Abstract: A piezoelectric speaker and a method for forming the piezoelectric speaker are provided. The method includes: providing a piezoelectric actuator which includes a piezoelectric layer, a bottom electrode and a top electrode, wherein the bottom electrode and the top electrode are on two opposite surfaces of the piezoelectric layer; providing a speaker frame which includes a base and a bump structure on the base; forming a solder layer on a top surface of the bump structure; and combining the bottom electrode of the piezoelectric actuator with the speaker frame through the solder layer.

Abstract: A smart material actuator comprising a layered web assembly, compensator, smart material device and at least one actuating arm. The web assembly comprises a first surface in operable contact with the smart material device and having at least one resilient member in operable connection with the compensator and the actuating arm. Upon activation of the smart material device, the resilient member flexes and the actuating arm moves. The web assembly is formed of joined layers of inner and outer plates.

Abstract: A multi-axis transducer is provided. The transducer includes: a stationary member; at least two connecting members and two or more energy-conversion elements disposed on each connecting member. Each connecting member is attached at one location thereof to one of the stationary member or a second connecting member and, in response to a stimuli, is free to move along any of three geometric axes that are perpendicular to each other. Each energy-conversion element operates to convert motion of the connecting member to electrical energy or vice versa. A common geometric plane passes through each of the at least two connecting members and the stationary member, and the two largest dimensions of each connecting member defines a geometric plane that is parallel with the common geometric plane.

Abstract: An inertial drive is disclosed, comprising a length-changeable actuator element (I), a frame element (4) with a support section and with a deformation section, against the contact surfaces of which the actuator element bears, wherein the deformation section has an articulation section (13), a flat spring element (5) which is arranged on the deformation section and has a friction section (3) at the free end thereof, and a friction body (2), which can be driven, in mechanical contact with the friction section. A change in length (S) of the actuating element causes a rotatory movement (D) of the deformation section about the articulation section, which movement is transmitted via the spring element to the friction section for driving the friction body which can be driven.

Abstract: A piezoelectric sensor includes a substrate and a piezoelectric element, and at least a pair of mounting electrodes on one main surface of the substrate. The piezoelectric element includes a laminate including a first terminal electrode and a second terminal electrode respectively bonded to the mounting electrodes by bonding materials.

Abstract: A hybrid power generating device can include: a first substrate; a lower electrode layer disposed on the first substrate; a piezoelectric layer disposed on the lower electrode layer, and formed of a complex in which an inorganic piezoelectric material and an organic polymer matrix are mixed; a spacer disposed on the piezoelectric layer; an upper electrode layer disposed on the spacer and configured to rub against the piezoelectric layer so as to be charged along with the piezoelectric layer; and a second substrate disposed on the upper electrode layer.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods for manufacturing a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) device. The MEMS device includes a substrate, a cap, a microelectromechanical component, and a tag. The substrate defines a port. The cap is coupled to the substrate. The substrate and the cap cooperatively define an interior cavity. The microelectromechanical component is disposed within the interior cavity and coupled to the substrate such that the microelectromechanical component is positioned over the port to at least partially isolate the port from the interior cavity. The tag is coupled to the substrate and the cap. The tag is positioned to secure the cap to the substrate.

Abstract: A vibration wave motor includes a vibration plate having a flat plate portion and protruding portions, a piezoelectric element that performs high-frequency vibration, a friction member contacting the protruding portions, and a first natural vibration mode and a second natural vibration mode, which are excited in the vibration plate by the high-frequency vibration, the vibration plate and the friction member moving relatively to each other, maximum amplitude generated on tip ends of the protruding portions by the first natural vibration mode is larger than maximum amplitude generated on tip ends of the protruding portions by the second natural vibration mode, a resonance frequency of the first natural vibration mode is lower than a resonance frequency of the second natural vibration mode, and amplitudes of the first natural vibration mode and the second natural vibration mode in a frequency range at a time of drive substantially coincide with each other.

Abstract: The piezoelectric film includes a perovskite oxide which is represented by General Formula P, A1+?B1-x-yNbxNiyOz??General Formula P where A contains at least Pb, B contains at least Zr and Ti, and x and y respectively satisfy 0.1?x?0.3 and 0?y?0.75x. Although standard values of ? and z are ?=0 and z=3, these values may deviate from the standard values in a range in which a perovskite structure is capable of being obtained.

