Earphone Rear Hook Weight Reduction via Nested Metal Tube

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Solution Overview

Problem

Earhook-type earphones with excessive weight on the rear side tend to rotate around the highest point of the earhook, causing discomfort and a decrease in hearing volume due to the core module being displaced from the ear canal entrance.

Innovation Solution

The earphone design incorporates an elastic metal tube with a wire threaded within it, reducing the weight of the rear hook component and shifting its center of gravity, thereby minimizing the risk of rotation and enhancing stability and comfort during wear.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Weight of moving object

If the rear hook component uses a traditional elastic metal wire or wire wrapped by elastic covering, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the weight is too great causing the earphone to rotate around the highest point of the ear hook

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveweight of rear hook componentVSAvoidstructure of rear hook component

Core Design Contradiction:

Weight of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies nesting by placing the wire inside the elastic metal tube, creating a nested structure where one component (wire) is contained within another (tube). This reduces the overall weight compared to external wrapping while maintaining structural integrity and functionality of the rear hook component.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses composite materials by combining an elastic metal tube with a wire threaded inside it. This composite structure leverages the elastic properties of the metal tube while using the wire for structural support and shape maintenance, achieving optimal weight-to-strength ratio.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Stability of the object's composition

If the rear hook component is heavy, then the structure is more stable and provides better support, but it causes the earphone to rotate around the highest point of the ear hook pressing on the rear side of the ear

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestability of earphone wearing positionVSAvoidrotation risk and discomfort

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies counterweight principle by strategically positioning the core module as a counterbalancing mass opposite to the rear hook component. This counterweights the weight of the rear hook, preventing rotation around the ear hook's highest point and eliminating the harmful pressing effect on the user's ear.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes physical parameters by transitioning from a heavy wire-based rear hook to a lighter elastic metal tube with threaded wire. This parameter change in material composition and structural configuration reduces the weight of the rear hook component while maintaining its functional properties, thereby preventing unwanted rotation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Weight of moving object

If the core module is displaced far from the ear canal entrance due to rotation, then the weight distribution is more balanced, but the hearing effect is degraded with reduced heard volume

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveweight distributionVSAvoidpositioning accuracy of core module

Core Design Contradiction:

Weight of moving objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The core module serves a dual function: it is the weight-bearing component for audio processing and simultaneously acts as a counterweight to balance the rear hook component. By positioning it strategically, the patent achieves both weight balance and precise positioning at the ear canal entrance, preventing rotation while maintaining accurate spatial placement for optimal hearing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

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 improves the stability and comfort of the earphone by reducing the risk of rotation and maintaining effective sound transmission, ensuring a stable fit and improved hearing experience.

Implementation Method 1

The rear hook component includes an elastic metal tube and a wire threaded within the elastic metal tube

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS20240430611A1earphones

Publication Date: 2024.12.26 SHENZHEN SHOKZ CO LTD

AI summary

Disclosed is an earphone including one or more core modules, one or more ear hook components connected to the one or more core modules, and a rear hook component connected to the one or more ear hook components. Each of the one or more ear hook components is configured to hang on an ear of a user in a wearing state, the rear hook component is configured to bypass a rear side of a head of the user in the wearing state. The rear hook component includes an elastic metal tube and a wire threaded within the elastic metal tube. Compared with the related technology in which the rear hook component is an elastic covering wrapping an elastic metal wire and a wire, in the present disclosure, the elastic metal wire is changed into an elastic metal tube and the wire is threaded within the elastic metal tube.