EP1433357B1 - Device for listening to voice and/or musical signals by means of cranial bone transmission - Google Patents

Device for listening to voice and/or musical signals by means of cranial bone transmission Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1433357B1
EP1433357B1 EP02785512A EP02785512A EP1433357B1 EP 1433357 B1 EP1433357 B1 EP 1433357B1 EP 02785512 A EP02785512 A EP 02785512A EP 02785512 A EP02785512 A EP 02785512A EP 1433357 B1 EP1433357 B1 EP 1433357B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
chamber
piezoelectric element
case
flexible membrane
listening device
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EP02785512A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP1433357A1 (en
Inventor
Jean-François Lantrua
Patrick Bauguil
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Amphicom
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Amphicom
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    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R17/00—Piezoelectric transducers; Electrostrictive transducers
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R1/00—Details of transducers, loudspeakers or microphones
    • H04R1/20—Arrangements for obtaining desired frequency or directional characteristics
    • H04R1/22—Arrangements for obtaining desired frequency or directional characteristics for obtaining desired frequency characteristic only 
    • H04R1/28—Transducer mountings or enclosures modified by provision of mechanical or acoustic impedances, e.g. resonator, damping means
    • H04R1/2807—Enclosures comprising vibrating or resonating arrangements
    • H04R1/283—Enclosures comprising vibrating or resonating arrangements using a passive diaphragm
    • H04R1/2834—Enclosures comprising vibrating or resonating arrangements using a passive diaphragm for loudspeaker transducers
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R7/00—Diaphragms for electromechanical transducers; Cones
    • H04R7/02—Diaphragms for electromechanical transducers; Cones characterised by the construction
    • H04R7/12—Non-planar diaphragms or cones
    • H04R7/127—Non-planar diaphragms or cones dome-shaped
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R1/00—Details of transducers, loudspeakers or microphones
    • H04R1/10—Earpieces; Attachments therefor ; Earphones; Monophonic headphones
    • H04R1/1058—Manufacture or assembly
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R2460/00—Details of hearing devices, i.e. of ear- or headphones covered by H04R1/10 or H04R5/033 but not provided for in any of their subgroups, or of hearing aids covered by H04R25/00 but not provided for in any of its subgroups
    • H04R2460/13—Hearing devices using bone conduction transducers

