EP2285136A1 - Hearing aid with replaceable earpiece - Google Patents

Hearing aid with replaceable earpiece Download PDF

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Publication number
EP2285136A1
EP2285136A1 EP20100163253 EP10163253A EP2285136A1 EP 2285136 A1 EP2285136 A1 EP 2285136A1 EP 20100163253 EP20100163253 EP 20100163253 EP 10163253 A EP10163253 A EP 10163253A EP 2285136 A1 EP2285136 A1 EP 2285136A1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
hearing aid
receiver
housing
housing part
signal processing
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.)
Granted
Application number
EP20100163253
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP2285136B1 (en
Inventor
Kim Hwee Cheng
Poh Chye Lim
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 Pte Ltd
Original Assignee
Siemens Medical Instruments Pte Ltd
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Publication of EP2285136A1 publication Critical patent/EP2285136A1/en
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Publication of EP2285136B1 publication Critical patent/EP2285136B1/en
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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
    • H04R25/604—Mounting or interconnection of hearing aid parts, e.g. inside tips, housings or to ossicles of acoustic or vibrational transducers
    • 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
    • H04R25/609—Mounting or interconnection of hearing aid parts, e.g. inside tips, housings or to ossicles of circuitry

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a hearing aid with exchangeable earpiece.
  • the earpiece or loudspeaker of a hearing aid is usually referred to as a receiver, this use is used in the following.
  • Hearing aids are used to supply hearing-impaired with ambient acoustic signals that are processed and amplified to compensate for the respective hearing impairment.
  • a typical hearing aid comprises one or more microphones for detecting the ambient acoustic signals, a signal processing device for processing and amplifying the signals and a receiver for generating acoustic output signals for the ear of the hearing aid wearer. They usually contain other electrical components and a power supply, which is usually realized by a rechargeable or non-rechargeable battery.
  • hearing aids may also be used to treat hearing disorders, e.g. Tinnitus serve by e.g. compensating or covering or other suitable acoustic signals for the ear of the hearing aid wearer are generated. This can e.g. Tinnitus Masker.
  • the term hearing aid is used equally for devices for the treatment of hearing disorders and hearing impairments.
  • the electrical components of a hearing aid are often subjected to changing environmental influences during their lifetime by climatic changes.
  • they are subject to contamination and can, for example during sports or rain wet. Dirt, moisture and climatic changes can cause a deterioration in the quality of the electrical components and corrosion of electrical connections.
  • the highly miniaturized components, in particular the receiver can age due to the continuous load with constant use.
  • Hearing aids serve the therapy of hearing impairments and hearing disorders of very different intensity. This may vary greatly from patient to patient, and changes in hearing in one and the same person over time also occur. Differences in hearing require different processing and amplification of the output signals of a hearing aid. The differences from patient to patient as well as over time in one and the same patient can be taken into account in part by reprogramming the signal processing device. However, with particularly large differences, in particular with regard to the required signal amplification, hardware changes may also be necessary, in particular the use of other receivers, e.g. for higher volumes.
  • a CIC hearing aid (compelety-in-canal) is known, which has a partially modular structure.
  • the ear-facing front part of the hearing aid can be separated from the rest of the housing. He may include the receiver, which is detachably connected by a plug connection with the other housing.
  • a hearing instrument with a silicon-based microphone arrangement is known.
  • the microphone assembly is disposed on a mechanically movable part.
  • the part may be, for example, an access door.
  • U1 is a deep-channel hearing aid with removable speaker known.
  • the speaker and the other hearing aid are each housed in a separate housing.
  • the two housings are releasably connected to each other by a screw-lock.
  • the hearing aid to which a support hook is stably fastened.
  • the hearing aid has a connecting piece, by means of which the carrying hook and a housing frame are fastened together.
  • the attachment can be made by screw thread.
  • the previously known hearing aids allow the exchange or replacement of the receiver only together with the respective housing part and other components of the hearing aid. However, it would be desirable to adapt to changing requirements or to compensate for age and use-related deterioration, a change exclusively the receiver, but not other components.
  • the object of the invention is to provide a hearing aid having a replaceable handset, which is alone and separated from other components easily and inexpensively and without special tools interchangeable.
  • a basic idea of the invention consists in a hearing aid comprising a housing, which is designed in at least two parts, and in the housing a power source and a signal processing device, wherein the receiver is detachably arranged in a first housing part and the signal processing device in a further housing part, wherein the two housing parts are releasably connected to each other, wherein a releasable lock is provided, by means of which the mutual connection of the housing parts is locked, and wherein the receiver is connected by a releasable electrical connector to the signal processing device, wherein the releasable electrical connector comprises a receiver side and a signal processing device side electrical contact, and wherein at least one of the electrical contacts is elastic.
  • the detachable connections of the components make the use of special materials or even glue unnecessary. In particular, no glued housing needs to be opened and re-glued after changing the receiver.
  • the elastic electrical contact for electrical connection of receiver and signal processing device facilitates the closing of the electrical connection, so that when assembling the housing parts only low demands on the precision need to be made, with which the housing parts are interconnected.
  • the elasticity of the electrical contact enhances durability over a variety of receiver switching operations, as a detrimental permanent deformation, e.g. a bending, the electrical contacts of the connection can not occur.
  • At least one elastic electrical contact contains conductive rubber.
  • Conductive rubber is a particularly easy to handle, cost-effective and inexpensive to install material choice.
  • Under conductive rubber is to be understood as a filled with conductive particles rubber or plastic, which is suitable for the transmission of electricity.
  • conductive particles carbon particles are often used for filling, e.g. Graphite or carbon black.
  • At least one elastic electrical contact contains a plurality of alternately arranged parallel conductive rubber pieces and non-conductive rubber pieces (zebra connector).
  • the alternately parallel construction with conductive rubber pieces and non-conductive rubber pieces which is also referred to as a zebra connector because of its striped appearance, provides a particularly versatile connector since the alternating conductive and non-conductive rubber pieces provide a plurality of electrically isolated interconnect lines.
  • a contacting of the zebra connector is secured to a conductive rubber piece regardless of the exact positioning of the contact.
  • several electrically isolated contacts as they are needed to drive a receiver, can be connected in this way without any special requirements for the precision of mating.
  • the contacts need to be separated from each other only over the extension of two rubber pieces, so as to ensure that between the electrically insulated contacts in the zebra connector, an electrically insulating non-conductive rubber piece between.
  • first and the further housing part are formed so that they are detachable from each other in a plugging direction, and that the latch extends transversely to the direction of insertion Abutment, a standing with the abutment in mutual engagement movably mounted latch, and a transversely oriented to the direction of insertion of the bolt leading latch storage.
  • a further advantageous development is that the abutment is formed by an elongated groove, that the bolt is formed by a pin, and that the bolt-bearing is formed so that the mounted in the bolt-bearing pin in the longitudinal direction in the groove is insertable.
  • An elongate groove forms a particularly stable abutment for a pin-shaped latch, since the mechanical stability is increased by the length of the groove and thus the mutual engagement with the pin. At the same time, the groove assists insertion or removal of the pin, which facilitates handling.
