WO2019041365A1

WO2019041365A1 - Semi in-ear tip, earphone and manufacturing method thereof

Info

Publication number: WO2019041365A1
Application number: PCT/CN2017/100507
Authority: WO
Inventors: Skovgaard FREDERIK
Original assignee: Goertek. Inc
Priority date: 2017-08-28
Filing date: 2017-09-05
Publication date: 2019-03-07
Also published as: CN107484100A; CN107484100B

Abstract

A semi in-ear tip (100) for an earphone, an earphone and a method for manufacturing a semi in-ear tip (100). The semi in-ear tip (100) includes: a first part (110) to be placed in at least one of a concha and an ear canal； and a second part (120) to be placed towards outside of an ear, wherein an exterior surface of the first part (110) is perforated to have at least one first ventilation hole (101) and an exterior surface of the second part (120) is perforated to have at least one second ventilation hole (102), and wherein the first ventilation hole (101) is connected to the outside of the ear via the second ventilation hole (102).

Description

SEMI IN-EAR TIP, EARPHONE AND MANUFACTURING METHOD THEREOF

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the technical field of earphones, and more specifically, to a semi in-ear tip for an earphone, an earphone and a method for manufacturing a semi in-ear tip.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Semi in-ear earphone or in-ear earphone generally has a semi in-ear tip. The semi in-ear tip consists, for example, of a part touching ear canal and concha and another one interfacing only with external air domain. The two function areas can be housed in either one or multiple bodies/mechanical parts. Generally, the one part includes a front end and a stem of the tip and the another part includes a rear end of the tip.

A semi in-ear earphone relies on the coupling between exterior surfaces of the tip and the ear canal as well as the concha to both stay in place and deliver the sound effectively. In this regard, the exterior surface of the tip is in a close contact with the soft tissue (skin) in the concha and/or the ear canal, and a buildup of heat and moisture will occur, which will make a user uncomfortable.

Therefore, there is a demand in the art that a new solution for a semi in-ear tip shall be proposed to address at least one of the problems in the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One object of this invention is to provide a new technical solution for a semi in-ear tip.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a semi in-ear tip for an earphone, including: a first part to be placed in at least one of a concha and an ear canal； and a second part to be placed towards outside of an ear, wherein an exterior surface of the first part is perforated to have at least one first ventilation hole and an exterior surface of the second part is perforated to have at least one second ventilation hole, and wherein the first ventilation hole is connected to the outside of the ear via the second ventilation hole.

Alternatively or optionally, the first ventilation hole is formed on an exterior surface of the first part, which is to be placed in contact with a surface of the at least one of the concha and the ear canal.

Alternatively or optionally, the first part further includes at least one sound hole which is connected to a transducer of the semi in-ear tip, and the sound hole is not in communication with the first ventilation hole.

Alternatively or optionally, a ventilation path between the first and second ventilation holes is sealed from a front volume of the transducer.

Alternatively or optionally, a ventilation path between the first and second ventilation holes is sealed from a rear volume of the transducer.

Alternatively or optionally, at least one of the first and second ventilation holes is covered with a mesh.

Alternatively or optionally, a shape of at least one of the first and second ventilation holes includes at least one of regular hexagon, round hole, slit and triangle.

Alternatively or optionally, the exterior surfaces of the first and second parts are made of soft or hard material.

Alternatively or optionally, a portion of the first part which is in contact with the ear canal is solid to seal a sound path from a transducer to the ear canal.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an earphone, including at least one semi in-ear tip according to the above embodiments.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for manufacturing a semi in-ear tip, comprising: forming a first part to be placed in at least one of a concha and an ear canal； forming a second part to be placed towards outside of an ear, perforating an exterior surface of the first part to have at least one first ventilation hole； and perforating an exterior surface of the second part to have at least one second ventilation hole； wherein the first ventilation hole is connected to the outside of the ear via the second ventilation hole.

Alternatively or optionally, the method further comprises: forming at least one sound hole in the first part； and placing a transducer inside the semi in-ear tip, wherein the sound hole is connected to the transducer and is not in communication with the first ventilation hole.

Further features of the present invention and advantages thereof will become apparent from the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments according to the present invention with reference to the attached drawings.

BRIEF DISCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description thereof, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

Fig. 1 shows a schematic front view of a semi in-ear tip according to an embodiment of this disclosure.

