[0001] The current invention relates to a sound emitting device of the kind which is arrangeable
at the ear of a user. The sound emitting device comprises an earpiece portion which
fits inside the ear canal of the user and which comprises an expandable portion which
upon expanding expands against the inside surface of the ear canal of the user. This
holds the device securely in the ear of the user and increases the amount of sound
that reaches the ear drum of the user. The sound emitting device further comprises
a compressible element which is filled with a fluid and which is connected to the
expand-able portion. When the compressible element is compressed, fluid is transferred
from the compressible element to the expandable portion causing the expandable portion
to expand.
Description of related art
[0002] Sound emitting devices of the kind referred to above have been disclosed in the patent
literature, but are not commonly available in the market. The devices of this type
can be used for many different purposes. One example of such a sound emitting device
is a hearing aid. Another example is an earphone for a portable music player. Another
example is a headset for a mobile phone.
[0003] US 4,133,984 and
US 4,834,211 disclose two different examples of sound emitting devices as mentioned in the opening
paragraph. Both documents primarily disclose hearing aids, but
US 4,133,984 also discloses the use of the sound emitting device as a headphone for an electronic
device.
[0004] The prior art discloses a number of different inflation mechanisms for inflating
the expandable portion of the earpiece. However, the disclosed mechanisms rely on
complicated hydraulic or pneumatic systems with integrated check valves, bladders,
on/off valves, etc. These mechanisms are therefore rather expensive and complicated
to manufacture resulting in high costs. In addition, they are rather difficult for
the user to operate since the user needs to manipulate small parts. Other systems
rely on external inflating aids which the user is required to carry around.
[0005] DE 10 2004 010 866 A1 describes an earpiece for a hearing aid. A balloon unit is placed in the ear canal
of a user around a tube which is connected to the hearing aid. The balloon unit is
connected via a second tube to a syringe so that fluid can be pressed in the balloon
unit.
Summary
[0006] A first aspect of the current invention is therefore to provide a sound emitting
device as mentioned in the opening paragraph which is easy to operate.
[0007] A second aspect of the current invention is to provide a sound emitting device as
mentioned in the opening paragraph which is simple to manufacture.
[0008] A third aspect of the current invention is to provide a sound emitting device as
mentioned in the opening paragraph which is robust.
[0009] These aspects are solved by a sound emitting device having the features of claim
1. Advantageous embodiments are described in the dependent claims.
[0010] A sound emitting device may comprise a compression mechanism for compressing the
compressible element and in that said compression mechanism is adjustable by the user
to adjust the amount which the compressible element is compressed. Since in this case,
it is a mechanical compression mechanism which compresses the compressible element,
the compressible element and expandable element can be made very simple. There is
no need for check valves, an/off valves, etc... In addition, since the user interacts
with a mechanical compression mechanism, it is easy for the user to adjust the device.
Furthermore, since the mechanism is comprised of simple mass produced components which
are easily and quickly assembled, the resulting device is robust and simple to manufacture.
[0011] In a preferred embodiment, the compression mechanism could comprise a displaceable
element which when displaced in a first direction compresses the compressible element.
In this way, the compression mechanism and the compressible element are two distinct
entities where the displaceable element of the compression mechanism is the interface
between the two.
[0012] In a preferred embodiment, the compressions mechanism can be designed in such a way
that when the user has finished adjusting the compression mechanism, the displaceable
element can be held in position via friction. In another embodiment, the displaceable
element can be held in place by a ratchet mechanism.
[0013] In order to make removal of the earpiece easier, the compression mechanism could
further comprise a quick release mechanism whereby the pressure applied by the compression
mechanism on the compressible element is quickly releasable. In this way, the expandable
element can quickly be changed from its expanded state to its retracted state.
[0014] In a preferred embodiment of the compression mechanism, it could comprise a wedge
mechanism. This allows the force applied by the user to be increased. Another way
of amplifying the force applied by the user is when the compression mechanism comprises
a screw mechanism. In another embodiment, the compression mechanism could comprise
a pivoting element. With the use of a pivoting element, the lever effect can be used
to amplify the force applied by the user. The compression mechanism could also comprise
a gear assembly. In this way, the force or the displacement can be multiplied.
