Patent Description:
Generally, some conventional earphones are based on insert-type headphones. Such insert-type headphones typically comprise a body part and a soft eartip part. The eartip part is often designed to be pushed inside a user's ear canal, for example, in order to block it from outside sounds, and to further allow the sounds generated by the headphone entering the user's ear canal.

A conventional eartip for earphones is based on isotropic homogeneous materials (typically silicone). Further, the homogeneous materials of the eartip is selected such that the overall stiffness of the eartip to be compromised. For example, the eartip should not be too stiff to exert too much pressure to the user's ear canal, but the eartip should also not be too soft to still enable insertion into the user's ear canal.

Document <CIT> discloses an ear tip for an ear phone, comprising: a cylindrical hollow shaft having a sound conduit through which audio signals are transferred into a user's ear; an external sheet extending from an end portion of the hollow shaft and enclosing the hollow shaft such that a gap space is provided between the hollow shaft and the external sheet; and a reinforce member protruded from the external sheet toward the hollow shaft in the gap space and reinforcing a strength of the external sheet to thereby resist against an axial external force applied along the hollow shaft.

Document <CIT> is disclosing an eartip, comprising: an upper bevel portion having an upper hollow-cored guiding tube and an upper bevel surrounding a top end of the upper hollow-cored guiding tube; and a lower bevel portion having a lower hollow-cored guiding tube and a lower bevel surrounding a top end of the lower hollow-cored guiding tube, wherein the top end of the lower hollow-cored guiding tube extends to form a buffer portion for connecting and communicating with the upper hollow-cored guiding tube, wherein a diameter of a bottom rim of the upper bevel is less than a diameter of a bottom rim of the lower bevel, wherein the lower bevel portion is of a rigidity slightly higher than the upper bevel portion.

However, an issue of such a conventional eartip is that due to the abovementioned compromise, desired results including ease of insert, wearing comfort, and good sealing cannot be individually optimized, but have a strong co-dependency. It is thus generally desirable to provide an alternative eartip for earphones.

In view of the above-mentioned problems and disadvantages, embodiments of the present disclosure aim to improve a conventional eartip for earphones. An objective is to provide an eartip that provides a better sealing of the user's ear canal. Further, the eartip should provide an improved wearing comfort to the user. The disclosed eartip should overcome shortcomings of the conventional eartip that are based on isotropic materials.

The objective is achieved by the embodiments of the disclosure as described in the enclosed independent claims. Advantageous implementations of the embodiments of the disclosure are further defined in the dependent claims.

In particular, by using one or more anisotropic stiffness elements in an eartip body, embodiments of the invention make it possible to control the stiffness of the eartip in different locations and directions, and may thus maximize a wearing comfort for the user, while ensuring a stable fit and a good sound quality, and/or an efficient acoustic sealing.

A first aspect of the present disclosure provides an eartip for an earphone, the eartip comprising a deformable eartip body configured to be at least partially inserted into an ear canal, and one or more anisotropic stiffness elements arranged in or on the eartip body, wherein the one or more anisotropic stiffness elements are configured to provide a location-specific stiffness to the eartip body. The one or more anisotropic stiffness elements comprise a plurality of beams arranged inside the eartip body, wherein the one or more anisotropic stiffness elements further comprise a plurality of bonding structures interconnecting the plurality of beams.

The eartip may be an eartip for an insert-type earphone. The deformable body may enable the eartip (e.g., the deformable eartip body of the eartip) to be at least partially inserted (e.g., positioned) within the ear canal of a user.

Furthermore, the one or more anisotropic stiffness elements may be based on anisotropic microstructures, and may be arranged such that a location-specific stiffness may be provided to the eartip body. For example, the one or more anisotropic stiffness elements may be used to control the stiffness and other material parameters in different locations and directions in the eartip. Thus, the eartip may provide a maximized wearing comfort to the user, while ensuring a stable fit and good sound quality.

For example, the stiffness of the eartip may vary locally, allowing more pressure to be exerted to areas that are not that sensitive to force (such as the tragus of the ear), and less pressure to areas of higher sensitivity. Hence, it may be possible to increase both the wearing comfort and the secure fit (preventing the earphone to drop from the ear of the user) of the eartip.

The plurality of beams may be based on tubes, e.g., may each be a tube. Furthermore, each beam (e.g., each tube) may have a radial angle that may be varied, i.e., upon manufacturing the eartip, the radial angle of each tube may be controlled, which may result in an eartip that exerts less pressure on the ear canal of the user.

