Hearing device

Abstract

The invention relates to a hearing device (2) having a circuit board (22) on which a battery module (20) is fixed. The battery module (20) has a battery cell (34) with a housing (26), wherein an antenna (38) is integrated in the housing (26).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a hearing device. The hearing device includes a circuit board, a battery, and an antenna. Background Technology

[0002] People experiencing hearing loss typically use hearing aids. These devices usually acquire ambient sound by converting it into electrical (audio / sound) signals using a microphone, i.e., an electromechanical transducer. The acquired electrical signals are processed by an amplifier circuit and then introduced into the ear canal via another electromechanical transducer in the form of a handset. Furthermore, the acquired sound signals are typically processed, usually using a signal processor with an amplifier circuit. Here, the amplification is tuned to the wearer's potential hearing loss. The transducer and amplifier circuitry are usually housed within a casing, thus at least partially protecting them from environmental influences.

[0003] For example, the functions of a hearing device are controlled by a switch incorporated into the housing for manual operation. Therefore, the housing needs to have a specific minimum size so that the hearing device is relatively visible. To remedy this, it is known to control the hearing device using an additional device such as a remote control or a smartphone, wherein a wireless connection is established between the additional device and the hearing device. This requires the hearing device to have a wireless device connected to an antenna. Furthermore, the wireless device can additionally receive audio signals so that these audio signals can be fed into the ear canal. This thus expands the functional range of the hearing device.

[0004] Antennas can be provided, for example, using coils mounted on a circuit board, and amplifier circuitry is also implemented, at least partially, using these coils. This increases the required mounting space. Furthermore, additional components need to be mounted on the circuit board, thus extending manufacturing time. Alternatively, conductor traces on the circuit board can be used as antennas. This eliminates the need for additional components, but the space requirement increases further compared to using coils. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a particularly suitable hearing device, wherein, in particular, the size of the structure is reduced and / or the installation is simplified.

[0006] According to the present invention, the above-mentioned technical problems are solved by the features of the present invention, and advantageous extensions and design schemes are the subject of the following description.

[0007] For example, hearing devices are headphones or include headphones, and hearing devices are, for example, headphones. However, hearing devices are particularly preferred to be hearing aids. Hearing aids are used to support people who have suffered hearing loss. In other words, hearing aids are, for example, medical devices used to compensate for partial hearing loss. Hearing aids are, for example, receiver-in-the-canal (RIC) hearing aids, in-the-ear (ITC) hearing aids, in-the-canal (ITC) hearing aids, or complete-in-the-canal (CIC) hearing aids, hearing glasses, pocket hearing aids, bone conduction hearing aids, or implants. Hearing aids are particularly preferred to be behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aids.

[0008] The hearing device is configured and set up for wearing on the human body. In other words, the hearing device preferably includes a holding device that can be used to secure it to the human body. If the hearing device is a hearing aid, it is configured and set up for placement, for example, behind the ear or inside the ear canal. In particular, the hearing device is wireless and is configured and set up for this purpose to be at least partially inserted into the ear canal.

[0009] Hearing devices include, for example, microphones for acquiring sound. In particular, during operation, ambient sound, or at least a portion of it, is acquired using the microphones. The microphones are, in particular, electromechanical sound transducers. The microphones may have a single microphone unit or multiple microphone units interacting with each other. Each microphone unit suitably has a diaphragm that vibrates according to sound waves, wherein the vibrations are converted into electrical signals by means of a corresponding recording device, such as a magnet moving in a coil. Thus, audio signals based on sounds hitting the microphone units can be acquired using the corresponding microphone units. The microphone units are particularly configured to be unidirectional. The microphones are suitably arranged at least partially within the housing of the hearing device, and therefore at least partially protected.