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a device for listening to signals vocal and / or musical by cranial bone transmission.
  • the devices for listening to signals voice and / or music are conventionally made of internal earphones, that is to say headphones of small size that are introduced into the auditory canal.
  • the first disadvantage of such headphones lies in the fact that their regular use results in a deterioration of the auditory faculties, phenomenon found medically more and more frequently, in particular among users of tape recorders and / or portable radios known as called walkmans, which can lead to irreversible damage.
  • the transmission of sounds is carried out by via a point contact such as a suitable contact pad, because of its small dimensions, to exert on the skull a consequent pressure which allows to obtain an excellent transmission of sounds.
  • a point contact such as a suitable contact pad
  • this pressure punctual exercise on the skull proves unpleasant and can become traumatic after a certain time of use of the listening device.
  • This pressure punctuality can also be traumatic in the event of an accidental shock to the listening device.
  • the contact between the listening device and the skull is a surface contact since it consists of a conductive plate acoustically, and in theory not likely to hinder the user.
  • the conductive plate undergoes induced deformations by those of the piezoelectric membrane and thus proves to transmit this deformation against the skull at a reduced area of support practically comparable to a point contact. Therefore, such listening devices prove to lead to the same inconveniences as those of listening devices with contact pads.
  • bone transmission quality of such listening devices is lower than that listening devices with contact pads.
  • the present invention aims to overcome these drawbacks and for the main purpose of providing a device for listening to voice signals and / or bone transmission, which is very comfortable for the user and possessing excellent bone transmission sound quality.
  • Such a listening device is therefore a very pleasant port of uniform distribution of forces and pressures on the skull, a large area consisting of the entire surface of the membrane flexible, which significantly reduces the forces and pressures exerted on the skull compared to those exercised by current devices.
  • the damping means comprise elastic means abutting against the piezoelectric element and the rear wall of the housing, so as to form a flexible support able to oppose a permanent deformation of this element piezoelectric.
  • the elastic means arranged in the rear chamber serve as springs avoiding the element piezoelectric to crash and break and having a flexibility adapted to allow the vibration of this piezoelectric element.
  • the elastic means consist of at least one O-ring disposed in a groove annular formed in the front end wall of the housing, and section of diameter greater than the depth of this groove.
  • the rear chamber of the casing encloses a compressible fluid.
  • the rear chamber is filled with a fluid or an incompressible gel
  • the means dampers comprising resilient means free of contact with the piezoelectric element and able to deform so as to absorb variations volume of the rear chamber during the vibrations of said element piezoelectric.
  • the rear chamber is therefore filled with a fluid or incompressible gel which makes it possible to obtain a balance of pressures on both sides of the piezoelectric element.
  • this room rear includes elastic means capable of deforming so as to absorb the variations of volume despite the incompressibility of the fluid or gel.
  • This variant besides the balancing of the pressures of of the piezoelectric element, leads, moreover, to preventing the transmission of sounds towards the wall portion of the housing delimiting the rear chamber, and therefore the speaker operation of the listening device.
  • the damping effect of the vibrations of the element piezoelectric is less than that obtained with a spring system at contact of this piezoelectric element, and the vibrations are therefore less mitigated.
  • the elastic means can advantageously consist of an annular ring made of a material elastic housed in the rear chamber of the housing.
  • the flexible membrane is advantageously shaped so as to present a curved shape that leads to avoid the contact of the housing against the skull.
  • the listening device comprises an annular chamber, called damping chamber, arranged around the front chamber so as to be bounded by an annular zone peripheral of the flexible membrane, said damping chamber being isolated of said front chamber, and communicating with the rear chamber so that the peripheral zone of the flexible membrane constitutes the elastic means absorption of volume variations of said rear chamber.
  • the flexible membrane is then shaped so as to have a domed central zone capable of delimit the front chamber, separated by an annular groove, from a crown curved ring capable of delimiting the damping chamber
  • the incompressible fluid or gel consists of water, and the element piezoelectric is coated with an insulating coating vis-à-vis the water.
  • the listening devices according to the invention shown in Figures are adapted to transmit or receive voice and / or Muscles by cranial bone transmission.
  • they are consistent way to have a reduced shape and thickness allowing a holding natural and comfortable under any known means worn on the head, without requiring of specific means of maintenance.
  • these listening devices are, moreover, adapted to work both in the aquatic environment and in the air.
  • Each of these devices comprises, in the first place, a conventional vibrating piezoelectric element 1 having a vibrating layer circular ceramic 2 deposited on a metal disc 3 bordered by a annular ring 4 neutral damping.
  • connection wires electrical 5 are conventionally connected to this vibrating element;
  • this vibrating element 1 is isolated by any known coating such as latex or the silicone elastomer ...
  • this vibrating element 1 is integrated inside an airtight housing and delimits at inside this case two hermetic chambers say before 6 and back 7.
  • this housing consists of two subassemblies intended to be assembled at the end mounting.
  • the first of these subassemblies includes a flange before 8 consisting of an annular ring 9 of L-shaped section, extended by a radial tip 10 in the form of a chute.
  • the first subset includes, in addition, a flexible membrane 11 of a material such as latex, having a shape convex circular edged by a radial peripheral collar 12.
  • the dimensions of this membrane 11 are adapted for the flange 12 to come bear on the inside of the flange before 8 in a position where the part central of the latter extends outside said front flange.
  • the first subassembly finally includes a ring annular 13 having an annular boss 14 adapted to be housed in the flange before 8 so as to maintain the flexible membrane 11 to inside the latter.
  • the second subset includes, in the first place, a rear flange 15 cylindrical cup shaped dimensions adapted for housing the vibrating element 1, and whose bottom wall 15a has an annular stud protruding 16 support of the damping ring 4 of this vibrating element 1.
  • this rear flange 15 also comprises a mouthpiece radial duct 21 formed to be assembled with that of said flange before.
  • This rear flange 15 has, finally, an internal shoulder 17 formed in the peripheral rim 15b of the latter.
  • the second subassembly further comprises a ring annular ring 18 for locking the vibrating element 1 inside the rear flange 15, having an L shape adapted for one of its wings, radial, to come into support on the damping ring 4 of this vibrating element 1, and that its other axial wing comes into abutment against the internal shoulder 17 of the rear flange 15.
  • the rear flange 15 has a groove ring 19 formed in the bottom wall 15a of the latter, suitable for housing partially an O-ring 20 of an elastic material arranged to be able to be compressed between the vibrating element 1 and the bottom wall 15a.
  • the listening device shown in FIGS. also comprises a housing consisting of two subsets quasi identical and identified with the same numerical references for the elements Similar.
  • the rear chamber 7 is filled with water through an orifice 26 formed in the bottom wall 15a of the rear flange 15 and closed by a plug 27.
  • the means dampers consist of an annular ring 28 housed in the flange rear 15 and diameter adapted to serve as a support for the damping ring 4 of the vibrating element 1, without contact with the metal disc 3 of the latter.
  • This annular ring 28 made of a material such as a silicone elastomer, allows to absorb the volume variations of the rear chamber 7, and allows thus the vibrations of the vibrating element 1.
  • the housing of the listening device represented in FIGS. 5 to 7 consists mainly of an annular flange 30 endowed first instead of an external radial groove 31.
  • This flange 30 is closed with a plate cylindrical rigid 32 for delimiting the rear chamber 7.
  • These two inner rings 33, 36 have, in addition, a crenellated longitudinal section 35, 37 able to port the chamber rear 7 and the annular damping chamber 34.
  • the device according to this third embodiment further comprises a ring 38 of L-shaped section, holding the vibrating element 1 against the crown 36.
  • this ring includes an annular section 39 having a crenellated end portion equipped with internal pins 40 arranged to snap into the slots 37 of the second ring 36.
  • This retaining ring 38 has, finally, a boss oblique frontal 41 adapted to form a housing 44 of retentive form with the first ring 33 of the rear flange 30.
  • This third type of listening device comprises, finally, a flexible membrane 42 shaped so as to have a central zone 45 of curved shape able to delimit the front chamber 6, separated by a throat annular, an annular crown 43 convex able to delimit the chamber amortization.
  • the rear chamber 7 is filled with water and communicates with the annular chamber 34 defined by the annular ring curved 43 of the membrane 42, which therefore serves elastic means absorption of volume variations of this rear chamber 7.

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for listening to voice and/or musical signals by means of cranial bone transmission, comprising a case (8, 15) having a forward frontal face, which is sealed by a flexible membrane (11), and a rear frontal face (15a), which consists of a rigid, hermetic wall, and comprising a piezoelectric element (1) having suitable dimensions in order for same to be integrated in the case, means (18) for supporting the piezoelectric element which are suitable for joining the periphery of the latter to the case in a solid manner, in such a way as to divide the internal volume of the said case into two hermetic chambers: a forward chamber (6) filled with an incompressible gel or fluid, and a rear chamber (7) comprising damping means (28) suitable for compensating the stresses exerted on the piezoelectric element (1) which result from the forces exerted on the flexible membrane (11).

Description

L'invention concerne un dispositif d'écoute de signaux vocaux et/ou musicaux par transmission osseuse crânienne.The invention relates to a device for listening to signals vocal and / or musical by cranial bone transmission.

