DE102006035103A1 - Otological device i.e. hearing aid, for producing acoustic warning signal, has measuring device for measuring charging condition of electrical energy source depending on electrical charge extracted from energy source - Google Patents

Abstract

The device (1) has a measuring device that is indirectly connected with an electrical energy source (4) i.e. battery. The measuring device is provided for measuring a charging condition of the energy source depending on an electrical charge extracted from the energy source. The measuring device has an electrical measuring resistor (R) that is provided in a consumption current path, for measuring the electrical charge.

Description

The The invention relates to an otological device, in particular a hearing aid or a tinnitus masker, wherein the otological device has a connection for one having electrical energy source.

at otological devices known from the prior art, which are powered by an electrical energy source can, will a state of charge of a connected power source, for example a battery, indirectly dependent an electrical voltage of the battery detected.

in the Trap of zinc-air batteries or of alkaline batteries Here is the problem that such batteries such a flat Entladekurve have that a source voltage of the battery only towards the end of an electrical charge present in the battery stronger decreases and thus can be detected. This has the consequence that Battery status indicators, which according to the aforementioned principle of Detecting a battery voltage are quite inaccurate.

The The object underlying the invention is therefore, an otological Device with a detection device for detecting a state of charge indicate a battery, which is a more accurate indication of the state of charge the battery allows.

This Problem is solved by an otological device, in particular a hearing aid or solved a tinnitus mask, wherein the otological device has a connection for an electrical Energy source has. The otological device also has a Detecting device, which for detecting a state of charge the electric power source is formed. The detection device is at least indirect with the connection for the electrical energy source connected and trained, the state of charge of a connected electrical Energy source in dependence from one taken from the connected electrical energy source to detect electric charge.

Thereby may advantageously be available in the battery electric charge be accurately detected if one available in the battery Total charge is known.

In a preferred embodiment the detection device has a detection resistor and is trained to be a fluent electrical charge depending one over the electrical detection resistor sloping electrical To capture tension. The detection resistor is in particular serial to at least one consumer in a consumption current path arranged. The detection device is formed, the removed electric charge depending on a Extraction time and depending on the above Detecting resistor sloping detected electrical voltage to investigate.

For example For example, a consumption flow path may include a consumer, which a substantial part of one through the otological device Consumed consumed electric charge.

In another embodiment For example, the electrical sense resistor may be connected to a first terminal directly with a first connection for the electrical energy source be connected, and a second terminal of the detection resistor immediately with at least one electrical consumer of the otological device be connected. The second connection of the detection resistor is indirect - over the at least one electrical consumer of the otological device - with a second connection for the electrical energy source connected.

In a preferred embodiment is the detection resistor an ohmic resistance.

Further Preferably, the sense resistor has a predetermined resistance with a tolerance of a nominal sense resistance in particular a tolerance of at most 5 percent, more preferred a tolerance of at most 2 percent, more preferably a tolerance of at most 1 percent.

In a preferred embodiment the electrical detection resistor is formed low impedance. An advantageous resistance value for a detection resistor is between 1 ohm and 50 ohms. In an advantageous embodiment has the sense resistor has a predetermined resistance, which is preferred at least in a temperature range between plus 10 ° C and plus 40 ° C in a temperature range between minus 10 ° C and plus 50 ° C constant is or has only a slight deviation.

Of the Detection resistance can be formed by a shunt resistor be.

In an advantageous embodiment, the detection resistor is formed by an electrical line or by a component of the otological device with time- and voltage-invariant electrical resistance. In this way, advantageously, a detection resistor can be saved as an additional component, in particular can the component having a function which is not provided only for forming an electrical resistance value.

In a preferred embodiment The detection device has an input side with the detection resistor at least indirectly connected oscillator and one with the oscillator output side connected counters on.

Of the Oscillator is formed in this embodiment, at least one vibration comprising at least one oscillation period with one of an input side detected electrical voltage dependent To create oscillation period duration. An oscillation includes at least one, preferably vibration periods, more preferably a plurality of vibration periods.

Of the counter is formed, the oscillation periods of the oscillator at least partially detect vibration generated and a number sum up at least partially detected vibration periods.

