EP3419312A1 - Hearing aid - Google Patents

Abstract

A hearing device comprises a housing, and a frame (1) which can be inserted into the housing for holding hearing device components. The frame (1) comprises two frame parts (3, 4) which can be assembled or assembled essentially along a dividing plane (5) and which are mechanically connectable or connected to one another by means of a connecting clip (20). In a first variant, the connecting clip (20) has for this purpose two spaced apart and parallel to each other pins (26,27) which engage in two corresponding recesses (35,36) in the respective frame parts (3,4), so the two frame parts (3, 4) are held together in a form-fitting manner transversely to the dividing plane (5). In a second variant, each frame part (3, 4) in each case has a pin, wherein the two pins engage in corresponding recesses in the connection clip (30), so that the two frame parts (3, 4) extend transversely to the division plane (5 ) are held together form-fitting manner. The frame (1) is thus particularly efficient to produce.

Description

The invention relates to a hearing aid with a housing, as well as with an insertable into the housing frame, for holding hearing aid components.

A hearing aid is used to supply a hearing-impaired person with acoustic ambient signals, which are processed according to a compensation of the respective hearing impairment and in particular amplified. A hearing device for this purpose usually comprises an input transducer, for example in the form of a microphone, a signal processing unit with an amplifier, and an output transducer. The output transducer is usually realized as a miniature speaker and is also referred to as a handset or receiver. In particular, it generates acoustic output signals which are conducted to the patient's hearing and produce the desired auditory perception in the patient.

To meet the numerous individual needs, different types of hearing aids are offered. For BTE hearing aids (behind-the-ear, also behind-the-ear or BTE) a housing with components such as a battery and the signal processing unit is worn behind the ear. Depending on the configuration, the receiver can either be arranged directly in the auditory canal of the wearer (so-called ex-earphone hearing aids or receiver-in-the-canal (RIC) hearing aids). Alternatively, the receiver is arranged inside the housing itself and a flexible, also referred to as a tube sound tube directs the acoustic output signals of the receiver from the housing to the ear canal (tube hearing aids). In ITE hearing aids (in-the-ear, also IDO or in-the-ear) is a housing containing all functional components including the microphone and the receiver, at least partially in the ear canal carried. Completely-in-Canal (CIC) hearing aids are similar to ITE hearing aids, but are worn fully in the ear canal.

For example, in a conventional design, a BTE hearing aid includes a housing shell carried behind the ear of a user, which is often composed of two half-shells, wherein a frame is received in the housing shell, through which the hearing aid components are held. The hearing aid components can thereby be used as a whole in the housing shell. A hearing aid with such a housing shell and a frame is for example from the DE 10 2007 010 014 B4 known. In this case, the frame is divided in the longitudinal direction into two approximately planar frame parts, wherein the hearing aid components are arranged and held substantially between the two frame parts. In a further development of such a framework is according to the WO 2014/090419 A1 an antenna for transmitting electromagnetic waves in the form of an electrically conductive structure integrated into the frame.

The invention has for its object to provide a hearing aid with a recorded in a housing shell frame for holding hearing aid components, wherein the frame is particularly efficient to produce.

This object is achieved by the features of claim 1. Furthermore, the object is achieved by the features of claim 2. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are set forth in the dependent claims and the description below.

The hearing aid according to the invention comprises a housing shell, as well as an insertable into the housing shell frame for holding hearing aid components, in particular for holding a microphone, as well as a signal processing and an amplifier. The frame comprises two frame parts, which are conventionally assembled or assembled substantially along a dividing plane. As a "division level" while an imaginary plane is called, which lies between the two frame parts, so that the one frame part lies largely on one side of the dividing plane, while the other frame part lies largely on the other side of the dividing plane. The term "substantially" refers to the fact that it is also within the scope of the invention if two juxtaposed connection edges of the two frame parts are not or not completely in the division plane. In the assembled state, individual sections of a frame part can therefore also protrude beyond the (imaginary) dividing plane. According to the invention, the two frame parts can be mechanically connected or connected to one another with the aid of a connecting clip. The term "mechanically interconnected" here includes that both the connection between the two frame parts as well as the connection of the connecting clip with the two frame parts is non-destructive solvable. In particular, the connection clip is a separate (ie detached) component from the two frame parts.

