Deformable Ear Bud Dome with Convex Elements
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ear buds or domes often cause discomfort and pain during insertion and removal due to their rigid shape, which does not adapt well to the varying dimensions and irregular cross-sections of the ear canal, and may exert excessive force, potentially damaging the ear canal.
Innovation Solution
The design features soft, convex elements made of materials like LSR or TPE with a hardness of 40-60 Shore A, which deform to accommodate the ear canal's shape, distributing force over a larger area and maintaining a comfortable pressure, while allowing for easy insertion and removal without damaging the ear canal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional rigid ear buds are used, then structural stability is maintained, but comfort and ease of insertion are deteriorated due to inability to adapt to ear canal shape
Solution Approach 1:
The ear bud incorporates a convex element with an outer surface made of elastomeric material that is flexible and deformable, allowing it to adapt to the irregular shape of the ear canal while maintaining structural integrity through the combination of soft outer surface and harder inner structure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different hardness parameters to different portions of the ear bud - the outer surface has lower hardness (40-60 Shore A) for comfort and adaptability, while the inner structure has higher hardness for structural stability, creating a gradient that resolves the contradiction between flexibility and rigidity
2Object-affected harmful factors
If soft convex elements are used, then comfort during insertion is improved, but force distribution may be insufficient for secure positioning
Solution Approach 1:
The ear bud features local quality variation with the outer surface of the convex element having soft elastomeric material for comfort and force distribution, while the inner structure has harder material for securing the device in position, allowing each region to perform its specific function optimally
3Adaptability or versatility
If the ear bud maintains a fixed rigid shape, then manufacturing precision is improved, but adaptability to varying ear canal dimensions is deteriorated
Solution Approach 1:
The convex element is designed to be deformable and adaptable to the specific geometry of the user's ear canal, transforming from a static rigid shape to a dynamic form that conforms to the ear canal's unique dimensions and irregularities while maintaining consistent manufacturing of the base structure
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 ensures a comfortable and pain-free experience during insertion and removal, maintains the ear bud's position securely, and extends the operational lifetime by preventing ear wax from clogging the sound output.
Implementation Method 1
the convex elements are able to take up the deformation caused and distribute the force thus exerted to the convex element over also other portions of the ear canal
Data Source
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AI summary
An ear bud or cone having a plurality of protruding, convex and soft elements which are configured to be deformed during insertion, extraction and operation in the ear canal of a person. The soft elements are cushion shaped and thus able to adapt to any shape of the ear canal without exerting excessive force to portions of the ear canal.