Ear-worn hearing device

Abstract

The utility model relates to an ear-wearing hearing device. The ear-worn hearing device includes a body portion having a sound producing transducer acoustically coupled to a sound channel of a mouthpiece. The resilient portion protrudes from a side of the body portion and includes a physiological or activity sensor coupled to a flexible portion of the flexible harness. The elastic portion at least partially covers a portion of the flexible strap without hindering operation of the sensor, and when the elastic portion is depressed and released, the flexible portion and the sensor can bend towards and away from the body portion.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to ear-worn hearing devices, and more particularly to ear-worn hearing devices including one or more physiological or activity sensors integrated with a resilient portion of the hearing device. Background Art

[0002] Consumers are increasingly interested in ear-worn hearing devices that include sensors for monitoring heart rate, blood pressure, and other physiological conditions. Sensors must usually be relatively fixed near or in direct contact with ear tissue for accurate sensing. However, most in-ear hearing devices tend to move in the ear during physical activity, and may not optimally position the sensor for accurate sensing in other cases. To address this problem, some ear-worn hearing devices integrate sensors with flexible earplugs that directly contact ear canal tissue. However, integrating sensors and related electronic parts with earplugs is complex and expensive. In addition, earplugs have various sizes and amplification settings to accommodate different user anatomical structures and different degrees of hearing loss. Moreover, earplugs are often replaced when damaged or lost. Maintaining a large inventory of earplugs including integrated sensors or replacing earplugs further increases costs. Therefore, there is a constant need to improve ear-worn hearing devices including one or more sensors. Utility Model Content

[0003] In a first aspect, an ear-worn hearing device is provided, comprising: a main body portion, the main body portion comprising a sound transducer acoustically coupled to a sound channel of a nozzle; an elastic portion, the elastic portion protruding from one side of the main body portion and comprising a physiological or activity sensor coupled to a flexible portion of a flexible harness, the elastic portion at least partially covering a portion of the flexible harness without interfering with the operation of the physiological or activity sensor, wherein the flexible portion and the physiological or activity sensor can bend toward and away from the main body portion when the elastic portion is depressed and released.

[0004] Preferably, the flexible portion is configured to extend from the main body portion into the elastic portion, wherein the flexible wire harness does not have a bending angle less than 85 degrees.

[0005] Preferably, the elastic portion comprises a hole or a window aligned with the physiological or activity sensor, wherein the physiological or activity sensor can detect or send a signal through the hole or the window.

[0006] Preferably, the elastic portion comprises a hollow convex portion, the flexible portion of the flexible harness is disposed within the hollow convex portion, wherein deformation of the hollow convex portion causes the physiological or activity sensor and the flexible portion of the flexible harness to bend.

[0007] Preferably, the hollow convex portion comprises ventilation holes, wherein the ventilation holes increase the softness of the elastic portion.

[0008] Preferably, the elastic portion comprises a solid convex portion, the flexible portion of the flexible harness is embedded in the solid convex portion, wherein deformation of the solid convex portion causes the physiological or activity sensor and the flexible portion of the flexible harness to bend.

[0009] Preferably, the main body portion further comprises an electrical interface, the flexible harness being electrically connected to the electrical interface and mechanically fastened to the main body portion.

[0010] Preferably, the main body portion further comprises a shell, the sound transducer is accommodated in the shell, and the portion of the flexible harness in the shell is configured with a plurality of portions adjacent to at least two different surfaces of the sound transducer.

[0011] Preferably, the sound transducer includes a sound port on a surface of the sound transducer, a portion of the flexible harness is disposed on the surface of the sound transducer and includes an opening aligned with the sound port, wherein the sound port is acoustically coupled to the sound channel.

[0012] Preferably, the flexible harness has no bend angle less than 85 degrees between adjacent portions of the flexible harness.

[0013] Preferably, the ear-worn hearing device further comprises an elastic protrusion replaceably mounted to the main body portion, wherein when the ear-worn hearing device is at least partially inserted into an ear canal of a user, the elastic protrusion biases the elastic portion toward ear canal tissue.

[0014] Preferably, the ear-worn hearing device further comprises a cable assembly coupled to the main body portion and comprising a conductor electrically connected to the sound-emitting transducer.

