Balanced multi-coil armature receiver

Abstract

Balanced anchor receiver, comprehensive: a housing that includes a membrane which divides the interior of the housing into a rear volume and a front volume, which is acoustically connected to a sound port of the housing; a multi-coil motor located in the housing and comprising an armature having a movable section connected to the diaphragm; a terminal board integrated with the balanced armature receiver and comprising a multitude of contacts, wherein the multi-coil motor is electrically connected to the contacts of the terminal board; a capacitor component integrated into the terminal board and electrically connected to the terminal board contacts, wherein the electrical connections of the multi-coil motor and the capacitor component with the terminal board are configured to change an electrical impedance of the balanced armature receiver based on a frequency of an electrical signal applied to the multi-coil motor.

Description

AREA OF REVELATION

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to sound-generating receivers, and more particularly to balanced multiple coil armature receivers suitable for use in on-ear hearing aids, and combinations thereof. BACKGROUND

[0002] Sound-generating balanced armature receivers (also referred to herein as "receivers") are known for their small size, high power efficiency, and high fidelity, making them particularly suitable for use in ear-worn hearing aids. Such devices include hearing aids, wireless earplugs, sound amplifiers and audio monitors, as well as other body-worn hearing devices. Receivers generally comprise a housing whose interior is divided into front and rear volumes by a diaphragm. A motor connected to the diaphragm includes an armature (also called a "reed") attached to a yoke and having an end portion movably located between permanent magnets held by the yoke.An electrical signal applied to a coil coupled to the armature causes the armature to actuate the diaphragm, thereby emitting sound from a sound port in the front volume.

[0003] Receivers typically have a relatively low electrical impedance to increase acoustic performance. The receiver's impedance is predominantly resistive at low frequencies, and power consumption is relatively high due to the low resistance, as the average power consumption (P avg ) = V rms 2 / R is for a purely resistive impedance. Signals with large amplitudes at lower frequencies can generate transient voltage drops sufficient to restart the hearing aid's operating systems, a process known as rebooting. At higher frequencies, the receiver's acoustic performance is reduced due to the increased impedance, largely due to the coil's inductance. Balanced armature receivers suitable for ear-worn hearing aids, and combinations thereof, therefore still require improvement. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0004] The objects, features, and advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The description and drawings illustrate representative embodiments and suggest others without limiting the scope of the disclosure. Fig. 1 is a partial isometric view of a receiver according to one embodiment. Fig. 2 is a partial isometric view of a receiver according to another embodiment. Fig. Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a circuit diagram and terminal board arrangement in a receiver. Fig. 4 is a sectional view of a receiver according to another embodiment. Fig. 5 is an exploded view of the receiver of Fig. 4. Fig. 6 is a sectional view of a receiver according to another embodiment. Fig. 7 is a sectional view of a receiver according to another embodiment. Fig. 8 is a sectional view of a receiver according to another embodiment. Fig. 9 is an exploded view of the receiver of Fig. 8. Fig. Figure 10 is another schematic diagram of a circuit diagram and terminal board arrangement in a receiver. Fig. 11 is a hearing aid component (RIC) of a receiver. Fig. 12 is a partial sectional view of the RIC component of Fig. 11. Fig. 13 is another partial sectional view of the RIC component of Fig. 11. Fig. 14 is another partial sectional view of the RIC component of Fig. 11. Fig. Figure 15 is an exploded partial view of coupled receivers. Fig. 16 is an isometric view of the fully assembled receivers of Fig. 15. Fig. 17 is an isometric view of receivers assembled according to another embodiment. Fig. 18 is an exploded view of the assembled receivers of Fig. 17. Fig. 19 is an isometric view of in-line receivers according to another embodiment. Fig. 20 is an exploded view of the assembled receivers of Fig. 19. Fig. 21 is a partial sectional view of a multiple coil motor according to an embodiment. Fig. 22 is a partial sectional view of a multiple coil motor according to another embodiment. Fig. 23 is a partial sectional view of a multiple coil motor according to another embodiment. Fig. 24 is a partial sectional view of a multiple coil winding according to another embodiment.

