Supported By Elastic Material Patents (Class 310/345)
  • Publication number: 20120139851
    Abstract: There are provided a haptic driving assembly capable of providing stronger and more accurate vibration feedback, and an electronic device using the same. The haptic driving assembly includes: a support plate having a plate shape; and at least one actuator having one end thereof coupled to the support plate in order that the other end thereof is spaced apart from an upper surface of the support plate by a predetermined interval.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2011
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRO-MECHANICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Boum Seock KIM, Seung Gyo JEONG, Eun Tae PARK
  • Patent number: 8174170
    Abstract: Mechanical resonating structures and related methods are described. The mechanical resonating structures may provide improved efficiency over conventional resonating structures. Some of the structures have lengths and widths and are designed to vibrate in a direction approximately parallel to either the length or width. They may have boundaries bounding the length and width dimensions, which may substantially align with nodes or anti-nodes of vibration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Sand 9, Inc.
    Inventors: Jan H. Kuypers, David M. Chen, Guiti Zolfagharkhani, Alexei Gaidarzhy
  • Publication number: 20120074817
    Abstract: An actuator includes a sheet having dielectric elastomer layers and conductive rubber layers provided on the front and back faces of each dielectric elastomer layer. The sheet is wrapped and rolled about a coil spring. The actuator expands the rolled sheet along an expansion direction of the coil spring by applying a voltage to the conductive rubber layers on the front and back faces of the dielectric elastomer layer, and contracts the rolled sheet along a contraction direction of the coil spring by stopping the application of the voltage. The actuator further includes a fiber layer located between the coil spring and the rolled sheet wrapped about the coil spring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2011
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Applicant: TOYODA GOSEI CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiromitsu Takeuchi, Takashi Maeno, Naoto Kuriyama, Takanori Nakai, Yutaka Tsuchikawa, Yoji Kimura
  • Publication number: 20110278993
    Abstract: A piezoelectric device is manufactured in which the material of a supporting substrate can be selected from various alternative materials. Ions are implanted into a piezoelectric substrate to form an ion-implanted portion. A temporary supporting substrate is formed on the ion-implanted surface of the piezoelectric substrate. The temporary supporting substrate includes a layer to be etched and a temporary substrate. The piezoelectric substrate is then heated to be divided at the ion-implanted portion to form a piezoelectric thin film. A supporting substrate is then formed on the piezoelectric thin film. The supporting substrate includes a dielectric film and a base substrate. The temporary supporting substrate is made of a material that produces a thermal stress at the interface between the temporary supporting substrate and the piezoelectric thin film less than the thermal stress at the interface between the supporting substrate and the piezoelectric thin film.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2011
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Applicant: MURATA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Takashi IWAMOTO
  • Patent number: 8018123
    Abstract: An ultrasonic actuator (2) includes an actuator body (3) generating a driving force, a case (4) containing the actuator body (3), and support rubbers (51) placed between the actuator body (3) and the case (4) to elastically support the actuator body (3) at both sides of the actuator body in a supporting direction. The case (4) includes a first case (8) having an opening at a position where one of the support members (51) is placed and a second case (9) coupled to the first case (8) to cover the opening in the first case (8). The support rubbers (51) are compressed as the second case (9) is coupled to the first case (8) and elastically support the actuator body (3) in the compressed state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventor: Hideaki Mukae
  • Publication number: 20110198971
    Abstract: The invention provides a transducer for converting between mechanical and electrical energies. The transducer comprises an EAP laminate with a layer of an elastomer material arranged between two electrode layers, each electrode layer comprising a second layer of a plastically deformable material, e.g. metal or a thermoplastic material, and a third layer of an electrically conductive material. Due to the layer of plastically deformable material, the electrode layers can be shaped into various shapes which can provide anisotropic characteristics of the transducer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2009
    Publication date: August 18, 2011
    Inventors: Michael Tryson, Mohamed Benslimane, Hans-Erik Kiil, Mike Zumbrum
  • Patent number: 7992800
    Abstract: A nebulization apparatus with a packaging and fixing structure includes a piezoelectric driving device, an adhesive agent, a nebulization plate, a packaging layer and a fixing base. A ditch at the piezoelectric driving device is provided for filling an adhesive agent and installing the nebulization plate that is fixed to the driving device by the adhesive agent. The packaging layer covers the piezoelectric driving device. The fixing base fixes the piezoelectric driving device. Preferably, the packaging layer is made of a polymer material for insulating moisture and preventing short circuits of the piezoelectric driving device. The ditch and the adhesive agent enhance the attaching strength of the piezoelectric driving device and the nebulization plate to extend the life of the nebulization apparatus, and the adhesive agent can electrically insulate the nebulization plate and the piezoelectric driving device, such that the nebulization plate will have no electrochemical action with the liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Micro Base Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Shu-Pin Hsieh, Chien-Hua Lin, Chang-Wei Lin, Andy Meng, Yu-Chung Hsu, Mei-Hui Huang, Chia-Chen Huang, Chieh-Ming Hsiung, Liang-Wei Liu
