EP2773136A1 - Valve device - Google Patents

Abstract

The device (4) has a pressure channel (8) for supplying and/or discharging medium i.e. air, to or from a volume-changing element (6). The pressure channel has a feed section (10) that is guided to an inner area (14) of the volume-changing element. The pressure channel is guided to an outer area (16) at an outer side of an earpiece device (2) and the volume-changing element by using an discharging opening (12), where the discharging opening is closed by the volume-changing element such that the medium does not pass through the discharging opening. An independent claim is also included for a method for operating a valve device.

Description

The invention relates to a valve device according to the preamble of claim 1. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method according to the preamble of claim 12.

The invention is preferably used in hearing aid units. A hearing aid unit is here understood to mean any sound-emitting device which can be worn in or on the ear or on the head, such as a hearing aid, headset, headphones and the like.

Hearing aids are portable hearing aids that are used to care for the hearing impaired. To meet the numerous individual needs, different types of hearing aids such as behind-the-ear hearing aids (BTE), hearing aid with external handset (RIC: receiver in the canal) and in-the-ear hearing aids (IDO), z. B. Concha hearing aids or channel hearing aids (ITE, CIC) provided. The hearing aids listed by way of example are worn on the outer ear or in the ear canal. In addition, bone conduction hearing aids, implantable or vibrotactile hearing aids are also available on the market. The stimulation of the damaged hearing takes place either mechanically or electrically.

By means of a sound tube, the acoustic signal is passed from the speaker or handset to an ear piece. This ear piece is in turn inserted into an ear canal. In an in-ear speaker, the speaker is not mounted in the hearing aid unit, but in the ear piece. Such a speaker is directly connected to the ear piece and is introduced together with this in the ear canal.

When using an ear piece, it is important that it has a firm hold in the ear canal of a user. There are different approaches. One is to use the ear piece to provide a volume changeable element similar to an inflatable balloon. After insertion of the earpiece into the ear canal, the volume-changeable element located thereon is inflated in such a way that it conforms to the ear canal. This ensures a tight fit in the ear canal.

For convenient removal of such an ear piece from the ear canal, the air must be removed again on the volume changeable element. A problem with this is that for this a complicated pumping device for pumping up and down the volume-changeable element must be available.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a simplified valve device for pumping up and down the volume changeable element.

This object is achieved by a valve device for a volume-changeable element on an earpiece device, with a pressure channel for supplying and / or removing a medium, preferably air, to / from the volume-changeable element. The pressure channel has a feed section, which leads by means of a feed opening to an inner region of the volume-changeable element. In addition, the pressure channel leads by means of a discharge opening to an outside area outside the ear piece and the volume-changeable element. The discharge opening can be closed by means of the volume-changeable element. This closing operation is accomplished by pumping the volume changeable element. As a result, it expands and gradually closes the discharge opening.

Preferably, the discharge opening is arranged directly adjacent to an attachment point or bonding point of the volume-changeable element on the earpiece device. This allows the volume changeable element to close the discharge opening more easily when it is pumped up in an ear canal. When inflating, the volume-changeable element expands in all directions from and during this process it may close the discharge opening due to its expansion.

This allows a simplified construction of the earpiece device. The volume changeable element serves in addition to the tight fit in an ear canal as a sealant for its own outlet. The usually flexible material, e.g. a rubber material or plastic material from which the volume-changeable elements are made already brings good sealing properties.

In a further development, the discharge opening of the volume-changeable element can be closed in such a way that the medium can not pass through the discharge opening. Preferably, the closure of the discharge opening should be airtight by means of the volume-changeable element. Thus, an inflated state of the volume changeable element can be kept stable longer.

In a further embodiment, a section of an attachment point of the volume-changeable element is arranged such that the volume-changeable element inflated in an ear canal closes the discharge opening with a part of its wall. When inflating the volume changeable element within an ear canal, the direction of expansion of this elastic part is limited by the width of the ear canal. Thus, the volume changeable element will spread further laterally in the ear canal. Preferably, the discharge opening is located next to an attachment point of the volume-changeable element. When spreading sideways, the volume-changeable element will thus extend beyond the discharge opening located directly next to its attachment point and, with a corresponding structural design, seal it airtight.

In a further embodiment, a covering region on the volume-changeable element partially corresponds in a form-fitting manner to the discharge opening, so that this covering region closes the closure which supports the discharge opening. The discharge opening could for example be designed conical or funnel-shaped. As a counterpart, a conical plug region could be arranged on the wall of the volume-changeable element. Due to the approximately form-fitting design, the sealing of the discharge opening is improved.

In another embodiment, an emergency opening device is formed on the discharge opening, which blocks the closeability of the discharge opening of the volume-changeable element. Preferably, a pin or a switch is arranged on the earpiece such that, upon manual actuation, it lifts the volume-changeable element occluding the discharge opening such that air can escape from the volume-changeable element through the discharge opening.

In a further embodiment, the discharge opening is covered by an auxiliary closure device. The auxiliary closure device is, for example, a rubber flap or a cover made of another flexible material which is capable of ensuring at least a small air seal of the discharge opening. This flap should be located above the discharge opening and cover it. If a certain pressure level of the medium located therein is reached from the direction of the discharge section, this flap opens through this pressure applied to it. Thus, the auxiliary closure device has a function as a valve.

Another situation may be that a volumenänderbares element inflated in the ear canal rests on the auxiliary closure device. The auxiliary closure device is covered by the volume changeable element which keeps it more closed by additional pressure. Thus, a pressure from the discharge section of the pressure channel must be higher than when the volume-changeable element does not rest on the auxiliary closure device in order to press it.

In a further embodiment, the auxiliary closure device is a membrane valve device. This type of design is a special valve, which is explained in the figure description.

In a further development, the auxiliary closure device is designed such that the discharge opening closed by the volume-changeable element can be opened mechanically or electrically. The auxiliary closure device can be realized on the one hand as a simple pin or lever, which raises the volume-changeable element of the discharge opening. On the other hand, it can also be realized electrically. For example, with so-called electroactive polymers. Electroactive polymers change their shape when a voltage is applied. In this case, they could be designed to be located underneath a flap and to expand upon application of a tension to press the flap.

In a further embodiment, a one-way valve is arranged in the pressure channel, which allows the medium to pass only in a direction of passage of the one-way valve. The placement of a one-way valve in the pressure channel prevents the medium from flowing back into a pump from which it is pumped into the volume changeable element. Since a pumped volume changeable element is under pressure, this pressure must be maintained. This can be achieved by means of a sustained pumping action or with the prevention of backflow of the pumping medium through the one-way valve.

• Einführen einer Ohrstückvorrichtung mit einem volumenänderbaren Element in einen Ohrkanal,
• zuführen eines Mediums mittels eines Druckkanals an der Ohrstückvorrichtung zu dem volumenänderbaren Element, so dass
• mittels der Zuführung des Mediums das volumenänderbare Element derart aufgepumpt wird, dass es eine Abführöffnung des Druckkanals zu einem Außenbereich außerhalb der Ohrstückvorrichtung verschließt.

In addition, the object mentioned at the outset is solved by a method which includes the following steps:

• Inserting an earpiece device with a volume changeable element into an ear canal,
• supplying a medium by means of a pressure channel on the earpiece device to the volume changeable element, so that
• by means of the supply of the medium, the volume-changeable element is inflated such that it closes a discharge opening of the pressure channel to an outside area outside the earpiece device.

In a further embodiment of the method, when the earpiece device is withdrawn from the ear canal, the volume-changeable element releases the discharge opening.

In a further embodiment of the method, when the earpiece device is pulled out of the ear canal, the friction of the volume-changeable element on the ear canal contributes to the release opening being released. When pulling out a part of the volume changeable element by friction on the ear canal will remain there for a short time. The portion of the volume changeable element that covers the discharge opening thereby lifts from this and releases it. Air flows from the interior of the volume changeable element through the discharge section to the outside of the earpiece device. The volume changeable element collapses and the earpiece device can thus be more easily removed from the ear canal.

In an advantageous development of the method, a pump pumps the medium through the pressure channel into the volume-changeable element. The pump may be, for example, a so-called listener commonly used in hearing aids as a speaker.

• Fig. 1 eine skizzierte Ohrstückvorrichtung mit einer Ventilvorrichtung;
• Fig. 2 und 3 eine skizzierte Darstellung der Ohrstückvorrichtung aus Fig. 1 beim Einführen und Herausziehen aus einem Ohrkanal;
• Fig. 4 die Gestaltung eines Membranventils;
• Fig. 5 eine skizzierte Darstellung der Verwendung eines Membranventils nach Fig. 4 in einer Ventilvorrichtung; und
• Fig. 6 bis 10 skizzierte Darstellungen verschiedener Möglichkeiten die Abdichtung einer Ventilvorrichtung zu verbessern.

