EP3567672B1 - Hearing aid with integrated antenna and electronics frame - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a hearing aid device with a housing, with a frame inserted in the housing for receiving electrical or electronic assemblies that comprise a transmitting and / or receiving unit for electromagnetic waves, and with an associated antenna, the antenna being an integral part of the Frame, is designed as a stamped and bent part or as an insert made of metal.

Hearing aids are known per se and are available in various publications, for example the WO 2014/090419 A1 , described in more detail. The generic term "hearing aids" includes, on the one hand, portable hearing devices that are used to supply the hearing impaired. To meet the numerous individual needs, different designs of hearing aids such as behind-the-ear hearing aids (BTE), hearing aid with external receiver (RIC: receiver in the canal) and in-the-ear hearing aids (ITE), for example Concha hearing aids or canal hearing aids (ITE, CIC) provided. The hearing aid devices listed by way of example are worn on the outer ear or in the auditory canal. In addition, bone conduction hearing aids, implantable or vibrotactile hearing aids are also available on the market. The damaged hearing is stimulated either mechanically or electrically. Such hearing aids are also referred to as “hearing aids”.

Recently, in addition to the above-described classic hearing aid devices, on the other hand, hearing aid devices have also been developed to support people with normal hearing. Such hearing aids are also called "Personal Sound Amplification Products" or "Personal Sound Amplification Devices"("PSAD" for short) designated. These hearing aids are not intended to compensate for hearing loss. Rather, such hearing aids are specifically used to support and improve normal human hearing in specific hearing situations, e.g. to support hunters on the hunt or to support animal observation, in order to be able to better perceive animal sounds and other noises produced by animals, for sports reporters to a to enable improved speaking and / or speech understanding in complex background noise, for musicians, to reduce the burden on hearing, etc.

In principle, hearing aids have an input transducer, an amplifier and an output transducer as essential components. The input transducer is usually an acousto-electrical transducer, e.g. B. a microphone, and / or an electromagnetic receiver, e.g. B. an induction coil. The output transducer is usually an electroacoustic transducer, e.g. B. as a miniature speaker (also referred to as "listener"), or as an electromechanical converter, e.g. B. realized as a bone conduction receiver. The amplifier is usually integrated in a signal processing device.

Modern hearing aids are often equipped with transmitting and / or receiving units that enable wireless communication with other electronic devices, in particular with other hearing aids (e.g. to form a binaural hearing aid system), remote controls, programming devices or mobile phones. The wireless communication often takes place by means of electromagnetic waves in the radio or radio frequency range, e.g. using Bluetooth technology at 2.4 GHz.

The problem with hearing aids is the implementation of the (RF) antennas required for this, since standard antenna designs cannot easily be used due to the free-space wavelength of more than 10 cm (corresponding to the frequency range mentioned above) and the small electrical volume of conventional hearing aids. This problem is becoming increasingly important with the progressive miniaturization of hearing aids.

In the off WO 2014/090419 A1 known hearing aid device, the antenna is formed by a conductive structure which is an integral part of the (electronics) frame of the hearing aid device. This enables the antenna to be accommodated in a space-saving manner in the housing of the hearing aid device. In addition, the antenna with the frame can be installed in a variety of different housings without having to constantly redesign the antenna concept.

Further design variants of antennas in hearing aids are shown in US 2017/0064467 A1 and in the EP 2 723 101 A2 described.

The invention is based on the object that from WO 2014/090419 A1 to further improve the known antenna concept.

According to the invention, this object is achieved by a hearing aid device with the features of claim 1. Advantageous developments are set out in the subclaims and the following description.

The hearing aid device according to the invention comprises a housing and an (electronics) frame inserted in the housing for receiving electrical and / or electronic assemblies. The assemblies received in the frame include a transmitting and / or receiving unit for electromagnetic waves, in particular radio waves in the MHz or GHz range, for example 2.44 GHz (corresponds approximately to a wavelength of 65 mm). The hearing aid device furthermore comprises an antenna which is assigned to the transmitting and / or receiving unit and is designed as an integral part of the frame. An integral component here means in particular that the antenna or a conductive structure that partially or completely forms the antenna cannot be detached from the frame without being destroyed and / or is essentially part of the outer shape of the frame, i.e. does not protrude far therefrom Frame made of a different, non-conductive material, in particular a plastic. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the antenna is designed as a stamped and bent part (connected to the frame) or as an insert part made of metal (connected to the frame).

