EP3909255B1 - Ear support for carrying an audio device behind the auricle - Google Patents

Ear support for carrying an audio device behind the auricle Download PDF

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Publication number
EP3909255B1
EP3909255B1 EP19832162.2A EP19832162A EP3909255B1 EP 3909255 B1 EP3909255 B1 EP 3909255B1 EP 19832162 A EP19832162 A EP 19832162A EP 3909255 B1 EP3909255 B1 EP 3909255B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
branch
arm
ear
audio device
auricle
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EP19832162.2A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP3909255A1 (en
Inventor
Benoît VAN LANDEGHEM
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Individual
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    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R1/00—Details of transducers, loudspeakers or microphones
    • H04R1/10—Earpieces; Attachments therefor ; Earphones; Monophonic headphones
    • H04R1/105—Earpiece supports, e.g. ear hooks
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R1/00—Details of transducers, loudspeakers or microphones
    • H04R1/10—Earpieces; Attachments therefor ; Earphones; Monophonic headphones
    • H04R1/1058—Manufacture or assembly
    • H04R1/1066—Constructional aspects of the interconnection between earpiece and earpiece support
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R2201/00—Details of transducers, loudspeakers or microphones covered by H04R1/00 but not provided for in any of its subgroups
    • H04R2201/10—Details of earpieces, attachments therefor, earphones or monophonic headphones covered by H04R1/10 but not provided for in any of its subgroups
    • H04R2201/107—Monophonic and stereophonic headphones with microphone for two-way hands free communication
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R2460/00—Details of hearing devices, i.e. of ear- or headphones covered by H04R1/10 or H04R5/033 but not provided for in any of their subgroups, or of hearing aids covered by H04R25/00 but not provided for in any of its subgroups
    • H04R2460/13—Hearing devices using bone conduction transducers