On this way can advantageously be an electrical current flowing across the detection resistor Charge be detected and thus one in a connected battery remaining electric charge can be determined.

In a preferred embodiment the detection device has a functionally connected to the oscillator Frequency divider on.

Of the Frequency divider is formed, one generated by the oscillator Oscillation according to a division ratio to divide and thus a vibration frequency of the vibration accordingly the division ratio to downsize.

For example can the counter the detection device has a memory for storing detected Have vibrations. Since such a memory has a limited storage capacity, it can be advantageous, the vibrations generated by the oscillator only partially to be recorded with a constant, in particular predetermined division ratio. In this way, advantageously, an overflow of a memory in the Case of a high oscillator frequency can be prevented.

In an advantageous embodiment the oscillator is an RC oscillator, which at least by a ohmic resistance and a capacity is formed. In another embodiment is an oscillator, an LC oscillator, which at least by a inductance and a capacity is formed. A capacity can be advantageously formed by a capacitance diode.

In a preferred embodiment the detection device has an allocation unit, which is formed, a meter reading of the counter, especially those of the meter accumulated oscillation periods of the electrical energy source taken electrical charge and / or one in the electrical Energy source to allocate remaining electric charge.

For example For example, such an allocation unit can be connected to a look-up memory wherein the look-up memory has a predetermined assignment rule, in particular according to a Lookup table represents.

In an advantageous embodiment the allocation unit is formed, a count of the counter, in particular the from the counter accumulated oscillation periods, to a remaining operating time attributable to the otological device.

On this way a user of the otological device does not have to calculate which part of a charge remaining in a battery remaining operating time. In an advantageous embodiment if the detection device is designed to provide a counter reading, in particular an over the amount of charge flowed to the detection resistor, at a date and / or to associate with a time at which an existing in the battery Charge is expected to be consumed.

In an advantageous embodiment If the detection device can be designed to have a count to a ver needed amount of charge, especially with the unit Allocate milliampere hours.

In another embodiment If the detection device is designed to provide a counter reading attributable to a remaining electrical charge in percentage.

In an advantageous embodiment the detection device is designed to have a capacity of To capture connected as an energy source accumulator. Thereby can advantageously be stored in the accumulator electrical Cargo can be detected accurately.

Further Preferably, the detection device may be configured to make a change the capacity the connected accumulator at least two in particular directly or indirectly successive discharge cycles capture.

In this way, advantageously a Be Users of an otological device are displayed that a connected battery, in particular a rechargeable battery, has become worse, for example, by prolonged storage in an uncharged state.

Further advantageous embodiments for an otological Device, in particular a hearing aid, resulting from the in the dependent claims Features or from a combination of the mentioned in the dependent claims Features.

The Invention will now be described below with reference to figures and others embodiments explained.

1 shows an embodiment of an educated as a hearing aid otological device 1 , The otological device 1 has a first connection 3 for connecting a first battery terminal of a battery 4 and a second connection 5 for connecting a second battery pole of the battery 4 on. The otological device also has an energy consumer 7 on, with the energy consumer 7 through a sound receiver 9 , a transmission unit 11 and a sound generator 13 is represented.

The transmission unit 11 In this embodiment, the amplifier is designed as an amplifier which, depending on a microphone signal received on the input side, can generate an amplified power signal which at least partially represents the microphone signal.

The sound generator 13 is with the transmission unit 11 connected and configured to generate an airborne sound, which corresponds to a power signal received on the input side.

The second connection provided for connection to a battery pole 5 is via a connection line 54 with the energy consumer 7 connected. The first connection provided for connection to a first battery terminal 3 is with a connection node 52 connected, the connection node 52 with a first terminal of a detection resistor R for detecting a by the power consumer 7 consumed electricity is connected.

The detection resistor R has a second terminal, the second terminal having a connection node 50 connected is. The connection node 50 is via a connection line 56 with the energy consumer 7 connected.

Shown is also a battery 4 wherein a first battery terminal is connected to the first terminal 3 for a battery and a second battery pole with the second connection 5 connected to a second battery pole.

