In-Ear Hearing Device Charging Areas for Easy Contact Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Charging hearing devices with rechargeable batteries is challenging due to their custom shapes and small size, which require precise alignment and dexterity, making it difficult to establish electrical contact or use contactless charging.
Innovation Solution
The hearing device features at least two charging areas positioned on the end facing into the middle ear during use, allowing for easy and simple charging by aligning the device in a charging station without requiring precise positioning, and a charging station with a concavity to accommodate this end for automatic contact alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the hearing device is made small and custom-shaped to fit the ear canal, then it reduces visual appearance and improves comfort, but it becomes difficult to establish electrical contact for charging and requires high dexterity from the user
Solution Approach 1:
The charging areas are integrated into the hearing device housing itself, allowing the device to charge itself when placed in the charging station without requiring manual manipulation or alignment by the user. The device automatically establishes electrical contact through its charging areas.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the hearing device has a custom shape to fit individual ears, then it improves comfort and fit, but it limits the amount of standard surfaces available for electrical or magnetic contact charging
Solution Approach 1:
The charging function is segmented from the custom-shaped body of the hearing device. Standardized charging areas are created as distinct contact surfaces on the housing, separate from the custom-molded portions that contact the ear canal, allowing standardization without compromising custom fit.
Solution Approach 2:
Different parts of the hearing device have different properties: the portions contacting the ear maintain custom shapes for individual fit, while specific charging areas on the housing are provided with standardized flat surfaces or geometries suitable for electrical contact with charging station contacts.
3Reliability
If the hearing device requires precise alignment for charging, then it may achieve better electrical contact, but it increases the requirements for user vision and dexterity
Solution Approach 1:
The charging areas are designed to automatically self-align with the charging station contacts when the hearing device is placed in the charging station, eliminating the need for the user to manually align or position the device with precision. The device charges itself without requiring high user dexterity.
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
Facilitates easy and simple charging of hearing devices by reducing the need for precise alignment and dexterity, enabling standard charging stations to be used across different custom designs.
Implementation Method 1
A rechargeable battery
Implementation Method 2
enabling recharging the rechargeable battery by applying a voltage from one charging area to another charging area
Data Source
AI summary
There is presented a hearing device for being placed at least partially in an ear canal. The hearing device includes a rechargeable battery, and at least two charging areas on the surface of the hearing device, the charging areas enabling recharging the rechargeable battery by applying a voltage from one charging area to another charging area. At least one charging area is positioned on the hearing device at the end of the hearing device facing into the middle ear during use and optionally out of contact with the walls of the ear canal during use.