A piezoelectric stack suitable for zoned alternating operation

Abstract

This application discloses a piezoelectric stack suitable for alternating zone operation, relating to the field of piezoelectric stacks. It includes: a common interface; a first interface, the first interface and the common interface forming a first working electrode pair; and a second interface, the second interface and the common interface forming a second working electrode pair. During operation, the first and second working electrode pairs are configured to alternately connect to an external circuit, thereby enabling the piezoelectric stack to achieve alternating zone operation. By dividing the piezoelectric stack into two independently operable zones and allowing them to operate alternately, when one zone is operating under an electric field, the other zone is in a de-energized and idle state, minimizing its own heat loss and effectively dissipating heat to the surrounding environment during this period. This alternating operation mode breaks the vicious cycle of heat accumulation caused by continuous operation of a single piezoelectric element, completely eliminating the passive heat dissipation mode in the prior art, and enabling micropumps or actuators to achieve continuous and stable operation.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of piezoelectric stack technology, and in particular discloses a piezoelectric stack suitable for alternating zone operation. Background Technology

[0002] Piezoelectric actuators, especially piezoelectric micropumps with piezoelectric stacks as the core component, have been widely used in microfluidic control, precision drug delivery, and heat dissipation of electronic devices due to their advantages such as compact structure, precise control, and rapid response. However, these devices have long faced serious heat generation problems during operation. When piezoelectric materials undergo reciprocating deformation under the drive of an alternating electric field, heat is generated inside due to dielectric loss and mechanical loss. Under continuous operation, this heat accumulates, causing the temperature of the piezoelectric element to rise sharply. Excessive temperature not only causes a significant degradation of piezoelectric performance, but may also lead to material fatigue and aging due to thermal stress, and even irreversible depolarization, ultimately causing device failure.

[0003] This heat dissipation problem directly limits the continuous working capability of piezoelectric micropumps. To avoid damage due to overheating, existing technical solutions usually adopt a conservative working strategy. For example, they require the equipment to pause for at least 3 seconds to cool down after only 10 seconds of continuous operation. This intermittent operation mode severely restricts the working efficiency and output capacity of the equipment, making it unable to meet the needs of many application scenarios that require long-term, uninterrupted fluid delivery or circulation. This has become a fatal flaw that restricts its technological development and widespread application, and therefore needs to be improved. Utility Model Content

[0004] The purpose of this application is to provide a piezoelectric stack suitable for alternating zone operation.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution adopted in this application is as follows: a piezoelectric stack suitable for alternating zone operation, comprising: a common interface; a first interface, wherein the first interface and the common interface form a first working electrode pair; a second interface, wherein the second interface and the common interface form a second working electrode pair; when the piezoelectric stack is in operation, the first working electrode pair and the second working electrode pair are configured to alternately connect to an external circuit, thereby enabling the piezoelectric stack to achieve alternating zone operation.

[0006] As a preferred embodiment, the piezoelectric stack includes a first partition and a second partition. The common interface is configured to communicate with an electrode 1 of any piezoelectric element constituting the first partition and the second partition. The first interface is configured to communicate with an electrode 2 of any piezoelectric element in the first partition. The second interface is configured to communicate with an electrode 3 of any piezoelectric element in the second partition. The second electrode and the third electrode have the same polarity, and the first electrode has the opposite polarity to the second electrode.

[0007] As a preferred embodiment, the piezoelectric stack includes a first piezoelectric sheet and a second piezoelectric sheet coaxially stacked. The first piezoelectric sheet includes a first electrode and a second electrode, and the second piezoelectric sheet includes a third electrode and a fourth electrode. When the first piezoelectric sheet and the second piezoelectric sheet are stacked, the second electrode and the third electrode are connected to form the common interface. The first electrode constitutes the first interface, and the fourth electrode constitutes the second interface. When the first working electrode pair is connected to an external circuit, the first piezoelectric sheet operates; when the second working electrode pair is connected to an external circuit, the second piezoelectric sheet operates.

