WO2001037608A1

WO2001037608A1 - Resonance cover and sound receiving set having the same

Info

Publication number: WO2001037608A1
Application number: PCT/KR2000/001273
Authority: WO
Inventors: Hyun-Chul Oh; Jong-Keum Yun
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1999-11-17
Filing date: 2000-11-07
Publication date: 2001-05-25
Anticipated expiration: 2002-05-17
Also published as: KR200185584Y1; AU1420301A

Abstract

A resonance cover adopted to a sound receiving set which is connected to an audio apparatus by wire or wirelessly and including a body and a speaker unit accommodated in the body for outputting sound to the outside, includes an accommodating portion for accommodating the speaker unit, a resonance portion extending gradually curved in a forward direction from the accommodating portion and having an open space so that a front side of the speaker unit can be exposed therethrough, and a circular hooking portion extending from an rear edge of the accommodating portion to be hooked by a rear edge surface of the speaker unit. In the resonance cover, when the speaker unit is coupled to the body, the circular hooking portion is fixed by being hooked by the edge of the body.

Description

RESONANCE COVER AND SOUND RECEIVING SET HAVING THE SAME

Technical Field The present invention is related to a resonance cover having an improved output of generated sound and a sound receiving set (earphone) having the resonance cover.

Background Art In general, a sound receiving set for outputting sound generated in various audio apparatuses includes an earphone, a head phone, or a hands-free kit connected to the main body of the audio apparatuses by wire or wirelessly.

A typical sound receiving set such as an earphone includes a body and a speaker unit coupled to the body. In addition, the earphone includes a buffer cover which covers the body and is formed of foamed sponge or rubber to minimize the unpleasant feeling felt when it is inserted into an ear. However, the buffer cover formed of foamed sponge or rubber may be easily detached from the body due to the feature of the material and deformation thereof. Also, since the buffer cover closely contacts the front surface of the speaker unit, output of generated sound is low and no resonance effect exists due to its structure.

To overcome the above problem, the present applicant has filed

Korea Utility Model Application No. 1999-14638 entitled "Sound Receiving Set Having a Buffer Cover".

FIGS. 1 and 2 show the structure of a conventional sound receiving set having a buffer cover. As shown in the drawings, the conventional sound receiving set having a buffer cover includes a body 11 , a speaker unit

21 accommodated in the body 11 , and a buffer cover 31 coupled to the body 11. The body 11 has sharp sawteeth of a sawtooth portion 13 which are integrally formed at the edge of an opening side. Also, the body 11 includes a coupling portion 15 formed at the inner circumferential portion of the sawtooth portion 13 to have space where the speaker unit is inserted and attached.

The buffer cover 31 has a protruding ring 33 which is engaged with the sawtooth portion 13 as the buffer cover 31 is coupled to the body 11.

That is, when the speaker unit 21 is coupled with and attached to the coupling portion 15, the sawtooth portion 13 is engaged with the protruding ring 33 so that the buffer cover 31 is fixed.

Also, the buffer cover 31 has a first space 32 where the speaker unit 21 is accommodated 21 and a second space 35 extending from the first space 32 and having a plurality of first holes 34 formed at the front surface thereof. The protruding ring 33 has a plurality of second holes 36 for guiding the flow of sound generated to the back the speaker unit 21. The second holes 36 are interconnected by a circular groove 37 so that, if any of the second holes 36 is blocked by the sawtooth portion 13, the sound flowing backward can be guided into another hole along the groove 37.

However, the conventional sound receiving set having a buffer cover reveals a problem in a manufacturing process. That is, since the body 11 is integrally formed with the sawtooth portion 13 at the edge of the opening side thereof, the molding process is complicated and a manufacturing cost increases accordingly. Likewise, since the buffer cover 31 is formed to include the first and second spaces 32 and 35, the first and second holes 34 and 36, the protruding ring 33, and the groove 37, the manufacturing process is complicated and mass production thereof is difficult to achieve. Also, since the protruding portion 33 is simply engaged with the sawtooth portion 13 of the body 11 when the buffer cover 31 is coupled to the speaker unit 21 , the buffer cover 31 is easily detached due to friction with the ear. Also, when the sharp sawteeth of the sawtooth portion 13 are engaged with the protruding ring 33 and inserted in the second holes 36, the buffer cover 31 may tear off by an external force such as a frictional force. Disclosure of the Invention

To overcome the above problems, it is an objective of the present invention to provide a resonance cover and a sound receiving set having the same by which the resonance cover is firmly fixed to the body so that it is not easily detached or does not easily tear off, discomfort to the ear can be alleviated due to a superior buffering action, the output of generated sound can be increased, and productivity can be improved by a simplified process.

