EP1962553A2 - Hearing aid with magnetically mounted battery holder - Google Patents

Hearing aid with magnetically mounted battery holder Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1962553A2
EP1962553A2 EP08101532A EP08101532A EP1962553A2 EP 1962553 A2 EP1962553 A2 EP 1962553A2 EP 08101532 A EP08101532 A EP 08101532A EP 08101532 A EP08101532 A EP 08101532A EP 1962553 A2 EP1962553 A2 EP 1962553A2
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
housing
opening
holding device
battery holding
battery
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP08101532A
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German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP1962553A3 (en
Inventor
Wai Kit David Ho
Wee Haw Koo
Beng Hai Tan
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Sivantos GmbH
Original Assignee
Siemens Audioligische Technik GmbH
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Siemens Audioligische Technik GmbH filed Critical Siemens Audioligische Technik GmbH
Publication of EP1962553A2 publication Critical patent/EP1962553A2/en
Publication of EP1962553A3 publication Critical patent/EP1962553A3/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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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
    • H04R25/00—Deaf-aid sets, i.e. electro-acoustic or electro-mechanical hearing aids; Electric tinnitus maskers providing an auditory perception
    • H04R25/60—Mounting or interconnection of hearing aid parts, e.g. inside tips, housings or to ossicles
    • H04R25/602—Mounting or interconnection of hearing aid parts, e.g. inside tips, housings or to ossicles of batteries

