Earplug Structure with Hard Sound Guide Component for Direct Canal Transmission
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional in-ear headphones, such as AirPods and EarPods, suffer from limited sound transmission as they do not effectively direct sound into the ear canal, resulting in subpar sound performance.
Innovation Solution
An earplug structure with a sound guide part and body part designed to be inserted into the ear canal and auricle region respectively, featuring a sound guide component made of hard material and a gap formed by these parts, along with soft support bars and a blocking plate, to create a seal and enhance sound transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional in-ear headphones are placed externally in the ears, then the structure is lightweight and easy to wear, but sound transmission performance is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The earplug structure is divided into multiple functional segments: a sound guide part inserted into the ear canal for direct sound transmission, a body part extending to the auricle region for sealing and comfort, and a stem part for additional sealing. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function optimally while maintaining overall lightweight design.
Solution Approach 2:
The sound guide component acts as an intermediary element positioned within the sound guide chamber to directly channel sound waves into the ear canal. This intermediary structure ensures efficient sound transmission from the earphone driver to the ear canal, bridging the gap between external placement and direct sound delivery.
2Device complexity
If sound is not directly transmitted into the ear canal, then the external placement structure is simpler, but sound performance is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The earplug structure is divided into multiple functional segments: a sound guide part inserted into the ear canal for direct sound transmission, a body part extending to the auricle region for sealing and comfort, and a stem part for additional sealing. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function optimally while maintaining overall lightweight design.
Solution Approach 2:
The sound guide part extends from the external ear into the ear canal dimension, creating a direct acoustic pathway. This dimensional extension allows sound to be transmitted directly into the ear canal while maintaining the simplicity of an overall in-ear design, effectively adding a depth dimension to the sound transmission path.
3Reliability
If an earplug structure with direct sound transmission is designed, then sound performance improves, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The earplug structure merges multiple functions into a single integrated component: sound guidance, ear canal sealing, auricle region sealing, and structural support are all combined in one piece. This merging reduces the number of separate parts and assembly steps while achieving direct sound transmission and improved sound performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The sound guide part serves multiple functions simultaneously: it guides sound into the ear canal, seals the ear canal opening to prevent sound leakage, provides structural support for the earphone driver, and contributes to the overall ergonomic fit. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, simplifying the overall structure.
Data Source
AI summary
An earplug structure includes a sound guide part, a body part, a sound guide component, and a gap. The sound guide part is configured to be inserted into an ear canal of an ear. The sound guide part includes a sound guide chamber and a sound output opening. The sound guide chamber is disposed inside the sound guide part, and the sound output opening is disposed on the sound guide part for outputting sound to the ear canal. The body part is extending outwardly from the sound guide part and configured to face an auricle region of the ear. The body part includes a receiving space and an opening. The sound guide component is positioned inside the sound guide chamber and is made of hard material. The gap is formed by the sound guide part and sound guide component.