STETHOSCOPE HEAD WITH ADJUSTABLE AUDIO FREQUENCY

Abstract

A stethoscope head with adjustable audio frequency, comprises: a head body having an annular step and a sound collecting surface at a front side of the head body; an annular fastener; and a diaphragm having an annular step and a footing, the diaphragm disposed on the sound collecting surface of the head body by the annular fastener which cooperates with the head body by screw threads, wherein, when the stethoscope head is in operation, the footing of the diaphragm is deformed in response to rotation of the annular fastener relative to the head body along the screw threads to regulate an audio frequency received by the diaphragm. The stethoscope head of the invention is convenient to assemble and the sound effect can be adjusted continuously.

Claims

1. A stethoscope head with an adjustable audio frequency, comprising: a head body having an annular step and a sound collecting surface at a front side of the head body; an annular fastener; and a diaphragm having an annular step and a footing, the diaphragm disposed on the sound collecting surface of the head body by the annular fastener which cooperates with the head body by screw threads, wherein, when the stethoscope head is in operation, the footing of the diaphragm is deformable in response to rotation of the annular fastener relative to the head body along the screw threads to regulate an audio frequency received by the diaphragm.

2. The stethoscope head of claim 1, wherein, when the stethoscope head is in operation, the footing of the diaphragm is movable relative to the head body in response to the rotation of the annular fastener relative to the head body along the screw threads to regulate the audio frequency received by the diaphragm.

3. The stethoscope head of claim 2, wherein the sound collecting surface at an inner side of the annular step of the head body is provided with an annular recess in which the footing of the diaphragm is movably disposed, and the footing of the diaphragm directly contacts with an inner side surface of the annular recess at an annular circumference that is configured to move along the inner side surface of the annular recess when the stethoscope head is in operation.

4. The stethoscope head of claim 1, wherein the annular fastener comprises an L-shaped cross section and has an inner wall and screw threads provided on the inner wall, and a step surface of the annular step of the head body is provided with screw threads matching with the screw threads on the inner wall of the annular fastener.

5. The stethoscope head of claim 1, wherein the annular step of the diaphragm extends downwards from an edge of an upper surface of the diaphragm, and the footing of the diaphragm extends downwards from an outer edge of the annular step of the diaphragm.

6. The stethoscope head of claim 3, wherein the inner side surface of the annular recess and a bottom surface of the annular recess form an obtuse angle γ, such that the footing of the diaphragm is deformed due to a change in an angle between the footing and the annular step of the diaphragm in response to the rotation of the annular fastener when the stethoscope head is in operation.

7. The stethoscope head of claim 6, wherein a range of the obtuse angle γ is 100°≦γ≦145°.

8. The stethoscope head of claim 1, wherein the annular step of the head body is disposed at an outer marginal part of the front side of the head body.

9. The stethoscope head of claim 1, wherein a sealing ring is disposed between the annular step of the head body and the annular fastener.

10. The stethoscope head of claim 1, wherein the annular step of the diaphragm abuts against the annular fastener.

11. The stethoscope head of claim 1, wherein a back side of the head body is provided with graduations, wherein an outer side surface of the annular fastener is provided with an arrow, and wherein, when the annular fastener is screwed passively and the audio frequency is changed, the annular fastener is restorable to an original position according to the graduations marked by the arrow.

12. A method of regulating an audio frequency received by the diaphragm of the stethoscope head of claim 1, comprising: when the stethoscope head is in operation, rotating the annular fastener of the stethoscope head relative to the head body of the stethoscope head, to regulate an audio frequency received by the diaphragm.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a conventional stethoscope.

[0023] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a stethoscope head in the conventional stethoscope.

[0024] FIG. 3 is an exploded diagram of FIG. 2.

[0025] FIG. 4 is an exploded diagram showing a stethoscope head in an embodiment of the invention.

[0026] FIG. 5 is an enlarged schematic diagram showing a section in the head body 14 in FIG. 4.

[0027] FIG. 6 is a first schematic diagram showing the stethoscope head in an embodiment of the invention.

[0028] FIG. 7 is an enlarged schematic diagram showing a section of the head body 14 in FIG. 6.

[0029] FIG. 8 is a second schematic diagram showing the stethoscope head in an embodiment of the invention.