  • Publication number: 20110109203
    Abstract: A flexible piezoelectric structure and a method of making the structure are disclosed. A piezoelectric film having a relatively high piezoelectric coefficient is attached to a flexible substrate. The piezoelectric film is fabricated on a different substrate and transferred to the flexible substrate by contact.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2010
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    Applicant: THE TRUSTEES OF PRINCETON UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Michael C. McAlpine, Yi Qi
  • Patent number: 7839052
    Abstract: A sensing membrane applied to a micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) device includes a body, a stress releasing structure and a connecting portion. The stress releasing structure for releasing a membrane residual stress surrounds the body. The stress releasing structure has several first perforations and several second perforations. The first perforations are located between the body and the second perforations. The connecting portion connects the stress releasing structure and a substrate of the MEMS device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Chia-Yu Wu, Jien-Ming Chen
  • Patent number: 7834523
    Abstract: An ultrasonic actuator includes: an actuator body using a piezoelectric element and generating a plurality of vibrations of different vibration directions; a driver element provided in the actuator body and operated in accordance with the vibration of the actuator body to output a driving force in a predetermined driving direction; a case containing the actuator body; at least one support rubber provided between the actuator body and the case to elastically support the actuator body along the driving direction with respect to the case; and at least one stopper provided between the actuator body and the case which comes into contact with at least one of the actuator body and the case when the actuator body is displaced in a direction opposite the driving direction such that the displacement of the actuator body in the direction opposite the driving direction is limited.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Masaru Higashionji, Hideaki Mukae, Yusuke Adachi, Eiichi Nagaoka
  • Patent number: 7825567
    Abstract: A plurality of micro three-dimensional structure elements each having a movable structure fixed on a sacrifice layer, and fixation portions of the micro three-dimensional structure elements for the sacrifice layer are arranged into a film-like elastic body, and then the sacrifice layer is removed. Thus, a three-dimensional structure in which the individual micro three-dimensional structure elements are arranged independently of one another within the elastic body is manufactured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignees: Panasonic Corporation, National University Corporation, The University of Tokyo
    Inventors: Isao Shimoyama, Kiyoshi Matsumoto, Kazunori Hoshino, Kentaro Noda, Shuji Hachitani, Hidehiro Yoshida, Shoichi Kobayashi, Tohru Nakamura
  • Publication number: 20100253183
    Abstract: A piezoelectric film sensor includes a substrate 1 having a signal electrode 2 and a ground electrode 3 formed on the surface thereof, the substrate being folded to cause the signal electrode 2 and the ground electrode 3 to be overlapped with each other in a plane view, a piezoelectric film 5 inserted between the signal electrode 2 and the ground electrode 3 formed on the substrate 1 and a bonding layer 6 for bonding the folded substrate 1 thereby to affix the signal electrode 2, the ground electrode 3 and the piezoelectric film 5 together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2008
    Publication date: October 7, 2010
    Applicants: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA, KUREHA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mitsuhiro Ando, Eiji Fujioka, Shunsuke Kogure, Hitoshi Takayanagi, Nobuhiro Moriyama, Ryuichi Sudo
  • Patent number: 7732985
    Abstract: Provided is a micro stage comprising: a body having a vertically perforated through-hole passing through a central portion thereof; a bobbin including a tip portion with an electron emission tip embedded in the center thereof, and passing through the through-hole of the body to be moved in the through-hole along a first axis perpendicular to a vertical direction; a first piezoelectric element disposed on the body and lengthened when a voltage is applied thereto to push the bobbin in one direction along the first axis; a second piezoelectric element disposed on the body and lengthened when a voltage is applied thereto to push the bobbin in the other direction along the first axis; and an upper cover that is coupled to an upper portion of the body and has a through-hole, through which the bobbin passes and communicates with the through-hole of the body, wherein the bobbin can be positioned as desired along the first axis by adjusting the voltages applied to the first piezoelectric element and the second piezoel
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute
    Inventors: Sang Kuk Choi, Dae Jun Kim, Jin Woo Jeong, Dae Yong Kim
  • Patent number: 7705520
    Abstract: There is provided a driving device 1 in which an electromechanical transducer is used and which has a high drive efficiency, having an electromechanical transducer 4 that is extended and contracted by application thereto of voltages, a drive shaft 6 having one end fixed by adhesive 5 to the electromechanical transducer 4, and a movable member 7 that is frictionally engaged on the driving shaft 6, an expression 8?E/t?0.48 where t (?m) is a thickness of the adhesive and E (GPa) is a modulus of longitudinal elasticity of the adhesive is satisfied by mixing into the adhesive 3, 5 particulates 10 that have diameters not smaller than 1 ?m and not larger than 5 ?m.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Opto, Inc.
