EP1839461B1 - Headset for a functional device - Google Patents

Abstract

Headset includes a signal interface configured for receiving and forwarding electrical signals, a bending-resistant, bendable retaining member, and a functional device attached to the retaining member. Retaining member being bendable and held in a bent position without a restoring force, and is connected to signal interface for positioning functional device. Electrical signal lines provided in retaining member, and running between signal interface and functional device. Fixing element which can be placed on retaining member in various longitudinal positions to secure retaining member. Retaining clip, which can be bent into position, extends between signal interface and fixing element; and. Rear section of retaining member, signal interface, retaining clip, fixing element form a loop, the size of loop being adjustable and changeable by displacing fixing element along retaining member, in use, and loop being configured for receiving an auricle of a user and running at least partially behind auricle, is use.

Description

The invention relates to a headset for a functional device, in particular a microphone.

Head sets are used in particular for mounting microphones on the user's head. As a result, a voice input of the user in the microphone can be done without this the microphone must hold with his hands.

Such head sets usually have - similar to headphones on a headband placed on the temple, which braces the headset on the head due to its elasticity. You can e.g. by singers at live performances or by task forces, e.g. the police, to be used for communication.

However, such head sets are expensive, bulky and partially affect the hearing. Furthermore, you disturb the visual appearance of the person and obstruct additionally patched headgear.

Locking of a functional device by loops, hangers, etc., on the outer ear generally does not assure a stable, non-slip attachment in which the functional means is provided from the outer ear, e.g. can be positioned as a microphone in the user's mouth area.

The DE 102 27 450 B4 shows a headset for a functional device, in particular a microphone, in which an insert body is inserted into the concha or the ear canal of the user and fixed by a clamping bracket which is braced against the Concha. On the insert body is a Holding device attached, which carries the attached functional device, such as a rigid wire hanger.

Head sets continue to be used in the medical field for the placement of cochlear implant drivers. These head sets can have a bending element and an earmold to be fixed in the ear of the patient, such as in the DE 201 05 562 U1 described.

The US Pat. No. 6,396,935 B1 shows a headset with a stiff, bendable headband, at the ends of a microphone and a speaker are provided. The headband is here placed around the outer ear of the user and has in an interior a transmitting-receiving device for mutual communication with a portable, for example, in a shirt pocket device.

The invention has for its object to provide a headset that ensures a secure positioning of a functional device in the head of the user and yet small-scale and is not perceived as too bothersome.

This object is achieved by a head set according to claim 1. The dependent claims describe preferred developments.

The invention is based on the idea of achieving an attachment by means of a loop placed around the outer ear or the auricle, including the ear lobes, which can be securely adjusted in size by a locking element. For this purpose, a headband extends from a signal interface under the outer ear along to the front and carries at its end the functional device to be positioned, ie in particular the microphone.

According to the invention, the folding bow of the locking device extends backwards and upwards, is placed over the outer ear and takes on the front with the locking element on the headband, z. At an acute angle, i. smaller than a right angle, or even at an approximately right angle.

The signal interface may be a controller that receives, processes (eg, amplifies), and forwards signals. For this purpose, the control device z. Behind the outer ear (i.e., completely or partially hidden by the outer ear) or combined with the locking element. The forwarding can take place via an output line and / or via wireless signals.

Furthermore, the signal interface can also serve only to forward the internal signal lines to output lines. In this case, a powerful amplifier is preferably provided in the microphone and the signal lines are shielded against inductions, z. B. as coaxial cable or twisted pair cable. Here, too, a combination of the signal interface with the locking element is advantageous.

The locking element may in particular be a clamping element, the z. B. receives in a through hole or an eyelet. Furthermore, other Feststellwirkungen are possible, for. B. positively and / or with a securing means such. As a screw or a pin.

According to the invention, a loop is thus generally formed from the rear part of the retaining clip, the control device and the folding strap up to the clamping device. Here, the length of the included in the loop rear part of the retaining bracket changes with the size setting the loop and can thus disappear completely with a large loop setting, so that the loop is then formed solely by the folding strap and the locking element, possibly also the signal interface. The loop has a certain, outwardly pointing residual stress and thus does not act constricting. Advantageously, the loop forms an oval shape with a tip on the locking element and thereby takes the outer ear anatomically low on. The angle at the locking element is advantageously pointed, ie smaller than a right angle to achieve a good clamping or clamping action, or about a right angle. This training is surprisingly self-correcting and self-centering.

