Non-Contact Antenna Feed for Hearing Aid Signal Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current hearing assistance devices face issues with reduced radiated power and unreliable electrical connections due to soldered antennas inside the device case, which can lead to signal attenuation and manufacturing defects like solder voids and misalignment.
Innovation Solution
A non-contact antenna configuration where the antenna is physically separated from the feed line by a dielectric material, allowing energy transfer without solder joints, enabling external mounting of antennas and reducing signal attenuation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the antenna is soldered to internal SMD pads, then the antenna can be mounted inside the device case, but the radiated power is reduced and manufacturing defects occur
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna is extracted from the internal mounting location and repositioned to an external location on the device case. This extraction eliminates the signal attenuation caused by the case material while the feed line extends externally to maintain electrical connection without requiring internal solder joints to the antenna itself.
Solution Approach 2:
A feed line acts as an intermediary element, extending from the internal SMD pad to the externally mounted antenna. This intermediary allows electrical energy transfer without direct solder connection at the antenna, eliminating solder joint reliability issues while maintaining electrical connectivity.
2Ease of manufacture
If the antenna is soldered to internal SMD pads, then the antenna connection can be formed, but manufacturing defects like solder voids and misalignment occur
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna is extracted from the internal mounting process entirely and mounted externally on the device case. This eliminates the need for precise alignment between antenna pads and SMD pads, as the antenna is positioned externally and connected via an extended feed line rather than through internal soldering.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrical connection is segmented into two parts: the feed line extending from the SMD pad and the antenna mounted externally. This segmentation allows the antenna to be positioned independently on the case surface without requiring precise alignment with internal pads, reducing manufacturing complexity and improving alignment accuracy.
3Shape
If the antenna is mounted internal to the case, then the device structure can be maintained, but the radiated power to external objects is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The feed line serves as an intermediary that extends from the internal circuit board through the case boundary to reach the externally mounted antenna. This allows the device case structure to remain intact while enabling the antenna to be positioned externally where it can radiate power effectively without attenuation by the case material.
Solution Approach 2:
The antenna mounting location is moved from the internal two-dimensional plane to the external surface of the device case. This dimensional transition allows the antenna to be positioned in a location optimized for radiation while the feed line bridges the boundary between internal and external spaces.
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 enhances radiated power and reliability by eliminating the need for internal solder connections, reducing manufacturing defects, and allowing various antenna types to be used, thereby improving electrical connectivity and signal transfer.
Implementation Method 1
the dielectric material enables the feed line to remain electrically coupled to the antenna such that energy on the feed line can be transferred to the antenna and energy received at the antenna can be transferred to the feed line
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure relates to inclusion of a non-contact antenna. The non-contact antenna can allow a variety of antennas to be used on a hearing assistance device and can overcome issues associated with mounting an antenna internal to the case of a hearing assistance device. A non-contact antenna may include a proximity coupled antenna, such as an antenna mounted on a hearing assistance device case (external to the case) near a feed line that will transfer energy between the antenna and an SMD internal to the case. A non-contact antenna may include an aperture coupled antenna, such as an antenna mounted external to the case on an antenna substrate, where the antenna substrate is on a feed substrate with a feed line, and where there is an aperture in a ground plane.