Audio equipment

Abstract

To provide an acoustic device which can improve the quality of acoustic sounds, and can improve acoustic pressure characteristics.SOLUTION: In an acoustic device, a vibration member 110 outputs acoustics by vibration of a vibration device 130. The vibration device 130 includes one or more vibration elements 131 having piezoelectric systems. The vibration device 130 is connected to a second surface of the vibration member 110 through an adhesive member 120. A housing 150 is arranged on a back face of the vibration member 110 so as to cover the second surface of the vibration member 110, and the one or more vibration elements 131. The housing 150 includes a bottom part 151, and a side part 152. The side part 152 is connected to the second surface of the vibration member 110 through the connection member 140. The vibration member 110 includes a projection 111, and thereby improves acoustic output characteristics of the acoustic device.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to devices, particularly audio devices. [Background technology]

[0002] The device includes a separate speaker or audio device to provide sound. When a speaker is arranged in the device, a problem occurs in that the space occupied by the speaker imposes restrictions on the design and spatial arrangement of the device.

[0003] The speaker applied to the device may be, for example, an actuator including a magnet and a coil. However, when an actuator is applied to a device, it has a drawback that it is thick. Therefore, a piezoelectric element that can realize a thin thickness is attracting attention.

[0004] Since piezoelectric elements have brittle characteristics, they are easily damaged by external impact, resulting in low reliability in sound reproduction. Furthermore, when a speaker such as a piezoelectric element is applied to a flexible device, the brittle characteristics of the piezoelectric element can cause damage. Summary of the Invention

[0005] Therefore, the inventors of the present invention recognized the above problems and conducted several experiments to realize a vibration device capable of improving the sound quality of the sound and improving the sound pressure characteristics. Through various experiments, they invented a device including a new acoustic device (or vibration device) capable of improving the sound quality of the sound and improving the sound pressure characteristics.

[0006] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT EMBODIMENT It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus, and an audio device including the same, that substantially obviates one or more problems due to limitations and disadvantages of the background art.

[0007] The problem to be solved by an embodiment of the present invention is to provide an apparatus (or an acoustic apparatus) that can generate vibration or sound by vibrating a vibrating member and can improve acoustic characteristics and / or sound pressure characteristics.

[0008] The problems to be solved by the embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the problems mentioned above, and other problems not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description.

[0009] Additional features, advantages, and embodiments of the present invention will be set forth in part in the description that follows, and in part will be apparent from the specification or may be learned by practice of the inventive concepts provided therein. Other features, advantages, and embodiments of the inventive concepts will be realized and attained by the description, claims, and appended drawings as well as those set forth in or derived therefrom.

[0010] An acoustic device according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a housing arranged on a rear surface of a vibrating member, a connecting member arranged between the vibrating member and the housing, and a vibration device configured to vibrate the vibrating member.

[0011] An apparatus (or an acoustic apparatus) according to one embodiment of the present invention is configured as a vibration device that vibrates a display panel or a vibrating member, thereby generating sound so that the sound generated by the apparatus travels in the direction in front of the display panel or the vibrating member.

[0012] Other systems, methods, features, and advantages will be apparent or obvious to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following figures and detailed description. All such additional systems, methods, features, and advantages are intended to be included within this description, be within the scope of this disclosure, and be protected by the following claims. Nothing in this specification should be construed as a limitation on these claims. Additional aspects and advantages are discussed below in conjunction with aspects of the disclosure.

[0013] Both the foregoing description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the disclosure as set forth in the appended claims. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0014] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this application, illustrate aspects and embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, may serve to explain the principles of the invention.

[0015] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing an audio device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA' shown in FIG. [Diagram 3] 2 is another cross-sectional view taken along line AA' shown in FIG. [Figure 4] 1A and 1B are diagrams illustrating a vibration element according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 5] 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB' shown in FIG. 4. [Figure 6] 6 is a perspective view showing the piezoelectric vibration part shown in FIG. 5. [Figure 7A] 1 is a perspective view showing a piezoelectric vibrating portion in a vibration element according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7B] 1 is a perspective view showing a piezoelectric vibrating portion in a vibration element according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7C] 1 is a perspective view showing a piezoelectric vibrating portion in a vibration element according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7D] 1 is a perspective view showing a piezoelectric vibrating portion in a vibration element according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] 13A and 13B are diagrams showing a vibration element according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line CC' shown in FIG. 8. [Figure 10] 13A and 13B are diagrams showing a vibration element according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11]2 is another cross-sectional view taken along line AA' shown in FIG. [Figure 12] 2 is another cross-sectional view taken along line AA' shown in FIG. [Figure 13] 2 is another cross-sectional view taken along line AA' shown in FIG. [Figure 14] 2 is another cross-sectional view taken along line AA' shown in FIG. [Figure 15] 2 is another cross-sectional view taken along line AA' shown in FIG. [Figure 16] 2 is another cross-sectional view taken along line AA' shown in FIG. [Figure 17] 2 is another cross-sectional view taken along line AA' shown in FIG. [Figure 18A] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an inner housing according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 18B] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an inner housing according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 19A] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing an inner housing according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 19B] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing an inner housing according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 19C] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing an inner housing according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 20] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an audio device according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 21] 21 is a cross-sectional view taken along line DD' shown in FIG. 20. [Figure 22] 1 is a diagram showing an arrangement structure of vibration devices on the back surface of a vibration member according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 23] 3 is a diagram showing the acoustic output characteristics of the acoustic device of FIG. 2 with and without a protrusion. FIG. [Figure 24] 12. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing sound pressure as a function of frequency for the acoustic device of FIG. 11 having a first groove portion and the acoustic device of FIG. 12 not having a first groove portion. [Figure 25A] 13 is a diagram showing sound pressure according to frequency in the acoustic device of FIG. 12 manufactured by modifying the first groove portion according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 25B] 13 is a diagram showing sound pressure according to frequency in the acoustic device of FIG. 12 manufactured by modifying the first groove portion according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 25C] 13 is a diagram showing sound pressure according to frequency in the acoustic device of FIG. 12 manufactured by modifying the first groove portion according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 25D] 13 is a diagram showing sound pressure according to frequency in the acoustic device of FIG. 12 manufactured by modifying the first groove portion according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 25E] 13 is a diagram showing sound pressure according to frequency in the acoustic device of FIG. 12 manufactured by modifying the first groove portion according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 25F] 13 is a diagram showing sound pressure according to frequency in the acoustic device of FIG. 12 manufactured by modifying the first groove portion according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 26A] 13 is a diagram showing sound pressure according to frequency in the acoustic device of FIG. 12 manufactured by changing the thickness of the vibrating member corresponding to the first groove portion according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 26B] 13 is a diagram showing sound pressure according to frequency in the acoustic device of FIG. 12 manufactured by changing the thickness of the vibrating member corresponding to the first groove portion according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 26C] 13 is a diagram showing sound pressure according to frequency in the acoustic device of FIG. 12 manufactured by changing the thickness of the vibrating member corresponding to the first groove portion according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 26D] 13 is a diagram showing sound pressure according to frequency in the acoustic device of FIG. 12 manufactured by changing the thickness of the vibrating member corresponding to the first groove portion according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 26E] 13 is a diagram showing sound pressure according to frequency in the acoustic device of FIG. 12 manufactured by changing the thickness of the vibrating member corresponding to the first groove portion according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 27] 19A, 19B, and 19C are diagrams showing sound pressures according to frequencies in an acoustic device to which the inner housing structures of FIGS. 18A, 18B, 19A, 19B, and 19C are applied. FIG. [Figure 28]17 is a diagram showing sound pressure versus frequency for the acoustic devices of FIGS. 15 and 16 and the acoustic device of FIG. 12 in which a first groove portion is not formed. FIG. [Figure 29] FIG. 23 is a diagram showing sound pressure as a function of frequency in the acoustic device of FIG. 22.

[0016] Throughout the drawings and detailed description, unless otherwise stated, the same drawing numerals should be understood to refer to the same components, features and structures. The relative size and depiction of these elements may be exaggerated for clarity, explanation and convenience. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0017] Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments of the present invention, examples of which may be illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In the following description, if a detailed description of well-known functions or configurations unnecessarily obscures the gist of this specification, the detailed description may be omitted for the sake of brevity. The progression of steps and / or operations described is exemplary, but the order of steps and / or operations is not limited to those described herein and may be modified, except for steps and / or operations that necessarily occur in a particular order. The same reference numerals may generally refer to similar components even if they are illustrated in different drawings. In one or more embodiments, identical components (or components having the same name) in different drawings may have the same or substantially the same functions and characteristics, unless otherwise specified. The names of the respective components used in the following description are selected for convenience and may differ from the actual products.

[0018] The advantages and features of the present invention, and the methods for achieving them, will become clear from the following detailed description of the embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below, but may be realized in various different forms, and the embodiments are provided merely to complete the disclosure of this specification and to fully inform those skilled in the art of the present invention of the scope of the invention, and the present invention is defined only by the claims.

[0019] In order to explain the embodiments of the present invention, the shapes, sizes, ratios, angles, numbers, etc. shown in the drawings are merely illustrative, and the present invention is not limited to the matters shown in the drawings. The same reference numerals refer to the same components throughout the specification. In addition, in explaining the present invention, if a detailed description of related prior art is deemed to unnecessarily obscure the gist of the present invention, the detailed description may be omitted. When "including," "having," "consisting of," etc. are used in the present invention, other parts may be added unless "only" is used. When a component is expressed in the singular, it includes the case where it includes a plural, unless otherwise expressly stated.

[0020] When interpreting elements, they are to be interpreted as including a range of error even if there is no separate explicit description of the range of error.

[0021] When describing a positional relationship, for example when the positional relationship of two parts is described using "above", "on top", "below", "beside", etc., one or more other parts may also be located between the two parts, unless "immediately" or "directly" is used.

[0022] In the case of an explanation of a temporal relationship, when the temporal sequence is explained using "after," "following," "next to," "before," etc., it can also include cases where the contents are not consecutive, since "immediately" or "directly" are not used.

[0023] Although the terms "first", "second" and the like are used to describe various components, these components are not limited by these terms. These terms are merely used to distinguish one component from another. Therefore, the first component referred to below may be the second component within the technical concept of the present invention.

[0024] In describing components of the present invention, terms such as first, second, A, B, (a), (b), etc. may be used. Such terms are used to distinguish the components from other components, and do not limit the nature, order, sequence, or number of the components. When a component or layer is described as being "coupled," "bonded," or "connected" to another component or layer, it should be understood that the component can be directly coupled or connected to the other component or layer, but unless otherwise expressly stated, other components or layers may be "interposed" between each component or layer that can be indirectly coupled or connected.

[0025] The term "at least one" should be understood to include all combinations of one or more of the associated components. For example, the meaning of "at least one of a first, second, and third components" can include all combinations of two or more of the first, second, and third components, and not just the first, second, or third components.

[0026] The phrase "first component", "second component" and / or "third component" should be understood as one of the first, second and third components or any or all combinations of the first, second and third components. For example, A, B and / or C can be considered as A only, B only, C only, any or some combination of A, B and C, or all of A, B and C. Furthermore, the phrase "component A / component B" should be understood as component A and / or component B.

[0027] The features of the various embodiments of the present invention may be partially or fully combined or combined with each other, and various technical interlocking and driving mechanisms may be possible, and each embodiment may be implemented independently of the others, or may be implemented together in a linked relationship.

[0028] Hereinafter, the embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and examples. The scales of the components shown in the drawings may be different from the actual scales for convenience of explanation, and are not limited to the scales shown in the drawings.

[0029] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an apparatus (or an acoustic apparatus) according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA' shown in FIG.

[0030] 1 and 2, an apparatus (or acoustic device) 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention can include a vibrating member 110 and a vibrating device 130.

[0031] The vibrating member 110 can output sound by vibration of the vibrating device 130. For example, the vibrating member 110 can be expressed by terms such as a vibrating object, a diaphragm, a display panel, an acoustic plate, an acoustic output member, or an acoustic output panel, and the embodiments of the present invention are not limited thereto.

[0032] The vibrating member 110 may be configured to be transparent, translucent, or opaque. The vibrating member 110 according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a metallic material having material properties suitable for outputting sound by vibration, or may include a non-metallic material (or a composite non-metallic material). The metallic material of the vibrating member 110 according to an embodiment of the present invention may include any one or more of stainless steel, aluminum (Al), aluminum (Al) alloy, magnesium (Mg), magnesium (Mg) alloy, and magnesium lithium (Mg-Li) alloy, and the embodiment of the present invention is not limited thereto. The non-metallic material (or composite non-metallic material) of the vibrating member 110 may include one or more of glass, plastic, fiber, leather, wood, cloth, rubber, carbon, mirror, and paper, and the embodiment of the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0033] The vibrating member 110 according to an embodiment of the present invention can realize a signage panel such as analog signage such as an advertising billboard, a poster, or a guide board. For example, when the vibrating member 110 realizes a signage panel, the analog signage can include signage content such as text, pictures, and symbols. The signage content can be arranged on the vibrating member 110 so as to be visible. For example, the signage content can be directly attached to one or more of a first surface (or front surface) and a second surface (or back surface) different from (or opposite to) the first surface of the vibrating member 110. For example, the signage content can be printed on a medium such as paper, and the medium on which the signage content is printed can be directly attached to one or more of the first surface and the second surface of the vibrating member 110. For example, when the signage content is attached to the second surface of the vibrating member 110, the vibrating member 110 can be made of a transparent material.

[0034] The vibrating member 110 according to another embodiment of the present invention may include one or more of a display panel having pixels for displaying an image, a light emitting diode lighting panel, an organic light emitting lighting panel, and an inorganic light emitting lighting panel.

[0035] The vibrating member 110 in another embodiment of the present invention may include one or more of a display panel having pixels for displaying an image, a screen panel onto which an image is projected from a display device, a lighting panel, a signage panel, an interior material of a vehicle, a glass window of a vehicle, an exterior material of a vehicle, a ceiling material of a building, an interior material of a building, a glass window of a building, an interior material of an aircraft, a glass window of an aircraft, metal, wood, rubber, plastic, glass, fiber, cloth, paper, leather, carbon, and a mirror.

[0036] The vibrating member 110 according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a plate-like structure having a rectangular shape. The vibrating member 110 may include a horizontal length parallel to a first direction (X) and a vertical length parallel to a second direction (Y) intersecting the first direction (X). For example, the vibrating member 600 may include a rectangular shape in which the horizontal length is relatively longer than the vertical length. However, without being limited thereto, the vibrating member 600 may also include a square shape in which the horizontal length and the vertical length are the same.

[0037] The vibration member 110 according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a protrusion 111 formed on the second surface of the vibration member 110 so as to surround the edge of the vibration member 110. In Fig. 2, the protrusion 111 may be shown protruding from the rear surface of the vibration member 110. For example, the protrusion 111 and the vibration member 110 may be integrated into a single body, and the embodiment of the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0038] The protrusion 111 may include the same material as the vibration member 110 and may be formed to protrude from the second surface of the vibration member 110. For example, the protrusion 111 may be a vibration member protrusion, or a protrusion, side, convex portion, or sidewall of the vibration member 110.

[0039] The vibrating member 110 according to an embodiment of the present invention may be configured to have a plurality of natural frequencies. The vibrating member 110 may have a plurality of natural frequencies by including a non-planar structure. The vibrating member 110 may have a plurality of natural frequencies that differ from one another in each region. For example, the vibrating member 110 may have a plurality of natural frequencies that differ from one another depending on the thickness of each region.

[0040] The vibration device 130 may be configured to vibrate (or displace) itself by an applied electric signal (or voice signal), or may be configured to vibrate (or displace) a vibrating member (or a diaphragm, or a vibrating object). For example, the vibration device 130 may be expressed by terms such as, but not limited to, a vibrating structure, a vibrator, a vibration generating element, a vibration generator, a sounder, an acoustic element, an acoustic generating element, or an acoustic generator.

[0041] The vibration device 130 according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a piezoelectric material (or electroactive material) having piezoelectric properties. The vibration device 130 may vibrate (or displace) the vibration member 110 by vibration (or displacement) of the piezoelectric material due to an electric signal (or voice signal) applied to the piezoelectric material. For example, the vibration device 130 may vibrate (or displace) by alternately repeating contraction and expansion due to the piezoelectric effect (or piezoelectric properties). For example, the vibration device 130 may vibrate (or displace) in the vertical direction (or thickness direction) (Z) by alternately repeating contraction and expansion due to the inverse piezoelectric effect.