A l'heure actuelle, les dispositifs d'écoute de signaux vocaux et/ou musicaux sont classiquement constitués d'écouteurs internes, c'est-à-dire d'écouteurs à embouts de petites dimensions que l'on introduit dans le conduit auditif. Le premier inconvénient de tels écouteurs réside dans le fait que leur utilisation régulière se traduit par une détérioration des facultés auditives, phénomène constaté médicalement de plus en plus fréquemment, notamment chez les utilisateurs de magnétophones et/ou de radios portables connus sous l'appellation baladeurs, et qui peut conduire à des lésions irréversibles.At present, the devices for listening to signals voice and / or music are conventionally made of internal earphones, that is to say headphones of small size that are introduced into the auditory canal. The first disadvantage of such headphones lies in the fact that their regular use results in a deterioration of the auditory faculties, phenomenon found medically more and more frequently, in particular among users of tape recorders and / or portable radios known as called walkmans, which can lead to irreversible damage.

De plus, de tels écouteurs sont gênants pour la perception des sons extérieurs et leur port peut s'avérer extrêmement dangereux dans de nombreuses circonstances du fait de l'isolement auditif de leur utilisateur.Moreover, such headphones are troublesome for the perception external sounds and their wearing can be extremely dangerous in many circumstances because of the auditory isolation of their user.

Il existe également, à l'heure actuelle, des dispositifs d'écoute selon lesquels la transmission auditive est réalisée par le processus de la conduction osseuse. De tels dispositifs, notamment décrits dans les brevets US 4.309.575, GB 672.722, EP 0124870, JP 59209000 et US 3.134.861, qui consistent en des transducteurs électro-magnétiques, trouvent principalement leur application dans le domaine médical en vue de la réalisation de tests audiométriques. Toutefois, de par leur conception et notamment de leur poids et de leur prix de revient, il est difficilement envisageable d'utiliser de tels transducteurs à des fins d'utilisation quotidienne et de commercialisation à grande échelle.There are also, at present, listening according to which auditory transmission is carried out by the process of bone conduction. Such devices, in particular described in the US patents 4,309,575, GB 672,722, EP 0124870, JP 59209000 and US 3,134,861, which consist of transducers electromagnetic, mainly find their application in the field of for the purpose of performing audiometric tests. However, by their design and in particular of their weight and their cost price, it is difficult to envisage using such transducers for use daily and large-scale marketing.

De plus, la transmission des sons est réalisée par l'intermédiaire d'un contact ponctuel tel qu'un plot de contact apte, du fait de ses faibles dimensions, à exercer sur le crâne une pression conséquente qui permet d'obtenir une excellente transmission des sons. Toutefois, cette pression ponctuelle exercée sur le crâne s'avère peu agréable et peut devenir traumatisante au bout d'un certain temps d'utilisation du dispositif d'écoute. Cette pression ponctuelle peut également s'avérer traumatisante en cas de choc accidentel sur le dispositif d'écoute.Moreover, the transmission of sounds is carried out by via a point contact such as a suitable contact pad, because of its small dimensions, to exert on the skull a consequent pressure which allows to obtain an excellent transmission of sounds. However, this pressure punctual exercise on the skull proves unpleasant and can become traumatic after a certain time of use of the listening device. This pressure punctuality can also be traumatic in the event of an accidental shock to the listening device.

Pour pallier cet inconvénient, une autre solution décrite notamment dans le brevet US-5.889.730, a consisté à réaliser un écouteur acoustique comportant une membrane piézoélectrique intégrée dans un boítier et dont les vibrations sont transmises à une plaque conductrice en un matériau tel que du polyuréthane obturant une des faces frontales du boítier et formant un conducteur acoustique.To overcome this drawback, another solution described especially in US Pat. No. 5,889,730, consisted in producing an earphone acoustic device comprising a piezoelectric membrane integrated into a housing and whose vibrations are transmitted to a conductive plate of a material such as polyurethane closing one of the front faces of the housing and forming a acoustic conductor.

Selon cette solution, le contact entre le dispositif d'écoute et le crâne est un contact surfacique puisque constitué d'une plaque conductrice acoustiquement, et dans la théorie non susceptible de gêner l'utilisateur. Toutefois, dans la pratique, la plaque conductrice subit des déformations induites par celles de la membrane piézoélectrique et s'avère donc transmettre cette déformation contre le crâne au niveau d'une zone d'appui de surface réduite pratiquement assimilable à un contact ponctuel. Par conséquent, de tels dispositifs d'écoute s'avèrent conduire aux mêmes désagréments que ceux des dispositifs d'écoute à plot de contact. De plus, il a également été constaté que la qualité de la transmission osseuse de tels dispositifs d'écoute est inférieure à celle des dispositifs d'écoute à plot de contact.According to this solution, the contact between the listening device and the skull is a surface contact since it consists of a conductive plate acoustically, and in theory not likely to hinder the user. However, in practice, the conductive plate undergoes induced deformations by those of the piezoelectric membrane and thus proves to transmit this deformation against the skull at a reduced area of support practically comparable to a point contact. Therefore, such listening devices prove to lead to the same inconveniences as those of listening devices with contact pads. In addition, it was also found that bone transmission quality of such listening devices is lower than that listening devices with contact pads.

La présente invention vise à pallier ces inconvénients et a pour principal objectif de fournir un dispositif d'écoute de signaux vocaux et/ou musicaux par transmission osseuse, dont le port est très confortable pour l'utilisateur et possédant une excellente qualité de transmission osseuse des sons.The present invention aims to overcome these drawbacks and for the main purpose of providing a device for listening to voice signals and / or bone transmission, which is very comfortable for the user and possessing excellent bone transmission sound quality.

