EP3095530B1 - Device for transmitting and receiving of acoustic signals - Google Patents

Device for transmitting and receiving of acoustic signals Download PDF

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Publication number
EP3095530B1
EP3095530B1 EP16164346.5A EP16164346A EP3095530B1 EP 3095530 B1 EP3095530 B1 EP 3095530B1 EP 16164346 A EP16164346 A EP 16164346A EP 3095530 B1 EP3095530 B1 EP 3095530B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
contact
electroacoustic transducer
making means
signal
signals
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EP16164346.5A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP3095530A1 (en
Inventor
Matthias Karl
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Robert Bosch GmbH
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Robert Bosch GmbH
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    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B06—GENERATING OR TRANSMITTING MECHANICAL VIBRATIONS IN GENERAL
    • B06B—METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR GENERATING OR TRANSMITTING MECHANICAL VIBRATIONS OF INFRASONIC, SONIC, OR ULTRASONIC FREQUENCY, e.g. FOR PERFORMING MECHANICAL WORK IN GENERAL
    • B06B1/00—Methods or apparatus for generating mechanical vibrations of infrasonic, sonic, or ultrasonic frequency
    • B06B1/02—Methods or apparatus for generating mechanical vibrations of infrasonic, sonic, or ultrasonic frequency making use of electrical energy
    • B06B1/06—Methods or apparatus for generating mechanical vibrations of infrasonic, sonic, or ultrasonic frequency making use of electrical energy operating with piezoelectric effect or with electrostriction
    • B06B1/0644—Methods or apparatus for generating mechanical vibrations of infrasonic, sonic, or ultrasonic frequency making use of electrical energy operating with piezoelectric effect or with electrostriction using a single piezoelectric element
    • B06B1/0651—Methods or apparatus for generating mechanical vibrations of infrasonic, sonic, or ultrasonic frequency making use of electrical energy operating with piezoelectric effect or with electrostriction using a single piezoelectric element of circular shape
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B06—GENERATING OR TRANSMITTING MECHANICAL VIBRATIONS IN GENERAL
    • B06B—METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR GENERATING OR TRANSMITTING MECHANICAL VIBRATIONS OF INFRASONIC, SONIC, OR ULTRASONIC FREQUENCY, e.g. FOR PERFORMING MECHANICAL WORK IN GENERAL
    • B06B1/00—Methods or apparatus for generating mechanical vibrations of infrasonic, sonic, or ultrasonic frequency
    • B06B1/02—Methods or apparatus for generating mechanical vibrations of infrasonic, sonic, or ultrasonic frequency making use of electrical energy
    • B06B1/06—Methods or apparatus for generating mechanical vibrations of infrasonic, sonic, or ultrasonic frequency making use of electrical energy operating with piezoelectric effect or with electrostriction
    • B06B1/0603—Methods or apparatus for generating mechanical vibrations of infrasonic, sonic, or ultrasonic frequency making use of electrical energy operating with piezoelectric effect or with electrostriction using a piezoelectric bender, e.g. bimorph
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B06—GENERATING OR TRANSMITTING MECHANICAL VIBRATIONS IN GENERAL
    • B06B—METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR GENERATING OR TRANSMITTING MECHANICAL VIBRATIONS OF INFRASONIC, SONIC, OR ULTRASONIC FREQUENCY, e.g. FOR PERFORMING MECHANICAL WORK IN GENERAL
    • B06B1/00—Methods or apparatus for generating mechanical vibrations of infrasonic, sonic, or ultrasonic frequency
    • B06B1/02—Methods or apparatus for generating mechanical vibrations of infrasonic, sonic, or ultrasonic frequency making use of electrical energy
    • B06B1/06—Methods or apparatus for generating mechanical vibrations of infrasonic, sonic, or ultrasonic frequency making use of electrical energy operating with piezoelectric effect or with electrostriction
    • B06B1/0644—Methods or apparatus for generating mechanical vibrations of infrasonic, sonic, or ultrasonic frequency making use of electrical energy operating with piezoelectric effect or with electrostriction using a single piezoelectric element
    • B06B1/0662—Methods or apparatus for generating mechanical vibrations of infrasonic, sonic, or ultrasonic frequency making use of electrical energy operating with piezoelectric effect or with electrostriction using a single piezoelectric element with an electrode on the sensitive surface
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G10—MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; ACOUSTICS
    • G10K—SOUND-PRODUCING DEVICES; METHODS OR DEVICES FOR PROTECTING AGAINST, OR FOR DAMPING, NOISE OR OTHER ACOUSTIC WAVES IN GENERAL; ACOUSTICS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G10K11/00—Methods or devices for transmitting, conducting or directing sound in general; Methods or devices for protecting against, or for damping, noise or other acoustic waves in general
    • G10K11/18—Methods or devices for transmitting, conducting or directing sound
    • G10K11/26—Sound-focusing or directing, e.g. scanning
    • G10K11/32—Sound-focusing or directing, e.g. scanning characterised by the shape of the source
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G10—MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; ACOUSTICS
    • G10K—SOUND-PRODUCING DEVICES; METHODS OR DEVICES FOR PROTECTING AGAINST, OR FOR DAMPING, NOISE OR OTHER ACOUSTIC WAVES IN GENERAL; ACOUSTICS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G10K11/00—Methods or devices for transmitting, conducting or directing sound in general; Methods or devices for protecting against, or for damping, noise or other acoustic waves in general
    • G10K11/18—Methods or devices for transmitting, conducting or directing sound
    • G10K11/26—Sound-focusing or directing, e.g. scanning
    • G10K11/34—Sound-focusing or directing, e.g. scanning using electrical steering of transducer arrays, e.g. beam steering
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G10—MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; ACOUSTICS
    • G10K—SOUND-PRODUCING DEVICES; METHODS OR DEVICES FOR PROTECTING AGAINST, OR FOR DAMPING, NOISE OR OTHER ACOUSTIC WAVES IN GENERAL; ACOUSTICS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G10K9/00—Devices in which sound is produced by vibrating a diaphragm or analogous element, e.g. fog horns, vehicle hooters or buzzers
    • G10K9/12—Devices in which sound is produced by vibrating a diaphragm or analogous element, e.g. fog horns, vehicle hooters or buzzers electrically operated
    • G10K9/122—Devices in which sound is produced by vibrating a diaphragm or analogous element, e.g. fog horns, vehicle hooters or buzzers electrically operated using piezoelectric driving means

