US2239550A - Bone conduction hearing device - Google Patents

Bone conduction hearing device Download PDF

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Publication number
US2239550A
US2239550A US305277A US30527739A US2239550A US 2239550 A US2239550 A US 2239550A US 305277 A US305277 A US 305277A US 30527739 A US30527739 A US 30527739A US 2239550 A US2239550 A US 2239550A
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crystal
bone conduction
plate
corner
hearing device
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US305277A
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Joseph R Cubert
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AUREX Corp
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AUREX CORP
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    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R17/00—Piezoelectric transducers; Electrostrictive transducers

Definitions

  • 'I'his invention relates to what are commonly called piezo-electric devices, and more particularly to those that are adapted for use as a hearing aid, by deaf people, by using bone conduction, as by placing the device against the mastoid bone back of the ear.
  • the object of the invention is to provide a device of this kind in which the crystal, say, of Rochelle salt, is mounted or equipped in a novel and approved manner, thereby to improve the eiilciency and effectiveness of the device.
  • Fig. 1 is a perspective of a hearing aid device embodying the principles of the invention.
  • Fig, 2 is an enlarged vertical section on line 2-2 in Fig. 1 of the drawing.
  • Fig. 3 is a transverse horizontal section on line 3 4 in Fig. 1 of the drawing.
  • Fig. 4 is a perspective of the Rochelle salt crystal employed in said device.
  • Fig. 5 is a similar perspective view, but showf ing a different form of the invention.
  • Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the action ofthe bender type of crystal shown and employed in Fig. 2.
  • Fig. 7 is a similar view illustrating the action of the so-called twister type of crystal shown in Fig. 5 of the drawing.
  • Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic/view of the circuits of the apparatus, of which said device is a part.
  • the invention as shown in Figs. 1 to 4, inclusive, comprises a Rochelle salt crystal composed preferably of two fiat sections I and 2, held iiatwise together in the well known manner.
  • this crystal is of less width than length, and has its middle provided with a weight 3, suitably secured thereto.
  • the ends of the crystal have U-shaped springs I secured thereto, in any suitable or desired manner, as by cement, and the other ends of these springs are then fastened in any suitable manner to the bottom or back wall 5 of the boxlike housing which encloses the crystal.
  • the top or outer wall 6 may be removable, if desired.
  • 'I'he lower end of the crystal is provided on its opposite surfaces with flat electrode conductors l and 8, which are in turn connected with the wires 9 and I0 leading to a microphone and amplifier ii, of any suitable or desired character, which in turn is connected to 'the batteryA i2, of any suitable character, the entire apparatus being made on a small scale, so that it can be carried around by a deaf person, with the bone conduction piezo-electric device on the head, and with the battery and other elements in agcoat pocket.
  • the crystal formed by the flat sections i and 2 is of the bender type and that, with its resilient support at its opposite ends, this crystal vibrates at its middle, back and forth, as illustrated in Fig. 6 of the drawing, the weight 3 ensuring the' necessary inertia.
  • the crystal I3 is of the socalled twister type, having springs i4 applied to three of its corners, and having a weight l5 applied to the other corner.
  • the crystal has a twisting action, instead of just a straight bending action, and vibrates in a twisting manner, as illustrated in Fig. '7 of the drawing.
  • 'I'he crystal 3 is preferably square, instead of being oblong.
  • the crystal is, in effect, a floating element,- as it is not held stationary at any point thereon, for to the contrary it is free to vibrate or move throughout its entire area, as the result of the resilient support provided.
  • Rochelle salt crystals are well known and it is quite generally understood that they are distorted when subjected to an alternating electric current, and that they generate the current when subjected to mechanical pressure or distortion
  • Rochelle salt there are other substances, other than Rochelle salt, that can be used to form the crystal, but in some ways Rochelle salt is preferable.
  • a piezo-electric bone conduction hearing device having anV electric current input and a mechanical vibration output, comprising a crystal plate of rectangular form, and means attached at each of the four corners of the plate, for affecting the vibrations thereof, the means of at least one corner being all on one side of the plate and separate from the means of another corner, and there being at least three corners having practically the same kind of means, in combination with a bone conduction member subject to the vibrations of the crystal and adapted to be placed against the head and forming a support for said crystal, said means comprising spring supports for said three corners, with a weight at the four-th corner.
  • a piezo-electric bone conduction hearing device having an electric current input and a mechanical vibration output, comprising a crystal plate of rectangular form, and means attached at each of the four corners of the plate, for affecting the vibrations thereof, the means of at least one corner being all on one side of the plate and separate from the means of another corner, and there being at leastl three corners having practically the same kind of means, in combination with a bone conduction member subject to the vibrations of the crystal 'and adapted to be placed against the head and forming a support for said crystal, the said plate being weighted for vibration,
  • a piezo-electric bone conduction hearing device having an electric current input and a mechanical vibration output, comprising a crystal plate of rectangular form, and means attached at each of thefour corners of the plate, for
  • the means of at least one corner being all on one side of the plate and separate from the means of another corner, and there being at least three corners having practically the same kind of means, in combination with a bone conduction member subject to the vibrations of the crystal and adapted to be placed against the head and forming a support for said crystal, said means comprising a springr support at each of the four corners, and the middle oi' the plate being weighted for' vibration.
  • a piezo-electric bone conduction hearing device having an electric current input and a mechanical vibration output, comprising a crystal plate of rectangular form, and means attached at each of the four corners of the plate, for affecting ⁇ the vibrations thereof, the means of at least one corner being all on one side of the plate and separate from the means of another corner, and there being at least three corners having practically the same kind of means, in combination with a bone conduction member subject to the vibrations of the crystal and adapted to be placed against the head and forming a support for said crystal, theplate being resiliently supported and weighted for vibration.
  • a vibrator comprising a member of piezo-electric crystal substance, electrode means for impressing electric oscillations on the piezo-electric substance of said member to 4produce a vibratory motion of said vibrator, and mechanical springs supporting said vibrator in a floating condition and coupling said vibrator to a load toA cause transfer of vibratory energy produced by said vibratory motion to said load, said springs being resilient in the direction of the transfer of the energy.
  • a piezoLelectric bone conduction hearing device comprising a bone conduction member to be placed against the head, a piezo-electric crystal, electrode means for impressing electric oscillations on a piezo-electric crystal to produce a vibratory motion, and mechanical springssupporting said crystal at opposite edge portions and connected to said bone conduction member for supporting said crystal in a floating condition and coupling said crystal to said bone conduction member to cause -transfer of vibratory energy to said member, and a weight attached to said floating crystal.

