CN112995826B

CN112995826B - Wireless listening device and charging base

Info

Publication number: CN112995826B
Application number: CN201911392174.6A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 高上地; 戴朝辉; 吴玲敏
Original assignee: GN Audio AS
Current assignee: GN Audio AS
Priority date: 2019-12-16
Filing date: 2019-12-30
Publication date: 2023-10-03
Anticipated expiration: 2039-12-30
Also published as: CN112995826A

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a wireless listening device and a charging base. The wireless listening device system (1) comprises a wireless listening device (2) and a charging base (3). The listening device (2) comprises a first earpiece (8), a connection strap (4) extending from the first earpiece, a rechargeable battery (5) and a strap contact (6) arranged on the connection strap (4). The charging base (3) comprises a belt support (10) with a supporting contact (7), whereby the listening device (2) can reside in the base such that the belt contact (6) is in electrical contact with the supporting contact (7), whereby the rechargeable battery (5) can be charged. The connecting band (4) and the band support (10) are adapted to engage within a contact range (X) in which the connecting band (4) and the band support (10) are displaceable relative to each other in a longitudinal direction (11) of the connecting band (4). The belt contact (6) and the support contact (7) are realized to be in electrical contact with each other at any position within the contact range (X).

Description

Wireless listening device and charging base

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a wireless listening device system comprising a wireless listening device (wireless hearing device) and a charging base, wherein the wireless listening device comprises a first earpiece, a connection strap extending from the first earpiece, a rechargeable battery and a strap contact provided on the connection strap, and wherein the charging base comprises a strap support having a supporting contact, whereby the listening device can reside in the base such that the strap contact is in electrical contact with the supporting contact, whereby the rechargeable battery can be charged.

Background

US 7,639,832 B2 discloses a listening device according to the preamble. A disadvantage of such a system is that the user must carefully align the belt contact and the support contact to ensure proper docking for charging. There is a need for a more convenient system in which a user can dock a listening device on a charging base in an easy but still reliable manner.

Disclosure of Invention

The hearing device system according to the preamble is characterized in that the connection belt and the belt support are adapted to engage within a contact range in which the connection belt and the belt support can be displaced relative to each other in the longitudinal direction of the connection belt, and that the belt contact and the support contact are realized in electrical contact with each other at any position within the contact range. Thus, when docking the listening device, the user does not have to precisely align the belt contact and the support contact. The connecting band and the band support need only be aligned in the lateral direction and within the contact range in the longitudinal direction. This makes it easier and faster for the user to dock the listening device.

According to one embodiment, the connection strap is a headband that includes a bottom surface that faces the user's head when the listening device is worn, an opposite top surface that faces away from the user's head when the listening device is worn, and two opposite sides that connect the bottom surface and the top surface.

According to one embodiment, the belt contact is provided on the bottom surface.

According to one embodiment, the belt contact is arranged in the recess so that its surface is recessed from the remaining surface of the bottom surface. Accordingly, the contact portion can be made of a hard metal material without giving discomfort to the user when worn.

According to an embodiment, the belt contact is made of a soft conductive material, such as conductive silicone rubber. If the headband is provided with such a contact portion, a comfort level comparable to a conventional headband without a contact portion can be maintained.

According to another embodiment, the belt contact is provided on the side. With this solution, the bottom surface may be made of any material in order to optimize comfort for the user wearing the listening device.

According to an embodiment, the ribbon contacts are implemented as two separate rows of interconnecting contacts. Such a solution may be advantageous for different reasons, for example, in order to make the strap bendable to accommodate different head sizes or simple design purposes, etc. .

According to an embodiment, the belt contact is realized as a longitudinal rail extending in the longitudinal direction of the connecting belt. These tracks may be at least 4cm, 6cm, 8cm, 10cm, 12cm, 14cm or 16cm long.

According to an embodiment, the support contact is realized as a point contact, for example as a spring pin (pogo pin).

According to an embodiment, the support contact is realized as a longitudinal rail. These tracks may be at least 4cm, 6cm, 8cm, 10cm, 12cm, 14cm or 16cm long.

According to an embodiment, the belt contact is realized as a point contact, for example as a spring pin.

The wireless listening device system of any one of the previous embodiments wherein the contact range is at least 4cm, 6cm, 8cm, 10cm, 12cm, 14cm, or 16cm. The longer the range, the lower the accuracy required by the user when interfacing with the listening device.

