Construction element for the head area of ​​a person as a hearing aid

Abstract

Construction element (100) for the head area of ​​a person as a hearing aid, wherein the construction element (100) has at least one structural element (10) which is designed to be self-supporting or has at least one holder (12), characterized in that the structural element (100) is suitable and intended, due to its shape and internal structure, to guide incoming air substantially through the structural element (100) in order to release the air again at a suitable location, and wherein the structural element (10) is designed to be permeable to air, so that the impinging air enters almost completely into the structural element (100) and is guided through the structural element (100) to the rear and into various sides, so that the amount of air not released to the rear is released in a defined manner by the structural element (100) over all lateral open surfaces of the structural element (100) and from there into a boundary layer of the passing air, and wherein the construction element (100) is arranged in front of at least one ear (38) of a person and the dimensions are designed to suit this purpose.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a construction element for the head area of ​​a person as a hearing aid, in particular for use in bicycle helmets. State of the art

[0002] When air moves around the human body, the physical properties of air cause a perceptible noise to develop at a certain air speed. Even at relatively low flow speeds, this flow noise masks or influences all other acoustic perceptions of the human ear.

[0003] The physical consideration of this problem is based on the improvement of hearing quality that biological evolution has developed in the hearing organs of corresponding wild animals, such as lynx, wolves, deer, etc. In this case, negative hearing impairments caused by wind are not addressed by diverting the wind, but rather by deliberately modulating the airflow, i.e., reducing the airflow velocity at the ear and avoiding turbulence and airflow disruption.

[0004] Solutions have been disclosed that use or are made of soft materials, such as DE 1710056 U, "Motorcycle Goggles," or US Pat. No. 5,477,564 A, "Wind Noise Reducing Earfoil." These designs are designed to more or less cover and enclose the ear. The material essentially serves to completely wick away air or to support the fit and increase comfort, especially during installation.

[0005] A "hearing-effective measure for road users" is also known, DE 20 2010 016 336 U1. This measure is intended to keep airflow and turbulence away from the ears of road users whose ears are directly exposed to the wind. To this end, an object, such as a plate, is placed in front of the ear, perpendicular to the direction of the passing airflow.

[0006] US Pat. No. 6,029,769 A discloses a "permeable aerodynamic dam for reducing wind noise." A permeable aerodam is attached to a cyclist's front helmet strap. The aerodam consists of a molded fiber filter mounted on a base, designed to impede, but not stop, the movement of passing air. The aerodam also includes a matrix enclosing the base, which shapes, supports, and positions the filter near the temple area. A headwind experienced by the rider flows around the side of the head and partially through the aerodam, so that an impedance gradient caused by the molded filter causes a smooth retrolaminar flow velocity profile along the rider's ear canal.

[0007] US Pat. No. 6,029,282 A discloses a "wind noise limiter for cyclists." It is a wind noise limiting device that selectively suppresses wind noise while allowing ambient noise to reach the wearer's ear. A sound-transmitting body is optionally shaped to surround an outer ear of the wearer and includes an open mesh of a plastic material that allows air movement through holes in the mesh. Fibers are attached to the mesh. The fibers alter the airflow passing through the device to reduce the noise created by air movement through the mesh. The device attaches to a helmet's chin strap.

[0008] DE 20 2016 003 917 U1 discloses a "device for reducing airflow noise." For this purpose, an air swirler is proposed that is attached to goggles or a component of a protective helmet.

[0009] GB 2 300 110 A discloses a "hearing protector." The shield covers the front of the ear, allowing air to flow smoothly over the pinna and past the ear where turbulence can occur. The shield can be attached to a bicycle helmet or it can be an integral part of the helmet. The shield is shaped to reflect sounds from the back of the ear into the ear, thereby improving hearing.

[0010] However, this complete diversion of the air flow at the ear is counterproductive because, above a certain flow velocity, a flow separation occurs at the edges of the plate and this creates a backflow with turbulence, which acoustically eliminates the previously positive acoustic diversion effect.

[0011] The existing static wind deflection elements have a problem with their inherent noise generation. The flow noise becomes increasingly louder with a linear increase in speed, because the noise-reducing concept and design of the known devices negatively impacts an increase in speed.

