Microstructure column plate dust directional conveying device based on sinusoidal vibration

By driving the sinusoidal vibration of the vibrating plate with a dielectric elastomer actuator, the problem of easy blockage in the weathering layer transport system is solved, and efficient, low-power directional dust transport is achieved, which is suitable for the space environment.

CN121020113APending Publication Date: 2025-11-28HARBIN INST OF TECH
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Patent Information

Application Number
CN202511190569.3
Authority / Receiving Office
CN · China
Patent Type
Applications(China)
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2025-08-25
Publication Date
2025-11-28

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing weathering layer transport systems are prone to dust blockage, mechanical drive systems have short lifespans, and gas transport systems require careful handling of gas leaks and mechanical drive to maintain gas flow.

Method used

A dielectric elastomer actuator is used to drive a vibrating plate by applying an alternating sinusoidal high voltage, thereby achieving directional transport of dust particles through sinusoidal vibration and avoiding dust blockage.

Benefits of technology

It achieves efficient directional transport of dust particles, avoids dust blockage, reduces system complexity and power consumption, and is suitable for space applications.

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Abstract

The invention discloses a micro-structure column plate dust directional conveying device based on sinusoidal vibration, relates to the technical field of dust management, and solves the problem that a mechanical driving form of an existing weathered layer conveying system is easily blocked by dust. The device comprises a fixed base, a vibrating plate, a plurality of dielectric elastomer actuators, a fixed cushion block and a dust collecting box, wherein the dielectric elastomer actuators are obliquely arranged on the fixed base through the fixed cushion block; the vibrating plate is obliquely arranged on the fixed base through a plurality of dielectric elastomer actuators; a plurality of microstructures are arranged on the vibrating plate at equal intervals; the cross section of the vibration plate in the width direction is arc-shaped; the dust collecting box is arranged at the tail of the vibrating plate and used for collecting dust. According to the invention, a dielectric elastomer actuator (DEA) is adopted as a driving part, and the dielectric elastomer actuator performs reciprocating telescopic motion by applying alternating sine wave high voltage, so that the conveying plate is driven to vibrate, and dust particles are conveyed from bottom to top on the vibrating plate.
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Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of dust management technology, specifically to a microstructure column plate dust directional transport device based on sinusoidal vibration. Background Technology

[0002] To enable long-term exploration of the Moon and Mars, in-situ resource utilization (ISRU) technology is needed to reduce the risks and costs of transporting resources from Earth. ISRU extracts vital resources such as oxygen, water, and metals through processes such as drilling, collecting, storing, beneficiating, and chemically processing lunar and Martian regolith. Therefore, a robust regolith transport system is essential for all ISRU processes. Previous studies have considered mechanical and pneumatic transport systems, such as bucket elevators, conveyor belts, screw conveyors, and gas transport systems. While mechanical systems can transfer large quantities of regolith, they must be equipped with mechanical drives, and failures caused by small dust particles from the Moon and Mars can significantly reduce their lifespan. Gas transport systems can fluidize the regolith using pressurized gas nozzles, and the gas purified by filters can be reused. However, careful handling of the gas is crucial to prevent leaks, and the system must be equipped with pumps, requiring mechanical drives to maintain gas flow for long-term operation. Summary of the Invention

[0003] To address the problem of dust clogging in existing weathering layer transport systems with mechanical drive mechanisms, this invention proposes a microstructured column plate dust directional transport device based on sinusoidal vibration. This invention employs a dielectric elastomer actuator (DEA) as the driving component. By applying an alternating sinusoidal high voltage, the DEA actuator undergoes reciprocating extension and retraction, thereby driving the conveyor plate to vibrate and achieving the upward transport of dust particles on the vibrating plate.

[0004] This invention proposes a microstructure column plate dust directional transport device based on sinusoidal vibration, which specifically includes a fixed base, a vibrating plate, and several dielectric elastomer actuators. The dielectric elastomer actuators are inclinedly arranged on the fixed base; the vibrating plate is inclinedly arranged on the fixed base through several dielectric elastomer actuators; and several microstructures are equidistantly arranged on the vibrating plate.

[0005] Furthermore, the dielectric elastomer actuator includes an elastic electrode one, an elastic electrode two, and an elastomer film, with the elastic electrode two coaxially disposed inside the elastic electrode one, and the elastomer film disposed between the elastic electrode one and the elastic electrode two.

