Rotatable Hearing Charger Coil for Wireless Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional alignment methods for battery chargers of in-the-ear hearing devices are inefficient and prone to misalignment, leading to reduced power transfer efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A hearing device charger with a transmitter coil that automatically rotates into alignment with the receiver coil of the hearing device using a rotatable support post and magnets, ensuring optimal coil alignment during charging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If conventional alignment methods are used for battery chargers, then the device structure is simple, but power transfer efficiency is reduced due to misalignment
Solution Approach 1:
The transmitter coil is made rotatable relative to the charger housing, allowing it to dynamically adjust its orientation to maintain optimal alignment with the receiver coil. This dynamic adjustment mechanism resolves the contradiction by enabling efficient power transfer without requiring complex precision positioning structures, as the coil can adapt its position during charging.
Solution Approach 2:
The charging system uses the magnetic interaction between transmitter and receiver coils to automatically align them. The coils self-adjust to optimal alignment through magnetic attraction and repulsion forces, eliminating the need for external alignment mechanisms or user intervention, thus improving power transfer efficiency without significantly increasing device complexity.
2Productivity
If manual alignment methods are used, then the device is easier to manufacture, but charging efficiency is reduced due to misalignment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical alignment mechanisms with electromagnetic field-based self-alignment. The transmitter and receiver coils use magnetic field interactions to automatically align themselves, substituting mechanical precision positioning with field-based automatic alignment, thereby improving charging efficiency without complicating manufacturing.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows the transmitter coil to rotate through a range of angles, changing its orientation parameter to achieve optimal alignment with the receiver coil. This parameter adjustment capability enables efficient power transfer while maintaining a relatively simple structure that is easy to manufacture.
3Loss of energy
If fixed transmitter coil position is used, then the charger structure is simpler, but coil misalignment occurs leading to energy loss
Solution Approach 1:
The transmitter coil is designed to be rotatable rather than fixed, allowing it to dynamically adjust its orientation to maintain optimal alignment with the receiver coil. This dynamic capability reduces energy loss from misalignment while adding only minimal rotational mechanism complexity to the charger structure.
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
The solution enhances power transfer efficiency by eliminating misalignment issues, allowing for smaller coils and reducing demagnetization of positioning magnets, while maintaining efficient charging without user intervention.
Implementation Method 1
The charging transmitter coil, which transfers power to the charging receiving coil
Implementation Method 2
The charging post and ITE hearing device may also include magnets that secure the ITE hearing device to the charging post
Data Source
AI summary
A hearing device charger for use with a hearing device including a charger housing, a transmitter coil, a power supply operably connected to the transmitter coil, and a hearing device support, defining a central axis and associated with the charger housing and the transmitter coil, configured to rotate the transmitter coil relative to the charger housing.