FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to an earphone.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] There is known an earphone that is equipped with an earflap or an external ear canal
(for example, see patent literature 1).
Also, there is known an earphone that includes a housing having a driving unit and
an acoustic tube provided so as to project from the front face of the housing. The
acoustic tube is arranged outside of the center position of the housing and an edge
portion of the acoustic tube is directed away from the center position of the housing.
The acoustic tube of the earphone is equipped with the ear of a user.
[0003]
(Patent literature 1) Japanese utility model publication H 01 - 137691
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
PROBLEMS SOLVED BY THE INVENTION
[0004] Generally, a shape of an earflap or an external ear canal varies with individual
users. According to the earphone described above, since the housing and the acoustic
tube are positionally fixed so as to provide a prescribed angle therebetween, some
users may have an uncomfortable feeling, for example, a feeling of pressure on their
ears when the earphone is equipped with the external ear canal.
Also, according to the earphone described above, sound leakage may be caused, for
example, by a portion not in close contact with the ear or a portion having little
contact pressure against the ear.
[0005] For example, if an earphone is configured such that an acoustic tube is angle-variable
with respect to an earphone body by using a joint part formed in a substantially spherical
shape as a connecting part connecting the acoustic tube to the earphone body, the
acoustic characteristic may be degraded when the angle is set significantly large.
In addition, according to the above earphone, a process of making a connecting part
with a substantially spherical shape is required.
[0006] It is an object of the present invention to solve the problem described above. That
is, an object of the present invention is to provide an earphone that creates a preferable
feeling when it is equipped with the ear, prevent sound leakage, generate a preferable
acoustic characteristic even when the relative angle between the speaker body part
and the acoustic tube is changed, provide an earphone having a comparatively simple
structure, etc.
MEANS FOR SOLVING THE PROBLEMS
[0007] To achieve the above objects, an earphone according to the present invention has
at least a configuration according to the following independent claim.
[0008] An earphone according to the present invention includes a speaker housing part that
incorporates a speaker body part and has an opening part through which a sound wave
from the speaker body part is emitted, an acoustic tube having a tubular shape and
an elastic earflap inserting body surrounding a part or whole of the acoustic tube
and the speaker housing part, and the earflap inserting body is formed bendably and
deformably in proximity of a connecting part connecting the earflap and the acoustic
tube.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009]
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an earphone 1 according to a first embodiment of the
present invention;
Fig. 2 is a front view (Fig. 2(A)) and a back view (Fig. 2(B)) of the earphone 1 according
to the first embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the earphone 1 shown in Fig. 1;
Fig. 4 is an exploded view of the earphone 1 shown in Fig. 3;
Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a speaker body part 3 incorporated in the earphone
1 shown in Fig. 3;
Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional perspective view illustrating an earflap inserting body
6 of the earphone 1 shown in Fig. 3;
Fig. 7 is a perspective view (Fig. 7(A)) and a cross-sectional view (Fig. 7(B)) illustrating
an earflap inserting body 6 of the earphone 1 shown in Fig. 3;
Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the earflap inserting body 6 and the acoustic tube
4 of the earphone 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the earphone 1 when the earflap inserting body and
the acoustic tube are connected;
Fig. 10 is a view illustrating an operation of the earphone 1 shown in Fig. 3;
Fig. 11 is a view illustrating an operation of the earphone 1 shown in Fig. 3;
Fig. 12 (A) is a view illustrating a state when the earphone 1 is equipped with and
Fig. 12(B) is a view illustrating another state when the earphone 1 is equipped with;
Fig. 13(A) is a view illustrating the state when the earphone 1 is equipped with and
Fig. 12(B) is a view indicative of names of respective earflap parts;
Fig. 14 is a side view of an earphone 1B according to a second embodiment of the present
invention;
Fig. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the earphone 1B shown in Fig. 14; and
Fig. 16 is a front view of an electronic device 100 equipped with the earphone shown
in Fig. 1.
BEST MODE OF THE INVENTION
[0010] An earphone according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a speaker
housing part that includes a speaker body part and an opening part through which a
sound wave from the speaker body part is emitted, an acoustic tube having a tubular
shape and an elastic earflap inserting body surrounding a part or whole of the acoustic
tube and the speaker housing part, earflap inserting body is formed bendably and deformably
in proximity of a connecting part connecting said earflap inserting body and said
acoustic tube.
[0011] For example, the earphone includes an earflap inserting body and an acoustic tube
through which a leading sound passage is formed. A sound wave output from a speaker
body part is emitted outside through the leading sound passage of the earflap inserting
body and the acoustic tube. The earflap inserting body of the earphone is formed with
an elastic body, flexible material, etc. The earflap inserting body is formed so as
to surround a part or whole of the acoustic tube and the speaker housing part. When
the earphone is equipped with the ear of a user, the earflap inserting body is bent
and deformed in proximity of a connecting part that is formed at the end portion thereof,
for example, in response to the shape of the ear of the user. Specifically, the earphone
is equipped with the ear of the user with the elastic earflap inserting body being
bent and deformed such that the acoustic tube and the speaker body part are in the
most suited angular position relationship in response to the shape of the ear of the
user. Therefore, it is possible to provide an earphone that creates a preferable "equipped
with feeling" for individual users.
[0012] Further, with the elastic earflap inserting body bent and deformed, the earphone
according to the present invention is equipped with the ear of the user at the most
suited angle of the axis of the acoustic tube with respect to the axis of the speaker
body part for individual users, and thus a comparatively large contact property is
created between the earphone and the ear. Therefore, sound leakage can be restrained
compared to a general earphone.
[0013] Further, according to the above earphone, with the elastic earflap inserting body
bent and deformed, a preferable acoustic characteristic can be generated even when
the angle between each of the axes of the speaker body part and the acoustic tube
is comparatively large.