[0005] Those skilled in the art will understand that the drawings are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and therefore may not be drawn to scale and may not include known features, that the order of occurrence of acts or steps may vary from the order described and that the order of occurrence of such acts or steps may be performed concurrently unless otherwise indicated, and that the terms and expressions used herein have a meaning understood by those skilled in the art unless a different meaning is expressly assigned herein. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0006] The disclosure relates to sound-generating receivers in general, and balanced multi-coil armature receivers in particular, suitable for use in on-the-ear hearing aids, as well as combinations thereof. Such hearing aids include, but are not limited to, in-the-canal (RIC) receivers, completely in-the-canal (CIC) receivers, in-the-ear (ITE) devices, behind-the-ear (BTE) devices, on-the-ear sound amplifiers, in-the-ear audio monitors, and true wireless stereo (TWS) and other wireless headphones, as well as other body-worn hearing aids. Representative examples are further described herein.

[0007] The multi-coil receivers described herein generally include a housing having a diaphragm that separates the interior of the housing into a rear volume and a front volume acoustically coupled to a sound port of the housing. A multi-coil motor located within the housing includes an armature having a movable portion located between permanent magnets held by a yoke and connected to the diaphragm. A terminal board integrated into the balanced armature receiver includes a plurality of terminals electrically connected to the first and second coils of the motor. A capacitor component is integrated into the terminal board and electrically connected to the contacts of the terminal board.The electrical connections of the first and second coils and the capacitor component to the terminal board can be configured to change an electrical impedance of the balanced armature receiver based on a frequency of an electrical signal applied to the multi-coil motor. Representative examples are further described herein.

[0008] In the Fig. 1-2, 4-9, and 12-14, a receiver 100 includes a multi-coil motor 110 having a first coil 112 and a second coil 114 disposed within a housing 102 and electrically connected to the terminals of a terminal board 120. A capacitor component 122 is integrated into the terminal board and electrically connected between the terminal board's contacts, as described below. The capacitor component may be integrated into the terminal board by surface-mounting the capacitor component to the terminal board's contacts. Alternatively, the capacitor component may be embedded in the terminal board or otherwise secured thereto. Fig. 4 to 9, the receiver comprises a first membrane 104 which separates the interior of the housing into a rear volume and a front volume which is acoustically connected to a sound port 106 of the housing 102, as best shown in Fig. 5. A sound port is a passage from the inside of the case to the outside. Fig. 7-9, the receiver includes a second membrane 105 that divides the interior of the receiver housing into at least a second rear volume and a second front volume, as described below. Optionally, the sound port can be acoustically coupled to a nozzle 107 connected to the receiver housing.

[0009] In Fig. 11-14, the multi-coil receiver 100 is part of a hearing device component 200, which is described in more detail herein. In other implementations, one or more multi-coil receivers may be integrated into another body-worn hearing device, examples of which are described herein.

[0010] In general, the terminal board can be configured to connect the capacitor component in parallel or in series with one of the coils of the multi-coil motor, depending on whether the coils are arranged in parallel or in series. Fig. 3, the first coil 112 is electrically connected between contacts 1 and 3 of the terminal board 120, and the capacitor C is electrically connected between contacts 1 and 2 of the terminal board and in series with the second coil 114, which is electrically connected between contacts 2 and 3 of the terminal board. In Fig. 1-2, the terminal board 120 includes at least three contacts accessible from the outside of the receiver housing 102. The contacts accessible from the outside of the housing may be located at an electrical interface accessible from the outside of the housing. The first coil 112 is electrically connected between a first contact 121 and a third contact 123 of the terminal board. The capacitor component 122 is electrically connected between the first contact 121 and a second contact 124 of the terminal board, and the second coil 114 is electrically connected between the second and third contacts 124 and 123, respectively. The capacitor component 122 is also located at an electrical interface of the terminal board accessible from the outside of the receiver housing. A terminal board accessible from the outside of the housing includes at least a portion exposed to the outside of the housing.Alternatively, the terminal board can connect the first and second coils in series and the capacitor component in parallel with either the first or second coil. Both configurations of the multi-coil motor and the capacitor component reduce the possibility of inadvertent restart of the hearing aid's operating systems and compensate for the increasing impedance that would otherwise occur with increasing operating frequency in the absence of the capacitor component.

