Behind-the-ear Hearing Aid Antenna Orientation for Reduced Head Diffraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional antennas in hearing aids face challenges in achieving efficient wireless communication due to their small size and the need for a radiation pattern that minimizes interaction with the user's head, leading to propagation losses and reduced connectivity between devices.
Innovation Solution
A behind-the-ear hearing aid design featuring an antenna with a first section oriented parallel to the ear-to-ear axis, emitting an electromagnetic field with its electrical field orthogonal to the head's surface, reducing diffraction losses and enhancing connectivity between devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If conventional antennas are positioned in parallel to the hearing aid housing, then the antenna fits within the small housing space, but propagation losses increase and connectivity between devices deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna is divided into multiple sections with different orientations. The first section extends along the longitudinal direction of the housing, while the second section extends along the transverse direction, creating a segmented structure that optimizes radiation patterns for ear-to-ear communication while fitting within the housing constraints
Solution Approach 2:
Different sections of the antenna are oriented in different directions to create localized optimization. The first section provides radiation along the longitudinal axis, while the second section provides radiation along the transverse axis, allowing each part to contribute to reducing propagation loss in its specific direction
2Volume of moving object
If the antenna size is reduced to fit the small hearing aid housing, then the device becomes more compact, but the radiation pattern efficiency and connectivity are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna structure transitions from a single-dimensional linear element to a two-dimensional planar structure by adding the second section perpendicular to the first section. This dimensional expansion allows the antenna to achieve better radiation characteristics and connectivity reliability within the constrained housing volume
3Loss of energy
If conventional antenna orientations are used, then the antenna installation is simple, but diffraction losses through head tissue increase
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna is segmented into two perpendicular sections, where the first section is aligned with the longitudinal axis and the second section with the transverse axis. This segmentation creates an L-shaped configuration that optimizes the radiation pattern to minimize diffraction losses when electromagnetic waves propagate through the user's head tissue
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 configuration improves ear-to-ear path gain by 10-20 dB, providing robust and low-loss wireless data communication with omni-directional connectivity to external devices, reducing propagation losses through the head tissue.
Implementation Method 1
an antenna connected with the transceiver for emission and reception of an electromagnetic field
Implementation Method 2
an electromagnetic field emitted by the antenna propagates along the surface of the head of the user with its electrical field substantially orthogonal to the surface of the head of the user
Implementation Method 3
reducing diffraction losses and enhancing connectivity between devices
Data Source
Figure 1a
Figure 1b
Figure 2a~2b
AI summary
An antenna system, such as a hearing aid, is provided, comprising a transceiver for wireless data communication interconnected with an antenna for emission and reception of an electromagnetic field, wherein the antenna comprises a first section having a length being between at least one sixteenth wavelength and a full wavelength of the electromagnetic field and being positioned so that current flows in the first section in a direction substantially orthogonal to the body of a user when the antenna system is worn in its operational position by the user, such as, for a hearing aid, substantially in parallel with an ear to ear axis of the user. Hereby, an electromagnetic field emitted by the antenna propagates along the surface of body with its electrical field substantially orthogonal to the surface of the body of the user. A binaural hearing aid system may comprise at least one such hearing aid.