[0010] Suitablely, the hearing device includes an earpiece for outputting an output signal. Here, the output signal is particularly an electrical signal. The earpiece is an electromechanical sound transducer, preferably a loudspeaker. According to the design of the hearing device, under normal conditions, the earpiece is at least partially disposed within the ear canal of the wearer of the hearing device, i.e., a person, or at least acoustically connected to it. In particular, the hearing device is primarily used to output an output signal via the earpiece, wherein a corresponding sound is generated. In other words, the main function of the hearing device is preferably to output an output signal. Here, the output signal is particularly generated at least partially based on sound collected by a microphone.

[0011] Hearing devices suitably include a signal processor, which appropriately forms a signal processing unit or is at least part of a signal processing unit. The signal processor is, for example, a digital signal processor (DSP) or implemented using similar components. In particular, the signal processor adjusts the (audio) signal generated via a possible microphone, preferably according to the possible hearing loss of the wearer of the hearing device. An A / D converter is suitably arranged between the microphone and the signal processing unit; if the signal processor is designed as a digital signal processor, then the A / D converter is arranged between the microphone and the signal processor. The signal processor is particularly configured according to a set of parameters. Here, gain is pre-given in different frequency ranges using the parameter set, thereby processing the signal generated via the microphone according to specific pre-given parameters, particularly according to the hearing loss of the wearer of the hearing device. It is particularly preferred that the hearing device additionally includes an amplifier, or that the signal processor at least partially forms an amplifier. For example, the amplifier is technically connected upstream or downstream of the signal processor.

[0012] The hearing device has a circuit board to which a battery module is fixed. Specifically, the circuit board is designed to be rigid and is preferably made of glass fiber reinforced epoxy resin. Conductor traces, preferably made of copper, are suitably fixed to or embedded in the epoxy resin. In particular, the battery module is fixed to at least one of the conductor traces and is preferably soldered to the conductor trace. In this way, no additional components are required to secure the battery module. As alternatives or in combination with these components, additional securing elements exist, such as clips or domes for holding the battery module on the circuit board. Therefore, robustness is improved.

[0013] Other electrical and / or electronic components of the preferred hearing device, such as possible signal processing units, possible amplifiers, and / or other components, are also mounted on the circuit board. It is particularly preferred that the hearing device have only this circuit board as the sole circuit board. In this way, the number of required components and the required mounting space are reduced, and the manufacture of the hearing device is simplified.

[0014] In particular, during the operation of the hearing device, a battery module powers the various components of the device. In other words, the battery module provides the energy storage for the operation of the hearing device. Suitablely, the battery module is the sole energy storage for the hearing device. Specifically, therefore, during the operation of the hearing device, the battery module powers any possible microphones / earpieces or other components of the device.

[0015] The battery module has a battery cell with a housing. Here, the housing protects other components of the battery cell suitably arranged within the housing. Preferably, the housing forms the outer boundary of the battery cell. The battery cell suitably includes electrodes and / or an electrolyte. For example, the electrolyte is designed to be liquid or solid. A solid-state battery is particularly preferred. Preferably, the electrodes / electrolyte are arranged directly within the housing, and there are no other components between them. However, the housing essentially shields the electrodes / electrolyte from the environment, thereby preventing leakage and / or undesirable reactions between the various components of the battery cell and the environment. Due to the absence of other components, the energy density of the battery cell is increased, and its weight is reduced. In particular, the battery cell is designed as a lithium-ion battery cell and / or a rechargeable battery. In other words, the battery cell is designed to be rechargeable and suitably non-removably fixed to a circuit board. In this way, robustness is improved, and the construction is simplified.

[0016] The battery module also has an antenna integrated into the housing. In other words, the antenna is fixed to the housing and non-removably connected to it, so the antenna cannot be removed. For example, the antenna is located inside the housing, or particularly preferably outside the housing, where the antenna is, for example, non-removably fixed to the outside of the housing, thus integrating in this way. The antenna is particularly used to establish a radio connection between the hearing device and other devices, and is suitable for, and particularly for, this. Suitably, the hearing device includes a radio device that is signal-technically connected to the antenna in the installed state. In operation, signals are transmitted and / or received via the antenna by means of the radio device, and the radio device (which is or at least used as a communication device) specifically has a receiver / transmitter for this purpose. In particular, the radio device operates according to a specific standard, such as WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network), Bluetooth, and / or mobile radio standards. However, at least the antenna is suitably adapted for the corresponding standard, and therefore suitable for transmitting / receiving (radio) signals within the corresponding frequency range.