Abstract: A piezoelectric motor comprising one or more concentric stator rings arranged to transfer energy and provide torque to an engine rotor or to an engine transmission. Such a piezo-electric motor improves spatial integration of an engine turning motor in a gas turbine engine.

Abstract: A bendable apparatus is provided. The flexible material has a first-surface spanned by a first direction and a second direction. The bendable apparatus also includes a first-constraining surface one of: formed in the first-surface of the flexible material; or attached to the first-surface of the flexible material; and a piezo-electric element including a first-edge surface and a second-edge surface opposing the first-edge surface. The piezo-electric element is fixedly attached on the first-surface of the flexible material, so that: the first-edge surface and the second-edge surface are at least approximately perpendicular to the first-surface of the flexible material, and the first-constraining surface is adjacent to the first-edge surface of the piezo-electric element. When a voltage is applied to the piezo-electric element, the piezo-electric element expands in length, the first-edge surface of the piezo-electric element applies a force on the first-constraining surface, and the flexible material bends.

Abstract: A method of enhancing transmittance of waves according to the invention comprises the following steps: (a) generating a plurality of waves each of which has random phase; (b) grouping randomly the plurality of waves into a first group and a second group; (c) introducing the waves onto a disordered medium by fixing phase of waves constituting the first group and varying phase of waves constituting the second group; (d) measuring intensity of the waves based on overlapped waves of the first group and the second group which penetrated the disordered medium according to the phase variation of waves constituting the second group; (e) obtaining phase having the maximum intensity according to the phase variation among intensities measured at the step (d); and (f) adjusting phase of the waves constituting the second group based on phase obtained at the step (e).

Abstract: A device and a method for moving an object in a vertical direction are disclosed. The device includes a plurality of piezo-actuators expanding in directions upon activation and in doing so generating pressure forces on an active side, and a hydraulic transmission device that converts the pressure forces of the piezo-actuators into a vertical pressure force for moving the object opposite the direction of gravity and transmits the pressure force with a transmission ratio. The object is lifted after the vertical pressure force has exceeded an oppositely acting spring force of a spring system.

Abstract: A vibration wave motor includes a vibrating plate having a rectangular surface; a piezoelectric device bonded to the vibrating plate, and configured to vibrate at high frequency; and a projection provided on the vibrating plate or the piezoelectric device. In the vibration wave motor, a natural vibration mode, which has a resonant frequency equal to or adjacent to a resonant frequency of torsional vibration in a natural vibration mode under a state in which the vibrating plate, the piezoelectric device, and the projection are integrated, is a natural vibration mode of bending vibration in a direction parallel to or orthogonal to a torsion center axis of the torsional vibration in the natural vibration mode. The projection is provided at a position closer to an antinode than to a node, which are in the direction orthogonal to the torsion center axis of the torsional vibration in the natural vibration mode.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to test acoustic emission sensors are disclosed herein. An example apparatus includes a process control device, an acoustic emission sensor coupled to the process control device, where the acoustic emission sensor detects an operational condition of the process control device, and a piezoelectric tuning fork acoustically coupled to the acoustic emission sensor to test the operational condition of the acoustic emission sensor.

Abstract: Example acoustic emission sensors with integral acoustic generators are disclosed. Example apparatus disclosed herein include an acoustic receiver, an acoustic generator, and a wear plate. The acoustic generator is disposed adjacent to the acoustic receiver. The wear plate is acoustically coupled to the acoustic receiver and to the acoustic generator. The wear plate is to convey acoustic energy from the acoustic generator to the acoustic receiver through a structure under test to which the apparatus is coupled. The wear plate includes first acoustic isolation to impede transmission of acoustic energy from the acoustic generator to the acoustic receiver through the wear plate.

Abstract: A strain amplification structure has a frame with a hexagonal structure incorporating a plurality of rigid beams that are connected to opposing end beams by a plurality of flexible joints. A piezoceramic actuator assembly is connected to the opposing end beams having a collar including an opening. A shaft providing an output is connected to the plurality of rigid beams with flexible joints and passes through the opening in the collar for non-interfering motion orthogonal to the actuator assembly.

Abstract: A touch panel that includes a film having piezoelectric properties, the film having a first principal plane and a second principal plane. A divided electrode is on the first principal plane, and a uniform ground electrode is on the second principal plane and arranged opposite to the divided electrode on the first principal plane.

