JP2023104100A - engagement mechanism - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an engagement mechanism 1 which can automatically operate an actuator in accordance with a change of environment in which conductive materials enter prescribed space.SOLUTION: A blocking member 42 of the engagement mechanism 1 is engaged with piping 41 so as to move to a second position from a first position with respect to the piping 41 due to deformation of a flexible electrode 10 with driving of an actuator 100 and block a flow channel 45 at least in the second position. In a drive circuit 70, wiring 79 between the flexible electrode 10 connected through a power supply 71 and a base electrode 20 is disconnected, and a pair of terminals 73A and 73B are provided at a distance at ends of the disconnected wirings 79A and 79B in the flow channel 45. When conductive materials enter the flow channel 45, a pair of terminals are conducted by the conductive materials and a pair of terminals 73A and 73B are placed in positions where the drive circuit 70 forms closed circuits.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2A

Description

The present invention relates to an engagement mechanism using an actuator.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, soft actuators that perform mechanical work using deformation of a flexible member as power are known (for example, Patent Document 1). The actuator according to Patent Literature 1 achieves a simple linear movement by applying a voltage between electrodes.

Japanese Patent No. 5714200

However, such an actuator uses a switch or the like to control the application of a voltage between a pair of electrodes in a steady state. It does not work accordingly.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above, and an object of the present invention is to provide an engagement mechanism capable of automatically operating an actuator in response to a change in the environment in which a conductive substance enters a predetermined space. I will provide a.

In view of the above problems, an engaging mechanism according to the present invention includes a flexible electrode having flexibility, and a base electrode having a surface facing the flexible electrode formed of an insulating layer. and a power source for applying the voltage between the flexible electrode and the base electrode to drive the actuator. a drive circuit, a connecting rod connected to the flexible electrode and displaced by deformation of the flexible electrode, an engaging member connected to the connecting rod, and an engaged member engaged with the engaging member; wherein the engaging member moves from a first position to a second position with respect to the engaged member by deformation of the flexible electrode, and at least at the second position, the engaged member A member is engaged with the driving circuit, and the wiring between the flexible electrode and the base electrode connected via the power supply is disconnected. The pair of terminals are arranged in a space apart from each other, and the pair of terminals are arranged at positions where the pair of terminals are electrically connected to each other by the conductive material when the conductive material enters the predetermined space. Characterized by

According to the present invention, in a steady state, the wiring of the drive circuit electrically connecting the flexible electrode and the base electrode through the power supply is disconnected, and the pair of terminals provided at the ends of each wiring is separated from the predetermined space. Because they are spaced apart inside, the drive circuit forms an open circuit. Therefore, in such an open-circuit state, the pair of terminals are not electrically connected, so that the voltage of the power source is not applied between the flexible electrode and the base electrode. Therefore, deformation of the flexible electrode does not occur, and the engaging member does not move from the first position to the second position with respect to the engaged member.

On the other hand, as an unsteady state, when a conductive material enters a predetermined space in which a pair of terminals are arranged, the conductive material causes the pair of terminals to conduct each other, and the drive circuit forms a closed circuit. As a result, a voltage is applied between the flexible electrode and the base electrode, deforming the flexible electrode. Since the connecting rod is connected to the flexible electrode, it is displaced by the deformation of the flexible electrode. Due to this displacement, the engaging member connected to the connecting rod moves from the first position to the second position with respect to the engaged member, and at the second position, the engaging member moves to the engaged member. can be engaged. In this way, the actuator can be operated in response to changes in the environment in which the conductive substance enters.

As a more preferable aspect, the member to be engaged is a pipe through which a non-conductive fluid flows, the pair of terminals are arranged in a flow path of the pipe as the predetermined space, and the engagement The member is a blocking member that engages the pipe at the second position and blocks the flow of the fluid through the pipe.

According to this aspect, as a steady state, when a non-conductive fluid flows through the pipe, the pair of terminals provided at the separation of the pipe are not electrically connected. The drive circuit therefore maintains an open circuit so that the blocking member is held in the first position.