[0017] Because the antenna is integrated into the housing, there is a stable connection between them, and the antenna does not need to be separately mounted on the circuit board. This simplifies installation and improves robustness. Furthermore, no additional mounting space for the antenna is required on the circuit board, thus reducing the size of the circuit board and therefore the hearing device itself.

[0018] For example, the circuit board has slots for inserting battery modules. Therefore, the battery modules are detachably fixed to the circuit board. However, it is preferable that the battery modules are non-detachably connected to the circuit board. Particularly preferred is that the battery modules are designed as surface-mount devices (SMD). In other words, the battery modules are fixed to the circuit board, particularly by reflow or by soldering in corrugated or wavy grooves. Based on this design, the size of the battery module is further reduced, and installation is further simplified. In particular, the battery modules have pads introduced into the housing. The pads are located, in particular, on the side of the housing facing the circuit board, and are attached to the circuit board in the mounted state, and are soldered to at least one of the conductor traces. Here, other components of the battery cell, particularly the electrodes, make electrical contact with the circuit board through the pads, thereby feeding and / or extracting electrical energy through the pads. Preferably, the battery modules are fixed to the circuit board by means of the pads. In this way, electrical contact is achieved through fixation in a single working step, and automated production is possible.

[0019] For example, one or more connection terminals of the battery module are electrically connected to the antenna. These connection terminals protrude laterally from the housing and are inserted into corresponding sockets in the installed state, the sockets being fixed, for example, to a circuit board. However, it is particularly preferred to introduce connection pads for electrical connection to the antenna within the housing. These connection pads are located specifically on the side of the housing facing the circuit board and are suitably attached to the circuit board in the installed state. Preferably, the connection pads are soldered or at least electrically contacted with one of the conductor traces on the circuit board. Suitably, the electrical contact is made in the same operational step as the battery cell also makes electrical contact with the circuit board. Therefore, the number of required operational steps is reduced, and installation is simplified. The number of required components is also reduced. In other words, antenna contact is also made by means of surface mounting. This further improves robustness and simplifies installation. No additional components are required. It is particularly preferred to introduce two such connection pads within the housing, with the antenna electrically arranged between the connection pads. Therefore, antenna operation is simplified.

[0020] For example, the casing is made of plastic. However, it is particularly preferred that the casing has a metal substrate in which other components of the battery cell are arranged. Here, the casing is preferably designed to be rigid. In this way, the substrate also shields the other components of the battery cell from the influence of external electric fields. Furthermore, robustness is improved in this way. The connection pads and / or pads, or possible connection pads and / or pads, are particularly arranged in perforations in the substrate. Preferably, there is an electrical insulator, such as plastic, between the connection pads / pads and the substrate, thereby preventing short circuits on the one hand. On the other hand, in this way, the casing, i.e., the substrate, is designed to be liquid-tight, thereby improving robustness. Alternatively, the connection pads are mounted on the surface of the substrate, particularly on an insulator.

[0021] The antenna is fixed to the substrate. In this way, the antenna is relatively robustly fixed to other components of the battery module. For example, the antenna is at least partially designed as a wire or flat conductor wound around the housing. Preferably, an insulator is first mounted, for example, completely or partially, on the outside of the substrate. The antenna is fixed to the insulator. This prevents electrical short circuits. The insulator and / or the antenna are applied to the substrate, for example, by coating, casting, or pressure.

