Abstract
This article focuses on the optimization of piezoelectric panel speakers. Two piezoelectric ceramic plates serve to excite the diaphragm in the speaker. In light of an optimization procedure, the optimal position on the diaphragm to mount the piezoelectric ceramic plates is determined. A finite-element model is established using the energy method, where the electrical system, mechanical system, and acoustic loading of the transducer are considered as a coupled system. The simulated annealing algorithm is exploited to attain a design that enables low fundamental resonance frequency and high acoustic output. Experiments were conducted to verify the numerical model. The experimental results were in good agreement with the numerical prediction, in which the performance of the optimized configuration was found to be significantly improved over the non-optimal design. © Authors 2010.