Damping in contact hearing systems
Embodiments of the present invent include a method of controlling unwanted vibration in a tympanic lens, wherein the tympanic lens comprises a perimeter platform connected to a microactuator through at least one biasing element, the method comprising the step of: damping the motion of the at least one biasing element. In embodiments of the invention, the at least one biasing element is a spring. In embodiments of the invention, the at least one bias spring is coated in a damping material.
1. A tympanic lens, comprising:
a chassis;
a perimeter platform connected to the chassis;
a microactuator connected to the chassis through at least one bias spring positioned at a proximal end of the microactuator;
a damper separate from and attached to the at least one bias spring;
an umbo platform attached to a distal end of the microactuator; and
a photodetector mounted on said chassis and electrically connected to the microactuator through at least one wire,
wherein the damper comprises a viscoelastic material in contact with the at least one bias spring, and
wherein the viscoelastic material is configured to become stiffer or more viscous as a vibration frequency of the tympanic lens increases.
2. A tympanic lens according to claim 1 , wherein the viscoelastic material comprises silicone.
3. A tympanic lens according to claim 1 , wherein the viscoelastic material comprises a silicone gel.
4. A tympanic lens according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one bias spring comprises a series of coils and the viscoelastic material fills the center of the coils.
5. A tympanic lens according to claim 4 , wherein the at least one wire passes through the center of the series of coils at a right angle to the series of coils.
6. A tympanic lens according to claim 1 , wherein the damper limits or prevents unwanted harmonic vibrations by damping motion of the at least one bias spring.
7. A tympanic lens according to claim 1 , wherein the damper stiffens the at least one bias spring.
8. A tympanic lens according to claim 1 , wherein the damper limits or prevents side to side motion of the microactuator with respect to the perimeter platform.
9. A method of controlling unwanted vibration in a tympanic lens, wherein the tympanic lens comprises a chassis, a perimeter platform connected to the chassis and a microactuator connected to the chassis through at least one bias spring, the method comprising the step of:
moving at least one element of the microactuator, wherein movement of the at least one element results in movement of the at least one bias spring;
damping the movement of the at least one bias spring with damping material of a damper separate from the at least one bias spring,
wherein the at least one bias spring is coated in the damping material.
10. A method according to claim 9 , wherein the damping material is a silicone material.
11. A method according to claim 9 , wherein the at least one bias spring comprises a series of coils and the damping material fills the center of the coils.
12. A method according to claim 9 , wherein damping the movement of the at least one bias spring comprises limiting or preventing unwanted harmonic vibrations.
13. A method according to claim 9 , wherein damping the movement of the at least one bias spring comprises stiffening the at least one bias spring.
14. A method according to claim 9 , wherein damping the movement of the at least one bias spring limiting or preventing side to side motion of the microactuator with respect to the chassis.
15. A tympanic lens, comprising:
a perimeter platform;
a microactuator connected to the perimeter platform through at least one biasing element positioned between the microactuator and the perimeter platform, wherein the at least one biasing element is a spring;
a damper separate from and attached to the at least one biasing element, wherein the damper comprises a viscoelastic material in contact with the at least one biasing element, and wherein the at least one bias spring comprises a series of coils and the viscoelastic material fills the center of the coils;
an umbo platform attached to a distal end of the microactuator; and
a photodetector mounted on said chassis and electrically connected to the microactuator through at least one wire.
16. A tympanic lens according to claim 15 , wherein the perimeter platform is connected to the microactuator at a proximal end of the microactuator.
17. A tympanic lens according to claim 15 , further including a chassis connected to the perimeter platform and the microactuator.
18. A tympanic lens according to claim 15 , wherein the viscoelastic material comprises silicone.
19. A tympanic lens according to claim 15 , wherein the at least one wire passes through the center of the series of coils at a right angle to the series of coils.
20. A tympanic lens according to claim 15 , wherein the damper is configured to limit or prevent unwanted harmonic vibrations by damping motion of the at least one biasing element.
21. A tympanic lens according to claim 15 , wherein the damper stiffens the at least one biasing element.
22. A tympanic lens according to claim 15 , wherein the damper limits or prevents side to side motion of the microactuator with respect to the perimeter platform.
23. A tympanic lens according to claim 15 , wherein the viscoelastic material is configured to become stiffer or more viscous as a vibration frequency of the tympanic lens increases.
24. A method of controlling unwanted vibration in a tympanic lens, wherein the tympanic lens comprises a perimeter platform connected to a microactuator through at least one biasing element, wherein the at least one biasing element is at least one spring, and wherein the at least one spring is coated in a damping material of the damper, the method comprising the step of:
moving at least one element of the microactuator, wherein movement of the at least one element results in movement of the at least one biasing element; and
damping the motion of the at least one biasing element with a damper separate from the at least one biasing element.
25. A method according to claim 24 , wherein the damping material is a silicone material.
26. A method according to claim 24 , wherein the at least one spring comprises a series of coils and the damping material fills the center of the coils.
27. A method according to claim 24 , wherein damping the movement of the at least one biasing element comprises limiting or preventing unwanted harmonic vibrations.
28. A method according to claim 24 , wherein damping the motion of the at least one biasing element comprises stiffening the at least one biasing element.
29. A method according to claim 24 , wherein damping the movement of the at least one bias spring limiting or preventing side to side motion of the microactuator with respect to the perimeter platform.
30. A tympanic lens, comprising:
a perimeter platform;
a microactuator connected to the perimeter platform through at least one biasing element positioned between the microactuator and the perimeter platform, wherein the at least one biasing element is a spring;
a damper separate from and attached to the at least one biasing element, wherein the damper comprises a viscoelastic material in contact with the at least one biasing element;
an umbo platform attached to a distal end of the microactuator; and
a photodetector mounted on said chassis and electrically connected to the microactuator through at least one wire,
wherein the viscoelastic material is configured to become stiffer or more viscous as a vibration frequency of the tympanic lens increases.
31. A tympanic lens according to claim 30 , wherein the perimeter platform is connected to the microactuator at a proximal end of the microactuator.
32. A tympanic lens according to claim 30 , further including a chassis connected to the perimeter platform and the microactuator.
33. A tympanic lens according to claim 30 , wherein the viscoelastic material comprises silicone.
34. A tympanic lens according to claim 30 , wherein the damper is configured to limit or prevent unwanted harmonic vibrations by damping motion of the at least one biasing element.
35. A tympanic lens according to claim 30 , wherein the damper stiffens the at least one biasing element.
36. A tympanic lens according to claim 30 , wherein the damper limits or prevents side to side motion of the microactuator with respect to the perimeter platform.