Ear Supporting Structure for Stable Headphone Fit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sports headphones are uncomfortable and unstable when worn, as they are secured by plugging into the ear, leading to discomfort and a high likelihood of the headphones falling out during use.
Innovation Solution
A headphone design featuring a main body with a bottom section fitting into the intertragic notch and a top section fitting onto the antihelix, combined with an ear supporting structure that includes a sleeve section with bulge portions to securely fit around the ear's anatomy, providing stability and comfort through a unique S-shape and C-shape configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the headphone is secured by plugging into the ear, then the headphone can be held in place, but the user experiences discomfort and the headphone is prone to falling out
Solution Approach 1:
The ear supporting structure is divided into multiple functional segments: a sleeve section that fits around the ear canal and a supporting section with extension portions that engage with specific ear landmarks (intertragic notch, antihelix, concha cavum). This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function optimally, providing both stability and comfort.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the ear supporting structure are designed with different geometric characteristics to match specific ear anatomy. The lateral bulge portion fits the intertragic notch, the inner bulge portion fits the concha cavum, and the circumferential bulge portion fits the ear canal. This local customization ensures precise fitting and comfortable wear.
2Ease of manufacture
If the ear supporting structure is simplified, then the manufacturing is easier, but the fitting precision and stability are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The ear supporting structure features nested bulge portions where the lateral bulge portion, inner bulge portion, and circumferential bulge portion are arranged concentrically. This nesting design allows multiple fitting functions to be integrated into a single structured component, achieving precise fitting while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through systematic geometry.
Solution Approach 2:
The ear supporting structure employs curved and bulbous geometries (lateral bulge portion, inner bulge portion, circumferential bulge portion) that conform to the natural curvature of the ear anatomy. These curved designs improve fitting precision while remaining amenable to standard molding and fabrication processes.
Data Source
AI summary
A headphone comprises: a headphone main body and an ear supporting wrapped on the headphone main body, wherein the ear supporting includes a sleeve section which includes a main body portion, a lateral bulge portion, an inner bulge portion, and a circumferential bulge portion, and an ear hanging section which includes a first extension end extended toward the bottom, the front end and the inner side of the ear supporting from the top of the lateral bulge portion for fitting in the concha cymba, a bending end arranged to connect the first extension end and the second extension end and then bended toward the top of the ear supporting for fitting in the front surface of the antihelix, and a second extension end extended toward the top, the front end and the outer side of the ear supporting for fitting in the inner side of the helix.