EP2002686B1 - Headset for fitting of an earpiece - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a headset for fitting of an earpiece which has: a closure housing (2) in or on which a fixing device is provided, an inflexible and elastic fitting bracket (3) which forms a loop (9) for holding an outer ear (4) of a user, with one end of the fitting bracket (3) being longitudinally movable in the fixing device for the closure housing (2), and being held adjustably in the various longitudinal positions, forming a fixing effect, in order to adjust the size of the loop (9), a control device (12) for receiving and outputting electrical signals, an earpiece (10, 26) for receiving the electrical signal from the control device (12) and for transmitting soundwaves, and a signal interface (8, 18) for receiving and/or outputting electrical signals to and/or from the control device (12).

Description

The invention relates to a headset for a hearing aid for attaching a handset or a hearing aid holder.

In hearing aids, hearing tube systems are known in which sound signals from a hearing aid of a BTE (behind the ear) hearing device are conducted through a hearing tube into the auditory canal. Furthermore, external hearing systems are known, the z. B. can be placed directly in the ear canal.

In all systems, attachment to the user's ear is difficult. An additional attachment of other functional devices is usually very expensive.

Furthermore, head sets are used to attach microphones to the user's head. As a result, a voice input of the user in the microphone can be done without this the microphone must hold with his hands.

Such head sets generally have - similar to headphones - an over-the-head strap, which braces the headset on the head due to its elasticity. You can e.g. by singers at live performances or by task forces, e.g. the police, to be used for communication.

However, such head sets are expensive, bulky and partially affect the hearing. Furthermore, you disturb the visual appearance of the person and obstruct additionally patched headgear.

Conventional locking of a functional device by means of hanger brackets, etc., on the outer ear generally does not ensure a stable, non-slip attachment in which the functional device is formed from the outer ear, e.g. can be positioned as a microphone in the user's mouth area.

The DE 102 27 450 B4 shows a headset for a functional device, in particular a microphone, in which an insert body is inserted into the concha or the ear canal of the user and fixed by a clamping bracket which is braced against the Concha. On the insert body, a holding device is mounted, which carries the attached functional device, such as a rigid wire hanger.

Head sets continue to be used in the medical field for the placement of cochlear implant drivers. These head sets can have a bending element and an earmold to be fixed in the ear of the patient, such as in the DE 201 05 562 U1 described.

The US Pat. No. 6,396,935 B1 shows a headset with a stiff, bendable headband, at the ends of a microphone and a speaker are provided. The headband is here placed around the outer ear of the user and has in an interior a transmitting-receiving device for mutual communication with a portable, for example, in a shirt pocket device.

The DE 101 39 865 A1 shows a headset according to the introductory part of claim 1. Here, a folding strap forms a loop, wherein the loop is defined in length adjustable in a clamping device formed by clamping. For this purpose, the fold-over bow goes forwards, so that, for example, by pulling the fold-over strap, the loop can be reduced. When pulling on the folding strap, the area of the loop placed behind the outer ear is shortened. The Umlegebügel can eg a flexible Band for receiving a microphone that goes from the locking device to the front and wearing a microphone at the end.

The WO 02/054825 A2 shows an earring for a headset, for example, a microphone or speaker.

The US Pat. No. 4,039,765 shows a communication headset which is to be mounted as a headband and starting from one end of the headband starting a microphone holder for a microphone.

The JP 58 136199A . GB-A-2 391 418 and GB-A-2 036 505 show more headset systems.

The invention has for its object to provide a headset that ensures a secure positioning of a microphone on the head of the user.

This object is achieved by a head set according to claim 1. The dependent claims describe preferred developments.

The invention is based on the idea of achieving an attachment by means of a loop placed around the outer ear or the auricle, including the ear lobes, which can be securely adjusted in size by a locking element.

