EP1915029A2 - Mounting device for a component in a hearing device and corresponding method - Google Patents

Abstract

The device (10) has an arm (11) for holding an electronic component (18) e.g. inductive coil, and another arm (12) insertable into a corresponding fastening unit (22) i.e. guide rail, at an inner side of a housing (19) i.e. shell, of a hearing aid e.g. behind-the-ear hearing aid. The two arms are connected pivotably with a hinge joint, where the two arms are snatched into a target pivot position that corresponds to a mounting position. The device is die cast from plastic material in a single-piece manner. The arm (11) has joining clips (14, 15) for removable snapping of the component. An independent claim is also included for a method for fastening a component in a housing of a hearing aid.

Description

The present invention relates to a mounting device for fixing a component in the housing of a hearing device. Moreover, the present invention relates to a method for attaching a component by means of such a mounting device. The term "hearing device" is understood here in particular a head-worn hearing aid, but also a headset or a headphone.

Hearing aids are portable hearing aids that are used to care for the hearing impaired. To meet the numerous individual needs, different types of hearing aids such as behind-the-ear hearing aids (BTE), in-the-ear hearing aids (IDO) and Concha hearing aids are provided. The hearing aids listed by way of example are worn on the outer ear or in the ear canal. In addition, bone conduction hearing aids, implantable or vibrotactile hearing aids are also available on the market. The stimulation of the damaged hearing takes place either mechanically or electrically.

Hearing aids have in principle as essential components an input transducer, an amplifier and an output transducer. The input transducer is usually a sound receiver, z. As a microphone, and / or an electromagnetic receiver, for. B. an induction coil. The output transducer is usually used as an electroacoustic transducer, z. As miniature speaker, or as an electromechanical transducer, z. B. bone conduction, realized. The amplifier is usually integrated in a signal processing unit. This basic structure is shown in FIG 1 using the example of a behind-the-ear hearing aid. In a hearing aid housing 1 for carrying behind the ear, one or more microphones 2 for receiving the sound from the environment are installed. A signal processing unit 3, which is also integrated into the hearing aid housing 1, processes the microphone signals and amplifies them. The output signal of the signal processing unit 3 is transmitted to a loudspeaker or earpiece 4, which outputs an acoustic signal. The sound is optionally transmitted via a sound tube, which is fixed with an earmold in the ear canal, to the eardrum of the device carrier. The power supply of the hearing device and in particular of the signal processing unit 3 is carried out by a likewise integrated into the hearing aid housing 1 battery. 5

When telephoning, it is favorable if the signals are not transmitted acoustically from the phone to the hearing aid, but interference-free inductively. For this purpose, receiver coils are used in the hearing aid, which are to be aligned in a suitable manner. In addition, such coils can also be used as transmitting coils for inductive transmission to an external device, eg. B. second hearing aid, remote control, etc., are used.

In order to integrate the inductive antenna or coil into IdOs, the coil has been firmly positioned on the faceplate so far. This was not possible for manufacturing reasons otherwise. For some time, the new computer-assisted production of IdOs has made it possible to individually position the coil in the hearing aid shell. It can thereby be better utilized the existing spaces of the individual shell, so that either the hearing aid is reduced or even a coil can be provided in the hearing aid. As part of this computer-aided manufacturing so-called "semi-modular faceplates" are made in which the faceplate and the coil are not realized as a fixed module. Rather, the coil is connected only via an electrical line to the faceplate, but otherwise structurally separated from the faceplate. An advantage of this solution, however, is that the coil can be positioned and oriented independently of the faceplate in the hearing aid shell.

Installing the coil at the individual location, however, presents several problems: The hearing aid shell of an IdO has only a small opening through which the coil must be inserted and placed. In addition, the holder of the coil must not "clog" the tray channel during installation, and for repair, the holder must be removable from the tray to replace the earphone that is located further inside the hearing aid tray. In addition, the requirement for the individually placeable coil is that it must be able to be arranged at any place in the shell, so that no unnecessary space is wasted.

From the publication EP 1 435 758 A1 is a housing for a hearing aid with a housing shell, a connected to the housing shell device plate and arranged on the housing shell or the device plate lid is known in which an electronic element is arranged. The lid is pivotally mounted, for example, on a hinge element of the device plate via a pin. The hinge element in turn has electrical contact tongues in order to realize an electrical contact with contact strips on the cover in the swung-in state of the cover.

The object of the present invention is therefore to be able to mount a component in the housing of a hearing device easily and without wasting space.

