EP2811761B1 - Antenna device for hearing instruments - Google Patents

Antenna device for hearing instruments Download PDF

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Publication number
EP2811761B1
EP2811761B1 EP14157657.9A EP14157657A EP2811761B1 EP 2811761 B1 EP2811761 B1 EP 2811761B1 EP 14157657 A EP14157657 A EP 14157657A EP 2811761 B1 EP2811761 B1 EP 2811761B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
antenna
receiver
hearing instrument
coil
arrangement
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.)
Revoked
Application number
EP14157657.9A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP2811761A1 (en
Inventor
Peter Nikles
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
Sivantos Pte Ltd
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Filing date
Publication date
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Application filed by Sivantos Pte Ltd filed Critical Sivantos Pte Ltd
Publication of EP2811761A1 publication Critical patent/EP2811761A1/en
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Classifications

    • 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
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
    • H01Q1/00—Details of, or arrangements associated with, antennas
    • H01Q1/12—Supports; Mounting means
    • H01Q1/22—Supports; Mounting means by structural association with other equipment or articles
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
    • H01Q1/00—Details of, or arrangements associated with, antennas
    • H01Q1/27—Adaptation for use in or on movable bodies
    • H01Q1/273—Adaptation for carrying or wearing by persons or animals
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
    • H01Q7/00—Loop antennas with a substantially uniform current distribution around the loop and having a directional radiation pattern in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the loop
    • 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
    • H04R25/55—Deaf-aid sets, i.e. electro-acoustic or electro-mechanical hearing aids; Electric tinnitus maskers providing an auditory perception using an external connection, either wireless or wired
    • 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
    • H04R25/55—Deaf-aid sets, i.e. electro-acoustic or electro-mechanical hearing aids; Electric tinnitus maskers providing an auditory perception using an external connection, either wireless or wired
    • H04R25/554—Deaf-aid sets, i.e. electro-acoustic or electro-mechanical hearing aids; Electric tinnitus maskers providing an auditory perception using an external connection, either wireless or wired using a wireless connection, e.g. between microphone and amplifier or using Tcoils
    • 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
    • H04R2225/00—Details of deaf aids covered by H04R25/00, not provided for in any of its subgroups
    • H04R2225/025—In the ear hearing aids [ITE] hearing aids
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R2225/00—Details of deaf aids covered by H04R25/00, not provided for in any of its subgroups
    • H04R2225/49—Reducing the effects of electromagnetic noise on the functioning of hearing aids, by, e.g. shielding, signal processing adaptation, selective (de)activation of electronic parts in hearing aid
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R2225/00—Details of deaf aids covered by H04R25/00, not provided for in any of its subgroups
    • H04R2225/51—Aspects of antennas or their circuitry in or for hearing aids
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R2225/00—Details of deaf aids covered by H04R25/00, not provided for in any of its subgroups
    • H04R2225/57—Aspects of electrical interconnection between hearing aid parts
    • 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
    • H04R25/55—Deaf-aid sets, i.e. electro-acoustic or electro-mechanical hearing aids; Electric tinnitus maskers providing an auditory perception using an external connection, either wireless or wired
    • H04R25/552—Binaural
    • 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 an antenna device for hearing instruments, in particular for hearing instruments to be worn in the auditory canal.
  • Hearing instruments can be designed for example as hearing aids.
  • a hearing aid is used to supply a hearing-impaired person with acoustic ambient signals that are processed and amplified for compensation or therapy of the respective hearing impairment. It consists in principle of one or more input transducers, of a signal processing device, of an amplification device, and of an output transducer.
  • the input transducer is typically a sound receiver, e.g. a microphone, and / or an electromagnetic receiver, e.g. an induction coil.
  • the output transducer is usually as an electroacoustic transducer, z. As miniature speaker, or as an electromechanical transducer, z.
  • the output transducer generates output signals that are routed to the patient's ear and are intended to produce a hearing sensation in the patient.
  • the amplifier is usually integrated in the signal processing device.
  • the hearing aid is powered by a battery integrated into the hearing aid housing.
  • the essential components of a hearing aid are usually arranged on a printed circuit board as a circuit carrier or connected thereto.
  • Tinnitus maskers are used to treat tinnitus patients. They produce from the respective hearing impairment and depending on the principle of action also dependent on ambient noise acoustic output signals that can contribute to reducing the perception of annoying tinnitus or other ear noises.
  • Hearing instruments can also be designed as telephones, mobile phones, headsets, headphones, MP3 players or other telecommunications or consumer electronics systems.
  • hearing instrument is understood to mean both hearing aids and tinnitus maskers, comparable such devices, as well as telecommunications and consumer electronics systems.
  • Hearing instruments in particular hearing aids, are known in various basic types.
  • ITE hearing aids in-the-ear, also IDO or in-the-ear
  • a housing containing all functional components including microphone and receiver is at least partially carried in the ear canal.
  • CIC hearing aids are similar to ITE hearing aids, but are worn fully in the ear canal.
  • RIC-BTE hearing aids (receiver-in-canal behind-the-ear) are similar to BTE hearing aids, but the receiver is carried in the ear canal and instead of a sound tube, a flexible earpiece tube conducts electrical signals instead of acoustic signals to the receiver, which is at the front of the earpiece tube attached, usually in a reliable positioning in the ear canal serving ear piece.
  • RIC-BTE hearing aids are often used as so-called open-fit devices, in which the auditory canal remains open for the passage of sound and air to reduce the disturbing occlusion effect.
  • Deep-fit hearing aids are similar to CIC hearing aids. However, while CIC hearing aids are usually located in a more distal (distal) section of the outer Ear canal are worn, deep-fit hearing aids are advanced further to the eardrum (proximal) and at least partially worn in the inner portion of the external auditory canal.
  • the external portion of the ear canal is a skin-lined canal connecting the pinna to the eardrum. In the outer portion of the external auditory canal, which adjoins directly to the auricle, this channel is formed of elastic cartilage. In the inner portion of the external auditory canal, the canal is formed by the temporal bone and thus consists of bone.
  • the course of the ear canal between cartilaginous and bony sections is usually angled in a (second) kink and includes a different angle from person to person.
  • the bony portion of the ear canal is relatively sensitive to pressure and contact.
  • Deep-fit hearing aids are at least partially worn in the delicate bony section of the ear canal.
  • they When advancing into the bony portion of the ear canal, they must also pass the mentioned second kink, which can be difficult depending on the angle.
  • small diameter and tortuous shapes of the ear canal can further complicate advancement.
  • All types of hearing aids have in common that the smallest possible housing or designs are sought in order to increase the comfort, optionally to improve the implantability and possibly to reduce the visibility of the hearing aid for cosmetic reasons.
  • the aim of the smallest possible design also applies to most other hearing instruments.
  • the arrangement of the antenna relative to receiver and hybrid is crucial to the performance of the transmission system. Due to the high packing density, a mutual shielding of the components is necessary.
  • the hybrid is typically wrapped with a shield box for this purpose.
  • the receiver gets a screen foil or is specially designed so that it is magnetically tight.
  • the object of the invention is to specify a hearing instrument, in particular an IDO hearing instrument, which specifies a transmission bandwidth-improved data transmission system with no or only insignificantly increased space and energy requirements.
  • the invention solves this problem by an antenna device and by a hearing instrument with the independent claims.
  • a basic idea of the invention consists in an antenna device for a hearing instrument, having an antenna arrangement which has a preferred transmission and reception spatial direction, and a further electrical hearing instrument component which emits electromagnetic interference radiation predominantly in an interference radiation spatial direction.
  • the antenna arrangement and the further hearing instrument component are arranged such that the transmission and reception spatial direction and the interference radiation spatial direction are oriented transversely to one another in such a way that coupling of interference radiation into the antenna arrangement is reduced.
  • the reduction of Interference couplings in the antenna arrangement allows a higher transmission and reception bandwidth with constant volume and energy requirements.
  • the further hearing instrument component may be a receiver or another, in particular inductive or electromagnetic radiation emitting component.
  • the antenna arrangement comprises a coil antenna
  • the further hearing instrument component comprises a coil arrangement which emits the interference radiation
  • the coil antenna and the coil arrangement are oriented transversely to one another with respect to their respective longitudinal direction.
  • the magnetic field of a coil antenna has a pronounced spatial orientation, so that a significant reduction of the mutual interference coupling is achieved by the orientation transversely to each other.
  • the antenna arrangement has a coil core of magnetically permeable material, which is formed at one end to form an at least partially planar screen, which is arranged transversely to the transmitting and receiving spatial direction of the antenna arrangement.
  • the two-dimensional shield effects a shielding of the electromagnetic fields and thereby already reduces the mutual interference coupling.
  • the permeability enhances the shielding effect.
  • the screen effectively causes, as it were, an extension of the antenna or an increase in its efficiency. This results in a higher transmission field strength and a higher reception sensitivity.
  • a further advantageous development is that the further hearing aid component is arranged on the screen.
  • the arrangement of the hearing instrument component so close to the antenna arrangement with a reasonably low mutual interference coupling is made possible in particular by the mutual shielding. This results in a space-saving Arrangement, which is also suitable for the pre-assembly of the antenna assembly and the other hearing aid component.
  • a further advantageous development is that the further hearing aid component is attached to the screen.
  • the attachment of the hearing instrument component to the screen together with the antenna assembly forms a preassembled module. This simplifies the further assembly or production of the hearing instrument.
  • a further advantageous development consists in that the screen surrounds the further hearing instrument component in the direction away from the antenna core at least in a region of its circumference.
  • a further advantageous development consists in that the coil core and / or the screen has metallization contacts for making electrical contact with the coil antenna. This eliminates additional installation work and additional space for contacting the coil antenna, as would occur, for example, when attaching additional Litz wires or flexible printed circuit boards (flexible PCB) for contacting.
  • the inner sides of the flange are the most ideal surfaces to apply a metallization. There, the field strength is the lowest, there are less eddy current losses and there is only a low quality influence of the antenna by the contact.
  • the metallization on the flange also simplifies the automated production of the antenna, which in turn allows a pre-assembly or favors.
  • the further hearing aid component is a receiver and the coil core and the shield have a sound channel passing through the coil antenna.
  • Both components can be placed as low as possible in the ear canal to save space.
  • an acoustically advantageous placement of the receiver is achieved as close to the eardrum, while the coil antenna is reached close to the IDO hearing instrument of the other (right or left) ear of the user, which positively affects the quality of mutual data transmission.
  • the sound channel has the additional advantage that the field lines of the coil antenna thereby additionally compressed in the transmitting and receiving direction and thus the antenna quality is further improved.
  • the receiver is an electrodynamic transducer and thus the receiver contains a magnetic circuit which has an excitation winding.
  • the receiver is typically fed with a pulse density modulated signal having spectral components in the frequency band of the data transmission system.
  • This control is very energy efficient and is therefore used in hearing instruments.
  • the spectral components can not be avoided without a strong increase in the energy requirement of the hearing instrument.
  • the receiver is the largest consumer in the hearing instrument.
  • the energy requirements of the appreciatedtragungssytems is very small and, accordingly, its receiving sensitivity to magnetic interferers is quite large.
  • the magnetic circuit and thus also the receiver winding are aligned 90 ° to the antenna. This greatly reduces the coupling of the receiver winding to the antenna.
  • the antenna can thus be placed much closer to the receiver.
  • the combination of the transversal receiver and the antenna is optimized for the tapered shell contour at the tip of the IDO hearing instrument, minimizing the installation length.
  • the placement at the tip of the IDO hearing instrument increases the fitting rate and reduces the size of the hearing instrument.
  • more freedom of positioning of the faceplate is possible because the antenna is no longer on or near the faceplate.
  • eliminating the effort to place the antenna on or near the faceplate since the tip of the IDO hearing instrument represents a pre-given position. This also eliminates the consideration of physical restrictions, eg of magnetic field disturbances that is required when placed in the area of the faceplate.
  • the interference can be reduced to the antenna by using an antenna core, which is additionally provided with a shield between the receiver and antenna.
  • the antenna core thus extended to a flange is made entirely of ferrite material or other permeable material.
  • the flange preferably covers (best space / performance ratio) the whole area of the receiver. Due to the extended antenna core, the field lines of the excitation winding of the receiver are returned concentrated so that only a very small number of field lines pass through the antenna windings. It is prevented that current is induced in the antenna winding and thus interference from the receiver are greatly reduced.
  • the shielding by the antenna core designed as a flange makes additional measures, such as screen foil, and their installation unnecessary.
  • Another advantage of the flange is that the antenna quality can be increased. With the same inductance thereby the required number of turns can be reduced, so that in turn the diameter of the single turn, typically enameled copper wire, can be increased.
  • the flange may also extend around the edges of the receiver. For this are all four edges of the receiver and their permutations conceivable and bring a more or less large amplification of the decoupling effect.
  • a further advantageous development is that the inner wall of the sound channel and / or the side facing away from the coil core of the screen is covered with sound-absorbing material.
  • the sound insulation causes a favorable for the use of the receiver vibration decoupling.
  • the interference mentioned reduce the performance of the data transmission system sensitive, so that a high bandwidth with low energy consumption is limited achievable.
  • the sound channel 17 extends through the coil core 22 and through the shield 26 to the receiver 14.
  • the coil core 22 is covered on the inside by a tube 21 formed as a sound-insulating or vibration-damping material.
  • the tube 21 surrounds the sound channel 17 from the antenna-side output to the receiver 14 and is there formed parallel to the plate 26 flat.
  • the receiver 14 is mounted on the surface-shaped part of the tube 21 and thus also vibration isolated. Round extensions of the sound or vibration damping material are used in addition to the device integrated vibration-decoupled suspension of the device in the housing of the hearing instrument.
  • the module can be pre-installed or pre-assembled in the hearing instrument.
  • the pre-assembly of the antenna receiver module on the flange formed by the coil core 22 and the tube 21 reduces the assembly effort in the manufacture of the hearing instrument and thus simplifies the manufacturing process.
  • a further simplification is achieved in that the coil core 22 is equipped with metallization contacts 38, which serve to contact the antenna 16. Not shown interconnects connect the metallization 38 with the terminals of the antenna 16. For this purpose, further, not shown metallization provided be, with which the winding or windings of the antenna 16 are contacted.
  • Fig. 5 the field line distribution of the coil antenna with shield is shown schematically.
  • the permeable coil core 22 together with the shield 26, on the one hand shields the region remote from the antenna 16 behind the shield 26.
  • a receiver arranged in this region is accordingly shielded by the shield 26 from interference signals from the antenna protected.
  • the field line density is increased in the axial direction on the opposite side of the shield 26 of the antenna, and thus in the transmitting and receiving direction of the antenna.
  • the coil core 22 with integrally formed shield 26 accordingly effects a field characteristic optimized for the transmission and reception of data in the axial direction. This effect would be additionally increased if, which is not the case in the illustrated simulation, the spool core 22 has a through opening, for example the sound channel explained above.
  • Fig. 6 the field line profile of a receiver coil working receiver is shown schematically.
  • the receiver coil 23 is arranged axially, that is, oriented in the longitudinal direction. It can be seen that the receiver coil 23 generates a strongly compressed (magnetic) field in the axial direction, while it generates a relatively weak (magnetic) field in the radial direction, that is, in the figure to the right and left.
  • Fig. 7 the field line profile of the receiver is shown with shielding.
  • the receiver 14 is arranged in the figure on the right of the above-described shield 26 of the permeable coil core 22.
  • the coil core 22 carries the antenna 16.
  • Previously explained metallization contacts 38 are integrated in the coil core 22 and serve to electrically contact the antenna 16.
  • FIG. 9 a further embodiment of the antenna receiver module is shown.
  • the spool core 32 is formed as described above on one side as a screen 37.
  • An antenna 36 is wound on the spool core 32.
  • Metallization contacts 38 are used for electrical contacting of the antenna.
  • the spool core 32 surrounds the receiver 34 arranged there, at least in the region shown in the figure above and below.
  • the shield 37 or the coil core 32 is designed cup-shaped there, so that the receiver 34 surrounded by the coil core 32 and the shield 37 at least in a region of the shield periphery in the direction away from the antenna 36 direction.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Acoustics & Sound (AREA)
  • Neurosurgery (AREA)
  • Otolaryngology (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Signal Processing (AREA)
  • Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
  • Headphones And Earphones (AREA)
  • Shielding Devices Or Components To Electric Or Magnetic Fields (AREA)
  • Circuit For Audible Band Transducer (AREA)
  • Details Of Aerials (AREA)

