Conductive Rubber Contacts in Hearing Aid Housing
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing number of external electrical connections in hearing aids, particularly those with rechargeable energy storage devices, leads to increased complexity and cost due to the use of gold-plated metal contacts, which are not only costly but also aesthetically unappealing and complex to manage.
Innovation Solution
Utilizing electrically conductive and sound-insulating materials, such as conductive rubber or elastic materials with added particles, to create invisible electrical contacts that serve as both sound-insulating elements and connectors, eliminating the need for additional metal parts and simplifying the design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If gold-plated metal contacts are used for external electrical connections, then electrical conductivity and reliability are improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the acoustic sealing function and electrical contact function into a single component. The conductive rubber element simultaneously provides sound insulation between the microphone and hearing aid body while serving as the electrical contact for external converters, eliminating the need for separate metal contacts and acoustic seals.
Solution Approach 2:
The conductive rubber component performs multiple functions: it acts as an acoustic seal to prevent sound leakage, provides electrical conductivity for signal transmission to external converters, and serves as a mechanical mounting element. This multi-functionality reduces the overall number of components needed in the hearing aid.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple external electrical connections are added for new applications, then functionality and versatility are improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The conductive rubber element serves as a universal interface that can support multiple external converters (microphone converters, earphone converters, switching elements) through a single integrated component, allowing the hearing aid to perform multiple functions without adding proportional complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the material parameters of the sealing element from traditional non-conductive rubber to conductive rubber, fundamentally altering its electrical properties while maintaining its acoustic sealing function. This parameter change enables the single component to provide both acoustic and electrical functions.
3Reliability
If traditional metal contacts are used, then electrical conductivity is ensured, but aesthetic appearance and user acceptance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material properties of the contact element from metallic to elastomeric (conductive rubber), fundamentally altering its physical state and appearance. This allows the electrical contact to blend with the surrounding rubber housing rather than standing out as a separate metal component.
Solution Approach 2:
By using conductive rubber that matches the color and texture of the hearing aid housing, the electrical contact becomes visually inconspicuous. The material can be pigmented to match the surrounding components, making the electrical interface aesthetically pleasing while maintaining functional reliability.
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 approach reduces costs and complexity by repurposing existing components as electrical contacts, providing a cosmetically appealing and functionally efficient solution that enhances switching applications and signal transmission while maintaining sound insulation properties.
Implementation Method 1
parts made of electrically conductive and at the same time sound-insulating material, which are used both as sound-insulating elements of the construction of the hearing aid
Implementation Method 2
the hearing aid is equipped with parts made of electrically conductive and at the same time elastic material, in particular with parts made of an elastic natural material or plastic to which electrically conductive particles have been added during processing
Implementation Method 3
The combination of these two properties of electrical conductivity and sound insulation can be achieved, for example, by adding conductive particles or by vulcanizing metallic bodies
Implementation Method 4
by subsequent external metallization, e.g. by vapor deposition
Implementation Method 5
the term 'sound-insulating' is to be understood as meaning an acoustically sealed connection which is primarily based on shock and/or vibration-inhibiting properties
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a hearing aid comprising parts made of electrically conductive and simultaneously sound-absorbent material, which at the same time are used as sound-absorbent elements of the design of the hearing aid, the housing thereof or the components thereof and as electrical contacts.