US20130328524A1

US20130328524A1 - Rechargeable battery pack

Info

Publication number: US20130328524A1
Application number: US13/911,253
Authority: US
Inventors: Roman Bartulec; Frank Koch; Frank Naumann; Benjamin Seiwolo; Wolfgang Weydanz; Jacob Johan Rabbers; Anton Gebert
Original assignee: Siemens AG; Siemens Medical Instruments Pte Ltd
Current assignee: Siemens AG; Sivantos Pte Ltd
Priority date: 2012-06-06
Filing date: 2013-06-06
Publication date: 2013-12-12
Also published as: CN103475985B; CN103474709B; DE102012214466B4; CN103474709A; DE102012214469A1; DK2672731T3; US9014407B2; DE102012214466A1; US20130329925A1; DK2672733T3; CN103475985A

Abstract

A rechargeable battery pack, or accumulator pack, for instance for a hearing instrument, has a minimal installation size and high energy density. The accumulator pack has at least one rechargeable battery cell, charging electronics, signal electronics, and signal contacts. An encapsulation protects against moisture and contamination. The signal electronics transforms an output voltage of the battery cell into a predetermined voltage, which is made available by two signal contacts outside of the encapsulation. The transformation of the voltage enables the battery systems to be used with various battery and/or cell voltages. Li-ion battery systems, which generally operate with 3.7 volts, can thus also be used in hearing instruments, which generally operate with an operating voltage of 1.2 volts. The encapsulation of the accumulator pack is particularly advantageous in this context of the higher voltages.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit, under 35 U.S.C. §119(e), of provisional patent application No. 61/656,062, filed Jun. 6, 2012, and the priority, under 35 U.S.C. §119(a), of German patent application DE 10 2012 214 466.8, filed Aug. 14, 2012; the prior applications is herewith incorporated by reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a rechargeable battery pack, or accumulator pack.
Rechargeable battery packs can be used in particular in mobile devices. Hearing instruments, for example, are considered mobile devices. Hearing instruments can be embodied for instance as hearing devices, or hearing aids. A hearing device is used to supply a hearing-impaired person with acoustic ambient signals which are processed and amplified so as to compensate for and/or treat the respective hearing impairment. It consists in principle of one or a number of input transducers, a signal processing facility, an amplification facility and an output transducer. The input transducer is generally a sound receiver, e.g. a microphone and/or an electromagnetic receiver, e.g. an induction coil. The output transducer is generally realized as an electroacoustic transducer, e.g. miniature loudspeaker, or as an electromechanical transducer, e.g. bone conduction receiver. It is also referred to as an earpiece or receiver. The output transducer generates output signals, which are routed to the ear of the patient and are to generate a hearing perception in the patient. The amplifier is generally integrated into the signal processing facility. Power is supplied to the hearing device by means of a battery integrated in the hearing device housing. The essential components of a hearing device are generally arranged on a printed circuit board as a circuit carrier and/or connected thereto.
Aside from hearing devices, hearing instruments can also be embodied as so-called tinnitus maskers. Tinnitus maskers are used to treat patients with tinnitus. They generate acoustic output signals which are dependent on the respective hearing impairment and, depending on the active principle, also on ambient noises, which may contribute to reducing the perception of interfering tinnitus or other ear noises.
Hearing instruments may also be embodied as telephones, cellphones, headsets, earphones, MP3 players or other electronic telecommunication or consumer electronics systems.
Hearing instruments were previously usually operated with non-rechargeable batteries. Batteries based on zinc-air cells, which have a high energy density are frequently used. The power supply including the battery itself is integrated in the hearing instrument. The battery in the hearing instrument is covered by a door or flap and is, as a result, shielded from the environment. The battery can be inserted and removed through the door or flap. Electrical contacts which contact the battery are provided in the hearing instrument. These are clamped into a holder and have no fixed connection to the hearing instrument. Since this door does not close completely tightly however, contaminants, moisture and above all also chemically aggressive earwax can enter the battery compartment and thus the hearing instrument and cause corrosion or other problems there.
