A piezoelectric vibration structure applied to a liquid environment

Abstract

The application relates to a piezoelectric vibration structure applied to a liquid environment, which comprises a base provided with a containing space and a vibration assembly arranged on one side of the inner wall of the containing space, the vibration assembly comprises a vibration sheet connected with the inner wall, a piezoelectric vibrator arranged on one side of the vibration sheet and a driving power source electrically connected with the piezoelectric vibrator, in a working state, the vibration assembly is immersed in water, the piezoelectric vibrator drives the vibration sheet to produce bending vibration under the driving of low-frequency alternating voltage, and mechanical energy is coupled into the water. The piezoelectric vibration structure effectively solves the problems of large ultrasonic cleaning noise, low energy efficiency, complex motor stirring structure, difficulty in waterproofing and poor controllability, and realizes simple structure, controllable response and strong water flow disturbance cleaning effect.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to piezoelectric vibration structures, and more particularly to a piezoelectric vibration structure applicable to liquid environments. Background Technology

[0002] With the widespread use of household cleaning equipment and intelligent cleaning robots, users have placed higher demands on their cleaning performance, operating noise, and maintenance costs. These products often incorporate water tanks or water-based cleaning components to enhance cleaning effectiveness, especially when cleaning floors, mops, or filter elements, where the movement of water within the tank creates effective rinsing. However, in closed or semi-closed container environments, efficiently stimulating water flow while simultaneously ensuring structural stability and reducing system energy consumption remains a key challenge in technological development.

[0003] Currently, water cleaning devices on the market mainly attempt to achieve water disturbance through two structural schemes: one is ultrasonic cleaning, which usually involves setting an ultrasonic transducer on the outside of the cleaning plate and using high-frequency excitation to generate cavitation effect to remove dirt; the other is motor agitation, which uses a micro motor to drive mechanical blades or turbines to agitate the water flow and achieve cleaning.

[0004] However, the former has problems such as high cleaning noise, low energy efficiency, structural dependence on stainless steel containers, and limited thickness (as shown in the instruction manual). Figure 11 As shown in the figure, the latter, due to its rotary drive structure, faces challenges not only in waterproof encapsulation, installation space, and cost control, but also in poor controllability of rotational speed and flow field, making it difficult to match the adjustable requirements of different cleaning scenarios. Therefore, there is an urgent need to propose a piezoelectric vibration structure for use in liquid environments to solve the above problems. Utility Model Content

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to provide a piezoelectric vibration structure that, by attaching a piezoelectric vibrator to a vibrating plate to form a composite structure, generates large-scale bending vibration under low-frequency alternating voltage, directly contacts the water body and couples mechanical energy into the water, thereby stimulating large-scale orderly flow of the water body.

[0006] The technical solution adopted by this utility model to solve the above problems is: a piezoelectric vibration structure applied in a liquid environment, comprising:

[0007] The substrate includes a accommodating space for containing water.

[0008] A vibration assembly is disposed on one side of the inner wall of the accommodating space, the vibration assembly being configured to be submerged in water during operation, the vibration assembly comprising:

[0009] The vibrating plate is connected to the inner wall of the accommodating space;

[0010] A piezoelectric vibrator vibrates in a controlled manner, the piezoelectric vibrator being disposed on one side of the vibrating plate;

[0011] The vibration component undergoes bending vibration during operation and couples the mechanical energy generated by the bending vibration into the water body.

[0012] Preferably, the vibrating plate is made of metal or rigid plastic.

[0013] Preferably, the planar shape of the vibrating plate is any one of rectangular, circular, elliptical, or polygonal.

[0014] Preferably, the piezoelectric vibrator has the shape of any one of rectangle, circle, ellipse or strip in a plan view.

[0015] Preferably, the planar shape of the piezoelectric vibrator is adapted to the planar shape of the vibrating plate, the piezoelectric vibrator and the vibrating plate have the same rectangular, circular, elliptical or polygonal outline, and the geometric center of the piezoelectric vibrator and the vibrating plate coincides.

[0016] Preferably, the piezoelectric vibration structure further includes a driving power supply, which is electrically connected to the piezoelectric vibrator to apply an alternating voltage to the piezoelectric vibrator. The frequency range of the alternating voltage applied by the driving power supply to the piezoelectric vibrator is between 10 Hz and 20 kHz.

[0017] Preferably, the connection side of the vibration component with the inner wall of the accommodating space has several edges, at least one of the edges of the vibration component is fixedly connected to the base, and the remaining edges are suspended.

[0018] Preferably, the vibrating plate consists of a middle part and an outer frame surrounding the middle part, and the middle part and the outer frame are connected by an annular groove on the vibrating plate to form a connection detail for connecting the middle part and the outer frame; the piezoelectric vibrator is disposed in the middle part.

[0019] Preferably, the vibrating plate has at least one stiffness-reducing groove extending along its own thickness direction to locally reduce the stiffness of the vibrating plate and increase the vibration displacement.

[0020] Preferably, the stiffness-reducing groove is elongated, and the length direction of the stiffness-reducing groove is parallel to the maximum vibration direction of the vibrating plate.

[0021] The beneficial effects of the embodiments of this utility model are as follows:

[0022] 1. Because this invention employs a vibration component structure formed by the combination of a piezoelectric vibrator and a vibrating plate, and is installed on the inner wall of the water body for direct immersion in water during operation, the vibration component generates bending vibration under low-frequency alternating voltage drive, efficiently coupling mechanical energy into the water body. Therefore, it effectively solves the problems of high noise and low energy efficiency caused by ultrasonic transduction methods in the prior art, as well as the complex structure, waterproofing difficulties, high cost, and poor controllability caused by motor agitation methods. Thus, it achieves the technical effect of improving cleaning efficiency, reducing system energy consumption, and enhancing system controllability and adaptability by exciting large-scale water body disturbance flow through low-frequency vibration under conditions of simple structure and compact size.

