Hearing equipment

Abstract

This utility model relates to a hearing device (1). For assembly, an elongated central section (20) of a circuit board and two side sections (22) of the circuit board are provided. Positioning devices (30) are mounted on the two side sections (22). The side sections (22) are then mechanically and signal-transmittingly connected to the central section (20) of the circuit board to form a circuit board arrangement structure (50). The side sections (22) of the circuit board are laterally aligned with respect to the surface of the central section (20) of the circuit board by the corresponding positioning devices (30). The circuit board arrangement structure (50) is then encapsulated by at least two housings (52, 54).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Hearing devices are typically used to output sound signals to the wearer. This output is generated by an output converter and is typically acoustically transmitted through the air via a speaker (also called a “receiver”). Such hearing devices are often used as so-called hearing aids. For this purpose, hearing devices typically include an acoustic input converter (especially a microphone) and a signal processor for processing the input signal (also called a microphone signal) generated from ambient sound by the input converter. This sound processing is achieved by applying at least one signal processing algorithm (usually stored in a user-specific manner) to at least partially compensate for the wearer’s hearing loss. Especially in the case of hearing aids, the output converter can be a speaker, or a so-called bone conduction headset or cochlear implant, which are used to mechanically or electrically couple sound signals to the wearer’s auditory system. The term “hearing device” also includes devices such as tinnitus maskers, headphones, and earphones. Background Technology

[0002] Typical designs for hearing devices, especially hearing aids, include behind-the-ear (“BTE”) and in-the-ear (“ITE”) hearing aids. These names refer to the intended wearing position. In-the-ear hearing aids have a (main) shell worn behind the ear. Distinguishing models include those with a speaker located within this shell—sound is typically transmitted to the ear through a sound tube worn in the ear canal; and those with an external speaker placed within the ear canal. In-the-ear hearing aids, on the other hand, have a shell worn inside the ear or even entirely within the ear canal.

[0003] Hearing devices consist of a housing that encapsulates the main electrical components, such as signal processors, microphones, and batteries. Typically, at least some of these electrical components are mounted on a circuit board, which is then secured to a so-called frame. The frame ensures the three-dimensional positioning of the components within the housing. Due to the miniaturization of hearing devices, aligning the circuit board, frame, and other components (if any) within the limited space of the hearing device housing is a time-consuming process. Mounting the circuit board onto the frame or into openings in the frame presents an obstacle to the automated assembly of hearing devices. Utility Model Content

[0004] The technical problem to be solved by this utility model is to realize the automated assembly of hearing devices.

[0005] According to this invention, the technical problem is solved by a hearing device having the features described in the following description. Other beneficial and inventive embodiments are described in the following description.

[0006] The hearing device according to this invention includes an elongated central section of a circuit board, two side sections of the circuit board, and positioning devices mounted on the two side sections. The side sections are mechanically and signal-transmittingly connected to the central section of the circuit board to form a circuit board arrangement structure. Furthermore, the side sections are laterally aligned relative to the surface of the central section of the circuit board by corresponding positioning devices. For this purpose, the positioning devices are preferably connected to each other. Additionally, the circuit board arrangement structure is encapsulated in at least two housings.

[0007] Preferably, the hearing device described above is assembled by the following method. Therefore, the hearing device according to this utility model has the same physical characteristics as described in the assembly process.

[0008] The assembly method according to this utility model is intended for and used to assemble the aforementioned hearing device, preferably a hearing aid. According to the assembly method (hereinafter referred to as the "method"), an elongated central section of a circuit board and two side sections of the circuit board are provided. Positioning devices are mounted on the two side sections of the circuit board. The side sections of the circuit board are connected to the central section of the circuit board in terms of mechanical and signal transmission to form a circuit board arrangement structure. Optionally, the side sections of the circuit board are aligned with an orientation transverse to the surface of the central section of the circuit board by the corresponding positioning devices before or after this connection step. In particular, the positioning devices are used at least to determine the correct orientation relative to the central section of the circuit board and / or relative to each other. Furthermore, the printed circuit board arrangement structure is encapsulated (i.e., covered or packaged) by at least two housings.

