Conductive Polymer Actuator Adhesion and Low Voltage Operation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electrically conductive polymer actuators face issues with detachment between the electrically conductive polymer membrane and the solid electrolyte membrane formed with an ion gel, leading to deterioration during repeated operation, and require high voltages for deformation, posing safety risks in household robots.
Innovation Solution
A laminate structure is created using a solid electrolyte membrane made from a mixture of ionic liquid and specific organic polymers, combined with an electrically conductive polymer membrane containing polyethylenedioxythiophene (PEDOT) and polystyrene sulfonic acid (PSS), where a vinylidene fluoride/hexafluoropropylene copolymer is embedded in the electrically conductive polymer membrane surface, enhancing adhesive properties and allowing operation at lower voltages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional electrically conductive polymer actuators are used, then the actuator can achieve bending motion, but the electrically conductive polymer membrane detaches from the solid electrolyte membrane during repeated operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite structure consisting of an electrically conductive polymer membrane (containing PEDOT and PSS) laminated on a solid electrolyte membrane (ion gel). This composite material approach enhances the adhesive stability between the two membranes, preventing detachment during repeated operation while maintaining the bending motion functionality.
2Ease of operation
If conventional actuators are used to achieve deformation, then the actuator can bend, but high voltage of several hundred to several kilo volts is required, posing safety risks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operational voltage parameter from conventional high voltage (several hundred to several kilo volts) to low voltage (several volts). This is achieved by utilizing the electrochemical reaction characteristics of the electrically conductive polymer membrane, which enables actuation at much lower voltages, thereby eliminating safety risks while maintaining bending motion capability.
3Weight of moving object
If gel actuators are used that bend by electric voltage, then the actuator can be compact and lightweight, but the bendability cannot be maintained unless continuous voltage application is kept due to small initiation stress
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the initiation stress parameter to achieve sufficiently high values, unlike conventional gel actuators with small initiation stress. This enables the actuator to maintain its bent state without continuous voltage application, reducing electric power consumption while keeping the actuator compact and lightweight through the use of polymer materials.
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 improved adhesive properties between the electrically conductive polymer membrane and the solid electrolyte membrane prevent detachment and enable stable bending motion at lower voltages, reducing power consumption and safety risks, while maintaining flexibility and compactness suitable for household robots.
Implementation Method 1
one in which expansion and contraction of an electrically conductive polymer is allowed by an oxidative-reductive reaction
Implementation Method 2
ions are incorporated into the electrically conductive polymer membrane, or taken out therefrom
Data Source
AI summary
To improve adhesive properties between an electrically conductive polymer membrane and a solid electrolyte membrane to each other, and thus to ensure the operation of an electrically conductive polymer actuator which effects a bending motion is aimed.The bendable electrically conductive polymer actuator of the present invention is an electrically conductive polymer actuator having a laminate structure of: a first organic polymer including at least one or more of a vinylidene fluoride/hexafluoropropylene copolymer, polyvinylidene fluoride, a perfluorosulfonic acid/PTFE copolymer, polymethyl methacrylate, polyethylene oxide, and polyacrylonitrile; a solid electrolyte membrane including a mixture with an ionic liquid; and an electrically conductive polymer membrane including a mixture of polyethylenedioxythiophene and polystyrene sulfonic acid on at least one face of the solid electrolyte membrane, in which a second organic polymer including a vinylidene fluoride/hexafluoropropylene copolymer is embedded in the electrically conductive polymer membrane surface in the state being dispersed.