Segmented Ear Pad with Variable Firmness for Spectacle Sealing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing ear pads for headphones do not adequately adapt to individual user needs, particularly when wearing spectacles, leading to suboptimal sealing and discomfort during prolonged use.

Innovation Solution

The ear pad features a core layer with multiple portions of varying softness and firmness, including a softer portion for spectacles side arms and a harder portion beneath the ear, along with a carrier device and protective cover, to enhance sealing and comfort.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a uniform ear pad design is used, then manufacturing is simple, but sealing performance deteriorates when wearing spectacles

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveear pad manufacturing simplicityVSAvoidsealing performance with spectacles

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The ear pad is divided into different zones with varying material properties: a softer first portion for the spectacles side arm region and a firmer second portion for other areas. This local differentiation allows the ear pad to adapt to spectacles while maintaining structural integrity and sealing performance in different regions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The ear pad core layer is segmented into multiple portions with different softness levels. The first portion (softer) and second portion (firmer) are distinct segments that can independently respond to different pressing forces, enabling the ear pad to accommodate spectacles side arms while maintaining overall sealing effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If a softer ear pad material is used, then comfort during prolonged wear is improved, but sealing performance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelong-term wearing comfortVSAvoidsealing integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Different regions of the ear pad have different material softness: the first portion is softer to provide comfort during prolonged wear, while the second portion is firmer to maintain sealing integrity. This local quality differentiation resolves the contradiction between comfort and sealing performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The ear pad uses a composite structure with multiple material zones having different mechanical properties. The combination of softer and firmer portions creates a composite ear pad that simultaneously provides comfort and sealing, addressing both requirements that cannot be met by a single uniform material.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Reliability

If the ear pad is made uniformly firm, then sealing performance is maintained, but adaptability to individual user needs deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing performanceVSAvoidadaptability to individual needs

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The ear pad incorporates zones with different firmness levels to adapt to individual user needs. The softer first portion accommodates users wearing spectacles, while the firmer second portion provides adequate sealing for other users or situations, thereby enhancing overall adaptability while maintaining sealing performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS8638969B2Earphone, headset and ear pad

Publication Date: 2014.01.28 SENNHEISER ELECTRONICS GMBH & CO KG

AI summary

An earphone, a headset, and an ear pad for an earphone. The ear pad may having the sealing integrity guaranteed. The headset may have portions with different degrees of softness or firmness.