In-ear hearing devices

Abstract

The invention relates to an in-ear hearing device having a housing (4) which is designed to be inserted into the ear canal of a person wearing the hearing device and has a housing cover (2). The housing cover (2) has an antenna (20), in particular a folded, capacitively loaded dipole antenna. The antenna is arranged in particular on the outer side (18) of the housing cover (2).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to an in-ear hearing device having a housing which is provided for insertion into an ear canal of a wearer of the hearing device and has a housing cover. Background Art

[0002] ITE (In-the-Ear) hearing devices are generally characterized in that essential hearing device components, such as a signal processing unit, a receiver (loudspeaker) and preferably also a microphone, are arranged in a housing which is designed to be arranged in the ear canal. ITE hearing devices are also understood here to be, in particular, ITC (In-the-Canal) hearing devices, CIC (Completely-In-the-Canal) hearing devices or IIC (Invisible-In-the-Canal) hearing devices. These hearing devices are here in particular so-called hearing aids which are designed to compensate for the hearing loss of hearing-impaired persons by suitable signal processing and amplification.

[0003] In hearing devices, wireless communication schemes are usually provided, for example for communication with external devices, such as smartphones, or with external audio devices for wireless direct transmission of audio signals, or, for example, in binaural hearing devices, for communication between two hearing devices. Such communication usually requires a suitable receiver / transmitter, including a suitable antenna. Summary of the invention

[0004] Based on this, the technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to achieve efficient wireless communication in ITE hearing devices.

[0005] This technical problem is solved according to the invention by an in-the-ear hearing device having a housing designed to be inserted into the ear canal of a person wearing the hearing device and having a housing shell which in turn has an antenna designed for wireless communication.

[0006] In this case, the antenna is specifically designed for transmitting and / or receiving frequencies in the radio frequency range, for example in the range of 500 MHz to several GHz (5 to 10 GHz). In particular, the antenna is designed, for example, for a frequency of 2.4 GHz, i.e. the resonant frequency of the antenna is adjusted to this frequency. A transmitting / receiving unit is usually arranged in the hearing instrument. The transmitting / receiving unit is connected to the antenna and in the receiving mode evaluates the signals received by the antenna and, if necessary, forwards these signals to a signal processing unit which is also integrated in the hearing instrument, i.e. in the housing. The transmitting unit, in contrast, is designed to process control signals for the antenna for the transmitting mode.

[0007] Furthermore, at least one microphone and a receiver are preferably arranged in the hearing device. The acoustic sound received by the microphone is converted into an electromagnetic signal and transmitted to a signal processing unit, where it is processed individually according to the individual hearing loss of the hearing-impaired person in order to compensate for the hearing loss of the person. The processed signal is finally transmitted to the receiver and is usually converted into sound again there.

[0008] It is now particularly important that the housing shell, ie the outermost boundary of the housing of the hearing instrument, has the antenna itself. Therefore, the antenna is deliberately moved from the interior of the housing into the housing shell.

[0009] This is based on the consideration that the overall structure of the ITE hearing instrument is very small, but at the same time, in order to achieve efficient wireless signal transmission, the antenna, especially the antenna tuned to the required radio frequency range, must have a sufficient physical length. Since the antenna is arranged on the housing cover, a position with the largest possible size is selected to obtain an efficient transmitting or receiving antenna.

[0010] In this case, in a preferred embodiment, the antenna is arranged on the outside of the housing shell. Thus, apart from the antenna arranged on the outside, this outside forms the outermost surface area of ​​the housing. The antenna is thus arranged from the outside to the housing shell. Thus, the largest possible housing geometry is utilized. Alternatively, the antenna can also be integrated inside the housing shell. However, this reduces the maximum dimensions, so that the arrangement on the outside is the preferred variant.

[0011] In a preferred design, the antenna has a conductor structure and a film-like carrier, the conductor structure being arranged on the film-like carrier. The antenna is thus designed in the manner of a film antenna. The film-like carrier together with the conductor structure arranged thereon is in particular designed as a so-called flexible PCB, i.e. a flexible printed circuit board. The film-like carrier is arranged, for example glued, on the outside of the housing cover. Alternatively, the film-like carrier is omitted and the conductor structure is directly arranged on the housing cover.

