JP2011193679A - Polymer actuator element and drive device using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a polymer actuator element which can efficiently warm a polymer actuator element in a small space. <P>SOLUTION: The polymer actuator element 32 includes: an electrolytic layer 33 and electrode layers 34, 35 formed on both surfaces in a thickness direction on the electrolytic layer 33, wherein application of voltage to between a pair of electrode layers 34, 35 causes bending from a fixed end 36 to a free end 37. A heat generating member 75 is attached on the surface of the electrode layer 35. The heat generating member 75 and the electrode layer 35 are fixed in the fixed end 36, and not fixed in the free end 37. The heat generating member 75 generates heat in a state where the heat generating member 75 contacts the electrode layer 35, thereby efficiently warming the entire element 32. When the element 32 is deformed, the free end 37 is separated from the heat generating member 75, and thus the deformation is free from prohibition by the heat generating member 75. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a polymer actuator element that bends when a voltage is applied to a pair of electrode layers, and a drive device using the polymer actuator element, and more particularly to a structure for improving temperature characteristics of a polymer actuator element.

  The polymer actuator element has an electrolyte layer and a pair of electrode layers provided on both sides in the thickness direction of the electrolyte layer. When the voltage is applied between the pair of electrode layers on the fixed end side, the free end is curved.

  In general, a polymer actuator element has temperature characteristics, and the displacement amount and generated force of the polymer actuator element vary depending on the temperature of the use environment. In particular, the actuator characteristics are likely to deteriorate under a low temperature environment.

  In the invention described in Patent Document 1, in order to obtain a stable operation in a low temperature environment, a polymer actuator element is disposed on the image sensor side, and the polymer actuator element is generated by heat from the image sensor during driving. A structure for warming is disclosed.

JP 2006-293006 A

  In the structure shown in Patent Document 1, the imaging element and the polymer actuator element are separated from each other. A structure in which a heat radiating plate is attached to the imaging element and a heat generating portion is brought close to the polymer actuator element is disclosed, but the polymer actuator element cannot be warmed efficiently in a small space. In addition, the structure shown in Patent Document 1 cannot be applied to a drive device that requires an image sensor and is not provided with an image sensor in the first place. Further, the polymer actuator element can be warmed only when the image pickup element is driven, and the polymer actuator element is warmed even at a high temperature that does not need to be warmed, resulting in poor controllability.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention solves the above-described conventional problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a polymer actuator element that can efficiently warm the polymer actuator element in a small space, and a drive device using the same. .

The present invention has an electrolyte layer and electrode layers provided on both sides in the thickness direction of the electrolyte layer, and is a polymer actuator element that curves from a fixed end to a free end when a voltage is applied between the pair of electrode layers. In
A heat generating member is attached to at least a part of the element. As described above, in the present invention, the heat generating member is attached to the polymer actuator element, so that the polymer actuator element can be efficiently heated in a small space. Therefore, it is possible to improve the actuator characteristics of the polymer actuator element at low temperature operation.

  In the present invention, it is preferable that the heat generating member is formed of a flexible material and is directly or indirectly attached to the surface of one electrode layer or the surfaces of both electrode layers. Thereby, the displacement of a polymer actuator element can be made low loss, and a polymer actuator element can be warmed efficiently.

  Moreover, in this invention, it is preferable that the said heat generating member is directly or indirectly attached to the surface of the fixed end of one said electrode layer or both electrode layers. By providing a heat generating member on the fixed end side of the polymer actuator element that does not displace in this way, the heat generating member and the polymer actuator element can be appropriately joined, and displacement at the free end of the polymer actuator element is prevented. There is no.

