Active sound device integrated into flat panel display

Abstract

The present invention proposes an active sound-emitting device integrated into a flat panel display, comprising: a glass diaphragm having a first surface for forming a light-emitting array and a touch array of the flat panel display thereon; a plurality of planar voice coils disposed on a second surface of the glass diaphragm opposite to the first surface; and a magnet assembly disposed below the plurality of planar voice coils, wherein the plurality of planar voice coils are electromagnetically coupled to the magnet assembly to convert electrical signals received by the plurality of planar voice coils into vibration signals of the glass diaphragm, thereby causing the flat panel display to emit sound.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to the field of sound generating device, in particular to an active sound generating device integrated into a flat panel display. BACKGROUND

[0002] With the development of technology, sound generating units are needed in various electronic devices. In the prior art, the sound generating unit is usually arranged under the panel of the display panel. If better sound generating effect is needed, the sound generating unit has a large volume and occupies a large space. If the volume of the sound generating unit is too small, the sound generating effect cannot be good. The sound generating unit is usually arranged at the corner area of the display panel, so that the sound generating position is fixed and the user cannot obtain good auditory experience.

[0003] At present, the display of the electronic device has a design of ultra-thin, narrow frame or even full screen, and the space left for the sound generating device is smaller and smaller. The traditional sound generating device has a large volume and the installation position is limited, so it is difficult to find a suitable position and space for installation in the new generation of display devices.

[0004] The concept of the flat sound generating device is similar to that of a reduced flat panel loudspeaker. The flat voice coil is embedded in a thin diaphragm. The magnet is concentrated on one side or both sides of the diaphragm (push-pull type). The diaphragm vibrates in the magnetic field formed thereby. The flat panel unit usually provides a permanent magnetic field by two pole plates. A fine conductive circuit is printed in the magnetic field. The electrical signal is connected to the printed circuit on the diaphragm, and positive and negative charges are generated in the magnetic field. The entire diaphragm is uniformly printed with a conductive circuit. The current flowing in the conductive circuit is orthogonal to the magnetic field generated by the permanent magnet. By flowing an alternating current in the conductive circuit, the circuit generates a force in accordance with Faraday's law. Under the action of the force, the diaphragm vibrates in the vertical direction, thereby generating vibration, and the alternating current signal is converted into a sound signal.

[0005] Therefore, there is a great demand to redevelop a sound generating device that can meet the needs of current display devices and integrate the concept of the above flat sound generating device with the screen of the flat panel display. SUMMARY

[0006] Based on the above, the present application at least proposes a sound generating device integrating a sound generating unit and a flat panel display, comprising: a glass diaphragm having a first surface for forming a light emitting array and a touch array of the flat panel display thereon; a plurality of flat voice coils arranged on a second surface opposite to the first surface of the glass diaphragm; and a magnet assembly arranged below the plurality of flat voice coils, wherein the plurality of flat voice coils are electromagnetically coupled to the magnet assembly to convert an electrical signal received by the plurality of flat voice coils into a vibration signal of the glass diaphragm, so that the flat panel display generates sound.

[0007] In one embodiment, the magnet assembly includes a plurality of magnet units, each of which has poles arranged in an interleaved manner.

[0008] In one embodiment, the planar voice coils are fabricated using photolithography and plating.

[0009] In one embodiment, the planar voice coils are fabricated using silver, indium tin oxide, indium zinc oxide, or indium gallium zinc oxide.

[0010] In one embodiment, the planar voice coils are supplied with sound signals by an electronic computing device integrated with the flat panel display.

[0011] In one embodiment, the active sound emitting device integrated with the flat panel display further includes a rubber suspension and a frame, wherein the glass diaphragm is attached to the frame via the rubber suspension to form an air-tight space within the frame.

[0012] In one embodiment, the magnet assembly is disposed in a receiving space within the frame.

[0013] In one embodiment, the light emitting array is a millimeter light emitting diode array or an organic light emitting diode array.

