This application claims the benefit of European Patent Application Serial No. 16152930.0, filed Jan. 27, 2016, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
The present invention relates to a hearing device receiver, such as a hearing aid receiver. In particular, the present invention relates to a hearing device receiver implementation which facilitates that the total angular momentum around a centre point of the receiver is essentially zero.
Various arrangements to avoid, or at least reduce, the influence of angular momentums or torques in hearing device receivers have been suggested over the year. One often seen approach involves the use of two moving armature type motors in a dual receiver configuration. The moving armature type motors are arranged to move in opposite directions in response to a drive signal being provided to the dual receiver. These oppositely arranged movements may reduce the total angular momentum of the dual receiver significantly. An example of a dual receiver implementation may be found in US 2012/0255805 A1.
It is however disadvantageous that dual receiver implementations often become complex and costly. Also, a perfect match between the applied motors are required in order to completely cancel angular momentums.
It may be seen as an object of embodiments of the present invention to provide a hearing device receiver with low technical complexity.
It may be seen as a further object of embodiments of the present invention to provide a hearing device receiver where the total angular momentum around a centre point of the receiver is essentially zero.
The above-mentioned objects are complied with by providing, in a first aspect, a receiver assembly comprising
1) a moving armature having a first portion, and
2) a first diaphragm being operatively connected to the first portion of the moving armature,
wherein the first portion of the moving armature is operatively connected to the first diaphragm in a manner so that an angular momentum induced by movements of the first portion of the moving armature is essentially counteracted by an angular momentum induced by movements of at least part of the first diaphragm.
The first portion of the moving armature and a part of the first diaphragm may induce a combined angular momentum in one direction. This combined angular momentum is however essentially counteracted by an oppositely directed angular momentum induced by another part of the first diaphragm.
Thus, the first aspect of the present invention aims at arranging a moving armature and a first diaphragm of a receiver assembly in a manner so that the total angular momentum in response to movements thereof is essentially zero, i.e. essentially counteracted or outbalanced, around a centre point.
Generally, the moving armature may be considered a pivotally mounted armature which is adapted to drive or move the first diaphragm in order to generate an audio signal in response to an incoming drive signal. The moving armature may be adapted to pivot or twist around the centre point separating the first portion and a second portion of the moving armature. It is around this centre point the total angular momentum should be essentially zero.
The receiver assembly of the present invention may be a so-called miniature receiver assembly which, due to its limited size, may be applied in hearing devices, such as hearing aids.
The receiver assembly of the first aspect of the present invention may further comprise a first magnetic air gap and a first drive coil being adapted to interact with the first portion of the moving armature. In the present context the term interact should be taken to mean that at least part of the first portion of the moving armature is positioned in the first magnetic air gap, and that the first drive coil may induce a magnetic flux in at least part of the moving armature in response to a drive signal being provided to said first drive coil.
The receiver assembly may further comprise a second diaphragm being operatively connected to the second portion of the moving armature, wherein the second portion of the moving armature is operatively connected to the second diaphragm in a manner so that an angular momentum induced by movements of the second portion of the moving armature is essentially counteracted by an oppositely directed angular momentum induced by movements of at least part of the second diaphragm.
The second portion of the moving armature and a part of the second diaphragm may induce a combined angular momentum in one direction. This combined angular momentum is however essentially counteracted by an oppositely directed angular momentum induced by another part of the second diaphragm. Thus, the receiver assembly of the present invention may comprise two diaphragms being operatively connected to the same moving armature. The total angular momentum of the receiver assembly around the centre point is essentially zero.
A second magnetic air gap and a second drive coil may be provided to interact with the second portion of the moving armature. Again, the term interact should be taken to mean that at least part of the second portion of the moving armature is positioned in the second magnetic air gap, and that the second drive coil may induce a magnetic flux in at least part of the moving armature in response to a drive signal being provided to said second drive coil.
The first and second magnetic air gaps may be defined by respective pairs of permanent magnets. The respective pairs of permanent magnets may be arranged at or near the opposite ends of the moving armature, i.e. the opposite ends of the moving armature may be positioned within the respective first and second magnetic air gaps. The respective pairs of permanent magnets may be magnetised in essentially the same direction.
As previously stated the moving armature may be adapted to pivot or twist around a centre point separating the first and second portions of the armature. In order to pivot or twist a drive signal needs to be provided to at least one of the first or second drive coils. The first drive coil may be adapted to interact with at least part of the first portion of the armature. This part of the moving armature may be positioned between the centre point and the first magnetic air gap. Similarly, the second drive coil may be adapted to interact with at least part of the second portion of the armature. This part of the moving armature may be between the centre point and the second magnetic air gap.
