In-Ear Earphone Articulating Nozzle Resilient Joint

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Solution Overview

Problem

Intra-canal earphones face challenges in achieving a comfortable and secure fit across various ear anatomies while maintaining effective sound isolation and acoustic coupling, as existing designs often rely on flexible tips that may not provide consistent sealing and can be prone to sound leakage.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates a rigid housing with a pivotally connected rigid nozzle via a resilient joint formed from an elastomeric body, allowing the nozzle to articulate and align with the ear canal while the housing remains outside, enhancing retention through frictional fits and acoustic isolation, and includes a compliant tip for sealing against the ear canal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a flexible tip is used to seal against the ear canal, then adaptability to different ear anatomies is improved, but sound isolation and acoustic coupling deteriorate due to inconsistent sealing and sound leakage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to different ear anatomiesVSAvoidsound isolation and acoustic coupling

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The earphone is divided into distinct rigid and flexible segments: a rigid housing containing the driver, a rigid nozzle for sound delivery, and a flexible tip for sealing. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specialized function - the rigid portions maintain acoustic integrity while the flexible tip provides anatomical adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A flexible tip is used specifically for sealing against the ear canal wall, leveraging the flexibility of this thin film component to adapt to different ear anatomies while the rigid housing and nozzle maintain structural integrity for sound isolation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Strength

If a rigid housing is used to maintain structural integrity, then strength and durability are improved, but adaptability to different ear anatomies deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidadaptability to different ear anatomies

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The earphone structure is segmented into rigid housing (for strength) and flexible tip (for adaptability), allowing the rigid housing to maintain structural integrity while the flexible tip adapts to different ear anatomies.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The flexible tip acts as a thin film that can deform to match different ear canal geometries, compensating for the rigidity of the housing and enabling anatomical adaptability without compromising structural strength.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Ease of operation

If a resilient joint is used to allow nozzle articulation, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenozzle articulationVSAvoidjoint structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The resilient joint is formed from elastomeric material that provides flexible articulation between the rigid housing and rigid nozzle, enabling easy nozzle positioning while maintaining a relatively simple integrated structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The resilient joint uses elastomeric material that combines flexibility for articulation with sufficient structural integrity to maintain the connection between housing and nozzle, achieving ease of operation without excessive complexity.

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

This configuration ensures a comfortable fit across different ear anatomies, minimizes sound leakage, and maintains effective acoustic coupling, providing improved sound delivery and durability by absorbing mechanical shocks.

Implementation Method 1

The resilient joint may include an elastomeric body formed from an elastomeric material, such as a thermoplastic elastomer. Thus, the elastomeric body may flex to allow the nozzle to pivot relative to the housing from an initial state, when an external load is applied to the nozzle, and to return to the initial state, when the external load is removed.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

The resilient joint may be formed from a material that varies in hardness across its volume. The resilient joint may absorb shocks and external loads applied to the nozzle.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectShock absorption: Damping

Data Source

PatentUS9467761B2In-ear earphone with articulating nozzle and integrated boot

Publication Date: 2016.10.11 APPLE INC

AI summary

Intra-canal earphones and methods of manufacturing intra-canal earphones are disclosed. In an embodiment, an intra-canal earphone includes a rigid housing in which a driver is located, a rigid nozzle, and a resilient joint that physically couples the housing with the nozzle and acoustically couples the driver with the nozzle. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.