[0022] A particularly preferred feature is a substrate with a slit-like opening that is sealed by an antenna. This further enhances the liquid tightness of the substrate, thereby reliably protecting the other components of the battery cell. Here, for example, the antenna fills the entire opening. However, it is particularly preferred that the antenna be arranged within the opening in a manner spaced apart from the other components of the substrate, and it is preferable to place an insulator, particularly plastic, between the edge of the opening and the antenna. This prevents electrical short circuits through the substrate. Alternatively, the antenna may have a conductivity, for example, different from that of the substrate. For example, the slit is designed to be straight or preferably tortuous. In this way, the antenna length is relatively large, while the perimeter of the substrate can be chosen relatively small.

[0023] For example, the housing, or at least the substrate, is designed to be cylindrical, with the substrate surface being, for example, circular. However, a square housing is particularly preferred. In this way, storage and installation are simplified. Here, it is particularly preferred that each side length is less than 2 cm, 1.5 cm, or 1 cm. In particular, the side length of at least one of the edges is less than 7 mm. Here, it is preferred that the side length is greater than 1 mm, 2 mm, or 4 mm. Due to this choice of edge length, the housing has a relatively small structural size, thus facilitating its use within hearing devices. Here, however, the battery unit still has a relatively large capacity, thus enabling long-term operation of the hearing device.

[0024] For example, only an antenna exists. In one alternative, the hearing device has an additional antenna. Here, this additional antenna is used, for example, for communication on a different frequency band / using a different standard than the antenna. However, it is particularly preferred that this additional antenna is electrically connected to the antenna, so that the additional antenna and the antenna form a common antenna, which has an increased effective length. For example, this additional antenna is formed by means of a coil. However, it is particularly preferred that this additional antenna is formed by means of conductor traces on a circuit board. In this way, the number of components required is reduced. For example, the conductor traces are designed to be at least partially tortuous. Preferably, the additional conductor traces are in electrical contact with possible radio devices / equipment, so that the antenna can be excited and / or the antenna's excitation can be checked through this additional antenna. Attached Figure Description

[0025] The embodiments of the present invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:

[0026] Figure 1 The hearing device is shown schematically.

[0027] Figure 2 The circuit board of the hearing device is shown in a simplified, three-dimensional manner, with the battery module mounted on it.

[0028] Figure 3 The battery module is shown in a bottom view, and

[0029] Figure 4 The battery module housing is schematically shown in a partial side view in a simplified manner.

[0030] In all the accompanying drawings, corresponding parts are given the same reference numerals. Detailed Implementation

[0031] exist Figure 1 The diagram schematically illustrates a hearing aid 2, configured and set to be worn behind the ear by a wearer (user, hearing aid wearer, user). In other words, it is a behind-the-ear hearing aid. The hearing aid 2 includes a housing 4 made of plastic. A microphone 6 is arranged within the housing 4, and the microphone 6 has two microphone units 8, each in the form of an electromechanical transducer, which are each configured to be omnidirectional. By changing the time offset between the acoustic signals acquired by means of the omnidirectional microphone units 8, the directionality of the microphone 6 can be changed, thereby achieving a directional microphone.

[0032] Two microphone units 8 are technically coupled to a signal processing unit 10, which includes amplifier circuitry (not shown further) and a signal processor 12. Furthermore, the signal processing unit 10 is formed using circuit elements, such as electrical and / or electronic components. The signal processor is a digital signal processor (DSP) and is technically connected to the microphone units 8 via an A / D converter (not shown in detail).

[0033] The earpiece 14 is coupled to the signal processing unit 10 in terms of signal technology. During operation, the earpiece 14, acting as an electromechanical sound converter, converts the (electrical) signal provided by the signal processing unit 10 into output sound, i.e., sound waves. The sound waves are guided into the sound tube 16, one end of which is fixed to the device housing 4. The other end of the sound tube 16 is surrounded by a dome 18, which, in its normal state, is positioned in the ear canal (not shown in detail here) of the wearer of the hearing device 2.