[0012] The antenna is also preferably arranged around the housing shell. Thus, the antenna is as it were wound around the housing shell. Here, the antenna covers a large part of the outer side of the housing shell, for example at least half, preferably at least two thirds or at least 90% of the area of ​​the outer side of the housing shell. That is, the area surrounded by the conductor structure of the antenna is equal to half, 2 / 3 or 90% of the area of ​​the outer side of the housing shell.

[0013] In an advantageous embodiment, the antenna is a dipole antenna, in particular a capacitively loaded folded dipole antenna. Furthermore, a so-called folded dipole antenna is preferably understood to be a dipole antenna. A dipole antenna is first generally understood to be an antenna having a dipole conductor structure extending in the longitudinal direction of the antenna. A folded dipole antenna is understood to be an antenna having a dipole conductor structure, which has a second conductor parallel to the dipole conductor structure, the ends of which are connected to the ends of the dipole conductor structure. Furthermore, "capacitive loading" is understood to mean that additional conductor structure elements are arranged at the ends of the dipole antenna, i.e., the dipole arms of the dipole conductor structure, by which the capacitance is increased compared to a simple rod-shaped structure. Capacitive loading generally results in a reduction in the resonant frequency of the dipole antenna, or conversely, in a reduction in the actual physical length of the dipole antenna at the same resonant frequency. This means that, compared to an antenna without capacitive loading, the length of the conductor structure can be designed to be shorter at a given resonant frequency (which corresponds to the transmission and / or reception frequency). This is particularly important due to the small available space in ITE hearing devices.

[0014] In an advantageous design, the antenna is also arranged on the housing cover so that the main radiation direction is oriented in the longitudinal direction of the housing. Here, the longitudinal direction is usually defined by the direction of the outlet orientation toward the outside of the auditory canal in the installed state. Since the auditory canal, especially the external auditory canal, usually narrows gradually toward the middle ear (inner ear) and the housing adapts to the geometry of the auditory canal, the housing also tapers gradually toward the inner ear / middle ear. In other words, this means that the housing is longitudinally, i.e., expanded outwardly. The housing cover is usually initially open to the outside in the longitudinal direction and has an outer opening there. The hearing device components are usually loaded through this outer opening. Usually, at least a part of these hearing device components, such as a signal processing unit, a transmitting / receiving unit, and a microphone are arranged on a bracket plate called a "panel", which closes the outwardly directed opening of the housing cover in this regard and thus constitutes a part of the housing. The longitudinal direction is preferably perpendicular to the panel orientation or also perpendicular to the surface orientation defined by the outer opening.

[0015] The special arrangement of the antennas, ie the main radiation direction being oriented in this longitudinal direction, achieves a very high efficiency, since incoming and / or outgoing signals are received / sent as directly as possible without having to penetrate the body area.

[0016] A “main radiation direction” is understood here to mean that at least 50% of the transmission power of the antenna is radiated parallel to the longitudinal direction or within an angle range defined by a radiation angle of 30° or a maximum of 50° relative to the longitudinal direction.

[0017] Advantageously, the antenna has a central excitation point in the unfolded state, from which two opposite dipole arms extend along or along and against the longitudinal direction of the antenna. End pieces are formed at the end sides of the two dipole arms, by means of which the capacitive load already mentioned is realized. The end pieces also simultaneously form a connection device for the opposite ends of the dipole structure (conductor extending in the longitudinal direction of the antenna) and the conductor extending parallel to the dipole structure in the case of a folded dipole antenna. The "unfolded state" is understood to be the initial state of the antenna before it is laid on the housing cover, i.e. when the antenna is unfolded in a two-dimensional plane. This two-dimensional planar structure is then laid around the housing cover in order to produce a three-dimensional antenna structure.

[0018] Here, the end parts are preferably designed as U-shaped, which have a base arm and two opposite U-arms. The two U-arms are also called U-arm pairs. The base arms respectively connect one end of the dipole structure to one end of a conductor extending parallel to the dipole structure.

[0019] The two U-arm pairs are preferably oriented towards each other in the unfolded state, so that in this respect they are arranged approximately symmetrically to one another.

