Retractable Headphone Connection Using Magnetic Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional head-mounted audio devices with adjustable supports suffer from structural wear due to friction-based positioning mechanisms, leading to reduced positioning ability and tactile feedback over time.

Innovation Solution

A retractable headphone connection structure utilizing magnetic attraction force to position supports, eliminating structural interference and wear by sliding magnetically attractive portions to generate a magnetic force for support positioning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If friction-based positioning mechanisms or elastic hook and recesses are used to adjust supports, then positioning function is achieved, but structural wear occurs leading to reduced positioning ability and tactile feedback

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning abilityVSAvoidservice life of positioning mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the traditional mechanical friction-based positioning system with a magnetic positioning system. Magnets are embedded in the support structures, creating magnetic attraction forces that provide positioning feedback without physical contact wear. This substitution of mechanical interaction with magnetic field interaction resolves the contradiction by maintaining reliable positioning while eliminating the wear that limits service life.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces magnetic fields as an intermediary between the support structures. Instead of direct mechanical contact between friction surfaces or elastic hooks, magnetic forces act as an intermediary force to achieve positioning. This intermediary magnetic field transmission eliminates direct structural interference and wear while maintaining the positioning function and tactile feedback.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple adjustments are made using friction-based mechanisms, then adaptability is improved, but wear between supports increases reducing positioning precision

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadjustability to different head shapesVSAvoidpositioning precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

By replacing the mechanical friction system with a magnetic system, the patent enables multiple adjustments without degradation of positioning precision. The magnetic attraction force between embedded magnets provides consistent positioning feedback regardless of the number of adjustments, while still allowing full adaptability to different user head shapes through the adjustable support mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

The magnetic attraction force effectively positions the supports without structural wear, maintaining tactile feedback and positioning ability even after multiple adjustments, thus addressing the limitations of traditional friction-based mechanisms.

Implementation Method 1

generate a magnetic attraction force between the second magnetically attractive portion and one of the first magnetically attractive portions that is opposite to the second magnetically attractive portion. The magnetic attraction force positions the first connection support and the second connection support.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic attraction force: Magnetism

Data Source

PatentUS12273676B2Retractable headphone connection structure and head-mounted audio device therewith

Publication Date: 2025.04.08 DARFON ELECTRONICS CORP

AI summary

A retractable headphone connection structure includes two connection supports which are slidably connected with each other in a sliding connection direction. One of the connection supports has a plurality of first magnetically attractive portions arranged at intervals along the sliding connection direction. The other of the connection supports has a second magnetically attractive portion. Therein, the two supports relatively slide to make the second magnetically attractive portion slide over the plurality of first magnetically attractive portions to generate a magnetic attraction force between the second magnetically attractive portion and one of the first magnetically attractive portions that is opposite to the second magnetically attractive portion. The magnetic attraction force positions the first connection support and the second connection support. A head-mounted audio device includes a headphone and the above retractable headphone connection structure. The headphone is disposed on one of the connection supports.