Earphone Housing with Adjustable Acoustic Opening

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional earphones lack an effective user-adjustable option for altering their acoustic properties, particularly in terms of bass response, which limits user customization.

Innovation Solution

An earphone design featuring a housing divided into two volumes by an electroacoustic transducer with a controllable opening, utilizing a closing unit that can be actuated by the user to adjust acoustic resistance and bass response, either through a slider or rotatable disk, allowing for continuous adjustment of the opening to modify sound pressure and frequency characteristics.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a fixed acoustic setting is used in conventional earphones, then the device structure is simple, but the user cannot adjust the acoustic properties to customize bass response

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser-adjustable acoustic propertiesVSAvoiddevice structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the acoustic properties adjustable through a movable closing unit that can change the opening degree between volumes. This allows the system to transition from a fixed state to a dynamically adjustable state, enabling users to modify bass response and acoustic impedance without requiring complex electronic components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements parameter changes by varying the opening degree of the closing unit to adjust acoustic resistance and bass response. By changing the physical parameter of opening degree, the system achieves different acoustic characteristics (increased or reduced bass) without altering the fundamental device structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If a closing unit is added to adjust acoustic resistance, then user control over bass response is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser control over bass responseVSAvoiddevice structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies self-service by designing a user-actuated closing unit that allows users to independently adjust acoustic resistance and bass response. The closing unit can be operated directly by the user without requiring external electronic controls or complex mechanisms, enabling easy manual adjustment of acoustic properties.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The closing unit serves as an intermediary element between the user and the acoustic system. It provides a simple mechanical interface that translates user input into acoustic resistance adjustment, mediating between the user's desire for customization and the acoustic properties of the earphone.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the opening is completely closed or completely opened by a switching mechanism, then the adjustment is simple, but the acoustic properties cannot be continuously adjusted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontinuous adjustment of acoustic propertiesVSAvoidclosing unit mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by replacing a switching mechanism with a continuously adjustable closing unit. This allows the opening degree to vary smoothly rather than jumping between discrete states, enabling continuous adjustment of acoustic resistance and bass response according to user preference.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements partial action by allowing the closing unit to be positioned at any degree of opening rather than requiring complete closure or complete opening. This partial adjustment capability enables fine-tuning of acoustic properties to achieve specific bass response characteristics.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

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

Enables users to customize the acoustic impedance and bass response by adjusting the closing unit, providing either increased or reduced bass reproduction based on user preference without requiring electronic components, thereby enhancing user control over the earphone's sound characteristics.

Implementation Method 1

at least one electroacoustic transducer (20) having a first surface (21) and a second surface (22)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectroacoustic transduction:

Implementation Method 2

By opening or closing the closing unit it is possible to control the acoustic resistance between the front and rear sides of the transducer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAcoustic resistance control:

Implementation Method 3

there is provided a damping element (400) at the opening (300)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAcoustic damping: Damping

Data Source

PatentUS8363874B2Receiver

Publication Date: 2013.01.29 SONOVA CONSUMER HEARING GMBH

AI summary

There is provided an earphone having at least one housing (10) and at least one electroacoustic transducer (20) having a first and a second surface (21, 22). The earphone further has a first volume (100) defined by the first surface (21) of the electroacoustic transducer (20) and by a first end (12) of the housing (10), and a second volume (200) defined by the second surface (22) of the electroacoustic transducer (20) and by a second end (11) of the housing (10). An opening (300) is provided between the first and second volumes (100, 200). A closing unit (30) serves to at least partially close the opening (300).