AU2006200603B2

AU2006200603B2 - Method for establishing a detachable mechanical and/or electrical connection

Info

Publication number: AU2006200603B2
Application number: AU2006200603A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Herbert Baechler; Andreas Jakob
Original assignee: Phonak AG
Current assignee: Sonova Holding AG
Priority date: 2001-03-13
Filing date: 2006-02-14
Publication date: 2007-11-22
Anticipated expiration: 2021-03-13
Also published as: AU2006200603A1

Description

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Applicant(s): PHONAK AG Invention Title: METHOD FOR ESTABLISHING A DETACHABLE MECHANICAL AND/OR ELECTRICAL CONNECTION The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us: 2 Method for establishing a detachable mechanical and/or electrical connection The present invention is generically directed to mechanical links between modules of a hearing aid apparatus, so as to construe the hearing aid apparatus or between a hearing aid apparatus and an additional appliance. The present application is a divisional application of Application No. 2001237188.

It is further directed to a technique for establishing an electrical connection, again either between modules concomitantly defining the hearing aid apparatus or between a hearing aid apparatus and an additional appliance.

It is known from the US-A-6 157 728 to transmit electrical signals to a therapeutical outside-the-ear hearing aid apparatus via an inductive link. In the transmission cable as an additional appliance to the hearing aid apparatus there is provided an induction coil wound around a cylindrical magnet. The axis of the cylindrical magnet is perpendicular to a surface along which the cable's plug is applied to the hearing aid apparatus. Within the hearing aid apparatus there is provided a disk-shaped ferromagnetic plate adjacent to the respective surface of the hearing aid apparatus, to which the plug is to be joined. The cylindrical magnet, on the one hand, and the disk-shaped ferromagnetic plate, on the other hand, simultaneously forms the mechanical link between the appliance and the hearing aid apparatus and the electrical inductive connection between the appliance and electronic components within the hearing aid apparatus.

Thereby, analogue signals as audio signals are transmitted between the inductive links of induction coil with H:\Priyanka\Keep\speci\P59716 Div.doc 13/02/06 WO 01/39569 PCT/CHOI/00156 -3cylindrical magnet core on the side of the appliance and ferromagnetic plate as receiver part on the side of the hearing aid apparatus.

Although being advantageous with respect to easy mechanical linking of the appliance to the hearing aid apparatus by the user carrying the hearing aid apparatus at his ear, this technique suffers different drawbacks: SDue to the arrangement of the ferromagnetic plate perpendicularly to the axis of the cylindrical magnet, once the appliance is mounted to the hearing aid apparatus, this ferromagnetic plate considerably shunts and thus dampens in particular high frequency signals to be transmitted.

SDue to the fact that the ferromagnetic plate has two objects, namely contributing to the mechanical link as well as contributing to the electric signal transmission, a compromise solution as with respect to the material of the ferromagnetic plate on the one hand for signal transmission, on the other hand for mechanical linkage purposes must be made, which may not be optimum for both objects.

SDue to the inductive link, whereat parts, namely the ferromagnetic plates, are used for both objects, namely mechanical and electrical link, there is an interdependency between mechanical and electrical link quality, which, as was said, may not be construed optimally for both purposes.

4 According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a method for establishing an electrical connection to a or in a hearing aid apparatus, comprising establishing the electrical connection via a series capacitor, thereby exploiting a part of the hearing aid apparatus' casing as dielectricum of the capacitor.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a hearing aid apparatus with a detachable electric connection, wherein said electrical connection comprises a series capacitance, and a part of a casing of said hearing aid apparatus forms a dielectricum of said capacitance.

The present invention shall now be described by way of examples as shown in the following figures. These figures show: Fig. 1 schematically, the principal of the inventive mechanical linking method as is provided at a hearing aid apparatus according to some examples of the present invention; Fig. 2 in a representation form in analogy to that of fig. 1, a further embodiment of the magneto/mechanical linking technique at a further embodiment of a hearing aid; Fig. 3 still in a schematic representation according to the figs. 1 and 2, a further improvement of the mechanical linking technique for accurately positioning the parts to be linked as realized at one embodiment of a hearing aid apparatus; Fig. 4 still in a representation in the schematic form according to the figs. 1 to 3, realization of the mechanical linking method together with galvanic H:\Priyanka\Keep\speci\P59716 Div.doc 13/02/06 5 electrical linking as realized in a hearing aid apparatus; Figs. 5A and Schematically the principal of the method of capacitively electrically linking as realized at a further embodiment of a hearing aid apparatus; Fig. 6 still schematically the combination of series capacitance electrical linking and of magneto/mechanical linking as realized in a hearing aid apparatus; Fig. 7 a further embodiment of combined magneto/mechanical and series capacitance linking according to the method and hearing aid apparatus; Fig. 8 schematically shows a hearing aid apparatus, whereat two modules are linked magneto/mechanically and/or by series capacitance electric linking according to the present invention, and Fig. 9 a preferred embodiment according to which an external appliance as of a preferably one-lead cable is temporarily applied to a hearing aid apparatus to connect latter to a Bluetooth device and/or a player device and/or a control device and/or a hearing aid DSP programming unit.