According to the invention, a folding strap runs away from the lock housing to the rear and further upwards, is placed over the outer ear and is guided at the front of the outer ear through the lock housing, in which a locking element fixes or fixes the loop in the desired length. Thus, a loop is formed, which can be placed around the outer ear.

The closure housing takes the coming from above Umlegebügel z. At an acute angle, i. smaller than a right angle, or even at an approximately right angle.

The front of the outer ear to be laid end of the Umlegebügels extends through the closure housing to the rear as a tension element, ie in particular drawbar or pull wire, so that the length position of the closure housing relative to the headband is adjusted.

According to the invention, the listener can firstly be a housing earpiece, which conducts sound signals directly into the auditory canal of the user via an inserted sound tube.

Alternatively, the listener may also be in the range of concha, i. be in the concha or in the ear canal to be positioned external handset, in which case the closure housing, preferably the control device of the closure housing is connected via an electrical line to the outer earphone.

The forwarding of the signals can take place via an output line and / or via wireless signals.

The controller may receive, process (eg, amplify) the signals and forward. In principle, however, it can also be used only for the transmission of signals, i. serve as a contact; Such an embodiment is particularly useful when connecting a line to an external transmitting and / or receiving device, since no power amplification is required here.

Furthermore, a powerful amplifier can be provided in the microphone, the signal lines are shielded against inductions, z. B. as a coaxial cable or twisted pair cable. Also in this case, the control device can only forward the signals without signal processing.

The locking device may in particular be a clamping element, the z. B. receives in a through hole or an eyelet. Furthermore, other Feststellwirkungen are possible, for. B. positively and / or with a securing means such. As a screw or a pin.

The loop has a certain, outwardly pointing residual stress and thus does not act constricting. Advantageously, the loop forms an oval shape with a tip at the closure housing and thereby takes the outer ear anatomically favorable. The angle at the locking element is advantageously pointed, i. less than a right angle to achieve a good clamping effect, or about a right angle. This training is surprisingly self-correcting and self-centering.

According to the invention, it is recognized that the elastic over-lying over the outer ear and extending downwards at the front, rigid (ie in his bending positions a certain inherent rigidity, not flaccid yielding), elastic bending clip has a bending stress, the locking element or the locking device to the front and pull away. The locking device can thus be formed as a simple eyelet, which is arbitrarily displaceable by the user on the headband with little effort in the longitudinal direction, wherein due to the bending stress of the Umlegebügels a tilting of the eyelet - without further locking means - is achieved, which secures the longitudinal position. When manual adjustment of the user is generally with one hand, the headband in front of the locking element and with the other hand detect the Umlegebügel above the locking element and move it in the longitudinal direction, the force required for weaker persons is sustainable.

A clamping action can already be achieved by a small difference in the inner diameter of the eyelet and the outer diameter of the retaining clip. The diameters may in this case essentially correspond, so that a displacement is possible due to the elasticity of the outer shell of the retaining clip and the above-described tilting an additional Fuse causes. Furthermore, the control device can represent a sliding stop for slipping of the clamping element to the rear, whereby a constriction of the outer ear is prevented in grossly negligent adjustments.

According to a preferred embodiment, one or more individual wires, which may be twisted or not twisted, extend in the retaining clip and the folding strap. Such individual wires with a surrounding outer shell allow a dimensionally stable, having a certain elasticity and overcoming the elasticity restoring force-free adjustment. According to the invention, the one or more individual wires of the holding bracket and folding stirrup can be formed continuously, i. they run from the functional device to the locking element, wherein they can run in or next to the signal interface. Thus, the headband and the folding bow according to the invention can merge into one another. You can also be formed in one piece; such a design is particularly advantageous in a combination or integration of locking element and signal interface, so that a continuous bracket can extend from the functional device to the signal interface. In the signal interface, the signal lines can then z. B. be passed to a z. B. downgoing line.