Also, the above earphone can be easily manufactured with the earflap inserting body
that is formed, for example, with an elastic body (flexible material) such as resin
so as to surround a part or whole of the acoustic tube and the speaker housing part.
By assembling the earflap inserting body, the acoustic tube and the speaker housing
part, a bendable and deformable earphone having a simple structure can be provided.
Hereinafter, the earphone according to an embodiment of the present invention is described
with reference to the drawings.
[First embodiment]
[0014] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an earphone 1 according to a first embodiment of
the present invention. Fig. 2 is a front view (Fig. 2(A)) and a back view (Fig. 2(B))
of the earphone 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Fig.
3 is a cross-sectional view of the earphone 1 shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is an exploded
view of the earphone 1 shown in Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a speaker
body part 3 incorporated in the earphone 1 shown in Fig. 3. Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional
perspective view illustrating an earflap inserting body 6 of the earphone 1 shown
in Fig. 3. Fig. 7 is a perspective view (Fig. 7(A)) and a cross-sectional view (Fig.
7(B)) illustrating an earflap inserting body 6 of the earphone 1 shown in Fig. 3.
[0015] The earphone 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention is equipped with
the ear of a user and emits a sound wave when a speaker diaphragm vibrates in response
to a current signal input, for example, from a portable music player, etc. The earphone
1 is also referred to as a speaker device.
[0016] Specifically, as shown in Figs. 1-5, the earphone 1 ( speaker device ) includes,
a speaker housing part 2, a speaker body part 3, an acoustic tube 4, a filter (sound
absorption member) 5, an earflap inserting body 6 and an earplug ( earpiece ) 7.
The speaker housing part 2 corresponds to an embodiment of the speaker housing part
according to the present invention, and the speaker body part 3 corresponds to an
embodiment of the speaker body part according to the present invention. The acoustic
tube 4 corresponds to an embodiment of the acoustic tube according to the present
invention, and the earflap inserting body 6 corresponds to an embodiment of the earflap
inserting body according to the present invention. The earplug 7 corresponds to an
embodiment of the earplug according to the present invention.
Hereinafter, each component is described with reference to the drawings.
[Speaker housing part ( housing part ) 2]
[0017] The housing part 2 incorporates the speaker body part 3 and has an opening part 21
through which a sound wave from the speaker body part 3 is emitted. For example, the
housing part 2 is formed with a material such as ABS resin (Acrylonitrile Butadiene
Styrene : copolymerize synthetic resin), resin, etc. Alternatively, the housing part
2 may be formed with a conventional material such as thermoplastic resin, thermosetting
resin, etc.
The housing part 2 includes a receiving part 210 in which the speaker body part 3
is received. For example, the housing part 2 includes a first housing (housing front
part) 201 and a second housing (housing back part) 202. The speaker body part 3 is
received in the receiving part 210 while the first housing 201 and the second housing
202 are disassembled. After the speaker body part 3 is received in the receiving part
210, the first housing 201 and the second housing 202 are joined by a joining process
such as adhesive joining, joining by ultrasonic welding, etc.
Also, the receiving part 210 may receive the speaker body part 3 in whole or in part.
As long as the receiving part 210 is formed in a shape so as to be mounted on the
housing part 2, the receiving part 210 may be available. Specifically, the receiving
part 210 may cover the front face of the housing part 2 (side face on the side of
the acoustic tube 4), while it may fit in an engaging part formed at the front face
of the housing part 2. For example, the engaging part includes an engaging part formed
at the periphery side face of the housing part 2, which is referred to below. As shown
in Fig. 3, the housing part 2 includes a pullout hole formed at the side face or the
bottom part for a speaker code 301 pulled out of the speaker body part 3 to pass through.
Also, as shown in Figs 1 and 2, the speaker housing part 2 includes a cord holding
part 310 having a tubular shape in the lower side of the speaker housing part 2. The
speaker code 301 is electrically connected to an external reproducing device, for
example, such as a portable music player through the cord holding part 310.
[0018] As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the speaker housing part 2 is formed such that a bottom
face part 2021 is inclined toward the acoustic tube 4 with respect to the center axis
P3 of the speaker body part 3.
With the bottom face part 2021 of the speaker housing part 2 formed inclined with
respect to the center axis P3 of the speaker body part 3, the user can easily equip
the external ear canal with the earphone 1, for example, by pressing with a finger
the bottom face part 2021 in a direction orthogonal to the face the bottom face part.
[0019] Also, as shown in Fig. 3, the speaker housing part 2 includes a through hole 2017
formed at the first housing 201, communicating a space formed between the speaker
housing part 2 and the speaker body part 3 with outside. The through hole 2017 is
formed on the opposite side of the opening part 21 with respect to the center position
of the speaker housing part 2.
[Speaker body part 3]
[0020] The speaker body part 3 emits a sound wave in response to a current signal input
from the speaker code 301. A known speaker device such as an electromagnetic type
speaker, dynamic speaker, electro static type speaker, piezoelectric type speaker,
etc. can be adopted as the speaker body part 3. The speaker body part 3 according
to this embodiment adopts a dynamic speaker.
[0021] The speaker body part 3 includes a magnetic circuit 31 and a vibrating body 32, for
example, as shown in Fig. 5.
The magnetic circuit 31 can adopt an internal magnet type circuit, outer magnet type
circuit, etc. The magnetic circuit according to this embodiment adopts the internal
magnet type circuit.
[0022] The magnetic circuit 31 includes a yoke 311, a magnet 312 and a plate 313.
For example, the yoke 311 is formed with iron, magnetic material (ferromagnetic body
included), metal material, etc. The cross-sectional shape in a radial direction of
the yoke 311 is formed substantially in U-shape.
