EP2680611A2 - Hybrid hearing aid connector - Google Patents

Hybrid hearing aid connector Download PDF

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Publication number
EP2680611A2
EP2680611A2 EP13168267.6A EP13168267A EP2680611A2 EP 2680611 A2 EP2680611 A2 EP 2680611A2 EP 13168267 A EP13168267 A EP 13168267A EP 2680611 A2 EP2680611 A2 EP 2680611A2
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
tube
housing
connection
connector
hearing
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP13168267.6A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP2680611B1 (en
EP2680611A3 (en
Inventor
Joseph Sauer
Joachim Roland Barth
Holger Kral
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Sivantos Pte Ltd
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Siemens Medical Instruments Pte Ltd
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Publication of EP2680611A2 publication Critical patent/EP2680611A2/en
Publication of EP2680611A3 publication Critical patent/EP2680611A3/en
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Publication of EP2680611B1 publication Critical patent/EP2680611B1/en
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    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R25/00—Deaf-aid sets, i.e. electro-acoustic or electro-mechanical hearing aids; Electric tinnitus maskers providing an auditory perception
    • H04R25/60—Mounting or interconnection of hearing aid parts, e.g. inside tips, housings or to ossicles
    • H04R25/607—Mounting or interconnection of hearing aid parts, e.g. inside tips, housings or to ossicles of earhooks
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R25/00—Deaf-aid sets, i.e. electro-acoustic or electro-mechanical hearing aids; Electric tinnitus maskers providing an auditory perception
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R25/00—Deaf-aid sets, i.e. electro-acoustic or electro-mechanical hearing aids; Electric tinnitus maskers providing an auditory perception
    • H04R25/75—Electric tinnitus maskers providing an auditory perception