Definitions

  • the field of the invention is that of ear supports designed to carry an electronic device behind the auricle.
  • the invention relates more particularly to an ear support designed to carry an electronic device behind the pinna of the ear and which comprises a branch with a central portion of the branch substantially in the form of a hook for hooking the retro-auricular groove between the ear and the skull, and a first rectilinear and rigid branch end extending said central part of the branch to form one end of the branch and to carry the electronic device against the internal face of the pinna of the ear.
  • Some of these supports also make it possible to carry the transducer against the internal face of the auricle so as to cause the auricle to vibrate in the same way as a loudspeaker causing its membrane to vibrate.
  • the vibration of the pavilion then propagates through the auditory canal to be transformed into an audio signal in the middle and inner ear.
  • the straight branch part is here extended by a hook-shaped branch part able to follow the contour of the ear, following the retro-auricular groove, to emerge near the root of the helix on the external face of the ear. ear pavilion.
  • the hooking of the outline of the ear by the hook-shaped branch part thus makes it possible to orient and carry the transducer against the inner face of the auricle so as to transmit vibrations to the auricle.
  • the surface of the pinna on which the transducer makes contact is not flat and varies according to the morphology of the users' ears.
  • the transducer thus tends to wobble during the user's head movements, sometimes causing the audio device to fall.
  • the transducer becomes awkward during prolonged use.
  • the document JP2019125904A describes an ear support designed to carry an electronic device behind the pinna of the ear, said support comprising a branch with a central part of the branch substantially in the form of a hook for hooking the retro-auricular groove between the ear and the skull.
  • the document FR2907303 A1 describes an ear support for holding a hearing aid in the ear canal, comprising a second branch end extending the central part and extending obliquely with respect to a plane in which the leg central part extends, the second leg end and said leg central part together forming a helical leg section.
  • the object of the invention is therefore to remedy the aforementioned problems.
  • the subject of the invention is an ear support designed to carry an audio device behind the auricle, said support comprising a branch with a central part of the branch substantially in the form of a hook for hooking the retro-auricular groove between the ear and the skull, and a first rectilinear and rigid end of the branch which extends from the said central part of the branch to form an end of the branch and which is designed to carry the audio device behind the pinna of the ear, characterized in that the branch comprises an elastically deformable and S-shaped second branch end which is adapted to be fixed to the external face of the auricle, said second branch end extending from said central branch part to form a end of the branch and extending obliquely with respect to a plane in which the central part of the branch extends, and in that the said second end d
  • the branch and said central part of the branch substantially form with each other a helical branch section.
  • the basic idea of the invention consists in using the second end of the elastically deformable branch having an S-shape to pinch the helix and to fit under compression into one or more excavations of the external face of the pavilion. of the ear.
  • the first leg end Through elastic deformation of the first S-shaped leg end, the first leg end exerts a force back on the audio device to press it against the inner surface of the auricle.
  • the transmission of vibrations to the auricle is thus improved and resistance to tearing increased.
  • the auricular support according to the invention is also little intrusive in the external face of the pavilion of the ear since the second end of the S-shaped branch is able to be inserted into one of the excavations of the external pavilion of the ear such as the triangular pit, the Scapha cavity and the Concha cavity.
  • the ear support according to the invention is advantageously arranged so as not to obstruct the user's auditory canal, making the user more alert to surrounding noises while guaranteeing optimal use of the audio device.
  • the ear support is adaptable to any type of ear morphology and is equally adaptable to the left ear as to the right ear.
  • the invention also extends to an electronic device comprising an audio device and/or a microphone attached to an ear support according to the invention.
  • the audio device may include a transducer with a surface in the shape of a half-sphere intended to be in contact with the ear.
  • the ear support 1 is particularly well suited for carrying an electronic device 2 such as an audio device, for example of the transducer 2a and/or microphone 2b type, behind the ear 4.
  • an electronic device 2 such as an audio device, for example of the transducer 2a and/or microphone 2b type, behind the ear 4.
  • the ear support 1, represented on the figures 1 to 6 is in the form of a branch comprising a first end 5 of a substantially straight and rigid branch which is designed to carry the electronic device 2, for example by means of clipping means, magnetization or simply by gluing.
  • a fixing rail 6, visible in figure 6 is also mounted on the branch, on the first end 5 of the branch, to allow adjustment of the position of the transducer 2a along the first end 5 of the branch.
  • the first end 5 of the branch can also comprise a ball joint 7 for fixing designed to tilt the electronic device 2 with respect to the first end 5 of the branch.
  • the transducer 2a can be oriented to adapt to the different morphologies of the ears 4 of the users.
  • the first branch end 5 may also incorporate a battery 8 capable of powering the electronic device 2 and thus limit wired connections.
  • Battery 8 can also be used to power other elements that can be integrated into the ear support, such as a Bluetooth and/or wifi module, LEDs, etc.
  • a wire attachment system 12 disposed at the first end 5 of the branch and operating by magnetic effect will be preferred so to limit the risk of stretching or tearing of the ear 4.
  • the arm of the ear support 1 also comprises a central part of the arm 9, represented on all of the figures 1 to 6 , extending substantially in a plane P and in the extension of the first end 5 of the branch.
  • the central portion 9 of the branch here has a curved hook shape to form a sort of arc or vault.
  • the central portion 9 of the branch is designed to hook the retro-auricular groove between the ear and the skull and to direct the first end 5 of the branch behind the ear, on the inside of the pavilion.
  • the electronic device 2 is pressed against the internal face of the auricle 4.
  • the central part 9 of the branch is here made of two materials, that is to say that it has on the one hand a rigid portion PR which extends the first end 5 of the branch so as to transmit a force to the first end 5 branch to press the electronic device 2 against the pavilion and on the other hand a flexible portion PS, here in plastic PU8150, which extends the rigid portion PR to form the end of the hook to soften the contact with the ear 4.
  • the ear support 1 finally comprises a second end 10 of an elastically deformable branch, as shown in the figures 1 to 6 , designed to fix the auricular support 1 on the external face of the auricle 4.
  • the second branch end 10 has an S-shape and extends in the extension of the central part 9 of the branch and obliquely with respect to the plane P of the central part 9 of the branch.
  • the helical branch section PH is capable of overlapping the helix 4a of the pinna of the ear 4 which acts as a pivot point PP, as shown in the figure 2 And 5 .
  • the overlap allows on the one hand to pinch the helix 4a between the central part 9 of branch and the second end 10 of branch, and on the other hand to present a downstream portion PA of the second end 10 of branch which follows the section spiral branch PH on the external surface of the auricle 4.
  • the downstream portion PA of the second end 10 of the branch extends in a curved manner in contrast to the helical section PH of the branch so as to be able to be inserted into one of the excavations on the external face of the pavilion, such as the triangular pit 4b , the Scapha 4c cavity and the Concha 4d cavity, visible on the figure 2 And 5 .
  • the downstream portion PA of the second end 10 of the branch which extends the helical section PH of the branch can be widened in order to best fit the triangular pit 4b which adjoins the root of the helix 4a to then refine towards its free end and facilitate its insertion into one of the Scapha 4c or Concha 4d cavities.
  • the second branch end 10 may also have a globally ovoid shape and a soft texture in order to improve user comfort.
  • the second end 10 of the branch can have two different arrangements which can be chosen according to the morphology of the ear 4 of the user.
  • the second end 10 of the branch substantially overlaps the central part 9 of the branch, which facilitates its elastic deformation for insertion into the Scapha cavity 4c, visible in picture 2 .
  • the second branch end 10 does not overlap the central part 9 of branch which facilitates its elastic deformation for insertion into the Concha cavity 4d, visible in figure 5 .
  • the ear support 1 therefore acts here as a spring, whether with the helical branch section PH or the downstream portion PA, and allows the electronic device 2 to be tensioned against the back of the ear 4.
  • the auricular support 1 therefore makes it possible to transmit a force from the external face of the auricle 4 to the internal face of the auricle 4.
  • the spring effect of the second end 10 of the branch comes from the elastic properties of the material used, here chosen according to the PU8400 shore A 85 standard.
  • the invention also extends to an audio device 11 which comprises a transducer 2a and a microphone 2b mounted with an ear support 1 according to the invention as shown in the picture 3 .
  • transducer 2a makes it possible to transmit an audio signal by vibration against the internal face of the pavilion of the ear 4.
  • the location of the transducer 2a for optimum vibration transmission is in a hollow of the pavilion, called point 0, on the inner face of the pavilion of the ear and which is opposite the root of the helix.
  • the transducer 2a of the audio device 11 represented on the figure 6 preferably has a surface of contact with the ear 4 in the shape of a half-sphere, on the one hand to better fit into the hollow of the point 0 and on the other hand to increase the surface of contact with the pinna.
  • the electronic device 2 can be wedged and pressed into the hollow of point 0.
  • the fixing rail 6 will also make it possible to position the electronic device 2 at the level of the point 0 according to the morphology of the ear 4 of the user.
  • the user initially places the central part 9 of the branch on the retro-auricular groove so as to orient the first end 5 of the branch behind the pinna of the ear 4 , then, elastically deforms the helical section PH of the branch to make it overlap the helix 4a and to insert the downstream portion PA of the second end 10 of the branch into one of the excavations of the external face of the pavilion of the ear 4, here for example the Scapha 4c cavity as represented on the figure 2 .
  • the pressure exerted by the second end 10 of the branch makes it possible to push the transducer 2a back against the point 0 of the internal face of the pavilion of the ear 4, stabilizing both the transducer 2a and the microphone 2b.