In fig. 1 there is schematically shown the principle of the mechanical linking. On a first part 1 to be mechanically linked, be it a hearing aid apparatus or one module of a hearing aid apparatus, there is provided a pole piece 3 of ferromagnetic material. At the second part 5 to be mechanically linked to the part 1, be it an appliance to be removably linked to the hearing aid H:\Priyanka\Keep\speci\P59716 Div.doc 13/02/06 6 apparatus or be it a module to concomitantly form a hearing aid apparatus together with part i, a magnet arrangement 7, preferably a permanent magnet arrangement, is provided.

Obviously, instead of providing a pole piece 3 in fact magnetically passive at one of the two parts, it is absolutely possible to provide at both parts 1 and 5 an active magnet arrangement, again preferably of permanent magnets.

According to fig. 2, this embodiment is shown in that both parts to be mechanically linked 1 and 5 comprise both magnet arrangements 75 and 71 respectively. This technique allows to prevent establishment of mechanical links between parts or in positions of parts which shall not be mechanically linked. As may be seen in fig. 2, if the polarities P of the magnet arrangement, again preferably of permanent magnets, are the same, then the two parts 1 and 5 will be attracted by the mutual magnetic force F, thereby leading to the magnetical link as desired.

Whenever the polarities of the two magnet arrangements are inversed as shown in dashed lines, then approaching the two parts 1 and 5 to be mechanically linked will be prevented by the repelling force of the magnets.

Whenever the magneto-mechanical links established between the parts to be linked as was shown in figures 1 and 2, such a mechanical link may be established, even if the two parts are laterally and mutually slightly shifted, so that an exact positioning of the two parts at the desired mutual position may be not accurate and not accurately reproducible.

Therefore, and as schematically shown in fig. 3, the attracting magnetic force is generically exploited to draw the two parts to be linked in an exact mutual position.

H:\Priyanka\Keep\speci\P59716 Div.doc 13/02/06 7 Therefore, and as schematically shown in Fig. 3, there are provided at one or at both of the parts 1 and 5 to be linked mutually co-operating guiding members 9, which automatically lead the two parts 1 and 5 to be mechanically linked in an accurately defined mutual position by exploiting the attracting force of the magnet arrangement 7.

As was mentioned above the provided magneto/mechanical link shall not interfere especially as concerns selection of the material used for establishing the magnetic link on the one hand and the electric link on the other, but as again schematically shown in fig. 4, the magneto/electrical link may clearly be used for mechanically holding parts together which are electrically linked.

According to fig. 4, e.g. at part 5 with the magnet arrangement 75 one or more than one electric connection pin 11 may be provided as electric contact connected within part 5 to respective electric leads 13. At part 1 there is provided the magnet arrangement 7i, again preferably of permanent magnets and the female counterparts 15 for the pins 11 to establish respective electrical galvanic connections. The female plugs 15 are connected to electrical leads 17. By mechanically linking the two parts 1 and 5 there is established a galvanic electrical connection of the contacting parts 11 and 15 without the magnet arrangements at the respective part interfering or affecting such electrical connection.

It has to be noted that by appropriately selecting the polarities P of the magnet arrangement at the two parts 1 and 5, one can control in which position the two parts have to be linked. If the magnet arrangements are e.g.

formed by respective permanent magnets distributed in an annular pattern around a central axis A by appropriately H:\Priyanka\Keep\speci\P59716 Div.doc 13/02/06 8 selecting the polarities of the magnets, it may be predetermined at which mutual angle position p the tow parts 1 and 5 may be magneto/mechanically linked, thereby defining for the proper positioning of the electric contact parts 11 and 15 to be connected as desired.

Further, the technique of additionally establishing an electric connection as of fig. 4 may be clearly be combined with the positioning technique as schematically shown in fig. 3 so as to establish proper mutual positioning for installing proper and correct electrical connections.

In fig. 5A there is again schematically shown the principle of establishing an electric connection. A hearing aid apparatus or a module thereof 21 comprises a shell or casing 23, wherein electronic units, as e.g. a digital signal processing unit 27 is mounted.

H:\Priyanka\Keep\speci\P59716 Div.doc 13/02/06 WO 01/39569 PCT/CH01/00156 -9- A second part 25, as e.g. a second module forming together with module according to part 21 the hearing aid apparatus or being an appliance to be applied to the hearing aid apparatus part 21 comprises a first capacitance electrode 3 0 a, which is metallic and which, not necessarily but preferably, has a metallic surface 32 exposed to ambient.

