PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-12207033-B2
Application Number: US-202117405914-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Pressure relief valve for headphones

Abstract:
A headphone comprising: two headphone earcups each comprising: an earcup housing defining an active chamber that acoustically couples a sound output side of a speaker to an ear of a user, and an inactive chamber that surrounds the active chamber; and a passive valve assembly configured to open in response to a positive pressure and a negative pressure within the active chamber to fluidly couple the active chamber to the inactive chamber and equalize a pressure between the active chamber and the inactive chamber.

Claims:
What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A headphone comprising:
 two headphone earcups each comprising: 
 an earcup housing defining an active chamber that acoustically couples a sound output side of a speaker to an ear of a user, an inactive chamber that surrounds the active chamber, and an opening between the active chamber and the inactive chamber; and 
 a passive valve assembly coupled to the opening and comprising a first valve member configured to move in only a first direction in response to a first pressure within the active chamber and a second valve member configured to move in only a second different direction that is opposite the first direction in response to a second pressure within the active chamber to allow for a passage of fluid through the opening between the active chamber and the inactive chamber to equalize a pressure between the active chamber and the inactive chamber. 
 
     
     
       2. The headphone of  claim 1  wherein the active chamber forms a front volume chamber of the speaker that is acoustically isolated from a back volume chamber of the speaker and is dimensioned to surround the ear of the user. 
     
     
       3. The headphone of  claim 1  wherein the inactive chamber is closed to an ambient environment and acoustically isolated from a back volume chamber of the speaker. 
     
     
       4. The headphone of  claim 1  wherein the inactive chamber is open to an ambient environment. 
     
     
       5. The headphone of  claim 1  wherein the inactive chamber is acoustically isolated from a back volume chamber of the speaker. 
     
     
       6. The headphone of  claim 1  wherein the first valve member is a first valve door configured to open in only the first direction and the first pressure is a positive pressure change exceeding a threshold pressure. 
     
     
       7. The headphone of  claim 1  wherein the second valve member is a second valve door configured to open in only the second different direction and the second pressure is a negative pressure change less than a threshold pressure. 
     
     
       8. The headphone of  claim 1  wherein the first valve member or the second valve member comprises a valve door coupled to the earcup housing by a biasing mechanism that biases the valve door toward a closed position. 
     
     
       9. The headphone of  claim 1  wherein the valve assembly comprises a check valve. 
     
     
       10. The headphone of  claim 1  further comprising a leak vent that couples the active chamber to the inactive chamber or an ambient environment. 
     
     
       11. The headphone of  claim 1  wherein a sound pressure wave output by the sound output side of the speaker causes a positive pressure change in the active chamber and opens the valve assembly. 
     
     
       12. The headphone of  claim 1  wherein the first pressure or the second pressure is a positive pressure change or a negative pressure change caused by the user pressing at least one of the headphone earcups against their ear. 
     
     
       13. The headphone of  claim 1  wherein the headphone earcups are closed back headphone earcups. 
     
     
       14. A closed back headphone earcup comprising:
 an earcup housing defining a front volume acoustically coupled to a sound output side of a driver, a back volume coupled to a back side of the driver and that is acoustically isolated from the front volume, and an outer volume that is acoustically isolated from the back volume of the driver; and 
 a valve assembly coupled to a single opening between the front volume and the outer volume, wherein the valve assembly comprises a first valve member configured to move in a first direction in response to a first pressure within the front volume and a second valve member configured to move in a second direction different from the first direction in response to a second pressure within the front volume and remain closed when the first valve member moves in the first direction, and wherein a movement of the valve assembly in the first direction and the second direction opens the front volume to the outer volume to equalize a pressure between the front volume and the outer volume. 
 
     
     
       15. The headphone earcup of  claim 14  wherein the first valve member comprises a first valve door configured to open in the first direction and the second valve member comprises a second valve door configured to open in the second direction. 
     
     
       16. The headphone earcup of  claim 14  wherein the first valve member remains closed when the second valve member opens in the second direction. 
     