Definitions

  • a connector is understood to be a connection, for example a plug connection, for connecting a receiver tube or sound tube to a hearing instrument housing.
  • Hybrid is understood to mean that various compounds are produced.
  • Hearing instruments can be designed for example as hearing aids.
  • a hearing aid is used to supply a hearing-impaired person with acoustic ambient signals that are processed and amplified for compensation or therapy of the respective hearing impairment. It consists in principle of one or more input transducers, of a signal processing device, of an amplification device, and of an output transducer.
  • the input transducer is typically a sound receiver, e.g. a microphone, and / or an electromagnetic receiver, e.g. an induction coil.
  • the output transducer is usually as an electroacoustic transducer, z. As miniature speaker, or as an electromechanical transducer, z.
  • the output transducer generates output signals that are routed to the patient's ear and are intended to produce a hearing sensation in the patient.
  • the amplifier is usually integrated in the signal processing device.
  • the hearing aid is powered by a battery integrated into the hearing aid housing.
  • the essential components of a hearing aid are usually arranged on a printed circuit board as a circuit carrier or connected thereto.
  • Tinnitus maskers are used to treat tinnitus patients. They generate from the respective hearing impairment and depending on the operating principle also dependent on ambient noise acoustic output signals that can contribute to reducing the perception of annoying tinnitus or other ear noises.
  • Hearing instruments can also be embodied as telephones, mobile phones, headsets, headphones, MP3 players or other telecommunications or consumer electronics systems.
  • hearing instrument is to be understood as meaning both hearing aids and tinnitus maskers, comparable such devices, as well as telecommunications and consumer electronics systems.
  • Hearing instruments in particular hearing aids, are known in various basic types.
  • ITE hearing aids in-the-ear, also IDO or in-the-ear
  • a housing containing all functional components including microphone and receiver is at least partially carried in the ear canal.
  • CIC hearing aids are similar to ITE hearing aids, but are worn fully in the ear canal.
  • a housing with components such as battery and signal processing device is worn behind the ear and a flexible sound tube, also referred to as a tube, directs the acoustic output signals of a receiver from the housing to the ear canal, where often an ear piece is provided on the tube for reliable positioning of the tube end in the ear canal.
  • RIC-BTE hearing aids (receiver-in-canal behind-the-ear) are similar to BTE hearing aids, but the receiver is carried in the ear canal and instead of a sound tube, a flexible earpiece tube conducts electrical signals instead of acoustic signals to the receiver, which is at the front of the earpiece tube attached, usually in a reliable positioning in the ear canal serving ear piece.
  • RIC-BTE hearing aids are often used as so-called open-fit devices, in which the auditory canal remains open for the passage of sound and air to reduce the disturbing occlusion effect.
  • Deep-fit hearing aids deep-ear canal hearing aids
  • CIC hearing aids deep-ear canal hearing aids
  • the external (distal) ear canal is a skin-lined canal connecting the pinna to the eardrum.
  • this channel is formed of elastic cartilage.
  • the inner (proximal) part of the channel is formed by the temporal bone and thus consists of bone.
  • the course of the ear canal between cartilaginous and bony part is usually angled and includes a different angle from person to person.
  • the bony part of the ear canal is relatively sensitive to pressure and contact.
  • Deep-fit hearing aids are at least partially worn in the delicate bony part of the ear canal. When advancing into the bony part of the ear canal, they must also pass the mentioned bend, which can be difficult depending on the angle. In addition, small diameter and tortuous shapes of the ear canal can further complicate advancement.
  • a hose-like connection (tube) is usually provided between the housing of the hearing instrument and the ear piece.
  • the hose-like connection can be designed, for example, to guide sound from a receiver in the housing to the earpiece in the case of a BTE hearing instrument, or electrical signals to a receiver arranged on the earpiece in the case of a RIC-BTE hearing instrument.
  • Ear piece, tube and housing are usually designed so that the ear piece is placed and held in a desired position in the ear canal.
  • the position of the earpiece in the ear canal has a significant influence on essential acoustic properties, such as the appearance of the undesirable occlusion effect. Not least for this reason is a secure and permanent positioning of the earpiece of particular interest.
  • Inflatable Earpiece In addition to elastic ear pieces made of a flexible material also expandable and self-expanding ear pieces are known (so-called Inflatable Earpiece).
  • An expandable ear piece can ensure a secure fit and also, if desired, a high tightness against the passage of ambient sound and ambient air.
  • a known mechanism for expanding ear pieces is based on the use of a balloon (Balloon Inflatable Earpiece).
  • the balloon can be expanded with different media, most easily with ambient air.
  • the expansion-pressure balloon can be delivered via a suitable pressure pipe in the tube, which is connected to a pump in the housing of the hearing instrument.
  • a tube can also be used to transmit other signals and media.
  • an air line for connecting a ventilation or ventilation of a receiver or a vents can be provided in the tube or it can be provided a light guide for signal transmission.
  • connection of the tube and the hearing aid housing is usually via a plug connection.
  • the connector has the function of producing the electrical or other connections, as well as to ensure mechanical support.
  • the connector especially for hearing instruments, which are often exposed unprotected environmental influences and weathering, must be tight against the ingress of moisture and dirt.
  • a tight connection of the pressure line to the ear piece may also be required.
  • US 2011/0311069 A1 is a hearing aid with balloon-expandable ear piece known.
  • a housing to be worn outside the ear canal is connected by a tube to an earpiece. Via the tube, electrical signals and the expansion pressure required to expand the balloon are conducted from the housing to the earpiece.
  • the object of the invention is to provide a suitable for various types of signals and media connector connection for connecting a tube with a hearing instrument that reliably ensures mechanical support, good connection, and a high density and is easy to handle.
  • the invention solves this object by a hearing instrument system, a connector connection and a tube and a hearing aid housing with the features of the independent claims.
  • a basic idea of the invention consists in a hearing instrument system comprising a housing which has a plurality of connections, and a tube which has a plurality of conduits, wherein the tube can be detachably connected to the housing by means of a connector, which may for example be designed as a plug connection, and wherein the connector is adapted to releasably connect a plurality of leads of the tube to a plurality of terminals of the housing.
  • the connections have different spatial orientations.
  • the connector can be designed such that initially a first connection is connected by a sliding movement is, and then a second connection by a transverse to the sliding movement oriented movement; the transverse movement may, for example, consist in a rotation or pivotal movement about the already connected first connection. This also achieves a decoupling of the movement when connecting the terminals.
  • the arrangement of the terminals also allows a smaller size by the terminals are not arranged in a side by side, but can be arranged flexibly.
  • An advantageous embodiment consists in that the housing has at least one first connection and the tube has at least one first conduit for a liquid or gaseous medium, and that the first connection has a first spatial orientation, and that the further connection has a second, from the first has different spatial orientation.
  • the further connection can be, for example, an electrical connection.
  • the previously explained decoupling is used to arrange the connection for the medium at a separate position, which is specially adapted to the particular requirements of this connection.
  • a special requirement of this connection is the tightness, so that the position in question supports above all the establishment of a tight connection.
  • the connector connection can be designed so that first high tightness requirements for the liquid or gas connection are met, and that only then further requirements of other connections are taken into account.
  • a further advantageous embodiment consists in that the first connection has a flexible, elastic seal.
  • the elasticity causes in a known manner a good tightness.
  • flexibility and elasticity in a special way, support the connector connection is closed with two differently directed partial movements. Namely, after connecting the first terminal to the first partial movement, the second partial movement can be made by utilizing flexibility with little deformation of the gasket.
  • a further advantageous embodiment consists in a tube for connection to a hearing aid housing, which is designed to be used in a hearing instrument system as explained above.
  • the tube has a multi-port plug, and the ports are located on different sides of the plug.
  • the arrangement of the terminals on different sides of the connector advantageously supports the above-explained connector.
  • FIG. 1 a tube 21 with connector 2 for a hearing instrument system is shown in perspective.
  • the plug 2 is part of a connector designed as a connector.
  • the tube 21 has in the figure unrecognizable electrical lines and a conduit for a liquid or gaseous medium.
  • the plug 2 has retaining lugs 9, which serve to lock a connector.
  • a seal 5 protects electrical connections 3 against moisture and dirt.
  • the terminals 3 are connected to the corresponding lines in the tube 21.
  • a pressure port 8 is provided for a liquid or gaseous medium, which also with the corresponding Line in the tube 21 is connected.
  • the pressure port 8 has its own seal 24, which protects against contamination and moisture on the one hand, and the other is pressure-tight. He is also designed as a retaining nose.
  • the pressure port 8 and the electrical connections 3 are arranged on different sides of the plug 2.
  • FIG. 2 is shown as a connector connection a self-locking connector between the previously explained connector 2 and a hearing aid housing 1 schematically.
  • the tube 12 schematically electrical lines and the further line 12 are indicated for a liquid or gaseous medium.
  • an opening for insertion or insertion of the plug 2 is provided in the housing 1 .
  • the opening there is a recess (in the figure on the right) into which the pressure port 24, shaped as a retaining lug, has to be inserted.
  • a latch 6 is further provided which comes into mutual engagement with the retaining lugs 9 of the plug 2 when the connector is closed.
  • the latch 6 is elastically mounted, so that it is first displaced during the insertion of the plug 2 of the retaining lugs 9 and then snaps behind selbigen.
  • a pressure port 4 serves for the transmission of a liquid or gaseous medium, which can serve for example for transmitting pressure for expanding a balloon earpiece.
  • the plug 2 must be rotated or pivoted about the already connected pressure port around, so that the electrical connections 3 are connected to the housing-side terminals 7.
  • the seal 5 is applied sealingly against the opening in the housing 1.
  • the rotational or pivotal movement is facilitated by the fact that the pressure port is based on a flexible seal 24. It is indicated in the figure by an arrow T2. It is the second part movement when connecting the connectors.
  • FIG. 3 is a Hörinstrumentsystem with connector designed as a connector with additionally acting as a locking cover 16 shown schematically.
  • the housing 11 has an opening for insertion of the plug 12.
  • electrical connections 17 and a pressure port 14 are arranged in the opening.
  • the housing has an axis 19 around which the cover 16 for covering and locking the connector can be pivoted.
  • the plug 12 is connected to a tube 20.
  • an earpiece 22 is arranged at the other end of the tube 20.
  • a not shown in the figure receiver is arranged in the earpiece 22 .
  • the earpiece 22 has a balloon 23 which can be expanded by means of a liquid or gaseous medium. The liquid or gaseous medium is transferred from the tube 20 with the pressure necessary for expansion.
  • the plug 12 has a retaining lug 25, with which it must first be inserted into the corresponding recess when inserting into the opening of the housing 11. Then it is inserted with a rotational or pivotal movement around the retaining lug 25 completely in the opening. In this case, the pressure port 18 is connected to the housing-side pressure port 14 and the seal 15 is pressed.
  • the electrical connection 13 is connected to the housing-side electrical connection 17.
  • the electrical connections 13,17 are designed so that they can slide over as little resistance as possible, for example, with a respective rounded or rising leading edge.
  • one or both electrical connections 13, 17 can be made elastic, for example as a spring contact or pogo pin.
  • the cover 16 is closed. It has a locking mechanism, not shown in the figure, which prevents unintentional opening.
  • the closed cover 16 presses the plug 12 into the opening so that the pressure connection 14,18 closed and the seal 15 is pressed and that the electrical connection 13,17 is closed. At the same time it protects against dirt and moisture.
  • a seal not shown in the figure between cover 16 and housing 11 may be arranged.
  • the invention relates to a hybrid hearing instrument connector.
  • a connector is understood to be a connection, for example a plug connection, for connecting a receiver tube or sound tube to a hearing instrument housing.
  • Hybrid is understood to mean that various compounds are produced.
  • the object of the invention is to provide a suitable for various types of signals and media connector connection for connecting a tube with a hearing instrument that reliably ensures mechanical support, good connection, and a high density and is easy to handle.
  • the invention achieves this object by means of a connector for a hearing instrument system comprising a housing 1, 1, which has a plurality of connections 4, 7, 14, 17, and a tube 21, 22, which has a plurality of lines, which is designed to hold a plurality of lines of the To connect tubes 21,22 releasably connected to a plurality of terminals 4,7,14,17 of the housing, wherein the terminals 4,7,14,17 of the connector have different spatial orientations.
  • the fact that the connections each have different spatial orientation causes a mutual decoupling.
  • the requirements for dimensional accuracy of the various connections or connections are advantageously reduced, since the various connections are not closed in a common, identical end position.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Neurosurgery (AREA)
  • Otolaryngology (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Acoustics & Sound (AREA)
  • Signal Processing (AREA)
  • Connector Housings Or Holding Contact Members (AREA)
  • Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
  • Quick-Acting Or Multi-Walled Pipe Joints (AREA)
  • Details Of Connecting Devices For Male And Female Coupling (AREA)

Abstract

The system has a housing (1) comprising a number of connections (4, 7) with different spatial orientations. A tube (21) e.g. receiver tube or sound tube, includes a number of lines i.e. electrical lines, and is detachably connected to the housing by a connector i.e. plug-in connector. The connector detachably connects the number of lines of the tube to the number of connections of the housing. The connections of the housing include a first connection and a second connection, where the first connection includes a flexible elastic seal (5). An independent claim is also included for a tube system.

