum concha, creating a compact integrated assembly. This nesting approach allows all necessary components to be contained within the ear's natural contours without requiring external protrusions, thereby maintaining wearing stability.
3Ease of operation
If the speaker unit is arranged inside the transmission member located outside the ear, then the external sound can pass through the tubular portion, but the weight of the portion located outside the ear becomes heavy
Solution Approach 1:
The heavy speaker unit is extracted from the external portion and relocated to the internal housing within the cavum concha. This extraction removes the source of excessive weight from the external portion, reducing the weight of moving objects outside the ear while maintaining sound transmission functionality through the vent hole and existing pathways.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a sound output device including a drive unit that has a sound output section inside and that is formed in an annular shape and an electric unit that has a drive control section inside and that is coupled to the drive unit. A space inside the drive unit is formed as an intake hole that takes in an external sound. The sound output device is attached to an ear with the drive unit inserted into a cavum concha. Accordingly, in a state in which the electric unit is coupled to the drive unit and the drive unit is inserted into the cavum concha to be attached to the ear, an external sound taken in from the intake hole that is the space inside the drive unit goes to the external auditory canal. Therefore, a stable and favorable wearing state on the ear can be ensured, and at the same time, a state in which an external sound is taken in naturally can be ensured.