Abstract:
An application for a hearing aid drying/disinfecting system includes a closable container with an internally mounted ultra-violet lamp for disinfecting the hearing aid. A heating element creates an internal temperature that is higher than ambient temperature and a fan circulates air through shielded vents from the outside of the container through the container and back out, thereby drying the hearing aid contained within the drying/disinfecting system.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    This invention relates to an appliance for reducing moisture damage to sensitive electronic devices and more particularly to an appliance for reducing moisture in hearing aids. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Current trends in electronics have enabled the production of hearing aids small enough to reside partially or completely in the ear canal. This exposes the devices to a warm, humid environment and presents the opportunity for damage to the device and ultimately, failure of the device. 
         [0003]    There are several ways for hearing aid wearers to protect their devices from moisture damage while they are not being worn. The simplest device is a container having desiccant material inside and way to separate the device from the desiccant. 
         [0004]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,640,783 to Schumaier, U.S. Pat. No. 5,852,879 to Schumaier and U.S. Pat. No. 7,017,  276  to Greenspan, et al, describes both drying and bactericidal activity in their devices. These devices utilize a fan to circulate air internally within the unit and have a heater to assist in moisture removal. Since the air is circulated internally, a desiccant material is used to absorb moisture from the air. At some point, the desiccant material used in the above-described devices becomes saturated with moisture and needs to be either replaced with a fresh desiccant or regenerated by heating it to a high temperature. The desiccant material is regenerated by exposure to very high temperatures, usually in excess of 100 degrees Celsius. 
         [0005]    What is needed is a de-moisturizing appliance that does not require a desiccant material to reduce moisture in a contained electronic device. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    An electronic device drying and disinfecting apparatus includes a closable container of enclosure with an internal ultra-violet lamp for disinfecting the electronic device. A heating element creates an internal temperature that is higher than ambient temperature and a fan circulates air from the outside of the container through the container and back out, thereby drying the electronic device. 
         [0007]    In one embodiment, a drying system for a hearing aid is disclosed including an enclosure having a lid portion hingedly connected to a base portion with a ultra-violet lamp (e.g., a germicidal ultra-violet lamp) adapted to emit ultra-violet light within the enclosure. At least some of the ultra-violet light is directed towards the hearing aid. A shelf situated in the base portion supports the hearing aid and a heater within the base portion and beneath the shelf heats the hearing aid. At least two air vents are formed in the base portion, each of the at least two air vents comprise an inner air vent and an outer air vent, whereas the inner air vent is staggered with respect to the outer air vent, thereby allowing air flow while reducing leakage of the ultra-violet light. A fan is located within the base portion, drawing air into the drying system through a first air vent of the at least two air vents and pushing air out of the drying system through a second air vent of the at least two air vents. 
         [0008]    In another embodiment, a drying system for a hearing aid is disclosed including an enclosure having a lid portion hingedly connected to a base portion and a ultra-violet lamp (e.g., a germicidal ultra-violet lamp) adapted to emit ultra-violet light within the enclosure. At least some of the ultra-violet light is directed towards the hearing aid. A shelf situated in the base portion supports the hearing aid and a heater within the base portion and beneath the shelf heats the hearing aid. At least two air vents are formed in the base portion, each of the at least two air vents comprise an inner air vent and an outer air vent, whereas the inner air vent is staggered with respect to the outer air vent, thereby reducing leakage of the ultra-violet light. A fan is located within the base portion, drawing air into the drying system through a first air vent of the at least two air vents and pushing air out of the drying system through a second air vent of the at least two air vents. A timer is interfaced between a power source and the fan, the heater and the ultra-violet lamp. The timer connects power to the fan, the heater and the ultra-violet lamp during a timer interval. An interlock switch is interfaced between the power source and the fan, the heater and the ultra-violet lamp; the interlock switch is operatively coupled between the lid portion and the base portion and the interlock switch disconnects the power source from the fan, the heater and the ultra-violet lamp responsive to the interlock switch detecting a separation between the lid portion and the base portion (e.g., opening of the lid). 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]    The invention can be best understood by those having ordinary skill in the art by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0010]      FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary system of the present invention with the lid open. 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  illustrates a second perspective view of the exemplary system of the present invention with the lid open. 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  illustrates a plan view of the exemplary system of the present invention. 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  illustrates a perspective view of the exemplary system of the present invention with the lid shut. 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  illustrates a second perspective view of the exemplary system of the present invention with the lid shut. 