According to the invention, this object is achieved by a mounting device for fastening a component in the housing of a hearing device with a first arm for holding the component, a second arm which is at least partially plugged into / on a corresponding fastening element on the inside of the housing, a hinge with the two arms are pivotally connected, wherein the two arms are snapped together in a predetermined pivotal position corresponding to a mounting position.

In addition, according to the present invention, there is provided a method of attaching a component in the housing of a hearing device by means of an above-mentioned mounting device by attaching the component to the first arm, inserting at least a part of the second arm into the fastener on the inside of the housing and snapping the two arms to each other so that they assume a predetermined pivotal position, which corresponds to a final assembly position.

Advantageously, it is possible by the folding mechanism according to the invention to position the coil up to the "ceiling" of the shell. Normally, space below the "ceiling" is required to insert the coil into the corresponding fastener on the shell. Consequently, thus smaller hearing aids can be realized. In addition, the latch can be easily fixed in the defined position by the latching mechanism. The snapping or snapping is felt during installation and signals the correct fixation.

Preferably, the mounting device according to the invention is integrally injection molded from plastic. This results in significant advantages in manufacturing and assembly costs.

In a particular embodiment, the first arm may include a mating member for releasably snapping the component to be mounted. As a result, the component to be mounted can be fastened to the mounting device with a simple handle and, if necessary, released again for repair or replacement.

Further, the second arm may have a hook for insertion into the fastener on the inside of the housing. The hook can in particular be designed so that it protrudes perpendicularly from the free end of the second arm, so that it can be constantly observed when inserted into a corresponding rail.

Moreover, it is advantageous if the two arms are releasably snapped together in the final assembly position. This results in both a simple mounting and a simple disassembly in the event of repair or replacement.

The component to be mounted may be an electronic component and in particular a coil or antenna. Thus, the orientation of the magnetic field in the inductive transmission by individual placement of the coil better taken into account.

Particular advantages are to be expected when mounting a component with such a mounting device in a hearing aid shell, which here has the function of the housing. Special advantages arise for the placement of a coil in an ITO shell.

The fastener on the housing may be a rail. This allows the component to be fastened simply to the desired position.

FIG 1

den prinzipiellen Aufbau eines Hörgeräts;

FIG 2

eine erfindungsgemäße Montagevorrichtung in einer Montageposition;

FIG 3

die Montagevorrichtung von FIG 2 in einer Montageendposition;

FIG 4

eine IdO-Schale und eine zu montierende Schale mit Montagevorrichtung sowie

FIG 5

einen Querschnitt durch die IdO-Schale mit montiertem Hörer und montierter Spule.

The present invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1

the basic structure of a hearing aid;

FIG. 2

a mounting device according to the invention in a mounting position;

FIG. 3

the mounting device of Figure 2 in a final assembly position;

FIG. 4

an ITE shell and a shell to be mounted with mounting device as well

FIG. 5

a cross section through the IdO shell with mounted receiver and mounted coil.

The embodiment described in more detail below represents a preferred embodiment of the present invention. It is chosen as an example to attach a coil in an ITE shell. The claimed mounting device is thus realized here as a coil holder.

The coil holder 10 shown in FIG 2 consists of a first arm 11 and a second arm 12. The two arms 11, 12 are connected by a film hinge 13 with each other.

At both ends of the first arm 11 are joint clips 14 and 15, in which a coil, not shown here can be pressed. The coil then releasably locks in these joining brackets 14, 15 a.

The second arm 12 has at its free end a hook 16. This hook 16 is formed in the manner of a carriage. It can thus be inserted into a corresponding guide rail (cf. FIG. 4) of a hearing device shell. In this case, it is significant in this example that the hook 16 protrudes substantially perpendicularly from the second arm 12 and the carriage-shaped portion of the hook 16 is formed parallel to the second arm 12 ,

The two arms 11 and 12 are mutually pivotable by the hinge 13. In Figure 2, the two arms 11, 12 are shown in a V-shaped position to each other. In this position, the coil is inserted into the hearing aid shell (see FIG 4).

3 shows the bobbin holder in a final assembly position. The arms 11 and 12 are clicked together. This means that the two arms 11, 12 are releasably locked together in this position. In order to realize this releasable snap connection or latching connection, the two arms 11, 12 executed in a known manner with undercuts, etc.

In the example of Figures 2 and 3, the first arm 11 has a recess 17 into which the second arm 12 is completely depressible, with the exception of the hook 16. In the snapped-in state of the final assembly position according to FIG. 3, the surfaces of the two arms 11 and 12 are thus flush. From the common surface, only the hook 16 protrudes.