[0014] In one embodiment, the light emitting array is electrically connected to the flexible circuit board and the driving circuit via anisotropic conductive adhesive film through the plurality of through holes in the glass diaphragm.

[0015] In one embodiment, the sound emitting device integrated with the flat panel display further includes an acceleration sensing device disposed on the glass diaphragm for detecting vibration signals of the glass diaphragm.

[0016] In one embodiment, the acceleration sensing device is electrically connected to an amplifier of a driving circuit that drives the planar voice coils, the amplifier amplifies the vibration signals and excites the planar voice coils on the glass diaphragm.

[0017] In one embodiment, the acceleration sensing device, the amplifier, and the planar voice coils on the glass diaphragm form a feedback loop to amplify and adjust the sound output of the sound emitting device, thereby optimizing the sound quality of the output. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0018] The components, features, and advantages of the present application can be better understood from the detailed description that follows, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0019] Figure 1 FIG. 1 shows a side view of a main body portion of an active sound emitting device integrated with a flat panel display according to one embodiment of the present application.

[0020] Figure 2(A) shows an exploded view of an active sound-emitting device integrated into a flat panel display according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 2(B) shows a top view of the magnet assembly of an active sound-emitting device integrated into a flat panel display according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 2(C) shows a cross-sectional view of an active sound-emitting device integrated into a flat panel display according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 2(D) shows a top view of the glass diaphragm (display panel) of an active sound-emitting device integrated into a flat panel display according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 2(E) shows a bottom view of the glass diaphragm (display panel) of an active sound-emitting device integrated into a flat panel display according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 3 The operation proposed according to an embodiment of the present invention has the following characteristics: Figure 1 The diagram shows a functional block diagram of a sound-generating device integrated into a flat panel display.

[0026] Figure 4 A flowchart illustrating how to fabricate a sound-generating device with a sub-millimeter light-emitting diode / organic light-emitting diode (mini-LED / OLED) integrated glass diaphragm according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0027] Figure 5(A) shows a structural side view of a mini-LED / OLED integrated into a glass diaphragm in an active sound-emitting device for integration into a flat panel display according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] Figure 5(B) shows a side view of an acceleration sensing device (G-sensor) disposed on the same side of a glass diaphragm as a mini-LED or OLED array, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] Explanation of key component symbols:

[0030] Sound-generating device 100

[0031] Glass diaphragm (display panel) 101

[0032] Planar voice coil 103

[0033] Magnet assembly 105

[0034] Magnet unit 105a

[0035] Magnetic field lines 106

[0036] Rubber overhang 111

[0037] Frame 123

[0038] Carrier plate 121

[0039] Support column 122

[0040] Force F

[0041] Display panel 206

[0042] Electronic computing device 201

[0043] Sound signal output 201a

[0044] Image signal output 201b

[0045] Processor 201c

[0046] Digital signal processor 202

[0047] Drive circuit 203

[0048] Sound producing device 300

[0049] Steps S301, S303, S305, S307, S309, S311

[0050] Glass substrate 10

[0051] First surface 10a

[0052] Second surface 10b

[0053] Flexible circuit board 125

[0054] Hard circuit board 126

[0055] Image drive IC 135

[0056] Microprocessor 127

[0057] Intelligent amplifier 140

[0058] Sound signals SSG1, SSG2

[0059] Drive signal SSG3

[0060] Image signal VSG1

[0061] Detection signal TSG1

[0062] Vibration signal SG0 DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0063] Some preferred embodiments of the present application will now be described in more detail. It should be appreciated, however, that the preferred embodiments of the present application are provided for illustration purposes only and are not intended to limit the present application. In addition, the present application can be embodied in a wide variety of other embodiments except for those explicitly described, and the scope of the present application is not limited by explicit limitations.

