Outer-Ear Earbud Fit Using Fin and Sound Director
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional personal audio devices that are secured in the ear canal impair a user's ability to hear environmental sounds, posing safety risks and inconvenience, as they occlude the ear canal and limit interaction with the device.
Innovation Solution
A personal audio device design that secures in the outer ear using a fin and sound director, allowing audio to be directed into the ear canal without occluding it, enabling environmental sound awareness and safe use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the earbud is designed to fit tightly within the concha of the outer ear for secure placement and noise isolation, then the fit stability and noise isolation are improved, but the risk of impaction and discomfort increases
Solution Approach 1:
The earbud incorporates a compliant distal end portion that can dynamically adapt its shape and position within the concha. This dynamic compliance allows the earbud to maintain a secure fit while accommodating movements and pressure changes, reducing the risk of impaction and discomfort over time.
Solution Approach 2:
The distal end portion of the earbud is designed with flexible, compliant material that can deform and conform to the unique contours of the user's concha. This flexibility enables the earbud to achieve a customized fit without requiring excessive force, thereby improving fit stability while minimizing discomfort and impaction risk.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the distal end portion of the earbud is made compliant to reduce discomfort and impaction risk, then the comfort and safety are improved, but the structural support and stability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The earbud is divided into distinct functional segments: a proximal portion with rigid structural support for stability and connectivity, and a distal end portion with compliant material for comfort and safety. This segmentation allows each portion to be optimized independently, maintaining structural support while reducing discomfort and impaction risk.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the earbud have different material properties tailored to their specific functions. The proximal portion uses rigid materials for structural support, while the distal end portion uses compliant materials for comfort. This local differentiation of material quality ensures both structural integrity and user comfort without compromising either aspect.
Data Source
Figure 1-1~1-2
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
An electronic device for playing audio information to a user includes a body and an ear insert. The body has a speaker therein. The ear insert includes an integrated fin and sound director. The fin and sound director are oriented opposite one another at opposite ends of the ear insert in a longitudinal direction. The fin and sound director each project beyond the body in the longitudinal direction. The sound director is in audio communication with the speaker to direct sound from the speaker through and out of the sound director.