On the other hand, as an unsteady state, when a conductive substance flows into the pipe, the pair of terminals provided in the pipe become conductive, and the drive circuit becomes a closed circuit. Thereby, a voltage is applied between both electrodes, the flexible electrode is deformed, and the connecting rod is displaced. As a result, the blocking member connected to the connecting rod can move from the first position to the second position to block the flow of fluid through the pipe. In this way, when a conductive substance is mixed in a non-conductive fluid, the actuator can be automatically operated without detecting the mixture of the conductive substance by a detection sensor or the like.

Furthermore, as another aspect, the predetermined space is a closed space formed by closing the space with an opening/closing member, and the engaged member is a locking mechanism that locks the opening/closing member in a closed state, The pair of terminals are arranged in the sealed space, and the engaging member is a releasing member that engages with the locking mechanism at the second position to unlock the locking mechanism.

According to this aspect, in a steady state, the closed space is closed by the open/close member, and in a state where the open/close member is locked by the lock mechanism, the pair of terminals arranged in the closed space are not electrically connected. Therefore, the release member is held in the first position because the open circuit of the drive circuit is maintained.

On the other hand, in an unsteady state, when a conductive substance enters the closed space, the pair of terminals provided in the closed space are conducted, and the drive circuit becomes a closed circuit. Thereby, a voltage is applied between both electrodes, the flexible electrode is deformed, and the connecting rod is displaced. As a result, the unlocking member connected to the connecting rod moves from the first position to the second position, unlocking the opening/closing member by the lock mechanism. In this way, when a conductive substance enters the sealed space, it is regarded as an unsteady state (abnormal state), and the lock of the lock mechanism is released without detecting this. A sealed space sealed by a member can be opened. In addition, in an unsteady state, the flexible electrode and the base electrode may be provided at a position away from the conductive fluid so that they are not short-circuited, and only the pair of terminals are in contact with the conductive fluid. As positioned, other portions of the drive circuitry, the flexible electrode, the base electrode, and the power supply may be provided at locations that do not contact the conductive fluid.

According to the present invention, the actuator is automatically operated according to the environmental change in which the conductive material enters the predetermined space.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the engagement mechanism according to the first embodiment, and is a schematic diagram of the actuator in a non-driving state; FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA shown in FIG. 1A; FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a state in which an actuator is driven in the engagement mechanism shown in FIG. 1; FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB shown in FIG. 2A; FIG. 2B is a schematic diagram for explaining restoring the flexible electrode from the state shown in FIG. 2A; 1B is an engagement mechanism according to a modification of FIG. 1A; FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of the engagement mechanism according to the second embodiment, in which the actuator is in a non-driving state and the door is in an unlocked state; FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of the engagement mechanism shown in FIG. 5 in which the actuator is in a non-driving state and the door is in a locked (locked) state; FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of the engaging mechanism shown in FIG. 6 in a state where the actuator is driven, and a schematic diagram of a state in which the door is unlocked;

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Components denoted by the same reference numerals in each embodiment have the same function in each embodiment unless otherwise specified, and the description thereof will be omitted.

[First Embodiment]
An engagement mechanism 1 of the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1A to 4. FIG. FIG. 1A is a schematic diagram of the engagement mechanism 1 according to the first embodiment, and is a schematic diagram of the actuator 100 in a non-driving state. FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view along line AA shown in FIG. 1A. 2A is a schematic diagram of a state in which the actuator 100 is driven in the engagement mechanism 1 shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB shown in FIG. 2A. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram for explaining restoring the flexible electrode from the state shown in FIG. 2A. FIG. 4 is an engagement mechanism according to a modification of FIG. 1A.

In the engagement mechanism 1 according to the first embodiment, the flow of the fluid F to a pipe (engaged member) 41 through which the fluid F flows and the flow path 45 formed in the pipe 41 is cut off by driving the actuator 100. It is engaged with a freely blocking member (engaging member) 42 . First, the actuator 100 and its driving principle will be described below.

