Ultrasonic Wave Unit with Diffraction Focusing for Easier Manufacturing

Solution Overview

Problem

The processing of acoustic lenses with concave surfaces for ultrasonic wave therapy devices is difficult and costly, making mass production challenging.

Innovation Solution

An ultrasonic wave unit with a piezoelectric element and a transmissive diffraction portion, such as a Fresnel zone plate, that can be easily processed and assembled without a concave surface, using a gel member to facilitate focusing of ultrasonic waves.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If an acoustic lens with a concave surface is used for ultrasonic wave focusing, then ultrasonic wave focusing capability is improved, but processing difficulty and manufacturing cost increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefocusing capabilityVSAvoidprocessing difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The acoustic lens is divided into multiple independent diffraction portions (first, second, third diffraction portions) with different diffraction orders. Each portion can be processed separately on a flat surface, avoiding the need to form a complex concave spherical surface while maintaining focusing capability through constructive interference of ultrasonic waves from multiple diffraction orders.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The mechanical concave surface structure is replaced with a diffraction grating structure consisting of multiple parallel grooves or ridges. Instead of relying on the continuous curved surface of a traditional acoustic lens, the invention uses periodic mechanical structures that diffract ultrasonic waves to achieve focusing, significantly simplifying the manufacturing process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Manufacturing precision

If an acoustic lens with a concave surface is used for ultrasonic wave focusing, then ultrasonic wave focusing capability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefocusing capabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The acoustic lens is divided into multiple independent diffraction portions (first, second, third diffraction portions) with different diffraction orders. Each portion can be processed separately on a flat surface, avoiding the need to form a complex concave spherical surface while maintaining focusing capability through constructive interference of ultrasonic waves from multiple diffraction orders.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The mechanical concave surface structure is replaced with a diffraction grating structure consisting of multiple parallel grooves or ridges. Instead of relying on the continuous curved surface of a traditional acoustic lens, the invention uses periodic mechanical structures that diffract ultrasonic waves to achieve focusing, significantly simplifying the manufacturing process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of operation

If a transmissive diffraction portion is positioned away from the ultrasonic wave generation surface, then assembly flexibility is improved, but ultrasonic wave transmission loss increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly flexibilityVSAvoidultrasonic wave transmission loss

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

A gel member is introduced as an intermediary substance between the piezoelectric element and the transmissive diffraction portion. The gel member fills the gap and provides a continuous acoustic coupling medium, allowing the diffraction portion to be positioned away from the generation surface for easier assembly while minimizing ultrasonic wave transmission loss through effective acoustic coupling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

Reduces processing costs and simplifies manufacturing while maintaining effective ultrasonic wave focusing, minimizing wave attenuation and enabling easy replacement of components for hygiene.

Implementation Method 1

a piezoelectric element (10) having an ultrasonic wave generation surface (10F) for generating an ultrasonic wave

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPiezoelectric effect: Piezoelectric Effect

Implementation Method 2

a transmissive diffraction portion positioned on the ultrasonic wave generation surface (10F) or away from the ultrasonic wave generation surface

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDiffraction: Diffraction

Data Source

PatentUS20250214110A1Ultrasonic wave unit, diffraction swelling tape, and ultrasonic wave focusing device

Publication Date: 2025.07.03 TOHOKU UNIV

AI summary

An ultrasonic wave unit includes a piezoelectric element having an ultrasonic wave generation surface for generating an ultrasonic wave, and a transmissive diffraction portion positioned on the ultrasonic wave generation surface or away from the ultrasonic wave generation surface.