Hearing Aid Capacitive Sensor Using Battery and Antenna
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Solution Overview
Problem
Older adults, who are a typical user group for hearing instruments due to age-related hearing loss, often face challenges in correctly using these devices, leading to improper fit and suboptimal performance.
Innovation Solution
A hearing instrument with a capacitive sensor that utilizes the battery and/or antenna as sensor electrodes to detect the correct fit of the housing behind or in the ear, allowing for real-time feedback and adjustments in signal processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the battery and antenna are added to the hearing instrument housing, then wireless communication and power supply functions are improved, but the available space for additional sensor electrodes is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies multi-functionality by making the battery and antenna serve dual purposes: they provide wireless communication and power supply functions while simultaneously acting as sensor electrodes for detecting housing fit. This allows the same components to fulfill multiple roles, eliminating the need for separate sensor electrodes and preserving housing space.
2Measurement precision
If a capacitive sensor with separate sensor electrodes is added to check housing fit, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the need for separate sensor electrodes by making the existing battery and antenna serve as the sensing elements. The control unit repurposes these components to detect capacitance changes caused by housing displacement, achieving fit detection without adding dedicated sensor components.
Solution Approach 2:
The battery and antenna perform self-service by simultaneously fulfilling their primary functions (power supply and wireless communication) while also acting as sensor electrodes for fit detection. This self-service approach reduces the need for additional components and simplifies the overall device architecture.
3Ease of operation
If the hearing instrument is designed to be small and compact, then ease of operation is improved, but the space for accommodating multiple components is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables compact housing design by making the battery and antenna perform multiple functions. These components provide power supply, wireless communication, and fit detection capabilities simultaneously, eliminating the need for separate sensor electrodes and allowing smaller housing volume while maintaining all necessary functions.
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
The capacitive sensor effectively checks the fit of the hearing instrument, providing users with feedback on correct positioning and allowing for adjustments in signal processing to compensate for improper fit, thereby enhancing the hearing experience.
Implementation Method 1
a capacitive sensor is arranged in the housing... the control unit is configured to determine a capacitive sensor signal that depends on a fit of the housing in the designated wearing position or in a position deviating from the designated wearing position
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 4~5
AI summary
A hearing instrument (4) is specified with a housing (8) worn in a designated wearing position behind the ear or in the ear, wherein a battery (20), a wireless communication device (22), and a capacitive sensor (28) are arranged in the housing (8). The wireless communication device (22) comprises an antenna (24) and a transmitting and receiving unit (26) electrically connected thereto. The capacitive sensor (28) comprises at least one sensor electrode (32, 32a, 32b, 34, 34a, 34b) and a control and evaluation circuit (30) electrically connected thereto. The battery (20) and/or the antenna (24) or at least a section (48, 50) of the antenna (24) are used as sensor electrodes (32, 32a, 32b, 34, 34a, 34b) of the capacitive sensor (28).