Earmuff Pad Slits for Cable Routing and Noise Isolation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional earmuffs with wired earphones experience sound leakage and outside noise intrusion due to gaps between the earpad and the head when the cable is routed between the pad portions and the head, compromising sound insulation.

Innovation Solution

The earmuffs feature a circular pad portion with slits on the contact surface that allow the earphone cable to be routed through, which are angled and positioned to close around the cable, minimizing gaps and maintaining sound insulation by pressing the pad against the head.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the cable is routed between the pad portions and the head, then the cable can be led to the outside, but gaps are created that impair sound insulating properties

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecable routingVSAvoidsound insulation

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The pad portion is divided into multiple segments by cutting slits, creating flexible segments that can independently adapt to the cable's presence while maintaining contact with the head surface, thus preventing gaps without restricting cable routing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The pad portion transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic flexible structure through the slits, allowing it to deform and adapt to the cable's position while maintaining continuous contact with the head, thereby preserving sound insulation during cable routing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If the cable is routed between the pad portions and the head, then the cable can be led to the outside, but outside noise can seep into the pad portions through the gaps

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecable routingVSAvoidoutside noise intrusion

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The pad portion is segmented by slits into flexible sections that can conform to the cable's position, eliminating gaps through which outside noise could intrude while still allowing cable passage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The pad portion acts as a flexible shell that can deform to accommodate the cable while maintaining continuous coverage over the ear, preventing outside noise from seeping through gaps

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Ease of operation

If the cable is routed between the pad portions and the head, then the cable can be led to the outside, but sound of the earphones can leak out through the gaps

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecable routingVSAvoidsound leakage

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The slits segment the pad portion into flexible sections that adapt to the cable's position, closing gaps that would otherwise allow sound to leak out while permitting cable routing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The pad portion's dynamic flexibility allows it to deform around the cable and maintain continuous contact with the head, preventing sound leakage through gaps created by cable routing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS11484442B2Earmuffs

Publication Date: 2022.11.01 JVC KENWOOD CORP

AI summary

Earmuffs each include a body portion, and a circular pad portion attached to the body portion and having a contact surface brought into contact with the head of the user during use. The pad portion is provided with slits connecting the inner circumferential surface and the outer circumferential surface and open on the contact surface, the slits being cut into the pad portion so as to be gradually shifted toward the body portion in the circumferential direction.