U.S. patent application number 14/931952 was filed with the patent office on 2016-09-15 for waterproof cover structure with array of microtubes.
The applicant listed for this patent is Kingstate Electronics Corporation. Invention is credited to Ting-Wei LEE, Chun-Yi LI, Cheng-Yang LO.
Application Number | 20160269816 14/931952 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 54933122 |
Filed Date | 2016-09-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160269816 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
LEE; Ting-Wei ; et
al. |
September 15, 2016 |
WATERPROOF COVER STRUCTURE WITH ARRAY OF MICROTUBES
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.
Inventors: |
LEE; Ting-Wei; (New Taipei
City, TW) ; LI; Chun-Yi; (New Taipei City, TW)
; LO; Cheng-Yang; (New Taipei City, TW) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Kingstate Electronics Corporation |
New Taipei City |
|
TW |
|
|
Family ID: |
54933122 |
Appl. No.: |
14/931952 |
Filed: |
November 4, 2015 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61F 11/08 20130101;
H04R 1/44 20130101; H04R 1/1016 20130101; H04R 1/023 20130101; H04R
1/1066 20130101; H04R 25/652 20130101 |
International
Class: |
H04R 1/10 20060101
H04R001/10; A61F 11/08 20060101 A61F011/08; H04R 25/00 20060101
H04R025/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 12, 2015 |
TW |
104203657 |
Sep 17, 2015 |
TW |
104215077 |
Claims
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.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Technical Field
[0002] 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.
[0003] 2. Description of Related Art
[0004] 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.
[0005] 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.
[0006] 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.
[0007] 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.
[0008] 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
[0009] 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.
[0010] 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.
[0011] Implementation of the present invention at least involves
the following inventive steps:
[0012] 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.
[0013] 2. The present invention has the waterproof function.
[0014] 3. The present invention is capable of balancing the
pressure, temperature and humidity of internal and external
auditory canals.
[0015] 4. The present invention prevents sound distortion and
maintains a complete sound quality.
[0016] 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
[0017] 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:
[0018] FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing the relation between the
diameter of a tube and the surface tension of water;
[0019] 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;
[0020] FIG. 3A is perspective view of an arrayed microtube unit and
microtubes in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present
invention;
[0021] FIG. 3B is a side view of an arrayed microtube unit in
accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present
invention;
[0022] 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;
[0023] 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;
[0024] 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;
[0025] 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;
[0026] 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;
[0027] 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;
[0028] 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;
[0029] 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;
[0030] 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;
[0031] 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;
[0032] 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;
[0033] 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;
[0034] 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;
[0035] 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;
[0036] 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
[0037] 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
[0038] 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.
[0039] 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.
[0040] The elastic cover 10 may be made of a selected waterproof
material such as rubber, silicone, waterproof mesh or any other
polymer.
[0041] 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.
[0042] 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.
[0043] 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.
[0044] 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.
[0045] 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.
[0046] 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.
[0047] 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.
[0048] 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.
[0049] 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.
[0050] 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.
[0051] 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.
[0052] 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.
[0053] 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.
[0054] 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.
* * * * *