JP2869504B2 - hearing aid - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a hearing aid, and more particularly, to a hearing aid of a waterproof type.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in this kind of hearing aid, a waterproof function is realized by increasing the adhesion between respective members. As this kind of hearing aid, there is an ear-hearing hearing aid 1 as shown in FIG. 5 (Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 3-6075). That is, in the hearing aid 1, a hook 3 is screwed to a distal end portion of a case 2 formed in a bow shape as a whole. The whole is held at the position behind the auricle of the wearer. By attaching a tube and earplugs (not shown) to the end of the hook 3 in this state, the hearing aid obtained from the earphone is transmitted into the ear hole of the wearer through the sound path, the tube and the earplugs in the hook 3. .

The case 2 is composed of a case body 4 and a case lid 5, and the case body 4 contains a microphone, a hearing aid processing circuit, an earphone, and the like. The case lid 5 is rotatably attached to the case main body 4 about a rotation shaft (not shown) provided at a tip end position of the case main body 4. Accordingly, in the hearing aid 1, the case cover 5 is rotated in the direction of arrow a to open the case cover 5, and adjustment and repair of each component incorporated in the case main body 4 are performed. A battery cover 7 is attached to the base of the case body 4 so as to be rotatable around a rotation shaft 6. Therefore, in the hearing aid 1, the battery cover 7
Is rotated in the direction of arrow b to open the battery cover 7 and replace the battery.

On the surface of the case lid 5, a volume knob 8 for volume control and a switch knob 9 for switching between a power supply and various functions are provided. These components penetrate through the thickness of the case lid 5 and pass through the case. It is connected to each switch component built in the main body 4. Further, on the surface of the case lid 5, an adjuster cover 10 that protects an adjusting unit that adjusts the hearing aid band and the maximum sound pressure level according to the wearer has a rotating shaft 11.
Is mounted so as to be openable and closable about the center of rotation.

Here, in the hearing aid 1, the case body 4
By providing seal packing having a shape adapted to each joint surface on the joint surface between the case cover 5 and the joint surface between the case main body 4 and the battery cover 7, it is possible to prevent intrusion of moisture from each joint surface. Has been made.

O-rings are provided between the volume knob 8 and the case lid 5 and between the switch knob 9 and the case lid 5, respectively, so that the gap between the volume knob 8 and the case lid 5 and the switch are provided. The intrusion of moisture from the gap between the knob 9 and the case lid 5 is prevented.

A wind cover 12 for preventing wind noise from entering the microphone is provided at the tip of the case 2. The hook 3 is screwed into the case body 4 while the wind cover 12 is fitted in the case 2. It is sandwiched between the hook 3 and the case 2. That is, in the hearing aid 1, an external sound is introduced into the external sound intake of the microphone through a notch (not shown) formed near the hook 3 of the window cover 12.

Here, an appropriate waterproof member such as a filter that allows sound to pass through but does not allow water to pass through is provided in the external sound intake of the microphone. The waterproof member prevents water from entering the microphone. It has been done. In this way, in the hearing aid 1, the waterproof seal is provided between the respective members to prevent the intrusion of moisture into the case 2 beforehand.

[0009]

By the way, in the hearing aid 1, the volume knob 8 and the switch knob 9 are attached to the surface of the case lid 5 by the structure shown in FIG. That is, when the volume knob 8 is mounted, the through-hole 20A formed to penetrate the thickness of the case lid 5 and the through-hole 8A formed in the volume knob 8 are sequentially rotated from the inside of the case lid 5. Holding member 21
The male thread 21A is projected through the surface of the volume knob 8 so that the nut 22
By screwing A, the volume knob 8 is attached rotatably. At this time, an O-ring 23A made of an elastic material is arranged between the volume knob 8 and the case lid 5, and an O-ring 24A made of the same elastic material is arranged between the case lid 5 and the rotation holding member 21. By doing
The gap between the volume knob 8 and the case lid 5 prevents water from entering the case lid 5.

