Electrostrictive Composite Actuator for Fast Thermal Response

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electrothermic type actuators have a slow thermal response due to the poor flexibility of metallic layers, which limits their speed and efficiency in converting electrical energy into mechanical output.

Innovation Solution

An electrostrictive composite is developed, comprising a first material layer with a polymer matrix and dispersed carbon nanotubes, and a second material layer with a different thermal expansion coefficient, stacked together with electrodes to create an electrothermic type actuator that rapidly converts electrical energy into thermal energy and mechanical displacement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If metallic layers are used in electrothermic type actuator, then structural strength is improved, but thermal response speed deteriorates due to poor flexibility

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidthermal response speed

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a composite structure consisting of a polymer layer and a metallic layer stacked together. The polymer layer provides flexibility and fast thermal response, while the metallic layer provides structural strength. This composite material approach resolves the contradiction by combining materials with complementary properties to achieve both high strength and fast thermal response simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Force

If metallic layers with different thermal expansion coefficients are used, then actuation capability is improved, but response time deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveactuation capabilityVSAvoidresponse time

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by creating a bi-layer structure where each layer has different thermal properties. The polymer layer has high thermal expansion coefficient for fast response, while the metallic layer has lower thermal expansion coefficient for structural stability. This localized differentiation of material properties enables the actuator to achieve both strong actuation capability and fast response time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 electrostrictive composite actuator achieves a high-speed thermal response and mechanical displacement, with a displacement of 2.5 millimeters in 2 minutes when a voltage is applied, demonstrating improved efficiency over traditional actuators.

Implementation Method 1

an electrothermic type actuator that rapidly converts electrical energy into thermal energy and mechanical displacement

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Implementation Method 2

The thermal expansion coefficients of the first material layer 12 and the second material layer 14 are different

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal expansion: Thermal Expansion

Data Source

PatentUS9054312B2Method for making electrostrictive composite

Publication Date: 2015.06.09 HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO LTD

AI summary

A method for making an electrostrictive composite includes the following steps. Carbon nanotubes and a first polymer precursor are mixed. The first carbon nanotubes and the polymer precursor are polymerized to obtain a first material layer. A second material layer is applied to the first material layer, wherein the thermal expansion coefficient of the first material layer is different from the thermal expansion coefficient of the second material layer.