Adaptive Ear Interface for Custom Ear Canal Fit and ANC

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electronic devices struggle to provide a proper fit with users' ears of different sizes and shapes, compromising active noise cancellation (ANC) and acoustic performance while ensuring comfort.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a flexible and deformable element in the ear interface portion that can adjust its shape and size based on signals to conform to the user's ear canal, allowing for a customizable fit.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple ear tips of different shapes and sizes are provided for user selection, then adaptability to different ear sizes and shapes is improved, but device complexity and user setup time increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to different ear sizes and shapesVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The ear tip includes a deformable element that can dynamically change its physical shape in response to electrical signals, allowing a single ear tip design to adapt to multiple ear canal geometries rather than requiring multiple fixed-shaped tips

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The deformable element changes its physical parameters (shape, size) based on electrical signals from the processor, enabling the ear tip to adjust its geometry to match different user ear canals without requiring multiple physical tip options

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple ear tips of different shapes and sizes are provided for user selection, then adaptability to different ear sizes and shapes is improved, but loss of time for user setup increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to different ear sizes and shapesVSAvoiduser setup time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-measurement of the user's ear canal geometry using the speaker and microphone, and the deformable element automatically adjusts its shape based on the processed measurement data, eliminating the need for manual selection and fitting trials

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The ear tip proactively measures ear canal geometry and adjusts its shape before the user begins using the device, automatically configuring the optimal fit without requiring user intervention or multiple insertion attempts

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If a deformable element is used to convert energy and make the flexible element compliant with user's skin, then adaptability to user's ear shape is improved, but use of energy increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to user's ear shapeVSAvoiduse of energy by deformable element

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The deformable element operates periodically only during the measurement and adjustment phase rather than continuously, consuming energy only when shape changes are needed while maintaining position passively between adjustments

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces continuous mechanical adjustment mechanisms with an electrical actuation system that only consumes energy when shape changes are required, using electrical signals to control the deformable element rather than mechanical motors or actuators

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Reliability

If active noise cancellation is optimized through proper fit, then noise cancellation performance is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveactive noise cancellation performanceVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The deformable element serves multiple functions: it acts as a seal for noise cancellation, a sensor for ear canal measurement, and an actuator for shape adjustment, eliminating the need for separate components for each function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The measurement and adjustment functions are merged into the existing ANC pathway, using the speaker and microphone already required for noise cancellation to perform ear canal geometry measurement and control the deformable element

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The deformable element enables a secure and comfortable fit, enhancing ANC performance and acoustic quality by adjusting to individual ear shapes, improving noise cancellation and user experience.

Implementation Method 1

a deformable element configured to convert energy from one form to make the flexible element compliant with a user's skin

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDeformation: Deformation

Data Source

PatentUS12627918B2Electronic device

Publication Date: 2026.05.12 ADVANCED SEMICON ENG INC

AI summary

The present disclosure provides an electronic device. The electronic device includes a flexible element and a deformable element configured to convert energy from one form to make the flexible element compliant with a user's skin.