EP3836565B1 - Circuit board for a hearing device - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a circuit board for a hearing aid, a method for producing a circuit board of a hearing aid and a hearing aid. The hearing aid is in particular a hearing aid device.

People who suffer from hearing loss usually use a hearing aid. Ambient sound is usually recorded using an electromechanical sound transducer. The detected electrical signals are processed using an amplifier circuit and introduced into the person's ear canal using another electromechanical transducer. The recorded sound signals are usually also processed, for which a signal processor in the amplifier circuit is usually used. The amplification is tailored to any hearing loss of the hearing aid wearer.

Different types of hearing aid devices are known. The so-called “behind-the-ear devices” are worn between the skull and the auricle.

The amplified sound signal is introduced into the ear canal using a sound tube. Another common design of a hearing aid is an "in-the-ear device", in which the hearing aid itself is inserted into the ear canal. By means of this hearing aid device, the ear canal is at least partially closed, so that apart from the sound signals generated by the hearing aid device, no other sound - or only to a greatly reduced extent - can penetrate the ear canal.

Hearing aid devices usually also have a transmitting device so that data transmission to the hearing aid device is possible. It is therefore possible, for example, to use an external microphone or, for example, to transfer configuration data from an external device such as a mobile phone. The transmitting device comprises a transceiver and an antenna connected thereto for signaling purposes. Using the transceiver, radio waves received by the antenna are detected. To send out corresponding radio waves, the antenna is excited by the transceiver.

Since comparatively little space is available for a hearing aid, all or at least many components are usually arranged on a common circuit board. The transmitting device and other components are also attached to a common circuit board. The other components are connected to each other using conductor tracks. If the transmitting device is now operated, i.e. in particular if the antenna is excited by means of the transceiver, or corresponding signals are received by means of the antenna, these radio waves also radiate onto the other components and the conductor tracks. These also act like an antenna and are excited by radio waves. Therefore, excitations caused by the radio waves are introduced into the data exchanged between the components via the conductor track. If these are now also operated using electrical signals, and in particular are connected to one another in terms of signaling, they will be disrupted.

Out of EP 2 835 863 A1 It is therefore known to provide a throttle between the type of components that are connected to one another in terms of signaling technology. By means of the throttle, interference introduced into the conductor tracks by means of the radio waves is suppressed, so that undisturbed operation is still possible. The chokes also ensure that the conductor tracks do not short-circuit the antenna at the excitation point through capacitive coupling.

In EP 3 627 855 A1 A hearing aid is shown that has a support structure with an electrically conductive ground layer and an electrically non-conductive opening. The hearing aid further comprises a connecting line extending from a wireless communication unit provided on a first side of the opening is, extends over or along the opening to a second side of the opening and is connected to the electrically conductive ground layer on the second side of the opening.

Out of DE 10 2016 207 844 A1 a hearing aid is known which has an electronics arrangement, an elongated housing for accommodating the electronics arrangement and an antenna. The antenna is arranged on a side of the housing that points upward when the hearing aid is worn on the body of a hearing aid wearer between the electronics arrangement and an outer wall of the housing. In detail, this document shows a circuit board with a base body to which a first and a second electrical component are connected, which are electrically directly connected by means of a conductor track, and to which an electrically conductive, continuous antenna surface and a transceiver are connected, which are electrically connected is connected to the antenna surface at two different feed points.

The invention is based on the object of specifying a particularly suitable circuit board for a hearing aid and a particularly suitable method for producing a circuit board of a hearing aid as well as a particularly suitable hearing aid, in particular manufacturing costs and/or installation space being reduced.

With regard to the circuit board, this task is solved according to the invention by the features of claim 1, with regard to the method by the features of claim 5 and with regard to the hearing aid by the features of claim 7. Advantageous further developments and refinements are the subject of the respective subclaims.