  In the present invention, the heat generating member is provided on the one electrode layer side from the fixed end to the free end, and the heat generating member and the one electrode layer are directly or indirectly in contact with each other. When the voltage is applied between the electrode layers and the one electrode layer is curved and deformed so that the other electrode layer is on the outside, the free end is separated from the heating member. Preferably, the fixed end of one electrode layer and the heat generating member are fixed, and the free end of the one electrode layer and the heat generating member are not fixed. According to the present invention, the polymer actuator element can be heated in a wide range from the fixed end to the free end. In particular, a wide range can be warmed in advance before operating the polymer actuator element, and then the polymer actuator element can be operated smoothly. In addition, according to the present invention, when the polymer actuator element is bent and deformed, the free end of the polymer actuator element is separated from the heat generating member, so that the displacement of the polymer actuator element by the heat generating member can be suppressed. .

  In the present invention, it is preferable that the heat generating member has a power feeding portion to the polymer actuator element at the fixed end. Since the heat generating member provided at the fixed end of the polymer actuator element does not interrupt the power supply path to the polymer actuator element in this way, the degree of freedom of arrangement of the heat generating member is high, and the polymer actuator element The power supply path can be simplified through the heat generating member. In particular, as described above, since the heat generating member has the power feeding portion, the heat generating member can be directly joined to the fixed end of the electrode layer of the polymer actuator element, thereby further reducing the size and thickness. Is possible.

  In the present invention, it is preferable that the heat generating member has a function as a support for the polymer actuator element at the fixed end. The fixing support structure of the polymer actuator element can be simplified by using the heat generating member as a support for fixing and supporting the fixed end of the polymer actuator element. In addition, the heat generating member can be used not only as a heat generating function and a function as a support, but also as a power feeding function to the polymer actuator element, thereby more effectively simplifying the structure and reducing the size and thickness. Is possible.

  Moreover, in this invention, it is preferable that a heat conductive layer is provided in the surface of the said electrode layer. The entire polymer actuator element can be efficiently warmed.

  In the present invention, it is preferable that a controller for controlling a heat generating operation is connected to the heat generating member. It is possible to finely set the heat generation operation of the heat generating member by detecting the ambient temperature, the state of the polymer actuator element, and the like. In addition, the heat generating member can be appropriately operated when heat generation is required.

  The drive device according to the present invention is characterized by supporting a fixed end of the polymer actuator element described above and having a displaceable region of the free end of the polymer actuator element.

  The driving device according to the present invention supports the fixed end of the polymer actuator element described above and includes a displaceable region at the free end of the polymer actuator element, and one electrode of the polymer actuator element A pressed portion is provided at a free end on the layer side, and a voltage is applied between a pair of the electrode layers from a state where the heat generating member and the one electrode layer are in direct or indirect contact with each other, When the electrode layer is curved and deformed so that the other electrode layer is on the outer side and the other electrode layer is on the inner side, the free end of the polymer actuator element is gradually separated from the heat generating member and the pressed portion is separated from the heat generating member. It moves while pressing in the direction.

  As described above, even when the driving device is used in a low temperature environment, the polymer actuator element can be appropriately operated. Further, according to the present invention, it is possible to promote downsizing and thinning of the driving device. In addition, the degree of freedom of heat generation operation of the heat generating member with respect to the polymer actuator element is high, and it is possible to efficiently warm the polymer actuator element in accordance with changes in environmental temperature. Further, the displacement of the polymer actuator element can be reduced, and the pressed portion can be pressed and moved by the polymer actuator element having a large displacement and a high generation force.

  The drive device of the present invention can warm the polymer actuator element efficiently in a small space. Therefore, it is possible to improve the actuator characteristics of the polymer actuator element at low temperature operation.