Unfortunately the battery needs to be replaced often, in many instances even after a few days. For older user in particular this is a problem and/or a question of user-friendliness. Work is therefore underway on rechargeable battery solutions for hearing instruments. A product with a NiMH accumulator is already commercially available, for instance. NiMH cells are advantageous in that they have the same voltage (1.2V) as the conventional non-rechargeable batteries, and that the form factor is the same. The user is therefore able to freely choose between battery and rechargeable battery. A large disadvantage in terms of NiMH accumulators is however that they only have a relatively short service life, that their capacity is limited and that they respond sensitively to high temperatures during the charging process. On account of the cited difficulties, a replacement of the battery must also be enabled, thereby rendering necessary an openable and thus not completely tight battery compartment.
The requirements in terms of size (especially thickness) of the battery are very strict in mobile devices, particularly in hearing instruments. This has to be set against the operating time, which, in hearing instruments, should amount to at least one day with 16-20 hours, ideally more. In order to retain the size specifications, all parts of the power supply must be attuned as optimally as possible to one another. This relates in particular to the battery itself, since this contributes significantly to the overall size of the power supply and applies equally to rechargeable batteries.
Although the preceding text, and also the following specification, are largely related to hearing instruments, they also similarly apply to other mobile devices, in which the size of the accumulator pack has to be minimized. They are not restricted to hearing instruments and hearing aids. The term mobile device is therefore to be understood below as inter alia hearing instruments, comparable devices and electronic telecommunication and consumer electronics systems. The preceding explanations also further apply to other battery-operated devices, in which the size of the accumulator pack has to be minimized.
The published paper “NTT Docomo's New Smartphone, Charger Can Be Wirelessly Charged” May 17, 2011, Kouji Kariatsumari, Nikkei Electronics (http://techon.nikkeibp.co.jp/english/NEWS_EN/20110517/191823/) and the product publication Jhih hong technology Co Ltd, Wireless Battery Pack & Charger for iPhone 3G/3GS (http://www.jht-energy.com/style/content/CN-09-2a/product_detail.asp?lang=2&customer_id=2255&name_id=96567&rid=56802&id=318528#iphone3G), described wirelessly rechargeable battery packs. Very little is disclosed in these publications with regard to the integrated electronic components and operating voltages. The accumulator packs are relatively large.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is accordingly an object of the invention to provide a power supply which overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages of the heretofore-known devices and methods of this general type and which provides for a power supply for battery-operated devices, for instance hearing instruments, which is based on a rechargeable battery and has a smaller installation size, yet at the same time a high energy density. Aside from the size, a predetermined form factor is also to be retainable. The power supply should exhibit high reliability and suitability for everyday use and in this way should protect in particular against contamination and moisture. It is to be flexibly configurable so that it will be embodied as a replacement for various other battery systems.
With the foregoing and other objects in view there is provided, in accordance with the invention, an accumulator pack, comprising:
at least one rechargeable battery cell and charging electronics for charging the at least one battery cell;
signal electronics connected to the at least one rechargeable battery cell and configured for transforming an output voltage of the battery cell into a predetermined supply voltage and outputting the supply voltage;
an encapsulation for protecting against contamination and a penetration of moisture; and
at least two signal contacts connected to the signal electronics and disposed to output the supply voltage made available by the signal electronics outside of the encapsulation.
A basic underlying concept of the invention consists in an accumulator pack, including at least one rechargeable battery cell, charging electronics for charging the at least one battery cell, signal electronics for generating a signal, at least two signal contacts for outputting the signal, and an encapsulation for protecting against the penetration of moisture and other contaminants. The signal electronics transforms an output voltage of the battery cell into a predetermined voltage and the voltage is made available outside of the encapsulation as a supply voltage by way of the two signal contacts.
The transformation of the voltage by the signal electronics allows any battery systems with various battery and/or cell voltages to be used, since the signal electronics can generate the required voltage, also known as supply voltage or operating voltage, irrespective hereof. Li-ion battery systems, which generally operate with 3.7 volts, can thus also be used in hearing instruments for instance, which generally require a supply voltage of, and operate at an operating voltage of, 1.2 volts.
The encapsulation of the accumulator pack is in this context particularly advantageous in the case of hearing instruments, since according to experience the tendency to corrode increases disproportionally with an increasing voltage. The encapsulation enables components with increased operating voltage, e.g., 3.7 volts with Li-ion battery systems, to be entirely encapsulated, so that only the operating voltage of 1.2 volts applies continuously outside of the encapsulation.