[0023] 2. By employing a technique that adapts the planar shape of the piezoelectric vibrator to the planar shape of the vibrating plate, ensuring that both have the same rectangular, circular, elliptical, or polygonal outline and that their geometric centers coincide, the problem of uneven stress distribution, low driving efficiency, and difficult structural installation caused by the mismatch between the contact surfaces of the piezoelectric vibrator and the vibrating plate in the prior art is effectively solved. This achieves uniform transmission and efficient coupling of vibration energy on the vibrating plate, improves the water disturbance efficiency, and also facilitates the technical effects of symmetrical structural design and simplified assembly process.

[0024] 3. By employing a technique that controls the alternating voltage frequency within the range of 10Hz to 20kHz, the problem of excessive noise and high power consumption caused by excessively high ultrasonic cleaning frequencies in existing technologies is effectively solved. It also avoids the problems of fixed frequency and poor controllability of motor-type devices. Therefore, by driving the water body to form a large-scale turbulent flow field through low-frequency vibration, the technical effect of improving cleaning efficiency, reducing operating noise, and enhancing the system's adaptability to different cleaning scenarios is achieved.

[0025] 4. By employing the technical means of fixing at least one edge of the vibration component to the base and suspending the remaining edges, the problems of excessive rigidity in the fixing method of the vibration plate in the prior art, which leads to limited overall amplitude, obstructed vibration direction, and low energy coupling efficiency, are effectively solved. This achieves the technical effect of forming a cantilever-like boundary condition for the vibration component while ensuring structural stability, thereby improving its free bending ability, increasing vibration amplitude, and enhancing the effective transfer of mechanical energy to the water body.

[0026] 5. By employing a technique where the vibrating plate consists of a central section and an outer frame surrounding the central section, with an annular groove forming a connecting detail between the two, and the piezoelectric vibrator positioned in the central section, the problems of excessive overall stiffness, limited amplitude, low energy coupling efficiency, and unreasonable local stress distribution in existing technologies are effectively solved. This achieves flexible isolation of the vibration area through the connecting detail, enhances the free bending vibration capability of the central section, strengthens the effective transmission of vibration energy to the water body, and maintains the structural support function of the outer frame, thus achieving a balance between structural stability and vibration performance.

[0027] 6. By employing a technique of setting at least one stiffness-reducing groove running through the thickness of the vibrating plate, the problems of high overall stiffness of the vibrating plate, limited bending response, and difficulty in effectively transferring vibration energy to the water body in the prior art are effectively solved. This achieves the technical effect of increasing vibration amplitude, optimizing mode shape characteristics, and significantly improving water disturbance efficiency under piezoelectric drive by locally reducing structural stiffness. Attached Figure Description

[0028] Figure 1 A schematic structure of the vibration assembly proposed in one embodiment of the present invention is shown. Figure 1 .

[0029] Figure 2 This illustrates the state of the vibration component during vibration according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1 .

[0030] Figure 3 The diagram shows the water velocity distribution on the wide cross-section side of the vibration component proposed in one embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] Figure 4 The diagram shows the water velocity distribution on the long cross-section side of the vibration component proposed in one embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] Figure 5 The diagram shows the water flow velocity distribution on the side of the accommodating space where the vibration component is installed, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] Figure 6 A schematic structure of the vibration assembly proposed in one embodiment of the present invention is shown. Figure 2 .

[0034] Figure 7 This illustrates the state of the vibration component during vibration according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 .

[0035] Figure 8 A schematic structure of the vibration assembly proposed in one embodiment of the present invention is shown. Figure 3 .

[0036] Figure 9 This illustrates the state of the vibration component during vibration according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 .

[0037] Figure 10 A schematic structure of the vibration assembly proposed in one embodiment of the present invention is shown. Figure 4 .

[0038] Figure 11 The diagram shows the energy transfer efficiency when ultrasonic cleaning is used and the chassis is made of stainless steel.

[0039] Figure 12 A schematic structure of the vibration assembly proposed in one embodiment of the present invention is shown. Figure 5 .

[0040] Figure 13 This illustrates the state of the vibration component during vibration according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 5 .

[0041] Wherein: 10, base; 110, accommodating space; 20, vibration assembly; 210, vibrating plate; 211, middle part; 212, outer frame; 213, connecting details; 214, annular groove; 215, stiffness reduction groove; 220, piezoelectric vibrator. Detailed Implementation

[0042] The specific embodiments of this utility model will be described in further detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and examples. The following examples are used to illustrate this utility model, but are not intended to limit its scope.

[0043] In the description of this application, it should be understood that the terms "center," "longitudinal," "lateral," "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," and "outer," etc., indicating orientation or positional relationships based on the orientation or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings, are used only for the convenience of describing this application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as limiting the scope of protection of this application. Furthermore, the terms "first," "second," etc., are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of indicated technical features. Thus, features defined with "first," "second," etc., may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature. In the description of this application, unless otherwise stated, "a plurality of" means two or more.

[0044] In the description of this application, it should be noted that, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "linking" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal connection between two components. Those skilled in the art will understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this application based on the specific circumstances.

