EP3010656A1

EP3010656A1 - Method for electrically contacting a piezoceramic

Info

Publication number: EP3010656A1
Application number: EP14728127.3A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Guenter Gerlach; Andre Gerlach
Original assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
Current assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
Priority date: 2013-06-20
Filing date: 2014-05-26
Publication date: 2016-04-27
Also published as: DE102013211596A1; US20160141488A1; CN105339098B; WO2014202336A1; CN105339098A; US10074797B2

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for electrically contacting a piezoceramic (14), comprising the following steps: a) providing the piezoceramic (14) having electrodes (40, 42) for electrically contacting the piezoceramic (14) and a flexible electrically conductive film (16); b) forming a composite (46) by applying the flexible electrically conductive film (14) at least partially to an electrode of the piezoceramic (14); c) forming a permanent electrically conductive connection between the flexible electrically conductive film (16) and the electrode (40, 42) of the piezoceramic (14). The invention further relates to an acoustic transducer (14) and to an acoustic transducer array produced with the aid of the method for electrically contacting a piezoceramic (14).

Description

Description title

Method for electrically contacting a piezoceramic

The invention relates to a method for electrically contacting a piezoceramic. The invention also relates to a sound transducer with a correspondingly contacted

Piezoceramic and an ultrasonic array with such transducers.

Today's ultrasonic parking systems are based on ultrasonic sensors, which operate in the transceiver mode and are distributed in the rear and / or front bumper integrated. In this case, four to six such sensors are arranged and vertically aligned front and rear, so that the individual sound fields cover the entire space in front of and behind the vehicle and no ground reflections are detected. Such systems have a significant warning function when an object is detected in the sound space. To improve the functionality of such ultrasound-based systems, recent applications use array sensors that include a matrix or line with multiple ultrasonic sensors.

From EP 0 853 919 A2 an arrangement for ultrasonic sensors is known which comprises a flexible material with conductor tracks. On the flexible material ultrasonic elements and integrated electronics are provided, which are interconnected via signal lines on the flexible material.

In DE 10 201 1 077 553 A1, an ultrasonic transducer with a piezoceramic, a

Printed circuit board and a diaphragm pot described. In this case, the piezoceramic is attached to a front end side of the diaphragm pot. Furthermore, the piezoceramic is connected via at least two lines with signal connection points of the printed circuit board, wherein the signal connection points are provided on a portion of the printed circuit board in the interior of the diaphragm pot. The cables themselves are designed as wires or single core stranded cables.

DE 10 2009 040 374 A1 describes an ultrasonic transducer with a decoupling ring for damping mechanical vibrations, which is between a shielded conductive Housing and a vibration generating membrane is arranged. The decoupling ring is made of a conductive material and establishes a conductive connection between the membrane and the ground potential. In manufacturing such sensor systems, the piezoceramics are contacted by methods such as thermo-compression welding. These are, however, in the construction of

Ultrasonic arrays can only be used conditionally, since the contact has to be made very precisely and in the smallest space. In addition, weak points can occur in the case of contacts which are produced by means of thermocompression welding. Such vulnerabilities reduce the quality of the contact and the life of such sensors. Therefore, there is a continuing interest in providing a Kontaktierungstechnik for sensors, in particular sound transducer, which makes the contacting of the individual sensor elements simple, reliable and cost-effective. Disclosure of the invention

According to the invention, a method is proposed for electrically contacting a piezoceramic, comprising the following steps: a) providing the piezoceramic with electrodes for electrically contacting the

Piezoceramic and a flexible, electrically conductive film; b) forming a composite by the flexible, electrically conductive film is at least partially applied to an electrode of the piezoceramic; c) forming a permanent, electrically conductive connection between the flexible, electrically conductive film and the electrode of the piezoceramic.

By using a flexible, electrically conductive foil that allows

inventive method, a stable and robust contacting the piezoceramic. Thus, in particular for applications in the automotive sector, where the shaking and temperature stresses are often high, a reliable contact can be provided, which increases the life and reliability of systems in which such a contacted piezoceramic is used. In addition, the process is simple and reliable to carry out. Thus, a cost effective method is provided which achieves high process reliability and is suitable for high-volume production.