The conception of the accumulator pack enables the widest variety of battery systems to be integrated by way of the electronics such that almost any signals and form factors can be outwardly retained. If battery systems are to have proven themselves to be adequately reliable, suitable for everyday use and stable over the long-term in order to be used during the entire service life of a hearing instrument, a replacement of the accumulator pack would become obsolete with such battery systems. This would advantageously allow for the opening for replacing the accumulator pack to be omitted. As a result, the sealing would be improved. Furthermore, the susceptible and complicated mechanics of the battery door or flap could be omitted.
An advantageous embodiment consists in the at least one battery cell, the charging electronics and the signal electronics being arranged adjacent to one another in a plane so as to ensure a predetermined maximum height of the accumulator pack. This allows for the adherence to requirements which result in particular from the height of a battery compartment. Such requirements can inter alia therefore touch on the fact that widely used conventional batteries frequently have a flat form, to which the battery compartments are clearly adapted. A similarly flat accumulator pack therefore allows for replacement of widely used conventional battery types and thus increases the usability and flexibility in terms of use.
In accordance with an added feature of the invention, the accumulator pack includes an antenna extending over its surface for wireless energy reception. The at least one battery cell extends over a flat surface and the antenna and the at least one battery cell are arranged one above the other. A flat structure of the accumulator pack is thus favored, as previously explained with reference to widely used conventional battery forms.
In this context, the term “areally” as used herein, connotes a structure that has a substantially greater extent in two dimensions than in a third dimension, similar to a sheet structure or thin platelet.
In accordance with an additional feature of the invention, the antenna is connected to the charging electronics by way of electrical antenna contacts and the electrical antenna contacts and the antennas are arranged adjacent to one another in a plane. The arrangement of the antenna contacts on the surface adjacent to the antenna additionally favors the overall planar structure. Contrary to this, antenna contacts resting above the antenna, for instance embodied as contact tabs, would result in a significantly increased installation height.
A further advantageous embodiment consists in the antenna being arranged in a surface adjacent to the contacts, which contact the rechargeable battery. The arrangement of the battery contacts on the surface adjacent to the antenna also favors the overall planar structure. Contrary thereto, battery contacts lying above the antenna, embodied for instance as contact tags and/or solder tags, would result in a significantly increased installation size.
In accordance with a further advantageous feature of the invention, there is provided an EMS shield for shielding against electromagnetic signals. The shield has a section extending areally between the antenna and the at least one battery cell and a section connecting thereto and extending at right angles to the areally extending section, which is arranged laterally about the at least one battery cell. The planar shield disposed between the antenna and battery cell(s) prevents the penetration of electromagnetic charging alternating fields, for instance induction fields with which charging energy is transmitted to the antenna, into the battery. This is advantageous since otherwise unwanted eddy currents would be induced and result in damaging heating of the battery. It has also shown that the additional shield laterally enclosing the battery contributes to a further considerable reduction in the damaging eddy currents in the battery. The heating of the battery by means of electromagnetic charging alternating fields is thus considerably reduced.
In accordance with a concomitant feature of the invention, the accumulator pack is embodied at least partially by way of MID technology (MID—molded interconnect device). MID technology advantageously enables the required three-dimensional geometries of encapsulation and electrical lines and components to be assembled in an effortless manner and with little space.
Other features which are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in the appended claims.
Although the invention is illustrated and described herein as embodied in a rechargeable battery pack, it is nevertheless not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention and within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims.
The construction and method of operation of the invention, however, together with additional objects and advantages thereof will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an accumulator pack with an antenna and signal contacts;