  • a further advantageous development is that the abutment is integrated in a contact component, which carries one of the electrical contacts.
  • the integration of the abutment of the contact component contributes to the miniaturization of the hearing aid by using components for several functions simultaneously.
  • the arrangement of the abutment in the contact component increases the stability of the electrical connection between the receiver and the signal processing device, namely by just setting the bolt and the abutment at the electrical contact.
  • FIG. 1 a hearing aid 1 in IDO design (in-the-ear) is shown schematically.
  • a housing part 2 houses the essential electrical components of the hearing aid 1 with the exception of the receiver 10.
  • a signal processing device is powered by a battery 5 with electrical energy. It receives from microphones 6 as input acoustic ambient signals and processes and amplifies them. The processed and amplified signals are supplied as an output signal to the contact device 7.
  • the contact device has a contact 8, which is part of an electrical connector.
  • the first housing part 3 accommodates the receiver 10, which comprises an electrical contact 9.
  • the electrical contact 9 is connected to the electrical contact 8 and represents the electrical connector between the first housing part 3 and the further housing part 2 or between the receiver 10 and the signal processing device 4.
  • the receiver outputs the acoustic output signals via a sound outlet opening 14 in the first Housing part 3 from the ear of the Ohr Anlagenismes down.
  • the receiver is detachably inserted into the first housing part 3.
  • the first housing part 3 is detachably connected to the other housing part 2 by being plugged together.
  • a turn-releasable pin 11 is provided as a bolt. The pin 11 is pushed through lateral openings 15 in the housing part 3 and pulled out to release the lock.
  • FIG. 2 the contact component 7 is shown.
  • an electrical contact 8 is provided for making an electrical connection.
  • This is constructed as a so-called zebra connector using so-called conductive rubber.
  • a conductive rubber rubber is called, which is made electrically conductive by a filling with conductive particles, such as graphite or carbon black.
  • conductive particles such as graphite or carbon black.
  • Zebra connector pieces or plates of conductive rubber alternate with alternately arranged parallel non-conductive rubber plates. This results in the striped pattern that led to the name zebra.
  • Conductive rubbers or zebra connectors are known and available, for example, from the company fujipoly (protected name).
  • the contact component 7 has two grooves which are intended to serve as an abutment 12 for a pin which can be inserted or inserted into the slots.
  • FIG. 3 the contact component 7 and a portion of the further housing part 2 is shown.
  • a connector opening 13 into which the contact component 7 can be inserted, which is indicated by an arrow.
  • the contact component 7 comprises, as explained above, an electrical contact 8, which is designed as a zebra connector, as well as the two abutments 12.
  • FIG. 4 the housing section 2 explained above is illustrated with contact component 7 inserted into the connector opening 13.
  • the electrical contact 8 protrudes clearly the housing part 2 out, as well as the two abutments 12th
  • the housing part 3 has a sound outlet opening 14 into which or to which the receiver 10 can be inserted into the housing part 3, which is indicated by an arrow.
  • the housing part 3 has lateral openings 15 into which a pin can be inserted.
  • the receiver 10 has on its underside an electrical contact 11, which is also designed as a zebra connector.
  • the electrical contact 11 is provided for electrical connection with the above-described electrical contact 8 and it is in principle sufficient if only one of the two contacts 8 or 9 is elastic. In this respect, it is sufficient if only one of the two contacts 8 or 9 comprises conductive rubber or is designed as a zebra connector. In an alternative embodiment, one or both of the contacts 8, 9 could be made using elastic metal parts which are designed as elastic contact tongues or contact springs. Of course, the use of both a conductive rubber or zebra connector as well as a resilient metal contact for combination in an electrical connector is conceivable.
  • FIG. 6 the first housing part 3 is shown with the receiver 10 inserted therein.
  • the receiver is in sound-conducting connection with the sound outlet opening 14.
  • the function of the lateral openings 15 will be explained below.
  • FIG. 7 the first housing part 3 with inserted receiver 10 as well as a section of the further housing part 2 with inserted contact component 7 are shown.
  • the housing parts 2 and 3 together with contact component 7 and inne lying receiver 10 are formed so that they can be inserted into each other, which is indicated by an arrow.
  • FIG. 8 the nested housing parts 2 and 3 together with the locking serving pin 11 are shown.
  • the pin 11 is insertable for locking in the lateral opening 15, which is indicated by an arrow.
  • the contact element 7 has two oppositely disposed abutments 12, and the first housing part 3 shows laterally arranged pairs of openings 15.
  • the pin 11 is shaped so that it can be pushed through the openings 15, and that he can intervene in the other abutment 12.
  • the pin 11 has a round cross section
  • the respective abutment 12 has a semicircular cross section with a diameter which is not smaller than the diameter of the pin 11.
  • a sufficiently secure locking of the connector can already be achieved for insertion of a single pin 11.
  • An increase in the strength of the lock is achieved by a pin 11 is inserted in both pairs of openings or both abutments 12 each.
  • the one or more pins 11 are dimensioned so that they can easily fit either in the openings 15 or in the abutment 12 seat. This avoids that the pin or pins 11 inadvertently slip out and without action and the lock between the housing parts 2 and 3 thus unintentionally and accidentally opened.
  • the adhesive seat of the pin or pins 11 is supported by the fact that the mating of the housing parts 2 and 3, the electrical connection of the contacts 8 and 9 is closed.
  • the components are dimensioned such that upon mating the elastic force of the contacts 8 and 9 is overcome.
  • the elastic force of the thus compressed contacts 8 and / or 9 thus exerts a force diverging the housing parts 2 and 3.
  • This force causes the or the pins 11 are acted upon by the openings 15 with a force that presses them into the respective abutment 12.
  • the respective abutment 12 is indirectly applied with the elastic force of the or the contacts 8 or 9, which leads to the adhesive seat of the pin 11 and thus prevents it from sliding out unintentionally.
  • FIG. 9 the assembled and locked by pins 11 housing parts 2 and 3 are shown.
  • the invention relates to a hearing aid with exchangeable earpiece.
  • the object of the invention is to provide a hearing aid having a replaceable handset, which is alone and separated from other components easily and inexpensively and without special tools interchangeable.
  • a basic idea of the invention consists in a hearing aid 1 comprising a housing which is designed in at least two parts, and in the housing a receiver 10 and a signal processing device 4.
  • the receiver 10 is detachable in a first housing part 3 and the signal processing device 4 in a further housing part 2 arranged and the two housing parts 2,3 are releasably connected to each other, wherein a releasable locking of the mutual connection of the housing parts 2,3 is provided.
  • the receiver 10 is connected to the signal processing device 4 by a detachable electrical connector, the releasable electrical connector comprising a receiver-side and a signal processing device-side electrical contact 8, 9, and at least one of the electrical contacts 8, 9 being elastic.
  • the housing parts, the electrical connection, and the receiver itself are detachably joined, there is the possibility of the receiver alone if necessary, to change separated from other components.
  • the use of special materials or even glue is not required.
  • the elastic electrical contact for electrical connection of receiver and signal processing device facilitates the closing of the electrical connection during assembly of the housing parts.

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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)
  • Details Of Connecting Devices For Male And Female Coupling (AREA)
  • Telephone Set Structure (AREA)

Abstract

Hearing aid (1) has detachable locking mechanism that locks an interconnection between first housing part (2) and second housing part (3); receiver (10) detachably mounted in the first housing part; signal processing device (4) disposed in second housing part; and detachable electrical connector that connects the receiver to signal processing device and includes a receiver-side electrical contact (8) and a signal-processing-device-side electrical contact (9) in which at least one is elastic. Electrical contact is formed of electrically conductive rubber.

Description

Die Erfindung betrifft eine Hörhilfe mit wechselbarem Hörer.The invention relates to a hearing aid with exchangeable earpiece.

