Piezoelectric Actuator Electrode Asymmetry for Deformation Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing piezoelectric actuators exhibit variations in deforming characteristics due to positional deviations during manufacturing, leading to inconsistent performance and significant changes in deformation characteristics over time.
Innovation Solution
A piezoelectric actuator design featuring a specific arrangement of five electrodes, where the lengths of certain electrodes are optimized to minimize positional deviations and include non-active parts to stabilize the actuator's deformation characteristics, comprising a first piezoelectric layer, a second piezoelectric layer, a third piezoelectric layer, and a fourth piezoelectric layer stacked in a particular order, with electrodes applied in a manner that ensures consistent deformation across the actuator.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the lengths of electrodes are made equal to simplify manufacturing, then manufacturing complexity is reduced, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to positional deviations causing variation in active part configuration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by making the third electrode longer than the second and fourth electrodes in the second direction. This asymmetric configuration ensures that even when positional deviations occur during manufacturing, the active parts maintain consistent dimensions because the longer third electrode compensates for potential misalignments, thereby resolving the contradiction between manufacturing simplicity and precision.
2Reliability
If electrode lengths are optimized for performance, then deforming characteristic consistency is improved, but device complexity increases due to different electrode lengths
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating the lengths of specific electrodes (third electrode being longer) while keeping other dimensions uniform. This localized variation in electrode length provides the necessary compensation for positional deviations without requiring complete redesign of the entire electrode structure, thus improving deforming characteristic consistency while limiting the increase in device complexity.
3Ease of manufacture
If the actuator structure is simplified, then manufacturing ease is improved, but chronological stability of deformation characteristic deteriorates due to lack of compensation for positional deviations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring the third electrode to be longer than the second and fourth electrodes before assembly. This preliminary design feature proactively compensates for potential positional deviations that may occur during manufacturing, ensuring that the active parts maintain consistent dimensions and the actuator exhibits stable deformation characteristics over time, without requiring complex post-manufacturing adjustments.
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 design effectively suppresses variations in deforming characteristics among individual piezoelectric actuators and stabilizes chronological changes in deformation, ensuring consistent performance and reduced crosstalk between adjacent pressure chambers.
Implementation Method 1
a first piezoelectric layer, a second piezoelectric layer, a third piezoelectric layer and a fourth piezoelectric layer stacked in a first direction
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a piezoelectric actuator including: first to fourth piezoelectric layers and first to fifth electrodes. A part, of the first piezoelectric layer, between the first and second electrodes constitutes a first active part. A part, of the second piezoelectric layer, between the second and third electrodes constitutes a second active part. A part, of the third piezoelectric layer, between the third and fourth electrodes constitutes a third active part. Parts, of the first to fourth piezoelectric layers, between the first and fifth electrodes constitute two fourth active parts. A length of the third electrode is longer than a length of the second electrode and a length of the fourth electrode. Parts, of the first and second piezoelectric layers, between the first and third electrodes constitute two non-active parts. Parts, of the third and fourth piezoelectric layers, between the third and fifth electrodes constitute two fifth active parts.