US20140175947A1

US20140175947A1 - Piezoelectric vibration module

Info

Publication number: US20140175947A1
Application number: US14/138,876
Authority: US
Inventors: Jae Kyung Kim; Dong Sun Park; Yeon Ho Son
Original assignee: Samsung Electro Mechanics Co Ltd
Current assignee: Samsung Electro Mechanics Co Ltd
Priority date: 2011-06-30
Filing date: 2013-12-23
Publication date: 2014-06-26
Also published as: US20130002093A1; KR20130003377A; US9117999B2; KR101569231B1; CN102857189B; CN102857189A

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a piezoelectric vibration module including: a piezoelectric element repeatedly extended and compressed according to application of external power to generate vibration force; a vibration plate having the piezoelectric element coupled to one surface thereof and repeatedly extended and compressed integrally with the piezoelectric element to transfer the vibration force of the piezoelectric element to an external component; a weight body having a central portion coupled to the other side of the vibration plate in order to increase the vibration force of the piezoelectric element; and a coupling member fixedly coupling the central portion of the weight body and the vibration plate to each other.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2011-0064704, filed on Jun. 30, 2011, entitled “Piezo Vibration Module”, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety into this application.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a piezoelectric vibration module.
2. Description of the Related Art
Generally, in a portable electronic device such as a portable phone, an e-book, a game machine, a portable multimedia player (PMP), or the like, a vibration function has been utilized for various uses.
Particularly, a vibration generating apparatus for generating the vibration has been mainly mounted in the portable electronic device such as the portable phone, or the like, to thereby be used as an alert function that is a soundless receiving signal.
Further, in accordance with the multi-functionalization of the portable electronic device, multi-functionalization as well as miniaturization and integration of the vibration generating apparatus have been demanded.
Further, in accordance with the recent demand by users for simple use of the portable electronic device, a touch type device performing input by touching the electronic device has been generally used.
A concept of a currently generally used haptic feedback device includes a concept of reflecting intuitive experience of an interface user and diversifying feedback for a touch, in addition to a concept of performing input through a touch.
Therefore, a vibration motor using a piezoelectric element has been mainly used as the vibration generating apparatus generating vibration in the touch type device.
The reason is that the vibration motor using a piezoelectric element may have more rapid response time than that of an existing vibration motor using an eccentricity and be driven at various frequencies.
However, a general vibration generating apparatus that is currently being used transfers the vibration by mounting a vibration motor or a linear actuator in a portable electronic device set (or body).
As shown in FIG. 1, since a vibration generating apparatus 13 is mounted is in a portable electronic device set (or a body) 10, when a user presses a touch screen panel (TSP) 11 with a forger to operate the portable electronic device, vibration force is appropriately transferred to a hand gripping the portable electronic device, but is not be sufficiently transferred to the TSP 11 that is a position at which input is performed using the finger, such that the user feels a small amount of vibration.
In addition, in order to maximize the vibration force in the TSP 11, the vibration generating apparatus should be directly attached to a lower surface of a liquid crystal display (LCD) 12. However, in this case, it is difficult to thinly design an existing vibration generating apparatus 13, such that the vibration generating apparatus 13 has been attached to and driven on a rear surface of the LCD 12.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been made in an effort to provide a piezoelectric vibration module capable of being thinned and generating vibration by being attached to a lower surface of a liquid crystal display (LCD) in order to directly transfer vibration force to a touch screen panel.
According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a piezoelectric vibration module including: a piezoelectric element repeatedly extended and compressed according to application of external power to generate vibration force; a vibration plate having the piezoelectric element coupled to one surface thereof and repeatedly extended and compressed integrally with the piezoelectric element to transfer the vibration force of the piezoelectric element to an external component; a weight body having a central portion coupled to the other side of the vibration plate in order to increase the vibration force of the piezoelectric element; and a coupling member fixedly coupling the central portion of the weight body and the vibration plate to each other.
The coupling member may fixedly couple a pair of opposite sides of the vibration plate facing the central portion of the weight body and a pair of opposite sides of the central portion of the weight body to each other.
The coupling member may include: first coupling parts fixedly coupling a pair of opposite sides of the vibration plate facing the central portion of the weight body and a pair of opposite sides of the central portion of the weight body to each other; and second coupling parts extended from the first coupling parts toward both ends of the weight body to thereby be fixedly coupled to the weight body while enclosing a pair of opposite sides of the weight body.
The coupling member may further include: detachment prevention parts bent from upper ends of the second coupling parts toward the weight body to press the weight body toward the vibration plate, and a plurality of adhesive grooves may be formed in inner peripheral surfaces of the second coupling parts so that an adhesive member for fixedly coupling the second coupling parts and the weight body to each other is applied to the inner peripheral surfaces of the second coupling parts.
The coupling member may include: first coupling parts fixedly coupling a pair of opposite sides of the vibration plate facing the central portion of the weight body and a pair of opposite sides of the central portion of the weight body to each other; second coupling parts extended from the first coupling parts toward both ends of the weight body to thereby be fixedly coupled to the weight body while enclosing a pair of opposite sides of the weight body; and third coupling parts extended from the second coupling parts and bent toward another pair of opposite sides of the weight body to thereby be fixedly coupled to the weight body while enclosing another pair of opposite sides of the weight body.
