Elastic Auricle Attachment for Corded Sound Output Devices
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Sound output devices with attached cords can become tangled during carrying, leading to usability issues when quickly attaching and detaching them from the ear.
Innovation Solution
The sound output device features a pair of attachment portions with elastic deformation capabilities, sandwiching the auricle and engaging with each other, and includes a curved surface design to prevent cord entanglement and minimize ear contact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a cord is connected to the sound output device for signal transmission, then electrical connectivity is achieved, but the cord becomes tangled during carrying and attachment operations
Solution Approach 1:
The sound output device is divided into a body portion and a separate attachment portion that can be detached. This segmentation allows the attachment portion to be separated from the cord-connected body, eliminating cord entanglement during attachment operations while maintaining electrical connectivity when assembled.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment portion is designed with elastic deformation capability, allowing it to dynamically change shape during attachment and detachment operations. This dynamic flexibility enables easy attachment to the ear without cord interference, while the elastic recovery ensures stable connection.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the attachment portion is made rigid for stable attachment, then attachment stability is improved, but the attachment portion cannot be quickly attached and detached
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment portion incorporates elastic deformation capability, allowing it to flex during quick attachment and detachment operations. This dynamic property enables rapid attachment by deforming to snap onto the ear, while maintaining stable attachment when in place due to elastic recovery forces.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment portion's physical state changes between deformed and restored configurations. During attachment, it deforms to accommodate quick positioning; once attached, elastic recovery maintains stable contact pressure, achieving both speed and stability through parameter changes.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the attachment portion contacts the ear extensively for stability, then attachment stability is improved, but ear load and discomfort increase
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment portion is designed to contact only specific local regions of the ear (tragus and anti-tragus) rather than extensively contacting the entire ear. This localized contact strategy achieves sufficient attachment stability through strategic positioning while minimizing overall ear load and discomfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment portion features a curved surface that conforms to the natural curvature of the ear's tragus and anti-tragus regions. This curved design distributes contact forces along the natural contours, achieving stable attachment with reduced pressure concentration and minimized ear load.
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 enhances usability by preventing cord entanglement and ensuring stable, comfortable attachment and detachment, while maintaining excellent sound recognition and reducing ear load.
Implementation Method 1
the attachment portion is elastically deformable in directions in which both of end portions in the longitudinal direction are separated from each other and contact each other
Data Source
AI summary
The present technology is to improve usability. Provided is an attachment portion which includes a first pressing portion and a second pressing portion to be pressed against both surfaces of an auricle respectively and is attached to an ear in a state of sandwiching the auricle. A pair of the attachment portions is provided, and the pair of attachment portions can be engaged with each other. With this structure, the pair of attachment portions can be engaged with each other when not in use and the like, entanglement between cords or between the cords and the attachment portions can be prevented, and usability can be improved