In a first variant of the invention, the connection clip comprises two pins (also called "pins") which are arranged at a distance from one another and parallel to one another. Intended, i. in the correctly assembled state of the two frame parts and the connecting clip, the two pins engage in two corresponding recesses (also: "recesses") in the respective frame parts - a recess being arranged in the one frame part, while the other recess in the other Frame part is arranged. The two pins thereby engage around two sections of the respective frame parts lying between the two pins in the manner of a clip, so that the two sections - and thus the two frame parts as a whole - are held together in a form-fitting manner transversely to the dividing plane. The term "positive locking" refers to the fact that the two pins for the two frame parts each form an outside stop, which prevents the two frame parts from moving apart in the transverse direction to the dividing plane.

In a second variant of the invention, conversely, it is provided that a pin protrudes from each frame part, wherein the pins of both frame parts in corresponding Recesses engage in the connection clip, so that again the two frame parts are held together form-fitting transversely to the division plane.

The invention is based on the recognition that acts by the held in the frame hearing aid components, and in particular by a battery inserted between the two frame parts, a force on the two frame parts, which presses apart the two frame parts against their assembly. This force is in particular aligned exactly or at least approximately orthogonal to the division plane, along which the two frame parts are assembled.

The connecting clip according to the invention counteracts this force by the clamping action of the two pins (in the first variant of the invention) or by the clamping effect of the recesses (in the second variant of the invention) advantageously in a simple but effective manner, so that the frame parts are advantageously particularly stable and reliable connected to each other. The connection clip is also very easy to install, and therefore represents an easy-to-implement solution to improve the mountability and stability of the frame. In addition, the connection clip is relatively easy to disassemble, so that the frame can be advantageously opened for maintenance or repair of the held hearing aid components easily and in particular non-destructive. The frame is therefore advantageously reusable.

In an advantageously particularly compact embodiment, the connecting clip preferably comprises a back designed as a flat molded part, from which the two pins protrude on a flat side. In order to further support the space-saving design, the connection clip (and thus possibly also the spine described above) preferably lies in its mounting state in a receptacle molded into the two frame parts, which is formed to be complementary to the connection clip. In particular, the connection clip is completely in the receptacle, ie it protrudes over a the exception not surrounding surface. The connection clip is thus sunk in the two frame parts, and therefore advantageously requires no additional space.

In a preferred embodiment, the connection clip comprises a handle which can be separated in the course of assembly of the connection clip at a predetermined breaking point provided therefor. The connection clip is first used in this embodiment with the two pins in the recesses provided for this purpose. Subsequently, the handle is separated at the predetermined breaking point. In this embodiment, the connection clip combines advantageously simple manner good handling during assembly with a small space requirement in the mounted state.

The pins or pegs, as well as the corresponding recesses, are preferably made round in cross-section. However, other cross-sectional shapes are also conceivable. The pins or pins are in particular a perfect fit in the associated recesses. Conveniently, the pins or pins are completely received in the respective associated recesses.

Particularly preferably, the connection clip is made of a plastic. Advantageously, the connection clip is thereby comparatively inexpensive to produce and thus to replace cheap even in case of loss or destruction. In addition, plastic advantageously causes no interference in a wireless data transmission, as is usually used in hearing aids. As a result, the connection clip is advantageously shown over screws which are conventionally often used to connect the frame parts, which are typically made of metal.

In one development of the invention, at least one of the two frame parts, preferably both frame parts, are manufactured with an integrated conductor structure, wherein the or each frame part is manufactured in particular as an MID part (MID: "Molded interconnect devices" - injection-molded circuit carrier).