[0020] Preferably, the two dipole arms have partial sections in the region of the central excitation point, which extend further forward at the outer opening of the housing cover than the other sections of the dipole arms when viewed in the longitudinal direction. In the region around the partial section pulled forward, no U-arms (side arms) of the end part extend anymore. As a result, the excitation point is generally moved as close to the outer opening as possible. A panel is usually installed in the outer opening. By pulling the partial section on the end side forward and thus bringing the excitation point closer to the opening, an advantageous connection possibility of the excitation point on the panel is facilitated.

[0021] Advantageously, a parallel arm is also provided which is constructed parallel to the dipole arm and which likewise connects two opposite end pieces to one another. In this respect, the parallel arm defines a conductor of the folded dipole antenna which extends parallel to the dipole conductor structure.

[0022] A conductor structure of the antenna defined in this way has proven to be particularly advantageous.

[0023] The central excitation point is generally understood to be the central area between the two dipole arms, to which the transmit / receive unit is connected via corresponding conductor connections. In other words, in the case of transmission, the signal is fed in from the transmit unit at this excitation point. In the case of reception, the signal is picked up by the receive unit at this excitation point. The transmit and receive units use the same excitation point and therefore the same conductor connections.

[0024] The dipole arm and the parallel arm are preferably connected to the base arm in a conductive manner in the central region on the base arm of the two end parts. The base arm extends in particular perpendicularly to the dipole arm or the parallel arm. The U-arms are preferably extended parallel to the dipole arm or the parallel arm.

[0025] In an advantageous embodiment, the dipole arms and in particular the U-arms extending parallel thereto are arranged in a circumferential direction around the housing shell. In this case, the circumferential direction is in particular oriented perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction, i.e. the dipole arms extend perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction at least approximately and / or over the majority of their length (>75% of the length). In this case, perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction is also understood to mean inclined by + / -20° or only + / -10° relative to the longitudinal direction.

[0026] This arrangement facilitates the aforementioned suitable radiation characteristics in the longitudinal direction. In general, therefore, the longitudinal direction of the antenna, which is essentially defined by the extension direction of the dipole arms, is oriented in the circumferential direction and thus transversely to the longitudinal direction of the housing.

[0027] Advantageously, the U-shaped end pieces are arranged on the housing shell with their base arms facing one another. Preferably, no further conductor structures of the antenna are arranged between the two base arms. The base arms are preferably spaced only a short distance apart from one another (<10% or 5% of the circumference), i.e. the entire antenna structure is arranged largely completely around the housing shell (angular range >340°, preferably >350°). BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] The embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below with the aid of the accompanying drawings. In the accompanying drawings:

[0029] Figures 1A to 1D Different views of a housing cover of an ITE hearing device with an arranged antenna, and

[0030] Figure 2 The antenna is shown in an unfolded initial state.

[0031] In the figures, components having the same function are provided with the same reference symbols. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] exist Figures 1A to 1DThe housing shell 2 shown in the figure forms part of the housing 4 of an ITE hearing device. The housing 4 and in particular the housing shell 2 are adapted in their outer shape to the typical geometry of the auditory canal and are designed to be inserted into the auditory canal of a person, in particular a hearing-impaired person. Here, the housing shell 2 usually extends from the inner end region of the housing shell and the inner opening 6 located there to the outer end region of the housing shell 2 and the outer opening 8 located there. The housing shell 2 is therefore open at both end sides of these end regions. In the finished hearing device, a receiver (speaker) is usually arranged in the inner opening 6. A so-called "front panel" is usually installed at the opposite outer opening 8, which is not shown in detail here. In this embodiment, the outer opening 8 has an at least approximately rectangular structure, which has two long sides and two short sides, wherein the corner areas are rounded. These sides can also be designed as arcs, as one of the short sides shown. The main hearing device components, such as a signal processing unit, a microphone, a transmitting / receiving unit for receiving / transmitting wireless signals, etc., are arranged on the mentioned front panel, which is not shown in detail here. In this case, the panel closes the outer opening 8 and is therefore part of the housing 4 to this extent.

[0033] The housing 4 generally extends in a longitudinal direction 12 which is oriented from the inner opening 6 to the outer opening 8. In particular, the longitudinal direction 12 is oriented perpendicularly to the surface of the outer opening 8.

