Flat Flexible Electric Connection for Hearing Device Pivoting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hearing devices with flexible electric connectors face mechanical damage due to pivoting, requiring mechanical stops to limit rotation and compromising compactness and robustness.
Innovation Solution
A flat flexible electric connection with a curved centre portion that bends to form a turn, allowing compact rotation while minimizing dynamic stress, using a bending diameter between 1 mm and 4 mm, particularly between 1.5 mm and 2.5 mm, to maintain robustness and compactness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a flexible electric connector is used to connect pivotable components, then the connection allows pivoting motion, but the connector is susceptible to mechanical damage and requires mechanical stops that compromise compactness
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible circuit is designed with a curved center portion that forms a turn with a specific bending diameter (1-4 mm, preferably 1.5-2.5 mm). This curvature allows the circuit to accommodate pivoting motion through controlled bending while distributing mechanical stress, preventing damage without requiring external mechanical stops.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes the bending diameter parameter of the curved center portion to a specific range (1-4 mm, preferably 1.5-2.5 mm) to minimize dynamic stress during rotation. This parameter optimization enables the circuit to withstand pivoting motions reliably while maintaining a compact structure without mechanical stops.
2Volume of moving object
If the bending diameter of the turn is reduced to achieve compact rotation, then the structure becomes more compact, but the dynamic stress and risk of connection failure increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent identifies and optimizes the bending diameter parameter to a specific range (1-4 mm, preferably 1.5-2.5 mm) that achieves the optimal balance between compactness and strength. This parameter optimization minimizes dynamic stress while maintaining structural integrity, allowing compact rotation without compromising reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The curved center portion is designed with precise geometric parameters that replicate optimal stress distribution patterns. By copying proven geometric configurations within the specified bending diameter range, the design achieves reliable compact rotation without requiring excessive safety margins.
3Reliability
If the bending diameter is increased to improve robustness, then the connection becomes more reliable, but the rotation compactness is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent determines the optimal bending diameter range (1-4 mm, preferably 1.5-2.5 mm) through parameter optimization. This optimized parameter achieves the maximum reliability for a given compactness, eliminating the need to increase bending diameter beyond this range while maintaining both robustness and compact rotation.
4Reliability
If mechanical stops are added to prevent excessive rotation, then the connector is protected from damage, but the device complexity and loss of compactness increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the need for mechanical stops by integrating the protective function directly into the flexible circuit's curved center portion. The optimized bending diameter (1-4 mm, preferably 1.5-2.5 mm) inherently limits and protects against excessive rotation through controlled stress distribution, eliminating separate protective components and reducing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The curved center portion with optimized bending diameter provides self-protection against mechanical damage. The geometric design inherently distributes stress during pivoting motion, automatically preventing damage without requiring external mechanical stops or control mechanisms.
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 solution enables a compact and robust hearing device structure by reducing dynamic stress, allowing uncontrolled bending prevention and maintaining functionality during rotation, ensuring the flexible connection does not break.
Implementation Method 1
The flexible circuit comprises a centre portion (120) that is curved in its original, flat state and that in its mounted stage is bent to form a turn (130)
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a hearing device that comprises a flexible electric connection between device components that are pivotably connected to each other. The electric connection comprises an originally flat flexible circuit comprising one or more electric conductors embedded in a flexible substrate. The flexible circuit comprises a centre portion that is curved in its original, flat state and that in its mounted stage is bent to form a turn such that two curved sections of the curved centre portion emerge that are arranged opposite to each other in two spaced apart planes that essentially are parallel to each other.