According to the invention, the antenna furthermore has a first part which, in particular, has a winding course or is designed as an open loop with two ends. This means that the first part usually has a non-straight course, which typically shows several changes in direction, that is, for example, is designed in a meander shape. In addition, a segment along the course of the first part forms a first auxiliary structure which has the shape of a closed loop.

With this auxiliary structure, the effective length of the structure forming the antenna is then increased, among other things, without the need for a larger area for accommodating the antenna. This means that in this way the space available for the antenna or the area available for the antenna is used more effectively. In addition, this auxiliary structure can be used to favorably influence the radiation characteristics of the antenna, in particular with regard to the intensity with which the radiation is carried out at which solid angle. In addition, the auxiliary structure enables a relatively good impedance matching to an impedance of 50 Ω.

It is also advantageous if the frame has an upper side, an underside and two mutually opposite flanks and if the first auxiliary structure is positioned on one of the two flanks of the frame. A side of the frame that connects the top and bottom of the frame is referred to here as a side area or flank. The corresponding designation of the sides of the frame with top, bottom and flank relates to the intended alignment of the hearing aid relative to a wearer, user or user of the hearing aid while the latter is wearing the corresponding hearing aid. The underside of the frame then typically points in the direction of the torso of the user, carrier or user and one of the two flanks or one side area points in the direction of the head, while the other of the two flanks or the other of the two side areas is directed away from the head. The thus realized and predetermined relative arrangement and / or alignment of the first auxiliary structure relative to the user or carrier of the The hearing aid device is relevant for the radiation characteristics of the antenna during transmission.

In an advantageous development, the antenna also has a second part, which in particular has a winding course or is designed as an open loop with two ends. In this case, the two parts of the antenna are preferably electrically short-circuited to one another with one of their ends in each case via a bridge and the bridge is in particular designed as an integral part of the frame. Such a bridge or part of such a bridge is formed, for example, by at least one electrical conductor track which completely or at least partially bridges the distance between the ends of the parts of the antenna to be short-circuited and which is therefore referred to below as "bridge conductor". The or each bridge conductor - like the entire antenna - is designed as an integral part of the frame, stamped and bent part or insert.

It is also advantageous if the two parts of the antenna are positioned on the two opposite flanks of the frame. In this case in particular, the bridge is then preferably guided over the top on the frame.

According to an embodiment variant, the frame is also formed from two frame halves, the first part of the antenna being arranged on one of the two frame halves and the second part of the antenna being arranged on the other of the two frame halves.

It is also advantageous if the two parts, that is to say the first part of the antenna and the second part of the antenna, are designed to be symmetrical to one another with respect to a plane of separation separating the frame halves. The symmetrical design of the antenna advantageously facilitates side-independent use of the hearing aid device. In other words, this feature enables one and the same housing, including the frame and the components accommodated therein, to be used both for use on the left ear and for use on the right ear.

However, in different embodiments of the invention, the two parts of the antenna can also be designed asymmetrically to one another. The asymmetrical design of the two parts is preferred whenever a symmetrical design of the parts would lead to stronger electromagnetic interference between the antenna and the other electrical or electronic assemblies in or on the frame. The asymmetry between the two parts is preferably small. The parts of the antenna are designed to be as symmetrical as possible, in particular while avoiding the aforementioned interference.

In addition, the antenna is usually designed as a folded dipole antenna and, according to an embodiment variant, the two ends of the two parts of the antenna are arranged on the same longitudinal end of the frame.

Furthermore, a segment along the course of the second part of the antenna preferably forms a second auxiliary structure which has the shape of a closed loop.

The geometric design of the auxiliary structures is typically adapted to the respective application. At least one and in particular each auxiliary structure has an essentially elliptical shape. In this elliptical shape, the main axis of the elliptical shape is then aligned vertically, i.e. vertically in relation to the earth system. In addition, it tapers to a point at both ends of its main axis.