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a device for transmitting and receiving acoustic signals.
  • tongue frequency meters have proven themselves in many applications.
  • Several vibratory tongues are attached to an acoustically rigid vibration coupling element, each of which reaches its vibration maximum at different excitation frequencies.
  • An observer uses the tongue, which shows its greatest deflection, to see the frequency with which the vibration coupling element is excited.
  • a disadvantage of such reed frequency meters is that only part of the available resources, such as the vibrating reeds in this case, are used. It would be equivalent to placing several electroacoustic transducers with different resonance frequencies on a membrane and using a different electroacoustic transducer depending on the frequency to be transmitted or received. In this case, however, the respective unused area of the membrane would unnecessarily draw sound energy from the sound field or cause it to vibrate during transmission.
  • DE3733776A1 discloses an ultrasonic probe constructed from a piezoelectric composite material composed of a plurality of piezoelectric ceramic rod members embedded in an organic material. Strip electrodes are formed from this composite material in order to improve flexibility and sensitivity of the probe.
  • the document DE 10 2007 057 124 A1 describes an excitation / reception unit with a piezoelectric element which is attached to the inside of a membrane.
  • the piezoelectric element here has electrodes on both sides, with two electrodes being attached to the piezoelectric element on the side facing away from the membrane, which electrodes are designed to oscillate in phase opposition.
  • the piezo element can thus execute two partial movements. This is achieved by applying signals in antiphase to the two electrodes.
  • JP H05 122793 describes a piezo loudspeaker.
  • the loudspeaker comprises spatially subdivided electrodes on one side of the piezoelectric element in order to apply different voltages there based on a specific resonance mode.
  • DE 2712341 shows an ultrasonic transducer with a variable focus, the ultrasonic transducer having a piezoelectric plate which is understood to have a plurality of circular electrodes opposite the lower active transducer surface.
  • the electrodes are connected to a corresponding ultrasonic transducer device via electrical delay lines. Variable delays can be implemented by means of the delay lines in order to obtain variable focus operation.
  • DE 10 2010 027 780 A1 describes an ultrasonic sensor with at least two sub-areas for transmitting and / or receiving ultrasonic signals, the sub-areas each having different resonance properties and the sub-areas being controlled with different control signal frequencies according to the respective resonance property.
  • a piezo oscillator can be provided which comprises three spatially divided electrodes.
  • JP S62209998 describes a vibrator with a surface made of different circular electrodes. Depending on the resonance frequency, the electrodes are activated and thus the vibrator receives different oscillation characteristics.
  • US 2006/103267 A1 describes an ultrasonic transducer with a central piezo element, which in turn is surrounded by ring-shaped piezo elements.
  • a processor with a plurality of input and output ports is described, which in turn are connected to the annular piezo elements.
  • impedance matching is carried out in order to control the load on the piezo elements.
  • a check is also carried out to determine whether the incoming signals lie within a predetermined impedance window in order to improve the signal quality.
  • US 2010/086151 A1 describes a piezoelectric loudspeaker, with a piezoelectric element which has electrodes on both sides and is attached to a membrane. On the side facing away from the membrane, the electrode is structured and has two ring-shaped and one central, disk-shaped electrode. Different parts of the piezo element can thus be made to vibrate. Filters can also be assigned to the structured electrodes.
  • JP H09 327094 A describes a piezoelectric loudspeaker with a flat piezo element and electrodes attached to both sides of the piezo element.
  • One of the two electrodes is divided into five electrode segments.
  • Two of the five electrodes are controlled by a coil and a segment separately via a direct signal. In this way, the oscillations of the piezo element are controlled accordingly at high frequencies.
  • US 2013/049876 A1 describes a device in which a second disc-shaped piezoelectric element is arranged centrally on a membrane and a first annular element is arranged around the second piezoelectric element on the membrane at a spatial distance therefrom.
  • the two piezo elements differ in their resonance frequency, the resonance frequency of the ring-shaped piezo element being lower than that of the disk-shaped piezo element.
  • a device for transmitting and receiving acoustic signals with the features of claim 1 and a method for producing this device with the features of claim 9 are provided.
  • the device according to the invention for transmitting and receiving acoustic signals comprises an electroacoustic transducer which has at least two first contacts that are electrically isolated from one another and via which different areas of the electroacoustic transducer can be excited to vibrate.
  • the device is set up so that when acoustic signals are transmitted, an electrical signal is applied to each of the first contacts, the applied electrical signals having a mutually different temporal progression, and when acoustic signals are received to each of the first contacts electrical signal is tapped in order to determine an oscillation of the electroacoustic transducer from the different time course of the tapped electrical signals.
  • Such a device is advantageous because a particularly efficient conversion takes place between acoustic signals and electrical signals. This means that the device has a high degree of efficiency when transmitting acoustic signals and high sensitivity when receiving acoustic signals.
  • the device is characterized by a particularly advantageous signal-to-noise ratio, for example to a noise of an internal resistance of the device.
  • a predetermined oscillation behavior can be impressed on the electroacoustic transducer, in particular when acoustic signals are emitted, whereby the oscillation behavior of the electroacoustic transducer is precise can be controlled and thus optimally adapted to any environmental conditions.
  • the first contacts form concentric circles on a surface of the electroacoustic transducer.
  • the electroacoustic transducer has the shape of a circular disk. In this way, an arrangement of the contacts is achieved through which individual vibration modes of the electroacoustic transducer can be excited particularly efficiently. At the same time, the contacts have a less complex shape, which simplifies the manufacture of the device and at the same time achieves high stability.
  • the different time course of the electrical signals applied to the first contacts is selected in such a way that the electroacoustic transducer oscillates either in a first oscillation mode or in a second oscillation mode.
  • the first oscillation mode is an oscillation mode of a first frequency
  • the second oscillation mode is an oscillation mode of a second frequency. It is therefore always possible to choose an oscillation mode that enables particularly high sensitivity or particularly high efficiency of the device. This enables the device to be adapted to a desired frequency.
  • the electroacoustic transducer has at least one second contact that is electrically conductively connected to an associated first contact, the second contact being arranged in such a way that the second contact is in response to a predefined incoming acoustic signal with regard to frequency and / or the amplitude and / or phase oscillates in the same way as the associated first contact.
  • each of the electrical signals tapped at the first contacts is filtered for a predetermined time profile. In this way, interference when receiving acoustic signals is suppressed particularly efficiently.
  • the device according to the invention comprises a delay unit which is set up to change a phase of an incoming electrical signal and to apply the incoming electrical signal to one of the first contacts and the incoming electrical signal with its phase changed to another of the to create the first contacts.
  • the phase of the incoming electrical signal is changed by means of a passive component.
  • the electroacoustic transducer is a flexural oscillator, the first and / or second contacts being arranged on a first side of the electroacoustic transducer and a reference electrode being arranged flat on a second side of the electroacoustic transducer opposite the first side.
  • the entire first side of the electroacoustic transducer can be used for the first and / or second contacts and a particularly precise excitation of the electroacoustic transducer can take place.
  • the electrical signals applied to the first contacts are selected such that the acoustic signal transmitted or received by the device lies in a predetermined frequency range and in particular has a constant frequency.
  • the device can thus be operated at a frequency at which it achieves a particularly high degree of efficiency and has a particularly high sensitivity.
  • the acoustic signal transmitted or received by the device is an ultrasonic signal. This is advantageous because, especially in the area of sending and receiving ultrasonic signals, high demands are placed on the sensitivity and the efficiency of devices for sending and / or receiving acoustic signals.
  • a method for producing a device according to the invention is advantageous in which the electroacoustic transducer is arranged on a membrane and in particular glued to it, a contacting layer is applied to a side of the electroacoustic transducer facing away from the membrane, and the first and / or second contacts are made from the Contacting layer are formed by removing the areas of the contacting layer that are between the first and / or second contacts.
  • the device is set up to be arranged on a vehicle and, in particular, to be integrated into an on-board network of the vehicle. It is also advantageous if the device is set up to send and / or receive information via the acoustic signal.
  • FIG 1 shows a device 1 according to the invention for transmitting and / or receiving acoustic signals in a first embodiment of the invention.
  • the device 1 comprises an electroacoustic transducer 2.
  • the electroacoustic transducer 2 is a piezoelectric flexural oscillator.
  • the electroacoustic transducer 2 is in Figure 1 shown in a cross section. In a plan view, the electroacoustic transducer 2 is a circular disk.
  • the electroacoustic transducer 2 has a first side 6 and a second side 7 opposite the first side 6.
  • the first side 6 and the second side 7 are the flat surfaces of the circular disk.
  • the electroacoustic transducer 2 rests in a region of its outer circumference on a membrane carrier 8 and is welded to a membrane carrier 8 at this point.
  • the electroacoustic transducer 2 has at least two first contacts 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d that are electrically isolated from one another.
  • the at least two electrically isolated first contacts 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d are formed in this first embodiment by a circular disk-shaped contact 3a, a first annular contact 3b, a second annular contact 3c and a third annular contact 3d.
  • the circular disk-shaped contact 3a has the shape of a circular disk.
  • a center of the circular disk-shaped contact 3 a is arranged on the electroacoustic transducer 2 in such a way that it lies above a center of the electroacoustic transducer 2.
  • the center of the electroacoustic transducer 2 is a center of one of the circular disk-shaped surfaces of the electroacoustic transducer 2.
  • the first annular contact 3b is arranged concentrically to the circular disk-shaped contact 3a.
  • the first annular contact 3b runs around the circular disk-shaped contact 3a, an outer circumference of the circular disk-shaped contact 3a being at a distance from an inner circumference of the first annular contact 3b.
  • the second ring-shaped contact 3c is arranged concentrically to the circular disk-shaped contact 3a.
  • the second ring-shaped contact 3c runs around the circular disk-shaped contact 3a, an outer circumference of the first ring-shaped contact 3b being at a distance from an inner circumference of the second ring-shaped contact 3c.
  • the third annular contact 3d is arranged concentrically to the circular disk-shaped contact 3a.
  • the third annular contact 3d runs around the second annular contact 3c, an outer circumference of the second annular contact 3c being at a distance from an inner circumference of the third annular contact 3c. Since a material from which the electroacoustic transducer 2 is made is non-conductive and the first contacts 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d are spaced from one another, the first contacts 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d are electrically isolated from one another.
  • the first contacts 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d are arranged on the second side 7 of the electroacoustic transducer 2.
  • a reference electrode 5 is arranged on the first side 6 of the electroacoustic transducer 2. This extends over the entire surface of the electroacoustic converter 2 located on the first side 6 of the electroacoustic converter.
  • Each of the first contacts 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d is coupled to a signal unit 4 via an electrical line.
  • the signal unit 4 generates a plurality of electrical signals which differ from one another and which are transmitted to the first contacts 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d via the electrical lines to the first contacts.
  • the signal unit 4 is coupled to the reference electrode 5 via an electrical line.
  • the electroacoustic transducer 2 can optionally be excited by the signal unit 4 to vibrate either in a first vibration mode or in a second vibration mode.
  • Figure 2 shows the electroacoustic transducer 2 at a first point in time t 1a , at a second point in time t 1b and at a third point in time t 1c , the electroacoustic transducer 2 oscillating in the first oscillation mode.
  • the electroacoustic transducer 2 is curved upwards over its entire surface.
  • the electroacoustic transducer 2 is not curved, which also corresponds to its expression in its idle state.
  • the electroacoustic transducer 2 is curved downward over its entire surface.
  • a position of the circular disk-shaped contact 3a, the first annular contact 3b, the second annular contact 3c and the third annular contact 3d on the electroacoustic transducer 2 is shown.
  • the second ring-shaped contact 3c is first considered. It can be seen that the entire area in which the second annular contact 3c is located is characterized by a similar vibration behavior.
  • the second ring-shaped contact 3c is located in its entire circumference to each of the in Figure 2 times shown at the same level above a rest position of the acoustic transducer 2. The same also applies to the area of the electroacoustic transducer 2, in which the first annular contact 3b is arranged and for the area of the electroacoustic transducer 2, in which the third annular contact 3d is arranged.
  • the electroacoustic transducer 2 to the in Figure 2 The vibration shown can be excited by passing to each of the first Contacts 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d each have a sinusoidal electrical signal applied, the sinusoidal electrical signals having the same phase and one adapted to the deflection of the area in which the associated first contact 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d is arranged Has amplitude.
  • FIG 3 shows the electroacoustic transducer 2 in the second vibration mode.
  • the electroacoustic transducer 2 is shown at a fourth point in time t 2a , a fifth point in time t 2b and at a sixth point in time t 2c . It can be seen that an inner area of the electroacoustic transducer 2 oscillates in the opposite direction to an outer area of the electroacoustic transducer 2.
  • the electroacoustic transducer 2 in which the third ring-shaped contact 3d is located has moved downwards at the fourth point in time t 2a compared to a rest position of the electroacoustic transducer 2, whereas the area of the electroacoustic transducer 2 is moving , in which the first annular contact 3b is located, has moved upwards in relation to the rest position of the electroacoustic transducer 2. It is thus evident that by a corresponding excitation of the first contacts 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, the electroacoustic transducer 2 can be forced to oscillate in the second oscillation mode.
  • a sinusoidal electrical signal is applied to each of the first contacts 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, the sinusoidal electrical signals being out of phase with one another.
  • a frequency of the electrical signals in the second oscillation mode can differ from the frequency of the electrical signals in the first oscillation mode.
  • the signal unit 4 stores a time curve for a first electrical signal which is applied to the circular disk-shaped contact 3a. Furthermore, a second electrical signal is stored, which is applied to the first ring-shaped contact 3b. A third electrical signal is also stored, which is applied to the second ring-shaped contact 3c. Furthermore, a fourth electrical signal is stored, which is applied to the third ring-shaped contact 3d.
  • all electrical signals are sinusoidal electrical signals which, however, differ at least in their phase relationship to one another or in their amplitude.
  • a first to fourth electrical signal is stored for the first vibration mode and a first to fourth electrical signal is stored for the second vibration mode.
  • stored means that the signal unit 4 generates the electrical signals on request.
  • each of the electrical signals applied to the first contacts 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d has a predetermined time profile.
  • a climate dependency of the electrical signals is taken into account in the activation / evaluation of the electroacoustic transducer 2.
  • the electrical signals associated with the first oscillation mode have a first frequency f1 and the electrical signals associated with the second oscillation mode have a second frequency f2.
  • the electroacoustic transducer 2 vibrates at a first frequency f1 in the first vibration mode and vibrates at a second frequency f2 in the second vibration mode.
  • Both the first frequency f1 and the second frequency f2 are in a high-frequency range, so that the electroacoustic transducer 2 is excited to oscillate, which leads to an acoustic signal in the ultrasonic range.
  • the electrical signals associated with the first oscillation mode have a constant frequency.
  • the acoustic signal generated by the electroacoustic transducer 2 thus also has a constant frequency.
  • the electrical signals applied to the first contacts 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d are selected such that the acoustic signal with a constant frequency lies in a predetermined frequency range.
  • an electrical signal is tapped at each of the first contacts 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d and an oscillation of the electroacoustic transducer is determined from the different temporal progression of the tapped electrical signals. If the electroacoustic transducer 2 is excited to oscillate by an incoming acoustic signal, this is converted into electrical signals by the electroacoustic transducer 2. These are tapped by the first contacts 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, with each of the first contacts 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d then being applied with an electrical signal which, in its time course, differs from that of the other first contacts 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d different electrical signals present.
  • each of the electrical signals which is transmitted from the first contacts 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d to the signal unit 4 is filtered by a matched filter.
  • the device 1 thus has an associated matched filter for each of the first contacts 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d.
  • the matched filters are designed in such a way that they only let through those parts of the electrical signals that result from the specific acoustic signal. Thus, when acoustic signals are received, each of the electrical signals tapped at the first contacts 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d is filtered for a predetermined time profile.
  • the electro-acute transducer 2 is a bending transducer in the form of a round disk and the electrical signals are from a narrower frequency range, the number of necessary first contacts 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d can be considerably compared other embodiments can be reduced.
  • the time curves of the voltages of the electrical signals from some of the first contacts 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d are close to zero and with other signal forms, such as a different frequency, they vary over time, in particular out of phase with one another.
  • the exact relationships between the contact voltage can be determined either experimentally and / or by means of simulation.
  • the signal unit 4 comprises a delay unit which is set up to change a phase of an incoming electrical signal and to apply the incoming electrical signal to one of the first contacts 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d and the incoming electrical signal with its phase changed Apply the signal to another of the first contacts 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d.
  • the first electrical signal which is applied to the circular disk-shaped contact 3a when the acoustic signal is emitted, is applied to the delay unit as an incoming electrical signal.
  • passive Components in the delay unit in particular by a capacitor, a phase of the incoming electrical signal, that is to say the first electrical signal, is shifted.
  • An amplitude of the incoming electrical signal is changed by a resistance of the delay unit.
  • the first electrical signal which has changed in its amplitude and its phase, is applied as the second electrical signal to the first ring-shaped contact 3b.
  • FIG Figure 4 A second embodiment of the device for transmitting and / or receiving acoustic signals is shown in FIG Figure 4 shown.
  • the second embodiment corresponds essentially to the first embodiment.
  • the acoustic transducer 2 has a second contact 9.
  • the second contact 9 replaces the first ring-shaped contact 3 b and is identical to it in shape and position on the electroacoustic transducer 2.
  • the second contact 9 is connected to the third annular contact 3d via an electrical connection. A direct connection between the second contact 9 and the signal unit 4 is omitted.
  • the second contact 9 and the third annular contact 3b are arranged on the electroacoustic transducer in such a way that the area in which the second contact 9 is arranged and the area in which the third annular contact 3d is arranged for at least one , in particular two, predetermined vibration modes have an identical vibration behavior.
  • the electroacoustic converter 2 thus has at least one second contact 9, which is electrically conductively connected to an associated first contact 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, the second contact 9 being arranged such that the second contact 9 in response to a predefined incoming acoustic signal oscillates in terms of frequency and / or amplitude and / or phase in an identical manner to the associated first contact 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d.
  • the second contact 9 and the third ring-shaped contact 3d are thus excited via a common electrical signal output by the signal unit 4 in order to generate one of the predetermined vibration modes.
  • the electroacoustic transducer ideally consists of a large number of contacts. Often one can assume that in areas same deflection, similar charge displacements take place and correspondingly similar voltage potentials exist. According to the invention, the same potentials are therefore combined in one contact in order to reduce the effort.
  • a continuous contact-making layer is applied to the first side 6 and to the second side 7 of the electroacoustic transducer 2.
  • the electroacoustic transducer 2 is then arranged with its second side 7 on a membrane and glued to it.
  • the areas of the continuous contacting layer on the first side 6 of the electroacoustic transducer 2 are removed in the areas in which none of the first contacts 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d should be located. In order to remove these areas, they are etched, cut or milled out of the continuous contacting layer.
  • the vibration behavior for each signal shape in particular for a pulse with a fixed frequency
  • the functional goal such as maximum frequency and / or phase position
  • the electroacoustic converter 2 can be set separately for each of the first contacts 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d.
  • the oscillation behavior of the electroacoustic transducer 2 can thus be set in detail in its course via the electroacoustic transducer 2.
  • the operating limits of an electroacoustic transducer which is customary today and which has only two contacts are predetermined, among other things, by the part of the electroacoustic transducer which can be destroyed first if it increases further.
  • Typical destruction effects are, for example, voltage breakdown or changes in the crystal structure as a result of depolarization. If the operating values of each contact can be set separately, more efficient use is possible, which can be noticeable, for example, as a high level of control.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Acoustics & Sound (AREA)
  • Multimedia (AREA)
  • Transducers For Ultrasonic Waves (AREA)
  • Piezo-Electric Transducers For Audible Bands (AREA)
  • Circuit For Audible Band Transducer (AREA)

