Hearing Plug Connector Latch With Sealing Against Disconnection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hearing device plug connectors lack secure and reliable connections, often experiencing unintended disconnection due to weak pull-out threshold forces and complex designs, which can lead to failure or contamination issues.
Innovation Solution
A hearing device plug connector with a latching mechanism featuring a catch and complementary latch component, utilizing a resilient material for a spring force to provide a well-defined pull-out threshold force, ensuring secure connection while being easy to handle and compact in design, with a sealing element that doubles as a spring element to prevent contamination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If simple snap-fit mechanisms are used for plug connectors, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability of connection deteriorates due to weak pull-out threshold forces and quick wearout
Solution Approach 1:
The plug connector is divided into two separate components: a plug component and a socket component. This segmentation allows each component to have optimized features for its specific function, with the plug containing the resilient catch and the socket containing the latch component, improving overall connection reliability while maintaining simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The catch is made from resilient material and is movable, allowing it to dynamically engage and disengage from the latch component. This dynamic mechanism provides well-defined pull-out threshold forces while maintaining a simple snap-fit style connection that is easy to manufacture
2Reliability
If separate locking elements like pins or pegs are added to secure the connection, then the reliability improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking function is merged into the basic snap-fit mechanism itself. The resilient catch formed as an integral part of the plug component combines the locking, securing, and releasing functions into a single integrated mechanism, eliminating the need for separate locking elements while maintaining high reliability
3Ease of manufacture
If the plug connector is exposed to ambient influences without protection, then the ease of manufacture improves, but contamination from sweat or earwax increases
Solution Approach 1:
The plug component is inserted into and nested within the socket component, creating a nested structure where the plug is received within the socket's interior space. This nesting provides natural protection against contamination while maintaining ease of manufacture through simple insertion geometry
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient material forming the catch also serves as a sealing element, using the flexible properties of the resilient material to provide contamination protection. The resilient seal prevents ingress of sweat or earwax while being integrated into the same component, simplifying manufacturing
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 safe and reliable connection with a defined pull-out threshold force, preventing unintended disconnection and contamination, while maintaining a simple and compact construction that is easy to use, ensuring the hearing device functions reliably.
Implementation Method 1
The catch is moveable against a spring force from a latching position into a release position
Implementation Method 2
said resilient material provides said catch with said spring force
Implementation Method 3
a sealing element for providing a seal between the first and the second connector component for protection against contamination of the plug hearing device connector
Data Source
AI summary
A hearing device plug connector may include a first connector component and a second connector component, wherein the hearing device plug connector includes a latching mechanism for securing the first connector component and the second connector component against unintended disconnection, wherein the latching mechanism includes a catch and a complementary latch component which are in latching engagement when the first connector component and the second connector component are connected, wherein the catch is moveable against a spring force from a latching position into a release position when connecting or disconnecting the first connector component and the second connector component, and wherein in the latching position the catch can engage with the complementary latch component and in the release position the catch can disengage from the complementary latch component. The hearing device plug connector may further include a sealing element for providing a seal between the first and second connector components.