Polymer Actuator Movable Body Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conductive polymer actuators face performance degradation when subjected to forced displacement, leading to irreversible deformation and reduced actuation efficiency due to bending and weakening of the polymer film, especially at connecting points and intermediate regions.
Innovation Solution
A polymer actuator design featuring a movable body connected to one terminal member via an elastic body, allowing displacement to be taken out through the movable body, which is pressed against the other terminal member, thereby isolating the polymer from external forces and preventing bending, while maintaining actuation performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If forced displacement is externally applied to the polymer actuator, then the actuator can achieve required displacement, but the polymer film bends and degrades leading to performance lowering
Solution Approach 1:
A movable body is introduced as an intermediary component between the polymer actuator and the external load. The movable body absorbs the external forces through its independent movement capability, preventing these forces from being transmitted to the polymer film. This mediator structure allows the actuator to achieve required displacement while protecting the polymer from bending and degradation, resolving the contradiction between displacement capability and performance reliability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the polymer film is made flexible to enable bending deformation, then actuation flexibility is improved, but the film strength decreases leading to irreversible deformation under forced displacement
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into distinct functional components: the polymer actuator responsible for generating motion through flexible deformation, and the movable body responsible for interacting with external loads. This segmentation allows the polymer film to maintain its flexibility for actuation while the movable body structure provides the necessary strength to resist external forces, preventing irreversible deformation of the polymer.
3Force
If terminal members are rigidly connected to the polymer film, then force transmission is improved, but the polymer film bends at connecting points leading to performance degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The connection between the terminal members and the polymer film is made dynamic rather than rigid. The movable body can move independently relative to the terminal members, creating a dynamic connection that allows force transmission while accommodating the polymer's deformation. This dynamic connection prevents bending stresses at the connecting points, maintaining both force transmission capability and actuator reliability.
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 design effectively suppresses performance degradation under forced displacement by allowing independent movement of the movable body, maintaining output and preventing irreversible deformation of the polymer actuator.
Implementation Method 1
a polymer actuator which is driven by extension and contraction of a polymer by electrical stimulation
Implementation Method 2
a movable body connected to one terminal member by way of a first elastic body and capable of being pressed against the other terminal member by an elastic force of the first elastic body
Data Source
AI summary
In a polymer actuator driven by extension and contraction of the polymer by electrical stimulation, the displacement generated by extension and contraction of the polymer is taken out through a movable body connected to a second terminal member which is connected to one end of the polymer, by way of a first elastic body and pressed against a first terminal member which is connected to the other end of the polymer, by the elastic force of the first elastic body.