Polymer Actuator with Solid-State Electrolyte for High-Force Air Operation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional polymer actuators used in robots for home and healthcare applications are limited by their size, weight, flexibility, and ability to generate force, with issues such as low deflection rigidity and interlayer separation during repetitive operations.
Innovation Solution
A polymer actuator design featuring a conductive active member layer, a second electrode layer, and a solid-state or liquid-state electrolyte layer with a low elastic modulus, where ions can enter or leave to expand or contract the active member layer, and holding members maintain the thickness between layers to prevent interlayer separation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a solid-state electrolyte is used in a bent type actuator to allow operation in air, then the actuator can be operated without auxiliary machinery, but the movement is limited by deflection and the actuator fails to exert great force due to low deflection rigidity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a thin film structure for the solid-state electrolyte layer, which maintains flexibility while providing sufficient mechanical support. This thin film approach allows the actuator to operate in air while improving its ability to exert force compared to bulk solid-state electrolytes.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuator employs a composite structure combining inherently conducting polymer layers with solid-state electrolyte layers. This composite material approach enhances both the adaptability for air operation and the force generation capability by leveraging the complementary properties of different materials.
2Ease of operation
If the electrolytic layer is made softer to allow expansion and contraction of the active member layer, then the actuator can deform more freely, but interlayer separation occurs after repetitive operations with large distortion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent carefully controls the elastic modulus parameter of the solid-state electrolyte, setting it within a specific range (0.1 to 10 MPa) to balance softness for free deformation with sufficient rigidity to prevent interlayer separation during repetitive operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The use of thin film structures for both the solid-state electrolyte and conducting polymer layers reduces the overall thickness and improves flexibility, allowing free expansion and contraction while minimizing the risk of interlayer separation through the reduced leverage of distorting forces.
3Ease of manufacture
If a cylindrical conductive polymer portion is used in a column-shaped solid-state electrolyte, then the actuator can be constructed, but the effective cross-sectional area of the active member layer becomes smaller when bundled
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a cylindrical conductive polymer geometry to a planar thin film structure. This dimensional change from three-dimensional cylinder to two-dimensional film dramatically increases the effective cross-sectional area when bundled, while maintaining ease of manufacture through lamination processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuator structure is segmented into distinct thin film layers (conducting polymer layers and solid-state electrolyte layers) that can be independently manufactured and then laminated together. This segmentation approach simplifies construction while maximizing the effective area of the active member layer.
4Weight of moving object
If conventional polymer actuators are made light-weight and flexible, then they are suitable for home-service robots, but they require auxiliary machineries such as compressors and controlling valves which limit weight reduction
Solution Approach 1:
The inherently conducting polymer actuator is self-contained and self-actuating, requiring no external compressors, valves, or complex control systems. The material itself responds directly to electrical stimuli by expanding and contracting, making the system self-service and eliminating auxiliary machinery that would add weight and complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical pneumatic systems (compressors, valves, cylinders) with an electroactive polymer material that directly converts electrical energy to mechanical motion. This substitution eliminates the need for auxiliary mechanical machinery while achieving light-weight and flexible actuation suitable for home-service robots.
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 actuator achieves a small-sized, lightweight, flexible, and high-force generation capability, allowing for safe and efficient operation in air with high-speed performance and resistance to deformation.
Implementation Method 1
a first electrolytic layer which is a solid-state electrolyte having an elastic modulus of 3 kN/m2 or less, or a liquid-state electrolyte; and by applying an electric field between the two electrode layers, at least one type of ions selected from anions and cations are allowed to enter or leave the active member layer through the first electrolytic layer so as to expand or contract the active member layer
Implementation Method 2
conductive active member layer... by applying an electric field between the two electrode layers, at least one type of ions selected from anions and cations are allowed to enter or leave the active member layer through the first electrolytic layer so as to expand or contract the active member layer
Data Source
AI summary
A plane thin-type polymer actuator is provided with a conductive active member serving as a first electrode layer, and a second electrode layer, with at least a first electrolytic layer made in contact with the active member layer. The first electrolytic layer being sealed between the two electrode layers so that, by applying an electric field between the two electrode layers, the active member layer is expanded and contracted. In this structure, the first electrolytic layer is a solid-state electrolyte having a specific elastic modulus, or a liquid-state electrolyte. A holding member is provided to maintain the thickness between the active member layer and the second electrode layer.