     
       17. The headphone earcup of  claim 14  wherein a size of the first valve member or a size of the second valve member is tuned to modify a speed at which the first valve member or the second valve member opens in response to the first pressure or the second pressure. 
     
     
       18. The headphone earcup of  claim 14  wherein the first pressure comprises a positive pressure within the front volume that is greater than a threshold pressure. 
     
     
       19. The headphone earcup of  claim 14  wherein the second pressure comprises a negative pressure within the front volume that is less than a threshold pressure. 
     
     
       20. The headphone of  claim 14  further comprising a vent formed in the valve assembly that couples the front volume to the outer volume.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a non-provisional application of co-pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/082,344, filed Sep. 23, 2020 and incorporated herein by reference. 
     FIELD 
     An aspect of the invention is directed to a valve for headphones, including a pressure relief valve for relieving pressure experienced by a user wearing closed-back headphones. Other aspects are also described and claimed. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Whether listening to a portable media player while traveling, or to a stereo or theater system at home, consumers often choose headphones. Headphones typically include a pair of earcups which encircle the user&#39;s ears and are held together by a headband. Headphones can be classified into two general categories based on the design of the earcups, namely closed-back or open-back earcups. Closed-back earcups surround the user&#39;s ears and have a sealed (i.e., closed) back. Open-back earcups also surround the user&#39;s ears but have a back which is open to the ambient environment surrounding the earcup. 
     Both the closed-back and the open-back designs have their own acoustic advantages and disadvantages. For example, closed-back earcups may have good sound isolation since they are sealed off from ambient noise. In addition, the size and clamp force of the earcups may also be modified to further increase sound isolation. Features of the closed-back design, such as the sealed back, size and clamp force of the earcups allow this design to mechanically or passively attenuate ambient noise. Due to the closed design of closed-back earcups, however, pressure changes within the portion of the earcup surrounding the user&#39;s ear may be uncomfortable. Open-back earcups, on the other hand, may feel more open to the user but may not be ideal in noisy environments because their passive attenuation may not be as good as closed-back designs. 
     SUMMARY 
     An aspect of the invention relates to a headphone earcup, for example, a closed back headphone earcup, having a valve that relieves pressure from the front volume chamber of a driver (e.g., speaker) positioned therein. The valve can include a moving member, such as a valve door, between the front volume chamber (e.g., an active volume chamber) and an inactive volume or chamber of the system. The moving member may open in response to a pressure within the front volume chamber to connect the front volume chamber to the inactive volume or chamber. The front volume chamber may be considered an “active” volume or chamber because it experiences pressure changes due to sound pressure waves being directed into the volume or chamber from the sound output side of the driver (e.g., speaker). An “active” volume or chamber may be any volume or chamber that experiences pressure changes and/or cycles due to sound pressure waves or another occurrence which causes a pressure change such as pressing the earcup to the ear, running, jumping, etc. The inactive volume or chamber is a volume or chamber that does not have sound pressure waves directed into it from the driver (e.g., speaker) and/or is not subject to pressure changes and/or cycles similar to the active volume and is therefore referred to herein as an “inactive” volume or chamber. The inactive volume or chamber may be another volume or chamber that is separate from the driver front and back volume chambers (e.g., active chambers) of the speaker such that it does not directly receive a sound pressure input from the speaker. For example, the inactive volume or chamber could be acoustically isolated from the back volume chamber, and further isolated from the front volume chamber (when the valve is closed). The inactive volume could be, for example, another system volume or could also be the ambient environment. 
     Opening of the valve connects the front volume chamber to the inactive chamber to equalize pressure. For example, when the pressure exceeds a particular threshold (e.g., a positive pressure), the valve may open in one direction. In other aspects, when the pressure is less than a particular threshold (e.g., negative pressure), the valve can open in the opposite direction. In some aspects, the valve may include two separate check valves, one that opens only in response to a first pressure (e.g., a positive pressure) not meeting a particular threshold and one that opens only in response to a second pressure (e.g., a negative pressure) not meeting a particular threshold. In other aspects, the valve may include two valve doors, one that opens only in response to the first pressure (e.g., a positive pressure) and one that opens only in response to the second pressure (e.g., a negative pressure). In other words, the valve door (or check valve) that opens in response to one pressure may not open in response to another pressure. The valve doors and/or check valves may open independently of one another such that one may be closed while another is open. In one aspect, the valve may include a hinge and/or biasing mechanism (e.g., spring system) that biases the valve door in a closed position to facilitate opening/closing of the valve in response to the desired pressure. In some aspects, the valve may be a silicone valve in which the door is formed by a slit in the silicone membrane and the biasing mechanism is the same material as the door. Still further the valve door and/or are of the valve opening may be used to tune the valve so that it opens in response to a desired pressure and/or at a desired speed in response to the pressure. For example, a weight of the valve door and/or area of the opening or associated inactive volume could be changed to increase and/or decrease the speed at which it opens and/or the pressure required to open it. Representatively, a light door covering a large valve opening and/or volume would allow for faster opening, while a heavy door covering a small valve opening and/or volume would allow for slower opening of the valve door. 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&#39;s ear and a slower opening valve may be desired when the pressure change is a smaller pressure change caused by running or jumping. In addition, in some aspects, the earcup may have a leak vent, barometric vent (“b-vent”) or other type of vent or opening that connects the front volume chamber to the inactive volume or chamber to further help relieve pressure within the earcup. For example, the vent could be formed in the valve or another portion of the earcup that can be used to connect the front volume chamber to the inactive volume or chamber. 
