Piezoelectric Electrode Layers That Isolate Breakdown Short Circuits
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tactile representation technologies in electronic devices rely on piezoelectric elements for vibration feedback, but they lack a robust solution for managing breakdown short circuits, which can lead to device failure.
Innovation Solution
A piezoelectric element design featuring a conductive layer and an anti-oxidation layer, where the conductive layer forms a solid solution with the anti-oxidation layer at breakdown locations, generating an insulating material and preventing further short circuits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a piezoelectric element is used for tactile feedback, then user experience is improved, but the device is vulnerable to breakdown short circuits causing failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by pre-coating the piezoelectric element with an anti-oxidation layer (such as gold or aluminum oxide) and a conductive layer (such as indium) before breakdown occurs. These layers are specifically designed to react with oxygen and form insulating materials at breakdown locations, preventing the harmful short circuit effect before it can propagate and cause device failure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful effect of oxygen (which causes oxidation and short circuits) into a beneficial protective mechanism. When breakdown occurs, the anti-oxidation layer reacts with oxygen to form insulating materials that seal the breakdown location, transforming the harmful oxidation process into a protective self-healing mechanism that prevents further damage.
2Ease of manufacture
If the piezoelectric element structure is simplified, then manufacturing is easier, but protection against breakdown is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite materials by combining multiple layers with different functions: an anti-oxidation layer (gold or aluminum oxide) for chemical protection, a conductive layer (indium) for electrical functionality and solid solution formation, and optionally an adhesion layer (nickel) for structural integrity. This composite structure provides comprehensive protection while maintaining manufacturability through standard deposition processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes layer thickness parameters to balance protection and manufacturability. The anti-oxidation layer is coated to a thickness of 5-20 nm, the conductive layer to 100-500 nm, and the adhesion layer to 10-50 nm. These specific parameter ranges ensure adequate protection against breakdown while remaining compatible with existing manufacturing capabilities.
3Reliability
If a multi-layer electrode structure is added to protect against breakdown, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves multi-functionality with the electrode layers: the anti-oxidation layer provides chemical protection and forms insulating materials, the conductive layer maintains electrical conductivity and forms solid solutions, and the adhesion layer ensures structural integrity. This multi-functional design provides comprehensive protection without requiring separate dedicated components for each function, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
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 solution effectively converts breakdown short circuits into broken circuits, preventing device failure and maintaining the functionality of other piezoelectric elements, thereby enhancing the reliability of tactile representation in electronic devices.
Implementation Method 1
the conductive layer is configured to generate, when a breakdown short circuit occurs in the piezoelectric element, solid solution between a breakdown location of the piezoelectric element and the anti-oxidation layer, and oxidize to generate an insulating material
Implementation Method 2
piezoelectric elements are arranged in the electronic device, to provide tactile feedback by means of vibration of the piezoelectric elements
Data Source
AI summary
A piezoelectric element, a piezoelectric vibrator and a manufacturing method thereof, and an electronic device, a piezoelectric structure is arranged on a first electrode, and a second electrode is arranged on the piezoelectric structure, wherein the second electrode includes a conductive layer and an anti-oxidation layer arranged on the piezoelectric structure in sequence. The conductive layer is configured to generate, when a breakdown short circuit occurs in the piezoelectric element, solid solution between a breakdown location of the piezoelectric element and anti-oxidation layer, and oxidize to generate an insulating material. The conductive layer and anti-oxidation layer are used as top electrodes of the piezoelectric element, when the breakdown short circuit occurs in the piezoelectric structure of the piezoelectric element, the conductive layer is melted by a huge amount of heat generated by the short circuit, a solid solution is formed by the anti-oxidation layer and the conductive layer.