Der Hörer oder Lautsprecher einer Hörhilfe wird üblicherweise als Receiver bezeichnet, diese Verwendung wird im Folgenden benutzt.The earpiece or loudspeaker of a hearing aid is usually referred to as a receiver, this use is used in the following.

Hörhilfen dienen der Versorgung von hörgeschädigten mit akustischen Umgebungssignalen, die zur Kompensation der jeweiligen Hörschädigung verarbeitet und verstärkt sind. Eine typische Hörhilfe umfasst ein oder mehrere Mikrofone zur Erfassung der akustischen Umgebungssignale, eine Signalverarbeitungseinrichtung zur Verarbeitung und Verstärkung der Signale sowie einen Receiver zur Erzeugung akustischer Ausgangssignale für das Ohr des Hörhilfeträgers. Sie enthalten meist weitere elektrische Bauelemente sowie eine Energieversorgung, die meist durch eine aufladbare oder nicht-aufladbare Batterie realisiert ist. Daneben können Hörhilfen auch der Therapie von Hörstörungen, z.B. Tinnitus dienen, indem z.B. kompensierende oder überdeckende oder sonstige geeignete akustische Signale für das Ohr des Hörhilfeträgers erzeugt werden. Dies können z.B. Tinnitus-Masker sein. Nachfolgend wird der Begriff Hörhilfe gleichermaßen für Geräte zur Therapie von Hörstörungen sowie Hörschädigungen verwendet.Hearing aids are used to supply hearing-impaired with ambient acoustic signals that are processed and amplified to compensate for the respective hearing impairment. A typical hearing aid comprises one or more microphones for detecting the ambient acoustic signals, a signal processing device for processing and amplifying the signals and a receiver for generating acoustic output signals for the ear of the hearing aid wearer. They usually contain other electrical components and a power supply, which is usually realized by a rechargeable or non-rechargeable battery. In addition, hearing aids may also be used to treat hearing disorders, e.g. Tinnitus serve by e.g. compensating or covering or other suitable acoustic signals for the ear of the hearing aid wearer are generated. This can e.g. Tinnitus Masker. Hereinafter, the term hearing aid is used equally for devices for the treatment of hearing disorders and hearing impairments.

Die elektrischen Komponenten einer Hörhilfe sind während deren Lebensdauer häufig wechselnden Umgebungseinflüssen durch klimatische Veränderungen unterworfen. Zudem unterliegen sie Verschmutzungen und können, z.B. beim Sport oder bei Regen feucht werden. Verschmutzungen, Feuchtigkeit und klimatische Wechsel können eine Verschlechterung der Qualtität der elektrischen Bauelemente sowie Korrosion elektrischer Verbindungen hervorrufen. Zudem können die stark miniaturisierten Bauelemente, insbesondere der Receiver, durch die Dauerbelastung bei ständiger Benutzung altern.The electrical components of a hearing aid are often subjected to changing environmental influences during their lifetime by climatic changes. In addition, they are subject to contamination and can, for example during sports or rain wet. Dirt, moisture and climatic changes can cause a deterioration in the quality of the electrical components and corrosion of electrical connections. In addition, the highly miniaturized components, in particular the receiver, can age due to the continuous load with constant use.

Hörhilfen dienen der Therapie von Hörschädigungen und Hörstörungen sehr unterschiedlicher Intensität. Diese kann von Patient zu Patient sehr verschieden sein, zudem treten auch Veränderungen des Hörvermögens bei ein und derselben Person im Laufe der Zeit ein. Unterschiede im Hörvermögen erfordern unterschiedliche Verarbeitungen und Verstärkungen der Ausgangssignale einer Hörhilfe. Die Unterschiede von Patient zu Patient sowie im Laufe der Zeit bei ein und demselben Patient können teilweise durch Umprogrammierung der Signalverarbeitungseinrichtung ausreichend berücksichtigt werden. Bei besonders großen Unterschieden insbesondere hinsichtlich der erforderlichen Signalverstärkung können jedoch auch Hardware-Änderungen erforderlich werden, insbesondere die Verwendung anderer Receiver z.B. für höhere Lautstärken.Hearing aids serve the therapy of hearing impairments and hearing disorders of very different intensity. This may vary greatly from patient to patient, and changes in hearing in one and the same person over time also occur. Differences in hearing require different processing and amplification of the output signals of a hearing aid. The differences from patient to patient as well as over time in one and the same patient can be taken into account in part by reprogramming the signal processing device. However, with particularly large differences, in particular with regard to the required signal amplification, hardware changes may also be necessary, in particular the use of other receivers, e.g. for higher volumes.

Alterung, Verschlechterung sowie veränderliche Anforderungen durch die jeweilige Hörschädigung machen es deshalb wünschenswert, bei einer Hörhilfe den Hörer wechseln zu können. Aus der Druckschrift US 7,016,512 B1 ist eine sog. RIC-Bte (Receiver-in-Canal behind-the-ear)-Hörhilfe bekannt, bei welcher das die elektronischen Bauteile beinhaltende Gehäuse hinter dem Ohr getragen wird, während der Receiver mit dem Gehäuse über einen Hörschlauch verbunden und im Gehörgang des Höhrhilfeträgers positioniert ist. Der Hörschlauch ist mit dem Gehäuse über eine lösbare Steckverbindung verbunden, so dass ein Wechseln der Einheit aus Steckverbinder, Schlauch und Receiver ermöglicht wird. Aus der Druckschrift US 2002/027996 A1 ist eine CIC-Hörhilfe (compelety-in-canal) bekannt, die einen teilmodularen Aufbau besitzt. Der dem Ohr zugewandte vorderste Teil der Hörhilfe ist vom restlichen Gehäuse abtrennbar. Er kann dabei den Receiver beinhalten, der durch eine Steckverbindung mit dem sonstigen Gehäuse lösbar verbunden ist.Aging, deterioration and changing requirements due to the respective hearing impairment therefore make it desirable to be able to change the handset with a hearing aid. From the publication US Pat. No. 7,016,512 B1 is a so-called. RIC Bte (receiver-in-canal behind-the-ear) hearing aid known in which the housing containing the electronic components is worn behind the ear, while the receiver connected to the housing via a hearing tube and in the ear canal the Höhrhilfeträgers is positioned. The hearing tube is connected to the housing via a detachable plug connection, so that a change of the unit from the connector, hose and receiver is made possible. From the publication US 2002/027996 A1 is a CIC hearing aid (compelety-in-canal) is known, which has a partially modular structure. The ear-facing front part of the hearing aid can be separated from the rest of the housing. He may include the receiver, which is detachably connected by a plug connection with the other housing.

Aus der Druckschrift DE 10 2005 009 377 B3 ist ein Im-Ohr-Hörgerät mit abnehmbarem Lautsprecher bekannt. Das Mikrofon und der Verstärker des Hörgeräts sind in einem ersten Gehäuse und der Lautsprecher des Hörgeräts in einem zweiten Gehäuse untergebracht. Die beiden Gehäuse sind durch einen Bajonett-Verschluss miteinander lösbar verbunden.From the publication DE 10 2005 009 377 B3 is an in-ear hearing aid with removable speaker known. The microphone and the amplifier of the hearing aid are in a first housing and the speaker of the hearing aid housed in a second housing. The two housings are detachably connected to each other by a bayonet closure.