[0045] Please see Figure 1 , Figure 4 , Figure 8 and Figure 10 In a preferred embodiment of this application, a piezoelectric vibration structure is provided, which is mainly applicable to scenarios such as cleaning robots, water tank cleaning components, and water agitation mechanisms, and is especially suitable for cleaning applications that require compact structure, low noise, high efficiency and easy control.

[0046] The piezoelectric vibration structure includes a base 10, a vibration component 20, and a controlled driving power supply (not shown in the figure). The base 10 includes a accommodating space 110 for containing water. The vibration component 20 is disposed on one side of the inner wall of the accommodating space 110 and is configured to be submerged in the water during operation. The vibration component 20 includes a vibrating plate 210 and a piezoelectric vibrator 220. The vibrating plate 210 is connected to the inner wall of the accommodating space 110, and the piezoelectric vibrator 220 is disposed on one side of the vibrating plate 210. The driving power supply is electrically connected to the piezoelectric vibrator 220 to apply an alternating voltage to the piezoelectric vibrator 220. During operation, the vibration component 20 undergoes bending vibration, coupling the mechanical energy generated by the bending vibration into the water.

[0047] in:

[0048] The base 10 serves as the main support structure, and it is provided with a accommodating space 110 for containing water. The accommodating space 110 can be a fixed or detachable cleaning chamber for storing or circulating cleaning liquid. The vibration assembly 20 is arranged on the inner wall of the accommodating space 110 and is completely immersed in the liquid when in operation.

[0049] The vibration assembly 20 includes a vibrating plate 210 mechanically connected to the inner wall and a piezoelectric vibrator 220 attached to one side of the vibrating plate 210. The vibrating plate 210 is preferably a metal sheet or a rigid plastic, such as stainless steel, spring steel, PC, or ABS, possessing good elasticity and fatigue resistance. The piezoelectric vibrator 220 is preferably a piezoelectric ceramic sheet. Furthermore, to adapt to excitation responses at different frequencies, the drive power supply is configured as an adjustable voltage and frequency excitation module, enabling the piezoelectric vibrator 220 to be controlled and driven within a specific low-frequency range (e.g., 10Hz to 20kHz).

[0050] To ensure long-term stable operation of the system, the piezoelectric vibrator 220 is waterproofed using a specialized sealing process. This encapsulation structure prevents direct contact between the piezoelectric material and the liquid while maintaining the mechanical coupling path between it and the vibrating plate 210. The encapsulation material is a high-polymer waterproof coating or potting compound with good flexibility and electrical insulation properties, ensuring drive reliability and meeting underwater usage requirements.

[0051] The vibration assembly 20 consists of a piezoelectric vibrator 220 and a vibrating plate 210. When an alternating voltage is applied to the piezoelectric vibrator 220 by a driving power source, the piezoelectric material undergoes axial or radial tensile motion due to the inverse piezoelectric effect, which in turn causes the vibrating plate 210, which is attached to it, to undergo bending vibration in its own thickness direction. If one end or multiple sides of the vibrating plate 210 are constrained, the structure will form a cantilever-like or mid-section vibration mode in the working state, as detailed in the embodiments described later.

[0052] By directly placing the piezoelectric vibrating structure in the liquid, the vibrating plate 210 periodically squeezes the water during its reciprocating bending process, creating continuous disturbance and flow. This, in turn, moves suspended dirt or deposited impurities in the liquid, achieving an active agitation, dissolution, and dispersion cleaning effect. By controlling the frequency and amplitude of the applied voltage, especially when it is close to the resonant frequency of the piezoelectric structure, a larger amplitude can be generated, resulting in stronger cleaning capabilities.

[0053] When users face different cleaning objectives, liquid types, or power constraints, the piezoelectric vibration structure in this application can flexibly adapt to various working environments through individual adjustment of voltage or frequency. This dual-parameter adjustment capability, unlike the fixed control method of traditional motor-driven systems, greatly enhances the system's adaptability and control precision.

[0054] This structure is suitable for enclosed or semi-enclosed aquatic environments, especially for space-constrained and frequently maintained parts in intelligent cleaning equipment, such as cleaning trays, water tanks, and sludge collection chambers. It is adaptable to ambient temperatures ranging from normal to high temperatures, and is preferably used in water or water-based cleaning solutions. The vibration component 20 can be modularly designed according to the application, allowing for quick installation into different devices via structural connection holes or snap-fit ​​methods, facilitating mass deployment and maintenance / replacement.

[0055] In different implementation scenarios, the vibrating plate 210 can adopt a circular, elliptical, rectangular, or polygonal structure, and the matching piezoelectric vibrator 220 can also be designed with the same contour to improve mode shape consistency and energy transmission efficiency. The boundary fixing method can be designed in various ways, such as single-sided clamping, frame-type edge wrapping, or flexible connection, to further match the amplitude and frequency response requirements of the structure. To improve local vibration performance, stiffness-reducing grooves 215 or cross-sectional thinning structures can also be set on the metal plate for local control of mode shape and amplitude enhancement.

[0056] In this embodiment, a vibration assembly 20 is formed by the piezoelectric vibrator 220 and the vibrating plate 210 and installed on the inner wall of the water container. When the assembly is submerged in water during operation, the piezoelectric vibrator 220 is driven by a low-frequency alternating voltage to generate bending vibration, thereby directly coupling mechanical energy to the water. Therefore, this embodiment effectively solves the problems of high-frequency noise, low energy transfer efficiency, and strong material limitations in existing ultrasonic cleaning methods, as well as the difficulties in waterproofing, complex structure, and inflexible control of motor-driven methods. As a result, this embodiment achieves the technical effects of simple structure, convenient installation, precise excitation, flexible control, high energy efficiency, low noise, strong water disturbance, and excellent cleaning efficiency.

