The interest in actuators based on dielectric elastomer films as a promising technology in robotic and mechatronic applications is increasing. The overall actuator performances are influenced by the design of both the active film and the film supporting frame. This paper presents a single-acting actuator, which is capable of supplying a constant force over a given range of motion. The actuator is obtained by coupling a rectangular film of silicone dielectric elastomer with a monolithic frame designed to suitably modify the force generated by the dielectric elastomer film. The frame is a fully compliant mechanism whose main structural parameters are calculated using a pseudo-rigid-body model and then verified by finite element analysis. Simulations show promising performance of the proposed actuator.
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giovanni.berselli@unibo.it
rocco.vertechy@unibo.it
gabriele.vassura@unibo.it
vincenzo.parenti@unibo.it
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August 2009
Research Papers
Design of a Single-Acting Constant-Force Actuator Based on Dielectric Elastomers
Giovanni Berselli,
Giovanni Berselli
Diem, Department of Mechanical Engineering,
giovanni.berselli@unibo.it
University of Bologna
, Bologna 40136, Italy
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Rocco Vertechy,
Rocco Vertechy
Diem, Department of Mechanical Engineering,
rocco.vertechy@unibo.it
University of Bologna
, Bologna 40136, Italy
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Gabriele Vassura,
Gabriele Vassura
Diem, Department of Mechanical Engineering,
gabriele.vassura@unibo.it
University of Bologna
, Bologna 40136, Italy
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Vincenzo Parenti Castelli
Vincenzo Parenti Castelli
Diem, Department of Mechanical Engineering,
vincenzo.parenti@unibo.it
University of Bologna
, Bologna 40136, Italy
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Giovanni Berselli
Diem, Department of Mechanical Engineering,
University of Bologna
, Bologna 40136, Italygiovanni.berselli@unibo.it
Rocco Vertechy
Diem, Department of Mechanical Engineering,
University of Bologna
, Bologna 40136, Italyrocco.vertechy@unibo.it
Gabriele Vassura
Diem, Department of Mechanical Engineering,
University of Bologna
, Bologna 40136, Italygabriele.vassura@unibo.it
Vincenzo Parenti Castelli
Diem, Department of Mechanical Engineering,
University of Bologna
, Bologna 40136, Italyvincenzo.parenti@unibo.it
J. Mechanisms Robotics. Aug 2009, 1(3): 031007 (7 pages)
Published Online: July 14, 2009
Article history
Received:
May 9, 2008
Revised:
January 15, 2009
Published:
July 14, 2009
Citation
Berselli, G., Vertechy, R., Vassura, G., and Castelli, V. P. (July 14, 2009). "Design of a Single-Acting Constant-Force Actuator Based on Dielectric Elastomers." ASME. J. Mechanisms Robotics. August 2009; 1(3): 031007. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.3147182
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