DE102008013848A1 - Ear protector for use by airline passenger for pressure balancing during descending and climbing of airliner, has axial groove or groove-shaped passage provided in central bore, central body or between bore and body - Google Patents

Abstract

The protector has a body made of a flexible material such as elastomer, and comprising a central bore (4). Sealing plates (3) are provided at an outer surface of the body for airtight sealing in a state when the protector is inserted in an inner ear. A pressure regulator/flow throttle unit is provided in the bore, and a central body (9) is sealingly inserted into the bore, where the body is made of an air-impermeable material. An axial groove (5) or a groove-shaped passage is provided in the bore, body or between bore and body, and is designed corresponding to desired axial air flow speed.

Description

The The invention relates to a hearing protection according to the preamble of claim 1, as he z. B. of air travelers for pressure equalization used in climbing and descending.

In Commercial aircraft rule after reaching the cruising altitude a cabin internal pressure of 700 to 800 h / Pa. This corresponds to the Air pressure level on a mountain with a height of around 2000 to 3000 meters above sea level. N. N. The air pressure on the ground at sea level Depending on the weather conditions it is around 1000 h / Pa.

For The human ear can be a rapidly changing air pressure be a very high load. The eardrum is in fact airtight and thus protects the perceptive organs in the middle ear. A Ventilation of the middle ear is done by the Eustachian Tube; It also needs pressure differences between the middle ear and balance the environment.

While of the climb (start phase), the cabin interior pressure drops relatively rapidly, d. H. within 15 to 30 minutes to 700 to 800 h / Pa. This pressure drop is usually trouble-free for the ear, because the Eustachian tube has a relative overpressure only passively vent in the middle ear. During the descent the cabin interior pressure also rises rapidly, d. H. in 15 to 30 minutes on ground pressure, with the rate of increase of the cabin internal pressure depends on the model of the aircraft, of the prescribed Landing path as well as the air pressure at the landing site. In different measurements were Peak values of a pressure increase of up to 12 h / Pa per minute measured.

If the Eustachian tube the now necessary active opening can not produce fast enough, the middle ear is very much high, relative negative pressure. This will cause the eardrum to move Middle ear arched. This causes earache, But it can also manifest as a facial or toothache. In extreme cases, bleeding or tearing of the eardrum may occur come (barotrauma).

To remedy this situation, it has already been proposed ( US 5,819,745 A and EP 0 862 398 B1 ), to form a protective anterior chamber in front of the eardrum in the ear canal by inserting a hearing protection body. In this antechamber, the air pressure rises or falls significantly delayed with respect to the surrounding atmosphere. The Eustachian tube is thus given a time-prolonged opportunity to provide pressure equalization of the middle ear, thereby preventing a painful over-curvature of the eardrum. This is achieved by using a pressure compensated cylindrical porous ceramic member which is fitted in a soft-elastic earplug (earmuff body).

The However, production of such an amorphous ceramic material is technological difficult and financially complicated. grain sizes and distance of the grains from one another, the so-called cavities, have mastered in the ceramic powder compaction be to the required tight tolerances of mass production to keep constant.

task Thus, it is the hearing protection of the present invention the above type, in a simple, safe and economical manner can be prepared and / or made available and it certainly allows that a manageable time delay of pressure equalization between the ear protecting chamber and the air pressure takes place in the area and in particular also top values safely be defended, with the throttling evenly, continuously - for the user practically imperceptibly - done should.

These Task is performed by an ear protection with the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments are characterized in the subclaims.

Accordingly each in a central through hole of the outside Hearing protection body provided with sealing lamellae, which preferably consists of elastic material, a flow restrictor unit (Air pressure regulator) used, with one the bore tightly filling inserted central body, which consists of an air-impermeable Material exists. It is in the bore, in the central body or between them, ie between bore and central body, at least one axial groove or a groove-shaped passage provided, the / according to the desired axial Air flow rate is designed. As an axial Groove or an approximately axial groove-shaped passage mechanically relatively easy to prepare or provide, with for a optimum effect matching dimensions, is the inventive Hearing protection can also be used as effectively as possible and also manufacturable.

It is advantageous if the axial groove is provided in the (earplug) ear protection body and at least one short cylindrical pin or cylinder body or at least one ball tightly filling the bore is provided as the central body. By the cylindrical outer surface of the cylindrical pin or the dome-shaped surface of the ball, which protrude arched into the axial groove of the plug body, the axial groove is reduced corresponding to a narrow axial passage whose cross-section can be accurately determined. Also, the preparation of a sol Ear protection is relatively simple, since the hearing protection body is usually produced by injection molding, together with the axial groove, while easily producible or already commercially available in corresponding dimensions central body, ie cylindrical pins or balls, or similar bodies are simply pushed or pushed into the cylindrical bore must or must.

