Hearing Instrument Battery-Coil Layout for Low Magnetic Interference

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Solution Overview

Problem

The challenge is to compactly arrange a powerful rechargeable battery and an inductive transmitting and/or receiving coil in a hearing instrument without the battery's parasitic magnetic fields interfering with the coil, given the limited space in the instrument's housing.

Innovation Solution

A stack-designed rechargeable battery is aligned orthogonally to the coil's axis, allowing for a compact and interference-minimized arrangement, where the coil's axis is parallel to the battery's layering plane, and the battery's connection contacts are positioned to minimize magnetic interference.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If a rechargeable battery is integrated into the hearing instrument housing, then the energy supply capacity is improved, but the battery generates parasitic magnetic fields that interfere with the inductive transmitting and/or receiving coil

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy supply capacityVSAvoidmagnetic field interference
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dimensional separation by orienting the battery and coil in orthogonal spatial relationships. The battery is positioned with its layering plane extending in a first direction, while the coil axis extends in a second direction that is orthogonal to the first direction. This spatial arrangement in different dimensions reduces magnetic field interference while maintaining compact integration within the hearing instrument housing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Volume of moving object

If the battery and coil are arranged compactly in the hearing instrument housing, then the device size is reduced, but the magnetic interference between components increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice sizeVSAvoidmagnetic interference
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent resolves the contradiction between compact size and magnetic interference by utilizing orthogonal spatial arrangement. The battery's layering plane and the coil's axis are oriented perpendicular to each other, creating effective spatial separation in different dimensions. This allows both components to be positioned close together within the limited housing volume while minimizing magnetic field coupling through directional orthogonality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the coil axis is aligned parallel to the battery layering plane, then magnetic interference is reduced, but the arrangement complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemagnetic field interferenceVSAvoidarrangement complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs asymmetric orientation where the coil axis is specifically aligned parallel to the battery layering plane rather than using symmetric radial or axial arrangements. This asymmetric configuration optimizes magnetic field separation by exploiting the directional characteristics of the stack-designed battery's magnetic field distribution, reducing interference while maintaining a relatively simple integrated structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

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 configuration enables a trouble-free and compact integration of both components, reducing the battery's influence on the coil and allowing for effective signal transmission and reception, even in a small hearing instrument housing.

Implementation Method 1

an inductive transmitting and/or receiving coil

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

a rechargeable battery, in particular a lithium-ion battery

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrochemical energy conversion: Battery (electricity)

Data Source

PatentEP3739906B1Hearing instrument
Publication Date: 2024.08.14 SIVANTOS PTE LTD
  • EP3739906B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3739906B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3739906B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

A hearing instrument (2) is described, comprising a rechargeable battery (12) and an inductive transmitting and/or receiving coil (14). The battery (12) is designed as a layer stack (24). The transmitting and/or receiving coil (14) is arranged such that its axis (54) is oriented perpendicular to a layering direction (28) of the battery (12).