Actuator With Segmented Electrodes For Complex Motion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional soft actuators are limited in their ability to perform complex motions and are restricted in their patterns of usage due to their simple linear or directional movements.
Innovation Solution
An actuator design featuring a flexible electrode and a base electrode with an insulating layer, where the flexible electrode deforms and moves relative to the base electrode by applying voltage, allowing for various paths of movement and enabling a wide range of applications by controlling the arrangement of electrode portions and using a drive circuit to manage voltage application.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional soft actuator with simple electrode arrangement is used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the motion patterns are limited to simple linear or directional movements
Solution Approach 1:
The base electrode is divided into multiple electrode portions (first, second, third, and fourth electrode portions) arranged in a specific pattern around the flexible electrode. This segmentation allows independent control of different regions, enabling complex motion patterns including rotation, linear movement, and combination motions that were not achievable with simple electrode arrangements.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrode portions are arranged not only radially but also in multiple layers (first layer and second layer), creating a three-dimensional electrode configuration. This multi-dimensional arrangement provides additional degrees of freedom for controlling the flexible electrode's motion, enabling versatile movement patterns in multiple directions simultaneously.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the base electrode is divided into multiple electrode portions arranged in specific patterns, then various motion paths can be achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The multi-portion base electrode structure serves multiple functions: it can generate radial forces for rotation, axial forces for linear movement, and combination forces for complex trajectories. The same electrode structure can produce different motion patterns by varying the voltage application sequence and magnitude across electrode portions, providing universal control for various motion requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrode portions can dynamically change their activation state based on the desired motion pattern. By selectively applying voltage to different combinations of electrode portions in different time sequences, the system can dynamically switch between rotation, linear movement, and complex combination motions, adapting to various operational requirements.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The actuator achieves a wide variety of patterns of usage by allowing the flexible electrode to move relative to the base electrode in complex paths, enhancing the degree of freedom in motion and enabling versatile applications in industrial machines and robots.
Implementation Method 1
The flexible electrode is configured to deform to get closer to the opposed face when a voltage is applied to the flexible electrode and the base electrode
Data Source
AI summary
An actuator has a flexible electrode having flexibility, and a base electrode having an opposed face that is opposed to the flexible electrode and is covered with an insulating layer. The flexible electrode deforms to get closer to the opposed face when a voltage is applied to the flexible electrode and the base electrode. The flexible electrode is a rotating body placed on the opposed face. The base electrode is divided into a plurality of electrode portions insulated from each other. The electrode portions are arranged along a predetermined direction. The flexible electrode moves in the predetermined direction relative to the base electrode, while rotating on the opposed face, when the voltage is sequentially applied to the electrode portions in the predetermined direction.