JP2003322196A - Electric rheology element and electric rheology device comprising the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an ER element and an ER device using the same, using the electric rheology (ER) gel, not breaking a gel structure even when shearing displacement is given to the ER gel, and high shearing stress can be produced. <P>SOLUTION: In this ER element 10 wherein the ER gel 20 is placed between a pair of electrodes 11, non-immobilizing treatment is performed on at least one of the electrodes 11 and the ER gel 20. The non-immobilizing treatment is performed by covering the surface of the electrode with a mold-releasing agent, or applying a lubricant onto the surface of the electrode. An ER effect can be effectively utilized by controlling the maximum height roughness (Rz), defined by JIS Z0601, of the surface of the electrode at a non-immobilized treatment side, to 1-0.001 mm, and the average length (RSm) of a rough curve element to 5-0.001 mm. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to an electrorheological element provided with an electrorheological gel and an electrorheological device using the same.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art ER that exhibits a so-called electrorheological (hereinafter referred to as ER) effect in which an apparent viscosity (hereinafter simply referred to as viscosity) is increased by applying a voltage.
Fluids are known in the art. The viscosity of the ER fluid can be reversibly and freely changed by changing the applied voltage, and the ER fluid is excellent in responsiveness to the change of the voltage. Therefore, the ER fluid is arranged between a pair of electrodes. In the form of ER element, clutch, valve, damper,
It is expected to be used for actuators, robot control, vibration control, etc. An example of such an ER fluid is a composition in which dispersed phase particles are dispersed in an electrically insulating dispersion medium.

When a voltage is applied, the viscosity of the ER fluid increases, and the shear stress in the direction perpendicular to the electric field increases. When the voltage is applied, dispersed phase particles in the ER fluid are polarized and dispersed. It is considered that an electric attractive force is generated between the phase particles and a chain structure composed of dispersed phase particles is formed along the electric field, resulting in resistance to shear displacement. In order to effectively use the change in the shear stress due to the change in the applied voltage for various controls, it is considered that the surface of the member that gives the shear displacement and the ER fluid need not slip. For example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-144
In Japanese Patent No. 165 publication, E of an electrode which is a member for applying shear displacement
ER is formed by forming fine irregularities on the surface in contact with the R fluid.
A method for suppressing slippage between the fluid and the surface of the electrode is disclosed.

On the other hand, the applicants of the present invention have a Japanese Patent Application No. 2000-272.
In 135, a gel-like substance is filed as a new substance exhibiting the ER effect. Such an ER gel has an advantage that a stable ER effect can be obtained and a storage stability is excellent because a problem in which dispersed phase particles do not settle out unlike the ER fluid does not occur. There is.

[0005]

However, since the ER gel is gel-like and does not have fluidity like the ER fluid, if the shear displacement is applied to the ER gel to a certain extent or more, the gel structure is destroyed. There was a problem. Therefore, when the ER gel is used, there is a problem that the ER gel can be used only under shear displacement within a range in which the gel is deformed so that the gel structure is not destroyed. As a result, the obtained ER effect was not sufficient, and its use tended to be limited.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and even when a large shear displacement is applied, the gel structure is not destroyed and a large shear stress can be expressed.
An object is to provide an R element and an ER device using the same.

[0007]

The ER element of the present invention is an electrorheological element in which an electrorheological gel is arranged between a pair of electrodes, and at least one electrode and the electrorheological gel are not immobilized. It is being processed. It is preferable that the surface of at least one of the electrodes is coated with a release agent and the non-immobilization treatment is performed. It is preferable that a lubricant is applied to the surface of the at least one electrode and / or the surface of the electrorheological gel in contact with the at least one electrode to perform the non-immobilization treatment. The maximum height roughness (Rz) defined in JIS Z0601 on the surface of at least one of the electrodes is 1 to 0.001 mm, and the average length (RSm) of the roughness curvilinear element is 5 to 0.001 mm. Preferably there is. Further, the electrorheological element of the present invention, one electrode and the electrorheological gel is non-immobilized,
It is preferable that unevenness is formed on the surface of the other electrode in contact with the electrorheological gel. The ER device of the present invention is characterized by including the ER element.

[0008]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The present invention will be described in detail below.
The ER element of the present invention is an ER element in which an ER gel is arranged between a pair of electrodes. First, the ER gel used in the present invention will be described.

[ER gel] The ER gel is not particularly limited as long as it is a gel capable of expressing the ER effect.
An example is one in which an electrically insulating medium is dispersed in a gel skeleton, and dispersed phase particles are dispersed in this electrically insulating medium. There is no particular limitation on the substance forming the gel skeleton,
For example, a polysiloxane crosslinked body, an acrylic acid ester-based polymer crosslinked body, and a polystyrene-based crosslinked body may be mentioned.
Among these, a polysiloxane crosslinked product is particularly preferable because it has excellent electrical insulation properties and can retain a large amount of electrically insulating medium in its skeleton. As the crosslinked polysiloxane,
A hydrosilylation reaction product of a hydrogen silicone and an unsaturated group-containing compound is preferable because of easy production.

Here, the hydrogen silicone constituting the crosslinked polysiloxane is, for example, a dialkylpolysiloxane having a hydrogen atom bonded to a silicon atom of a siloxane chain, and a compound represented by the following formula (1) is exemplified. it can.

[Chemical 1] In the formula, each R ¹ is independently a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group having 1 to 18 carbon atoms, an aralkyl group having 7 to 21 carbon atoms, or a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group having 6 to 20 carbon atoms. Show. In addition, n ₁ is an integer of 0 to 500.

Examples of the alkyl group represented by R ¹ include unsubstituted groups such as methyl group, ethyl group, propyl group, butyl group, octyl group and dodecyl group, and trifluoropropyl group and chloropropyl group. Examples thereof include halogenated alkyl groups and cyanoalkyl groups such as 2-cyanoethyl group. Examples of the aralkyl group include a benzyl group and a phenethyl group, and examples of the aryl group include a phenyl group, a toluyl group and a naphthyl group. Of these, R ¹ is preferably a methyl group, and n ₁ is preferably 10 to 200. Particularly preferred is a compound of the following formula (1-1).

[Chemical 2]

The unsaturated group-containing compound constituting the polysiloxane crosslinked body is not limited as long as it can be hydrosilylated with hydrogen silicone to form the polysiloxane crosslinked body, and is represented by the following formula (2). And a compound containing three or more unsaturated groups.