[0015] Preferably, the cable assembly further comprises a shape-retaining conductor guide, wherein the cable assembly biases the resilient portion towards ear canal tissue when the ear-worn hearing device is at least partially inserted into an ear canal of a user.

[0016] Preferably, the ear-worn hearing device further comprises an earplug coupled to the nozzle, wherein the earplug is configured to be at least partially inserted into an ear canal of a user.

[0017] In a second aspect, an ear-worn hearing device is provided. The ear-worn hearing device comprises: a main body portion, the main body portion comprising a sound transducer acoustically connected to a sound channel of a nozzle; a flexible harness, the flexible harness comprising a flexible portion protruding from the main body portion, multiple portions of the flexible harness being configured to be adjacent to at least two different surfaces of the sound transducer; a physiological or activity sensor, the physiological or activity sensor being connected to the flexible portion of the flexible harness; an elastic portion, the elastic portion protruding from one side of the main body portion, the elastic portion at least partially covering the flexible portion of the flexible harness without blocking the physiological or activity sensor, wherein the flexible portion and the physiological or activity sensor can bend toward and away from the main body portion when the elastic portion is pressed down and released.

[0018] Preferably, the flexible harness has no bend angle less than 85 degrees between adjacent portions of the flexible harness.

[0019] Preferably, the sound transducer comprises a sound port on a surface of the sound transducer, a portion of the flexible harness is disposed on the surface of the sound transducer and comprises an opening aligned with the sound port, wherein the sound port is acoustically coupled to the sound channel.

[0020] Preferably, portions of the flexible harness are configured to be adjacent to at least three different surfaces of the sound emitting transducer, wherein the flexible harness is secured to the sound emitting transducer.

[0021] Preferably, the main body portion further comprises a shell, the sound transducer is at least partially accommodated in the shell, and a portion of the flexible harness is located between the shell and the sound transducer. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] The objects, features and advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art after considering the following detailed description and appended claims in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.The drawings depict only representative embodiments and should not be considered to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

[0023] Figure 1 is a stereoscopic diagram of a representative ear-worn hearing device.

[0024] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of a representative ear-worn hearing device.

[0025] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of another representative ear-worn hearing device.

[0026] Figure 4 It is a three-dimensional diagram of a typical ear-worn hearing device without an elastic portion.

[0027] Figure 5 is a three-dimensional diagram of the elastic portion of an ear-worn hearing device.

[0028] Figure 6 is a side view of some components of a representative hearable device.

[0029] Figure 7 yes Figure 6 Stereoscopic diagram.

[0030] Figure 8 is a perspective view of some components of another representative ear-worn hearing device.

[0031] Fig. 9 is a side view of some components of another representative ear-worn hearing device.

[0032] Fig.10 is a side view of some components of another representative hearable device.

[0033] Fig.11 is a partial cross-sectional view of another representative ear-worn hearing device.

[0034] Those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that: the drawings are shown for simplicity and clarity and therefore may not be drawn to scale and may not include well-known features; the order in which actions or steps occur may be different from the order described; unless otherwise specified, the order in which these actions or steps occur may be performed simultaneously; and the terms and expressions used herein have the meanings understood by those of ordinary skill in the art, except where they are explicitly given different meanings. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] The present disclosure relates generally to ear-worn hearing devices, and more specifically to ear-worn hearing devices including one or more physiological or activity sensors. The hearing device also includes a main body portion, which includes a sound transducer acoustically connected to the sound channel of the nozzle. An elastic portion protruding from the side of the main body portion includes a flexible harness and the one or more sensors. When the elastic portion is depressed and released, the flexible harness and the one or more sensors can be bent toward and away from the main body portion. The elastic portion is configured to bias the one or more sensors toward the ear tissue of the user when the hearing device is worn by the user to obtain optimal sensor performance. The present disclosure is applicable to hearing devices configured to be at least partially inserted into the ear canal of the user, and to hearing devices configured to be worn in or on the outer ear of the user, with or without a cable assembly. Representative examples are further described herein.