By integrating the antenna on the frame in combination with the special design of the antenna, among other things, the achievement of the antenna length required for an effective transmit / receive characteristic of the antenna is, as already explained, considerably easier. Each part of the antenna then preferably has a (path) length which corresponds to a good approximation to a quarter or an eighth of the wavelength of the radio waves for which the transmitting and / or receiving unit is designed.

According to a further advantageous embodiment of the hearing aid device, the frame is made of a non-conductive material, in particular a plastic, which has a higher permittivity than the material of the housing. The frame material of the hearing aid device according to the invention in particular also has a higher permittivity than materials that are usually used for electronic frames of conventional hearing aid devices. In particular, the frame material of the hearing aid device according to the invention has a relative permittivity of at least 3.8, preferably at least 4.5. It has been shown that the increased permittivity of the frame material through dielectric interaction with the electromagnetic field generated or received by the antenna enables a decisive shortening of the antenna length for a given transmit / receive characteristic. This, in turn, represents a significant advantage in terms of housing the antenna on the frame.

To integrate the antenna or parts of the antenna into the frame, the surface of the frame is preferably first structured in such a way that when the conductive layer is applied, it is only applied in accordance with the structuring. This is done, for example, by means of direct laser structuring (Laser Direct Structuring, LDS for short). The surface of the frame is treated with a laser in such a way that a conductor path is only deposited at the treated areas in a galvanic bath.

In another embodiment of the method, a conductive layer is first applied to the surface of the frame and then the conductive layer is structured. The conductive layer is applied, for example, by gluing, sputtering or other means.

Again as an alternative to this, the antenna or parts of the antenna are printed onto the frame.

Fig. 1

in einer schematischen Darstellung ein Hörhilfegerät,

Fig. 2

in einer ersten perspektivischen Darstellung eine erste konkrete Ausführungsform des Hörhilfegeräts mit einer ersten Ausführung einer Antenne sowie

Fig. 3

in einer zweiten perspektivischen Darstellung eine zweite Ausführung der Antenne.

Exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to a drawing. Show in it:

Fig. 1

a schematic representation of a hearing aid device,

Fig. 2

in a first perspective illustration a first specific embodiment of the hearing aid device with a first embodiment of an antenna and

Fig. 3

in a second perspective illustration a second embodiment of the antenna.

Corresponding parts are always provided with the same reference symbols in all figures.

In Fig. 1 only the essential elements of a hearing aid device 100 are shown without faithfully reproducing their positions, connections or shapes.

At the in Fig. 1 The embodiment variant shown is a hearing aid device 100 to be worn behind the ear. However, the invention is also conceivable for in-the-ear hearing aid devices, with a different arrangement of the components shown then resulting.

The hearing aid device 100 has a housing 1 made of plastic, into which a frame 11 is inserted. The frame 11 is preferably an injection-molded plastic part. The frame 11 generally serves to hold electrical and electronic assemblies of the hearing aid device 100 and to fix these assemblies in certain positions relative to one another. Specifically, one or more microphones 2 for picking up the sound (i.e. acoustic signals) from the surroundings are arranged in the frame 11. For this purpose, in particular a printed circuit board (PCB) is folded into the frame 11, which carries at least some of the said electrical or electronic components.

The microphones 2 are acousto-electric converters for converting the sound into audio signals. A signal processing device 3, which is also in the housing 1 is integrated, processes these audio signals. The output signal of the signal processing device 3 is transmitted to a loudspeaker or earpiece 4, which outputs an acoustic signal. If necessary, the sound is transmitted to the eardrum of the device wearer via a sound tube that is fixed in the ear canal with an otoplastic. The power supply of the hearing aid device and in particular that of the signal processing device 3 is provided by a battery 5 which is also integrated in the housing 1. The signal processing device 3, earpiece 4 and battery 5 are also arranged in the frame 11, so that the frame 11 with the components arranged therein is simply attached to the housing 1 can be removed in order to be able to replace the housing 1, for example.

The signal processing device 3 according to the invention is also designed for processing electromagnetic waves. The signal processing device 3 has a transmitting and receiving device 6 for generating and detecting electromagnetic waves and / or for decoding. The transmitting and receiving device 6 is electrically connected to an antenna 10 in order to transmit and receive electromagnetic waves.