[0057] It should be noted that, among the two mainstream auxiliary water cleaning methods in the traditional market, ultrasonic cleaning structures, while achieving a certain cleaning effect, can only be installed on the outside of the cleaning chamber, resulting in significant energy attenuation during transmission, as well as high noise levels and material limitations. Motor-driven methods, while capable of agitating the water, suffer from complex structures, difficult sealing, high costs, and poor control precision.

[0058] This application proposes a low-frequency piezoelectric structure to replace traditional solutions, a path not readily apparent to those skilled in the art. Reasons include the current lack of mature underwater low-frequency piezoelectric actuators for assisted cleaning, and the fact that piezoelectric elements are generally not used in underwater environments. The innovation of this solution lies in its adjustable frequency and voltage, strong excitation to avoid resonance runaway; simple installation structure requiring no precision mechanical encapsulation; direct energy application to the water body, eliminating reliance on chassis materials and intermediate transmission losses; and the ability to meet adaptive cleaning needs in multiple scenarios, thus broadening the application boundaries of piezoelectric technology.

[0059] Existing conventional technologies use high-frequency ultrasound or motor-driven methods. This proposal employs the principle of low-frequency piezoelectric vibration, which differs in that it improves energy efficiency, allows for controllable driving frequency and amplitude, and features a waterproof and simple structure. In particular, unlike ultrasonic solutions, this solution uses a lower frequency, effectively avoiding high-frequency noise issues; unlike motor-driven solutions, this proposal excites the liquid through static, non-rotating parts, reducing cost and structural complexity while improving control accuracy and ease of maintenance.

[0060] In summary, this invention differs substantially from existing technologies in terms of principle, design architecture, driving method, waterproofing implementation, and control performance, and possesses significant inventiveness and practical value.

[0061] To adapt to different equipment structures, cleaning chamber constructions, and hydrodynamic requirements, in some embodiments, the vibrating plate 210 and the piezoelectric vibrator 220 in the vibration assembly 20 can have various geometric shapes. Specifically, the planar shape of the vibrating plate 210 is any one of a rectangle, circle, ellipse, or polygon, and the shape of the piezoelectric vibrator 220 in the planar view is any one of a rectangle, circle, ellipse, or strip. The planar shape of the piezoelectric vibrator 220 matches the planar shape of the vibrating plate 210. The piezoelectric vibrator 220 and the vibrating plate 210 have the same rectangular, circular, elliptical, or polygonal outline, and the geometric center of the piezoelectric vibrator 220 coincides with that of the vibrating plate 210.

[0062] Specifically:

[0063] The vibrating plate 210 can be manufactured by laser cutting, stamping or CNC machining, and is made of metal or hard plastic with high elastic modulus and good fatigue performance to ensure its stability and lifespan under repeated vibration.

[0064] Correspondingly, the piezoelectric vibrator 220 can also present a rectangular, circular, elliptical, or strip-shaped structure in a plan view. The selection of the piezoelectric vibrator 220 requires comprehensive consideration of factors such as driving efficiency, coupling area, and installation method. Its shape design should conform as closely as possible to the shape of the vibrating plate 210 to achieve maximum area contact and mechanical energy transfer efficiency. Preferably, the boundary contour of the piezoelectric vibrator 220 is completely consistent with that of the vibrating plate 210, forming a one-to-one geometric correspondence. Furthermore, the geometric center of the piezoelectric vibrator 220 coincides with the geometric center of the vibrating plate 210, placing the excitation point on the symmetrical central axis of the entire structure. This effectively avoids vibration mode distortion and uneven energy distribution caused by eccentric loading.

[0065] During the assembly process, the piezoelectric vibrator 220 is fixed to one side of the vibrating plate 210 by a high-strength adhesive layer that is both thermally conductive and electrically insulating. The thickness of the adhesive layer is controllable and it has good stress release properties, ensuring both structural stability and meeting frequency response requirements. To improve processing compatibility and adapt to different modular scenarios, the piezoelectric vibrator 220 and the vibrating plate 210 can be pre-packaged in pairs as an integrated vibrating subunit, facilitating mass production and standardized installation.

[0066] This geometric adaptability scheme can be used not only for single-shape designs, but also for array arrangements of multiple independent piezoelectric vibrators 220. The shape of each piezoelectric vibrator 220 in the array should also match the local contour of the corresponding vibrating plate 210 region, thereby improving the dynamic consistency of the overall system and the uniformity of water excitation.

[0067] Furthermore, to improve packaging strength and vibration consistency, the edges of the vibrating plate 210 can be configured with symmetrical clamping points or flexible buffer zones according to different shapes. Polygonal or irregularly shaped vibrating plates 210 can be fixed by three or four sides, forming a free vibration zone in the middle area, which is precisely covered by the piezoelectric vibrator 220 to achieve effective excitation.

[0068] This embodiment is particularly suitable for cleaning structures with limited space but varied shapes, such as cylindrical water tanks, elliptical water storage chambers, and rectangular water troughs. Selecting a suitable piezoelectric vibration component 20 based on the specific structural shape not only improves space utilization but also ensures effective drive performance.

[0069] In this embodiment, by employing the technical means that "the vibrating plate 210 and the piezoelectric vibrator 220 in the planar view have rectangular, circular, elliptical or polygonal shapes respectively, and their planar contours match and their geometric centers coincide," the problems of insufficient vibration coupling area, excitation eccentricity, uneven vibration, and large efficiency loss in the prior art are effectively solved. This results in higher structural excitation consistency, more uniform amplitude distribution, more stable water disturbance effect, and stronger system integration adaptability.

