JP2900121B2 - 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 in which a button-type battery can be easily attached and detached.

[0002] Conventionally, as this kind of hearing aid, there is an ear-hearing hearing aid 1 as shown in FIG. 7 (Japanese Utility Model Publication No. Hei 3-6076, Japanese Patent Publication No. Hei 3-39440). That is, the hearing aid 1 is provided with a hook 3 at the front end of a case 2 formed in a bow shape as a whole.
The hook 3 is hooked along the upper end of the auricle of the hearing aid wearer so that the entire hearing aid 1 is held at a 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. Therefore, in the hearing aid 1, the case cover 5 is opened by rotating the case cover 5 in the direction of the arrow a to perform adjustment and repair of each component incorporated in the case main body 4.

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 turned in the direction of arrow b to open the battery cover 7 (see FIGS. 8 and 9), and the button-shaped battery 14 is replaced.

On the surface of the case lid 5, a volume knob 8 for volume control and a switch knob 9 for switching power supply and various functions are provided. These parts 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. 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 end 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, a suitable 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, and the waterproof member prevents water from entering the microphone. ing. 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.

[0010]

However, in the case of the hearing aid 1 having such a structure, the seal packing 15 inserted between the case body 4 and the battery cover 7 is provided at the lower end of the case body 4 as can be seen from FIG. A rectangular frame is formed in accordance with the shape of the above-mentioned joint portion formed by the portion (and the end portion of the peripheral side wall of the battery cover 7), and this is provided in a groove ( (Not shown) so as to be fitted to the battery cover 7.

In the hearing aid 1, the battery cover 7 is rotated in the closing direction opposite to the arrow b so that the battery cover 7 is closed and locked so as not to be opened. The seal packing 15 can be sandwiched between the end of the peripheral side wall of the battery cover 7 with a strong force, so that moisture outside the case can be removed from the inside of the case through a gap between the case body 4 and the battery cover 7. It is made to be able to prevent infiltration into.

However, in the hearing aid 1 having such a configuration, since the seal packing 15 is formed in a rectangular frame shape as described above, the applied pressure is different between the corner portion and the side portion of the seal packing 15. A gap may be formed between the lower end of the case body and the end of the peripheral side wall of the battery cover, and as a result, moisture outside the case may enter the case from the gap.

On the other hand, according to the method of fitting the battery cover 7 to the case main body 4 about the rotation shaft 6 as a rotation center, there is a limit to the force for pressing the seal packing 15, and the water drops such as sweat fall. In such a case, it is possible to prevent the infiltration of moisture. However, in use in a pool or a bathroom where waterproofness is required, it is difficult to obtain a pressing force necessary for making the hearing aid 1 waterproof. is there. Further, when a battery is mounted on the hearing aid 1, it is practically difficult to sufficiently hold the battery by the method of holding the battery between the electrodes 13 provided in the case main body 4. Therefore, the battery cover 7 is opened. Sometimes the battery may fall off the electrode 13.

Therefore, a battery chamber having a cylindrical space is formed on the side of the case of the hearing aid, and a battery cover formed by inserting an O-ring made of an elastic member into a joint with the battery chamber is screwed. Conceivable. That is, in the structure using the O-ring, the pressure applied to the O-ring becomes uniform, so that the waterproofness can be remarkably improved as compared with the structure using the above-mentioned seal packing, and the battery can be placed inside the battery chamber. The battery can be practically sufficiently sandwiched by being sandwiched and stored in the wall.

However, when the battery chamber and the battery cover of the hearing aid are structured as described above, for example, for a wearer with a poor hand, such as an elderly person, the battery is positioned at a predetermined position in the battery chamber. However, there is a problem that it is difficult to remove the battery from the battery compartment. That is, when a battery held by a fingertip or the like is dropped into a cylindrical space that is a battery room, the battery is not necessarily installed at a predetermined position because the space formed by the battery room and the battery are small. Not only that, it was difficult to mount the battery.

In the case of the battery housing device shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the battery is housed in the battery cover, and the battery is mounted by closing the battery cover. However, the battery is in a floating state in the battery cover, so that when the battery cover is opened, the battery may fall from the battery cover.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and has as its object to propose a hearing aid in which a button-type battery can be easily attached and detached.

[0018]

According to the present invention, a battery holding means for elastically holding a button-shaped battery is fitted into a recess 40A formed in a hearing aid case 40 by solving the problem. The battery holding means 42 serves as a lid for the recess 40A, and a button-shaped battery is loaded into the hearing aid case 40.

In the present invention, the battery holding means 42
Is formed by forming a plurality of ridges 42AX, 42AY, 42BX, 42BY on the inner walls of battery holding walls 42A, 42B made of an elastic material having a diameter slightly larger than the diameter of the button-shaped battery. Protrusions 42AX, 42A
Y, 42BX, and 42BY in contact with the battery holding wall 4.
Each of the ridges 42AX, 42 is formed by the elastic force of 2A, 42B.
It is held in a space 42C surrounded by AY, 42BX, and 42BY.