[0015] In a preferred embodiment, the expandable portion and the compressible element could
be parts of a sealed system which is filled with a fluid. Due to the sealed nature
of the system, a simple and leak-proof system is provided. In a preferred embodiment,
the fluid is a liquid. In this way, the amount of compression of the compressible
element necessary is reduced since a liquid is not compressible.
[0016] As mentioned in the introduction, the sound emitting device according to the current
invention can be used for many purposes. One of those purposes is as a headset for
use with a mobile radio terminal, such as a mobile phone. In one particular embodiment
of such a device, the device could comprise means for communicating with a mobile
radio terminal. Such means could for example be a wireless system such as Blue-Tooth.
[0017] It should be emphasised that the term "comprises/comprising" when used in this specification
is taken to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps or components
but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers,
steps, components or groups thereof.
[0018] It should also be emphasised that the term "means for" when used in this specification
should be taken to include all the embodiments of means which would be suitable for
performing the specified function. This includes all the embodiments described in
this application, as well as those embodiments which would be obvious to the person
skilled in the art.
Brief description of the drawings
[0019] The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the example
embodiments shown in the figures.
Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of a sound emitting device
according to the current invention.
Figure 2 shows an exploded perspective view of the first embodiment.
Figure 3 shows a front view of the first embodiment.
Figure 4 shows a cross section view of the first embodiment, said cross section view
defined by the line IV-IV shown in figure 3.
Figure 5 shows a perspective view of a second embodiment of a sound emitting device
according to the current invention.
Figure 6 shows an exploded perspective view of the second embodiment.
Figure 7 shows a top view of the second embodiment.
Figure 8 shows a section view of the second embodiment, said section view being defined
by the line VIII-VIII shown in figure 7.
Figure 9 shows a perspective view of a third embodiment of a sound emitting device
according to the current invention.
Figure 10 shows a front view of the third embodiment.
Figure 11 shows a cross section view of the third embodiment, said cross section view
being defined by the line XI-XI shown in figure 10.
[0020] It should be noted that the embodiments shown in the figures are used as examples
only and should not limit the scope of the current invention. Furthermore, it should
be noted that the embodiments are shown schematically in order to simplify the description.
Details of the electronics have been neglected as the person skilled in the art of
mobile headsets will be able to fill in the missing details. Furthermore, the mechanical
details of the embodiments have also been simplified, since a person skilled in the
art of mechanisms, will be able to fill in the missing details.
Detailed Description of embodiments
[0021] Figures 1-4 show four different views of a first embodiment 1 of a sound emitting
device according to the current invention. The first embodiment 1 is used as a wireless
headset for use with a mobile telephone. The headset 1 comprises a housing 2,3 made
up of an outer half 2 and an inner half 3. The inner half of the housing 3 comprises
an earpiece portion 4 which can be placed inside the ear canal of a user (not shown).
The earpiece portion 4 is covered by an expandable element 5 which in this particular
example is a hollow sleeve made from an elastic material such as rubber. When fluid
is pumped into the hollow sleeve 5, it expands. When the earpiece is placed in the
ear canal of the user and the hollow sleeve is expanded, the material of the hollow
sleeve presses against the inside surface of the ear canal of the user. In this way,
the earpiece is held firmly in the ear of the user. Furthermore, the expandable element
adapts itself to the current user's ear canal. When the user wishes to remove the
headset from his or her ear, he or she removes fluid from the hollow sleeve 5 causing
the hollow sleeve to retract. Once the hollow sleeve is retracted, the user can easily
remove the headset from his or her ear.
[0022] In order to pump fluid into the expandable element 5, the headset 1 comprises a compressible
element 7 and a compression mechanism 6 for compressing the compressible element 7.
In this particular case, the compressible element 7 is comprised of a cylinder 8 and
a piston 9. The compression mechanism 6 comprises a displaceable element 10 with an
internal thread 11, a threaded rod 12, a first gear wheel 13, a second gear wheel
14, a shaft 15, and a disc 16. The shaft 15 is rotatably fixed in the housing 2,3.
