Formable Ear Hook for Secure, Comfortable Fit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing earphone designs lack improved wearing comfort and security, particularly for earphones without bulky ear cups or headbands, leading to instability and discomfort during use.
Innovation Solution
The earphone design incorporates a flexible ear hook with a formable member and wires, allowing it to be bent and retain shape for a secure fit, along with an attachment mechanism that secures the earbud and forms a watertight seal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional headphones with headbands and ear cups are used, then security and stability are improved, but wearing comfort and simplicity deteriorate due to bulky design
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential security function from traditional bulky headphones by removing the headband and large ear cups, retaining only the necessary ear hook structure that provides stability while eliminating unnecessary bulk and improving comfort
Solution Approach 2:
The ear hook is constructed with flexible materials including a formable member covered by a flexible shell, allowing the structure to adapt to different ear shapes while maintaining security, thus achieving stability without bulky design
2Device complexity
If earphones without headbands are used, then simplicity and comfort are improved, but stability and security deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The ear hook incorporates a formable member that can be dynamically shaped to match the user's ear contours, and includes flexible components that adapt during movement, providing stability through dynamic adaptation rather than rigid structure
Solution Approach 2:
The ear hook uses composite construction with a formable member, flexible covering material, and attachment mechanisms combining different material properties to achieve both simplicity and stability simultaneously
3Strength
If the ear hook is made rigid for structural strength, then durability is improved, but adaptability to different ear shapes deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The ear hook employs a flexible shell covering a formable member, allowing the structure to bend and conform to different ear shapes while maintaining structural integrity through the composite construction
Solution Approach 2:
The formable member allows parameter changes in shape and curvature to adapt to different ear anatomies while the overall structural strength is maintained through the design of the formable member and its covering
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 wearing comfort and security by providing a customizable fit and watertight connection, improving the overall user experience and stability of earphones.
Implementation Method 1
The formable member can extend within the ear hook from the first end along a portion of the ear hook length towards the second end and can enable the ear hook to be bent along a portion of its length while retaining its bent shape
Data Source
AI summary
An earphone comprising an ear hook having a body the bulk of which is made from a flexible material molded over a formable member and a plurality of wires. The ear hook includes a first end and a second end and a curved portion in between. The earphone further includes an earbud coupled to the first end of the ear hook and coupled to the plurality of wires. The plurality of wires extends within the ear hook along its length from the first end to the second end exiting the ear hook at the second end. The formable member extends within the ear hook from the first end along a portion of the ear hook length towards the second end and enables the ear hook to be bent along a portion of its length while retaining its bent shape.