Ultrasonic Sensor Vibration Plate Crosstalk Isolation

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Solution Overview

Problem

In ultrasonic devices, crosstalk between vibrators can lead to reduced reception accuracy due to vibration interference, affecting the accuracy of ultrasonic sensors.

Innovation Solution

The ultrasonic device incorporates a vibration plate with a movable portion and a fixed portion, where the vibration frequency of reflected waves is outside the vibration frequency band of the vibrators, preventing crosstalk interference and maintaining accuracy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple vibrators are arranged in the ultrasonic device, then the ultrasonic device can perform transmission and reception functions, but crosstalk between vibrators causes vibration interference that reduces reception accuracy

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransmission and reception functionVSAvoidreception accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The vibration plate is divided into a movable portion and a fixed portion, with the movable portion containing transmission and reception vibrators and the fixed portion serving as a stable reference. This segmentation isolates the reception vibrator from crosstalk by providing a fixed reference frame, thereby maintaining reception accuracy while enabling both transmission and reception functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The movable portion acts as an intermediary that contains both transmission and reception vibrators, allowing them to be positioned close together for efficient acoustic coupling while the fixed portion provides a stable reference that prevents crosstalk interference. This intermediary structure enables both functions to coexist without compromising reception accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the vibration frequency of reflected waves falls within the vibration frequency band of the vibrator, then the vibrator responds to the reflected waves, but crosstalk-induced vibration at the same frequency band interferes with the reception signal

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereception of reflected waveVSAvoidcrosstalk interference

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The fixed portion of the vibration plate is designed with specific mechanical properties that provide a stable reference with minimal vibration, while the movable portion contains the vibrators with optimized local quality factors. This local differentiation allows the reception vibrator to detect reflected waves at its resonant frequency while the fixed portion remains stable and does not introduce crosstalk interference.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Power

If the vibration plate is made fully movable to allow vibrator vibration, then the vibrators can generate and detect ultrasonic waves effectively, but the formation portion and other components vibrate due to crosstalk

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveultrasonic wave generation and detectionVSAvoidvibration stability of components

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The vibration plate is segmented into a movable portion containing the vibrators for effective ultrasonic wave generation and detection, and a fixed portion that remains stable to prevent crosstalk-induced vibration of supporting components. This segmentation allows the vibrators to operate with high power efficiency while the fixed portion maintains structural stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The movable and fixed portions are combined into a single integrated vibration plate structure, allowing the benefits of both movable (effective ultrasonic generation/detection) and fixed (stable reference, reduced crosstalk) characteristics to work together in a unified device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 effectively prevents crosstalk-induced vibration from affecting the vibrators, thereby maintaining the accuracy of the ultrasonic device and preventing interference in the reception element.

Implementation Method 1

active portions each serving as a vibrator formed by overlapping a piezoelectric layer, a first electrode, and a second electrode

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPiezoelectric effect: Piezoelectric Effect

Implementation Method 2

one or more vibrators configured to generate an ultrasonic wave by vibration

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectUltrasonic vibration: Ultrasonic Vibration

Implementation Method 3

crosstalk accompanying with vibration of the vibrators

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCrosstalk: Interference

Data Source

PatentUS11858000B2Ultrasonic device and ultrasonic sensor

Publication Date: 2024.01.02 SEIKO EPSON CORP

AI summary

Provided is an ultrasonic device including a substrate and a vibration plate provided on the substrate and having one or more vibrators configured to generate an ultrasonic wave by vibration. The vibration plate has a movable portion provided with the vibrator and configured to vibrate accompanying with the vibration of the vibrator, and a fixed portion fixed to the substrate. A vibration frequency of a reflected wave based on a wave transmitted from the movable portion and received by the movable portion is outside a vibration frequency band region of the vibrator.