EP3419312B1 - Hearing aid - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a hearing aid with a housing and with a frame that can be inserted into the housing for holding hearing aid components.

A hearing aid is used to supply a hearing impaired person with acoustic ambient signals, which are processed accordingly and in particular amplified to compensate for the respective hearing impairment. For this purpose, a hearing aid 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 converter is usually implemented as a miniature loudspeaker and is also referred to as a listener or receiver. In particular, it generates acoustic output signals which are passed to the patient's hearing and generate the desired hearing perception in the patient.

In order to meet the numerous individual needs, different types of hearing aids are offered. In 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 wearer's auditory canal (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 sound tube, also known as a tube, conducts the acoustic output signals of the receiver from the housing to the ear canal (tube hearing aid). In ITE hearing aids (in-the-ear, also IDO or in-the-ear), a housing that contains all functional components including the microphone and the receiver is at least partially in the ear canal carried. CIC hearing aids (Completely-in-Canal) are similar to ITE hearing aids, but are worn entirely in the ear canal.

In a conventional design, a BTE hearing aid comprises, for example, a housing shell worn behind the ear of a user, which is often composed of two half-shells, with a frame being held in the housing shell by which the hearing aid components are held. As a result, the hearing aid components can be inserted into the housing shell as a whole. A hearing aid with such a housing shell and a frame is for example from the DE 10 2007 010 014 B4 known. The frame is divided in the longitudinal direction into two approximately flat frame parts, the hearing aid components being arranged and held essentially between the two frame parts. In a further development of such a framework is according to WO 2014/090419 A1 an antenna for the transmission of electromagnetic waves in the form of an electrically conductive structure integrated in the frame.

the end DE 40 35 506 A1 a housing for a housing for an electrical device, in particular a hearing device to be worn behind the ear, is known. The housing is formed from a frame part and at least one cover closing off an open side of the frame part. An opening is provided on each of two opposite sides of the frame part. The cover has two projections on its underside, of which one projection can be pushed into one opening of the frame part and the other projection can be snapped into the other opening.

The invention is based on the object of specifying a hearing aid with a frame accommodated in a housing shell for holding hearing aid components, the frame being particularly efficient to manufacture.

This object is achieved according to the invention by the features of claim 1. Furthermore, the object is achieved according to the invention by the features of Claim 2. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are set out in the subclaims and the following description.

The hearing aid according to the invention comprises a housing shell and a frame that can be inserted into the housing shell for holding hearing aid components, in particular for holding a microphone, as well as signal processing and an amplifier. The frame comprises two frame parts which can be assembled or assembled in a conventional manner essentially along a dividing plane. An imaginary plane that lies between the two frame parts is referred to as a “dividing plane”, so that one frame part is largely on one side of the dividing plane, while the other frame part is largely on the other side of the dividing plane. The term “essentially” refers to the fact that it is also within the scope of the invention if two connecting edges of the two frame parts that meet one another are not or not completely in the plane of division. In the assembled state, individual sections of a frame part can 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 connected to one another” here means that both the connection between the two frame parts and the connection between the connection clip and the two frame parts can be released without being destroyed. The connecting clip is, in particular, a component that is separate (i.e. detached) from the two frame parts.

In a first variant of the invention, the connecting clip comprises two pins (also called "pegs") which are arranged at a distance from one another and are parallel to one another. As intended, ie when the two frame parts and the connecting clip are correctly assembled, the two pins engage in two corresponding recesses (also: "depressions") in the respective frame parts - one recess being arranged in one frame part, while the other recess is arranged in the other frame part. As a result, the two pins embrace two lying between the two pins Sections of the respective frame parts in the manner of a clamp, so that the two sections - and thereby the two frame parts as a whole - are held together in a form-fitting manner transversely to the dividing plane. The term “form-fitting” refers to the fact that the two pins for the two frame parts each form a stop on the outside which prevents the two frame parts from being able to move apart in the transverse direction to the parting plane.

