Canal hearing devices and batteries for use with same

• US 10,264,372 B2
• Filed: 03/24/2017
• Issued: 04/16/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 11/23/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sonova AG (Sonova Holding AG)
• Original Assignee: Sonova AG (Sonova Holding AG)
• Inventors: Wenzel, Stuart, Lin, Chuangang, Wagner, Paul, Ladabaum, Igal
• Primary Examiner(s): Kelly, Cynthia H
• Assistant Examiner(s): Wills, Monique M
• Application Number:
  US15/469,144
• Publication Number:
  US 20170201840A1
• Time in Patent Office: 753 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B23P 17/00 Metal-working operations, not covered by a single other subclass or another group in this subclass
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 12/06 with one metallic and one gaseous electrode
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2220/30 Batteries in portable systems, e.g. mobile phone, laptop
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2300/0014 Alkaline electrolytes
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/103 prismatic or rectangular H01M50/109, H01M50/11 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/154 Lid or cover comprising an axial bore for receiving a central current collector
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/167 by crimping
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 6/02 Details of electrodes H01M4/00; of non-active parts H01M50/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 6/045 characterised by aqueous electrolyte
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2225/023 Completely in the canal [CIC] hearing aids
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2225/49 Reducing the effects of electromagnetic noise on the functioning of hearing aids, by, e.g. shielding, signal processing adaptation, selective (de)activation of electronic parts in hearing aid
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/602 of batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/604 of acoustic or vibrational transducers
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/652 Ear tips; Ear moulds hybrid ear moulds or post-processing thereof for their customisation H04R25/659
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/654 Ear wax retarders
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/656 Non-customized, universal ear tips, i.e. ear tips which are not specifically adapted to the size or shape of the ear or ear canal
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/658 Manufacture of housing parts
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49108 Electric battery cell making
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49799 Providing transitory integral holding or handling portion

Abstract

Hearing devices configured to fit within the bony portion of the ear canal and batteries that may be used with same.

Claims

1. A method of assembling a battery from a non-crimped anode can including an anode portion, a cathode portion and an external retention ledge, the method comprising the steps of:

positioning the external retention ledge of the non-crimped anode can on a support located outside of the anode can in such a manner that the non-crimped anode can is supported solely by the external retention ledge;

after positioning the external retention ledge of the non-crimped anode can on the support located outside of the anode can, crimping the cathode portion by imparting a crimp force in a crimp force direction; and

without imparting opposing force to any other portion of the anode can, imparting an opposing force to the external retention ledge with the support in an opposing force direction that is opposite the crimp force direction while the crimp force is being imparted.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising the step of:

inserting anode material into the anode can anode portion prior to crimping.

3. A method as claimed in claim 2, further comprising the step of:

inserting a cathode assembly into the anode can cathode portion after inserting the anode material and prior to crimping.

4. A method as claimed in claim 3, further comprising the step of:

inserting an insulator into the anode can cathode portion prior to cathode assembly.

5. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein

the external retention ledge is defined by an inwardly contoured portion of the battery can anode portion;

and

the external retention ledge is a portion of the anode can cathode portion.

6. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein

the anode can defines a longitudinal direction;

and

the opposing force direction is parallel to the longitudinal direction.

7. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein

crimping the cathode portion comprises crimping the cathode portion by imparting a crimp force in a crimp force direction while the anode portion is decoupled from the crimp force.

8. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein

the external retention ledge is located at a junction of the anode portion and the cathode portion.