Aus der Druckschrift DE 603 18 107 T2 ist ein Hörinstrument mit siliziumbasierter Mikrofonanordnung bekannt. Die Mikrofonanordnung ist auf einem mechanisch von Hand beweglichen Teil angeordnet. Bei dem Teil kann es sich beispielsweise um eine Zugangsklappe handeln.From the publication DE 603 18 107 T2 For example, a hearing instrument with a silicon-based microphone arrangement is known. The microphone assembly is disposed on a mechanically movable part. The part may be, for example, an access door.

Aus der Druckschrift DE 94 14 115.0 U1 ist ein Tiefkanal-Hörgerät mit abnehmbarem Lautsprecher bekannt. Der Lautsprecher und das sonstige Hörgerät sind jeweils in einem eigenen Gehäuse untergebracht. Die beiden Gehäuse sind durch einen Schraub-Verschluss miteinander lösbar verbunden.From the publication DE 94 14 115.0 U1 is a deep-channel hearing aid with removable speaker known. The speaker and the other hearing aid are each housed in a separate housing. The two housings are releasably connected to each other by a screw-lock.

Aus der Druckschrift DE 10 2007 025 936 A1 ist ein Hörgerät bekannt, an dem ein Tragehaken stabil befestigbar ist. Das Hörgerät weist ein Anschlussstück auf, mittels dem der Tragehaken und ein Gehäuserahmen miteinander befestigt werden. Die Befestigung kann über Schraubgewinde erfolgen.From the publication DE 10 2007 025 936 A1 is a hearing aid to which a support hook is stably fastened. The hearing aid has a connecting piece, by means of which the carrying hook and a housing frame are fastened together. The attachment can be made by screw thread.

Die vorbekannten Hörhilfen ermöglichen den Wechsel bzw. Austausch des Receivers nur gemeinsam mit dem jeweiligen Gehäuseteil und weiteren Bauteilen der Hörhilfe. Wünschenswert wäre jedoch zur Anpassung an geänderte Anforderungen oder zur Kompensation von alters- und gebrauchs-bedingten Verschlechterungen einen Wechsel ausschließlich des Receivers, nicht jedoch weiterer Bauelemente.The previously known hearing aids allow the exchange or replacement of the receiver only together with the respective housing part and other components of the hearing aid. However, it would be desirable to adapt to changing requirements or to compensate for age and use-related deterioration, a change exclusively the receiver, but not other components.

Die Aufgabe der Erfindung besteht darin, eine Hörhilfe anzugeben, die einen wechselbaren Hörer aufweist, der alleine und getrennt von weiteren Bauteile leicht und unaufwändig sowie ohne spezielle Werkzeuge austauschbar ist.The object of the invention is to provide a hearing aid having a replaceable handset, which is alone and separated from other components easily and inexpensively and without special tools interchangeable.

Ein Grundgedanke der Erfindung besteht in einer Hörhilfe umfassend ein Gehäuse, welches mindestens zweiteilig ausgeführt ist, und in dem Gehäuse eine Energiequelle und eine Signalverarbeitungseinrichtung, wobei der Receiver aus diesem lösbar in einem ersten Gehäuseteil und die Signalverarbeitungseinrichtung in einem weiteren Gehäuseteil angeordnet ist, wobei die beiden Gehäuseteile lösbar miteinander verbunden sind, wobei eine lösbare Verriegelung vorgesehen ist, mittels der die gegenseitige Verbindung der Gehäuseteile verriegelt ist, und wobei der Receiver durch einen lösbaren elektrischen Verbinder mit der Signalverarbeitungseinrichtung verbunden ist, wobei der lösbare elektrische Verbinder einen Receiver-seitigen und einen Signalverarbeitungseinrichtungs-seitigen elektrischen Kontakt umfasst, und wobei mindestens einer der elektrischen Kontakte elastisch ist.A basic idea of the invention consists in a hearing aid comprising a housing, which is designed in at least two parts, and in the housing a power source and a signal processing device, wherein the receiver is detachably arranged in a first housing part and the signal processing device in a further housing part, wherein the two housing parts are releasably connected to each other, wherein a releasable lock is provided, by means of which the mutual connection of the housing parts is locked, and wherein the receiver is connected by a releasable electrical connector to the signal processing device, wherein the releasable electrical connector comprises a receiver side and a signal processing device side electrical contact, and wherein at least one of the electrical contacts is elastic.

Dadurch, dass die Gehäuseteile der Hörhilfe voneinander lösbar sind, die elektrische Verbindung zum Receiver ebenfalls, und der Receiver aus dem ihn beherbergenden Gehäuseteil lösbar ist, ergibt sich die Möglichkeit, den Receiver im Bedarfsfalle alleine getrennt von weiteren Bauteilen zu wechseln. Die lösbaren Verbindungen der Bauteile machen die Verwendung spezieller Werkstoffe oder gar von Klebstoff unnötig. Insbesondere braucht kein geklebtes Gehäuse geöffnet und nach Wechseln des Receivers wider verklebt zu werden. Der elastische elektrische Kontakt zur elektrischen Verbindung von Receiver und Signalverarbeitungseinrichtung erleichtert dabei das Schließen der elektrischen Verbindung, so dass bei Zusammenfügen der Gehäuseteile lediglich geringe Anforderungen an die Präzision gestellt zu werden brauchen, mit der die Gehäuseteile miteinander verbunden werden. Zudem verbessert die Elastizität des elektrischen Kontakts die Dauerhaltbarkeit bzw. Verwendung über eine Vielzahl von Receiver-Wechselvorgängen hinweg, da eine funktionsbeeinträchtigende dauerhafte Verformung, z.B. ein Verbiegen, der elektrischen Kontakte der Verbindung nicht auftreten kann.The fact that the housing parts of the hearing aid are detachable from each other, the electrical connection to the receiver also, and the receiver from the housing housing housing part is solvable, there is the possibility to change the receiver in case of need alone separated from other components. The detachable connections of the components make the use of special materials or even glue unnecessary. In particular, no glued housing needs to be opened and re-glued after changing the receiver. The elastic electrical contact for electrical connection of receiver and signal processing device facilitates the closing of the electrical connection, so that when assembling the housing parts only low demands on the precision need to be made, with which the housing parts are interconnected. In addition, the elasticity of the electrical contact enhances durability over a variety of receiver switching operations, as a detrimental permanent deformation, e.g. a bending, the electrical contacts of the connection can not occur.

Eine vorteilhafte Weiterbildung des Grundgedankens besteht darin, dass mindestens ein elastischer elektrischer Kontakt Leitgummi enthält.An advantageous development of the basic idea is that at least one elastic electrical contact contains conductive rubber.

Leitgummi stellt eine besonders gut handhabbare, kostengünstige und unaufwändig einzubauende Materialwahl dar. Unter Leitgummi soll dabei ein mit leitfähigen Partikeln gefüllter Gummi bzw. Kunststoff verstanden werden, der zur Übertragung von Strom geeignet ist. Als leitfähige Partikel werden häufig Kohlenstoffpartikel zur Füllung verwendet, z.B. Graphit oder Ruß.Conductive rubber is a particularly easy to handle, cost-effective and inexpensive to install material choice. Under conductive rubber is to be understood as a filled with conductive particles rubber or plastic, which is suitable for the transmission of electricity. As conductive particles, carbon particles are often used for filling, e.g. Graphite or carbon black.

Eine weitere vorteilhafte Weiterbildung besteht darin, dass mindestens ein elastischer elektrischer Kontakt mehrere abwechselnd parallel angeordnete Leitgummistücke und nicht leitende Gummistücke (Zebra-Verbinder) enthält.A further advantageous development is that at least one elastic electrical contact contains a plurality of alternately arranged parallel conductive rubber pieces and non-conductive rubber pieces (zebra connector).

