Twist Coiled Polymer Actuator Inside Side Mirror or Backup Camera for Position Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional actuators like motors and pumps are bulky, noisy, and rigid, making them inefficient for applications requiring efficient, compliant, and biomimetic actuation, such as soft robots and wearable devices.
Innovation Solution
A mandrel-coiled twisted and coiled polymer fishing line (TCPFL) actuator coated with a synthesized mesoporous C—NiAg-PVA solution is used, which improves thermal contacts and actuator performance by enhancing dynamic actuation and cooling capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional actuators like motors and pumps are used, then reliable actuation is achieved, but the actuators become bulky, noisy, and rigid
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical actuators (motors, pumps) with a soft artificial muscle based on a twisted and coiled polymer fishing line actuator. This substitution eliminates bulky mechanical components while achieving reliable actuation through electrothermal heating of the polymer material, which causes contraction and expansion movements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state and properties of the polymer material by controlling temperature through electrothermal heating. By adjusting electrical parameters (voltage, current, pulse duration), the polymer transitions between contracted and relaxed states, enabling controlled actuation without mechanical components.
2Force
If traditional actuators are used, then sufficient actuation force is achieved, but the actuators become noisy and rigid
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a flexible polymer fishing line as the actuator material, which is coated with a nanocomposite layer. This flexible structure eliminates the rigidity and noise associated with traditional mechanical actuators while maintaining sufficient actuation force through the contraction-expansion mechanism of the soft muscle.
Solution Approach 2:
By replacing mechanical actuators with an electrothermal soft muscle system, the patent eliminates noise generation from moving mechanical parts and rigid structures, while the polymer material provides compliant force delivery suitable for soft robotic applications.
3Reliability
If the TCPFL actuator is coated with PVA solution, then thermal contacts and actuator performance are improved, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a porous nanocomposite coating (mesoporous carbon-NiAg-PVA) on the TCPFL actuator. The porous structure increases surface area for thermal contact, enhancing heat transfer efficiency. The coating is applied through a dip-coating process followed by drying, which, while adding a step, uses simple equipment and procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite structure by coating the TCPFL with a nanocomposite material containing mesoporous carbon, NiAg nanoparticles, and PVA binder. This composite coating improves thermal conductivity and thermal contact between the actuator and surrounding environment, enhancing cooling efficiency and actuator performance.
4Force
If the actuator operates with higher power, then more actuation strain is achieved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The porous nanocomposite coating increases the effective surface area for heat dissipation, improving cooling efficiency. This allows the actuator to operate at higher power levels for longer durations by effectively managing thermal energy, thereby achieving higher actuation strain without proportionally increasing overall power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes the electrical parameters (voltage, current, pulse width) to achieve efficient electrothermal conversion. By carefully controlling these parameters and utilizing the thermal properties of the nanocomposite coating, the actuator achieves high actuation strain during active phases while minimizing energy consumption during cooling phases.
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 mesoporous C—NiAg-PVA coated TCPFL actuator achieves ˜25% more actuation strain, ˜10% less power consumption, and improved cooling rates compared to non-coated actuators, making it suitable for various robotic and wearable applications.
Implementation Method 1
The mandrel-coiled TCPFL actuator may be fabricated from a plurality of mandrel-coiled TCPFL muscles coated with a synthesized PVA solution... improves thermal contacts and actuator performance by enhancing dynamic actuation and cooling capabilities
Implementation Method 2
incorporating a resistance wire into the plurality of mandrel-coiled TCPFL muscles
Data Source
AI summary
A mandrel-coiled twisted and coiled polymer fishing line (TCPFL) actuator, method, and computer program product for using the mandrel-coiled TCPFL actuator. A mandrel-coiled TCPFL actuator may be received, wherein the mandrel-coiled TCPFL actuator is fabricated from a plurality of mandrel-coiled TCPFL muscles coated with a synthesized PVA solution. The mandrel-coiled TCPFL actuator may be used to adjust a vehicle component.