Curved Measuring Pad for Hearing Device Biometric Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for a solution to integrate measuring elements such as electrodes, optical sensors, and other biometric sensors onto the surface of hearing devices, particularly custom-made shells, to enable electrical, optical, or other biometric measurements directly on or within the ear of a user.
Innovation Solution
A measuring pad with a carrier having a curved shape adapted to the ear canal, equipped with various sensors and electrodes, which can be connected to an electronic module, allowing for secure and reliable contact with the skin and easy installation onto the hearing device shell.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If measuring elements are integrated onto the surface of a custom-made shell, then biometric measurements can be performed directly on the ear, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The measuring system is segmented into a separate measuring pad that can be independently manufactured and then integrated onto the hearing device shell. This segmentation allows the complex measuring elements to be isolated on a dedicated component (the pad with carrier and electrodes) rather than embedded throughout the entire shell structure, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining measurement capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The measuring pad acts as an intermediary component between the hearing device shell and the user's ear. It contains the measuring elements (electrodes, optical sensors) and provides a standardized interface that simplifies integration onto the shell, thereby reducing the complexity of integrating multiple measuring elements directly onto the custom-made shell.
2Reliability
If the carrier has a curved shape adapted to ear canal curvature, then good contact with skin is achieved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The carrier is designed with a standardized curved shape defined by specific radius parameters (e.g., radius in first direction and radius in second direction) that match the average ear canal geometry. By standardizing these geometric parameters, the manufacturing precision requirement is reduced from custom-fitting each carrier to producing components with consistent, pre-determined curvature that works across multiple users.
Solution Approach 2:
The carrier adopts a curved, spherical-like shape that conforms to the natural curvature of the ear canal. This curvature is defined by multiple radii (radius in first direction and radius in second direction) to match the three-dimensional geometry of the ear canal, enabling reliable skin contact without requiring custom manufacturing for each user.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple measuring elements are integrated on the measuring pad, then comprehensive biometric data can be collected, but the area required on the shell increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple measuring elements (electrodes for electrical measurements, optical sensors for optical measurements, temperature sensors) are merged onto a single measuring pad component. This consolidation allows comprehensive biometric data collection in one integrated unit that occupies a compact area on the hearing device shell, rather than distributing separate measuring elements across multiple locations.
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 a reliable and cost-effective means to measure biometric data by ensuring good contact with the skin and easy mounting on the hearing device, accommodating the curved shape of the ear canal and verifying correct placement through electrical and optical measurements.
Implementation Method 1
at least one pair of electrodes configured to detect a skin resistance
Implementation Method 2
at least one optical sensor, in particular a photoplethysmography (PPG) sensor
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a measuring pad (1) for a shell (5) of a hearing device, the measuring pad (1) comprising a carrier (2) and one or a plurality of measuring elements (3), wherein the carrier (2) has a curved shape adapted to a local curvature of an individual or average ear canal.