HEARING DEVICE

Abstract

The invention relates to a hearing device. The hearing device comprises an outer shell, the outer shell defining an outer compartment. The hearing device further comprises a receiver, and a rechargeable battery electrically connected to the receiver. Finally, the hearing device comprises a sealed inner compartment arranged in the outer compartment, wherein the receiver and the rechargeable battery are both arranged in the sealed inner compartment.

Claims

1. A hearing device comprising: an outer shell, the outer shell defining an outer compartment, a receiver; a rechargeable battery; and a sealed inner compartment in the outer compartment, wherein the receiver and the rechargeable battery are both arranged in the sealed inner compartment.

2. The hearing device according to claim 1, wherein the receiver and rechargeable battery combined take up at least 40% of a volume of the sealed inner compartment.

3. The hearing device according to claim 1, wherein the receiver and rechargeable battery combined take up at least 50% of a volume of the sealed inner compartment.

4. The hearing device according to claim 1, further comprising a power management circuit in the sealed inner compartment.

5. The hearing device according to claim 1, further comprising a housing frame, wherein the sealed inner compartment is fixed to the housing frame.

6. The hearing device according to claim 1, further comprising a magnetic induction (MI) coil, wherein the MI coil is in the outer compartment, outside the sealed inner compartment

7. The hearing device according to claim 1, further comprising a magnetic induction (MI) coil, wherein the MI coil is in the sealed inner compartment.

8. The hearing device according to claim 1, further comprising an inductive charging coil, the inductive charging coil located inside the sealed inner compartment.

9. The hearing device according to claim 1, further comprising a printed circuit board assembly (PCBA), the printed circuit board assembly located in the outer compartment, outside the sealed inner compartment.

10. The hearing device according to claim 1, further comprising one or more openings for accommodating electrical connections extending between the sealed inner compartment and the outer compartment, outside the sealed inner compartment.

11. The hearing device according to claim 10, further comprising one or more sealings in the one or more openings.

12. The hearing device according to claim 11, wherein the one or more sealings are configured to seal against sound and/or humidity.

13. The hearing device according to claim 11, wherein the one or more sealings are separate from the sealed inner compartment.

14. The hearing device according to claim 11, wherein the one or more sealings are molded using two-component molding together with a plastic frame.

15. The hearing device according to claim 1, further comprising a signal processor in the outer compartment outside the sealed inner compartment.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0032] The embodiments will be described with reference to the accompanying figures. The figures show one way of implementing the various features, and are not to be construed as being limiting to other possible embodiments falling within the scope of the claims.

[0033] FIG. 1 is an embodiment of a hearing device,

[0034] FIG. 2 is another embodiment of the hearing device,

[0035] FIGS. 3a, 3b, and 3c illustrate details of embodiments, and

[0036] FIG. 4 shows a schematic illustration of a hearing aid according to some embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0037] 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.

[0038] FIG. 1 illustrates a partly assembled hearing device 100 according to an embodiment. The hearing device 100 is here illustrated as a behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aid. The hearing device 100 comprises an outer shell (not shown) that defines an outer compartment. The outer shell is mounted onto and supported internally by a housing frame 102. Thus, in this case, the housing frame 102 defines an inner limit of the outer compartment. A sealed inner compartment 108 is arranged within the outer compartment and is configured to hold a receiver 104 and a rechargeable battery 106. The receiver 104 comprises a speaker, which in this embodiment is in communication with a wearer via a sound port 110 and a sound tube connected thereto (not shown). Sealing the inner compartment 108 solves both protecting the rechargeable battery 106 from the surroundings and protecting the receiver 104, in a space efficient way. Thus, the hearing device 100 may be reduced in size while maintaining a desired level of protection of both the battery 106 and receiver 104. For instance, it is seen from the figure that no wall is needed between the rechargeable battery 106 and receiver 104, which directly enables a space saving. Not shown in the figure is the sealing lid for sealing the inner compartment 108 and an optional printed circuit board assembly (PCBA) arranged in the outer compartment, outside the sealed inner compartment. Other components of the hearing device 100 may then also be arranged outside the sealed inner compartment, such as one of more of a microphone, a push button, a volume control, a magnetic induction (MI) coil, and a wireless antenna.