FIG. 2 shows an exploded diagram of the accumulator pack;

FIG. 3 shows an accumulator pack with a latching lug;

FIG. 4 shows an accumulator pack with a flat-pin plug;

FIG. 5 shows an accumulator pack with latching lugs;

FIG. 6 shows an accumulator pack with a rotary guide;

FIG. 7 shows an accumulator pack with a detent and connecting element;

FIG. 8 shows an accumulator pack with a rotary detent and connecting element;

FIG. 9 shows an accumulator pack with a rotary axis and detent including connecting element;

FIG. 10 shows an accumulator pack with a dovetail joint and connecting element;

FIG. 11 shows a connecting element with spring contacts;

FIG. 12 shows an accumulator pack with a plug contact;

FIG. 13 shows a connecting element with a plug contact;

FIG. 14 shows a connecting element with pogo-pin contacts;

FIG. 15 shows an accumulator pack using MID technology;

FIG. 16 shows a passive housing half accumulator pack using MID technology;

FIG. 17 shows a housing half with battery contact battery pack using MID technology;

FIG. 18 shows a housing half with connecting contact battery pack using MID technology;

FIG. 19 shows a schematic of the hearing instrument, accumulator pack and charging device; and

FIG. 20 illustrates the integration of components into the accumulator pack.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the figures of the drawing in detail and first, particularly, to FIG. 1 thereof, there is shown a perspective representation of an accumulator pack 1 with an antenna 20 and signal contacts 21. The antenna 20 is used to receive charging energy, which is transmitted/transferred by way of electromagnetic alternating fields, preferably inductively. A rechargeable battery, preferably based on lithium-ion technology, is disposed in the accumulator pack 1. Charging electronics and a signal electronics, which makes available a predetermined signal, for instance with predetermined voltage, to the signal contacts 21, are likewise integrated in the accumulator pack 1.
FIG. 2 shows the accumulator pack 1 in an exploded perspective view. The further components of the accumulator pack 1 are arranged in an encapsulation 25, which, with the exception of two openings for signal contacts, is sealed so as to protect against contamination and moisture. A flexible circuit board supports the electronics 24, which inter alia includes a charging electronics, a signal electronics and electronic components for receiving charging energy by way of the antenna 20. The flexible circuit board is placed in a space-saving manner on the inner wall of the encapsulation 25. A rechargeable battery 23 is surrounded by the electronics 24 and the encapsulation 25. A shield 22 and there-above the antenna 20 are disposed above the rechargeable battery 23. The shield 22 prevents electromagnetic alternating fields, in particular for the transmission of charging energy, from penetrating through the antenna 20 to the battery 23. On the other hand, on account of eddy currents such alternating fields would disadvantageously effect an unwanted heating of the battery 23, which may have a disadvantageous effect on the charging process and the battery chemistry.
Aside from shield 22, a further shield against electromagnetic alternating fields is contained in the surrounding side wall of the encapsulation 25, which is nevertheless not shown separately in the figure but instead in the encapsulation 25. This may be for instance a metallic shielding layer arranged in the encapsulation 25 for instance. There is also the possibility of the encapsulation 25 being manufactured from a shielding material. Further, the encapsulation 25 can be manufactured on the basis of a plastic material, comprising a suitable filler, so as to achieve the desired shielding effect.
FIGS. 3-6 show different housing forms of an accumulator pack embodied as explained above. The accumulator pack 2 shown in FIG. 3 has two latching lugs for engaging in the battery compartment of a battery-operated device, in particular a hearing instrument. In this process, the latching lugs effect a mechanical detent, while the signal contacts arranged between the latching lugs effect the electrical contacting. The accumulator pack 3 shown in FIG. 4 comprises a plug contact embodied as a flat-pin plug. The plug contact in this case includes a mechanically stable construction, which is used for mechanical fastening purposes. The signal contacts, which are used for the electrical contacting of the accumulator 3, are arranged in the flat plug. The accumulator pack 4 shown in FIG. 5 has latching lugs, which are initially mounted on a side, wherein the other side then latches by rotating about the already mounted side. The accumulator pack 5 shown in FIG. 6 comprises a rotary bearing on one side shown below in the figure, around which the latching lugs are clicked into the latching position.
FIG. 7 is a top view of the accumulator pack 2. The cross-section of the latching lugs 26 can be seen. The accumulator pack is latched into the connecting element 7 of a battery-operated electrical device. To this end, the latching lugs 26 latch into the pawls 27, or undercuts. The electrical signal contacts arranged between the latching lugs 26 are not visible in the top view. In the latched position, they are connected to corresponding electrical contacts of the connecting element 7.
FIG. 8 is a top view of an accumulator pack 4. It is latched into the connecting element 8 of a battery-operated device. The latching lug 28 is visibly clicked into the pawl 29 or undercut. The latching lug 31 is for its part inserted into the pawl 30, or undercut. In order to release the accumulator pack 4, the latching lug 28 must firstly be released from the pawl 29 and the accumulator pack 4 is then pivoted about the pawl 30 away from the connecting element 8. The pivoting movement releases the pawl 30 from the latching lug 31. The accumulator pack 4 is latched into the connecting element 8 analogously using the reverse procedure.