    Inventors: Akira Wada, Yasuhiro Okamoto, Taketo Namikawa
  • Patent number: 7701119
    Abstract: A piezo-electric actuator comprising: piezo-electric element 1a having piezo-electric body 3a which is provided with at least two opposing surfaces, wherein the surfaces perform an expanding and contracting motion in accordance with the state of an electric field; a constraint member 21a for constraining piezo-electric element 1a on at least one of the two surfaces, a supporting member disposed around constraint member 21a, and a plurality of beam members 22a each having both ends fixed to constraint member 21a and supporting member 4a, respectively, wherein each beam member has a neutral axis for bending in a direction substantially parallel with the constrained surface, wherein the constraint member vibrates by vibration which is generated by the constraining effect between the constraint member and the piezo-electric element, and is amplified by the beam members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventors: Yasuharu Onishi, Yasuhiro Sasaki, Nozomi Toki
  • Patent number: 7618391
    Abstract: Microfluidic shunt valves are disclosed having a deflectable element capable of being held in a closed position to occlude the passage of fluid between an inlet and outlet and, when not held in the closed position, the deflectable element is adapted to oscillate in response to fluid pressure pulses and thereby facilitate fluid passage through the valve. Controls for activating the deflectable element to permit fluid passage are also included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2009
    Assignees: Children's Medical Center Corporation, New Jersey Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Joseph R. Madsen, Dentcho Ivanov
  • Publication number: 20090267459
    Abstract: A composite material vibrator includes a vibrating component that is composed of a material having a first acoustic impedance Z1 and that serves as a vibration source, a reflective layer that is composed of a cured product of a resin composition including at least a curable resin curable by heat, a curing agent, and a silicone compound, the cured product having a second acoustic impedance Z2 that is lower than the first acoustic impedance Z1 and that is connected to the vibrating component, and a holding component that is composed of a material having a third acoustic impedance Z3 that is higher than the second acoustic impedance Z2 and that is connected to surface of the reflective layer, the surface being opposite to the surface connected to the vibrating component, wherein vibration propagated from the vibrating component to the reflective layer is reflected at the interface between the reflective layer and the holding component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2004
    Publication date: October 29, 2009
    Applicant: MURATA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yuya Yamada, Akihiko Kawakami, Koji Matsushita, Shinsuke Uchida
  • Patent number: 7602107
    Abstract: A surface mount crystal oscillator comprises a crystal blank, an IC chip having an oscillation circuit integrated thereon, and a hermetic package for accommodating the crystal blank and IC chip therein. The hermetic package comprises a substantially rectangular ceramic substrate formed with a metal film which makes a round on one main surface thereof, and a concave metal cover having an open end face bonded to the metal film. The IC chip is secured to the one main surface of the ceramic substrate through ultrasonic thermo-compression bonding using bumps, the crystal blank is disposed above the IC chip, and the ceramic substrate has the one main surface formed as a flat surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Assignee: Nihon Dempa Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kouichi Moriya, Tsutomu Yamakawa, Hidenori Harima
  • Publication number: 20090153625
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a capacitor, including: forming a lower electrode on a substrate; forming a dielectric film of a ferroelectric or a piezoelectric on the lower electrode; forming an upper electrode on the dielectric film; and forming a silicon oxide film so that at least the dielectric film is covered with the silicon oxide film, the silicon oxide film being formed by using trimethoxysilane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2008
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Daisuke KOBAYASHI, Masao NAKAYAMA, Takeshi KIJIMA
  • Publication number: 20080297340
    Abstract: Sensitive elements and devices include at least one piezoelectric material and a compliant polymer substrate having elastomeric properties to lend flexibility without affecting sensitivity of the element and/or device. Sensitive elements are in operable communication with a control system; communication is wireless. Interaction of a sensitive element/sensitive device with an operator/environmental object/device is provided through use of an impedance controller and filter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2007
