What is a Piezoelectric speaker?

 

The Piezoelectric speaker is known by quite a few names, piezo, buzzer and crystal loudspeaker is just some of them. In its essence, it is a speaker that uses a piezoelectric effect to generate the sound. By applying a voltage to a piezoelectric material, it creates the initial mechanical motion. Furthermore, diaphragms and resonators typically convert the motion into audible sound. Piezoelectric speakers are relatively easy to drive compared to other speakers design. In ultrasound applications, piezoelectric speakers operate well in the range of 1-5 kHz and up to 100 kHz.

 

Vibration regions

 

In the piezoelectric speaker, according to the present invention, the vibration region may distribute the plurality of the portions of the common piezoelectric sheets. With this configuration, a compact speaker integrally formes. If the patter of the first and second electrodes respectively form on each of the plurality of the vibration region are the same, a stereo speaker formes. On the other hand, if at least one of the patterns and the sizes of the first and second electrodes respectively form on each of the plurality of the vibration and regions are different from each other, a 2-way or 3-way speaker formes.

 

The electrodes structure

 

The first and second electrodes preferably include a layer mainly containing at least one type of indium tin oxide, indium zinc oxide, and zinc oxide, or include a layer made of at least one polythiophene conductive polymers. More preferably, the first and second electrodes have a structure in which a layer mainly containing zinc oxide and a layer made of polythiophene conductive polymers overlap with each other as viewed in the lamination direction of the laminated body.

The present invention is also directed to a speaker apparatus including a frame and a piezoelectric speaker arranged on the front surface of the frame. The speaker apparatus, according to the latest invention, is characterized by including the above mentioned piezoelectric speaker.

 

Usage

 

Piezoelectric speakers generate sound in digital quartz watches and other electronic devices. Also, engineers sometimes use them as tweeters in less-expensive speaker systems, such as computer speakers and portable radios. They also produce ultrasound in sonar systems. Piezoelectric speakers have several advantages over conventional loudspeakers. They are resistant to overloads that would normally destroy most high-frequency drivers. Also, people use them without a crossover due to their electrical properties.

There are also disadvantages. Some amplifiers can oscillate when driving capacitive loads like most piezoelectrics. This results in distortion or damage to the amplifier. Additionally, their frequency response, in most cases, is inferior to that of other technologies, especially with regards to bass and midrange. This is why people generally use them in applications where volume and high pitch are more important than sound quality.

 

Source texts

 

https://books.google.rs/books?id=WqGIHVWwxuoC&dq=Piezoelectric%20speaker&source=gbs_navlinks_s&fbclid=IwAR1z5yDh159q_Hmbi2P9h1wlsAgkL7scyUvXF1-aWc-0pX90CMxplNiOUug

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piezoelectric_speaker?fbclid=IwAR3RT4irc0YeMibtV95ctYBadKTg2UyEZCIHjPD6MJWThRo56cq48PiVfoE