US20160269816A1

US20160269816A1 - Waterproof cover structure with array of microtubes

Info

Publication number: US20160269816A1
Application number: US14/931,952
Authority: US
Inventors: Ting-Wei LEE; Chun-Yi Li; Cheng-Yang LO
Original assignee: Kingstate Electronics Corp
Current assignee: Kingstate Electronics Corp
Priority date: 2015-03-12
Filing date: 2015-11-04
Publication date: 2016-09-15
Also published as: JP3201758U; JP3202035U; US9510076B2; US20160269823A1

Abstract

The present invention provides a waterproof cover structure with an array of microtubes, and the waterproof cover structure includes an elastic cover; and an arrayed microtube unit watertight combined within a second opening of the elastic cover and having multiple microtubes formed in the arrayed microtube unit. Such waterproof cover structure with an array of microtubes not just covers an earphone and complies with the comfortable wearing requirements only, but also has the effects of providing a waterproof function by the formation of the arrayed microtube unit, balancing the pressure, temperature and humidity of internal and external auditory canals, and preventing sound distortion.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a waterproof cover structure, and more particularly to the waterproof cover structure with an array of microtubes which is capable of preventing sound distortion and balancing the pressure, temperature and humidity of internal and external auditory canals.
2. Description of Related Art
Since liquid (and water is also a liquid) has a surface tension, and the cohesion of liquid molecules is the main reason of forming the surface tension. Each molecule in the liquid is attracted or repulsed by adjacent molecules, so that the resultant force of the molecular forces exerted onto the molecules inside the liquid is equal to zero.
However, the attraction or repulsion exerted on the liquid molecules on a liquid-gas interface is uneven, so that the molecules in the surface of the liquid are attracted in a direction towards the interior of the liquid and some molecules on the surface are “pulled” towards the interior of the liquid to reduce the surface area of the liquid, and such phenomenon is called surface tension.
With reference to FIG. 1 for the relation between surface tension and tube diameter, the smaller the tube diameter the more significant the surface tension. Therefore, when an end of a first tube 410, a second tube 420, and a third tube 430 with their tube diameters arranged in ascending order is put into a liquid 300, the tube diameter becomes greater, and the surface tension becomes smaller, and the extent for the liquid 300 to enter into the tube is increased.
In applications to an earphone, most of the conventional earphones or earplug of an auxiliary hearing devices (or hearing aid) are not waterproof, so that the earphone and earplug may be easily damaged when they are soaked in or splashed by liquid or water, and the liquid or water may even enter into a user's ear and cause discomfort or injury to the user.
In view of the aforementioned problem, it is important for manufacturers of the related products to design a waterproof cover structure capable of fully utilizing the principle of surface tension to resist water, maintain a complete sound quality, balance the pressure, humidity and temperature of internal and external auditory canal, and provide comfortable wearing requirements.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a waterproof cover structure with an array of microtubes, comprising: an elastic cover; and an arrayed microtube unit watertightly combined with a second opening of the elastic cover and having a plurality of microtubes. With the implementation of the present invention, the waterproof cover structure with an array of microtubes not just covers the earphone and complies with the comfortable wearing requirement only, but also achieves the effects of resisting water by the formation of the arrayed microtube unit, balancing the pressure, temperature and humidity of internal and external auditory canals, and preventing sound distortion.
The present invention provides a waterproof cover structure with an array of microtubes, comprising: an elastic cover, having a first opening and a second opening; and an arrayed microtube unit, watertightly combined into the second opening, and having a first distal portion and a second distal portion, and the arrayed microtube unit having a plurality of microtubes formed therein, and each of the microtubes penetrating through the first distal portion and the second distal portion, and each of the microtubes having a diameter that prevent water molecules from passing through the microtubes.
Implementation of the present invention at least involves the following inventive steps:
1. The present invention has the advantage of a low manufacturing cost, and the features of covering the earphone and complying with the comfortable wearing requirement.
2. The present invention has the waterproof function.
3. The present invention is capable of balancing the pressure, temperature and humidity of internal and external auditory canals.
4. The present invention prevents sound distortion and maintains a complete sound quality.
The features and advantages of the present invention are detailed hereinafter with reference to the preferred embodiments. The detailed description is intended to enable a person skilled in the art to gain insight into the technical contents disclosed herein and implement the present invention accordingly. In particular, a person skilled in the art can easily understand the objects and advantages of the present invention by referring to the disclosure of the specification, the claims, and the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives and advantages thereof will be best understood by reference to the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing the relation between the diameter of a tube and the surface tension of water;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a waterproof cover structure with an array of microtubes in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3A is perspective view of an arrayed microtube unit and microtubes in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3B is a side view of an arrayed microtube unit in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4A is a perspective view of a waterproof cover structure with an array of microtubes combined with an earphone in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4B is a perspective view of another waterproof cover structure with an array of microtubes combined with an earphone in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5A is a sectional view of a waterproof cover structure with an array of microtubes having a cup and an integrally formed arrayed microtube unit in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5B is a perspective view of a waterproof cover structure with an array of microtubes having a cup and an integrally formed arrayed microtube unit in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5C is a sectional view of another waterproof cover structure with an array of microtubes having a cup and an integrally formed arrayed microtube unit in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5D is a perspective view of another waterproof cover structure with an array of microtubes having a cup and an integrally formed arrayed microtube unit in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6A is a sectional view of a waterproof cover structure with an array of microtubes having a cup and an embedded arrayed microtube unit in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6B is a perspective view of a waterproof cover structure with an array of microtubes having a cup and an embedded arrayed microtube unit in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6C is a sectional view of another waterproof cover structure with an array of microtubes having a cup and an embedded arrayed microtube unit in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6D is a perspective view of another waterproof cover structure with an array of microtubes having a cup and an embedded arrayed microtube unit in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a schematic view showing the waterproof function of an arrayed microtube unit and microtubes in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a schematic view showing the waterproof function of a waterproof cover structure with an array of microtubes in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9A is a schematic view showing the waterproof function of a microtube having a bump in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9B is a schematic view showing the waterproof function of a microtube having a flange in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9C is a schematic view showing the waterproof function of a microtube having a rim in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 10 is a sound frequency response curve of a waterproof cover structure with an array of microtubes and made of silicone in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention and a conventional earphone cover made of waterproof mesh.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

