Hearing aid

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a hearing device, in particular an in-the-ear hearing device.

[0002] Hearing aids typically serve to output an audio signal to the hearing of the wearer. The output is transmitted via an output transducer, usually acoustically via airborne sound using a loudspeaker (also referred to as a "receiver" or "earpiece"). Such hearing aids are often used as so-called hearing aids (also referred to as hearing aids for short). For this purpose, the hearing aids typically comprise an acoustic input transducer (in particular a microphone) and a signal processor configured to process the input signal (also called a microphone signal) generated by the input transducer from the ambient sound using at least one signal processing algorithm, usually stored for the specific user, in such a way that any hearing loss of the hearing aid wearer is at least partially compensated.Particularly in the case of a hearing aid, the output transducer can be a loudspeaker, a bone conduction hearing aid, or a cochlear implant, which are designed to mechanically or electrically couple the audio signal into the wearer's ear. The term "hearing aid" also includes devices such as tinnitus maskers, headsets, headphones, and the like.

[0003] Typical designs of hearing aids, especially hearing aids, are behind-the-ear and in-the-ear hearing aids. These terms refer to the intended wearing position. Behind-the-ear hearing aids have a (main) housing that is worn behind the auricle. A distinction can be made between models with a speaker located within this housing. Sound is usually delivered to the ear via a sound tube worn in the ear canal, and models with an external speaker placed in the ear canal. In-the-ear hearing aids, on the other hand, have a housing that is worn in the auricle or even completely within the ear canal.

[0004] In all cases, miniaturization is steadily advancing, particularly to further reduce the conspicuousness of hearing aids and / or to integrate additional functions into the respective housing. A problem is the continued use of rechargeable energy storage devices, which remain in the hearing aid even during charging. Such energy storage devices typically require energy management electronics (charging electronics for short), which controls or regulates the energy output during normal operation and the energy input during charging. The unit, usually consisting of the energy storage device (usually a secondary cell) and the charging electronics, is often referred to as a "power module."If the power module is configured and intended for wireless charging, which is advantageous due to the saving of charging contact connections in hearing aids, in particular hearing aids and preferably in-the-ear hearing aids, the power module often also includes an antenna, usually a coil, for wireless energy reception.

[0005] However, even for such a power module, it may be necessary to be able to remove it from the hearing aid without causing any damage for maintenance, replacement, or similar purposes.

[0006] US 2019 / 0110141 A1 describes a hearing aid comprising a first spring contact and a second spring contact, wherein the two spring contacts are attached to an electronics frame, and wherein the two spring contacts are configured for reversible electrical contacting of at least one of the electronic components with contact surfaces of a bipolar battery. Furthermore, the hearing aid comprises a battery module comprising a rechargeable battery and converter electronics. The battery module is movably connected to the electronics frame and comprises connecting contacts corresponding to the two spring contacts.

[0007] US 5,201,008 B describes a modular hearing aid for insertion into the user's ear, comprising a shell, a faceplate attached to the shell, and an electronic module that is removably snapped into the faceplate. The module contains an open-topped battery compartment, closed by a lid that is hinged to the faceplate rather than the module. This eliminates a bulky hinge on the module and allows for a smaller push button between the module and the faceplate. The module's volume control protrudes through an opening in the closed lid.

[0008] WO 2002 / 071794 A1 describes a method for modeling personalized earpieces, particularly for hearing aids. It describes a procedure for cutting out structures for hearing aid components step by step from a (3D) model of the ear canal.

[0009] The invention is therefore based on the object of providing a maintenance-friendly hearing device.

[0010] This object is achieved according to the invention by a hearing device having the features of claim 1. Advantageous and partly inventive embodiments and further developments of the invention are set out in the subclaims and the following description.

[0011] The hearing device according to the invention is, in particular, an in-the-ear hearing device—preferably an in-the-ear hearing aid (abbreviated to "IdO"). The hearing device comprises a housing shell that encloses an electronics compartment in a cup-like manner and, particularly in the case of an ITE, is preferably worn at least partially in the ear canal when in its intended state. Furthermore, the hearing device comprises a cover plate that is connected to the housing shell to close off (or "close") the electronics compartment. Furthermore, the hearing device comprises an electronics frame that protrudes from the cover plate into the electronics compartment and by means of which an electrical and / or electronic component of the hearing device is reversibly held, at least in directions parallel to the cover plate. Furthermore, the hearing device comprises a reversibly coupled, i.e.A frame lock that is reversibly fixed to the electronics frame and by means of which the electrical and / or electronic component is fixed to the electronics frame in a direction that is perpendicular to the cover plate.

[0012] Preferably, the frame lock is (reversibly) fixed to the electronics frame or coupled thereto in such a way that the frame lock can remain on the electronics frame regardless of the presence of the electrical or electronic component, at least preferably being held in the direction perpendicular to the cover plate.

