Earmuff Headpiece Bands Sliding Groove Angular Adjustment

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional earmuff devices are uncomfortable due to uniform band thickness causing distortion, lack adjustable angular position, have low structural strength, and cannot be collapsed for storage, leading to ease of breakage and poor ear coverage.

Innovation Solution

The earmuff device features smoothly arched bands with sliding grooves and U-lug connecting devices allowing adjustable length and angular positioning of earmuff cups, with earmuff cushions and a flexible fabric sleeve for enhanced comfort and storage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If uniform transverse thickness bands are used in the headpiece, then manufacturing is simplified, but the headpiece twists easily and causes discomfort

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveband manufacturing simplicityVSAvoidheadpiece distortion resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by varying the transverse thickness of the bands along their length. Specifically, the bands have a first transverse thickness at the coupling block end and a second, smaller transverse thickness at the opposite end. This non-uniform thickness distribution concentrates stress in the middle portion of the bands during use, preventing twisting and distortion while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through controlled thickness variation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Ease of operation

If the earmuff device is packed in assembled condition, then storage is convenient, but the headpiece and earmuffs cannot be separately wrapped with fabric covering

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestorage convenienceVSAvoidseparate fabric covering capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the connection between the headpiece and earmuffs adjustable rather than fixed. The connecting devices allow the earmuffs to be detached from the headpiece and reattached as needed. This dynamic connection enables the headpiece and earmuffs to be separately wrapped with fabric coverings when desired, while still allowing convenient assembled storage when not in use.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Device complexity

If small fastening members are used to secure earmuffs to headpiece, then device complexity is reduced, but the connection area breaks easily when adjusting position

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefastening mechanism simplicityVSAvoidconnection area strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the connection system into distinct functional components: coupling blocks for axial connection, sliding grooves for length adjustment, and U-lug connecting devices for securing earmuffs to the headpiece. This segmented design distributes mechanical stresses across multiple specialized connection points rather than relying on a single small fastening member, thereby improving reliability while maintaining reasonable complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Weight of moving object

If earmuffs have low structural strength, then device weight is reduced, but the earmuffs cannot cover the wearer's ears positively

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveearmuff device weightVSAvoidear coverage capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Weight of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies composite materials by combining different material properties in the earmuff structure. The earmuffs utilize materials and structural designs that provide enhanced structural strength and grasping force compared to conventional designs, enabling positive ear coverage. This is achieved while controlling overall device weight through selective material application in critical load-bearing areas.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

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 provides a comfortable, secure fit with adjustable length and angular positioning, preventing distortion and breakage, while allowing the device to be collapsed for efficient storage.

Implementation Method 1

The two bands are overlapped on each other and axially slidable relative to each other... the coupling block of one band is slidably coupled to the sliding grooves of the other band

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 2

each band has a chamfered end edge kept in friction engagement with the associating U-lug so that the U-lug can be positively positioned in one angular position

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction engagement: Friction

Implementation Method 3

a connecting strip pivoted to the U-lug and fastened to one earmuff cup... the user can adjust the earmuff cups forwards and backwards as well as leftwards and rightwards

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPivoting: Hinge

Data Source

PatentEP2090272B1Earmuff device
Publication Date: 2010.05.12 SOUND TEAM ENTERPRISE CO LTD
  • EP2090272B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2090272B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2090272B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An earmuff device is disclosed to include a headpiece formed of two smoothly arched bands that are overlapped on each other and axially slidable relative to each other, two earmuff cups each having a cup base, a gradual enlargement cup rim and a plurality of radial ribs radially connected between the cup base and the gradual enlargement cup rim, two U-lugs respectively pivotally connected to the bands of the headpiece, two connecting strips each having one end pivoted to one U-lug and the other end fastened to one earmuff cup, two earmuff cushions respectively covering the earmuff cups, and a soft sleeve sleeved onto the headpiece and connected between the earmuff cushions. The earmuff device allows a user to conveniently adjust the length of the headpiece as well as the angular position of the headpiece relative to the earmuff cups.