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Inventors: Dan O. Popa, Harry Stephanou, Shashank Priya
  • Publication number: 20080278035
    Abstract: An ultrasonic actuator includes: an actuator body using a piezoelectric element and generating a plurality of vibrations of different vibration directions; a driver element provided in the actuator body and operated in accordance with the vibration of the actuator body to output a driving force in a predetermined driving direction; a case containing the actuator body; at least one support rubber provided between the actuator body and the case to elastically support the actuator body along the driving direction with respect to the case; and at least one stopper provided between the actuator body and the case which comes into contact with at least one of the actuator body and the case when the actuator body is displaced in a direction opposite the driving direction such that the displacement of the actuator body in the direction opposite the driving direction is limited.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2008
    Publication date: November 13, 2008
    Inventors: Masaru Higashionji, Hideaki Mukae, Yusuke Adachi, Eiichi Nagaoka
  • Patent number: 7443084
    Abstract: A means for being electrically connected to an electrode of a piezo-electric plate is adapted for connecting the piezo-electric plate to a circuit board disposed under the piezo-electric plate. The piezo-electric plate and the circuit board are respectively provided with a first electrode and a second electrode corresponding to the first electrode. The means includes a conductive element and an elastic element. The conductive element includes at least two connecting surfaces electrically connected to each other and respectively electrically connected to the first electrode and the second electrode. The elastic element is joined with the conductive element and located between the piezo-electric plate and the circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: Zippy Technology Corp.
    Inventor: Chin-Wen Chou
  • Patent number: 7427744
    Abstract: A leaf spring 4 constituting an elastic member one end of which is fixed to a foundation 6, and other end of which is brought into contact with a laminating type piezoelectric element 2 or a driven member 5 is constituted such that a thickness is thinned from a side of the foundation 6 to a side of the laminating type piezoelectric element 2 to make a moment of inertia smaller on a side of a portion of other end held by the laminating type piezoelectric element 2 than a portion on one end side fixed to the foundation 6. Further, a strain gage sensor 8 is attached to a side face 4a of the leaf spring 4 constituting one face of one end of the leaf spring 4 proximate to the laminating type piezoelectric element 2 orthogonal to a direction of elongating and contracting the laminating type piezoelectric element 2 constituting a side of the driven member 5.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2008
    Assignee: SII NanoTechnology Inc.
    Inventor: Masafumi Watanabe
  • Patent number: 7408291
    Abstract: To provide a piezoelectric oscillator which can be reduced in size by reducing the planar size. With regard to a layered lead frame comprising two lead frames and, connection leads for connection with a piezoelectric resonator are formed on the upper lead frame and the connection leads are erected upwards so as to form connection terminals, and mounting leads for mounting to a mounting board are formed on the lower lead frame and the mounting leads are erected downwards so as to form mounting terminals, and an IC forming an oscillating circuit is mounted on the layered lead frame, the piezoelectric resonator formed by sealing a piezoelectric resonator element within a package is mounted on the layered lead frame, and the layered lead frame and the piezoelectric resonator are sealed within a resin package such that the principal surface of the mounting terminals are exposed outwards, thereby forming a completed article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2008
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Yugo Koyama, Katsuhiko Miyazaki, Kazuhiko Shimodaira, Yukari Nakajima
  • Publication number: 20080150397
    Abstract: A crystal oscillator is mounted in a flexible harness rather than at discrete points. The crystal oscillator and associated control circuitry may be formed on a common substrate, decreasing component size and minimizing temperature fluctuations by shortening the thermal path between the crystal and the control circuitry.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2006
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Applicant: Charles Stark Draper Laboratory, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas F. Marinis, Caroline A. Kondoleon, Dariusz R. Pryputniewicz