[0008] More preferably, the first piezoelectric sheet includes a first substrate, and the first electrode and the second electrode are respectively disposed on the upper and lower sides of the first substrate. The second piezoelectric sheet includes a second substrate, and the third electrode and the fourth electrode are respectively disposed on the upper and lower sides of the second substrate. When the first piezoelectric sheet and the second piezoelectric sheet are stacked, the second electrode located on the lower side of the first substrate and the third electrode located on the upper side of the second substrate are connected to form the common interface. The first electrode located at one end of the piezoelectric stack and the fourth electrode located at the other end of the piezoelectric stack are isolated from each other, thereby forming the first interface and the second interface respectively.

[0009] Further preferably, the first substrate is a solid substrate, the second substrate is a ring substrate, and a through hole is provided in the middle of the second substrate. When the first piezoelectric sheet and the second piezoelectric sheet are stacked, the second electrode located on the lower side of the first substrate is exposed through the through hole, thereby making it suitable for connection with an external circuit.

[0010] As a preferred embodiment, the piezoelectric stack includes a first piezoelectric sheet, a second piezoelectric sheet, and a metal sheet coaxially stacked. The first piezoelectric sheet includes a first electrode and a second electrode, and the second piezoelectric sheet includes a third electrode and a fourth electrode. When the first piezoelectric sheet, the second piezoelectric sheet, and the metal sheet are stacked, the second electrode and the third electrode are connected to form the common interface, and the first electrode is connected to the metal sheet, thereby making the metal sheet the first interface and the fourth electrode the second interface. When the first working electrode pair is connected to an external circuit, the first piezoelectric sheet operates; when the second working electrode pair is connected to an external circuit, the second piezoelectric sheet operates.

[0011] Further preferably, the first piezoelectric sheet includes a first substrate, which is a solid substrate. The first electrode and the second electrode are respectively disposed on the upper and lower sides of the first substrate. The second piezoelectric sheet includes a second substrate, which is an annular substrate. A through hole is provided in the middle of the second substrate. The third electrode and the fourth electrode are respectively disposed on the upper and lower sides of the second substrate. When the first piezoelectric sheet, the second piezoelectric sheet, and the metal sheet are stacked, the second electrode located on the lower side of the first substrate is connected to the third electrode located on the upper side of the second substrate. At the same time, the second electrode is exposed through the through hole, thereby forming the common interface. The metal sheet located at one end of the piezoelectric stack and the fourth electrode located at the other end of the piezoelectric stack are isolated from each other, thereby forming the first interface and the second interface respectively.

[0012] More preferably, the outer edges of the first substrate and the second substrate have the same shape and size.

[0013] Further preferably, the piezoelectric stack is connected to a control module, which is configured to control the first working electrode pair and the second working electrode pair to alternately connect to the external circuit, and to switch based on a preset partition working time and / or based on the temperature feedback of the partition.

[0014] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of this application are as follows: (1) This utility model divides the piezoelectric stack into two independently working zones, allowing them to work alternately. When one zone is working under the drive of the electric field, the other zone is in a power-off resting state, minimizing its own heat loss and effectively dissipating heat to the surrounding environment during this period. This alternating working mode breaks the vicious cycle of heat accumulation caused by the continuous operation of a single piezoelectric element, and completely eliminates the passive heat dissipation mode in the prior art, such as having to stop for 3 seconds after working for 10 seconds. This enables the micro pump or actuator using this utility model to achieve continuous and stable operation.

[0015] (2) This utility model achieves the function of alternating operation of partitions without increasing the overall volume and complexity by cleverly designing a common interface, a first interface and a second interface that are isolated from each other. At the same time, it does not require setting up multiple piezoelectric stacks for alternating operation, making the structure more concise and easy to integrate into existing micro pumps and other products, and has extremely high engineering application value. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of the piezoelectric stack of this utility model.

[0017] Figure 2This is an exploded view of the three-dimensional structure of the piezoelectric stack of this utility model. The left column of the figure is a top view and the right column is a bottom view.

[0018] Figure 3 This is a half-sectional view of the three-dimensional structure of the piezoelectric stack of this utility model.

