Switchable Electrical Contacts for Hearing Protectors

Solution Overview

Problem

Electronic hearing protectors face challenges in minimizing apertures and openings for environmental protection while allowing for recharging and software updates, which complicates their design and makes them more susceptible to damage.

Innovation Solution

A battery-powered electronic hearing protector with switchable electrical contacts that function as both data programming and charging lines, using a multiplexer or analog switch to change states, allowing for fewer external contacts and enhanced reliability and compactness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple electrical contacts are provided for charging and data programming, then the device can be recharged and updated, but the number of apertures increases making the device more susceptible to environmental damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecharging and data programming capabilityVSAvoidenvironmental damage susceptibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies multi-functionality by enabling electrical contacts to serve dual purposes: acting as data programming lines during device updates and as charging voltage lines during recharging. This is achieved through a switchable contact mechanism that changes the electrical configuration based on the operational state, allowing the same physical contact to fulfill different functional roles and thereby reducing the total number of contacts needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamics through switchable electrical contacts that can change their state and function based on operational requirements. The contacts are not fixed in a single configuration but can dynamically switch between data programming mode and charging voltage mode, allowing the device to adapt its electrical interface needs without requiring separate static contacts for each function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple electrical contacts are provided for charging and data programming, then the device can be recharged and updated, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecharging and data programming capabilityVSAvoidnumber of electrical contacts

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies multi-functionality by enabling electrical contacts to serve dual purposes: acting as data programming lines during device updates and as charging voltage lines during recharging. This is achieved through a switchable contact mechanism that changes the electrical configuration based on the operational state, allowing the same physical contact to fulfill different functional roles and thereby reducing the total number of contacts needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the data programming function and charging voltage function into a single switchable contact structure. Instead of providing separate dedicated contacts for each function, the invention combines both functions into one contact that can be electrically reconfigured, thereby reducing component count and simplifying the overall device architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of operation

If more apertures are provided in the housing, then charging and programming can be enabled, but the housing becomes more susceptible to environmental damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverecharging and software updating capabilityVSAvoidenvironmental resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies multi-functionality by enabling electrical contacts to serve dual purposes: acting as data programming lines during device updates and as charging voltage lines during recharging. This is achieved through a switchable contact mechanism that changes the electrical configuration based on the operational state, allowing the same physical contact to fulfill different functional roles and thereby reducing the total number of contacts needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS11337861B2Electronic hearing protector with switchable electrical contacts

Publication Date: 2022.05.24 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES CO

AI summary

The present application relates to a battery-powered electronic device, such as an electronic hearing protector, with switchable electrical contacts. The device includes a housing enclosing the battery and an electronics assembly. The electronics assembly is powered by the battery, and the electronics assembly comprises a processor controlled by updatable software. The device further includes a first electrical contact that is a ground line; a second electrical contact that is a data programming line in a first state, and that is a charging voltage line in a second state; and a third electrical contact that is a clock line in a first state, and that is a charge enable line in the second state. The first, second and third electrical contacts are accessible from outside the housing. A switch enclosed by the housing changes the second electrical contact between the first state and the second state.