FIG. 9 is a top view of the accumulator pack 5. It is latched into a connecting element 9. The accumulator pack 5 is supported on one side in the connecting element 9 by means of an axle 34. It is pivoted and clicked into the pawl 22 with the latching lug 32 about the axle 34. In order to release the accumulator pack, the latching lug 32 must be released from the pawl 33 in the reverse order and the accumulator pack 4 must be pivoted away from the connecting element 9.
FIG. 10 shows an accumulator pack 6 with a further mechanical connecting form, a dovetail joint, connected to the connecting element 10. The accumulator pack 6 comprises a dovetail 35, which is inserted into a corresponding dovetail guide 36 of the connecting element 10. The insertion movement takes place in the selected representation at right angles to the plane of the drawing, i.e. into or out of this.
FIG. 11 shows a connecting element 11 of a battery-operated electrical device. The connecting element 11 is used to connect to an accumulator pack (not shown in the figure). Two electrical contacts for contacting the signal contacts of an accumulator pack are disposed between the pawls embodied as explained previously. The contacts are embodied as spring contacts 37. As required, instead of two, more contacts can also be provided, for instance two + and − poles with different voltages, furthermore also contacts for signal transmission purposes.
FIG. 12 shows a further embodiment of a connecting element 12, as well as an accumulator pack 14 embodied so as to match thereto. Provision is made for a mechanical detent embodied as explained previously, in the center of which an electrical plug contact is arranged for electrical contacting of the signal contacts of the accumulator pack 14. The electrical plug contact includes a bushing 38 on the connecting element 12 and also pins 39 on the side of the accumulator pack 14. The pins 39 are arranged and shaped such that they assume a plug connection with the bushing 38, as soon as the accumulator pack 14 is latched on the connecting element 12.
A further connecting element 13 is embodied in FIG. 13. It comprises an axle-pawl connection embodied as explained previously, for engaging with an accumulator pack (not shown). Two pogo-pins 40 as electrical contacts are arranged in the center of the mechanical pawl arrangement so as to contact the signal contacts of an accumulator pack.
FIG. 15 shows a schematic representation of an encapsulation 60 of the accumulator pack. The encapsulation half 62 shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, which supports the electronic components, is embodied using MID technology. The plus and minus contact for contacting the rechargeable battery and the electrical signal contacts for connection to a battery-operated device are shown schematically. A foam element 63 is arranged centrally in the encapsulation half 61 shown opposite in FIG. 16, said foam element being used to press a battery to be placed into the encapsulation 60 elastically onto the battery contact (the minus contact).
FIG. 19 shows a schematic representation of the electronic components of a hearing instrument, an accumulator pack 42 embodied as previously explained and a wireless charging device 43. The hearing instrument 41 comprises as essential components a microphone arrangement 46, a signal processing facility 45 connected thereto and a receiver 44 connected thereto.
The hearing instrument 41 receives the required operating voltage from the accumulator pack 42. The accumulator pack 42 includes a rechargeable battery 47, which is charged and discharged by a protective electronics 48. The protective electronics has the object of preventing a damaging overloading of the battery 47. Similarly, it prevents the damaging total discharge of the battery 47.
Further, the accumulator pack 42 includes a signal electronics 49. The signal electronics 49 is used to provide the supply voltage and/or operating voltage required for the hearing instrument 41 to the signal contacts. For instance, the rechargeable battery 47 can be embodied as a Li-ion system, which operates with an operating voltage of 3.7 volts. In this instance, the signal electronics 49 has the task of transforming the voltage down to the operating voltage of 1.2 volts required for the hearing instrument 41. Depending on the battery system used and the battery-operated device to be supplied, the signal electronics 49 can also be embodied so as to execute other transformations.
The accumulator pack 42 further includes a charging electronics 50, which receives the required charging energy from a charging energy receiver 51. The charging energy receiver 51 includes to this end an antenna for the wireless receipt of energy. A microcontroller 52 controls receipt and the charging process. The described electronic components are integrated in a space-saving manner in the accumulator pack 42 and are encapsulated and shielded from the outside.
A wireless charging device 43 makes available the energy required for charging the accumulator pack 42.
Various manufacturing methods are conceivable for manufacturing such an accumulator pack. In a first embodiment, the components of the accumulator pack are glued in with an electrically non-conductive lacquer for fixing purposes for instance. This applies at least to the signal electronics, the charging electronics, the charging energy receiver and the microcontroller and the protective circuit. The rechargeable battery can either be glued in as well or it can be added in a further manufacturing step and glued in or fixed by means of injection molding or casting.
It must be ensured in each case that the battery itself is not completely glued in but gas channels instead remain open, which with safety-critical behavior, such as for instance opening the battery cell, allow for a controlled reaction, for instance drop in pressure. If the battery is instead completely glued in, this may result in an unwanted drop in pressure and a subsequently uncontrolled, safety-critical reaction.
In a second embodiment, the entire accumulator pack or only the electronic components can be rapidly and cost-effectively extruded by means of die casting, for instance injection molding, in order to mold a housing. In this way all parts are enclosed and thus protected by the extrusion compound. As explained above, it must be ensured that the battery itself is not completely glued in or extruded, but instead gas channels remain open.