In the continuous training of one or more individual wires through the headband and the folding strap uniform stiffness and elasticity of the loop is guaranteed. It turned out that this training enables a slip-proof, user-friendly, non-irritating and non-constricting attachment.

The electrical lines extending between the functional device and the signal interface may advantageously be accommodated between the (eg twisted) individual wires of the retaining clip. hereby In addition, a rounder shape of the bundle of individual wires and electrical lines is achieved, so that subsequently by overmolding with a thin outer shell made of plastic or rubber, a uniform round shape is achieved, which can be absorbed by an eyelet with a round cross section without significant play.

The head-set according to the invention does not clog the ear canal; because it is not attached to the outer ear or the outer ear, it is hygienic. Since it has no left or right preferred direction, it can be used uniformly for the left and right ears.

As an alternative to the embodiment with rigid individual wires, the retaining clip and / or the folding strap can be made e.g. Also be designed as plastic injection parts or the headband by encapsulating the signal lines.

Fig. 1

eine Seitenansicht eines nicht erfindungsgemäßen, zur Anschauung dienenden Head-Sets mit Schallschlauch, Mikrofonhalter und Verbindungsleitung zu einem Taschensender bei Anbringung am Außenohr eines Benutzers;

Fig. 2

einen nicht erfindungsgemäßen, zur Anschauung dienenden Head-Set ohne Verbindungsleitung zum Taschensender,

Fig. 3

einen Head-Set gemäß einer Ausführungsform mit Zugdraht,

Fig. 4

einen Head-Set gemäß einer weiteren Ausführungsform mit Außenhörer statt Schallschlauch,

Fig. 5

einen nicht erfindungsgemäßen zur Anschauung dienenden Head-Set, der gegenüber Fig. 4 einen Mikrofonhalter anstelle des Zugdrahtes aufweist.

The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings of some embodiments. Show it:

Fig. 1

a side view of a non-inventive, serving for illustrative headset with sound tube, microphone holder and connecting line to a pocket transmitter when attached to the outer ear of a user;

Fig. 2

a non-inventive, serving for intuition headset without connecting line to the bodypack transmitter,

Fig. 3

a head set according to an embodiment with pull wire,

Fig. 4

a head set according to another embodiment with external handset instead of sound tube,

Fig. 5

a non-inventive serving for intuition headset opposite Fig. 4 has a microphone holder instead of the puller wire.

According to the various embodiments, a headset 1 has in each case a closure housing 2 on which a folding loop 3 forming a loop 9 made of a stiff, bendable, elastic material is fastened. The loop 9 is in Fig. 1 for illustration, placed around an outer ear 4 of a user. One end of the folding stirrup 3 is in each case firmly held on or in the closure housing 2, the other end is respectively guided through the closure housing 2 for size adjustment of the loop 9.

In Fig. 1 is the coming from behind end it Umlegebügels 3 forward through the closure housing 2 and serves as a forward facing, elongated, rigid or rigid, bendable, in its bending positions restoring force adjustable headband 5, attached to the end serving as a function device microphone 6 is. This attachment and alignment takes place on each side of the user, ie at his left and right outer ear 4, the same. Advantageously, the headband 5 and the folding strap 3 have an approximately equal rigidity or elasticity, so that, when adapted to the outer ear 4, an approximately adapted curvature of these areas results; Preferably, a substantially oval shape of the loop 9 forms at an acute angle between the closure housing 2 and the retaining clip 5. Advantageously, the headband 5 and the folding bracket 3 are made of a continuous strand of material. In this case, a line from the microphone 6 through the headband 5 and the folding strap 3 is guided to the closure housing 2.

The microphone 6 and the closure housing 2 are thus arranged at opposite ends of the retaining clip 5, wherein the closure housing 2 has a locking device which receives the retaining clip 5 longitudinally displaceable and in the respective longitudinal positions along the retaining clip 5 to form a locking action is adjustable. The locking effect can z. B. be a clamping force, so that the locking device is a clamping device; Alternatively, but also another Feststellwirkung done, z. B. by positive engagement or an inserted securing means, for. As a screwed screw, etc. .. The locking action is advantageously releasable and reversible, so that a subsequent adjustment is possible. The size of the loop 9 is thus infinitely adjustable.

