Adjustable Rotating Earpiece for Magnetic Ear Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wearable audio devices that attach to the ear often fail to accommodate varying ear sizes and shapes, leading to discomfort and improper fitting due to incorrect magnetic coupling.
Innovation Solution
A wearable device with an adjustable earpiece that can rotate and adjust in length, featuring magnetic elements that magnetically couple through the ear, and a magnetometer to detect and adjust coupling strength for optimal fit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If magnetic elements are used to attach the device to the ear, then the device can be securely retained, but the fit may be too tight or too loose for users with varying ear sizes and shapes
Solution Approach 1:
The earpiece incorporates an adjustable length mechanism that allows dynamic modification of the earpiece dimension. Users can adjust the earpiece length to accommodate different ear sizes and shapes, transforming a static device into a dynamically adaptable one while maintaining secure magnetic retention through the adjustable configuration
2Adaptability or versatility
If the earpiece length is made adjustable, then the device can accommodate different ear sizes, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The earpiece is divided into multiple segments or sections that can be adjusted relative to each other. This segmentation allows the earpiece length to be modified by reconfiguring the segments, providing adaptability for different ear sizes while keeping the overall device structure relatively simple and manageable
3Adaptability or versatility
If the earpiece can rotate relative to the body section, then the device can accommodate different ear shapes, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connection between the earpiece and body section is designed to allow rotational movement, enabling the earpiece to rotate to different angular positions. This dynamic capability allows the device to accommodate various ear shapes and orientations without requiring multiple fixed configurations, maintaining simplicity through a single rotational degree of freedom
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 device provides a secure and comfortable fit across different ear sizes and shapes, ensuring proper retention and reducing air leakage for improved audio quality, while providing feedback on coupling status.
Implementation Method 1
the first magnetic element and second magnetic element are adapted to magnetically couple through the ear to retain the wearable device in place
Implementation Method 2
a magnetometer configured to detect a degree of magnetic coupling between the first magnetic element and the second magnetic element
Data Source
AI summary
A wearable device for attachment to the ear of a user can comprise an earpiece including a speaker and a body section including a hook for attachment about the ear of a user. The length of the earpiece can be adjusted. The earpiece can rotate relative to the body section. The point of rotation can be located within a region defined by the perimeter of the concha of the ear of a user. The wearable device can comprise magnetic elements configured to magnetically couple through the user's ear to retain the wearable device in place. A magnetometer which is configured and arranged to detect a degree of magnetic coupling between the magnetic elements is disclosed.