Ear Model with Artificial Cartilage for Vibration Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need to measure the amount of vibration transmitted to the human auditory nerve by acoustic devices such as mobile phones, earphones, and headphones that use bone conduction sound, as existing technologies do not effectively evaluate the vibration characteristics of these devices.
Innovation Solution
A measurement device comprising an ear model unit with an artificial cartilage unit and a vibration detector, which simulates a human ear and measures the vibration levels transmitted through the cartilage, allowing for the evaluation of acoustic devices with vibrating bodies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If an acoustic device is evaluated by direct human ear measurement, then the measurement reflects actual human perception, but the measurement process is complex and time-consuming requiring multiple human subjects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a physical model (ear model) that replicates the vibration transmission characteristics of the human ear. This model includes cartilage portions with specific elastic moduli and density values that match human ear anatomy, allowing vibration measurements to be performed on the model instead of requiring multiple human subjects, thereby simplifying the measurement system while maintaining accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The ear model serves as an intermediary between the acoustic device and the vibration detector. It transmits vibrations from the acoustic device in the same manner as human ear cartilage would, enabling indirect measurement that avoids the complexity of direct human measurement while preserving the essential vibration transmission characteristics
2Ease of manufacture
If vibration measurement is performed without considering cartilage characteristics, then the measurement is simpler, but it does not accurately reflect actual vibration transmission to the auditory nerve
Solution Approach 1:
The ear model incorporates cartilage portions with locally differentiated properties - specific elastic moduli (e.g., 10-100 MPa for outer ear cartilage, 1-10 MPa for ear canal cartilage) and density values (e.g., 1.1-1.3 g/cm³) that match human anatomy. This localized material property differentiation ensures accurate vibration transmission measurement while keeping the overall device structure relatively simple
Solution Approach 2:
The patent specifies particular parameter ranges for the cartilage portions including elastic modulus (10-100 MPa for outer ear, 1-10 MPa for ear canal), density (1.1-1.3 g/cm³), and thickness (2-5 mm for outer ear, 1-3 mm for ear canal). These parameter specifications enable accurate vibration transmission measurement while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through clear design criteria
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
Enables accurate measurement and evaluation of vibration transmission characteristics to the human ear, effectively assessing the performance of acoustic devices like hearing aids and headphones.
Implementation Method 1
an artificial cartilage unit (54) that is in contact with the ear model (51)
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a measurement device that evaluates an acoustic device 100 including a vibrating element and configured to allow sound to be heard by vibration transmission. The measurement device includes: an ear model unit 50 including an ear model 51 that is molded after a human ear and an artificial cartilage unit 54 that is joined to the ear model 51; and a vibration detector 56 disposed in the ear model unit 50.