Hearing devices and methods of providing such hearing devices

Abstract

A hearing device (1) includes a body (2) having a dome (3), wherein a ventilation path (4) is provided through the body (2), and wherein the body (2) is further provided with a valve (5) and a valve actuator (6, 7, 8), the valve actuator (6, 7, 8) being connected to the valve (5) to open and close the ventilation path (4), wherein the valve (5) engages the body (2) when the ventilation path (4) is closed, and wherein the valve actuator (6, 7, 8) includes a permanent or switchable magnet (6) and a first coil (7) for generating magnetic field lines, the magnetic field lines cooperating with the permanent or switchable magnet (6) to move the valve (5), wherein the valve actuator (6, 7, 8) is arranged to supply the first coil (7) with a current amplitude and / or direction depending on the position of the valve (5) between an open position and a closed position, wherein the ventilation path (4) is open in the open position and the ventilation path (4) is closed in the closed position.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a hearing device and a method of providing such a hearing device, the hearing device comprising a dome-shaped body having a ventilation path passing through the body, and wherein the body further comprises a valve and a valve actuator connected to the valve to open and close the ventilation path, wherein the valve engages the body when the ventilation path is closed, and wherein the valve actuator comprises a permanent or switchable magnet and a first coil for generating magnetic field lines that cooperate with the permanent or switchable magnet to move the valve.

[0002] This hearing device may be part of another device, which is generally referred to as an audible device, hearing aid, earplug, headphone, or any other name that may be given to a device that at least includes the features of the hearing device of the present invention.

[0003] US2019 / 0215621 relates to hearing devices that, through the actuation of one or more acoustic valves located in one or more corresponding sound channels of the hearing device, can be configured at different times between an open-fit and a closed-fit configuration. The one or more acoustic valves of the hearing device are adaptively controlled based on a context detected by one or more sensors. The context can be, but is not limited to, an operating mode of the hearing device, which may include, for example, an audio content playback mode and a voice communication mode. The actuable valves can be actuated in place without removing the hearing device from the user's ear, thereby allowing the user to experience the benefits of either an open-fit or closed-fit configuration as needed or in other contexts.

[0004] EP 3 637 799 relates to a hearing device comprising a housing having a front opening and a rear opening, wherein the housing is configured to at least partially insert into an ear canal, wherein the front opening faces an internal region of the ear canal extending toward the eardrum, and wherein the housing surrounds a cavity between the front and rear openings such that a venting channel for providing acoustic connection between the internal region of the ear canal and the surrounding environment outside the ear canal extends through the cavity. The hearing device also includes an acoustic transducer disposed within the cavity, and an acoustic valve configured to adjust the effective size of the venting channel. To allow efficient ventilation between the internal region of the ear canal and the surrounding environment, EP 3 637 799 proposes an acoustic valve configured to adjust the effective size of the venting channel, wherein the acoustic valve is disposed at the rear opening and configured to adjust the effective size of the venting channel at the rear opening.

[0005] WO2019 / 052715 discloses a hearing device according to a priori. This known hearing device is equipped with a sound valve to reliably regulate the emission of sound waves between a sealed portion of the ear canal and the surrounding environment outside the sealed portion. An electric actuator is configured to actuate relative movement between the valve and the body of the hearing device, such that, through said relative movement, the acoustic valve is configured to provide at least one of opening a vent, closing a vent, and adjusting the size of the vent. At the distal position of the valve, a stop is provided as part of the body, which provides spatial constraint on the relative movement of the valve and the body.

[0006] WO2019 / 052715 acknowledges that the stop may include damping material to cushion the impact of the valve at the stop, particularly at the end of the relative movement of the valve relative to the body. This cushioning is necessary to avoid a loud click when the valve engages the body, which could cause a pressure wave of 100 dB. The loud click is particularly caused by the permanent or switchable magnetic field lines of the magnet that forms a magnetic circuit with the hearing device's body, which accelerates the magnet and consequently accelerates the valve to one of its stable positions where it engages the hearing device's body. One of these stable positions is when the valve engages the stop, in which case the valve closes the vent.