[0064] As described previously in the background section, a planar sound emitting device is similar to a scaled down version of a planar loudspeaker, a planar voice coil can be formed in a printed circuit manner in a light and thin diaphragm. Magnets are arranged on one side or both sides of the diaphragm (push-pull type), when an electrical signal (converted from an original sound signal) is connected to the planar voice coil formed on the diaphragm, the current flowing inside the planar voice coil is orthogonal to the magnetic field generated by the permanent magnet, by flowing an alternating current in the conductive circuit, the conductive circuit generates a force in accordance with Faraday's law, under the action of the force, the diaphragm vibrates in the vertical direction, thereby generating vibration, converting the alternating current signal into a sound signal. For example, US patent US 8447063 B2 discloses a flat thin dynamic speaker, which includes a motor unit, a suspension unit, a radiation unit and a frame, which are arranged in such a way that the motor unit and the suspension unit are in the same plane, and the radiation unit is located on top of the motor unit, thus reducing the thickness of the speaker assembly while maintaining or even improving the performance of the speaker assembly. Since glass has the characteristics of light weight and high strength of the diaphragm, it has the potential to develop a wide sound range.

[0065] The glass diaphragm made of reinforced glass has excellent characteristics such as high electro-acoustic conversion efficiency (because of its high mechanical strength, low density, and fast sound speed), large frequency range (because of its strong rigidity, which can reduce the partition vibration and small deformation at low frequency), good sound quality / tone, and good processability. The display of electronic devices is mainly made of glass, therefore the present application proposes a sound emitting device that integrates the sound emitting unit with the flat panel display and uses the glass of the flat panel display as the diaphragm.

[0066] Figure 1 A side view of a main body portion of an active sound emitting device 100 integrated into a flat panel display is shown. As Figure 1As shown, the sound generating device 100 is a glass substrate of a display panel as a vibration body (glass diaphragm), i.e. glass diaphragm 101, and a planar voice coil 103 is made on the glass surface of the non-display / luminous side of the display by photolithography process and plating method, and a magnet assembly 105 is arranged below the glass diaphragm for forming a magnetic field. The glass diaphragm 101 is driven to vibrate the display panel under the action of the magnetic field, and sound is emitted. Among them, the planar voice coil 103 electrically connected to the sound source electrical signal combines the magnet assembly 105 arranged below it to act as an actuator or exciter to drive the display screen to vibrate and emit sound.

[0067] In an embodiment, the planar voice coil is a conductive line made of silver (Ag), indium tin oxide (ITO), indium zinc oxide (IZO), indium gallium zinc oxide (IGZO), etc., but not limited thereto.

[0068] In an embodiment, the magnet assembly 105 is a magnet array composed of a plurality of magnets. The individual magnet units 105a of the magnet array form a north pole (N) and a south pole (S) staggered arrangement at the pole near the voice coil 103, forming the magnetic lines of force 106 as shown, which shows the corresponding magnetic field direction. Since the current direction of the voice coil 103 is flowing into or out of the paper direction, the magnetic field and current interaction will form an upward and downward force F. It can drive the glass diaphragm 101 to vibrate and emit sound.

[0069] With the concept of the present application, the glass diaphragm 101 can be a display panel, such as an LED, mini-LED, OLED, etc.

[0070] Figure 2(A) shows an exploded schematic view of an active sound generating device 100 integrated into a flat panel display, which includes a glass diaphragm 101, a rubber suspension edge 111, and a magnet assembly 105 arranged in the internal accommodating space of a frame 123. The magnet assembly 105 is composed of a plurality of magnets 105a.

[0071] Figure 2(B) shows a top view of the magnet assembly 105, and the poles of the individual magnet units 105a form a north pole (N) and a south pole (S) staggered arrangement.

[0072] Figure 2(C) shows a cross-sectional view of the active sound production device 100 integrated into a flat display, the glass diaphragm 101 is attached to the frame 123 by the rubber suspension 111 to form an air-tight space inside the frame 123. In a preferred embodiment, a hard PCB 126 is installed at the bottom of the frame 123, and the magnet assembly 105 is disposed on a carrier plate 121, which is pivotally connected to the hard PCB 126 by a plurality of supports 122.

