Earformers
Creator: Ryan Lee
Supervisor: Peter Yeadon
Earformers are custom-fitting earbuds that utilize Nitinol, a shape memory alloy (SMA) wire that transforms in shape when heated, within its internal structure to provide a more secure, comfortable lock within the specific shape and size of a person’s inner ear.
Nitinol, which exhibits its shape-change properties whenever it reaches a certain activation temperature, only requires an electrical current to run through the wire to heat it up, eliminating the need for a complex motor system, and allowing for a shape-change mechanism that fits within the small package of traditional wireless earbud housings. The malleability of the material when it is unactivated (unheated) also allows for the shape to be deformed manually, meaning that a user can re-form the earbuds multiple times, for multiple ears shapes.
Nitinol, which exhibits its shape-change properties whenever it reaches a certain activation temperature, only requires an electrical current to run through the wire to heat it up, eliminating the need for a complex motor system, and allowing for a shape-change mechanism that fits within the small package of traditional wireless earbud housings. The malleability of the material when it is unactivated (unheated) also allows for the shape to be deformed manually, meaning that a user can re-form the earbuds multiple times, for multiple ears shapes.
While no formal study on consumer earbud satisfaction has been conducted, there is abundant anecdotal evidence from online communities that a significant amount of consumers struggle with the fit their earbuds; some sources have informally quantified that 25%-40% of users deal with these issues (ref., ref.). The shear number of earbud types demonstrates the vast need for a multitude of earbud solutions for different users, and major companies such as Logitech have already been exploring material innovations to provide more geometry customization to mass-produced earbud products.
The Earformer’s initial out-of-the-box shape features curves with radii that are larger than the inner ear. This structure is then manually compressed to be smaller, to allow for a customized level of expansion for each user. One simply places the earbud into their ear like a normal earbud, and initializes the expansion procedure through a mobile app that’s paired to the device. This triggers a small battery within the earbud to send a current through the Nitinol understructure, which causes each Earformer to morph into a preferred, custom shape that fits well.
Four varations were tested within a silicone ear model to determine the most effective structure. Then, four final proof-of-concept prototypes were built to demonstrate the expansion mechanism within the product.
Four varations were tested within a silicone ear model to determine the most effective structure. Then, four final proof-of-concept prototypes were built to demonstrate the expansion mechanism within the product.
The first pair was powered by the heat of a heat gun directed at the Nitinol structure to achieve its activation temperature. The second pair was activated by an electrical current provided by two external AA batteries, connected through wiring within the earbud.
Within each pair, one earbud was unenclosed, and the other was encompassed in a soft silicone skin intended for the final product. One cosmetic model of the earbuds and their charging case was fabricated to visualize the CMF and form of the product, inspired by the teardrop shape of inflatable balloons and blimps, as well as the common red color of commercial balloons.
Within each pair, one earbud was unenclosed, and the other was encompassed in a soft silicone skin intended for the final product. One cosmetic model of the earbuds and their charging case was fabricated to visualize the CMF and form of the product, inspired by the teardrop shape of inflatable balloons and blimps, as well as the common red color of commercial balloons.
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