The fragmentary sectional view at the time of non-operation of the polymer actuator element in one embodiment of the present invention, The fragmentary sectional view at the time of non-operation of the polymer actuator element in one embodiment of the present invention, The fragmentary sectional view at the time of non-operation of the polymer actuator element in one embodiment of the present invention, The fragmentary sectional view at the time of non-operation of the polymer actuator element in one embodiment of the present invention, The partial expanded sectional view of the polymer actuator element in one embodiment of the present invention, The fragmentary sectional view at the time of non-operation of the polymer actuator element in one embodiment of the present invention, The fragmentary sectional view at the time of non-operation of the polymer actuator element in one embodiment of the present invention, The fragmentary sectional view at the time of non-operation of the polymer actuator element in one embodiment of the present invention, (A) is a partial cross-sectional view of the polymer actuator element in one embodiment of the present invention when not operating, (b) is a partial cross-sectional view showing a state in which the polymer actuator element is curved, Block diagram of a control system for the heating member of the present invention, The fragmentary sectional view of the drive device (dot display device) using the polymer actuator element of this embodiment.

  Hereinafter, the structure of the polymer actuator element according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, the same reference numerals denote the same parts.

  FIG. 1 is a partial cross-sectional view of a polymer actuator element (not operating) according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the polymer actuator element 32 in this embodiment includes an electrolyte layer 33, a first electrode layer 34 formed on both surfaces in the thickness direction (Z) of the electrolyte layer 33, and a second An electrode layer 35 is provided.

  For example, the polymer actuator element 32 according to the embodiment of the present invention includes an electrolyte layer 33 having an ionic liquid and a base polymer, a first electrode layer 34 having a conductive filler such as a carbon nanotube, an ionic liquid and a base polymer, and a first electrode layer 34. And two electrode layers 35. The first electrode layer 34 is formed on the illustrated upper surface side of the electrolyte layer 33, and the second electrode layer 35 is formed on the illustrated lower surface side of the electrolyte layer 33.

  As the base polymer, polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), or the like can be presented. In this specific example, since the ion exchange resin is not included in the electrolyte layer 33, both the cation and the anion are freely movable.

  The electrolyte layer 33 may include an ion exchange resin and a liquid organic compound which is a polarizable organic solvent containing salt or an ionic liquid. At this time, the ion exchange resin is, for example, a cation exchange resin. As a result, the anion is fixed and the cation can move freely. As the cation exchange resin, a resin obtained by introducing a functional group such as a sulfonic acid group or a carboxyl group into a resin such as polyethylene, polystyrene, or fluororesin can be preferably used. The electrode layers 34 and 35 may be formed by plating or sputtering with an electrode layer material such as gold or platinum.

  The base end portion of the polymer actuator element 32 is a fixed end 36, and the polymer actuator element 32 is fixedly supported by the fixed end 36. Thus, the polymer actuator element 32 is supported in a cantilever manner. When a voltage is applied between the pair of electrode layers 34 and 35, the free end 37 located on the opposite side of the fixed end 36 of the polymer actuator element 32 is bent in the height direction (Z). FIG. 1 shows a non-operating state in which no voltage is applied to the polymer actuator element 32.

  Here, the free end 37 can be defined as a region other than the fixed end 36, or only in the vicinity of the tip of the polymer actuator element 32, or when the polymer actuator element 32 is installed in the drive device, the free end 37 is actually curved and deformed. The part to do can be defined as the free end.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the fixed end 36 of the polymer actuator element 32 is provided with electrode portions 55, 55 on the surface of a pair of electrode layers 34, 35. The electrode portions 55 and 55 are in conduction with the electrode layers 34 and 35. Therefore, when a voltage is applied between the electrode layers 34 and 35 via the electrode portions 55 and 55, a swelling difference is generated above and below the electrolyte layer 33 due to ion movement in the electrolyte layer 33, and bending stress is generated. Thus, the free end 37 of the polymer actuator element 32 can be bent and deformed. The principle that the difference in swelling between electrodes due to ion transfer is generally not unambiguous, but one of the typical principle factors is that there is a difference in swelling due to the difference in ionic radius between cation and anion. It is known.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a sheet-like heating member (heating element) 70 is attached to the surface 35 a of the second electrode layer 35. As shown in FIG. 1, the heating member 70 also partially covers the surface of the electrode portion 55 formed on the surface 35 a of the second electrode layer 35. The heat generating member 70 is joined to the surface of the second electrode layer 35 via an adhesive layer or the like.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the polymer actuator 32 is provided with a drive circuit 41 for applying a voltage between the pair of electrode layers 34 and 35 and a drive circuit 42 for causing a heat to flow through the heat generating member 70 to generate heat. It has been.