In an implementation form of the first aspect, the one or more anisotropic stiffness elements are further configured to provide a direction-specific stiffness to the eartip body, wherein the stiffness of the eartip body is highest along an ear canal insertion direction.

In particular, providing direction-specific stiffness to the eartip body may enable the eartip to be more easily inserted in the ear canal of the user, more comfortable to wear, and it may be easily manufactured. Furthermore, due to the direction-specific stiffness of the eartip body, the eartip may be stiffer during insertion (preventing folding of the eartip body, and thus facilitating insertion), but more flexible during wearing (increasing comfort and providing better sealing).

In a further implementation form of the first aspect, the one or more anisotropic stiffness elements are configured to provide a stiffer characteristic to the eartip body along a first axis of the eartip, wherein, in particular, the first axis is along the ear canal insertion direction.

In a further implementation form of the first aspect, the one or more anisotropic stiffness elements are further configured to provide a less stiff characteristic to the eartip body along a second axis of the eartip, wherein in particular the second axis is oblique to the ear canal insertion direction.

In a further implementation form of the first aspect, each of the beams has a higher stiffness along the beam extension direction, and has a lower bending stiffness oblique to the beam extension direction.

In a further implementation form of the first aspect, the plurality of bonding structures provide a support body to the interconnected plurality of beams, thereby forming a mesh structure.

In a further implementation form of the first aspect, the one or more anisotropic stiffness elements further comprise a plurality of rings arranged next to each other, and positioned at an end of the eartip opposite to the end of the eartip that is configured to be inserted into the ear canal.

In a further implementation form of the first aspect,.

A second aspect of the disclosure provides an earphone comprising at least one eartip according to the first aspect or one of the implementation form of the first aspect.

The earphone may comprise at least one eartip, for example, an eartip or a pair of eartip. It may further include a circuitry.

The earphone may further comprise a circuitry comprising electronics such as transducer elements that may be operative to provide acoustic sound. The circuitry of the earphone may comprise hardware and software. The hardware may comprise analog or digital circuitry, or both analog and digital circuitry. In some embodiments, the circuitry comprises one or more processors and a non-volatile memory connected to the one or more processors. The non-volatile memory may carry executable program code which, when executed by the one or more processors, causes the device to perform the operations or methods described herein. Furthermore, the at least one eartip of the earphone may be operative to deform in order to fit inside a user's ear canal and provide an acoustic sealing. The earphone of the second aspect achieves the advantages and effects described for the eartip of the first aspect.

A third aspect of the disclosure provides a method of manufacturing an eartip for an earphone, the method comprising forming a deformable eartip body for being at least partially insertable into an ear canal, and arranging one or more anisotropic stiffness elements in or on the eartip body, such that the one or more anisotropic stiffness elements provide a location-specific stiffness to the eartip body. The one or more anisotropic stiffness elements comprise a plurality of beams arranged inside the eartip body, wherein the one or more anisotropic stiffness elements further comprise a plurality of bonding structures interconnecting the plurality of beams.

In an implementation form of the third aspect, the manufacturing method of the third aspect is executed for manufacturing the eartip according to the first aspect or one of the implementation form of the first aspect.

<FIG> depicts a schematic view of an eartip <NUM>, <NUM> for an earphone <NUM>, <NUM>, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

In <FIG>, in particular, a pair of earphones <NUM>, <NUM> is shown, including a first earphone <NUM> comprising an eartip <NUM>, for instance, for use in a user's left ear, and a second earphone <NUM> comprising an eartip <NUM>, for instance, for use with a user's right ear. The first earphone <NUM> and the second earphone <NUM> may be similar or identical, and may have similar or identical functions as described in this disclosure. Furthermore, the eartip <NUM> and the eartip <NUM> may be similar or identical, and may have similar or identical functions as described in this disclosure.

The eartip <NUM>, <NUM> comprises a deformable eartip body <NUM>, <NUM> configured to be at least partially inserted into an ear canal.

The eartip <NUM>, <NUM> further comprises one or more anisotropic stiffness elements <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> arranged in or on the eartip body <NUM>, <NUM>, wherein the one or more anisotropic stiffness elements <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> are configured to provide a location-specific stiffness to the eartip body <NUM>, <NUM>.

For example, in <FIG>, the eartip <NUM> comprises the anisotropic stiffness elements <NUM>, <NUM> arranged in or on the eartip body <NUM> of the eartip <NUM>. Furthermore, the eartip <NUM> comprises the anisotropic stiffness elements <NUM>, <NUM> arranged in or on the eartip body <NUM> of the eartip <NUM>.

