GB2376832A

GB2376832A - Radio/telephone earpiece with modular construction

Info

Publication number: GB2376832A
Application number: GB0208491A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Andrew Charles Shiach; Alvin Wai Lun Yip
Original assignee: INNOTALENT HOLDINGS Ltd
Current assignee: INNOTALENT HOLDINGS Ltd
Priority date: 2001-04-12
Filing date: 2002-04-12
Publication date: 2002-12-24
Anticipated expiration: 2022-04-12
Also published as: GB2375000A; WO2002084982A2; GB0208491D0; WO2002084982A9; WO2002084982A3; AU2002251263A1; GB2376832B; GB0109242D0

Abstract

A two-part ear-piece for holding a sound reproducing device, such as an earphone, comprises a first part 2 adapted to fit within a human ear canal which includes a connectable portion 8, and a second sound reproduction portion 3. The latter portion includes a recess 15 adapted to contain a sound reproduction unit 4 and a connectable portion 13,14 adapted to mate with the first part. The first part of the ear-piece is preferably moulded to the shape of the wearer's ear canal. In a preferred embodiment the first part of the ear-piece is moulded with a thin wall to provide an internal resonant cavity. The ear-piece is formed from a resilient material such as a silicone rubber and the ear-part may have a protrusion that adapted to engage the outer part of the user's ear. The sound from the reproduction portion passes into the user's ear through an air channel which comprises a duct 10 which extends through the first part. The duct may form a resonant cavity within the first part.

Description

RADIO/TELEPHONE EAR-PIECE

This Liven. relaxes to an ear-piece for,o&,nting a communication device such as an earphone for use in conjunction with a two way radio, telephone, tape or disk player. Moulded ear-pieces are known which house a sound reproducing device, sometimes called an earphone, in which the ear-piece includes a protrusion which is designed to enter the user's ear canal and retain the earpiece therein. A problem with such devices is that they have to be formed, for instance by moulding, so that they conform to the exact shape needed to accept the particular earphone of the manufacturer whose product is to be mounted in the ear-piece. In consequence if a different earphone is to be used the whole ear-piece has to be re-designed and formed to accommodate the different earphone. Furthermore the inside of the ear canal varies between individuals so that a variety of protrusions may be required if all individuals are to be fitted. The redesign and production of a moulding tool is an expensive operation.

The present invention provides a versatile ear-piece which can accommodate a range of sound reproducing devices or earphones and a range of users.

According to the present invention there is provided a two-part ear-piece for holding a sound reproducing device, such as an earphone, comprising a first part adapted to fit within a human ear canal and including a connectable portion, and a second sound reproduction portion including a recess adapted to contain a sound reproduction unit and a connectable portion adapted to mate with the first part.

The first part of the ear-piece is preferably moulded to the shape of the wearer's ear canal. Although the shape of the ear canal differs from person to person it is found in

- 2 practice that three designs the first part will fit the majority of the human race. In order that the sound from the reproduction device is heard by the user it preferably passes into the ear through an air channel. This may be provided by a duct which extends through the first part. This duct permits sound from the sound reproducing device in the second part to pass through the first part into the ear canal.

In a preferred embodiment the first part is formed as a shell whose outer surface conforms to the shape of an ear canal and whose inner portion forms a cavity which has the effect of a resonator and improves the perceived quality of the sound received in the ear. The wall thickness and the shape of the cavity together with the sound outlet dimension are selected to provide amplification of sound frequencies that are otherwise attenuated to an extent that degrades the quality of the sound from the reproducing device.

In a preferred embodiment the ear-part has a protrusion extending from it which is received, in use, by the wearer's ear canal. Preferably a duct extends through this protrusion and communicates with the socket in the ear-part. In one embodiment the socket in the ear-part comprises a first cylindrical section of a first diameter and a second cylindrical section of a second, smaller, diameter.

Preferably the protrusion extending from the second part has a fist cylindrical section of the first diameter and a second cylindrical section coaxial therewith having the second, smaller, diameter. Conveniently the remote end of the second cylindrical section of reduced diameter has an annular lip or enlargement around it which extends radially outwardly from it. In a preferred version of this embodiment the recess in the second part has annular radially inwardly extending lip around its outer edge adapted to co-operate with the sound

reproducing device, when fitted, to retain it in the recess.

Preferably the second part is moulded from a flexible material such as an elastomeric synthetic polymer. The ear-part is also moulded from such a material. The preferred material for the ear part is a silicone rubber. Such material is available as a low temperature curable composition so that it can be moulded in situ in a wearer's ear providing an exact fit. In order that the invention may be clearly understood preferred forms thereof will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a schematic view of a human ear with an ear-piece according to the invention mounted therein, Figure 2 is a schematic exploded view of the ear-piece of Figures 1, Figure 3 is a perspective view of the interior of the resonant chamber formed within the preferred embodiment of the ear-part, Figure 4 is a perspective view of the exterior of the ear-part showing the sound outlet, and Figure 5 is a side view of the exterior of the ear-part.