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a hearing device with a housing and a battery holding device or a battery compartment, which is attached to the housing.
  • a hearing device is understood here to mean, in particular, a device that can be worn on the head, such as a hearing device, a headset or a headset.
  • Hearing aids are portable hearing aids that are used to care for the hearing impaired.
  • different types of hearing aids such as behind-the-ear hearing aids (BTE) and in-the-ear hearing aids (ITO), e.g. also Concha hearing aids or canal hearing aids (CIC), provided.
  • BTE behind-the-ear hearing aids
  • ITO in-the-ear hearing aids
  • CIC canal hearing aids
  • the hearing aids listed by way of example are worn on the outer ear or in the ear canal.
  • bone conduction hearing aids, implantable or vibrotactile hearing aids are also available on the market. The stimulation of the damaged hearing takes place either mechanically or electrically.
  • Hearing aids have in principle as essential components an input transducer, an amplifier and an output transducer.
  • the input transducer is usually a sound receiver, z. As a microphone, and / or an electromagnetic receiver, for. B. an induction coil.
  • the output transducer is usually used as an electroacoustic transducer, z. As miniature speaker, or as an electromechanical transducer, z. B. bone conduction, realized.
  • the amplifier is usually integrated in a signal processing unit. This basic structure is in FIG. 1 shown using the example of a behind-the-ear hearing aid. In a hearing aid housing 1 for carrying behind the ear, one or more microphones 2 for receiving the sound from the environment are installed.
  • a signal processing unit 3 also in the hearing aid housing 1, processes the microphone signals and amplifies them.
  • the output signal of the signal processing unit 3 is transmitted to a loudspeaker or earpiece 4, which outputs an acoustic signal.
  • the sound is optionally transmitted via a sound tube, which is fixed with an earmold in the ear canal, to the eardrum of the device carrier.
  • the power supply of the hearing device and in particular of the signal processing unit 3 is carried out by a likewise integrated into the hearing aid housing 1 battery. 5
  • the battery of a hearing aid is often in a so-called battery door or a battery compartment, which serves as a battery holding device.
  • the battery is inserted in this battery door. Subsequently, it is pivoted into the hearing aid housing, snapped or otherwise secured.
  • This requires mechanical structures that wear out over time. Accordingly, numerous battery replacement operations lead to high wear, which adversely affects the retention mechanism or the insertion, snapping or Einschwenk mechanism.
  • a signal transmission device can be releasably attached to the hearing aid by means of a magnetic holder.
  • the object of the present invention is therefore to propose a hearing device in which numerous battery replacement cycles are possible and the wear remains as small as possible.
  • this object is achieved by a hearing device with a housing and a battery holding device which is fixed to the housing, wherein the battery holding device is inserted into an opening of the housing, between the housing and the battery holding device, a releasable magnetic connection, the main force component extends in the insertion direction ,
  • the magnetic attachment of the battery holding device to the housing of the hearing device that always a constant holding force between the battery holding device and the housing can be achieved. It also does not change in numerous removal and Wiederereinsetzvor réellen of batteries. In particular, so that virtually mechanical wear can be prevented.
  • the opening in the housing is slot-shaped and open on two sides, so that the battery holding device can be held on these two sides when inserted into the opening.
  • This provides a simple mechanical guidance, so that the magnetic binding can be achieved in a targeted manner.
  • the battery holding device may have two projections and the housing as a guide have two grooves in which the projections are guided during insertion.
  • a mechanical guide can be achieved, which supplies the magnetic elements to each other.
  • a mechanical guidance can be achieved, which allows only a one-dimensional movement.
  • the hearing device according to the invention may optionally be equipped instead of the battery holding device or the battery door with a replacement module which has the same outer dimensions as the battery holding device and which can be inserted into the opening instead of the battery holding device.
  • a replacement module which has the same outer dimensions as the battery holding device and which can be inserted into the opening instead of the battery holding device.
  • the replacement module may have an audio input functionality, wherein corresponding electrical plug contacts for mutual contacting are arranged on the replacement module and in the opening of the housing.
  • a cavity whose bottom is profiled in the insertion direction may connect to the opening in the housing, a cavity whose bottom is profiled in the insertion direction.
  • a reverse polarity of the battery can be prevented if the battery holder can attach only in exactly one position to the battery case.
  • Another advantage of this profiling may be that the battery holder can not be moved perpendicular to the magnetic force. This increases the hold of the battery holding device in the housing. Specifically, it is advantageous if the bottom of the cavity is concave. As a result, the battery holding device or the replacement module can be rounded, so that it can be handled comfortably.
  • a magnet may be disposed on the housing on a perpendicular to the opening through the center thereof. As a result, the battery holding device is held centrally in the opening.
  • the magnet is much smaller than the opening.
  • the surface of the magnet, viewed in Insertion direction is less than 20 percent of the opening in the housing.
  • a hearing aid housing 10 which has at its end a slot-shaped opening 11 for insertion of a so-called "battery door" 12.
  • the insertion or removal direction is in FIG. 2 marked with the arrow 13.
  • the bottom 14 of the opening 11 of the hearing aid housing 10 is concave here. In the center of the bottom 14 at its lowest point a first magnetic element 15 is arranged. Its dimensions from the perspective of the insertion direction 13 are relatively small compared to the dimensions of the opening eleventh
  • the battery door 12 has a receptacle into which a battery 16 is inserted.
  • the battery door 12 has a first surface portion 17, which corresponds to the bottom 14 in the hearing aid housing 10 and is correspondingly convex.
  • the battery door 12 also has a second surface portion 18 that has the contour of the corresponding part of the hearing aid housing 10.
  • a second magnetic element 19 is arranged, which attracts the first magnetic element 15 in the hearing aid housing 10.
  • At least one of the two magnetic elements 15, 19 is a magnet.
  • the other magnetic element is then either ferromagnetic or a magnet with opposite polarity.
  • FIG. 3 the front of the hearing aid housing 10 and the battery door 12 is shown.
  • the slot-shaped opening 11 is clearly visible.
  • the magnetic element 15th is the magnetic element 15th
  • the battery door 12 is below the battery housing 10 in FIG FIG. 3 shown. Due to the view from the front side, the second magnetic element 19 is shown in dashed lines there.
  • the slot-shaped opening 11 is during insertion of the battery door 12 into the opening 10 is a mechanical guide, based on FIG. 3 , does not allow a degree of freedom in the horizontal direction. A movement of the battery door 12 in the vertical direction would still be possible.
  • the hearing aid housing 10 has the inner sides of the opening 11 guide grooves 20 which extend in the insertion direction 13.
  • the battery door 12 has this matching protruding guide elements 21. These are when inserting the battery door 12 in the grooves 20 of the hearing aid housing 10 out. Therefore, a movement of the battery door 12 is prevented in the vertical direction. This means that the battery door 12 during insertion can only move in one direction 13, ie in one dimension. Consequently, the magnetic member 19 is accurately supplied to the magnetic member 15, so that the magnetic connection can be made safe and easy.
  • FIG. 4 shows the state in which the battery door 12 including battery 16 is inserted into the hearing aid housing 10.
  • the two magnetic elements 15, 19 are bonded together by magnetic forces.
  • the surface of the hearing aid housing 10 is flush with that of the battery door 12.
  • the removal of the battery door 12 is easy to achieve by pulling the battery door 12 from the opening 11 in the reverse direction.
  • the battery door 12 for example, with two fingers on the free surfaces 22 engage (see. FIGS. 2 and 3 ).
  • the surfaces can be designed accordingly grip.
  • the battery door 12 may in the opening 11 of the hearing aid housing 10 and a in FIG. 5 illustrated replacement module 30 are used.
  • This also has a corresponding surface portion 31, which corresponds to the bottom 14 of the opening 11.
  • a magnetic element 32 is provided on this surface section 31 in order to be able to produce the corresponding magnetic connection with the magnetic element 15.
  • the magnetomechanical interface of the replacement module 30 is therefore the same as that of the battery door 12.
  • the replacement module itself can have any function. For example, it can be configured as an audio shoe or computer interface, Bluetooth interface and the like.