Moreover, the anisotropic stiffness elements <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> are configured to provide a location-specific stiffness to each of the respective eartip bodies <NUM>, <NUM>.

For example, the anisotropic stiffness elements <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>, <NUM> may be, respectively, arranged such that the stiffness of the eartips <NUM> and <NUM> varies locally. Furthermore, this may allow pressure to be exerted more to areas that are not that sensitive to force (such as the tragus of the ear), and less to areas of higher sensitivity. Hence, it may be possible to increase both the wearing comfort and the secure fit (preventing the earphone <NUM>, <NUM> to drop from the ear of the user) of each eartip <NUM>, <NUM>.

Moreover, a user may wear the first earphone <NUM> and the second earphone <NUM> by at least partially inserting the respective deformable eartip bodies <NUM>, <NUM> of the eartips <NUM>, <NUM> into the respective ear canals. Furthermore, by providing the location-specific stiffness by the anisotropic stiffness elements <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>, <NUM>, respectively, the deformable eartip bodies <NUM> and <NUM> may deform to fit within the unique shape of the particular user's ear canal.

The first earphone <NUM> and/or the second earphone <NUM> may further comprise a processing circuitry (not shown in <FIG>) configured to perform, conduct or initiate the various operations of the device <NUM> described herein. The processing circuitry may comprise hardware and software. The hardware may comprise analog circuitry or digital circuitry, or both analog and digital circuitry. The digital circuitry may comprise components such as application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field-programmable arrays (FPGAs), digital signal processors (DSPs), or multi-purpose processors. In one embodiment, the processing circuitry comprises one or more processors and a non-transitory memory connected to the one or more processors. The non-transitory memory may carry executable program code which, when executed by the one or more processors, causes the first earphone <NUM> and/or the second earphone <NUM> to perform, conduct or initiate the operations or methods described herein.

Reference is now made to <FIG>, which depict diagrams 200A and 200B illustrating anisotropic stiffness elements (like <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>, <NUM> in <FIG>) that are based on a plurality of beams <NUM> for arrangement inside the eartip body (diagram 200A of <FIG>), and based on a plurality of rings <NUM> provided as support-structure for the eartip (diagram 200B of <FIG>).

The anisotropic stiffness elements <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>, <NUM> are comprising a plurality of beams <NUM>. In the example of <FIG>, eight beams <NUM> are illustrated that may provide a stiffer characteristic to the eartip body along the ear canal insertion direction.

Further, each of the beams <NUM> may have a higher stiffness along the beam extension direction, and may have a lower bending stiffness (e.g., an elastic characteristic) oblique to the beam extension direction.

Moreover, a plurality of bonding structures <NUM> are provided for interconnecting the plurality of beams <NUM>.

For example, the anisotropic stiffness elements <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>, <NUM> may comprise thicker elements (e.g., the beams <NUM>) in the direction of ear canal insertion, preventing excessive bending or folding of the respective eartip <NUM>, <NUM>. Adjoining the thicker elements may be thinner elements like supporting structures, e.g., a mesh <NUM> as shown in light gray in <FIG>, which may hold the beams <NUM> together, but at the same time allow elasticity in the direction orthogonal to the beams <NUM> (the thicker elements). Thus, the eartip <NUM>, <NUM> may be flexible towards the ear canal walls of the user, preventing discomforting pressure, but may be stiff towards the ear canal itself, and thus may prevent excessive bending when inserting the eartip <NUM>, <NUM>. Note that the thin support structures may not be beam-like as shown, but may also be or comprise a membrane-like structure that can be used as well for non-leaky operation.

For instance, such anisotropic microstructures may be created by 3D printing using, e.g., one or more mesh structures <NUM> with varying element thickness, or with varying materials. For example, the beams <NUM> may be based on eartip tubes, which may be stiffer in the insertion direction, but more flexible towards the ear canal walls.

According to diagram 200B of <FIG>, the anisotropic stiffness elements <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>, <NUM> may be based on a plurality of rings <NUM>. For example, the plurality of rings <NUM> may be arranged next to each other, and may be positioned at an end of the eartip <NUM>, <NUM> opposite to the end of the eartip <NUM>, <NUM> that is configured to be inserted into the ear canal. Moreover, each ring <NUM> may be based on a tube, which has a radial angle that can be varied. For instance, the plurality of rings <NUM> may allow the radial direction of the eartip body <NUM>, <NUM> to be varied. In diagram 200B of <FIG>, two possible variations are indicated with dashed lines in this respect.

