Piezoelectric Speaker With Flexible Membrane and Multi-Resonance Actuators
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional piezoelectric speakers are limited by their high-quality factor resonance, which restricts their frequency response and sound quality, making them unsuitable for applications requiring a broad frequency range due to their precise resonance frequency, typically used only in buzzers or alarms.
Innovation Solution
The use of piezoelectric beams with multiple resonance frequencies within a single device, combined with a flexible membrane, allows for oscillation at multiple frequencies without displacement loss, enabling broader frequency sound reproduction and incorporating cooling functionality in a compact form.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional piezoelectric speakers are used, then they achieve precise resonance frequency, but their frequency response is limited and sound quality is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The piezoelectric speaker is divided into multiple independent piezoelectric elements (first piezoelectric element, second piezoelectric element, etc.) that can be individually controlled. Each element can be excited at different frequencies, allowing the system to overcome the single resonance frequency limitation and achieve broader frequency response while maintaining precise control over each element's resonance.
Solution Approach 2:
The piezoelectric elements are designed to serve multiple functions: they act as both the actuator for membrane vibration and as resonant elements for frequency selection. By configuring multiple elements with different resonance frequencies, the system achieves universal operation across a broad frequency range while maintaining the precision benefits of piezoelectric resonance.
2Adaptability or versatility
If piezoelectric members with extensions are used to drive flexible membrane, then broad frequency sound reproduction is enabled, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The piezoelectric element and its extension are merged into an integrated flexible actuator assembly. The extension is directly coupled to the piezoelectric element, forming a unified structure that converts electrical signals to mechanical displacement efficiently. This merging reduces the number of separate components and simplifies the overall device structure while enabling broad frequency response.
Solution Approach 2:
A flexible membrane is used as the sound-radiating surface, connected to the piezoelectric actuators. The flexible nature of the membrane allows it to respond to vibrations across a wide frequency range without requiring complex rigid structures. This approach simplifies the device design by using compliant materials that naturally adapt to multi-frequency operation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple piezoelectric elements are used to achieve broad frequency range, then sound quality improves, but device mass and volume increase
Solution Approach 1:
The use of a thin flexible membrane as the sound-radiating surface significantly reduces the mass of the moving parts compared to traditional rigid diaphragms. The membrane's low mass allows it to be efficiently driven by small piezoelectric elements, enabling broad frequency response without proportionally increasing device weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The piezoelectric elements are arranged in a planar configuration on the flexible membrane surface, utilizing two-dimensional space rather than stacking elements vertically. This dimensional arrangement maximizes the frequency response capability within a compact footprint, avoiding unnecessary increases in device volume and mass.
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 enhances sound reproduction across a wide frequency range, reduces device height and mass, and allows for specific resonant mode targeting, making it suitable for applications where magnetic fields are undesirable, such as underwater use, while maintaining high reliability.
Implementation Method 1
each of the piezoelectric members is configured to be activated to move their respective extensions
Implementation Method 2
The use of piezoelectric beams with multiple resonance frequencies within a single device, combined with a flexible membrane, allows for oscillation at multiple frequencies
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus including a first member; a first array of flexible actuators connected to the first member, where each of the flexible actuators includes a piezoelectric member and an extension on the piezoelectric member; and a first flexible membrane connected to the first array of flexible actuators. Each of the piezoelectric members is configured to be activated to move their respective extensions. Each of the extensions, when moved by their respective piezoelectric members, is configured to move the first flexible membrane.