WO2021241326A1

WO2021241326A1 - Ear pad and headphone

Info

Publication number: WO2021241326A1
Application number: PCT/JP2021/018778
Authority: WO
Inventors: 祐輔馬田; 正樹折橋; 彰小野; 智優横山; 一平田中
Original assignee: ソニーグループ株式会社
Priority date: 2020-05-27
Filing date: 2021-05-18
Publication date: 2021-12-02
Also published as: JPWO2021241326A1

Abstract

[Problem] To provide an ear pad and a headphone which can avoid an increase in size while not only preventing the ear pad from being incorrectly disposed but also having excellent attachability. [Solution] This ear pad has a planar surface, is annular when viewed in a direction perpendicular to the surface, and has an inner peripheral edge and an outer peripheral edge, the ear pad comprising a first region and a second region. The first region faces the surface and has constant hardness between the inner peripheral edge and the outer peripheral edge. The second region faces the surface and has hardness, between the inner peripheral edge and the outer peripheral edge, which is higher than that of the first region.

Description

Ear pads and headphones

This technology relates to ear pads and headphones that come into contact with the user's temporal region.

Most headphones are supported by the user's head when the ear pads come into contact with the user's ears, but ear pads with devised shapes have also been developed. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses headphones having an inclined ear pad for improving sound quality. Further, Patent Document 2 discloses an ear pad for headphones in which an inclined ear pad is provided in order to prevent sound leakage.

International Publication No. 2016/092817 Jikkenhei 03-024794 Gazette

However, the ear pads having the inclined structure as described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 are larger in size than the flat ear pads. In particular, in foldable headphones, the presence of an inclined portion tends to increase the overall size when folded.

In view of the above circumstances, the purpose of this technology is to provide ear pads and headphones that can avoid the increase in size while achieving both prevention of displacement of ear pads and good wearability.

In order to achieve the above object, the ear pad according to one embodiment of the present technology is an ear pad having a planar surface, an annular shape when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the surface, and having an inner peripheral edge and an outer peripheral edge. It includes a first region and a second region.
The first region faces the surface, and the hardness between the inner peripheral edge and the outer peripheral edge is constant.
The second region faces the surface, and the hardness between the inner peripheral edge and the outer peripheral edge is harder than that of the first region.

According to this configuration, when the second region contacts the concave region around the ear and the first region contacts the region other than the concave region, the pressing force from the first region and the second region to the user's head is about the same. As a result, the force received by the temporal region from the ear pads becomes uniform, so that the ear pads are less likely to be displaced. In addition, there is no concentration of force such as one-sided contact, and it is possible to avoid discomfort during wearing.

In order to achieve the above object, the ear pad according to one embodiment of the present technology is an ear pad having a planar surface and having a center and a peripheral edge when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the surface, and has a first region and a large two. Equipped with an area.
The first region faces the surface, and the hardness between the center and the peripheral edge is constant.
The second region faces the surface, is adjacent to the peripheral edge, and is harder than the first region.

The thickness of the first region and the second region may be constant from the surface.

The hardness of the second region may be variable.

The hardness of the second region may differ depending on the position on the surface.

In the second region, the hardness of the second position separated from the inner peripheral edge on the surface may be harder than the hardness of the first position close to the inner peripheral edge on the surface.

In the second region, the hardness of the third position close to the first region on the surface may be higher than the hardness of the fourth position separated from the first region on the surface.

The first region and the second region may be made of different materials.

The first region and the second region may have different porosities.

The above ear pads are around ear type ear pads.
The second region may be arranged at a position on the surface of the user's temporal region in contact with the region behind the ear.

The above ear pads are around ear type ear pads.
The second region may be arranged at a position on the surface in contact with the temple region of the temporal region.

The above ear pads are on-ear type ear pads.
The second region may be arranged at a position in contact with the region of the front surface of the ear of the temporal region on the surface.

The first region and the second region are adjacent to each other on the surface.
The hardness of the first region and the hardness of the second region may gradually change across the boundary between the first region and the second region.

