Electromechanical Transducer Grooved Movable Member Copper Cover

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Solution Overview

Problem

Electromechanical transducers face challenges in maintaining electrostatic charge in hot and moist environments, where charge dissipation occurs, and achieving weight reduction while preventing charge loss.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates a movable member with grooves and alternating charged portions, covered by a copper-based insulating layer, which prevents charge dissipation and includes a cover layer made of copper oxide or hydrated aluminum oxide to protect the electrostatic charge, allowing for efficient transduction between electric and motive power.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Weight of moving object

If grooves are formed in the movable member to reduce weight, then the weight of the movable member decreases, but electric charge dissipates more easily from the side walls of the grooves

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveweight of movable memberVSAvoidelectrostatic charge stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Weight of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A cover layer is formed on the side walls of the grooves in the movable member. This cover layer acts as a protective film that prevents electric charge from dissipating from the groove surfaces, thereby maintaining electrostatic charge stability while preserving the weight reduction benefits of the grooved structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The movable member is constructed as a composite structure combining the base material (with grooves for weight reduction) and a cover layer material (providing charge retention). This composite approach allows simultaneous achievement of lightweight design and electrostatic charge stability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Weight of moving object

If aluminum is used as base material for weight reduction, then the specific gravity decreases, but the amount of electrostatic charge changes significantly over time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespecific gravity of movable memberVSAvoidelectrostatic charge stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Weight of moving objectVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

A cover layer is deposited on the aluminum base material to create a protective barrier. This cover layer prevents direct interaction between the aluminum and environmental factors (moisture, heat) that cause charge dissipation, thereby maintaining electrostatic charge stability while preserving the lightweight advantage of aluminum

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The movable member is designed as a composite structure with aluminum base material providing low specific gravity and a cover layer providing electrostatic charge stability. This composite material approach resolves the contradiction between weight reduction and charge retention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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 results in a lightweight, stable electromechanical transducer that maintains electrostatic charge over time, even in humid conditions, ensuring reliable operation and effective power transduction.

Implementation Method 1

a cover layer containing copper and covering at least side walls of the movable member inside the grooves

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical insulation: Electrical Resistance

Implementation Method 2

electromechanical transducers are known that use electret, which semi-permanently carries electric charge, to generate electrostatic interaction, thereby performing transduction between electric power and motive power

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrostatic interaction: Electrostatics

Data Source

PatentUS11563386B2Electromechanical transducer and method for manufacturing same

Publication Date: 2023.01.24 CITIZEN WATCH CO LTD

AI summary

Provided are an electromechanical transducer including a light movable member that is easy to move and charged portions whose amount of electrostatic charge does not substantially change over time and a method for manufacturing such an electromechanical transducer. The electromechanical transducer using electrostatic interaction between a charged portion and a counter electrode to perform transduction between electric power and motive power includes a fixed substrate, a movable member being movable with a predetermined distance maintained between the fixed substrate and the movable member, the movable member having grooves in a surface facing the fixed substrate, the grooves being formed at intervals in a moving direction of the movable member, charged portions formed on the surface of the movable member so as to alternate with the grooves; counter electrodes disposed on a surface of the fixed substrate in the moving direction, the surface facing the movable member, and a cover layer containing copper and covering at least side walls of the movable member inside the grooves.