Patent Publication Number: US-2022226867-A1

Title: Earphone cleaning device

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This continuation application claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/536,497, filed Aug. 9, 2019 (Attorney Docket No. 31615.2) and entitled EARPHONE CLEANING DEVICE, which is scheduled to issue on Apr. 5, 2022, as U.S. Pat. No. 11,292,033; the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to devices for cleaning earphones. 
     Background of the Invention 
     Earphones, such as in-ear headphones (also known as in-ear monitors or canalphones), earbuds, and hearables, are very small headphones that sit directly in a user&#39;s ear. Earphones are extremely popular, due to their high portability and user convenience. 
     In operation, earphones connect to a signal source such as an audio amplifier, radio, portable media player, mobile phone, video console, computer, or musical instrument, either directly using a cord, or wirelessly via Bluetooth® or the like. Each individual driver unit may then be fitted directly in the outer ear in the case of earbuds, or inserted into the ear canal in the case of in-ear headphones. In this manner, earphones provide a private, high-quality sound experience to a user without disturbing others nearby. 
     Ears are notorious, however, for producing earwax. While a suitable amount of earwax is necessary for maintaining ear health, even a small amount of earwax buildup on earphone components is neither hygienically nor aesthetically desirable. Earwax is a viscous substance that includes shed layers of skin, keratin, fatty acids, and cholesterol, along with bacteria, fungi, water, and other substances and particles that it is made to protect against. It is no surprise that an accumulation of earwax and other debris on earphone components can adversely affect a user&#39;s health by increasing a risk of ear infection and earwax blockage. The sound quality produced by the earphones may also be adversely affected. 
     While manual cleaning methods may be used to clean earwax and other debris from earphones, such methods tend to be cumbersome and unreliable. Additionally, known manual cleaning methods risk harming sensitive electronic components by forcing earwax and other debris farther inside the earphone, and/or exposing such components to water, chemicals, or other potentially harmful substances. 
     Accordingly, what are needed are devices, systems, and methods to automatically clean and/or disinfect earphones easily and reliably. Also what are needed are devices, systems, and methods that are simple to use and inexpensive to manufacture. Ideally, such devices, systems, and methods would prolong earphone life and usage by preserving the earphone&#39;s ability to produce high-quality sound, uncompromised by debris or harmful cleaning methods. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In order that the advantages of the invention will be readily understood, a more particular description of the invention briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are not therefore to be considered limiting of its scope, the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through use of the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one embodiment of earphones that may be cleaned by an earphone cleaning device in accordance with the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a top view of a tray for positioning earphones in an earphone cleaning device in accordance with embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a cutaway side view of one embodiment of an earphone cleaning device in accordance with the invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a cutaway side view of another embodiment of an earphone cleaning device in accordance with the invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a cutaway side view of a third embodiment of an earphone cleaning device in accordance with the invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a cutaway side view of a fourth embodiment of an earphone cleaning device in accordance with the invention; and 
         FIG. 7  is a cutaway side view of a fifth embodiment of an earphone cleaning device in accordance with the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     As previously discussed, earwax is a viscous substance that includes shed layers of skin, keratin, fatty acids, and cholesterol, along with bacteria, fungi, water, and other potentially dangerous substances that it collects. It is no surprise that an accumulation of earwax and other debris on earphone components can adversely affect a user&#39;s health by increasing a risk of ear infection and earwax blockage. The sound quality produced by the earphones may also be adversely affected. 
     While manual cleaning methods may be used to clean earwax and other debris from earphones, such methods tend to be cumbersome and unreliable. Additionally, known manual cleaning methods risk harming sensitive electronic components by forcing earwax and other debris farther inside the earphone, and/or exposing such components to water, chemicals, or other potentially harmful substances. Devices, systems, and methods in accordance with the present invention aim to address these problems by enabling automatic earphone cleaning that is easy, effective, and safe for sensitive electronic components. 
     As used herein, the term “earphone” or “earphones” refers to any electronic device that sits directly in or on a user&#39;s ear, including, for example, ear-fitting headphones, in-ear monitors, canalphones, earbuds, earphones, smart headphones, hearables, and the like. The term “screen” refers to any audio-transparent material, such as a mesh, fabric, paper, or other porous materials. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , earphones  100  may include sensitive electronic components (such as drivers, chips, magnets, diaphragms, electrical wiring, aluminum coils) contained within a rigid or substantially rigid housing  102   a ,  102   b . The outer shell of the housing  102   a ,  102   b  may comprise hard plastic which, in some cases, may include a rubber element around or incorporated with the housing  102   a ,  102   b  to provide extra user comfort. In some embodiments, the housing  102   a ,  102   b  may be designed to be supported exclusively by the outer contours of a user&#39;s ear. Alternatively, the housing  102   a ,  102   b  may include certain components to fit into and be retained by a user&#39;s ear canal. 