[0036] Figures 1 to 3 A representative ear-worn hearing device 100 is shown that is configured to be at least partially inserted into an ear canal of a user. Figures 2 to 3In the cross-sectional view of FIG. 1 , the hearing device comprises a main body portion including a sound emitting transducer 102 acoustically coupled to a sound channel 112 of a nozzle 114. Figure 1 and Figure 2 In the embodiment, the transducer is completely contained in a housing 116 including a nozzle 114, and a resilient ear plug 115 is connected to the nozzle, wherein the ear plug is configured to be at least partially inserted into the ear canal. Alternatively, the transducer can be partially contained in an open-ended housing, and the nozzle can be a nozzle integrated with the transducer. In this alternative, the housing can be configured as a socket, and a portion of the transducer opposite the nozzle is arranged and retained in the socket. Therefore, the main body can include a housing, and the transducer is completely or partially contained in the housing. The sound-emitting transducer can be implemented as one or more balanced armature receivers or dynamic speakers or a combination thereof.

[0037] Physiological sensors can monitor physiological conditions such as cardiac cycle, heart rate, blood pressure, blood oxygen and temperature. Representative physiological sensors include, but are not limited to, photoplethysmogram (PPG) sensors and temperature sensors. PPG sensors typically include a transmitter configured as at least one monochromatic or multi-color light emitting diode (LED) and a receiver configured as one or more photodiodes. Other sensors include activity sensors and electrodes for detecting various conditions. Representative activity sensors include vibration sensors and accelerometers, etc. When one or more sensors are in contact with or very close to ear tissue as described herein, the performance of these and other sensors can be optimized or at least improved.

[0038] exist Figures 1 to 4 and Figures 6 to 11 In FIG. 1 , a representative hearing device includes a PPG sensor including a transmitter 104 and a receiver 106. Figure 3 , Figure 4 and Figures 8 to 10 In , the hearing device further comprises another sensor 108 implemented as a temperature, vibration or other sensor. Some hearing devices may comprise additional sensors. Figure 3 , Figure 4 and Fig.11 In the embodiment, a transmitter 104 and a receiver 106 integrated with a flexible harness are covered by covers or lenses 105 and 107. Other sensors may also be covered by covers or lenses. The covers or lenses may protect the sensors or underlying components from contamination and may be easily cleaned. In some implementations, the covers or lenses serve as light guides or tubes that transmit and direct light. The covers or lenses may be configured to focus or diffuse light onto ear tissue. A cover or lens with a glossy surface may promote wetting of the user's skin to improve transmission of light into or out of ear tissue. So constructed, each sensor may detect or send a signal through a corresponding hole or window.

[0039] exist Figures 2 to 3 In the embodiment of the present invention, the elastic portion 120 protruding from the side of the main body includes a flexible harness 130 and one or more sensors of the flexible portion 132 connected to the flexible harness. The elastic portion at least partially covers a portion of the flexible harness without blocking the one or more sensors or otherwise hindering its operation. The elastic portion may include a hole or window aligned with each sensor to allow the sensor to operate unobstructed, wherein each sensor can detect or send a signal through a corresponding hole or window. In an implementation in which the sensor includes a light transmitter and a receiver, the elastic portion may be relatively opaque to isolate the receiver from contamination by the light from the transmitter before the light is incident on the user's ear tissue. When the elastic portion is depressed and released, the flexible portion of the flexible harness and one or more sensors can be bent toward and away from the main body. The elastic portion constructed in this way biases one or more sensors toward the user's ear tissue to obtain optimal sensor performance.

[0040] exist Figure 5 In a representative implementation of the present invention, the elastic portion 120 is integrally formed with a base 122 including a positioning foot 124, which can be assembled on Figure 4 In the corresponding hole 117 of the housing 116 shown. Figure 5 In the embodiment of the present invention, the elastic portion includes a convex portion 119, but in alternative embodiments, the elastic portion may include other shapes. The base provides structure for the elastic portion. The base can be fastened to the housing by snap fittings on some or all of the positioning feet or by glue or by a combination of snap fittings and glue. The elastic portion can be more flexible than the base and the positioning feet to provide a comfortable fit for the user. To this end, the elastic convex portion can be made of silicone rubber or other polymers, and the base can be a harder plastic or polymer, metal or some other material.