Abstract: Provided is a flexible piezoelectric composite. The flexible piezoelectric composite includes a matrix having first and second polymers, wherein Young's modulus of the first polymer and Young's modulus of the second polymer are different from each other; and a conductive nanostructure disposed in the matrix. In addition, a piezoelectric device including the flexible piezoelectric composite is provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a sheet manufacturing method comprising: an unwinding step of supplying an object from a roll on which the object is wound; a feeding step of feeding the supplied object; and a cutting step of cutting the fed object, wherein the cutting comprises sheet-cutting in which the object is cut in the width direction of the object. Further, the present invention provides a sheet manufacturing apparatus comprising: an unwinding part for supplying an object from a roll on which the object is wound; a feeding part for feeding the supplied object; and a cutting part for the fed object, wherein the cutting comprises sheet-cutting in which the object is cut in the width direction of the object.

Abstract: Provided is a liquid ejecting head including: a first board on which a driving element for ejecting liquid is installed; a second board which is installed on the surface of the first board and covers the driving element; a wiring board that includes a first surface on which a wiring, where a driving signal is supplied to the driving element, is formed and a second surface that is at the opposite side to the first surface, and where the first surface of a first end section is joined to the surface of the first board; and a filling material which covers the wiring by being formed at least between the first surface and a wall surface of the second board, in which the height of the filling material with respect to the surface of the first board is high at the first surface side in comparison to the second surface side.

Abstract: A tunable mass-damping apparatus may include a housing having an interior surface, an interior volume containing a gas, and an axis. The housing may be configured to be coupled to a wind tunnel model. The mass-damping apparatus may include a mass configured to move back and forth in the interior volume along the axis. The mass may be configured to make an airtight seal with the interior surface of the housing, thereby dividing the interior volume into an upper chamber and a lower chamber. The mass-damping apparatus may include a passage through the mass fluidly connecting the chambers and at least one spring configured to exert a position-dependent force upon the mass. The spring may be characterized by a spring constant chosen based on a natural frequency of a support structure of the wind tunnel model.

Abstract: A robot includes a first arm unit and a second arm unit. The robot includes a first drive part provided within the first arm unit and rotating the first arm unit about a first axis, and a second drive part provided within the first arm unit and rotating the second arm unit about a second axis. At least one of the first drive part and the second drive part contains a piezoelectric body.

Abstract: A sound manipulation system is provided. The sound manipulation system includes a flow chamber arranged and disposed to receive a fluid containing a particulate and provide in-line sound wave manipulation of at least a portion of the particulate from the fluid, and a transducer positioned to facilitate the in-line sound wave manipulation within the flow chamber. The flow chamber includes at least a first portion and a second portion, the first portion being self-aligned and secured to the second portion.

Abstract: Described are shoes for ball sports including an upper having an outer surface. An actuator is configured to change at least one surface property of a portion of the outer surface of the upper, and a sensor is configured to be sensitive to movements of the shoe. A processing unit is connected to the actuator and the sensor and configured to process sensor data retrieved from the sensor and to cause the actuator to change the at least one surface property of the portion of the outer surface of the upper if a predetermined event is detected in the sensor data.

Abstract: A tape cast transducer element assembly comprises a tape cast transducer element including a multi-layer piezoelectric stack diced from a sintered piezoelectric body formed from a plurality of thin film tape layers, the film thin tape layers sintered to produce a final density. A conductive film coats select ones of the thin film tape layers such that conductive layers of different polarities are exposed on opposing sides of the multi-layer piezoelectric stack. Electrodes are coupled to the conductive layers. Electrical leads are coupled to each electrode. A head mass is configured to encapsulate a top portion of the stack. A tail mass is configured to encapsulate a bottom portion of the stack. At least one coupling arrangement extends from a top surface of the head mass through the cross-sectional area of the head mass into the tail mass such that the stack is contained in a rigid assembly under compression.

Abstract: A method, a device and use for measurement of a force with a pressure sensor made of a piezoelectric material. The change in the capacitance of the pressure sensor is used for force measurement so that no load amplifier is necessary for measurement and as a result the measuring system as a whole is miniaturized.

