Piezoelectric Actuator with Interdigitated Electrodes for Power Return

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing actuator devices using piezoelectric materials face challenges in efficient electrical power return and manufacturing complexity, particularly in ensuring high manufacturing quality and functional reliability.

Innovation Solution

The actuator device features a main body with a base body and superstructure body, where actuators formed from piezoelectric or electrostrictive material extend in the thickness direction, with inner actuating electrodes for effective electrical connection and power return, and includes a rear-side layer and return connecting layer for efficient electrical power return from the front side to the rear side.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If conventional electrical connection methods are used in piezoelectric actuator devices, then manufacturing is simplified, but electrical power return efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical power return efficiencyVSAvoidelectrical connection structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from conventional two-dimensional surface electrodes to three-dimensional interdigitated electrodes embedded within the piezoelectric material. The electrodes extend in alternating patterns through the thickness of the material, creating multiple electrical pathways that significantly improve power return efficiency while managing the increased structural complexity through systematic design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The interdigitated electrodes are nested within the piezoelectric material itself, with electrodes from different phases interleaved throughout the material volume. This nesting approach allows multiple electrical connections to be integrated within the actuator body, improving power return without requiring external connection structures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Loss of energy

If complex electrical connection structures are implemented, then electrical power return efficiency is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical power return efficiencyVSAvoidmanufacturing process simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The interdigitated electrodes are incorporated into the piezoelectric material during the manufacturing process itself, before the actuator is assembled. This preliminary integration ensures precise electrode positioning and alignment, and allows the complex electrical structure to be created in a single manufacturing step rather than requiring subsequent assembly operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines the piezoelectric material and the electrical connection structure into a single integrated component. The interdigitated electrodes are formed as part of the piezoelectric material structure, eliminating the need for separate connection elements and simplifying the overall manufacturing process despite the complexity of the electrical architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Manufacturing precision

If traditional actuator designs are used, then manufacturing is straightforward, but manufacturing quality and functional reliability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing qualityVSAvoidactuator structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The actuator is segmented into distinct functional regions with clearly defined electrode phases and piezoelectric material zones. This segmentation allows for precise control of the electrical fields and mechanical deformation, improving manufacturing quality by enabling better process control and quality assurance at each stage of production.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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

This configuration enables effective electrical power return and enhances manufacturing quality and reliability by simplifying the manufacturing process while maintaining high functional performance.

Implementation Method 1

actuators which are each formed from a piezoelectric or electrostrictive material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPiezoelectric effect: Piezoelectric Effect

Implementation Method 2

actuators which are each formed from a piezoelectric or electrostrictive material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrostriction: Electrostriction

Data Source

PatentUS9748468B2Actuator device

Publication Date: 2017.08.29 PI CERAMIC GMBH

AI summary

Actuator device has a main body with base and superstructure bodies, the device having a plurality of actuators formed from a piezoelectric or electrostrictive material and each extend from the base body and form the superstructure body. The actuators each have at least two inner actuating electrodes of which at least one first inner actuating electrode extends, in a positive depthwise direction from the front side up to a distance from the rear side, and of which at least one second inner actuating electrode extends in a negative depthwise direction from the rear side up to a distance from the front side. At least one first inner actuating electrode of each actuator is provided for electrical connection to a first connection pole of an actuating device, a rear-side layer which is formed from electrically conductive material arranged on the rear side of the actuator device.