     In another aspect, a headphone includes two headphone earcups each including an earcup housing defining an active chamber that acoustically couples a sound output side of a speaker to an ear of a user, and an inactive chamber that surrounds the active chamber; and a passive valve assembly configured to open in response to a pressure change (e.g., positive or negative pressure change) within the active chamber to fluidly couple the active chamber to the inactive chamber and equalize a pressure between the active chamber and the inactive chamber. In some aspects, the active chamber forms a front volume chamber of the speaker that is acoustically isolated from a back volume chamber of the speaker and is dimensioned to surround an ear of the use. In some aspects, the inactive chamber is closed to an ambient environment and acoustically isolated from a back volume chamber of the speaker. In other aspects, the inactive chamber is open to an ambient environment. The inactive chamber may be acoustically isolated from a back volume chamber of the speaker. The valve assembly may include a first valve door configured to open in only a first direction in response to a positive pressure change exceeding a threshold pressure. The valve assembly may include a second valve door configured to open in only a second direction opposite the first direction in response to a negative pressure change less than a threshold pressure. The valve assembly may include a valve door coupled to the earphone housing by a biasing mechanism that biases the valve door toward a closed position. In some aspects, the valve assembly may include a check valve. In some aspects, the headphone earcup may further include a leak vent that couples the active chamber to the inactive chamber or an ambient environment. In some aspects, a sound pressure wave output by the sound output side of the speaker may cause the positive pressure in the active chamber and opens the valve assembly. In some aspects, the positive pressure or the negative pressure is caused by a user pressing at least one of the pair of headphone earcups against their ear. In some aspects, the headphone earcups are closed back headphone earcups. 
     In another aspect, a closed back headphone earcup includes an earcup housing defining a front volume acoustically coupled to a sound output side of a driver, a back volume coupled to a back side of the driver and that is acoustically isolated from the front volume, and an outer volume that is acoustically isolated from the back volume of the driver; and a valve assembly between the front volume and the outer volume, wherein the valve assembly is configured to move in a first direction in response to a first pressure within the front volume and a second direction different from the first direction in response to a second pressure within the front volume, and wherein the movement of the valve assembly in the first direction and the second direction opens the front volume to the outer volume to equalize a pressure between the front volume and the outer volume. In some aspects, the valve assembly includes a first valve door configured to open in the first direction and a second valve door configured to open in the second direction. In some aspects, the first valve door remains closed when the second valve door opens in the second direction, and the second valve door remains closed when the first valve door opens in the first direction. In still further aspects, a size of the first valve door or a size of the second valve door is tuned to modify a speed at which the first valve door or the second valve door opens in response to the first pressure or the second pressure. The first pressure may be a positive pressure within the front volume that is greater than a threshold pressure. In some aspects, the second pressure may be a negative pressure within the front volume that is less than a threshold pressure. In some aspects, a leak vent may be formed in the valve assembly that couples the front volume to the outer volume. 
     The above summary does not include an exhaustive list of all aspects of the present disclosure. It is contemplated that the disclosure includes all systems and methods that can be practiced from all suitable combinations of the various aspects summarized above, as well as those disclosed in the Detailed Description below and particularly pointed out in the claims filed with the application. Such combinations have particular advantages not specifically recited in the above summary. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The aspects are illustrated by way of example and not by way of limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings in which like references indicate similar elements. It should be noted that references to “an” or “one” aspect in this disclosure are not necessarily to the same aspect, and they mean at least one. 
         FIG.  1    illustrates a schematic diagram of one aspect of a headphone earcup having a valve assembly. 
         FIG.  2    illustrates a schematic diagram of another aspect of a headphone earcup having a valve assembly. 
         FIG.  3    illustrates a magnified schematic diagram of an aspect of the valve assembly of  FIG.  1    or  FIG.  2   . 
         FIG.  4    illustrates a magnified schematic diagram of an aspect of the valve assembly of  FIG.  1    or  FIG.  2   . 
         FIG.  5    illustrates a magnified schematic diagram of an aspect of the valve assembly of  FIG.  1    or  FIG.  2   . 
         FIG.  6    illustrates a magnified schematic diagram of an aspect of the valve assembly of  FIG.  1    or  FIG.  2   . 
         FIG.  7    illustrates a simplified schematic view of one aspect of an electronic device in which the valve assembly may be implemented. 
     