[0070] Furthermore, in some embodiments, the driving power supply is used to apply an alternating voltage to the piezoelectric vibrator 220, and the frequency range of its output signal is set between 10Hz and 20kHz, which belongs to the low-frequency excitation range of typical vibration cleaning structures. This frequency range is much lower than the high-frequency excitation of tens of kilohertz and above used in ultrasonic cleaning technology, thus reducing noise and high-frequency energy waste.

[0071] Specifically, the drive power supply adopts a digital modulation control method, which can adjust the output frequency through software settings or input commands from an external controller to adapt to different working modes and cleaning intensities. During equipment operation, the excitation frequency can be adjusted in real time according to factors such as the type of object being cleaned, the viscosity of the water, and the structural characteristics of the container, so that the piezoelectric vibration component 20 always operates in the region close to its resonant frequency, thereby obtaining a larger amplitude and a stronger water disturbance effect.

[0072] The lower limit of this frequency adjustment range is approximately 10Hz, which can be used to achieve a slow and large vibration mode, suitable for cleaning scenarios with large particles or heavy bottom deposits; the upper limit frequency is set to within 20kHz, still in the low-frequency range, which can adapt to high-frequency disturbance cleaning of light dirt and suspended impurities in water. By limiting the frequency setting within this range, the risk of structural resonance damage can be effectively reduced while maximizing the excitation amplitude and improving the liquid coupling efficiency.

[0073] In terms of hardware structure, the drive power supply is electrically connected to the piezoelectric vibrator 220, and outputs an alternating waveform signal using an isolated drive method. The excitation signal can be a sine wave, square wave, or modulated waveform, and the specific type can be flexibly selected according to the actual application. To ensure fast system response and precise control, the drive power supply supports a high-resolution frequency step adjustment mechanism, making the output frequency continuously adjustable rather than discretely abrupt.

[0074] The drive power supply can be integrated into the control motherboard or packaged as a separate module, connected to the main control system via a standard signal interface, and preset with multiple frequency operating modes (such as low-frequency strong washing, high-frequency fast washing, and variable frequency cycling) to meet the functional requirements of different equipment. To ensure the stable operation of the piezoelectric components, the drive power supply can also incorporate safety mechanisms such as voltage limiting, current protection, and temperature rise monitoring to achieve system self-protection and long-term reliable operation.

[0075] In this embodiment, by adopting a technical means of setting the frequency of the alternating voltage applied by the driving power supply to the piezoelectric vibrator 220 within the range of 10Hz to 20kHz, the problems of high noise and low energy efficiency caused by high-frequency cleaning in the prior art, as well as the inability to adjust the frequency of the motor actuation structure and slow control response, are effectively solved. Thus, controllable intensity liquid disturbance is achieved through low-frequency vibration, thereby improving cleaning efficiency, reducing noise and energy consumption, and enhancing the system control flexibility.

[0076] Please see Figure 1 and Figure 5 In some embodiments, the vibration assembly 20 is disposed on the inner wall of the accommodating space and has a plurality of edges for fixed connection, and at least one pair of the edges of the vibration assembly 20 located on opposite sides are fixedly connected to the base 10.

[0077] Preferably, the vibrating plate is rectangular or approximately rectangular, with its opposite two edges fixedly connected to the inner wall of the substrate by means of screws, studs, or adhesive bonding, while the remaining edges are free or not in contact with the substrate, thus forming a cantilevered boundary condition structure with fixed ends and a free middle. Figure 2 As shown, this structural layout not only helps to enhance the symmetry of the vibrator in working condition, but also suppresses vibration distortion caused by boundary non-uniformity, thereby improving the stability and coupling efficiency of its vibration modes.

[0078] The piezoelectric vibrator is bonded or interlocked to the side of the vibrating plate facing the water. An adjustable frequency and amplitude alternating voltage is applied via a driving power supply to excite the vibrating plate to produce periodic bending vibrations. Fixed edges on opposite sides form an effective support frame for the vibrating plate, such as... Figure 3 and Figure 5As shown, this causes the water to vibrate with a large central amplitude and uniformly distributed bending deformation, which facilitates the efficient coupling of mechanical energy into the surrounding water, thereby causing water flow disturbance and enhancing the cleaning effect.

[0079] The vibration assembly can be designed to fit the actual geometry of the space. For example, when used in a long strip water tank or a rectangular cleaning chamber, a long strip vibrating plate and a piezoelectric vibrator can be selected to ensure that the bending direction is consistent with the main distribution direction of the water body and to enhance the disturbance coverage of the water flow.

[0080] During installation, the fixed edges can be connected by screws to form a detachable connection for easy maintenance and replacement; for non-detachable versions, epoxy resin or structural adhesive can be used to ensure sealing and stability. The remaining non-fixed edges in the structure, being unconstrained, can naturally respond to piezoelectric excitation and undergo greater deformation, improving overall vibration efficiency.

[0081] In terms of applicable environments, this structure is particularly suitable for scenarios in water cleaning equipment where low-frequency flow disturbances need to be generated in a closed liquid environment, such as household water tank cleaning modules, water circulation descaling systems, or micro-cleaning equipment. It has strong resistance to external interference, high structural stability, and can adapt to a certain range of external impacts or assembly errors, and is not prone to abnormal noise or fatigue failure.