[0041] The flexible portion of the flexible harness is generally configured to extend from the main body portion and into the elastic portion. Figures 2 to 3 A flexible portion 132 of the flexible harness is shown extending from the housing 116 and into the elastic portion 120. The flexible portion may be a linear or curved cantilever portion protruding from the body portion, and the flexible portion may have a shape similar to that of the elastic portion. Figures 2 to 4 and Figures 6 to 10 In the embodiment of the present invention, the flexible portion 132 has an arc shape configured as an integral part of the elastic convex portion. The flexible harness provides electrical and mechanical interconnection between one or more sensors and the electrical interface of the hearing device. The sensor is electrically and mechanically connected to the flexible portion of the flexible harness. This connection can be a solder connection or a conductive glue connection, as well as other known and future electrical and mechanical connections.

[0042] In one implementation, the resilient portion includes a hollow convex portion, and the flexible portion of the flexible harness is disposed within the hollow convex portion. A vent may be provided in the hollow convex portion to increase the softness of the resilient portion. The vent may extend into the housing or into the atmosphere. In another implementation, the resilient portion includes a solid convex portion, and the flexible portion of the flexible harness is at least partially embedded within the solid convex portion. In both implementations, the sensor and the flexible portion of the flexible harness can bend when the resilient portion is depressed and released.

[0043] As further described herein, the flexible harness is mechanically fastened to the body portion and electrically connected to the electrical interface. Appropriate configuration of the flexible harness within the housing can reduce the likelihood of breaking the electrical conductors of the flexible harness due to excessive bending. In one implementation, the flexible harness does not have a bend angle of less than 85 degrees between adjacent portions of the flexible harness, such as Figure 6 The angle θ is shown in the figure. Figure 6 In FIG. 1 , portions 132 and 138 of the flexible harness are adjacent. Figure 7 , similarly, portions 137 and 138 of the flexible harness are considered adjacent, as are portions 136 and 137. In some implementations, the flexible harness is partially folded around two or more surfaces of the sound-emitting transducer and is adjacent to the surfaces. The flexible harness may be adhered to one or more surfaces of the transducer, or to the housing, or to other structures of the body portion, or a combination thereof. Representative examples are further described herein.

[0044] exist Figure 3 and Figures 8 to 10 In the embodiment of the present invention, a portion of a flexible harness 130 within the housing is folded or wrapped around at least two different surfaces of a sound-emitting transducer, wherein one surface of the transducer includes a sound port. In such a configuration, a portion 134 of the flexible harness is adjacent to an end surface including the sound port, and a portion 136 of the flexible harness is adjacent to a bottom surface of the transducer. The portion 134 of the flexible harness includes an opening 133 aligned with the sound port to allow sound to pass therethrough, such as Figure 8 This configuration positions the cantilever hinge 131 of the flexible harness as close to the sound port as possible without requiring excessive bending of the flexible harness. So configured, the resilient portion can be positioned towards the end of the hearing device that extends deepest into the ear canal.

[0045] exist Figure 6 , Figure 7 , Fig. 9 and Fig.10In the embodiment of the present invention, a portion of the flexible harness 130 within the housing is folded or wrapped around at least three different surfaces of the sound-emitting transducer. So configured, portion 136 of the flexible harness is adjacent to the bottom surface of the transducer, portion 137 of the flexible harness is adjacent to the side surface, and portion 138 of the flexible harness is adjacent to the top surface of the transducer. Figure 6 to Figure 7 In the embodiment, the flexible harness does not cover the end face of the housing including the sound port. Other flexible harness structures are also possible.

[0046] The electrical interface may be a circuit board or an electrical connection to one or more electrical components. Figures 2 to 3 and Figures 6 to 10 In some hearing devices (e.g., in-the-ear (ITE) or in-the-canal (ITC) units), the electrical interface is connected to circuit elements (e.g., processor, transducer driver, etc.) 142, all of which are housed in the main body portion of the housing, such as Figures 2 to 3 In other hearing devices, some circuit elements are housed in a base unit (eg, a BTE unit) that is connected to an interface circuit of the hearing device (eg, a receiver-in-the-canal (RIC) unit) via a cable assembly.