The inventive method is particularly suitable for the production of

Sound transducers, such as ultrasonic transducers, the sound waves over the piezoceramic in a

Convert voltage signal, i. detect or emit sound waves by applying a voltage to the piezoceramic. Thus, the method according to the invention is particularly suitable for producing thickness vibrators or bending vibrators. For producing a sound transducer, the piezoceramic can first be contacted according to the method according to the invention and then introduced into a transducer element. Alternatively, the piezoceramic can be introduced into the transducer element and then contacted. Also possible are combinations of these method steps in which the piezoceramic is partially contacted, then introduced into the transducer element and then the further contacting of the

Piezoceramic is performed.

The transducer element can be adapted to the design of the sound transducer. For example, the transducer element of a bending oscillator is designed as a converter pot, on the bottom of which the piezoceramic is introduced. In the case of thickness oscillators, the transducer element comprises two transducer bodies, between which the piezoceramic is introduced.

In the present case, a piezoceramic refers to a ceramic material which deforms under the action of an external force, for example by ultrasonic waves, and results in a charge separation from this deformation. Piezoceramics are based on

different materials available. An example of this is lead zirconate lead titanate (PZT), or piezoceramics, such as Morgan Electro Ceramics PZT-5A or Ceramtec P5. Preferably, the piezoceramic is formed flat, d. H. the aspect ratio between length or width and thickness is at least 2, preferably 8-40, particularly preferably 20. In addition, the piezoceramic may have any geometric shapes. For example, it may be round, rectangular, elliptical or square.

The flexible film comprises a carrier film, an adhesive layer and an electrically conductive layer, it can be between 20 μηη and 250 μηη, preferably between 30 μηη and 230 μηη and more preferably between 40 μηι and 90 μηι thick. Furthermore, the film can be temperature-resistant up to a temperature of preferably 250 ° C. For example, the flexible film may comprise a plastic film as a base film based on a polyimide or PET or PEN. Such polyimide films are available, for example, under the name Kapton®.

In order to make the flexible film electrically conductive, it can be coated on one or two sides with an electrically conductive material. The coating can be applied uniformly on the flexible film or printed in printed conductors. As a coating material, a metal such as copper, gold, aluminum or

Gold alloys are used. By coating the flexible film with an electrically conductive material contacting surfaces are formed on the flexible film, which can preferably be brought directly into contact with the electrodes of the piezoceramic. In addition, the ground entry of the contacting by the flexible, electrically conductive film is minimal. In particular, when using the contacting concept in sound transducers thus the vibration characteristics remain essentially unaffected.

In one embodiment, a conductive adhesive or a solder paste between the flexible, electrically conductive film and the electrode of the

Piezoceramic applied. The solder paste may contain a solder metal powder, for example based on copper, tin, silver or mixtures thereof, and a flux. As conductive adhesive anisotropic or isotropic conductive adhesive can be used. anisotropic

Conductive adhesives contain, for example, an epoxy resin in which 10 to 20 wt .-% based on the epoxy resin may be contained on metallic balls. Such balls may have a size of 5 μηη to 50 μηη, preferably from 8 μηη to 25 μηη. Isotropic conductive adhesive can also be formed on the basis of an epoxy resin, in the metallic platelets with a length or width of 30 μηη to 70 μηη and an aspect ratio to the thickness of 5, also possible isotropic conductive adhesive with metal balls, wherein the proportion of metal in wt. % greater than anisotropic conductive adhesives is, for example, in the range of 20 to 7% by weight. As the metal for the balls or the plates, for example, silver or aluminum or a composite of a metal with an outer nickel layer or only nickel is suitable.