In order to achieve the above object, the headphones according to one embodiment of the present technology include a driver unit, a housing, and ear pads.
The housing accommodates the driver unit.
The ear pads are attached to the housing, have a planar surface, are annular when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the surface, have an inner peripheral edge and an outer peripheral edge, and face the surface and are described above. The first region where the hardness between the inner peripheral edge and the outer peripheral edge is constant, and the second region facing the surface and where the hardness between the inner peripheral edge and the outer peripheral edge is harder than the first region. Have.

In order to achieve the above object, the headphones according to one embodiment of the present technology include a driver unit, a housing, and ear pads.
The housing accommodates the driver unit.
The ear pad is an ear pad mounted on the housing, having a planar surface, having a center and a peripheral edge when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the surface, facing the surface, and between the center and the peripheral edge. It has a first region having a constant hardness and a second region facing the surface, adjacent to the peripheral edge, and harder than the first region.

It is a perspective view of the headphone which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this technique. It is a side view of the unit provided with the said headphone. It is sectional drawing of the said unit. It is a top view of the ear pad provided in the said unit. It is sectional drawing of the said unit. It is a schematic diagram which shows the arrangement on the user side head of the said ear pad. It is a top view which shows the 1st region and the 2nd region in the said ear pad. It is a schematic diagram which shows the arrangement on the user side head of the said 2nd area. It is a schematic diagram which shows the effect by the said ear pad. It is a schematic diagram which shows the force which concerns on a headphone unit. It is a schematic diagram which shows the pressing mode of the temporal region by the ear pad which concerns on a comparative example. It is a schematic diagram which shows the pressing mode of the temporal region by the ear pad which concerns on a comparative example. It is a schematic diagram which shows the pressing mode of the temporal region by the ear pad which concerns on a comparative example. It is a schematic diagram of the state in which the ear pad which concerns on a comparative example is housed. It is a schematic diagram which shows the other arrangement on the user side head of the said 2nd area. It is a schematic diagram which shows the other arrangement on the user side head of the said 2nd area. It is a top view which shows the other shape of the said ear pad. It is a schematic diagram which shows the position where the hardness of the 2nd region changes. It is a graph which shows the change of the hardness of the 2nd region. It is a graph which shows the change of the hardness of the 2nd region. It is a schematic diagram which shows the position where the hardness of the 2nd region changes. It is a graph which shows the change of the hardness of the 2nd region. It is a schematic diagram which shows the difference of hardness by the structure of the 1st region and the 2nd region. It is a top view which shows the 1st region and the 2nd region in the ear pad provided in the headphone which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this technique.

(First Embodiment)
The headphones according to the first embodiment of the present technology will be described.

[Headphone structure]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the headphone 100 according to the present embodiment. As shown in the figure, the headphone 100 includes a headband 101, an arm 102, a right unit 103R, and a left unit 103L.

The headband 101 is a portion supported by the user's head. A slider mechanism (not shown) for adjusting the length of the headband 101 may be provided. The arm 102 is connected to both ends of the headband 101, and connects the headband 101 to the right unit 103R and the left unit 103L.

The right unit 103R and the left unit 103L have the same structure. FIG. 2 is a side view of the unit 103 capable of forming the right unit 103R and the left unit 103L, and FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the unit 103. As shown in these figures, the unit 103 includes a driver unit 111, a housing 112 and ear pads 113.

The driver unit 111 is a mechanism for generating voice, and its structure is not particularly limited. The housing 112 houses the driver unit 111 and is rotatably connected to the arm 102. The ear pads 113 are elastic, are mounted on the housing 112, and come into contact with the user's temporal region. The details of the ear pad 113 will be described later.

The headphone 100 has the above configuration. The structure of the headphone 100 is not particularly limited, and may be any one provided with the ear pad 113 described later.

[Ear pad configuration]
The configuration of the ear pad 113 will be described. FIG. 4 is a plan view of the ear pad 113, and FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the unit 103. The inside of the housing 112 is not shown in FIG. 5 and the following figures.

