In-Ear Hearing Assembly With Isolator for Microphone Vibration Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current in-ear hearing devices face challenges with microphone placement due to vibrations from the receiver, requiring larger custom earbuds and reducing signal-to-noise ratio, and existing configurations fail to effectively isolate receiver vibrations from the microphone signal.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of an isolator between the front and rear housings of the hearing device, featuring a body and a sleeve, which reduces vibrations from the receiver, allowing the microphone to be placed forward and enhancing signal quality by separating the receiver and microphone ports.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the microphone is placed closer to the receiver to reduce device size, then the device becomes smaller and more customizable, but the signal-to-noise ratio deteriorates due to receiver vibrations affecting the microphone signal
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into separate functional zones: the receiver is housed in a rear housing while the microphone is placed in a front housing, physically segmenting the vibration source from the sensitive detection element. This spatial segmentation allows both components to be optimally positioned without compromising signal quality.
Solution Approach 2:
A vibration isolation element is introduced as an intermediary component between the rear housing (containing the receiver) and the front housing (containing the microphone). This intermediary structure absorbs and isolates vibrations from the receiver, preventing them from reaching the microphone while still allowing the device to maintain a compact form factor.
2Measurement precision
If the microphone is placed in the front housing away from the receiver, then the signal-to-noise ratio is improved by reducing vibration interference, but the device requires larger custom earbuds
Solution Approach 1:
The vibration isolation system employs dynamic damping materials and structures that adapt to the frequency and amplitude of receiver vibrations. This dynamic response allows effective vibration cancellation across varying operating conditions while maintaining a compact device structure that wouldn't be possible with static isolation methods.
Solution Approach 2:
Flexible vibration isolation films and dampening materials are used between the housings to create an effective vibration barrier. These flexible elements can be implemented as thin layers that don't significantly increase device volume while providing sufficient isolation to maintain high signal-to-noise ratios.
3Measurement precision
If receiver vibrations are isolated from the microphone, then microphone signal quality is improved, but the device complexity increases with additional isolator components
Solution Approach 1:
The vibration isolation functionality is merged with the existing housing structure. The isolation elements are integrated into the connection between the front and rear housings, combining structural support and vibration isolation functions into a unified design rather than adding separate, complex isolation mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The isolation system utilizes changes in material parameters (such as damping coefficients and stiffness) across different frequencies to achieve effective vibration isolation. By selecting materials with appropriate parameter characteristics, the system achieves high signal quality without requiring complex multi-stage isolation structures.
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 configuration enables smaller, more customizable hearing devices with improved signal-to-noise ratio and allows for additional functionalities like active noise cancellation and health monitoring through enhanced microphone placement and isolation.
Implementation Method 1
the isolator can be adapted to reduce vibrations caused by the receiver that can affect a microphone signal produced by the microphone
Implementation Method 2
An acoustic port extends through the isolator body of the isolator between a receiver disposed within the rear housing and an opening disposed in a first end of the front housing. The acoustic port acoustically connects the receiver to the opening.
Implementation Method 3
a microphone port extends between a microphone disposed in the front housing and the opening. The microphone port acoustically connects the microphone to the opening.
Data Source
AI summary
Various embodiments of a hearing device and a system including such device are disclosed. The hearing device can include an enclosure having a front housing and a rear housing, and an isolator disposed between the front housing and the rear housing. The isolator includes a body and a sleeve disposed on the body. The front housing and the rear housing are connected to the sleeve of the isolator. The device further includes a microphone disposed in the front housing, a receiver disposed in the rear housing, an acoustic port that extends through the isolator body between the receiver and an opening disposed in a first end of the front housing, and a microphone port that extends between the microphone and the opening disposed in the first end of the front housing.