A liquid metal driven motor and a driving method thereof

Abstract

The present invention discloses a liquid metal-driven motor and a driving method thereof, which include: a fixed bracket; a base, a first groove is provided on the upper surface of which; a driving unit, which includes a support plate, an electrolyte solution, a liquid metal droplet and a plurality of electrodes, the support plate is correspondingly covered on the first groove, the plurality of electrodes are fixedly arranged in the first groove, and the liquid metal droplet is arranged on the electrodes; wherein, the electrolyte solution is filled in the first groove so that the liquid metal droplet is immersed in the electrolyte solution; a transmission unit, which includes a roller, a connecting rod, a first and a second friction plate, the first and the second friction plates are fixed on the support plate, and the roller is arranged between the first and the second friction plates, the connecting rod is fixedly connected to the roller and is rotatably connected to the fixed bracket; wherein, the friction coefficients of the first and the second friction plates are asymmetric, and both are provided with serrations on the side close to the roller, the serrations of the two are in opposite directions, and both are in contact with the rough outer cylindrical surface of the roller.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of liquid metal material driving, and in particular to a liquid metal driven motor and a driving method thereof. Background Art

[0002] As we all know, liquid metal generally refers to metal in a liquid state at room temperature. Liquid metal is amorphous and fluid. It has strong plasticity after melting, high hardness, strong corrosion resistance, and strong wear resistance. It is precisely because of these characteristics that liquid metal has huge application prospects in electronic devices, flexible robots, 3D printing and other fields.

[0003] The inventors' research has found that traditional specialty motor drive methods are often limited by high drive voltages and demanding operating environments. These motors are subject to demanding application conditions and often suffer from issues such as material wear and mechanical fatigue, resulting in very high operating costs. However, the research has found that liquid metal, with its adjustable surface tension under electrochemical conditions, can be used to simulate muscle-like contraction and relaxation deformations, making it potentially useful in motor drive applications.

[0004] In view of this, the inventors hope to combine the above-mentioned characteristics of liquid metal to design a liquid metal-driven motor and a driving method thereof with a simple structure and low cost. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a new type of liquid metal-driven motor with a simple structure, easy processing and low cost. This motor is different from the traditional special motor driving method. It uses the adjustable surface tension characteristics of electrochemical liquid metal to simulate the contraction and relaxation deformation similar to artificial muscles, and forms a driving force based on the contraction and relaxation deformation of the liquid metal to achieve drive. Its actual application effect is better, and it has broad promotion prospects and good application value.

[0006] In order to solve the above technical problems, the present invention adopts a technical solution: a motor driven by liquid metal, comprising:

[0007] Fixed bracket;

[0008] A base, wherein the upper surface of the base is provided with a first groove;

[0009] A drive unit, the drive unit comprising a support plate, an electrolyte solution, a liquid metal droplet, and a plurality of electrodes, wherein the support plate is correspondingly covered on the first groove, the plurality of electrodes are fixedly disposed in the first groove, and the liquid metal droplet is correspondingly disposed on the electrodes; wherein the electrolyte solution is filled in the first groove, and the liquid metal droplet is partially or completely immersed in the electrolyte solution;

[0010] A transmission unit, the transmission unit includes a roller, a connecting rod, a first friction plate and a second friction plate, the first friction plate and the second friction plate are installed and fixed on the support plate corresponding to each other, and the roller is arranged between the first friction plate and the second friction plate, the connecting rod is fixedly connected to the roller, and it is also rotatably connected to the fixed bracket; wherein, the friction coefficients of the first friction plate and the second friction plate are asymmetric, and the first friction plate and the second friction plate are both provided with serrations on the side close to the roller, the serrations of the two are in opposite directions, and both are in contact with the rough outer cylindrical surface of the roller.

[0011] The inventors have found that the driving mode of traditional special motors prepared in the current existing technology is often limited by high driving voltage and high operating environment. Its application conditions are relatively harsh, and there are usually problems such as material wear and mechanical fatigue, which have very high usage costs.

