Hollow Core Antenna Module for Hearing Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hearing device antennas face challenges due to space constraints and electromagnetic interference, requiring bulky shielding and compensation coils, which limit antenna gain and device design flexibility.
Innovation Solution
An antenna module with a hollow core and winding that can be positioned within the ear canal, reducing the need for shielding and compensation coils, allowing for improved antenna placement and acoustic design, and enabling smaller device sizes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional coil antenna with magnetically permeable core is used in hearing devices, then antenna gain is improved, but the device size increases and electromagnetic interference from internal components requires bulky shielding and compensation coils
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the antenna from the hearing device housing and positions it in the ear canal. The antenna module includes a coil wound around a core with axial passageway, where the core is positioned in the ear canal away from electronic components. This separation eliminates the need for shielding and compensation coils while maintaining antenna gain, thereby reducing overall device volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the ear canal space as an additional dimension for antenna placement. By moving the antenna from the traditional in-device position to the ear canal environment, the design frees up internal space in the hearing device and eliminates the need for bulky electromagnetic shielding components.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If shielding and compensation coils are added to eliminate electromagnetic interference, then electromagnetic compatibility is improved, but device complexity and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the need for shielding and compensation coils by extracting the antenna from the electromagnetic interference environment. The antenna module is positioned in the ear canal where it is physically separated from the receiver and other electronic components that generate parasitic electromagnetic fields, thereby simplifying the device construction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the ear canal space as an intermediary zone that physically separates the antenna from electromagnetic interference sources. This spatial mediation eliminates the need for additional shielding components while maintaining electromagnetic compatibility.
3Reliability
If the antenna is positioned deep in the ear canal, then wireless link performance is improved, but acoustic tube design becomes more challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the core with an axial passageway that serves dual functions: it provides the necessary magnetic path for the antenna while also serving as the acoustic tube for sound transmission. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate acoustic tubing, simplifying manufacturing despite the deep ear canal positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the antenna core structure with the acoustic tube function. The axial passageway through the core allows sound to travel directly through the magnetic core material, combining the electromagnetic and acoustic pathways into a single integrated structure, thereby simplifying the overall design.
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 minimizes shielding requirements, enhances antenna gain, and optimizes wireless link performance by positioning antennas closer together, while allowing sound to travel through the core, improving acoustic properties and device design flexibility.
Implementation Method 1
an antenna module for a hearing device, comprising a hollow core (2) and a winding (7) provided around said core
Implementation Method 2
the core comprises an axial passageway... sound can travel through the core rather than having to be guided around it by a tube
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~6
Figure 7
AI summary
The present invention relates to an antenna module for a hearing device. The antenna module comprises a hollow core (2) provided with a hollow passageway and a winding (7) around the core (2) which is connectable with a hearing device. The antenna module is adapted to utilise the hollow passageway through the core (2) either as part of a sound pathway or as a pathway for a sound tube (1) and/or wire tube. This enables the antenna to be separated from sources of interference, since it can be positioned away from hearing device electronics, thus reducing requirements for shielding and/or compensation. The invention further relates to an ear tip and a hearing device comprising such an antenna module.