Hearing Device Earpiece Force Distribution for Sensor Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hearing device earpieces cause discomfort due to continuous strain on the ear when used for health monitoring, as they apply force to soft areas like the outer ear, leading to fatigue and discomfort over time.
Innovation Solution
An earpiece design featuring an ear canal part and a support structure that transmits force from the superior part of the ear canal to the inferior concha cava, opposing it with a counterforce to secure the primary sensor in place, reducing discomfort and maintaining position during use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a stabilizer is used to hold the earpiece in position by contacting the outer ear, then the earpiece can be secured in place, but the user experiences discomfort and strain during long-term wear
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful contact point from the soft outer ear areas (helix, antihelix, cymba) and relocates the force application to the superior part of the ear canal, which can better withstand continuous pressure without causing discomfort or fatigue
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a counterforce mechanism where the support structure applies an opposing force to balance the measurement force, distributing the mechanical load between the superior ear canal part and the inferior concha cava, thereby reducing net strain on any single area of the ear
2Measurement precision
If force is applied to the outer ear to position the sensor, then the sensor can be held in place for measurement, but the continuous force causes fatigue and discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a force balance system that copies and opposes the measurement force with an equal counterforce, allowing the sensor to maintain continuous contact with the skin for accurate measurement while preventing cumulative strain through the opposing force mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the location parameter of force application from the outer ear (helix, antihelix, cymba) to the superior part of the ear canal, and modifies the force distribution parameter by introducing a counterforce, enabling both precise measurement and extended wear duration
3Reliability
If the earpiece is designed to apply force to secure the sensor, then the sensor remains positioned during use, but the force application causes discomfort to the outer ear
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the force application into two distinct locations: the superior part of the ear canal for applying the measurement force, and the inferior concha cava for providing the counterforce, separating the functions to achieve both reliable sensor contact and user comfort
Solution Approach 2:
The support structure acts as an intermediary mechanism that transmits and balances forces between the ear canal and the concha cava, mediating the interaction to maintain sensor stability while protecting the outer ear from harmful strain
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2a~2b
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AI summary
An earpiece is disclosed for a hearing device, the earpiece comprising: an ear canal part to be introduced into the ear canal of a user, the ear canal part comprising a first contact surface configured to contact the superior part of the ear canal of the user; a primary sensor, where the primary sensor is configured to measure signals from a skin surface of the user; and a support structure comprising a first part and a second part, wherein the first part is attached to the ear canal part and the second part is attached to the primary sensor, and wherein the second part of the support structure is configured to position the primary sensor in the inferior concha cava during use of the hearing device earpiece, and wherein the support structure is configured to transmit a force from the superior part of the ear canal to the skin contacting surface of the primary sensor.