Earbud Antenna Integration in Ear Hook for Wireless Signal

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional wireless earbuds face challenges in maintaining high audio quality and reliable wireless communication when embedded in skin, due to signal loss through the body, and often rely on costly custom antennas to improve performance.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates a pair of wireless earbuds with ergonomic stability, featuring an ear hook that houses a bent whip antenna made of conductive material, allowing for efficient electromagnetic radiation and communication using the Bluetooth standard, without the need for physical wirings, utilizing a master-slave configuration with two or one antenna per earbud for signal transmission and reception.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If wireless communication is used in earbuds embedded in skin, then hand-free audio listening is enabled, but signal loss occurs through the body making transmission difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehand-free audio listeningVSAvoidsignal transmission reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides the wireless communication task into two segments: a first wireless communication link between the external device and one earbud, and a second wireless communication link between the earbuds themselves. This segmentation allows the earbuds to cooperate and share audio signals, improving overall transmission reliability through multiple pathways rather than relying on a single link that must penetrate the body.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

One earbud acts as an intermediary for the other. When one earbud receives the audio signal directly from the external device, it wirelessly transmits the signal to the other earbud, which then plays the audio. This intermediary role allows both earbuds to function with high-quality wireless communication without requiring both to maintain direct links through the body.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If custom antennas are used to improve wireless communication efficiency, then signal transmission improves, but materials cost increases by 10%-15%

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewireless communication efficiencyVSAvoidmaterials cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The earhook structure serves multiple functions: it provides ergonomic stability for wearing the earbud, and simultaneously houses the antenna element within its hollow interior. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate custom antenna components, reducing material costs while maintaining effective wireless communication through the use of standard off-the-shelf antenna elements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The antenna element is nested within the hollow interior of the earhook structure. This nesting arrangement allows the antenna to be integrated into the existing earbud design without requiring additional space or custom components, thereby reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining communication efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Reliability

If a pair of earbuds are linked by wired connection with common controlling box, then high audio quality including stereo effects is achieved, but physical wirings are required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaudio qualityVSAvoidphysical connection requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The mechanical wired connection between earbuds is replaced with a wireless communication system. Each earbud is equipped with wireless communication circuitry that enables direct wireless linking between the pair, eliminating the need for physical wirings while maintaining high audio quality through cooperative signal sharing and stereo effect preservation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

This configuration provides high-quality, reliable wireless communication and audio experience with ergonomic stability, reducing costs by using off-the-shelf components while maintaining effective signal transmission through the skin, achieving a balance between audio quality and affordability.

Implementation Method 1

featuring an ear hook that houses a bent whip antenna made of conductive material, allowing for efficient electromagnetic radiation and communication using the Bluetooth standard

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic radiation: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS9949014B2Wireless pair of earbuds

Publication Date: 2018.04.17 PEAG LLC

AI summary

A wireless pair of earbuds is provided, wherein each earbud comprises an earbud body including a tip configured to be inserted in an ear canal of a user, the earbud body housing electronic circuitry including a controller for controlling components in the earbud, and an ear hook coupled with the earbud body and configured to fit around a root of an ear pinna of the user, the ear hook housing an antenna.