A cet effet, l'invention vise un dispositif d'écoute de signaux vocaux et/ou musicaux par transmission osseuse crânienne comprenant :

  • un boítier doté d'une face frontale, dite avant, ouverte et obturée par une membrane souple, et une face frontale opposée, dite arrière, consistant en une paroi rigide hermétique,
  • un élément piézoélectrique de dimensions adaptées pour être intégré dans le boítier de façon à s'étendre parallèlement aux faces frontales de ce dernier,
  • des moyens de maintien de l'élément piézoélectrique adaptés pour solidariser la périphérie de ce dernier au boítier, de façon à diviser le volume interne dudit boítier en deux chambres hermétiques :
    • une chambre, dite avant, délimitée par la membrane souple et l'élément piézoélectrique, et remplie d'un fluide ou d'un gel incompressible, et
    • une chambre, dite arrière, délimitée par l'élément piézoélectrique et la paroi frontale arrière du boítier, et incorporant des moyens amortisseurs aptes à compenser les contraintes exercées sur l'élément piézoélectrique, résultant des forces exercées sur la membrane souple lors de son application contre un crâne.
For this purpose, the invention provides a device for listening to vocal and / or musical signals by cranial bone transmission comprising:
  • a housing having a front face, said front, open and closed by a flexible membrane, and an opposite end face, said back, consisting of a hermetic rigid wall,
  • a piezoelectric element of suitable dimensions to be integrated into the housing so as to extend parallel to the front faces of the latter,
  • means for holding the piezoelectric element adapted to secure the periphery of the latter to the housing, so as to divide the internal volume of said housing into two sealed chambers:
    • a chamber, called before, delimited by the flexible membrane and the piezoelectric element, and filled with an incompressible fluid or gel, and
    • a so-called rear chamber, delimited by the piezoelectric element and the rear end wall of the housing, and incorporating damping means capable of compensating for the stresses exerted on the piezoelectric element, resulting from the forces exerted on the flexible membrane during its application against a skull.

Selon l'invention le dispositif d'écoute comprend donc un élément piézoélectrique maintenu au niveau de sa périphérie à l'intérieur d'un boítier de façon à pouvoir se déformer axialement, et délimitant deux chambres hermétiques à l'intérieur dudit boítier :

  • une chambre avant obturée par une membrane souple formant une surface de contact avec le crâne, et remplie d'un fluide ou gel incompressible qui permet, d'une part, de répartir uniformément sur l'intégralité de la surface de la membrane souple, les forces et pressions résultant des déformations de l'élément piézoélectrique, et d'autre part, de transmettre sans les altérer, les vibrations de cet élément piézoélectrique et d'obtenir ainsi une excellente transmission des sons équivalente à celle obtenue avec un contact ponctuel.
  • et une chambre arrière incorporant des moyens amortisseurs permettant de compenser les contraintes exercées sur l'élément piézoélectrique.
According to the invention, the listening device therefore comprises a piezoelectric element held at its periphery inside a housing so as to be able to deform axially, and delimiting two hermetic chambers inside said housing:
  • a front chamber closed by a flexible membrane forming a contact surface with the skull, and filled with a fluid or incompressible gel which allows, on the one hand, to distribute evenly over the entire surface of the flexible membrane, the forces and pressures resulting from deformations of the piezoelectric element, and secondly, to transmit without altering them, the vibrations of this piezoelectric element and thus to obtain an excellent sound transmission equivalent to that obtained with a point contact.
  • and a rear chamber incorporating damping means for compensating the stresses exerted on the piezoelectric element.

Un tel dispositif d'écoute est donc d'un port très agréable du fait de la répartition uniforme des forces et pressions exercées sur le crâne, sur une grande surface consistant en l'intégralité de la surface de la membrane souple, qui permet de diminuer notablement les forces et pressions exercées sur le crâne par rapport à celles exercées par les dispositifs actuels. Such a listening device is therefore a very pleasant port of uniform distribution of forces and pressures on the skull, a large area consisting of the entire surface of the membrane flexible, which significantly reduces the forces and pressures exerted on the skull compared to those exercised by current devices.

De plus, il permet d'obtenir une excellente qualité de transmission des sons du fait de la non-altération par le fluide ou gel incompressible des vibrations de l'élément piézoélectrique qui sont donc parfaitement répercutées au niveau de la membrane souple.Moreover, it allows to obtain an excellent quality of transmission of sounds due to non-alteration by the fluid or gel incompressible vibrations of the piezoelectric element which are therefore perfectly reflected at the level of the flexible membrane.

Selon une première variante avantageuse de l'invention, les moyens amortisseurs comprennent des moyens élastiques en butée contre l'élément piézoélectrique et la paroi frontale arrière du boítier, de façon à former un appui souple apte à s'opposer à une déformation rémanente de cet élément piézoélectrique.According to a first advantageous variant of the invention, the damping means comprise elastic means abutting against the piezoelectric element and the rear wall of the housing, so as to form a flexible support able to oppose a permanent deformation of this element piezoelectric.

Selon cette variante de réalisation, les moyens élastiques disposés dans la chambre arrière font office de ressorts évitant à l'élément piézoélectrique de s'écraser et se briser et présentant une souplesse adaptée pour autoriser la vibration de cet élément piézoélectrique.According to this variant embodiment, the elastic means arranged in the rear chamber serve as springs avoiding the element piezoelectric to crash and break and having a flexibility adapted to allow the vibration of this piezoelectric element.

Selon cette variante, en outre, et de façon avantageuse, les moyens élastiques consistent en au moins un joint torique disposé dans une gorge annulaire ménagée dans la paroi frontale arrière du boítier, et de section de diamètre supérieur à la profondeur de cette gorge.According to this variant, in addition, and advantageously, the elastic means consist of at least one O-ring disposed in a groove annular formed in the front end wall of the housing, and section of diameter greater than the depth of this groove.

De plus, de façon avantageuse, la chambre arrière du boítier renferme un fluide compressible.In addition, advantageously, the rear chamber of the casing encloses a compressible fluid.

Selon une seconde variante avantageuse de l'invention, la chambre arrière est remplie d'un fluide ou d'un gel incompressible, les moyens amortisseurs comportant des moyens élastiques dépourvus de contact avec l'élément piézoélectrique et aptes à se déformer de façon à absorber les variations de volume de la chambre arrière lors des vibrations dudit élément piézoélectrique.According to a second advantageous variant of the invention, the rear chamber is filled with a fluid or an incompressible gel, the means dampers comprising resilient means free of contact with the piezoelectric element and able to deform so as to absorb variations volume of the rear chamber during the vibrations of said element piezoelectric.