[0009] The positioning device makes it easier to repeatedly align the circuit board side portion relative to the center segment of the circuit board to the correct position and orientation. "Repeated" in this context is understood as the sequential assembly of multiple hearing devices (i.e., not just repeated assembly steps for the same components of the same hearing device). Repeatability and / or repeatability accuracy are fundamental to automated assembly processes. Therefore, this invention enables assembly to be achieved, at least by automation. Furthermore, due to the "self-alignment" of the circuit board side portion, the frame used to secure the circuit board or multiple small circuit boards and / or components can be eliminated. Preferably, according to an advantageous embodiment of the method, the method described herein and hereinafter is performed automatically by a robot.

[0010] According to a preferred embodiment, when aligning two side portions of a circuit board, the positioning devices are connected to each other to secure the side portions, particularly in their respective directions. Therefore, the positioning devices are used not only to find the correct (or intended) position of the circuit side portions but also to hold them in that position. In particular, the lateral orientation of the (circuit board) side portions relative to the (circuit board center segment) may deviate from the intended direction due to elastic restoring forces in the event of circuit board bending or assembly tolerances when using soldering connections, etc. The positioning devices thus enable correct and durable positioning of the side portions, which in turn facilitates automated assembly processes.

[0011] According to another embodiment, a battery port (or "battery holder") is assembled (or mounted or positioned) on one of the side portions or the central segment. Thus, the hearing device includes said battery port. This battery port is provided and designed for mechanically securing and electrically contacting a battery intended to provide power to the electrical components of the hearing device, at least during its intended operation. The battery is inserted into said battery port, particularly after the side portions are aligned and before the circuit board layout is encapsulated in a housing.

[0012] According to a beneficial improvement of the above embodiment, a battery port mounted on one side portion and a corresponding portion mounted on the other side portion serve as the positioning device—or at least as part of a plurality of such positioning devices. For example, the battery port is a circular collar coupled with a spring contact, into which a button cell (or flat cell) type battery can be inserted. In this case, the corresponding portion can also be a circular collar, which is positioned on the battery port when aligning the side portions. In this case, the battery port has an additional function similar to an alignment pin.

[0013] According to alternative or optional additional embodiments, a male-female plug connector is used as the positioning device (possibly as an additional positioning device if the battery port is used as the positioning device). When aligned, the plug connectors are mated together. Preferably, the plug connectors are locked in the mated state to prevent accidental disengagement.

[0014] According to a preferred embodiment, the positioning device is mounted on a corresponding associated circuit board side portion using surface mount technology (SMT). In particular, the positioning device is soldered to the circuit board side portion in the form of a surface mount device (SMD).

[0015] Preferably, the battery ports are also connected, especially by SMT soldering, to the corresponding side or center section.

[0016] According to an alternative embodiment, the mechanical and signal transmission connection of the side portion (to the central section) is completed by welding.

[0017] According to an alternative preferred embodiment, the mechanical and signal transmission connection steps of the side portions (to the central section) are respectively implemented via board-to-board connectors. In this case, preferably, the corresponding connector portions (e.g., male or female connector portions) are connected to each central section and the corresponding side portion, such that the underlying circuit board, in particular the corresponding conductive path, is electrically connected to the connector portion. The connector portions are then mated together to connect the corresponding side portion to the central section.

[0018] Such board-to-board connectors may already be designed to achieve lateral orientation of the side portions. However, even in this case, positioning devices help to further improve alignment accuracy.

[0019] According to a preferred embodiment, a flexible printed circuit board is used as the central segment of an elongated circuit board. This flexible printed circuit board includes flexible fold lines that can be plastically deformed by applying an assembly force. Furthermore, this flexible printed circuit board also includes rigid (or stiff) carrier segments, i.e., those that do not plastically deform under the assembly force but may only elastically deform, separated by the fold lines. Therefore, the flexible printed circuit board can be bent or folded in certain areas (the fold lines) while remaining flat in other areas. In particular, the central segment is bent into a generally banana shape (also known as a C-shape).

