Piezoelectric Speaker System Using Stacked Layer Bending
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional piezoelectric speaker systems require a large area or height to accommodate increasing numbers of bit digits, making them bulky, heavy, and consuming high power, which is undesirable for miniaturization and low power consumption.
Innovation Solution
A speaker system with a piezoelectric driver featuring n stacked layers with electrode layers in between, where a signal converter converts n-bit digital signals into bit string data signals to control drive voltages applied to each layer, allowing for bending displacement and sound production without the need for extensive parallel or stacked structures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If piezoelectric layered structures are arranged in parallel or stacked in series to increase bit digits, then the number of bits increases, but the area or height required increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from arranging piezoelectric elements in parallel (2D plane) or series stacking (1D height) to utilizing bending displacement of a stacked piezoelectric structure. The key insight is that the piezoelectric layers are bent to achieve displacement in the direction of stacking, effectively using the third dimension (height) for functional output rather than requiring increased area or height for element arrangement. This dimensional transformation resolves the contradiction by maintaining compact form factor while achieving higher bit representation through controlled bending of the piezoelectric stack.
2Loss of information
If more piezoelectric elements are arranged to increase bit digits, then the resolution increases, but the weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple piezoelectric layers into a single stacked structure where n layers are arranged in series between electrode layers. Instead of using separate parallel elements for each bit, the invention combines all piezoelectric components into one integrated stack that achieves multi-bit representation through controlled bending displacement. This merging approach reduces the total weight by eliminating redundant structural elements while maintaining the functional capability to represent multiple bit values through the bending mechanism.
3Measurement precision
If more piezoelectric elements are arranged to increase bit digits, then the precision increases, but the power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic action through the bending and returning motion of the piezoelectric stack. The piezoelectric elements are bent to generate displacement for producing sound corresponding to digital signal values, and then return to their initial state. This periodic bending action allows the same piezoelectric structure to be reused for multiple bit representations over time, rather than requiring continuously active multiple elements. The signal converter controls which layers are activated in each cycle, enabling precise multi-bit representation while reducing overall power consumption through this cyclic activate-return pattern.
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 configuration enables a compact, lightweight speaker with lower power consumption that produces desired sound pressures by bending piezoelectric layers in response to digital signals, eliminating the need for extensive spatial arrangements of piezoelectric elements.
Implementation Method 1
n piezoelectric layers are stacked sandwiching electrode layers therebetween, for displacement by bending in a direction of stacking of the piezoelectric layers
Data Source
AI summary
A piezoelectric driver (10) includes n piezoelectric layers (3A to 3D) (where n is an integer equal to or greater than 2) that are stacked, with electrode layers (4B to 4D) each interposed between any adjacent piezoelectric layers, and with electrode layers (4A and 4E) further formed underneath the lowermost piezoelectric layer (3A) and on top of the uppermost piezoelectric layer (3D), and the piezoelectric driver (10) is bent and displaced in the direction in which the piezoelectric layers are stacked. A signal converter (11) converts an n-bit digital signal (IS) into n bits of a bit string data signal (BS) comprising of bit data indicating whether a drive voltage to be applied to each of the piezoelectric layers (3A to 3D) via the electrode layers (4A to 4B) is on or off. An output device (12) outputs, in accordance with values of the individual bits in the bit string data signal (BS) provided through conversion performed by the signal converter (11), drive voltages to be applied to the individual piezoelectric layers (3A to 3D).