Selon cette seconde variante, la chambre arrière est donc remplie d'un fluide ou gel incompressible qui permet d'obtenir un équilibre des pressions de part et d'autre de l'élément piézoélectrique. De plus cette chambre arrière renferme des moyens élastiques aptes à se déformer de façon à absorber les variations de volume malgré l'incompressibilité du fluide ou gel.According to this second variant, the rear chamber is therefore filled with a fluid or incompressible gel which makes it possible to obtain a balance of pressures on both sides of the piezoelectric element. In addition this room rear includes elastic means capable of deforming so as to absorb the variations of volume despite the incompressibility of the fluid or gel.

Cette variante, outre l'équilibrage des pressions de part et d'autre de l'élément piézoélectrique, conduit, en outre, à éviter la transmission des sons vers la portion de paroi du boítier délimitant la chambre arrière, et donc le fonctionnement en haut-parleur du dispositif d'écoute.This variant, besides the balancing of the pressures of of the piezoelectric element, leads, moreover, to preventing the transmission of sounds towards the wall portion of the housing delimiting the rear chamber, and therefore the speaker operation of the listening device.

De plus, l'effet d'amortissement des vibrations de l'élément piézoélectrique est moindre que celui obtenu avec un système de ressort au contact de cet élément piézoélectrique, et les vibrations sont donc moins atténuées.In addition, the damping effect of the vibrations of the element piezoelectric is less than that obtained with a spring system at contact of this piezoelectric element, and the vibrations are therefore less mitigated.

Selon cette variante, en outre, les moyens élastiques peuvent avantageusement consister en une bague annulaire en un matériau élastique logée dans la chambre arrière du boítier.According to this variant, in addition, the elastic means can advantageously consist of an annular ring made of a material elastic housed in the rear chamber of the housing.

Dans ce cas, de même que pour la première variante, la membrane souple est avantageusement conformée de façon à présenter une forme bombée qui conduit à éviter le contact du boítier contre le crâne.In this case, as for the first variant, the flexible membrane is advantageously shaped so as to present a curved shape that leads to avoid the contact of the housing against the skull.

Selon un autre mode de réalisation visant la constitution des moyens élastiques, et de façon avantageuse, le dispositif d'écoute selon l'invention comprend une chambre annulaire, dite d'amortissement, ménagée autour de la chambre avant de façon à être délimitée par une zone annulaire périphérique de la membrane souple, ladite chambre d'amortissement étant isolée de ladite chambre avant, et communiquant avec la chambre arrière de façon que la zone périphérique de la membrane souple constitue les moyens élastiques d'absorption de variations de volume de ladite chambre arrière.According to another embodiment of the constitution elastic means, and advantageously, the listening device according to the invention comprises an annular chamber, called damping chamber, arranged around the front chamber so as to be bounded by an annular zone peripheral of the flexible membrane, said damping chamber being isolated of said front chamber, and communicating with the rear chamber so that the peripheral zone of the flexible membrane constitutes the elastic means absorption of volume variations of said rear chamber.

Cette conception des moyens élastiques conduit aux mêmes avantages que ceux obtenus pour le premier type précité de moyens élastiques. De plus, les pressions exercées sur les zones centrales et périphériques de la membrane souple étant en opposition de phase, l'amplitude relative des vibrations entre ces deux zones se trouve doublée.This conception of elastic means leads to the same advantages than those obtained for the aforementioned first type of elastic means. In addition, the pressures exerted on the central and peripheral areas of the flexible membrane being in phase opposition, the relative amplitude of the vibrations between these two areas is doubled.

Par ailleurs, de façon avantageuse, la membrane souple est alors conformée de façon à présenter une zone centrale de forme bombée apte à délimiter la chambre avant, séparée par une gorge annulaire, d'une couronne annulaire bombée apte à délimiter la chambre d'amortissementMoreover, advantageously, the flexible membrane is then shaped so as to have a domed central zone capable of delimit the front chamber, separated by an annular groove, from a crown curved ring capable of delimiting the damping chamber

Selon un autre aspect de l'invention, et de façon avantageuse, le fluide ou gel incompressible consiste en de l'eau, et l'élément piézoélectrique est revêtu d'un revêtement isolant vis-à-vis de l'eau. According to another aspect of the invention, and advantageous, the incompressible fluid or gel consists of water, and the element piezoelectric is coated with an insulating coating vis-à-vis the water.

D'autres caractéristiques, buts, et avantages de l'invention ressortiront de la description détaillée qui suit en référence aux dessins annexés qui représentent à titre d'exemples non limitatifs trois modes de réalisation préférentiels. Sur ces dessins:

  • la figure 1 est une vue en perspective en mode éclaté des éléments constitutifs d'un premier mode de réalisation du dispositif d'écoute selon l'invention,
  • la figure 2 est une coupe longitudinale transversale et axiale de ce dispositif d'écoute,
  • la figure 3 est une vue en perspective en mode éclaté des éléments constitutifs d'un deuxième mode de réalisation du dispositif d'écoute selon l'invention,
  • la figure 4 est une coupe longitudinale transversale et axiale de ce dispositif d'écoute,
  • la figure 5 est une vue en perspective en mode éclaté des éléments constitutifs d'un troisième mode de réalisation du dispositif selon l'invention,
  • et les figures 6 et 7 sont des coupes longitudinales transversales selon des plans respectifs A et B de ce dispositif d'écoute.
Other features, objects, and advantages of the invention will emerge from the detailed description which follows with reference to the accompanying drawings which represent by way of nonlimiting examples three preferred embodiments. On these drawings:
  • FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the constituent elements of a first embodiment of the listening device according to the invention,
  • FIG. 2 is a transverse and axial longitudinal section of this listening device,
  • FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the constituent elements of a second embodiment of the listening device according to the invention,
  • FIG. 4 is a longitudinal and transverse longitudinal section of this listening device,
  • FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the constituent elements of a third embodiment of the device according to the invention,
  • and FIGS. 6 and 7 are transverse longitudinal sections along respective planes A and B of this listening device.

