In-Ear Earplug With Integrally Molded Umbrella-Shaped Plug Bodies
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing in-ear earplugs are uncomfortable due to hard components and provide inadequate sound insulation, making them unsuitable for long-term use and noise reduction.
Innovation Solution
An in-ear earplug structure featuring a hollow support body with integrally molded soft umbrella-shaped plug bodies, a speaker unit positioned rearward, and a rear sound cavity, reducing the hard feeling and enhancing sound insulation by creating a soft, fitting earplug with improved manufacturing ease and cost-effectiveness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a hard cylindrical tube is used as the support body, then the structural strength is improved, but the wearing comfort deteriorates due to the hard feeling when inserted into the ear canal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the hard cylindrical tube with a flexible support body made of soft rubber material. This flexible shell maintains the necessary structural support while conforming to the ear canal shape, eliminating the hard feeling and improving wearing comfort during extended use.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses soft rubber material for the support body, combining the flexibility and comfort of rubber with the structural requirements. This composite material approach allows the support body to provide both mechanical support and comfort, resolving the contradiction between strength and wearing comfort.
2Strength
If hard plastic components are combined with soft rubber sleeves, then the structural support is improved, but the sound insulation effect deteriorates due to the mismatch between hard and soft parts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the entire support body homogeneous by constructing it entirely from soft rubber material, eliminating the interface between hard plastic and soft rubber components. This homogeneity ensures consistent acoustic properties and effective sound insulation without the mismatches that occur at material boundaries.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the support function and sound insulation function into a single integrated soft rubber support body. By combining these functions in one homogeneous material structure, the patent achieves both structural support and effective sound insulation without the performance degradation caused by material interfaces.
3Stability of the object's composition
If multiple separate components are assembled, then the structural stability is improved, but the manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple separate components (support body, rubber sleeves, and connecting structures) into a single integrally molded soft rubber structure. This integration maintains structural stability through the unified design while dramatically simplifying manufacturing to a single injection molding process, reducing both complexity and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrally molded support body performs multiple functions simultaneously: providing structural support, ensuring sound insulation, and offering wearing comfort. This multi-functionality in a single component eliminates the need for separate parts and assembly steps, simplifying manufacturing while maintaining structural stability.
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
The design significantly improves wearing comfort and sound insulation while simplifying manufacturing and reducing costs, making it more suitable for user needs.
Implementation Method 1
With the matching of the umbrella-shaped rubber sleeves and ears, noise reduction function is realized
Implementation Method 2
the support body and the umbrella-shaped plug bodies are molded by injection using soft rubber materials
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure discloses an in-ear earplug structure, which comprises a hollow support body, wherein a sound hole is opened at a front end of the support body, an outer side of the support body is provided with at least two soft umbrella-shaped plug bodies, the support body and the umbrella-shaped plug bodies are integrally molded, a speaker unit is provided in the support body, a preset spacing is formed between the speaker unit and the sound hole, a rear sound cavity is formed in the support body, the rear sound cavity is located on the rear side of the speaker unit, and a through hole which is in communication with the rear sound cavity is opened at a side part of the support body. In the above structure, when the earplug is worn on an ear, the hard feeling caused by the earplug is greatly reduced, and the wearing comfort is effectively improved. Also, this makes the umbrella-shaped plug body better fit an ear canal, thereby improving the sound insulation effect. In addition, the support body and the umbrella-shaped plug bodies can be integrally processed and molded, making the earplug easier to manufacture and low in cost, which satisfies the needs of users and the market well.