[0042] The vibration device 130 according to an embodiment of the present invention may include one or more vibration elements 131 having a piezoelectric principle.

[0043] One or more vibration elements 131 according to an embodiment of the present invention may be configured to be flexible. For example, one or more vibration elements 131 may be configured to bend into a non-planar shape, including a curved surface. Thus, one or more vibration elements 131 according to an embodiment of the present invention may be expressed by terms such as, but not limited to, a flexible vibrating structure, a flexible vibrator, a flexible vibration generating element, a flexible vibration generator, a flexible sounder, a flexible acoustic element, a flexible sound generating element, a flexible sound generator, a flexible actuator, a flexible exciter, or a flexible transducer.

[0044] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the one or more vibration elements 131 may include a rectangular shape having a first length parallel to a first direction (X) and a second length parallel to a second direction (Y) intersecting the first direction (X). For example, the one or more vibration elements 131 may include a square shape in which the first length and the second length are the same. However, without being limited thereto, the one or more vibration elements 131 may include a rectangular shape, a non-square shape, a circular shape, or an elliptical shape in which any one of the first length and the second length is larger.

[0045] The vibration device 130 according to an embodiment of the present invention may be coupled or connected to the second surface of the vibration member 110 via an adhesive member 120 .

[0046] The adhesive member 120 can be disposed between the vibration member 110 and the vibration device 130. For example, the adhesive member 120 can be disposed between the vibration member 110 and one or more vibration elements 131. For example, the adhesive member 120 can couple or bond the one or more vibration elements 131 to the second surface of the vibration member 110.

[0047] The adhesive member 120 according to an embodiment of the present invention may include an adhesive layer (or a sticky layer) having excellent adhesion or bonding strength. For example, the adhesive member 120 may include a double-sided adhesive tape, a double-sided adhesive foam pad, or a sticky sheet. For example, when the adhesive member 120 includes a sticky sheet (or a sticky layer), the adhesive member 120 may include only the adhesive layer or sticky layer without a base member such as a plastic material.

[0048] The adhesive layer (or adhesive layer) of the adhesive member 120 according to an embodiment of the present invention may include epoxy, acrylic, silicone, or urethane, but the embodiment of the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0049] The adhesive layer (or adhesive layer) of the adhesive member 120 according to other embodiments of the present invention may include a pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA), an optically clear adhesive (OCA), or an optically clear resin (OCR), and the embodiments of the present invention are not limited thereto.

[0050] The device (or audio device) 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include a housing 150 and a connecting member 140 .

[0051] The housing 150 may be disposed on the rear surface of the vibrating member 110 to cover the second surface of the vibrating member 110 and one or more vibrating elements 131. The housing 150 has an accommodation space 150s for accommodating the vibrating device 130, and may include a box shape with one side open. The opening on one side of the accommodation space 150s is covered by the vibrating member 110, and a predetermined air gap may be formed between the accommodation space 150s and the vibrating member 110.

[0052] The housing 150 according to an embodiment of the present invention may include one or more of a metal material or a non-metal material (or a composite non-metal material), and the embodiment of the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the housing 150 may include one or more of a metal material, a plastic, and a wood, and the embodiment of the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the housing 150 may be expressed by terms such as a case, an outer case, a case member, a housing member, a cabinet, an enclosure, a sealing member, a sealing cap, a sealing box, or a sound box, and the embodiment of the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the accommodation space 150s of the housing 150 may be expressed by terms such as a gap space, an air gap, a vibration space, an acoustic space, a sound box, or a sealed space, and the embodiment of the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0053] The housing 150 according to an embodiment of the present invention can maintain a constant impedance component due to air acting on the vibrating member 110 when the vibrating member 110 vibrates. For example, the air around the vibrating member 110 resists the vibration of the vibrating member 110 and acts as an impedance component having different resistance and reactance components according to frequency. Thus, the housing 150 forms an enclosed space surrounding the vibrating device 130, thereby maintaining a constant impedance component (or air impedance or elastic impedance) acting on the vibrating member 110 due to air, thereby improving the acoustic characteristics and / or sound pressure characteristics of the low frequency range generated by the vibration of the vibrating member 110 and improving the sound quality of the high frequency range.

[0054] Housing 150 , according to one embodiment of the present invention, may include a bottom 151 and sides 152 .

[0055] The bottom 151 may be disposed on the back surface of the vibrating member 110 so as to cover the second surface of the vibrating member 110 and the vibrating device 130. For example, the bottom 151 may be disposed so as to be spaced apart from the second surface of the vibrating member 110 and the vibrating device 130. For example, the bottom 151 may be expressed by terms such as a floor, a housing plate, a housing floor, or a housing bottom, and the embodiments of the present invention are not limited thereto.

[0056] The side portion 152 may be connected to an edge portion of the bottom portion 151. For example, the side portion 152 may be bent from the edge portion of the bottom portion 151 along a third direction (Z) parallel to the thickness direction of the vibration member 110. For example, the side portion 152 may include first to fourth side portions. For example, the side portion 152 may be expressed by terms such as a housing side surface or a housing side wall, and the embodiment of the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0057] The side portion 152 may be integrated with the bottom portion 151. For example, the bottom portion 151 and the side portion 152 may be integrated into one body, whereby an accommodation space 150s surrounded by the side portion 152 may be provided on the bottom portion 151. Therefore, the bottom portion 151 and the side portion 152 may have a box shape with one side open.

[0058] The side portion 152 may be coupled or connected to the second surface of the vibration member 110 via the connecting member 140. For example, the side portion 152 may be coupled or connected to an edge portion of the second surface of the vibration member 110 via the connecting member 140.

[0059] According to one embodiment of the present invention, when the housing 150 includes the side portion 152, the connecting member 140 may be disposed between the side portion 152 of the housing 150 and the protrusion 111 of the vibration member 110. For example, the connecting member 140 may connect or couple one end of the side portion 152 of the housing 150 and one end of the protrusion 111.

[0060] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the connecting member 140 disposed between the housing 150 and the vibrating member 110 may be configured to minimize or prevent the vibration of the vibrating member 110 from being transmitted to the housing 150. The connecting member 140 may include material properties suitable for blocking vibration. For example, the connecting member 140 may include a material having elasticity for vibration absorption (or shock absorption). The connecting member 140 according to an embodiment of the present invention may be made of polyurethane or polyolefin material, and the embodiment of the present invention is not limited thereto. The connecting member 140 according to an embodiment of the present invention may include one or more of a double-sided polyurethane tape, a double-sided polyurethane foam tape, and a double-sided sponge tape.

[0061] The connecting member 140 according to an embodiment of the present invention may have a thickness capable of minimizing or preventing the vibration of the vibrating member 110 from being transmitted to the housing 150. The connecting member 140 can minimize or prevent the vibration of the vibrating member 110 from being transmitted to the housing 150 by absorbing the vibration of the vibrating member 110 by its thickness and elasticity. The connecting member 140 can prevent physical contact (or friction) between the vibrating member 110 and the housing 150, thereby preventing the generation of noise (or noise) due to physical contact (or friction) between the vibrating member 110 and the housing 150. For example, the connecting member 140 can be expressed by terms such as a buffer member, an elastic member, a damping member, a vibration absorbing member, or a vibration isolating member, but is not limited thereto.

[0062] One or more vibration elements 131 according to an embodiment of the present invention can vibrate by a vibration drive signal (or an audio signal) provided from an audio processing circuit to vibrate the vibrating member 110 and generate or output audio. The sound generated by the vibration of the vibrating member 110 can have increased sound pressure characteristics and a wider sound reproduction band due to the vibration of the vibrating member 110 having various natural frequencies.

[0063] The vibration member 110 of the device (or audio device) 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention further includes a protrusion 111, which can improve the acoustic output characteristics of the device (or audio device) 10, specifically, can improve the dip phenomenon and improve the acoustic characteristics. The dip phenomenon is a phenomenon in which low sound pressure occurs due to the suppression of the generation of a specific frequency. The dip phenomenon can degrade the acoustic output characteristics of the device (or audio device) 10.

[0064] Figure 3 is another cross-sectional view taken along line A-A' in Figure 1. Figure 3 shows an apparatus (or an acoustic apparatus) according to another embodiment of the present invention, which has a modified housing structure from that of Figure 2. Therefore, hereinafter, redundant descriptions of the remaining components, except for the housing and the components related thereto, may be omitted.

[0065] 3, the housing 150 may further include a second groove 153 formed on the inner side of the side portion 152, and the second groove 153 of the housing 150 may receive and fix the protrusion 111 of the vibration member 110. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the connection member 140 may include a first connection member 141 between the first surface of the vibration member 110 and the second groove 153 of the housing 150, and a second connection member 143 between the protrusion 111 and the second groove 153 of the housing 150. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the first and second connection members 141 and 143 may include the same material as the connection member 140. For example, the second groove 153 may be expressed by terms such as a groove, a first groove, a recess, or a first recess, and the embodiment of the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0066] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the vibrating member 110 may be fixed by the second groove portion 153 or may be inserted into the second groove portion 153. For example, since both ends of the vibrating member 110 are fixed by the second groove portion 153, reflected waves can be offset at both ends of the vibrating member 110, thereby reducing the peak and dip phenomena of the acoustic characteristics caused by standing waves, and the acoustic characteristics of the low frequency range can be improved. The peak phenomenon is a phenomenon in which sound pressure jumps at a specific frequency, and the dip phenomenon is a phenomenon in which low sound pressure is generated by suppressing the generation of a specific frequency. The peak phenomenon or the dip phenomenon can reduce the acoustic output characteristics of the audio device. Specifically, in the audio device according to another embodiment of the present invention, the acoustic characteristics of the low frequency range can be improved, and the dip phenomenon in the mid frequency range and the peak phenomenon in the high frequency range can be improved. Here, the bass band may be a frequency range of 500 Hz or less, the mid-range band may be a frequency range of 500 to 2000 Hz, and the treble band may be a frequency range of 2000 Hz to 20000 Hz, but the frequency ranges of the mid-range band and mid-high range band according to the embodiment of the present invention are not limited thereto.

[0067] Fig. 4 is a diagram showing a vibration element according to one embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B' shown in Fig. 4, and Fig. 6 is a perspective view showing the piezoelectric vibration part shown in Fig. 5. Figs. 4 to 6 are diagrams showing other embodiments of the vibration element shown in one or more of Figs. 1 and 3.

[0068] 4 to 6, the vibration element 131 according to one embodiment of the present invention may be expressed as a flexible vibration structure, a flexible vibrator, a flexible vibration generating element, a flexible vibration generator, a flexible acoustic device, a flexible acoustic element, a flexible acoustic generating element, a flexible acoustic generator, a flexible actuator, a flexible speaker, a flexible piezoelectric speaker, a film actuator, a film type piezoelectric composite actuator, a film speaker, a film type piezoelectric speaker, or a film type piezoelectric composite speaker, but is not limited to these.

[0069] The vibration element 131 according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a vibration generating portion having a piezoelectric vibration portion 131a, a first electrode portion 131b, and a second electrode portion 131c.

[0070] The piezoelectric vibrating part 131a may include a piezoelectric material (or an electroactive material) having a piezoelectric effect. For example, the piezoelectric material may have a characteristic that a potential difference is generated by dielectric polarization due to a change in the relative positions of positive (+) ions and negative (-) ions when pressure or twisting phenomenon acts on the crystal structure due to an external force, and vibration is generated by an electric field due to an applied voltage. For example, the piezoelectric vibrating part 131a may be expressed by other terms such as a vibration layer, a piezoelectric layer, a piezoelectric material layer, an electroactive layer, a piezoelectric vibrating part, a piezoelectric material part, an electroactive part, a piezoelectric structure, a piezoelectric composite layer, a piezoelectric composite, or a piezoelectric ceramic composite, but is not limited thereto. The piezoelectric vibrating part 131a may be made of a transparent, semitransparent, or opaque piezoelectric material, and may be transparent, semitransparent, or opaque.

[0071] The piezoelectric vibrating portion 131a according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a plurality of first portions 131a1 and a plurality of second portions 131a2. For example, the plurality of first portions 131a1 and the plurality of second portions 131a2 may be arranged alternately and repeatedly along a first direction (X) (or a second direction (Y)). For example, the first direction (X) may be a horizontal direction of the piezoelectric vibrating portion 131a, and the second direction (Y) may be a vertical direction of the piezoelectric vibrating portion 131a intersecting with the first direction (X), but the embodiment of the present invention is not limited thereto, and the first direction (X) may be a vertical direction of the piezoelectric vibrating portion 131a, and the second direction (Y) may be a horizontal direction of the piezoelectric vibrating portion 131a.

[0072] Each of the first portions 131a1 may be made of an inorganic material. The inorganic material may include a piezoelectric material having a piezoelectric effect, a composite piezoelectric material, or an electroactive material.

[0073] Each of the first portions 131a1 may be made of a ceramic-based material capable of realizing a relatively high vibration, or may be made of a piezoelectric ceramic having a perovskite crystal structure. The perovskite crystal structure may have a piezoelectric and inverse piezoelectric effect and may be a plate-like structure having orientation. The perovskite crystal structure may be expressed by a chemical formula of ABO3, where the A site may be made of a divalent metal element and the B site may be made of a tetravalent metal element. In one embodiment of the present invention, in the chemical formula of ABO3, the A site and the B site may be cations, and O may be an anion. For example, each of the first portions 131a1 may include at least one of PbTiO3, PbZrO3, PbZrTiO3, BaTiO3, and SrTiO3, but the embodiment of the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0074] The first portion 131a1 of the piezoelectric vibrating portion 131a according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a PZT (lead zirconate titanate)-based material including lead (Pb), zirconium (Zr), and titanium (Ti), or a PZNN (lead zirconate nickel niobate)-based material including lead (Pb), zirconium (Zr), nickel (Ni), and niobium (Nb), but the embodiment of the present invention is not limited thereto. Alternatively, the first portion 131a1 of the piezoelectric vibrating portion 131a may include at least one of CaTiO3, BaTiO3, and SrTiO3 that do not include lead (Pb), but the embodiment of the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0075] Each of the first portions 131a1 according to an embodiment of the present invention is disposed between the second portions 131a2 and may have a first width (W1) parallel to the first direction (X) (or the second direction (Y)) and a length parallel to the second direction (Y) (or the first direction (X)). Each of the second portions 131a2 may have a second width (W2) parallel to the first direction (X) (or the second direction (Y)) and a length parallel to the second direction (Y) (or the first direction (X)). The first width (W1) may be the same as or different from the second width (W2). For example, the first width (W1) may be larger than the second width (W2). For example, the first portion 131a1 and the second portion 131a2 may include a line shape or a stripe shape having the same or different sizes. Therefore, the piezoelectric vibration part 131a can have a resonance frequency of 20 kHz or less by having a 2-2 composite structure having piezoelectric characteristics of a 2-2 vibration mode, and the embodiment of the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the resonance frequency of the piezoelectric vibration part 131a can be changed depending on at least one of the shape, length, and thickness.

[0076] In the piezoelectric vibration unit 131a, the plurality of first portions 131a1 and the plurality of second portions 131a2 may be arranged (or arrayed) next to each other on the same plane (or the same layer). Each of the plurality of second portions 131a2 may be connected or bonded to the adjacent first portion 131a1 by being configured to fill the gap between two adjacent first portions 131a1. Thus, the piezoelectric vibration unit 131a may be expanded to a desired size or length by side-coupling (or coupling) the first portion 131a1 and the second portion 131a2.

[0077] In the piezoelectric vibrating part 131a, the width (W2) of each of the plurality of second portions 131a2 may be gradually reduced from the middle portion of the piezoelectric vibrating part 131a or the vibrating element 131 toward both edge portions (or both tips).

