CURVED ELECTRO-ACTIVE ACTUATORS

摘要

Electro-active actuators (310) and methods of manufacturing such actuators are described with such actuators (310) having a plurality of electro-active segments (311) arranged along a curved line with each segment (311) being essentially planar and coupled to adjacent segments (311) through joint sections (312) placed at opposite corners of the segment (311). The actuators (310) exhibit a displacement in a different direction than the direction of displacement of a segment when seen in isolation. They can be made from a continuous tape of material, preferably by die punching.