Loudspeaker system for hearing device needing to be worn in ear

Abstract

The utility model relates to a loudspeaker system (8) for a hearing device (1) needing to be worn in an ear, the loudspeaker system is provided with a loudspeaker (6) with a shell (9), the shell is provided with a sound outlet, and the sound outlet is arranged in a coupling surface of the shell (9). The loudspeaker system (8) further comprises an antenna body (10) having a carrier plate (20) with a sound passage opening, a carrier sleeve (22) rigidly connected to the carrier plate (20) and fluidically connected to the sound passage opening of the carrier plate, and an antenna coil (24) wound around the carrier sleeve (22). Furthermore, the loudspeaker system (8) has a damping body (12) made of a flexible material, by means of which the coupling surface of the loudspeaker (6) is coupled to the carrier plate (20) of the antenna body (10).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to a speaker system for a hearing device that needs to be worn in the ear. In addition, the utility model also relates to a hearing device. Background Art

[0002] Hearing devices are usually used to output sound signals to the auditory system of the wearer of the hearing device. The output is achieved by means of an output transducer, usually acoustically via air sound by means of a loudspeaker (also called a "receiver"). In this case, such hearing devices are usually so-called hearing aids (also referred to as "hearing aids"). ) is used. For this purpose, the hearing device usually comprises an acoustic input transducer, in particular a microphone, and a signal processor, which is configured to process an input signal (also called a microphone signal) generated by the ambient sound via the input transducer, by applying at least one signal processing algorithm, which is usually stored specifically for the user, in such a way that the hearing impairment of the wearer of the hearing device is at least partially compensated. In particular in the case of hearing aids, in addition to a loudspeaker, the output transducer can alternatively also be a so-called bone conduction earpiece or a cochlear implant, which is configured to mechanically or electrically couple the sound signal into the auditory system of the wearer. The term "hearing device" also additionally includes, in particular, devices such as so-called tinnitus maskers, headsets, headphones, etc.

[0003] Typical configurations of hearing devices, in particular hearing aids, are behind-the-ear ("BTE") and in-the-ear ("ITE") hearing devices. These designations refer to the intended wearing position. Thus, a behind-the-ear hearing device has a (main) housing that is worn behind the pinna. A distinction can be made here between models in which the loudspeaker is arranged in the housing, in which the sound output to the ear is usually achieved by means of a sound tube that is worn in the ear canal, and models with an external loudspeaker arranged in the ear canal. In contrast, an in-the-ear hearing device has a housing that is worn in the pinna or even completely in the ear canal.

[0004] It is known that in-the-ear hearing devices require the smallest possible design in order to be able to arrange all the required components in the auditory canal or at least in the auricle. However, some components, such as the loudspeaker and / or the microphone, also require a vibration-damping mounting in order to avoid coupling of (structure-borne) sound from the loudspeaker to other components, in particular the microphone, and also to avoid mechanical damage to these components. However, such mounting is usually associated with a relatively large installation space requirement. Utility Model Content

[0005] Therefore, the technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an improved support for a loudspeaker in a hearing device.

[0006] This technical problem is solved according to the utility model by a loudspeaker system for a hearing device that needs to be worn in the ear. In addition, this technical problem is solved according to the utility model by a hearing device. Advantageous and partly inventive embodiments and further developments of the utility model are presented in the following description.

[0007] The loudspeaker system according to the utility model is arranged and provided for use with a hearing device, specifically for use in a hearing device, which needs to be worn in the ear (for example "IdO"). For this purpose, the loudspeaker system has a loudspeaker with a housing, which in turn has a sound outlet, which is arranged in a coupling surface of the housing. In addition, the loudspeaker system has an antenna body, which has a carrier plate with a sound passage opening, a carrier sleeve rigidly connected to the carrier plate and fluidically connected to the sound passage opening of the carrier plate, and an antenna coil wound around the carrier sleeve. The loudspeaker system also has a vibration damper made of a flexible material, and the loudspeaker is coupled to the carrier plate of the antenna body by means of the vibration damper with its coupling surface. Therefore, the loudspeaker system includes a loudspeaker and an antenna as main components. Here, the loudspeaker is coupled or coupled to the carrier plate (or its carrier sleeve) for the antenna by means of the vibration damper.