[0011] Some hearing aids include an optional ground or other electrical reference. In some implementations, the terminal board includes a ground contact electrically connected to a conductive portion of the housing or another electrical reference point. The receiver housing may be conductive or non-conductive and include a conductive portion connected to the terminal contact on the terminal board. Fig. 3, a fourth contact of the terminal board is electrically connected to a conductive portion of the housing 102. In Fig. 1-2, the terminal board 120 includes an electrical interface with a ground contact 126 accessible from outside the housing and electrically connected to a conductive portion of the housing. The ground contact may be electrically connected to the conductive housing of the receiver through a connector or other electrical connection and may be electrically connected to an electrical ground of a hearing aid operating system. Other hearing aids use or do not require a ground contact.

[0012] In some implementations, the ground contact on an external electrical interface of the terminal board, accessible from outside the housing, is electrically connected to a conductive ground ring on an internal electrical interface of the terminal board opposite the receiver housing. The conductive ring is electrically and mechanically connected to a conductive portion of the housing. For example, the terminal board can be soldered to a conductive housing or to a conductive portion of a non-conductive receiver housing. Fig. 5, Fig. 15, Fig. 18 and Fig. 20, the terminal board 120 includes a ground ring 129 on a side of the terminal board facing the housing of the receiver 102. In some implementations, the terminal board acoustically seals a rear volume of the receiver housing. In other implementations, the rear volume of the receiver housing is vented to the outside of the housing to influence the frequency response of the receiver.

[0013] In Fig. 1-2, the terminal board 120 is attached to an exterior side of the housing 102 and includes an electrical interface accessible from the exterior of the housing. Lead wires of the first and second coils are routed through one or more panels or openings through the housing to terminals on the terminal board. The term "lead wire" as used herein refers to end portions of the coil windings themselves or to conductive extensions connected to end portions of the coil windings. In addition to the electrical connections, the lead wires of both coils can be mechanically connected or strain-relieved to one or both coils using adhesives or other mechanical connections. Fig. 1, a first lead wire 113 of the first coil 112 is routed through a first opening in the receiver housing to the first contact 121. A first lead wire of the second coil is routed through a second opening in the housing to the second contact 124. Second lead wires 115, 118 of the first and second coils, respectively, are routed through a third opening to the third contact 123 of the terminal board. Fig. 2, the first lead wires 113, 116 of the first and second coils are routed through a first opening in the housing and to the first and second terminals 121, 124 of the terminal board, respectively. The second lead wires of the first and second coils can be connected within the housing to a common lead wire 119, which is routed through a second aperture to the third terminal 123 of the terminal board. Alternatively, all lead wires of the multi-coil motor can be routed through a single aperture in the housing, or each lead wire can be routed through a corresponding aperture.

[0014] In some implementations, the lead wires of the first and second coils have different identification features to facilitate proper routing of the coil lead wires to the terminals on the terminal board during manufacturing or assembly. The wires may have different colors, different markings, different textures, or different sizes, as well as combinations thereof, to facilitate identification and proper assignment of the wires to the correct terminal board contacts. These and other perceptual features of the coil lead wires can be implemented in any of the multi-coil receivers described herein.