[Chemical 3] In the formula, R ² is a hydrogen atom or a substituted or unsubstituted carbon atom 1
To 18 alkyl group, or a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group having 6 to 20 carbon atoms, preferably a hydrogen atom or a methyl group. R ³ is an alkylene group having 1 to 18 carbon atoms, an aryl alkylene group having 7 to 21 carbon atoms,
Hetero atom-containing alkylene group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms and 1 to 12 carbon atoms, or a direct bond, preferably,
-CH ₂ which is a methylene group or a hetero atom-containing alkylene group having 1 to 6 hetero atoms and 1 to 12 carbon atoms (some of the carbon atoms in the alkylene group are replaced with O, S, N and the like). _{O -, - CH 2 OCH 2} -, - CH 2 OCH 2 C
_{H 2 -, - CH 2 OCH} 2 CH 2 OCH 2 - it can be exemplified.

Specific examples of such unsaturated group-containing compounds are shown below.

[Chemical 4]

[Chemical 5]

Since the reaction rate of the hydrosilylation reaction is highly temperature-dependent, the hydrogen silicone and the unsaturated group-containing compound can be mixed at room temperature or below and then heated to allow the reaction to proceed. This is a great advantage of the hydrosilylation reaction, and when these are mixed with an appropriate viscosity, molded, and heated, a polymer having a desired shape can be obtained all at once. The heating temperature in this case is about 50 ° C to 150 ° C, preferably about 60 ° C to 120 ° C.

When carrying out the hydrosilylation reaction, it is preferable to use, for example, platinum, ruthenium, rhodium, palladium, osmium, iridium or a compound thereof as a catalyst. Of these, platinum or a platinum compound is particularly suitable, and specific examples thereof include platinum, chloroplatinic acid, alumina, silica, carbon black or the like on which solid platinum is supported, platinum-vinylsiloxane. Examples thereof include a complex, a platinum-phosphine complex, a platinum-phosphite complex, and a platinum alcoholate catalyst. In the case of a platinum catalyst, platinum is usually added in an amount of about 0.05 to 0.0001 mass%.

When the ER gel is produced, it is possible to directly mix the electrically insulating medium and the dispersed phase particles, which will be described later, with the hydrogen silicone and the unsaturated group-containing compound before the hydrosilylation reaction. Although an ER gel is obtained and preferred, an ER gel can be produced by impregnating the hydrosilylation reaction product obtained by the hydrosilylation reaction with an electrically insulating medium and dispersed phase particles. In the former case,
Since water in the dispersed phase particles or the electrically insulating medium may hinder hydrosilylation, it is preferable to dehydrate in advance and use. The total mass of the hydrogen silicone and unsaturated group-containing compound in the ER gel is preferably 0.5 to 70% by mass, more preferably 1 to 30% by mass.

Further, if the hydrosilylation proceeds too fast, the initial viscosity becomes high and the ER gel produced may not evenly spread inside the ER element. Therefore, when a polymerization inhibitor needs to be used. There is. Examples of the polymerization inhibitor that can be used include an organoline compound, a benzotriazole compound, a nitrile compound, a halogenated carbon compound, an acetylene compound, a sulfoxide compound, an amine compound, and a maleic acid ester.
Of these, the acetylene compound, the nitrile compound, and the maleic acid ester are preferable polymerization inhibitors because they hardly cause an adverse effect when the ER gel is incorporated in the ER element. When the polymerization inhibitor is added, its amount is 0.0001 to 1.0 mass% based on the total mass of the ER gel.

The crosslink density of the crosslinked polysiloxane is determined to some extent by the molecular weight of the hydrogen silicone represented by the above formula (1). The hydrogen silicone and the unsaturated group-containing compound have the following formula (3). When it is satisfied, preferably, when the lower limit is 0.8 and the upper limit is 1.2, a crosslinking density suitable as an ER gel is obtained. In the formula (3) below, the compound (1) is hydrogen silicone, and the compound (2) is an unsaturated group-containing compound.

[Chemical 6]

Examples of the electrically insulating medium used in the ER gel include silicone oil, diphenyl chloride, and trans oil. Among these, silicone oil has electrical characteristics such as dielectric breakdown voltage and volume resistivity. It is preferable because it is excellent in physical properties and is physically and chemically stable, so that it can exhibit stable electric characteristics for a long period of time and is also excellent in flame retardancy.

Examples of the silicone oil include dimethyl silicone oil, fluorine-modified silicone oil, and phenyl-modified silicone oil. These may be used alone or in combination of two or more. . The fluorine-modified silicone oil, for example, trifluoropropyl group _{(CF 3 C 2 H 4 -} ) polysiloxane, nonafluorohexyl group (C ₄ F ₉ having
Examples thereof include polysiloxane having C ₂ H ₄ −) and cyclic polysiloxane compound.

[0021] There are no particular restrictions on the kinematic viscosity of such electrically insulating medium, preferably from 1 to 100,000 mm ² / s at 25 ° C., more preferably 5 to 5000 mm ² / s. If the kinematic viscosity is less than 1 mm ² / s, the storage stability of the ER gel may be insufficient, while 100,000 mm ² /
If it exceeds s, bubbles may be entrained when stirring the ER gel in the manufacturing process of the ER gel, the bubbles may not be removed, and handleability may be deteriorated.

The dispersed phase particles used in the ER gel are not particularly limited as long as they can be used with an electrically insulating medium and can exhibit the ER effect, but they are silica gel, cellulose, starch, soybean casein, polystyrene type. There are solid particles that adsorb and retain water on the surface of particles such as ion exchange resins, and carbon particles. In addition, a composite particle for an ER fluid (hereinafter referred to as ER composite particle) formed from a core body made of an organic polymer compound and a surface layer made of electric semiconductor inorganic particles, or a surface layer of the ER composite particle. It is also possible to use composite particles for ER fluids (hereinafter referred to as affinity ER composite particles) that have been subjected to affinity surface treatment and have improved affinity with the electrically insulating medium.
By using these, an ER gel exhibiting a stable ER effect and excellent in storage stability can be obtained. Details and manufacturing methods of these ER composite particles and affinity ER composite particles are described in, for example, JP 2001-026793 A, JP 10-121084 A, JP 09-079404 A.
It is described in the official gazette. The particle size of the dispersed phase particles is preferably in the range of 1 to 50 μm.