[0047] In some implementations, the hearing device includes one or more resilient protrusions protruding from a side of the hearing device opposite the resilient protrusion having the one or more sensors. The one or more resilient protrusions may be mounted near the nozzle or near a portion of the housing opposite the nozzle, or at both locations. The one or more resilient protrusions may be permanently or replaceably assembled with the housing of the hearing device. The one or more resilient protrusions are flexible relative to the housing and may bias the resilient portion including the one or more sensors toward ear tissue to improve the performance of the one or more sensors when the hearing device is inserted into the ear canal of the user.

[0048] exist Figure 3In the embodiment of the present invention, the elastic protrusion 150 includes a quasi-spherical surface 151, which is removably assembled partially around the housing of the hearing device to bias the elastic portion 120 and one or more sensors toward the ear tissue of the user. The quasi-spherical surface is mainly located on the side of the hearing device opposite to the side where the one or more sensors are located. The quasi-spherical surface includes an opening on the side where the elastic portion of the hearing device is located. The quasi-spherical surface includes a base 152 and another end 154, the base 152 having a channel, the nozzle 114 extending into the channel, and the other end 154 assembled at the portion of the hearing device opposite to the nozzle. The representative quasi-spherical surface optionally includes a plurality of longitudinal openings 156, which extend along the longitudinal dimension of the hearing device when assembled with the hearing device. The openings 156 increase the flexibility of the elastic protrusion to improve comfort when the hearing device is worn on the user's ear. In other implementations, the openings 156 may have other shapes.

[0049] exist Fig.11 In the embodiment of the present invention, the first elastic protrusion 170 is mounted near the nozzle of the hearing device, and the second elastic protrusion 172 is mounted near the part of the hearing device opposite to the nozzle. One or more elastic protrusions protrude from a side of the hearing device that is substantially opposite to the side where the elastic portion 120 is located. In such a configuration, the one or more elastic protrusions have a greater stiffness on the side of the hearing device opposite to the elastic portion 120, and bias the one or more sensor portions toward the ear tissue of the user when the hearing device is worn in or on the ear.

[0050] exist Figure 1 , Figure 3 , Figure 8 and Fig.11 In the present invention, the hearing device includes a cable assembly 103 that is coupled to a portion of the hearing device opposite the nozzle. The cable assembly can connect a receiver in the canal (RIC) or other ear-worn unit to a behind the ear (BTE) or other base unit. Such a cable assembly is typically shape-retaining and configured to extend between the base unit and the ear-worn unit. In some implementations, when the hearing device is worn on the ear or at least partially in the ear, the cable assembly biases the elastic portion toward the ear tissue of the user. One or more sensors can be connected via the cable assembly 103 alone or in combination with the base unit. Figure 3 The elastic protrusion 150 described is combined or combined with Fig.11 The depicted first resilient protrusion 170 or second resilient protrusion 172 in combination are biased toward ear tissue.Other hearing devices are housed entirely in or on the user's ear and do not require a cable assembly.

[0051] While the present disclosure and what is presently believed to be the best mode thereof have been described in a manner to establish ownership and enable one of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the disclosure and what is presently believed to be the best mode thereof, it should be understood and appreciated that there are many equivalents to the representative embodiments described herein and that various modifications and variations may be made thereto without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention, and that the invention is not limited to the embodiments described but is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. An ear-worn hearing device, characterized in that: The hearable device includes: a body portion including a sound-emitting transducer acoustically coupled to a sound passage of the orifice; and an elastic portion protruding from one side of the main body portion and comprising a physiological or activity sensor coupled to the flexible portion of the flexible harness, the elastic portion at least partially covering a portion of the flexible harness without interfering with the operation of the physiological or activity sensor, Wherein, the flexible portion and the physiological or activity sensor can bend toward and away from the main body portion when the elastic portion is depressed and released.

2. The ear-worn hearing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The flexible portion is configured to extend from the body portion into the elastic portion, wherein the flexible wire harness does not have a bending angle less than 85 degrees.