Description

Die Erfindung betrifft einen hybriden Hörinstrument-Konnektor. Unter Konnektor wird dabei eine Verbindung, beispielsweise Steckverbindung, zum Anschließen eines Hörerschlauchs oder Schallschlauchs an ein Hörinstrument-Gehäuse verstanden. Unter hybrid wird dabei verstanden, dass verschiedenartige Verbindungen hergestellt werden.The invention relates to a hybrid hearing instrument connector. A connector is understood to be a connection, for example a plug connection, for connecting a receiver tube or sound tube to a hearing instrument housing. Hybrid is understood to mean that various compounds are produced.

Hörinstrumente können beispielsweise als Hörgeräte ausgeführt sein. Ein Hörgerät dient der Versorgung einer hörgeschädigten Person mit akustischen Umgebungssignalen, die zur Kompensation bzw. Therapie der jeweiligen Hörschädigung verarbeitet und verstärkt sind. Es besteht prinzipiell aus einem oder mehreren Eingangswandlern, aus einer Signalverarbeitungseinrichtung, einer Verstärkungseinrichtung, und aus einem Ausgangswandler. Der Eingangswandler ist in der Regel ein Schallempfänger, z.B. ein Mikrofon, und/oder ein elektromagnetischer Empfänger, z.B. eine Induktionsspule. Der Ausgangswandler ist in der Regel als elektroakustischer Wandler, z. B. Miniaturlautsprecher, oder als elektromechanischer Wandler, z. B. Knochenleitungshörer, realisiert. Er wird auch als Hörer oder Receiver bezeichnet. Der Ausgangswandler erzeugt Ausgangssignale, die zum Gehör des Patienten geleitet werden und beim Patienten eine Hörwahrnehmung erzeugen sollen. Der Verstärker ist in der Regel in die Signalverarbeitungseinrichtung integriert. Die Stromversorgung des Hörgeräts erfolgt durch eine ins Hörgerätegehäuse integrierte Batterie. Die wesentlichen Komponenten eines Hörgeräts sind in der Regel auf einer gedruckten Leiterplatine als Schaltungsträger angeordnet bzw. damit verbunden.Hearing instruments can be designed for example as hearing aids. A hearing aid is used to supply a hearing-impaired person with acoustic ambient signals that are processed and amplified for compensation or therapy of the respective hearing impairment. It consists in principle of one or more input transducers, of a signal processing device, of an amplification device, and of an output transducer. The input transducer is typically a sound receiver, e.g. a microphone, and / or an electromagnetic receiver, e.g. an induction coil. The output transducer is usually as an electroacoustic transducer, z. As miniature speaker, or as an electromechanical transducer, z. B. bone conduction, realized. He is also referred to as a handset or receiver. The output transducer generates output signals that are routed to the patient's ear and are intended to produce a hearing sensation in the patient. The amplifier is usually integrated in the signal processing device. The hearing aid is powered by a battery integrated into the hearing aid housing. The essential components of a hearing aid are usually arranged on a printed circuit board as a circuit carrier or connected thereto.

Hörinstrumente können außer als Hörgeräte auch als sogenannte Tinnitus-Masker ausgeführt sein. Tinnitus-Masker werden zu Therapie von Tinnitus-Patienten eingesetzt. Sie erzeugen von der jeweiligen Hörbeeinträchtigung und je nach Wirkprinzip auch von Umgebungsgeräuschen abhängige akustische Ausgangssignale, die zur Verringerung der Wahrnehmung störender Tinnitus- oder sonstiger Ohrgeräusche beitragen können.Hearing instruments can also be designed as hearing aids as so-called tinnitus maskers. Tinnitus maskers are used to treat tinnitus patients. They generate from the respective hearing impairment and depending on the operating principle also dependent on ambient noise acoustic output signals that can contribute to reducing the perception of annoying tinnitus or other ear noises.

Hörinstrumente können weiter auch als Telefone, Handys, Headsets, Kopfhörer, MP3-Player oder sonstige Telekommunikations-oder Unterhaltungselektronik-Systeme ausgeführt sein.Hearing instruments can also be embodied as telephones, mobile phones, headsets, headphones, MP3 players or other telecommunications or consumer electronics systems.

Im folgenden sollen unter dem Begriff Hörinstrument sowohl Hörgeräte, als auch Tinnitus-Masker, vergleichbare derartige Geräte, sowie Telekommunikations- und Unterhaltungselektronik-Systeme verstanden werden.In the following, the term hearing instrument is to be understood as meaning both hearing aids and tinnitus maskers, comparable such devices, as well as telecommunications and consumer electronics systems.

