Folded PCB Assembly for Compact Hearing Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing small and compact hearing devices lack efficient space utilization for components, limiting their functionality and comfort due to the size constraints imposed by traditional circuit board arrangements around batteries and output transducers.
Innovation Solution
A hearing device design featuring a printed circuit board assembly that is folded around both the battery and output transducer, incorporating three interconnected circuit boards, allowing for a more compact and space-efficient configuration that increases available area for additional components and functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If traditional circuit board arrangements are used, then the hearing device can be manufactured with standard components, but the device size becomes too large and space utilization is inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The printed circuit board assembly is folded about the battery and output transducer, nesting the circuit boards around these components in a compact three-dimensional arrangement. This nesting approach allows the circuit boards to wrap around the battery and transducer, maximizing space utilization and minimizing the overall hearing device volume while maintaining all necessary electrical connections and component placements
2Volume of moving object
If the hearing device is made smaller for comfort and portability, then it is easier to carry and wear, but the available area for components and functionality is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The circuit board assembly transitions from a traditional two-dimensional flat layout to a three-dimensional folded structure that wraps around the battery and output transducer. This dimensional change allows the circuit boards to utilize vertical and radial spaces around the cylindrical battery, effectively adding unused dimensional space to the component layout and enabling more components and functionality within a smaller overall device volume
3Adaptability or versatility
If more components and functionality are added to increase performance, then the hearing device performance improves, but the device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The folded circuit board assembly nests multiple circuit boards around the battery and output transducer in a compact three-dimensional configuration. This nesting structure allows additional components and functionality to be integrated within the folded circuit board layers without increasing the overall hearing device volume, as the components are arranged in a space-efficient nested pattern that utilizes the internal volume around the battery and transducer
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a hearing device configured to be worn in an ear of a user. The hearing device is configured to provide an audio signal to the user. The hearing device comprises a circuit assembly. The circuit assembly comprises a printed circuit board assembly. The printed circuit board assembly comprises: a first circuit board; a second circuit board; and a third circuit board interconnected with the first circuit board and the second circuit board. The circuit assembly comprises a battery, and an output transducer for providing the audio signal, wherein the printed circuit board assembly is folded about the battery and the output transducer.