[0030] FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing the fastener in an embodiment of the invention.

[0031] FIG. 10 is a partial diagram showing the diaphragm 12 in FIG. 4.

[0032] FIG. 11 is a back view of the stethoscope head in an embodiment of the invention.

[0033] FIG. 12 is a partial diagram showing the annular protrusion 145 of the head body 14 and the annular recess 1451 disposed on the annular protrusion 145.

[0034] FIG. 13 is a first partial diagram showing the annular protrusion 145 of the head body 14 and the washer 160 disposed on the annular protrusion 145.

[0035] FIG. 14 is a second partial diagram showing the annular protrusion 145 of the head body 14 and the washer 160 disposed on the annular protrusion 145.

[0036] FIG. 15 is a third partial diagram showing the annular protrusion 145 of the head body 14 and the washer 160 disposed on the annular protrusion 145.

NUMERAL REFERENCES OF ELEMENTS

[0037] 1 head body; 2 rubber tube; 3 ear tube; 4 ear piece; 5 sound collecting surface; 6 sound collecting chamber; 11 fastener; 111 screw thread; 112 arrow; 113 upper surface of ring A; 114 upper surface of ring B; 115 inner surface of ring A; 116 bottom surface of ring A; 12 diaphragm; 121 annular step of diaphragm; 122 diaphragm footing; 123 bottom surface of diaphragm; 124 inner surface of diaphragm footing; 125 upper surface of diaphragm; 126 lower surface of diaphragm; 127 bottom edge of the inner surface of the diaphragm footing; 128 lower surface of annular step; 13 sealing ring; 14 head body; 140 front side of head body; 141 back side of head body; 142 annular step; 143 screw thread; 144 annular recess; 145 annular protrusion; 146 step surface; 147 bottom surface; 148 inner side surface; 149 platform; 150 graduation; 160 washer; 1451 recess.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0038] Hereinafter, the embodiments are described in details along with the accompanying drawing. Hereinafter, several the embodiments are illustrated with the accompanying drawings.

Embodiment 1

[0039] Embodiment 1 is illustrated along with FIG. 4. FIG. 5, FIG. 6, FIG. 7, FIG. 9 and FIG. 10.

[0040] A stethoscope head with adjustable audio frequency includes a head body 14, a diaphragm 12 and a fastener 11.

[0041] The outer marginal part of the front side 140 of the head body is provided with an annular step 142, and a step surface 146 of the annular step 142 is provided with a screw thread. A sound collecting surface 5 at the inner side of the annular step 142 is provided with an annular recess 144, and an inner side surface 148 and a bottom surface 147 of the annular recess 144 form an obtuse angle γ.

[0042] The fastener 11 includes a ring A and a ring B, an upper surface 113 of the ring A and an upper surface 114 of the ring B are in the same horizontal plane. The ring B is disposed inside the ring A and the external diameter of the ring B is the same as the internal diameter of the ring A, the inner wall 115 of the ring A is provided with a screw thread 111 to match with the screw thread 143 of the step surface.

[0043] The diaphragm 12 is provided with an annular step 121 and a footing 122. The footing 122 of the diaphragm 12 is disposed in the annular recess 144. The bottom surface 127 of the inner surface of the footing 122 of the diaphragm 12 contacts the inner side surface 148 of the annular recess 144, and the diaphragm 12 is fastened to the head body 14 via the fastener 11.

[0044] The inner side surface 148 and the bottom surface 147 of the annular recess 144 form an obtuse angle γ, and 100°≦γ≦145°.

Embodiment 2

[0045] As shown in embodiment 1 and combining with FIG. 4, FIG. 6, FIG. 7, FIG. 9 and FIG. 10, an annular protrusion 145 is further disposed on the sound collecting surface 5 at the inner side of the annular recess 144.

[0046] The inner side surface 148 of the annular recess 144 and the bottom surface 147 of the annular recess form an obtuse angle γ, and 100°≦γ≦1450.

[0047] Combining with the above drawings and FIG. 13, a washer 160 is further provided on the annular protrusion 145. Adding the washer 160 can improve the sealing ability of the sound collecting chamber and improve the sound effect.