The antenna 10 is designed as an integral part of the frame 11, namely as a conductive structure integrated into the frame 11. The antenna 10 is applied directly to the frame 11. It is not spaced apart from the surface and cannot be detached from the frame 11 in a non-destructive manner.

The antenna 10 is applied to the frame 11 in particular using MID technology. For example, laser direct structuring (LDS) is used for this purpose. In an alternative embodiment, the antenna 10 is printed directly onto the frame 11. The conductor structures superficially applied to the frame 11 are then optionally electrically insulated by a protective varnish or coating and protected from damage.

In Fig. 2 a first variant of the frame 11 with a first embodiment of the antenna 10 is shown. On the in the illustration according to Fig. 2 The upper side 36 of the frame 11 shown above is not recognizable in any more detail Opening provided under which the microphone 2 (or one of several microphones 2) is arranged. Recesses of the frame 11, which are not shown explicitly, serve to accommodate the receiver 4 and the transmitting and receiving unit 6. Furthermore, the frame 11 forms a battery compartment for accommodating the battery 5.

When the hearing aid device 100 is operated as intended, a sound tube is connected to a tip or front 35 of the frame 11 and guides the sound generated by the receiver 4 to an otoplastic that can be inserted into the auditory canal of a user. The sound tube and the earmold are in Fig. 2 not shown. When the hearing aid device is intended to be worn on the ear, the frame 11 is directed in its longitudinal direction with the tip or front 35 first in the frontal direction in the direction of view of the wearer. A transverse direction of the frame 11 is perpendicular to the direction of view of the wearer, approximately parallel to the connecting line between the ears of the wearer. Two parts (40, 41) of the antenna 10 are arranged on the lateral surfaces or flanks 37 of the frame 11.

The frame 11 is divided longitudinally into two frame halves along a parting plane or parting plane (not shown), each of the two frame halves having a flank 37. The frame halves are connected by clipping, screwing, gluing and / or by means of retaining pins after the assemblies received therein have been inserted.

At the in Fig. 2 The embodiment of the hearing aid 100 shown in the figure, the antenna 10 has two parts 40, 41, which according to FIG Fig. 2 each have the shape of an open loop. The first part 40 is arranged on the frame half 42, while the second part 41 is arranged on the other frame half 43, which is not visible.

The two parts 40, 41 of the antenna 10 run - seen transversely to the parting plane or parting plane of the frame 11 - parallel to one another and are thus aligned with one another. The antenna 10 is thus designed mirror-symmetrically with respect to the parting plane or parting plane of the frame 11.

Each of the two parts 40, 41 has two ends, namely a connection end 44, 45 and a bridge conductor end 61, 62. Both ends 44,62 and 45,61 of each part 40,41 of the antenna 10 are shown in FIG Fig. 2 each arranged at the same longitudinal end of the frame 11 (namely at the tip or front 35). The two bridge conductor ends 61, 62 are electrically short-circuited to one another via an electrical cross connection or bridge 46, which also bridges the separation of the two frame halves. The two other ends, that is to say the connection ends 44, 45, are in contact with the transmitting and receiving device 6.

Depending on the embodiment, the bridge 46 is at least partially formed by conductor tracks and which are also applied directly to the frame halves of the frame 11 using MID technology (in particular by means of LDS). Alternatively, the bridge conductor ends 61, 62 already abut one another, and in this case the bridge conductor ends 61, 62 are electrically connected to one another, for example by a soldering point 64. This means that the bridge 46 is then formed by the soldering point 64.

Fig. 3 shows an alternative embodiment of the antenna 10. In this embodiment, the bridge 46 is formed, for example, by a continuous conductor track and is also not arranged in the area of the front 35 but rather guided over the upper side 36 in the rear area, ie on the right-hand side in the figure. Furthermore, the two parts 40, 41 of the antenna 10 are not designed as open loops. Instead, they show a winding course with several changes of direction.

In addition, for each part 40, 41 of the antenna 10, a segment along the course forms an auxiliary structure 70, 71, each of the two auxiliary structures 70, 71 having the shape of a closed loop. I. E. that is, the first part 40 of the antenna 10 forms a first auxiliary structure 70 and the second part 41 of the antenna 10 forms a second auxiliary structure 71.

