Actuator mechanism
View Patent ↗An actuator mechanism having body, at least one actuator made of an electro-active polymer material which changes form depending on the electrical energy so that it triggers the body, at least two reinforcers which allow the actuator to change form are positioned on the actuator such that they remain opposite to each other and are connected to the actuator by clamping, thus transmitting movement to the body.
1 . An actuator mechanism ( 1 ) configured for an air and/or space vehicle comprising a body ( 2 ), the actuator mechanism ( 1 ) comprising:
an actuator ( 3 ) made of an electro-active polymer material which changes form depending on an electrical energy so that it triggers the body ( 2 );
at least two reinforcers ( 4 ) which allow the actuator ( 3 ) to change form are positioned on the actuator ( 3 ) such that they remain opposite to each other and are fixedly connected to the actuator ( 3 ) by clamping and thus transmitting movement to the body ( 2 );
at least one gripper ( 5 ) located and attached by clamping on the actuator ( 3 ) such that it is capable of changing shape and extends longitudinally between the at least two reinforcers ( 4 ) and at least partially limits the form change of the actuator ( 3 ).
2 . The actuator mechanism ( 1 ) according to claim 1 , wherein the actuator ( 3 ) has a first position (I) in which the actuator ( 3 ) is not electrically energized and a second position (II) in which the actuator ( 3 ) is electrically energized and is brought towards the at least two reinforcers ( 4 ) by changing shape; and wherein at least one of the at least one gripper ( 5 ) resists the form change of the actuator ( 3 ) when the actuator ( 3 ) is brought from the first position (I) to the second position (II).
3 . The actuator mechanism ( 1 ) according to claim 1 , wherein at least one of the at least one gripper ( 5 ) extends on the actuator ( 3 ) and between the at least two reinforcers ( 4 ) that are opposed to each other.
4 . The actuator mechanism ( 1 ) according to claim 1 , comprising a plurality of grippers ( 5 ) including the at least one gripper ( 5 ) located on the sides of the actuator ( 3 ) such that they are opposite to each other and extend longitudinally between the at least two reinforcers ( 4 ), wherein one end of each of the plurality of grippers ( 5 ) is fixed to one reinforcer ( 4 ) and the other end is fixed to the other reinforcer ( 4 ).
5 . The actuator mechanism ( 1 ) according to claim 1 , wherein at least one of the at least one gripper ( 5 ) having a surface contacting with the actuator ( 3 ) is in a serrated form so as to increase a friction force and allow the at least one gripper ( 5 ) to hold onto the actuator ( 3 ).
6 . The actuator mechanism ( 1 ) according to claim 1 , wherein at least one of the at least one gripper ( 5 ) has a concave and/or convex form upon triggering the actuator ( 3 ).
7 . The actuator mechanism ( 1 ) according to claim 1 , wherein at least one of the at least one gripper ( 5 ) is made of an elastic material.
8 . The actuator mechanism ( 1 ) according to claim 1 , comprising at least two electrodes ( 7 ) located on the actuator ( 3 ) which enable the actuator ( 3 ) to be energized when a voltage is applied and thus enable the formation of an electric field on the actuator ( 3 ).
9 . The actuator mechanism ( 1 ) according to claim 1 , wherein at least one of the at least one actuator ( 3 ) is made of a dielectric elastomer material and has an elastomeric film feature.
10 . The actuator mechanism ( 1 ) according to claim 1 , comprising a control unit ( 6 ) for triggering the actuator ( 3 ) and causing the actuator ( 3 ) to change shape depending on commands predetermined by a user.
11 . The actuator mechanism ( 1 ) according to claim 1 , wherein the body ( 2 ) is configured for using as a control surface in the air and/or space vehicles.