Transparent Piezoelectric Transducer Array for Personal Audio
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Solution Overview
Problem
Personal audio devices face challenges in achieving high performance, low power consumption, and reduced size due to limitations in acoustic transducer design, which affects sound quality and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A high-performance optically transparent piezoelectric transducer array is developed, comprising multiple conductive and piezoelectric layers that are substantially transparent to visible light, allowing for lightweight, low-power consumption, and high acoustic output, enabling use as both actuators and sensors, and can be integrated into various devices like eyewear, headphones, and displays.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional acoustic transducers are used in personal audio devices, then sound quality can be achieved, but the device size and weight increase and power consumption rises
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental operating parameters of the transducer by using piezoelectric materials that convert electrical energy directly to mechanical vibration at the molecular level, eliminating the need for traditional coil and magnet structures. This parameter change enables ultra-thin transducer design (thickness less than 10 micrometers) while maintaining high sound pressure level output and low power consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite material structures combining piezoelectric ceramic layers with flexible substrate materials and transparent conductive oxide layers. This composite approach enables the transducer to achieve both mechanical rigidity for efficient vibration transfer and flexibility for integration into wearable devices, while the transparent conductive layers provide electrical connectivity without blocking light
2Power
If conventional acoustic transducers are used in personal audio devices, then sound output can be achieved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional electromagnetic mechanical system (coils, magnets, voice coils) with a direct piezoelectric conversion system. The piezoelectric effect converts electrical energy directly to mechanical vibration without intermediate electromagnetic conversion steps, eliminating energy losses associated with electromagnetic induction and reducing overall power consumption while maintaining high acoustic output
3Illumination intensity
If transparent materials are used for the transducer layers, then optical transparency is achieved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the transducer into multiple thin functional layers (piezoelectric ceramic layer, transparent conductive oxide layers, flexible substrate layers) that can be manufactured separately using specialized processes for each material type, then integrated through lamination or bonding. This segmentation allows each layer to be optimized for its specific function while simplifying the overall manufacturing process
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses flexible thin film structures as the base substrate for the piezoelectric layers, allowing the entire transducer assembly to be bent and conform to curved surfaces. The thin film approach enables transparency while providing mechanical flexibility and simplifying integration into wearable devices through roll-to-roll manufacturing processes
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 transparent piezoelectric transducer array provides improved sound quality, increased sound pressure levels, reduced leakage, and the ability to generate localized sound and haptic feedback, while maintaining transparency and low power usage, enhancing user experience in personal audio devices.
Implementation Method 1
Each transparent piezoelectric transducer includes one or more piezoelectric layers and a plurality of conductive layers
Implementation Method 2
At least a portion of the transparent piezoelectric transducer array may detect sound to improve a sound quality of the sound generated by the transparent piezoelectric transducer array
Data Source
AI summary
An audio system comprises an array of transparent piezoelectric transducers on a transparent surface. Each transparent piezoelectric transducer includes one or more piezoelectric layers and one or more conductive layers that are substantially transparent to visible light. A transparent piezoelectric transducer may include, e.g., a first conductive layer, a first piezoelectric layer on the first conductive layer, and a second conductive layer on the first piezoelectric layer. Or in another example, the transparent piezoelectric transducer includes many (e.g., 20-30) piezoelectric layers and many (e.g., 20-30) conductive layers.