Experimental comparison of bias elements for out-of-plane DEAP actuator system

Hodgins, Micah; York, Alexander; Seelecke, Stefan

doi:10.1088/0964-1726/22/9/094016

Cited by 94 publications

(93 citation statements)

References 19 publications

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“…For antagonistic double-cone DEA configuration, both conical membranes can be actuated separately to achieve bidirectional actuation, as has been shown by [17,20]. Despite the fact that using a bi-stable mechanism can potentially achieve a larger stroke compared to the three biasing elements aforementioned [19,21], the performance of the DEA is subjective to the specific design of the bi-stable mechanism, which makes it extremely challenging to generalize this biasing element and perform optimization, and hence it will not be studied in this work.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Performance Optimization of a Conical Dielectric Elastomer Actuator

Cao

Conn

2018

Actuators

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Dielectric elastomer actuators (DEAs) are known as 'artificial muscles' due to their large actuation strain, high energy density and self-sensing capability. The conical configuration has been widely adopted in DEA applications such as bio-inspired locomotion and micropumps for its good compactness, ease for fabrication and large actuation stroke. However, the conical protrusion of the DEA membrane is characterized by inhomogeneous stresses, which complicate their design. In this work, we present an analytical model-based optimization for conical DEAs with the three biasing elements: (I) linear compression spring; (II) biasing mass; and (III) antagonistic double-cone DEA. The optimization is to find the maximum stroke and work output of a conical DEA by tuning its geometry (inner disk to outer frame radius ratio a/b) and pre-stretch ratio. The results show that (a) for all three cases, stroke and work output are maximum for a pre-stretch ratio of 1 × 1 for the Parker silicone elastomer, which suggests the stretch caused by out-of-plane deformation is sufficient for this specific elastomer. (b) Stroke maximization is obtained for a lower a/b ratio while a larger a/b ratio is required to maximize work output, but the optimal a/b ratio is less than 0.3 in all three cases. (c) The double-cone configuration has the largest stroke while single cone with a biasing mass has the highest work output.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Performance Optimization of a Conical Dielectric Elastomer Actuator

Cao

Conn

2018

Actuators

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“…The design that we propose is the continuation and extension of the work previously carried out by Hodgins et al [13,14], which proposed a mechanism where the DEAs were combined with a buckled beam with a cross shape. In Hodgins et al, the buckled beam was used as a negative rate bias spring, which could improve the actuation stroke of the conical DE actuators.…”

Section: Designmentioning

confidence: 89%

Design of a compact bistable mechanism based on dielectric elastomer actuators

2015

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Bistable mechanisms are widely used in the applications where two stable positions must be held for long time without energy consumption. The main advantage of bistable mechanisms is a sensible reduction in bulkiness and energy cost. Among the possible active triggering systems, dielectric elastomer actuators (DEAs) are gaining attention, for their efficiency and strain rate, as a viable alternative to traditional technologies. In the present work, a novel design of a bistable system is proposed, counting on a cross-like shape bistable element coupled with two axially arranged conical DEAs. Analytical and FEM models have been used to implement and analyze the behavior of the single components and the final coupled system. The obtained results confirm the feasibility of the switching process between the equilibrium points and the capability to capture and numerically describe the interactions between the actuators and the bistable beams. A specific device has been finally envisaged to exemplify the possibility to develop a light-weight and compact system able to sustain and passively maintain a linear displacement which equals the 46 % of its own total length

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“…The central part of the membranes is pushed out of plane by a combination of a linear spring and a negative-rate bias (NBS) spring (figure 18. The two springs and the active membrane are carefully designed to achieved the desired bistable behavior combining large stroke and large force 124 . The actuator and biasing mechanism hold in a 85 mm ⇥ 85 mm ⇥ 35 mm enclosure, and the device can lift a weight of 7.5 kg by 2.25 mm 126 .…”

Section: A Stacked Surface Expansion Actuators With a Biasing Mechanismmentioning

confidence: 99%

Small, fast, and tough: Shrinking down integrated elastomer transducers

Rosset

Shea

2016

Applied Physics Reviews

125

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We review recent progress in miniaturized dielectric elastomer actuators, sensors and energy harvesters. We focus primarily on configurations where the large strain, high compliance, stretchability and high level of integration o↵ered by dielectric elastomer transducers provide significant advantages over other mm or µm-scale transduction technologies. We first present the most active application areas, including: tunable optics, soft robotics, haptics, micro fluidics, biomedical devices and stretchable sensors. We then discuss the fabrication challenges related to miniaturization, such as thin membrane fabrication, precise patterning of compliant electrodes, and reliable batch fabrication of multilayer devices. We finally address the impact of miniaturization on strain, force and driving voltage, as well as the important e↵ect of boundary conditions on the performance of mm-scale DEAs.

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Experimental comparison of bias elements for out-of-plane DEAP actuator system

Cited by 94 publications

References 19 publications

Performance Optimization of a Conical Dielectric Elastomer Actuator

Performance Optimization of a Conical Dielectric Elastomer Actuator

Design of a compact bistable mechanism based on dielectric elastomer actuators

Small, fast, and tough: Shrinking down integrated elastomer transducers

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