[0012] To this end, the inventors designed a new type of liquid metal-driven motor with a simple structure, easy processing and low cost. Unlike traditional motor drive methods, this motor uses the adjustable surface tension characteristics of electrochemical liquid metal to utilize liquid metal droplets to simulate the contraction and relaxation deformation similar to artificial muscles, and forms a driving force based on the contraction and relaxation deformation of the liquid metal droplets, thereby achieving drive.

[0013] In this motor, liquid metal droplets in an electrolyte solution only require a low applied voltage to change surface tension, generating deformation and ultimately driving force. This reduces driving voltage and operating environment requirements, expanding the range of applications for this specialized motor. Furthermore, because the invention uses liquid metal droplets to simulate the contraction and relaxation of artificial muscles, it effectively avoids mechanical fatigue and significantly mitigates issues such as material wear.

[0014] In addition, it should be noted that another key point of the present invention is that a first friction plate and a second friction plate are further provided on the support plate, and both friction plates are provided with serrations on the side close to the roller, and the serrations of the two friction plates are in opposite directions. The friction coefficients of the first and second friction plates are different, and the directions of the friction forces generated by the two friction plates in contact with the rough outer cylindrical surface of the roller are also opposite.

[0015] Furthermore, in the liquid metal-driven motor described in the present invention, the electrolyte solution is a sodium hydroxide solution.

[0016] Furthermore, in the liquid metal driven motor described in the present invention, the liquid metal droplets are multiphase alloy droplets composed of gallium and at least one metal selected from the group consisting of indium, tin, zinc, bismuth, silver, and aluminum.

[0017] Furthermore, the liquid metal-driven motor described in the present invention also includes a bearing and a bearing seat. The bearing is correspondingly mounted on the connecting rod. The bearing seat is matched with the bearing and is used to install and fix the bearing and the connecting rod mounted in the bearing on the fixed bracket.

[0018] Furthermore, the liquid metal-driven motor described in the present invention also includes an external power supply device and an external control device, and the plurality of electrodes are connected to the external power supply device and the external control device through wires.

[0019] Furthermore, in the liquid metal driven motor described in the present invention, a plurality of through holes are provided on the bottom surface of the first groove, so that one end of the wire passes through the through hole and is connected to the electrode.

[0020] Furthermore, in the liquid metal driven motor described in the present invention, a plurality of second grooves are provided on the bottom surface of the first groove so as to fix the electrodes in the second grooves accordingly.

[0021] Furthermore, in the liquid metal-driven motor described in the present invention, two third grooves are provided on the surface of the support plate away from the base to install and fix the first friction plate and the second friction plate on the third grooves.

[0022] Furthermore, in the liquid metal driven motor described in the present invention, the plurality of electrodes are all copper electrodes.

[0023] Accordingly, another object of the present invention is to provide a driving method for the above-mentioned liquid metal-driven motor, which comprises the following steps:

[0024] (1) supplying AC power to the plurality of electrodes to alternately oxidize and reduce liquid metal droplets disposed on the electrodes, thereby causing the surface tension of the liquid metal droplets to continuously change and produce contraction and relaxation deformations;

[0025] (2) The contraction and expansion deformation of the liquid metal droplets will push the support plate placed thereon, causing the first friction plate and the second friction plate installed on the support plate to move back and forth. The serrations of the first friction plate and the second friction plate rub the rough outer cylindrical surface of the roller back and forth to form asymmetric friction force on both sides of the rough outer cylindrical surface of the roller, and drive the roller to rotate.

[0026] The beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows: the liquid metal-driven motor designed by the present invention utilizes the adjustable surface tension of electrochemical liquid metal to place liquid metal droplets in an electrolyte solution and energize the liquid metal droplets, so that the liquid metal droplets simulate contraction and relaxation deformations similar to those of artificial muscles, thereby generating a driving force based on the deformation of the liquid metal droplets to achieve drive. This liquid metal-driven motor has a simple structure, is easy to manufacture, and is inexpensive. It does not have the safety hazards caused by rotor stalling in conventional motors, and the scope of use of special motors is expanded. It has good practicality and has good promotion prospects and application value.