The magnet 312 is formed in a tabular shape and is arranged on the yoke 311. For example,
a permanent magnet such as neodymium-system magnet, samarium-cobalt magnet, alnico
magnet, rare earth-system magnet, ferrite-system magnet, etc. can be adopted as the
magnet 312. Further, the magnet 312 is magnetized in the axis ( P3 ) direction (acoustic
wave emitting direction SD).
The plate 313 is formed in a tabular shape and is arranged on the magnet 312. For
example, the plate 313 is formed with iron, magnetic material (ferromagnetic body
included), metal material, etc.
The above magnetic circuit 312 includes a magnetic gap MG formed between the plate
313 and the yoke 311.
[0023] The vibrating body 32 includes a voice coil 321, a voice coil supporting part 322,
a diaphragm 323 and an edge 324.
The voice coil 321 is connected to the diaphragm 323 directly or via the voice coil
supporting part 322, and is arranged in the magnetic gap MG, vibratably in the axis
direction. The diaphragm 323 is formed in a dome shape, planar shape, cone shape,
etc. The voice coil 321 is connected to the diaphragm 323. The diaphragm 323 according
to this embodiment is formed in a dome shape. The edge 324 is annularly formed and
the inner periphery part is connected to the diaphragm 323 while the outer periphery
part is connected to the speaker housing part 2 (second housing 202).
[0024] In the speaker body part 3 described above, when a current signal is input to the
voice coil 321, an electromagnetic force is generated in the voice coil 321 in response
to the current signal and the voice coil 321 vibrates in the axis direction, and thus
the diaphragm 323 vibrates and outputs a sound wave in an acoustic wave emitting direction
SD.
[Acoustic tube 4]
[0025] As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the acoustic tube 4 is formed in a tubular shape, and
is formed with a material with comparatively large rigidity, for example, such as
ABS resin, etc.
Specifically, the acoustic tube 4 has substantially the same rigidity as the speaker
housing part 2, and has comparatively large rigidity compared to the earflap inserting
body 6. That is, the acoustic tube 4 has rigidity with respect to a first elastic
part 601 and a second elastic part 602 of an earflap inserting body 6 referred to
below.
The acoustic tube 4 is formed substantially in a tubular shape, and one end part is
connected to the earflap inserting body 6 while another end part is connected to the
earplug 7. For example, the acoustic tube 4 according to this embodiment is detachably
connected to the earflap inserting body 6.
[0026] Specifically as shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the acoustic tube 4 includes a tubular part
41, a first connecting part 42 and a second connecting part 43.
The tubular part 41 includes the flange shaped first connecting part 42 formed at
one end part (earflap inserting body side), while it includes the flange shaped second
connecting part 43 formed at another end part (earplug side).
[0027] In the acoustic tube 4, the opposite end part of the acoustic wave emitting side
(first connecting part 42 ) fits in a connecting part 61 of the earflap inserting
body 6. The connecting part 61 includes an annular concave portion formed in the inner
face side, and the opposite end part in the acoustic wave emitting direction of the
acoustic tube 4 (first connecting part 42) is inserted in the concave portion described
above. The acoustic tube 4 is has a concave cross-sectional shape with both end parts
projecting outward, and the end part of the earplug 7 contacting with the acoustic
tube 4 is inserted between both end parts of the acoustic tube 4.
The acoustic tube 4 extends out of line with respect to the center axis P3 of the
speaker body part 3 as shown in Fig. 3.
[Filter (sound absorption member) 5]
[0028] For example, the filter (sound absorption member) 5 is provided at the opening part
of one end part of the acoustic tube 4. As shown in Fig. 3, the filter 5 is arranged
at the front face of the acoustic tube 4. For example, even when a sound wave with
the acoustic characteristic having a comparatively large sound pressure is output
from the speaker body part 3 in the high frequency range, the earphone 1 can reduce
the sound pressure in the high frequency range with the filter 5 provided at the acoustic
tube 4, and thus a substantially flat frequency characteristic is generated from the
low frequency range to the mid frequency range and from the mid frequency range to
the high frequency range. For example, the filter 5 may be a sheet-shaped member including
fibers, unwoven fabric, woven fabric etc. The filter 5 is not restricted to the embodiments
described above. For example, the filter 5 may be arranged at both end parts of the
acoustic tube 4 or at either one of the end parts.
[Earflap inserting body 6]
[0029] The earflap inserting body 6 is formed with an elastic body and is formed so as to
surround a part or whole of the acoustic tube 4 and the housing part 2 as shown in
Fig. 3. A flexible material, for example, resin such as silicon rubber, etc. may be
adopted as the elastic body. For example, the earflap inserting body 6 according to
this embodiment is formed so as to cover the speaker housing part 2 as shown in Fig.
3. In addition, the earflap inserting body 6 is formed bendably in proximity of the
connecting part 61 connecting the earflap inserting body and the acoustic tube 4.
[0030] The earflap inserting body 6 includes the first elastic part 601 and the second elastic
part 602. In the earflap inserting body 6 according to this embodiment, the first
elastic part 601 and the second elastic part 602 are integrally formed. In the earflap
inserting body 6, the connecting part 61 connecting the earflap inserting body and
the acoustic tube 4 is formed with the first elastic part 601.
[0031] The first elastic part 601 is formed with a material having comparatively large rigidity.
The second elastic part 602 is formed with a material having smaller rigidity than
the first elastic part 601. The second elastic part 602 is formed at a part of earflap
inserting body 6 near the connecting part 61, and is located in the side of the speaker
housing part 2 with reference to the connecting part 61 as a boundary. The second
elastic part 602 in proximity of the connecting part 61 with the acoustic tube 4 can
be effectively bendable by reducing rigidity thereof.