     In either case, audio filters or screen components  104   a ,  104   b  may be integrated into an earphone  100  to allow sound produced by the earphone  100  to flow from an audio channel to ears of a user, while protecting internal earphone  100  components from potential damage from external sources. Screen components  104   a ,  104   b  may be coupled to or integrated with an external surface of each housing  102   a ,  102   b  to prevent dust and debris  106  from contacting sensitive internal components. 
     Debris  106  collection onto screen components  104   a ,  104   b , however, may cause various problems. As previously mentioned, an accumulation of earwax and other debris  106  onto the screen components  104   a ,  104   b  may be both unsanitary and aesthetically undesirable. Additionally, such debris  106  may impede the quality of sound produced and/or received by the earphones  100 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , embodiments of the present invention may address these issues by providing devices and methods to automatically and effectively remove debris  106  from screen components  104   a ,  104   b  or audio channels  104   a ,  104   b  of an earphone  100 . In certain embodiments, a cleaning device in accordance with the invention may include a positioning element  202  or tray  202  to position earphones  100  such that the screen components  104   a ,  104   b  may selectively contact and align with a cleaning element, such as a brush. 
     As shown, one embodiment of a tray  202  may include depressions  204   a ,  204   b  substantially corresponding to a size and configuration of earphones  100  to be cleaned. Alternatively, a tray  202  may include ridges or other physical boundaries or features to automatically position earphones  100  at desired locations. In certain embodiments, multiple replaceable trays  204  having depressions  204   a ,  204   b  of varying sizes and shapes may be provided to accommodate different earphones  100  having corresponding sizes and shapes. In some embodiments, a single tray  202  may include depressions  204   a ,  204   b  of varying sizes and shapes to accommodate a variety of different earphones  100 . 
     In one embodiment, the tray  202  may be made of a lightweight molded plastic material having depressions  204   a ,  204   b  therein to substantially match earphones  100  having a specified type and shape. The tray  202  may be removable and replaceable by any of various other trays  204 , each having different depressions  204   a ,  204   b  to accommodate various types and/or styles of earphones  100 . In another embodiment, the tray  202  may include a base element configured to support one or more liners having depressions  204   a ,  204   b  or other physical features to accommodate various types and/or styles of earphones  100 . A number of depressions  204   a ,  204   b  or other physical features in each tray  202  or liner may be varied as desired to accommodate any number of different earphones  100 . Of course, a single tray  202  and/or liner may be repeatedly reused as desired. 
     The tray  202  may include one or more apertures  206   a ,  206   b  substantially corresponding to a position of the screen components  104   a ,  104   b  and associated audio channels of the earphones  100  when placed in the tray  202  and positioned by the depressions  204   a ,  204   b  or other physical features. Each aperture  206   a ,  206   b  may be located to correspond to a brush element or other cleaning element, as discussed in more detail below. The dimensions and location of each aperture  206   a ,  206   b  may allow the brush element or cleaning element to contact the screen components I 04   a , I 04   b  for cleaning. 
       FIG. 3  is a high-level diagram illustrating an exemplary embodiment of a cleaning device  300  in accordance with the invention. As shown, the cleaning device  300  may include an external housing  318  made of hard plastic or other substantially rigid material to protect internal cleaning components. The housing  318  may include a positioning element (e.g., tray  202 ) for receiving and positioning earphones  100 , and a cover  314  or lid configured to fit thereover. In some embodiments, the tray  202  may be removable and/or replaceable with respect to the housing  318 . The cover  314  may be attached to the housing  318  via a hinge  316 , or may be fit onto the housing  318  via a press fit, or by any other means known to those in the art. In one embodiment, the cover  314  may include ventilation holes (not shown) thereon to facilitate air flow through the cleaning device  300 . 
     As described above, embodiments of a tray  202  in accordance with the invention may include depressions  204   a ,  204   b , ridges, or other physical boundaries or features to automatically position earphones  100  such that their screen components  104   a ,  104   b  may contact one or more cleaning elements, such as the brush elements  302   a ,  302   b  shown. In some embodiments, the depressions  204   a ,  204   b  may position the screen components  104   a ,  104   b  to contact one or more brush elements  302   a ,  302   b  through apertures  206   a ,  206   b  in the tray  202 . 
     Each brush element  302   a ,  302   b  may, in certain embodiments, include a plurality of bristles made of, for example, nylon, rubber, and/or other natural or synthetic materials adapted to contact the screen components  104   a ,  104   b  to remove debris  106  therefrom. In certain embodiments, the bristles may be substantially flexible to facilitate gentle cleaning of the screen components  104   a ,  104   b . The bristles may also be non-abrasive such that debris  106  may be removed from the screen components  104   a ,  104   b  without causing damage thereto. 
