Piezoelectric Accelerometer Tapered Beam Stress Distribution

The piezoelectric element is divided into multiple discrete piezoelectric members arranged in an array, with each member contributing to the overall output signal. This segmentation allows the stress to be distributed across multiple individual elements rather than concentrating it in a single large element, improving mechanical shock survivability while maintaining measurement precision through the combined output of all members.

The piezoelectric members are positioned at specific locations where stress concentration is minimized, and the array configuration allows different regions of the element to have different functional characteristics. This local optimization ensures that each piezoelectric member operates in a favorable stress environment while collectively providing the required output signal.

Instead of using a single large piezoelectric element, the invention employs multiple smaller piezoelectric members arranged in an array. This segmentation achieves the required mechanical shock survivability through distributed stress handling while maintaining output signal quality through the cumulative effect of all members in the array.

Multiple piezoelectric members are combined in an array configuration where their individual outputs are summed to produce the total output signal. This merging approach allows each member to be sized for mechanical robustness while the collective array provides the required signal quality, effectively combining the strengths of multiple small elements to match a large element's performance.