  • Patent number: 7362037
    Abstract: An ultrasonic transducer device for a humidifier, the humidifier having a vaporizing chamber for producing water vapor or mist, the ultrasonic transducer device comprises: a transducer holder having a central opening formed in a longitudinal direction of the transducer holder and a flange portion disposed at a periphery of the transducer holder, the transducer formed of synthetic resin or plastic materials; an ultrasonic transducer disposed at the central opening of the transducer holder; a support member formed of metal and having an upper planar section and a side section extending vertically from the upper planar section, the upper planar section defining an opening therein for coupling with the flange portion of the transducer holder; and a heat discharge plate having heat discharging fins and coupled with the support member, the heat discharge plate coupled with a circuit board for discharging heat in the circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Assignee: Ohsung Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Sang-Keun Kang
  • Patent number: 7320163
    Abstract: A step of forming a vibration plate includes a step of forming an insulation film in order to cause the surface roughness Ra of the insulation film to be in the range of 1 nm to 3 nm: the insulation film being made of zirconia which has been obtained by depositing a zirconium layer, and accordingly by the thermally oxidizing the zirconium layer at a predetermined temperature, and the insulation film constituting the uppermost surface of the vibration plate. In addition, a step of forming a piezoelectric elements includes: a step of applying titanium (Ti) onto a lower electrode by use of a sputtering method, and of forming a seed titanium layer thereon; and a step of forming a piezoelectric precursor film by applying a piezoelectric material onto the seed titanium layer, and of forming a piezoelectric layer by baking, and crystallizing, the piezoelectric precursor layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Li Xin-Shan, Masami Murai, Toshinao Shinbo, Maki Ito
  • Patent number: 7271525
    Abstract: An electronics filter circuit includes an electromechanical resonator that is mounted directly to the surface of a silicon integrated circuit, rather than being a surface mounted or leaded filter can on a circuit board. This filter circuit allows the integrated circuit electronic package to be significantly smaller than a conventional electromechanical resonator package. The electromechanical resonator may be protected during processing and during use with a protective cover that is made of a material such as titanium. The protective cover is attached to the integrated circuit chip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Assignee: Alfred E. Mann Foundation For Scientific Research
    Inventors: Charles L. Byers, Joseph H. Schulman, Gary D. Schnittgrund
  • Publication number: 20070194666
    Abstract: To reduce the vibration appearing at a motor for an electric power steering apparatus and further reduce noise caused by the vibration generated from the motor for an electric power steering apparatus. The motor for an electric power steering apparatus includes a rotor, a stator and a yoke 12 which houses the rotor and the stator therein and pivotally supports the rotation shaft 14 of the rotor so as to rotate freely. At least one annular band 26 is attached via an elastic member 28 to the outer peripheral surface of the yoke 12.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2007
    Publication date: August 23, 2007
    Applicant: NSK LTD.
    Inventors: Tomohisa Hirakawa, Suguru Nagano
  • Patent number: 7247978
    Abstract: The invention relates to piezoelectric resonators. An interposer element is used between a resonating plate and the resonator package to provide improved (i.e. reduced) acceleration sensitivity. The interposer element is preferably of similar thermal expansion characteristics to the resonating plate. Electrical connection to the resonating plate from the exterior of the package is preferably provided via the interposer element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: Rakon Limited
    Inventors: Brent J. Robinson, Michael McIlroy, Olexandre A. Boyko, Phil Brownie
  • Patent number: 7154211
    Abstract: An electrically connecting structure of piezo-electric plates includes a circuit board and a plurality of piezo-electric plates disposed on and electrically connected to the circuit board. Anodes of power input of the piezo-electric plates of the present invention are individually electrically connected to the circuit board, the cathodes of power input of the plurality of piezo-electric plates are electrically connected together for forming a circuit of power input of electrical connection of the plurality of piezo-electric plate and the circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: Zippy Technology Corp.
