Vibrating apparatus and apparatus including same

Abstract

The invention discloses a vibration apparatus and an apparatus including the same. The vibration device may include a first electrode layer, a second electrode layer, and a first vibration layer and a second vibration layer between the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer. The first vibration layer and the second vibration layer may have deformation characteristics different from each other.

Description

[0001] Cross - reference to related applications

[0002] This application claims the priority and benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10 - 2023 - 0183763, filed in Korea on December 15, 2023. For all purposes, the entire content of the Korean patent application is incorporated herein by reference. Technical field

[0003] The present disclosure relates to devices, and more particularly, to, for example but not limited to, vibration devices and devices including vibration devices. Background art

[0004] A speaker applied to a device may be, for example, an actuator including a magnet and a coil. In the case of applying an actuator to a device, there is a disadvantage in that the thickness of the device is relatively thick. Piezoelectric devices for implementing a thin thickness have attracted wide attention.

[0005] Devices including piezoelectric devices are lightweight and have low power consumption, and thus are used for various purposes. In piezoelectric devices, the minimum resonance frequency increases due to high rigidity, and thus the sound pressure level of the bass sound band is likely to be insufficient. Therefore, devices including piezoelectric devices have a technical problem in that the sound pressure level of the bass sound band is insufficient.

[0006] The description of the background art should not be regarded as prior art merely because it is mentioned in this section or in parts related to this section. The description of the background art may include information describing one or more aspects of the subject technology, and the description in this part does not limit the present invention. Summary of the invention

[0007] Accordingly, the inventors have recognized the problems and drawbacks in the background art, including the above - mentioned limitations, and have conducted extensive research and experiments to enhance the sound characteristics and / or sound pressure level characteristics of the bass sound band of a vibration device. Based on extensive research and experiments, the inventors have invented a new structure of a vibration device and a device including the vibration device, which can enhance the sound characteristics and / or sound pressure level characteristics of the bass sound band of the device.

[0008] One aspect of the present disclosure is directed to providing a vibration device and a device including the vibration device, which can enhance the sound characteristics and / or sound pressure level characteristics of the bass sound band and can enhance the sound characteristics and / or sound pressure level characteristics of the mid - high sound band.

[0009] Additional features and aspects will be set forth in the following description, and in part will be apparent from the description, or can be learned by practice of the inventive concept provided herein. Other features and aspects of the inventive concept can be realized and obtained by means of the structures particularly pointed out in the written description, or the content derivable therefrom, as well as the claims and the drawings thereof.

[0010] A vibration device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a first electrode layer, a second electrode layer, and a first vibration layer and a second vibration layer located between the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer, and the first vibration layer and the second vibration layer have different deformation characteristics from each other.

[0011] A device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a vibration member and a vibration generating device configured to vibrate the vibration member. The vibration generating device may include a first electrode layer, a second electrode layer, and a first vibration layer and a second vibration layer located between the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer, and the first vibration layer and the second vibration layer have different deformation characteristics from each other.

[0012] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a vibration device and a device including the vibration device may be provided, in which the sound characteristics and / or sound pressure level characteristics of the bass vocal cords may be enhanced, and the sound characteristics and / or sound pressure level characteristics of the mid-high vocal cords may be enhanced.

[0013] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a piezoelectric device that is light in weight and has low power consumption may be used, and at the same time, the sound characteristics and / or sound pressure level characteristics of the bass vocal cords may be enhanced, thereby providing a vibration device and a device including the vibration device that are implemented or configured to be light in weight or have low power consumption.

[0014] A vibration device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure and a device including the vibration device may include a Pb-free piezoelectric material, and thus may achieve the effects of preventing environmental pollution caused by the toxicity of Pb and harmful materials generated during the sintering process, reducing the production of harmful / restricted materials, providing environmentally friendly products, and replacing harmful materials.

[0015] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, since it is configured as a vibration device capable of realizing bass and midrange, the layout area of the vibration device provided in the device may be reduced, thereby improving the aesthetic appearance of the device.

[0016] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, since a single vibration device may be used to realize bass or midrange, the cost of the vibration device may be reduced due to the reduction in the number of components.

[0017] After studying the following figures and detailed description, other systems, methods, features, and advantages will be apparent to those skilled in the art. All such additional systems, methods, features, and advantages are intended to be included within this description, within the scope of the present disclosure, and protected by the present disclosure. Nothing in this section shall be construed as a limitation on the present disclosure. Additional aspects and advantages are discussed in connection with the various aspects of the present disclosure below.

[0018] It should be understood that the foregoing description and the following description are both exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the inventive concept claimed. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] The drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the present disclosure, are incorporated into and form a part of this application, show aspects and embodiments of the present disclosure, and together with the written description are used to explain the principles and examples of the present disclosure.

[0020] Figure 1 Shows a vibration device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0021] Figure 2 Is a cross-sectional view taken along line I-I' shown in Figure 1 the [figure].

[0022] Figure 3 Is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II' shown in Figure 1 the [figure].

[0023] Figure 4 Is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III' shown in Figure 1 the [figure].

[0024] Figure 5 Shows a vibration device according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0025] Figure 6 Shows a vibration device according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0026] Figure 7 Shows a vibration device according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0027] Figure 8 Shows a vibration device according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0028] Figure 9 Shows a device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0029] Figure 10 Is a cross-sectional view taken along Figure 9A cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV' shown in the figure.

[0030] Figure 11 is a plan view of an apparatus including a vibration device according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0031] Figure 12 shows a vibration device for a vehicle according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0032] Throughout the drawings and the detailed description, unless otherwise described, the same reference numerals should be understood to refer to the same elements, features, and structures. For clarity, illustration, and / or convenience, the dimensions, lengths, and thicknesses of layers, regions, and elements, and their depictions may be exaggerated. Detailed Description

[0033] Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the present disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In the following description, when a detailed description of well-known methods, functions, structures, or configurations may unnecessarily obscure aspects of the present disclosure, its detailed description may be omitted for the sake of brevity. In addition, for the sake of brevity, repeated descriptions may be omitted. The progression of the described processing steps and / or operations is a non-limiting example.

[0034] The order of steps and / or operations is not limited to the order set forth herein, and except for steps and / or operations that must occur in a particular order, steps and / or operations may be changed to occur in an order different from the order described herein. In one or more examples, two consecutive operations may be performed substantially simultaneously, or the two operations may be performed in a reverse order or in a different order depending on the functions or operations involved.

[0035] Unless otherwise specified, the same reference numerals may refer to the same elements throughout, even when they are shown in different drawings. Unless otherwise specified, throughout the specification and the drawings, the same reference numerals may be used to refer to the same or substantially the same elements. In one or more aspects, unless otherwise specified, the same elements (or elements with the same name) in different drawings may have the same or substantially the same functions and properties. The names of the various elements used in the following description are chosen for convenience only and may therefore be different from the names used in actual products.

[0036] Advantages and features of the present disclosure and methods for implementing them will become clear by referring to the embodiments described with reference to the drawings. However, the present disclosure may be embodied in different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. On the contrary, these embodiments are examples and are provided so that the present disclosure may be thorough and complete, to assist those skilled in the art in understanding the inventive concept without limiting the scope of protection of the present disclosure.

[0037] The shapes, dimensions (e.g., size, length, width, height, thickness, position, radius, diameter, and area), ratios, rates, angles, quantities, number of elements, etc., disclosed herein, including those shown in the drawings, are merely examples. Therefore, the present disclosure is not limited to the details illustrated. However, it should be noted that the relative sizes of the components shown in the drawings are part of the present disclosure.

[0038] When terms such as "comprising," "having," "including," "containing," "constituting," "made of," "formed by," "consisting of," etc. are used with respect to one or more elements (e.g., layer, film, region, component, section, member, part, step, operation, etc.), one or more other elements may be added, unless terms such as "only" are used. The terms used in the present disclosure are only for describing specific example embodiments and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Singular forms of terms may include plural forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0039] The term "exemplary" is used to mean serving as an example or illustration. Embodiments are example embodiments. Aspects are example aspects. "In one or more embodiments," "embodiment," "example," "aspect," etc. should not be construed as being preferred or advantageous over other embodiments. Unless otherwise stated, embodiments, examples, example embodiments, aspects, etc. may refer to one or more embodiments, one or more examples, one or more example embodiments, one or more aspects, etc. In addition, the term "may" encompasses all meanings of the term "can."

[0040] In one or more aspects, unless otherwise explicitly stated, an element, feature, or corresponding information (e.g., level, range, dimension, size, etc.) is interpreted as including a range of errors or tolerances, even if no explicit indication of such a range of errors or tolerances is provided. The range of errors or tolerances may be caused by various factors (e.g., process factors, internal or external influences, noise, etc.). When interpreting a numerical value, unless otherwise explicitly stated, the value is interpreted as including a range of errors.

[0041] When describing positional relationships, when terms such as "above", "on top", "top", "above", "below", "over", "under", "beneath", "near", "close to", "adjacent", "next to", "by", "on one side or on one side of" etc. are used to describe the positional relationship between two parts (e.g., layers, films, regions, components, parts, etc.), one or more parts may be located between two other parts, unless more restrictive terms such as "immediately (adjacent to)", "directly", or "closely" are used. For example, when a structure is described as being "above", "on top", "top", "above", "below", "over", "under", "beneath", "near", "close to", "adjacent", "next to", "by", "on one side or on one side of" etc. another structure, such description should be interpreted to include cases where the structures are in contact with each other and cases where one or more additional structures are disposed or inserted therebetween. In addition, terms such as "front", "rear", "back", "left", "right", "top", "bottom", "down", "up", "upper", "lower", "above", "below", "column", "row", "vertical", "horizontal", etc. refer to any reference system.

[0042] Spatial relative terms, such as "below", "beneath", "lower", "above", "over", "upper", etc., may be used to describe the associations as shown in the figures between various elements (e.g., layers, films, regions, components, parts, etc.). Spatial relative terms should be understood to include terms for different orientations of the elements in use or operation in addition to the orientations depicted in the drawings. For example, if the elements shown in the drawings are flipped, an element described as "below" or "beneath" other elements will be oriented "above" the other elements. Thus, the term "below", as an example term, may include all directions of "above" and "below". Similarly, the exemplary terms "above" or "on" may include both directions of "above" and "below".