In FIG. 5, of the surfaces of the ear pads 113, the surface opposite to the housing 112 is the surface that comes into contact with the user's temporal region. Hereinafter, this surface is referred to as a surface 113a. The surface 113a is a flat surface. The ear pad 113 has a constant thickness T from the surface 113a, and has an annular shape when viewed from a direction (Z direction) perpendicular to the surface 113a as shown in FIG. The annular shape includes an annular shape, an elliptical ring shape, an elliptical ring shape, a rectangular ring shape, and the like.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing the positional relationship between the ear pad 113 and the user's temporal region. As shown in the figure, the ear pad 113 can be an around-ear type ear pad that comes into contact with the periphery of the user's ear Y.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing the shape of the ear pad 113. As shown in the figure, the inner peripheral edge of the ear pad 113 seen from the Z direction is referred to as the inner peripheral edge S1, and the outer peripheral edge of the ear pad 113 seen from the Z direction is referred to as the outer peripheral edge S2.

As shown in FIG. 7, the ear pad 113 has a first region 151 and a second region 152. The first region 151 faces the surface 113a and has a constant hardness between the inner peripheral edge S1 and the outer peripheral edge S2.

The second region 152 faces the surface 113a and is arranged adjacent to the first region 151, and the hardness between the inner peripheral edge S1 and the outer peripheral edge S2 is harder than that of the first region 151. The hardness of the second region 152 may be uniform, or may change in a range harder than that of the first region 151 as described later. The hardness of the ear pad 113 can be specified by how much it sinks from the surface 113a when pressed by a specific member. For example, it can be said that the regions where the depths when the ear pads are pressed by a specific member are the same have uniform hardness, and the regions where the depths when the ear pads are pressed by a specific member are different have different hardness.

The first area 151 and the second area 152 are arranged as follows. FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing the arrangement of the first region 151 and the second region 152, and the second region 152 is shown by a shaded area. As shown in the figure, the second region 152 is arranged so as to be in contact with the region behind the user's ear Y. The region behind the human ear is concave due to the shape of the skull, but the second region 152 can be in contact with this concave region. The first region 151 is arranged so as to come into contact with a region other than the region behind the ear Y in the periphery of the user's ear Y.

Note that FIG. 8 shows the left side of the head of the user. Similarly, in the right side of the head, the second region 152 contacts the region behind the user's ear Y, and the first region 151 is in the other region. Arranged to touch.

[Effects of ear pads]
The effect of the ear pad 113 will be described. FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing the effect of the ear pad 113. In FIG. 9 and each of the following figures, the deformed ear pad 113 is shown by a solid line, and the undeformed ear pad 113 is shown by a broken line. As shown in FIG. 9A, when the ear pad 113 is brought into contact with the user's temporal region, the first region 151 first comes into contact with the temporal region. Since the region R behind the ear Y is concave, the second region 152 does not contact the region R at this point.

After that, when the ear pad 113 is pressed toward the temporal region by adjustment with the headband 101 or the like, the first region 151 is slightly deformed as shown in FIG. 9B, and the second region 152 also comes into contact with the region R. ..

Further, when the ear pad 113 is pressed toward the temporal region, the soft first region 151 is greatly deformed as shown in FIG. 9 (c). On the other hand, the second region 152, which is harder than the first region 151, is slightly deformed. Here, since the second region 152 is harder than the first region 151, the force received by the temporal region from the second region 152 is about the same as the force received from the first region 152.

In this way, the force that the temporal region receives from the ear pad 113 becomes uniform over the entire region of the surface 113a, and the headphone 100 is less likely to be displaced. In addition, since the force applied to the temporal region is uniform, there is no concentration of force such as one-sided contact, and it is possible to avoid discomfort during wearing.

Further, the effect of the ear pad 113 will be described in comparison with the comparative example. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing a force related to the unit 301. The unit 301 includes an ear pad 302, a housing 303, and a headband 303. In the figure, "F" is the frictional force between the ear pad and the temporal region, "μ" is the coefficient of friction on the temporal surface surface, "N" is the normal force from the temporal region to the ear pad, and "f" is the ear pad by the head band. The pressing force on the temporal region (equal to N), "mg" indicates the weight of the head, and "f _out " indicates the external force applied to the head vertically downward due to walking or the like.

