Earphone Vent Hole Shielding for Occlusion Effect
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing earphones face challenges in balancing sound quality and noise reduction with the occlusion effect, where excessive air leakage through front vent holes can degrade sound quality and noise reduction.
Innovation Solution
The earphone design includes a housing with at least one first vent hole that can be partially or completely shielded by the eartip and sound outlet, allowing for adjustable airflow to alleviate the occlusion effect without compromising sound quality or noise reduction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the area of the front vent hole is increased to release air flow quickly and balance pressures, then the occlusion effect is alleviated, but too much air leakage affects sound quality and noise reduction effect
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the vent hole area dynamically adjustable by using a flexible eartip that can be worn in different positions (first wearing position with larger vent hole exposure, second wearing position with smaller vent hole exposure). This allows the system to adapt between two states: one prioritizing occlusion effect relief and another prioritizing sound quality, resolving the contradiction through dynamic configuration rather than fixed design
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of vent hole area by altering the wearing position of the eartip. When worn at the first position, the vent hole area is larger to alleviate occlusion; when worn at the second position, the vent hole area is smaller to maintain sound quality. This parameter change approach allows the same structure to serve different functional needs
2Reliability
If the eartip and sound outlet protrude into the ear canal to improve fit, then sealing is improved, but pressure in the ear canal and front cavity increases causing discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The patent provides a dynamic solution by allowing the eartip to be positioned in different wearing positions. At the first wearing position, the eartip provides good sealing while the vent hole remains exposed to allow pressure release. At the second wearing position, the eartip configuration changes to balance sealing with pressure management, resolving the contradiction between seal integrity and pressure comfort
3Speed
If the vent hole area is made large to release air flow quickly, then pressure balance is improved, but sound quality and noise reduction effect are degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically adjusts the vent hole area by changing the eartip wearing position. The first wearing position exposes more of the vent hole for rapid air flow release when pressure balance is prioritized. The second wearing position reduces vent hole exposure to minimize air leakage and maintain sound quality. This dynamic adjustment resolves the speed-quality contradiction
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different local qualities to different wearing positions. The first position configuration optimizes for air flow release with larger effective vent hole area, while the second position configuration optimizes for sound quality with smaller effective vent hole area. Each local configuration is tailored to its specific functional requirement
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 effectively alleviates the occlusion effect while maintaining sound quality and noise reduction by adjusting the vent hole exposure based on the occlusion severity and sound performance needs.
Implementation Method 1
a front vent hole is usually disposed on a housing of an outer circumference of the front cavity to quickly release air flow in the ear canal and the front cavity, so as to quickly balance the pressures of the ear canal and the front cavity
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiment of this application provides an earphone. The earphone includes at least a housing and at least one eartip. The housing includes a housing body and a sound outlet connected to the housing body. At least one first vent hole is disposed on the housing. When the eartip cooperates with the sound outlet, the at least one first vent hole is completely exposed or at least partially shielded, which can effectively alleviate an occlusion effect while avoiding impact on sound quality and a noise reduction effect of the earphone.