[0012] The object of the invention is therefore to provide a device which is suitable for eliminating flow noise at the human ear caused by air flows around the human head and for creating a normal hearing situation which is reduced by the flow noise. Disclosure of the invention

[0013] The invention is disclosed by the features of the main claim. Embodiments and further developments are the subject of the further claims following the main claim.

[0014] A structural element for a person's head as a hearing aid is disclosed, comprising at least two structural parts whose design and combination, as well as the previously unknown method of use, constitute the innovation of the construction. The structural element functions as a hearing aid.

[0015] On the one hand, the construction element has a first, air-permeable construction part, a structural element, made of a fabric or mesh material, fiber structure material or similar to reduce the flow velocity and locally return it to a laminar flow.

[0016] Secondly, a further, second structural component is designed as a technical mount suitable for the material of the structural element, positioning this material preferably in front of the ear. This positioning best allows for influencing the airflow with regard to reducing the flow velocity, eliminating existing air turbulence, and preventing turbulence caused by the airflow passing the ear. The goal is to harmonize the flow and the boundary layers as the airflow passes the ear.

[0017] Positioning the structural element in front of the ear has the additional advantage that rearward sound sources are reflected by the structural element toward the ear, making them more easily perceived. The air permeability of the structural element can be designed by appropriately selecting the material of the structural element in such a way that, for given, defined flow velocities, the development of flow noise through the structural element is completely prevented, for example, by varying the material thickness, the mesh count and width, and a streamlined design. In special cases, the two structural components mentioned could seamlessly merge into one another.

[0018] The structural element can also be incorporated as an integral part of an existing product, such as a helmet, goggles, or similar, e.g., by enlarging the chin strap on helmets or by appropriately pulling down the helmet shells. The structural element thus deliberately and specifically directs airflow through the device designed according to the invention with the first and second structural parts in order to release the airflow again in a defined manner at another location on the device.

[0019] The first structural element, the structural element, allows air to flow through it. The effect is to reduce the flow velocity and existing turbulence, creating a laminar flow at the ear. This also prevents the formation of vortices at the ear's separation edges and at the outer edges of the two structural elements. This eliminates the aeroacoustic effects of the airflow and prevents further turbulence.

[0020] A further effect is an undercurrent, i.e. the creation of a second airflow parallel to the airflow at the ear that is causing the disturbance, with a defined, reduced air volume adapted to the respective speed, which then prevents the remaining air flowing past the ear and the structural element from becoming turbulent and only allows it to occur again far behind the ear or the head. The effect of creating this second airflow arises from several parts. Firstly, because the air flows past the ear at a lower flow speed and secondly, because it has a higher static pressure or relatively higher pressure than the air flowing past it parallel. This creates an expansion and an absorption effect into the faster flow, which in turn prevents turbulence and thus prevents the development of noise.

[0021] It is a three-dimensional structural element comprising the structural element and the mounting bracket. There is virtually no air discharge in front of the structural element, as the incoming air always enters the structural element almost entirely. It is guided backwards and to the various sides by the structural element, from where it is released into the boundary layer of the passing air. Depending on the shape and internal design of the structural element, it is possible to define which portion should exit at the sides and which portion should flow past the ear behind the structural element. This allows the necessary acoustic reduction effects to be specifically defined for specific airflow velocities. This is achieved by adjusting for optimal effectiveness at predefined airflow velocities.

[0022] The physical effect of the design element is also such that at higher speeds a stronger reduction effect is automatically generated due to the higher flow velocity or the higher air volume.

[0023] By using the construction element according to the invention with the structural element and the holder, when the flow velocity is increased, more air is also passed through the construction element, which can then better eliminate the backflow directly at the ear.

[0024] The three-dimensional design results in additional positive effects, as the additional air, the increased proportion of air flowing into the device at higher speeds, increases the rear and side outflow volumes. This makes it easier to counteract the greater turbulence that occurs at higher air flow speeds, and actively calms the flow. Renewed and intensified turbulence formation can thus be better absorbed. This effect is an advantage of the three-dimensional design, as with increasing speed, the structural element itself can expand or strengthen its "sphere of influence" in a streamlined manner.

[0025] The structural element can be manufactured in various configurations, with the windbreaking material of the structural element being designed to reduce the airflow velocity at the ear to precisely the right level for a specific travel speed or air velocity, e.g., for cycling in city traffic, for racing cyclists, or for height workers during storms. The appropriate configuration can be easily and specifically applied for each wind speed range.