Here, the ear pad does not cause a deviation with respect to the temporal region when the following relationship (Equation 1) is established, and causes a deviation with respect to the temporal region when the following relationship (Equation 2) is established. ..

F = μN = μf> mg + f _out (Equation 1)
F = μN = μf <mg + f _out (Equation 2)

11 to 13 are schematic views showing how the ear pads according to the comparative example are attached to the user's temporal region.

As shown in FIG. 11, the unit 311 according to the comparative example includes a housing 312 and an ear pad 313. The ear pad 313 is hard and has a uniform hardness. In the case of this ear pad 313, the ear pad 313 does not contact the region R, and only a part of the ear pad 313 contacts the temporal region.

As described above, when only a part of the ear pad 313 comes into contact with the temporal region, the frictional force (F) becomes small and the relationship of the above (Equation 2) is established, so that the headphones are likely to be displaced. In addition, the concentration of force due to one-sided contact of the ear pad 313 (arrow in the figure) causes a great deal of discomfort when worn.

Further, as shown in FIG. 12, the unit 321 according to another comparative example includes a housing 322 and an ear pad 323. The ear pad 323 is soft and has a uniform hardness. In the case of the ear pad 323, the ear pad 323 comes into contact with the region R, but the force applied to the region R (arrow in the figure) is small. In this case as well, the frictional force F becomes small and the relationship of the above (Equation 2) is established, so that the headphones are likely to be displaced. Further, since the ear pad 323 is soft, the force is not firmly transmitted to the region R, and one-sided contact causes great discomfort at the time of wearing.

Further, as shown in FIG. 13, the unit 331 according to another comparative example includes a housing 332 and an ear pad 333. The ear pad 333 has a structure in which the thickness is not uniform and the surface with the temporal region is inclined. In the case of the ear pad 333, since the ear pad 333 also comes into contact with the region R, the frictional force F becomes large, and the above (Equation 1) relationship is established, so that the headphones are less likely to be displaced. Further, since the entire area of the ear pad 333 comes into contact with the temporal region and a force is uniformly applied to the temporal region, discomfort can be avoided. However, since the surface of the ear pad 333 is inclined, the size of the ear pad 333 in the folded state when stored becomes large.

FIG. 14 is a schematic view of a state in which the headphones including the unit 331 are folded. The unit 331 is connected to a headband (not shown) via an arm 334. As shown in the figure, since the surface of the ear pad 333 is inclined, the unit 331 is in an inclined state when the headphones are folded, and the size is larger than that in the case where the headphones are not inclined.

On the other hand, in the ear pad 113 according to the present embodiment, the force received by the temporal region from the ear pad 113 becomes uniform over the entire region of the surface 113a as described above, and the frictional force F becomes large. As a result, the above (Equation 1) relationship is established, and the headphones are less likely to be displaced, and discomfort during wearing can be avoided. Further, since the ear pad 113 has a uniform thickness, it is possible to reduce the size when stored. That is, the ear pad 113 has the advantages of any of the ear pads according to the above comparative examples, but does not have any of the disadvantages.

[About the shape of the ear pads and the arrangement of the first and second areas]
The arrangement of the first region 151 and the second region 152 in the ear pad 113 is not limited to the above. 15 and 16 are schematic views showing other arrangement examples of the first region 151 and the second region 152.

As shown in FIG. 15, the second region 152 may be provided at a position in contact with the temple region in addition to the region behind the ear Y. Since the temple area is also concave like the area behind the ear Y, the force received by the temporal region from the ear pad 113 can be made uniform by providing the second area 152.

The second region 152 in contact with the temple region may have the same hardness as the second region 152 in contact with the region behind the ear Y, and the second region in contact with the region behind the ear Y may be present. It may be softer than 152 and harder than the first region 151. Further, the second region 152 may not be provided at a position in contact with the region behind the ear Y, but may be provided only at a position in contact with the temple region.

Further, as shown in FIG. 16, the ear pad 113 is not limited to the around ear type ear pad, and may be an on-ear type ear pad arranged on the user's ear Y. In the on-ear type ear pad, as shown in FIG. 16, the second region 152 may be provided at a position in contact with the region in front of the ear Y. The region on the front surface of the ear Y is concave as compared with the region on the other ears, and by providing the second region 152 in this region, the force received by the temporal region from the ear pad 113 can be made uniform. can.