The coupling member may further include detachment prevention parts bent from upper ends of the second coupling parts toward the weight body to press the weight body toward the vibration plate, and a plurality of adhesive grooves may be formed in inner peripheral surfaces of the second or third coupling parts so that an adhesive member for fixedly coupling the second or third coupling parts and the weight body to each other is applied to the inner peripheral surfaces of the second or third coupling parts.
The piezoelectric element may be stacked in a monolayer form or in a multilayer form.
The weight body may be inclined upwardly from the central portion thereof fixedly coupled to the vibration plate toward both ends thereof.
Contact prevention members may be coupled to both ends of the weight body to prevent a contact between the weight body and the other surface of the vibration plate that is not fixedly coupled to the weight body.
The piezoelectric vibration module may further include a support member having one end coupled to both ends of the vibration plate and the other end coupled to the external component to transfer vibration force to the outside.
According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a piezoelectric vibration module including: a piezoelectric element repeatedly extended and compressed according to application of external power to generate vibration force; a vibration plate having the piezoelectric element coupled to one surface thereof and repeatedly extended and compressed integrally with the piezoelectric element to transfer the vibration force of the piezoelectric element to an external component; a weight body having a central portion coupled to the other side of the vibration plate in order to increase the vibration force of the piezoelectric element; a coupling member fixedly coupling the central portion of the weight body and the vibration plate to each other; an upper case having coupling parts coupled to both ends of the vibration plate and a receiving part formed therein so as to be spaced apart from the weight body; and a lower case coupled to a lower portion of the upper case so as to be spaced apart from the piezoelectric element and having protrusion parts fixedly coupled to the coupling parts of the upper case.
The weight body may be inclined upwardly from the central portion thereof fixedly coupled to the vibration plate toward both ends thereof.
The coupling member may include: first coupling parts fixedly coupling a pair of opposite sides of the vibration plate facing the central portion of the weight body and a pair of opposite sides of the central portion of the weight body to each other; second coupling parts extended from the first coupling parts toward both ends of the weight body to thereby be fixedly coupled to the weight body while enclosing a pair of opposite sides of the weight body; and third coupling parts extended from the second coupling parts and bent toward both another pair of opposite sides of the weight body to thereby be coupled to the weight body while enclosing another pair of opposite sides of the weight body.
The coupling member may further include detachment prevention parts bent from upper ends of the second coupling parts toward the weight body to press the weight body toward the vibration plate, and a plurality of adhesive grooves may be formed in inner peripheral surfaces of the second or third coupling part so that an adhesive member for fixedly coupling the second or third coupling parts and the weight body to each other is applied to the inner peripheral surfaces of the second or third coupling parts.
The piezoelectric vibration module may further include: a first anti-vibration member selectively coupled to an inner peripheral surface of the upper case or an upper portion of the weight body in order to prevent a contact and friction between the upper case and the weight body; second anti-vibration members coupled to both ends of the weight body in order to prevent a contact between the weight body and the other surface of the vibration plate that is not fixedly coupled to the weight body.
The lower case may be formed with an open region in order to prevent a contact between the piezoelectric element and the lower case at the time of driving of the piezoelectric element toward the lower case due to the compression of the piezoelectric element.
The piezoelectric vibration module may further include a third anti-vibration member attached to a lower surface of the piezoelectric element to prevent a contact between the piezoelectric element and the external component through the open region, wherein the lower surface of the lower case is coupled to the external component.
A third anti-vibration member may be coupled to an upper portion of the lower case in order to prevent a contact between the piezoelectric element and the lower case at the time of driving of the piezoelectric element toward the lower case due to compression of the piezoelectric element.
The piezoelectric vibration module may further include a flexible printed circuit (FPC) for applying the external power to the piezoelectric element.
The piezoelectric vibration module may further include an attaching member selectively attached to an outer peripheral surface of the upper case or the lower case.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a coupling relationship between a vibration generating apparatus and a body according to the prior art;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a coupling relationship between a piezoelectric vibration module and a body according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is an assembled perspective view of a piezoelectric vibration module including a vibration plate according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 4A to 4C are cross-sectional views showing a process of driving the piezoelectric vibration module shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of a piezoelectric vibration module including a vibration plate according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is an assembled perspective view of a piezoelectric vibration module including a vibration plate according to a third preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a partially enlarged view of the vibration plate shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is an assembled perspective view of a piezoelectric vibration module including a vibration plate according to a fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a partially enlarged view of the vibration plate shown in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of a piezoelectric vibration module according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing an assembled cross-section of the piezoelectric vibration module shown in FIG. 10; and

FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing an assembled cross-section of a piezoelectric vibration module according to still another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Throughout the accompanying drawings, the same reference numerals are used to designate the same or similar components, and redundant descriptions thereof are omitted. Further, in the following description, the terms “first”, “second”, “one side”, “the other side” and the like are used to differentiate a certain component from other components, but the configuration of such components should not be construed to be limited by the terms. Further, in the description of the present invention, when it is determined that the detailed description of the related art would obscure the gist of the present invention, the description thereof will be omitted.
Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a coupling relationship between a piezoelectric vibration module and a body according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 3 is an assembled perspective view of a piezoelectric vibration module including a vibration plate according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention; and FIGS. 4A to 4C are cross-sectional views showing a process of driving the piezoelectric vibration module shown in FIG. 3.
As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the piezoelectric vibration module 100 according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention may be coupled to one side of a liquid crystal display (LCD) 12 coupled to a lower portion of a touch screen panel (TSP) 11 in order to directly transfer vibration force to the TSP 11 and include a piezoelectric element 110, a vibration plate 120, a weight body 130, a coupling member 121 a, a support member 140, and a contact prevention member 150.
More specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, when the piezoelectric element 110 is repeatedly extended and compressed according to application of external power, as shown in FIG. 4, the vibration plate 120 having the weight body 130 coupled to the other surface thereof is also repeatedly extended and compressed integrally with the piezoelectric element 110 to generate vibration force.
In addition, the piezoelectric element 110 may be stacked in a monolayer form or in a multilayer form. In the case in which the piezoelectric elements 110 are stacked in the multilayer form, an electric field required for driving the piezoelectric element 110 may be secured even at a low external voltage.
Therefore, since driving voltage of the piezoelectric vibration module may be reduced, it is preferable in the present invention that the piezoelectric elements 110 may be stacked in the multilayer form.
In addition, the piezoelectric element 110 is coupled to one surface of the vibration plate 120 in a bonding scheme or a soldering scheme.
The vibration plate 120 may be made of a metal material having elastic force, such as Sus in order to be deformed integrally with the piezoelectric element 110 repeatedly extended and compressed according to the application of the external power.
In addition, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, since the vibration plate 120 and the piezoelectric element 110 may also be coupled to each other in the bonding scheme, the vibration plate 120 may be made of Invar that is a material having a thermal expansion coefficient similar to that of the piezoelectric element 110 in order to prevent a bending phenomenon capable of being generated due to curing of an adhesive member.
Further, due to the vibration plate 120 made of the invar having a thermal expansion coefficient similar to that of the piezoelectric element 110, since a thermal stress generated in the piezoelectric element 110 at the time of operation at a high temperature external environment or thermal impact is reduced, a piezoelectric degradation phenomenon that electrical characteristics are degraded may be prevented.
In addition, the vibration plate 120 is coupled to the weight body 130 in the bonding scheme or the soldering scheme. To this end, the vibration plate 120 includes the coupling member 121 a coupled to one side of the weight body 130.
As shown in FIG. 3, in the piezoelectric vibration motor 100 according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the weight body 130 is coupled to the other surface of the vibration plate 120 in order to increase the vibration force.
More specifically, in order to maximize the vibration force of the piezoelectric vibration motor 100 according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the weight body 130 may have a central portion coupled to a maximum displacement point at which the vibration plate 120 is maximally displaced according to the extension and compression of the piezoelectric element 110. According to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the central portion of the weight body 130 and the maximum displacement point of the vibration plate 120 are fixedly coupled to each other using the coupling member 121 a.
In addition, the weight body 130 may be made of a metal material, preferably, a tungsten material having relatively high density at the same volume.
Further, a surface of the weight body 130 may be liquid-coated in order to prevent the weight body 130 from being damaged due to a contact between the weight body 130 and the vibration plate 120 caused by driving of the vibration plate 120 in a vertical direction.
In addition, the weight body 130 may be provided with a round part 131 inclined upwardly from the central portion of the weight body 130 toward both ends of the weight body 130 in order to maximally increase the vibration force and prevent a contact with the other surface of the vibration plate 120 that is not fixedly coupled to the weight body 130.
As shown in FIGS. 4A to 4C, the piezoelectric vibration module 100 according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention is coupled to the LCD 12 that is an external component configuring a body.
More preferably, the piezoelectric vibration module 100 transfers the vibration force to the LCD 12 that is an external component, using the support members 140 having one end coupled to both ends of the vibration plate 120 and the other end coupled to the LCD 12.
FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view showing a state before external power is applied; FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which external power is applied to compress the piezoelectric element 110, such that the piezoelectric vibration module 100 is driven in a direction toward the LCD 12; and FIG. 4C is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the piezoelectric element 110 is extended, such that the piezoelectric vibration module 100 is driven in an opposite direction of the LCD 12.
