Electromagnetic Valve for Hearing Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sound control valves in miniature devices face challenges in efficiently attenuating sound across a wide frequency range without hermetically sealing the aperture, requiring innovative solutions to manage sound attenuation and aperture size effectively.
Innovation Solution
A valve with a deflectable armature actuator that extends outside the housing, utilizing an electro-magnetic structure with a magnet gap and coil tunnel to move a closing element between open and closed positions, allowing for precise control of sound attenuation by varying the aperture size without significant sound travel through the housing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the aperture is hermetically sealed to achieve complete sound attenuation, then sound attenuation is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a simple closing element that makes contact with the aperture wall to achieve sound attenuation without requiring complex hermetic sealing mechanisms. The solution accepts that complete sealing is not necessary, as sufficient attenuation can be achieved through simpler means, thereby reducing device complexity and manufacturing difficulty.
2Reliability
If the aperture size is reduced to improve sound attenuation, then sound attenuation is improved, but the sound channel efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamically controllable aperture through a closing element that can adjust the opening size based on operational requirements. The aperture can transition between fully open (for optimal sound transmission) and partially closed or closed states (for sound attenuation), allowing the system to optimize both sound channel efficiency and sound attenuation as needed rather than being fixed at a compromised intermediate size.
3Volume of moving object
If the valve components are positioned inside the housing to compact the design, then device size is reduced, but sound leakage through the housing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the sound-controlled aperture and closing element from the housing interior and positions them on the housing exterior. This allows the electro-magnetic actuator to remain compact within the housing while the sound attenuation function operates outside, preventing sound leakage paths through the housing structure and maintaining effective sound control without compromising device compactness.
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 enables effective sound attenuation across desired frequency ranges with minimal sound leakage through the housing, allowing for both open and closed scenarios in miniature devices like hearing aids, while maintaining a compact design.
Implementation Method 1
an electro-magnetic structure with a moving element, the electro-magnet structure being provided in the housing
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3D
AI summary
A sound channel with a valve positioned in a sound channel, the valve based on an electromagnetic positioned in a housing positioned in the sound channel without sound travelling through the housing. The valve may be used in hearing devices.