Patent ID: 12207033

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In this section we shall explain several preferred aspects of this disclosure with reference to the appended drawings. Whenever the shapes, relative positions and other aspects of the parts described are not clearly defined, the scope of the disclosure is not limited only to the parts shown, which are meant merely for the purpose of illustration. Also, while numerous details are set forth, it is understood that some aspects of the disclosure may be practiced without these details. In other instances, well-known structures and techniques have not been shown in detail so as not to obscure the understanding of this description.

FIG.1illustrates a schematic diagram of one aspect of a headphone earcup having a valve assembly. It should be understood that the figures illustrate only one of a pair of left and right ear earcups of headphone100, which can be connected by a head band (not shown). Thus, each of the features described in reference to the earcup of headphone100illustrated in the drawings should be understood as applying to the other earcup of headphone100. Earcup housing102forms an enclosure dimensioned to encircle and cover a user's ear. In this aspect, earcup housing102includes a first chamber104defining an active or front volume106and a second chamber108defining an inactive volume110. First chamber104and front volume chamber106may surround the ear112when headphone100is positioned on the user's head. In some cases, an earcup pad118may be positioned around first chamber104of earcup housing102to ensure a comfortable fit and/or to seal the earcup around and/or to the user's ear. Second chamber108and inactive volume110may be a substantially closed chamber and/or volume positioned behind the first chamber104(as viewed inFIG.1). For example, second chamber108and inactive volume110may be part of the system volume that surrounds other system components enclosed within the housing102but serves no particular acoustic function. Housing102may further define a third chamber114that encloses another volume or back volume116. The back volume116of the third chamber114may be acoustically isolated from the inactive volume110of the second chamber108and the active volume106of the first chamber104.

A driver116for outputting a music signal (S) in a direction of ear112may be mounted within housing102. Driver116may be any type of electric-to-acoustic transducer having a pressure sensitive diaphragm and circuitry configured to produce a sound in response to an electrical audio signal input (e.g., a loudspeaker). The electrical audio signal may be a music signal input to driver120by sound source122. Sound source122may be any type of audio device capable of outputting an audio signal, for example, an audio electronic device such as a portable music player, home stereo system or home theater system capable of outputting an audio signal. The first chamber104defining the front volume106may be acoustically coupled to the sound output side120A of the driver120and allow for sound to pass from driver120to the user's ear112. In this aspect, the first chamber104and front volume106may be dimensioned to surround the ear as previously discussed. The third chamber114defining back volume116may be acoustically coupled to the back side120B (e.g., non-sound output side) of the driver120and acoustically isolated from the first chamber104and second chamber108as previously discussed.

In order to improve an acoustic performance and comfort of headphone100, headphone100may include a valve assembly124. The valve assembly124may include a movable member126positioned over an opening128formed through earcup housing102. The opening128is between the first chamber104and the second chamber108. Accordingly, when the moving member126is in a closed position, opening128is covered and the first chamber104is not open to the second chamber108. In other words, in the open position, air may not travel between the front volume106and the outer volume110. On the other hand, when the moving member126is in an open position, the opening128is not covered and the first chamber104is open to the second chamber108. In other words, air may move between the front volume106and the outer volume110. In this aspect, valve assembly124may be used to equalize a pressure within first chamber104and/or between first chamber104and second chamber108. For example, when a pressure above a desired threshold within first chamber104occurs, the valve assembly124may open so that the first chamber104is open to the second chamber108and air can pass from the first chamber104to the second chamber108to relieve (e.g., reduce) the pressure. The particular operation of the valve assembly124will be described in more detail in reference toFIG.3-FIG.6.

Valve assembly124may be a passive or mechanical valve used to equalize pressure within first chamber104by opening and/or closing first chamber104to second chamber108. Valve assembly124may be considered a passive valve (as opposed to an active valve) because it can open or close in the absence of an electrical input. For example, valve assembly124may open or close in response to a pressure, pressure change and/or pressure difference within the first chamber104and/or between the first chamber104and the second chamber108. Valve assembly124may therefore also be considered a pressure sensitive valve. This is in contrast to an active valve which requires an electrical input to open or close the valve.

