Abstract
The disclosure relates to a hearing device comprising: —a behind-the-ear housing, where the housing comprises a bottom part, a top part opposite the bottom part, a front part, and a rear part opposite the front part, —a connector, the connector is configured to be removably attached to the housing, where the connector is configured for connecting the housing to an element, the element is being configured to be arranged in or at the ear of the user, wherein the housing comprises a locking element, where the locking element is configured for locking the connector to/in the housing, and wherein the housing comprises a guide for at least a part of the connector.
Claims
1. A hearing device comprising: a housing comprising a bottom part, a top part opposite the bottom part, a front part, and a rear part opposite the front part, wherein the housing is a behind-the-ear housing; and a connector configured to removably attach to the housing, where the connector is configured to connect the housing to an element, the element configured to be arranged in or at an ear of a user; wherein the housing comprises a locking element, the locking element configured to lock the connector to/in the housing, and wherein the housing further comprises a guide for at least a part of the connector.
2. The hearing device according to claim 1, wherein the guide is at the locking element.
3. The hearing device according to claim 1, wherein the connector is configured to be arranged at the bottom part of the housing.
4. The hearing device according to claim 1, wherein the connector comprises a first electronic connection element, wherein the first electronic connection element is configured to be arranged in a depression in the bottom part of the housing.
5. The hearing device according to claim 4, wherein the first electronic connection element of the connector is configured for insertion into the depression in the bottom part of the housing, wherein a direction of the insertion is anywhere between 10-80 degrees relative to a longitudinal direction of the housing.
6. The hearing device according to claim 4, wherein the first electronic connection element of the connector comprises an inclined plane facing the locking element.
7. The hearing device according to claim 1, wherein the connector comprises a first electronic connection element and a second electronic connection element, and wherein the second electronic connection element of the connector comprises a primary part and a secondary part, wherein the primary part is configured to be arranged in the guide, and wherein the secondary part is configured to extend from the housing.
8. The hearing device according to claim 1, wherein the locking element is configured to move between a first state and a second state; wherein in the first state, the locking element allows the connector to be arranged in, or to be removed from, the housing; and wherein in the second state, the locking element prevents the connector from being arranged in, or being removed from, the housing.
9. The hearing device according to claim 8, wherein the guide comprises a channel for accommodating at least a part of an electronic connection element of the connector; and wherein the locking element is configured to move between the first state and the second state, while the at least a part of the electronic connection element of the connector is accommodated in the channel.
10. The hearing device according to claim 8, wherein the locking element comprises a first side and a second side, wherein the first side is opposite the second side, and the first side comprises the guide, and the second side comprises a protrusion which is configured to slide between a first position and a second position.
11. The hearing device according to claim 10, wherein the first position corresponds to the first state of the locking element, and the second position corresponds to the second state of the locking element.
12. The hearing device according to claim 8, further comprising a groove between the locking element and an electronic connection element of the connector, when the locking element is in the second state.
13. The hearing device according to claim 8, wherein when the locking element is in the first state, at least a part of the locking element protrudes from the front part of the housing, and when the locking element is in the second state, the locking element is flush or is aligned with the front part of the housing.
14. The hearing device according to claim 1, wherein the locking element comprises a track for directing the locking element within an opening of the housing.
15. The hearing device according to claim 1, wherein the locking element is moveable between a first state and a second state in a direction parallel to a longitudinal direction of the housing, the longitudinal direction of the housing extending from the front part of the housing to the rear part of the housing.
16. The hearing device according to claim 1, wherein the locking element is moveable in the direction parallel to a surface of a part of the housing in which the locking element is located.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0070] The above and other features and advantages will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art by the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments thereof with reference to the attached drawings, in which:
[0071] FIGS. 1a), 1b) and 1c) schematically illustrate an exemplary hearing device,
[0072] FIGS. 2a) and 2b) schematically illustrate a part of an exemplary hearing device,
[0073] FIGS. 3a) and 3b) schematically illustrate a cross-sectional view of a part of an exemplary hearing device,
[0074] FIGS. 4a), 4b) and 4c) schematically illustrate a cross-sectional view of a part of an exemplary hearing device,
[0075] FIGS. 5a) and 5b) schematically illustrate an exemplary locking element according to an embodiment of the present disclosure,
[0076] FIG. 6 schematically illustrates a cross-sectional view of a part of an exemplary hearing device,
[0077] FIG. 7 schematically illustrates a cross-sectional view of a part of an exemplary hearing device,
[0078] FIG. 8 schematically illustrates an exemplary hearing device, and
[0079] FIG. 9 schematically illustrates an exemplary hearing device.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0080] Various embodiments are described hereinafter with reference to the figures. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout. Like elements will, thus, not be described in detail with respect to the description of each figure. It should also be noted that the figures are only intended to facilitate the description of the embodiments. They are not intended as an exhaustive description of the claimed invention or as a limitation on the scope of the claimed invention. In addition, an illustrated embodiment needs not have all the aspects or advantages shown. An aspect or an advantage described in conjunction with a particular embodiment is not necessarily limited to that embodiment and can be practiced in any other embodiments even if not so illustrated, or if not so explicitly described.
