Push-to-fit Earplug with Cavity Array for Reduced Insertion Force
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hearing protection devices, such as push-to-fit earplugs, face challenges in reducing the insertion force and equilibrium force exerted on the ear canal, which can lead to discomfort and difficulty in insertion.
Innovation Solution
The earplug design incorporates an array of cavities in the tip region spaced around the longitudinal axis, allowing the sound attenuating body to compress and collapse into a collapsible volume, reducing the insertion force and equilibrium force, and featuring a flange with geometric features for improved insertion and comfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the sound attenuating body is made solid without cavities, then the sound attenuation performance is improved, but the insertion force and equilibrium force increase causing discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The sound attenuating body incorporates an array of cavities creating a porous internal structure that reduces material density while maintaining sound attenuation performance. The cavities allow the material to compress more easily during insertion and reduce the equilibrium force exerted on the ear canal, solving the contradiction between sound attenuation and insertion comfort.
2Strength
If the earplug is made with a stiff structure, then the structural integrity and durability are improved, but the ease of insertion is reduced due to higher insertion force
Solution Approach 1:
The earplug is segmented into distinct regions: a stiff stem portion for structural integrity and a sound attenuating body with cavities for ease of insertion. The cavities create a collapsible volume that allows the sound attenuating body to compress during insertion while the stem maintains its stiffness for durability and handling.
3Ease of operation
If the earplug material is made highly compressible, then the ease of insertion is improved, but the sound attenuation performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The earplug employs local quality by creating cavities specifically in the sound attenuating body portion while maintaining the stem's solid structure. This localized modification allows the sound attenuating body to be highly compressible for easy insertion while the overall device maintains sufficient sound attenuation performance through the strategic placement and configuration of cavities.
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 design facilitates easy and comfortable insertion while maintaining effective sound attenuation, with a reduced equilibrium force that enhances user experience and durability.
Implementation Method 1
The array of cavities provides a collapsible volume. The tip region comprises a cavity area (Ac), a material area (Am) and an area aspect ratio (Ac/Am) at a plane intersecting the array of cavities transverse to the longitudinal axis
Implementation Method 2
push-to-fit type earplugs may include a compressible attenuating portion... The attenuating portion compresses as it is accommodated in the ear canal
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4b
Figure 5~6a
AI summary
The present description provides an earplug. One exemplary earplug (100) described herein includes a stem (110) and a sound attenuating body (120) attached to the stem. The sound attenuating body includes a leading end (121), a base end(102), a tip region (123) positioned rearward of the leading end, and a longitudinal axis (10) extending between the leading end and the base end. An array of cavities(60) is positioned within the tip region and spaced around the longitudinal axis and provides a collapsible volume.