In a further embodiment, heat and / or pressure is introduced into the composite with the aid of a thermode in order to produce the permanent, electrical connection between the electrode of the piezoceramic and the flexible, electrical foil. By use By heat and / or pressure short production cycles can be achieved, which make the process suitable for mass production. For this purpose, the thermode at least one

Thermodynamic head comprising at least one contact surface, which introduces heat and / or pressure in the composite. Furthermore, the thermal head can comprise a plurality of contact surfaces in a specific geometry. For example, the thermal head can have round, rectangular, elliptical or square contact surfaces or contact surfaces

include different geometries and also be divided. In another

In the embodiment, the thermal head comprises a heater for introducing heat into the composite and a rear spring for applying pressure in the form of contact pressure. Each contact surface of the thermal head can be individually spring-loaded in order to achieve a suitable tolerance compensation.

The Thermode makes it possible to provide a fully automated process that can be easily adapted to different requirements. Thus, individual sound transducers can be produced just as easily with the aid of a suitably designed thermo head, such as sound transducer arrays in which a plurality of sound transducers can be arranged in a matrix. In addition, the Kontaktierungstechnik, a low-resistance contact, through which compared to thermocompression welding a low heat input is necessary and a depolarization of the piezoceramic can be prevented.

In a further embodiment, the thermode may comprise a plurality of thermo-heads which are controlled jointly or individually. Thereby, a sequential or parallel operation can be realized. In sequential operation, several

Thermodenkopfe be controlled sequentially, while in parallel operation all thermo-heads can be controlled simultaneously. That's it

inventive method fully automated and suitable for mass production. Thus, several thermo-heads with different forms of contact surfaces can be structurally combined. This makes it possible to contact different 1 D or 2D array layouts in just one step. It is still possible, a

To provide thermal head with multiple contact surfaces and form in this way a plurality of individual transducers of an array simultaneously. Another possibility is to use a complex, geometric array layout sequentially with multiple

Thermodynamics to work. The thermode may comprise a plurality of thermo-heads, which may be further back-springed several times to form a one- or two-dimensional geometric arrangement of a plurality of contacted piezoceramics or transducer elements. This can be done in one step. Alternatively, the formation of the transducer assembly can be done sequentially with just a feathered thermal head. This can also be the geometric

Forming the rear-biased thermal head of the entire geometric arrangement of the piezoceramics to be contacted or the transducer elements are divided into a subgroup and are made with this subgroup thermal head in sequential steps, the entire assembly. Furthermore, alternatively, the thermal head with subgroups can also be arranged several times, so that the entire layout of the piezoceramics to be contacted or the transducer elements can be cured in one step. The contact surfaces of the thermal head can be designed both symmetrically and not symmetrically. Thus, thermal heads with purely symmetrical, purely asymmetrical or combinations of symmetrical and unbalanced

Be formed contact surfaces. The contact surfaces can in this case have any shapes or be divided.

When forming the permanent, electrically conductive connection isotropic or anisotropic conductive adhesive and solder paste can be used. In the case of solder paste, for example, the contact surface is heated to the melting temperature of the solder, for example 240 ° C, and then brought into contact with the composite and pressed. By melting the solder and its homogeneous distribution between the flexible, electrically conductive film and the electrode of the piezoceramic, the contact surface of the thermal head can be made smaller compared to the contact surface for conductive adhesive. When anisotropic conductive adhesive is used with spheres, when the composite is heated, vertical electrical conductivity is created when the composite is pressed until the spheres press into the metallic upper and lower contact partners. Here, the contact surface is heated to temperatures up to 250 ° C, preferably 190 ° C, and is thus well below half the Curie temperature of typical piezoceramics to avoid depolarization. When using isotropic conductive adhesives in addition to the vertical electrical conductivity between the electrode of the piezoceramic and the flexible, eclectic conductive foil to a vertical and horizontal line. Compared to anisotropic conductive adhesives, it may therefore be in the border area between

Piezo ceramics of the array come to short circuits. In particular, in the production of sound transducer arrays, it is therefore advantageous to use anisotropic conductive adhesive. Preferably, the introduction of heat into the composite takes place by the thermo head or the thermo heads are controlled to a temperature that the

