Audio assembly with acoustic mass for a hearing device

Abstract

The present invention is an audio assembly for an auditory device, the audio assembly comprising: 1) a nozzle having a sound passage and a sound outlet acoustically connected to the sound passage, the sound passage having a cross-sectional area A defined by the sound passage wall in a plane essentially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the sound passage N ; 2) a small receiver at least partially positioned in the sound passage, the small receiver having a cross-sectional area A defined by the housing of the small receiver in a plane essentially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the small receiver R , the housing of the small receiver comprising a sound outlet port and a ventilation opening, the longitudinal axis of the sound passage and the longitudinal axis of the small receiver being essentially parallel when the small receiver is at least partially positioned in the sound passage, the cross-sectional area A N of the sound passage being larger than the cross-sectional area A R of the small receiver, the excess cross-sectional area of the sound passage forming an acoustic path defining an acoustic mass between a part of the sound passage wall and the outer housing part of the small receiver, the acoustic path extending in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the sound passage, the acoustic path being acoustically connected to the sound outlet of the nozzle and the sound outlet port of the small receiver, whereby the acoustic path is arranged between the sound outlet of the nozzle and the sound outlet port of the small receiver. The present invention further relates to an auditory device comprising the audio assembly.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an audio assembly for an auditory device, wherein an excessive cross-sectional area of a sound passage of a nozzle forms an acoustic path defining an acoustic mass between a part of a sound passage wall and an outer housing part of a small receiver that is at least partially disposed in the sound passage of the nozzle, and the acoustic path is acoustically connected to a sound outlet of the nozzle and a sound outlet port of the small receiver.

Background Art

[0002] Modern auditory devices are very compact devices. In order to implement such compact devices, not only the components of the auditory device but also the arrangement of these components inside the auditory device should be optimized with respect to the space available in modern auditory devices. Despite the constraints given with respect to the available space, acoustic sensitivity and bandwidth are important characteristics of modern auditory devices. In order to optimize these characteristics, the fundamental acoustic resonance peak of the auditory device should be appropriately positioned within the audible frequency band. In the hearing aid industry, the term "receiver" is commonly used to refer to a sound generating device, i.e., a speaker. Small receivers are adapted to be used in auditory devices and for that reason are very small. Typical dimensions (length × width × height) are a length of 6 to 9 mm, a width of 3 to 4 mm, and a height of about 1.5 to 2.5 mm.

[0003] For example, referring to U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2010 / 254556 (Al) in which an acoustic passage is formed on the outer surface of the housing of a receiver, various configurations have been proposed to optimize the acoustic performance of the receiver. However, the solution proposed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2010 / 254556 (Al) is disadvantageous for several reasons. First, the incorporation of the acoustic passage on the outer surface of the housing of the receiver increases the complexity of the receiver. Second, the incorporation of the acoustic passage may also increase the overall size of the receiver. Another example of the prior art is EP2523470Bl, which does not address how the acoustic path is formed when a small receiver is inserted into the sound passage of the nozzle.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] Therefore, it can be regarded as an object of an embodiment of the present invention to provide a concise and compact audio assembly including a small receiver for an auditory device that increases the bandwidth of the auditory device when incorporated therein.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] In a first aspect, the above object is an audio assembly for an auditory device, the audio assembly comprising: 1) a nozzle having a sound passage and a sound outlet acoustically connected to the sound passage, the sound passage having a cross-sectional area A limited by a sound passage wall in a plane essentially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the sound passage; N and a nozzle; 2) A small receiver that is at least partially positioned in the sound path, and in a plane essentially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the small receiver, a cross-sectional area A defined by the housing of the small receiver R is provided, and the housing of the small receiver includes a sound outlet port and a ventilation opening, a small receiver is provided, The longitudinal axis of the sound path and the longitudinal axis of the small receiver are essentially parallel when the small receiver is at least partially positioned in the sound path, The cross-sectional area A of the sound path N is larger than the cross-sectional area A of the small receiver, and the excess cross-sectional area of the sound path forms an acoustic path that defines an acoustic mass between a part of the sound path wall and the outer housing part of the small receiver, and the acoustic path extends in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the sound path, R The acoustic path is acoustically connected to the sound outlet of the nozzle and the sound outlet port of the small receiver, whereby the acoustic path is provided by providing an audio assembly disposed between the sound outlet of the nozzle and the sound outlet port of the small receiver.

[0007] Accordingly, the present invention relates to an audio assembly that typically forms part of a hearing device and in which a small receiver is disposed in a nozzle of the hearing device. For fitting into the nozzle, the small receiver can be longitudinally disposed in the nozzle of the hearing device. Establishing an acoustic path with acoustic mass between the sound outlet of the nozzle and the sound outlet port of the small receiver is advantageous in that it facilitates that a fundamental acoustic resonance peak at about 6 - 8 kHz can be provided due to the acoustic mass of the thinner acoustic path between the sound path wall and the outer housing part of the small receiver. The fundamental acoustic resonance peak at about 6 - 8 kHz due to the acoustic mass of the acoustic path is advantageous in that it facilitates an increase in the bandwidth of the hearing device when the audio assembly is incorporated into the hearing device.

[0008] ​The bandwidth of the auditory device can be defined as the available bandwidth, for example, by setting the upper limit frequency of the bandwidth to a frequency at which the receiver outputs a decrease of less than 5 dB with respect to the receiver output at a reference frequency such as 1 kHz. By doing so, the available bandwidth can be in the range of 8 to 10 kHz. The acoustic mass required to achieve a specific resonance frequency depends on the acoustic compliance of the front volume. For example, for a front volume of 5 mm 3 , the acoustic mass should be between 11000 kg / m 4 and 20000 kg / m 4 to reach the resonance peak between 6 kHz and 8 kHz. Alternatively, for a front volume between 3 mm 3 and 7 mm 3 to have a resonance peak at 7 kHz, the acoustic mass should be between 10000 kg / m 4 and 24000 kg / m 4 .