Description

April 22, 1941 J. R. CUBERT BONE CONDUCTION HEARING DEVICE Filed Nov. 20, 1939 r kwk m J..
INVEN TOR. B J/@J wef lJE Patented Apr. 22, 1941 BONE CONDUCTION HEARING DEVICE Joseph R. Cubert, Chicago, lll., assignor to Aurex Corporation, Chicago, lll., a corporation of Illinoia Application November 20, 1939, Serial No. 305,277
8 Claims.
'I'his invention relates to what are commonly called piezo-electric devices, and more particularly to those that are adapted for use as a hearing aid, by deaf people, by using bone conduction, as by placing the device against the mastoid bone back of the ear.
Generally stated, the object of the invention is to provide a device of this kind in which the crystal, say, of Rochelle salt, is mounted or equipped in a novel and approved manner, thereby to improve the eiilciency and effectiveness of the device.
It-ls also an object to provide certain novel features of construction and combinations tending to increase the general efficiency and desirability of devices of this character.
To the foregoing and other useful ends, the invention consists in matters hereinafter set forth and claimed and shown in' the accompanying drawingjin which- Fig. 1 is a perspective of a hearing aid device embodying the principles of the invention.
Fig, 2 is an enlarged vertical section on line 2-2 in Fig. 1 of the drawing.
Fig. 3 is a transverse horizontal section on line 3 4 in Fig. 1 of the drawing.
Fig. 4 is a perspective of the Rochelle salt crystal employed in said device.
Fig. 5 is a similar perspective view, but showf ing a different form of the invention.
Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the action ofthe bender type of crystal shown and employed in Fig. 2.
Fig. 7 is a similar view illustrating the action of the so-called twister type of crystal shown in Fig. 5 of the drawing.
Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic/view of the circuits of the apparatus, of which said device is a part.
As thus illustrated, the invention, as shown in Figs. 1 to 4, inclusive, comprises a Rochelle salt crystal composed preferably of two fiat sections I and 2, held iiatwise together in the well known manner. Preferably, this crystal is of less width than length, and has its middle provided with a weight 3, suitably secured thereto. The ends of the crystal have U-shaped springs I secured thereto, in any suitable or desired manner, as by cement, and the other ends of these springs are then fastened in any suitable manner to the bottom or back wall 5 of the boxlike housing which encloses the crystal. The top or outer wall 6 may be removable, if desired.
'I'he lower end of the crystal is provided on its opposite surfaces with flat electrode conductors l and 8, which are in turn connected with the wires 9 and I0 leading to a microphone and amplifier ii, of any suitable or desired character, which in turn is connected to 'the batteryA i2, of any suitable character, the entire apparatus being made on a small scale, so that it can be carried around by a deaf person, with the bone conduction piezo-electric device on the head, and with the battery and other elements in agcoat pocket.
It will be seen that the crystal formed by the flat sections i and 2 is of the bender type and that, with its resilient support at its opposite ends, this crystal vibrates at its middle, back and forth, as illustrated in Fig. 6 of the drawing, the weight 3 ensuring the' necessary inertia.
As shown in Fig. 5, the crystal I3 is of the socalled twister type, having springs i4 applied to three of its corners, and having a weight l5 applied to the other corner. With this arrangement, the crystal has a twisting action, instead of just a straight bending action, and vibrates in a twisting manner, as illustrated in Fig. '7 of the drawing. 'I'he crystal 3 is preferably square, instead of being oblong.
Thus, in each form of the invention, the crystal is, in effect, a floating element,- as it is not held stationary at any point thereon, for to the contrary it is free to vibrate or move throughout its entire area, as the result of the resilient support provided. This results in a true and substantially perfect action, so that the vibrations are correct, ensuring proper transmission of the sound, und'storted, to the auditory elements within the head of the user, for very often these inside auditory elements are in normal condition, even though the ear-drum or outside elements have become defective.
Therefore, when an alternating electric current is passed through the crystal, to impose a potential thereon, the vibrations of the crystal are transmitted through the springs to the wall of the box, and through this wall to the bone of the head, and thence to the inside auditory elements.
The characteristics of Rochelle salt crystals are well known and it is quite generally understood that they are distorted when subjected to an alternating electric current, and that they generate the current when subjected to mechanical pressure or distortion Of course, there are other substances, other than Rochelle salt, that can be used to form the crystal, but in some ways Rochelle salt is preferable.
