Hearing Charger Bleeding Circuit for Battery Status Signaling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern hearing devices require additional communication hardware in chargers to exchange messages, increasing manufacturing cost, size, and weight, which is suboptimal.
Innovation Solution
Implement a bleeding circuit in parallel with the charging circuit to generate current pulses that convey battery status and fault conditions to the charger, eliminating the need for separate communication hardware.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate communication hardware is used to exchange messages between hearing device and charger, then communication reliability is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the communication function with the existing charging circuit by using the charging cable to transmit both power and communication signals. The bleeding circuit generates communication signals by intentionally creating controlled current leaks through the charging circuit, eliminating the need for separate communication hardware while maintaining reliable bidirectional communication between hearing device and charger.
Solution Approach 2:
The charging cable is made multi-functional by enabling it to serve both power transmission and communication purposes. The bleeding circuit allows the charging circuit to generate communication signals, so the same physical connection (charging cable) handles both energy transfer and data exchange, reducing overall system complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If separate communication hardware is used to exchange messages, then communication capability is improved, but manufacturing expense increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges communication functionality into the existing charging circuitry. By using the bleeding circuit to generate communication signals through controlled current leaks, the system eliminates separate communication hardware components, thereby reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining full communication capability for battery status, fault notifications, and charging control.
Solution Approach 2:
The charging circuit is designed to perform dual functions: power delivery and communication. The bleeding circuit enables the charging circuit to modulate current and generate communication signals, making the charging infrastructure universally capable of both energy transfer and information exchange, thus reducing overall system cost.
3Adaptability or versatility
If separate communication hardware is used, then message exchange capability is improved, but device weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines message exchange capability with the existing charging circuit by using the bleeding circuit to generate communication signals. This integration eliminates separate communication hardware components that would add weight, while maintaining the ability to exchange battery status, fault, and charging control messages through the charging cable.
4Adaptability or versatility
If separate communication hardware is used, then communication functionality is improved, but device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges communication functionality into the existing charging circuit using the bleeding circuit approach. This integration eliminates the need for separate communication hardware components that would occupy additional space, while maintaining full communication functionality for battery status reporting, fault notifications, and charging control through the shared charging cable infrastructure.
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
Enables efficient communication of battery status and fault conditions without additional hardware, reducing manufacturing costs and size while ensuring safe and reliable charging operations.
Implementation Method 1
the bleeding circuit comprises a switch that toggles a bleeder resistor on and off
Implementation Method 2
the hearing device comprises a coil to transform the alternating electromagnetic field to an alternating voltage
Implementation Method 3
a rectifier to transform the alternating voltage into a direct voltage
Data Source
AI summary
A system of a hearing device and a charging device that sends a message via electrical pulses from a bleeding circuit to the hearing device. The electrical pulses may communicate information about a battery state of charge or the presence of a fault in the charging of the hearing device. The charging device may, based on the hearing device message, perform at least one of changing a parameter of the electrical power, presenting a visual indication by a visual indicator on the charging device, or producing an acoustic signal.