With reference to FIG. 2 for a waterproof cover structure with an array of microtubes 100 in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, it comprises: an elastic cover 10; an arrayed microtube unit 20; and a plurality of microtubes 30 formed in the arrayed microtube unit 20.
Referring to FIGS. 2 and 4A, the elastic cover 10 has a first opening 11 and a second opening 12. The elastic cover 10 is provided for covering an earplug 200 of an earphone, wherein the earplug 200 at the first opening 11 may be wholly or partially covered by the elastic cover 10.
The elastic cover 10 may be made of a selected waterproof material such as rubber, silicone, waterproof mesh or any other polymer.
As shown in FIG. 2, the arrayed microtube unit 20, having a first distal portion 21 and a second distal portion 22, is watertightly combined within the second opening 12 of the elastic cover 10.
As shown in FIG. 4A, the arrayed microtube unit 20 is integrally formed and watertight combined within the second opening 12, and such waterproof cover structure with an array of microtubes 100 may be called a one-piece waterproof structure.
Referring to FIG. 4B, the arrayed microtube unit 20 may also be embedded and watertight combined within the second opening 12, and such waterproof cover structure with an array of microtubes 100 may be called a two-piece waterproof structure.
In FIGS. 2 to 4B, the arrayed microtube unit 20 has a plurality of microtubes 30 formed therein, and each microtube 30 is penetrated from the first distal portion 21 to the second distal portion 22, and the diameter of each microtube 30 is designed to prevent water molecules from passing through the microtube 30 due to surface tension.
To produce a significant and effective effect of the surface tension of the water molecules, each microtube 30 preferably has a diameter falling within a range of 0.1 mm-0.6 mm and a length falling within a range of 1 mm-5 mm.
On the other hand, the arrangement of the microtubes 30 formed in the arrayed microtube unit 20 is not limited to any particular form, it may be arranged or distributed in an array, matrix, circular, square, triangular, elliptic or irregular shape distribution.
As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B is a preferred embodiment of a waterproof cover structure with an array of microtubes 100, which is constructed as a one-piece ear-plugging waterproof structure, wherein the size of the first opening 11 of the elastic cover 10 is larger than that of the second opening 12, and the second opening 12 is a tubular structure.
With reference to FIGS. 5A to 5D, the second opening 12 of the elastic cover 10 is extended to form a cup 40, wherein the tubular structured second opening 12 is formed at the center position of the cup 40. Such waterproof cover structure with an array of microtubes 100 is a one-piece ear-plugging waterproof structure.
While as shown in FIGS. 6A to 6D, the arrayed microtube unit 20 is watertightly combined within the second opening 12 by an embedding method, and the second opening 12 of the elastic cover 10 is extended to form a cup 40, wherein the tubular structured second opening 12 is formed at the center position of the cup 40. Such waterproof cover structure with an array of microtubes 100 is a two-piece ear-plugging waterproof structure.
In the aforementioned preferred embodiments as shown in FIGS. 5A and 6A, the size of the first opening 11 of the elastic cover 10 is larger than that of the second opening 12. While in FIGS. 5C and 6C, the elastic cover 10 is a tube having the first opening 11 and the second opening 12 of the same size.
In FIGS. 2 to 6D, 7 and 8, the microtube 30 with appropriately selected diameter and length prevents the liquid 300 from passing through the microtube 30 due to surface tension, so that the waterproof cover structure with an array of microtubes 100 has the waterproof function to prevent the liquid 300 from entering into the earphone, and the waterproof function may be up to the IPX7 waterproof standard. In other words, the earphone with the waterproof cover structure may be placed at a position 1 meter below water surface for as long as 30 minutes.
In FIGS. 9A to 9C, at least one bump 50, at least one flange 60 or at least one rim 70 is formed on a surface of the microtube 30 to improve the waterproof effect of the microtube 30 or the capability of passing the liquid.
With reference to FIG. 10 for a sound frequency response curve 91 of a waterproof cover structure with an array of microtubes 100 made of silicone in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention and the sound frequency response curve 92 of a conventional earphone cover made of waterproof mesh, testing results show that the waterproof cover structure with an array of microtubes 100 in accordance with the present invention is capable of maintaining a complete sound quality and preventing sound distortion.
The embodiments described above are intended only to demonstrate the technical concept and features of the present invention so as to enable a person skilled in the art to understand and implement the contents disclosed herein. It is understood that the disclosed embodiments are not to limit the scope of the present invention. Therefore, all equivalent changes or modifications based on the concept of the present invention should be encompassed by the appended claims.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A waterproof cover structure with an array of microtubes, comprising:

an elastic cover, having a first opening and a second opening; and

an arrayed microtube unit, watertightly combined into the second opening, and having a first distal portion and a second distal portion, and the arrayed microtube unit having a plurality of microtubes formed therein, and each of the microtubes penetrating through the first distal portion and the second distal portion, and each of the microtubes having a diameter that prevent water molecules from passing through the microtubes.

2. The waterproof cover structure of claim 1, wherein the elastic cover is made of a material selected from the group consisting of rubber, silicone, plastic, waterproof mesh and polymer.

3. The waterproof cover structure of claim 1, wherein the arrayed microtube unit is integrally formed in the second opening.

4. The waterproof cover structure of claim 1, wherein the arrayed microtube unit is embedded into the second opening.

5. The waterproof cover structure of claim 1, wherein the first opening is greater than the second opening, and the second opening is a tubular structure.

6. The waterproof cover structure of claim 5, wherein the second opening is extended to form a cup, and the tubular structure is formed at the center position of the cup.

7. The waterproof cover structure of claim 1, wherein the elastic cover is a tube, and the second opening is extended to form a cup, and the tube is formed at the center position of the cup.

8. The waterproof cover structure of claim 1, wherein the microtube has at least one bump, at least one flange or at least one rim formed therein.

9. The waterproof cover structure of claim 1, wherein the microtube has a diameter falling within a range from 0.1 mm to 0.6 mm.

10. The waterproof cover structure of claim 1, wherein the microtube has a length falling within a range from 1 mm to 5 mm.