[0032] Specifically, the degree of hardness of the first elastic part 601 is preferably
about 60° to 80° to prevent accidental disengagement of the acoustic tube 4 and the
most suited degree of hardness should be 70°. The degree of hardness of the second
elastic part 602 is preferably adjusted about 20° to 40° to make the connecting part
61 bendable and deformable such that the acoustic tube and the speaker body part are
in the most suited angular position relationship in response to the shape of the ear
of the user and the most suited degree of hardness should be 30°. For example, the
above degree of hardness may be measured by a hardness meter stipulated in JIS K 6253
type A. For example, the first elastic part 601 can be formed with silicon rubber
with 70° as the degree of hardness while the second elastic part 602 can be formed
with silicon rubber with 30° as the degree of hardness.
[0033] For example, the first elastic part 601 and the second elastic part 602 can be formed
by the double mold method (double color molding process). The double mold method is
a method of integral molding combining different materials inside dies.
The method of manufacturing the earflap inserting body 6 should not be restricted
to the embodiments described above. For example, the earflap inserting body 6 may
be formed by joining the first elastic part 601 and the second elastic part 602 with
adhesive, etc. or by integral molding method such as inner molding method, etc.
[0034] The earflap inserting body 6 includes the connecting part 61, a receiving part 62,
a leading sound hole part 65, an earflap contacting part 66 and a vent hole 67 as
shown in Figs. 3, 4, 6 and 7.
The connecting part 61 is formed at one end part (acoustic tube 4 side) of the earflap
inserting body 6 to detachably connect with the acoustic tube 4. For example, the
connecting part 61 is formed in a shape corresponding to the shape of the tubular
part 41 and the first connecting part 42. More specifically, the cross-sectional shape
of the connecting part 61 is formed substantially in C-shape so as to engage with
the flange-shaped first connecting part 42 of the acoustic tube 4 and connect with
the acoustic tube 4. Since the connecting part 61 is formed with an elastic body with
comparatively high rigidity (first elastic part 601), the connecting part 61 can securely
connect with the acoustic tube 4, thereby preventing accidental disengagement of the
acoustic tube 4. Further, the connecting part 61 includes a leading sound hole part
formed in the axis direction.
[0035] Further, the earflap inserting body 6 is formed such that the connecting part 61
and the speaker housing part 2 are spaced apart by a specified distance L600 or more,
and a bending part 600 in proximity of the connecting part 61 is bendable and deformable.
[0036] The receiving part 62 receives the speaker housing part 2. The receiving part 62
is formed with the second elastic part 602 in a shape corresponding to the shape of
the speaker housing part 2. More specifically, the cross-sectional shape of the receiving
part 62 is formed substantially in C-shape. Also, the receiving part 62 includes an
engaging part 621 at the end part of the receiving part 62. The engaging part 621
projects toward the inside of the receiving part 62. The engaging part 621 engaging
with an engaging step counterpart 2025 as an engaging counterpart of the speaker housing
part 2 can securely receive the speaker housing part 2.
[0037] The cord holding part 310 is provided at the periphery side face of the speaker housing
part 2 where the engaging counterpart is formed. Particularly, with the cord holding
part 310 provided at the periphery side face of the speaker housing part 2, the width
(length) in the thickness direction of the earphone 1 can be comparatively small,
and thereby saving a space in a user's bag, etc. carrying the earphone 1 (space saving).
[0038] Since the cord holding part 310 is provided at the engaging counterpart of the speaker
housing part 2, a notch portion 62A is formed at the engaging part 621 of the receiving
part 62 corresponding to the shape of the cord holding part 310. The cord holding
part is arranged inside the notch portion 62A such that the receiving part 62, in
other words, the earflap inserting body 6 can be engaged to the speaker housing part
2.
[0039] By the way, there is a case that the speaker body part 3 in the earphone 1 is formed
comparatively large with respect to the earplug 7 in order to comparatively make sound
pressure of the earphone 1 large. In this case, the speaker housing part 2 receiving
the speaker body part 3 is equipped with the earflap while the speaker housing part
2 extends from the external ear canal ( H71 ; Fig. 13 (B) ) to the earflap. Specifically,
the speaker housing part 2 is inserted in a gap between a tragus (H72 ; Fig. 13(B)),
an antitragus (H74 ; Fig. 13(B)) and an anthelix (H5 ; Fig. 13(B)), while the speaker
housing part 2 is fixed to an ear contacting with the antitragus and the anthelix.
When the earphone is equipped with the ear as described above, the speaker housing
part 2 projects from the external ear canal largely, and thus it is likely to contact
with an external thing, which may cause the earphone 1 to come off the ear of the
user. Particularly, an external force may be applied to the speaker housing part 2
via the code leader 301 provided at the speaker housing part 2, and thereby the earphone
1 may come off the ear of the user.
[0040] It is possible that the earphone 1 is prevented from coming off the ear of the user
and contacting with the external thing by comparatively the small length of the speaker
housing part 2 in the center axis direction and the speaker housing part 2 arranged
closer to the side of the external ear canal. Also, the code leader 301 may be provided
at the side face of the speaker housing part 2 in order to make the length of the
speaker body part 3 comparatively small. Although the code leader 301 is provided
at the side face of the speaker housing part 2, the speaker housing part 2 is fixed
to the ear of the user while the speaker housing part 2 is arranged closer to the
external ear canal, thus the earphone 1 may be prevented from coming off from the
ear of the user even when an external force is applied to the speaker housing part
2 via the code leader 301.
[0041] Also, when the earflap inserting body 6 is engaged with the speaker housing part
2, for example, the earphone 1 is housed in a storage case such as a bag, the earflap
inserting body 6 and the speaker housing part 2 may be disengaged due to an external
force applied to the earflap inserting body 6 and the speaker housing part 2.
[0042] Also, when the earphone 1 is equipped with the ear of the user, the speaker housing
part 2 may come off the ear of the user, in condition that the earflap inserting body
6 is equipped with the ear of the user, due to an external force, which is caused
by the code leader 301 being pulled and applied to the earflap inserting body 6 and
the speaker housing part 2.