[0073] Figure 2(D) shows a front view of the glass diaphragm (display panel) 101, which includes a light-emitting array 131, corresponding wiring 133, and the image display of the light-emitting array 131 is driven and controlled by an image driving IC 135, which is electrically connected to the hard PCB 126 through the soft PCB 125 via a plurality of through-holes 137 on the glass diaphragm (display panel) 101.

[0074] Figure 2(E) shows a bottom view of the glass diaphragm (display panel) 101, a plurality of planar voice coils 103 are formed on the second surface (lower surface) of the glass diaphragm (display panel) 101 using photolithography and plating processes.

[0075] In a preferred embodiment, the glass diaphragm 101 is a display panel, the first surface (upper surface) of which is configured with a light-emitting array, corresponding wiring, driving IC, etc. of the display screen, and the second surface (lower surface) of which is configured with a plurality of planar voice coils 103 formed using photolithography and plating processes. The circuit assembly of the glass diaphragm (display panel) 101, including the planar voice coils and the circuit assembly connected to the driving IC, is electrically connected to the hard PCB 126 through a soft PCB 125, and the hard PCB 126 can include a microprocessor 127, a D / A converter, a sound / image signal processing unit, etc. for providing sound signals, image signals, etc. to the glass diaphragm (display panel) 101.

[0076] Figure 3 Figure 2(F) shows a functional block diagram of the active sound production device 100 operating as a display device, Figure 1 Figure 2(F) shows a functional block diagram of the active sound production device 100 operating as a display device, Figure 3 The active sound production device includes an actuation assembly (actuator or exciter) 205 and a display panel 206, which includes an LED, mini-LED, OLED, etc. display panel, and includes: i) a function of outputting sound from the display panel 206 (sound output function); ii) a function of displaying images on the display panel 206 (image display function).

[0077] The sound / image capture device 201 includes a sound signal output unit 201a, an image signal output unit 201b, and a processor 201c as a running software. In a preferred embodiment, the sound / image capture device 201 can be a video card that integrates sound and image signal capture functions.

[0078] The sound signal output portion 201a of the sound / image capturing device 201 outputs a sound signal SSG1 to a digital signal processor (DSP) 202. The sound signal output portion 201a can generate the sound signal SSG1 or can obtain the sound signal SSG1 from an external electronic device.

[0079] The image signal output portion 201b outputs an image signal VSG1 to a display panel 206. The image signal output portion 201b can generate the image signal VSG1 or can obtain the image signal VSG1 from an external electronic device.

[0080] The digital signal processor 202 changes the quality of sound output from the sound producing device shown in FIG. 2. Signal processing as shown in FIG. 2 can be implemented by performing various types of signal processing of the sound signal SSG1. For example, the digital signal processor 202 includes an equalizer function that changes the frequency characteristics of the sound signal. The digital signal processor 202 converts the sound signal SSG1 into a sound signal SSG2 by performing various types of signal processing on the sound signal SSG1, and then outputs the sound signal SSG2 to the driving circuit 203.

[0081] The driving circuit 203 includes a digital / analog (D / A) converter and an amplifier. The D / A converter of the driving circuit 203 converts the sound signal SSG2, which is a digital signal, into an analog signal. Unlike this embodiment, the D / A converter can be provided to the digital signal processor 202, and the driving circuit 203 can receive the sound signal SSG2 as an analog signal. The amplifier of the driving circuit 203 amplifies the analog signal generated by the D / A converter to generate a driving signal SSG3, and then outputs the driving signal SSG3 to the actuating assembly 205. In one embodiment, the actuating assembly 205 includes a planar voice coil 103 as shown in FIG. 2 and a magnet assembly 105 electromagnetically coupled thereto. Figure 1