The circuit board is part of a hearing aid. For example, the hearing aid is a headphone or includes a headphone. However, the hearing aid is particularly preferably a hearing aid device. The hearing aid is used to support a person suffering from hearing loss. In other words, the hearing aid is a medical device that can be used, for example, to compensate for partial hearing loss. The hearing aid is, for example, a “receiver-in-the-canal” hearing aid (RIC; ex-receiver hearing aid), an in-the-ear hearing aid, such as an “in-the-ear” hearing aid, an “in-the -canal hearing aid device (ITC) or a complete-in-canal hearing aid device (CIC), hearing glasses, a pocket hearing aid device, a bone conduction hearing aid device or an implant. Particularly The hearing aid is preferably a behind-the-ear hearing aid that is worn behind an auricle.

The hearing aid is intended and designed to be worn on the human body. In other words, the hearing aid preferably comprises a holding device, by means of which attachment to the human body is possible. If the hearing aid is a hearing aid device, the hearing aid is intended and set up to be arranged, for example, behind the ear or within an auditory canal. In particular, the hearing aid is wireless and intended and set up to be at least partially inserted into an ear canal. The hearing aid particularly preferably comprises an energy storage device, by means of which an energy supply is provided.

The printed circuit board has a base body which is designed, for example, in the shape of a plate. In particular, the base body is made from a glass fiber reinforced epoxy resin. Alternatively, the base body is designed to be flexible, for example, and in particular a film. Preferably, the base body comprises a number of conductor tracks, which are made, for example, from copper or another electrically conductive material, preferably a metal. Furthermore, the circuit board has a first electrical component and a second electrical component, which are connected to the base body. Each of the electrical components fulfills a particular function. For example, each of these electrical components comprises a number of electrical and/or electronic components which are suitably interconnected to form a common circuit. Each of the electrical components is expediently a separate component that is manufactured independently of the base body and is connected to it for assembly and is expediently electrically contacted with it. For example, the electrical components are attached to the base body using a THT process or an SMD process and are therefore electrically contacted with it.

Furthermore, the two electrical components are electrically directly connected to one another by means of the conductor track or one of the conductor tracks. The conductor track is, for example, a component of the base body or attached to it. In particular, the conductor tracks are made of copper. The two electrical components are directly electrically connected to each other. In other words, there is no further component between them by means of which the data exchanged between the two electrical components via the conductor track can be influenced.

Preferably, the two electrical components are connected to one another electrically directly and thus in terms of signals by means of several such conductor tracks, so that a data transmission speed between them is increased. Preferably, the printed circuit board comprises further electrical components which are connected to the first electrical component, the second electrical component and/or to one another in terms of signaling by means of one of the conductor tracks.

The circuit board also has an electrically conductive, continuous antenna surface. The antenna surface forms an antenna and is made of copper, for example. In particular, the antenna surface is manufactured in one step with the production of the conductor track and in the same way as the conductor track, for example by etching. The antenna surface therefore does not have any components that are separate from one another, but rather these are electrically contacted with one another with low resistance and there is no galvanic isolation. For example, it is possible for the antenna surface to have several sections, which are, however, electrically contacted directly with one another, for example by means of a conductor track or a correspondingly shaped further section. The antenna surface serves in particular as an antenna. A ground surface of the circuit board is particularly preferably used as the antenna surface. By means of the ground surface, the electrical potential of ground is provided for all or at least some of the components connected to the base body.

The circuit board also includes a transceiver, in particular a so-called “transceiver”. The transceiver is electrically connected to the antenna surface at two different feed points, so that in particular a transmitting device is implemented. Using the transmitting device, it is possible to send and/or receive signals. In particular, the transceiver and the antenna surface are suitable, in particular provided and set up, to emit electromagnetic waves, which in particular represent the signals, in particular in a so-called far field. In other words, radio waves are transmitted/received. In summary, by means of the transceiver it is possible to excite the antenna surface or to detect an excitation of the antenna surface, for which the feed points are used. This is because a corresponding electrical current flow occurs across the feed points, or there is a different electrical potential at these.

The antenna surface is partially cut out between the feed points. In other words, the antenna surface has a recess, which is made, for example, in an edge of the antenna surface, so that the recess is open. Alternatively, the recess is introduced essentially in the middle or in a central region of the antenna surface, so that the recess is hole-shaped. For example, the shape of the recess is round or rectangular, which makes production easier. In a further development, for example, there are several such recesses. The recess is always located spatially between the feed points.