According to an embodiment, the belt contact comprises a first central contact having a first polarity and a second contact on each side of the first contact having a second polarity.

According to an embodiment, the support contact comprises a first central contact having a first polarity and a second contact having a second polarity on each side of the first contact.

Drawings

The present invention will be explained in detail below with reference to the drawings showing preferred embodiments of the present invention, wherein,

fig. 1 is a front view of a wireless listening device system including a wireless listening device and a charging base according to a first embodiment of the present invention, wherein the listening device is disposed in a first charging position;

fig. 2 is a side view of the first embodiment;

fig. 3 is a perspective view of the first embodiment;

fig. 4 is a perspective view of the first embodiment with the listening device removed from the charging base;

fig. 5 is a front view of the first embodiment in which the listening device is disposed in a second charging position;

fig. 6 is a perspective view of the first embodiment wherein the listening device is disposed in a second charging position;

fig. 7 is a front view of the first embodiment in which the listening device is disposed in a third charging position;

fig. 8 is a perspective view of the first embodiment in which the listening device is disposed in a third charging position;

fig. 9 is a perspective view of a listening device of a wireless listening device system according to a second embodiment;

fig. 10 is a front view of a wireless listening device system of a second embodiment;

fig. 11 is a schematic transverse cross-sectional view through a portion of a wireless listening device system of a second embodiment;

fig. 12 is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of a portion of a wireless listening device system according to a third embodiment;

fig. 13 is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of a portion of a wireless listening device system according to a fourth embodiment;

fig. 14 is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of a portion of a wireless listening device system according to a fifth embodiment;

fig. 15 is a schematic transverse cross-sectional view of a portion of a wireless listening device system according to a sixth embodiment;

fig. 16 is a schematic transverse cross-sectional view of a portion of a wireless listening device system according to a seventh embodiment;

fig. 17 is a schematic transverse cross-sectional view of a portion of a wireless listening device system according to an eighth embodiment;

fig. 18 is a schematic transverse cross-sectional view of a portion of a wireless listening device system according to a ninth embodiment;

fig. 19 is a perspective view of the first embodiment in a relative charging position as compared to the charging position shown in fig. 3; and

fig. 20 is a logic switch for addressing polarity issues.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 is a front view of a wireless headset system 1 including a wireless listening device 2 and a charging base 3 according to a first embodiment of the invention. The listening device is a wireless headset 3 comprising a first earpiece 8, a second earpiece 18, a headband 4 connecting the first earpiece 8 and the second earpiece 18, and a microphone arm 9 extending from the first earpiece 8. The headset 2 is wireless and thus a rechargeable battery 5 is provided in the first earpiece 8. The battery 5 is in electrical contact with a headband contact section 6 (see fig. 4) on the headband 4. The headband 4 comprises a bottom surface 12 facing the head of the user when the headset 2 is worn, an opposite top surface 14 facing away from the head of the user when the listening device 2 is worn, and two side surfaces 13 connecting the bottom surface 12 and the top surface 14. Details of speakers, microphones, sound processing electronics, radio transceivers, etc. not relevant to the invention will not be described herein. The charging base 3 includes a base 16, a rod 15 extending from the base 16, and a belt support 10 at an upper end of the rod 15. In fig. 1, the headset 2 is resting on the belt support 10 in a first charging position by means of the headband 4, wherein the headband contact 6 is in contact with the support contact 7 (see fig. 4). The base 3 comprises electronics and a power supply which are not relevant to the invention and will therefore not be described further here.

Fig. 2 is a side view of the headset system 1 with the headset 2 in a first charging position. The headband 4 is received in a recess 17 in the upper surface of the headband support 10.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the first embodiment of the headset 1 in a first charging position.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the first embodiment, in which the headset 1 is removed from the charging base 3. The headband contact is embodied as two longitudinal rails 6 extending in the longitudinal direction 11 of the headband 4 on the bottom surface 12 of the headband 4. The support contacts are realized as two short parallel tracks 7 supporting the bottom of the groove 17. When the headband 4 is accommodated in the support groove 17, the two band contact portions 6 are in contact with the two support contact portions 7, whereby a charging current can flow to the battery 5 and charge the battery 5. The headband 4 is laterally fixed in place by the concave side walls 19.

