Conformable Vented Eartip with Swept Indents for Ear Canal Adaptation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing eartips often cause discomfort due to unyielding materials and designs that fail to conform to individual ear canals, leading to pressure on the ear canal and tympanic membrane, and require deep insertion, which can be uncomfortable for some users.

Innovation Solution

Conformable vented eartips with an inner sound channel and outer acoustic apertures in the form of swept indents on the flange, allowing the eartip to adapt to various ear canal shapes and sizes, maintaining a secondary acoustic channel while providing comfort and reducing pressure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If eartip material is made unyielding to maintain shape, then structural stability is improved, but comfort and conformity to ear canal deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidcomfort and conformity

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameter from unyielding to compliant/yielding material. The eartip is made of a compliant material that can deform and conform to the ear canal shape, resolving the contradiction between structural stability and comfort by allowing the material to maintain its shape through adaptation rather than rigidity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The eartip design incorporates dynamic adaptability where the compliant material can change shape in response to ear canal geometry. The eartip transitions from a fixed nominal shape to a dynamically adapted shape that conforms to the user's ear canal, improving comfort while maintaining functional integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If eartip is inserted deep in ear canal to ensure fit, then acoustic seal is improved, but user comfort deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveacoustic sealVSAvoiduser comfort

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the insertion depth parameter by designing an eartip that achieves effective acoustic sealing at shallower insertion depths. The compliant flange design allows the eartip to seal effectively without requiring deep insertion into the ear canal, thereby improving user comfort while maintaining acoustic reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Strength

If eartip material is less yielding to maintain shape, then structural integrity is improved, but pressure on ear canal increases causing discomfort

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidpressure on ear canal

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material yielding parameter by using a compliant material that can deform under pressure. This allows the eartip to distribute pressure evenly across the ear canal rather than concentrating it, reducing discomfort while maintaining sufficient structural integrity through the material's elastic properties.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Ease of manufacture

If eartip design requires ear canal to conform to eartip shape, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but adaptability to individual ear canals deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidadaptability to individual ear canals

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the traditional conformity approach: instead of requiring the ear canal to conform to the eartip shape, the eartip is designed to conform to the ear canal shape. The compliant flange allows the eartip to adapt to individual ear canal geometries while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through the use of flexible materials that naturally conform upon insertion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

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 eartips effectively conform to the ear canal, reducing discomfort by maintaining a secondary acoustic channel and minimizing pressure, ensuring a comfortable fit and acoustic transfer from the ambient environment.

Implementation Method 1

The particular characteristics of the material used, such as durometer or density, have a significant impact on the ability of the eartip to conform to the individual ear canal

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS11711661B2Conformable vented eartip

Publication Date: 2023.07.25 TEAM IP HOLDINGS LLC

AI summary

Conformable vented eartips are provided. A comfortable vented eartip includes an ear insertion end, an earphone insertion end opposite the ear insertion end, a base at the ear insertion end extending toward the earphone extension end, a central opening extending through the base to form an inner sound channel through the base, and at least one flange. The at least one flange includes a first flange end extending from the base at an angle away from the base and toward the earphone insertion end at a second flange end. The at least one flange includes at least one swept indent extending between the first flange end and the second flange end. The at least one swept indent sweeps laterally around a portion of a circumference of the at least one flange.