Elastically Deformable Ear Attachment Aid for Sound Output Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sound output devices face challenges in achieving stable and comfortable attachment to ears due to individual differences in ear shape and size, leading to instability and increased manufacturing costs from providing multiple attachment aid members.
Innovation Solution
A sound output device with an elastically deformable attachment aid member featuring an annular support portion inserted into the cavum concha, a contact portion that deforms to fit the ear, and a curved ear fitting portion to contact the antihelix, ensuring secure attachment without the need for multiple sizes and shapes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple attachment aid members with different sizes and shapes are prepared, then the adaptability to different ear shapes is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment aid member is designed with elastically deformable properties, allowing it to change its shape parameters dynamically. The member can be manufactured as a single standardized component that adapts to different ear shapes through elastic deformation during attachment, eliminating the need to produce multiple variants with different fixed dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment aid member transitions from a static, fixed-shape component to a dynamic, deformable one. The elastic material allows the member to flex and conform to the unique contours of each user's ear, providing adaptability equivalent to multiple fixed shapes while maintaining a single standardized design for manufacturing.
2Ease of operation
If multiple attachment aid members with different sizes and shapes are prepared, then the comfort for different users is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of managing multiple components with different parameters, the invention uses a single component whose parameters (shape and size) can change dynamically through elastic deformation. This simplifies the device structure while maintaining the ability to accommodate different user anatomies.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment aid member is designed as a dynamic element that adapts its configuration based on the ear shape it encounters, rather than requiring the user to select from multiple static options. This reduces operational complexity while preserving comfort across different users.
3Ease of manufacture
If a fixed-shape attachment aid member is used, then the manufacturing cost is reduced, but the stability of attachment deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment aid member incorporates elastic deformability, allowing it to change its shape parameters to match the user's ear contours. This single standardized component achieves stable attachment through adaptive deformation rather than through multiple fixed-size variants.
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 enhances user-friendliness by providing a stable and comfortable attachment that reduces the likelihood of the device falling off, lowers manufacturing costs, and simplifies the selection process for users.
Implementation Method 1
the support portion includes a contact portion that comes into contact with a part of the ear in the cavum concha while being elastically deformed
Data Source
AI summary
A sound output device includes a device main frame in which at least a speaker is disposed, and an attachment aid member that is joined to the device main frame. In the sound output device, the attachment aid member includes an annular support portion at least a part of which is inserted into a cavum concha, and the annular support portion includes a contact portion that comes into contact with a part of an ear in the cavum concha while being elastically deformed. With this arrangement, the contact portion of the annular support portion inserted into the cavum concha comes into contact with a part of the ear in the cavum concha while being elastically deformed. Accordingly, it is possible to attach the sound output device to the ear, using the attachment aid member, regardless of the size and the shape of the ear.