[0081] Throughout, the same reference numerals are used for identical or corresponding parts.
[0082] FIGS. 1a, 1b and 1c schematically illustrate an exemplary hearing device 2. The hearing device 2 comprises a behind-the-ear housing 4. The housing 4 comprises a bottom part 6, a top part 8 opposite the bottom part 6, a front part 10, and a rear part 12 opposite the front part 10. The hearing device 2 comprises a connector 14. The connector 14 is configured to be removably attached to the housing 4. The connector 14 is configured for connecting the housing 4 to an element 16, as shown in FIG. 1c. The element 16 is being configured to be arranged in or at the ear of the user. The housing 4 comprises a locking element 18. The locking element 18 is configured for locking the connector 14 to/in the housing 4. The housing 4 comprises a guide 20 for at least a part of the connector 14.
[0083] The guide 20 is provided in the locking element 18.
[0084] The connector 14 is configured to be arranged in the bottom part 6 of the housing 4.
[0085] The connector 14 comprises a first electronic connection element 22 and a second electronic connection element 24, wherein the first electronic connection element 22 is configured to be arranged in a depression (not shown) in the bottom part 6 of the housing 4.
[0086] The locking element 18 is configured to shift/change between a first state 32 and a second state 34. The first state 32, which is shown in FIG. 1b, is an open state, in which open state the locking element 18 is configured to provide that the connector 14 can be arranged in or removed from the bottom part 6 of the housing 4. The second state 34, which is shown in FIG. 1a, is a lock state, in which lock state the locking element 18 is configured to provide that the connector 14 cannot be arranged in or removed from the bottom part 6 of the housing 4.
[0087] The locking element 18 is configured to shift or change between the first state 32 (shown in FIG. 1b) and the second state 34 (shown in FIG. 1a) by moving the locking element 18 in a direction parallel to a longitudinal direction 36 of the housing 4, the longitudinal direction 36 of the housing 4 extending from the front part of the housing 4 to the rear part of the housing 4.
[0088] FIGS. 1a and 1b show that moving the locking element 18 in a direction parallel to a longitudinal direction 36 of the housing 4 comprises moving the locking element 18 in a direction parallel to a surface of the part of the housing 4 in which the locking element is located.
[0089] FIG. 1b shows that when the locking element 18 is in the first state 32, at least a part of the locking element 18 protrudes from the housing 4, such as protruding from a surface of the housing. FIG. 1a shows that when the locking element 18 is in the second state 34 the locking element 18 is flush or aligned with the bottom part 6 of the housing 4.
[0090] FIGS. 2a and 2b schematically illustrate a part of an exemplary hearing device 2. FIGS. 2a and 2b show a part of the hearing device 2, as viewed from a different angle than in FIG. 1.
[0091] The hearing device 2 comprises a behind-the-ear housing 4 and a connector 14. The housing 4 comprises a locking element 18. The locking element 18 is configured for locking the connector 14 to/in the housing 4.
[0092] The locking element 18 is configured to shift or change between a first state 32 and a second state 34. The first state 32, which is shown in FIG. 2b, is an open state, in which open state the locking element 18 is configured to provide that the connector 14 can be arranged in or removed from the bottom part 6 of the housing 4. The second state 34, which is shown in FIG. 2a, is a lock state, in which lock state the locking element 18 is configured to provide that the connector 14 cannot be arranged in or removed from the bottom part 6 of the housing 4.
[0093] The locking element 18 is configured to shift or change between the first state 32 (shown in FIG. 2b) and the second state 34 (shown in FIG. 2a) by moving the locking element 18 in a direction parallel to a longitudinal direction 36 of the housing 4, the longitudinal direction 36 of the housing 4 extending from the front part of the housing 4 to the rear part of the housing 4.
