Piezoelectric Excitation System for High-Force Vibration Testing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vibration testing methods for flexible, light, or lightly damped structures face challenges with existing noncontact excitation systems, which are limited by low force and power transmission, and are unsuitable for structures with complex geometries or high-frequency excitations, while contact-based methods alter the structure's properties.
Innovation Solution
A piezoelectric-based excitation system with adjustable clamps and sensor film structures applies matched excitation forces to the test structure, allowing for large force application without significant mass, stiffness, or damping addition, and includes vibration suppression to maintain noncontact-like conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If acoustic-based excitation systems are used, then noncontact excitation is achieved, but force transmission capability is limited to very low forces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces acoustic-based excitation with piezoelectric-based excitation. Piezoelectric elements directly generate mechanical forces through electrical actuation, eliminating the need for acoustic pressure transmission. This substitution enables significantly higher force transmission capability while maintaining noncontact excitation, directly resolving the contradiction between force transmission capability and excitation effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces piezoelectric elements as intermediary components between the control system and the test structure. These elements serve as efficient force transducers that convert electrical signals directly into mechanical forces, providing a bridge that enables high-force noncontact excitation. The piezoelectric elements act as the mediator that resolves the limitation of acoustic systems in transmitting sufficient force.
2Force
If speaker-based excitation systems are used, then noncontact excitation is achieved, but system size becomes large
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the large-scale acoustic system with a compact piezoelectric system. Piezoelectric elements are inherently small-scale components that generate force through direct mechanical deformation, eliminating the need for large speakers and acoustic chambers. This substitution dramatically reduces system volume while maintaining high power transmission capability, resolving the contradiction between power capability and system size.
3Force
If contact-based excitation systems are used, then high force application is achieved, but structure properties are altered
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces piezoelectric elements as intermediaries that apply force without direct mechanical contact with the test structure. The piezoelectric elements generate electric fields that induce forces on the structure through electromagnetic coupling, allowing force application while maintaining a noncontact interface. This intermediary approach enables high force application capability while preserving the structural properties of the test object, resolving the contradiction between force application capability and structural integrity.
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 accurate and high-force vibration testing of complex structures with minimal alteration to their properties, effectively applying and measuring excitation forces while suppressing unwanted vibrations, thus providing a 'virtual noncontact' excitation method.
Implementation Method 1
a pair of piezoelectric elements configured to apply respective excitation forces to a test structure
Implementation Method 2
a pair of sensor film structures to generate respective output signals indicative of the excitation forces applied to the test structure
Data Source
AI summary
An excitation system includes a pair of piezoelectric elements configured to apply respective excitation forces to a test structure, a clamp including an adjustable arm, the adjustable arm being configured to capture the test structure between the pair of piezoelectric elements, a controller coupled to the pair of piezoelectric elements and configured to generate a respective excitation control signal for each piezoelectric element, each excitation control signal being configured such that the respective excitation forces are matched to one another, and a pair of sensor film structures to generate respective output signals indicative of the excitation forces applied to the test structure, each sensor film structure being disposed between a respective one of the pair of piezoelectric elements and the test structure.