Earpiece Module Isolates Spring Force from Housing

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Solution Overview

Problem

The stress and strain exerted by spring-like contacts in earpieces on audio device housings can cause deformation and physical damage, leading to breakage.

Innovation Solution

A module design that contains the earpiece within a housing, with opposable portions that engage to bear the spring force, minimizing external stress on the device housing and maintaining electrical contact with the earpiece.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If spring-like contacts are used to create electrical connection and hold earpiece in place, then electrical connectivity and earpiece positioning are achieved, but physical stress and strain on housing increase causing deformation and breakage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical connectivityVSAvoidhousing strength

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The device is divided into separate functional modules: the earpiece module containing the earpiece and spring contacts, and the housing. This segmentation isolates the stress-generating components within their own module, preventing stress transmission to the housing while maintaining electrical connectivity functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The earpiece module acts as an intermediary between the spring contacts and the housing. It absorbs and contains the physical stress and strain generated by the spring-like contacts, preventing direct transmission of these forces to the housing and avoiding deformation or breakage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Stability of the object's composition

If spring force is used to hold earpiece in place, then earpiece positioning is achieved, but deformation of housing occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveearpiece positioningVSAvoidhousing shape

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The earpiece module is segmented as a separate unit from the housing, containing the earpiece and spring contacts within defined boundaries. This segmentation allows the module to maintain earpiece positioning stability through spring force while isolating the housing from deformation-causing stresses.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The spring force, which could potentially harm the housing by causing deformation, is converted into a benefit by containing it within the earpiece module. The module structure transforms the potentially harmful stress into a useful positioning mechanism that secures the earpiece without affecting housing integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Reliability

If protruding spring-like contact is used, then electrical connection is created, but physical damage and breakage of housing can occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical connectionVSAvoidphysical damage to housing

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The harmful spring-like contacts are extracted from direct interaction with the housing and placed inside the enclosed earpiece module. This extraction removes the source of physical damage from the housing while preserving the electrical connection function within the protected module environment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The earpiece module serves as a protective intermediary between the spring-like contacts and the housing. It allows electrical connection to be maintained while preventing the spring contacts from directly contacting and damaging the housing structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 module effectively reduces physical stress on the audio device housing, preventing deformation and breakage while ensuring secure earpiece placement and electrical connectivity.

Implementation Method 1

the spring force exerted by this contact is borne by the housing of the audio device itself

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSpring force: Spring

Implementation Method 2

opposable portions that engage to bear the spring force

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical force: Mechanical Force

Data Source

PatentUS8588454B2Module for containing an earpiece for an audio device

Publication Date: 2013.11.19 MALIKIE INNOVATIONS LTD

AI summary

A module for containing an earpiece for an audio device, the earpiece having at least one protruding electrical contact. The module comprises a first portion and a second portion, the first portion and the second portion being opposable and forming a cavity sized to accommodate an earpiece. The module further comprises at least one electrical contact within the cavity, on one of the first portion and the second portion. The electrical contact is positioned to engage a protruding electrical contact of the earpiece positioned within the cavity.