Headphone Ear Pad Temperature Control Using Rotating Peltier Elements

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing headphones with heating and cooling functions dull the sensation of temperature changes over time, leading to reduced warmth or coolness perception and a risk of low-temperature burns during extended use.

Innovation Solution

The integration of a temperature control unit that drives multiple temperature change units, such as Peltier elements, on a rotating basis within the ear pad portions, allowing for continuous and effective temperature perception by alternating the phase of operation individually or in groups, along with the use of heat sinks and protective sheets for improved cushioning and temperature transmission.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the same portion of the user's ear is constantly heated or cooled through the ear pad, then the heating or cooling function is maintained, but the sensation of temperature change becomes dulled over time and there is a risk of low-temperature burns

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature sensation effectivenessVSAvoidsensation dulling and burn risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the temperature change function into multiple independent temperature change units (first and second units) positioned at different locations within the ear pad. Instead of continuously applying temperature change to a single location, the system segments the heating/cooling action across multiple spatial zones, allowing rotation between them to maintain sensation effectiveness and prevent tissue damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements periodic switching between different temperature change units through a control unit that rotates which unit is active. This periodic action ensures that no single location is continuously subjected to extreme temperatures, thereby maintaining user sensation and preventing burns while still delivering effective temperature change experience.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

2Reliability

If multiple temperature change units are introduced to prevent sensation dulling, then temperature perception effectiveness is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontinuous temperature perceptionVSAvoidnumber of temperature change units and control mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The control unit alternates between activating different temperature change units, effectively discarding the current active unit and recovering it for later use. This rotation strategy allows the system to manage multiple units efficiently, maintaining continuous temperature perception capability while controlling complexity through systematic alternation rather than simultaneous operation of all units.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

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 enables continuous and effective perception of temperature changes, preventing sensation dulling and reducing the risk of low-temperature burns, while enhancing the immersive experience in gaming by incorporating temperature changes into the game's world view.

Implementation Method 1

a plurality of temperature change units 24 that are provided inside the pair of ear pad portions 4 and that heat and/or cool electrically

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPeltier effect: Peltier Effect

Implementation Method 2

heat sinks that are disposed inside the ear pad portions and on the back surface side of the Peltier elements, wherein the heat sinks have a plurality of blocks that protrude toward the side that comes into contact with the user, and the back surfaces of the Peltier elements are in contact with the top surfaces of the blocks

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentUS11792562B2Headphones

Publication Date: 2023.10.17 OMRON CORP

AI summary

A set of headphones (1) comprises a pair of speaker units (3); a pair of ear pad portions (4); a plurality of temperature change modules (24) that are provided inside the pair of ear pad portions (4), and that heat and/or cool electrically so as to convey a temperature other than normal temperature to the user; and a temperature control unit (31) that drives the plurality of temperature change modules (24) on a rotating basis while shifting the phase of operation individually or in groups.