An ear 1 of a person using an ear-piece according to the in er,t:on, arc Figure 1, carries an ear-part 2 fitted with a sound unit 4. A protrusion 6 extends outwardly from the ear-part and engages the user's ear canal and thereby locates and retains the ear-part 2 in the user's ear.

The ear-peice, see Figure 2, consists of the ear-part 2, a second part or adapter 3 which can accept and retain the sound unit 4. The protrusion 6 is moulded to the approximate shape of the inner canal of the user's ear 1. The ear-part 2 is

- 4 one embodiment is formed in situ from a low temperature curing silicone rubber composition. A curing agent is added to the silicone rubber composition and the mixture directed into the ear canal of the potential user. The setting time in these circumstances is of the order of five minutes. The cured silicone rubber is removed from the user's ear 1 enabling a mould to be formed to mass produce ear-parts 2.

In the moulded ear-parts a recess 7 is created at the external end of the ear-part 2 and forms the protrusion 6 at its other end which is accommodated by the ear canal of the user. The recess has a first cylindrical section 8 of a first diameter which leads to a second cylindrical section 9 having a lesser diameter. The recess 7 acts as a socket which engages the second part or adapter 3.

The second part 3 has a main cyllnd-rlca'' body section 5 with a stepped socket portion 11 and one end. Externally the socket portion 11 comprises a first cylindrical section 12 of a diameter less than external diameter of main body section 5 and a second cylindrical section 13 having a lesser diameter.

A raised rim. or lip 14 extends around the outer end of the section 13 which engages the resilient sides of the cylindrical section 9 or engages an annular groove in the wall of the section 9. A recess 15 within the other end of the part 3 is adapted to accommodate the sound unit 4. The recess 15 has a cylindrical section 16 connected by an annular radially extending wall 20 to a partially spherical cavity 17 which is connected to the remote end of the adapter 3 by duct 19. The second part is prelerab'ly moulded from a flexible synthetic polymer composition.

The sound unit 4 is of standard design and has a cylindrical main body 23 connected by a radially extending annular wall 22

to a part spherical end 21 which emits sound generated from electrical signals supplied to the unit 4. The rear of the unit 4 has an end wall 25 with connecting lead 26 from which is conrlec ed to source of to, electrical signals. The unit 4 is accommodated within the recess 15 with its part spherical end 21 located within the part spherical cavity 17 in the adapter 3. The outer edge of the recess 15 is formed with an annular radially inwardly extending rib 27 which fits over the annular edge 24 of the sound unit 4 and retains it in position. When using the ear-piece according to the invention the sound unit is fitted to the adapter 3 as described. The socket 11 is then pressed into the recess 7 in the earpart 2 and retained by the annular lip 14 engaging the annular wall 9.

When parts 2 and 3 are engaged the duct 10 in the ear-part 2 aligns wish tile duct 19 In tile adapter 3 to allow passage of sound generated by the unit 4.

Although a pair of ducts 10 and 19, as shown in Figure 2, allow sound to reach the inner ear from the unit 4 there is some degradation of the frequency response. This can be improved by opening up the diameter of the duct 10 to form effectively a resonant cavity as shown in Figure 3. Such a cavity 30, see Figure 3, is shown schematically by a cross section across the outer wall 31 of an ear-part 2. Below it is shown the sound unit 4. The outer wall 31 is formed to include the protrusion 6 shown in figures 1 and 2. The sound leaves the cavity 30 through the exit aperture 33 r see Figure 4. A side view, see Figure 5, shows the portion 31, formed with a thin wall, engaging an adapter 34 fitted to sound unit 32. It is found in practice that the resilience of a thin walled ear-part 31 enables a set of three such parts to accommodate the majority of all types of ear so that

individual fitting for each user is unnecessary. Compared with prior art ear-pieces those formed in accordance with this

invention provide an enhanced frequency response and comperlsate for the loss of the ear's natural acoustic response which occurs when objects are inserted into the ear canal.

The wall thickness of the ear-part and the sound outlet dimensions create improved sound quality particularly in the mid range of acoustic frequencies.

Claims

- l - CLAIMS

1. A two-part ear-piece for holding a sound reproducing device, such as an earphone, comprising a first part adapted to fit within a human ear canal and including a connectable portion, and a second sound reproduction portion including a recess adapted to contain a sound reproduction unit and a connectable portion adapted to mate with the first part.

2. The ear-piece as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the first part of the ear-piece is moulded to the shape of the wearer's ear canal.

3. The ear-piece as claimed in claim 2, characterised in that the first part of the ear-piece is moulded with a thin wall to provide an internal resonant cavity.

4. The ear-piece as claimed in claim 2 or claim 3, charact erised in that the ear-piece is formed from a silicone rubber.

5. The ear-piece as claimed in any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the ear-part has a protrusion that adapted to engage the outer part of the user's ear.

6. The ear-piece as claimed in any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the sound from the reproduction portion passes into the user's ear through an air channel.

7. The ear-piece as claimed in claim 6, characterised in that the air channel comprises a duct which extends through the first part.

8. The ear-piece as claimed in claim 7, characterised in that the duct comprises a resonant cavity within the first part.

9. Ear-pieces as claimed in claim 1 and as herein described.

10. Ear-pieces as herein described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.