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  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Otolaryngology (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Acoustics & Sound (AREA)
  • Signal Processing (AREA)
  • Headphones And Earphones (AREA)

Description

Domaine techniqueTechnical area

Le domaine de l'invention est celui des supports auriculaires conçus pour porter un appareil électronique derrière le pavillon de l'oreille.The field of the invention is that of ear supports designed to carry an electronic device behind the auricle.

L'invention concerne plus particulièrement un support auriculaire conçu pour porter un appareil électronique derrière le pavillon de l'oreille et qui comprend une branche avec une partie centrale de branche sensiblement en forme de crochet pour crocheter le sillon retro-auriculaire entre l'oreille et le crâne, et une première extrémité de branche rectiligne et rigide prolongeant ladite partie centrale de branche pour former une extrémité de la branche et pour porter l'appareil électronique contre la face interne le pavillon de l'oreille.The invention relates more particularly to an ear support designed to carry an electronic device behind the pinna of the ear and which comprises a branch with a central portion of the branch substantially in the form of a hook for hooking the retro-auricular groove between the ear and the skull, and a first rectilinear and rigid branch end extending said central part of the branch to form one end of the branch and to carry the electronic device against the internal face of the pinna of the ear.

Technique antérieurePrior technique

Il existe aujourd'hui de nombreux supports auriculaires conçus pour porter des appareils électroniques de type transducteur audio derrière le pavillon de l'oreille.There are many ear mounts today designed to carry audio transducer type electronic devices behind the auricle.

Certains de ces supports permettent également de porter le transducteur contre la face interne du pavillon de l'oreille de sorte à faire vibrer le pavillon de l'oreille à la même manière d'un haut parleur faisant vibrer sa membrane.Some of these supports also make it possible to carry the transducer against the internal face of the auricle so as to cause the auricle to vibrate in the same way as a loudspeaker causing its membrane to vibrate.

La vibration du pavillon se propage ensuite par le conduit auditif pour être transformer en signal audio dans l'oreille moyenne et interne.The vibration of the pavilion then propagates through the auditory canal to be transformed into an audio signal in the middle and inner ear.

Le document US2002/0039427 décrit à ce propos un dispositif électronique comprenant un support auriculaire formé d'une branche comprenant une partie de branche rectiligne et rigide sur laquelle est fixé un transducteur audio.The document US2002/0039427 describes in this respect an electronic device comprising an ear support formed of a branch comprising a rectilinear and rigid branch part on which an audio transducer is fixed.

La partie de branche rectiligne est ici prolongée par une partie de branche en forme de crochet apte à épouser le contour de l'oreille, en suivant le sillon retro-auriculaire, pour déboucher à proximité de la racine de l'hélix en face externe du pavillon de l'oreille.The straight branch part is here extended by a hook-shaped branch part able to follow the contour of the ear, following the retro-auricular groove, to emerge near the root of the helix on the external face of the ear. ear pavilion.

Le crochetage du contour de l'oreille par la partie de branche en forme de crochet permet ainsi d'orienter et de porter le transducteur contre la face interne du pavillon de l'oreille de sorte à transmettre des vibrations au pavillon de l'oreille.The hooking of the outline of the ear by the hook-shaped branch part thus makes it possible to orient and carry the transducer against the inner face of the auricle so as to transmit vibrations to the auricle.

Cependant, la surface du pavillon sur laquelle le transducteur fait contact n'est pas plane et varie selon la morphologie des oreilles des utilisateurs.However, the surface of the pinna on which the transducer makes contact is not flat and varies according to the morphology of the users' ears.

Le transducteur a ainsi tendance à balloter pendant les mouvements de tête de l'utilisateur jusqu'à provoquer parfois une chute du dispositif audio.The transducer thus tends to wobble during the user's head movements, sometimes causing the audio device to fall.

On comprendra également que la réduction de la surface de contact entre le transducteur et le pavillon de l'oreille diminue la qualité de la transmission des vibrations.It will also be understood that the reduction of the contact surface between the transducer and the pinna of the ear decreases the quality of the transmission of the vibrations.

Aussi, si la taille du transducteur a été ici augmentée de manière à couvrir un maximum de surface de la face interne du pavillon, le transducteur devient gênant lors d'une utilisation prolongée.Also, if the size of the transducer has here been increased so as to cover a maximum surface of the internal face of the horn, the transducer becomes awkward during prolonged use.

Le document JP2019125904 A décrit un support auriculaire conçu pour porter un appareil électronique derrière le pavillon de l'oreille, ledit support comprenant une branche avec une partie centrale de branche sensiblement en forme de crochet pour crocheter le sillon retro-auriculaire entre l'oreille et le crâne. Le document FR2907303 A1 décrit un support auriculaire pour maintenir un appareil auditif dans le conduit auditif, comprenant une seconde extrémité de branche prolongeant la partie centrale et s'étendant de manière oblique par rapport à un plan dans lequel s'étend la partie centrale de branche, la seconde extrémité de branche et ladite partie centrale de branche formant l'une avec l'autre une section hélicoïdale de branche.The document JP2019125904A describes an ear support designed to carry an electronic device behind the pinna of the ear, said support comprising a branch with a central part of the branch substantially in the form of a hook for hooking the retro-auricular groove between the ear and the skull. The document FR2907303 A1 describes an ear support for holding a hearing aid in the ear canal, comprising a second branch end extending the central part and extending obliquely with respect to a plane in which the leg central part extends, the second leg end and said leg central part together forming a helical leg section.