[0015] In general, either the first coil, the second coil, or both coils can be located next to the yoke of the motor. Fig. 21-23, the receiver motor 110 includes a yoke 160 that supports permanent magnets 162, between which a movable portion of the armature 164 extends. The illustrated motors do not include coils that support the coils. However, in other implementations, the coils may be wound around or otherwise supported by a bobbin. The coils generally comprise an electrically conductive wire surrounded by an insulating varnish. The wire is generally connected by some means to maintain it in the form of a wound coil. Various methods may be used to connect the coil wires, including wet winding the coil in an epoxy resin or using a thermally bonded adhesive. In Fig. 21, the first coil 112 is located between the yoke and the second coil 114. In Fig. 22, the second coil 114 is at least partially disposed around the first coil 112, with an outer circumference of the first coil being smaller than an inner circumference of the second coil. Both the first and second coils are located near the yoke 160. Alternatively, the second coil 114 may be spaced from the yoke. In Fig. 23, the first coil 112 includes a tapered shape having a larger outer peripheral portion adjacent the yoke 160. The second coil 114 is at least partially disposed around the first coil and includes a complementary tapered shape with a larger inner perimeter closer to the yoke than a smaller inner perimeter farther from the yoke. In some implementations, the first and second coils are at least partially interwound. Fig. 24, the first coil 112 includes a first portion 117 wound together with the second coil. The first coil has more turns than the second coil, with a second portion 150 of the first coil wound around the interwound portions of the first and second coils. Any of the various coil winding implementations described herein may be implemented in, among other things, all of the representative receivers and representative hearing device components described herein.

[0016] In some implementations, the multi-coil receiver comprises multiple membranes that divide the interior of the housing into several back volumes and one or more front volumes. Fig. 7-9, the receiver comprises a first membrane 104 that separates the interior of the housing into a first front volume 130 and a first rear volume 134, and a second membrane 105 that separates the interior of the housing into a second front volume 132 and a second rear volume 136. In Fig. 7-8, one or more sound ports of the housing acoustically couple the first and second front volumes with a nozzle 107. In Fig. 7, the first and second back volumes are acoustically coupled to each other via a chamber 138 defined by a cup 139 or another portion of the housing 102. In Fig. 8, the second rear volume 136 is acoustically connected to the outside of the housing 102 through a vent 141. In other implementations, a common front volume may be disposed between the first and second diaphragms. Alternatively, a common motor may be disposed between the first and second diaphragms, and the first volumes may be disposed on opposite sides of the housing interior. In other implementations, each diaphragm may be driven by its own motor. These and other multiple diaphragm configurations may be implemented, among others, in any of the multi-coil receivers described herein.

[0017] In some implementations, the multi-coil receiver includes a capacitor component integrated and electrically connected to contacts of an electrical interface accessible from outside the receiver housing. In Fig. 1-2 and 4-5, the electrical interface is located on a terminal board 120, which is attached to the outside of the receiver housing 102. In Fig. 1-2, the capacitor component 122 and the lead wires of the first and second coils 112 and 114 are electrically connected to the contacts of an external electrical interface accessible from the outside of the receiver housing 102. In Fig. 4-5, the capacitor component 122 and lead wires from the first and second coils 112 and 114 are electrically connected to contacts of an internal electrical interface located inside the receiver housing.

[0018] Alternatively, the terminal board may be attached to an interior of the enclosure, and the external electrical interface of the terminal board may be accessible from the outside of the enclosure through an opening in the enclosure. Fig. 5, for example, the terminal board 120 may alternatively be mounted inside the housing instead of as in Fig. 4 on the outside of the housing. The capacitor component and the electrical lead wires can be attached to an internal electrical interface within the housing. Alternatively, the lead wires of the first and second coils can be electrically connected to contacts at the internal electrical interface, and the capacitor component can be electrically connected to contacts at the external electrical interface.

[0019] In other implementations, the multi-coil receiver includes a capacitor component integrated with and electrically connected to contacts of a first (internal) electrical interface located inside the receiver housing. The internal electrical interface is electrically connected to a second (external) electrical interface accessible from an exterior of the receiver housing for connecting a drive signal source. The first and second electrical interfaces may be located on a common terminal board or on different terminal boards. The lead wires of the first and second coils may be electrically connected to contacts of the first or second electrical interfaces.The electrical connections of the first and second coils and the capacitor component at the terminal board are configured to change an electrical impedance of the receiver in response to an electrical signal compared to an electrical impedance of the receiver in the absence of the capacitor component, as described herein.

