CONNECTOR, SEAL, SYSTEM, AND PRODUCTION METHOD

Abstract

A connector for connecting a hearing aid to a cable, the connector comprising the following: a connector housing with at least one recess; and a seal with a main body arranged at least in part(s) on an outer circumference of the connector housing, and at least one coupling portion arranged at least partially in the recess, so that the seal is connected to the connector housing at least in part(s) in a substantially positive manner.

Claims

1. A connector (1) for connecting a hearing aid to a cable (6), the connector comprising: a connector housing (2) with at least one recess; and a seal (10) with a main body (12) arranged at least in part(s) on an outer circumference of the connector housing (2), and at least one coupling portion (14A-C) arranged at least partially in the recess, so that the seal (10) is connected to the connector housing (2) at least in part(s) in a substantially positive manner.

2. The connector (1) according to claim 1, wherein the at least one coupling portion (14A-C) connects substantially opposing areas of the main body (12) of the seal (10) and, preferably, is substantially columnar, or wherein the at least one coupling portion (14A-C) comprises a column, which is only connected to the main body (12) at one end.

3. The connector (1) to claim 1, wherein the at least one recess comprises a groove (4A) and/or a hole and/or a bore (4B) and/or an indentation (4C) and/or a cavity.

4. The connector (1) according one of the preceding claims to claim 1, wherein the at least one recess comprises a blind hole (4B) or a through hole (4B) extending through the connector housing (2).

5. The connector (1) to claim 1, wherein the coupling portion (14A-C) of the seal (10) extends substantially axially and/or radially from the main body (12) of the seal (10).

6. The connector (1) to claim 1, wherein the seal (10) is injected onto the connector housing (2); and/or wherein the seal (10) comprises at least one injection point (16), preferably exactly two injection points (16), at the main body (12).

7. The connector (1) to claim 1, wherein the seal (10) encloses the connector housing (2) at least in part(s) and engages the at least one recess, so that a displacement of the seal (10) relative to the connector housing (2) is substantially prevented.

8. The connector (1) to claim 1, wherein fixing of the seal (10) to the connector housing (2) is accomplished by means of a positive fit and without adhesive; and/or wherein a non-destructive removal of the seal (10) exclusively takes place by stretching the seal (10) substantially in the radial direction such that the at least one coupling portion (14A-C) is moved out of the at least one recess.

9. A seal (10) for attachment to a connector (1) for connecting a hearing aid to a cable (6), comprising: a main body (12) designed to be arranged at least in part(s) on an outer circumference of a connector housing (2); and at least one coupling portion (14A-C) designed and configured in such a way to be arranged at least partially in a recess of the connector housing (2).

10. The seal (10) according to claim 9, wherein the at least one coupling portion (14A-C) connects substantially opposing areas of the main body (12) of the seal (10) and, preferably, is substantially columnar, or wherein the at least one coupling portion (14A-C) comprises a column, which is only connected to the main body (12) at one end.

11. The seal (10) according to claim 9, wherein the seal (10) comprises at least one injection point (16), preferably exactly two injection points (16), at the main body (12).

12. A system comprising: a hearing aid; and a connector (1) according to claim 1, wherein the hearing aid has a socket for receiving at least a part of the connector (1), the socket being configured such that when the connector (1) is received it is it is substantially tightly connected to the hearing aid by the seal (10) of the connector (1) abutting the socket.