[0082] In this embodiment, by employing a technique of fixing at least one pair of vibration components located on opposite sides of the edge to the base, the problem of modal distortion and insufficient amplitude caused by uneven vibration structure boundaries in the prior art is effectively solved. This achieves the technical effect of improving vibration efficiency, enhancing mechanical energy coupling effect, and water disturbance capability while ensuring structural stability.

[0083] Please see Figure 6 , Figure 7 , Figure 12 and Figure 13 In some embodiments, the vibration component 20 is disposed on the inner wall of the accommodating space 110 and has several edges for fixed connection, and at least one of the edges of the vibration component 20 is fixedly connected to the base 10, while the remaining edges are suspended to form an off-center cantilever structure.

[0084] Specifically:

[0085] The vibrating plate 210 is preferably a rectangular metal plate or a rectangular rigid plastic plate, with its long side arranged along the inner wall of the accommodating space 110, such as... Figure 6 As shown, one side of its short or long side is firmly connected to the base 10 of the accommodating space 110 by means of screw fixing, elastic buckle, structural groove or adhesive, etc., to form a structural support end; or as... Figure 12The long side of the vibrating plate 210 is firmly connected to the base 10 of the accommodating space 110 by means of screw fixing, elastic buckle, structural groove or adhesive, forming a structural support end; while the other edges, especially the opposite edges or side edges, are not rigidly connected and are supported only by air or liquid medium to realize the construction of the free vibration zone.

[0086] This structural form corresponds to the "single-sided constraint of metal sheet" structure in the technical disclosure document, and has typical asymmetric boundary characteristics. For example... Figure 7 As shown, in this structure, one end of the vibrating plate 210 is fixed, while the remaining edges can bend significantly with piezoelectric excitation, thereby achieving a larger free-end amplitude; or as shown... Figure 13 As shown, in this structure, one long side of the vibrating plate 210 is fixedly constrained, while the remaining edges can generate large amplitudes with piezoelectric excitation, thus achieving a larger free-end amplitude. These two cases differ from the closed constraint of a completely fixed frame. Single-sided or local edge support significantly reduces the overall stiffness of the structure, enabling greater mechanical displacement and stronger water disturbance capability under the same driving voltage.

[0087] A piezoelectric vibrator 220 attached to one side of the vibrating plate 210 generates inverse piezoelectric deformation in response to a low-frequency alternating voltage under the control of the driving power supply. This further drives the vibrating plate 210 to reciprocate downward and upward along its free edge, periodically squeezing and releasing water. This structure is particularly suitable for inducing large-scale water flow, such as washing sediment particles or disturbing dirt at the bottom corners.

[0088] During installation, to ensure the stable operation of the vibrating plate 210, a flexible limiting and buffering structure, such as a silicone gasket, flexible clamping band, or soft elastic support, can be added at the fixed edge to absorb local stress concentration and prevent structural fatigue or peeling of the piezoelectric vibrator 220 due to excessive force on one side. If there is a risk of external impact or severe liquid sloshing in the application scenario, it is recommended to implement fault monitoring or edge limiting adjustment in conjunction with a sensing detection system to prevent excessive bending and damage to the piezoelectric plate.

[0089] This embodiment is suitable for clean environments with irregular structural cavities or where a complete frame support cannot be provided. It is particularly suitable for equipment with limited installation space or where components can only be embedded from one side. For higher structural stability, detachable connectors or flexible support components can be appropriately introduced at other edges to achieve a semi-fixed, semi-suspended combined constraint method, thereby improving impact resistance.

[0090] Furthermore, the material, shape, and fixed end position of the vibrating plate 210 can be optimized according to the structure of the accommodating space 110. For elliptical or irregular cavities, a local bilateral support or eccentric fixing layout can also be designed to balance amplitude output and disturbance rejection.

[0091] In this embodiment, by employing a technique where the vibration component 20 is fixedly connected to the base 10 via only one edge, while the remaining edges remain suspended, the problems of small displacement amplitude, insufficient vibration energy coupling, and weak water disturbance effect caused by full-edge constraint in existing vibration structures are effectively solved. This achieves a larger amplitude response and significantly improved cleaning effect while maintaining high structural flexibility and adaptability, all while simplifying the structure. This solution is particularly suitable for environments with high cleaning intensity requirements but limited by installation structure, helping to achieve the design goals of a low-cost, high-efficiency, and easily deployable underwater cleaning system.

[0092] Please see Figures 8 to 9 As shown. In some embodiments, the vibrating plate 210 consists of a middle portion 211 and an outer frame 212 surrounding the middle portion 211. The middle portion 211 and the outer frame 212 are connected by an annular groove 214 formed on the vibrating plate 210 to form a connecting detail 213 for connecting the middle portion 211 and the outer frame 212; the piezoelectric vibrator 220 is disposed in the middle portion 211.

[0093] Specifically:

[0094] The vibrating plate 210 is an integral composite structure, consisting of a central part 211 and an outer frame 212 surrounding it. The two are connected by a connecting detail 213 formed by an annular groove 214 formed on the main body of the vibrating plate 210. The connecting detail 213 acts as a local soft connection, allowing the central part 211 to undergo a large-amplitude bending vibration under excitation, while the outer frame 212 provides structural positioning and stable support. This design is derived from the outer frame constraint scheme and is a typical locally flexible decoupled vibration structure.

