Piezo Shaker Platform With Perpendicular Elements
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional shakers for sample mixing in laboratory settings face limitations in adjustable movement patterns, high-frequency capabilities, and high frictional wear, leading to inefficient sample mixing and noise emission.
Innovation Solution
A piezo shaker system utilizing two piezo elements arranged perpendicularly to drive a platform with independent control over movement frequencies, phases, and amplitudes, supported by a spring bar and controlled by a power source and controller, allowing for a range of movement patterns and reduced friction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional electric motors or magnets are used for shaking, then the device can produce linear or orbital movements, but the movement patterns are fixed or cumbersome to change and adjust, and the number of available choices is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses two piezoelectric elements that can be independently controlled to dynamically change movement patterns. By adjusting the excitation frequencies, phases, and amplitudes of the two piezo elements, the system can generate various movement patterns (linear, orbital, elliptical, etc.) without mechanical reconfiguration, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the operational parameters (frequency, phase, amplitude) of the piezoelectric elements to achieve different movement patterns. This parameter-based control allows versatile movement adjustment without adding mechanical complexity, as the same hardware configuration can produce multiple movement types through parameter variation.
2Reliability
If conventional drives are used for shaking probes, then the structure is simple, but wear and friction are significant problems that limit reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical drive systems (motors, gears, bearings) with piezoelectric elements that directly generate vibrational movements. This substitution eliminates mechanical contact and friction, significantly improving reliability and reducing wear, while the piezoelectric components are relatively simple to manufacture and integrate.
3Adaptability or versatility
If piezoelectric transducers are used to bend the tank for mixing, then vibrations can be controlled and focused on the sample, but the transduced movement is not a controlled movement but a vibrational movement, limiting the types of shaking patterns achievable
Solution Approach 1:
By dynamically controlling the excitation parameters of two piezoelectric elements independently, the system can generate various shaking patterns (linear, orbital, elliptical) from vibrational inputs. The superposition of vibrations from two independently controllable piezo elements enables diverse movement patterns while maintaining precise control through electronic parameter adjustment.
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
Enables reliable, high-frequency, low-friction, and low-noise sample mixing with precise control over movement patterns, reducing wear and enhancing mixing efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a piezo shaker (10) comprises a platform (30) operatively connected with at least one piezo element (20a, 20b), wherein the at least one piezo element deforms for controlled movement of the platform
Data Source
AI summary
A piezo shaker for shaking a probe is disclosed. The piezo shaker comprises a platform operatively connected with at least one piezo element, wherein the at least one piezo element deforms for controlled movement of the platform, wherein the piezo shaker further comprises transmission means connecting the at least one piezo element and the platform, and wherein the transmission means transmit the movement to the platform. The piezo shaker may comprise two piezo elements, arranged to operate along different directions, in particular perpendicularly.