[0043] When describing temporal relationships, when the time sequence is described as "after", "subsequently", "next", "before", "preceding", "earlier" etc., discontinuous or non-sequential cases may be included, and thus one or more other events may occur therebetween, unless more restrictive terms such as "just", "immediately", or "directly" are used.

[0044] Terms such as "below", "lower", "above", "upper", etc. may be used herein to describe the relationship between the (multiple) elements as shown in the figures. It should be understood that these terms are spatially related and based on the orientations depicted in the drawings.

[0045] It should be understood that although terms such as "first", "second", etc. may be used herein to describe various elements (e.g., layers, films, regions, components, sections, members, parts, regions, zones, portions, steps, operations, etc.), these elements should not be limited by these terms to, for example, any particular order, sequence, priority, or quantity of the elements. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another. For example, a first element may represent a second element, and similarly, a second element may represent a first element, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In addition, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure, the first element, the second element, etc. may be arbitrarily named according to the convenience of those skilled in the art. For clarity, the function or structure of these elements (e.g., the first element, the second element, etc.) is not limited by the serial number or name in front of the element. In addition, the first element may include one or more first elements. Similarly, the second element, etc. may include one or more second elements, etc.

[0046] When describing the elements of the present disclosure, terms such as "first", "second", "A", "B", "(a)", "(b)", etc. may be used. These terms are intended to distinguish the corresponding elements from other elements and are not used to define the essence, basis, order, or quantity of the elements.

[0047] For the description of an element (e.g., a layer, a film, a region, a component, a part, etc.) being "connected", "coupled", "attached", "adhered", etc. to another element, the element can not only be directly connected, coupled, attached, adhered, etc. to another element, but also be indirectly connected, coupled, attached, adhered, etc. to another element, and one or more intermediate elements are provided or inserted between the elements, unless otherwise specified.

[0048] For the description of an element (e.g., a layer, a film, a region, a component, a part, etc.) "contacting", "overlapping", etc. with another element, the element can not only directly contact, overlap, etc. with another element, but also indirectly contact, overlap, etc. with another element, and one or more intermediate elements are provided or inserted between the elements, unless otherwise specified.

[0049] The expressions that an element (e.g., a layer, a film, a region, a component, a part, etc.) is “provided”, “set” in, on, “connected” to, “coupled” to another element, or “connected”, “coupled” with another element, etc. can be understood as (e.g.) at least a part of the element is provided, set in, on, connected to, coupled to, or connected, coupled with at least a part of another element, etc., or the whole of the element is provided, set in, on, connected to, coupled to, or connected, coupled with another element, etc. The expressions that an element (e.g., a layer, a film, a region, a component, a part, etc.) “contacts”, “overlaps” with another element, etc. can be understood as (e.g.) at least a part of the element contacts, overlaps with at least a part of another element, etc., the whole of the element contacts, overlaps with at least a part of another element, etc., or at least a part of the element contacts, overlaps with the whole of another element, etc.

[0050] Terms such as “line” or “direction” should not be interpreted based solely on the geometric relationship in which the corresponding lines or directions are parallel or perpendicular to each other, and can represent lines or directions with a broader directivity within the range where the components of the present disclosure can operate functionally. For example, terms such as “first direction”, “second direction”, etc., which are parallel or perpendicular to the “x-axis”, “y-axis” or “z-axis”, for example, should not be interpreted based solely on the geometric relationship in which the respective directions are parallel or perpendicular to each other, and can represent directions with a broader directivity within the range where the components of the present disclosure can operate functionally.

[0051] The term “at least one” should be understood to include any and all combinations of one or more of the related listed items. For example, each of the phrases “at least one of the first item, the second item, or the third item” and “at least one of the first item, the second item, and the third item” can represent (i) a combination of items provided by two or more of the first item, the second item, and the third item, or (ii) only one of the first item, the second item, and the third item.

[0052] The expression of the first element, the second element “and / or” the third element should be understood as one of the first, second, and third elements or any or all combinations of the first, second, and third elements. For example, A, B, and / or C can refer to: only A; only B; only C; any one of A, B, and C (e.g., A, B, or C); some or some combinations of A, B, and C (e.g., A and B; A and C; or B and C); or all of A, B, and C. In addition, the expression “A / B” can be understood as A and / or B. For example, the expression “A / B” can refer to: only A; only B; A or B; or A and B.

[0053] In one or more aspects, unless otherwise specified, for convenience, the terms "between" and "among" may be used interchangeably. For example, the expression "between multiple elements" may be understood as among multiple elements. In another example, the expression "among multiple elements" may be understood as between multiple elements. In one or more examples, the number of elements may be two. In one or more examples, the number of elements may be more than two. Additionally, when an element (e.g., a layer, film, region, component, part, etc.) is said to be "between" at least two elements, the element may be the only element between the at least two elements, or there may also be one or more intermediate elements.

[0054] In one or more aspects, unless otherwise specified, for convenience, the phrases "each other" and "one another" may be used interchangeably. For example, the expression "different from each other" may be understood as different from one another. In another example, the expression "different from one another" may be understood as different from each other. In one or more examples, the number of elements involved in the above expressions may be two. In one or more examples, the number of elements involved in the above expressions may be more than two.

[0055] In one or more aspects, unless otherwise specified, for convenience, the phrases "one or more of..." and "one or more in..." may be used interchangeably.

[0056] The term "or" means "inclusive or" rather than "exclusive or". For example, unless otherwise specified or clear from the context, the expression "x uses a or b" means any of the natural inclusive arrangements. For example, "a or b" may mean "a", "b", or "a and b". For example, "a, b, or c" may mean "a", "b", "c", "a and b", "b and c", "a and c", or "a, b, and c".

[0057] The features of the various embodiments of the present disclosure may be partially or fully coupled or combined with each other, may be technically related to each other, and may interoperate, link, or drive together in various ways. The embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented or executed independently of each other, or may be implemented or executed together in a mutually dependent or related relationship. In one or more aspects, the components of each device according to the various embodiments of the present disclosure are operably coupled and configured.

[0058] Unless otherwise defined, the terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the exemplary embodiments belong. Further understanding is that terms, such as those defined in a common dictionary, should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and should not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly defined otherwise herein.

[0059] The terms used herein have been selected as common terms in the relevant technical field; however, depending on the development and / or changes in technology, conventions, preferences of those skilled in the art, etc., there may be other terms. Therefore, the terms used herein should not be construed as limiting the technical concept, but should be understood as examples of the terms used to describe the exemplary embodiments.

[0060] In addition, in certain cases, the terms can be arbitrarily selected by the applicant, and in such cases, their detailed meanings are described herein. Therefore, the terms used herein should be understood not only based on the name of the terms, but also based on the meaning and content of the terms.

[0061] In the present disclosure, a display device including a vibration device can be implemented using a user interface device such as a central control panel in an automobile, and thus can be applied to a vehicle.

[0062] The features of the various embodiments of the present disclosure can be partially or wholly coupled or combined with each other, and can interoperate with each other in various ways and be technically driven, as can be fully understood by those skilled in the art. The embodiments of the present disclosure can be executed independently of each other or can be executed together in a mutually dependent relationship.

[0063] In the following description, various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. For the reference numerals of the elements in each drawing, the same elements can be shown in other drawings, and unless otherwise stated, similar reference numerals can refer to similar elements. Even if the same or similar elements are depicted in different drawings, they can be represented by the same reference numerals. Additionally, for convenience of description, the ratios, dimensions, sizes, and thicknesses of each element shown in the drawings may be different from the actual ratios, dimensions, sizes, and thicknesses. Therefore, the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to the ratios, dimensions, sizes, and thicknesses shown in the drawings.

[0064] Figure 1 A vibration device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line I-I' shown in Figure 1 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II-II' shown in Figure 1 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III’ shown in Figure 1 .

[0065] Referring to Figures 1 to 4 , a vibration device 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a vibration generating part 110.

[0066] The vibration generating part 110 may be configured to vibrate based on a driving signal using the piezoelectric effect. The vibration generating part 110 may include at least one of a piezoelectric inorganic material, a piezoelectric organic material, and a relaxor ferroelectric material. For example, the vibration generating part 110 may be a vibration part, a vibration device, a piezoelectric device, a piezoelectric device part, a piezoelectric device layer, a piezoelectric material, a piezoelectric vibration part, or a piezoelectric vibration layer, but the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto.

[0067] The vibration generating part 110 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a first vibration layer 111 and a second vibration layer 112. The vibration generating part 110 may be disposed between a first electrode layer 120 and a second electrode layer 130. For example, the first vibration layer 111 and the second vibration layer 112 may be disposed between the first electrode layer 120 and the second electrode layer 130. For example, the first vibration layer 111 and the second vibration layer 112 may be stacked to overlap each other between the first electrode layer 120 and the second electrode layer 130.

[0068] The vibration generating part 110 may include a circular plate shape, a polygonal plate shape, an elliptical shape, or an annular shape, but the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto. For example, each of the first vibration layer 111 and the second vibration layer 112 may include a circular plate shape, a polygonal plate shape, an elliptical shape, or an annular shape, but the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto.

[0069] The vibration generating part 110 may include a lead zirconate titanate (PZT)-based piezoelectric material, which includes Pb, zirconium (Zr), and titanium (Ti), and has strong piezoelectric characteristics, but is not limited thereto, and may include a Pb-free piezoelectric material to prevent environmental pollution caused by the toxicity of Pb and harmful materials generated during the sintering process. For example, the Pb-free piezoelectric material may have problems with performance and reliability being lower than those of the PZT-based piezoelectric material. For example, the Pb-free piezoelectric material may have problems that the reliability of the piezoelectric material is affected by a low Curie temperature and the piezoelectric characteristics are low due to a low piezoelectric constant. Therefore, based on various studies and experiments, the present inventors have invented a piezoelectric material having the same or similar characteristics as the Pb-based piezoelectric material. This will be described below.