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  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Neurosurgery (AREA)
  • Otolaryngology (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Acoustics & Sound (AREA)
  • Signal Processing (AREA)
  • Battery Mounting, Suspending (AREA)

Abstract

The apparatus has a battery holding device fastened to a housing (10), where the battery holding device is inserted into a slit-shaped opening (11) of the housing by a detachable magnetic force with a principle force component in a direction of the insertion. The opening in the housing is opened towards two sides, so that the battery holding device is held on the sides during the insertion into the opening. A cavity connects to the opening of the housing, and a base (14) of the cavity is profiled in the direction of the insertion. An independent claim is also included for a method for magnetically attaching a battery holding device to a housing of a hearing apparatus.

Description

Die vorliegende Erfindung betrifft eine Hörvorrichtung mit einem Gehäuse und einer Batteriehalteeinrichtung bzw. einem Batteriefach, die an dem Gehäuse befestigt ist. Unter einer Hörvorrichtung wird hier insbesondere ein am Kopf tragbares Gerät, wie beispielsweise ein Hörgerät, ein Headset oder ein Kopfhörer verstanden.The present invention relates to a hearing device with a housing and a battery holding device or a battery compartment, which is attached to the housing. A hearing device is understood here to mean, in particular, a device that can be worn on the head, such as a hearing device, a headset or a headset.

Hörgeräte sind tragbare Hörvorrichtungen, die zur Versorgung von Schwerhörenden dienen. Um den zahlreichen individuellen Bedürfnissen entgegenzukommen, werden unterschiedliche Bauformen von Hörgeräten wie Hinter-dem-Ohr-Hörgeräte (HdO) und In-dem-Ohr-Hörgeräte (IdO), z.B. auch Concha-Hörgeräte oder Kanal-Hörgeräte (CIC), bereitgestellt. Die beispielhaft aufgeführten Hörgeräte werden am Außenohr oder im Gehörgang getragen. Darüber hinaus stehen auf dem Markt aber auch Knochenleitungshörhilfen, implantierbare oder vibrotaktile Hörhilfen zur Verfügung. Dabei erfolgt die Stimulation des geschädigten Gehörs entweder mechanisch oder elektrisch.Hearing aids are portable hearing aids that are used to care for the hearing impaired. In order to meet the numerous individual needs, different types of hearing aids such as behind-the-ear hearing aids (BTE) and in-the-ear hearing aids (ITO), e.g. also Concha hearing aids or canal hearing aids (CIC), provided. The hearing aids listed by way of example are worn on the outer ear or in the ear canal. In addition, bone conduction hearing aids, implantable or vibrotactile hearing aids are also available on the market. The stimulation of the damaged hearing takes place either mechanically or electrically.

Hörgeräte besitzen prinzipiell als wesentliche Komponenten einen Eingangswandler, einen Verstärker und einen Ausgangswandler. Der Eingangswandler ist in der Regel ein Schallempfänger, z. B. ein Mikrofon, und/oder ein elektromagnetischer Empfänger, z. B. eine Induktionsspule. Der Ausgangswandler ist meist als elektroakustischer Wandler, z. B. Miniaturlautsprecher, oder als elektromechanischer Wandler, z. B. Knochenleitungshörer, realisiert. Der Verstärker ist üblicherweise in eine Signalverarbeitungseinheit integriert. Dieser prinzipielle Aufbau ist in FIG 1 am Beispiel eines Hinter-dem-Ohr-Hörgeräts dargestellt. In ein Hörgerätegehäuse 1 zum Tragen hinter dem Ohr sind ein oder mehrere Mikrofone 2 zur Aufnahme des Schalls aus der Umgebung eingebaut. Eine Signalverarbeitungseinheit 3, die ebenfalls in das Hörgerätegehäuse 1 integriert ist, verarbeitet die Mikrofonsignale und verstärkt sie. Das Ausgangssignal der Signalverarbeitungseinheit 3 wird an einen Lautsprecher bzw. Hörer 4 übertragen, der ein akustisches Signal ausgibt. Der Schall wird gegebenenfalls über einen Schallschlauch, der mit einer Otoplastik im Gehörgang fixiert ist, zum Trommelfell des Geräteträgers übertragen. Die Stromversorgung des Hörgeräts und insbesondere die der Signalverarbeitungseinheit 3 erfolgt durch eine ebenfalls ins Hörgerätegehäuse 1 integrierte Batterie 5.Hearing aids have in principle as essential components an input transducer, an amplifier and an output transducer. The input transducer is usually a sound receiver, z. As a microphone, and / or an electromagnetic receiver, for. B. an induction coil. The output transducer is usually used as an electroacoustic transducer, z. As miniature speaker, or as an electromechanical transducer, z. B. bone conduction, realized. The amplifier is usually integrated in a signal processing unit. This basic structure is in FIG. 1 shown using the example of a behind-the-ear hearing aid. In a hearing aid housing 1 for carrying behind the ear, one or more microphones 2 for receiving the sound from the environment are installed. A signal processing unit 3, also in the hearing aid housing 1, processes the microphone signals and amplifies them. The output signal of the signal processing unit 3 is transmitted to a loudspeaker or earpiece 4, which outputs an acoustic signal. The sound is optionally transmitted via a sound tube, which is fixed with an earmold in the ear canal, to the eardrum of the device carrier. The power supply of the hearing device and in particular of the signal processing unit 3 is carried out by a likewise integrated into the hearing aid housing 1 battery. 5

