Hearing Aid Electronics Frame with Universal Battery Contact Carrier
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Solution Overview
Problem
The production of hearing devices with different energy supply options is complex due to the need for various components adapted for different energy sources, leading to increased storage costs and logistical challenges.
Innovation Solution
An electronics frame with a contact carrier having multiple line connectors and contact springs that can accommodate both rechargeable storage battery modules and conventional button cells, allowing for easy adaptation and reduced component variability, including a mechanism for pivoting battery compartment doors to prevent short-circuits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If hearing devices are equipped with different energy supply options (rechargeable and non-rechargeable batteries), then energy supply flexibility is improved, but device complexity and production complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The contact carrier is designed with multiple line connectors (first, second, and third line connectors) that can accommodate both rechargeable battery modules and non-rechargeable button cells. The contact springs and contact arms are configured to establish electrical contact with both battery types through the same interface, enabling a single hearing device design to support multiple energy supply options without requiring separate contact carrier designs for each battery type.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple components are maintained for different energy sources, then energy supply flexibility is improved, but storage costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The contact carrier with its multiple line connectors and contact springs serves as a universal interface that eliminates the need to maintain separate component inventories for different battery types. The same contact carrier design works with both rechargeable and non-rechargeable batteries, reducing the quantity of different components that need to be stored and managed.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple components are maintained for different energy sources, then energy supply flexibility is improved, but logistical challenges increase
Solution Approach 1:
The standardized contact carrier design with multiple line connectors simplifies logistics by enabling a uniform assembly process for both battery types. The contact springs and contact arms are configured to work with both rechargeable and non-rechargeable batteries through the same mounting and contact mechanism, reducing the complexity of supply chain management and assembly operations.
4Manufacturing precision
If contact springs are arranged in a common plane, then manufacturing precision is improved, but contact reliability with button cells may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The contact arms extend in a direction perpendicular to the plane in which the contact springs are arranged. This three-dimensional configuration allows the contact springs to be precisely positioned in a common plane for manufacturing accuracy, while the contact arms provide the necessary contact force and geometric alignment with button cell contacts, ensuring reliable electrical connection without compromising either manufacturing precision or contact reliability.
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 solution simplifies the production process by enabling the use of a common set of components for both rechargeable and non-rechargeable batteries, reducing storage costs and logistical complexities while ensuring reliable energy supply to hearing devices.
Implementation Method 1
these three contact springs are here preferably arranged next to one another on a surface of the contact carrier
Implementation Method 2
non-chargeable batteries, in particular button cells (also referred to as button batteries), preferably of a zinc-air design
Data Source
AI summary
An electronics frame for a hearing device serves to hold electronic components and has a contact carrier. The carrier in turn has a first line connector, a second line connector, and a third line connector. The three line connectors serve to electrically contact at least one of the electronic components with a first connection contact, a second connection contact which is at a potential that is different from the first connection contact, and with a third connection contact of a storage battery module which has a rechargeable battery. The contact carrier moreover has a first insertion slot for receiving a first contact arm which serves to electrically contact a contact of a two-pole battery. A kit for the hearing device contains, in addition to the hearing device with the electronics frame, the storage battery module and at least the first contact arm for subsequent mounting on the contact carrier.