IN-EAR RECEIVER

Abstract

An in-ear receiver can be used in a headset and/or hearing aid and includes a housing in which at least one ear canal section is configured to be inserted into an ear canal of a wearer when the in-ear receiver is used as intended. The housing defines at least one outer contour that is configured with at least in one section adapted to the ear canal of the wearer. The in-ear receiver includes a sound transducer arranged in the housing, and at least one resonant cavity, which is formed in the housing and is divided by the sound transducer into a front volume and a rear volume. The sound transducer is a MEMS sound transducer, and the front volume and/or the rear volume have/has an inner contour adapted to the ear canal.

Claims

1. An in-ear receiver for a headset and/or hearing aid, the in-ear receiver comprising: a housing, which includes an ear canal section, which is configured to be inserted into an ear canal of a wearer when the in-ear receiver is used as intended, wherein the ear canal section includes a proximal section that elongates about a proximal axis, wherein the ear canal section defines an outer contour section that elongates about a distal axis that is non-parallel to the proximal axis: a sound transducer arranged in the housing, and a resonant cavity, which is formed in the housing and is divided by the sound transducer into a front volume and a rear volume, wherein the sound transducer is a MEMS sound transducer, and the front volume and/or the rear volume is at least partial defined by an inner contour.

2. The in-ear receiver as claimed in claim 1, wherein the inner contour is essentially a negative shape of the outer contour section.

3. The in-ear receiver as claimed in claim 1, wherein the housing is produced in a 3D printing process and/or an injection molding process.

4. The in-ear receiver as claimed in claim 1, wherein the ear canal section is rigidly designed.

5. The in-ear receiver as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a housing wall delimiting the front volume and/or the rear volume and having a uniform thickness.

6. The in-ear receiver as claimed in claim 1, wherein the front volume is arranged in the ear canal section.

7. The in-ear receiver as claimed in claim 5, wherein the housing wall comprises relatively thickened portions and relatively thinned portions in the front volume and/or rear volume.

8. The in-ear receiver as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a resonant element is arranged in the housing and made of a different material as compared to the housing.

9. The in-ear receiver as claimed in claim 5, wherein the MEMS sound transducer includes an edge region that is at least partially set into the housing wall.

10. The in-ear receiver as claimed in claim 1, wherein the ear canal section comprises a sound outlet defined in a first end.

11. The in-ear receiver as claimed in claim 10, further comprising operating means configured for operating the in-ear receiver, the operating means being disposed in a second end which is positioned opposite the first end.

12. The in-ear receiver as claimed in claim 11, further comprising an interface for arranged in a region of the second end.

13. The in-ear receiver as claimed in claim 12, further comprising an audio line extending between the interface, the operating means, and/or the MEMS sound transducer, wherein the audio line is embedded into the housing wall.

14. The in-ear receiver as claimed in claim 12, further comprising an audio line extending between the interface, the operating means, and/or the MEMS sound transducer, wherein the audio line is embedded into the housing.

15. The in-ear receiver as claimed in claim 1, wherein the rear volume is arranged in the ear canal section.

16. The in-ear receiver as claimed in claim 1, wherein the MEMS sound transducer is arranged in the ear canal section.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] Further advantages of the invention are described in the following exemplary embodiments. Wherein:

[0033] FIG. 1 shows a sectional view of an in-ear receiver comprising a housing and a sound transducer arranged therein,

[0034] FIG. 2 shows a sectional view of the in-ear receiver according to FIG. 1, wherein an ear canal section is arranged in the ear canal of a wearer,

[0035] FIG. 3 shows a sectional view of an in-ear receiver comprising thickened portions of the housing wall arranged in the resonant cavity,

[0036] FIG. 4 shows a sectional view of an in-ear receiver comprising a resonant element arranged in the resonant cavity, and

[0037] FIG. 5 shows a sectional view of an in-ear receiver comprising a sound transducer in the area of a second end of the in-ear receiver.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

[0038] FIG. 1 shows a sectional view of an in-ear receiver 1 comprising a housing 2. The in-ear receiver 1 arranged in an ear canal is shown in FIG. 2. The essential features of the in-ear receiver 1 are the same in the two FIGS. 1 and 2, and so reference is made to both FIGS. 1 and 2 in order to describe the features and their functions.