Due to the recess in the antenna surface, the adaptation behavior of the antenna surface is changed. Due to the recess, it is possible to feed the antenna surface with a suitable transmitter-receiver impedance. In particular, it is also not necessary for the antenna surface to be galvanically isolated from the transceiver. Therefore, no additional inductors are required in any data lines located between the feed points and the transceiver. In particular, it is not necessary to use a specific filter or the like that is integrated into the conductor track for signaling purposes and/or the data lines are introduced, and/or one of the electrical components is connected upstream of one of the electrical components. As a result, fewer components are required, which reduces installation space. Manufacturing costs are also reduced in this way.

Suitably, the transceiver is connected to at least one of the electrical components for signaling purposes, preferably by means of a conductor track. It is therefore possible to forward signals received by the transceiver to the electrical component, or to make signals generated by the electrical components available to other devices via the antenna surface

For example, the antenna surface and the conductor track are arranged on the same side of the base body. In particular, only one side of the base body is equipped, which simplifies production. However, the antenna surface and the conductor track are particularly preferably arranged on opposite sides of the base body. Here, the two electrical components are expediently located on the side of the conductor track, and the transceiver is located on the side of the antenna surface. Suitably, the transceiver is connected to one of the electrical components for signaling purposes, for example by means of a plated-through connection. Due to the arrangement of the conductor tracks and the antenna surface on opposite sides of the base body, the required spatial extent of the base body is reduced, so that the overall size is reduced. This also provides electrical insulation between the conductor track and the antenna surface.

The first component is in particular an electromechanical sound transducer, by means of which ambient sound can be detected. This electromechanical sound transducer therefore serves as a microphone. In particular, the first electrical component includes several such microphones, so that a specific directivity can be achieved. Suitably, the hearing aid includes a further electromechanical sound transducer, by means of which sound is emitted. In particular, this electromechanical sound transducer acts as a loudspeaker.

Alternatively or a particularly preferred combination of this, the second electrical component is a signal processor, which is suitably connected in terms of signaling between the first electrical component and the sound transducer serving as a loudspeaker. The signal processor is, for example, a digital signal processor (DSP) or implemented using an analog circuit. In particular, the signal processor is used to adapt a supplied signal, which is generated in particular with the first electrical component. The first electrical component expediently comprises an A/D converter, provided that the signal processor is designed as a digital signal processor. Suitably, the transceiver is also connected in terms of signals to the second electrical component, so that signals that were received by the transceiver can also be output by means of the possible loudspeaker.

The antenna surface and the transceiver are preferably configured for transmitting and receiving electromagnetic waves in a first frequency range. There is therefore both an upper and a lower limit of the first frequency range. The lower limit of the first frequency range is expediently greater than or equal to 10 MHz, 100 MHz or 1 GHz. Preferably, the upper limit of the first frequency range is less than or equal to 100 GHz or less than or equal to 10 GHz. Due to such a first frequency range, it is possible to exchange the electromagnetic waves over a comparatively large distance. A bandwidth is also increased.

Preferably, the first electrical component and the second electrical component are configured for exchanging electrical signals with one another, i.e. suitable, provided and set up. The exchange of the electrical signals preferably takes place via the conductor track or the several conductor tracks if the two electrical components are connected to one another electrically and thus in terms of signals by means of several conductor tracks. The signals are exchanged in a second frequency range. In other words, there is in particular a clocked transmission of the signals between the two electrical ones Components, which makes configuration and control easier. The exchange of electrical signals preferably takes place in a second frequency range. In other words, both an upper and a lower limit of the second frequency range are present. For example, the lower limit of the second frequency range is greater than or equal to 1 kHz, 10 kHz or 100 kHz. Preferably, the upper limit of the second frequency range is less than or equal to 100 MHz, 50 MHz or 1 MHz. The first and second frequency ranges are particularly preferably different. Due to this, a reaction between the respective signals and therefore also during the operation of the antenna surface as well as the conductor track and the respective components connected to it is further reduced.

