Electrostatic Actuator Structure for Force and Deformation Balance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Actuators with a dielectric elastic body sandwiched between electrodes face a contradictory relationship between produced force and deformation volume, where increasing thickness for greater deformation volume results in decreased force, and the scarcity of materials with high relative dielectric constants hinders performance.
Innovation Solution
The actuator design includes a base electrode and a counter electrode with a flexible conductor, where the counter electrode is deformable by Coulomb forces, and an insulating layer with a high relative dielectric constant, allowing for a change in distance between electrodes through voltage application, enabling both force and deformation volume optimization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the thickness of the dielectric elastic body is increased to obtain greater deformation volume, then the deformation volume is improved, but the produced force decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the dielectric constant parameter of the insulating layer from conventional low values to high values (≥100, preferably ≥500). This parameter change allows the system to achieve both greater deformation volume and sufficient produced force simultaneously, resolving the contradiction between these two parameters.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses composite material structures including the insulating layer with high dielectric constant, dielectric elastic body, and flexible electrical conductor in specific configurations. This composite approach enables optimization of both force and deformation volume by leveraging the complementary properties of different materials.
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional dielectric elastomers are used, then material availability is improved, but the relative dielectric constant is insufficient leading to poor performance
Solution Approach 1:
The invention fundamentally changes the dielectric constant parameter from conventional values (typically <10 for dielectric elastomers) to high values (≥100, preferably ≥500) by using insulating layers made from materials like barium titanate, lead zirconate titanate, or other high-k ceramics and polymers. This parameter change directly resolves the performance insufficiency while maintaining manufacturing feasibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The insulating layer acts as an intermediary between the base electrode and counter electrode, replacing the traditional dielectric elastomer's dual role. This intermediary layer provides the necessary high dielectric constant while the flexible electrical conductor provides the needed flexibility and deformability, separating and optimizing these functions.
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
This design enhances the actuator's ability to achieve a greater deformation volume while maintaining sufficient force, leveraging materials with high relative dielectric constants to improve performance.
Implementation Method 1
The counter electrode is deformable by a Coulomb force acting between the base electrode and the counter electrode when a voltage is applied between the first terminal and the second terminal
Implementation Method 2
an insulating layer with a high relative dielectric constant, allowing for a change in distance between electrodes through voltage application
Implementation Method 3
The counter electrode includes a flexible electrical conductor being deformable by a Coulomb force acting between the base electrode and the counter electrode
Data Source
AI summary
An actuator that utilizes a Coulomb force is provided. An actuator (10) includes a base electrode (2), a counter electrode (4) opposing the base electrode (2), a first terminal (31) connected to the base electrode (2), and a second terminal (32) connected to the counter electrode (4). At least a surface (2c) of the base electrode (2) that opposes the counter electrode (4) is covered with an insulating layer (6). The counter electrode (4) includes a flexible electrical conductor being deformable by a Coulomb force acting between the base electrode (2) and the counter electrode (4) when a voltage is applied between the first terminal (31) and the second terminal (32).