As previously addressed the moving armature may be operatively connected to both the first and second diaphragm. The first portion of the moving armature may be operatively connected to the first diaphragm at a position between the first drive coil and the centre point. Similarly, the second portion of the moving armature may be operatively connected to the second diaphragm at a position between the second drive coil and the centre point. The first and second diaphragms may be operatively connected to the respective first and second portions of the moving armature via substantially rigid connections, such as substantially rigid drivepins.
The above-mentioned connections between the moving armature and the respective first and second diaphragms are advantageous in that when the first portion of the moving armature moves in one direction a main part of the first diaphragm moves in the same direction. It should be noted however, that the movements of the first portion of the moving armature and at least part of the first diaphragm occur on opposite sides of the centre point of the moving armature whereby the total angular momentum become zero around the centre point if the masses of the moving armature, the first diaphragm and the drivepin (and the position thereof) are chosen correctly. Similarly, it is advantageous that when the second portion of the moving armature moves in one direction a main part of the second diaphragm moves in the same direction. Again it should be noted that the movements of the second portion of the moving armature and at least part of the second diaphragm occur on opposite sides of the centre point of the moving armature whereby the total angular momentum becomes zero around the centre point if the masses of the moving armature, the second diaphragm and the drivepin (and the position thereof) are chosen correctly.
Each of the first and second diaphragms may be hinged along at least one side. The opposite sides of the respective first and second diaphragms may be allowed to move freely.
The receiver assembly of the present invention may further comprise one or more microphone units, said one or more microphone units comprising one or more MEMS microphones and/or one or more electret microphones.
In a second aspect the present invention relates to a receiver assembly comprising
1) a moving armature having a first portion and a second portion,
2) a first diaphragm being operatively connected to the first portion of the moving armature, and
3) a second diaphragm being operatively connected to the second portion of the moving armature,
wherein angular momentums induced by combined movements of the first portion of the moving armature and the first diaphragm is essentially counteracted by angular momentums induced by combined movements of the second portion of the moving armature and the second diaphragm.
Thus, in the second aspect the receiver assembly of the present invention comprise two diaphragms being operative connected to the same moving armature. The moving armature is operatively connected to the first and second diaphragms in a manner so that the total angular momentum around a centre point of the receiver assembly become essentially zero, i.e. essentially counteracted or outbalanced.
Again, the moving armature may be considered a pivotally mounted armature which is adapted to drive or move the first and second diaphragms in order to generate an audio signal in response to an incoming drive signal. The moving armature may be adapted to pivot or twist around the centre point separating the first and second portions of the armature. It is around this centre point the total angular momentum should be essentially zero.
The receiver assembly of the second aspect of the present invention may further comprise a first magnetic air gap and a first drive coil, and a second magnetic air gap and a second drive coil being adapted to interact with the respective first and second portions of the moving armature. In the present context the term interact should be taken to mean that at least part of the first and second portions of the moving armature is positioned in the first and second magnetic air gap, respectively, and that the first and second drive coils may induce a magnetic flux in at least part of the moving armature in response to a drive signal being provided to said drive coils.
The first and second magnetic air gaps may be defined by respective pairs of permanent magnets. The respective pairs of permanent magnets may be arranged at or near opposite ends of the moving armature, i.e. the opposite ends of the moving armature are positioned within the respective first and second magnetic air gaps. The respective pairs of permanent magnets may be magnetised in essentially the same direction.
The moving armature may be adapted to pivot or twist around the centre point separating the first and second portions of the moving armature. In order to pivot or twist a drive signal needs to be provided to at least one of the first or second drive coils. The first drive coil may be adapted to interact with at least part of the first portion of the moving armature. This part of the moving armature may be positioned between the centre point and the first magnetic air gap. Similarly, the second drive coil may be adapted to interact with at least part of the second portion of the moving armature. This part of the moving armature may be between the centre point and the second magnetic air gap.
In the second aspect of the present invention the moving armature is operatively connected to both the first and second diaphragm. The first portion of the moving armature may be operatively connected to the first diaphragm at a position between the first drive coil and the centre point. Similarly, the second portion of the moving armature may be operatively connected to the second diaphragm at a position between the second drive coil and the centre point. The first and second diaphragms may be operatively connected to the respective first and second portions of the moving armature via substantially rigid connections, such as substantially rigid drivepins.
The above-mentioned connections between the moving armature and the respective first and second diaphragms are advantageous in that when the first portion of the moving armature moves in one direction a main part of the first diaphragm moves in the same direction. It should be noted however, that the movements of the first portion of the moving armature and at least part of the first diaphragm occur on opposite sides of the centre point of the moving armature whereby the total angular momentum around the centre point becomes zero if the masses of the moving armature, the first diaphragm and the drivepin (and the position thereof) are chosen correctly. Similarly, it is advantageous that when the second portion of the moving armature moves in one direction a main part of the second diaphragm moves in the same direction. Again it should be noted that the movements of the second portion of the moving armature and at least part of the second diaphragm occur on opposite sides of the centre point of the moving armature whereby the total angular momentum around the centre point becomes zero if the masses of the moving armature, the second diaphragm and the drivepin (and the position thereof) are chosen correctly.
