SPEAKER WITH EMBEDDED PIEZOELECTRIC TRANSDUCER

摘要

In one aspect, a speaker is provided having a coil and a diaphragm assembly coupled to the coil. The diaphragm assembly includes a piezo stiffener plate and a flexible membrane, the piezo stiffener plate including at least one piezo layer and at least one metal layer. The speaker is operable in a human audible frequency operating range and in an ultrasonic frequency operating range. In the ultrasonic frequency operating range, the piezo stiffener plate bends to extend the ultrasonic output beyond the ultrasonic range produced without the use of the piezo stiffener plate. In another aspect, a speaker is provided having a flexible membrane constructed at least partially of a piezo material. The speaker is operable in an ultrasonic frequency operating range wherein the piezo material bends to extend the ultrasonic output beyond the ultrasonic range produced without the use of the piezo material in the membrane.

主权项

1. A speaker, the speaker comprising:
a housing forming a cavity; a coil disposed in the cavity; a diaphragm assembly coupled to the coil and disposed in the cavity, the diaphragm assembly comprising a piezo stiffener plate and a flexible membrane, the piezo stiffener plate including at least one piezo layer and at least one metal layer; such that an electrical signal excites the coil to produce an electrical current, the electric current moving the coil, the movement of the coil responsively moving the diaphragm assembly to produce sound energy; such that the speaker operates in a human audible frequency operating range and an ultrasonic frequency operating range; wherein in the ultrasonic frequency operating range the piezo stiffener plate bends to extend the ultrasonic output of the speaker beyond the ultrasonic frequency operating range produced without use of the piezo stiffener plate.