1. Actuator 100 The actuator 100 is a soft actuator that performs mechanical work using the deformation of the flexible electrode 10 as a driving force. The actuator 100 deforms the flexible electrode 10 itself, unlike a conventional soft actuator powered by deformation of a dielectric elastomer sandwiched between a pair of electrodes.

As shown in FIGS. 1A and 2A, in the actuator 100 of the first embodiment, a Coulomb force is generated by applying a voltage between the flexible electrode 10 and the base electrode 20 . By this Coulomb force, the actuator 100 deforms the flexible electrode 10 so that the flexible electrode 10 approaches the surface 21 facing the flexible electrode 10 among the surfaces of the base electrode 20 (see FIG. 2A). When the voltage application between both electrodes is released and the switch 81 is turned on, the actuator 100 restores the deformation of the flexible electrode 10 (see FIG. 3). After that, the switch 81 is turned off to drive the actuator 100 again (see FIG. 1A). Here, "between both electrodes" as used in this specification means between the flexible electrode and the base electrode.

The actuator 100 comprises a potentially flexible electrode 10 and a base electrode 20 for applying a voltage to generate a Coulombic force that deforms the flexible electrode 10 . A space 23 is formed between the flexible electrode 10 and the base electrode 20 . The space 23 is a space for deforming the flexible electrode 10 by applying a voltage between both electrodes, and the flexible electrode 10 deforms toward the facing surface 21 of the base electrode 20 so as to fill the space 23 . . Due to such deformation of the flexible electrode 10, the connecting rod 30 connected to the flexible electrode 10 is displaced. Details of the flexible electrode 10 and the base electrode 20 will be described below.

1-1. Flexible Electrode 10 The flexible electrode 10 is made of a flexible conductor. The flexibility of the flexible electrode 10 is deformed by the action of the Coulomb force generated by applying a voltage between the flexible electrode 10 and the base electrode 20, and when the Coulomb force disappears, the original shape (the shape before deformation, that is, when the voltage is applied) It is flexible such that it restores its shape (before it was applied). The flexible electrode 10 and the base electrode 20 are connected via a switch 81 , and the switch 81 is OFF until a voltage is applied between the base electrode 20 and the flexible electrode 10 . When the switch 81 is turned on, the flexible electrode 10 and the base electrode 20 (specifically, the electrode section 25) are short-circuited, so that a capacitor is stored and maintained between the flexible electrode 10 and the electrode section 25. charge is lost. As a result, the Coulomb force acting on the flexible electrode 10 disappears, and the flexible electrode 10 restores the shape shown in FIG. 1A. When the actuator 100 is to be driven again, the switch 81 is turned off.

In this embodiment, the flexible electrode 10 and the base electrode 20 are connected via the switch 81. For example, as shown in FIG. , 83 to ground. The operations of switches 82 and 83 are similar to switch 81 described above. In this case as well, when the switches 82 and 83 are turned on, the charge stored and maintained as a capacitor between the flexible electrode 10 and the electrode section 25 disappears, and the flexible electrode 10 and the electrode section 25 are at the same potential. Become. Thereby, the flexible electrode 10 is restored to the shape shown in FIG. 1A. Note that the switch 81 may be operated manually or through a control device.

The flexible electrode 10 may be formed using conductive rubber, conductive gel, or the like. As this conductive rubber, for example, an elastomer molded by mixing a conductive material can be used. Examples of the conductive material include fine powder of carbon black, acetylene black or carbon nanotubes, fine metal powder of silver or copper, or a conductor having a core-shell structure in which an insulator such as silica or alumina is coated with a metal by sputtering or the like. fine powder and the like. Examples of the conductive gel include a functional gel material in which a solvent such as water or a humectant, an electrolyte, an additive, and the like are held in a three-dimensional polymer matrix. Examples of this functional gel material include ST-gel (registered trademark) of Sekisui Plastics Co., Ltd.

1-2. About Base Electrode 20 The base electrode 20 includes an electrode portion 25 made of a conductive material such as a metal material, and an insulating layer 22 covering the surface of the electrode portion 25 . Specifically, an insulating layer 22 is formed on a surface 21 of the base electrode 20 facing the flexible electrode 10 .

