Hearing Aid Antenna Integrated with Grip Element

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Solution Overview

Problem

In-the-ear hearing aids face challenges in accommodating conventional antenna elements due to space constraints, making it difficult to achieve effective wireless signal transmission while maintaining a compact and inconspicuous design.

Innovation Solution

The integration of the antenna element into a grip element on the housing face allows for partial arrangement outside the housing, enhancing signal performance and reducing installation space, enabling a more compact and comfortable design with improved antenna structures and reduced radiation losses.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional antenna elements are used in in-the-ear hearing aids, then wireless signal transmission can be achieved, but the compact design and visual inconspicuity are compromised due to space constraints

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewireless signal transmissionVSAvoidhearing aid size
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The antenna element is merged with the grip element, combining two separate components into one integrated structure. This allows the antenna to be positioned on the outer surface of the hearing aid housing without requiring additional internal space, thus maintaining compact size while ensuring reliable wireless signal transmission.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The antenna element is repositioned from a conventional internal three-dimensional arrangement to a two-dimensional configuration on the outer surface of the housing. This dimensional change allows the antenna to utilize the external surface area rather than consuming internal volume, preserving the compact in-the-ear design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Ease of operation

If the hearing aid is made more compact for comfort and inconspicuity, then wearing comfort improves, but the installation space for conventional antenna elements is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewearing comfortVSAvoidinstallation space
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

By merging the antenna element with the grip element, the patent eliminates the need for separate antenna housing space. The integrated structure utilizes the existing grip element volume, allowing compact hearing aid design without compromising antenna installation space.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The antenna element is extracted from the conventional internal placement and repositioned to the external surface of the housing. This extraction removes the space-consuming internal antenna structure while maintaining antenna functionality, thereby enabling more compact overall device dimensions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Volume of moving object

If the antenna element is positioned inside the housing, then the hearing aid maintains a compact form, but radiation losses increase and signal performance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehearing aid sizeVSAvoidradiation losses
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The antenna element is repositioned from an internal three-dimensional location to an external two-dimensional surface position. This dimensional relocation allows the antenna to radiate electromagnetic waves more effectively without the energy losses associated with internal placement, while the integrated grip element design maintains compact form factors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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

This solution allows for a more compact and visually inconspicuous hearing aid design with enhanced signal quality and increased wearing comfort, while enabling various antenna structures and reduced radiation losses due to the antenna's strategic positioning.

Implementation Method 1

a transmitting and/or receiving unit for electromagnetic waves which unit is coupled to an antenna element

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic radiation: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS10735873B2Hearing aid apparatus and hearing aid device
Publication Date: 2020.08.04 SIVANTOS PTE LTD
  • US10735873B2 patent drawing
  • US10735873B2 patent drawing
  • US10735873B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A hearing aid apparatus contains a housing having a housing face. The housing face is directed outwardly when the hearing aid apparatus is being worn. The hearing aid apparatus further has an antenna and a transmitter and/or receiver for electromagnetic waves disposed in the housing. The transmitter and/or receiver is coupled to the antenna element. A grip element is disposed on the housing face of the housing, and the antenna is integrated at least in part in the grip element.