Hörinstrumente, insbesondere Hörgeräte, sind in verschiedenen grundlegenden Typen bekannt. Bei ITE-Hörgeräten (In-the-Ear, auch IDO bzw. In-dem-Ohr) wird ein Gehäuse, das sämtliche funktionalen Komponenten einschließlich Mikrophon und Receiver enthält, mindestens teilweise im Gehörgang getragen. CIC-Hörgeräte (Completely-in-Canal) sind den ITE-Hörgeräten ähnlich, werden jedoch vollständig im Gehörgang getragen. Bei BTE-Hörgeräten (Behind-the-Ear, auch Hinter-dem-Ohr bzw. IDO) wird ein Gehäuse mit Komponenten wie Batterie und Signalverarbeitungseinrichtung hinter dem Ohr getragen und ein flexibler Schallschlauch, auch als Tube bezeichnet, leitet die akustischen Ausgangssignale eines Receivers vom Gehäuse zum Gehörgang, wo häufig ein Ohrstück am Tube zur zuverlässigen Positionierung des Tube-Endes im Gehörgang vorgesehen ist. RIC-BTE-Hörgeräte (Receiver-in-Canal Behind-the-Ear) gleichen den BTE-Hörgeräten, jedoch wird der Receiver im Gehörgang getragen und statt eines Schallschlauchs leitet ein flexibler Hörerschlauch elektrische Signale anstelle akustischer Signale zum Receiver, welcher vorne am Hörerschlauch angebracht ist, meist in einem der zuverlässigen Positionierung im Gehörgang dienenden Ohrstück. RIC-BTE-Hörgeräte werden häufig als sogenannte Open-Fit Geräte eingesetzt, bei denen zur Reduzierung des störenden Okklusions-Effekts der Gehörgang für den Durchtritt von Schall und Luft offen bleibt. Deep-Fit-Hörgeräte (Tief-Ohrkanal-Hörgeräte) gleichen den CIC-Hörgeräten. Während CIC-Hörgeräte jedoch in der Regel im außenliegenden Teil des äußeren Gehörgangs getragen werden, werden Deep-Fit-Hörgeräte weiter zum Trommelfell hin vorgeschoben und mindestens teilweise im innenliegenden Teil des äußeren Gehörgangs getragen. Der äußere (distale) Gehörgang ist ein mit Haut ausgekleideter Kanal und verbindet die Ohrmuschel mit dem Trommelfell. Im äußeren Teil des Gehörgangs, der sich direkt an die Ohrmuschel anschließt, ist dieser Kanal aus elastischem Knorpel gebildet. Im inneren (proximalen) Teil wird der Kanal vom Schläfenbein gebildet und besteht somit aus Knochen. Der Verlauf des Gehörgangs zwischen knorpeligem und knöchernem Teil ist in der Regel abgewinkelt und schließt einen von Person zu Person unterschiedlichen Winkel ein. Insbesondere der knöcherne Teil des Gehörgangs ist verhältnismäßig empfindlich gegen Druck und Berührungen. Deep-Fit-Hörgeräte werden zumindest teilweise im empfindlichen knöchernen Teil des Gehörgangs getragen. Beim Vorschieben in den knöchernen Teil des Gehörgangs müssen sie außerdem die erwähnte Abwinkelung passieren, was je nach Winkel schwierig sein kann. Zudem können kleine Durchmesser und gewundene Formen des Gehörgangs das Vorschieben weiter erschweren.Hearing instruments, in particular hearing aids, are known in various basic types. In ITE hearing aids (in-the-ear, also IDO or in-the-ear), a housing containing all functional components including microphone and receiver is at least partially carried in the ear canal. Completely-in-Canal (CIC) hearing aids are similar to ITE hearing aids, but are worn fully in the ear canal. In BTE hearing aids (behind-the-ear, or behind-the-ear or IDO), a housing with components such as battery and signal processing device is worn behind the ear and a flexible sound tube, also referred to as a tube, directs the acoustic output signals of a receiver from the housing to the ear canal, where often an ear piece is provided on the tube for reliable positioning of the tube end in the ear canal. RIC-BTE hearing aids (receiver-in-canal behind-the-ear) are similar to BTE hearing aids, but the receiver is carried in the ear canal and instead of a sound tube, a flexible earpiece tube conducts electrical signals instead of acoustic signals to the receiver, which is at the front of the earpiece tube attached, usually in a reliable positioning in the ear canal serving ear piece. RIC-BTE hearing aids are often used as so-called open-fit devices, in which the auditory canal remains open for the passage of sound and air to reduce the disturbing occlusion effect. Deep-fit hearing aids (deep-ear canal hearing aids) are similar to CIC hearing aids. However, while CIC hearing aids are typically worn in the outer part of the external auditory canal, deep-fit hearing aids are advanced further toward the eardrum and are at least partially supported in the inner part of the external ear canal. The external (distal) ear canal is a skin-lined canal connecting the pinna to the eardrum. In the outer part of the ear canal, which connects directly to the auricle, this channel is formed of elastic cartilage. In the inner (proximal) part of the channel is formed by the temporal bone and thus consists of bone. The course of the ear canal between cartilaginous and bony part is usually angled and includes a different angle from person to person. In particular, the bony part of the ear canal is relatively sensitive to pressure and contact. Deep-fit hearing aids are at least partially worn in the delicate bony part of the ear canal. When advancing into the bony part of the ear canal, they must also pass the mentioned bend, which can be difficult depending on the angle. In addition, small diameter and tortuous shapes of the ear canal can further complicate advancement.

Bei Hörinstrumenten, die ein Ohrstück (auch: Eartipp) aufweisen, ist in der Regel eine schlauchartige Verbindung (Tube) zwischen dem Gehäuse des Hörintruments und dem Ohrstück vorgesehen. Die schlauchartige Verbindung kann beispielsweise dazu ausgebildet sein, bei einem BTE-Hörinstrument Schall von einem Receiver im Gehäuse zum Ohrstück zu leiten, oder bei einem RIC-BTE-Hörinstrument elektrische Signale zu einem am Ohrstück angeordneten Receiver. Ohrstück, Tube und Gehäuse sind in der Regel so gestaltet, dass das Ohrstück in einer gewünschten Position im Gehörgang platziert und gehalten wird. Bei RIC-BTE-Hörinstrumenten wird unter anderem häufig als wünschenswert angesehen, dass ein am Ohrstück angeordneter Receiver nicht in direkten Kontakt mit der Gehörgangwand kommt. Die Position des Ohrstücks im Gehörgang, insbesondere bei RIC-BTE-Hörinstrumenten, hat maßgeblich Einfluss auf wesentliche akustische Eigenschaften, wie beispielsweise das Auftreten des unerwünschten Okklusions-Effekts. Nicht zuletzt deshalb ist eine sichere und dauerhafte Positionierung des Ohrstücks von besonderem Interesse.In the case of hearing instruments which have an ear piece (also: Eartipp), a hose-like connection (tube) is usually provided between the housing of the hearing instrument and the ear piece. The hose-like connection can be designed, for example, to guide sound from a receiver in the housing to the earpiece in the case of a BTE hearing instrument, or electrical signals to a receiver arranged on the earpiece in the case of a RIC-BTE hearing instrument. Ear piece, tube and housing are usually designed so that the ear piece is placed and held in a desired position in the ear canal. Among other things, it is often considered desirable in RIC-BTE hearing instruments that a receiver placed on the earpiece does not come into direct contact with the auditory canal wall. The position of the earpiece in the ear canal, especially in RIC-BTE hearing instruments, has a significant influence on essential acoustic properties, such as the appearance of the undesirable occlusion effect. Not least for this reason is a secure and permanent positioning of the earpiece of particular interest.

Neben elastischen Ohrstücken aus einem flexiblen Material sind auch expandierbare und selbstexpandierende Ohrstücke bekannt (sogenanntes Inflatable Earpiece). Ein expandierbares Ohrstück kann sicheren Halt gewährleisten und darüber hinaus, falls gewünscht, auch eine hohe Dichtigkeit gegen das Hindurchtreten von Umgebungsschall und Umgebungsluft. Ein bekannter Mechanismus zum Expandieren von Ohrstücken basiert auf der Verwendung eines Ballons (Balloon Inflatable Earpiece). Der Ballon kann mit verschiedenen Medien expandiert werden, am einfachsten mit Umgebungsluft. Die Versorgung des Ballons mit Expansionsdruck kann über eine entsprechende Druckleitung im Tube erfolgen, die mit einer Pumpe im Gehäuse des Hörinstruments verbunden ist.In addition to elastic ear pieces made of a flexible material also expandable and self-expanding ear pieces are known (so-called Inflatable Earpiece). An expandable ear piece can ensure a secure fit and also, if desired, a high tightness against the passage of ambient sound and ambient air. A known mechanism for expanding ear pieces is based on the use of a balloon (Balloon Inflatable Earpiece). The balloon can be expanded with different media, most easily with ambient air. The expansion-pressure balloon can be delivered via a suitable pressure pipe in the tube, which is connected to a pump in the housing of the hearing instrument.