In the case of a switched on energy consumer 7 Now one in the battery 4 stored electric charge via the first terminal 3 , the connection node 52 , the detection resistor R, the connection node 50 and the management 56 to the energy consumer 7 flow. The electrical charge can be in the energy consumer 7 perform an electrical work and over the connecting line 54 , the second connection 5 back to the battery 4 flow. The detection resistor R has a low resistance and has, for example, an ohmic resistance of 1 ohm, 10 ohms, or 50 ohms.

The otological device 1 has a voltage amplifier 15 on, which input side via a connecting line 46 with the connection node 50 and via a connection line 48 with the connection node 52 connected is.

The voltage amplifier 15 is designed to detect an electrical voltage drop across the detection resistor R and to amplify it and to produce an amplified output signal and output this output side.

The voltage amplifier 15 is on the output side via a connecting line 44 with an oscillator 17 the hearing aid 1 connected. The voltage amplifier 15 For example, it may have an input resistance of at least 100 kilo-ohms, preferably 100 megohms.

The voltage amplifier 15 may comprise at least one transistor, preferably two transistors, which are in particular connected to each other in Darlington arrangement.

The voltage amplifier 15 may comprise at least one operational amplifier in another embodiment.

The oscillator 17 is designed to generate a vibration periods comprehensive vibration and to change a period of oscillation period of the oscillation periods in response to an input side detected electrical voltage. The oscillator is configured to output at least a portion of each generated oscillation period of the oscillation on the output side.

In another embodiment, the oscillator 17 Have a vibration divider, not shown in this figure, which is formed a number of oscillator from the 17 generated vibration periods according to a vorbe to divide the division ratio and a number corresponding to the division result at least partially from the oscillator 17 output output periods of oscillation output.

The oscillator 17 is on the output side via a connecting line 40 with a counter 20 connected.

The counter 20 is configured to sum up received vibrations or parts of an oscillation received on the input side, to form a sum and to generate a summation signal corresponding to the sum and to output this on the output side.

The counter 20 is on the input side via a connecting line 38 with a reset button 22 connected and is formed, depending on an operation of the reset button 22 reset a count represented by the sum formed to an initial value.

The counter 20 is via a connection line 36 with an allocation unit 24 the otological device 1 connected.

The otological device 1 also has a cache 25 and a look-up memory 26 on. In the look-up memory 26 are summary records 28 stored, each representing a mutually different number of oscillations. In the look-up memory 26 are also charge data sets 27 stored, each representing a consumed or remaining electric charge. For example, each charge record 27 exactly one vibration data set 28 assigned.

The cache 25 is via a connection line 35 with the allocation unit 24 connected and the look-up memory 26 is via a connection line 34 with the allocation unit 24 connected.

The allocation unit 24 is on the output side via a connecting line 32 with a display unit 30 to indicate a state of charge of a connected battery 4 connected. The allocation unit 24 is formed on the input side via the connecting line 36 to receive a sum signal and over the connection line 34 from the look-up memory 26 a sum data record corresponding to the sum signal 28 and a totals record 28 corresponding charge data set 27 read. The allocation unit 24 is further formed, a charge data set 27 generate corresponding charge signal and this via the connecting line 32 to the display unit 30 to send. The charge signal thus represents a state of charge of the connected battery 4 , The display unit 30 can thus the state of charge of the connected battery 4 Show.

The allocation unit 24 may be formed, for example by detecting a battery voltage of the connected battery 4 to determine a sum signal, which is a battery capacity of the battery 4 and a sum data record corresponding to the determined sum signal 28 generate and this over the connecting line 35 in the cache 25 save.

In a further step, the allocation unit 24 generate a sum data record which corresponds to an input signal received on the input side and which in the buffer store 25 stored totals dataset 28 and generate a difference formed from the sum data sets. The allocation unit can now have a sum data record corresponding to the difference 28 read from the look-up memory and a corresponding charge record 27 determine.

In this way, the allocation unit 24 a state of charge of a connected battery 4 and accurately determine a battery aging by repeated difference forming.

The allocation unit 24 for example, that via the connection line 32 generate output charge signal in dependence on the exactly determined charge state.

