Near Field Resonant Parasitic Element for Hearing Aid EMC
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electronic devices, especially those with space constraints like mobile phones and medical implants, face challenges in complying with electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) regulations due to increased clock speeds, coexistence of digital and analogue systems, and limited space for traditional shielding and filtering solutions, which often trap both noise and wireless signals.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a near field resonant parasitic element within the electrical circuitry to terminate and dissipate unwanted electromagnetic radiation, which can be connected to a ground potential through a dissipating element, allowing for effective filtering of unwanted frequencies without the need for extensive space or re-radiation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If traditional shielding or filtering solutions are used, then electromagnetic radiation can be attenuated, but the device size increases and space is consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The resonant element is integrated within the existing electrical circuitry layout, nesting the filtering function inside the device's existing structure rather than adding external shielding components. This allows electromagnetic radiation attenuation without increasing overall device volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution transitions from traditional volumetric shielding approaches to a planar resonant element design that operates in the near-field region, utilizing electromagnetic field distribution in different spatial dimensions to achieve filtering without bulk.
2Measurement precision
If traditional filters are used to filter narrow frequency bands, then filtering precision is improved, but the filter becomes too large for small devices
Solution Approach 1:
The resonant element's electrical characteristics (inductance, capacitance, resistance) are optimized to achieve precise narrowband filtering at specific frequencies. By adjusting these parameters, the filter achieves high frequency selectivity while maintaining a compact footprint suitable for small devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The resonant element exploits electromagnetic resonance phenomena where the structure naturally oscillates at specific frequencies, creating sharp frequency-selective filtering behavior. This resonance-based approach provides precise frequency discrimination without requiring large physical dimensions.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If electromagnetic band gap structures are used for filtering, then electromagnetic interference is reduced, but the structures are too large for small printed circuit boards
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of implementing full electromagnetic band gap structures across the entire circuit board, the solution places targeted resonant elements at specific locations where electromagnetic interference problems occur. This localized approach reduces interference effectively while consuming minimal board area.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the essential filtering function from complex electromagnetic band gap structures, retaining only the critical resonant element component needed for narrowband filtering. This simplified extraction achieves the same interference reduction benefit with dramatically reduced area.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If shielding enclosures are used to trap noise signals, then electromagnetic radiation is blocked, but wireless communication signals are also trapped
Solution Approach 1:
The resonant element provides partial filtering action targeted specifically at unwanted frequency bands while allowing other frequency ranges to pass through unaffected. This selective partial filtering blocks noise signals without interfering with wireless communication signals operating at different frequencies.
Solution Approach 2:
The filtering effect is localized to specific frequency bands and spatial regions near the resonant element, creating a frequency-selective and spatially-selective filtering zone. This localized quality ensures noise attenuation in problem areas while maintaining wireless signal integrity in communication paths.
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 reduces or eliminates electromagnetic noise, enabling compliance with EMC regulations by filtering unwanted radiation from multiple electrical components simultaneously, even when the source is unknown, and can charge a battery using induced current, making it suitable for small, high-complexity devices.
Implementation Method 1
The resonant element may be positioned within the near field of the electrical circuitry to terminate and dissipate unwanted electromagnetic radiation
Implementation Method 2
connected to a ground potential through a dissipating element
Implementation Method 3
a resonant element, such as a near field resonant parasitic element, being positioned within the near field of the electrical circuitry to terminate and dissipate unwanted electromagnetic radiation
Data Source
AI summary
A hearing aid includes: a microphone for reception of sound and conversion of the received sound into a corresponding first audio signal; a signal processor for processing the first audio signal into a second audio signal compensating a hearing loss of a user; a speaker connected to an output of the signal processor for converting the second audio signal into an output sound signal; a transceiver connected to the signal processor for wireless data communication; and an antenna for emission and reception of an electromagnetic field, the antenna coupled with the transceiver; wherein the signal processor, the transceiver, the antenna, and interconnecting transmission lines form a circuitry extending over an area of a support substrate, and wherein the hearing aid further comprises a resonant element within a near field of the circuitry to terminate and dissipate unwanted electromagnetic radiation from at least a part of the area.