Auricular Skirt Attachment for Comfortable Ear Interface
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing auricular attachment solutions, such as in-ear, on-ear, and earbud designs, face issues with discomfort and instability due to pressure on sensitive ear areas, and struggle to balance sound exclusion with air circulation and device stability.
Innovation Solution
A skirt structure that contacts the inner surface of the auricle's outer boundary without touching the concha floor, using counter pressure members to balance pressure and maintain stability, allowing for a comfortable and secure fit while accommodating larger devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the hearing element is positioned inside the ear canal (in-ear solution), then ambient sound is efficiently dampened and audio fidelity is improved, but discomfort occurs due to pressure on the pressure-sensitive ear canal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the hearing element from the ear canal and positions it on the concha, eliminating the pressure problem while maintaining sound isolation through the funnel structure that directs sound into the ear canal without requiring insertion
2Stability of the object's composition
If the hearing element is held against the ear using on-ear attachment, then the solution is simple and stable, but long-term discomfort occurs due to pressure on the ear and ambient sound enters unless a large enclosing cushion is used
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the need for large enclosing cushions by positioning the hearing element directly on the concha with a funnel that provides sound isolation, achieving stability without pressure on the ear canal or tragus
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from in-ear (internal) or on-ear (surface) positioning to a hybrid approach where the hearing element rests on the concha but the funnel extends into the ear canal, utilizing both external and internal spaces for optimal performance
3Volume of moving object
If the housing unit is positioned inside the concha and held by tragus and anti tragus (ear bud solution), then the device is compact, but discomfort occurs due to pressure on the tragus and anti tragus and ambient sound exclusion is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the hearing element from the tragus/anti-tragus region and positions it on the concha, eliminating pressure on these sensitive areas while maintaining compact size through efficient funnel design
Solution Approach 2:
The patent repositions the hearing element from a horizontal orientation (ear bud) to a vertical orientation on the concha, allowing the funnel to extend into the ear canal for better sound isolation without pressing on the tragus
4Stability of the object's composition
If the skirt contacts the floor of the concha, then a good fit to the inner surface is achieved, but stability is reduced and discomfort increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the skirt contact point from the concha floor and positions it on the concha wall, eliminating the instability and discomfort caused by floor contact while maintaining secure fit through wall engagement
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions the skirt from a vertical orientation touching the floor to a horizontal orientation contacting the concha wall, creating a more stable and comfortable fit geometry
Data Source
AI summary
Auricular attachments should be comfortable for long term wear.An auricular interface based on a skirt attachment is disclosed. By separating the uplifting force of the skirt from a separate downward force a more comfortable wearing is achieved. The skirt can optionally be pleated.The objective is achieved by a skirt structure having an outer surface that contacts least a part of an inner part of an outer boundary of a concha of a pinna, without the skirt touching the floor of the concha.