Woven Active Fiber Composite With Wire Electrodes for Symmetric Actuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current piezoelectric active fiber composite designs face issues with electrode alignment, leading to non-symmetric electromagnetic fields and reduced actuation efficiency due to small contact regions and sharp points in printed electrodes, which decrease actuation authority and increase fatigue.
Innovation Solution
A woven active fiber composite is developed, where conductive wire electrodes are interwoven with actuating fibers in a sinusoidal shape to ensure even spacing and increased contact area, preventing sharp points and facilitating symmetric field alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If printed electrodes are used, then manufacturing is simplified, but contact region is small and sharp points are created
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of electrode geometry from printed flat surfaces to woven cylindrical wires. This transformation eliminates sharp points and creates uniform circular contact regions, resolving the contradiction between ease of manufacture and manufacturing precision by using a different fabrication approach (weaving vs. printing) that inherently produces better geometric characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies spheroidality by using cylindrical wire electrodes instead of flat printed electrodes. The circular cross-section of the wire electrodes creates curved contact surfaces that eliminate sharp points and distribute stress uniformly, improving both alignment precision and reducing stress concentrations while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through weaving processes.
2Ease of manufacture
If printed electrodes are used, then electrode application is easier, but electromagnetic field symmetry is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the electrode configuration parameter from planar printed patterns to three-dimensional woven structures. This transformation enables symmetric arrangement of conductive elements around actuating fibers, creating uniform electromagnetic fields while maintaining ease of application through the weaving process that naturally positions electrodes in symmetric patterns.
3Area of stationary object
If small contact region is used, then electrode size is reduced, but actuation authority is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the contact area parameter by using woven wire electrodes that wrap around actuating fibers, creating extended circumferential contact regions. This increases the effective contact area compared to small printed electrodes, thereby improving actuation authority through greater electrical field interaction with the piezoelectric material.
4Ease of manufacture
If sharp points in electrodes are present, then electrode fabrication is simpler, but stress concentration is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies spheroidality by using cylindrical wire electrodes with smooth curved surfaces instead of printed electrodes with sharp edges and points. The curved geometry distributes mechanical stress uniformly across the contact region, eliminating localized stress concentrations while maintaining fabrication simplicity through the weaving process.
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
The woven structure enhances actuation authority and efficiency by maintaining symmetric electromagnetic fields, reducing fatigue, and accommodating fiber expansion during actuation, while allowing for smaller operational voltages and reduced complexity.
Implementation Method 1
the plurality of actuating fibers are made of a piezoelectric material
Data Source
AI summary
A woven active fiber composite is disclosed. The woven active fiber composite includes actuating fibers interwoven with conductive wire electrodes. A method of making the woven active fiber composite is also disclosed.