JPS6219864B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an improvement of the previously proposed hearing aid device, and more specifically, to an input circuit of the device, which converts incoming sound into an electroacoustic signal, and further converts incoming sound into an electroacoustic signal. This invention relates to an improvement in a sensing device that converts the voltage of an acoustic signal into an integrated electrical signal.

The hearing auxiliary device proposed earlier mainly transmits sound rhythm signals to the human body so that people with hearing impairments can detect sound through stimulation given to the human body and assist their hearing. There are two types of methods. The first is one in which the output of the sensing device is converted into electric power proportional to the average amplitude of the incoming sound using a power conversion device, which is further converted into mechanical vibration and transmitted to the human body (patent application
51-19420), and the second is one in which the output of the sensing device is passed through a modulation circuit, converted into a low frequency current, and then directly applied to the human skin (Japanese Patent Application No. 54-78660). The magnitude of the mechanical vibration in the first method and the low frequency current in the second method are both controlled by electrical signals of the sensing device.

However, since the integrating circuit of the sensing device is simply a combination of a capacitor and a resistor, the capacitor is constantly charging and discharging the electroacoustic signal in parallel, so that the sensing device cannot accurately detect the electroacoustic signal. It is difficult to output the integral value.

Therefore, it is difficult to accurately transmit the rhythm of incoming sounds to the human body.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a sensing device for a hearing aid that can constantly convert the rhythm of an incoming sound into an electrical signal corresponding to the rhythm.
Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a first specific circuit of the present invention, 1
-1 shows the incoming sound sensing device of the present invention. 1-1
All the circuits except for the circuits have the same configuration as the previously proposed auditory aid device (Japanese Patent Application No. 51-19420), so only a brief explanation will be given.

2 is a mechanical diaphragm, 7 is a part of the body skin, 8 is a drive device for the diaphragm 2, 9 is a drive rod for vibrating the diaphragm 2 in a direction perpendicular to the skin, and the drive device 8 The output transmission section of the is shown. 10 is a device that converts the output of the incoming sound sensing device 1-1 into electric power proportional to the average amplitude of the sound; thyristors 23 and 24;
Consists of etc. Reference numeral 11 indicates a commercial AC power supply, and 12 indicates a phase control device that controls the phase of the thyristor using incoming sound. However, the electrical/mechanical converter described in the claims shall consist of the components numbered 2, 8, and 9 above.

The sensing device 1-1 of the present invention provides a control signal to a phase control device 12 for driving a driving device 8, and includes an electroacoustic signal converter 4 for converting incoming sound into an input acoustic signal, for example, a diode 13 in a microphone. , an upper integrating circuit 5-A having a capacitor 14 that integrates an electroacoustic signal is connected in cascade via a switch 6-A1, and switches 6-A2, 6-A3 and a resistor are connected to the capacitor 14 of the integrating circuit 5-A. 1
5 are connected in series and connected in parallel, and a switch 6-A4 is connected to the output side of the integrating circuit. Here, four switches 6-A1, 6
-A2, 6-A3, and 6-A4 are built into one integrated circuit (analog switch AD7510), and each switch is configured to be turned on when a positive voltage is applied to each gate. Ru.

Next, in the first specific circuit diagram of the present invention shown in FIG. 1, when a DC control current Ic (constant value) is passed between both terminals of the tunnel diode 20-A,
FIG. 2 shows voltage waveforms at various points in the phase control device 12-A used to control the phase of the thyristor 23 that performs power conversion in the negative half cycle of the commercial power source 11, and further shows the voltage waveforms at various points in the sensing device of the present invention. The relationship with 1-1 will be explained.

Figure 2 a shows the voltage waveform of the commercial power supply 11, Figure 2 b
is the voltage waveform across the constant voltage diode 16-A1, FIG. 2c is the voltage waveform across the constant voltage diode 16-A2, and FIG. 2d is the voltage waveform across the capacitor 17. FIG. 2e shows the voltage waveform of the resistor 18, and a current Is having the same waveform as the voltage waveform is caused to flow through the closed circuit composed of the resistors 18 and 19 and the tunnel diode 20-A. FIG. 2f shows the waveform of the current I _R for resetting the upper phase controller 12-A for the positive half cycle. Figure 2g shows the waveform when direct current control current Ic is passed through the tunnel diode 20-A, and Figure 2h shows the waveform when the tunnel diode 20-A is passed through the DC control current Ic.
This is a composite current waveform of Is, I _R , and Ic flowing through A.
Figure 2k shows the voltage between the terminals of the tunnel diode 20-A when the current shown in Figure 2h reaches the peak point current value Ip of the tunnel diode 20-A, and the voltage between the terminals is the peak point. This is a voltage waveform that jumps from the voltage value Vp to the peak point equivalent voltage value Vpp. In FIG. 2 1, the voltage in FIG. 2 k is inverted by an inverting amplifier 21,
This is the trigger pulse given to the gate of the thyristor 23 when taken out to the secondary side of the pulse transformer 22. Note that the lower phase control device 12-B controls the positive half cycle, and the upper phase control device 12-B controls the positive half cycle.
It operates in the same way as 2-A.