[0020] According to another preferred embodiment, a rigid printed circuit board is used as the side portion of the circuit board. Preferably, these side portions are designed to at least partially enclose the area defined by the C-shaped (folded) flexible printed circuit board.

[0021] Preferably, the parting surface of the housing is oriented substantially transversely to the side portions of the circuit board. The housings are snapped onto at least one of the side portions or the central segment and / or secured to each other. Therefore, to encapsulate the circuit board arrangement, the assembled circuit board arrangement (especially with the side portions already aligned transversely to the central segment) is inserted into one of the housings in a direction parallel to the side portions. Preferably, the circuit board arrangement is inserted into the upper housing (or upper shell) and optionally snapped into the upper housing by its corresponding locking device (such as a snap hook or similar snap-fit ​​device). Then, the other housing is preferably snapped onto the upper housing. In particular, the housings are manufactured separately, preferably by injection molding with thermoplastic resin.

[0022] Optionally, at least one housing (especially the upper housing) includes a holding device for holding a microphone, button, etc.

[0023] The term “and / or” is specifically understood here and below to mean that the features connected by the term can be achieved together or as alternatives to each other. Attached Figure Description

[0024] The embodiments of this utility model are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:

[0025] Figure 1 A schematic side view of the hearing device is shown;

[0026] Figure 2 , 3 The view shown from the bottom schematically illustrates an example of two circuit board arrangements in a partially assembled state;

[0027] Figure 4 The circuit board layout structure according to the second example is schematically shown in the perspective view;

[0028] Figure 5 The positioning device is schematically shown in the side view;

[0029] Figure 6 The battery holder is schematically shown in the perspective view;

[0030] Figure 7 In Figure 3 The same view shows the circuit board layout.

[0031] In all figures, the corresponding parts are always represented by the same reference numerals. Detailed Implementation

[0032] Figure 1 Hearing devices, particularly hearing aids 1 designed for people with hearing loss, are illustrated schematically. Hearing aid 1 employs a so-called behind-the-ear (“BTE”) design, meaning that the body 2 of hearing aid 1 is worn behind the ear of the user (i.e., the person with hearing loss who owns the hearing aid 1). Hearing aid 1 includes a housing 4 that forms the external shape of the body 2. The housing 4 contains the electrical and electronic components of hearing aid 1, such as two microphones 6, a signal processor 8, a receiver 10, and a battery 12 (particularly a rechargeable battery).

[0033] Microphone 6 is used to collect ambient sound and provide it as an electrical signal to signal processor 8. Signal processor 8 performs signal processing such as sound analysis, noise detection, noise cancellation, applying (especially frequency-dependent) gain to the signal, and other processing known in the art. The generated signal is an output signal adapted to the user's hearing loss and is acoustically output through receiver 10. In this example, receiver 10 is placed inside housing 4, and the sound generated based on the output signal is transmitted through sound tube 14 to earpiece 16 worn in the ear canal. Another embodiment of the BTE hearing aid may have an external receiver connected to housing 4 and signal processor 8 via a cable and is intended to be worn inside the ear canal. Another embodiment may include bone conduction headphones or a cochlear implant as an alternative output converter.

[0034] The following describes methods for assembling a hearing aid 1, at least for assembling a body 2, and corresponding embodiments of the hearing aid 1, which are intended to achieve automated assembly, for example, by means of a robot.

[0035] In the first step ( Figure 2 The circuit board includes an elongated central section 20 and two side sections (referred to as "wings 22"). The central section 20 is a narrow strip of flexible printed circuit board ("flexible PCB"), which includes rigid regions (also referred to as "carrier sections 24") separated from each other by flexible fold lines 26. These fold lines 26 are used to bend (or fold) the central section 20 into a C-shape or banana shape (see...). Figure 4 Within the range of these fold lines 26, plastic deformation (bending) is produced by applying an assembly (or folding) force. Within the range of the carrier segment 24, applying the assembly force only produces elastic deformation. Components connected to the central segment 20 are located within these carrier segments 24. The wing 22 is made of a rigid PCB.