Außer zur Übertragung von elektrischen und akustischen Signalen und Expansionsmedien kann ein Tube auch zur Übertragung anderer Signale und Medien genutzt werden. Beispielsweise kann im Tube eine Luftleitung zum Anschluss einer Belüftung bzw. Hinterlüftung eines Receivers oder eines Vents vorgesehen sein oder es kann ein Lichtleiter zur Signalübertragung vorgesehen sein.In addition to transmitting electrical and acoustic signals and expansion media, a tube can also be used to transmit other signals and media. For example, an air line for connecting a ventilation or ventilation of a receiver or a vents can be provided in the tube or it can be provided a light guide for signal transmission.

Das Verbinden von Tube und Hörinstrument-Gehäuse erfolgt in der Regel über eine Steckverbindung. Die Steckverbindung hat die Funktion, die elektrischen bzw. sonstigen Verbindungen herzustellen, sowie mechanischen Halt zu gewährleisten. Darüber hinaus muss die Steckverbindung, insbesondere bei Hörinstrumenten, die häufig ungeschützt Umgebungseinflüssen und Witterungseinflüssen ausgesetzt sind, gegen das Eindringen von Feuchtigkeit und Verschmutzungen dicht sein. Bei Verwendung ballon-expandierbarer Ohrstücke ist gegebenenfalls auch eine dichte Verbindung der Druckleitung zum Ohrstück erforderlich.The connection of the tube and the hearing aid housing is usually via a plug connection. The connector has the function of producing the electrical or other connections, as well as to ensure mechanical support. In addition, the connector, especially for hearing instruments, which are often exposed unprotected environmental influences and weathering, must be tight against the ingress of moisture and dirt. When using balloon-expandable ear pieces, a tight connection of the pressure line to the ear piece may also be required.

Aus der Druckschrift US 2011/0311069 A1 ist ein Hörinstrument mit ballon-expandierbarem Ohrstück bekannt. Ein außerhalb des Gehörgangs zu tragendes Gehäuse ist durch ein Tube mit einem Ohrstück verbunden. Über das Tube werden elektrische Signale und der zum expandieren des Ballons erforderliche Expansionsdruck vom Gehäuse zum Ohrstück geleitet.From the publication US 2011/0311069 A1 is a hearing aid with balloon-expandable ear piece known. A housing to be worn outside the ear canal is connected by a tube to an earpiece. Via the tube, electrical signals and the expansion pressure required to expand the balloon are conducted from the housing to the earpiece.

Die Aufgabe der Erfindung besteht darin, eine für verschiedenartige Signale und Medien geeignete Konnektor-Verbindung zum Verbinden eines Tubes mit einem Hörinstrument anzugeben, die zuverlässig mechanischen Halt, gute Verbindung, sowie eine hohe Dichtigkeit gewährleistet und dabei einfach zu handhaben ist.The object of the invention is to provide a suitable for various types of signals and media connector connection for connecting a tube with a hearing instrument that reliably ensures mechanical support, good connection, and a high density and is easy to handle.

Die Erfindung löst diese Aufgabe durch ein Hörinstrumentsystem, eine Konnektor-Verbindung sowie ein Tube und ein Hörinstrument-Gehäuse mit den Merkmalen der unabhängigen Patentansprüche.The invention solves this object by a hearing instrument system, a connector connection and a tube and a hearing aid housing with the features of the independent claims.

Ein Grundgedanke der Erfindung besteht in einem Hörinstrumentsystem umfassend ein Gehäuse, das mehrere Anschlüsse aufweist, und ein Tube, das mehrere Leitungen aufweist, wobei das Tube durch einen Konnektor, der beispielsweise als Steckverbindung ausgeführt sein kann, lösbar mit dem Gehäuse verbunden werden kann, und wobei der Konnektor dazu ausgebildet ist, mehrere Leitungen des Tubes lösbar mit mehreren Anschlüssen des Gehäuses zu verbinden. Die Anschlüsse weisen unterschiedliche räumliche Orientierungen auf.A basic idea of the invention consists in a hearing instrument system comprising a housing which has a plurality of connections, and a tube which has a plurality of conduits, wherein the tube can be detachably connected to the housing by means of a connector, which may for example be designed as a plug connection, and wherein the connector is adapted to releasably connect a plurality of leads of the tube to a plurality of terminals of the housing. The connections have different spatial orientations.

Dass die Anschlüsse jeweils unterschiedliche räumliche Orientierung aufweisen, bewirkt eine gegenseitige Entkoppelung. Dadurch sind vorteilhafterweise die Anforderungen an die Maßhaltigkeit der verschiedenen Anschlüsse bzw. Verbindungen verringert, da die verschiedenen Verbindungen nicht in einer gemeinsamen, identischen Endposition geschlossen sind. Vorteilhaft kann der Konnektor so ausgeführt sein, dass zunächst ein erster Anschluss durch eine Schiebebewegung verbunden wird, und erst anschließend ein zweiter Anschluss durch eine quer zu der Schiebebewegung orientierte Bewegung; die Querbewegung kann beispielsweise in einer Rotation oder Schwenkbewegung um den bereits verbundenen ersten Anschluss bestehen. Dadurch wird zusätzlich auch eine Entkoppelung der Bewegung beim Verbinden der Anschlüsse erreicht. Die Anordnung der Anschlüsse ermöglicht darüber hinaus eine geringere Baugröße, indem die Anschlüsse nicht in einer Fläche nebeneinander angeordnet sind, sondern flexibler angeordnet werden können.The fact that the connections each have different spatial orientation causes a mutual decoupling. As a result, the requirements for dimensional accuracy of the various connections or connections are advantageously reduced, since the various connections are not closed in a common, identical end position. Advantageously, the connector can be designed such that initially a first connection is connected by a sliding movement is, and then a second connection by a transverse to the sliding movement oriented movement; the transverse movement may, for example, consist in a rotation or pivotal movement about the already connected first connection. This also achieves a decoupling of the movement when connecting the terminals. The arrangement of the terminals also allows a smaller size by the terminals are not arranged in a side by side, but can be arranged flexibly.

Eine vorteilhafte Ausgestaltung besteht darin, dass das Gehäuse mindestens einen ersten Anschluss und das Tube mindestens eine erste Leitung für ein flüssiges oder gasförmiges Medium aufweist, und dass der erste Anschluss eine erste räumliche Orientierung aufweist, und dass der weitere Anschluss eine zweite, von der ersten unterschiedlichen räumliche Orientierung aufweist. Der weitere Anschluss kann beispielsweise ein elektrischer Anschluss sein.An advantageous embodiment consists in that the housing has at least one first connection and the tube has at least one first conduit for a liquid or gaseous medium, and that the first connection has a first spatial orientation, and that the further connection has a second, from the first has different spatial orientation. The further connection can be, for example, an electrical connection.

Dadurch wird die vorangehend erläuterte Entkopplung dazu genutzt, den Anschluss für das Medium an einer separaten Position anzuordnen, die eigens auf die besonderen Erfordernisse dieses Anschlusses abgestimmt ist. Ein besonderes Erfordernis dieses Anschlusses ist die Dichtigkeit, so dass die fragliche Position vor allem das Herstellen einer dichten Verbindung unterstützt. Somit kann die Konnektor-Verbindung so konzipiert werden, dass zuerst hohe Dichtigkeits-Anforderungen für den Flüssigkeits- oder Gas-Anschluss erfüllt sind, und dass erst danach weitere Anforderungen weiterer Anschlüsse berücksichtigt werden.As a result, the previously explained decoupling is used to arrange the connection for the medium at a separate position, which is specially adapted to the particular requirements of this connection. A special requirement of this connection is the tightness, so that the position in question supports above all the establishment of a tight connection. Thus, the connector connection can be designed so that first high tightness requirements for the liquid or gas connection are met, and that only then further requirements of other connections are taken into account.