[0006] Furthermore, the fixed base is provided with a number of fixed pads, the upper surface of the fixed pads is inclined, and the dielectric elastomer actuator is vertically disposed on the upper surface of the fixed pads.

[0007] Furthermore, the upper end of the dielectric elastomer actuator is connected to a vibrating plate via a connecting component.

[0008] Furthermore, the cross-section of the vibration plate in the width direction is arc-shaped, and a base plate is provided at one end.

[0009] Furthermore, the cross-section of the microstructure is triangular.

[0010] Furthermore, the angle between the plane of the microstructure and the vibrating plate is smaller than the angle between the dielectric elastomer actuator and the vibrating plate.

[0011] Furthermore, the angle between the plane of the microstructure and the axis of the dielectric elastomer actuator is less than 90 degrees.

[0012] Furthermore, it also includes a dust collection box, which is located at the tail of the vibrating plate and is used to collect dust.

[0013] The beneficial effects of the microstructure column plate dust directional transport device based on sinusoidal vibration described in this invention are as follows: (1) The microstructure column plate dust directional transport device based on sinusoidal vibration described in this invention is made of lightweight material and is excited by electrostatic force. By applying alternating sinusoidal high voltage to the dielectric elastomer actuator, it causes the actuator to reciprocate and expand, thereby driving the vibrating plate to vibrate along the axial direction of the dielectric elastomer actuator, repeatedly pushing the particles in one direction, and realizing the transport of dust particles from bottom to top on the vibrating plate.

[0014] (2) The microstructure column plate dust directional transport device based on sinusoidal vibration described in this invention controls the distribution of dust on the plate by changing the width of the vibrating plate to an arc shape, thus preventing dust particles from detaching through the side of the plate.

[0015] (3) The microstructure column plate dust directional transport device based on sinusoidal vibration described in this invention forms a stepped structure by equidistantly setting several microstructures on the vibrating plate, which further improves the efficiency of transporting dust particles by vibration and makes the particle trajectory more controllable.

[0016] (4) The microstructure column plate dust directional transport device based on sinusoidal vibration described in this invention has high tolerance to dust pollution, simple and lightweight configuration, low power consumption and the ability to transport a large number of particles. It can transport a wide range of particle types, does not require mechanical drive, does not require complex control or high power consumption, and has high reliability in space applications. Attached Figure Description

[0017] The accompanying drawings, which form part of this application, are used to provide a further understanding of the invention. The illustrative embodiments of the invention and their descriptions are used to explain the invention and do not constitute an improper limitation of the invention.

[0018] In the attached diagram: Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a microstructure column plate dust directional transport device based on sinusoidal vibration as described in this invention; Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view of a microstructure column plate dust directional transport device based on sinusoidal vibration as described in this invention; Figure 3 The present invention relates to a microstructure column plate dust directional transport device based on sinusoidal vibration. Figure 2 A magnified view of a section at point A in the middle; Figure 4 This is a diagram showing the on / off state of the dielectric elastomer actuator of a microstructure column plate dust directional transport device based on sinusoidal vibration, as described in this invention. Figure 5 This is a force analysis diagram of particles on a flat plate without microstructures in a microstructured column plate dust directional transport device based on sinusoidal vibration, as described in this invention. Figure 6 This is a force analysis diagram of particles on a microstructured flat plate of a microstructured column plate dust directional transport device based on sinusoidal vibration, as described in this invention. Wherein: 1-fixed base, 2-vibrating plate, 3-dielectric elastomer actuator, 31-elastic electrode one, 32-elastic electrode two, 33-elastic film, 4-fixed pad, 5-connecting component, 6-dust collection box, 7-microstructure, 71-plane one, 72-plane two. Detailed Implementation

[0019] The technical solution of this invention will now be clearly and completely described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of, and not all, of the embodiments of this invention. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of this invention without inventive effort are within the scope of protection of this invention.

[0020] In the description of this invention, it should be noted that the terms "center," "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "inner," and "outer," etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are used only for the convenience of describing this invention and for simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this invention. Furthermore, the terms "first," "second," and "third" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0021] In the description of this invention, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "linking" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal connection of two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention based on the specific circumstances.

[0022] Furthermore, the technical features involved in the different embodiments of the present invention described below can be combined with each other as long as they do not conflict with each other.