[ER Element] FIG. 1 shows an ER element 10 of the present invention.
1A is a perspective view, and FIG. 1B is a vertical sectional view. The ER element 10 has, as a pair of electrodes 11, a columnar anode 12 having concentric circular grooves, and a cylindrical shape with one end closed, and the peripheral wall of which fits in the grooves of the anode 12. And a cathode 13. Also, the anode 1
2 and the cathode 13 are arranged coaxially, and can rotate relative to each other about the shaft 14 in opposite directions. In this example, the anode 12 does not rotate, only the cathode 13 rotates. Reference numeral 15 in the drawing is a handle, and the cathode 13 can be rotated by turning the handle 15. The electrode 11 is made of an electronic conductor such as aluminum.

Anode 12 and cathode 13 of this electrode 11
The above-mentioned ER gel 20 capable of exhibiting the ER effect is arranged in the gap between and, and by applying a voltage between the anode 12 and the cathode 13 while rotating the cathode 13 about the axis 14, the ER The effect is exhibited, and the shear stress obtained changes depending on the applied voltage. That is, the shear stress increases as the voltage applied to the pair of electrodes 11 increases, and decreases as the voltage decreases. The anode 12
An insulating spacer made of resin is interposed and insulated at a portion indicated by reference numeral 16 in the drawing, which is a distance between the cathode 13 and the cathode 13.

In the ER element 10, the surface of the cathode 13 in contact with the ER gel 20, that is,
The inner surface 13a and the outer surface 13b of the peripheral wall of the cathode are coated with a release agent, and these surfaces 13a and 13b and the ER gel 1 are
20 and 20 are non-fixed so that they are not fixed to each other, so that they can slide. On the other hand, on the surface 12a (inner circumferential surface of the groove) of the anode 12 that is in contact with the ER gel 20, in detail, as shown in FIG. 2, unevenness is formed over the entire circumference along the length direction of the groove. By the surface 1 of the anode 12
2a prevents the ER gel 20 from slipping. In this example, the unevenness is provided by forming 24 recessed lines 17 at equal intervals on both inner peripheral surfaces of the groove. In addition, the anode 12 of this example is 2
It is manufactured by fitting two members 12b and 12c together.
In the pair of electrodes 11 in this example, the outer diameter D of the anode 12 is 34 mm, the height H is 1 mm, and the effective electrode plate area is 2.08 ×.
It is 10 ⁻³ m ² , and the electrode interval is 0.5 mm.

In such an ER element 10, the surfaces 13a and 13b of the cathode 13 that come into contact with the ER gel 20 are coated with a release agent, so that the cathode 13 and the ER gel 20 can slide.
The non-fixing treatment is performed, and on the other hand, the surface 12a of the anode 12 that contacts the ER gel 20 is formed with irregularities so that the ER gel 20 is held there.
Therefore, when no voltage is applied, even if the cathode 13 rotates and shear displacement is applied to the ER gel 20, the ER gel 20 does not stick to the surface of the cathode 13 and slips,
The gel structure of the ER gel 20 will not be destroyed. On the other hand, when a voltage is applied, the dispersed phase particles in the ER gel 20 are polarized to generate an electric attraction between the dispersed phase particles,
Clusters of dispersed phase particles are formed along the electric field. As a result, the dispersed phase particles located at both ends of this cluster strongly contact the surfaces 13a and 13b of the cathode 13 and the surface 12a of the anode 12. Then, in such a state, the cathode 13 rotates about the shaft 14 and
When shear displacement is applied in the direction perpendicular to the electric field, the cathode 13
It is considered that a strong frictional force is generated between the surfaces 13a and 13b of the and the dispersed phase particles that are in strong contact therewith, and as a result, a large shear stress is generated.

That is, in such an ER element 10, even if the cathode 13 rotates and shear displacement is applied when a voltage is not applied, the surfaces 13a and 13b of the cathode 13 which are in contact with the ER gel 20 are Since it is covered with a release agent and slips, the gel structure is not destroyed. On the other hand, when a voltage is applied, clusters of dispersed phase particles are formed, and the dispersed phase particles located at both ends of the cluster strongly contact the surfaces 13a and 13b of the cathode 13 and the surface 12a of the anode 12, Shear stress is generated due to the resulting frictional force. Therefore, the ER gel 2 at the cathode 13
The surfaces 13a and 13b that come into contact with 0 are coated with a release agent,
When no voltage is applied, the surfaces 13a, 13
Even if b and the ER gel 20 slip, when the voltage is applied, the above-mentioned frictional force becomes more predominant than such a slip, and the ER effect can be exhibited.

Specific examples of the release agent coated on the surfaces 13a and 13b of the cathode 13 are, for example, obtained by reacting an organic polysiloxane represented by the following general formula (4) with an anionic polymer. An example is a composite polymer based one.

[Chemical 7] In the formula, R ^1's each independently represent a hydrocarbon group having 1 to 24 carbon atoms, a hydroxyl group, an alkoxy group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms, or a trimethylsiloxy group, and Q represents the following general formula (5). Indicates.

[Chemical 8] In the formula, R ³ represents a direct bond or an alkylene group having 2 to 6 carbon atoms. X ^{is, - (NR 4 R 5)} eNR 4 2, - (N
R ⁴ R ⁵ ) eN ⁺ R ⁴ ₃ A ^- ,-(NR ⁴ R ⁵ ) eN (R ⁴ ) C
OR ⁶ (R ⁴ independently represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, R ⁵ represents an alkylene group having 2 to ⁶ carbon atoms, and R ⁶ has 1 to 4 carbon atoms. Represents an alkyl group, A ⁻ is Cl ⁻ , Br ⁻ , I ⁻ or R ⁷ CO
Represents an O ⁻ , R ⁷ represents a hydrogen atom group or a hydrocarbon group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, and e represents an integer of 0 to 6. ) Represents a group selected from the group consisting of: R ² has the same meaning as defined for R ¹ or Q independently of each other, and x and y are both numbers 0 to 2000 on average and 0 ≦ x + y ≦ 2000. However, y =
When 0, at least one of R ² is Q.

The organic polysiloxane will be described in more detail. Examples of the hydrocarbon group having 1 to 24 carbon atoms which can be represented by R ¹ in the above formula (4) include a methyl group, an ethyl group, a propyl group and a butyl group. and alkyl groups such as octyl and dodecyl group, a phenyl group (hereinafter, also referred -Ph), tolyl [-PhCH _3], xylyl group [-P
h (CH _{3) 2],} phenethyl group [-C ₂ H ₄ Ph], and an aromatic group such as tolyl ethylene group _{[-C 2 H 4 PhCH 3]} . R ¹ is preferably a methyl group or an ethyl group, and particularly preferably a methyl group. Further, the groups R ¹ in the molecule are independent of each other. That is,
They may be the same as or different from each other.

Preferred specific examples of Q in the above formula (4) include the following formulas (5-1) to (5-9).

[Chemical 9]

Further, x and y in the above formula (4) are both numbers 0 to 2000 on average, and 0 ≦ x +.
y ≦ 2000, but x + y is more preferably an average number of 5 to 500, and particularly preferably an average number of 10 to 200.
Is the number of. If it deviates from this range, the composite polymer, which is a reaction product with an anionic polymer, tends to cause gelation, so that the stability of the finally obtained release agent becomes poor,
In addition, the uniformity of the coating film deteriorates. Furthermore, the more preferable range of y is 0-500 on average, and more preferably 0-10.
0, most preferably 0 to 50. The above-mentioned organic polysiloxane can be produced by a conventional method, but a commercially available product such as FZ-37 available from Nippon Unicar Co., Ltd.
05, FZ-3707 or FZ-3710, KF-857 available from Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd., SF-available from Toray Dow Corning Silicone Co., Ltd.
8417 and TSF-4702 available from GE Toshiba Silicones Co., Ltd. can be used.

The anionic polymer to be reacted with the organic polysiloxane is a polymer having an anionic (anionic) group such as an acrylic acid group, a methacrylic acid group or a carboxylic acid group, and for example, the following (A) to (G ). (A) A homopolymer (homopolymer) or copolymer (copolymer) of one or more monomers of acrylic acid, methacrylic acid or salts thereof. (B) (i) one or more of acrylic acid or methacrylic acid, and (ii) monoethylene monomers such as
Copolymers with one or more of ethylene, styrene, vinyl esters, acrylates or methacrylates. (C) (i) one or more of acrylic acid or methacrylic acid and (ii) vinyl lactams, optionally polyoxyalkylenated C6 to C22 alkyl allyl or alkyl methallyl esters, vinyl acetate or Copolymers with one or more selected from N-alkyl (C3-C10) acrylamides.

(D) A copolymer of the monomers described in (i) to (iii) below. (I) One or more of acrylic acid or methacrylic acid. (Ii) monoethylene monomers such as ethylene,
One or more of styrene, vinyl esters, acrylic acid esters or methacrylic acid esters. (Iii) one or more selected from vinyl lactams, optionally polyoxyalkylenated C6 to C22 alkyl allyl or alkyl methallyl esters, vinyl acetate or N-alkyl (C3-C10) acrylamides . (E) Homopolymers or copolymers derived from C4-C8 monounsaturated dicarboxylic acids or their anhydrides. Here, examples of the C4-C8 monounsaturated carboxylic acid include maleic acid, fumaric acid, and itaconic acid. (F) Polyacrylamide containing a carboxylate group. (G) A polymer containing a sulfo (sulfonic acid) group. Examples include homopolymers or copolymers containing vinyl sulfonic acid, styrene sulfonic acid, naphthalene sulfonic acid or acrylamidoalkyl sulfonic acid units.

These anionic polymers are, in particular, copolymers of maleic acid alkyl esters and methacrylic acid alkyl esters or vinylpyrrolidone, and vinyl ethers, acrylamides or their derivatives, and acrylic acid, methacrylic acid or Copolymers with unsaturated monomers of their esters are mentioned and can be further selected from the polyvinylsulfonate salts of said copolymers having a weight average molecular weight of about 1000 to 100,000. Specifically, plus size L-
53 (trade name, manufactured by Mutoh Chemical Co., Ltd.), plus size L
-6637G (trade name, manufactured by Ocho Chemical Co., Ltd.), Aniset BEM-42S (trade name, manufactured by Osaka Organic Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.), aniset HS-3000 (trade name, manufactured by Osaka Organic Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.) and the like. What is available can be used.

A composite polymer is obtained by reacting the above-mentioned organic polysiloxane represented by the general formula (4) with an anionic polymer. An outline of an example of the production method is described below. First, 20 to 5000 parts by mass of the anionic polymer is reacted with 100 parts by mass of the organic polysiloxane. If the amount of organic polysiloxane is less than this range (conversely, the amount of anionic polymer is large),
Even if the obtained release agent is used, the immobilization treatment cannot be sufficiently performed, that is, the slippage is insufficient and the ER gel 20 is easily broken when shear displacement is applied. On the other hand, when the amount of the organic polysiloxane is larger than this range (conversely, the amount of anionic polymer is small), when the obtained release agent is used, the surface thereof and the ER gel 20 slide too much, or the release agent is released. The film strength of may become insufficient. The reaction here is achieved at 30 to 150 ° C. for 10 minutes to 5 hours.

The reaction may be carried out in a solvent. As usable solvents, water; methanol, ethanol, 1-
Propanol, t-butanol, ethylene glycol,
Alcohols such as 1-methoxy-2-ethanol; ketones such as acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone, cyclohexanone; ethers such as diethyl ether, dibutyl ether, tetrahydrofuran, dioxane; esters such as ethyl acetate, isobutyl acetate; toluene , Aromatic compounds such as xylene, nitrogen compounds such as N, N-dimethylformamide and acetonitrile, sulfur compounds such as dimethyl sulfoxide; cyclic dimethyl polysiloxane and the like. In particular, water, lower alcohol or a mixture of water and lower alcohol is preferable.

The above reaction product (composite polymer) thus obtained is further adjusted to an appropriate pH by an alkaline compound.
When neutralized into a neutralized complex polymer, the storage stability of the neutralized complex polymer itself and the release agent containing it as a base is improved, and it is more preferably used than the non-neutralized complex polymer. You can The preferable pH range here is 4 to 10, particularly 5 to 9 when a 5 mass% solution is prepared by using a mixed solvent of ethanol / water = 1/10 (mass ratio).
The alkaline compound used for neutralization is not particularly limited,
2-amino-2-methylpropanol, 2-amino-2
-Methyl-1,3-propanediol or triisopropanolamine can be used, but especially 2-amino-
2-Methylpropanol is preferred.

