Dual-receiver with shared back volume

Abstract

The invention relates to a dual-receiver with shared back volume. The dual-receiver comprises two receivers, each comprising a housing and, in the housing, a diaphragm element. The diaphragm element separates a front volume from a back volume. The housing comprises a front wall. A first portion of the front wall is adjacent to the front volume. A second portion of the front wall, distinct from the first portion, is adjacent to the back volume. A vent opening is provided in the second portion of the front wall. The vent opening connects to the back volume. The two receivers are arranged with their front walls facing each other. The vent openings of the two receivers are connected to each other such that the back volumes of the two receivers are connected and form a shared back volume.

Description

[0001] DUAL-RECEIVER WITH SHARED BACK VOLUME

[0002] Field of the invention

[0003] The present invention relates to a dual-receiver and a method for producing said dualreceiver. The invention further relates to a RIC assembly and a hearing device comprising the dual-receiver.

[0004] Background of the invention

[0005] Receivers are sound generators that are typically used in hearing devices, such as hearing aids. In the field of hearing devices, the term 'receiver' refers to a sound generating device. Receivers are occasionally also referred to as 'speakers'.

[0006] As the name suggests, dual-receivers comprise two receivers. The combination of two receivers improves the output response, e.g. in terms of output power and / or frequency response. For example, one receiver is tuned for lower frequencies, while the other is tuned for higher frequencies. In another example, two receivers with substantially the same frequency response are combined to increase sound intensity. Another advantage of combining two identical receivers is that vibrations may be cancelled.

[0007] The diaphragm of a receiver separates a front volume from a back volume. The front volume is connected to a sound outlet, e.g. an opening in the housing, for emitting sound from the receiver. In some cases, the housing of a receiver comprises a vent opening for venting the back volume. For example, the receiver is accommodated in a housing of a receiver-in-canal assembly (RIC assembly), such that the back volume of the receiver vents, via the vent opening in the receiver's housing, into the housing of the RIC assembly. Venting the back volume of a receiver effectively increases the back volume, which improves the low frequency response of the receiver. Generally, the larger the back volume the better the performance.

[0008] In the field of dual-receivers, it is known to vent the back volume of both receivers into a RIC housing that encloses the dual-receiver, such that the internal volume of the RIC's housing forms a shared back volume. An example of such a RIC assembly is shown in figure 1. The RIC assembly 2 comprises a RIC housing 4. The housing 4 has a nozzle 6 for outlet of sound. The housing 4 houses a dual-receiver 8 that is formed by combining two receivers 10, 12. The receivers 10, 12 each comprise a diaphragm 14, 16 that separates a front volume F from a back volume B. Each receiver 10, 12 has a sound outlet 18, 20 that connects the front volume F to the nozzle 6 of the RIC assembly 2. The back volume B of the receivers 12, 14 is vented into the RIC housing 4, via an opening 22, 24 in the housing of each receiver.

[0009] Description of the invention A drawback of conventional dual-receivers is that an increase in back volume requires reducing the front volume and / or increasing overall dimensions of the device. For example, in figure 1 an increased back volume is achieved by providing a RIC housing 4 around the dualreceiver 10, thereby increasing the overall dimensions of the device.

[0010] An object of the invention is to provide an improved dual-receiver, or at least provide an alternative. In particular, the invention aims to provide a dual-receiver that has an increased back volume, without reducing the front volume and / or without requiring an overall increase in size.

[0011] This aim is achieved by the dual-receiver according to the present disclosure. The dualreceiver comprises two receivers that each comprise a housing. The housing of each of the two receivers comprises a diaphragm element that separates a front volume from a back volume. The housing comprises a front wall. A first portion of the front wall is adjacent to the front volume. A second portion of the front wall is adjacent to the back volume. The second portion is distinct from the first portion. A vent opening is provided in the second portion of the front wall. The vent opening connects to the back volume. The two receivers of the dualreceiver are arranged with their front walls facing each other. The vent openings of the two receivers are connected to each other such that the back volumes of the two receivers are connected and form a shared back volume.

[0012] By providing a vent opening in the front wall that connects to the back volume, and connecting the vent openings of the two receivers, the back volume of the dual-receiver is increased without requiring an increase in the overall dimensions of the dual-receiver and without requiring a decrease in front volume.