Further, in the present invention, each ridge 42A
X, 42AY, 42BX, and 42BY are battery holding walls 42.
A and 42B were not formed at the open end of the inner wall. Further, in the present invention, the battery holding means 42 is provided with an appropriate number of rivets 4 on the battery holding walls 42A, 42B made of an elastic material having a diameter slightly smaller than the diameter of the button-shaped battery.
2AZ, 42BZ are formed, and the button-shaped battery is brought into contact with the inner walls of the battery holding walls 42A, 42B by the elastic force of the battery holding walls 42A, 42B.
A is held in a space 42C surrounded by A and 42B. Furthermore, in the present invention, the battery holding walls 42A, 42A
B was provided with a notch for taking out the battery.

[0021]

The button-shaped battery is elastically held in the battery holding means as a lid of the recessed portion formed in the hearing aid case, so that the battery holding means is simply fitted into the hearing aid case. The button type battery can be easily loaded in the recess 40A.

[0022]

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.

As is apparent from FIG. 2, the case 31 forms an inner peripheral portion and a root portion of the case 31, and is rotatably supported at the distal end of the case body 40. , A case cover 41 forming the outer peripheral portion of the case 31 and a battery cover 42 formed at the base of the case body 40 and closing the battery chamber 40A in the columnar space. The battery cover 42 is attached to the case main body 40 by screwing and fixing to a screw hole formed by the end of the electrode 43 protruding inside, and assembled as shown in FIG.

In this case, the case body 40 and the case lid 4
A seal packing 44 made of an elastic material (for example, a rubber material) is interposed between the casing body 4 and the case body 4.
Water is prevented from entering the case 31 from the gap between the case 0 and the case lid 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.

As is apparent from FIG. 2, the battery cover 42 has a pair of arc-shaped battery holding walls 42A and 42B projecting from the inner surface thereof.
A button-shaped battery can be held inside a space 42C surrounded by 42B (hereinafter, this space is referred to as a battery holding space). The battery holding space 42C is formed slightly larger than the diameter of the battery. Thereby, in the hearing aid 30, the battery holding space 42C of the battery cover 42 is provided.
After the battery is fitted in the battery case, the battery can be loaded into the battery compartment by attaching the battery cover to the case main body. Thus, power is supplied to the signal processing unit 50 housed inside the case 31. It can be supplied.

In the signal processing section 50, as can be seen from FIG. 2, a gain adjuster 52 and a mode switching switch 5 are mounted on a flexible substrate 51 on which a hearing aid processing circuit is formed.
3. The sound signal supplied from the microphone 60 or the induction coil, which is formed by integrally attaching the adjustment trimmer 54 and the electrode 55, is set by operating the gain adjuster 52, the mode switching switch 53, and the adjustment trimmer 54. After hearing aid processing is performed based on the input / output characteristics, the hearing aid is transmitted to the earphone 62.

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. 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 disposed 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 distal end inside the case lid 41.

A waterproof member (not shown) is attached to the tip of the case lid 41, thereby preventing moisture from entering the inside of the case 31 through the tip of the case lid 41. It is made to be able to do. The earphone 62 is disposed at the tip inside the case main 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. ing.

(2) Structure of Battery Cover As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the battery cover 42
Battery holding walls 42A, 42 forming battery holding space 42C
A pair of linear projections (hereinafter referred to as ridges) 42AX and 42AY, 42BX and 4
2BY is formed parallel to the projecting direction of the battery holding walls 42A and 42B, and the projecting ridges 42A are formed in parallel with the fact that the battery holding wall is formed of synthetic resin having elasticity.
The battery can be held soft by pressing the peripheral surface of the battery with X and 42AY, 42BX and 42BY.

At this time, the ridges 42AX and 42AY, 42
BX and 42BY are formed so as to have a predetermined pinching force against the peripheral side surface of the battery, so that even if the battery cover 42 is repeatedly shaken or pulled, the battery cover 42
At the same time as the battery housed therein does not fall, the battery can be easily attached and detached by hand.

The ridges 42AX and 42AY, 42B
The tips of X and 42BY are not formed up to the open ends of the inner walls of the battery holding walls 42A, 42B. When the batteries are fitted into the battery cover 42, the batteries are positioned along the inner walls from the open ends. The projections 42AX and 42AY, 42BX and 42BY are fitted so as to come into contact with the distal ends thereof. These ridges 42AX and 42AY,
A rounded portion is formed at the tip of 42BX and 42BY, so that when the battery is fitted into the battery cover 42,
The peripheral side surface of the battery has ridges 42AX, 42AY, and 42B.
The X and 42BY can be inserted smoothly without being caught on the distal ends.

In the hearing aid 30, the battery cover 42
A magnet rod 70 as shown in FIG. 5 is prepared in order to easily take out the battery loaded in the battery holding space 42C. That is, the magnet rod 70 is formed by integrally forming, for example, a synthetic resin into a minus driver section 71 provided on one end 70A side of the rod-shaped member and a magnet section 72 provided on the other end 70B side. A columnar magnet (not shown) is embedded in the head made of
The bristles 73 of a brush made of, for example, a synthetic resin are planted from one side in the vicinity of. Therefore, in the hearing aid 30, the wearer easily lifts the battery 74 out of the battery holding space 42C of the battery cover 42 by bringing the magnet bar 70 into contact with the peripheral side surface of the battery 74 fitted in the battery cover 42 and lifting the battery. It is made to be able to do.