[0019] Figure 4 This is an exploded half-section view of the three-dimensional structure of the piezoelectric stack of this utility model.

[0020] In the figure: 1. First piezoelectric element; 11. First substrate; 12. First electrode; 13. Second electrode; 2. Second piezoelectric element; 21. Second substrate; 22. Third electrode; 23. Fourth electrode; 24. Through hole; 3. Metal sheet. Detailed Implementation

[0021] The present application will be further described below with reference to specific embodiments. It should be noted that, without conflict, the various embodiments or technical features described below can be arbitrarily combined to form new embodiments.

[0022] In the description of this application, it should be noted that the terms "center", "lateral", "longitudinal", "length", "width", "thickness", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", "clockwise", "counterclockwise", etc., which indicate the orientation and positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, are 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 should not be construed as limiting the specific protection scope of this application.

[0023] It should be noted that the terms "first," "second," etc., in the specification and claims of this application are used to distinguish similar objects and are not necessarily used to describe a specific order or sequence.

[0024] The terms “comprising” and “having”, and any variations thereof, in the specification and claims of this application are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, for example, a process, method, system, product, or device that includes a series of steps or units is not necessarily limited to those steps or units that are explicitly listed, but may include other steps or units that are not explicitly listed or that are inherent to such process, method, product, or device.

[0025] A preferred embodiment of this application, such as Figures 1 to 4As shown, a piezoelectric stack suitable for alternating zone operation includes: a common interface; a first interface, the first interface and the common interface forming a first working electrode pair; a second interface, the second interface and the common interface forming a second working electrode pair; when the piezoelectric stack is running, the first working electrode pair and the second working electrode pair are configured to alternately connect to an external circuit, thereby enabling the piezoelectric stack to achieve alternating zone operation.

[0026] Piezoelectric materials generate significant heat under high-frequency or high-voltage driving, leading to performance degradation or even damage. This invention divides the piezoelectric stack into two independently operating zones, allowing them to work alternately. When one zone operates under electric field driving, the other is in a de-energized and idle state, minimizing its own heat loss and effectively dissipating heat to the surrounding environment during this period. This effectively controls the overall temperature rise, allowing the device to operate stably for extended periods under higher power or more demanding conditions. This alternating operation mode breaks the vicious cycle of heat accumulation caused by continuous operation of a single piezoelectric element and completely eliminates the passive heat dissipation mode of existing technologies, such as requiring a 3-second pause after 10 seconds of operation. This enables micropumps or actuators using this invention to achieve continuous and stable operation. Through the ingenious design of a common interface and mutually isolated first and second interfaces, this invention achieves the function of alternating zone operation without increasing the overall size and complexity. It also eliminates the need for multiple piezoelectric stacks for alternating operation, making the structure more streamlined and easier to integrate into existing micropumps and other products, thus possessing high engineering application value.

[0027] The piezoelectric stack includes a first partition and a second partition. A common interface is configured to communicate with electrode 1 of any piezoelectric element constituting the first and second partitions. A first interface is configured to communicate with electrode 2 of any piezoelectric element in the first partition. A second interface is configured to communicate with electrode 3 of any piezoelectric element in the second partition. Electrode 2 and electrode 3 have the same polarity, and electrode 1 has the opposite polarity to electrode 2.

[0028] The common interface, as an accessible intermediate layer electrode, is transformed from an internal connection point into a physical interface that can be directly accessed by external circuits through the design of this embodiment. Specifically, a physical access point that can be directly connected to external circuits can be formed on the side or in the middle of the piezoelectric stack. This design is the core of this solution. It is through this design that this solution achieves alternating control of zones and realizes near-continuous and stable operation across the entire product scale.

[0029] This embodiment provides a specific structural design. The piezoelectric stack includes a first piezoelectric sheet 1 and a second piezoelectric sheet 2 coaxially stacked. The first piezoelectric sheet 1 includes a first electrode 12 and a second electrode 13. The second piezoelectric sheet 2 includes a third electrode 22 and a fourth electrode 23. When the first piezoelectric sheet 1 and the second piezoelectric sheet 2 are stacked, the second electrode 13 and the third electrode 22 are connected to form a common interface. The first electrode 12 constitutes the first interface, and the fourth electrode 23 constitutes the second interface. When the first working electrode pair is connected to an external circuit, the first piezoelectric sheet 1 works. When the second working electrode pair is connected to an external circuit, the second piezoelectric sheet 2 works.