[0043] Further, as the outer shape of the speaker housing part 2 becomes large, the earflap
inserting body 6 surrounding the speaker housing part 2 contacts more area of the
ear of the user. When the earflap inserting body 6 has more area contacting with the
ear of the user, friction force generated between the ear of the user and the earflap
inserting body 6 is increased as the user attaches or detaches the earphone 1, thereby
the earflap inserting body 6 may easily come off the speaker housing part 2.
[0044] In order to keep a preferable engagement between the earflap inserting body 6 and
the speaker housing part 2, the engaging part 621 is formed with a third elastic part
603 with rigidity higher than the second elastic part 602 such that the earflap inserting
body 6 is engaged with the speaker housing part 2 as shown in Fig. 6 and Fig. 7. By
the engaging part 621 formed with the third elastic part 603, the earflap inserting
body 6 may be prevented from coming off the speaker housing part 2.
[0045] The third elastic part 603 may be formed with the similar material as the first elastic
part. Any elastic material may be used for the third elastic part as long as the elastic
material has rigidity with respect to the second elastic part.
[0046] The degree of hardness of the third elastic part 603 is preferably adjusted about
10° to 40° so as to construct a preferable engagement between the speaker housing
part 2 and the earflap inserting body 6, and the most suited degree of hardness may
be 20°. For example, the above degree of hardness may be measured by a hardness meter
of JIS K 6253 type A. For example, the first elastic part 601 may be formed with silicon
rubber with 70° hardness, the second elastic part 602 may be formed with silicon rubber
with 30° hardness and the third elastic part may has 20° hardness.
[0047] The third elastic part 603 may be formed in the similar manner as the first elastic
part 601 and the second elastic part 602. For example, the third elastic part may
be formed by the double mold method (double color molding method). The double mold
method is a method of integral molding combining different materials in a die.
[0048] The method of manufacturing the earflap inserting body 6 is not limited to the above
embodiment. For example, the earflap inserting body 6 may be formed by joining the
second elastic part 602 and the third elastic part 603 with adhesive, etc. or by a
method of integral molding such as a method of inner molding, etc.
[0049] The leading sound hole part 65 is formed inside the earflap inserting body 6. More
specifically, the leading sound hole part 65 is formed between the connecting part
61 and the receiving part 62 such that the leading sound hole part 65 is communicated
with an acoustic tube 4 and the opening part of the speaker housing part. Also, the
leading sound hole part 65 is formed in a direction along the center axis of the acoustic
tube 4 and is formed in a direction out of line with respect to the center axis of
the speaker body part 3.
The earflap contacting part 66 includes a planar shape surrounding the leading sound
hole part 65 and a shape extending in a direction out of line with respect to the
center axis P4 of the acoustic tube 4. The earflap contacting part 66 is formed between
the acoustic tube 4 and the speaker housing part 2. Also, the earflap contacting part
66 is formed in a shape inclined toward the speaker housing part. Specifically, the
earflap contacting part 66 includes a projection part 661 projecting along an axis
P66 that is arranged substantially in parallel with face of the bottom face part 2021
of the speaker housing part 2. The projection part 661 obliquely projects toward the
speaker housing part 2.
That is, the speaker housing part 2 or the bottom face part 2021 is formed so as to
be substantially in parallel with the earflap contacting part 66.
[0050] The earflap contacting part 66 is deformed according to the shape of the earflap
of the user and tightly contacts the earflap when the earphone 1 is equipped with
the ear of the user. As such, occurrence of leak of sound, etc. can be prevented.
Further, with the projecting part 661 of the earflap contacting part 66 has a shape
extending in a direction out of line with respect to the center axis P4 of the acoustic
tube 4, the earphone 1 may be prevented from coming off the ear of the user.
[0051] In the earphone 1, a plurality of the earflap inserting bodies 6 including earflap
contacting parts 66 that are different in shape and size may be provided such that
a user can freely change to a desired earflap inserting body 6 that fits in the shape
of the ear of the user.
[0052] A vent hole 67 is formed such that a vent hole is communicated with a through-hole
2017 formed at the speaker housing part 2. With the through-hole 2017 communicated
with the vent hole 67, the earphone 1 can prevent a plurality of sound waves from
interfering (resonating) with each other between the speaker diaphragm and the speaker
housing part 2 when the speaker is driven. Also, a rise in the sound pressure level
between about 20 Hz to 500 Hz can be prevented. Therefore, so-called muffled sound
can be reduced.
[0053] Also, in the external ear canal of the user an external sound wave is shut out by
the earflap inserting body 6, particularly the earflap contacting part 66. Thus, it
is prevented that the user hardly listens to a desirable sound by a sound wave emitting
from the through-hole 2017 via the vent hole 67, even though the vent hole 67 communicated
with the through-hole 2017 is formed at the earflap inserting body 6.
[0054] In the above earflap inserting body 6, the connecting part 61 is formed with the
first elastic part 601 having comparatively high rigidity, thus the acoustic tube
4 is prevented from being collapse even when the bending part 600 of the earflap inserting
body 6 (second elastic part 602) is bent, and thus the earphone 1 can emit a sound
wave with a preferable acoustic characteristic.
Also, in the earflap inserting body 6, the connecting part 61 is formed with the first
elastic part 601 with relatively high rigidity, thereby the acoustic tube 4 can be
securely fixed to the earflap inserting body 6. The other parts (bending part 600,
etc.) are formed with the second elastic part 602 having comparatively low rigidity,
thereby the direction of the acoustic tube 4 can be changed comparatively freely.
