Ear Cup Locking Device for Secure Electronics Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ear cup designs face challenges in simple and rational mounting of electronics, risk of loose parts, and difficulty in assembling the ear cup without large openings that are hard to close.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of a locking device with a movable locking member and cooperating retainer means in the outer cup portion, allowing it to be fixed or removable from the inner cup portion, ensuring no loose parts and easy assembly, with the outer cup covering the entire outside of the inner cup for component mounting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the lid with electronics and loudspeaker is fixedly screwed in position in the inner cup portion, then the mounting of electronics is simple, but a large opening is required in the inner cup portion which is difficult to close
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the ear cup into two main segments: an inner cup portion and an outer cup portion. The electronics and loudspeaker are mounted on the inner cup portion, while the outer cup portion is removably attached. This segmentation allows the opening to be small and easily closable while maintaining simple mounting of components on the inner cup portion.
2Ease of operation
If a separate smaller hatch is used for battery access, then battery replacement is enabled, but the risk of losing the small hatch increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the battery access function with the outer cup portion itself. The outer cup portion is designed to be removably attached to the inner cup portion, providing direct access to the battery when removed. This eliminates the need for a separate small hatch, thereby eliminating the risk of losing such a hatch while maintaining easy battery access.
3Ease of manufacture
If the outer cup portion is made removable for easy assembly, then assembly rationality is improved, but the risk of loose parts increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention implements a dynamic locking mechanism that allows the outer cup portion to be easily removed when needed (for assembly or battery replacement) while automatically securing itself when not in use. The resilient locking member engages with the guide structure to prevent unintended removal, thus maintaining reliability while preserving assembly rationality.
Data Source
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AI summary
An ear cup which comprises an inner cup portion (1) for the formation of a noise damping space (3) and an outer cup portion (2) for the formation of a space for accommodating electronics, electrical connections and/or a current source. The outer cup portion is fixable on the inner with the aid of a locking member which is insertable in a guide in the outer cup portion. The inner cup portion (1) has a locking recess (15) and the outer cup portion (2) has an aperture (9). The locking member is placed in the locking recess (15) and the aperture (9). The locking member has an outer shank (11) and an inner shank (10). The outer shank (11) is provided with a bulge (20) which engages with a recess (21) in the outer cup portion (2). The inner shank (10) is provided with a locking portion which engages with the inner cup portion (1). The locking portion has projections which prevent withdrawal of the inner shank (10) out of the aperture (9). In association with the projections, recesses are provided which, together with recesses in the outer cup portion (2), entail that the locking member can "be wriggled" into position in the aperture (9). The ear cup is designed in order to realise simple and rational assembly of the components included.