[0013] In particular, the volume of the opening, i.e. the volume of material removed from the front wall to form the opening, is effectively used as additional back volume. This increases the back volume of the dual-receiver without increasing the overall dimensions.

[0014] Preferred embodiments are defined in the dependent claims and in the following paragraphs.

[0015] Preferably, the front wall is planar.

[0016] In an example, the first portion and the second portion are adjacent, as seen in a length direction of the receiver. The first and second portions may be adjoining or separated by a distance. Such distance is small compared to the dimensions of the first and second portions.

[0017] In an example, the vent opening of each receiver covers 10% - 50% of the front wall surface, preferably 20-40%.

[0018] Preferably, the front walls of the two receivers are placed against each other. Alternatively, a connector piece is provided between the two receivers to join them together. Such a connector piece is designed to connect the vent openings of the receivers. For example, the connector piece comprises an opening or channel to connect the vent openings of the receivers. The connector piece arranges the two receivers at some distance from each other, while ensuring the vent openings are connected. This further increases the shared back volume of the dual-receiver, i.e. by the volume of the opening or channel of the connector piece.

[0019] In an embodiment, the diaphragm element is sealed against the front wall of the housing such that the front volume is enclosed by the diaphragm element and the front wall. For example, the diaphragm element comprises a membrane portion and a sealing rim extending along the perimeter of the membrane portion, wherein the sealing rim is sealed against the front wall of the housing. The membrane portion and sealing rim can be provided as separate parts or as a single, integrated part.

[0020] In a further embodiment, the dual-receiver comprises two balanced armature, BA, receivers. Each BA receiver comprises in its housing: a magnet assembly, an electromagnetic coil, an armature, and the respective diaphragm element. The magnet assembly is arranged for generating a magnetic field in an air gap. The electromagnetic coil comprises a coil tunnel. The armature extends through the air gap and the coil tunnel. The diaphragm element is connected to the armature for moving the diaphragm element with the armature.

[0021] BA receivers are known per se. EP 1 962 551 A2 describes a balanced armature receiver. The BA receiver has a housing with a magnetically non-permeable portion to prevent a parasitic flux path. For example, the magnetically non-permeable portion is formed by an opening in the housing that is filled with a material with low magnetic permeability. In another example, instead of filling the opening with a material, an outer housing is provided (such as a rubber tube or sock) to close the opening in order to prevent sound output from the opening. Thus, in both cases, the opening is sealed off to actively prevent connecting the interior of the housing to an external volume.

[0022] In contrast, the invention proposes to provide an unblocked opening in the front wall of each of the two receivers for connecting the back volumes of the two receivers together.

[0023] Preferably, when the diaphragm element comprises a membrane portion and a sealing rim as described above, the membrane portion is connected to the armature, while the sealing rim is sealed against the front wall of the housing.

[0024] In an embodiment, the dual-receiver comprises two BA receivers of the type described in copending application EP 24173648.7, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. To build the dual-receiver according to the invention, the receiver of EP 24173648.7 is modified by providing a vent opening that connects to the back volume. Two such receivers are combined to form a dual-receiver according to the invention. In particular, in each of the two receivers, the diaphragm element comprises a membrane portion and sealing rim extending along the perimeter of the membrane portion, wherein the membrane portion and sealing rim are formed as an integral part.

[0025] Preferably, the membrane portion and the sealing rim are formed of the same material, preferably silicone or polyurethane (PU). In a further embodiment, the membrane portion comprises a substantially flat section that is connected to the armature and a slanted or curved section that connects the substantially flat section to the sealing rim. Preferably, the slanted or curved section follows a monotonic path from the flat section towards the sealing rim.

[0026] In a further embodiment, the armature has a fixed end and a movable end, the armature extending from the fixed end through the coil tunnel and air gap to the movable end, wherein a first part of the membrane portion extends beyond the movable end of the armature, as seen in the direction from the fixed end towards the movable end. Preferably, a second part of the membrane portion, opposite to the first part, comprises the slanted or curved section.

[0027] In a further embodiment, the sealing rim comprises an opening for letting out sound. Preferably, the housing comprises a sound outlet aligned with the opening in the sealing rim.

[0028] For example, the membrane portion of the diaphragm element has a thickness of 5 - 50 micron.

