Open-Ear Sound Output Device with Hollow Waveguide for Ambient Awareness
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional earphones, including canal-type earphones, significantly block the ear cavity, making it difficult for listeners to hear ambient sounds, which is hazardous in situations like sports or communication, and impede interpersonal interaction.
Innovation Solution
A sound output device with a sound generating portion on the back of the ear and a hollow sound guiding portion that takes in sound from one end and propagates it to the ear canal entrance, allowing ambient sound to be heard while wearing, using a holding portion to secure the sound guiding portion at the ear canal entrance and a pinch portion to attach to the ear lobe.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional earphones block the ear cavity to improve sound quality and prevent sound leakage, then sound insulation is improved, but ambient sound perception deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The earphone system is divided into two independent sound paths: one for reproduced sound (through the earphone) and one for ambient sound (through the open ear cavity). This segmentation allows both functions to operate simultaneously without interference, resolving the contradiction between sound insulation and ambient sound perception
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an ambient sound transmission path that acts as an intermediary, allowing external sounds to reach the ear canal without being blocked by the earphone structure. This mediator enables both reproduced sound quality and ambient sound perception to coexist
2Reliability
If canal-type earphones are sealed to improve sound quality, then sound insulation is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The earphone design segments the ear canal space, allowing the earphone to occupy only the outer portion while leaving the inner ear canal open for ambient sound transmission. This segmentation enables users to easily perceive ambient sounds without removing the earphone, improving ease of operation
3Reliability
If earphones block the ear cavity to improve reproduced sound quality, then sound insulation is improved, but loss of information deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The sound transmission system is segmented into reproduced sound path and ambient sound path, allowing both types of information to be transmitted simultaneously without loss. The earphone provides high-quality reproduced sound while the open ear cavity preserves ambient sound information
Solution Approach 2:
The earphone design achieves multi-functionality by simultaneously providing reproduced sound playback and ambient sound transmission capabilities. This universal design ensures no loss of information for either function
4Reliability
If conventional earphones are designed to block ear cavity, then sound insulation is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The earphone structure segments the ear cavity space, allowing reproduced sound to be delivered through the earphone while ambient sound and interpersonal communication occur through the open ear canal, maintaining ease of social interaction
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 listening to ambient sounds while wearing the device, similar to a non-wearing state, without blocking the ear cavity, improving safety and communication by allowing natural sound perception and reducing sound leakage.
Implementation Method 1
a sound guiding portion having a hollow structure, having one end connected to the sound generating portion, and the other end arranged in a vicinity of an entrance of an ear canal of the listener, and configured to take in a sound generated in the sound generating portion from the one end and to propagate the sound to the other end
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided is a sound output device worn on an ear of a listener and used, and having listening characteristics of an ambient sound in a wearing state. A sound output device 100 includes a sound generating portion 110 that generates a sound, a sound guiding portion 120 that takes in the sound generated in the sound generating portion 110 from one end 121, and a holding portion 130 that holds the sound guiding portion 120 in the vicinity of the other end 122. The holding portion 130 is engaged with an intertragic notch, and supports the sound guiding portion 120 such that a sound output hole of the other end 122 of the sound guiding portion 120 to face a depth side of an ear canal. Even in a state where the listener wears the sound output device 100, the sound output device 100 does not block an ear cavity of the listener, and the listener can listen to the ambient sound.