In Another embodiment, the axial groove in the cylindrical Central body be provided while the bore the hearing protection body is designed to be smooth. This brings the advantage that the dimensions of the resulting axial Passage or the resulting axial throttle bore, better are controllable, since the central body consists of an inelastic, air impermeable material consists, for. B. hard Plastic or metal. Of course, too Any other, inelastic material can be used, such as wood or glass.

Instead of an axial groove can according to the invention on the lateral surface of the cylindrical central body an axially extending Flattening be provided, which in a very simple and cost-effective Way a corresponding axial groove or a groove-shaped passage is present in the assembled state.

A very accurate execution, with exactly matched Dimensions can be obtained when between grooved or flattened Central body and smooth bore of the elastic hearing protection body a cylindrical tube is inserted so that a airtight installation of the respective lateral surfaces available is. This tube should be at least the length of Own central body.

Of the axial passage or the axial groove can now either in the inner circumferential surface of the tube or in the outer surface be provided of the central body. The inserted tube can also take the entire length of the ear protection hole and at least one, two or more axially one after the other in be filled up with this inserted balls, the one predetermined Radial play in relation to the inner diameter of the tube exhibit. So that the balls do not fall out of the tube, on the one hand, the relatively thin-walled tube be pressed radially at the end or in corresponding frontal radial groove a radial pin pressed be. But it can also be the one end-side axially easy cut in and then the resulting two corner lobes radially be pressed. As another backup can also be a Rejuvenation / narrowing (eg a step) of the bore in the hearing protection body are made, whose Measure the diameter / cylinder circumference of the central body below.

After all Can be used as a central body in the smooth or threaded provided central bore a threaded bolt be screwed, the a Längsabflachung or a longitudinal groove on his Outer jacket owns. But also by appropriate interpretation the thread can already have a sufficiently throttling passage to be obtained.

following the invention is based on several embodiments under Referring to the drawing explained in more detail.

It demonstrate:

1 : A sectional principle view of an ear with inserted hearing protection;

2 : an axial section through a hearing protector in the first embodiment, with inserted in the central, grooved bore of the earmuff body smooth pin or ball;

3 : a radial cut out 2 illustrating the location of the pin in the earmuff body and its fixation;

4 : a similar axial section as in 2 a hearing protector in the second embodiment, with a central smooth bore and in this inserted grooved pin;

5 : a radial section VV off 4 ;

6 : An axial section through a hearing protector in the third embodiment, with threaded hole and axially flattened threaded bolt;

7 a sectional view according to arrow VII from 6 .

8th : an axial section through a fourth-order ear protection, with a thin-walled smooth tube inserted in the central bore and balls inserted therein;

9 : an end view according to arrow IX off 8th ;

10 : An axial section through a hearing protector in the fifth embodiment, with inserted in the central bore short tube with axial inner groove and ball or pin inserted therein;

11 : an end view according to arrow XI 9 ;

12 : An axial section through a hearing protector in the sixth embodiment, with inserted in the central bore smooth tube and da inserted pin with axial groove;

13 : a section XIII-XIII 12 .

14 : An axial section through a hearing protector in the seventh embodiment, with inserted in the central bore smooth tube and inserted therein pin with axial flattening, and

15 : a radial section XV-XV 14 ,

1 shows a known hearing protection 1 , on whose body two ring lamellae 3 are provided, which has a central inner bore 4 owns and in an auditory canal 6 of an ear 7 is used. It can be seen that the hearing protection in the ear canal 6 so used is that its slats 3 form an airtight seal. An air exchange can only be done via the central bore 4 respectively.

At the in 2 and 3 shown first embodiment has the with outer plates 3 in a known manner equipped hearing protection body 2 a central hole 4 that with a groove 5 is provided. In the hole 4 is an example of a ball 9 and a cylinder 10 used, each the bore 4 Close airtight over its circumference. Of course, either a ball or a cylindrical pin or both can be arranged in any combination and any number of pieces there, wherein they are each firmly inserted into the bore. the throttling takes place through the axial groove 5 , where also several axial grooves 5 distributed on the circumference can be provided. These grooves can also be made axially parallel or helical. In addition, here is the cylinder pin 10 against slipping even more by a radial pin 11 secured.

In 4 and 5 a second embodiment is shown in which in the smooth centric body bore 4 a cylinder pin 12 is inserted, which has an axial groove 13 has. The throttling takes place here via the appropriately sized groove 13 ,

6 and 7 show as a third embodiment of a hearing protection body 2 , the threaded bore as a central bore 14 possesses, in which a threaded bolt 15 is screwed, in turn, a longitudinal flattening 16 has. Between flattening 16 and internal thread of the threaded hole 14 a targeted throttling takes place.

8th and 9 show an embodiment in which in the central bore 4 of the hearing protection body 2 a cylindrical receiving tube 18 is inserted, which is essentially the entire length of the bore 4 or the hearing protection body 2 occupies. Inside the tube 18 are several balls 9 used, but these balls are not fixed or sealing, but are used with a specially designed radial clearance, so to speak, free rolling or rolling in the tube.