Die Batterie eines Hörgeräts befindet sich vielfach in einer so genannten Batterietür bzw. einem Batteriefach, die/das als Batteriehalteeinrichtung dient. In diese Batterietür wird die Batterie eingesetzt. Anschließend wird sie in das Hörgerätegehäuse eingeschwenkt, eingeschnappt oder anderweitig befestigt. Dazu werden mechanische Strukturen benötigt, die im Laufe der Zeit verschleißen. Zahlreiche Batterieaustauschvorgänge führen dementsprechend zu einem hohen Verschleiß, der den Haltemechanismus bzw. die Einschub-, Einschnapp- oder Einschwenkkräfte negativ beeinflusst.The battery of a hearing aid is often in a so-called battery door or a battery compartment, which serves as a battery holding device. The battery is inserted in this battery door. Subsequently, it is pivoted into the hearing aid housing, snapped or otherwise secured. This requires mechanical structures that wear out over time. Accordingly, numerous battery replacement operations lead to high wear, which adversely affects the retention mechanism or the insertion, snapping or Einschwenkkräfte.

Bei zu hohem Verschleiß muss unter Umständen das Hörgerätegehäuse oder die Batterietür ausgetauscht werden. Dies ist jedoch mit hohem Aufwand verbunden.Excessive wear may require replacement of the hearing aid housing or battery door. However, this is associated with high costs.

Aus der Druckschrift DE 197 56 992 A1 ist ein Hörgerät bekannt, dessen Stromversorgung durch eine zylinderförmige Knopfzelle erfolgt. Einer der elektrischen Pole, der die Knopfzelle elektrisch kontaktiert, ist ein Permanentmagnet und hält die Knopfzelle dauerhaft. Um eine Entnahme der Knopfzelle zu gewährleisten, ist eine seitliche Bohrung vorhanden, die das Herausheben der Knopfzelle erlaubt. Hierzu kann eine Stecknadel verwendet werden.From the publication DE 197 56 992 A1 is a hearing aid known whose power is supplied by a cylindrical button cell. One of the electrical poles that electrically contacts the button cell is a permanent magnet that holds the button cell permanently. In order to ensure a removal of the button cell, a lateral bore is provided, which allows the lifting out of the button cell. For this purpose, a pin can be used.

Weiterhin offenbart die Druckschrift DE 10 2005 020 322 A1 eine Schnittstelleneinrichtung zur Signalübertragung zwischen einem Hörhilfegerät und einem externen Gerät. Eine Signal-übertragungseinrichtung kann mittels einer magnetischen Halterung lösbar am Hörhilfegerät befestigt sein.Furthermore, the document discloses DE 10 2005 020 322 A1 an interface device for signal transmission between a hearing aid and an external device. A signal transmission device can be releasably attached to the hearing aid by means of a magnetic holder.

Die Aufgabe der vorliegenden Erfindung besteht somit darin, eine Hörvorrichtung vorzuschlagen, bei der zahlreiche Batterieaustauschzyklen möglich sind und der Verschleiß dabei möglichst gering bleibt.The object of the present invention is therefore to propose a hearing device in which numerous battery replacement cycles are possible and the wear remains as small as possible.

Erfindungsgemäß wird diese Aufgabe gelöst durch eine Hörvorrichtung mit einem Gehäuse und einer Batteriehalteeinrichtung, die an dem Gehäuse befestigt ist, wobei die Batteriehalteeinrichtung in eine Öffnung des Gehäuses einschiebbar ist, zwischen dem Gehäuse und der Batteriehalteeinrichtung eine lösbare Magnetverbindung besteht, deren Hauptkraftkomponente in der Einschubrichtung verläuft.According to the invention this object is achieved by a hearing device with a housing and a battery holding device which is fixed to the housing, wherein the battery holding device is inserted into an opening of the housing, between the housing and the battery holding device, a releasable magnetic connection, the main force component extends in the insertion direction ,

In vorteilhafter Weise wird durch die magnetische Befestigung der Batteriehalteeinrichtung an dem Gehäuse der Hörvorrichtung erreicht, dass stets eine gleich bleibende Haltekraft zwischen der Batteriehalteeinrichtung und dem Gehäuse erzielt werden kann. Sie ändert sich auch nicht bei zahlreichen Entnahme- und Wiedereinsetzvorgängen von Batterien. Insbesondere kann damit praktisch mechanischer Verschleiß verhindert werden.Advantageously, it is achieved by the magnetic attachment of the battery holding device to the housing of the hearing device, that always a constant holding force between the battery holding device and the housing can be achieved. It also does not change in numerous removal and Wiederereinsetzvorgängen of batteries. In particular, so that virtually mechanical wear can be prevented.