[Earplug 7]
[0055] The earplug (earpiece) 7 is inserted into the external ear canal of the external
ear of the user. The earplug 7 is attached to the end part of the acoustic tube 4
in the acoustic wave emitting side and is provided with a tubular part 71 communicated
with the acoustic tube 4, and an outer periphery part 72 is formed elastically deformable
as shown in Fig. 1. The earplug 7 and the acoustic tube 4 are formed as separable
members from each other. For example, the earplug 7 is formed with a soft material
such as silicon rubber.
Specifically, the tubular part 71 is formed such that the inner diameter of the inner
periphery end part (end part in the acoustic wave emitting side) is larger than the
inner diameter of the acoustic tube 4. According to the configuration of the earplug
7 communicated with the acoustic tube 4, the internal configuration is formed in a
horn shape, and thus acoustic characteristic is improved.
[0056] In the above earphone 1, a sound wave outputted from the speaker body part 2 is emitted
from the opening part 21 of the speaker housing part 2. Then, the sound wave passes
through the earflap inserting body 6 and the leading sound passage of the acoustic
tube 4 and is emitted outside from the opening part of the earplug 7 via a filter
5 as shown in Fig. 3.
[0057] Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the earflap inserting body 6 and the acoustic tube
4 of the earphone 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Fig.
9 is a perspective view of the earphone 1 when the earflap inserting body and the
acoustic tube are connected.
With reference to Figs. 8 and 9, a process of attaching the acoustic tube 4 to the
earflap inserting body 6 of the earphone 1 is described.
[0058] As shown in Figs. 8 and 9, the acoustic tube 4 is attached to the earflap inserting
body 6 by pressing the acoustic tube 4 toward the earflap inserting body 6 in the
axial direction (direction of center axis P4 of acoustic tube 4) such that the acoustic
tube 4 is fitted to the connecting part 61 of earflap inserting body 6 as an elastic
body.
The acoustic tube 4 is removed from the earflap inserting body 6 with the acoustic
tube 4 pressed toward the opposite side of the earflap inserting body 6 in the axial
direction.
[0059] Figs. 10 and 11 are views illustrating an operation of the earphone 1 shown in Fig.
3.
As shown in Figs. 10 and 3, initially, the acoustic tube 4 is formed such that the
axis P4 has a prescribed angle θ1 with respect to the center axis P3 of the speaker
housing part 2 (speaker body part 3). When the earphone 1 is equipped with the ear
of the user, the center axis P4' of the acoustic tube 4 can be shifted within angle
θ2 from the initial position in response to bending of the bending part 600 in proximity
of the connecting part 61 of the earflap inserting body 6 as shown in Fig. 10. For
example, the angle θ2 is about 80 ° toward the center axis P3 and about 30 ° in the
opposite direction. Further, according to the present embodiment, for example, the
angle θ2 is about 10° with respect to the initial center axis P4. Further, in the
acoustic tube 4, the center axis P4' can be shifted by about 10 ° in a direction perpendicular
to the plane including the initial center axis P4 and the center axis P3.
[0060] The earflap contacting part 66 is formed around the leading sound hole part 4, the
earflap contacting part 66 moves along with the leading sound hole part 4 in accordance
with the movement of the earplug 7, as shown in Fig. 11. As such, when the earplug
7 falls in a direction intersecting the center axis P3 of the speaker housing part
2, the projecting part 661 of the earflap contacting part 66 rises along the center
axis P3. On the contrary, when the earplug 7 rises along the center axis P3, the projecting
part 661 falls in a direction intersecting the center axis P3.
[0061] Figs. 12 and 13 are views illustrating various ways the earphone 1 is equipped with
the ear of the user.
As shown in Figs. 12(A) and 12(B), when the earphone 1 is equipped with the external
ear canal H71 of the user H, the earflap inserting body 6 is bent and deformed in
response to the shape of the external ear canal H71, and thereby the earphone 1 and
the external ear canal H71 tightly contact each other. Further, when the earphone
1 is equipped, the earflap contacting part 66 of the earflap inserting body 6 contacts
the earflap H70 and deforms, thereby high contact property is obtained. In this way,
the earphone 1 is equipped with the ear of the user with comparatively high contact
property, and thus sound leakage can be prevented.
[0062] Also, in the earphone 1 including the above earflap inserting body 6, the connecting
part 61 detachably connected to the acoustic tube is formed with the first elastic
part 601 with comparatively high rigidity, thereby the leading sound passage of the
earflap inserting body 6 cannot be collapse even when the relative angle between the
speaker body part and the acoustic tube is changed, and thus preferable acoustic characteristic
can be obtained with the secured leading sound passage.
[0063] Further, as shown in Fig. 13(A), the speaker housing part 2 is arranged outside the
external ear canal H71 in the side of the concha of ear H73, and a part of the acoustic
tube 4 is bent and deformed with respect to the speaker housing part 2 while the earplug
7 is inserted into the external ear canal H71, and a part of the earflap contacting
part 66 contacts with the concha of ear H73 and a part of the receiving part 62 contacts
with tragus H72, and thereby the external ear canal H71 can be sealed against outside
(see Fig. 13(B) for terms of each part of the earflap H70).
[0064] As described above, the earflap contacting part 66 being formed around the leading
sound hole part 4, the earflap contacting part 66 moves along with the leading sound
hole part 4 in accordance with the movement of the earplug 7 (see Fig. 11). Therefore,
when the earplug 7 is inserted into the external ear canal H71, the earplug 7 is bent
with respect to the speaker housing part 2 following to the external ear canal H71
of the user. At the same time the earflap contacting part 66 also moves in the similar
direction to the direction that earplug 7 is bent, and thus the external ear canal
H71 can be preferably sealed.
Specifically, when the earplug 7 is inserted into the external ear canal H71, the
earflap contacting part 66 moves in the direction the earplug 7 is bent such that
a part of the concha of ear H73 contacts with the projecting part 661 of the earflap
contacting part 66. In addition, the receiving part 62 of the earflap inserting body
6 contacts with a part of the tragus H72, and thus the external ear canal H71 can
be preferably sealed by the projecting part 661 of the earflap contacting part 66
and the receiving part 62.
