Improved earpiece

ES 2 558 084 T3

DESCRIPTION

Improved headset.

Background of the Invention

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to a device for removable fixation to the ear as disclosed in the preamble to claim 1.

Background information

Microphone / headphone combinations, whether wireless or wired, are well known for telephones, music systems, switches, etc. Such known devices, however, typically use a headphone bow and a microphone attached to said bow. Such devices are not suitable for use with mobile devices because the device should be shaped so that it can be easily stored in a pocket, bag or the like when not in use.

From the prior art, reference should be made to US 6 122 388 and US 5 659 156. These are ear mold devices in which a plug is inserted into the ear canal and are commonly used in hearing enhancement devices. These are not suitable for mass production because they must be adapted to each user to position them in a stable way and to use them comfortably. This is particularly because the ear opening into which the earplug is inserted differs from person to person. The outer part of the ear also differs in each person, although these differences are not very great. Therefore, when using the outer shape of the ear to attach a headset, only 2 or 3 different sizes could achieve such differences.

Also, an ear plug will block the ear canal and may appear uncomfortable to a user. Also, the natural production of ear wax cannot escape, causing the need to rinse the ear at regular intervals.

Reference should also be made to US 5 943 627 with respect to a headset with an integrated microphone. Walkman headphones and the like are known that use the outer part of the ear for fixation, however, these have a circular shape and only take advantage of the lower part of the external cavity of the ear for fixation and the small differences in the size of the ear. the ear make these headphones not fit quite well.

Reference should also be made to a German utility patent DE 27718483 U1, in which an internal clamp forces rings externally towards the internal parts of the auditory cavity to ensure fixation. The downside is that the constant external pressure that is exerted can cause discomfort over time.

Reference should also be made to document WO 02/45390, which refers to the Norwegian patent NO 312 989, belonging to the Applicant, in which a comfortable fixation is achieved with the combination between a large C-shaped earphone under the tragus of the ear while additional stability is ensured as a portion extends from the earpiece into the intertragic incisure.

Reference should also be made to WO 01/50813, in which an ear mold fills a substantial part of the ear shell and the intertragic incisure.

Next, reference should be made to WO 2004/100508, a headset using pads, in which one of the support pads is placed between the tragus and the antitragus.

Finally, reference should also be made to Norwegian patent NO 312 909.

Reference should also be made to US 2005/0008180 regarding a generally symmetrical earphone for use on either ear, made of a resilient material.

ES 2 558 084 T3

Object of the invention

Based on the above techniques, the object of the invention is to avoid these disadvantages and limitations while providing further improvements in the stability and comfortable fit of a headset, with the possibility of additional functionality.

Summary of the invention

This is provided by a device as disclosed in claim 1. Further features of the invention are disclosed in the remaining dependent claims.

The shape of the earpiece keeps the ear canal open to some extent to the outside environment for improved comfort when compared to a ear cup that closes or blocks the ear canal.

Brief description of the drawings

Embodiments of the invention will be disclosed with reference to the drawings, where:

Figure 1 shows a schematic view of an ear with a curve together with a downwardly extending part.

Figure 2 shows a headset according to the present invention together with a microphone device.

Figure 3 shows an earphone according to the present invention with a curvature that allows the earpiece to fit closely over the shell of the ear.

Figure 4 shows the curvature of Figure 3 from the opposite side and also an incision, formed such that the incision is comfortably stabilized at the intertragic incisure.

Figure 5 shows an embodiment of the present invention comprising the tightly fitting curvature over the ear shell, the stably positioned incision within the intertragic notch, and a portion extending downward from the earpiece.

Detailed description of the invention

Figure 1 shows a schematic view of an ear with a tapering curve 1 inserted. As shown by the figure, the outer periphery of the earphone is held in the ear thanks to the outer parts of the ear in such a way that the lower part of the antihelix 13, the antitragus 3 and the tragus 4 of the ear and a part that extends downward 7, touching the intertragic incisure 14. Part of the curve is located within the antihelix 13 when viewed from outside the ear, where, therefore, such parts are not visible.

By the present invention, a large part of the outer ear is used, thus achieving high stability and providing more comfort to the user than in previously known solutions. The present invention also uses the upper part of the antihelix 13 and the cavity covered by the lower node 15 of the antihelix and the ear flap 2 that covers said cavity next to the outer part of the ear adjacent to the head.

The earphone 10 according to the present invention is shown schematically in figure 2, with a microphone 6 and optionally a microphone rod 12 connected to the earphone 10 at the junction point 11. Said microphone rod comprises the connection between the microphone 6 and the transmitter / receiver arranged in the earphone 10. The power supply for the transmitter / receiver can optionally be placed in the handset, for example, at the bottom 7 of the handset 10, for example, as a rechargeable battery, for example, a pen-type miniature battery which, by virtue of its shape and weight, leads to a low center of gravity relative to the axis of rotation formed at the fulcrum in the lower part of the auditory cavity (next to the intertragic incisure 14). This helps increase the dynamic stability of the headset 10 when the user is on the move. If the center of gravity is very high and a centripetal force is exerted due to rapid movement on the part of the user, the earpiece 10 will slide out of position from above. The antenna of the wireless part could be positioned, for example, on the boom of the microphone.

The receiver 10 comprises a decreasing curve 9 of the outer part of the receiver corresponding to the anti-helix 13 with a surface formed in such a way that the curve falls along the inside of the anti-helix 13 and is partially located under the anti-tragus 3 of the ear. The optional lower part 7 extends from the curve while providing a guide and weight for the correct positioning of the headset 10 when lying more or less lying down

ES 2 558 084 T3 on the intertragic incisure 14 of the ear. The upper part of the curve projects over the cavity covered by the lower node 15 of the antihelix and under the ear flap 2 that covers the lower part of said cavity. Research shows that a contiguous line in the shape of a tapering curve fits almost everyone's ear.

By using the earphone 10, an opening is formed between the outer periphery 16 and the wall of the ear. This means that ends 5 and 8 of the curve project outward from the headset cover 10. Similarly, the part of the earphone 10 that comprises the auditory element is slightly retracted in relation to the curve, to ensure that the hearing element does not directly adjoin the ear canal, allowing the formation of an opening between the ear canal and the environment. .

The earpiece 10 is formed with a curvature 21 such that it follows the inner surface of the ear shell 22 when the earpiece is positioned on the ear. This contact surface provides greater stability because a larger area is placed on the ear shell, increasing comfort.

The earpiece 10 is optionally arranged with an incision 20 so that it is located in the intertragic notch 14 when the earpiece 10 is located in the ear. This incision provides additional stability and greater comfort.

Figure 2 shows a typical embodiment of the invention, with a downwardly extending portion 7 together with an incision 20 that ensures that said downwardly projecting portion is aligned with the intertragic incisure 14 when the earpiece 10 is positioned in the ear.

Figure 3 shows the earpiece 10 from the outside such that the curvature 21 is clearly shown.

Figures 4 and 5 show the receiver from two different angles such that incision 20 is clearly shown.