In the casing 23 of the second part 21 to be electrically linked to part 25, there is provided a metallic electrode 3 0 b being separate from the ambient U by a part 23 d of casing 23 being of a dielectric material, as of plastic material of the casing 23. The electrode 30 b is electrically connected to the unit 27. When the two parts and 21 are brought together there results a series capacitance formed by electrode 3 0 a, dielectricum 2 3 d and second electrode 30 b. This capacitance C acts as series signal-transmitting element between the two parts 25 and 21. It goes without saying that the dielectric covering may also be applied to the surface 32 of electrode 30a or exclusively to that surface.

The electronic unit 27 within the hearing aid module 21 gets its reference potential from a body-contacting electrode 35. When applied to the human body, the electrode assumes the local electric potential 4B of the body via electrolytic contact, which may be improved by electrolytic paste as known in medical electrode appliance art.

The capacitive link is most preferably exploited for transmitting digital signals Without having to recur to relatively complicated chart amplifier circuitry and dependent on the input impedance Z4 of the unit 27 the 10 capacitance C acts as a voltage-differentiating element, so that digital signals S# will be differentiated to impulses I which may easily be detected at the unit 27.

In a preferred mode this capacitive connection is used to transmit controlled signals and especially digitally controlled signal traits.

In fig. 5B there is again schematically shown the principle of establishing an electric connection. In contrast to the embodiment shown in fig. 5A the electrode being the body-contacting electrode according to fig.

is embedded into the casing 23 which means that the body is also contacted by a capacitive electric coupling as it is the case between the first electrode 30a of the part 25 and the second electrode 3 0 b of the casing 23.

Furthermore, fig. 5B shows an interface module IF in which desired signals can be generated by a signal generator SG.

The signal generator SG is connected, on the one hand, to the first electrode 30a of the part 25 and, on the other hand, to a ground electrode IF_GND which is preferably incorporated into the interface module IF. In other words, there is provided a further capacitive electric coupling to the body to close the electric circuit.

Instead of completely incorporating the ground electrode IF_GND into the casing of the interface module IF resulting in said further capacitive electric coupling one might also provide a ground electrode which is in direct contact with the body similarly to the arrangement of fig.

5A where the electrode 35 is directly contacting the body.

H:\Priyanka\Keep\speci\P59716 Div.doc 13/02/06 WO 01/39569 PCT/CH01/00156 11 As shown in fig. 6 such series capacitance coupling by means of series capacitance element C may easily and most advantageously be combined with the magneto/mechanical linking technique as was described with the help of figures of 1 to 4.

It is even possible, as shown in fig. 7, to use one of the two electrodes 30 a or 3 0 b or even both these electrodes as magnet arrangement, because the magnetic field generated by the magnet arrangements will not interfere with the capacitive electric coupling. As shown in fig. 7, the electrode arrangement 30 a at part 25 comprises the magnets of the magnet arrangement 75. At part 21 the counter electrode 3 0 b is formed of ferromagnetic material. Thus, when approaching the two parts 25 and 21, the two electrodes 30a and 3 0 b will be attracted snugly towards each other with dielectricum layer 23 embedded therebetween, and the magnet arrangement 7s with the polarities P as shown in fig. 7 will generate the magnetic field through electrode 3 0 b acting as a pole piece.

An additional pole piece 38 may be applied at part 25 to complete the magnetic circuit. Nevertheless, the magnetic field and the ferromagnetic material of the electrode 30 b will by no means interfere with the capacitive coupling, because with respect to the material of the electrode 30 b there is not requested a high electro conductivity. Thus, the principle of series capacitance signal transmission and of magneto/mechanical linking may be ideally combined, thereby exploiting -the electrode for-the capacit-ance coupling simultaneously as part of the magnetic link WO 01/39569 PCT/CH01100156 12 arrangement. This is much more critical with an inductive coupling, as its magnetic field may clearly interfere with inductive transmission.

As schematically shown in fig. 8, the magneto/mechanical link and/or the series capacitance electric link may be applied between modules 40 and 42 concomitantly forming a hearing aid apparatus 50, one module, e.g. module comprising electronic circuitry 44 to be e.g. electrically supplied by means of a battery or accumulator 46 within module 42.

Module 42 may thereby be a battery or accumulator module, an emitter and/or receiver module, a filter module, a microphone module. The electric and/or mechanical link as is applied between the two modules 40 and 42 and as was explained by figs. 1 to 7 is denoted in fig. 8 schematically at 46.