Also, since the bottom face part 2021 of the speaker housing part 2 is formed substantially
in parallel with the projecting part 661 of the earflap contacting part 66, the user
can press the bottom face part 2021 such that the projecting part 661 of the earflap
contacting part 66 contacts with the concha of ear H73, and thus the external ear
canal H71 can be preferably sealed against outside.
[Second embodiment]
[0065] Fig. 14 is a side view of an earphone 1B according to a second embodiment of the
present invention. Fig. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the earphone 1B shown in Fig.
14. The same configuration as the first embodiment is not described.
[0066] An earphone 1B according to the second embodiment of the present invention includes
a speaker housing part 2B, a speaker body part 3, an acoustic tube 4, an earflap inserting
body 6B and an earplug 7 as shown in Figs. 14 and 15.
The earphone 1B according to this embodiment is formed such that an angle θ1 between
the center axis P3 of the speaker housing part 2B (speaker body part 3) and the center
axis P4 of the acoustic tube 4 is formed small compared to the first embodiment.
Further in the earphone 1B according to this embodiment, since the acoustic tube 4
and the earflap inserting body 6B are mold formed, the acoustic tube 4 cannot be detached
from the earflap inserting body 6B. Specifically, the earflap inserting body 6B is
mold formed fitted to the acoustic tube 4.
Further, the engaging part 68 of the earflap inserting body 6B formed at the end part
in the side opposing to the connecting part of the acoustic tube 4 is engaged with
the engaging counterpart 2015 of the speaker housing part 2B, and thus the earflap
inserting body 6B is connected to the speaker housing part 2B.
[0067] In the above earphone 1B, the earflap inserting body 6B as the elastic body is formed
bendable and deformable in proximity of the connecting part connecting with the acoustic
tube 4 and the earflap inserting body 6B, thereby the acoustic tube 4 is bendably
deformable with respect to the speaker body part 3, and thus the earphone 1B can include
comparatively high contact property, which enables prevention of sound leakage.
[0068] As described above, an earphone according to the present invention includes a speaker
housing part 2B that incorporates a speaker body part 3 and has an opening part 21
through which a sound wave from the speaker body part 3 is emitted, the acoustic tube
4 having a tubular shape and an earflap inserting body 6 as the elastic body surrounding
a part or whole of the acoustic tube 4 and the speaker housing part 2B, and the earflap
inserting body 6 is formed bendable and deformable in proximity of a connecting part
61 with the acoustic tube 4. Therefore, when the earphone is equipped with the ear
of the user, the earphone can exert a preferable equipped with feeling.
[0069] Specifically, when the earphone 1B is equipped with the ear of the user, the earflap
inserting body 6 is bent and deformed in proximity of the connecting part formed at
the edge part of the earflap inserting body 6, for example in response to the shape
of the ear of the user, and thus the earphone 1 can be equipped with the ear of the
user such that the acoustic tube 4 and the speaker body part 3 are in the most suited
angular position relationship in response to the shape of the ear of the user. Therefore,
an earphone, which can exert a preferable equipped with feeling for each user, can
be provided.
[0070] Also, the earphone 1 is equipped with the ear of the user such that the angle of
the axis of the acoustic tube with respect to the axis of the speaker body part is
adapted to be most suited for each user due to bending and deforming of the earflap
inserting body 6 as the elastic body. Thus, the comparatively tight contact property
between the earphone and the ear can be provided and enables prevention of sound leakage
compared to a general earphone. Also, the earphone 1 can provide preferable acoustic
characteristic even when the earflap inserting body 6 is bent.
[0071] Also, in the earflap inserting body 6 of the earphone 1, the connecting part 61 is
formed with the first elastic part 601. A part of the earflap inserting body 6 in
the side of the speaker housing part 2 with reference to the connecting part 61 as
a boundary is formed with the second elastic part 602. The engaging part 621 formed
at the receiving part 62 is formed with the third elastic part 603, and the first
elastic part 601 and the third elastic part 603 have comparatively high rigidity while
the second elastic part 602 has comparatively low rigidity. Therefore the direction
of the acoustic tube 4 connected to the connecting part 61 and the direction of the
earplug 7 attached to the acoustic tube can be freely changed with respect to the
speaker housing part 2 that is received in the receiving part 62. And, it is possible
to stiffly engage the speaker housing part 2 in the receiving part 62.
[0072] Also, when the earphone 1 is equipped with the ear of the user, the angle of the
earplug 7 is changed due to the insertion of the earplug 7 into the external ear canal
H71, thereby in the earflap inserting body 6 the projecting part 661 of the earflap
contacting part 66 contacts with the concha of ear H73.Thus, the external ear canal
H71 can preferably sealed against outside by the earflap inserting body 6. In this
way, sound leakage can be prevented while preventing ambient noise from entering the
external ear canal H71.
[0073] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. For example,
each example of the embodiments may be combined. For example, a planar part of the
speaker housing part 2B may be formed to be substantially in parallel with the earflap
contacting part of the earflap inserting body 6B.
The speaker housing part 2 or the speaker body part 3 are not limited to the embodiments
described above. Also, the shape of the earflap inserting body 6 is not limited to
the embodiments described above.
[0074] Further, for example, the earphone 1 may be applied to an electronic device such
as a portable audio player, portable video player, etc. Fig. 16 shows a portable audio
player 100 and earphone 1 as an electronic device. The portable audio player 100 includes
a case of portable type 101 formed with resin member or metal member, various operation
switches 103 provided on a front face 102 of the case of portable type 101 and a display
104. Also, the portable audio player 100 includes a connector 115 on a bottom face
107. The connector electrically connects a signal generating device in the electronic
device 100 and a signal processing device in other electronic device.