[0026] The material of the structural element can, for example, be a mesh material. In this design, the mesh is a basic form or starting point for the entire device of the structural element. By creating the corresponding variable flow area, in relation to the air flow or air velocity to be reduced, the flow modulation is specifically influenced, which is also a corresponding development concept for this device. The aim is not only to achieve a broad range of applications, but also to enable the device to solve very specific acoustic problems.

[0027] The function of the mesh material of the structural element is achieved by the fact that the turbulence already existing around the head is balanced out, broken up and transformed back into laminar flow by the mesh material above a certain flow velocity. This function essentially outweighs the disadvantage of the slight deflection of the flow caused by any back pressure in front of the mesh. For this reason, the mesh material must also be sufficiently permeable so that hardly any back pressure and diversion can occur. A multi-layer mesh can be advantageous in this case, as this staggered form additionally reduces the cross-flow of the turbulence. Against this background, enlarging this permeable structural element in the Z-axis proves to be particularly effective, as the turbulence is completely eliminated in the area beyond the dimension of the Z-axis of the material.In addition, renewed turbulence formation in the edge area of ​​the flow around the structural element is reduced by an additional effect of the inflow into the surrounding boundary layer, the so-called blowing into the boundary layer.

[0028] When the structural element is designed with a three-dimensional structural element, its shape is a further development of the two-dimensional mesh form of the structural element. The basic idea behind the design of the structural element with a mesh is that the airflow essentially passes through the structural element in order to eliminate undesirable aeroacoustic effects through a corresponding reduction in speed and freedom from turbulence on the other side. With this mesh shape and a corresponding ratio of approach velocity to the desired reduced speed, this results in a certain dynamic pressure in front of the structural element at higher speeds. This pressure equalizes upwards, downwards, and laterally past the head, potentially with negative aeroacoustic effects, for example, turbulence at separation edges, retaining parts, etc.

[0029] A variant of the use of the structural material or mesh material in the structural element involves the corresponding further development of the mesh material into a three-dimensional form on the spatial plane. This ensures that, with a further reducing flow velocity behind the structural element, no back pressure builds up in front of the structural element, which would create an unfavorable flow around the device. Instead, the air volume not released to the rear is released through the structural element in a defined manner across all open lateral surfaces of the structural element. This form of flow guidance creates a targeted calming and flow stabilization of the passing air through a "blow-in effect" into the boundary layers of the air flow passing around the structural element.

[0030] This effect in the three-dimensional structural element is due to the fact that the air flowing into the structural element from the front is not only delayed by the structural element at the rear, but is also introduced into the surrounding air flow via the structural element's lateral surfaces. This means that the air flowing into the structural element at the front partially passes directly through, but also exits laterally via the surfaces. This lateral exit eliminates the vortex formation of the air flowing past in the boundary layer to the structural element.

[0031] An important point with three-dimensional flow modulation is that the corresponding air volume hitting the structural element from the front penetrates essentially completely into the structural element and then flows up and down through the pressure gradient within the structural element and onto the one open side surface. The remaining air volume is passed through the rear at a reduced flow velocity. This means that a correspondingly reduced velocity range with a higher static pressure can prevent renewed turbulence in the flowing air. The corresponding possibility of introducing air into the boundary layer of the passing air via the side surfaces promotes ventilation below it and thus creates a significantly longer laminar flow past the ear. In this way, turbulent flow is transformed back into laminar flow at the ear.

[0032] This counteracts a problem of the prior art, namely that the flow lines are compressed due to the displacement of air to the sides, resulting in locally much higher flow velocities than the initial flow itself. Thus, the features of the invention ensure that there is no significant local increase in flow velocity.

[0033] In this context, it is important to note the design possibility of influencing the ratio of the air flow rate currently flowing through the structure to the air flow rate introduced laterally into the flow by the structural element. This ratio is important for different flow velocity ranges as application areas.

[0034] The diverted air over the side surfaces creates a corresponding reduction in the interfacial turbulence and thus enables an air cushion that guides the outer flow past without turbulence.