[0009] The acoustic path is advantageously established through the difference between the cross-sectional area A N of the sound passage and the cross-sectional area A R of the small receiver. The difference in cross-sectional area may vary along the length of the acoustic path, which means that the acoustic characteristics of the sound passage are not necessarily constant. For example, the difference in cross-sectional area may be stepped along the length of the acoustic path.

[0010] In terms of numerical values, the sound passage can have a cross-sectional area A N in the range of 6 to 13 mm 2 , and the small receiver can have a cross-sectional area A R in the range of 5 to 10 mm 2 .

[0011] The cross-sectional area A N (without the small receiver) of the sound passage is configured to be larger than the cross-sectional area A R of the small receiver so that the excess cross-sectional area of the sound passage forms an acoustic path between a part of the sound passage wall and the outer housing part of the small receiver. The acoustic path defines the acoustic mass.

[0012] In one embodiment, A N -A R defines (substantially) the cross-sectional area of the excess of the sound passage that forms the acoustic path that defines the acoustic mass. In other embodiments, for a given A R Regarding the cross-sectional area A N may be up to, say, 3 mm, larger than is needed to define the desired acoustic mass. 2 (Substantially) larger, typically 0.1 to 3 mm, than is required to define the desired acoustic mass 2 For ease of manufacture, this may be required to insert the miniature receiver into an "oversized" sound passage and secure it to the passage with an adhesive or sealant, such as a suitable adhesive, polymer film, or viscoelastic material. The excess cross-sectional area of the sound passage forms an acoustic path that defines an acoustic mass between a portion of the sound passage wall, the outer housing portion of the miniature receiver, and any adhesive or sealant used to secure the miniature receiver to the sound passage.

[0013] To fit into the nozzle, the miniature receiver preferably has an overall oblong shape, with at least first and second oblong housing portions forming a housing for the miniature receiver.

[0014] The sound exit port of the compact receiver may be arranged in a first oblong housing part that is essentially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the compact receiver. The sound exit port may be acoustically coupled to a front volume of the compact receiver. The ventilation opening of the compact receiver may be arranged in a second oblong housing part that is essentially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the compact receiver. The ventilation opening is adapted to ventilate a rear volume of the compact receiver. The ventilation of the rear volume of the compact receiver may be provided to an additional rear volume that is at least partially defined by the housing of the hearing device with the audio assembly. The advantage of the additional rear volume is that the output of the compact receiver, i.e. the sound pressure level (SPL), can be increased with respect to a receiver without the additional rear volume at the same driving level. The ventilation of the rear volume of the compact receiver may also be provided to an additional passage (partially defined by the housing of the hearing device) that leads to the open air outside the hearing device, i.e. the outside.

[0015] The ventilation opening may include an acoustic filter element that forms an acoustic filter having acoustic resistance, such as an acoustic low-pass filter having acoustic resistance in the range of 1 to 5 GPa·s / m. 3 The acoustic filter element may form an acoustic filter having acoustic resistance, such as an acoustic low-pass filter having acoustic resistance in the range of 1 to 5 GPa·s / m.

[0016] The cut-off frequency of such an acoustic low-pass filter can be in the range of 100 to 1000 Hz, such as 200 to 800 Hz. The acoustic low-pass filter can be implemented as a net, wire mesh, lattice, fabric, non-woven fabric, or other configuration with similar acoustic properties, which includes one or more small holes (by perforation or laser cutting). The purpose of the acoustic filter is to ventilate the rear volume of the small receiver for signal frequencies below the filter cut-off and suppress ventilation for frequencies above the cut-off. The advantage of such a filter is that the low-frequency output is increased while the resonance frequency is not affected by the additional volume. The main characteristic of the acoustic filter is acoustic resistance. The acoustic resistance of the acoustic filter required to achieve a specific cut-off frequency depends on the acoustic compliance of the rear volume. For example, for a rear volume of 25 mm 3 the acoustic resistance should be between 1.1 GPa·s / m 3 and 4.5 GPa·s / m 3 to have a cut-off between 200 Hz and 800 Hz. Alternatively, for a rear volume between 15 mm 3 and 30 mm 3 to have a cut-off frequency of 500 Hz, the acoustic resistance of the acoustic filter should be between 1.3 GPa·s / m 3 and 3 GPa·s / m 3

[0017] As already mentioned, the advantage of the additional rear volume is that it can increase the low-frequency output SPL. The increment depends on the size of the additional volume. The additional volume can be relatively small, i.e., typically between 30 mm 3 and 80 mm 3 ​It may be the degree of the same size as the rear volume in the receiver housing within the range up to. Alternatively, the entire internal volume of the auditory device may be used as the additional rear volume. 80 mm 3 from 200 mm 3 A separate part of the auditory device housing of can also be used as the additional rear volume. Ventilation may be performed around the auditory device so that the size of the additional rear volume is not limited.

[0018] In principle, the small receiver can be any type of small receiver as long as its form factor allows the small receiver to be positioned at the nozzle of the auditory device. In one embodiment, the small receiver includes a hinged diaphragm and a voice coil fixed to the diaphragm. In this embodiment, the hinged diaphragm is adapted to deflect in response to a drive signal applied to the voice coil. Thus, when an audible drive signal with a frequency in the audible range is applied to the voice coil, the small receiver generates sound waves.

[0019] In this context, the term "hinged diaphragm" should be understood, for example, as a diaphragm hinged to a frame structure. For example, the hinging of the diaphragm to the frame structure can be arranged in various ways, such as by applying one or more integrated hinges, applying one or more individual separate hinges, and / or applying one or more film-based hinges.

