Earphone Retention Portion Width Spacing for Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing earphones often suffer from instability when worn, particularly due to the proximity of the center of gravity of the retention portion to the upper auricular root and antihelix of the ear, leading to discomfort and potential dislodging during head movements.
Innovation Solution
The earphone design incorporates a hook portion and a retention portion with a specific geometric configuration, where the retention portion is positioned to increase the distance between its center of gravity and the upper auricular root and antihelix, enhancing rotational inertia and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the retention portion is positioned close to the upper auricular root and antihelix of the ear, then the earphone can be securely retained on the ear, but the center of gravity becomes too close to these anatomical features, causing instability during head movements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dimensional change by extending the retention portion in the width direction to increase the spacing between the connection segment and retention portion. This spatial redistribution moves the center of gravity away from the upper auricular root and antihelix while maintaining secure retention through the extended geometric configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes geometric parameters by specifying that the maximum spacing between the connection segment and retention portion in the width direction should be in the range of 10mm-17mm. This parameter optimization relocates the center of gravity to improve stability during head movements while preserving retention reliability.
2Device complexity
If the center of gravity of the retention portion is positioned close to the upper auricular root, then the earphone structure can be compact, but the rotational inertia decreases, leading to discomfort and potential dislodging during head movements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by utilizing the width direction dimension to increase spacing between structural components. This allows the retention portion to maintain compactness in other dimensions while achieving greater rotational inertia through the extended geometric configuration in the width direction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs asymmetric geometric configuration where the connection segment and retention portion are positioned at specific asymmetric locations with controlled spacing. This asymmetric arrangement optimizes the center of gravity position to maximize rotational inertia while maintaining overall structural compactness.
Data Source
AI summary
The present application relates to an earphone, comprising a hook portion and a retention portion connected to the hook portion. At least a part of the hook portion is hung between a rear side of an ear and the head of a user, the retention portion is configured to contact a front side of the ear, the hook portion includes a connection segment connected to the retention portion and a free segment connected to the connection segment, the connection segment and the free segment are located on opposite sides of the retention portion in the width direction, respectively. On a reference plane perpendicular to the thickness direction, a maximum spacing between the connection segment and the retention portion in the width direction is in a range of 10 mm-17 mm.