[0078] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the second portion 131a2 having the largest width (W2) among the plurality of second portions 131a2 may be located at a portion where the largest stress is concentrated when the piezoelectric vibrating portion 131a or the vibrating element 131 vibrates in the vertical direction (Z) (or thickness direction). The second portion 131a2 having the smallest width (W2) among the plurality of second portions 131a2 may be located at a portion where the smallest stress is generated relatively when the piezoelectric vibrating portion 131a or the vibrating element 131 vibrates in the vertical direction (Z). For example, the second portion 131a2 having the largest width (W2) among the plurality of second portions 131a2 may be located at a central portion of the piezoelectric vibrating portion 131a, and the second portion 131a2 having the smallest width (W2) among the plurality of second portions 131a2 may be located at both edge portions of the piezoelectric vibrating portion 131a. As a result, when the piezoelectric vibration part 131a or the vibration element 131 vibrates in the vertical direction (Z), the interference of sound waves or the superposition of resonant frequencies generated in the area where the greatest stress is concentrated can be minimized, thereby improving the dipping phenomenon of sound pressure generated in the low-frequency range and improving the flatness of acoustic characteristics in the low-frequency range.

[0079] In the piezoelectric vibration part 131a, each of the first parts 131a1 may have a different size (or width). For example, the size (or width) of each of the first parts 131a1 may gradually decrease or increase from the middle part of the piezoelectric vibration part 131a or the vibration element 131 toward both edge parts (or both ends). As a result, the piezoelectric vibration part 131a may have improved sound pressure characteristics and a wider sound reproduction band due to various natural vibration frequencies caused by vibration of each of the first parts 131a1 having different sizes.

[0080] Each of the second parts 131a2 may be disposed between the first parts 131a1. As a result, the piezoelectric vibrating part 131a or the vibrating element 131 may increase the vibration energy due to the link in the unit lattice of the first part 131a1 by the second part 131a2, so that the vibration characteristics may be increased and the piezoelectric characteristics and flexibility may be ensured. For example, the second part 131a2 may be one or more of an epoxy-based polymer, an acrylic-based polymer, and a silicone-based polymer, but the embodiment of the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0081] Each of the second parts 131a2 according to an embodiment of the present invention may be made of an organic material part. For example, the organic material part may be disposed between the inorganic material parts to absorb impact applied to the inorganic material part (or the first part) and may improve durability of the piezoelectric vibrating part 131a or the vibrating element 131 by releasing stress concentrated in the inorganic material part, and may provide flexibility to the piezoelectric vibrating part 131a or the vibrating element 131.

[0082] The second portion 131a2 according to an embodiment of the present invention may have a lower modulus (or Young's modulus) and viscoelasticity than the first portion 131a1, thereby improving the reliability of the first portion 131a1, which is vulnerable to impact due to the brittle characteristics of the first portion 131a1. For example, the second portion 131a2 may be made of a material having a loss factor of 0.01 to 1 and a modulus of 0.1 to 10 [GPa].

[0083] The organic material portion of the second portion 131a2 may include an organic material, an organic polymer, an organic piezoelectric material, or an organic non-piezoelectric material having a flexible characteristic compared to the inorganic material portion of the first portion 131a1. For example, the second portion 131a2 may be expressed as an adhesive portion, an expandable portion, a bending portion, a damping portion, or a soft portion having flexibility, but the embodiment of the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0084] The piezoelectric vibrating part 131a according to the embodiment of the present invention can have the shape of a single thin film by arranging (or connecting) a plurality of first parts 131a1 and a second part 131a2 on the same plane. For example, the piezoelectric vibrating part 131a can have a structure in which a plurality of first parts 131a1 are connected to one side. For example, the plurality of first parts 131a1 can have a structure in which they are connected by the entire piezoelectric vibrating part 131a. For example, the piezoelectric vibrating part 131a can vibrate in the vertical direction by the first part 131a1 having vibration characteristics, and can bend into a curved shape by the second part 131a2 having flexibility. In the piezoelectric vibrating part 131a according to the embodiment of the present invention, the size of the first part 131a1 and the size of the second part 131a2 can be set according to the piezoelectric characteristics and flexibility required for the piezoelectric vibrating part 131a or the vibration element 131. As one embodiment of the present invention, in the case of piezoelectric vibration part 131a that requires piezoelectric characteristics more than flexibility, the size of first part 131a1 may be configured to be larger than the size of second part 131a2. As another embodiment of the present invention, in the case of piezoelectric vibration part 131a that requires flexibility more than piezoelectric characteristics, the size of second part 131a2 may be configured to be larger than the size of first part 131a1. Therefore, since the size of piezoelectric vibration part 131a can be adjusted according to the required characteristics, there is an advantage that the design of piezoelectric vibration part 131a is easy.

[0085] The first electrode unit 131b may be disposed on a first surface (or upper surface) of the piezoelectric vibration unit 131a. The first electrode unit 131b may be commonly disposed on or coupled to the first surfaces of the first portions 131a1 and the second portions 131a2, and may be electrically connected to the first surfaces of the first portions 131a1. For example, the first electrode unit 131b may have a shape of a single electrode disposed over the entire first surface of the piezoelectric vibration unit 131a. For example, the first electrode unit 131b may have substantially the same shape as the piezoelectric vibration unit 131a, and the embodiment of the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0086] The first electrode unit 131b according to an embodiment of the present invention may be made of a transparent conductive material, a semi-transparent conductive material, or an opaque conductive material. For example, the transparent or semi-transparent conductive material may include ITO (indium tin oxide) or IZO (indium zinc oxide), but the embodiment of the present invention is not limited thereto. The opaque conductive material may include aluminum (Al), copper (Cu), gold (Au), silver (Ag), molybdenum (Mo), magnesium (Mg), or the like, or may be an alloy thereof, but the embodiment of the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0087] The second electrode unit 131c may be disposed on a second surface (or back surface) different from (or opposite to) the first surface of the piezoelectric vibration unit 131a. The second electrode unit 131c may be commonly disposed on or coupled to the second surface of each of the first portions 131a1 and the second surface of each of the second portions 131a2, and may be electrically connected to the second surface of each of the first portions 131a1. For example, the second electrode unit 131c may have a shape of a single electrode disposed on the entire second surface of the piezoelectric vibration unit 131a. For example, the second electrode unit 131c may have the same shape as the piezoelectric vibration unit 131a, and the embodiment of the present invention is not limited thereto. The second electrode unit 131c according to an embodiment of the present invention may be made of a transparent conductive material, a semi-transparent conductive material, or an opaque conductive material. For example, the second electrode unit 131c may be made of the same material as the first electrode unit 131b, and the embodiment of the present invention is not limited thereto. In another embodiment of the present invention, the second electrode portion 131c may be made of a different material than the first electrode portion 131b.

[0088] The piezoelectric vibrating part 131a may be polarized by a constant voltage applied to the first electrode part 131b and the second electrode part 131c in a constant temperature atmosphere or a temperature atmosphere that changes from high temperature to room temperature, but the embodiment of the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the piezoelectric vibrating part 131a may vibrate by alternately repeating contraction and / or expansion due to an inverse piezoelectric effect caused by an audio signal (or a voice signal) applied from the outside to the first electrode part 131b and the second electrode part 131c. For example, the piezoelectric vibrating part 131a may vibrate by vertical vibration and planar vibration due to an audio signal applied to the first electrode part 131b and the second electrode part 131c. The piezoelectric vibrating part 131a may increase the displacement of the vibrating member (or diaphragm, or vibrating object) by contracting and expanding in the planar direction, thereby further improving the vibration of the vibrating member.

[0089] The vibration element 131 according to the embodiment of the present invention may further include a first cover member 131d and a second cover member 131e.

[0090] The first cover member 131d may be disposed on a first surface of the vibration element 131. For example, the first cover member 131d may be configured to cover the first electrode portion 131b. Thus, the first cover member 131d can protect the first electrode portion 131b.

[0091] The second cover member 131e may be disposed on a second surface of the vibration element 131. For example, the second cover member 131e may be configured to cover the second electrode portion 131c. Thus, the second cover member 131e can protect the second electrode portion 131c.

[0092] Each of the first cover member 131d and the second cover member 131e according to an embodiment of the present invention may include one or more materials of plastic, fiber, and wood, and the embodiment of the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, each of the first cover member 131d and the second cover member 131e may include the same or different materials. For example, each of the first cover member 131d and the second cover member 131e may be a polyimide film or a polyethylene terephthalate film, and the embodiment of the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0093] The first cover member 131d according to an embodiment of the present invention may be connected or joined to the first electrode portion 131b via the first adhesive layer 131f. For example, the first cover member 131d may be connected or joined to the first electrode portion 131b by a film lamination process using the first adhesive layer 131f as an intermediate.

[0094] The second cover member 131e according to an embodiment of the present invention may be connected or bonded to the second electrode portion 131c via the second adhesive layer 131g. For example, the second cover member 131e may be connected or bonded to the second electrode portion 131c by a film lamination process using the second adhesive layer 131g as an intermediate.

[0095] The first adhesive layer 131f may be disposed between the first electrode portion 131b and the first cover member 131d. The second adhesive layer 131g may be disposed between the second electrode portion 131c and the second cover member 131e. For example, the first adhesive layer 131f and the second adhesive layer 131g may be configured between the first cover member 131d and the second cover member 131e so as to completely surround the piezoelectric vibration portion 131a, the first electrode portion 131b, and the second electrode portion 131c. For example, the piezoelectric vibration portion 131a, the first electrode portion 131b, and the second electrode portion 131c may be embedded or built-in between the first adhesive layer 131f and the second adhesive layer 131g.

[0096] Each of the first adhesive layer 131f and the second adhesive layer 131g according to the embodiment of the present invention may include an electrically insulating material that is compressible and resilient while having adhesiveness. For example, each of the first adhesive layer 131f and the second adhesive layer 131g may include an epoxy resin, an acrylic resin, a silicone resin, or a urethane resin, but the embodiment of the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0097] According to an embodiment of the present invention, either the first cover member 131d or the second cover member 131e may be attached or coupled to the vibrating member (or the diaphragm, or the vibrating object) via an adhesive member. For example, either the first cover member 131d or the second cover member 131e may be attached or coupled to the vibrating member 110 via the adhesive member 120 as described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3.

[0098] The vibration element 131 according to one embodiment of the present invention may further include a first power supply line (PL1) arranged on the first cover member 131d, a second power supply line (PL2) arranged on the second cover member 131e, and a pad portion 131p electrically connected to the first power supply line (PL1) and the second power supply line (PL2).

[0099] The first power supply line (PL1) may be disposed between the first electrode portion 131b and the first cover member 131d and electrically connected to the first electrode portion 131b. The first power supply line (PL1) may extend long along the second direction (Y) and be electrically connected to a central portion of the first electrode portion 131b. As an example, the first power supply line (PL1) may be electrically connected to the first electrode portion 131b via an anisotropic conductive film. As another example, the first power supply line (PL1) may be electrically connected to the first electrode portion 131b via a conductive material (or particles) contained in the first adhesive layer 131f.

[0100] The second power supply line (PL2) may be disposed between the second electrode portion 131c and the second cover member 131e and electrically connected to the second electrode portion 131c. The second power supply line (PL2) may extend long along the second direction (Y) and be electrically connected to a central portion of the second electrode portion 131c. As an example, the second power supply line (PL2) may be electrically connected to the second electrode portion 131c via an anisotropic conductive film. As another example, the second power supply line (PL2) may be electrically connected to the second electrode portion 131c via a conductive material (or particles) contained in the second adhesive layer 131g.

[0101] The pad portion 131p may be configured on an edge portion of one side of either the first cover member 131d or the second cover member 131e so as to be electrically connected to one side (or one end) of each of the first power supply line (PL1) and the second power supply line (PL2).

[0102] The pad part 131p according to one embodiment of the present invention may include a first pad electrode electrically connected to one end of the first power supply line (PL1) and a second pad electrode electrically connected to one end of the second power supply line (PL2).

[0103] The first pad electrode may be disposed on an edge portion on one side of either the first cover member 131d or the second cover member 131e and may be connected to one end of the first power supply line (PL1). For example, the first pad electrode may pass through either the first cover member 131d or the second cover member 131e and be electrically connected to one end of the first power supply line (PL1).

[0104] The second pad electrode may be arranged side by side with the first pad electrode and connected to one end of the second power supply line (PL2). For example, the second pad electrode may pass through either the first cover member 131d or the second cover member 131e and be electrically connected to one end of the second power supply line (PL2).

[0105] According to an embodiment of the present invention, each of the first power supply line (PL1), the second power supply line (PL2), and the pad portion 131p may be configured to be transparent, semi-transparent, or opaque.

[0106] The pad portion 131 p according to an embodiment of the present invention may be electrically connected to a signal cable 132 .

[0107] The signal cable 132 is electrically connected to the pad portion 131p arranged on the vibration element 131, and can supply a vibration drive signal (or an acoustic signal) provided from an acoustic processing circuit to the vibration element 131. The signal cable 132 according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a first terminal electrically connected to a first pad electrode of the pad portion 131p and a second terminal electrically connected to a second pad electrode of the pad portion 131p. For example, the signal cable 132 may be formed of a flexible printed circuit cable, a flexible flat cable, a single-sided flexible printed circuit, a single-sided flexible printed circuit board, a flexible multilayer printed circuit, or a flexible multilayer printed circuit board, and the embodiment of the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0108] The acoustic processing circuit can generate an AC vibration drive signal including a first vibration drive signal and a second vibration drive signal based on acoustic data supplied from an external acoustic data generating circuit. The first vibration drive signal can be either a positive polarity (+) vibration drive signal or a negative polarity (-) vibration drive signal, and the second vibration drive signal can be either a positive polarity (+) vibration drive signal or a negative polarity (-) vibration drive signal. For example, the first vibration drive signal can be supplied to the first electrode section 131b via a first terminal of the signal cable 132, a first pad electrode of the pad section 131p, and a first power supply line (PL1). The second vibration drive signal can be supplied to the second electrode section 131c via a second terminal of the signal cable 132, a second pad electrode of the pad section 131p, and a second power supply line (PL2).

[0109] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the signal cable 132 may be configured to be transparent, translucent, or opaque.

[0110] The vibration element 131 according to an embodiment of the present invention can be realized in a thin film shape by alternately and repeatedly connecting the first portion 131a1 having a piezoelectric characteristic and the second portion 131a2 having flexibility. This allows the vibration element 131 to be bent into a shape corresponding to the shape of the vibration member or the vibration target. For example, when the vibration element 131 is connected or coupled to a vibration member including various curved portions via an adhesive member, the vibration element 131 can be bent into a curved shape along the shape of the curved portion of the vibration member 110, and reliability such as damage or breakage is not reduced even when the vibration element 131 is bent into a curved shape.

[0111] 7A to 7D are perspective views showing a vibration portion according to another embodiment of the vibration element according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0112] Referring to FIG. 7A, a piezoelectric vibration part 131a according to another embodiment of the present invention may include a plurality of first portions 131a1 spaced apart from each other along a first direction (X) and a second direction (Y), and a second portion 131a2 arranged between the plurality of first portions 131a1.

[0113] The first portions 131a1 may be arranged to be spaced apart from each other along the first direction (X) and the second direction (Y). For example, the first portions 131a1 may be arranged in a lattice shape, each having a hexahedral shape of the same size. Since the first portions 131a1 may be made of substantially the same piezoelectric material as the first portions 131a1 described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 6, the same reference numerals are used therefor, and redundant description thereof may be omitted.

[0114] The second portion 131a2 may be disposed between the first portions 131a1 along each of the first direction (X) and the second direction (Y). The second portion 131a2 may be connected or bonded to the adjacent first portions 131a1 by filling a gap between two adjacent first portions 131a1 or by surrounding each of the first portions 131a1. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the width of the second portion 131a2 disposed between two adjacent first portions 131a1 along the first direction (X) may be the same as or different from the width of the first portions 131a1, and the width of the second portion 131a2 disposed between two adjacent first portions 131a1 along the second direction (Y) may be the same as or different from the width of the first portions 131a1. The second portion 131a2 may be made of substantially the same organic material as the second portion 131a2 described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 6, and therefore the same reference numerals will be used to denote the second portion 131a2, and redundant description thereof will be omitted.

[0115] The piezoelectric vibration part 131a according to this embodiment of the present invention can have a resonance frequency of 30 MHz or less by including a 1-3 composite structure having piezoelectric characteristics of a 1-3 vibration mode, but the embodiment of the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the resonance frequency of the piezoelectric vibration part 131a can be changed depending on at least one of the shape, length, and thickness.

