Hearing Aid Frame Segmented Clip Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hearing aid frames lack efficient and stable connection mechanisms, leading to potential disassembly issues during maintenance or repair, and existing solutions often require destructive methods or occupy additional space.
Innovation Solution
A frame design with two interconnected frame parts and a connecting clip, featuring pins or recesses for a secure, non-destructive assembly and disassembly, utilizing a plastic clip that absorbs mechanical stress and integrates an RF antenna, allowing for easy assembly and maintenance without additional installation space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional connection mechanisms (e.g., metal screws) are used to connect frame parts, then the connection strength is improved, but the ease of assembly and disassembly deteriorates due to destructive methods being required
Solution Approach 1:
The connection mechanism is segmented into a connecting clip and the frame parts, allowing the clip to be separately inserted and removed. This enables non-destructive disassembly while maintaining strong connection during use, as the clip can be easily pulled out to release the frame parts without damaging any components.
Solution Approach 2:
The connecting clip acts as an intermediary element between the two frame parts. It provides the connection function while being easily removable, thus mediating between the need for strong connection and easy disassembly. The clip engages with recesses in the frame parts to provide stable connection during operation.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a connecting mechanism is added to connect frame parts, then the stability of the frame is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting clip combines multiple functions into a single component: it provides mechanical connection between frame parts, absorbs mechanical stress, and enables easy disassembly. This merging reduces the need for multiple separate components while maintaining frame stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The connecting clip serves multiple purposes: connecting frame parts, absorbing stress from hearing aid components, and facilitating easy assembly and disassembly. This multi-functionality reduces overall device complexity by eliminating the need for separate structural and fastening components.
3Ease of manufacture
If a connecting clip is used to connect frame parts, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements worsen due to the need for precise pin and recess alignment
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting clip with pins and recesses is designed to self-align during assembly. The pins guide the frame parts into proper alignment as they are brought together, and the recesses automatically position the clips correctly. This self-alignment reduces the need for high-precision manual alignment while maintaining assembly ease.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
A hearing aid comprises a housing and a frame (1) that can be inserted into the housing to hold hearing aid components. The frame (1) comprises two frame parts (3, 4) that can be assembled or joined together essentially along a dividing plane (5) and which can be mechanically connected or joined together by means of a connecting clip (20). In a first embodiment, the connecting clip (20) has two pins (26, 27) arranged at a distance from each other and parallel to each other, which engage in two corresponding recesses (35, 36) in the respective frame parts (3, 4) so that the two frame parts (3, 4) are held together in a form-fitting manner transverse to the dividing plane (5). In a second embodiment, each frame part (3, 4) has one pin, the two pins engaging in corresponding recesses in the connecting clip (30) so that the two frame parts (3, 4) are held together in a form-fitting manner transverse to the dividing plane (5).This makes the frame (1) particularly efficient to manufacture.