The electrode portion 25 is formed using a conductive metal material such as iron, copper, or aluminum. On the other hand, the insulating layer 22 is formed using a ferroelectric material made of ceramics so that electric charges accumulated in the base electrode 20 can be reliably maintained by applying a voltage between the flexible electrode 10 and the base electrode 20. be.

In particular, the insulating layer 22 is formed using a ferroelectric having a perovskite structure. Examples of ferroelectrics having a perovskite structure include barium titanate (BaTiO ₃ ), lead titanate (PbTiO ₃ ), lead zirconate titanate (Pb(Zr,Ti)O ₃ ), and lead lanthanum zirconate titanate. ((Pb, La) (Zr, Ti) O ₃ ), strontium titanate (SrTiO ₃ ), barium strontium titanate ((Ba, Sr) TiO ₃ ), or potassium sodium niobate ((NaK)NbO ₃ ) etc. A substance such as CaZrO ₃ or BaSnO ₃ may be dissolved in barium titanate.

Moreover, the material used for forming the insulating layer 22 is preferably a material having a high relative permittivity that can generate a Coulomb force that deforms the flexible electrode 10 . The dielectric constant of the insulating layer 22 may be 1000 or more by using ceramics (fine ceramics), for example. Barium titanate has a dielectric constant of about 1,000 to 10,000. Lead zirconate titanate has a dielectric constant of 500-5000. Strontium titanate has a dielectric constant of 200-500. Ferroelectrics with these perovskite structures are materials with high dielectric constants.

A space 23 for deforming the flexible electrode 10 is formed in the base electrode 20 at a position facing the flexible electrode 10 . Specifically, the base electrode 20 has a surface 21 facing the flexible electrode 10, as shown in FIG. It consists of two inclined surfaces 21a, 21a which are slanted at the same angle. A space 23 is formed between the flexible electrode 10 and the base electrode 20 by the two inclined surfaces 21a, 21a.

When a voltage is applied between both electrodes, the flexible electrode 10 is attracted to the base electrode 20 by the Coulomb force, and deforms so as to fill the space 23 of the base electrode 20 (that is, approach the facing surface 21). Due to this deformation, the connecting rod 30 connected to the center of the flexible electrode 10 is linearly displaced (linearly moved) according to the deformation of the flexible electrode 10 .

Here, in this embodiment, the base electrode 20 is formed with a V-shaped concave portion, but by applying a voltage between the electrodes 10 and 20, the connecting rod 30 connected to the flexible electrode 10 is displaced. Therefore, the shape of the facing surface 21 of the base electrode 20 (that is, the shape of the space 23) and the connecting position of the connecting rod 30 are not particularly limited.

2. Driving Circuit 70 The driving circuit 70 is a circuit that includes a power supply 71 that applies a voltage between the flexible electrode 10 and the base electrode 20 and that drives the actuator 100 . The power supply 71 is composed of a DC voltage source. The drive circuit 70 is provided with a pair of terminals 73A and 73B spaced apart in the flow path 45 (predetermined space) of the pipe 41 so that the drive circuit 70 forms an open circuit. In this embodiment, the drive circuit 70 further includes wires 77 and 78 that connect the flexible electrode 10 and the base electrode 20 via the power supply 71 .

One end of the wiring 77 is connected to the negative electrode of the power supply 71 and the other end is connected to the electrode portion 25 of the base electrode 20 . The wiring 78 is formed by disconnecting the wiring 78 between the flexible electrode 10 and the base electrode 20 connected via the power supply 71 into two wirings 78A and 78B, and connecting a pair of terminals to each end of the disconnected wirings 78B and 78A. 73A and 73B are spaced apart in a predetermined space. That is, the wiring path between the base electrode 20 and the flexible electrode 20 via the power source 71 is partially intermittent, and a pair of terminals 73A and 73B are provided in this intermittent portion. . One end of the wiring 78A is connected to the positive electrode of the power supply 71, and the other end is provided with a terminal 73A. A terminal 73B is provided at one end of the wiring 78B, and the other end is connected to the flexible electrode 10 . In this embodiment, the terminals 73A and 73B are arranged in a channel 45 of the pipe 41, which will be described later. In this embodiment, the negative electrode of the power source 71 is connected to the wiring 77 and the positive electrode of the power source 71 is connected to the wiring 78A. Such a connection may be used because the electrodes 10 are deformed by the application of a voltage.