  By causing the heat generating member 70 to generate heat, the polymer actuator element 32 can be warmed. In particular, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the heating member 70 is provided over a wide range from the fixed end 36 to the free end 37 on the second electrode layer 35 side of the polymer actuator element 32. Can be warmed up efficiently.

  In this embodiment, the heat generating member 70 is bonded to the surface of the polymer actuator element 32, and the polymer actuator element 32 can be warmed efficiently in a small space. Therefore, it is possible to improve the actuator characteristics of the polymer actuator element 32 at low temperature operation.

  A heat generating member 70 shown in FIG. 1 is a thin silicone rubber heater or the like using a resistor such as carbon or stainless steel, and is a flexible material.

  By using the heat generating member 70 as a flexible material, the displacement of the polymer actuator element 32 can be reduced even if it is entirely bonded to the surface of the second electrode layer 35.

  In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, when using the heat generating member 70 whose surface is not insulated, the insulating layer 71 is used to electrically insulate the heat generating member 70 and the second electrode layer 35 of the polymer actuator element 32. It is the form which intervened. The insulating layer 71 is preferably made of a silicone material having a high thermal conductivity. In FIG. 2, the heat generating member 70 and the second electrode layer 35 are indirectly bonded via the insulating layer 71. The heat generating member 70 can be made of the same material as the electrode layers 34 and 35. By forming the heat generating member 70 with the same material as the electrode layers 34 and 35, the loss of displacement of the polymer actuator element 32 can be more effectively reduced.

  The embodiment shown in FIG. 3 has a structure in which a heat generating member 70 is interposed between two polymer actuator elements 32 and 32. Thus, even when a plurality of polymer actuator elements 32 and 32 are stacked, by providing the flexible heat generating member 70, each polymer can be controlled while suppressing displacement of the polymer actuator elements 32 and 32 with low loss. The actuator elements 32 and 32 can be efficiently warmed.

  In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the heat generating members 72 and 72 are joined to the electrode portions 55 and 55 provided at the fixed end 36 of the polymer actuator element 32. In this embodiment, since the heat generating member 72 is not provided at the free end 37 of the polymer actuator element 32, the heat generating member 72 is not limited to being flexible. Further, since the heat generating member 72 is provided at the fixed end 36 that is not displaced, the heat generating member 72 and the polymer actuator element 32 (electrode 55 and interface) can be appropriately joined. It is possible to prevent the displacement at the free end 37 of 32 from being hindered.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the heat generating member 72 attached to the electrode portions 55, 55 provided at the fixed end 36 of the polymer actuator element 32 includes a base material 66 and a heat generating portion 67 provided on the surface of the base material 66. It may be constituted by. At this time, a wiring board that is electrically connected to the electrode portion 55 can be used as the base 66 portion. 5 may be one in which a sheet-like heating element is attached to the surface of the base material 66, or a resistance coating film formed on the surface of the base material 66 by printing or the like. When the polymer actuator element 32 shown in FIG. 5 is incorporated in the drive device, both sides of the polymer actuator element 32 are pressed and fixedly supported by the pressing portions 68 and 68. At this time, the portion of the pressing portion 68 can be a heat generating member (heater).

  In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the heat generating members 73 and 73 are directly attached to the surfaces 34 a and 35 a of the electrode layers 34 and 35 located at the fixed end 36 of the polymer actuator element 32.

  In the heat generating member 73 shown in FIG. 6, for example, a conductor layer is formed on the surface of the heat generating member 73 to constitute a power feeding portion to the electrode layers 34 and 35. As described above, in the embodiment of FIG. 6, the heat generating member 73 has a power supply function to the electrode layers 34 and 35 in addition to the heat generation function. Alternatively, the heat generating member 73 may be configured such that the binder resin contains carbon such as carbon nanotubes or carbon graphite. The heat generating member 73 may be made of the same material as the electrode layers 34 and 35.

