Charging System Current Modulation for Hearing Devices
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing charging systems for hearing devices face challenges such as inadequate control over charging current, contamination issues, complex and costly components, lengthy battery state detection, inconvenient desiccant maintenance, and disruptive visual indicators, particularly when charging multiple devices or in various orientations.
Innovation Solution
A charging system with a power manager and controller that modulates charging current, communicates through current, and provides a universal compatibility by matching device identifiers, detecting polarity, and incorporating automated drying and sleep mode functionality, allowing charging in various orientations without the need for complex components or visual indicators.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a charging station uses complex components (amplified constant voltage reference, buffer amplifier, comparator, serial communication hardware) to communicate with hearing devices, then communication capability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The charging contacts serve multiple functions: they provide electrical connection for charging current and simultaneously serve as a communication channel. By modulating the charging current, the hearing device can communicate its state back to the charger without requiring separate communication hardware
Solution Approach 2:
The charging current itself acts as an intermediary carrier for communication. Instead of using separate communication circuits, the system uses the existing power delivery path to transmit information through current modulation, eliminating the need for additional communication components
2Productivity
If a charging station charges multiple hearing devices, then productivity is improved, but device complexity and cost increase due to requiring multiple sets of communication components
Solution Approach 1:
The same charging contacts and current modulation mechanism serve all devices regardless of quantity. The charger can sequentially or simultaneously charge multiple devices using the same communication infrastructure, scaling capacity without proportionally increasing complexity
3Loss of information
If a charging station uses visual indicators (LED) to show charging status, then information feedback is improved, but user convenience deteriorates due to sleep disturbance
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces optical indicators (LED lights) with tactile feedback through vibration motors. Users can feel the charging status through haptic feedback without being exposed to visual light, making nighttime charging non-disruptive while maintaining clear status communication
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods relate to a charger and a rechargeable device. The rechargeable device includes a power manager and a power storage device. The power manager may include one or more diodes and a controller configured to detect a charging current, provide a managed power output, and modulate the charging current to communicate through the current. The charger may include controller configured to store a device identifier in memory associated with a last charge state, determine whether a retrieved device identifier matches, and provide an indication of a current charge state in response to a match. The controller of the charger may be configured to send an electrical pulse to the rechargeable device and determine a polarity for charging the device.