For a frame provided with a ladder structure, the connection technology of the invention is particularly advantageous: Due to the integrated conductor structure, in particular by the MID technology, the frame is more expensive to manufacture compared to conventional frames without an integrated conductor structure, so that a non-destructive disassembly of Framework is particularly essential for maintenance and repair purposes. The material used for the production of the connecting clip, in particular the plastic used for this, expediently has more favorable mechanical properties than a plastic with integrated electronics. Therefore, it is of particular advantage that the mechanical stress to be absorbed in the transverse direction is absorbed mainly by the (mechanically more stable) connection clip. Since the connection clip is a separate part from the two frame parts, a material which differs from the frame material can advantageously be chosen particularly simply for the production of the connection clip. This is in particular also provided in the case of a frame with integrated conductor structure.

Preferably, in at least one of the frame parts, preferably in both frame parts, an RF antenna (RF: "Radio Frequency") is integrated. The RF antenna is preferably designed as a conductor structure integrated in the at least one frame part. The RF antenna is used to transmit radio signals that are transmitted in particular at a frequency of 2.4 GHz (as typically used according to the Bluetooth standard).

Preferably, the connection clip comprises two pins with a space formed therebetween. However, it is also possible within the scope of the invention for the connection clip to have a plurality of pins (and correspondingly a plurality of intermediate spaces). Furthermore, the two frame parts of the frame can also be fixed to one another with the aid of a plurality of connecting clips. In addition, the frame can also be composed of more than two frame parts with the aid of respectively associated connection clips.

Fig. 1

in einer Explosionsdarstellung einen in eine Hörgeräteschale einsetzbaren Rahmen, umfassend zwei Rahmenteile, die mit einem Verbindungs-Clip mechanisch miteinander verbunden werden, und

Fig. 2

in einer perspektivischen Einzeldarstellung den Verbindungs-Clip gemäß Fig. 1.

Embodiments of the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to a drawing. Show:

Fig. 1

in an exploded view insertable into a hearing aid shell frame, comprising two frame parts, which are mechanically connected to each other with a connecting clip, and

Fig. 2

in a perspective detailed view of the connection clip according to Fig. 1 ,

Corresponding parts and sizes are always provided with the same reference numerals in all figures.

In Fig. 1 a frame 1 ("frame") of a hearing aid is shown, which can be used in a conventional manner in a housing (not shown here) of the hearing aid. The hearing aid is in particular a BTE hearing aid (behind-the-ear) in which the housing is worn behind the ear of a user. By way of example, the hearing device is embodied as an RIC hearing aid ("receiver-in-the-canal" hearing aid or ex-earphone hearing aid) in which a receiver ("receiver", miniature loudspeaker) of the hearing aid is arranged in the auditory canal of the user.

The frame 1 serves to accommodate the hearing aid components typically housed in the housing, e.g. Microphones and signal processing to hold, so that they are added to each other in a fixed relative position in the housing. The recorded hearing aid components are not shown here for the sake of simplicity.

Such a frame for holding hearing device components is in principle for example from DE 10 2007 010 014 B4 or the WO 2014/090419 known, so that the structure of the frame 1 is discussed only insofar as the invention is concerned.

The frame 1 comprises a first frame part 3, and a second frame part 4, wherein both frame parts 3,4 are designed as approximately half-shell-like molded parts which along a parting plane 5 (in accordance with the representation selected here is approximately perpendicular to the plane) are composable to the frame 1. The two frame parts 3,4 abut each other with corresponding connection edges 6, 7, which in the illustrated embodiment are at least approximately in the (imaginary) division plane 5.

In the exemplary embodiment, the two frame parts 3,4 are each made as an MID part, i. the two frame parts 3, 4 are designed as injection-molded circuit carriers ("Molded Interconnect Device", MID for short). Accordingly, an electrical conductor structure is integrated in the course of the production of the frame parts 3,4 in this. The electrical conductor structure forms an RF antenna, which is set up for the transmission of radio signals according to the Bluetooth standard. The RF antenna is thus designed and configured to transmit radio signals at a frequency of 2.4 GHz.

