Piezo Speaker Mounted on EMI Shielding Can

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Solution Overview

Problem

Piezoelectric speakers in electronic devices often suffer from suboptimal sound quality due to inadequate placement within the device, which cannot be improved without compromising the performance of other components.

Innovation Solution

Integrating a piezoelectric speaker with an electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding can, allowing the speaker to enhance audio output without affecting the shielding capabilities or placement of other components, by amplifying sound through the vibration of the EMI shielding can.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If piezo speaker placement is optimized for sound quality, then sound quality is improved, but placement flexibility is reduced and may adversely affect other components

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesound qualityVSAvoidplacement flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the piezo speaker with the EMI shielding can by mounting the speaker directly onto the can. This integration allows the speaker to benefit from the can's structural support and optimal positioning while the can simultaneously performs its electromagnetic shielding function. The merging of these two components resolves the contradiction by providing a fixed, optimized placement without requiring separate consideration of placement flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The EMI shielding can serves multiple functions: it provides electromagnetic interference shielding for sensitive components and simultaneously serves as a mounting structure for the piezo speaker. This multi-functionality allows the can to support the speaker in an optimized position for sound quality while maintaining its primary shielding purpose, thus resolving the placement flexibility issue.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Manufacturing precision

If piezo speaker placement is optimized for sound quality, then sound quality is improved, but other component performance may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesound qualityVSAvoidother component performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

By integrating the piezo speaker mounting with the EMI shielding can, the invention ensures that the speaker is positioned optimally for sound quality without requiring movement or repositioning of other components. The can acts as a dedicated mounting structure that isolates the speaker placement decision from other component arrangements, thus maintaining overall device reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The EMI shielding can serves as an intermediary structure between the piezo speaker and the rest of the device components. It provides a dedicated mounting platform for the speaker, allowing optimal sound quality positioning while preventing direct interference with other components. This intermediary role ensures that speaker optimization does not compromise other component performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Stress or pressure

If EMI shielding can is used for speaker mounting, then sound pressure levels are amplified, but shielding capabilities must be maintained

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesound pressure levelVSAvoidEMI shielding effectiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
Stress or pressureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges the acoustic function of the piezo speaker with the electromagnetic shielding function of the can. The speaker is mounted directly on the can, allowing the can's rigid structure to amplify sound pressure levels while the can's material properties and design maintain EMI shielding effectiveness. Both functions coexist without compromising each other.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The EMI shielding can is designed with localized mounting areas for the piezo speaker that do not compromise the overall shielding structure. Specific portions of the can are optimized for acoustic coupling to amplify sound pressure, while other portions maintain continuous shielding coverage. This local differentiation allows both high sound pressure output and effective EMI protection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 improves the acoustical performance of electronic devices by amplifying sound pressure levels and maintaining the integrity of other components' performance, as the EMI shielding can vibrates in conjunction with the piezo speaker, enhancing sound quality without compromising the device's overall functionality.

Implementation Method 1

piezo speakers create sound by forming vibrations with a diaphragm via a piezoelectric driver

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPiezoelectric effect: Piezoelectric Effect

Implementation Method 2

amplifying sound through the vibration of the EMI shielding can

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical vibration: Vibration

Data Source

PatentEP2327233B1Electromagnetic interference shields with piezos
Publication Date: 2014.06.18 APPLE INC
  • EP2327233B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2327233B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP2327233B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

Methods and apparatus for improving the acoustical performance associated with a speaker, such as a piezoelectric speaker, are disclosed. According to one aspect, an apparatus includes a substrate, a can mounted on the substrate, and a piezoelectric speaker arrangement. The piezoelectric speaker arrangement is at least partially mounted on the can. In one embodiment, the substrate is a printed circuit board (PCB) and the can is an electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding can.