Ion Conducting Actuator Dynamic Voltage Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Ion conducting actuators with existing technologies have slow operation speeds, limiting their applications due to lack of control over deformation time and response speed.
Innovation Solution
A method for driving ion conducting actuators involves applying different voltages during deformation-start and shape-maintained times to achieve high-speed response, with options including constant, gradually decreasing, or staged voltage changes, ensuring energy equivalence for maintaining the deformed shape with minimal energy expenditure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a constant voltage is applied to the ion conducting actuator during the deformation process, then the actuator can maintain a stable deformed shape, but the operation speed becomes slow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a dynamic voltage control method where the voltage applied to the ion conducting actuator is changed over time. During the deformation-start period, a first voltage is applied to achieve rapid deformation, and during the shape-maintained period, a second voltage (different from the first) is applied to maintain the deformed shape. This dynamic voltage adjustment resolves the contradiction by enabling both fast response and stable shape maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the actuator operation into distinct time periods: a deformation-start period and a shape-maintained period. Each period has its own optimized voltage level. This periodic action approach allows the system to switch between different operational modes (deformation vs. maintenance) to achieve both speed and stability requirements.
2Speed
If a high voltage is applied to increase the deformation speed, then the response speed improves, but the energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a high voltage only during the deformation-start period when rapid deformation is needed, and then switches to a lower voltage during the shape-maintained period. This partial application of high voltage achieves the required response speed while avoiding continuous high energy consumption that would occur if high voltage were applied throughout the entire operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the voltage parameter over time based on the operational phase. By adjusting the voltage from a higher level during deformation to a lower level during shape maintenance, the system optimizes the balance between response speed and energy consumption, achieving fast response only when necessary.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If the actuator maintains a deformed shape for a long duration, then the shape stability is improved, but the response speed for subsequent deformations decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic voltage control that adapts to different operational phases. During the shape-maintained period, a specific voltage is applied to preserve the deformed shape for the required duration. When deformation is needed again, the voltage is quickly adjusted to the deformation-start level, enabling rapid response. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between long-duration shape maintenance and fast subsequent response.
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 approach enables high-speed response and efficient deformation maintenance with reduced energy consumption, overcoming the limitations of slow operation speeds in existing technologies.
Implementation Method 1
an ion conducting actuator in which, an electrode is formed on a surface of an ion-exchange resin in a form in which polar molecules such as an ion fluid are included, and is deformed by bending by applying a voltage
Implementation Method 2
facing electrodes for generating the electric field, on a surface of the substrate
Implementation Method 3
the drive voltage applied during the shape-maintained time is a voltage which supplies an energy equivalent to an energy required for holding a distribution of the ions or the polar molecules
Data Source
AI summary
An ion conducting actuator includes a substrate which is made of a polymer material, and facing electrodes for generating an electric field. In the ion conducting actuator, a shape of the substrate is deformed to a desired shape by distributing unevenly ions and/or polar molecules in the substrate by applying a voltage between the facing electrodes. A deformation state is formed by a shape-maintained time t2 for which the shape of the substrate is maintained substantially, and a deformation-start time t1 which is before the shape-maintained time t2, and during which, the shape of the substrate is deformed from an arbitrary shape to a desired shape. A drive voltage V applied to the ion conducting actuator differs during the shape-maintained time t2, and during the deformation-start time t1.