Der abwechselnd parallele Aufbau mit Leitgummistücken und nicht leitenden Gummistücken, der wegen seines gestreiften Aussehens auch als Zebra-Verbinder bezeichnet wird, stellt einen besonders vielseitigen Verbinder dar, da die abwechselnden leitenden und nicht leitenden Gummistücke eine Vielzahl voneinander elektrisch isolierten Verbindungsleitungswege ergeben. Bei flächiger Ausführung des jeweiligen gegenüberliegenden Kontakts, wobei die Kontaktfläche wenigstens die Erstreckung von 2 Gummistücken haben muss, ist eine Kontaktierung des Zebra-Verbinders an einem Leitgummi-Stück unabhängig von der genauen Positionierung des Kontakts sichergestellt. Auch mehrere voneinander elektrisch getrennte Kontakte, wie sie zum Ansteuern eines Receivers benötigt werden, können auf diese Weise ohne besondere Anforderungen an die Präzision beim Zusammenstecken verbunden werden. Die Kontakte brauchen dazu lediglich über die Erstreckung von zwei Gummistücken voneinander getrennt zu sein, so dass sichergestellt ist, dass zwischen den elektrisch isolierten Kontakten auch im Zebra-Verbinder ein elektrisch isolierendes nicht leitendes Gummistück zwischen liegt.The alternately parallel construction with conductive rubber pieces and non-conductive rubber pieces, which is also referred to as a zebra connector because of its striped appearance, provides a particularly versatile connector since the alternating conductive and non-conductive rubber pieces provide a plurality of electrically isolated interconnect lines. When flat execution of the respective opposite contact, wherein the contact surface must have at least the extension of 2 rubber pieces, a contacting of the zebra connector is secured to a conductive rubber piece regardless of the exact positioning of the contact. Also, several electrically isolated contacts, as they are needed to drive a receiver, can be connected in this way without any special requirements for the precision of mating. The contacts need to be separated from each other only over the extension of two rubber pieces, so as to ensure that between the electrically insulated contacts in the zebra connector, an electrically insulating non-conductive rubber piece between.

Eine weitere vorteilhafte Weiterbildung besteht darin, dass das erste und das weitere Gehäuseteil so ausgebildet sind, dass sie in einer Steckrichtung voneinander lösbar sind, und dass die Verriegelung ein quer zur Steckrichtung erstrecktes Widerlager, einen mit dem Widerlager in gegenseitigem Eingriff stehenden beweglich gelagerten Riegel, und eine quer zur Steckrichtung orientierte den Riegel führende Riegel-Lagerung umfasst.A further advantageous development is that the first and the further housing part are formed so that they are detachable from each other in a plugging direction, and that the latch extends transversely to the direction of insertion Abutment, a standing with the abutment in mutual engagement movably mounted latch, and a transversely oriented to the direction of insertion of the bolt leading latch storage.

Dadurch ergibt sich eine besonders einfache Steck- und Regelkonstruktion, die gleichzeitig eine sichere Verbindung der Gehäuseteile sowie eine gute Handhabbarkeit beim Trennen der Gehäuseteile gewährleistet.This results in a particularly simple plug-and-control construction, which at the same time ensures a secure connection of the housing parts as well as good handling when separating the housing parts.

Eine weitere vorteilhafte Weiterbildung besteht darin, dass das Widerlager durch eine längliche Nut gebildet ist, dass der Riegel durch einen Stift gebildet ist, und dass die Riegel-Lagerung so ausgebildet ist, dass der in der Riegel-Lagerung gelagerte Stift in Längsrichtung in die Nut einschiebbar ist.A further advantageous development is that the abutment is formed by an elongated groove, that the bolt is formed by a pin, and that the bolt-bearing is formed so that the mounted in the bolt-bearing pin in the longitudinal direction in the groove is insertable.

Eine längliche Nut bildet für einen stiftförmigen Riegel eine besonders stabiles Widerlager, da die mechanische Stabilität durch die Länge der Nut und damit des gegenseitigen Eingriffs mit dem Stift erhöht wird. Gleichzeitig unterstützt die Nut das Einführen bzw. Herausziehen des Stifts, was die Handhabung erleichtert.An elongate groove forms a particularly stable abutment for a pin-shaped latch, since the mechanical stability is increased by the length of the groove and thus the mutual engagement with the pin. At the same time, the groove assists insertion or removal of the pin, which facilitates handling.

Eine weitere vorteilhafte Weiterbildung besteht darin, dass das Widerlager in einem Kontaktbauelement integriert ist, welches einen der elektrischen Kontakte trägt.A further advantageous development is that the abutment is integrated in a contact component, which carries one of the electrical contacts.

Die Integration des Widerlagers des Kontaktbauelements trägt zur Miniaturisierung der Hörhilfe bei, indem Bauelemente für mehrere Funktionen gleichzeitig genutzt werden. Hinzu kommt, dass die Anordnung des Widerlagers im Kontaktbauelement die Stabilität der elektrischen Verbindung von Receiver und Signalverarbeitungseinrichtung erhöht, indem nämlich Riegel und Widerlager gerade am elektrischen Kontakt ansetzen.The integration of the abutment of the contact component contributes to the miniaturization of the hearing aid by using components for several functions simultaneously. In addition, the arrangement of the abutment in the contact component increases the stability of the electrical connection between the receiver and the signal processing device, namely by just setting the bolt and the abutment at the electrical contact.

Weitere vorteilhafte Weiterbildungen sind Gegenstand der abhängigen Patentansprüche oder werden nachfolgend anhand von Figuren näher erläutert. Es zeigen:

Figur 1
Hörhilfe mit wechselbarem Receiver
Figur 2
Kontaktbauelement,
Figur 3
Gehäuseabschnitt und Kontaktbauelement
Figur 4
Gehäuseabschnitt mit eingesetztem Kontaktbauelement,
Figur 5
Gehäuseteil und Receiver,
Figur 6
Gehäuseteil mit eingesetztem Receiver,
Figur 7
erstes und weiteres Gehäuseteil,
Figur 8
zusammengesteckte Gehäuseteile und Stift,
Figur 9
zusammengesetzte und verriegelte Gehäuseteile.
Further advantageous developments are the subject of the dependent claims or are explained in more detail below with reference to figures. Show it:
FIG. 1
Hearing aid with exchangeable receiver
FIG. 2
Contact component,
FIG. 3
Housing section and contact device
FIG. 4
Housing section with inserted contact component,
FIG. 5
Housing part and receiver,
FIG. 6
Housing part with inserted receiver,
FIG. 7
first and further housing part,
FIG. 8
assembled housing parts and pin,
FIG. 9
assembled and locked housing parts.

In Figur 1 ist eine Hörhilfe 1 in IDO-Bauform (in-dem-Ohr) schematisch dargestellt. Ein Gehäuseteil 2 beherbergt die wesentlichen elektrischen Bauteile der Hörhilfe 1 mit Ausnahme des Receivers 10. Eine Signalverarbeitungseinrichtung wird durch eine Batterie 5 mit elektrischer Energie versorgt. Sie erhält von Mikrofonen 6 als Eingangssignal akustische Umgebungssignale und verarbeitet und verstärkt diese. Die verarbeiteten und verstärkten Signale werden als Ausgangssignal dem Kontaktbauelement 7 zugeleitet. Das Kontaktbauelement weist einen Kontakt 8 auf, der Teil eines elektrischen Verbinders ist.In FIG. 1 a hearing aid 1 in IDO design (in-the-ear) is shown schematically. A housing part 2 houses the essential electrical components of the hearing aid 1 with the exception of the receiver 10. A signal processing device is powered by a battery 5 with electrical energy. It receives from microphones 6 as input acoustic ambient signals and processes and amplifies them. The processed and amplified signals are supplied as an output signal to the contact device 7. The contact device has a contact 8, which is part of an electrical connector.

