In-Ear Earphone Dual Sound Path Filter Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing in-ear earphones with multiple transducers face challenges in easily replacing and adapting filters without affecting the performance of the other transducers, leading to complications in user-specific acoustic tuning and earwax prevention.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a cylindrical separating part that divides the common sound path into inner and annular outer sound paths, using separate disk-shaped filters for each, allowing for easy adjustment and replacement without considering the filter's angle position, and enabling individual tuning of each transducer.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If multiple transducers are positioned in the sound path to improve frequency transmission, then sound transmission quality is improved, but the space available for filter placement is reduced and filter replacement becomes complicated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesound transmission qualityVSAvoidfilter replacement simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The sound path is segmented into multiple independent channels (first sound path for BA transducer, second sound path for dynamic transducer) that run parallel through the earphone body. Each channel has its own filter placement area, allowing filters to be replaced independently without affecting other transducers or channels.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The filters are positioned in nested relationships within the sound paths - filters are placed within the sound channels in a compact arrangement that utilizes the available space efficiently while maintaining independent access to each filter for replacement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Device complexity

If a common sound path is used for multiple transducers to simplify structure, then device complexity is reduced, but individual acoustic tuning for each transducer becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesound path structureVSAvoidacoustic tuning capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The sound path is divided into separate first and second sound paths that run parallel through the earphone body. Each sound path is acoustically independent, allowing separate filtering and tuning for each transducer while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using a single sequential sound path, the design transitions to a multi-dimensional arrangement with parallel sound paths. This allows multiple transducers to have independent acoustic control planes while maintaining compact spatial integration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Area of stationary object

If filters are positioned in a shared sound path area, then space utilization is improved, but filter replacement requires consideration of angle position and affects other transducers

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesound path space utilizationVSAvoidfilter replacement procedure
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The filter placement areas are segmented into distinct first and second filter placement areas corresponding to separate sound paths. Each filter can be accessed and replaced independently without requiring precise angle positioning relative to other transducers, simplifying the replacement procedure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Reliability

If acoustic friction is added to prevent earwax penetration and improve sound transmission, then earwax protection and sound quality are improved, but the complexity of acoustic tuning increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveearwax preventionVSAvoidacoustic tuning complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Acoustic friction elements are applied locally at specific filter placement areas within the sound paths. This localized approach provides earwax protection and sound quality improvement at critical points without requiring complex acoustic tuning throughout the entire earphone structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 solution allows for improved acoustic tuning and wear comfort, reduced production costs, and simplified user adjustments, as the filters can be easily replaced or modified to accommodate user preferences and hearing needs.

Implementation Method 1

an in-ear earphone having at least two electroacoustic transducers

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectroacoustic transduction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

an acoustic filter disk (13) lying in front of the sound opening (9) and having a first filter area (13a) and a second filter area (13b)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAcoustic absorption: Acoustic Absorption

Data Source

PatentEP2306755B1In-ear earphone
Publication Date: 2015.06.03 AKG ACOUSTICS GMBH
  • EP2306755B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2306755B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2306755B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention concerns an in-ear earphone with a plug area (10) with at least a sound opening (9) and an outer area (11) and with at least two electroacoustic transducers (1, 12), one transducer (12) being arranged in the plug area (10) and at least a second transducer (1) lying in the sound path (3). The invention is characterized in that a separating part (15) is provided between the first transducer (12) and the sound opening (9), through which an inner sound path (16) for the first transducer (12) and a sound path (3) enclosing this sound path with an annular cross-section for the at least second transducer (1) is formed, and in that a filter disk (13) is arranged in the sound opening (9), in which an acoustic friction (13b, 13a) is provided for each of the two sound paths (3, 16).