Les dispositifs d'écoute selon l'invention représentés aux figures sont adaptés pour transmettre ou recevoir des signaux vocaux et/ou musicaux par transmission osseuse crânienne. Ils sont, en outre, conformés de façon à présenter une forme et une épaisseur réduites permettant une tenue naturelle et confortable sous tout moyen connu porté sur la tête, sans nécessiter de moyen spécifique de maintien. De plus, ces dispositifs d'écoute sont, en outre, adaptés pour fonctionner tant en milieu aquatique qu'aérien.The listening devices according to the invention shown in Figures are adapted to transmit or receive voice and / or Muscles by cranial bone transmission. In addition, they are consistent way to have a reduced shape and thickness allowing a holding natural and comfortable under any known means worn on the head, without requiring of specific means of maintenance. Moreover, these listening devices are, moreover, adapted to work both in the aquatic environment and in the air.

Chacun de ces dispositifs comprend, en premier lieu, un élément piézoélectrique vibrant classique 1 comportant une couche vibrante circulaire en céramique 2 déposée sur un disque métallique 3 bordé par une bague annulaire 4 d'amortissement neutre. De plus, des fils de connexion électrique 5 sont classiquement raccordés à cet élément vibrant; Enfin, cet élément vibrant 1 est isolé par tout revêtement connu tel que du latex ou de l'élastomère de silicone ...Each of these devices comprises, in the first place, a conventional vibrating piezoelectric element 1 having a vibrating layer circular ceramic 2 deposited on a metal disc 3 bordered by a annular ring 4 neutral damping. In addition, connection wires electrical 5 are conventionally connected to this vibrating element; Finally, this vibrating element 1 is isolated by any known coating such as latex or the silicone elastomer ...

Selon les trois modes de réalisation représentés aux figures cet élément vibrant 1 est intégré à l'intérieur d'un boítier hermétique et délimite à l'intérieur de ce boítier deux chambres hermétiques dites avant 6 et arrière 7.According to the three embodiments shown in the figures this vibrating element 1 is integrated inside an airtight housing and delimits at inside this case two hermetic chambers say before 6 and back 7.

Selon le mode de réalisation représenté aux figures 1 et 2, ce boítier se compose de deux sous-ensembles destinés à être assemblés en fin de montage.According to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, this housing consists of two subassemblies intended to be assembled at the end mounting.

Le premier de ces sous-ensembles comprend un flasque avant 8 consistant en une bague annulaire 9 de section en forme de L, prolongée par un embout radial 10 en forme de goulotte.The first of these subassemblies includes a flange before 8 consisting of an annular ring 9 of L-shaped section, extended by a radial tip 10 in the form of a chute.

Le premier sous-ensemble comprend, en outre, une membrane souple 11 en un matériau tel que du latex, présentant une forme circulaire bombée bordée par une collerette périphérique radiale 12. Les dimensions de cette membrane 11 sont adaptées pour que la collerette 12 vienne porter en appui à l'intérieur du flasque avant 8 dans une position où la partie centrale de cette dernière s'étend à l'extérieur dudit flasque avant.The first subset includes, in addition, a flexible membrane 11 of a material such as latex, having a shape convex circular edged by a radial peripheral collar 12. The dimensions of this membrane 11 are adapted for the flange 12 to come bear on the inside of the flange before 8 in a position where the part central of the latter extends outside said front flange.

Le premier sous-ensemble comprend enfin une bague annulaire 13 dotée d'un bossage annulaire 14 adapté pour venir se loger dans le flasque avant 8 de façon à assurer le maintien de la membrane souple 11 à l'intérieur de ce dernier.The first subassembly finally includes a ring annular 13 having an annular boss 14 adapted to be housed in the flange before 8 so as to maintain the flexible membrane 11 to inside the latter.

Le second sous-ensemble comprend, en premier lieu, un flasque arrière 15 en forme de coupelle cylindrique de dimensions adaptées pour loger l'élément vibrant 1, et dont la paroi de fond 15a comporte un plot annulaire en saillie 16 d'appui de la bague d'amortissement 4 de cet élément vibrant 1. Comme le flasque avant 8, ce flasque arrière 15 comporte également un embout radial 21 en forme de goulotte ménagé de façon à être assemblé avec celui dudit flasque avant. Ce flasque arrière 15 comporte, enfin, un épaulement interne 17 ménagé dans le rebord périphérique 15b de ce dernier.The second subset includes, in the first place, a rear flange 15 cylindrical cup shaped dimensions adapted for housing the vibrating element 1, and whose bottom wall 15a has an annular stud protruding 16 support of the damping ring 4 of this vibrating element 1. Like the front flange 8, this rear flange 15 also comprises a mouthpiece radial duct 21 formed to be assembled with that of said flange before. This rear flange 15 has, finally, an internal shoulder 17 formed in the peripheral rim 15b of the latter.

Le second sous-ensemble comporte en outre une bague annulaire 18 de blocage de l'élément vibrant 1 à l'intérieur du flasque arrière 15, présentant une forme de L adaptée pour qu'une de ses ailes, radiale, vienne en appui sur la bague d'amortissement 4 de cet élément vibrant 1, et que son autre aile axiale vienne en butée contre l'épaulement interne 17 du flasque arrière 15.The second subassembly further comprises a ring annular ring 18 for locking the vibrating element 1 inside the rear flange 15, having an L shape adapted for one of its wings, radial, to come into support on the damping ring 4 of this vibrating element 1, and that its other axial wing comes into abutment against the internal shoulder 17 of the rear flange 15.

En dernier lieu, le flasque arrière 15 comporte une rainure annulaire 19 ménagée dans la paroi de fond 15a de ce dernier, apte à loger partiellement un joint torique 20 en un matériau élastique agencé pour pouvoir être comprimé entre l'élément vibrant 1 et cette paroi de fond 15a.Finally, the rear flange 15 has a groove ring 19 formed in the bottom wall 15a of the latter, suitable for housing partially an O-ring 20 of an elastic material arranged to be able to be compressed between the vibrating element 1 and the bottom wall 15a.