[0034] In this exemplary embodiment, in particular due to the design of the outer opening 8 as a rectangular opening, the housing shell 2 has two opposite primary sides 14A, 14B and two opposite secondary sides 16A, 16B.

[0035] The housing shell 2 generally has an outer side 18. An antenna 20 is arranged on the outer side, such as in particular Figure 2 The antenna 20 has a special conductor structure 22, which is composed of a metal circuit, in particular a copper conductor circuit. In a variant embodiment, the conductor structure 22 is laid on a film-like carrier 24, so that the antenna 20 is designed as a whole in the style of a flexible printed circuit. The film-like carrier 24 is Figure 2 In the figure, it is shown by way of example by a dotted line.

[0036] As from Figure 2 As can be seen, the antenna 20, in particular the conductor structure 22, has two dipole arms 26 in the unfolded initial state, which extend in a straight line from a central excitation point 28 along or against the longitudinal direction 30 of the antenna. In this exemplary embodiment, parallel arms 32 are arranged parallel to the two dipole arms 26, which also extend in the longitudinal direction 30 of the antenna. The two dipole arms 26 are spaced apart from each other at the central excitation point 28. At the excitation point 28, the two dipole arms 26 are contacted via connecting wires 34 and are connected to a transmitting / receiving unit, which is not shown in detail here.

[0037] The capacitive load of the antenna 20 is respectively configured at the end side of the dipole arm 26. For this purpose, a U-shaped end piece 36 is respectively connected to the end side of each dipole arm 26, which end piece in this embodiment has a base arm 38 and two side arms 40. The side arms 40 preferably extend parallel to the dipole arm 26 and therefore parallel to the longitudinal direction 30 of the antenna. The side arms 40 of the two end pieces 36 are oriented toward each other, that is, the U-shaped conductor track structures respectively formed by the end pieces 36 are oriented with their open U-ends toward each other and are arranged symmetrically to each other in this regard. The side arms 40 preferably extend over a relatively large length of the entire antenna structure, for example, over a length in the range between 0.25 times and 0.4 times the total length L of the antenna 20. In this embodiment, the length L of the antenna 20 is defined by the distance between the two base arms 38 along the longitudinal direction 30 of the antenna.

[0038] Figure 2 The arrangement of the antenna shown on the housing cover 2 is Figures 1A to 1D The antenna 20 is usually wound around the housing shell 2, that is, the antenna is laid around the housing shell 2 along the circumferential direction 42. Here, the circumferential direction 42 extends approximately perpendicular to the longitudinal direction 12. Here, the circumferential direction substantially or exactly coincides with the longitudinal direction 30 of the antenna.

[0039] In this case, the antenna 20 has a total length L which is approximately equal to the circumference of the housing jacket 2 and lies, for example, in the range between 70% and 95% of the housing circumference.

[0040] From the diagram showing the first primary side 14A and the first secondary side 16A Figure 1A 2, the end regions of the antenna 20, in particular the end pieces 36, lie opposite one another on the housing shell 2. Thus, the two base arms 38 are oriented toward one another, and the corresponding side arms 40 are oriented away from one another. A free space is formed between the two base arms 38, in which no conductor tracks are arranged. The side arms 40 and the dipole arms 26 extend in the circumferential direction 42 at least in the region of the main sides 14A, 14B.

[0041] Figure 1B A perspective view of the housing cover 2 viewed toward the second main side 14B and partially also toward the first secondary side 16A is shown. It can be seen that the dipole arm 26 and the parallel arm 32 also extend parallel to or at least substantially parallel to the circumferential direction 42 on the second main side. The dipole arm 26 is pulled forward in the transition region, preferably in the region of the secondary sides 16A, 16B, along the longitudinal direction 12, i.e., the section of the dipole arm 26 in the transition region is not perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. This achieves that the partial sections of the dipole arm extend perpendicular to the longitudinal direction 12 at different length levels relative to the longitudinal direction 12. The partial section 26A pulled forward preferably extends at least approximately at the same axial height as the corresponding side arm 40 located in front when viewed in the longitudinal direction 12.