[0020] In Fig. 10, a first electrical interface 140 electrically connects a first coil 112 in parallel with a second coil 114 electrically connected in series with a capacitor component C, as described herein. The first electrical interface 140 includes a first contact 1 electrically connected to a first contact 1 of a second electrical interface 142. The first electrical interface also includes a third electrical contact 3 electrically connected to a second electrical contact 2 of the second electrical interface. Optionally, the first electrical interface may also include a ground contact 4 electrically connected to a ground portion of the housing of the receiver, and the second electrical interface 142 may include a ground contact 3 electrically connected to the ground contact 4 of the first electrical interface.Alternatively, a ground contact of the second interface may be directly connected to a ground portion of the receiver housing. Alternatively, the first electrical interface may connect the first and second coils in series, with one of the first or second coils electrically connected in parallel to the capacitor component C, as described herein.

[0021] In some implementations, the first and second electrical interfaces are located on different sections of a common terminal board. For example, the first and second interfaces may be located on two different layers on opposite sides of a multilayer printed circuit board or flex strand, and the electrical connections between the first and second interfaces may be made via traces within the printed circuit board or flex strand. Fig. 4-5 and 7, the terminal board 120 covers an opening 101 (best in Fig. 5) of the receiver housing 102, and the first and second electrical coils 112 and 114 and the capacitor component 122 are electrically connected to contacts of a first electrical interface located inside the housing. The contacts of a second electrical interface are electrically connected to the contacts of the first electrical interface. The contacts of the second electrical interface are accessible from the outside of the housing to establish a connection to an electrical drive signal source. Alternatively, the capacitor component 122 of the Fig. 4-5 and 7 may be integrated into the external electrical interface, and the first and second coils may be electrically connected to contacts of the internal electrical interface.

[0022] In other implementations, the first and second electrical interfaces are located on different terminal boards. Fig. 6, a terminal board 120 located in the rear volume of the housing of the receiver 102 includes a first electrical interface on which the capacitor component 122 is integrated. The first and second coils 112 and 114 are electrically connected to the first electrical connection of the terminal board 120. The first electrical connection is electrically connected to a second electrical connection of a second terminal board 127 attached to an exterior side of the housing 102. The contacts of the second electrical interface 127 are accessible from an exterior side of the receiver housing 102 for connecting an electrical drive signal source.

[0023] In Fig. 8-9, the capacitor component 122 is integrated into a first electrical interface of a first terminal board 120 attached to the second coil 114, wherein the terminal board 120 is disposed within the housing 102 of a receiver comprising multiple diaphragms. Alternatively, the first terminal board 120 may also be attached to the first coil 112 or to both coils. The first and second coils are electrically connected to the first electrical interface as described herein. Contacts of the first electrical interface are electrically connected to contacts of a second electrical interface of a second terminal board 127, wherein the contacts of the second electrical interface are accessible from outside the housing. In other implementations, the terminal board 120 may be attached to one of the coils in a multiple-coil receiver comprising a single diaphragm.

[0024] In Fig. 11, the hearing aid is a receiver-in-the-canal (RIC) component 200 that includes a RIC unit 210 connected to a behind-the-ear (BTE) connector 220 via an electrical cable assembly 230. The BTE connector can be connected to a BTE unit (not shown) configured to be worn on the back of a user's ear. The BTE unit includes electrical components including an audio processor that generates an electrical audio signal based on signals from one or more microphones for transmission to the RIC unit via the electrical cable assembly. The BTE unit also includes batteries and can include a wireless receiver for communication with a host device, such as a smartphone, or another BTE unit worn on the user's other ear.

[0025] In Fig. 12-14, the RIC unit is configured to be worn at least partially within a user's ear canal and includes a speaker or receiver 100 that generates an acoustic signal in response to an electrical signal provided by the BTE unit. In some implementations, the speaker is acoustically coupled to a sound passageway via a nozzle 103 carrying a resilient ear cup (not shown) configured to fit at least partially within the user's ear canal. The receiver 100 generally includes a diaphragm that divides the interior of a receiver housing 102 into a rear volume and a front volume that is acoustically coupled to a sound port, as described herein. Fig. 14, the diaphragm 104 includes an S-shaped frame, but other implementations may include a flat frame. A multi-coil motor 110, located within the receiver housing, is connected to the diaphragm and includes an armature having a portion movably disposed between permanent magnets of a yoke, as described herein.