Description

Die Erfindung betrifft eine Antenneneinrichtung für Hörinstrumente, insbesondere für im Gehörgang zu tragende Hörinstrumente.The invention relates to an antenna device for hearing instruments, in particular for hearing instruments to be worn in the auditory canal.

Hörinstrumente können beispielsweise als Hörgeräte ausgeführt sein. Ein Hörgerät dient der Versorgung einer hörgeschädigten Person mit akustischen Umgebungssignalen, die zur Kompensation bzw. Therapie der jeweiligen Hörschädigung verarbeitet und verstärkt sind. Es besteht prinzipiell aus einem oder mehreren Eingangswandlern, aus einer Signalverarbeitungseinrichtung, einer Verstärkungseinrichtung, und aus einem 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 in der Regel als elektroakustischer Wandler, z. B. Miniaturlautsprecher, oder als elektromechanischer Wandler, z. B. Knochenleitungshörer, realisiert. Er wird auch als Hörer oder Receiver bezeichnet. Der Ausgangswandler erzeugt Ausgangssignale, die zum Gehör des Patienten geleitet werden und beim Patienten eine Hörwahrnehmung erzeugen sollen. Der Verstärker ist in der Regel in die Signalverarbeitungseinrichtung integriert. Die Stromversorgung des Hörgeräts erfolgt durch eine ins Hörgerätegehäuse integrierte Batterie. Die wesentlichen Komponenten eines Hörgeräts sind in der Regel auf einer gedruckten Leiterplatine als Schaltungsträger angeordnet bzw. damit verbunden.Hearing instruments can be designed for example as hearing aids. A hearing aid is used to supply a hearing-impaired person with acoustic ambient signals that are processed and amplified for compensation or therapy of the respective hearing impairment. It consists in principle of one or more input transducers, of a signal processing device, of an amplification device, and of an output transducer. The input transducer is typically a sound receiver, e.g. a microphone, and / or an electromagnetic receiver, e.g. an induction coil. The output transducer is usually as an electroacoustic transducer, z. As miniature speaker, or as an electromechanical transducer, z. B. bone conduction, realized. He is also referred to as a handset or receiver. The output transducer generates output signals that are routed to the patient's ear and are intended to produce a hearing sensation in the patient. The amplifier is usually integrated in the signal processing device. The hearing aid is powered by a battery integrated into the hearing aid housing. The essential components of a hearing aid are usually arranged on a printed circuit board as a circuit carrier or connected thereto.

Hörinstrumente können außer als Hörgeräte auch als sogenannte Tinnitus-Masker ausgeführt sein. Tinnitus-Masker werden zur Therapie von Tinnitus-Patienten eingesetzt. Sie erzeugen von der jeweiligen Hörbeeinträchtigung und je nach Wirkprinzip auch von Umgebungsgeräuschen abhängige akustische Ausgangssignale, die zur Verringerung der Wahrnehmung störender Tinnitus- oder sonstiger Ohrgeräusche beitragen können.Hearing instruments can also be designed as hearing aids as so-called tinnitus maskers. Tinnitus maskers are used to treat tinnitus patients. They produce from the respective hearing impairment and depending on the principle of action also dependent on ambient noise acoustic output signals that can contribute to reducing the perception of annoying tinnitus or other ear noises.

Hörinstrumente können weiter auch als Telefone, Handys, Headsets, Kopfhörer, MP3-Player oder sonstige Telekommunikations- oder Unterhaltungselektronik-Systeme ausgeführt sein.Hearing instruments can also be designed as telephones, mobile phones, headsets, headphones, MP3 players or other telecommunications or consumer electronics systems.

Im Folgenden sollen unter dem Begriff Hörinstrument sowohl Hörgeräte, als auch Tinnitus-Masker, vergleichbare derartige Geräte, sowie Telekommunikations- und Unterhaltungselektronik-Systeme verstanden werden.Hereinafter, the term hearing instrument is understood to mean both hearing aids and tinnitus maskers, comparable such devices, as well as telecommunications and consumer electronics systems.