[0030] Through the above electrode design, a piezoelectric stack is physically divided into two electrically independent actuation units. Based on this electrode design, the control module can switch the current path to allow the two piezoelectric elements to work in turn, thereby providing a "work-heat dissipation" cycle for each partition. The shared common interface can serve as a common electrode, allowing the external drive circuit to selectively drive one of the piezoelectric elements by controlling the connection of the first and fourth interfaces separately, which greatly simplifies the design and complexity of the drive circuit.

[0031] Furthermore, the first piezoelectric sheet 1 includes a first substrate 11, and a first electrode 12 and a second electrode 13 are respectively disposed on the upper and lower sides of the first substrate 11. The second piezoelectric sheet 2 includes a second substrate 21, and a third electrode 22 and a fourth electrode 23 are respectively disposed on the upper and lower sides of the second substrate 21. When the first piezoelectric sheet 1 and the second piezoelectric sheet 2 are stacked, the second electrode 13 located on the lower side of the first substrate 11 and the third electrode 22 located on the upper side of the second substrate 21 are connected to form a common interface. The first electrode 12 located at one end of the piezoelectric stack and the fourth electrode 23 located at the other end of the piezoelectric stack are isolated from each other, thereby forming a first interface and a second interface respectively.

[0032] This embodiment clarifies that the electrodes are located on both sides of the substrate. This is the standard and most effective piezoelectric ceramic driving method, which can ensure that the electric field passes through the piezoelectric material uniformly and generates maximum deformation. The mutual isolation of the first and second interfaces can prevent short circuits and ensure that the two partitions can work independently and without interference. At the same time, placing the first and second interfaces at both ends of the piezoelectric stack allows the leads or solder points to be distributed on both sides of the device, avoiding structural congestion or potential short circuits caused by all cables being concentrated on one side. This facilitates spatial layout and assembly in products such as micropumps.

[0033] In this scheme, if both the first substrate 11 and the second substrate 21 are solid substrates, the common interface needs to be led out from the side of the connection surface of the two substrates. This can be achieved by connecting an outgoing electrode between the second electrode 13 and the third electrode 22, or by extending the second electrode 13 and / or the third electrode 22 to the outer ring surface of the corresponding substrate, thereby connecting the external circuit in the extension portion.

[0034] Based on the above scheme, the first substrate 11 is a solid substrate, the second substrate 21 is an annular substrate, and a through hole 24 is provided in the middle of the second substrate 21. When the first piezoelectric sheet 1 and the second piezoelectric sheet 2 are stacked, the second electrode 13 located on the lower side of the first substrate 11 is exposed through the through hole 24, thereby making it suitable for connection with external circuits.

[0035] The common interface is sandwiched between two piezoelectric plates and needs to be brought out to connect to external circuits. This embodiment provides a clever method, namely, by designing the second substrate 21 as a ring and opening a through hole 24, an external connection channel is provided for the internal common electrode, so that it can be easily connected to the circuit without affecting the stability of the entire piezoelectric stack structure; at the same time, the exposed common interface facilitates electrical measurement and fault diagnosis during production or later maintenance.

[0036] Meanwhile, the outer edges of the first substrate 11 and the second substrate 21 have the same shape and size. The uniform contour ensures that the two piezoelectric sheets can be quickly and accurately aligned with the central axis during the stacking process, which facilitates automated production and ensures consistent product quality. The same external dimensions allow the stress to be evenly distributed across the entire contact surface during pressing, bonding or applying pre-pressure, avoiding local stress concentration caused by size mismatch, thereby improving the mechanical reliability and service life of the device.

