Earphone Headband Joint Locking Structure for Thinner Housing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing earphones have larger dimensions at the junction between the headband assembly and the connecting assembly due to the use of screws, which necessitate deep insertion for connection strength, hindering miniaturization.

Innovation Solution

The earphone design incorporates a telescoping assembly with a locking member and limiting portions to secure the housing components without requiring screws, allowing for reduced thickness and miniaturization by eliminating the need for connecting holes on the second housing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If screws are used to fix the headband assembly and the connecting assembly, then connection strength is improved, but the dimensions of related components at the junction increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection strengthVSAvoiddimensions of components at junction
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The plugging portion is inserted into the plugging hole, and the locking member is nested within the housing assembly to lock the plugging portion in place. This nested structure eliminates the need for external screws while maintaining connection strength, thereby reducing the dimensions of components at the junction between the headband assembly and connecting assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The screw connection is extracted and replaced with a plugging-locking mechanism. The locking member engages with the plugging portion internally within the housing assembly, removing the need for deep screw insertion and reducing the overall dimensions of the junction components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Reliability

If screws are inserted to a certain depth to ensure connection strength, then reliability is improved, but the thickness of the second housing increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection reliabilityVSAvoidthickness of second housing
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The locking member is nested within the housing assembly and engages with the plugging portion through internal features such as limiting portions. This internal locking mechanism achieves reliable connection without requiring deep insertion into the second housing, thereby reducing its thickness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of achieving connection strength through depth (insertion depth of screws), the invention uses limiting portions that engage in lateral dimensions to prevent disengagement. This dimensional shift allows for reduced housing thickness while maintaining connection reliability.

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

3Strength

If connecting holes are provided on the second housing for screw fixation, then connection strength is improved, but the structural complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection strengthVSAvoidmanufacturing ease
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The connecting holes on the second housing are extracted and replaced with a plugging hole in the first housing. The locking member engages with the plugging portion through internal limiting portions, eliminating the need for additional connecting holes and simplifying the manufacturing process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The functions of multiple connecting holes and screw fixation are merged into a single plugging-locking mechanism. The plugging portion and locking member work together as an integrated system, reducing the number of components and manufacturing steps.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 design reduces the thickness of the second housing at the junction, facilitating miniaturization and enhancing the reliability of the connection while maintaining structural integrity and reducing manufacturing costs.

Implementation Method 1

one end of the telescoping member is slidably accommodated within the telescoping cavity along the telescoping direction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 2

The locking member is disposed to lock the first housing and the plugging portion along the telescoping direction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical Fastener: Mechanical Fastener

Implementation Method 3

The first limiting portion is configured to limit a movement of the second housing toward a side where the headband assembly is located, and the second limiting portion is configured to limit a movement of the second housing toward a side where the speaker assembly is located

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical Force: Mechanical Force

Data Source

PatentEP4686220A1earphones
Publication Date: 2026.01.28 SHENZHEN SHOKZ CO LTD
  • EP4686220A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4686220A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4686220A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The present disclosure provides an earphone, which relates to the technical field of electronic devices. The earphone includes a headband assembly, a connecting assembly, and a speaker assembly; the connecting assembly includes a fixing assembly and a telescoping assembly, the fixing assembly includes a housing assembly and a locking member, the housing assembly includes a first housing and a second housing, the telescoping assembly includes a telescoping member; the housing assembly is provided with a plugging hole, the headband assembly has a plugging portion, the plugging portion is plugged within the plugging hole along a telescoping direction, the locking member is disposed to lock the first housing and the plugging portion along the telescoping direction, the second housing is provided with a first limiting portion and a second limiting portion. In the earphone provided in the present disclosure, the locking member locks the first housing and the plugging portion along the telescoping direction, the first limiting portion and the second limiting portion limit a movement of the second housing along the telescoping direction, and the second housing does not need to be provided with a connection hole. The thickness of the second housing at a junction between the headband assembly and the connecting assembly can be reduced, thereby reducing the dimension of the second housing and facilitating the miniaturization of the earphone.