[0116] Referring to FIG. 7B, a piezoelectric vibration part 131a according to another embodiment of the present invention may include a plurality of first portions 131a1 spaced apart from each other along a first direction (X) and a second direction (Y), and a second portion 131a2 arranged between the plurality of first portions 131a1.

[0117] Each of the first portions 131a1 may have a circular planar structure. For example, each of the first portions 131a1 may have a disk shape, but the embodiment of the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, each of the first portions 131a1 may have a dot shape including an elliptical shape, a polygonal shape, or a doughnut shape. Each of the first portions 131a1 may be made of substantially the same piezoelectric material as the first portion 131a1 described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 6, and therefore the same reference numerals are used therefor, and redundant description thereof may be omitted.

[0118] The second portion 131a2 may be disposed between the first portions 131a1 along each of the first direction (X) and the second direction (Y). The second portion 131a2 may be connected or bonded to each side of the first portions 131a1 by being configured to surround each of the first portions 131a1. The first portions 131a1 and the second portions 131a2 may be disposed (or arranged) side by side on the same plane (or the same layer). For example, the second portion 131a2 may be made of substantially the same organic material as the second portion 131a2 described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 6, and therefore the same reference numerals are used therefor, and a duplicated description thereof may be omitted.

[0119] Referring to FIG. 7C, in a vibration element 131 according to another embodiment of the present invention, a piezoelectric vibration portion 131a may include a plurality of first portions 131a1 spaced apart from each other along a first direction (X) and a second direction (Y), and a second portion 131a2 arranged between the plurality of first portions 131a1.

[0120] Each of the first portions 131a1 may have a triangular planar structure. For example, each of the first portions 131a1 may have a triangular plate shape. Each of the first portions 131a1 may be made of substantially the same piezoelectric material as the first portion 131a1 described with reference to Figures 4 to 6, and therefore the same reference numerals are used therefor, and redundant description thereof may be omitted.

[0121] According to an embodiment of the present invention, four adjacent first portions 131a1 among the plurality of first portions 131a1 may be adjacently disposed to form a quadrangle shape (or a square shape). Each vertex of the four adjacent first portions 131a1 forming a quadrangle shape may be adjacently disposed to a center of the quadrangle shape (or the square shape).

[0122] The second portion 131a2 may be disposed between the first portions 131a1 along each of the first direction (X) and the second direction (Y). The second portion 131a2 may be connected or bonded to each side of the first portions 131a1 by being configured to surround each of the first portions 131a1. The first portions 131a1 and the second portions 131a2 may be disposed (or arranged) side by side on the same plane (or the same layer). For example, the second portion 131a2 may be made of substantially the same organic material as the second portion 131a2 described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 6, and therefore the same reference numerals are used therefor, and a duplicated description thereof may be omitted.

[0123] Referring to FIG. 7D, in a vibration element 131 according to another embodiment of the present invention, a piezoelectric vibration portion 131a may include a plurality of first portions 131a1 spaced apart from each other along a first direction (X) and a second direction (Y), and a second portion 131a2 arranged between the plurality of first portions 131a1.

[0124] Each of the first portions 131a1 may have a triangular planar structure. For example, each of the first portions 131a1 may have a triangular plate shape. Each of the first portions 131a1 may be made of substantially the same piezoelectric material as the first portion 131a1 described with reference to Figures 4 to 6, and therefore the same reference numerals are used therefor, and redundant description thereof may be omitted.

[0125] According to one embodiment of the present invention, six adjacent first portions 131a1 among the plurality of first portions 131a1 may be adjacently arranged to form a hexagonal shape (or a regular hexagonal shape). Each vertex of the six adjacent first portions 131a1 forming the hexagonal shape may be adjacently arranged to a center of the hexagonal shape (or the regular hexagonal shape).

[0126] The second portion 131a2 may be disposed between the first portions 131a1 along each of the first direction (X) and the second direction (Y). The second portion 131a2 may be connected or bonded to each side of the first portions 131a1 by being configured to surround each of the first portions 131a1. The first portions 131a1 and the second portions 131a2 may be disposed (or arranged) side by side on the same plane (or the same layer). For example, the second portion 131a2 may be substantially made of an organic material as the second portion 131a2 described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 6, and therefore the same reference numerals are given thereto, and a duplicated description thereof may be omitted.

[0127] Fig. 8 is a diagram showing a vibration element according to another embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line CC' shown in Fig. 8. Figs. 8 and 9 are diagrams showing another embodiment of the vibration element shown in one or more of Figs. 1 to 3.

[0128] 8 and 9, a vibration element 131 according to another embodiment of the present invention may include first and second vibration generating parts 131-1 and 131-2.

[0129] The first and second vibration generating units 131-1 and 131-2 may be arranged electrically separated from each other along the first direction (X). The first and second vibration generating units 131-1 and 131-2 may vibrate by alternately or repeatedly contracting and expanding due to the piezoelectric effect. For example, the first and second vibration generating units 131-1 and 131-2 may be arranged or tiled at a constant interval (SD1) along the first direction (X). As a result, the vibration element 131 in which the first and second vibration generating units 131-1 and 131-2 are tiled may be a vibration array, a vibration array section, a vibration module array section, a vibration array structure, a tiling vibration array, a tiling vibration array module, or a tiling vibration film.

[0130] Each of the first and second vibration generating units 131-1, 131-2 according to the embodiment of the present invention may have a rectangular shape. For example, each of the first and second vibration generating units 131-1, 131-2 may have a rectangular shape with a width of 5 cm or more. For example, each of the first and second vibration generating units 131-1, 131-2 may have a square shape with a size of 5 cm x 5 cm or more, but the embodiment of the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0131] The first and second vibration generating units 131-1, 131-2 are arranged on the same plane or tiled, so that the vibration element 131 can be made larger in area by tiling the first and second vibration generating units 131-1, 131-2, which have relatively small sizes.

[0132] The first and second vibration generating units 131-1 and 131-2 may be arranged at regular intervals or tiled to be realized as one vibration device (or single vibration device) that is not driven independently but is driven in the form of one complete unit. According to one embodiment, a first separation distance (or first distance, or first interval) (SD1) between the first and second vibration generating units 131-1 and 131-2 based on the first direction (X) may be 0.1 mm or more and less than 3 cm, but the embodiment of the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0133] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the first and second vibration generating units 131-1, 131-2 may be arranged or tiled to have a separation distance (or interval) (SD1) of 0.1 mm or more and less than 3 cm, so that they can be driven as one vibration device, and the reproduction band and sound pressure characteristics of the sound generated in conjunction with the single-body vibration of the first and second vibration generating units 131-1, 131-2 may be increased. For example, in order to increase the reproduction band of the sound generated in conjunction with the single-body vibration of the first and second vibration generating units 131-1, 131-2 and to increase the sound pressure characteristics of low-frequency sound, for example, at 500 Hz or less, the first and second vibration generating units 131-1, 131-2 may be arranged at an interval (SD1) of 0.1 mm or more and less than 5 mm.

[0134] According to one embodiment of the present invention, when the first and second vibration generating units 131-1, 131-2 are arranged with a gap (SD1) of less than 0.1 mm or no gap (SD1) at all, when the first and second vibration generating units 131-1, 131-2 vibrate, respectively, the reliability of the first and second vibration generating units 131-1, 131-2 or the vibration element 131 may be reduced due to cracks or damage caused by physical contact between each other.

[0135] According to one embodiment of the present invention, when the first and second vibration generating units 131-1, 131-2 are arranged at an interval (SD1) of 3 cm or more, the first and second vibration generating units 131-1, 131-2 may not be driven as one vibration device due to the independent vibrations of the first and second vibration generating units 131-1, 131-2. This may reduce the reproduction band and sound pressure characteristics of the sound generated by the vibrations of the first and second vibration generating units 131-1, 131-2. For example, when the first and second vibration generating units 131-1, 131-2 are arranged at an interval (SD1) of 3 cm or more, the acoustic characteristics and sound pressure characteristics in the low frequency band, for example, below 500 Hz, may be reduced.

[0136] According to one embodiment of the present invention, when the first and second vibration generating units 131-1, 131-2 are arranged at a distance of 5 mm (SD1), the first and second vibration generating units 131-1, 131-2 are not driven as a single vibration device, so that the acoustic characteristics and sound pressure characteristics may be reduced in the low frequency range, for example, below 200 Hz.

[0137] According to another embodiment of the present invention, when the first and second vibration generating units 131-1, 131-2 are arranged at an interval (SD1) of 1 mm, the first and second vibration generating units 131-1, 131-2 are vibrated as one vibration device, so that the reproduction band of sound is increased and the sound pressure characteristics of low-frequency sound, for example, at 500 Hz or less, can be increased. For example, when the first and second vibration generating units 131-1, 131-2 are arranged at an interval (SD1) of 1 mm, the vibration element 131 can be realized as a large-area vibrating body by optimizing the separation distance between the first and second vibration generating units 131-1, 131-2. As a result, the first and second vibration generating units 131-1, 131-2 can be driven as a large-area vibrating body by single-body vibration, and as a result, the acoustic characteristics and sound pressure characteristics of the sound reproduction band and low-frequency band generated in conjunction with the large-area vibration of the vibration element 131 can be increased or improved.

[0138] Therefore, in order to realize the single body vibration (or one vibration device) of the first and second vibration generating units 131-1, 131-2, the separation distance (SD1) between the first and second vibration generating units 131-1, 131-2 may be set to 0.1 mm or more and less than 3 cm. Also, in order to realize the single body vibration (or one vibration device) of the first and second vibration generating units 131-1, 131-2 and increase the sound pressure characteristics of the sound in the low frequency range, the first separation distance (SD1) between the first and second vibration generating units 131-1, 131-2 may be set to 0.1 mm or more and less than 5 mm.

[0139] Each of the first and second vibration generating units 131-1 and 131-2 according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a piezoelectric vibration unit 131a, a first electrode unit 131b, and a second electrode unit 131c.

[0140] Each of the piezoelectric vibrating parts 131a of the first and second vibration generating parts 131-1 and 131-2 may include a piezoelectric material (or an electroactive material) having a piezoelectric effect. For example, each of the piezoelectric vibrating parts 131a of the first and second vibration generating parts 131-1 and 131-2 may be substantially similar to any of the piezoelectric vibrating parts 131a described with reference to Fig. 6 and Figs. 7A to 7D, and therefore the same reference numerals are used therefor, and a duplicated description thereof may be omitted.

[0141] According to one embodiment of the present invention, each of the first and second vibration generating units 131-1, 131-2 may include any one of the piezoelectric vibration units 131a described with reference to Figures 6 and 7A to 7D, or may include piezoelectric vibration units 131a that are different from each other.

[0142] The first electrode portion 131b may be disposed on a first surface of the piezoelectric vibrating portion 131a and electrically connected to the first surface of the piezoelectric vibrating portion 131a. The first electrode portion 131b is substantially the same as the first electrode portion 131b described with reference to FIG. 5, so the same reference numerals are used therefor and redundant description thereof may be omitted.

[0143] The second electrode portion 131c may be disposed on a second surface of the piezoelectric vibrating portion 131a and electrically connected to the second surface of the piezoelectric vibrating portion 131a. The second electrode portion 131c is substantially the same as the second electrode portion 131c described with reference to FIG. 5, so the same reference numerals are used therefor and redundant description thereof may be omitted.

[0144] The vibration element 131 according to another embodiment of the present invention may further include a first cover member 131d and a second cover member 131e.

[0145] The first cover member 131d may be disposed on the first surface of the vibration element 131. For example, the first cover member 131d may be commonly connected to the first surfaces of the first and second vibration generating units 131-1 and 131-2 or commonly support the first surfaces of the first and second vibration generating units 131-1 and 131-2 by covering the first electrode units 131b disposed on the first surfaces of the first and second vibration generating units 131-1 and 131-2. This allows the first cover member 131d to protect the first surfaces or the first electrode units 131b of the first and second vibration generating units 131-1 and 131-2.

[0146] The second cover member 131e may be disposed on the second surface of the vibration element 131. For example, the second cover member 131e covers the second electrode portion 131c disposed on the second surface of each of the first and second vibration generating portions 131-1 and 131-2, so that the second cover member 131e is commonly connected to the second surfaces of the first and second vibration generating portions 131-1 and 131-2, or commonly supports the second surfaces of the first and second vibration generating portions 131-1 and 131-2. This allows the second cover member 131e to protect the second surfaces or the second electrode portion 131c of each of the first and second vibration generating portions 131-1 and 131-2.

[0147] Each of the first cover member 131d and the second cover member 131e according to an embodiment of the present invention may include one or more of plastic, fiber, and wood, and the embodiment of the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, each of the first cover member 131d and the second cover member 131e may include the same or different materials. For example, each of the first cover member 131d and the second cover member 131e may be a polyimide film or a polyethylene terephthalate film, and the embodiment of the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0148] The first cover member 131d according to an embodiment of the present invention may be disposed on the first surfaces of the first and second vibration generating units 131-1 and 131-2 via the first adhesive layer 131f. For example, the first cover member 131d may be disposed directly on the first surfaces of the first and second vibration generating units 131-1 and 131-2 by a film lamination process using the first adhesive layer 131f as an intermediary. Thus, the first and second vibration generating units 131-1 and 131-2 may be integrated (or disposed) with or tiled to the first cover member 131d so as to have a certain interval (SD1).

[0149] The second cover member 131e according to an embodiment of the present invention may be disposed on the second surfaces of the first and second vibration generating units 131-1 and 131-2 via the second adhesive layer 131g. For example, the second cover member 131e may be disposed directly on the second surfaces of the first and second vibration generating units 131-1 and 131-2 by a film lamination process using the second adhesive layer 131g as an intermediary. Thus, the first and second vibration generating units 131-1 and 131-2 may be integrated (or disposed) with or tiled to the second cover member 131e so as to have a certain interval (SD1).

[0150] The first adhesive layer 131f may be disposed between the first and second vibration generating units 131-1 and 131-2 and on the first surfaces of the first and second vibration generating units 131-1 and 131-2. For example, the first adhesive layer 131f may be formed on the back surface (or inner surface) of the first cover member 131d facing the first surfaces of the first and second vibration generating units 131-1 and 131-2, filled between the first and second vibration generating units 131-1 and 131-2, and disposed between the first cover member 131d and the first surfaces of the first and second vibration generating units 131-1 and 131-2.

[0151] The second adhesive layer 131g may be disposed between the first and second vibration generating units 131-1, 131-2 and on the second surfaces of the first and second vibration generating units 131-1, 131-2. For example, the second adhesive layer 131g may be formed on the front surface (or inner surface) of the second cover member 131e facing the second surfaces of the first and second vibration generating units 131-1, 131-2, filled between the first and second vibration generating units 131-1, 131-2, and disposed between the second surfaces of the first and second vibration generating units 131-1, 131-2 and the second cover member 131e.

[0152] The first and second adhesive layers 131f, 131g may be connected or bonded to each other between the first and second vibration generating units 131-1, 131-2. As a result, each of the first and second vibration generating units 131-1, 131-2 may be surrounded by the first and second adhesive layers 131f, 131g. For example, the first and second adhesive layers 131f, 131g may be configured between the first cover member 131d and the second cover member 131e so as to completely surround each of the first and second vibration generating units 131-1, 131-2. For example, each of the first and second vibration generating units 131-1, 131-2 may be embedded or built-in between the first adhesive layer 131f and the second adhesive layer 131g.

[0153] According to an embodiment of the present invention, each of the first and second adhesive layers 131f, 131g may include an electrically insulating material that is compressible and resilient while having adhesive properties. For example, each of the first and second adhesive layers 131f, 131g may include an epoxy resin, an acrylic resin, a silicone resin, or a urethane resin, but the embodiment of the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, each of the first and second adhesive layers 131f, 131g may be configured to be transparent, translucent, or opaque.

[0154] The vibration element 131 according to another embodiment of the present invention may further include a first power supply line (PL1) arranged on the first cover member 131d, a second power supply line (PL2) arranged on the second cover member 131e, and a pad portion 131p electrically connected to the first power supply line (PL1) and the second power supply line (PL2).