Le but de l'invention est donc de remédier aux problèmes précités.The object of the invention is therefore to remedy the aforementioned problems.

Résumé de l'inventionSummary of the invention

A cet effet, l'invention a pour objet un support auriculaire conçu pour porter un appareil audio derrière le pavillon de l'oreille, ledit support comprenant une branche avec une partie centrale de branche sensiblement en forme de crochet pour crocheter le sillon retro-auriculaire entre l'oreille et le crâne, et une première extrémité de branche rectiligne et rigide qui prolonge de ladite partie centrale de branche pour former une extrémité de la branche et qui est conçue pour porter l'appareil audio derrière le pavillon de l'oreille, caractérisé en ce que la branche comprend une seconde extrémité de branche élastiquement déformable et en forme en S qui est adaptée pour être fixée à la face externe du pavillon de l'oreille, ladite seconde extrémité de branche prolongeant ladite partie centrale de branche pour former une extrémité de la branche et s'étendant de manière oblique par rapport à un plan dans lequel s'étend la partie centrale de branche, et en ce que ladite seconde extrémité de branche et ladite partie centrale de branche forment sensiblement l'une avec l'autre une section hélicoïdale de branche.To this end, the subject of the invention is an ear support designed to carry an audio device behind the auricle, said support comprising a branch with a central part of the branch substantially in the form of a hook for hooking the retro-auricular groove between the ear and the skull, and a first rectilinear and rigid end of the branch which extends from the said central part of the branch to form an end of the branch and which is designed to carry the audio device behind the pinna of the ear, characterized in that the branch comprises an elastically deformable and S-shaped second branch end which is adapted to be fixed to the external face of the auricle, said second branch end extending from said central branch part to form a end of the branch and extending obliquely with respect to a plane in which the central part of the branch extends, and in that the said second end d The branch and said central part of the branch substantially form with each other a helical branch section.

L'idée à la base de l'invention consiste à utiliser la seconde extrémité de branche élastiquement déformable présentant une forme en S pour venir pincer l'hélix et pour venir s'insérer en compression dans une ou plusieurs excavations de la face externe du pavillon de l'oreille.The basic idea of the invention consists in using the second end of the elastically deformable branch having an S-shape to pinch the helix and to fit under compression into one or more excavations of the external face of the pavilion. of the ear.

Grâce à la déformation élastique de la première extrémité de branche en S, la première extrémité de branche exerce en retour une force sur l'appareil audio pour le plaquer contre la face interne du pavillon de l'oreille.Through elastic deformation of the first S-shaped leg end, the first leg end exerts a force back on the audio device to press it against the inner surface of the auricle.

La transmission des vibrations au pavillon de l'oreille est ainsi améliorée et la résistance à l'arrachement augmentée.The transmission of vibrations to the auricle is thus improved and resistance to tearing increased.

Le support auriculaire selon l'invention est également peu intrusif dans la face externe du pavillon de l'oreille puisque la seconde extrémité de branche en forme de S est apte à être insérée dans l'une des excavations du pavillon externe de l'oreille telles que la fosse triangulaire, la cavité Scapha et la cavité Concha.The auricular support according to the invention is also little intrusive in the external face of the pavilion of the ear since the second end of the S-shaped branch is able to be inserted into one of the excavations of the external pavilion of the ear such as the triangular pit, the Scapha cavity and the Concha cavity.

Ainsi, le support auriculaire selon l'invention est avantageusement agencé pour ne pas obstruer le canal auditif de l'utilisateur, rendant l'utilisateur plus alerte sur les bruits environnants tout en garantissant une utilisation optimale de l'appareil audio.Thus, the ear support according to the invention is advantageously arranged so as not to obstruct the user's auditory canal, making the user more alert to surrounding noises while guaranteeing optimal use of the audio device.

Grâce à l'élasticité et à la forme en S de la seconde extrémité de branche, le support auriculaire est adaptable à tout type de morphologie d'oreille et est également adaptable à l'oreille gauche comme à l'oreille droite.Thanks to the elasticity and the S-shape of the second branch end, the ear support is adaptable to any type of ear morphology and is equally adaptable to the left ear as to the right ear.

Le support auriculaire selon l'invention peut également présenter les particularités suivantes :

  • la seconde extrémité de branche chevauche la partie centrale de branche ;
  • la branche comprend un rail de fixation conçu pour déplacer longitudinalement l'appareil audio le long de la première extrémité de branche ;
  • la branche comprend une rotule de fixation conçue pour incliner l'appareil audio sur la première extrémité de branche ;
  • la branche comprend un câble d'alimentation à connexion magnétique pour alimenter l'appareil audio;
  • la première extrémité de branche comprend une batterie apte à alimenter l'appareil audio.
The ear support according to the invention can also have the following particularities:
  • the second branch end overlaps the central branch portion;
  • the branch includes a mounting rail configured to longitudinally move the audio device along the first branch end;
  • the branch includes a mounting ball designed to tilt the audio device on the first branch end;
  • the branch includes a power cable to magnetic connection to power the audio device;
  • the first branch end comprises a battery capable of powering the audio device.