Eine weitere vorteilhafte Ausgestaltung besteht darin, dass der erste Anschluss eine flexible, elastische Dichtung aufweist.A further advantageous embodiment consists in that the first connection has a flexible, elastic seal.

Die Elastizität bewirkt in bekannter Weise eine gute Dichtigkeit. Darüber hinaus unterstützen Flexibilität und Elastizität jedoch in besonderer Weise, dass die Konnektor-Verbindung mit zwei unterschiedlich gerichteten Teil-Bewegungen geschlossen wird. Nach Verbinden des ersten Anschlusses mit der ersten Teil-Bewegung kann nämlich die zweite Teil-Bewegung gerade unter Ausnutzung der Flexibilität mit einer geringen Verformung der Dichtung erfolgen.The elasticity causes in a known manner a good tightness. In addition, flexibility and elasticity, however, in a special way, support the connector connection is closed with two differently directed partial movements. Namely, after connecting the first terminal to the first partial movement, the second partial movement can be made by utilizing flexibility with little deformation of the gasket.

Eine weitere vorteilhafte Ausgestaltung besteht in einem Tube zum Anschluss an ein Hörinstrument-Gehäuse, das dazu ausgebildet ist, in einem Hörinstrumentsystem wie vorangehend erläutert verwendet zu werden. Das Tube weist einen Stecker mit mehreren Anschlüssen auf, und die Anschlüsse sind an verschiedenen Seiten des Steckers angeordnet. Die Anordnung der Anschlüsse an verschiedenen Seiten des Steckers unterstützt vorteilhaft die vorangehend erläuterte Steckverbindung.A further advantageous embodiment consists in a tube for connection to a hearing aid housing, which is designed to be used in a hearing instrument system as explained above. The tube has a multi-port plug, and the ports are located on different sides of the plug. The arrangement of the terminals on different sides of the connector advantageously supports the above-explained connector.

Weitere Vorteile und Weiterbildungen ergeben sich aus den abhängigen Patentansprüchen und aus der nachfolgenden Beschreibung von Ausführungsbeispielen und Figuren. Es zeigen:

Fig. 1
Tube mit Stecker
Fig. 2
Selbstrastende Steckverbindung
Fig. 3
Steckverbindung mit Riegel
Further advantages and developments emerge from the dependent claims and from the following description of exemplary embodiments and figures. Show it:
Fig. 1
Tube with plug
Fig. 2
Self-locking connector
Fig. 3
Plug connection with latch

In Figur 1 ist ein Tube 21 mit Stecker 2 für ein Hörinstrumentsystem perspektivisch dargestellt. Der Stecker 2 ist Teil eines als Steckverbindung ausgeführten Konnektors. Das Tube 21 weist in der Abbildung nicht erkennbare elektrische Leitungen sowie eine Leitung für ein flüssiges oder gasförmiges Medium auf.In FIG. 1 a tube 21 with connector 2 for a hearing instrument system is shown in perspective. The plug 2 is part of a connector designed as a connector. The tube 21 has in the figure unrecognizable electrical lines and a conduit for a liquid or gaseous medium.

Der Stecker 2 weist Haltenasen 9 auf, die dem Verriegeln einer Steckverbindung dienen. Eine Dichtung 5 schützt elektrische Anschlüsse 3 gegen Feuchtigkeit und Verschmutzung. Die Anschlüsse 3 sind mit den entsprechenden Leitungen im Tube 21 verbunden.The plug 2 has retaining lugs 9, which serve to lock a connector. A seal 5 protects electrical connections 3 against moisture and dirt. The terminals 3 are connected to the corresponding lines in the tube 21.

Weiter ist ein Druckanschluss 8 für ein flüssiges oder gasförmiges Medium vorgesehen, der ebenfalls mit der entsprechenden Leitung im Tube 21 verbunden ist. Der Druckanschluss 8 weist eine eigene Dichtung 24 auf, die zum einen gegen Verunreinigungen und Feuchtigkeit schützt, und die zum anderen druckdicht ist. Er ist zusätzlich als Haltenase ausgeführt.Further, a pressure port 8 is provided for a liquid or gaseous medium, which also with the corresponding Line in the tube 21 is connected. The pressure port 8 has its own seal 24, which protects against contamination and moisture on the one hand, and the other is pressure-tight. He is also designed as a retaining nose.

Der Druckanschluss 8 und die elektrischen Anschlüsse 3 sind an unterschiedlichen Seiten des Steckers 2 angeordnet.The pressure port 8 and the electrical connections 3 are arranged on different sides of the plug 2.

In Figur 2 ist als Konnektor-Verbindung eine selbstrastende Steckverbindung zwischen dem vorangehend erläuterten Stecker 2 und einem Hörinstrument-Gehäuse 1 schematisch dargestellt. Im Tube 12 sind schematisch elektrische Leitungen sowie die weitere Leitung 12 für ein flüssiges oder gasförmiges Medium angedeutet.In FIG. 2 is shown as a connector connection a self-locking connector between the previously explained connector 2 and a hearing aid housing 1 schematically. In the tube 12 schematically electrical lines and the further line 12 are indicated for a liquid or gaseous medium.

Im Gehäuse 1 ist eine Öffnung zum Einlegen bzw. Einstecken des Steckers 2 vorgesehen. In der Öffnung befindet sich eine Vertiefung (in der Abbildung rechts), in die der als Haltenase geformte Druckanschluss 24 eingesetzt werden muss.In the housing 1 an opening for insertion or insertion of the plug 2 is provided. In the opening there is a recess (in the figure on the right) into which the pressure port 24, shaped as a retaining lug, has to be inserted.

In der Öffnung ist weiter ein Riegel 6 vorgesehen, der mit den Haltenasen 9 des Steckers 2 in gegenseitigen Eingriff kommt, wenn die Steckverbindung geschlossen wird. Der Riegel 6 ist elastisch gelagert, so dass er während des Einlegens des Steckers 2 von den Haltenasen 9 zunächst verdrängt wird und sodann hinter selbigen einschnappt.In the opening, a latch 6 is further provided which comes into mutual engagement with the retaining lugs 9 of the plug 2 when the connector is closed. The latch 6 is elastically mounted, so that it is first displaced during the insertion of the plug 2 of the retaining lugs 9 and then snaps behind selbigen.

Auf diese Weise bilden der Riegel 6 und die Haltenasen 9 gemeinsam mit dem Druckanschluss 24 und der zugehörigen Vertiefung eine selbstrastende Verbindung.In this way, the latch 6 and the retaining lugs 9 together with the pressure port 24 and the associated recess form a self-locking connection.