    
    
     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.  1    illustrates 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 headphone  100 , which can be connected by a head band (not shown). Thus, each of the features described in reference to the earcup of headphone  100  illustrated in the drawings should be understood as applying to the other earcup of headphone  100 . Earcup housing  102  forms an enclosure dimensioned to encircle and cover a user&#39;s ear. In this aspect, earcup housing  102  includes a first chamber  104  defining an active or front volume  106  and a second chamber  108  defining an inactive volume  110 . First chamber  104  and front volume chamber  106  may surround the ear  112  when headphone  100  is positioned on the user&#39;s head. In some cases, an earcup pad  118  may be positioned around first chamber  104  of earcup housing  102  to ensure a comfortable fit and/or to seal the earcup around and/or to the user&#39;s ear. Second chamber  108  and inactive volume  110  may be a substantially closed chamber and/or volume positioned behind the first chamber  104  (as viewed in  FIG.  1   ). For example, second chamber  108  and inactive volume  110  may be part of the system volume that surrounds other system components enclosed within the housing  102  but serves no particular acoustic function. Housing  102  may further define a third chamber  114  that encloses another volume or back volume  116 . The back volume  116  of the third chamber  114  may be acoustically isolated from the inactive volume  110  of the second chamber  108  and the active volume  106  of the first chamber  104 . 
     A driver  116  for outputting a music signal (S) in a direction of ear  112  may be mounted within housing  102 . Driver  116  may 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 driver  120  by sound source  122 . Sound source  122  may 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 chamber  104  defining the front volume  106  may be acoustically coupled to the sound output side  120 A of the driver  120  and allow for sound to pass from driver  120  to the user&#39;s ear  112 . In this aspect, the first chamber  104  and front volume  106  may be dimensioned to surround the ear as previously discussed. The third chamber  114  defining back volume  116  may be acoustically coupled to the back side  120 B (e.g., non-sound output side) of the driver  120  and acoustically isolated from the first chamber  104  and second chamber  108  as previously discussed. 
     In order to improve an acoustic performance and comfort of headphone  100 , headphone  100  may include a valve assembly  124 . The valve assembly  124  may include a movable member  126  positioned over an opening  128  formed through earcup housing  102 . The opening  128  is between the first chamber  104  and the second chamber  108 . Accordingly, when the moving member  126  is in a closed position, opening  128  is covered and the first chamber  104  is not open to the second chamber  108 . In other words, in the open position, air may not travel between the front volume  106  and the outer volume  110 . On the other hand, when the moving member  126  is in an open position, the opening  128  is not covered and the first chamber  104  is open to the second chamber  108 . In other words, air may move between the front volume  106  and the outer volume  110 . In this aspect, valve assembly  124  may be used to equalize a pressure within first chamber  104  and/or between first chamber  104  and second chamber  108 . For example, when a pressure above a desired threshold within first chamber  104  occurs, the valve assembly  124  may open so that the first chamber  104  is open to the second chamber  108  and air can pass from the first chamber  104  to the second chamber  108  to relieve (e.g., reduce) the pressure. The particular operation of the valve assembly  124  will be described in more detail in reference to  FIG.  3   - FIG.  6   . 