[0029] In an embodiment of the dual-receiver according to the invention, a sealing glue is provided around the vent openings. This avoids sound from the back volume leaking to the external volume of the dual-receiver. For example, the sealing glue is used for glueing the receivers together and at the same time seals the vent openings.

[0030] As described above, embodiments of the invention achieve an increase in back volume without requiring an additional housing (such as a RIC housing) into which the back volume is vented. However, the dual-receiver can be included in an external housing (such as a RIC housing) if desired. Moreover, the dual-receiver may comprise one or more openings to vent the shared back volume into the volume of the external housing, to even further increase the effective back volume.

[0031] In an embodiment, the housing comprises a back wall opposite to the front wall. Preferably, the back and front walls extend parallel to each other and at a distance from each other. Preferably, both the front wall and back wall are planar.

[0032] In an embodiment, the housing of at least one of the receivers comprises an additional vent opening in a different wall in the housing (different from the front wall) for connecting the shared back volume to an external volume (such as a RIC housing). In a further embodiment, said additional vent opening is provided in a back wall opposite the front wall.

[0033] In a further embodiment, wherein the two receivers are BA receivers as described above, the additional vent opening spans at least partly over an area of projection of the electromagnetic coil on the back wall. In this embodiment, the back wall defines two flange portions protruding into said area of projection, wherein the two flange portions are arranged at opposing edges of said area or projection, for glueing the electromagnetic coil to the two flange portions of the back wall. The more material is removed from the back wall to create the additional vent opening, the bigger the total back volume (e.g. of the RIC housing). However, in case of two BA receivers, the back wall of the receivers is preferably also used to attach the coil to the housing. By providing the additional vent opening with such a shape that the back wall defines two flange portions that protrude into the area of projection of the coil onto the back wall, it is ensured that the coil can still be attached to the back wall, while material can be removed from the remaining part of the area of projection. The two flange portions are provided at opposing edges of the area of projection, to ensure a solid connection of the coil to the housing. More than two flange portions may be provided, for example three or four flange portions. In an example, the back wall is provided with four such flange portions, one near each corner of the area of projection. For example, the additional vent opening is cross-shaped or H-shaped.

[0034] In an embodiment, each receiver comprises a sound outlet connected to the front volume. Preferably the sound outlets of the two receivers are connected. For example, the sound outlet comprises an opening in the housing, for emitting sound from the receiver. Preferably, the sound outlet comprises an opening in the front wall.

[0035] In particular, the invention further relates to a receiver in canal (RIC) assembly, comprising a RIC housing comprising the dual-receiver according to any of the embodiments described herein.

[0036] In an embodiment of the RIC assembly, at least one of the receivers of the dual-receiver comprises an additional vent opening in a back wall of its housing, the back wall being opposite the front wall, wherein the additional vent opening vents the shared back volume of the dual-receiver into the RIC housing.

[0037] Optionally, the RIC housing comprises a vent opening to vent the RIC into the atmosphere or ear canal.

[0038] The invention further relates to a hearing device, comprising the dual-receiver or the RIC assembly according to any of the embodiments described herein. Preferably, the hearing device is an in-ear device. Preferably, the hearing device is a hearing aid, more preferably an in-ear hearing aid. Other examples of hearing devices include headphones, particularly in-ear headphones (e.g. earbuds).

[0039] The invention further relates to a method for producing a dual-receiver. The method comprises a step of providing two receivers. Each receiver comprises a housing comprising a diaphragm element that separates a front volume from a back volume. The housing comprises a front wall. A first portion of the front wall is adjacent to the front volume and a second portion of the front wall, distinct from the first portion, is adjacent to the back volume. The second portion of the front wall comprises a vent opening that connects to the back volume. The method further comprises a step of arranging the two receivers with their front walls facing each other. The method further comprises a step of connecting the vent openings of the two receivers to each other to connect the back volumes of the two receivers to form a shared back volume.

[0040] The invention further relates to a balanced armature receiver comprising a housing and in the housing: a magnet assembly, an electromagnetic coil, an armature, and a diaphragm element, wherein:

[0041] - the magnet assembly is arranged for generating a magnetic field in an air gap;

[0042] - the electromagnetic coil comprises a coil tunnel;

[0043] - the armature extends through the air gap and the coil tunnel; and

[0044] - the diaphragm element is connected to the armature for moving the diaphragm element with the armature, wherein a vent opening is provided in a wall of the housing, the vent opening spanning at least partly over an area of projection of the electromagnetic coil on said wall, wherein the wall defines two flange portions protruding into said area of projection and arranged at opposing edges of said area of projection, for glueing the electromagnetic coil to the two flange portions of the wall.

