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 current source 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 stiffens the at least one bias spring.
7. 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.
8. 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 current source mounted on said chassis and electrically connected to the microactuator through at least one wire.
9. A tympanic lens according to claim 8 , wherein the perimeter platform is connected to the microactuator at a proximal end of the microactuator.
10. A tympanic lens according to claim 8 , further including a chassis connected to the perimeter platform and the microactuator.
11. A tympanic lens according to claim 8 , wherein the viscoelastic material comprises silicone.
12. A tympanic lens according to claim 8 , wherein the at least one wire passes through the center of the series of coils at a right angle to the series of coils.
13. A tympanic lens according to claim 8 , wherein the damper is configured to limit or prevent unwanted harmonic vibrations by damping motion of the at least one biasing element.
14. A tympanic lens according to claim 8 , wherein the damper stiffens the at least one biasing element.
15. A tympanic lens according to claim 8 , wherein the damper limits or prevents side to side motion of the microactuator with respect to the perimeter platform.
16. A tympanic lens according to claim 8 , wherein the viscoelastic material is configured to become stiffer or more viscous as a vibration frequency of the tympanic lens increases.
17. 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 current source 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.
18. A tympanic lens according to claim 17 , wherein the perimeter platform is connected to the microactuator at a proximal end of the microactuator.
19. A tympanic lens according to claim 17 , further including a chassis connected to the perimeter platform and the microactuator.
20. A tympanic lens according to claim 17 , wherein the viscoelastic material comprises silicone.
21. A tympanic lens according to claim 17 , wherein the damper is configured to limit or prevent unwanted harmonic vibrations by damping motion of the at least one biasing element.
22. A tympanic lens according to claim 17 , wherein the damper stiffens the at least one biasing element.
23. A tympanic lens according to claim 17 , wherein the damper limits or prevents side to side motion of the microactuator with respect to the perimeter platform.