Concha-Extending Headphone Alignment Structure

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Solution Overview

Problem

On-ear headphones experience sound leakage and degraded Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) performance due to misalignment and design limitations, which complicates testing and optimization for various user head and ear shapes.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating alignment structures that extend into the ear's concha to stabilize and guide the headphones' positioning, using wing-shaped designs that provide tactile feedback for proper alignment, and integrating these with earpad padding to minimize leakage and enhance ANC effectiveness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If on-ear headphones are designed without alignment structures, then the device is simpler and more comfortable, but the headphones experience misalignment and sound leakage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheadphone alignment stabilityVSAvoidheadphone structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The alignment structure is segmented into multiple functional components: a wing portion extending into the concha, a pad portion contacting the pinna, and a connecting portion joining them. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function while maintaining overall structural simplicity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The alignment structure extends into the concha dimension, utilizing the ear's natural anatomy in a previously underutilized spatial region. This dimensional extension provides stable positioning without adding bulk to the main headphone body

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Reliability

If on-ear headphones press against the ear to seal sound, then sound leakage is reduced, but ANC performance degrades due to misalignment

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveANC performanceVSAvoidheadphone positioning accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The alignment structure utilizes the ear's own concha anatomy as a natural guide and positioning feature. The wing portion fits into the concha, allowing the headphone to self-align with the ear without requiring external tools or complex adjustment mechanisms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The alignment structure provides tactile feedback to the user through contact points on the pinna and concha. When properly positioned, the user can feel the alignment structure engaged with specific ear features, providing immediate feedback that correct alignment has been achieved

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Adaptability or versatility

If extensive testing is performed for all user head and ear shapes, then headphone performance optimization improves, but testing time and cost increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheadphone compatibility with various ear shapesVSAvoidtesting duration

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The alignment structure is designed with universal geometric features that can accommodate variations in ear anatomy. The wing-concha interface and pad-pinna contact points are configured to work with a broad range of ear shapes and sizes, reducing the need for extensive customization testing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS11601744B2Headphone alignment systems and methods

Publication Date: 2023.03.07 SYNAPTICS INC

AI summary

An on-ear headphone includes an alignment structure extending into the user's concha to help the user to align the headset for optimal comfort and sound perception. The alignment minimizes sound leakage, optimizes audio playback, and improves active noise cancelation.