In the embodiment according to Fig. 3 If the two auxiliary structures 70, 71 are configured identically and symmetrically, they are positioned opposite one another on the two flanks 37 of the frame 11.

Each auxiliary structure 70, 71 furthermore has an approximately elliptical shape in the exemplary embodiment. The main axis of each elliptical shape is preferably aligned vertically to a good approximation, that is to say vertically with respect to the earth system when the hearing aid device 100 is worn by a user. In addition, each auxiliary structure 70, 71 preferably tapers to a point on both sides, viewed in the direction of the main axis.

The invention is particularly clear on the basis of the exemplary embodiments described above. However, it is not limited to these exemplary embodiments. Rather, numerous other embodiments of the invention can be derived from the claims and the above description.

List of reference symbols

1

casing

2

microphone

3

Signal processing device

4th

Listener

5

battery

6th

Transmitting and receiving device

10

antenna

11

frame

35

front

36

Top

37

Flank

40

first part

41

second part

44

Connection end

45

Connection end

46

bridge

61

Bridge conductor end

62

Bridge conductor end

64

Solder point

70

first auxiliary structure

71

second auxiliary structure

100

Hearing aid

Claims (8)

1. Hearing aid device (100) with a housing (1), with a frame (11) inserted in the housing (1) for receiving electrical or electronic assemblies, which have a transmitting and/or receiving unit (6) for electromagnetic waves, and with an associated antenna (10), wherein

   - the antenna (10) is shaped as an integral part of the frame (11), as a stamped-bent part or as an inlay part made of metal,

   - the antenna (10) has a first part (40) with two ends (44, 62), which in particular has a winding profile or is shaped as an open loop,

   - wherein a segment along the profile of the first part (40) forms a first auxiliary structure (70), which has the shape of a closed loop,

   - the first auxiliary structure (70) has a substantially elliptical shape with a main axis,

   - the main axis is oriented vertically with respect to the end system when the hearing aid is worn by a user, and

   - the substantially elliptical shape of the first auxiliary structure (70) tapers at both ends of its main axis.
2. Hearing aid device (100) according to claim 1,
   characterized in
   that the frame (11) has an upper side (36), a lower side (39), and two opposite flanks (37), and that the first auxiliary structure (70) is positioned on one of the two flanks (37) of the frame (11).
3. Hearing aid device (100) according to claim 1 or 2,
   characterized in
   that the antenna (10) has a second part (41) with two ends (45,61), which in particular has a winding profile or is shaped as an open loop, wherein the two parts (40,41) of the antenna (10) are electrically short-circuited to each other via a bridge (46) with one of their ends (61,62) in each case, and wherein the bridge (46) is designed in particular as an integral part of the frame (11).
4. Hearing aid device (100) according to claims 2 and 3,
   characterized in
   that the two parts (40, 41) of the antenna (10) are positioned on the two opposite flanks (37) of the frame (11) and that the bridge (46) is guided in particular over the upper side (36) on the frame (11).
5. Hearing aid device (100) according to claim 3 or 4,
   characterized in
   that a segment along the profile of the second part (41) forms a second auxiliary structure (71), which has the shape of a closed loop, wherein

   - the second auxiliary structure (71) has a substantially elliptical shape with a main axis,

   - the main axis is oriented vertically with respect to the end system when the hearing aid is worn by a user, and

   - the substantially elliptical shape of the second auxiliary structure (71) tapers at both ends of its main axis.
6. Hearing aid device (100) according to one of claims 3 to 5,
   characterized in
   that the frame (11) is composed of two frame-halves, wherein the first part (40) of the antenna (10) is disposed on one of the two frame-halves and the second part (41) of the antenna (10) is disposed on the other of the two frame-halves.
7. Hearing aid device (100) according to claim 6,
   characterized in
   that the two parts (40,41), i.e. the first part (40) of the antenna (10) and the second part (41) of the antenna (10), are shaped symmetrically to each other with respect to a separation plane separating the frame-halves.
8. Hearing aid device (100) according to one of claims 1 to 7,
   characterized in
   that the frame (11) is made of a non-conductive material, which has a higher permittivity than the material of the housing (1).

Images