[0013] Here and below, "cup-like enclosing" is understood in particular to mean that the housing shell delimits the electronics compartment in at least five spatial directions. However, this does not preclude any opening or perforation in the housing shell, for example, for the purpose of cable feedthrough or for sound emission, particularly via a loudspeaker. The sixth spatial direction is preferably kept open in the form of a mounting opening, which is closed by the aforementioned cover plate.

[0014] The electrical or electronic component is secured by the electronics frame parallel to the cover plate (and thus in four spatial directions). These four spatial directions are referred to below, preferably in the context of a Cartesian coordinate system, as the x- and y-directions. In the fifth spatial direction (hereinafter referred to as the z-direction), the frame lock is used for securing the component, which is reversibly held to the electronics frame. Removing the frame lock allows the electronic or electrical component to be removed in the z-direction, allowing maintenance and / or replacement of the component without damaging the frame.

[0015] In the event that the hearing device according to the invention is designed as an ITE, the cover plate is preferably a so-called faceplate.

[0016] In a practical variant, the electronics frame is formed separately from the cover plate and connected to it – optionally permanently, i.e., irreversibly. Alternatively, the electronics frame is formed integrally, i.e., monolithically, with the cover plate, for example, by means of an injection molding process.

[0017] Furthermore, the electronics frame has several retaining fingers between which the aforementioned component is secured in the x- and y-directions. These retaining fingers preferably protrude from the cover plate in the z-direction.

[0018] Further preferably, these retaining fingers are designed in such a way that they exert a clamping force on the component and preferably have to be deflected slightly to the side, in particular to the "back" and thus away from the component, during assembly of the component.

[0019] In an optional embodiment, the retaining fingers already have means for at least a slight positive-locking of the component in the z-direction. These means are, for example, a type of snap hook or similar elements that interact with the component.

[0020] The electronics frame preferably has three of the above-described retaining fingers. This allows the component to be held securely between the retaining fingers, particularly if it has a (at least almost) round outer contour.

[0021] The frame lock described above is also reversibly fixed to one of the retaining fingers at the end (particularly the free end). In other words, the frame lock is located at the end of the corresponding retaining finger facing away from the cover plate.

[0022] The frame lock is preferably positively fixed to the retaining finger in the z-direction, meaning that it cannot be removed from the retaining finger in the z-direction. In particular, the frame lock is coupled to the retaining finger in the manner of a dovetail joint. For this purpose, the frame lock or the retaining finger has a groove that is preferably positioned approximately radially relative to the component, which in turn forms an undercut in the z-direction. This undercut can be trapezoidal in the manner of a "classic" dovetail joint or also in the manner of a T-slot. The retaining finger or the frame lock has a corresponding complementary element that is thus inserted into the corresponding groove from the side of the frame lock or the retaining finger, in particular from the rear side facing away from the component.This makes it relatively easy to connect the frame lock to the retaining finger after the component has been assembled, thus enabling the component to be fixed in the z-direction.

[0023] Preferably, the frame lock has a nose or a similar element which, when properly assembled, lies over the component in the z-direction and thus holds it in place.

[0024] In another practical embodiment, the frame lock is latched to the retaining finger, thus securing it against accidental disassembly. For example, a projection fits into a corresponding recess in the groove described above.

[0025] In a preferred embodiment, at least two of the retaining fingers described above each carry a frame lock.

[0026] For the case described above, where three (in particular, exactly three) retaining fingers are present, a frame lock is expediently arranged on only two of these three retaining fingers. On the "remaining" retaining finger, however, a retaining lug is formed that acts in the z-direction and, particularly in the intended assembly state, protrudes beyond the component on the side facing away from the cover plate (in particular, protrudes radially inward). The component is thus pushed under this retaining lug in the intended assembly state. The two frame locks arranged on the other retaining fingers thus also serve as separate fixing elements to prevent bending of the material forming the retaining fingers beyond the load limits of the latter during assembly of the component.

[0027] In a further preferred embodiment, the housing shell has a projection on the inside assigned to each retaining finger, against which the corresponding retaining finger is supported at the rear - i.e., to prevent it from "dodging" or bending away from the component. In other words, these projections prevent the retaining fingers from shifting when properly installed, for example due to vibrations while wearing the hearing aid, and thus releasing the component. Furthermore, this makes it possible to design the retaining fingers with comparatively thin walls, so that they essentially serve to position the component in the z-direction and to absorb tensile forces in the z-direction. The holding forces in the x- and y-directions required for proper operation, however, are absorbed by the housing shell, which is usually comparatively stable anyway.

