Improvement Measures for Components of Dielectric Elastomers for Heavy Duty Uses Such as Robots and Power Assist Devices

Abstract

Dielectric Elastomers (DE) are currently being rapidly researched and developed all over the world as a technology that has begun to be incorporated at a practical level. As a product, game vibrators using DEs are already on the market in the United States and Europe. However, much of the market demand is dominated by more output-focused applications such as DE power suits, DE motors, DE muscles for robots, and larger DE power systems. Attempts have been made to improve elastomers and use new carbon foam materials such as single-walled carbon nano tubes (SWCNTs) and multi-walled carbon nano tubes (MWCNTs) as electrodes for DEs to meet these demands. This paper discusses these issues. Also, by reversing the movement of the DE, it is possible to generate electricity with high efficiency. By attaching the power generation system to the robot, which generates electricity from the movement of the robot, and charges the robot’s battery of the robot, it becomes possible to move the robot more efficiently. This is also discussed in this paper