Fig. 2 shows a schematic cross-section view of the semi in-ear tip along line A-A’ in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 shows a schematic perspective view of the semi in-ear tip according to an embodiment of this disclosure.

Fig. 4 shows a schematic 3D view of a semi in-ear tip according to an embodiment of this disclosure.

Fig. 5 schematically shows a semi in-ear tip in an ear.

Fig. 6 shows a flow chart of a method for manufacturing a semi in-ear tip according to another embodiment of this disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Various exemplary embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that the relative arrangement of the components and steps, the numerical expressions, and numerical values set forth in these embodiments do not limit the scope of the present invention unless it is specifically stated otherwise.

The following description of at least one exemplary embodiment is merely illustrative in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses.

Techniques, methods and apparatus as known by one of ordinary skill in the relevant art may not be discussed in detail but are intended to be part of the specification where appropriate.

In all of the examples illustrated and discussed herein, any specific values should be interpreted to be illustrative only and non-limiting. Thus, other examples of the exemplary embodiments could have different values.

Notice that similar reference numerals and letters refer to similar items in the following figures, and thus once an item is defined in one figure, it is possible that it need not be further discussed for following figures.

An embodiment of a semi in-ear tip will be described with reference to Figs. 1-5. Fig. 1 shows a schematic front view of a semi in-ear tip according to an embodiment of this disclosure. Fig. 2 shows a schematic cross-section view of the semi in-ear tip along line A-A’ in Fig. 1.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the semi in-ear tip 100 includes a first part 110 to be placed in at least one of a concha and an ear canal； and a second part 120 to be placed towards outside of an ear. Here, the first part 110 is a part to be inside an ear and the second part 120 is a part to be outside the ear. For example, in one example, the first part 110 can be placed just in the concha. In another example, the first part 110 can be placed in both the concha and the ear canal.

An exterior surface of the first part 110 is perforated to have at least one first ventilation hole 101. Fig. 1 shows a plurality of first ventilation holes 101. An exterior surface of the second part 120 is perforated to have at least one second ventilation hole 102. Fig. 1 shows a plurality of second ventilation holes 102.

As shown in Fig. 2, the first ventilation hole 101 is connected to the outside of the ear via the second ventilation hole 102. For example, Fig. 2 shows a ventilation path 105 from a first ventilation hole 101 to a second ventilation hole 102. For example, there are gaps between the exterior surface and the interior components such as a front volume 106 of a transducer shown in Fig. 2. These gaps are communicated and are connected to the first and

second ventilation holes

101, 102. These gaps can form the ventilation path 105.

In the prior art, a semi in-ear tip will block the concha with its exterior surfaces. Since the surfaces of the semi in-ear tip match that of the concha and/or the ear canal, there is no room for air transport. A buildup of heat and moisture will occur, which makes a user feel uncomfortable.

In this embodiment, by perforating the semi in-ear tip contact surface to have holes and connecting these holes to the outside free air, heat and moisture can be facilitated to be transported to the outside free air via the first and second ventilation holes, which will make a user wearing an earphone with such a tip more comfortable.

Fig. 3 shows a schematic perspective view of the semi in-ear tip according to an embodiment of this disclosure. In Fig. 3, the semi in-ear tip 100 is placed in an ear 200.

Here, the inside structure of a semi in-ear tip is not shown.

Fig. 4 shows a schematic 3D view of a semi in-ear tip according to an embodiment of this disclosure. Fig. 5 schematically shows a semi in-ear tip in an ear. As shown in Fig. 4, the semi in-ear tip 100 includes the first part 110 and the second part 120. The first part 110 has a plurality of first ventilation holes 101 and the second part 120 has a plurality of second ventilation holes 102.

As shown in Fig. 4, the first and second ventilation holes 101, 102 can be perforated in a same manufacturing process. They can be discriminated from each other just based on their positions. For example, the holes placed on an exterior surface to be in contact with tissue of an ear is deemed as the first ventilation holes. As shown in Fig. 5 the first ventilation hole 101 is formed on an exterior surface of the first part 110, which is to be placed in contact with a surface of the at least one of the concha and the ear canal.

Similarly, the holes placed on an exterior surface to point to free air outside of the ear is deemed as the second ventilation holes. In an example, the second ventilation can be an opening of the rear end of the tip. In the embodiments, the second ventilation holes 102 are not blocked and point into free air.

