In-Ear Hearing Aid Transducer Layout for Embedded Sensors

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Solution Overview

Problem

In-the-ear hearing aid devices with added sensors and electronic components experience increased size, leading to discomfort and inability to fit within the ear canal, especially when components are placed outside the capsule, affecting the placement of posterior auricular arteries.

Innovation Solution

Integrating sensors and active electronic components within the transducer air volume of the electro-acoustic transducer, maintaining the device's size and ensuring fluid-connection with the transducer sound active part, while using guiding means to shield and filter signals.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If sensors and active electronic components are placed outside the capsule, then the device gains functional capabilities, but the size of the in-the-ear unit increases leading to discomfort and inability to fit within the ear canal

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefunctional capabilitiesVSAvoidsize of in-the-ear unit

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies nesting by placing sensors and active electronic components inside the transducer air volume, which is already enclosed by the capsule. This nested arrangement allows additional functional elements to be housed within the existing capsule volume without increasing the overall device size, thereby maintaining comfort and fit within the ear canal while adding functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes the three-dimensional transducer air volume space that was previously underutilized. By arranging sensors and electronic components within this existing air-filled cavity, the invention effectively uses the internal volume dimension rather than expanding the external dimensions of the capsule, thus adding functionality without increasing device size.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Volume of moving object

If sensors and active electronic components are integrated within the transducer air volume, then the device size is maintained, but the acoustic performance may be affected

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice sizeVSAvoidacoustic performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by strategically positioning sensors and electronic components within specific regions of the transducer air volume where they have minimal impact on acoustic performance. The arrangement ensures that these components are placed in locations that do not interfere with the primary acoustic pathways and sound transmission, thus maintaining acoustic reliability while enabling functionality within the same volume.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If the in-the-ear unit is placed deeper in the ear canal, then better acoustic coupling is achieved, but posterior auricular arteries are interfered with

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveacoustic couplingVSAvoidinterference with posterior auricular arteries

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the sound processing functionality from the in-the-ear unit by integrating it into a behind-the-ear device. This extraction allows the in-the-ear unit to be minimized to only essential components (electro-acoustic transducer and minimal electronics), enabling it to be placed deeper in the ear canal for better acoustic coupling without significantly increasing size to interfere with posterior auricular arteries.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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

Maintains the device's size and comfort by utilizing the transducer air volume efficiently, enhancing physiological monitoring capabilities without increasing discomfort or interfering with acoustic performance.

Implementation Method 1

The electro-acoustic output transducer is called receiver and converts an electric audio signal into an acoustic sound signal

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectro-acoustic transduction:

Implementation Method 2

The electro-acoustic input transducer is called microphone and converts an acoustic sound signal into an electric audio signal

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectro-acoustic transduction:

Implementation Method 3

The transducer air volume is air volume which is enclosed by said capsule and which is in fluid-connection with said transducer sound active part

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid connection:

Data Source

PatentUS12477271B2In-the-ear hearing aid device, a hearing aid, and an electro-acoustic transducer

Publication Date: 2025.11.18 OTICON

AI summary

An in-the-ear hearing aid device is disclosed. The device at least one electro-acoustic transducer, and at least one sensor or at least one active electronic component. The at least one electro-acoustic transducer comprises a capsule enclosing a transducer sound active part and a transducer air volume. The transducer air volume is air volume which is enclosed by said capsule and which is in fluid-connection with said transducer sound active part. At least a portion of said at least one sensor or of said at least one active electronic component is provided within said transducer air volume.