Each of the first and second diaphragms may be hinged along at least one side. The opposite sides of the respective first and second diaphragms may be allowed to move freely.
The receiver assembly of the second aspect of the present invention may further comprise one or more microphone units, said one or more microphone units comprising one or more MEMS microphones and/or one or more electret microphones.
In a third aspect the present invention relates to a hearing device comprising a receiver assembly according to the first and/or second aspects, said hearing device comprising a hearing aid being selected from the group consisting of: behind-the-ear, in-the-ear, in-the-canal and completely-in-the-canal.
The present invention will now be described in further details with reference to the accompanying figures, wherein
While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms specific embodiments have been shown by way of examples in the drawings and will be described in details herein. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not intended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed. Rather, the invention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
In its most general aspect the present invention relates to a hearing device receiver comprising a moving armature and at least one diaphragm being mechanically connected to the moving armature via a substantial rigid and stiff drivepin. The moving armature, the diaphragm and the drivepin are arranged in a manner so that the total angular momentum around a centre point of the receiver assembly is essentially zero.
In a preferred embodiment the hearing device receiver comprises a moving armature and two diaphragms connected thereto. The moving armature, the two diaphragms and two drivepins connecting the moving armature to the respective diaphragms are arranged in a manner so that the total angular momentum around a centre point of the receiver is essentially zero.
Referring now to
As seen in
Various implementations may be applied for providing a pivoting or twisting mechanism of the moving armature 101 around the centre point 102. Thus, the moving armature 101 may for example pivot around an axle entering an opening or through-going hole in the moving armature 101. Alternatively, the moving armature 101 may be suspended in a flexible arrangement in which flexible arrangement the moving armature 101 is allowed to twist in response to an incoming drive signal. The flexible arrangement may for example include an armature bridge in the form of a torsion hinge, cf.
The moving armature 101 is operatively connected to two diaphragms 103, 104 via respective drivepins 105, 106. The drivepins 105, 106 form substantially rigid connections between the moving armature 101 and the respective diaphragm 103, 104 so that movements of the moving armature 101 are transferred to the diaphragms 103, 104 as illustrated by arrows 119, 120, respectively. One end of the respective diaphragms 103, 104 are secured to the receiver via spacers 115, 116, respectively. The opposite ends of the diaphragms are allowed to vibrate freely as indicated by the arrows 119, 120. The two diaphragms 103, 104 are arranged in a substantial parallel manner.
Two pairs of permanent magnets 107, 108 and 109, 110 define respective air gaps at or near the opposite ends of the moving armature 101. In these air gaps permanent magnetic fields are generated. As seen in
Two static drive coils 113, 114 and 111, 112 are provided so that the moving armature 101 may pivot or twist in response to electrical drive signals being provided thereto.
As seen in
The embodiment of
Referring now to
As seen in
Another approach to ensure that the total angular momentum around the centre point 202 is essentially zero is to ensure that the total angular momentum induced by the sum of the armature movement 217 and the diaphragm movement 219 is opposite and essentially equal in size compared to the total angular momentum induced by the sum of the armature movement 218 and the diaphragm movement 220.
Referring now to
As indicated by arrows 613-616 the moving armature 601 and the free ends of the diaphragms 603, 604 are allowed to move in response to a drive signal being provided to the drive coil 609, 610.
In
Similar to the embodiment shown in
As indicated by arrows 717-722 the moving armature 701 and the diaphragms 703, 704 are allowed to pivot or twist in response to a drive signal being provided to the drive coils 711-714.
In
Thus, the various embodiments of the receiver assembly of the present invention all facilitate that the total angular momentum around a centre point of the receiver assembly is essentially zero. In addition to the specific embodiments depicted above the following changes of the embodiments may be performed without departing from the scope of the present invention.
In the embodiments shown above drive coils have been depicted as static drive coils. However, the drive coils may be arranged to move with, i.e. follow, the moving armature. Thus, the drive coils may be attached to the moving armature. This would add weight to the moving system whereby a lower resonance frequency can be obtained.
The drivepins shown above are all positioned between the centre point and the drive coils. Alternatively, the drivepins can be positioned between the drive coils and the permanent magnets. Also, the drive coils may be split in two parts with drivepins then being positioned between such two drive coil parts.
Generally, the torsion hinge of
Finally, magnetic return paths for the permanent magnets are needed. One option involves that the magnetic flux passes through the whole moving armature and the housing between the permanent magnets. Another option involves that the magnetic flux passes through only half of the moving armature and part of the housing between the permanent magnets. In the latter scenario the magnetic flux will enter/leave the moving armature through the torsion hinges.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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16152930.0 | Jan 2016 | EP | regional |