Piezoelectric Component with Predetermined Breaking Layer

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Solution Overview

Problem

Piezoelectric components, such as actuators, face reliability issues due to cracks that can lead to short circuits when electrode layers of different polarity are bridged, particularly during mechanical stresses or thermal processes, which can be exacerbated by foreign substance penetration through porous areas.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating predetermined breaking layers with reduced mechanical strength and higher porosity between electrode layers of different polarity to control crack formation and propagation, ensuring cracks occur within these layers and do not bridge electrode layers, while maintaining a reduced electric field to minimize foreign substance ingress.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If predetermined breaking layers with higher porosity are used to control crack propagation, then crack guidance capability is improved, but susceptibility to foreign substance penetration increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecrack control capabilityVSAvoidforeign substance penetration
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by creating predetermined breaking layers with locally modified properties (higher porosity, lower mechanical strength) at specific positions between electrode layers, while maintaining different polarity orientations in different regions to control crack propagation paths locally without uniform modification throughout the entire component

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The predetermined breaking layers act as intermediary structures that mediate between the conflicting requirements of crack control and foreign substance resistance. These layers provide controlled crack paths while their strategic placement between oppositely polarized electrode layers creates electrical barriers that indirectly protect against foreign substance effects

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If predetermined breaking layers are placed between electrode layers of different polarity, then crack path control is improved, but electric field strength is reduced in functional areas

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveshort circuit preventionVSAvoidelectric field strength
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the stack into different regions: functional regions with standard electrode spacing for energy conversion, and protected regions with increased spacing containing predetermined breaking layers for reliability. This segmentation allows optimization of different areas for different purposes without compromising overall performance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the geometric parameter (distance d2) between electrode layers in specific regions where predetermined breaking layers are placed, increasing the spacing to reduce electric field strength and foreign substance penetration risk, while maintaining standard spacing (d1) in functional regions for optimal energy conversion

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 approach reduces the risk of component failure by containing cracks and foreign substance penetration, enhancing reliability and maintaining performance with reduced need for complex encapsulations.

Implementation Method 1

When a voltage is applied to the electrode layers, the piezoelectric layers expand in the stacking direction, so that a stroke of the actuator is generated

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPiezoelectric effect: Piezoelectric Effect

Implementation Method 2

The predetermined breaking layers are preferably formed in such a way that a crack occurs at a point in the component specified by the predetermined breaking layer and only runs in one plane parallel to the planes of the electrode layers

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFracture mechanics: Fracture Mechanics

Implementation Method 3

Before sintering, the binder is removed by a decarburization process, leaving pores in the layer where the binder was

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDecarburization:

Implementation Method 4

The foils are stacked, pressed and sintered together, resulting in a monolithic sintered body

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSintering: Sintering

Data Source

PatentEP2543085B9Piezoelectric component
Publication Date: 2018.04.04 TDK ELECTRONICS AG
  • EP2543085B9 patent drawingFigure 1~2B
  • EP2543085B9 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B
  • EP2543085B9 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The invention relates to a piezoelectric component (1) comprising at least one planned fracture layer (5) for generating and guiding cracks (23) in the component (1) in a controlled manner. The planned fracture layer (5) is disposed between two electrode layers (3, 4, 31, 41) adjacent to each other in the direction of the stack. The distance d2 of said two electrode layers (3, 4, 31, 41) is greater than the distance d­1 of two adjacent electrode layers (3, 4) between which no planned fracture layer (5) is provided.