[0037] This application provides another specific structural design, in which the piezoelectric stack includes a first piezoelectric sheet 1, a second piezoelectric sheet 2, and a metal sheet 3 coaxially stacked. The first piezoelectric sheet 1 includes a first electrode 12 and a second electrode 13, and the second piezoelectric sheet 2 includes a third electrode 22 and a fourth electrode 23. When the first piezoelectric sheet 1, the second piezoelectric sheet 2, and the metal sheet 3 are stacked, the second electrode 13 and the third electrode 22 are connected to form a common interface, and the first electrode 12 is connected to the metal sheet 3, thereby making the metal sheet 3 a first interface and the fourth electrode 23 a second interface. When the first working electrode pair is connected to an external circuit, the first piezoelectric sheet 1 works, and when the second working electrode pair is connected to an external circuit, the second piezoelectric sheet 2 works.

[0038] Furthermore, the first piezoelectric sheet 1 includes a first substrate 11, which is a solid substrate. The first electrode 12 and the second electrode 13 are respectively disposed on the upper and lower sides of the first substrate 11. The second piezoelectric sheet 2 includes a second substrate 21, which is an annular substrate. A through hole 24 is provided in the middle of the second substrate 21. The third electrode 22 and the fourth electrode 23 are respectively disposed on the upper and lower sides of the second substrate 21. When the first piezoelectric sheet 1, the second piezoelectric sheet 2, and the metal sheet 3 are stacked, the second electrode 13 located on the lower side of the first substrate 11 is connected to the third electrode 22 located on the upper side of the second substrate 21. At the same time, the second electrode 13 is exposed through the through hole 24, thereby forming a common interface. The metal sheet 3 located at one end of the piezoelectric stack and the fourth electrode 23 located at the other end of the piezoelectric stack are isolated from each other, thereby forming the first interface and the second interface respectively.

[0039] The size of the metal sheet 3, which serves as the first interface, is not limited. However, in order to facilitate external connection, the diameter of the metal sheet 3 is preferably larger than the outer diameter of the stack. This arrangement allows the spring pin to make direct contact with the external circuit, for example, through a spring pin connection, without the need for bending.

[0040] In addition, the metal sheet 3, as a robust support layer, can increase the structural rigidity of the entire piezoelectric stack, making it more resistant to mechanical stress and impact, and improving reliability. At the same time, metal is an excellent thermal conductor, and the addition of the metal sheet 3 provides an efficient heat dissipation path for the piezoelectric stack, which is especially beneficial for the rapid dissipation of heat generated by the first piezoelectric sheet 1, further enhancing thermal management capabilities.

[0041] To achieve alternating operation between zones, the piezoelectric stack is connected to a control module. The control module is configured to control the first working electrode pair and the second working electrode pair to alternately connect to the external circuit. It switches based on a preset zone working time and / or based on zone temperature feedback. If zone-based temperature feedback is used, additional temperature sensors and other components are required to detect the temperature of the corresponding piezoelectric element for real-time feedback. The above control logic can be selected and adjusted by those skilled in the art according to actual needs. Through this control, the device can always be kept in a suitable operating temperature range under different ambient temperatures and load conditions, thereby ensuring heat dissipation while further improving energy efficiency and lifespan.

[0042] The basic principles, main features, and advantages of this application have been described above. Those skilled in the art should understand that this application is not limited to the above embodiments. The embodiments and descriptions in the specification are merely the principles of this application. Various changes and modifications can be made to this application without departing from its spirit and scope, and all such changes and modifications fall within the scope of the claims. The scope of protection claimed by this application is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A piezoelectric stack suitable for alternating zone operation, characterized in that, include: Public interface; A first interface, wherein the first interface and the common interface form a first working electrode pair; The second interface, together with the common interface, forms a second working electrode pair; when the piezoelectric stack is in operation, the first working electrode pair and the second working electrode pair are configured to alternately connect to the external circuit, thereby enabling the piezoelectric stack to work alternately in zones.

2. The piezoelectric stack suitable for alternating zone operation as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The piezoelectric stack includes a first partition and a second partition. The common interface is configured to communicate with an electrode 1 of any piezoelectric element constituting the first partition and the second partition. The first interface is configured to communicate with an electrode 2 of any piezoelectric element in the first partition. The second interface is configured to communicate with an electrode 3 of any piezoelectric element in the second partition. The electrode 2 and the electrode 3 have the same polarity, and the electrode 1 has the opposite polarity to the electrode 2.