According to the invention, it is recognized that the flexible over-lapping strap which has been placed over the outer ear and runs downwards at the front side (i.e., has a certain inherent rigidity in its bending positions, does not sag slackly) has a bending stress which pulls the locking element forwards and upwards. The locking element can thus be formed as a simple eyelet, which is arbitrarily displaceable by the user on the headband with little effort in the longitudinal direction, due to the bending stress of the Umlegebügels a tilting of the eyelet - without further locking means - is achieved, which secures the longitudinal position. In the manual adjustment, the user is generally with one hand, the headband in front of the locking element and with the other hand detect the fold over the locking element and move it in the longitudinal direction, the force required for weaker persons is sustainable.

A clamping action can already be achieved by a small difference in the lrinendurchmessers the eyelet and the outer diameter of the retaining bracket. The diameters may in this case substantially correspond, so that due to the elasticity of the outer shell of the retaining clip a shift is possible and the above-described tilting causes an additional backup. Furthermore, the control device can represent a sliding stop for slipping of the clamping element to the rear, whereby a constriction of the outer ear is prevented in grossly negligent adjustments.

According to a preferred embodiment, one or more individual wires, which may be twisted or not twisted, extend in the retaining clip and the folding strap. Such individual wires with a surrounding outer shell allow a dimensionally stable having a certain elasticity and overcoming the elasticity restoring force-free adjustment. According to the invention, the one or more individual wires of the holding bracket and folding stirrup can be formed continuously, i. they run from the functional device to the locking element, wherein they can run in or next to the signal interface. Thus, the headband and the folding bow according to the invention can merge into one another. You can also be formed in one piece; such a design is particularly advantageous in a combination or integration of locking element and signal interface, so that a continuous bracket can extend from the functional device to the signal interface. In the signal interface, the signal lines can then z. B. be passed to a z. B. downgoing line.

In the continuous training of one or more individual wires through the headband and the folding strap uniform stiffness and elasticity of the loop is guaranteed. It turned out that this training enables a slip-proof, user-friendly, non-irritating and non-constricting attachment.

The running between the functional device and the signal interface electrical lines can advantageously between the (z. B. twisted) individual wires of the retaining clip to be added. As a result, a rounder shape of the bundle of individual wires and electrical lines is additionally achieved, so that subsequently by overmolding with a thin outer shell made of plastic or rubber, a uniform round shape is achieved, which can be absorbed by an eyelet with a round cross section without significant play.

The head-set according to the invention does not clog the ear canal; because it is not attached to the outer ear or the outer ear, it is hygienic. Since it has no left or right preferred direction, it can be used uniformly for the left and right ears.

As an alternative to the embodiment with rigid individual wires, the retaining clip and / or the folding strap can be made e.g. Also be designed as plastic injection parts or the headband by encapsulating the signal lines.

Fig. 1

eine Seitenansicht eines erfindungsgemäßen Head-Sets gemäß einer ersten Ausführungsform,

Fig. 1 a

eine Detailvergrößerung des Klemmelementes aus Fig. 1,

Fig. 2

die Anbringung des Head-Sets aus Fig. 1 am Außenohr ei- nes Benutzers,

Fig. 3

eine teilweise geschnittene Detailvergrößerung III aus Fig. 1,

Fig. 4

einen Radialschnitt IV-IV durch die Funktionseinrichtung aus Fig. 1 bis 3 mit Blick auf den Anwendungsbereich des Halte- drahtes/Biegeelementes an die Funktionseinrichtung,

Fig. 5

eine Seitenansicht eines erfindungsgemäßen Head-Sets gemäß einer weiteren Ausführungsform

Fig. 6

die Anbringung des Head-Sets aus Fig. 5 am Außenohr ei- nes Benutzers.

The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings of some embodiments. Show it:

Fig. 1

a side view of a headset according to the invention according to a first embodiment,

Fig. 1 a

an enlarged detail of the clamping element Fig. 1 .

Fig. 2

the attachment of the headset Fig. 1 on the outer ear of a user,

Fig. 3

a partially cut detail magnification III Fig. 1 .

Fig. 4

a radial section IV-IV through the functional device Fig. 1 to 3 with a view to the field of application of the holding wire / bending element to the functional device,

Fig. 5

a side view of a headset according to the invention according to another embodiment

Fig. 6

the attachment of the headset Fig. 5 on the outer ear of a user.

