Modal response of a simply supported plate driven by a single, asymmetric piezoelectric actuator for use as a flat-panel loudspeaker

Abstract

An approximate analytical solution for the mechanical response of a thin plate to a single, asymmetrically bonded piezoelectric driver has been found. Previous work has focused only on the response of plates driven by symmetrically aligned actuators or for beams with drivers bonded to one side. The relative magnitudes of extensional and flexural waves produced by the single-sided driver configuration were determined as a function of the physical parameters of the plate and driver. The modal response of flexural waves for a simply supported thin plate also was determined. Interactions at the plate boundaries with the support structure may convert extensional waves into sound-producing flexural waves, which can lead to audio distortion. A non-moment inducing support scheme with high damping is proposed to minimize this effect.