A piezoelectric buzzer generates sound in electronic devices through the principle of piezoelectricity. Piezoelectric materials possess the unique property of converting mechanical stress or pressure into electrical voltage and vice versa. This property allows them to function both as sensors and actuators in various applications, including buzzers.
Here's how a piezoelectric buzzer generates sound:
Piezoelectric Element: The heart of the piezoelectric buzzer is a piezoelectric element, typically made of materials like quartz, ceramic, or certain types of crystals. When an electric voltage is applied to this element, it undergoes a change in shape or physical displacement due to the piezoelectric effect.
Vibration: The applied voltage causes the piezoelectric element to vibrate at a very high frequency, often in the ultrasonic range, which is not audible to the human ear.
Frequency Conversion: To convert these high-frequency vibrations into audible sound, the piezoelectric element is mounted on a diaphragm or resonator. The resonator is designed to amplify the vibrations and lower their frequency into the audible range (usually between 2 kHz to 4 kHz, depending on the specific buzzer design).
Sound Emission: As the piezoelectric element continues to vibrate at the resonant frequency, it causes the diaphragm to move back and forth rapidly. This movement generates pressure waves in the surrounding air, creating sound waves that fall within the audible range for human hearing.
Control of Sound Output: The sound output of the piezoelectric buzzer can be further controlled by adjusting the frequency and duration of the voltage applied to the piezoelectric element. By varying these parameters, the buzzer can produce different sound patterns, pitches, and tones as required by the electronic device's application.
Piezoelectric buzzers are commonly used in electronic devices that require simple and compact sound generation, such as alarms, timers, mobile phones, watches, and various other consumer electronics. Their advantages include low power consumption, small size, and a relatively straightforward design, making them a popular choice for many applications.