Acoustic Antenna Integrated Printed Circuit Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
The assembly process of high-frequency Tonpilz-type acoustic antennas is cumbersome due to the extensive cabling and welding required for numerous small transducers, making automation difficult and increasing production costs.
Innovation Solution
The integration of elementary transducers onto a common printed circuit for electrical connection and positioning, using a single ceramic pillar and a screw to secure the transducers between the ceramic and countermass, simplifies the assembly and eliminates the need for individual wiring and welding, allowing for automated assembly and precise positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If Tonpilz-type transducers are used for high-frequency acoustic antennas, then acoustic power and bandwidth are improved, but assembly complexity and production cost increase due to extensive cabling and welding
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the electrical connection function and mechanical positioning function into a single integrated printed circuit board. The PCB serves as both the structural support for mounting transducers and the electrical pathway for signal transmission, eliminating the need for separate cabling and welding operations. This integration directly reduces assembly complexity while maintaining the acoustic performance of Tonpilz-type transducers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical welding and cabling system with an electrical connection system based on printed circuit boards. Instead of mechanically welding wires to transducer electrodes, the PCB provides electrical connections through conductive traces that are mechanically integrated with the transducer mounting structure, simplifying the assembly process.
2Reliability
If numerous small transducers are assembled manually with cabling and welding, then electrical connection is achieved, but automation difficulty and production time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical connection pathways are pre-established on the printed circuit board before transducer assembly. The PCB is manufactured with complete electrical traces and connection points already in place, allowing transducers to be mounted and connected in a simplified sequence without requiring complex real-time wiring operations, thereby enabling automation.
Solution Approach 2:
The printed circuit board serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides mechanical support for mounting transducers, establishes electrical connections between transducers, positions transducers with precise spacing, and provides connection interfaces to external equipment. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate components for each function, enabling automated assembly.
3Reliability
If traditional welding and cabling processes are used, then transducer connection is achieved, but production cost and assembly time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the antenna system into modular transducer units that can be independently manufactured and then assembled onto the printed circuit board. This segmentation allows for parallel production of transducers and PCBs, which can then be quickly assembled together, significantly improving production efficiency compared to traditional integrated manufacturing approaches.
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
This approach reduces assembly complexity, minimizes performance dispersion, enables automatic wiring identification, and lowers production costs by simplifying the assembly process and ensuring consistent radiation characteristics.
Implementation Method 1
the motor function is ensured by the pillar 1 of piezoelectric ceramics
Implementation Method 2
elementary transducers are of one of the following electro-acoustic types: piezoelectric or electrostrictive
Implementation Method 3
Horn 3 ensures the acoustic coupling with the medium and also makes it possible to widen the band by its own mode called butterfly
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5
Figure 6~7
AI summary
The present invention relates to an acoustic antenna requiring the fewest possible number of assembly operations, which operations can be easily automated. The acoustic antenna according to the invention is characterized in that it comprises an array of elementary transducers (15), each elementary transducer comprising, between a counterweight (10) and a horn (9), at least one ceramic (8), all the elementary transducers being mounted on a common printed circuit (7, 16) for electrical connection between the transducers and for positioning the transducers relative to one another, and at least one connector (26, 27) fixed to this printed circuit, each of the transducers being mounted in such a way that the printed circuit is clamped between the ceramic(s) thereof and the counterweight thereof.