Further, the above-mentioned composite polymer or neutralized composite polymer may be used as it is, but when it is diluted with a solvent to an appropriate concentration, it is used as a release agent in this example, the cathode 1
It is preferable because it can be uniformly applied to the surfaces 13a and 13b of No. 3 and a uniform thin film can be easily obtained. Examples of usable solvents include those used in the above reaction,
Fluorinated hydrocarbons such as trichlorofluoromethane, dichlorodifluoromethane and dichlorotetrafluoroethane, chlorinated fluorinated hydrocarbons and lower hydrocarbons (LPG) such as propane, n-butane and isobutane, carbon dioxide, etc. Liquefied gas, etc. can also be used. Particularly preferred solvents include lower alcohols or mixtures of lower alcohols with water. Here, as the lower alcohol, those having 1 to 6 carbon atoms are preferable, and ethanol and 1-propanol are preferable, and ethanol is most preferable because of the low solubility and toxicity of the complex polymer or the neutralized complex polymer. . In the case of a mixture of lower alcohol and water,
The mass ratio is lower alcohol / water = 1 / 0.01 to 1 /
The range of 100 is preferable, and the range of 1/1 to 1/10 is most preferable.

It is preferable to use the above-mentioned composite polymer or neutralized composite polymer in a solution of 0.1 to 50 mass% with these solvents, because a uniform thin film can be easily obtained.
A particularly preferable concentration is a solution of 0.5 to 10% by mass.
Further, the release agent includes additives that are compounded in general release agents, for example, a corrosion inhibitor, a preservative, an antifoaming agent,
Additives such as bactericides may be used as long as the effects of the present invention are not impaired.

By applying a releasing agent based on the above reaction product (composite polymer) to the surface of the electrode, in this example, the surfaces 13a and 13b of the cathode 13, the surface 13a,
13b is covered, and the surfaces 13a and 13b and the ER gel 20 can be non-immobilized. Here, the coating method is not limited and can be a conventional method. For example,
Brush coating or spraying can be adopted. Among the release agents, those containing a solvent are
It is preferred to volatilize the solvent before use. Also,
If the mold release agent is applied and then heated and then used, the coating becomes strong, and the surface of the electrode (the surfaces 13a and 13b of the cathode 13 in this example) and the ER gel 20 are not fixed for a long period of time. be able to. Heating is 30-1
It is preferable to carry out the treatment at 00 ° C. for 1 to 60 minutes. As described above, when a non-fixing treatment is performed using a releasing agent, which is based on a composite polymer obtained by reacting an organic polysiloxane and an anionic polymer, the releasing property and the lubricating property are improved. It is highly effective and exhibits excellent effects.

As described above, in such an ER element 10, the cathode 13 and the ER gel 20 are non-immobilized, and even if they are made to slide, when a voltage is applied. The frictional force described above becomes more dominant than such slippage and the ER effect can be expressed, but preferably, the non-fixing treatment is performed between the cathode 13 and the ER gel 20, and the cathode 13 The surface roughness of the surfaces 13a and 13b is controlled, the maximum height roughness (Rz) defined in JIS Z0601 is 1 to 0.001 mm, and the average length (RSm) of the roughness curve element is 5 to 5. If the thickness is 0.001 mm, a more excellent ER effect can be exhibited. That is, when the cathode 13 and the ER gel 20 are non-immobilized by the action of the release agent and the surface roughness thereof is in the above range, even if a voltage is not applied, due to the effect of the release agent, Even if the surface roughness is in the above range, the ER gel 20 easily slips, and when a voltage is applied, even if the surfaces 13a and 13b are coated with a release agent, the dispersed phase is dispersed in the surface roughness. Particles get caught,
It is considered that a large frictional force is expressed.

In order to control the surface roughness within the above range, the surface of the mold is coated with a release agent before or after coating with a physical method, that is, a method of roughening the surface by etching or the like. Examples include a method of selecting an appropriate method. By appropriately selecting and combining these methods, the surface roughness can be controlled in a desired range.

In such an ER element 10, as described above, the surfaces 13a and 13b of the cathode 13 that come into contact with the ER gel 20 are coated with a release agent, and the surface 13
Since a non-immobilization treatment is performed so that the a and 13b and the ER gel 20 are not fixed, the gel structure is not destroyed even when a large shear displacement is applied, and a larger shear stress than the conventional one is applied. Can be expressed. Therefore, according to such an ER element 10, it can be used also for an application requiring a large shear stress.

As a method of non-immobilizing the cathode 13 and the ER gel 20, in addition to the method of coating the surfaces 13a and 13b of the cathode 13 with a release agent as described above, the surfaces 13a and 13b thereof are also covered. And / or this surface 13a, 1
A method of applying a lubricant to the surface of the ER gel 20 in contact with 3b may be used. Examples of such a lubricant include silicone oil, diphenyl chloride, trans oil, and the like, which have already been exemplified as the electrically insulating medium used for the ER gel 20, as well as poly α-olefin and higher alcohol esters. Further, as specific examples of the silicone oil, polyester-modified silicone oil, polyoxyalkylene-modified silicone oil, polyoxyalkylene-polydimethylsiloxane alternating copolymer and the like can be additionally exemplified. Furthermore, as a lubricant, ER
It is preferable to select and use a material that is not compatible with the electrically insulating medium used for the gel 20, and for example, when dimethyl silicone oil is used as the electrically insulating medium of the ER gel 20, a fluorine-modified silicone oil, It is preferable to use phenyl-modified silicone oil, poly α-olefin and higher alcohol esters as a lubricant.