[0048] Combining with the above drawings and FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, when a low frequency is listened, the user only needs to contact the upper surface 125 of the diaphragm 12 to the auscultation object. Combining with FIG. 8, if a high frequency is listened, the user only needs to press the head body 14 to make the diaphragm footing 122 move downwardly in the annular recess 144 until the lower surface 126 of the diaphragm butts the annular protrusion 145.

TABLE-US-00001 The required pressure which makes the lower surface 126 of the diaphragm contact Stethoscope Stethoscope the annular attenuation value attenuation value protrusion 145, under 500 HZ under 750 HZ (namely obtaining frequency and frequency and γ angle another audio 114 DB sound 114 DB sound (degree) frequency) (N) source (DB) source (DB) 100 3.95 7.82 6.95 110 5.03 5.01 4.23 120 5.39 5.23 4.18 130 7.85 6.32 5.23 140 9.23 6.98 5.64 145 10.37 7.81 7.12 150 12.85 8.32 7.26 160 15.32 8.76 8.12

[0049] It is concluded from the above data that:

[0050] Firstly, considering obtaining good frequency change effect and the auscultation area is not uncomfortable due to pressure, the less the angle γ between the inner side surface 148 of the annular recess 144 and the bottom surface 147 of the annular recess 144 is, the pressure that makes the lower surface 126 of the diaphragm contact the annular protrusion 145 (namely the required pressure for obtaining another audio frequency) is less. However, in practical auscultation, if the pressure is too small, during obtaining the other audio frequency, the upper surface 125 of the diaphragm does not totally contact the auscultation area, which affects the auscultation. The general proper pressure for changing the frequency is larger than 5 N and less than 10 N. Under proper pressure scope, the stethoscope can obtain preferable frequency-change effect and the auscultation area is not easy to be uncomfortable due to pressure.

[0051] Secondly, considering frequency attenuation, the angle γ formed between the inner side surface 148 of the annular recess 144 and the bottom surface 147 of the annular recess ranges above or equal to 1000 and less than 1450. The audio frequency attenuation is lowered.

[0052] Thirdly, considering both the audio frequency attenuation and the effectiveness of auscultation, the angle γ formed between the inner side surface 148 of the annular recess 144 and the bottom surface 147 of the annular recess is preferable above or equal to 100° and less than 145°.

[0053] Fourthly, the thickness of the diaphragm footing 0.6 mm, and the hardness of the rubber is 60° shore hardness.

[0054] The elasticity is measured in the method and parameter as below: the upper surface of a square rubber block is applied by 19.6 N vertical force, and the downward and vertical deformation distance is 1.21 mm.

[0055] Combining with FIG. 12, the annular protrusion 145 is also provided with an annular recess 1451, and the annular recess 1451 is disposed on the annular protrusion 145 to make the amount of the surface butting the lower surface 126 of the diaphragm increased to two annular surfaces. As a result, the sealing effect of the sound collecting chamber is improved, and the preferable listening effect is achieved. Combining with FIG. 14, a washer 160 is further disposed in the recess of the annular recess 1451, and when the head body 14 is pressed, the diaphragm footing 122 moves downwardly in the annular recess 144 until the lower surface 126 of the diaphragm butts the washer 160 of the annular protrusion 145. As a result, the sealing effect is improved, and the preferable listening effect is achieved. Combining with FIG. 15, the washer 160 is provided with two annular edges, when the head body 14 is pressed, the two annular edges butt the lower surface 126 of the diaphragm and form the sound collecting chamber 6. The contacting surfaces of the washer 160 and the lower surface 126 of the diaphragm are increased, the sealing effect of the sound collecting chamber 6 is improved, and the listening effect is better. The shape of each of the two annular edges of the washer 160 may be triangle, semi-circle and so on.

Embodiment 3

[0056] As shown in embodiment 1 and combining with FIG. 4, FIG. 6, FIG. 7, FIG. 8, FIG. 9 and FIG. 10, a sealing ring 13 is disposed between the annular step 142 and the ring A. The sealing ring 13 can avoid the sound leakage between the bottom surface 116 of the ring A of the fastener 11 and the contacting surface of the annular step 142 when listening to a low frequency sound. The sealing ring has high elasticity, and it exerts a reacting force to the ring of the fastener 11 when the lower surface of the fastener 11 is pressed. The stableness during usage is achieved by improving the uneasy-to-shift ability when a non-initiative force is applied to the fastener 11, and the uneasy-to-shift ability is achieved by increasing the friction force between the inner screw thread of the ring and the screw thread of the step surface of the annular ring.

