Non-occluding Ear Module with Compressive Member
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ear modules that fit within the concha of the outer ear often occlude the ear canal, preventing free air passage and causing discomfort due to inadequate airflow.
Innovation Solution
An ear module design featuring an interior lobe with a speaker and an exterior lobe housing data processing resources, coupled with a compressive member that secures the device without blocking the ear canal, maintaining an open air passage by ensuring the width of the extension into the ear canal is less than the canal's width, allowing airflow through irregularities and gaps.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the ear module uses a compressive member to secure the device in the ear, then the positioning stability is improved, but the ear canal becomes occluded and air passage is blocked
Solution Approach 1:
The ear module is divided into two separate lobes: an interior lobe that fits within the concha and an exterior lobe that houses data processing resources. This segmentation allows the interior lobe to provide secure positioning while the exterior lobe remains spaced away from the ear canal, preventing occlusion and maintaining air passage.
Solution Approach 2:
The interior lobe extends outwardly to support the exterior lobe in a position spaced away from the anti-helix and tragus, utilizing the third dimension (depth/spatial arrangement) to achieve both secure positioning and non-occlusion of the ear canal.
2Reliability
If the ear module minimizes pneumatic leakage to improve sound isolation, then sound quality is improved, but user comfort deteriorates due to inadequate airflow
Solution Approach 1:
The interior lobe is shaped to fit within the concha with intentional air gaps at irregularities in the surface of the ear or in the surface of the interior lobe. This creates localized air flow paths that maintain sound isolation while providing adequate airflow for comfort.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the ear module houses sophisticated microelectronics in the exterior lobe, then functionality is improved, but the device size increases and may block air flow
Solution Approach 1:
The ear module separates audio processing components (speaker in interior lobe) from data processing resources (exterior lobe). This allows the exterior lobe to be positioned away from the ear canal, preventing air flow blockagement while still housing sophisticated microelectronics.
Data Source
AI summary
An ear module with an interior lobe (200) housing a speaker (58) and adapted to fit within the Concha (103) of the outer ear, and an exterior lobe (300) housing data processing resources, includes a compressive member (202) coupled to the interior lobe (200) and providing a holding force between the anti-helix (101) and the forward wall (108) of the ear canal (102) near the tragus (104). The interior lobe (200) extends into the exterior opening (110) of the ear canal (102), and includes a forward surface (210) adapted to fit against the forward wall (108) of the ear canal (102), and a rear surface (211) facing the anti-helix (101). The width of the extension (201) (in a dimension orthogonal to the forward surface (210) of the extension (201)) between the forward surface (210) and the rear surface (211) from at least the opening of the ear canal (102) to the tip (203) of the extension (201) is substantially less than the width of the ear canal (102), leaving an open air passage (250).