[0035] By practically enlarging the structural material in the z-axis of the construction element, the air absorption capacity of this constructive device is increased, as there is more air-emitting surface laterally with thus lower flow velocities in terms of quantity balance, especially behind the construction element at the ear, and thus drastically reduces the dynamic pressure, which can subsequently generate negative flow effects due to the outflow past the construction element in a discharge function.

[0036] The structural element acts like a diffuser, allowing the air entering the front of the structural element to exit in all directions, from all surfaces of the structural element that are subject to flow, and directing it perpendicularly to the boundary layer of the passing air. This means that it also directs it to the upper and lower surfaces, the sides, and the rear surface—the area directly in front of the ear with respect to the airflow. This creates a laminar "wind bell" that is capable of balancing and eliminating the turbulence of the external flow.

[0037] What all of the structural elements shown, whether designed as a mesh or with structural material, have in common is that the corresponding components and structural elements located in the direct airflow have a very small geometry in terms of flow technology. The design of the structural element in a mesh device includes, for example, threads, support rods, etc., while in structured elements it includes, for example, fibers in various designs, e.g., with different fiber thicknesses, as well as optional internal or external support elements or others. This means that these structural elements do not develop their own turbulence at the flow velocities in the airflow considered here, and the development of turbulent flow by these structural elements themselves, beyond the corresponding necessary Reynolds number, is barely achieved for the applications considered here.

[0038] The structural element can be designed as an L-shaped frame or bracket that is attached to the helmet or a strap by means of a clip. A net or suitable material is stretched between two L-shaped net holders, extending laterally away from the ear.

[0039] The lateral mesh supports can be designed to be flexible and positioned so that they lean slightly backward at defined speeds or lean sharply backward to optimally reduce the corresponding flow velocity acoustically. Lateral rods or supports can be curved slightly backward to streamline the mesh material or forward to achieve a stronger flow through the structural element.

[0040] A more rigid mesh material, which thus achieves a self-supporting function, would also be conceivable. This eliminates the need for additional mesh supports. Softer meshes are more effective at reducing turbulence in the airflow, as their elasticity allows them to extract more energy from the flow and better harmonize the flow.

[0041] The air-permeable structural material or the air-permeable construction can be designed in such a way that the air flow, which flows into the structural element at the front part, i.e. at the inlet, and is formed and guided through channels in the structural element, comes out at a specific point in order to create a corresponding flow pattern and flow reductions after the structural element.

[0042] Sounds coming from behind can be acoustically reflected by a suitable device on the structural element when positioned in front of the ear. With appropriate design features, such as sound-reflecting elements on the back or a coating, this effect can be enhanced.

[0043] Instead of the mesh material, a kind of comb with soft rods, modeled on the hair on wild animals' ears, could serve as a flow-modulating structural element. In a three-dimensional modulation, this cubic form would be comparable to a small upside-down broom.

[0044] The construction element can be attached to or through a helmet strap. "Through the helmet strap" also means, for example, under the helmet strap, between the strap and the head. Attachment to the helmet strap can also be achieved using Velcro. The helmet strap could already contain a Velcro component, or one could be sewn onto it; then only the object would need to be adapted accordingly.

[0045] The structural element could also function as an integral part of the helmet, e.g. as an attachment on the side, which can be positioned or is structurally positioned accordingly so that the function of the device is ensured.

[0046] The helmet strap could also be designed in such a way that it contains this structural element as an integral part.

[0047] A helmet strap could also be made from a double band that is elastic, permeable to air, or designed like a sleeve around the strap or contains this, into which the air-permeable structural element can be pushed from the top or bottom. It could be pushed in or pulled out as needed. This could be used if different air permeability was required for different speed ranges, e.g. downhill, at higher speeds in order to specifically reduce high airflow velocities. This would require a different modulation of the airflow. The structural element or the structural material as a whole can also be easily attached directly to the helmet strap using an elastic band.

[0048] The structural element can also be attached to goggles or other frames or straps such as a sweatband, headband, cap, helmet, headphones, speakers, etc., that are attached to the head or another location, e.g., the neck or shoulder. The structural element can be designed as an integral component in these objects. The structural element can also be integrated into side-impact protection systems on the head or attached directly to the ear via a retaining bracket.

