UV Transmissive Hearing Aid Holder with Photocatalytic Coating
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Hearing aids are difficult to clean effectively due to their sensitive electronics, and existing cleaning methods often risk damaging the devices, especially when exposed to water or cleaning agents, while also requiring hygienic daily maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A fastening device with a UV-transmissive holding element that acts as a light guide, utilizing UV LEDs for cleaning, combined with a photocatalyst coating containing titanium dioxide on the hearing aid surface, to facilitate thorough and safe disinfection without additional devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If hearing aids are cleaned with water or cleaning agents, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but the sensitive electronics may be damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical cleaning methods (water washing, brushing) with optical cleaning using UV light irradiation. The UV light source emits ultraviolet radiation that disinfects and cleans the hearing aid without requiring physical contact with water or cleaning agents, thereby eliminating the risk of water damage to sensitive electronics while maintaining cleaning effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the cleaning parameter from liquid-based (water, cleaning agents) to light-based (UV radiation). By transforming the cleaning mechanism from chemical/mechanical to optical, the system achieves effective disinfection and cleaning without introducing harmful liquids that could damage the electronic components
2Reliability
If UV light is used for cleaning hearing aids, then cleaning effectiveness and bactericidal effect are improved, but light may not reach all parts of the device effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the single light source into multiple UV light sources positioned at different locations within the container. This segmentation allows UV light to be emitted from multiple directions, ensuring that all surfaces and parts of the hearing aid are adequately irradiated, thereby solving the problem of insufficient light distribution while maintaining effective bactericidal action
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single-point light source to a multi-point spatial distribution of light sources. By positioning UV LEDs at various locations and orientations within the container, the system creates three-dimensional light coverage that ensures all surfaces of the hearing aid receive adequate UV irradiation, enhancing both light distribution and cleaning effectiveness
3Ease of operation
If a container with UV light source is used for storage and cleaning, then hygiene maintenance is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple functions into the hearing aid container: it serves as a storage container, a charging device, and a UV disinfection unit. The container housing the UV light source can simultaneously store the hearing aid, charge it via integrated charging contacts, and disinfect it using UV irradiation. This multi-functionality simplifies the overall system by combining what would otherwise require separate devices into a single unit
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the storage function, charging function, and disinfection function into a single integrated container system. The UV light source, charging contacts, and storage compartment are combined in one device, eliminating the need for separate cleaning devices and reducing the overall complexity of the system while improving ease of hygiene maintenance
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 enables effective disinfection and cleaning of hearing aids, preventing damage to electronics while achieving high bactericidal and oxidative effects, allowing for convenient and hygienic maintenance without additional equipment.
Implementation Method 1
a fastening device (12, 19) for fastening a hearing device (14), characterized in that the fastening device (12, 19) has a holding element (12, 19) for holding the hearing device (14) made of UV-transmissive plastic or glass
Implementation Method 2
Anti-soiling coatings based on titanium dioxide, which are photocatalytically active and hydrophobic, are also known from the Degussa Science Newsletter 'elements' 03/2003, page 8. When exposed to UV light and humidity, the coating becomes active and shows a photo-oxidative effect on organic contaminants.
Implementation Method 3
Anti-soiling coatings based on titanium dioxide, which are photocatalytically active and hydrophobic
Implementation Method 4
When exposed to UV light and humidity, the coating becomes active and shows a photo-oxidative effect on organic contaminants. For example, fats that settle on the respective material are broken down into carbon dioxide and water.
Implementation Method 5
the fastening device (12, 19) has a holding element (12, 19) for holding the hearing device (14) made of UV-transmissive plastic or glass
Implementation Method 6
The holding element represents a light guide that decouples the light in the direction of the hearing device to be held.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
AI summary
The fastening device has an ultra violet light source (17) for irradiation of an auditory unit (14), which is fastened. A retaining element is provided for retaining the auditory unit from ultra violet permeable plastic or glass, where the retaining element has a light conductor, which uncouples ultra violet light in the direction of auditory unit, which is fastened. An INDEPEDNENT CLAIM is included for an auditory unit for carrying in or at the ear, which is coated with a photo catalyst at a part of the exterior surface, where photo catalyst contains titanium dioxide.