Piezoelectric Transducer with Selective Polymer Embedding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing piezoelectric transducer devices face challenges in achieving thin thicknesses and maintaining mechanical flexibility due to their structural design, which limits their performance and integration on non-planar or flexible surfaces.

Innovation Solution

A piezoelectric transducer device is designed with a support, a piezoelectric element, and electrical connecting elements, where the piezoelectric element is not fully embedded in a polymer coating, allowing for mechanical freedom and improved flexibility, achieved by thinning a piezoelectric block to a target thickness between 10 and 100 microns, with the upper face either exposed or partially covered by an electrical connecting element.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the piezoelectric element is completely embedded in a polymer coating, then the device structure is more integrated and protected, but the mechanical flexibility and electromechanical coupling are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural integrationVSAvoidmechanical flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the piezoelectric element from complete polymer embedding, leaving the upper face exposed or partially covered. This selective extraction maintains structural integration where needed while restoring mechanical freedom and flexibility where required, directly resolving the contradiction between integration and flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different coverage levels of polymer coating to different regions: the lower face is embedded for structural support and electrical connection, while the upper face is exposed or partially covered to maintain mechanical flexibility. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction by optimizing each region for its specific function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Strength

If the piezoelectric element is completely embedded in a polymer coating, then the device has better structural support, but the thickness cannot be reduced below 400 microns

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural supportVSAvoidthickness

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

By extracting the piezoelectric element from complete polymer embedding and leaving the upper face exposed, the patent removes the minimum thickness constraint imposed by full embedding, enabling thickness reduction to 10-100 microns while maintaining adequate structural support through selective embedding of the lower face.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs thin polymer coating layers rather than thick encapsulation, allowing the device to achieve thicknesses of 10-100 microns. The thin film approach provides sufficient structural support and protection while enabling the required thin profile that full embedding would prevent.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the piezoelectric element is completely embedded in a polymer coating, then the device is more protected from environmental factors, but the flexibility and adaptability to non-planar surfaces are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenvironmental protectionVSAvoidadaptability to surfaces

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies environmental protection selectively: the lower face with electrical connections is embedded in polymer for protection, while the upper face is exposed or partially covered to maintain flexibility and adaptability. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between protection and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of complete embedding for maximum protection, the patent uses partial embedding that provides sufficient environmental protection for the critical lower face while avoiding the excessive constraint that would reduce flexibility and adaptability to non-planar surfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

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 design enhances the mechanical behavior and electromechanical coupling of the device, enabling better flexibility and integration on various surfaces, while allowing for precise control of thickness, which is not achievable with current technologies.

Implementation Method 1

this device type calls on the transduction capacitance of piezoelectric materials, or still possibly in an operating domain where they are ferroelectric

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPiezoelectric effect: Piezoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentUS20220336725A1Piezoresistive transducer device

Publication Date: 2022.10.20 COMMISSARIAT A LENERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ENERGIES ALTERNATIVES

AI summary

A piezoelectric transducer device includes a support, a piezoelectric element, a first connecting element and a second electrical connecting element, the piezoelectric element being carried by the support and each of the first and second electrical connecting elements being electrically connected, respectively, to a first area and a second area, distinct from the first area, of the piezoelectric element, the piezoelectric element including a lower face opposite the support and an upper face, opposite to the lower face, wherein the upper face is integrally exposed or is covered, partially or not, only with the second electrical connecting element.