Der erste Gehäuseteil 3 beherbergt den Receiver 10, der einen elektrischen Kontakt 9 umfasst. Der elektrische Kontakt 9 ist mit dem elektrischen Kontakt 8 verbunden und stellt den elektrischen Verbinder zwischen dem ersten Gehäuseteil 3 und dem weiteren Gehäuseteil 2 bzw. zwischen dem Receiver 10 und der Signalverarbeitungseinrichtung 4 dar. Der Receiver gibt die akustischen Ausgangssignale über eine Schallaustrittsöffnung 14 im ersten Gehäuseteil 3 zum Ohr der Ohrhilfeträgers hin ab.The first housing part 3 accommodates the receiver 10, which comprises an electrical contact 9. The electrical contact 9 is connected to the electrical contact 8 and represents the electrical connector between the first housing part 3 and the further housing part 2 or between the receiver 10 and the signal processing device 4. The receiver outputs the acoustic output signals via a sound outlet opening 14 in the first Housing part 3 from the ear of the Ohrhilfeträgers down.

Der Receiver ist in das erste Gehäuseteil 3 lösbar hineingesteckt. Das erste Gehäuseteil 3 ist mit dem weiteren Gehäuseteil 2 lösbar verbunden, indem es zusammengesteckt wurde. Um ein unbeabsichtigtes Lösen der Steckverbindung zwischen Gehäuseteil 2 und Gehäuseteil 3 zu vermeiden, ist ein seinerseits lösbarer Stift 11 als Riegel vorgesehen. Der Stift 11 wird durch seitliche Öffnungen 15 im Gehäuseteil 3 hineingeschoben bzw. zum Lösen der Verriegelung herausgezogen.The receiver is detachably inserted into the first housing part 3. The first housing part 3 is detachably connected to the other housing part 2 by being plugged together. To avoid unintentional loosening of the connector between the housing part 2 and the housing part 3, a turn-releasable pin 11 is provided as a bolt. The pin 11 is pushed through lateral openings 15 in the housing part 3 and pulled out to release the lock.

In Figur 2 ist das Kontaktbauelement 7 dargestellt. Zum Herstellen einer elektrischen Verbindung ist ein elektrischer Kontakt 8 vorgesehen. Dieser ist als sog. Zebra-Verbinder unter Verwendung von sog. Leitgummi aufgebaut. Als Leitgummi wird Gummi bezeichnet, der durch eine Füllung mit leitfähigen Partikeln, z.B. Graphit oder Ruß, elektrisch leitfähig gemacht ist. Im Zebra-Verbinder wechseln Stücke bzw. Platten aus Leitgummi mit abwechselnd parallel angeordneten nicht leitenden Gummiplatten ab. Dadurch ergibt sich das gestreifte Muster, das zur Bezeichnung Zebra geführt hat. Leitgummis bzw. Zebra-Verbinder sind bekannt und beispielsweise beim Unternehmen fujipoly (geschützte Bezeichnung) erhältlich.In FIG. 2 the contact component 7 is shown. For making an electrical connection, an electrical contact 8 is provided. This is constructed as a so-called zebra connector using so-called conductive rubber. As a conductive rubber rubber is called, which is made electrically conductive by a filling with conductive particles, such as graphite or carbon black. In Zebra connector pieces or plates of conductive rubber alternate with alternately arranged parallel non-conductive rubber plates. This results in the striped pattern that led to the name zebra. Conductive rubbers or zebra connectors are known and available, for example, from the company fujipoly (protected name).

Weiter weist das Kontaktbauelement 7 zwei Nuten auf, die als Widerlager 12 für einen in die Nuten einlegbaren bzw. einlegbaren Stift dienen sollen.Furthermore, the contact component 7 has two grooves which are intended to serve as an abutment 12 for a pin which can be inserted or inserted into the slots.

In Figur 3 ist das Kontaktbauelement 7 sowie ein Abschnitt des weiteren Gehäuseteils 2 dargestellt. Im Gehäuseteil 2 befindet sich eine Verbinderöffnung 13, in die das Kontaktbauelement 7 einschiebbar ist, was durch einen Pfeil angedeutet ist. Das Kontaktbauelement 7 umfasst wie vorangehend erläutert einen elektrischen Kontakt 8, der als Zebra-Verbinder ausgeführt ist, sowie die beiden Widerlager 12.In FIG. 3 the contact component 7 and a portion of the further housing part 2 is shown. In the housing part 2 is a connector opening 13 into which the contact component 7 can be inserted, which is indicated by an arrow. The contact component 7 comprises, as explained above, an electrical contact 8, which is designed as a zebra connector, as well as the two abutments 12.

In Figur 4 ist der vorangehend erläuterte Gehäuseabschnitt 2 mit in die Verbinderöffnung 13 eingesetztem Kontaktbauelement 7 dargestellt. Der elektrische Kontakt 8 ragt deutlich aus dem Gehäuseteil 2 heraus, sowie ebenfalls die beiden Widerlager 12.In FIG. 4 the housing section 2 explained above is illustrated with contact component 7 inserted into the connector opening 13. The electrical contact 8 protrudes clearly the housing part 2 out, as well as the two abutments 12th

In Figur 5 ist das erste Gehäuseteil 3 dargestellt sowie der Receiver 10. Das Gehäuseteil weist eine Schallaustrittsöffnung 14 auf, in die oder zu der hin der Receiver 10 in das Gehäuseteil 3 eingeführt werden kann, was durch einen Pfeil angedeutet ist. Weiter weist das Gehäuseteil 3 seitliche Öffnungen 15 auf, in die ein Stift einführbar ist.In FIG. 5 the housing part 3 has a sound outlet opening 14 into which or to which the receiver 10 can be inserted into the housing part 3, which is indicated by an arrow. Next, the housing part 3 has lateral openings 15 into which a pin can be inserted.

Der Receiver 10 weist an seiner Unterseite einen elektrischen Kontakt 11 auf, der ebenfalls als Zebra-Verbinder ausgeführt ist.The receiver 10 has on its underside an electrical contact 11, which is also designed as a zebra connector.

Der elektrische Kontakt 11 ist zur elektrischen Verbindung mit dem vorangehend erläuterten elektrischen Kontakt 8 vorgesehen und es ist prinzipiell ausreichend, wenn lediglich einer der beiden Kontakte 8 oder 9 elastisch ist. Insofern ist es ausreichend, wenn nur einer der beiden Kontakte 8 oder 9 Leitgummi umfasst oder als Zebra-Verbinder ausgeführt ist. In einer alternativen Ausführungsform könnte einer oder beide Kontakte 8, 9 unter Verwendung elastischer Metallteile ausgeführt sein, die als elastische Kontaktzungen oder Kontaktfedern ausgeführt werden. Selbstverständlich ist auch die Verwendung sowohl eines Leitgummis oder Zebra-Verbinders als auch eines elastischen Metall-Kontakts zur Kombination in einem elektrischen Verbinder denkbar.The electrical contact 11 is provided for electrical connection with the above-described electrical contact 8 and it is in principle sufficient if only one of the two contacts 8 or 9 is elastic. In this respect, it is sufficient if only one of the two contacts 8 or 9 comprises conductive rubber or is designed as a zebra connector. In an alternative embodiment, one or both of the contacts 8, 9 could be made using elastic metal parts which are designed as elastic contact tongues or contact springs. Of course, the use of both a conductive rubber or zebra connector as well as a resilient metal contact for combination in an electrical connector is conceivable.