The remaining hearing aid components held by the frame 1 are essentially held between the two frame parts 3, 4 and protected by them. As can be seen from the illustration, in the assembled state of the two frame parts 3, 4 in particular two mutually opposite recesses 8, 9 in the two frame parts 3, 4 complement one another to form a battery receptacle 10.

The intended use in the battery holder 10 used battery (not shown here) is arranged lying approximately in the division level 5. The inserted battery tends to spread apart the frame members 3, 4 in a direction approximately transverse to the dividing plane 5. In other words, the battery used under mechanical tension in each case exerts a transverse force F (also lateral force) indicated by an arrow on the two frame parts 3, 4 which is aligned approximately perpendicular to the dividing plane 5.

To counteract the transverse force F is to connect the two frame parts 3,4 in Fig. 2 used in detail connection clip 20 shown. The connection clip 20 is made as a molded part made of plastic. The connecting clip 20 is thus made of a material which is sufficiently rigid for absorbing the transverse force F.

As in Fig. 2 shown, the connecting clip 20 comprises an elongated (here by way of example extended flat) handle 22 at the first longitudinal end of a likewise elongated, flat extended (but overall smaller) back 24 is formed. The handle 22 and the back 24 are aligned approximately orthogonal to each other in terms of their surface area. The handle 22 is tapered towards its first longitudinal end, so that a predetermined breaking point 25 is formed by this taper between the handle 22 and the back 24.

The back 24 has, for example, an approximately rectangular shape, wherein two - in the illustration above - corners are bevelled. From the handle side 22 remote from the surface side of the back 24 protrude at both longitudinal ends of the back 24, two short cylindrical pins 26,27 (also "plug heads") from. The two pins 26,27 are aligned with respect to their axes parallel to each other in the longitudinal extent of the connecting clip 20 and lie with the handle 22 in a plane. At their respective free ends, the pins 26,27 are touched edge. Between the two pins 26,27 a free space 28 is formed. The side on which the two pins 26, 27 are arranged is designated as the front side 29 of the connecting clip 29.

For mounting the connecting clip 20, corresponding recesses 30, 31 are formed in the two frame parts 3, 4. As Fig. 1 can be seen, are both recesses 30,31 respectively in an inner surface of the respective frame part 3,4, which is aligned approximately perpendicular to the division plane 5. The two recesses 30,31 complement each other in the assembled state of the two frame parts 3,4 to a clip receptacle 32 which is formed complementary to the front outer contour of the connecting clip 20. Correspondingly, the recesses 30, 31 and the composite clip receptacle 32 have a shape which is designed as a negative shape of the spine 24 including the molded-on pins 26, 27. Accordingly, each recess 30,31 each have a circular recess 35,36, wherein the two recesses 35,36 are matched with respect to their arrangement and dimensioning on the two pins 26,27. A respective axis of each recess 35, 36 is in each case parallel to the dividing plane 5 aligned, wherein the two axes (in the assembled state of the two frame parts 3,4) are aligned parallel to each other. In the region of the clip receptacle 32, a first holding section 38 of the first frame part 3 and a second holding section 39 of the second frame part 4 abut one another in the assembled state of the two frame parts 3, 4. Both holding portions 38,39 are each formed by the lying between the two recesses 35,36 and the respectively associated connection edge 6,7 material of the respective affiliated frame part 3.4.

For mounting the frame 1, the first frame part 3 also in a conventional manner two positioning pins 40 which protrude approximately perpendicular to the surface extent of the frame part 3 (that is also approximately perpendicular to the division plane 5) of the frame part 3, and into corresponding openings ( not shown here) engage on the other frame part 4, so that the two frame parts are aligned 3.4 in the assembled state along the dividing plane 5 in a fixed relative position to each other.

The assembly of the frame 1 is carried out according to the following description. As in Fig. 1 indicated, first the two frame parts 3.4 are joined together by means of the positioning pins 40, so that the corresponding connection edges 6.7 of the two frame parts 3.4 abut each other lying approximately in the division plane 5.

