Patent ID: 7822215

Claim:
A bone conduction audio transducer, comprising: a electroactive actuator; said electroactive actuator comprising a normally flat electroactive ceramic disc bonded between a metal substrate and a conductive superstrate; and an electrode layer bonded to said metal substrate; wherein said substrate and said superstrate exert a compressive stress on said electroactive ceramic disc; and wherein said compressive stress on said electroactive ceramic disc deforms said normally flat disc into an arcuate domed disc; and wherein said electroactive actuator deforms becoming more arcuate in response to a voltage being applied across said electrode layer and said conductive superstrate; and wherein said deformation of said electroactive actuator exerts a force against a mastoid surface against which said electroactive actuator placed; first and second electrical tabs electrically connected to said electroactive actuator; said first electrical tab comprising a first strip of conductive material bonded at one end to said conductive superstrate; said second electrical tab comprising a second strip of conductive material bonded at one end to said electrode layer; an electrical connector for receiving an electrical signal having a voltage and a frequency; said connector comprising a first electrical terminal and a second electrical terminal; said first electrical terminal being electrically connected to a second end of said first electrical tab; said second electrical terminal being electrically connected to a second end of said second electrical tab; and a housing for said electroactive actuator and said electrical connector; said housing having a recess therein for retaining said electrical connector; said housing having a cavity thereon for retaining said electroactive actuator; wherein said force exerted by said electroactive actuator in response to said electrical signal received by said electrical connector is substantially constant in a frequency range between 250 Hertz and 8 kilohertz.