Electrostatic Sheet Jamming With Thin Dielectrics at Low Voltage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electrostatic jamming devices face limitations in flexibility, ease of fabrication, and safety due to high voltage requirements, difficulty in achieving motion resistance at low voltages, and susceptibility to defects like pinholes and cracks in dielectric layers, which can lead to electrical breakdown.

Innovation Solution

An electrostatic sheet jamming device comprising thin dielectric layers (≤10 micrometers) between conductive layers, allowing for low-voltage operation (≤breakdown voltage of air) and resistance to motion, with sheets that can be easily cut from a roll and assembled into various shapes, reducing the risk of electrical breakdown and enabling low-cost, high-speed manufacturing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Force

If high voltage is used in electrostatic jamming devices, then motion resistance is achieved, but safety deteriorates and energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemotion resistanceVSAvoidsafety

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the voltage parameter from high voltage to low voltage operation by using thin dielectric layers (≤10 micrometers) that enable effective electrostatic jamming at voltages below the air breakdown threshold, thereby maintaining motion resistance while improving safety and reducing energy consumption

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs thin dielectric films (≤10 micrometers thick) as the jamming medium, which enables low-voltage operation while maintaining flexibility and conformability. These thin films allow sufficient electrostatic field generation at low voltages to create motion resistance without the safety hazards of high voltage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Reliability

If thick dielectric layers are used, then electrical breakdown resistance is improved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical breakdown resistanceVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses thin dielectric films (≤10 micrometers) that can be easily manufactured and assembled. The thin film approach simplifies production while maintaining reliability by operating at low voltages that prevent electrical breakdown, eliminating the need for complex high-voltage insulation structures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the operational voltage parameter to be below the air breakdown voltage, which allows the use of thin dielectric layers without risking electrical breakdown. This parameter change enables simpler, more cost-effective manufacturing while maintaining system reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Force

If high voltage operation is used, then motion resistance is achieved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemotion resistanceVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the voltage parameter to low voltage operation (below air breakdown voltage) by using thin dielectric layers, which reduces energy consumption while maintaining sufficient electrostatic attraction to achieve motion resistance. The thin dielectric enables high field strength at low voltage, reducing power requirements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 solution provides a flexible and cost-effective means to achieve significant motion resistance at low voltages, enhancing safety and reducing energy consumption while being immune to defects in the dielectric layers, allowing for complex patterns and conformability.

Implementation Method 1

The first sheet and the second sheet are jammed with each other in a second state when a voltage is applied between the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrostatic attraction: Electrostatics

Implementation Method 2

The applied voltage is less than or equal to a break-down voltage of air at a distance between the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDielectric breakdown prevention: Dielectric

Data Source

PatentUS12132419B2Low voltage electrostatic jamming device

Publication Date: 2024.10.29 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES CO

AI summary

At least some embodiments of the present disclosure an electrostatic sheet jamming device comprising a first sheet having a first conductive layer, a first dielectric layer disposed adjacent to the first conductive layer, and a second sheet comprising a second conductive layer and disposed proximate to the first dielectric layer. The first dielectric layer is disposed between the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer. The first sheet and the second sheet are non-extensible and flexible, wherein the first sheet and the second sheet are slidable relative to each other in a first state. The first sheet and the second sheet are jammed with each other in a second state when a voltage is applied between the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer. In some embodiments, the applied voltage is less than or equal to a break-down voltage of air at a distance between the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer.