Hearing Device PCB Assembly With Positioning Means for Auto Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
The assembly of hearing devices, particularly hearing aids, is hindered by the need for manual alignment of circuit boards within a restricted housing space, making automated assembly challenging due to alignment and fixation issues.
Innovation Solution
An assembly method utilizing an elongated circuit board center section with two side parts and positioning means to ensure precise alignment, allowing for automated assembly, potentially using robotic processes, and eliminating the need for a frame to hold components in place.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If manual alignment of circuit boards is used within restricted housing space, then alignment precision can be achieved, but assembly time increases and automation becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The circuit board is pre-divided into a center section and side parts with positioning means attached before assembly. This preliminary preparation enables the side parts to be automatically aligned with the center section during assembly, eliminating the need for manual alignment while maintaining precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The circuit board is segmented into multiple sections (center section and side parts) that can be independently positioned and aligned. The positioning means on each side part enable precise alignment with the center section, facilitating automated assembly while maintaining alignment precision.
2Stability of the object's composition
If frame structure is used to hold circuit board components, then component positioning is ensured, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The frame structure is extracted and replaced by integrating positioning means directly onto the circuit board side parts. This eliminates the separate frame component while maintaining the positioning function, thereby reducing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning function previously provided by the frame is merged into the circuit board itself through the positioning means. This integration eliminates the need for a separate frame structure while ensuring stable component positioning.
3Ease of manufacture
If circuit board side parts are aligned without positioning means, then assembly process is simpler, but alignment accuracy and repeatability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning means on the circuit board side parts enable self-alignment with the center section during assembly. The side parts automatically find their correct position through the positioning means, eliminating the need for complex manual alignment procedures while ensuring high alignment accuracy and repeatability.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
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AI summary
The invention revers to an assembly method for a hearing device (1). For the assembly an elongated circuit board center section (20) and two circuit board side parts (22) are provided. Positioning means (30) are installed on both circuit board side parts (22). Afterwards, the circuit board side parts (22) are connected, mechanically and for signal transmission, to the circuit board center section (20) to form a circuit board arrangement (50). The circuit board side parts (22) are aligned in an orientation transverse to a surface of the circuit board center section (20) by means of the respective positioning means (30). The circuit board arrangement (50) is then housed by means of at least two housing shells (52, 54).