Patent Grant
7019621
The present invention relates to personal communication devices, and more particularly, to a vibrational and acoustic piezoelectric transducer for use with personal communication devices.
Vibrating alarms for use with personal communication devices are well known in the art. Many of these alarms comprise conventional motors having an eccentric weight attached to the rotor shaft. Accordingly, when the motor is activated, the rotation of the rotor shaft and corresponding rotation of the eccentric weight causes vibration within the personal communication device that is detected by the holder of the device. Typically, such vibrating alarms are not capable of also producing an acoustic signal; or if the vibrating alarm is capable of producing an acoustic signal, the design does not reproduce audible sound over the full audible frequency range.
Accordingly, a need exists for a combination vibrating alarm and acoustical sound device that has a relatively uncomplicated design, is relatively inexpensive to produce, that is substantially durable and is suited (relatively lightweight and small) to be incorporated into a hand-held, personal communication device.
Accordingly, an object and advantage of the present invention is to provide a vibrating piezoelectric transducer for a personal communication device that is easily manufactured, requires a small amount of power to operate, and provides the desired amount of vibration for transmitting vibrational and acoustic signals.
According to the present invention, the foregoing and other objects and advantages are attained by providing a personal communication device comprising a housing, a receiver component, a processor and a multi-functional piezoelectric transducer. The receiver component is mounted within the housing and receives signals transmitted to the device. The processor is also mounted within the housing and is operatively coupled to the receiver component. The processor processes signals received by the receiver component and sends electrical signals to the multi-functional piezoelectric transducer. The piezoelectric transducer is also mounted within the housing and is electrically connected to the processor. The piezoelectric transducer produces mechanical vibrations in response to the electrical signals transmitted by the processor. These mechanical vibrations, which are over a broad range of frequencies, are of a force sufficient to generate a tactile alert at a predetermined first frequency, to generate an audible alert at frequencies within a second predetermined range, and to generate audible sound over the audible frequency range. These vibrations also produce a substantially flat audio response over the audible frequency range.
In an alternate embodiment, the personal communication device further comprises an audible alerting component, such as a speaker. The audible alerting component is operatively connected to the processor or to the control switch and is located within the housing. The audible alerting component vibrates at frequencies within a predetermined range so as to produce an audible, alerting sound to a user of the device. Under this embodiment, the multi-functional piezoelectric transducer still has the capability of producing an audible alert. However, the processor does not send the audible alerting signal to the multi-functional piezoelectric transducer, but rather sends it to the audible alerting component.
In an alternate embodiment, the device further comprises a power supply, operatively coupled to the processor, for supplying a voltage sufficient to cause the multi-functional piezoelectric transducer to vibrate as needed. In another alternate embodiment, the processor includes a power supply for supplying the required voltage. In yet another alternate embodiment, the device further comprises an output component, an amplifier, a control switch, and a clamp. The output component is connected to the housing and is operatively coupled to the processor. This output component visually displays signals processed by the processor, such as a phone number or other images. The amplifier is operatively coupled to the processor and amplifies electrical signals processed by the processor before they are sent to the multi-functional piezoelectric transducer. The clamp attaches to one end of the multi-functional piezoelectric transducer and mounts it within the housing, preferably in a cantilever fashion. The control switch is operatively connected to the processor or to the transducer and enables the user of the personal communication device to select the type of alert, vibrational or acoustic, which is given to a user of the device.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a device for producing mechanical vibrations in response to an electrical signal comprises a piezoelectric component and at least one acoustic member attached to one of the surfaces of the piezoelectric component. The piezoelectric component has two opposing surfaces and at least two points where polarity is recognized. In an alternate embodiment, the piezoelectric component has a neck region where a clamp couples the piezoelectric component to a base. The piezoelectric component may comprise either an unimorph or a bimorph structure including a piezoceramic wafer made of lead zirconate titanate. In yet another alternate embodiment, the device for producing mechanical vibrations further comprises a dampening material, such as a polyolefin with an adhesive layer, sandwiched between the piezoelectric component and the acoustic member. In another embodiment, the dampening material may comprise a layer which attaches to substantially the entire top surface of the piezoelectric component.
In another aspect of the present invention, an acoustic member comprises a surrounding wall portion and an end portion. The surrounding wall portion has a bottom surface and a top surface. The top surface extends along a direction substantially perpendicular from the bottom surface to the top. The end portion is connected to the top surface of the surrounding wall portion. When the bottom surface of the acoustic member is attached to a surface of the piezoelectric component, the member forms an acoustic chamber. Essentially, the acoustic member is similar in structure to a bucket or open-ended barrel. The end portion has an orifice to form a passageway from the chamber through the end portion to outside the confines of the member.
Still other advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following drawings and detailed description. As will be realized, the invention is capable of modifications in various obvious respects, all without departing from the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not as restrictive.