A head set 1 according to the embodiment of the Fig. 1 to 4 a control device 2, which acts in the embodiment shown in particular as an impedance converter, one of the control device 2 outgoing, forward-looking, elongated, rigid or bendable, bendable, in its bending positions restoring force adjustable headband 3 with serving as a function device microphone 4 and an outgoing from the control device 2 Umlegebügel 5, at the opposite end of the control device 2, a locking device 6 is attached. The microphone 4 and the control device 2 are arranged at opposite ends of the retaining clip 3; the locking device 6 is longitudinally displaceable mounted on the headband 3 and adjustable in their respective longitudinal positions along the retaining clip 3 between the microphone 4 and the control device 2 to form a under exercise a locking action. The Feststellwirkung can according to the embodiment of the Fig. 1, Fig. 1a z. B. be a clamping force, so that the locking device is a clamping device 6; Alternatively, but also another Feststellwirkung done, z. B. by positive engagement or an inserted securing means, for. As a screwed screw, etc. .. The locking action is advantageously releasable and reversible, so that a subsequent adjustment is possible. The rear part of the retaining clip 3, the control device 2 and the folding bracket 5 with the clamping device 6 thus form a closed Loop 7 whose size is infinitely adjustable by the locking device 6.

When the locking device 6 is designed as a clamping device 6, this is advantageously used as being placed on the end of the folding strap 5, e.g. cylindrical, metallic body formed with an eyelet 8, through which the headband 3 is inserted. In this case, the eyelet 8 has an inner diameter which substantially corresponds to the outer diameter of the retaining clip 3. Thus, a sliding displacement of the clamping element 6 is possible with its eyelet 8 on the headband 3 while maintaining a frictional engagement in their respective longitudinal positions.

The headband 3 and the folding strap 5 are advantageously each formed from twisted individual wires 10, around which a plastic sleeve 12 is injected. In the headband 3 here in addition to the individual wires 10 insulated electrical lines 14 are placed. In addition, according to Fig. 4 a single wire 10 may be the middle, neutral phase around which the three further individual wires 10 and the three electrical leads 14 are twisted. Here, the individual wires 10 can be used as an electrical line.

According to a preferred embodiment, the individual wires 10 of the retaining clip 3 are further guided as individual wires 10 of the retaining clip 5, so that they extend from the microphone 4 to the clamping element 6; In this case, the control device 2 is placed in a stripped-down area and connected to the electrical lines 14 coming from the microphone.

Thus, individual wires 10 can be twisted, the control unit 2 with electrical leads 14 placed on a central region and the electrical leads 14 between the twisted individual wires for led front end; Subsequently, the plastic outer shell 12 is injected, with a middle area for the control device 2 and end portions for the microphone 4 and the clamping element 6 are released or subsequently stripped. In the middle of the controller 2 is placed; the lines 14 are led away from it as an electrical connection line 20 and connected to a plug contact 22; at the rear end, the clamping body 6 is attached to the individual wires 10 and pushed onto the headband 3; At the front end, the microphone 4 is attached to the individual wires 10 and contacted with the electrical leads 14. The mono- or multi-part control device 2 can thus be used in particular for receiving, amplifying and forwarding the acoustic signals via the connection line 20.

According to the detail magnification of Fig. 1 a is due to the bending-clamping force, in particular of the Umlegebügels 5 causes tilting of the clamping element 6 with its eyelet 8 on the headband 3, there according to the arrow in FIG Fig. 1 the folding bracket 5, the clamping device pivots forwards and upwards and thus causes a tilting of the eyelet 8 on the headband 3. By this clamping action an automatic closing of the loop 7 is avoided.

Fig. 2 shows the attachment of the headset 1 according to the invention on an outer ear 24 of a user. For the attachment, the clamping element 6 is optionally initially set in a front position on the headband 3, ie closer to the microphone 4 out. The adjustment is made such that the loop 7 is sufficiently large to be placed over the outer ear 24, without the user having to vorzuknicken his outer ear 24 and squeeze into the loop 7. The loop 7 is placed around the outer ear 24 such that the control device 2 is behind the outer ear 24, preferably concealed by this, the headband 3 is below the Concha and advantageously extends below the earlobe 25 and with the microphone 4 protrudes forward at its front end. The retaining bracket 5 extends from the control device 2, starting behind the outer ear 24 initially upwards, then extends forward over the outer ear 24, then from there down to the clamping element 6, so that the folding bracket 5 with the clamping element 6, the headband 3 below meets a substantially right angle. The user can subsequently set by moving the clamping element 6 a suitable position in which a secure hold is formed by the loop 7, and additionally align the microphone by bending the retaining clip 3 in a suitable position.

This attachment and alignment occurs on each side of the user, i. at his left and right outer ear 24, the same. The plug 22 of the electrical lead 20 may be e.g. be plugged into a device attached to the belt of the user.