[0023] Specific implementation method one: See Figures 1-6 This embodiment is described in detail. The microstructure column plate dust directional conveying device based on sinusoidal vibration described in this embodiment specifically includes a fixed base 1, a vibrating plate 2, several dielectric elastomer actuators 3, several fixing blocks 4, and several connecting components 5. Several fixing blocks 4 are provided on the fixed base 1, with the upper surface of the fixing blocks 4 inclined. The dielectric elastomer actuators 3 are vertically disposed on the upper surface of the fixing blocks 4, thereby achieving the inclined placement of the dielectric elastomer actuators 3 on the fixed base 1. Connecting components 5 are provided at the upper end of the dielectric elastomer actuators 3, connecting them to the vibrating plate 2. The vibrating plate 2 is inclinedly disposed on the fixed base 1 via several dielectric elastomer actuators 3. Several microstructures 7 are equidistantly arranged on the vibrating plate 2.

[0024] The dielectric elastomer actuator 3 includes an elastic electrode 31, an elastic electrode 32, and an elastomer film 33. The elastic electrode 31 is cylindrical, and the elastic electrode 32 is columnar. The elastic electrode 32 is coaxially disposed inside the elastic electrode 31. The elastomer film 33, having a low Young's modulus, is disposed between the elastic electrode 31 and the elastic electrode 32. When a high DC voltage is applied to the elastic electrode, Maxwell stress acts on the elastomer film 33 in the compression direction, causing a large displacement of the elastomer film 33 in the direction perpendicular to compression. When the voltage is turned off, the dielectric elastomer actuator 3 returns to its original shape. If an AC voltage is applied to the elastic electrode, the cylindrical dielectric elastomer actuator 3 will vibrate axially, thereby driving the vibrating plate 2.

[0025] The cross-section of the vibrating plate 2 in the width direction is arc-shaped, which can prevent dust particles from concentrating in the center of the vibrating plate 2 during transportation and prevent dust particles from detaching from the side boundary of the vibrating plate 2; a bottom plate is provided at one end to catch the bottom dust particles.

[0026] The cross-section of the microstructure 7 is triangular; the angle θ1 between plane 71 of the microstructure 7 and the vibrating plate 2 is smaller than the angle between the dielectric elastomer actuator 3 and the vibrating plate 2; the angle between plane 72 of the microstructure 7 and the axis of the dielectric elastomer actuator 3 is less than or equal to 90 degrees; when the angle between plane 72 of the microstructure 7 and the axis of the dielectric elastomer actuator 3 is 90 degrees, the angle θ2 between plane 72 and the vibrating plate 2 reaches its maximum value. A coating to reduce friction is provided on plane 71, causing particles falling on plane 71 to slide onto plane 72 of the adjacent microstructure 7, because the transport efficiency of particles on plane 71 is very low when the vibrating plate 2 vibrates; plane 72 can be a normal surface and does not need excessive smoothing; simultaneously, the distance between two adjacent microstructures 7 is calculated so that the landing point of the flying dust particles is located on plane 2, improving the transport rate.

[0027] It also includes a dust collection box 6, which is located at the tail of the vibrating plate 2. The dust collection box 6 and the vibrating plate 2 are not connected. The dust collection box 6 is used to collect dust.

[0028] The specific working principle of the microstructure column plate dust directional transport device based on sinusoidal vibration described in this invention is as follows: A sine wave is generated by a signal generator and applied as an alternating sinusoidal high voltage to the dielectric elastomer actuator 3 via a signal amplifier. The dielectric elastomer actuator 3 reciprocates, thereby driving the vibrating plate 2 to vibrate periodically along its axial direction. When the vibration acceleration exceeds a critical value, the dust on the plate overcomes adhesion, friction, and gravity, detaching from the plate surface and flying into the air. The resultant force is obliquely upward along plane 71 of the microstructure 7, causing the dust particles to fly obliquely upward and then fall onto plane 72 of the next microstructure 7 with a parabolic trajectory. This achieves the staged transport of particles. The process is repeated, with particles migrating upward from the lower end of the vibrating plate 2 step by step, eventually falling into the dust collection box 6. The vibrating plate 2 is designed with an arc shape in the width direction to prevent dust particles from falling off in the direction perpendicular to the transport direction (detachment of the side boundary of the vibrating plate 2). The equidistantly spaced microstructures 7 on the plate ensure that almost all particles are distributed on plane 72, avoiding the tendency for particles to roll down on the inclined plane. Figure 5 The diagram shows the force analysis of particles on the vibrating plate 2, which lacks microstructure 7. Figure 6 The diagram shows the force analysis of the particles on the vibrating plate 2 when there is microstructure 7. The length of the arrow in the diagram does not represent the magnitude of the force. In the diagram, N represents the supporting force of the vibrating plate 2 on the dust particles, f represents the frictional force received by the dust particles, and mg represents the gravity of the dust particles.

