Piezoelectric Generator with Saddle-Roof Deformation Body
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing piezoelectric generators are inefficient in converting mechanical kinetic energy into electrical energy, particularly due to limitations in material durability and expansion mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A piezoelectric generator design featuring an elongated saddle-roof deformation body made of hard plastic, wrapped with a large-area planar polymer piezoelectric film, which expands to increase electrical energy production efficiency, and incorporates a spring mechanism to transform compressive forces into tensile forces on the film, enhancing energy harvesting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional piezoelectric generators use ceramic materials and simple deformation structures, then manufacturing is easier and device complexity is lower, but energy conversion efficiency is insufficient and service life is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The deformation body is divided into multiple segments or layers that can independently deform, allowing each segment to contribute to energy generation while maintaining overall structural simplicity. This segmentation enables more efficient mechanical energy capture without significantly increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite material structures combining piezoelectric materials with flexible substrates and deformable layers. This composite approach enhances energy conversion efficiency by optimizing the mechanical-electrical coupling while maintaining a relatively simple overall device architecture that can be manufactured using existing techniques.
2Productivity
If piezoelectric materials are subjected to high stress for greater energy output, then energy conversion increases, but the risk of breakage and material failure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates cushioning layers and stress-distributing structures that protect the piezoelectric material from peak stresses before they can cause damage. These protective elements are built into the device architecture in advance, allowing high energy output during normal operation while preventing catastrophic failure under extreme conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The use of flexible thin film piezoelectric materials replaces traditional brittle ceramics, enabling the material to withstand repeated deformation cycles without cracking. This flexibility maintains high energy conversion efficiency while dramatically improving reliability and extending service life.
3Productivity
If the projection surface area is kept small to reduce device size, then device compactness is improved, but the area available for energy generation is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a two-dimensional planar deformation to a three-dimensional volumetric deformation structure. By utilizing vertical stacking and multi-layer configurations, the effective energy generation area is increased without proportionally increasing the device footprint, allowing more electrical energy to be generated within a compact volume.
4Productivity
If spring mechanisms are added to transform compressive forces into tensile forces, then energy conversion efficiency improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spring mechanism is integrated into the existing deformation body structure rather than being added as a separate component. The elastic elements are combined with the piezoelectric layers and substrate to form a unified structure that performs both mechanical deformation and force transformation functions, thereby improving energy conversion without proportionally increasing 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
The design significantly increases the efficiency of energy conversion, prolongs the service life of the generator, and reduces the risk of breakage, allowing for reliable and high-energy electrical output without the need for batteries.
Implementation Method 1
an electromechanical transducer element (102) comprising a piezoelectric material (2)
Implementation Method 2
a spring effect is provided which counteracts an application of pressure to the target pressure surface
Data Source
AI summary
A piezoelectric generator is specified, comprising a deformation body, which spans a projection surface and is embodied with a setpoint pressure surface situated opposite the projection surface, wherein the projection surface can be converted from a smaller projection surface when not loaded under pressure into a larger projection surface when pressure is applied to the setpoint pressure surface substantially perpendicular to the projection surface, and a spring effect is provided which counteracts an application of pressure to the setpoint pressure surface, wherein an electromechanical transducer element comprising a piezoelectric material wholly or partly spans the projection surface, such that the transducer element is embodied in an expandable fashion upon pressure being applied to the deformation body, and electrical microenergy can be generated by means of the piezoelectric material.