# US 10,873,804 B2 · Reinforced actuators for distributed mode loudspeakers > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,873,804 B2 - Document ID: US10873804B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/289,592 - Filed: 2019-02-28 - Published: 2020-09-03 - Granted: 2020-12-22 - Earliest claimed: 2019-02-28 - Assignees: Google Inc. - Applicants: Google LLC - Inventors: Rajiv Bernard Gomes; Mark William Starnes - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10873804B2 ## CPC - H04R 1/288: {for loudspeaker transducers} - H04R 7/16: Mounting or tensioning of diaphragms or cones - H04R 1/2803: {for loudspeaker transducers} - H04R 7/045: {using the distributed mode principle, i.e. whereby the acoustic radiation is emanated from uniformly distributed free bending wave vibration induced in a stiff panel and not from pistonic motion} - H04R 9/025: {Magnetic circuit} - H04R 9/06: Loudspeakers - H04R 17/00: Piezoelectric transducers; Electrostrictive transducers (piezoelectric or electrostrictive elements in general H10N30/00; details of piezoelectric or electrostrictive motors, generators or positioners {H10N30/00}) - H04R 2400/11: Aspects regarding the frame of loudspeaker transducers - H04R 2499/11: Transducers incorporated or for use in hand-held devices, e.g. mobile phones, PDA's, camera's - H04R 2499/15: Transducers incorporated in visual displaying devices, e.g. televisions, computer displays, laptops - H04R: LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; ELECTRIC HEARING AIDS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS (producing sounds with frequency not determined by supply frequency G10K) ## Abstract A panel audio loudspeaker includes a panel extending in a plane. The panel audio loudspeaker includes an actuator attached to the panel. The actuator includes a rigid frame attached to a surface of the panel, the rigid frame including a portion extending perpendicular to the panel surface. The actuator also includes an elongate flexure attached at one end the frame, the flexure extending parallel to the plane. The actuator includes one or more tabs. The actuator includes an electromechanical module attached to a portion of the flexure, the electromechanical module being configured to displace an end of the flexure. The actuator includes a vibration damping material located between each of the one or more tabs and a corresponding feature of the frame or the electromechanical module. One or more of the tabs can engage either the rigid frame or the electromechanical module to damp the vibrations. ## Claims ### Claim 1 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 rigid frame attached to a surface of the panel, the rigid frame comprising a stub extending perpendicular to the panel surface; a beam anchored at one end to the stub, the beam including: an elongate flexure attached at one end to the stub of the frame extending perpendicular to the panel surface, the flexure extending in a first direction parallel to the plane; and an electromechanical module attached to a portion of the flexure unattached to the frame, the electromechanical module comprising one or more layers of a piezoelectric material supported by the flexure, 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; one or more tabs extending from an edge of the elongate flexure parallel to the plane, wherein at least one of the tabs extends from an edge of the elongate flexure in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction and parallel to the plane; 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. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The panel audio loudspeaker of claim 1, wherein the vibrations of the electromechanical module damped by engagement of the tabs with either the rigid frame or the electromechanical module comprise non-operational vibration modes of the actuator. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The panel audio loudspeaker of claim 2, wherein the non-operational modes of the actuator comprise modes caused by a force on the actuator having a component parallel to the plane. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The panel audio loudspeaker of claim 2, wherein the non-operational modes of the actuator comprise modes caused by dropping the panel audio loudspeaker. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The panel audio loudspeaker of claim 1, wherein the vibration damping material is a foam. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The panel audio loudspeaker of claim 1, wherein a piece of the vibration damping material is attached to each tab. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The panel audio loudspeaker of claim 1, wherein the vibration damping material is attached to the frame or the electromechanical module. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The panel audio loudspeaker of claim 1, wherein the one or more tabs are integral with the elongate flexure. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The panel audio loudspeaker of claim 1, wherein the elongate flexure is formed from a metal or alloy. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The panel audio loudspeaker of claim 1, wherein at least one of the tabs extends from an end of the elongate flexure opposite the end anchored to the stub. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The panel audio loudspeaker of claim 1, wherein the stub comprises a slot for receiving an end of the elongate flexure to anchor the beam. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The panel audio loudspeaker of claim 1, wherein the actuator comprises a magnet and a voice coil forming a magnetic circuit. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The panel audio loudspeaker of claim 12, wherein the electromechanical module comprises the magnet and the voice coil is rigidly attached to the frame. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The panel audio loudspeaker of claim 12, wherein the electromechanical module comprises the voice coil and the magnet is rigidly attached to the frame. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The panel audio loudspeaker of claim 1, wherein the panel comprises a display panel. ### Claim 16 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. ### Claim 17 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. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The panel audio loudspeaker of claim 17, wherein the elongate flexure comprises a sheet of a material bent to form the first and second portions and each portion comprises a tab extending from an edge of the elongate flexure towards the electromechanical module. ### Claim 19 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.