Similarly, when the switch knob 9 is attached, the case cover 5 is sequentially inserted into a through hole 20B formed through the thickness of the case cover 5 and a through hole 9A formed in the switch knob 9. From inside, the rotation holding member 22
The male screw portion 22A penetrates through the male screw portion 22A.
The switch knob 9 is attached rotatably by screwing. At this time, the switch knob 9 and the case lid 5
O-ring 23B made of an elastic material is arranged between
By disposing an O-ring 24B made of the same elastic material between the case cover 5 and the rotation holding member 22, moisture can enter the case cover 5 from a gap between the switch knob 9 and the case cover 5. Has been made to prevent. Also, the nuts 2 are inserted by fitting lids 25A and 25B from above the volume knob 8 and the switch knob 9, respectively.
2A and 22B are hidden to improve the appearance.

With this configuration, in the hearing aid 1, as shown in FIG. 7, moisture entering from the gap K1 between the volume knob 8 and the case lid 5 is blocked by the O-ring 23A. In addition, the water that has passed through the gap between the volume knob 8 and the lid 25A and the gap between the through hole 8A of the volume knob 8 and the male thread portion 21A in order is removed by O.
It is designed to be interrupted by a ring 24A.

Similarly, in the hearing aid 1, the O-ring 23B cuts off moisture entering from the gap K2 between the switch knob 9 and the case lid 5. In addition, the gap between the switch knob 9 and the lid 25B, the switch knob 9
The O-ring 24B blocks moisture that has passed through the gap between the through-hole 9A and the male screw portion 22A.

As a result, in the hearing aid 1, it is necessary to arrange two O-rings in order to prevent water from entering from the mounting portions of the volume knob 8 and the switch knob 9, and the number of parts is accordingly reduced. There were many problems. Further, in the hearing aid 1, since there are two infiltration paths for water to enter the inside of the case via the volume knob 8 and the switch knob 9 from the outside of the case, there is a reliability in that the outside water is prevented from entering by this amount. There was a problem of the decline. Further, in the hearing aid 1, there is a problem that the number of parts increases due to the provision of the lids 25A and 25B for hiding the nuts 22A and 22B.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to propose a hearing aid that can reliably prevent moisture from entering from an adjustment knob with a simple configuration.

[0015]

According to the present invention, there is provided a waterproof ear-hearing hearing aid 30 according to the present invention, in which a case 41 for accommodating a hearing aid processing unit 50 and a thickness of the case 41 penetrate. Through holes 70 and 7 provided
1 and an adjustment knob 63 disposed on the front side of the case 41.
, And 64, and are provided integrally with the adjustment knobs 63 and 64 on the lower surface side of the adjustment knobs 63 and 64, and the through holes 70 and 7 are provided.
1 and the rotating shafts 63A and 64A entering the inside of the case 41 and the rotating shafts 63A entering the inside of the case 41
And 64A are connected to the tips of the adjusting knobs 63 and 64.
Holding members 72 and 73 for rotatably holding and changing the characteristics of the hearing aid processing unit 50 in accordance with the turning positions of the adjustment knobs 63 and 64, and an annular shape surrounding the through holes 70 and 71 from the outer peripheral direction. And waterproof members 76 and 77 that are pressed between the surface of the case 41 and the lower surfaces of the adjustment knobs 63 and 64 to prevent moisture from entering the inside of the case 41 from the through holes 70 and 71.

In the present invention, the rotating shafts 63A and 64A are adjusted by adjusting the adjusting knobs 63 and 6 by insert molding.
4 is formed integrally with the adjustment knobs 63 and 64 on the lower surface side.

Further, in the present invention, the hearing aid 30 is
Case 41 surrounding through holes 70 and 71 from the outer peripheral direction
Are formed at the surface position of the ring-shaped projections 78 and 79 slightly lower than the thickness of the waterproofing members 76 and 77, between the through-holes 70 and 71 and the projections 78 and 79. 77 is arranged.

[0018]

The rotating shafts 63A and 63 are provided integrally with the adjusting knobs 63 and 64 on the lower surface side of the adjusting knobs 63 and 64, and enter the inside of the case 41 through the through holes 70 and 71.
4A and holding members 72 and 73 that are connected to the distal ends of the rotating shafts 63A and 64A that enter the inside of the case 41 and that hold the adjustment knobs 63 and 64 in a freely rotatable manner. The infiltration path that infiltrates the gap K between the through holes 70 and 71 and the rotating shafts 63A and 64A.
3 and K4. By blocking the infiltration path by the waterproof members 76 and 77, it is possible to reliably prevent the infiltration of moisture from the adjustment knobs 63 and 64 with a simple configuration.

