Piezoelectric Actuator Protruding Contact Surface Driving Force
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing piezoelectric actuators require improvement in driving force due to limited frictional contact area and displacement when a voltage is applied.
Innovation Solution
A piezoelectric actuator design featuring a rectangular parallelepiped element with second regions on its surface that project from a first region, having flat surfaces longer in the lateral center region than at the lateral end region, allowing for broader contact and increased frictional force generation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If the piezoelectric element uses a conventional flat contact surface design, then the structure is simple, but the driving force is insufficient due to limited frictional contact area and displacement
Solution Approach 1:
The contact surface is transformed from a conventional flat two-dimensional surface to a three-dimensional protruding structure. The second region projects outward from the first region, creating a raised contact surface that increases both the frictional contact area and the displacement amplitude when voltage is applied, thereby generating greater driving force without significantly increasing overall device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The piezoelectric element surface is divided into different regions with distinct functions: the first region provides a base structure, while the second region is specifically designed as a protruding contact surface with enhanced frictional properties. This local differentiation allows the contact area and displacement to be optimized in the second region without affecting the entire element structure
2Force
If the contact area is increased to improve frictional force, then the driving force improves, but the displacement amplitude may be reduced due to distributed stress
Solution Approach 1:
By creating a protruding third-dimensional structure, the contact surface simultaneously achieves both increased contact area and maintained displacement amplitude. The vertical projection of the second region allows it to contact the driven body over a larger area while the piezoelectric material beneath can still undergo significant vertical displacement when voltage is applied
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 enhances driving force by increasing displacement and frictional contact area, resulting in improved performance and reliability of the piezoelectric actuator.
Implementation Method 1
a piezoelectric element configured to generate first and second vibration modes simultaneously with each other in response to a voltage applied thereto
Implementation Method 2
the flat surface configured to come into contact with a body to be driven and generate a frictional force therewith
Data Source
AI summary
A piezoelectric actuator comprises a substantially rectangular parallelepiped piezoelectric element. One outer surface of the piezoelectric element includes a first region, and a second region located such as to project from the first region and to overlap a region corresponding to an active portion in the one outer surface. The second region has a flat surface configured to come into contact with a body to be driven and to generate a frictional force therewith. The flat surface is shorter in a longitudinal direction of the piezoelectric element than in a lateral direction thereof. The flat surface is longer in the longitudinal direction of the piezoelectric element at a lateral center region thereof than at a lateral end region thereof.