Thus, the lubricant is added to the cathode 13
Even when applied to the surfaces 13a and 13b in contact with the R gel 20 and / or the surface of the ER gel 20 in contact with the surfaces 13a and 13b, the cathode 1 is applied as described above.
Similarly to the case where the surfaces 13a and 13b in contact with the ER gel 20 in FIG. 3 are coated with a release agent, the ER gel 2 is applied to the surfaces 13a and 13b of the cathode 13 when no voltage is applied.
0 is not sticky and slips, and when a voltage is applied, the dispersed phase particles located at both ends of the cluster formed from the dispersed phase particles strongly adhere to the surfaces 13a and 13b of the cathode 13 and the surface 12a of the anode 12. Contact causes strong friction. Also,
As the non-fixing treatment, coating with a release agent and application of a lubricant may be used in combination. Further, even when the lubricant is used as described above, if the surface roughness of the surfaces 13a and 13b of the cathode 13 is within the above range, a more excellent ER effect can be exhibited. When the surface roughness is within the above range, for example, the surfaces 13a and 13b of the cathode 13 that are in contact with the ER gel 20 may be subjected to a treatment such as etching.

In the example described above, the surfaces 13a and 13b of the cathode 13 that come into contact with the ER gel 20 are covered with a release agent, and the unevenness is formed on the surface 12a of the anode 12. A surface 12a of the cathode 13 that contacts the ER gel 20 may be covered with a release agent, and a surface of the cathode 13 that contacts the ER gel 20 may have irregularities. Further, the surface 12a of the anode 12 and the ER gel 20 are not fixed by the non-fixing treatment, and the surfaces 13a and 13b of the cathode 13 and the ER gel 2 are not fixed.
0 is also non-fixed and not fixed, and the ER effect can be exhibited even in a form in which no unevenness is formed. However, the surface of either one of the anode 12 and the cathode 13 and the ER gel 20 is not immobilized, and the surface of the other contacting with the ER gel 20 is formed with unevenness as in the above-mentioned example. It is preferable that 20 is not slippery because the large ER effect can be utilized more effectively. The unevenness formed is
In the above example, the length direction of the groove, that is, the ER gel 20
It is composed of a large number of ridges 17 extending in the direction perpendicular to the shear displacement applied to the ER, and even when shear displacement is applied,
The gel 20 is formed so as to be effectively held on the surface thereof, but the shape of the unevenness, the interval between the unevenness, the number of the unevenness, etc. are not limited as long as the ER gel 20 can be held in this manner. In addition, the surfaces 13a, 13 of the cathode 13 and the anode 12 are
The method of non-immobilizing the b and 12a and the ER gel 20 is not limited to the method of coating the surfaces 13a, 13b and 12a with a release agent or the method of using a lubricant.

Further, as the pair of electrodes 11, the anode 12 does not rotate, but only the cathode 13 rotates, but the anode 12 may rotate, or the anode 12 and the anode 12 may rotate. Both of the cathodes 13 may rotate in opposite directions. Further, in this example, as the pair of electrodes 11, what is called a cylinder model electrode 11 composed of the anode 12 and the cathode 13 arranged coaxially is shown, but the form of the electrodes 11 is not limited. Any form such as the form shown in FIG. 4 in which the ER gel 20 is sandwiched between the plate-shaped anode 12 and cathode 13 can be used.

In such an ER element 10, the ER gel 20 is arranged between a pair of electrodes 11, and at least one of the electrode 11 and the ER gel 20 is non-fixed. Therefore, even when a large shear displacement that could not be applied because the gel structure of the ER gel 20 could not be added in the past, the gel structure is not broken and a large shear stress is expressed. can do.
Therefore, this ER element 10 includes a clutch, a valve,
It can be used for various ER devices that have been conventionally studied such as dampers, actuators, robot control, vibration control, and also for ER devices such as a mouse used for a personal computer.

[0049]

EXAMPLES The present invention will be specifically described below with reference to examples. [Example 1] (Method for producing mixed solution A which is an ER gel raw material) First, dispersed phase particles used for an ER gel were produced as follows. Antimony-doped tin oxide (Ishihara Sangyo Kaisha, S
N-100P, electric conductivity: 1.0 × 10 ⁰ Ω ⁻¹ / c
m) 30 g and titanium hydroxide (manufactured by Ishihara Sangyo Co., Ltd., general name:
Hydrous titanium, C-II, electric conductivity: 9.1 × 10 ^-6 Ω
^-1 / cm) 10 g and butyl acrylate 300 g,
1,3-butylene glycol dimethacrylate 100g
And 2 g of a polymerization initiator (azobisisovaleronitrile) were mixed to obtain a mixture. 1800 ml of water containing 25 g of tricalcium phosphate as a dispersion stabilizer
Dispersed therein, suspension polymerization was carried out at 60 ° C. for 1 hour with stirring,
The obtained product was treated with an acid, washed with water and then dehydrated and dried to obtain inorganic / organic composite particles. To 200 g of the particles, 2 g of iron phthalocyanine (P-26 manufactured by Sanyo Pigment Co., Ltd.) was added, and the mixture was subjected to a composite treatment for 75 hours in a ball mill, and this was then processed using a jet air stream processor (Nara Machinery Co., Ltd., Hybridizer). Jet stream treatment was performed for 210 seconds at a peripheral speed of 75 m / sec to obtain ER composite particles of dispersed phase particles.

Further, the ER composite particles 3 thus obtained
00g and dimethyl silicone oil L-45 (10
0) (manufactured by Nippon Unicar Co., Ltd., kinematic viscosity at room temperature (25 ° C.) of 100 mm ² / s, specific gravity of 0.97 / 25 ° C.,
(Refractive index 1.402 / 25 ° C) 600 g was charged into a 2 L separable flask equipped with a nitrogen introduction tube, a thermometer, and a stirring device, and heated to 110 to 120 ° C under a nitrogen stream,
The ER composite particles were dehydrated by stirring for 3 hours.
The resulting solution of dehydrated ER composite particles is referred to as mixed solution A.

(Manufacturing Method of Release Agent A) 24 parts by mass of plus size L-6637G (trade name, manufactured by Kyoo Kagaku Co., Ltd., is an acrylic resin 30% by mass ethanol solution anionic polymer, solute (solid content) conversion. Acid value of 150 mg KOH
/ G. ) Was put into 73 parts by mass of ethyl alcohol, and dissolved by stirring at room temperature. Then, 3 parts by mass of an amino group-containing polysiloxane represented by the following chemical formula (6) was added, and the mixture was stirred and mixed at room temperature.

