Piezoelectric Actuator Impact Resistance via L-Shaped Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional piezoelectric actuators face challenges in maintaining alignment and drive efficiency due to external impacts, which can cause deformation and damage, especially since the supporting components are fragile and prone to breakage or wiring disruption.
Innovation Solution
A piezoelectric actuator design featuring a vibrator with a reinforcing member and specific spatial arrangements between the attachment part and the vibrator, allowing for impact resistance without hindering vibration, by incorporating spaces in all XYZ directions to cushion external forces and secure the vibrator during deformation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the vibrator is directly supported to provide impact resistance, then impact resistance is improved, but vibration is interfered with and drive efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a supporting part as an intermediary component between the vibrator and the housing. This supporting part has an L-shaped configuration where one end supports the vibrator and the other end contacts the housing, creating a mediator that provides impact resistance while allowing vibration transmission. The intermediary structure resolves the contradiction by decoupling the direct support function from the vibration path.
2Productivity
If the supporting part is made thin and fragile to avoid disrupting vibration, then drive efficiency is maintained, but the supporting part is prone to breakage under impact
Solution Approach 1:
The supporting part is segmented into two functional portions: one end that supports the vibrator and another end that contacts the housing. This segmentation allows each portion to be optimized for its specific function - the vibrator-supporting end remains thin to avoid vibration disruption, while the housing-contacting end provides impact resistance through its structural connection to the housing.
3Reliability
If a pin is added to regulate spring member movement to prevent rotor separation during impact, then impact resistance is improved, but design complexity increases due to difficulty in positioning the pin
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the impact regulation function from a separate pin component and integrates it into the L-shaped supporting part structure itself. By incorporating the impact regulation capability directly into the supporting part's geometry and its connection to the housing, the design eliminates the need for additional positioning pins and reduces design complexity while maintaining impact resistance.
4Reliability
If spaces are provided between the vibrator and attachment part in all XYZ directions, then impact resistance is improved by cushioning external forces, but device volume increases
Solution Approach 1:
The L-shaped supporting part acts as a flexible structural element that provides impact cushioning through its geometry and material properties rather than through large air gaps. The supporting part can deform elastically under impact forces, absorbing energy and protecting the vibrator without requiring significant additional volume in the device.
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 design significantly enhances impact resistance while maintaining drive efficiency, preventing damage from external impacts and ensuring stable operation by securely capturing the vibrator and reducing the risk of vibration noise and electrode damage.
Implementation Method 1
piezoelectric actuators that have piezoelectric elements to which electrodes are provided, and that comprises a vibrator vibrated by the application of voltage to the electrodes
Data Source
AI summary
To provide a piezoelectric actuator whereby impact resistance can be greatly improved without complicating the design or causing a reduction in drive efficiency.When a piezoelectric actuator 31 is incorporated into a main plate 14, an arm part 513 of a vibrator 50 is disposed across from a protrusion 144 via spaces SP1, SP2 having specific dimensions. With the presence of these spaces SP1, SP2, a free end FR moves freely within the spaces SP1, SP2 during driving, but a vibrating part 511 is captured at the free end FR by the protrusion 144 when external impact is applied, and the vibrating part 511 can therefore be prevented from moving beyond the dimensions of the spaces. Resistance against impact from falling can thereby be easily and greatly improved without reducing the drive efficiency, and the usual difficulty of reconciling both drive efficiency and impact resistance can be resolved.