[0028] In a further expedient embodiment, which serves in particular for holding multiple components using the above-described holding fingers, the respective frame lock or locks has a holding device, preferably in the form of a holding claw. This holding claw is preferably formed by the above-described lug, which serves to fix or secure the component in the z-direction, and a further lug spaced apart from it in the z-direction. The further component can be inserted between these two lugs. Preferably, the above-described "third" or remaining holding finger also has, in addition to its holding lug, another holding lug spaced apart in the z-direction, which together thus form a holding claw firmly formed on this holding finger.

[0029] The electrical or electronic component described above, which is held between the holding fingers, is preferably a rechargeable secondary cell, preferably the power module described above. The further component is preferably a circuit carrier with electronic components arranged thereon, which form a signal processing unit of the hearing device. This component is also referred to as a "motherboard" (which in particular has a signal processor).

[0030] In the event that several components are held by means of the electronics frame and the respective frame lock(s), these components can thus also advantageously be held in predetermined positions relative to one another, in particular stacked in the z-direction, and can be easily disassembled.

[0031] The conjunction "and / or" is to be understood here and in the following in particular in such a way that the features linked by this conjunction can be formed both together and as alternatives to one another.

[0032] "Form fit" or a "positive connection" between at least two interconnected parts is understood here and below in particular to mean that the interconnected parts are held together at least in one direction by a direct interlocking of the contours of the parts themselves or by an indirect interlocking via an additional connecting part. The "blocking" of mutual movement in this direction is therefore due to the shape.

[0033] An embodiment of the invention is explained in more detail below with reference to a drawing. In the drawings: Fig. 1 in a schematic side view of a hearing device, Fig. 2 in a schematic detailed view of a cover plate, an electronics frame and an electronic component of the hearing device, Fig. 3 in a partial sectional view of the electronics frame and the electronic component, Fig. 4 in a schematic and partial sectional view IV-IV according to Fig. 1 the hearing aid, and Fig. 5 in view according to Fig. 4 the hearing aid.

[0034] Corresponding parts are always provided with the same reference symbols in all figures.

[0035] In Fig. 1 A hearing device, specifically a hearing aid to be worn in the ear of a user, abbreviated to "ITE 1," is shown schematically. The ITE 1 has a housing shell 2 enclosing an electronics compartment 4 with electrical and electronic components 6 arranged therein in the five spatial directions z, +x, -x, +y, and -y. For simplification, the spatial directions are referred to below as the x-direction, y-direction, and z-direction in the sense of a Cartesian coordinate system. The housing shell 2 is open in the sixth spatial direction to allow installation of the components 6. In the illustrated, intended use state, the electronics compartment 4 is closed with a cover plate, referred to here as "faceplate 8." The faceplate 8 is placed on the housing shell 2 and fixed to it.

[0036] For intended operation, the ITE 1 comprises, as components 6, a microphone 10 for detecting ambient sound and converting it into microphone signals, a signal processing unit 12 (also referred to as a "controller") for processing the microphone signals, and a loudspeaker 14 for outputting the processed microphone signals. To supply energy to the components 6, the ITE 1 comprises, as a further component 6, a secondary cell 16, i.e., a rechargeable battery, charging electronics 18 for regulating a voltage provided by the secondary cell 16 to an operating voltage value and for regulating a voltage supplied for charging to a charging voltage value (as well as for controlling or regulating a charging process itself). To make charging the secondary cell 16 particularly user-friendly, the ITE 1 also has an antenna 20 for wireless energy reception, specifically a coil for inductive charging.The secondary cell 16, the charging electronics 18 and the antenna 20 form a so-called power module 22.

[0037] To simplify maintenance or replacement of the power module 22, it is now reversibly mounted in the electronics compartment 4. For this purpose, the ITE 1 comprises an electronics frame 24, which is attached to the faceplate 8. In an alternative embodiment not shown, the electronics frame 24 is formed integrally, i.e., monolithically, with the faceplate 8. The electronics frame 24 serves to hold and position the components 6 in the electronics compartment 4.

[0038] To hold the power module 22, the electronics frame 24 has three retaining fingers 26. These are arranged in such a way that they hold the essentially, i.e., approximately round, specifically circular-cylindrical, power module 22 between them and prevent its movement in the x- and y-directions. One of the retaining fingers 26 has a retaining lug 28 at its free end facing away from the faceplate 8, which projects "radially" inward over the power module 22 to prevent its displacement in the z-direction. The power module 22 and the retaining fingers 26 are dimensioned such that when the power module 22 is installed, the retaining fingers 26 are bent slightly outward (radially outward) due to their elasticity, thus exerting a clamping force on the power module 22. Specifically, the power module 22 is pushed or "clicked" under the retaining lug 28.

[0039] To further secure the power module 22 in the z-direction, the ITE 1 also features two "frame locks 30." These are reversibly connected to one of the two other retaining fingers 26 and also feature a retaining lug 32 that extends radially inward beyond the power module 22.

