Piezoceramic Ultrasonic Transducer Temperature-Adaptive Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Piezoceramic ultrasonic transducers face performance degradation and mechanical coupling issues due to temperature-dependent changes in elastomeric elements, leading to reduced signal-to-noise ratio and potential bonding failures at extreme temperatures.
Innovation Solution
A composite elastomeric element with two temperature-dependent elastomeric compound elements, one for low-temperature and one for high-temperature ranges, provides a solid support and effective mechanical decoupling, using alternating concentric annular elements to maintain oscillator stability across varying temperatures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single elastomeric element is used to support the piezoceramic oscillator, then the device is simple in structure, but the mechanical decoupling quality deteriorates at extreme temperatures due to hardness changes
Solution Approach 1:
The elastomeric element is segmented into multiple layers with different material compositions. Each layer has optimized viscoelastic properties for specific temperature ranges, allowing the composite structure to maintain effective mechanical decoupling across a wide temperature spectrum while preserving structural simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The elastomeric element uses a composite structure combining multiple elastomeric materials with different temperature-dependent viscoelastic characteristics. This composite approach enables the single element to adapt its mechanical properties across temperature extremes, maintaining reliability without increasing device complexity
2Strength
If the elastomeric element becomes hard at low temperatures, then structural support is improved, but mechanical vibratory decoupling deteriorates and noise increases
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the elastomeric element have different material compositions optimized for specific functions. The composite structure creates local zones with appropriate viscoelasticity for vibration damping while other zones provide structural support, resolving the conflict between strength and decoupling quality at low temperatures
3Reliability
If extremely thin wires are used for electrical connections, then mechanical vibratory coupling is minimized, but electrical connection reliability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The multi-layer elastomeric element acts as an intermediary medium that provides both mechanical support and vibration damping. This intermediary structure allows the thin electrical wires to pass through while being supported by the elastomeric matrix, maintaining both mechanical decoupling and electrical connection reliability
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
Ensures reliable performance and long-lasting support of the piezoceramic oscillator on the PCB across a wide temperature range, minimizing tilting and maintaining signal quality by adapting viscoelasticity to temperature conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a piezoceramic oscillator for generating ultrasonic waves... when excited by an electric field, produces mechanical vibrations which generate ultrasonic waves
Implementation Method 2
an elastomeric element which includes some viscoelasticity is mounted between the piezoceramic oscillator and the PCB for dampening and mechanically decoupling vibrations
Data Source
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AI summary
A piezoelectric ultrasonic transducer (10) for a vehicle is disclosed. The piezoceramic ultrasonic transducer (10) comprises a disc-shaped piezoceramic oscillator (12) for generating ultrasonic waves; a printed circuit board (14) for providing electric power to the disc-shaped piezoceramic oscillator (12); and a composite elastomeric element (16) arranged between the disc-shaped piezoceramic oscillator (12) and the printed circuit board (14) for supporting the piezoceramic oscillator (12) on the printed circuit board (14). The composite elastomeric element (16) includes a first elastomeric compound element (20) and a second elastomeric compound element (22), wherein the first elastomeric compound element (20) includes a first temperature dependent viscoelasticity and supports the piezoceramic oscillator (12) on the printed circuit board (14) in a first temperature range and the second elastomeric compound element (22) includes a second temperature dependent viscoelasticity and supports the piezoceramic oscillator (12) on the printed circuit board (14) in a second temperature range different from the first temperature range.