Embodiment 4

[0057] As shown in embodiment 1, embodiment 2 or embodiment 3, and combining with FIG. 11, the back side 141 of the head body is provided with graduation 150, and the outer surface of the ring A is provided with an arrow 112.

[0058] When the fastener 11 moves non-initiatively and makes the listening effect change, the user can memory the graduation that is directed by the arrow to restore the original position, and he or she does not needs to spend much effort to adjust the listening effect.

[0059] To sum up, by rotating the fastener 11, the position of the diaphragm can be changed upwardly and downwardly, and tension is generated at the diaphragm footing. Due to the reacting force, the upward elasticity of the footing 122 is increased and the elasticity of the diaphragm is increased, too. As a result, the wave length of the received audio frequency and is changed, thereby achieving the object of adjusting the audio frequency. The volume of the sound collecting chamber is changed, too, and the audio frequency changes therewith to achieve the function of adjusting the audio frequency.

[0060] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a stethoscope head with an adjustable audio frequency, comprising: a head body having an annular step and a sound collecting surface at a front side of the head body; an annular fastener; and a diaphragm having an annular step and a footing, the diaphragm disposed on the sound collecting surface of the head body by the annular fastener which cooperates with the head body by screw threads, wherein, when the stethoscope head is in operation, the footing of the diaphragm is deformable in response to rotation of the annular fastener relative to the head body along the screw threads to regulate an audio frequency received by the diaphragm.

[0061] Preferably, when the stethoscope head is in operation, the footing of the diaphragm is movable relative to the head body in response to the rotation of the annular fastener relative to the head body along the screw threads to regulate the audio frequency received by the diaphragm.

[0062] Preferably, the sound collecting surface at an inner side of the annular step of the head body is provided with an annular recess in which the footing of the diaphragm is movably disposed, and the footing of the diaphragm directly contacts with an inner side surface of the annular recess at an annular circumference that is configured to move along the inner side surface of the annular recess when the stethoscope head is in operation.

[0063] Preferably, the annular fastener comprises an L-shaped cross section and has an inner wall and screw threads provided on the inner wall, and a step surface of the annular step of the head body is provided with screw threads matching with the screw threads on the inner wall of the annular fastener.

[0064] Preferably, the annular step of the diaphragm extends downwards from an edge of an upper surface of the diaphragm, and the footing of the diaphragm extends downwards from an outer edge of the annular step of the diaphragm.

[0065] Preferably, the inner side surface of the annular recess and a bottom surface of the annular recess form an obtuse angle γ, such that the footing of the diaphragm is deformed due to a change in an angle between the footing and the annular step of the diaphragm in response to the rotation of the annular fastener when the stethoscope head is in operation.

[0066] Preferably, a range of the obtuse angle γ is 10°≦γ≦145°.

[0067] Preferably, the annular step of the head body is disposed at an outer marginal part of the front side of the head body.

[0068] Preferably, a sealing ring is disposed between the annular step of the head body and the annular fastener.

[0069] Preferably, the annular step of the diaphragm abuts against the annular fastener.

[0070] Preferably, a back side of the head body is provided with graduations, wherein an outer side surface of the annular fastener is provided with an arrow, and wherein, when the annular fastener is screwed passively and the audio frequency is changed, the annular fastener is restorable to an original position according to the graduations marked by the arrow.

[0071] According to a further aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a method of regulating an audio frequency received by the diaphragm of the stethoscope head of claim 1, comprising: when the stethoscope head is in operation, rotating the annular fastener of the stethoscope head relative to the head body of the stethoscope head, to regulate an audio frequency received by the diaphragm.

[0072] Although the invention has been described as above in reference to several typical embodiments, it is to be understood that the terms used therein are just illustrative and exemplary rather than restrictive. Since the invention can be applied in various forms without departing from the spirit or principle of the invention, it is to be understood that the abovementioned embodiments will not be limited to any specific details mentioned above; rather, they should be construed broadly in the spirit or concept of the invention defined by the appended claims. Therefore, the present invention aims to cover all the modifications or variations falling within the protection scope defined by the appended claims.