[0082] Figure 4 A flowchart showing how to make a sound producing device of a mini-LED / OLED integrated glass diaphragm. The active sound producing device 100( Figure 1 ​) is taken as a vibration body (glass diaphragm), and how to integrate and manufacture the sound generating device integrated with the glass diaphragm is described taking mini-LED or OLED as an example. In an embodiment, a glass substrate is first provided (step S301), a plurality of through holes are formed in a predetermined non-display area (usually located at the outer edge) of the glass substrate by using laser etching technology (step S303), then a display panel of a mini-LED or OLED array is formed on a first surface of the glass substrate by using photolithography and plating process (step S305), then a planar voice coil is manufactured on a second surface (on the opposite side of the first surface) of the glass substrate by using photolithography process and plating method (step S307), a magnet assembly is arranged below the planar voice coil at a fixed distance for forming a magnetic field (step S309), and anisotropic conductive film (ACF) is used to bond a flexible circuit board through the plurality of through holes in the non-display area of the glass substrate, so that the microprocessor and other components such as D / A converter, digital signal processor, etc. on the hard circuit board are electrically connected with the display panel to provide sound signals, image signals, etc. (step S311).

[0083] The above manufacturing process takes the glass substrate as an example. In the spirit of the present application, other similar glass transparent substrates of mini-LED or OLED can be manufactured, for example, sapphire substrate can also be used to manufacture the sound generating device integrated with the transparent substrate diaphragm by using similar steps S303, S305, S307, S309, and S311.

[0084] Figure 5(A) shows a structure side view of mini LED / OLED integrated with the glass diaphragm in the active sound generating device 100 integrated with the flat display. Similar to the above, the active sound generating device 100 takes the glass substrate of the display panel 101 as a vibration body (glass diaphragm), and a planar voice coil 103 is manufactured on the glass surface of the non-display / light-emitting side of the display panel 101 by using photolithography process and plating method, and a magnet assembly 105 is arranged below the glass diaphragm (display panel) 101 for forming a magnetic field. In an embodiment, the glass diaphragm (display panel) 101 is tightly attached to the frame 120 by a rubber suspension edge 111 to form an airtight space inside the frame 123, the magnet assembly 105 can be arranged on a carrier plate 121, and the carrier plate 121 is fixed to the frame 123 by a plurality of support columns 122.

[0085] The enlarged portion in the dashed circle frame in Figure 5(A) shows a structure side view of mini LED / OLED integrated with the glass diaphragm. As shown in the figure, the planar voice coil 103 is arranged on the glass diaphragm (display panel) 101, and the magnet assembly 105 is arranged below the planar voice coil 103 for forming a magnetic field. Figure 4According to the related description, a glass substrate 10 is provided with a plurality of through holes 137 in the predetermined non-display area (usually located at the outer edge) by laser deep etching, and then a display panel of mini-LED or OLED array and touch array is formed on the first surface 10a of the glass substrate by photolithography and plating process. Then, a planar voice coil 103 is formed on the second surface 10b of the glass substrate by photolithography and plating process, and the flexible printed circuit (FPC) 125 is bonded to the glass substrate through the plurality of through holes 137 in the non-display area of the glass substrate by anisotropic conductive adhesive film. The planar voice coil 103 is also electrically integrated into the flexible printed circuit 125, so that the microprocessor 127 and other components such as D / A converter, digital signal processor, sound signal output, image signal output, etc. on the hard printed circuit board 126 are electrically connected to the display panel to provide sound signal, image signal, etc.

[0086] In order to provide real-time feedback of the vibration signal in the glass diaphragm (display panel) 101, as shown in FIG. 5(B), an acceleration sensing device (G-sensor) is arranged on the same side of the glass diaphragm (display panel) 101 as the mini-LED or OLED array, which is used to detect the vibration signal SG0 of the glass diaphragm. The vibration signal SG0 is fed back to the intelligent amplifier 140 in the driving circuit, which amplifies the vibration signal and is used to excite the planar voice coil 103 on the glass diaphragm. Therefore, the feedback loop formed by the acceleration sensing device (G-sensor) arranged on the glass diaphragm, the intelligent amplifier 140 in the driving circuit, and the planar voice coil 103 on the glass diaphragm can effectively amplify and adjust the sound output of the sound generating device, thereby optimizing the output sound quality.

