One-Sided Electrode Piezoelectric Actuator with Constrained Deflection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional piezoelectric actuators with electrodes on both sides face challenges such as increased space requirements, high electrotechnical design complexities, and variability in deflection due to manufacturing tolerances and shape-dependent performance, making them unsuitable for certain microtechnical applications.
Innovation Solution
A piezoelectric actuator design with electrodes on one side and an attachment element that limits expansion, ensuring deflection is concentrated and reproducible, independent of the actuator's shape, and optimized for specific applications by using a PZT ceramic with a star-shaped electrode structure and an attachment element made of high-modulus material.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If electrodes are arranged on both sides of the piezoelectric material, then the actuator achieves sufficient deflection, but the space requirement increases and electrotechnical design complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a conventional two-sided electrode configuration to a one-sided electrode arrangement combined with an attachment element. This dimensional change in electrode placement allows the electric field to act through the thickness of the piezoelectric layer while the attachment element provides the mechanical constraint, thereby reducing space requirements and simplifying electrotechnical design while maintaining deflection performance.
2Volume of moving object
If the piezoelectric layer is made thin to reduce space, then the deflection capability decreases, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite structure by combining a thin piezoelectric layer with an attachment element made of different material properties. The piezoelectric layer provides the actuation function while the attachment element provides mechanical constraint and structural support. This composite approach enables thin overall dimensions while maintaining sufficient deflection capability through the synergistic interaction of the two components.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the actuator shape is varied to optimize performance, then manufacturing precision requirements increase, but the patent achieves shape independence
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the actuator into two functionally independent components: the piezoelectric layer responsible for actuation and the attachment element responsible for mechanical constraint. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured independently with standard tolerances, and their combination achieves the desired performance without requiring high precision in the overall shape or interface between components.
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 solution enhances the deflection efficiency and reproducibility of the actuator, reducing the impact of manufacturing tolerances and shape variations, while maintaining structural integrity and simplifying production.
Implementation Method 1
The well-known inverse piezoelectric effect is used here, in which electric fields deform piezoelectric materials. The expansion of the piezoceramic depends, among other things, on the electric field strength between the electrodes, the length of the material between the electrodes and the piezoelectric material properties.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5
Figure 6~7
AI summary
The invention relates to a piezoelectric actuator (1) which acts as micromechanical actuating element. Thus, the piezoelectric actuator (1) has a piezoelectric element (2) and an electrode structure (5), wherein said electrode structure (5) is arranged with the electrodes thereof exclusively on one side of the piezoelectric element (2). Furthermore, the piezoelectric actuator (1) has at least one attachment element (6), wherein the attachment element (6) is fitted on the piezoelectric element (2) and on the side of the electrode structure (5) of the piezoelectric element (2), and the attachment element (6) at least partially encompasses the electrode structure (5) of the piezoelectric actuator (1). The attachment element (6) in the process, by virtue of encompassing the electrode structure (5), provides a physical limit for the expansion of the piezoelectric element (2).