[0020] The sound passage of the nozzle can have a substantially circular cross-sectional shape, and the small receiver can have a substantially rectangular cross-sectional shape. As already described, the cross-sectional shape of the nozzle may vary in both size and shape along the length of the sound passage. Regarding size, the substantially circular cross-sectional area of the sound passage of the nozzle can be in the range of 6 to 13 mm 2 and can be in the range of. The small receiver can have a substantially rectangular cross-sectional area in the range of 5 to 10 mm 2

[0021] ​For easy and convenient mounting, the small receiver can be positioned in the sound passage using an adapter in the form of an individual coupling element. The individual coupling elements can be attached to the sound passage wall and the small receiver housing via their respective mounting elements. The mounting elements can have various configurations including, for example, snap - on mounting elements, press - fit mounting elements, click - on mounting elements, and / or similar mounting elements. The individual coupling elements are advantageous in that they facilitate the small receiver being fixed to the nozzle and / or released from the nozzle in an easy and quick manner.

[0022] The small receiver may be directly fixed to the nozzle. To this end, the small receiver can comprise one or more positioning elements in the form of one or more protruding wings and / or flanges extending from the small receiver housing. The one or more protruding wings and / or flanges can be integrated with or fixed to the small receiver. The one or more positioning elements are adapted to engage with the nozzle to ensure correct positioning of the small receiver in the sound passage of the nozzle.

[0023] To engage properly with the nozzle, one or more tracks each provided with a fixing element can be provided in the sound passage wall of the nozzle. The one or more tracks and the fixing elements are adapted to engage with the respective positioning elements of the small receiver to ensure correct positioning and fixing of the small receiver in the sound passage of the nozzle. Also, this configuration is advantageous in that it facilitates the small receiver being fixed to the nozzle and / or released from the nozzle in an easy and quick manner.

[0024] Alternatively, or in combination, the sound passage of the nozzle may be sized and shaped such that the small receiver is fitted or press-fitted into its desired position in the sound passage. In this configuration, the nozzle and the small receiver are maintained in a fixed relationship using the elastic properties of the nozzle and / or the small receiver. Also, this configuration is advantageous in that it facilitates fixing the small receiver to the nozzle and / or releasing it from the nozzle in an easy and quick manner.

[0025] For proper functioning, an acoustic seal may advantageously be provided between the sound passage and the additional rear volume. This acoustic seal can be achieved by applying a sealing member in the form of a sealing material (e.g., an adhesive) between the receiver housing and the wall of the nozzle before, during, or after assembly. To simplify the sealing process, a sealing member may be at least partially provided between the nozzle and the small receiver. The sealing member may be at least adapted to acoustically seal the sound outlet port from the ventilation opening. The sealing member may form an integral part of the small receiver or the sealing member may be a separate individual member.

[0026] Here too, a sealing material (e.g., an adhesive) may be applied between the receiver housing and the sealing member and between the sealing member and the wall of the nozzle before, during, or after assembly.

[0027] Furthermore, a suspension member may be at least partially provided between the nozzle and the small receiver. The suspension member may be at least adapted to vibrationally isolate the small receiver from the nozzle. Thus, the suspension member is configured to prevent mechanical vibrations generated by the small receiver from being transmitted to the nozzle. The suspension member can form an integral part of the small receiver. Alternatively, the suspension member may be a separate individual member.

[0028] In the above implementation of the audio assembly, the acoustic mass can be in the range of 8000 - 30000 kg / m 4 such as in the range of 10000 - 25000 kg / m 4 and the like.

[0029] In a second aspect, the present invention relates to a hearing device comprising an audio assembly according to the first aspect. The hearing device can in principle be any hearing device such as a hearing aid, earphone, hearing aid, etc. Thus, the hearing device can comprise a hearing aid such as an in-the-ear (ITE) such as a behind-the-ear (BTE), receiver-in-the-canal (RIC), completely-in-the-canal (CIC) and invisible-in-the-canal (IIC).

[0030] Generally, the various aspects of the present invention can be combined and joined in any way possible within the scope of the present invention. These and other aspects, features, and / or advantages of the present invention will become apparent from and will be elucidated with reference to the embodiments described hereinafter.

[0031] Here, the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0032]

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Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0033] Generally, the present invention relates to an audio assembly for an auditory device in which an excessive cross-sectional area of a sound passage of a nozzle forms a sound path that determines an acoustic mass. The sound path is formed between a part of a sound passage wall and an outer housing portion of a small receiver that is at least partially disposed in the sound passage of the nozzle. The sound path is acoustically connected to a sound outlet of the nozzle and a sound outlet port of the small receiver. With this configuration, the sound path will be disposed between the sound outlet of the nozzle and the sound outlet port of the small receiver. This configuration is advantageous because it facilitates providing a fundamental acoustic resonance peak at about 6 - 8 kHz. As already described, the fundamental acoustic resonance peak in this range is advantageous in facilitating an increase in the bandwidth of the auditory device when the audio assembly is incorporated.

[0034] FIG. 1 depicts an auditory device 100 according to the prior art, in which a receiver 101 sends sound into a nozzle 102, and the nozzle 102 is fixed to a flexible dome 103 for positioning the auditory device 100 in an external auditory canal (not shown). The auditory device 100 further includes a housing 104 also depicted in FIG. 1. The sound generated by the speaker / receiver 101 exits the auditory device 100 via a sound outlet 105 of the nozzle 102 and a sound outlet 106 of the flexible dome 103.