As shown in Figs. 1-5, the first part 110 further includes at least one sound hole 103. In the figures, only one sound hole 103 is shown.

The sound hole 103 is different from the ventilation holes. The first and second ventilation holes 101, 102 are not connected to a transducer. The first and second ventilation holes 101, 102 function to provide a ventilation path between the surface of the ear and the outside air. This path is blocked in conventional tip designs.

The sound hole 103 is connected to a transducer (not shown) of the semi in-ear tip. It is used for the sound path from the transducer to the ear canal. As shown in Fig. 2, the sound hole 103 is not in communication with the first ventilation hole 101. That is, the sound hole 103 is sealed from the ventilation hole 101 or the ventilation path 105.

Fig. 2 shows a front volume 106 of a transducer. As shown in Fig. 2, the ventilation path 105 between the first and second ventilation holes 101, 102 is sealed from the front volume 106.

Similarly, the ventilation path 105 between the first and second ventilation holes 101, 102 can also be sealed from a rear volume (not shown) of the transducer.

In this example, since the first and second ventilation holes are not connected to the front or rear volume, it cannot be considered as a front leak or rear vent. So, the performance of the earphone will not be influenced by the perforated holes.

In an example, at least one of the first and second ventilation holes 101, 102 is covered with a mesh. This will give a certain aesthetic to the earphone and make the earphone more attractive to a user. The mesh can provide a dust-proof function to the semi in-ear tip.

In an example, the mesh can be made of a moisture absorbing material. In this regard, it may further improve the experience of using a earphone with such a semi in-ear tip.

It can be seen in Fig. 4, the shape of the first and second ventilation holes is regular hexagon, which can form a honeycomb. It is appreciated by a person skilled in the art, that the honeycomb is just an example and will not limit this invention. The layout of the first and second ventilation holes is not limited to the honeycomb. The first and second ventilation holes can also be round hole, slit or triangle. The number, the design and/or the size of the first and second ventilation holes are arbitrary. Holes could be covered with a mesh to get a certain aesthetic, be it either hard or soft. The first and second ventilation holes 101, 102 can be formed in a single process and can be formed through the same processing. Based on the exterior shape of the semi in-ear tip, some of the holes will be in contact with the tissues of the concha or the ear canal when it is worn by a user and will be the first ventilation holes 101, and the others of the holes will be exposed to the outside free air when it is worn by a user will be the second ventilation holes 102. As long as there is at east one hole in contact with the tissue of a ear and at least one hole exposed to the outside free air when the tip is worn by a user, they will be covered by the invention as claimed here.

The exterior surfaces of the first and second parts can be made of soft or hard material. For both materials, a topology-optimized design could enable a more locally compliant ear tip that will conform better to various concha and ear canal geometries.

As shown in Fig. 5, a portion 104 of the first part 110 which is in contact with the ear canal is solid to seal a sound path from a transducer to the ear canal. As shown in Figs. 1-5, the portion 104 is around the sound hole 103. Here, “solid” means that there is no perforated holes therein. Seal can still be established as that of the prior art because the portion 104 of the semi in-ear tip 100 in contact with the ear canal is solid.

In an embodiment, since only one portion of the semi in-ear tip on the earphone is blocked, effective transport of outside air can be made. This will duct air from non-blocked areas (the second part 120) to the first part 110. In the prior art tip design, the first and

second parts

110, 120 will be blocked (without any hole) .

A semi in-ear tip 100 according to the embodiment is described with reference to Figs 1-5 above. The tip 100 can be a part of an earphone. In this regard, in another embodiment, an earphone is provided, which include at least one semi in-ear tip as described above.

As shown in Fig. 6, at step S1100, a first part is formed to be placed in at least one of a concha and an ear canal.

At step S1200, a second part is formed to be placed towards outside of an ear.

At step S1300, an exterior surface of the first part is perforated to have at least one first ventilation hole.

At step S1400, an exterior surface of the second part is perforated to have at least one second ventilation hole.

It would be appreciated by a person skilled in the art, that some of the above steps can be performed simultaneously. For example, the steps S1100 and S1200 can be performed in a single step, and the steps S1300 and S14200 can be performed in a single step.

The finished semi in-ear tip can be that shown in Figs. 1-5. The first ventilation hole is connected to the outside of the ear via the second ventilation hole. For example, the first ventilation hole is formed on an exterior surface of the first part, which is to be placed in contact with a surface of the at least one of the concha and the ear canal.