  According to the embodiment of FIG. 6, the heat generating member 73 can be directly joined to the surfaces 34 a and 35 a of the electrode layers 34 and 35, the electrode portion 55 shown in the form of FIG. 4 can be reduced, and further miniaturization can be achieved. Can be made easier and thinner.

  Further, the configuration in which the heat generating member 73 is also provided with a power feeding unit can be applied not only to FIG. 6 but also to FIG.

  The heat generating member 73 shown in FIG. 6 may function as a support that fixes and supports the fixed end 36 of the polymer actuator element 32. The configuration in which the heat generating member 73 also has a support can be applied not only to FIG. 6 but also to FIG. In addition, as already described in FIG. 5, the pressing portion 68 can be a heat generating member.

  However, the heat generating member 73 directly attached to the electrode layers 34 and 35 shown in FIG. 6 has a function as a support, but when the power feeding portion to the polymer actuator element 32 is not provided, a region where the heat generating member 73 is formed. For example, it is necessary to separately provide an electrode portion as a power feeding portion to the polymer actuator element 32 at the position of the fixed end 36.

  Therefore, it is more preferable that the heat generating member 73 shown in FIG. 6 has all of the heat generating function, the power feeding function, and the function as a support. Thereby, simplification of the fixed end structure of the actuator and reduction in size and thickness can be promoted more effectively.

  Moreover, it is preferable that a part or all of the heat generating members 72 and 73 is an elastomer or a foam body. As a result, the thermal conductivity to the polymer actuator element 32 can be increased, and the mechanical or conductive stability of the heating member 73 as a support / feeder can be stabilized.

  In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the heat generating members 72 and 73 are provided only at the fixed end 36 of the polymer actuator element 32. However, as shown in FIG. A heating member 76 having a power feeding portion to the polymer actuator element 32 by providing a layer or the like can be attached to the entire surface of the second electrode layer 35 of the polymer actuator element 32. The embodiment of FIG. 7 is a modification of FIG. The heating member 76 shown in FIG. 7 is joined to the surface of the electrode layer 35 via an adhesive layer or the like, and the heating member 76 is formed of a flexible material.

  In the embodiment shown in FIG. 8, a heat conductive layer 74 made of a graphite film or a metal film having high heat conductivity is formed on the surfaces 34 a and 35 a of the electrode layers 34 and 35 of the polymer actuator element 32. As a result, even if the heat generating member 73 is attached only to the fixed end 36 of the polymer actuator element 32, the entire polymer actuator element 32 can be efficiently warmed.

  FIG. 9A is a partial cross-sectional view showing a non-operating state of the polymer actuator element of one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 9B is a partial cross-sectional view showing a curved state of the polymer actuator element. .

  As shown in FIG. 9A, a heating member 75 is provided on the entire surface from the fixed end 36 to the free end 37 on the surface 35 a of the second electrode layer 35 of the polymer actuator element 32. The heat generating member 75 is fixed at the fixed end 36 via the surface 35a of the second electrode layer 35 and an adhesive layer (fixed region A). On the other hand, the space between the heat generating member 75 and the free end 37 of the second electrode layer 35 is not fixed (non-fixed region B).

  FIG. 9A shows the non-operating state of the polymer actuator element 32. As shown in FIG. 9A, the surface 35 a of the second electrode layer 35 of the polymer actuator element 32 is in contact with the heat generating member 75. Therefore, by causing the heat generating member 75 to generate heat during non-operation of FIG. 9A, the polymer actuator element 32 can be efficiently warmed by the heat generating member 75 in contact with the second electrode layer 35. 9A, since the heat generating member 75 is provided from the fixed end 36 to the free end 37 of the polymer actuator element 32, the entire polymer actuator element 32 can be efficiently warmed.