Further advantageous developments emerge from the dependent claims and the following explanation of embodiments in the accompanying drawings. The drawings show:

• Fig. 1 a sketched earpiece device with a valve device;
• Fig. 2 and 3 a sketched representation of the earpiece device Fig. 1 when inserted and withdrawn from an ear canal;
• Fig. 4 the design of a diaphragm valve;
• Fig. 5 a sketch of the use of a diaphragm valve according to Fig. 4 in a valve device; and
• Fig. 6 to 10 sketched representations of various ways to improve the sealing of a valve device.

In the following, various embodiments will be described. This expressly does not represent a conclusive limitation to the embodiments described. There are still further different embodiments possible. In addition, the term air is used below as a synonym for all fluids, gases or other such media.

Preferably, the following embodiments of earpiece devices find use in hearing aids. However, it is also possible to use in other devices.

The Fig. 1 shows an earpiece device 2 with a valve device 4. It further shows a pressure channel 8 with a one-way valve 24 and a Y-branch, which flows once via a feed section 10 in the inner region 14 of a variable volume element 6, while the other branch through a discharge opening 12 to an outer region 16 outside the earpiece device 2 and the volume changeable element 6 leads.

The volume changeable element 6 in this embodiment is preferably arranged with an inner bonding point 20 and an outer bonding point 18 on a housing device 22 of the earpiece device 2. The inner bonding site 20 is the one inserted into an ear canal in front of the outer bonding site 18 upon insertion of the earpiece device. In other words, the one which after insertion into an ear canal will be further inside the ear than the outer bonding site 18. The term bonding site is used here as a synonym for all types of attachment of a volume changeable element to the earpiece device. Types of fastening can include gluing, plugging, inverting or other types of fastening. In this embodiment, the bonding sites are circumferential. In addition, the volume-changeable element 6 in this embodiment is preferably made of an elastic material. So it can expand and contract again in case of overpressure or underpressure.

Through the pressure channel 8 air is pumped in the direction of volume changeable element 6. This air initially flows both through the feed section 10 and through the discharge opening 12. The proportion of the air reaches the outer region 16 and the inner region 14. The proportion of the air flowing through the feed section 10 into the inner region 14 of the volume-changeable element gradually fills it until it begins to expand due to its elasticity. Structurally, the volume-changeable element 6 is fastened to the outer bonding point 18 in such a way that it extends over the discharge opening 12 as it expands, so that it covers approximately airtight. Once this is done, no air can pass through the discharge opening 12 to the outside area 16. The entire air pumped through the pressure channel 8 is thus guided into the inner region 14.

For example, by pressure sensors, not shown, it can be determined whether there is enough air or enough pressure in the volume-changeable element 6. The pumping of the air is stopped. By the one-way valve 24 in the pressure channel 8, a return flow of air from the inner region 14 opposite to the pumping direction can be prevented.

When using the earpiece device 2 in a hearing aid, the pumping of the air, for example, by means of a receiver, so the speaker of the hearing aid done. The receiver can be arranged both directly on the earpiece device or in the hearing aid itself.

The embodiment of the earpiece device 2 from Fig. 1 is in Fig. 2 during insertion and in Fig. 3 when pulled out of an ear canal 26 shown.

In the Fig. 2 the insertion of the earpiece device 2 into an ear canal 26 is shown. For this purpose, the earpiece device 2 is pushed in the direction of the arrow 32, which symbolizes an insertion direction. The elastic, not inflated volume changeable element 6 rubs during insertion on the inner wall 28 of the ear canal 26. As a result, the volume changeable element 6 attaches to the earpiece device 2 as shown.

Depending on the dimensions of the variable volume element 6, it extends, as in this embodiment, already during insertion into the ear canal via the discharge opening 12. When inflating the volume changeable element 6, the discharge opening 12 would be airtight from the beginning. Thus, almost the entire pumped air is available for the inner region 14 of the volume-changeable element 6.

In another, not shown embodiment, the volume-changeable element 6 does not extend during insertion via the discharge opening, but only after inflation in the ear canal 26th

In both cases just mentioned, an inflated volume-changeable element 6 covers the discharge opening 12. Thus, no air can escape from the inner region 14 through the discharge opening 12 to the outer region 16. Of course it's possible, that due to constructive measuring tolerances or the like nevertheless a negligible amount of air exits through the discharge opening 12. By means of a suitable choice of material for the volume-changeable element 6, for example plastic or rubber, the airtightness of the covered discharge opening 12 can be correspondingly improved.

