Bone conduction device including a balanced electromagnetic actuator having radial and axial air gaps

摘要

A bone conduction device configured to couple to an abutment of an anchor system anchored to a recipient's skull. The bone conduction device includes a vibrating electromagnetic actuator configured to vibrate in response to sound signals received by the bone conduction device, and a coupling apparatus configured to attach the bone conduction device to the abutment so as to impart to the recipient's skull vibrations generated by the vibrating electromagnetic actuator. The vibrating electromagnetic actuator includes a bobbin assembly and a counterweight assembly. Two axial air gaps are located between the bobbin assembly and the counterweight assembly and two radial air gaps are located between the bobbin assembly and the counterweight assembly. No substantial amount of the dynamic magnetic flux passes through the radial air gaps.

主权项

1. An electromagnetic transducer, comprising:
first and second assemblies connected together by a flexible component that flexes upon exposure of the transducer to energy, wherein the first assembly is configured to generate a dynamic magnetic flux, the second assembly is configured to generate a static magnetic flux, the assemblies are constructed and arranged such that a first radial air gap is located between the first assembly and the second assembly and such that during operation of the transducer the static magnetic flux flows through the first radial air gap, whereby the dynamic magnetic flux and the static magnetic flux generate relative movement between the first assembly and the second assembly, a second radial air gap is located between the first assembly and the second assembly, and a reluctance at the first of the two radial air gaps is substantially the same as a reluctance at the second of the two radial air gaps through the range of movements of the second assembly relative to the first assembly.