[0019]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG.

(1) Overall Configuration of Hearing Aid In FIGS. 1 and 2, reference numeral 30 denotes a waterproof ear-hearing hearing aid as a whole, and a box-shaped case 31 made of a synthetic resin material is provided behind a pinna. The window cover 32 and the hook 33 are integrally attached to the tip of the bow shape so as to conform to the external shape of.

As is apparent from FIG. 2, the case 31 has a case body 40 forming an inner peripheral portion and a base portion of the case 31, and a rotatably supported pivot at a tip end of the case body 40. , A case cover 41 forming the outer peripheral portion of the case 31, and a battery cover 42 for covering and covering a battery chamber 40 </ b> A in a cylindrical space formed at the base of the case body 40. The battery is assembled as shown in FIG. 1 by screwing it to one end of an electrode 43 protruding inside and mounting it by screwing the battery cover 42 into the case body 40.

In this case, the case body 40 and the case lid 4
A seal packing 44 made of an elastic material (e.g., rubber material) is interposed between the casing body 40 and the case body 40.
In addition, water is prevented from entering the case 31 from the gap between the case lids 41.

Similarly, an O-ring 45 made of an elastic material (for example, a rubber material) is interposed between the case body 40 and the battery cover 42 so that a gap between the case body 40 and the battery cover 42 The structure is such that water can be prevented from entering the inside 31.

The battery cover 42 has a pair of arc-shaped battery holding walls 42A and 42B projecting from the inner surface thereof, as is apparent from FIG.
The battery can be held inside a space surrounded by 42B (hereinafter, this space is referred to as a battery holding space).

Thus, in the hearing aid 30, after the battery is fitted into the battery holding space of the battery cover 42, the battery is loaded into the battery chamber 40A by mounting the battery cover 42 on the case body 40. Thus, power can be supplied to the signal processing unit 50 housed inside the case 31.

As can be seen from FIG. 2, the signal processing section 50 includes a flexible substrate 5 on which a hearing aid processing circuit is formed.
1 is formed by integrally attaching a gain adjuster 52, a mode switching switch 53, an adjustment trimmer 54, and the like. The audio signal supplied from the microphone 60 or an induction coil (not shown) The input / output characteristics set by the operation of the switching switch 53 and the adjustment trimmer 54 are output to the earphone 62 after hearing aid processing.

In this case, in the gain adjuster 52 and the mode switching switch 53, the volume knob 63 and the switch knob provided on the outer peripheral surface of the case 31 formed by the curved surface of the case lid 41 through the thickness of the case lid 41. 64 with high waterproofness.

Thus, in the hearing aid 30, the sound pressure level of the hearing aid output from the earphone 62 can be adjusted by rotating the volume knob 63, and the switch knob 64 can be operated. Therefore, the power can be turned off or the mode can be switched.

The adjusting trimmer 54 is exposed to the outside of the case 31 through a trimmer opening (not shown) formed on the outer peripheral surface of the case 31, as is apparent from FIG. For this reason, the adjuster cover 65 is attached to the outer peripheral surface of the case 31 so as to cover the adjusting trimmer 54 so as to be openable and closable, thereby preventing the adjusting trimmer 54 from being carelessly operated. It has been made like that.

Further, the induction coil is arranged inside the flexible substrate 51 bent in a cylindrical shape, so that the space inside the case 31 can be effectively used.

The microphone 60 is attached to a tip inside the case cover 41. A waterproof member (not shown) is attached to the tip of the case lid 41 so that water can be prevented from entering the inside of the case 31 through the tip of the case lid 41. Has been made.

The earphone 62 is disposed at the tip inside the case body 40, so that a hearing aid sound based on the output of the hearing aid processing circuit of the signal processing unit 50 can be output to the outside of the hearing aid 30 via the hook 33. It has been made like that.

(2) Attaching portions of volume knob and switch knob The attaching portions of the volume knob 63 and the switch knob 64 in the hearing aid 30 are configured as shown in FIG.

That is, the lower surface of the volume knob 63 and the lower surface of the switch knob 64 are provided with external thread portions 63A and 64A, respectively, projecting downward, and the external thread portions 63A and 64A penetrate through the thickness of the case lid 41, respectively. So that it penetrates through holes 70 and 71 which are formed in such a manner.