[0070] According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the first vibration layer 111 and the second vibration layer 112 may have different deformation characteristics from each other. For example, the first vibration layer 111 and the second vibration layer 112 may include piezoelectric materials having different deformation characteristics among lead-free piezoelectric materials. For example, the different deformation characteristics may include phase change deformation characteristics and electric field-induced deformation characteristics. For example, one of the first vibration layer 111 and the second vibration layer 112 may be composed of a relaxor ferroelectric material having phase change deformation characteristics. For example, the other of the first vibration layer 111 and the second vibration layer 112 may be composed of a ferroelectric material or a piezoelectric material having electric field-induced deformation characteristics. For example, the first vibration layer 111 may include a relaxor ferroelectric material, and the second vibration layer 112 may include a ferroelectric material or a piezoelectric material. The relaxor ferroelectric material may be a phase change deformation material, but embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto. The ferroelectric material or the piezoelectric material may be a piezoelectric material, but embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto.

[0071] A relaxor ferroelectric material may be an irregular crystal, which is a specific category of ferroelectric materials. Different from the ferroelectric materials of the prior art, the crystal structure of the relaxor ferroelectric material exhibits a high degree of disorder. The term "relaxor" refers to the relaxor characteristics exhibited by the dielectric response of these materials. For example, a relaxor ferroelectric material may have a crystal structure without long-range order, and there are randomly distributed polar nano-regions (PNRs) in the crystal. For example, when measuring the dielectric constant according to the temperature change caused by the polar nano-regions (PNRs), the dielectric constant of the relaxor ferroelectric material may gradually change, and the dielectric constant may have frequency dependence. For example, a relaxor ferroelectric material may have a high dielectric constant within a certain temperature range, and the crystal structure and dynamic characteristics may change sensitively with respect to frequency and temperature. Therefore, a relaxor ferroelectric material may have a high piezoelectric coefficient, a high dielectric constant, high sensitivity, and a wide operating temperature range, and may have large strain characteristics due to phase change.

[0072] The piezoelectric effect may be the property of generating electric charges in response to mechanical stress or strain, or causing mechanical deformation or shape deformation when an electric field is applied.

[0073] Compared with piezoelectric materials, relaxor ferroelectric materials have relatively large strain due to phase change, convert electrical energy into mechanical energy, but have relatively low frequency response characteristics. Relaxor ferroelectric materials can withstand large strain, thus achieving low bass. However, when composed only of relaxor ferroelectric materials, it is difficult to achieve all audible frequency ranges other than low bass sounds. According to embodiments of the present disclosure, since relaxor ferroelectric materials can achieve low bass sounds and piezoelectric materials can achieve midrange sounds, a vibration device 100 capable of achieving low bass and mid-high sounds can be provided by arranging relaxor ferroelectric materials and piezoelectric materials together. For example, the audible frequency may be 20 Hz to 20 kHz, but embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto.

[0074] Relaxor ferroelectric materials may include barium titanate (BT)-based materials. For example, barium titanate (BT)-based materials can form a solid solution by adding a ternary oxide including lanthanum (La) to a [Bi,Na,K]TiO3-based matrix material containing Bi, Na, K, Ti, and O as main components, and can have a pseudo-cubic perovskite crystal structure. For example, a barium titanate (BT)-based relaxor ferroelectric material can have the property of changing from a pseudo-cubic phase in an initial state to a rhombohedral crystal structure or a tetragonal crystal structure by an externally applied electric field, and thus can have large deformation properties. For example, when a low frequency is applied, large deformation properties of a barium titanate (BT)-based relaxor ferroelectric material can be implemented or achieved.

[0075] For example, a barium titanate (BT)-based relaxor ferroelectric material can be represented by the following Formula 1.

[0076] Formula 1

[0077] 0.99[(Bi 0.5 Na 0.4 K 0.1 ) 1-x La x TiO3]-0.01[Ba 0.7 Sr 0.3 TiO3]+ymol%CuO(x = 0.02~0.025, y = 0.1~2.0)

[0078] For example, ferroelectric or piezoelectric properties can be exhibited according to the content of lanthanum (La).

[0079] Ferroelectric or piezoelectric materials can have the following properties. When pressure or distortion occurs in the crystal structure due to an external force, a potential difference is generated by dielectric polarization caused by a change in the relative positions of positive (+) ions and negative (-) ions, and can have the property of generating vibration by an electric field according to a reversely applied voltage. For example, ferroelectric or piezoelectric materials can include ceramic-based materials capable of implementing relatively high vibrations, or can include piezoelectric ceramics having a perovskite crystal structure. The perovskite crystal structure can have piezoelectric and / or inverse piezoelectric effects and can be a plate-like structure having an orientation property.

[0080] Piezoelectric ceramics may include single-crystal ceramics having a single-crystal structure, or may include polycrystalline ceramics or ceramic materials having a polycrystalline structure. The piezoelectric material of the single-crystal ceramic may include α-AlPO4, α-SiO2, LiNbO3, Tb2(MoO4)3, Li2B4O7, or ZnO, but the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto. The piezoelectric material of the polycrystalline ceramic may include a lead zirconate titanate (PZT)-based material, which includes lead (Pb), zirconium (Zr), and titanium (Ti), but the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto. For example, the polycrystalline ceramic may include a lead zirconate niobate nickelate (PZNN)-based material, which includes lead (Pb), zirconium (Zr), nickel (Ni), and niobium (Nb).

[0081] Ferroelectric or piezoelectric materials may include potassium sodium niobate (KNN)-based piezoelectric materials (which include potassium (K), sodium (Na), and niobium (Nb)), and / or barium titanate (BT)-based piezoelectric materials and bismuth (Bi)-based piezoelectric materials. For example, the KNN-based piezoelectric material may include (K,Na)NbO3, but the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto. For example, the BT-based piezoelectric material may include (Ba,Ca)TiO3-Ba(Ti,Zr)O3, but the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto. For example, templated grain growth (TGG) may or may not be applied to the KNN-based piezoelectric material, but the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto.

[0082] For example, the potassium sodium niobate (KNN)-based piezoelectric material may be represented by the following formula 2.

[0083] Formula 2

[0084] 0.96(Na 0.5 K 0.5 )(Nb 0.932 Sb 0.068 )-0.01(CaZrO3)+0.03(Bi 0.5 Ag 0.5 )ZrO3+xmol% Fe2O3 (X = 0.1 to 1.0)

[0085] Reference Figure 2, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the first vibration layer 111 and the second vibration layer 112 may have different thicknesses from each other. For example, the thickness of the first vibration layer 111 may be equal to or thinner than the thickness of the second vibration layer 112. The first vibration layer 111 may be configured to have a first thickness T1, and the second vibration layer 112 may be configured to have a second thickness T2. For example, the first vibration layer 111 may be composed of a relaxor ferroelectric material having a phase change deformation characteristic, and the second vibration layer 112 may be composed of a ferroelectric material or a piezoelectric material having an electric field-induced deformation characteristic. For example, since the first vibration layer 111 may be composed of a relaxor ferroelectric material, it may have a large deformation characteristic, but the deformation rate may decrease or not deform under low electric field conditions. Therefore, the first vibration layer 111 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may be configured to have a thinner thickness than the second vibration layer 112, so that a higher applied electric field than the second vibration layer 112 can be induced. As a result, the first vibration layer 111 and the second vibration layer 112 may be driven simultaneously, thereby implementing or realizing the large deformation characteristics of the first vibration layer 111 and the second vibration layer 112.

[0086] The first vibration layer 111 and the second vibration layer 112 may have different volumes from each other. For example, the volume of the first vibration layer 111 may be equal to or less than the volume of the second vibration layer 112. For example, based on the total volume including the first vibration layer 111 and the second vibration layer 112, the first vibration layer 111 may be composed of a volume of 40 vol% or less. Therefore, a higher applied electric field than the second vibration layer 112 can be induced in the first vibration layer 111. As a result, the first vibration layer 111 and the second vibration layer 112 may be driven simultaneously, thereby implementing or realizing the large deformation characteristics of the first vibration layer 111 and the second vibration layer 112.

[0087] The vibration device 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a first electrode layer 120 and a second electrode layer 130 facing each other, and a vibration generating part 110 is located between the first electrode layer 120 and the second electrode layer 130.

[0088] The first electrode layer 120 may be provided at the first surface (or upper surface) of the vibration generating part 110. The first electrode layer 120 may have the same size as the vibration generating part 110, or the first electrode layer 120 may have a size smaller than the size of the vibration generating part 110.

[0089] The second electrode layer 130 may be disposed at a second surface (or lower surface) different from or opposite to the first surface of the vibration generating portion 110. The second electrode layer 130 may have a size substantially the same as that of the vibration generating portion 110, or the second electrode layer 130 may have a size smaller than that of the vibration generating portion 110. For example, the second electrode layer 130 may have a shape substantially the same as that of the first electrode layer 120 or the vibration generating portion 110, but embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto.

[0090] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, in order to prevent electrical connection (or short circuit) between the first electrode layer 120 and the second electrode layer 130, each of the first electrode layer 120 and the second electrode layer 130 may be formed at a portion of the vibration generating portion 110 other than the edge portion (or peripheral portion). For example, the first electrode layer 120 may be entirely formed at a portion of the first surface of the vibration generating portion 110 other than the edge portion (or peripheral portion). For example, the second electrode layer 130 may be entirely formed at a portion of the second surface of the vibration generating portion 110 other than the edge portion (or peripheral portion). For example, the distance between the lateral surface (or outer sidewall) of each of the first electrode layer 120 and the second electrode layer 130 and the lateral surface (or outer sidewall) of the vibration generating portion 110 may be at least 0.5 mm or more. For example, the distance between the lateral surface of each of the first electrode layer 120 and the second electrode layer 130 and the lateral surface of the vibration generating portion 110 may be at least 1 mm or greater, but embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto.

[0091] One or more of the first electrode layer 120 and the second electrode layer 130 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a transparent conductive material, a translucent conductive material, or an opaque conductive material. For example, the transparent or translucent conductive material may include indium tin oxide (ITO) or indium zinc oxide (IZO), but embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto. The opaque conductive material may include gold (Au), silver (Ag), platinum (Pt), palladium (Pd), molybdenum (Mo), magnesium (Mg), carbon, or Ag including glass frit, or may include an alloy thereof, but embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto. For example, each of the first electrode layer 120 and the second electrode layer 130 may include Ag having a low resistivity to enhance the electrical characteristics and / or vibration characteristics of the vibration generating portion 110. For example, the carbon may be a carbon material including graphite, carbon black, Ketjen black, and carbon nanotubes, but embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto.