A. Personal Communication Device
Referring now to
The device 10 may be one of various types of personal communication devices, such as a cellular telephone, a walkie-talkie or other two-way radio, a pager, or any other device where tactile alert and communication of sound is desired. Examples also include the personal communication devices described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,172,092 to Nguyen et al. and in U.S. Pat. No. 5,780,958 to Strugach et al., the disclosures of both being incorporated herein by reference. The housing 12 is fabricated from a lightweight, durable material such as Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene (ABS) plastic. The receiver component 14 is mounted within the housing 12 and receives signals transmitted to the device 10. The receiver 14 may be one of various well-known receivers in the art, such as a radio frequency (RF) antenna, an infrared sensor, or a related reception device.
The processor 16 is also mounted within the housing 12, is operatively coupled to the receiver component 14, and is electrically connected to the multi-functional transducer 100. The processor 16 processes signals 15 received by the receiver component 14 and transmits a processed electrical signal 17 to the multi-functional transducer. The processor 16 also typically functions as a computer or controller to perform other processing functions.
In one embodiment, the processor 16 includes a power supply 18 for supplying a voltage 19 sufficient to cause the multi-functional piezoelectric transducer 100 to vibrate as needed. Alternatively, the power supply 18 may be a separate component, operatively connected to the processor, for supplying the required voltage. The power supply may comprise a battery, a solar cell, or any other means for providing power to the various components of the personal communication device.
Continuing to refer to
Referring now to
B. Multi-Functional Piezoelectric Transducer
The piezoelectric transducer of the present invention has the capability of performing tactile alert, audio alert, and a substantially flat audio or sound pressure level response over the audible frequency range. This multi-functional transducer may be selected to perform any one or any combination of these three functions in a personal communication device as previously described in Section A. Alternatively, the multi-functional transducer may be selected to perform any one or combination of these three functions in other devices, such as conventional telephones, loudspeakers, radios, or other devices wherein a transducer for providing mechanical vibrations in response to an electrical signal is desired.
Referring now to
As shown in
The component 110a is a planar wafer 118 which is substantially rectangularly shaped. However, as will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art, the wafer may take other shapes, such as triangular, square, circular, or trapezoidal. Another example of the various shapes of the piezoelectric component includes the T-shape of component 110c shown in
The piezoelectric components 110a and 110c may comprise several different monolithic or segmented structures. An example of a monolithic, unimorph piezoelectric structure is shown in
Another embodiment of the multi-functional piezoelectric transducer 100 comprises the assembly 100b shown in
The multi-functional transducer assembly 100b further comprises at least one acoustic member 160 attached to the surface 112. Alternatively, the transducer assembly 100b further comprises a dampening material 170 positioned between the piezoelectric component 110 and the at least one acoustic member 160, or the dampening material 170, as shown in
In one aspect of the transducer assembly 100b, the acoustic member 160 is attached to the surface 112 of the piezoelectric component at an anti-node point 65, also known as a peak out-of-plane displacement point, of the piezoelectric component. Alternatively, the acoustic member 160 is affixed to the surface along the fundamental and/or non-fundamental resonant vibration anti-node lines. Both the anti-node points and the anti-node lines of the piezoelectric component are determined by understanding the natural modes of vibration of the component.
The natural modes of vibration of any structure, including the component 110b, is the manner of vibration associated with each particular natural frequency. The natural frequency of a structure is known as the frequency of free vibration. When a structure is subjected to an external force that is synchronized with a natural frequency, the structure enters a state known as resonance. Each state of resonance has a unique natural frequency value and a deformed configuration, known as a mode shape. The natural frequency of vibration having the lowest value is known as the fundamental mode of vibration. All other natural frequencies are known as non-fundamental modes of vibration.
When the component 110b is energized by an electrical signal at a particular natural frequency, the component harmonically and cyclically alternates between a deformed and an undeformed configuration as it vibrates. This alternating between deformed and undeformed configurations results in portions of the component moving perpendicular to the plane formed by a stationary, unenergized component, also known as an out-of-plane displacement. For any given resonance during vibration, one may determine either lines (anti-node lines) or points (anti-node points) that have peak out-of-plane displacements relative to other portions of the component. On the other hand, one may also determine either points or lines having minimal out-of-plane displacements relative to other portions of the component, which are known as node points or node lines. One aspect of the present invention seeks to take advantage of these vibrational attributes of the component by placing and affixing the acoustic members 160 along or at the anti-node lines or anti-node points of the piezoelectric component.
The method of determining the best location or locations for affixing an acoustic member requires superimposing the anti-node points and anti-node lines for the fundamental and non-fundamental modes of vibration. For example,
As is understood by the skilled artisan, various techniques are available for determining the location of an anti-node point 65 or a collection of anti-node points, known as an anti-node line, of a wafer having a substantially planar geometry like the component 110b. Examples of these techniques include a strobe light, laser holography, shearography, and laser vibrometry. These techniques provide the mode shapes of a piezoelectric component.