[0034] The signal processing unit 10 is powered by a battery module 20 disposed in the device housing 4. A portion of the electrical energy is directed from the signal processing unit 10 to the microphone 6 and the earpiece 14.

[0035] exist Figure 2 The circuit board 22 of the hearing device 2 is schematically shown in a simplified manner, and is made of glass fiber reinforced epoxy resin. On the surface of the epoxy resin body provided in this way, a plurality of copper conductor traces 24 are bundled together; only three of them are shown here. A signal processor 12 is fixed to the circuit board 22, i.e., to some of the conductor traces 24. For this purpose, the signal processor 12 is soldered to the conductor traces using SMD technology, i.e., a reflow method. A battery module 20 is fixed to one side of the same circuit board 22 as the signal processor 12, and the battery module 20 also makes electrical contact with some of the conductor traces 24; the power supply to the signal processor 12 is also through the conductor traces 24. Furthermore, a radio device 25 is fixed to this side of the circuit board 22; the radio device 25 is an integrated circuit and is also designed as a surface-mount component. In addition, other electrical and / or electronic devices, not shown in detail, are soldered to the circuit board 22, thus the circuit board 22 serves to provide the circuitry for the hearing device 2. In other words, the circuit board 22 is a component of the circuitry, and the hearing device 2 does not otherwise have any additional circuit boards.

[0036] The battery module 20 has a housing 26 designed to be square. Here, the length of the four parallel edges is equal to 1 cm, and the length of the remaining edges is 0.5 cm. The housing 26 has a metal base 28, which is also designed to be square, and the outer shape of the housing 26 is essentially predetermined by means of the base 28.

[0037] exist Figure 3The lower side of the substrate 28 is schematically shown in a simplified manner, and therefore the lower side of the housing 26 is also shown. In the mounted state, the lower side faces the circuit board 22 and is, for example, at least partially attached to the circuit board 22. Two pads 30 made of a metal such as copper are introduced into the lower side of the housing 26. For this purpose, the substrate 28 has two through-holes, and one of the pads 30 is arranged in each through-hole. The slits between the edge of each through-hole and the corresponding pad 30 are filled with electroplastic, such that the pad 30 is electrically isolated from the substrate 28 but is reliably held on the substrate 28.

[0038] Multiple battery cells 32 are electrically contacted with pads 30. The battery cells 32 are arranged within the substrate 28, and therefore within the housing 26. The battery cells 34 of the battery module 20 are essentially formed by the housing 26 and the battery cells 32, and the signal processing unit 10 is powered by the battery cells 34. In the installed state, each of the pads 30 is electrically contacted with at least one of the conductor traces 24, which is also done by reflow method, i.e., SMD technology.

[0039] Furthermore, two connection pads 36 are applied to the same side of the square base 28 and are non-removably fixed thereto, such that the connection pads 36 are introduced into the housing 26. Here, the connection pads 36 are fixed to the base 28 by an electrical insulator not shown in detail. An antenna 38, electrically extending between the two connection pads 36, is electrically connected to the connection pads 36. Here, the antenna 38 is geometrically guided from the underside of the square base 28 to at least one of the sides of the base 28 extending perpendicular to the circuit board 22. There, the shape of the antenna 38 is zigzag.

[0040] In the installed state, the two connecting pads 36 are also soldered to the circuit board 22 using a reflow method, which is performed in the same working step as soldering pads 30 to the circuit board 20. In this working step, the signal processor 12, the radio device 25, and any other possible components are also soldered to the circuit board 22. In summary, the battery module 20 is therefore a surface-mountable component / assembly.

[0041] One of the connection pads 36 makes electrical contact with one of the conductor traces 24 on the circuit board 22. This conductor trace is also designed to be zigzag, thus forming an additional antenna 40. Antenna 38 makes electrical contact with the radio device 25 via this additional antenna 40. Therefore, the additional antenna 40 and antenna 38 form a common antenna with a relatively long length. In summary, the additional antenna 40 is electrically connected to antenna 38 and is formed via one of the conductor traces 24.