Conversely, a second variant of the invention provides that a pin protrudes from each frame part, the pins of both frame parts engaging in corresponding recesses in the connecting clip, so that the two frame parts are again held together in a form-fitting manner transversely to the plane of division.

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

The connecting clip according to the invention counteracts this force by the clamping effect 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 are connected to each other. The connecting clip is also very easy to assemble and therefore represents a solution that is easy to implement to improve the assemblability and stability of the frame. In addition, the connecting clip is comparatively easy to dismantle, so that the frame can advantageously be used for maintenance or repair of the hearing aid components held in a simple and, in particular, non-destructive manner can be opened. 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 connecting clip (and thus possibly also the spine described above) in its assembled state is preferably located in a receptacle molded into the two frame parts, which is molded complementary to the connecting clip. In particular, the connection clip lies completely in the receptacle, i.e. it does not protrude beyond a surface surrounding the exception. The connecting clip is thus countersunk in the two frame parts and therefore advantageously does not require any additional installation space.

In a preferred embodiment, the connecting clip comprises a handle which can be detached at a predetermined breaking point provided for this purpose during the assembly of the connecting clip. In this embodiment, the connecting clip is first inserted with the two pins into the recesses provided for this purpose. Then the handle is cut off at the predetermined breaking point. In this embodiment, the connecting clip combines, in an advantageously simple manner, easy handling during assembly with little space requirement in the assembled state.

The pins or tenons, as well as the corresponding recesses, are preferably round in cross section. However, other cross-sectional shapes are also conceivable. In particular, the pins or tenons are precisely fitted in the associated recesses. The pins or tenons are expediently completely received in the respective associated recesses.

The connecting clip is particularly preferably made from a plastic. In this way, the connecting clip can advantageously be produced comparatively inexpensively and can therefore be replaced inexpensively even if it is lost or destroyed. In addition Advantageously, plastic does not cause any interference in wireless data transmission, as is usually used in hearing aids. The connecting clip is shown to be advantageous compared to the screws conventionally often used to connect the frame parts, which are typically made of metal.

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

The connection technology according to the invention proves to be particularly advantageous for a frame provided with a conductor structure: Due to the integrated conductor structure, in particular the MID technology, the frame is more expensive to manufacture compared to conventional frames without an integrated conductor structure, so that the non-destructive dismantling of the Frame is particularly essential for maintenance and repair purposes. The material used for the production of the connecting clip, in particular the plastic used for it, expediently has more favorable mechanical properties than a plastic with integrated electronics. It is therefore of particular advantage that the mechanical load to be absorbed in the transverse direction is mainly absorbed by the (mechanically more stable) connecting clip. Since the connecting clip is a separate part from the two frame parts, a material that differs from the frame material can advantageously be selected in a particularly simple manner for producing the connecting clip. In particular, this is also provided for in a frame with an integrated conductor structure.

An RF antenna (RF: "Radio Frequency") is preferably integrated into at least one of the frame parts, preferably into both frame parts. The RF antenna is preferably designed as a conductor structure integrated into 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 in accordance with the Bluetooth standard).

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

Exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to a drawing. Show in it:

Fig. 1

in an exploded view a frame which can be inserted into a hearing aid shell, comprising two frame parts which are mechanically connected to one another with a connecting clip, and

Fig. 2

the connection clip according to FIG Fig. 1 .

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

In Fig. 1 a frame 1 (“frame”) of a hearing aid is shown, which can be inserted in a conventional manner into a housing (not shown here) of the hearing aid. The hearing aid is in particular a BTE (Behind-The-Ear) hearing aid, in which the housing is worn behind the ear of a user. For example, the hearing aid is designed as an RIC hearing aid ("receiver-in-the-canal" hearing aid or Ex-listener hearing aid) in which a receiver ("receiver", miniature loudspeaker) of the hearing aid is arranged in the user's ear canal.

The frame 1 is used to hold the hearing aid components typically accommodated in the housing, such as microphones and signal processing, so that they are accommodated in the housing in a fixed position relative to one another are. The hearing aid components included are not shown here for the sake of simplicity.

Such a frame for holding hearing aid 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 will only be discussed insofar as the invention is concerned.