Examples of the mode shapes of a rectangularly-shaped planar piezoelectric component, such as components 110a or 110b, are shown in
Referring now to
Although a clamp is illustrated in
An example of a variable mounting system 350 is shown in
An example of a variable mounting assembly 450 for a T-shaped component 110c is shown in
As can be seen in
As discussed earlier, anti-node points or lines are determined by measuring the vibrational characteristics of the piezoelectric component. Examples of the mode shapes for the T-shaped planar piezoelectric component 110c are shown in
C. Acoustic Member
The acoustic member of the present invention has the capability of producing sound after it is operatively connected to the surface of any piezoelectric component as described in Section B. Alternatively, the acoustic member may be operatively connected to the surface of any transducer capable of producing mechanical vibrations in response to an electrical signal when a substantially flat acoustic response is desired.
Referring now to
The end portion 164 further comprises an orifice 167 which forms a passageway through the end portion to the chamber 166. As shown in
Although the structure of the acoustic member is described as having two portions, it is to be understood that the acoustic member 160 may comprise one unitary structure or article of manufacture. Accordingly, the surrounding wall portion 162 and the end portion 164 may be made and formed from the same material. Plastic is one material which has provided good results, although metallic materials having good structural properties may also be used.
Additionally, it is to be understood that, while the acoustic member has been described as having essentially the shape of a bucket, other shapes or structure which can form a chamber would provide similar results. The acoustic member, by being affixed to the surface of the piezoelectric component, in effect functions in a manner similar to a Helmholtz resonator. Accordingly, other shapes or structure which have the basic structural characteristics of a Helmholtz resonator would provide similar results. Such basic structural characteristics include a chamber or cavity having a predetermined volume and a passageway or neck having a predetermined cross-sectional area and a predetermined neck length. Examples of such shapes or structures include the box-shaped structure of
The acoustic chamber 160 generally has several dimensions which may be varied. Referring to
The sound waves emanating from the acoustic member are produced by a collection of the out-of-plane displacements of the component. The displacement of each acoustic member causes air to pass through its orifice. The sound range of an acoustic member is dependent upon its physical dimensions and its location on the piezoelectric component. Some of the dimensions of an acoustic member which affect the sound produced include the orifice size (both diameter and depth), the volume of the chamber, and the material being used. The location of the acoustic member on the piezoelectric component determines which mode shapes will influence the acoustic member's displacement (both in amplitude and in frequency).
The sound of each acoustic member is independent of any other acoustic member affixed to the piezoelectric component. When more than one member is used, the sound coalesces to create a rich, full blend. Hence, using more than one acoustic member should result in a greater sound pressure level and a fuller audible range for the multi-functional transducer being used.
D. Operation of the Invention
The transducer assemblies (100a, 100b, or 100c) are all adapted to provide vibrational (tactile) alert, acoustic (sound) alert, and full-range audible sound over the audible frequency range. Accordingly, the processor 16 is designed to output vibrational and acoustic signals 17. When the processor transmits an electrical signal for tactile alert, it transmits an alternating voltage signal at a predetermined first frequency of approximately 300 Hz or less. It is to be understood that an “alternating voltage” signal may be a standard AC signal or a switched DC signal (such as a square wave or the like). When the processor determines to transmit an electrical signal for audio alert, it transmits an alternating voltage signal at a second predetermined range of frequencies between approximately 300 Hz and 12,000 Hz. This particular signal is transmitted either to the transducer assembly (100a, 100b, or 100c) or, if being used, the audible alerting component 26. When the processor 16 determines to transmit electrical signals corresponding to sounds over the broad range of audible frequencies, it transmits these signals to the transducer assembly for sound production. The voltage level needed to vibrate the transducer depends on the thickness of the piezoceramic wafer and preferably ranges from 20 to 120 volts. Typically, the power supply 18 has an output from 1.5 to 10 volts. Higher or lower voltages may also be used.
The transducer assembly of the first example was laminated as follows from its top surface to its bottom surface:
Acoustic Members
Adhesive synthetic polyolefin (3M Scotch™ 859 Mounting Squares)
1 mil of adhesive Kapton® film (as a dielectric material for electrical insulation)
1 mil of aluminum (supporting layer)
1 mil of electrically conductive epoxy
4 mil of a piezoceramic (PZT)
1 mil of electrically conductive epoxy
1 mil of stainless steel (supporting layer)
1 mil of conductive epoxy
4 mil of PZT
1 mil of conductive epoxy
1 mil of aluminum (supporting layer)
1 mil of adhesive Kapton® film (as a dielectric)
As illustrated in
When the piezoelectric transducer is used primarily to generate sound over the audible frequency range, then an alternative best mode is a unimorph structure as shown in
Following from the above description, it should be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that, while the designs and operations herein described constitutes several embodiments of the present invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to these precise designs and operations, and that changes may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention.
The invention described herein was made by employees of the United States Government and may be used by or for the Government for governmental purposes without the payment of any royalties thereon or therefor.
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