[0036] The central section 20 and the wing section 22 carry (or are used to carry in subsequent steps) electrical and electronic components, such as one or more chips constituting the signal processor 8, power management devices (chips and / or other semiconductor devices) that control electrical energy from the battery 12 and electrical energy that charges the battery 12 in a charging state, microphone 6, etc.

[0037] In the second step, the wing 22 is mechanically and electronically connected to the center segment 20 using a corresponding board-to-board connector 28. The board-to-board connector 28 is connected to the center segment 20 and / or the wing 22 respectively via soldering or cutting fixtures (e.g., in steps not explicitly mentioned previously). Optionally, the board-to-board connector 28 includes complementary connector portions (connected to each PCB respectively) to enable mating connections between PCBs.

[0038] In the third step, the wing 22 is adjusted to be laterally aligned with the center segment 20 (see [reference]). Figure 4 ).

[0039] Depending on the type of board-to-board connector 28 used, the second and third steps can also be interchanged during the assembly process, such that the aligned wings 22 are then connected to the central segment 20 via the corresponding board-to-board connector 28.

[0040] To ensure that the alignment of the wing 22 relative to the center segment 20 remains unchanged in subsequent steps, positioning devices 30 are connected to the two wings 22. In the embodiment described herein, these positioning devices 30 are provided by a male plug connector (hereinafter referred to as "plug 32"; see also...). Figure 5 The locating device 30 consists of a plug 32 and a female plug connector (referred to as "receptacle 34"). The locating device 30 is designed to easily locate the intended alignment direction of the wing 22 and additionally lock the wing 22 along that alignment direction. Therefore, the locating device 30 includes a snap-fit ​​feature not shown in detail. One possibility is to design the plug 32 and receptacle 34 such that the friction between them is sufficient to hold both wings 22 in place. Another advantageous example is to design a small protrusion (not shown) at the distal end of the plug 32 and a corresponding groove in the receptacle 34, the protrusion and groove locking into each other through elastic deformation upon connection. This snap-fit ​​feature is generally known to those skilled in the art. The locating device 30 is implemented as a surface mount device (SMD) that is fixed to the wing 22 by soldering it to the corresponding PCB surface.

[0041] Figure 3 Another embodiment of the wing 22 is shown. One of the wing 22 is longer than the other and has a battery holder 40 (also referred to as a "battery port"). The battery holder 40 is also SMD and includes a collar 42 for receiving a button cell type battery, a contact spring 44 at the bottom, and two additional contact springs 46 for contacting the other end of the battery and securing the battery within the collar 42. For this purpose, the contact springs 46 are designed as snap hooks.

[0042] The bending (folding) of the central segment 20 can be as follows Figure 4 As shown, bending is performed before the wing 22 is joined and / or aligned. Alternatively, bending may also be performed after the wing 22 is joined and aligned.

[0043] Central section 20, connected to it and as Figure 4The aligned wings 22 (preferably, the central segment 20 and wings 22 are already fitted with corresponding electronic components) constitute or correspond to a "circuit board arrangement structure 50". This circuit board arrangement structure 50 is inserted into the housing 4 in another step. For this purpose, the housing 4 includes an upper housing 52 and a lower housing 54, whose parting surfaces intersect with the housing 4 at the parting line 56 (see...). Figure 1 The parting surface is transverse to the wing 22. The circuit board arrangement structure 50 is inserted into the upper housing 52 and snaps into the upper housing 52 in its intended position. Preferably, the upper housing 52 includes snap-fit ​​elements (not shown or described in detail) for this purpose, which interlock with the central segment 20, or alternatively with the wing 22. Then, the lower housing 54 is pushed onto the circuit board arrangement structure 50 and snaps onto the upper housing 52.