In the Fig. 3 2, the extraction of the earpiece device 2 from the ear canal 26 is shown. For this purpose, the earpiece device 2 is pulled in the direction of the arrow 34, which symbolizes a removal direction. When pulled out, a part of the outer surface of the volume-changeable element 6 adheres to the inner wall 28 of the ear canal 26. As a result, the housing device 22 moves out of the ear canal 26 more quickly relative to the volume-changeable element 6. In other words, in this case the volume-changeable element 6 inverts so that it bears against an opposite region of the housing device 22, as at which it was still applied during insertion and carrying.

A side effect is that the previously covered by the volume changeable element 6 discharge opening 12 is now released. The air can thus flow unhindered from the inner region 14 through the discharge opening 12 to the outer region 16. The pressure in the inner region 14 breaks down, which causes the elastic volume-changeable element 14 to coincide. This in turn means that the entire earpiece device 2 can be more easily removed from the ear canal 26, since the friction on the inner wall 26 decreases.

The Fig. 4 Figure 11 shows an already known diaphragm valve 40. This has a valve body 42 with a valve body opening 46 and a diaphragm 44 with a diaphragm opening 48. The valve body 42 and the diaphragm 44 are arranged so that their respective openings 46 and 48 do not overlap. The diaphragm valve 40 is preferably a one-way valve which has only one passage direction.

It is shown above in a top view and bottom left in a side view. Bottom right, its operation is shown in a side view. The arrow 50 symbolizes an air flow through the diaphragm valve 40. As soon as a certain pressure on the part of the valve body opening 46 abuts against the membrane 44, this is lifted and air can flow as shown by means of the two openings 46 and 48 through the diaphragm valve 40.

In the Fig. 5 an embodiment of a valve device 4 is shown on an earpiece device 2, which is a diaphragm valve 40, as shown in the Fig. 4 shown disposed at the discharge opening 12. The operation of this embodiment is similar to that described above. If the volume changeable element 6 does not extend beyond the discharge opening and thus not over the membrane valve 40, then only the pressure for lifting the membrane 44 has to be overcome in order to open the membrane valve 40. However, if the volume changeable element 6 is inflated and extends over the discharge opening 12 with the diaphragm valve as described above, then this can not be opened.

The advantage of attaching a valve, such as the diaphragm valve 40, to the discharge opening 12 is that during the initial inflation of a contracted, slack volume-changeable element 6, pumping air first also passes in the direction of the discharge opening 12. It would be lost as long as pump air to the outer area 16 until the inner region 14 of the variable volume element 6 is inflated enough to close the discharge opening 12 can. This is with the volume changeable element 6 additional closing pressure on the diaphragm valve 40. This can then be opened only with much stronger pressure than before. The arrangement of a diaphragm valve 40 can reduce the unwanted compressed air drainage when inflating to the outer region 16. Which pressure is necessary to open the diaphragm valve 40 depends in particular on its structural design and the choice of material. Fig. 6 shows a further embodiment in which at the discharge opening 12, an auxiliary closure device 52 is arranged. This auxiliary closure device 52 may consist of one or more individual parts. It is preferably a sealing ring running around a circular opening running around discharge opening 12. For example, a so-called O-ring. The material used is preferably a good sealing material such as rubber or a plastic. The auxiliary closure device 52 is attached in this embodiment to the edges of the discharge opening 12. As a fastening, for example, bonding can be selected. The use of an auxiliary closure device 52 improves the air-sealing property when the volume-changeable element 6 extends over and covers the discharge opening 12 and thus the auxiliary closure device 52 as described above.

Other implementations of the auxiliary closure device 52 are also possible. For example, these may be two elastically overlapping rubber plates. This is in Fig. 7 outlined.

In Fig. 8 another embodiment is shown. Here, an auxiliary closure device 52 in the form of a rubber or plastic plate is attached to a portion near the edge of the discharge opening 12. It is mounted so that it can flexibly and elastically cover the discharge opening 12. It is held with a tension spring element 54 in a resting state so that it keeps the discharge opening 12 closed in relation to the air pressure of the inner region 14 with slight force.