Hörinstrumente, insbesondere Hörgeräte, sind in verschiedenen grundlegenden Typen bekannt. Bei ITE-Hörgeräten (In-the-Ear, auch IDO bzw. In-dem-Ohr) wird ein Gehäuse, das sämtliche funktionalen Komponenten einschließlich Mikrophon und Receiver enthält, mindestens teilweise im Gehörgang getragen. CIC-Hörgeräte (Completely-in-Canal) sind den ITE-Hörgeräten ähnlich, werden jedoch vollständig im Gehörgang getragen. Bei BTE-Hörgeräten (Behind-the-Ear, auch Hinter-dem-Ohr bzw. IDO) wird ein Gehäuse mit Komponenten wie Batterie und Signalverarbeitungseinrichtung hinter dem Ohr getragen und ein flexibler Schallschlauch, auch als Tube bezeichnet, leitet die akustischen Ausgangssignale eines Receivers vom Gehäuse zum Gehörgang, wo häufig ein Ohrstück am Tube zur zuverlässigen Positionierung des Tube-Endes im Gehörgang vorgesehen ist. RIC-BTE-Hörgeräte (Receiver-in-Canal Behind-the-Ear) gleichen den BTE-Hörgeräten, jedoch wird der Receiver im Gehörgang getragen und statt eines Schallschlauchs leitet ein flexibler Hörerschlauch elektrische Signale anstelle akustischer Signale zum Receiver, welcher vorne am Hörerschlauch angebracht ist, meist in einem der zuverlässigen Positionierung im Gehörgang dienenden Ohrstück. RIC-BTE-Hörgeräte werden häufig als sogenannte Open-Fit Geräte eingesetzt, bei denen zur Reduzierung des störenden Okklusions-Effekts der Gehörgang für den Durchtritt von Schall und Luft offen bleibt.Hearing instruments, in particular hearing aids, are known in various basic types. In ITE hearing aids (in-the-ear, also IDO or in-the-ear), a housing containing all functional components including microphone and receiver is at least partially carried in the ear canal. Completely-in-Canal (CIC) hearing aids are similar to ITE hearing aids, but are worn fully in the ear canal. In BTE hearing aids (behind-the-ear, or behind-the-ear or IDO), a housing with components such as battery and signal processing device is worn behind the ear and a flexible sound tube, also referred to as a tube, directs the acoustic output signals of a receiver from the housing to the ear canal, where often an ear piece is provided on the tube for reliable positioning of the tube end in the ear canal. RIC-BTE hearing aids (receiver-in-canal behind-the-ear) are similar to BTE hearing aids, but the receiver is carried in the ear canal and instead of a sound tube, a flexible earpiece tube conducts electrical signals instead of acoustic signals to the receiver, which is at the front of the earpiece tube attached, usually in a reliable positioning in the ear canal serving ear piece. RIC-BTE hearing aids are often used as so-called open-fit devices, in which the auditory canal remains open for the passage of sound and air to reduce the disturbing occlusion effect.

Deep-Fit-Hörgeräte (Tief-Gehörgang-Hörgeräte) gleichen den CIC-Hörgeräten. Während CIC-Hörgeräte jedoch in der Regel in einem weiter außen (distal) liegenden Abschnitt des äußeren Gehörgangs getragen werden, werden Deep-Fit-Hörgeräte weiter zum Trommelfell hin (proximal) vorgeschoben und mindestens teilweise im innenliegenden Abschnitt des äußeren Gehörgangs getragen. Der außenliegende Abschnitt des Gehörgangs ist ein mit Haut ausgekleideter Kanal und verbindet die Ohrmuschel mit dem Trommelfell. Im außenliegenden Abschnitt des äußeren Gehörgangs, der sich direkt an die Ohrmuschel anschließt, ist dieser Kanal aus elastischem Knorpel gebildet. Im innenliegenden Abschnitt des äußeren Gehörgangs wird der Kanal vom Schläfenbein gebildet und besteht somit aus Knochen. Der Verlauf des Gehörgangs zwischen knorpeligem und knöchernem Abschnitt ist in der Regel in einem (zweiten) Knick abgewinkelt und schließt einen von Person zu Person unterschiedlichen Winkel ein. Insbesondere der knöcherne Abschnitt des Gehörgangs ist verhältnismäßig empfindlich gegen Druck und Berührungen. Deep-Fit-Hörgeräte werden zumindest teilweise im empfindlichen knöchernen Abschnitt des Gehörgangs getragen. Beim Vorschieben in den knöchernen Abschnitt des Gehörgangs müssen sie außerdem den erwähnten zweiten Knick passieren, was je nach Winkel schwierig sein kann. Zudem können kleine Durchmesser und gewundene Formen des Gehörgangs das Vorschieben weiter erschweren.Deep-fit hearing aids (deep-ear canal hearing aids) are similar to CIC hearing aids. However, while CIC hearing aids are usually located in a more distal (distal) section of the outer Ear canal are worn, deep-fit hearing aids are advanced further to the eardrum (proximal) and at least partially worn in the inner portion of the external auditory canal. The external portion of the ear canal is a skin-lined canal connecting the pinna to the eardrum. In the outer portion of the external auditory canal, which adjoins directly to the auricle, this channel is formed of elastic cartilage. In the inner portion of the external auditory canal, the canal is formed by the temporal bone and thus consists of bone. The course of the ear canal between cartilaginous and bony sections is usually angled in a (second) kink and includes a different angle from person to person. In particular, the bony portion of the ear canal is relatively sensitive to pressure and contact. Deep-fit hearing aids are at least partially worn in the delicate bony section of the ear canal. When advancing into the bony portion of the ear canal, they must also pass the mentioned second kink, which can be difficult depending on the angle. In addition, small diameter and tortuous shapes of the ear canal can further complicate advancement.

Neben den am oder im Ohr zu tragende Hörgerät-Typen mit akustischem Receiver sind auch Cochlea Implantate und Knochenleitungs-Hörgeräte (BAHA, Bone Anchored Hearing Aid) bekannt.In addition to the hearing aid types with acoustic receiver to be worn on or in the ear, cochlear implants and Bone Anchored Hearing Aids (BAHA) are also known.

Allen Hörgerät-Typen ist gemein, dass möglichst kleine Gehäuse bzw. Bauformen angestrebt werden, um den Tragekomfort zu erhöhen, gegebenenfalls die Implantierbarkeit zu verbessern und gegebenenfalls die Sichtbarkeit des Hörgeräts aus kosmetischen Gründen zu reduzieren. Das Bestreben einer möglichst kleinen Bauform gilt ebenso für die meisten anderen Hörinstrumente.All types of hearing aids have in common that the smallest possible housing or designs are sought in order to increase the comfort, optionally to improve the implantability and possibly to reduce the visibility of the hearing aid for cosmetic reasons. The aim of the smallest possible design also applies to most other hearing instruments.

Moderne Hörinstrumente tauschen Steuerdaten über ein für gewöhnlich induktives Funksystem aus. Die benötigten Übertragungs-Datenraten bei binaural gekoppelten Hörinstrumenten steigen stark an, wenn darüber hinaus auch akustische Information für audiologische Algorithmen (z.B. Beamforming, Sidelook etc.) übertragen werden soll. Eine höhere Datenrate erfordert eine größere Bandbreite. Einer der Haupteinflussgrößen hinsichtlich der Empfindlichkeit des Übertragungssystems gegenüber Störsignalen ist gerade die Bandbreite.Modern hearing instruments exchange control data via a usually inductive radio system. The required transmission data rates for binaurally coupled hearing instruments increase strongly, if in addition also acoustic information for audiological algorithms (eg Beamforming, Sidelook etc.) is to be transferred. A higher data rate requires a larger bandwidth. One of the main factors influencing the sensitivity of the transmission system to interfering signals is precisely the bandwidth.

Bei der hohen und individuellen Packungsdichte gerade in IDO-Hörinstrumenten sind Hörinstrument-interne Störsignalquellen das Hauptproblem. Bei einer Vergrößerung der Bandbreite verstärkt sich dieses noch. Bei typischen IDO-Hörinstrumenten ist die Antenne am oder teilweise im sogenannten Faceplate (der vom Trommelfell abgewandten Wandung des Hörinstruments, angeordnet. Die Antenne befindet sich dann typischerweise in unmittelbarer Nachbarschaft zum sogenannten Hybrid (hybrid integrierter Schaltungsträger) und zum Receiver. Das Hybrid und der Receiver emittieren magnetische und elektrische Felder, die die Übertragung extrem beeinflussen können.With the high and individual packing density, especially in IDO hearing instruments, hearing instrument-internal interference signal sources are the main problem. With an increase in the bandwidth, this still increases. In typical IDO hearing instruments, the antenna is arranged on or partially in the so-called faceplate (the wall of the hearing instrument facing away from the eardrum.) The antenna is then typically in the immediate vicinity of the so-called hybrid (hybrid integrated circuit carrier) and the receiver Receivers emit magnetic and electric fields that can greatly affect transmission.

Die Anordnung der Antenne relativ zu Receiver und Hybrid ist entscheidend für die Performanz des Übertragungssystems. Wegen der hohen Packungsdichte ist eine gegenseitige Schirmung der Komponenten notwendig. Das Hybrid wird zu diesem Zweck typischerweise mit einer Schirmbox umhüllt. Der Receiver bekommt eine Schirmfolie oder wird speziell so konzipiert, dass er magnetisch dicht ist..The arrangement of the antenna relative to receiver and hybrid is crucial to the performance of the transmission system. Due to the high packing density, a mutual shielding of the components is necessary. The hybrid is typically wrapped with a shield box for this purpose. The receiver gets a screen foil or is specially designed so that it is magnetically tight.

Aus der US 2009/0274328 A1 ist eine Vorrichtung sowie ein Verfahren zur Reduzierung von Interferenzen, die aufgrund von asymmetrischen magnetischen Feldverläufen innerhalb eines Hörgerätes auftreten zu entnehmen.From the US 2009/0274328 A1 is an apparatus and a method for reducing interference that occur due to asymmetric magnetic field characteristics occur within a hearing aid.

Die US 2005/0168396 A1 beschreibt ein Hörgerät, das eine Antenne zur drahtlosen Kommunikation aufweist.The US 2005/0168396 A1 describes a hearing aid having an antenna for wireless communication.

In der älteren, nicht vorveröffentlichten Patentanmeldung der Anmelderin DE 10 2013 204 681.2 (Anmeldetag 18.03.2013) wird vorgeschlagen, die Antenne statt am Faceplate in dem dem Trommelfell zugewandten Teil des Hörinstruments anzuordnen. Dadurch wird eine Positionierung erreicht, die die Beeinflussung des Übertragungssystems durch Hybrid und Receiver verringert.In the older, not previously published patent application of the Applicant DE 10 2013 204 681.2 (Filing date 18.03.2013) it is proposed that the antenna instead of the faceplate in the To arrange eardrum facing part of the hearing instrument. As a result, a positioning is achieved, which reduces the influence of the transmission system by hybrid and receiver.

