Earphone

• US 5,949,896 A
• Filed: 08/13/1997
• Issued: 09/07/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 08/19/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Murozaki, Katsunori, Tsunoda, Naotaka, Nageno, Koji
• Primary Examiner(s): CHIN, VIVIAN C
• Application Number:
  US08/910,663
• Time in Patent Office: 755 Days
• Field of Search: 381/328, 381/309, 381/74, 381/373, 381/370, 381/380
• US Class Current: 381/328
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2001/3866 carried on the head
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/1016 Earpieces of the intra-aural type
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/2803 for loudspeaker transducers
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/2811 for loudspeaker transducers
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/2819 for loudspeaker transducers
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/2826 for loudspeaker transducers

Abstract

An earphone with an improved frequency response includes an electroacoustic transducer for converting an audio signal to an acoustic sound and an ear piece. The ear piece is provided on a sound emanating side of the electroacoustic transducer to introduce sound produced by the electroacoustic transducer to the external auditory meatus. An opening for opening an air chamber formed on the sound emanating side of the electroacoustic transducer to the outside by the ear piece is provided in the ear piece and a ventilation resistant material is provided to cover the opening.

Claims

1. An earphone comprising:

an electroacoustic transducer for converting an electrical audio signal to an acoustic sound; and

an ear piece disposed on a sound emanating side of said electroacoustic transducer for introducing said acoustic sound produced by said electroacoustic transducer to an external auditory meatus when the earphone is inserted into an ear of a user, said ear piece having a front surface facing said ear and including;

a first opening for opening an air chamber formed on the sound emanating side of said electroacoustic transducer to a surrounding environment and a ventilation resistant material disposed over said first opening, wherein said first opening formed on said front surface of said ear piece faces a cavum concha section of said ear when the earphone is inserted into said ear of said user, and

a second opening formed on a protrusion of said front surface of said ear piece for introducing said acoustic sound to said external auditory meatus, wherein said protrusion of said front surface is surrounded by said external auditory meatus when the earphone is inserted into said ear of said user.

2. The earphone as claimed in claim 1, wherein said second opening is provided at a position substantially opposing said first opening with respect to a central portion of said ear piece.

3. The earphone as claimed in claim 2, wherein said ventilation resistant material is a nonwoven fabric.

4. The earphone as claimed in claim 2, wherein said ventilation resistant material is a urethane product.

5. The earphone as claimed in claim 3, wherein said ventilation resistant material is disposed over said first opening on an inside surface of said front surface of said ear piece.