Ear Tip Filtering Element Protrusions for Wax Ingress Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hearing devices face challenges in efficiently preventing contamination by earwax and other pollutants, while maintaining good acoustic properties and ease of use.
Innovation Solution
The ear tip features a sealing element with a sound channel and a first filtering element with partially inwardly projecting protrusions, which obstruct the sound channel's cross-section to prevent pollutant ingress while allowing sound to propagate effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a traditional wax filter is used to prevent pollutant ingress, then protection against earwax and pollutants is improved, but the filter requires frequent replacement and complicates maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The filtering element is merged with the ear tip to form a single integrated component. The filtering element comprises protrusions that extend into the sound channel of the ear tip, creating a unified structure that combines filtration functionality with the ear tip's acoustic coupling function. This integration eliminates the need for separate wax filter replacements and simplifies maintenance to merely removing and replacing the entire ear tip when needed.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a filtering element is added to the ear tip, then pollutant prevention is improved, but the acoustic properties may be degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The filtering element features protrusions with varying dimensions and spacing arrangements that create different filtration densities at different locations within the sound channel. This local variation in filtering structure allows optimized blockage of earwax and pollutants in specific zones while maintaining adequate sound transmission pathways, thereby balancing protection functionality with acoustic performance.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the filtering element obstructs the sound channel cross-section, then pollutant ingress is prevented, but sound propagation may be impaired
Solution Approach 1:
The protrusions of the filtering element extend only partially into the sound channel cross-section rather than completely blocking it. This partial obstruction approach provides sufficient barrier against earwax and pollutants while leaving adequate open space for sound waves to propagate through the sound channel, thus maintaining acceptable acoustic transmission speed and quality.
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
This solution effectively prevents the ingress of earwax and other pollutants, maintains good acoustic properties, and simplifies maintenance by allowing the ear tip to be easily rinsed and replaced as a whole, reducing the need for frequent replacement of miniature wax filters.
Implementation Method 1
The protrusions extend only partially into the sound channel such that the plurality of protrusions partially obstructs said cross-section and leaves a partial area of said cross-section unobstructed
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4a~4b
Figure 4c~4d
AI summary
The invention concerns an ear tip (10) for retaining a hearing device or a hearing device part in an ear canal (6) of a user wearing the hearing device or the hearing device part, the ear tip (10) comprising a sealing element (11) with a sound channel (21) providing for a sound path between a sound inlet opening (22) for receiving an acoustic signal from an output unit of the hearing device or the hearing device part and a sound outlet opening (23) for releasing the acoustic signal to the ear canal (6) of the user wearing the hearing device or the hearing device part. The ear tip (10) further comprises a first filtering element (40) arranged in said sound channel (21) between the sound inlet opening (22) and the sound outlet opening (23). The first filtering element (40) comprises a plurality of protrusions (41) which are arranged along a perimeter of a cross-section of said sound channel (21) and which project inwardly and extend partially into the sound channel (21), wherein said plurality of protrusions (41) partially obstructs said cross-section and leaves a partial area unobstructed. The invention further concerns an earpiece for a hearing device comprising such an ear tip (10), and a hearing device comprising such an ear tip (10) or such an earpiece.