Mechanical Resonator Logic Element for Low-Power Binary Storage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Logical elements using current semiconductor transistors face increased power consumption with integration and are difficult to downsize due to electrical resonators, leading to crosstalk and inefficiencies in storage and calculation processes.

Innovation Solution

A logical element utilizing a mechanically oscillating resonator with a piezoelectric excitation mechanism, where a beam oscillates in two distinct phases to represent binary information, reducing power consumption and minimizing crosstalk through mechanical rather than electrical resonation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If semiconductor transistors are used as basic elements in logical elements, then high speed operation and degree of integration are achieved, but power consumption increases with integration

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperation speedVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces electrical resonators with mechanical resonators as the basic oscillation element. The mechanical resonator uses a piezoelectrically-driven beam that mechanically oscillates to store bit information, substituting the electrical field-based LC resonator with a mechanical vibration-based system. This mechanical substitution reduces power consumption while maintaining operational functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs periodic parametric excitation of the mechanical resonator to maintain oscillation states. By applying periodic excitation forces at specific frequencies, the mechanical resonator sustains its oscillation without requiring continuous energy input, thereby reducing overall power consumption compared to transistor-based systems that require constant current supply.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

2Reliability

If electrical resonators are used in logical elements, then bit information storage is achieved, but crosstalk occurs between elements during microprocessing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinformation storageVSAvoidcrosstalk

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces electrical resonators with mechanical resonators, where bit information is stored in the oscillation state of a mechanically-vibrating beam. Mechanical oscillations are inherently isolated from electrical crosstalk that plagues integrated electrical circuits, as the mechanical domain operates independently from electrical signal interference, thereby eliminating the crosstalk problem during microprocessing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Productivity

If conventional parametron is used, then cost and performance are superior to semiconductor elements, but device size reduction is difficult due to LC resonator basic unit

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveperformanceVSAvoiddevice size

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates the piezoelectric excitation mechanism directly within the mechanical resonator structure, creating a compact nested configuration where the piezoelectric layer is deposited on the beam itself. This nested integration eliminates the need for separate external excitation circuits and large LC resonator components, enabling significant device size reduction while maintaining the functional performance of parametron-based logical elements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

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 effectively suppresses power consumption increases and reduces crosstalk, enabling efficient storage and calculation while allowing for smaller device sizes by using mechanical oscillations instead of electrical resonators.

Implementation Method 1

A logical element utilizes a mechanically oscillating resonator with a piezoelectric excitation mechanism

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPiezoelectric effect: Piezoelectric Effect

Implementation Method 2

an oscillation portion which mechanically oscillates, excitation means for parametrically oscillating the oscillation portion in either of a first oscillation state and second oscillation state different in phase by π

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical oscillation: Vibration

Data Source

PatentUS8159307B2Logical element

Publication Date: 2012.04.17 NIPPON TELEGRAPH & TELEPHONE CORP

AI summary

In a logical element, supporting portions, and a beam supported by them at two ends are formed. The beam has a back side surface spaced apart from the top side surface of a substrate, creating a space between the facing surfaces of the beam and substrate. An excitation electrode is formed on one supporting portion, whereas an oscillation detecting electrode is formed on the other supporting portion.