WO2005043951A1

WO2005043951A1 - Ergonomic ear piece

Info

Publication number: WO2005043951A1
Application number: PCT/KR2004/002660
Authority: WO
Inventors: Kiyoung Seo
Original assignee: Kiyoung Seo
Priority date: 2003-10-17
Filing date: 2004-10-15
Publication date: 2005-05-12
Also published as: KR20050037211A; KR100576350B1

Abstract

Disclosed is an ergonomic earpiece (50) which comprises a speaker housing structured to house an ultra-small-sized vibration system (5) without hindrance to the creation of clear sound. The body (30) and the cover (26), both together encompassing the vibration system (5), are made of soft non-toxic silicone. The superior flexibility and elasticity of the silicone makes the ergonomic earpiece (50) readily applicable to any shape of the external auditory meatus. The cushion formed between the ultra-small-sized speaker (20) and the flexible cover and the body allows the user to wear the ergonomic earpiece (50) for a long period of time without a pain.

Description

Title of the Invention

ERGONOMIC EARPIECE

Technical Field

The present invention relates, in general, to an ergonomic earpiece and, more particularly, to an ergonomic earpiece which comprises a vibration system suitable for use in small sound or communication appliances, such as microphones, small audio systems and mobile phones, and can be worn in close contact with the external auditory meatus in addition to being used for a long period of time without causing inconvenience to the user.

Background Art

Speakers, which are indispensable for sound and communication appliances, convert electrical signals into vibration energy to generate dilatational waves, thereby radiating sound waves. In a typical speaker, current is sent to an electromagnet called a voice coil consisting of wire wrapped around a piece of magnetic metal. With an electromagnet, running the current corresponding to voice signals through the coil creates a magnetic field. The electromagnetic voice coil is located in the constant magnetic field of an adjacent permanent magnet. Both electro- and permanent magnets are located in the center of the driver's cone. The cone, or diaphragm, consists of paper, plastic or pliable metal. As the current pulse and polarity changes, the electromagnet is alternately attracted to and repelled by the permanent magnetic field. As this happens, the voice coil pushes and pulls on the speaker cone, creating the sound waves that people hear. Typically, this speaker has a housing designed to effectively radiate sound waves to the exterior, with a vibration system (diaphragm and voice coil) installed therein. FIG. 1 shows a conventional undersized speaker housing 14. As seen in FIG. 1, the housing has a concave shape accommodating a vibration system, such as a diaphragm and a voice coil (both not shown) , and a plurality of holes provided at the periphery thereof, which function to reduce air resistance in the rear to assure the smooth vibration of the diaphragm, thereby showing flattened frequency characteristics . As sound appliances or communication appliances, such as mobile phones or microphones, become more compact or slim, the speakers embedded therein are also miniaturized. However, the conventional speaker housing 14 suffers from problems as follows. One of the determinants of speaker output is the capacity of the magnet installed in a speaker, which depends mainly on the magnet size. In addition, the architecture of the holes, which function to reduce air resistance upon the radiation of speaker sound so as to make sure smooth vibration of the diaphragm, is also important in determining the speaker output. However, as speakers are miniaturized with magnets of a certain capacity installed, it is difficult to form holes in the small housings. Holes, if formed, are not sufficient in number or cross section to smoothly transfer speaker sounds. Thus, suitable capacitance, speaker output and sound quality cannot be obtained. When this problem is taken into account, conventional undersized speakers have been manufactured to have a diameter of 13 to 18 mm. FIG. 2 shows such a conventional earpiece 12. However, the conventional earpiece 12 is in contact with the ear by being slightly put on in the external auditory meatus, so that the conventional earpiece is stably worn. In addition, the earpiece cannot exhibit its performance fully as it is exposed externally. Further, another problem of the conventional earpiece is found in the body and cover surrounding the vibration system. Since the body and cover are made of synthetic resins or special metal in order to prevent deformation of the earpiece, the user suffers pain in the ear when wearing the earpiece in the external auditory meatus for a long period of time. Also, the clarity of sound is decreased because the earpiece does not tightly contact with the ear. Disclosure of the Invention