The output of the sensing device 1-1 of the present invention is given to both ends of the tunnel diodes 20-A and 20-B, and it replaces the waveform of Ic in FIG. 2g of the above explanation, and the process is as follows. This will be explained using figures.

FIG. 2p shows the voltage waveform of the commercial power supply 11, and the shaded area is the voltage waveform applied to the drive device 8 controlled by the thyristors 23 and 24, and the drive device 8 is driven by the power expressed by the area. Apply mechanical vibration to human skin.

FIG. 2q shows a detected waveform during the positive period of the commercial power supply 11, which is applied to the gate of the switch 6-A1 to open and close the switch 6-A1.

FIG. 2r shows a detection waveform of the negative period of the commercial power supply 11, which is applied to the gates of the switches 6-A2 and 6-A4 to open and close the switches 6-A2 and 6-A4. Figure 2 s shows the thyristor 23, 2.
This is a detection waveform of the conduction period of 4, which is applied to the gate of the switch 6-A3 to open and close the switch 6-A3.

Sensing device 1- of the present invention based on the above voltage waveform
1, during the positive half cycle of the commercial power supply 11, for example between _T0 and _T1 , incoming sound is converted into an electroacoustic signal by the electroacoustic transducer 4, and the electroacoustic signal passes through the diode 13. The signal passes through the closed switch 6-A1, the resistor 25, and is applied to the capacitor 14. At this time, switch 6-A1 is closed, but switches 6-A2 and 6-A
Since 3,6-A4 is open, capacitor 14 is charged. Furthermore, since the switches 6-A2 and 6-A4 are still open between _T1 and _T2 , the electroacoustic signal continues to be charged in the capacitor 14, and is transmitted during the entire positive half cycle of the commercial power supply. Then, the upper integrating circuit 5-A operates, and an integrated voltage waveform as shown in FIG. 2t is obtained at the output terminal 26 of the integrating circuit 5-A.

Subsequently, the negative half period of the commercial power supply 11, for example, T ₂
~ _T3 , switches 6-A1 and 6-A3 are open and switches 6-A2 and 6-A4 are closed, but the electroacoustic signal charged in capacitor 14 is not discharged and its voltage hold. However, between _T3 and _T4 , switch 6-A1 is open, but switches 6-A2, 6-A3, and 6-A4 are open.
is closed, and the voltage of the electroacoustic signal charged in the capacitor 14 is discharged in a closed circuit consisting of the switches 6-A2, 6-A3 and the resistor 15. Therefore, the voltage appearing between the output terminals a and a' of the upper sensing device 1-1A has a waveform as shown in FIG. 2u.

On the other hand, the lower sensing device 1-1B is connected to the commercial power supply 11.
The purpose is to provide a control voltage for power control during the positive half period of the period, and its output voltage waveform is
The operation is shown in FIG.
Since it is the same as A, it will be omitted.

Therefore, the output terminal a- of the sensing device 1-1
An intermittent output voltage waveform with different amplitude as shown in Fig. 2 w appears between a', and instead of the DC control current Ic shown in Fig. 2 g, a current having a waveform similar to that shown in Fig. 2 w appears in the tunnel. The current flows through the diodes 20-A, 20-B, and the tunnel diodes 20-A, 20-B.
The time to reach the peak point current value Ip of 20-B constantly changes depending on the incoming sound, and the thyristors 23 and 24
The temporal position of the trigger pulse applied to the gate also changes accordingly. As a result, the drive device 8 is subjected to power control during all cycles of the commercial power supply 11.

Next, a second specific circuit diagram of the present invention is shown in FIG. 1-2 shows the incoming sound sensing device of the present invention, and all the circuits except 1-2 have the same configuration as the previously proposed auditory aid device (Japanese Patent Application No. 1978-78660), so the outline will be explained below. I'll just stop.

40 is a modulation circuit that gives a temporal change to the amplitude of the carrier wave to include an electric signal corresponding to the incoming sound; 41 is an electrode that applies electric energy to the human body by outputting a modulated wave; and 42 is an unstable multivibrator. This is the formed carrier wave generation circuit.

The output of the sensing device 1-2 of the present invention is applied to the base 44 of the transistor 43 and is superimposed with the output of the astable multivibrator.
is turned on, and electrical energy whose amplitude is modulated by an electrical signal corresponding to the incoming sound is transmitted to the skin of the body through the transport path.

The structure of this sensing device 1-2 is the same as that of the first specific circuit shown in FIG. 1 except that the switch 6-A2 is removed, so a description thereof will be omitted.