[0007] Another aspect is the high airflow rate caused by the valve closing or opening, which creates sound pressure waves that can reach the ear.

[0008] One object of the present invention is to provide one or more alternative methods to avoid the aforementioned loud clicking sound without using damping materials as known in the prior art.

[0009] In general, the object of the present invention is achieved by providing a valve actuator arranged to power a first coil with a current amplitude and / or current direction to position the valve between an open position where the venting path is open and a closed position where the venting path is closed. This controlled power supply acts on the opening and closing of the valve, and the power supply level of the first coil, particularly the current amplitude and / or direction of the current through the first coil, is then arranged to prevent the valve from accelerating when engaging the valve body when opening and closing the venting path. Instead, the power supply of the first coil is used to gently engage the valve with the body of the hearing device. When using a single coil or multiple coils that are uniformly powered, the desired current amplitude and / or direction through the first coil or coils can then be determined using position measurements of the valve or a permanent or switchable magnet.

[0010] In an alternative embodiment of the hearing device of the present invention, the valve actuator is provided with a second coil for generating magnetic field lines that cooperate with a permanent or switchable magnet, wherein when the valve actuator is activated to close the ventilation path, the first and second coils are powered separately so that the valve gently engages the body of the hearing device and avoids valve acceleration when engaging the body for opening or closing the ventilation path. The power supply of the first and second coils is then coordinated to arrange the valve to gently engage the body of the hearing device.

[0011] In this alternative embodiment, preferably, when the valve actuator is activated to open or close the venting path, a constant current is supplied to the second coil to provide a stable position for the valve between the open and closed positions of the venting path. The effect and result of this measure is that, in this embodiment, the bistable positioning of the valve at both the open and closed positions is transferred to a single stable position between the open and closed positions of the venting path by means of the operation of the constant current through the second coil. Therefore, this measure provides the possibility of achieving fully controlled valve positioning by the current used to power the first coil. Specifically, when the valve actuator is activated to open or close the ventilation path, a first coil can be appropriately arranged to be supplied with a current that is zero when the valve is in a stable position between the open and closed positions of the ventilation path, and that the current evolves from a negative current to a positive current or vice versa, depending on the winding direction of the first coil, to provide the valve to move from a fully open position to a fully closed position or vice versa, wherein the position of the valve is precisely controlled by the current through the first coil as the valve moves to and ultimately engages the body of the hearing device to open or close the ventilation path.

[0012] The invention will be further illustrated below with reference to schematic diagrams of exemplary embodiments of a hearing device according to the invention, which is not limited to the appended claims.

[0013] In the attached diagram:

[0014] - Figure 1A / 1B illustrates a first embodiment of the hearing device of the present invention; and

[0015] - Figure 2A / 2B illustrates a second embodiment of the hearing device of the present invention.

[0016] Whenever the same reference numerals are used in a figure, these reference numerals refer to the same part.

[0017] First refer to Figure 1A / 1B, schematically showing a first embodiment of the hearing device 1 according to the present invention, which is provided with a valve 5 driven by a coil 7 for closing the ventilation path 4 of the hearing device 1.

[0018] Figure 1A The hearing device 1 of / 1B includes a body 2 with a dome 3, wherein a ventilation path 4 is configured to pass through the body 2, and wherein the body 2 is also provided with a valve 5 and valve actuators 6, 7, which are connected to the valve 5 for opening and closing the ventilation path 4.

[0019] Figure 1B The relative positions of the features of the hearing device 1 are shown when the ventilation path 4 is closed and the valve 5 engages the body part 2. Figure 1A The relative positions of features of hearing device 1 are shown when ventilation path 4 is open.

[0020] Valve actuators 6 and 7 include a permanent or switchable magnet 6 and a first coil 7 for generating magnetic field lines that cooperate with the permanent or switchable magnet to move valve 5. This is obvious to those skilled in the art and requires no further explanation. In the most basic arrangement of this first embodiment, the first coil 7 is a single coil, but this is not necessary. Multiple coils powered in the same manner may be present.