The disc 16 and the second gear wheel 14 are rigidly and coaxially attached to the
shaft 15. The first gear wheel 13 is coaxially fixed to one end of the threaded rod
12. The shaft 15 and the threaded rod 12 are arranged in the housing such that the
second gear wheel 12 engages with the first gear wheel 13. Therefore, when the disc
16 is rotated by the user, the shaft and the second gear wheel 14 also rotate, which
in turn causes the threaded rod 12 to rotate.
[0023] The internal thread 11 of the displaceable element 10 is engaged coaxially with the
threaded rod 12. The displaceable element 10 is also rigidly connected to the piston
9 of the compressible element 7 and the piston 9 is prevented from rotating in the
cylinder 8. In this way, when the user rotates the disc 16, the rotation of the threaded
rod 12 causes the displaceable element 10 and the piston 9 to be displaced a linear
distance within the cylinder 8. This linear displacement causes the compressible element
7 to be compressed.
[0024] The compressible element 7 is connected to the hollow sleeve 5 via a channel 17 in
the cylinder wall 8. The compressible element 7 and the hollow sleeve 5 are furthermore
filled with a fluid. The fluid could be of many different types. One example is water.
Another example is oil. The fluid could also be a gas, for example air.
[0025] Due to the above described arrangement, when the disc 16 is rotated by the user in
a first direction, the compressible element 7 is compressed and fluid is forced from
the compressible element 7 to the hollow sleeve 5, thereby causing the hollow sleeve
5 to expand. When the disc 16 is rotated by the user in the opposite direction, the
compressible element 7 is caused to expand and fluid is sucked from the hollow sleeve
5 back into the compressible element 7, thereby causing the hollow sleeve to contract.
[0026] The outer half of the housing 2 is furthermore formed with a slot 18 through which
a portion of the disc 16 protrudes. The user can therefore very easily manipulate
the amount which the compressible element 7 is compressed, and therefore the amount
which the expandable element 5 is expanded, just by rotating the disc 16. Furthermore,
when the user stops activating the disc, the displaceable element 10 maintains its
position due to the friction in the screw mechanism.
[0027] Please note, that in the current embodiment, the fluid is arranged directly in the
cylinder 8. In another embodiment (not shown), a compressible bladder filled with
a fluid and connected to the hollow sleeve via a hose could be arranged in the cylinder.
When the piston is displaced towards the end of the cylinder, the bladder is compressed.
In this way, the risk of leaks is minimized. This also reduces the need for an effective
seal between the piston 9 and the cylinder 8.
[0028] It should also be noted that in the current embodiment, the first gear 13 is larger
than the second gear 14. This allows the force applied by the user to be multiplied.
However, in case that it is desired to decrease the amount of rotation necessary to
expand the expandable element, the first gear 13 could be made smaller than the second
gear 14. This will however increase the force necessary to rotate the disc.
[0029] Figures 5-8 show a second embodiment 20 of a sound emitting device according to the
current invention. As the first embodiment 1, the second embodiment is also a headset
20 for a mobile telephone.
[0030] The headset 20 comprises a housing 21,22 made up of an inner half 21 and an outer
half 22. The inner half 21 comprises an earpiece portion 23 which fits inside the
ear canal of a user. The earpiece portion 23 is covered by a hollow expandable sleeve
24. Inside the housing 21,22, a compressible bladder 25 is arranged between a first
surface 26 fixed to the outer half 22 of the housing and a surface of a pivotable
element 27. A handle 28 on the pivotable element 27 extends through a slot 29 in the
outer half 22 of the housing. The compressible bladder 25 is connected to the expandable
sleeve 24 via a tube 30. The compressible bladder 25, the tube 30, and the expandable
sleeve 24 form a sealed system filled with a fluid. Since the system is sealed, the
risk of leaks is significantly reduced.
[0031] When the handle 28 is displaced counter-clockwise (according to the orientation shown
in the figures), the bladder 25 is compressed by the pivotable element 27 and fluid
is forced into the expandable sleeve 24 causing it to expand. In this way the pivotable
element 27 and the first surface 26 form a sort of compression mechanism for compressing
the compressible element 25.
