Headset Hinged Shell Encapsulation for Component Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing headsets are prone to mechanical damage when stored, as the ear hook and microphone arm are exposed and susceptible to mechanical loads, which can lead to damage during storage in a pocket.

Innovation Solution

The headset features a housing that encapsulates the transducer, microphone, and ear hook, with a hinge mechanism connecting two shells to protect the components and allow for easy use, including a lock to prevent theft and a release mechanism for activating the ear hook and microphone arm.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the ear hook and microphone arm are freely exposed in the housing, then the headset is easy to access and use, but the components are susceptible to mechanical damage during storage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of accessVSAvoidmechanical damage risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The housing is divided into two separable shells that can be opened and closed. The ear hook and microphone arm are positioned within the housing such that they are accessible when the shells are separated but protected when the shells are closed, resolving the contradiction between ease of access and mechanical protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Weight of moving object

If the headset is constructed as a compact unit with low weight, then it is user-friendly for extended use and easy to store, but the exposed movable parts are more vulnerable to mechanical loads

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheadset weightVSAvoidmechanical loads on exposed parts

Core Design Contradiction:

Weight of moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The headset employs a dynamic housing structure with two shells that can transition between open and closed states. This allows the device to maintain its lightweight compact design while dynamically protecting vulnerable components by closing the shells during storage, preventing mechanical damage without adding permanent structural weight.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If the two shells are connected by a hinge with shaft perpendicular to the surface, then the headset can be opened by rotating the shell in the same plane, but the structure is less compact compared to a shaft in the same plane

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveopening mechanismVSAvoidheadset compactness

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The hinge shaft is oriented perpendicular to the surface of the shells, enabling the shells to rotate in the same plane for easy opening. This dimensional orientation of the hinge mechanism allows for user-friendly operation while maintaining a compact overall structure, as the rotation occurs within the existing footprint rather than requiring additional space.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS7949127B2Headset

Publication Date: 2011.05.24 GN HEARING AS

AI summary

A headset (1. 10. 30) e.g. for use in connection with wireless communication. The housing may be constructed as two shells (2, 3) which may be opened and closed so that all mechanical parts may be concealed on the housing when the headset (1, 10, 30) is not in use. The shells (2, 3) may be interconnected by means of a hinge (7, 8) which has an axis disposed in the same plane as the surface of the shells. Alternatively, the shells may be arranged such that the axis is disposed in a perpendicular plane. The headset (1, 10, 30) has all mechanical and electrical parts are well protected when the headset is not used.