    Inventor: Chin-Wen Chou
  • Patent number: 7045931
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a chip quartz oscillator. In an embodiment of a chip quartz oscillator S in accordance with the present invention, a quartz oscillator 2, which has a detection electrode 3 on a surface thereof and a non-detection electrode on the other surface thereof, is fixed on a substrate 1, and each of the electrodes is connected electrically to a terminal 4 or 4? on the substrate 1. While keeping the non-detection electrode in contact with the substrate 1, the quartz oscillator 2 is fixed on the substrate 1, by flexibly bonding the side-wall 2?? of the quartz oscillator 2 along its circumference to the surface of the substrate 1 by using the elastic bonding agent 5. Thus, the oscillation surface of the quartz oscillator 2 is supported distributively on the substrate 1 in a surface-contacting and non-adhesive manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Assignees: Amersham Biosciences KK
    Inventors: Hiroshi Yoshimine, Hiroyuki Sota
  • Patent number: 6998761
    Abstract: A piezoelectric assembly, a method for producing a structural unit with a prestressed piezoelectric actuator and a method for producing a hollow body for prestressing the piezoelectric actuator include an actuator pushed into a spring sleeve and force-lockingly and/or form-lockingly connected under prestress to two ends of the spring sleeve. This provides a structural unit in which the prestressing force of the piezoelectric actuator is permanently fixed by the production process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Wilhelm Frank, Günter Lewentz, Andreas Voigt
  • Patent number: 6984925
    Abstract: The invention is a method and apparatus for improving the aging, pressure sensitivity, and acceleration sensitivity of crystal resonators. In one embodiment the invention includes a coplanar two-dimensional compliant mounting structure, wherein the symmetry and compliance of the planar mounting structure reduces the effects of residual static stresses and dynamic vibratory stresses on the vibration sensitivity performance of a crystal resonator. The structural elements include compliance loops that provide relief from the effects associated with manufacturing, thermal and vibration stresses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2006
    Assignee: Delaware Capital Formation, INC
    Inventors: Peter E. Morley, Reichl B. Haskell, Daniel S. Stevens
  • Patent number: 6960868
    Abstract: A piezoelectric electro-acoustic transducer includes a substantially rectangular piezoelectric diaphragm, a casing having a support unit for supporting four corners of the piezoelectric diaphragm, terminals fixed to the casing such that an internal connection portion of the terminal is exposed in the vicinity of the support unit, a first elastic adhesive for coating between the external periphery of the piezoelectric diaphragm and the internal connection portion of the terminal therewith, a conductive adhesive for coating between electrodes of the piezoelectric diaphragm and the internal connection portion of the terminal via the upper surface of the first elastic adhesive therewith, and a second elastic adhesive for sealing the external periphery of the piezoelectric diaphragm and the internal periphery of the casing, and a cradle provided in the internal periphery of the casing as well as below the piezoelectric diaphragm in the vicinity that is coated with the first elastic adhesive for forming a gap for s
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2005
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mitsunori Ishimasa, Keiichi Kami, Tetsuo Takeshima, Yuk Yokoi
  • Patent number: 6933659
    Abstract: Microactuator comprising a volume changing layer (1) and a carrier substrate layer (2) carrying the volume changing layer (1), the microactuator also comprising a reinforcing structure (3) having an unevenly distributed bending stiffness and that the reinforcing structure (3) is spread over any of the layers (1), (2) to control the movement of the microactuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Assignee: Micromuscle AG
    Inventors: Magnus Krogh, Olle Inganäs, Edwin Jager
  • Patent number: 6912288
    Abstract: A piezoelectric electroacoustic transducer, including a plurality of piezoelectric layers deposited to define a deposited product, flexurally vibrates the deposited product by polarizing the entire piezoelectric ceramic layers in the same thickness direction and also by applying an alternating signal between external electrodes disposed on the front/rear major surfaces of the deposited product and an internal electrode disposed between the ceramic layers. A dummy electrode is provided between the ceramic layers outside the internal electrode via a gap, and a portion of the internal electrode is exposed at at least one side surface of the piezoelectric ceramic layers, while the dummy electrode is exposed at the other side surface of the piezoelectric ceramic layers. The external electrodes extend to the side surfaces other than the side surface at which the internal electrode is exposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2005
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mikio Nakashima, Sachihito Nakafuku, Kiyoshi Iyama
  • Patent number: 6871572
    Abstract: A drive device for generating oscillations, especially for the blade of a microtome, with a power generator and a power transmission element, which with the power generator is movable in a predetermined oscillation direction (S), whereby the power generator includes a combination of a permanent magnet part and a coil part, whereof one part is fixed stationary on a holder and the other part on the power transmission element, respectively, and the power transmission element is formed by a vibrational arm, which is fixed at one end to the holder and which is elastically bendable in the oscillation direction and still in all other directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2005