As will be described later, the pipe 41 is formed with a channel 45 through which a non-conductive fluid flows. and are separated from each other, so they do not conduct.

The pair of terminals 73A and 73B are arranged at positions where the pair of terminals 73A and 73B are electrically connected by the conductive material when the conductive material enters the channel 45 (predetermined space) of the pipe 41 . When the terminals 73A and 73B are electrically connected, the drive circuit 70 forms a closed circuit. Specifically, when the non-conductive fluid flowing through the pipe 41 is mixed with a conductive substance, or when the non-conductive fluid changes to a conductive fluid, the pair of terminals 73A and 73B It is placed in a position where it can conduct electricity. In addition, the non-conductive fluid may be a cooling liquid having insulating properties used for cooling the fuel cell or the like, and the cooling liquid (fluid itself) may be mixed with a conductive substance such as water. , will be conductive.

3. Engagement Mechanism 1 The engagement mechanism 1 includes the actuator 100 described above and a drive circuit 70 that drives the actuator 100 . In addition, the engagement mechanism 1 includes a connecting rod 30 that is connected to the flexible electrode 10 and is displaced by deformation of the flexible electrode 10, a pipe 41 through which the fluid F flows, and a pipe 41 that is connected to the connecting rod 30 and engages with the pipe 41. A blocking member 42 is provided. The pipe 41 is the "engaged member" to be engaged with the engaging member according to the present invention, and the blocking member 42 corresponds to the "engaging member" according to the present invention.

The connecting rod 30 is a tubular or columnar rod, one end of the connecting rod 30 is connected to the center of the flexible electrode 10 and the other end of the connecting rod 30 is connected to the blocking member 42 . In the first position shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the blocking member 42 does not exist in the flow path 45 of the pipe 41, but exists at a position separated from the flow path 45 of the pipe 41 via the connecting rod 30. there is

Specifically, the pipe 41 is provided with a housing portion 43 formed with a housing space for housing the blocking member 42 so as to communicate with the flow path 45 . 1B, the blocking member 42 is engaged with the pipe 41 with the blocking member 42 housed in the housing portion 43 at the first position. In this state, a portion of the distal end side of the connecting rod 30 crosses the flow path 45 of the pipe 41 .

2A and 2B, due to the deformation of the flexible electrode 10, the blocking member 42 moves to a second position and, at the second position, engages with the pipe 41 so that the flow through the pipe 41 It blocks the flow of the fluid F. Thus, in the second position, the blocking member 42 closes the flow path 45 of the pipe 41 and blocks its flow.

According to this embodiment, as described above, as shown in FIG. 1, in a steady state, the drive circuit 70 electrically connecting the flexible electrode 10 and the base electrode 20 via the power supply 71 forms an open circuit. It is designed to Specifically, the drive circuit 70 has a pair of terminals 73A and 73B spaced apart in the pipe 41, thereby opening the drive circuit 70. As shown in FIG. Therefore, in such an open-circuit state, no voltage is applied between the flexible electrode 10 and the base electrode 20 because the pair of terminals 73A and 73B are not electrically connected (there is no current between the terminals 73A and 73B). That is, in this case, deformation of the flexible electrode 10 does not occur, and the blocking member 42 is held at the first position with respect to the pipe 41 and does not move to the second position.

On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, as an unsteady state, when a conductive substance enters the pipe 41 in which the pair of terminals 73A and 73B are arranged, the pair of terminals 73A and 73B are separated by the conductive substance. Conductive and drive circuit 70 forms a closed circuit. As a result, a voltage is applied between the flexible electrode 10 and the base electrode 20 .

