Acoustical receiver housing for hearing aids

• US 20020061113A1
• Filed: 11/16/2001
• Published: 05/23/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 11/22/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sonion Nederland BV
• Original Assignee: Sonion Nederland BV
• Inventors: van Hal, Paul Christiaan, van Halteren, Aart Zeger
• Granted Patent: US 7,181,035 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 381/322
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2209/027 Electrical or mechanical reduction of yoke vibration
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2225/49 Reducing the effects of electromagnetic noise on the functioning of hearing aids, by, e.g. shielding, signal processing adaptation, selective (de)activation of electronic parts in hearing aid
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/604 of acoustic or vibrational transducers
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/65 Housing parts, e.g. shells, tips or moulds, or their manufacture

Abstract

An acoustic receiver comprises means for converting an input audio signal into an acoustic signal. The receiver has a housing having a plurality of sides that surround the converting means. One of the sides include an output port for broadcasting the acoustic signal. A jacket fits around the housing and has sections for engaging the sides. The sections are generally flat. The jacket may also form a gap with a corresponding side surface of the housing. A printed circuit board can be located within the gap. The printed circuit board including electronics for processing said input audio signal.

Claims

1. An acoustic receiver, comprising:

means for converting an input audio signal into an acoustic signal;

a housing surrounding said converting means; and

a jacket surrounding at least a portion of said housing.

2. An acoustic receiver, comprising:

means for converting an input audio signal into an acoustic signal;

a housing having a plurality of sides that surround said converting means, one of said sides including an output port for broadcasting said acoustic signal; and

a jacket having at least three sections for engaging at least three of said sides, said three sections being generally flat and lying on respective ones of said sides.

3. The acoustic receiver of claim 2, wherein said jacket is made of stainless steel.

4. The acoustic receiver of claim 2, wherein said jacket is made of a soft magnetic material.

5. The acoustic receiver of claim 2, wherein said jacket is made of a polymer.

6. The acoustic receiver of claim 2, wherein said jacket is primarily made of Kapton.

7. The acoustic receiver of claim 2, wherein said jacket is made of epoxy.

8. The acoustic receiver of claim 2, wherein said jacket includes silicone.

9. The acoustic receiver of claim 2, wherein said jacket is adapted to dampen vibration of said housing.

10. The acoustic receiver of claim 2, wherein said jacket is adapted to enhance the structural integrity of said housing.

11. The acoustic receiver of claim 2, wherein said jacket is adapted to shield said converting means from the effects of electromagnetic interference.

12. The acoustic receiver of claim 2, wherein said converting means includes electromagnetic components and a diaphragm.

13. The acoustic receiver of claim 2, wherein said jacket is preconfigured to be press-fit onto said housing.

14. The acoustic receiver of claim 2, wherein said jacket is welded onto said housing.

15. The acoustic receiver of claim 2, wherein said jacket is adhered to said housing.

16. The acoustic receiver of claim 2, further including a layer of acoustical dampening material below said jacket.

17. The acoustic receiver of claim 2, wherein said receiver is cylindrical in shape.

18. The acoustic receiver of claim 2, wherein said receiver has a generally trapezium shape.

19. The acoustic receiver of claim 2, wherein said receiver has a generally trapezium-shaped cross section.

20. A transducer, comprising:

means for converting between an acoustic signal and an audio signal;

a housing surrounding said converting means; and

a jacket surrounding at least a portion of said housing.

21. The transducer of claim 20, wherein said transducer is a microphone.

22. The transducer of claim 20, wherein said transducer is a receiver.

23. The transducer of claim 20, wherein said jacket is adapted to dampen vibration of said housing.

24. The transducer of claim 20, further in combination with a second transducer having a second housing, said jacket surrounding at least a portion of said housing of said transducer and at least a portion of said second housing of said second transducer.

27. The acoustic receiver of claim 26, wherein said jacket is made of a soft magnetic material.

28. The acoustic receiver of claim 26, wherein said printed circuit board is a flexible printed circuit board.

29. The acoustic receiver of claim 26, wherein said electronics includes an amplifier.

30. The acoustic receiver of claim 26, wherein said receiver is cylindrical in shape.

25. A microphone, comprising:

means for converting an acoustic signal into an audio signal;

a housing having a plurality of sides that surround said converting means, one of said sides including an input port for receiving said acoustic signal; and

a jacket having at least three sections for engaging at least three of said sides, said three sections being generally flat and lying on respective ones of said sides.

26. An acoustic receiver, comprising:

means for converting an input audio signal into an acoustic signal;

a housing having a plurality of sides that surround said converting means, one of said sides including an output port for broadcasting said acoustic signal;

a jacket having sections for engaging said sides, one of said sections and a corresponding side forming a gap therebetween; and

a printed circuit board located at least partially within said gap, said printed circuit board including electronics for processing said input audio signal.

31. An acoustic receiver, comprising:

means for converting an input audio signal into an acoustic signal;

a housing having six sides that surround said converting means, one of said sides including an output port for broadcasting said acoustic signal; and

a jacket having a rectangular cross-section for closely interfitting with four of said six sides.

32. The acoustic receiver of claim 31, wherein said jacket is made of a soft magnetic material.

33. The acoustic receiver of claim 31, wherein said jacket is welded to said sides.

34. The acoustic receiver of claim 31, wherein said jacket is a polymer.

35. The acoustic receiver of claim 31, further including a dampening material between said jacket and said housing.

37. The acoustic receiver of claim 36, further including a printed circuit board located within said epoxy jacket, said printed circuit board including electronics for processing said input audio signal.

38. The acoustic receiver of claim 36, wherein said epoxy has a generally uniform thickness.

39. The acoustic receiver of claim 36, wherein said epoxy has a variable thickness.

40. The acoustic receiver of claim 36, wherein said acoustic receiver is cylindrical in shape.

41. The acoustic receiver of claim 36, wherein said acoustic receiver has a generally D-shaped cross section.

36. An acoustic receiver, comprising:

means for converting an input audio signal into an acoustic signal;

a housing having sides that surround said converting means, one of said sides including an output port for broadcasting said acoustic signal; and

an epoxy jacket encapsulating said housing;

42. An acoustic receiver, comprising:

means for converting an input audio signal into an acoustic signal;

a housing having a plurality of sides that surround said converting means, one of said sides including an output port for broadcasting said acoustic signal;

a jacket spaced away from said housing; and

an acoustic dampening material positioned between said jacket and said housing.

43. The acoustic receiver of claim 42, wherein said dampening material is silicone.

44. The acoustic receiver of claim 42, wherein said dampening material is a resilient material.

45. The acoustic receiver of claim 42, wherein said acoustic receiver is cylindrical in shape.

46. The acoustic receiver of claim 42, wherein said acoustic receiver has a generally D-shaped cross section.

47. The acoustic receiver of claim 42, further including a printed circuit board located within said dampening material, said printed circuit board including electronics for processing said input audio signal.