[0027] In addition, the liquid metal-driven motor requires a low driving voltage and has simple working conditions. It only requires a continuous and stable power supply and electrolyte solution to achieve stable output. It has low requirements for driving voltage and operating environment, which can effectively expand the scope of use of the motor. In addition, since the present invention specifically uses liquid metal droplets to simulate the contraction and relaxation deformation of artificial muscles, it can greatly alleviate common mechanical fatigue and material loss problems. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] Figure 1 This is a schematic structural diagram of a liquid metal-driven motor according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the structure of a liquid metal driven motor is shown;

[0030] Figure 3 for Figure 1 The structure diagram of the liquid metal driven motor shown is shown with the fixing bracket hidden;

[0031] Figure 4 for Figure 3 a structural side view of the structure shown;

[0032] Figure 5 This is a schematic structural diagram of a base of a liquid metal-driven motor according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0033] Figure 6A top view of the structure of a support plate of a liquid metal-driven motor according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0034] Figure 7 A bottom view of the structure of a support plate of a liquid metal-driven motor according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0035] Description of labels:

[0036] 1. Roller; 11. Rough outer surface;

[0037] 2. Bearings;

[0038] 3. Connecting rod;

[0039] 4. Support plate; 41. Third groove; 42. Fourth groove;

[0040] 5. Base; 51. First groove; 52. Through-hole; 53. Second groove; 54. Support foot;

[0041] 6. First friction plate;

[0042] 7. Second friction plate;

[0043] 8. Fix the bracket;

[0044] 9. Bearing seat. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0045] To illustrate the technical content, achieved objectives and effects of the present invention in detail, the following description is given in conjunction with the embodiments and accompanying drawings.

[0046] Please refer to Figures 1 to 7 As shown, the present invention designs a liquid metal driven motor, which includes a driving unit, a transmission unit, a base 5 and a fixing bracket 8. The upper surface of the base 5 is provided with a first groove 51.

[0047] The driving unit includes a support plate 4, an electrolyte solution, liquid metal droplets and a plurality of electrodes. The support plate 4 is correspondingly covered on the first groove 51. The plurality of electrodes are fixedly arranged in the first groove 51, and the liquid metal droplets are correspondingly arranged on the electrodes. The electrolyte solution is filled in the first groove 51, and the liquid metal droplets are partially or completely immersed in the electrolyte solution.

[0048] The transmission unit includes a roller 1, a connecting rod 3, a first friction plate 6 and a second friction plate 7. The first friction plate 6 and the second friction plate 7 are mounted and fixed on the support plate 4 corresponding to each other, and the roller 1 is arranged between the first friction plate 6 and the second friction plate 7. The connecting rod 3 is fixedly connected to the roller 1 and is also rotatably connected to the fixed bracket 8; wherein, the friction coefficients of the first friction plate 6 and the second friction plate 7 are asymmetric, and the first friction plate 6 and the second friction plate 7 are both provided with serrations on the side close to the roller 1, and the serrations of the two are in opposite directions and are both in contact with the rough outer cylindrical surface 11 of the roller 1.

[0049] like Figure 1-Figure 7 As shown, the inventors have designed a new type of liquid metal-driven motor with a simple structure, easy processing and low cost. The motor uses the adjustable surface tension characteristics of electrochemical liquid metal to simulate the contraction and relaxation deformation similar to artificial muscles, so as to utilize the contraction and relaxation deformation of liquid metal droplets to form driving force and achieve drive.

[0050] See Figure 1 It can be seen that in the present invention, the driving unit composed of the support plate 4, the electrolyte solution, the liquid metal droplets and the plurality of electrodes is installed in conjunction with the base 5, and can be used to simulate the contraction and relaxation deformation of the artificial muscle. In particular, since the liquid metal liquid provided on the electrode can be partially or completely immersed in the electrolyte solution in the first groove 51, when the motor designed by the present invention is actually applied, it is only necessary to energize the plurality of electrodes fixed in the first groove 51 to alternately oxidize and reduce the liquid metal droplets. During this process, the surface tension of the liquid metal droplets will continuously change, and produce contraction and relaxation deformations like muscle movement, and the contraction and relaxation deformations of the liquid metal droplets will push the support plate 4 placed thereon.

