Patent ID: 6604433
Filing Date: 2003-08-12
Classification: G01F

Abstract:
An ultrasonic transducer for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves, comprising:a piezoelectric body having two opposed surfaces; first and second electrodes respectively on said two opposed surfaces; an electroconductive elastic body having flat opposed surfaces; and an external electrode unit for transmitting an electric signal to said piezoelectric body, said external electrode unit comprising: a first portion that is electrically connected to one of said surfaces of said piezoelectric body via said electroconductive elastic body and said first electrode, wherein substantially the entire face of one of said flat opposed surfaces of said electroconductive elastic body is in contact with substantially the entire face of a flat surface of said first portion, and substantially the entire face of the other of said flat opposed surfaces is in contact with substantially the entire face of a flat surface of said first electrode; a second portion that is secured to said second electrode and is electrically connected to the other of said surfaces of said piezoelectric body via said second electrode; a third portion that is mechanically connected to, but electrically insulated from, said second portion; securing means for securing said first portion to said third portion by compressing said electroconductive elastic body, thereby sandwiching said electroconductive elastic body under pressure between said first portion and said first electrode, and means for biasing said first portion toward said second portion with a compressive force exerted by said electroconductive elastic body, thereby applying biasing forces to electrical connecting portions between said electroconductive elastic body and said first electrode, and between said electroconductive elastic body and said first portion.