Reference is now made to <FIG>, which depict diagrams illustrating a stiffer characteristic of the eartip body <NUM>, <NUM> along a first axis of the eartip (<FIG>), and a less stiff characteristic of the eartip body <NUM>, <NUM> along a second axis of the eartip (<FIG>).

As can be taken from diagram 300A of <FIG>, the plurality of beams <NUM> may have a higher stiffness along the first direction of the beams <NUM> (indicated with arrows <NUM> and <NUM>). Such a characteristic enables the tips of the beams <NUM> to maintain substantially their shape. Thus, they may be easily inserted into the ear canals. Further, as can be taken from diagram 300B of <FIG>, the plurality of beams <NUM> may have a lower bending stiffness in the second directions (indicated with arrows <NUM> and <NUM>). Such a characteristic enables the beams <NUM> to easily conform to the ear canal, and to have a low restoring pressure. This improves the sealing of the ear canal.

Reference is now made to <FIG>, which depicts a schematic view of anisotropic stiffness elements (e.g., <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>, <NUM> in <FIG>) comprising a plurality of beams <NUM> and a plurality of rings <NUM>.

For example, the anisotropic stiffness elements <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>, <NUM> may be based on the plurality of beams <NUM>, and the plurality of rings <NUM>, and the plurality of bonding structures <NUM> (e.g., the mesh structure <NUM>).

Combining the plurality of beams <NUM> and the plurality of rings <NUM> may result in an eartip <NUM>, <NUM>, which may exert less pressure on the ear canal opening (as the structure shown in diagram 200B of <FIG> complies better with the natural angle variation of human's ear canal directions), and which may further be easy to insert, but not exert too much pressure on the ear canal walls. For instance, the structure shown in diagram 200A of <FIG> is stiffer towards the ear canal, but more flexible towards the walls.

Moreover, such a combination structure is depicted in diagram <NUM> of <FIG>. The anisotropic stiffness elements <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>, <NUM> may comprise the plurality of beams <NUM> that are based on silicone, the plurality of rings <NUM> that are based on silicone, and the plurality of bonding structures <NUM> (e.g., mesh). Further, the ring-support design may be used to prevent the eartip tube from being squeezed, for example, when being inserted in a narrow ear canal.

Reference is now made to <FIG>, which depicts a schematic view of anisotropic stiffness elements of <FIG> implemented with metal wires and another support material.

The anisotropic stiffness elements <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>, <NUM> may comprise the plurality of beams <NUM> that are based on silicone, the plurality of rings <NUM> that are based on silicone, and the plurality of bonding structures <NUM> that are based on metal wires <NUM>. Combining such structures for forming the anisotropic stiffness elements <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>, <NUM> may result in an eartip design, which can bend in the direction of the user's ear canal (e.g., due to the plurality of rings <NUM> (not shown in <FIG>)) while being easy to insert but not exerting too much pressure on the ear canal wall. This combination is an example of not only anisotropic eartip structure, but it also has different characteristics in different locations (for example, it may be easy to bend in the headset body end, but not other locations).

In diagram <NUM> of <FIG>, the plurality of beams <NUM> are interconnected with bounding structures that are exemplary based on metal wires <NUM>, and an additional soft material <NUM> (shown in dark grey) that is provided over the structure of metal wires <NUM>.

Alternatively to 3D printing, such microstructures could be manufactured by molding softer material <NUM> (e.g., silicone) over a harder supporting material (e.g., a mesh of metal wires <NUM>), for example, a structure as shown in diagram <NUM> of <FIG>.

<FIG> shows a method <NUM> of manufacturing an eartip <NUM>, <NUM> for an earphone <NUM>, <NUM>, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

The method <NUM> comprises a step S601 of forming a deformable eartip body <NUM>, <NUM> for being at least partially insertable into an ear canal.

Claim 1:
An eartip (<NUM>, <NUM>) for an earphone (<NUM>, <NUM>), the eartip (<NUM>, <NUM>) comprising:
a deformable eartip body (<NUM>, <NUM>) configured to be at least partially inserted into an ear canal; and
one or more anisotropic stiffness elements (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) arranged in or on the eartip body (<NUM>, <NUM>),
wherein the one or more anisotropic stiffness elements (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) are configured to provide a location-specific stiffness to the eartip body (<NUM>, <NUM>);
characterised in that
the one or more anisotropic stiffness elements (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) comprise a plurality of beams (<NUM>) arranged inside the eartip body (<NUM>, <NUM>); and
wherein the one or more anisotropic stiffness elements (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) further comprise a plurality of bonding structures (<NUM>) interconnecting the plurality of beams (<NUM>).