Shaped 3D Piezo Element for Curved Surfaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Piezo elements used in aeronautical engineering and other applications often break when mounted on curved structures due to their brittleness and require bending, which affects precision and performance, while d31 elements provide insufficient deformation for effective component influence.
Innovation Solution
A piezo element with a shaped surface, adapted through machining to match the component's design, allowing three-dimensional shaping and adaptation to aerodynamic profiles without compromising performance, by modifying at least one lateral surface perpendicular to the layer planes, reducing the risk of breakage and maintaining precision.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If d33 piezo elements are used to achieve greater deformation, then the actuation performance is improved, but the elements break easily when mounted on curved structures
Solution Approach 1:
The piezo element is pre-shaped during manufacturing to match the target curved surface geometry. This preliminary action eliminates the need for post-manufacturing bending or deformation when mounting on curved structures, thereby preventing breakage while maintaining the high deformation capability of d33 elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the geometric parameters of the piezo element by creating variable thickness profiles through selective removal of piezoelectric material. This parameter change allows the element to conform to curved surfaces without mechanical stress, resolving the contradiction between maintaining structural integrity and adapting to complex geometries.
2Reliability
If d31 piezo elements are used to achieve thinner design and flexibility, then the ease of deformation is improved, but the achievable deformation is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies local quality by selectively removing piezoelectric material from specific regions of the element while maintaining the d33 configuration in other regions. This creates zones with different mechanical properties - some areas provide flexibility and conformability, while others maintain high deformation capability, thus resolving the contradiction between flexibility and deformation performance.
3Adaptability or versatility
If piezo elements are bent to adapt to curved profiles, then the adaptability to component shape is improved, but the precision and operating capacity are affected
Solution Approach 1:
The curved shape is incorporated into the piezo element during the manufacturing process itself, before the layers are assembled. This preliminary action ensures that all layers are deposited or stacked in their final curved configuration, eliminating subsequent bending operations that would cause layer displacement and maintain manufacturing precision.
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 shaped piezo elements can be effectively mounted on curved surfaces without bending, maintaining performance and reducing wear, enabling precise and efficient influence of aerodynamic components with adapted thickness for varying loads.
Implementation Method 1
the piezo elements contained in the piezo actuators contain piezo elements with a so-called longitudinal effect (d33 effect), in which the change of length of the piezo-electric material takes place in the direction of the electric field
Data Source
AI summary
A three-dimensional stack-type piezo element has at least one surface that is shaped perpendicular to layer planes of the stack, so that, at least in sections, it is not parallel to a stacking direction of the piezo element.