    Assignee: Max-Planck-Geselleschaft zur Forderung der Wissenschaften
    Inventors: Bernhard Häussler, Rolf Rödel, Josef Pauli
  • Patent number: 6830351
    Abstract: A reinforcing structure for an automobile's central rearview mirror which includes an electronic vibration-dampening device. The reinforcing structure includes Piezo electric elements attached to a support structure, a clamping mechanism to stabilize the reflective mirror element and electronics including LEDs to dissipate energy extracted from the mirror. The vibration-dampening features include Piezo electric crystals attached to a support structure to press against the central rearview mirror housing and a circuit card with various components to dissipate unwanted vibration. Also, the invention includes a spring loaded, pivoted clamping system to further stabilize the entire structure. The invention achieves dampening mainly through the application of an inertial dampening system that utilizes Piezo crystals and weights to adequately absorb excess vibration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Inventor: Jonathan Force Newcomb
  • Patent number: 6798122
    Abstract: A compound electro-acoustic transducer for producing acoustic signals has a plurality of elements. Each element has a piezoelectric disk with electrically conductive plates fixed on the top and bottom sides of the piezoelectric disk. A stud is joined to an outer face of each plate. Conductors can be joined to each stud. The elements can be assembled on a resilient structure to form an array. Elements can be used in the array or individually accessed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Thomas R. Howarth, James F. Tressler, Walter L. Carney
  • Patent number: 6794799
    Abstract: A piezoelectric electroacoustic transducer includes a piezoelectric diaphragm having a substantially rectangular shape which vibrates in the thickness direction when an alternating current is applied between electrodes of the piezoelectric diaphragm, a housing which stores the piezoelectric diaphragm, and a pair of terminals formed in the housing by insert molding. One end of each terminal is inserted inside the housing and includes a body portion fixed to the housing and wing portions which extend from both sides of the body portion toward the corners of the housing. The wing portions are not fixed to the housing, and stress-relieving portions are disposed between the body portion and the wing portions so that the wing portions are able to move toward the inside of the housing. Each electrode of the piezoelectric diaphragm is connected to at least one of the wing portions of the terminals by a conductive adhesive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tetsuo Takeshima, Yuji Kosugi, Manabu Sumita
  • Patent number: 6747399
    Abstract: In a pressure-sensitive sensor for detecting seizure of an object in the window frame or the like, support means (13) is more flexible than a piezoelectric sensor (12), and the support means (13) is easily deformed together with the piezoelectric sensor (12) without impeding the deformation of the piezoelectric sensor (12), and an output signal is issued from the piezoelectric sensor (12) depending on this deformation. Accordingly, when detecting the contact of an object with a pressure-sensitive sensor (4) by a judging device, the pressure-sensitive sensor (4) for generating an output signal of a sufficient magnitude for detection can be presented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Ogino, Naofumi Nakatani, Koji Yoshino, Takeshi Nagai, Narutoshi Kanazawa, Masahiko Ito, Yuko Fujii
  • Patent number: 6720713
    Abstract: While suppressing that a vibration of a piezo-electric element propagates to a substrate by devising the composition of an electro-conductive support body, the piezoelectric resonant component which secures electroconductivity and can maintain a fall-proof shock property is provided. The piezoelectric resonant component has a substrate 20 on the top surface of which pattern electrodes 21 and 22 are formed, and on the lower surface of which it has electrodes 8 and 9. It has a piezoelectric element 1 using the length vibration on the substrate 20. Electro-conductive support bodies 10 and 11 are fixed to the length direction center section of the lower surface electrodes of the piezoelectric element 1. The connection fixation of these support bodies 10 and 11 to the pattern electrodes 21 and 22 of the substrate 20 is performed by electro-conductive adhesives 12 and 13.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shigemasa Kusabiraki, Takeshi Yamazaki, Yuji Kosugi
  • Patent number: 6675652
    Abstract: An angular velocity of the present invention includes a resonator formed of a resonating member and a connecting member, a first base connected to the connecting member, a holding plate to hold the first base, a circuit board fixed onto the holding plate, an elastic body disposed on an end part of at least one selected from the holding plate and circuit board, a case housing the resonator, first base, holding plate, circuit board and elastic body and provided with an opening, and a second base put in place so as to close the opening of the case. The resonator has a short side and a long side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Toshio Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 6571442