[0039] The in-ear receiver 1 can be, for example, a hearing aid, which is utilized for hearing assistance. The in-ear receiver 1 can also be a headset, however, so that, for example, music can be listened to with the aid thereof. The in-ear receiver 1 can also be utilized for communication, however, in order to conduct speech directly into the ear, for example, during a telephone call.

[0040] The housing 2 comprises at least one ear canal section 3, which is inserted into the ear canal 10 of a wearer when the in-ear receiver 1 is used as intended. Moreover, the housing 2 has an outer contour section 4, which is adapted to the ear canal 10 for high wearing comfort.

[0041] The in-ear receiver 1 comprises a sound transducer 5 in the housing 2 in order to generate sound waves. For example, the tones, music, and/or speech can be generated with the aid of the sound transducer 5.

[0042] Moreover, a resonant cavity 6 is arranged in the housing 2. In addition, the sound transducer 5 divides the resonant cavity 6 into a front volume 7 and a rear volume 8. The sound waves generated by the sound transducer 5 can be amplified with the aid of the resonant cavity 6. Additionally or alternatively, the sound waves can also be modified with the aid of the resonant cavity 6. The amplification and/or the modification can depend on the shape and/or the geometry of the resonant cavity 6.

[0043] According to the invention, the sound transducer 5 is a MEMS sound transducer. The MEMS sound transducer has an advantage, namely that it is simply designed. In addition, the MEMS sound transducer is not dependent on a special shape factor, i.e., the shape of the sound transducer 5 or geometry. Rather, the MEMS sound transducer can be relatively easily designed in various shapes. For example, the MEMS sound transducer can be designed to have a round, oval, elliptical, and/or angular cross section. With respect to the sound transducers known from the related art, in fact, the housing 2 and also the resonant cavity 6 must be adapted to the predefined shape of the sound transducer 5. With the aid of the MEMS sound transducer 5, first of all, the resonant cavity 6 can be adapted in such a way that its resonance properties are optimized. Thereupon, the MEMS sound transducer 5 can be designed according to the geometric requirements of the resonant cavity 6 or of the housing 2.

[0044] Additionally, according to the invention, the front volume 7 has an inner contour section 9 adapted to the ear canal 10. Additionally or alternatively, the inner contour section 9 of the rear volume 8 can also be adapted to the ear canal 10. As a result, for example, the resonance properties of the front volume 7 and/or the rear volume 8 are adapted to the resonance properties of the ear canal 10. As a result, a sound pattern is imparted, which is essentially similar to that of the ear canal 10 without the in-ear receiver 1. The tones, music, and/or speech are amplified, modified, and/or relayed in such a way as if an in-ear receiver 1 were not arranged in the ear canal 10. The inner contour section 9 of the front volume 7 and/or the rear volume 8, which has been adapted to the ear canal 10, therefore results in an essentially unchanged and natural sound.

[0045] In the present exemplary embodiment, the housing 2 further comprises, on a first end 11 arranged in the ear canal 10, an exit opening 12, which faces a tympanic membrane 13 of the wearer when the in-ear receiver 1 is used as intended, according to FIG. 2. As a result, the sound waves exiting through the exit opening 12 can directly reach the tympanic membrane 13.

[0046] As shown in the present exemplary embodiment, the sound transducer 5 can be arranged essentially in parallel to the cross section of the housing 2 and/or to the cross section of the ear canal section 3. As a result, the sound transducer 5 divides the resonant cavity 6 into the front volume 7 and into the rear volume 8. In addition, as a result, the sound waves generated by the sound transducer 5 are radiated in the direction of the exit opening 12.