[0035] Referring to FIG. 2 here, the auditory device 200 according to the present invention is depicted. Here too, the nozzle 202 is fixed to the flexible dome 203. Contrary to the prior art configuration, the horizontally elongated small receiver 201 is disposed in the sound passage of the nozzle 202. However, as will be discussed in more detail later, the cross-sectional area of the sound passage of the nozzle 202 exceeds the corresponding cross-sectional area of the small receiver 201, whereby an acoustic path 205 that determines the acoustic mass is formed between a part of the sound passage wall and the outer housing portion of the small receiver 201. The sound generated by the small receiver 201 exits the auditory device 200 through the sound exit port 208 of the small receiver 201, the acoustic path 205, the sound exit 206 of the nozzle 202, and the sound exit 207 of the flexible dome 203. A part of the auditory device housing 204 is also depicted in FIG. 2.

[0036] The dimensions (length × width × height) of the horizontally elongated small receiver in FIG. 2 and the remaining figures are only a few millimeters, such as 7 × 3.5 × 2 mm.

[0037] FIGS. 3a to 3c are various cross-sectional views of the nozzle and the end of the small receiver. Referring to FIG. 3a here, a nozzle 301 is depicted that includes a sound passage 302 having a cross-sectional area A in a plane that is essentially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the sound passage 302. The sound passage 302 is bounded by a sound passage wall 303. FIG. 3b shows a cross-sectional area A defined by the outer housing portion 305 of the small receiver 304 in a plane that is essentially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the small receiver 304. N is provided. RDescribes a small receiver 304 having. In FIG. 3c, the small receiver 304 is positioned in the sound passage of the nozzle 301. As can be seen in FIG. 3c, the excess cross-sectional area of the sound passage forms an acoustic path 306 between a part of the sound passage wall 303 and the outer housing portion 305 of the small receiver 304. FIG. 3d shows a side view in cross-section of the small receiver 304 when arranged in the nozzle 301 and thus defining the acoustic path 306 having the sound outlet 308. Again, the sound generated by the small receiver 304 exits the hearing device via the sound outlet port 309 of the small receiver 304, the acoustic path 306, and the sound outlet 308 of the nozzle 301. A part of the hearing device housing 307 is also depicted in FIG. 3d.

[0038] Looking now at FIG. 4, a hearing device 400 according to the present invention is depicted. Again, a horizontally elongated small receiver 401 is arranged in the sound passage of the nozzle 402, and the cross-sectional area of the sound passage of the nozzle 402 exceeds the corresponding cross-sectional area of the horizontally elongated small receiver 401, thereby forming an acoustic path 403 that defines the acoustic mass between a part of the sound passage wall and the outer housing portion of the horizontally elongated small receiver 401. The sound generated by the horizontally elongated small receiver 401 exits the hearing device 400 via the acoustic path 403 and the sound outlet 405 of the nozzle 402. A part of the hearing device housing 407 is also depicted in FIG. 4. As can be seen in FIG. 4, the horizontally elongated small receiver 401 includes a sound outlet port 404 and a ventilation opening 406 that are acoustically connected to the acoustic path 403 and an additional rear volume 408, respectively. The ventilation opening 406 is adapted to ventilate the rear volume of the small receiver 401, and the ventilation opening 406 includes an acoustic filter element that forms an acoustic filter such as an acoustic low-pass filter. As already described, the sound generated by the small receiver 401 and exiting the small receiver 401 via the sound outlet port 404 passes through the acoustic path 403 and is thus exposed to the acoustic mass of the acoustic path.

[0039] As already described, the acoustic mass required to achieve a specific resonance frequency depends on the acoustic compliance of the front volume. For example, 5 mm 3For the front volume, the acoustic mass should be between 11000 kg / m 4 and 20000 kg / m 4 to reach the resonance peak between 6 kHz and 8 kHz. Alternatively, for a front volume between 3 mm 3 and 7 mm 3 to have a resonance peak at 7 kHz, the acoustic mass should be between 10000 kg / m 4 and 24000 kg / m 4 to reach the resonance peak between 6 kHz and 8 kHz.

[0040] Figures 5 to 10 all relate to various configurations for positioning and fixing a horizontally elongated small receiver at the nozzle of an audio assembly.

[0041] Referring now to Figure 5a, a horizontally elongated small receiver 501 with a pair of oppositely arranged flanges 502 (only one is visible) is depicted. In Figure 5b, the horizontally elongated small receiver 501 is at least partially disposed in the nozzle 503. As seen in Figure 5b, the oppositely arranged flanges 502, 502' abut against respective surface portions 505, 505' of the nozzle 503. With this configuration, the positioning of the horizontally elongated small receiver 501 with respect to the nozzle 503 is preset. The nozzle 503 includes a protrusion 504 adapted to engage with a corresponding recess in a flexible dome (not shown) and thereby fix the nozzle 503 to the flexible dome in a preset manner. In Figure 5, by moving the horizontally elongated small receiver 501 from right to left as indicated by the arrow 506, the horizontally elongated small receiver 501 is moved to its final position.

[0042] Referring now to FIG. 6a, a horizontally elongated small receiver 601 is depicted, along with a pair of oppositely disposed flanges 602 (only one is visible). In FIG. 6b, the horizontally elongated small receiver 601 is at least partially disposed within nozzle 603. As seen in FIG. 6b, the oppositely disposed flanges 602, 602' abut respective edges 605, 605' of nozzle 603. With this configuration, the positioning of the horizontally elongated small receiver 601 relative to nozzle 603 is preset. Nozzle 603 includes a protrusion 604 adapted to engage a corresponding recess in a flexible dome (not shown), thereby fixing nozzle 603 to the flexible dome in a preset manner. In FIG. 6, by moving the horizontally elongated small receiver 601 from left to right as indicated by arrow 606, the horizontally elongated small receiver 601 is moved to its final position.