Für die Übertragungsstrecke gilt etwas vereinfacht dargestellt, dass sich bei gleicher Antenne und gleichem Energiebedarf die überbrückbare Distanz verkürzt. Man könnte zwar die Antenne effizienter bauen, das ist typischerweise aber nur durch eine Vergrößerung des Antennenvolumens zu gewährleisten. Eine Möglichkeit der Verbesserung der Übertragungsstrecke besteht aber darin, die Antenne so zu designen, dass ein Volumen verwendet wird, das ansonsten ungenutzt brach liegen würde. Daraus ergibt sich eine Vergrößerung der Antenne und damit Erhöhung der Effizienz, ohne dass zusätzlich mehr Raum im Hörinstrument benötigt würde.For the transmission path is somewhat simplified, that shortens the bridged distance with the same antenna and the same energy consumption. Although it would be possible to build the antenna more efficiently, this is typically only possible by increasing the antenna volume. One way of improving the transmission link, however, is to design the antenna so that a volume is used that would otherwise be idle broke. This results in an enlargement of the antenna and thus an increase in efficiency without requiring additional space in the hearing instrument.

Die Aufgabe der Erfindung besteht darin, ein Hörinstrument, insbesondere IDO-Hörinstrument, anzugeben, das ein hinsichtlich Übertragungs-Bandbreite verbessertes Datenübertragungssystem mit nicht oder nur unwesentlich vergrößertem Platz- und Energie-Bedarf anzugeben.The object of the invention is to specify a hearing instrument, in particular an IDO hearing instrument, which specifies a transmission bandwidth-improved data transmission system with no or only insignificantly increased space and energy requirements.

Die Erfindung löst diese Aufgabe durch eine Antenneneinrichtung sowie durch ein Hörinstrument mit den unabhängigen Patentansprüchen.The invention solves this problem by an antenna device and by a hearing instrument with the independent claims.

Ein Grundgedanke der Erfindung besteht in einer Antenneneinrichtung für ein Hörinstrument, mit einer Antennenanordnung, die eine bevorzugte Sende- und Empfangs-Raumrichtung aufweist, und einer weiteren elektrischen Hörinstrument-Komponente, die elektromagnetische Störstrahlung überwiegend in einer Störstrahlungs-Raumrichtung emittiert. Die Antennenanordnung und die weitere Hörinstrument-Komponente sind so angeordnet sind, dass die Sende- und Empfangs-Raumrichtung und die Störstrahlungs-Raumrichtung solcherart quer zueinander orientiert sind, dass eine Einkopplung von Störstrahlung in die Antennenanordnung reduziert ist. Die Reduzierung der Stör-Einkopplungen in die Antennenanordnung ermöglicht eine höhere Sende- und Empfangs-Bandbreite bei gleichbleibendem Bauvolumen und Energiebedarf. Bei der weiteren Hörinstrument-Komponente kann es sich um einen Receiver oder um eine sonstige, insbesondere induktive oder elektromagnetische Strahlung emittierende Komponente, handeln.A basic idea of the invention consists in an antenna device for a hearing instrument, having an antenna arrangement which has a preferred transmission and reception spatial direction, and a further electrical hearing instrument component which emits electromagnetic interference radiation predominantly in an interference radiation spatial direction. The antenna arrangement and the further hearing instrument component are arranged such that the transmission and reception spatial direction and the interference radiation spatial direction are oriented transversely to one another in such a way that coupling of interference radiation into the antenna arrangement is reduced. The reduction of Interference couplings in the antenna arrangement allows a higher transmission and reception bandwidth with constant volume and energy requirements. The further hearing instrument component may be a receiver or another, in particular inductive or electromagnetic radiation emitting component.

Eine vorteilhafte Weiterbildung des Grundgedankens besteht darin, dass die Antennenanordnung eine Spulenantenne umfasst, dass die weitere Hörinstrument-Komponente eine Spulenanordnung umfasst, welche die Störstrahlung emittiert, und dass die Spulenantenne und die Spulenanordnung bezüglich ihrer jeweiligen Längsrichtung quer zueinander orientiert sind. Das magnetische Feld einer Spulenantenne weist eine ausgeprägte räumliche Orientierung auf, so dass durch die Ausrichtung quer zueinander eine ausgeprägte Reduktion der gegenseitigen Stör-Einkopplung erzielt wird.An advantageous development of the basic idea is that the antenna arrangement comprises a coil antenna, that the further hearing instrument component comprises a coil arrangement which emits the interference radiation, and that the coil antenna and the coil arrangement are oriented transversely to one another with respect to their respective longitudinal direction. The magnetic field of a coil antenna has a pronounced spatial orientation, so that a significant reduction of the mutual interference coupling is achieved by the orientation transversely to each other.

Die Antennenanordnung weist einen Spulenkern aus magnetisch permeablem Material auf, der an einem Ende zu einem zumindest teilweise flächigen Schirm ausgeformt ist, welcher quer zur Sende- und Empfangs-Raumrichtung der Antennenanordnung angeordnet ist. Der flächige Schirm bewirkt zum einen eine Abschirmung der elektromagnetischen Felder und reduziert bereits dadurch die gegenseitige Störeinkopplung. Die Permeabilität verstärkt die Abschirmungswirkung. Darüber hinaus bewirkt der Schirm aufgrund der Permeabilität des Materials im Endeffekt gleichsam eine Verlängerung der Antenne bzw. eine Erhöhung von deren Effizienz. Hierdurch stellt sich eine höhere Sendefeldstärke und eine höhere Empfangssensitivität ein.The antenna arrangement has a coil core of magnetically permeable material, which is formed at one end to form an at least partially planar screen, which is arranged transversely to the transmitting and receiving spatial direction of the antenna arrangement. On the one hand, the two-dimensional shield effects a shielding of the electromagnetic fields and thereby already reduces the mutual interference coupling. The permeability enhances the shielding effect. In addition, due to the permeability of the material, the screen effectively causes, as it were, an extension of the antenna or an increase in its efficiency. This results in a higher transmission field strength and a higher reception sensitivity.

Eine weitere vorteilhafte Weiterbildung besteht darin, dass die weitere Hörinstrument-Komponente an dem Schirm angeordnet ist. Die Anordnung der Hörinstrument-Komponente derart nah an der Antennenanordnung mit vertretbar geringer gegenseitiger Störeinkopplung wird insbesondere durch die gegenseitige Abschirmung ermöglicht. Dadurch ergibt sich eine platzsparende Anordnung, die sich zudem auch für die Vormontage der Antennenanordnung und der weiteren Hörinstrument-Komponente eignet.A further advantageous development is that the further hearing aid component is arranged on the screen. The arrangement of the hearing instrument component so close to the antenna arrangement with a reasonably low mutual interference coupling is made possible in particular by the mutual shielding. This results in a space-saving Arrangement, which is also suitable for the pre-assembly of the antenna assembly and the other hearing aid component.

Eine weitere vorteilhafte Weiterbildung besteht darin, dass die weitere Hörinstrument-Komponente an dem Schirm befestigt ist. Die Befestigung der Hörinstrument-Komponente an dem Schirm bildet gemeinsam mit der Antennenanordnung ein vormontiertes Modul. Dadurch wird die weitere Montage bzw. Fertigung des Hörinstruments vereinfacht.A further advantageous development is that the further hearing aid component is attached to the screen. The attachment of the hearing instrument component to the screen together with the antenna assembly forms a preassembled module. This simplifies the further assembly or production of the hearing instrument.

Eine weitere vorteilhafte Weiterbildung besteht darin, dass der Schirm mindestens in einem Bereich seines Umfangs die weitere Hörinstrument-Komponente in der von dem Antennenkern abgewandten Richtung umgibt. Dadurch wird die Wirksamkeit der Abschirmung weiter erhöht und die Störeinkopplung insbesondere der weiteren Komponente in die Antennenanordnung weiter verringert.A further advantageous development consists in that the screen surrounds the further hearing instrument component in the direction away from the antenna core at least in a region of its circumference. As a result, the effectiveness of the shield is further increased and the interference coupling in particular of the further component in the antenna arrangement is further reduced.

Eine weitere vorteilhafte Weiterbildung besteht darin, dass der Spulenkern und/oder der Schirm Metallisierungskontakte zur elektrischen Kontaktierung der Spulenantenne aufweist. Damit entfällt zusätzlicher Montageaufwand und zusätzlicher Platzbedarf für die Kontaktierung der Spulenantenne, wie er beispielsweise beim Anbringen zusätzlicher Litz-Drähte oder flexibler gedruckter Schaltungsbahnen (flexible PCB) zur Kontaktierung anfallen würde. Die Innenseiten des Flansches sind dabei die idealsten Flächen, um eine Metallisierung aufzubringen. Dort ist die Feldstärke am geringsten, es entstehen weniger Wirbelstromverluste und es ergibt sich ein nur geringer Güteeinfluss der Antenne durch die Kontaktierung. Die Metallisierung am Flansch vereinfacht zudem auch die automatisierte Fertigung der Antenne, was wiederum eine Vormontage ermöglicht oder begünstigt.A further advantageous development consists in that the coil core and / or the screen has metallization contacts for making electrical contact with the coil antenna. This eliminates additional installation work and additional space for contacting the coil antenna, as would occur, for example, when attaching additional Litz wires or flexible printed circuit boards (flexible PCB) for contacting. The inner sides of the flange are the most ideal surfaces to apply a metallization. There, the field strength is the lowest, there are less eddy current losses and there is only a low quality influence of the antenna by the contact. The metallization on the flange also simplifies the automated production of the antenna, which in turn allows a pre-assembly or favors.

