Piezoelectric Keyboard Elements for Mid-High Frequency Audio

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional laptop configurations face challenges in efficiently emitting high-frequency and mid-frequency sounds due to the limited optimal placement for speakers, leading to suboptimal audio quality and increased device thickness.

Innovation Solution

The use of piezoelectric elements beneath the haptic keyboard and touchpad to emit high-frequency and mid-frequency sounds, allowing for the placement of low-frequency speakers in non-optimal areas, thereby reducing device thickness and enhancing audio quality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional speaker configurations are used for high-frequency and mid-frequency sounds, then optimal audio quality can be achieved, but the device thickness increases and component space is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaudio qualityVSAvoiddevice thickness

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The piezoelectric elements are designed to serve dual functions: providing haptic feedback for keyboard/touchpad actuation and generating high-frequency and mid-frequency audio sounds. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated speakers for these frequency ranges, reducing device thickness while maintaining audio quality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The existing piezoelectric elements in the keyboard and touchpad assembly are utilized to generate audio sounds without requiring additional dedicated components. The system leverages its own existing components to fulfill multiple functions, thereby reducing overall device thickness and improving portability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If traditional speaker configurations are used for high-frequency and mid-frequency sounds, then optimal audio quality can be achieved, but the device weight increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaudio qualityVSAvoiddevice weight

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The audio generation function is merged with the existing haptic feedback mechanism. By combining these functions into a single component system, the overall device weight is reduced while maintaining comprehensive audio capability across all frequency ranges

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Length of stationary object

If piezoelectric elements are used to generate high-frequency and mid-frequency sounds, then device thickness is reduced and component space is increased, but additional control mechanisms are required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice thicknessVSAvoidcontrol mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A controller receives audio signals and converts them into appropriate electrical signals that drive the piezoelectric elements to generate the desired high-frequency and mid-frequency sounds. This feedback control mechanism enables precise audio output while utilizing the existing piezoelectric infrastructure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This solution enables the production of rich audio while reducing the overall thickness and weight of the information handling system, allowing for increased component space and improved portability.

Implementation Method 1

The piezoelectric elements of a haptic keyboard or touchpad assembly may be used to generate audible high-frequency or mid-frequency sound

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPiezoelectric effect: Piezoelectric Effect

Implementation Method 2

generate audible high-frequency or mid-frequency sound

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical vibration to sound: Vibration

Data Source

PatentUS11243610B2System and method for generating high-frequency and mid-frequency audible sound via piezoelectric actuators of a haptic keyboard

Publication Date: 2022.02.08 DELL PROD LP

AI summary

A haptic keyboard based sound system of an information handling system comprising a coversheet to identify a plurality of key locations of a haptic keyboard and a first key having a piezoelectric element for haptic tactile feedback upon key actuation, a support layer, a contact foil placed between the coversheet and support layer, and a haptic feedback and piezo sound controller operatively coupled to the contact foil to receive the mid-frequency portion of an audio signal and the high frequency portion of the audio signal from an audio controller operably connected to the haptic feedback and piezo sound controller, and send a piezo audio signal to the piezoelectric element to cause the piezoelectric element to generate a mid-frequency and high-frequency sound audio according to the received mid-frequency portion of an audio signal and the high frequency portion of the audio signal.