Eyeglass Loudspeaker Adapter With 2CC Coupler Acoustic Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need to connect an integrated loudspeaker in a head-mounted device, such as eyeglasses, with a Behind-The-Ear (BTE) hearing aid to enable sound transmission for individuals with hearing impairments, without existing solutions being available.
Innovation Solution
An adapter with a base element coupled to the eyeglass temple, featuring a cover and a tube for connecting to a 2CC coupler, creating an acoustic route to a standard BTE tube, adhering to ANSI and ISO standards, ensuring reliable and cost-effective sound transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If an integrated loudspeaker in eyeglasses is connected to a BTE hearing aid, then sound transmission capability is improved, but device complexity increases due to the need for an adapter component
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter is designed with a cover that encompasses the temple portion and a base element that fits within the adapter structure. The loudspeaker cavity is integrated into the temple, and the adapter nests around it, creating a compact hierarchical structure where smaller components are contained within larger ones, reducing overall complexity while maintaining functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The adapter acts as an intermediary device that bridges the gap between the integrated loudspeaker in the eyeglasses and the BTE hearing aid. It provides a standardized 2CC coupler interface that mediates the connection, allowing sound transmission without requiring direct integration between the loudspeaker and hearing aid, thus simplifying the overall system architecture.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a standardized 2CC coupler connection is implemented, then compatibility with BTE hearing aids is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter incorporates a 2CC coupler that provides a universal standardized connection interface compatible with BTE hearing aids. This universal interface allows the same adapter design to work with different hearing aid models, achieving broad compatibility. The standardized connection simplifies the coupling process while maintaining precise acoustic transmission, balancing manufacturing requirements with adaptability.
3Ease of manufacture
If the loudspeaker cavity is connected externally through a tube, then ease of assembly is improved, but acoustic transmission efficiency may worsen due to potential leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter cover acts as a flexible shell that encompasses the temple and loudspeaker cavity. It creates a sealed acoustic pathway from the loudspeaker through the base element to the 2CC coupler tube. The cover's flexible nature allows for easy assembly while maintaining acoustic integrity, preventing leakage while accommodating manufacturing tolerances.
Solution Approach 2:
The adapter design incorporates curved surfaces and smooth transitions in the acoustic pathway, particularly in the cover and base element interfaces. These curved geometries reduce stress concentration points and improve sealing effectiveness, ensuring reliable acoustic transmission while maintaining ease of assembly through forgiving geometric tolerances.
Data Source
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AI summary
An adapter (1) for a head mounted device with an integrated loudspeaker, comprising a base element (2) which is adapted to be coupled to a lower surface of a portion of the head mounted device and is provided with a cover (15) which is adapted to be coupled with the base element (2) and encloses the portion of the head mounted device internally, the base element (2) being provided with an extension (4) that enables fastening at an end of the portion of the head mounted device, the base element (2) being provided in a lower region with a tube (6) to connect a loudspeaker cavity (9) of the portion of the head mounted device externally, for connection to a 2CC coupler (11).