In this work, we present on the characterization of the mechanical coupling in an array system of independent dielectric elastomer (DE) elements. The target device consists of a 1-by-3 array of silicone-based DE elements on a single silicone membrane. This DE-array is the basis for the development of a future DE-actuator array. To achieve large strokes in this DEA-array, the goal is to bias every DE element with a suitable nonlinear biasing element. A correct design of all biasing elements requires the knowledge of how the biasing of one DE-element influences the others and vice versa. After describing the potential influences of the coupling on the correct actuator design, a possible characterization method for the investigation of the coupling is presented. Furthermore, first results are shown and discussed briefly.
In this paper, we report a modeling and simulation study based on a 1-by-3 soft array of independently controllable dielectric elastomer actuators (DEAs). Based on collected experimental results, a physics-based model is initially developed, calibrated, and validated. Then, the effects of the system parameters (geometry, DEA spatial distribution, pre-loading of non-actuated elements) on the resulting array stroke, as well as on the coupling among neighbor elements, will be investigated via extensive simulations. The obtained results will serve as guidelines for the optimal design of cooperative DEA microarray systems.
By combining small dielectric elastomer (DE) elements in an array configuration, their simultaneous actuation and sensing capabilities can be exploited to develop flexible and energy efficient cooperative systems. In this paper we present development, modelling, and experimental validation of a flexible DE array system. After discussing the system operating principle, a physics-based lumped parameter model is developed to describe the electro-mechanical interactions among the several DE elements. An experimental investigation is also conducted on a first 1-by-3 DE array prototype, with the aim of studying the influence of the geometric parameters on the spatially coupled system response. The experimental data is then used to validate the developed model.
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