Canine Ear Tip Geometry for Secure Acoustic Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sound control devices for animals, particularly canines, face challenges in properly positioning and securing within their complex ear structures due to non-cylindrical ear canals and cartilage features, leading to difficulty in forming a seal and retaining the device.
Innovation Solution
An animal sound control device featuring a resilient elastomeric ear tip with a stiffening member and a housing that includes a retention hook, designed to fit the complex canine ear anatomy, providing a secure seal and stability through a sealing head, concentric barb, and retention mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional human ear tip design is used for animals, then the device can be easily secured to human ears, but it cannot properly seal or retain in animal ears due to complex ear structures
Solution Approach 1:
The ear tip is designed with non-uniform cross-sectional geometry that varies along its length, with different regions having different shapes and dimensions to match specific anatomical features of the animal ear canal at different positions, enabling proper sealing and retention
Solution Approach 2:
The ear tip employs asymmetric cross-sectional geometry where the dimensions and shape differ between opposite sides, specifically designed to accommodate the asymmetric structure of animal ear canals including the tragus and antihelix features
2Reliability
If the ear tip is made compliant to seal the ear canal, then sealing is improved, but the device becomes difficult to position and secure properly
Solution Approach 1:
The ear tip is constructed from elastomeric material that provides flexibility and compliance to conform to the complex contours of the animal ear canal, enabling effective sealing while maintaining structural integrity
Solution Approach 2:
The ear tip incorporates distinct functional segments including a sealing head portion with specific geometry for sealing, a body portion for positioning, and a retention portion with features like a concentric barb and retention hook for secure attachment
3Ease of manufacture
If the ear tip geometry is simplified for easy manufacturing, then production is easier, but it cannot accommodate complex animal ear anatomy
Solution Approach 1:
The ear tip utilizes elastomeric material that can be molded into complex three-dimensional geometries, combining manufacturing feasibility with the ability to create anatomically specific shapes that match animal ear structures
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 effectively seals the canine ear canal, reducing noise exposure and enabling audio delivery while maintaining comfort and stability, addressing the challenges of securing to the complex ear structure.
Implementation Method 1
an ear tip formed of a resilient elastomeric material
Data Source
AI summary
An animal sound control device, including a housing with a body portion configured to be received within a canine ear canal. The body portion includes a major axis extending between a first end and a second end, and a minor axis extending between a first side wall and a second side wall. The major axis includes a first length greater than a second length of the minor axis.