THREE DIMENSIONAL SUBSTRATE FOR HEARING ASSISTANCE DEVICES

• US 20170134870A1
• Filed: 01/23/2017
• Published: 05/11/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 12/19/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Starkey Laboratories Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Starkey Laboratories Incorporated
• Inventors: Helgeson, Michael, Solum, Jeffrey Paul, Tourtelotte, David, Polinske, Beau Jay
• Granted Patent: US 10,142,747 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2225/51 Aspects of antennas or their circuitry in or for hearing aids
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/602 of batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/603 of mechanical or electronic switches or control elements
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/609 of circuitry of electronic switches or control elements H04R25/603
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/65 Housing parts, e.g. shells, tips or moulds, or their manufacture
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 1/189 characterised by the use of a flexible or folded printed circuit H05K3/326 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 2201/056 Folded around rigid support or component
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 2201/10037 Printed or non-printed battery

Abstract

A heating assistance device for a user comprising a housing, a three dimensional electronic substrate disposed in the housing, the substrate adapted to conform to a battery of the hearing assistance device and hearing assistance electronics mounted to the substrate. Various embodiments include a flexible antenna configured to conform around a portion of the substrate, and spring loaded electrical contacts on the substrate, the contacts configured to mechanically engage and electrically connect to the flexible antenna.

Claims

3-1. The device of claim 1, further comprising a moisture resistant seal for preventing moisture ingress into the housing.

15. A hearing assistance device, comprising:

a three-dimensional folded substrate including contours configured to form internal housing surfaces of the hearing assistance device;

hearing assistance electronics mounted to the substrate;

a flexible antenna configured to conform around a portion of the substrate; and

spring loaded electrical contacts on the substrate, the contacts configured to mechanically engage and electrically connect to the flexible antenna.

16. The device of claim 15, further comprising a metal backing feature configured to constrain the flexible antenna when the spring loaded contacts engage the flexible antenna.

17. The device of claim 15, wherein the spring loaded contacts include pogo pins.

18. The device of claim 15, wherein the spring loaded contacts are non-metallurgical.

19. The device of claim 15, further comprising a moisture resistant seal for preventing moisture ingress into the housing.

20. The device of claim 19, wherein the moisture resistant seal includes one or more of a gasket, glue, rubber, a polymer, or a liquid crystal polymer (LCP).