[0049] The effect of the design of the structural element is based on a reduction in the air velocity passing by the ear and a modulation of the flow situation around the head, primarily the air coming from the front. Not only the structural design of the element is crucial here, but also its positioning at the ear. The technical implementation creates an airflow modulation at the ear, so that wind noise is acoustically eliminated, but the perception of all other ambient noises / sound sources is not impaired, as is the case with shielding the ear by completely or partially covering it or shielding it in one direction with sound-impermeable material.

[0050] The design element is therefore not about diverting the airflow, but rather about deliberately directing and modifying it so that a defined airflow is directed at the ear, which is capable of buffering or supporting the corresponding external airflow to such an extent that no turbulence is generated at the ear or can reach there and generate acoustic disturbances or airflow noises. The design element modulates the airflow to a level that is suitable for preventing any disturbing airflow noises at the ear. The airflow at the ear is not eliminated, but rather modulated in terms of airflow acoustics.

[0051] The following exemplary descriptions of the figures are based primarily on the area of ​​noise reduction caused by wind, as well as on the use of bicycles, particularly since wind noise is disruptive or safety-impairing in the predominant area of ​​use for this activity. The design element according to the invention also provides a significant increase in safety, as existing hazards in road traffic can be perceived significantly better and thus earlier. In particular, potential hazards to the rear, such as approaching vehicles, can be identified earlier and located more easily and precisely.

[0052] The field of perception increases many times over, especially in the speed range of a bicycle used primarily (15 - 25 km / h). This occurs primarily to the rear and to the sides, as visual perception is generally directed exclusively to the front and only to a limited extent to the sides. This is particularly relevant for e-bikes. They reach 25 km / h with motor assistance. At this speed, vehicles behind are barely audible or only very late when they are already very close. The design element can also be used for other activities where the aim is to achieve speed, such as skiing, skateboarding, inline skating, etc. It can also be used in areas exposed to wind during other activities such as mountaineering, working at height, storms, roofing work or other manual work, etc.

[0053] Further advantages and advantageous embodiments of the invention can be found in the following description of the figures, the drawings and the claims.

[0054] An exemplary embodiment of the inventive solution is explained in more detail below with reference to the attached schematic drawings. It shows: Fig. 1 shows a first embodiment of a construction element in an isometric view from the side, Fig. 2 shows a second embodiment of three-dimensional flow modulators in an isometric view, Fig. 3 shows the schematic operation of the first embodiment Fig. 1 in a plan view, Fig. 4 shows the functionality of the first embodiment from Fig. 1 with a two-dimensional flow modulation in a top view, Fig. 5 shows a plan view of the second embodiment of Fig. 2 with the schematic representation of the functioning, Fig. 6 shows the operation of the second embodiment in a further plan view, Fig. 7 shows a functioning of a three-dimensional flow modulation of the second embodiment in an isometric view from the side, Fig. 8 shows a three-dimensional flow modulation of the second embodiment in isometric view, Fig. 9 shows schematically the attachment of the second embodiment to an ear from the side, Fig. 10 shows another mounting option from the side, Fig. 11 shows in an isometric view a further, third embodiment of a three-dimensional flow modulation, Fig. 12 shows a modified arrangement of the construction element in a schematic isometric view, Fig. 13 shows a further variant of the second embodiment in an isometric view, Fig. 14 shows an enlarged detail of a structural element, Fig. 15 shows an embodiment of a one-dimensional flow modulation with a comb-shaped arrangement obliquely from the side and Fig. 16 shows a package arrangement of flexible rods obliquely from the side.

[0055] In Fig. 1 shows a structural element 100. The structural element 100 comprises a structural element 10 and a holder 12. The structural element 10 has two holding elements 14 for the structural element 10. The structural element 10 is made of an air-permeable mesh material. The holding elements 14 serve to hold the structural element 10, which is stretched between the two holding elements 14. The holder 12 secures the structural element 100 to an attachment point. The holder 12 is designed here as a clamping strip. In this example, the attachment point is a helmet strap 16, to which the holder 12 is arranged.

[0056] Fig. Figure 2 shows a further embodiment of the structural element 100. In this embodiment, the holder 12 is designed as a hook-and-loop fastener tape adapted to the helmet strap 16, consisting of a first hook-and-loop fastener tape 18 and a counterpart, the second hook-and-loop fastener tape 20. The structural element 10 is formed of an air-permeable structural material that is adapted to the second hook-and-loop fastener tape 20 and can thus be attached to the first hook-and-loop fastener tape 10 as a counterpart.