The method is used to produce a circuit board of a hearing aid, which is in particular a hearing aid device. In the manufactured state, the circuit board has a base body to which a first electrical component and a second electrical component are connected, which are electrically directly connected by means of a conductor track. An electrically conductive, continuous antenna surface and a transceiver are also connected to the base body, which is electrically connected to the antenna surface at two different feed points. The antenna surface is partially cut out between the feed points. Here, the antenna surface and the transceiver are configured for sending and receiving electromagnetic waves in a first frequency range, i.e. suitable, intended and set up. The first electrical component and the second electrical component are configured to exchange electrical signals in a second frequency range. The first and second frequency ranges differ here.

The method now provides that the antenna surface is excited in the first frequency range. In this state, the antenna surface preferably does not yet have any recess. The excitation is electrical. For example, a specific electrical voltage is applied to the antenna surface or a specific electrical current is passed through it. Here, the transceiver is already connected to the antenna surface at the feed points, so that the antenna surface is stimulated by means of this. Thus there is a need for hardware reduced. The resulting current distribution in the antenna surface is then determined. Depending on the power distribution, the antenna area is left out. In other words, the recesses were introduced into the antenna surface depending on the current distribution that results when the antenna surface is excited in the first frequency range. If the feed points are already present, the recess is expediently made between the two feed points. Due to the introduction of the recess, the intrinsic impedance of the antenna surface is adjusted. The adaptation is carried out on the transceiver, so that the inherent impedance of the antenna surface matches the impedance of the transceiver.

For example, the antenna surface is actually physically excited and the current distribution is detected using a suitable sensor. However, it is particularly preferred to use a simulation program for the two work steps. In particular, a numerical simulation is used for this, by means of which a characteristic mode analysis of the antenna surface is carried out. In other words, the method determines the characteristic modes of the antenna surface, and depending on the resulting current distribution of the modes to be excited, the antenna surface is left out to adapt the intrinsic impedance.

Preferably, the method is only carried out when producing the first circuit board of a series of circuit boards or when planning the circuit board. If the position and shape of the recesses have been determined, this shape and this position of the recess is expediently also used in subsequent circuit boards without the antenna surface being stimulated in each case. This shortens the manufacturing process. Alternatively, the antenna surface of each circuit board is excited and the recess adapted to it is created. This means that manufacturing tolerances are also taken into account, which increases reliability

For example, the antenna surface is still unrecessed at the start of the process. Alternatively, the procedure has already been carried out, for example, and then carried out again. In other words, the antenna surface is electrically excited in the first frequency range several times in succession, with the antenna surface always subsequently being left out depending on the resulting current distribution. The antenna surface thus has a plurality of recesses which, for example, are spaced apart from one another or merge into one another.

In the method, the base body is preferably first provided, to which the first electrical component and the second electrical component are connected, which are electrically directly connected by means of the conductor track. Alternatively, the two electrical components are connected and/or the conductor track is formed only after the recess has been created. The method expediently provides that before the antenna surface is excited, at least the base body with the electrically conductive, continuous antenna surface connected to it and the transceiver connected thereto are provided, which is electrically connected to the antenna surface at two different feed points, preferably by means of data lines.

For example, the maximum and minimum are determined in power distribution. If there are several maxima or minima, all of them are expediently determined. For example, the recess between the maximum and the minimum or at least one of the maxima is made at one of the minima. However, it is particularly preferred that the antenna area is left out at its maximum. If there are several (local) maxima, the antenna surface is expediently left out at all of these positions.

The hearing aid is, for example, headphones or headsets. The hearing aid is particularly preferably a hearing aid device that serves to provide care to a person in need of assistance. In particular, the hearing aid device is a medical device and, for example, a tinnitus masker, or the hearing aid device is used to for example, selective, amplification and/or adaptation of sound waves that are introduced into an ear canal of the hearing aid wearer. The hearing aid device is suitable for this purpose, in particular designed for it. For example, the hearing aid is a "behind-the-ear" hearing aid or an "in-the-ear" hearing aid, such as an ITC or CIC hearing aid.

