Piezoelectric Haptic Actuator Electrode Area Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing haptic actuators face challenges in minimizing the reduction of movement range while maximizing the reduction of power consumption.
Innovation Solution
A haptic actuator design featuring a piezoelectric plate with a drive electrode having a smaller area than the piezoelectric plate, specifically formed to cover the center of the plate with an area corresponding to 75% of the plate's area, to reduce power consumption while minimizing the reduction of movement range.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If the drive electrode covers the entire piezoelectric plate, then the movement range is maximized, but the power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The drive electrode is designed with non-uniform area distribution, concentrating the electrode material in the central region where it is most effective for generating displacement, while reducing the area at the periphery. This local optimization allows the electrode to provide sufficient actuation force for the required movement range while significantly reducing the overall area that consumes electrical energy, thus resolving the contradiction between movement range and power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes the area parameter of the drive electrode by setting it to a specific ratio (0.7-0.85) of the piezoelectric plate area. This parameter optimization balances two competing requirements: maintaining enough electrode area to generate the necessary displacement for haptic feedback while reducing the area sufficiently to lower power consumption. The optimal ratio represents the point where the marginal gain in movement range equals the marginal loss in power consumption.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the drive electrode area is reduced, then the power consumption decreases, but the movement range is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of uniformly distributing the drive electrode across the entire plate, the design concentrates the electrode material in the central region. This local concentration strategy ensures that the reduced electrode area is strategically positioned to maximize its effectiveness in generating displacement, thereby maintaining adequate movement range while achieving the desired power consumption reduction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent identifies and optimizes the critical parameter of electrode area ratio (drive electrode area divided by piezoelectric plate area) to fall within the range of 0.7 to 0.85. This parameter optimization ensures that the electrode area is reduced enough to lower power consumption by approximately 25%, while maintaining sufficient area to generate the necessary displacement for effective haptic feedback, thus resolving the contradiction between power consumption and movement range.
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 proposed design effectively reduces power consumption by 25% while minimizing the reduction of displacement by 11.2%, thus achieving efficient haptic feedback with reduced energy usage.
Implementation Method 1
The haptic actuator may include a piezoelectric element. When an electrical signal is applied to the piezoelectric element, the piezoelectric element may output a displacement through expansion or contraction.
Data Source
AI summary
A haptic actuator is disclosed. The haptic actuator includes a piezoelectric element formed of a piezoelectric material, and a drive electrode formed at the piezoelectric plate to have a smaller area than an area of the piezoelectric plate. The haptic actuator minimizes reduction of a maximum displacement of the piezoelectric plate, as compared to reduction of drive current amount.