Hearing Aid Charger With Magnetic Retractable Contacts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hearing aids face challenges with battery replacement, including leaks, foreign particles, and increased manufacturing costs due to the need for a seal and precise positioning for inductive charging, which complicates the design and operation.
Innovation Solution
A charger with a movable magnet and contact system that allows for direct electrical contact with the hearing aid, using a magnet to move the contact in and out of the housing, ensuring secure contact and protection, and a flexible circuit board for efficient charging, reducing the need for precise alignment and minimizing damage risks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a seal is added to prevent leaks, then reliability is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is divided into a first housing part and a second housing part that can be separated from each other. The battery compartment is accessible by removing the second housing part, eliminating the need for complex seals and flaps while maintaining protection against leaks and foreign particles.
2Ease of operation
If inductive charging is used, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional circuitry
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces inductive charging circuitry with a mechanical direct contact charging system. The charger has contact elements that make direct electrical contact with the battery terminals when the hearing aid is placed in the charger, eliminating the need for complex inductive charging circuits in the hearing aid.
3Device complexity
If direct contact charging is used, then device complexity is reduced, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The charger incorporates spring elements that provide elastic force to the contact elements. This dynamic mechanism automatically compensates for manufacturing tolerances and positioning variations, ensuring reliable electrical contact without requiring high manufacturing precision.
4Ease of operation
If pogo pin with spring force is used, then ease of operation is improved, but safety worsens due to protruding contact
Solution Approach 1:
The contact elements are housed within recesses in the charger body. When the hearing aid is not being charged, the contacts are protected within the housing. During charging, the spring force pushes the contacts outward to make contact, and they automatically retract when charging is complete, reducing damage risk.
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 solution simplifies the charging process, reduces manufacturing costs, and enhances the robustness of the charger while maintaining efficient energy transfer, thereby reducing repair needs and improving user safety.
Implementation Method 1
A charger (8) for a hearing aid (4)... with a magnet (38) that can be moved in a longitudinal direction (22)... direct electrical contact with the mating contact (52) of the hearing aid (4)
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a charger (8) for a hearing aid (4), comprising a charging device (14) with a housing (30) including a housing cover (32) and a magnet (38) arranged therein and guided movably in a longitudinal direction (22). A contact (36) for detachable, direct electrical contact with a mating contact (52) of the hearing aid (4) is attached to one longitudinal end (43) of the magnet (38). The contact (36) is electrically connected to a charging circuit (12) by means of a conductor (16), the housing cover (32) having an opening (35) within which the contact (36) is inserted. The invention further relates to a system (2) comprising a hearing aid (4) and a charger (8).