[0155] The first power supply line (PL1) may be disposed on a rear surface of the first cover member 131d facing the first surfaces of the first and second vibration generating units 131-1 and 131-2. The first power supply line (PL1) may be electrically connected to the first electrode units 131b of the first and second vibration generating units 131-1 and 131-2. For example, the first power supply line (PL1) may be disposed directly to the first electrode units 131b of the first and second vibration generating units 131-1 and 131-2. As an example, the first power supply line (PL1) may be electrically connected to the first electrode units 131b of the first and second vibration generating units 131-1 and 131-2 via an anisotropic conductive film. In another embodiment, the first power supply line (PL1) may be electrically connected to each of the first electrode parts 131b of the first and second vibration generating parts 131-1 and 131-2 via a conductive material (or particles) contained in the first adhesive layer 131f.

[0156] The first power supply line (PL1) according to an embodiment of the present invention may include first and second upper power lines (PL11, PL12) arranged along the second direction (Y). For example, the first upper power line (PL11) may be connected to or directly electrically connected to the first electrode unit 131b of the first vibration generating unit 131-1. The second upper power line (PL12) may be connected to or directly electrically connected to the first electrode unit 131b of the second vibration generating unit 131-2.

[0157] The second power supply line (PL2) may be disposed on a front surface of the second cover member 131e facing the second surfaces of the first and second vibration generating units 131-1 and 131-2. The second power supply line (PL2) may be electrically connected to the second electrode units 131c of the first and second vibration generating units 131-1 and 131-2. For example, the second power supply line (PL2) may be disposed directly to the second electrode units 131c of the first and second vibration generating units 131-1 and 131-2. As an example, the second power supply line (PL2) may be electrically connected to the second electrode units 131c of the first and second vibration generating units 131-1 and 131-2 via an anisotropic conductive film. In another embodiment, the second power supply line (PL2) may be electrically connected to each of the second electrode portions 131c of the first and second vibration generating portions 131-1 and 131-2 via a conductive material (or particles) contained in the second adhesive layer 131g.

[0158] The second power supply line (PL2) according to an embodiment of the present invention may include first and second lower power lines (PL21, PL22) arranged along the second direction (Y). The first lower power line (PL21) may be connected to the second electrode unit 131c of the first vibration generating unit 131-1 or may be directly connected electrically to the second electrode unit 131c. For example, the first lower power line (PL21) may overlap with the first upper power line (PL11). For example, the first lower power supply line (PL21) may not overlap with the first upper power supply line (PL11). The second lower power line (PL22) may be connected to the second electrode unit 131c of the second vibration generating unit 131-2 or may be directly connected electrically to the second electrode unit 131c. For example, the second lower power line (PL22) may overlap with the second upper power line (PL12). For example, the second lower power supply line (PL22) may not overlap with the second upper power supply line (PL12).

[0159] The pad portion 131p may be configured on an edge portion of one side of either the first cover member 131d or the second cover member 131e so as to be electrically connected to one side (or one end) of each of the first power supply line (PL1) and the second power supply line (PL2).

[0160] The pad part 131p according to one embodiment of the present invention may include a first pad electrode electrically connected to one end of the first power supply line (PL1) and a second pad electrode electrically connected to one end of the second power supply line (PL2).

[0161] The first pad electrode may be commonly connected to one end of each of the first and second upper power lines (PL11, PL12) of the first power supply line (PL1). For example, one end of each of the first and second upper power lines (PL11, PL12) may branch off from the first pad electrode. The second pad electrode may be commonly connected to one end of each of the first and second lower power lines (PL21, PL22) of the second power supply line (PL2). For example, one end of each of the first and second lower power lines (PL21, PL22) may branch off from the second pad electrode.

[0162] The vibration element 131 according to another embodiment of the present invention may further include a signal cable 132 .

[0163] The signal cable 132 is electrically connected to the pad portion 131p arranged on the vibration element 131, and can supply a vibration drive signal (or an audio signal or a voice signal) provided from an audio processing circuit to the vibration element 131. The signal cable 132 according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a first terminal electrically connected to a first pad electrode of the pad portion 131p and a second terminal electrically connected to a second pad electrode of the pad portion 131p. For example, the signal cable 132 may be formed of a flexible printed circuit cable, a flexible flat cable, a single-sided flexible printed circuit, a single-sided flexible printed circuit board, a flexible multilayer printed circuit, or a flexible multilayer printed circuit board, and the embodiment of the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0164] The acoustic processing circuit can generate an alternating current (AC) vibration drive signal including a first vibration drive signal and a second vibration drive signal based on the acoustic data. The first vibration drive signal can be either a positive polarity (+) vibration drive signal or a negative polarity (-) vibration drive signal, and the second vibration drive signal can be either a positive polarity (+) vibration drive signal or a negative polarity (-) vibration drive signal. For example, the first vibration drive signal can be supplied to the first electrode portion 131b of each of the first and second vibration generating portions 131-1 and 131-2 via a first terminal of the signal cable 132, a first pad electrode of the pad portion 131p, and a first power supply line (PL1). The second vibration drive signal can be supplied to the second electrode portion 131c of each of the first and second vibration generating portions 131-1 and 131-2 via a second terminal of the signal cable 132, a second pad electrode of the pad portion 131p, and a second power supply line (PL2).

[0165] Fig. 10 is a diagram showing a vibration element according to another embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 10 shows the vibration element shown in Figs. 8 and 9 configured with four vibration generating units. Therefore, in the following, except for the four vibration generating units and the configuration related thereto, the same reference numerals are given to the remaining same configurations, and the duplicated description thereof may be omitted or simplified. The cross section of line C-C' shown in Fig. 10 is shown in Fig. 9.

[0166] Combining FIG. 10 with FIG. 9, a vibration element 131 according to another embodiment of the present invention may include a plurality of vibration generating units 131-1, 131-2, 131-3, and 131-4.

[0167] Each of the vibration generating units 131-1, 131-2, 131-3, and 131-4 may be arranged electrically separated from each other along the first direction (X) and the second direction (Y). For example, each of the vibration generating units 131-1, 131-2, 131-3, and 131-4 may be arranged in the form of i×j on the same plane or tiled, so that the vibration element 131 may have a large area due to the tiling of the vibration generating units 131-1, 131-2, 131-3, and 131-4 having relatively small sizes. For example, i is the number of vibration generating units arranged along the first direction (X) and may be a natural number of 2 or more, and j is the number of vibration generating units arranged along the second direction (Y) and may be a natural number of 2 or more that is the same as or different from i. For example, each of the vibration generating units 131-1, 131-2, 131-3, and 131-4 may be arranged or tiled in a 2×2 format, but the embodiment of the present invention is not limited thereto. In the following description, it is assumed that the vibration element 131 includes the first to fourth vibration generating units 131-1, 131-2, 131-3, and 131-4.

[0168] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the first and second vibration generating units 131-1, 131-2 may be spaced apart from each other along the first direction (X). The third and fourth vibration generating units 131-3, 131-4 may be spaced apart from each other along the first direction (X) and from the first and second vibration generating units 131-1, 131-2 along the second direction (Y). The first and third vibration generating units 131-1, 131-3 may face each other and be spaced apart from each other along the second direction (Y). The second and fourth vibration generating units 131-2, 131-4 may face each other and be spaced apart from each other along the second direction (Y).

[0169] The first to fourth vibration generating units 131-1, 131-2, 131-3, and 131-4 may be disposed between the first cover member 131d and the second cover member 131e. For example, the first cover member 131d and the second cover member 131e may each connect the first to fourth vibration generating units 131-1, 131-2, 131-3, and 131-4 or commonly support them, thereby driving the first to fourth vibration generating units 131-1, 131-2, 131-3, and 131-4 as one vibration device (or a single vibration device). For example, the first to fourth vibration generating units 131-1, 131-2, 131-3, and 131-4 may be driven as one vibration device (or a single vibration device) by tiling them at regular intervals between the cover members 131d and 131e.

[0170] According to one embodiment of the present invention, as described with reference to Figures 8 and 9, the first to fourth vibration generating units 131-1, 131-2, 131-3, and 131-4 may be arranged (or tiled) at intervals of 0.1 mm or more and less than 3 cm along each of the first direction (X) and second direction (Y) for complete single-body vibration or large-area vibration, and more preferably may be arranged (or tiled) at intervals of 0.1 mm or more and less than 5 mm.

[0171] Each of the first to fourth vibration generating sections 131-1, 131-2, 131-3, and 131-4 may include a piezoelectric vibration section 131a, a first electrode section 131b, and a second electrode section 131c.

[0172] Each of the piezoelectric vibration parts 131a of the first to fourth vibration generating parts 131-1, 131-2, 131-3, and 131-4 may include a piezoelectric material (or an electroactive material) having a piezoelectric effect. Each of the piezoelectric vibration parts 131a of the first to fourth vibration generating parts 131-1, 131-2, 131-3, and 131-4 is substantially similar to any of the piezoelectric vibration parts 131a described with reference to Fig. 6 and Figs. 7A to 7D, and therefore the same reference numerals are used therefor, and a duplicate description thereof may be omitted.

[0173] According to one embodiment of the present invention, each of the first to fourth vibration generating units 131-1, 131-2, 131-3, and 131-4 may include any one of the piezoelectric vibration units 131a described with reference to Figures 6 and 7A to 7D, or may include piezoelectric vibration units 131a that are different from each other.

[0174] According to another embodiment of the present invention, one or more of the first to fourth vibration generating units 131-1, 131-2, 131-3, and 131-4 may include different piezoelectric vibration units 131a from the piezoelectric vibration units 131a described with reference to Figures 6 and 7A to 7D.

[0175] The first electrode portion 131b may be disposed on a first surface of the corresponding piezoelectric vibrating portion 131a and electrically connected to the first surface of the piezoelectric vibrating portion 131a. The first electrode portion 131b is substantially the same as the first electrode portion 131b described with reference to FIG. 5, so the same reference numerals are used therefor and redundant description thereof may be omitted.

[0176] The second electrode portion 131c may be disposed on a second surface of the corresponding piezoelectric vibrating portion 131a and electrically connected to the second surface of the piezoelectric vibrating portion 131a. The second electrode portion 131c is substantially the same as the second electrode portion 131c described with reference to FIG. 5, so the same reference numerals are used therefor and redundant description thereof may be omitted.

[0177] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the first and second adhesive layers 131f, 131g may be connected or bonded to each other between the first to fourth vibration generating units 131-1, 131-2, 131-3, 131-4. As a result, each of the first to fourth vibration generating units 131-1, 131-2, 131-3, 131-4 may be surrounded by the first and second adhesive layers 131f, 131g. For example, the first and second adhesive layers 131f, 131g may be formed between the first cover member 131d and the second cover member 131e so as to completely surround each of the first to fourth vibration generating units 131-1, 131-2, 131-3, 131-4. For example, each of the first to fourth vibration generating sections 131-1, 131-2, 131-3, and 131-4 may be embedded or built in between the first adhesive layer 131f and the second adhesive layer 131g.

[0178] The vibrating element 131 according to another embodiment of the present invention may further include a first power supply line PL1, a second power supply line PL2, and a pad part 131p.

[0179] The first power supply line PL1 and the second power supply line PL2 are substantially the same as the first power supply line PL1 and the second power supply line PL2 described with reference to Figures 8 and 9, except for the electrical connection structure between the first to fourth vibration generating units 131-1, 131-2, 131-3, and 131-4. Therefore, in the following explanation, only the electrical connection structure between the first power supply line PL1 and the second power supply line PL2 and the first to fourth vibration generating units 131-1, 131-2, 131-3, and 131-4 will be briefly explained.

[0180] The first power supply line PL1 according to an embodiment of the present invention may include first and second upper power supply lines PL11, PL12 arranged along the second direction (Y). For example, the first upper power supply line PL11 may be electrically connected to each of the first electrode units 131b of the first and third vibration generating units 131-1, 131-3 (or the first group, or the first vibration generating group) arranged in a first row parallel to the second direction (Y) among the first to fourth vibration generating units 131-1, 131-2, 131-3, 131-4. The second upper power supply line PL12 may be electrically connected to each of the first electrode units 131b of the second and fourth vibration generating units 131-2, 131-4 (or the second group, or the second vibration generating group) among the first to fourth vibration generating units 131-1, 131-2, 131-3, 131-4, which are arranged in a second row parallel to the second direction (Y).

[0181] The second power supply line PL2 according to an embodiment of the present invention may include first and second lower power supply lines PL21, PL22 arranged along the second direction (Y). For example, the first lower power supply line PL21 may be electrically connected to each of the second electrode units 131c of the first and third vibration generating units 131-1, 131-3 (or the first group, or the first vibration generating group) arranged in a first row parallel to the second direction (Y) among the first to fourth vibration generating units 131-1, 131-2, 131-3, 131-4. The second lower power supply line PL22 may be electrically connected to each of the second electrode portions 131c of the second and fourth vibration generating portions 131-2, 131-4 (or the second group, or the second vibration generating group) among the first to fourth vibration generating portions 131-1, 131-2, 131-3, 131-4, which are arranged in a second row parallel to the second direction (Y).

[0182] The pad portion 131p may be formed on an edge portion of one side of the first cover member 131d or the second cover member 131e so as to be electrically connected to one side (or one end) of each of the first power supply line PL1 and the second power supply line PL2. The pad portion 131p is substantially the same as the pad portion 131p described with reference to Figures 8 and 9, and therefore the same reference numerals are used therefor, and redundant description thereof may be omitted.

[0183] Such a vibration element 131 according to another embodiment of the present invention has the same effects as the vibration element 131 described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 9, and therefore a duplicated description thereof will be omitted.

[0184] 11 to 14 are other cross-sectional views taken along the line A-A' in FIG. 1. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an apparatus (or an acoustic device) according to another embodiment of the present invention, which is obtained by modifying the structure of the vibrating member in FIG. 3. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an apparatus (or an acoustic device) according to another embodiment of the present invention, which is obtained by modifying the structure of the vibrating member in FIG. 2. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an apparatus (or an acoustic device) according to another embodiment of the present invention, which is obtained by modifying the structure of the vibrating member and the housing in FIG. 11. FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an apparatus (or an acoustic device) according to another embodiment of the present invention, which is obtained by modifying the structure of the vibrating member and the housing in FIG. 2. Therefore, in the following description, redundant descriptions of the remaining configurations, except for the configurations related to the vibrating member and the housing, may be omitted.

[0185] 1 and 11, the vibrating member 110 may be configured in a shape that is inserted or accommodated in the second groove 153 of the housing 150. The vibrating member 110 of the device (or audio device) 10 according to another embodiment of the present invention may be configured in a shape that both ends of the first and second surfaces of the vibrating member 110 are fixed to the second groove 153. Specifically, the first surface of the vibrating member 110 may be connected via the second groove 153 of the housing 150 and the first connecting member 141, and the second surface of the vibrating member 110 may be connected via the second groove 153 of the housing 150 and the second connecting member 143. According to the embodiment of the present invention, since both ends of the vibrating member 110 are fixed by the second groove 153, it is possible to cancel out reflected waves at both ends of the vibrating member 110, thereby reducing peak and dip phenomena of acoustic characteristics caused by standing waves. The peak phenomenon is a phenomenon in which sound pressure jumps at a specific frequency, and the dip phenomenon is a phenomenon in which the occurrence of a specific frequency is suppressed and a low sound pressure occurs. The peak phenomenon or the dip phenomenon can reduce the sound output characteristics of a device (or an audio device).

[0186] In the device (or acoustic device) 10 according to another embodiment of the present invention, both ends of the vibrating member 110 are fixed by the second groove portion 153, so that reflected waves can be offset at both ends of the vibrating member 110, thereby reducing the peak phenomenon and dip phenomenon of the acoustic characteristic caused by the standing wave, and the acoustic characteristic of the low frequency band can be improved, and when the peak phenomenon or dip phenomenon occurs, the acoustic output characteristic of the acoustic device can be reduced. Specifically, in the device (or acoustic device) 10 according to another embodiment of the present invention, the acoustic characteristic of the low frequency band can be improved, and the dip phenomenon of the mid frequency band and the peak phenomenon of the treble frequency band can be improved. Here, the low frequency band can be a frequency range of 500 Hz or less, the mid frequency band can be a frequency range of 500 to 2000 Hz, and the treble band can be a frequency range of 2000 Hz to 20000 Hz. However, the frequency ranges of the mid frequency band and the mid-high frequency band according to the embodiment of the present invention are not limited thereto.