It will be understood, of course, that these Rochelle salt crystals are sold in the form shown and described with the two sections thereof cemented together, and that the outer fiat Surfaces of the opposite sides of the crystal covered with an extremely fine film of metal, and that the electrodes are fastened to the said film of metal. The said metallic film thus found on commercial crysn tals of this kind is so thin that it cannot be represented by two lines nor even by a very ne line, as it is formed by the thinnest kind of metal foil. It merely puts a metallic surface on the crystal, practically Without adding anything to the thick-- ness thereof. lThis is so well known and underq stood that it needs no further explanation.
It will be seen, therefore, that in each form ci the invention there is something at each corner of the crystal plate thataffects the vibration of the crystal, and in each form of the invention there is at least one corner that has such means on only one flat side of the plate, and it is found that this is of advantage in various ways.
It is important to observe that the vibration affecting means at each corner of the crystal plate, in each form of the invention, is unconnected with anything flexible other than the plate itself.
What I claim as my invention is:
1. A piezo-electric bone conduction hearing device having anV electric current input and a mechanical vibration output, comprising a crystal plate of rectangular form, and means attached at each of the four corners of the plate, for affecting the vibrations thereof, the means of at least one corner being all on one side of the plate and separate from the means of another corner, and there being at least three corners having practically the same kind of means, in combination with a bone conduction member subject to the vibrations of the crystal and adapted to be placed against the head and forming a support for said crystal, said means comprising spring supports for said three corners, with a weight at the four-th corner.
2. A piezo-electric bone conduction hearing device having an electric current input and a mechanical vibration output, comprising a crystal plate of rectangular form, and means attached at each of the four corners of the plate, for affecting the vibrations thereof, the means of at least one corner being all on one side of the plate and separate from the means of another corner, and there being at leastl three corners having practically the same kind of means, in combination with a bone conduction member subject to the vibrations of the crystal 'and adapted to be placed against the head and forming a support for said crystal, the said plate being weighted for vibration,
3. A piezo-electric bone conduction hearing device having an electric current input and a mechanical vibration output, comprising a crystal plate of rectangular form, and means attached at each of thefour corners of the plate, for
affecting the vibrations thereof, the means of at least one corner being all on one side of the plate and separate from the means of another corner, and there being at least three corners having practically the same kind of means, in combination with a bone conduction member subject to the vibrations of the crystal and adapted to be placed against the head and forming a support for said crystal, said means comprising a springr support at each of the four corners, and the middle oi' the plate being weighted for' vibration..
e. A piezo-electric bone conduction hearing device having an electric current input and a mechanical vibration output, comprising a crystal plate of rectangular form, and means attached at each of the four corners of the plate, for affecting `the vibrations thereof, the means of at least one corner being all on one side of the plate and separate from the means of another corner, and there being at least three corners having practically the same kind of means, in combination with a bone conduction member subject to the vibrations of the crystal and adapted to be placed against the head and forming a support for said crystal, theplate being resiliently supported and weighted for vibration.
5. A structure as specified in claim 4, said plate being a twister with a Weight at one corner thereof.
6. A structure as specified in claim 4, said plate being a bender with a supporting spring at each corner thereof and with a weight carried by .the middle of the plate.
7. In a piezo-electric device for imparting mechanical vibrations to a load, a vibrator comprising a member of piezo-electric crystal substance, electrode means for impressing electric oscillations on the piezo-electric substance of said member to 4produce a vibratory motion of said vibrator, and mechanical springs supporting said vibrator in a floating condition and coupling said vibrator to a load toA cause transfer of vibratory energy produced by said vibratory motion to said load, said springs being resilient in the direction of the transfer of the energy.
8. A piezoLelectric bone conduction hearing device comprising a bone conduction member to be placed against the head, a piezo-electric crystal, electrode means for impressing electric oscillations on a piezo-electric crystal to produce a vibratory motion, and mechanical springssupporting said crystal at opposite edge portions and connected to said bone conduction member for supporting said crystal in a floating condition and coupling said crystal to said bone conduction member to cause -transfer of vibratory energy to said member, and a weight attached to said floating crystal.
JOSEPH R. CUBERT.
US305277A 1939-11-20 1939-11-20 Bone conduction hearing device Expired - Lifetime US2239550A (en)