To achieve the above objective, there is provided a resonance cover adopted to a sound receiving set connected to an audio apparatus by wire or wirelessly and including a body and a speaker unit accommodated in the body for outputting sound to the outside, comprising an accommodating portion for accommodating the speaker unit, a resonance portion extending gradually curved in a forward direction from the accommodating portion and having an open space so that a front side of the speaker unit can be exposed therethrough, and a circular hooking portion extending from an rear edge of the accommodating portion to be hooked by a rear edge surface of the speaker unit, in which, when the speaker unit is coupled to the body, the circular hooking portion is fixed by being hooked by the edge of the body.

Also, to achieve the above objective, there is provided a sound receiving set connected to an audio apparatus by wire or wirelessly and including a body and a speaker unit accommodated in the body for outputting sound to the outside, comprising an insertion portion formed at an edge of the body, a coupling portion provided inside the insertion portion so that the body of the speaker unit can be attached by being inserted therein, a resonance cover which comprises an accommodating portion coupled to the set and accommodating the speaker unit, a resonance portion extending gradually curved in a forward direction from the accommodating portion and having an open space so that a front side of the speaker unit can be exposed therethrough, and a circular hooking portion extending from the rear edge of the accommodating portion to be hooked by a rear edge surface of the speaker unit, in which the circular hooking portion comprises inner and outer rings formed at the rear edge of the accommodating portion and a circular groove formed between the inner 5 and outer rings, so that, when the speaker unit is inserted in and attached to the coupling portion, the circular groove is fixed by being inserted in the insertion portion of the body.

Brief Description of the Drawings 0 FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a conventional sound receiving set having a buffer cover;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the sound receiving set of the FIG. 1 in an assembled state;

FIG. 3 is a exploded perspective view showing a resonance cover s and a sound receiving set having the resonance cover according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the sound receiving set of the FIG. 3 in an assembled state;

FIG. 5 is a partially cut-away perspective view showing the o resonance cover of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a partially cut-away perspective view showing a resonance cover according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 7 is a partially cut-away perspective view showing a resonance 5 cover according to yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Best mode for carrying out the Invention

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a resonance and a sound receiving set o having a resonance cover according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention includes, as a means for transmitting sound generated by various audio apparatuses directly to the ear of a listener, a body 51 connected to the audio apparatuses by wire or wirelessly, a speaker unit 61 , coupled to the body 51 , for outputting sound to the outside, and a resonance cover 71 fixed to the body 51 and simultaneously enclosing the speaker unit 61.

Here, the sound receiving set of the present invention is an apparatus such as an earphone which can be inserted into the ear and receive sound generated from the audio apparatus.

The body 51 is open in a circular shape to the side thereof being inserted into the ear. An insertion portion 52 into which a circular groove 77 of the resonance cover is inserted is formed at the edge of the opening side thereof. A coupling portion 53 is formed inside the insertion portion 52 to provide space for inserting the body of the speaker unit 61.

The speaker unit 61 , as it is publicly known, includes a first portion 62 for spreading sound to the front thereof and a second portion 63 protruding to the back from the first portion 62 and inserted in the coupling portion 53.

The resonance cover 71 is formed of a soft material such as silicon to provide a soft contact feeling in the ear and simultaneously to act as a buffer. The resonance cover 71 has a circular shape and an accommodating portion 72 for accommodating the first portion 62 of the speaker unit 61. The accommodating portion 72 has a protruding ring 73 along the inner circumference thereof to enclose the edge of the first portion 62. That is, the protruding ring 73 encloses the front edge surface of the first portion 62.

Also, the resonance cover 71 has a resonance portion 74 extending and protruding to the front side of the accommodating portion 72 to be gradually curved and having an open space so that the front surface of the first portion 62 is exposed. The resonance portion 74, when the set is inserted in the ear, amplifies the sound to be transmitted to the ear by a resonance action as the flow of the sound generated by the speaker unit 61 is naturally concentrated in the space.

Also, the resonance cover 71 has a circular hooking portion 78 which extends from the rear edge of the accommodating portion 72 and is hooked by the rear edge surface of the speaker unit 61. The circular hooking portion 78 has inner and outer rings 75 and 76 which are integrally formed by extending from the rear edge of the accommodating portion 72 toward inner space. Here, the inner and outer rings 75 and 76 encloses the rear edge surface of the first portion 62. A circular groove 77 is formed between the inner and outer rings 75 and 76. That is, the circular groove 77 is formed such that the insertion portion 52 of the body 51 can be inserted.