[0051] Because the friction coefficients of the first and second friction plates 6 and 7 fixed to the support plate 4 are asymmetric, and both are equipped with serrations on the side closest to the roller 1, with the serrations facing opposite directions, the support plate 4 is pushed by the liquid metal droplets, causing the first and second friction plates 6 and 7 to reciprocate up and down. During this motion, the serrations of the first and second friction plates 6 and 7 are in constant contact with the rough outer surface 11 of the roller 1's outer contour. The serrations of the first and second friction plates 6 and 7 rub against the rough outer surface 11 of the roller 1's outer contour, generating asymmetric friction forces on both sides of the rough outer surface 11 of the roller 1, creating a net driving torque that drives the roller 1 and, in turn, the connecting rod 3. The torque is then transmitted to the outside via the connecting rod 3, completing the drive.

[0052] Thus, in the present invention, liquid metal droplets in an electrolyte solution only require a relatively low voltage to achieve surface tension changes, thereby generating deformation and thus generating driving force. This reduces the requirements for driving voltage and operating environment, thus expanding the range of applications for the motor. Furthermore, because the present invention specifically uses liquid metal droplets to simulate the contraction and relaxation deformation of artificial muscles, it can effectively avoid mechanical fatigue and greatly alleviate problems such as material wear.

[0053] In addition, it should be pointed out that in the motor designed by the present invention, the liquid metal droplets provided on the electrodes can be partially or completely immersed in the electrolyte solution in the first groove 51. The reason why the liquid metal droplets do not move freely in the first groove 51 is that: after the liquid metal droplets are placed on the electrode, they will wet the electrode, resulting in strong adsorption between the two. Even when the power is turned on, the adsorption does not weaken, which prevents the liquid metal from moving in the first groove 51. At the same time, when the electrode is a copper electrode, the copper in the electrode reacts with the liquid metal droplets after contact, forming an intermetallic compound CuGa2 between the two, so that the liquid metal droplets are "anchored" on the copper electrode sheet.

[0054] Furthermore, during actual production, the operator needs to perform a special roughening treatment on the outer contour of the roller 1 to obtain a rough outer surface 11, thereby increasing friction between the outer surface 11 and the serrated structure of the first and second friction plates 6 and 7. It should be noted that the designed rough outer surface 11 of the roller 1 does not necessarily mesh with the serrations of the first and second friction plates 6 and 7. Of course, in certain other preferred embodiments, the operator can further optimize the design to achieve meshing and matching between the two.

[0055] Furthermore, the electrolyte solution is a sodium hydroxide solution.

[0056] Furthermore, the liquid metal droplets are multiphase alloy droplets composed of gallium and at least one metal selected from the group consisting of indium, tin, zinc, bismuth, silver, and aluminum.

[0057] In the present invention, the liquid metal droplets can be specifically selected from a multiphase alloy droplet composed of gallium and at least one of indium, tin, zinc, bismuth, silver, and aluminum. The droplets' surface deformation upon energization can be utilized to simulate the contraction and relaxation of artificial muscles, thereby achieving actuation. The volume of a single liquid metal droplet can be controlled to 25 μl.

[0058] Furthermore, it also includes a bearing 2 and a bearing seat 9. The bearing 2 is correspondingly mounted on the connecting rod 3. The bearing seat 9 is matched with the bearing 2 and is used to install and fix the bearing 2 and the connecting rod 3 mounted in the bearing 2 on the fixed bracket 8.

[0059] like Figure 1 As shown, in this embodiment, the motor can further be provided with two bearings 2 and a bearing seat 9 to achieve a rotatable connection between the connecting rod 3 and the fixed bracket 8. In this embodiment, the connecting rod 3 can pass through the center of the roller 1 and be fixedly connected thereto, and the two bearings 2 are both sleeved on the connecting rod 3 and respectively arranged on both sides of the roller 1. At the same time, the two bearings 2 are matched with the bearing seat 9 to mount the bearings 2 and the connecting rod 3 on the fixed bracket 8, thereby ensuring the rotatable connection between the connecting rod 3 and the fixed bracket 8.