     Brush elements  302   a ,  302   b  may include dimensions such that the brush elements  302   a ,  302   b  selectively contact corresponding screen components  104   a ,  104   b  through the tray  202 . In certain embodiments, each brush element  302   a ,  302   b  has a brush surface area equal to or greater than a surface area of a corresponding screen component  104   a ,  104   b . In this manner, brush elements  302   a ,  302   b  may, in certain embodiments, contact the entire surface of corresponding screen components  104   a ,  104   b  such that they may be cleaned in their entireties. 
     Motive elements  304   a ,  304   b , such as motors, may mechanically move, rotate, and/or oscillate associated brush elements  302   a ,  302   b  relative to the screen components  104   a ,  104   b  of the earphones  100 . Alternatively, motive elements  304   a ,  304   b  may move, rotate, and/or oscillate the positioning element or tray  202  containing the earphones  100  relative to the brush elements  302   a ,  302   b . In either case, movement and/or friction between the brush elements  302   a ,  302   b  and the screen components  104   a ,  104   b  may gently dislodge any dust or debris  106  from the screen components  104   a ,  104   b.    
     In some embodiments, the cleaning device  300  may further include a vacuum element, such as a fan  306  powered by a motor  308 , to create a vacuum or airflow within the device  300 . For example, the fan  306  may pull air through the cleaning device  300 , drawing debris  106  dislodged from the screen components  104   a ,  104   b  through the device  300  in the direction  320 . As shown, in some embodiments, the direction  320  of air flow may be downward through the cleaning device  300 , and then outward through ventilation holes  322  located, for example, in sides of the housing  318 . Other paths for routing air flow are also possible. In one embodiment, ventilation holes may also be included in the cover  314  of the device  300  to facilitate drawing air through the device in a direction  320  from top to bottom. 
     In one embodiment, a collection element  310  may be provided near a base of the cleaning device  300  to collect the debris  106 . The collection element  310  may, in certain embodiments, be selectively removed through an opening  324  in the housing  318 . Alternatively, the collection element  310  may simply be emptied through the opening  324  in the housing  318 . In certain embodiments, the collection element  310  may include a filter or entrapment mechanism to prevent debris  106  from escaping the collection element  310  after collection. 
     In some embodiments, the housing  318  further hosts a power source, such as a battery  312 , to power the various internal cleaning components  304 ,  308  described above. Additionally, in one embodiment, a charging element (not shown) may be connected to or integrated with the housing  318  or tray  202  to automatically charge the battery  312  and/or earphones  100  during operation of the cleaning device  300 . In certain embodiments, the charging element may wirelessly charge the earphones  100  (using magnetic induction, for example) upon their placement in the tray  202 . In other embodiments, the charging element may directly connect to the earphones  100  for charging. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , in certain embodiments, a cleaning device  400  in accordance with the invention may include a collection element  402  that is part of the housing  318  while being removeable therefrom. For example, in one embodiment, the collection element  402  is a removable tray that attaches to a bottom end  404  of the cleaning device  400 . Gravity and the direction  320  of air flow created by the vacuum element or fan  306  within the housing  318  may carry debris  106  from the earphones  100  downward through the cleaning device  400  and into collection element  402 . The collection element  400  may be removed from the cleaning device  400 , emptied, and reattached thereto. 
     In one embodiment, an outside perimeter of the collection element  402  substantially corresponds to outer dimensions of the end  404  of the housing  318  such that it may be attached thereto via a press fit. To release the collection element  402  from the housing  318 , a user may gently press opposite sides of the collection element  402  to easily release the collection element  402  for emptying. In other embodiments, the collection element  402  may attach to the end  404  of the housing  318  by one or more hinges, or by any other means known to those in the art. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5 , some embodiments of a cleaning device  500  may include one or more sanitizing elements  502   a ,  502   b  to dispense or spray a sanitizing or cleaning solution onto the screen components  104   a ,  104   b  through the tray  202 . The sanitizing or cleaning spray may include, for example, ethyl or isopropyl alcohol and, in some embodiments, a disinfectant. In alternative embodiments, the sanitizing elements  502   a ,  502   b  may include emitters capable of emitting and focusing short-wavelength ultraviolet (“UV”) light or sanitizing radiation onto the screen components  104   a ,  104   b  to kill germs or other microbes. 