Abstract: The droplet discharge device includes a liquid chamber which is in communication with a nozzle and to which a liquid material is supplied, a plunger having a tip portion that is thinner than the liquid chamber and that is moved back and forth in the liquid chamber, a piezoelectric actuator serving as a drive source that operates the plunger to be moved back and forth, a lever mechanism that increases a displacement of the piezoelectric actuator, a base having a mounting surface to which the piezoelectric actuator is mounted, and a discharge control device. The lever mechanism includes an arm that is operated to perform a swinging motion by the piezoelectric actuator, and a leaf spring including ends that are linked to a lower portion of the arm and to the base, and a plunger-linked portion in a central region thereof.

Abstract: A first lamination step of forming lower electrode films on both surfaces of a diaphragm and directly forming a first Pb-containing perovskite oxide film which has a larger thermal expansion coefficient than that of the diaphragm and has a columnar structure on a front surface of the lower electrode film; and a second lamination step of directly forming a second Pb-containing perovskite oxide film on a front surface of the lower electrode film are sequentially performed. The second Pb-containing perovskite oxide film is formed under a condition that a difference between a molar ratio RA1 of Pb to a B-site element in the first Pb-containing perovskite oxide film and a molar ratio RB1 of Pb to a B-site element in the second Pb-containing perovskite oxide film after the second lamination step is 0.056 or less.

Abstract: Example acoustic emission sensors with integral acoustic generators are disclosed. Example apparatus disclosed herein include an acoustic receiver, an acoustic generator, and a wear plate. The acoustic generator is disposed adjacent to the acoustic receiver. The wear plate is acoustically coupled to the acoustic receiver and to the acoustic generator. The wear plate is to convey acoustic energy from the acoustic generator to the acoustic receiver through a structure under test to which the apparatus is coupled. The wear plate includes first acoustic isolation to impede transmission of acoustic energy from the acoustic generator to the acoustic receiver through the wear plate.

Abstract: An exemplary heating assembly includes a ceramic substrate having at least one surface, a heating element formed on the at least one surface, and a temperature sensing element formed on the at least one surface. The heating element includes a heating part and an electrode part. The heating part is formed on the at least one surface, and the electrode part is arranged at two opposite ends of the heating part. The temperature sensing element includes a thermistor layer and an electrically connecting part. The thermistor layer is formed on the at least one surface. The electrically connecting part connects the thermistor layer, and the thermistor layer is insulated from the heating part.

Abstract: A keyboard or keyboard key that has a force sensor that measures the force imparted to the key when a user presses the key or rests a finger on a key. Key embodiments may also include an actuator that excites the in order to provide feedback to the user in accordance with various feedback methods disclosed herein.

Abstract: A piezoelectric driving device includes a piezoelectric body; an electrode provided on the piezoelectric body; and a driving circuit which applies a driving voltage to the electrode, wherein the piezoelectric body has a thickness of 0.05 ?m to 20 ?m, and the driving voltage is a voltage obtained by adding an offset voltage to a fluctuating voltage.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for self-calibrating control of gas flow. The gas flow rate is initially set by controlling, to a high degree of precision, the amount of opening of a flow restriction, where the design of the apparatus containing the flow restriction lends itself to achieving high precision. The gas flow rate is then measured by a pressure rate-of-drop upstream of the flow restriction, and the amount of flow restriction opening is adjusted, if need be, to obtain exactly the desired flow.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method of fabricating an ultrasound transducer. A substrate having a first side and a second side opposite the first side is provided. A bottom electrode is formed over the first side of the substrate. A piezoelectric element is formed over the bottom electrode. The piezoelectric element has a chamfered sidewall. A top electrode is formed over the piezoelectric element. A step metal element is formed over a portion of the top electrode proximate to the chamfered sidewall of the piezoelectric element.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for correcting error modes of a deformable mirror, including selecting or targeting one or more target error modes of a deformable mirror; and designing a pattern and/or shape of one or more electrodes, wherein the pattern and/or shape of the electrodes are designed to optimally correct the target error modes when the electrodes are disposed on the deformable mirror via an active material. Also disclosed is a deformable structure, including a composite shell including a plurality of plies each including carbon fibers embedded in a resin; a nanolaminate comprising individual nanolayers attached to a first side of the composite shell; an actuation structure attached to a second side of the composite shell; and a flexible electrode routing layer attached to the actuation structure.