           [0015]      FIG. 6  illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary system of the present invention with the lid open holding a pair of hearing aids. 
           [0016]      FIG. 7  illustrates a schematic view of an exemplary system of the present invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 8  illustrates a schematic view of a second exemplary system of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0018]    Reference will now be made in detail to the presently preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Throughout the following detailed description, the same reference numerals refer to the same elements in all figures. 
         [0019]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , perspective views of an exemplary system  10  of the present invention with the lid open is shown. The hearing aid dryer  10  dries and disinfects a hearing aid  99  (see  FIG. 6 ) or other electronic device using heat, a germicidal ultra-violet light and air flow without the use of a desiccant. Existing hearing aid dryers require a desiccant to remove humidity/moisture from within their sealed enclosure. The hearing aid dryer  10  performs its function without the use of a desiccant. 
         [0020]    The hearing aid dryer  10  has a base portion  13  with a lid portion  11  hingedly attached to the base  13 . The lid  11  contains an ultra-violet lamp  24  such as germicidal ultraviolet lamps as known in the industry. The ultra-violet lamp  24  emits ultra-violet light onto the hearing aid  99  (see  FIG. 6 ) as it sits on a shelf  20 , thereby disinfecting the hearing aid  99 . In the preferred embodiment, the shelf  20  has a mirrored surface facing upward and the upper shelf  22  of the lid  11  has a mirrored surface facing downward to both intensify the ultra-violet light from the ultra-violet lamp  24  and to provide ultra-violet light at many different angles to reach within openings of the hearing aid  99 . 
         [0021]    A fan  81  (see  FIG. 3 ) is positioned beneath a ledge cover  26  of the base  13 . The fan  81  vents air through a fan grill  28  and in or out a vent hole  52 . Although the system  10  works well with the fan  81  blowing either in or out, it is preferred the fan  81  blows out through the vent hole  52  to exhaust humidity. In the preferred embodiment, air flows in through a vent hole  50  on the side  42  of the base  13  and flows out of the vent hole  52  on the opposite side  44 . In another embodiment, air flows in through a vent hole  52  on the side  44  of the base  13  and air flows out of the vent hole  50  on the opposite side  42 . Although it is preferred that the vent holes  50 / 52  as shown (on opposite side surfaces  42 / 44 ), in alternate embodiments, the vent holes  50 / 52  are on other surfaces. Although two vent holes  50 / 52  are shown, any number of vent holes  50 / 52  are anticipated in any shape and size. 
         [0022]    The vent hole  50  is coupled to an internal vent hole  32  through a channel within the side  42  such to provide protection from ultra-violet light escaping, being that ultra-violet light is harmful to one&#39;s eyes. A similar channel couples vent hole  52  to another internal vent hole  33  (see  FIG. 3 ). 
         [0023]    Although the internal vent holes  32 / 33  and the external vent holes  50 / 52  are fabricated in any way currently known, a preferred method of staggering the internal vent holes  32 / 33  from the external vent holes  50 / 52  is by using an inner base  14  and an outer base  12 . The internal vent holes  32 / 33  are cut or formed in the inner base  14  and external vent holes  50 / 52  are cut or formed in the outer base  12 . Likewise, although the lid  11  is anticipated to be made in any way known in the industry, it is preferred that the lid be made of an inner lid  18  and an outer lid  16 . To reduce emissions of ultra-violet light, the inner lid  18  is recessed from the outer lid  16  and the inner base  14  extends beyond the edge of the outer base  12 , thereby providing a staggered interface to each other to seal the lid portion  11  to the base portion  13 , thereby reducing ultra-violet light emissions outside of the system  10 . 
