Electromechanical Bistable Behavior of a Novel Dielectric Elastomer Actuator

Li, Tiefeng; Zou, Zhanan; Mao, Guoyong; Qu, Shaoxing

doi:10.1115/1.4025530

Cited by 38 publications

(20 citation statements)

References 32 publications

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“…The transition depends on c 1 and c . 2 The phase curve has monotonic rise and a two-stage decrement. In comparison with the first-order model of figure 2, the second-order model allows more versatile definition of the dynamic stiffness and phase over the frequency range.…”

Section: Effect Of Having Higher Ordermentioning

confidence: 99%

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Modelling dielectric elastomer actuators using higher order material characteristics

Zhang¹,

Iravani²,

Keogh³

2018

J. Phys. Commun.

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Dielectric elastomers, a special class of electroactive polymers, have viscoelastic properties that strongly affect their dynamic performance. This paper contributes a high-order linear solid model together with an optimised parameter identification method to aid the selection of the model parameters. The paper also demonstrates that accurate modelling of the viscoelastic characteristics for commonly used dielectric elastomer (DE) material requires additional spring-damper combinations within a standard linear solid model. The effect of key parameters on the system dynamics in the frequency domain is elaborated and used to guide the parameter identification of the models. The increased effectiveness of higher order models that incorporate multiple spring-damper combinations is demonstrated using three experiments; (a) mechanical loading of a stacked sample over 0.01-5 Hz with strain variations up to 50%; (b) mechanical loading of a single-layer sample over 1-100 Hz with strain variations up to 10%; and (c) electrical actuation of a single-layer sample over 1-100 Hz using electric fields up to 20 MV m −1 . Silicone and polyacrylate samples were tested to show the effect of viscoelastic properties in the frequency domain. The proposed method of parameter identification is optimised to capture the frequency response.

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Section: Effect Of Having Higher Ordermentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The actuation includes low cost, high energy density, noise-free operation and does not require a rigid mechanical structure. In addition, the force density generated by DE Actuators (DEAs) is similar to that of human muscles [1][2][3]. Applications have been explored in robotics [4][5][6] and muscle-like actuation [7][8][9].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Modelling dielectric elastomer actuators using higher order material characteristics

Zhang¹,

Iravani²,

Keogh³

2018

J. Phys. Commun.

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“…In literature there are some examples of bistable mechanisms actuated by DEAs: the bistable element is typically a buckled beam [8], whereas the actuator can be shaped either as a diamond [12], a cone [3] or as a planar strip [8]. All these systems have in common an external frame which holds together the actuator and the bistable element, plus some additional mechanical supports for the actuators.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The ideal actuator must be simple, lightweight, inexpensive and low-powered [3]. Some examples, already present in literature, show bistable mechanisms actuated by shape memory alloys (SMAs) [7], and dielectric elastomer actuators (DEAs) [8,9]. A SMA based mechanism has the advantage of maintaining compactness and lightness thanks to the high power density of the alloy, but a precise and reliable use of this technology is still subject of several ongoing studies.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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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“…Dielectric Elastomers (DEs) are in a specific class of Electro-Active Polymers (EAPs) that are of particular research interest due to their simplicity of structure, low mass/inertia, robustness, noise-free operation, and actuation force density that is similar to that of human muscles [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10]. A Dielectric Elastomer Actuator (DEA) may be fabricated from a single layer of DE that is coated with a compliant conductive material on both sides.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Novel Arrangements for High Performance and Durable Dielectric Elastomer Actuation

Zhang

Huang

et al. 2016

Actuators

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This paper advances the design of Rod Pre-strained Dielectric Elastomer Actuators (RP-DEAs) in their capability to generate comparatively large static actuation forces with increased lifetime via optimized electrode arrangements. RP-DEAs utilize thin stiff rods to constrain the expansion of the elastomer and maintain the in-plane pre-strain in the rod longitudinal direction. The aim is to study both the force output and the durability of the RP-DEA. Initial design of the RP-DEA had poor durability, however, it generated significantly larger force compared with the conventional DEA due to the effects of pre-strain and rod constraints. The durability study identifies the in-electro-active-region (in-AR) lead contact and the non-uniform deformation of the structure as causes of pre-mature failure of the RP-DEA. An optimized AR configuration is proposed to avoid actuating undesired areas in the structure. The results show that with the optimized AR, the RP-DEA can be effectively stabilized and survive operation at least four times longer than with a conventional electrode arrangement. Finally, a Finite Element simulation was also performed to demonstrate that such AR design and optimization can be guided by analyzing the DEA structure in the state of pre-activation.

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Electromechanical Bistable Behavior of a Novel Dielectric Elastomer Actuator

Cited by 38 publications

References 32 publications

Modelling dielectric elastomer actuators using higher order material characteristics

Modelling dielectric elastomer actuators using higher order material characteristics

Design of a compact bistable mechanism based on dielectric elastomer actuators

Novel Arrangements for High Performance and Durable Dielectric Elastomer Actuation

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