[0026] The speaker or receiver also includes a terminal board 120 having an electrical interface located inside the housing 102. The first and second coils 112 and 114 of the multi-coil motor are electrically connected to the contacts of the electrical interface. A capacitor component 122 is integrated into the terminal board and electrically connected to the terminals of the electrical interface. The electrical connections of the capacitor component and the first and second coils at the electrical interface are configured to change an electrical impedance of the receiver in response to an electrical signal compared to an electrical impedance of the receiver without the capacitor component.

[0027] In the Fig. 12-14, the receiver housing 102 forms an exterior of the RIC unit 210. The nozzle 103 is shown integrated directly into the receiver housing 102. In this way, the RIC unit is free of any structure encapsulating the exterior of the housing, thereby reducing the overall size of the RIC unit. Fig. 12-14, the motor 110 is directly connected to the interior of the housing 102 without any intervening structure, further reducing the overall size of the RIC unit. In other implementations, the receiver may be encapsulated in an outer housing (not shown), and the nozzle may be integrally formed with the outer housing and acoustically coupled to the receiver's sound port.

[0028] Generally, one end of the electrical cable assembly is connected to a housing of the RIC unit. Fig. 12-14, the electrical cable assembly 230 includes a first end portion 232 that is directly connected to the receiver housing 102, which forms the exterior of the RIC unit. In other implementations, the first end portions of the electrical cable assembly may be connected to an outer housing that encapsulates the receiver. Fig. 12-14, the terminal board 120 is integrated into the end portion 232 of the electrical cable assembly and is located in the housing of the receiver. In implementations of the RIC unit that include an external housing encapsulating the receiver, the end portion of the cable assembly may be integrated into the external housing. In other implementations, the terminal board may be located elsewhere in the receiver or in the external housing. Also, the terminal board need not necessarily be integrated into the electrical cable assembly. The terminal board may, for example, be located in the rear volume, as in Fig. 4-6, or attached to a coil of the receiver as shown in Fig. 8-9, among other places.

[0029] In some implementations, a sound-generating transducer assembly for an ear-worn hearing aid includes two or more receivers that are mechanically connected (also referred to as "ganged"). The connected receivers may be connected by an adhesive, a weld, an external housing, a strap, a band, or other retention mechanism. Fig. 15-20, a first receiver 302 is connected to a second receiver 304. Each of the coupled receivers includes one or more membranes that divide the interior of the housing into one or more front and rear volumes, as described herein. Each receiver also includes a motor located within the housing and including an armature with a movable portion located between magnets held by a yoke. The movable portion of the armature is connected to the one or more membranes. These and other aspects of receivers are described herein in connection with the Fig. 1-2 and 4-9 are described in more detail. The arrayed receivers can also be electrically connected in parallel or series, as described below.

[0030] Each of the coupled receivers also includes a corresponding terminal board 120, which includes an external electrical interface accessible from outside the receiver, as shown in the Fig. 15, Fig. 18 and Fig. 20. The terminal board of each receiver also includes an internal electrical interface located at least partially inside the receiver housing. The contacts of the internal electrical interface are electrically connected to the contacts of the external electrical interface; examples of this are described in connection with the Fig. 3 and Fig. 10 and the alternative configurations described herein. The one or more coils of each receiver can be electrically connected to the contacts of the corresponding internal electrical interface. At least one of the arrayed receivers includes a multi-coil motor (in the Fig. 15-20 not shown), which is electrically connected to the terminals of a terminal board as shown in the Fig. 1-2 and 4-9. For receivers comprising multiple coils, a capacitor component 122 may be integrated into and electrically connected to the internal electrical interface connector of the terminal board 120, as shown in Fig. 18 and Fig. 20. In some implementations, the internal electrical interface includes a ground contact 129 that can be connected to a conductive portion of the receiver housing, as shown in the Fig. 15, Fig. 18, Fig. 20 and Fig. 22. The ground contact can be electrically connected to a corresponding contact of the external electrical interface of the corresponding terminal board 120.