The earphone 1 is attached to the electronic device 100 as an accessory component.
The earphone 1 includes a remote controller part 151, an earphone part 152, a plug
part 153 and a cord part 154. The remote controller part 151 is constructed such that
the remote controller part can remote control the electronic device 100 via the cord
part 154 with the miniature switch, the miniature monitor, etc. For example, the remote
controller part 151 is constructed to enable volume control, balance control of the
right and left earphone parts 152, selection and change of a displayed content of
a screen, a program or a game by external operation. Also, these controls can be performed
by using the operation switches 103 provided on the front face 102. Further, the earphone
part 152 is constructed to convert to a sound wave a voice signal received via the
cord 154 and output the sound wave.
Although embodiments of the present invention are described in detail with reference
to the drawings, specific configurations are not limited to these embodiments, and
any modifications without departing from the scope of the present invention are included
in the present invention. Further, the technology of each embodiment described above
can be used by each other, unless specific contradictions or problems are found in
their objects, the configurations, etc. This application claims the benefit of
PCT/JP2007/067517, filed September 7, 2007, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference.
1. An earphone, comprising:
a speaker housing part that includes a speaker body part and an opening part through
which a sound wave from said speaker body part is emitted;
an acoustic tube having a tubular shape; and
an elastic earflap inserting body surrounding a part or whole of said acoustic tube
and said speaker housing part, wherein
said earflap inserting body is formed bendably and deformably in proximity of a connecting
part connecting said earflap inserting body and said acoustic tube.
2. The earphone according to claim 1, wherein
said acoustic tube and said earflap inserting body are formed as members separable
from each other, and
said earflap inserting body includes a connecting part connecting with said acoustic
tube and a receiving part receiving said speaker housing part, and
said connecting part is formed with a first elastic part, and
a part of said earflap inserting body in proximity of said connecting part is formed
with a second elastic part, wherein
said part of earflap inserting body is arranged in the side of said speaker housing
part with reference to said connecting part as a boundary , and rigidity of said second
elastic part is smaller than that of said first elastic part.
3. The earphone according to claim 2, wherein
said acoustic tube has rigidity with respect to said first elastic part and said second
elastic part.
4. The earphone according to claim 3, wherein
said earflap inserting body includes a leading sound hole part arranged between said
connecting part and said receiving part, and communicating with said acoustic tube
and said opening part of said speaker housing part, and
an earflap contacting part having a planar shape surrounding said leading sound hole
part.
5. The earphone according to claim 4, wherein
said leading sound hole part is formed in a center axis of said acoustic tube and
is formed out of line with respect to said center axis of said speaker body part,
and
said earflap contacting part extends out of line with respect to said center axis
of said acoustic tube.
6. The earphone according to claim 5, wherein
said earflap contacting part includes a projecting part, wherein
said projecting part projects in a direction that is out of line with respect to said
center axis of said acoustic tube and is inclined to the side of said speaker housing
part.
7. The earphone according to claim 6, wherein
said receiving part of said earflap inserting body includes an engaging part engaging
with an engaging counterpart formed at said outer periphery side face of said speaker
housing part.
8. The earphone according to claim 7, wherein
said engaging part of said receiving part has an inwardly projecting shape, and
said engaging counterpart of said speaker housing part is formed as a step part, and
said engaging part of said receiving part fits in said engaging counterpart of said
speaker housing part.
9. The earphone according to claim 8, wherein
said engaging counterpart of said speaker housing part includes a cord holding part,
and
said engaging part of said receiving part includes a notch portion and one end part
of said cord holding part is arranged inside said notch portion.
10. The earphone according to claim 9, wherein
said engaging part of said receiving part is formed with a third elastic part with
rigidity larger than said second elastic part.
11. The earphone according to claim 10, comprising an earplug connected to said end part
in the acoustic wave emitting side of said acoustic tube, wherein
said acoustic tube formed in a tubular shape has rigidity, and
said earplug and said acoustic tube are formed as members separable from each other,
and
said end part opposite to the acoustic wave emitting side of said acoustic tube fits
in said connecting part of said earflap inserting body.
12. The earphone according to claim 11, wherein
said connecting part of said earflap inserting body includes an annular concave portion
formed at the inner side face, and
said end part opposite to the acoustic wave emitting side of said acoustic tube is
inserted into said concave portion.
13. The earphone according to claim 12, wherein
said acoustic tube has a concave cross-sectional shape with both end parts of said
acoustic tube projecting outside, and
said end part of said earplug contacting with said acoustic tube is inserted between
both end parts of said acoustic tube.
14. The earphone according to claim 13, wherein
said speaker housing part includes a through hole communicating a space formed between
said speaker housing part and said speaker body part with outside, and
said through hole is formed in the side opposite to the side of said opening part
with respect to said center position of said speaker housing part.
15. The earphone according to claim 14, wherein
a filter is provided at said end part of said acoustic tube in said acoustic wave
emitting side.
16. The earphone according to claim 15, wherein
said earplug is provided at said end part of said acoustic tube in the acoustic wave
emitting side, and
said speaker housing part is arranged outside an external ear canal in the side of
a concha of ear, and
a part of said acoustic tube is bent and deformed with respect to said speaker housing
part such that said earplug is inserted into said external ear canal, and
a part of said earflap contacting part contacts with said concha of ear, and
a part of said receiving part contacts with said tragus such that said external ear
canal is sealed against outside.
17. The earphone according to claim 16, wherein
said speaker housing part is formed such that said bottom face part is inclined toward
a side of said acoustic tube with respect to said center axis of said speaker body
part.
18. The earphone according to claim 17, wherein
said speaker housing part is formed such that said bottom face part is substantially
in parallel with said earflap contacting part.
19. An electronic device comprising said earphone according to claim 1.