1D Ultrasonic Converter Unit with Individually Controlled Transducers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ultrasonic transducer arrays face challenges in achieving temperature stability, electromagnetic compatibility, and robustness against harsh environments, while also requiring precise control for long detection ranges and high-frequency wave generation, which is limited by the size and thickness of piezoelectric materials like PZT.
Innovation Solution
A 1D ultrasound transducer unit with individually controllable ultrasonic transducers and sound channels that reduce the distance between transducers, allowing for adjustable wave fronts and phased array formation, enabling reliable detection and reception of objects at distances over 0.5 m with improved frequency range and sensitivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If piezoelectric ceramics (PZT) are used to achieve long detection ranges, then detection range is improved, but temperature stability and electromagnetic compatibility deteriorate due to sensitivity to harsh environmental conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from piezoelectric ceramics to piezoelectric polymer, fundamentally altering the material properties to achieve better temperature stability and electromagnetic compatibility while maintaining adequate detection range through optimized transducer geometry and array configuration
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite construction by combining multiple piezoelectric polymer elements into an array structure with individual control, achieving reliable environmental performance while maintaining long detection range through phased array processing
2Measurement precision
If piezoelectric body thickness is increased to generate high-frequency waves, then frequency range is improved, but required excitation voltage increases to kV range requiring greater safety requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the piezoelectric material from ceramics to polymer, which has different electromechanical coupling characteristics that enable high-frequency operation at lower excitation voltages, eliminating the need for kV-range voltages while maintaining extended frequency range
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the ultrasonic generation function into multiple independently controllable transducer elements in an array, allowing each element to operate at moderate voltage while achieving high-frequency wave generation through constructive interference and phased array processing
3Measurement precision
If distance between adjacent ultrasonic transducers is reduced to satisfy wavelength requirements, then array performance is improved, but transducer size and frequency range options are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material properties to piezoelectric polymer with different acoustic characteristics, allowing optimized transducer dimensions and spacing that satisfy array performance requirements while providing greater flexibility in frequency range selection
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements individually controllable transducer elements with independent excitation, allowing dynamic adjustment of operating parameters including frequency and phase, thereby achieving both optimal array performance and versatile frequency range coverage
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution allows for reliable detection and reception of objects at extended distances with enhanced sensitivity and performance, maintaining sound pressure and detection range, while ensuring robustness and temperature stability, and enabling phased array operation in gaseous media.
Implementation Method 1
each ultrasonic transducer comprises a piezoelectric body (18) arranged in the housing (22) and a sound coupling layer (26, 28) arranged at an open end of the housing (22), in particular at a correspondingly arranged surface of the piezoelectric body (18), for coupling sound waves into a gaseous medium
Implementation Method 2
Each ultrasonic transducer (12) is designed to transmit and/or receive the same frequency
Data Source
Figure 1~2B
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The invention relates to a 1D ultrasonic converter unit having at least three ultrasonic converters and a control unit for individually controlling each ultrasonic converter, wherein each ultrasonic converter has a housing, a piezoelectric body and a sound decoupling layer for decoupling sound waves in a gaseous medium, is embedded in a common carrier structure and emits and/or receives the same frequency between 20 kHz and 400 kHz, every two adjacent ultrasonic converters have a maximum distance (AI) of 10 cm, the 1D ultrasonic converter unit (10) has, per ultrasonic converter, one sound channel having an input opening (38) associated with exactly one sound decoupling layer (26) and an output opening (40), the output openings are arranged along a line, a maximum distance (A2) between two adjacent output openings (40) is equal to the whole or half the wavelength of the sound frequency and is smaller than the distance (AI) of the input openings (38) and a quotient of a surface area of the output opening to a surface area of the input opening has a value between 0.3 and 1.2.