[0021] In a first embodiment of the hearing device 1 of the present invention, valve actuators 6 and 7 are arranged to power the first coil 7 with current amplitude and / or current direction in order to position the valve 5 in the open position where the ventilation path 4 is open. Figure 1A ) and the closed position of ventilation path 4 ( Figure 1B Between ), it is advantageous that the current amplitude and / or current direction supplied to the first coil 7 or multiple coils are arranged to avoid acceleration of valve 5 at the engagement part 2, and to provide a smooth and gentle closure of ventilation path 4. This also applies to the opening of ventilation path 4.

[0022] In the illustrated embodiment, where a single coil 7 or multiple coils are uniformly powered, the desired current amplitude and / or direction through the first coil 7 or multiple coils can then be determined using the position measurement of the valve 5 or a permanent or switchable magnet 7.

[0023] refer to Figure 2A / 2B depicts a second embodiment of the hearing device of the present invention, which is further provided with a valve 5 driven by a coil 7 for opening and closing the ventilation path 4 of the hearing device 1.

[0024] according to Figure 2A The hearing device 1 of the second embodiment shown in / 2B also includes a body 2 provided with a dome 3, wherein the ventilation path 4 is configured to pass through the body 2, and wherein the body 2 is also provided with a valve 5 and a valve actuator connected to the valve 5 for opening and closing the ventilation path 4.

[0025] Figure 2BThe relative positions of features of the hearing device 1 in which the ventilation path 4 is closed and the valve 5 is engaged with the body 2 are shown. Figure 2A The relative positions of features of the hearing device 1 in which the ventilation path 4 is open are shown.

[0026] Figure 2A The second embodiment of / 2B and Figure 1A The difference in the first embodiment of / 1B is that the valve actuators 6, 7, 8 include a permanent or switchable magnet 6, and are provided not only with a first coil 7, but also with a second coil 8 for generating magnetic field lines that cooperate with the permanent or switchable magnet 6. The first coil 7 and the second coil 8 are powered differently, yet they still coordinate with each other, as will be explained below.

[0027] When valve actuators 6, 7, and 8 are activated to open or close ventilation path 4, the first coil 7 and the second coil 8 are individually powered to prevent the valve from accelerating at the engagement part to open or close ventilation path 4 and to provide a soft landing for valve 5 when it engages the 2nd part of the valve body.

[0028] Preferably, the arrangement is such that when valve actuators 6, 7, 8 are activated to close the ventilation path 4, a constant current is supplied to the second coil 8 to provide the valve 5 with the valve in the open position of the ventilation path 4. Figure 2A ) and closing position ( Figure 2B The valve 5 is positioned at a stable position prior to the valve's operation to prevent it from being accelerated due to its inherently bistable behavior, which would occur in the absence of power from the second coil 8.

[0029] With valve actuators 6, 7, and 8 activated to close ventilation path 4, the first coil 7 can then be appropriately supplied with current as follows: when valve 5 is in the open position of ventilation path 4 ( Figure 2A ) and closing position ( Figure 2B The current is zero when the valve 5 is in a single stable position between ( ). Then, preferably, the current depends on the winding direction of the first coil 7, evolving from a negative current to a positive current or vice versa, to provide the valve 5 from the fully open position ( Figure 2A Move to the fully closed position. Figure 2B Alternatively, the current through the first coil 7 is sufficient to achieve precise controlled movement and positioning of the valve 5, because the constant current through the second coil 8 is arranged to prevent the valve 5 from accelerating toward the body 2 when the ventilation path 4 is opened or closed. Therefore, the movement of the valve 5 can be precisely controlled using the current through the first coil 7 to ensure a smooth closure of the ventilation path 4 without clicking.

