Hearing Device Vent With Acoustic Valve for Pressure Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hearing devices with active vents face challenges in optimizing sound venting efficiency and comfort due to limitations in acoustic characteristics, leading to issues like occlusion effects and high acoustic pressure, which affect the user's experience and comfort.
Innovation Solution
A hearing device design featuring an earpiece with a vent and an acoustic valve where the effective open cross-sectional area of the vent remains larger than zero in all positions of the valve member, allowing for efficient venting and varying acoustic characteristics to balance comfort and listening experience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the vent is completely closed to provide acoustical sealing, then ambient sound blocking is improved, but occlusion effects and high acoustic pressure increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by ensuring the vent remains partially open even when the acoustic valve is in the closed position. The effective open cross-sectional area of the vent is maintained at a non-zero value, allowing some sound wave transmission while still providing sufficient acoustical sealing for ambient noise blocking. This partial venting prevents complete occlusion and reduces acoustic pressure buildup without significantly compromising the primary function of ambient sound isolation.
2Productivity
If the vent is completely open to allow ambient sound perception, then sound venting efficiency is improved, but acoustical sealing and ambient sound blocking deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by maintaining a non-zero effective open cross-sectional area in the vent even when the acoustic valve closes. This ensures that some sound venting capability is always present, preventing complete sealing while still allowing the system to achieve sufficient ambient sound blocking when needed. The partial opening balances the competing requirements of venting efficiency and acoustic sealing.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the acoustic valve closes to reduce venting, then acoustical sealing is improved, but acoustic pressure and occlusion effects worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by ensuring the vent maintains a non-zero effective open cross-sectional area even when the acoustic valve is in the closed position. This partial venting prevents complete acoustic sealing, thereby reducing acoustic pressure buildup and minimizing occlusion effects while still providing sufficient sealing for ambient noise isolation.
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 design enhances user comfort and listening experience by maintaining effective venting and reducing acoustic pressure, while allowing for noticeable acoustic variations based on the valve's position, mitigating occlusion effects and ensuring efficient sound wave transmission.
Implementation Method 1
an acoustic valve (155) including a valve member (151) moveable relative to the vent (153) between different positions
Implementation Method 2
an actuator (152) configured to provide an actuation force for a movement of the valve member (151) between the different positions
Implementation Method 3
a vent (153) configured to provide for a venting of sound waves between an inner region of the ear canal and an ambient environment outside the ear canal
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure relates to a hearing device comprising an earpiece provided with a vent configured to provide for a venting of sound waves between an inner region of the ear canal and an ambient environment outside the ear canal; the earpiece further comprising an acoustic valve including a valve member moveable relative to the vent between different positions and an actuator configured to provide an actuation force for a movement of the valve member such that an effective open cross-sectional area of the vent can be modified by the movement of the valve member; the hearing device further comprising an output transducer configured to be acoustically coupled to the inner region of the ear canal.