[0060] It should be noted that the fixing bracket 8 is capable of mounting and fixing the relative position of the roller 1 within the motor, ensuring that the first friction plate 6 and the second friction plate 7 are in constant contact with the rough outer surface 11 of the roller 1. The roller 1 and the connecting rod 3 can be considered as a single unit. The rotation of the roller 1 also drives the connecting rod 3 to rotate, and the vertical height of the roller 1 remains unchanged.

[0061] Furthermore, it also includes an external power supply device and an external control device, and the plurality of electrodes are connected to the external power supply device and the external control device through wires.

[0062] Furthermore, a plurality of through holes 52 are formed on the bottom surface of the first groove 51 , so that one end of the wire passes through the through hole 52 and is connected to the electrode.

[0063] During the actual assembly process, to facilitate the operator's power supply to the electrodes and control the deformation of the liquid metal, the liquid metal-driven motor designed in the present invention can further include an external power supply and an external control device. Specifically, the external power supply can be an adjustable DC regulated power supply, while the external control device can be a programmable chip, a personal computer, and supporting software. When using the motor of the present invention, the programmable chip can be pre-programmed using the aforementioned personal computer and supporting software; the programmed chip can then be connected to the circuit and powered by the aforementioned external adjustable DC regulated power supply.

[0064] It should be pointed out that in order to facilitate connection, during the design, a number of through-type holes 52 can be further opened on the bottom surface of the first groove 51 of the base 5, so that one end of the wire can pass through the through-type holes 52 and be connected to the several electrodes in the first groove 51, while the other end of the wire can be connected to the external power supply equipment and the external control equipment.

[0065] Furthermore, a plurality of second grooves 53 are provided on the bottom surface of the first groove 51 , so as to fix the electrodes in the corresponding second grooves 53 .

[0066] In the present invention, in order to ensure that the designed electrode can be fixed in the first groove 51, a number of second grooves 53 corresponding to the number of electrodes can be further provided on the groove bottom surface of the first groove 51 to fix the electrodes in the corresponding second grooves 53.

[0067] In addition, see Figure 3 and Figure 4 It can be seen that in the present invention, a plurality of support legs 54 can be provided on the lower surface of the designed base 5. The function of the support legs 54 is to support the base 5 so that the various parts of the motor device can be in appropriate relative positions to ensure the normal operation of the motor.

[0068] Furthermore, two third grooves 41 are formed on a surface of the support plate 4 away from the base 5 , so as to install and fix the first friction plate 6 and the second friction plate 7 on the third grooves 41 .

[0069] like Figure 6 See also Figure 3 It can be seen that in the present invention, two third grooves 41 may be further provided on the surface of the support plate 4 away from the base 5 for mounting and fixing the first friction plate 6 and the second friction plate 7 .

[0070] Accordingly, see Figure 7 It is not difficult to see that in some embodiments, a fourth groove 42 may be further opened on the side surface of the support plate 4 close to the base 5. The fourth groove 42 can correspond to the electrode in the first groove 51 to fix the electrode.

[0071] Furthermore, the plurality of electrodes are all copper electrodes.

[0072] Accordingly, the inventors have also designed a driving method using the above-mentioned liquid metal-driven motor, which includes the following steps:

[0073] (1) supplying AC power to the plurality of electrodes to alternately oxidize and reduce liquid metal droplets disposed on the electrodes, thereby causing the surface tension of the liquid metal droplets to continuously change and produce contraction and relaxation deformations;

[0074] (2) The contraction and expansion deformation of the liquid metal droplets will push the support plate 4 placed thereon, and cause the first friction plate 6 and the second friction plate 7 installed on the support plate 4 to reciprocate up and down. The serrations of the first friction plate 6 and the second friction plate 7 rub the rough outer cylindrical surface 11 of the roller 1 up and down to form an asymmetric friction force on both sides of the rough outer cylindrical surface 11 of the roller 1, and drive the roller 1 to rotate.