In addition, in some aspects, first chamber104may include an additional opening or vent202to an inactive volume and/or chamber as shown inFIG.2. Representatively, in some aspects, vent202may vent the first chamber104to the ambient environment204surrounding the housing102. For example, vent202may be a b-vent that runs through the housing102from the front volume106to the ambient environment. In other aspects, vent202may be formed in the valve assembly124as will be described in more detail in reference toFIG.3andFIG.5. Vent202may further help to relieve pressure within front volume106. For example, in some aspects, vent202may allow for a constant flow of air between the ambient environment204and front volume106to relieve small pressures and/or pressure changes within front volume106while valve assembly124opens in response to larger and/or more sudden pressures and/or pressure changes within the front volume106to relieve larger pressure changes.

The particular aspects and operations of valve assembly124will now be described in reference toFIG.3-FIG.6. Representatively,FIG.3-FIG.6illustrate magnified cross-sectional side views of the valve assembly described in reference toFIG.1-FIG.2. Referring now toFIG.3,FIG.3illustrates valve assembly124including a moving member126positioned over the opening128formed within wall308between front volume106(e.g., an active volume) and outer volume110(e.g., an inactive volume). As previously discussed, the front volume106may be an active volume defined by the driver front volume chamber while the outer volume110may be an inactive volume within an outer chamber of the earphone housing and/or the ambient environment. The moving member126may be any type of valve door capable of opening in response to a pressure or pressure change within front volume106to equalize the pressure within and/or between front volume106and outer volume110. Representatively, moving member126may include a first valve door302A and a second valve door302B that are movably coupled to the wall308at pivot points304A,304B, respectively. In some aspects, each of the first and second valve doors302A,302B may be operable to open independently from one another in a single direction and in response to different pressures and/or pressure changes. For example, in one aspect, first valve door302A may be operable to open only in the direction shown by the arrow (e.g., into the outer volume110) in response to a first pressure or pressure change (P1) that exceeds a predetermined threshold pressure (PTH1). For example, the first pressure or pressure change (P1) may be a positive pressure (e.g., a pressure greater than that of the atmosphere) and/or a pressure that exceeds a predetermined threshold pressure (PTH1) (e.g., a pressure greater than atmospheric pressure and/or a sound pressure output by the speaker). Representatively, the first pressure or pressure change (P1) could be a rapid pressure increase caused by the user pressing the earcup against the ear, running and/or jumping. The valve door302A may be tuned to open as shown by the dashed line in response to this particular pressure change. The valve door302A may further be tuned to return to the closed position once the pressure between outer volume110and front volume106equalizes.

Valve door302B, on the other hand, remains closed in response to the first pressure or pressure change (P1). Rather, valve door302B may instead open only in the direction shown by the corresponding arrow (e.g., into the front volume106) in response to a second pressure change (P2). The second pressure or pressure change (P2) may be different than the first pressure or pressure change (P1). For example, the second pressure or pressure change (P2) may be a negative pressure (e.g., a pressure less than that of the atmosphere) and/or a pressure within the front volume106which is less than a predetermined threshold pressure (PTH2) (e.g., a pressure less than atmospheric pressure and/or a sound pressure output by the speaker). Representatively, the second pressure or pressure change (P2) could be a rapid pressure decrease caused by the user removing the earcup from their head, running and/or jumping. Valve door302B may be tuned to open only in the direction illustrated by the arrow (e.g., into front volume106) in response to the second pressure or pressure change (P2). Valve door302A, however, remains closed and does not open in response to this second pressure or pressure change (P2). In this aspect, valve doors302A and302B may be understood as being tuned to only open in response to different pressures and/or pressure changes so that one opens while one remains closed. The opening of only one door at a time helps to regulate the air flow between chambers106,110. For example, in some instances both a positive pressure may occur in first volume106and at the same time a negative pressure may occur in the outer volume110. The first valve door302A will open in response to the positive pressure in the first volume106. The second valve door302B, however, may only open into the front volume106. Since the second valve door302B cannot open in the direction of the outer volume110, the negative pressure within the outer volume110will not cause it to open. In this aspect, air is allowed to move from the front volume106to the outer volume110due to the opening of the first valve door302A but is blocked from moving from the outer volume110to the front volume106by the closed second valve door302B. This, in turn, equalizes the pressure within the front volume106.