     Valve assembly  124  may be a passive or mechanical valve used to equalize pressure within first chamber  104  by opening and/or closing first chamber  104  to second chamber  108 . Valve assembly  124  may 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 assembly  124  may open or close in response to a pressure, pressure change and/or pressure difference within the first chamber  104  and/or between the first chamber  104  and the second chamber  108 . Valve assembly  124  may 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 chamber  104  may include an additional opening or vent  202  to an inactive volume and/or chamber as shown in  FIG.  2   . Representatively, in some aspects, vent  202  may vent the first chamber  104  to the ambient environment  204  surrounding the housing  102 . For example, vent  202  may be a b-vent that runs through the housing  102  from the front volume  106  to the ambient environment. In other aspects, vent  202  may be formed in the valve assembly  124  as will be described in more detail in reference to  FIG.  3    and  FIG.  5   . Vent  202  may further help to relieve pressure within front volume  106 . For example, in some aspects, vent  202  may allow for a constant flow of air between the ambient environment  204  and front volume  106  to relieve small pressures and/or pressure changes within front volume  106  while valve assembly  124  opens in response to larger and/or more sudden pressures and/or pressure changes within the front volume  106  to relieve larger pressure changes. 
     The particular aspects and operations of valve assembly  124  will now be described in reference to  FIG.  3   - FIG.  6   . Representatively,  FIG.  3   - FIG.  6    illustrate magnified cross-sectional side views of the valve assembly described in reference to  FIG.  1   - FIG.  2   . Referring now to  FIG.  3   ,  FIG.  3    illustrates valve assembly  124  including a moving member  126  positioned over the opening  128  formed within wall  308  between front volume  106  (e.g., an active volume) and outer volume  110  (e.g., an inactive volume). As previously discussed, the front volume  106  may be an active volume defined by the driver front volume chamber while the outer volume  110  may be an inactive volume within an outer chamber of the earphone housing and/or the ambient environment. The moving member  126  may be any type of valve door capable of opening in response to a pressure or pressure change within front volume  106  to equalize the pressure within and/or between front volume  106  and outer volume  110 . Representatively, moving member  126  may include a first valve door  302 A and a second valve door  302 B that are movably coupled to the wall  308  at pivot points  304 A,  304 B, respectively. In some aspects, each of the first and second valve doors  302 A,  302 B 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 door  302 A may be operable to open only in the direction shown by the arrow (e.g., into the outer volume  110 ) in response to a first pressure or pressure change (P 1 ) that exceeds a predetermined threshold pressure (P TH1 ). For example, the first pressure or pressure change (P 1 ) 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 (P TH1 ) (e.g., a pressure greater than atmospheric pressure and/or a sound pressure output by the speaker). Representatively, the first pressure or pressure change (P 1 ) could be a rapid pressure increase caused by the user pressing the earcup against the ear, running and/or jumping. The valve door  302 A may be tuned to open as shown by the dashed line in response to this particular pressure change. The valve door  302 A may further be tuned to return to the closed position once the pressure between outer volume  110  and front volume  106  equalizes. 
     Valve door  302 B, on the other hand, remains closed in response to the first pressure or pressure change (P 1 ). Rather, valve door  302 B may instead open only in the direction shown by the corresponding arrow (e.g., into the front volume  106 ) in response to a second pressure change (P 2 ). The second pressure or pressure change (P 2 ) may be different than the first pressure or pressure change (P 1 ). For example, the second pressure or pressure change (P 2 ) may be a negative pressure (e.g., a pressure less than that of the atmosphere) and/or a pressure within the front volume  106  which is less than a predetermined threshold pressure (P TH2 ) (e.g., a pressure less than atmospheric pressure and/or a sound pressure output by the speaker). Representatively, the second pressure or pressure change (P 2 ) could be a rapid pressure decrease caused by the user removing the earcup from their head, running and/or jumping. Valve door  302 B may be tuned to open only in the direction illustrated by the arrow (e.g., into front volume  106 ) in response to the second pressure or pressure change (P 2 ). Valve door  302 A, however, remains closed and does not open in response to this second pressure or pressure change (P 2 ). In this aspect, valve doors  302 A and  302 B 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 chambers  106 ,  110 . For example, in some instances both a positive pressure may occur in first volume  106  and at the same time a negative pressure may occur in the outer volume  110 . The first valve door  302 A will open in response to the positive pressure in the first volume  106 . The second valve door  302 B, however, may only open into the front volume  106 . Since the second valve door  302 B cannot open in the direction of the outer volume  110 , the negative pressure within the outer volume  110  will not cause it to open. In this aspect, air is allowed to move from the front volume  106  to the outer volume  110  due to the opening of the first valve door  302 A but is blocked from moving from the outer volume  110  to the front volume  106  by the closed second valve door  302 B. This, in turn, equalizes the pressure within the front volume  106 . 