[0187] 1 and 12, the vibration member 110 may further include a first groove portion 110a. In FIG. 12, the first groove portion 110a indicates a space where the vibration member 110 is not formed for the sake of explanation, but the first groove portion 110a may indicate a portion where the thickness (t1) of at least a part of the vibration member 110 is formed smaller than that of the other parts. At least a part of the first groove portion 110a may overlap with the vibration device 130. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the thickness of the vibration member 110 overlapping with the first groove portion 110a may be smaller than that of the vibration member 110 not overlapping with the first groove portion 110a. For example, the thickness of the vibration member 110 overlapping with the first groove portion 110a may be set to 10 to 90% of the thickness of the vibration member 110 when the first groove portion 110a is not formed. For example, the first groove portion 110a may be expressed by terms such as a groove portion, a second groove portion, a vibration member groove portion, a vibration member groove portion, a recess, or a second recess, and embodiments of the present invention are not limited thereto.

[0188] The vibration device 130 may be configured to have a first length (D1) in the first direction (X) and a second length in the second direction (Y). The first groove portion 110a may be configured to have a first length (L1) in the first direction (X) and a second length in the second direction (Y).

[0189] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the first length (D1) of the vibration device 130 may be the same as or different from the first length (L1) of the first groove portion 110a, and the second length of the vibration device 130 may be the same as or different from the second length of the first groove portion 110a. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the first length (D1) of the vibration device 130 may be the same as or larger than the first length (L1) of the first groove portion 110a, and the second length of the vibration device 130 may be the same as or larger than the second length of the first groove portion 110a.

[0190] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the dimensions set in the first direction (X) and the second direction (Y) of the first groove portion 110a may have values ​​set to be twice the dimensions set in the first direction (X) and the second direction (Y) of the vibration device 130. When set in this manner, the flatness of the sound pressure output characteristic may be improved.

[0191] Since the first groove portion 110a has a smaller thickness than other parts of the vibrating member 110, the bending stiffness of the vibrating device 130 arranged on the rear surface of the vibrating member 110 at a position corresponding to the first groove portion 110a can be reduced, and the vibration displacement due to the application of a driving force or voltage to the vibrating device 130 can be increased, thereby improving the sound reproduction characteristics in the low-frequency range and reducing the dip phenomenon in the mid-frequency range and the peak phenomenon in the treble range.

[0192] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the bending stiffness of the vibration device 130 can be calculated according to the following equation (1):

[0193] [Formula (1)] Bending Stiffness=Eh 3 / 12

[0194] Here, E is the Young's modulus, and h is the thickness of the vibrating member at the position where the first groove portion 110a is formed. Therefore, referring to formula (1), it can be seen that the bending stiffness is proportional to the cube of the thickness of the vibrating member 110.

[0195] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the bending stiffness must be 0.20 Nm or more. For example, when the vibration member 110 made of a material containing ABS (acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene) has a thickness of 1 mm, it is calculated to have a bending stiffness value of about 0.19 Nm. If the bending stiffness is less than 0.20 Nm, it may not be possible to ensure a sound pressure of 75 dB or more around 100 Hz. Therefore, if the thickness of the vibration member 110 made of a material containing ABS (acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene) is set to less than 1 mm, it may not be possible to achieve the required bass characteristics.

[0196] 1 and 13, the vibrating member 110 may be configured to be inserted or accommodated in the second groove 153 of the housing 150. The vibrating member 110 of the device (or audio device) 10 according to another embodiment of the present invention may be configured to have both ends of the first and second surfaces of the vibrating member 110 fixed to the second groove 153. Specifically, the first surface of the vibrating member 110 may be connected via the second groove 153 of the housing 150 and the first connecting member 141, and the second surface of the vibrating member 110 may be connected via the second groove 153 of the housing 150 and the second connecting member 143. According to one embodiment of the present invention, since both ends of the vibrating member 110 are fixed by the second groove 153, it is possible to cancel out reflected waves at both ends of the vibrating member 110, thereby reducing peak and dip phenomena of acoustic characteristics caused by standing waves. The vibration member 110 may be configured to further include a first groove portion 110a.

[0197] 1 and 14, the vibration member 110 may be configured to further include a protrusion 111. The protrusion 111 may be connected to an edge of the vibration member 110. For example, the protrusion 111 may be bent from the edge of the vibration member 110 along a third direction (Z) aligned with the thickness direction of the vibration member 110. For example, the protrusion 111 may include first to fourth side portions. The protrusion 111 is or may be connected to a side portion 152 of the housing 150 via the connecting member 140. The protrusion 111 may be configured to increase the rigidity of the vibration member 110. The vibration member 110 including the protrusion 111 may be configured to further include a first groove portion 110a.

[0198] Figures 15 to 17 are other cross-sectional views taken along line A-A' in Figure 1. Figures 15 to 17 are diagrams showing an apparatus (or an acoustic apparatus) according to another embodiment of the present invention, in which an inner housing structure is added inside the housing, and the structure of the apparatus (or acoustic apparatus) is modified so that the inner housing is coupled to an auxiliary vibration member (or sub-vibration member). Therefore, in the following description, redundant descriptions of the remaining configurations, except for the inner housing and the configurations related thereto, may be omitted.

[0199] 1 and 15, a device (or audio device) 10 according to another embodiment of the present invention may further include an inner housing 170 disposed inside the housing 150. The housing 150 may be disposed to surround the inner housing 170, and the inner housing 170 may have an accommodation space 170s for accommodating the vibration device 130 and may include a box shape with one side open. The opening on one side of the accommodation space 170s is covered by the vibration member 110, and a predetermined air gap may be formed between the accommodation space 170s and the vibration member 110.

[0200] The inner housing 170 according to an embodiment of the present invention may include one or more of a metal material or a non-metal material (or a composite non-metal material), and the embodiment of the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the inner housing 170 may include one or more of a metal material, a plastic, and a wood, and the embodiment of the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the inner housing 170 may be expressed by terms such as an inner case, an inner case member, a housing member, an inner cabinet, an inner enclosure, an inner sealing member, an inner sealing cap, an inner sealing box, or an inner sound box, and the embodiment of the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the accommodation space 170s of the inner housing 170 may be expressed by terms such as a gap space, an air gap, a vibration space, an acoustic space, a sound box, or a sealed space, and the embodiment of the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0201] The inner housing 170 according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a bottom 171 and a side 172. The bottom 171 may be disposed on the rear surface of the vibration member 110 so as to cover the second surface of the vibration member 110 and the vibration device 130. For example, the bottom 171 may be disposed so as to be spaced apart from the second surface of the vibration member 110 and the vibration device 130.

[0202] The side portion 172 may be connected to an edge portion of the bottom portion 171. For example, the side portion 172 may be bent from an edge portion of the bottom portion 171 along a third direction (Z) parallel to the thickness direction of the vibration member 110. For example, the side portion 172 may include first to fourth side portions. For example, the side portion 172 may be integrated with the bottom portion 171. For example, the bottom portion 171 and the side portion 172 may be integrated into one body, so that an accommodation space 170s surrounded by the side portion 172 may be provided on the bottom portion 171. Therefore, the bottom portion 171 and the side portion 172 may have a box shape with one side open.

[0203] The inner housing 170 may further include a first reinforcing member 173 formed to protrude from the bottom 171 toward the vibration device 130 .

[0204] The first reinforcing member 173 may be formed to protrude from the center of the bottom 171 toward the vibration device 130, and may be configured to contact the vibration device 130. The first reinforcing member 173 may have a predetermined width at the portion that contacts the vibration device 130, or may be configured in a round shape, and may have a height that allows it to contact the vibration device 130.

[0205] When an impact is applied from the outside, for example from the rear surface of the bottom 171, the first reinforcing member 173 disperses the point contact impact into a line contact impact, thereby preventing damage to a specific portion of the vibration device 130.

[0206] The inner housing 170 may be coupled to the vibration member 110 via a coupling member (or a third coupling member) 117. The coupling member (or the third coupling member) 117 may couple the inner housing 170 and the vibration member 110 together.

[0207] The connecting member 117 according to an embodiment of the present invention may include an adhesive layer (or a sticky layer) having excellent adhesion or bonding strength. For example, the connecting member 117 may include a double-sided adhesive tape, a double-sided adhesive foam pad, or an adhesive sheet. For example, when the connecting member 117 includes an adhesive sheet (or an adhesive layer), the connecting member 117 may include only the adhesive layer or the sticky layer without a base member such as a plastic material.

[0208] The adhesive layer (or the sticky layer) of the connection member 117 according to an embodiment of the present invention may include epoxy, acrylic, silicone, or urethane, but the embodiment of the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0209] In other embodiments of the present invention, the adhesive layer (or sticky layer) of the connecting member 117 may include a pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA), an optically clear adhesive (OCA), or an optically clear resin (OCR), and the embodiments of the present invention are not limited thereto.

[0210] 1 and 16, an apparatus (or an acoustic apparatus) 10 according to another embodiment of the present invention may further include an auxiliary vibration member 115 between the vibration device 130 and the vibration member 110, and may further include a connecting member (or a fourth connecting member) 119 between the auxiliary vibration member 115 and the vibration member 110.

[0211] The auxiliary vibration member 115 may include a metal material having material properties suitable for outputting sound by vibration, or may include a non-metallic material (or a composite non-metallic material). The metal material of the auxiliary vibration member 115 according to an embodiment of the present invention may include any one or more of stainless steel, aluminum (Al), aluminum (Al) alloy, magnesium (Mg), magnesium (Mg) alloy, and magnesium lithium (Mg-Li) alloy, and the embodiment of the present invention is not limited thereto. The non-metallic material (or composite non-metallic material) of the auxiliary vibration member 115 may include one or more of glass, plastic, fiber, leather, wood, cloth, rubber, carbon, and paper, and the embodiment of the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0212] The connecting member (or fourth connecting member) 119 according to an embodiment of the present invention may include an adhesive layer (or a sticky layer) having excellent adhesion or bonding strength. For example, the connecting member 119 may include a double-sided adhesive tape, a double-sided adhesive foam pad, or a sticky sheet. For example, when the connecting member 119 includes a sticky sheet (or a sticky layer), the connecting member 119 may include only the adhesive layer or sticky layer without a base member such as a plastic material.

[0213] The adhesive layer (or the sticky layer) of the connection member 119 according to an embodiment of the present invention may include epoxy, acrylic, silicone, or urethane, but the embodiment of the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0214] In other embodiments of the present invention, the adhesive layer (or sticky layer) of the connecting member 119 may include a pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA), an optically clear adhesive (OCA), or an optically clear resin (OCR), and the embodiments of the present invention are not limited thereto.

[0215] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the auxiliary vibrating member 115, the vibration device 130 on the rear side of the auxiliary vibrating member 115, and the inner housing 170 coupled to the auxiliary vibrating member 115 may be provided in the form of a kind of module. Therefore, the vibration device module including the auxiliary vibrating member 115, the vibration device 130, and the inner housing 170 may be assembled into a preset configuration and then connected or coupled to the rear side of the vibrating member 110 via the connecting member 119 as necessary.

[0216] 1 and 17, the device (or acoustic device) 10 according to another embodiment of the present invention may further include an acoustic processing circuit 190 mounted on the bottom 171 of the inner housing 170, and the acoustic processing circuit 190 may be connected to the vibration device 130 via a signal cable 132.

[0217] The audio processing circuitry 190 may be coupled to or implemented in the signal cable 132 .

[0218] The audio processing circuit 190 according to one embodiment of the present invention may include a decoding unit that receives audio data supplied from an external audio data generating circuit unit, an audio amplifier circuit that generates and outputs first and second vibration driving signals based on the audio data supplied from the decoding unit, a memory circuit that stores setting values ​​of the audio amplifier circuit, a control circuit that controls the operation of each of the decoding unit, the audio amplifier circuit, and the memory circuit, and passive elements such as resistors.

[0219] The acoustic processing circuit 190 can generate first and second vibration drive signals based on the acoustic data and output the generated first and second vibration drive signals to the first and second terminals via the corresponding contact pads and the corresponding drive signal supply lines. Therefore, the vibration element 131 (or the vibration device 130) can vibrate in response to the first and second vibration drive signals supplied from the acoustic processing circuit 190 and the signal cable 132 connected to the acoustic processing circuit 190 via the signal line of the signal cable 132, the first and second terminals, the pad section, and the first and second power supply lines.

[0220] 18A and 18B are perspective views of an inner housing according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 19A, 19B, and 19C are plan views of the inner housing according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0221] 18A, the inner housing 170 may further include a first reinforcing member 173 formed to protrude from the bottom 171 toward the vibration device 130.

[0222] The first reinforcing member 173 may be formed to protrude from the center of the bottom 171 toward the vibration device 130, and may be configured to contact the vibration device 130. The first reinforcing member 173 may have a predetermined width at the portion that contacts the vibration device 130, or may be configured in a round shape, and may have a height that allows it to contact the vibration device 130.

[0223] When an impact is applied from the outside, for example from the rear surface of the bottom 171, the first reinforcing member 173 disperses the point contact impact into a line contact impact, thereby preventing damage to a specific portion of the vibration device 130.

[0224] 18B, the inner housing 170 may further include a second reinforcing member 175 formed to protrude toward the vibration device 130 of the bottom portion 171. As shown in FIG.

[0225] The second reinforcing member 175 may be formed in a net-like or mesh-like shape in the entire area of ​​the bottom 171 except for the area where the first reinforcing member 173 is formed, protruding toward the vibration device 130, and may be configured not to contact the vibration device 130. The upper end of the second reinforcing member 175 may have a predetermined width or be configured in a rounded shape, and may have a height smaller than that of the first reinforcing member 173. For example, the first reinforcing member 173 and the second reinforcing member 175 may have the same width.

[0226] When an impact is applied from the outside, for example from the rear surface of the bottom 171, the first reinforcing member 173 disperses the point contact impact into a line contact impact, thereby preventing damage to a specific portion of the vibration device 130.

[0227] When an impact is applied from the outside, for example from the rear surface of the bottom 171, the second reinforcing member 175 disperses the impact from point contact into surface contact through its mesh structure, thereby preventing damage to specific parts of the vibration device 130.

[0228] 19A to 19C, the inner housing 170 may further include an opening 177 that communicates the first surface (or upper surface) and the second surface (or lower surface) of the bottom 191. The opening 177 may be formed as a slit parallel to the second direction (Y) or a cylindrical hole having a certain dimension. However, in the embodiment of the present invention, when the opening 177 is configured as a slit, the long side of the slit-shaped opening 177 is not limited to being parallel to the second direction (Y). Also, the cylindrical hole-shaped opening 177 of FIG. 19B is not limited to that shape, and may be formed in various shapes other than the cylindrical hole-shaped opening.

[0229] 19A to 19C, the cross-sectional areas of the multiple openings can be set in various ways based on a plane. For example, in FIG. 19A, the sum of the cross-sectional areas of the multiple slit-shaped openings 177 is 700 mm 2 ~1000mm 2 In FIG. 19B, the sum of the cross-sectional areas of the cylindrical hole-shaped openings 177 may be set to 50 mm 2 ~200mm 2 In FIG. 19C, the sum of the cross-sectional areas of the multiple slit-shaped openings 177 may be set to 500 mm 2 ~700mm 2 The area of ​​the area may be set to 0.5.

[0230] According to one example of the present invention, when a plurality of openings 177 through which air can be communicated are formed on the rear surface of the vibration device 130, the sealed space surrounding the vibration device 130 can be configured to be communicated with the rear surface of the inner housing 170, and in this case, the impedance component (or air impedance or elastic impedance) acting on the vibration member 110 can be changed. For example, when a plurality of openings are formed in the inner housing 170, the acoustic characteristics of the high frequency range can be improved.

[0231] Fig. 20 is a perspective view of a device (or acoustic device) according to another embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 21 is a cross-sectional view taken along line D-D' in Fig. 20, and Fig. 22 is a diagram showing an arrangement of vibration devices on the back surface of a vibration member according to an embodiment of the present invention. The device (or acoustic device) 20 in Fig. 20 is a device (or acoustic device) in which the structure is modified so that the dimensions in the first direction (X) and the second direction (Y) of the device (or acoustic device) 10 in Fig. 1 are the same. Therefore, in the following description, redundant descriptions of the remaining configuration, except for the arrangement of the vibration member 110 and the vibration devices 130, can be omitted.