The shape of the ear pad 113 can also be various annular shapes. FIG. 17 is a plan view of the ear pad 113 having a rectangular ring shape. Also in the ear pad 113, the second region 152 may be arranged so as to be in contact with the region behind the ear Y and the temple region in the around ear type, and the region in front of the ear in the on-ear type.

[About the hardness of the first region and the second region]
As described above, the second region 152 is a region harder than the first region 151. The second region 152 may have a certain hardness that is harder than the first region, and the hardness may be variable within a range that is harder than the first region 151. Specifically, the hardness of the second region 152 can be changed by air pressure, fluid, magnetism, heat, or the like. For example, the second region 152 may be capable of adjusting the hardness by injecting a gas or liquid into the bag-shaped portion by a pump. Further, the hardness of the second region 152 may be adjustable by using a ferrofluid, a thermoplastic resin, a shape memory polymer, or the like.

The hardness of the second region 152 may be adjusted by the user, or the headphone 100 may detect the pressing force on the temporal region by the ear pad 113 and make the pressing force even. Further, the hardness of the first region 151 may be changed instead of the second region 152, and the hardness of the second region 152 may be relatively harder than that of the first region 151. Both hardnesses of 152 may be varied.

Further, the hardness of the second region 152 may differ depending on the position on the surface 113a. FIG. 18 is a schematic view of the ear pad 113, and FIG. 19 is a graph showing the hardness of the second region 152 on the AA'line of FIG. As shown in FIG. 19, the second region 152 gradually becomes harder from the A side (inner peripheral edge S1 side) toward the A'side (outer peripheral edge S2 side), that is, gradually becomes harder as the distance from the inner peripheral edge S1 increases. Can be. In other words, the second region 152 may have a hardness at a position closer to the inner peripheral edge S1 on the surface 113a than a hardness at a position away from the inner peripheral edge S1 on the surface 113a.

The area behind the ear Y has a deeper dent as it moves away from the ear Y. Therefore, by hardening the second area 152 according to the depth in this way, it is possible to prevent misalignment and further improve the wearing comfort. It is possible to achieve it. The hardness distribution of the second region 152 may be stepped, linear or curved as shown in FIG.

Further, FIG. 20 is a graph showing the hardness of the second region 152 on the BB'line of FIG. As shown in FIG. 20, the second region 152 shall be gradually hardened from the B side and the B'side toward the center of the second region 152, that is, gradually hardened as the distance from the first region 151 is increased. Can be done. In other words, the second region 152 can be harder at a position on the surface 113a away from the first region 151 than at a position closer to the first region 151 on the surface 113a.

Since the region behind the ear Y has a deep dent from the frontal region to the occipital region, by hardening the second region 152 according to the depth in this way, slippage can be prevented and the fit can be further improved. It is possible to achieve it. The hardness distribution of the second region 152 may be stepped, linear or curved as shown in FIG. 20.

Further, the second region 152 may have a distribution of only one of the hardness distribution shown in FIG. 19 and the hardness distribution shown in FIG. 20, and has both distributions. May be good.

Further, the hardness of the first region 151 and the second region 152 may gradually change across the boundary between the two regions. 21 is a schematic view of the ear pad 113, and FIG. 22 is a graph showing the hardness of the second region 152 on the CC'line of FIG. 21. In FIGS. 21 and 22, the boundary between the first region 151 and the second region 152 is shown as a boundary K. As shown in FIG. 22, the second region 152 has the same hardness as the first region 151 in the vicinity of the boundary K, and can be gradually hardened as the distance from the boundary K increases.

Since the human temporal region is smoothly inclined, the hardness of the first region 151 and the second region 152 gradually changes to avoid local concentration of force on the temporal region. It is possible to prevent misalignment and further improve the wearing feeling. The hardness distribution of the second region 152 may be stepped, linear or curved as shown in FIG. 22.