It can, as in 8th Obviously, the whole tube full of balls 9 be filled or only one or a few balls in the tube to move freely rolling. To prevent the balls from rolling out, are at both ends of the tube 4 Limitations or frontal stops provided. So at the right end is a pen 19 to recognize, in the corresponding locking slot 20 is held pressed axially. At the left end is the tube 18 with a short nick 22 provided while the two lobes formed thereby 21 are pressed radially inward and an axial stop for the balls 9 form.

10 and 11 show an ear protection body 2 in its smooth bore 4 a short tube 18 is used, which is an axial groove 23 has. In the tube itself is a ball 9 and a smooth cylinder pin 10 firmly inserted, so that throttling only over the axial groove 23 or can take place.

12 and 13 also show an ear protection body 2 in its central hole 4 a short tube 18 is inserted, in turn, a cylindrical pin 10 is firmly inserted. Here is the tube 18 smooth-walled, without grooves, while the cylinder pin 10 an axial groove 24 (or more axially parallel or helical circumferential Groung / s) has. The throttling also takes place here via the axial groove 24 ,

Finally show 14 and 15 an embodiment similar to 12 and 13 , except that here is the cylinder pin 10 instead of an axial groove a longitudinal flattening 25 has. The throttling takes place here by the axial passage, by the flattening 25 is created.

1

ear protection

2

body (Ear protection-)

3

slats

4

drilling (Body-)

5

axial groove

6

ear canal

7

ear

8th

-

9

Bullet

10

Straight pin, smooth

11

pen

12

Straight pin, grooved

13

groove

14

threaded hole

15

threaded bolt

16

flattening

17

-

18

tube (Pick-up, cylinder)

19

pen (Attack-)

20

radial groove

21

cloth (Attack-)

22

incision

23

axial groove (Tube)

24

axial groove (Pen)

25

flattening

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list The documents listed by the applicant have been automated generated and is solely for better information recorded by the reader. The list is not part of the German Patent or utility model application. The DPMA takes over no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• - US 5819745 A [0006]
• - EP 0862398 B1 [0006]

Claims (10)

Ear protection with - a central hole ( 4 ) having body ( 2 ) made of flexible material (elastomer), the sealing surface on its lateral surface ( 3 ) has airtight seal in the inserted state in the inner ear, - and one in the central bore ( 4 ) provided pressure regulator / flow restrictor unit, with a bore filling this tightly inserted central body, characterized in that - the central body ( 9 . 10 . 12 . 15 ) consists of air-impermeable material, - that in the bore ( 4 ), in the central body or between the bore and the central body, at least one axial groove ( 5 . 13 . 23 . 24 ) or a groove-shaped passage ( 16 . 25 ), designed according to the desired axial air flow velocity. Hearing protection according to claim 1, characterized in that the axial groove ( 5 ) in the inner bore ( 4 ) of the hearing protection body ( 2 ) is provided and that as a central body at least one bore tightly filling short cylinder pin ( 10 ), z. B. with a length of at least 1.5 times the diameter or at least one ball ( 9 ) is provided. Hearing protection according to claim 1, characterized in that the bore ( 4 ) in the hearing protection body ( 2 ) is designed to be smooth while the cylindrical central body is a cylindrical pin ( 12 ) with an axial groove ( 13 ). Hearing protection according to claim 3, characterized in that instead of an axial groove in the central body ( 10 . 15 ) an axial flattening ( 16 . 25 ) is provided. Hearing protection according to claim 1, characterized in that in the central bore ( 4 ) a threaded bolt ( 15 ), which preferably has an axial flattening ( 16 ) owns. Hearing protection according to claims 3 or 4, characterized in that between grooved or flattened central body and smooth bore ( 4 ) of the hearing protection body ( 2 ) a cylindrical tube ( 18 ) is inserted so that an airtight storage of the respective lateral surfaces is present and that the tube ( 18 ) at least the length of the central body ( 9 . 10 ) owns. Hearing protection according to claim 1, characterized in that in the smooth bore ( 4 ) of the hearing protection body ( 2 ) a cylindrical tube ( 18 ) is inserted with a smooth outer shell, which has an axial inner groove ( 23 ) and in which as a central body at least one cylindrical pin ( 10 ) or a ball ( 9 ) is inserted sealingly with a smooth lateral surface. Hearing protection according to claim 1, characterized in that in the central bore ( 4 ) of the hearing protection body ( 2 ) a tube ( 18 ) is inserted tightly, which occupies substantially the entire length of the bore that the tube ( 18 ) with at least two axially successively inserted balls ( 9 ) is filled, which have a predetermined radial clearance to the inner bore of the tube. Hearing protection according to claim 8, characterized in that the plurality of relatively loose balls ( 9 ) are secured against axial falling out by an axially indented radial pin ( 19 ) or radially depressed front ends of the tube. Hearing protection according to claim 9, characterized in that the end face of the tube ( 18 ) axially slotted ( 22 ) and the resulting two end flaps ( 21 ) are pressed radially.