In the hearing aid 30, through holes 70 and 7
Male thread 63A protruding from 1 into case lid 41
The nuts 74 and 75 are screwed from the lower side of the rotation holding members 72 and 73 to the distal ends of the rotation holding members 72 and 73 via the rotation holding members 72 and 73, so that the male screw portions 63A and 63 are screwed.
The rotation holding members 72 and 73 are attached to 4A. In this manner, the volume knob 63 and the switch knob 64
Is rotatably held at the surface position of the case cover 41.

At this time, the external thread portions 63A and 64A of the volume knob 63 and the switch knob 64 are passed through the through holes 70 and 71 through O-rings 76 and 77 made of an elastic material.
, So that the O-rings 76 and 77 can move the volume knob 63 and the switch knob 64.
When the nut is attached to the case lid 41, the nuts 74 and 75
Is pressed and held between the lower surfaces of the volume knob 63 and the switch knob 64 and the surface of the case cover 41. Thus, in the hearing aid 30, the O-rings 76 and 77 can prevent water from entering the inside of the case lid 41 from the through holes 70 and 71.

On the surface of the case lid 41, the through holes 70 and 71 are surrounded from the outer peripheral direction and an O-ring 76 is provided.
Annular projections 78 and 79 having a height slightly lower than the thickness of the casing knob 41 are formed on the lower surfaces of the volume knob 63 and the switch knob 64 and on the surface of the case lid 41. When O is pressed and held, the O-rings 76 and 77 are securely held at predetermined positions, and the through holes 70 and 7
The water that is going to enter in the direction 1
As a result, penetration of moisture from the through holes 70 and 71 into the inside of the case lid 41 can be more reliably prevented.

Here, a convex portion (not shown) is provided on the lower surface of the rotation holding member 72 so as to fit into the notch 52A of the gain adjuster 52, whereby the rotation knob 63 is turned. When the moving operation is performed, the gain adjuster 52 can be adjusted according to the turning position.

A notch 7 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the rotation holding member 73 so as to fit with the convex portion 53A of the mode switching switch 53.
3A is formed, so that when the volume knob 63 is rotated, the rotation holding member 72 can switch the mode in accordance with the rotation position.

The volume knob 63 and the male screw 63
A, and the switch knob 64 and the male screw portion 64A are integrally formed by insert molding, respectively, so that the screw holes are not exposed from the upper surfaces of the volume knob 63 and the switch knob 64, so that the screw holes of the volume knob 63 and the switch knob 64 are formed. Can be prevented from infiltrating the water, and the external shapes of the volume knob 63 and the switch knob 64 can be improved.

In the hearing aid 30, the case cover 4 is connected via the volume knob 63 and the switch knob 64.
1 The number of the O-rings 76 and 77 can be reduced to four by reducing the number of O-rings 76 and 77 by reducing the infiltration path of the water to be penetrated into the inside from the conventional two locations to one location. To two, and the number of parts can be reduced.

In the above configuration, in the hearing aid 30, as shown in FIG. 4, the passage of moisture from the outside of the case cover 41 to the inside of the case cover 41 is formed by the volume knob 63 and the switch knob 64 and the case cover 64. The path is limited to a path that leads from the gaps K3 and K4 with the surface of the body 41 to the through holes 70 and 71.

The O-rings 76 and 77 are provided with nuts 74.
And 75, a sufficient crimping force is obtained in the vertical direction, and a sufficient crimping force is also obtained in the lateral direction by being sandwiched between the projections 78 and 79 and the male threads 72 and 73. Have been. As a result, the O-rings 76 and 77
Ensures that the above-mentioned water infiltration path is blocked.

That is, the water flowing from the gaps K3 and K4 between the case lid 41 and the volume knob 63 and the switch knob 64 to the penetration holes 70 and 71 is reliably blocked by the O-rings 76 and 77. As a result, in the hearing aid 30, it is possible to reliably prevent water from entering the inside of the case lid 41 from the gaps K3 and K4 between the case lid 41 and the volume knob 63 and the switch knob 64.

