Flexible Ear Cup for Side-Sleeping Noise Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current sound control ear cups, tinnitus treatment devices, and hearing protection devices are uncomfortable and unsafe for use while sleeping, as they often dislodge or cause pressure on the ear, leading to reduced quality of sleep and potential hearing damage.
Innovation Solution
A sound control ear cup design featuring an ear retention ring and a sound producing ear cup body with embedded sound control circuits and power devices, which encloses the entire ear for active noise control, allowing comfortable and safe use during sleep with adjustable flexibility to maintain an acoustic seal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing sound control ear cups are worn while sleeping with ear pressed against surface, then hearing protection and noise control are provided, but the device causes pressure on the ear leading to discomfort and potential hearing damage
Solution Approach 1:
The ear cup incorporates a flexible membrane that can deform under pressure from the sleeping surface, allowing the ear to be pressed against the surface without transmitting excessive force to the ear structures. This flexible membrane maintains the acoustic seal while accommodating the pressure, resolving the contradiction between hearing protection and pressure-related discomfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The device allows dynamic adjustment of the ear cup position and shape in response to head movement and sleeping position changes. The flexible components enable the ear cup to adapt its form factor continuously, maintaining both acoustic seal integrity and comfort during various sleeping positions, thus providing reliable hearing protection without causing pressure damage.
2Reliability
If existing sound control ear cups are worn while sleeping, then noise control is provided, but the device dislodges due to head movement reducing acoustic seal quality
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible membrane and adjustable form factor allow the ear cup to deform and adapt to head movements and position changes during sleep. This flexibility maintains the acoustic seal between the ear cup and ear even when the device shifts slightly, ensuring continuous noise control without dislodging.
Solution Approach 2:
The device incorporates dynamic adjustment mechanisms that allow the ear cup to continuously adapt its position and shape in response to head movement. This dynamic adaptation maintains stable acoustic sealing and device positioning throughout various sleeping positions, resolving the contradiction between acoustic seal quality and position stability.
3Reliability
If rigid ear cup structure is used for active noise control, then effective sound blocking is achieved, but the device causes pressure and discomfort when ear is pressed against sleeping surface
Solution Approach 1:
The ear cup replaces rigid structures with flexible membranes that can deform under pressure from the sleeping surface. This flexible construction maintains the acoustic seal necessary for effective active noise control while accommodating pressure from the ear against the surface, thereby providing both noise control effectiveness and sleep comfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The device transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic flexible form that can adapt its shape and pressure distribution in response to sleeping position and head movement. This dynamic flexibility maintains acoustic sealing for effective noise control while distributing pressure comfortably, resolving the contradiction between noise control effectiveness and ease of operation during sleep.
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
Enables effective active noise control and tinnitus treatment while sleeping, preventing ear damage and maintaining acoustic seal even when the ear is pressed against a surface, ensuring continuous benefit across various sleeping positions.
Implementation Method 1
reproducing a sound to acoustically cancel out another sound using active noise control
Data Source
AI summary
This invention is a Sound Control Ear Cup in the form of an externally fitted ear cupping device fitted to the contour of the ear for the ear for the purpose of reproducing a sound to acoustically cancel out another sound and enable sonic (active noise control) treatment of tinnitus while sleeping facing the side pressing an ear against a sleeping surface. The Sound Control Ear Cup can also be used to protect hearing and/or cancel out ambient sound noise. The tinnitus treatment device is a pair of sound control ear cups optionally held together with a headset or head-strap. The hearing protection device is a pair of sound control ear cups optionally held together with a headset or head-strap.