3. The ear-worn hearing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The elastic portion includes a hole or window aligned with the physiological or activity sensor, wherein the physiological or activity sensor can detect or send a signal through the hole or window.

4. The ear-worn hearing device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The elastic portion includes a hollow convex portion, and the flexible portion of the flexible harness is disposed within the hollow convex portion, wherein deformation of the hollow convex portion causes the physiological or activity sensor and the flexible portion of the flexible harness to bend.

5. The ear-worn hearing device according to claim 4, characterized in that: The hollow convex portion includes vent holes, wherein the vent holes increase the softness of the elastic portion.

6. The ear-worn hearing device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The elastic portion includes a solid convex portion, and the flexible portion of the flexible harness is embedded in the solid convex portion, wherein deformation of the solid convex portion causes the physiological or activity sensor and the flexible portion of the flexible harness to bend.

7. The ear-worn hearing device according to claim 1, wherein: The body portion also includes an electrical interface to which the flexible wiring harness is electrically connected and mechanically fastened to the body portion.

8. The ear-worn hearing device according to claim 7, characterized in that: The main body portion further includes a housing in which the sound-emitting transducer is accommodated, and a portion of the flexible harness within the housing is configured with a plurality of portions adjacent to at least two different surfaces of the sound-emitting transducer.

9. The ear-worn hearing device according to claim 8, characterized in that: The sound emitting transducer includes a sound port on a surface of the sound emitting transducer, and a portion of the flexible harness is disposed on the surface of the sound emitting transducer and includes an opening aligned with the sound port, wherein the sound port is acoustically coupled to the sound channel.

10. The ear-worn hearing device according to claim 8, wherein: The flexible harness has no bend angles less than 85 degrees between adjacent portions of the flexible harness.

11. The ear-worn hearing device according to claim 1, wherein: The ear-worn hearing device further includes a resilient protrusion replaceably mounted to the body portion, wherein the resilient protrusion biases the resilient portion toward ear canal tissue when the ear-worn hearing device is at least partially inserted into an ear canal of a user.

12. The ear-worn hearing device according to claim 1, wherein: The ear-worn hearing device also includes a cable assembly coupled to the body portion and including a conductor electrically connected to the sound-emitting transducer.

13. The ear-worn hearing device according to claim 12, wherein: The cable assembly also includes a shape-retaining conductor conduit, wherein the cable assembly biases the resilient portion toward ear canal tissue when the ear-worn hearing device is at least partially inserted into an ear canal of a user.

14. The ear-worn hearing device according to claim 1, wherein: The ear-worn hearing device further includes an earplug coupled to the nozzle, wherein the earplug is configured to be at least partially inserted into an ear canal of a user.

15. An ear-worn hearing device, characterized in that: The hearable device includes: a body portion including a sound-generating transducer acoustically coupled to a sound passage of the orifice; a flexible harness including flexible portions protruding from the body portion, the portions of the flexible harness being configured to be adjacent to at least two different surfaces of the sound-emitting transducer; a physiological or activity sensor coupled to the flexible portion of the flexible harness; and an elastic portion protruding from one side of the main body portion, the elastic portion at least partially covering the flexible portion of the flexible harness without blocking the physiological or activity sensor, Wherein, the flexible portion and the physiological or activity sensor can bend toward and away from the main body portion when the elastic portion is depressed and released.

16. The ear-worn hearing device according to claim 15, characterized in that The flexible harness has no bend angles less than 85 degrees between adjacent portions of the flexible harness.

17. The ear-worn hearing device according to claim 15, wherein: The sound emitting transducer includes a sound port on a surface of the sound emitting transducer, and a portion of the flexible harness is disposed on the surface of the sound emitting transducer and includes an opening aligned with the sound port, wherein the sound port is acoustically coupled to the sound channel.

18. The ear-worn hearing device according to claim 15, wherein: Portions of the flexible harness are configured to be adjacent to at least three different surfaces of the sound emitting transducer, wherein the flexible harness is secured to the sound emitting transducer.

19. The ear-worn hearing device according to claim 15, wherein: The main body portion further includes a housing, the sound transducer being at least partially accommodated in the housing, and a portion of the flexible harness being located between the housing and the sound transducer.

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