[0032] The pivotable element 27 is held in position by a ratchet mechanism (not shown).
The ratchet mechanism permits counter-clockwise motion but prevents clockwise motion.
When the user desires to release the pressure on the compressible bladder 25, the
user activates a quick release mechanism (not shown) which disengages the ratchet
mechanism and permits the pivotable element 26 to pivot clockwise.
[0033] The expandable sleeve 24 and the compressible bladder 25 are formed of an elastic
material such as rubber. When the expandable sleeve 24 is expanded, the material of
the sleeve 24 stretches. When the pressure applied to the compressible bladder 25
by the pivotable element 27 is released, the material of the sleeve 24 retracts, forcing
fluid from the expandable sleeve 24 back into the compressible bladder 25.
[0034] Figures 9-11 show a third embodiment 40 of a sound emitting device according to the
current invention. As was the case with the first two embodiments 1, 20, the third
embodiment 40 is also a headset 40 for use with a mobile telephone.
[0035] The headset 40 comprises a housing 41 with an earpiece 42 which fits inside the ear
canal of a user. The earpiece 42 is covered by an expandable sleeve 43. The expandable
sleeve 43 is connected via a hose 44 to a compressible bladder 45. The expandable
sleeve 43, hose 44, and compressible bladder 45 form a closed system which is filled
with a fluid. As with the previous embodiment, when the compressible bladder 45 is
compressed, the expandable sleeve 43 is expanded.
[0036] The housing 41 further comprises a slot 46 which is arranged on a surface 47 of the
housing 41 which is arranged at an angle to the inside surface 48 of the housing.
A slider 49 is arranged in the slot 46. When the slider 49 is slid along the slot
46, the slider also slides along a plate element 50 which is arranged in the housing
such that it can displace in a direction which is perpendicular to the inside surface
48. Due to the slope of the angled surface 47, when the slider 49 slides along the
slot 46, the plate element 50 is displaced towards the inside surface 48 of the housing.
The compressible bladder 45 is arranged between the plate element 50 and the inside
surface 48 of the housing. Therefore, when the slider 49 is displaced along the slot
46 in the direction towards the tip 51 of the housing, the compressible bladder 45
is compressed. The slider 49 and the slot 46 can be thought of as a sort of wedge
mechanism which acts as a compression mechanism to compress the compressible element
45.
[0037] The amount that the expandable element is expanded can therefore easily be adjusted
by the user, just by sliding the slider 49 back and forth along the slot 46. The position
of the slider 49 between adjustments by the user will be held in position by the friction
between the slider 49, the slot 46, and the plate element 50.
[0038] Please note that the above described embodiments have all made use of a hollow sleeve
which surrounds the entire earpiece portion. However, the expandable portion could
be formed in many different ways. For example, the expandable portion could be formed
as a number of expandable elements placed at different locations around the outer
surface of the earpiece.
[0039] Furthermore, the sound emitting devices as described above have been headsets which
are used together with a mobile radio terminal, such as a mobile telephone. However,
it should be obvious to the person skilled in the art that the current invention could
be applied to many other types of sound emitting devices for use with many other types
of electronic equipment. For example, portable music playing devices, such as an MP3
player could be imagined.
1. A sound emitting device (1;20;40) of the kind which is arrangeable at the ear of a
user, said sound emitting device comprising
a housing (2,3) comprising an earpiece portion (4;23;42) which fits inside the ear
canal of the user,
said earpiece portion comprising an expandable portion (5;24;43) which upon expanding
expands against the inside surface of the ear canal of the user, and
said sound emitting device further comprising
a compressible element (7;25;45) in said housing, which is filled with a fluid and
which is connected to said expandable portion whereby fluid is transferred to said
expandable portion causing it to expand upon compression of said compressible element,
and
a mechanical compression mechanism (6;26,27;46,49,50) comprising a displaceable element
(10;27;50) which when displaced in a first direction compresses said compressible
element (7;25;45), wherein
said mechanical compression mechanism is adjustable by the user to adjust the amount
which the compressible element is compressed and adapted to hold said displaceable
element (10;27;50) in position between adjustments.