  Next, a voltage is applied between the electrode layers 34 and 35. At this time, the first electrode layer 34 is directed inward and the second electrode layer 35 is directed outward, that is, as shown in FIG. A voltage is applied so that the free end 37 of the element 32 is curved and deformed upward.

  As described in FIG. 9A, the second electrode layer 35 and the heat generating member 75 are not fixed at the free end 37 of the second electrode layer 35. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 9B, the free end 37 of the polymer actuator element 32 is bent upward, so that the free end 37 is separated from the heat generating member 75. Accordingly, the displacement of the polymer actuator element 32 is not hindered by the heat generating member 75.

  In the configuration of FIG. 9, the polymer actuator element 32 can be efficiently warmed in the non-operating state of the polymer actuator element 32 of FIG. 9A, that is, with the heat generating member 75 in contact with the second electrode layer 35. . Actually, if the polymer actuator element 32 itself is in a low temperature state before being driven, even if the polymer actuator element 32 is heated while being driven, the actuator characteristics at the initial stage are in a bad state. Therefore, the configuration of FIG. 9 in which the polymer actuator element 32 can be warmed in advance during non-operation before the operation can favorably displace the polymer actuator element 32 during the subsequent operation. It has become.

  As described above, the structure of the polymer actuator element 32 shown in FIG. 9 is one of the optimum structures because the entire polymer actuator element 32 can be warmed and the loss of displacement of the polymer actuator element 32 can be suppressed. It is.

  The heat generating member 75 in FIG. 9 may be formed of the flexible material described in FIG. 1 or may be a material other than the flexible material. When it is assumed that the polymer actuator element 32 is bent not only upward but also downward, the heat generating member 75 is flexible so as not to hinder the downward bending deformation of the polymer actuator element 32 as much as possible. A material is preferred. Even when displaced downward, the polymer actuator element 32 can be efficiently warmed by the contact between the heat generating member 75 and the polymer actuator element 32.

  In the embodiment shown in FIG. 9, similarly to FIG. 6, the heat generating members 73 and 75 can be configured to have a power feeding portion to the polymer actuator element 32 at the fixed end 36 of the polymer actuator element 32. As a result, it is possible to promote further downsizing and thinning in accordance with the above effects. Similarly, the embodiment shown in FIG. 9 can be applied to the embodiment shown in FIG. 7 in which the heating member has a power feeding portion to the polymer actuator element 32.

  However, the embodiment shown in FIG. 9 can also be applied to the configuration shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 in which the heat generating member 70 does not have a power feeding portion to the polymer actuator element 32.

  When the configuration shown in FIG. 9 is applied to the configuration shown in FIG. 3, the polymer actuator element 32 located on the upper side of the heat generating member 70 shown in FIG. The polymer actuator element 32 positioned on the lower side of the member 70 is in a non-operating state or is bent downward so that the polymer heating element 70 is flexible regardless of whether it is flexible. The displacement of the actuator element 32 can be prevented.

  In FIG. 1, FIG. 2, and FIG. 7, the flexible heat generating member is provided only on the surface side of one electrode layer 35 of the polymer actuator element 32, but on both electrode layers 34 and 35, respectively. The heating member can also be attached directly or indirectly.

  In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the surface of the first electrode layer 34 of the polymer actuator element 32 positioned above the heat generating member 70 and the second electrode layer of the polymer actuator element 32 positioned below the heat generating member 70. A heat generating member can be attached to one or both of the surfaces of 35.

  4, 6, and 8, the heat generating members are attached to both sides of the fixed end 36 of the polymer actuator element 32, but the structure may be attached only to one side. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 9, the heat generating member 73 attached to the surface side of the first electrode layer 34 may not be provided. However, it is preferable to provide heat generating members on both sides, since the polymer actuator element 32 can be efficiently warmed from both sides.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the heat generating member 80 in this embodiment (the reference numeral different from the heat generating member shown in FIGS. 1 to 9) is connected to the control unit 81, and the control unit 81 is connected to the monitor unit 82. It is connected. In the form of FIG. 10, the monitor unit 82 and the polymer actuator element 32 are connected.