         [0024]    In some embodiments, an on/off switch  60  and an indicator  62  are provided on an outside surface such as the front surface  40 . In some embodiments, a lid deck  30  covers part of the interlock switch (see  FIG. 3 ). 
         [0025]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , a plan view of the exemplary system of the present invention is shown. The hearing aid dryer  10  has a base portion  13  with a lid portion  11  attached to the base  13  by, for example, hinges  94 . The lid  11  contains an ultra-violet lamp  24  that shines ultra-violet light to disinfect the heating aid  99  (see  FIG. 6 ) as it sits on a shelf  20 . In the preferred embodiment, the shelf  20  has a mirrored surface facing upward and the upper shelf  22  of the lid  11  has a mirrored surface facing downward to both intensify the ultra-violet light from the ultra-violet lamp  24  and to provide ultra-violet light at many different angles to reach within openings of the hearing aid  99 . The shelf  20  and upper shelf  22  are fastened to the lid  11  and base  13  with screws  92  or are affixed in any other way known. 
         [0026]    A fan  81  is positioned beneath the ledge cover  26  of the base  13 . The fan  81  blows air through a fan grill  28  (see  FIGS. 1 and 2 ) and in or out a vent holes  52 / 33 . Although the system  10  works well with the fan  81  blowing either in or out, it is preferred the fan  81  blows out through the vent holes  52 / 33  to exhaust humidity. In the preferred embodiment, air flows in through vent holes  50 / 32  on the side  42  of the base  13  and flows out of the vent hole  52 / 33  on the opposite side  44 . In another embodiment, air flows in through a vent hole  52 / 33  on the side  44  of the base  13  and air flows out of the vent hole  50 / 32  on the opposite side  42 . Although it is preferred that the vent holes  50 / 52  are shown on opposite side surfaces  42 / 44 , in alternate embodiments, the vent holes  50 / 32 / 52 / 33  are on other surfaces. Although two vent holes  50 / 32 / 52 / 33  are shown, any number of vent holes  50 / 32 / 52 / 33  are anticipated in any shape and size. 
         [0027]    The vent hole  50  is coupled in a staggered configuration to an internal vent hole  32  through a channel within the side  42  to provide protection from ultra-violet light escaping, being that ultra-violet light is harmful to one&#39;s eyes. In this way, since light and ultra-violet light do not naturally bend, very little ultra-violet light is emitted out of the vent hole  50  (it is possible for a harmless, very small amount of reflected ultra-violet light to escape). A similar channel couples vent hole  52  to the other internal vent hole  33 . 
         [0028]    Although the internal vent holes  32 / 33  and the external vent holes  50 / 52  are fabricated in any way currently known, a preferred method of staggering the internal vent holes  32 / 33  from the external vent holes  50 / 52  is by using an inner base  14  and an outer base  12 . The internal vent holes  32 / 33  are cut or formed in the inner base  14  and external vent holes  50 / 52  are cut or formed in the outer base  12 . Likewise, although the lid  11  is anticipated to be made in any way known in the industry, it is preferred that the lid be made of an inner lid  18  and an outer lid  16 . To reduce emissions of ultra-violet light, the inner lid  18  is recessed from the outer lid  16  and the inner base  14  extends beyond the edge of the outer base  12 , thereby providing a staggered pair of interface edges that seal and reduce ultra-violet light emissions. 
         [0029]    To prevent operation of the ultra-violet light when the hearing aid dryer  10  is opened, an interlock is provided. In the example shown, the interlock comprises a magnet  70  and a magnet sensing switch  72 , for example, a reed switch. The magnet sensing switch  72  is coupled to the main circuit board  86  through wires  76 . When the magnet sensing switch  72  detects a reduction of magnetic field from the magnet  70  (e.g., the lid  11  is opened slightly), circuitry on the main circuit board  86  prevents the flow of electricity through wires  74  to the ultra-violet lamp  24 . 