[0045] The same technical effects as described above in relation to the dual-receiver apply to the RIC assembly, hearing device, method and receiver of the invention. Moreover, any features of the dual-receiver described above can similarly be applied in any of the RIC assembly, hearing device, method and receiver, and vice versa.

[0046] Brief description of the drawings

[0047] In the following, example embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings, wherein:

[0048] Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of a dual-receiver according to the prior art;

[0049] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of a receiver for forming a dual-receiver according to the invention;

[0050] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of a dual-receiver according to the invention;

[0051] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of a variant of the dual-receiver of Figure 3;

[0052] Figure 5 is a schematic top view of the connector piece of the dual-receiver of Figure 4;

[0053] Figure 6 is a schematic bottom of the dual-receiver of Figure 3, showing the additional vent opening in the back wall for venting into an external volume (such as a RIC housing); and

[0054] Figure 7 is a schematic bottom view of a further variant of the dual-receiver of Figure 3, showing an alternative shape for the additional vent opening in the back wall. Detailed description of the drawings

[0055] Figure 1 shows a dual-receiver according to the prior art, the details of which have been described in the section "Background of the invention" above.

[0056] Figure 2 schematically illustrates a receiver 30 for building a dual-receiver according to an embodiment of the invention. In this example, the receiver 30 is a balanced armature (BA) receiver, comprising an armature 32. The armature 32 has a fixed end 34 and a movable end 36. The fixed end 34 is connected to the housing 38 of the receiver 30. The armature 32 extends from the fixed end 34, through an electromagnetic coil 40, between two permanent magnets 42, 44 towards the movable end 36. A diaphragm element 46 is attached to the movable end 36 of the armature 32.

[0057] The diaphragm element 46 comprises a membrane portion 46a connected to the armature 32, and a sealing rim 46b extending along the perimeter of the membrane portion and sealed against a front wall 38f of the housing 38. The housing 38 further comprises a back wall 38b.

[0058] The coil 40 is electromagnetically coupled to the armature 32 to induce a changing magnetic field when an electric input signal is provided. The magnets 42, 44 generate a static magnetic field. The armature 32 is magnetically permeable and the changing magnetic field of the coil 40 magnetizes the armature 32, which causes the armature to be attracted to or repelled by the magnet assembly 42, 44. The electric input signal thus controls the movement of the armature 32 relative to the magnet assembly 42, 44. The moving armature 32 moves the diaphragm element 46, which produces sound.

[0059] The front wall 38f of the housing 38 comprises a first portion I adjacent to the front volume F and a second portion II adjacent to the back volume B. In the example of the figures, a small gap is present between the first portion I and second portion II, wherein the gap has a width (measured in the length direction L of the receiver 30) corresponding to the width of the sealing rim 46b (also measured in direction L). The second portion II includes a vent opening 48 that connects to the back volume B. The front wall 38f of the housing 38 has a width w.

[0060] The receiver 30 further has a front outlet opening 50 extending through the front wall 38f (first portion I of the front wall 38f) and through the sealing rim 46b, for letting out sound from the front volume F to the exterior of receiver 30.

[0061] Figure 3 shows a dual-receiver 52 formed by combining two receivers 30 as described in Figure 2. The two receivers 30 are arranged with their front walls 38f placed against each other. The vent openings 48 in the front walls 38f are aligned and connected to each other. Optionally, a sealing glue is applied around the vent openings 48.

[0062] By combining the two receiver 30 and connecting their back vents 48, the effective back volume B of the dual receiver 52 is increased by an amount corresponding to the volume of the two openings 48. The additional back volume provided by the openings 48 corresponds to 2-w-A, wherein w is the thickness of the front wall 38f of the housing (depth of the openings 48, see figure 2) and A is the area of the opening in the plane perpendicular to w.

[0063] Optionally, an additional vent opening 54 is provided in the back wall 38b of one or both of the receivers 30. Such additional vent opening vents the back volume B to an external volume, such as a RIC housing.