  The heat generating member 80 in the present embodiment may be operated when the environmental temperature becomes low, and may not be operated when the temperature is high enough to obtain sufficient displacement of the polymer actuator element 32. Since it is difficult for current to flow through the polymer actuator element 32 at a low temperature, the controller 81 monitors the drive current (peak current) of the polymer actuator element 32, so that the controller 81 operates the heating member 80. Can be controlled. That is, when the magnitude of the drive current is detected and is smaller than a predetermined amount, the control unit 81 outputs a signal for starting the heat generating member 80 and the heat generating member 80 is heated. Alternatively, the operation of the heat generating member 80 can be controlled by the control unit 81 by monitoring the amount of displacement of the polymer actuator element 32 by the monitor unit 82. That is, if the displacement amount of the polymer actuator element 32 is smaller than a predetermined amount, the control unit 81 outputs a signal for starting the heat generating member 80 and the heat generating member 80 is heated. Alternatively, the monitor unit 82 is connected to the thermosensitive element (thermometer) 83, and the control unit 81 can control the operation of the heat generating member 80 by detecting the ambient temperature with the monitor unit 82. That is, if the environmental temperature is lower than the predetermined value, the control unit 81 outputs a signal for starting the heat generating member 80 and the heat generating member 80 is heated. Further, the heat generating member 80 can be set in a stepwise manner, and the set temperature of the heat generating member 80 can be adjusted according to the state of the polymer actuator element 32 and the environmental temperature. The thermosensitive element 83 and the monitor unit 82, and the polymer actuator element 32 and the monitor unit 82 may both be connected or may be connected to only one of them.

  The structure of the polymer actuator element shown in FIGS. 1 to 10 can be applied to, for example, a driving device described below.

  FIG. 11 is a partial longitudinal sectional view of a dot display device 1 as an embodiment of the polymer actuator drive device of the present invention. This dot display device 1 is used as a braille cell that gives information to a visually impaired person. FIG. 11 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a portion of one dot out of braille generally composed of six dots.

  As shown in FIG. 11, in the dot display device 1, a lower case 10 and an upper case 20 are overlapped to form a thin casing. As shown in FIG. 11, predetermined spaces (displaceable regions) 10 b and 20 b are formed between the lower case 10 and the upper case 20.

  As shown in FIG. 11, a polymer actuator element 32 is disposed in the spaces 10b and 20b.

  The fixed end 36 of the polymer actuator element 32 is sandwiched and fixed between the upper pressing portion 25 formed on the upper case 20 and the lower pressing portion 13 provided on the lower case 10. The lower pressing portion 13 is integrally connected to the elastic portion 12.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 11, an upper wiring board 50 is provided between the fixed end 36 and the upper pressing portion 25. The upper wiring board 50 and the first electrode layer 34 (see FIG. 1 and the like) of the polymer actuator element 32 are electrically connected. A lower wiring board 40 is provided between the fixed end 36 and the lower pressing portion 13. The lower wiring board 40 and the second electrode layer 35 (see FIG. 1 and the like) of the polymer actuator element 32 are electrically connected.

  As shown in FIG. 11, a hole 21 is formed in the upper case 20, and a protruding member 31 is provided in the hole 21. The protruding member 31 is a contacted portion 31a having a curved surface at the distal end facing the Z1 direction as the protruding direction, and a pressed portion 31b receiving the protruding pressing force at the proximal end facing in the Z2 direction as the retracting direction.

  The solid polymer actuator element 32 shown in FIG. 11 is in a non-operating state. At this time, for example, the free end 37 of the polymer actuator element 32 is in contact with the pressed portion 31 b of the protruding member 31.