In der Öffnung sind weiter elektrische Anschlüsse 7 vorgesehen, die beispielsweise zum Übertragen von Receiver-Signalen des Hörinstruments dienen können. Ein Druckanschluss 4 dient der Übertragung eines flüssigen oder gasförmigen Mediums, das beispielsweise zum Übertragen von Druck zum Expandieren eines Ballon-Ohrstücks dienen kann.In the opening further electrical connections 7 are provided, which can serve for example for transmitting receiver signals of the hearing instrument. A pressure port 4 serves for the transmission of a liquid or gaseous medium, which can serve for example for transmitting pressure for expanding a balloon earpiece.

Beim Einlegen des Steckers 2 muss zuerst der als Haltenase 24 geformte Druckanschluss 24 in die entsprechende Vertiefung eingesetzt werden. Dabei wird er mit dem gehäuseseitigen Druckanschluss 4 verbunden und so die Verbindung für das gasförmige oder flüssige Medium geschlossen. Die Bewegung, die der Stecker 2 dazu ausführen muss, ist in der Abbildung durch einen Pfeil T1 angedeutet. Dies ist die erste Teil-Bewegung beim Verbinden der Anschlüsse.When inserting the plug 2 must first be used as retaining lug 24 shaped pressure port 24 in the corresponding recess. He is connected to the housing-side pressure port 4 and so closed the connection for the gaseous or liquid medium. The movement that the plug 2 has to perform is indicated in the figure by an arrow T1. This is the first part movement when connecting the connectors.

Sodann muss der Stecker 2 so um den bereits verbundenen Druckanschluss herum rotiert bzw. geschwenkt werden, dass die elektrischen Anschlüsse 3 mit den gehäuseseitigen Anschlüssen 7 verbunden werden. Dabei wird auch die Dichtung 5 dichtend an die Öffnung im Gehäuse 1 angelegt. Die Rotations- bzw. Schwenkbewegung wird dadurch erleichtert, dass der Druckanschluss auf einer flexiblen Dichtung 24 basiert. Sie ist in der Abbildung durch einen Pfeil T2 angedeutet. Es handelt sich um die zweite Teil-Bewegung beim Verbinden der Anschlüsse.Then, the plug 2 must be rotated or pivoted about the already connected pressure port around, so that the electrical connections 3 are connected to the housing-side terminals 7. In this case, the seal 5 is applied sealingly against the opening in the housing 1. The rotational or pivotal movement is facilitated by the fact that the pressure port is based on a flexible seal 24. It is indicated in the figure by an arrow T2. It is the second part movement when connecting the connectors.

In Figur 3 ist ein Hörinstrumentsystem mit als Steckverbindung ausgeführtem Konnektor mit zusätzlich einer als Verriegelung wirkenden Abdeckung 16 schematisch dargestellt. Das Gehäuse 11 weist eine Öffnung zum Einlegen des Steckers 12 auf. In der Öffnung sind elektrische Anschlüsse 17 und ein Druckanschluss 14 angeordnet. Weiter weist das Gehäuse einen Achse 19 auf, um die herum die Abdeckung 16 zum Abdecken und Verriegeln der Steckverbindung geschwenkt werden kann.In FIG. 3 is a Hörinstrumentsystem with connector designed as a connector with additionally acting as a locking cover 16 shown schematically. The housing 11 has an opening for insertion of the plug 12. In the opening electrical connections 17 and a pressure port 14 are arranged. Further, the housing has an axis 19 around which the cover 16 for covering and locking the connector can be pivoted.

Der Stecker 12 ist mit einem Tube 20 verbunden. Am anderen Ende des Tubes 20 ist ein Ohrstück 22 angeordnet. Im Ohrstück 22 ist ein in der Abbildung nicht dargestellter Receiver angeordnet. Das Ohrstück 22 weist einen Ballon 23 auf, der mittels eines flüssigen oder gasförmigen Mediums expandiert werden kann. Das flüssige oder gasförmige Medium wird mit dem zum Expandieren notwendigen Druck vom Tube 20 übertragen.The plug 12 is connected to a tube 20. At the other end of the tube 20, an earpiece 22 is arranged. In the earpiece 22 a not shown in the figure receiver is arranged. The earpiece 22 has a balloon 23 which can be expanded by means of a liquid or gaseous medium. The liquid or gaseous medium is transferred from the tube 20 with the pressure necessary for expansion.

Der Stecker 12 weist eine Haltenase 25 auf, mit der er beim Einlegen in die Öffnung des Gehäuses 11 zuerst in die entsprechende Vertiefung eingeschoben werden muss. Sodann wird er mit einer Rotations- bzw. Schwenkbewegung um die Haltenase 25 herum vollständig in die Öffnung eingelegt. Dabei wird der Druckanschluss 18 mit dem gehäuseseitigen Druckanschluss 14 verbunden und die Dichtung 15 angedrückt.The plug 12 has a retaining lug 25, with which it must first be inserted into the corresponding recess when inserting into the opening of the housing 11. Then it is inserted with a rotational or pivotal movement around the retaining lug 25 completely in the opening. In this case, the pressure port 18 is connected to the housing-side pressure port 14 and the seal 15 is pressed.

Gleichzeitig mit dem Verbinden des Druckanschlusses wird dabei der elektrische Anschluss 13 mit dem gehäuseseitigen elektrischen Anschluss 17 verbunden. Um die Bewegung des Steckers 12 beim Einlegen nicht zu behindern sind die elektrischen Anschlüsse 13,17 so ausgeführt, dass sie möglichst widerstandslos übereinandergleiten können, beispielsweise mit einer jeweils abgerundeten oder ansteigenden anlaufenden Kante. Zusätzlich kann einer oder beide elektrischen Anschlüsse 13,17 elastisch ausgeführt sein, beispielsweise als Federkontakt oder Pogo-Pin. Durch Verwendung eines elastischen Federkontaktes wird einerseits das Einlegen des Steckers erleichtert, andererseits werden die Anforderungen an die präzise Maßhaltigkeit des Steckers weiter verringert, da Abweichungen durch die Elastizität kompensiert werden können.Simultaneously with the connection of the pressure connection, the electrical connection 13 is connected to the housing-side electrical connection 17. In order not to hinder the movement of the plug 12 during insertion, the electrical connections 13,17 are designed so that they can slide over as little resistance as possible, for example, with a respective rounded or rising leading edge. In addition, one or both electrical connections 13, 17 can be made elastic, for example as a spring contact or pogo pin. By using an elastic spring contact on the one hand the insertion of the plug is facilitated, on the other hand, the requirements for the precise dimensional accuracy of the plug are further reduced because deviations can be compensated by the elasticity.

