Segmented Earpiece Through Hole for Secure Filter Attachment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing canal type earphones face issues with filter detachment due to low adhesion at low temperatures and deformation during assembly, leading to poor assembly workability and potential displacement of the filter member.
Innovation Solution
The earpiece design features a filter unit with a filter holder and a base portion having engaging portions with varying distances from the axis, ensuring secure attachment to the sound tube and preventing filter detachment, while allowing for easy replacement and reattachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a double-sided tape is used to bond the filter member to the ear piece, then the filter member can be attached to the ear piece, but the filter member may be detached if the tape cannot exhibit high adhesion force under low-temperature environment
Solution Approach 1:
The through hole is segmented into three distinct engaging portions (first, second, and third) with progressively increasing distances from the axis line. This segmentation allows the filter holder to be mechanically engaged at multiple levels, distributing the attachment force and preventing detachment that would occur with a single bonding interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the chemical bonding mechanism (double-sided tape) with a mechanical engagement system. The filter holder's circumferential wall portion is fit into the third engaging portion, creating a mechanical interlock that does not rely on temperature-dependent adhesive properties.
2Ease of operation
If the ear piece is made of rubber material for flexibility, then the ear piece can be easily attached to the sound tube, but the filter member could be displaced or detached when the ear piece is deformed during assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The engaging portions are designed with locally different properties - the first engaging portion has the smallest distance from the axis and allows deformation, the second engaging portion has intermediate distance and provides partial constraint, and the third engaging portion has the largest distance and provides strong mechanical interlocking. This local differentiation allows the ear piece to deform for ease of attachment while maintaining filter holder stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter holder is preliminarily positioned and mechanically engaged with the third engaging portion before the ear piece is fully attached to the sound tube. This preliminary mechanical engagement ensures that the filter holder maintains its predetermined position even when the rubber ear piece deforms during the attachment process.
3Ease of repair
If the filter member is made detachable for replacement, then the filter can be replaced when mesh is filled with foreign body, but the filter member may be accidentally detached during normal use
Solution Approach 1:
The filter holder is nested within the ear piece structure, with the circumferential wall portion of the filter holder fit into the third engaging portion of the through hole. This nested configuration provides secure retention during normal use while allowing intentional removal when needed for replacement.
Solution Approach 2:
The engagement system provides dynamic retention - the mechanical interlock between the filter holder and third engaging portion prevents unintended detachment during normal use, while the overall detachable ear piece design allows intentional removal and replacement of the filter member when the mesh becomes filled with foreign body.
Data Source
AI summary
An ear piece to be detachably attached to a sound tube protruding from a housing of an earphone has a base portion with a through hole. The through hole has an inner wall with a first, a second, and a third portion continuously provided in order when viewed from the housing. The first portion protrudes inwardly and has a first distance from a protruding inner surface of the first portion to an axis line passing through the cross section of the base portion and the through hole. The second portion has a circumferential inner surface having a second distance longer than the first distance to the axis line. The third portion is formed continuously with the second portion, having a circumferential inner surface with a third distance longer than the second distance to the axis line.