Bendable Hearing Device Casing with Customizable Fit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Behind-the-ear hearing devices often suffer from poor fitting, leading to pressure points, the risk of falling off, and unsightly appearance due to their standard shape not accommodating individual ear sizes effectively, resulting in suboptimal wearing comfort and aesthetics.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating bendable or deformable areas within the casing of the hearing device, made from materials like elastic polyether block-amide, which become elastic under heat, allowing for customization to fit the user's ear and reformation as needed, along with a raster functionality for precise shaping.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a standard shape hearing device is used, then manufacturing is simplified, but wearing comfort deteriorates due to poor fitting and pressure points
Solution Approach 1:
The hearing device housing is divided into rigid and soft areas, allowing different sections to serve different functions. The soft areas can be deformed to match individual ear contours while rigid areas maintain structural integrity, resolving the contradiction between standardized manufacturing and customized fitting comfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The material properties of the housing are changed by incorporating thermoplastic elastomer that becomes deformable under heat influence. This allows the housing to be softened for customization during fitting, then hardened to maintain the customized shape, thereby achieving both ease of manufacture and improved wearing comfort.
2Ease of manufacture
If a standard shape hearing device is used, then production cost is reduced, but appearance quality deteriorates due to visibility and poor aesthetic match
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the housing into rigid and soft areas, the device can maintain a standardized base structure for cost-effective production while allowing the soft areas to be customized for each user, improving appearance quality without significantly increasing production costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The hearing device is pre-configured with bendable soft areas that can be easily deformed during a quick fitting process. This preliminary preparation allows for rapid customization of appearance to match individual ear contours, improving aesthetic quality while maintaining production efficiency.
3Strength
If a rigid housing is used, then structural strength is maintained, but adaptability deteriorates due to inability to conform to different ear sizes
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is segmented into rigid and soft areas, where rigid sections provide structural strength and support, while soft sections provide adaptability to conform to different ear sizes and shapes. This segmentation resolves the contradiction between maintaining structural integrity and achieving fitting versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing uses composite construction with rigid and soft areas made from different materials. The rigid portions maintain structural strength while the soft portions (thermoplastic elastomer) provide flexibility and adaptability, allowing the device to fit different ear sizes while maintaining overall structural integrity.
4Ease of operation
If auxiliary fixing tools are used to improve fit, then wearing comfort improves, but appearance quality deteriorates due to visible fixing elements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the need for external auxiliary fixing tools by integrating the adaptation function directly into the housing itself. The soft areas of the housing can be deformed to match the ear contour, providing a secure fit without requiring visible external fixing elements, thus maintaining both wearing comfort and aesthetic appearance.
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 solution provides improved wearing comfort and appearance by ensuring a secure, form-fitting hearing device that can be adjusted for different users, including during sports activities, while maintaining chemical resistance and skin compatibility.
Implementation Method 1
The deformable or bendable areas can be made out of an at least under the influence of heat elastic material such as an elastic or elastomeric polymer
Data Source
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AI summary
Within a casing of a hearing device to be worn in the area of the auricle such as behind the ear, comprises bendable portions (5) such that the hearing device (1) can be at least partially deformed.