[0092] The vibration generation part 110 can be polarized (or poled) by applying a specific voltage to the first electrode layer 120 and the second electrode layer 130 in a specific temperature atmosphere or in a temperature atmosphere that changes from a high temperature to room temperature, but the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto. For example, the polarization direction (or poling direction) formed in the vibration generation part 110 can be formed or arranged (or disposed) from the first electrode layer 120 to the second electrode layer 130, but is not limited thereto and can be formed or arranged (or disposed) from the second electrode layer 130 to the first electrode layer 120.

[0093] The vibration generation part 110 may include a first vibration layer 111 and a second vibration layer 112 having different deformation characteristics from each other. For example, the first vibration layer 111 and the second vibration layer 112 may be configured to be stacked between the first electrode layer 120 and the second electrode layer 130 to overlap each other. The first vibration layer 111 and the second vibration layer 112 may alternately and repeatedly contract and / or expand to vibrate based on the inverse piezoelectric effect generated by a drive signal externally applied to the first electrode layer 120 and the second electrode layer 130 through a drive circuit. For example, the first vibration layer 111 may include a relaxor ferroelectric material, and the second vibration layer 112 may include a ferroelectric material. Therefore, the electric fields applied to the first vibration layer 111 and the second vibration layer 112 may act differently, and it may be necessary to induce a larger electric field applied to the first vibration layer 111 than the electric field applied to the second vibration layer 112. Therefore, the first vibration layer 111 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may be configured to have a thickness thinner than that of the second vibration layer 112, so that a higher applied electric field than that of the second vibration layer 112 can be induced. As a result, the first vibration layer 111 and the second vibration layer 112 may be driven simultaneously. For example, the first vibration layer 111 and the second vibration layer 112 may vibrate in the vertical direction (or thickness direction) and the planar direction based on a signal applied to the first electrode layer 120 and the second electrode layer 130 through a drive circuit. For example, when a high electric field is induced by a signal applied in the drive circuit, the first vibration layer 111 and the second vibration layer 112 may be driven simultaneously, and the first vibration layer 111 and the second vibration layer 112 may be displaced (or vibrated or driven) by large deformations of the first vibration layer 111 and / or the second vibration layer 112, thereby implementing or realizing the vibration device 100, in which the sound characteristics and / or sound pressure level characteristics of the bass sound band and the mid-high sound band of the vibration device 100 can be enhanced.

[0094] The manufacturing process of the vibration generation part 110 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below.

[0095] A method of manufacturing the vibration generating part 110 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a step of preparing a matrix material for the first vibration layer 111 and the second vibration layer 112, and a step of forming a piezoelectric body through the matrix materials of each of the first vibration layer 111 and the second vibration layer 112.

[0096] First, the step of preparing the matrix material may include a step of weighing raw materials, a step of mixing the raw materials, a step of calcining and synthesizing the mixed raw materials, a step of grinding the synthesized matrix material, and a step of drying the ground matrix material.

[0097] The step of weighing raw materials may be a step of weighing raw materials based on a molar ratio to add an appropriate amount of solvent. For example, the matrix material of each of the first vibration layer 111 and the second vibration layer 112 may be represented by Formula 1 or Formula 2, but the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto.

[0098] For example, the raw materials of the matrix material of the first vibration layer 111 may include Bi2O3, Na2CO3, TiO2, K2CO3, BaCO3, SrCO3, and La2O5. Additionally, the raw materials of the matrix material of the second vibration layer 112 may include Na2CO3, K2CO3, Nb2O5, Sb2O3, CaCO3, Bi2O3, Ag2O, ZrO2, Fe2O3. The step of weighing raw materials may be a process of weighing raw materials based on the molar ratio of the composition to be synthesized, putting the weighed raw materials into a nylon jar, and adding an appropriate amount of solvent (such as ethanol). For example, templated grain growth (TGG) may be applied to the method of manufacturing the first vibration layer 111 and the second vibration layer 112, or may not be applied. For example, when templated grain growth (TGG) is applied in manufacturing the first vibration layer 111 and the second vibration layer 112, a seed material may be additionally added to the raw materials of the matrix material. When templated grain growth (TGG) is not applied in manufacturing the first vibration layer 111 and the second vibration layer 112, the seed material may not be added to the raw materials of the matrix material.

[0099] Subsequently, the step of mixing raw materials may be a step of mixing and grinding the weighed raw materials and ethanol through a ball milling process. For example, the step of mixing and grinding may be performed for 24 hours, but the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto.

[0100] According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, after the mixing step, the process may further include a drying step to separate the powder mixed with the solvent. For example, the drying step may separate the raw materials that have been mixed and milled for up to 24 hours from the balls, and then the mixed raw materials may be placed in a tray and dried at a temperature of about 100°C, but the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto. Thus, in the embodiments of the present disclosure, ethanol mixed with the raw materials can be easily removed.

[0101] Subsequently, the step of calcining the raw materials may be to perform phase synthesis on the initially mixed raw materials. Thus, in the embodiments of the present disclosure, carbonates of the raw materials can be removed, and the raw materials can react uniformly to form a uniform perovskite phase. For example, the step of phase synthesis may finely mill the dried mixed raw materials, place the raw materials in an alumina crucible, calcine the raw materials in an electric furnace heated to 850°C for 6 hours, and naturally cool the raw materials at room temperature, but the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto. For example, the heating rate of the electric furnace may be 5°C / minute, but the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto.

[0102] Subsequently, the step of grinding the phase-synthesized matrix material may be to place the matrix material together with YSZ balls and a solvent (ethanol) in a centrifuge bottle and grind the matrix material through a ball milling process to form small particles, but the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto. For example, the grinding step may be carried out for 24 hours, but the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto.

[0103] Subsequently, according to the embodiments of the present disclosure, the process may further include a step of drying after the grinding step to separate the powder mixed with the solvent. For example, the drying step may place the ground matrix material in a tray and sufficiently dry the ground matrix material at a temperature of 100°C, but the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto. For example, the ground matrix material may be dried for 3 hours, but the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto.

[0104] In the step of forming a piezoelectric body, each of the first vibration layer 111 and the second vibration layer 112 can be manufactured into a sheet having an appropriate thickness by a separate doctor blade process. The doctor blade process can be a method of molding and sintering a material using a malleable (or flexible) sheet. Template grain growth (TGG) can be applied to the method of manufacturing the first vibration layer 111 and the second vibration layer 112, or it can be not applied. For example, when manufacturing the first vibration layer 111 and the second vibration layer 112, when not applying template grain growth (TGG), the sheets of the first vibration layer 111 and the second vibration layer 112 can be molded by pressing without using the doctor blade process, but the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto. For example, when manufacturing the first vibration layer 111 and the second vibration layer 112, when applying template grain growth (TGG), the sheets of the first vibration layer 111 and the second vibration layer 112 can be molded based on a matrix material additionally added with a seed material, but the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto. For example, the sheet of the first vibration layer 111 can be formed by doctor blading a slurry including a powder of a barium titanate (BT)-based relaxor ferroelectric material and an additive. Additionally, the sheet of the second vibration layer 112 can be formed by doctor blading a slurry including a powder of a potassium sodium niobate (KNN)-based piezoelectric material and an additive. For example, the additives of the first vibration layer 111 and the second vibration layer 112 can include a seed material for template grain growth (TGG).

[0105] The sheets of the first vibration layer 111 and the second vibration layer 112 separately manufactured by the doctor blade process can be stacked in a predetermined order. After forming and laminating the electrode layers 120 and 130 at the stacked sheets of the first vibration layer 111 and the second vibration layer 112, the binder contained in the slurry formation is removed, and the vibration generating portion 110 including the first vibration layer 111 and the second vibration layer 112 can be manufactured by co-sintering.

[0106] The volume ratio of the sheet of the first vibration layer 111 and the sheet of the second vibration layer 112 can be adjusted. For example, the thickness of the sheet, the total number of sheets, and the matrix material ratio can vary according to the characteristics of the matrix material and the characteristics of the vibration member. For example, the matrix material ratio of the matrix materials of the first vibration layer 111 and the second vibration layer 112 can be 1:9 to 9:1, but the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto.

[0107] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, since the volume ratio of the first vibration layer 111 and the second vibration layer 112 can be easily adjusted, a vibration device 100 having a desired sound pressure characteristic can be implemented according to the required sound pressure characteristic.

[0108] The vibration device 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may further include a cover member 140.

[0109] The cover member 140 may be configured to cover at least one or more of the first electrode layer 120 and the second electrode layer 130 of the vibration generating portion 110. The cover member 140 may be configured to protect at least one or more of the first electrode layer 120 and the second electrode layer 130 of the vibration generating portion 110.

[0110] The cover member 140 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a first cover member 140a.

[0111] The first cover member 140a may be disposed on the first electrode layer 120 of the vibration generating portion 110. For example, the first cover member 140a may be configured to cover the first electrode layer 120 of the vibration generating portion 110. For example, the first cover member 140a may be configured to have a size larger than the size of the vibration generating portion 110. The first cover member 140a may be configured to protect the vibration generating portion 110 and the first electrode layer 120.

[0112] The first cover member 140a according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include an adhesive layer. For example, the first cover member 140a may include a base film and an adhesive layer, and the adhesive layer is located on the base film and is connected or coupled to the first electrode layer 120 of the vibration generating portion 110. For example, the adhesive layer may include an electrically insulating material having adhesive properties and capable of compression and decompression.

[0113] According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, the first cover member 140a may be connected or coupled to the vibration generating portion 110 or the first electrode layer 120 of the vibration generating portion 110 through a first adhesive layer 140b. For example, the first cover member 140a may be connected or coupled to the first electrode layer 120 of the vibration generating portion 110 through the first adhesive layer 140b by a film lamination process. The first adhesive layer 140b may be configured to surround the entire first electrode layer 120 of the vibration generating portion 110 and a part of the lateral surface of the vibration generating portion 110.

[0114] The cover member 140 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a second adhesive layer 140c.

[0115] The second adhesive layer 140c may be disposed at the second electrode layer 130 of the vibration generating portion 110. For example, the second adhesive layer 140c may be configured to cover the second electrode layer 130 of the vibration generating portion 110. The second adhesive layer 140c may be configured to protect the vibration generating portion 110 and the second electrode layer 130. The second adhesive layer 140c may be configured to surround the entire second electrode layer 130 of the vibration generating portion 110 and a part of the lateral surface of the vibration generating portion 110. For example, the second adhesive layer 140c may be a protective layer or a protective member.

