Piezoelectric Actuator Assembly with Integrated Conductive Traces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing piezoelectric actuators in portable electronic devices face issues with manufacturing complexity and cost due to the need for flexible conductive leads, which are prone to cracking and result in poor mechanical response and insufficient tactile feedback.
Innovation Solution
A piezoelectric actuator apparatus with a support plate having recessed wells for direct engagement of conductive contacts with piezoelectric elements, eliminating the need for flexible conductive leads by using dedicated conductive traces for electrical coupling, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity and improving reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If flexible conductive leads are used to couple piezoelectric elements, then electrical connection is achieved, but reliability deteriorates due to cracking and electrical arcing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the conductive contact and support plate into a single integrated component. The support plate contains built-in conductive traces that directly connect to conductive contacts positioned in recessed wells, eliminating the need for separate flexible conductive leads. This integration resolves the reliability issue by removing the flexible leads that are prone to cracking while maintaining electrical connectivity through the rigid support plate structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and removes the flexible conductive leads from the assembly entirely. By designing the support plate with integrated conductive traces and recessed wells that directly receive the piezoelectric elements, the invention eliminates the intermediate flexible lead component that causes reliability problems, thereby simplifying the overall assembly while improving durability.
2Reliability
If flexible conductive leads are coupled to both shim and piezoelectric material layer, then electrical connection is achieved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support plate integrates multiple functions into a single component: it provides mechanical support, contains recessed wells for positioning piezoelectric elements, and includes built-in conductive traces for electrical connection. This merging eliminates the need for separate flexible conductive leads and their complex coupling processes to both the shim and piezoelectric material layer, significantly simplifying manufacturing.
3Volume of moving object
If piezoelectric elements are closely spaced for compact design, then device size decreases, but electrical isolation between elements becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The support plate features recessed wells that provide localized isolation for each piezoelectric element. These recessed structures create physical and electrical separation between closely spaced elements, allowing compact arrangement while maintaining reliable electrical isolation. Each well acts as a localized containment structure that prevents electrical interference between adjacent piezoelectric elements.
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 solution enhances the reliability and longevity of electrical connections, reduces manufacturing costs, and provides improved tactile feedback by allowing individual control of each piezoelectric element, enhancing user experience in portable electronic devices.
Implementation Method 1
a piezoelectric element having a first layer composed of an electrically conductive material and a second layer adjacent the first layer and composed of a piezoelectric material
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 2B
AI summary
Piezoelectric actuator apparatus and methods for providing tactile feedback are described herein. The piezoelectric actuator includes a support plate (208) having a recessed well (210) and a conductive contact (212) disposed in the recessed well to receive a piezoelectric element (202). A conductive trace or path (214) is provided between the conductive contact and a connector (215) of the support plate.