Modular Hearing Aid Battery Compartment for Easy Replacement

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Solution Overview

Problem

The compact nature and tight spatial constraints of hearing devices pose challenges for exchanging rechargeable batteries, limiting design freedom and flexibility in power source selection.

Innovation Solution

A modular hearing device design featuring a hearing device module with a battery compartment that can accommodate either rechargeable or disposable batteries, allowing for interchangeable battery modules, including a first part that engages with the module for securing in the compartment and a second part that can pivotably connect, enabling easy battery replacement and power management.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If a compact hearing device design is used, then the device size is reduced, but battery replacement becomes difficult and design flexibility is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice sizeVSAvoidbattery replacement flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The battery module is divided into multiple separable parts including a battery holder and a battery cover that can be opened independently. This segmentation allows the battery to be replaced without removing the entire battery module from the compact hearing device, maintaining small device size while enabling easy battery replacement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The battery module is designed with a universal interface that can accommodate different battery types (rechargeable or disposable) while maintaining the same compact form factor. The standardized battery compartment design allows flexibility in power source selection without changing the overall device dimensions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a modular battery module design is implemented, then battery replacement flexibility is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebattery replacement flexibilityVSAvoidassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The battery holder, battery cover, and battery compartment are merged into an integrated battery module assembly that functions as a single unit during installation. This merging reduces the number of separate components that need to be handled during assembly, simplifying the manufacturing process while maintaining modular replaceability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The battery is nested within the battery holder, which is in turn nested within the battery compartment of the hearing device. This nested structure allows the battery module to be installed as one compact unit, reducing assembly complexity while maintaining the modular design benefits.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Volume of moving object

If tight spatial constraints are maintained, then device compactness is preserved, but battery module engagement becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice compactnessVSAvoidbattery module engagement
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The battery cover function is extracted from the main housing structure and made independently operable. Users can open the battery cover to access and replace the battery without manipulating the entire hearing device, making engagement and replacement easier while preserving compactness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The battery cover is designed with dynamic opening and closing capability, allowing it to move independently from the housing. This dynamic element provides ease of battery access without requiring the user to disassemble the entire compact device structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4676094A1Hearing device with multi-part battery module
Publication Date: 2026.01.07 GN HEARING AS
  • EP4676094A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4676094A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4676094A1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

A hearing device is disclosed. The hearing device comprises a hearing device module and a battery module. The hearing device module comprises a housing forming at least a part of an outer surface of the hearing device. The hearing device comprises a frame. The hearing device comprises a battery compartment. The battery module is arranged in the battery compartment, the battery module comprising a plurality of parts including a first part configured to engage with the hearing device module for securing the battery module in the battery compartment.