The hearing aid has a circuit board that includes a base body. A first electrical component and a second electrical component, which are electrically connected by means of a conductor track, are connected to the base body. Furthermore, an electrically conductive, continuous antenna surface and a transceiver are connected to the base body. The transceiver is electrically connected to the antenna surface at two different feed points, with the antenna surface being partially recessed between the feed points.

The hearing aid preferably has one or more electromechanical sound transducers. One in particular acts as a microphone and the remaining one acts as a loudspeaker. A signal processor is suitably arranged between these in terms of signal technology, by means of which signals received by means of one of the electromechanical sound transducers are processed. The signal processor is preferably designed digitally, and the electromechanical sound transducer functioning as a microphone expediently comprises an A/D converter. Preferably, the first electrical component is the electromechanical sound transducer functioning as a microphone, and/or the signal processor corresponds to the second electrical component. The printed circuit board is preferably created according to a method or at least planned according to this method, in which the unrecessed antenna surface is electrically excited with the first frequency range. Depending on the resulting current distribution, the antenna surface is left out.

The developments and advantages described in connection with the circuit board are also to be transferred to the method and the hearing aid as well as to each other and vice versa.

Fig. 1

schematisch ein Mobiltelefon und ein Hörgerät mit einer Leiterplatte,

Fig. 2

ein einer durchsichtigen Darstellung die Leiterplatte in einer Draufsicht,

Fig. 3

die Leiterplatte in einer Seitenansicht,

Fig. 4

die Leiterpatte in einer Sich von der Unterseite,

Fig. 5

in einer Draufsicht die Leiterplatte,

Fig. 6 , 7

in einer Draufsicht jeweils Varianten der Leiterplatte, und

Fig. 8

ein Verfahren zur Herstellung der Leiterplatte.

Exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to a drawing. Show in it:

Fig. 1

schematically a cell phone and a hearing aid with a circuit board,

Fig. 2

a transparent representation of the circuit board in a top view,

Fig. 3

the circuit board in a side view,

Fig. 4

the circuit board in one direction from the bottom,

Fig. 5

in a top view the circuit board,

Fig. 6, 7

in a top view of each variant of the circuit board, and

Fig. 8

a process for producing the circuit board.

Corresponding parts are provided with the same reference numbers in all figures.

In Fig. 1 a hearing aid designed as a hearing aid 2 is shown, which is intended and set up to be worn behind one ear of a user (user, hearing aid wearer, wearer). In other words, it is a behind-the-ear hearing aid device that has a sound tube, not shown, which is inserted into the ear. The hearing aid 2 includes a housing 4 which is made of plastic. A circuit board 6 is arranged within the housing 4 and is stabilized and held by means of corresponding projections connected to the housing 4. The circuit board 6 has a base body 8 which is made of a glass fiber reinforced epoxy resin. Several conductor tracks 10 are connected to the epoxy resin and partially embedded in it. The conductor tracks 10 are made of copper using etching.

An electromechanical sound transducer 12 is connected to the base body 8, which functions as a microphone and has an A/D converter (not shown). The electromechanical sound transducer 12 forms a first electrical component 14. The first electrical component 14 is by means of one of the conductor tracks 10 is electrically and therefore also connected in terms of signals to a second electrical component 16, which is designed as a signal processor 18. The signal processor 18 is a digital signal processor (DSP). During operation, the signal processor 18 processes an audio signal recorded by the electromechanical sound transducer 12, which serves as a microphone, with certain frequencies being amplified and others being attenuated. Compression is also set. The audio signal processed in this way is subsequently fed to an amplifier circuit, not shown in detail.

A further electromechanical sound transducer 20 is coupled to the circuit board 6 in terms of signal technology, which serves as a loudspeaker and by means of which the audio signal, which is amplified and processed by the amplifier circuit, is output as a sound signal. These sound signals are conducted into the ear of a user of the hearing aid 2 by means of the sound tube (not shown). The circuit board 6 and the components arranged thereon, the electromechanical sound transducer 20 and the other components of the hearing aid 2 are powered by means of a battery 22.