In an especially preferred mode of realization and according to fig. 9 the magneto/mechanical link and thereby preferably combined with the series capacitance electrical link is applied between a hearing aid apparatus 52 and an external appliance, especially a cable connector 54, thereby especially preferred with a one-lead 56 cable.

Looking back on fig. 5A it is only then when part 25 does not provide for a second lead with reference potential that the body contact electrode 35 is to be provided. It is clear that reference potential may also be provided to unit 27 by galvanic contact to a reference potential lead, as shown in fig. 5A in dashed lines and at reference number 31.

WO 01/39569 PCT/CH01100156 13 Back to fig. 9 the Preferably one-lead connection 56 may establish connection of the hearing apparatus 52 to a Bluetooth device 58 and/or to a player unit 60, e.g. a minidisk, CD or MP3 player, or to a remote control unit 62 or, and especially, to a programming unit 64 for programming the digital signal processing in the hearing aid, e.g. at the audiologist.

It is pointed out that the battery or accumulator module incorporated into the hearing aid apparatus can be used as electrode, be it the second electrode, be it the bodycontacting electrode, to perform capacitive electric coupling. Furthermore, provided that the casing of the battery or accumulator module is made of a ferromagnetic material, this module may also be used to establish the mechanical link.

It is to be understood that, if any prior art publication is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms a part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country.

In the claims which follow and in the preceding description, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" is used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention.

Claims

1. A method for establishing an electrical connection to a or in a hearing aid apparatus, comprising establishing the electrical connection via a series capacitor, thereby exploiting a part of the hearing aid apparatus' casing as dielectricum of the capacitor.

2. The method of claim 1, comprising establishing said electrical connection by establishing a mechanical link.

3. The method of claim 1 or 2, comprising establishing said electrical connection between an electrical cable and an electric tab at said casing, thereby exploiting a part of the casing as said dielectricum.

4. The method of claim 3, comprising establishing said connection to a one-lead electric cable and applying to an electronic circuit within said hearing aid casing, which is operationally connected to said tab, the electric potential of a body-contact electrode at said hearing aid apparatus as a reference potential. The method of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein said hearing aid apparatus is an in-the-ear hearing aid apparatus or an outside-the -ear hearing aid apparatus for impaired or unimpaired hearing individuals or an earphone apparatus.

6. The method of any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein said cable is a cable to a transmitter module remote from said hearing aid apparatus.

7. The method of claim 3 or 4, wherein said cable is H:\Priynka\Keep\9peci\P59716 Div.doc 13/02/06 15 a linking cable to a programming unit for programming said hearing aid apparatus.

8. The method of claim 3 or 4, wherein said cable is at least a part of a link from one hearing aid apparatus to a second one.

9. The method of any one of claims 1 to 8, comprising establishing a digital signal connection. A hearing aid apparatus with a detachable electric connection, wherein said electrical connection comprises a series capacitance, and a part of a casing of said hearing aid apparatus forms a dielectricum of said capacitance.

11. The hearing aid apparatus of claim 10, comprising a mechanical link for said electrical connection.

12. The hearing aid apparatus of claim 10 or 11, wherein one part of the electrical connection is the hearing aid apparatus, and another part is a one-lead connecting cable.

13. The hearing aid apparatus of claim 12, comprising a contacting electrode exposed to ambient for contacting a human body and wherein an electrical potential of said electrode is exploited as a reference potential for electronics of said hearing aid apparatus.

14. The hearing aid apparatus of claim 12, comprising a further electrode incorporated into the casing of said hearing aid apparatus and wherein said further electrode is exploited as reference potential for electronics of said hearing aid apparatus. The hearing aid apparatus of any one of claims H:\Priyanka\Keep\9peci\P59716 Div.doc 13/02/06 16 to 14 being a therapeutical outside-the-ear hearing aid apparatus or a therapeutical in-the-ear hearing aid apparatus or an in-the-ear and/or an outside-the-ear applicable headphone.

16. A hearing aid apparatus system comprising a hearing aid apparatus according to any one of the claims to 15, further comprising a transmitter module remote from said hearing aid apparatus and being connectable to said connection of said hearing aid apparatus.

17. A hearing aid system comprising a hearing aid apparatus according to any one of the claims 10 to 16 and further comprising a remote programming unit for said hearing aid device being connectable to said connection of said hearing aid apparatus.

18. A hearing aid system comprising a pair of hearing aid apparatus according to any one of the claims 10 to 17 and a linking module being connectable to said connections of both of said hearing aid apparatuses.

29. The method of anyone of claims 1 to 9, and substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The hearing aid apparatus of any one of claims to 18 and substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Dated this 13 th day of February 2006 PHONAK AG By their Patent Attorneys GRIFFITH HACK Fellows Institute of Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys of Australia H:\Priyanka\Keep\speci\P59716 Div.doc 13/02/06