Compact Piezoelectric Harvester Layout for Miniature Cardiac Capsules
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional Piezoelectric Energy Harvesters (PEH) face challenges in achieving dimensional compactness while maintaining sufficient energy production for powering miniaturized medical devices, particularly in atrial leadless capsules where space constraints are a concern, and in other applications where miniaturization is desired.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates two coplanar piezoelectric beams arranged side-by-side with internal and external arms, where the inertial mass is supported by the internal arms and connected to the external arms at a common junction, allowing for reduced overall length and increased compactness, along with an annular mount that enables transverse oscillation of the inertial mass, optimizing energy harvesting efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If conventional single-beam piezoelectric transducer design is used, then the structure is simple, but the volume is too large for miniaturized medical devices
Solution Approach 1:
The piezoelectric transducer is divided into two separate coplanar beams instead of using a single beam. Each beam has its own inertial mass and operates independently, allowing the overall structure to be more compact while maintaining energy harvesting capability. This segmentation enables reduced volume by distributing the functional elements across multiple smaller units.
Solution Approach 2:
The two piezoelectric beams are arranged coplanarly (in the same plane) rather than stacking them vertically or arranging them in three-dimensional space. This coplanar configuration optimizes space utilization in two dimensions while keeping the overall volume compact, effectively using dimensional arrangement to reduce the transducer footprint for miniaturized devices.
2Volume of moving object
If the piezoelectric transducer length is reduced for compactness, then the device size decreases, but the energy production capability is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the single beam into two coplanar beams, each beam can be shorter while collectively providing sufficient energy harvesting. The distributed configuration allows each segment to contribute to the overall power output, maintaining total energy production despite reduced individual beam lengths and overall device volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The energy output from multiple separate piezoelectric beams is combined through their common electrical connections. By merging the electrical outputs of two shorter beams, the system achieves comparable or superior energy production to a single longer beam while maintaining a more compact volume.
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 configuration significantly reduces the volume required for the PEH, allowing for more compact devices with enhanced energy production, enabling the powering of electronic circuits and energy storage in miniaturized applications without compromising efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a piezoelectric transducer extending, along a central axis corresponding to a direction of greater length of the piezoelectric transducer, from a distal end to an opposite proximal end, the transducer being elastically deformable in bending... adapted to convert a mechanical energy produced by oscillations of the pendular unit into an oscillating electrical signal
Data Source
AI summary
An energy harvesting module includes a pendular unit with piezoelectric transducer elastically deformable in bending with a clamped end and a free end coupled to an inertial mass. The transducer includes at least one piezoelectric beam configured into two adjacent arms formed single-piece, with external and internal arms arranged side-by-side. The external arm has a clamped proximal end and a free distal end, and the internal arm has a free proximal end supporting the inertial mass, and a free distal end connected to the distal end of the adjacent external arm. An annular mount surrounds the beam at its proximal end and includes the clamp to which is fastened the proximal end of the external arm. The mount includes, in a central region in the vicinity of the clamp, a cavity inside which the inertial mass carried by the free proximal end of the internal arm can oscillate.