Magnetic Closing Element for Earmold Vent Pressure Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Earmolds for hearing devices face challenges in managing the occlusion effect and sound pressure equalization, particularly when switching between speaking and listening modes, and existing solutions lack efficient detection mechanisms for vent port states without additional sensors or battery power.
Innovation Solution
An earmold with a magnetic closing element that can be in two states, allowing the vent port to be opened or closed, and utilizing inductive coupling to detect its state electrically, enabling automatic adjustment for optimal sound transmission and pressure equalization without additional sensors or battery power.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a vent channel with a closing element is added to the earmold, then the occlusion effect is reduced and pressure equalization is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical sensor systems and battery-powered actuators with a passive magnetic closing element that automatically responds to acoustic pressure changes. The magnetic element is attracted to a magnet in the receiver channel when acoustic pressure increases, automatically closing the vent port without requiring external power or complex control mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The closing element serves itself by automatically responding to acoustic pressure changes through magnetic attraction. When the user speaks and acoustic pressure increases in the ear canal, the magnetic closing element is automatically attracted to the receiver channel, closing the vent port without requiring external control systems, sensors, or power sources.
2Ease of operation
If traditional vent control mechanisms are used, then vent port state can be controlled, but additional sensors and battery power are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces electronic sensors and battery-powered control systems with a passive magnetic closing element. The magnetic element responds directly to acoustic pressure changes through magnetic attraction to a magnet in the receiver channel, eliminating the need for electronic sensing and power consumption while maintaining automatic vent control.
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetic closing element acts as an intermediary between acoustic pressure changes and vent port closure. Instead of using electronic sensors to detect pressure and motors to close the vent, the magnetic element directly translates acoustic pressure changes into mechanical closure through magnetic attraction, serving as a passive mediator that eliminates complex control systems.
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 earmold effectively reduces or eliminates the occlusion effect by dynamically controlling the vent port state, ensuring better sound quality during both speaking and listening modes, while also detecting blockages without additional sensors or power consumption.
Implementation Method 1
The closing element comprises a first magnetic member... utilizing inductive coupling to detect its state electrically
Implementation Method 2
utilizing inductive coupling to detect its state electrically, enabling automatic adjustment for optimal sound transmission
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
Disclosed is an earmold for an ear canal of a user. The earmold has an earmold shell. The earmold shell has a first end, the first end is facing a tympanic membrane of an ear canal of the user when the earmold is worn by the user. The earmold shell has a second end, the second end is facing toward the surroundings of the user when the earmold is worn by the user. The earmold comprises a receiver for conversion of an output signal into an audio output signal. The earmold comprises a receiver channel coupled to an output of the receiver and extending to a receiver opening in the first end of the earmold, for providing the audio output signal in the ear canal. The earmold comprises a vent channel coupled to the receiver channel through a first vent port. The vent channel has a vent opening in the second end of the earmold shell. The receiver channel comprises a closing element. The closing element comprises a first magnetic member, wherein the closing element is configured for being in a first state or in a second state, wherein in the first state the closing element causes the first vent port to be open, and in the second state the closing element causes the first vent port to be closed.