Hearing Aid Case with Porous Rubber Lining for Hygienic Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hearing aid cases are difficult to clean due to contamination from earwax and dust, and traditional cleaning methods can compromise the hygiene and longevity of the device, especially for users with physical impairments, and exposure to water can damage the hearing aid.
Innovation Solution
A hearing aid case with an outer shell made of a hard plastic and a softer, rubber-like inner lining that is molded onto the outer shell, featuring integrally formed hold-down devices such as bristles or lamellae to securely hold the hearing aid, allowing for easy cleaning under running water or in a dishwasher without water retention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the case is cleaned by wiping only, then the structure remains simple, but cleaning effectiveness is insufficient and hygiene deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible, water-permeable membrane that allows water to pass through while maintaining the case structure. This membrane enables effective water-based cleaning without compromising the structural integrity or creating complex drainage systems, thus improving cleaning effectiveness while keeping the design relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The case incorporates porous or permeable material that allows water to pass through during cleaning. This porous structure enables thorough cleaning under running water while preventing water accumulation, resolving the contradiction between cleaning effectiveness and structural simplicity.
2Ease of operation
If the case is cleaned under running water, then cleaning effectiveness improves, but water penetrates between inner lining and outer shell causing damage
Solution Approach 1:
A flexible, water-permeable membrane is used to separate the inner and outer shells while allowing controlled water passage. This membrane prevents water from accumulating between the shells by enabling it to pass through, thus maintaining hearing aid protection while allowing effective water-based cleaning.
Solution Approach 2:
The case structure incorporates porous material between the inner lining and outer shell that allows water to permeate through rather than accumulate. This porous layer prevents moisture damage to the hearing aid while enabling thorough cleaning under running water.
3Ease of operation
If a bellows structure is used to hold down the hearing aid, then fixation is achieved, but water accumulates in the bellows during intensive rinsing
Solution Approach 1:
The bellows structure is replaced or modified with a flexible, water-permeable membrane that maintains the holding-down function while allowing water to pass through. This prevents water accumulation in the bellows during intensive rinsing, eliminating moisture exposure harm while preserving fixation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The hold-down structure incorporates porous material that allows water to permeate through rather than accumulate. This maintains the mechanical fixation function while preventing water trapping, thus resolving the contradiction between fixation effectiveness and moisture prevention.
4Reliability
If the inner lining is made of soft material, then hearing aid protection improves, but water retention between layers increases
Solution Approach 1:
The soft inner lining is combined with porous material or structure that allows water to pass through rather than retain it. This maintains the protective cushioning function while preventing water accumulation between the inner lining and outer shell, thus protecting the hearing aid from both mechanical damage and moisture harm.
Data Source
AI summary
The box has an outer shell (10, 20) made of a plastic material, and an inner lining (11, 21) made of another softer plastic material e.g. rubber like material and attached to an inner wall of the shell. The lining is extruded on the shell and a downholder (22) that is formed with the lining in a single-piece and projects into an inner area of the lining so as to hold a hearing aid, where the downholder is designed like a bristle. Base sections are extruded in the lining and outward, preside over corresponding base recesses in the shell to form a base (1).