[0116] The second adhesive layer 140c may be connected or coupled to the first adhesive layer 140b at the lateral surface of the vibration generating part 110 or at the edge part (or peripheral part) of the first cover member 140a. Thus, the first adhesive layer 140b and the second adhesive layer 140c may be configured to surround or completely surround the vibration generating part 110. The first adhesive layer 140b and the second adhesive layer 140c may be configured to cover or surround all surfaces of the vibration generating part 110. For example, the vibration generating part 110 may be inserted (or accommodated) or buried (or embedded) into the adhesive layer including the first adhesive layer 140b and the second adhesive layer 140c.

[0117] The cover member 140 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a second cover member 140d.

[0118] The second cover member 140d may be disposed at the second electrode layer 130 of the vibration generating part 110. For example, the second cover member 140d may be configured to cover the second electrode layer 130 of the vibration generating part 110. For example, the second cover member 140d may be configured to have a size larger than the size of the vibration generating part 110. The second cover member 140d may be configured to protect the vibration generating part 110 and the second electrode layer 130.

[0119] In the cover member 140 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the first cover member 140a or the second cover member 140d may be omitted, but the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto.

[0120] The first cover member 140a and the second cover member 140d according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include the same material or different materials. For example, each of the first cover member 140a and the second cover member 140d may be a polyimide film, a polyethylene terephthalate film, or a polyethylene naphthalate film, but the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto.

[0121] The second cover member 140d may be connected or coupled to the vibration generating part 110 or the second electrode layer 130 of the vibration generating part 110 through the second adhesive layer 140c. For example, the second cover member 140d may be connected or coupled to the second electrode layer 130 of the vibration generating part 110 by a film lamination process using the second adhesive layer 140c.

[0122] The vibration generating part 110 may be disposed or inserted (or accommodated) between the first cover member 140a and the second cover member 140d. For example, the vibration generating part 110 may be inserted (or accommodated) or buried (or embedded) into the adhesive layer including the first adhesive layer 140b and the second adhesive layer 140c.

[0123] The first adhesive layer 140b and the second adhesive layer 140c according to embodiments of the present disclosure may include an electrically insulating material having adhesive properties and capable of being compressed and decompressed. For example, the first adhesive layer 140b and the second adhesive layer 140c may include the same material or different materials. For example, each of the first adhesive layer 140b and the second adhesive layer 140c may include a thermoplastic adhesive, a thermosetting adhesive, an epoxy resin, an acrylic resin, a silicone resin, a polyurethane resin, a PSA (pressure-sensitive adhesive), an OCA (optically clear adhesive), or an OCR (optically clear resin), but embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto.

[0124] The first adhesive layer 140b and the second adhesive layer 140c may be disposed between the first cover member 140a and the second cover member 140d to surround the vibration generating portion 110. For example, one or more of the first adhesive layer 140b and the second adhesive layer 140c may be configured to surround the vibration generating portion 110. For example, the second adhesive layer 140c may be integrally provided with the second cover member 140d, and thus, the second adhesive layer 140c and the second cover member 140d may be configured as one layer.

[0125] The cover member 140 may include a central portion MA and a peripheral portion (or edge portion) PA. The central portion MA of the cover member 140 may cover the vibration generating portion 110. The peripheral portion PA of the cover member 140 may surround the central portion MA. The central portion MA of the cover member 140 may be located between adjacent peripheral portions PA.

[0126] Reference Figure 3 and Figure 4 , the vibration device 100 may include a cover member 140. The cover member 140 may be configured to cover one or more of the first electrode layer 120 and the second electrode layer 130 of the vibration generating portion 110 of the vibration device 100. The vibration device 100 according to embodiments of the present disclosure may further include a signal supply member 170.

[0127] The signal supply member 170 may be configured to supply a drive signal provided from a drive circuit to the vibration generating portion 110. The signal supply member 170 may be electrically connected to the vibration generating portion 110. The signal supply member 170 may be electrically connected to the first electrode layer 120 and the second electrode layer 130 of the vibration generating portion 110.

[0128] A part of the signal supply member 170 may be accommodated (or inserted) between the cover member 140 and the vibration generating portion 110. For example, a part of the signal supply member 170 may be accommodated (or inserted) between the first cover member 140a and the first electrode layer 120 of the vibration generating portion 110. For example, a part of the signal supply member 170 may be accommodated (or inserted) between the first cover member 140a and the second cover member 140d.

[0129] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, an end portion (or a distal portion or a side) of the signal supply member 170 may be disposed or inserted (or accommodated) between an edge portion (or a peripheral portion) of the cover member 140 and the vibration generating portion 110. For example, an end portion (or a distal portion or a side) of the signal supply member 170 may be disposed or inserted (or accommodated) between an edge portion (or a peripheral portion) of the first cover member 140a and the first electrode layer 120 of the vibration generating portion 110.

[0130] According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, an end portion (or a distal portion or a side) of the signal supply member 170 may be disposed or inserted (or accommodated) between an edge portion (or a peripheral portion) of the first cover member 140a and an edge portion (or a peripheral portion) of the second cover member 140d. For example, an edge portion (or a peripheral portion) of the first cover member 140a and an edge portion (or a peripheral portion) of the second cover member 140d may accommodate or vertically cover an end portion (or a distal portion or a side) of the signal supply member 170. Accordingly, the signal supply member 170 may be integrally provided with the vibration device 100. For example, the signal supply member 170 may be configured with a signal cable, a flexible cable, a flexible printed circuit cable, a flexible flat cable, a single-sided flexible printed circuit, a single-sided flexible printed circuit board (PCB), a flexible multi-layer printed circuit, or a flexible multi-layer PCB, but the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto.

[0131] The signal supply member 170 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a base member 171 and a plurality of signal lines 172a and 172b. For example, the signal supply member 170 may include a base member 171, a first signal line 172a, and a second signal line 172b.

[0132] The base member 171 may include a transparent or opaque plastic material, but the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto. The base member 171 may have a certain width in the first direction X and may extend longer in the second direction Y intersecting the first direction X.

[0133] The first signal line 172a and the second signal line 172b may be disposed parallel to the second direction Y at the first surface (or upper surface) of the base member 171, and may be spaced apart from each other or electrically disconnected in the first direction X. The first signal line 172a and the second signal line 172b may be disposed parallel to each other at the first surface of the base member 171. For example, based on the patterning of a metal layer (or conductive layer) formed or deposited on the first surface of the base member 171, the first signal line 172a and the second signal line 172b may be implemented in a wire shape.

[0134] The end portions (or distal portions or one side) of the first signal line 172a and the second signal line 172b may be spaced apart from each other, and thus may be bent or folded individually.

[0135] The end portion (or distal portion or one side) of the first signal line 172a may be electrically connected to the first electrode layer 120 of the vibration generating portion 110. For example, the end portion of the first signal line 172a may be electrically connected to at least a part of the first electrode layer 120 of the vibration generating portion 110 at an edge portion (or a peripheral portion) of the first cover member 140a. For example, the end portion (or distal portion or one side) of the first signal line 172a may be directly electrically connected to at least a part of the first electrode layer 120 of the vibration generating portion 110. For example, the end portion (or distal portion or one side) of the first signal line 172a may be directly connected or directly in contact with the first electrode layer 120 of the vibration generating portion 110. For example, the end portion of the first signal line 172a may be electrically connected to the first electrode layer 120 through a conductive double-sided tape. Thus, the first signal line 172a may provide the first driving signal provided from the vibration driver to the first electrode layer 120 of the vibration generating portion 110.

[0136] The end portion (or distal portion or one side) of the second signal line 172b may be electrically connected to the second electrode layer 130 of the vibration generating portion 110. For example, the end portion of the second signal line 172b may be electrically connected to at least a part of the second electrode layer 130 of the vibration generating portion 110 at an edge portion (or a peripheral portion) of the second cover member 140d. For example, the end portion (or distal portion or one side) of the second signal line 172b may be directly electrically connected to at least a part of the second electrode layer 130 of the vibration generating portion 110. For example, the end portion (or distal portion or one side) of the second signal line 172b may be directly connected or directly in contact with the second electrode layer 130 of the vibration generating portion 110. For example, the end portion of the second signal line 172b may be electrically connected to the second electrode layer 130 through a conductive double-sided tape. Thus, the second signal line 172b may provide the first driving signal provided from the vibration driver to the second electrode layer 130 of the vibration generating portion 110.

[0137] The signal supply member 170 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may further include an insulating layer 173.

[0138] The insulating layer 173 may be disposed at the first surface (or upper surface) of the base member 171 to cover each of the first signal line 172a and the second signal line 172b at a portion other than the end portion (or one side) of the signal supply member 170.

[0139] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the end portion (or one side) 173a of the insulating layer 173 and the end portion (or one side) of the signal supply member 170 including the end portion (or one side) of the base member 171 may be inserted (or accommodated) between the cover member 140 and the vibration generating portion 110, and may be fixed between the cover member 140 and the vibration generating portion 110 by the first adhesive layer 140b and the second adhesive layer 140c.

[0140] According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, the end portion (or one side) 173a of the insulating layer 173 and the end portion (or one side) of the signal supply member 170 including the end portion (or one side) of the base member 171 may be inserted (or accommodated) between the first cover member 140a and the second cover member 140d, and may be fixed between the first cover member 140a and the second cover member 140d by the first adhesive layer 140b and the second adhesive layer 140c. Accordingly, the end portion (or one side) of the first signal line 172a may maintain electrical connection with the first electrode layer 120 of the vibration generating portion 110, and the end portion (or one side) of the second signal line 172b may maintain electrical connection with the second electrode layer 130 of the vibration generating portion 110. The signal supply member 172b may remain electrically connected to the second electrode layer 130 of the vibration generating portion 110. In addition, the end portion (or one side) of the signal supply member 170 may be inserted (or accommodated) between the first cover member 140a and the vibration generating portion 110. Accordingly, during the process of inserting (or accommodating) the signal supply member 170 into the region between adjacent vibration devices 100, connection defects between the vibration device 100 and the signal supply member 170 due to the movement of the signal supply member 170 can be prevented.