     The valve doors  302 A-B may be coupled to the housing wall  308  at pivot points  304 A-B. Pivot points  304 A-B may be hinges that allow the valve doors  302 A-B to only open in the previously discussed directions in response to the desired pressure (e.g., P 1  or P 2 ). In some aspects, the hinges may be formed of a same material as the valve doors  302 A-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 doors  302 A-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 doors  302 A-B. In other aspects, the valve may be made of other materials and the doors  302 A-B may be coupled to the wall at pivot points  304 A-B by another type of hinge, and in some cases, may also include a biasing mechanism. For example, the pivot points  304 A-B may include a spring or other biasing mechanism to bias the valve doors  302 A-B toward a closed position. In this aspect, valve doors  302 A-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.  4    is a magnified view of another aspect of the valve assembly  124 . In particular, valve assembly  124  in  FIG.  4    is substantially similar to the valve assembly previously discussed except it also includes a vent  306  within the valve to further help equalize pressure. For example, in some aspects, vent  306  may allow for a constant flow of air between the front volume  106  and the outer volume  110 . In this aspect, vent  306  may be used to relieve small pressures and/or pressure changes within front volume  106  while valve assembly  124  could be tuned to open only in response to larger and/or more sudden pressures and/or pressure changes within the front volume  106  to relieve larger pressure changes. The vent  306  could be a b-vent and be used in addition to and/or instead of the housing b-vent previously described in reference to  FIG.  2   . 
       FIG.  5    is a magnified view of another aspect of the valve assembly  124 . In particular, valve assembly  124  in  FIG.  5    is substantially similar to the valve assembly previously discussed except it is a single valve door  302  that includes a vent  306  through the door. For example, valve assembly  124  could 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 assembly  124  could include two different valve doors  302  covering different openings  128  within the housing wall  308  to relieve different pressure occurrences (e.g., negative pressure and positive pressure changes) as previously discussed. The vent  306  could be a b-vent and be used in addition to and/or instead of the housing b-vent previously described in reference to  FIG.  2   . 
     In addition, as previously discussed, any one or more of the previously discussed valve assemblies  124  may 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 doors  302 A-B), the size of the valve opening (e.g., opening  128 ) and/or the size of the associated inactive volume (e.g., outer volume  110 ) may be specially selected so that the valve assembly  124  opens and/or closes in response to a desired pressure. For example, as shown in  FIG.  6    the size (S 1 ) of the valve opening  128  or the size (S 2 ) of the door  302  may 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 opening  128  and/or the associated volume  110  so 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 door  302 . On the other hand, a heavy door covering a small valve opening and/or volume would allow for slower opening of the valve door  302 . 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&#39;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.  7    illustrates a simplified schematic view of one aspect of an electronic device in which a valve assembly as described herein may be implemented. For example, headphone  100  of  FIGS.  1 - 2    are examples of systems that can include some or all of the circuitry illustrated by electronic device  700 . 
