Abstract
The disclosure relates to on-ear headphones comprising at least one ear-cushion, the at least one ear-cushion defining an ear-surface configured to interface with a user's ear when the headphones are worn by the user, the ear-surface comprising a perforated area, the perforated area comprising a plurality of staggered elongated perforations.
Claims
1. On-ear headphones comprising at least one ear-cushion, the at least one ear-cushion defining an ear-surface configured to interface with a user's ear when the headphones are worn by the user, the ear-surface comprising a perforated area, the perforated area comprising a plurality of staggered elongated perforations.
2. The on-ear headphones according to claim 1, wherein at least two elongated perforations have different size.
3. The on-ear headphones according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of perforations are arranged in concentric circles, wherein at least two perforations from two neighbouring circles are in a staggered formation.
4. The on-ear headphones according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of perforations are arranged in parallel straight lines, wherein at least two perforations from two neighbouring lines are in a staggered formation.
5. The on-ear headphones according to claim 1, wherein the perforated area occupies at least 3% and at most 50% of the entire ear-surface.
6. The on-ear headphones according to claim 1, wherein the ear-cushion comprises at least one layer being made of a foam material.
7. The on-ear headphones according to claim 1, wherein the ear-surface is made of a plastic material and/or leatherette material.
8. The on-ear headphones according to claim 1, wherein the perforations are at least 1 mm long.
9. The on-ear headphones according to claim 1, wherein a width-to-length ratio of the perforations is at least 1:2.
10. The on-ear headphones according to claim 1, wherein the ear-surface is substantially flat.
11. The on-ear headphones according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of perforations are arranged such to form a maze when starting from the center of the perforated area and towards an outer border of the perforated area.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0033] The above objects, as well as additional objects, features and advantages of the present disclosure, will be more fully appreciated by reference to the following illustrative and non-limiting detailed description of example embodiments of the present disclosure, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
[0034] FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a traditional ear-cushion with circular perforations forming a perforated area.
[0035] FIG. 2 schematically illustrates an on-ear headphones according to one embodiment of the invention;
[0036] FIG. 3 schematically illustrates an on-ear headphones worn by a user;
[0037] FIG. 4 illustrates an ear-cushion with perforations arranged in concentric circles;
[0038] FIG. 5 illustrates an ear-cushion with perforations arranged in parallel straight lines;
[0039] FIG. 6 schematically illustrates a cross-section of two different ear-cushion embodiments; and
[0040] FIG. 7 is a graph showing elastic data for various types of ear-cushions.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0041] Various embodiments are described hereinafter with reference to the figures. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout. Like elements will, thus, not be described in detail with respect to the description of each figure. It should also be noted that the figures are only intended to facilitate the description of the embodiments. They are not intended as an exhaustive description of the claimed invention or as a limitation on the scope of the claimed invention. In addition, an illustrated embodiment needs not have all the aspects or advantages shown. An aspect or an advantage described in conjunction with a particular embodiment is not necessarily limited to that embodiment and can be practiced in any other embodiments even if not so illustrated, or if not so explicitly described.
[0042] FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a traditional ear-cushion with circular perforations P forming a perforated area. In this prior art implementation, it is possible to draw a straight line L between adjacent concentric circles. Such implementation suffers from discomfort which builds-up during wear of a headset with such ear-cushion.
[0043] FIG. 2 illustrates an on-ear headphones 200 according to one embodiment of the invention. The on-ear headphones 200 comprise two ear-cushions 202 interconnected with a band 204. The headphones 200 may comprise only one ear-cushion 202 and the other one may be replaced with a support bar for holding the headphones in place. The ear-cushions 202 define an ear-surface 206 configured to interface with a user's ear when the headphones 200 are worn by the user. The ear-surface 206 comprises a perforated area 208. The perforated area 208 comprises a plurality of staggered elongated perforations 210.
[0044] FIG. 3 schematically illustrates an on-ear headphones 200 worn by a user 300. The ear-cushion 202 is arranged on the user's ear 302 and abuts the ear 302. After a long wear, the two contacting points, tragus 304 and antitragus 306, are mainly exposed to pressure from the ear-cushion 202. Having the headphones 200 with elongated staggered perforations the contact points 304 and 306 are exposed to decreased pressure. Thus, the user 300 is provided with an improved headphones compared to prior art headphones.