[0075] Example 1

[0076] Please refer to Figure 1-Figure 7 , embodiment 1 of the present invention is: a liquid metal-driven motor, which includes a base 5, four electrodes, an electrolyte solution, a liquid metal droplet, a first friction plate 6, a second friction plate 8, a roller 1, a support plate 4, a connecting rod 3, a fixed bracket 8, two bearings 2, two bearing seats 9, an external power supply device, and an external control device.

[0077] In this embodiment, the four electrodes are specifically selected as copper electrodes; the support plate 4 is specifically selected as a specially designed custom part made of acrylic material; the roller 1, the base 5, the fixing bracket 8, and the two bearing seats 9 are all specially designed 3D printed custom parts made of photosensitive resin; the first friction plate 6 and the second friction plate 7 are specially designed 3D printed custom flexible parts made of soft rubber material, the friction coefficients of the two are asymmetric, and both have a serrated structure, with the serrations facing opposite directions; the material of the two bearings 2 are both selected as stainless steel, and their inner diameters are 3mm, their outer diameters are 6mm, and their thicknesses are 2mm; the material of the connecting rod 3 is specifically selected as tungsten steel, and its diameter is 2.8mm and its length is 34mm.

[0078] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, in this embodiment, the upper surface of the base 5 is further provided with a first groove 51, namely Figure 5 The largest circular cavity is shown as being inwardly recessed, which can be used to fill the electrolyte solution; and the support plate 4 provided on the base 5 is also correspondingly provided as a circular plate to cover the first groove 51. Among them, four second grooves 53 are further provided on the bottom surface of the first groove 51, namely Figure 5 The rectangular grooves shown are used to fix the four designed copper electrodes in the second groove 53; at the same time, a liquid metal droplet is placed on each of the four copper electrodes. The liquid metal droplet is specifically selected to be a gallium-indium alloy, and the volume of a single liquid metal droplet can be controlled to 25ul to ensure that the four liquid metal droplets can be immersed in the electrolyte solution contained in the first groove 51.

[0079] It should be noted that, in this embodiment, the support plate 4 covering the first groove 51 further has two third grooves 41 (eg, Figure 6 As shown), for installing and fixing the first friction plate 6 and the second friction plate 7. Accordingly, the support plate 4 can further be provided with a fourth groove 42 (as shown) on the side surface close to the base 5. Figure 7 As shown), the fourth groove 42 can correspond to the second groove 53 and cooperate with the second groove 53 to fix and position the copper electrode disposed in the first groove 51.

[0080] In the present invention, the first and second friction plates 6, 7 are mounted and fixed to the support plate 4, respectively, with the roller 1 positioned between them. The roller 1 further includes a 3mm diameter through-hole at its center for the connecting rod 3 to pass through. The connecting rod 3 passes through the central through-hole of the roller 1, and two bearings 2 are mounted on either side of the roller 1. The two bearing blocks 9 are then fixed to the fixed bracket 8, ensuring a fixed connection between the connecting rod 3 and the roller 1, as well as a rotatable connection between the connecting rod 3 and the fixed bracket 8.

[0081] It should be noted that, in this embodiment, the first friction plate 6 and the second friction plate 7 are provided with serrations on the side close to the roller 1, and the serrations of the two plates face in opposite directions and are aligned with the rough outer surface 11 of the roller 1 (such as Figure 3 shown) in contact.

[0082] It can be seen from this that Figure 1-Figure 7 It can be seen that in the present invention, the driving unit composed of the support plate 4, the electrolyte solution, the liquid metal droplet and the four electrodes is installed in conjunction with the base 5, which can be used to simulate the contraction and relaxation deformation of the artificial muscle.