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Cited By (13)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3064089A (en) * 1960-06-24 1962-11-13 Donald P Ward Waterproof inertial type microphone
US3114848A (en) * 1959-02-05 1963-12-17 Bosch Arma Corp High efficiency sonic generator
US3326038A (en) * 1964-06-11 1967-06-20 Schloss Fred Testing apparatus
US5778079A (en) * 1997-06-27 1998-07-07 Wun; Yien Chen Skin touch-controlled piezoelectric microphone
US20090245555A1 (en) * 2008-03-31 2009-10-01 Cochlear Limited Piezoelectric bone conduction device having enhanced transducer stroke
US20100179375A1 (en) * 2007-05-24 2010-07-15 Cochlear Limited Vibrator for bone conducting hearing devices
US20100298626A1 (en) * 2009-03-25 2010-11-25 Cochlear Limited Bone conduction device having a multilayer piezoelectric element
US20100316235A1 (en) * 2009-06-12 2010-12-16 Eui Bong Park Bone conduction speaker with vibration prevention function
US20110280416A1 (en) * 2008-03-04 2011-11-17 Sonitus Medical, Inc. Dental bone conduction hearing appliance
US9107013B2 (en) 2011-04-01 2015-08-11 Cochlear Limited Hearing prosthesis with a piezoelectric actuator
US10412512B2 (en) 2006-05-30 2019-09-10 Soundmed, Llc Methods and apparatus for processing audio signals
US10484805B2 (en) 2009-10-02 2019-11-19 Soundmed, Llc Intraoral appliance for sound transmission via bone conduction
USRE48797E1 (en) 2009-03-25 2021-10-26 Cochlear Limited Bone conduction device having a multilayer piezoelectric element