Une fois les divers éléments des deux sous-systèmes assemblés et ces deux sous-systèmes solidarisés , et tel que représenté à la figure 2, ces derniers forment un boítier hermétique doté d'un manchon formé par les deux embouts 10, 21, sur lequel vient se clipser un manchon 22.Once the various elements of the two subsystems assembled and these two subsystems joined together, and as shown in FIG. 2, these form an airtight housing with a sleeve formed by the two end pieces 10, 21, on which is clipped a sleeve 22.

De plus et surtout, l'élément vibrant 1 délimite à l'intérieur de ce boítier deux chambres hermétiques :

  • la chambre avant 6 destinée à être remplie d'eau par l'intermédiaire d'un orifice 23 ménagé dans l'embout 21 du flasque arrière 15 et communiquant avec cette chambre avant 6, ledit orifice étant ensuite obturé par un bouchon 25,
  • la chambre arrière 7 dans laquelle le joint torique 20 fait office de ressort souple autorisant les vibrations de l'élément vibrant 1.
Moreover and above all, the vibrating element 1 delimits inside this case two hermetic chambers:
  • the front chamber 6 intended to be filled with water via an orifice 23 formed in the end piece 21 of the rear flange 15 and communicating with this front chamber 6, said orifice then being closed by a plug 25,
  • the rear chamber 7 in which the O-ring 20 acts as a flexible spring allowing vibrations of the vibrating element 1.

Le dispositif d'écoute représenté aux figures 3 et 4 comporte également un boítier constitué de deux sous-ensembles quasi identiques et identifiés avec les mêmes références numériques pour les éléments similaires.The listening device shown in FIGS. also comprises a housing consisting of two subsets quasi identical and identified with the same numerical references for the elements Similar.

La seule différence entre ces deux variantes consiste dans le fait que dans le second mode de réalisation le plot annulaire 16, le joint torique 20 et la rainure annulaire 19 du flasque arrière 15 sont supprimés.The only difference between these two variants is in the fact that in the second embodiment the annular stud 16, the O-ring 20 and the annular groove 19 of the rear flange 15 are removed.

En lieu et place de ces derniers, la chambre arrière 7 est remplie d'eau par l'intermédiaire d'un orifice 26 ménagé dans la paroi de fond 15a du flasque arrière 15 et obturé par un bouchon 27. De plus, les moyens amortisseurs sont constitués d'une bague annulaire 28 logée dans le flasque arrière 15 et de diamètre adapté pour servir d'appui à la bague d'amortissement 4 de l'élément vibrant 1, sans contact avec le disque métallique 3 de ce dernier. Cette bague annulaire 28 réalisée en un matériau tel qu'un élastomère de silicone, permet d'absorber les variations de volume de la chambre arrière 7, et autorise ainsi les vibrations de l'élément vibrant 1.In place of these, the rear chamber 7 is filled with water through an orifice 26 formed in the bottom wall 15a of the rear flange 15 and closed by a plug 27. In addition, the means dampers consist of an annular ring 28 housed in the flange rear 15 and diameter adapted to serve as a support for the damping ring 4 of the vibrating element 1, without contact with the metal disc 3 of the latter. This annular ring 28 made of a material such as a silicone elastomer, allows to absorb the volume variations of the rear chamber 7, and allows thus the vibrations of the vibrating element 1.

Le boítier du dispositif d'écoute représenté aux figures 5 à 7 consiste quant à lui principalement en un flasque annulaire 30 doté en premier lieu d'une gorge externe radiale 31.The housing of the listening device represented in FIGS. 5 to 7 consists mainly of an annular flange 30 endowed first instead of an external radial groove 31.

La face arrière de ce flasque 30 est obturée d'une plaque cylindrique rigide 32 destinée à délimiter la chambre arrière 7.The rear face of this flange 30 is closed with a plate cylindrical rigid 32 for delimiting the rear chamber 7.

De plus, d'un seul tenant avec ce flasque 30, se trouve ménagée une couronne 33 délimitant à l'intérieur de ce dernier une chambre annulaire périphérique 34 d'amortissement.Moreover, in one piece with this flange 30, lies provided a crown 33 delimiting inside the latter a chamber annular peripheral device 34 damping.

A l'intérieur de ce flasque 30, et toujours d'un seul tenant avec ce dernier, se trouve ménagée une seconde couronne 36 concentrique avec la première couronne 33, et de diamètre inférieur à celui de cette première couronne 33, adapté pour que ladite seconde couronne forme un siège d'appui de l'élément vibrant 1.Inside this flange 30, and always in one piece with the latter, is located a second concentric crown 36 with the first ring 33, and of smaller diameter than that of this first 33, adapted so that said second ring forms a support seat of the vibrating element 1.

Ces deux couronnes internes 33, 36 présentent, en outre, un tronçon longitudinal crénelé 35, 37 apte à mettre en communication la chambre arrière 7 et la chambre annulaire d'amortissement 34.These two inner rings 33, 36 have, in addition, a crenellated longitudinal section 35, 37 able to port the chamber rear 7 and the annular damping chamber 34.

Le dispositif selon ce troisième mode de réalisation comprend, en outre, une bague 38 de section en forme de L, de maintien de l'élément vibrant 1 contre la couronne 36. En vue d'assurer ce maintien, cette bague comprend un tronçon annulaire 39 doté d'une portion d'extrémité crénelée dotée d'ergots internes 40 agencés pour venir se clipser dans les créneaux 37 de la seconde couronne 36.The device according to this third embodiment further comprises a ring 38 of L-shaped section, holding the vibrating element 1 against the crown 36. In order to ensure this maintenance, this ring includes an annular section 39 having a crenellated end portion equipped with internal pins 40 arranged to snap into the slots 37 of the second ring 36.

