Audio Headset Ear Pod and Microphone Multi-Axis Adjustment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional gaming audio headsets face challenges in providing optimal fit and audio quality due to fixed ear cup orientation and incomplete sealing, leading to compromised comfort and audio performance, especially with varied consumer ear anatomy.

Innovation Solution

The audio headset is designed to be linearly and rotationally adjustable about multiple axes, with a microphone also adjustable for optimal positioning, ensuring a customizable fit and improved comfort and audio quality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If ear cup orientation is fixed, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to different ear geometries deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveear cup orientation mechanismVSAvoidfit to ear geometry
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The ear cup assembly is designed with dynamic adjustment capabilities, allowing the ear cup to rotate about a first axis and the microphone to rotate about a second axis. This dynamic configuration enables the headset to adapt to different ear geometries and user preferences while maintaining a manageable device complexity through controlled degrees of freedom.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The headset is divided into separable adjustment mechanisms: the ear cup can rotate independently about a first axis, and the microphone can rotate independently about a second axis. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently for its specific function while contributing to overall adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Object-affected harmful factors

If padding is used to seal ambient sounds, then audio quality is improved, but comfort deteriorates due to pressure points

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveambient noise intrusionVSAvoidlong term comfort
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The contact surface between the ear cup and the user's ear is designed with variable flexibility parameters. The padding material and ear cup geometry are configured to distribute pressure evenly across the ear, reducing pressure points while maintaining an effective seal against ambient noise. This parameter optimization allows simultaneous achievement of audio quality and comfort.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Device complexity

If microphone positioning is fixed, then device complexity is reduced, but audio quality deteriorates due to suboptimal positioning

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemicrophone positioning mechanismVSAvoidmicrophone positioning accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The microphone is mounted on the ear cup in a manner that allows it to rotate about a second axis, enabling dynamic positioning adjustment. This allows the microphone to be oriented optimally for capturing speech while maintaining a simple overall device structure through a single rotational degree of freedom.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3005724B1Audio headset accommodating ear geometry variations
Publication Date: 2018.09.26 MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING LLC
  • EP3005724B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3005724B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3005724B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

An audio headset is disclosed. In examples, the audio headset is linearly and rotationally adjustable about multiple axes to ensure optimal fit over a user's ear and optimal audio quality. The audio headset further includes a microphone for accepting audio from the user. The microphone is also rotationally adjustable about multiple axes to ensure optimal positioning and comfort for the user.