[0008] According to the present invention, the hearing device worn in the ear has a housing body and a loudspeaker system described in detail here and below. Here, the loudspeaker system is fixed in the housing body by means of an antenna body.

[0009] Hearing devices that are to be worn in the ear, in particular hearing devices for binaural use, usually have an antenna in the form of a coil in order to be able to transmit data via a relatively short wireless path and in a directionally as possible. Since hearing devices that are to be worn in the ear usually also have a very limited structural space, it is expedient to arrange all components in the most space-saving way possible. In this case, the above-mentioned combination of loudspeaker and antenna coil usually proves to be effective, because loudspeakers usually have a sound outlet port (also called "spout"), by means of which the loudspeaker is coupled to the sound guidance toward the ear of the user in terms of sound conduction technology. In the present design, the sound outlet port is usually omitted. In this case, the function of the sound outlet port is fulfilled by a carrier sleeve, which in particular also forms a ferrite core for the antenna coil.

[0010] According to the invention, the antenna body is coupled to the loudspeaker by means of a vibration damping body. This is advantageous because the loudspeaker is usually held in the housing body of the hearing device by means of the antenna body in such a design. The vibration damping body thus achieves a vibration decoupling of the loudspeaker from the housing body of the hearing device or at least achieves a vibration damping of the loudspeaker from the housing body of the hearing device.

[0011] The hearing device has the same features and advantages as the loudspeaker system.

[0012] The vibration damping body is preferably designed to be essentially plate-shaped, ie, in particular to be flat and cuboid. The vibration damping body has in particular a plate or essentially plate-shaped basic structure. In this case, the plate is designed, for example, parallel to the plane. This results in a particularly simple structure.

[0013] Here, "essentially plate-shaped" is to be understood here and below to mean that, in an alternative embodiment of the vibration damper, the design can also be such that the loudspeaker is slightly sunken into the vibration damper, for example, by a maximum of 5% or 10% of its thickness. This is advantageous primarily during assembly. As a result, the loudspeaker can be relatively easily aligned with the vibration damper (or vice versa) during adhesive bonding to the vibration damper.

[0014] In an alternative variant (particularly for a plane-parallel design of the plate), the damping body, in particular its plate-shaped basic structure, has a wedge shape. That is, the plate has two oppositely disposed flat sides which form an angle with one another, in particular a particularly flat angle of less than 15°, preferably less than 10°. In this context, “flat sides” are understood to be two large-area, flat sides of the “plate” which are bounded by edge surfaces extending approximately perpendicular thereto.

[0015] Further optionally, in particular instead of the aforementioned recess in the damping body into which the loudspeaker is sunk, the damping body has additional elements for positioning the loudspeaker (in particular on the damping body). These elements are formed, for example, by at least one side wall which projects at least approximately perpendicularly from the aforementioned plate.

[0016] Optionally, the damping body also additionally has fixing means, by means of which the loudspeaker can be fixed in the housing body of the hearing device or can also be supported only in the housing body of the hearing device, as a supplement to the fixing by means of the antenna body. For simple support, the fixing means can be formed, for example, by a pin-shaped projection, which supports the loudspeaker system on the inner side of the housing body. For fixing, the fixing means is suitably designed as a T-piece. The T-piece is designed, for example, on the aforementioned side wall, but can also protrude beyond the plate-shaped basic structure of the damping body. When the loudspeaker system is assembled in the housing body, the T-piece is pushed into a corresponding groove ("T-slot") designed in the housing body and thus provides fixation in the direction of the "base beam" of the "T".

[0017] The loudspeaker and the antenna body are preferably bonded to the vibration-damping body. Alternatively, however, the loudspeaker and the antenna body can also be welded to the vibration-damping body.

[0018] In order to protect the loudspeaker as widely as possible from damage if the hearing device is dropped, for example, in an advantageous embodiment the material thickness and / or shear modulus of the damping body (in particular its plate or plate-like basic structure) is selected such that, in the case of a predetermined drop height, which corresponds in particular to the height of a person using the hearing device, and a predetermined maximum acceleration for the loudspeaker, a sufficient braking distance or braking path is reserved by the damping body. Preferably, the braking distance is provided parallel to the coupling surface of the loudspeaker, i.e., in the plane of the flat extension of the damping body.