As shown in FIGS. 4A to 4C, since the weight body 130 has a horizontally symmetrical shape based on the central portion thereof and includes the round part 131, even though the vibration plate 120 is deformed in the direction toward the LCD 12 due to the compression of the piezoelectric element 110, the vibration plate 120 and the weight body 130 do not contact each other, such that the weight body 130 does not hinder driving of the piezoelectric vibration module 100 at all.
In addition, since the central portion of the weight body 130 and the maximum displacement point of the vibration plate facing the central portion of the weight body 130 are coupled to each other, larger vibration force may be generated as compared to a structure in which the entire surface of the weight body and the entire surface of the vibration plate are coupled to each other.
Further, in order to prevent friction and damage due to a contact between the weight body 130 and the vibration plate 120 caused by generation of excessive vibration force, a contact prevention member made of an anti-vibration material may be attached to the round part 131 of the weight body 130. According to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, both ends of the weight body 130 are provided with the contact prevention members 150.
FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of a piezoelectric vibration module including a vibration plate according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 5, in order to prevent the weight body 130 from being detached due to the driving of the piezoelectric vibration module 100 in the vertical direction, the vibration plate 120 may include first coupling parts 121 b and second coupling parts 122 b.
More specifically, the first coupling parts 121 b may fixedly couple a pair of opposite sides of the vibration plate 120 facing the central portion of the weight body 120 to a pair of opposite sides of the central portion of the weight body 130 in a bonding scheme or a soldering scheme.
In addition, the second coupling parts 122 b are extended upwardly from the first coupling parts 121 b and fixedly coupled to the weight body 130 while enclosing a pair of opposite sides corresponding to a length direction of the weight body 130 so as to be directed toward both ends of the weight body 130.
FIG. 6 is an assembled perspective view of a piezoelectric vibration module including a vibration plate according to a third preferred embodiment of the present invention; and FIG. 7 is a partially enlarged view of the vibration plate shown in FIG. 6. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the vibration plate 120 may further include detachment prevention parts 123 b and adhesion grooves 124 b.
More specifically, as shown in FIG. 7 that is an enlarged view of the part A of FIG. 6, the detachment prevention parts 123 b are bent from upper ends of the second coupling parts 122 b toward the weight body 130 to press the weight body 130 toward the vibration plate 120.
In addition, step parts 132 corresponding to the detachment prevention parts 123 b are formed at an upper portion of the weight body 130.
Therefore, the weight body 130 may be always coupled to the vibration plate 120 even though the vibration plate 120 is driven in the vertical direction or is in a stop state.
More specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, even though the piezoelectric vibration module 100 is coupled to the LCD 12 so that the weight body 130 is directed toward a downward direction in which gravity acts, the weight body 130 is pressed toward the vibration plate 120 by the detachment prevention part 123 b of the vibration plate 120, thereby making it possible to prevent detachment of the weight body 130 from the vibration plate 120 due to impact applied from the outside in advance.
In addition, although excessive driving force acts, the weight body 130 may be always driven integrally with the vibration plate 120.
Further, as shown in FIG. 6, a plurality of adhesive grooves 124 b may be formed in inner peripheral surfaces of the second coupling parts 122 b so that an adhesive member for firmly coupling the second coupling parts 122 b and the weight body 130 to each other is applied to the inner peripheral surfaces of the second coupling parts 122 b.
FIG. 8 is an assembled perspective view of a piezoelectric vibration module including a vibration plate according to a fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention; and FIG. 9 is a partially enlarged view of the vibration plate shown in FIG. 8. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, in order to prevent the weight body 130 from being detached due to the driving of the piezoelectric vibration module 100 in the vertical direction, the vibration plate 120 may include first coupling parts 121 c, second coupling parts 122 c, third coupling parts 123 c, detachment prevention parts 124 c, and adhesive grooves 125 c.
More specifically, the first coupling parts 121 c may fixedly couple a pair of opposite sides of the vibration plate 120 facing the central portion of the weight body 121 and a pair of opposite sides of the central portion of the weight body 130 to each other in a bonding scheme or a soldering scheme.
In addition, the second coupling parts 122 c are extended upwardly from the first coupling parts 121 c and fixedly coupled to the weight body 130 while enclosing a pair of opposite sides corresponding to a length direction of the weight body 130 so as to be directed toward both ends of the weight body 130.
Further, the third coupling parts 123 c are extended from the second coupling parts 122 c. More specifically, the third coupling parts 123 c are fixedly coupled to the weight body 130 while being bent in a width direction of the weight body 130 to enclose another pair of opposite sides corresponding to a width direction of the weight body 130.
More specifically, as shown in FIG. 9 that is an enlarged view of the part B of FIG. 8, the detachment prevention parts 124 c are bent from upper ends of the second coupling parts 122 c toward the weight body 130 to press the weight body 130 toward the vibration plate 120.
In addition, step parts 132 corresponding to the detachment prevention parts 123 b are formed at an upper portion of the weight body 130.