[0141] In the signal supply member 170 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, each of an end portion (or one side) of the base member 171 and an end portion (or one side) 173a of the insulating layer 173 may be removed. For example, each of an end portion of the first signal line 172a and an end portion of the second signal line 172b may not be supported or covered by each of an end portion (or one side) of the base member 171 and an end portion (or one side) 173a of the insulating layer 173, and may be exposed to the outside. For example, an end portion of each of the first signal line 172a and the second signal line 172b may protrude (or extend) from an end portion 171e of the base member 171 or an end portion 173e of the insulating layer 173 to have a certain length. Accordingly, each of an end portion (or a distal end portion or one side) of each of the first signal line 172a and the second signal line 172b may be bent individually or independently.

[0142] An end portion (or one side) of the first signal line 172a that is not supported by each of an end portion (or one side) of the base member 171 and an end portion (or one side) 173a of the insulating layer 173 may be directly connected to or directly in contact with the first electrode layer 120 of the vibration generating portion 110. An end portion (or one side) of the second signal line 172b that is not supported by each of an end portion (or one side) of the base member 171 and an end portion (or one side) 173a of the insulating layer 173 may be directly connected to or directly in contact with the second electrode layer 130 of the vibration generating portion 110.

[0143] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a part of the signal supply member 170 or a part of the base member 171 may be disposed or inserted (or accommodated) between the cover member 140 and the vibration generating portion 110, and accordingly, the signal supply member 170 may be integrated with the vibration device 100. For example, a part of the signal supply member 170 or a part of the base member 171 may be disposed or inserted (or accommodated) between the first cover member 140a and the second cover member 140d, and accordingly, the signal supply member 170 may be integrated with the vibration device 100. Accordingly, the vibration device 100 and the signal supply member 170 may be configured as one part (or one component), and thus, a single physical effect may be achieved.

[0144] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, since the first signal line 172a and the second signal line 172b of the signal supply member 170 are integrally provided with the vibration device 100, a soldering process for electrical connection between the vibration device 100 and the signal supply member 170 may not be required, and thus, the manufacturing process and structure of the vibration device 100 may be simplified, thereby reducing harmful processes.

[0145] Figures 5 to 8 A vibration device according to another embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. Figures 5 to 8shows another embodiment of the vibration generating part 110 described above with reference to Figures 1 to 4 Therefore, in the following description, the repeated description of other elements except the vibration generating part 110 is omitted or simply given.

[0146] With reference to Figure 5 , the vibration generating part 110 according to another embodiment of the present disclosure may include a plurality of first vibration layers 111a and 111b and at least one second vibration layer 112.

[0147] The plurality of first vibration layers 111a and 111b and the at least one second vibration layer 112 may have different thicknesses from each other. For example, the plurality of first vibration layers 111a and 111b and the at least one second vibration layer 112 may have different volumes from each other.

[0148] The plurality of first vibration layers 111a and 111b may include a 1-1 vibration layer 111a and a 1-2 vibration layer 111b. The at least one second vibration layer 112 may be disposed or configured between the 1-1 vibration layer 111a and the 1-2 vibration layer 111b. Each of the 1-1 vibration layer 111a and the 1-2 vibration layer 111b may be configured to have a thickness thinner than the thickness of the second vibration layer 112. For example, each of the 1-1 vibration layer 111a and the 1-2 vibration layer 111b may be configured to have a third thickness T3, and the second vibration layer 112 may be configured to have a fourth thickness T4 greater than the third thickness T3. For example, the third thickness T3 of each of the plurality of first vibration layers 111a and 111b may be a thickness equal to or thinner than 1 / 2 of the fourth thickness T4 of the second vibration layer 112. Therefore, the plurality of first vibration layers 111a and 111b may be configured to have a volume equal to or less than that of the second vibration layer 112. For example, based on the total volume including the plurality of first vibration layers 111a and 111b and the at least one second vibration layer 112, the plurality of first vibration layers 111a and 111b may be constituted by a volume of 40 vol% or less. Therefore, since the plurality of first vibration layers 111a and 111b according to another embodiment of the present disclosure may be configured to have a thickness thinner than that of the second vibration layer 112, and the plurality of first vibration layers 111a and 111b may induce a higher applied electric field than the second vibration layer 112. As a result, the plurality of first vibration layers 111a and 111b and the second vibration layer 112 may be driven simultaneously, thereby implementing or realizing large deformation characteristics of the plurality of first vibration layers 111a and 111b and the second vibration layer 112.

[0149] With reference to Figure 6 , the vibration generating part 110 according to another embodiment of the present disclosure may include at least one first vibration layer 111 and a plurality of second vibration layers 112a and 112b.

[0150] At least one first vibration layer 111 and a plurality of second vibration layers 112a and 112b may have different thicknesses from each other. For example, at least one first vibration layer 111 and a plurality of second vibration layers 112a and 112b may have different volumes from each other.

[0151] The plurality of second vibration layers 112a and 112b may include a 2-1 vibration layer 112a and a 2-2 vibration layer 112b. At least one first vibration layer 111 may be disposed or configured between the 2-1 vibration layer 112a and the 2-2 vibration layer 112b. At least one first vibration layer 111 may be configured to have a thickness thinner than the thicknesses of the plurality of second vibration layers 112a and 112b. For example, at least one first vibration layer 111 may be configured to have a fifth thickness T5, and each of the plurality of second vibration layers 112a and 112b may be configured to have a sixth thickness T6 equal to or different from the fifth thickness T5. For example, the fifth thickness T5 of at least one first vibration layer 111 may be equal to, thinner than, or greater than the sixth thickness T6 of each of the plurality of second vibration layers 112a and 112b, and may be thinner than twice the sixth thickness T6. Accordingly, at least one first vibration layer 111 may be configured to have a volume equal to or less than the volumes of the plurality of second vibration layers 112a and 112b. For example, based on the total volume including at least one first vibration layer 111 and the plurality of second vibration layers 112a and 112b, at least one first vibration layer 111 may be constituted by a volume of 40 vol% or less. Accordingly, since at least one first vibration layer 111 according to another embodiment of the present disclosure may be configured to have a thickness thinner than the plurality of second vibration layers 112a and 112b, and at least one first vibration layer 111 may induce a higher applied electric field than the plurality of second vibration layers 112a and 112b. As a result, at least one first vibration layer 111 and the plurality of second vibration layers 112a and 112b may be simultaneously driven, thereby implementing or realizing large deformation characteristics of at least one first vibration layer 111 and the plurality of second vibration layers 112a and 112b.

[0152] Reference Figure 7 , a vibration generating part 110 according to another embodiment of the present disclosure may include a plurality of first vibration layers 111a and 111b and a plurality of second vibration layers 112a to 112c.

[0153] The plurality of first vibration layers 111a and 111b and the plurality of second vibration layers 112a to 112c may have different thicknesses from each other. For example, the plurality of first vibration layers 111a, 111b and the plurality of second vibration layers 112a to 112c may also have different volumes from each other.

[0154] The plurality of first vibration layers 111a and 111b may include a 1-1 vibration layer 111a and a 1-2 vibration layer 111b. The plurality of second vibration layers 112a to 112c may include a 2-1 vibration layer 112a, a 2-2 vibration layer 112b, and a 2-3 vibration layer 112c. The plurality of first vibration layers 111a and 111b and the plurality of second vibration layers 112a to 112c may be arranged or configured to be stacked alternately with each other. For example, the 1-2 vibration layer 111b among the plurality of first vibration layers 111a and 111b may be arranged or configured between the 2-2 vibration layer 112b and the 2-3 vibration layer 112c among the plurality of second vibration layers 112a to 112c. Each of the plurality of first vibration layers 111a and 111b and the plurality of second vibration layers 112a to 112c may be configured to have the same or different thicknesses from each other. For example, each of the plurality of second vibration layers 112a to 112c may be configured to have a seventh thickness T7, and each of the plurality of first vibration layers 111a and 111b may be configured to have an eighth thickness T8 equal to or different from the seventh thickness T7. The seventh thickness T7 and the eighth thickness T8 of each of the plurality of first vibration layers 111a and 111b and the plurality of second vibration layers 112a to 112c may have equal thicknesses. The plurality of first vibration layers 111a and 111b may be composed of the same number or less than the number of the plurality of second vibration layers 112a to 112c. Therefore, the plurality of first vibration layers 111a, 111b may be configured to have a volume equal to or less than that of the plurality of second vibration layers 112a to 112c. For example, based on the total volume including the plurality of first vibration layers 111a and 111b and the plurality of second vibration layers 112a to 112c, the plurality of first vibration layers 111a and 111b may be composed of a volume of 40 vol% or less. Therefore, since the plurality of first vibration layers 111a and 111b according to another embodiment of the present disclosure may be configured to have a thickness thinner than that of the plurality of second vibration layers 112a to 112c, and the plurality of first vibration layers 111a and 111b may induce a higher applied electric field than the plurality of second vibration layers 112a to 112c. As a result, the plurality of first vibration layers 111a and 111b and the plurality of second vibration layers 112a to 112c may be driven simultaneously, thereby implementing or realizing large deformation characteristics of the plurality of first vibration layers 111a and 111b and the plurality of second vibration layers 112a to 112c.

[0155] Reference Figure 8 , the vibration generating part 110 according to another embodiment of the present disclosure may further include an intermediate electrode layer 125. The vibration generating part 110 may include a plurality of first vibration layers 111a and 111b and at least one second vibration layer 112.

[0156] The intermediate electrode layer 125 may be disposed or configured between a plurality of first vibration layers 111a and 111b and at least one second vibration layer 112. For example, the intermediate electrode layer 125 may be provided as one or more, and the one or more intermediate electrode layers 125 may include a first intermediate electrode layer 125a and a second intermediate electrode layer 125b. For example, the first intermediate electrode layer 125a may be disposed or configured between the 1-1 vibration layer 111a among the plurality of first vibration layers 111a and 111b and the second vibration layer 112. The second intermediate electrode layer 125b may be disposed or configured between the 1-2 vibration layer 111b among the plurality of first vibration layers 111a and 111b and the second vibration layer 112.