[0019] The material thickness or the shear modulus, in particular the required shear modulus value, is preferably determined here additionally as a function of the deceleration force and the attachment area of ​​the damping body on the coupling surface and / or on the carrier plate (in particular its dimensions) according to the following formula, which in particular forms a first approximation or a first design (for example for a subsequent component design of the damping body based on this simulation),

[0020]

[0021] Here,

[0022] G is the shear modulus,

[0023] F S is the deceleration force,

[0024] h is the material thickness,

[0025] s d is the deceleration distance, and

[0026] A b is the attachment area.

[0027] Here, the deceleration force is determined by the following formula

[0028]

[0029] in,

[0030] m is the mass of the loudspeaker,

[0031] g c is the acceleration due to gravity, which is assumed to be constant, and

[0032] H is the drop height.

[0033] The deceleration distance is determined by the following formula

[0034]

[0035] in,

[0036] g zulis the maximum permissible acceleration for the loudspeaker.

[0037] The damping body satisfies, in particular, the conditions presented above as formulas (1) to (3).

[0038] For an assumed maximum permissible acceleration of 8000 times the acceleration due to gravity (g) and a drop height of 1.65 m, a deceleration distance of about 0.21 mm must be reserved by the damping body. This can be seen in particular from the shear modulus of less than 3 N / mm 2 The deceleration distance is mainly required in the surface direction of the vibration damping body due to the installation conditions of the loudspeaker system. The deceleration distance in other spatial directions, for example in a direction approximately perpendicular (plus / minus 10 degrees) to the surface extension of the vibration damping body, can usually be compensated or provided by the shell body of the hearing device, especially in the insertion direction of the hearing device, which is achieved in particular in combination with the vibration damping body which is mainly subjected to tension and compression. The component design and shaping of the vibration damping body are preferably achieved with the aid of simulations, such as drop tests and / or vibration simulations. Simulation iterations can also be used optionally here. The above-mentioned design according to formulas (1) to (3) forms the starting point for the simulation design, in which a sufficient vibration damping effect is optionally (iteratively) gradually investigated.

[0039] For example, the attachment surface corresponds to a coupling surface of a loudspeaker or a corresponding surface of a carrier plate of the antenna body.

[0040] In a further expedient embodiment, the connection contacts of the loudspeaker are arranged in a connection surface of the housing that is different from the coupling surface.

[0041] In a particularly expedient embodiment, the loudspeaker system is mechanically supported on the housing body only via the antenna body. Any force transmission that may occur via the electrical connection of the loudspeaker to the electronics is negligible and is preferably designed such that no intentional force transmission occurs thereby. For example, the corresponding cables are laid sufficiently loosely (can also be referred to as "slack" or not tight).

[0042] The conjunction “and / or” is to be understood here and hereinafter to mean in particular that the features connected by this conjunction can be designed both together and as alternatives to one another. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0043] The following is a more detailed description of the embodiments of the present invention based on the accompanying drawings. In the accompanying drawings:

[0044] Figure 1 A hearing device to be worn on the ear is shown in a schematic side view;

[0045] Figure 2The loudspeaker system is schematically shown in a perspective view;

[0046] Figure 3 , Figure 4 According to Figure 2 The vibration-absorbing body of the loudspeaker system is schematically shown from different sides in the views of FIG.

[0047] Figure 5 In accordance with Figure 1 A partially transparent view of the hearing device is shown in FIG.

[0048] Figure 6 A further embodiment of a loudspeaker system is schematically shown in a perspective view.

[0049] In all the figures, corresponding parts are always provided with the same reference symbols. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0050] exist Figure 1 Schematically shows a hearing device to be worn in the ear, referred to as IdO1. The IdO1 has a housing body 2, which is shaped so that it can be inserted into the ear canal of a person using the IdO1. The IdO1 has an ear mold 4 made of an elastomer for holding the IdO1 in the ear canal and also for acoustic sealing. The electronic components of the IdO1 are arranged in the housing body 2 (see also Figure 5 The electronic components include a loudspeaker 6 which, in this embodiment, is part of a loudspeaker system 8 (see Figure 2 ).

