Hearing Aid Antenna With Angled Ferrimagnetic Shield
Solution Overview
Problem
Hearing aids with existing antennas face limitations in transmission quality and power efficiency due to limited energy storage and spatial constraints, particularly when used in binaural setups where audio signals need to be shared between two devices.
Innovation Solution
The design of an antenna with a coil core and a planar ferrimagnetic or ferromagnetic shield that extends at an angle, enhancing transmission and reception quality while reducing space and power requirements, allowing for efficient inductive and electromagnetic radio communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the antenna diameter is increased to improve transmission quality, then the transmission quality improves, but the space requirement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a planar shield extending in a direction perpendicular to the coil axis, transitioning the antenna design from a purely planar circular structure to a three-dimensional configuration. This dimensional change allows the magnetic field to extend perpendicular to the coil plane, effectively increasing the antenna's electromagnetic footprint without increasing the coil diameter, thereby improving transmission quality while maintaining compact spatial dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a composite structure combining the traditional circular coil with an additional planar shield component made of ferromagnetic or ferrimagnetic material. This composite design leverages the complementary electromagnetic properties of both elements: the coil generates the primary magnetic field while the planar shield extends and directs the magnetic field lines perpendicular to the coil plane, achieving enhanced transmission quality without proportionally increasing the occupied space.
2Reliability
If the transmission power is increased to improve reception quality, then the reception quality improves, but the power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
By extending the magnetic field in the perpendicular dimension through the planar shield, the antenna achieves more efficient electromagnetic coupling with receiving devices. This three-dimensional field distribution improves signal strength and reception quality without requiring proportional increases in transmission power, thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining reliable communication.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the antenna's electromagnetic parameters by adding the planar shield, which changes the field distribution pattern and increases the effective magnetic field strength in the perpendicular direction. This parameter change improves the antenna's radiation efficiency and coupling coefficient, allowing for lower transmission power to achieve the same reception quality.
3Power
If the coil core length is increased to improve magnetic field strength, then the magnetic field strength improves, but the space requirement increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of increasing the coil core length along the axial direction, the patent introduces a planar shield that extends the magnetic field in the perpendicular dimension. This dimensional transition allows the magnetic field strength to be enhanced without proportionally increasing the antenna's length, maintaining a compact form factor while achieving stronger magnetic field coupling.
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 antenna performance by extending the magnetic field lines without increasing diameter, enabling effective data transmission and power transfer with reduced power consumption, suitable for use in compact hearing devices.
Implementation Method 1
The antenna (18) has a coil core (26) which extends along a longitudinal direction (34) and has a number of turns (36)
Implementation Method 2
The antenna (18) has a planar first shield (38) of a ferrimagnetic and/or ferromagnetic material, which extends at an angle to the longitudinal direction (34) of the coil core (26) and is arranged on an end face (30, 32) of the coil core (26)
Data Source
AI summary
An antenna, in particular for a hearing aid, for wireless radio communication, comprising a coil core which extends along a longitudinal direction and carries a number of windings, and comprising a planar first shield that is located on an end face of the coil core and is made of a ferrimagnetic and/or ferromagnetic material. The first shield extends at an angle to the longitudinal direction of the coil core. The invention further relates to a method for manufacturing an antenna as well as to a hearing aid comprising an antenna.