Headset Microphone Boom Sliding Contact for 360 Rotation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing headsets for voice communication face issues with mechanical stops failing, restricting microphone rotation, and compromising audio quality due to wire twisting and the use of sliding contacts, which are space-consuming and difficult to integrate.

Innovation Solution

A headset design featuring a sliding electrical connection between the housing and the pickup unit, utilizing annular rings and contact members that allow 360-degree rotation without mechanical stops, maintaining audio quality and improving ergonomics by eliminating the need for wires through the joint.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If wires are run through the joint to connect the microphone to the electronic circuit, then electrical connection is established, but the wires become twisted due to rotation of the joint

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical connection reliabilityVSAvoidmicrophone position adjustment

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical wire connection system through the joint with a sliding electrical contact system. The sliding contact consists of a contact member that slides along an annular ring, establishing electrical connection without requiring wires to pass through the rotating joint. This substitution eliminates wire twisting while maintaining reliable electrical connection during full 360-degree rotation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If a mechanical stop is included to restrict rotation and protect wires from twisting, then wire damage is prevented, but the joint rotation is limited to less than 360 degrees

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewire protectionVSAvoidmicrophone rotation range

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent eliminates the mechanical stop by replacing the wire-based electrical connection with a sliding contact system. The sliding contact member travels along the annular ring during rotation, maintaining electrical connection without requiring rotation restriction. This allows the joint to rotate freely through 360 degrees and multiple rotations while protecting against wire twisting.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of operation

If a sliding contact comprising a jack and jack socket is used, then electrical connection without wires through the joint is achieved, but the solution is space consuming and difficult to integrate with electronic circuit

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewireless connection through jointVSAvoidintegration complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the sliding contact system into two distinct components: an annular ring mounted on the housing and a contact member mounted on the pickup unit. This segmentation allows each component to be independently designed and integrated into the respective parts (housing and pickup unit), simplifying the overall integration process while maintaining the wireless connection capability through the joint.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Ease of operation

If a sliding contact is used for electrical connection, then wire twisting is avoided, but the audio quality of the signal transmitted over the sliding contact deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverotation freedomVSAvoidaudio signal quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a sliding contact member that maintains continuous sliding contact with the annular ring surface. This design ensures stable electrical connection throughout the rotation range, minimizing signal interference and maintaining high audio signal quality while allowing complete rotational freedom of the pickup unit relative to the housing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 enables full rotational freedom of the microphone while maintaining high audio quality and user ergonomics, reducing the risk of mechanical stop failure and enhancing the headset's usability and reliability.

Implementation Method 1

The first electric connection comprises a first sliding contact, which comprises a housing side and a microphone side. The two sides are mutually rotatable about a rotational axis.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSliding contact: Friction

Data Source

PatentUS8406418B2Headset with a 360 degrees rotatable microphone boom and function selector

Publication Date: 2013.03.26 GN HEARING AS

AI summary

A headset and method for voice communication comprising a housing (2) and a pickup unit (8) rotatably connected to the housing via a joint (7). The pickup unit (8) transmits its position to circuitry which in turn enables functions according to its position. When the unit is moved to a predetermined position and a function is enabled, the user is preferably notified by an audible signal in the earphone. The unit may be rotated, pivoted or twisted and even ratcheted to various positions to engage different functions, such as mute, volume up/down, activate Bluetooth® link etc. One position detection includes a sliding contact (20, 70) mutually rotatable about a rotational axis (26) and a annular ring (50) arranged so that the ring (50) is positioned around the rotational axis (26) so as to provide an electrical connection between the first annular ring (50) and the contact members (30).