The hearing aid 2 also has a transmitting device 24, which is connected to the base body 8 and is therefore a component of the circuit board 6. By means of the transmitting device 24, wireless radio communication 26 takes place with a mobile phone 28. For this purpose, the mobile phone 28 has a corresponding transmitting device/radio device. This makes it possible to exchange data between the hearing aid device 2 and the mobile phone 28 designed as a smartphone. The radio communication 26 works according to a Bluetooth standard.

In Figure 2 The circuit board 6 is shown in a transparent top view, which in this example has a substantially rectangular and plate-shaped base body 8. In Figure 3 is the circuit board 6 in a side view, in Figure 4 in a view from the bottom and in Figure 5 shown in a top view. At the bottom of the circuit boards is, as in Figure 4 visible, the first electrical component 14 and the second electrical component 16 are connected, which are electrically contacted with one another by means of one of the conductor tracks 10. The two Electrical components 14, 16 are attached to the base body 6 using an SMD process, in which the conductor tracks 10 were created from a copper layer by etching. The two electrical components 14, 16 are electrically connected directly by means of the conductor tracks 10. In other words, no further electrical or electronic component is introduced between these or into the conductor track 10. In summary, there is a low-resistance connection between the two electrical components 14, 16 by means of the conductor track 10.

On the opposite side of the base body 8, i.e. on the top side, the transmitting device 24 is arranged, which has an electrically conductive, continuous antenna surface 30. Here, the antenna surface 30 covers a comparatively large area of the base body 8 and covers the projection of the two electrical components 14, 16 and the conductor tracks 10. The antenna surface 30 is also made of copper and created by etching. When producing the base body 8, the conductor tracks 10 and the antenna surface 30 are manufactured in the same work step and in the same way, each being separated from a copper layer which is attached to the glass fiber reinforced epoxy resin. Different layers of copper are used to create the antenna surface 30 and the conductor tracks 10.

On the same side of the base body 8 as the antenna surface 30 there is a transceiver 32, which is therefore a transceiver. The transceiver 32 is suitable, in particular provided and set up, to electrically excite the antenna surface 30 and to detect and evaluate an electrical excitation of the antenna surface 30. For this purpose, the transceiver 32 is electrically contacted with the antenna surface 30 at two different feed points 34. More of the conductor tracks 10 are used in particular for this purpose. The transceiver 32 is also attached to the base body 8 using SMD technology and is electrically contacted with it and thus also with the conductor tracks 10 providing the feed points 42. The transceiver 32 is electrically connected to the second component 16 by means of a through-hole, not shown.

The antenna surface 30 is left out between the two feed points 34. Here, the antenna surface 30 has a reduction in its depth, which is provided by the recess 36. The recess 36 is thus introduced into the edge of the antenna surface 30 and is therefore designed to be open. If the recess 36 were not present, the antenna surface 30 would be essentially rectangular. The recess 36 is located essentially centrally along the longitudinal direction of the antenna surface 30, i.e. along its greatest extent. The recess 36 itself is also rectangular, so that the shape of the antenna surface 30 is essentially U-shaped. All sections of the antenna surface 30 are provided by means of a common metal surface, so that all sections of the antenna surface 30 are connected to one another with a low resistance.

Due to the recesses 36, the intrinsic impedance of the antenna surface 30 is changed. The inherent impedance of the antenna surface 30 is adapted to the impedance of the transceiver 32 and these are exactly the same. Therefore, no additional components, such as inductors, are required in the data lines by means of which the feed points 42 are connected to the transceiver 32. Material costs and space requirements are therefore reduced, with no loss in the quality of the excitation of the antenna surface 30 by means of the transceiver 32. Since the antenna surface 30 and the conductor track 10 are arranged on opposite sides of the base body 6, this has at least a partially damping effect, which reduces the reaction between them. In a further alternative, the antenna surface 30 is located in all layers of the circuit board 6.

In Figure 6 a modification of the circuit board 6 is shown, with essentially only the antenna surface 30 being modified. There are now two recesses 36, which are located spatially between the feed points 34. One of the recesses 36 is in turn made into the edge of the antenna surface 30, so that this recess 36 is open. The further recess 36 is in a central region of the antenna surface 30 is introduced so that it is closed and hole-shaped.

