Reinforced actuators for distributed mode loudspeakers

A panel audio loudspeaker, comprising:

• a panel extending in a plane;
• an actuator attached to the panel and configured to couple vibrations to the panel to cause the panel to emit audio waves, the actuator comprising:
• a magnet and a voice coil forming a magnetic circuit;
• a rigid frame attached to a surface of the panel, the rigid frame comprising a panel extending parallel to the plane and at least one pillar extending perpendicular to the plane;
• an elongate flexure attached at one end to the pillar extending perpendicular to the plane, the flexure extending parallel to the plane;
• one or more tabs extending from an edge of the elongate flexure parallel to the plane;
• an electromechanical module attached to a portion of the flexure unattached to the frame, the electromechanical module being configured to displace an end of the flexure that is free of the frame in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the panel during operation of the actuator;
• and
• a vibration damping material located between each of the one or more tabs and a corresponding feature of the frame or the electromechanical module for receiving the tab;
• wherein for certain vibrations of the electromechanical module, one or more of the tabs engage either the rigid frame or the electromechanical module through the vibration damping material sufficient to damp the vibrations.

A panel audio loudspeaker, comprising:

• a panel extending in a plane;
• an actuator attached to the panel and configured to couple vibrations to the panel to cause the panel to emit audio waves, the actuator comprising:
• a magnet and a voice coil forming a magnetic circuit;
• a rigid frame attached to a surface of the panel, the rigid frame comprising a pillar extending perpendicular to the plane;
• an elongate flexure attached at one end to the pillar extending perpendicular to the plane, the flexure comprising a first portion extending parallel to the plane and a second portion extending perpendicular to the plane, the second portion being affixed to the pillar to attach the elongate flexure to the frame;
• one or more tabs extending from an edge of the elongate flexure parallel to the plane;
• an electromechanical module attached to a portion of the flexure unattached to the frame, the electromechanical module being configured to displace an end of the flexure that is free of the frame in a direction perpendicular to the panel surface during operation of the actuator;
• and
• a vibration damping material located between each of the one or more tabs and a corresponding feature of the frame or the electromechanical module for receiving the tab;
• wherein for certain vibrations of the electromechanical module, one or more of the tabs engage either the rigid frame or the electromechanical module through the vibration damping material sufficient to damp the vibrations.

A panel audio loudspeaker, comprising:

• a panel extending in a plane;
• an actuator attached to the panel and configured to couple vibrations to the panel to cause the panel to emit audio waves, the actuator comprising:
• a magnet and a voice coil forming a magnetic circuit;
• a rigid frame attached to a surface of the panel, the rigid frame comprising a pillar extending perpendicular to the plane;
• an elongate flexure attached at one end to the pillar of the frame extending perpendicular to the panel surface, the flexure extending parallel to the plane;
• one or more tabs extending from an edge of the elongate flexure parallel to the plane;
• an electromechanical module attached to an end of the flexure that is unattached to the frame and opposite an end of the flexure attached to the pillar, the electromechanical module being configured to displace an end of the flexure that is free of the frame in a direction perpendicular to the panel surface during operation of the actuator;
• and
• a vibration damping material located between each of the one or more tabs and a corresponding feature of the frame or the electromechanical module for receiving the tab;
• wherein for certain vibrations of the electromechanical module, one or more of the tabs engage either the rigid frame or the electromechanical module through the vibration damping material sufficient to damp the vibrations.