[0094] FIGS. 3a and 3b schematically illustrate a cross-sectional view of a part of an exemplary hearing device 2. The hearing device 2 comprises a behind-the-ear housing 4 (illustrated by the thin grey lines) and a connector 14. The housing 4 comprises a locking element 18. The locking element 18 is configured for locking the connector 14 to/in the housing 4.
[0095] The connector 14 comprises a first electronic connection element 22 and a second electronic connection element 24, wherein the first electronic connection element 22 is configured to be arranged in a depression 30 in the bottom part 6 of the housing 4.
[0096] The second electronic connection element 24 of the connector 14 comprises a primary part (not shown) and a secondary part 28, wherein the primary part is configured to be arranged in the guide 20, and wherein the secondary part 28 is configured to extend from the housing 4.
[0097] FIG. 3b shows that the first electronic connection element 22 may comprise a printed circuit board (PCB) 70. The PCB 70 may comprise one or more contacts 72. The bottom of the depression 30 in the housing 4 may likewise comprise one or more contacts (not shown). The one or more contacts 72 provided on the PCB 70 and in the bottom of the depression 30, respectively, may provide an electrical connection between electrical components that may be provided in the element (not shown) connected to the connector 14, and components provided in the housing 4.
[0098] FIG. 4 schematically illustrates a cross-sectional view of a part of an exemplary hearing device 2. The hearing device 2 comprises a behind-the-ear housing 4 and a connector 14. The housing 4 comprises a locking element 18. The locking element 18 is configured for locking the connector 14 to/in the housing 4. The connector comprises a second connection element 24.
[0099] The second electronic connection element 24 of the connector 14 comprises a primary part 26 and a secondary part 28. The primary part 26 is configured to be arranged in the guide. The secondary part 28 is configured to extend from the housing 4. In FIG. 4, a dashed line schematically illustrates that the connector 14 comprises a primary part 26 (below the dashed line) and a secondary part 28 (above the dashed line). Thus, FIG. 4 shows that the primary part 26, which is the part of the second electronic connection element 24 that is provided below the dashed line, is provided inside or within the housing 4, or in other words, is encompassed by the housing 4, when the connector 14 is attached to the housing 4. Likewise, FIG. 4 shows that the secondary part 28, which is the part of the connector 14 that is provided above the dashed line, extends from the housing 4, or in other words, is provided outside of the housing 4, when the connector is attached to the housing 4.
[0100] The locking element 18 is configured to shift or change between a first state 32 and a second state 34. The first state 32, which is shown in FIG. 4c, is an open state, in which open state the locking element 18 is configured to provide that the connector 14 can be arranged in or removed from the bottom part 6 of the housing 4. The second state 34, which is shown in FIG. 4a, is a lock state, in which lock state the locking element 18 is configured to provide that the connector 14 cannot be arranged in or removed from the bottom part 6 of the housing 4. FIG. 4b, shows the locking element 18 being in an intermediate state, i.e. between the first state 32 and the second state 34.
[0101] FIG. 4 shows that, when the connector 14 is inserted in the housing 4, the arrangement of the connector 14 and more specifically, the arrangement of the primary part 26 of the connector 14, remains stationary relative to the remainder of the housing, regardless of which state the locking element 18 is in, because the guide (not shown) provided in the locking element 18 comprises a channel (not shown) for accommodating the primary part 26 of the second electronic connection element 24 of the connector 14. The locking element 18 is thus configured to change between the first state 32 (shown in FIG. 4c) and the second state 34 (shown in FIG. 4a), while the primary part 26 of the second electronic connection element 24 of the connector 14 is accommodated in the channel (not shown). The channel and guide is shown in FIG. 5a, which shows the locking element 18 as viewed from a different angle.
[0102] The locking element 18 comprises a protrusion 50 which is configured to slide between a first position 52 and a second position 54. A dotted circle highlights the position of the protrusion 50 in FIG. 4. The first position 52 (shown in FIG. 4c) corresponds to the first state 32 of the locking element 18. The second position 54 (shown in FIG. 4a) corresponds to the second state 34 of the locking element 18. When the locking element is between the first state 32 and the second state 34, the protrusion 50 is between the first position 52 and the second position 54, as shown in FIG. 4b.