Accordingly, the present invention has been made keeping in mind the above problems occurring in the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide an ergonomic earpiece comprising an ultra-small-sized speaker which is structured to cause no difficulty in production and functioning and is capable of smoothly radiating sound. Another object of the present invention is to provide an ergonomic earpiece which has enhanced sound clarity. A further object of the present invention is to provide an ergonomic earpiece which is safe to the human body and comfortable to the user even when worn for a long period of time. In order to accomplish the above object, the present invention provides an ergonomic earpiece, comprising: an undersized speaker; a protector having a plurality of slots at its circumference, in the front end of which the speaker is fixedly installed; a cover, made of soft non-toxic silicone, inside which the protector is provided; and a body detachably combined with the cover, whereby the cover is inserted into the external auditory meatus to allow the speaker to be in close contact with the external auditory meatus . In the ergonomic earpiece, the speaker comprises a ring type housing divided into a small diameter portion and a large diameter portion which is larger in diameter and width than the small diameter portion, said small diameter portion directly embracing a vibration system on the inlet side of the ring type housing, said large diameter portion being formed at the outer circumference of the small diameter portion and having, at the inner wall of the large diameter portion, a protrusion in which a plurality of grooves are radially formed so as to reduce air resistance at the outlet of the speaker upon radiating speaker sound. In the ergonomic earpiece, the body is also made of soft non-toxic silicone.

Brief Description of the Drawings

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a conventional speaker housing. FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing a conventional speaker-embedded earpiece. FIG. 3a is a front view showing the inlet of a speaker housing for an earpiece according to the present invention, in which a vibration system is installed. FIG. 3b is a cross sectional view, taken along the line A-A of FIG. 3a. FIG. 3c is a rear view showing the outlet of the speaker housing, in which a vibration system is provided. FIG. 4 is a cross sectional side view showing an ultra-small-sized speaker housed in the housing, according to the present invention. FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view showing an ultra-small-sized speaker-embedded earpiece. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the assembly of the earpiece. FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view showing the earpiece of FIG. 5. description of main numerals of the drawings> 20: speaker 22: protector 24: groove 26: cover 30: body 50: earpiece

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention Description is given of a preferred embodiment according to the present invention, referring to the drawings . With reference to FIG. 3, there is a speaker housing for accommodating a vibration system for an ergonomic earpiece of the present invention, with a front view showing the inlet of the speaker housing in FIG. 3a, a rear view showing the outlet of the speaker housing in FIG. 3c, and a cross sectional view, taken along line A-A of FIG. 3a, in FIG. 3b. As seen in these figures, the speaker housing suitable for the ergonomic earpiece of the present invention has a hollow ring shape so as to accommodate a vibration system (not shown) . In more detail, the ring type structure of the speaker housing is divided into a small diameter portion 1 having a diameter dl and a width wl, and a large diameter portion having a diameter d2 and a width w2 which are large relative to dl and wl, respectively. The small diameter portion 1 directly embraces speaker magnets and the peripheral surface of the vibration system and the large diameter portion 2 is formed at the outer circumference of the small diameter portion 1. As recognized from FIGS. 3a and 3c, the structure of the inlet through which the magnet and the vibration system are accommodated in the speaker housing is different from that of the outlet. While the inlet is structured to comprise just the small diameter portion 1 and the large diameter portion 2, the outlet has a structure in which a protrusion 2a is provided at the inner wall of the larger diameter portion 2. In the protrusion 2a are radially formed a plurality of grooves 2b which are positioned symmetrically, such as the four grooves in FIG. 3c, or asymmetrically. The speaker housing useful in the ergonomic earpiece of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 4, houses a magnet 4 supported by a yoke 3 in the inlet, the magnet 4 being forcibly advanced in the direction of the outlet so as to fit into the small diameter portion 1, and a vibration system 5 consisting of a diaphragm 5a and a voice coil 5b in the outlet, the vibration system being combined with a grill 6 which serves to transfer sounds to the exterior. With the magnet 4 and the vibration system 5 installed in the housing, the voice coil 5b which is located in the magnetic field moves outlet and forth when running voice signal current through the voice coil 5b, so that the diaphragm 5a is vibrated to create sounds which are transferred to the exterior through the grill 6. In this time, the grooves 26 formed in the protrusion 2a circulate air therethrough so as to reduce air resistance at the rear of the speaker as well as allow the diaphragm 5a to vibrate smoothly, resulting in desired frequency characteristics. Accordingly, the user can hear speaker sounds without inconvenience. Particularly, because they are formed in the radial direction of the housing, the grooves 2b can have a cross section as large as or larger than that of the holes formed in the front of the conventional housing. Therefore, even when being manufactured in a very small size, the housing of the present invention can readily transfer speaker sounds to the user. Furthermore, the grooves 2b can be formed as many or as large as desired according to processing skills. Thus, the number or size of the grooves may be appropriately determined depending on the size of the speaker and/or the output of speaker sound. With such a structure, the speaker of the present invention can be manufactured to have a diameter as small as about 6 mm. With reference to FIGS. 5 to 7, an ergonomic earpiece 50 of the present invention in which such an ultra-small- sized speaker 20 is assembled is shown. As seen in these figures, the ultra-small-sized speaker 20 is fixedly installed at the front end of a protector 22 at the circumference of which slots are formed at regular distances. Provided with proper space by the slots, the protector 22 can perform a turbo function. The protector 22 may be formed from ABS or brass, or a spring may be used as the protector. The protector 22 is installed inside a cover 26 made of soft non-toxic silicone. In the apical portion of the cover 26 is formed a hole, through which speaker sound is transferred to the external auditory meatus. The rear of the cover 26 is structured to be detachably assembled with a body 30 made of soft non-toxic silicone. Hence, both the cover 26 and the body 30 are flexible enough to freely change in shape. Additionally, an air bag exists between the protector 22 and the flexible cover and body, giving a cushion to the user. The ergonomic earpiece 50 of such a structure is applied to the user's ear by inserting the cover 26 into the external auditory meatus. Not only can the cover 26 be applied to any shape of external auditory meatus thanks to its superior flexibility, but also the user does not feel a pain due to the cushion even when wearing the earpiece for a long period of time. Also, because the speaker 20 can be provided in the front end of the protector 22 installed inside the cover due to its small diameter, the speaker 20 is in close contact with the external auditory meatus when the earpiece 50 is applied to the ear. Accordingly, the speaker 20 is shielded from external noises so that the clarity of speaker sound is increased. Like the cover 26 and the body 30, a cord holder 32 extending from the body 30 is made of soft non-toxic silicone. Thus, flexibly coping with the motion of the wire connected to the speaker 20, the cord holder 32 can last for a prolonged period of time.