[0039] FIG. 2 shows another embodiment of the hearing device 100. This embodiment relates to the embodiment of FIG. 1, where like reference numerals refer to like parts, and only the differences will be described here. In this embodiment, a power management circuit 220 is arranged on top of the rechargeable battery 106, i.e. within the sealed inner compartment 108. The power management circuit 220 may be arranged in a metal housing for noise protection. An advantage of this embodiment is that the power management circuit 220 is then also environmentally protected inside the sealed inner compartment 108. The power management circuit 220 arranged in the sealed inner compartment may optionally comprise a MI coil. In other embodiments, the MI coil may be arranged in the outer compartment.

[0040] FIG. 3a shows details of the housing frame 102 according to embodiments. These embodiments relate to the embodiments of FIGS. 1 and 2, where like reference numerals refer to like parts. The housing frame 102 shown is similar to the housing frames 102 of FIGS. 1 and 2, but shown without the receiver 104 and rechargeable battery 106 mounted. The inner compartment is seen in this embodiment to comprise a receiver section 330 suitable for housing the receiver 104, and a battery section 332 suitable for housing the rechargeable battery 106. The receiver section 330 and the battery section 332 are seen to be connected via a narrowing 334. Thus, the two sections 330, 332 are open towards each other and not separated by wall. This is advantageous for reducing the dimensions of the assembled hearing device 100. Naturally, a separating wall may optionally be introduced in some embodiments. To enable sealing the inner compartment 108, a top opening 336 of the housing frame 102 may be shaped with an architecture such as an edge for placement, fixation, and sealing of a lid. For instance, a recessed edge part may be arranged along the top opening 336 of the housing frame 102. In FIG. 3b, a lid 338 is shown to match up with the top opening 336 of the housing frame 102. Mounting the lid 338 on the housing frame 102 may for instance be achieved by use of an adhesive to fixate the lid 338 and seal the inner compartment 108. Alternatively, the lid 338 may be mounted with ultrasonic welding, ultra-violet (UV) cured glue, a press fitting, or the like. The lid 338 may for instance be made from a metal, a polymer, or a composite material. FIG. 3c shows a bottom side 340 of the housing frame 102. In some embodiments, the housing frame 102 and the bottom side 340 are integrally formed, for instance by casting or molding.

[0041] FIG. 4 shows a schematic illustration of a hearing device 100 according to some embodiments. The shown hearing device 100 is a behind the ear hearing aid configured for placement behind a user's ear. The hearing device 100 comprises an outer shell 114, which defines an outer compartment 118. A sealed inner compartment 108 is arranged in the outer compartment 118.

[0042] The hearing device 100 comprises multiple microphones 112 arranged in the outer compartment 118 outside the inner compartment 108. The microphones 112 are configured for capturing sound and providing an electric input signal representing the captured sound. The hearing device 100 comprises a signal processor 116 arranged in the outer compartment 118 outside the inner compartment 108. The signal processor 116 is coupled to the microphones 112 and configured for processing the electric input signal to provide an electric output signal based on the electric input signal.

[0043] The hearing device 100 comprises an antenna 120, preferably an MI coil, configured for wireless communication, i.e. transmission and/or reception of wireless signals, with another hearing device and/or an external device, such as a smart phone or external microphone. The antenna 120 is coupled to a wireless communication device, such as a radio. In the shown embodiments the wireless communication device is incorporated in the signal processor 116 but it may also be provided by a separate unit, such as a radio chip. The signal processor 116 may also process signals received by the antenna 120 so that the electric output signal may be based on both the electric input signal and received wireless signals.

[0044] The hearing device 100 comprises a rechargeable battery 106 arranged in the inner compartment 108. The hearing device 100 further comprises a receiver 104 arranged in the inner compartment 108. The receiver 104 is coupled to the signal processor 116 and is configured for generating an acoustic signal based on the electric output signal. The sealed inner compartment 108 is provided with an electrical interface 122, which allows for coupling between electric components arranged inside the inner compartment 108, such as the rechargeable battery 106 and the receiver 104, and electric components arranged outside the inner compartment 108, such as the microphones 112, the signal processor 116, and the antenna 120, while maintaining the seal of the inner compartment 108.

[0045] Some or all of the electric components arranged outside the inner compartment 108, such as the microphones 112, the signal processor 116, and the antenna 120, may be provided on and/or in a printed circuit board assembly (PCBA) arranged outside the inner compartment 108.

[0046] In the context of the claims, the terms “comprising” or “comprises” do not exclude other possible elements or steps. Also, the mentioning of references such as “a” or “an” etc. should not be construed as excluding a plurality. Furthermore, individual features mentioned in different claims, may possibly be advantageously combined, and the mentioning of these features in different claims does not exclude that a combination of features is not possible and advantageous.

[0047] 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.