     Electronic device  700  can include, for example, power supply  702 , storage  704 , signal processor  706 , memory  708 , processor  710 , communication circuitry  712 , and input/output circuitry  714 . In some aspects, electronic device  700  can include more than one of each component of circuitry, but for the sake of simplicity, only one of each is shown in  FIG.  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 in  FIGS.  1 - 6   , can be included in, for example, headphone  100 . 
     Power supply  702  can provide power to the components of electronic device  700 . In some aspects, power supply  702  can be coupled to a power grid such as, for example, a wall outlet. In some aspects, power supply  702  can 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 supply  702  can be configured to generate power from a natural source (e.g., solar power using solar cells). 
     Storage  704  can include, for example, a hard-drive, flash memory, cache, ROM, and/or RAM. Additionally, storage  704  can be local to and/or remote from electronic device  700 . For example, storage  704  can include integrated storage medium, removable storage medium, storage space on a remote server, wireless storage medium, or any combination thereof. Furthermore, storage  704  can store data such as, for example, system data, user profile data, and any other relevant data. 
     Signal processor  706  can 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 circuitry  714 . After processing of the digital signals has been completed, the digital signals could then be converted back into analog signals. 
     Memory  708  can include any form of temporary memory such as RAM, buffers, and/or cache. Memory  708  can also be used for storing data used to operate electronic device applications (e.g., operation system instructions). 
     In addition to signal processor  706 , electronic device  700  can additionally contain general processor  710 . Processor  710  can be capable of interpreting system instructions and processing data. For example, processor  710  can be capable of executing instructions or programs such as system applications, firmware applications, and/or any other application. Additionally, processor  710  has the capability to execute instructions in order to communicate with any or all of the components of electronic device  700 . 
     Communication circuitry  712  may 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 circuitry  712  may 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 circuitry  714  can 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 circuitry  714  can also convert digital data into any other type of signal. The digital data can be provided to and received from processor  710 , storage  704 , memory  708 , signal processor  706 , or any other component of electronic device  700 . Input/output circuitry  714  can be used to interface with any suitable input or output devices. Furthermore, electronic device  700  can include specialized input circuitry associated with input devices such as, for example, one or more proximity sensors, accelerometers, etc. Electronic device  700  can also include specialized output circuitry associated with output devices such as, for example, one or more speakers, earphones, etc. 
     Lastly, bus  716  can provide a data transfer path for transferring data to, from, or between processor  710 , storage  704 , memory  708 , communications circuitry  712 , and any other component included in electronic device  700 . Although bus  716  is illustrated as a single component in  FIG.  7   , one skilled in the art would appreciate that electronic device  700  may 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.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20210818
Publication Date: 20250121
Grant Date: 20250121
Priority Date: 20200923
Inventors: PFITSCH, JACOB A.
ILKORUR, ONUR I.
ANDERSEN, ESGE B.
TIKANDER, MIIKKA O.
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "H04R1/1091", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R1/2823", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R2460/11", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R1/2826", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R1/1008", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "F16K15/033", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "F16K17/02", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R1/1083", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R1/1008", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R1/1041", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R1/1091", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R1/2823", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R1/1091", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R1/1008", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 80473595