The frame 1 comprises a first frame part 3 and a second frame part 4, both frame parts 3, 4 being designed as approximately half-shell-like molded parts which are along a dividing plane 5 (which, according to the representation selected here, is approximately perpendicular to the plane of the drawing) to the frame 1 can be assembled. The two frame parts 3, 4 butt against one another with corresponding connecting edges 6, 7 which, in the embodiment shown, lie at least approximately in the (imaginary) dividing plane 5.

In the exemplary embodiment, the two frame parts 3, 4 are each manufactured as MID parts, i.e. 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 into the frame parts 3, 4 in the course of the production thereof. 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 set up for the transmission of radio signals at a frequency of 2.4 GHz.

The other 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 opposing recesses 8, 9 in the two frame parts 3, 4 complement each other to form a battery receptacle 10.

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

In order to counteract the transverse force F, an in Fig. 2 Connection clip 20 shown in detail is used. The connecting clip 20 is made as a molded part made of plastic. The connecting clip 20 is thus made of a material that is sufficiently rigid to absorb the transverse force F.

As in Fig. 2 As shown, the connecting clip 20 comprises an elongated (here, for example, two-dimensionally extended) handle 22 at the first longitudinal end of which a likewise elongated, two-dimensionally extended (but overall smaller) back 24 is integrally formed. The handle 22 and the back 24 are aligned approximately orthogonally to one another with regard to their surface extension. The handle 22 tapers 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, two corners - which are at the top in the illustration - are beveled. From the surface side of the back 24 facing away from the handle 22, two short cylindrical pins 26, 27 (also "plug-in heads") protrude at both longitudinal ends of the back 24. The two pins 26, 27 are aligned parallel to one another with regard to their axes in the longitudinal extent of the connecting clip 20 and lie in one plane with the handle 22. At their respective free ends, the pins 26, 27 are gripped on the edge. A free space 28 is formed between the two pins 26, 27. The side on which the two pins 26, 27 are arranged is referred to as the front side 29 of the connecting clip 29.

To assemble the connecting clip 20, corresponding recesses 30,31 are formed in the two frame parts 3, 4. As Fig. 1 can be seen lie both recesses 30, 31 each in an inner surface of the respective frame part 3, 4, which is oriented approximately perpendicular to the parting plane 5. The two recesses 30, 31 complement each other in the assembled state of the two frame parts 3, 4 to form a clip receptacle 32 which is shaped complementary to the front outer contour of the connecting clip 20. Correspondingly, the recesses 30, 31 or the assembled clip receptacle 32 have a shape that is designed as a negative shape of the back 24 including the molded-on pins 26, 27. Accordingly, each recess 30, 31 has a circular recess 35, 36, the two recesses 35, 36 being matched to the two pins 26, 27 with regard to their arrangement and dimensions. A respective axis of each recess 35, 36 is aligned parallel to the parting plane 5, the two axes (in the assembled state of the two frame parts 3, 4) being aligned parallel to one another. In the area of the clip receptacle 32, in the assembled state of the two frame parts 3, 4, 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. Both holding sections 38, 39 are each formed by the material of the associated frame part 3, 4 lying between the two depressions 35, 36 and the respectively associated connecting edge 6, 7.

To assemble the frame 1, the first frame part 3 also has, in a conventional manner, two positioning pins 40 which protrude from the frame part 3 approximately perpendicular to the surface area of the frame part 3 (i.e. also approximately perpendicular to the parting plane 5), and into corresponding openings ( not shown here) engage on the other frame part 4, so that the two frame parts 3, 4, in the assembled state, are aligned along the dividing plane 5 in a fixed relative position to one another.

The frame 1 is assembled as described below. As in Fig. 1 indicated, the two frame parts 3, 4 are first joined to one another with the aid of the positioning pins 40, so that the corresponding connecting edges 6, 7 of the two frame parts 3, 4, lying approximately in the dividing plane 5, abut one another.