The flexible electrode 10 connected to the positive pole of the power source 71 is positively charged, and the electrode portion 25 connected to the negative pole of the power source 71 is negatively charged. The insulating layer 22 covering the facing surface of the electrode portion 25 is dielectrically polarized. The insulating layer 22 of the electrode portion 25 is positively charged in the vicinity of the interface with the electrode portion 25 and negatively charged in the vicinity of the surface opposite to the interface (the space 23 side). Coulomb force is generated between the insulating layer 22 and the flexible electrode 10 . The flexible electrode 10 is attracted to the insulating layer 22 by the Coulomb force. That is, the Coulomb force deforms the flexible electrode 10 so as to approach the facing surface 21 of the base electrode 20 .

Since the connecting rod 30 is connected to the flexible electrode 10 , it is displaced by the deformation of the flexible electrode 10 . Due to this displacement, the blocking member 42 connected to the connecting rod 30 moves from the first position to the second position with respect to the pipe 41, and engages the blocking member 42 with the pipe 41 at the second position. be able to. In this way, when a conductive substance is mixed in the non-conductive fluid F, the actuator 100 is automatically operated without detecting the mixture of the conductive substance F by a detection sensor or the like, and the pipe 41 The flow of fluid F within can be interrupted.

[Second embodiment]
The engagement mechanism 1 according to the second embodiment will be described in detail below with reference to FIGS. 5 to 7. FIG. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of the engagement mechanism according to the second embodiment, in which the actuator is in a non-driving state and the door is in an unlocked state. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of the engagement mechanism shown in FIG. 5 in which the actuator is not driven and the door is locked. 7 is a schematic diagram of a state in which the actuator is driven in the engagement mechanism shown in FIG. 6, and a schematic diagram of a state in which the door is unlocked. The actuator 100 and drive circuit 70 of the engagement mechanism 1 according to the second embodiment are the same mechanisms as those shown in the first embodiment. Therefore, hereinafter, members having the same functions as those of the members of the engagement mechanism 1 of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The engagement mechanism 1 according to the second embodiment includes a locking mechanism 50 that locks the door (opening/closing member) 60 of the vehicle in a closed state, and an unlocking member 52 that unlocks the locking mechanism 50 by driving the actuator 100 . and have. The lock mechanism 50 is a mechanism that locks the door 60 that opens or closes the interior space 58 of the vehicle, and the lock mechanism 50 locks the door 60 in the closed state. The door 60 is pivoted to the back side of the paper surface shown in FIG. 5 by a hinge structure (not shown). In the present embodiment, the pair of terminals 73A and 73B are spaced apart in a closed space (interior space) 58 of the vehicle.

Specifically, the lock mechanism 50 is a latch-type lock mechanism, and includes a door lock striker (hereinafter referred to as "door striker") 55 attached to a center pillar 51 of the vehicle and a hook 54 that can be engaged with the door striker 55. and have. The hook 54 is rotatably attached to a vehicle body (not shown) by a pin 56 and connected to a biasing member 57 via the vehicle body.

The biasing member 57 is made of an elastic member such as a spring material, and in the unlocked state shown in FIG. In the locked state (locked state), the hook 54 pushed in by the pushing member 53 is urged. The pushing member 53 is operated by a passenger to lock and unlock the lock mechanism 50. Specifically, the pushing member 53 pushes the hook 54 toward the door striker 55, Door 60 is locked.

According to such a lock mechanism 50 , as shown in FIG. 6 , when the hook 54 is pushed by the pushing member 53 , the hook 54 engages the door striker 55 and the door 60 is locked. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 5, when the hook 54 is released from being pushed by the pushing member 53, the hook 54 is released from the door striker 55 by the biasing member 57, and the door 60 is unlocked.

In this embodiment, a release member 52 that engages with the hook 54 of the lock mechanism 50 to release the lock of the lock mechanism 50 is provided. The release member 52 is a claw-shaped member and is connected to the connecting rod 30 , and its tip (claw portion) enters the concave portion 54 a of the hook 54 and engages with the hook 54 . In the state shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the releasing member 52 is held in its posture, and only the hook 54 rotates.