Vorzugsweise ist die Öffnung in dem Gehäuse schlitzförmig und nach zwei Seiten offen, so dass die Batteriehalteeinrichtung beim Einschieben in die Öffnung an diesen beiden Seiten gehalten werden kann. Damit wird eine einfache mechanische Führung bereitgestellt, so dass die Magnetbindung zielgerichtet erreicht werden kann.Preferably, the opening in the housing is slot-shaped and open on two sides, so that the battery holding device can be held on these two sides when inserted into the opening. This provides a simple mechanical guidance, so that the magnetic binding can be achieved in a targeted manner.

Die Batteriehalteeinrichtung kann zwei Vorsprünge aufweisen und das Gehäuse als Führung zwei Nuten besitzen, in denen die Vorsprünge beim Einschieben geführt werden. Auch auf diese Weise kann eine mechanische Führung erzielt werden, die die magnetischen Elemente aufeinander zuführt. Speziell in Kombination mit der oben genannten schlitzförmigen Öffnung kann so eine mechanische Führung erreicht werden, die lediglich eine eindimensionale Bewegung zulässt.The battery holding device may have two projections and the housing as a guide have two grooves in which the projections are guided during insertion. In this way, a mechanical guide can be achieved, which supplies the magnetic elements to each other. Especially in combination with the above slot-shaped opening can be so a mechanical guidance can be achieved, which allows only a one-dimensional movement.

Die erfindungsgemäße Hörvorrichtung kann gegebenenfalls anstelle der Batteriehalteeinrichtung bzw. der Batterietür mit einem Austauschmodul bestückt werden, das die gleichen äußeren Abmessungen besitzt wie die Batteriehalteeinrichtung und das anstelle der Batteriehalteeinrichtung in die Öffnung einschiebbar ist. Damit wird die Batterieschnittstelle zu einer multifunktionalen Schnittstelle. Insbesondere kann das Austauschmodul eine Audio-Input-Funktionalität besitzen, wobei an dem Austauschmodul sowie in der Öffnung des Gehäuses entsprechende elektrische Steckkontakte zur gegenseitigen Kontaktierung angeordnet sind.The hearing device according to the invention may optionally be equipped instead of the battery holding device or the battery door with a replacement module which has the same outer dimensions as the battery holding device and which can be inserted into the opening instead of the battery holding device. This turns the battery interface into a multifunctional interface. In particular, the replacement module may have an audio input functionality, wherein corresponding electrical plug contacts for mutual contacting are arranged on the replacement module and in the opening of the housing.

Bei einer weiteren Ausführungsform der vorliegenden Erfindung kann sich an die Öffnung in dem Gehäuse ein Hohlraum anschließen, dessen Boden in Einschubrichtung profiliert ist. Durch diese Maßnahme kann beispielsweise eine Verpolung der Batterie verhindert werden, wenn sich die Batteriehalteeinrichtung nur in genau einer Stellung an das Batteriegehäuse anbringen lässt. Ein weiterer Vorteil dieser Profilierung besteht unter Umständen darin, dass die Batteriehalteeinrichtung senkrecht zu der Magnetkraft nicht verschoben werden kann. Dadurch erhöht sich der Halt der Batteriehalteeinrichtung in dem Gehäuse. Speziell ist es günstig, wenn der Boden des Hohlraums konkav ausgebildet ist. Dadurch lässt sich die Batteriehalteeinrichtung bzw. das Austauschmodul rundlich ausgestalten, so dass es komfortabel gehandhabt werden kann.In a further embodiment of the present invention may connect to the opening in the housing, a cavity whose bottom is profiled in the insertion direction. By this measure, for example, a reverse polarity of the battery can be prevented if the battery holder can attach only in exactly one position to the battery case. Another advantage of this profiling may be that the battery holder can not be moved perpendicular to the magnetic force. This increases the hold of the battery holding device in the housing. Specifically, it is advantageous if the bottom of the cavity is concave. As a result, the battery holding device or the replacement module can be rounded, so that it can be handled comfortably.

Darüber hinaus kann ein Magnet an dem Gehäuse auf einer Senkrechten zur der Öffnung durch deren Mittelpunkt angeordnet sein. Dadurch wird die Batteriehalteeinrichtung zentral in der Öffnung gehalten.In addition, a magnet may be disposed on the housing on a perpendicular to the opening through the center thereof. As a result, the battery holding device is held centrally in the opening.