[0083] In practical application, the motor designed according to the present invention requires only energizing the four copper electrodes fixed in the first groove 51 to alternately oxidize and reduce the liquid metal droplets on the copper electrodes. This causes the surface tension of the liquid metal droplets to continuously change, resulting in contraction and expansion similar to muscle movement. These contraction and expansion of the liquid metal droplets, in turn, lift or tilt the support plate 4 positioned thereon. Because the friction coefficients of the first and second friction plates 6 and 7 fixed to the support plate 4 are asymmetrical, and both are provided with serrations on the side closest to the roller 1, with the serrations facing opposite directions, the first and second friction plates 6 and 7 reciprocate up and down when the support plate 4 is lifted or tilted by the push of the liquid metal droplets. During the movement, the serrations of the first friction plate 6 and the second friction plate 7 will rub the rough outer cylindrical surface 11 of the outer cylindrical contour of the roller 1 back and forth, and generate asymmetric friction forces on both sides of the rough outer cylindrical surface 11 of the roller 1 to form a net driving torque, driving the roller 1 to rotate and driving the connecting rod 3 to rotate, thereby utilizing the connecting rod 3 to transmit the torque to the outside to complete the drive.

[0084] In addition, it should be pointed out that in the motor designed by the present invention, the liquid metal droplets provided on the copper electrode can be partially or completely immersed in the electrolyte solution in the first groove 51. The reason why the liquid metal droplets do not move freely in the first groove 51 is that: after the liquid metal is placed on the copper electrode, it will wet the copper electrode, resulting in strong adsorption between the two. Even when the power is turned on, the adsorption does not weaken, which prevents the liquid metal from moving in the first groove 51. At the same time, the copper in the electrode reacts with the liquid metal droplets after contact, forming an intermetallic compound CuGa2 between the two, so that the liquid metal droplets are "anchored" on the copper electrode sheet.

[0085] Accordingly, see further Figure 5 It can be seen that in this embodiment, the lower surface of the designed base 5 is also provided with four supporting feet 54. The function of these four supporting feet 54 is to support the base 5 so that the various parts of the motor can be in a suitable relative position to ensure the normal operation of the motor.

[0086] Also, see further Figure 5 It can be seen that in the present invention, five through-holes 52 are further provided on the bottom surface of the first groove 51, of which four through-holes 52 are correspondingly provided in the second grooves 53 in the first groove 51, and the remaining through-hole 52 is correspondingly provided in the center of the first groove 51. Through this arrangement, one end of a wire can be controlled to pass through the five through-holes 52 and connect to the four copper electrodes fixedly provided in the four second grooves 53, thereby connecting the external power supply device, the external control device, the copper electrodes in the first groove 51, and the first groove 51. After completing the above connection, the operator can seal the five through-holes 52 to prevent leakage of the electrolyte solution in the first groove 51.

[0087] In the present invention, the external power supply device can be specifically selected as an adjustable DC regulated power supply, and the external control device can be specifically selected as a programmable chip, a personal computer, and supporting software. The external power supply device and the external control device are connected to the copper electrode in the second groove 53 of the base 5, and provide an AC voltage to alternately oxidize and reduce the liquid metal droplets on the copper electrode.

[0088] When using the motor of the present invention, the programmable chip can be pre-programmed using the aforementioned personal computer and supporting software; then, the programmed chip is connected to the circuit and powered by the aforementioned external adjustable DC regulated power supply.

[0089] When powered, the AC voltage alternately oxidizes and reduces the liquid metal droplets on the copper electrodes, causing the surface tension of the droplets to continuously change, resulting in contraction and relaxation similar to muscle movement, thereby lifting or tilting the support plate 4 positioned above the droplets. Simultaneously, the first and second friction plates 6 and 7 mounted on the support plate 4 are also driven by this force and driven in an up-and-down reciprocating motion. During this motion, the asymmetric friction forces on both sides of the rough outer surface 11 of the roller 1 generate a net driving torque, driving the aforementioned roller 1 and, in turn, the connecting rod 3. The rotation of the connecting rod 3 then transmits the torque to the outside, thus achieving the driving function.

