Resilient Earhook with Interconnected Curved Elements for Secure Fit
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing earhooks often fail to provide a secure and comfortable attachment to the ear without being bulky, and they lack the ability to adapt to different ear sizes effectively.
Innovation Solution
The earhook design features interconnected curved elements with adjustable lateral distance and resilience, allowing for variation in curvature and attachment force, with additional elements for enhanced adaptation and comfort, such as a third convex element that abuts the ear root, and materials like rubber or silicone for improved fit and ventilation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the earhook uses a bulky structure to secure attachment to the ear, then the attachment reliability is improved, but the device becomes bulky and uncomfortable
Solution Approach 1:
The earhook is divided into multiple curved elements (first curved element, second curved element, and optionally a third curved element) that can independently position and adjust. This segmentation allows each element to contribute to secure attachment while maintaining a streamlined, non-bulky overall structure that conforms to the ear's anatomy.
Solution Approach 2:
The earhook incorporates resilient properties and adjustable lateral distance between curved elements, enabling dynamic adaptation to different ear shapes and sizes. The resilient first curved element can flex and adjust its position to maintain secure attachment without requiring a bulky rigid structure.
2Ease of manufacture
If the earhook uses a fixed structure, then the manufacturing simplicity is improved, but the adaptability to different ear sizes is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The earhook features adjustable lateral distance between curved elements and resilient properties that enable dynamic adaptation to different ear shapes and sizes. The resilient first curved element can flex and adjust its position to accommodate various ear dimensions while maintaining a relatively simple manufacturing process.
Solution Approach 2:
The earhook allows variation in the lateral distance between curved elements and adjusts the curvature and positioning of elements to fit different ear anatomies. These parameter changes enable adaptability to different ear sizes while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through modular design.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the earhook uses resilient elements to adjust lateral distance, then the adaptability to ear sizes is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient adaptability is achieved through segmented curved elements that can independently adjust their positions and distances. This segmentation distributes the complexity across multiple simple, modular components rather than requiring a single complex adjustable mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The lateral distance between curved elements can be varied through resilient properties, allowing the earhook to adapt to different ear sizes. This parameter adjustment is achieved through the inherent flexibility of the elements themselves rather than through complex mechanical adjustment mechanisms.
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 ensures a secure, comfortable, and adaptable earhook that fits various ear sizes without bulkiness, providing a stable and reliable mounting mechanism for headsets while maintaining a lightweight and discreet appearance.
Implementation Method 1
the first curved element is resilient, so that the lateral distance between the first and second element can be varied. The resiliency of the first curved element can be chosen to press against the ear and the head with a force sufficient to hold the earhook on the ear.
Implementation Method 2
the first and second curved element are resiliently interconnected at one or both ends, so that the lateral distance between them can be varied.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~8
AI summary
An earhook (1), for example for a headset, to be worn around the root of the auricle (14) in the postauricular sulcus. The earhook (1) extends between a first end (5) and a second end (6) and has at least a first (2) and a second (3) curved element interconnected at the first end (5). Each curved element (2, 3) has a concave first side pointing forward towards the root of the auricle (14) and a convex second side pointing away from the root of the auricle (14) when worn. The curved elements (2, 3) are arranged with lateral distance (w) seen in a direction essentially perpendicular to the side of the head.