According to the above configuration, the volume knob 6
Screw portions 72 and 7 are provided on the lower surface of switch knob 64 and switch knob 64, respectively.
3 and the case lid 4 is inserted through the through holes 70 and 71.
By attaching the rotation holding members 72 and 73 to the external thread portions 72 and 73 penetrated into the inside 1, the volume knob 72 and the switch knob 64 are rotatably held on the surface of the case lid 41. With the simple configuration, it is possible to realize the hearing aid 30 that can surely prevent water from entering from the volume knob 63 and the switch knob 64.

In the above-described embodiment, the case where the volume knob 63 and the switch knob 64 are attached to the case lid 41 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the volume knob 63 and the switch knob 64 may be attached to the case body 40. It can also be applied to a case where it is attached to

In the above embodiment, the present invention
Although the case where the volume knob 63 and the switch knob 64 are applied has been described, the present invention is not limited to this, and various adjustment knobs arranged on the surface of the hearing aid case and connected to parts inside the case are mounted. It can be applied when.

Further, in the above embodiment, the volume knob 63 and the switch knob 64 and the case lid 41 are provided.
O-rings 76 and 7 as waterproof members provided between
7, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a ring having a rhombus-shaped cross section or various other types of seal packing can be applied. In short, the volume knob 63 and the switch knob 64 are used. Any material may be used as long as it presses between the lower surface of the case and the upper surface of the case lid 41 to close the gaps K3 and K4.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to the ear-hearing type hearing aid 30 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this and can be applied to various hearing aids.

[0050]

As described above, according to the present invention, the case for accommodating the hearing aid processing section, the through-hole penetrating through the thickness of the case, and the adjusting knob disposed on the front side of the case. A rotating shaft provided integrally with the adjusting knob on the lower surface side of the adjusting knob and entering the inside of the case through the through hole;
A holding member that is connected to the tip of a rotating shaft that enters the inside of the case, holds the adjustment knob so as to be rotatable, and changes the characteristics of the hearing aid processing unit according to the rotation position of the adjustment knob; The adjustment knob has a simple structure by providing a waterproof member that has an annular shape that surrounds from the direction and is pressed between the case surface and the lower surface of the adjustment knob to prevent moisture from entering the inside of the case from the through hole. A hearing aid can be realized that can reliably prevent intrusion of moisture from the body.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an overall configuration of an embodiment of a hearing aid according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view thereof.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing a configuration of a mounting portion for a volume knob and a switch knob.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a mounting state of a volume knob and a switch knob.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a conventional ear-hearing hearing aid.

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view showing a configuration of a mounting portion for a conventional volume knob and a switch knob.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a mounting state of a conventional volume knob and a switch knob.

[Explanation of symbols]

1, 30, hearing aid, 2, 30, case, 4, 40
... Case body, 5, 41 ... Case lid, 8, 63 ...
Bolium knob, 9, 64… Switch knob, 20
A, 20B, 70, 71 ... through-holes, 21, 22, 7
2, 73 ... rotation holding member, 21A, 22A, 63A,
64A: Male thread, 23A, 23B, 24A, 24
B, 76, 77: O-ring, 50: Signal processing unit, 5
2 ... Gain adjuster, 53 ... Mode switching switch, 7
8, 79 ... Projection.

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] 1. A waterproof ear-hearing hearing aid, comprising: a case for accommodating a hearing aid processing unit; a through hole provided through the thickness of the case; and a front surface side of the case. An adjusting knob, a rotating shaft provided integrally with the adjusting knob on a lower surface side of the adjusting knob, the rotating shaft entering the inside of the case through the through hole, and a tip of the rotating shaft entering the inside of the case. A holding member that rotatably holds the adjustment knob and changes the characteristics of the hearing aid processing unit in accordance with the rotation position of the adjustment knob, and has an annular shape that surrounds the through hole from an outer peripheral direction, A hearing aid comprising: a waterproof member that is pressed between the surface of the case and the lower surface of the adjustment knob to prevent moisture from entering the inside of the case from the through hole. 2. The hearing aid according to claim 1, wherein said rotary shaft is formed integrally with said adjusting knob on a lower surface side of said adjusting knob by insert molding. 3. The hearing aid according to claim 1, wherein an annular projection formed slightly lower than the thickness of the waterproof member is formed at a surface position of the case surrounding the through hole from an outer peripheral direction. The hearing aid according to claim 1, wherein the waterproof member is arranged between the protrusions.