Trenched Sealing Retainer for Canal Hearing Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional hearing devices face challenges in acoustically sealing and retaining canal hearing devices within the ear canal, leading to discomfort, abrasion, and acoustic feedback due to their rigid design and limited space, which affects the fit and functionality.

Innovation Solution

A retaining seal assembly with compliant flanges and a clip element, featuring trenches on the exterior surfaces to conform to the ear canal shape, distributing compressive forces and providing acoustic sealing and venting, while minimizing occlusion and feedback.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a rigid sealing structure is used to acoustically seal the ear canal, then acoustic feedback is reduced, but discomfort and abrasion increase due to pressure and rigid contact

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveacoustic feedback reductionVSAvoiddiscomfort and abrasion

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a compliant flange made of elastomeric material that can flex and conform to the ear canal walls, replacing rigid sealing structures. This flexible flange maintains acoustic sealing while distributing pressure evenly to prevent discomfort and abrasion

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the material parameter from rigid to compliant/elastomeric, allowing the sealing structure to adapt its shape and pressure characteristics. This parameter change enables the seal to maintain acoustic integrity while reducing harmful mechanical contact

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If the ear canal is occluded by the hearing device to reduce acoustic feedback, then feedback is minimized, but the acoustic occlusion effect amplifies self-voice

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveacoustic feedback reductionVSAvoidacoustic occlusion effect

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates different acoustic properties in different regions of the sealing structure. The compliant flange provides acoustic sealing at certain frequencies while incorporating venting channels that allow low-frequency sound passage, thus reducing feedback while mitigating the occlusion effect

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of operation

If conventional venting tubes or channels are used to relieve acoustic occlusion, then aeration is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaeration and occlusion reliefVSAvoidventing structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the venting function with the sealing flange structure itself. The venting channels are integrated directly into the compliant flange, eliminating the need for separate venting tubes or channels and simplifying the overall device structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Object-affected harmful factors

If the ear canal is partially inserted to reduce discomfort, then trauma is reduced, but acoustic feedback increases due to leakage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvediscomfort and traumaVSAvoidacoustic feedback control

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a dynamic sealing approach where the compliant flange can adapt its position and shape in response to insertion depth and ear canal geometry. This dynamic adaptation allows the device to maintain effective sealing while accommodating partial insertion for user comfort

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 effectively reduces discomfort, minimizes occlusion and feedback, and enhances acoustic performance by providing a conforming fit and controlled venting, ensuring secure and comfortable placement of canal hearing devices within the ear canal.

Implementation Method 1

The medial flange may conform to the shape of an ear canal and distribute concentric compressive forces when the retaining seal assembly is inserted in the ear canal

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCompressive force distribution: Compression

Implementation Method 2

Sealing inside the ear canal reduces the acoustical feedback which may occur when there is acoustic leakage from an output of a receiver of the hearing device to an input of a microphone of the hearing device through an uncontrolled leakage path

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAcoustic sealing: Acoustic Radiation Pressure

Data Source

PatentUS9807524B2Trenched sealing retainer for canal hearing device

Publication Date: 2017.10.31 HIMPP

AI summary

Examples of retaining seal assemblies for acoustically sealing and retaining a canal hearing device or an earpiece within the ear canal are disclosed. The retaining seal assembly may include one or more flanges and a clip element. The flanges may include elongate trenches along an exterior surface of one or more of the flanges. The elongate trenches may allow the flange to conform to the shape of the ear canal and distribute concentric compressive forces when the seal assembly is inserted in the ear canal. The clip element may be formed of a relatively rigid material and may include one or more locking tabs. The conforming flanges may be concentrically positioned over the clip element. The seal assembly may include a debris barrier to provide protection for a sound outlet of the canal hearing device or the earpiece.