[0031] In Fig. 15-20, a third terminal board 306 includes an internal electrical interface with contacts electrically connected to contacts of an external electrical interface of connectors 120 accessible from an exterior of the coupled receivers 302 and 304. In one implementation, the third terminal board 306 is a planar member, and the external electrical interfaces of the coupled receivers 302 and 304 are located in a common plane. In other implementations, the third terminal board 306 may be a flexible terminal board, and the external electrical interfaces of the terminal boards 120 of the coupled receivers are not located in a common plane.In some implementations, the internal and external interfaces of the third terminal board are located on two different layers of a multilayer printed circuit board or flex strand, and the electrical connections between the first and second interfaces of the third terminal board are made via traces within the printed circuit board or flex strand. The electrical connections between the terminals on the internal and external electrical interfaces of the third terminal board 306 can be configured to connect the coupled receivers 302 and 304 in parallel or in series.

[0032] In Fig. 15-16, the third terminal board 306 electrically connects the coupled receivers 302 and 304 in parallel to receive an electrical audio signal via the electrical control signal contacts 308 and 310 of the external electrical interface. Each terminal board 120 includes a ground contact 129 electrically connected to a conductive portion of the corresponding receiver housing 102 and to a common ground contact 312 on the third terminal board 306. The contacts of the internal electrical interface of each terminal board 120 are electrically connected to the first and second coils of the corresponding receiver and to the common contacts 308 and 310 of the third terminal board 306. A single capacitor component 122 is electrically connected to the external electrical interface of the third terminal board 306 to configure the receiver, as generally described in connection with Fig. 3 and Fig. 10 and the alternative embodiments described herein, among others. In one implementation, the single capacitor is connected in series with the second coil of the two coupled receivers, with each of the second coils connected in parallel with each other.

[0033] In Fig. 17, the third terminal board 306 can electrically connect the coupled receivers 302 and 304 in parallel or in series to receive an electrical audio signal via the electrical control signal contacts 308 and 310 of the external electrical interface. Fig. 19, the third terminal board 306 includes, in addition to the contacts 308 and 310 of the external electrical interface, also a ground contact 312. One or both of the multi-coil receivers 302 and 304 of the Fig. 17 and Fig. 19 may include multiple coil motors. Fig. 18 and Fig. 20, the contacts of the internal electrical interface of the terminal board 120 of each receiver are electrically connected to the first and second coils of the corresponding receiver and to the common control signal contacts 308 and 310 on the third terminal board 306. A capacitor component 122 is integrated into and electrically connected to the internal electrical interface of the terminal board 120 to configure the receiver, as generally described in connection with the Fig. 3 and Fig. 10 described.

[0034] While the disclosure and what is presently considered to be the best mode thereof have been described in a manner conferring possession and enabling those of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the same, it will be understood and appreciated that there are many equivalents to the representative embodiments described herein and that countless modifications and variations may be made therein without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention, which is intended to be limited not by the described embodiments but by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