FIG. 4 symbolizes the mounting of a coil 18 with the aid of the coil holder 10 in an ITE shell 19. The coil 18 is pressed into the joining clamps 14, 15 of the coil holder 10. The two arms of the bobbin holder 10 are in the V-shaped position shown in FIG.

For assembly, the fitter grips the bobbin holder 10 including the coil 18 with tweezers 20. Symbolized by an eye 21, the hook 16 is always in the field of vision of the installer when installed in the hearing aid shell 19. Since the hook 16 is concealed neither by the mounting tool 20 nor by the coil holder 10 itself during installation, it can be easily inserted into an integrally formed on the inner wall of the hearing aid shell 19 rail 22. By this visibility of the hook 16, the number of places in the shell 19, in which the coil 18 can be attached without great effort increases. In particular, it can also be introduced through a very small opening 23 in the hearing aid shell and the adherends remain easily recognizable.

The visibility of the hook during assembly is also the reason why the seat of the hook 16 in the rail 22 (eg SLA rail) is easily verifiable. In particular, it is easy to see whether the hook 16 is fully inserted into the rail 22 and rests with its tip on the corresponding stop. Overall, such a good fit of the coil 18 can be ensured, which also leads to a better product quality. In addition, the insertion of the hook 16 in the rail 22 can perform very quickly, so that an increased installation speed is given.

For additional fixation, after insertion of the hook 16 into the rail 22, a drop of adhesive can be applied to it. As a result, the adhesive fixes the hook from above. If it is intended to disassemble the coil 18, so it is convenient to use an easily peelable adhesive, for. As silicone, to use. Bringing an adhesive into the SLA rail prior to mounting the bracket would cause problems during disassembly. The SLA rail could be destroyed and thus the entire SLA shell (SLA = Stereo Lithography Apparatus).

With the aid of the hook 16 visible during assembly, the bobbin holder 10 has now been securely inserted into the very small rail 22. As the last assembly step, only the first arm 11, to which the spool 18 is attached, has to be pressed against the second arm 12. The arms 11, 12 engage with each other or against each other. This rest or snapping the fitter can feel and / or feel. Finally, the position shown in FIG 5 of the holder 10 and the coil 18 within the ITE shell 19. In FIG 5 can also be seen how coil holder 10 and coil 18 are arranged above a receiver 24 in the hearing aid shell 19. Thus, for the coil 18, the space between the receiver 24 and a "ceiling" 25, which limits the interior of the hearing aid shell 19 upwards, can be practically completely utilized. This is symbolized in the drawing by the fact that there is approximately 0 mm clearance between the upper edge of the coil 18 or of the coil holder 10 and the ceiling 25. This space utilization can be achieved despite the fact that for the insertion of the hook 16 in the rail 22, a displacement of about 1.5 mm is necessary. However, a prerequisite for this is the folding mechanism according to the invention of the bobbin holder 10.

Claims (10)

Mounting device (10) for fixing a component (18) in the housing (19) of a hearing device a first arm (11) for holding the component (18), - A second arm (12) which is at least partially plugged into / on a corresponding fastening element (22) on the inside of the housing (19), - A hinge (13) to which the two arms (11, 12) are pivotally connected, wherein - The two arms (11, 12) in a predetermined pivotal position, which corresponds to a mounting position, are snapped together. Mounting device according to claim 1, which is injection molded in one piece from plastic. Mounting device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first arm (11) has a joining part (14, 15) for releasably snapping the component (18). Mounting device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the second arm (12) has a hook (16) for insertion into the fastening element (22) on the inside of the housing (19). Mounting device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the two arms (11, 12) are releasably snapped together in the final assembly position. Mounting device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the component (18) is an electronic component. Mounting device according to claim 6, wherein the electronic component is a coil. Hearing aid with a hearing aid shell as a housing (19), in which a component (18) with the mounting device (10) is attached according to one of the preceding claims. Hearing aid according to claim 8, wherein the fastening element (22) on the housing (19) is a rail. Method for fastening a component (18) in the housing (19) of a hearing device by means of a mounting device (10) according to one of claims 1 to 7 Attaching the component (18) to the first arm (11), - Inserting at least a part of the second arm (12) in the fastening element (22) on the inside of the housing (19) and - Snap the two arms (11, 12) to each other so that they assume a predetermined pivotal position, which corresponds to a final assembly position.

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