Processing temperature of the solder paste or the hardening temperature of the conductive adhesive corresponds. The application of pressure to the composite can be controlled by the thermodynamic head is brought into contact with the composite and is pressed over a spring characteristic until the desired contact pressure is reached. In this case, the contact pressure can be chosen so that when placing the thermal head on the composite no surface forces act to prevent the breakage of the ceramic. In the pressed position, the thermo head can dwell for a holding time, the

For example, it can take a few seconds. Afterwards the thermo head can be relaxed and brought to the starting position. Under typical process conditions, the thermode head can act on the composite of piezoceramic and flexible, electrically conductive film for between 5 and 30 seconds with a contact pressure in the range of 1 to 2 N / mm ² . Thus, the curing time is small under the action of the contact pressure and high volume production can be achieved within a very short time for mass production.

In a further embodiment, the flexible, electrically conductive film after forming the permanent, electrically conductive connection between the flexible, electrically conductive film and an electrode of the piezoceramic or after contacting the

Piezoceramic connected to an electrical assembly. The flexible, conductive film is thus connected at one end to the piezoceramic and connected at the other end to the electrical assembly. The electrical assembly can be used for controlling and measuring signals of the piezoceramic. So can the electric

Assembly components, in particular electronic components, have, which are mounted on the flexible, electrically conductive foil, a flexible printed circuit board or a rigid printed circuit board. In this case, the flexible, electrically conductive foil in the region of the electrical assembly can have a thickness of 40 μm to 400 μm. Furthermore, the flexible printed circuit board may have the same flexible, electrically conductive foil as the flexible, electrically conductive foil for contacting and be reinforced in the region of the components. To contact the flexible or rigid circuit board, the flexible, electrically conductive film may be reinforced at the end contacting the circuit board. Thus, in particular parallel to the printed circuit board conductor tracks may be provided, so that this part of the flexible, electrically conductive film, for example stretchable with an electronic component, such as an SMD (Surface-Mounted Device) -Buchsenleiste, can be connected.

For contacting the components of the electrical assembly tracks are provided on the flexible, electrically conductive foil or the flexible printed circuit board. Furthermore, the electrical assembly with the flexible, electrically conductive film can be formed in one piece or in two parts. In the two-part embodiment, the contacting between the flexible, electrically conductive film and the electrical assembly, for example, with a conductive adhesive or a solder paste, as described above, take place. Furthermore, the flexible, electrically conductive foil and the electrical

Assembly be designed in different forms and be adapted accordingly to different applications. Thus, a cost-effective overall system for contacting the piezoceramic can be provided, which is "quasi" made of one piece and thus enables a robust contacting.

According to the invention, a sound transducer, in particular an ultrasonic transducer, is proposed, which comprises a piezoceramic, which is connected via a flexible, electrically conductive foil with an electrical assembly. In a preferred embodiment, the sound transducer is produced by the method described above.

Accordingly, the features described in the context of the method also apply to the sound transducer. Conversely, the features described below also apply to the method.

By contacting the piezoceramic via a flexible, conductive film, the additional mass input of the contacting can be minimized. The contact thus influences the vibration characteristics of the transducer only minimally and unwanted side effects due to the contact can be avoided. Thus, a

Sound transducer provided, which also in the mass production a small

Has mass dispersion and thus substantially constant vibration characteristics.

In particular, the sound transducer can be configured as a bending oscillator or as a thickness oscillator. The contacting can via the backside electrode of the

Piezoceramic made with a metallic transducer pot, a metallic mass or a metallized plastic component. Furthermore, the contacting of the

Front side electrode and / or the re-contacted backside electrode of the piezoceramic done by the flexible, electrically conductive film. Under re-contacting is understood here that the one of two electrodes of the piezoelectric element, which is not accessible, guided on the piezoelectric element by an applied, electrically conductive path to the accessible side and expanded at the end suitable for contacting.