Darüber hinaus reicht es in der Regel, wenn der Magnet wesentlich kleiner als die Öffnung ist. Insbesondere reicht es meist aus, wenn die Oberfläche des Magneten, betrachtet in Einschubrichtung, kleiner als 20 Prozent der Öffnung im Gehäuse ist. Bei entsprechenden mechanischen Führungen lässt sich auch dann die magnetische Verbindung sicher herstellen und der Magnet kann klein gehalten werden, was Kosten- und Gewichtsvorteile bringt.In addition, it is usually sufficient if the magnet is much smaller than the opening. In particular, it is usually sufficient if the surface of the magnet, viewed in Insertion direction is less than 20 percent of the opening in the housing. With appropriate mechanical guides, the magnetic connection can be made safely even then and the magnet can be kept small, which brings cost and weight advantages.

Die vorliegende Erfindung wird nun anhand der beigefügten Zeichnungen näher erläutert, in denen zeigen:

FIG 1
den prinzipiellen Aufbau eines Hörgeräts;
FIG 2
einen Abschnitt eines Hörgerätegehäuses mit einer Batterietür gemäß der vorliegenden Erfindung in Seitenansicht;
FIG 3
das Gehäuse und die Batterietür von FIG 2 in Stirn-seitenansicht;
FIG 4
die Batteriehalteeinrichtung von FIG 2 im einge-schobenen Zustand in Seitenansicht und
FIG 5
ein Austauschmodul in Seitenansicht.
The present invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1
the basic structure of a hearing aid;
FIG. 2
a section of a hearing aid housing with a battery door according to the present invention in side view;
FIG. 3
the case and the battery door of FIG. 2 in frontal view;
FIG. 4
the battery holding device of FIG. 2 in the pushed-in state in side view and
FIG. 5
an exchange module in side view.

Die nachfolgend näher geschilderten Ausführungsbeispiele stellen bevorzugte Ausführungsformen der folgenden Erfindung dar.The embodiments described in more detail below represent preferred embodiments of the following invention.

Entsprechend dem Beispiel von FIG 2 ist ein Hörgerätegehäuse 10 vorgesehen, das an seinem Ende eine schlitzförmige Öffnung 11 zum Einsetzen einer so genannten "Batterietür" 12 besitzt. Die Einschub- bzw. Entnahmerichtung ist in FIG 2 mit dem Pfeil 13 gekennzeichnet.According to the example of FIG. 2 a hearing aid housing 10 is provided, which has at its end a slot-shaped opening 11 for insertion of a so-called "battery door" 12. The insertion or removal direction is in FIG. 2 marked with the arrow 13.

Der Boden 14 der Öffnung 11 des Hörgerätegehäuses 10 ist hier konkav ausgebildet. In der Mitte des Bodens 14 an dessen tiefsten Punkt ist ein erstes magnetisches Element 15 angeordnet. Seine Abmessungen aus der Sicht der Einschubrichtung 13 sind verhältnismäßig klein gegenüber den Abmessungen der Öffnung 11.The bottom 14 of the opening 11 of the hearing aid housing 10 is concave here. In the center of the bottom 14 at its lowest point a first magnetic element 15 is arranged. Its dimensions from the perspective of the insertion direction 13 are relatively small compared to the dimensions of the opening eleventh

Die Batterietür 12 besitzt eine Aufnahme, in die eine Batterie 16 eingesetzt ist. Darüber hinaus weist die Batterietür 12 einen ersten Oberflächenabschnitt 17 auf, der mit dem Boden 14 in dem Hörgerätegehäuse 10 korrespondiert und entsprechend konvex ausgebildet ist. Die Batterietür 12 besitzt außerdem einen zweiten Oberflächenabschnitt 18, der die Kontur des entsprechenden Teils des Hörgerätegehäuses 10 besitzt. Im Zentrum des ersten Oberflächenabschnitts 17 ist ein zweites Magnetelement 19 angeordnet, das das erste magnetische Element 15 im Hörgerätegehäuse 10 anzieht. Mindestens eines der beiden Magnetelemente 15, 19 ist ein Magnet. Das andere Magnetelement ist dann entweder ferromagnetisch oder ein Magnet mit entgegengesetzter Polrichtung.The battery door 12 has a receptacle into which a battery 16 is inserted. In addition, the battery door 12 has a first surface portion 17, which corresponds to the bottom 14 in the hearing aid housing 10 and is correspondingly convex. The battery door 12 also has a second surface portion 18 that has the contour of the corresponding part of the hearing aid housing 10. In the center of the first surface portion 17, a second magnetic element 19 is arranged, which attracts the first magnetic element 15 in the hearing aid housing 10. At least one of the two magnetic elements 15, 19 is a magnet. The other magnetic element is then either ferromagnetic or a magnet with opposite polarity.

