Deep Insertion Vented Earpiece With Rib-Groove Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing earpiece systems for personal audio and hearing protection, especially for military pilots, face issues with comfort, noise attenuation, and venting, as they do not conform well to the ear canal and have insecure detachable audio cables, which can lead to system compromise and middle ear barotrauma during altitude changes.
Innovation Solution
A deep insertion vented earpiece system with custom-sized, silicone earpieces that fit the ear canal's contours and include detachable audio plugs with parallel ribs for secure retention, along with a capillary vent passage for atmospheric equalization, ensuring comfort and noise reduction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If resilient foam earpieces are used, then ambient noise attenuation is improved, but conformity to ear canal contours is limited and comfort deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from resilient foam to silicon rubber, which provides both conformability to ear canal contours and effective noise attenuation. The silicon rubber material allows the earpiece to adapt to the specific shape of the wearer's ear canal while maintaining acoustic isolation.
Solution Approach 2:
The earpiece is pre-formed with a configuration that matches the wearer's ear canal contours before insertion. This preliminary shaping ensures optimal conformity and comfort from the first insertion, eliminating the need for the wearer to manually mold the earpiece during insertion.
2Reliability
If detachable audio cables are used, then reliability of audio system is improved, but secure retention of audio cable within earpiece deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adds a longitudinal groove feature that extends into the earpiece body, creating a multi-dimensional retention mechanism. The audio cable is not only held at the surface level but also anchored deeper within the earpiece structure through the grooved channel, preventing accidental disconnection while maintaining detachability.
Solution Approach 2:
The audio cable is nested within a receptacle structure in the earpiece, with the cable connector housed inside a recessed area. This nesting arrangement protects the connection interface and ensures secure retention while allowing easy insertion and removal when needed.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If earpieces are inserted deep in ear canal, then noise attenuation is improved, but venting of external ear to atmosphere deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a porous or perforated structure in the earpiece that allows air passage while maintaining acoustic isolation. The porous material or small perforations enable pressure equalization between the ear canal and atmosphere, preventing barotrauma during altitude changes while still providing effective noise attenuation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a venting mechanism as an intermediary element that mediates between the need for deep insertion (noise attenuation) and the need for pressure equalization (venting). This intermediary structure allows controlled air flow to prevent pressure buildup while maintaining the acoustic seal for noise reduction.
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 system provides superior noise reduction, enhanced comfort, and secure audio cable retention, while preventing middle ear barotrauma by conforming to the ear canal and allowing continuous venting, thus addressing the limitations of prior art systems.
Implementation Method 1
a capillary vent passage formed in the earpiece for venting the external ear to the atmosphere
Implementation Method 2
resilient foam earpieces having loudspeakers embedded therein
Data Source
AI summary
A deep insertion vented earpiece system is described including resilient earpieces shaped to a wearer's ear canal for a conformal fit. A receptacle is provided within the outer surface of each earpiece for releasably receiving an audio plug. The audio plugs include a miniature loudspeaker and a pair of external ribs for mating with a corresponding pair of grooves formed along the periphery of the receptacle. This rib and groove feature provides for a secure retention of the audio plugs while enabling a simple removal operation. Each earpiece includes an audio passage to conduct the audio signal from the loudspeaker and a vent passage to enable continuous venting of the wearer's ear to atmosphere.