Open-Ear Ear Hook Geometry for Stable Sound Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing earphones often compromise wearing comfort and stability while maintaining output performance, leading to user discomfort and potential safety issues due to blocked ear canals.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates an ear hook with a specific curve and variable cross-section structure that allows the sound production component to be positioned near the ear canal without blocking it, using a transducer and housing configuration that ensures the ear remains open, enhancing wearing stability and comfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If the sound production component is positioned near the ear canal to improve output performance, then the wearing comfort and environmental sound awareness deteriorate due to ear canal blockage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from traditional in-ear positioning to an over-the-ear hook design, moving the sound production component to a different spatial dimension (from inside the ear canal to the outer ear/temple area). This dimensional change allows the earphone to maintain proximity to the ear for good sound output while avoiding blockage of the ear canal, thus resolving the contradiction between output performance and environmental awareness.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the ear hook is designed with a specific curvature and variable cross-section to improve wearing stability, then the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ear hook is designed with a specific curvature on the sagittal plane, featuring an extremum point that creates a non-linear arc shape. This curved geometry allows the hook to naturally conform to the contours of the user's ear and head, improving wearing stability and comfort. The curvature is achieved through standard forming processes, balancing the stability benefit with manufacturing feasibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The ear hook employs a variable cross-section structure where the thickness and diameter change along its length. The cross-section area is smallest near the extremum point and varies continuously to optimize both mechanical strength and comfort. This gradual parameter change allows the hook to be lightweight yet durable, and comfortable against the skin, while being manufacturable through conventional techniques like injection molding or 3D printing.
3Ease of operation
If the ear hook has a variable cross-section structure to improve comfort, then the structural strength may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The ear hook features a variable cross-section where the thickness and diameter are optimized at different locations. The cross-section area is smallest near the extremum point (which typically experiences less stress) and larger at the connection points and hook ends (where mechanical strength is most critical). This graduated variation in dimensions provides both comfort (smoother, thinner profile against the skin) and strength (adequate material at stress points), resolving the contradiction between comfort and structural integrity.
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
This design improves wearing comfort by allowing external sound reception and reduces the risk of accidents by keeping the ear canal unobstructed, while maintaining acoustic performance.
Implementation Method 1
a sound production component including a transducer and a housing for accommodating the transducer
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to an earphone including a sound production component and an ear hook. In a wearing state, the ear hook is configured to place the sound production component at a position near an ear canal but not blocking the ear canal. An inner contour of a projection of the ear hook on the user's sagittal plane includes a first curve that has an extremum point in a first direction. The first direction is perpendicular to a long-axis direction of a projection of the sound production component. The extremum point is located behind a projection point of an upper vertex of the ear hook on the user's sagittal plane, and the upper vertex of the ear hook is the highest point of an inner contour of the ear hook along a vertical axis of the user.