Description

Stand der TechnikState of the art

Die vorliegende Erfindung betrifft eine Vorrichtung zum Aussenden und Empfangen akustischer Signale.The present invention relates to a device for transmitting and receiving acoustic signals.

Seit geraumer Zeit bewähren sich Zungenfrequenzmesser in vielen Anwendungen. Dabei sind an einem akustisch starren Schwingungseinkoppelelement mehrere Schwingzungen angebracht, die bei unterschiedlichen Anregungsfrequenzen jeweils ihr Schwingungsmaximum erreichen. Ein Beobachter sieht anhand der Zunge, die ihren größten Ausschlag zeigt, mit welcher Frequenz das Schwingungseinkoppelelement angeregt wird.For some time now, tongue frequency meters have proven themselves in many applications. Several vibratory tongues are attached to an acoustically rigid vibration coupling element, each of which reaches its vibration maximum at different excitation frequencies. An observer uses the tongue, which shows its greatest deflection, to see the frequency with which the vibration coupling element is excited.

Ein Nachteil solcher Zungenfrequenzmesser ist es, dass immer nur ein Teil der verfügbaren Mittel, wie in diesem Fall der Schwingzungen, genutzt wird. Äquivalent dazu wäre es, wenn man auf einer Membran mehrere elektroakustische Wandler unterschiedlicher Resonanzfrequenz platzieren würde und je nach auszusendender beziehungsweise zu empfangender Frequenz einen anderen elektroakustischen Wandler verwenden würde. Dabei würde jedoch der jeweils nicht genutzte Bereich der Membran unnötig Schallenergie aus dem Schallfeld ziehen beziehungsweise bei einem Senden zum Schwingen angeregt.A disadvantage of such reed frequency meters is that only part of the available resources, such as the vibrating reeds in this case, are used. It would be equivalent to placing several electroacoustic transducers with different resonance frequencies on a membrane and using a different electroacoustic transducer depending on the frequency to be transmitted or received. In this case, however, the respective unused area of the membrane would unnecessarily draw sound energy from the sound field or cause it to vibrate during transmission.

Aus dem Bereich der Nachrichtentechnik ist es bekannt, dass mit Frequenzmodulationen, wie zum Beispiel Frequency Hopping, in einem sehr engen Frequenzband Informationen mit sehr guter Zuverlässigkeit, das heißt Trennfähigkeit übertragen werden können. Dies gilt insbesondere bei Nutzung orthogonaler Modulation, wie diese beispielsweise in W-LAN-Systemen genutzt wird.It is known from the field of communications engineering that, with frequency modulations, such as frequency hopping, information can be transmitted in a very narrow frequency band with very good reliability, that is to say separability. This applies in particular when using orthogonal modulation, as is used, for example, in W-LAN systems.

Es wird auf die Varianzanalyse, das heißt Signalanalyse mittels Momente zweiter Ordnung, in der DE102009027842A1 verwiesen. Mittels Varianzreziproker ist es möglich, mit Momenten zweiter Ordnung eine sehr gute Signalsynchronisation und damit Ortsbestimmung zu erreichen.It is based on the analysis of variance, that is, signal analysis by means of moments of the second order, in the DE102009027842A1 referenced. Using the reciprocal of variance, it is possible to achieve very good signal synchronization and thus location determination with second order moments.

Aktuelle elektroakustische Wandler weisen zumeist nur zwei Kontaktierungen auf und sind somit für eine Schwingungsform, das heißt genau eine Resonanzfrequenz optimal.Current electroacoustic transducers usually have only two contacts and are therefore optimal for one form of oscillation, that is to say exactly one resonance frequency.

DE3733776A1 offenbart eine Ultraschallsonde, die aus einem piezoelektrischen Verbundmaterial aufgebaut ist, das aus einer Vielzahl von in ein organisches Material eingebetteten piezoelektrischen Keramik-Stabelementen besteht. Aus diesem Verbundmaterial sind Streifenelektroden ausgebildet, um eine Flexibilität und Empfindlichkeit der Sonde zu verbessern. DE3733776A1 discloses an ultrasonic probe constructed from a piezoelectric composite material composed of a plurality of piezoelectric ceramic rod members embedded in an organic material. Strip electrodes are formed from this composite material in order to improve flexibility and sensitivity of the probe.

Das Dokument DE 10 2007 057 124 A1 beschreibt eine Anrege-/Empfangseinheit mit einem piezoelektrischen Element welches auf der Innenseite einer Membran befestigt ist. Das piezoelektrische Element weist hierbei auf beiden Seite Elektroden auf, wobei an dem Piezoelement auf der von der Membran abgewandten Seite zwei Elektroden angebracht sind, welche dazu ausgebildet ist, gegenphasig zu schwingen. Somit kann das Piezoelement zwei Teilbewegungen ausführen. Dies wird hierbei erreicht, indem jeweils gegenphasige Signale auf die zwei Elektroden gegeben werden.The document DE 10 2007 057 124 A1 describes an excitation / reception unit with a piezoelectric element which is attached to the inside of a membrane. The piezoelectric element here has electrodes on both sides, with two electrodes being attached to the piezoelectric element on the side facing away from the membrane, which electrodes are designed to oscillate in phase opposition. The piezo element can thus execute two partial movements. This is achieved by applying signals in antiphase to the two electrodes.

JP H05 122793 beschreibt einen Piezo-Lautsprecher. Hierbei umfasst der Lautsprecher auf einer Seite des Piezoelektrischen Elements räumlich unterteilte Elektroden, um dort basierend auf einem bestimmten Resonanzmodus unterschiedliche Spannungen anzulegen. JP H05 122793 describes a piezo loudspeaker. Here, the loudspeaker comprises spatially subdivided electrodes on one side of the piezoelectric element in order to apply different voltages there based on a specific resonance mode.

DE 2712341 zeigt einen Ultraschallwandler mit variablem Brennpunkt, wobei der Ultraschallwandler eine piezoelektrische Platte aufweist, die die gegenüber der unteren aktiven Wandlerfläche mit einer Mehrzahl von kreisrunden Elektroden verstehen ist. Die Elektroden sind hierbei über elektrische Verzögerungsleitungen mit einer entsprechenden Ultraschallwandler-Einrichtung verbunden. Mittels der Verzögerungsleitungen können variable Verzögerungen ausgeführt werden, um einen Betrieb mit variablem Brennpunkt zu erhalten. DE 2712341 shows an ultrasonic transducer with a variable focus, the ultrasonic transducer having a piezoelectric plate which is understood to have a plurality of circular electrodes opposite the lower active transducer surface. The electrodes are connected to a corresponding ultrasonic transducer device via electrical delay lines. Variable delays can be implemented by means of the delay lines in order to obtain variable focus operation.

DE 10 2010 027 780 A1 beschreibt einen Ultraschallsensor mit mindestens zwei Teilbereichen zum Aussenden und/oder Empfangen von Ultraschallsignalen, wobei die Teilbereiche jeweils unterschiedliche Resonanzeigenschaften aufweist und die Teilbereiche mit unterschiedlichen Steuersignalfrequenzen entsprechend der jeweiligen Resonanzeigenschaft angesteuert werden. Hierzu kann zum Beispiel ein Piezoschwinger vorgesehen sein, der drei räumlich unterteilte Elektroden umfasst. DE 10 2010 027 780 A1 describes an ultrasonic sensor with at least two sub-areas for transmitting and / or receiving ultrasonic signals, the sub-areas each having different resonance properties and the sub-areas being controlled with different control signal frequencies according to the respective resonance property. For this purpose, for example, a piezo oscillator can be provided which comprises three spatially divided electrodes.