[0057] In Fig. Figure 3 shows a schematic representation of air flow velocities in the head region at a person's ear. An outer side 22 of the head and the position of an ear 24 are designated. The structural element 10 serves to define the reduction of the air flow velocity at the ear. The shape and size can be adapted according to the operating conditions, such as wind speeds, the activity performed, or the like. Likewise, the air permeability can be varied, for example, by selecting a mesh material with different flow resistances. An external air flow 26 is shown with an initial velocity without any aeroacoustically audible effects. No aeroacoustically relevant turbulence occurs because an air cushion is present beneath the flow.An inner airflow 28 has a reduced velocity at the ear, so that this reduced inner airflow 28 does not generate any audible airflow noise directly at the ear. A further airflow 30 passes the head and the structural element 100.

[0058] Fig. Figure 4 illustrates the functionality for two-dimensional flow modulation. In contrast to the solutions mentioned in the prior art, there is no turbulence in the outer flow 26, whereas in the prior art there is strong turbulence due to the resulting separation edge. The inner air flow 28 has a correspondingly reduced velocity at the ear, so that no flow noise from this inner air flow 28 is audible. The air flows through the structural element 10 and turbulence vortices are dissolved. This is achieved by preventing or disrupting crossflows of the vortices as they flow through the material of the structural element 10, for example a mesh. Only one velocity vector in the z-direction is maintained if the mesh size is chosen to be narrow enough to match the velocity according to the Reynolds number or if the material is used in multiple layers.The flow vectors remain at different velocities in the longitudinal direction. These equalize again behind the structural element 100, at a laminar, aeroacoustically optimized level. Reference numeral 32 denotes the flow directions in the air vortices.

[0059] Fig. Figure 5 schematically shows the air flow velocities. An extension of the structural element's dimensions along the z-axis is also shown. The inner air flow 28 has a reduced velocity at the ear, so that this reduced inner air flow 28 does not generate any audible flow noise directly at the ear. In addition, this variant of the structural element 100 creates laterally exiting air 34a, with the flow depicted as a lateral underflow of the boundary layer to avoid flow vortices at the boundary layer and a backflow at the separation edge.

[0060] Fig. Figure 6 is a schematic representation of the air flow velocities in relation to the pressure conditions. The outer air flow 26 has a higher speed and thus, similar to an aircraft wing effect, a lower static pressure. The inner air flow 28 has a lower speed and thus a higher static pressure in relation to the outer air flow 26. The air cushion expands and, as a result of this expansion, further counteracts the formation of vortices in the outer air flow 26. A lateral pressure gradient 34 is shown at the boundary layer to the outer air flow 26. This prevents vortex formation at the boundary layer by flowing into the boundary layer. There is also no backflow at the structural element edge. The air flow past the head 30 enables a nearly uniform pressure distribution within the flow.

[0061] Fig. 7 shows the functionality of an embodiment as a schematic representation in a view showing how the flow-through area is extended in the Z-axis in order to achieve improved turbulence compensation of the air flowing through. An additional effect is created by the release of air via the outer surfaces. This creates a "blowing in" of air from below, represented by S (a), S (b), S (c) into the respective boundary layers of the air flowing past the structural element 10 and additionally stabilizes the air flowing past against renewed turbulence formation, especially at the separation edges, and to prevent backflow. The flow S (d), which passes through the structural element 10, creates a laminar flow behind the structural element 10 and forms an air cushion that prevents turbulence in the air flow around the structural element 10.In this embodiment, the structural element 10 is made of air-permeable cubic structural material through which air can flow in all directions.

[0062] Fig. Figure 8 shows the operation of a three-dimensional flow modulation with a schematic representation of the mass flows. A flowing mass M (d) is reduced by the partial masses M (a), M (b), and M (c), which further reduces the flow velocity behind the structural element 10. In this embodiment, the structural element 10 is made of air-permeable cubic structural material through which flow can occur in all directions.

