Hearing Aid Nozzle Receptacle Sealing Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hearing aids, particularly BTE devices, face issues with soundproof connections between the base part and the ear hook, leading to unwanted feedback and whistling due to incomplete sealing, which affects the acoustic output.
Innovation Solution
A hearing aid design featuring a nozzle and receptacle with a circumferential sealing ring and conical reduction sections to ensure a reliable soundproof seal between the sound channels, where the nozzle is inserted into the receptacle, compressing the O-ring for effective sealing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a simple plug-in connection is used between the base part and ear hook, then the device assembly is simple and easy to manufacture, but the soundproof connection is insufficient leading to feedback and whistling
Solution Approach 1:
A sealing ring is introduced as an intermediary element between the nozzle of the base part and the receptacle of the ear hook. This sealing ring acts as a mediator that ensures soundproof connection while maintaining the simplicity of the plug-in assembly process, resolving the contradiction between ease of manufacture and connection reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing ring is made of elastomeric material that can be compressed radially when the nozzle is inserted into the receptacle. This flexible shell deforms to create a tight seal between the two components, ensuring soundproof connection without complicating the assembly process
2Reliability
If the sealing ring is compressed radially to ensure soundproof connection, then the sealing effect is improved, but the compression force may push the sealing ring out of position
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing ring is nested within a groove structure formed by the nozzle and receptacle walls. The groove has a specific profile that contains the sealing ring during compression, preventing it from being pushed out while still allowing sufficient radial compression to maintain the soundproof seal
Solution Approach 2:
The solution addresses the positioning issue by utilizing the radial dimension for compression while the groove structure provides containment in the axial dimension. This multi-dimensional approach allows the sealing ring to be compressed radially for sealing while being constrained axially to remain in position
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
The solution provides a robust and reliable soundproof connection, reducing feedback and enhancing the acoustic output by ensuring a consistent and increased compression of the sealing ring, preventing it from being pushed out and improving the overall sealing effect.
Implementation Method 1
The sealing ring has a defined thickness and is compressed by the opposing walls in the assembled state. This means that the O-ring is compressed by the walls in the radial direction, i.e. transverse or perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.
Implementation Method 2
a circumferential sealing ring, specifically a so-called O-ring, is disposed between the outer wall and the inner wall in the assembled state
Data Source
AI summary
A hearing aid, in particular a BTE hearing aid, includes a base part and an ear hook which can be attached to the base part. In an assembled state, the base part and the ear hook are connected by a nozzle and a receptacle. A sound channel runs through the nozzle. The nozzle has a circumferential outer wall and the receptacle has a circumferential inner wall. In the assembled state, a circumferential sealing ring having a thickness is disposed between the outer wall and the inner wall. The sealing ring lies in particular in an annular groove and the inner wall preferably has two reduction sections which compress the sealing ring.