Charging Contact Terminal With Ferritic Flux Guide
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing charging contact systems for hearing aids face challenges with low magnetic holding force, which can be improved without increasing the size or cost of the hearing aid and charger, and without risking damage to the receiver.
Innovation Solution
A charging contact connection system using a spring-loaded contact pin surrounded by a permanent magnet with a ferritic contact element that guides and focuses magnetic flux to enhance the magnetic holding force, and optionally divided into two halves for improved magnetic field directionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If the size of the holding magnet is increased to improve magnetic holding force, then the magnetic holding force is improved, but the size and cost of the hearing aid and charger increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by introducing a ferritic contact element that concentrates magnetic flux specifically at the contact interface between the charging contact connection and the mating contact connector. This localized magnetic flux concentration enhances the magnetic holding force precisely where needed (at the contact point) without requiring a larger magnet throughout the entire device, thus resolving the contradiction between holding force and device size.
Solution Approach 2:
The ferritic contact element acts as an intermediary between the permanent magnet and the mating contact. It mediates the magnetic field by guiding and focusing the magnetic flux from the magnet to the contact interface, thereby amplifying the effective magnetic holding force at the contact point without increasing the magnet size. This intermediary element resolves the contradiction by efficiently transmitting and concentrating magnetic force where required.
2Force
If the strength of the holding magnet is increased to improve magnetic holding force, then the magnetic holding force is improved, but the risk of damaging the hearing aid receiver increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ferritic contact element creates a localized path for magnetic flux that confines the strong magnetic field primarily to the contact interface area. This local concentration of magnetic flux enhances holding force at the contact point while preventing the magnetic field from spreading to and damaging the hearing aid receiver, thus resolving the contradiction between holding force and receiver safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The ferritic contact element serves as a magnetic intermediary that guides and channels the magnetic flux from the permanent magnet directly to the mating contact. This intermediary function ensures that the magnetic field is directed precisely where needed for holding force, while preventing excessive magnetic flux from reaching and potentially damaging the hearing aid receiver, thereby resolving the contradiction.
3Ease of operation
If a spring-loaded contact pin is used to enable automatic coupling, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functions into the ferritic contact element: it serves as both the electrical contact element and the magnetic flux guide. By combining these functions in a single element, the design achieves automatic coupling through the spring-loaded contact pin while minimizing additional complexity, as the ferritic element integrates the magnetic and electrical functions rather than requiring separate components for each.
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 system achieves a magnetic holding force up to 20-40% higher than conventional designs, ensuring reliable and efficient automatic coupling of charging contacts while maintaining compact size and cost-effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
a permanent magnet element (holding magnet, contact magnet) for magnetically attracting the mating contact connector
Implementation Method 2
A contact element, for example ferritic, is arranged on an end face of the magnetic element... designed and configured to guide and focus the magnetic field of the magnetic element
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
The invention relates to a charging contact connection (10) for a charger of an electrical device (2), in particular a hearing aid, comprising a central contact pin (16) for contacting a first mating contact (12) of a mating contact connection (8), a permanent magnetic element (34) for magnetically attracting the mating contact connection (8), which surrounds the contact pin (16), and a contact element (18) arranged on the end face facing the mating contact connection (8) for guiding and focusing the magnetic field of the magnetic element (34) in the direction of a second mating contact (14) of the mating contact connection (8).