The manufacturing method may further comprise: forming at least one sound hole in the first part； and placing a transducer inside the semi in-ear tip. The sound hole will be connected to the transducer and is not in communication with the first ventilation hole.

The technician can set the sequence of manufacture step as demanded and the sequence is not what the embodiments concern. So, the sequence will not be a limitation to this application.

In the manufacturing method, a ventilation path between the first and second ventilation holes is sealed from a front volume of the transducer. Optionally, a ventilation path between the first and second ventilation holes is sealed from a rear volume of the transducer.

For example, the method may further comprise covering at least one of the first and second ventilation holes with a mesh.

As described above, a shape of at least one of the first and second ventilation holes includes at least one of regular hexagon, round hole, slit and triangle. For example, the exterior surfaces of the first and second parts are made of soft or hard material.

In an example, a portion of the first part which is in contact with the ear canal can be made to be solid to seal a sound path from a transducer to the ear canal.

Although some specific embodiments of the present invention have been demonstrated in detail with examples, it should be understood by a person skilled in the art that the above examples are only intended to be illustrative but not to limit the scope of the present invention.

Claims

A semi in-ear tip for an earphone, including:

a first part to be placed in at least one of a concha and an ear canal； and

a second part to be placed towards outside of an ear,

wherein an exterior surface of the first part is perforated to have at least one first ventilation hole and an exterior surface of the second part is perforated to have at least one second ventilation hole, and

wherein the first ventilation hole is connected to the outside of the ear via the second ventilation hole.
The semi in-ear tip according to claim 1, wherein the first ventilation hole is formed on an exterior surface of the first part, which is to be placed in contact with a surface of the at least one of the concha and the ear canal.
The semi in-ear tip according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first part further includes at least one sound hole which is connected to a transducer of the semi in-ear tip, and the sound hole is not in communication with the first ventilation hole.
The semi in-ear tip according to claim 3, wherein a ventilation path between the first and second ventilation holes is sealed from a front volume of the transducer.
The semi in-ear tip according to claim 3 or 4, wherein a ventilation path between the first and second ventilation holes is sealed from a rear volume of the transducer.
The semi in-ear tip according to any of claims 1-5, wherein at least one of the first and second ventilation holes is covered with a mesh.
The semi in-ear tip according to any of claims 1-6, wherein a shape of at least one of the first and second ventilation holes includes at least one of regular hexagon, round hole, slit and triangle.
The semi in-ear tip according to any of claims 1-7, wherein the exterior surfaces of the first and second parts are made of soft or hard material.
The semi in-ear tip according to any of claims 1-8, wherein a portion of the first part which is in contact with the ear canal is solid to seal a sound path from a transducer to the ear canal.
An earphone, including at least one semi in-ear tip according to any of claims 1-9.
A method for manufacturing a semi in-ear tip, comprising:

forming a first part to be placed in at least one of a concha and an ear canal；

forming a second part to be placed towards outside of an ear,

perforating an exterior surface of the first part to have at least one first ventilation hole； and

perforating an exterior surface of the second part to have at least one second ventilation hole；

wherein the first ventilation hole is connected to the outside of the ear via the second ventilation hole.
The method according to claim 11, wherein the first ventilation hole is formed on an exterior surface of the first part, which is to be placed in contact with a surface of the at least one of the concha and the ear canal.
The method according to claim 11 or 12, further comprising:

forming at least one sound hole in the first part； and

placing a transducer inside the semi in-ear tip,

wherein the sound hole is connected to the transducer and is not in communication with the first ventilation hole.
The method according to claim 13, wherein a ventilation path between the first and second ventilation holes is sealed from a front volume of the transducer.
The method according to claim 13 or 14, wherein a ventilation path between the first and second ventilation holes is sealed from a rear volume of the transducer.
The method according to any of claims 11-15, further comprising:

covering at least one of the first and second ventilation holes with a mesh.
The method according to any of claims 11-16, wherein a shape of at least one of the first and second ventilation holes includes at least one of regular hexagon, round hole, slit and triangle.
The method according to any of claims 11-17, wherein the exterior surfaces of the first and second parts are made of soft or hard material.
The method according to any of claims 11-18, wherein a portion of the first part which is in contact with the ear canal is solid to seal a sound path from a transducer to the ear canal.