[0051] The loudspeaker system 8 has a loudspeaker 6 which is designed with a cuboid housing 9. The loudspeaker system 8 also has an antenna body 10 and a vibration damper 12 which is arranged between the loudspeaker 6 and the antenna body 10.

[0052] Loudspeaker 6 has a sound outlet on a side (not shown in detail) called coupling surface, with which loudspeaker 6 rests against damping body 12. Loudspeaker 6 has a plurality of connecting contacts 16 on a side or end face 14 (also called "connection face") perpendicular to said side surface.

[0053] In the present embodiment, the vibration damping body 12 is designed as a flat plate, which spans the coupling surface of the loudspeaker 6. In addition, the vibration damping body 12 is designed slightly concave (see Figure 3 ), so that the loudspeaker 6 sinks into the vibration-damping body 12, but only to an amplitude less than 5% of the height of the end face 14. The vibration-damping body 12 also has a sound opening 18, which overlaps with the sound outlet of the loudspeaker 6 in the specified installed state.

[0054] The antenna body 10 has a carrier plate 20 and a carrier sleeve 22 standing on the carrier plate 20. The carrier plate 20 has a sound passage opening (not shown), which, in the intended installed state, is fluidically connected to the sound outlet of the loudspeaker 6 and thus also to the sound opening 18. The carrier sleeve 22 is designed to be hollow. The carrier sleeve 22 and the carrier plate 20 are made of ferrite. The antenna body 10 also has an antenna coil 24, the coil wire of which is wound on the carrier sleeve 22.

[0055] The loudspeaker 6 is bonded to the vibration damper 12 on a first bonding surface 26 and the vibration damper 12 is bonded to the carrier plate 20 via a second bonding surface 28. The vibration damper 12 is designed according to the maximum permissible acceleration for the loudspeaker 6. To this end, the shear modulus of the material of the vibration damper 12 is determined according to the formulas (1) to (3) introduced above, according to the expected drop height, the thickness of the vibration damper 12, the surface to which the vibration damper 12 is fixed ("attachment surface", such as the bonding surface 28 to the carrier plate 20 or the bonding surface 26 to the loudspeaker 6), the deceleration force and the deceleration distance. The shear modulus is preferably less than 3 N / mm 2 .

[0056] As from Figure 5 As can be seen in the figure, the loudspeaker system 8 is arranged in the housing body 2 with the carrier sleeve 22 facing forward in the end 30 directed in a prescribed direction toward the eardrum and is fixed by the carrier sleeve 22. The loudspeaker 6 is therefore supported and fixed relative to the housing body 2 only by the vibration damper 12. If IdO1 falls, the impact in the longitudinal direction 32 is already partially compensated by the housing body 2. In the "lateral" 34, i.e. in the surface direction of the vibration damper 12, the above-mentioned design of the vibration damper 12 plays a role, so that this "lateral acceleration" is absorbed by the vibration damper 12. However, the "longitudinal acceleration" can also be absorbed at least to a certain extent or proportionally by the tensile and compressive deformation of the vibration damper 12 in the thickness direction. The loudspeaker 6 does not require additional support.

[0057] exist Figure 6 A further embodiment of a loudspeaker system 8, in particular of a vibration damping body 12, is shown in FIG. Here, the vibration damping body 12 is formed by a wedge-shaped plate 36, in which no grooves are provided. The wedge shape of the plate 36 enables a stronger vibration damping for a specific direction of fall. This design was determined by a simulation design based on the starting point determined with the aid of formulas (1) to (3). The direction of the wedge can thus also be oriented differently, for example in Figure 6 In the view of , it is oriented from above (ie from the edge facing the connecting contact 16 , where the wall thickness is thinner) to below (where the wall thickness is thicker).

[0058] In addition to plate 36, damping body 12 has side walls 38 which are oriented perpendicularly to plate 36 and rest laterally against loudspeaker 6. Plate 36 provides additional damping or vibration reduction.