Abstract: A disclosed high-purity dipole transmitter has a longitudinal axis, an oscillation axis, and a side axis, each of the axes being mutually orthogonal. The transmitter includes an outer shell having external surfaces for displacing fluid along the oscillation axis. The transmitter also includes a reaction mass positioned inside the outer shell. The transmitter also includes an electromagnetic actuator that drives the outer shell relative to the reaction mass. The transmitter also includes a pair of matching springs separated along the longitudinal axis, where each spring is coupled between the outer shell and the reaction mass to enable compliant dipole motion of the outer shell along the oscillation axis while suppressing motion along other axes. Each spring includes a beam arrangement with each beam extending lengthwise in a direction parallel to the side axis and being thinnest in a direction parallel to the oscillation axis.

Abstract: A reactive ionic liquid to be used as an ionic component that is contained in an ion-containing layer in a transducer arranged in contact with a high-resistance layer as a dielectric layer of the transducer, and is restrained from migrating from the ion-containing layer to the high-resistance layer on application of a voltage is provided. The reactive ionic liquid comprises an ion pair that consists of an anion and a cation. (a) The cation (a1) is an imidazolium or quaternary ammonium cation, and (a2) comprises a reactive group that consists of an alkoxysilyl or phosphonate group. (b) The anion (b1) is a sulfonate, sulfonylimide, or nitrobenzoate anion.

Abstract: A motion producing device comprising an output member with a contact surface and a reference member. An actuator member is attached to the reference member, the actuator member having a traction surface and comprising actuator zones, each actuator zone being energizable to move a corresponding portion of the traction surface to change a contact state of the traction surface with the contact surface depending on an energized state of the actuator zone. An energy source is operatively coupled to the actuator zones for sequentially changing the energized state of the actuator zones. The actuator member provides a torque transmission path between the reference member and the output member.

Abstract: A multilayer ceramic capacitor includes a ceramic element body including internal electrodes therein. External electrodes are provided on end surfaces of the ceramic element body and electrically connected to exposed portions of respective ones of the internal electrodes. Each of the external electrodes includes a sintered metal layer, a conductive resin layer, and a plating layer.

Abstract: A micro inchworm-type piezoelectric-driven rotating joint mechanism includes a U-shaped base, bearing pedestals, bearing brackets, bearing rings, piezoelectric ceramic plates, a rotating shaft, a rotating sleeve and end caps. Every bearing ring is divided into two half-rings which are coupled to the bearing pedestals via two bearing brackets. One end of every piezoelectric ceramic plate is fixed to one bearing pedestal, and the other end thereof is coupled to one bearing ring, so that every piezoelectric ceramic plate stretches and deforms under the driving of voltage for driving the bearing ring to achieve micro motions. Two bearing driving modules are respectively symmetrically mounted at two sides of the U-shaped base, and the rotating shaft is supported on the two bearing rings, so that the stepping motion of the rotating shaft is implemented by controlling the timing sequence of clamping, release and rotation of the two bearing driving modules.

Abstract: A driving apparatus comprises a plurality of vibrators vibrating by application of a high-frequency voltage thereto; a friction member in frictional contact with the vibrators; and a pressing portion for bringing the vibrators into pressed contact with the friction member. The plurality of vibrators are arranged to be juxtaposed and a single drive force is extracted by moving the plurality of vibrators relative to the friction member, and a position where the drive force is extracted is a central position of the plurality of vibrators in a direction in which the plurality of vibrators are juxtaposed and is close to a frictional contact position in a pressing direction of the pressing portion.

Abstract: A power generator including a converter with an electromechnical transducer and a magnetostrictive layer to convert a variation of a magnetic field into a mechanical deformation exerted on the transducer. There is a magnetic field source including a group of several permanent magnets. One of the group or the converter is movable, between first and second positions. The group has several first permanent magnets, one having an aspect ratio of between 1/10 and ten and most of the field lines that loop back do not pass through another first permanent magnet. The first permanent magnets are arranged such that the magnetic field induced inside the magnetostrictive material in the first position by one of the first permanent magnets is parallel to and in the direction opposite to the magnetic field induced at the same instant in the magnetostrictive material by the next first permanent.