[Chemical 10]

While stirring under a nitrogen gas atmosphere,
The mixture was heated under reflux at 80 ° C. for 3 hours to obtain an ethanol solution of the composite polymer. 2-Amino2-propanol was added and stirred to the obtained composite polymer solution so that pH might be set to 8 on the following measurement conditions. Ethyl alcohol was added to the obtained mixture to adjust the solid content to 50 by the following measuring method.
It was adjusted to mass%. This was used as a release agent A. (PH measurement conditions) complex polymer solution and 2-amino2-
A mixture of propanol solution and a mixed solvent (ethyl alcohol / water = 1/10 (mass ratio) in a mass ratio of 5/95 was prepared and pH (25 ° C.) was measured. Take 1g in an aluminum dish, 105
The residue after being placed in an electric furnace at 0 ° C. for 1 hour was used as a solid content.

(ER element) Using the mixed solution A obtained by the above method, the ER element 10 having the form shown in FIGS.
Got In the pair of electrodes 11 of this example, the outer diameter D of the anode 12 was 34 mm, the height H was 1 mm, the effective electrode plate area was 2.08 × 10 ⁻³ m ² , and the electrode interval was 0.5 mm.
On the surfaces 13a and 13b of the cathode 13 of the ER element 10 that are in contact with the ER gel 20, the release agent A obtained by the above method is applied by a spray method, and then cured and coated at 70 ° C. for 30 minutes. , Non-fixing treatment was performed. On the other hand, on the surface 12a of the anode 12 that is in contact with the ER gel 20, as shown in FIGS. The formed one was used. In addition, the surface 13 of the cathode 13
The maximum height roughness (Rz) defined in JIS Z0601 of a and 13b was 1.0 μm, and the average length (RSm) of the roughness curvilinear element was 10 μm.

Then, the mixed solution A obtained as described above and dimethyl silicone oil as an electrically insulating medium are used.
L-45 (100), the compound represented by the formula (1-1), the compound represented by the formula (2-1) and the platinum catalyst A were uniformly mixed with a propeller mixer, and then the ER device 1
It was made to gel by pouring into a predetermined place at 0 and heating at 100 ° C. for 60 minutes. Furthermore, after gelation,
Once the cathode 13 is pulled out from the ER gel 20, the ER gel 2
Dimethyl silicone oil L as a lubricant for non-immobilization treatment on the gel surface in contact with the cathode 13
-45 (100) (manufactured by Nippon Unicar Co., Ltd.) was applied, and then the ER gel 20 was returned to a predetermined place. That is, in Example 1, the release agent A and the lubricant were used together as the non-fixing treatment. The platinum catalyst A is a platinum divinyltetramethyldisiloxane complex having a platinum concentration of 12.0% by mass, and is a solution of L-45 (10) (trade name, manufactured by Nippon Unicar Co., Ltd.) at room temperature (25 ° C.). (Dimethylpolysiloxane with a viscosity of 100 mm ² / s)
It was obtained by diluting to a platinum concentration of 0.3% by mass. Table 1 shows the above blending ratios.

[0055]

[Table 1]

Then, the cathode 13 of the ER element 10 was rotated in one direction about the shaft 14 to apply shear displacement, and a voltage was applied, and the shear stress against the shear displacement at that time was measured by the load cell. Voltage is 0.5kV
And 1 kV. In addition, 0V with no voltage applied
Also, the relationship between shear displacement and shear stress was measured. FIG. 5 shows a graph plotting the relationship between shear displacement and shear stress. In addition, in Table 2, Examples 1 to 3 and Comparative Example 1
The ER element of is summarized.

[0057]

[Table 2]

As shown in FIG. 5, 0 V with no voltage applied
At that time, it was found that even if shear displacement was applied, almost no shear stress was generated, the ER gel 20 slipped on the surfaces 13a and 13b of the cathode 13, and no frictional force was generated. on the other hand,
It was found that when a voltage was applied, the shear stress increased with the shear displacement, and the ER effect was exhibited. Moreover, the value of the obtained shear stress was also very large. Then, at 0 V, 0.5 kV, and 1 kV, after performing shear displacement to 0 to 4 mm, the cathode 13 is removed from the anode 12 of the ER element 10.
The state of ER gel 20 was observed, but the gel structure was not destroyed.

[Example 2] Cathode 1 in ER gel 20
An ER element 10 was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1 except that a lubricant for non-fixing treatment was not applied to the gel surface in contact with 3. Then, the cathode 13 of the ER element 10 is connected to the shaft 14
While applying a shear displacement by rotating in one direction around the center, a voltage was applied, and the shear stress against the shear displacement at that time was measured by a load cell. Further, the maximum height roughness (Rz) defined in JIS Z0601 of the surfaces 13a and 13b of the cathode 13 was 1.3 μm, and the average length (RSm) of the roughness curvilinear element was 12 μm. As a result, as in the case of Example 1, at 0 V when no voltage is applied, shear stress is hardly generated even if shear displacement is applied.
It was found that the ER gel 20 slipped on the surfaces 13a and 13b of No. 3 and no frictional force was generated. On the other hand, it was found that when a voltage was applied, the shear stress increased with the shear displacement, and the ER effect was exhibited. Moreover, the value of the obtained shear stress was also very large. Then, in the same manner as in Example 1, at 0 V, 0.5 kV, and 1.5 kV, the shear displacement was applied to 0 to 4 mm, and then the ER
The cathode 13 was removed from the anode 12 of the device 10 and the state of the ER gel 20 was observed, but the gel structure was not destroyed.

