Ear-Mounted Sound Output Device with Open-Ambient Acoustic Path
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional earphones completely seal the ear holes when worn, making it difficult for listeners to hear ambient sounds and creating a barrier for communication with others.
Innovation Solution
A sound output apparatus with a sound generation unit positioned at the back of the ear, a sound guiding unit that propagates sound from the ear generation unit to the pinna, and a holding unit that keeps the sound guiding unit in place near the ear canal entrance, allowing ambient sound to be heard while wearing the device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional earphones completely seal the ear holes, then sound insulation performance is improved, but ambient sound listening capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The earphone system is divided into two independent sound transmission paths: a sealed canal-type path for music/audio content, and an open air-conduction path for ambient sounds. This segmentation allows each path to optimize its function without compromising the other, resolving the contradiction between sound insulation and ambient sound listening.
Solution Approach 2:
The device introduces an intermediary component - a separate ambient sound guide structure that captures and directs ambient sounds to the listener's ear without blocking the ear canal. This intermediary allows ambient sound transmission while maintaining the sealed environment for music playback.
2Reliability
If conventional earphones completely seal the ear holes, then acoustic information output is improved, but communication with others deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The communication function is segmented into two channels: the sealed ear canal channel for private audio content delivery, and the open ambient channel for natural face-to-face communication. This allows the device to maintain high acoustic information output for music while preserving adaptability for social interaction.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of trying to transmit audio content through the ambient open path, the invention inverts the approach by delivering high-fidelity audio through the sealed canal path while using the open path for its natural purpose - ambient sound and communication.
3Reliability
If earphones are worn in a sealed manner, then sound insulation is improved, but comfort and natural hearing sensation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The hearing experience is segmented into two distinct modes: sealed listening for music with enhanced bass and isolation, and open listening for ambient sounds and natural hearing sensation. The device automatically provides both modes simultaneously, resolving the contradiction between sound insulation and comfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The earphone device achieves multi-functionality by simultaneously providing both sealed and open listening experiences. The sealed canal type structure provides music playback with sound insulation, while the integrated open air-conduction path maintains natural hearing sensation and comfort, making the device adaptable to different listening scenarios.
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
Enables listeners to hear ambient sounds as if not wearing earphones, maintaining good acoustic information and preventing sound leakage, thus enhancing communication and usability.
Implementation Method 1
a sound guiding unit whose one end is connected to the sound generation unit and the other end is disposed in an pinna of the listener, and which takes in sound generated by the sound generation unit from the one end, propagates the sound to the other end
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided is a sound output apparatus which realizes listening characteristics of the ambient sound even in a wearing state, which are equivalent to those in a non-wearing state, and outputs good acoustic information at the same time. A sound output apparatus 100 includes a sound generation unit 110 which generates sound, a sound guiding unit 120 which takes in, from one end 121, the sound generated from the sound generation unit 110, and a ring-shaped holding unit 130 which holds the sound guiding unit 120 in the vicinity of the other end 122. The sound output apparatus 100 is worn on the pinna by locking the holding unit 130 to the intertragic notch, and the holding unit 130 supports the vicinity of the other end 122 of the sound guiding unit 120 so that a sound output hole of the other end 122 of the sound guiding unit 120 is positioned to face the interior side of the ear canal.