Subsequently, the connection clip 20 is mounted along an assembly direction 42 shown by an arrow (which is aligned parallel to the longitudinal extent of the two pins 35,36, thus parallel to the respective axis of the recesses 35,36), with its front side 29 fit is inserted into the designated clip-recording 32. The two pins 26,27 are placed in approximately the same time in the two respective recesses 35,36, so that the two holding portions 38,39 come to rest in the space 28 of the connecting clip 20. The pins 26,27 each act in the direction of the transverse force F as an outside stop for the two holding sections 38,39. In particular, the pins 26,27 are adapted to exercise the holding portions 38,39 a certain clamping force (ie under bias) to hold together. The connection clip 20 is held captive in the clip receptacle 32 by a static friction acting between the connection clip 20 and the clip receptacle 32. When inserted, the back surface of the spine 24 is flush with the inner surface surrounding the clip receptacle 32.

After inserting the connecting clip 20 into the clip receptacle 32, the handle 22 is separated and removed by twisting or kinking at the predetermined breaking point 25 of the back 24.

To disassemble the frame 1 (for example, to repair or replace the held hearing aid components), the connection clip 20 is easily pulled out of the clip receptacle 32 against the mounting direction 42 (optionally with the aid of a tool), so that the frame parts 3 , 4 can be taken apart. The RF antenna supporting frame 1 is not destroyed and can be reassembled after the maintenance of hearing aid components.

The invention will be particularly apparent in the embodiments described above, is nevertheless not limited to these embodiments. Rather, other embodiments of the invention may be derived from the claims and the foregoing description.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

frame

3

frame part

4

frame part

5

parting plane

6

connecting edge

7

connecting edge

8th

recess

9

recess

10

battery tray

20

Connecting clip

22

Handle

24

move

25

Breaking point

26

pen

27

pen

28

gap

29

front

30

recess

31

recess

32

Clip Record

35

deepening

36

deepening

38

holding section

39

holding section

40

positioning

42

mounting direction

F

lateral force

Claims (10)

hearing Aid - with a housing, as well with a frame (1) which can be inserted into the housing for holding hearing device components, wherein the frame (1) comprises two frame parts (3, 4) which can be assembled or assembled substantially along a dividing plane (5) and which are mechanically connectable or connected to one another by means of a connecting clip (20),
wherein the connecting clip (20) has two spaced apart and parallel to each other pins (26,27) which engage in two corresponding recesses (35,36) in the respective frame parts (3,4),
so that the two frame parts (3, 4) are held together in a form-fitting manner transversely to the dividing plane (5). hearing Aid - with a housing, as well with a frame (1) which can be inserted into the housing for holding hearing device components, wherein the frame (1) comprises two frame parts (3, 4) which can be assembled or assembled substantially along a dividing plane (5) and which are mechanically connectable or connected to one another by means of a connecting clip (20),
each frame part (3, 4) each having a pin, and wherein the two pins engage in corresponding recesses in the connection clip (30),
so that the two frame parts (3, 4) are held together in a form-fitting manner transversely to the dividing plane (5). Hearing aid according to claim 1,
wherein the connecting clip (20) comprises a back (24) designed as a flat molded part, from which the two pins (26, 27) protrude on a flat side. Hearing aid according to one of claims 1 to 3,
wherein the connecting clip (20) rests in the assembled state in a complementary to the connecting clip (20) shaped receptacle (32) which is formed in the two frame parts (3,4). Hearing aid according to one of claims 1 to 4,
wherein the connection clip (20) comprises a handle (22) which can be separated during the assembly of the connection clip (20) at a predetermined breaking point (25) provided for this purpose. Hearing aid according to one of claims 1 to 5,
wherein the connection clip (20) is made of plastic. Hearing aid according to one of claims 1 to 6,
wherein at least one of the two frame parts (3,4) is manufactured with an integrated conductor structure. Hearing aid according to claim 7,
wherein the at least one frame part (3, 4) is manufactured as an MID part. Hearing aid according to one of claims 1 to 8,
wherein in at least one of the frame parts (3,4) an RF antenna is integrated. Connection clip (20)
for a hearing aid according to one of claims 1 to 9.

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