Interconnection concepts for rigid micro-electrodes of a dielectric elastomer bending tube actuator

F. Wehrheim; H. F. Schlaak

doi:10.1117/12.877653

28 March 2011 Interconnection concepts for rigid micro-electrodes of a dielectric elastomer bending tube actuator

F. Wehrheim, H. F. Schlaak

Proceedings Volume 7976, Electroactive Polymer Actuators and Devices (EAPAD) 2011; 79762A (2011) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.877653
Event: SPIE Smart Structures and Materials + Nondestructive Evaluation and Health Monitoring, 2011, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

A new concept for a tube-like dielectric elastomer actuator (DEA) utilizes rigid micro-electrodes to stabilize the tube structure in azimuthal direction. The individual electrodes are stacked in axial direction within the tube wall. An axial arrangement of a number of those electrode stacks forms a single actuator filament. Application of electrical voltage induces mechanical tension into those stacks by the effect of Maxwell-stress. The interaction of individual electrodes causes a change of the total length of selected actuator filaments. A circular arrangement of a number of actuator filaments allows bending of the tube in any direction. The desired tube actuator is focused on thin walled structures with an outer diameter less than 6 mm and an available wall thickness of less than 0.4 mm. To supply individual electrode stacks with different electric potentials an efficient electrical circuit has to be integrated within the DEA structure. The challenges for the design and fabrication of this circuit primarily lie on the micro-electrode dimensions, the minimization of electrical resistances and severe requirements regarding low mechanical interference. As assumption the actuator electrodes are already stacked and each individual electrode must be accessible at the edge. Considering different surface manufacturing technologies an especially shaped conductor geometry should be deposited onto the electrode edges and the surrounding dielectric. The design of the interconnections considers electrical and mechanical requirements as well as the definition of applicable material parameters. The present work details different concepts for interconnecting rigid electrodes of a thin walled tube-like DEA and discusses related manufacturing technologies.

Citation Download Citation

F. Wehrheim and H. F. Schlaak "Interconnection concepts for rigid micro-electrodes of a dielectric elastomer bending tube actuator", Proc. SPIE 7976, Electroactive Polymer Actuators and Devices (EAPAD) 2011, 79762A (28 March 2011); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.877653

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available

Members: $17.00

Non-members: $21.00 ADD TO CART

PROCEEDINGS
13 PAGES

DOWNLOAD PAPER SAVE TO MY LIBRARY

GET CITATION

RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS

Get copyright permission Get copyright permission on Copyright Marketplace

KEYWORDS

Electrodes

Actuators

Dielectrics

Manufacturing

Laser cutting

Photomasks

Silicon

Show All Keywords

Keywords/Phrases

Search In:

Publication Years