[0030] Although the invention has been described above with reference to exemplary embodiments of the hearing device of the invention, the invention is not limited to these specific embodiments, which may be modified in various ways without departing from the invention. Therefore, the exemplary embodiments discussed should not be used to strictly interpret the appended claims in accordance with them. Rather, the embodiments are intended only to interpret the wording of the appended claims and are not intended to limit the claims to these exemplary embodiments. Therefore, the scope of protection of the invention should be interpreted only according to the appended claims, wherein these exemplary embodiments should be used to resolve any ambiguities that may arise in the wording of the claims.

Claims

1. A hearing device (1), comprising a body (2) having a dome (3), wherein, A ventilation path (4) is provided through the body (2), and the body (2) is further provided with a valve (5) and a valve actuator (6, 7, 8), the valve actuator (6, 7, 8) being connected to the valve (5) to open and close the ventilation path (4), wherein when the ventilation path (4) is closed, the valve (5) engages the body (2), and wherein the valve actuator (6, 7, 8) includes a permanent or switchable magnet (6) and a first coil (7) for generating magnetic field lines that cooperate with the permanent or switchable magnet (6) to move the valve (5), characterized in that the valve actuator (6, 7, 8) is provided with a second coil (8) for generating magnetic field lines that cooperate with the permanent or switchable magnet (6), and when the valve actuator (6, 7, 8) is activated to open or close the ventilation path (4), the first coil (7) and the second coil (8) are respectively powered to prevent the valve (5) from engaging the body (2). Accelerate when used to open or close the ventilation path (4).

2. The hearing device according to claim 1, characterized in that, When the valve actuators (6, 7, 8) are activated to open or close the ventilation path (4), the second coil (8) is supplied with a constant current to set the valve (5) in a stable position between the open and closed positions of the ventilation path (4).

3. The hearing device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, When the valve actuators (6, 7, 8) are activated to open or close the ventilation path (4), the first coil (7) maintains a current that is zero when the valve (5) is in a stable position between the open and closed positions of the ventilation path (4), and this current depends on the winding direction of the first coil (7) to evolve from a negative current to a positive current or vice versa, to provide the valve to move from a fully open position to a fully closed position or vice versa, wherein the current of the first coil (7) controls the position of the valve (5) when it moves to and engages the body portion (2) to open or close the exhaust path (4).

4. A hearing device assembly selected from the group consisting of audible devices, hearing aids, earplugs, and headphones, and the hearing device assembly comprising a hearing device according to any one of claims 1-3.

5. A method of providing a hearing device, comprising a body (2) and the body (2) being provided with a dome (3), a ventilation path (4) through the body (2), and a valve (5), wherein a valve actuator (6, 7, 8) is further provided connected to the valve (5) for opening and closing the ventilation path (4), wherein the valve (5) engages the body (2) when the ventilation path (4) is closed, and wherein the valve actuator (6, 7, 8) is provided with a permanent or switchable magnet (6) and a first coil (7) for generating magnetic field lines, the magnetic field lines cooperating with the permanent or switchable magnet (6) for moving the valve (5), characterized in that, The valve actuator (6, 7, 8) includes a second coil (8) for generating magnetic field lines that cooperate with the permanent or switchable magnet (6), and when the valve actuator (6, 7, 8) is activated to open or close the ventilation path (4), the first coil (7) and the second coil (8) are respectively powered to prevent the valve (5) from accelerating at the engagement part (2) when it is used to open or close the ventilation path (4).

6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that, When the valve actuators (6, 7, 8) are activated to open or close the ventilation path (4), the second coil (8) is powered with a constant current to provide the valve (5) with a stable position between the open and closed positions of the ventilation path (4).

7. The method according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that, When the valve actuators (6, 7, 8) are activated to open or close the ventilation path (4), the first coil (7) is supplied with a current that is zero when the valve (5) is in a stable position between the open and closed positions of the ventilation path (4), and the current depends on the winding direction of the first coil (7) to develop from a negative current to a positive current or vice versa, to provide the valve to move from the fully open position to the fully closed position or vice versa, and the current of the first coil (7) controls the position of the valve (5) when it moves to and engages the body part (2) to open or close the exhaust path (4).

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