In addition, an opening aid 58 ensures that the volume changeable element 6 and the auxiliary closure device 52 are physically connected. This compound can be elastic or rigid. The opening aid 58 can be, for example, an adhesive point between the volume-changeable element 6 and the auxiliary closure device 52. The beneficial effect is that when removing the earpiece device 2 out of an ear canal initially the volume-changeable element 6 of the discharge opening 12 wegstülpt. Due to the opening aid 58, the auxiliary closure device 52 pulls it upwards. The air can thus flow through the discharge opening 12. Once the earpiece device 2 has been removed from the ear canal, but also when inserted into the ear canal, the tension spring element 54 holds the discharge opening 12 closed.

The embodiment of Fig. 9 is similar to the foregoing, except that the volume changeable element 6 is not in contact with the auxiliary closure device 52 by means of an opening aid 58. The opening of the auxiliary closure device 52 takes place here by means of an opening mechanism 60, which in this embodiment is so-called electroactive polymers. Electroactive polymers can be designed to expand upon application of a voltage 62. Conversely, when the voltage 62 is switched off, they contract again. Thus, the auxiliary closure device can be opened and closed as shown by way of example in the figure. In addition, a tension spring element 54 can be attached as a support for closing.

Also in the embodiment of the Fig. 10 the discharge opening 12 is held closed again by means of an auxiliary closure device 52 and a tension spring element 54. However, the opening mechanism 60 is here designed as a manual shift lever. This can be moved laterally as shown. At one end of this has a ramp 64, against which the unattached end of the auxiliary closure device 52. During lateral displacement of the sliding lever thus the auxiliary closure device 52 is raised by means of the ramp 64 and air can escape through the discharge opening 12.

Claims (15)

Valve device 4 for a volume changeable element 6 on an earpiece device 2, with
a pressure channel 8 for supplying and / or discharging a medium to / from the volume changeable element 6,
wherein the pressure channel 8 has a feed section 10, which leads to an inner region 14 of the volume-changeable element 6, and
wherein the pressure channel 8 leads by means of a discharge opening 12 to an outer region 16 outside the earpiece 2 and the volume-changeable element 6,
characterized in that
the discharge opening 12 can be closed by means of the volume-changeable element 6. Valve device 4 according to claim 1,
characterized in that
the discharge opening 12 of the volume changeable element 6 can be closed in such a way that the medium can not pass through the discharge opening 12. Valve device 4 according to claim 1 or 2,
characterized in that
a section of an attachment point of the volume-changeable element 6 is arranged such that the volume-changeable element 6 inflated in an ear canal 26 closes the discharge opening 12 with part of its wall. Valve device 4 according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that
a cover region on the volume-changeable element 6 partially corresponds in a form-fitting manner to the discharge opening 12. Valve device 4 according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that
an opening mechanism 60 is formed on the discharge opening 12, which blocks the closeability of the discharge opening 12 from the volume-changeable element 6. Valve device 4 according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that
the discharge opening 12 is covered by an auxiliary closure device 52. Valve device 4 according to claim 6,
characterized in that
the auxiliary closure device 52 is a diaphragm valve 40. Valve device 4 according to one of the preceding claims 6 or 7,
characterized in that
the auxiliary closure device 52 is designed to mechanically or electrically open the discharge opening 12 closed by the volume-changeable element 6. Valve device 4 according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that
in the pressure channel 8, a one-way valve 24 is arranged, which allows the medium to pass only in a passage direction of the one-way valve 24. Valve device 4 according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that
the medium is air. Hearing aid with a valve device 4 according to one of claims 1 to 10. The method of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the method includes inserting an ear piece device 2 with a volume changeable element 6 into an ear canal 26, supplying a medium by means of a pressure channel 8 on the ear piece device 2 to the volume changeable element 6, characterized in that - By means of the supply of the medium, the volume-changeable element 6 is inflated such that it closes a discharge opening 12 of the pressure channel 8 to an outer region 16 outside of the earpiece device 2. Method according to claim 12,
characterized in that
when pulling out the earpiece device 2 from the ear canal 24, the volume changeable element 6 releases the discharge opening. Method according to claim 13,
characterized in that
when pulling out the earpiece device 2 from the ear canal 24, the friction of the volume-changeable element 6 on the ear canal 24 contributes to the fact that the discharge opening 12 is released. Method according to one of claims 12 to 14,
characterized in that
a pump pumps the medium through the pressure channel 8 into the volume-changeable element 6.

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