In a third embodiment, a casting of the accumulator pack with one part or all of its components can take place with a suitable casting compound. As explained above, it must be ensured that the battery itself is not completely cast.
In a fourth embodiment, only the electronic components can be glued in, extruded or cast without the rechargeable battery. The electronic components may here and above include the antennas. The rechargeable battery may in this embodiment be added separately.
In a fifth embodiment, the accumulator pack can be embodied as a foil housing. Here the foil can be embodied in the form of a stable adhesive foil, e.g. label or shrink sleeving, which is shaped after application for instance by means of a heat effect. Furthermore, it can be molded in an integrated manner in the foil compound as a foil part drawn into shape possibly with a stabilizing metal layer.
In a sixth embodiment, a connection of the techniques explained above is conceivable. A combination of a partial adhesion, extrusion or casting with a foil technique is in particular suited to another part of the housing, which is not molded by means of gluing, extrusion or casting. It is preferable here to glue in, extrude or cast the electrical components, so as then to develop the accumulator pack using a foil technique.
In addition, instead of an accumulator pack, a battery compartment can also be embodied in accordance with the techniques cited above and in the form of an accumulator pack embodied as explained above. Such a battery compartment can be inserted into the battery-operated device, for instance hearing instrument, instead of the accumulator pack. In this respect it is used as a replacement pack, and can carry a rechargeable or non-rechargeable energy storage, e.g. a conventional primary zinc-air cell. As a result, a conventional battery can be inserted into a battery compartment instead of an accumulator pack embodied as explained previously, the form of which is adjusted to the accumulator pack and not to the conventional battery. The use of a conventional battery is available as an emergency solution, if the accumulator pack is to be empty or defective for instance. If necessary, such an insertable battery compartment may include a signal electronics, if the voltage of the battery has to be adjusted to the required operating voltage of the battery-operated de-vice.
An accumulator pack which is embodied as explained previously is shown schematically in a top view in FIG. 20. An antenna 47, which is embodied as a coil, is arranged above the rechargeable battery 58. The rechargeable battery 58 has an approximately cylindrical cross-section, while the antenna 57 has a slightly smaller and/or deviating cross-section so that a battery contact 54 is also disposed in the surface of the antenna 57 and above the battery 58. Furthermore, antenna contacts can additionally also be arranged along the surface adjacent to the antenna.
This prevents the battery contacts 54 and if necessary also the antenna contacts from having to be arranged above or below the antenna 57. At the same time, this prevents the battery contacts 54 and if necessary also the antenna contacts from having to be guided around an edge of the battery 58, which would be problematic in manufacturing terms and could come into conflict with the insulation of the battery arranged laterally on the battery 58. The planar arrangement of antenna 57 and battery contacts 54 and if necessary also antenna contacts achieves a lower installation height of the accumulator pack and thus a higher integration of the components.
To the right of the figure, the accumulator pack comprises an upwardly arranged space, which is not filled by the battery 58. This free space is used for the signal contacts 53 and/or the plug provided therefor. A corresponding free space is arranged below, in which the electronic components, for instance the charging electronics, the protective circuit, the signal electronics and the microcontroller are arranged.
An optimal space utilization is made possible by the arrangement of the signal contacts 53 and the electronics 56 laterally adjacent to the battery 58, without increasing the height of the accumulator pack. The connection of the antenna 57 and/or the antenna contacts 54 with the electronics 56 takes place in this way by way of a wire 55, which can be placed around the edge and above the lateral insulation of the rechargeable battery 58.
A basic concept of the invention may be summarized as follows: the object of the invention consists in specifying a power supply for battery-operated devices, for instance hearing instruments, which are based on a rechargeable battery and have a minimal installation size with simultaneously high energy density. A basic concept of the invention consists in an accumulator pack (1,2,3,4,5,6,14), including at least one rechargeable battery cell, a charging electronics (50) for charging the at least one battery cell, a signal electronics (49) for generating a signal, at least two signal contacts (21,53) for outputting the signal and an encapsulation (25,60) for protecting against the penetration of moisture and contaminants. The signal electronics (49) transforms an output voltage of the battery cell into one or a number of predetermined voltage(s), which is/are made available as a supply voltage by two or more predetermined signal contacts (21, 53) outside of the encapsulation (25, 60). The transformation of the voltage by the signal electronics allows any battery systems to be used with various battery and/or cell voltages, since the signal electronics can be generated irrespective thereof. Li-ion battery systems, which generally operate with 3.7 volts, can thus also be used in hearing instruments, which generally operate on a supply voltage of 1.2 volts. The encapsulation of the accumulator pack is particularly advantageous in this context, since, according to experience, the tendency to corrode increases over-proportionally. The encapsulation enables components with increased operating voltage to be entirely encapsulated.

