Multi-Support Earphone Structure for Secure Fit and Lower Ear Fatigue
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing earphones with ear hooks are prone to loosening during movement and cause discomfort due to increased pressure points, leading to fatigue and poor fit.
Innovation Solution
An earphone design featuring multiple supporting portions that contact various areas of the ear, including the antihelix, helix, and concha, using a memory material ear hook for adjustability and a tubular structure for stability, with soft rubber wrapping for comfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If an earphone is hooked to a human ear only through a curved-shaped ear hook portion, then the structure is simple, but it is prone to getting loose and may not be firmly worn in the case of movement
Solution Approach 1:
The earphone is divided into multiple functional parts: a first supporting portion for the antihelix, a second supporting portion for the helix area, and an ear hook portion. This segmentation allows each part to perform a specific supporting function, distributing the weight and improving stability without requiring a completely complex overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
Different parts of the earphone are designed with different local characteristics: the first supporting portion has a first contact area for the antihelix, the second supporting portion has a second contact area for the helix, and the ear hook has a third contact area. Each local region is optimized for its specific contact point, improving overall wearing firmness while maintaining reasonable structural complexity.
2Reliability
If the ear hook portion and in-ear/semi-in-ear main body are connected to increase fixing points, then wearing firmness is improved, but swelling and fatigue in the ear may be caused when wearing for a slightly longer period of time
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of concentrating multiple fixing points in one area (which causes pressure and fatigue), the design segments the contact points across different regions: the first supporting portion contacts the antihelix, the second supporting portion contacts the helix area, and the ear hook contacts the ear canal entrance. This distribution reduces pressure on any single point, preventing fatigue while maintaining firmness.
Solution Approach 2:
The earphone utilizes multiple spatial dimensions for contact: the first supporting portion extends toward the antihelix, the second supporting portion reaches the helix area, and the ear hook enters the ear canal. By distributing contact points across different spatial dimensions rather than concentrating them in one location, the design reduces localized pressure and prevents ear fatigue while achieving stable fixation.
3Reliability
If multiple supporting portions are added to contact various areas of the ear, then wearing firmness and comfort are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The first supporting portion, second supporting portion, and ear hook portion are merged into a single integrated earphone structure. This merging allows the multiple supporting portions to work together as a unified system, achieving improved wearing firmness through coordinated support at multiple locations without requiring separate components, thus limiting the increase in device complexity.
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
Improves fit and reduces fatigue by distributing stress uniformly, preventing the earphone from falling off and enhancing comfort during prolonged wear.
Implementation Method 1
the ear hook is made of a memory material
Data Source
AI summary
An earphone with a plurality of supporting portions includes a main cavity, an ear hook, and a secondary cavity; the main cavity is connected to the secondary cavity through the ear hook; the main cavity is used for mounting of a loudspeaker, and located on an anterior side of an ear; a sound outlet is provided in a position of the main cavity close to an ear canal; the ear hook is used for surrounding a superior side and a posterior side of the ear; and the secondary cavity is used for making contact with the posterior side of the ear. With the design of supporting regions of the earphone, the earphone fits the ear better, stress is more uniform, the earphone is prevented from falling off or getting loose easily, fatigue of the ear caused after long-time wearing is relieved, and the comfort of wearing is improved.