Conductive Headband Sliding Contact Assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing headsets with adjustable headbands face challenges in maintaining electrical connectivity between earphones without risking short circuits or electric shocks, especially when adjusting the headband to fit different head sizes, and often result in excessive wire accumulation or exposure of conductors.

Innovation Solution

An electrically conducting headband with sliding contact assemblies and insulated conductors, utilizing a printed circuit board with gold-plated copper pathways and sliding contact elements to ensure continuous electrical connection and prevent short circuits, while maintaining adjustability and comfort by embedding conductors within the headband housing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If flexible cords with loop-like parts are used to connect earphones in adjustable headbands, then the headband can be adjusted to different sizes, but the cords risk jamming or squeezing when the headband is adjusted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheadband adjustabilityVSAvoidelectrical connection reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The headband is segmented into multiple parts (first headband part, second headband part, headband housing) that can slide relative to each other, allowing adjustment while maintaining separate electrical connection paths through sliding contact assemblies at each segmentation point

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Sliding contact assemblies act as intermediaries between the movable headband parts and the earphone housings, providing continuous electrical connection through contact elements that slide along conducting members, preventing direct cord jamming while maintaining reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If non-insulated metal rods are used in adjustable headbands, then the headband can be adjusted to fit different heads, but the user is at risk of electric shock from lightning strikes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheadband adjustabilityVSAvoidelectric shock risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Electrically insulating material serves as an intermediary between the conductive elements and the external environment, covering the conductors in the headband parts to prevent direct contact and eliminate electric shock risk while allowing adjustment functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

A flexible electrically insulating material covers the conductors in the headband, providing continuous protection against electric shock while accommodating the sliding and adjustment movements of the headband parts

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Adaptability or versatility

If excessive wire is accumulated when the headband is adjusted to smaller sizes, then the headband can be adjusted to fit smaller heads, but wire exposure and accumulation occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheadband size adaptabilityVSAvoidwire accumulation

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The electrical connection function is extracted from flexible cords and implemented through sliding contact assemblies with conducting members and contact elements, eliminating the need for accumulated wire loops while maintaining adjustability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The mechanical cord-and-loop system is replaced with an electro-mechanical sliding contact system where electrical connection is maintained through sliding contacts rather than continuous wire loops, preventing wire exposure and accumulation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 solution provides a secure, adjustable, and safe electrical connection between earphones, preventing short circuits and electric shocks, while minimizing wire exposure and accumulation, enhancing user comfort and safety.

Implementation Method 1

two sliding contact elements, which are fixed in relation to the other of the first headband part and the first headband housing) and slides along the longitudinal conducting members

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP2656634B1A headset with an electrically conducting headband

Publication Date: 2017.04.19 GN AUDIO AS

Figure 1
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Figure 4

AI summary

A headset (1) comprising a first earphone housing (2) and a second earphone housing (3) and an electrically conducting headband (4) for attaching the headset (1) to the head of a user. The headband (4) comprising at least a first headband part (5) with electrical conductors (8, 9; 13, 14) and at least a first hollow headband housing (6) covering electrical conductors (13, 14; 34, 35). A first end (7) of the first headband part (5) is slidably received in a first end (11) of the first headband housing (6), such that the length of the headband (4) can be adjusted to a users head. A sliding contact assembly (12) is provided in the first headband housing (6) in order to provide electrical connection between the electrical conductors (8, 9; 13, 14) of the first headband part (5) and the electrical conductors (13, 14; 34, 35) of the first headband housing (6) in any adjustment position.