Piezoelectric Speaker Diaphragm Vibration Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Piezoelectric acoustic transducers produce disturbed sound waves due to unregulated vibrations of the metal plate, which are not aligned with the outer shape of the piezoelectric ceramic, resulting in suboptimal sound quality.

Innovation Solution

A speaker element with a diaphragm featuring connection pieces protruding from its edge, thicker than the diaphragm's sheet thickness, and an annular wall, which supports the diaphragm to stabilize its vibrations and align them with the piezoelectric element's deformation, reducing unwanted vibrations and improving sound quality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If the entire perimeter of the metal plate is fixed, then the vibrations are well-regulated, but the metal plate cannot vibrate freely resulting in lower sound output

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesound outputVSAvoidvibration regulation
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The continuous perimeter connection is segmented into discrete connection pieces (at least six) distributed around the outer edge of the diaphragm. This segmentation allows different regions to have different degrees of freedom - the connection pieces provide regulation while the spaces between them allow free vibration, resolving the contradiction between vibration regulation and sound output.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Speed

If protrusions are disposed around the metal plate to regulate vibrations, then resonance frequency can be shifted lower, but the standing wave pattern becomes independent of the piezoelectric ceramic shape causing disturbed sound waves

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresonance frequencyVSAvoiddisturbed sound waves
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of uniform protrusions around the entire perimeter, the connection pieces are strategically positioned at specific locations around the outer edge of the diaphragm. This local quality approach allows the standing wave pattern to conform to the piezoelectric element's shape while still providing vibration regulation, eliminating disturbed sound waves while maintaining low resonance frequency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If the connection pieces have greater thickness than the diaphragm, then the diaphragm is properly supported, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvediaphragm support stabilityVSAvoidconnection piece structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The connection pieces integrate multiple functions: they provide mechanical support for the diaphragm, serve as connection points to the case, and define the vibration pattern. By merging these functions into a single structural element with varied local thickness, the design achieves reliable diaphragm support without proportionally increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

The solution stabilizes the diaphragm's vibrations, ensuring they conform to the piezoelectric element's shape, thereby reducing disturbed sound waves and enhancing sound quality by aligning the standing wave pattern with the piezoelectric element's deformation.

Implementation Method 1

a piezoelectric element that is layered on the diaphragm and becomes deformed under application of a voltage to cause the diaphragm to vibrate

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPiezoelectric effect: Piezoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentEP3611938B1Speaker element and array speaker
Publication Date: 2022.05.04 I PEX INC
  • EP3611938B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP3611938B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3611938B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A diaphragm (3) has a plurality of connection pieces (5) disposed on an outer edge of a major surface (3A), the connection pieces (5) protruding outward along the major surface (3A) and being connected to an outer frame (4). A piezoelectric element is layered on the diaphragm (3) and becomes deformed under application of a voltage to cause the diaphragm (3) to vibrate. The thickness of the connection pieces (5) along a z-axis direction is greater than a sheet thickness of the diaphragm (3) in a region on which the piezoelectric element is layered. The connection pieces (5) protrude from the major surface (3A) in the z-axis direction.