JP S62209998 beschreibt einen Vibrator mit einer Oberfläche aus unterschiedlichen kreisrunden Elektroden. Je nach Resonanzfrequenz werden die Elektroden angesteuert und somit erhält der Vibrator unterschiedliche Schwingungscharakteristi ka. JP S62209998 describes a vibrator with a surface made of different circular electrodes. Depending on the resonance frequency, the electrodes are activated and thus the vibrator receives different oscillation characteristics.

US 2006/103267 A1 beschreibt einen Ultraschallwandler mit einem zentralen Piezoelement, welches wiederum von ringförmigen Piezoelementen umgeben ist. Zusätzlich wird ein Prozessor mit einer Vielzahl von Eingangs- und Ausgangsports beschrieben, die wiederum in Verbindung mit den ringförmigen Piezoelementen stehen. Für jedes der, für die einzelnen ringförmigen Piezoelementen erzeugten Erregersignale wird eine Impedanzanpassung durchgeführt, um somit die Last auf die Piezoelemente zu steuern. Auch beim Empfangen von Signalen wird überprüft, inwiefern die ankommenden Signale in einem vorbestimmten Impedanzfenster liegen, um somit die Signalqualität zu verbessern. US 2006/103267 A1 describes an ultrasonic transducer with a central piezo element, which in turn is surrounded by ring-shaped piezo elements. In addition, a processor with a plurality of input and output ports is described, which in turn are connected to the annular piezo elements. For each of the excitation signals generated for the individual ring-shaped piezo elements, impedance matching is carried out in order to control the load on the piezo elements. When signals are received, a check is also carried out to determine whether the incoming signals lie within a predetermined impedance window in order to improve the signal quality.

US 2010/086151 A1 beschreibt einen piezoelektrischen Lautsprecher, mit einem Piezoelement, welches auf beiden Seite Elektroden aufweist und an einer Membran befestigt ist. Auf der, der Membran abgewandten Seite ist die Elektrode strukturiert und weist zwei ringförmige und eine zentrale, scheibenförmige Elektrode auf. Somit können unterschiedliche Teile des Piezoelements zum Schwingen gebracht werden. Den strukturierten Elektroden können hierbei auch Filter zugewiesen sein. US 2010/086151 A1 describes a piezoelectric loudspeaker, with a piezoelectric element which has electrodes on both sides and is attached to a membrane. On the side facing away from the membrane, the electrode is structured and has two ring-shaped and one central, disk-shaped electrode. Different parts of the piezo element can thus be made to vibrate. Filters can also be assigned to the structured electrodes.

JP H09 327094 A beschreibt einen piezoelektrischen Lautsprecher mit einem flachen Piezoelement und auf beiden Seite des Piezoelements angebrachten Elektroden. Eine der beiden Elektroden wird hierbei in fünf Elektrodensegmente aufgeteilt. Jeweils zwei der fünf Elektroden werden über eine Spule angesteuert und ein Segment separat über einen direktes Signal. Somit werden die Schwingungen des Piezoelements bei hohen Frequenzen entsprechend gesteuert. JP H09 327094 A describes a piezoelectric loudspeaker with a flat piezo element and electrodes attached to both sides of the piezo element. One of the two electrodes is divided into five electrode segments. Two of the five electrodes are controlled by a coil and a segment separately via a direct signal. In this way, the oscillations of the piezo element are controlled accordingly at high frequencies.

US 2013/049876 A1 beschreibt eine Vorrichtung, bei der ein zweites scheibenförmiges Piezoelement zentral auf einer Membran angeordnet ist und im räumlichen Abstand dazu, ein erstes ringförmiges Element um das zweite Piezoelement herum auf der Membran angeordnet ist. Die beiden Piezoelemente unterscheiden sich in ihrer Resonanzfrequenz, wobei die Resonanzfrequenz des ringförmigen Piezoelements niedriger ist, als die des scheibenförmigen Piezoelements. Bei Vibrieren der beiden Piezoelemente kommt es nun zu Überlappungen der erzeugten Vibrationsbereiche der Membran. US 2013/049876 A1 describes a device in which a second disc-shaped piezoelectric element is arranged centrally on a membrane and a first annular element is arranged around the second piezoelectric element on the membrane at a spatial distance therefrom. The two piezo elements differ in their resonance frequency, the resonance frequency of the ring-shaped piezo element being lower than that of the disk-shaped piezo element. When the two piezo elements vibrate, the generated vibration areas of the diaphragm now overlap.

Offenbarung der ErfindungDisclosure of the invention

Gemäß der Erfindung ist eine Vorrichtung zum Aussenden und Empfangen akustischer Signale mit den Merkmalen des Anspruchs 1 sowie ein Verfahren zur Herstellung dieser Vorrichtung mit den Merkmalen des Anspruchs 9 vorgesehen. J Die erfindungsgemäße Vorrichtung zum Aussenden und Empfangen akustischer Signale umfasst einen elektroakustischen Wandler, der zumindest zwei voneinander elektrisch isolierte erste Kontaktierungen aufweist, über die jeweils unterschiedliche Bereiche des elektroakustischen Wandlers zu einer Schwingung angeregt werden können. Dabei ist die Vorrichtung dazu eingerichtet, dass bei einem Aussenden akustischer Signale an jeder der ersten Kontaktierungen jeweils ein elektrisches Signal angelegt wird, wobei die angelegten elektrischen Signale einen zueinander unterschiedlichen zeitlichen Verlauf haben, und bei einem Empfangen akustischer Signale an jeder der ersten Kontaktierungen jeweils ein elektrisches Signal abgegriffen wird, um aus dem unterschiedlichen zeitlichen Verlauf der abgegriffenen elektrischen Signale ein Schwingen des elektroakustischen Wandlers zu ermitteln.According to the invention, a device for transmitting and receiving acoustic signals with the features of claim 1 and a method for producing this device with the features of claim 9 are provided. The device according to the invention for transmitting and receiving acoustic signals comprises an electroacoustic transducer which has at least two first contacts that are electrically isolated from one another and via which different areas of the electroacoustic transducer can be excited to vibrate. In this case, the device is set up so that when acoustic signals are transmitted, an electrical signal is applied to each of the first contacts, the applied electrical signals having a mutually different temporal progression, and when acoustic signals are received to each of the first contacts electrical signal is tapped in order to determine an oscillation of the electroacoustic transducer from the different time course of the tapped electrical signals.

Eine solche Vorrichtung ist vorteilhaft, da eine besonders effiziente Umsetzung zwischen akustischen Signalen und elektrischen Signalen erfolgt. Das bedeutet, die Vorrichtung weist einen hohen Wirkungsgrad beim Senden akustischer Signale und eine hohe Empfindlichkeit beim Empfangen akustischer Signale auf. Die Vorrichtung zeichnet sich durch einen besonders vorteilhaften Störabstand, beispielsweise zu einem Rauschen eines Innenwiderstandes der Vorrichtung, aus. Dem elektroakustischen Wandler kann insbesondere beim Aussenden akustischer Signale ein vorgegebenes Schwingverhalten eingeprägt werden, wodurch das Schwingverhalten des elektroakustischen Wandler präzise gesteuert werden und somit an beliebige Umgebungsbedingungen optimal angepasst werden kann.Such a device is advantageous because a particularly efficient conversion takes place between acoustic signals and electrical signals. This means that the device has a high degree of efficiency when transmitting acoustic signals and high sensitivity when receiving acoustic signals. The device is characterized by a particularly advantageous signal-to-noise ratio, for example to a noise of an internal resistance of the device. A predetermined oscillation behavior can be impressed on the electroacoustic transducer, in particular when acoustic signals are emitted, whereby the oscillation behavior of the electroacoustic transducer is precise can be controlled and thus optimally adapted to any environmental conditions.

Die Unteransprüche zeigen bevorzugte Weiterbildungen der Erfindung.The subclaims show preferred developments of the invention.

Es ist vorteilhaft, wenn die ersten Kontaktierungen konzentrische Kreise auf einer Oberfläche des elektroakustischen Wandlers bilden. Insbesondere ist es dabei vorteilhaft, wenn der elektroakustische Wandler die Form einer Kreisscheibe aufweist. Auf diese Weise wird eine Anordnung der Kontaktierungen erreicht, durch welche einzelne Schwingungsmodi des elektroakustischen Wandlers besonders effizient angeregt werden können. Gleichzeitig weisen die Kontaktierungen dabei eine wenig komplexe Form auf, wodurch eine Herstellung der Vorrichtung vereinfacht wird und zugleich eine hohe Stabilität erreicht wird.It is advantageous if the first contacts form concentric circles on a surface of the electroacoustic transducer. In particular, it is advantageous if the electroacoustic transducer has the shape of a circular disk. In this way, an arrangement of the contacts is achieved through which individual vibration modes of the electroacoustic transducer can be excited particularly efficiently. At the same time, the contacts have a less complex shape, which simplifies the manufacture of the device and at the same time achieves high stability.

Auch ist es vorteilhaft, wenn der unterschiedliche zeitliche Verlauf der an die ersten Kontaktierungen angelegten elektrischen Signale derart gewählt ist, dass der elektroakustische Wandler wahlweise in einem ersten Schwingungsmodus oder in einem zweiten Schwingungsmodus schwingt. Insbesondere ist dabei der erste Schwingungsmodus ein Schwingungsmodus einer ersten Frequenz und der zweite Schwingungsmodus ein Schwingungsmodus einer zweiten Frequenz. Es kann somit immer ein Schwingungsmodus gewählt werden, der eine besonders hohe Empfindlichkeit oder einen besonders hohen Wirkungsgrad der Vorrichtung ermöglicht. Dabei wird eine Anpassung der Vorrichtung an eine gewünschte Frequenz ermöglicht.It is also advantageous if the different time course of the electrical signals applied to the first contacts is selected in such a way that the electroacoustic transducer oscillates either in a first oscillation mode or in a second oscillation mode. In particular, the first oscillation mode is an oscillation mode of a first frequency and the second oscillation mode is an oscillation mode of a second frequency. It is therefore always possible to choose an oscillation mode that enables particularly high sensitivity or particularly high efficiency of the device. This enables the device to be adapted to a desired frequency.

Ferner ist es vorteilhaft, wenn der elektroakustische Wandler zumindest eine zweite Kontaktierung aufweist, die mit einer zugehörigen ersten Kontaktierung elektrisch leitfähig verbunden ist, wobei die zweite Kontaktierung derart angeordnet ist, dass die zweite Kontaktierung im Ansprechen auf ein vordefiniertes eintreffendes akustisches Signal hinsichtlich Frequenz und/oder Amplitude und/oder Phase in identischer weise schwingt wie die zugehörige erste Kontaktierung. Somit wird eine Anzahl elektrischer Signale verringert, die bei einem Aussenden akustischer Signale durch die Vorrichtung benötigt wird und/oder eine Verarbeitung elektrischer Signale beim Empfangen akustischer Signale wird vereinfacht, da solche Bereiche des elektroakustischen Wandlers, die ähnliche elektrische Signale verursachen, zusammengefasst sind.Furthermore, it is advantageous if the electroacoustic transducer has at least one second contact that is electrically conductively connected to an associated first contact, the second contact being arranged in such a way that the second contact is in response to a predefined incoming acoustic signal with regard to frequency and / or the amplitude and / or phase oscillates in the same way as the associated first contact. This reduces a number of electrical signals that are required when acoustic signals are transmitted by the device and / or processing of electrical signals when acoustic signals are received is reduced Signals is simplified because those areas of the electroacoustic transducer that cause similar electrical signals are combined.