[About the internal structure of the ear pad]
The ear pad 113 may have a configuration that can realize the first region 151 and the second region 152. Specifically, the ear pad 113 may include a first region 151 made of a specific material and a second region 152 made of a material harder than the first region 151. For example, the first region 151 and the second region 152 can be made of a material selected from a urethane material, a gel material, or the like.

Further, the ear pads 113 may be made of the same material and have different porosities. FIG. 23 is a schematic diagram showing the first region 151 and the second region 152 having different porosities. As shown in the figure, the first region 151 has a high foaming rate and has a soft structure. The second region 152 is made of the same material as the first region 151, but has a low foaming rate and a hard structure.

The hardness of the first region 151 and the second region 152 can be changed by making the foaming ratio different in the ear pad making process. The first region 151 and the second region 152 can be made of, for example, foamed polyurethane. In addition to this, the first region 151 and the second region 152 are made of the same material, and the density, the cross-linking rate, the degree of polymerization, etc. are different, so that the second region 152 can be made harder than the first region 151. ..

The ear pad 113 is not limited to one composed of one layer between the housing 112 and the surface 113a, and may be configured by laminating a plurality of layers. In this case, the first region 151 and the second region 152 may be harder than the first region 151 because the hardness of at least one of the layers is different. For example, the ear pad 113 is composed of an elastic member occupying a large part and a flexible member covering the surface thereof, and the hardness of the elastic member is different, so that the first region 151 and the second region 152 are formed. There may be.

(Second embodiment)
The headphones according to the second embodiment of the present technology will be described. The headphone according to this embodiment has an ear pad configuration different from that of the first embodiment, and other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment.

[Ear pad configuration]
FIG. 24 is a plan view of the ear pad 213 according to the present embodiment. As shown in the figure, the ear pad 213 has a surface 213a that contacts the user's temporal region. The ear pad 213 has a certain thickness from the surface 213a, and has a plate-like shape when viewed from the direction perpendicular to the surface 213a (Z direction) as shown in FIG. 24. The plate shape includes a disk shape, an elliptical plate shape, an elliptical plate shape, a rectangular plate shape, and the like. The ear pad 213 can be an on-ear type ear pad that comes into contact with the user's ear.

Further, as shown in FIG. 26, the center of the ear pad 213 viewed from the Z direction is defined as the center P, and the peripheral edge of the ear pad 213 viewed from the Z direction is defined as the peripheral edge S. The center P can be the center of gravity assuming that the thickness and density of the ear pads 213 are uniform. As shown in the figure, the ear pad 213 has a first region 251 and a second region 252. The first region 251 faces the surface 213a and has a constant hardness between the center P and the peripheral edge S.

The second region 252 faces the surface 213a and is arranged adjacent to the peripheral edge S and the first region 251 so that the second region 252 can be a region harder than the first region 251. The second region 252 may be arranged so as to be in contact with the region in front of the ear (see FIG. 16). The hardness of the second region 252 may be uniform or may vary in a range harder than that of the first region 251.

[Effects of ear pads]
The ear pad 213 has the same effect as the ear pad 113 according to the first embodiment. That is, the second region 252 contacts the concave front surface of the ear, and the first region 251 contacts the non-concave region other than the front surface of the ear. The first region 251 is greatly deformed and the second region 252 is slightly deformed, but since the second region 252 is harder than the first region 251, the pressing force by the first region 251 and the second region 252 is about the same.

Therefore, the force that the temporal region receives from the ear pad 213 becomes uniform over the entire area of the surface 213a, and the headphone is less likely to be displaced. In addition, since the force applied to the temporal region is uniform, there is no concentration of force such as one-sided contact, and it is possible to avoid discomfort during wearing.

[About the hardness of the first region and the second region]
As described above, the second region 252 is a region harder than the first region 251, and the hardness can be changed by air pressure, fluid, magnetism, heat, or the like as in the first embodiment. For example, the second region 252 may be capable of adjusting the hardness by injecting gas or liquid into the bag-shaped portion by a pump. Further, the hardness of the second region 252 may be adjustable by using a ferrofluid, a thermoplastic resin, a shape memory polymer, or the like.