[0157] Each of the 1-1 vibration layer 111a between the first electrode layer 120 and the first intermediate electrode layer 125a and the 1-2 vibration layer 111b between the second electrode layer 130 and the second intermediate electrode layer 125b may be configured to have a third thickness T3. The second vibration layer 112 between the first intermediate electrode layer 125a and the second intermediate electrode layer 125b may be configured to have a fourth thickness T4 greater than the third thickness T3. Accordingly, the electric field applied to each of the plurality of first vibration layers 111a and 111b may be induced to be a higher electric field than the electric field applied to at least one second vibration layer 112. Accordingly, the plurality of first vibration layers 111a and 111b according to another embodiment of the present disclosure may be configured to induce a higher applied electric field than the second vibration layer 112. As a result, the plurality of first vibration layers 111a and 111b and the second vibration layer 112 may be driven simultaneously, thereby implementing or realizing large deformation characteristics of the plurality of first vibration layers 111a and 111b and the second vibration layer 112.

[0158] Figure 9 An apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along the Figure 9 line IV-IV' shown in

[0159] Referring to Figure 9 and Figure 10 , the apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may be implemented or provided as a sound device, a sound output device, a vibration device, a vibration generating device, a sound bar, an audio system, a sound device for an electronic device, a sound device for a display device, a sound device for a vehicle device, or a sound bar for a vehicle device. For example, the vehicle device or transportation device may include one or more seats and one or more windows. For example, the vehicle device or transportation device may include a vehicle, a train, a ship, or an airplane, but the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto. The apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may be implemented or provided as a sign panel, such as an analog sign or a digital sign, such as an advertising sign, a poster, and a guide board.

[0160] An apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may be a display device including a plurality of pixels, but embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto.

[0161] The display device may include a display panel and a driver for driving the display panel, and the display panel includes a plurality of pixels for implementing a black-and-white image or a color image. Each of the plurality of pixels may be a sub-pixel for implementing one of a plurality of colors for implementing a color image. An apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a laptop computer, a television (TV), a computer monitor, an equipment device including a specific form of vehicle or transportation means or automotive device, and a set device (or set equipment) or set electronic device such as a smartphone or a tablet PC, which are complete products (or end products) including a display panel such as a liquid crystal display panel or an organic light emitting display panel.

[0162] Reference Figure 9 , an apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a vibration device 100 and a vibration member 200.

[0163] The vibration member 200 may generate or output vibration (or sound waves) based on the displacement (or driving) of the vibration device 100. The vibration member 200 may be a vibrating object, a display member, a display panel, a sign panel, a passive vibration member, a passive vibration plate, a front member, a rear member, a vibration panel, a sound panel, a passive vibration panel, a sound output plate, a sound vibration plate, or an image screen, but embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto.

[0164] For example, the vibration member 200 may include one or more of the following: a display panel including pixels configured to display an image, a screen panel onto which an image will be projected from the display device, a lighting panel, a sign panel, an interior material of a vehicle, a vehicle window glass, an exterior material of a vehicle, a ceiling material of a building, an interior material of a building, a window glass of a building, an interior material of an aircraft, and a window glass of an aircraft. For example, the vibration member 200 may include one or more materials such as wood, plastic, glass, metal, cloth, fiber, paper, rubber, leather, carbon, and a mirror.

[0165] Hereinafter, an example in which the vibration member 200 is a display panel will be described.

[0166] Reference Figure 9 and Figure 10, the display panel 200 can display images, and for example, can display electronic images, digital images, still images, or video images. For example, the display panel 200 can emit light to display images. The display panel 200 can be a curved display panel or all types of display panels such as a liquid crystal display panel, an organic light emitting display panel, a quantum dot light emitting display panel, a micro light emitting diode display panel, an electrophoretic display panel, etc. The display panel 200 can be a flexible display panel. For example, the display panel 200 can be a flexible light emitting display panel, a flexible electrophoretic display panel, a flexible electro-wetting display panel, a flexible micro light emitting diode display panel, or a flexible quantum dot light emitting display panel, but the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto.

[0167] The display panel 200 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a display area AA for displaying images based on the driving of a plurality of pixels. In addition, the display panel 200 may further include a non-display area IA surrounding the display area AA, but the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto. For example, the non-display area IA may be around the display area AA.

[0168] The vibration device 100 can be configured to vibrate the display panel 200. For example, the vibration device 100 can vibrate the display panel 200 at the rear surface of the display panel 200, and thus can provide sound and / or haptic feedback to the user based on the vibration of the display panel 200. The vibration device 100 can be implemented at the rear surface of the display panel 200 to directly vibrate the display panel 200.

[0169] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the vibration device 100 can vibrate based on a vibration drive signal synchronized with the image displayed on the display panel 200, thereby vibrating the display panel 200. According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, the vibration device 100 can vibrate based on a haptic feedback signal (or tactile feedback signal) synchronized with the user touch applied to a touch panel (or touch sensor layer) provided on or embedded in the display panel 200. Therefore, the display panel 200 can vibrate based on the vibration of the vibration device 100 to provide one or more of sound and haptic feedback to the user (or viewer).

[0170] The vibration device 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may be implemented to have a size corresponding to the display area AA of the display panel 200. The size of the vibration device 100 may be 0.9 to 1.1 times the size of the display area AA of the display panel 200, but embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto. For example, the size of the vibration device 100 may be less than or equal to the size of the display area AA. For example, the size of the vibration device 100 may be equal to or almost equal to the size of the display area AA of the display panel 200. Thus, a large area or the entire area of the display panel 200 may be covered, and the vibration generated by the vibration device 100 may vibrate the entire area of the display panel 200, thereby enhancing user satisfaction and improving the sense of sound localization. In addition, the contact area (or panel coverage rate) between the display panel 200 and the vibration device 100 may increase. Thus, the vibration area of the display panel 200 may increase, thereby enhancing the sound of the mid-bass vocal cords generated based on the vibration of the display panel 200. In addition, the vibration device 100 applied to a large device may vibrate all display panels 200 having a large size (or large area). Thus, the sense of sound orientation based on the vibration of the display panel 200 may be further enhanced, thereby achieving an enhanced sound effect. Therefore, the vibration device 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may be disposed at the rear surface of the display panel 200 to vibrate the display panel 200 sufficiently in the vertical (or forward and backward) direction, thereby outputting desired sound in the forward direction of the device or display device.

[0171] The vibration device 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may be implemented as a film type. Since the vibration device 100 is implemented as a film type, the vibration device 100 may have a thickness thinner than that of the display panel 200, thereby minimizing an increase in the device thickness due to the arrangement of the vibration device 100. For example, the vibration device 100 may be referred to as a sound generation module, a vibration generation device, a film actuator, a film-type piezoelectric composite actuator, a film speaker, a film-type piezoelectric speaker, or a film-type piezoelectric composite speaker, which uses the display panel 200 as a sound vibration plate, but embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto. For example, the vibration device 100 may be substantially the same as the vibration device 100 described above with reference to Figures 1 to 8 the description is omitted for repetition.

[0172] In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the vibration device 100 does not need to be disposed at the rear surface of the display panel 200 and can be applied to a vibrating object instead of the display panel 200. For example, the vibrating object can be a non-display panel, a mirror, an interior material of a vehicle, a glass window of a vehicle, an interior ceiling of a building, a glass window of a building, an interior material of an airplane, or a glass window of an airplane, but the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto. For example, the vibrating object can be a sound panel or a sound board including one or more materials among wood, metal, plastic, glass, cloth, paper, fiber, rubber, leather, and carbon, but the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto. For example, the non-display panel can be a light-emitting diode lighting panel (or device), an organic light-emitting lighting panel (or device), or an inorganic light-emitting lighting panel (or device), but the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto. In this case, the vibrating object can be applied as a vibration plate, and the vibration device 100 can vibrate the vibrating object to output sound.

[0173] Reference Figure 10 , the device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a connection member 150 disposed between the vibration device 100 and the display panel 200.

[0174] The connection member 150 may include at least one base member and may include an adhesive layer attached to one surface or both surfaces of the base member, or may be configured as a single-layer adhesive layer.

[0175] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the connection member 150 may include a foam pad, a double-sided tape, a double-sided foam tape, or an adhesive, but the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto. For example, the adhesive layer of the connection member 150 may include an epoxy resin, an acrylic resin, a silicone, or a urethane, but the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto.

[0176] The device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may further include a support member 300 disposed at the rear surface of the display panel 200.

[0177] The support member 300 may cover the rear surface of the display panel 200. For example, the support member 300 may cover the entire rear surface of the display panel 200 with a gap space GS therebetween. For example, the support member 300 may include one or more of a glass material, a metal material, and a plastic material. For example, the support member 300 may be a rear structure or a set structure. For example, the support member 300 may be referred to by other terms, such as a cover bottom, a plate bottom, a rear cover, a chassis, a metal frame, a metal chassis, a bottom plate, or an m-chassis. Therefore, the support member 300 may be implemented as any type of frame or plate structure disposed on the rear surface of the display panel 200.

[0178] The device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may further include an intermediate frame 400.

[0179] The intermediate frame 400 may be disposed between a rear edge (or rear periphery) of the display panel 200 and a front edge portion (or front periphery portion) of the support member 300. The intermediate frame 400 may support each of one or more of an edge portion (or periphery portion) of the display panel 200 and an edge portion (or periphery portion) of the support member 300, and may surround one or more lateral surfaces of each of the display panel 200 and the support member 300. The intermediate frame 400 may provide a clearance space GS between the display panel 200 and the support member 300. The intermediate frame 400 may be referred to as an intermediate housing, an intermediate cover, or an intermediate chassis, but embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto.

[0180] The intermediate frame 400 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a first support portion 410 and a second support portion 430.

[0181] The first support portion 410 may be disposed between a rear edge (or rear periphery) of the display panel 200 and a front edge (or front periphery) of the support member 300, and thus, may provide a clearance space GS between the display panel 200 and the support member 300. A front surface of the first support portion 410 may be coupled or connected to a rear edge portion (or rear periphery portion) of the display panel 200 through a first frame connection member 401. A rear surface of the first support portion 410 may be coupled or connected to a front edge portion (or front periphery portion) of the support member 300 through a second frame connection member 403. For example, the first support portion 410 may have a single picture frame structure having a quadrilateral shape, or may include a picture frame structure having a plurality of dividing bar shapes. However, embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto.