(3) Operation of Embodiment In the above configuration, the battery holding wall 42 of the battery cover 42
A, 42A and 42AY, 4
By forming the 2BX and 42BY, the peripheral side surface of the battery has the ridges 42AX and 42AY, 42BX and 42
BY, and as a result, an elastic force and a frictional force are generated between the battery and the ridges 42AX and 42AY, 42BX and 42BY.
Is held in the battery holding space 42C.

Therefore, in the hearing aid 30, after the battery is fitted in the battery holding space 42C of the battery cover 42, the battery cover 42 is positioned so that the battery holding walls 42A and 42B are located in the battery chamber 40A of the case body 40. Case body 40
The battery can be easily loaded into the battery chamber 40A inside the case 31 simply by mounting the battery in the case 31.

In the hearing aid 30, the battery cover 4
When the battery cover 42 is detached from the case body 40 from the state in which the
The battery stored inside can be easily and reliably taken out. Therefore, by configuring the battery compartment 40A and the battery cover 42 of the hearing aid 30 in this manner, it is possible to easily attach / detach the battery even to a wearer who has a limited hand, such as the elderly. Can be. Furthermore, since the battery holding walls 42A and 42B are arranged so as to face each other while maintaining a predetermined distance, the notches 42D and 42E are formed, and the button is inserted through the notches 42D and 42E. Since the battery can be picked directly with a finger, the button battery can be easily removed from the battery holding space 42C.

(4) Effects of the Embodiment According to the above configuration, the battery holding wall 42 of the battery cover 42
A, 42A and 42AY, 4
By forming the 2BX and 42BY, the battery can be securely held in the battery holding space 42C of the battery cover 42, thereby making it extremely easy to load and remove the button-type battery.

(5) Other Embodiments In the above embodiment, the ridges 42AX and 42A
Although the case where the number of Y, 42BX, and 42BY is four has been described, the present invention is not limited to this, and the number of protrusions may be a number other than four, for example, two, three, or five or more. good.

In the above-described embodiment, the protrusions 42AX, 42AY,
Although the case where 42BX and 42BY are provided has been described,
The present invention is not limited to this, and as shown in FIG.
The diameter of each of 2A and 42B is made slightly smaller than the diameter of the battery, and an appropriate number of rivets 42AZ and 42
Even if BZ is formed, the same effect as the present invention can be obtained. In this case, the battery is fitted against the elastic force of the battery holding walls 42A and 42B toward the center.

Further, in the above embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to a hearing aid has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and can be applied to other devices using a battery as a power source, such as a radio, a transceiver, and a camera. It is.

[0045]

As described above, according to the present invention, the button-type battery is elastically held in the battery holding means as a lid material of the recess formed in the hearing aid case, and the battery holding means is attached to the hearing aid case. Since the button-type battery is easily loaded into the recess only by fitting, a hearing aid in which the button-type battery can be easily attached and detached can be realized.

[Brief description of the drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the overall configuration of an ear-hearing hearing aid according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an overall configuration of a battery cover.

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the overall configuration of a battery cover.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view for explaining a magnet rod.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the overall configuration of a battery cover.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the overall configuration of a conventional ear-hearing hearing aid.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the overall configuration of a conventional ear-hearing hearing aid.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the overall configuration of a conventional ear-hearing hearing aid.

[Explanation of symbols]

1, 30 hearing aid, 40 case body, 40A
Battery compartment, 42 ... Battery cover, 42A, 42B ... Battery holding wall, 42AX, 42AY, 42BX, 42BY ...
Protrusions (protrusions), 42AZ, 42BZ ...
2C: space formed by the battery holding wall (battery holding space), 45: O-ring, 70: magnet rod.

Claims (5)

(57) [Claims] 1. A battery holder for elastically holding a button type battery.
Means for fitting into a recess formed in the hearing aid case.
Thus, the battery holding means serves as a lid material for the concave portion.
That the button-type battery is loaded into the hearing aid case
Hearing aid characterized by the following. 2. The battery holding means has a diameter slightly larger than the diameter of the button type battery.
Multiple ridges formed on the inner wall of the battery holding wall made of elastic material
The button-shaped battery was in contact with each of the ridges
In each state, the elastic force of the battery holding wall causes
2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the holding is performed in an enclosed space.
A hearing aid as described. 3. Each of the projections is not formed at an open end of an inner wall of the battery holding wall.
3. The hearing aid according to claim 2, wherein: 4. The battery holding means has a diameter slightly smaller than a diameter of the button type battery.
Form an appropriate number of scrapes on the battery holding wall made of elastic material.
The button-shaped battery and the inner wall of the battery holding wall.
In contact with the battery holding wall by the elastic force of the battery holding wall.
It is held in the space surrounded by the battery holding wall .
The hearing aid according to claim 1. 5. A notch for taking out a battery is formed in the battery holding wall.
Complement according to claim 2, 3 or 4, characterized in that provided
Hearing instrument.