Cette bague de maintien 38 comporte, enfin, un bossage frontal oblique 41 adapté pour former un logement 44 de forme rétentive avec la première couronne 33 du flasque arrière 30.This retaining ring 38 has, finally, a boss oblique frontal 41 adapted to form a housing 44 of retentive form with the first ring 33 of the rear flange 30.

Ce troisième type de dispositif d'écoute comprend, enfin, une membrane souple 42 conformée de façon à présenter une zone centrale 45 de forme bombée apte à délimiter la chambre avant 6, séparée par une gorge annulaire, d'une couronne annulaire 43 bombée apte à délimiter la chambre d'amortissement. This third type of listening device comprises, finally, a flexible membrane 42 shaped so as to have a central zone 45 of curved shape able to delimit the front chamber 6, separated by a throat annular, an annular crown 43 convex able to delimit the chamber amortization.

Tel que représenté aux figures 6 et 7 cette membrane souple 42 et maintenue sur le flasque arrière 30 au moyen de deux joints toriques :

  • un joint torique 46 logé dans la gorge externe 31 du flasque arrière 30,
  • et un joint torique 47 logé dans la gorge de cette membrane elle-même introduite dans le logement de forme rétentive 44 du flasque arrière 30.
As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, this flexible membrane 42 is held on the rear flange 30 by means of two O-rings:
  • an O-ring 46 housed in the external groove 31 of the rear flange 30,
  • and an O-ring 47 housed in the groove of this membrane itself introduced into the retentive form housing 44 of the rear flange 30.

Selon ce principe la chambre arrière 7 est remplie d'eau et communique avec la chambre annulaire 34 délimitée par la couronne annulaire bombée 43 de la membrane 42, qui fait donc office de moyens élastiques d'absorption de variations de volumes de cette chambre arrière 7.According to this principle the rear chamber 7 is filled with water and communicates with the annular chamber 34 defined by the annular ring curved 43 of the membrane 42, which therefore serves elastic means absorption of volume variations of this rear chamber 7.

Claims (10)

  1. Device for listening to voice and/or musical signals by means of cranial bone transmission, comprising:
    a case (8, 15; 30, 32) having an open frontal face, termed the forward frontal face, sealed by a flexible membrane (11; 42), and an opposite frontal face (15a; 32), termed the rear frontal face, which consists of a rigid, hermetic wall,
    a piezoelectric element (1) having suitable dimensions in order for same to be integrated in the case, in such a way as to extend in parallel to the frontal faces of the latter,
    means (18; 32) for supporting the piezoelectric element (1) which are suitable for joining the periphery of the latter to the case in a solid manner, in such a way as to divide the internal volume of the said case into two hermetic chambers:
    a chamber (6), termed the forward chamber, delimited by the flexible membrane (11; 42) and the piezoelectric element (1), and filled with an incompressible gel or fluid, and
    a chamber (7), termed the rear chamber, delimited by the piezoelectric element (1) and the rear frontal wall (15a; 32) of the case, and comprising damping means (20; 28; 34, 43) suitable for compensating the stresses exerted on the piezoelectric element (1) which result from the forces exerted on the flexible membrane (11; 42) during its application against a skull.
  2. Listening device according to claim 1, the damping means comprising resilient means (20) bearing against the piezoelectric element (1) and the rear frontal wall (15a) of the case, so as to form a flexible support capable of opposing a remanent deformation of this piezoelectric element.
  3. Listening device according to claim 2, the resilient means consisting of at least one 0-ring (20) which is disposed in an annular groove (19) provided in the rear frontal wall (15a) of the case, and which has a diameter cross-section greater than the depth of this groove (19).
  4. Listening device according to one of claims 2 or 3, the rear chamber (7) of the case enclosing a compressible fluid.
  5. Listening device according to claim 1, the rear chamber (7) being filled with an incompressible gel or fluid, the damping means comprising resilient means (28; 34, 43) which do not contact the piezoelectric element (1) and are capable of deforming so as to absorb the volume variations of the rear chamber (7) during the vibrations of the said piezoelectric element.
  6. Listening device according to claim 5, the resilient means consisting of an annular ring (28) of a resilient material located in the rear chamber (7) of the case.
  7. Listening device according to one of claims 2 or 5, the flexible membrane (1) being shaped so as to have a domed form.
  8. Listening device according to claim 5, comprising an annular chamber (34), termed a damping chamber, provided around the forward chamber (6) so as to be delimited by a peripheral annular zone (43) of the flexible membrane (42), the said damping chamber being isolated from the said forward chamber, and communicating with the rear chamber (7) in such a way that the peripheral zone (43) of the flexible membrane (42) constitutes the resilient means for absorbing volume variations of the said rear chamber.
  9. Listening device according to claim 8, the flexible membrane (42) being shaped so as to have a central zone (45) having a domed form suitable for delimiting the forward chamber (6), separated by an annular groove from a domed annular collar (43) suitable for delimiting the damping chamber (34).
  10. Listening device according to one of the preceding claims, the incompressible gel or fluid consisting of water, and in that the piezoelectric element (1) is covered by a covering which isolates it from the water.
EP02785512A 2001-10-01 2002-09-27 Device for listening to voice and/or musical signals by means of cranial bone transmission Expired - Lifetime EP1433357B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR0112600A FR2830404B1 (en) 2001-10-01 2001-10-01 DEVICE FOR LISTENING TO VOICE AND OR MUSIC SIGNALS BY CRANIAL BONE TRANSMISSION
FR0112600 2001-10-01
PCT/FR2002/003311 WO2003030585A1 (en) 2001-10-01 2002-09-27 Device for listening to voice and/or musical signals by means of cranial bone transmission

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AT (1) ATE289471T1 (en)
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WO2003030585A1 (en) 2003-04-10
US20040247143A1 (en) 2004-12-09
FR2830404B1 (en) 2004-01-02
DE60203016D1 (en) 2005-03-24
ATE289471T1 (en) 2005-03-15
FR2830404A1 (en) 2003-04-04
EP1433357A1 (en) 2004-06-30

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