[0232] 20 and 21, a device (or acoustic device) 20 according to another embodiment of the present invention can be configured to have the same dimensions in the first direction (X) and the second direction (Y). The structures of the vibrating member 110 and the housing 150 in the acoustic device 20 in Fig. 21 can be similar to the structures of the vibrating member 110 and the housing 150 of the device (or acoustic device) 10 described with reference to Figs. 2, 3, and 11 to 17.

[0233] 22, the vibrating member 110 may have a length corresponding to Xt in the first direction (X) and a length corresponding to Yt in the second direction (Y). According to another embodiment of the present invention, the vibrating member 110 may be set such that Xt in the first direction (X) is the same length as Yt in the second direction (Y), and thus the vibrating member 110 may be formed in a square shape. The vibrating device 130 may be disposed on a second surface (or back surface) of the vibrating member 110.

[0234] Based on a direction parallel to the first direction (X), the length from one side of the vibrating member 110 to the center of the vibrating device 130 may have a first length (X1), and the length from the center of the vibrating device 130 to the other side of the vibrating member 110 may have a second length (X2). The total length of the first length (X1) and the second length (X2) may be the same as the length (Xt) of the vibrating member in the first direction (X).

[0235] Based on a direction parallel to the second direction (Y), the length from one side of the vibrating member 110 to the center of the vibrating device 130 may have a first length (Y1), and the length from the center of the vibrating device 130 to the other side of the vibrating member 110 may have a second length (Y2). The total length of the first length (Y1) and the second length (Y2) may be the same as the length (Yt) of the vibrating member in the second direction (Y).

[0236] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the acoustic characteristics of the device (or acoustic device) 20 can be improved by optimally arranging the vibration device 130 on the back surface of the vibration member 110. For example, the vibration device 130 is not arranged in the center of the vibration member 110, but is arranged at a position offset from the center of the vibration member 110 in the first direction (X) or the second direction (Y), thereby improving the acoustic characteristics.

[0237] FIG. 23 is a diagram showing the acoustic output characteristics of the acoustic device of FIG. 2 with a protrusion and the acoustic device of FIG. 2 without a protrusion.

[0238] The acoustic output characteristics can be measured by an acoustic analysis device. The acoustic output characteristics were measured by a B&K audio measurement device. The acoustic analysis device may be composed of a control PC, a sound card for transmitting and receiving sound, an amplifier for amplifying and transmitting the sound generated from the sound card to the vibration device, and a microphone for collecting the sound generated through the vibration device on the display panel. For example, the microphone may be disposed at the center of the vibration device, and the distance between the display panel and the microphone may be 50 cm. The microphone may be disposed perpendicular to the vibration device to measure the sound. The sound collected by the microphone is input to the control PC through the sound card, and the sound collected by the vibration device is analyzed by checking the sound using a control program. For example, the frequency response characteristics in the frequency range of 100 Hz to 20 kHz may be measured using a pulse program.

[0239] In Fig. 23, the horizontal axis represents frequency (Hz) and the vertical axis represents sound pressure (SPL, dB). In Fig. 23, the solid line represents the acoustic output characteristic of the device in Fig. 2, and the dotted line represents the acoustic output characteristic of the device structure in Fig. 2 in which the protrusion 111 is not formed.

[0240] 23, it can be seen that the solid line has improved acoustic output characteristics in the frequency ranges of 2000-4000 Hz and 6 kHz-10 kHz compared to the dotted line. For example, the solid line can improve sound pressure in the mid-range and treble ranges compared to the dotted line. For example, it can be seen that the solid line has an average improvement of about 10 dB or more in the frequency ranges of 2000-4000 Hz and about 5 dB or more in the frequency ranges of 6 kHz-10 kHz compared to the dotted line.

[0241] FIG. 24 is a diagram showing sound pressure as a function of frequency for the acoustic device of FIG. 11 having the first groove portion and the acoustic device of FIG. 12 not having the first groove portion.

[0242] The method of measuring the acoustic output characteristics is similar to that described with reference to FIG. 23, and therefore the description thereof will be omitted here.

[0243] In Fig. 24, the horizontal axis represents frequency (Hz) and the vertical axis represents sound pressure (SPL, dB). In Fig. 24, the solid line represents the acoustic output characteristic of the device in Fig. 11, and the dotted line represents the acoustic output characteristic of the device structure in Fig. 12 in which the first groove portion 110a is not formed.

[0244] 24, it can be seen that the solid line improves the acoustic output characteristics in the frequency ranges of 100 Hz or less, 500 to 1000 Hz, and 2000 Hz or more, compared to the dotted line. For example, the solid line can improve the sound pressure in the low, mid, and high frequency ranges, compared to the dotted line. For example, it can be seen that the solid line improves by about 5 dB on average in the frequency range of 100 Hz or less, improves the dip phenomenon in the frequency range of 500 to 1000 Hz, and improves the peak phenomenon in the high frequency range in the frequency range of 2000 Hz or more, compared to the dotted line.

[0245] 25A to 25F show sound pressure according to frequency in the device of FIG. 12 in which the first groove portion according to the embodiment of the present invention is formed under various conditions.

[0246] The method of measuring the acoustic output characteristics is similar to that described with reference to FIG. 23, and therefore the description thereof will be omitted here.

[0247] In Fig. 25A to Fig. 25F, the horizontal axis represents frequency (Hz) and the vertical axis represents sound pressure (Sound Pressure Level; SPL, dB). In Fig. 25A to Fig. 25E, the solid line represents the acoustic output characteristic of the device of Fig. 12 in which the thickness of the vibrating member is set to 1 mm, and the dotted line represents the acoustic output characteristic of the device structure of Fig. 12 in which the first groove portion 110a is not formed and the thickness of the vibrating member is set to 1 mm. In Fig. 25F, the solid line represents the acoustic output characteristic of the device structure of Fig. 12 in which the first groove portion 110a is not formed and the thickness of the vibrating member is set to 3 mm.

[0248] 25A to 25F, the vibration member 110 is made of a material containing ABS (acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene).

[0249] 25A to 25E, the thickness of the vibration member corresponding to the first groove portion 110a is set to 1 mm, and the first groove portion 110a is formed in a square shape with the same length in the first direction (X) and the second direction (Y). The length of one side edge was changed to 60 mm, 120 mm, 140 mm, 180 mm, and 240 mm for experiments, and the lengths of the vibration device 130 in the first direction (X) and the second direction (Y) were both set to 120 mm and formed in a square shape.

[0250] Referring to FIG. 25A, when the length in the first direction (X) and the second direction (Y) of the first groove portion 110a shown by the solid line is set to 60 mm, it can be seen that the bass peak observed at the lowest frequency is measured at a value of about 90 dB at about 190 Hz.

[0251] It can be seen that the solid line improves the dip phenomenon in the mid-range and improves the sound pressure characteristics in the treble range compared to the dotted line. For example, the mid-range may be a frequency range of 500 to 1000 Hz, and the treble may be a frequency range exceeding 10 kHz.

[0252] Referring to FIG. 25B, when the length in the first direction (X) and the second direction (Y) of the first groove portion 110a shown by the solid line is set to 120 mm, it can be seen that the bass peak observed at the lowest frequency is measured at a value of about 85 dB at about 180 Hz.

[0253] It can be seen that the solid line improves the sound pressure characteristic in the treble band compared to the dotted line. For example, the treble band may be a frequency range exceeding 10 kHz.

[0254] Referring to FIG. 25C, when the length in the first direction (X) and the second direction (Y) of the first groove portion 110a shown by the solid line is set to 140 mm, it can be seen that the bass peak observed at the lowest frequency is measured at a value of about 85 dB at about 170 Hz.

[0255] It can be seen that the solid line improves the sound pressure characteristic in the treble band compared to the dotted line. For example, the treble band may be a frequency range exceeding 10 kHz.

[0256] Referring to FIG. 25D, when the length in the first direction (X) and the second direction (Y) of the first groove portion 110a shown by the solid line is set to 180 mm, it can be seen that the bass peak observed at the lowest frequency is measured at a value of about 82 dB at about 150 Hz.

[0257] It can be seen that the solid line improves the sound pressure characteristics in the low frequency band and the high frequency band compared to the dotted line. For example, the low frequency band may be a frequency range of 200 Hz or less, and the high frequency band may be a frequency range of more than 10 kHz.

[0258] Referring to FIG. 25E, when the length in the first direction (X) and the second direction (Y) of the first groove portion 110a shown by the solid line is set to 240 mm, it can be seen that the bass peak observed at the lowest frequency is measured at a value of about 80 dB at about 130 Hz.

[0259] It can be seen that the solid line improves the sound pressure characteristics of the low frequency band, the mid frequency band, and the high frequency band compared to the dotted line. It can also be seen that the solid line improves the flatness of the overall sound pressure in the frequency range of 200 Hz or more compared to the dotted line. For example, the low frequency band may be a frequency range of 200 Hz or less, the mid frequency band may be a frequency range of 500 to 2000 Hz, and the high frequency band may be a frequency range of more than 10 kHz.

[0260] 25F, when the thickness of the vibrating member 110 is set to 3 mm, the bass peak observed at the lowest frequency is measured at about 100 Hz with a value of about 72 dB. The solid line shows that the sound pressure characteristics in the bass range are improved compared to the dotted line.

[0261] 25A to 25E, it was found that the bass peak observed at low frequencies shifts lower as the length of first groove portion 110a in the first direction (X) and second direction (Y) relative to vibration device 130 increases. This shows that the acoustic characteristics of the bass range improve as the size of first groove portion 110a becomes larger compared to vibration device 130.

[0262] 26A to 26E are diagrams showing sound pressures according to frequencies in the device of FIG. 12 manufactured by changing the thickness of the vibrating member corresponding to the first groove portion under various conditions.

[0263] The method of measuring the acoustic output characteristics is similar to that described with reference to FIG. 23, and therefore the description thereof will be omitted here.

[0264] In Fig. 26A to Fig. 26E, the horizontal axis represents frequency (Hz) and the vertical axis represents sound pressure (SPL, dB). In Fig. 26A to Fig. 26E, the solid line represents the acoustic output characteristic of the device in Fig. 12 in which the thickness of the vibration member 110 corresponding to the first groove portion 110a is set to 0.5 mm to 2.5 mm, and the dotted line represents the acoustic output characteristic of the device structure in Fig. 12 in which the first groove portion 110a is not formed and the thickness of the vibration member is set to 3 mm. In Fig. 26A to Fig. 26E, the length of the first groove portion 110a in the first direction (X) and the second direction (Y) is set to 240 mm, and in Fig. 26A to Fig. 26E, the vibration member 110 is made of a material containing ABS (acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene).

[0265] 26A, it can be seen that the bass peak observed at the lowest frequency was measured at about 180 Hz with a value of about 90 dB in the dotted line. In the solid line, when the thickness of the vibrating member 110 corresponding to the first groove portion 110a was set to 0.5 mm, the bass peak observed at the lowest frequency was measured at about 70 Hz with a value of about 62 dB. Therefore, when the thickness of the vibrating member 110 is set to 1.0 mm or less, the bending rigidity of the vibrating member 110 for proper driving of the vibrating device 130 cannot be satisfied, and the acoustic characteristic efficiency of the bass band may be reduced. For example, the bass band may be a frequency range of less than 200 Hz.

[0266] 26B, it can be seen that the lowest frequency bass peak observed was measured at about 180 Hz with a value of about 90 dB in the dotted line, and the lowest frequency bass peak observed was measured at about 130 Hz with a value of about 80 dB in the solid line when the thickness of the vibrating member 110 corresponding to the first groove portion 110a was set to 1.5 mm.

[0267] It can be seen that the solid line improves the acoustic characteristics of the low frequency band and the sound pressure characteristics of the high frequency band, and improves the peak phenomenon of the mid-high frequency band, as compared with the dotted line. For example, the low frequency band may be a frequency range of 200 Hz or less, the mid frequency band may be a frequency range of 2000 to 5000 Hz, and the high frequency band may be a frequency range of more than 10 kHz.

[0268] 26C, it can be seen that the lowest frequency bass peak observed was measured at about 180 Hz with a value of about 90 dB in the dotted line, and the lowest frequency bass peak observed was measured at about 150 Hz with a value of about 90 dB in the solid line when the thickness of the vibrating member 110 corresponding to the first groove portion 110a was set to 1.5 mm.

[0269] It can be seen that the solid line improves the acoustic characteristics of the low frequency band, improves the peak phenomenon in the mid-high frequency band, and improves the flatness of the sound pressure in the entire frequency range above 200 Hz, as compared with the dotted line. For example, the low frequency band may be a frequency range below 200 Hz, and the mid frequency band may be a frequency range from 2000 to 5000 Hz.

[0270] Referring to FIG. 26D, it can be seen that in the dotted line, the bass peak observed at the lowest frequency was measured at about 180 Hz with a value of about 90 dB. In the solid line, when the thickness of the vibration member 110 corresponding to the first groove portion 110a was set to 2.0 mm, the bass peak observed at the lowest frequency was measured at about 170 Hz with a value of about 90 dB. It can be seen that the solid line has improved acoustic characteristics in the bass band compared to the dotted line, the flatness of the sound pressure is improved in the entire frequency range of 200 Hz or more, and the dip phenomenon in the mid-range band is improved. For example, the bass band may be a frequency range of 200 Hz or less, and the mid-range band may be a frequency range of 2000 to 5000 Hz.

[0271] Referring to FIG. 26E, it can be seen that in the dotted line, the bass peak observed at the lowest frequency was measured at about 180 Hz with a value of about 90 dB. In the solid line, when the thickness of the vibrating member 110 corresponding to the first groove portion 110a was set to 2.5 mm, the bass peak observed at the lowest frequency was measured at about 180 Hz with a value of about 92 dB. Compared to the dotted line, the solid line improves the acoustic characteristics of the bass band, and the flatness of the sound pressure is improved over the entire frequency range above 200 Hz. For example, the bass band may be a frequency range below 200 Hz.

[0272] 26A to 26E, the thickness of the vibrating member 110 corresponding to the first groove portion 110a can be set to be equal to or greater than the minimum thickness in order to ensure bending rigidity by the vibrating device 130. For example, when the vibrating member 110 is made of a material including ABS, the minimum thickness can be set to 1 mm, and the bending rigidity of the vibrating member 110 can be equal to or greater than 0.20 Nm. When the required thickness of the vibrating member 110 is met while including the first groove portion 110a, the acoustic characteristics of the bass band are improved, the flatness of the sound pressure is improved over the entire frequency range, and the dip phenomenon in the mid-range band and the peak phenomenon in the treble band are reduced.

[0273] FIG. 27 is a diagram showing sound pressure as a function of frequency in a device to which the inner housing structures of FIGS. 18A, 18B, 19A, 19B and 19C are applied.

[0274] The method of measuring the acoustic output characteristics is similar to that described with reference to FIG. 23, and therefore the description thereof will be omitted here.

[0275] In FIG. 27, the horizontal axis represents frequency (Hz) and the vertical axis represents sound pressure (Sound Pressure Level; SPL, dB).

[0276] In Figure 27, the thick solid line indicates the acoustic output characteristics of a device to which the inner housing 150 structure of Figure 18A is applied, the thin solid line indicates the acoustic output characteristics of a device to which the inner housing 150 structure of Figure 18B is applied, the thick dotted line indicates the acoustic output characteristics of a device to which the inner housing 150 structure of Figure 19A is applied, the thin dotted line indicates the acoustic output characteristics of a device to which the inner housing 150 structure of Figure 19B is applied, and the dotted line indicates the acoustic output characteristics of a device to which the inner housing 150 structure of Figure 19C is applied.

[0277] 27, it can be seen that the devices (or acoustic devices) 10 shown by the thick solid line, thin solid line, thick dotted line, thin dotted line, and dashed dotted line have almost no difference in sound output characteristics in the frequency range below the mid-high frequency band. It can be seen that the thick dotted line has improved sound pressure characteristics in the high frequency band compared to the thick solid line, thin solid line, thin dotted line, and dashed dotted line. For example, the high frequency band can be a frequency range of 8000 to 10000 Hz.