13. A method for producing a connector (1) with a seal (10), comprising: providing a connector housing (2) with at least one recess; injecting a seal (10) onto the connector housing (2), as a result of which the seal (10) forms at least one coupling portion (14A-C) that is arranged at least in part(s) in the recess such that the seal (10) is connected to the connector housing (2) at least in part(s) in a positive manner.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the injecting the seal (10) comprises a forming a main body (12); and wherein the at least one coupling portion (14A-C) connects substantially opposing areas of the main body (12) of the seal (10) and, preferably, is substantially columnar, or wherein the at least one coupling portion (14A-C) comprises a column, which is only connected to the main body (12) at one end.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein the at least one recess of the connector housing (2) comprises a groove (4A) and/or a hole and/or a bore (4B) and/or an indentation (4C); and/or wherein at least one injection point (16), preferably exactly two injection points (16), is, respectively, are located at the main body (12) of the seal (10).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an exemplary connector with seal;

[0032] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of an exemplary connector without a seal;

[0033] FIG. 3 shows a plan view of an exemplary connector with seal;

[0034] FIG. 4 shows a top view of the exemplary connector of FIG. 3 without seal;

[0035] FIG. 5 shows an exemplary seal;

[0036] FIG. 6 shows a further view of the exemplary seal of FIG. 5;

[0037] FIG. 7 shows an exemplary seal and two injection nozzles for injecting the material of the seal at two injection points.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0038] FIG. 1 shows an exemplary connector 1 for a hearing aid with a connector housing 2. In this exemplary embodiment, the connector 1 has a cable 6 on one side of the connector housing 2, e.g. for connection to a loudspeaker, and on the opposite side one or more (e.g. six) electrical contacts 8. Furthermore, the connector 1 has a seal 10 that is preferably arranged circumferentially around the connector housing 2. Here, the seal is preferably arranged such that when the connector 1 is received by a socket (not shown), in particular by receiving at least part of the connector housing 2 and the one or more contacts 8, the contacts 8 are protected from environmental influences, such as dust and/or liquids. This is achieved in particular in that the seal 10 is slightly squeezed upon abutment with the socket and is substantially tightly and peripherally in abutment with the socket.

[0039] As an alternative to the embodiment shown, one or more seals 10 can be provided, which are only arranged in part(s) and/or not completely circumferentially on the connector housing 2.

[0040] The connector 1 shown is intended for connection to a hearing aid and/or a medical sensor and has relatively small dimensions. The connector housing preferably has a length of less than about 15 mm, more preferably less than about 8 mm, in particular about 4 mm, and a width of less than about 10 mm, more preferably less than about 5 mm, in particular about 2.6 mm, and a height of less than about 10 mm, more preferably less than about 5 mm, in particular about 2 mm.

[0041] The seal 10 has preferably been “injected” onto the (prepared) connector housing 2 by means of injection molding. This has the advantage that an exact fit of the seal 10 is achieved and/or an additional work step for attaching a separately produced seal 10 to the connector housing 2 is eliminated. By producing, e.g. injecting the seal 10 directly onto the connector housing 2, a secure retention of the seal on the connector housing 2 can also be achieved without using an adhesive, such as a glue.

[0042] FIG. 2 shows a further view of the connector 1 of FIG. 1, but without the seal 10. The connector housing 2 has at least one (e.g. four) recesses in which the seal 10 is or can be arranged at least in part(s). The connector housing 2 and the seal 10 are preferably formed such that portions of the seal 10 engage the recesses of the connector housing 2 and produce a positive fit. The shown exemplary embodiment of the connector 1 comprises a groove 4A that extends around at least a part of an outer circumference of the connector housing 2 and inwardly of the connector housing 2. By arranging the seal 10 in the groove 4A, a positive fit is achieved between the seal 10 and the connector housing 2, which makes it difficult or impossible for the seal 10 to be displaced and/or separated from the connector housing 2. In particular, a displacement of the seal 10 in the longitudinal direction of the connector 1 can be counteracted by such a recess or a similar one. The groove 4A preferably has a depth and/or width of less than about 2 mm, in particular about 0.5 mm. The groove 4A can have a substantially round and/or an angular surface.

