Movable Earbud Sound Rod for Open and Closed Listening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ear devices, such as earphones, cannot effectively switch between open-type and closed-type configurations, leading to discomfort due to the presence of the ear pads in the external auditory meatus even when used as open-type, and fail to adapt to different usage situations.
Innovation Solution
An ear device with a sound emission rod that can be switched between a closed state, where the sound holes are inside the external auditory meatus, and an open state, where they are outside, using a movement adjuster to move the sound emission rod axially relative to the housing, allowing easy conversion between types.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the sound emission rod is fixed inside the external auditory meatus for closed-type use, then noise cancellation and sound quality are improved, but discomfort and inability to hear external sounds occur
Solution Approach 1:
The sound emission rod is designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing it to dynamically switch between inserted and retracted positions. This enables the device to transition from closed-type (for noise cancellation) to open-type (for comfort and external sound awareness) configuration, resolving the contradiction between noise cancellation performance and user comfort
2Ease of operation
If the sound emission rod is fixed outside the external auditory meatus for open-type use, then user comfort and external sound awareness are improved, but noise cancellation and sound quality deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The movable sound emission rod allows the device to switch from open-type (comfortable) to closed-type (high performance) configuration when needed, enabling users to enjoy both comfort and noise cancellation performance depending on the situation
3Device complexity
If a single fixed configuration is used, then device simplicity is maintained, but adaptability to different usage situations is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The sound emission rod is designed with movable capability allowing users to switch between closed-type and open-type configurations based on different usage situations, thereby enhancing adaptability while maintaining relatively simple device structure
Solution Approach 2:
The single device structure achieves multi-functionality by enabling both closed-type (for noise cancellation and sound quality) and open-type (for comfort and external awareness) usage modes through the movable sound emission rod, eliminating the need for separate devices
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is an ear device including: a housing; a sound emission rod that is connected to the housing and has a sound hole; and a movement adjuster that moves the sound emission rod in an axial direction of the sound emission rod relative to the housing according to a user operation on the movement adjuster. According to the user operation, a state of the sound emission rod is switchable between: a closed state in which the sound hole of the sound emission rod is to be placed inside an external auditory meatus of an ear of a user; and an open state in which the sound hole of the sound emission rod is to be placed outside the external auditory meatus.