[0043] In FIG. 7a, a horizontally elongated small receiver 701 is depicted, along with a pair of oppositely disposed notches 702 (only one is visible). In FIG. 7b, the horizontally elongated small receiver 701 is at least partially disposed within nozzle 703. As seen in FIG. 7b, the oppositely disposed notches 702, 702' engage respective cams 705, 705' of nozzle 703. With this configuration, the positioning of the horizontally elongated small receiver 701 relative to nozzle 703 is preset. Nozzle 703 includes a protrusion 704 adapted to engage a corresponding recess in a flexible dome (not shown), thereby fixing nozzle 703 to the flexible dome in a preset manner. In FIG. 7, by moving the horizontally elongated small receiver 701 either from the left or the right, the horizontally elongated small receiver 701 can be moved to its final position.

[0044] The end view of the horizontally long and small receiver 801 disposed in the nozzle 802 is depicted in Fig. 8a. As can be seen in Fig. 8a, two oppositely disposed tracks 803, 803' are disposed in the nozzle 802. The tracks 803, 803' engage with the protrusion 804 of the horizontally long and small receiver 801. Further, the upper surface of the horizontally long and small receiver 801 abuts against the respective edges 806, 806' of the nozzle 802, thereby presetting the positioning of the horizontally long and small receiver 801 with respect to the nozzle 802. The acoustic path 805 is provided above the horizontally long and small receiver 801. In Fig. 8b, the acoustic path is divided into two paths 808, 808' by the nozzle protrusion 807 that also abuts against the horizontally long and small receiver 801 to support the horizontally long and small receiver 801. The horizontally long and small receiver 801 may be further supported by a (solid) body (not shown) in the nozzle 802 in order to reach the effective sound passage area A as depicted in Fig. 3c. The solid body may form an integral part of the nozzle 802 or may be a separate individual insert or sealant. Alternatively, the area (under the small receiver 801) in the nozzle 802 depicted in Figs. 8(a) and 8(b) may be at least partially open and, according to one embodiment, may form part of the sound passage. N It can be further supported by a (solid) body (not shown) in the nozzle 802. The solid body may form an integral part of the nozzle 802 or may be a separate individual insert or sealant. Alternatively, the area (under the small receiver 801) in the nozzle 802 depicted in Figs. 8(a) and 8(b) may be at least partially open and, according to one embodiment, may form part of the sound passage.

[0045] Referring to FIG. 9a, a horizontally elongated small receiver 901 having a flange 902 and a sound outlet port 903 is depicted. In FIG. 9b, the horizontally elongated small receiver 901 is disposed in a nozzle 905. As can be seen in FIG. 9b, the flange 902 abuts against an edge 906 of the nozzle 905, and thus the edge 906 forms a mechanical stop. With this configuration, the positioning of the horizontally elongated small receiver 901 with respect to the nozzle 905 is preset. An acoustic path 907 is formed between the horizontally elongated small receiver 901 and the nozzle 905, and the sound outlet port 903 of the horizontally elongated small receiver 901 is acoustically connected to the acoustic path 907. The nozzle 905 includes a protrusion 908 adapted to engage a corresponding recess in a flexible dome (not shown), thereby fixing the nozzle 905 to the flexible dome in a preset manner. In FIG. 9, by inserting the horizontally elongated small receiver 901 from the side of the auditory device housing 904, the horizontally elongated small receiver 901 is moved to its final position.

[0046] In FIG. 10a, a horizontally elongated small receiver 1001 having a flange 1002 and a sound outlet port 1003 is depicted. In FIG. 10b, the horizontally elongated small receiver 1001 is disposed in a nozzle 1005. As can be seen in FIG. 10b, the flange 1002 abuts against a surface 1006 of the nozzle 1005, and thus the surface 1006 forms a mechanical stop. With this configuration, the positioning of the horizontally elongated small receiver 1001 with respect to the nozzle 1005 is preset. An acoustic path 1007 is formed between the horizontally elongated small receiver 1001 and the nozzle 1005, and the sound outlet port 1003 of the horizontally elongated small receiver 1001 is acoustically connected to the acoustic path 1007. The nozzle 1005 includes a protrusion 1008 adapted to engage a corresponding recess in a flexible dome (not shown), thereby fixing the nozzle 1005 to the flexible dome in a preset manner. In FIG. 10, by inserting the horizontally elongated small receiver 1001 from the side of the auditory device housing 1004, the horizontally elongated small receiver 1001 is moved to its final position.

[0047] Both FIGS. 11 and 12 relate to a sealing configuration between a horizontally elongated small receiver and a nozzle.

[0048] Referring now to FIG. 11a, there is depicted a horizontally elongated small receiver 1101 fixed to a sealing element having a housing portion 1104 and a flange 1102. The horizontally elongated small receiver 1101 comprises a pair of oppositely disposed protrusions 1108 (only one being visible). The sealing element defines a volume above and around the sound outlet port 1103 of the horizontally elongated small receiver 1101. In FIG. 11b, the horizontally elongated small receiver 1101 and the sealing element fixed to the horizontally elongated small receiver 1101 are inserted into a nozzle 1106 having oppositely disposed recesses 1109, 1109' adapted to receive the respective protrusions 1108 of the horizontally elongated small receiver 1101. The flange 1102 of the sealing element is adapted to abut against the nozzle 1106, and the volume above and around the sound outlet port 1103 of the horizontally elongated small receiver 1101 is adapted to be acoustically connected to an acoustic path 1110 when the horizontally elongated small receiver 1101 is inserted into the nozzle 1106. As seen in FIG. 11b, the horizontally elongated small receiver 1101 further comprises a ventilation opening 1107 that is acoustically sealed from the sound outlet port 1103 when the horizontally elongated small receiver 1101 is inserted into the nozzle 1106. A portion of the auditory device housing 1105 is also depicted in FIG. 11b.