In Figur 6 ist das erste Gehäuseteil 3 mit darin eingesetztem Receiver 10 dargestellt. Der Receiver steht in schallleitender Verbindung mit der Schallaustrittsöffnung 14. Die Funktion der seitlichen Öffnungen 15 wird nachfolgend erläutert.In FIG. 6 the first housing part 3 is shown with the receiver 10 inserted therein. The receiver is in sound-conducting connection with the sound outlet opening 14. The function of the lateral openings 15 will be explained below.

In Figur 7 ist das erste Gehäuseteil 3 mit eingesetztem Receiver 10 sowie ein Abschnitt des weiteren Gehäuseteils 2 mit eingesetztem Kontaktbauelement 7 dargestellt. Die Gehäuseteile 2 und 3 samt Kontaktbauelement 7 und inne liegendem Receiver 10 sind so ausgeformt, dass sie ineinander gesteckt werden können, was durch einen Pfeil angedeutet ist.In FIG. 7 the first housing part 3 with inserted receiver 10 as well as a section of the further housing part 2 with inserted contact component 7 are shown. The housing parts 2 and 3 together with contact component 7 and inne lying receiver 10 are formed so that they can be inserted into each other, which is indicated by an arrow.

In Figur 8 sind die ineinander gesteckten Gehäuseteile 2 und 3 samt der Verriegelung dienendem Stift 11 dargestellt. Der Stift 11 ist zum Verriegeln in die seitliche Öffnung 15 einführbar, was durch einen Pfeil angedeutet ist. Wie vorangehend ersichtlich weist das Kontaktbauelement 7 zwei beiderseitig angeordnete Widerlager 12 auf, und das erste Gehäuseteil 3 zeigt jeweils seitlich angeordnete Paare von Öffnungen 15. Der Stift 11 ist so geformt, dass er zum einen durch die Öffnungen 15 hindurch geschoben werden kann, und dass er zum anderen in das Widerlager 12 eingreifen kann. Dazu weist der Stift 11 einen runden Querschnitt auf, das jeweilige Widerlager 12 einen halbrunden Querschnitt mit einem Durchmesser, der nicht kleiner als der Durchmesser des Stifts 11 ist.In FIG. 8 the nested housing parts 2 and 3 together with the locking serving pin 11 are shown. The pin 11 is insertable for locking in the lateral opening 15, which is indicated by an arrow. As previously seen, the contact element 7 has two oppositely disposed abutments 12, and the first housing part 3 shows laterally arranged pairs of openings 15. The pin 11 is shaped so that it can be pushed through the openings 15, and that he can intervene in the other abutment 12. For this purpose, the pin 11 has a round cross section, the respective abutment 12 has a semicircular cross section with a diameter which is not smaller than the diameter of the pin 11.

Je nach Ausführung der Steckverbindung zwischen den Gehäuseteilen 2 und 3 kann bereits zur Einschieben eines einzigen Stifts 11 eine ausreichend sichere Verriegelung der Steckverbindung erreicht werden. Eine Erhöhung der Festigkeit der Verriegelung wird erreicht, indem in beide Paare von Öffnungen bzw. beide Widerlager 12 jeweils ein Stift 11 eingeschoben wird. Der oder die Stifte 11 sind dabei so bemessen, dass sie entweder in den Öffnungen 15 oder im Widerlager 12 leicht anhaftend Sitz finden. Dadurch wird vermieden, dass der oder die Stifte 11 unbeabsichtigt und ohne Zutun herausrutschen und die Verriegelung zwischen den Gehäuseteilen 2 und 3 somit unbeabsichtigt und versehentlich geöffnet wird. Der anhaftende Sitz des oder der Stifte 11 wird dadurch unterstützt, dass beim Zusammenstecken der Gehäuseteile 2 und 3 auch die elektrische Verbindung der Kontakte 8 und 9 geschlossen wird. Da mindestens einer der Kontakte 8 und 9 elastisch ist, sind die Bauteile so bemessen, dass beim Zusammenstecken die elastische Kraft des oder der Kontakte 8 und 9 überwunden wird. Die elastische Kraft der somit zusammengedrückten Kontakte 8 und/oder 9 übt somit eine die Gehäuseteile 2 und 3 auseinander treibende Kraft aus. Diese Kraft führt dazu, dass der oder die Stifte 11 über die Öffnungen 15 mit einer Kraft beaufschlagt werden, die sie in das jeweilige Widerlager 12 presst. Somit wird das jeweilige Widerlager 12 indirekt mit der elastischen Kraft des oder der Kontakte 8 oder 9 beaufschlagt, was zum anhaftenden Sitz des Stifts 11 führt und damit verhindert, dass dieser unbeabsichtigt herausgleiten kann.Depending on the design of the connector between the housing parts 2 and 3, a sufficiently secure locking of the connector can already be achieved for insertion of a single pin 11. An increase in the strength of the lock is achieved by a pin 11 is inserted in both pairs of openings or both abutments 12 each. The one or more pins 11 are dimensioned so that they can easily fit either in the openings 15 or in the abutment 12 seat. This avoids that the pin or pins 11 inadvertently slip out and without action and the lock between the housing parts 2 and 3 thus unintentionally and accidentally opened. The adhesive seat of the pin or pins 11 is supported by the fact that the mating of the housing parts 2 and 3, the electrical connection of the contacts 8 and 9 is closed. Since at least one of the contacts 8 and 9 is elastic, the components are dimensioned such that upon mating the elastic force of the contacts 8 and 9 is overcome. The elastic force of the thus compressed contacts 8 and / or 9 thus exerts a force diverging the housing parts 2 and 3. This force causes the or the pins 11 are acted upon by the openings 15 with a force that presses them into the respective abutment 12. Thus, the respective abutment 12 is indirectly applied with the elastic force of the or the contacts 8 or 9, which leads to the adhesive seat of the pin 11 and thus prevents it from sliding out unintentionally.

In Figur 9 sind die zusammengesetzten und durch Stifte 11 verriegelten Gehäuseteile 2 und 3 dargestellt.In FIG. 9 the assembled and locked by pins 11 housing parts 2 and 3 are shown.