[0063] Fig. Figure 9 illustrates another possible attachment of the structural element 10. A retaining bracket 36 is suitable in shape and material for attachment to an ear 38. The retaining bracket 36 is designed, for example, as a correspondingly shaped plastic bracket. The structural element 10, made of an air-permeable structural material, for example, an air-permeable three-dimensional structural material, is attached to the retaining bracket 36.

[0064] Fig. 10 shows a possible attachment to the helmet strap 16 of a helmet 40. The structural element 10 is made of air-permeable cubic structural material through which air can flow in all directions.

[0065] Fig. Figure 11 shows a special case for three-dimensional flow modulations. The functionality is based on the same fluidic principle as other three-dimensional modulations, but it is structurally adapted so that in this variant it can be easily combined with other objects used simultaneously, e.g., open-ear headphones, glasses, hearing aids, or similar. In this example, the attachment point is an ear hook of a headphone. Attaching it to open-ear headphones, for example, enables use with an additional acoustic device. An attachment device 44 for additional elements is provided. For example, on an active speaker of a headphone, the structural element can be arranged with a suitable recess or directly on the ear hook 42.In this embodiment, the structural element 10 is made of an air-permeable mesh or structural material arranged on a suitable load-bearing frame, so that the air flowing in at the front exits via the rear and side surfaces. The mesh or structural material can thus achieve the desired flow modulation at the ear by appropriately selecting the air permeability at the various surfaces.

[0066] Fig. Figure 12 shows another configuration of the structural element 10, which is semicircular. This produces the same results when the correct local air permeability is observed.

[0067] Fig. 13 shows a further configuration variant for three-dimensional flow modulation. To improve the perceptibility of rear sound sources, the structural element 10 can be equipped with additional sound reflectors 46 on the rear. The structural element 10 is made of air-permeable cubic structural material and allows air to flow through it in all directions. The sound reflector 46 is made of sound-reflecting material to improve the audibility of rear sound sources. The flowing mass M(d) is reduced by the partial masses M(a), M(b), and M(c), and is also influenced by the reflection surface of the sound reflector 46, which can, however, be compensated for by the partial mass flows M(a) to M(c) and by increased air permeability in the Z direction.

[0068] Fig. Figure 14 shows an enlarged detail of structural element 10. Structural element 10 is formed from a fiber structure with a self-supporting function. The structure of structural elements 10 is comparable to that of air filter fleeces for coarse particle filtration. This means they have a very high air penetration capacity with a very low required pressure difference. Structural element 10, or its material, is formed from plastic fibers of varying thickness and arrangement and exhibits a certain degree of inherent stability.

[0069] Fig. 15 illustrates the structural element 10 in an embodiment for one-dimensional flow modulation on a mount 48 for a comb-shaped arrangement 50. The mount 48 can, for example, be a clamping strip on the helmet strap. The comb-shaped arrangement 50 has flexible rods arranged on a holding element. The rod-shaped structure of the comb-shaped arrangement 50 influences the air flow in one dimension, the Y-direction. This means that turbulence in this direction is impeded from spreading, and the flow calms down in one dimension, namely the Y-axis, as it passes through the structural element 10.

[0070] Fig. 16 shows the embodiment of Fig. 15 with an arrangement of several comb-shaped arrangements 50 to form a package arrangement 54. An increase in the turbulence calming can be achieved by connecting several rod-shaped structural elements in series, which are designed as comb-shaped arrangements 50 from Fig. 15 are formed, to reach this package arrangement 54.

[0071] Structural elements 10 with bonded fibers of a similar structure are also suitable for construction. These can be made from various raw materials comparable to sanding pads, support materials for filter fleeces in air filtration technology, or similar. These structural elements 10 have a similarly fine structure to the aforementioned filter fleeces, but are inherently more stable and less susceptible to weathering. Both have a fundamentally very high air penetration rate in common.

[0072] A corresponding modulation of the air flow within the structural element can be achieved by a progressive structure that compacts in one direction, as is common with filter fleeces, or by a structural design within the structural element 10 regarding the fiber arrangement or compaction or the structural element 10 itself. Since a variety of industrial materials and designs can be used to model the structural element 10 to achieve the desired technical function, each of these designs is referred to as a "structural element 10."