[0043] Alternatively and/or in addition, the connector housing 2 has one or more recesses of a different shape in order to achieve an improved positive fit between the seal 10 and the connector housing 2. The example shown further comprises two holes and/or bores 4B, in particular substantially circular recesses, which extend inwardly from an outer surface of the connector housing 2. One or more such holes and/or bores 4B can be formed as a blind hole/blind bore, i.e. the hole or bore does not extend through the entire connector housing 2. Alternatively, one or more recesses 4B may extend completely through the connector housing 2 and connect substantially opposite areas on the surface of the connector housing 2. For example, the recesses can have the form of a hollow cylinder that extends through the connector housing 2 and connects opposite outer sides of the connector housing 2. In other words, the connector housing may have two substantially opposite holes 4B that are tubularly connected to each other. By arranging a coupling portion of the seal 10 in one or more recesses, in particular in such holes/bores 4B or hollow cylinders or tubes, a particularly preferred positive fit is achieved, since displacement of the seal 10 in all three spatial directions (xyz directions) is counteracted. In particular for a continuous hole or a continuous bore 4B, i.e. the cylindrical cavity described above, a coupling portion of the seal 10 arranged in it can particularly advantageously impede or prevent displacement and/or detachment of the seal 10 from the connector housing 2. A hole and/or a bore 4B and/or a cylindrical or tubular cavity preferably has a depth of greater than about 0.1 mm, more preferably greater than about 0.5 mm, and a diameter of greater than about 0.1 mm, in particular about 0.3 mm. In addition, the transitions between connector housing 2 and hole/bore 4B can be chamfered. Furthermore, the holes/bores or the cavity can be of a (polygonal) angular design.

[0044] The connector housing 2 shown preferably further has an indentation 4C extending from the groove 4A in the longitudinal direction of the connector 1. A coupling portion of a seal 10 located therein prevents and/or makes it more difficult for the seal 10 to move, in particular in the circumferential direction of the connector housing 2. Alternatively and/or in addition, an indentation 4C can have more complex geometries, for example one or more branches and/or uneven contours, in order to achieve a better positive fit.

[0045] A recess can be produced directly during the production of the connector housing 2, for example during the injection molding and/or deep drawing of the connector housing 2. Alternatively and/or in addition, a recess can be produced at a later time, for example by partially removing the connector housing 2, in particular by grinding and/or drilling.

[0046] FIGS. 3 and 4 show a top view of an exemplary connector 1 with and without seal 10. In FIG. 3 it can be seen that the seal 10 preferably protrudes beyond the circumference of the connector housing 2, for example by more than about 0.05 mm, for example by about 0.2 mm. This allows an improved seal to be achieved when the connector has been at least partially received by a socket. As shown in FIG. 4, the holes/bores 4B in the connector housing are continuous so that they connect substantially opposite areas of the surface of the connector housing 2.

[0047] In order to achieve improved retention of the seal 10 on a connection housing 2, the surface can have an increased roughness on or in one or more recesses. Alternatively and/or in addition, improved engagement of the seal 10 in the recess can be achieved by an angular shape of the recesses, i.e. a shape with substantially non-rounded edges.

[0048] FIGS. 5 and 6 show an exemplary seal 10 that can be provided in particular on the connector 1 of FIGS. 1 to 4. The seal 10 shown has a generally round and/or oval and/or annular main body 12. The main body 12 is preferably designed such that it can be arranged at least partially in a groove 4A of the connector housing 2. In particular, the seal 10 has a first coupling portion 14A abuts on the surface of the groove 4A and thus produces a substantially positive coupling and/or connection with the connector housing 2. The outer circumference of the main body 12 of the exemplary seal 12 is preferably slightly larger, for example by about 0.2 mm, than the circumference of the connector housing 2 in an area adjacent to the intended position of the seal 10, so that an advantageous seal can be achieved upon arrangement in a socket by compression of the seal 10. The diameter of the main body 12 of the seal 10 is e.g. greater than about 0.1 mm, more preferably about 0.4 mm, more preferably greater than the depth of a groove 4B in which the main body 12 will be located. The main body 12 can be substantially round or angular.

