Rechargeable Battery Pack With Wireless Charging And Sealed Enclosure

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Solution Overview

Problem

Rechargeable battery packs for mobile devices, such as hearing instruments, face challenges in achieving a small size with high energy density while maintaining reliability and protection against moisture and contamination, and require flexibility to replace various battery systems, with existing solutions having limited lifespan and sensitivity to temperature.

Innovation Solution

A battery pack design featuring a rechargeable battery cell, charging electronics, useful signal electronics, and encapsulation to protect against moisture and impurities, with a flat antenna for wireless energy reception, allowing the transformation of output voltage to a predetermined useful voltage, enabling the use of various battery systems and reducing corrosion risks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Duration of action of moving object

If a rechargeable battery cell is used in a hearing instrument, then the running time can be extended beyond a few days, but the battery pack size must be minimized while maintaining high energy density

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverunning timeVSAvoidbattery pack size
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of moving objectVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the battery cell, charging electronics, and useful signal electronics into a single integrated battery pack unit. This merging of previously separate components (battery and electronics) into one compact assembly achieves high energy density while minimizing overall volume, resolving the contradiction between extended running time and small size.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The battery pack is designed to serve multiple functions: energy storage, wireless charging, and signal output. By making the battery pack universal and multi-functional, the design maximizes the utility of each component, achieving extended running time without proportionally increasing volume.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the battery compartment is made openable for battery replacement, then flexibility is improved, but protection against moisture and contamination deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebattery replacement flexibilityVSAvoidmoisture and contamination
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The battery pack incorporates integrated charging electronics and useful signal electronics that enable wireless charging and signal output functions. This self-service capability eliminates the need for manual battery replacement, allowing the compartment to remain permanently sealed against moisture and contamination while maintaining operational flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If NiMH batteries are used, then the voltage level and form factor match conventional batteries, but the lifespan is limited and they are sensitive to high temperatures

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevoltage compatibilityVSAvoidlifespan and temperature sensitivity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates charging electronics that can regulate charging parameters and useful signal electronics that can adapt output signals. These electronic systems enable the battery pack to operate reliably across varying conditions, compensating for the inherent limitations of NiMH batteries regarding lifespan and temperature sensitivity while maintaining voltage compatibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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

The solution provides a compact, reliable, and flexible energy supply that can maintain a specified form factor, supporting long-term stability and eliminating the need for frequent battery changes, while protecting against moisture and corrosion, thus enhancing the usability and durability of battery-operated devices.

Implementation Method 1

A battery pack (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 14) with antenna (20) for wireless reception of charging energy

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP2672733B1Rechargeable battery pack
Publication Date: 2016.07.20 SIVANTOS PTE LTD
  • EP2672733B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2672733B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2672733B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The pack (1) has a loading electronic unit for loading a rechargeable battery cell. A utilization signal electronic unit produces a utilization signal. Two utilization signal contacts (21) deliver the utilization signal. An enclosure guards against the ingress of moisture and contaminations. The utilization signal electronic unit transforms output voltage of the battery cell into predesignated utilizable voltage such that the utilizable voltage is made more available by the two utilization signal contacts outside of enclosure.