[0090] From the above, it can be seen that the liquid metal-driven motor designed by the present invention can simulate the contraction and relaxation deformation of artificial muscles through liquid metal droplets based on the adjustable surface tension of electrochemical liquid metal, thereby using the deformation of the liquid metal droplets to form a driving force to achieve driving. Accordingly, the liquid metal-driven motor requires a low driving voltage, and its working conditions are simple. It only needs a continuous and stable power supply and electrolyte solution supply to achieve stable output. It has low requirements for driving voltage and operating environment, which can effectively expand the scope of use of the motor. In addition, because the present invention specifically uses liquid metal droplets to simulate the contraction and relaxation deformation of artificial muscles, it can greatly alleviate common mechanical fatigue and material loss problems, and has good promotion prospects and application value.

[0091] The above descriptions are merely embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the patent scope of the present invention. Any equivalent transformations made using the contents of the present invention's description and drawings, or directly or indirectly applied in related technical fields, are also included in the patent protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A motor driven by liquid metal, characterized in that: include: Fixed bracket; A base, wherein the upper surface of the base is provided with a first groove; A drive unit, the drive unit comprising a support plate, an electrolyte solution, a liquid metal droplet, and a plurality of electrodes, wherein the support plate is correspondingly covered on the first groove, the plurality of electrodes are fixedly disposed in the first groove, and the liquid metal droplet is correspondingly disposed on the electrodes; wherein the electrolyte solution is filled in the first groove, and the liquid metal droplet is partially or completely immersed in the electrolyte solution; A transmission unit, the transmission unit includes a roller, a connecting rod, a first friction plate and a second friction plate, the first friction plate and the second friction plate are installed and fixed on the support plate corresponding to each other, and the roller is arranged between the first friction plate and the second friction plate, the connecting rod is fixedly connected to the roller, and it is also rotatably connected to the fixed bracket; wherein, the friction coefficients of the first friction plate and the second friction plate are asymmetric, and the first friction plate and the second friction plate are both provided with serrations on the side close to the roller, the serrations of the two are in opposite directions, and both are in contact with the rough outer cylindrical surface of the roller.

2. The liquid metal driven motor according to claim 1, characterized in that: The electrolyte solution is a sodium hydroxide solution.

3. The liquid metal driven motor according to claim 1, characterized in that: The liquid metal droplets are multiphase alloy droplets composed of gallium and at least one metal selected from the group consisting of indium, tin, zinc, bismuth, silver, and aluminum.

4. The liquid metal driven motor according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a bearing and a bearing seat. The bearing is correspondingly sleeved on the connecting rod. The bearing seat is matched with the bearing and is used to install and fix the bearing and the connecting rod sleeved in the bearing on the fixed bracket.

5. The liquid metal driven motor according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes an external power supply device and an external control device, and the plurality of electrodes are connected to the external power supply device and the external control device through wires.

6. The liquid metal driven motor according to claim 5, characterized in that: A plurality of through holes are also provided on the bottom surface of the first groove, so that one end of the wire passes through the through hole and is connected to the electrode.

7. The liquid metal driven motor according to claim 1, characterized in that: A plurality of second grooves are further provided on the bottom surface of the first groove, so as to fix the electrodes in the second grooves accordingly.

8. The liquid metal driven motor according to claim 1, characterized in that: Two third grooves are further provided on a surface of one side of the support plate away from the base, so as to install and fix the first friction plate and the second friction plate on the third grooves.

9. The liquid metal driven motor according to claim 1, characterized in that: The plurality of electrodes are all copper electrodes.

10. A driving method for a liquid metal driven motor according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that: The following steps are involved: (1) supplying AC power to the plurality of electrodes to alternately oxidize and reduce liquid metal droplets disposed on the electrodes, thereby causing the surface tension of the liquid metal droplets to continuously change and produce contraction and relaxation deformations; (2) The contraction and expansion deformation of the liquid metal droplets will push the support plate placed thereon, causing the first friction plate and the second friction plate installed on the support plate to move back and forth. The serrations of the first friction plate and the second friction plate rub the rough outer cylindrical surface of the roller back and forth to form asymmetric friction force on both sides of the rough outer cylindrical surface of the roller, and drive the roller to rotate.

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