[1] Balanced armature receiver comprising: an enclosure comprising a membrane that separates the interior of the enclosure into a rear volume and a front volume acoustically connected to a sound port of the enclosure; a multi-coil motor located in the housing and including an armature having a movable portion connected to the diaphragm; a terminal board integrated with the balanced armature receiver and including a plurality of contacts, wherein the multi-coil motor is electrically connected to the contacts of the terminal board; a capacitor component integrated into the terminal board and electrically connected to the contacts of the terminal board, wherein the electrical connections of the multiple coil motor and the capacitor component to the terminal board are configured to change an electrical impedance of the balanced armature receiver based on a frequency of an electrical signal applied to the multiple coil motor. [2] A balanced armature receiver according to claim 1, wherein the terminal board is attached to an exterior of the housing and the housing includes at least two discrete apertures through which lead wires from first and second coils of the multi-coil motor are selectively routed to the terminal board. [3] A balanced armature receiver according to claim 2, wherein a first lead wire of the first coil of the multi-coil motor is passed through a first aperture of the housing, a first lead wire of the second coil of the multi-coil motor is passed through a second aperture of the housing, and a second lead wire of the first and second coils is passed through a third aperture of the housing. [4] A balanced armature receiver according to claim 1, wherein the lead wires of the coils of the multi-coil motor have different identifying features. [5] The balanced armature receiver of claim 1, wherein the plurality of contacts of the terminal board and the capacitor component are disposed on a side of the terminal board accessible from an exterior of the housing. [6] The balanced armature receiver of claim 1, wherein the terminal board further comprises a ground contact electrically connected to a conductive portion of the housing. [7] A balanced armature receiver according to claim 6, wherein the terminal contact is arranged on a side of the terminal board accessible from outside the housing, and the terminal contact is electrically connected to a conductive ring on an opposite side of the terminal board, the conductive ring being electrically and mechanically connected to the housing. [8] The balanced armature receiver of claim 1, wherein the terminal board comprises at least 3 contacts, wherein a first coil of the multi-coil motor is electrically connected between a first contact and a third contact of the terminal board, wherein the capacitor component is electrically connected between the first contact and a second contact of the terminal board, and wherein a second coil of the multi-coil motor is electrically connected between the second contact and the third contact. [9] The balanced armature receiver of claim 1, further comprising a second diaphragm separating the interior of the enclosure into a second front volume and a second rear volume, the second front volume being acoustically coupled to the sound port. [10] The balanced armature receiver of claim 1, further comprising a second diaphragm dividing the interior of the housing into a second back volume, and a cup coupled to the housing, an interior of the cup acoustically coupling the back volume to the second back volume. [11] The balanced armature receiver of claim 1, wherein a second coil of the multi-coil motor is at least partially disposed around a first coil of the multi-coil motor, and an outer circumference of the first coil is smaller than an inner circumference of the second coil. [12] A balanced armature receiver according to claim 1, wherein a first coil of the multi-coil motor is disposed between a yoke and a second coil of the multi-coil motor. [13] A balanced armature receiver according to claim 12, wherein the first coil comprises a tapered outer surface having a larger outer peripheral portion proximate the yoke and a smaller outer peripheral portion extending away from the yoke, the tapered outer surface of the first coil being at least partially disposed within a tapered inner surface of the second coil. [14] The balanced armature receiver of claim 1, wherein a first coil of the multi-coil motor includes a first portion wound with at least a portion of a second coil of the multi-coil motor, the first coil having more turns than the second coil, a second portion of the first coil being wound around the first portion wound with the second coil. [15] Balanced armature receiver comprising: an enclosure comprising a membrane that separates an interior of the enclosure into a rear volume and a front volume that is acoustically coupled to a sound port of the enclosure; a multi-coil motor located in the housing and including an armature having a movable portion connected to the diaphragm; a terminal board integrated into the balanced armature receiver, wherein lead wires of the multiple coil motor are electrically routed through a panel of the housing and connected to contacts on a portion of the terminal board accessible from outside the housing; a capacitor component that is integrated into the terminal board and electrically connected to contacts of the terminal board. [16] A balanced armature receiver according to claim 15, wherein the housing comprises at least two discrete apertures through which lead wires of the first and second coils of the multi-coil motor are selectively routed to terminals of the terminal board. [17] A balanced armature receiver according to claim 16, wherein a first lead wire of the first coil of the multi-coil motor is passed through a first opening of the housing, a first lead wire of the second coil of the multi-coil motor is passed through a second opening of the housing, and a second lead wire of each of the first and second coils is passed through a third opening of the housing. [18] A balanced armature receiver according to claim 15, wherein the lead wires of the coils of the multi-coil motor have different identifying features. [19] The balanced armature receiver of claim 15, wherein the terminal board further comprises a terminal contact on the portion of the terminal board accessible from outside the housing, the terminal contact being electrically connected to a conductive portion of the housing. [20] The balanced armature receiver of claim 15, wherein the capacitor component is electrically connected to contacts on a portion of the terminal board located inside the housing or accessible from outside the housing, wherein the electrical connection of the multi-coil motor and the capacitor component to the terminal board is configured to change an electrical impedance of the balanced armature receiver based on a frequency of an electrical signal applied to the motor.

Images