[0087] At present, circular mini-LED / OLED displays are also provided on the market for electric vehicles. Based on the same concept, the mini-LED / OLED integrated into the glass diaphragm in the active sound generating device integrated into the flat panel display proposed by the present application has a circular appearance, and the planar voice coil with concentric circle or racetrack shape is formed on the second surface of the glass substrate by photolithography and plating process. The magnet assembly below the glass diaphragm can be arranged in a ring shape to form a magnetic field.

[0088] It is emphasized here that the glass diaphragm is not limited to the circular shape, and the planar voice coil is not limited to the concentric circle or racetrack shape. The glass diaphragm can be in other shapes such as square, rectangle, oval, etc., and the planar voice coil can be in other shapes such as square, rectangle, oval, etc. Figure 1The configuration of the various magnet assemblies described in FIG. 2 is optimized so that the current flowing in the planar voice coil is orthogonal to the magnetic field generated by the magnet assemblies. By flowing an alternating current through the planar voice coil, the planar voice coil generates a force in accordance with Faraday's Law, which causes the sound generating device integrated with the glass diaphragm to vibrate in the vertical direction.

[0089] The above examples are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present application, but not to limit it; although the present application and its benefits are described in detail with reference to the above examples, those skilled in the art should understand that the above examples can be modified, or some technical features can be replaced by equivalent ones; and these modifications or replacements do not make the essence of the corresponding technical solutions deviate from the scope of the claims of the present application.

Claims

1. An active sound emitting device integrated to a flat panel display, characterized by, The active sound device comprises: a glass diaphragm having a first surface for forming a light emitting array of a flat panel display thereon; a plurality of planar voice coils disposed on a second surface of the glass diaphragm opposite to the first surface; and a magnet assembly disposed below the plurality of planar voice coils, wherein the plurality of planar voice coils electromagnetically couple the magnet assembly to convert electrical signals received by the plurality of planar voice coils into vibration signals of the glass diaphragm to make the flat panel display sound, and an acceleration sensing device disposed on the glass diaphragm for detecting the vibration signals of the glass diaphragm.

2. The active sound emitting device integrated to a flat panel display according to claim 1, wherein, The plurality of planar voice coils are fabricated by photolithography and plating.

3. The active sound emitting device integrated to a flat panel display according to claim 2, wherein, The planar voice coils are conductive tracks made of silver, indium tin oxide, indium zinc oxide, or indium gallium zinc oxide.

4. The active sound emitting device integrated to a flat panel display according to claim 2, wherein, The magnet assembly comprises a plurality of magnet units, and the polarity of each magnet unit is arranged in a staggered manner.

5. The active sound emitting device integrated to a flat panel display according to claim 1, wherein, A rubber suspension and a frame are further included, wherein the glass diaphragm is attached to the frame by the rubber suspension to form an air-tight space in the frame.

6. The active sound emitting device integrated to a flat panel display according to claim 5, wherein, The magnet assembly is disposed in a receiving space inside the frame.

7. The active sound emitting device integrated to a flat panel display according to claim 1, wherein, The light emitting array is a millimeter light emitting diode array or an organic light emitting diode array.

8. The active sound emitting device integrated to a flat display according to claim 7, wherein, The light emitting array is electrically connected to a flexible circuit board and a driving circuit by anisotropic conductive adhesive film through a plurality of through holes in the glass diaphragm.

9. The active sound emitting device integrated to a flat panel display according to claim 1, wherein, The acceleration sensing device is electrically connected to an amplifier in a driving circuit for driving the plurality of planar voice coils, the amplifier amplifies the vibration signals and excites the planar voice coils on the glass diaphragm.

10. The active sound emitting device integrated to a flat panel display according to claim 9, wherein, The acceleration sensing device, the amplifier, and the planar voice coils on the glass diaphragm form a feedback loop to amplify and adjust the sound output of the sound device, thereby optimizing the output sound quality.

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