Further, as shown in FIG. 8, a plurality of adhesive grooves 125 c may be formed in inner peripheral surfaces of the second or third coupling parts 122 c or 123 c so that an adhesive member for firmly coupling the second or third coupling parts 122 c or 123 c and the weight body 130 to each other is applied to the inner peripheral surfaces of the second or third coupling parts 122 c or 123 c.
FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of a piezoelectric vibration module according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention; and FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing an assembled cross-section of the piezoelectric vibration module shown in FIG. 10. As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the piezoelectric vibration module 200 may include a piezoelectric element 210, a vibration plate 220, a weight body 230, a flexible printed circuit (FPC) 240, a plurality of anti-vibration members 250 a, 250 b, and 250 c, an upper case 310, a lower case 320, and an attaching member 400.
Here, a description of components corresponding to those of the piezoelectric vibration module according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention described above will be omitted.
As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, in order to make the piezoelectric vibration module 200 thin and improve adhesion between the piezoelectric vibration module 200 and surrounding components, the upper case 310 includes the piezoelectric element 210, the vibration plate 220, and the weight body 230 therein and has a receiving part formed therein so as to be spaced apart from an upper portion of the weight body 230.
In addition, both sides of the upper case 310 are provided with coupling parts 311 so as to be coupled to both ends of the vibration plate 220.
More specifically, both ends of the vibration plate 220 are coupled to the coupling parts 311, and protrusion parts 321 formed on a lower case 320 to be described below are fixedly coupled to the coupling parts 311, such that both distal ends of the vibration plate 220 are supported by the upper case 310 and the lower case 320, thereby making it possible to drive the vibration plate 220 in the upper case 310 and the lower case 320 in the vertical direction by extension and compression of the piezoelectric element 210, as shown in FIGS. 4A to 4C.
As described above, the lower case 320 is coupled to a lower surface of the upper case 310 to close an internal space of the upper case 310 and includes the protrusion parts 321 fixedly coupled to the coupling parts 311 formed at both sides of the upper case 310.
Further, in order to sufficiently secure driving displacement of the vibration plate 220 due to the compression of the piezoelectric element 210 and prevent a contact between the piezoelectric element 210 and the lower case 320 at the time of driving of the piezoelectric element 210 toward the lower case 320, an open region 322 is formed at a region facing a maximum displacement point of the vibration plate 220.
In addition, the attaching member 400 made of an adhesive material may be selectively provided on an upper surface of the upper case 310 or a lower surface of the lower case 320 in order to be coupled to a set. According to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the attaching member 400 may be provided on the lower surface of the lower case 320.
Further, as shown in FIG. 11, the attaching member 400 may also have a shape corresponding to that of the lower case 320. Therefore, the adhesive member 400 may be formed with an open region 410 corresponding to the open region 322 of the lower case 320.
As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, in the piezoelectric vibration module 200, in order to prevent a contact between the upper case 310 and the weight body 230, the first anti-vibration member 250 a made of an elastic material may be selectively attached to an upper portion of the weight body 230 or an upper portion of an inner side of the upper case 310. According to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first anti-vibration member 250 a may be attached to the upper portion of the weight body 230.
Further, in order to prevent friction and damage due to a contact between the weight body 230 and the vibration plate 220 caused by the generation of the excessive vibration force, the second anti-vibration member 250 b made of an elastic material may be attached to the round part 231 of the weight body 230. According to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, both ends of the weight body 230 are provided with the second anti-vibration members 250 b.
As shown in FIG. 11, the FPC 240 is coupled to a lower surface of the piezoelectric element 210 in order to apply external power to the piezoelectric element 210.
In addition, as described above, in order to prevent a contact between the piezoelectric element 310 and external components through the open region 322 caused by the generation of the excessive vibration force, the third anti-vibration member 250 c made of an elastic material may be attached to the lower surface of the piezoelectric element 210.
FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing an assembled cross-section of a piezoelectric vibration module according to still another preferred embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 12, in order to prevent a contact between the piezoelectric element 310 and the lower case 320 b caused by the generation of the excessive vibration force, the third anti-vibration member 250 c made of an elastic material may be coupled to an upper portion of the lower case 320 b. Therefore, the upper portion of the lower case 320 b is formed with a coupling groove 322 b for receiving the third anti-vibration member 250 c therein.
As set forth above, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the vibration force is directly transferred to the LCD configuring a set, thereby making it possible to provide rapid touch feeling to the user.
In addition, the case capable of receiving the piezoelectric element, the vibration plate, and the weight body therein is provided, such that the piezoelectric vibration module is easily attached at various positions of the set, thereby making it possible to improve a yield, simplify a working process, improve durability of a product, and make the piezoelectric vibration module thin.
Although the embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, it will be appreciated that the present invention is not limited thereto, and those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.
Accordingly, any and all modifications, variations or equivalent arrangements should be considered to be within the scope of the invention, and the detailed scope of the invention will be disclosed by the accompanying claims.