L'invention s'étend également à un dispositif électronique comprenant un appareil audio et/ou un microphone fixé à un support auriculaire selon l'invention. L'appareil audio pourra comprendre un transducteur avec une surface en forme de demi-sphère destinée à être en contact avec l'oreille.The invention also extends to an electronic device comprising an audio device and/or a microphone attached to an ear support according to the invention. The audio device may include a transducer with a surface in the shape of a half-sphere intended to be in contact with the ear.

Présentation sommaire des dessinsBrief presentation of the drawings

La présente invention sera mieux comprise et d'autres avantages apparaîtront à la lecture de la description détaillée de modes de réalisation pris à titre d'exemples nullement limitatifs et illustrés par les dessins annexés, dans lesquels :

  • la figure 1 est une représentation schématique d'un support auriculaire selon l'invention adapté pour être fixé dans la cavité Scapha de l'oreille;
  • la figure 2 est une représentation schématique d'un support auriculaire selon l'invention fixé dans la cavité Scapha en face externe du pavillon d'une oreille ;
  • la figure 3 est une représentation schématique d'un dispositif électronique selon l'invention comprenant un transducteur, un microphone et un support auriculaire ;
  • la figure 4 est une représentation schématique d'un support auriculaire selon l'invention adapté pour être fixé dans la cavité Concha de l'oreille ;
  • la figure 5 est une représentation schématique d'un support auriculaire selon l'invention fixé dans la cavité Concha en face externe du pavillon d'une oreille ;
  • la figure 6 est une représentation schématique d'un dispositif électronique selon l'invention comprenant un transducteur monté sur rail.
The present invention will be better understood and other advantages will appear on reading the detailed description of embodiments taken by way of non-limiting examples and illustrated by the appended drawings, in which:
  • there figure 1 is a schematic representation of an ear support according to the invention adapted to be fixed in the Scapha cavity of the ear;
  • there figure 2 is a schematic representation of an auricular support according to the invention fixed in the Scapha cavity on the external face of the pavilion of an ear;
  • there picture 3 is a schematic representation of an electronic device according to the invention comprising a transducer, a microphone and an ear support;
  • there figure 4 is a schematic representation of an ear support according to the invention adapted to be fixed in the Concha cavity of the ear;
  • there figure 5 is a schematic representation of an auricular support according to the invention fixed in the Concha cavity on the external face of the pavilion of an ear;
  • there figure 6 is a schematic representation of an electronic device according to the invention comprising a rail mounted transducer.

Description des modes de réalisationDescription of embodiments

Le support auriculaire 1 selon l'invention est particulièrement bien adapté pour porter un appareil électronique 2 comme un appareil audio par exemple de type transducteur 2a et/ou microphone 2b derrière l'oreille 4.The ear support 1 according to the invention is particularly well suited for carrying an electronic device 2 such as an audio device, for example of the transducer 2a and/or microphone 2b type, behind the ear 4.

Le support auriculaire 1, représenté sur les figures 1 à 6, se présente sous la forme d'une branche comprenant une première extrémité 5 de branche sensiblement rectiligne et rigide qui est conçue pour porter l'appareil électronique 2, par exemple par l'intermédiaire d'un moyen de clipsage, d'aimantation ou simplement par collage.The ear support 1, represented on the figures 1 to 6 , is in the form of a branch comprising a first end 5 of a substantially straight and rigid branch which is designed to carry the electronic device 2, for example by means of clipping means, magnetization or simply by gluing.

Un rail 6 de fixation, visible en figure 6, est également monté sur la branche, sur la première extrémité 5 de branche, pour permettre le réglage de la position du transducteur 2a le long de la première extrémité 5 de branche.A fixing rail 6, visible in figure 6 , is also mounted on the branch, on the first end 5 of the branch, to allow adjustment of the position of the transducer 2a along the first end 5 of the branch.

Comme représenté sur la figure 4, la première extrémité 5 de branche peut également comprendre une rotule 7 de fixation conçue pour incliner l'appareil électronique 2 par rapport à la première extrémité 5 de branche.As shown on the figure 4 , the first end 5 of the branch can also comprise a ball joint 7 for fixing designed to tilt the electronic device 2 with respect to the first end 5 of the branch.

Ainsi, grâce au rail 6 de fixation et/ou à la rotule 7 de fixation, le transducteur 2a peut être orienté pour s'adapter aux différentes morphologies des oreilles 4 des utilisateurs.Thus, thanks to the fixing rail 6 and/or the fixing ball joint 7, the transducer 2a can be oriented to adapt to the different morphologies of the ears 4 of the users.

La première extrémité 5 de branche pourra également intégrer une batterie 8 apte à alimenter l'appareil électronique 2 et ainsi limiter les connexions filaires.The first branch end 5 may also incorporate a battery 8 capable of powering the electronic device 2 and thus limit wired connections.

La batterie 8 permet également d'alimenter d'autres éléments qui peuvent être intégrés au support auriculaire, tels qu'un module Bluetooth et/ou wifi, des LEDs, etc.Battery 8 can also be used to power other elements that can be integrated into the ear support, such as a Bluetooth and/or wifi module, LEDs, etc.

Sans restreindre la portée de l'invention, si une connexion filaire est toutefois nécessaire pour faire fonctionner l'appareil électronique 2, un système d'attache 12 du fil disposé à la première extrémité 5 de branche et fonctionnant par effet magnétique sera privilégié de sorte à limiter le risque d'étirement ou d'arrachement de l'oreille 4.Without restricting the scope of the invention, if a wired connection is however necessary to operate the electronic device 2, a wire attachment system 12 disposed at the first end 5 of the branch and operating by magnetic effect will be preferred so to limit the risk of stretching or tearing of the ear 4.