3. A piezoelectric stack suitable for alternating zone operation as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The piezoelectric stack includes a first piezoelectric sheet and a second piezoelectric sheet coaxially stacked. The first piezoelectric sheet includes a first electrode and a second electrode, and the second piezoelectric sheet includes a third electrode and a fourth electrode. When the first piezoelectric sheet and the second piezoelectric sheet are stacked, the second electrode and the third electrode are connected to form the common interface. The first electrode constitutes the first interface, and the fourth electrode constitutes the second interface. When the first working electrode pair is connected to an external circuit, the first piezoelectric sheet operates. When the second working electrode pair is connected to an external circuit, the second piezoelectric sheet operates.

4. A piezoelectric stack suitable for alternating zone operation as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The first piezoelectric sheet includes a first substrate, and the first electrode and the second electrode are respectively disposed on the upper and lower sides of the first substrate. The second piezoelectric sheet includes a second substrate, and the third electrode and the fourth electrode are respectively disposed on the upper and lower sides of the second substrate. When the first piezoelectric sheet and the second piezoelectric sheet are stacked, the second electrode located on the lower side of the first substrate and the third electrode located on the upper side of the second substrate are connected to form the common interface. The first electrode located at one end of the piezoelectric stack and the fourth electrode located at the other end of the piezoelectric stack are isolated from each other, thereby forming the first interface and the second interface respectively.

5. A piezoelectric stack suitable for alternating zone operation as described in claim 4, characterized in that, The first substrate is a solid substrate, and the second substrate is a ring-shaped substrate. A through hole is provided in the middle of the second substrate. When the first piezoelectric sheet and the second piezoelectric sheet are stacked, the second electrode located on the lower side of the first substrate is exposed through the through hole, thereby making it suitable for connection with an external circuit.

6. A piezoelectric stack suitable for alternating zone operation as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The piezoelectric stack includes a first piezoelectric sheet, a second piezoelectric sheet, and a metal sheet coaxially stacked. The first piezoelectric sheet includes a first electrode and a second electrode, and the second piezoelectric sheet includes a third electrode and a fourth electrode. When the first piezoelectric sheet, the second piezoelectric sheet, and the metal sheet are stacked, the second electrode and the third electrode are connected to form the common interface, and the first electrode is connected to the metal sheet, thereby making the metal sheet the first interface and the fourth electrode the second interface. When the first working electrode pair is connected to an external circuit, the first piezoelectric sheet operates; when the second working electrode pair is connected to an external circuit, the second piezoelectric sheet operates.

7. A piezoelectric stack suitable for alternating zone operation as described in claim 6, characterized in that, The first piezoelectric sheet includes a first substrate, which is a solid substrate. The first electrode and the second electrode are respectively disposed on the upper and lower sides of the first substrate. The second piezoelectric sheet includes a second substrate, which is an annular substrate. A through hole is provided in the middle of the second substrate. The third electrode and the fourth electrode are respectively disposed on the upper and lower sides of the second substrate. When the first piezoelectric sheet, the second piezoelectric sheet, and the metal sheet are stacked, the second electrode located on the lower side of the first substrate is connected to the third electrode located on the upper side of the second substrate. At the same time, the second electrode is exposed through the through hole, thereby forming the common interface. The metal sheet located at one end of the piezoelectric stack and the fourth electrode located at the other end of the piezoelectric stack are isolated from each other, thereby forming the first interface and the second interface respectively.

8. A piezoelectric stack suitable for alternating zone operation as described in claim 4 or 7, characterized in that, The outer edges of the first substrate and the second substrate have the same shape and size.

9. A piezoelectric stack suitable for alternating zone operation as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The piezoelectric stack is connected to a control module, which is configured to control the first working electrode pair and the second working electrode pair to alternately connect to an external circuit, and to switch based on a preset partition working time and / or based on the temperature feedback of the partition.

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