Hearing Aid PCB Antenna Layout for Low-Interference Wireless Links

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Hearing aid circuit boards face interference issues due to radio waves exciting conductor tracks, leading to disrupted signal operations and increased component count for suppression, which complicates manufacturing and installation.

Innovation Solution

A circuit board design featuring a base body with directly connected electrical components and a continuous, recessed antenna surface, where the antenna is electrically connected at two feed points, reducing the need for additional components and space by matching the antenna's impedance with the transceiver's, thus minimizing interference and component count.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a transmitter with antenna is mounted on the circuit board along with other components, then the hearing aid achieves wireless communication capability, but radio waves excite the conductor tracks causing signal interference and requiring additional suppression components

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewireless communication capabilityVSAvoidcomponent count and circuit complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The antenna is extracted from the conventional component-mounted structure and implemented as a separate continuous conductive surface on the circuit board. This separation allows the antenna to function independently without requiring additional suppression components for conductor track interference, as the continuous surface eliminates discrete tracks that would otherwise be excited by radio waves.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The antenna structure is merged with the circuit board's ground plane or conductive layer, creating a unified continuous conductive surface that serves both as the antenna radiation element and as part of the board's electrical structure. This integration eliminates the need for separate antenna components and interference suppression components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If additional choke components are added to suppress radio wave interference on conductor tracks, then signal transmission reliability improves, but the device occupies more installation space and increases manufacturing complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal transmission reliabilityVSAvoidinstallation space
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The interference suppression function is extracted from discrete choke components and integrated into the antenna structure itself. The continuous conductive surface design inherently prevents radio wave excitation of conductor tracks, eliminating the need for separate suppression components and freeing up installation space.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If multiple discrete components are used to achieve antenna functionality with proper impedance matching, then radio wave transmission is effective, but the installation space and component count increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveradio wave transmission effectivenessVSAvoidcomponent count
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple discrete antenna components and impedance matching elements are merged into a single continuous conductive surface on the circuit board. This unified structure achieves the required impedance matching and radio wave transmission effectiveness while eliminating the need for multiple separate components, thereby reducing device complexity and installation space.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 design enhances signal transmission speed, reduces installation space, and lowers manufacturing costs by eliminating the need for additional filters or inductors, while maintaining effective radio wave transmission and reception.

Implementation Method 1

The antenna surface and the transceiver are configured, designed and set up for transmitting and receiving electromagnetic waves

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic radiation: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

matching the antenna's impedance with the transceiver's, thus minimizing interference

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectImpedance matching: Electrical Impedance Tomography

Data Source

PatentEP3836565B1Circuit board for a hearing device
Publication Date: 2023.12.27 SIVANTOS PTE LTD
  • EP3836565B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3836565B1 patent drawingFigure 4~6
  • EP3836565B1 patent drawingFigure 7~8

AI summary

The invention relates to a printed circuit board (6) of a hearing aid (2), in particular a hearing aid device, with a base body (8) to which a first electrical component (14) and a second electrical component (16) are attached, which are directly electrically connected by means of a conductor track (10). An electrically conductive, continuous antenna surface (30) and a transceiver (32) are attached to the base body (8), the transceiver being electrically connected to the antenna surface (30) at two different feed points (34). The antenna surface (30) is partially recessed between the feed points (34). The invention further relates to a method (42) for manufacturing a printed circuit board (6) and a hearing aid (2).