Therefore, in a steady state, as shown in FIG. 6, when the sealed space 58 is closed by the door 60 and the door 60 is locked by the lock mechanism 50, the pair of terminals 73A and 73B arranged in the sealed space 58 are Not conducted. Therefore, the release member 52 is held at the first position because the open circuit of the drive circuit 70 is maintained.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 7, when the closed space 58, which is the interior space of the vehicle, is flooded with water, an unsteady state occurs. Since the pair of terminals 73A and 73B provided in the are conductive, the driving circuit 70 becomes a closed circuit. As a result, a voltage is applied between both electrodes, the flexible electrode 10 deforms toward the base electrode 20, and the connecting rod 30 is displaced. Here, if the entire sealed space 58 is flooded, the flexible electrode 10 and the electrode section 25 are short-circuited, so that no charge is accumulated between them and the flexible electrode 10 is not deformed. Therefore, the terminals 73A and 73B may be arranged at a position (for example, a position at a predetermined height from the floor in the vehicle (for example, seat cushion)) to be electrically connected to water first. In addition, a portion including the flexible electrode 10 and the electrode portion 25 may be covered with a waterproof casing or the like so as to prevent electrical continuity due to immersion in water.

As a result, the releasing member 52 connected to the connecting rod 30 moves from the first position shown in FIG. 5 to the second position shown in FIG. As a result, the hook 54 of the lock mechanism 50 rotates further than the position shown in FIG. As a result, the door 60 is unlocked.

In this manner, according to the present embodiment, even if water enters the vehicle, the locking mechanism 50 is forcibly unlocked without detecting the entry of water as an unsteady state (abnormal state). Therefore, the door 60 can be opened to open the closed space 58 closed by the door 60 .

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various designs can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention described in the claims. Changes can be made. The present invention adds features of one embodiment to features of other embodiments, replaces features of one embodiment with others, or deletes portions of features of one embodiment. can be

1: engagement mechanism, 10: flexible electrode, 20: base electrode, 21: facing surface, 22: insulating layer, 30: connecting rod, 41: piping (member to be engaged), 45: flow path (predetermined space) , 50: locking mechanism (engaged member), 52: releasing member, 58: sealed space (predetermined space), 70: drive circuit, 71: power supply, 73A, 73B: terminals, 100: actuator, F: fluid

Claims (3)

A flexible electrode having flexibility and a base electrode formed of an insulating layer on a surface facing the flexible electrode are provided, and the flexible electrode approaches the facing surface by applying a voltage between both electrodes. an actuator driven by deforming
a driving circuit for driving the actuator, including a power source for applying the voltage between the flexible electrode and the base electrode;
a connecting rod connected to the flexible electrode and displaced by deformation of the flexible electrode;
an engaging member connected to the connecting rod;
an engaged member that is engaged with the engaging member;
The engaging member moves from a first position to a second position with respect to the member to be engaged by deformation of the flexible electrode, and engages with the member to be engaged at least at the second position. combined,
In the drive circuit, the wiring between the flexible electrode and the base electrode connected via the power supply is disconnected, and a pair of terminals are provided at the ends of the disconnected wiring in a predetermined space. is provided,
The engaging mechanism, wherein the pair of terminals are arranged at positions where the pair of terminals are electrically connected by the conductive material when the conductive material enters the predetermined space. The engaged member is a pipe through which a non-conductive fluid flows,
The pair of terminals are arranged in the flow path of the pipe as the predetermined space,
2. The engagement mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the engagement member is a blocking member that engages with the pipe at the second position and blocks the flow of the fluid flowing through the pipe. The predetermined space is a closed space formed by closing the space with an opening and closing member,
the engaged member is a lock mechanism that locks the opening/closing member in a closed state;
The pair of terminals are arranged in the closed space,
2. The engagement mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the engagement member is a release member that engages with the lock mechanism at the second position to unlock the lock mechanism.

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