Piezo Driver Charge Recycling via Dual Passive Storage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Piezo drivers in electronic devices inefficiently use electric charge due to frequent voltage fluctuations during haptic and audio feedback, leading to inefficient usage of electric charge.

Innovation Solution

A piezo driver with a voltage converter and dual passive energy storage components that transfer and store electric charge across different operational states, allowing for efficient recycling and reuse of charge, improving efficiency by more than 20% compared to traditional methods that dump charge to ground.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If piezo drivers dump charge to ground during voltage reduction, then the piezo component can be reset, but electric charge is wasted and efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepiezo component reset capabilityVSAvoidelectric charge waste

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of discarding the electric charge to ground, the patent recovers it by transferring the charge from the piezo component to a passive energy storage component during voltage reduction, thereby eliminating energy waste while maintaining the piezo component reset capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the previously harmful action of dumping charge to ground into a beneficial process by capturing that charge and storing it in a passive energy storage component, transforming energy waste into reusable energy that improves overall system efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

2Ease of operation

If piezo drivers frequently adjust voltage during haptic and audio feedback, then the feedback quality is maintained, but electric charge usage efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehaptic and audio feedback qualityVSAvoidelectric charge usage efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the voltage parameter dynamically by switching between two operational modes: voltage buildup mode where charge is transferred from the passive energy storage component to the piezo component, and voltage reduction mode where charge is transferred from the piezo component to the passive energy storage component, thereby maintaining feedback quality while improving charge usage efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent ensures continuous useful action by recycling electric charge within the system through the passive energy storage component, allowing the piezo component to be driven efficiently during both voltage increase and decrease phases without wasting energy, thereby maintaining continuous high-quality haptic and audio feedback

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

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 efficiency of piezo drivers by recycling electric charge, reducing waste and improving the overall performance in generating haptic and audio feedback in electronic devices.

Implementation Method 1

A touch screen panel may employ piezo components, such as piezoelectric sensors, that are configured to utilize the piezoelectric effect to measure mechanical pressure, acceleration, force, and so forth.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPiezoelectric effect: Piezoelectric Effect

Implementation Method 2

The voltage converter is configured to furnish electric charge from the first passive energy storage component to the piezo component during a first state of operation and to furnish electric charge from the piezo component to the first passive energy storage component during a second state of operation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectric charge transfer: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentUS8963400B2Piezo driver having recharging capability

Publication Date: 2015.02.24 MAXIM INTEGRATED PROD INC

AI summary

A piezo driver is described that is configured to furnish electric charge to a piezo component and configured to transfer electric charge from the piezo component to a passive energy storage component during various operational states of the piezo driver. In one or more implementations, the piezo driver includes a first passive energy storage component and a second passive energy storage component configured to store electric charge. The piezo driver also includes a voltage converter configured to electrically connect between a piezo component and the first passive energy storage component and the second passive energy storage component. The voltage converter is configured to furnish electric charge from the first passive energy storage component to the piezo component, and vice versa. The voltage converter is also configured to furnish electric charge from the second passive energy storage component to the piezo component, and vice versa.