Patent ID: 12238471

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Some earpieces, such as the StayHear+ ear tips, sit securely inside a wearer's ear with no need to push them into place. Earpieces with this design use the antihelix of the wearer's ear for added support. These designs are comfortable, create a gentle seal to facilitate noise reduction, spread contact evenly across the wearer's ear to avoid pressure points, and help provide consistent audio performance while maximizing noise reduction; however, newer designs attempt to increase the amount of electronics placed around the wearer's concha.

The retaining piece described herein provides orientation and stability without excessive radial pressure. Orientation helps ensure the earpiece is properly in the wearer's ear. Achieving stability refers to the earpiece staying in the wearer's ear with minimal movement when properly inserted. The described retaining piece helps the in-ear earpiece house more electronics in a region around the wearer's concha and sit comfortably in the wearer's ear for long periods of time while the wearer engages in various activities.

The retaining piece includes a first cantilevered portion shaped to flexibly fit under the antitragus of a wearer's ear when the earpiece is worn and a second cantilevered portion shaped to flexibly fit under the antihelix of the wearer's ear when the earpiece is worn. In aspects, the first and second cantilevered portions are integrally formed. The retaining piece also includes an attachment feature that couples or otherwise attaches the retaining piece to a body of the earpiece. The illustrated retaining piece and earpiece are shown for a wearer's right ear. A retaining piece and earpiece that is designed to fit in the wearer's left ear is a mirror image of the retaining piece and earpiece described below, and operates according to the same principles.

FIG.1Ashows the lateral surface of a human right ear, with some features identified. There are many different ear sizes and geometries. Some ears have additional features that are not shown inFIG.1A. Some ears lack some of the features that are shown inFIG.1A. Some features may be more or less prominent than are shown inFIG.1A.

The retaining piece described herein includes a cantilevered feature which may be referred to as a scoop or flap. The cantilevered feature includes at least a first cantilevered portion and a second cantilevered portion based on typical ear geometry. The first cantilevered portion fits under the antitragus of a wearer's ear in the region110when the earpiece is worn. The second cantilevered portion fits under the antihelix of the wearer's ear in the region120when the earpiece is worn. In aspects, second cantilevered portion fits under a small, lower portion of the antihelix of the wearer's ear. In aspects, the cantilevered portions are integrally formed. The cantilevered portion applies pressure to the ear along the antitragus and, at least, a small lower portion of the antihelix. As a result, the retaining piece creates stability and pushes the earpiece towards the wearer's ear canal. Additionally, the retaining piece supports an earpiece body that houses electronics along the bowl of the wearer's concha.

FIGS.1B and1Cshow two exemplary cross-sections of the human ear, with some features identified. The ear canal is an irregularly shaped cylinder with a variable cross sectional area and a centerline that is not straight. Among the features identified is the entrance to the ear canal and the main portion of the ear canal. In this specification, the entrance to the ear canal refers to the portion of the ear canal near the concha where the walls of the ear canal are substantially non-parallel to the centerline of the ear canal. The precise structure of the human ear varies widely from individual to individual. For example, in the cross section ofFIG.1B, there is a relatively sharp transition from ear canal walls that are non-parallel to a centerline30-1B of the ear canal to walls that are substantially parallel to a centerline of the ear canal, so the entrance32-1B to the ear canal is relatively short. In the cross-section ofFIG.1C, there is a more gradual transition from walls that are non-parallel to a centerline of the ear canal to walls that are substantially parallel to a centerline30-1C of the ear canal, so the entrance32-1C to the ear canal is relatively long.

FIG.2is a side-view of an in-ear earpiece200including a retaining piece,FIG.3is a front view300of the in-ear earpiece and retaining piece, andFIG.4is a front view400of the nozzle260of the in-ear earpiece including the retaining piece, according to aspects of the present disclosure.

The retaining piece includes a first cantilevered portion210that flexibly fits under the antitragus, a second cantilevered portion220that flexibly fits under the antihelix, and an attachment feature230. In aspects, the first cantilevered portion210and the second cantilevered portion220are integrally formed. Each of the first and second cantilevered portions include a first side that is proximate to the attachment feature230and the body240and a second, free-side that is more distant to the attachment feature230and the body240, at least, when the earpiece is not inserted in a wearer's ear.