The valve doors302A-B may be coupled to the housing wall308at pivot points304A-B. Pivot points304A-B may be hinges that allow the valve doors302A-B to only open in the previously discussed directions in response to the desired pressure (e.g., P1or P2). In some aspects, the hinges may be formed of a same material as the valve doors302A-B while in other aspects, they may be made of a different material. For example, in some aspects the valve may be a silicone valve and the doors302A-B may be formed by cutting a slit(s) within the silicone membrane. In this aspect, the hinges would also be formed of the same silicone material as the doors302A-B. In other aspects, the valve may be made of other materials and the doors302A-B may be coupled to the wall at pivot points304A-B by another type of hinge, and in some cases, may also include a biasing mechanism. For example, the pivot points304A-B may include a spring or other biasing mechanism to bias the valve doors302A-B toward a closed position. In this aspect, valve doors302A-B may remain closed until a desired pressure and/or pressure change occurs and causes them to open and may return to the closed position when the pressure equalizes.

FIG.4is a magnified view of another aspect of the valve assembly124. In particular, valve assembly124inFIG.4is substantially similar to the valve assembly previously discussed except it also includes a vent306within the valve to further help equalize pressure. For example, in some aspects, vent306may allow for a constant flow of air between the front volume106and the outer volume110. In this aspect, vent306may be used to relieve small pressures and/or pressure changes within front volume106while valve assembly124could be tuned to open only in response to larger and/or more sudden pressures and/or pressure changes within the front volume106to relieve larger pressure changes. The vent306could be a b-vent and be used in addition to and/or instead of the housing b-vent previously described in reference toFIG.2.

FIG.5is a magnified view of another aspect of the valve assembly124. In particular, valve assembly124inFIG.5is substantially similar to the valve assembly previously discussed except it is a single valve door302that includes a vent306through the door. For example, valve assembly124could include a single check valve or multiple check valves that include a valve door that opens in a single direction in response to a particular pressure and/or pressure change to equalize the pressure. In some aspects, although not shown, the valve assembly124could include two different valve doors302covering different openings128within the housing wall308to relieve different pressure occurrences (e.g., negative pressure and positive pressure changes) as previously discussed. The vent306could be a b-vent and be used in addition to and/or instead of the housing b-vent previously described in reference toFIG.2.

In addition, as previously discussed, any one or more of the previously discussed valve assemblies124may be tuned to open in response to a particular pressure and/or pressure change. For example, in some aspects, the weight of the valve door (e.g., valve doors302A-B), the size of the valve opening (e.g., opening128) and/or the size of the associated inactive volume (e.g., outer volume110) may be specially selected so that the valve assembly124opens and/or closes in response to a desired pressure. For example, as shown inFIG.6the size (S1) of the valve opening128or the size (S2) of the door302may be specially selected so that the valve opens in response to the desired pressure and at the desired rate. Representatively, as previously discussed, a size of the valve door could be changed to change a weight of the valve door to increase and/or decrease the speed at which it opens and/or the pressure required to open it. In addition, a size of the opening128and/or the associated volume110so that the area of air exchange is larger or small to increase and/or decrease the speed at which the door opens and/or closes. Representatively, a light door covering a large valve opening and/or volume would allow for faster opening of the door302. On the other hand, a heavy door covering a small valve opening and/or volume would allow for slower opening of the valve door302. As previously discussed, the pressure (or pressure change) within the front volume chamber that causes the valve to open may be caused by sound pressure waves from the driver (e.g., speaker), a user pressing the earcup against the ear, running, jumping, etc., or a combination of any of these occurrences. A slower or faster valve opening could be desired depending on the circumstances. For example, a faster opening valve may be desired to relieve a large pressure change that could occur when the earcup is pressed on the user's ear and a slower opening valve may be desired when the pressure change is a smaller pressure change caused by running or jumping.

