Headphone Socket Charging via Microphone Terminal Merging

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Solution Overview

Problem

Active noise reduction headphones require frequent charging due to limited battery capacity, which is inconvenient for users, especially in portable and compact designs.

Innovation Solution

A headphone socket with integrated spring plates that detect charging availability and connect the microphone terminal to a device's circuit, allowing for charging without increasing the socket's dimensions, while maintaining standard functionality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Duration of action of moving object

If the battery capacity of headphones is increased to extend usage time, then the duration of action is improved, but the weight and volume of the headphones increase, worsening portability and appearance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveusage timeVSAvoidweight of headphones
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of moving objectVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the charging function with the microphone function by using the same physical interface (headphone socket). The identifying spring plate detects whether a headphone plug is inserted, and the microphone spring plate serves dual purposes: both as a microphone contact and as a charging contact when a plug is present. This merging eliminates the need for separate charging ports or larger batteries in the headphones.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The headphone socket is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a standard audio interface and as a charging interface. The identifying spring plate enables the system to detect and switch between different modes (audio only, charging, or both simultaneously), allowing the same hardware structure to perform multiple functions without requiring additional components in the headphones.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a separate charging port is added to headphones, then charging functionality is improved, but the device complexity and dimensions increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecharging functionalityVSAvoidsocket structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the charging function with the existing microphone function in the headphone socket. The identifying spring plate detects plug insertion and enables the microphone spring plate to serve dual purposes: microphone contact and charging contact. This approach adds charging functionality without requiring a separate charging port or increasing the overall socket dimensions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the headphone socket dimensions are increased to accommodate charging components, then charging functionality is improved, but the area and volume of the socket increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecharging capabilityVSAvoidsocket area
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines charging and microphone functions within the same physical space. The identifying spring plate enables the system to detect plug insertion, and the microphone spring plate serves dual purposes as both microphone and charging contact. This merging allows charging functionality to be added without increasing the socket's physical dimensions or requiring additional space.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

Enables convenient charging of headphones without enlarging the socket, reducing the need for large external batteries and enhancing user experience by integrating charging functionality into the standard headphone socket.

Implementation Method 1

the spring plate part is clamped into the headphone socket body, and the spring plate part includes: a microphone spring plate, a grounded spring plate, a right-earpiece spring plate, an identifying spring plate configured to detect charging availability, a headphone availability detection spring plate, and a left-earpiece spring plate

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3142195B1Earphone seat
Publication Date: 2019.03.20 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP3142195B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3142195B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3142195B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

An embodiment of the present invention discloses a headphone socket, including: a headphone socket body and a spring plate part; the spring plate part is clamped into the headphone socket body, and the spring plate part includes: a microphone spring plate, a grounded spring plate, a right-earpiece spring plate, a charging detection availability identifying spring plate, a headphone availability detection spring plate, and a left-earpiece spring plate; and when a headphone plug of headphones is completely inserted into the headphone socket, the charging detection availability identifying spring plate is in contact with a right-channel terminal of the headphone plug, so as to conduct a connection between the right-channel terminal and an external circuit, so that a device at which the headphone socket is located charges the headphones by using the microphone spring plate that is in contact with a microphone terminal of the headphone plug. According to the headphone socket in the embodiment of present invention, not only a function of a standard headphone socket but also a function of charging the headphones can be implemented without increasing dimensions of the headphone socket.