Die weitere Hörinstrument-Komponente ist ein Receiver und der Spulenkern und der Schirm weisen einen durch die Spulenantenne hindurchgehenden Schallkanal auf. Bei einem IDO-Hörinstrument können so beide Komponenten platzsparend möglichst tief im Gehörgang platziert werden. So wird eine akustisch vorteilhafte Platzierung des Receivers möglichst nahe zum Trommelfell erreicht, während die Spulenantenne nahe zum IDO-Hörinstrument des jeweils anderen (rechten oder linken) Ohres des Benutzers erreicht wird, was die Qualität der gegenseitigen Datenübertragung positiv beeinflusst. Der Schallkanal hat den zusätzlichen Vorteil, dass die Feldlinien der Spulenantenne dadurch zusätzlich in Sende- und Empfangsrichtung verdichtet und damit die Antennengüte weiter verbessert wird.The further hearing aid component is a receiver and the coil core and the shield have a sound channel passing through the coil antenna. For an IDO hearing instrument Both components can be placed as low as possible in the ear canal to save space. Thus, an acoustically advantageous placement of the receiver is achieved as close to the eardrum, while the coil antenna is reached close to the IDO hearing instrument of the other (right or left) ear of the user, which positively affects the quality of mutual data transmission. The sound channel has the additional advantage that the field lines of the coil antenna thereby additionally compressed in the transmitting and receiving direction and thus the antenna quality is further improved.

Der Receiver ist ein elektrodynamischer Wandler und damit beinhaltet der Receiver einen magnetischen Kreis der eine Anregungswicklung hat. Im Betrieb wird der Receiver typischerweise mit einem pulsdichtemoduliertem Signal gespeist, das Spektralanteile in dem Frequenzband des Datenübertragungssystems besitzt. Diese Ansteuerung ist sehr energieeffizient und wird daher bei Hörinstrumenten eingesetzt. Die Spektralanteile lassen sich ohne eine starke Erhöhung des Energiebedarfs des Hörinstruments nicht vermeiden. Der Receiver ist der größte Verbraucher im Hörinstrument. Im Gegensatz dazu ist der Energiebedarf des Datenübertragungssytems sehr klein und entsprechend ist dessen Empfangsempfindlichkeit gegenüber magnetischen Störern recht groß.The receiver is an electrodynamic transducer and thus the receiver contains a magnetic circuit which has an excitation winding. In operation, the receiver is typically fed with a pulse density modulated signal having spectral components in the frequency band of the data transmission system. This control is very energy efficient and is therefore used in hearing instruments. The spectral components can not be avoided without a strong increase in the energy requirement of the hearing instrument. The receiver is the largest consumer in the hearing instrument. In contrast, the energy requirements of the Datenübertragungssytems is very small and, accordingly, its receiving sensitivity to magnetic interferers is quite large.

Durch Anordnung des Receivers quer zur Antenne ist der magnetische Kreis und damit auch die Receiverwicklung 90° zur Antenne ausgerichtet. Damit wird die Einkopplung der Receiverwicklung auf die Antenne stark verringert. Die Antenne kann dadurch wesentlich näher an den Receiver platziert werden.By arranging the receiver transversely to the antenna, the magnetic circuit and thus also the receiver winding are aligned 90 ° to the antenna. This greatly reduces the coupling of the receiver winding to the antenna. The antenna can thus be placed much closer to the receiver.

Die Kombination des quer liegenden Receivers mit der Antenne ist für die sich verjüngende Schalenkontur an der Spitze des IDO-Hörinstruments optimiert und damit wird die Einbaulänge minimiert. Durch die Platzierung an der Spitze des IDO-Hörinstruments wird die Anpassrate erhöht und das Hörinstrument verkleinert. Zusätzlich werden mehr Freiheitsgrade bei der Positionierung des Faceplates ermöglicht, da die Antenne nicht mehr am oder nahe beim Faceplate entfällt. Weiter entfällt der Aufwand zum Platzieren der Antenne am oder nahe beim Faceplate, da die Spitze des IDO-Hörinstruments eine vor vorneherein vorgegebener Position darstellt. Dabei entfällt auch die Berücksichtigung physikalischer Restriktionen, z.B. von Magnetfeldstörungen, die bei Platzierung im Bereich des Faceplates erforderlich ist.The combination of the transversal receiver and the antenna is optimized for the tapered shell contour at the tip of the IDO hearing instrument, minimizing the installation length. The placement at the tip of the IDO hearing instrument increases the fitting rate and reduces the size of the hearing instrument. In addition, more freedom of positioning of the faceplate is possible because the antenna is no longer on or near the faceplate. Furthermore, eliminating the effort to place the antenna on or near the faceplate, since the tip of the IDO hearing instrument represents a pre-given position. This also eliminates the consideration of physical restrictions, eg of magnetic field disturbances that is required when placed in the area of the faceplate.

Da die Receiverwicklung nicht mittig zum Receiver angeordnet ist, was baulich gewöhnlich nicht machbar ist, und da das Gehäuse die Feldlinien leicht deformiert, ist bei sehr kleiner Nähe zur Antenne immer noch eine Störeinkopplung gegeben. Die Störeinkopplung auf die Antenne kann reduziert werden, indem ein Antennenkern eingesetzt wird, der zusätzlich mit einer Abschirmung zwischen Receiver und Antenne versehen ist. Der so zu einem Flansch erweiterte Antennenkern ist komplett aus Ferritmaterial oder anderem permeablen Material gefertigt. Der Flansch bedeckt vorzugsweise (bestes Platz/Performance-Verhältnis) die ganze Fläche des Receivers. Durch den erweiterten Antennenkern werden die Feldlinien der Anregungswicklung des Receivers konzentriert zurückgeführt, so dass lediglich eine sehr geringe Anzahl von Feldlinien durch die Antennenwicklungen gelangen. Es wird verhindert, dass Strom in die Antennenwicklung induziert wird und damit werden Störeinkopplungen vom Receiver stark reduziert. Die Abschirmung durch den als Flansch ausgeführten Antennenkern macht zusätzliche Maßnahmen, beispielsweise Schirmfolie, und deren Einbau unnötig.Since the receiver winding is not centrally located to the receiver, which is structurally usually not feasible, and since the housing easily deforms the field lines, is still very close to the antenna is still a sturgeon coupling. The interference can be reduced to the antenna by using an antenna core, which is additionally provided with a shield between the receiver and antenna. The antenna core thus extended to a flange is made entirely of ferrite material or other permeable material. The flange preferably covers (best space / performance ratio) the whole area of the receiver. Due to the extended antenna core, the field lines of the excitation winding of the receiver are returned concentrated so that only a very small number of field lines pass through the antenna windings. It is prevented that current is induced in the antenna winding and thus interference from the receiver are greatly reduced. The shielding by the antenna core designed as a flange makes additional measures, such as screen foil, and their installation unnecessary.

Der Flansch dient nicht nur der Abschirmung, sondern erhöht zusätzlich auch die Sensitivität der Antenne. Man könnte daher stattdessen auch bei gleichbleibender Sensitivität die Antennen Länge verkürzen.The flange not only serves as shielding, but also increases the sensitivity of the antenna. One could therefore instead shorten the antenna length even with constant sensitivity.

Ein weiterer Vorteil des Flansches ist, dass die Antennengüte erhöht werden kann. Bei gleicher Induktivität kann dadurch die erforderliche Wicklungsanzahl reduziert werden, so dass wiederum der Durchmesser der einzelnen Windung, typischerweise Kupferlackdraht, erhöht werden kann.Another advantage of the flange is that the antenna quality can be increased. With the same inductance thereby the required number of turns can be reduced, so that in turn the diameter of the single turn, typically enameled copper wire, can be increased.

Zur Erhöhung des Stör-Entkopplung kann sich der Flansch auch noch um die Kanten des Receivers herum erstrecken. Hierfür sind alle vier Kanten des Receivers sowie deren Permutationen denkbar und bringen eine mehr oder weniger große Verstärkung des Entkopplungs-Effektes.To increase the noise decoupling, the flange may also extend around the edges of the receiver. For this are all four edges of the receiver and their permutations conceivable and bring a more or less large amplification of the decoupling effect.

Die Feldlinien-Konzentration und damit die Feldstärke verringert sich durch den Flansch am Austritt zum Receiver. Die geringe Feldstärke verursacht in der Metallfläche des Receivers weniger Wirbelströme, dadurch erhöht sich die Güte der Antenne. daher kann bei gleichbleibender Güte die Distanz zwischen der Antenne und dem Receiver verkürzt werden. Dieser Effekt verstärkt sich noch durch das Loch in der Antenne, da die Feldlinien sich an dem Rand im Flanschbereich konzentrieren.The field line concentration and thus the field strength is reduced by the flange at the outlet to the receiver. The low field strength causes in the metal surface of the receiver less eddy currents, thereby increasing the quality of the antenna. therefore, with the same quality, the distance between the antenna and the receiver can be shortened. This effect is further enhanced by the hole in the antenna as the field lines concentrate at the edge in the flange area.

Eine weitere vorteilhafte Weiterbildung besteht darin, dass die Innenwand des Schallkanals und/oder die dem Spulenkern abgewandte Seite des Schirms mit schalldämmendem Material bedeckt ist. Die Schalldämmung bewirkt eine für den Einsatz des Receivers vorteilhafte Vibrationsentkopplung. Indem die Schalldämmung in das Modul aus Spulenkern, Spulenantenne und Receiver integriert ist, wird eine weitergehende Vormontage und damit eine weitergehende Vereinfachung der weiteren Montage und Fertigung des Hörinstruments erreicht.A further advantageous development is that the inner wall of the sound channel and / or the side facing away from the coil core of the screen is covered with sound-absorbing material. The sound insulation causes a favorable for the use of the receiver vibration decoupling. By the sound insulation is integrated into the module of coil core, coil antenna and receiver, a further pre-assembly and thus a further simplification of the further assembly and production of the hearing instrument is achieved.

Wie vorangehend erläutert besteht ein Grundgedanke der Erfindung darin, die Antenne so designen, dass sie näher an einer weiteren Hörinstrument-Komponente platziert werden kann, ohne deshalb an Performanz zu verlieren. Zu diesem Zweck wird eine Antennen-Einrichtung angegeben, die verschiedene Funktionen, beispielsweise Schirmung, Kontaktierung, etc... auf kleinem Raum integriert. Die Anordnung ermöglicht es insbesondere, ohne zusätzlichen Platzbedarf und ohne zusätzliche Komponenten auszukommen.As explained above, a basic idea of the invention is to design the antenna so that it can be placed closer to another hearing instrument component without losing performance. For this purpose, an antenna device is specified, which integrates various functions, such as shielding, contacting, etc ... in a small space. The arrangement makes it possible in particular to manage without additional space and without additional components.

