Wireless battery charging system for existing hearing aids using a dynamic battery and a charging processor unit

• US 6,498,455 B2
• Filed: 02/22/2002
• Issued: 12/24/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 02/22/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sivantos Gmbh (WS Audiology A/S)
• Original Assignee: Gary Skuro
• Inventors: Zink, Uwe, Skuro, Gary
• Primary Examiner(s): Tso, Edward H.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Luk, Lawrence
• Application Number:
  US10/080,240
• Publication Number:
  US 20020113572A1
• Time in Patent Office: 305 Days
• Field of Search: 320/108, 320/107, 381/69.2, 381/68, 381/68.6, 336/DIG.2
• US Class Current: 320/108
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/46 Accumulators structurally combined with charging apparatus circuits for charging H02J7/00
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/12 of the resonant type
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0042 characterised by the mechanical construction
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/025 using non-contact coupling, e.g. inductive, capacitive
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2225/31 Aspects of the use of accumulators in hearing aids, e.g. rechargeable batteries or fuel cells
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/00 Deaf-aid sets , i.e. electro-acoustic or electro-mechanical hearing aids; Electric tinnitus maskers providing an auditory perception electrical stimulation of auditory nerves to promote the auditory function A61N1/36038; optical stimulation of auditory nerves to promote the auditory function A61N5/0622
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries

Abstract

A rechargeable battery which may be used with most presently available hearing aids (or other appliances) with no modification to the existing hearing aid is needed in order to use the described wireless charging system. The battery may be known a “Dynamic battery” as the battery is actively charged by means of an inductor circuit built into the battery housing itself or added onto the battery. The hearing aid may simply be placed within the charger housing (or cradle) to charge the battery. No electrical connection by either wires or electrical contacts is needed to recharge the battery, which is located inside the hearing aid housing. Moreover, the battery need not be removed from the hearing aid (or other appliance).

Claims

1. A rechargeable battery which may be recharged without removal from an appliance, the battery comprising:

an inductive charging circuit formed within a first portion of a housing of a battery cell; and

a rechargeable battery, formed within a second portion of a housing of the battery cell.

2. The rechargeable battery of claim 1, wherein the inductive charging circuit further comprises:

an inductor coil having a diameter substantially the same as the battery case;

a ceramic substrate, formed within the diameter of the inductor coil; and

an inductive charging circuit, formed on the ceramic substrate.

3. The rechargeable battery of claim 1, wherein the inductive charging circuit further comprises:

an inductor coil having a diameter substantially the same as the battery case, said inductor coil formed around the rechargeable battery;

a battery terminal contact, for conducting current from the battery to the appliance; and

an inductive charging circuit, formed on the battery contact.

4. The rechargeable battery of claim 3, wherein the inductor coil comprises a side wall portion of the battery case.