Fig. 1 shows the attachment of the headset 1 to an outer ear 4 of a user. For attachment, the closure housing 2 is optionally initially set in a forward position on the headband 5, ie closer to the microphone 6 out. The adjustment is made such that the loop 9 is sufficiently large to be placed over the outer ear 4, without the user vorzuknicken his outer ear 4 too much and has to squeeze into the loop 9.

The loop 9 is placed around the outer ear 4 in such a way that the folding strap 3 lies below the concha and advantageously extends below the earlobe and projects forward with the microphone 6 at its front end. The folding bracket 3 extends from the control device 2, starting after the outer ear 4 initially upwards, then extends forward over the outer ear 4, then from there down to the closure housing 2, so that the folding bracket 3 with the closure housing 2, the headband 5 below meets a substantially right angle. The user can subsequently set by moving the closure housing 2 relative to the headband 5 a suitable position in which a secure hold is formed by the loop 9, and additionally align the microphone 6 by bending the retaining clip 5 in a suitable position.

In the embodiments, a wireless receiver 8 may be fixedly mounted or provided in an attachable manner on the closure housing.

Furthermore, a receiver for transmitting sound waves is provided, wherein in Fig. 1 in the closure housing 2, a built-in receiver 10 is provided which receives electrical control signals from a control device 12 and sound waves via a connected sound tube 14 from z. B. silicone in the ear canal 16 of the user outputs. The sound tube 14 is placed on the closure housing 2, can be changed separately and is adjustable in different lengths.

The control device 12 may refer the electrical control signals directly from the receiver 8 or include signals received by the microphone 6.

Furthermore, in Fig. 1 connected to the closure housing 2, a line 18, are transmitted via the recorded sound signals to a pocket transmitter, not shown.

In Fig. 1 In principle, the receiver 8 can also be omitted, in which case the signals to be transmitted via the receiver are transmitted via the line 18 to the control device 12.

In Fig. 2 If no line 18 is provided, transmitter, receiver and built-in receiver 10 are thus accommodated in the closure housing 2. This z. B. a combined transmitting and receiving device 8 may be provided.

The embodiment of the Fig. 3 is opposite Fig. 2 modified to the effect that the end of the right, rear half of the folding bail 3 of the loop 9 is firmly received on the closure housing 2 and the other, left, front end performed by the closure housing 2 adjustable and continuously in different length settings a locking element is detected. This left, front end is thus to the rear as a drawbar 20 and pull wire 20 with an end piece 21, z. B. a ball 21 performed.

The adjustment of the size of the loop 9 is thus carried out by the user adjusting the closure housing 2 with respect to the rearwardly projecting clamping yoke 20. Fig. 3 can with Fig. 1 to be combined in that Fig. 3 from the closure housing 2, a line 18 goes off to an external transmitter, for. B. bodypack transmitter.

Fig. 4 shows a further embodiment opposite Fig. 3 is modified to the effect that instead of a housing hearing aid in the ear canal or in the concha of the outer ear to be placed outside earphone 26 is provided. The control device 12 in this case sends electrical signals via an electrical line 24 to the outer handset 26.

Fig. 5 shows a combination of Fig. 4 with the Fig. 2 in which instead of the drawbar 20, a front mounting bracket 5 is guided with a microphone 6 as a length-adjustable element through the closure housing 2.

In the embodiments, as wireless signals z. B. Bluetooth signals are used.

Thus, in principle, any data communication from the headset 1 to external devices is possible. In addition to the medical field for hearing aids can thus complement a use for other applications, eg. As speech input and voice output in the field of entertainment media or for telephone services, eg. As call center, as a speakerphone in a car, while television broadcasts, etc. take place.