Claims

1-20. (canceled)

21. A vibration module comprising:

a piezoelectric element;

a vibration plate configured to be vibrated in response to driving of the piezoelectric element; and

a weight body having a central portion coupled to the vibration plate to increase a vibration associated with the vibration plate.

22. The vibration module of claim 21, wherein:

the vibration plate has multiple sides;

the central portion of the weight body is fixedly coupled to one of the multiple sides of the vibration plate; and

the piezoelectric element is coupled to a surface of the vibration plate.

23. The vibration module of claim 21, further comprising:

one or more contact prevention members attached to the weight body so as to prevent contact between the vibration plate and the weight body.

24. The vibration module of claim 21, wherein the piezoelectric element is configured to be extended and compressed in response to application of power.

25. The vibration module of claim 24, further comprising a flexible circuit configured to apply the power to the piezoelectric element.

26. The vibration module of claim 21, wherein the central portion of the weight body is coupled to a point of the vibration plate which the vibration plate is maximally vibrated in response to the driving of the piezoelectric element.

27. The vibration module of claim 21, further comprising:

a case; and

at least one contact prevention member arranged between the case and the weight body so as to prevent contact therebetween.

28. The vibration module of claim 27, wherein the contact prevention member is made of an elastic material and attached to an surface of the weight body or an inner side of the case.