The connecting clip 20 is then mounted along a mounting direction 42 shown by an arrow (which is parallel to the longitudinal extension of the two pins 35,36, and therefore parallel to the respective axis of the recesses 35,36), with its front side 29 fitting precisely is inserted into the clip holder 32 provided for this purpose. The two pins 26, 27 are inserted into the two respectively assigned depressions 35, 36 at approximately the same time, so that the two holding sections 38, 39 come to lie 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 designed to hold the holding sections 38, 39 against one another with the exertion of a certain clamping force (i.e. under pretension). The connecting clip 20 is held captive in the clip receptacle 32 by static friction acting between the connecting clip 20 and the clip receptacle 32. In the inserted state, the rear surface of the back 24 is flush with the inner surface surrounding the clip receptacle 32.

After the connection clip 20 has been inserted into the clip receptacle 32, the handle 22 is separated from the back 24 by twisting or kinking at the predetermined breaking point 25 and removed.

To dismantle the frame 1 (for example to repair or replace the held hearing aid components), the connecting clip 20 is simply pulled out of the clip receptacle 32 counter to the assembly direction 42 (optionally with the help of a tool), so that the frame parts 3 , 4 can be taken apart. The frame 1 carrying the RF antenna is not destroyed in the process and can be reassembled after the hearing aid components have been serviced.

The invention is particularly clear from the exemplary embodiments described above, but is nevertheless not limited to these exemplary embodiments. Rather, further embodiments of the invention can be derived from the claims and the above description.

List of reference symbols

1

frame

3

Frame part

4th

Frame part

5

Partition plane

6th

Connecting edge

7th

Connecting edge

8th

Recess

9

Recess

10

Battery holder

20th

Connection clip

22nd

handle

24

move

25th

Predetermined breaking point

26th

Pen

27

Pen

28

Space

29

Front

30th

Recess

31

Recess

32

Clip recording

35

deepening

36

deepening

38

Holding section

39

Holding section

40

Positioning pin

42

Mounting direction

F.

Shear force

Claims (10)

1. Hearing device

   - with a housing, and

   - with a frame (1) insertable into the housing for holding hearing device components, and

   - with a connecting clip (20),

   wherein the frame (1) comprises two frame parts (3, 4), which can be joined together or are joined together substantially along a partition plane (5) and which are mechanically connectable or connected to each other by means of the connecting clip (20),
   wherein the connecting clip (20) has two spaced-apart and parallel 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-locking manner transversely to the partition plane (5).
2. Hearing device

   - with a housing, and

   - with a frame (1) insertable into the housing for holding hearing device components, and

   - with a connecting clip (20),

   wherein the frame (1) comprises two frame parts (3, 4), which can be joined together or are joined together substantially along a partition plane (5) and which are mechanically connectable or connected to each other by means of the connecting clip (20),
   wherein each frame part (3, 4) has a respective pin, and wherein the two pins engage in corresponding recesses in the connecting clip (30),
   so that the two frame parts (3, 4) are held together in a form-locking manner transversely to the partition plane (5).
3. Hearing device according to claim 1,
   wherein the connecting clip (20) comprises a back (24) designed as a flat moulded part, from which the two pins (26,27) project on a flat side.
4. Hearing device according to one of claims 1 to 3,
   wherein the connecting clip (20), in the assembled state, is inserted in a receptacle (32), which is shaped complementarily to the connecting clip (20) and is formed in the two frame parts (3, 4).
5. Hearing device according to one of claims 1 to 4,
   wherein the connecting clip (20) comprises a grip (22), which can be detached in the course of the assembly of the connecting clip (20) at a predetermined breaking point (25) provided for this purpose.
6. Hearing device according to one of claims 1 to 5,
   wherein the connecting clip (20) is manufactured of plastic.
7. Hearing device 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.
8. Hearing device according to claim 7,
   wherein the at least one frame part (3,4) is manufactured as an MID part.
9. Hearing device according to one of claims 1 to 8,
   wherein an RF antenna is integrated in at least one of the frame parts (3,4).
10. Connecting clip (20)
    for a hearing device according to one of claims 1 to 9.

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