  If the structure shown in FIG. 9 is used for the polymer actuator element 32, a voltage is applied to the electrode layers 34 and 35 of the polymer actuator element 32 to cause the free end 37 of the polymer actuator element 32 to bend and deform upward. The protruding member 31 can be moved upward as indicated by the dotted line while being pressed. At this time, since the free end 37 of the polymer actuator element 32 and the heat generating member 75 are not fixed, the free end 37 is gradually separated from the heat generating member 75 while pushing up the protruding member 31. Therefore, the displacement of the free end 37 is not hindered by the heat generating member 75.

  By using the polymer actuator element 32 of the present embodiment in the dot display device 1 shown in FIG. 11, when the use environment of the dot display device 1 is low temperature, the heat generating member 75 is caused to generate heat and the polymer actuator element. 32 can be warmed. Therefore, the actuator characteristics of the polymer actuator element 32 in a low temperature environment can be improved. In particular, in this embodiment, the heat generating member 75 is attached to the polymer actuator element 32, and the heat generating member 75 itself has a very thin plate thickness. Therefore, even if the heat generating member 75 is provided, the space can be reduced compared to the case where the heat generating device is installed at a position away from the polymer actuator element 32 through the space, and the polymer actuator element 32 can be efficiently processed. It is possible to warm up.

1 dot display device (drive device)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Lower case 10b, 20b Space 20 Upper case 31 Protruding member 31b Pressed part 32 Polymer actuator element 33 Electrolyte layer 34, 35 Electrode layer 36 Fixed end 37 Free end 40 Lower wiring board 50 Upper wiring board 55 Electrode part 67 Heat generating part 68 Pressing part 70, 72, 73, 75, 76, 80 Heat generating member 71 Insulating layer 81 Control part 82 Monitor part 83 Thermal element

Claims (10)

In a polymer actuator element having an electrolyte layer and electrode layers provided on both surfaces in the thickness direction of the electrolyte layer, and bending from a fixed end to a free end when a voltage is applied between the pair of electrode layers,
A polymer actuator element, wherein a heating member is attached to at least a part of the element.   2. The polymer actuator element according to claim 1, wherein the heat generating member is made of a flexible material, and is directly or indirectly attached to the surface of one electrode layer or the surfaces of both electrode layers. .   3. The polymer actuator element according to claim 1, wherein the heat generating member is directly or indirectly attached to a surface of a fixed end of one of the electrode layers or both electrode layers.   The heat generating member is provided on one electrode layer side from a fixed end to a free end, and the heat generating member and the one electrode layer are in direct or indirect contact with each other between the pair of electrode layers. A voltage is applied to the one electrode layer so that the free end is separated from the heat generating member when the one electrode layer is curved and deformed so that the other electrode layer is on the outside and the other electrode layer is on the inside. The polymer actuator element according to claim 3, wherein a fixed end and the heat generating member are fixed, and a free end of the one electrode layer and the heat generating member are not fixed. The polymer actuator element according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the heat generating member has a power feeding portion to the polymer actuator element at the fixed end.   The polymer actuator element according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the heat generating member has a function as a support for the polymer actuator element at the fixed end.   The polymer actuator element according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein a heat conductive layer is provided on a surface of the electrode layer.   The polymer actuator element according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein a controller that controls a heat generation operation is connected to the heat generation member.   9. A driving apparatus that supports a fixed end of the polymer actuator element according to claim 1 and includes a displaceable region at a free end of the polymer actuator element.   A fixed end of the polymer actuator element according to claim 4 is supported, and a displaceable region of the free end of the polymer actuator element is provided, and a free end on one electrode layer side of the polymer actuator element is provided. Is provided with a pressed portion to apply a voltage between the pair of electrode layers from a state in which the heat generating member and the one electrode layer are in direct or indirect contact with each other, and the one electrode layer is outside. In addition, when the other electrode layer is bent and deformed so as to be inside, the free end of the polymer actuator element gradually separates from the heat generating member and presses the pressed portion in a direction away from the heat generating member. A drive device characterized by the above.

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