Ultrasonic Transducer Resonance Control to Prevent Ringing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing ultrasonic treatment systems face challenges in efficiently and stably resonantly driving ultrasonic transducers due to ringing issues, which can lead to instability and inefficiencies in treatment processes.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that includes a control circuit to sweep the frequency of the ultrasonic transducer, a prediction circuit to detect ringing based on driving state parameters, and a control circuit to resonantly drive the transducer at the resonant frequency using PLL control, adjusting parameters to prevent ringing and stabilize the operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the ultrasonic drive device sweeps the frequency from a predetermined frequency toward the resonant frequency, then the resonant frequency can be found, but ringing occurs causing instability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresonant frequency detectionVSAvoiddriving stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by sweeping the frequency from a predetermined frequency toward the resonant frequency before establishing stable resonant driving. This preliminary frequency sweep allows the system to locate the resonant frequency and prepare for stable operation, preventing ringing from occurring in the first place rather than correcting it after it happens.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback control to monitor the ultrasonic transducer's response during the frequency sweep and adjust the driving frequency accordingly. By detecting the resonant frequency through feedback and then locking onto it with PLL control, the system maintains stable operation and prevents ringing caused by frequency deviation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If PLL control is used to lock the frequency to resonant frequency, then stable resonant driving is achieved, but ringing may occur during the transition

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresonant driving stabilityVSAvoidringing

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Before engaging PLL control for stable resonant driving, the system performs a preliminary frequency sweep to accurately locate the resonant frequency. This preliminary action ensures that when PLL control begins, the transducer is already at or near the correct frequency, minimizing the risk of ringing during the transition to locked-in resonant operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If the frequency sweep is performed quickly, then the treatment process is more efficient, but ringing occurs more frequently

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetreatment efficiencyVSAvoidoperational stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs a preliminary frequency sweep that is optimized to balance speed and accuracy. By establishing the correct resonant frequency beforehand through this preliminary action, the system can then transition quickly to stable resonant driving without frequent ringing, thus maintaining high treatment efficiency while ensuring operational stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

During the frequency sweep, the system continuously monitors the ultrasonic transducer's response through feedback control. This real-time feedback allows the system to detect the resonant frequency accurately and adjust the sweep rate dynamically, preventing ringing by slowing down the sweep when approaching the resonant frequency and speeding up when moving away from it.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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

Stable and efficient resonant driving of ultrasonic transducers is achieved, enhancing the reliability and effectiveness of ultrasonic treatments by preventing ringing and maintaining optimal frequency operation.

Implementation Method 1

predicting, by a prediction circuit, whether or not ringing occurs based on a first parameter representing a driving state of the ultrasonic transducer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRinging detection:

Implementation Method 2

resonantly driving, by a second control circuit, the ultrasonic transducer at a resonant frequency by PLL control

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectResonance: Resonance

Implementation Method 3

resonantly driving, by a second control circuit, the ultrasonic transducer at a resonant frequency by PLL control

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhase locked loop control:

Data Source

PatentUS12515241B2Method of actuating ultrasonic drive device, ultrasonic drive device, and ultrasonic treatment system

Publication Date: 2026.01.06 OLYMPUS CORPORATION(JP)

AI summary

A method of actuating an ultrasonic drive device includes sweeping, by a first control circuit, a frequency at which an ultrasonic transducer oscillates from a predetermined frequency toward a resonant frequency, predicting, by a prediction circuit, whether or not ringing occurs based on a first parameter representing a driving state of the ultrasonic transducer, and if the prediction circuit predicts that the ringing does not occur and if a second parameter representing a frequency at which the ultrasonic transducer is driven satisfies a predetermined condition, resonantly driving, by a second control circuit, the ultrasonic transducer at a resonant frequency by PLL control.