Inductive Hearing Aid Charging With Coil Voltage Data Modulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hearing devices with inductive charging units experience increased electric losses during operation, leading to heating issues that reduce battery performance and operating time, especially when electric currents are provided by a communication unit for data transfer.
Innovation Solution
A method that modulates the electric voltage applied to the receiving coil using a communication unit to encode data, reducing excessive electric currents and minimizing energy transfer variations, thereby reducing electric losses and heat generation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If electric currents are provided by the communication unit for data transfer during charging, then data communication capability is improved, but electric losses increase causing excessive heating
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the energy transfer channel between charger and charging unit as an intermediary for data communication. By modulating the electric current flowing through the receiving coil during inductive charging, the communication unit can encode data in the energy transfer process itself, eliminating the need for separate communication hardware and reducing additional electric losses.
Solution Approach 2:
The receiving coil and energy transfer system are made multi-functional by enabling them to perform both their primary function (wireless power transfer) and a secondary function (data communication). The same inductive charging components that transfer energy are also used to communicate data, thereby avoiding additional losses from separate communication circuits.
2Reliability
If electric currents are increased for data transfer in the communication unit, then data transfer reliability is improved, but heating of the charging unit increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameters of the electric current flowing through the receiving coil to encode data. By modulating parameters such as current amplitude, frequency, or phase during the normal charging process, reliable data transfer is achieved without significantly increasing the overall power level and causing excessive heating.
3Ease of operation
If the housing size is reduced to improve wearability, then ease of operation is improved, but battery removal for charging becomes impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical battery removal and external charging system with an inductive charging system. The receiving coil enables wireless charging through electromagnetic induction, eliminating the need for physical battery access while maintaining charging functionality, thus allowing smaller housing dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The inductive charging system acts as an intermediary that enables energy transfer without physical contact or opening the housing. The electromagnetic field serves as the medium through which energy is transferred from the charger to the battery through the housing material, maintaining both small size and charging capability.
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 approach extends the battery usage period by minimizing heat strain and maintaining efficient energy transfer, allowing for robust data transfer without additional losses, thus enhancing the usability and longevity of the hearing device.
Implementation Method 1
a receiving coil (34) which, in operation, has an electric voltage applied thereto and by means of which energy is transferred from the charger to the hearing device
Implementation Method 2
an electric voltage applied at the receiving coil (34) is changed by means of the communication unit (26) as a function of data to be transferred
Implementation Method 3
Electric losses arise during operation of the charging unit, which result in heating of the charging unit and thus of the hearing device
Data Source
AI summary
A method operates a hearing device, in particular a hearing aid device, which contains an inductive charging unit that has a receiving coil, and a battery that is electrically connected via a communication unit to the charging unit. An electric voltage applied at the receiving coil is changed by the communication unit in dependence on data to be transferred to the charging unit. Furthermore, a hearing device and a hearing device system incorporate the operating method.