[0095] like Figure 8 As shown, the vibrating plate 210 is made entirely of high-strength elastic metal or rigid plastic, such as stainless steel or spring steel. The inner central part 211, the outer peripheral frame, and the intermediate transition groove are formed in the plate through CNC milling, laser cutting, or etching processes. The annular groove 214 is preferably located on the same plane along the thickness direction of the vibrating plate 210. Its cross-sectional shape can be rectangular, trapezoidal, or arc-shaped, and its depth and width are set according to the expected stiffness adjustment requirements. The groove, on the one hand, restricts the vibration participation of the outer frame 212 region, and on the other hand, creates an approximately floating state for the central part 211, giving it greater dynamic response capability under the drive of the piezoelectric oscillator 220.

[0096] like Figure 9As shown, the piezoelectric vibrator 220 is attached or welded to one side of the middle part 211. The excitation signal is introduced and driven by a cable, generating the inverse piezoelectric effect and driving the middle part 211 to perform periodic bending motion in the up-down direction. This motion manifests as a continuous squeezing and disturbance of the water body in the liquid, forming a large-scale ordered water flow, effectively improving the cleaning capacity and flow field renewal efficiency of the water body.

[0097] The outer frame 212 is responsible for supporting the installation and positioning of the overall structure of the vibrating plate 210. It is fixedly connected to the installation structure of the accommodating space 110 on all four sides, such as through screw holes, slots, glued edges, or welded lugs to achieve a rigid connection to the cavity wall. Since the excitation only acts on the middle part 211, the outer frame 212 remains stationary, so that the system will not produce overall displacement or incidental disturbances during vibration, which is beneficial to improving the system's reliability and module reusability.

[0098] This structure features an area slightly larger than that of a conventional single-sided constraint structure, providing a solution for applications requiring a larger cleaning area or coverage. It is particularly suitable for situations where vibration stability is required but a relatively large water disturbance response is still necessary, such as uniform flow distribution on the inner surface of the cleaning pan without dead-angle disturbance.

[0099] In this embodiment, the vibrating plate 210 is composed of a middle part 211 and an outer frame 212. By creating an annular groove 214 on the vibrating plate 210 to form a connecting detail 213, the problems of excessively high overall vibration structure stiffness, limited displacement amplitude, and low energy coupling efficiency in existing technologies are effectively solved. This achieves the technical effect of enhancing water disturbance capability through large-amplitude controllable vibration of the middle part 211, while the outer frame 212 provides structural support and fixation, balancing high amplitude response and structural stability. Compared to traditional vibrating plate 210 or rigid frame designs, this solution significantly improves dynamic flexible response, system lifespan, and the flexibility of modular integration.

[0100] like Figure 10 As shown, in order to further improve the vibration response performance of the vibrating plate 210 under piezoelectric excitation, in some embodiments, the vibrating plate 210 is provided with at least one stiffness-reducing groove 215 that runs through its own thickness direction, so as to locally reduce its bending stiffness without affecting the overall structural stability, thereby obtaining a larger amplitude response under unit excitation voltage.

[0101] Specifically:

[0102] The stiffness-reducing groove 215 typically adopts a linear or curved elongated structure, and its opening direction is preferably consistent with the main vibration direction of the vibrator 210 (i.e., parallel to the direction of maximum deflection of the vibrator 210) to enhance dynamic compliance in that direction. The length, width, and number of grooves can be flexibly configured according to specific design objectives, and are preferably opened in symmetrical or equidistant positions in the middle of the vibrator 210 to avoid eccentric vibration and modal distortion.

[0103] The stiffness-reducing groove 215 is formed by laser cutting, micro-milling, or chemical etching to ensure a flat bottom and smooth edges, reducing local stress concentration. The groove width can be designed to be a fraction of the plate thickness, and the groove depth extends through the thickness direction. The groove shape can be rectangular, V-shaped, or round-bottomed to meet functional requirements such as stress release and mode modulation. In specific implementations, a damping layer or a buffer coating can also be installed inside the groove to improve durability and structural damping performance.

[0104] The principle of this embodiment is to significantly reduce the bending stiffness of a certain area of ​​the vibrating plate 210 by locally weakening that area. This makes it easier for the deformation of the piezoelectric oscillator 220 to drive the metal plate to vibrate at a large amplitude under the same excitation conditions, effectively improving the water's turbulence capability. However, since the vibrating plate 210 is usually quite thin, the design of the tank requires a balance between structural strength and flexibility enhancement to avoid overall instability or permanent deformation of the vibrating plate 210 due to improper tank placement.

[0105] During installation and use, it is recommended to design the edge support structure of the vibrating plate 210 reasonably according to the location of the groove. For example, when the stiffness reduction groove 215 is set near the free edge, it needs to be stabilized by buffer support to prevent the groove opening from cracking or falling off due to excessive bending stress.

[0106] This structure is suitable for cleaning devices with high vibration amplitude requirements but limited installation space or excitation capacity, such as miniature cleaning modules and low-power drives. It achieves significant performance enhancements with minimal structural adjustments and offers excellent cost-effectiveness.

[0107] In addition, this design can be used in conjunction with other flexible reinforcement technologies, such as local thinning, setting up multi-segment groove arrays, or introducing composite material cladding, to further expand the range of structural performance control.

[0108] In this embodiment, by employing at least one stiffness-reducing groove 215 extending along the thickness direction on the vibrating plate 210 to locally reduce bending stiffness, the problem of excessive overall stiffness of the vibrating structure leading to limited amplitude and low energy transfer efficiency in the prior art is effectively solved. This achieves the technical effect of enhancing cleaning performance, reducing energy consumption, and expanding application range by improving vibration amplitude and water disturbance capability through structural flexibility control, while maintaining structural integrity and ease of installation. This structure effectively improves the dynamic performance of the piezoelectric vibration component 20 without increasing drive power, and is a key improvement method for enhancing overall system efficiency.