Advantageously, the retaining bracket 3 and the folding strap 5 have an approximately equal rigidity or elasticity, so that when adapted to the outer ear 24 results in an approximately adapted curvature of these areas; Preferably, a substantially oval shape of the loop 7 forms at an acute angle between the clamping device 6 and the retaining clip 3. Instead of the microphone 4 can be used as a functional device, e.g. also a hearing aid or e.g. a cochlear transmitter or z. B. an external handset may be provided, in such embodiments, the headband 3 is shaped differently according to the positioning of the respective functional device.

The 3 and 4 show the connection of the microphone 4 and / or the clamping element 6 to the headband 3 and the folding bracket 5. Here, the individual wires 10 and electrical lines 14 are stripped and inserted into a metallic socket 30; By laser welding, laser weld connections 36 are between the outer perimeter of one or more individual wires 10 and the metallic socket 30 formed, in addition, adhesive can be filled. The electrical lines 14 are contacted with an electrical functional part 42 in the microphone 4, wherein z. B. a contact via an electrical line 14 and another contact via a functional device 42 receiving housing 44 can be made, which is fixed to the bushing 30, for example, screwed on a thread. Alternatively, a contacting over several lines is possible.

The connection via laser welding point allows a cost-effective, fast and very durable connection with respect to the flexing of the microphone 4 occurring, sometimes very high forces and bending moments.

Fig. 5 shows a further embodiment in which, with an otherwise identical construction, at least one electrical line 114, preferably at least two electrical lines 114 are guided by the control device 2 in the folding bracket 5 to the locking device 6 and from there to a receiver (or loudspeaker) 50, according to Fig. 6 can be positioned in the outer ear 24. The listener 50 can hereby z. B. according to the functional device 42 of Fig. 3 be formed and is supplied via the lines 114 and fed.

The lines 114 can in this case be led out in the locking device 6 or even before this from the folding bracket 5 and extend from there to the concha of the outer ear 24. The receiver 50 can be placed in the concha or even in the ear canal of the outer ear 24.

As an alternative to the embodiment shown, however, it is also possible that the electrical leads 114 run from the control device 2 directly to the handset 50 or partially along the retaining clip 3 and from there to the handset 50.

Furthermore, according to Fig. 5, 6 the functional device 2 or another device also serve as transmitter and / or receiver for wireless signals 54, z. B. Bluetooth signals 54. Such a design of the control device 2 and the addition of a corresponding means for transmitting and / or receiving can in principle also in the embodiment of Fig. 1 to 4 take place (instead of the connection line 20). The wireless signals 54 may be used to relay the signals received by the functional device 4 and / or to receive wireless signals and to forward to the listener 50.

The transmitting-receiving device can in principle be attached to a location other than the control device in the head set, z. B. in the locking device. 6

Also in the embodiment of the Fig. 5, 6 With the handset 50, in principle, a data communication via the single- or multi-wire terminating line 20 can be achieved Fig. 1 to 4 respectively. The embodiments shown can thus be combined.

Fig. 7 shows a further embodiment in which the signal interface 122 is formed combined with the clamping element 6. In this case, therefore, the headband 3 and the folding bracket 5 merge into each other and in particular be integrally formed as a common bracket 3, 5. In this case, in turn, electrical lines 124 extend from the microphone 4 and extend through the retaining bracket 3, further through the subsequent folding bracket 5 to the signal interface 122. The signal interface 122 can in this case according to the embodiment shown, the electrical lines 124 pass directly as output lines 126 or contact the electrical lines with the output lines 126. In such an embodiment is advantageously in the microphone 4 a powerful Integrated amplifier and the lines 124 are shielded against inductions, z. As coaxial cable or twisted pair cable. The shape of the signal interface 122 may be arcuate or S-shaped as shown, and thus divert the output lines 126 slightly offset, or allow a straight line passage of the lines 124 without offset.

Alternatively, in Fig. 7 the signal interface 122 in turn also record the signals of the lines 124, amplify (and possibly further process) and put on the output lines 126. In this embodiment, for. B. a small board in the signal interface / controller 122 integrated.

Here, this embodiment of the FIG. 7 be modified to the effect that accordingly Fig. 5 the signal interface / controller 122 serves to transmit wireless signals 54.

Thus, in principle, any data communication from the headset 1 to external devices is possible. In addition to the medical field for hearing aids can also be used for other applications, such. As speech input and voice output in the field of entertainment media or for telephone services, eg. As call center, as a speakerphone in a car, while television broadcasts, etc. take place.

