Spectacle Arms with Flexible Elastomeric Sections for Auricular Device Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional spectacles with integrated auricular devices face challenges in adapting to varying head morphologies and dimensions, leading to discomfort and improper positioning, especially with the bulkiness of components like batteries and amplifiers in hearing aids.
Innovation Solution
The spectacles feature articulated arms with flexible, injection-molded elastomeric materials that deform to accommodate different head shapes, incorporating a ring-shaped support element for the auricular device with a resilient coupling system, allowing for adjustable positioning and reduced device size through integrated housing of components like batteries and Bluetooth modules.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If auricular devices are integrated into the spectacle structure, then comfort and ease of use are improved, but the overall dimensions and weight increase due to batteries, microphones and amplifiers
Solution Approach 1:
The auricular device is divided into separate functional modules (battery, microphone, amplifier, earpiece) that can be independently positioned within the spectacle structure, allowing optimization of weight distribution and placement of heavier components away from the ear area
Solution Approach 2:
Components are distributed along the longitudinal axis of the spectacle arm rather than concentrating them at the earpiece end, utilizing the available space in the third dimension to reduce overall device bulkiness at the critical ear interface
2Stability of the object's composition
If the arm structure is made rigid to support auricular devices, then structural stability is improved, but adaptability to various head morphologies deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The spectacle arm incorporates articulated joints with rotational freedom, allowing the arm to dynamically adjust its configuration to match different head shapes and sizes while maintaining secure contact points for auricular device positioning
Solution Approach 2:
The arm structure utilizes flexible materials and thin-walled construction that allow controlled deformation and adaptation to various head morphologies while maintaining sufficient structural integrity to support the auricular devices
3Adaptability or versatility
If the arm is made flexible to adapt to head shapes, then adaptability is improved, but positioning precision of the earpiece deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The arm is segmented into flexible and rigid zones, where the flexible portion adapts to head morphology and the rigid portion near the earpiece ensures precise and stable positioning
Solution Approach 2:
Different sections of the arm have different mechanical properties - the proximal section is flexible for adaptation while the distal section is rigid for precision positioning, creating local quality variations that satisfy both requirements
4Device complexity
If components are concentrated in one location, then device complexity is reduced, but comfort deteriorates due to increased bulkiness
Solution Approach 1:
Functional components are segmented and distributed along the spectacle arm structure, with heavier components like batteries placed in the temple arm away from the ear, reducing bulkiness at the ear interface while maintaining overall device functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The battery and electronic components are extracted from the traditional earpiece housing and relocated to the spectacle arm structure, separating the power supply mass from the ear interface to improve comfort
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 comfortable and correct wear by adapting to various head sizes and reduces the size and weight of auricular devices, enhancing their positioning and usability.
Implementation Method 1
flexible, injection-molded elastomeric materials that deform to accommodate different head shapes
Implementation Method 2
ring-shaped support element for the auricular device with a resilient coupling system
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~9
AI summary
Spectacles comprising auricular devices are described, comprising a structure having a front frame (2) for supporting respective lenses (4), and a pair of arms (6) articulated to the front frame on laterally opposite sides, each of said arms extending longitudinally between a first end (6a) that is articulated to the front frame (2) and a second, opposite end (6b), close to which an end arm portion (10a) can make contact with the head at the ear. Each arm (6) extends from the second end (6b) into an arm portion (11) that is made of flexible material and bears an element (12) for supporting an auricular device (8), and the arm portion (11) can move, on account of its flexibility, between an operating position in which the support element (12) is worn at the ear to allow the auricular device (8) to be positioned, and a non-operating position in which the support element (12) is removably held on the end arm portion (10a).