Electromechanical Transducer Asymmetric Cell Arrangement
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Solution Overview
Problem
In electromechanical transducers with finite size and two-dimensionally arranged cells, non-uniform vibration velocities across the transducer lead to differences in boundary conditions, resulting in the generation of unnecessary signals and reduced sensitivity for transmitting or receiving acoustic waves, especially when signal blocking portions are used to mitigate this issue.
Innovation Solution
The transducer is designed with cells arranged such that their center portions are connected by straight lines, where the outermost straight lines are non-parallel and differ in length, maintaining uniform frequency characteristics and reducing the generation of unnecessary signals by ensuring that the sum of vibration velocities changes gradually over time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If cells are two-dimensionally arranged in a regular grid pattern, then manufacturing is simplified and cell density is increased, but non-uniform vibration velocities occur due to different boundary conditions between peripheral and central cells
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by arranging cells in a triangular pattern rather than a regular rectangular grid. This asymmetric arrangement ensures that all cells have equivalent boundary conditions, eliminating the non-uniform vibration velocities that occur in rectangular grids where peripheral cells differ from central cells. The triangular lattice provides symmetry in a different geometric configuration that resolves the boundary condition issue.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent ensures that each cell position in the triangular arrangement has equivalent local properties and boundary conditions. By designing the cell layout such that every cell is surrounded by six neighboring cells in the same configuration, the local quality is uniform across the entire transducer array, preventing the generation of unnecessary signals from non-uniform vibrations.
2Manufacturing precision
If signal blocking portions are added to reduce non-uniform vibration effects, then vibration uniformity is improved, but the ratio of usable cells decreases and sensitivity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the potential harm of edge effects into a benefit by using a triangular arrangement where edge cells and central cells have equivalent boundary conditions. Instead of blocking signals from peripheral cells, the design makes all cells equally effective by ensuring uniform boundary conditions throughout the array, thereby maintaining high sensitivity without requiring signal blocking portions.
3Ease of manufacture
If cells are arranged with uniform spacing for ease of manufacturing, then production is simplified, but unnecessary signals are generated due to non-uniform vibration velocity distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a triangular lattice arrangement that provides regular spacing while eliminating the harmful non-uniform vibration effects. The asymmetric triangular geometry creates a symmetric boundary condition environment for all cells, preventing the generation of unnecessary signals while maintaining manufacturability through regular cell spacing.
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 arrangement reduces the ratio of unnecessary signals to main signals, allowing for denser cell arrangement without signal blocking portions, thereby enhancing the sensitivity and quality of acoustic wave transmission and reception.
Implementation Method 1
an electromechanical transducer using such technology is being researched as an alternative to a transducer using a piezoelectric element. With such an electromechanical transducer, an acoustic wave (hereinafter sometimes represented by ultrasonic wave) may be transmitted or received using vibrations of a vibrating film
Implementation Method 2
there is known an electromechanical transducer exists that is formed of cells two-dimensionally arranged at regular intervals. Each of the cells includes a vibrating film and two electrodes opposed to each other with a gap interposed therebetween
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an electromechanical transducer having a reduced unnecessary signal and improved acoustic characteristics. The electromechanical transducer includes an element. The element includes a plurality of cells that are two-dimensionally arranged and electrically connected. Each of the cells includes: a first electrode; and a vibrating film including a second electrode, the second electrode being opposed to the first electrode with a gap interposed therebetween. The cells are arranged so that, when center portions of the plurality of cells are connected by straight lines in all combinations, one of outermost straight lines and another of the outermost straight lines are non-parallel with each other or different in length of parallel portions.