Hand-Removable Wax Guard with Snap-Fit and Convoluted Pathway
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ear wax guards for hearing aids are difficult to install and remove without tools, often risk exposing protected components, and do not provide haptic feedback for proper installation, leading to issues with ear wax ingress and clogging that can damage the device.
Innovation Solution
A wax guard design featuring a base with a snap-fit connector, convoluted pathways, and a pull tab for easy hand-installed and removed attachment to hearing aids, providing haptic feedback and a reservoir to trap wax, preventing it from reaching sensitive components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional wax guards are used, then ear wax can be filtered, but they are difficult to install and remove without tools
Solution Approach 1:
The wax guard is divided into separate components: a filter element and a retention member with release features. This segmentation allows the filter to be easily installed and removed by hand without tools, while each component performs its specific function independently.
Solution Approach 2:
The retention member incorporates movable release features (such as tabs or lugs) that can be dynamically manipulated by hand to engage and disengage from the hearing aid. This dynamic mechanism enables tool-free installation and removal while maintaining secure attachment during use.
2Reliability
If conventional wax guards are used, then ear wax can be blocked, but they risk exposing protected components during installation
Solution Approach 1:
The retention member is pre-configured with release features that engage with the hearing aid before the filter element is fully inserted. This preliminary engagement establishes a secure connection and defines the correct installation position, preventing exposure of protected components during the installation process.
Solution Approach 2:
The retention member provides tactile feedback through its release features when properly engaged with the hearing aid. This feedback mechanism confirms correct installation positioning, ensuring that protected components are not exposed while maintaining ease of operation.
3Measurement precision
If conventional wax guards are used, then ear wax can be filtered, but they do not provide haptic feedback for proper installation
Solution Approach 1:
The retention member incorporates release features that provide distinct haptic feedback during installation. When these features engage with the hearing aid, they produce tactile sensations that confirm proper installation accuracy, enabling users to verify correct positioning without visual inspection.
4Ease of repair
If conventional wax guards are used, then ear wax can be blocked, but they require sending device to service center for replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The wax guard system is segmented into a removable filter element and a retention member that can be independently replaced. This segmentation enables users to quickly replace just the filter element at home without sending the entire hearing aid to a service center, significantly reducing time loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The retention member with hand-operable release features enables users to perform wax guard replacement themselves without professional assistance. This self-service capability eliminates the need for service center visits, saving time and maintaining ease of repair.
5Ease of operation
If conventional wax guards are used, then ear wax can be filtered, but they may require specialized tools for removal
Solution Approach 1:
The retention member incorporates movable release features that can be dynamically manipulated by hand to disengage from the hearing aid. This dynamic design eliminates the need for specialized tools, enabling tool-free removal while maintaining secure attachment during use.
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
Enables users to easily manage ear wax without tools, reducing the risk of component exposure and clogging, extending the service life of the guard and the hearing aid by allowing for wax accumulation clearance without removal.
Implementation Method 1
a wax guard design featuring a base with a snap-fit connector
Data Source
AI summary
Guards for a space access device are configured to be attached to, as well as removed from the space access device by hand, without the need to resort to any tools to perform the attachment or the removal. A distal guard includes at least first and second filters separated by at least one convoluted pathway, and also includes outwardly extending members projecting outwardly from a base of the distal guard. A proximal guard forms at least one convoluted pathway with a cap forming a proximal end of the space access device. A pull tab provides redundancy against failure. The pull tab may be incorporated into the distal guard.