2. A sound emitting device (1;20;40) according to claim 1, characterized in that said displaceable element (10;27;50) is held in position between adjustments via
friction.
3. A sound emitting device (20) according to claim 1, characterized in that said mechanical compression mechanism (26,27) comprises a ratchet mechanism for holding
said displaceable element (27) in position between adjustments.
4. A sound emitting device (20) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said compression mechanism (26, 27) further comprises a quick release mechanism whereby
said mechanical compression mechanism can quickly release the pressure on the compressible
element (25).
5. A sound emitting device (40) according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that said mechanical compression mechanism (46, 49, 50) comprises a wedge mechanism (46,
49).
6. A sound emitting device (1) according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that said mechanical compression mechanism (6) comprises a screw mechanism (10, 11, 12).
7. A sound emitting device (20) according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that said mechanical compression mechanism (26, 27, 28) comprises a pivoting element (27).
8. A sound emitting device (1;20;40) according to any one of claims 1-7, characterized in that said expandable portion (5;24;43) and said compressible element (7;25;45) are parts
of a sealed system which is filled with a fluid.
9. A sound emitting device (1;20;40) according to any one of claims 1-8, characterized in that said sound emitting device comprises means for communicating with a mobile radio
terminal.
1. Schallemissionseinrichtung (1; 20; 40) der Art, welche an dem Ohr eines Benutzers
angeordnet werden kann, wobei die Schallemissionseinrichtung umfasst
ein Gehäuse (2, 3), welches einen Ohrstück-Abschnitt (4; 23; 42) umfasst, welcher
in den Ohrkanal des Benutzers passt,
wobei der Ohrstück-Abschnitt einen ausdehnbaren Abschnitt (5; 24; 43) umfasst, welcher
sich bei einem Ausdehnen gegen die Innenfläche des Ohrkanals des Benutzers ausdehnt,
und
wobei die Schallemissionseinrichtung darüber hinaus umfasst
ein zusammendrückbares Element (7; 25; 45) in dem Gehäuse, welches mit einem Fluid
gefüllt ist und welches mit dem ausdehnbaren Abschnitt verbunden ist, wobei Fluid
zu dem ausdehnbaren Abschnitt transportiert wird, was bewirkt, dass er sich bei einem
Zusammendrücken des zusammendrückbaren Elements ausdehnt, und
einen mechanischen Kompressionsmechanismus (6; 26, 27; 46, 49, 50), welcher ein versetzbares
Element (10; 27; 50) umfasst, welches, wenn es in eine erste Richtung versetzt wird,
das zusammendrückbare Element (7; 25; 45) zusammendrückt,
wobei der mechanische Kompressionsmechanismus durch den Benutzer einstellbar ist,
um das Ausmaß einzustellen, mit welchem das zusammendrückbare Element zusammengedrückt
wird, und ausgestaltet ist, um das versetzbare Element (10; 27; 50) in Position zwischen
Einstellungen zu halten.
2. Schallemissionseinrichtung (1; 20; 40) nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das versetzbare Element (10; 27; 50) über Reibung in Position zwischen Einstellungen
gehalten wird.
3. Schallemissionseinrichtung (20) nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der mechanische Kompressionsmechanismus (26, 27) eine Sperrvorrichtung umfasst, um
das versetzbare Element (27) in Position zwischen Einstellungen zu halten.
4. Schallemissionseinrichtung (20) nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 3, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Kompressionsmechanismus (26, 27) darüber hinaus einen Schnelllösemechanismus
umfasst, wobei der mechanische Kompressionsmechanismus schnell den Druck auf das zusammendrückbare
Element (25) lösen kann.
5. Schallemissionseinrichtung (40) nach einem der Ansprüche 1-4, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der mechanische Kompressionsmechanismus (46, 49, 50) einen Keilmechanismus (46, 49)
umfasst.
6. Schallemissionseinrichtung (1) nach einem der Ansprüche 1-4, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der mechanische Kompressionsmechanismus (6) einen Schraubmechanismus (10, 11, 12)
umfasst.