[0059] The damping body 12 also has fixing means for additionally fixing the loudspeaker 6 in the housing body 2. These fixing means are designed in the form of T-pieces 40, which are designed on the side walls 38. The T-pieces 40 are specifically intended to be inserted into corresponding grooves (not shown) designed in the housing body 2. The T-pieces 40 are made of the same material as the plate 36 (and the damping body 12 as in the previous embodiment) and the side walls 38. This creates additional stability and therefore also a damping effect for the loudspeaker. Optionally, the side walls 38 and / or the T-pieces 40 can also be omitted in the design of the fixing body 12 with a wedge-shaped plate 36.

[0060] The technical solution of the present utility model is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments. On the contrary, those skilled in the art can deduce other implementation methods of the present utility model from the above description.

[0061] List of Reference Numerals

[0062] 1In-ear hearing aid

[0063] 2 Shell body

[0064] 4 ear molds

[0065] 6 speakers

[0066] 8-speaker system

[0067] 9 Shell

[0068] 10 antenna body

[0069] 12 Vibration damper

[0070] 14 End face

[0071] 16 connection contacts

[0072] 18 Voice Opening

[0073] 20 Carrier Plates

[0074] 22 Carrier Sleeve

[0075] 24 Antenna Coil

[0076] 26 bonding surface

[0077] 28 bonding surface

[0078] 30 end

[0079] 32 Vertical direction

[0080] 34Horizontal direction

[0081] 36 boards

[0082] 38 side wall

[0083] 40T-shaped parts

Claims

1. A loudspeaker system (8) for a hearing device (1) to be worn in the ear, characterized in that The speaker system has a loudspeaker (6) with a housing (9) having a sound outlet, which is arranged in a coupling surface of the housing (9), - an antenna body (10) comprising a carrier plate (20) with a sound passage opening, a carrier sleeve (22) rigidly connected to the carrier plate (20) and fluidically connected to the sound passage opening of the carrier plate, and an antenna coil (24) wound around the carrier sleeve (22), and A vibration damping body (12) made of a flexible material, by means of which the loudspeaker (6) is coupled with its coupling surface to the carrier plate (20) of the antenna body (10).

2. The loudspeaker system (8) according to claim 1, It is characterized in that The vibration damping body (12) is designed to be in a plate shape.

3. The loudspeaker system (8) according to claim 2, It is characterized in that The vibration damper (12) is designed so that the loudspeaker (6) is sunk into the vibration damper (12).

4. The loudspeaker system (8) according to claim 1, It is characterized in that The vibration damping body (12) has a wedge shape.

5. The loudspeaker system (8) according to any one of claims 2 to 4, It is characterized in that The vibration-damping body (12) has additional protruding elements for positioning the loudspeaker (6).

6. The loudspeaker system (8) according to claim 5, It is characterized in that Additional protruding elements are side walls (38).

7. The loudspeaker system (8) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, It is characterized in that The vibration-damping body (12) has additional fixing means (40) for fixing the loudspeaker (6) in the housing body (2) of the hearing device (1).

8. The loudspeaker system (8) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, It is characterized in that The material thickness (h) and / or shear modulus (G) of the vibration damper (12) are selected so that a sufficient braking distance (s) is reserved for the loudspeaker (6) at a preset drop height (H) and a preset maximum acceleration by the vibration damper (12). d ).

9. The loudspeaker system (8) according to claim 8, It is characterized in that The preset drop height is consistent with the height of a person using the hearing device (1).

10. The loudspeaker system (8) according to claim 8, It is characterized in that Braking distance(s) d ) is parallel to the coupling surface.

11. The loudspeaker system (8) according to claim 8, It is characterized in that The material thickness (h) and / or shear modulus (G) also serve as the deceleration force (F S ) and the attachment area (A) of the damping body (12) on the coupling surface and / or on the carrier plate (20) b ) is determined according to the following formula 12. The loudspeaker system (8) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, It is characterized in that The connecting contacts (16) of the loudspeaker (6) are arranged in a connecting surface (14) of the housing (9) which is different from the coupling surface.

13. A hearing device (1) to be worn in the ear, comprising a housing body (2) and a loudspeaker system (8) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that: The loudspeaker system (8) is held in the housing body (2) by means of an antenna body (10).

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