Furthermore, according to the invention, a sound transducer array, in particular a

Ultrasonic transducer array proposed, comprising a plurality of the above-described sound transducer. In this case, the transducer array may be a 1D or 2D array, i. the individual sound transducers can be arranged in a matrix with one or more rows. Furthermore, the individual sound transducer elements of the array can be arranged symmetrically or asymmetrically.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Other aspects and advantages of the invention will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. Hereby show:

1 shows a device for contacting a piezoceramic and a

electric sound transducer with a flexible, electrically conductive film,

Figures 2a, 2b, 2c exemplary embodiments for contact surfaces of a

Thermodenkopfes, 3a, 3b an embodiment of a bending oscillator with a piezoceramic, which is contacted with a flexible film,

Figure 4 shows another embodiment of a bending oscillator with

Piezoceramic, which is contacted with a flexible film,

FIG. 5 shows an embodiment of a thickness oscillator whose piezoceramic is contacted with a flexible film,

Figure 6 shows another embodiment of a thickness vibrator with a

Piezoceramic, which is contacted with a flexible film, Slide 7 shows a further embodiment of a thickness vibrator

Piezoceramic, which is contacted with a flexible film,

Figure 8 shows a further embodiment of a thickness vibrator with

Piezoceramic, which is contacted with a flexible film.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION FIG. 1 shows by way of example a device 10 for contacting an electrode 40, 42 of a piezoceramic 14 with an electrically conductive, flexible film 16.

The device 10 includes a thermode 18 having a thermode head 20. The thermo-head 20 is followed by a transmission unit 22, which has a heater 24 and a prestressed compression spring 26. The transfer unit 22 is guided by a securing element 28 in a guide device 30. In this way, by the guide means 30 and the transfer unit 22 pressure on the heated thermal head 20 are transmitted. For this purpose, the guide device 30 is movably mounted in the vertical 32.

For the production of a sound transducer 12, the formation of an ultrasonic bending oscillator 12 with a piezoceramic 14 is shown by way of example in FIG. For this purpose, a metallic transducer element 36, here a metallic transducer pot, is applied to the holding plate 34. Subsequently, a conductive adhesive 38, such as an anisotropic or an isotropic conductive adhesive, applied by means of dispensers and the

Piezoceramic 14 placed by means of, for example, a vacuum gripper. As a result, after curing of the composite, an electrically conductive connection between the

Transducer element 36 and the rear electrode 40 of the piezoceramic 14 produced. In a next step, a layer of conductive adhesive 44 is applied to the front-side electrode 42 of the piezoceramic 14. The flexible, electrically conductive film 16, which comprises, for example, a copper-coated polyimide film, is placed on this conductive adhesive layer 44 with the aid of a vacuum gripper. Thus, the composite 46 of transducer element 36, piezoceramic 14 and flexible, electrically conductive film 16 is formed so far that a permanent, electrically conductive connection between the individual components can be formed.

For this purpose, the guide device 30 is controlled such that a contact between the thermo-head 20 and the composite 46 with transducer element 36, flexible, electrically conductive foil 16 and piezoceramic 14 is produced. For example, the

Guiding device 30 by means of a linear adjuster or a spindle drive. Thus, the guide means 30 are first moved into contact with the composite 46, wherein the reheated thermal head 20 in a further method of

Guide means 30 via the prestressed compression spring 26 a compressive force on the

Composite 46 exercises and via the heat conduction of the heat input to the conductive adhesive 38, 44 takes place. Accordingly, the thermo-head 20 can be timed into position so that the conductive adhesive 38, 44 cured in the composite 46 and thus a permanent, electrically conductive connection between the components 36, 14, 16 of the composite 46 is formed.

Figures 2a, 2b and 2c show different embodiments of a

Thermodenkopfes 20 in plan view, which can be used for example in the device 10 of Figure 1.

The formation of the thermal head 20 essentially determines the connection between the individual components of the composite 46 via the contact surfaces 48. As a result, a plurality of transducer assemblies can be contacted or hardened simultaneously. FIG. 2 a shows, by way of example, a thermode head 20 with a single contact surface 48, which implements a transducer structure with a rectangular base area. In contrast, in FIGS. 2b and 2c, three rectangular contact surfaces 48 are formed, with which three converter assemblies can be contacted simultaneously. In such a

Embodiment with multiple contact surfaces 48 is a regular arrangement, as shown in Figure 2b, or an irregular arrangement, as shown in Figure 2c possible. The curing of multiple transducer assemblies at the same time is particularly advantageous in forming one-dimensional or two-dimensional transducer arrays.

