Interchangeable Magnet Sound Processor Attachment for Adjustable Force
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hearing aid magnet attachment systems face challenges in balancing the need for secure attachment without causing patient injury due to varying skin thicknesses and wear of locking mechanisms, which can lead to play in the battery system.
Innovation Solution
A hearing aid design featuring a first part with a receptacle for an insert element, secured by a bayonet connection and magnetic interaction, allowing for adjustable magnet strength through varying magnet diameters and a magnetic battery lid closure to ensure safety and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a strong magnet is used to attach the sound processor securely to the head, then the attachment reliability is improved, but the patient may be injured due to excessive magnet strength affecting blood flow
Solution Approach 1:
The magnet is divided into multiple segments arranged in an array, allowing the total magnetic force to be distributed across multiple smaller magnetic elements rather than one large magnet. This segmentation enables better control over the magnetic field distribution and strength applied to the patient's skin.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the magnet array can have different magnetic strengths tailored to local requirements. The patent allows for varying magnet strengths in different positions within the array, enabling optimization of attachment reliability in specific areas while minimizing harmful effects in other areas with thinner skin or different anatomical characteristics.
Solution Approach 3:
The magnet array configuration can be dynamically adjusted by selecting different subsets of magnets from the array, allowing the magnetic strength to be adapted based on the patient's specific skin thickness and anatomical characteristics. This dynamic adjustment enables the system to maintain secure attachment while preventing injury.
2Ease of operation
If a locking mechanism is used repeatedly to attach and detach the battery, then the ease of operation is improved, but the locking mechanism becomes worn and develops play
Solution Approach 1:
The traditional mechanical locking mechanism is replaced with a magnetic locking system. The magnet array provides automatic magnetic attraction that secures the battery in place without requiring repeated mechanical engagement and disengagement. This substitution eliminates wear on locking components while maintaining ease of operation through simple magnetic attachment and detachment.
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 secure, adjustable magnetic attachment that prevents patient injury and maintains the hearing aid's position, while also eliminating play in the battery lid mechanism.
Implementation Method 1
said output transducer comprises a transmission coil configured to inductively transmit said transmission signal to a reception coil in said receiver of said second part
Implementation Method 2
The hearing aid comprises a first part and a second part linkable to said first part by magnetic forces
Data Source
Figure 1A~2
Figure 3A~3C
Figure 4A~4F
AI summary
A hearing aid for placement on the head. The hearing aid includes a first part comprising an acoustic input transducer adapted to convert an ambient sound picked up at an ear of the user to an electric signal, a signal processor adapted to process the electric signal according to specifications of the user into a processed electric signal, and an output transducer adapted to convert the processed electric signal into a transmission signal, and a second part linkable to said first part by magnetic forces and comprising a receiver adapted to receive the transmission signal and convert the transmission signal to an output signal perceivable as sound by the user. Said first part comprises a receptacle adapted to receive an insert element, said insert element comprising protrusions configured for engaging with a recess of said first part by rotating the insert element relative to said first part.