Ultrasonic Probe Matching Layer Layout for Miniaturized 1.5D Arrays
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ultrasonic probes with 1.5D array type piezoelectric vibrators face strength reduction and manufacturing reliability issues due to miniaturization, particularly when the piezoelectric vibrators are finely sized, leading to concerns about manufacturing failure and decreased reliability.
Innovation Solution
The ultrasonic probe is designed with a piezoelectric body divided into parts in both the azimuth and elevation directions, featuring a matching layer that is not divided in the elevation direction, maintaining the strength of each piezoelectric vibrator and enhancing the overall quality and reliability of the probe, even when miniaturized.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If piezoelectric vibrators are miniaturized to achieve finer array spacing and improved acoustic field control, then measurement precision and adaptability improve, but strength and reliability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The piezoelectric body is divided into multiple piezoelectric vibrators arranged in a 1.5D matrix pattern (1.5 rows per column in the elevation direction). This segmentation allows each vibrator to maintain sufficient size for strength while achieving fine array spacing through multiple elements, resolving the contradiction between miniaturization and strength preservation.
Solution Approach 2:
The matching layer is configured with different division patterns in different directions: divided in the azimuth direction to match individual piezoelectric vibrators, but undivided in the elevation direction to provide continuous support across multiple vibrators. This local quality differentiation maintains vibrator strength while enabling fine array control.
2Adaptability or versatility
If piezoelectric vibrators are miniaturized to achieve finer array spacing, then adaptability improves, but manufacturing reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The piezoelectric body is segmented into multiple vibrators arranged in a 1.5D matrix, allowing electronic beam steering in both azimuth and elevation directions through independent control of each vibrator group, thereby achieving high adaptability while maintaining manufacturable element sizes.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple piezoelectric vibrators in the elevation direction share a common undivided matching layer, merging the acoustic interface structure to simplify manufacturing while maintaining independent electrical control of each vibrator for electronic beam steering capability.
3Manufacturing precision
If matching layer is divided in elevation direction to match each piezoelectric vibrator, then manufacturing precision improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The matching layer is divided only in the azimuth direction where individual vibrator alignment is critical, while remaining undivided in the elevation direction where continuous support is more important than individual alignment, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining necessary manufacturing precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The matching layer is segmented into strips corresponding to each piezoelectric vibrator column in the azimuth direction, allowing precise alignment with each vibrator while maintaining a simple undivided structure in the elevation direction, balancing manufacturing precision with reduced complexity.
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 maintains the strength and quality of each piezoelectric vibrator, ensuring high reliability and simplifying the manufacturing process by avoiding the division of matching layers in the elevation direction, thus reducing the risk of manufacturing failures and costs.
Implementation Method 1
a piezoelectric body configured to have a piezoelectric effect; and a matching layer configured to be laminated in an ultrasonic radiation direction of the piezoelectric body
Implementation Method 2
a matching layer configured to be laminated in an ultrasonic radiation direction of the piezoelectric body, wherein the matching layer is divided in the azimuth direction without being divided in the elevation direction
Data Source
AI summary
According to one embodiment, an ultrasonic probe, in which a plurality of piezoelectric vibrators are arrayed in both of an azimuth direction and an elevation direction, includes a piezoelectric body configured to have a piezoelectric effect; and a matching layer configured to be laminated in an ultrasonic radiation direction of the piezoelectric body. The matching layer is divided in the azimuth direction without being divided in the elevation direction. The piezoelectric body is divided into plural parts in both of the azimuth direction and the elevation direction in such a manner that each of the plural parts of the piezoelectric body forms each of the plurality of piezoelectric vibrators.