[0047] Moreover, the inner contour section 9 can be, for example, a negative shape of the outer contour section 4, as shown in the present exemplary embodiment. This means, for example, the inner contour section 9 is designed to be concave in areas in which the outer contour section 4 is designed to be convex, such as in the area of the first end 11. By comparison, when the outer contour section 4 is designed to be concave, the associated area of the inner contour section 9 is designed to be convex. As a result, the inner contour section 9 can be adapted to the ear canal 10 in an easy way.

[0048] Moreover, it is advantageous when a housing wall 15 of the housing 2 has a uniform thickness. As a result, the inner contour section 9 can also be adapted to the ear canal 10 in an easy way.

[0049] Operating means 16a-c are arranged on a second end 14 of the housing 2 positioned opposite the first end 11, as shown in the present exemplary embodiment. In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-5, the operating means 16a-c are represented merely by way of example. The in-ear receiver 1 can also comprise more than three operating means 16a-c. Alternatively, the operating means 16a-c can also be arranged in a single unit. The operating means 16a-c can encompass, for example, an energy storage unit for the energy supply of the in-ear receiver 1, a memory unit for storing music, tones, and/or sounds, a control unit for controlling the in-ear receiver 1, and/or a data transmission unit for transmitting data between an external unit and the in-ear receiver 1. The data transmission unit can include, for example, a Bluetooth interface and/or a W-LAN interface. As a result, the in-ear receiver 1 can be self-sufficiently operated.

[0050] Additionally or alternatively, an interface (not shown here) can also be arranged on the second end 14. The interface can be, for example, a jack socket, with the aid of which an audio signal can be conducted to the in-ear receiver 1. As a result, the in-ear receiver 1 can be operated, for example, by an external unit worn behind the ear. The in-ear receiver 1 can be designed to be more compact as a result. A connection between a smartphone and the in-ear receiver 1 can also be established, however, with the aid of the interface. The interface can also be the Bluetooth interface, however.

[0051] The section of the in-ear receiver 1 in the area of the second end 14 is designed to be enlarged as compared to the section of the in-ear receiver 1 in the area of the first end 11 or in the area of the ear canal section 3. In particular, the section in the area of the second end 14 is adapted to an inner contour of the auricle, so that the in-ear receiver 1 can be comfortably worn. The enlarged or thickened portion of the in-ear receiver 1 in the area of the second end 14 can at least partially cover an ear canal inlet 19. As a result, penetration by disturbing noises from outside the ear can be reduced. Additionally or alternatively, the sound waves generated by the sound transducer 5 can be limited to the ear canal 10. As a result, fewer sound waves escape to the outside, and so a disturbance of the surroundings can be reduced.

[0052] It is advantageous for the invention when the housing 2 is produced in a 3D printing process. Additionally or alternatively, the housing 2 can also be produced in an injection molding process. The 3D printing process has, inter alia, the advantage that the housing 2 can be quickly produced with the aid of the 3D printing process. In addition, in particular, the ear canal section 3 can be individually adapted to the ear canals 10 of various wearers with the aid of the 3D printing process. In addition, the front volume 7 and/or the rear volume 8 can be adapted to special resonance properties with the aid of the 3D printing process.

[0053] By comparison, the housings 2 can be produced in large quantities at low cost with the aid of the injection molding process.

[0054] It is also advantageous when, for example, the ear canal section 3 is produced with the aid of the 3D printing process and the rest of the housing 2, in particular the area on the second end 14 in which the operating means 16a-c and/or the interface are/is arranged, is produced with the aid of the injection molding process. As a result, the ear canal section 3 can be adapted to the individual ear canal 10 of every wearer, whereas the rest of the housing 2 is produced at low cost.

[0055] FIG. 3 shows a sectional view of an alternative exemplary embodiment of an in-ear receiver 1 comprising at least one thickened portion 17a, 17b arranged in the resonant cavity 6. Two thickened portions 17a, 17b are arranged in this exemplary embodiment. Furthermore, in the present exemplary embodiment, the thickened portions 17a, 17b are arranged in the rear volume 8. The thickened portions 17a, 17b thicken the housing wall 15 in their regions. Additionally or alternatively, the thickened portions 17a, 17b can also be arranged in the front volume 7. Moreover, additionally or alternatively, at least one thinned portion can be arranged in the resonant cavity 6, in particular in the front volume 7 and/or in the rear volume 8. The thinned portion thins the housing wall 15 in the region in which the thinned portion is formed.

