Dielectric Transducer Compliant Electrode

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Solution Overview

Problem

Dielectric transducer structures often lack compliance to elastic deformations in all planar directions, leading to electrode damage due to limited elasticity in non-compliant directions and potential straight lines on the surface topology.

Innovation Solution

The dielectric transducer structure features corrugated areas with heights and depths arranged in both perpendicular directions, with adjustable corrugation periods and peak-to-peak amplitudes to ensure compliance in all directions, avoiding straight lines and minimizing electrode damage by breaking symmetry and ensuring uniform electric field homogeneity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Length of moving object

If corrugated areas with heights and depths are arranged in only one direction, then the transducer structure can be easily extended in that direction, but the structure displays very small compliance to elastic deformations in the transverse direction

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveextension capabilityVSAvoidcompliance to elastic deformations

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies asymmetry by arranging corrugations in perpendicular directions with different orientations. The first set of corrugations has a first orientation while the second set has a second orientation that is not parallel to the first, creating an asymmetric pattern that provides compliance in multiple directions rather than just one.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from one-dimensional corrugation (single direction) to two-dimensional corrugation by adding corrugations in perpendicular directions. This dimensional expansion allows the structure to accommodate elastic deformations in multiple planar directions, resolving the contradiction between extension capability and compliance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Reliability

If the boundary surfaces are flat, then the electrode materials can maintain structural integrity, but the structure lacks compliance to elastic deformations leading to electrode breakage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrode integrityVSAvoidcompliance to elastic deformations

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses curved corrugation patterns instead of flat surfaces. The corrugations create a wavy, curved topology on the boundary surfaces that allows the electrode structure to flex and deform elastically in multiple directions, preventing electrode breakage while maintaining integrity through the distributed curvature pattern.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the geometric parameters of the boundary surfaces by introducing corrugations with specific orientations and amplitudes. This parameter modification transforms the flat surface into a corrugated surface that can accommodate elastic deformations, thereby improving compliance without compromising electrode integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of manufacture

If regular surface structures are used, then manufacturing is simplified, but straight lines may appear on the surface topology creating compliance issues

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurface structure fabricationVSAvoidcompliance uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent avoids straight lines by using asymmetric corrugation patterns where the second set of corrugations has a different orientation from the first set. This asymmetry prevents the formation of continuous flat lines on the surface, ensuring uniform compliance across the entire boundary surface while maintaining manufacturability through regular corrugation patterns.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

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 design achieves compliance in all planar directions, reducing the risk of electrode damage and allowing for a broader range of applications with a more homogeneous level of deformation compliance, while maintaining structural stability.

Implementation Method 1

the electrostatic force between the two electrodes is used to compress the body

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrostatic force: Electrostatics

Implementation Method 2

the attraction between two electrodes located on an elastomeric body that leads to a compression of the body in one direction and a corresponding extension of the body in a second direction

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Implementation Method 3

the capacity of the electrode capacitor is increased allowing to measure the applied force

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapacitance: Capacitance

Data Source

PatentUS9972767B2All compliant electrode

Publication Date: 2018.05.15 DANFOSS AS

AI summary

The invention relates to a dielectric transducer structure comprising a body of elastomeric material that is provided with an electrode arrangement on each of two boundary surfaces lying oppositely to one another. At least one boundary surface comprises a corrugated area that comprises heights and depths. The aim of the invention is to improve the compliance to elastic deformations of the dielectric transducer structure. To this end, the heights and depths are arranged in both perpendicular directions of the boundary surface.