[0049] The seal 10 shown also has two exemplary coupling portions 14B that are designed to be arranged in holes/bores 4B, in particular of a connector housing of FIGS. 1-4, preferably with a substantially precise fit. The coupling portions 14B are substantially columnar and connect substantially opposite areas of the main body 12 of the seal 10. Such or a similar coupling portion is particularly advantageous since it prevents, or at least reduces, a deformation of the main body 12. As a result, an improved fit of the seal 10 on the connector housing 2 can be achieved. In particular, with such a configuration of the seal 10, the seal 10 cannot be detached from the connector housing 2 in a non-destructible manner. The coupling portions 14B preferably have a diameter of greater than about 0.1 mm, in particular about 0.3 mm. Alternatively, the coupling portions 14B can be angular, in particular square or octagonal.

[0050] As an alternative to the continuous coupling portions 14B shown, it is also possible to provided one or more columns that are only connected to the main body 12 at one end. This is particularly advantageous since it enables the connector housing 2 and the seal 10 to be produced separately and the seal 10 to be mounted on the connector housing 2. Such a seal 10 can also be detached non-destructively from the connector housing 2 by stretching in the radial direction.

[0051] The seal 10 shown also has a further, optional coupling portion 14C, which is configured to be arranged in the indentation 4C of the connector housing 2. Alternatively and/or in addition, the coupling portion 14C—corresponding to an associated indentation 4C—can have more complex geometries, for example one or more branches and/or uneven contours, in order to achieve a better positive fit.

[0052] The seal 10 is preferably made of injection moldable material, for example elastomer such as liquid silicone rubber (liquid silicon rubber (LSR)). The seal 10 can alternatively consist of other and/or additional materials, in particular elastic materials such as NBR (acrylonitrile butadiene rubber), EPDM (ethylene propylene diene rubber), TPE (thermoplastic elastomer) and/or TPU (Thermoplastic polyurethane).

[0053] FIG. 7 shows an exemplary seal 10 and two injection nozzles 20 for injecting the seal 10 onto a connector body 2. The injection of the seal occurs preferably with at least one injection nozzle 20, further preferred with exactly two injection nozzles 20, which are preferably positioned at substantially opposing areas of the seal 10. The injection point 16, i.e., a point and/or area of the seal 10, at which the injection molding capable material of the seal 10 is injected into the injection mold, is preferably located at the main body 12 of the seal 10. This is in particular advantageous in that a homogeneous distribution of the material occurs and/or the positioning of the injection nozzles 20 is simplified. This way, the quality of the seal 10 may particularly be ensured.

[0054] Because the main body 12 is in contact with the socket, a substantially faultless forming of the main body 12 of the seal 10 is superficial.

[0055] Preferably, one or more, further preferred all, of two or more injection points 16 are located at the main body 12 of the seal 10. With two or more injection points 16, a faster and/or more even forming of the seal may be achieved. Furthermore, the flow paths of the material are reduced, which leads to an improved quality of the seal 10 and increases production speed.

[0056] In the depicted, exemplary embodiment, the seal 10 is formed by injection of the material into a channel at least partially surrounding the connector housing 2, Wherein the channel forms a negative of the main body 12 of the seal 10. The material flows from the channel preferably into recesses, in particular one or more holes and/or bores 4B in the connector housing 2, and, this way, forms one or more coupling portions, in particular substantially columnar coupling portions 14B. The optional coupling portion 14C may be formed the same way. Alternatively, the coupling portion 14C comprises an own injection point 16 for injection of material into a corresponding indentation 4C of the connector housing 2.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0057] 1 connector [0058] 2 connector housing [0059] 4A groove [0060] 4B hole/bore [0061] 4C indentation [0062] 6 cables [0063] 8 contact [0064] 10 seal [0065] 12 main body [0066] 14A-C coupling portion [0067] 16 injection point [0068] 20 injection nozzle