         [0030]    In some embodiments, an on/off switch  60  and an indicator  62  are provided on an outside surface such as the front surface  40  and are connected to the main circuit board  86 . 
         [0031]    A heating element  80  is powered through wires  82  connecting it to the main circuit board  86 . The heating element  80  is any known heating element such as a resistive heating element or a semiconductor heating element, etc. In some embodiments, the heating element  80  is held close to the shelf  20  by a stand-off  84 . 
         [0032]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , a perspective view of the exemplary system of the present invention with the lid shut  11  is shown. In this view, the power switch  60  and indicator  62  are located on the front surface  40  of the base  13  and the vent hole  52  on the right side  44  of the base  11  is visible. The lid  11  is closed, thereby enabling operation of the ultra-violet lamp  24 . 
         [0033]    Referring to  FIG. 5 , a second perspective view of the exemplary system of the present invention with the lid  11  shut is shown. In this view, a power connector  90  (e.g., a power source or source of power) is located on a rear surface of the base  13  and the vent hole  52  on the right side  44  of the base  11  is visible. The lid  11  is closed, thereby enabling operation of the ultra-violet lamp  24 . In this example, the lid  11  is connected to the base  13  by two hinges  94 , although, any number of hinges are anticipated. 
         [0034]    Referring now to  FIG. 6 , a perspective view of an exemplary system  10  of the present invention with the lid open holding a pair of hearing aids  99  is shown. The hearing aid(s)  99  or other electrical equipment is placed on the shelf  20  to dry and disinfect when the lid  11  is closed and the on/off switch is operated, energizing the heater  80 , fan  81 , ultra-violet lamp  24 . 
         [0035]    Referring now to  FIG. 7 , a schematic view of an exemplary system of the present invention will be described. Power is connected through a power jack  90  as known in the industry, one side to ground and the other is connected to the heater  80 , fan  81 , ultra-violet lamp  24  and indicator  62  (an LED in this example). Power and ground are also provided to a timer  87 . When the power switch  60  is pressed (making contact in this example), the timer  87  starts a timing interval. During the timing interval, the timer  87  energizes a relay  89  whose contacts connect the heater  80 , fan  81 , ultra-violet lamp  24  and indicator  62  (the indicator is optional) to ground potential, thereby powering the heater  80  to heat, fan  81  to move air, ultra-violet lamp  24  to emit ultra-violet light and indicator  62  (optional) to illuminate. When the time interval expires, the timer de-energizes the relay  89  and removes ground potential from the heater  80 , fan  81 , ultra-violet lamp  24  and indicator  62 , thereby turning off these devices. 
         [0036]    Many configurations of timers  87  are anticipated. In some configurations, the fan and heater operate independent of the timer (e.g., operate when the power switch  60  is closed) and the ultra-violet lamp  24  is controlled by the timer  87  to operate the ultra-violet lamp  24  for a specific interval such as 5-7 minutes. In another exemplary configuration, the power switch  60  enables the timer  87  and the timer  87  has two intervals, one in hours (e.g., 3-4 hours) to power the fan  81  and heater  80 ; and another interval in minutes to power the ultra-violet lamp  24  (e.g., 5-7 minutes). 
         [0037]    The timer is also connected to the interlock switch  72  which is closed when the lid  11  is shut. If the lid  11  is opened during the timing interval (e.g., the ultra-violet lamp  24  is on), the interlock switch  72  opens (in this example) and signals the timer to cancel the timing interval and, therefore, the timer de-energizes the relay  89  and removes ground potential from the heater  80 , fan  81 , ultra-violet lamp  24  and indicator  62 , thereby turning off these devices. 
         [0038]    The timing interval is either pre-set to an optimal amount of time, that required to dry and disinfect most hearing aids or is adjustable (not shown) as known in the industry. 
