Ear Support Acute Angle Design for Headset Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing audio listening arrangements, such as headsets, face challenges in maintaining stability during physical activities due to discomfort and inefficiency of hook-shaped supports, and often require a head ribbon that can be impractical and uncomfortable.

Innovation Solution

An audio listening arrangement featuring an ear support with a combination of an inclined upper support portion and an elongated leg, forming acute angles, which presses firmly against the side of the head, providing secure placement without a head ribbon, and utilizing resilient materials for flexibility and comfort.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a hook-shaped support is used to surround the ear, then the audio listening device can be held in the ear, but the holding function is insufficient and the contact with the rear part of the ear is uncomfortable

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveholding functionVSAvoidcomfort
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The ear support is divided into two distinct functional portions: an upper support portion that contacts the upper part of the ear and an elongated leg that contacts the side of the head. This segmentation allows each portion to be optimized for its specific function, improving both holding reliability and comfort.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of hooking behind the ear as in conventional designs, the ear support inverts the contact approach by pressing from the front and side. The upper support portion rests on the upper ear while the elongated leg extends forward to press against the side of the head, creating a holding mechanism that is both more reliable and comfortable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Reliability

If a head ribbon is used to interconnect the supports, then the headset can be worn, but it becomes uncomfortable and less practical with head wear

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovestabilityVSAvoidpracticality
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts and eliminates the head ribbon component from the headset system. The ear support is redesigned to achieve sufficient stability through its own structure (upper support portion and elongated leg configuration), making the head ribbon unnecessary and thereby improving practicality when wearing head coverings.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The ear support structure is designed to be self-sufficient in providing stability without requiring an external head ribbon. The combination of the upper support portion resting on the ear and the elongated leg pressing against the side of the head creates a self-stabilizing mechanism that works independently.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If the ear support presses firmly against the head, then the audio listening device remains securely in place, but the construction becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecure placementVSAvoidconstruction complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The ear support merges the functions of multiple components into a single integrated structure. The upper support portion and elongated leg are combined into one piece that simultaneously provides ear support, head contact for stability, and positioning of the audio listening device, thereby achieving secure placement without increasing overall construction complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

The solution ensures stable and comfortable audio listening during vigorous activities, reduces entanglement risks, and allows for production at low cost with a simple construction, accommodating various head sizes and providing effective sound conduction.

Implementation Method 1

utilizing resilient materials for flexibility and comfort

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3094107B1An audio listening arrangement
Publication Date: 2021.06.30 ZOUND IND INT AB
  • EP3094107B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3094107B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

An audio listening arrangement (100) comprising an audio listening device (110) adapted to be placed in an ear of a user each, wherein the audio listening device (110, 110') comprises an inner side (111) and an outer side (112), and an ear support (120) for holding the audio listening device (110) in the ear of a user, wherein the ear support (120) comprises: - an elongated support portion (121) extending along a first longitudinal axis (X1) and further adapted to rest on an upper part of an ear of a user, and - an elongated leg (125) which is interconnected with the elongated support portion (121) by means of a first bend (B1) such that the elongated leg (125) forms an acute angle (V1) with the elongated support portion (121), whereby the ear support (120) is attached to the outer side (112) of the audio listening device (110) such that the elongated leg (125) is inclined in direction of the inner side (111) of the audio listening device (110).