Clip-On Earphone Ear Hook Geometry for Comfort and Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing clip-on earphones often suffer from poor wearing comfort due to inadequate design that fails to conform to the shape of the ear, particularly avoiding the helix and antihelix structures.
Innovation Solution
The design of the clip-on earphone includes specific geometric configurations and offsets in the ear hook symmetry plane, ensuring the sound production and abutment portions are positioned to conform to the ear's shape, with controlled distances and angles to avoid the helix and antihelix, using elastic components for stability and comfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the ear hook is designed to conform to the ear's natural shape, then wearing comfort is improved, but the device complexity increases due to precise geometric configurations required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by defining specific geometric parameters (distances of 2-8mm, 4-9mm, 7-13mm; angles of 8°-25°, 50°-85°) for the ear hook's contour lines relative to the reference tangent and perpendicular. These precise parameter specifications enable the ear hook to conform to the ear's natural shape while providing clear manufacturing guidelines, thus improving wearing comfort without excessive complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs asymmetry by positioning the sound production portion and abutment portion at asymmetric locations relative to the ear hook's symmetry plane. The sound production portion is located on the first side of the reference perpendicular while the abutment portion is on the second side, creating an asymmetric arrangement that better conforms to the natural anatomy of the ear, thereby enhancing wearing comfort.
2Ease of operation
If the ear hook is designed to avoid squeezing the helix and antihelix, then wearing comfort is improved, but the stability of the earphone may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by designing different contour lines for the ear hook with specific geometric properties at different locations. The inner contour line has a first reference point farthest from the reference tangent, while the outer contour line has a seventh reference point farthest from the reference tangent on the ear hook. This localized geometric optimization allows the ear hook to avoid squeezing sensitive areas like the helix and antihelix while maintaining sufficient contact points for stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes dimensionality change by introducing multiple reference dimensions (reference tangent, reference perpendicular, first reference line, second reference line) to precisely control the spatial arrangement of the ear hook's contour lines. By defining relationships in multiple dimensional spaces (distances in mm, angles in degrees), the design achieves both comfort through avoidance of sensitive areas and stability through optimized contact geometry.
3Ease of operation
If the distances and angles of the ear hook are precisely controlled, then wearing comfort is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by establishing a comprehensive reference system (reference tangent, reference perpendicular, first reference line, second reference line) before defining the actual contour lines. This preliminary geometric framework allows manufacturers to systematically construct the ear hook shape by following predetermined geometric relationships, making the precise positioning of contour lines more manageable and repeatable in manufacturing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses parameter changes by providing specific numerical ranges for critical dimensions (distance of 2-8mm, 4-9mm, 7-13mm; angles of 8°-25°, 50°-85°). These parameter specifications translate the geometric relationships into manufacturable tolerances, enabling precise contour line positioning while accounting for normal manufacturing variations, thus balancing wearing comfort with manufacturing feasibility.
Data Source
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AI summary
A clip-on earphone is provided, the clip-on earphone including: a sound production portion for inserting into a concha cavity of a wearer; an abutment portion for abutting against a back of an ear of the wearer; and an ear hook connecting the sound production portion and the abutment portion, wherein the ear hook has an ear hook symmetry plane along a length direction thereof, wherein when the clip-on earphone is in a natural state, on the ear hook symmetry plane, the clip-on earphone has a reference tangent, a contour line of the sound production portion and a contour line of the abutment portion are respectively tangent to the reference tangent, and the contour line of the sound production portion and the contour line of the abutment portion are located on a same side of the reference tangent; and an inner contour line of the ear hook has a first reference point farthest from the reference tangent, a reference perpendicular is drawn from the first reference point to the reference tangent, and the reference perpendicular passes through the abutment portion.