Depoled Piezoelectric Material for Ultrasound Probe Dicing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Polarized piezoelectric materials used in ultrasound probes are prone to damage during size-cutting and dicing, resulting in low mechanical workability and high defective rates, which increases manufacturing costs.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the use of depoled piezoelectric materials for ultrasound probe manufacturing, including depoling, size-cutting, and dicing processes, which improves mechanical workability and reduces defects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If polarized piezoelectric material is used for ultrasound probe manufacturing, then piezoelectric performance is improved, but mechanical workability deteriorates and defective rate increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies depoling treatment to the piezoelectric material before machining operations (size-cutting and dicing). This preliminary action removes the polarization state, making the material mechanically softer and more workable during manufacturing. After machining is complete, the material is repolarized to restore its piezoelectric properties, thus achieving both ease of manufacture and functional performance.
2Reliability
If polarized piezoelectric material is used for ultrasound probe manufacturing, then piezoelectric performance is improved, but defective rate increases
Solution Approach 1:
The depoling treatment is applied as a preliminary step before machining operations. By removing polarization before size-cutting and dicing, the material becomes less prone to cracking and defects during mechanical processing. After all machining is complete, the material is repolarized to restore piezoelectric functionality, thereby reducing the defective rate while maintaining performance.
3Reliability
If polarized piezoelectric material is used for ultrasound probe manufacturing, then piezoelectric performance is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a sequence where depoling is performed before machining, followed by repolarization after machining. This preliminary depoling action reduces manufacturing difficulties and defect rates, thereby lowering overall manufacturing costs despite the additional processing steps. The cost reduction comes from decreased material waste and lower rework rates.
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 method enhances the mechanical workability of piezoelectric materials, decreases the defective rate, and reduces manufacturing costs by using depoled piezoelectric materials in the production of ultrasound probes.
Implementation Method 1
The principle for an ultrasound probe to transmit and receive ultrasound waves is to utilize the characteristics of piezoelectric materials. A piezoelectric material refers to what interconverts between electrical energy and mechanical energy. For example, the piezoelectric material used for ultrasound probes vibrates and at the same time, emits ultrasound waves, when a voltage is applied across electrodes formed in its upper and lower parts
Implementation Method 2
receives ultrasound waves reflected by a scattering/reflecting object within another object or body and converts the received ultrasound wave into an electrical signal
Implementation Method 3
it is disadvantageous that polarized piezoelectric materials, in particular, single crystalline piezoelectric materials are easily damaged by size-cutting or dicing and have low mechanical workability such as non-uniform dicing
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure of at least one embodiment provides a method for manufacturing ultrasound probes comprising a machining process, the method including depoling a piezoelectric element as a material for the ultrasonic probes before the machining process.