[0064] The receiver 30 of the illustrated examples is based on the balanced armature receiver described in co-pending application EP 24173648.7, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. The receiver described in EP 24173648.7 is modified by providing the vent opening 48 that connects to the back volume. In particular, the diaphragm element 46 comprises a membrane portion 46a and sealing rim 46b extending along the perimeter of the membrane portion 46a, wherein the membrane portion 46a and sealing rim 46b are formed as an integral part.

[0065] The invention is not limited to using BA receivers of the type described in EP 24173648.7. For example, the dual-receiver alternatively comprises two receivers of the type described in EP 1 962 551 A2, wherein in each receiver a vent opening is provided that connects to the back volume (but not to the front volume), and the vent openings of the two receivers are connected to form a shared back volume.

[0066] Figure 4 shows a variant of the dual-receiver 52 of Figure 3. The dual-receiver 152 includes the same two receivers 30 as the dual-receiver 52, and the components of the two receivers 30 have been given the same reference numerals as in Figure 3. Dual-receiver 152 additionally comprises a connector piece 60 that is arranged between the two receivers 30, and attached to both receivers. The connector piece 60 comprises a wall 62 enclosing a through opening 64. The vent openings 48 of the receiver 30 are connected via the through opening 64. The wall 62 is sealed against both receivers 30, e.g. using a sealing glue, to avoid sound leakage.

[0067] A top view of the connector piece 60 is schematically illustrated in figure 5. In this example, the through opening 64 has the shape of a rounded rectangle. The through opening 64 preferably is dimensioned to at least span the entire vent openings 48. However, the invention is not limited to any particular shape or size.

[0068] In the illustrated example, the connector piece 60 is provided with two supports 66 that are formed as protrusions extending from the wall 62 enclosing the through opening 64. The supports 66 ensure the length Li of the connector piece 60 corresponds to 80-100% of the length of the dual-receiver 152, to ensure mechanical strength. In the illustrated example, two supports 66 are provided. Alternatively, a single support is provided or more than two supports are provided. For example, a connector piece may comprise one or more first supports at a first end (as seen in the length direction) and one or more second supports at a second end, opposite the first end. Figure 6 shows a schematic bottom view of the dual-receiver 52 of figure 3. In figure 6, the housing 38 of the bottom receiver 30 is shown. In this embodiment, the shape of the additional vent opening 54 defines four flange portions 68, 70, 72, 74 of the back wall 38b. The flange portions 68, 70, 72, 74 protrude below the electromagnetic coil 40. The coil 40 is glued to back wall 38b at these flange portions 68, 70, 72, 74.

[0069] Figure 7 shows an alternative shape for the additional vent opening 54. In this embodiment, the additional vent opening 54 is H-shaped. In this embodiment, the back wall 38b has two flange portions 76, 78 protruding below the electromagnetic coil 40. The coil 40 is glued to the back wall 38b at these flange portions 76, 78. According to the invention, also a single BA receiver can include a vent opening similar to vent opening 54, with the coil of the single receiver attached to the flanges defined by the shape of the vent opening 54.

[0070] Embodiments

[0071] 1. A dual -receiver, comprising two balanced armature receivers that each comprise a housing, and, in the housing, a magnet assembly, an electromagnetic coil, an armature, and a diaphragm element, wherein:

[0072] - the magnet assembly is arranged for generating a magnetic field in an air gap;

[0073] - the electromagnetic coil comprises a coil tunnel;

[0074] - the armature extends through the air gap and the coil tunnel;

[0075] - the diaphragm element is connected to the armature for moving the diaphragm element with the armature;

[0076] - the diaphragm element is sealed against a front wall of the housing to enclose a front volume of the receiver between the diaphragm element and the front wall; and

[0077] - the front wall comprises a vent opening that connects to the back volume, wherein the two balanced armature receivers are arranged with their front walls facing each other (and preferably against each other) and their vent openings connected to each other, such that the back volumes of the receivers are connected and form a shared back volume.

[0078] 2. The dual-receiver of embodiment 1, wherein, in each receiver, the magnet assembly comprises a magnet arranged at a distance from the electromagnetic coil, and the diaphragm element encloses said magnet of the magnet assembly.