The Umlegebügel 3 can z. Wire, i. one or more individual wires, optionally incorporating a signal line, or are made of a stiff, elastic plastic or rubber material.

The locking element may in particular be a clamping element. This can be clamped on the folding strap (3) with a manually surmountable clamping force. This can be z. Example, be realized by the clamping element has an eyelet through which the folding bail 3 runs to form the clamping force. In this case, the clamping element can tilt with the eye under the action of a bending moment exerted by the folding bow 3.

Alternatively, the locking element can form fit, z. B. be determined by training a screw.

Claims (15)

1. A headset for fitting of an earpiece, said headset comprising:

   - a closure housing (2) in or on which a locking device is provided,

   - a flexurally rigid and elastic encircling bracket (3) which forms a loop (9) for taking up an outer ear (4) of a user and wherein said encircling bracket (3) has two ends, wherein

   • one end of the encircling bracket (3) is fixedly taken up on or in the closure housing (2) and

   • the other end is adjustable in length in the locking device for adjusting the size of the loop (9) and is adjustably held in the various longitudinal positions, producing a locking effect, for adjusting the size of the loop (9),

   - a device (12) for amplifying and/or transmitting electrical signals; and

   - a signal interface (8, 18) for receiving and/or outputting electrical signals to and/or from the device (12),

   characterised in that
   the end of the encircling bracket which is adjustable in length in the locking device of the closure housing is guided in front of the outer ear (4) and merges into a tensioning bracket (20) or tensioning wire extending from the closure housing (2),
   wherein the tensioning bracket (20) or tensioning wire extends rearwards from the closure housing (2) when the headset is in use.
2. A headset according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that it furthermore has an earpiece (10, 26) for receiving the electrical signals from the device (12) and for transmitting sound waves.
3. A headset according to Claim 2, characterised in that the earpiece is provided in the closure housing (2) and said earpiece outputs sound waves to a sound tube (14) which is fixed to the closure housing (2) and mounts in the auditory canal (16) of the user.
4. A headset according to Claim 3, characterised in that the sound tube (14) is replaceably attached to the closure housing (2).
5. A headset according to Claim 4, characterised in that the earpiece (26) is to be fitted in the concha or in the auditory canal and lines (24) extend from the closure housing to the earpiece (26).
6. A headset according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that, on fitting on the outer ear (4), the encircling bracket (3), starting from the closure housing (2), extends rearwards below the earlobe (25), upwards behind the outer ear (24), forwards over the outer ear (4) and downwards in front of the outer ear (24) back to the closure housing (2).
7. A headset according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that at least one output line (18) extends from the closure housing (2) to an external transmitter and/or receiver device.
8. A headset according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that a transmitter or receiver device (8) for wireless signals is provided, which is accommodated or placed on or in the closure housing (2), and wherein said transmitter or receiver device (8) is connected to the device (12) for amplification and/or transmission.
9. A headset according to Claim 8, characterised in that the transmitter and/or receiver device (8) is removably placed on the closure housing (2).
10. A headset according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the encircling bracket (3) is formed as a flexible, dimensionally stable wire bracket (5) with one or more single wires or is made from a stiff, elastic plastic or rubber material.
11. A headset according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the locking element is a clamping element.
12. A headset according to Claim 11, characterised in that the clamping element clamps the encircling bracket (3) with a clamping force which can be overcome manually.
13. A headset according to Claim 12, characterised in that the clamping element has an eyelet through which the encircling bracket (3) extends, producing a clamping force.
14. A headset according to Claim 13, characterised in that the clamping element (6) tilts with the eyelet (8) on the holding clip (3) under the effect of a bending moment exerted by the encircling bracket (5).
15. A headset according to one of Claims 1 to 10, characterised in that the locking element may be locked with form fit, for example by realising a screw connection.

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