Next, the process in which the sensing device 1-2 of the present invention operates will be explained with reference to waveform diagrams at various locations shown in FIG.

FIG. 4a shows the output voltage waveform of a rectangular wave oscillator (not shown) (which is provided separately from the unstable multivibrator 42 used as a carrier wave, and whose frequency is set to 50 Hz, for example). In order to determine the integration period of the acoustic signal and the period for holding the integrated voltage value, the switch 60
-A1 to the gate of switch 60-A1
It is for closing. FIG. 4b shows the waveform of FIG. 4a with its phase inverted by an inverter not shown, and is applied to the gate of switch 60-A3 to close switch 60-A3. FIG. 4c is a differentially shaped version of FIG. 4a, which is applied to the gate of switch 60-A2 to close switch 60-A2.
FIG. 4d is a differentially shaped version of FIG. 4b, in which the voltage is applied to the gate of switch 60-B1,
This is for closing 0-B1.

Sensing device 1- of the present invention based on the above voltage waveform
2, the output of the rectangular wave oscillator (not shown) in _FIG .
At _T2 , the incoming sound is converted into an electroacoustic signal by the electroacoustic transducer 4, which passes through the diode 13 and the closed switch 60-
A1, through resistor 47, T ₁ to capacitor 4
8. At this time, switch 60-A1 is closed, but switches 60-A2 and 60-A
3 is in an open state, the capacitor 48 is charged with a voltage as shown in FIG. 4e. Subsequently, during a period when the output of the rectangular waveform oscillator disappears, for example from _T2 to _T4 , the switches 60-A1 and 60-A2 are opened and the switch 60-A3 is closed. The signal is not discharged and retains its voltage.

However, in the next period T ₄ to T ₅ , switch 60
-A2 is closed, and the voltage of the electroacoustic signal charged in the capacitor 48 is discharged in the closed circuit consisting of the switch 60-A2 and the resistor 49. Therefore, the voltage appearing between the output terminals a and a' of the upper sensing device 1-2A has a waveform as shown in FIG. 4f.

On the other hand, the lower sensing device 1-2B operates during a period in which there is no output from a rectangular wave oscillator (not shown), for example, from T ₂ to
This is for controlling the electrical energy by the modulated wave output applied to the human body during the period T ₄ , and its output waveform is shown in Figure 4g, and its operation is the same as that of the upper sensing device 1-2A, so it is omitted. do.

Therefore, the output terminal a- of the sensing device 1-2
An output voltage waveform as shown in Fig. 4h appears between a' and this voltage waveform corresponds to the output voltage waveform of the unstable multivibrator 42 used as a carrier wave (for example, the frequency is set to 400Hz). The signals are superimposed, and a modulated wave output corresponding to the incoming sound is always generated at the connector of the transistor 43, and pleasant electrical energy with an amplitude corresponding to the incoming sound is given to the human body. Thus, according to the present invention, the output of a sensing device that converts the rhythm of an incoming sound into a corresponding electrical signal is applied to an electrode or an electro-mechanical converter, and from the electrode or electro-mechanical converter the incoming sound is detected. In the sensing device, the sensing device includes an electroacoustic transducer that converts incoming sound into an electrical signal, an integrating circuit that integrates the electrical signal, and an intermittently connected electroacoustic transducer and integrating circuit. and a means for supplying the integrated voltage of the integrating circuit to an electrode or an electromechanical converter and then dissipating the integrated voltage, it is possible to eliminate the conventional integrating circuit simply combining a capacitor and a resistor. Thus, the rhythm of the incoming sound can be more faithfully transmitted to the human skin without constantly charging and discharging electroacoustic signals using a capacitor.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram of the first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a waveform diagram at various points in the circuit of FIG. 1, FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram of the second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. The figure is a waveform diagram at each location of the circuit of FIG. 3. However, electrical/mechanical converters are 2, 8, and 9 in Figure 1.
It shall consist of: 1-1, 1-2...sensing device, 2...diaphragm,
4... Electroacoustic transducer, 8... Drive device, 5-
A, 5-B...Integrator circuit, 9...Output transmission section of drive device, 6-A1, 6-A2, 6-A3, 6-A
4,60-A1,60-A2,60-A3,60
-B1...Switch, 41...Electrode.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. Applying the output of a sensing device that converts the rhythm of the incoming sound into a corresponding electrical signal to an electrode or an electro-mechanical converter, and transmitting the rhythm of the incoming sound to the human body from the electrode or electro-mechanical converter. In the type, the sensing device includes an electroacoustic transducer that converts incoming sound into an electrical signal, an integrating circuit that integrates the electrical signal, means for intermittently connecting the electroacoustic transducer and the integrating circuit, and A hearing aid device characterized in that it has means for supplying an integrated voltage of an integrating circuit to an electrode or an electro-mechanical converter, and then dissipating the integrated voltage.