Two-dimensional distributed mode actuator

A smartphone comprising:

• a display;
• and
• a distributed mode actuator comprising:
• a transducer adapted to create a force to cause vibration of a load to generate sound waves, the transducer having a first width along a first axis;
• a transfer portion connected to the transducer along a first side parallel to the first axis, and having a second width along the first axis that is less than the first width;
• and
• a stub connected to the transfer portion along a second side of the transfer portion that is parallel to the first axis and an opposite side from the first side connected to the transducer, having a third width that is greater than the second width, and having a surface adapted to connect to the load to transfer the force received from the transducer through the transfer portion to the load and cause the load to vibrate.

A method comprising:

• receiving, by a transducer included in a distributed mode actuator and having a first width along an axis, an activation signal;
• converting, by the transducer, the activation signal to a force;
• transferring, by the transducer, at least a portion of the force to a transfer portion included in the distributed mode actuator and fixedly connected along a first side of the transfer portion to the transducer along only a portion of the first width, the first side having a second width along the axis that is less than the first width;
• and
• transferring, by the transfer portion, at least a portion of the force to a stub a) that is fixedly connected to the transfer portion along a second side of the transfer portion that is an opposite side from the first side, and b) having a third width along the axis that is greater than the second width, to cause the stub to transfer at least a portion of the force to a load to generate sound waves.