# US 12,225,348 B2 · Sound apparatus

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- Number: US 12,225,348 B2
- Document ID: US12225348B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 18/368,903
- Filed: 2023-09-15
- Published: 2024-01-04
- Granted: 2025-02-11
- Earliest claimed: 2020-06-15
- Assignees: LG Display Co., Ltd.
- Applicants: LG Display Co., Ltd.
- Inventors: Jaehun Ye
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12225348B2

## CPC

- 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 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 sound apparatus includes a piezoelectric device configured to vibrate based on a sound signal input thereto, a vibration member, and an elastic member configured to connect at least a portion of the piezoelectric device to the vibration member.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A sound apparatus, comprising:
a plurality of piezoelectric devices configured to vibrate in response to a sound signal input thereto;
a plurality of vibration members; and
a frame connected to at least a portion of each of the plurality of vibration members,
wherein each of the plurality of piezoelectric devices is connected to a corresponding vibration member among the plurality of vibration members,
wherein frequency characteristics of a first piezoelectric device and a second piezoelectric device among the plurality of piezoelectric devices are different from each other,
wherein at least one of the plurality of piezoelectric devices includes a first piezoelectric layer, a second piezoelectric layer, a first electrode, a second electrode, a third electrode and a fourth electrode,
wherein the first electrode and the second electrode are disposed with the first piezoelectric layer therebetween in a thickness direction thereof,
wherein the third electrode and the fourth electrode are disposed with the second piezoelectric layer therebetween in a thickness direction thereof,
wherein the sound signal having a same phase is applied to the first electrode and the third electrode,
wherein the frame configures at least a portion of a housing which includes the plurality of the piezoelectric devices provided therein,
wherein one or more of the plurality of vibration members have different material characteristics, and
wherein the first piezoelectric device and the second piezoelectric device are connected to different vibration members of the plurality of vibration members.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The sound apparatus of claim 1, wherein a natural frequency of the first piezoelectric device and a natural frequency of the second piezoelectric device are different from each other.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The sound apparatus of claim 1, wherein a shape of the first piezoelectric device and a shape of the second piezoelectric device are different from each other.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The sound apparatus of claim 1, wherein one or more of a sound speed, an elastic modulus and a density of a material of the first piezoelectric device differ from one or more of a sound speed, an elastic modulus, and a density of a material of the second piezoelectric device.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The sound apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of vibration members includes a display panel of a display apparatus,
wherein the display panel comprises an image display surface displaying an image and a rear surface opposite to the image display surface, and
a vibration of a piezoelectric device connected to the display panel among the plurality of piezoelectric devices is transferred to the rear surface of the display panel.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The sound apparatus of claim 5, wherein the display panel includes an organic light emitting diode.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The sound apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an elastic member configured to connect at least a portion of the each of the plurality of the piezoelectric devices to the corresponding vibration member.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The sound apparatus of claim 7, wherein the each of the plurality of the piezoelectric devices has a flat plate shape, and
wherein the elastic member is connected to a front surface of the each of the plurality of the piezoelectric devices.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The sound apparatus of claim 8, wherein the each of the plurality of the piezoelectric devices has a rectangular shape having a long-side direction and a short-side direction in a plan view, and
wherein the elastic member is connected to a position including a center of the each of the plurality of the piezoelectric devices of the long-side direction.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The sound apparatus of claim 9, wherein an end portion of the long-side direction is not connected to the elastic member.

### Claim 11 (depends on 9)

The sound apparatus of claim 9, wherein the long-side direction is perpendicular to at least a portion of a lateral side of the corresponding vibration member.

### Claim 12 (depends on 9)

The sound apparatus of claim 9, wherein the long-side direction is not perpendicular to at least a portion of a lateral side of the corresponding vibration member.

### Claim 13 (depends on 7)

The sound apparatus of claim 7, wherein the each of the plurality of the piezoelectric devices has a circular shape in a plan view, and
wherein the elastic member is connected to a position including a center of the circular shape of the each of the plurality of the piezoelectric devices.

### Claim 14 (depends on 1)

The sound apparatus of claim 1, wherein the each of the plurality of the piezoelectric devices is configured to vibrate in a thickness direction thereof.

### Claim 15 (depends on 1)

The sound apparatus of claim 1, wherein the each of the plurality of the piezoelectric devices is configured to vibrate in a direction expanding in a horizontal direction.

### Claim 16 (depends on 1)

The sound apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one other of the plurality of the piezoelectric devices includes a piezoelectric layer, a first electrode and a second electrode, and
wherein the first electrode and the second electrode are disposed with the piezoelectric layer therebetween in a thickness direction thereof.

### Claim 17 (depends on 1)

The sound apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one other of the plurality of the piezoelectric devices includes a first piezoelectric layer, a second piezoelectric layer, a first electrode, a second electrode and a third electrode,
wherein the first electrode and the second electrode are disposed with the first piezoelectric layer therebetween in a thickness direction thereof, and
wherein the second electrode and the third electrode are disposed with the second piezoelectric layer therebetween in a thickness direction thereof.

### Claim 18 (depends on 17)

The sound apparatus of claim 17, wherein a polarization direction of the first piezoelectric layer is the same as a polarization direction of the second piezoelectric layer.

### Claim 19 (depends on 18)

The sound apparatus of claim 18, wherein the sound signal having a same phase is applied to the first electrode and the second electrode.

### Claim 20 (depends on 1)

The sound apparatus of claim 1, wherein polarization directions of the first piezoelectric layer and the second piezoelectric layer are opposite to each other.

### Claim 21 (depends on 20)

The sound apparatus of claim 20, wherein the sound signal having a same phase is applied to the second electrode and the fourth electrode.

### Claim 22 (depends on 1)

The sound apparatus of claim 1, wherein the frame is connected to at least a periphery portion of the plurality of the vibration members.

### Claim 23 (depends on 1)

The sound apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a fixing member configured to fix the plurality of vibration members to the frame.

### Claim 24 (depends on 1)

The sound apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a vibration absorption member connected to the frame and the plurality of vibration members.

### Claim 25 (depends on 1)

The sound apparatus of claim 1, wherein the housing includes a plurality of spaces.

### Claim 26 (depends on 25)

The sound apparatus of claim 25, wherein the first piezoelectric device and the second piezoelectric device are disposed in different spaces of the plurality of spaces.

### Claim 27 (depends on 1)

The sound apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a connection member disposed to connect the plurality of vibration members through at least one of the first piezoelectric device and the second piezoelectric device.