Fig. 5 and 6 are a front view and a perspective view of the first embodiment in which the headset 2 is arranged in the second charging position. The headband contact section 6 is approximately 16cm long and defines the "charging range" of the headband 4. Thus, the headband 4 may be disposed in the support anywhere within the range X and still be charged. The user does not need to carefully align the headband contact 6 with the support contact 7 each time the headset 2 is placed on the charging base 3 for charging. He need only be within the range X, which in this case is about 16cm. However, other values may be present, for example, at least 4cm, 6cm, 8cm, 10cm, 12cm or 14cm.

Fig. 7 and 8 are a front view and a perspective view of the first embodiment in which the headset 2 is arranged in the third charging position.

The longitudinal headgear contact portions 6 may be made of a metal strip that is more or less flexible. However, it may also be made of a pliable conductive material, such as conductive silicone rubber.

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of an earphone 2b of the wireless listening device system according to the second embodiment. Here, the headband contact part 6b is implemented as a longitudinal rail 6b extending in the longitudinal direction of the headband 4b on the side surface 13b of the headband 4 b. With this embodiment, the bottom surface 12b may be made of a soft, non-conductive material, which is comfortable for the headset user.

Fig. 10 is a front view of a wireless listening device system of a second embodiment.

Fig. 11 is a schematic transverse cross-sectional view through a portion of a wireless listening device system of a second embodiment. As shown, the headband contact portion 6b is provided on the side surface 13b of the headband. The bottom surface 12b of the headband is made of a soft rubber material. The support contact portion 7b is provided on the inclined side wall 19b of the support groove 17 b.

Fig. 12 is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of a portion of a wireless listening device system according to a third embodiment. Here, the headband contact portion is a longitudinal rail 6c on the bottom surface 12c of the headband 4 c. The support contacts are a pair of more or less punctiform contacts, for example spring pins 7c.

Fig. 13 is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of a portion of a wireless listening device system according to a fourth embodiment. Here, the headband contact is a pair of more or less punctiform contacts, for example, spring pins 6d. The support contacts are shaped as longitudinal rails 7d on the top surface of the support 10 d.

Fig. 14 is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of a portion of a wireless listening device system according to a fifth embodiment. Here, the headband contact is implemented as two separate rows of contact portions 6e. The support contact portions are implemented as two small plate-like contact portions 7e. The shape and size of the headband contact sections 6e and the support contact sections 7e are designed such that each support contact section 7e will always contact the headband contact section 6e as long as within the range X of the headband contact section 6e.

Fig. 15 is a schematic transverse cross-sectional view of a part of a wireless listening system according to a sixth embodiment. Here, the headband contact is realized as a longitudinal rail 6f provided in a groove in the bottom surface 12 of the headband 4 f. The support contact is a pin-shaped contact 7f having a length such that it can extend into the headband contact 6f when the headset 2 is docked. The headband contact part 6f is provided at the bottom of the recess, which has the advantage that it can be made of a hard metal material without giving discomfort to the user wearing the headset 2. The bottom surface 12 may be made of a pliable material.

Fig. 16 is a schematic transverse cross-sectional view of a portion of a wireless listening device system according to a seventh embodiment. Here, the headband 4g has three band contacts 6g, and the support 10g has three support contacts 7. Each of the side surfaces 13 of the headband 4g has a longitudinal strap contact portion 6g with a "-" polarity, while the bottom surface 12g of the headband 4g has a longitudinal contact portion 6g with a "+" polarity. The support groove 17g has a corresponding contact 7g with "+" polarity on the side wall and a contact 7g with "-" polarity on the bottom wall. Therefore, no matter in which direction the user places the headband 4g on the support 10g, there is no polarity problem.

Fig. 17 is a schematic transverse cross-sectional view of a portion of a wireless listening device system according to an eighth embodiment. This embodiment is also symmetrical like the seventh embodiment, with three pairs of contact portions 6h, 7h. All the strap contact portions 6h are provided on the bottom surface 12h of the headband 4h, and all the support contact portions 7h are provided on the bottom wall of the support groove 17 h.

Fig. 18 is a schematic transverse cross-sectional view of a portion of a wireless listening device system according to a ninth embodiment. This embodiment differs from the embodiment shown in fig. 17 only in that the headband comprises only two contact parts 6i. The two polarity strap contact portions 6i and the support contact portion 7i will be connected regardless of the direction in which the user places the headband 4 i.