[0049] Referring now to FIG. 12a, there is depicted a horizontally elongated small receiver 1201 that is fixed to a sealing element also comprising a housing portion 1203 and a flange 1202. The housing portion 1203 comprises a pair of oppositely disposed protrusions 1205, 1205'. The housing portion 1203 of the sealing element defines an acoustic path between the sound outlet port (hidden and thus not visible) of the horizontally elongated small receiver 1201 and the sound outlet 1204. In FIG. 12b, the horizontally elongated small receiver 1201 and the sealing element fixed to the horizontally elongated small receiver 1201 are inserted into a nozzle 1208 having oppositely disposed recesses 1209, 1209' that are adapted to receive the respective protrusions 1205, 1205' of the housing portion 1203. The flange 1202 of the sealing element is adapted to abut against the nozzle 1208. As seen in FIG. 12b, the horizontally elongated small receiver 1201 further comprises a ventilation opening 1207 that is acoustically sealed from the sound outlet port when the horizontally elongated small receiver 1201 is inserted into the nozzle 1208. A portion of the auditory device housing 1206 is also depicted in FIG. 12b.

[0050] Both FIGS. 13 and 14 relate to a suspension configuration between a horizontally elongated small receiver and a nozzle.

[0051] In FIG. 13a, a suspension element for receiving a horizontally elongated small receiver (not shown) is depicted. The suspension element is manufactured from a vibration isolation material such that mechanical vibrations generated by the horizontally elongated small receiver are prevented from spreading to the remaining elements of the auditory device. As seen in FIG. 13a, the suspension element includes opposing side portions 1301, 1301' and end portions 1302 that function as mechanical stops for the horizontally elongated small receiver when inserted into the suspension member. The suspension member further includes an opening 1303 for receiving the horizontally elongated small receiver and openings 1304 and 1305 that are respectively aligned with the ventilation opening and the sound outlet port of the horizontally elongated small receiver. In FIG. 13b, a horizontally elongated small receiver 1306 having a ventilation opening 1307 and a sound outlet port (not shown) is disposed in the suspension member. The suspension member is adapted to be inserted into a nozzle, optionally via an adapter 1309. A portion of the auditory device housing 1308 is also depicted in FIG. 13b.

[0052] FIG. 14a shows a horizontally elongated small receiver 1401 having a ventilation opening 1402 and a sound outlet port (not shown) disposed in a suspension member 1403 in the shape of a tube of vibration isolation material. The suspension member 1403 in the shape of a tube extends in both the longitudinal and transverse directions of the horizontally elongated small receiver 1401. FIG. 14b shows a horizontally elongated small receiver 1404 also having a ventilation opening 1405 and a sound outlet port (not shown) disposed in another suspension member 1407 in the shape of a tube of vibration isolation material. The suspension member 1407 in the shape of a tube extends in the transverse direction of the horizontally elongated small receiver 1404.

[0053] Although not explicitly depicted in connection with all embodiments, the horizontally elongated small receiver includes a sound outlet port acoustically coupled to an acoustic path and a ventilation opening adapted to ventilate the rear volume of the small receiver. The ventilation opening typically includes an acoustic filter element that forms an acoustic filter such as an acoustic low-pass filter.

[0054] Referring now to FIG. 15, a side view in cross-section of a horizontally elongated small receiver 1500 with a hinged diaphragm is depicted. The horizontally elongated small receiver 1500 includes housings 1501, 1501' in which a sound outlet port 1504 and a ventilation opening 1515 are disposed. In the ventilation opening 1515, an acoustic filter 1516 having an acoustic resistance, such as an acoustic low-pass filter having an acoustic resistance in the range of 1 to 5 GPa·s / m 3 is disposed. The nature of the acoustic resistance can be as previously considered. Inside the housings 1501, 1501' of the horizontally elongated small receiver 1500, a front volume 1502 and a rear volume 1503 are provided. These volumes 1502, 1503 are separated by a hinged diaphragm 1505. The hinged diaphragm 1505 includes a hinge connection portion and a movable portion, and at least the movable portion of the hinged diaphragm 1505 is adapted to generate sound waves by vibrating in response to a drive signal applied to a voice coil 1512 fixed to the movable portion of the hinged diaphragm 1505. As seen in FIG. 15, at least a part of the hinged diaphragm 1505 includes a stamping portion 1508 for increasing the rigidity of the diaphragm and / or for providing a ventilation path so that the air volume 1513 inside the magnetic motor can be ventilated. The magnetic motor includes a permanent magnet 1510 sandwiched between a center yoke 1509 and an outer yoke 1511. The center yoke 1509 and the outer yoke 1511 form a gap in which at least a part of the voice coil 1512 is positioned.

[0055] As seen in FIG. 15, the hinged diaphragm 1505 is hingedly connected to the frame structure 1514 via one or more hinges 1506. The hinged diaphragm 1505 and the frame structure 1514 preferably form an integrated structure of the same material, such as a metal including aluminum. The hinged diaphragm 1505 and the frame structure 1514 are separated by one or more openings that are at least partially filled with a sealing member 1507, such as a corrugated polymer film or a viscoelastic gel. With the sealing member 1507 applied to one or more openings between the hinged diaphragm 1505 and the frame structure 1514, the front volume 1502 and the rear volume 1503 are acoustically sealed from each other.

[0056] As also seen in FIG. 15, the length of the hinged diaphragm 1505 is considerably longer than both the width / diameter of the magnetic motors 1509, 1510, 1511 and the diameter of the voice coil 1512. In fact, the length of the hinged diaphragm 1505 is at least twice the width / diameter of the magnetic motors 1509, 1510, 1511 and the diameter of the voice coil 1512. Electrical terminals 1517 are provided outside the housings 1501, 1501'. The electrical terminals 1517 are electrically connected to the voice coil 1512 such that a drive signal can be provided to the voice coil 1512.