Further, the hardness of the second region 252 may differ depending on the position on the surface 213a as in the first embodiment. Specifically, it can be made gradually harder as it is separated from the center P. Further, the second region 252 can be gradually hardened from the outer periphery of the second region 252 toward the center, that is, gradually hardened as the distance from the first region 251 increases. Further, the hardness of the first region 251 and the second region 252 may gradually change across the boundary between the two regions, and the second region 252 is equivalent to the first region 251 in the vicinity of the boundary with the first region 251. It can also be made to have a hardness of 1 and gradually become harder as it is separated from the boundary.

[About the internal structure of the ear pad]
The ear pad 213 may have a configuration that can realize the first region 251 and the second region 252. Specifically, the ear pad 213 may include a first region 251 made of a specific material and a second region 252 made of a material harder than the first region 251. For example, the first region 251 and the second region 252 can be made of a material selected from a urethane material, a gel material, or the like.

Further, the ear pads 213 may be made of the same material and have different structures. For example, the first region 251 has a high porosity and a soft structure, and the second region 252 has a higher porosity than the first region 251. Can be low and have a rigid structure. In addition to this, the first region 251 and the second region 252 are made of the same material, and the density, foaming rate, cross-linking rate, degree of polymerization, etc. are different, so that the second region 252 is harder than the first region 251. be able to.

The ear pad 213 is not limited to one composed of one layer between the housing and the surface 213a, and may be configured by laminating a plurality of layers. In this case, the first region 251 and the second region 252 may be harder than the first region 251 because the hardness of at least one of the layers is different. For example, the ear pad 213 is composed of an elastic member occupying a large part and a flexible member covering the surface thereof, and the hardness of the elastic member is different, so that the first region 251 and the second region 252 are formed. There may be.

(Application example of ear pad)
The ear pads described in the first embodiment and the second embodiment can be used not only in headphones but also in devices or orthotic devices worn on the user's ears, for example, earmuffs, helmets, and head mound displays. It can be used as an ear pad for such things.

Note that this technology can have the following configurations.

(1)
An ear pad having a planar surface, an annular shape when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the surface, and having an inner peripheral edge and an outer peripheral edge.
A first region facing the surface and having a constant hardness between the inner peripheral edge and the outer peripheral edge,
An ear pad that faces the surface and has a second region having a hardness between the inner peripheral edge and the outer peripheral edge that is harder than the first region.
(2)
An ear pad having a planar surface and having a center and a peripheral edge when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the surface.
A first region facing the surface and having a constant hardness between the center and the periphery,
An ear pad that faces the surface, is adjacent to the peripheral edge, and has a second region that is harder than the first region.
(3)
The ear pad according to (1) or (2) above.
The first region and the second region are ear pads having a constant thickness from the surface.
(4)
The ear pad according to any one of (1) to (3) above.
The second area is an ear pad with variable hardness.
(5)
The ear pad according to any one of (1) to (4) above.
The second region is an ear pad whose hardness differs depending on its position on the surface.
(6)
The ear pad according to (5) above.
The second region is an ear pad in which the hardness of the first position close to the inner peripheral edge on the surface is higher than the hardness of the second position separated from the inner peripheral edge on the surface.
(7)
The ear pad according to (5) or (6) above.
The second region is an ear pad in which the hardness of the third position close to the first region on the surface is higher than the hardness of the fourth position separated from the first region on the surface.
(8)
The ear pad according to any one of (1) to (7) above.
The first region and the second region are ear pads made of different materials.
(9)
The ear pad according to any one of (1) to (7) above.
The first region and the second region are ear pads having different porosities.
(10)
The ear pad according to any one of (1) to (9) above.
The above ear pads are around ear type ear pads.
The second region is an ear pad arranged at a position on the surface of the user's temporal region in contact with the region behind the ear.
(11)
The ear pad according to any one of (1) to (9) above.
The above ear pads are around ear type ear pads.
The second area is an ear pad arranged at a position on the surface of the user in contact with the temple area of the user's temporal region.
(12)
The ear pad according to any one of (1) to (9) above.
The above ear pads are on-ear type ear pads.
The second region is an ear pad arranged at a position on the surface of the user's temporal region in contact with the region in front of the ear.
(13)
The ear pad according to any one of (1) to (12) above.
The first region and the second region are adjacent to each other on the surface.
The hardness of the first region and the hardness of the second region gradually change across the boundary between the first region and the second region.
(14)
With the driver unit
The housing that houses the above driver unit and
An ear pad that is mounted on the housing, has a planar surface, is annular when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the surface, has an inner peripheral edge and an outer peripheral edge, faces the surface, and has the inner peripheral edge and the outer peripheral edge. An ear pad having a first region having a constant hardness between the outer peripheral edges and a second region facing the surface and having a hardness between the inner peripheral edge and the outer peripheral edge is harder than the first region. Headphones equipped.
(15)
With the driver unit
The housing that houses the above driver unit and
An ear pad mounted on the housing, having a planar surface, having a center and a periphery when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the surface, facing the surface, and having a hardness between the center and the periphery. Headphones comprising a first region that is constant and an ear pad that faces the surface, is adjacent to the periphery, and has a second region that is harder than the first region.