Erfindungsgemäß wird bei dem Empfangen akustischer Signale jedes der an den ersten Kontaktierungen abgegriffenen elektrischen Signale auf einen vorgegebenen zeitlichen Verlauf hin gefiltert. Auf diese Weise werden Störeinflüsse beim Empfangen akustischer Signale besonders effizient unterdrückt.According to the invention, when acoustic signals are received, each of the electrical signals tapped at the first contacts is filtered for a predetermined time profile. In this way, interference when receiving acoustic signals is suppressed particularly efficiently.

Ferner ist es vorteilhaft, wenn die erfindungsgemäße Vorrichtung eine Verzögerungseinheit umfasst, die dazu eingerichtet ist, eine Phase eines eingehenden elektrischen Signals zu verändern und das eingehende elektrische Signal an eine der ersten Kontaktierungen anzulegen und das in seiner Phase veränderte eingehende elektrische Signal an eine andere der ersten Kontaktierungen anzulegen. Insbesondere erfolgt das Verändern der Phase des eingehenden elektrischen Signals mittels eines passiven Bauelementes. Somit wird zumindest ein Teil der zum Aussenden eines akustischen Signals benötigten elektrischen Signalen auf besonders einfache Weise erzeugt.It is also advantageous if the device according to the invention comprises a delay unit which is set up to change a phase of an incoming electrical signal and to apply the incoming electrical signal to one of the first contacts and the incoming electrical signal with its phase changed to another of the to create the first contacts. In particular, the phase of the incoming electrical signal is changed by means of a passive component. Thus, at least some of the electrical signals required to send out an acoustic signal are generated in a particularly simple manner.

Es ist vorteilhaft, wenn der elektroakustische Wandler ein Biegeschwinger ist, wobei die ersten und/oder zweiten Kontaktierungen auf einer ersten Seite des elektroakustischen Wandlers angeordnet sind und eine Bezugselektrode flächig auf einer der ersten Seite gegenüberliegenden zweiten Seite des elektroakustischen Wandlers angeordnet ist. Auf diese Weise kann die gesamte erste Seite des elektroakustischen Wandlers für die ersten und/oder zweiten Kontaktierungen genutzt werden und eine besonders präzise Anregung des elektroakustischen Wandlers erfolgen.It is advantageous if the electroacoustic transducer is a flexural oscillator, the first and / or second contacts being arranged on a first side of the electroacoustic transducer and a reference electrode being arranged flat on a second side of the electroacoustic transducer opposite the first side. In this way, the entire first side of the electroacoustic transducer can be used for the first and / or second contacts and a particularly precise excitation of the electroacoustic transducer can take place.

Auch ist es vorteilhaft, wenn die an den ersten Kontaktierungen angelegten elektrischen Signale derart gewählt sind, dass das von der Vorrichtung ausgesendete oder empfangene akustische Signal in einem vorgegebenen Frequenzbereich liegt und insbesondere eine konstante Frequenz aufweist. Somit kann die Vorrichtung bei einer solchen Frequenz betrieben werden, in der diese einen besonders hohen Wirkungsgrad erzielt und eine besonders hohe Empfindlichkeit aufweist.It is also advantageous if the electrical signals applied to the first contacts are selected such that the acoustic signal transmitted or received by the device lies in a predetermined frequency range and in particular has a constant frequency. The device can thus be operated at a frequency at which it achieves a particularly high degree of efficiency and has a particularly high sensitivity.

Ferner ist es vorteilhaft, wenn das von der Vorrichtung ausgesendete oder empfangene akustische Signal ein Ultraschallsignal ist. Dies ist vorteilhaft, da gerade im Bereich des Sendens und Empfangens von Ultraschallsignalen hohe Anforderungen an die Empfindlichkeit und den Wirkungsgrad von Vorrichtungen zum Aussenden und/oder Empfangen akustischer Signale gestellt werden.It is also advantageous if the acoustic signal transmitted or received by the device is an ultrasonic signal. This is advantageous because, especially in the area of sending and receiving ultrasonic signals, high demands are placed on the sensitivity and the efficiency of devices for sending and / or receiving acoustic signals.

Ferner ist ein Verfahren zur Herstellung einer erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung vorteilhaft, in dem der elektroakustische Wandler auf einer Membran angeordnet und insbesondere mit dieser verklebt wird, eine Kontaktierungsschicht auf einer der Membran abgewandten Seite des elektroakustischen Wandlers aufgebracht wird und die ersten und/oder zweiten Kontaktierungen aus der Kontaktierungsschicht geformt werden, indem die Bereiche der Kontaktierungsschicht, die zwischen den ersten und/oder zweiten Kontaktierungen liegen, entfernt werden. Durch ein solches Verfahren wird eine präzise Anordnung der Kontaktierungen ermöglicht und ein Brechen des elektroakustischen Wandlers vermieden.Furthermore, a method for producing a device according to the invention is advantageous in which the electroacoustic transducer is arranged on a membrane and in particular glued to it, a contacting layer is applied to a side of the electroacoustic transducer facing away from the membrane, and the first and / or second contacts are made from the Contacting layer are formed by removing the areas of the contacting layer that are between the first and / or second contacts. Such a method enables the contacts to be arranged precisely and prevents the electroacoustic transducer from breaking.

Ferner ist es vorteilhaft, wenn die Vorrichtung eingerichtet ist, an einem Fahrzeug angeordnet zu sein und insbesondere in ein Bordnetz des Fahrzeuges integriert zu werden. Auch ist es vorteilhaft, wenn die Vorrichtung dazu eingerichtet ist, Informationen über das akustische Signal zu senden und/oder zu empfangen.It is also advantageous if the device is set up to be arranged on a vehicle and, in particular, to be integrated into an on-board network of the vehicle. It is also advantageous if the device is set up to send and / or receive information via the acoustic signal.

Kurze Beschreibung der ZeichnungenBrief description of the drawings

Nachfolgend werden Ausführungsbeispiele der Erfindung unter Bezugnahme auf die begleitende Zeichnung im Detail beschrieben. In der Zeichnung ist:

Figur 1
eine erfindungsgemäße Vorrichtung zum Aussenden und/oder Empfangen akustischer Signale in einer ersten Ausführungsform der Erfindung,
Figur 2
eine Darstellung eines in einem ersten Schwingungsmodus schwingenden elektroakustischen Wandlers zu drei aufeinanderfolgenden Zeitpunkten,
Figur 3
eine Darstellung eines in einem zweiten Schwingungsmodus schwingenden elektroakustischen Wandlers zu drei aufeinanderfolgenden Zeitpunkten, und
Figur 4
eine erfindungsgemäße Vorrichtung zum Aussenden und/oder Empfangen akustischer Signale in einer zweiten Ausführungsform der Erfindung.
Exemplary embodiments of the invention are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawing is:
Figure 1
a device according to the invention for transmitting and / or receiving acoustic signals in a first embodiment of the invention,
Figure 2
a representation of an electroacoustic transducer oscillating in a first oscillation mode at three successive points in time,
Figure 3
an illustration of an electroacoustic transducer oscillating in a second oscillation mode at three successive times, and
Figure 4
an inventive device for transmitting and / or receiving acoustic signals in a second embodiment of the invention.

Ausführungsformen der ErfindungEmbodiments of the invention

Figur 1 zeigt eine erfindungsgemäße Vorrichtung 1 zum Aussenden und/oder Empfangen akustischer Signale in einer ersten Ausführungsform der Erfindung. Die Vorrichtung 1 umfasst einen elektroakustischen Wandler 2. Der elektroakustische Wandler 2 ist ein piezoelektrischer Biegeschwinger. Der elektroakustische Wandler 2 ist in Figur 1 in einem Querschnitt gezeigt. In einer Draufsicht ist der elektroakustische Wandler 2 eine Kreisscheibe. Der elektroakustische Wandler 2 weist eine erste Seite 6 und eine der ersten Seite 6 gegenüberliegende zweite Seite 7 auf. Die erste Seite 6 und die zweite Seite 7 sind die ebenen Flächen der Kreisscheibe. Figure 1 shows a device 1 according to the invention for transmitting and / or receiving acoustic signals in a first embodiment of the invention. The device 1 comprises an electroacoustic transducer 2. The electroacoustic transducer 2 is a piezoelectric flexural oscillator. The electroacoustic transducer 2 is in Figure 1 shown in a cross section. In a plan view, the electroacoustic transducer 2 is a circular disk. The electroacoustic transducer 2 has a first side 6 and a second side 7 opposite the first side 6. The first side 6 and the second side 7 are the flat surfaces of the circular disk.

Der elektroakustische Wandler 2 liegt in einem Bereich seines äußeren Umfangs auf einen Membranträger 8 auf, und ist an dieser Stelle mit einem Membranträger 8 verschweißt.The electroacoustic transducer 2 rests in a region of its outer circumference on a membrane carrier 8 and is welded to a membrane carrier 8 at this point.

Der elektroakustische Wandler 2 weist zumindest zwei voneinander elektrisch isolierte erste Kontaktierungen 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d auf. Die zumindest zwei voneinander elektrisch isolierten ersten Kontaktierungen 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d werden in dieser ersten Ausführungsform durch eine kreisscheibenförmige Kontaktierung 3a, eine erste ringförmige Kontaktierung 3b, eine zweite ringförmige Kontaktierung 3c und eine dritte ringförmige Kontaktierung 3d gebildet. Die kreisscheibenförmige Kontaktierung 3a weist die Form einer Kreisscheibe auf. Ein Zentrum der kreisscheibenförmigen Kontaktierung 3a ist derart auf dem elektroakustischen Wandler 2 angeordnet, dass dieses über einem Zentrum des elektroakustischen Wandlers 2 liegt. Das Zentrum des elektroakustischen Wandlers 2 ist dabei eine Mitte einer der kreisscheibenförmigen Oberflächen des elektroakustischen Wandlers 2.The electroacoustic transducer 2 has at least two first contacts 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d that are electrically isolated from one another. The at least two electrically isolated first contacts 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d are formed in this first embodiment by a circular disk-shaped contact 3a, a first annular contact 3b, a second annular contact 3c and a third annular contact 3d. The circular disk-shaped contact 3a has the shape of a circular disk. A center of the circular disk-shaped contact 3 a is arranged on the electroacoustic transducer 2 in such a way that it lies above a center of the electroacoustic transducer 2. The center of the electroacoustic transducer 2 is a center of one of the circular disk-shaped surfaces of the electroacoustic transducer 2.