Darüber hinaus kann die Antenne zusätzlich sehr nahe an die Hörinstrument-Komponente platziert und als ein integriertes Modul kombiniert werden. Dadurch wird der Einbau vereinfacht. Die Anordnung des Receivers zur Antenne ist fest vorgegeben und es liegt lediglich eine statt zwei Komponenten vor. Es sind keine gesonderten Arbeitsschritte für den Einbau der Antenne erforderlich. Es sind auch keine zusätzlichen Komponenten für eine separate Montage notwendig. Stattdessen handelt es sich bei dem Antennen-Modul um ein Teil, das vor der Fertigung schon automatisiert vormontiert werden kann.In addition, the antenna can additionally be placed very close to the hearing instrument component and combined as an integrated module. This simplifies installation. The arrangement of the receiver to the antenna is fixed and there is only one instead of two components. There are no separate steps for the installation of the antenna required. There are also no additional components for a separate installation necessary. Instead, the antenna module is a part that can be pre-assembled automatically before production.

Weitere vorteilhafte Ausgestaltungen ergeben sich aus den abhängigen Patentansprüchen sowie aus der nachfolgenden Beschreibung von Ausführungsbeispielen anhand von Figuren. Die Figuren zeigen:

Fig 1
IDO-Hörinstrument Stand der Technik
Fig 2
IDO-Hörinstrument mit Antenneneinrichtung
Fig 3
Antenneneinrichtung schematisch
Fig 4
Antennen-Receiver-Modul
Fig 5
Feldlinienverteilung Spulenantenne mit Abschirmung
Fig 6
Feldlinienverlauf Receiver
Fig 7
Feldlinienverlauf Receiver mit Abschirmung
Fig 8
Tube
Fig 9
Antennein-Receiver-Modul
Further advantageous embodiments will be apparent from the dependent claims and from the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to figures. The figures show:
Fig. 1
IDO hearing instrument prior art
Fig. 2
IDO hearing instrument with antenna device
Fig. 3
Antenna device schematically
Fig. 4
Antenna Receiver Module
Fig. 5
Field line distribution Coil antenna with shielding
Fig. 6
Field line receiver
Fig. 7
Feldlinienverlauf Receiver with shielding
Fig. 8
tube
FIG. 9
Antenna Receiver Module

In Fig 1 ist ein IDO-Hörinstrument nach dem Stand der Technik schematisch dargstellt. Das IDO-Hörinstrument 3 ist in den äußeren Gehörgang des Hörinstrument-Trägers eingesetzt. Es befindet sich zum Teil im außen liegenden knorpeligen Teil 1 des Gehörgangs, und ist teilweise bis in den knöchernen Teil 2des Gehörgangs vorgeschoben. Es handelt sich mithin um ein Deep-Fit-Hörinstrument.In Fig. 1 An IDO hearing instrument of the prior art is schematically illustrated. The IDO hearing instrument 3 is inserted into the external auditory canal of the hearing instrument wearer. It is located partly in the outer cartilaginous part 1 of the ear canal, and is partially advanced to the bony part 2 of the ear canal. It is therefore a deep-fit hearing instrument.

In dem Hörinstrument 3 ist ein Receiver 4 an dem zum Trommelfell hin orientierten Ende platziert. Dieser gibt über einen Schallkanal 7 akustische Signale zum Trommelfell hin ab. Auf dem am gegenüberliegenden Ende angeordneten Faceplate ist ein hybrider Schaltungsträger 8 angeordnet, der eine nicht dargestellte Signalverarbeitungseinrichtung sowie einen Verstärker zur Erzeugung von Steuersignalen für den Receiver 4 umfasst. Eine Antenne 6 ist ebenfalls am Faceplace 5 angeordnet und so ausgerichtet, dass sie in Richtung des gegenüberliegenden, nicht dargstellten Ohrs des Hörinstrument-Trägers orientiert ist. Die Antenne 6 dient der Datenübertragung zwischen den beiden binauralen Hörinstrumenten des Hörinstrument-Trägers, wobei nur eines der beiden Hörinstrumente dargestellt ist.In the hearing instrument 3, a receiver 4 is placed at the end facing the eardrum. This emits acoustic signals to the eardrum via a sound channel 7. Arranged on the faceplate arranged at the opposite end is a hybrid circuit carrier 8 which comprises a signal processing device, not shown, as well as an amplifier for generating control signals for the receiver 4. An antenna 6 is also disposed on the faceplate 5 and oriented so that it is oriented in the direction of the opposite, not dargstellten ear of the hearing instrument wearer is. The antenna 6 is used for data transmission between the two binaural hearing instruments of the hearing instrument wearer, wherein only one of the two hearing instruments is shown.

Es ist ersichtlich, dass die Antenne verhältnismäßig nah an den weiteren elektronischen Komponenten des Hörinstruments 3 angeordnet ist, so dass elektromagnetische Störsignale von diesen in die Antenne 6 einkoppeln können. Derartige Störsignale werden insbesondere durch den Receiver 4 emittiert, der eine induktive Receiver-Spule aufweist, die der Wandlung von elektrischen in akustische Signale dient.It can be seen that the antenna is arranged relatively close to the other electronic components of the hearing instrument 3, so that electromagnetic interference signals from these can couple into the antenna 6. Such interference signals are emitted in particular by the receiver 4, which has an inductive receiver coil which serves to convert electrical signals into acoustic signals.

Zudem müssen die Signale, die die Antenne 6 sendet oder empfängt, auf dem Weg zum gegenüberliegenden Ohr beziehungsweise Hörinstrument des Hörinstrument-Trägers den Receiver 4 passieren, was die Datenübertragungsstrecke zusätzlich negativ beeinflusst. Die genannten Störfaktoren reduzieren die Leistungsfähigkeit des Datenübertragungssystems empfindlich, so dass eine hohe Bandbreite bei gleichzeitig geringem Energiebedarf nur eingeschränkt erreichbar ist.In addition, the signals that the antenna 6 transmits or receives on the way to the opposite ear or hearing instrument of the hearing instrument wearer to pass the receiver 4, which additionally adversely affects the data transmission path. The interference mentioned reduce the performance of the data transmission system sensitive, so that a high bandwidth with low energy consumption is limited achievable.

In Fig 2 ist ein IDO-Hörinstrument mit Antenneneinrichtung schematisch dargestellt. Das Gehäuse 19 des IDO-Hörinstruments 13 verjüngt sich an der zum Trommelfell hinzu tragenden Seite. Ein Schallkanal 17 an dieser Seite dient der Abgabe akustischer Signale hin zum Trommelfell des Trägers.In Fig. 2 an IDO hearing instrument with antenna device is shown schematically. The housing 19 of the IDO hearing instrument 13 tapers on the side of the eardrum to support. A sound channel 17 on this side serves to deliver acoustic signals to the eardrum of the wearer.

An der gegenüberliegenden Seite ist das Hörinstrument 13 durch ein Faceplate 15 verschlossen, an dem neben einer nicht dargestellten Batterie und ebenfalls nicht dargestellten Mikrophonen ein hybrider Schaltungsträger 18 (strichliert dargestellt) im Inneren des Hörinstruments 13 beziehungsweise von dessen Gehäuse 19 angeordnet ist. Der hybride Schaltungsträger 18 umfasst eine Signalverarbeitungseinrichtung sowie eine Verstärkungseinrichtung, die Steuersignale an den ebenfalls im Inneren des Gehäuses 19 angeordneten Receiver 14 abgeben. Der Receiver 14 erzeugt akustische Ausgangssignale, die über den Schallkanal 17 abgegeben werden.On the opposite side of the hearing instrument 13 is closed by a faceplate 15, in addition to a battery, not shown, and microphones, not shown, a hybrid circuit substrate 18 (dashed lines) inside the hearing instrument 13 and its housing 19 is arranged. The hybrid circuit carrier 18 comprises a signal processing device and an amplifying device which deliver control signals to the receiver 14, which is likewise arranged in the interior of the housing 19. The receiver 14 generates acoustic output signals that are output via the sound channel 17.

Der Receiver 14 ist quer zur Längsachse des Hörinstruments 13 orientiert. Zwischen Receiver 14 und dem zum Trommelfell hin orientierten, verjüngten Ende des Hörinstruments 13 befindet sich die Antenne 16 zur Datenübertragung zwischen den beiden binauralen Hörinstrumenten des Hörinstrument-Trägers. Die Antenne 16 ist in Längsrichtung des Hörinstruments 13 orientiert und somit quer zum Receiver 14 ausgerichtet.The receiver 14 is oriented transversely to the longitudinal axis of the hearing instrument 13. Between receiver 14 and the eardrum-oriented, tapered end of the hearing instrument 13 is the antenna 16 for data transmission between the two binaural hearing instruments of the hearing instrument wearer. The antenna 16 is oriented in the longitudinal direction of the hearing instrument 13 and thus aligned transversely to the receiver 14.

Die Querausrichtung des Receivers 14 bewirkt eine platzsparende Anordnung von Receivers 14 und Antenne 16, deren Gesamtlänge durch die Quer-Anordnung des Receivers 14 reduziert ist. Zudem ergibt die Quer-Anordnung des Receivers 14 eine bessere Raumausnutzung in dem sich verjüngenden Teil des Gehäuses 19. Der in der verjüngten Spitze des Gehäuses 19 verfügbare Raum wird so besser ausgenutzt, als dies bei einem längs angeordneten Receiver der Fall wäre.The transverse orientation of the receiver 14 causes a space-saving arrangement of receivers 14 and antenna 16, whose overall length is reduced by the transverse arrangement of the receiver 14. In addition, the transverse arrangement of the receiver 14 results in a better utilization of space in the tapered part of the housing 19. The space available in the tapered tip of the housing 19 is thus better utilized than would be the case with a longitudinally arranged receiver.

In Fig 3 ist die Antenneneinrichtung nochmals schematisch dargestellt. Der Schallkanal 17 befindet sich innerhalb der Antenne 16, und verläuft durch diese hindurch zum Receiver 14. Der Receiver 14 ist wie vorangehend erläutert quer zur Antenne 16 und zur Längsrichtung des IDO-Hörinstruments 13 orientiert. Zur Erläuterung ist ein längs angeordneter Receiver 20 strichliert dargestellt. Die strichlierte Anordnung des Receivers 20 verdeutlicht, dass sich die Gesamtlänge bei Längsanordnung des Receivers 20 erhöht, und dass sich gleichzeitig keine verjüngende Kontur der Anordnung ergibt. Wie vorangehend erläutert wird so illustriert, dass sich mit Längsanordnung des Receivers 20 der Raum in der verjüngten Spitze des Hörinstruments 13 nicht ebenso gut ausnutzen lässt.In Fig. 3 the antenna device is again shown schematically. The sound channel 17 is located within the antenna 16, and passes therethrough to the receiver 14. The receiver 14 is oriented as described above transversely to the antenna 16 and to the longitudinal direction of the IDO hearing instrument 13. For explanation, a longitudinally arranged receiver 20 is shown by dashed lines. The dashed arrangement of the receiver 20 illustrates that the overall length increases with longitudinal arrangement of the receiver 20, and that at the same time results in no tapered contour of the arrangement. As explained above, it is illustrated that with longitudinal arrangement of the receiver 20, the space in the tapered tip of the hearing instrument 13 can not be exploited equally well.