Sobald der Stecker 12 vollständig in die Öffnung des Gehäuses 11 eingelegt ist, sind somit also automatisch auch der Druckanschluss und der elektrische Anschluss verbunden. Um den Stecker 12 im Gehäuse 11 zu fixieren und damit die Steckverbindung zu verriegeln, wird die Abdeckung 16 zugeklappt. Sie weist einen in der Abbildung nicht dargestellten Verriegelungsmechanismus auf, der ein unbeabsichtigtes Öffnen verhindert. Die zugeklappte Abdeckung 16 drückt den Stecker 12 so in die Öffnung, dass die Druckverbindung 14,18 geschlossen und die Dichtung 15 angedrückt wird und dass die elektrische Verbindung 13,17 geschlossen wird. Gleichzeitig schützt sie vor Verunreinigungen und Feuchtigkeit. Um den Schutz zu verbessern, kann eine in der Abbildung nicht dargestellte Dichtung zwischen Abdeckung 16 und Gehäuse 11 angeordnet sein.As soon as the plug 12 is completely inserted into the opening of the housing 11, the pressure connection and the electrical connection are thus automatically connected as well. In order to fix the plug 12 in the housing 11 and thus to lock the connector, the cover 16 is closed. It has a locking mechanism, not shown in the figure, which prevents unintentional opening. The closed cover 16 presses the plug 12 into the opening so that the pressure connection 14,18 closed and the seal 15 is pressed and that the electrical connection 13,17 is closed. At the same time it protects against dirt and moisture. In order to improve the protection, a seal, not shown in the figure between cover 16 and housing 11 may be arranged.

Ein Grundgedanke der Erfindung lässt sich wie folgt zusammenfassen: Die Erfindung betrifft einen hybriden Hörinstrument-Konnektor. Unter Konnektor wird dabei eine Verbindung, beispielsweise Steckverbindung, zum Anschließen eines Hörerschlauchs oder Schallschlauchs an ein Hörinstrument-Gehäuse verstanden. Unter hybrid wird dabei verstanden, dass verschiedenartige Verbindungen hergestellt werden. Die Aufgabe der Erfindung besteht darin, eine für verschiedenartige Signale und Medien geeigneten Konnektor-Verbindung zum Verbinden eines Tubes mit einem Hörinstrument anzugeben, die zuverlässig mechanischen Halt, gute Verbindung, sowie eine hohe Dichtigkeit gewährleistet und dabei einfach zu handhaben ist. Die Erfindung löst diese Aufgabe durch einen Konnektor für ein Hörinstrumentsystem umfassend ein Gehäuse 1,11, das mehrere Anschlüsse 4,7,14,17 aufweist, und ein Tube 21,22, das mehrere Leitungen aufweist, der dazu ausgebildet ist, mehrere Leitungen des Tubes 21,22 lösbar mit mehreren Anschlüssen 4,7,14,17 des Gehäuses zu verbinden, wobei die Anschlüsse 4,7,14,17 des Konnektors unterschiedliche räumliche Orientierungen aufweisen. Dass die Anschlüsse jeweils unterschiedliche räumliche Orientierung aufweisen, bewirkt eine gegenseitige Entkoppelung. Dadurch sind vorteilhafterweise die Anforderungen an die Maßhaltigkeit der verschiedenen Anschlüsse bzw. Verbindungen verringert, da die verschiedenen Verbindungen nicht in einer gemeinsamen, identischen Endposition geschlossen sind.A basic idea of the invention can be summarized as follows: The invention relates to a hybrid hearing instrument connector. A connector is understood to be a connection, for example a plug connection, for connecting a receiver tube or sound tube to a hearing instrument housing. Hybrid is understood to mean that various compounds are produced. The object of the invention is to provide a suitable for various types of signals and media connector connection for connecting a tube with a hearing instrument that reliably ensures mechanical support, good connection, and a high density and is easy to handle. The invention achieves this object by means of a connector for a hearing instrument system comprising a housing 1, 1, which has a plurality of connections 4, 7, 14, 17, and a tube 21, 22, which has a plurality of lines, which is designed to hold a plurality of lines of the To connect tubes 21,22 releasably connected to a plurality of terminals 4,7,14,17 of the housing, wherein the terminals 4,7,14,17 of the connector have different spatial orientations. The fact that the connections each have different spatial orientation causes a mutual decoupling. As a result, the requirements for dimensional accuracy of the various connections or connections are advantageously reduced, since the various connections are not closed in a common, identical end position.

Claims (5)

Hörinstrumentsystem umfassend ein Gehäuse (1,11), das mehrere Anschlüsse (4,7,14,17) aufweist, und ein Tube (21,22), das mehrere Leitungen aufweist, wobei das Tube durch einen Konnektor lösbar mit dem Gehäuse (1,11) verbunden werden kann, und wobei der Konnektor dazu ausgebildet ist, mehrere Leitungen des Tubes (21,22) lösbar mit mehreren Anschlüssen (4,7,14,17) des Gehäuses zu verbinden,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Anschlüsse (4,7,14,17) unterschiedliche räumliche Orientierungen aufweisen.A hearing instrument system comprising a housing (1, 11) having a plurality of ports (4, 7, 14, 17) and a tube (21, 22) having a plurality of conduits, the tube being detachably connected to the housing (1) by a connector , 11), and wherein the connector is adapted to detachably connect a plurality of leads of the tube (21, 22) to a plurality of terminals (4, 7, 14, 17) of the housing,
characterized in that the terminals (4,7,14,17) have different spatial orientations. Hörinstrumentsystem nach Anspruch 1,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das Gehäuse (1,11) mindestens einen ersten Anschluss (4,14) und das Tube (21,22) mindestens eine erste Leitung (12) für ein flüssiges oder gasförmiges Medium aufweist, und dass der erste Anschluss (4,14) eine erste räumliche Orientierung aufweist, und dass ein weiterer Anschluss eine zweite, von der ersten unterschiedlichen räumlichen Orientierung aufweist.Hearing instrument system according to claim 1,
characterized in that the housing (1, 11) has at least one first connection (4, 14) and the tube (21, 22) has at least one first line (12) for a liquid or gaseous medium, and in that the first connection (4 , 14) has a first spatial orientation, and that a further connection has a second, different from the first spatial orientation. Hörinstrumentsystem nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der erste Anschluss (4,14) eine flexible, elastische Dichtung (9) aufweist.Hearing instrument system according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that the first connection (4, 14) has a flexible, elastic seal (9). Tube (21,22) zum Anschluss an ein Hörinstrument-Gehäuse (1,11), das dazu ausgebildet ist, in einem Hörinstrumentsystem nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche verwendet zu werden,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das Tube (21,22) einen Stecker (2,12) mit mehreren Anschlüssen (3,8,13,18) aufweist, und dass die Anschlüsse (3,8,13,18) an verschiedenen Seiten des Steckers (2,12) angeordnet sind.Tube (21, 22) for connection to a hearing aid housing (1, 11), which is designed to be used in a hearing instrument system according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that the tube (21,22) has a plug (2,12) with a plurality of terminals (3,8,13,18), and that the terminals (3,8,13,18) on different sides of the plug (2,12) are arranged. Hörinstrument-Gehäuse (1,11) mit mehreren Anschlüssen (4,7,14,17) für ein Tube (21,22), das dazu ausgebildet ist, in einem Hörinstrumentsystem nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche verwendet zu werden.A multi-ported hearing instrument housing (1,11) (4,7,14,17) for a tube (21,22) adapted to be used in a hearing instrument system according to any one of the preceding claims.
EP13168267.6A 2012-06-27 2013-05-17 Hybrid hearing aid connector Active EP2680611B1 (en)

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DE102012210983 2012-06-27

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US20140003638A1 (en) 2014-01-02
DK2680611T3 (en) 2016-10-24
EP2680611B1 (en) 2016-07-06
EP2680611A3 (en) 2015-01-07
CN103517195A (en) 2014-01-15
CN103517195B (en) 2018-06-01
US9654886B2 (en) 2017-05-16

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