[0079] 3. The dual-receiver of embodiment 1 or 2, wherein, in each receiver, the diaphragm element comprises a membrane portion and a sealing rim that are formed as an integral part, wherein the membrane portion is connected to the armature for moving the membrane portion with the armature, and wherein the sealing rim extends along the perimeter of the membrane portion and is sealed against the front wall of the housing. 4. The dual-receiver of embodiment 3, wherein, in each receiver, the membrane portion comprises a substantially flat section that is connected to the armature and a slanted or curved section that connects the substantially flat section to the sealing rim.

[0080] 5. The dual-receiver of embodiment 4, wherein, in each receiver, the slanted or curved section follows a monotonic path from the flat section towards the sealing rim.

[0081] 6. The dual-receiver of any one or more of the embodiments 3-5, wherein, in each receiver, the armature has a fixed end and a movable end, the armature extending from the fixed end through the coil tunnel and air gap to the movable end, wherein a first part of the membrane portion extends beyond the movable end of the armature, as seen in the direction from the fixed end towards the movable end.

[0082] 7. The dual-receiver of embodiment 6, in combination with embodiments 4 or embodiment 5, wherein, in each receiver, a second part of the membrane portion, opposite to the first part, comprises the slanted or curved section.

[0083] 8. The dual-receiver of any one or more of the embodiments 3-7, wherein, in each receiver, the sealing rim comprises an opening for letting out sound.

[0084] 9. The dual-receiver of the combination of embodiments 7 and 8, wherein, in each receiver, the housing comprises a sound outlet aligned with the opening in the sealing rim.

[0085] 10. The dual-receiver of any one or more of the embodiments 3-9, wherein, in each receiver, the membrane portion and the sealing rim are formed of the same material.

[0086] 11. The dual-receiver of embodiment 10, wherein, in each receiver, the membrane portion and the sealing rim comprise silicone.

[0087] 12. The dual-receiver of embodiment 10, wherein, in each receiver, the membrane portion and the sealing rim comprise polyurethane.

[0088] 13. The dual-receiver of any one or more of the embodiments 3-12, wherein, in each receiver, the membrane portion of the diaphragm element has a thickness of 5 - 50 micron.

[0089] 14. The dual-receiver according to any one or more of the embodiments 1-13, wherein a sealing glue is provided around the vent openings.

[0090] 15. The dual-receiver according to any one or more of the embodiments 1-14, wherein the housing comprises an additional vent opening in a different wall in the housing for connecting the shared back volume to an external volume.

[0091] 16. The dual-receiver according to embodiment 15, wherein said additional vent opening is provided in a back wall opposite the front wall.

[0092] 17. The dual-receiver according to embodiment 16, wherein the additional vent opening spans at least partly over an area of projection of the electromagnetic coil on the back wall, wherein the back wall defines two flange portions protruding into said area of projection and arranged at opposing edges of said area of projection, for glueing the electromagnetic coil to the two flange portions of the back wall.

[0093] 18. The dual-receiver according to any one or more of the embodiments 1-17, further comprising a connector piece arranged between the two receivers, wherein the connector piece is arranged to connect the vent openings of the two receivers.

[0094] 19. A receiver in canal, RIC, assembly, comprising a RIC housing comprising the dual-receiver according to any one or more of the preceding embodiments.

[0095] 20. The RIC assembly according to embodiment 19, as far as dependent on embodiment 15 or 16, wherein the additional vent opening vents the shared back volume of the dual-receiver into the RIC housing.

[0096] 21. A hearing device, comprising the dual receiver according to one or more of embodiments 1-18 or the RIC assembly according to embodiment 19 or embodiment 20.

[0097] 22. A method for producing a dual-receiver, comprising:

[0098] - providing two balanced armature receivers, each comprising a housing, each housing comprising a magnet assembly, an electromagnetic coil, an armature, and a diaphragm element, wherein, in each of the two balanced armature receivers:

[0099] - the magnet assembly is arranged for generating a magnetic field in an air gap;

[0100] - the electromagnetic coil comprises a coil tunnel;

[0101] - the armature extends through the air gap and the coil tunnel;

[0102] - the diaphragm element is connected to the armature for moving the diaphragm element with the armature;

[0103] - the diaphragm element is sealed against a front wall of the housing to enclose a front volume of the receiver between the diaphragm element and the front wall; and

[0104] - the front wall comprises a vent opening that connects to the back volume, the method comprises:

[0105] - arranging the two balanced armature receivers with their front walls facing each other (and preferably against each other); and

[0106] - connecting the vent openings of the receivers to each other to connect the back volumes of the receivers to form a shared back volume.