In Figure 7 a further embodiment of the antenna surface 30 is shown, in which an additional recess 36 is present, which is located on the edge of the antenna surface 30 opposite the feed points 34. The antenna surfaces now have two essentially rectangular sections 38, which are connected with low resistance by means of two webs 40. The sections 38 and the webs 40 are molded onto one another and are therefore in one piece.

Due to the additional recesses 36 in the Figures 6 and 7 In the embodiments shown, the intrinsic impedance of the antenna surface 30 is further changed so that another transceiver 32 can be used. In the embodiments, the transmitting device 24 is again formed by means of the antenna surface 30 and the transceiver 32.

In all of the embodiments of the printed circuit board 6 shown above, the antenna surface 30 and the transceiver 32 are configured for transmitting and receiving electromagnetic waves in a first frequency range, so that radio communication 24 is made possible, in particular using the far field. The first frequency range is between 2.4 GHz and 2.5 GHz, so the Bluetooth standard is met. The first electrical component 14 and the second electrical component 16 are configured to exchange electrical signals via the conductor track 10 in a second frequency range. The second frequency range is between 10 MHz and 50 MHz. The first and second frequency ranges therefore differ. Due to the different frequency ranges, a reaction and consequently a feedback between the electrical signals exchanged with the conductor track 10 and the electromagnetic waves emitted by the antenna surface 30 is excluded, which is why safe operation is possible.

For example, the feed points 34 are located directly on the edges of the recesses 36. Alternatively, the feed points 34 are offset to the edges of the recess 36. In this way, the formation of resonant oscillations is improved. Due to the recesses 36 and the choice of the width of the continuous galvanic connection of the antenna surface 30, the use of isolating inductances in the conductor track 10, the antenna surface 30 and/or the data lines is not necessary.

In Figure 8 a method 42 for producing the circuit board 6 is shown. In a first step 44, the base body 8 is provided, to which the two electrical components 14, 16, which are connected to one another by means of the conductor track 10, are already connected. The transceiver 32 is also already connected to the base body 6 and is electrically connected to the antenna surface 30 via the feed points 34. The antenna surface 30 is not yet recessed and therefore does not yet have a recess 36. Rather, the antenna surface 30 is still rectangular.

In a subsequent second step 46, the antenna surface 30 is electrically excited in the first frequency range. In this case, an electrical alternating voltage is applied to the antenna surface 30 via the feed points 34 by means of the transceiver 32, the frequency of the alternating voltage being varied between 2 GHz and 3 GHz in the first frequency range. In a subsequent third step 48, the current distribution resulting from the applied electrical voltage in the antenna surface 30 is determined. In other words, it is determined at which points on the antenna surface 30 there is a maximum of the electrical current flow, i.e. where in particular an excessive amount of electrical charge accumulates.

In a subsequent fourth step 50, the recess 36 or the plurality of recesses 36 are introduced into the antenna surface 30. The position of the recesses 36 is at the maximum of the power distribution. The antenna surface 30 is thus omitted at the maximum of the current distribution, and the omission takes place depending on the electrical Current distribution resulting from excitation. Due to the recess 36, the intrinsic impedance of the antenna surface 30 is changed, namely to the impedance of the transceiver 32.

The first to third work steps 44 - 48 are in particular carried out at least partially using software. It is also possible to carry out the method 42 several times in succession, with the fourth step 50 also being carried out using software. It is only during the last run of the method 42 that the recesses 36 are actually introduced into the antenna surface 30. In summary, in the method 42 a characteristic mode analysis is carried out by means of numerical field simulation of the entire antenna surface 30, which does not yet have a recess 36. In the third step 48, the current distribution of the modes is determined and the modes that are to be excited during operation of the hearing aid 2, i.e. in particular the first frequency range, are selected. Subsequently, the recess 36 or the multiple recesses 36 are placed in such a way that the selected modes are excited efficiently and at the same time the input impedance of the antenna surface 30 is adapted to the transceiver 32. For this purpose, the recess 36 in particular is placed in the current maximum of the selected mode. The antenna surface 30 can then be excited by the transceiver 32 at the edges of the recess 36 and the excitation and the antenna characteristic, i.e. the characteristics of the antenna surface 30, can be measured. If the specifications of the hearing aid 2 require this, the placement of the recess 36 and the subsequent excitation of the antenna surface 30 by means of the transceiver 32 as well as the measurement of the adaptation and the antenna characteristic are repeated several times, with an additional recess 36 expediently being used in each case, so that the Number of recesses 36 is increased. In an alternative, the existing recess 36 is changed.