La branche du support auriculaire 1 selon l'invention comprend également une partie centrale de branche 9, représentée sur l'ensemble des figures 1 à 6, s'étendant sensiblement dans un plan P et dans le prolongement de la première extrémité 5 de branche.The arm of the ear support 1 according to the invention also comprises a central part of the arm 9, represented on all of the figures 1 to 6 , extending substantially in a plane P and in the extension of the first end 5 of the branch.

La partie centrale 9 de branche présente ici une forme en crochet courbé pour formé une sorte d'arc ou de voute.The central portion 9 of the branch here has a curved hook shape to form a sort of arc or vault.

La partie centrale 9 de branche est conçue pour crocheter le sillon retro-auriculaire entre l'oreille et le crâne et pour orienter la première extrémité 5 de branche derrière l'oreille, en face interne du pavillon.The central portion 9 of the branch is designed to hook the retro-auricular groove between the ear and the skull and to direct the first end 5 of the branch behind the ear, on the inside of the pavilion.

Aussi, grâce à l'orientation de la première extrémité 5 de branche l'appareil électronique 2 est plaqué contre la face interne du pavillon de l'oreille 4.Also, thanks to the orientation of the first end 5 of the branch, the electronic device 2 is pressed against the internal face of the auricle 4.

La partie centrale 9 de branche est ici en bi-matière, c'est-à-dire qu'elle présente d'une part une portion rigide PR qui prolonge la première extrémité 5 de branche de sorte à transmettre une force à la première extrémité 5 de branche pour plaquer l'appareil électronique 2 contre le pavillon et d'autre part une portion souple PS, ici en plastique PU8150, qui prolonge la portion rigide PR pour former l'extrémité du crochet afin d'adoucir le contact avec l'oreille 4.The central part 9 of the branch is here made of two materials, that is to say that it has on the one hand a rigid portion PR which extends the first end 5 of the branch so as to transmit a force to the first end 5 branch to press the electronic device 2 against the pavilion and on the other hand a flexible portion PS, here in plastic PU8150, which extends the rigid portion PR to form the end of the hook to soften the contact with the ear 4.

Le support auriculaire 1 comprend enfin une seconde extrémité 10 de branche élastiquement déformable, comme représenté sur les figures 1 à 6, conçue pour fixer le support auriculaire 1 en face externe du pavillon de l'oreille 4.The ear support 1 finally comprises a second end 10 of an elastically deformable branch, as shown in the figures 1 to 6 , designed to fix the auricular support 1 on the external face of the auricle 4.

La seconde extrémité 10 de branche présente une forme en S et s'étend dans le prolongement de la partie centrale 9 de branche et de manière oblique par rapport au plan P de la partie centrale 9 de branche.The second branch end 10 has an S-shape and extends in the extension of the central part 9 of the branch and obliquely with respect to the plane P of the central part 9 of the branch.

La seconde extrémité 10 de branche et la partie centrale 9 de branche, plus particulièrement la portion souple PS de la partie centrale 9 de branche, forment sensiblement l'une avec l'autre une section hélicoïdale PH de branche qui s'étend selon un axe A1 perpendiculaire au plan P.The second end 10 of the branch and the central part 9 of the branch, more particularly the flexible portion PS of the central part 9 of the branch, substantially form with each other a helical section PH of the branch which extends along an axis A1 perpendicular to plane P.

De manière avantageuse, la section hélicoïdale PH de branche est apte à venir chevaucher l'hélix 4a du pavillon de l'oreille 4 qui fait office de point de pivot PP, comme représenté sur les figures 2 et 5.Advantageously, the helical branch section PH is capable of overlapping the helix 4a of the pinna of the ear 4 which acts as a pivot point PP, as shown in the figure 2 And 5 .

Le chevauchement permet d'une part de pincer l'hélix 4a entre la partie centrale 9 de branche et la seconde extrémité 10 de branche, et d'autre part de présenter une portion aval PA de la seconde extrémité 10 de branche qui suit la section hélicoïdale PH de branche en face externe du pavillon de l'oreille 4.The overlap allows on the one hand to pinch the helix 4a between the central part 9 of branch and the second end 10 of branch, and on the other hand to present a downstream portion PA of the second end 10 of branch which follows the section spiral branch PH on the external surface of the auricle 4.

La portion aval PA de la seconde extrémité 10 de branche s'étend de manière incurvée à l'inverse de la section hélicoïdale PH de branche de sorte à pouvoir être insérée dans une des excavations en face externe du pavillon, telles que la fosse triangulaire 4b, la cavité Scapha 4c et la cavité Concha 4d, visibles sur les figures 2 et 5.The downstream portion PA of the second end 10 of the branch extends in a curved manner in contrast to the helical section PH of the branch so as to be able to be inserted into one of the excavations on the external face of the pavilion, such as the triangular pit 4b , the Scapha 4c cavity and the Concha 4d cavity, visible on the figure 2 And 5 .

L'insertion de la portion aval PA de la seconde extrémité 10 de branche dans l'une des excavations va induire une déformation élastique de la seconde extrémité 10 de branche qui va comprimer l'oreille 4 avec la partie centrale 9 de branche et plaquer en retour l'appareil électronique 2 contre la face interne du pavillon de l'oreille 4.The insertion of the downstream portion PA of the second end 10 of the branch in one of the excavations will induce an elastic deformation of the second end 10 of the branch which will compress the lug 4 with the central part 9 of the branch and return the electronic device 2 against the internal face of the pinna of the ear 4.

