Auricle-Fitting Acoustic Device with Segmented Shielding Wall

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional ear-worn acoustic signal output devices, such as earphones and headphones, cause a significant burden on the ears due to pressure and discomfort, especially in insertion type, ear hook type, and sandwiching type designs.

Innovation Solution

An ear-worn acoustic signal output device featuring a housing that emits acoustic signals and a wearable portion with a fixing portion having a concave inner wall surface fitted into the upper portion of the auricle, and a shielding wall that covers only a part of the auricle, reducing pressure and discomfort.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If conventional insertion type, ear hook type, or sandwiching type designs are used, then acoustic signal output function is achieved, but burden on the ear increases due to pressure and discomfort

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveburden on the earVSAvoidwearing comfort

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The wearable portion is divided into multiple functional components: a fixing portion with a concave inner wall surface that fits into the upper auricle, and a shielding wall that covers only a part of the auricle. This segmentation distributes the contact area and reduces concentrated pressure points, thereby reducing burden on the ear while maintaining acoustic signal output function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The shielding wall is designed to cover only a part of the auricle rather than the entire structure, creating localized coverage that reduces overall pressure distribution. The concave inner wall surface of the fixing portion provides targeted fit into the upper auricle, optimizing both support and comfort by applying pressure only where structurally necessary.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Object-affected harmful factors

If insertion type design is used, then acoustic signal output is achieved, but pain and damage occur due to ear canal pressure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepain and damageVSAvoidear canal comfort

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of inserting the acoustic signal output device into the ear canal (conventional approach), the fixing portion is designed to fit into the upper auricle from the outside. This inverted approach avoids ear canal intrusion entirely, eliminating pain and damage risks while maintaining stable wearing through the concave inner wall surface that conforms to the upper auricle geometry.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If ear hook type design is used, then acoustic signal output is achieved, but pain and damage occur due to external base pressure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepain and damageVSAvoidexternal base comfort

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The wearable portion is segmented into a fixing portion and a shielding wall, with the fixing portion specifically designed to contact only the upper auricle. This segmentation eliminates contact with the external base of the auricle, thereby preventing pain and damage while maintaining secure fitting through the concave inner wall surface that engages with the upper auricle anatomy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Object-affected harmful factors

If sandwiching type design is used, then acoustic signal output is achieved, but burden is concentrated on one portion of the sandwiched auricle

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconcentrated burdenVSAvoidauricle pressure distribution

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The shielding wall is designed to cover only a part of the auricle, creating localized coverage that reduces overall pressure distribution. The concave inner wall surface of the fixing portion provides targeted fit into the upper auricle, optimizing both support and comfort by applying pressure only where structurally necessary rather than concentrating burden on one portion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

5Reliability

If conventional designs are used, then acoustic signal output is achieved, but positional deviation occurs and stable wearing cannot be performed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestable wearingVSAvoidpositional stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The concave inner wall surface of the fixing portion is designed with a curved geometry that conforms to the natural curvature of the upper auricle. This curved surface provides a unique fit that prevents rotational and lateral movement, ensuring stable wearing at the desired position without requiring complex adjustment mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Data Source

PatentUS20250039589A1Acoustic signal output device

Publication Date: 2025.01.30 NT T INC

AI summary

Provided is an acoustic signal output device including a housing that emits an acoustic signal, and a wearable portion that holds the housing and is formed to be worn on an auricle. Provided that the wearable portion includes a fixing portion including a concave inner wall surface formed to be fitted into an upper portion of the auricle, and a shielding wall formed to cover only a part of the auricle when a side of the inner wall surface of the fixing portion is fitted into an upper portion of the auricle.