Modular Piezoelectric Actuator with Interchangeable Arms
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Solution Overview
Problem
Smart material actuators are typically produced in limited sizes and configurations, restricting their adaptability to various applications and requiring customization to match specific demands.
Innovation Solution
A smart material actuator apparatus with a mechanical amplifier, mountable actuating arms, and a piezoelectric stack, allowing for customization through interchangeable arms to adjust resonant frequency and application-specific configurations, enabling the creation of different actuator configurations from a common set of parts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If smart material actuators are produced in limited sizes and configurations, then manufacturing complexity is reduced, but adaptability to different applications deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator is divided into separate modular components: a base structure and interchangeable arms. Each arm can be detached and replaced with different arms having varying sizes, shapes, and configurations. This segmentation allows the same base unit to serve multiple applications by simply changing the arm component, thereby improving adaptability without proportionally increasing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The base structure is designed as a universal platform that can accommodate multiple types of arms through standardized mounting interfaces. This universal design enables a single base unit to perform multiple functions across different applications by interchangeably mounting different arms, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and device complexity.
2Reliability
If custom actuators are designed for each specific application, then application-specific performance is improved, but manufacturing cost and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the actuator into a standardized base and customizable arms, the system allows rapid reconfiguration for different applications without redesigning the entire actuator. This reduces manufacturing time and cost while maintaining application-specific performance through proper arm selection.
Solution Approach 2:
Different arms provide varying parameters such as length, mass, and geometric configuration, allowing the same base actuator to be optimized for different applications by changing these physical parameters through arm selection rather than complete redesign.
3Adaptability or versatility
If fixed-size actuators are used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but ability to tune resonant frequency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The resonant frequency of the actuator can be tuned by selecting arms with different masses and lengths. By changing the arm parameters, the natural frequency of the system is adjusted to match desired operating conditions, enabling resonant frequency tuning without complicating the base design.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a static fixed-configuration actuator to a dynamic reconfigurable system where arms can be changed based on operational requirements. This dynamic adaptability allows resonant frequency tuning while keeping the base structure simple and standardized.
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
Enables flexible assembly of actuators for diverse applications, amplifies mechanical motion, and enhances energy harvesting efficiency by tuning resonant frequency, allowing for broader usage and cost-effective production.
Implementation Method 1
A piezoelectric stack is affixed between a first mounting surface on the fixed supporting member and a second mounting surface on the movable supporting member. With the fixed supporting member being substantially rigid, and the piezoelectric stack being affixed between the first mounting surface and the second mounting surface, which are substantially parallel, applying an appropriate electric potential to the piezoelectric stack will cause it to expand substantially without angular movement.
Implementation Method 2
The configuration of the web and the length of the mountable arm cause the actuating end of the arm to move across a distance greater than the expansion of the piezoelectric stack. In this way, the expansion of the stack is effectively amplified by the mechanical amplifier.
Implementation Method 3
The expansion urges the second mounting surface away from the first, thereby causing the compliant members of the mechanical web to flex, thereby moving the mountable actuating arm.
Data Source
AI summary
A smart material actuator comprising a mechanical amplifier with a fixed supporting member, at least one mountable actuating arm, and mechanical web having at least one compliant member attached to the mountable arm and a movable supporting member. A piezoelectric stack is affixed between a first mounting surface on the fixed supporting member and a second mounting surface on the movable supporting member. With the fixed supporting member being substantially rigid, and the piezoelectric stack being affixed between the first mounting surface and the second mounting surface, which are substantially parallel, applying an appropriate electric potential to the piezoelectric stack will cause it to expand substantially without angular movement. The expansion urges the second mounting surface away from the first, thereby causing the compliant members of the mechanical web to flex, thereby moving the mountable actuating arm. The configuration of the web and the length of the mountable arm cause the actuating end of the arm to move across a distance greater than the expansion of the piezoelectric stack. In this way, the expansion of the stack is effectively amplified by the mechanical amplifier. Actuators of this type may be used both to create mechanical motion from electrical energy and to harvest electrical energy from mechanical motion, or sense the degree of such motion. A number of arm designs and means of attachment to external components are disclosed, in addition to methods of generating electricity from mechanical motion and generating vibration using such actuators and methods of tuning the resonant frequency and increasing the efficiency of energy harvesting through resonant operation.