[Embodiment 3] As in Embodiment 1, as a non-fixing treatment, the surfaces 13a and 13b of the cathode 13 of the ER element 10 in contact with the ER gel 20 are coated with a release agent A by a spray method and cured. did. Furthermore, ER gel 2 after gelation
The cathode 13 was once pulled out from 0, and dimethyl silicone oil L-45 (1 was used as a lubricant for the non-immobilization treatment on the gel surface of the ER gel 20 in contact with the cathode 13.
00) (manufactured by Nippon Unicar Co., Ltd.), and then
The ER gel 20 was put back in place. That is, in Example 3, as in Example 1, the release agent A and the lubricant were used together as the non-fixing treatment. On the other hand, in Example 3, the anode 12 used had no recessed line 17 formed on its surface. An ER element 10 was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1 except for the above. Then, the cathode 13 of the ER element 10 was rotated in one direction about the axis 14 to apply shear displacement, and a voltage was applied, and the shear stress against the shear displacement at that time was measured by the load cell. The applied voltage is 1 kV and 2 kV.
It was set to V. In addition, the JI of the surfaces 13a and 13b of the cathode 13
The maximum height roughness (Rz) specified in S Z0601 is 1.2 μm, and the average length (RSm) of roughness curve elements is 1
It was 1 μm. FIG. 6 shows a graph plotting the relationship between shear displacement and shear stress. As shown in FIG. 6, similar to the case of the first embodiment, when the voltage is 0 V and no voltage is applied,
It was found that even if shear displacement was applied, almost no shear stress was generated, the ER gel 20 slipped on the surfaces 13a and 13b of the cathode 13, and no frictional force was generated. On the other hand, when a voltage is applied, the shear stress increases with the shear displacement, and the ER
It was found that the effect was exhibited. Moreover, the value of the obtained shear stress was also very large. And 0V, 1k
After performing an operation of applying shear displacement to 0 to 4 mm at V and 2 kV, the cathode 13 was removed from the anode 12 of the ER element 10 and the state of the ER gel 20 was observed, but the gel structure was not destroyed. .

[Comparative Example] No immobilization treatment was applied between the cathode and the ER gel and between the anode and the ER gel.
Further, an ER element was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1 except that neither the cathode nor the anode had a groove formed therein. Then, the cathode of the ER element was rotated about the axis to apply shear displacement, and a voltage was applied, and the shear stress against the shear displacement at that time was measured by a load cell. In addition, JIS Z of the surfaces 13a and 13b of the cathode
The maximum height roughness (Rz) specified in 0601 is 0.3μ
In m, the average length of the roughness curve element (RSm) was 2 μm. As a result, as shown in FIG. 7, it was found that even when the voltage was 0 V, shear was applied to cause friction and shear stress. Further, when a voltage is applied, the shear stress increases with the shear displacement, but it reaches a peak before the shear displacement reaches 1 mm, and the shear stress at that time is also very small as compared with Examples 1 to 3. Then, in this way, at 0 V, 1 kV, and 2 kV, after performing shear displacements of 0 to 4 mm, the cathode is removed from the anode of the ER element, and the ER element is removed.
Observation of the state of the gel suggested that the gel structure had been destroyed, and as a result, the shear stress did not increase even when shear displacement was applied as described above, causing a peak.

[0062]

As described above, in the ER element of the present invention, the E having the ER gel disposed between the pair of electrodes.
In the R element, at least one of the electrodes and the ER gel are non-immobilized, so that even if a large shear displacement is applied to the ER gel, the gel structure is not destroyed and a large shearing force is exerted. A stress can be expressed. Further, at this time, the maximum height roughness (Rz) defined in JIS Z0601 of the surface of the electrode on the non-immobilized side in contact with the ER gel is 1 to 0.001 mm, and the roughness curve The average length (RSm) of the element is 5 to 0.001 mm
When the voltage is not applied, the ER gel easily slips even if the surface roughness is in the above range due to the effect of the non-fixing treatment, while when the voltage is applied, the non-fixing treatment is performed. It is considered that the dispersed phase particles are caught by the surface roughness and a large frictional force is developed even if the surface treatment is performed. As described above, since the ER element of the present invention is excellent in its performance, it can be used for various ER devices that have been conventionally studied such as clutches, valves, dampers, actuators, robot control, and vibration control. For example, it can be used for an ER device such as a mouse used in a personal computer.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1A is a perspective view and FIG. 1B is a vertical sectional view showing an example of an ER element of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the ER element of FIG.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of an anode of the ER element shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing another example of the ER element of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a graph showing the relationship between shear displacement and shear stress measured in Examples.

FIG. 6 is a graph showing the relationship between shear displacement and shear stress measured in Examples.

FIG. 7 is a graph showing the relationship between shear displacement and shear stress measured in a comparative example.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 ER element 11 electrodes 12 Anode 12a Surface in contact with ER gel on anode 13 cathode 13a Surface in contact with ER gel on cathode 13b Surface in contact with ER gel at cathode 20 ER gel

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI theme code (reference) C10M 125/26 C10M 125/26 145/40 145/40 151/02 151/02 159/02 159/02 169 / 04 169/04 // C10N 20:00 C10N 20:00 Z 20:06 20:06 Z 30:04 30:04 40:04 40:04 40:08 40:08 40:14 40:14 (72) Inventor Kenichi Hino 4-173-2-609 (72) Noge-cho, Naka-ku, Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa Prefecture (72) Inventor Naoki Suzuki 4-11-10-302 Minamikasai, Edogawa-ku, Tokyo (72) Inventor Kazuyuki Isobe North of Ibaraki Prefecture 2-12-5 Kofudai, Fujishiro-machi, Soma-gun (72) Inventor Tojiro Aoyama 10 Norikata-cho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo (72) Inventor Takahiro Yamukai Uigusa 3-12-7, Suginami-ku, Tokyo (72) Inventor Kiichi Matsuura 759 Kaede Heights 759 Komokuchi, Takatsu-ku, Kawasaki-shi, Kanagawa F Term (reference) 3J069 AA70 BB10 DD25 4H104 AA22C BD03A CB19C C G01C CJ05A CJ06A CJ13A DA01C DA02A EA08C EA13A LA02 PA03 PA05 PA13

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. An electrorheological element in which an electrorheological gel is arranged between a pair of electrodes, wherein at least one electrode and the electrorheological gel are non-immobilized. element. 2. The electrorheological element according to claim 1, wherein the surface of at least one of the electrodes is coated with a release agent and the non-immobilization treatment is performed. 3. The non-immobilization treatment is performed by applying a lubricant to the surface of the at least one electrode and / or the surface of the electrorheological gel in contact with the at least one electrode. The electrorheological element according to 1 or 2. 4. The JI on the surface of the at least one electrode
The maximum height roughness (Rz) specified in S Z0601 is 1
The electrorheological element according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the roughness curve element has an average length (RSm) of 5 to 0.001 mm. 5. The one electrode and the electrorheological gel are non-immobilized, and the surface of the other electrode in contact with the electrorheological gel is provided with irregularities. The electrorheological element according to any one of 1. 6. An electrorheological device comprising the electrorheological element according to any one of claims 1 to 5.