         [0039]    There are many timers known in the industry including electro-mechanical timers (bi-metallic, etc.), clock-movement timers and semiconductor timers, along with many circuit configurations to achieve the same operational results; all are anticipated here within. An exemplary timer is an industry standard  555  timer that is well known. In some cases, the power output of such a timer is sufficient to operate the heater  80 , fan  81 , ultra-violet lamp  24  without the use of the relay  89 . In some exemplary systems, the relay  89  is a semiconductor relay or a power transistor or power FET, as known in the industry. 
         [0040]    Since the air in the system  10  and, therefore, the hearing aid  99  is heated by the heating element  80  to a temperature above ambient, for example,  103 C, as air is circulated, moisture is removed from the hearing aid  99  and exhausted from the system  10  through the vents  52 / 33  while fresh, drier air enters the system through the vents  50 / 32 . 
         [0041]    Referring now to  FIG. 8 , a schematic view of a second exemplary system of the present invention will be described. In this embodiment, the power switch  60  connects/disconnects power to the entire system such that, when powered, the fan  81 , heater  80  and indicator  62  (if provided) are energized whenever the power switch  60  is closed. Also, in this embodiment, the timer  87  is connected to the interlock switch  72  such that the timer  87  starts timing each time the lid  11  is closed or the power switch  60  is turned on (closed). For example, when the lid  11  is closed, the ultra-violet lamp  24  is energized through the timer  87  and optional relay  89  for several minutes such as 5-7 minutes. 
         [0042]    As before, Power is connected through a power jack  90  as known in the industry, one side to ground and the other is connected to the heater  80 , fan  81 , ultra-violet lamp  24  and the optional indicator  62  (an LED in this example). Power and ground are also provided to a timer  87 . When the power switch  60  is closed, the heater  80 , fan  81  and indicator  62  (the indicator is optional) are connected to ground potential and, therefore, operate. If, the lid  11  is closed, the interlock switch  72  enables the timer  87  to start a timing interval. During the timing interval, the timer  87  energizes a relay  89  whose contacts connect (or transistor conducts current), thereby powering the ultra-violet lamp  24  to emit ultra-violet light. When the time interval expires, the timer de-energizes the relay  89  and removes ground potential from the ultra-violet lamp  24 , thereby turning off the ultra-violet lamp  24  and reducing the risk of exposure to the harmful effects of ultra-violet light. 
         [0043]    The timing interval is either pre-set to an optimal amount of time, that required to dry and disinfect most hearing aids or is adjustable (not shown) as known in the industry. The timing interval is typically 5-7 minutes, although the present invention is not restricted to any particular timing interval. 
         [0044]    There are many timers known in the industry including electro-mechanical timers (bi-metallic, etc.), clock-movement timers and semiconductor timers, along with many circuit configurations to achieve the same or similar operational results; all are anticipated here within. An exemplary timer is an industry standard 555 timer that is well known. In some cases, the power output of such a timer is sufficient to operate the ultra-violet lamp  24  without the use of the relay  89 . In some exemplary systems, the relay  89  is a semiconductor relay or a power transistor or power FET, as known in the industry. 
         [0045]    Since the air in the system  10  and, therefore, the hearing aid  99  is heated by the heating element  80  to a temperature above ambient, for example, 105 C, as air is circulated, moisture is removed from the hearing aid  99  and exhausted from the system  10  through the vents  52 / 33  while fresh, drier air enters the system through the vents  50 / 32 . 
         [0046]    Equivalent elements can be substituted for the ones set forth above such that they perform in substantially the same manner in substantially the same way for achieving substantially the same result. 
         [0047]    It is believed that the system and method of the present invention and many of its attendant advantages will be understood by the foregoing description. It is also believed that it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the components thereof without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention or without sacrificing all of its material advantages. The form herein before described being merely exemplary and explanatory embodiment thereof. It is the intention of the following claims to encompass and include such changes.