[0040] The frame locks 30 are held in a form-fitting manner in the z-direction on the retaining fingers 26. The frame locks 30 and the retaining fingers 26 each have an element in the manner of a dovetail joint. Specifically, the retaining fingers 26 have a T-slot 34 at their ends. The frame locks 30 have a T-foot 36, which is shaped complementarily to the T-slot 34 and is inserted radially from the outside into the T-slot 34 for mounting the corresponding frame lock 30 (see Fig. 2 , arrow). The corresponding retaining lug 32 is pushed over the power module 22, thus fixing it in the z-direction.

[0041] From the Fig. 3 The detailed partial sectional view shown further shows that the respective frame lock 30 is locked to the retaining finger 26. For this purpose, the T-slot 34 is delimited radially on the inside by a shoulder 38. The frame lock 30 has a locking lug 40 that "overlaps" or "snaps" over the shoulder 38 when inserted into the T-slot 34, thus preventing unintentional radially outward displacement of the frame lock 30.

[0042] To further secure the power module 22 in the x- and y-directions, the housing shell 2 has projections 42 on its inside, which are arranged correspondingly to the retaining fingers 26. In the assembled state, the retaining fingers 26 are supported on the rear side, i.e., to prevent bending away from the power module 22, against one of these projections 42 each. As a result, the retaining fingers 26 only need to absorb tensile forces to fix the power module 22 in the z-direction. Forces in the x- and y-directions are introduced into the housing shell 2. The frame locks 30 are also supported against the projections 42.

[0043] As can be seen from the Fig. 2 , 3 and 5As can be seen, the frame locks 30 are designed such that they can hold another electronic component 6, specifically the signal processing unit 12 in the form of a "motherboard." For this purpose, the frame locks 30 have another retaining lug 44 spaced apart from the retaining lug 32 in the z-direction, which, together with the retaining lug 32, forms a "retaining claw" 46. This retaining claw 46 grips the motherboard on both sides in the z-direction and holds it in position.

[0044] The subject matter of the invention is not limited to the embodiment described above. Rather, further embodiments of the invention can be derived by those skilled in the art from the above description, which relate to the subject matter of the invention, which is defined by the following claims. List of reference symbols

[0045] 1ITE 2Housing shell 4Electronics compartment 6Component 8Faceplate 10Microphone 12Signal processing unit 14Speaker 16Secondary cell 18Charging electronics 20Antenna 22Power module 24Electronics frame 26Holding finger 28Holding lug 30Frame lock 32Holding lug 34T-slot 36T-foot 38Shoulder 40Locking lug 42Protrusion 44Holding lug 46Holding claw

Claims

1. Hearing device (1), in particular an in-the-ear hearing device, having - a housing shell (2) which encloses an electronics space (4) in the manner of a cup, - a cover plate (8) which is connected to the housing shell (2) in order to close the electronics space (4), - an electronics frame (24) which protrudes from the cover plate (8) into the electronics space (4) and by means of which an electrical and / or electronic component (6) of the hearing device (1) is retained reversibly at least in directions (x, y) parallel to the cover plate (8), and - at least one frame lock (30), fixed reversibly to the electronics frame (24), by means of which the electrical and / or electronic component (6) is fixed to the electronics frame (24) in a direction (z) perpendicular to the cover plate (8), characterized in that the electronics frame (24) has a plurality of retaining fingers (26) between which the electrical or electronic component (6) is fixed in the directions (x, y) parallel to the cover plate (8), and wherein the frame lock (30) is reversibly fixed on one of the retaining fingers (26) at one end.

2. Hearing device (1) according to Claim 1, wherein the electrical and / or electronic component (6) is clamped between the retaining fingers (26).

3. Hearing device (1) according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the frame lock (30) is fixed on the retaining finger (26) in the direction (z) perpendicular to the cover plate (8) in form-fitting fashion, in particular by means of a dovetail-type connection.

4. Hearing device (1) according to Claim 3, wherein the frame lock (30) is latched to the retaining finger (26).

5. Hearing device (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 4, wherein at least two retaining fingers (26) in each case carry a frame lock (30) at their ends.

6. Hearing device (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 5, wherein three retaining fingers (26) are present, wherein in each case one frame lock (30) is arranged at two of the three retaining fingers (26), and wherein formed on the other retaining finger (26) is at least one retaining lug (28) which acts in a direction (z) perpendicular to the cover plate (8) and below which the electrical and / or electronic component (6) is pushed.

7. Hearing device (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 6, wherein the housing shell (2) has on the inside in each case a projection (42) associated with each retaining finger (26) and against which the corresponding retaining finger (26) is supported.

8. Hearing device (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 7, wherein the or the respective frame lock (30) has a retaining device, in particular a retaining claw (46) for retaining a further electrical and / or electronic component (12).