[0278] FIG. 28 is a diagram showing sound pressure as a function of frequency in the devices of FIGS. 15 and 16 and in the device of FIG. 12 in which the first groove portion is not formed.

[0279] The method of measuring the acoustic output characteristics is similar to that described with reference to FIG. 23, and therefore the description thereof will be omitted here.

[0280] In FIG. 28, the horizontal axis represents frequency (Hz) and the vertical axis represents sound pressure (Sound Pressure Level; SPL, dB).

[0281] In Figure 28, the dotted line shows the acoustic output characteristics of a device to which the inner housing of Figure 15 is applied, the solid line shows the acoustic output characteristics of a device to which the inner housing of Figure 16 is applied, and the dotted line shows the acoustic output characteristics for a structure in which the first groove portion is not formed in device 10 of Figure 12.

[0282] 28, it can be seen that the dotted line and the solid line have improved sound pressure characteristics in the mid-low frequency range compared to the dashed line. For example, the mid-low frequency range can be a frequency range of 300 to 500 Hz. It can also be seen that the dotted line and the solid line have almost no difference in sound output characteristics in all frequency ranges except for the dashed line and the mid-low frequency range.

[0283] FIG. 29 is a diagram showing sound pressure as a function of frequency for the device (or acoustic device) of FIG.

[0284] The method of measuring the acoustic output characteristics is similar to that described with reference to FIG. 23, and therefore the description thereof will be omitted here.

[0285] In FIG. 29, the horizontal axis represents frequency (Hz) and the vertical axis represents sound pressure (Sound Pressure Level; SPL, dB).

[0286] In Fig. 29, the length of the vibrating member 110 in the first direction (X) and the length of the vibrating member 110 in the second direction (Y) are set to 150 mm, and the length of the effective diaphragm of the vibrating member 110 can be reduced by the connecting members 140 on one and the other sides of the vibrating member 110. In Fig. 29, the length of the connecting members 140 in the first direction is set to 10 mm. Therefore, the length of the effective diaphragm of the vibrating member 110 is 130 mm. The vibrating device 130 was placed in the center of the vibrating member 110, and then moved 5 mm at a time to one side of the vibrating member 110 in the first direction (X) to measure the sound pressure output characteristics.

[0287] The dotted lines represent values ​​measured under conditions in Figure 22 where the first length (X1) and second length (X2) of the vibration member 110 in the first direction (X) are both 65 mm, and the first length (Y1) and second length (Y2) in the second direction (Y) are both 65 mm.

[0288] The solid lines represent values ​​measured under the conditions in FIG. 22 where the first length (X1) and second length (X2) of the vibration member 110 in the first direction (X) are both 65 mm, the first length (Y1) in the second direction (Y) is 60 mm, and the second length (Y2) is 70 mm.

[0289] The dotted line in FIG. 22 indicates values ​​measured under conditions where the first length (X1) and second length (X2) of the vibrating member 110 in the first direction (X) are both 65 mm, the first length (Y1) in the second direction (Y) is 55 mm, and the second length (Y2) is 75 mm.

[0290] The thick dotted line indicates the values ​​measured under the conditions in FIG. 22 where the first length (X1) and second length (X2) of the vibration member 110 in the first direction (X) are both 65 mm, the first length (Y1) in the second direction (Y) is 50 mm, and the second length (Y2) is 80 mm.

[0291] The thick solid line indicates values ​​measured under the conditions in FIG. 22 where the first length (X1) and second length (X2) of the vibration member 110 in the first direction (X) are both 65 mm, the first length (Y1) in the second direction (Y) is 45 mm, and the second length (Y2) is 85 mm.

[0292] The solid line, the dashed dotted line, and the thick dotted line can increase the sound pressure in the first resonance band or the low frequency band of the vibration device 130, as compared with the dotted line. For example, in the first resonance band or the low frequency band, the sound pressure at about 400 Hz can be increased, and therefore, the solid line, the dashed dotted line, and the thick dotted line can have an advantage in the sound pressure characteristics in the low frequency band as compared with the dotted line.

[0293] In a given frequency range including 2 kHz which is the fourth resonance point, the sound pressure may decrease as it moves away from the center of the vibrating member 110. For example, the thick dotted line may be reduced by about 6 dB compared to the dotted line.

[0294] Therefore, if the position of one edge of the vibrating member 110 in the first direction (X) is defined as a numerical value of 0% and the position of the other edge of the first direction (X) is defined as a numerical value of 100%, for example, the vibrating device 130 can be located in a range of 35 to 65% of the first direction (X) of the vibrating member 110, or in a range of 38.5% to 61.5%.

[0295] Therefore, if the position of one side edge of the vibrating member 110 in the second direction (Y) is defined as a numerical value of 0% and the position of the other side edge in the second direction (Y) is defined as a numerical value of 100%, for example, the vibrating device 130 can be located in a range of 35 to 65% of the second direction (Y) of the vibrating member 110, or in a range of 38.5% to 61.5%.

[0296] An apparatus (or an audio apparatus) according to an embodiment of the present invention can be described as follows.

[0297] An acoustic device according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a vibrating member, a housing disposed on a rear surface of the vibrating member, a connecting member disposed between the vibrating member and the housing, and a vibration device configured to vibrate the vibrating member.

[0298] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the vibration member may have a non-planar configuration.

[0299] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the vibration member includes a protrusion, which protrudes from a rear surface of the vibration member and may be integral with the vibration member.

[0300] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the vibration member includes a first groove portion, the first groove portion is formed on a first surface of the vibration member and has a thickness smaller than other portions of the vibration member, and the vibration device can overlap at least in part with the first groove portion.

[0301] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the housing may include a bottom, a side connected to an edge portion of the bottom and protruding toward the vibration member, and a second groove formed on an inner surface of the side.

[0302] According to some embodiments of the present invention, an edge portion of the vibration member may be inserted or received in the second groove of the housing.

[0303] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the vibration member includes a protrusion, the protrusion protruding from the second surface of the vibration member, the protrusion being insertable or capable of being received in the second groove.

[0304] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the vibration member includes a first groove portion formed on a first surface of the vibration member and having a thickness smaller than other portions of the vibration member, the vibration device at least partially overlaps the first groove portion, and an edge portion of the vibration member can be inserted or received in a second groove portion of the housing.

[0305] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the connecting member may include a first connecting member arranged on an upper side (or upper end) of the second groove portion of the housing, and a second connecting member arranged on a lower side (or upper end) of the second groove portion of the housing.

[0306] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the housing may further include an inner housing disposed inside the housing and surrounding the vibration device, the inner housing may include a bottom, a side connected to an edge portion of the bottom and protruding toward the vibration member, and a first reinforcing member formed in a central portion of the bottom and protruding to contact the vibration device.

[0307] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the inner housing may further include a second reinforcing member formed around the periphery of the first reinforcing member and protruding from the bottom toward the vibration device, and the second reinforcing member may have a height smaller than that of the first reinforcing member.

[0308] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the inner housing may further include an opening formed through a first surface of the bottom portion and a second surface different from the first surface, and the opening may include at least one of a hole shape or a slit shape.

[0309] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the vibration device may further include an auxiliary vibration member between the inner housing and the vibration member, a third connecting member between the inner housing and the auxiliary vibration member, and a fourth connecting member between the auxiliary vibration member and the vibration member.

[0310] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the device may further include an audio processing circuit mounted on the bottom of the inner housing, the audio processing circuit being coupled to the vibration device via a signal cable.

[0311] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the vibration device is positioned so as to overlap with the vibration member between one side edge and the other side edge in a first direction or a second direction of the vibration member, and a central portion of the vibration device on a horizontal plane can overlap with a central portion of the vibration member on the horizontal plane or can be offset in the first direction or the second direction.

[0312] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the center of the vibration device on the horizontal plane can be located within a range of 0 to 15% in the first or second direction from the center of the vibration member on the horizontal plane, based on the size of the effective diaphragm of the vibration member.

[0313] According to some embodiments of the present invention, a vibration device includes a vibration element, and the vibration element can include a vibration portion, a first electrode portion on a first surface of the vibration portion, and a second electrode portion on a second surface different from the first surface.

[0314] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the electrode assembly may further include a first cover member on the first electrode portion, and a second cover member on the second electrode portion.

[0315] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the vibration device may further include a first adhesive layer between the first cover member and the first electrode portion, and a second adhesive layer between the second cover member and the second electrode portion.

[0316] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the vibration portion may include an inorganic material portion having piezoelectric properties.

[0317] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the vibration portion may include a plurality of inorganic material portions having piezoelectric properties, and an organic material portion between the plurality of inorganic material portions.

[0318] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the vibrating member may include a metallic material or may include one or more of the following single or composite non-metallic materials: wood, rubber, plastic, glass, textile, cloth, paper, mirror, carbon, and leather.

[0319] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the vibrating member may include one or more of a display panel having pixels for displaying images, a light emitting diode lighting panel, an organic light emitting lighting panel, and an inorganic light emitting lighting panel.

[0320] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the vibrating member may include one or more of a display panel having pixels for displaying an image, a screen panel onto which an image is projected from a display device, a lighting panel, a signage panel, an interior material of a vehicle, a glass window of a vehicle, an exterior material of a vehicle, a ceiling material of a building, an interior material of a building, a glass window of a building, an interior material of an aircraft, a glass window of an aircraft, metal, wood, rubber, plastic, glass, fiber, cloth, paper, leather, carbon, and a mirror.

[0321] The device (or audio device) according to the embodiment of the present invention can be connected to any electronic device by wire or wirelessly and used as an electronic device device (or audio device). For example, devices that can be connected to the audio device according to the present invention can be applied to mobile devices, video phones, smart watches, watch phones, wearable devices, foldable apparatuses, rollable apparatuses, bendable apparatuses, flexible apparatuses, curved apparatuses, sliding apparatuses, variable apparatuses, electronic notebooks, electronic books, portable multimedia players (PMPs), personal digital assistants (PDAs), MP3 players, mobile medical devices, desktop PCs, laptop PCs, netbook computers, workstations, navigation systems, vehicle navigation systems, vehicle displays, vehicle devices, theater devices, theater displays, televisions, wallpapers, signage devices, game devices, notebook computers, monitors, cameras, video cameras, and home appliances. The device (or audio device) of the present invention can be applied to an organic light-emitting lighting device or an inorganic light-emitting lighting device. When the device (or audio device) is applied to a lighting device, the lighting device can play the role of lighting and a speaker. When the device (or audio device) of the present invention is applied to a mobile device or the like, it can be one or more of the device (or audio device), speaker, receiver, and haptic, and the embodiment of the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0322] The present invention described above is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments and the attached drawings, and it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various substitutions, modifications and changes are possible within the scope of the technical idea of ​​the present invention. Therefore, the scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims below, and all modifications or alterations derived from the meaning and scope of the claims and their equivalent concepts should be interpreted as being included in the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0323] 10, 20 Sound equipment 110 Vibration member 120 Adhesive material 130 Vibration device 140 Connecting member 150 Housing 170 Inner housing 190 Sound processing circuit

Claims

1. a vibration member having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface; a housing disposed on the second surface side of the vibration member so as to form an enclosed storage space; a coupling member disposed between the vibration member and the housing; and A vibration device attached to the second surface of the vibration member and configured to vibrate the vibration member. An acoustic device comprising: The vibration member includes a first groove portion, the first groove portion is formed on the first surface of the vibration member, and a thickness of the vibration member at a portion where the first groove portion is formed is thinner than a thickness of other portions of the vibration member; The vibration device is arranged so that at least a portion of the vibration device overlaps with the first groove portion and that its center coincides with that of the first groove portion.

2. The acoustic device of claim 1 , wherein the vibrating member has a non-planar structure.

3. The vibration member includes a protrusion, The acoustic device according to claim 2 , wherein the protrusion protrudes from the second surface of the vibration member and is integral with the vibration member.

4. The housing includes: bottom, a side portion connected to an edge portion of the bottom portion and projecting toward the vibration member; and The acoustic device of claim 1 , further comprising a second groove formed in an inner surface of the side portion.

5. The acoustic device according to claim 4 , wherein an edge portion of the vibration member is received in the second groove of the housing.

6. The vibration member includes a protrusion, The protrusion protrudes from the second surface of the vibration member, The acoustic device according to claim 4 , wherein the protrusion is housed in the second groove.

7. The connecting member is A first connecting member disposed above the second groove of the housing; and The acoustic device of claim 5 , further comprising a second connecting member disposed below the second groove of the housing.

8. The vibration device further includes an inner housing disposed in the accommodation space and surrounding the vibration device. The inner housing includes: bottom, a side portion connected to an edge portion of the bottom portion and projecting toward the vibration member; and The acoustic device according to claim 1 , further comprising a first reinforcing member formed in a central portion of the bottom portion and protruding so as to contact the vibration device.

9. the inner housing further includes a second reinforcing member formed around the periphery of the first reinforcing member and protruding from the bottom toward the vibration device, The acoustic device of claim 8 , wherein the second reinforcing member has a height less than the first reinforcing member.

10. the inner housing further includes an opening formed through a first surface of the bottom portion and a second surface of the bottom portion different from the first surface; The acoustic device of claim 8 , wherein the opening comprises at least one of a hole shape or a slit shape.

11. an auxiliary vibration member between the inner housing and the vibration member; a third connecting member between the inner housing and the auxiliary vibration member; and 9. The acoustic device of claim 8, further comprising a fourth connecting member between the auxiliary vibratory member and the vibratory member.

12. further comprising an audio processing circuit mounted to the bottom of the inner housing; 9. The acoustic device of claim 8, wherein the acoustic processing circuit is coupled to the vibration device via a signal cable.

13. the vibration device is positioned to overlap the vibration member between one side edge and the other side edge of the vibration member in a first direction or a second direction, The acoustic device according to claim 1 , wherein a central portion of the vibration device in a horizontal plane overlaps a central portion of the vibration member in a horizontal plane.

14. The acoustic device of claim 13, wherein the central portion on the horizontal plane of the vibration device is located within a range of 0 to 15% in the first direction or the second direction from the central portion on the horizontal plane of the vibration member, based on the size of the effective diaphragm of the vibration member.

15. a vibration member having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface; a housing disposed on the second surface side of the vibration member so as to form an enclosed storage space; a coupling member disposed between the vibration member and the housing; and A vibration device configured to vibrate the vibration member. An acoustic device comprising: The housing includes: bottom, a side portion connected to an edge portion of the bottom portion and projecting toward the vibration member; and A second groove formed on the inner surface of the side portion Including, the vibration member includes a protrusion that is integral with the vibration member and made of the same material as the vibration member; The protrusion protrudes perpendicularly from the second surface of the vibration member, The protrusion is accommodated in the second groove.

16. The vibration device includes a vibration element. The vibration element is Vibration part, a first electrode portion on a first surface of the vibration portion; and The acoustic device according to any one of claims 1 to 15, further comprising a second electrode portion on a second surface of the vibration portion that is different from the first surface.

17. a first cover member on the first electrode portion; and 17. The acoustic device of claim 16, further comprising a second cover member on the second electrode portion.

18. The vibration device is a first adhesive layer between the first cover member and the first electrode portion; and The acoustic device of claim 17 , further comprising a second adhesive layer between the second cover member and the second electrode portion.

19. 17. The acoustic device of claim 16, wherein the vibration part comprises an inorganic material part having piezoelectric properties.

20. The vibration unit includes: a plurality of inorganic material portions having piezoelectric properties; and 17. An acoustic device as claimed in claim 16, including an organic material portion between said inorganic material portions.

21. The acoustic device according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the vibrating member comprises a metallic material or one or more of a single or composite non-metallic material selected from the group consisting of wood, rubber, plastic, glass, fiber, cloth, paper, mirror, carbon, and leather.

22. The acoustic device according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the vibrating member includes one or more of a display panel having pixels for displaying an image, a light-emitting diode lighting panel, an organic light-emitting lighting panel, an inorganic light-emitting lighting panel, a screen panel onto which an image is projected from a display device, a lighting panel, a signage panel, an interior material of a vehicle, a glass window of a vehicle, an exterior material of a vehicle, a ceiling material of a building, an interior material of a building, a glass window of a building, an interior material of an aircraft, a glass window of an aircraft, metal, wood, rubber, plastic, glass, fiber, cloth, paper, leather, carbon, and a mirror.

Images