[0056] The resonance properties of the resonant cavity 6 and, in particular, of the front volume 7 and/or of the rear volume 8 can be adapted with the aid of the thickened portions 17a, 17b and/or the thinned portions (not shown here).

[0057] FIG. 4 shows a further alternative exemplary embodiment of an in-ear receiver 1. In the present exemplary embodiment, a resonant element 18 is arranged in the resonant cavity 6. The resonant element 18 is arranged in the rear volume 8 in this case. Additionally or alternatively, the resonant element 18 can also be arranged in the front volume 7. The resonance properties of the resonant cavity 6, in particular of the front volume 7 and/or the rear volume 8, can also be adapted with the aid of the resonant element 18.

[0058] FIG. 5 shows a sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of an in-ear receiver 1, wherein the sound transducer 5 is arranged in the area of the second end 14. The sound transducer 5 is arranged on the end of the ear canal section 3 positioned opposite the sound outlet 12 or the first end 11. The ear canal section 3 therefore begins at the sound transducer 5 and extends up to the sound outlet 12 or to the first end 11. The ear canal section 3 extends between the sound transducer 5 and the first end 11 or the sound outlet 12. When the in-ear receiver 1 is used as intended, the sound transducer 5 is arranged in the area of the ear canal inlet 19 and/or the auricle. Since the section of the in-ear receiver 1 is enlarged in the area of the second end 14, the sound transducer 5 can be designed to be larger, which provides advantages in the production of the in-ear receiver 1. According to the present exemplary embodiment, the sound transducer 5 divides the resonant cavity 6 into the rear volume 8 and the front volume 7. Due to the enlarged section of the in-ear receiver 1 in the area of the second end 14, the rear volume 8 and/or a loudspeaker-side end section of the front volume 7 are/is also enlarged. As a result, good acoustics can be achieved. Additionally or alternatively, resonant elements 18 (not shown here) can be arranged in the rear volume 8 and/or in the front volume 7.

[0059] The housing wall 15, which, according to FIG. 5, extends only in the region of the ear canal section 3, can, additionally or alternatively, also extend in the section of the in-ear receiver 1 in the region of the second end 14. According to the present exemplary embodiment, the housing wall 15 can also extend in the region of the rear volume 8.

[0060] In the exemplary embodiments represented in FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, the inner contour section 9 of the front volume 7 has a freeform geometry and/or an organic ear canal geometry adapted to the inner contour of the ear canal. In the exemplary embodiments represented in FIGS. 1, 2, and 4, this also relates to the inner contour section 9 of the rear volume 8. The inner contour section 9 of the rear volume is not adapted, at least in some areas, to the inner contour of the ear canal or to the outer contour of the housing only in the exemplary embodiment represented in FIGS. 3 and 5. The freeform geometry is modeled after the organic shape of the outer ear canal in all cases.

[0061] The present invention is not limited to the represented and described exemplary embodiments. Modifications within the scope of the claims are also possible, as is any combination of the features, even if they are represented and described in different exemplary embodiments.

LIST OF REFERENCE CHARACTERS

[0062] 1 in-ear receiver [0063] 2 housing [0064] 3 ear channel section [0065] 4 outer contour section [0066] 5 sound transducer [0067] 6 resonant cavity [0068] 7 front volume [0069] 8 rear volume [0070] 9 inner contour section [0071] 10 ear canal [0072] 11 first end [0073] 12 exit opening [0074] 13 tympanic membrane [0075] 14 second end [0076] 15 housing wall [0077] 16 operating means [0078] 17 thickened portions [0079] 18 resonant element [0080] 19 ear canal inlet