As will be described in more detail with reference toFIGS.6and7, The first and second cantilevered portions have a scoop or curved shape, so that the retaining piece comfortably conforms to the shape of the wearer's antitragus region110and antihelix region120, respectively, when the earpiece is inserted in the wearer's ear. The curved shape allows the second free-side of each of the cantilevered portions to gently roll up towards the attachment feature230and the body240when the first and second cantilevered portions contact the antitragus and antihelix, respectively. In this manner, the retaining piece secures an earpiece for a wide range of ear geometries and sizes. If a wearer has a large ear, less of the free-side of the cantilevered portions may roll up towards the body240when the earpiece is inserted in the ear. If a user has a smaller ear, more of the free-side of the cantilevered portions may roll up towards the body240when the free-side contacts the antitragus and antihelix. In both cases, however, the same retaining piece comfortably provides stability to keep the earpiece in place and properly oriented, and offers slight resistance when the wearer removes the earpiece by pulling the body240away from the ear canal.

The first cantilevered portion210includes a first side210athat is coupled to the attachment feature230and a second side210bthat folds towards the first side210awhen the earpiece200is inserted in a wearer's ear. The second cantilevered portion220includes a first side220a(shown in, for example,FIG.3andFIGS.6-9) and a second side220bthat folds towards the first side220awhen the earpiece200is inserted in the wearer's ear. The first side210aof the first cantilevered portion210is coupled to the attachment feature230. The first side220aof the second cantilevered portion220is also coupled to the attachment feature230. In aspects, the first side210aof first cantilevered portion210and the first side220aof the second cantilevered portion220are attached to the attachment feature230. In aspects, the first cantilevered portion210, the second cantilevered portion220, and the attachment feature230are integrally formed.

The attachment feature230attaches the retaining piece to the earpiece200. In aspects, and as shown in the FIGs., the attachment feature230is shaped to span an outer perimeter of the body240of the earpiece200. In aspects, the attachment feature230allows the retaining piece to be removed from the earpiece200. The FIGS. illustrate the attachment feature230as a sleeve that fits around the outer perimeter of the body240; however, in aspects the attachment feature is any feature that couples the first cantilevered portion210and the second cantilevered portion220to the body240of the earpiece200. The attachment feature does not have to span an outer perimeter of the body240. As an example, the attachment feature may snap or slide into a portion of an outer perimeter of the body to connect the first cantilevered portion210and the second cantilevered portion220to the body240.

The earpiece200includes a body240, nozzle250, and sealing structure260. The body240is shaped to fit in and around the lower concha of the wearer and houses the acoustic driver and other electronics for the earpiece200. In aspects, the retaining piece is removably attached to the body240. In other aspects, any combination of the first cantilevered portion210, the second cantilevered portion220, and the attachment feature230are attached to the body or integrally formed with the body. In an example, when the first and second cantilevered portions210,220are directly attached to the body240, the retaining piece does not include the attachment feature230.

The nozzle250extends from the body240towards the sealing structure260. The nozzle250includes an acoustic passage for sound waves to pass to the ear canal of the wearer. InFIGS.2,4, and5, the nozzle250has a planar end with a substantially elliptical-shaped opening270. The major axis280of the substantially elliptical-shaped opening270is substantially aligned with a major axis of the wearer's ear canal (seeFIGS.1B and5) when the earpiece is positioned in the wearer's ear. In other words, the major axis280of the substantially elliptical-shaped opening270is aligned with the length of the wearer's head. InFIGS.2-5, the nozzle comprises a substantially elliptical opening for the acoustic passage; however, in other aspects, the opening is oval shaped or racetrack shaped.

The sealing structure260creates a seal with a typical wearer's ear canal. The sealing structure260is substantially spherically-dome shaped. The sealing structure extends from the planar end of the nozzle250and folds back towards the wearer's outer ear. As shown inFIGS.2,4and5, the sealing structure260includes a narrow end260acoupled to the nozzle250and a wider end260bthat is larger than a typical ear canal is wide. There is a soft, round connection between the narrow end260aof the sealing structure and the wider end260bof the sealing structure. In an example, the connection between the narrow end260aand the wider end260bis described as pillow-shaped, dome-shaped, soft, and/or slightly curved. This type of connection places less pressure on the wearer's ear canal and decreases the force vector that pushes the earpiece200out of the wearer's ear canal.

