Open Audio Device Ear Canal Acoustic Module Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wireless headsets obstruct the ear canal, preventing users from hearing ambient sounds and social cues, and are perceived as isolating.
Innovation Solution
An open audio device designed to sit on the ear without blocking the ear canal, featuring an acoustic module positioned above the ear canal opening, allowing for unobstructed sound entry and social cues, while maintaining a secure fit through a combination of ear and head contact points.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If an earbud is placed into the ear canal opening to deliver sound, then audio delivery is improved, but the ear canal is blocked preventing hearing of ambient sounds and social cues
Solution Approach 1:
The acoustic module is repositioned from inside the ear canal to above the ear canal opening, changing the spatial dimension of sound delivery. This allows sound to be delivered effectively while leaving the ear canal open for ambient sound perception.
Solution Approach 2:
The open audio device acts as an intermediary that bridges the gap between audio delivery and ambient sound perception. By positioning the acoustic module above the ear canal opening, it mediates between the need for audio delivery and the need for ear canal openness.
2Power
If an earbud is placed into the ear canal opening, then audio delivery is improved, but a social cue of unavailability is sent to others
Solution Approach 1:
By moving the acoustic module to a position above the ear canal opening rather than inside it, the device changes the visual profile from a closed earbud to an open audio device, thereby changing the social availability cue while maintaining audio delivery capability.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the open audio device is positioned to lightly clamp on the upper ear and locate the acoustic module above the ear canal, then the ear canal remains open for ambient sounds, but the device must remain stable during head movement
Solution Approach 1:
The device employs different contact characteristics at different locations: a soft contact portion for comfortable clamping on the upper ear, and a hard contact portion for stable engagement with the head. This local differentiation of contact properties enables both comfort and stability simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The contact structure is segmented into a soft contact portion and a hard contact portion, each serving different functions. The soft portion provides comfort and adapts to ear contours, while the hard portion provides stable anchoring to the head, resolving the contradiction between soft clamping and stable positioning.
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
Enables users to hear ambient sounds and social cues while enjoying audio, promoting awareness of the user's surroundings and reducing the perception of isolation.
Implementation Method 1
an acoustic module positioned above the ear canal opening, allowing for unobstructed sound entry
Data Source
Figure 1A~1C
Figure 1D~1G
Figure 2A~2B
AI summary
An open audio device with a body that has an inner surface that is configured to be located behind an outer ear of a user and in contact along a length of the body at multiple locations of at least one of the outer ear and the head proximate the intersection of the head and the outer ear. The inner surface of the body lies generally along a decaying helix. An acoustic module is carried by the body and is configured to be located against the outer ear above the ear canal opening.