[0044] In the previous steps, the battery was inserted into the battery holder 40 and engaged with the contact spring 46.

[0045] Given the positioning device 30 designed to locate and lock the wing 22 in its intended position relative to the central segment 20, the handling of the circuit board layout structure 50 becomes much easier. This allows for the use of robotic equipment when assembling the circuit board layout structure 50. In particular, the so-called "frame," which is typically a plastic component used as a PCB carrier and alignment reference in conventional hearing aids, can be eliminated. This further simplifies the assembly process (especially reducing reliance on manual labor).

[0046] The scope of this invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. Instead, those skilled in the art can deduce other embodiments of this invention from the above description. The features and embodiments of this invention described in the various examples can also be combined in other ways.

[0047] List of reference numerals

[0048] 1. Hearing aid

[0049] 2. Main Body

[0050] 4. Shell

[0051] 6 microphones

[0052] 8 Signal Processors

[0053] 10 receivers

[0054] 12 batteries

[0055] 14 Sound tubes

[0056] 16 Earplugs

[0057] 20. Central Section

[0058] 22 Wings

[0059] 24. Carrier Section

[0060] 26 Fold lines

[0061] 28 Board-to-board connectors

[0062] 30 Positioning Devices

[0063] 32 plug

[0064] 34 sockets

[0065] 40 Battery holder

[0066] 42 rings

[0067] 44 Contact spring

[0068] 46 Contact spring

[0069] 50 Circuit Board Layout

[0070] 52 Upper Shell

[0071] 54 Lower shell

[0072] 56 Fractal lines.

Claims

1. A hearing device (1), characterized in that... include - The slender central section of the circuit board (20), - Two circuit board side sections (22), - Positioning devices (30) mounted on the two side portions (22) of the circuit boards, The side portion (22) of the circuit board is connected to the central section (20) of the circuit board in terms of mechanical and signal transmission to form a circuit board layout structure (50). Specifically, the circuit board side portion (22) is laterally aligned with the surface of the circuit board center section (20) by means of a corresponding positioning device (30), and The circuit board layout structure (50) is encapsulated in at least two housings (52, 54).

2. The hearing device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, Positioning devices (30) are connected to each other to align the side portions (22) of the circuit board.

3. The hearing device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The hearing device includes a battery port (40) for mechanically holding and electrically contacting a battery, the battery port being located on one of the side portions (22) of a circuit board or on the central section (20) of a circuit board, wherein the battery is inserted into the battery port (40).

4. The hearing device (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that, The battery port (40) mounted on one of the circuit board side portions (22) and the corresponding portion mounted on the other circuit board side portion (22) are used as the positioning device.

5. The hearing device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The male and female plug connectors (32, 34) are used as the positioning devices, wherein the plug connectors (32, 34) are inserted into each other when the circuit board side portions (22) are aligned.

6. The hearing device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The positioning device (30) is connected to the corresponding circuit board side portion (22) by surface mount technology.

7. The hearing device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The mechanical and signal transmission connections of the circuit board side portion (22) are achieved by soldering.

8. The hearing device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The mechanical and signal transmission connections of the circuit board side portion (22) are achieved through board-to-board connectors (28).

9. The hearing device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, A flexible printed circuit board is used as the elongated central section (20) of the circuit board. The flexible printed circuit board includes flexible fold lines (26) and rigid carrier sections (24). The fold lines are capable of plastic deformation by applying an assembly force value. The carrier sections are separated from each other by the fold lines (26).

10. The hearing device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, A rigid printed circuit board is used as the side portion of the circuit board (22).

11. The hearing device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The parting surfaces of the housings (52, 54) are oriented substantially transversely to the circuit board side portion (22), and the housings (52, 54) are snap-fitted onto at least one of the circuit board side portions (22) or the central segment (20) and / or snap-fitted onto each other.

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