[0182] The second support portion 430 may be perpendicularly coupled to an outer surface of the first support portion 410 in parallel with a thickness direction Z of the device. The second support portion 430 may surround one or more of an outer surface of the display panel 200 and an outer surface of the support member 300, and thus, may protect an outer surface of each of the display panel 200 and the support member 300. The first support portion 410 may protrude into the clearance space GS between the display panel 200 and the support member 300 from an inner surface of the second support portion 430.

[0183] Figure 11 is a plan view of a device including a vibration device according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0184] Reference Figure 11 and each of one or more vibration devices 1001 and 100b may be as described above with reference to Figures 1 to 8The described vibration device 100 is substantially the same, so repeated descriptions are omitted. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the device 200 (or the vibration member or the display panel) may be connected to one or more vibration devices 100a and 100b. Accordingly, the device 200 may be connected to one or more vibration devices 100a and 100b, and thus, sound and / or vibration (or tactile vibration) may be output based on the vibration of one or more vibration devices 100a and 100b.

[0185] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, one or more vibration devices 100a and 100b may provide visual functions, acoustic functions, and multi-functions (or visual sensations or auditory sensations) based on the control of the driving frequency.

[0186] Figure 12 A vibration device for a vehicle according to another embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0187] Reference Figure 12 , a vehicle vibration device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a vibration device 500. The vibration device 500 may be substantially the same as the vibration device 100 described above with reference to Figures 1 to 8 so repeated descriptions are omitted.

[0188] The vibration device 500 may be provided or equipped in a vehicle to output sound S to the interior space IS of the vehicle 800.

[0189] The vehicle 800 may include interior materials (or interior trim materials) 850. In the following description, for convenience of description, "interior materials 850" may be referred to as "vehicle interior materials 850".

[0190] The vehicle interior materials 850 may include all parts constituting the interior of the vehicle 800, or may include all parts provided in the interior space IS of the vehicle 800. For example, the vehicle interior materials 850 may be interior members or interior trim members of the vehicle 800, but the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto.

[0191] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the vehicle interior materials 850 may be configured to be exposed in the interior or indoor space IS of the vehicle 800. For example, the vehicle interior materials 850 may be provided to cover one surface (or inner surface) of at least one of the main frame (or body), side frame (or side body), door frame (or door body), handle frame (or steering wheel hub), and seat frame exposed in the indoor space IS of the vehicle 800.

[0192] The vehicle interior material 850 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include an instrument panel, an interior pillar material (or pillar trim), a floor interior material (or floor carpet), a roof interior material (or roof interior trim), a door interior material (or door trim), a handle interior material (or steering cover), a seat interior material, a rear package interior material (or rear seat frame), an overhead console (or interior lighting interior material), a rearview mirror, a glove box, and a sun visor, but the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto.

[0193] The vehicle interior material 850 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include one or more of metal, wood, rubber, plastic, glass, fiber, fabric, paper, mirror, leather, and carbon, but the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto. The vehicle interior material 850 including a plastic material may be an injection material implemented by an injection process using a thermosetting resin or a thermoplastic resin, but the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto. The vehicle interior material 850 including a fiber material may include one or more of synthetic fiber, carbon fiber (or aramid fiber), and natural fiber, but the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto. The vehicle interior material 850 including a fiber material may include a fabric sheet, a knitted sheet, or a non-woven fabric, but the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto. For example, the paper may be spool paper. For example, the spool paper may be pulp or foam plastic, but the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto. The vehicle interior material 850 including a leather material may include natural leather or artificial leather, but the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto.

[0194] The vehicle interior material 850 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include one or more of a flat portion and a curved portion. For example, the vehicle interior material 850 may have a structure corresponding to the structure of the corresponding vehicle structure, or may have a structure different from the structure of the corresponding vehicle structure.

[0195] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a vibration device 500 may be provided at the vehicle interior material 850. The vibration device 500 may vibrate the vehicle interior material 850 to generate a sound S based on the vibration of the vehicle interior material 850. For example, the vibration device 500 may directly vibrate the vehicle interior material 850 to generate a sound S based on the vibration of the vehicle interior material 850.

[0196] For example, the vibration device 500 may be configured to vibrate the vehicle interior material 850 to output the sound S to the interior of the vehicle 800 or the interior space IS. Accordingly, the vehicle interior material 850 may be used as a sound vibration plate. The vehicle interior material 850 may be a vibration plate, a sound vibration plate, or a sound generating plate for outputting the sound S. For example, the vehicle interior material 850 may have a size larger than the size of the vibration device 500, but the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto.

[0197] For example, the vibration device 500 may be disposed at one or more of an instrument panel, an inner pillar material, an inner floor material, an inner roof material, an inner door material, an inner handle material, and an inner seat material, or may be disposed in one or more of a rear package inner material, an overhead console, a rearview mirror, a glove box, and a sun visor.

[0198] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the vibration device 500 may vibrate a corresponding vehicle interior material 850 through at least one of one or more vibration devices 500 disposed at the vehicle interior material 850 to output a realistic sound S and / or stereo, including multi-channels, toward the interior space IS of the vehicle 800.

[0199] Vibration devices and devices including the vibration devices according to various embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below. These are provided as examples and do not limit the scope of the present disclosure.

[0200] According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, a vibration device may include a first electrode layer, a second electrode layer, and a first vibration layer and a second vibration layer disposed between the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer, and the first vibration layer and the second vibration layer have different deformation characteristics from each other.

[0201] According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the different deformation characteristics may include a phase change deformation characteristic and an electric field induction deformation characteristic.

[0202] According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the first vibration layer and the second vibration layer may be stacked to overlap each other.

[0203] According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the first vibration layer and the second vibration layer may have different thicknesses from each other.

[0204] According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the thickness of the first vibration layer may be thinner than the thickness of the second vibration layer.

[0205] According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the first vibration layer and the second vibration layer may have different volumes from each other.

[0206] According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the volume of the first vibration layer may be smaller than the volume of the second vibration layer.

[0207] According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, based on the total volume including the first vibration layer and the second vibration layer, the first vibration layer may be constituted by a volume of 40 vol% or less but greater than 0 vol%.

[0208] According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the first vibration layer may include a relaxor ferroelectric material, and the second vibration layer may include a ferroelectric material or a piezoelectric material.

[0209] According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the first vibration layer may include a bismuth (Bi)-based material.

[0210] According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the second vibration layer may include at least one of a lead zirconate titanate (PZT)-based material, a potassium sodium niobate (KNN)-based material, and a barium titanate (BT)-based material.

[0211] According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the first vibration layer may include a plurality of first vibration layers, and the second vibration layer may be located between the plurality of first vibration layers and may have a thickness greater than the thickness of each of the plurality of first vibration layers.

[0212] According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the second vibration layer may include a plurality of second vibration layers, and the first vibration layer may be located between the plurality of second vibration layers and may have a thickness thinner than the thickness of each of the plurality of second vibration layers.

[0213] According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the first vibration layer may include a plurality of first vibration layers, the second vibration layer may include a plurality of second vibration layers, and the thickness of the plurality of first vibration layers may be equal to or thinner than the thickness of the plurality of second vibration layers, and the plurality of first vibration layers may be composed of the same number or a smaller number than the plurality of second vibration layers.

[0214] According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the vibration device may further include an intermediate electrode layer disposed between the first vibration layer and the second vibration layer.

[0215] According to various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, the vibration device may further include a signal supply member configured to supply a drive signal provided from a drive circuit to the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer.

[0216] According to various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, the signal supply member may include a base member and a plurality of signal lines.

[0217] According to various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, ends of the plurality of signal lines may be connected to the corresponding first electrode layer and second electrode layer.

[0218] The device according to various embodiments of the present disclosure may include a vibration member and a vibration generating device configured to vibrate the vibration member. The vibration generating device may include a first electrode layer, a second electrode layer, and a first vibration layer and a second vibration layer located between the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer, and the first vibration layer and the second vibration layer have different deformation characteristics from each other.

[0219] According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the vibrating member may include one or more of the following: a display panel including a plurality of pixels configured to display an image, a screen panel onto which an image will be projected from a display device, a lighting panel, a sign panel, an interior material of a vehicle, a vehicle window glass, an exterior material of a vehicle, a ceiling material of a vehicle, a ceiling material of a building, an interior material of a building, a window of a building, an interior material of an aircraft, an aircraft window glass, or the vibrating member may include one or more materials among wood, plastic, glass, metal, cloth, fiber, paper, rubber, leather, carbon, and mirror.

[0220] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the devices of the present disclosure without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Accordingly, the present disclosure is intended to cover modifications and variations of the present disclosure provided within the scope of the claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A vibration device, comprising: a first electrode layer; a second electrode layer; as well as The first vibration layer and the second vibration layer are located between the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer, and the first vibration layer and the second vibration layer have different deformation characteristics from each other.

2. The vibration device according to claim 1, wherein The different deformation characteristics include phase change deformation characteristics and electric field induced deformation characteristics.

3. The vibration device according to claim 1, wherein The first vibration layer and the second vibration layer are stacked to overlap each other.

4. The vibration device according to claim 1, wherein The first vibration layer and the second vibration layer have different thicknesses from each other.

5. The vibration device according to claim 4, wherein The thickness of the first vibration layer is thinner than that of the second vibration layer.

6. The vibration device according to claim 1, wherein The first vibration layer and the second vibration layer have different volumes from each other.

7. The vibration device according to claim 6, wherein The volume of the first vibration layer is smaller than the volume of the second vibration layer.

8. The vibration device according to claim 7, wherein The first vibration layer is constituted by a volume of 40 vol% or less but greater than 0 vol% based on a total volume including the first vibration layer and the second vibration layer.

9. A device comprising: Vibrating components; as well as a vibration generating device configured to vibrate the vibration member, Wherein, the vibration generating device comprises the vibration device according to claim 1.

10. The device according to claim 9, wherein: The vibration member includes one or more of the following: a display panel including a plurality of pixels configured to display an image, a screen panel onto which an image is to be projected from a display device, a lighting panel, a signage panel, a vehicle interior material, a vehicle glass window, a vehicle exterior material, a vehicle ceiling material, a building ceiling material, a building interior material, a building window, an aircraft interior material, an aircraft glass window, or Wherein, the vibration component includes one or more materials selected from wood, plastic, glass, metal, cloth, fiber, paper, rubber, leather, carbon and mirror.

Images