[0042] The side arm 40 no longer extends in the region of the partial section 26A that is pulled forward. Here, the partial section 26A that is pulled forward is located in the central region of the antenna, where the excitation point 28 is arranged. In particular, these partial sections 26A of the dipole arms 26 that are pulled forward extend close to and parallel to the outer opening 10. Therefore, the central excitation point 28 is also arranged very close to the outer opening 10 and is therefore directly adjacent to the panel. The electrical connection and electrical contact of the two dipole arms 26 at the excitation point 28 is realized, for example, by connecting wires, which are contacted from the outside or alternatively also guided through the housing cover 2.

[0043] at last, Figure 1C A view of the second secondary side 16B and the second primary side 14B is shown. Figure 1D A perspective view looking toward the first secondary side 16A and the second primary side 14B is shown again. It can be clearly seen from these two figures that the dipole arm 26 and the parallel arm 32 are respectively directed forward in the region of the secondary sides 16A, 16B in the longitudinal direction 4. That is, in the region of the secondary sides 16A, 16B, the dipole arm and the parallel arm are oriented obliquely with respect to the longitudinal direction 12.

[0044] The arrangement of the antenna 20 described here on the outer side 18 of the housing shell 2 in combination with the special design of the antenna 20 results in a highly efficient and sensitive antenna 20 having a main radiation direction and a main reception direction in or opposite to the longitudinal direction 12. The antenna 20 is characterized in this case by the capacitive load produced by the arrangement of the end pieces 36. Due to the arrangement on the outer side 18, the greatest possible physical length of the folded dipole antenna 20 is achieved.

[0045] The present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, but other designs within the scope defined by the claims are also feasible.

[0046] Reference numerals list

[0047] 2 Housing cover

[0048] 4 Housing

[0049] 6 Inner opening

[0050] 8 External opening

[0051] 12 Vertical

[0052] 14A First main side

[0053] 14B Second main side

[0054] 16A First auxiliary side

[0055] 16B Second auxiliary side

[0056] 18 Outer side

[0057] 20 Antenna

[0058] 22 Conductor structure

[0059] 24 Membrane carrier

[0060] 26 Dipole Arm

[0061] 26A Partial segment

[0062] 28 Inspiration Points

[0063] 30 Antenna vertical

[0064] 32 Parallel Arm

[0065] 34 Connecting wires

[0066] 36 End piece

[0067] 38 Basic arm

[0068] 40 Side Arm

[0069] 42 Circumferential

[0070] L Length

Claims

1. An in-ear hearing device having a housing (4) which is arranged to be inserted into the ear canal of a hearing device wearer and has a housing cover (2), characterized in that: The housing shell (2) has an antenna (20), and the antenna (20) is a capacitively loaded dipole antenna, wherein the antenna (20) has a central excitation point (28) in the unfolded state, and two opposite dipole arms (26) extend from the excitation point along and against the longitudinal direction (30) of the antenna, wherein bent end parts (36) are formed at the end sides of the dipole arms (26), and the capacitive load is generated by these end parts.

2. The hearing device according to claim 1, characterized in that The antenna (20) is arranged on the outer side (18) of the housing cover (2).

3. The hearing device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The antenna (20) has a conductor structure (22) which is arranged on a film-like carrier (24) which is arranged on the housing shell (2).

4. The hearing device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The antenna (20) is a folded dipole antenna.

5. The hearing device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The housing shell (2) expands in the longitudinal direction (12), and the antenna (20) is arranged on the housing shell (2) such that the main radiation direction of the antenna (20) is oriented in the longitudinal direction.

6. The hearing device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The end pieces (36) are each U-shaped and each have a pair of U arms and a base arm (38).

7. The hearing device according to claim 6, characterized in that Opposing pairs of U-arms are oriented towards each other.

8. The hearing device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The two dipole arms (26) have partial sections (26A) in the region of a central excitation point (28) which extend further forward at an outer opening (8) of the housing shell than other sections of the dipole arms (26) viewed in the longitudinal direction (12).

9. The hearing device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The dipole arm (26) surrounds the housing cover (2) in a circumferential direction (42).

10. The hearing device according to claim 6, characterized in that The base arms (38) are arranged opposite one another on the housing shell (2).

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