In FIG 3 ist die Stirnseite des Hörgerätegehäuses 10 und der Batterietür 12 dargestellt. In dem Hörgerätegehäuse 10 ist die schlitzförmige Öffnung 11 gut zu erkennen. Im Zentrum des Bodens 14 der Öffnung 11 befindet sich das Magnetelement 15.In FIG. 3 the front of the hearing aid housing 10 and the battery door 12 is shown. In the hearing aid housing 10, the slot-shaped opening 11 is clearly visible. In the center of the bottom 14 of the opening 11 is the magnetic element 15th

Übersichtshalber ist die Batterietür 12 unterhalb des Batteriegehäuses 10 in FIG 3 dargestellt. Aufgrund des Blicks von der Stirnseite ist das zweite Magnetelement 19 dort gestrichelt eingezeichnet.For the sake of clarity, the battery door 12 is below the battery housing 10 in FIG FIG. 3 shown. Due to the view from the front side, the second magnetic element 19 is shown in dashed lines there.

Die schlitzförmige Öffnung 11 stellt beim Einführen der Batterietür 12 in die Öffnung 10 eine mechanische Führung dar, die, bezogen auf FIG 3, keinen Freiheitsgrad in horizontaler Richtung zulässt. Eine Bewegung der Batterietür 12 in vertikaler Richtung wäre noch möglich. Um auch diese vertikale Bewegung beim Einführen der Batterietür 12 in die Öffnung 11 des Hörgerätegehäuses 10 zu vermeiden, besitzt das Hörgerätegehäuse 10 den Innenseiten an der Öffnung 11 Führungsnuten 20, die in Einschubrichtung 13 verlaufen. Die Batterietür 12 besitzt hierzu passende vorspringende Führungselemente 21. Diese werden beim Einschieben der Batterietür 12 in den Nuten 20 des Hörgerätegehäuses 10 geführt. Daher ist auch eine Bewegung der Batterietür 12 in vertikaler Richtung unterbunden. Dies bedeutet, dass sich die Batterietür 12 beim Einschieben nur noch in einer Richtung 13, d. h. in einer Dimension bewegen kann. Folglich wird das Magnetelement 19 zielgenau auf das Magnetelement 15 zugeführt, so dass die Magnetverbindung sicher und leicht hergestellt werden kann.The slot-shaped opening 11 is during insertion of the battery door 12 into the opening 10 is a mechanical guide, based on FIG. 3 , does not allow a degree of freedom in the horizontal direction. A movement of the battery door 12 in the vertical direction would still be possible. In order to avoid this vertical movement when inserting the battery door 12 into the opening 11 of the hearing aid housing 10, the hearing aid housing 10 has the inner sides of the opening 11 guide grooves 20 which extend in the insertion direction 13. The battery door 12 has this matching protruding guide elements 21. These are when inserting the battery door 12 in the grooves 20 of the hearing aid housing 10 out. Therefore, a movement of the battery door 12 is prevented in the vertical direction. This means that the battery door 12 during insertion can only move in one direction 13, ie in one dimension. Consequently, the magnetic member 19 is accurately supplied to the magnetic member 15, so that the magnetic connection can be made safe and easy.

FIG 4 zeigt den Zustand, in dem die Batterietür 12 einschließlich Batterie 16 in das Hörgerätegehäuse 10 eingesetzt ist. Die beiden Magnetelemente 15, 19 sind durch Magnetkräfte aneinander gebunden. Die Oberfläche des Hörgerätegehäuses 10 ist mit derjenigen der Batterietür 12 bündig. Die Entnahme der Batterietür 12 ist einfach durch Herausziehen der Batterietür 12 aus der Öffnung 11 in umgekehrter Richtung zu erreichen. Dabei lässt sich die Batterietür 12 beispielsweise mit zwei Fingern an den freien Flächen 22 greifen (vgl. Figuren 2 und 3). Die Flächen können hierfür entsprechend griffig gestaltet sein. FIG. 4 shows the state in which the battery door 12 including battery 16 is inserted into the hearing aid housing 10. The two magnetic elements 15, 19 are bonded together by magnetic forces. The surface of the hearing aid housing 10 is flush with that of the battery door 12. The removal of the battery door 12 is easy to achieve by pulling the battery door 12 from the opening 11 in the reverse direction. In this case, the battery door 12, for example, with two fingers on the free surfaces 22 engage (see. FIGS. 2 and 3 ). The surfaces can be designed accordingly grip.

