METHODS AND MECHANISMS FOR MAINTAINING AN ELECTRO-ACTIVE POLYMER IN A PRE-STRETCH STATE AND USES THEREOF

摘要

In some embodiments, the present invention is directed to an actuator which includes at least the following: a pre-stretched electro-active polymer film being pre-stretched in a single or biaxial planar directions; at least one first semi-stiff conductor attached to a first surface of the pre-stretched electro-active polymer film, wherein the first surface is parallel to the single or biaxial planar stretch directions; at least one second semi-stiff conductor attached to a second surface of the pre-stretched electro-active polymer film, wherein the second surface is opposite to the first surface; where the semi-stiff conductors are configured to: fix the pre-stretched electro-active polymer film in a pre-stretched state and allow the pre-stretched electro-active polymer film to expand; a pair of mechanical connectors coupled to each end of an active region of the pre-stretched electro-active polymer film.

主权项

1. A method, comprising:
fixing an electro-active polymer film in a pre-stretched state, wherein the electro-active polymer film has been pre-stretched in at least one planar stretch direction; wherein the fixing is at least one of:
i) attaching:
1) at least one first semi-stiff conductor to a first surface of the pre-stretched electro-active polymer film, and2) at least one second semi-stiff conductor to a second surface of the pre-stretched electro-active polymer film, wherein the second surface is opposite to the first surface;wherein the at least one first and the at least one second semi-stiff conductors are configured to:
a) fix the pre-stretched electro-active polymer film in a pre-stretched state to form a fixed pre-stretched electro-active polymer film andb) allow the fixed pre-stretched electro-active polymer film to expand; orii) attaching
1) at least one stretchable conductor to at least one surface of the pre-stretched electro-active polymer film, and2) the pre-stretched electro-active polymer film to a solid body to form the fixed pre-stretched electro-active polymer film; and c) coupling a pair of mechanical connectors at each end of at least one active region of the fixed pre-stretched electro-active polymer film.