Claims

1. An accumulator pack, comprising:

at least one rechargeable battery cell and charging electronics for charging said at least one battery cell;

signal electronics connected to said at least one rechargeable battery cell and configured for transforming an output voltage of the battery cell into a predetermined supply voltage and outputting the supply voltage;

an encapsulation for protecting against contamination and a penetration of moisture; and

at least two signal contacts connected to said signal electronics and disposed to output the supply voltage made available by said signal electronics outside of said encapsulation.

2. The accumulator pack according to claim 1, wherein said at least one battery cell, said charging electronics and said signal electronics are arranged in a surface adjacent to one another so as to adhere to a predetermined maximum height of the accumulator pack.

3. The accumulator pack according to claim 1, which further comprises an areally extended antenna for wirelessly receiving energy, and wherein said at least one battery cell is an areally extended structure and said antenna and said at least one battery cell are arranged one above another.

4. The accumulator pack according to claim 3, which comprises electrical antenna contacts connecting said antenna to said charging electronics and wherein said electrical antenna contacts and said antenna are arranged adjacent one another in a plane.

5. The accumulator pack according to claim 3, which comprises an electrical battery contact connecting said at least one rechargeable battery cell to said charging electronics, and wherein said electrical battery contact and said antenna are arranged adjacent one another in a plane.

6. The accumulator pack according to claim 3, which comprises a shield against electromagnetic signals, said shield including an areally extending section disposed between said antenna and said at least one battery cell, and a section connecting thereto and extending at right angles to said areally extending section and arranged laterally around said at least one battery cell.

7. The accumulator pack according to claim 1, wherein the assembly is assembled at least partially using MID technology.