The allocation unit 24 For example, it may be designed to generate a charge signal which corresponds to a date and / or a time in dependence on a time signal received on the input side and in dependence on a sum signal received on the input side. The allocation unit 24 can in this embodiment via a connecting line 58 with a timer 19 be connected. The timer 19 is configured to generate a time base representing a time signal and output this output side. The timer 19 may for example have a quartz crystal.

The display unit 30 shows an example of a state of charge of a connected battery 4 which is already used up to a third. The display unit 30 indicates in this embodiment also a date, namely the 15th July 2006, at which the charge of the battery 4 expected to be consumed.

A detection device for detecting a state of charge in the case of a connected NEN electrical energy source, - in this embodiment, a battery 4 , In this embodiment comprises the detection resistor R, the amplifier 15 , the oscillator 17 , the timer 19 , the counter 20 , the reset button 22 , the allocation unit 24 , the cache 25 , the look-up memory 26 and the display unit 30 ,

The cache 25 can be advantageously designed as a non-volatile memory, in particular EEPROM. The allocation unit 24 may be formed, according to a predetermined time interval, for example, every hour, every minute or ten seconds a summary data 28 in the cache 25 save. The sum record 28 can thus survive a battery change.

The counter 20 may be advantageously formed when removing the battery 4 , ie in the de-energized state, to be reset, which corresponds to pressing the reset button. This will work together with a replacement of the battery 4 the counter 20 reset.

A Otological device may be designed in case of failure a predetermined battery charge to an audible warning produce.

In another embodiment, the otological device has a voice output unit, which is formed, the date and / or a time in a spoken language corresponding to a future end of a battery charge, in particular via the transmission device 11 and the sound generator 13 issue.

Claims (11)

Otological device ( 1 ), with a connection for an electrical energy source ( 4 ), and at least indirectly with the connection for the electrical energy source ( 4 ) connected detection device, which is adapted to detect a state of charge of the electrical energy source, characterized in that the detection device is adapted to detect the state of charge of a connected electrical energy source in response to an extracted from the connected electrical energy source electric charge. Otological device according to claim 1, characterized characterized in that the detection device is an electrical Detecting resistance (R) and is adapted to a flowing electric charge in pendency one over the electrical detection resistor (R) sloping electrical Detecting voltage, wherein the electrical detection resistor (R) in a consumption current path is arranged, and the detection device is formed, the extracted electric charge in dependence a withdrawal time and the over to the detection resistor (R) detected electrical voltage determine. Otological device according to claim 2, characterized in that the detection device has an input side with the detection resistor (R) at least indirectly connected oscillator ( 17 ) and a counter connected to the oscillator ( 20 ), wherein the oscillator ( 17 ) is configured to generate at least one oscillation comprising periods of oscillation having a period of oscillation oscillation dependent on an electrical voltage detected on the input side, and wherein the counter ( 20 ), the oscillation periods of the oscillator ( 17 ) at least partially detect and sum up a number of at least partially detected oscillation periods. Otological device according to claim 3, characterized in that the detection device is connected to the oscillator ( 17 ) operatively connected frequency divider, which is designed to divide the oscillation generated by the oscillator according to a division ratio and thus to reduce an oscillation frequency of the oscillation in accordance with the division ratio. Otological device according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the oscillator ( 17 ) is an RC oscillator or an LC oscillator. Otological device according to one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that the detection resistor (R) by an electrical line or a component with a time and voltage-invariant electrical resistance is formed. Otological device according to one of claims 3 to 6, characterized in that the detection device is an allocation unit ( 24 ), which is formed, a counter reading of the counter to that from the electrical energy source ( 4 ) removed electrical charge and / or to one in the electrical energy source ( 4 ) attributable to remaining electric charge. Otological device according to claim 7, characterized in that the allocation unit ( 24 ) is configured to assign a count of the counter to a remaining operating time of the otological device. Otological device according to one of hergehen claims, characterized in that the detection device is formed, a remaining electric charge of a connected power source in addition in dependence of a source voltage of the electrical energy source ( 4 ) capture. Otological device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the detection device is designed to have a capacity of an electrical energy source ( 4 ) to be detected connected accumulator. Otological device according to claim 10, characterized characterized in that the detection device is designed a change the capacity of the connected accumulator at least two consecutive To detect discharge cycles.