Headphone Arm Oscillator Vibration Conduction via Intermediary Unit

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing headphones with oscillators face challenges in effectively conducting vibration to the user and lack an aesthetically pleasing design, as users prioritize both functionality and design in their products.

Innovation Solution

The design includes an arm portion, headphone units with speakers, a support unit, an oscillator to vibrate the arm portion, and a vibration conducting unit that efficiently transmits these vibrations to the headphone units, integrated with a dynamic oscillator and a transducer box for improved vibration conduction and aesthetic appeal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If vibration is conducted to the entire headphones including band, then vibration can be conducted to a large area on the head in a balanced manner, but it is difficult to effectively conduct vibration to the user via headband and ear-pad

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevibration conduction areaVSAvoidvibration conduction efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A vibration conducting unit is introduced as an intermediary component between the oscillator and the headphone unit. This unit includes a vibration conducting portion that directly contacts the arm portion and transmits vibrations efficiently to the headphone unit, solving the problem of ineffective vibration conduction while maintaining balanced distribution across the head.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The vibration conduction system is segmented into distinct components: the oscillator generates vibrations, the vibration conducting unit transmits them, and the headphone unit receives them. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function, improving overall vibration conduction efficiency while maintaining broad coverage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Area of stationary object

If oscillator is mounted on hanger, then vibration can be conducted to large area, but aesthetic design is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevibration conduction areaVSAvoidaesthetic design

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The oscillator is nested within the arm portion structure rather than being mounted externally on the hanger. The vibration conducting unit is integrated into the existing headphone architecture, allowing the oscillator to be hidden inside the arm portion while still conducting vibrations to the entire head, thus maintaining aesthetic design without sacrificing vibration conduction area.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Reliability

If vibration conducting unit is added, then vibration conduction efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevibration conduction efficiencyVSAvoidheadphone structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The vibration conducting unit serves multiple functions: it transmits vibrations from the oscillator to the headphone unit, structurally supports the oscillator within the arm portion, and maintains the aesthetic appearance by being integrated into the existing design. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while improving vibration conduction efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 configuration ensures effective vibration conduction to the user while maintaining an aesthetically pleasing design, enhancing the overall user experience by providing balanced and efficient vibration transmission.

Implementation Method 1

an oscillator operative to vibrate the arm portion

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVibration: Vibration

Implementation Method 2

a vibration conducting unit operative to conduct vibration of the arm portion to the headphone unit

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVibration conduction: Vibration

Data Source

PatentUS9113255B2Headphones with oscillator for vibrating the arm portion

Publication Date: 2015.08.18 SONY INTERACTIVE ENTERTAINMENT LLC

AI summary

Headphones include a headband, an arm portion, a pair of headphone units that respectively retain a speaker, a hinge structure that supports the headphone unit at the arm portion, and an oscillator that vibrates the arm portion. The oscillator is contained in a transducer box and clamped and supported by the arm portion and the headband. A vibration conducting unit connects the arm portion with the headphone unit and conducts vibration of the arm portion to the headphone unit.