The thermode head shapes shown in FIG. 2 may also have any other geometric shapes. Thus, the contact surfaces 48 of the thermal head 20 may be round, angular, elliptical or other shapes or combinations of these geometric shapes exhibit. Furthermore, the contact surfaces 48 may be divided uniformly or non-uniformly, which is particularly advantageous when, for example, round or rectangular, re-contacted piezoceramics are to be contacted. When hardening the composite 46 with the device 10 according to FIG. 1, it is thus possible to use different thermode heads 20, which make it possible to contact an entire 1D or 2D array layout for a transducer array in one work step. Similarly, similar thermo-heads 20 can be summarized at a slightly greater distance from each other, the entire head can sit in a station. As a result, a plurality of individual sound transducers can be produced in parallel, ie simultaneously. If a top head 20 is used with several parallel contact surfaces 48 for the simultaneous contacting of a plurality of individual transducers of a transducer array, it may still be useful depending on the tolerance of the transducer array to individually spring-back the contact surfaces 48 and so to achieve a suitable tolerance compensation.

Another possibility is to sequentially use one or more thermode heads 20. For this purpose, the holding plate 34 can be moved via linear and rotary tables and the corresponding layout part of the transducer array can be positioned to the respective thermode head 20. Although this increases the cycle time, there is more flexibility in the layout of the array with only one or two thermal heads.

The described contacting process is thus fully automated and

suitable for mass. In addition, different sound converter concepts can be realized, for example array sensors with bending elements, sound transducer pots or thickness vibrators. Figures 3 to 8 show examples of such applications.

FIG. 3 a shows a bending oscillator 50 with a transducer element 36 and a

Piezoceramic 14, which is contacted by a flexible, electrically conductive film 16. The bending oscillator 50 of FIG. 3 a has a transducer element 36, which is designed cup-shaped with side walls 54 and a pot base 56. In the interior of the pot adjacent to the bottom of the pot 56, a piezoceramic 14 is provided, which is the

Bending vibrations of the pot bottom 56 converted into an electrical signal. For this purpose, the piezoceramic 14 electrodes 40, 42 which are connected by the flexible, electrically conductive film 16 with an electrical assembly 52. The electrical assembly 52 includes elements to receive the signals of the piezoceramic 14 and to drive the piezoceramic 14 for emitting sound waves. Furthermore, the

Elements of the electrical assembly 52 provided on a flexible, electrically conductive film, which corresponds to the flexible, electrically conductive film 16 of the contact or running as a rigid board and connected to the electrically conductive flex foil.

Figure 3b shows such a further construction of a bending oscillator 50 with a

Piezoceramic 14, which is connected via a flexible, electrically conductive film 16 with a circuit board 52.

Figure 4 shows another embodiment of a bending oscillator 50 with a

Piezoceramic 14, which is contacted via a flexible, electrically conductive film 16.

In the embodiment of FIG. 4, the back side electrode 40 of the piezoceramic 14 and the lateral surface 54 of the transducer element 36 are contacted with the flexible, electrically conductive foil 16. In this case, the transducer element 36 is electrically conductive and conducts the

Contacting the piezoceramic 14 or its electrodes 40. Furthermore, it is possible to contact a re-contacted piezoceramic 14 with a flexible film 16. In this case, both electrical connection points on the piezoceramic are each contacted with a conductor of the flex foil.