Fig. 19 is a perspective view of the first embodiment in an opposite charging position from the charging position shown in fig. 3. Here, the headset 2 is rotated 180 degrees relative to the charging base.

Fig. 20 is switching logic for solving a polarity problem occurring when the earphone is turned 180 degrees in the first to sixth embodiments. The switch includes a rectifier bridge or a diode bridge to provide an output of the same polarity for an input of either polarity.

Furthermore, the safety circuit may also ensure that the charging current does not flow until a proper docking is sensed, for example, by magnets in the headband and hall sensors in the support.

The headset 2 itself may be provided with circuitry to protect it from short circuits and electrostatic discharge (ESD).

In the embodiment shown, the headset is a dual headset comprising two microphones. However, the invention may also be utilized with mono headphones comprising only one microphone.

Instead of a headband, a neck strap may also be used to butt-joint the headphones.

The term "listening device" also includes headphones that are not capable of two-way communication.

The range X within which the belt and the support can be displaced relative to each other can be, for example, 4cm, 6cm, 8cm, 10cm, 12cm, 14cm or 16cm.

Reference numerals

1. Listening device system

2. Wireless listening device

3. Charging base

4. Headband/connecting band

5. Rechargeable battery

6. Tape contact

7. Support contact

8. First earphone

9. Microphone arm

10. Belt support

11. Longitudinal direction of the headband

12. Bottom surface of headband

13. Side of the headband

14. Top surface of headband

15. Rod

16. Base seat

17. Support groove

18. Second earphone

19. Groove side wall

X charging range.

Claims

1. A wireless listening device system comprising a wireless listening device and a charging base, wherein the wireless listening device comprises a first earpiece, a connection strap extending from the first earpiece, a rechargeable battery and a strap contact provided on the connection strap, and wherein the charging base comprises a strap support having a supporting contact, whereby the wireless listening device is capable of residing in the base such that the strap contact is in electrical contact with the supporting contact, whereby the rechargeable battery is capable of being charged,

wherein the connection strap and the strap support are adapted to engage within a contact range (X) in which the connection strap and the strap support are displaceable in relation to each other in the longitudinal direction of the connection strap, and the strap contact and the support contact are realized to be in electrical contact with each other at any position within this contact range (X).

2. The wireless listening device system of claim 1, wherein the connection strap is a headband, the headband comprising: a bottom surface facing the user's head when the wireless listening device is worn, an opposing top surface facing away from the user's head when the wireless listening device is worn, and two opposing sides connecting the bottom surface and the top surface.

3. The wireless listening device system of claim 2, wherein the belt contact is disposed on the bottom surface.

4. The wireless listening device system of claim 3, wherein the belt contact is disposed in a groove on the bottom surface such that the belt contact is recessed relative to a surface of the bottom surface.

5. The wireless listening device system of claim 3, wherein the strap contact is made of a soft conductive material.

6. The wireless listening device system of claim 2, wherein the belt contact is disposed on the side.

7. The wireless listening device system of claim 1, wherein the belt contacts are implemented as two separate rows of interconnecting contacts.

8. The wireless listening device system of claim 1, wherein the belt contact is implemented as a longitudinal rail extending along a longitudinal direction of the connection belt.

9. The wireless listening device system of claim 8, wherein the support contact is implemented as a point-like contact.

10. The wireless listening device system of claim 1, wherein the support contact is implemented as a longitudinal rail.

11. The wireless listening device system of claim 10, wherein the belt contact is implemented as a point-like contact.

12. The wireless listening device system according to claim 1, wherein the contact range (X) is at least 4cm, 6cm, 8cm, 10cm, 12cm, 14cm or 16cm.

13. The wireless listening device system of claim 1, wherein the strap contact comprises: a first center contact having a first polarity and a second contact having a second polarity on each side of the first center contact.

14. The wireless listening device system of claim 13, wherein the support contact comprises: a third center contact having a second polarity and a fourth contact having a first polarity on each side of the third center contact.

15. The wireless listening device system of claim 3, wherein the strap contact is made of conductive silicone rubber.

16. The wireless listening device system of claim 8, wherein the support contact is implemented as a spring pin.

17. The wireless listening device system of claim 10, wherein the strap contact is implemented as a spring pin.