Hearing Aid Antenna Switching for Wireless Charging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hearing assistive devices with rechargeable batteries face challenges in efficiently charging these batteries using compact structures suitable for hearing aids.
Innovation Solution
A hearing assistive device with an antenna component having a common antenna feed and a switching component, allowing switching between communication and wireless charging states, and utilizing a compact structure with two branches for different resonance frequencies to facilitate efficient energy transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a compact structure suitable for hearing aids is used, then the device size is reduced, but the efficiency of electromagnetic energy pickup is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna is divided into two separate branches: a first antenna branch for communication and a second antenna branch for wireless charging. This segmentation allows each branch to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining a compact overall structure suitable for hearing aids.
Solution Approach 2:
The common antenna feed structure serves multiple functions by routing signals to different antenna branches based on operational mode. The feed network enables the compact antenna system to perform both communication and wireless charging functions, resolving the contradiction between compact size and functional versatility.
2Device complexity
If a single antenna structure is used for both communication and wireless charging, then the device complexity is reduced, but the performance for each function is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna system is segmented into functionally dedicated branches: a first antenna branch for communication operations and a second antenna branch for wireless charging operations. This segmentation ensures that each function receives dedicated antenna resources, improving reliability while keeping the overall structure relatively simple through shared feed network.
3Device complexity
If the antenna operates at a single resonance frequency, then the antenna structure is simplified, but the adaptability to different functions is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna system uses separate antenna branches with different resonance frequencies: the first antenna branch is designed for communication frequencies while the second antenna branch is designed for wireless charging frequencies. This frequency segmentation enables the antenna system to adapt to different functions without requiring a single complex multi-frequency structure.
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
Enables efficient wireless charging and communication in a compact form factor, ensuring extended battery life and reliable operation of hearing assistive devices.
Implementation Method 1
the hearing assistive device has an antenna component with a common antenna feed with a switching component. The antenna component comprises a first branch with a first resonance frequency and a second branch with a second resonance frequency
Data Source
AI summary
A hearing assistive device having an antenna component with a common antenna feed with a switching component. The antenna component has a first branch with a first resonance frequency and a second branch with a second resonance frequency. The hearing assistive device switches between a communication state and a wireless charging state. In the communication state a transceiver is connected to the antenna component, and in the wireless charging state a wireless charging unit is connected to the antenna component.