[0057] Referring now to FIG. 16, a side view in cross-section of a horizontally elongated small receiver 1600 with a hinged diaphragm is depicted. The horizontally elongated small receiver 1600 includes housings 1601, 1611 in which a sound outlet port 1604 and a ventilation opening 1615 are disposed. A part of the housing 1611 is adapted to function as at least a part of the outer yoke of the magnetic motor, as depicted in FIG. 16. As seen in FIG. 16, the magnetic motor includes a permanent magnet 1610 sandwiched between a center yoke 1609 and a housing part / outer yoke 1611. The center yoke 1609 and the housing part / outer yoke 1611 form a gap 1613 in which at least a part of the voice coil 1612 is positioned. The housing part 1611 adapted to function as at least a part of the outer yoke is typically made of a nickel / iron alloy such as mu-metal.

[0058] The ventilation opening 1615 includes an acoustic filter 1616 such as a low-pass filter having an acoustic resistance in the range of 1 to 5 GPa·s / m. 3 The acoustic filter 1616 can be implemented in various ways such as an acoustic mesh.

[0059] In the housings 1601, 1611 of the horizontally elongated small receiver 1600, a front volume 1602 and a rear volume 1603 are provided. These volumes 1602, 1603 are separated by a hinged diaphragm 1605. The hinged diaphragm 1605 includes a hinged connection portion closest to one or more hinges 1606 and a movable portion, and at least the movable portion of the hinged diaphragm 1605 is adapted to generate sound waves by vibrating in response to a drive signal applied to the voice coil 1612. The voice coil 1612 is fixed to the movable portion of the hinged diaphragm 1605. At least a part of the hinged diaphragm 1605 includes a stamping portion 1608 for increasing the rigidity of the diaphragm.

[0060] As seen in FIG. 16, the hinged diaphragm 1605 is hingedly connected to the frame structure 1614 via one or more hinges 1606. The hinged diaphragm 1605 and the frame structure 1614 preferably form an integrated structure of the same material, such as a metal including aluminum. The hinged diaphragm 1605 and the frame structure 1614 are separated by a flexible sealing member 1607, such as a (corrugated) polymer film, or one or more openings at least partially filled with a viscoelastic material such as a viscoelastic gel. With the flexible sealing member 1607 applied to one or more openings between the hinged diaphragm 1605 and the frame structure 1614, the front volume 1602 and the rear volume 1603 are acoustically sealed from each other. The electrical terminal 1617 is provided outside the horizontally elongated small receiver 1600, more specifically outside the housings 1601, 1611. The electrical terminal 1617 is electrically connected to the voice coil 1612 such that a drive signal can be provided to the voice coil 1612 via the electrical terminal 1617.

[0061] As can also be seen in FIG. 16, the length of the hinge-connected diaphragm 1605 is considerably longer than both the width of the inner yoke 1609 of the magnetic motor and the width of the voice coil 1612. In fact, the length of the hinge-connected diaphragm 1605 is at least twice the width of the inner yoke 1609 of the magnetic motor and the width of the voice coil 1612. The inner yoke 1609 of the magnetic motor, the permanent magnet 1610, and the voice coil 1612 have a rectangular shape, but it can also be seen from FIG. 16 that the voice coil 1612 has rounded / curved corners. The length of the hinge-connected diaphragm 1605 is approximately 1.5 times the length of the voice coil 1612. The present invention has been discussed above with reference to exemplary embodiments of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to these specific embodiments that can be modified in many ways without departing from the present invention. Therefore, the exemplary embodiments being considered are not used to strictly interpret the appended claims accordingly. On the contrary, the embodiments are not intended to limit the appended claims to these exemplary embodiments, but are only intended to explain the words of the claims. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention is to be construed in accordance with the appended claims only, and any ambiguity that may exist in the words of the claims is to be resolved using these exemplary embodiments.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0062] 200 Hearing device 202 Nozzle 203 Flexible dome 204 Hearing device housing 205 Acoustic path 206 Sound outlet of nozzle 202 207 Sound outlet of flexible dome 203 208 Sound outlet port 301 Nozzle 302 Sound passage 303 Sound passage wall 304 Small receiver 305 Outer housing part 306 Acoustic path 307 Hearing device housing 308 Sound outlet 400 Auditory device 401 Horizontally long and small receiver 402 Nozzle 403 Acoustic path 404 Sound outlet port 405 Sound outlet 406 Ventilation opening 407 Auditory device housing 501 Horizontally long and small receiver 502, 502' Flange 503 Nozzle 504 Protrusion 505, 505' Surface part 506 Movement to the final position 601 Horizontally long and small receiver 602 Flange 602, 602' Flange 603 Nozzle 604 Protrusion 605, 605' Edge 606 Movement to the final position 701 Horizontally long and small receiver 702, 702' Notch 703 Nozzle 704 Protrusion 705, 705' Cam 801 Horizontally long and small receiver 802 Nozzle 803, 803' Track 804 Protrusion 806, 806' Edge 807 Nozzle protrusion 808, 808' Path 901 Horizontally long and small receiver 902 Flange 903 Sound outlet port 904 Auditory device housing 905 Nozzle 906 Edge 907 Acoustic path 908 Protrusion 1001 Horizontally long and small receiver 1002 Flange 1003 Sound outlet port 1005 Nozzle 1006 Surface 1007 Acoustic path 1008 Protrusion 1101 Horizontally long small receiver 1102 Flange 1103 Sound outlet port 1104 Housing part 1105 Auditory device housing 1106 Nozzle 1107 Ventilation opening 1108 Protrusion 1109, 1109' Recess 1201 Horizontally long small receiver 1202 Flange 1203 Housing part 1204 Sound outlet 1205, 1205' Protrusion 1206 Auditory device housing 1207 Ventilation opening 1208 Nozzle 1209, 1209' Recess 1301, 1301' Side part 1302 End part 1303 Opening 1304 Opening 1305 Opening 1306 Horizontally long small receiver 1307 Ventilation opening 1308 Auditory device housing 1309 Adapter 1401 Horizontally long small receiver 1402 Ventilation opening 1403 Suspension member 1404 Horizontally long small receiver 1405 Ventilation opening 1407 Suspension member 1500 Horizontally long small receiver 1501, 1501' Housing 1502 Front volume 1503 Rear volume 1504 Sound outlet port 1505 Hinge-connected diaphragm 1506 Hinge 1507 Sealing member 1508 Mold pressing part 1509 Center yoke, magnetic motor 1510 Permanent magnet, magnetic motor 1511 Outer yoke, magnetic motor 1512 Voice coil 1513 Air volume 1514 Frame structure 1515 Ventilation opening 1516 Acoustic filter 1517 Electrical terminal 1600 Horizontally long and small receiver 1601 Housing 1602 Front volume 1603 Rear volume 1604 Sound outlet port 1605 Hinge-connected diaphragm 1606 Hinge 1608 Mold pressing part 1609 Center yoke, inner yoke 1610 Permanent magnet 1611 Housing part, outer yoke 1612 Voice coil 1613 Gap 1614 Frame structure 1615 Ventilation opening 1616 Acoustic filter 1617 Electrical terminal