[0109] Furthermore, the stiffness-reducing groove 215 is elongated, and the length direction of the stiffness-reducing groove 215 is parallel to the maximum vibration direction of the vibrating plate 210.

[0110] Specifically:

[0111] The stiffness-reducing groove 215 is designed as a long strip structure, and its length direction is parallel to the maximum vibration direction of the vibrating plate 210. This structural design aims to enable the stiffness-reducing groove 215 to provide maximum flexibility along the most important bending direction without weakening the overall structural stability, thereby achieving a larger amplitude response and higher driving efficiency.

[0112] The maximum vibration direction refers to the direction in which the bending deformation is greatest among the main modes exhibited by the vibrating plate 210 under piezoelectric driving. For a rectangular vibrating plate 210, if the piezoelectric vibrator 220 is attached longitudinally, the maximum vibration direction is usually the length direction of the vibrating plate 210. Therefore, the arrangement direction of the stiffness-reducing groove 215 should be consistent with this direction to avoid vertical placement causing modal coupling confusion or ineffective slotting.

[0113] The elongated cross-section of the stiffness-reducing groove 215 has a significant anisotropic stiffness-reducing effect, providing flexible release in the long axis direction while maintaining sufficient support in the short axis direction to avoid excessive lateral deformation. The length of the groove can be determined according to the effective vibration area of ​​the vibrating plate 210, preferably located in the high-response area near the middle or free edge to maximize the dynamic deformation of that area. The width of the groove should be less than a fraction of the width of the vibrating plate 210, and the depth should be selected as through thickness or approximately full thickness to form a distinct stiffness-reducing band.

[0114] The elongated groove structure can be configured as a single groove or multiple grooves arranged in parallel. The spacing between the grooves should be balanced with both structural strength and resonant modes. A symmetrical arrangement can further improve the symmetry and energy distribution uniformity of the vibration mode 210 of the vibrator.

[0115] In this embodiment, by employing a long, narrow stiffness-reducing groove 215 with its length parallel to the maximum vibration direction of the vibrating plate 210, the problems of mismatched action directions of stiffness-reducing structures, large vibration mode interference, and insufficient stiffness release in existing technologies are effectively solved. This achieves the technical effect of maximizing structural flexibility in the main excitation direction, improving amplitude response and water disturbance capability, while ensuring stable vibration modes, uniform response, and structural safety. This design not only improves cleaning efficiency but also enhances the predictability and consistency of structural design, demonstrating good engineering applicability.

[0116] The above description in this specification is merely illustrative of the present invention. Those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains may make various modifications or additions to the described specific embodiments or use similar methods to replace them, as long as they do not depart from the content of this specification or exceed the scope defined in the claims, all of which shall fall within the protection scope of this invention.

Claims

1. A piezoelectric vibration structure applied to a liquid environment, characterized by, include: A substrate, including a accommodating space for containing a liquid; A vibration assembly is disposed on one side of the inner wall of the accommodating space, the vibration assembly being configured to be immersed in a liquid in the operating state, the vibration assembly comprising: The vibrating plate is connected to the inner wall of the accommodating space; A piezoelectric vibrator vibrates in a controlled manner, the piezoelectric vibrator being disposed on one side of the vibrating plate; The vibration component undergoes bending vibration during operation to couple the mechanical energy generated by the bending vibration of the vibrating plate into the liquid.

2. A piezoelectric vibrating structure to be applied to a liquid environment according to claim 1, characterized in that, The vibrating plate is made of metal or rigid plastic.

3. The piezoelectric vibration structure for use in a liquid environment according to claim 1, characterized in that, The planar shape of the vibrating plate can be any of the following: rectangular, circular, elliptical, or polygonal.

4. The piezoelectric vibrating structure for use in a liquid environment according to claim 1, wherein The piezoelectric vibrator can be any shape among rectangle, circle, ellipse or strip in a plan view.

5. The piezoelectric vibrating structure for use in a liquid environment according to claim 1, wherein The planar shape of the piezoelectric vibrator is adapted to the planar shape of the vibrating plate. The piezoelectric vibrator and the vibrating plate have the same rectangular, circular, elliptical or polygonal outline. The geometric center of the piezoelectric vibrator and the vibrating plate coincide.

6. The piezoelectric vibrating structure for use in a liquid environment according to claim 1, wherein It also includes a driving power supply electrically connected to the piezoelectric vibrator to apply an alternating voltage to the piezoelectric vibrator, wherein the frequency range of the alternating voltage applied by the driving power supply to the piezoelectric vibrator is within 10 Hz to 20 kHz.

7. A piezoelectric vibration structure for use in a liquid environment according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, The vibration component has several edges on the side connecting to the inner wall of the accommodating space. At least one edge of the vibration component is fixedly connected to the base, while the remaining edges are suspended.

8. A piezoelectric vibrating structure for use in a liquid environment according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, The vibrating plate consists of a central part and an outer frame surrounding the central part. The central part and the outer frame are connected by an annular groove on the vibrating plate to form a connection detail for connecting the central part and the outer frame. The piezoelectric vibrator is disposed in the central part.

9. A piezoelectric vibrating structure for use in a liquid environment according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, The vibrating plate has at least one stiffness-reducing groove that runs through its thickness to locally reduce the stiffness of the vibrating plate and increase the vibration displacement.

10. A piezoelectric vibrating structure for use in a liquid environment according to claim 9, characterized in that, The stiffness-reducing groove is elongated, and its length direction is parallel to the maximum vibration direction of the vibrating plate.

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