Industrial Applicability As described above, the present invention provides an ergonomic earpiece comprising an ultra-small-sized speaker which is structured to have no difficulty in production and function and is capable of smoothly radiating sound. Thus, the ultra-small-sized speaker makes a contribution to the miniturization of sound appliances and communication appliances . The body and the cover, together encompassing the speaker, are made of soft non-toxic silicone. The superior flexibility and elasticity of the silicone makes the ergonomic earpiece readily applicable to any shape of external auditory meatus. The cushion formed between the ultra-small-sized speaker and the flexible cover and body allows the user to wear the ergonomic earpiece for a long period of time without pain. Moreover, the speaker is of sufficiently small size to be installed in the front end of the protector. When the earpiece is applied to the ear, the speaker is in close contact with the external auditory meatus and is shielded from external noises, thus affording clearer sounds. In addition, the cord holder 32, like the cover 26 and the body 30, is made of soft non-toxic silicone and thus can endure for a prolonged period of time because of its ability to flexibly cope with the motion of the wire connected to the speaker.

Claims

1. An ergonomic earpiece (50), comprising: an undersized speaker (20) ; a protector (22) having a plurality of slots at its circumstance, in the front end of which the speaker (20) is fixedly installed; a cover (26) , made of soft non-toxic silicone, inside which the protector (22) is provided; and a body (30) detachably combined with the cover (26) , whereby the cover is inserted into the external auditory meatus to allow the speaker to be in close contact with the external auditory meatus.

2. The ergonomic earpiece according to claim 1, wherein the speaker comprises a ring type housing divided into a small diameter portion and a large diameter portion which are larger in diameter and width than the small diameter portion, said small diameter portion directly embracing a vibration system on the inlet side of the ring type housing, said large diameter portion being formed at the outer circumference of the small diameter portion and having, at the inner wall of the large diameter portion, a protrusion in which a plurality of grooves are radially formed so as to reduce air resistance at the outlet of the speaker upon radiating speaker sound.

3. The ergonomic earpiece according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the body is made of soft non-toxic silicone.