Investigation on the viscoelastic behaviors of a circular dielectric elastomer membrane undergoing large deformation

Wang, Qingqing; Wang, Zhengang; He, Tianhu

doi:10.1063/1.4973639

Cited by 10 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 39 publications

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“…This model can capture the non-truncated membrane shape (as shown in figure 1(b)) and concomitant inhomogeneous stress distribution. The viscoelastic behaviour of a conical DEA has been investigated in [40,41] by including time-dependent viscosity into this model. However, such model has the significant drawback of heavy computational cost because of the shooting method used in the numerical method to solve a set of partial differential equations and algebraic equation to meet the boundary conditions [42].…”

Section: Dcdea Model Developmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

Towards efficient elastic actuation in bio-inspired robotics using dielectric elastomer artificial muscles

Cao

Gao

Conn

2019

Smart Mater. Struct.

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In nature, animals reduce their cost of transport by utilizing elastic energy recovery. Emerging soft robotic technologies such as dielectric elastomer actuators (DEAs) offer an advantage in achieving biomimetic energy efficient locomotion thanks to their high actuation strain and inherent elasticity. In this work, we conduct a comprehensive study on the feasibility of using antagonistic DEA artificial muscles for bio-inspired robotics. We adopt a double cone DEA configuration and develop a mathematical model to characterize its dynamic electromechanical response. It is demonstrated that this DEA design can be optimized in terms of the maximum work output by adjusting the strut height design parameter. Using this optimized design, we analyse the power/stroke output and the electromechanical efficiency of the DEA and show how these actuation characteristics can be maximized for different payload conditions, excitation frequencies and actuation waveforms. The elastic energy recovery from the DEA is then demonstrated by reducing the duty ratio of the actuation signal and thus allowing the stored elastic energy in the DEA membranes to contribute to the work output. A bio-inspired threesegment leg prototype driven by the same actuator is presented to demonstrate that the same energy recovery principle is feasible for bio-inspired robotics.

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Section: Dcdea Model Developmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

Towards efficient elastic actuation in bio-inspired robotics using dielectric elastomer artificial muscles

Cao

Gao

Conn

2019

Smart Mater. Struct.

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“…This model is capable of capturing the nontruncated membrane shape and the inhomogeneous stress distribution. The viscoelastic behaviour of a conical DEA has been investigated in [27,28] by including time-dependent viscosity into this analytical model, however, it was not validated by experiments. The model was shown to be capable of predicting the quasi-static performance of a conical DEA made with VHB 4910 and hydrogel electrodes [29].…”

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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“…In their simulations, two important simplification assumptions were made, the first being a truncated cone shape approximation and the second involves homogeneous stress distribution on the membrane. However, as have been shown by an analytical model developed by He et al (2010), Wang et al (2016), and Wang (2018), the membrane deformation is in fact non-truncated and the stress distribution on the membrane is inhomogeneous. By utilizing this analytical approach, Bortot and Gei (2015) attempted to maximum the harvested energy of a cone DE generator by tuning the pre-stretch, geometrical ratio and intensity of maximum external load.…”

Section: Double Cone Dea Modelmentioning

confidence: 91%

Toward a Dielectric Elastomer Resonator Driven Flapping Wing Micro Air Vehicle

2019

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In the last two decades, insect-inspired flapping wing micro air vehicles (MAVs) have attracted great attention for their potential for highly agile flight. Insects flap their wings at the resonant frequencies of their flapping mechanisms. Resonant actuation is highly advantageous as it amplifies the flapping amplitude and reduces the inertial power demand. Emerging soft actuators, such as dielectric elastomer actuators (DEAs) have large actuation strains and thanks to their inherent elasticity, DEAs have been shown a promising candidate for resonant actuation. In this work a double cone DEA configuration is presented, a mathematic model is developed to characterize its quasi-static and dynamic performance. We compare the high frequency performance of two most common dielectric elastomers: silicone elastomer and polyacrylate tape VHB. The mechanical power output of the DEA is experimentally analyzed as a DEA-mass oscillator. Then a flapping wing mechanism actuated by this elastic actuator is demonstrated, this design is able to provide a peak flapping amplitude of 63 • at the frequency of 18 Hz.

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Investigation on the viscoelastic behaviors of a circular dielectric elastomer membrane undergoing large deformation

Cited by 10 publications

References 39 publications

Towards efficient elastic actuation in bio-inspired robotics using dielectric elastomer artificial muscles

Towards efficient elastic actuation in bio-inspired robotics using dielectric elastomer artificial muscles

Performance Optimization of a Conical Dielectric Elastomer Actuator

Toward a Dielectric Elastomer Resonator Driven Flapping Wing Micro Air Vehicle

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