    Abstract: An electronic component has a substantially reduced size and is adapted to be produced at low costs without variation in superior quality of the component because of the ease of achieving electrical connection between a piezoelectric element and a electrode pattern on a substrate supporting the piezoelectric element. The piezoelectric element has a lower electrode formed on the lower surface thereof and an upper electrode formed on the upper surface thereof. The piezoelectric element is fixed to the substrate such that the lower electrode is bonded to an electrode provided on the substrate by a conductive adhesive. A conductive wire is fixed to the upper electrode of the piezoelectric element. A metallic cap is bonded to the substrate so as to cover and seal the piezoelectric element on the substrate. The cap is contacted at its inner surface by the wire, whereby an electrical connection is achieved between the cap and the upper electrode of the piezoelectric element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2003
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Motoyuki Okeshi, Ken Taniguchi, Takashi Hashimoto, Makoto Irie, Hiroyuki Kawakami, Choichiro Fujii, Michinobu Maesaka, Hidemasa Iwami, Takashi Iwamoto
  • Patent number: 6570299
    Abstract: A piezoelectric electroacoustic transducer includes a substantially square piezoelectric diaphragm flexually vibrating in a plate-thickness direction in response to application of an alternating signal between electrodes, a substantially rectangular insulating case having a supporting member disposed inside sidewalls of the case for supporting the diaphragm, terminals having internal connections exposed in a vicinity of the supporting member and external connections exposed outside the case and electrically connecting to the internal connections, a first adhesive applied to a shortest route located between the external periphery of the diaphragm and the internal connections and connecting the diaphragm to the internal connections so as to fix the diaphragm to the case, a conductive adhesive applied to electrodes of the diaphragm and the internal connections via the upper surface of the first adhesive by detouring from the shortest route to connect the diaphragm to the internal connections for electrically con
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tetsuo Takeshima, Manabu Sumita, Kiyotaka Tajima, Yuichi Sakai
  • Patent number: 6515405
    Abstract: In a structure in which a piezoelectric transformer element (11) is mounted on a circuit board (27) equipped with a circuit component for driving the piezoelectric transformer element (11), at least one of a fixing member (33, 35) and a supporting member (37, 39, 41) made of an elastic material having flexibility is interposed between the piezoelectric transformer element (11) and the circuit board (27) so as to cover vibration node portions (29, 31) of the piezoelectric transformer element (11) and at least a part of the remaining portion except the vibration node portions (29, 31). Thus, the piezoelectric transformer element (11) is fixed to the circuit board (27).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Assignee: Tokin Corporation
    Inventors: Katsunori Kumasaka, Koichi Saito
  • Patent number: 6472798
    Abstract: A piezoelectric acoustic component having excellent efficiencies of productivity and of acoustic conversion, a greatly miniaturized size, and excellent impact resistance properties, includes a unimorph type diaphragm. The unimorph type diaphragm is defined by adhering a substantially square piezoelectric element onto a substantially square metal plate, the shorter sides of the diaphragm are supported on the supporting portion provided within the two opposing side wall portions of the case, the clearance between the remaining two sides of the diaphragm, and the case is sealed with a resilient sealing agent. The case is adhered on the substrate having external electrodes, the metal plate is connected to the external electrode with a resilient conductive paste, and the surface electrode of the piezoelectric element is connected to the external electrode with a resilient conductive paste.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2002
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takeshi Kishimoto
  • Publication number: 20020096974
    Abstract: A crystal oscillator with an improved shock resistance is disclosed. A pair of supporting protuberances protrude within an oscillator main body. A conductive adhesive is spread on the pair of the supporting protuberances, and a quartz blank is bonded to the supporting protuberances across the conductive adhesive. Further, an insulating resin layer is disposed between the quartz blank and a cover so as to elastically press down the conductive adhesive. Further, the length of the connecting parts between the supporting part and the bridge parts is more extended to a certain degree, so that any stress imposed on them can be dispersed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2001
    Publication date: July 25, 2002
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRO-MECHANICS CO., LTD
    Inventors: Yang Ho Moon, Doo Yeoul Yang, Hong Wook Kim
  • Patent number: 6366181
    Abstract: A group-delay-characteristics adjusting method allows group-delay characteristics of piezoelectric resonators to be easily adjusted without affecting the electrical characteristics thereof. Piezoelectric resonators are arranged on an insulating substrate and are connected in a ladder arrangement, thereby defining a piezoelectric filter. Silicon sheets, each of which has a Young modulus that is about 100 MPa or smaller, are prepared to adjust the group-delay characteristics of the piezoelectric resonators. Then, characteristics of the piezoelectric resonators are measured. The silicon sheets having a size that is appropriate to achieve the required group-delay characteristics are selected, and adhered onto the individual piezoelectric resonators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Isao Ikeda