[0045] FIG. 4 illustrates an ear-cushion 202 with perforations 210. The perforated area 208 comprises six concentric circle patterns 401-406. The ear-surface 206 is substantially flat. It can be seen that the elongated perforations 210 in different patterns have different size. Namely, the length of the perforations vary. At least two perforations 210 from two neighbouring circle patterns are arranged in staggered formation. The staggered formation results in a maze 408 formed by bridges 410. A space between two perforations 210 in the same circle is referred as a bridge 410. A bridge 410 in one circle, e.g. 406, is typically formed beside a perforation of an adjacent circle, 405. In this manner, the perforations 210 of adjacent circles are in the staggered formation. When the bridges 410 are overlapped with perforations on both sides, the maze 408 is formed starting from the center of the perforated area 208 and towards the outer borders of this area. The formed maze 408 is a line along which the material of the ear-surface can stretch. Since the maze 408 is longer than a straight line, such material is more stretchable than a material with non-staggered round holes. Namely, it is not possible to draw a straight line along the bridges 410, i.e. between the perforations 210, from the center of the perforated area 208 to the outer borders, without crossing at least one perforation 210. This means that it is possible to achieve a longer distance from the outside of the perforated area 208 to its center, or to a point of contact with the ear geometry (e.g. tragus and/or antitragus). Achieving longer distances means that the material is more flexible and therefore the contact points with the ear are exposed to less pressure. Such perforation formations improves flexibility, stretchability, and softness of the ear-surface and thereby provides improved comfort to the headset user. Instead of the concentric circles, the perforations may be arranged in any other concentric patterns, e.g., concentric polygons (squares, pentagon, hexagons, etc.), concentric ellipses, concentric stars, etc. The same principles, formations, and advantages equally apply for such patterns. In some embodiments, the perforated area 208 may have a diameter in the range between 15 and 40 mm, the ear-cushion surface may be in the range between 50 and 75 mm wide and about 55 to 90 mm long. The perforations may occupy around 100 to 250 mm.sup.2 and the ear-surface may be around 2000 to 5000 mm.sup.2. The perforations 210 may be at least 1 mm long and a width-to-length ratio of the perforations may at least be 1:2.
[0046] FIG. 5 illustrates an ear-cushion 202 with a perforated area 208 wherein the perforations 210 are arranged in parallel straight lines 500. At least two perforations from two neighbouring lines are in a staggered formation. Namely, the leading edge of one perforation 511 in a second line pattern 502 is advanced over the neighbouring perforation 510 in the adjacent line pattern 501. Thus, when bridges are closed with perforations on both sides, a labyrinth 508 is formed starting from one side of the perforated area 208 and towards the opposite side of this area. Namely, it is not possible to draw a straight line along the bridges, i.e. between the perforations, starting from the left side of the perforated area 208 and to the opposite, right, side of this area, without crossing at least one perforation 210. Such perforation formations improves flexibility, stretchability, and softness of the ear-surface and thereby provides improved comfort to the headset user. In particular, the softness and flexibility of the perforated area is improved, and thereby comfort for the user.
[0047] FIG. 6 schematically illustrates a cross-section of two different ear-cushion embodiments. The ear-cushion 202 shown in FIG. 6a) may comprise a cushion frame 600 and a sealing gasket 608. The ear cushion 202 may also comprise a foam layer 602 of a donut shape so that the area below the housing is hollow to allow sounds from the speaker to reach the user's ear. The ear-surface 206 may be made of a leatherette material. The perforated area 208 is formed below a hole formed in the donut-shaped foam 602 so that sound can reach user's ear. A fabric mesh 610 may be arranged below the perforated area 208. The embodiment shown in FIG. 6b) differs from the one shown in FIG. 6a) in the way foam is used. namely, in FIG. 6a) the foam layer 602 is uniform while the embodiment shown in FIG. 6b) uses two different foams, outer foam 604 and inner foam 606. The outer foam 604 and inner foam 606 typically have different density. The present invention can utilize both types of foam arrangement.
[0048] FIG. 7 is a graph showing elastic data for various types of ear-cushions. The graph shows how a force (horizontal axis) to which the contact points of the user's ear is exposed on depends on a degree of deformation of the ear-surface (vertical axis). The top curve 700 represents a traditional ear-cushion with circular perforations. It can be seen that even for small deformations E5 the force exerted onto the ear is high. The group of three curves 701 also show prior art ear-cushions with a slightly improved comfort. And finally, the last group of three curves 702 shows three different embodiments of the present application. It can be seen that even for large degrees of deformation the user's ear is exposed to a low force and therefore low pressure. Lower pressure implies good comfort for the user even after a prolonged use.
[0049] Although particular features have been shown and described, it will be understood that they are not intended to limit the claimed invention, and it will be made obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the claimed invention. The specification and drawings are, accordingly to be regarded in an illustrative rather than restrictive sense. The claimed invention is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents, as well as combination of various embodiments illustrated in the figures.
LIST OF REFERENCES
[0050] 200 on-ear headphone [0051] 202 ear-cushion [0052] 204 band [0053] 206 ear-surface [0054] 208 perforated area [0055] 210 perforation [0056] 300 user [0057] 302 user's ear [0058] 304 tragus [0059] 306 antitragus [0060] 401-406 circle patterns [0061] 408 maze [0062] 410 bridge [0063] 500-502 line patterns [0064] 508 maze, labyrinth [0065] 510, 511 neighboring perforations [0066] 600 cushion frame [0067] 602 donut-shaped foam layer [0068] 604, 606 outer and inner foam layers of different density [0069] 608 a sealing gasket [0070] 610 fabric mesh [0071] 700, 701 prior art elastic curves [0072] 702 elastic cures of the present invention
