Hearing System Earpiece with Elastic Retention Element
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hearing systems require customized earpieces for optimal retention and sealing, which are complex to manufacture and involve user participation, limiting manufacturing ease and flexibility.
Innovation Solution
A hearing system with a standard-shaped earpiece shell and detachable components, including an active or passive insert unit, soft tip, and retention element, allowing for adjustable retention and flexibility without the need for customization, featuring a compact design with a detachable interface for enhanced manufacturing simplicity and user convenience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If customized earpieces are manufactured to provide optimal retention and sealing, then retention and acoustic sealing are improved, but manufacturing complexity increases and user participation is required
Solution Approach 1:
The earpiece is divided into a shell component and a separate insert unit that can be detachably connected. The shell provides the basic structure and retention features, while the insert unit contains the acoustic components. This segmentation allows the shell to be manufactured as a simple standardized component without requiring customization, while still achieving good retention through the retention element.
Solution Approach 2:
The shell is designed with a universal retention element that can provide effective retention for multiple users without customization. The retention element is configured to engage with the concha and provide retention force through elastic deformation, making the shell universally applicable while maintaining reliable retention and acoustic sealing.
2Ease of manufacture
If standardized earpiece shells are used instead of customized ones, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but retention and acoustic sealing may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The retention element is designed with elastic properties that allow it to dynamically adapt to different ear shapes and sizes. The elastic C-shaped bow-like element deforms under its own weight and user insertion to conform to the concha, providing effective retention and sealing without requiring a customized shell for each user.
Solution Approach 2:
The retention element's elastic properties and geometric configuration are optimized to provide adequate retention force across a range of ear geometries. By carefully selecting the material properties and dimensions of the retention element, the standardized shell can achieve reliable retention and acoustic sealing for multiple users without customization.
3Adaptability or versatility
If detachable insert units are implemented, then functional flexibility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The earpiece is segmented into a shell and a detachable insert unit. The insert unit can be removed and replaced to change the acoustic characteristics or functionality of the earpiece. This segmentation provides functional flexibility while keeping the shell as a simple standardized component, thereby limiting the increase in overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The detachable insert unit acts as an intermediary between the user's ear and the acoustic components. By changing the insert unit, users can adjust the acoustic properties or add specific functions (such as hearing protection filters or communication microphones) without changing the basic shell structure, thus achieving functional flexibility with minimal increase in complexity.
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 system provides effective retention and acoustic sealing with high functional flexibility, eliminating the need for customized shells while maintaining compactness and ease of manufacturing, allowing for adjustable hearing protection and communication functions.
Implementation Method 1
the retention force is provided by the elastic deformation of the retention element which engages with the concha when worn by the user
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~8
Figure 4A~7
AI summary
The invention relates to a hearing system, comprising at least one earpiece (10, 12) to be worn at least partly in a user's ear canal, comprising a shell (22), an elongate retention element (23) attached to the shell for retaining the shell within the user's ear canal, an insert unit (24, 124) the shell comprising a sound tube portion (44) carrying a soft tip (46) which is to be inserted into the user's ear canal, an outwardly oriented interface portion (48) for detachably receiving the insert unit, and an engagement portion (48) located between the sound tube portion and the interface portion for engaging with the tragus / antitragus region of the ear, wherein the material and the dimensions of the retention element are selected such that the retention element can be brought into engagement with the user's concha by manual deformation by the user, and wherein the insert unit is a filter unit (124) comprising at least one sound attenuation filter (170) or is an active electronic unit (24) comprising at least a loudspeaker (30), with an external electronic unit (15, 34, 20), which is to be worn at the user's body below the user's neck, being connected to the active electronic unit via a cable connection (36).