FIG. 5 shows a thickness oscillator 58 with a piezoceramic 14, which is contacted via a flexible, electrically conductive foil 16. This includes for transmitting vibrations of the plates 64, a front body 60 and a rear body 62, between which a piezoceramic 14 is provided. In this embodiment, the contacting takes place on the outer end sides 66 of the front body 60 and the rear body 62, which point away from the piezoceramic 14. Both the front and the rear body 60, 62 are electrically conductive and direct the contacting of the flexible, electrically conductive film 16 on the piezoceramic 14 and the electrodes 40, 42. The flexible, electrically conductive film 16 may thus be an electrically conductive connection between the piezoceramic 14 and its electrodes 40, 42 and an electrical assembly 52 manufacture. FIG. 6 shows a further embodiment of a thickness vibrator 58 and its contacting.

In contrast to FIG. 5, the thickness oscillator 58 of FIG. 6 has a contacting on the end faces 68 of the front and rear bodies 60, 62, which adjoin the piezoceramic 14. The flexible, electrically conductive film 16 can thus produce an electrically conductive connection between the piezoceramic 14 or its electrodes 40, 42 and an electrical assembly 52. FIG. 7 shows a further embodiment of a thickness oscillator 58 which is contacted with a flexible, electrically conductive foil 16.

Here, the contacting with the flexible, electrically conductive film 16 via the lateral surface of the front body 60, wherein the piezoceramic 14 is attached to the lateral surface of the Forntkörpers. The flexible, electrically conductive film 16 is further electrically conductively connected to the electrodes of the piezoceramic 14. The front and rear bodies 60, 62 are likewise electrically conductive and conduct the contacting to the piezoceramic 14 or its electrodes 40, 42. Thus, one of the flexible, conductive foils 16 contacts the electrode 40 of the piezoceramic 14 and the front body 60, whereas the other flexible film 16 only the piezoceramic 14 contacted. These two contacts can be continued to an electrical assembly 52.

FIG. 8 shows a further embodiment of a thickness vibrator 58, which is contacted with a flexible, electrically conductive foil 16.

In contrast to the embodiments described above, the

Contacting in Figure 8 via a single flexible, electrically conductive film 16, which contacts the lateral surface of the front body 60 and the rear body 62. The front and back bodies 60, 62 are electrically conductive and conduct the contacting to the piezoceramic 14 or its electrodes 40, 42.

The invention is not limited to the examples described herein or therein

highlighted aspects. Rather, within the range specified by the claims a variety of other variations are conceivable, which are within the scope of expert action.

Claims

claims

1 . A method for electrically contacting a piezoceramic (14), comprising the steps of: a) providing the piezoceramic (14) with electrodes (40, 42) for electrical

Contacting the piezoceramic (14) and a flexible, electrically conductive film (16); b) forming a composite (46) by the flexible, electrically conductive film (14)

at least partially applied to an electrode of the piezoceramic (14); c) forming a permanent, electrically conductive connection between the flexible, electrically conductive film (16) and the electrode (40, 42) of the piezoceramic (14).

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that for forming the composite (46) a conductive adhesive (38, 44) or a solder paste between the flexible, electrically conductive film (16) and the electrode (40, 42) of the piezoceramic (14 ) is applied.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that by means of a thermode (18) heat and / or pressure in the composite (46) is introduced to the permanent electrical connection between the electrode (40, 42) of the piezoceramic (14) and the flexible electrical foil (16).

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that the thermode (18) at least one thermal head (20) with at least one arbitrarily shaped

Contains contact surface (48), which may be divided and brings heat and / or pressure into the composite (46).

5. The method according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the

Thermodenkopf (20) comprises a heater (24) for introducing heat into the composite (46) and a rear spring (26) for introducing pressure in the form of contact pressure.

6. The method according to any one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that the thermode (18) has a plurality of thermo-head (20), which are controlled jointly or individually.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the flexible, electrically conductive film (16) after forming the permanent, electrically conductive connection with an electrical assembly (52) is connected.

8. sound transducer (50, 58) with a piezoceramic (14) which is connected via a flexible, electrically conductive film (16) with an electrical assembly (52).

9. Acoustic transducer (50, 58) according to claim 8, as a flexural vibrator (50) or

Thickness oscillator (58) is configured.

10. A transducer array with a plurality of sound transducers (50, 58) according to claim 8.