[0103] FIG. 4 shows that the protrusion 50 may comprise a latch. The protrusion 50 may be configured to slide between the first position 52 and the second position 54 in a corresponding lane comprised in the housing 4. The lane comprised in the housing 4 may comprise three sections, a first section 53 configured to accommodate the protrusion 50 in the first position 52 when the locking element 18 is in the first state 32 (as shown by the dashed circle in FIG. 4c), a second section 55 configured to accommodate the protrusion 50 in the second position 54 when the locking element 18 is in the second state 34 (as shown by the dashed circle in FIG. 4a), and a third section 57 configured to accommodate the protrusion 50 when the protrusion 50 is in an intermediate position between the first position 52 and the second position 54 (as shown by the dashed circle in FIG. 4b). The intermediate position may not be a stationary position for the protrusion 50, in other words the protrusion 50 functions as a latch with a spring effect and may not remain in the intermediate position for an extended time. Thus, as shown in FIG. 4b, the third section 57 of the lane comprised in the housing 4 may comprise a rise or elevation relative to the first 53 and second 55 sections. Thus, when the protrusion 50 may slide between the first section 53 in the first position 52 and the second section 55 in the second position 54, the protrusion 50 may pass the rise in the third section 57 of the lane.
[0104] FIG. 5 schematically illustrates an exemplary locking element 18 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIGS. 5a and 5b show the locking element 18 as seen from two different angles. FIGS. 5a and 5b show that the locking element 18 comprises a first side 46 and a second side 48, wherein the first side 46 is opposite the second side 48. The first side 46 comprises the guide 20. The second side 48 comprises a protrusion 50 which is configured to slide between a first position 52 and a second position 54. The first position 52 corresponds to the first state 32 of the locking element 18 and the second position 54 corresponds to the second state 34 of the locking element 18.
[0105] FIGS. 5a and 5b show that the locking element 18 comprises a track 56 for directing the locking element 18 within the housing 4 while the locking element 18 is changing between the first state 32 and the second state 34.
[0106] The track 56 is shown to be arranged on the two sides of the locking element other than the first side 46 and other than the second side 48. Thus, the track 56 is shown to be arranged on two sides of the locking element that are provided opposite to each other, and that are provided opposite the first side 46 and the second side 48.
[0107] FIG. 6 schematically illustrates a cross-sectional view of a part of an exemplary hearing device. FIG. 6 shows that the connector 14 is attached to the housing 4. FIG. 6 shows that the connector 14 is arranged in the bottom part 6 of the housing 4, thus that the first electronic connection element 22 is inserted a depression 30 in the bottom part 6 of the housing 4. The locking element 18 is in the second state 34. The locking element is configured to change between the first state (not shown) and the second state 34. An example of the locking element in the first state can be seen in FIGS. 1b, 2b, 4c and 8.
[0108] FIG. 6 shows that the first electronic connection element 22 of the connector 14 comprises an inclined plane 42 facing the locking element 18, whereby a groove 44 is provided between the locking element 18 and the first electronic connection element 22 of the connector 14, when the locking element 18 is in the second state 34.
[0109] FIG. 6 shows that the locking element comprises a guide. The guide 20 provided in the locking element 18 comprises a channel 38 for accommodating the primary part 26 of the second electronic connection element 24 of the connector 14. The locking element 18 is configured to change between the first state 32 and the second state (not shown), while the primary part 26 of the second electronic connection element 24 of the connector 14 is accommodated in the channel 38.
[0110] FIG. 7 schematically illustrates a cross-sectional view of a part of an exemplary hearing device.
[0111] FIG. 7 shows that the connector 14 is attached to the housing 4. FIG. 7 shows that the first electronic connection element 22 is inserted in a depression 30 in the bottom part 6 of the housing 4. The locking element 18 is in the second state 34. The locking element is configured to change between the first state (not shown) and the second state 34. An example of the locking element in the first state can be seen in FIGS. 1b, 2b 4c, and 8.
[0112] FIG. 7 shows that, when the locking element is in the second state 34, there is an overlap between a part of the first electronic connection element 22 and a part of the locking element 18. The overlap is highlighted by a dashed circle in FIG. 7.
[0113] FIG. 8 schematically illustrates an exemplary hearing device. FIG. 8 shows that the connector 14 is configured to be removably attached to the housing 4. FIG. 8 shows the connector 14 being removed, detached or being outside from the housing 4. The connector comprises the first electronic connection element 22 and the second electronic connection element 24. The second electronic connection element 24 comprises the primary part 26 and the secondary part 28. See FIG. 4 for an illustration of that the primary part 26 is configured for being provided inside the housing 4 when the connector 14 is arranged in the housing 4, and that the secondary part 28 is configured for extending from the housing 4 when the connector 14 is arranged in the housing 4.