FIG.7illustrates a simplified schematic view of one aspect of an electronic device in which a valve assembly as described herein may be implemented. For example, headphone100ofFIGS.1-2are examples of systems that can include some or all of the circuitry illustrated by electronic device700.

Electronic device700can include, for example, power supply702, storage704, signal processor706, memory708, processor710, communication circuitry712, and input/output circuitry714. In some aspects, electronic device700can include more than one of each component of circuitry, but for the sake of simplicity, only one of each is shown inFIG.7. In addition, one skilled in the art would appreciate that the functionality of certain components can be combined or omitted and that additional or less components, which are not shown inFIGS.1-6, can be included in, for example, headphone100.

Power supply702can provide power to the components of electronic device700. In some aspects, power supply702can be coupled to a power grid such as, for example, a wall outlet. In some aspects, power supply702can include one or more batteries for providing power to a headphone or other type of electronic device associated with the headphone. As another example, power supply702can be configured to generate power from a natural source (e.g., solar power using solar cells).

Storage704can include, for example, a hard-drive, flash memory, cache, ROM, and/or RAM. Additionally, storage704can be local to and/or remote from electronic device700. For example, storage704can include integrated storage medium, removable storage medium, storage space on a remote server, wireless storage medium, or any combination thereof. Furthermore, storage704can store data such as, for example, system data, user profile data, and any other relevant data.

Signal processor706can be, for example a digital signal processor, used for real-time processing of digital signals that are converted from analog signals by, for example, input/output circuitry714. After processing of the digital signals has been completed, the digital signals could then be converted back into analog signals.

Memory708can include any form of temporary memory such as RAM, buffers, and/or cache. Memory708can also be used for storing data used to operate electronic device applications (e.g., operation system instructions).

In addition to signal processor706, electronic device700can additionally contain general processor710. Processor710can be capable of interpreting system instructions and processing data. For example, processor710can be capable of executing instructions or programs such as system applications, firmware applications, and/or any other application. Additionally, processor710has the capability to execute instructions in order to communicate with any or all of the components of electronic device700.

Communication circuitry712may be any suitable communications circuitry operative to initiate a communications request, connect to a communications network, and/or to transmit communications data to one or more servers or devices within the communications network. For example, communications circuitry712may support one or more of Wi-Fi (e.g., a 802.11 protocol), Bluetooth®, high frequency systems, infrared, GSM, GSM plus EDGE, CDMA, or any other communication protocol and/or any combination thereof.

Input/output circuitry714can convert (and encode/decode, if necessary) analog signals and other signals (e.g., physical contact inputs, physical movements, analog audio signals, etc.) into digital data. Input/output circuitry714can also convert digital data into any other type of signal. The digital data can be provided to and received from processor710, storage704, memory708, signal processor706, or any other component of electronic device700. Input/output circuitry714can be used to interface with any suitable input or output devices. Furthermore, electronic device700can include specialized input circuitry associated with input devices such as, for example, one or more proximity sensors, accelerometers, etc. Electronic device700can also include specialized output circuitry associated with output devices such as, for example, one or more speakers, earphones, etc.

Lastly, bus716can provide a data transfer path for transferring data to, from, or between processor710, storage704, memory708, communications circuitry712, and any other component included in electronic device700. Although bus716is illustrated as a single component inFIG.7, one skilled in the art would appreciate that electronic device700may include one or more components.

While certain aspects have been described and shown in the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that such aspects are merely illustrative of and not restrictive on the broad disclosure, and that the disclosure is not limited to the specific constructions and arrangements shown and described, since various other modifications may occur to those of ordinary skill in the art. The description is thus to be regarded as illustrative instead of limiting. In addition, to aid the Patent Office and any readers of any patent issued on this application in interpreting the claims appended hereto, applicants wish to note that they do not intend any of the appended claims or claim elements to invoke 35 U.S.C. 112(f) unless the words “means for” or “step for” are explicitly used in the particular claim.