Die erste ringförmige Kontaktierung 3b ist konzentrisch zu der kreisscheibenförmigen Kontaktierung 3a angeordnet. Die erste ringförmige Kontaktierung 3b umläuft die kreisscheibenförmige Kontaktierung 3a, wobei ein äußerer Umfang der kreisscheibenförmigen Kontaktierung 3a einen Abstand zu einem inneren Umfang der ersten ringförmigen Kontaktierung 3b aufweist. Die zweite ringförmige Kontaktierung 3c ist konzentrisch zu der kreisscheibenförmigen Kontaktierung 3a angeordnet. Die zweite ringförmige Kontaktierung 3c umläuft die kreisscheibenförmige Kontaktierung 3a, wobei ein äußerer Umfang der ersten ringförmige Kontaktierung 3b einen Abstand zu einem inneren Umfang der zweiten ringförmigen Kontaktierung 3c aufweist. Die dritte ringförmige Kontaktierung 3d ist konzentrisch zu der kreisscheibenförmigen Kontaktierung 3a angeordnet. Die dritte ringförmige Kontaktierung 3d umläuft die zweite ringförmige Kontaktierung 3c, wobei ein äußerer Umfang der zweiten ringförmigen Kontaktierung 3c einen Abstand zu einem inneren Umfang der dritten ringförmigen Kontaktierung 3c aufweist. Da ein Material, aus welchem der elektroakustische Wandlers 2 gefertigt ist, nicht leitfähig ist und die ersten Kontaktierungen 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d voneinander beabstandet sind, sind die ersten Kontaktierungen 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d voneinander elektrisch isoliert.The first annular contact 3b is arranged concentrically to the circular disk-shaped contact 3a. The first annular contact 3b runs around the circular disk-shaped contact 3a, an outer circumference of the circular disk-shaped contact 3a being at a distance from an inner circumference of the first annular contact 3b. The second ring-shaped contact 3c is arranged concentrically to the circular disk-shaped contact 3a. The second ring-shaped contact 3c runs around the circular disk-shaped contact 3a, an outer circumference of the first ring-shaped contact 3b being at a distance from an inner circumference of the second ring-shaped contact 3c. The third annular contact 3d is arranged concentrically to the circular disk-shaped contact 3a. The third annular contact 3d runs around the second annular contact 3c, an outer circumference of the second annular contact 3c being at a distance from an inner circumference of the third annular contact 3c. Since a material from which the electroacoustic transducer 2 is made is non-conductive and the first contacts 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d are spaced from one another, the first contacts 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d are electrically isolated from one another.

Die ersten Kontaktierungen 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d sind auf der zweiten Seite 7 des elektroakustischen Wandlers 2 angeordnet. Auf der ersten Seite 6 des elektroakustischen Wandler 2 ist eine Bezugselektrode 5 angeordnet. Diese erstreckt sich über die gesamte, auf der ersten Seite 6 des elektroakustischen Wandlers gelegene Oberfläche des elektroakustischen Wandlers 2.The first contacts 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d are arranged on the second side 7 of the electroacoustic transducer 2. A reference electrode 5 is arranged on the first side 6 of the electroacoustic transducer 2. This extends over the entire surface of the electroacoustic converter 2 located on the first side 6 of the electroacoustic converter.

Wird eine Spannung zwischen eine der ersten Kontaktierungen 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d und die Bezugselektrode 5 angelegt, so erfolgt eine elastische Verformung des elektroakustischen Wandlers in dem Bereich, in dem die ersten Kontaktierung 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d liegt, an welche das elektrische Signal angelegt wurde.If a voltage is applied between one of the first contacts 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d and the reference electrode 5, elastic deformation of the electroacoustic transducer takes place in the area in which the first contact 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d is located, on which the electrical signal was applied.

Jede der ersten Kontaktierungen 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d ist über jeweils eine elektrische Leitung mit einer Signaleinheit 4 gekoppelt. Durch die Signaleinheit 4 werden mehrere, zueinander unterschiedliche elektrische Signale erzeugt, die an die ersten Kontaktierungen 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d über die elektrischen Leitungen an die ersten Kontaktierungen übertragen werden. Zudem ist die Signaleinheit 4 über eine elektrische Leitung mit der Bezugselektrode 5 gekoppelt.Each of the first contacts 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d is coupled to a signal unit 4 via an electrical line. The signal unit 4 generates a plurality of electrical signals which differ from one another and which are transmitted to the first contacts 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d via the electrical lines to the first contacts. In addition, the signal unit 4 is coupled to the reference electrode 5 via an electrical line.

Bei einem Aussenden akustischer Signale durch die Vorrichtung 1 wird an jede der ersten Kontaktierungen 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d von der Signaleinheit 4 jeweils ein elektrisches Signal angelegt, wobei die angelegten elektrischen Signale einen zueinander unterschiedlichen zeitlichen Verlauf haben. Das bedeutet, dass die ersten Kontaktierungen 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d nicht über ein gemeinsames elektrisches Signal angeregt werden.When acoustic signals are emitted by the device 1, an electrical signal is applied to each of the first contacts 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d by the signal unit 4, the applied electrical signals having a mutually different time course. This means that the first contacts 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d are not excited by a common electrical signal.

In dieser ersten Ausführungsform kann der elektroakustische Wandler 2 von der Signaleinheit 4 wahlweise dazu angeregt werden, entweder in einem ersten Schwingungsmodus oder in einem zweiten Schwingungsmodus zu schwingen.In this first embodiment, the electroacoustic transducer 2 can optionally be excited by the signal unit 4 to vibrate either in a first vibration mode or in a second vibration mode.

Figur 2 zeigt den elektroakustischen Wandler 2 zu einem ersten Zeitpunkt t1a, zu einem zweiten Zeitpunkt t1b und zu einem dritten Zeitpunkt t1c, wobei der elektroakustische Wandler 2 in dem ersten Schwingungsmodus schwingt. Zu dem ersten Zeitpunkt t1a ist der elektroakustische Wandler 2 über seine gesamte Fläche nach oben gewölbt. Zu dem zweiten Zeitpunkt t1b ist der elektroakustische Wandler 2 nicht gewölbt, was auch dessen Ausprägung in seinem Ruhezustand entspricht. Zu dem dritten Zeitpunkt t1c ist der elektroakustische Wandler 2 über seine gesamte Fläche nach unten gewölbt. Figure 2 shows the electroacoustic transducer 2 at a first point in time t 1a , at a second point in time t 1b and at a third point in time t 1c , the electroacoustic transducer 2 oscillating in the first oscillation mode. At the first point in time t 1a , the electroacoustic transducer 2 is curved upwards over its entire surface. At the second point in time t 1b , the electroacoustic transducer 2 is not curved, which also corresponds to its expression in its idle state. At the third point in time t 1c , the electroacoustic transducer 2 is curved downward over its entire surface.

Es ist eine Lage der kreisscheibenförmigen Kontaktierung 3a, der ersten ringförmige Kontaktierung 3b, der zweiten ringförmige Kontaktierung 3c und der dritten ringförmige Kontaktierung 3d auf dem elektroakustischen Wandler 2 gezeigt. Es wird zunächst die zweite ringförmige Kontaktierung 3c betrachtet. Es ist ersichtlich, dass sich der gesamte Bereich, in welchem sich die zweite ringförmige Kontaktierung 3c befindet, durch ein ähnliches Schwingverhalten auszeichnet. So befindet sich die zweite ringförmige Kontaktierung 3c in ihrem gesamten Umfang zu jedem der in Figur 2 gezeigten Zeitpunkte auf einer gleichen Höhe über einer Ruhelage des akustischen Wandlers 2. Selbiges gilt ebenfalls für den Bereich des elektroakustischen Wandlers 2, in dem die erste ringförmige Kontaktierung 3b angeordnet ist und für den Bereich des elektroakustischen Wandlers 2, in dem die dritte ringförmige Kontaktierung 3d angeordnet ist.A position of the circular disk-shaped contact 3a, the first annular contact 3b, the second annular contact 3c and the third annular contact 3d on the electroacoustic transducer 2 is shown. The second ring-shaped contact 3c is first considered. It can be seen that the entire area in which the second annular contact 3c is located is characterized by a similar vibration behavior. The second ring-shaped contact 3c is located in its entire circumference to each of the in Figure 2 times shown at the same level above a rest position of the acoustic transducer 2. The same also applies to the area of the electroacoustic transducer 2, in which the first annular contact 3b is arranged and for the area of the electroacoustic transducer 2, in which the third annular contact 3d is arranged.

Es wird ersichtlich, dass der elektroakustische Wandler 2 zu der in Figur 2 gezeigten Schwingung angeregt werden kann, indem an jede der ersten Kontaktierungen 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d jeweils ein sinusförmiges elektrisches Signal angelegt wird, wobei die sinusförmigen elektrischen Signale eine gleiche Phase aufweisen und eine an die Auslenkung des Bereiches, in welchem die zugehörige erste Kontaktierung 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d angeordnet ist, angepasste Amplitude aufweist.It can be seen that the electroacoustic transducer 2 to the in Figure 2 The vibration shown can be excited by passing to each of the first Contacts 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d each have a sinusoidal electrical signal applied, the sinusoidal electrical signals having the same phase and one adapted to the deflection of the area in which the associated first contact 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d is arranged Has amplitude.

Figur 3 zeigt den elektroakustischen Wandler 2 in dem zweiten Schwingungsmodus. Dabei ist der elektroakustische Wandler 2 zu einem vierten Zeitpunkt t2a, einem fünften Zeitpunkt t2b und zu einem sechsen Zeitpunkt t2c gezeigt. Es ist ersichtlich, dass ein innerer Bereich des elektroakustischen Wandlers 2 gegenläufig zu einem äußeren Bereich des elektroakustischen Wandlers 2 schwingt. So ist beispielsweise ersichtlich, dass sich der Bereich des elektroakustischen Wandlers 2, in dem sich die dritte ringförmige Kontaktierung 3d befindet, zu dem vierten Zeitpunkt t2a gegenüber einer Ruhelage des elektroakustischen Wandlers 2 nach unten bewegt hat, wohingegen sich der Bereich des elektroakustischen Wandlers 2, in dem sich die erste ringförmige Kontaktierung 3b befindet, gegenüber der Ruhelage des elektroakustischen Wandlers 2 nach oben bewegt hat. Es wird somit ersichtlich, durch das durch eine entsprechende Anregung der ersten Kontaktierungen 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d der elektroakustische Wandler 2 dazu gezwungen werden kann, in dem zweiten Schwingungsmodus zu schwingen. So wird in dem in Figur 3 gezeigten Beispiel an jede der ersten Kontaktierung 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d jeweils ein sinusförmiges elektrisches Signal angelegt, wobei die sinusförmigen elektrischen Signale zueinander phasenverschoben sind. Eine Frequenz der elektrischen Signale in dem zweiten Schwingungsmodus kann dabei von der Frequenz der elektrischen Signale in dem ersten Schwingungsmodus abweichen. Figure 3 shows the electroacoustic transducer 2 in the second vibration mode. The electroacoustic transducer 2 is shown at a fourth point in time t 2a , a fifth point in time t 2b and at a sixth point in time t 2c . It can be seen that an inner area of the electroacoustic transducer 2 oscillates in the opposite direction to an outer area of the electroacoustic transducer 2. For example, it can be seen that the area of the electroacoustic transducer 2 in which the third ring-shaped contact 3d is located has moved downwards at the fourth point in time t 2a compared to a rest position of the electroacoustic transducer 2, whereas the area of the electroacoustic transducer 2 is moving , in which the first annular contact 3b is located, has moved upwards in relation to the rest position of the electroacoustic transducer 2. It is thus evident that by a corresponding excitation of the first contacts 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, the electroacoustic transducer 2 can be forced to oscillate in the second oscillation mode. So in the in Figure 3 In the example shown, a sinusoidal electrical signal is applied to each of the first contacts 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, the sinusoidal electrical signals being out of phase with one another. A frequency of the electrical signals in the second oscillation mode can differ from the frequency of the electrical signals in the first oscillation mode.