When the insertion portion 52 of the body 51 is inserted in the circular groove 77, the inner ring 75 is disposed between the insertion portion 52 and the coupling portion 53 and the outer ring 76 is exposed to the outer circumferential side of the insertion portion 52. That is, when the second portion 63 of the speaker unit 61 is coupled to the coupling portion 53, the insertion portion 52 of the body 51 is inserted in the circular groove 77 and the inner ring 75 is inserted between the insertion portion 52 and the coupling portion 53. As shown in FIG. 5, the inner ring 75 includes at least one sound passing hole 81 for guiding the free flow of sound generated in the rear of the first portion 62. A groove 82 connecting the sound passing holes 81 are also formed in the inner ring 75.

The groove 82 is formed in the inner ring 75 which contacts the rear edge surface of the first portion 62 (see FIG. 3) to interconnect the sound passing holes 81. The groove 82 accommodates a plurality of holes (not shown) formed on the rear edge surface of the first portion and allows the generated sound to be output to the rear thereof by being stopped by the inner ring 75. That is, the sound generated in the rear thereof through the holes is guided into the groove 82 and thus output to the outside through the sound passing holes 81. According to the present invention, the sound passing holes 81 are holes which penetrate the inner ring 75, but the present invention is not limited to such a structure. The sound passing along the groove can be output to the outside by the cutting portion of the inner ring 75. The resonance portion 74 extends from the accommodating portion

72, as indicated by portion A of FIG. 3, and is bent like a ring, forming an open space. The resonance portion 74 contacts the front surface of the first portion 62 (see FIG. 3). However, as shown FIG. 6, as one preferred embodiment of the resonance cover 71 of the present invention, the first portion 62 can have a larger exposed area by excluding the portion A. Thus, the sound generated in a forward direction from the first portion 62 converging into the extended space of the resonance portion 74 and having a higher output is output to the ear.

As shown in FIG. 7, in a resonance cover 91 according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the resonance portion 74 is preferably extended and bent in a forward direction. In detail, the resonance portion 74 preferably extends from the accommodating portion 72 and protrudes in a forward direction such that the diameter of the resonance portion 74 is relatively less than that of the accommodating portion 72. Also, a portion B of the resonance portion 74 shown in the drawing is bent forming a ring shape and providing an open space. Although the portion B is separated from the first portion (62 of FIG. 3), but not limited thereto, it may contact the front side of the first portion 62. Accordingly, the sound generated through the first portion 62 converges into the space of the resonance portion 74. The converged sound is output to the ear through the resonance portion 74 having a decreasing diameter so that the sound becomes a high output. Thus, as the sound resonates in the resonance space, the output is amplified. Further, since the resonance cover 91 extends such that its diameter gradually decreases in a forward direction, the resonance cover 91 is easily inserted into the ear and discomfort is alleviated by reducing friction in the ear. The assembly method of the resonance cover and a sound receiving set having the resonance cover and the operation thereof according to the present invention will be described below.

The first portion 62 of the speaker unit 61 , that is, the edge portion of the main body of the speaker unit 61 is inserted in the accommodating portion 72 of the resonance cover 71. Then, the edge of the first portion 62 is accommodated in the accommodating portion 72 by being elastically supported by the inner and outer rings 75 and 76 and the protruding ring 73. That is, the edge of the first portion 62 is enclosed by the inner and outer rings 75 and 76 and the protruding ring 73 and closely accommodated by the accommodating portion 72. Here, the inner and outer rings 75 and 76 are hooked by the rear edge sur ace of the first portion 62 and the front surface of the first portion 62 is exposed to the outside through the resonance portion 74 which is open. Also, the holes (not shown) formed in the rear edge surface of the first portion 62 are accommodated in the groove 82 formed in the inner ring 75.

The speaker unit 61 covered by the resonance cover 71 is coupled to the coupling portion 53 of the body 51. That is, the second portion 63 corresponding to the size of the coupling portion 53 is inserted in the coupling portion 53. In advance, adhesive is coated on the inner circumferential surface of the coupling portion 53.

When the speaker unit 61 covered by the resonance cover 71 is coupled to the coupling portion 53 of the body 51 , the insertion portion 52 of the body 51 is inserted in the circular groove 77 formed between the inner and outer rings 75 and 76. Here, the coupling portion 53 and the first portion 62 are firmly attached each other by an adhesive. Thus, as the circular groove 77 is coupled to the inserted in the insertion portion 52, the body of the resonance cover 71 is firmly fixed to the body 51. Alternatively, the speaker unit 61 covered by the resonance cover 71 can be directly coupled to the coupling portion 53 of the body 51 in a force fit method without using an adhesive. Thus, the circular groove 77 of the resonance cover 71 is coupled to the insertion portion 52 so that the resonance cover 71 can be fixed to the body 51.