FIG.5illustrates a side perspective view500of the earpiece positioned in a wearer's ear. As described above, instead of a straight connection, the sealing structure260has a slightly curved (pillow-shaped, dome-shaped, and/or soft) connection between the narrow end260aof the sealing structure and the wider end260bof the sealing structure. Further, the elliptical opening270aligns with typical ear geometry and allows a same earpiece to comfortably accommodate varying ear sizes.

FIG.6illustrates a side perspective view600of the retaining piece positioned in a wearer's ear andFIG.7illustrates a top perspective view700of the earpiece positioned in the wearer's ear, according to aspects of the present disclosure.

The curved design of the first cantilevered portion210and the second cantilevered portion220are illustrated. When the first cantilevered portion210contacts the wearer's antitragus, the second, free-side210bgently rolls up toward the attachment feature230. Similarly, when the second cantilevered portion220contacts the wearer's antihelix, the second-free side220bgently rolls up towards the attachment feature230.

In aspects, due to typical ear geometries, the first cantilevered portion210and the second cantilevered portion220are primarily on different planes. As shown inFIG.6, the first cantilevered portion210sits deeper in the ear canal when the earpiece is worn as compared the second cantilevered portion. In aspects, the first side210aof the first cantilevered portion210is primarily on a first plane that is closer to the ear canal as compared to the first side220aof the second cantilevered portion220when the earpiece is worn.

InFIG.7, a small portion of the first cantilevered portion210and a small portion of the second cantilevered portion220are visible from a top view when the earpiece is inserted in the wearer's ear. A top part of the second cantilevered portion contacts the wearer's antihelix causing the second side220bto curve up towards the attachment feature230and the body240. The outer ear blocks view of the remainder of the first and second cantilevered portions; however, they are both shown using dashed lines to illustrate a top view of the retaining piece positioned in the wearer's ear canal at a deeper cross-section of the wearer's ear.

FIG.8illustrates a front view800of an example retaining piece including fringes on the first cantilevered portion210and the second cantilevered portion220andFIG.9is a side view900of the retaining piece including fringes, according to aspects of the present disclosure.

As described above, the first and second cantilevered portions provide flexibility for a variety of ear sizes and geometries. In aspects, the retaining pieces include other features for increased flexibility and/or comfort. As an example, one or more of the outer perimeter of the free, second sides210band220bare not contiguous and instead include fringes (or fingers). The width of each finger need not be substantially the same. In one example, thinner fingers are used in areas where more flexibility is desired, such as in the region110. In regions of the ear where there is a rapid change (e.g., curvature) in ear geometry or more variation from person to person, fringes provide flexibility for a single retaining piece to fit most ears. InFIG.8, the lower portion of the first cantilevered portion has thinner fringes as compared to other parts of the first and second cantilevered portions. While not illustrated, in aspects, only part of the first or second cantilevered portions includes fringes.

In aspects, the retaining piece is made of any biocompatible material and has a varying thickness. In an example, a higher durometer material is used where less flexibility is desired. In regions where greater flexibility is desired, for example, due to varying ear geometry between people or a curved area of the ear, a lower durometer material may be used for increased flexibility.

In non-illustrated aspects, the first cantilevered portion210decreases in thickness from the first side210atowards the second, free-side210b. Similarly, in aspects, the second cantilevered portion220becomes thinner towards the second free-side220b.

The dual-planar retaining piece has high compliance in the direction of the bud toward the ear canal and offers some stiffness in the vertical direction when the wearer attempts to rotate or remove the earpiece.

The earpiece described herein is applicable to a variety of devices, including audio headphones, hearing aids, hearing assistance headphones, noise-masking earbuds, ANR headphones, aviation headphones, and other devices that include an in-ear component.

Numerous uses of and departures from the specific apparatus and techniques disclosed herein may be made without departing from the inventive concepts. Consequently, the invention is to be construed as embracing each and every novel feature and novel combination of features disclosed herein and limited only by the spirit and scope of the appended claims.