Modular In-Ear Device with Swappable Electronics

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional in-ear devices, such as earbuds and headphones, are often uncomfortable and ineffective at occluding sound in loud environments, and when they break or wear out, they must be entirely replaced, which is costly and wasteful.

Innovation Solution

A modular in-ear device comprising a custom soft polymer ear molding, a balanced armature audio package, and a detachable electronics package that can be easily swapped and charged, allowing for cost-effective upgrades and extended battery life.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional monolithic in-ear devices are used, then high-quality sound can be achieved, but the cost is very high and the entire device must be replaced when broken

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice durabilityVSAvoidreplacement cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The in-ear device is divided into separate modular components: an ear tip, an audio package containing the balanced armature driver, and an electronics package containing the battery and control circuitry. These modules can be independently replaced, allowing users to replace only the damaged component rather than the entire device, thus reducing replacement costs and improving durability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Object-affected harmful factors

If conventional earbuds are used, then sound can be delivered, but they are uncomfortable and ineffective at occluding sound in loud environments

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesound occlusionVSAvoidcomfort

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The device separates the occlusion function (ear tip made of soft polymer) from the audio delivery function (audio package with balanced armature driver). The custom-molded ear tip provides effective sound occlusion and comfort, while the modular audio package can be precisely engineered for high-quality sound delivery without compromising the sealing provided by the ear tip.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Loss of substance

If monolithic in-ear devices break or wear out, then the device must be entirely replaced, but this is costly and wasteful

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvematerial wasteVSAvoidreplacement cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

By dividing the device into replaceable modules (ear tip, audio package, electronics package), only the worn or damaged component needs to be replaced rather than the entire device. This reduces material waste and lowers replacement costs, as users can retain functional modules.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The modular design enables users to discard only the failed component while recovering and reusing the remaining functional modules. For example, if the battery fails, only the electronics package is replaced while the ear tip and audio package are retained and reused.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

Data Source

PatentUS11432063B2Modular in-ear device

Publication Date: 2022.08.30 IYO INC

AI summary

An in-ear device includes a molding shaped to hold the in-ear device in an ear, and an audio package configured to emit sound. The audio package is structured to removably attach to the molding. An electronics package is structured to removably couple to the audio package and removably attach to the molding. The electronics package includes a controller to control the sound output from the audio package.