La portion aval PA de la seconde extrémité 10 de branche qui prolonge la section hélicoïdale PH de branche pourra être élargie afin d'épouser au mieux la fosse triangulaire 4b qui jouxte la racine de l'hélix 4a pour s'affiner ensuite vers son extrémité libre et faciliter son insertion dans l'une des cavités Scapha 4c ou Concha 4d.The downstream portion PA of the second end 10 of the branch which extends the helical section PH of the branch can be widened in order to best fit the triangular pit 4b which adjoins the root of the helix 4a to then refine towards its free end and facilitate its insertion into one of the Scapha 4c or Concha 4d cavities.

Les variations de l'épaisseur de la seconde extrémité 10 de branche permettent ainsi de mieux répartir la pression exercée dans la face externe du pavillon de l'oreille 4.The variations in the thickness of the second end 10 of the branch thus make it possible to better distribute the pressure exerted in the outer face of the pavilion of the ear 4.

La seconde extrémité 10 de branche pourra également présenter une forme globalement ovoïde et une texture soft afin d'améliorer le confort de l'utilisateur.The second branch end 10 may also have a globally ovoid shape and a soft texture in order to improve user comfort.

Aussi, afin de convenir à un maximum d'utilisateurs, la seconde extrémité 10 de branche peut présenter deux agencements différents qui pourront être choisis en fonction de la morphologie de l'oreille 4 de l'utilisateur.Also, in order to suit as many users as possible, the second end 10 of the branch can have two different arrangements which can be chosen according to the morphology of the ear 4 of the user.

Dans le premier agencement, visible sur la figure 1, la seconde extrémité 10 de branche chevauche sensiblement la partie centrale 9 de branche ce qui facilite sa déformation élastique pour une insertion dans la cavité Scapha 4c, visible en figure 2.In the first arrangement, visible on the figure 1 , the second end 10 of the branch substantially overlaps the central part 9 of the branch, which facilitates its elastic deformation for insertion into the Scapha cavity 4c, visible in picture 2 .

Dans le second agencement, visible sur la figure 4, la seconde extrémité 10 de branche ne chevauche pas la partie centrale 9 de branche ce qui facilite sa déformation élastique pour une insertion dans la cavité Concha 4d, visible en figure 5.In the second arrangement, visible on the figure 4 , the second branch end 10 does not overlap the central part 9 of branch which facilitates its elastic deformation for insertion into the Concha cavity 4d, visible in figure 5 .

On comprendra en fait que l'ouverture plus ou moins grande de la section hélicoïdale PH de branche, qui induit in fine un chevauchement ou non de la partie centrale 9 de branche par la seconde extrémité 10 de branche, permet de jouer sur la force de retour élastique de la seconde extrémité 10 de branche et donc de jouer sur le pincement au point de pivot PP et sur la compression en face externe du pavillon de l'oreille 4 par la première extrémité 5 de branche.It will be understood in fact that the more or less large opening of the helical section PH of the branch, which ultimately induces an overlapping or not of the central part 9 of the branch by the second end 10 of the branch, makes it possible to play on the force of elastic return of the second end 10 of the branch and therefore to act on the pinching at the pivot point PP and on the compression on the outer face of the auricle 4 by the first end 5 of the branch.

Le support auriculaire 1 fait donc ici office de ressort que ce soit avec la section hélicoïdale PH de branche ou la portion aval PA, et permet de mettre en tension l'appareil électronique 2 contre l'arrière de l'oreille 4.The ear support 1 therefore acts here as a spring, whether with the helical branch section PH or the downstream portion PA, and allows the electronic device 2 to be tensioned against the back of the ear 4.

Le support auriculaire 1 permet donc de transmettre une force de la face externe du pavillon de l'oreille 4 vers la face interne du pavillon de l'oreille 4.The auricular support 1 therefore makes it possible to transmit a force from the external face of the auricle 4 to the internal face of the auricle 4.

On comprendra que l'effet ressort de la seconde extrémité 10 de branche provient des propriétés élastiques du matériau utilisé, ici choisies selon la norme PU8400 shore A 85.It will be understood that the spring effect of the second end 10 of the branch comes from the elastic properties of the material used, here chosen according to the PU8400 shore A 85 standard.

L'invention s'étend également à un dispositif audio 11 qui comprend un transducteur 2a et un microphone 2b montés avec un support auriculaire 1 selon l'invention comme représenté sur la figure 3.The invention also extends to an audio device 11 which comprises a transducer 2a and a microphone 2b mounted with an ear support 1 according to the invention as shown in the picture 3 .

L'utilisation d'un transducteur 2a permet de transmettre un signal audio par vibration contre la face interne du pavillon de l'oreille 4.The use of a transducer 2a makes it possible to transmit an audio signal by vibration against the internal face of the pavilion of the ear 4.

L'emplacement du transducteur 2a pour une transmission optimale des vibrations se situe dans un creux du pavillon, appelé point 0, en face interne du pavillon de l'oreille et qui se trouve à l'opposé de la racine de l'hélix.The location of the transducer 2a for optimum vibration transmission is in a hollow of the pavilion, called point 0, on the inner face of the pavilion of the ear and which is opposite the root of the helix.

Le transducteur 2a du dispositif audio 11 représenté sur la figure 6 a de préférence une surface de contact avec l'oreille 4 en forme de demi-sphère, d'une part pour mieux se caler dans le creux du point 0 et d'autre part pour augmenter la surface de contact avec le pavillon.The transducer 2a of the audio device 11 represented on the figure 6 preferably has a surface of contact with the ear 4 in the shape of a half-sphere, on the one hand to better fit into the hollow of the point 0 and on the other hand to increase the surface of contact with the pinna.