Claims (24)

1. Headset for a functional device (4) that has:

   a signal interface (2, 122) for receiving and relaying electrical signals,

   a holding bracket (3) that is connected to the signal interface (2, 122) and is bending-resistant, bendable and adjustable free of resetting force in its bending positions for positioning a functional device (4) mounted on this,

   electrical signal lines (14, 114, 124) running in the holding bracket (3) between the signal interface (2, 122) and the functional device (4), and

   an encircling bracket (5), which is bending-resistant and elastic,

   characterized by a locking element (6), which is adjustable on the holding bracket (3) in various longitudinal positions with a locking effect,

   wherein the encircling bracket (5) runs between the signal interface (2, 122) and the locking element (6), and wherein a rear part of the holding bracket (3), the signal interface (2, 122), the encircling bracket (5) and the locking element (6) form a loop (7) that is variable and adjustable in its size by adjusting the locking element (6) on the holding bracket (3) for taking up an outer ear (24) and for mounting at least partially behind the outer ear (24).
2. Headset according to claim 1, characterized in that the locking element (6) is arranged between the functional device (4) and the signal interface (2, 122).
3. Headset according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that on fitting on the outer ear (24), the signal interface (2, 122) runs behind the outer ear (24), and the encircling bracket (5) runs starting out from the signal interface (2, 122) behind the outer ear (24) upwards, forwards over the outer ear (24) and downwards in front of the cuter ear (24), and the holding bracket (3) runs forwards starting out from the signal interface (2, 122) behind the outer ear (24) and under the ear lobe (25).
4. Headset according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one electrical output line (20, 126) exits from the signal interface (2, 122).
5. Headset according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the encircling bracket (5) and the holding bracket (3) have substantially the same elasticity.
6. Headset according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the encircling bracket (5) and the holding bracket (3) are formed as continuous brackets (5, 3).
7. Headset according to one of the preceding claim, characterized in that the encircling bracket (5) is formed as a flexible, dimensionally stable wire bracket (5) with one or more single wires (10).
8. Headset according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the holding bracket (3) is formed as a flexible, dimensionally stable wire bracket (3) with one or more single wires (10).
9. Headset according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that one or more single wires (10) run continuously through the holding bracket (3) and the encircling bracket (5) and are taken up in or adjacent to the signal interface (2, 122).
10. Headset according to one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that the holding bracket (3) and/or the encircling bracket (5) have several twisted single wires (10) and an outer sheath (12) surrounding these.
11. Headset according to one of claims 7 to 10, characterized in that the at least one single wire (10) is attached to the functional device (4) and/or the locking element (6) by laser welding.
12. Headset according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the holding bracket (3) and/or the encircling bracket (5) are made from a stiff, elastic plastic or rubber material.
13. Headset according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the holding bracket (3) or its outer sheath (34) is made from a material guaranteeing a friction fit of the locking element (6) in continuously adjustable longitudinal positions, e.g. plastic or rubber.
14. Headset according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the locking element (6) is a clamping element.
15. Headset according to claim 14, characterized in that the clamping element (6) clamps on the holding bracket (3) with a clamping force that can be overcome manually.
16. Headset according to claim 14 or 15, characterized in that the clamping element has an eye (8), through which the holding bracket (3) runs, creating the clamping force.
17. Headset according to claim 16, characterized in that the clamping element (6) twists with the eye (8) on the holding bracket (3) under the effect of a bending moment exerted by the encircling bracket (5).
18. Headset according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the locking element is lockable in a positive-locking manner, e.g. by the formation of a screw connection.
19. Headset according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the signal interface is formed as a single- or multipart control device (2), and the headset has an earpiece (50) to receive electrical signals and transmit acoustic signals into the outer ear or ear canal of the user, wherein the earpiece (50) is connected via electrical lines (114) to the control device (2).
20. Headset according to claim 19, characterized in that the electrical lines (114) run in the encircling bracket (5) to the earpiece (50).
21. Headset according to claim 20, characterized in that the electrical lines (114) run in the encircling bracket (5) to the locking device (6).
22. Headset according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the signal interface is formed as a single- or multipart control device (2) for relaying and/or receiving signals via a connecting lead (20, 126) or as wireless signals (54).
23. Headset according to one of claims 1 to 21, characterized in that the signal interface connects the internal electrical signal lines (14, 114, 124) to external output lines (20, 126) or leads out the internal signal lines (14, 114, 124) as external output lines (20, 126).
24. Headset according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the signal interface (122) is formed integrated or combined with the locking element.

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