Piezoelectric Valve Actuator Assembly for Longer Stroke Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing piezoelectric element driven valves struggle to increase stroke beyond two actuators in series, leading to limited flow rate and accuracy issues due to misalignment and complex assembly requirements.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a cylindrical outer connecting jig and inner connecting jig to align and secure multiple piezoelectric actuators in series, allowing for easier assembly and increased stroke, with the inner connecting jig slidably supported by O-rings for precise alignment and the outer connecting jig providing parallel engagement surfaces for secure attachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If the piezoelectric actuator is elongated to increase stroke, then the stroke increases, but the piezoelectric element may warp and becomes weak against lateral force, making it easily damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The piezoelectric actuator is divided into multiple modular piezoelectric elements (first, second, and optionally third elements) connected in series. Each element has a standard length that maintains structural integrity and resistance to lateral forces, while the series arrangement achieves the required total stroke through cumulative displacement of multiple elements.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple piezoelectric elements are nested in series within a single actuator housing, with each element contributing to the total stroke. The elements are arranged sequentially (first element from proximal to distal end, second element continuing the series) to achieve extended stroke without increasing the vulnerability of individual elements.
2Productivity
If two piezoelectric actuators are arranged in series to increase stroke, then the flow rate increases, but the assembly becomes complex and alignment accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple piezoelectric elements are merged into a single integrated actuator assembly with a unified housing and common mounting interface. The first, second, and third piezoelectric elements are combined in series within one actuator box, eliminating the need to assemble separate actuators and reducing alignment complexity while maintaining the increased stroke for high flow rate control.
3Length of moving object
If the piezoelectric element is elongated to increase stroke, then the stroke increases, but the piezoelectric element becomes weak against external force from lateral direction and is easily damaged by impact
Solution Approach 1:
The piezoelectric actuator is segmented into multiple standard-length piezoelectric elements connected in series, where each element maintains optimal strength-to-length ratio and resistance to lateral forces, while the cumulative stroke of all elements achieves the required displacement for large flow rate control.
4Productivity
If more than two piezoelectric actuators are stacked in series to further increase stroke, then the flow rate increases, but the assembly difficulty increases and alignment accuracy deteriorates due to clearance between actuator box and spacer
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple piezoelectric elements are merged into a single integrated actuator assembly with unified housing and mounting structure. This eliminates the clearance issues between separate actuator boxes and spacers, ensuring precise alignment and accurate stroke control even when three or more elements are stacked in series for high flow rate applications.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple piezoelectric elements are nested within a single actuator housing in series arrangement, with each element precisely positioned relative to the others. The unified housing structure eliminates clearance problems between separate components, maintaining manufacturing precision and alignment accuracy while achieving the cumulative stroke needed for large flow rate control.
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 configuration enables the stacking of three or more piezoelectric actuators, significantly increasing the flow rate while ensuring high accuracy and simplifying the assembly process, allowing for precise control of large fluid flows.
Implementation Method 1
a piezoelectric actuator for driving the opening and closing of the valve element by using an extension of a piezoelectric element
Data Source
AI summary
A piezoelectric element-driven valve 1 including a main body, a valve element, piezoelectric actuators, a plurality of cylindrical actuator boxes arranged in series, a cylindrical outer connecting jig detachably connecting the adjacent actuator boxes and having an opening for drawing out wiring, a plurality of piezoelectric actuators accommodated in the actuator box respectively in the same direction, and a cylindrical inner connecting jig slidably accommodated in the outer connecting jig and having an opening for positioning the adjacent piezoelectric actuators and drawing out wiring.