In Fig 4 ist ein Antennen-Receiver-Modul perspektivisch dargestellt. Der Receiver 14 ist, wie vorangehend erläutert, quer zur Antenne 16 orientiert. Die Antenne 16 ist auf einem Spulenkern 22 angeordnet der aus permeablen Material besteht. Der permeable Spulenkern 22 dient so in üblicher Weise der Optimierung der Antennencharakteristik.In Fig. 4 An antenna receiver module is shown in perspective. The receiver 14 is, as explained above, oriented transversely to the antenna 16. The antenna 16 is disposed on a spool core 22 made of permeable material. The permeable coil core 22 serves as usual in the optimization of the antenna characteristic.

Das zum Receiver 14 hin gelegene Ende des Spulenkerns 22 ist zu einem Schild 26 ausgeformt. Der Schild 26 ist überwiegende flächig geformt und quer zur Ausrichtung der Antenne 16 orientiert, also parallel zur Ausrichtung des Receivers 14. Die Fläche des Schilds 26 ist so bemessen, dass der Receiver 14 vollständig oder nahezu vollständig durch den Schild 26 von der Antenne abgeschirmt wird beziehungsweise umgekehrt die Antenne 16 vom Receiver 14 abgeschirmt wird.The receiver 14 towards the end of the coil core 22 is formed into a shield 26. The shield 26 is predominantly flat and oriented transversely to the orientation of the antenna 16, ie parallel to the orientation of the receiver 14. The surface of the shield 26 is dimensioned so that the receiver 14 is completely or almost completely shielded by the shield 26 of the antenna or conversely, the antenna 16 is shielded from the receiver 14.

Der Schallkanal 17 verläuft durch den Spulenkern 22 und durch den Schild 26 hindurch zum Receiver 14. Der Spulenkern 22 ist innenseitig von einem als Tube 21 ausgeformten, schalldämmenden beziehungsweise vibrationsdämmendem Material bedeckt. Das Tube 21 umgibt den Schallkanal 17 vom antennenseitigen Ausgang bis hin zum Receiver 14 und ist dort parallel zum Schild 26 flächig ausgeformt. Der Receiver 14 ist auf dem flächig ausgeformten Teil des Tubes 21 angebracht und somit ebenfalls vibrationsisoliert. Runde Fortsätze des schall- bzw. vibrationsdämpfenden Materials dienen der zusätzlich in die Einrichtung integrierten vibrationsentkoppelten Aufhängung der Einrichtung im Gehäuse des Hörinstruments.The sound channel 17 extends through the coil core 22 and through the shield 26 to the receiver 14. The coil core 22 is covered on the inside by a tube 21 formed as a sound-insulating or vibration-damping material. The tube 21 surrounds the sound channel 17 from the antenna-side output to the receiver 14 and is there formed parallel to the plate 26 flat. The receiver 14 is mounted on the surface-shaped part of the tube 21 and thus also vibration isolated. Round extensions of the sound or vibration damping material are used in addition to the device integrated vibration-decoupled suspension of the device in the housing of the hearing instrument.

Der Spulenkern 22 bildet gemeinsam mit dem Tube 21, der Antenne 16 sowie dem Receiver 14 ein Antennen-Receiver-Modul. Das Modul kann vorinstalliert beziehungsweise vormontiert in das Hörinstrument eingesetzt werden. Die Vormontage des Antennen-Receiver-Moduls auf dem durch den Spulenkern 22 beziehungsweise das Tube 21 gebildeten Flansch verringert den Montageaufwand bei der Fertigung des Hörinstruments und vereinfacht somit dem Herstellungsprozess.The coil core 22, together with the tube 21, the antenna 16 and the receiver 14, an antenna receiver module. The module can be pre-installed or pre-assembled in the hearing instrument. The pre-assembly of the antenna receiver module on the flange formed by the coil core 22 and the tube 21 reduces the assembly effort in the manufacture of the hearing instrument and thus simplifies the manufacturing process.

Eine weitere Vereinfachung wird dadurch erreicht, dass der Spulenkern 22 mit Metallisierungskontakten 38 ausgestattet ist, die der Kontaktierung der Antenne 16 dienen. Nicht dargestellte Leiterbahnen verbinden die Metallisierungskontakte 38 mit den Anschlüssen der Antenne 16. Zu diesem Zweck können weitere, nicht dargestellte Metallisierungskontakte vorgesehen sein, mit denen die Wicklung beziehungsweise Wicklungen der Antenne 16 kontaktiert werden.A further simplification is achieved in that the coil core 22 is equipped with metallization contacts 38, which serve to contact the antenna 16. Not shown interconnects connect the metallization 38 with the terminals of the antenna 16. For this purpose, further, not shown metallization provided be, with which the winding or windings of the antenna 16 are contacted.

In Fig 5 ist die Feldlinienverteilung der Spulenantenne mit Abschirmung schematisch dargestellt. Der permeable Spulenkern 22 samt Schild 26 bewirkt, wie aus der dargestellten Simulation deutlich wird, zum einen eine Abschirmung des von der Antenne 16 abgewandten Bereichs hinter dem Schild 26. Ein in diesem Bereich angeordneter Receiver wird demnach durch den Schild 26 vor Störsignalen von der Antenne geschützt.In Fig. 5 the field line distribution of the coil antenna with shield is shown schematically. As can be seen from the simulation shown, the permeable coil core 22 together with the shield 26, on the one hand, shields the region remote from the antenna 16 behind the shield 26. A receiver arranged in this region is accordingly shielded by the shield 26 from interference signals from the antenna protected.

Darüber hinaus ist erkennbar, dass die Feldliniendichte in axialer Richtung auf der dem Schild 26 gegenüberliegenden Seite der Antenne, mithin in Sende- und Empfangsrichtung der Antenne, erhöht ist. Der Spulenkern 22 mit angeformtem Schild 26 bewirkt demnach eine für das Senden und Empfangen von Daten in axialer Richtung optimierte Feldcharakteristik. Dieser Effekt würde zusätzlich erhöht, wenn, was in der dargestellten Simulation nicht der Fall ist, der Spulenkern 22 eine durchgehende Öffnung, zum Beispiel den vorangehend erläuterten Schallkanal, aufweist.In addition, it can be seen that the field line density is increased in the axial direction on the opposite side of the shield 26 of the antenna, and thus in the transmitting and receiving direction of the antenna. The coil core 22 with integrally formed shield 26 accordingly effects a field characteristic optimized for the transmission and reception of data in the axial direction. This effect would be additionally increased if, which is not the case in the illustrated simulation, the spool core 22 has a through opening, for example the sound channel explained above.

In Fig 6 ist der Feldlinienverlauf eines mit Receiverspule arbeitenden Receivers schematisch dargestellt. In dem Receiver 14 ist die Receiverspule 23 axial, das heißt, in Längsrichtung orientiert angeordnet. Es ist erkennbar, dass die Receiverspule 23 in axialer Richtung ein stark verdichtetes (magnetisches) Feld erzeugt, während sie in radialer Richtung, in der Figur also nach rechts und links, ein verhältnismäßig schwaches (magnetisches) Feld erzeugt.In Fig. 6 the field line profile of a receiver coil working receiver is shown schematically. In the receiver 14, the receiver coil 23 is arranged axially, that is, oriented in the longitudinal direction. It can be seen that the receiver coil 23 generates a strongly compressed (magnetic) field in the axial direction, while it generates a relatively weak (magnetic) field in the radial direction, that is, in the figure to the right and left.

Daraus wird erkennbar, dass elektromagnetische Signale, die der Receiver 14 emittiert, in dessen Längsrichtung stärker ausgeprägt sind als in dessen Querrichtung. Mithin bewirkt die vorangehend erläuterte Anordnung, bei der die für elektromagnetische Störsignale empfängliche Antenne nicht längs sondern quer zum Receiver angeordnet ist, bereits eine deutliche Entkopplung der elektromagnetischen Signale des Receivers 14 von besagter Antenne. Die Entkopplung wird weiterverbessert, indem die Antenne nicht nur seitlich vom Receiver 14 angeordnet ist, sondern auch quer zu diesem orientiert.It can be seen that electromagnetic signals emitted by the receiver 14 are more pronounced in its longitudinal direction than in its transverse direction. Consequently, the arrangement described above, in which the antenna susceptible to electromagnetic interference is not arranged longitudinally but transversely to the receiver, already effects a clear decoupling of the electromagnetic signals of the receiver 14 from said antenna. The decoupling is further improved by the antenna is not only arranged laterally from the receiver 14, but also oriented transversely to this.

In Fig 7 ist der Feldlinienverlauf des Receivers mit Abschirmung dargestellt. Der Receiver 14 ist in der Abbildung rechts am vorangehend erläuterten Schild 26 des permeablen Spulenkerns 22 angeordnet. Auf der anderen Seite des Schilds 26 trägt der Spulenkern 22 die Antenne 16. Vorangehend erläuterte Metallisierungskontakte 38 sind in den Spulenkern 22 integriert und dienen der elektrischen Kontaktierung der Antenne 16.In Fig. 7 the field line profile of the receiver is shown with shielding. The receiver 14 is arranged in the figure on the right of the above-described shield 26 of the permeable coil core 22. On the other side of the shield 26, the coil core 22 carries the antenna 16. Previously explained metallization contacts 38 are integrated in the coil core 22 and serve to electrically contact the antenna 16.