[0114] FIG. 8 shows that the connector 14 is configured to be arranged in the bottom part 6 of the housing 4 by insertion of the first electronic connection element 22 of the connector 14 into the depression 30 in the bottom part 6 of the housing 4. The direction of the insertion is in an angle 40 between 10-80 degrees relative to the longitudinal direction 36 of the housing 4. In FIG. 8, the angle 40 is about 45 degrees relative to the longitudinal direction 36 of the housing 4.
[0115] FIG. 8 shows that the locking element 18 comprises a guide 20. The locking element 18 is in the first state 32. The guide 20 provided in the locking element 18 comprises a channel 38 for accommodating the primary part 26 of the second electronic connection element 24 of the connector 14. The locking element 18 is configured to change between the first state 32 and the second state (not shown), while the primary part 26 of the second electronic connection element 24 of the connector 14 is accommodated in the channel 38. An example of the locking element changing between the first state and the second state while the primary part of the second electronic connection element of the connector is accommodated in the channel can be seen in FIG. 4.
[0116] FIG. 9 schematically illustrates a block diagram of an exemplary hearing device 2. The hearing device 2 may comprise a first transducer, e.g. a microphone 60, to generate one or more microphone output signals based on a received audio signal. The one or more microphone output signals may be provided to a signal processor 62 for processing the one or more microphone output signals. A receiver or speaker 64 may be connected to an output of the signal processor 62 for converting the output of the signal processor into a signal modified to compensate for a user's hearing impairment, and the signal processor 62 may provide the modified signal to the speaker 64. In FIG. 9, the microphone 60 and the speaker 64 is depictured as located within the hearing device housing 4, however, the microphone 60 and/or speaker 64 may alternatively by located in the element 16 (not shown) which is connected to the connector 14 (not shown). Thus, the microphone 60 and/or speaker 64 may be located in an in-the-ear-module (not shown) rather than in the behind-the-ear housing 4. The hearing device 2 may comprise more than one microphone 60, and the behind-the-ear housing 4 may comprise at least one microphone 60 and an in-the-ear module (not shown) may also comprise at least one microphone 60.
[0117] The hearing device signal processor 62 may comprise elements such as an amplifier, a compressor and/or a noise reduction system etc. The signal processor 62 may be implemented in a signal processing chip or a PCB. The hearing device 2 may further have a filter function, such as compensation filter for optimizing the output signal.
[0118] The hearing device 2 may furthermore comprise a wireless communication unit 66, such as a wireless communication circuit, for wireless data communication interconnected with an antenna 68, such as an radio frequency (RF) antenna or a magnetic induction antenna, for emission and reception of an electromagnetic field. The wireless communication unit 66, including a radio or a transceiver, may connect to the hearing device signal processor 62 and the antenna 68, for communicating with one or more external devices, such as one or more external electronic devices, including at least one smart phone, at least one tablet, at least one hearing accessory device, including at least one spouse microphone, remote control, audio testing device, etc., or, in some embodiments, with another hearing device, such as another hearing device located at another ear, typically in a binaural hearing device system.
[0119] Although particular features have been shown and described, it will be understood that they are not intended to limit the claimed invention, and it will be made obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the claimed invention. The specification and drawings are, accordingly to be regarded in an illustrative rather than restrictive sense. The claimed invention is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents.
LIST OF REFERENCES
[0120] 2 hearing device [0121] 4 (behind-the-ear) housing [0122] 6 bottom part of housing [0123] 8 top part of housing [0124] 10 front part of housing [0125] 12 rear part of housing [0126] 14 connector [0127] 16 element [0128] 18 locking element [0129] 20 guide [0130] 22 first electronic connection element [0131] 24 second electronic connection element [0132] 26 primary part of second electronic connection element [0133] 28 secondary part of second electronic connection element [0134] 30 depression [0135] 32 first state of locking element [0136] 34 second state of locking element [0137] 36 longitudinal direction [0138] 38 channel [0139] 40 angle relative to the longitudinal direction [0140] 42 inclined plane [0141] 44 groove [0142] 46 first side of locking element [0143] 48 second side of locking element [0144] 50 protrusion [0145] 52 first position of protrusion [0146] 53 first section of lane [0147] 54 second position of protrusion [0148] 55 second section of lane [0149] 56 track [0150] 57 third section of lane [0151] 60 microphone [0152] 62 signal processor [0153] 64 speaker [0154] 66 wireless communication unit [0155] 68 antenna [0156] 70 PCB [0157] 72 contact