Abstract: The invention may be embodied as an ultrasonic plane wave generator having a first sheet of piezoelectric material and a second sheet of piezoelectric material. A shared electrode may be between the first sheet and the second sheet. A first electrode set may have a plurality of electrodes, and these electrodes may be positioned with respect to the first sheet to form a set of wave generators. A wave generator in this first wave generator set may include the shared electrode, the first sheet, and one of the electrodes in the first electrode set. A second electrode set may have a plurality of electrodes, and these electrodes may be positioned with respect to the second sheet to form another set of wave generators. A wave generator in this second wave generator set may include the shared electrode, the second sheet, and one of the electrodes in the second electrode set.

Abstract: A semiconductor device inspection apparatus includes probe sockets and an insulating plate that holds probes via the probe sockets. The probe sockets each include an opposing part that opposes the insulating plate in the direction in which the probe is pressed and has a pressure passive member disposed in the opposing part. The insulating plate is transparent. When pressing force is applied to the tips of the probes, the pressure passive members are pressed between the opposing parts of the probe sockets and the insulating plate. The semiconductor device inspection apparatus further includes a camera to capture an image of the pressure passive members from the opposite side of the insulating plate to the side on which the pressure passive members are disposed, and an image processor to process the image captured by the camera to detect the presence or absence of pressure received by the pressure passive members.

Abstract: Embodiments of a mobile station and method for Wi-Fi scan scheduling and power adaption for low-power indoor location are generally described herein. In some embodiments, the mobile station may identify channels, beacon timing and rough signal strength levels of nearby access points (APs) from at least one of a previous full-channel scan or a Wi-Fi fingerprint database and may configure receiver sensitivity based on the rough signal strength levels for receipt of subsequent beacons. The mobile station may wake-up from a low-power state to receive beacons for the nearby access points on the identified channels at times based on the identified beacon timing. The received signal strength indicators (RSSIs) levels of the received beacons may be used for location determination.

Abstract: A keyswitch structure includes a keycap layer having a keycap region and a peripheral region adjacent to the keycap region, a circuit layer disposed under the keycap layer, a haptic actuator electrically connected to the circuit layer, a supporting structure layer being disposed under the circuit layer and having an accommodation space for accommodating the haptic actuator, and an adhesive layer disposed between the keycap layer and the circuit layer corresponding to only the peripheral region.

Abstract: A multilayer ceramic capacitor includes a ceramic multilayer body including dielectric ceramic layers and inner electrodes laminated with the dielectric ceramic layers interposed therebetween, wherein the dielectric ceramic layers include a perovskite compound containing Ba and Ti, and the inner electrodes (a) contain Ni as a main component, (b) include segregation with the perovskite compound containing Ba and Ti, which is scattered in the inner electrodes and embedded in the inner electrodes, in amount equal to or higher than about 2%, and (c) include columnar segregation with the perovskite compound containing Ba and Ti, which penetrates through the inner electrodes from one main surface side to the other main surface side, in an amount equal to or lower than about 5%, or do not include the columnar segregation. Further, an average thickness of the inner electrodes is equal to or smaller than about 0.4 ?m.

Abstract: A magnetostrictive alternator configured to convert pressure waves into electrical energy is provided. It should be appreciated that the magnetostrictive alternator may be combined in some embodiments with a Stirling engine to produce electrical power. The Stirling engine creates the oscillating pressure wave and the magnetostrictive alternator converts the pressure wave into electricity. In some embodiments, the magnetostrictive alternator may include aerogel material and magnetostrictive material. The aerogel material may be configured to convert a higher amplitude pressure wave into a lower amplitude pressure wave. The magnetostrictive material may be configured to generate an oscillating magnetic field when the magnetostrictive material is compressed by the lower amplitude pressure wave.

Abstract: A sound generator includes a piezoelectric vibrator (60) including a piezoelectric element (61), an anchor applying a load to the piezoelectric vibrator (60), and a control unit (130) configured to control an input voltage based on a frequency characteristic, the input voltage being applied to the piezoelectric element (61) as a sound signal. While the load from the anchor is being applied to the piezoelectric vibrator (60), the piezoelectric vibrator (60) deforms in accordance with the input voltage applied to the piezoelectric element (61) from the control unit (130), and deformation of the piezoelectric vibrator (60) vibrates a contact surface (150) contacted by the sound generator, causing sound to be emitted from the contact surface (150).