Piezoelectric Actuator with Self-Powered Liquid Crystal Display
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing actuating devices with indicator lights rely on external energy sources, making them non-autonomous and requiring permanent power supplies, such as batteries, which limits their self-sufficiency.
Innovation Solution
An actuating device with a piezoelectric blade-based voltage generator that produces electrical voltages through deformations, powering a liquid crystal display with two stable states, allowing for autonomous operation without external power, using a multilayer structure of piezoelectric material, insulator, and conductive metal layers, and a rotary rack system for controlling displacement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional indicator lights (lamps, LEDs) are used, then the device can display control states, but it requires external power sources (power grid or batteries) reducing autonomy
Solution Approach 1:
The piezoelectric blade generates electrical energy from the mechanical deformation caused by the movable part's displacement. The system serves itself by converting its own operational mechanical energy into electrical energy to power the display, eliminating the need for external power sources and achieving complete autonomy
Solution Approach 2:
The piezoelectric material's electrical output parameters (voltage amplitude) change in response to the amplitude of mechanical deformation. By varying the displacement distance of the movable part, different voltage amplitudes are generated, enabling the display to show different control states based on the physical state of the system
2Ease of operation
If complex processing circuits are used with LEDs, then the device can provide signaling commands, but the device complexity increases and external energy sources are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the complex processing circuits from the system by using a liquid crystal display that can be directly controlled by the piezoelectric-generated voltage. The signaling capability is maintained through the display's ability to show different states, while the complexity is reduced by removing unnecessary electronic components
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the electrical/mechanical processing circuit system with a direct electromechanical coupling where the piezoelectric blade's mechanical deformation directly generates the electrical signal that controls the liquid crystal display, simplifying the overall system architecture
3Reliability
If batteries are used for power supply, then the device can operate independently, but the device requires permanent local energy sources reducing self-sufficiency
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of carrying energy storage materials like batteries, the system generates its own energy on-demand from the mechanical deformation during operation. The piezoelectric blade converts the kinetic energy of the movable part's displacement into electrical energy, allowing the device to be independent without requiring permanent local energy sources
Solution Approach 2:
The system recovers mechanical energy from the movable part's displacement that would otherwise be wasted, converting it into electrical energy to power the display. This energy recovery approach eliminates the need for separate energy storage materials while maintaining operational independence
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 autonomous operation of the actuating device with a liquid crystal display that maintains its state after each command, using deformations to generate voltages for indicating control states without the need for continuous power, enhancing self-sufficiency and reducing energy dependency.
Implementation Method 1
at least one electrical voltage generator element (7) arranged between the mobile part (2) and a stop (8) of the fixed part (1), said generator element being capable of receiving at least two stresses or deformations according to the two displacement distances
Implementation Method 2
The indicator (3) comprises or consists of a display with two stable states, for example, a liquid crystal display having two different colors corresponding to each stable state
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4C
Figure 5~6C
AI summary
The indicator light actuator comprises a fixed part (1) serving as the housing, a movable part (2) capable of moving between a rest position and at least one active position, and an indicator light (3) for displaying a state. A system (4) for controlling the displacement of the movable part (2) relative to the fixed part (1) sequentially controls at least two different displacement distances (D1, D2) between two consecutive actions. At least one electrical voltage-generating element (7) is disposed between the movable part (2) and the fixed part (1). The element can receive at least two stresses or deformations dependent on the two displacement distances (D1, D2) to provide voltages of different amplitudes (V1, V2). The indicator light (3) is connected to said voltage-generating element (7) and includes a display with two stable states. The push button includes the actuator.