     In some embodiments, sanitizing elements  502   a ,  502   b  may implement more than one sanitization stage. For example, in a first stage, sanitizing elements  502   a ,  502   b  may spray a sanitizing or cleaning solution onto the screen components  104   a ,  104   b . In the second stage, additional sanitizing elements  502   a ,  502   b  or lamps may focus UV light or other radiation onto the screen components  104   a ,  104   b  to disinfect them. In any case, sanitizing elements  502   a ,  502   b  may be pneumatically, mechanically, or electrically driven by any mechanism known to those in the art, and may be powered by the battery  312  or other power source included in the housing  318 . 
     In certain embodiments, the sanitizing elements  502   a ,  502   b  may be actuated before, during, or after actuation of the brush elements  302   a ,  302   b  to augment the mechanical cleaning capabilities of the brush elements  302   a ,  302   b . In some embodiments, operation of the sanitizing elements  502   a ,  502   b  may be staggered in time with respect to actuation of the brush elements  302   a ,  302   b . For example, where the sanitizing elements  502   a ,  502   b  emit ultraviolet light, it may be desirable to actuate the sanitizing elements  502   a ,  502   b  after the brush elements  302   a ,  302   b  have mechanically cleaned the earphones  100 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , some embodiments of a cleaning device  600 ,  700  in accordance with the invention may be adapted to utilize an external vacuum attachment or hose  604 . This external vacuum attachment or hose  604  may be attached to the cleaning device  600 ,  700  to take the place of the fan  306  or vacuum element within the device  600 ,  700 . Operation of the external vacuum may create suction within the device  600 ,  700  to draw debris  106  dislodged from the screen components  104   a ,  104   b  into the hose  604  for disposal. Such embodiments may create a stronger vacuum force than an internal vacuum element may be capable of producing. Utilizing an external vacuum in this manner may also lower costs associated with the device  600 ,  700  by eliminating the need for an internal vacuum element, collection element  402 , and/or associated circuitry. 
     As shown in  FIG. 6 , in one embodiment, the housing  318  includes a lower portion  602  having a reduced profile or circumference relative to an upper portion  606 . This narrowing between the upper portion  606  and the lower portion  602  may enable a vacuum hose  604  to easily attach to and, in some embodiments, be retained by the lower portion  602 , without allowing the whole of the device  600  to be drawn into the hose  604 . As shown, some embodiments may include a distinct ledge  608  between the upper portion  606  and the lower portion  602 , with the lower portion  602  being received into the hose  604 . The ledge  608  may create a physical barrier preventing the hose  604  from extending onto the upper portion  606  of the housing  606 . 
     In other embodiments, an outer circumference or profile of the upper portion  606  may be gradually reduced towards the lower portion  602 , such that the hose  604  circumference naturally stops the hose  604  at a point on the lower portion  602  of the housing  318 . Operation of the external vacuum may create suction through the attached hose  604  and cleaning device  600 , thereby drawing air and debris  106  from the screen components  104   a ,  104   b  in a direction  320  through the attached hose  604 . A bottom edge  610  of the housing may be substantially open or may include one or more exit ports to enable the debris  106  to be easily collected and/or drawn through the hose  604 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 7 , some embodiments of a cleaning device  700  in accordance with the invention may also utilize an external vacuum to power internal cleaning elements, such as brush elements  302   a ,  302   b  and/or sanitizing elements  502   a ,  502   b  within the device  700 , as well as to create a vacuum or air flow internal to the device  700 . 
     For example, in one embodiment, pneumatically-powered motors  702   a ,  702   b  may be attached to each brush element  302   a ,  302   b . Like the previous embodiment, an external vacuum may be coupled to a lower portion  602  of the cleaning device  700  via a vacuum attachment or hose  604 . Operation of the external vacuum through the attached hose  604  may draw air in a direction  320  from the top cover  314  of the device  700  toward the attached hose  604 . 
     In addition to creating a vacuum within the device  700 , the air flow  320  may rotate the pneumatic motors  702   a ,  702   b  and associated brush elements  302   a ,  302   b  to remove debris  106  from the screen components  104   a ,  104   b . Utilizing an external vacuum to power cleaning components internal to the cleaning device  700  in this manner may eliminate or reduce the need for an independent power source, such as a battery, and associated circuitry. This simplification may further reduce costs associated with the cleaning device  700 . 
     In the above disclosure, reference has been made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific implementations in which the disclosure may be practiced. It is understood that other implementations may be utilized and structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. References in the specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “an example embodiment,” etc., indicate that the embodiment described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but every embodiment may not necessarily include the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the knowledge of one skilled in the art to affect such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other embodiments whether or not explicitly described. 
     While various embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not limitation. It will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art that various changes in form and detail can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present disclosure should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims and their equivalents. The foregoing description has been presented for the purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure to the precise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. Further, it should be noted that any or all of the aforementioned alternate implementations may be used in any combination desired to form additional hybrid implementations of the disclosure.