In der Signaleinheit 4 ist in dieser ersten Ausführungsform ein zeitlicher Verlauf für ein erstes elektrisches Signal hinterlegt, welches an die kreisscheibenförmige Kontaktierung 3a angelegt wird. Ferner ist ein zweites elektrisches Signal hinterlegt, welches an die erste ringförmige Kontaktierung 3b angelegt wird. Ferner ist ein drittes elektrisches Signal hinterlegt, welches an die zweite ringförmige Kontaktierung 3c angelegt wird. Ferner ist ein viertes elektrisches Signal hinterlegt, welches an die dritte ringförmige Kontaktierung 3d angelegt wird. Dabei sind alle elektrischen Signale sinusförmige elektrische Signale, die sich jedoch zumindest in ihrer Phasenlage zueinander oder ihrer Amplitude unterscheiden.In this first embodiment, the signal unit 4 stores a time curve for a first electrical signal which is applied to the circular disk-shaped contact 3a. Furthermore, a second electrical signal is stored, which is applied to the first ring-shaped contact 3b. A third electrical signal is also stored, which is applied to the second ring-shaped contact 3c. Furthermore, a fourth electrical signal is stored, which is applied to the third ring-shaped contact 3d. In this case, all electrical signals are sinusoidal electrical signals which, however, differ at least in their phase relationship to one another or in their amplitude.

Dabei ist jeweils ein erstes bis viertes elektrisches Signal für den ersten Schwingungsmodus hinterlegt und jeweils ein erstes bis viertes elektrisches Signal für den zweiten Schwingungsmodus hinterlegt. Hinterlegt bedeutet dabei, dass die Signaleinheit 4 die elektrischen Signale auf eine Anforderung hin erzeugt. Somit hat jedes der an die ersten Kontaktierungen 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d angelegten elektrischen Signale jeweils einen vorgegebenen zeitlichen Verlauf. Bei der Ansteuerung/Auswertung des elektroakustischen Wandlers 2 wird eine Klimaabhängigkeit der elektrischen Signale berücksichtigt.A first to fourth electrical signal is stored for the first vibration mode and a first to fourth electrical signal is stored for the second vibration mode. In this context, stored means that the signal unit 4 generates the electrical signals on request. Thus, each of the electrical signals applied to the first contacts 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d has a predetermined time profile. A climate dependency of the electrical signals is taken into account in the activation / evaluation of the electroacoustic transducer 2.

In dieser ersten Ausführungsform haben die dem ersten Schwingungsmodus zugehörigen elektrischen Signale eine erste Frequenz f1 und die dem zweiten Schwingungsmodus zugehörigen elektrischen Signale eine zweite Frequenz f2. Dies führt dazu, dass der elektroakustische Wandler 2 in dem ersten Schwingungsmodus mit einer ersten Frequenz f1 schwingt und in dem zweiten Schwingungsmodus in einer zweiten Frequenz f2 schwingt. Sowohl die erste Frequenz f1 als auch die zweite Frequenz f2 liegen in einem hochfrequenten Bereich, sodass der elektroakustische Wandler 2 zu einer Schwingung angeregt wird, die zu einem akustischen Signal im Ultraschallbereich führt.In this first embodiment, the electrical signals associated with the first oscillation mode have a first frequency f1 and the electrical signals associated with the second oscillation mode have a second frequency f2. This leads to the fact that the electroacoustic transducer 2 vibrates at a first frequency f1 in the first vibration mode and vibrates at a second frequency f2 in the second vibration mode. Both the first frequency f1 and the second frequency f2 are in a high-frequency range, so that the electroacoustic transducer 2 is excited to oscillate, which leads to an acoustic signal in the ultrasonic range.

Die dem ersten Schwingungsmodus zugehörigen elektrischen Signale weisen eine konstante Frequenz auf. Somit weist auch das von der elektroakustischen Wandler 2 erzeugte akustische Signal eine konstante Frequenz auf. Somit sind die an den ersten Kontaktierungen 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d angelegten elektrischen Signale derart gewählt, dass das akustische Signal mit konstanter Frequenz in einem vorgegebenen Frequenzbereich liegt.The electrical signals associated with the first oscillation mode have a constant frequency. The acoustic signal generated by the electroacoustic transducer 2 thus also has a constant frequency. Thus, the electrical signals applied to the first contacts 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d are selected such that the acoustic signal with a constant frequency lies in a predetermined frequency range.

Bei einem Empfangen akustischer Signale wird an jeder der ersten Kontaktierungen 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d jeweils ein elektrisches Signal abgegriffen und aus dem unterschiedlichen zeitlichen Verlauf der abgegriffenen elektrischen Signale ein Schwingen des elektroakustischen Wandlers ermittelt. Wird der elektroakustische Wandler 2 durch ein ankommendes akustisches Signal zu einer Schwingung angeregt, so wird diese durch den elektroakustischen Wandler 2 in elektrische Signale umgesetzt. Diese werden durch die ersten Kontaktierungen 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d abgegriffen, wobei dann jeder der ersten Kontaktierungen 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d ein elektrisches Signal anliegt, das sich in seinem zeitlichen Verlauf von dem an den anderen ersten Kontaktierungen 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d anliegenden elektrischen Signale unterscheidet. Von jeder der ersten Kontaktierungen 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d wird somit jeweils ein elektrisches Signal an die Signaleinheit 4 übertragen. Die Vorrichtung 1 ist in dieser ersten Ausführungsform darauf ausgelegt, ein bestimmtes akustisches Signal zu empfangen. Daher wird jedes der elektrischen Signale, welches von den ersten Kontaktierungen 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d an die Signaleinheit 4 übertragen wird, durch einen Matched-Filter gefiltert.When acoustic signals are received, an electrical signal is tapped at each of the first contacts 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d and an oscillation of the electroacoustic transducer is determined from the different temporal progression of the tapped electrical signals. If the electroacoustic transducer 2 is excited to oscillate by an incoming acoustic signal, this is converted into electrical signals by the electroacoustic transducer 2. These are tapped by the first contacts 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, with each of the first contacts 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d then being applied with an electrical signal which, in its time course, differs from that of the other first contacts 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d different electrical signals present. An electrical signal is thus transmitted from each of the first contacts 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d to the signal unit 4. In this first embodiment, the device 1 is designed to receive a specific acoustic signal. Therefore, each of the electrical signals which is transmitted from the first contacts 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d to the signal unit 4, is filtered by a matched filter.

Die Vorrichtung 1 weist somit für jede der ersten Kontaktierungen 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d einen zugehörigen Matched-Filter auf. Die Matched-Filter sind derart gestaltet, dass diese lediglich solche Anteile der elektrischen Signale durchlassen, die sich durch das bestimmte akustische Signal ergeben. Somit wird beim Empfangen akustischer Signale jedes der an den ersten Kontaktierungen 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d abgegriffenen elektrischen Signale auf einen vorgegebenen zeitlichen Verlauf hin gefiltert.The device 1 thus has an associated matched filter for each of the first contacts 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d. The matched filters are designed in such a way that they only let through those parts of the electrical signals that result from the specific acoustic signal. Thus, when acoustic signals are received, each of the electrical signals tapped at the first contacts 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d is filtered for a predetermined time profile.

Handelt es sich bei dem elektroaksutischen Wandler 2, wie in dieser ersten Ausführungsform, um einen Biegewandler in Form einer runden Scheibe und sind die elektrischen Signale aus einem engeren Frequenzbereich, so kann die Zahl der notwendigen ersten Kontaktierungen 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d erheblich gegenüber anderen Ausführungsformen reduziert werden. Beim Senden und/oder Empfangen eines akustischen Signals sind die Zeitverläufe der Spannungen der elektrischen Signale von einigen der ersten Kontaktierungen 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d untereinander nahe null und bei anderen Signalformen, wie zum Beispiel einer anderen Frequenz, variieren sie mit der Zeit, insbesondere gegeneinander phasenversetzt. Die genauen Zusammenhänge der Kontaktspannung kann man wahlweise experimentell und/oder mittels Simulation ermitteln.If the electro-acute transducer 2, as in this first embodiment, is a bending transducer in the form of a round disk and the electrical signals are from a narrower frequency range, the number of necessary first contacts 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d can be considerably compared other embodiments can be reduced. When sending and / or receiving an acoustic signal, the time curves of the voltages of the electrical signals from some of the first contacts 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d are close to zero and with other signal forms, such as a different frequency, they vary over time, in particular out of phase with one another. The exact relationships between the contact voltage can be determined either experimentally and / or by means of simulation.

In einer optionalen Ausführungsform umfasst die Signaleinheit 4 eine Verzögerungseinheit, die dazu eingerichtet ist, eine Phase eines eingehenden elektrischen Signals zu verändern und das eingehende elektrische Signal an eine der ersten Kontaktierungen 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d anzulegen und das in seiner Phase veränderte eingehende elektrische Signal an eine andere der ersten Kontaktierungen 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d anzulegen. So wird zum Beispiel das erste elektrische Signal, welches bei einem Aussenden des akustischen Signals an den kreisscheibenförmigen Kontakt 3a angelegt wird, als ein eingehendes elektrisches Signal an die Verzögerungseinheit angelegt. Durch passive Bauelemente in der Verzögerungseinheit, insbesondere durch einen Kondensator, wird eine Phase des eingehenden elektrischen Signals, also des ersten elektrischen Signals, verschoben. Durch einen Widerstand der Verzögerungseinheit wird eine Amplitude des eingehenden elektrischen Signals verändert. Das in seiner Amplitude und seiner Phase veränderte erste elektrische Signal wird als das zweite elektrische Signal an die erste ringförmige Kontaktierung 3b angelegt.In an optional embodiment, the signal unit 4 comprises a delay unit which is set up to change a phase of an incoming electrical signal and to apply the incoming electrical signal to one of the first contacts 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d and the incoming electrical signal with its phase changed Apply the signal to another of the first contacts 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d. For example, the first electrical signal, which is applied to the circular disk-shaped contact 3a when the acoustic signal is emitted, is applied to the delay unit as an incoming electrical signal. By passive Components in the delay unit, in particular by a capacitor, a phase of the incoming electrical signal, that is to say the first electrical signal, is shifted. An amplitude of the incoming electrical signal is changed by a resistance of the delay unit. The first electrical signal, which has changed in its amplitude and its phase, is applied as the second electrical signal to the first ring-shaped contact 3b.