100 ... Headphones 101 ... Headband 102 ... Arm 103 ... Unit 111 ... Driver unit 112 ...

Housing

113, 213 ...

Ear pads

113a, 213a ...

Surface

151, 251 ...

First area

152, 252 ... Second area

Claims

An ear pad having a planar surface, an annular shape when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the surface, and having an inner peripheral edge and an outer peripheral edge.
A first region facing the surface and having a constant hardness between the inner peripheral edge and the outer peripheral edge.
An ear pad facing the surface and comprising a second region having a hardness between the inner peripheral edge and the outer peripheral edge that is harder than the first region.
An ear pad having a planar surface and having a center and a peripheral edge when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the surface.
A first region facing the surface and having a constant hardness between the center and the periphery.
An ear pad that faces the surface, is adjacent to the peripheral edge, and has a second region that is harder than the first region.
The ear pad according to claim 1.
The first region and the second region are ear pads having a constant thickness from the surface.
The ear pad according to claim 1.
The second region is an ear pad having a variable hardness.
The ear pad according to claim 1.
The second region is an ear pad whose hardness varies depending on its position on the surface.
The ear pad according to claim 5.
The second region is an ear pad in which the hardness of the first position close to the inner peripheral edge on the surface is higher than the hardness of the second position separated from the inner peripheral edge on the surface.
The ear pad according to claim 5.
The second region is an ear pad in which the hardness of the third position close to the first region on the surface is higher than the hardness of the fourth position separated from the first region on the surface.
The ear pad according to claim 1.
The first region and the second region are ear pads made of different materials.
The ear pad according to claim 1.
The first region and the second region are ear pads having different porosities.
The ear pad according to claim 1.
The ear pad is an around ear type ear pad.
The second region is an ear pad arranged at a position on the surface of the user's temporal region in contact with the region behind the ear.
The ear pad according to claim 1.
The ear pad is an around ear type ear pad.
The second region is an ear pad arranged at a position on the surface of the user's temporal region in contact with the temple area.
The ear pad according to claim 1.
The ear pad is an on-ear type ear pad.
The second region is an ear pad arranged at a position on the surface of the user's temporal region in contact with the region in front of the ear.
The ear pad according to claim 1.
The first region and the second region are adjacent to each other on the surface.
An ear pad in which the hardness of the first region and the hardness of the second region gradually change across the boundary between the first region and the second region.
With the driver unit
A housing for accommodating the driver unit and
An ear pad that is mounted on the housing, has a planar surface, is annular when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the surface, has an inner and outer edges, faces the surface, and has the inner and outer edges. An ear pad having a first region having a constant hardness between the outer peripheral edges and a second region facing the surface and having a hardness between the inner peripheral edge and the outer peripheral edge is harder than the first region. Headphones equipped.
With the driver unit
A housing for accommodating the driver unit and
An ear pad mounted on the housing, having a planar surface, having a center and a periphery when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the surface, facing the surface, and having a hardness between the center and the periphery. Headphones comprising a first region that is constant and an ear pad that faces the surface, is adjacent to the periphery, and has a second region that is harder than the first region.