In the ear audio device and method for fastening an electronic module in a cavity in a custom made shell part for an in the ear audio device

Abstract

According to the invention an in the ear audio device is provided which comprises a custom made shell part which fits into the ear canal of a user and a pre-fabricated module part whereby the custom made part has a cavity with an opening for receiving the module wherein two opposed substantially parallel internal walls of the cavity are provided with a distance there between which will allow two external, substantially parallel sides of the module to slide into the space between the two walls, whereby arch shaped recesses and projections on the walls and on the sides are provided such that the module may be inserted into the cavity between the two walls by a pivotal movement whereby the projections at each side slide in respective recesses.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the module 3 and the custom made part where the module 3 is ready for insertion,

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the module 3 and custom made part 1 with the module 3 in place in the cavity,

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the custom made part 1 with the cavity 2,

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the module 3,

FIG. 5 is a perspective view with a cut-away part of the module inserted in the shell according to a further embodiment of the invention,

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the audio device shown in FIG. 5 with a tool of extraction of the module from the custom made part,

FIG. 7 is an enlarged perspective view of a detail of the module and extraction tool.

Claims

1. In the ear audio device comprising a custom made shell part which fits into the ear canal of a user and a pre-fabricated module part whereby the custom made part has a cavity with an opening for receiving the module wherein two opposed substantially parallel internal walls of the cavity are provided with a distance there between which will allow two external, substantially parallel side elements of the module to slide into the space between the two walls, whereby arch shaped recesses and beads extend along the walls and on the side elements such that the module is insertable into the space between the two walls by a pivotal movement of the module with respect to the custom made part whereby the beads slide into respective recesses.

2. In the ear audio device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a snap lock mechanism is further provided such that by the end of the pivotal movement to bring the module in place inside the shell part a resilient part is provided to snap past a projection.

3. In the ear audio device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the resilient part is a tongue provided integrally with the side elements of the module.

4. In the ear audio device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the resilient tongue part is made to flex in a direction essentially perpendicular to the side element when snapping past the projection.

5. In the ear audio device as claimed in claim 1, wherein space between the two side elements of the module is provided for accommodation of a battery, and battery springs for contacting the surfaces of the battery are provided at each side element.

6. Method for fastening a module in a cavity in a custom made shell for an in the ear audio device, whereby the custom made shell part is made to fit into the ear canal of a user and where further a pre-fabricated module part is provided to fit into the custom made part inside a cavity thereof whereby the module is initially placed at an opening above the cavity and pivoted around an axis substantially orthogonal to two opposed side elements of the module and two corresponding opposed walls of the cavity, whereby the pivotal movement of the module with respect to the custom made part causes retention means at the walls and sides to interact.

7. Method as claimed in claim 6 wherein an initial part of the pivotal movement slides arch shaped beads into corresponding recesses placed respectively at the side elements of the module and the internal walls of the cavity.

8. Method as claimed in claim 6, wherein a resilient tongue at a wall or side is caused to bend and pass behind a projection in snap lock fashion to lock the module inside the cavity.

9. Method as claimed in claim 6 wherein the pivotal movement of the module with respect to the custom made part comprise an arc of no less than 45° and preferably no more than 90°.

10. Method for extracting a module from a custom made shell part where the custom made shell part is made to fit into the ear canal of a user and where further a pre-fabricated module part is provided to fit into the custom made part inside a cavity, where the module is retained in the custom made shell part by means of a snap locking tongue which locks the module in snap locking engagement with the custom made part whereby a tool with a handle part and a connection part is introduced such that the connection part forces the tongue to flex out of the snap locking engagement with the custom made part, whereafter the tool and module retained at the tool part are moved for bringing the module out of engagement with the custom made part.

11. Method as claimed in claim 10, wherein the movement for bringing the module out of engagement with the custom made part is a pivotal movement.