Ein Grundgedanke der Erfindung lässt sich wie folgt zusammenfassen: Die Erfindung betrifft eine Hörhilfe mit wechselbarem Hörer. Die Aufgabe der Erfindung besteht darin, eine Hörhilfe anzugeben, die einen wechselbaren Hörer aufweist, der alleine und getrennt von weiteren Bauteile leicht und unaufwändig sowie ohne spezielle Werkzeuge austauschbar ist. Ein Grundgedanke der Erfindung besteht in einer Hörhilfe 1 umfassend ein Gehäuse, welches mindestens zweiteilig ausgeführt ist, und in dem Gehäuse einen Receiver 10 und eine Signalverarbeitungseinrichtung 4. Der Receiver 10 ist lösbar in einem ersten Gehäuseteil 3 und die Signalverarbeitungseinrichtung 4 in einem weiteren Gehäuseteil 2 angeordnet und die beiden Gehäuseteile 2,3 sind lösbar miteinander verbunden, wobei eine lösbare Verriegelung der gegenseitigen Verbindung der Gehäuseteile 2,3 vorgesehen ist. Der Receiver 10 ist durch einen lösbaren elektrischen Verbinder mit der Signalverarbeitungseinrichtung 4 verbunden, wobei der lösbare elektrische Verbinder einen Receiver-seitigen und einen Signalverarbeitungseinrichtungs-seitigen elektrischen Kontakt 8,9 umfasst, und wobei mindestens einer der elektrischen Kontakte 8,9 elastisch ist. Dadurch, dass die Gehäuseteile, die elektrische Verbindung, und der Receiver selbst lösbar zusammengefügt sind, ergibt sich die Möglichkeit, den Receiver im Bedarfsfalle alleine getrennt von weiteren Bauteilen zu wechseln. Die Verwendung spezieller Werkstoffe oder gar von Klebstoff ist nicht erforderlich. Der elastische elektrische Kontakt zur elektrischen Verbindung von Receiver und Signalverarbeitungseinrichtung erleichtert dabei das Schließen der elektrischen Verbindung beim Zusammenfügen der Gehäuseteile.A basic idea of the invention can be summarized as follows: The invention relates to a hearing aid with exchangeable earpiece. The object of the invention is to provide a hearing aid having a replaceable handset, which is alone and separated from other components easily and inexpensively and without special tools interchangeable. A basic idea of the invention consists in a hearing aid 1 comprising a housing which is designed in at least two parts, and in the housing a receiver 10 and a signal processing device 4. The receiver 10 is detachable in a first housing part 3 and the signal processing device 4 in a further housing part 2 arranged and the two housing parts 2,3 are releasably connected to each other, wherein a releasable locking of the mutual connection of the housing parts 2,3 is provided. The receiver 10 is connected to the signal processing device 4 by a detachable electrical connector, the releasable electrical connector comprising a receiver-side and a signal processing device-side electrical contact 8, 9, and at least one of the electrical contacts 8, 9 being elastic. The fact that the housing parts, the electrical connection, and the receiver itself are detachably joined, there is the possibility of the receiver alone if necessary, to change separated from other components. The use of special materials or even glue is not required. The elastic electrical contact for electrical connection of receiver and signal processing device facilitates the closing of the electrical connection during assembly of the housing parts.

Claims (8)

Hörhilfe (1) umfassend ein Gehäuse, welches mindestens zweiteilig ausgeführt ist, und in dem Gehäuse einen Receiver (10) und eine Signalverarbeitungseinrichtung (4),
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Receiver (10) aus diesem lösbar in einem ersten Gehäuseteil (3) und die Signalverarbeitungseinrichtung (4) in einem weiteren Gehäuseteil (2) angeordnet ist, dass die beiden Gehäuseteile (2,3) lösbar miteinander verbunden sind, wobei eine lösbare Verriegelung vorgesehen ist, mittels der die gegenseitige Verbindung der Gehäuseteile (2,3) verriegelt ist, und dass der Receiver (10) durch einen lösbaren elektrischen Verbinder mit der Signalverarbeitungseinrichtung (4) verbunden ist, wobei der lösbare elektrische Verbinder einen Receiver-seitigen und einen Signalverarbeitungseinrichtungs-seitigen elektrischen Kontakt (8,9) umfasst, und wobei mindestens einer der elektrischen Kontakte (8,9) elastisch ist.Hearing aid (1) comprising a housing, which is designed at least in two parts, and in the housing a receiver (10) and a signal processing device (4),
characterized in that the receiver (10) of this releasably in a first housing part (3) and the signal processing means (4) in a further housing part (2) is arranged, that the two housing parts (2,3) are detachably connected to each other, a releasable lock is provided, by means of which the mutual connection of the housing parts (2, 3) is locked, and in that the receiver (10) is connected to the signal processing device (4) by a releasable electrical connector, wherein the releasable electrical connector has a receiver and a signal processing device side electrical contact (8,9), and wherein at least one of the electrical contacts (8,9) is elastic. Hörhilfe (1) nach Anspruch 1,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass mindestens ein elastischer elektrischer Kontakt (8,9) aus Leitgummi gebildet ist.Hearing aid (1) according to claim 1,
characterized in that at least one elastic electrical contact (8,9) is formed of conductive rubber. Hörhilfe (1) nach Anspruch 2,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass mindestens ein elastischer elektrischer Kontakt (8,9) mehrere abwechselnd parallel angeordnete Leitgummistücke und nicht leitende Gummistücke (Zebra-Verbinder) enthält.Hearing aid (1) according to claim 2,
characterized in that at least one elastic electrical contact (8,9) contains a plurality of alternately parallel Leitgummistücke and non-conductive rubber pieces (zebra connector). Hörhilfe (1) nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass mindestens ein elastischer elektrischer Kontakt (8,9) aus einem Metall besteht.Hearing aid (1) according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that at least one elastic electrical contact (8,9) consists of a metal. Hörhilfe (1) nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das erste und das weitere Gehäuseteil (2,3) so ausgebildet sind, dass sie in einer Steckrichtung voneinander lösbar sind, und dass die Verriegelung ein quer zur Steckrichtung erstrecktes Widerlager, einen mit dem Widerlager in gegenseitigem Eingriff stehenden beweglich gelagerten Riegel, und eine quer zur Steckrichtung orientierte den Riegel führende Riegel-Lagerung umfasst.Hearing aid (1) according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that the first and the further housing part (2,3) are formed are that they are detachable from each other in a direction of insertion, and that the locking comprises a transverse to the direction of insertion extended abutment, a mutually engaged with the abutment movably mounted latch, and a transversely oriented to the direction of the latch bolt-bearing. Hörhilfe (1) nach Anspruch 5,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das Widerlager durch eine längliche Nut (12) gebildet ist, dass der Riegel durch einen Stift (11) gebildet ist, und dass die Riegel-Lagerung so ausgebildet ist, dass der in der Riegel-Lagerung gelagerte Stift (11) in Längsrichtung in die Nut (12) einschiebbar ist.Hearing aid (1) according to claim 5,
characterized in that the abutment is formed by an elongated groove (12), that the bolt is formed by a pin (11), and that the bolt bearing is designed such that the pin (11) mounted in the bolt bearing in the longitudinal direction in the groove (12) can be inserted. Hörhilfe (1) nach einem der Ansprüche 5 oder 6,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das Widerlager in einem Kontaktbauelement (7) integriert ist, welches einen der elektrischen Kontakte (8) trägt.Hearing aid (1) according to one of claims 5 or 6,
characterized in that the abutment is integrated in a contact component (7) which carries one of the electrical contacts (8). Hörhilfe (1) nach einem der Ansprüche 6 oder 7,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Riegel-Lagerung mindestens zwei den Stift (11) aufnehmende Öffnungen (15) in dem den Receiver (10) tragenden ersten Gehäuseteil (3) umfasst.Hearing aid (1) according to one of claims 6 or 7,
characterized in that the bolt-bearing at least two pin (11) receiving openings (15) in the receiver (10) carrying the first housing part (3).
EP10163253.7A 2009-07-15 2010-05-19 Hearing aid with replaceable earpiece Not-in-force EP2285136B1 (en)

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Also Published As

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US8428280B2 (en) 2013-04-23
US20110013797A1 (en) 2011-01-20
DK2285136T3 (en) 2016-01-25
EP2285136B1 (en) 2015-10-14

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