[0073] All features presented in the description, the following claims and the drawings may be essential to the invention both individually and in any combination with one another. List of reference symbols 10 Structural element 12 Bracket 14 Holding element for 10 16 helmet strap 18 first Velcro strap 20 second Velcro strap as counterpart 22 Outside of the head 24 Position Ear 26 external air flow 28 internal air flow 30 Air flow past the head and the construction element 100 32 flow directions in the vortex 34 Pressure gradient 34a Undercurrent of the boundary layer 36 support brackets 38 Ear 40 Helmet 42 ear hooks 44 Mounting device 46 sound reflector 48 bracket for 50 50 Comb-shaped arrangement 52 Holding element for bars of 50 54 Package arrangement S (a) Direction of air flowing through A-axis S (b) Direction of air flowing through B-axis S (c) Direction of air flowing through A-axis opposite S (a) S (d) Direction of air flow Z-axis M (0) incoming air mass M (a) first partial mass M (b) second partial mass M (c) third partial mass M (d) air mass flowing through 100 construction elements

Claims

[1] Construction element (100) for the head area of ​​a person as a hearing aid, wherein the construction element (100) has at least one structural element (10) which is designed to be self-supporting or has at least one holder (12), characterized by , that the structural element (100) is suitable and intended, due to its shape and internal structure, to guide incoming air substantially through the structural element (100) in order to release the air again at a suitable location, and wherein the structural element (10) is designed to be permeable to air, so that the impinging air enters almost completely into the structural element (100) and is guided through the structural element (100) to the rear and into various sides, so that the amount of air not released to the rear is released in a defined manner by the structural element (100) over all lateral open surfaces of the structural element (100) and from there into a boundary layer of the passing air, and wherein the construction element (100) is arranged in front of at least one ear (38) of a person and the dimensions are designed to suit this purpose. [2] Construction element (100) according to claim 1, characterized bythat the structural element (10) is designed as a two-dimensional surface structure. [3] Construction element (100) according to claim 1, characterized by that the structural element (10) is formed from a mesh material or a comb-like material. [4] Construction element (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the structural element (10) is designed as a spatial three-dimensional structural material. [5] Construction element (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that an air flow entering the construction element (100) is subjected to a targeted modulation as it passes through the construction element (100), so that the air flow is changed in its nature with regard to the degree of turbulence and / or the speed and / or internal pressures and the air flow exits the construction element (100) again in this changed form. [6] Construction element (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the structural element (10) has at least two holding elements (14). [7] Construction element (100) according to claim 6, characterized by that the holding elements (14) serve to hold the structural element (10) which is clamped between the two holding elements (14). [8] Construction element (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the construction element (100) with the holder (12) is arranged at an attachment point. [9] Construction element (100) according to claim 8, characterized by that the attachment point is designed as a helmet strap (16) on which the holder (12) is arranged. [10] Construction element (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the holder (12) is designed as a terminal block. [11] Construction element (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the holder (12) is designed as a Velcro strip adapted to the helmet strap (16) and consisting of a first Velcro strip (18) and a counterpart, the second Velcro strip (20). [12] Construction element (100) according to claim 11, characterized by that the structural element (10) is adapted to the second Velcro strip (20) and is thus attached as a counterpart to the first Velcro strip (18). [13] Construction element (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the structural element (10) serves to achieve a defined reduction in the air flow velocity at an ear (38) in that the shape and size of the structural element (10) are adapted to the conditions of use and the air permeability is variable by arranging and selecting a mesh or structural material with different flow resistances. [14] Construction element (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat a retaining bracket (36) for the structural element (10) is designed in shape and material such that it can be fastened to an ear (38). [15] Construction element (100) according to claim 14, characterized by that the retaining bracket (36) is designed as a molded plastic bracket adapted to the shape of an ear. [16] Construction element (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the construction element (100) is arranged with other, simultaneously used devices such as open-ear headphones, glasses, hearing aids or active loudspeakers of headphones at an attachment point with an attachment device (44) for the devices. [17] Construction element (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the structural element (10) is equipped with additional sound reflectors (46) on the rear side of the structural element (10) for better perception of rear sound sources. [18] Construction element (100) according to claim 17, characterized by that the sound reflector (46) is made of sound-reflecting material. [19] Construction element (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the structural element (10) is made of plastic fibers of different thickness and arrangement, filter fleece or solidified fibers. [20] Construction element (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the structural element (10) has inherent stability.

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