Hearing Aid Battery Compartment Spring Element Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hearing aids with permanently connected spring elements in battery compartments face issues with secure battery retention over time, especially when batteries are frequently changed, due to decreasing spring tension, requiring costly replacements and additional labeling for settings and functions.
Innovation Solution
An exchangeable spring element in the battery compartment allows for easy replacement and dual functionality for secure battery holding and identification, eliminating the need for separate labeling and costly repairs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the spring element is firmly connected to the battery compartment, then the battery can be held securely, but the entire battery compartment must be replaced when the spring tension decreases, increasing cost and complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The spring element is separated from the battery compartment into two independent components. The spring element can be removed and replaced independently from the battery compartment, allowing only the worn spring to be replaced rather than the entire assembly. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by maintaining secure battery holding through reliable spring elements while reducing replacement complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring element is extracted as a separate replaceable component from the battery compartment structure. The guide in the battery compartment retains the spring element without permanently connecting it, enabling the spring to be taken out and replaced independently when its tension decreases, avoiding the need to replace the entire battery compartment.
2Ease of manufacture
If the spring element is made of plastic, then the cost is reduced, but the spring tension decreases over time especially with frequent battery changes
Solution Approach 1:
The material of the spring element can be changed from plastic to metal or composite materials with better elastic properties. This parameter change extends the service life of the spring element by maintaining spring tension over longer periods and through frequent battery replacements, while the replaceable design keeps costs manageable by allowing selective replacement.
Solution Approach 2:
Composite materials combining plastic and metal components can be used for the spring element, leveraging the cost advantages of plastic manufacturing while incorporating metal elements to maintain spring tension and durability over extended service life, thus resolving the contradiction between manufacturing cost and service life.
3Loss of information
If separate labeling is used for settings and functions, then the information is clearly communicated, but the device complexity and number of components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The identification function previously requiring separate labels is merged into the spring element itself. Different spring elements with distinct characteristics (color, shape, material) directly encode different settings and functions, eliminating the need for separate labeling components and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining clear information communication.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring element is given multiple functions: it provides mechanical retention for the battery through its spring tension, and simultaneously communicates device settings and functions through its physical characteristics. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate identification labels, reducing component count while maintaining information clarity.
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
Ensures secure battery retention and easy identification of hearing aid settings and functions, reducing maintenance costs and preventing confusion among similar devices.
Implementation Method 1
a spring element which is firmly connected to the battery compartment. Since the spring element is usually made of plastic, the spring tension decreases over time
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a hearing aid (1) with a battery compartment (3) which has a spring element (5, 6) for holding a battery (4) in the battery compartment (3), wherein the spring element (5, 6) is held in the battery compartment (3) in such a way that it can be replaced, for example, if the spring tension weakens. According to one embodiment of the invention, the type of spring element (5) additionally characterizes the setting or function of the hearing aid (1).