[0107] 23. A balanced armature receiver comprising a housing and in the housing: a magnet assembly, an electromagnetic coil, an armature, and a diaphragm element, wherein:

[0108] - the magnet assembly is arranged for generating a magnetic field in an air gap;

[0109] - the electromagnetic coil comprises a coil tunnel; - the armature extends through the air gap and the coil tunnel; and

[0110] - the diaphragm element is connected to the armature for moving the diaphragm element with the armature, wherein a vent opening is provided in a wall of the housing, the vent opening spanning at least partly over an area of projection of the electromagnetic coil on said wall, wherein the wall defines two flange portions protruding into said area of projection and arranged at opposing edges of said area of projection, for glueing the electromagnetic coil to the two flange portions of the wall.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A dual -receiver, comprising two receivers that each comprise a housing and, in the housing, a diaphragm element that separates a front volume from a back volume, wherein the housing of each receiver comprises a front wall, wherein a first portion of the front wall is adjacent to the front volume, and a second portion of the front wall, distinct from the first portion, is adjacent to the back volume, wherein a vent opening is provided in the second portion of the front wall, wherein the vent opening connects to the back volume, wherein the two receivers are arranged with their front walls facing each other, and the vent openings of the two receivers are connected to each other such that the back volumes of the two receivers are connected and form a shared back volume.

2. The dual receiver of claim 1, wherein, in each receiver, the diaphragm element is sealed against the front wall of the housing such that the front volume is enclosed by the diaphragm element and the front wall.

3. The dual-receiver of claim 2, wherein the two receivers are balanced armature receivers, each receiver further comprising, in the housing, a magnet assembly, an electromagnetic coil and an armature, wherein:- the magnet assembly is arranged for generating a magnetic field in an air gap;- the electromagnetic coil comprises a coil tunnel;- the armature extends through the air gap and the coil tunnel; and- the diaphragm element is connected to the armature for moving the diaphragm element with the armature.

4. The dual-receiver according to any one or more of the claims 1-3, wherein a sealing glue is provided around the vent openings.

5. The dual-receiver according to any one or more of the claims 1-4, wherein the housing of at least one of the receivers comprises an additional vent opening in a different wall of the housing than the front wall, for connecting the shared back volume to an external volume.

6. The dual-receiver according to any one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the housing comprises a back wall opposite to the front wall.

7. The dual-receiver according to claim 5 and 6, wherein said additional vent opening is provided in the back wall.

8. The dual-receiver according to the combination of claims 3 and 7, wherein the additional vent opening spans at least partly over an area of projection of the electromagnetic coil on the back wall, wherein the back wall defines two flange portions protruding into said area of projection and arranged at opposing edges of said area of projection, for glueing the electromagnetic coil tunnel to the two flange portions of the back wall.

9. The dual-receiver according to any one or more of the claims 1-8, further comprising a connector piece arranged between the two receivers, wherein the connector piece is arranged to connect the vent openings of the two receivers.

10. The dual-receiver according to any one or more of the claims 1-9, wherein each receiver comprises a sound outlet connected to the front volume, wherein preferably the sound outlets of the two receivers are connected.

11. A receiver in canal, RIC, assembly, comprising a RIC housing comprising the dual-receiver according to any one or more of the preceding claims.

12. The RIC assembly according to claim 11, as far as dependent on claim 5, wherein the additional vent opening vents the shared back volume of the dual-receiver into the RIC housing.

13. A hearing device, comprising the dual receiver according to one or more of claims 1-10 or the RIC assembly according to claim 11 or claim 12.

14. A method for producing a dual-receiver, comprising:- providing two receivers, each comprising a housing and, in the housing, a diaphragm element that separates a front volume from a back volume, wherein the housing of each receiver comprises a front wall, wherein a first portion of the front wall is adjacent to the front volume, and a second portion of the front wall, distinct from the first portion, is adjacent to the back volume, wherein a vent opening is provided in the second portion of the front wall , wherein the vent opening connects to the back volume;- arranging the two receivers with their front walls facing each other; and- connecting the vent openings of the two receivers to each other to connect the back volumes of the two receivers to form a shared back volume.

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