Cited By (24)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3114848A (en) * 1959-02-05 1963-12-17 Bosch Arma Corp High efficiency sonic generator
US3064089A (en) * 1960-06-24 1962-11-13 Donald P Ward Waterproof inertial type microphone
US3326038A (en) * 1964-06-11 1967-06-20 Schloss Fred Testing apparatus
US5778079A (en) * 1997-06-27 1998-07-07 Wun; Yien Chen Skin touch-controlled piezoelectric microphone
US10412512B2 (en) 2006-05-30 2019-09-10 Soundmed, Llc Methods and apparatus for processing audio signals
US11178496B2 (en) 2006-05-30 2021-11-16 Soundmed, Llc Methods and apparatus for transmitting vibrations
US10735874B2 (en) 2006-05-30 2020-08-04 Soundmed, Llc Methods and apparatus for processing audio signals
US10536789B2 (en) 2006-05-30 2020-01-14 Soundmed, Llc Actuator systems for oral-based appliances
US10477330B2 (en) 2006-05-30 2019-11-12 Soundmed, Llc Methods and apparatus for transmitting vibrations
US20100179375A1 (en) * 2007-05-24 2010-07-15 Cochlear Limited Vibrator for bone conducting hearing devices
US8620015B2 (en) 2007-05-24 2013-12-31 Cochlear Limited Vibrator for bone conducting hearing devices
US8433083B2 (en) * 2008-03-04 2013-04-30 Sonitus Medical, Inc. Dental bone conduction hearing appliance
US20110280416A1 (en) * 2008-03-04 2011-11-17 Sonitus Medical, Inc. Dental bone conduction hearing appliance
US20090247811A1 (en) * 2008-03-31 2009-10-01 Cochlear Limited Mechanically amplified piezoelectric transducer
US8154173B2 (en) 2008-03-31 2012-04-10 Cochlear Limited Mechanically amplified piezoelectric transducer
US20090245555A1 (en) * 2008-03-31 2009-10-01 Cochlear Limited Piezoelectric bone conduction device having enhanced transducer stroke
US8150083B2 (en) 2008-03-31 2012-04-03 Cochlear Limited Piezoelectric bone conduction device having enhanced transducer stroke
US8837760B2 (en) 2009-03-25 2014-09-16 Cochlear Limited Bone conduction device having a multilayer piezoelectric element
USRE48797E1 (en) 2009-03-25 2021-10-26 Cochlear Limited Bone conduction device having a multilayer piezoelectric element
US20100298626A1 (en) * 2009-03-25 2010-11-25 Cochlear Limited Bone conduction device having a multilayer piezoelectric element
US20100316235A1 (en) * 2009-06-12 2010-12-16 Eui Bong Park Bone conduction speaker with vibration prevention function
US10484805B2 (en) 2009-10-02 2019-11-19 Soundmed, Llc Intraoral appliance for sound transmission via bone conduction
US10142746B2 (en) 2011-04-01 2018-11-27 Cochlear Limited Hearing prosthesis with a piezoelectric actuator
US9107013B2 (en) 2011-04-01 2015-08-11 Cochlear Limited Hearing prosthesis with a piezoelectric actuator

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