Claims

1. An audio assembly for an auditory device, the audio assembly comprising: 1) A nozzle comprising a sound passage and a sound outlet acoustically connected to the sound passage, wherein the sound passage has a cross-sectional area A restricted by a sound passage wall in a plane essentially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the sound passage N and a nozzle having the same; 2) A small receiver that is at least partially positioned in the sound path, having a cross-sectional area A defined by the housing of the small receiver in a plane that is essentially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the small receiver R and the housing of the small receiver includes a sound outlet port and a ventilation opening, a small receiver comprising: when the small receiver is at least partially positioned in the sound path, the longitudinal axis of the sound path and the longitudinal axis of the small receiver are essentially parallel; The cross-sectional area A of the sound passage N is larger than the cross-sectional area A of the small receiver R and the excess cross-sectional area of the sound passage forms an acoustic path that defines an acoustic mass between a part of the sound passage wall and the outer housing part of the small receiver. The acoustic path extends in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the sound passage. The acoustic path is acoustically connected to the sound outlet of the nozzle and the sound outlet port of the small receiver, whereby the acoustic path is arranged between the sound outlet of the nozzle and the sound outlet port of the small receiver. An audio assembly.

2. The audio assembly according to claim 1, wherein the sound outlet port of the small receiver is arranged in a first horizontally elongated housing part that is essentially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the small receiver.

3. The audio assembly according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the ventilation opening of the small receiver is arranged in a second horizontally elongated housing part that is essentially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the small receiver.

4. The audio assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the ventilation opening is adapted to ventilate the rear volume of the small receiver.

5. The ventilation opening has an acoustic resistance in the range of 1 to 5 GPa·s / m 3 The audio assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 4, comprising an acoustic filter element that forms an acoustic filter having an acoustic resistance, such as an acoustic low-pass filter having an acoustic resistance in the range of 3

6. The small receiver comprises a hinged diaphragm and a voice coil fixed to the diaphragm, and the hinged diaphragm is adapted to deflect in response to a drive signal applied to the voice coil. The audio assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. The audio assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the sound path of the nozzle has a substantially circular cross-sectional shape and the small receiver has a substantially rectangular cross-sectional shape.

8. The small receiver is positioned in the sound path via individual coupling elements, and the individual coupling elements are attached to the sound path wall and the housing of the small receiver via respective mounting elements. The audio assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. The audio assembly according to claim 8, wherein the mounting elements comprise snap-fit mounting elements, press-fit mounting elements, click-fit mounting elements, and / or similar mounting elements.

10. The small receiver comprises one or more positioning elements in the form of one or more protruding wings and / or flanges extending from the housing of the small receiver, and the one or more positioning elements are adapted to engage with the nozzle so as to ensure correct positioning of the small receiver in the sound passage of the nozzle. The audio assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

11. One or more tracks each provided with a fixing element are provided on the sound passage wall of the nozzle, and the one or more tracks and the fixing elements are adapted to engage with the respective positioning elements of the small receiver so as to ensure correct positioning and fixing of the small receiver in the sound passage of the nozzle. The audio assembly according to claim 10.

12. The sound passage of the nozzle is dimensioned and shaped such that the small receiver is fitted or press-fitted into its desired position in the sound passage. The audio assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

13. A sealing member is at least partially provided between the nozzle and the small receiver, and the sealing member is at least adapted to acoustically seal the sound outlet port from the ventilation opening. The audio assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

14. The sealing member forms an integral part of the small receiver, or the sealing member is an individual separate member. The audio assembly according to claim 13.

15. A suspension member is at least partially provided between the nozzle and the small receiver, and the suspension member is at least adapted to vibrationally isolate the small receiver from the nozzle. The audio assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

16. The suspension member forms an integral part of the small receiver, or the suspension member is an individual separate member. The audio assembly according to claim 15.

17. The acoustic mass of the sound path is in the range of 10,000 to 25,000 kg / m 4 such as in the range of 8,000 to 30,000 kg / m 4 The audio assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 16, which is in the range.

18. An auditory device comprising the audio assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 17.

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