[0029] The angle θ1 between plane 71 of microstructure 7 and vibrating plate 2 should be smaller than the angle between dielectric elastomer actuator 3 and vibrating plate 2. The angle between plane 72 and the driving direction of dielectric elastomer actuator 3 should be less than or equal to 90°. This can ensure that the direction of the driving force on the particles is as far up as possible along plane 71 of microstructure 7, reducing the collision between the particles and plane 71 of microstructure 7 during upward transport, so that most particles fall directly onto plane 72, thus improving transport efficiency.

[0030] In summary, the microstructured column plate dust directional transport device based on sinusoidal vibration described in this invention uses a dielectric elastomer actuator 3 made of lightweight material, excited by electrostatic force. By applying an alternating sinusoidal high voltage to the dielectric elastomer actuator 3, it undergoes reciprocating expansion and contraction, which in turn drives the vibrating plate 2 to vibrate along the axial direction of the actuator 3, repeatedly pushing particles in one direction, thus achieving the upward transport of dust particles on the vibrating plate 2. Furthermore, by changing the width of the vibrating plate 2 to an arc shape, the dust distribution on the plate is controlled, preventing dust particles from escaping through the sides of the plate. Finally, by equidistantly arranging several microstructures 7 on the vibrating plate 2 to form a stepped structure, the efficiency of transporting dust particles through vibration is further improved, and the particle trajectory becomes more controllable. The microstructure column plate dust directional transport device based on sinusoidal vibration described in this invention has high tolerance to dust pollution, simple and lightweight configuration, low power consumption, and the ability to transport a large number of particles. It can transport a wide range of particle types, requires no mechanical drive, and does not require complex control or high power consumption. It has high reliability in space applications.

[0031] The specific embodiments described above further illustrate the purpose, technical solution, and beneficial effects of the present invention. It should be understood that the above descriptions are merely specific embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the invention. They can also be reasonable combinations of the features described in the above embodiments. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, or improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A microstructure column plate dust directional transport device based on sinusoidal vibration, characterized in that: It includes a fixed base (1), a vibrating plate (2) and several dielectric elastomer actuators (3). The dielectric elastomer actuators (3) are inclinedly arranged on the fixed base (1). The vibrating plate (2) is inclinedly arranged on the fixed base (1) through several dielectric elastomer actuators (3). Several microstructures (7) are equidistantly arranged on the vibrating plate (2).

2. The microstructure column plate dust directional conveying device based on sinusoidal vibration according to claim 1, characterized in that: The dielectric elastomer actuator (3) includes an elastic electrode one (31), an elastic electrode two (32) and an elastomer film (33). The elastic electrode two (32) is coaxially disposed inside the elastic electrode one (31), and the elastomer film (33) is disposed between the elastic electrode one (31) and the elastic electrode two (32).

3. The microstructure column plate dust directional conveying device based on sinusoidal vibration according to claim 2, characterized in that: The fixed base (1) is provided with several fixed pads (4), the upper surface of the fixed pads (4) is inclined, and the dielectric elastomer actuator (3) is vertically arranged on the upper surface of the fixed pads (4).

4. The microstructure column plate dust directional conveying device based on sinusoidal vibration according to claim 3, characterized in that: The upper end of the dielectric elastomer actuator (3) is connected to the vibrating plate (2) via a connecting component (5).

5. The microstructure column plate dust directional conveying device based on sinusoidal vibration according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that: The cross section of the vibrating plate (2) in the width direction is arc-shaped, and a base plate is provided at one end.

6. The microstructure column plate dust directional conveying device based on sinusoidal vibration according to claim 5, characterized in that: The cross-section of the microstructure (7) is triangular.

7. The microstructure column plate dust directional conveying device based on sinusoidal vibration according to claim 6, characterized in that: The angle between the plane (71) of the microstructure (7) and the vibrating plate (2) is smaller than the angle between the dielectric elastomer actuator (3) and the vibrating plate (2).

8. The microstructure column plate dust directional conveying device based on sinusoidal vibration according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that: The angle between the plane (72) of the microstructure (7) and the axis of the dielectric elastomer actuator (3) is less than or equal to 90 degrees.

9. The microstructure column plate dust directional conveying device based on sinusoidal vibration according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a dust collection box (6), which is located at the tail of the vibrating plate (2) and is used to collect dust.