Eine zweite Ausführungsform der Vorrichtung zum Aussenden und/oder Empfangen akustischer Signale ist in Figur 4 gezeigt. Die zweite Ausführungsform entspricht im Wesentlichen der ersten Ausführungsform. Jedoch weist der akustische Wandler 2 eine zweite Kontaktierung 9 auf. Die zweite Kontaktierung 9 ersetzt die erste ringförmige Kontaktierung 3b und ist mit dieser in Form und Lage auf dem elektroakustischen Wandler 2 identisch. Die zweite Kontaktierung 9 ist über eine elektrische Verbindung mit der dritten ringförmigen Kontaktierung 3d verbunden. Eine direkte Verbindung zwischen der zweiten Kontaktierung 9 und der Signaleinheit 4 entfällt.A second embodiment of the device for transmitting and / or receiving acoustic signals is shown in FIG Figure 4 shown. The second embodiment corresponds essentially to the first embodiment. However, the acoustic transducer 2 has a second contact 9. The second contact 9 replaces the first ring-shaped contact 3 b and is identical to it in shape and position on the electroacoustic transducer 2. The second contact 9 is connected to the third annular contact 3d via an electrical connection. A direct connection between the second contact 9 and the signal unit 4 is omitted.

Die zweite Kontaktierung 9 und die dritte ringförmige Kontaktierung 3b sind in dieser Ausführungsform derart auf dem elektroakustischen Wandler angeordnet, dass der Bereich, in dem die zweite Kontaktierung 9 angeordnet ist und der Bereich, in dem die dritte ringförmige Kontaktierung 3d angeordnet ist, für zumindest einen, insbesondere zwei, vorgegebene Schwingungsmodi ein identisches Schwingverhalten aufweisen. Der elektroakustische Wandler 2 weist somit zumindest eine zweite Kontaktierung 9 auf, die mit einer zugehörigen ersten Kontaktierung 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d elektrisch leitfähig verbunden ist, wobei die zweite Kontaktierung 9 derart angeordnet ist, dass die zweite Kontaktierung 9 im Ansprechen auf ein vordefiniertes eintreffendes akustisches Signal hinsichtlich Frequenz und/oder Amplitude und/oder Phase in identischer weise schwingt wie die zugehörige erste Kontaktierung 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d.In this embodiment, the second contact 9 and the third annular contact 3b are arranged on the electroacoustic transducer in such a way that the area in which the second contact 9 is arranged and the area in which the third annular contact 3d is arranged for at least one , in particular two, predetermined vibration modes have an identical vibration behavior. The electroacoustic converter 2 thus has at least one second contact 9, which is electrically conductively connected to an associated first contact 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, the second contact 9 being arranged such that the second contact 9 in response to a predefined incoming acoustic signal oscillates in terms of frequency and / or amplitude and / or phase in an identical manner to the associated first contact 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d.

Die zweite Kontaktierung 9 und die dritte ringförmige Kontaktierung 3d werden somit über ein gemeinsames von der Signaleinheit 4 ausgegebenes elektrisches Signal angeregt, um einen der vorgegebene Schwingungsmodi zu erzeugen.The second contact 9 and the third ring-shaped contact 3d are thus excited via a common electrical signal output by the signal unit 4 in order to generate one of the predetermined vibration modes.

Der elektroakustische Wandler besteht idealerweise aus einer großen Vielzahl von Kontaktierungen. Häufig kann man davon ausgehen, dass in Bereichen gleicher Auslenkung gleichartige Ladungsverschiebungen stattfinden und entsprechend gleichartige Spannungspotenziale bestehen. Erfindungsgemäß werden somit gleiche Potenziale in einem Kontakt zusammengefasst, um den Aufwand zu reduzieren.The electroacoustic transducer ideally consists of a large number of contacts. Often one can assume that in areas same deflection, similar charge displacements take place and correspondingly similar voltage potentials exist. According to the invention, the same potentials are therefore combined in one contact in order to reduce the effort.

Im Folgenden wird ein beispielhaftes Verfahren zur Herstellung einer Vorrichtung zum Aussenden und/oder Empfangen elektroakustischer Signale beschrieben. Dabei wird zunächst eine durchgängige Kontaktierungsschicht auf der ersten Seite 6 und auf der zweiten Seite 7 des elektroakustischen Wandlers 2 aufgebracht. Dann wird der elektroakustische Wandler 2 mit seiner zweiten Seite 7 auf einer Membran angeordnet und mit dieser verklebt. Die Bereiche der durchgängigen Kontaktierungsschicht auf der ersten Seite 6 des elektroakustischen Wandlers 2 wird in den Bereichen, in denen keine der ersten Kontaktierungen 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d liegen soll, entfernt. Um diese Bereiche zu entfernen, werden diese aus der durchgängigen Kontaktierungsschicht herausgeätzt, geschnitten oder gefräst.In the following, an exemplary method for producing a device for transmitting and / or receiving electroacoustic signals is described. First, a continuous contact-making layer is applied to the first side 6 and to the second side 7 of the electroacoustic transducer 2. The electroacoustic transducer 2 is then arranged with its second side 7 on a membrane and glued to it. The areas of the continuous contacting layer on the first side 6 of the electroacoustic transducer 2 are removed in the areas in which none of the first contacts 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d should be located. In order to remove these areas, they are etched, cut or milled out of the continuous contacting layer.

Neben dem Vorteil, dass das Schwingungsverhalten für jede Signalform, insbesondere für einen Puls fester Frequenz, so eingestellt werden kann, dass das funktionale Ziel, wie zum Beispiel maximale Frequenz und/oder Phasenlage optimal erreicht werden kann, besteht ein weiterer Vorteil der erfindungsgemäßen Ansteuerung des elektroakustischen Wandlers 2 darin, dass der elektroakustische Wandler 2 für jede der ersten Kontaktierungen 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d getrennt eingestellt werden kann. So kann das Schwingungsverhalten des elektroakustischen Wandlers 2 detailliert in seinem Verlauf über den elektroakustischen Wandlers 2 eingestellt werden. Beispielsweise werden die Betriebsgrenzen eines heute üblichen elektroakustischen Wandlers, der nur zwei Kontakte besitzt, unter anderem durch den Teil des elektroakustischen Wandlers vorgegeben, der bei weiterer Zunahme als erstes zerstört werden kann. Typische Zerstörungseffekte sind beispielsweise Spannungsdurchschlag oder Veränderung der Kristallstruktur infolge Depolarisation. Können die Betriebswerte jeder Kontaktierung getrennt eingestellt werden, ist eine effizientere Nutzung möglich, die sich beispielsweise als höhe Ansteuerung bemerkbar machen kann.In addition to the advantage that the vibration behavior for each signal shape, in particular for a pulse with a fixed frequency, can be set so that the functional goal, such as maximum frequency and / or phase position, can be optimally achieved, there is a further advantage of the inventive control of the electroacoustic converter 2 in that the electroacoustic converter 2 can be set separately for each of the first contacts 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d. The oscillation behavior of the electroacoustic transducer 2 can thus be set in detail in its course via the electroacoustic transducer 2. For example, the operating limits of an electroacoustic transducer which is customary today and which has only two contacts are predetermined, among other things, by the part of the electroacoustic transducer which can be destroyed first if it increases further. Typical destruction effects are, for example, voltage breakdown or changes in the crystal structure as a result of depolarization. If the operating values of each contact can be set separately, more efficient use is possible, which can be noticeable, for example, as a high level of control.

Dem Fachmann ist bekannt, dass auch alternative Ableitungen des erfindungsgemäßen Grundgedanken möglich sind, beispielsweise indem zumindest Teile der Signalverarbeitung mit abgetasteten zeit- und wertdiskreten Datensignalen durchgeführt wird.The person skilled in the art is aware that alternative derivations of the basic concept according to the invention are also possible, for example by at least parts of the signal processing are carried out with sampled time and value discrete data signals.

Neben der obigen schriftlichen Offenbarung wird explizit auf die Offenbarung der Figuren 1 bis 4 verwiesen. Der Gegenstand des Schutzbegehrens ist durch die nachfolgenden Patentansprüche definiert.In addition to the above written disclosure, the disclosure of the Figures 1 to 4 referenced. The subject of the protection request is defined by the following claims.

Claims (9)

  1. Apparatus (1) for emitting and receiving acoustic signals, comprising an electroacoustic transducer (2) which has at least two first contact-making means (3a, 3b, 3c, 3d) which are electrically insulated from one another and can be used to excite respectively different regions of the electroacoustic transducer (2) to oscillate, wherein the apparatus (1) is configured such that
    • an electrical signal is respectively applied at each of the first contact-making means (3a, 3b, 3c, 3d) when emitting acoustic signals, wherein the applied electrical signals have a different temporal profile, and
    • an electrical signal is respectively tapped off at each of the first contact-making means (3a, 3b, 3c, 3d) when receiving acoustic signals in order to determine oscillation of the electroacoustic transducer from the different temporal profile of the electrical signals which have been tapped off,
    characterized in that the apparatus (1) is also configured such that each of the electrical signals tapped off at the first contact-making means (3a, 3b, 3c, 3d) is filtered with respect to a predefined temporal profile in each case when receiving acoustic signals.
  2. Apparatus according to Claim 1, characterized in that the first contact-making means (3a, 3b, 3c, 3d) form concentric circles on a surface of the electroacoustic transducer (2).
  3. Apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the different temporal profile of the electrical signals applied to the first contact-making means (3a, 3b, 3c, 3d) is selected in such a manner that the electroacoustic transducer (2) oscillates either in a first oscillation mode or in a second oscillation mode.
  4. Apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the electroacoustic transducer (2) has at least one second contact-making means (9) which is connected to an associated first contact-making means (3a, 3b, 3c, 3d) in an electrically conductive manner, wherein the second contact-making means (9) is arranged in such a manner that the second contact-making means (9) oscillates in an identical manner to the associated first contact-making means (3a, 3b, 3c, 3d) in terms of frequency and/or amplitude and/or phase in response to a predefined arriving acoustic signal.
  5. Apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, also comprising a delay unit which is configured to change a phase of an incoming electrical signal and to apply the incoming electrical signal to one of the first contact-making means (3a, 3b, 3c, 3d) and to apply the incoming electrical signal, whose phase has been changed, to another of the first contact-making means (3a, 3b, 3c, 3d).
  6. Apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the electroacoustic transducer (2) is a bending oscillator, wherein the first and/or second contact-making means (3a, 3b, 3c, 3d) are arranged on a first side of the electroacoustic transducer (2), and a reference electrode (5) is arranged in a two-dimensional manner on a second side of the electroacoustic transducer (2) opposite the first side.
  7. Apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the electrical signals applied to the first contact-making means (3a, 3b, 3c, 3d) are selected in such a manner that the acoustic signal is in a predefined frequency range and, in particular, has a constant frequency.
  8. Apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the acoustic signal is an ultrasonic signal.
  9. Method for producing an apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the electroacoustic transducer (2) is arranged on a membrane, in particular is adhesively bonded to the latter,
    a contact-making layer is applied to a side of the electroacoustic transducer (2) facing away from the membrane, and
    the first and/or second contact-making means are formed from the contact-making layer by removing the regions of the contact-making layer which are between the contact-making means (3a, 3b, 3c, 3d).
EP16164346.5A 2015-05-20 2016-04-08 Device for transmitting and receiving of acoustic signals Active EP3095530B1 (en)

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DE102015209234.8A DE102015209234A1 (en) 2015-05-20 2015-05-20 Device for emitting and / or receiving acoustic signals

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