Improving fixation force and alignment
The fixation force and the alignment of a transmitter and receiver in cochlear implants are important factors in the overall performance of the hearing device. To improve that performance we created a magnet positioning model and then used our Reves DSE software to optimize the design for alignment and fixation.
Step 1 – Create surrogate model
The first step in de modeling process is the creation of a surrogate model that predicts the forces between two magnets. The forces were calculated with a numerical model for different gap heights and misalignment.
Step 2 – Stability check
The next step is to check whether the magnet will stay attached or snap into another position. Stability is checked by verifying the needed frictional force is smaller than the normal force times the COF. Possible external forces like gravity or acceleration are taken into account.
Step 3 – Predict end position
The final step is to predict the end position, if stability is lacking. Knowing the sliding direction, a stable end position is found when:
After modeling: Design Space Exploration
After experimentally validating the model, we use our Reves DSE software to navigate design space for solutions to optimize the design for alignment and fixation. Finding solutions is made easy in Reves DSE by using views, while the Monte Carlo approach balances control and flexibility.