[0042] During operation, the radio device 25 excites the additional antennas 40 and 38, thereby transmitting radio signals via the additional antennas 40 and 38. The radio signals conform to a specific standard, such as the Bluetooth standard. In a time-shifted operating mode, the radio signals are received by antennas 38 and 40, and these radio signals are used to excite antennas 38 and 40. Here, these radio signals also conform to a standard. The radio device 25 acquires the excitation of the two antennas 38 and 30, thereby acquiring the radio signals. For example, the operating mode of the signal processor 12 is changed according to the radio signals.

[0043] exist Figure 4 The side view shows a housing 26 with a square base 28. The base 28 has a slit-like opening 42, which is designed to be tortuous. An antenna 38, designed as a strip and following the orientation of the opening 42, is arranged within the opening 42, spaced apart from the edge of the opening 42. The area between the antenna 38 and the edge of the opening 42 is filled by an insulator 44 made of plastic. Here, the insulator 44 is produced by injection molding, and the antenna 38 is thus sprayed onto the base 28. Therefore, the base 28 is designed to be liquid-tight, preventing ambient air from entering the housing 26.

[0044] In a variation not shown in detail, the substrate 28 is designed to be intact and therefore does not have an opening 42. Here, an insulator 44 is sprayed onto the surface of the substrate 28, thereby securing the antenna 38 to the substrate 28 in a fixed and non-removable manner. In summary, in all embodiments, the antenna 38 is integrated into the housing 26 of the battery cell 34. The electrical contact of the antenna 38 is performed in the same operational step where the battery cell 34 also makes electrical contact with and is fixed to the circuit board 22, i.e., by means of surface mounting.

[0045] This invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. Rather, those skilled in the art can derive other variations of the invention without departing from its subject matter. In particular, all the individual features described in connection with the embodiments can be further combined with each other in other ways without departing from the subject matter.

[0046] List of reference numerals

[0047] 2 Hearing equipment

[0048] 4. Equipment casing

[0049] 6 microphones

[0050] 8 microphone units

[0051] 10 Signal Processing Unit

[0052] 12 Signal Processors

[0053] 14. Earpiece

[0054] 16 sound tubes

[0055] 18 Domes

[0056] 20 Battery Modules

[0057] 22 Circuit Boards

[0058] 24 Conductor traces

[0059] 25. Radio equipment

[0060] 26. Shell

[0061] 28 matrix

[0062] 30 pads

[0063] 32 battery cells

[0064] 34 battery cells

[0065] 36 Connecting pads

[0066] 38 antennas

[0067] 40 Other antennas

[0068] 42 Opening

[0069] 44 Insulators

Claims

1. A hearing device (2) having a circuit board (22) on which a battery module (20) is fixed, the battery module (20) having a battery cell (34) with a housing (26), wherein, The battery cell includes electrodes and an electrolyte, which are directly disposed within the housing (26), wherein there are no other components between the electrodes and the electrolyte, wherein an antenna (38) is integrated within the housing (26), wherein the antenna (38) is non-detachably connected to the housing (26), wherein the housing (26) has a metal substrate (28), the antenna (38) is fixed to the substrate (28), wherein the substrate (28) has a slit-like opening (42), the opening (42) being closed by means of the antenna (38).

2. The hearing device (2) according to claim 1. Its features are, The battery module (20) is designed to be surface-mountable.

3. The hearing device (2) according to claim 2. Its features are, A connection pad (36) is introduced in the housing (26), and the connection pad (36) is electrically connected to the antenna (38).

4. The hearing device (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 3. Its features are, The housing (26) is square.

5. The hearing device (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 4. Its features are, The circuit board (22) has an additional antenna (40) which is formed by means of conductor traces (24) and electrically connected to the antenna (38).

Images