Vibration amplification system for piezoelectric actuators and devices using the same

Abstract

A motion amplification apparatus taking the form of a reverse vibration absorber (RVA) comprises a piezoelectric diaphragm (22); a driving diaphragm (26) configured to serve as a driving member for an actuated device (34); a mass (28) attached to the driving diaphragm (26); and, a resilient member (30) configured to connect the piezoelectric diaphragm (22) and the driving diaphragm (26) whereby motion of the piezoelectric diaphragm (22) resulting from application of the drive signal is amplified for driving the actuated device (34). The piezoelectric diaphragm (22) has a drive signal applied thereto and is held stationary around at least a portion of its periphery. The driving diaphragm (26) is also held stationary around at least a portion of its periphery.

Description

[0001] This application claims the benefit and priority of the following United States provisional patent applications, all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety: U.S. Provisional Patent application 60 / 747,286, entitled “COMPRESSOR AND COMPRESSION USING MOTION AMPLIFICATION”; U.S. Provisional Patent application 60 / 747,287, entitled “MOTION AMPLIFICATION USING PIEZOELECTRIC ELEMENT”; and U.S. Provisional Patent application 60 / 747,289, entitled “VIBRATION AMPLIFICATION SYSTEM FOR PIEZOELECTRIC ACTUATORS AND DEVICES USING THE SAME”. This application is related to the following simultaneously-filed US patent applications, both of which are incorporated herein by reference: U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11 / 747,450, entitled “COMPRESSOR AND COMPRESSION USING MOTION AMPLIFICATION” and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11 / 747,469, entitled “MOTION AMPLIFICATION USING PIEZOELECTRIC ELEMENT”.BACKGROUND [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] The present invention p...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The patent describes a motion amplification apparatus that uses a reverse vibration absorber (RVA) to amplify the motion of a piezoelectric diaphragm for driving an actuated device. The apparatus includes a piezoelectric diaphragm, a driving diaphragm, a mass attached to the driving diaphragm, and a resilient member connecting the piezoelectric diaphragm and the driving diaphragm. The apparatus can also have a natural frequency that matches the desired driving frequency of the actuated device. The driver supplies a drive signal to the piezoelectric diaphragm. The resilient member can be a coil spring, a disc spring, or leaf springs. The technical effect of the invention is to provide a more efficient and effective way to amplify motion for driving actuated devices."

Problems solved by technology

There has been considerable interest in using piezoelectric actuators in many applications, but the relatively small displacement produced by a typical piezoelectric actuator is too small to be useful in some applications.

To date the form factor of miniature compressors has been less than desirable.

Furthermore, the current commercially available miniature compressors consume a considerable amount of power thus limiting their applicability in battery powered devices.

In actual practice the complete elimination of the vibration is not achieved, but a properly design vibration absorber can significantly reduce the amplitude of the vibration.

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