7. Schallemissionseinrichtung (20) nach einem der Ansprüche 1-4, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der mechanische Kompressionsmechanismus (26, 27, 28) ein schwenkendes Element (27)
umfasst.
8. Schallemissionseinrichtung (1; 20; 40) nach einem der Ansprüche 1-7, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der ausdehnbare Abschnitt (5; 24; 43) und das zusammendrückbare Element (7; 25; 45)
Teile eines abgedichteten Systems sind, welches mit einem Fluid gefüllt ist.
9. Schallemissionseinrichtung (1; 20; 40) nach einem der Ansprüche 1-8, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Schallemissionseinrichtung Mittel umfasst, um mit einem Anschluss für Mobilfunk
zu kommunizieren.
1. Dispositif d'émission de son (1 ; 20 ; 40) du type qui peut être disposé sur l'oreille
d'un utilisateur, ledit dispositif d'émission de son comprenant :
un boîtier (2, 3) comprenant une partie d'écouteur (4 ; 23 ; 42) qui s'adapte à l'intérieur
du canal auditif de l'utilisateur,
ladite partie d'écouteur comprenant une partie expansible (5 ; 24 ; 43) qui, lors
de l'expansion, subit une expansion contre la surface intérieure du canal auditif
de l'utilisateur, et
ledit dispositif d'émission de son comprenant de plus :
un élément compressible (7 ; 25 ; 45) dans ledit boîtier, qui est rempli par un fluide
et qui est relié à ladite partie expansible, grâce à quoi un fluide est transféré
à ladite partie expansible, provoquant son expansion lors de la compression dudit
élément compressible, et
un mécanisme de compression mécanique (6 ; 26, 27 ; 46, 49, 50) comprenant un élément
pouvant être déplacé (10 ; 27 ; 50) qui, lorsqu'il est déplacé dans une première direction,
comprime ledit élément compressible (7 ; 25 ; 45), dans lequel :
ledit mécanisme de compression mécanique est réglable par l'utilisateur de façon à
régler l'ampleur dont l'élément compressible est comprimé, et est adapté de façon
à maintenir ledit élément pouvant être déplacé (10 ; 27 ; 50) en position entre des
réglages.
2. Dispositif d'émission de son (1 ; 20 ; 40) selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que ledit élément pouvant être déplacé (10 ; 27 ; 50) est maintenu en position entre
des réglages par frottement.
3. Dispositif d'émission de son (20) selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que ledit mécanisme de compression mécanique (26, 27) comprend un mécanisme de rochet
pour maintenir ledit élément pouvant être déplacé (27) en position entre des réglages.
4. Dispositif d'émission de son (20) selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 3,
caractérisé en ce que ledit mécanisme de compression (26, 27) comprend de plus un mécanisme de relâchement
rapide, grâce à quoi ledit mécanisme de compression mécanique peut relâcher rapidement
la pression sur l'élément compressible (25).
5. Dispositif d'émission de son (40) selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 4,
caractérisé en ce que ledit mécanisme de compression mécanique (46, 49, 50) comprend un mécanisme à coin
(46, 49).
6. Dispositif d'émission de son (1) selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 4,
caractérisé en ce que ledit mécanisme de compression mécanique (6) comprend un mécanisme à vis (10, 11,
12).
7. Dispositif d'émission de son (40) selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 4,
caractérisé en ce que ledit mécanisme de compression mécanique (26, 27, 28) comprend un élément pivotant
(27).
8. Dispositif d'émission de son (1 ; 20 ; 40) selon l'une quelconque des revendications
1 à 7, caractérisé en ce que ladite partie expansible (5 ; 24 ; 43) et ledit élément compressible (7 ; 25 ; 45)
sont des parties d'un système scellé de façon étanche qui est rempli par un fluide.
9. Dispositif d'émission de son (1 ; 20 ; 40) selon l'une quelconque des revendications
1 à 8, caractérisé en ce que ledit dispositif d'émission de son comprend des moyens pour communiquer avec un terminal
de radio mobile.