Der dargestellte Feldlinienverlauf verdeutlicht die Abschirmung der Antenne 16 vom Receiver 14 beziehungsweise von den Signalen der Receiverspule 23. Die in Richtung der Antenne 16 verlaufenden Feldlinien werden durch den Schild 26 deformiert und verlaufen durch diesen hindurch. Die Feldliniendichte im Schild 26 wird somit erhöht, während die Feldliniendichte jenseits des Schildes 26 dadurch gleichzeitig verringert wird. Mit anderen Worten reduziert sich die Stärke des von der Receiverspule 23 erzeugten (magnetischen)Feldes am Ort der Spule 16 erheblich. Damit sind Störankopplungen von Receiversignalen in die Antenne 16 erheblich reduziert.The illustrated field line course illustrates the shielding of the antenna 16 from the receiver 14 or from the signals of the receiver coil 23. The field lines running in the direction of the antenna 16 are deformed by the shield 26 and run through it. The field line density in the shield 26 is thus increased, while the field line density beyond the shield 26 is thereby simultaneously reduced. In other words, the strength of the (magnetic) field generated by the receiver coil 23 at the location of the coil 16 is reduced considerably. Thus, interference couplings of receiver signals in the antenna 16 are considerably reduced.

In Fig 8 ist das vorangehend erläuterte schalldämmende Tube separat dargestellt. Das Tube 21 wird in Längsrichtung vom Schallkanal durchlaufen. Ein Flanschabschnitt 24 ist dazu vorgesehen, den vorangehend erläuterten Spulenkern 22 aufzunehmen. Der Spulenkern 22 wird um den Flanschschnitt 24 herum, gegebenenfalls auch um den weiteren Längsverlauf des Tubes 21 herum angeordnet. Ein Schirmabschnitt 25 ist dazu vorgesehen, den als Schirm ausgeformten Abschnitt des Spulenkerns aufzunehmen. Der als Schirm ausgeformte Spulenkernabschnitt wird dabei auf der einen Seite des Schirmabschnitts 25 platziert, während auf der gegenüberliegenden Seite des Schirmabschnitts 25 ein Receiver angeordnet wird. Das dargestellte Tube 21 besteht komplett aus schalldämmendem Material, zum Beispiel in herkömmlicher Weise aus Viton.In Fig. 8 the above-described sound-insulating tube is shown separately. The tube 21 is traversed longitudinally from the sound channel. A flange portion 24 is provided to receive the previously explained spool core 22. The coil core 22 is arranged around the flange section 24, possibly also around the further longitudinal course of the tube 21 around. An umbrella section 25 is provided to receive the shield shaped portion of the spool core. The spool core section formed as a screen is placed on one side of the screen section 25, while a receiver is arranged on the opposite side of the screen section 25. The illustrated Tube 21 is completely made of sound-insulating material, for example in the usual way from Viton.

In Fig 9 ist eine weitere Ausgestaltung des Antennen-Receiver-Moduls dargestellt. Der Spulenkern 32 ist wie vorangehend erläutert an einer Seite als Schirm 37 ausgeformt. Eine Antenne 36 ist auf den Spulenkern 32 gewickelt. Metallisierungskontakte 38 dienen der elektrischen Kontaktierung der Antenne. Auf der von der Antenne 36 abgewandten Seite, umgibt der Spulenkern 32 den dort angeordneten Receiver 34 zumindest im in der Figur oben und unten dargestellten Bereich. Dazu ist das Schild 37 beziehungsweise der Spulenkern 32 dort becherförmig ausgestaltet, so dass der Receiver 34 vom Spulenkern 32 beziehungsweise vom Schild 37 zumindest in einem Bereich des Schildumfangs in die von der Antenne 36 abgewandten Richtung umgeben.In FIG. 9 a further embodiment of the antenna receiver module is shown. The spool core 32 is formed as described above on one side as a screen 37. An antenna 36 is wound on the spool core 32. Metallization contacts 38 are used for electrical contacting of the antenna. On the side remote from the antenna 36, the spool core 32 surrounds the receiver 34 arranged there, at least in the region shown in the figure above and below. For this purpose, the shield 37 or the coil core 32 is designed cup-shaped there, so that the receiver 34 surrounded by the coil core 32 and the shield 37 at least in a region of the shield periphery in the direction away from the antenna 36 direction.

Eine besonders gute Abschirmung ergibt sich dann, wenn der Schirm 37 den Receiver 34 an allen Seiten umgibt. Eine weitere Verbesserung der Abschirmung kann dadurch erreicht werden, dass der Schirm 37 den Receiver 34 vollständig und nicht bloß seitlich umschließt. Es ergibt sich dadurch eine weitere Verbesserung der Antenne, die entweder zur Erhöhung der Bandbreite genutzt werden kann, oder aber um eine Verkürzung der Antenne bei gleichbleibender Performance vorzunehmen.A particularly good shielding results when the screen 37 surrounds the receiver 34 on all sides. A further improvement of the shielding can be achieved in that the screen 37 encloses the receiver 34 completely and not only laterally. This results in a further improvement of the antenna, which can either be used to increase the bandwidth, or to make a shortening of the antenna while maintaining performance.

Den Spulenkern 32 durchläuft ein Schallkanal, der das durchgehende Tube 31 mit schalldämmendem Material bedeckt ist. Das Tube 31 ist im Bereich des Schilds 37 ebenfalls flächig beziehungsweise becherförmig ausgestaltet und nimmt den Receiver 34 vibrationsdämpfend auf. Der Receiver 34 ist an dem Tube 31 beziehungsweise Spulenkern 32 angebracht. Das dargestellte Receiver-Antennen-Modul kann vormontiert werden, so dass die weitere Montage und Herstellung des Hörinstruments erheblich vereinfacht wird.The coil core 32 passes through a sound channel, which is the continuous tube 31 covered with sound-absorbing material. The tube 31 is also configured areal or cup-shaped in the area of the shield 37 and absorbs the receiver 34 in a vibration-damping manner. The receiver 34 is attached to the tube 31 or spool core 32. The illustrated receiver antenna module can be pre-assembled, so that the further assembly and manufacture of the hearing instrument is considerably simplified.

Claims (8)

  1. Antenna device for a hearing instrument (13), having an antenna arrangement (16, 36) which has a preferred transmission and reception spatial direction, and having a further electric hearing instrument component which emits electromagnetic disturbance radiation predominantly in a disturbance radiation spatial direction,
    - the antenna arrangement (16, 36) and the further hearing instrument component are arranged in such a way that the transmission and reception spatial direction and the disturbance radiation spatial direction are oriented transversely to one another in such a way that coupling of disturbance radiation into the antenna arrangement (16, 36) is reduced,
    characterized in that
    the antenna arrangement (16, 36) has a coil core (22, 32) made of magnetically permeable material, formed at one end of an at least partly planar screen (26, 37), which is arranged transversely to the transmission and reception spatial direction of the antenna arrangement (16, 36), in that
    the further hearing instrument component is a receiver (14, 34) and in that
    the coil core (22, 32) and the screen (26, 37) have a sound channel (17) passing therethrough.
  2. Antenna device according to Claim 1,
    characterized in that the antenna arrangement (16, 36) comprises a coil antenna, in that the further hearing instrument component comprises a coil arrangement (23) which emits the disturbance radiation, and in that the coil antenna and the coil arrangement (23) are oriented transversely to one another in respect of the respective longitudinal direction thereof.
  3. Antenna device according to Claim 1 or 2,
    characterized in that the further hearing instrument component is arranged at the screen (26, 37).
  4. Antenna device according to one of the preceding claims,
    characterized in that the further hearing instrument component is fastened to the screen (26, 37).
  5. Antenna device according to Claim one of the preceding claims,
    characterized in that, in at least a region of the circumference thereof, the screen (26, 37) surrounds the further hearing instrument component in the direction facing away from the antenna arrangement (16, 36) .
  6. Antenna device according to one of the preceding claims,
    characterized in that the coil core (22, 32) and/or the screen (26, 37) have metallization contacts (38) for electrically contacting the antenna arrangement (16, 36) .
  7. Antenna device according to one of the preceding claims,
    characterized in that the inner wall of the sound channel (17) and/or the side of the screen (26, 37) facing away from the coil core (22, 32) is covered by sound-damping material.
  8. Hearing instrument comprising an antenna device according to one of the preceding claims.
EP14157657.9A 2013-06-07 2014-03-04 Antenna device for hearing instruments Revoked EP2811761B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE102013210689.0A DE102013210689B3 (en) 2013-06-07 2013-06-07 Antenna device for hearing instruments

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP2811761A1 EP2811761A1 (en) 2014-12-10
EP2811761B1 true EP2811761B1 (en) 2019-05-08

Family

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EP14157657.9A Revoked EP2811761B1 (en) 2013-06-07 2014-03-04 Antenna device for hearing instruments

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US (1) US9521494B2 (en)
EP (1) EP2811761B1 (en)
CN (1) CN104244156B (en)
AU (1) AU2014202868B2 (en)
DE (1) DE102013210689B3 (en)
DK (1) DK2811761T3 (en)

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US10764695B2 (en) * 2016-12-20 2020-09-01 Sonova Ag BTE hearing instrument comprising an open-end transmission line antenna
DK3343954T3 (en) * 2016-12-29 2023-07-03 Oticon As HEARING DEVICE INCLUDING AN EXTERNAL ANTENNA PART AND AN INTERNAL ANTENNA PART
DE102017210447A1 (en) * 2017-06-21 2018-12-27 Sivantos Pte. Ltd. hearing Aid
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US10511920B2 (en) 2018-04-13 2019-12-17 Starkey Laboratories, Inc. Ear-worn electronic device incorporating directional magnetic antenna
DE102018209189A1 (en) * 2018-06-08 2019-12-12 Sivantos Pte. Ltd. Antenna and device with such an antenna
EP3831093A4 (en) 2018-07-31 2022-06-15 Earlens Corporation Quality factor in a contact hearing system
WO2021003366A1 (en) * 2019-07-03 2021-01-07 Starkey Laboratories, Inc. Circular polarized spiral antenna for hearing assistance devices
EP3806493B1 (en) * 2019-10-11 2023-07-19 GN Hearing A/S A hearing device having a magnetic induction coil
DE102019217861B3 (en) 2019-11-20 2021-05-20 Sivantos Pte. Ltd. Hearing aid
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AU2022345082A1 (en) * 2021-09-17 2024-01-04 Stryker Corporation System for locating patient support apparatuses
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Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CN104244156B (en) 2017-10-13
AU2014202868B2 (en) 2015-12-10
AU2014202868A1 (en) 2015-01-15
US20140363037A1 (en) 2014-12-11
DE102013210689B3 (en) 2014-10-02
US9521494B2 (en) 2016-12-13
EP2811761A1 (en) 2014-12-10
DK2811761T3 (en) 2019-08-12
CN104244156A (en) 2014-12-24

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