Hearing Device Sensor Cable Using Shape-Memory Alloy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current hearing devices face challenges in maintaining constant contact with the wearer's ear for accurate physiological characteristic detection, comfort, and functionality, often requiring custom molding, sacrificing accuracy for mass production, and increasing visibility and cost due to rigid sensor housings and limited ear canal space.
Innovation Solution
A hearing device with a sensor connected to the earpiece via a cable made of shape-memory material, such as nitinol, which maintains contact with the ear and adapts to varying anatomies, ensuring continuous sensor contact and comfort while accommodating common movements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a rigid sensor housing is used to maintain sensor contact with the ear, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and visibility increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces rigid sensor housings with a flexible cable assembly that can conform to the ear canal anatomy. The cable includes a sensor that maintains contact with the ear through its inherent flexibility and bias, eliminating the need for complex rigid structures while preserving measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The cable is designed with dynamic properties including a bias to maintain contact between the sensor and ear, allowing the system to adapt to movement and anatomical variations. This dynamic design replaces static rigid structures with a responsive flexible system.
2Measurement precision
If custom molding is used to ensure sensor contact, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of manufacture deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible cable with bias is designed as a universal component that can be used across multiple hearing devices without custom molding for each user. The cable's inherent properties allow it to adapt to individual anatomies while maintaining a standardized manufacturing process.
Solution Approach 2:
The cable assembly performs self-adjustment through its flexible nature and built-in bias, automatically conforming to the ear canal shape without requiring external custom molding processes. The system serves itself by adapting to the user's anatomy through material properties rather than manufacturing customization.
3Volume of moving object
If the sensor is placed in limited ear canal space, then device miniaturization is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to contact maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extends the sensor placement along the cable length rather than concentrating all components in a single location. The cable acts as a conduit that distributes components along the ear canal, utilizing the longitudinal dimension to accommodate sensor placement while maintaining contact stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible cable with integrated bias maintains sensor contact within the confined ear canal space. The cable's flexibility allows it to navigate the limited space while the bias ensures continuous contact, solving the contradiction between miniaturization and contact stability.
4Measurement precision
If a cable with shape-memory material is used to maintain sensor contact, then measurement precision is improved, but weight of moving object increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes shape-memory material properties that can be activated by temperature changes to maintain cable contact with the ear. The material's phase transition parameters are exploited to provide contact force without requiring additional heavy components, balancing weight and contact precision.
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 enhances the accuracy and comfort of physiological characteristic detection by maintaining constant sensor contact and reducing intermittencies, improving the overall functionality and fit of the hearing device without the need for custom molding.
Implementation Method 1
A hearing device with a sensor connected to the earpiece via a cable made of shape-memory material, such as nitinol, which maintains contact with the ear and adapts to varying anatomies
Data Source
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AI summary
Various embodiments of a hearing device and a system of using such device are disclosed. The hearing device includes a housing, electronic components disposed within the housing, and an earpiece adapted to be disposed in an ear canal of the ear of the wearer. The device also includes a sensor adapted to be in contact with a portion of the ear of the wearer, where the sensor is further adapted to detect a physiological characteristic of the wearer and generate a sensor signal based on the physiological characteristic that is received by a controller of the electronic components disposed within the housing; and a cable that operatively connects the sensor to the earpiece, where the cable is biased to maintain contact between the sensor and the portion of the ear of the wearer when the earpiece is disposed in the ear canal of the wearer.