In summary, one or more recesses 36 are thus introduced into the antenna surface 30, with the transceiver 32, i.e. the RF transceiver, being contacted on opposite edges of the antenna surface 30 via the feed points 34. There is therefore no high impedance in the first frequency range between the electrically conductive areas of the antenna surface 30. Therefore, no filter of electromagnetic waves is required when operating the two electrical components 14, 16.

To determine the resonance frequency of the antenna surface 30, for example, a characteristic mode analysis is carried out. Subsequently, the recess 36 or the recesses 36 are introduced into the antenna surface 30 where the current distribution of the mode or modes reaches its maximum. In a further embodiment, the recess 36 is introduced at a position that is between the maximum and the minimum.

The transceiver 32 is connected to the antenna surface 30 via the feed points 34 on opposite sides of the recess 36, in particular in the area of its edges. By means of the recess 36, the individual electrically conductive areas of the antenna surface 30 are not galvanically separated. All electrically conductive areas of the antenna surface 30 are galvanically connected to one another, and the connection is particularly low-resistance. Due to the recess 36, no high impedance is required for electrical excitation in the first frequency range, which is why no additional electrical components are required. Material costs are therefore reduced.

The invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments described above.

Reference symbol list

2

Hearing aid device

4

Housing

6

Circuit board

8th

Basic body

10

Conductor track

12

electromechanical sound transducer

14

first electrical component

16

second electrical component

18

Signal processor

20

electromechanical sound transducer

22

battery

24

Transmitting device

26

Radio communication

28

Mobile phone

30

Antenna area

32

Transceiver

34

Dining point

36

recess

38

Section

40

web

42

Proceedings

44

first step of work

46

second step

48

third step

50

fourth step

Claims (7)

1. Printed circuit board (6) for a hearing device (2), in particular a hearing aid, having a base body (8) to which a first electrical component (14) and a second electrical component (16), which are directly electrically connected by means of a conductor track (10), are connected and to which an electrically conductive, continuous antenna surface (30) and a transceiver (32), which is electrically connected to the antenna surface (30) at two different feed points (34), are connected, the antenna surface (30) being partially recessed between the feed points (34) to form a recess (36), the recess (36) being physically located between the feed points.
2. Printed circuit board (6) according to Claim 1,
   characterized in that the antenna surface (30) and the conductor track (10) are disposed on opposite sides of the base body (6) .
3. Printed circuit board (6) according to Claim 1 or 2,
   characterized in that the first electrical component (14) is an electromechanical sound transducer (12), and the second electrical component (16) is a digital signal processor (18).
4. Printed circuit board (6) according to one of Claims 1 to 3,
   characterized in that the antenna surface (30) and the transceiver (32) are configured to send and receive electromagnetic waves in a first frequency band, and in that the first electrical component (14) and the second electrical component (16) are configured to exchange electrical signals in a second frequency band, the first and the second frequency band being different.
5. Method (42) for manufacturing a printed circuit board (6) according to Claim 4, in which

   - the antenna surface (30) is electrically excited in the first frequency band, the frequency of the AC voltage in the first frequency band being varied between 2 GHz and 3 GHz, and the transceiver (32) already being connected to the antenna surface (30) at the feed points (34), and

   - in which the resulting current distribution is taken as a basis for recessing the antenna surface (30) to form the recess (36) in order to adjust a characteristic impedance, with the result that the characteristic impedance of the antenna surface (30) is matched to the transceiver (32).
6. Method (42) according to Claim 5,
   characterized in that the maximum of the current distribution in the antenna surface (30) is determined, and in that the antenna surface (30) is recessed there.
7. Hearing device (2), in particular a hearing aid, having a printed circuit board (6) according to one of Claims 1 to 4.

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