Anstelle der Batterietür 12 kann in die Öffnung 11 des Hörgerätegehäuses 10 auch ein in FIG 5 dargestelltes Austauschmodul 30 eingesetzt werden. Auch dieses verfügt über einen entsprechenden Oberflächenabschnitt 31, der mit dem Boden 14 der Öffnung 11 korrespondiert. Ebenso ist an diesem Oberflächenabschnitt 31 ein Magnetelement 32 vorgesehen, um die entsprechende Magnetverbindung mit dem Magnetelement 15 herstellen zu können. Die magnetomechanische Schnittstelle des Austauschmoduls 30 ist also die gleiche wie die der Batterietür 12. Das Austauschmodul selbst kann über eine beliebige Funktion verfügen. So kann es beispielsweise als Audioschuh oder Computerschnittstelle, Bluetooth-Schnittstelle und dergleichen ausgestaltet sein.Instead of the battery door 12 may in the opening 11 of the hearing aid housing 10 and a in FIG. 5 illustrated replacement module 30 are used. This also has a corresponding surface portion 31, which corresponds to the bottom 14 of the opening 11. Likewise, a magnetic element 32 is provided on this surface section 31 in order to be able to produce the corresponding magnetic connection with the magnetic element 15. The magnetomechanical interface of the replacement module 30 is therefore the same as that of the battery door 12. The replacement module itself can have any function. For example, it can be configured as an audio shoe or computer interface, Bluetooth interface and the like.

Claims (9)

Hörvorrichtung mit - einem Gehäuse (10) und - einer Batteriehalteeinrichtung (12), die an dem Gehäuse (10) befestigt ist, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass - die Batteriehalteeinrichtung (12) in eine Öffnung (11) des Gehäuses (10) einschiebbar ist, - zwischen dem Gehäuse (10) und der Batteriehalteeinrichtung (12) eine lösbare Magnetverbindung besteht, deren Hauptkraftkomponente in der Einschubrichtung verläuft. Hearing device with - A housing (10) and - A battery holding device (12) which is fixed to the housing (10), characterized in that - The battery holding device (12) in an opening (11) of the housing (10) can be inserted, - Between the housing (10) and the battery holding device (12) is a releasable magnetic connection, the main force component extends in the insertion direction. Hörvorrichtung nach Anspruch 1, wobei die Öffnung (11) in dem Gehäuse (10) schlitzförmig und nach zwei Seiten offen ist, so dass die Batteriehalteeinrichtung (12) beim Einschieben in die Öffnung (11) an diesen beiden Seiten gehalten werden kann.Hearing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the opening (11) in the housing (10) is slot-shaped and open on two sides, so that the battery holding device (12) can be held on these two sides when inserted into the opening (11). Hörvorrichtung nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, wobei die Batteriehalteeinrichtung (12) zwei Vorsprünge aufweist, und das Gehäuse (10) als Führung zwei Nuten (20) besitzt, in denen die Vorsprünge beim Einschieben geführt werden.Hearing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the battery holding device (12) has two projections, and the housing (10) as a guide has two grooves (20) in which the projections are guided during insertion. Hörvorrichtung nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, die zusätzlich ein Austauschmodul aufweist, das die gleichen äußeren Abmessungen besitzt wie die Batteriehalteeinrichtung (12) und das anstelle der Batteriehalteeinrichtung (12) in die Öffnung (11) einschiebbar ist.Hearing apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, which additionally has an exchange module which has the same external dimensions as the battery holding device (12) and which can be inserted into the opening (11) instead of the battery holding device (12). Hörvorrichtung nach Anspruch 4, wobei das Austauschmodul eine Audio-Input-Funktionalität besitzt, und wobei an dem Austauschmodul sowie in der Öffnung (11) des Gehäuses (10) entsprechende elektrische Steckkontakte zur gegenseitigen Kontaktierung angeordnet sind.Hearing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the replacement module has an audio input functionality, and wherein on the replacement module and in the opening (11) of the housing (10) corresponding electrical plug contacts are arranged for mutual contacting. Hörvorrichtung nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei sich an die Öffnung (11) in dem Gehäuse (10) ein Hohlraum anschließt, dessen Boden (14) in Einschubrichtung profiliert ist.Hearing apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a cavity adjoins the opening (11) in the housing (10), the bottom (14) of which is profiled in the direction of insertion. Hörvorrichtung nach Anspruch 6, wobei der Boden (14) des Hohlraums konkav ausgebildet ist.Hearing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the bottom (14) of the cavity is concave. Hörvorrichtung nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei ein Magnet an dem Gehäuse (10) auf einer Senkrechten zu der Öffnung (11) durch deren Mittelpunkt angeordnet ist.Hearing apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a magnet on the housing (10) is arranged on a perpendicular to the opening (11) through the center thereof. Hörvorrichtung nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei der Magnet wesentlich kleiner ist als die Öffnung (11).Hearing apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the magnet is substantially smaller than the opening (11).
EP08101532A 2007-02-21 2008-02-12 Hearing aid with magnetically mounted battery holder Withdrawn EP1962553A3 (en)

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DE102007008551A DE102007008551A1 (en) 2007-02-21 2007-02-21 Hearing device with magnetically attached battery compartment

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US20080199031A1 (en) 2008-08-21
DE102007008551A1 (en) 2008-09-04
US8139800B2 (en) 2012-03-20
EP1962553A3 (en) 2011-10-05

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