Therefore, when the set is inserted in the ear of a user, the resonance portion 74 of the resonance cover 71 closely contacts the inner surface of the ear and remains there in a stable state. Here, the pressure applied to the set generated during wearing of the set is removed by a buffering action by the resonance cover 71 and the resonance portion 74 thereof which are connected to a predetermined thickness so that the ear is not irritated. That is, the resonance portion 74 closely contacts the ear hole and discomfort to the ear is alleviated.

Additionally, since the resonance portion 74 closely contacts the ear hole, external noise can be effectively cut off so that the output of the sound is improved. Also, since the output sound does not escape to the outside, no external noise which may be unpleasant to others is generated. Also, since the resonance cover 71 is coupled to the insertion portion

52 of the body 51 , when the resonance cover 71 is inserted into the ear or pulled out of the ear, the resonance cover 71 is not detached from the body 51. That is, even if a user intentionally pulls off the resonance cover 71 , since the inner ring 75 is hooked by the space between the insertion portion 52 of the body 51 and the coupling portion 53, the resonance cover 71 is not easily detached.

Furthermore, since the resonance cover 71 can naturally converge the sound generated in a forward direction from the first portion 62 of the speaker unit 61 , the sound transmitted to the ear resonates in the resonance portion 74 and the output of the sound is amplified.

Also, since the resonance portion 74 of the resonance cover 71 is gradually rounded in the forward direction and bent, the resonance cover 71 does not easily escape from the ear and the sound generated from the first portion 62 can be transmitted to the ear. Also, since the sound passing holes 81 and groove 82 for interconnecting the sound passing holes 81 are formed in the inner ring 75 of the resonance cover 71 , the sound generated in a backward direction from the holes of the first portion 62 can be guided along the groove 82 and naturally pass through the sound passing holes 81 so that a high quality sound can be heard in a convenient state. In addition to the above, since the assembly processes of the body

51 and the resonance cover 71 are simple and molds according to manufacturing of the body 51 and the resonance cover 71 are simple, manufacturing thereof at low costs is possible.

Industrial Applicability

A resonance cover and a sound receiving set having the resonance cover according to the present invention can be used for various audio apparatuses includes an earphone, a head phone, or a hands-free kit.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A resonance cover adopted to a sound receiving set, connected to an audio apparatus by wire or wirelessly and including a body and a speaker unit accommodated in the body for outputting sound to the outside, the resonance cover comprising: an accommodating portion for accommodating the speaker unit; a resonance portion extending gradually curved in a forward direction from the accommodating portion and having an open space so that a front side of the speaker unit can be exposed therethrough; and a circular hooking portion extending from an rear edge of the accommodating portion to be hooked by a rear edge surface of the speaker unit, wherein, when the speaker unit is coupled to the body, the circular hooking portion is fixed by being hooked by the edge of the body.

2. The resonance cover of claim 1 , wherein the hooking portion comprises inner and outer rings integrally formed at the rear edge of the accommodating portion and a circular groove formed between the inner and outer rings, and the edge of the body is fixed by being inserted in the circular groove.

3. The resonance cover of claim 1 , wherein at least one sound passing hole for guiding the free flow of sound generated in a backward direction of the speaker unit is formed to penetrate the inner ring.

4. The resonance cover of claim 3, wherein a groove for interconnecting the sound passing holes is formed at a surface of the inner ring contacting the rear edge surface of the speaker unit.

5. The resonance cover of claim 1 , wherein the resonance portion extends in a forward direction to have a diameter less than that of the accommodating portion.

6. A sound receiving set connected to an audio apparatus by wire or wirelessly and including a body and a speaker unit accommodated in the body for outputting sound to the outside, the sound receiving set comprising: an insertion portion formed at an edge of the body; a coupling portion provided inside the insertion portion so that the body of the speaker unit can be attached by being inserted therein; a resonance cover which comprises an accommodating portion coupled to the set and accommodating the speaker unit, a resonance portion extending gradually curved in a forward direction from the accommodating portion and having an open space so that a front side of the speaker unit can be exposed therethrough, and a circular hooking portion extending from the rear edge of the accommodating portion to be hooked by a rear edge surface of the speaker unit; wherein the circular hooking portion comprises inner and outer rings formed at the rear edge of the accommodating portion and a circular groove formed between the inner and outer rings, so that, when the speaker unit is inserted in and attached to the coupling portion, the circular groove is fixed by being inserted in the insertion portion of the body.

7. The resonance cover of claim 6, wherein at least one sound passing hole for guiding the free flow of sound generated in a backward direction of the speaker unit is formed to penetrate the inner ring.

8. The resonance cover of claim 7, wherein a groove for interconnecting the sound passing holes is formed at a surface of the inner ring contacting the rear edge surface of the speaker unit.

9. The resonance cover of claim 6, wherein the resonance portion extends in a forward direction to have a diameter less than that of the accommodating portion.