Ainsi, grâce à l'effet ressort de la seconde extrémité 10 de branche du support auriculaire 1 selon l'invention, l'appareil électronique 2 pourra être calé et plaqué dans le creux du point 0.Thus, thanks to the spring effect of the second end 10 of the arm of the ear support 1 according to the invention, the electronic device 2 can be wedged and pressed into the hollow of point 0.

Enfin, le rail de fixation 6 permettra également de positionner l'appareil électronique 2 au niveau du point 0 selon la morphologie de l'oreille 4 de l'utilisateur.Finally, the fixing rail 6 will also make it possible to position the electronic device 2 at the level of the point 0 according to the morphology of the ear 4 of the user.

Pour porter le dispositif audio 11 selon l'invention, l'utilisateur dispose dans une premier temps la partie centrale 9 de la branche sur le sillon retro-auriculaire de sorte à orienter la première extrémité 5 de branche derrière le pavillon de l'oreille 4, puis, déforme élastiquement la section hélicoïdale PH de branche pour lui faire chevaucher l'hélix 4a et pour insérer la portion aval PA de la seconde extrémité 10 de branche dans une des excavations de la face externe du pavillon de l'oreille 4, ici par exemple la cavité Scapha 4c comme représenté sur la figure 2.To wear the audio device 11 according to the invention, the user initially places the central part 9 of the branch on the retro-auricular groove so as to orient the first end 5 of the branch behind the pinna of the ear 4 , then, elastically deforms the helical section PH of the branch to make it overlap the helix 4a and to insert the downstream portion PA of the second end 10 of the branch into one of the excavations of the external face of the pavilion of the ear 4, here for example the Scapha 4c cavity as represented on the figure 2 .

En relâchant le dispositif audio 11, la pression exercée par la seconde extrémité 10 de branche permet de pousser en retour le transducteur 2a contre le point 0 de la face interne du pavillon de l'oreille 4, stabilisant à la fois le transducteur 2a et le microphone 2b.By releasing the audio device 11, the pressure exerted by the second end 10 of the branch makes it possible to push the transducer 2a back against the point 0 of the internal face of the pavilion of the ear 4, stabilizing both the transducer 2a and the microphone 2b.

Claims (10)

  1. Auricular support (1) designed to support an audio device (2) behind the auricle, said support comprising an arm with a substantially hook-shaped central arm portion (9) for hooking the retroauricular groove between the ear and the skull, and a first straight and rigid arm end (5) which extends said central arm portion to form an end of the arm and which is designed to support the audio device against the inner face of the auricle, the arm comprising an S-shaped, elastically deformable second arm end (10) which is suitable for being secured to the outer face of the auricle, characterized in that said second arm end extends said central arm portion to form an arm end and extends obliquely relative to a plane (P) in which the central arm portion extends, and in that said second arm end and said central arm portion substantially form a helical arm section (PH) with each other.
  2. Auricular support according to claim 1, characterized in that the second arm end overlaps the central arm portion.
  3. Auricular support according to either of the preceding claims, characterized in that the arm comprises a securing rail (6) designed to longitudinally move the audio device along the first arm end.
  4. Auricular support according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the arm comprises a securing ball (7) designed to tilt the audio device on the first arm end.
  5. Auricular support according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the arm comprises a power cable with a magnetic connection for powering the audio device.
  6. Auricular support according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first arm end comprises a battery (8) capable of powering the audio device.
  7. Electronic device (11), characterized in that it comprises an audio device secured to an auricular support according to any of the preceding claims.
  8. Electronic device according to claim 7, characterized in that the audio device comprises a transducer (2a).
  9. Electronic device according to claim 8, characterized in that the transducer comprises a surface in the form of a hemisphere intended to be in contact with the ear.
  10. Electronic device according to any of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that it comprises a microphone (2b).
EP19832162.2A 2019-01-08 2019-12-31 Ear support for carrying an audio device behind the auricle Active EP3909255B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR1900156A FR3091634B1 (en) 2019-01-08 2019-01-08 Ear support for wearing an audio device behind the ear flap
PCT/EP2019/087185 WO2020144083A1 (en) 2019-01-08 2019-12-31 Ear support for carrying an audio device behind the auricle

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP3909255A1 EP3909255A1 (en) 2021-11-17
EP3909255B1 true EP3909255B1 (en) 2023-03-29

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EP19832162.2A Active EP3909255B1 (en) 2019-01-08 2019-12-31 Ear support for carrying an audio device behind the auricle

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EP (1) EP3909255B1 (en)
FR (1) FR3091634B1 (en)
WO (1) WO2020144083A1 (en)

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* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
IT202000029579A1 (en) 2020-12-03 2022-06-03 Iesteam Srl EARPHONE SUPPORT FOR PROTECTIVE MASKS

Family Cites Families (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP3556151B2 (en) * 2000-05-09 2004-08-18 株式会社テムコジャパン Transmitter / receiver using bone conduction speaker
US20020039427A1 (en) 2000-10-04 2002-04-04 Timothy Whitwell Audio apparatus
FR2907303B1 (en) * 2006-10-17 2009-01-30 Herve Cousin FIXING DEVICE AND EAR SUPPORT.
JP6389576B1 (en) * 2018-01-16 2018-09-12 ＢｏＣｏ株式会社 Hearing device

Also Published As

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FR3091634A1 (en) 2020-07-10
FR3091634B1 (en) 2023-03-10
EP3909255A1 (en) 2021-11-17
WO2020144083A1 (en) 2020-07-16

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